The next day at Qing Qui...

Every corner in Qing Qui was ornated with white banners. Thousands of white garmented publics gathered at the memorial dwelling. Mo Yan along with his disciples were among the present. Ye Hua, Lian Song, Si Ming, Yan Chiwu, Xu Yang and part of their respective armies were there too. Two tall stone totems were built to commemorate Bai Yi, Weng Chan along the other fallen heroes. The monuments were held high up on a platform. The Bais along with the rest of the audience shared the same space. Today the fallen heroes occupied the highest stage. Everyone else shared an equal status. This was Qing Qui's way.

The time has come to start but before Bai Zhi wanted to speak a few words. He greeted everyone present.

"We are all familiar with the negative effects of war that include loss of life, destruction of cities and the environment, plus the suffering. The long-term effects would be the defeat of problematic ruling, the correction of injustices, advances in knowledge and medicine, and a reduction of redundancy. Conversely, wars are terrible, ghastly, deadly enterprises. For people involved in wars, its constant terror, suffering, among other difficulties.

Wars can correct terrible injustices and can also lead to industrial advances that help our society. War affects the people who were victims and those who took part, for example, our soldiers. From women, men, children, and even the soldiers have to live with the memories of the destruction and killings that occurred during the war. These memories are the ones that result in a change of character and personality. War is not right, our society is moving towards cultivation, and thus we need to find more sophisticated methods of solving problems once they arise, there are many adverse effects as compared to positive results that are brought by war. Women and children are the people who are most affected while the realms suffer significantly from economic decline.

We are grateful to see many of our esteem contemporaries gathered here today with our family in our lands. Especially those who honorably fought side by side with us to eliminate our greatest enemy who threatened not only Qing Qui but also your realms. In the face of calamity, we had put aside our differences and united for the purpose of defending universal peace. I saw many immortals from different backgrounds and forms shedding their precious blood to guarantee a world without evil. Today we mourn, grief and honor those who valiantly and selflessly gave up their lives to ensure for the coming generations that we all can enjoy a harmonious live. Celestials, earth immortals, demons, civilians, can coexist together for a greatest purpose. What a precious legacy we had sown to them. I can only proudly express my gratitude to all of you today. Especially to our beloved Queen who eliminated our biggest threat forever. Xiao Jiu, if you please..." Bai Zhi called Feng Jiu to come forward.

"Thank you, grandfather." Feng Jiu venerably bowed to Bai Zhi. Dong Hua stood by her side. Feng Jiu gazed Dong Hua for help, but he signaled her to proceed. It was the Queen's turn to talk. She composed herself, gave Dong Hua a small bow and proceeded to address the audience.

"Beloved Qing Qui citizens, esteemed high deities, Tian Jun Ye Hua and Tianhou Bai Qian, respected leaders, Qing Qui Prince Consort, His Lordship Dong Hua Dijun and myself extend our uppermost gratitude to all of you, for the service, support and assistance to rebuild and restore our beloved Qing Qui. Thank you.

Although we're all in mourning, reaching the acceptance stage and adjusting to the loss does not mean that all the pain is over. Grieving for someone who was close to you includes losing the future you expected with that person. This must also be mourned. The sense of loss can last for decades. The bereaved may be reminded of their absence at an event they would have been expected to attend. This can bring back strong emotions, and require mourning yet another part of the loss. We have lost so many people during this war, let their memories be a blessing to all of us forever.

I echo the words that my grandfather just expressed to you. They come from years of experience, wisdom, insight, and sincerity. Our appreciation cannot only be expressed in words but also thru honorable deeds.

Qing Qui has always stood out as one of the most prosperous kingdoms in all the regions and has always maintained good relations and conducted honest transactions with other domains. We have strived to maintain righteous values ​​characterized in the hearts of our beloved citizens and workers. Today we all suffer together with you as we sympathize with the loss and pain of those very close and special in our hearts.

I stand before you not only as a Qing Qui monarch but also as an individual who, recognizing my duty, have fought hand in hand with each of you to defend our freedom and keep the peace free from evil guiles. But I cannot take the merit alone. Together with the efforts of many, we were able to eliminate a powerful enemy which has left devastation, scarcity, suffering, helplessness, loneliness and guilt. Recently, someone very close told me the following words: 'Regardless of what happened, focus on the present. Learn from your past mistakes and ensure that they do not get repeated. Instead of making ourselves suffer, it is better to make amends. Guilt is an incredibly powerful emotion. It often combines feelings of shame, anxiety, frustration, and humiliation. These emotions can well up inside and build over time, it can be an elusive and hard-to-predict beast. It is important to reflect on what happened, and learn the precious lessons to avoid re-experiencing the past. This definitely facilitates the healing process.'

His Lordship Dong Hua Dijun said those words to me. His words marked me deeply. They have made me understand that living with a sense of guilt is not the best choice in life. In some way or another we have all been marked by guilt. Even in the midst of the effects of war, we breathe easy knowing that we will enter a period of peace where we will have room to reflect on actions that in one way or another contributed to the decline of our efforts to maintain that peace since millennials ago when the cost was still even higher. We can move into the future confident as we consider that each of our individual actions are ripples that form on a pond and can contribute to strengthen our relationships or the destruction of them. We don't want to see another realm get devastated due to another war.

Qing Qui has a strong relationship with Nine Heavens, but to ensure universal peace, it has to go beyond a political affiliation, it must be grounded on common strong and valuable morals to ensure that our future generations will be safe from harm. Today Miao Lou is gone, tomorrow we're not sure who will be our next enemy or how powerful it would be. If we continue to be divided, we'll never attain this goal. If we continue to compete against one another for power, positions, supremacy etc., we will repeat the same mistakes again, relive the same scenario and bring shame to our lost loved ones, dishonoring their sacrifice and memories. What I'm trying to propose here is to unite ourselves regardless of where we come from and work cohesively for a greater purpose.

In an effort to peacefully settle future disputes between ourselves, I propose to create a Confederation of Realms. In an attempt to achieve mutual benefits, among industrial advances, to devise better ways of eliminating our enemies and produce better methods of preserving the lives of combatants, and developments that will benefit the civilian populations, to ensure their survival and existence.

This union will not be based on control but as an instrument to ensure collective peace, prosperity, equanimity and justice. To prevent loss of precious lives and safeguard our territories. To build creditability and responsibility in our actions creating transnational peaceful treaties that will sustain the security in our borderlands. To stop evil from lurking in our kingdoms we have to be accountable with our reigns. We tend to forget who is really behind our ruling. Innocent lives pay a high price when we as rulers give space to injustice, corruption, exploitation, abuse and betrayal. We as sovereigns need to learn to relinquish control and be free of selfishness motivations. Justice and righteousness begin in our homes, in our minds and hearts. NOT in our palaces and courtrooms, but within ourselves. My grandfather said that we all can coexist together for a greatest purpose, a peacefully world where our children, and their children can freely grow up and flourish and prosper.

This war could have been prevented if it hadn't been for self-centered reasons. Let us stop the bloodshed. NO more unjustifiably wars. If we incur in another war, let it be to eliminate our enemy and not our compatriots. When we learn to be united, then we will become even stronger and then no evil can stand against us. We have the tools to change the course of our lives if we allow the virtues that unite us to pave the way for our future generations and ensure their peaceful upbringing. As we have received your help to restore the posterity of our beloved Qing Qui, I appeal to you to understand the motivation behind this proposal. Qing Qui compromises today that it will do whatever is necessary to aid you in your time of need. Thank you all for coming here and be with us as we mourn our heroes that left us so soon." Feng Jiu concluded her speech and everyone in the audience admired the young queen resolution. Her message was loud, clear and deep. Many were moved from her performance.

Dong Hua felt so proud of his wife: "That is my Empress!!! I couldn't say it any better Jiu'er, I'm so proud of you. Well done." He mentally told her. Feng Jiu gave him a small smile and together they went back to their place. She didn't want to lose her composure.

Ye Hua told Bai Qian: "I didn't know that your niece possessed great war strategist aptitudes. The proposal is a genius way to keep everyone on their toes. She's really good with words. We have to back her up Qian Qian."

"Of course, we will Ye Hua. I feel so proud of her. Although she is so young, she is mature beyond her years. Father made the right decision to give her the Fox Imperial Seal. She has greatly matured as queen." Bai Quian replied him.

Bai Zhi and the rest of the Bai family proceeded to present their offerings of food items, incense, and joss paper. They ignited a cremation site as a symbolic act to guide their spirits to peace and escape a fate of becoming "restless ghosts". The rest of the audience presented their offerings to their loved ones as well.

After the memorial rituals concluded, several leaders were talking with Bai Zhi, Ye Hua, Mo Yan and Dong Hua regarding the queen's proposal. Feng Jiu was with her mother when suddenly she was approached by Cang Yi's father.

"Your highnesses." He greeted them.

"Lord Jīn Yīng, thank you for coming." Feng Jiu said.

"On behalf of our Eagle Clan, please accept our sincere apologies. My son shameful actions were the cause of this war. I hope that you can forgive him."

"Forgive Cang Yi? For what specifically?" Feng Jiu asked him confused.

He was muddled, "Huh... you don't know?"

"Know what Lord Jīn Yīng?" Feng Jiu perplexedly asked him.

Yan Chiwu from a distance saw Cang Yi's father talking to Feng Jiu, he immediately went to her side since Dong Hua was busy dealing with others. "Lord Jīn Yīng a word please..."

"Of course, Demon Lord Yan Chiwu. Please excuse me your highnesses." Cang Yi's father followed him.

"Lord Jīn Yīng, her highness Queen Bai Feng Jiu is unaware that your son was the mastermind behind her kidnapping. This is not the occasion to stir up this situation. Please reconsider and talk to his Lordship Dong Hua Dijun instead of her. We don't want to add more stress to her highness today."

"Oh, you are right. Forgive my imprudence. I merely wanted to express my sincere apologies to her on behalf of our Clan."

"I understand, but please refrain for now to approach her since she doesn't know yet." Yan Chiwu pleaded with him.

"I will approach his Lordship later on. I will take my leave." Cang Yi's father left.

Yan Chiwu hard sighed. "What was that all about Yan Chiwu?" Lord Xu Fang asked him.

"Jiu Ge is unaware that Cang Yi was the mastermind behind her kidnapping. I had to intervene to prevent another war. Which reminds me, is Ji Heng okay?" Yan Chiwu asked him.

"She recovered already. She is well hidden at a safe place, don't worry. You better find a way to deal with this Yan Chiwu. I don't want my sister to end up dead."

"Ji Heng is in hot waters with Dong Hua, Jiu Ge, Qing Qui and Nine Heavens. I have to find a practicable way to preserve her life without breaching our peace treaty with Qing Qui."

"Good luck with that!!!" Lord Xu Fang padded his shoulder. "Come let's leave" Yan Chiwu nodded. They left discretely after paying their respects.

A general from the Shīzi's army came and greeted Bai Zhi. "Your highness Bai Zhi Dijun."

"At ease. Who are you?" Bai Zhi asked him.

"I'm general Fu Jiu Yun from the Shīzi's army. Our Lord Weng Chan valiantly died in the war. He was the only heir to Shīzi throne. He didn't leave any heirs of noble blood your majesty. Please understand our predicament here your highness, I seek your counsel. We wish to maintain order and peace on our small kingdom."

Bai Zhi carefully eyed Dong Hua. He didn't want to disclose Bai Yi's secret in front of everyone. "General please give us a minute."

"Certainly, your highness"

Bai Zhi pulled Dong Hua aside, "Don't worry Bai Zhi, I'm aware of their relationship." Dong Hua told him.

"You knew?"

"Of course, I knew."

"Since when?"

"Since our secret meeting with Ye Hua in the mortal realm."

"Does my granddaughter know of this?"

"She witnessed Bai Yi calling Weng Chan his son before they died together. But I'm not sure of to what extent she comprehended that scene."

"Shīzi kingdom is without a ruler now. Qing Qui has provided protection so far, but under the circumstances now, they are our extended kingdom by blood. We might have to convene to further discuss an appropriate candidate. Weng Chan didn't want to be a burden to Qing Qui. That is why we hid his kinship per Bai Yi request. Bai Rui and I didn't have the time to present this situation to our elders... I'm just overwhelmed right now brother." Bai Zhi confided in Dong Hua.

"Bai Zhi, have them stay at the palace for a few days, we'll meet with him and Shīzi elders to determine a course of action. Right now, you need to be strong for the family and your subjects." Dong Hua placed his hand on Bai Zhi shoulder offering support.

"It is rare to see you like this brother." Bai Zhi expressed.

"Take advantage of these oddities Bai Zhi, as they will not come often." Dong Hua gave him a small smile. Bai Zhi understood.

Bai Rui and Bai Qian joined Feng Jiu and her mother. "What a great speech you gave kittling." Bai Rui said.

"I wasn't sure what to say grandmother, but I knew that a shift was needed to stir up their hearts. We shouldn't be afraid to a new start. We are not starting from scratch; we are starting from experience. That is the message that I wanted to convey. Qing Qui will set the example to others. We will rise with new strength, restored and fortified. From the ashes of desolation, Qing Qui will come forth like a seed breaking ground to flourish and bear fruit. Her beauty will be restored."

"We are so proud of you kittling. We will achieve this and more together." Bai Rui reassured her.

"Nine Heavens will back up Qing Qui lassie. You don't have to worry about it. Ye Hua and I will do our part to make it happen." Bai Quian added.

"Gugu thank you for your support our people need us to be united more than ever."

"No need to thank me Xiao Jiu, my heart is also with our people. You have shown us that you are what Qing Qui needs. You are Qing Qui's voice lassie, and we are grateful to have a wise and beautiful queen who loves her people and will go the extra mile to make things happen." Bai Qian concluded.

"Our Xiao Jiu has grown up." Feng Jiu mother said.

"Indeed, she has." Bai Rui added. "Amid the despair we are going thru, some happy news are needed." Bai Rui eyed Bai Qian and Feng Jiu.

"What mother?" Bai Qian asked her.

"How long are you planning to hide it from me daughter?" Bai Rui cornered her.

"Hide? I don't know what are you talking about?"

"Are you going to lie to me about your condition?"

"Mother please."

"Don't mother me...and you Xiao Jiu... are you playing dumb with me too?" Bai Rui reproved Feng Jiu.

"Grandmother... I..."

"Stop it both of you. I know that you girls are expecting."

"And you daughter-in-law... you are their accomplice. Shame on you."

"Please appease your anger mother-in-law."

"I bet Zhe Yan is also involved on this. Where is that old phoenix, I will give him a piece of my mind!!!"

"Mother please." Bai Qian pleaded with Bai Rui.

"Just kidding kittlings. I'm overjoyed to know that soon we'll see little cubs running around. Bai Zhi will be thrilled."

"How did you know that we are pregnant grandmother?" Feng Jiu asked.

"I have my own secretive ways darling."

"I feel relieved now that I can share my excitement!" Feng Jiu mother exhaled comforted.

"Oh don't worry we'll have plenty of time to plan their deliveries, clothing, welcoming, we have to start thinking about names, oh I can't wait!!!" Bai Rui went on and on about baby planning with Feng Jiu's mother.

Bai Qian noticed that Feng Jiu demeanor changed. "Lassie, please cheer up a bit. Second brother will have been happy too to hear the news."

"I know Gugu. Is just.... It feels heavy still."

"I know kittling. Just know that we're a close family. Time will heal us all. We will never forget him." Bai Qian hugged his beloved niece as they sat to watch the sunset together in peace.

At Sunset...