Contents
Chapter Forty-One: What he Lives For
Overview
The Vermilion Bird, crippled by the Black Tortoise’s grip, begins to fail under freezing suppression. A rescue by the White Tiger is thwarted by the Water Emperor. As defeat looms, Li Shimin seizes control and ejects Zetian, telling her to catch Yizhi, splitting their team at a critical moment.
Summary
Locked in combat after losing a wing, Zetian and Li Shimin feel the Black Tortoise’s chilling grip smother their qi and weaken the Vermilion Bird’s already brittle Fire-aligned frame. Zetian suspects Zhu Yuanzhang is manipulating the assault and begs White Tiger pilot Xiuying to intervene, but the pain and spiritual pressure muffle her plea.
The White Tiger charges in to help, only for a Water Emperor tendril to yank it off its feet and drag it back into the inferno-choked battlefield. With their hoped-for rescue neutralized and the Black Tortoise tightening on the cockpit, Zetian realizes no one will reach them in time.
Facing imminent destruction, Li Shimin makes a desperate decision. He tells Zetian to “catch Yizhi,” seizes full control of the Vermilion Bird, and forcibly ejects Zetian from the cockpit. The maneuver splits their triad under fire, setting Zetian hurtling free while Shimin remains locked in a losing grapple.
Who Appears
- Zetian (Wu Zetian)Protagonist; wracked by psychic pain, calls for help, and is ejected by Shimin to pursue Yizhi.
- Li ShiminPartner pilot; takes control under crushing pressure and ejects Zetian, ordering her to catch Yizhi.
- Yizhi (Gao Yizhi)Ally and strategist; offscreen focus of Shimin’s order for Zetian to catch him.
- XiuyingWhite Tiger pilot Zetian calls to stop Zhu Yuanzhang; attempts rescue but is ensnared.
- Zhu YuanzhangSuspected controller behind the Black Tortoise’s crushing assault on the Vermilion Bird.
- Black TortoiseEnemy Heroic Form; clamps the Vermilion Bird, chilling qi and threatening the cockpit.
- Water EmperorHundun entity; snares the White Tiger with a tendril, preventing rescue.