Parting Of Ways is the 406th chapter of the Kingdom manga.
Summary
Flashbacking to over 20 years ago, a young Bi Ki was known as the Jewel of Kantan, a dancing girl which noble and the people all around loved to see. She was like a flower that bloomed in these times of strife. one day, she was given a large wall of flowers as a gift from a gentleman. Ryo Fui walks towards her as he then apologizes as this was the best he could do with the time he had. He asks her for permission to decorate the dancing stage and introduces himself as he calls her by her nickname of the "Jewel of Kantan" with her blushing.
now in the present, Ryo Fui is now face to face with the Queen Mother. She says that she cleared the room just for him. The first sentence he says is that she is covered in thorns. The Queen Mother is surprised with this response. He says that the pain from being continuously stabbed by her thorns has wiped away the radiant visage from the first meeting they had 21 years ago. Now the "Jewel of Kantan" is a thing of the past. Queen Mother is not pleased with this statement and says that she does not want to hear this from him as he was the culprit. Ryo Fui says that they live in an age where the week and foolish are devoured by the strong. Regardless of if they are a man or a woman. He is willing to, if she wishes to pull out every single one of those thorns even as he was the one who stabbed them in the first place.
The Queen Mother starts laughing as she says he is conceited. She claims that by this point she does not want anything from him. Therefore, she left Kanyou and created the state of Ai. She is sick of seeing the faces of Ryo Fui and Ei Sei and wants to live with the man she loves. Ryo Fui is not convincing she loves Rou Ai and says that compared to the blazing hot passion they once shared, this little elopement of her is like the childish nonsense of teenagers.
Queen Mother wants to move the topic of Ryo Fui being a representative of Kanyou. However, he states there is no such thing. If she wants to discuss political matters, he will send someone else. He states he is here for something far more important. A parting of ways between two lovers. He states that this will be the end of what once existed between them. Queen Mother says he is too late. He then says he always loved her. Whether it be when he offered her to the Qin king or when he abandoned her to fend for herself. Even when he was taken aback by how unsightly a transformation she had undergone. He then calls her by her name Bi Ki. Ryo Fui turns around and says farewell and wishes her good luck. Queen Mother tries to walk after him but stops out of shock.
At Kanyou, Ei Sei is staring at the sky and clouds.
With the disturbance to the north and the south due to Ai and Chu, Qin could hardly allow their center to show any openings to Wei. Hence it was decided to hold an official award ceremony at Choyou instead of recalling the men back to the royal palace. The Tou Army’s soldiers are surprised on how fast this went and says even during all these disturbances, Shou Hei Kun's gaze has remained sharp. For the achievements in the decisive victory of Choyou, as well as the following defense and construction efforts thereafter. It is a pleasure to declare that the following Great General Mou Bu, general Tou hereby is elevated to become Qin’s second Great General!! The soldiers of the Tou Army as well as Shin and Ou Hon are shocked and happy for him.
Characters
Qin
- Royal Palace
- Sou Jou (indirect mention)
- Ei Sei Faction
- Ei Sei
- Unnamed master of award ceremony
- Unnamed officials
- Ryo Fui Faction
- Ryo Fui (flashback and main story)
- Shou Hei Kun (mentioned)
- Unnamed officials
- Ei Sei Faction
- Sou Jou (indirect mention)
- Mou Bu Army
- Mou Bu (mentioned)
Ai
Zhao
- Kantan
- Unnamed dancers (flashback)
- Unnamed servant girls (flashback)
- Unnamed citizens (flashback)
Chapter Notes
- A flashback is shown of the Queen Mother meeting Ryo Fui for the first time.
- Ryo Fui met the Queen Mother for the first time 21 years ago.
- Queen Mother name is Bi Ki.
- Ryo Fui says farewell to Bi Ki.
- The official award ceremony is held at Chiyoyou.
- Tou is promoted to great general.