The emperor and the princess start to move again. It doesn't matter where they're heading to. What's important is that they can get farther from the ones hunting them and also find their way out of the woods.
The sun is about to set too. This puts them at more disadvantage. When it gets dark, they'll be forced to stop. Since tonight is going to be a new moon, there will be no light to guide their way.
However, stopping for the night doesn't mean they're safe. Who knows? There might be some wild animals that will attack them during their sleep. But if they go on, they might get attacked by these animals instead.
Whatever they do, it seems they're only bound to face danger. It seems they're cornered, a checkmate.
Princess Yin Xiulan already stopped crying. However, she's not saying anything. She's still down and worried for Liu Chen. Her restlessness only makes her feel worse. She can't explain it but she has a bad feeling.
On the other hand, Em
Eunuch Xu is lying flat on the bed, staring at the high ceiling. He's been like this for a few hours now. It's already dark and it's time for dinner yet he hasn't eaten lunch until now. Speaking of which, his stomach growls for who knows how many times already? He wonders, is he going to die here like this? When he arrived at the underworld and he's asked what caused his death, would he answer "I starved to death."? He would sound so poor by then! Well, he won't deny it. This beau is broke but for the span of time he's working in the imperial palace, he got some compensation and saved it. He never spent even a single copper coin. What else would he spend his money for? The food here in the imperial palace is free. Servants got their uniforms and even have spare clothes. Basically, all basic needs are given here. And besides, they can't go out freely to even go to the nearby market. And in some cases, when he got to go out of the imperial palac
Xu Zhengming and Sect Leader Zhao are facing each other at a small tea table having their afternoon tea. Their jaws are literally aching because of forcing their smiles on each other. No one talks, just drinking jasmine tea, and smiling. This is awkward to both of them. Very awkward. Setting his jaw aside, Xu Zhengming has something else that bothers him for a good while now. He wants to pee. For goodness sake! Xu Zhengming and Zhao Yangguang are pouring each other's teacups for who knows how many times already? Wang Junjie brewed them tea a couple of times too. Eunuch Xu's stomach is full of tea and he really wants it out as soon as possible. However, he doesn't want to be rude to the sect leader. Wouldn't leaving sect leader Zhao here make him look bad? Xu Zhengming could only hope that the emperor will find his twin sister as soon as possible, and come back here real quick. He doesn't think he'll be able to handle this level of awkw
"Have you seen the prince?" The grand empress dowager asks the empress dowager as soon as the latter steps inside her hall. It's been two days since the news about the emperor's death circulated in the entire imperial palace. This news also spread into the nearby towns and will soon notify all the colonies that the empire holds. The prince is nowhere to be found. Since Prince Yin Wenyan didn't show himself before her after the last time they met, the grand empress dowager suspects that he went out to search for his siblings, which is actually the case. "Grand Empress Dowager, I still couldn't see even the shadow of the first prince. The emperor's personal eunuch isn't in the Lotus Hall as well." The empress dowager replies. "Could it be he gave up and run away?" The old empress sneers. "We're talking about Yin Wenyan here. That man is cunning. Let's not assume that possibility. It's still too early to say that." Yin Wenyan is the empire's tact
It's already nighttime when Emperor Yin Renshu and Princess Yin Xiulan heard a loud exploding sound in the sky. His majesty immediately extinguished the campfire and get his guards up. As for the princess, she still remained crouching, spacing out while facing the small mound. It seems she already gave up trying so hard to survive. She lost her holy weapon during that fall. Her brother lost his sword too. She's hopeless and feels like they really got defeated in the game of fate. The loud explosion is followed by a sharp whistling sound as a light launches into the sky. When it reached a certain point, the small light scattered with a loud bang. The firework forms a white five-petaled flower. It's Wan MoliHua Palace's emblem. "Xiulan let's go!" Emperor Yin Renshu grabs his sister's wrist and drags her along towards the direction where the firework came from. He thought it must be Prince Yin Wenyan or anyone in Wan Moli Hua Palace. The Princess, on the
As soon as the day breaks, the three of them started their journey, Emperor Yin Renshu, Princess Yin Xiulan, and Prince Yin Wenyan fly their way back to the palace mounting their swords. A few meters away from the imperial gates, they noticed that the guards on duty doubled. They lowered themselves, leveling on the tree to hide their presence. It seems they are very tight with the security. However, what's worse here is that the men in charge are Lieutenant General Song's subordinates. From the looks of it, any of the three of them isn't allowed to step inside the imperial palace again. "This is clearly a message from the grand empress dowager to us." The emperor said while hiding on top of the tree. "She forbids us to enter the imperial palace." "The grand empress dowager very much anticipated our return." Princess Yin Xiulan commented. Emperor Yin Renshu, "What should we do now? Should we force ourselves in?" His majesty's suggestion
"It suits you very well, Ming'er!" Zhao Yangguang said with all smiles. "Don't you think so, Ah-Jie?" "Mn." The sect elder nods. While the emperor, the prince, and the princess are struggling to eliminate the ongoing corruption in the imperial palace, Sect Leader Zhao, Sect Elder Wang, and Eunuch Xu are having a peaceful morning together. For a short period of time, Sect Leader Zhao and Xu Zhengming became comfortable with each other as if they met for a good while now. Xu Lin's death was never brought up ever since Xu Zhengming set his feet inside the Wan Moli Hua Palace. He doesn't think there's someone to blame. It's his father's choice so he respects that. Also, he can't disregard the fact that the sect leader didn't force his father to do so. Sect Leader Zhao, on the other hand, is being sensitive to the other. If he wants to talk about it, he's willing to exchange words with him. But if he doesn't bring the topic up, it could only mean one thing
The long and slender fingers of Sect Leader Zhao pluck the strings of his guzheng. The series of strum created a harmonious melody, pleasing the ears of everyone who can hear. The music he plays is slow in tempo, truly soothing. Like a mother humming to a sleeping child. Like a stream of water that flows towards the sea. Like a gentle rain that falls on one's cheek. This melody can calm one's troubled heart and mind in a mess. Xu Zhengming yawns as he lay down on the wooden floor. The music that Zhao Yangguang plays makes him sleepy in broad daylight. The sect leader, Sect Elder Wang, and our silly eunuch just finished their pot of jasmine tea for the nth time of the day inside the main hall of Wan Moli Hua Palace. It's been five days since Yin Wenyan left Xu Zhengming here yet there's no sign of him coming back any time soon. Not even his shadow is coming for him. They don't even know his whereabouts, or if he already found his siblings or not yet. Z
Meanwhile, in a dark chamber of the underground prison inside the imperial palace walls, three captives have their limbs bounded by heavy metal chains. A huge magical array is activated underneath them. It's the spiritual power nullifier. It blocks the flow of one's spiritual energy as long as the victim is inside its circumference. The dim glow of the array is the only light that the royal siblings have in the middle of endless darkness. Well, not really, they can only see each other. Nothing else. This underground prison is like an open space cave. There's literally nothing in here but rocks, dust, and soil. It's half as big as the entire Department of Justice and is located underneath the said department. It's as high as the Lotus Hall so climbing to the top would be difficult. The only possible way to get out is through the bar gate which is heavily guarded. Ever since the day that they are cornered by the grand empress dowager and Lieutenant General Song
The sun hasn't even risen yet our beau is already awake. His hands are occupied with making spring rolls, dumplings, and of course, his favorite wonton noodle soup. Today is the 3rd day of June, Yin Wenyan's birthday. Although he's been awake for a couple of hours now, he's still not done preparing the food. It is because he's been extra careful not to create unnecessary sounds that may awaken the still asleep birthday celebrant. After Yin Wenyan came to see Xu Zhengming in his bookstore, the former emperor declared something bold. He stated that since this beau pulled him back to life from Death's grip, the oh-so-great Xu-xiansheng should take responsibility. In other words, Yin Wenyan just wanted to live the rest of his life with him. Just like his brother, Yin Renshu, Yin Wenyan refused to go back to the imperial palace. According to him, he had enough of the heavy responsibilities and political matters. Well, after everything he's been through, he deserve
It's a rare sight to see Empress Yin Xiulan having a bouquet of freshly picked flowers in her left hand. And as usual, her right hand holds her fan. As bright as the sun shining up in the sky, her face doesn't have a hint of grumpiness. In fact, she isn't wearing a fierce face today. Instead, she's making an unusual happy face. Like any other traveler that finally comes home after a long journey.She's alone, walking in the deepest part of the woods. Although the weather is fair, the area is kind of dark due to huge trees that are blocking the sun rays.When she arrived at her destination, her majesty the empress crouched down in front of a small mound. It's the late Lieutenant General Liu's grave.She puts the flowers on top of it and speaks like someone really is listening to her. "It's been three years, Liu Chen. I wonder if you got into the wheel of reincarnation already." The wind blows gently, making the locks of her hair wave in the air for a short while.
After Zhao Yangguang explained what will happen to them, they immediately fled back to the imperial palace. The sect leader also emphasizes that Emperor Yin Wenyan's soul might be a little strange than he is when he's still alive. Some of these possibilities are losing his eyesight, being unable to talk, slowed comprehension, and the possibility that he still does not realize that he's already dead. Nevertheless, they must convince his soul to store itself into the soul trapping pouch that the sect leader gave them, and bring him back to Wan Moli Hua Palace. "Hana." Sect Elder Wang stands beside the sect leader. Zhao Yangguang is busy passing spiritual energy to Yin Wenyan's body. "You're doing that for a while now. Let me take over for at least a few hours." The sect leader just gives him his signature smile, giving him assurance that he's doing just fine. "I can handle this for a little longer. I'll just call for your help when I feel exhausted, is
The entire imperial palace is consumed by fire. A lot of people turned into ashes and there are still some that have yet to get burned. Sooner or later, everyone will get the brunt. And that doesn't exclude the current empress. The fire also reached Empress Dowager's Hall. Smoke is starting to fill the area within the four corners of the hall so it's already dangerous for the living. Inhaling too much smoke can kill after all. "Didi..." Empress Xue Chi strokes her little brother's hair for the last time. He's still unconscious and doesn't have a clue about what's going on. Even though her highness knows that her words wouldn't reach his brother, she still speaks to him. "Whatever happens, don't give up your life, okay? I know it would be tough for you but I know you can make it through. Live freely, don't let anyone control you, alright?" She smiles weakly. What a shame, she won't witness how will her brother grow into a fine man. She pulls hi
The cold blow of the wind sends chills to everyone's spine. The snow is falling down, an indication that the winter season has officially started. It almost seems that the weather just waited for his majesty's last breath before it decided to make the people feel its extreme cold. Although it's getting chilly, it doesn't bother Xu Zhenging at all. He's still staring at Emperor Yin Wenyan's empty container that's starting to lose its remaining warmth. The usual gentle face of his majesty remained even until the end of his last moments. In fact, he just looks like he's just sleeping soundly. However, Xu Zhengming refuses to give in and is still holding on to the little bit of hope he has. He leads his head on his majesty's heavily wounded chest, hoping for at least a weak heartbeat. He listens attentively, waited for a little while but he heard nothing. He's really gone... Leaving his regrets and unfulfilled dreams behind. Of all times, why does he have
The connection between Emperor Yin Wenyan and his sword weakens due to the failure of passing enough spiritual energy. Through the incantation that the emperor cast, his blade was occupying the deceased eunuch while he's dealing with the empress dowager. Now that the connection is slowly dying, his holy weapon falls onto the roof tiles. Anyone who'll come and see it will say that it only looks like a common sword now that it doesn't possess the majestic aura. "Your majesty...?" Xu Zhengming could only whisper in the thin air. Even though the surroundings are quite dark, the gentle moonlight that is reflected on his majesty's face enables him to recognize him. But as far as he knows, his majesty the emperor is right in front of him. He even talked to him just now. "Who's that..." The silly beau is too confused that he doesn't even know what exactly he has to ask. Although he doesn't know what's happening anymore, he felt his heart is getting unsettled.
While the vicious eunuch, empress dowager, and his majesty the emperor is matched in a death battle on the roof, underneath it has a different scene going on. Princes Yin Xiulan hurried to Yin Renshu and Xu Zhengming's side. She completely forgot her brother that is fighting to the death with the empress dowager. She even forgot her main reason for going to the empress dowager's hall: to find a way to dispel the activated array. "He's about to go berserk again!" At first glance, Princess Yin Xiulan knows it. She witnessed this before and there's no doubt about it. "What should we do? We don't have Yueguang Hua with us." Since this they didn't encounter such poison before... a poison that could turn the victims into monsters, they didn't know many ways to treat it. The spirit herb, Yueguang Hua, the cure for all medicinal plants, is the only thing that they know that could cure Xu Zhengming. Unfortunately, this flower only grows in the wild. In a place that th
Everyone is having a rough time due to this chaos that has risen. Emperor Yin Wenyan didn't have it easy as well. He can barely keep up with Eunuch Ye. Dealing with this monster for an hour or two will do but he's afraid he can't keep up for the third hour. If this continues, he will eventually get exhausted. The deceased eunuch sensed the order of the empress dowager. As her mere pawn, the creature suddenly backed off from the emperor and immediately headed out of the Union Hall. Emperor Yin Wenyan didn't see this coming. He didn't know why Eunuch Ye suddenly runs out of the hall at full speed. Of course, his majesty won't let him go just like that. He chased after him, hoping on the roof from eves to eves. He followed him closely until they reached the Empress Dowager's Hall where his sister and the empress dowager are in combat. Without any forewarnings, Eunuch Ye grabs the empress dowager on the waist and took her with him away from her opponent.
Even though it's in the middle of a chilly night, droplets of sweat are forming on the Empress Dowagers' forehead. She's hiding in a dark corner while she's concentrating the flow of her spiritual energy in her body. There's one more thing that she needs to do before this night ends. The empress dowager is trying to recreate one of the most dangerous weapons that her clan made: the Crimson Javelin. The weapon does not look too different from a normal javelin, except that it has the same color as blood, and it's very deadly. Once injured with this weapon, the victim tends to die in a short time. A poison will quickly circulate in the victim's body and when it reaches the heart, it will immediately turn the organ into an iron (literally), making it an agonizing death due to lack of oxygen. There's no remedy made for it. The javelin doesn't look special in terms of its physical form at all. In fact, it's just a long shaft with a sharp-pointed end. The main diffe