Tonight is a moonless night. The dark sky has only twinkling stars to illuminate the heavens.
As usual, the night market has a countless buzzing variety of stalls. Some stalls sell street foods. Some sell weapons and tools. Some sell books, medicines, and magical items. And some sell cosmetic products.
And in just a split second, everyone in the street turns their head to stare at a certain man who is more or less in his early twenties. He barely catches his breath as he runs as if his life depends on it. The night is chilly however, droplets of sweat are visible on the perfectly chiseled features of his face. The hems of his robe by his chest are also drenched in sweat but this only added to his overwhelming charisma - giving off a wet look.
This man can be described as beautiful rather than handsome.
Delicate rather than sturdy. Like a small flower that is extremely fragile to the breeze and rain.
This man is strenuous rather than graceful.
His long black hair in braid sways in his every movement. His wide and long sleeves flap in the air that almost look like a pair of wings.
He runs and runs and runs. But why is this man running?
Well... that is because not lesser than ten ladies are running after him.
"Who's that young man?"
"He's so gorgeous."
"Is he a cultivator?"
"Look! Aren't those ladies members of the emperor's harem?"
"You're right! I know some of them. They're indeed the emperor's concubines!"
"This man... isn't he digging his own grave?"
"I like his guts. Hahaha"
Some widen their eyes in amusement. Some raised one of their eyebrows.
Some snickered.
And some didn't really care but this man just caught their attention.
He wants to let out a deep sigh. Unfortunately, he even barely catches his breath so he can't do so.
In his mind, thoughts of regret and sorrow flooded.
"Ah, why am I born like this? God, isn't this too unfair?"
He lowered his long eyelashes as he unconsciously scratched his cheekbone with his forefinger out of anxiety, almost touching the small mole under his left eye. "Why am I born too gorgeous? If being born good-looking is a sin, can I still attain my salvation?"
As a scholar, he isn't a stranger to literary works. In fact, one of his hobbies is writing a poem. He was so good at it that even in a critical moment like this, he can still construct one.
Like a lotus in the lake
That they seek as they wake
It is not possible to ignore this beau
For this one's smile is a poison to you
Just like a rose in full bloom
Full of thorns that cause gloom
This one's eyes, my alluring eyes
Like the salvation in the sea of lies
You shall not fall onto me
For I cannot repay thee
The man can't help himself from smirking. He's just too proud of his 'skill'. This man indeed mastered the art of praising himself. He thought, he's not only good-looking, but he's also witty. That makes him a beauty with a brain. He can't help but whisper to himself, "Ha! I'm a real package deal!"
This man's name is Xu Zhengming. At the age of 23, he already lost the count of his ex-lovers. Sometimes he's loyal, most of the time two-timer if not three.
He's not even a loyal customer in just one brothel. Almost all the prostitutes know him as a celebrity.
Well, Mingming isn't bad-looking at all. He's a classical counterpart of the modern era's heart-throb Casanova. A sweet-talker, a goddamn poet. He mastered all types of women. Thus, hitting into one is not a complicated matter to him. He knows what pleases and upsets a woman depending on her 'classification'.
Even though he got this kind of reputation he actually graduated as an imperial scholar.
Because his family isn't that well-off, he got a weak connection to those in the palace. Thus, despite getting this rank in the imperial exam, it was hard for him to set a foot inside the imperial palace. He's been unemployed until yesterday.
Today was his official first day as a eunuch. And on his very first day, he wants to quit his job for good.
"There he is! Catch him!"
An imperial guard yelled not too far away.
His fellow guards nod and also run after him together with the emperor's concubines.
"Ah, what the hell? I am not into men!" Xu Zhengming exclaims.
The truth is, he really wants to make his first day as a eunuch a memorable one. But for some 'cruel' reasons, in an instant, he doesn't want to become one anymore.
He took the ways where there are a lot of people, trying to blend in. But it seems like the world is against him and the gods up in the heavens despise him for being so good-looking. His gorgeous self can't blend in with common folks! His beauty is of a peerless kind. Too out of this world. No matter how he pushes himself deeper in the crowd, it's always like he is in the spotlight.
Along the way, he can't avoid bumping into people from time to time.
"Excuse me."
"Watch where you are going!"
"Excuse me. Sorry, sorry."
"Oh my, what a handsome face!"
Xu Zhengming's ears rang when he heard a high-pitched voice of a maiden. To him, it sounds sweet like rain in the desert.
He made an effort to turn his head to the maiden and gives her a wink and a mischievous smile.
He said while still trying to get away. "I'll catch up to you later, young miss!"
He got the chance to witness how her smooth white face goes red as she smiles bashfully.
"Let me through. Sorry! Excuse me!"
Not only the ones after him are getting closer, but worse is also that the crowd is blocking his way and he finds it difficult to pass by. The concubines and guards are catching up with him.
"Don't chase me! I'm leaving the palace!" He yells at them at the top of his lungs but still, the ones after him didn't stop.
Realizing they kept on running after him, he changed his strategy. He kept his head low and made a turn into a dark alley.
He runs in a pitch-dark narrow street.
He barely can see what's ahead of him. What can he only see clearly is the starry night sky.
"Where did he go?" A voice that belongs to a man dominated the noisy crowd.
Another voice of a man sounded but it's not as loud as the first man who spoke. "We lost sight of him! Squad leader, we better go in different places."
"Good idea. Go!" The squad leader commanded.
When the imperial guards finally went different ways, as well as the members of the emperor's concubines, Xu Zhengming is finally able to let out a sigh of relief.
After catching his breath, he stamped his foot and gritted his teeth.
"Fuck, if I have known this beforehand, I would not have dreamed of becoming a eunuch. I---"
He didn't have the chance to continue complaining. Out of nowhere, a hand pushed him onto the cold, hard wall. The force is a bit too much and the impact made him groan. Before he could even react, another hand covered his lips.
He thought, "Wait, am I getting robbed? Fuck! I am planning to quit my job and there's no way I'd earn money for the meantime!"
His quick response didn't fail him. He tried to free himself from the ill-intended person in front of him. Unfortunately, this person is stronger than Mingming and only tightens the hold as he tries to struggle.
Knowing he's not going anywhere, he changed his tactics and bites the person's hand. Sure, this is an effective way. The person immediately withdraws his hand.
He took this as an advantage and calls for help.
"Tsk." The person clicked the tongue as if very much annoyed.
This person quickly captured Xu Zhengming's wrists with both hands and pinned them to the wall.
"Help! Help me! There's---"
The next thing he knows, something soft touched his lips.
"Mmmppff!!" But the more he avoids his lips on the soft thing, the harder it pressed. And it's becoming moist too.
He suddenly realized, "Wait, I know this. I know this very well."
His eyes curved upwards and his lips slightly stretched into a smirk.
"Oho~? What a bold lady."
Xu Zhengming started to respond to the kiss. Yes, our protagonist is being bold.
The other didn't expect this and froze in an instant. This person's hands turn cold but still firmly holding Mingming's wrists.
Then loud and heavy footsteps echoed in the alley. "Right here?" A man said, most probably an imperial guard.
"Yes, I heard a voice earlier." Said the other.
The guard tried to look at the narrow alley but saw nothing but darkness. "Seems no one is there though. Let's try searching over there."
Then the two guards headed in another direction.
Meanwhile, Xu Zhengming is now on fire. His eyes closed, feeling the affection. The warm sensation of the passionate kiss melted his heart. Though this person's lips are a little dry than those of the ladies who he kissed, he didn't give it much thought.
However, the feeling is not mutual to the other.
As soon as the guards left, the other let go of Xu Zhengming's wrists and quickly pushed him to the side.
He almost lost his balance because of the force. Good thing, he managed to regain his balance after stepping backward twice.
Xu Zhengming, "Aren't you too strong for a lady? Are you perhaps a cultivator?"
The other said nothing. They are somehow distant from the busy street and so the noise from the crowd is not too loud. In fact, their breathing and the sound of rustling sound of loose clothing can be heard.
Then a red flame ignited in the top portion of a talisman in the stranger's hand, giving off a bright light similar to that of a candle.
With this, Xu Zhengming can trace the other's built under a lame brown cloak, covering the upper part of the face with its hood. The stranger's long ink-black hair is loose.
"My lady, y-you sure have nice muscles." This lady is bigger than the slender Xu Zhengming.
"Who's your 'lady'?" A low voice of a man sounded.
Xu Zhengming's smile froze. "Eh?"
Did he hear it right? He thinks he heard a husky voice. But how could it be?
The stranger took his cloak down, revealing a pair of obsidian black phoenix eyes. His sword-like eyebrows knitted, creating a wrinkle in between. He has a pointy nose and thin lips. Mingming would not deny it, this person is a man with good looks but will never admit that this man is as good-looking as him.
He leans closer to Xu Zhengming's face, putting his hand against the wall for support. He then said, almost whispering, "Why are my concubines after you?"
Mingming's eyes bulged as he stares at the face of this person in commoner's clothing who claims that the ladies after him were his concubines. He indeed looks like someone he just saw in the palace!
"Y-your majesty?"
It really seems that this unfortunate protagonist, Xu Zhengming is hated by his ancestors and the heavenly beings. Just how bad his fate could be? He just sexually harassed someone, not knowing that this person is the emperor of the imperial palace!
"Y-Your Majesty, Please spare me!" Xu Zhengming stutters and his knees trembling. Yes, he is prideful but he knows very well that aside from his good looks he has nothing to be proud of. The emperor's phoenix eyes seem burning as the flame on his talisman reflects its radiance. He narrows his eyes as he looks down at the shorter man. This scene looks like a vicious predator is calculating how many times will it chew the pitiful trembling prey before it goes down to its stomach. Seeing this look on his majesty's face, Xu Zhengming kowtowed on the ground. His head is only a few centimeters away from the emperor's feet. "This... this lowly one greatly offended your majesty. I... I deserve death." Of course, Mingming doesn't mean any of it. He might have 'unintentionally' sexually harassed him but he thought, the emperor will not kill him for that offense... right? He must be reasonable, right?! It took the emperor a long time befo
"Pffft..." His majesty tried his best not to laugh. His identity is revealed to this beau so he has to maintain his composure. Seeing this, Xu Zhengming caught this and can't help but frown. "The concubines truly believed that you, a mere little eunuch, could seduce me? Ridiculous!" The emperor's voice still has a trace of suppressed laughter. "Would I be able to seduce his majesty if I am older then?" Xu Zhengming let out a rhetorical question with a displeased tone. Rude as it seems, luckily, the emperor didn't bother to give it much of a thought and changed the subject. "But what I found more... 'amusing' is that..." He clearly emphasized the word 'amusing'. It's more like the emperor used the word instead of "funny" to spare the little eunuch's face. "You didn't know that your rod will be removed to set your journey to become a eunuch? Pfft... Hahahaha." The emperor couldn't hold it any further and laughed out loud. Xu Zhengming's face turned red out of e
"Your majesty, her highness Princess Yin Xiulan has come." The court lady outside the hall announced loud and clear. "Come in." He answered. The doors of the hall slid open and the princess general walks in with her chin up. Although she's the first princess of the eighth generation of the dynasty, she isn't wearing an elegant and luxurious hanfu nor headgears or headdress made up of expensive materials. Instead, she only wears her usual pink tai chi-fu, and a jade hairpin to keep her long hair into a bun. In her right hand, she holds her closed fan made up of bamboo and rice paper. But what she saw made her eyebrows twitch. The emperor and his newly hired eunuch are happily chatting as they have their morning meal. Xu Zhengming quickly put his chopsticks down and faced the princess with a bow. "I was wondering what took you so long, and so I came here personally. It turns out you are still having your pleasant meal... with your servan
"Where have you been?" The emperor asked his little eunuch with a serious tone. Xu Zhengming and Empress Xue Chi walked for quite a long time before finally settling in the imperial garden. Also, on his way back to the Lotus Hall, he can't avoid getting lost. His memory isn't bad but when it comes to direction, he has it hard to get back into the right path. When he reached the Lotus Hall, the discussion between the emperor and Princess Yin Xiulan was long through and so, he has to find his way again to his majesty's hall. He almost got drenched when a sudden rainfall started to wet the ground. By the time he arrived, the emperor is already having his lunch. Xu Zhengming couldn't help but unconsciously swallow his saliva as he stares at his majesty's luxurious meal. "Didn't court lady Han told you, your majesty?" His gaze is still at his majesty's dish. The emperor played his chopsticks saying, "She did. She informed me that you went to a walk
"I appointed a eunuch to serve me and assist me to lighten up my burden as the emperor." His majesty whispered to himself annoyingly as he looks at the sleeping Xu Zhengming. His complexion is pale and his temperature is quite high. He got a fever.The emperor whispered to himself once again. "But it seems you just add up to my burden."He picks the nearly dried towel and soaked it in a lukewarm basin of water. He then squeezed it to remove the excess water then put it on the little eunuch's burning hot forehead.The court lady informed him that he was found lying on the emperor's bed a few hours ago when they are still away from the palace. She was about to nag him and drag him out of the bed but she found out that he got a really high fever. The court lady felt bad for making him leave the bed, and so she did not wake him up. In exchange, she couldn't stop apologizing to the emperor as she weeps."Your majesty..." The court lady is still swallowing her
Loneliness and sighs Is this the wisdom's price? Like a bird in a cage Shouldn't I be on stage? I felt being held back I can only blame my bad luck Under this willow tree Only here I am free. Yin Wenyan's lips form a slight smile after rereading the poem for who knows how many times already. He himself has lost count on it. This is the first poem that he got to record in a book. This poem was composed by the sixteen-year-old Xu Zhengming when he was still studying in the imperial academy. At that time, the long-lost royal siblings just got returned to the imperial palace. As early as then, Yin Wenyan already threw away his identity and became his twin brother's double. That's the will of the Grand Empress Dowager and they cannot possibly contradict it. They simply don't have the power yet His life at that time isn't too diffe
"Eunuch Xu." Yin Wenyan knocks on the door thrice. "Are you doing just fine there?" Xu Zhengming gritted his teeth and tried to smile. "Your majesty, I am defecating here. Why are you following me? Do you intend to cheer for me to poop?" "Pfft..." Xu Zhengming heard the suppressed laughter and giggles of the maids outside the toilet. Now, he's torn between being embarrassed and annoyed. The emperor turns to his maids and raised both of his eyebrows. His face asking sincerely, 'should we?' The maids' grins on their faces got even wider. They nodded in unison. The next thing Xu Zhengming heard was a loud chant. "Eunuch Xu, we wish for your success!" Court Lady Han shakes her head and whispered to herself, "Youngsters these days..." Xu Zhengming literally laughed while gritting his teeth. He doesn't know how to react. Why does this emperor with his maids following him here? "You... you didn't eat anything ever since yester
"Every time I see your alluring beauty, I remember the Plum Blossoms in Mount Tai."Xu Zhengming shows his killer smile to the young maid. He also made sure to position his head slightly facing the left side. He believes that it is his best angle; that he looks handsome the most in this angle.The truth is, he already used this line countless times.The young miss blushed and giggles. "You flatter me, Eunuch Xu.""How about me, Eunuch Xu? Do you remember something whenever you see me?" Another maid asks as her big round eyes glimmer."You're enveloped with a lively atmosphere. Whenever you're around, your surroundings brighten. Just like the morning sun that shines above the skies. Warm and full of life." This line as well... he literally lost count of how many times did he use this."Ooooh. Is that true, Eunuch Xu?" The maid beams a smile.Xu Zhengming smiles at her, "Of course."Court Lady Han can't stand it anymore. She scol
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