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Yinghua was prepared for another match, since she had to prepare herself to train the newbies to be part of her army and one day get their own armies. Since the tradition states that the newest warriors have to be chosen by the Great Warriors and each leader training the best to be stronger--likewise they don't get their armies until after the first three fights in one year, as each three-quarter of warrior can carry hundreds warriors under their banners. "Don't be too harsh, Yinghua," Yang teased as Fang shook his head at his direction, before she huffed. "Hey, I don't mind. But, I still have my pride and honor to keep."
Yinghua barked, before she hold her sword Chūnhuā (Spring Flower) on her right hand, drawing her blade at Fang's Měiróng (Beauty); a sword on his hand.
"Very well, what was the idea that made you think that you will survive in one year, huh?" she taunted, slowly showing her grin on her face which meant no good. Fang was known to be the cool-headed type and rarely used violence, unless the enemy did first. However, when he is at his mood; he will show his ruthless and cold-hearted persona--believe he has a warm heart underneath. Her left-arm had raised, pointing out the audience behind her. They all started to cheer, when their beloved captain announced a war matches after a long years to come. "Don't mark this as our last match as a captain, Fang and I believe the Great Warriors can do anything, not even facing us as the strongest and fastest fighter within the Celestial army and in a quarter Great Warriors' Division, do you agree?"
The crowd become wild and screaming with cheer, her eyes sharpens before Fang gave her a nod. They both get ready and held their breath when they attack, the clash had formed loud thunderous roar among the tiled floor of the rectangular arena ground. "Ha!" Fang roared, jumping off the ground and landed before spinning quickly that his aura had went into the force like a flying bullet, Yinghua swiftly blocked his attack and used her left arm as support for her stance.
The crowd, Lingshan and Yang stared in awe, never had they seen both of them battled like this before; like their previous matches was their best way to practice and train. The dark blue and pink aura has clashing each other while their presence grew the electricity shocks the other warriors. Even the sparks of thunder were created when their blades grazed against one another. Fang is known as Beauty Prince and Blue Warrior, his nickname 'Beauty Prince' is his description of being such a beautiful-looking young man who's fast on his feet and elegant movements when he wielded his sword, something that make many women screamed his name and tried to win his attention or affection for free. As for his nickname 'Blue Warrior', is when he fought against the water creature known as Haishan to protect his hometown, killing the villainous beast that live underneath the sea; granting him the title of a hero and known to be the saviour of his people.
On the other hand, Yinghua is known as Elegance Princess and Cherry Blossom Warrior. Her nickname Elegance Princess is her personality how graceful she behave, and yet like her beauty whenever she is smiling--she fight with elegance and grace movement on her movement. She wears several colored hanfu and boots as her signature--with some white, black, blue and pink garments; and often decorated herself with a floral accessories or cherry petals; make up is optional. Another name known as Cherry Blossom Warrior because she was a first female warlord to defeat a dangerous Queen of the Taotie; the leader of the devil boar monsters who stalked and ate everything that came along their way. Like Fang, Yinghua also grant her a nickname to be the heroine for her village that once been destroyed by evil demons who plagued her life in the hands, granted by the Emperor and the Empress to train her as the first female Great Warrior; motivating several girls to admire her and become a Great Warrior like her.
Fang gasped, feeling the pain on his back and fell--a painful growl escaped his lips, falling on the side before kneeling on one leg. He took a few seconds to catch his breath before he looked over, seeing Yinghua stand in front of him. "My my... looks like your strength become weakened," she teased, slashing his weapon down on the ground as her smile grows wider; showing her pinkish tinged-red lip gloss. "H-Huh...? Impossible, how could this happened?"
Fang said, gritting his teeth. Everyone gasped, which is heard within the area.
He got beat by a woman, which is his partner to be exact. "Huh, you've became stronger," he said with a smirk, before he stand up as he saved his stamina for later. His sword slammed against her sword, Yinghua hummed as she swiftly evaded his attack, her dark brown eyes stared at his blue ones; glimmering brightly in his line of sight. Everyone including the current officials were staring in shock from both opponents, they couldn't believe the woman named Xue Yinghua managed to defeat Captain Zhou Fang. She was a student of Chief-General named Chen Feilan, a famous boisterous, unrestrained and frank, dashing and straightforward female general who was the first female Chief-General alongside Chief-General Li Tian, until he sacrificed himself in the final battle of the Celestial War. Because of her training and the memories of her master and the constant sparring with him; not to mention practicing on her own gave her victory and beating him badly to be the winner.
"Uh, uh, you need to fix that reflex if you're trying to get me, Fang," she teased, letting her lips formed a smile as their hand was connected, their head has ended up so close but their eyes were interlocked with each other.
She tried to hide her blushing face when she was that close, oh how she wanted to tackle him. Fang nodded, before getting his second chance and attacked her--throwing her off-balance and pinned her to the ground. With a click of his sword, the crowd cheered--except Yunjiao that she just growled. In the end, it was a draw--which made Fang defeated by her, due to unexpected surprise attack she gave him. However, he let it out a laugh, feeling proud of her achievement as a future leader--albeit she was a natural fighter. "Need a hand, Great General Xue?" he asked teasingly, Yinghua rolled her eyes before she glared and slapped his hand with hers. Yang laughed while both of them are arguing back and forth.
What Yinghua and Fang doesn't know, Yunjiao is having a crush towards Fang and became jealous with the fact their captains and partners like each other. Since she often asked every chance when Yunjiao wanted to grab Fang's attention, and Yinghua couldn't care less--but turns out Fang always comes to his partner's rescue since she can't kept herself out from trouble. Whenever Fang seems calm and reserved, he secretly have deep affections towards Yinghua--protecting her from harm and keeping her safe despite their fights and arguments they have in certain events.
From the beginning of their youth, Yinghua has always admired him, but Fang may had thought their relationship was nothing more than a leader and partner, or both best friends. "Great job, guys!" Yang cheered, before it was the other Great Warriors' turns for a match, especially Lingshan with Huo Yunjiao. Lingshan frowned, feeling concerned to both Great Warriors in their serious and casual matches, every now and then; not to mention their bond has been grown like family or siblings. "Fang, wanna grab something in the teahouse nearby?" Yinghua asked when he get his main attire from earlier, since the teahouse is near the tournament arena and the training center. "Sounds good, I was getting thirsty from the match."
Later on, Yinghua and Fang headed to the teahouse at the nearest corner street from the tournament, they are being seated beside the counter and ordered a type of dishes and some teas. His hand secretly caressed her black ponytail after he got changed, combing his fingers through the locks and stroke lightly; until she woke up from her slumber as her bangs framing her forehead and fell on her shoulders. "Tired?" he asked, leaning closer to her ear. "We had a good fight after 5 long years until our promotion," she added, smiling with a little twinkle of hope. Fang didn't say a word, but he lowered his head--trying not to bring up his focus on her beauty. "You haven't changed a bit, Zhou Fang."
His body shook a little before leaning on her shoulder, catching her off-guard. "Don't talk much about it," she heard him said, his hand grip on her shoulder and slowly stroking her cheek. She knows what he meant, nodded her head while holding her tea cup and watched people passed by. "So, what is the Philosopher's Stone about?" she asked, holding the cup to her lips and sipped the tea. "I do heard the stories about it, and yet nobody saw it in reality except some ancient scholars."
Yinghua turns her head to the window, giving out a frustrated sigh, of course; Fang knew the dark truth. Who wouldn't knew? Being friends since childhood has gotten them really close despite they had fought each other before due to confusion, over the secrets from their family and royal heritage from their backgrounds. Although from the day they become enemies, her mind told her the cold harsh truth--the person she used to know well already changed his personality and will do everything to accomplish what his heart wanted. "A certain princess died after hiding the scrolls about Philosopher's Stone, before she got killed by a Dark Dragon called Zhang Xiu."
This answer had got her full attention, focusing her mind into remembering a famous and sad history about the previous heir who refused to be the next heir and will do anything to betray her own family, ever since she lost in the previous race against her own brother; causing the elders, her parents and the army forces and commoners had chose him as the Emperor. Not to mention, the Philosopher's Stone... where did they found it after 100 years of peace reign between the mortals and supernatural beings, including monsters, beasts and Heavenly powers?
She rubbed her temple, her right hand lowering the cup after finished drinking and eating the shaved ice cream mangoes. "Is it true that it can create 'immortal heroes' like... cultivation?" Fang asked, playing with a stray hair strand that attached in her ponytail, toying it with his slender fingertips--it felt really silky and smooth like a butter. Yinghua shrugged, but eventually found the answer for his theory. "Perhaps, but the forbidden one can destroy the existing world, creating a perfect heaven or hell."
Both of them were quiet, sharing moments together with their gazes met. "By the way, why Yunjiao is so pissed and keep wanting to grab your attention?" she asked. If being honest, Fang is the first man Yinghua adored until today, he is the only one who give her freedom and care from others, a person whom she will willing to sacrifice anything to protect him. But, she doesn't want to destroy their friendship and making things worse for the young female. "Hmph, she's just an annoying spoiled brat," he snorted, seeing his friend facepalmed herself because of his temper. He lowered his head with a sigh, getting himself worked out like this is hard for him to survive.
"Man, my neck aches like crazy! Can I rest on your shoulder, Ying?"
"You said so, so I won't stopped you or complaining," she answered as Fang slowly smiled, before leaning his cheek on her shoulder, taking a deep breath; to relax himself from the stress and exhaustion. Her right arm slipped onto his back as it move slowly around his neck, cupping the back of his head; sometimes rubbing in soothing motions. Meanwhile, Lingshan sparred against Yunjiao, even though her techniques lacked in strength, she makes up with the speed she used; defeating the woman quickly with her skills. Even with every moves and blows the two wields, Yunjiao cannot match a Great Warrior like herself and make Lingshan lost her patience, pushing her back and a sharp-forceful blow is a hit to the woman's throat; letting her fall to the ground as a round applause is filled within the group.
Yunjiao has a long straight purplish-black hair and dull, apathetic purple eyes. She wore a beautiful white sleeveless hanfu under her dark violet outer hanfu robe on the left side with black sash wrapped around her waist, with a single star crystal necklace and silver bracelets around her wrists; attached with a moon-shaped bell-made talismans. She donned a black thigh-high heeled boots, she carries a fan as a weapon and often fight her enemies with a variety martial arts. She's known for having a strong and tough attitude, beautiful at most and skillful in using her weapons, despite her hard-headedness whenever her comrades tried to ask her for sparring. In fact, Yang tried to spar against her, he always ended up to be knocked down for ten times.
Lingshan faced the crowd, bowing to show her gratitude and then left them. She was a calm and serious personality, yet she didn't wanted to confront Yunjiao. All they can do is smile and pat the girl on the back, congratulating her on the sparring with Lingshan. Yang's eyes sparked as he wanted to beat Mingyu who was holding his harp, preparing to make another music to practice his session. He began to stand up and chase the youngest one of the Great Warriors. "YAAAAAANG!" Yunjiao screamed, running at him before he was being pin down.
Meanwhile, Yinghua and Fang was having a great time in the teahouse. "We've been together like a real lovers do," Fang teased, a dark tinted red color flushed across her cheeks; his lips formed a smile. "Please don't make me laugh at you," she replied, rolled her eyes while poking his cheeks; softly pressed her fingertips on his fair cheeks before letting go her fingers. In return, his smile turned into a big grin as he leaned to her face while hers seemed very annoyed and uncomfortable in her seat.
Yinghua played with his messy yet, smooth black long hair with streaks--it felt so soft when she touch it. It is true that they're getting a little clingy and close, to the point when they spent so much time together until his younger sister Feihung mocked him and start bullying him about his feelings. "Ahem, do you heard a rumor about the Celestial Army recruiting more teens?" she changed the subject, making his focus broke and pulled away. He simply nodded and she let out a sigh, although, no wonder they did recruited more male warriors and female warriors when their numbers went high during the war--lost some men over the battlegrounds, making the royalty and officials recruited again the Celestial Warriors, Cloud Army and Sky Knights; the division of each Great Warriors under respective Chief-Generals.
However, they heard that there were majority of soldiers are increasing until now. "Yeah, I heard about it. Do you know that Chief-General Sui-Feng planned to train more recruits? She's quite active and eyeful of our performances now," he added as Yinghua stared in awe, sometimes forgot the fact Fang can also predicted things before it become an events that happened and planning to happen. "Wow, I bet both of us will meet a real Chief-General, then."
The teahouse had become the place where everyone love to hang out, perhaps they may have lunch later or maybe tomorrow to enjoy the great food served, especially the most delicious dessert that everyone agreed to buy it. However, all things have come to the point of different worlds merging into one, it will turned worst or no one knew if there were some evil planning to strike behind the entire country--which is mostly because of the Philosopher's Stone and ancient tales had been written in books of legends, stories and such. "Our promotion will be next week sooo... where should we go after the ceremony?"
Yinghua asked as her finger played with his bangs, she sighed when she sat down next to him. Since both of them was accepted and promoted, and because of their outstanding abilities and smart from all of the soldiers trained, they became a partner as Chief-Generals; granting them huge privilege from the Imperial families. "I wonder what Meiying's reaction when she heard about our promotion, huh?" Fang commented, chuckled softly as he crossed his arms.
Even though the promotion was given, nothing changed about their interactions and jobs. Both of the childhood friends get along together whenever they're working, of course there will be serious discussions too but not all serious as they predicted, they manage to get their work done. "There will be more paperwork... what else...?" Yinghua complained, pouting at her words. Fang laughed, stroking her hair; brushing his fingers against the strands. "I know, you don't like paperworks, do you? Good thing I did most of the reports in times," he retorted, giving her a pat on her head which she nodded.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Both of them has been waiting the promotion day for so long, because Fang really want to keep his promise as a captain, and yet he slowly becoming a commander--a general now. As for Yinghua, she couldn't wait anymore to meet new recruits in every class, maybe a new allies would increase and she can work on her assignments with her teammates, a new feeling of happiness for the results after their hard works. Of course, Yinghua also hope that their future recruits might had the same interests or they'll become friends someday and make memories they wished to live the world before ended. "Finally, after years of waiting, just wait for tomorrow," he said as she give him a thumbs-up.
"What are you two doing?!"
Meiying asked both of them with a scowl, noticing that the two of them were here. "Having chilling times, Princess," Fang said with a smirk, before continuing his storytelling on how Yinghua become scaredy cat and sneaking to his bedroom through the window while its pouring and stormy weather. Yinghua is glaring daggers, her eyes giving out the warning glare to not repeat those words of humiliation in front of everyone. While inside, her mind kept screaming over and over--how Fang revealed her feelings and secrets she held onto since they were children. "Huh, can't relate," Meiying spoke flatly, as the princess doesn't even know how it feels like to be in the military--due to the safety around her family and because of no proper leaderships she would learned from all this time. Yinghua rubbed her arm, wincing a bit from a slight pain that surged on her cheeks. "Anyways, anyone heard of Philosopher's Stone recently?"
Meiying asked as she twirled her parasol above her head, opening it as if it was her form to prepare herself in order to do something secretive when no one can see it; she used her legs to push herself on the chair, standing gracefully. Unlike most of the girls, Meiying seems to pay full attention in anything that was revolving around secrets, theories or any bad rumors that can ended up hurting anyone and the innocent people. "We do, actually. Wait, did you heard that Taoist priests claimed they manage to touch it?" Yunjiao shouted, bumping onto Yang who was struggling when the table was thrown out from his hands. "Haiyah, stop hitting my butt with your elbow already!"
Yang screamed before it was caught in a chokehold by Mingyu's arm, shoving the blue-wearing young man who had fell to the wooden floor.
"MINGYU, I hate youuuuu! Meany!"
Yunjiao seemed surprised when she saw a ghostly white silhouette has been sneaking behind Yang, moving towards their direction before suddenly screaming loudly, earning the attention of the groups until it revealed to me Yaoren who snickered since the young boy love to tease other warriors and using his powers to sneakily and randomly spook anyone's heart or soul. "HAHAHA! That was hilarious!" she laughed before she began coughing as it seems that his power has getting to her sometimes, especially when she have enough magical forces to prevent Yang's otherworldly aura from affecting her heart and mind. Yinghua laughed, Fang grinned while the rest of their groups giggled. "Anyways, we're gonna miss you two after your promotions, right guys?"
Lingshan commented, feeling soft and calm like a serene lake and as beautiful as a peaceful valley, a complete opposite of Mingyu's cold and distance aura around her presence--with a gentle heart underneath. Being the group's strategist have been a great job for Lingshan, so does the young warrior known as Yaoren who had manage to turn Yang's energy to lessen the impact and become a powerful being, no longer an impure presence of the otherworld. "Yeah, like... both of us already get our tasks and everything was given... then, we can lead a simple life without complaining, right? Just a slight of stress or worries," Yinghua retorted, crossing her arms.
During the Chief-General Promotion, both of them entered the Hall of Virtue where the other five Chief-Generals are gathering inside the hall of the architecture. Yinghua whistled as she encountered her mentor-friend; Chief-General Sui-Feng as she walked towards her with a grin, greeting her. "Yinghua! Fang! Here you are, congratulations for your promotion!"
Sui-Feng is a twenty-seven years old young woman who has a white hair with teal and jade tips that is tied into a messy ponytail, leaving her bangs loose and framing her forehead. Her eyes are teal with a white ring around her pupils, with a red paint at the corners of her eyes. She has two teal orbs with a golden tassel hanging on the right side of her face, right beneath her hair and a golden small ornament on her forehead. As part of the Vulpine race, she has has two large fox ears and she wears two golden ginkgo earrings through her left ear (plus mutated with power of Borisian kind). Her outfit consists of white trench coat, black sleeveless turtleneck with Mandarin collars and black straps, and dark shorts. She wears thigh-high dark heeled boots and a belt wrapped around her left leg, right above her knees. The trench coat has a rectangular-shaped jade ornament with a red tied bow on it and a red tassel hanging, her coat also has black-and-white waves at the bottom of it, with it's tips bending to gold and blue bending to dark teal and has golden scaled ginkgo-linings on the inside--she also wears a black long fingerless gloves.
Sui-Feng is unrestrained, honest, outspoken, aggressive, tomboyish, assertive and often bullies several people; which sometimes causing her to make a ruckus in certain events. Yinghua's antics came from her mentor's nature, she still kept up a close relationship with Sui-Feng because they trained together, graduated together and became Chief-Generals within the military. "Master Sui-Feng," Fang greeted her with a bow, as his hands behind his back. The other Chief-Generals came as well, revealing themselves in front of them.
The first is Jingshen; the twenty-six years old male Chief-General greeting them with his loop-sided sleepy gaze, standing across other Generals. He has a messy white-beige long hair tied into half-ponytail and his bangs nearly fell over his right eye, he has fair complexion and has a pair of brown-gold mixed eyes. He wears a white and red uniform consists of high-collared buttoned up black turtleneck and red robe, black trim and sash around his waist--buckle is placed over on the left and loose shirt layers tied around his waist, separated from the middle sleeves and shorts with white bands and pale crimson sash, white boots and sock--he also has a set of ornaments attached at the sleeves which is white cape and red tassels along with four circles tied the the sash, three-layered beads also with one attached to the clothes at the left sleeves, and other accessories with gemstone.
Secondly, Yiyang; the twenty-three years old female Chief-General as she retained her cold gaze, keeping her gaze away from them. She has a long black hair styled in low half-ponytail along golden hairpin on it; with her bangs covered almost her eyes and cheeks, which she has red streaks behind her ears and has a pair of slate-gray eyes. She wears a black high-collared sleeveless turtle neck and long black gloves that comes with three white trim, and two white decorative straps covering over her wrists. She wears a black knee length turtleneck shorts over her black layer robe which has another black layer clothing underneath which is called qipao and white heeled black thigh-high boots. Her white cloak has three petal-flower patterns with jade circle attached and three golden strap wrapped around her shoulders with three white short capes attached over the straps and ends tied to the strings.
Thirdly is Ruqian, he was... not what you expecting to be, he has a long purplish-black messy hair with red tips as his bangs nearly covered his red eyes and seen pale-skinned. He wears an oriental-styled black tailcoat with slit shoulder areas, half-bodied silver plates connected to a wide cape and silver bracelet on his left arm only. Around his neck, there's a white bandage loosely wrapped around and half-assedly covered the red mark scars that circled around like a ribbon. His clothes consisted a white and blue with gold-trimmed garb on the lower sides and edges with red and gold intricate design at the bottom as usual, with high-collar and open on the lower, attached with blue long fabric with other accessories made of golden tassels. On his left arm, there's a black sleeve tattoo of dragon and bird's feathers with red outlines, gold accents on the sleeves and golden armor arm guards. His black thigh-high high-heeled boots made him stood between the height of male and female generals.
Last but not least is Taiyang, the Chief-General nodded with a casual smile and eyes closed, standing beside the rest. He has a fair complexion, light salmon-colored messy hair that reaches past his shoulders, as well as a large tail and tall fox ears. He wears a high-collared black uniform with a high-collared white ascot and a pink floral-patterned shawl around his neck, his is sleeveless and his arm pieces are missing on his arms, only remaining the shoulder parts. Instead, he wears a black sleeve with a deep, light, red-striped part on the lower part and large arm piece, also wore a pair of red gauntlet underneath with a metal brace with pinkish-red trim (has gold ornaments and a silver sword hilt with wing), a series of silk straps bound around his wrists and left part of his body. As for his pants, he has a loose, bell-shaped part hanging down to the knees and a few, long bands over the thighs that his gray-blue leggings underneath protrude. He has two belts, one around his left wrist.
Yinghua saw the majestic white and gold high-collared capes that will be put on her and Fang's shoulders, then they'll become a Chief-Generals once and for all. She was nervous because back then, her dream is to become a Chief-General, and now finally she will become the unison with her friends. "Keep in mind that this duty is not just about protecting Xanadu," Yiyang said with her eyes closed, feeling the windy breeze that the curtains are closing. "Xanadu, who gathered all Kingdoms of Zhongjing, Taishan, Luohan... and many more. It is also the symbol of unity and eternal prosperity," Ruqian adds, before she opened her eyes and stare sharply into both of their eyes.
"Uhh... you two are okay or something? By the way..."
Yinghua was a bit disturbed by their intense glaring aura, making a groan noise. "We hear that you two are a couple! So you two getting married soon?" Sui-Feng added with a short giggle, causing the couples blush brightly. "What?! We're just a friends, though?!" she protested, gesturing her and Fang--which made Sui-Feng laughed loudly while Fang had to endure the humiliation and the embarrassment. Ain't that we just spent some time being alone since our promotion...?" he sighed, rubbing his neck--despite his blushing remained after their awkward moments.
They were interrupted by a tall stature of Chief-General known as Taiyang, whose facial expression remains neutral before letting his orange eyes looked straight into them, his voice is calming and gentle despite his closed eyes... showing how sadistic he looks. "My my, all of you should enjoy my food after your promotion," he said with a smile, making them gulped. Taiyang may be an expert in medical fields, but culinary?
"Master Taiyang, I think we can let them enjoy their own lunch," Jingshen replied as both of them stared at each other with neutral expression on their faces, completely ignoring their presence. "W-Wait, n-no need to make hasty des--"
"Besides, Yinghua is capable to cook her own foods," Sui-Feng claimed, causing her student to panic. "M-MASTER SUI-FENG!"
Fang knew he will be dragged into this, especially Yinghua will use her own methods against the others. All of the Chief-Generals grinned except Ruqian muttered 'tch, such losers' underneath his breath, while Yinghua and Fang both grimaced over them.
Well, if they're forced to make them a meal, then force they are.
Now, the ceremony has began.
It has been a week after the promotion when Yinghua and Fang was enjoying their free time in private as usual, sitting in the garden. And yet, their bond is getting stronger everyday and they decide to know each other. Fortunately no one can see them did several interesting things. Before they were resting on the teahouse's veranda, Fang took the teapot and prepared the hot liquid for Yinghua, of course for a partner's job they often sharing themselves as well. He has to give her the honey and scoops of the fruits, like a mother-figure or a grandmother-figure he used to have. They still holding close contact to each other and talking to the conversations.
Fang smiled, seeing Yinghua slurping her green tea from the tea cup, and Yinghua gave him a thumb up with her other hand with a smile. "I want to thank you... after staying by my side during my lowest point, ever since my previous mentor died as he sacrificed himself to stop the war last year," he said, seeing Yinghua nodded. She has been accompanying him after what happened to the previous Chief-General, she know how it feels like to lose someone who has been taking care of them after their parents' death. "You're welcome, and thank you for motivating me to stay strong after the death of my previous comrades," she said.
Hearing that made Fang smiled as she was staring him with full interest, it is because he had got himself a really good childhood friend, having his trust before they lost their family by the hands of rebels and monsters attacking their nations. They faced several dangerous and tragic events they didn't expected, it was difficult for them to deal with it--alone and lost. Luckily, the Emperor and the Empress has been supporting the Great Warriors program, introducing them the current Chief-Generals under the kingdom's services to keep peace after they defeated their enemy and ended up the celestial gods intervening and granted them a new home.
They trained and worked at the same time, kept their leadership skills and their dignity as the Chief-Generals within the empire.
All they can do is stay with each other no matter what, living in peace. Not sure if the Emperor gave them permission to stay as the leaders and chiefs, still they've chose and became the part of the history in the present of 100 years.
After that, the night came when Yinghua watched the view of the night from the roof--she was standing on the flat area. Fang entered the roof with his nimbly stride, before glancing over the girl's attire which didn't changed from her usual casual clothing style. "You're always have the light mood, don't you, Ying?" he said, followed up by Yinghua shrugs nonchalantly. "Well, for what I think is best for our people, the world is still a good place with more peaceful and less violence," she chirped. Fang agreed, smiling and nodding his head at her before approaching the edge; looking at his comrades and people chattering amongst themselves with peaceful laughter.
"We're the strongest beside each other, but..."
Yinghua trailed off, unfolding her arms. "Yeah, you've reminded me about the past, Xue Yinghua," Fang said, his voice was raised by a degree when she glared playfully and stuck-out her tongue, "you calling me with my full name again like during the day we're kids," she replied; hearing her chuckle. "We can protect them all, of course we're not completely invincible."
Fang's mind suddenly turns back to their youth, those days has changed Yinghua and his status of their kingdoms. But, still remembering what they have accomplished made him quite proud and fond of them because at least, their titles mean what are they for. He leaned his head on her shoulder while Yinghua had her arm wrapped around his waist; it was just like a normal thing between them, an affection and comfort they shared when their hearts started to beat. "We should've keep on walking forward from here," Fang said while watching her smiled and looking downwards to their friends below.
Fang nodded his head once again and placed his hand on her free shoulder, and she gave his arm a small squeeze. She tried to hold her laugh, but somehow the urge was too strong for her. "Pfft... Zhou Fang," she jokingly using the childhood nicknames they often used with each other's names combined and its meaning, Fang huffed at her silly behavior but then his focus shifted towards her smile which makes him feel blissful.
As the minutes had passed by, both of them watched the stars and moon glowed in the night sky. The way how the stars and the crescent moon has made the scene absolutely breath-taking, is really beautiful like Yinghua's ethereal appearance that captivate every men. They were happy for both of them, being offered something worthy to become a part of Celestial Empire's Empire and their memories. "Thank you... for letting me do your hairstyle..." he said when he looked down, still remember Yinghua combed his hair and tied it up along with her own, using the same cherry blossom hairpin.
"Your hairpin is always a part of your symbol, that's what made me agree--I can't help but smiling stupidly every time you play with my hair like that," Fang confessed, grinning. To him, seeing Yinghua being the usual smiling, cheerful and mischievous young woman full of warmth has always makes him laugh, even after many years apart during their training and studying over their duties as the Chief-Generals and royalty families. "Haha, you want me to do your hair in morning, don't you?" she teased before twirled a lock of his silky and smooth black hair that shone beneath the moonlight; it is quite satisfying the color is deep and dark just like hers.
Fang was just rolling his eyes, leaning onto her hand. "We better get going or Yunjiao will start snooping around us."
Yinghua slowly blinked, immediately realized his words--her left hand swung around the rooftop's roof pole beside him, both hands grab on his side and ready to jump down as his eyes widened, expecting her to let go. "Let's go!" she said in a hasty manner, her body was swooped downwards by him around his waist; she ended up landing onto the ground at her feet as he landed as well and nearly fell over the ground by accident. "Don't be too eager, Yinghua!" he snapped, a large vein throbbing on the side of his temple from her brashness and recklessness. The same time, she chuckled as his face was blushing furiously red as Meiying huffed at them. "Hmph, these Great Warriors..."
Zilian was watching from the distance, perked up in interest just by observing them.
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