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The Philosopher's Stone
{第五章}: Chapter V

{第五章}: Chapter V

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After that incident with the assassins and curing the Black Plague, Yinghua pondered if this the Mara clan's doings. It became suspicious if they are not trying to make another pointless war because of their hunger of greed. Either way, all of their families got killed by these monsters during the war. Not until today, when Fang decides to talk with her in the garden that was away from people. "Yinghua, something tells me that Zilian wasn't one of the Mara Dragons. Usually the Mara Dragons will bring disasters and show great chaotic energy, but it was neutral and doesn't threaten anyone," he began.

"He's probably half-human," Yinghua guessed, their white high-collared capes swayed upon the soft and relaxing breeze the season makes. They ignored the passing servants, thinking about a plan before implementing it. "Do you know that Ruqian does scare the hell out of the townspeople? I pity the trainees who tried to flirt with him ended in disaster," Fang said in mock-horror. Yinghua giggled, tapping her sword as she added. "Really? But I hear Commander Zihao is actually the founder of the Chief-Generals?"

Zihao is the founder and Chief-Commander of the Chief-Generals. He works together with King Li Xu of Luohan Kingdom to create a united military power, once their division is made--it was a huge achievement for the Emperor to made the first division team at that time. He is truly a legend, with his handsome and cool demeanor and a serious expression. "Say, weren't you wanted to dance on the banquet last night?" Fang asked, Yinghua eyed him and pouted. "Hey, don't make fun of me! Besides, I don't want to attract a lot of people even though I have the elegance," she dramatically said, pretending to be hurt by Fang's chuckles. "Don't tell me... you afraid of being hurt from these foolish attempts?"

"HEY! No, I'm not. I'm just a little shy, that's all."

A knock, and door slid wide open--revealing Princess Meiying that both of them widened their eyes. "Princess?" Yinghua asked, as she was wearing her main princess attire. "Where's my parasol?!" Meiying roared, searching around the room; as her hair is wavering a bit when like swatting the light as the wind is quite fast. Both of them gulped, before looking at the flowerbed. "Nevermind, finally found it!" she grumbled, swinging her parasol and walked out without second thoughts.

When Meiying was out of sight, both of them began to burst into laughing. "Maybe, she didn't feel well when she saw you. I mean, your eyes are kinda intense when someone watches over you," Fang said, before dodging a swipe Yinghua aimed at him--who is getting irritated by his teases. "Anyways, let's meet Chief-General Ruqian first..."

Ruqian was observing the view of the moon-rounded window in his office, he always had a murderous and brutal expression whenever he made a face--his scars on his body told a different story, too bad someone made a rumors saying he was seducing dozens of young ladies or women that came into his office. Only God knows, maybe he'll get a dangerous creature wanting to 'play' with him. His eyes scanned around to see his fellow generals, until suddenly the door closed loudly. "Chief-General Ruqian, here's the folders that Chief-General Yiyang gave to you--she told me that you receive several reports about the Black Beasts' capture," Fang informed.

Ruqian simply gestured him to place the folders on his desk, as his gaze had grown a bit intense. Fang was about to step aside as the chief-general was behind him. His cold, unreadable and lifeless red orbs that the female soldiers' called a 'hell of beauty and torture' were facing the junior general directly. His presence is dangerously cold, making the temperature decreases and his mouth forms into a little grimace. Yinghua was once told by her mentor and Chief-General Sui-Feng that Ruqian must be given a respect and should not be underestimated, even the senior soldiers or their subordinate aren't given a special treatment. "Why are you asking more files from the Archivist's Office, I wonder...?" he spoke coldly, sending the shivers down of the junior's spines.

"His voice is too deep and frightening," she admitted under her breath.

Fang cleared his throat, as Yinghua watched closely. "Better ask Yiyang, she told us not to follow the path without a good observation. In other words, we're receiving the file in order to locate every tracks these mysterious creatures left," he admitted, as Yinghua just continued her guard until one of Ruqian's nails pressed upon her chin, so does his blade before its pressed towards her neck--nearly letting her lose her breath. "I have nothing against you, but I won't hesitate to take down all of your limbs if you hurt her," he threatened.

Fang also received another threat as he felt his blade moved from her neck to his neck, and it's like a long silver needle pressed on his throat but in a 'larger' form. "Don't fight back," Yinghua mouthed, seeing the threat made her tensed and seeing Fang looked away with a straight face before responded. "Yeah yeah, you don't have to repeat yourself, dumbass. Even if it's against a Chief-General, I'll fight anyways."

"Fang, stand down!"

Yinghua shouted as she saw Ruqian landing a blade against him and Fang evaded with ease, but it was blocked. Ruqian's red eyes showed no mercy, but soon he can feels that he was about to use an infamous technique the warrior had learn from his late sister. Quickly he let go of his blade and leapt at his prey--he knew he had ruined their time of discussion or planning, but anything goes if it's to protect. "I told you, asshole! You didn't listen to Master Sui-Feng earlier!" she yelled, blocking the punch using her forearm--but is amazed by the unknown level of martial arts he had learned which is enough for a Celestial Army, the highest rank among the warriors. "Fuck, I know! But where's the fun in fighting this guy?!" Fang retorted with a cocky grin, forcing his blade into the claws that were attempting to graze through him.

Ruqian forced them into an impact against the wall, shocking them as Ruqian's nails are getting sharper and a slight purple poison within those nails. They pulled their stances as the warrior grabbed their swords, pulling them and making them flew across the room. "Alright, stop right there," Yiyang warned when she casually appeared through the door, with her usual flat face yet serious at the same time. Yinghua and Fang widened their eyes, as Ruqian slowly takes off the pressure from their necks. "We meet again, Chief-General Sui-Feng's pupil and Chief-General Jingshen's right-hand," Yiyang said in stoic expression.

"Master Yiyang..."

Meanwhile... Yinghua was trying to calm down, before she shot a glare when Ruqian tried to say something. "Yiyang," Ruqian spoke in a subtle warning that seems sent the message, that they are going to fight one another anytime. When Yiyang walks across him, unexpectedly... he smirked. He stared at Yinghua with an amusement as he watched his former fellow friend getting scolded by their direct commander. 'My my, what a powerful woman.'

Wang Ruqian has two personalities, for Yinghua and Fang they choose to call the first one as the Rage Phase. Uncontrollable anger and an urge to massacre, he becomes mad when his comrades and friends get threaten by anyone or anything. No wonder since he tend to take most of the jobs which are complicated and dangerous, despite him has been gone missing in every eight months. When things were getting worse, Zihao decided that Ruqian ready to become a Chief-General, because of his dedication to defend his homeland. However, he was one of the orphans who just came from small village nearby the capital and somehow managed to defeat and caught the Dragon King's attention by his true beauty and strength, becoming his subordinate who works hard everyday until he became one of the Celestial Generals with the title known as 'Spider Lily's Blade'.

Yiyang was the only one who can suppress his bloodlust, after witnessing him in despair and pain--it pains her heart as their experiences are similar from each other. The second was the Serpent Phase. Ruthless, cold-blooded, cunning, scheming and heartless; that was the phase he goes. He prefers a torture way or scheme ahead of the enemies' movements. There's another tales about him as well, when she was busy looking for Meiying. Being popular among young men is a part that she did not care, she was trying to have a battle against him in the arena; as her blade pointed out at him. He didn't smile or anything, even the others were amazed by the beauty and the battle, nothing. He coldly eyed her, forcing his weapons onto her attack--blades were clashing.

"Enough, Ruqian. These two, might not ready for that yet," Yiyang said as he rolled his eyes, tossing their swords towards their direction. Fang caught his weapons with ease, before she began speaking. "I don't appreciate a bantering or a fight is already happened in this department, you don't want Commander Zihao to scold us again," she lectured, while Ruqian's mood ceases quickly when the moody Commander's name was mentioned. If she didn't want a sparring between, then he will accept it without a second thought.

After the meeting was done, they're walking along the side of the hallway as Yiyang walked away to see the patients. 'Thank goodness we can still have the information that was sent by the scouts earlier,' Yinghua thought, before she noticed that the hall was quite large and the doors have a sign and the status of their clan's crest placed. "Chief-General Sui-Feng... why did Master Ruqian threatened us back there?" Fang asked, making Yinghua tempted to kick him. Sui-Feng shook her head, before pinched his arm. "Ow! I-I mean, sorry Master!" Fang apologized, he almost forgot that he made a mistake when the Chief-General gave him a lecture. "Don't mess around, Zhou Fang. I repeat once again, don't piss him off."

"He has a different bloodline unlike we are, he was cursed by immortality and everlasting life until it pains him. He was unable to die, even when he tried to end his own suffering by ended his head--it just stitches everything and back to normal. That's why, no matter how old he is... he still look younger than the rest of us," Sui-Feng solemnly explained, before glancing the couple. "It was true, indeed, that Wang Ruqian himself wants us to kill him whenever he wasn't himself. But, he just want to find the cure so he can be around our age. Also, Yiyang is the one who saved him from that misery and Zihao gave him the hospitality he needed--which is why we also want to find the Philosopher's Stone."

What a sad fate, such fate is the greatest curse that can befall on anyone. Eternally living in his younger body and a thirst of blood, something he didn't meant to. Yinghua gulped, she couldn't believe that Wang Ruqian doesn't has a single chance of destroying the curse if he can't find the cure. "In other words, Master Yiyang had to watch over the General until they found the cure? In addition, Chief-Generals still respected him because he has unmatched skills with a deathly touch to anyone..." Fang added, tilting his head down a bit.

Sui-Feng placed her finger over her lips, telling them to keep it a secret. None of the people who weren't the Chief-Generals knew about him, so any misunderstanding will cause a havoc within the council room. "Some people have fears or anger, some has a certain trait within their personalities. For the Chief-General, the most who feared of his reputation and attitude, often called him as a nightmare," she stated with a straight face. Yinghua knew that her friends are kind-hearted and easily befriended the others once they had their bond of friendship in the group, sometimes her relationship was tested and passed through the difficult situations. Her relationship with him may change, but it could be a chance for them to achieve something out of their roles.

Meiying loves to skip her chores as she strolled across the capital, seeing Yang played around with the others. She decided to let them be because she prefer to do something on her own, some princesses of neighboring kingdoms of Xanadu Empire envied Meiying because of her cool-headedness, beauty and intelligence. Although she couldn't care less, she doesn't want to stuck behind the 'idle life' at the imperial palace and living like a bird who is trapped behind the cage, dreaming freedom in the capital--a paradise. However, inside the library she was frustrated when no books could explain the mystery surrounding the village near Luohan Kingdom, which she saw from the reports an entire village was completely decimated and no survivors.

"Alone by yourself again?"

Zilian greeted calmly that made her yelped in surprise, after all these days he noticed her behavior seems quite unique for him. She wasn't stupid though, although he was a bit intimidating and sometimes a bit of blunt or sarcastic when talking to her or anyone else. "You scared me! Now I can't enter because of you," Meiying scowled, Zilian just placed his finger on his lip as a wide-eyed gesture. "Wondering how to get in, Princess? Simple, I did used the key that Lady Caixu gave to me," he said calmly, as she followed him into the royal library. "Princess, are you scared of me or something?"

"W-What? Why would I be scared by a half-human Dragon like you? Never! Oh, wait... maybe you might be planning to end my life..."

Meiying sweat-dropped before she held a grin, her shoulders slouching as she teased him. "I'm not like them, I eat normal human foods, especially fish," Zilian retorted, making the princess looked down with a hurt face. Sometimes, she can be dramatic despite herself of being serious for work and other matters. No wonder Yinghua mentioned how terrible her sense of humor, no wonder she needs to teach her some words which were the insult but quite comedic. Then Meiying laughed, when she almost punched him. "Very funny," he said with a grin.

It was a midday when the other military members moved outside of the barracks, carrying supplies from the western dock ports and a large cargo from other empires. Taiyang observed with his closed eyes, ensuring the medical supplies was given the right dosage and to be treated carefully. Every trainee has their own assigned duties, it was another great day where nothing can disturb their work; the sounds of the soldier's boots hitting the concrete floor were evident, no matter how far or close they can hear those stomping sound. Yinghua whistled by the docks when the sailors placed the ship's anchor, unloading the wooden containers with ropes. Fang just walked beside her, since Ruqian didn't join today. "Here you two are, come! And by the way, we don't have time to waste," Sui-Feng rushed.

"I know... we had to deal with the captured Black Beasts for a research purposes, I'm sure Master Taiyang can handle it well," Yinghua said with an unreadable face. Since both she and Fang has been working under Sui-Feng, they know a little amount of information about Taiyang. However, what struck their attention wasn't just because of his sadistic demeanor when it comes to his... cooking, no; but the secrets that hidden behind the closed walls of the massive palace where all of them lived--no other kingdoms has managed to find a particular map which could lead them towards the Dark Dragon's Lair, a sacred place where the ancient tablets laid hidden. 'A cure, the Philosopher's Stone has its real purpose is to find the cure. They're really hiding something,' she thought, while their group moved to one of the exits with the Black Beasts have been tightly bound and caged into steel collars.

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They use Taiyang's magic signature, as well as their ability to influence the creatures to obey their commands. While training the trainees, Ruqian could be seen walking across them as he watched his Shangri-La Warriors are doing their practice through a harsh environment that they were given, the traps or obstacles are very dangerous but Ruqian let them stay focused on this lesson. As usual, they will test their abilities and resourceful thinking that will helpful if they are capable to develop their magical forces, elemental techniques, defensive blocks, offensive physical attacks and many more skills to be utilized, Shangri-La Army is indeed the most powerful division army right now.

"How was it, Ruqian?"

Zihao questioned with a humble tone, approaching his subordinate who observed his beloved soldiers taking some breaks and some are practicing even sparring. He has a long black silky hair, pale complexion and a pair of yellow-like light chestnut eyes. His ears have three stud earrings with a long white earrings, as the small golden chains hang around the white earring. He wears a majestic black high-collared oriental military robe with five gold tassels and metal pieces on the shoulders which has a tassel hanging like a white cape-outside, red layers on the edge sides, one tied inside the collar--which revealed some parts of a white inner wore. His top collars are an ornaments that has five gold circles. His sleeves has a three stud ornaments with a series of strings wrapped around one part, and black thigh-high black heeled boots.

"As usual, the trainees learn their lessons. Despite the injuries during the last survival tactic, they are worthy to become a soldier," Ruqian merely said with a neutral, bored and nonchalant gaze while he used his hand to slightly lift and stroke his blade that was rested upon his belt in right side. Zihao smiled, folding his arms together as he watched his trainees, his brows furrowed when the loud yelling from a particular boy was heard. "What did you saw from these two new Chief-Generals, Zhou Fang and Xue Yinghua? Do you trust them or not, in other words, their friends," he continued as he faced his disciple.

Ruqian crossed his arms and eyeing the group's direction, eyeing Yiyang who nodded her head slowly. As his partner, Yiyang stayed with the rest of the Chief-Generals and being their close advisor, Ruqian met her during their vacation outside from Luohan Kingdom and began their connection. However, he only trusted Yiyang to open up his little thoughts. A smirk was placed at his face, as Zihao listened to him. "Are you still in doubt, my lord? We may can trust them, our problems may end and the future is waiting for us," he informed without a doubt, his mind doesn't think too far ahead unless he doesn't let anyone interfere. "For once, I hope the time will pass without any conflict. And, I really need to get this fucking immortality off from my body," Ruqian commented bluntly, it's been years when he attempted to kill him several times, resulting into failed attempts only.

Zihao frowned slightly, he remembered how many times Ruqian made several attempts to end himself, however none of it were successful. It's hurting him, seeing his apprentice didn't even to move on. No matter how many times people gave their hospitality, he couldn't accept their friendly actions or gratitude unless they respect him or they were useful for him. Then, his scowl faded as he placed his hand over the young man's shoulder. "We'll make you revert into our age once you find the cure, stay strong... my comrade," Zihao said with a concerned smile.

When night approached, the soft yet subtle breeze caressed the small surface of the fountain inside the garden which made the water emit the transparent lights around, showing the reflection of the glimmering stars that were sparkling and seemed to form the crystal blue, and the moon have several strokes and marks that clearly engraved upon its reflective surface. Meiying wanted to get to know about Zilian, she often seeing him standing on the tall pole. Sometimes, he was reading or do some chores when there's nothing to do, he seemed alone all the time and making Meiying becoming curious of her own emotions whenever she looked at his stoic expression. She observed the gardens, after encountering Taiyang here as she tried her best to avoid facing him after his annoying cooking tastes.

"Princess, what are you doing here?"

Zilian asked from behind his mask that covered his upper face, revealing his blue-turquoise eyes yet it was soothing and warming at the same time. She felt herself stared at him, standing on the tree and sometimes perched itself. His silver-white hair glowed beautifully under the soft rays, and Meiying raised her hand over his soft cheeks before letting her finger gently rubbed upon his soft skin. Then, she clenched it that made his face comically turning red in anger--while the girl laughed over his reaction as he can't believe she was teasing him. The grip wasn't painful but it made him can't get away, and he decided to give up. "Don't worry about me, I was just having a daily work and my break time's here," he said before reaching the ledge, then jumped back to the ground. "My father wanted to see you."

Meiying spoke, referring to the Emperor who was interested to meet the half-human Dragon Prince like him, since him and her father are quite 'familiar' and the history is long after they met on their teenage life. "His Majesty, Wu Fuyin?" he asked, her nod assured him about the fact that the Emperor asked him to meet with him in a friendly conversation. "You know, since we came out for our secret visit, maybe I can have a talk with Emperor," Zilian clarified, when the wind blew gently--unaware that someone was watching behind them.

Jingshen was watching with relaxed and lazy smile, feeling the calm aura the surroundings gives. This presence feels like peaceful time that could stay within them, the life will become a hope and the end will be a salvation--a hope for something great and powerful. Ever since the incidents of the dragons' invasion was stopped, the world managed to restore its balance which also leads him to understand his new responsibility. As the air is quite hot and humid, the wind blew some cool air from around. "How amusing, both of them shows interest of the relationship," he commented while holding a yellow wilted feather, turning into brown-yellowish colour when the evening passed. "Doesn't Yiyang mentioned about those two's feelings? Maybe this would be interesting, I can't wait."

Soon, after finishing their assignments, Yinghua was strolling with her trusted sword at her side, brushing some of her hair behind her ear while approaching the weapon and food shop. Fang was approaching the weapon shop for maintenance purpose, and meeting up later as they left together to celebrate their success in capturing the Black Beasts. 'It was a hard to capture these things,' she thought as she opened the wooden door which was leading inside a dark bar with only a soft and cool-like light of the lantern shone the places inside. The counter, tables, chairs and the statues are all ancient Chinese styles as usual. "Huh, like usual, Chief-General Zhou."

Ruyan greeted Fang as he was forging a blade, the metals are refined and ready for use. "Also, you too, Chief-General Xue," he greeted Yinghua, who was searching for some special ingredients. She was looking for a special food like mushroom, eggplants or meat for her meal tonight. As soon she found one, Yinghua was excited, and used the brown paper that tied around the item tightly. Ruyan gave her the bills, while he gave her a bag to put the stuff she bought. Afterwards, she paid the money and left--Yinghua needs a help in order to cook the food for the generals. "Are you going to cook, Chief-General?"

"Yup, I'm the cook after all. Fang, what do you want to eat?"

Fang can be an annoying when he's very focused of the food, as he helped her when the younger woman glanced at her man. Well, both of them are quite alike and knows how to bond together, instead being cheeky and not showing any interest into each other, that was their definition which leads a relationship between partners became strong and tight. "Hotpot, like usual!"

Ruyan always observed these two newly-appointed Chief-Generals, they have been quite known to their comrades and they support them most of the time; however, when another problems within Zhongjing territory and Taishan or even Luohan could arise, everyone works hard as expected... their leaders needed more strength to put down the conspiracies or traitors until the next year. At least the Black Beasts was captured and to be studied, soon they found the secret that was needed for their mission and task.

"Alright, better get back from training!"

Meiying watched her relatives from other kingdoms has arrived, she was too lazy to meet the guests and staying together. Their gowns are worn by several princesses when their mother and father aren't around, besides the other maidens have a family crest while wearing a pink jewel necklace. "No, I don't wanna!" she whined, hiding beneath the curtains inside of the hall. The maidens are happy about her reaction since Meiying is obviously rebellious, instead the strict old nobles talked about her behavior and her lack of etiquette. One of the maids hid a mischievous grin, she approached the princess's door and knocked before allowing herself entering the room. "Meiying! Your relatives are here! I'm sure your parents gonna miss you so much!"

Fuyin sighed at his daughter's behavior, yet he cannot call her out. Lin Yao is busy preparing the dinner and there will be a group of girls will join later when it was over. "Sorry about my daughter, she's... energetic," he apologized, meanwhile the visiting princes and nobles bowed their heads in respect. Chengxun was waiting for his older sister Meiying to come out and meet her friends, which he finds it boring when seeing the guards patrolled the entire imperial palace, there are several guards on standby in case an emergency broke and they need to intercept the situation. "Come on, milady! Lady Meiying should fulfill her etiquettes as a princess, I know there are several duties and responsibilities are given because of her young age, but she shouldn't ignore them."

Chengxun merely watched the noble ladies pushed aside the curtains, dragging Meiying out--and the other princes can't help but to be amazed by her ethereal beauty. After that, Meiying panted before she growled like a lioness in front of the suitors--a comical face popped out for an unfortunate princes who was intimidated by the princess. All the maids giggled and laughed even Chengxun couldn't help to crack a smile. "All of you princes, are bunch of narcissists who broke my friends' feelings last time!" Meiying pointed out, shocking them that her mother Xiao giggled--her daughter exposed their mistakes of rejection and her servants added the truth behind her words.

Zilian watched how this human princess yelled at the suitors until they fled. It was truly a comical and marvelous scene, she even behaved uniquely unlike other princesses who were being arrogant and picky. When it was the Princess's time for socializing, everyone can be seen with their gorgeous-looking clothes and accessories. The men are carrying either flowers or sword or some have a books or a scroll while the ladies can be seen with their seductive and elegant looks. Everyone was shocked at Zilian's ethereal appearance and charisma, including her father Fuyin was shocked to see him without mask or hood. "So, this is the half-human Dragon prince you're talking about?"

Her princess friend; Yuexiu whispered to Meiying, who eyed her old-time best friend. "Yes, he wasn't always the ones who wore the mask. Also, being a part dragon doesn't mean... being unapproachable," Meiying answered with a long sigh, before folding her arms. "He was defected... let's just say, he saved me from his kin who tried to kill me."

It was a story Meiying will never forget, because she knew that Zilian was trying to find his mother's soul through Philosopher's stone he was searching. Zilian kept his cool, nodding his head as he can sense several of noblemen and women who couldn't take their eyes from him as if their eyes were drawn to. "My dear child, did you make some friends?" Xiao spoke calmly, as Meiying looked into her bright pair of eyes. "I did, mother," Meiying responded, her gaze showed some sincerity. 'He's a half-human, while all of these suitors came from the Kingdoms that supported the imperial and high class citizens or their Emperor... this guy,' she thought, watching some of the young girls swoon over the handsome Zilian.

"Princess."

Zilian greeted Meiying as they walked through the hallways, Xiao is very amused as her husband Fuyin watched his daughter walked together with Zilian. They walked along the garden at the night, where the night insects sang some lovely songs. Meiying could've forgotten her conversation before with the half-human Dragon, until she finally remembered. The sounds of crickets chirping in some grasses can be heard. The young girl watched the starry night, with her pure hazel brown eyes. "I bought you something," he said, revealing a pair of dual pink fans for dancer used in a battle. She eyed them before her fingertips touched the sides of the fan, before opening them wide. Meiying let the soft wind hit the fans gently, and managed to do a pose.

"Why, for me?"

Meiying questioned, not breaking her pose. "Because I thought of you, then a nice gift I had made for you. Consider this as a return of saving you from my kin's wrath," Zilian told, seeing her surprised face and it changed into a soft gaze. He's been here, without anyone aware and he is using the hidden path. Meiying couldn't express herself, even when he's able to move swiftly and sneaky--much to the surprise of the royal guards and royal palace's maids. She was a good dancer, but she always changing her fans since none of them suits her--until this one with pink gem-like beads made her felt completely different. "Thank you," she thanked, before she look up at him. "I will perform in the theatre, do you want to watch me?"

Zilian watched the girl he promised to, she's been the first girl who truly wanted to get to know him and he's been the one who came to terms for him. To him, the gift is something that is irreplaceable. "I do want to, because... I'm interested of how much you're capable to change yourself," he merely answered, making her face turned pink. "ARGH! Stop teasing me!" Meiying screamed in embarrassment. "You're the one who asked, Princess," Zilian replied casually, and sometimes have a half-smile.

When Fuyin entered the meeting room with the other chief-generals, they instantly heard Commander Zihao spoke. "It's been a while I had heard about Emperor giving an invite. Only our elite staffs were allowed to attend," the warrior commander started. "But, I have a question. There's a possibility the Maras could've send the Black Beasts after us."

Fuyin had invited everyone including his daughter to enjoy the performances, as there will be a beautiful couple dance that could made them amazed or swooned. As the fireworks blossomed to the skies, it indicated the 'banquet is ready' message as several noble nobles approached his quarters to congratulate him in ensuring the emperor's safety. Meiying huffed as she confidently performed her fan dance, when her eyes are closed and allowing the flowing winds and the soft music control her body, her graceful dance and jumping moves captivated almost everyone, the cause of some maids' attention when the crowd cheered for the princess. Her father nodded to her, eyeing Zilian's stony gaze towards his beloved princess.

"A performance such as this, many people tried but not many can surpass the former Empress," Yiyang praised, and the empress smiled with a gentle expression. Meiying finished her dance, panting heavily and slightly grinned, the princess noticed her outfit changed into a purple pink with white collar and intricate patterns. Her hair was ornamented with a golden yellow-like headdress, and a pearly white circular jewel like gemstone embedded with gold ornaments which resemble dragon. Meiying stopped panting, before standing with straight body. She looked around and noticed the look she received. "No matter how long time had passed since the death of our previous rulers, today will be a day I will never forget," Xiao declared, watching her husband bowing at her direction.

Meiying finished her performance, with tossing her two fans are the two male suitors who watched her with a drooling faces, she didn't even to grace them with any respect. Yiyang cleared her throat, while Sui-Feng snickered when Ruqian simply gave a nod, pleased with the response and the applause earned by Meiying. The servants brought several kinds of drinks and many foods that suitable to become dishes. Yinghua and Fang approached together, since General Ruqian told them to keep their guards up which they nodded.

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