《Final Quest: Restore The Lost Data》 Chapter 1 ¡°I wish you would just disappear!¡± Whose voice is this? ¡°I have never loved you!¡± Why is he crying? ¡°What have you ever done to help me?!¡± Why does he sound so mad? ¡°Alright. I will leave.¡± Huh? Is this my voice? Why do¡­ why do I sound so sad... so broken? "Those empty promises we''ve made... you don''t need to fulfill them...¡± "Why... was this my punishment..." Who am I speaking to? "For myself... I need to do this..." What am I saying?! What am I going to do?! "30,000 years... good... yes..." Is this¡­ what just happened? Did someone say something? Did something important happen? What is going on? - I opened my eyes and blinked as I tried to let them adjust to the bright sunlight. I could hear birds chirping softly from a distance. I smiled at this peacefulness as I bathed under the sunshine. After a few moments, I tried to sit up and let out a groan as my every part of my body ached. I looked around me and saw that I had been sleeping on a piece of land, resembling a small island, that was surrounded by a small body of water. Beyond the small pond I saw trees and bushes. Nature popped out at me and I felt a bit intimidated. I didn''t remember this place being so full of life. I frowned as I cleared my throat. "Status menu," I croaked out. My voice was still a bit hoarse but other than that I sounded almost normal.
Name: Que Hei Bin Skills
Title: Fifteenth Disciple of Guang Yuan Inventory
Status: High Immortal Notes
Level: 989 Memory Data
Time Played: (Years: Days: Hours: Minutes: Seconds) 190,100:13:8:48:08 Messages (1 New Message!)
"What?!" I screamed out and then coughed as my vocal cords couldn''t handle the sudden pressure. I cleared my throat, "190,100 years?! Have I been asleep for 120,000 years?!" I couldn''t believe what I was seeing. I knew that I was gravely injured during the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe, but I didn''t think I was so gravely injured that I had to recuperate by sleeping for 120,000 years! I breathed in to calm myself before looking back over at the status menu. My eyes trailed up the list. "Level 989?! What? When I fell asleep I was only at level 287! How did I go up so many levels already? Did the quest I accept to win against the Dark Arts Tribe have this many benefits? Huh? Hi-hi-high immortal?! Wh-wh-when?!" What the bleep was happening? Why? How? What?! I took in another breath to calm myself down again and looked back at the status menu. Even after looking it over for the third time I still couldn''t process anything. What was my status screen showing to me? What was with these bizarre stats? Was this a glitch? Was I still sleeping? Was this all a dream? "Huh?" I let out as I saw my messages tab. Why was there a new message? That... shouldn''t be possible? Unless I sent one to myself... but why would I need to do that? My hand trembled as I reached up and I tapped my finger on the Messages tab.
Inbox: (1 New Message!) (2) From: Que Hei Bin (160,100) You must be awake now Save Delete
From: Que Hei Bin asoeifjow Save Delete
Sent: (2) To: Que Hei Bin You must be awake now Save Delete
To: Que Hei Bin asoeifjow Save Delete
"You must be awake?" I read the message title. I cocked my head confused. It says the sender is from me and it does say I sent a message to myself... but.. why did I have no memory of doing this? I bit my bottom lip, contemplating for a moment, before my eyes glanced back at the number in the parenthesis next to my name. "160,100? Is that... was that my age when I messaged myself? Does that mean I was asleep for 30,000 years afterward?" I questioned myself even though I knew I couldn''t provide an answer. I thought for a long time before just letting out a sigh. I tapped on the message and I was greeted with an inbox that had a video clip. I clicked the play button and the video clip grew, filling up the whole inbox screen in front of me. I raised my eyebrows as I saw myself in the video clip staring at the ground. The me in the video had a pale complexion. Her golden brown eyes darted around lost as if she was searching for words to say. They were a bit red and puffy. It looked like she had been crying. Her dark hair was a mess as it resembled a lion''s mane. Why did she look like that? "You must be awake now," I flinched, surprised at how emotionless she sounded. She looked up at me... or into the screen? I wasn''t sure. I''ve never recorded a video using the system at all... I should try it out now that I know it works. "At this time when I''m sending you this... I am 160,100 years old..." she brought my attention back to her as her tone was sounded more humane and less robotic. She let out a small sigh and I could see her eyes getting watery, "There''s... so much... I don''t even know how to say this... just..." I saw a tear trail down her face and she wiped it away before taking in a deep breath, "I''m sorry. Excuse me. Anyways, after the battle with Dark Arts Tribe, you, no I, no... haha... I don''t know how to address... hmm... okay..." she took in a deep breath, "We were very hurt. So, we came here to recuperate and we slept for uh... 20,000 years I believe... if I''m doing my math correctly," she let out a small laugh but the laugh faded as fast as it came, "After that, we turned in our sleep but... our physical body didn''t turn, only our soul. Our soul fell into the magical pond and we were sent to do a trial..." she pressed her lips together as a distant look appeared in her eyes. Tears ran down her face but she didn''t wipe it away this time. She swallowed and bit her lip before opening her mouth to speak again. "The trial took 70,000 years... and we returned here... don''t worry we didn''t do anything that would make Master or our seniors upset. We... just did our very best... and after this message, I will be going to our Memory Data and be deleting all the memories from those 70,000 years." "What?!" I sat up. Was that even possible? I''ve never tried before... "I know that you must be surprised but... it''s for our own good. There isn''t any good in remembering this trial... nothing at all. Don''t worry," she smiled but the smile didn''t reach her sorrowful eyes, "you will be fine. Your identity during the trial wasn''t your real identity. The two identities will have no correlation. You won''t have to take responsibility for anything, I promise you. It will be better for you to forget this meaningless trial... you will be fine. Just... love yourself. I want you to love yourself," tears continued to waterfall down her cheeks, "don''t be like me. Don''t forsake yourself for... for anything. I want you to be happy. I... I want to be happy..." her lips trembled as she had that distant look in her eyes. She took in another deep breath and wiped her tears away. She gave me a smile her eyes turning into crescent moons, and this time I could tell it was genuine. "Hello and goodbye... to myself," the screen turned black as it minimized back into the inbox. I brought my knees up to my chest as I rested my chin on them. What did the old me mean by all that? Was the trial... really meaningless? If it was... why did I look like that then? I backed out of my inbox as I went to my Memory Data. I scrolled down and the most recent one was the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe. The rest were just empty slots. When I saw the Dark Arts Tribe slot, rage swam through my veins as I balled my fist. I clutched my robe to keep myself from exploding. I knew betrayal was painful, but the losses that happened due to that betrayal felt even worse. I was too stupid... I trusted someone I shouldn''t have trust and that''s why I''m where I''m at. I wish I could turn back time... but 120,000 years had already passed... that''s right, 120,000 years had passed.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. The rage dissipated as I realized once again how much time had passed. I felt a bit hollow inside because, from my time played, the majority of it was now gone or spent sleeping. When I first entered this world I did wish to just wake up one day and be overpowered, but I didn''t know that I would have to trade 120,000 years for that. Did anyone still remember me? Does anyone still remember them? I... will I have a place to return to? But... Master is a Celestial Being... he wouldn''t die after all these years. My seniors are also Immortals... they should be fine too... right? Ah! Why am I doubting them?! Of course, they should be alive! Master is one of the most powerful beings in the Three Realms! I let out a sigh before gently slapping my cheeks. I didn''t have time to get depressed. I don''t believe that there could be anyone in the Three Realms who could match up to my Master. There was nothing I could do, so I could only move forward. "Don''t worry about it! No need to! She said that the identities have no correlation anyways so I should be fine! First, let''s take a bath to clean ourself from this 30,000 year nap and then we can go exploring, Que Hei Bin!" I cheered myself on as I got up. I stretched my body before combing my long hair. It was a miracle that I managed to untangle that mess of a nest. After that, I pulled my robes off until I had nothing left on. I took in a deep breath and clenched my teeth as I dived into the pond. The coldness made my hair stand as I shivered. After my body adjusted I smiled as I dived deeper and started to swim around. I closed my eyes I felt myself absorbing the magical essence of the pond and it helped me become more energized. Wait... hmm... I thought I heard a voice, but I guess I''m just still recovering. After my bath, I went to my inventory and pulled out my green robes to match the nature around me. I put half my hair up and left the other half down as I decorated my hair with various hairpins. I pulled on some green earrings and golden bracelets before looking up at the sky. I felt clean, I looked great, and I dressed well. "Que Hei Bin, let''s go!" I swung my arm in the air as I lifted myself off the ground. I flew into the sky and through my self-created barrier. I looked back down to not see the pond anymore, as I only saw forestry down below. It was my illusion and protective barrier to make sure that no one could steal and use my pond without my permission. I chuckled at how useful it''s been despite 170,000 years passing since I first installed it. I looked around me and smiled. The sky was flowing with colors and I could see acres of wildlife spread across below me. I swung my arms back as I started flying forward. Wow! It felt so easy to fly compared to when it did when I was just an Immortal. High Immortals are really something else! "Where shall we go first, Que Hei Bin?" I asked myself, "Hehehe... how about the Mortal Realm first for some food and wine? Hehehe! Master and the other disciples probably don''t know I''m awake yet so I won''t get caught doing anything bad!" I giggled to myself and swung my arms once more as I sped up. - After just thirty minutes of flying, which would''ve taken me three hours as an Immortal, I reached the outskirts of a mortal town. I waved my hand and my fancy green robes turned into plain blue robes. My hairpins also disappeared and the only thing that remained were my green earrings. I wanted to make sure I didn''t stand out in the mortal world so I made myself look as plain as possible. After doing a double check on my appearance I licked my lips. Just thinking about tasting the delicious wine could make me circle the Immortal Realm for three days! I created some coppers and silvers from magic as I stuffed them down my sleeves. I entered a small restaurant and sat by the corner. I looked around me to see people chattering at their own tables. Everyone wore plain clothes and some of the lucky ones were able to decorate themselves with hairpins or a bracelet. I rested my chin on my hand and continued to observe them as I waited for my waiter to attend me. I tapped on the table. 190,100 years had passed since I first entered this world, yet their way of living has still stayed the same. Their technology is still the same and the ranking systems are still the same as if time has never changed here. I had thought that maybe this world was similar to Earth and that by this time there would be television, or cars, or airplanes yet nothing major has changed yet. Is it because this world is just slower than mine? Or is it because they haven''t developed any similar technology because they don''t need them? I didn''t really know. "This world is really mysterious. Will I ever find a way back to Earth?" I mumbled to myself. It wasn''t like I hated this world, but I did miss my home. There were so many conveniences and although still chaotic, it was more peaceful than the world here.... surprisingly. "Miss, what would you like to order?" the waiter''s voice pierced through my thoughts and I looked up and smiled. "Fifteen wine bottles, boiled chicken, and some spicy side dishes, please," I replied. "Alright. That will 30 coppers and it will be up in a moment," the waiter wrote down my order. "Thank you," I gave the waiter a small bow and he gave me one too before walking away. After a while, he returned with my food and I rubbed my palms together as I couldn''t wait to tear the whole thing apart. I stared at the wine bottles, which were about the size of a regular soda can back on Earth, and I couldn''t stop a grin from spreading on my face. - Night had fallen already as I had fifteen bottles of wine stacked up in front of me. I don''t know if it was because I was a High Immortal now but I only felt a bit tipsy. In the past, by this time I would have felt a bit drunk already. "Hmmm... this is just not cutting it," I mumbled to myself. I scratched my head as I felt as if there was a perfect place I could be right now. Ah! That''s right! I almost forgot about Hua Mi! Back then he was known for making the best wine in the Celestial and Immortal Realm. I guess in the end Hua Mi''s wine does truly taste the best. Compared to Hua Mi''s wine, these were just like water to quench my thirst. I should pay him a visit... ugh... but I haven''t even met Master yet and I''m going to go see him for wine... will I get in trouble? Also, it may be night in the Mortal Realm but only a couple of minutes have passed in the Immortal Realm because one day in the Immortal Realm is equal to a year here. Will they criticize me for drinking during the day? Hmm... aaahh... alright then, I will just satisfy myself with five more bottles before heading back to my magical pond. Those five bottles went by fast and before I knew it I was already out of the restaurant. Oh no, almost tripped over myself! Woah... did the alcohol just kick in late? Is that why I''m feeling like this now? I looked down and saw that the illusion of my robes was wearing off as they kept switching from my plain robes to my green robes. I shook my head to keep myself focused as I swung my hand and I was now flying in the air again. I felt myself constantly going up and down. Thank goodness that I was a High Immortal because if I wasn''t I probably would''ve plummeted to the ground already. I passed through the Mortal Realm and I felt the sun on my face as I was back in the Immortal Realm. Wahh... the colors are so beautiful and vibrant. Hehe... that cloud looks like a chicken leg... hehe... that one looks like a wine bottle... that one looks like, woah! An ice cream cone! Fluffy! Hehe... and that one... woah... Huh? Woah! It''s already nighttime? Huh? Oh my gosh, where am I?! U-turn! It should be around here... hmm... ah, I found it. I looked down at my barrier. Hmm... should I just let myself fall? The barrier will let me through and when that happens I can just cushion my fall with my magic. This way will be a lot faster and I always wondered what falling from a high height always felt like anyways... I just never tried because I didn''t have confidence in my skills... but I was a High Immortal now... hehe... I swung my arm and my flying magic wore off as I felt myself falling. I felt the wind rushing past me as my hair and robes flew up as I fell backside down. Woah... what a nice feeling... I should do this mor-... I suddenly felt strong arms under my back and knees. I turned my head to see a man. Wow! He''s more handsome than Master! Hehe! Just like the celebrities from Earth, probably even better looking considering the fact that he doesn''t have any makeup on. I saw the man turn his head and when his light brown eyes met mine, they grew as his mouth formed a small O. The way the moonlight hit him made him look even sexier. Hehe... "Cu Xing?" his voice was deep and I felt it resonate through me. It was as if I''ve heard his voice before... but putting all that aside he''s so so so beautiful... it''s like staring at a good looking character come to life... I wonder what his olive skin feels like. I reached my hand up and touched his cheek. Wow! It''s so soft... maybe even softer than mine. "Wow," I exclaimed, "you are so handsome," I giggled. My eyes trailed down his tall nose to his pink plump lips. I wonder what they felt like too... "Wha-" I wrapped my arms around his neck and he stopped speaking. I looked up, into his eyes and smiled. "I fell for you," I laughed at my own pun before I closed my eyes and leaned in. I felt my lips touch his lips... wow... his lips are so soft too. He''s like a big soft teddy bear! Hmm... I never knew that kissing felt so good... I should do this more often... I backed away and saw the shocked expression on his face as he held onto me. How cute! He opened his mouth but before he could say anything I put my fingers over his soft lips. "Shh..." I hushed before I gently pushed him away. I swung my arm and I was back upright and flying, although still staggering a bit. I blinked hard to stay focused as I looked up at him. I saw what resembled white glitter forming next to him before another man showed up. This man looked less handsome than him. Average at the best... "Su Hai, what''s wrong?" the less handsome man asked the handsome man. Oohh... so his name is Su Hai. Hmm, oh yeah I''m a High Immortal now. I can also teleportation just like that less handsome man... hehe... "May we meet again, Su Hai," I called out to him. He reached his arm out as if to stop me but I had already started my teleportation magic and it was too late... but he was such a cutie... good thing I got his name... Su Hai. Hehe... what a nice name... but... who was he calling for... who is... C-Cu... Cu Xing? Chapter 2 I opened my eyes and found myself back on my small little island with my magical pond surrounding me "Ah!" I groaned as it felt as if a man was pounding a hammer against my skull. Ugh, I love wine but I hated hangovers. Hmm... how did I get back here? I frowned as I sat up. I tapped my palm against my forehead for a while and that helped for a little bit. I cocked my head as I just lost my train of thought... oh right, how did I get back here? "Status menu," I said aloud.
Name: Que Hei Bin Skills
Title: Fifteenth Disciple of Guang Yuan Inventory
Status: High Immortal Notes
Level: 989 Memory Data
Time Played: (Years: Days: Hours: Minutes: Seconds) 190,100:14:12:48:17 Messages
I tapped on my Memory Data tab and scrolled all down. There was nothing new that appeared next to the slot of the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe. I pouted my lips confused but just shrugged my shoulders. Since there was nothing there then nothing out of the ordinary happened. I raised my arms up and stretched before letting out a sigh. "Let''s take a bath to get rid of this alcohol smell on us and then go greet Master, Que Hei Bin. If he knows that the first thing I did was go out to eat and drink instead of go greet him and tell him I''m alright then... let''s not think of the consequences... haha... ha..." I let out a nervous laugh before I shook my head to set myself straight. After my bath, I pulled on my most elegant blue robes and started to head toward my next destination. - I stood in front of a tall gate as I felt my heart running underneath my chest. In front of the gate, there were two men whose faces I was not familiar with. Did Master take in more disciples after me? Or were they hired guards? The anxiety from yesterday came back as my mind started to wander off. Was this still the place I thought it was? I held my hands together as I looked up the tall gate to see a golden sign at the top of the arch that read Cui Yun Mountain. This did sound like the right place... but was it? I shook my head and I didn''t give it much more thought as I took a step forward. The two men looked at me and one of them held a hand out. "Please state your name and business or else we won''t be able to let you into Cui Yun mountain," the man stated. "Is this... uh..." I tried to collect my thoughts, "is... is the Great Heavenly Warlord Guang Yuan still here?" my lips trembled. The two guards looked at each other before looking back at me with confusion in their eyes. "Of course," the one with a rectangular face replied sternly and seemed a bit offended. "Nothing dangerous could ever happen to our great Master," the other one with a circular face said but was more gentle with his tone. I let out a small sigh of relief internally before clearing my throat. I reached into my sleeve and then pulled out a silver badge. The badge was in a shape of a flower as it had five pedals and had the character fifteen etched into it. "I am the fifteenth disciple of Cui Yun Mountain, Que Hei Bin, and I wish to go and greet my Master, Great Heavenly Warlord Guang Yuan," I announced. The two men''s jaw dropped before they got down on their knees. "Twenty-Eigth greets Fifthteenth!" the one with the rectangular face his bowed. "Twenty-Ninth greets Fifthteenth!" the other one bowed. Woah! Master accepted over ten disciples since I''ve been gone? What a surprise! "Quickly, rise! We are all disciples of Master, no need to be so formal," I helped to the two up. I watched as Twenty-Ninth smiled at me and Twenty-Eighth gave me an apologetic nod. I shook my head to tell him that I didn''t mind. He gave me a relieved look before he turned and ran towards a rope that was located inside of the gate wall. "Wait!" I yelled out to stop him before he could pull. He turned to look at me. "Yes?" "Why are you ranging the emergency bell? There''s no emergency here," I looked around me to check just in case I was wrong. "Oh, don''t worry senior! Master has ordered all of us, who comes and rotates to guard, to ring the bell at once if you ever returned." "Huh? Master ordered that you rang the bell once I''ve returned?" "Yes!" "B-but, it''s alright! If you ring the bell all the disciples will show up here and I don''t want to disturb their training. I will just go greet Master quietly." "I''m sorry, senior, but I can''t do that. Master specifically ordered for all of us to do this." "But it will attract too much attention..." "B-but... senior... I don''t think we can disobey master on this..." "Please understand, senior. Master has ordered this and if we don''t do it I''m afraid..." Twenty-Ninth''s face turned white and I nodded my head. I knew how cruel Master''s punishments could be. "Alright, alright! Go on, do what you''ve been told to do. I didn''t mean to make things hard for you, juniors. Sorry," I waved my hand and Twenty-Eighth gave me a thankful nod as he pulled the rope up and down. The bell echoed throughout the whole Cui Yun Mountain and even vibrated through my body. I backed away from the entrance just to be safe. A few seconds afterward, I heard footsteps heading in my direction. I looked through the gates to see Cui Yun disciples wearing our signature blue outfit running toward me. I let out a small sigh as I brought my hand up to my face and hid behind it. I hate being the center of attention. Master, why do you have to do this to me?! "Yah!" I heard a voice yell out from behind me. I turned to see a figure wearing dark blue robes throwing a fist out at me. I dodged as I sidestepped and the figure threw another fist. This time, I grabbed the figure''s wrist and pulled the figure close to me. I looked at his face and frowned as it looked familiar. "Intruder you dare to infiltrate Cui Yun Mountain?! Never on my watch!" he declared. This rough voice was familiar too. I let the figure go and he proceeded to give me an overhead kick. I bent my torso as I turned to give us some distance. "Wait! Eleventh, that''s not an intruder!" I heard Twenty-Eighth call out. Ohh, so this man is Eleventh! Hehe, he''s always been hot-headed and quick to fight before talking... it''s comforting to see some things never change. I reached my hand out and grabbed onto his shoulder. "Aah!" he yelped as I turned him around and then shoved him into the ground. I chuckled as he fell on his face. His skills have deteriorated. He used to be stronger than this... or did I just get too strong? "Y-you! I will get you for this!" he got back on his feet. "Eleventh, it''s me," I quickly said and he froze. I saw his legs shake and I let out another chuckle as I watch him turn around. When his dark eyes met mine his jaw dropped almost to the ground. "Fif-fif-fi-fifteenth?!" he pointed at me and his complexion went white. I laughed and nodded my head. "Why do you look as if you''ve seen a ghost?! It''s only me you are looking at," I squinted my eyes at him. Tears started to form in his eyes as he held his arms out. "Fifteenth!" he cried as he started to run toward me. "Fifteenth," a pleasant voice called out and Eleventh stopped moving. I turned my head toward the gate to see a man wearing luscious blue robes looking at me with watery blue eyes. This man appearance looked as if he was sculpted with a delicate hand and care. He looked as if he couldn''t believe the sight he saw in front of him. He was also the most handsome man I knew in this world. He started to run toward me with his arms wide out, his white hair bouncing behind him. I smiled as I turned my body and fell into his embrace. "Master!" I wrapped my arms around his body, "I''m back, Master!" He pulled me back to get a closer look at me as he started to touch my face as if to confirm I was really there. I frowned as I reached my hand up to wipe away his falling tears. "Master, don''t cry, I''m back! Don''t cry or else you''re going to look weak in front of all my juniors!" I whispered and he let out a laugh. "You unfilial disciple! You go missing for 120,000 years and now you are scolding your own Master? Aren''t you afraid that I will make you run 100 laps around Cui Yun Mountain again?" he threatened with a smile on his face. I felt my stomach drop as I shook my head. "N-n-no, Master! C-c-cry all yo-you w-w-want! Just don''t make me run 100 laps again!" I begged and he let out another laugh as he pulled me in for another hug. "My most troublesome disciple has returned after all these years. I don''t know if these are tears of happiness or tears of sadness," he let out a sigh. "Master!" I tried to push him away but he just chuckled, not letting go. "Alright! Alright! I''m just joking!" he hugged me even tighter and I patted his back, not minding his sense of humor. - "Fifteenth!" I was pulled into another hug for I don''t know which time, and I let out a small laugh. "Alright, alright! You can let me go now, Second!" I protested as I tried to push him away. "Hey! You let the others hug you for at least ten seconds but you are only going to let me hug you for only three?! You''re being too unfair!" Second complained. "Just let her go already!" I heard Fourth call out from behind me. "Alright! Go!" Second let me go and I gave him an apologetic smile as I walked to sit next to Eleventh. "Fifteenth," I turned around and saw First waving at me with gentle purple eyes, "come here and sit here for today," he pointed at his seat which was next to Master''s seat. "But Fir-" "Just go! Today''s feast is to celebrate seeing you for the first time in 120,000 years! Just take it as your honor to sit next to Master!" Second urged. I smiled and nodded as I went to sit in First''s spot. I looked down the dining table to only see First, Second, Fourth, and Eleventh here. Where was Fourteenth? He and I were the closest. I wondered how much he has changed throughout all these years. I wonder how much everyone has changed... Sadness rippled inside my heart as the image of all my seniors sitting at the dining table flashed across my eyes. Three of those fourteen seats will never be used by their original owners again.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. "Where''s the rest of the disciples?" I asked to distract myself so the ripple wouldn''t come gushing out into a waterfall. "Aiyo, Fifteenth! It''s been 120,000 years! The ones who aren''t here are the ones who now have a life doing something more productive than we are doing. That''s why we were able to make it here so quick when Master summoned us," Second explained as he twirled a piece of his red hair. "Hey! I am living a productive life!" Eleventh retorted. "Haha! As if gardening every day is productive!" Second stuck his tongue out at Eleventh. Eleventh glared at Second and Fourth waved his hands up and down to calm them. "Alright, alright! Stop arguing already! It''s been a long time since Fifteenth has sat down to eat with us, and you guys are going to spend it arguing?" Fourth gave them a look of disapproval. "That''s right. Listen to Fourth you two," First scolded the two and the two nodded their heads as they turned to look at me. I looked away not knowing what to do with all this attention and I felt a hand on mine. I looked up to see Master looking at me with a worried expression. "Tell me Fifteenth, what happened to you back then? Why did you suddenly disappear on us like that?" he asked. Silence followed afterward as I felt all my seniors attention on me. I bit my lip before swallowing. "During that fight... to make sure that we won..." I looked up carefully at Master and hung my head low, "I overexerted my soul for energy... causing it to crack and almost break into fragments..." I confessed in a quiet voice. "Wh-what?!" I heard Second yell out. "Shh, Second!" Master hushed him. "Oh... sorry!" Second whispered. I felt Master''s hand move from my hand to my shoulder, "continue, Fifteenth," he ordered. I nodded my head. "Then... I went to a secluded place to recuperate and have been sleeping since then..." I finished. There was a moment of silence before my Master let out a sigh. "That''s a relief," he took a sip of his tea. I raised my head and looked at him. "Master, you aren''t mad?" I asked. I remembered him forbidding us to use our soul in exchange for power as it had too many setbacks. I was already considered lucky because I didn''t turn into a demonic beast. I did one of the things he forbid, yet he didn''t'' even lecture me... was this still the same Master? He set his teacup down and looked at me with tranquil eyes. He shook his head. "I''m not mad... anymore. To tell you the truth, I was mad for the first couple of years and I was going to punish you when you returned for doing something so dangerous... but after so long I figured that no matter what you said, no matter what condition you came back in, I wouldn''t be mad at you at all, because at least you''ve returned," he replied, "during that battle... I already lost three important disciples and you all lost three brothers... I didn''t know what to do if I had lost a fourth, so I couldn''t stay mad..." silence fell over the room as the ripple returned. My vision got blurry as I felt a hot tear roll down my cheek. I felt a bit embarrassed because I''ve never cried in front of them before, but the sadness in my heart overwhelmed me when he mentioned those three. "M-master... it was all my fault... please punish me... I''ve been an unfilial disciple... I caused the death of my seniors... I was wrong... I''m sorry..." I cried as I got on my knees and kowtowed. "Fifteenth!" he gently scolded as he held me back up. I felt his finger brush away my tear as he patted my head. "Don''t cry, Fifteenth. I''m sure those three won''t blame you... you knew how they were. Since you''ve returned, our Cui Yun Mountain is finally whole again," Master said. "Euuugh... d-don''t c-cry, Fifteenth! Fifth, Eighth, and Thirteenth wouldn''t blame you at all," Second cried out. "How are you going to comfort her when you are crying yourself, Second?" Fourth scolded and I looked across the table to see him rubbing Second''s back. "B-but... i-i-it''s so sad..." he cried and I couldn''t help laughing at how ugly his crying face look. My laugh triggered the others to laugh. "Alright, alright! I bet that Fifteenth is hungry from not eating for 120,000 years so let''s start eating!" First yelled and we cheered in agreement. I brought a piece of chicken up to my mouth and I saw chopsticks put a piece of diced pepper on it. I look up to see Master smiling at me. "You love spicy foods don''t you?" "Yes," I smiled and nodded my head, "I''m surprised Master remembers. Thank you, Master!" I brought the food into my mouth and started to chew on the tender meat. "Although this food is good... Fifteenth," I looked up to see Second looking at me with twinkling eyes. I knew what he meant and I just rolled my eyes at him as I continued to stuff my food into my mouth. I heard him make a whining noise but I ignored it. "But, Fifteenth," Fourth suddenly said. I looked up at his dark blue eyes and he cocked his head. "What?" "How does it feel to see us again after 120,000 years?" "Hmm... to be honest, it might have been 120,000 years for you guys but for me, it felt as if it was only yesterday since our fight against the Dark Arts Tribe. It feels a bit strange to see you guys celebrating like this when it felt like we just had dinner together two days ago," I felt tears welling back up and I blinked them away. The atmosphere just got better and I didn''t want to ruin it. "Lucky you! You didn''t have to go through the suffering of missing a comrade who just disappeared after a battle. Nobody knew what happened to you so everyone thought that you died," Second commented. "Second! Watch what you say," First warned. "It''s fine, First. Second has always been like that. I don''t take any offense," I said. First glared at Second and Second gave me an apologetic nod. "You''re lucky that Fifteenth is nice," First''s voice was cold and Second let out a hesitant laugh. "Then you''re saying that within that 120,000 years you never woke up at all?" Fourth looked at me confused. I opened my mouth to agree but I hesitated for a moment as I remember the video clip from yesterday. What should I answer to this? ''Your identity during the trial wasn''t your real identity. The two identities will have no correlation. You won''t have to take responsibility for anything. I promise you.'' My voice echoed in my head and I nodded. "Y-yeah. I didn''t wake up all during all that time," I answered. "Oohh..." Fourth nodded his head as if he was contemplating something. "Why?" "Huh? Oh, I w-was just thinking that you are such a deep sleeper!" Fourth clapped his hands together. "Of course! Do you know what a pain it is to wake her up in the morning?" Second blurted out and everyone bursted out into laughter as we continued to eat. - I felt the wind blowing past me as I looked down Cui Yun Mountain. It was a scenery that I''ve always enjoyed since coming to this world. The beautiful trees that wavered in the wind along with the animals that roamed the forest. There were also villages here and there which seemed to bustle with life. It made me feel calm and reminded me a lot of Earth at the same time. "Fifteenth," I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned my head to see Master standing beside me. "What is it, Master?" "Nothing... just remembering how I first met you when you were still in your animal form." "Ahh... that''s right. It''s a good thing that I met Master and was able to cultivate from an animal into a Low Immortal. Did you think that the little magpie from back then would be your wonderful disciple now?" "Haha! I knew that the little magpie would be able to cultivate into human form eventually but... wonderful disciple? What kind of wonderful disciple leaves their Master for 120,000 with no sort of news whether she is dead or alive?" "Master! I didn''t mean to but I was too injured. If I didn''t leave right away then you would''ve not seen me standing beside you right now!" I retorted. "Alright, alright! I''m just joking with you Fifteenth." "Hmph." "Haha... but Fifteenth... are you sure that you didn''t wake up at all during those 120,000 years?" "Huh? Uh, yes... I''m sure. Why?" "Then why are you a High Immortal now?" his words made me froze before I cleared my throat. I didn''t know that Master could tell what status I was at without me informing him. "And that''s not all... from your energy you are even at my level of strength... stronger than the Celestial Emperor himself. Not many Immortals reach this height and those that do are regarded even better than most Celestial Beings," he crinkled his eyebrows. What? I was stronger than the Celestial Emperor and was Master''s equal?! That''s crazy! "Fifteenth... why is this so?" "Ah, that is because... the place I was recuperating at is a special place with an essence that is compatible with my body. Even though I may have been asleep my body have been absorbing and cultivating that essence all these years," I clarified. I wasn''t lying to him because my body has been cultivating and absorbing the pond''s essence while I was asleep. "Hmm... usually it is very hard to rise to a High Immortal through cultivation if you don''t go through a trial... are you sure?" "I-I-I''m sure... and why are you saying I didn''t go through a trial Master?" "Hmm?" "W-Wouldn''t the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe be considered a trial? My soul almost cracked into fragments. If that is not a trial, then what is?" "Ahh... I guess that you may be right... and," Master turned to me and gave me a bow. "Huh? No! Master! What are you doing?!" I held his arms and pushed him back up. "It''s basic etiquette. You are my equal in status now, no, you may even be stronger than me. It will be rude of me not to give you a bow of acknowledgment." "Master! You are my Master, you don''t need to ever bow to me. I should be bowing to you. Que Hei Bin will bow to Master now," I started to get on my knees but he held me up. "Don''t. You don''t need to, Fifteenth. Also, you don''t need to call me Master anymore either. We are on equal grounding now. I will allow you to call me by my name," he said. I quickly shook my head. "No! This one doesn''t dare to! Once a master, always a master. Once a master, always a father. Please don''t do this to me, Master! It only felt like a week ago when you made run 100 laps around Cui Yun Mountain! Please don''t make this hard on your unfilial disciple!" I begged and he smiled. "Alright, alright! I won''t make things hard for you anymore. Since you have been gone for so long I just wanted to tease you a bit," he chuckled. "Master!" I complained and he laughed again. "I already said I''m sorry. Are you not going to accept your Master''s apology?" "Hmm... alright. I accept... hehe, but in exchange," I grinned, "I will be leaving the Mountain for a couple days," I negotiated. Master frowned. "Why? Where are you going?" he questioned. "I want to go see Hua Mi!" I giggled and he glared at me which made me stop smiling. "You just want to go drink again, don''t you?" "Uh, n-no! I just think that Hua Mi must miss me after I''ve been gone for so long. I should go pay him a visit to tell him that I''m alive and well," I let out a nervous laugh. Master side eyed me a bit before letting out a sigh. "Alright. You may go, but you can''t get too drunk! Only three bottles allowed!" he warned as he pointed his finger at me. "Master!" I whined, "three bottles are like half a bottle for me... you already know..." "That''s why you only get three bottles." "Hmm," I looked up at him and pouted. He shook his head. "No matter what you do I won''t let you have any more," he said sternly. I let out a sigh and nodded my head. "Your unfilial disciple will listen and follow," I agreed, defeated. He nodded his head. My lips fell back to a straight line, "Master... do we... have their graves here on Cui Yun Mountain?" I mumbled as I stared at the ground. I felt arms fold around me as I felt a pat on my back. "We do." "Master... can I give pay my respects after I visit Hua Mi? My heart is not ready yet... it only felt like four days ago when I still saw them smiling in front of me..." I grabbed his arm as a tear rolled down my cheek. "You can," he gave me permission. "Thank you, Master," I took a step back from his embrace as I wiped away my tear. I looked up at him and smiled. He stroked my cheek and then the stroke turned into a pinch as I grabbed his hand, "Master!" I complained as he laughed and pulled his hand back. "The sun''s beginning to set already so you better get going. Also, you must return after three days or else," he narrowed his eyes and I nodded my head, yet I felt my hair stand up. "Fifteenth thanks, Master! I will be back," I said as I swung my arm and began to fly to Hua Mi''s garden. - It was already nighttime when I reached Hua Mi''s garden... I did get a bit confused by the changed scenery so I got lost a couple times... but wow! It smelled so nice. I looked around to see tall trees that had various fruits and bushes with various berries growing on them. "130,000 years I helped plant you guys with Hua Mi and now you guys are already so big!" I laughed as I stretched my arms up. I remember suggesting that we make our own garden so Hua Mi can brew his own wine and I can be the guinea pig to determine whether the wine taste good or not. I wonder how much wine he has already made from all these fruits. I turned the corner and saw a figure wearing dark purple robes. I raised my eyebrows. Usually, Hua Mi wears vibrant colorful robes instead of dark robes. I kept looking and saw the man hold a big wine bottle. Hehe, it must be Hua Mi then. Master probably told him I was coming and he got ready for me. "Hua Mi, I can''t believe how much your fashion has changed but it''s okay. Just give me the best wine you got," I whispered as I crept my way towards the figure. I tiptoed my way towards him and he didn''t seem to notice. When I was right behind him I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a back hug. "Hua Mi! It''s me, I''m back! Did you miss me?" I laughed. I felt him stiffened and I giggled. Ahh, he''s always been fun to tease. I let him go and he turned around. The smile slowly got wiped off my face as I realize the man wasn''t Hua Mi. The man''s dark brown eyes were big as he looked at me shocked. "C-Cu Xing?" he breathed out as his hand went up and I felt his fingers brush against my forehead. Cu Xing? Huh? Wait... where have I heard this before? Chapter 3 I took a step back from the man and in my head, I already slapped myself close to death. "I''m sorry, sir. I didn''t mean to offend you. Please forgive me for my rudeness," I gave him a bow. I looked up to see him looking at me with a confused expression. "Y-you don''t know... me?" he asked. I looked him up and down and shook my head. "I''m sorry, sir. You must''ve mistaken me for someone else. I''ve never met you before," I answered. "What? Bu-" "What''s wrong?" I heard a voice call out. I looked behind the man to see another man walking towards us. This man was wearing peach-colored robes and holding a wine bottle in his hand. His pink hair was tied up into a ponytail as his purple eyes looked at us with concern. I smiled as I waved my hand. "Hua Mi!" I cheered as I ran past the stranger as I ran to Hua Mi with my arms opened. He paused in his tracks as his jaw dropped. "Y-y-you yo-," he stammered as I pulled him into a hug. "Hua Mi, it''s me! Que Hei Bin! I''m back! Did you miss me?" I asked as I squeezed him. Wow, he''s grown some muscle. Before he was just a slender man.. and mmm... he smelt just like peach blossoms... what a pleasant smell. I pulled myself away as I looked at him and he looked down at me with surprised eyes. "W-what? Que Hei Bin?" he furrowed his brows for a moment before his eyes widened, "Xiao Bin?!" he exclaimed. I nodded my head and smiled. "That''s right! I''m Xiao Bin! Did you miss me?" I giggled and he pulled me in for a hug. "Xiao Bin!" he cried out, "Xiao Bin where have you been all these years?! I thought you died already! Waaahh!" I patted his back to comfort. "Alright, alright! Don''t cry anymore! I''m not dead. I''m right here!" I said as I pulled him back. His bottom lip overlapped his top one and I smiled as I wiped his tears away. He''s always been like a little brother to me despite being older than me. "Don''t cry," I comforted, "if you have time to cry then you should be giving me some wine. Master gave me a limit of three bottles so give me your best and strongest alcohol, alright?" I tapped his nose and he grinned. "Alright! I will give you the best wine I have brewed in these 120,000 years you''ve been gone!" he patted my head. "Lord Hua Mi," I heard the stranger said and I turned around. Crap, I was too happy to see Hua Mi that I forgot he was here! "Ahhh, greetings, Prince Jing Shi," I watched as Hua Mi gave the stranger a bow. Prince Jing Shi? I looked at the stranger and frowned. It took me a couple seconds to realize who he was before I also gave him a bow. If Hua Mi referred to him as Prince then he must be of the Celestial Realm. "Greetings, Prince Jing Shi," I said, "I''m sorry. I have been recuperating for so long that I don''t know what has been happening in these realms. Please forgive me for my rudeness," I hoped I didn''t get into trouble. "You... who are you?" I heard him ask. I bit my lip before taking in a deep breath. "I''m the fifteenth disciple of Great Heavenly Warlord Guang Yuan, Que Hei Bin," I introduced myself. "Que Hei Bin... the warrior who wiped out half of the Dark Arts Tribe troops by herself, stopped the Dark Arts Lord, Sun Feng Quan, from annihilating all the Three Realms, and then disappeared?! You are that Que Hei Bin?!" "Uh, y-yes. I am that Que Hei Bin," I let out a nervous laugh. "Ohhh... I thought... nevermind... tell me, what is your status right now?" what? Why did he want to know that? "Status? Why?" "I can feel that you are not of Immortal status, but I want to make sure." "Uhh..." I glanced at Hua Mi who nodded his head toward the Prince and I let out a sigh, "uhh... that''s right... I am a High Immortal right now." "High Immortal?!" they both blurt out and I flinched. I looked up to see the both of them getting down on their knees to bow to me. "W-w-wh-what are you doing? Ss-stop. Quickly, get up!" I stammered out. These people and their etiquette! "Immortal Hua Mi greets High Immortal, Que Hei Bin," Hua Mi said before bowing. "Alright, Hua Mi! Rise! Prince Jing Shi, please rise! Hua Mi may have to bow out of etiquette but you don''t have to bow. Please stand!" I urged. "No," Prince Jing Shi shook his head, "during the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe my mother was saved by you while she was pregnant with me. I still have to bow out of respect for my life''s savior," he bowed. "Alright, alright! You guys have already bowed already, quickly rise!" I pulled them up and started to pat the dirt off their clothes, "Please don''t do this to me," I pleaded, "although I am a High Immortal right now, I still feel like an Immortal. I cultivated while I was asleep and that''s why it only felt like yesterday when we fought against the Dark Arts Tribe. I''m still uncomfortable with these etiquettes, please treat me as you would normally," I requested. "But Xiao Bin," Hua Mi tried to retaliate but I shook my head. "Stop it, Hua Mi. If you keep acting like this, I''m going to go back to sleep!" I pouted and he let out a sigh. "Alright. I''ll stop," he complied. I smiled and grabbed his arm. "Thank you... but you''re still an Immortal?" I asked and he nodded. "That''s right." "120,000 years passed already... didn''t you go through a trial?" I asked. Hua Mi''s face went white as he looked at the ground. "Trial..." he breathed out. I furrowed my brows. "What''s wrong?" I asked before hearing Prince Jing Shi clear his throat. I turned my head and nodded as I let go of Hua Mi. "I''m sorry. You probably have something to say to Hua Mi. I will leave to give you two privacy,"I took a step back. "No need to," Prince Jing Shi held his hand out to stop me, "this will be quick and then I will be leaving," he turned back to Hua Mi, "Lord Hua Mi, do you remember what tomorrow is?" "Tomorrow? Ah... it''s the day Crown Prince was born..." "That''s right... it''s been 30,000 years... but he finally decided to hold a banquet for his birthday... gift him some of your best wine. It might help him relieve a little bit of pain from then," Prince Jing Shi said. "Gift him some of my wine?" I observed Hua Mi''s conflicted expression. Why did he look so guilty? "I understand... does your highness wish for some too?" "Me? Hmm... I will have to decline... I promised her not to drink until I finished harvesting the fifteen fruit trees she left me. This year will be the last year I can harvest them... after that, I will come for a drink," the prince had a distant look in his eyes. "Ahh... I see... I understand." "Then that''s good. I will be leaving now," the prince gave each of us a bow before he vanished as a trail of glitter swirled where he stood before dissipating, indicating he had used teleportation magic. I looked back at Hua Mi who also had a distant look in his eyes. "Hua Mi," I gave him a gentle shake and his eyes turned to look at me. He smiled as he wrapped his arms around me. "I''m glad you''re back, Xiao Bin," he gave me a squeeze. I smiled as I rubbed his back. "It''s good to be back too." - Hua Mi sat across from me as he placed wine bottles on the table. "This one is made from peaches, this one is made from a variety of sour berries, and this is made from a variety of roots," he informed as he pointed to each one. I wonder why he even gave me choices... he knew my favorite fruit was peach. I picked up the peach wine and pulled the cap off.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "I will drink this one today," I said as I tipped the bottle into my mouth. Hmm... the taste of peach with alcohol... it''s so heavenly... I put the bottle down and smiled. "Hua Mi," I looked into his purple eyes, "you didn''t answer me from before. Did you go through a trial?" I asked again. He froze for a second before pulling the cap off the wine made from a variety of sour berries. He took a sip before looking at me and sighing. "I did... and when I did I made a terrible choice... so I failed my trial and as punishment, I lost a lot of my cultivation..." "Hmm... what happened?" "I... I don''t want to speak of it," he murmured before taking another sip. I took a sip of my drink too. "Alright, if you don''t want to speak about it, then you don''t have to. A trial is hard for everyone to go through. I remember my trial for being a Low Immortal was to take three hits of lightning during the rain. I understand it''s tough and you may not want to talk about your trial but if you do need to talk to someone, then I''m back Hua Mi. You know, you can talk to me about everything right?" I smiled and he gave me a smile too as he nodded his head. "Of course. 120,000 years may have passed for me but for you, it was just a waking up to another day. Many things have happened since you fell asleep... do you know that almost everyone has forgotten who you are except for Cui Yun Mountain and a couple individuals?" "Hmm?" "120,000 years is a long time. Many have already forgotten the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe and those who do remember thinks you''re dead. Now that you''ve shown back up alive and well, you''re going to surprise a lot of people." "Hehe... you should have seen Eleventh''s face when he saw me... it''s was as if he had seen a ghost! Haha!" I knew Hua Mi''s wine was good as I was already feeling tipsy and I didn''t get halfway through this bottle yet. Those wine in the Mortal Realm were really just like water. "Ahh... Eleventh... is he still gardening every day?" "Hmm... from what I''ve heard, yes. He''s still gardening every day. Why?" "I asked him to help me with my garden here but he refused, saying that he must work at Cui Yun Mountain''s garden. What a waste... I could''ve got a servant helping me here with my garden..." I choked on my wine as I started laughing. "What? Servant? Hua Mi! You''ve changed since the last time I saw you. You have become bolder! Haha!" "I just aged and you haven''t yet. Wait for your years to pass and you will soon be bold just like me." "Haha! Wait until I tell Eleventh what you said!" "Hmph! Tell him all you want, maybe he might change his mind and come work here for me." "Haha! Alright! You gave me permission, don''t say I didn''t warn you." "Of course! Go and do it, you naughty girl!" "Haha! You''re too funny... that''s right, how''s Seventh doing?" I asked. "Seventh? Ahh..." he shook his head, "give up on him, Xiao Bin." "Huh?" "He''s married now... it''s been 110,000 years now." "Huh?! 110,000 years?" That bastard! I worked so hard to trap him! Although he may not be the most handsome he was so patient and kind... how could he do this to me? "Mhmm." "But he said he would wait for me to return if I ever went missing!" "Xiao Bin," Hua Mi spoke in his lecturing tone, "No matter how much someone loves you, waiting for 120,000 is still expecting too much of someone. Don''t give him a hard time when you see him next time." "Hmm... alright... I understand..." Hua Mi was correct... but what a waste. Seventh was so fine! "Xiao Bin," Hua Mi looked at me with careful eyes, "what about..." he didn''t have to speak anymore as I knew who he was talking about. I balled my fist and I shook my head. "I don''t want to talk about him," I blurted out as I took another sip of the wine. He gave me a nod. "That''s right! Did you know that Seventh is the fourth son of the Celestial Emperor?" "What?!" I yelled. "That''s right! Everyone was surprised when we all found out. Not only that, but his firstborn son is now the Crown Prince." "Wah!" I gasped. Maybe it was a good thing I didn''t marry him... the Celestial Palace seems like a scary place... I shuddered as I thought about all the palace dramas I''ve seen in the past. "So many things happened when I was sleeping." "That''s right! So you should stop sleeping and just stay awake now. I have a lot of things to tell you since you''ve been gone for so long!" "Alright! You have three days before I have to return to Cui Yun Mountain. Tell me everything I''ve missed." "Good! We can drink and eat food while we''re at it too! Haha!" "Hehe!" I raised my wine bottle towards him, "Cheers!" I said and he smiled as he tapped his bottle to mine. "Cheers!" he laughed. We continued to chatter and talk for hours. - Wine... I want more wine... huh? I opened my eyes to find myself lying on a bed... hmm... how did I get here? Whatever... I want more wine. I pushed myself off the bed and opened the door. Woah, what a cute little house Hua Mi has here... hehe... hmm? Where does he keep his wine? Better yet, where is he? "Hua Mi?" I whispered but he was nowhere to be found. Hmm... that guy... where would he be at this time? The moon is still high in the sky and the night is still long. We should drink more! Forget it! I will go look for him. "Hua Mi?" I whispered as I continued to stroll around his garden. Where could he be? Woah... look at all these fruits... Hua Mi wouldn''t be angry if I took one right? Wow! This one is so pretty. I picked a pink one off a tree and brought it to my nose. Mmm... it smelt so good... what fruit is this? I rubbed the fruit on my robe to get rid of the dirt. It looks so good. I brought it to my mouth and took a bite. Wow! Mmmm... so flavorful... so good... hmm... why am I feeling so hot now... hmm... why are my cheeks so warm? What was this tingling feeling? Did I eat a bad fruit? I should keep looking for Hua Mi. I threw the fruit to the ground. "If you give me a stomachache, I won''t let you off easy!" I scolded. I walked away. I felt my temperature rise and I let out an uncomfortable grunt. Need to look for Hua Mi. He''ll know what to do to stop this feeling. "Hua Mi?" I whispered but still, no answer. Hmm... what''s that over there? Why can I see the moonlight peeking through? I''m going to follow it! I''m here! Huh? It''s a cliff. Huh? Is that Hua Mi? I saw a guy wearing red robes standing at the edge of the cliff. Hmm... did Hua Mi change clothes? I observed the man and saw he was holding onto a jade hairpin. I smiled as I recognized the hairpin. It was the hairpin that Hua Mi wanted to give to me for my birthday present after the battle with the Dark Arts Tribe. I wasn''t supposed to find out but Second can''t ever keep a secret. Hehe... it''s so pretty. Hua Mi probably sneaked away so he could surprise me with it when he came back. "Hua Mi, I can''t believe you are still holding on to such a present after all this time. Since I''m here it''s only right that you gift it to the owner!" I whispered as I crept my way towards the figure. When I was close enough I wrapped my arms around him. "I found you!" I giggled as I felt him freeze. Wah! I felt myself getting twirled around. "Ah!" I let out a yelp as I felt myself falling backward I felt a hand on the curve of my back and I felt myself getting pulled forward. I reached out to grab onto someone''s shoulders and looked up to see light brown eyes meeting mine. His eyes widened as he looked at me. His olive skin glowed in the moonlight and I was stunned by his beauty. How can a man look like this? It''s unfair! Hmm... where have I seen his face before? "Cu Xing?" his low voice was calming to hear. Cu Xing? Huh? Oh, that''s right. "Su Hai!" I giggled as I said his name. I brought my arms up and wrapped it around his neck. I felt his cool hand on my cheek. Mmmm... somehow... it feels so good to be touched right now... does he have a magic touch? His hand moved from my cheek upward as he touched the center of my forehead. I closed my eyes to enjoy his coolness against my warmth. "What happened to your birthmark?" he asked. Birthmark? Hmm? I opened my eyes. "I don''t know..." I answered. Did I have a birthmark? I felt his hand slide down as he tilted my chin up so I was looking at him. "Is it really you?" his eyes looked alert. I frowned. "Of course it''s really me. If it''s not me, then who is it?" "Then where have you been all this time?" I watch his lips move. So sexy... hmm... I want to kiss them again... "Sleeping, my dear," I touched the tip of his nose. Hehe... he''s so handsome. "Sleeping?" "Mhmm... did you miss me?" I asked. He cupped my cheeks and slowly nodded. Wah... his cold hands felt so nice against my cheeks. "I... I really... really, really miss you," a tear trailed down his cheek. Wow... he looks beautiful even while crying. I wiped his tear away feeling his soft cheek and I smiled. "Here''s a prize for missing me," I said as I closed my eyes and leaned into him. I felt my lips touch his and smiled. It feels so nice! He pulled my body closer to his as our chests touch each other. Woah! Too hot for me! I backed away and looked up at him. "Y-yo-" before I could finish he pulled me in for another kiss. Woah! So... so hot! Hehe... I close my eyes as I felt his lips move above mine. His hand trailed up my neck to my chin as he pulled it down. My mouth opened and I felt his warm tongue slip inside. Woah! I was not expectin... mmm... oh... oh wow. It was only my second time kissing someone but damn... he''s good. I felt his hand travel up my back and I felt my hair standing on my neck. I backed away from him to catch my breath... woah... he''s a little too fierce for me... although I do kind of like it. He pressed his forehead against mine as he looked into my eyes as one of his hand cupped my cheek. "You''re back..." he whispered and I felt his hot breath on my face. I nodded. "I''m back..." I said... damn if only Hua Mi knew how fast I got over Seventh... wait! I can''t be here right now! I have to look for Hua Mi! I moved back from the man and blinked my eyes to stay focus. "What''s wrong?" he asked and I shook my head. "No... I can''t be here," I raised my arm up, "I''m leaving." "No!" he pulled me closer to him as another tear trail down his face, "don''t leave me!" Why was he saying that? I wiped his tear away. "What''s wrong?" "I was wrong, Cu Xing! I''m sorry! Please... don''t leave me..." his voice was barely audible in the second half of his sentence. For some reason I felt my heart clench as I looked at his disheartened espression. "Don''t cry... I will be back... I promise you," I cupped his cheek, "but I have to leave now. I have to be somewhere right now. I don''t break promises," I planted a kiss on his cheek, "do you understand?" He looked at me, his eyes contemplating something and then he nodded his head. "Then take this with you," he grabbed my hand and I looked as he slipped a silver ring down my pointer finger on my right hand. "What is this?" "I know you don''t break promises, but just in case you forget this can remind you. Give this ring back to me when we see each other again," he said. I smiled. I nodded my head as I leaned in and kissed him again. "See you again," I whispered and I saw him smile as I started to teleport away. That man was so beautiful in the moonlight... Su Hai... hehe, he gives good kisses too... I can''t wait to see him again! Chapter 4 I opened my eyes and found myself lying on a bed. Hmm... how did I get here? Augh! I brought my palm to my forehead as I felt the man hammering away at my skull again. Ugh... hangovers! "You''re up?" I looked up to see Hua Mi holding a tray of what looked like soup. I nodded my head as I watch him put the tray by the bedside table. He picked up the bowl on the tray and pushed it towards me. "Here," he said as he handed me a spoon. I looked at the soup to see it had diced peppers topped all over it. "What is it?" "Hangover soup." "Ahh... thanks, Hua Mi! You''re the best, you know that right?" I grabbed the spoon out of his hand and started to gobble down my food. "Of course I''m the best. Who else could deal with your feisty consumption for alcohol other than me?" I felt him rub my back and I chuckled. "That''s right. I''m lucky to have you," I continued to eat my soup. "But, I won''t be able to spend today with you. I have to go up to the Celestial Realm and deliver this alcohol that I had to pull out of my stash last night." "Huh?" I turned my head to see him holding a robe that had four wine bottles attached to it. I put down my spoon and reached for the bottles. "Let me see," but he pulled them away from me. "Oh ho ho, no! You can''t have these. They were requested from me so I can''t give you any, sorry." "Hua Mi! Are you saying that those are better than the wine you gave me yesterday?" "Uhh... maybe?" "Hua Mi!" "Alright, alright! They are... and I''m sorry, but I can''t give you any." "Hmph," I turned away from him as I held the bowl up and downed my soup. Afterward, I slammed the bowl on the table and glared at him. He told me he was going to give me his best alcohol. Why did he lie to me like this?! He knows I love alcohol! "If you won''t give them to me, I will go up to the Celestial Palace with you!" I threatened. "No!" he yelled and I flinched surprised. He covered his mouth as if he shocked himself before shaking his head, "No, no, no," he repeated himself. I frowned. "Why?" "Because... the Celestial Palace is very strict and rigid. A person as free as you will probably get into trouble up there. I can''t take you." "Hey! Are you calling me a troublemaker?!" "You know you''re a troublemaker. Why are you even asking me that question?" "Tch! Hua Mi!" I yelled, "I''ve returned after 120,000 years but you won''t even share me one bottle from your best stash?" "It was 120,000 years for me but it was only a night for you! If anything you should be giving me a gift for having to suffer waiting for you for so long!" he yelled back. "Hua Mi!" "Xiao Bin!" "Y-you! I will go with you whether you want me to or not. I will just ask the Crown Prince to give me a bottle if you aren''t willing to give me a wine bottle!" "Que Hei Bin!" Hua Mi slapped the bed and I trembled for a second. I moved back from him instinctively and he reached his hand out toward me. I''ve never seen him so angry at me before. "Sorry. I didn''t mean to scare you," he said softly as he grabbed my forearm, "but this is really important to me. You understand that, right?" he said with a gentle voice. I pouted before nodding my head. "Alright. I understand. Sorry... it''s just that my love for alcohol made me a bit too stubborn," I gave him a bow. He chuckled as I felt him caress my hair. "It''s alright. I did say I was going to give you my best alcohol but didn''t give it to you anyway... how about in exchange I will take you to my stash and let you choose the next two bottles you want to drink?" My eyes sparkled. "Really?" "Really." "Woohoo! Let''s go! Let''s go right now!" I rushed him. He laughed as he set the bundle of alcohol down on the bed. We walked out of the shed and I followed him as he led the way. "It was a good thing that your master limited you to only three bottles," Hua Mi commented. "True..." I agreed. If he didn''t... I was afraid that even though Hua Mi loved me a lot, I would end up dead by his hands. I remember the last time I drank all his alcohol he didnt'' talk to me for weeks. "If he didn''t the-" his sentence was stopped as he gasped and stopped walking. I looked at him to see his eyes wide open as he looked down. I followed his eyesight as it landed on a pink fruit that had a piece bitten off. I raised an eyebrow as I bent down and picked the fruit up. I held the fruit up to him. "Is this fruit special? Why do you look like that?" "Th-t-th-that fruit is an aphrodisiac fruit!" "Huh? An aphrodisiac fruit?" I turned the fruit around to observe it. "Yes! It''s a good thing that whoever ate this fruit didn''t take that big of a bite or else they would''ve gone crazy under the bushes!" "Hmph, who would dare to walk into this garden and blatantly take a bite of your fruit without asking for permission, Hua Mi?" I felt annoyed for Hua Mi. "Don''t mind it. It''s not like they came and took all my fruits. Let''s continue on our way," Hua Mi paid it no attention as he continued walking. I waited until he was a couple step in front of me and I looked at the fruit. "Observe," I whispered and a screen appeared in front of me.
Object Identified! Name: Xie Ye Fruit Description: A pink fruit that has a unique fruity taste. It is an aphrodisiac and when consumed can cause a strong sexual drive to its consumer. Eat and use with caution!
"Woah!" I let out a small gasp. I didn''t even know such a fruit existed in this world. I have been too ignorant. "What are you doing?" Hua Mi called out from in front of me and I dropped the fruit to the ground. "Nothing," I quickly replied as I ran up to him. We soon reached another shed that was surrounded by a barrier. Hua Mi waved his hand over me and my body glowed for a couple seconds. "I just allowed you access to my stash but you can only come by three times and grab only two bottles to leave at the most," he warned, "after that, you have to come to me so that I can put my magic over you again so you can come again." "Why are you limiting me like this?" I complained. He squinted his eyes as he flicked me on the forehead. "Ah!" I let out a small yelp. "If I don''t limit you then you are going to drink my stash dry again!" he scolded and I just gave him an innocent smile. "Alright! I was just kidding around!" I said to him and his lips curled up as he nodded his head and we headed into the shed. "Woah!" the smell inside was just simply amazing. It smelt of sweet and sour fruits, of healthy roots, of just plain good old happiness. I could''ve slept there every night and be happy. I checked the bottles of wine one by one slowly and opened them to smell. Mmm... they all smelt so good! As I was looking I saw a bundle of four wines up on a high shelf by the corner. Why were those so out of view and so high up? Did Hua Mi put those up there on purpose? "Hua Mi," I called him over and pointed at the four bottles, "I want to check those." "Those?" he pointed to them too and I nodded my head. He looked at me with suspicious eyes, "your intuition is really something," he reached up and grabbed them. He brought them down to me and I opened them to smell. Ooh... they smelt heavenly... a bit bitter... but still heavenly. I dipped my finger inside and then licked the alcohol on my finger. Mmm... heavenly indeed. "I want this one," I smiled and Hua Mi just rolled his eyes. "Alright," he said as he was taking two of them off and I grabbed his arm. "What are you doing?" "What do you mean what am I doing? You are only allowed to drink two more bottles so I putting these two away." "Don''t. I want to bring the other two back to my Master. These wines were made from roots and you know how my Master likes wines made out of roots, right?" "You..." he looked at me with eyes like I was a schemer and I smacked his arm. "Why are you looking at me like that? I''m really going to give them to my Master! I''m not going to even drink all of them because my limit is only two more bottles! Have I ever disobeyed my Master?" I asked. "Yes." "When?" "You rushed out to the battlefield without informing him and then disappeared for 120,000 years," he threw the facts at me and I felt my face go red.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. "Y-you! I will follow you to the Celestial Palace if you keep acting like this!" I threatened and his eyes widened as he glared at me. I glared back at him and we stared each other down for a moment before we both let out a laugh. "Alright! Let''s go then, and I will carry the wine or else you won''t be able to leave the barrier," he gave up. I smiled as I grabbed his arm and hugged it. "Thank you, Hua Mi! You are the best! I love you!" I said and he just rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," he said nonchalantly but I could see the smile on his face. We started heading back to his small house. - Hua Mi set the wine bottles down on the bed as I picked up the bowl. "Where do you want me to put this?" I asked. "You can just leave it. If you need to take a bath then exit the back door and go behind this shed. You''ll see a path. Just follow it and you will eventually reach a pond there for you to bathe in," he headed toward the front door. "Where are you going?" "To pick some fruits to offer along with the wine," he answered as he waved his hand. I just shrugged my shoulder as I walked out the back door. I followed his direction and reached a pond that was surrounded by peach blossom trees. "Wow," I breathed out in awe as I watched the peach blossoms fall into the pond, "I knew that Hua Mi liked peach blossoms... but I didn''t think he liked them this much... no wonder he smells so good," I pulled my robes off and entered the pond. The temperature was just right and I smiled as I brought some water and splashed it on my face. Huh? I turned around and looked behind me. I thought I heard a voice... but it must''ve been nothing. Hmm... whatever... I held my breath as I dunked my head under the water. - When I came back to the shed I didn''t see any signs of Hua Mi. On the bed, I found a note. I picked up the note and it read, ''I had to leave first so I couldn''t say goodbye. Be a good girl and wait for me to come back. If you do, I will make you some of my best spicy dishes to go along with your wine. Love, Hua Mi.'' The ends of my lips couldn''t help themselves as they curled up. "Although in the past he felt so much like a younger brother... now he feels so much like an older brother... times have really changed," I spoke to myself. I looked at the bundle of wine bottles and I brought them outside where I could also enjoy the wind. I sat down on the porch where we drank yesterday and opened one of the wine bottles. "Half of you should be good enough," I pulled off the cap. I closed my eyes sniffed the wine. The smell was enchanting as I could smell different fruits and even a hint of herbs within the wine. Hmm... it was truly heave- wait. Fruits? I opened my eyes and looked at the wine before taking another sniff. "This... isn''t the wine I chose from earlier," I turned the wine bottle around and then frowned, "Hua Mi made a mistake... hmm... should I just drink i-no! Que Hei Bin, you shouldn''t be like this," I let out a big sigh, "even though Hua Mi said we shouldn''t go to the Celestial Realm... I can''t let him give the Crown Prince the wrong wine... but why didn''t he want me to go? Ahh... because they have a lot of rules. That just means I have to be careful. Sneak right in and sneak right out," I told myself. I stuffed the wine into my inventory as I took in a deep breath. It was going to be my first time going to the Celestial Realm... but it won''t my first time sneaking in and out of somewhere... I should be fine! - I was a distance from the gates of the Celestial Palace and I could feel sweat trickling down my face. If I get caught here will I get into a lot of trouble? Am I doing the right thing? Ugh... let''s just do this quickly and then leave! I held my thumb and middle finger together as I chanted a spell over myself. After I was done, I pulled out a mirror and saw Hua Mi''s face in the reflection. I checked to see if everything was alright. "Hmm... being a High Immortal does make magic easier to use," I nodded in approval and then gasped at how my voice also sounded exactly like his. Hehe, this was going to be easy. I flew up the gates and two guards wearing white stopped me. "Lord Hua Mi? You just entered a while ago," one of them frowned. "That''s right, but I forgot to grab these bottles of wine also so I went back to retrieve them," I held the bottles up in the air. They looked at each other for a second before looking back at me with suspicion. "What? Do you doubt me?" I looked at them with an unhappy expression. The two quickly shook their heads. "We don''t dare to!" they bowed their heads before looking at one another again. "Lord Hua Mi, if it''s really you can I take a look at your wine?" one asked. I nodded my head as I pulled the cover off one of the wine bottles and held it up to his nose. He took in a whiff before moving back as a grin laid across his face. The other one coughed and he shook his head before clearing his throat. "I''m sorry Lord Hua Mi, please enter," he said and the two made way for me. I bowed my head to give them my thanks, before taking my first steps into the Celestial Palace. I clench my teeth to keep myself from looking out of place as my jaw wanted to drop at the sight of the Celestial Palace. The buildings were either painted in gold, silver, red, or white. They were all tall and there were plants everywhere which gave the place a calming atmosphere. I pinched my thigh to snap me out of admiring the beautiful view and I spotted a maid, wearing pink robes, watering some nearby plants. I was impressed at the hairpins that she used to put up her light blue hair. They were gold with white beads designed on it and almost made me want to snatch them away. I walked up to her and cleared my throat. She turned back and when she saw my face she quickly bowed. "G-g-greetings, Lord Hua Mi. How can this lowly one help you?" her voice sounded sweet yet a bit shaky as her purple eyes darted around on the ground. I saw that she grabbed onto her robes as she fiddled with her fingers. Was she nervous to be in front of Hua Mi? "Young lady, can you lead me to where the celebration is taking place?" I asked. She furrowed her brows as she cocked her head. "I went back to my garden to retrieve some more wine bottles as a gift for the Crown Prince and I taste tested some. Some of them were a bit potent and I''m afraid that I may lose my way if I go by myself right now," I made up an excuse. She held onto her hand as she turned her head away. "What''s wrong? Do you not know the way there? If not, I can ask another servant. Sorry, young lady," I moved back. "Th-that''s not it," she quickly said, "This servant understand. Please follow this servant," she bowed as she turned around to grab her bucket of water. After that, she started to lead me up some steps and through some halls. I continued to observe this strange maid and she would sometimes glance back at me. I could see some resentment in her purple eyes and wondered why she was looking at Hua Mi this way. "Young lady, what is your name?" I asked and she stiffened but continued to lead the way. "My Lord... do you really not remember me?" her voice trembled yet was a bit chilling at the same time. I felt a bit uncomfortable hearing that sweet voice turned so cold. "Huh? Uh... it may the alcohol''s effect but I..." "My Lord... I am the late... the la-ate... ah, we are here," she stopped in front of a large gate. I looked around inside the gate to see no one. "This is..." "Don''t you remember, my Lord? This is the Crown Prince''s territory, Xian Quan Palace," she spoke with a slightly mocking tone. "A-ah... Xian Quan Palace... it has been a while since I last came here and with the alcohol... it''s not helping..." I let out a small laugh. I couldn''t get mad at her small facial expression and tone changes. The one she seemed to not be happy with was Hua Mi, not me. Although I do care for Hua Mi, this seemed to be a relationship between a male and female. If Hua Mi did have a romantic relationship with this maid, then the way I am acting is a bit overbearing. "That''s true... I haven''t seen my Lord step foot in the Celestial Palace for 30,000 years. It couldn''t be helped if you forgot..." "Hu- ah... that''s right..." I tried to keep calm yet my heart was beating so hard I''m surprised it didn''t jump out of my chest. Does that mean that Hua Mi was a regular guest before those 30,000 years? "Then, I shall leave you here, my Lord," the maid bowed. "Wait," I held my hand out, "can''t you lead me the rest of the way?" I asked. I didn''t want to get lost in this big unfamiliar place. She looked at me and I saw the pain in her purple eyes. "I c-can''t... I believe if you just keep heading straight then you will reach the courtyard where the rest of the other Deities and Immortals are gathering," she informed. My curiosity wanted to ask why she couldn''t but the struggle in her eyes made me stop as I nodded. "I understand. Thank you, young lady," I gave her a small head bow. "No need to thank me, my Lord. I wish you well at the party," she bowed as she started to walk away. I watched her walk in the direction we came from and as I turned to enter the gates she paused, and so did I. "My Lord," she turned around and looked at me. "Yes?" I smiled at her and her eyes traveled back to the ground. "M-m-my n-n-name is... Jiao... Bai... Yu..." her fingers fiddled around as she carried the handle of the bucket with both her hands. "Bai... Yu..." I repeated, "thank you, lady Bai Yu," I said. "No need to call me a lady, my Lord. I''m just a servant. I don''t deserve that title." "Hmm... then, thank you, Bai Yu." "Then... see you again, my Lord. Farewell," she bowed her head and I watched as she turned around and walked away. I leaned my head to one side as I wondered what had happened to her that she acted like that. "Everyone has their own story... let''s just deliver this wine and not get anymore entwined in other people''s life more than we need to..." I let out a sigh as I turned and walked through the gates. When I passed through the gates I felt a breeze brush my hair by and I felt something stirred within me. What was this feeling... why did I feel like I have been here before? "Su Hai," I heard a muffled voice yell out and I flinched, "You... do... this..." I turned my head around trying to locate the noise. Where was it coming from? I looked to my right to see a path leading to a small archway. Hmm... the servant girl told me to go straight and then I will reach the courtyard... but... no! I just need to deliver this wine and then leave. Sneak in and sneak out! Don''t forget the objective! I took a deep breath in as I took another step forward. "Su Hai!" I heard the voice yell out again, but this time it was even more muffled. I felt my heart dropped. Why did this voice sound so sad? Who was it? I turned my head toward the path again. Hmm... I can''t just ignore this screaming... what if someone really needed help? I bit my lip as I made my choice and I started to run toward the voice. The closer I got the less muffled the voice became. I turn a few corners and then I stopped in front of a closed gate. I looked up and read the name board. "Tian Yue Hall?" I read the characters. I looked at the red doors and I could hear the voice screaming behind it. Should I barge in? Will I get into trouble? Will I get Hua Mi into trouble? "Why?" the voice''s volume was high but I couldn''t hear any emotions in their tone. It was as if a robot was speaking and I took in a sharp breath as I felt something wasn''t right. I quickly looked around me and I saw no one in the proximity. I swallowed the anxious saliva that collected in my mouth. I put my hand on the door and pushed it open. I rushed inside to find no one around. It had seemed as if the place had not been occupied for a long time, yet it was still clean. I frowned. Where did the voice come from? As if to answer my question I heard another sniffle and I looked down to see what looked like a hologram diamond spiraling in the center of the courtyard. "Woah... what''s this?" I walked up to it and I could hear voices screaming from within it, "is this Celestial Palace technology?" I questioned as I could see somewhat some images flashing through the spiraling diamond. I bent down to get a better look. It looked like a female and a male in the courtyard but I couldn''t make any clear images. I frowned, not sure what to make of it as I reached my hand out. I tapped on the hologram and fell back on the hard ground as a screen suddenly appeared in front of me. "Ouch," I groaned. I rubbed my behind as I read the screen.
Lost data found! Restore data?
Yes No
"Lost data found... restore data? Huh?" I leaned my head to one side as I tried to wrap my thoughts around this. "Lost data? Is this..." was this from my trial that the old me deleted... but I didn''t know that lost data could be found... although I''ve never tried deleting data before... hmm... should I restore it? Or should I leave it? "No..." I heard the crying again and I felt like someone just stabbed me in the chest. Why did I feel this way? Why?! I looked at the screen and my fingers trembled as it hovered over the yes tab. Should I do it? Should I not? But the old me deleted everything and she looked so distraught over it... but why did I feel this way? Why did I feel like my heart was getting torn apart? I bit my lip as my hand stopped shaking. If the memories are broken into different parts then this is just a small part of the huge picture... then just once... just this once, let me see why I''m feeling this way. I pressed the yes tab.
During the restoration process, lost data can only be restored in first person point of view. Do you still want to restore data?
Yes No
Hmm... only in first person point of view... whatever, let''s just go for it! I pressed the yes tab.
Data being restored! Restoring in 3... 2... 1...
I felt a charge of electricity run through my body as I stopped moving. It felt like someone forced my eyes closed as I felt my conscious being taken over. What... was happening to me? Chapter 5 I looked up and saw Su Hai walking toward me. I tapped my thigh. It was my first day moving into Tian Yue Hall. Was he coming here to welcome me? I stood up from my seat and I walked up to him. "Su Hai," I bowed to him as he stopped in front of me, "what have you come here today for?" "Why did you do this?" his voice was trembling with rage and his face was red. "What do you mean?" I asked. I didn''t understand his question. "Don''t pretend to be innocent! Why did you request to be engaged to me?!" he yelled. My hands trembled. Why was he so angry? "Because you promis-" "I never promised you anything!" he moved closer to me, "I never wanted to be with you," I felt his angry breath on my face. I shook my head. "Su Hai y-" "Don''t call my name! You don''t deserve to call me by my name!" "Su Hai!" I reached my hand out to grab him and he backed away with a disgusted look on his face. "Don''t touch me, don''t look at me, and don''t call my name," he hissed, "I don''t want anything to do with you," he turned on his heels and walked away. "Su Hai!" I yelled but my legs felt weak, "Su Hai!" my vision got blurry and I felt something trickled down my cheek, "You can''t do this to me!" my voice was quiet as I felt myself falling to the ground. Why was he treating me like this? I was the on-
ERROR! DATA IS OUT OF CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER! CANNOT BE RESTORED PROPERLY!
ERROR! DATA IS OUT OF CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER! CANNOT BE RESTORED PROPERLY!
ERROR! DATA IS NOW CORRUPTED! TO RESTORE CORRUPTED DATA SUCCESSFULLY PLEASE RESTORE LOST DATA IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER!
I brought my hand back and blinked hard as all the notifications flashed in my face. "Error. Data is out of chronological order. To restore corrupted data successfully please restore lost data in chronological order?" I raised an eyebrow. What? How was this possible? I thought all memory could be recovered randomly... how was I suppose to know what came in chronological order? Hmm...
New Quest! Quest description: Find and restore all lost data Difficulty Level: Unknown Reward: 300 Level Up and SSS Reward Would you like to accept the quest?
Yes No
"Woah! New quest update?" I gasped. I just received a quest five days ago to win the war against the Dark Arts Tribe... wait, nevermind that was 120,000 years ago. Whatever controls the system always gave me weird quests but I wasn''t expecting one like this... should I accept... I do want to know what happened and plus those 300 level up and SSS reward! Maybe I can even go back to Earth with that reward! Besides, what was the harm in doing this? I was just going to find out what happened to myself in the past. The past me did say we had no correlation or relation with each other so everything should be fine! It would just be like watching a drama of someone else''s life. I grinned at the thought of delicious hamburgers as I tapped the yes button.
You have accepted the quest.
"Hehe," I giggled but as my eyes landed on my finger the smile disappeared from my face. I saw a silver ring with a blue stone embedded in the middle of it on my pointer finger. "When did I get this? Wait!" I looked down to see that Hua Mi''s appearance had disappeared as I was now back to my own looks. "Oh no!" I jumped up and I raised my arm to put the disguise magic on me again. "Who are you?!" I heard a low voice yell out from behind me. I froze as I felt sweat trickling down my forehead. "You! Who are you?" the voice asked again. Oh no! This wasn''t supposed to happen! I was just going to sneak in and sneak back out! What was I suppose to do now? "Turn around!" the voice came closer. I took a deep breath to calm myself down. Let''s just turn around and pretend that we got lost trying to find the courtyard. I balled my fist as I turned around. I raised my eyebrows when I saw that the man standing a couple steps in front of me was the same man in the data that was being restored. He looked at me with mellow eyes as if he knew me. Why was he looking at me like that? Better yet, what was his name? Sa... Su Hua... oh yea, Su Hai! Why was he wearing red robes embroidered with golden doves? I thought those type of red robes were only supposed to be worn for weddings? I pulled onto my robes as I forced a smile on my face and gave him a bow. "Sorry si-" before I can finish he reached out and grabbed my arm. He pulled me into a hug as I felt his hand on my back. "You really returned!" I felt his breath on my neck and all the hairs on my neck stood up, "You really returned! I didn''t think you would come back so soon, but you''re here!" "Sir!" I managed to say as I pushed him back. He held onto my upper arm as he looked at me with confused eyes. "What''s wrong?" his voice was soft and calming. I shrugged off his hand as I took a step back. "I-I''m sorry, but I think you have the wrong person," I stammered out. "What do you mean?" "I-I-I have never met you b-b-before. I think you''re m-mistaken." "I''m not mistaken about anything," he moved closer to me. "S-sir," I took another step back, "this is my first time meeting you. I really think that you have the wrong pers-" "I don''t have the wrong person. Look," he grabbed onto my wrist and I gasped as he held up my hand, "this... I gave this ring to you yesterday... don''t you remember?" he pointed to the ring. My eyes shifted from him to the ring, and then back to him. I shook my head as I pulled my wrist away. Did we really meet yesterday? But... when? I... don''t remember... but how did I get this ring then? I know for sure that this ring isn''t mine... so many questions ran through my mind but the only thing I knew was that I needed to get out of there right away. I shook my head. "I''m sorry sir, but I don''t... remember... are you sure you gave me this ring?" I peeked up to look at him and I saw the joy dissipate from his eyes. What took their place was now sorrow. I felt my heart twist beneath my chest as I saw his expression and I looked away as I clutched onto the sleeve of my robe. Why did I feel sad seeing him sad? I barely know him! "Cu Xing," he breathed out, "why are you acting like this? Are you mad... because of what I did? I''m sorry.... I''m really sorry..." Cu Xing? Who is Cu Xing? I looked at him to see his eyes filled to the brim with pain and sadness. He looked as if he committed a crime. "Cu Xing... what can I do for you to forgive me? I was wrong... I was really wro-" "I''m sorry, sir. My name is not Cu Xing." "What?" he looked at me with suspicious eyes, "you... who are you?" he interrogated. Damn it, it was the question I feared he would ask. What should I do? If I tell him the truth will I get into trouble? But I can just say that I was accompanying Hua Mi... but then I''m going to get into trouble with Hua Mi! Ugh... what should I do? Hmm... Master has always told me that when I''m in a dire situation honesty is the best way to go... but would honesty really help me right now? Ahhh! Why didn''t I just listen to Hua Mi and stay in the house?! Sorry, Master! Your disciple is unfilial and won''t be able to follow your lessons at this moment. I cleared my throat. "I-I-I am a nobody," I managed to say, "I''m just a lowly diety that was able to attend the Crown Prince''s birthday celebration because of connections from my friend." "Your friend? Who is your friend?" he moved in closer and I was scared he could hear how loud my heart was beating. What friend? Should I just say Hua Mi? But I don''t want Hua Mi to get into trouble... ajisfeljf! Just say something, Que Hei Bin, anything! "Sir?" "Yes." "Do you know the Crown Prince?" a plan started to formulate in my head. "The Heavenly Crown Prince?" "Yes." "Why?" "Don''t ask! Just answer my question first." "That," I saw his eyes darting around and I felt a glimmer of hope light up. He looked up at me and I plastered a smile on my face. I saw one of his eyebrows twitch and he shook his head. "I don''t know the Crown Prince," he answered. Hehe... this is going well!Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. "Actually," I looked into his eyes and smiled, "sir," I grabbed onto his shoulder and he looked at my hand, "can you just act like you haven''t seen me?" I asked. "What?" "Sir, my friend is actually..." I leaned into his ear, "the Crown Prince." "Huh?" "You see, the Crown Prince invited me in secret and we were going to get together later and drink," I held up the wine bottles to him, "but... the Crown Prince doesn''t want anyone to know that I''m here so... he told me to hide out here in T-T-Tian Yue Hall," I declared. He looked at me with amused eyes. Was this a good or a bad sign? "Really?" "Really!" I nodded my head with certainty, "if you don''t believe me then you can go and ask the Crown Prince yourself," I held my head up high. He looked at me for a second before leaning his head to one side. "Alright then. If what you said is true then I shall leave you alone but... please give me back my ring," he grabbed my wrist. "Hey!" I tried to pull back my arm by reflex. When I did so, his fingers missed the sides of the ring as he pushed the blue stone. I felt a prick on the base of my pointer finger beneath where the blue stone was and I flinched at the sudden sharp pain. The blue stone lit up and I was stunned as I saw different shades of blue and green glowing up within the stone. All the colors blended together so well it was as if I was gazing at the cosmos. I held the ring up to Su Hai. "Look!" I saw his eyes focused on the stone, "it''s so pretty!" I giggled. I love beautiful blends of colors that I almost forgot the matter at hand. I shook my head to straighten my thoughts as I pulled off the ring and handed it to him. "Here. You can have it back," I said but he just stood there and looked at me, "sir?" I cocked my head to one side and he seemed to break out of his thoughts as he took the ring out of my hand. He looked back at me and then grabbed my hand. This time I didn''t pull back as he grabbed it gently. He pushed the ring back onto my pointer finger and I frowned. What was he doing? He stared into my eyes as if he was searching for something... but I didn''t know what he was looking for. "You... don''t really know who I am?" he asked. "I don''t really know who you are," I replied. He brows knitted together but he continued to hold onto my wrist. After what seemed like an eternity he finally let go. "I''m going to go ask the Crown Prince if what you said is true. Please wait here for a moment," he ordered as he disappeared leaving a trail of white glitter behind. I stood still, shocked at what had happened, for a few seconds before I shook my head. This was my chance to get away. Even if he goes and asks the Crown Prince the truth he will leave me with enough time to escape! I lifted my arm to use my teleportation magic when I felt someone''s fingers wrap around my wrist. I look behind me to see Su Hai standing there, smiling. "Wah!" I jumped, "y-y-you''re back so quickly," I blurted out. He chuckled and I felt him swing my body around. He held me close to him and my hand trembled from the sudden body contact. I felt his hand support my back as I grabbed onto his broad shoulder. People in this world was very sensitive to touch. They only touched people they were close with but... I barely knew this guy! Why was he doing this? "The Crown Prince confirmed that his plans with you are true," he said as I saw playfulness dance in his eyes, "but he told me to bring you as a partner so you won''t feel lonely waiting here all by yourself." "Huh?! That''s impo- uh... sir, I..." I tried to think up of any excuses to leave as I tried to push him back but he just continued to hold on to me not budging one bit, "uh..." if Hua Mi sees me at the celebration he will totally lecture me and ban me from drinking any of his wine... quick, quick, quick! Think of something, Que Hei Bin! "Sir!" I blurted out and smiled, "I-I-I would really l-l-like to go... b-b-but I-I-I don''t want anyone to s-s-see my face! So... I don''t think I can accompany you..." I wasn''t lying. I watched for his reaction and he just smiled. "No problem. I have a solution to that," he waved his hand over me and a hat appeared on my head. Wrapped around the hat was a turquoise, translucent, veil that hid my face. I looked down to see that I was also wearing a turquoise robe now that had elaborate designs of flowers sewn into it. "T-this?" I looked at Su Hai and he just smiled as he took the wine bottles from my hand and they disappeared. "Let''s go," he wrapped his hand around my waist as he pushed me to walk beside him. "S-sir!" I tried to push him off me but he was too strong. "Listen," he whispered, "if anyone asks for your name you don''t need to say anything. I will cover for you. Just in case I am not there just give them the answer you gave me, that you''re a lowly diety not deserved to be named." "Sir?" "Shh, we''re almost there," he hushed me as he continued to pull me along with him. Why did he tell me to not say anything? He''s probably just also a nobody, right? Why is would anyone want to know who I am if I''m with him? When we entered the courtyard, I thought he would let go of me but he continued to hold on. "Sir?" I whispered but he didn''t answer as he looked ahead of him. I looked around too to see everyone turning to face us. "Congratulations on your 100,000th birthday, Crown Prince," they bowed and said. I took in a sharp breath as every part of my body stopped moving. Crown Prince? I turned my head to look at him and he just glanced down at me and smiled. My face grew extremely hot and I couldn''t be more grateful at the veil. This man was the crown prince the whole time?! He tricked me?! This punk tricked me! Not only that, but he''s also 90,100 years younger than me! "Rise," his low voice echoed throughout the courtyard. "Thank you, Crown Prince," the guests said as they made a way for him. He pushed me along with him as we sat at a table together with various food laid out in front of us. I looked among the crowd to see what looked to be Hua Mi''s figure sitting further back and lowered my head a bit. "I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday with me today," he said as I felt his hand lay on mine. "It''s only right that we come to celebrate your birthday with you, your highness," one of them said. "That''s right. You haven''t had a banquet for your birthday in over 30,000 years. This is a rare occasion for us to attend. It will be inappropriate if we didn''t show up when we received your invitation," another one commented. "Still, you all took the time out of your day to come here. Thank you," he thanked them again. "Crown Prince," a voice that sounded like it belonged to an older male called out, "I don''t want to offend you but... may we know who is that lady sitting beside you?" he asked carefully. "This lady," his hand went to my shoulder as he pulled me closer to him and my arm hit his chest, "she is a person of interest to me... but she is still too shy to reveal herself to the public so..." he stopped talking. "Ah! We understand, Your Highness," the old man laughed, "if she is your person of interest then she must certainly be someone of high caliber," the old man commented. I squinted my eyes at Su Hai. What was this bizarre trickster saying? How could I be a person of interest to him? We just met today and he was already acting so friendly! How presumptuous! "I hope you all understand and don''t give her a hard time," he wrapped my arm around his as he knitted his fingers together with mine. I felt my face go red at this sudden intimacy that I hadn''t experienced all these years. It was definitely not because I had feelings for him! It was just because it was so sudden! "Yes. We understand," the old man replied. "Good. Now then everyone, I drink a glass to all of you," I watched as Su Hai reached out for a small wine cup. He held it out in front of him and then downed it in one shot. "And we drink to you," they all said as they raised their wine glass and downed it too. After that, they all started to chatter amongst themselves. "Y-y-your Highness... I didn''t mean to lie to you... I''m sorry," I tried to clarified. He downed another cup of wine. Ahh... I wanted to drink too! But... it would be hard to with this veil over my face. I stared at the wine cup and bit my lip before a piece of sweet bread appeared in front of my face. I turned to face Su Hai and he gave me a smile. "Eat it," he ignored what I just said as he nodded his head towards it. "I''m really sorry!" I said again but he just kept holding the bread in front of me without saying anything. I let out a sigh as took the bread. I tried to pull my other hand out of his so I could tear away at the bread and eat it in smaller pieces but he wouldn''t let go as he only looked down at me. I furrowed my brows as I pulled him toward me so my lips were by his ear. "Your Highness... if you do this, then I won''t be able to eat," I whispered before pulling myself away. He leaned into my ear too and I flinched by surprise as I felt his breath on my neck through the translucent veil. "Then, I will feed you," he whispered and I felt my face grew hot again. I looked on as his slender fingers pulled a piece of the bread off and he reached under the veil. He placed the bread in front of my mouth and I hesitated for a second, before opening my mouth and biting the bread, being careful not to bite his fingers. I didn''t want to offend him by not eating it. I noticed a strange atmosphere in the room and turned my head to see that the crowd has stopped talking as they were now focused on us. "Here," I turned to look at Su Hai who had another piece of bread by my mouth. I bit the piece of bread before putting down the bun in my hand as I leaned into him. "I''m full," I said as I felt uncomfortable under the stare of all the people there. "Really?" he raised an eyebrow and I nodded my head as I backed away from him. "Haha, what an interesting lady," I heard the old man''s voice say, "to be able to get the Heavenly Crown Prince to feed her, she must be an amazing woman!" "That''s right, she must be an amazing woman!" another voice chirped and I lower my head feeling embarrassed. The chattering continued as I heard laughter among them. Strangely, I could also feel some malicious glares directed my way by some females and even some males. I bit my lip trying to hide my nervousness. I felt Su Hai''s hand clutch my hand with a tighter grip and I looked to see him looking down at me with gentle eyes. "Don''t be embarrassed. Don''t be afraid. I''m right here," he reassured me. I turned to look away and I felt my cheeks heat up. Who did he think he was saying that? It was because of him that I''m in this situation in the first place! I turned my head away with him as I played with my sleeve. "What''s wrong?" I heard his voice by my ear and I turned back to look at him, "are you angry?" he leaned his head to one side but I could see the playfulness still dancing in his eyes. "T-t-this... th-this one wouldn''t dare to be angry at, Your Highness," I said. "Su Hai." "Huh?" "Call me by my name, Su Hai. You don''t need to call me by that formal name." "Th-this one wouldn''t dare." "You would dare," he pulled me closer to him as my face landed on his hard chest and I felt his hand on my waist. "Y-you," I tried to move back but he just pulled me closer to him. I heard the chattering beginning to quiet down again as the angry stares intesified and my cheeks were now hot enough to cook eggs on. "If you don''t, I won''t let you go," he sounded way too happy. "Are you threatening me?" "I''m offering you a treaty," "Y-you!" "Hmm?" "Mmm..." I grumbled, "alright! S-s-su Hai... let me go," I whispered and his hand retreated from my waist back to my hand as I backed away. Trickster! Bully! I glared at him beneath the veil and he flashed me a smile which almost made me forgive him... no! Don''t lose your focus, Que Hei Bin! Although his smile may look very nice... and it makes us feel really warm inside... he''s probably just playing around with us! He''s a playboy! That''s right, he''s just a playboy! If he wasn''t the Celestial Crown Prince I would''ve punched him by now. I took in a deep breath to calm myself as I continued to play with my sleeve. - After everyone was done feasting, servants came in and took all the dishes away. People started to walk up and give their gifts to Su Hai, who thanked them courteously. When Hua Mi came up with his wine bottles I could almost smell the root wine that he had accidentally taken as he placed it in front of Su Hai, along with the fruits that he had picked. "Congratulations, your highness," Hua Mi gave him a bow. I felt Su Hai''s aura changed somehow. "What is this?" he asked instead of just thanking Hua Mi like what he did to the other guests. "This is my most finely brewed wine. I hope that your highness will enjoy this," Hua Mi explained. "What did you use to brew this wine?" Su Hai''s voice was cold as I almost shivered hearing it myself. "Brew? Ah... I used various fruits and her-" "Fruits?" Su Hai could literally cut someone with the way he said that. "Y-your Highness," Hua Mi bowed his head. "The last time I had your wine brewed with fruits..." Su Hai cocked his head to the side. I could see Hua Mi''s eyes darting around as he was unsure to do. I bit my lip before I picked up one of the wine bottles and pulled the cap off. I dipped my finger inside and brought it behind the veil and tasted it. Hmm... oh yes... those roo- focus, Que Hei Bin! I turned to Su Hai and cleared my voice. "I think Hu- this lord made a humble mistake. This wine is made from roots and it tastes very good," I dipped my finger in and then held it up to his mouth, "I think you will like it," I altered my voice so that Hua Mi wouldn''t notice. Su Hai looked down at my finger and I noticed a sudden eerie silence looming over the courtyard. "Oh!" I realized what I had just done and I pulled my hand back, "maybe we should pour it in a cu-" before I could finish Su Hai picked grabbed my hand. He brought it up to his mouth and I felt his wet tongue lick my pointer finger as his lips brushed against it. My heart was now beating uncontrollably and I felt my body temperature rise by a degree. I watched as Su Hai backed away and looked at me. He smiled and nodded his head. "It''s very delicious... thank you, Lord Hua Mi. Please return to your seat," Su Hai let go of my hand as it sprung back to me. I wiped my finger on my robe yet I could still feel the texture of his tongue there. What was this man doing?! I looked up to see him grinning at me and I wanted to punch that grin off his face. "Your Highness," a soft female voice said. I turned to see a lady in a pink robe standing in front of us. Her pink robes draped off the edges of her shoulders showing a generous amount of her nicely shaped collarbone. I couldn''t really see her features behind the veil but I could tell she was beautiful by the mood of the deities behind her. "Ah," I let out a groan as I felt Su Hai''s grip on my hand grow stronger that it almost hurt. I looked at his face to see him glaring at the lady in front of us. I frowned. Who was this lady and why was Su Hai this angry? What was going on? Chapter 6 "Why are you here?" Su Hai sounded like he was trying to control his anger. "Your Highness! I... I-" "I invited her to come, Su Hai," I heard a male voice say from among the crowd. "Cousin Jing Zi?" "Yes. If she has offended Your Highness then please punish me in her stead for I was the one who asked her to come," Jing Zi requested. Hmm... who was this lady? Su Hai didn''t seem to like her, but she was defended by another member of royalty. Ahh... it was like the imperial dramas I used to watch on Earth... "That won''t be necessary," Su Hai let out a sigh, "you may return to your seat," he ordered. "But, I have yet to place the gift down, Your Highness," she responded. "No need to." "B-" "Go," Su Hai raised her voice and I saw the lady flinch before bowing and returning to her seat. I glanced at the crowd as they looked at her with pity. I only let out a small sigh. I didn''t know the problems of the court, nor did I want to know. This was better off left to be a mystery as I didn''t want to get tangle too heavily. I felt Su Hai''s grip weaken as he looked at me with apologetic eyes. I just shook my head. "It''s fine," I whispered and he gave me a smile before turning his attention back to the people offering gifts. - After all the gifts were given, Su Hai waved his hand over them and they disappeared. After that, we walked to another part of Xian Quan Quarters. There was a garden filled with various flowers that someone recommended we go see. Su Hai kept me by his side the whole time as he continued to chat with the guests. He had his arm wrapped around me as his hand held onto my waist. I kept trying to elbow his arm away but he just had this conceited smirk on his face as he side-eyed me. He was lucky he was the Celestial Crown Prince and I didn''t want to get into trouble... or else I probably would''ve slapped him a thousand times already! I eventually gave up as I glared at him from beneath the veil. I could feel people staring but I just tried to ignore them as I fiddled with my sleeve. "Your Highness is a very excellent example for all the soldiers in the military. Your strength can rival a thousand elite soldiers," the old man, who was speaking earlier, complimented. "Lord Jin Guan, you praise me too much. I''m not as great as you are saying. I am still lacking in comparison to others," Su Hai bowed his head. Hmm... he was unexpectedly humble toward these kinds of thing... or was he just pretending to be humble? "Others? Ah..." Jin Guan rubbed his long beard as he nodded his head, "it was a sad incident causing the Celestial Palace to lose such a great general," he commented. Hmm? "Who?" I blurted out before I could stop myself. Jin Guan got taken by surprise as he jumped back. "Ahh... just a g-" "Lord Jin Guan, let''s not talk about such things on a day like this," Su Hai cut him off. "Ohh... I apologize, Your Highness. I''m getting too old that I almost told an ominous tale at this time. Please excuse my behavior," Jin Guan bowed. "It''s alright. Then, please excuse us," Su Hai pulled me away as I watch Jin Guan stroke his beard one more time. "Yo- S-su Hai!" I said as we stopped in front of an empty pavillion. "Hmm?" Su Hai looked down at me. Why did you interrupt him? What happened? Why can''t you talk about it on a day like this? I had many questions running through my head but I felt like I didn''t have any right to ask them. I just stared blankly at his face before letting out a sigh. "N-nothing..." I shook my head. "Alright," he gave me a smile. "Crown Prince!" I heard a voice call out from behind us. We turned around to see a soldier walking up to Su Hai. He looked at me before looking back at Su Hai. Su Hai nodded at him as he turned to face me. He bent down and set his hands on my shoulders. "Stay here for now. I will be right back, do you understand?" he looked at me carefully and I nodded my head. "I''m not a little girl. I will be fine," I replied as I nodded to the soldier, "hurry and go. It seems to be urgent," I said and he gave me a smile. "I will be right back," he patted my shoulder before he and the soldier left behind a puff of glitter. I let out another sigh as I turned and stared at the scenery. Finally, I could have some time alone without him. I could still feel his hand on my waist and I rubbed my hand over it to get the feeling to go away. The flowers were pretty but I never liked to look at such things. I turned around and walked toward the river, leaving behind the crowd. I set my hand on the white railing and let out a sigh. I wanted to escape, but if I was to leave in front of everyone right now then I fear I would be bringing more trouble to myself. I wanted to drink, but I couldn''t with this veil over me. I wanted to punch Su Hai for acting like that, but I probably would get my head chopped off if I did. I wanted to do so many things but I couldn''t! "Hey you," I heard a high pitch voice call out from behind me. I let out another sigh as I turned around to see a lady wearing a jade color robe standing in front of me. I gave her a small bow, however, she didn''t give me one back. Hmm... alright, whatever I guess. This world was strict with etiquette and I got used to it, but I guess I shouldn''t be too strict. "Yes?" I wondered what she came to see me for. Usually, in dramas, a woman like this is in love with the Crown Prince and tries to stir up trouble with the Crown Prince''s romantic interest... who just so happens to be me right now... great... "What''s your name?" she demanded. "I-I-I am just a lowly deity. It''s not worth mentioning my name. Who might you be, young lady?" "Me? I am Lin Tian Shu, the youngest princess of the Snake tribe," she bragged. Snake tribe? I remember Master lecturing that among all deities the only original tribes left were the Celestial Tribe which included Celestial Dragons and Phoenixes, the Sea Dragon Tribe, the Wolf Tribe, the Snake Tribe, the Fox Tribe, and the Demon Tribe which changed their name to the Dark Arts Tribe. Among all the Celestial tribes they were fourth in the rankings. I should be careful or else I will really end up causing trouble like what Hua Mi said. "Greetings, Snake Princess Tian Shu," I gave her another bow out of courtesy. She still didn''t bow to me. "Are you really not going introduce yourself?" she pierced me with her words. "I-I-I''m sorry... I''m still too shy and not ready to reveal myself to the public. Please forgive me," I bowed my head again. "Psh... insolence," she said under her breath knowing I could clearly hear her, "Whatever. Anyways, tell me how you and the Crown Prince met?" she demanded. Damn woman! We barely introduced ourselves and you''re already interrogating me? Ugh... "Sorry, Princess, but I... I don''t feel really comfortable sharing such meetings with someone I''ve just encountered. Please forgive me," I bowed again, for the fourth time! She was obviously younger than me yet she was so impolite! Even if my face couldn''t be seen, she should still show more courtesy! I guess even though I wouldn''t'' have minded... this brat was just too irritating with the way she talked and acted like she was superior to me! "Hmm... that''s alright... I can see that you are really shy... unless you don''t have a story to share?" "Huh? Ah... no... I do... but... I fear that it may a bit inappropriate for a young princess like you to hear of," the ends of my lips curled up as I turned my head a bit to make it seem like I was embarrassed. "I-i-inappropriate?" she seemed taken back. Haha! "Yes," I continued with my lie, "if you were here the whole time then you must''ve seen how... how his highness wouldn''t let go of me for a moment... hehe... it makes me shy by how affectionate an- ah! Sorry!" I tapped my mouth over the veil, "It seems to be too inappropriate to speak about these kinds of things on a day such as this, especially in front of a princess. Forgive me, Your Highness," I bowed my head again this time, but I felt good doing it. Take that, you brat! "Y-you!" she pointed at me, "are you trying to get on my nerves?" "I-I-I? I wouldn''t dare! How could a low diety like me try to get on Your Highness''s nerves? Your Highness asked and I just answered. I''m sorry if I offended Your Highness," I gave her another bow. I looked up and through my translucent veil. I couldn''t make out any features but I could tell she was frustrated as she stomped one foot on the ground. "Y-y-you!" she seemed to be trying to contain herself from yelling. "Xiao Shu," a soft feminine voice called out. I looked behind brat to see the lady from earlier walking toward us. She stood behind the brat and the brat turned to look at her. "Aunty! This... person!" she was too frustrated to make out any words. "Xiao Shu! Stop acting like this. Look, there are some chrysanthemums over there that you really like. Why don''t you go take a look?" the woman suggested. The brat seemed to calm down as she nodded her head. "Yes, Aunty. I will listen to you," she gave the woman a bow and then left us. I looked at the woman and gave her bow. "Greetings," I said and she gave me a bow back. At least she was better than that brat! "Greetings, lady," her voice was very pleasing to the ear. I wouldn''t mind it if she did an ASMR for me to listen too, that''s how soft and pleasant it was. "I hope you don''t mind anything Xiao Shu said. She''s still young and a bit brash." "No need to apologize. I didn''t take any offense at all. Lady, you are?" "Ah! How rude of me not to introduce myself. I am Fei Hui Xing, a princess of the Wolf tribe," she introduced herself. Woah! The Wolf tribe is the third most powerful in the rankings. I have to be even more careful here! "Greetings, Wolf Princess Hui Xing," I gave her another bow.Stolen story; please report. "No need to be so formal, lady. This may be the Celestial Palace, but only you and I are talking to each other right now," she said. I shook my head. "No. Whether or not this is the Celestial Palace, it''s only right that I address Your Highness as Your Highness should be addressed." "Hmm... you are very polite. Su Hai definitely found a good woman," she chuckled. Hmm... she called him by his first name so casually... what did this mean? Do they have a past together? Was that why Su Hai was so angry earlier? "Ah... you give me too much praise for basic etiquette. I don''t deserve all of this." "No... by paying this much attention to etiquette I can tell... lady, you are older than Su Hai, right?" "I?" I furrowed my brows. Where was she going with this? I mean technically I am older so, "yes... I am older." "Ahh... I see. I guess Su Hai has changed," there she goes again calling him by his name, "do you guys get along well?" "Uh... yes... we get along quite well," I made up. I barely knew the man. "I see... ah, lady you have something on your hat," I saw her reach up and remove something before I could back away, "it''s gone now," she moved her hand back and I felt the hat and veil moving along with her hand. Oh no! I looked behind her to see Hua Mi talking to someone by the flowers as I reached up to grab the hat, but before I could do anything I felt a pressure hit my shoulder. It took me by surprise as I stumbled backward. The hat was now off of me and my hands rushed to cover my face as my back hit the water. I held my breath as I waved my hands back so I could reach the surface. I felt something pulling onto the robe of my sleeve and I turned my head to see a big fish with tall teeth biting on my long sleeve. Ugh! Let go! I tried to use magic but it seemed like my magic wouldn''t activate! What was happening?! I pulled on my sleeve but the fish was stronger as it pulled me deeper into the water. No! I''m going to run out of air soon! Let go you stupid fish! I tried to shake and my hands fumbled to untie my robes but I was moving too slow in the water. Oh no! I should''ve just listened to Hua Mi if I knew I was going to come here and encounter this situation! My lungs were burning as I felt all the oxygen being used up. I couldn''t even use my magic to save myself! It was getting harder to stay conscious. I thought I heard something and I looked up to see someone swimming toward me. It was dark in the river and I couldn''t tell who it was until he was right in front of me. His light brown eyes locked onto mine as I scrunched up my face. It was too painful. I felt his warm hand grab onto my face and then I felt his lips press against mine. His hand grabbed onto my chin as he lowered my mouth and he breathed life back into me again. My face muscles relaxed as I wrapped my arms around him. Mmm... this felt kind of nice... ah! Get your act together, Que Hei Bin! He''s a playboy! I backed away from him and I nodded toward the fish. He looked behind me and then I felt his arm wrap around me. I felt him pull the robe and after a moment I felt he ripped the robe away. He continued to hold onto me with one arm as he began to swim up. When we reached the surface, he buried my face into his chest as he used magic to get us back behind the railings. "Crown Prince!" I heard the crowd yell and I looked up to see him pull off his outer robe as he wrapped it around me. They surrounded us as I kept my head down to avoid showing my face. "Lady!" I heard Hui Xing call out and I peered up to see her holding onto the veil. Woah... she was really pretty with her soft feminine features caused me to be stunned, "I''m sorry. I was just trying to get something off your hat but the fabric got caught on my ring. I didn''t mean to startle you like that!" she explained, "I''m sorr-" "Silence!" Su Hai roared and I saw the crowd freeze. I also snapped out of being stunned by her as I glanced up. Oh no... "Lady!" Hui Xing walked closer and I turned my head away so she wouldn''t see my face. "Inso-" I pulled onto Su Hai''s robe before he could finish. I didn''t know the relationship between all the clans but I didn''t want a problem to arise because of me. I looked up to see Su Hai looking down at me. "I want to leave here," my voice was muffled from pressing my face against his robe. He looked at me and nodded. "Please excuse us," he announced. He suddenly bent down as he placed an arm under my knee and one on my back. I let out a small gasp as I grabbed onto him and buried my face into his shoulder. Ahh! I wasn''t expected to be carried princess style. After a moment I heard him walking up some stairs and I peered up to see we were back in Tian Yue Palace. I heard wind pass by and I turned to see the doors open as he walked inside. "S-su Hai! You can put me down now!" I tapped on his shoulder but he continued to carry me into the room. My eyes widened as I saw the delicate designs inside as Su Hai set me down on a bed. His hands wrap gently around my arms as he looked me in the eye. "Are you hurt?" he looked me up and down and I shook my head. "I''m not hurt. What about you?" I reached my hand out and cupped his cheek. He looked at my hand, surprised for a moment before he looked back at me and smiled. I felt a bit embarrassed as I retrieved my hand back. "I''m fine," he stood up and sat next to me. He pulled me into his embrace and he started rubbing my back. I was too shocked as I just froze. "I''m glad you''re not hurt," his voice was comforting. "Thank you... Su Hai," I said in a quiet voice, "and... I''m sorry." "Sorry?" "If I could''ve used my magic back there then I could''ve got myself out without having to drag you in to save me. I need to practice my cultivation more." "Oh... don''t worry. It''s not that you need to practice more. The river makes it hard for Immortals and Celestial beings to use magic, or else I would''ve just pulled you up with my magic." "Ahh... I see..." I fiddled with his wet robe. Why would the river in the Celestial Palace be like that? Isn''t that a hazard? I felt like asking but no words left my lips. There was a moment of silence as he continued to embrace me. I didn''t know what to do so I just accepted his affection. "Y-you... you''re not angry?" he asked carefully. I moved back and looked up at him. "Angry?" I frowned. "That I made you go through all this?" "Ah... I..." what was the best answer to give here? "I was a bit frustrated... but you saved me so... it''s alright... I couldn''t breathe in the water so when you ca-" I stopped as I remember his lips on mine and my cheeks heat up again. Gosh this man, he''s turning me into a teenage girl! He looked at me and one side of his mouth went up to form a smirk. "Are you blushing?" he leaned in and I moved back. I shook my head. "No! I-I''m not blushing!" I held my hands up and shook them too. The playfulness returned in his eyes as he pushed my hands down and moved closer to me. He pressed his forehead against mine as his hand went back to the curve of my back. I felt water droplets fall from his skin onto mine. "Why are you acting so shy?" he rubbed his nose against mine, "you were the one who kissed me the first two times we met." "What?! I kissed you?" I moved back as I set my hand on his shoulder and pushed him back. He smiled and nodded. "Yes. You kissed me, twice." "T-t-twice? When?" was he fooling around with me? Or was he being serious? "The night before yesterday and yesterday night." "Hah?! We''ve met? Don''t lie to me!" "Hmm... judging by your face, you really don''t remember... but it was done. We met yesterday and that ring right there is proof," he pointed to the ring on my pointer finger. I looked at the ring and bit my lip as I had nothing else to say. I heard a chuckle and I looked at him to see him laughing. I glared at him and he stopped as he cleared his throat. "Sorry. I ended up dragging you into all his trouble," he said. I let out a sigh and shrugged as I pulled his robe off of me and handed it back to him. "Don''t wo- wait," I almost forgot the reason why I came to the Celestial Palace, "are you really sorry?" I asked as he took the robe and pulled it back on. He waved his hand over us and our clothes and hair went back to being dry. I appreciated his magic as I touched my dry hair. "Yes. I''m really sorry." "Hmm... then can I ask for a favor?" I smiled and he gave me a confused look. "Favor?" "Mhmm!" "What is it?" "You know the root wine you received earlier?" "Yes." "Can you give me that?" "Give it to you?" "Un! I... really like it!" I grinned at the thought of finishing that delicious wine. He cocked his head as he looked at me with puzzled eyes. "You like to drink?" he asked and I nodded my head. "I love to drink," I blatantly answered. He looked away as he seemed to be thinking about something. Why was he acting like this? I just asked for the wine after going through so many hardships and he won''t even give it to me?! "Do you like to drink too?" my question brought him back from his thoughts and he looked at me, "if you do then let''s trade. You already took the wine I gave you so this can be a fair exchange. Alright?" I looked at him with puppy eyes and he smiled before nodding. "Alright," he stroked my head. "Then give it to me!" I held my hands out. He squinted his eyes at me before grabbing my hands. "No. If I give it to you right now... I have a feeling you are going to run away," he gave me a suspciousios look and I looked away. "No! I''m not that type of person!" I lied. He grabbed onto my cheeks and pushed them together gently and shook his head. "Wait for me. When I come back I will give them to you," he placed a kiss on my forehead, which stunned me, as his hands left my face. I touched my forehead and my cheeks were hot again. He smirked victoriously as he waved his hand and a pair of new robes appeared on the bed. "In the meantime, change into this. I will try to deal with the celebration quickly and come back. You don''t need to come. I will just tell them that you are feeling unwell after falling into the pond and you''re resting now. Is this fine with you?," he caressed my cheek. I tried to take in deep breaths to calm myself and he leaned his head to one side, "hmm... are not answering because you need help changing?" he asked. My jaw dropped as I pushed him away. "I-I-I don''t need your help! Quick, go, before they get worried about you being gone for so long," I rushed him and he grinned before surprising me with another kiss on my cheek. "I''ll be back soon," he whispered and I felt goosebumps rise. He disappeared as he left behind a trail of glitter and I hit my chest to calm myself down. Focus, Que Hei Bin! It''s not like we''ve never been hit on before... it''s just that this man is a bit too blunt! He''s a playboy! We can''t let the playboy play us! I slapped my cheeks together and let out a sigh of relief. I looked down at the robe he left me. It was only an outer robe as thankfully my first and second layer of clothes did not take any damage. This time the robe was also a turquoise color but they didn''t have flower designs. Instead, they had simple line stitchings on the sleeves. Did this man like this color? Why did everything he give me was a shade of blue? Not that I mind because I do like the color blue... ah, whatever! I changed into the robes he left me and set the torn up robes at the end of the bed. Afterward, I sat down and thought about what he said. Did we really meet? But if we did, why don''t I remember anything? But... I do have the ring he gave me... ah! "Status menu!" I said.
Name: Que Hei Bin Skills
Title: Fifteenth Disciple of Guang Yuan Inventory
Status: High Immortal Notes
Level: 989 Memory Data
Time Played: (Years: Days: Hours: Minutes: Seconds) 190,100:16:14:38:22 Messages
I clicked on the Memory Data tab and scrolled all the way down. Hmm... huh? The last thing I saw was the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe... hmm... that''s weird. It should also have my meeting with my Master and Hua Mi too because it always took memories that were impactful to my storyline... could it be? I continued to scroll down and after a while of scrolling, I reached the memory where I woke up. Huh? What about all those empty slots? I clicked on one of the slots that seemed to be empty.
Error! Lost Data! Memory can''t be replayed! More Information
Hmm? So these empty slots were all the slots the old me deleted from the trial? Hmm... I clicked more information.
Error! Lost Data! Memory can''t be replayed! Summary: ??? Location: Celestial Palace
Hmm? There was no time and summary available but there was a location. This means I can trace where my memories are and get them! This will make it easier to complete the quest! Yes! I continued to scroll back up and then I saw a square that kept spotting in and out. It was like a broken television and I clicked on it.
Error! Corrupted Data! Data not correctly restored! Memory can''t be replayed! Summary: aioerji13@$2305nsmoiar*##ajgvo#590afmo320ajno_laqi34o=q24vAe+j20gt1~340gvmap3-- Location: Celestial Palace
"Ah... this must be the data that I tried to restore earlier but ended up failing," I murmured as I exit out of it. I scrolled back up to the Dark Arts battle memory square and pressed the empty one next to it.
Error! Lost Data! Memory can''t be replayed! Summary: ??? Location: Northern Sea Palace
"Northern Sea Palace?" why would the next memory be located in Northern Sea Palace? I''ve never even been there... just what exactly happened to me?! Chapter 7 I had suspected that maybe I had gone through the trial as a mortal... but the location of this first lost data and some of the memory I restored from earlier says otherwise because this locations are located in the Celestial Realm ... that''s right, why did Su Hai treat the old me like that? Did he hate me? But... with the way he''s been acting it doesn''t seem like he hates me... that''s right, he said we met the night before yesterday and yesterday night! I scrolled all the way down to see a memory that had a picture of me falling from the sky that was next to the memory that happened after I woke up. I clicked on the memory.
Saved memory data! Summary: Que Hei Bin decides to fall from the sky so she is able to reach her magic pond faster. She is then caught by a mysterious man who goes by the name of Su Hai. Location: Above magic pond Replay saved memory?
Yes No
I clicked the yes tab.
Please choose which point of view to view data in.
First person point of view Third person point of view
Hmm... let''s go with third person point of view this time.
Allow personal thoughts to be heard while viewing third person point of view?
Yes No
Hmm... why not? I clicked the yes button.
Initializing data... replaying data in 3.. 2... 1...
I felt an electric current run through me through me and I closed my eyes. ~ When I opened my eyes I was floating in the sky. I looked in front of me to see myself from three days ago looking smugged as she looked at her hand. Hmm... should I just let myself fall? The barrier will let me through and when that happens I can just cushion my fall with my magic. This way will be a lot faster and I always wondered what falling from a high height always felt like anyways... hehe... I sighed as I looked at this idiot swing her arm and the flying magic wore off as she started falling. I fell with her and I looked around her surroundings. From a distance away, a man wearing red robes suddenly flew over. My eyes grew as I realized the man was Su Hai. I watched as Su Hai caught the drunk me in his hands. I saw the old me turn and look at him. Wow! He''s more handsome than Master! Hehe! Just like the celebrities from Earth, probably even better looking considering the fact that he doesn''t have any makeup on. The way the moonlight hit him made him look even sexier. Hehe... Ahh! So embarrassing! I slapped my face and shook my head. "Cu Xing?" I heard Su Hai say and I opened my eyes. Cu Xing? Hmm... didn''t Prince Jing Shi call me that too? It was as if I''ve heard his voice before... but putting all that aside he''s so so so beautiful... it''s like staring at an ethereal painting... I wonder what his olive skin feels like. The old me suddenly reached up and touched Su Hai''s face. "Ahh!" I screamed as I felt goosebumps running up and down my arms. How could I do that to a Crown Prince, and not just any Crown Prince but the Heavenly Celestial Crown Prince?! "Wow," I exclaimed, "you are so handsome," the old me said. Ugh! I wanted to throw up watching myself act like this! My eyes trailed down his tall nose to his pink plump lips. I wonder what they feel like too... "N-no! No! No!" I yelled even though I knew they couldn''t hear me. No! Stop! "Wha-" Su Hai started to say something as I saw the old me suddenly wrap her arms around his neck. "I fell for you," she giggled and I cringed as I wanted to vomit. Out of nowhere she leaned into him and place her lips on his. "Noooooo!" I cried. Why did I do that? Ahhh! I told that bratty princess that our first meeting was inappropriate but I didn''t really mean it, but it really was inappropriate! Ahhh! Wow... his lips are so soft too. He''s like a big soft teddy bear. Hmm... I never knew that kissing felt so good... I should do this more often... "No! No, you shouldn''t!" I yelled. I watched as the old me backed away and Su Hai had a shocked expression on his face. Hehe... "How cute." How cute. I heard the old me and current me say and I slapped my cheeks again. Ahh! I shouldn''t be doing this! I continued to watch the two. Su Hai opened his mouth to say something but the old me placed her hand on his lips. "Shh..." she shushed him as she pushed him away. She swung her arm and, like an amateur on a tightrope, she was struggling to keep her balance in the air. Next to Su Hai, another man suddenly appeared. "Su Hai, what''s wrong?" the man asked Su Hai. Oohh... so his name is Su Hai. Hmm, oh yeah I''m a High Immortal now. I can also teleportation just like that less handsome man... hehe... Ughh! This woman! "May we meet again, Su Hai," the old me said as she smiled at him. I watched as Su Hai reached out to grab the old me but the old me was already disappearing along with the current me. ...he was such a cutie... good thing I got his name... Su Hai. Hehe... what a nice name... but... who was he calling for... who is... C-Cu... Cu Xing? ~ I opened my eyes and I was back in the room.
Memory finished! Replay again?
Yes No
I let out a sigh as I clicked the no tab. No wonder Su Hai kept acting all touchy-feely towards me. I did it to him first! Ahhhh! Why am I such an idiotic drunk?! Wait! There''s still yesterday night... ugh... I don''t want to watch it... but I should... ahhh! I went through the same process as I found the memory from yesterday night. I felt an electric current run through me and I closed my eyes. ~ I opened my eyes to see the old me lying on a bed. Wine... I want more wine... huh? The old me opened her eyes as she peered around the room. Hmm... how did I get here? Whatever... I want more wine. The old me pulled herself off the bed as she staggered outside the shed. I followed behind her. She grinned as she saw Hua Mi''s house and then furrowed her brows. "Hua Mi?" she suddenly whispered. Hmm... that guy... where would he be at this time? The moon is still high in the sky and the night is still long. We should drink more! Forget it! I will go look for him.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "Hua Mi?" she continued to whispered as she walked in a zigzag line. Where could he be? Woah... look at all these fruits... Hua Mi wouldn''t be angry if I took one right? She suddenly stopped as her eyes focused on something. I followed her gaze to see her looking at the Xie Ye fruit. I gasped. "Oh no!" I groaned. Wow! This one is so pretty. She walked up to the fruit and picked it off the tree. She brought it to her nose and took a huge whiff. "Please stop," I begged. Mmm... it smelt so good... what fruit is this? "No... please stop..." I pleaded. I watched as she rubbed the fruit on her clothes to get rid of the dirt before taking a bite out of the fruit. Wow! Mmmm... so flavorful... so good... hmm... why am I feeling so hot now... hmm... why are my cheeks so warm? What is this tingling feeling? Did I eat a bad fruit? I should keep looking for Hua Mi. "Ahhh!" I put my hands on my cheeks to feel them be fire hot. "I even dared to said who would dare eat a fruit from Hua Mi''s garden... but in the end... that person was me... ahhhh!" I let out a cry. I watched as she threw the fruit to the ground and then pointed at it. "If you give me a stomachache, I won''t let you off easy!" she scolded the fruit. "You deserve a stomachache, you wench!" I cursed as I shook my head. She started to walk away again, continuing to stagger. "Hua Mi?" she whispered again as she kept walking. She paused for a second and I looked in front of her to see the moonlight peeking through some trees. She suddenly skirted to that direction and I followed her. We both looked to see a man wearing red robes at the edge of the cliff. "It''s really him... it''s really Su Hai..." I could only say. I looked to see he was holding a jade hairpin. Hmm... I''ve seen that hairpin before... ah, that''s right. It''s the hairpin Hua Mi wanted to give me after the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe. I looked at my old self and she also realized it as she smiled like an idiot, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol and aphrodisiac fruit. "Hua Mi, I can''t believe you are still holding on to such a present after all this time. Since I''m here it''s only right that you gift it to the owner!" she mumbled as she tiptoed her way towards Su Hai. I only let out a sigh as I followed her. When she was close enough she wrapped her arms around him. "I found you!" she giggled and I saw Su Hai freeze from the sudden touch. I watched as Su Hai twirl her around, before grabbing her back and pulling her toward him. "Cu Xing?" he breathed out. "Su Hai!" the old me continued to giggle as she said his name. Ahhh! I slapped my palm against my forehead before looking back up. I saw her already wrapping her arms around his neck as he touched her cheek. Mmmm... somehow... it feels so good to be touched right now... does he have a magic touch? "No, you wench! It''s because you''re in heat right now!" I yelled at the old me. I saw Su Hai touch the old me''s forehead as he had a puzzled look on his face. "What happened to your birthmark?" he asked. Birthmark? Hmm? "I don''t know..." the old me answered. Did I have a birthmark? Hmm... I knew for sure, as a sober person right then, that I''ve never had a birthmark on my forehead. "Is it really you?" "Of course it''s really me. If it not me, then who is it?" "Ahhh! You stupid, ignorant, and drunk wench" I yelled. Why would you say yes?! He wasn''t even talking about you! "Then where have you been all this time?" I watch his lips move. So sexy... hmm... I want to kiss them again... "Oh... my... goodness!" my jaw dropped. "Sleeping, my dear," the old me touched the tip of his nose. Hehe... he''s so handsome. "Sleeping?" "Mhmm... did you miss me?" "I... I really... really, really miss you," I watched as a tear trailed down Su Hai''s cheek. I bit my lip as I didn''t know how to feel about it. Wow... he looks beautiful even while crying. Ugh... at least she''s consistent. "Here''s a prize for missing me," she started moving her face closer to his. "No!" I cried but it still happened as her lips touched his. Unlike the first time where he was shocked, Su Hai pulled the old me closer to him. Woah! Too hot for me! The old me backed away and tried to say something but Su Hai just pulled her in for another kiss. I felt my cheeks growing hot watching this as I looked away. Woah! So manly... so hot! Hehe... I close my eyes as I felt his lips move. It was only my second time kissing someone but damn... he''s a good lead. Oh my gosh! Shut up! I slapped my face. I forced myself to watch again as the old me back away to catch her breath. Woah... he''s a little too fierce for me... although I do kind of like it. "Just stop!" I begged. Su Hai cupped the cheek of the old me. "You''re back..." he whispered. "I''m back..." the old me answered. Gosh, I just want to strangle that stupid wench! He''s not even talking about you! Damn if only Hua Mi knew how fast I got over Seventh... wait! I can''t be here right now! I have to look for Hua Mi! The old me backed away from Su Hai as she blinked her eyes to stay focused. "What''s wrong?" Su Hai asked her. "No... I can''t be here," she raised her arm, "I''m leaving." "No!" he pulled her closer to him as a tear trail down his face, "don''t leave me!" Why was he saying that? "What''s wrong?" "I was wrong, Cu Xing! I''m sorry! Please... don''t leave me..." his voice sounded to break during the second half. "Why does he look so sad?" I fiddled with my fingers. "Don''t cry... I will be back... I promise you," the old me touched his cheek, "I cupped his cheek, "but I have to leave now. I have to be somewhere right now. I don''t break promises," she kissed his cheek, "do you understand?" she asked. As much as I hate her, I have to admit, at least she still somewhat had her priorities straight. "Then take this with you," Su Hai grabbed her hand and slipped a ring down her finger. "What is this?" "I know you don''t break promises, but just in case you forget this can remind you. Give this ring back to me when we see each other again," he said. The old me smiled as her lips touched his once more. Gosh! I need to stop drinking if I turn into this whore when I''m drunk! "See you again," she whispered to him. Su Hai smiled as she watched her teleport away. That man was so beautiful in the moonlight... Su Hai... hehe, he gives good kisses too... I can''t wait to see him again. Ahhh! If only you knew! ~ I opened my eyes and bit my lip.
Memory finished! Replay again?
Yes No
I quickly pushed the no tab and then brought my knees to my chest. I pushed my face into my knees as I rubbed my forehead against my thighs. No! No! No! That was so embarrassing! I gave him so many mixed signals! I didn''t mean for this to happen! Ahhh! "What''s wrong?" I heard Su Hai''s voice and I looked up to see him staring at me with an amused expression. I turned my head away as I covered my cheeks to hide my blush. "N-n-nothing..." I murmured. I heard his footsteps come closer and then I heard him sit on the bed. I felt his hands on my arms as he turned my body to face him. I shoved my face into my arms before looking up and peeking at him. He smiled as he looked at me. "By this reaction... does this mean that you remember the past two nights?" he bit his lip as he smiled. Damn it! Why does he have to be so on point?! I pulled my head out of my arms and grabbed onto his cheeks. I stared into his light brown eyes as he stared back into mine. I took in a deep breath. "I''m sorry!" I brought my hands back and clapped them together, "I''m really sorry!" I bowed to him a couple times. "W-wait," he grabbed onto me and held me up so I couldn''t bow anymore, "what are you doing?" "I-I-I... I''m apologizing. Don''t you get it?'' "Apologizing for what?" "F-f-for..." I hung my head down as my eyes trail to the bedsheets, "for... touching... and kissing... Your Highness... without your permission..." my voice was barely audible. I felt his finger on my chin as he tilted my head up so I was looking at him. I saw his eyes shine with entertainment. "Why are you apologizing?" he asked. Ahh! I pushed his hand away. "What do you mean why am I apologizing? I could lose my head over this! I-I-I..." the Celestial Palace rules were similar to the old Imperial Palace rules in the drama I watched... right? I mean in there if a person touched royalty without permission their heads would get chopped off just like that! He let out a laugh and I glared at him but he didn''t stop. The smile on his face was too big as he grabbed onto my cheeks and squished them together again. "Who''s going to take your head?" he teased. I frowned as I tried to back away. "Stop teasing m-" before I can finish he pulled me forward as I felt his lips on mine. My eyes widened as he pulled away and smiled. "Now, tell me... who''s going to take the head of the woman that the Heavenly Crown Prince has an interest in?" he smiled. Damn... that smile... that confidence... he looks so go- asfjielf! Stop, Que Hei Bin! Get your act together! I pulled his arms down. "I-I-I... you are mistaken!" I blurted out, "I''m not even the person you are looking for! W-w-we should stop this before it gets any more ridiculous!" "Hmm... the person I am looking for?" "Yea! That uh... C-c-cu Xing lady! I am not her. You''re searching for her, right? Maybe we look similar but I am not her. You ha-" "I''m not looking for her anymore," Su Hai scooted closer to me, "ever since I found you, I stopped looking for her." "Huh? W-w-why?" "Why? Because I found you," he reached up and tapped the tip of my nose. I froze as I shook my head. "Y-y-you shouldn''t do that!" Ugh! This man was not a good man if he got over a woman so fast! He even cried for her! "Why?" "Y-y-you were looking for her... so you should continue looking until you find her!" "I don''t want to. I have you." "Huh? You... have me? I''m not yours!" "But you could be," he smiled and I pushed him back. "Stop! Stop teasing me!" "I''m not teasing you. I''m serious." "B-b-but... you don''t even know my name!" I blurted out and when I realized what I said I covered my mouth. Oh my goodness! I set myself up for this one! Ahhh! I''m an idiot! He looked at me with a smirk as if he had been expecting me to say this. "Then... what is your name, lady?" he asked. Ah man! I should just leave! I lifted my arm but he grabbed onto it before I could do anything. He pouted his lips out at me and shook his head. "You aren''t going anywhere until you tell me who you are..." Ahh! What should I do?! Master! Hua Mi! What should I do?! Um... well... ah! Men are weak to tears, right? I''ll just cry my way out. I try to squeeze out some tears as I blinked really hard but nothing came out. Ahh! How come nothing''s coming out?! Ughhh! "What are you doing?" he leaned in and I shook my head. "N-n-nothing! I''m doing n-n-nothing!" I stammered out. "Then... tell me... who are you?" I felt his cool breath on my face. "I-I-I..." I shut my eyes tight. Ah... there''s nothing else I can do... and I can''t just lie about this... knowing his position he will figure out one day... ahh! "I... my name is... Que... Hei... Bin..." I murmured. "Hmm... Que... Hei... Bin?" he leaned his head to one side as he looked at me, "where have I heard this name before? Hmm..." he looked up to think before looking back at me with his eyebrows raised, "w-wait... are you the fifteenth disciple of Cui Yun Mountain?" he questioned. I could only nod my head in response to his question. Chapter 8 He looked at me with disbelief before frowning. "Y-you... you''ve been missing 120,000 years? Why have you only appear now?" he asked. "I-I... I''ve been just recuperating," I explained, "during the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe I ended up really injured... so... I fell into a really deep sleep. So... I don''t really know anything going on in any of the realms at all..." "Ohhh..." he nodded his head, "then... I have a question for you." "Hmm? A question?" "Yes." "What is your question?" "During that whole time you were recuperating... did you wake up? Did you... go through some sort of experience?" he looked me in the eyes and I could see a sort of sadness within them. What should I tell him? I... should I tell him the truth? But... in that memory that I was restoring... he seemed to be really angry with me... knowing my personality I probably was the one in the wrong. I don''t really want to deal with whatever I caused back then. "No. I didn''t wake up or go through any sort of experience," I lied. "Really?" "Really. Besides, even though 120,000 has passed in all the realms, to me only two days have passed since the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe," I pushed his hand off of me as I stood up and started to circle the room, "I''m still trying to learn about what has happened since I fell asleep. That''s why... I heard that the Crown Prince was celebrating his birthday for the first time in 30,000 and I decided to come take a peek," I turned on my heel to face him as I was now back by the bed, "I hope that the Crown Prince look upon my past merits and forgive me for my behavior and don''t speak about this matter with anyone else," I gave him a bow. I looked at him and he smiled at me with gentle eyes. "If that''s what you want, then I will do what you want," he replied. "Does Your Highness really mean that?" "I am the Heavenly Celestial Crown Prince, I mean what I say," he stood up. He tucked my loose hair behind my ear before setting his hand on my shoulder. I tried to keep my composure as I cleared my throat. "I see. Then I trust you on this matter," whew, at least now I know I won''t get into trouble, "and," I looked up at him, "Your Highness should look for another person of interest," he furrowed his brows but didn''t say anything. I swallowed the built up nervous saliva that had collected in my mouth as I continued to talk, "you are 100,000 years old today. I am 190,100 years old. Compared to you, I am an old lady," I grabbed his hand that rested on my shoulder and his other hand. I placed them on top of each other and patted the top of his hands, "you should look for a young lady to suit you. Don''t focus on an old lady like me... and even if you want to focus on me... I don''t like younger men. Sorry, Your Highness," I let go of his hands and let out a sigh. I rejected him as courteously as I could. Even though he did make my heart skip a couple beats... our fates just weren''t meant to be. He was a Crown Prince and I''m was just an Immortal who didn''t want to be involved in politics. And... I didn''t want to go through all those feelings again... or not anytime soon. "Ah Bin," he grabbed my hands and I stiffened. Why was he already calling my name in an endearing way? "How old were you 120,000 years ago?" "Huh? W-why?" "Answer me. How old were you 120,000 years old?" he smiled and I felt like he was plotting a trap for me that I wouldn''t be able to get out of. "120,000 years old... I was 70,100," I answered but I felt something was really off. He took a step closer to me. "Then it''s all good," he leaned in and our noses almost touched. I looked away as I tried to fight the blush rushing to appear on my cheeks. "W-w-what? Wh-what is good?" "Didn''t you say that even though 120,000 years may have passed in all the realms that it only felt like 3 days has passed for you?" oh... no... where was he going with this? "Y-yes." "Then right now you still feel like you are just 70,100, right?" I felt his hand on my back as he pushed me closer to him. I let out a gasp as I grabbed onto his shoulders. "U-uh... right..." I answered as I turned my head away. "Then it''s all good." "Hah?" "You said I should find a young lady for myself. You may be 190,100 in total years, but you''re 70,100 in mentality right now so you also count as a young lady. You said you didn''t like younger men, but right now if your mentality is that of a 70,100-year-old Immortal, then wouldn''t I be considered older than you? Then all requirements are met. So..." he pressed his forehead against mine, "it''s all good," he whispered. I moved back and shook my head. "It''s not good! Even though you say it like that... it''s not good! It doesn''t change the fact that you are still 90,100 years younger than me! You didn''t even exist when I was in the war!" I argued back. He chuckled before leaning his head on one side. "Why are you so obsessed with numbers? As Immortals and Celestial beings, age is just a number. For example, the Heavenly Emperor right now is 80,000 years younger than the Heavenly Empress. As long as we are both consenting toward this relationship, then all is good," he tapped my nose and I pushed his hand away. "Who said I was consenting toward this relationship?" "Hmm..." he gave me an amused look, "you were the one who marked me as yours when we first met," he pulled me closer to him as I felt our stomachs touch, "I fell for you," he teased. Ahh! How dare he use my own line against me?! I felt a rage of anger bolt through me as I shoved his chest. "You''re too mu- ah!" I let out a yelp as I tripped on my robe and fell forward onto him who fell backward. We landed on the bed with me on top of him. I felt my cheeks blush without my permission as I tried to pick myself up but I felt his hand on my back as his other hand grabbed my arm. "I knew you moved very fast when I first met you and you kissed me... but... I didn''t that you would want to move this fast to pin me down already," he smirked. I glared at him. "I didn''t mean to. I just tripped. Now, let me go," I tried to push myself off of him but he wouldn''t let me go. "No... since a while ago you''ve reverted back to calling me, Your Highness. Didn''t I tell you that if you didn''t call me by my given name I won''t let you go?" he narrowed those light brown eyes at me l. Why did he have to act like this? I hoped he couldn''t feel my heart beating a hundred miles per hour underneath my chest. I tried to struggle but it was all useless in the end. "S-s-su Hai... let me go..." I mumbled. He smiled as he moved his hands aside and I pushed myself off of him. I straightened my robe as I took a step back. "F-f-forget me. You are the Heavenly Crown Prince. You must have a lot of beautiful women waiting to spend time with you. Compared to them I am nothing. I have no status, no power, no family to back me up, and no beauty. You are better off forgetting about me," I bit my lip. I watched as he stood up and he set a hand on my shoulder. His touch was gentle as if I was going to break into a million pieces if he had used more force. He bent down to meet me eye to eye. "Ah Bin, you can have nothing in this world and I will still want to be with you," he stroked my cheek with the back of his fingers, "and what do you mean about not having beauty? In my eyes, you are the most beautiful woman in all of the Three Realms," he flashed me a smile. Psh! He''s only saying that because he doesn''t know there''s another world call Earth out there somewhere with celebrities who look absolutely astonishing! "B-b-but, w-we don''t know anything about each other!" I blurted out. He chuckled as he let go off me and sat down by the tea table. "Then let''s get to know each other," he waved his arm across the table and four wine bottles appeared. Before I knew it I was already sitting down across from him. I heard him stifle a laugh before he pulled off the cover of one of the wine bottle and handed it to me. I took it with grace as I closed my eyes and I put it up to my nose where I took in its heavenly odor. Mmmm... oohh yes... ooohh! He took out the one I brought with fruits and herbs... hmm.. yes... you''re going to ge- ah! I placed the wine back on the table as I looked at him trying to hold back a laugh. "Y-you! What are you trying to do?" I blurted out yet I could feel saliva gathering in my mouth at the thought of the wine. "You were the one who said that the Crown Prince promised to meet you here and drink with you after the celebration. I said the Crown Prince confirmed what you said was true, so... here we are," he gestured toward the wine. I fiddled with my sleeve, unsure of what to do. I really, really, really, REALLY, wanted to stay and drink the wine... but another part of me wanted to leave immediately in order to avoid trouble. I didn''t want to turn into that whore again... but this wine... it''s so... good... and rare. Hmmm... what should I do? I stared at the wine bottles with deep intent. From their smell alone, I knew they wanted me to drink them... but wine, I have responsibilities... but then again wine, you are so good to me... if I hadn''t found you then I don''t know how I would''ve lived in this world... I kept debating in my mind and then I heard him chuckle. I looked up to see him smiling at me. "What?" I barked at him. He shook his head as he coughed and his face went back to neutral. "Nothing," he replied yet I could see the ends of his lips trembling. I clicked my tongue. "Hey! If you have something to say, then you should just say it! No need to act like that!" I scolded. He pressed his lips together before clearing his throat. "I really have nothing to say... nothing," he reassured me, yet the ends of his lips were still trembling. I squinted my eyes at him as I slammed my hand down on the table before pointing at him.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. "Y-you!" before I could continue my scolding the ring caught my eye and I paused. That''s right! Promises! I don''t break promises! Master has always taught us that breaking promises is breaking the trust that other people put in us so that we shouldn''t make any promises we can''t keep. So... I can''t break this promise of drinking with the Crown Prince. Master, this time your disciple will follow your words. I cleared my throat as I waved my hand over the table and two wine cups appeared. I took the bottle and poured the heavenly nectar into the wine cups. After that, I held up my cup with two hands and held it in front of me. "Congratulations Heavenly Crown Prince, Su Hai, on your 100,000th birthday. I, Que Hei Bin, promised you that I would drink with you after your birthday celebration and I won''t go back on my words. I drink to your health and wisdom. May you always be this uh... forgiving and uh... kind Celestial Being forever," I gave him a head bow before bringing the winecup to my lips, and pouring it down my mouth. Mmmm... it went down smoother than anything I''ve ever had... damn you Hua Min for not offering me this wine yesterday! And thank you, Su Hai, for offering it to me today. Hehe... I''m going to have a good time today... I picked up the wine bottle and looked at it. I looked back at the winecup. Psh... I got no more use for you anymore winecup. I threw the winecup behind me as I tipped the winecup onto my lips. Mmm... this fruity taste... with a hint of freshness due to the herbs... and ooh, what is this? A little syrup I taste... mmm, no wonder it goes down so smoothly. I slammed the wine bottle on the table as I wiped my mouth with the back of my sleeve. I looked up to see Su Hai hasn''t touched his yet. What is this idiot doing? "You," I pointed at him, "are you not going to d-d-drink?" I slurred out. Huh? Was I already... woah... when did the colors in here get so vibrant? I heard someone laughing and I looked up. Ah! It''s Su Hai! Hmm... oh yea... why isn''t he drinking? I just gave him a toast... wait... is he laughing at me? "What?" I yelled out. "Ah... nothing..." he said again. Hmph... who did he think he was? "It better be nothing! Or else..." I rested my head on my hand as I took another sip from the wine bottle. "Or else?" he propped his arms on the table as he moved closer to me. I shook my head at him. This little man! "Or else! I will teach you a lesson!" I warned. "A lesson? What kind of lesson?" "I... I will make you run 100 laps around Cui Yun Mountain! Then you will know how it feels to be the laughing stock of your seniors..." I took another sip. "100 laps around Cui Yun Mountain? Hmm... did you have to do that?" I nodded my head as stretched my arm out on the table and laid my head on it. "Un... it''s the punishment that Master gave me..." "When?" "Hmm... a month ago?" "Why?" "Why? Why... because... I didn''t listen to him and went to the mortal realm to drink..." "What? Why?" "Why what?" "Why did you go to the mortal realm to drink?" "Because! Umm... that''s right... the week before my punishment I went and drank all the wine from Hua Mi''s storage..." "Hua Mi? Lord Hua Mi?" "Hmm? Ah... that''s right... he''s a Lord now... and this happened over 100,000 years ago... ugh... why did so much time pass while I was sleeping?" I took another sip. "Are... are you close with Lord Hua Mi?" "Hmm? Umm... yes. We are very close." "Very close? How close?" Su Hai looked alert. Hehe... "Why? Are you jealous?" I teased and he narrowed his eyes at me as I felt his aura intensify, "I''m just joking! Hua Mi is only a little brother to me... wait... now he feels like an older brother... Hua Mi is only an older brother to me... I really cherish him but... I can never see him in that way... and I''m sure he feels the same toward me¡­¡± I quickly clarified. ¡°How did you guys meet?¡± ¡°Hmm? Us? Hmm¡­ that¡¯s right¡­ I met when I was 22,000 years old at He Ping Mountain¡­ I tried to become a student there but¡­ they wouldn¡¯t accept me because I didn¡¯t have any special connections¡­ so I went to their kitchen to steal alcohol¡­ and that was when I saw a boy getting bullied. Do you know that Hua Mi is a deer? And I am a magpie?¡± I asked randomly. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ that¡¯s good¡­ anyways, they were bullying him for trying to become a disciple when the headmaster only brought him in to become a kitchen boy¡­ I was infuriated because I felt his pain¡­ they threatened him by saying they were going to kill him and use his innards to make alcohol¡­ so I punished them¡­ after that Hua Mi was crying and telling me he could never repay my debt¡­ so I told him to make the best alcohol for me¡­ and I also gave him the name Hua Mi¡­ before that he was known as kitchen boy¡­ hehe¡­ that was so long ago¡­¡± I tilted the wine bottle up, however, it was already empty. Hmph¡­ why did you have to be gone so fast? I threw the wine bottle behind me as I grabbed another one. I pulled off the cap and looked up to see Su Hai staring down at the table. He seemed to be deep in thoughts. What was he thinking of? ¡°And,¡± I raised my voice and he looked up at me, ¡°that¡¯s another reason we can¡¯t be together.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± his attention came back to me. ¡°I saw you earlier¡­ you didn¡¯t seem to like Hua Mi a lot¡­ .¡± ¡°What does my relationship with Hua Mi have to do with my relationship with you?¡± ¡°Hua Mi is like a brother to me¡­ if you don¡¯t get along with him then you can¡¯t be with me¡­ I really cherish my relationships¡­ if you don¡¯t cherish my relationships then I can¡¯t be with you! Do you understand?¡± I took another sip. Mmmm¡­ so good¡­ ¡°Alright¡­ I understand.¡± ¡°Then that¡¯s good. You can for-¡± ¡°As long as the relationship between Hua Mi and I improve, then you will be more comfortable with our relationship,¡± he picked up the wine cup and tilted the contents into his mouth. Wow¡­ how can a man¡­ look so sexy while drinking? How ca- ah! I tapped the table and shook my head. ¡°Y-you!¡± why was this man so stubborn? How can I get him to stop? Hmm¡­ ah¡­ ¡°Y-you¡­ you¡¯re the Crown Prince, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Then¡­ your father is the Seventh disciple of Cui Yun Mountain, right?¡± ¡°Right.¡± ¡°Then¡­ we can¡¯t be together,¡± I shook my pointer finger at him, ¡°do you know that 120,000 years ago your father and I were romantically involved? It¡¯s improper of me to have a relationship with you due to this,¡± I took another sip. I watched as Su Hai raised an eyebrow before he smiled. ¡°Were you two engaged?¡± he questioned. ¡°Huh? Uh¡­ no¡­¡± ¡°Then, did you two do intimate things together?¡± ¡°Hah! No!¡± ¡°Then it¡¯s all good.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°You two weren''t engaged nor were you two intimate, so it¡¯s alright for us to pursue this relationship,¡± he smirked. Ahh! This man! ¡°Don¡¯t you feel disgusted? I was romantically involved with your father!¡± I took another sip. ¡°But¡­ nothing really happened, so, I don¡¯t really mind at all,¡± he shrugged his shoulder. ¡°Hah! Y-you! Still, since I was studying with your father I am like your aunt! Don''t you mind?" "I don''t mind." "Y-you! Fine! I was really close with your father! We were like love birds that couldn''t be separated! I can''t be involved with you!¡± I argued. The look in his eyes sharpened and I feel a chill go down my back. He stood from his chair and walked to me. ¡°Ah, S-s-su Hai?¡± he pulled onto my arm so I stood up and then he slid his hand to hold my back. ¡°Did my father ever hold you like this?¡± he smiled. My cheeks felt hot and I couldn¡¯t tell if it was from the alcohol or from him. ¡°N-no,¡± I murmured. ¡°Then did he ever do this to you,¡± I felt his lips pressed against my forehead. Oohhh¡­ woah¡­ ¡°or this?¡± his lips moved down to my cheek, ¡°or this?¡± he tilted my chin up and I closed my eyes as I felt his soft lips on mine. Damn¡­ this man was really too smooth¡­ so smooth. He backed away and I blinked to stay focus. I turned my head and grabbed the wine bottle. It was still half full and I dunked all the contents down my throat. I needed courage right now¡­ and this was my courage¡­ I needed the courage to reject him correctly! I threw the wine bottle behind me and looked back up at Su Hai. Woah... those stunning eyes... and I thought that Master was the most beautiful man I would ever come across... hehe... wait... what was I going to do? Hmm... psh... whatever, I want to hold him. ¡°Hehe¡­¡± I giggled¡­ I wrapped my arms around his neck and I got on my tiptoes. I gave him a peck on the cheek before moving back. Hehe¡­ ¡°You¡­ are really handsome,¡± I poked his squishy cheeks, ¡°with this fair tan skin..¡± I brushed over his eyes, ¡°and these sharp eyes,¡± I trailed down his nose, ¡°and this tall curved nose,¡± and then I touched his lips, ¡°and these sexy lips,¡± another giggle escaped me, ¡°how blessed you are." ¡°Sexy? What does that mean?¡± he furrowed his brows. Hehe¡­ how cute¡­ ¡°It means¡­ that you¡¯re very attractive,¡± I tapped the tip of his nose, ¡°and¡­ I really like sexy men¡­¡± hehehe¡­ ¡°So¡­ you like me?¡± he looked entertained. I narrowed my eyes at him before laughing. ¡°Hmm¡­ I like you¡­¡± I confessed, ¡°your looks that is¡­ hehe¡­ but you? You¡¯re a bit creepy¡­¡± I tapped on his shoulder. ¡°Creepy?¡± ¡°Un. We only met¡­ and you were already being so touchy-feely with me¡­¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ but you were the one who kissed me first when we met.¡± ¡°T-t-that doesn¡¯t count!¡± I pouted my lips as I pulled on his red robes and I heard him chuckle. I looked up and glared at him. ¡°Stop laughing!¡± I yelled and he cleared his throat. Why was he making fun of me like this? I pulled on his robe¡­ why was his robe so red? ¡°Hey!¡± I peeked back up at him, ¡°why are you always wearing red robes embroidered with doves? Are you getting married?¡± I leaned my head to one side. The glee vanished from his eyes. Why did he look like that? I brought my hands up to his cheeks and pinched them. ¡°Smile!¡± I demanded, ¡°you look better when you smile!¡± his eyes turned back to playfulness and I felt proud. ¡°Ah Bin, you¡¯ve had too much to drink,¡± he said and he bent down for a moment. I felt his hand under my knees as he lifted me up, princess styled again. I held my breath as he carried me over to the bed and laid me down. He brushed my hair back as he looked at me with loving eyes. ¡°Rest,¡± he breathed out and then planted a kiss on my forehead. He started to move back and I frowned. I grabbed onto his sleeve and pulled him down on the bed. Where did he think he was going? He landed beside me and I propped myself on my elbow as I leaned over and placed my other hand over his chest. ¡°Where are you going?¡± I demanded, ¡°I¡¯m right here. Where are you going?¡± he looked at me a bit surprised before I felt his hand on my upper arm. ¡°I was going to go back and rest in my room¡­ did you want me to stay?¡± he smiled and I smiled back. ¡°Un,¡± I nodded my head, ¡°I want you to stay,¡± I tapped on his nose, ¡°because¡­ after this¡­ we won¡¯t see each other anymore,¡± I rested my head on his shoulder. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°After tonight¡­ it will be hard for us to meet¡­ so¡­ let¡¯s enjoy it while we can¡­¡± I stroked his hard chest¡­ hehe¡­ ¡°What makes you think that?¡± ¡°You are the Heavenly Crown Prince¡­ I don¡¯t believe that you can just come and go as you please. Don¡¯t you have responsibilities?¡± I drew circles on his chest. ¡°Ah Bin,¡± I felt his hand touch the back of my head, ¡°are you saying this because you want to continue meeting me in the future?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ that¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± I buried my face in his shoulder. ¡°Ah Bin¡­ I will always show up in front of you when you want me to no matter where you are in all of the Three Realms¡­¡± he declared. I pulled my face out and looked up at him. ¡°How are you going to do that? How will you know where I am?¡± ¡°Heh¡­ that¡¯s easy,¡± he grabbed my hand. He brought my hand up to his face and blew onto the ring. His breath held a fue of red as it seemed to be sucked into the ring. Woah! The gem turned a deep crimson red¡­ how pretty! Hehe¡­ ¡°What did you do? Do it again!¡± I said and he chuckled as he laced his fingers in between mine. ¡°I put a spell in here. If you ever want to meet me then call my name three times in a row, and I will definitely show up in front of you,¡± his lips touched my forehead. Hehe¡­ a warm feeling spread inside me as I snuggled closer to him. ¡°Good¡­ you must come when I call you three times in a row¡­ it¡¯s a promise¡­¡± I closed my eyes. ¡°Un¡­ I promise you,¡± he whispered. His voice was so calming and gentle¡­ mmm¡­. Chapter 9 I opened my eyes to see that Su Hai was gone. I brought my palm up to my forehead, ready for the hammering, but it never came. Hmm... this wine is really good... and I also retained all the memories from last night... even better... ah! Why did I act like that toward him? Ahhh! Oh well... what''s done is done... I sat up and saw a bundle of four wines on the table. I got up from the bed and walked over. Next to the wine bottles was a folded note. I picked it up and it read, Ah Bin, I had matters to attend to so I left first. You looked peaceful in your dreams so I didn''t wake you up. These are the four root wine bottles that you wanted. Let''s meet again soon. Love, Su Hai. My lips curled up as I waved my hand over the wine bottles and they disappeared into my inventory. I took a good look around the big room of Tian Yue Palace. I noticed that the room was rather small but it was decorated with simple yet delicate furniture. It was probably going to be my last time coming in here. I didn''t want to be involved with Su Hai anymore. I wasn''t ready for a relationship... I''m just going to treat everything that happened as a sweet, short dream. I looked back down at the note and it also disappeared into my inventory. "Goodbye, Su Hai," I said, "it''s sad but it''s just not our fate to be together," I activated my teleportation spell. I appeared back on the porch of Hua Mi''s garden and I saw Hua Mi sitting down with his fingers laced together. He stared down at the table with a worried look on his face. I took a seat and placed my hand on the table. "What are you thinking about?" I asked. He flinched before looking up. His eyes widened as his jaw dropped. "Xiao Bin!" he exclaimed, "where have you been?!" "I-I," I tried to think of an excuse, "I-I was bored of waiting for you... so I went down to play in the Mortal Realm." "For a whole year?!" "It''s alright... a day here is a year there. I wasn''t even gone for that long here. Why are you so angry?" "Xiao Bin!" he argued. I shook my hand at him. "Alright, alright. I''m sorry. I lost track of time and made you worried," I gave him my puppy eyes, "forgive me?" he looked at me discontent for a second before letting out a sigh. "Alright. I forgive you," I gave him a thankful smile and he just let out a sigh, "I thought that you had gone back to recuperate... next time, leave me a note." "Un, I will leave you a note next time. Sorry," I clapped my hands together and held it in front of me. He let out a small laugh and nodded his head. "Now then, shall we drink?" he asked. I looked away as I put my hands back on the table. "Err... I... already hit my limit...haha... ha..." he narrowed his eyes at me before crossing his arms. "You..." he shook his head at me, "what did you drink? Don''t tell me... did you drink the wine that I was supposed to bring to the Crown Prince? I mistook it for yours." "Ahh... yes... hehe..." I gave him an apologetic smile and he just rolled his eyes. "It''s alright... we can do something else. For example, let''s play a game of Wei-" before he could finish my rude stomach let out a loud yelp. My face grew hot as I bit my lip. Our eyes met and I gave him a smile. He let out a sigh, "What do you want to eat?" he asked. "Hehe... Hua Mi, you are truly the best. Anything you make, I am willing to eat!" I replied and he just let out another sigh before disappearing. After a moment he returned with a tray that had some meat stir fry vegetables and egg drop soup on it. Mhhmmm! It smelt like a pepper garden and I loved it. He set the tray in front of me and I rubbed my hands together, eager to eat. "Thank you, Hua Mi! I love you, Hua Mi!" I picked up the chopsticks and then I felt him grab my wrist. I froze as I looked up to see his eyes focused on the ring. "Xiao Bin, where did you get this ring?" he turned my hand back and forth to observe the ring. Ugh... "A-ah... that''s right, I bought it when I was down in the Mortal Realm," I lied as I pulled my hand out of his grasp, "why?" "Oh... just, I saw a lady in the Celestial Palace yesterday with a similar looking ring... but I must''ve been mistaken," he rested his chin on his head. I just let out an oooh as I started to eat. It was the first time I had to try to act normal while eating. "Was she pretty?" "Pretty? I don''t know... I didn''t see her face." "Ohh... why?" "Because... she was shy." "Who was she?" "I don''t know... but she saved me yesterday so I owe her my thanks." "Saved you?" "Un... I was being put in a difficult position by the Crown Prince, but she helped me out of it." "Ahh... why would you be put in a difficult position by the Crown Prince?" "Because..." Hua Mi had a distant look in his eyes, "because... I offended him before," I choked on my food as my hand rushed to cover my mouth. Hua Mi handed me a cup of tea and I downed it. I couldn''t believe what Hua Mi just said... how could Hua Mi offend anyone? "Y-you... what did you do?" I set the cup down. Hua Mi''s lips quivered. "I... I... I..." his hand trembled and his eyes darted around, lost. I felt bad. "Forget it," I waved my hand, "if you can''t tell the tale, then just forget it. I don''t want to know... anyways, we were going to play Weiqi, right? Bring the board out! I want to see how much you''ve improved," I challenged. He looked up at me and he stopped shaking. He nodded and waved his hand. The food in front of us disappeared as a Weiqi board and stones took their place. - After about 20 games of Weiqi, with me half of them, we decided to call it a night. Hua Mi allowed me to sleep back in his house as he said he wanted to check up on his wine stash. I readily agreed as I was mentally exhausted from the games. Hua Mi did definitely get better but I still wanted to be the triumphant one so I used a lot of analyzing skills which left me beat. I laid on the bed and from above me, there was a barred window. The moonlight poured inside the house but I didn''t mind. This sight just reminded me of when I first entered this world. - My last memory on Earth was that I was designing a storyline for a new game my company was launching. I had been working for over 24 hours already so I had gone to the convenient store to grab some food. While I was deciding on what unhealthy food to buy a man wearing a mask and holding a knife came in. He threatened the clerk while I hid. As the clerk was taking out all the money from the cash register I had dialed the police. I didn''t say anything as I didn''t want to be heard but I kept the call going as the man kept shouting and yelling at the clerk. I was holding onto three beer cans as I was very thirsty that night, but I guess due to my nervousness one ended up falling out of my arms. It made a loud clunk as it fell and rolled away. The robber heard it as he turned around and started to walk in my direction. I felt my whole body freeze as I didn''t know what to do. Before I knew it he was already standing beside me. I looked up to meet his dark eyes and he pulled me up by my hair. He smashed my head into the glass and I blacked out after that. - After that, when I opened my eyes the room was very dark. I wondered what was happening but when I moved my hand to touch my face I realized I didn''t have hands. By instinct, my head started to move back and forth as I started to chip away at a barrier, which I soon realized to be my shell. Out of the six eggs my mother laid, only three survived. It included my two brothers and I. Sadly, my two brothers ended up passing away as there wasn''t enough food to eat. My mother was injured and one of her wings was weaker than the other. She had a hard time collecting food for us and when my two brothers passed, I was also close to passing. She cried a lot during the passing of my brothers which led to my Master walking up to our nest. My Master realized the dire situation and used magic to gift us with grains. He also said that it was our fate to meet him and that if we tried hard enough to cultivate we might be able to gain a human form. I didn''t know what to make of this world and this life... but as time went on, I just told myself that I had to lived. After I grew up and was able to fly on my own, my mother taught me how to hunt. Although we couldn''t speak a word to each other, I knew how much she loved me. Sadly, she ended up passing away during one of our hunts. It wasn''t because she was attacked by another animal but because her injured wing would no longer work. She was no longer able to fly and thus just laid on the ground. I tried my best to feed her but eventually, she just stopped eating. She must''ve known her end was coming. The next three days after that I stayed by her side and I refused to eat. I watched my mother passed and afterward I buried her body with twigs and branches I could carry. When I cultivated enough to gain a human form, I got my first system notification. It''s was weird at first and still is a bit. I feel like I''m just playing a game, but a very long game that came with no tutorial or synopsis. That reminds me... I should visit my mother''s grave tomorrow before I return to Cui Yun Mountain. I felt tired... I closed my eyes and rested for the night.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. - I started the next day having breakfast with Hua Mi. "Hua Mi," I said as I put my chopsticks down, "do you... know how the relationship between the Dark Arts Tribe and the rest of the other tribes are doing?" Hua Mi stopped eating as he set down his chopsticks too. "Umm... about 30,000 years ago the then ruler tried to wage another war, but they were stopped. Now the current ruler is doing a fine job and has a good relationship with most of the tribes." "Hmm... I see... who is the current ruler?" "Xiao Bin," Hua Mi sounded like he was treading on careful waters. I furrowed my brows. Did this mean what I thought it means? "Don''t tell me..." I didn''t even get to finish as Hua Mi''s face immediately told me the answer. I balled my fist. "How?" I said through clenched teeth. "He was... he was the most suitable and willing to negotiate with the other tribes..." "Even so..." I slammed my fist on the table as I tried to calm my rage. "Xiao Bin," Hua Mi tried to calm me down. I took in a deep breath as I relaxed my hand. "Don''t worry. I''m fine," I said but I could still feel my flame of fury burning on a tiny wick. "Xiao Bin... why did you ask?" "I wanted to go to Huang Hun Territory today to pay respects to my mother," I told him honestly. When he heard this he opened his mouth as to discourage me from going but I held my hand up. "It''s fine... I won''t cause any troubles. It''s just going to be a short trip. " He closed his mouth and I think it was because he knew he couldn''t stop me. My love for my mother was too strong. "You must promise me that you won''t cause any trouble," he said after a long pause. I nodded my head. "I promise you," I agreed and he smiled as he stroked my hair. "You''re going to leave now, aren''t you?" he asked as he tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. I nodded. He patted the top of my head. "Alright. Be safe, and remember your promise," he reminded me. "Un. See you another time." "Un. See you soon, Xiao Bin," he gave me a smile and I returned one to him as I used my teleportation magic. I stood on the cliff where I met Su Hai the other night as I overlooked the forestry down beneath Hua Mi''s garden. I was initially going to use teleportation magic to arrive at Huang Hun territory but I remembered that some places have barriers that block teleportation spells and if someone wanted to use teleportation to get there they had to go through a process with the owner of the land. I didn''t feel annoyed though, as I could take this flying trip to cool down my heart. - It was a short flight of only half an hour as I landed in the dense forest inside Huang Hun Territory. Although 120,000 years had passed, this place didn''t seem to change much, as I knew where I was going. This Huang Hun Territory didn''t originally belong to any tribes, however, due to the Dark Arts Tribe committing too many felonies they were forcefully kicked out of the Celestial Realm. Afterward, they claimed the Huang Hun Territory in the Immortal Realm as their own. - I took a stroll through the woods before walking out and being met with a huge plain of grass. On this huge plain of grass there stood one calm tree. I walked to the tree as I tried to collect all my thoughts. When I was an arm''s length away, I reached out and touched the smooth bumps on the trees. This tree was a tree that sprouted where my mother died. I''m not sure how it got there. It probably got mixed in all the twigs and branches I had collected, but it had used my mother''s body as an energy source to grow. I wasn''t mad that it used my mother though, because if it wasn''t for this tree then I wouldn''t know where my mother''s grave was, where my only blood relative''s last breath was taken. I believe that the tree now held a part of my mother''s soul with it and it comforted me even if it was a false illusion. "Mother," my vision grew blurry as tears began to form, "after 120,000 years, your daughter has woken up," I felt a tear stream down my cheek, "I''m sorry. I didn''t think I was going to sleep that long. I wonder if when I went through the trial, I came to visit you. I hoped I did. I know that you didn''t have the ability to talk to me, but I could feel your love through your persistent efforts to make sure I stayed alive... mother... thank you for giving me life. If you weren''t the one who gave birth to me who somehow managed to get stuck here... I don''t think I would''ve been able to live this long... it was you who showed me what paternal love was... a feeling I didn''t even know when I was on Earth... thank you," I felt a gush of wind pass by as I wiped my tears away. The wind felt nice and seemed to be a comforting gesture from beyond forces I could see. "Who are you?" I heard a familiar voice call out. The sadness from within me completely dissipated as it was replaced with anger. I turned around to see a man with fair pale skin, long dark hair and shocked red eyes looking at me. Although this man''s looks couldn''t be compared to Su Hai or my Master''s, he was still handsome in his own way. Still, his face was one of the faces that I never wanted to see again. "You... you are..." his fancy dark robes dragged behind him as he took a step toward me. "Stop!" I ordered, my voice as sharp as a blade. He froze and I held my hands together, trying to contain my feelings. His eyes trembled as he frowned at my coldness as if he hadn''t expected it. I ground my teeth together before I opened my mouth, "Sun Du Kong, it''s only been 120,000 years. Have you already forgotten me?" I glared at him. His eyebrows raised as he widened his eyes. Those red eyes were once my favorite pair of eyes in this world. "B-bin Bin... is it you?" he took another step forward. "Don''t call me by that name!" I yelled and he stopped, "you have no right to." "Bin Bin..." his eyes were filled to the brink with sadness, yet I couldn''t care less, "I... I''m sorry..." his voice was barely audible. I balled my fist. "You''re sorry?" I felt my nails dig into my hand, "what would your apology do? Can it bring back Fifth?! Can it bring back Eighth?! Can it bring back Thirteenth?! Your apology is meaningless!" I screamed. "Bin Bi-" "Shut your mouth! I don''t want to hear another word from you," I felt a tear building up and I turned my head away so he wouldn''t see it trail down my face as I quickly wiped it away. "Bin Bin... please listen to me... I made a mistake." "Mistake? How was what you did a mistake? You''re a traitor! You''re a sinner! It wasn''t a mistake! A mistake is something you make unknowingly. You knew perfectly what you were doing!" "Bin Bi-" "If anyone here made a mistake, it was me. I made the mistake of trusting and believing you. I thought your love for me was pure and real. I was going to give up on Seventh for you. I didn''t care that you were from the Dark Arts Tribe... if only I knew then, I wouldn''t have befriended you back then. I wouldn''t have told you our plans thinking you would help us put down your tyrannical father... I wouldn''t have fallen in love with you..." I didn''t even care if he saw the tears now. I let them fall. I wanted him to know how much he hurt me. "Bin Bin... that was 120,00-" "It might have 120,000 years for you, but for me, it''s only been six days. I just woke up five days ago... I can still feel the knife you dug into my heart. I have told you before that if you betray me, I will never forgive you. Others may give people two chances but I only give one. If you break that chance, then it''s over forever! You clearly knew, yet you still used me. How do you feel? I want to know how it feels to betray a person who gave their all to you, only did good for you, and never doubted you. Did you it feel good trampling all over them like that? Did you like it? Are you happy?!" my hands trembled from pain and anger. He froze as I watch tears trail down his fair face. He shook his head like a broken toy. "I''m sorry... I should''ve learned... but... I''m sorry, Bin Bin... you don''t have to forgive me. I won''t be selfish and ask that we return to those days. I don''t want to hurt anyone that way anymore..." he said it as if he had already caused someone else grief with the same method. I didn''t care enough to ask. I wiped my tears away as I took in a deep breath to calm myself. "If you''re really sorry... then let me come here to pay respect to my mother in peace," I touched the tree and I felt lighter, "I''m not going to accept your apology... but I will consider that you did apologize and won''t give you a hard time. I just ask that you don''t disturb my time with my mother." "Bin Bin... if that''s what you really want, then it''s alright. You may come whenever you want, I will tell all of my soldiers to not disturb you," he said, "if you ever need anything... please tell me... I have changed... I''m sorry..." I let out a small sigh of relief that he agreed. "Thank you," I started to activate my teleportation magic, "and congratulations on becoming the new Dark Arts Ruler. Farewell," I closed my eyes. - When I opened my eyes I was at the gate of Cui Yun Mountain. I wiped away the remaining tears. I wasn''t in Huang Hun Territory anymore. I''m back at Cui Yun Mountain. I need to get my act together or else Master is going to worry. I walked up and flashed a smile toward the two new faces guarding the gate. They saw me and smiled back before bowing. "Greetings, Fifteenth. I am Sixteenth," the one with yellow hair said. "Greetings, Fifteenth, I am Seventeenth," the one with orange hair said. "Greetings Sixteenth and Seventeenth. I am Fifteenth," I copied them. They stifled a laugh and then cleared their throats as they put their poker face back on. I chuckled as I saw how fast they regained their composure. "Do a good job guarding," I encouraged as I walked inside the gates. I walked into my Master''s office to see him intently reading bamboo scrolls. Aww... he''s still so hardworking after all these years. He is a true example to everyone in all the Three Realms! I cleared my throat and he looked past his scrolls. When he saw me he put down his scrolls and smiled. "You''re back?" he asked. "I''m back," I announced as I skipped over. I sat down next to him as I leaned my head on his shoulder. Although Su Hai had broad shoulders, he could not compete with the comfort of Master''s. He let out a laugh as he wrapped his arm around me. "Now that the troublemaker is back, Cui Yun Mountain is going to get noisy," he pinched my cheek and I let out a whine. "Master!" I elbowed him and he just laughed again. "Alright, alright. I''m just joking! Master is just happy to see you again," he patted my head. "Hmph!" "Don''t be angry! Don''t be angry! You must be as tranquil as a streaming river, or else Cui Yun Mountain will really erupt." "Master!" I pulled myself away from him as I narrowed my eyes at him. He let out another laugh before pinching my cheek again. "Ah!" I pulled myself away from him, "Master!" I yelled. "Alright, alright! Master is sorry. Master is just teasing you. Master just really misses you," he smiled and opened his arms wide. I couldn''t stay mad at him when he was acting like this as I entered those open arms. I felt him pat my back before I pulled away and smiled back at him. "You seem to be in a happy mood. Did something good happen?" I asked as I glanced down at his bamboo scrolls. There was a moment of silence as he looked at me with eyes I couldn''t decipher. After a moment, I heard him sigh. "Nothing really... it''s just that I have to attend a banquet soon," he shook his head. "Hmm? When did you start attending those sort of things?" "Just recently... I felt that I needed to be more aware of the things that occur outside of Cui Yun Mountain," he rubbed his temples. I stifled a laugh as I didn''t want to get flicked on the forehead again. Master hated being in crowded public places and being the center of attention as much as I did. It must''ve been one of my seniors who persuaded him to give it a try and I knew exactly who it was. "Master, be honest... Second talked you into this didn''t he?" I pulled on his sleeve and he only nodded his head. "And I should''ve never listened to him," his voice was filled with regret. I almost burst into laughter but I didn''t want to die after just waking up so I pinched my thighs to keep myself in control. "So... where is this banquet taking place?" I pinched myself harder. "At the Northern Sea Palace," he answered. Huh?! "Northern Sea Palace?" "Yes, and I''m planning to take you with me." "What? Take me with you?" I widened my eyes yet a bit of me felt happy. This meant I didn''t have to sneak in and sneak out to restore my first lost data! Chapter 10 "That''s right," Master responded. "Why?" I cocked my head to one side. "Why? You don''t want to go?" he raised an eyebrow and I shook my head. "No, it''s not that! I''m just wondering why you want to take me." "Hmm... when you returned I realized that I''ve never taken you out to see the world. You were always stuck here in Cui Yun Mountain. Since you''re already 190,100 years old, I figured that I should take you out to see what the Celestial Realm looks like," he explained. I nodded my head understanding. Although the Immortal and Celestial Realm were similar, the Immortal Realm had fewer rules and was for animals and humans who managed to cultivate into an Immortal. The Celestial Realm was for the deities and royal animals. Master used to be part of the Celestial Realm but has long retired to teaching Immortals in the Immortal Realm. "Master is so thoughtful," I smiled and he nodded his head. "That''s right. You should be honored that you were able to meet such a thoughtful Master like me," he bragged. I laughed. "No!" I retorted, "you should be thankful that you met such a good disciple like me!" "Haha!" he waved his finger back and forth, "you are the most troublesome disciple I have! How could I be thankful?" "Master!" I narrowed my eyes at him and he just smiled. I let out a sigh before just shrugging my shoulders, "Master... why did you receive an invitation from Northern Sea Palace? Are you and the king there close?" I didn''t know much of Master''s relationships now that I think of it. "That''s because Fourteenth is a prince of the Northern Sea Palace," he answered nonchalantly. "What?!" I had no idea so many Celestial Beings were my seniors, especially Fourteenth! We were so close and he never mentioned a word about this! That traitor! "Master I thought you only accepted Immortals as disciples! I''m already shocked learning that Seventh is a prince from the Celestial Palace!" Master only shrugged his shoulders and I couldn''t ask anymore. "Also, when you were gone I remember you saying that you really wished you had some junior disciples to boss around like your seniors boss you around. So, I started to accept disciples and the twenty-seventh disciple that got in is a princess of the Northern Sea Palace King." "Huh? You accepted another female disciple?" I was flabbergasted. When I first met my Master, he was super strict against girls. I had to train myself to death for 3,000 years before I could get in. "Yes." "Woah! That junior must be really skilled!" I sat up as I felt excited. "She is." "That''s great! I can''t wait to meet her! Where is she staying?" I grabbed Master''s arm and waved it back and forth. "She''s staying in your old room, which reminds me... I moved you to Fifth''s room. It hasn''t been occupied all these years, and I believe Fifth would be fine with you occupying it," I felt my lips relax as I stopped waving his arm. "That''s right... I still need to pay my respects," my eyes traveled to the ground as the faces of my three seniors flashed through my memories. "Fifteenth," I felt Master pull his arm out of my hands as he reached over and pulled me into a hug, "please don''t blame yourself anymore. Fifth, Eighth, and Thirteenth wouldn''t want you living like this," he rubbed my back. I felt tears welling up and I blinked them away. "I know... but... it was really my fault..." "Fifteenth, you may have made a mistake, but your senior brothers wouldn''t want you to feel this way toward their death. Do you understand?" he patted my back. "... I... understand..." I replied. I was still a sinner. I was just as bad as Sun Du Kong... but I didn''t want Master to be worried about me anymore. I pulled myself back and gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Master." "You don''t need to thank me," he stroked my hair and the load on my shoulder felt lighter. His soft expression changed as he moved his hand away. "That''s right, when we go to Northern Sea Palace I want you to hide your identity." "Hah?! Why?" "Because we are going there to celebrate the King''s birthday. If we tell them your real identity there then I fear that you will be the center of attention when the King is supposed to be the center of attention. We don''t want to be discourteous." "Master!" I argued, "how are we going to do that? I fought alongside the princes there during the battle against the Dark Arts Tribe! They know how I look like! Do you want me to hide my face?" "Ohh... that doesn''t sound like a bad idea! We can hide your face under a veil so people can''t see you... I can tell them you are an Immortal I saved recently and you are serving me as a maid to repay your debt... but your face got injured when I saved you, so that''s why you are hiding your face. We should also make it so that your vocal cords also got damaged to keep you from speaking. How does that sound?" "Master! If I wear a veil... how am I going to drink?" that was the real question. "Hmph! Who said I''m letting you drink? You went to drink with Hua Mi for three days now! You should take a break!" he looked at me disapprovingly. "But, Master!" I whined and he clicked his tongue and glared at me. I pressed my lips together as I didn''t want to get disciplined. "Alright... your disciple will obey you... that reminds me," I waved my hand over his table and the four root wines appeared, "I asked Hua Mi to give me this root wine so I can give it to you. I know you like drinking root wine the best," I smiled. He picked the wine up and pulled the cap off. He brought the bottle to his tall nose and took a whiff. His lips moved up to form a smile. "For once, you are finally a filial disciple," he nodded his head in approval. I felt irritated by his words. "Master! If you keep acting like this, I will just take them back!" "Alright, alright! Master is just messing around with you. Go get some rest and prepare whatever you need. We are leaving tomorrow." "Huh? So fast?" "Yes... I need to get myself ready too." "Your disciple understand... Master, where are senior disciples'' graves? I want to pay my respects first." "Ahh... they are by Zhu Yi Pavilion," he informed, "take your time." "Thank you, Master," I gave him a bow before leaving his office. - Zhu Yi Pavilion was a pavilion that was built on a cliff behind the training grounds of Cui Yun Mountain. Its purposes were for students to recuperate after a battle there as that was the place on Cui Yun Mountain that had the best essence. I stood in front of three headstones and I took a deep breath in to calm myself. I made sure to kowtow fifteen times to each of the graves. After that, I knelt in front of the middle headstone. "Fifth, Eighth, and Thirteenth... Fifteenth has returned," I gave them another kowtow, "I''m sorry... that it took me 120,000 years to return and pay my respects... I''m sorry," tears ran down my face as I bit my lip. What was I suppose to say? What could I say? It was because of me that they died... no matter how much I apologize, they will never hear it. I kowtowed once more. "Sorry. Sorry. Sorry," I kept repeating, "I was wrong... I was wrong... it''s all my fault... ah..." I cried. I cried for my poor three seniors who had to suffer because I was too stupid... because I was too trusting... because I fell in love. "Fifteenth," I heard someone call out from behind me. I closed my mouth as I wiped my tears away. I turned to see Fourth looking walking toward me.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. "Fourth..." I barely managed to get out. He bent down and wrapped his arms around me. "Idiot... don''t pretend to be strong... I''m your senior. You can rely on me. Today you can cry all you want. I didn''t hear or see anything nor will I say anything," he comforted. The tears that I just stopped came running down again as I grabbed onto Fourth''s robes. "Fourth..." I cried. I couldn''t stop myself anymore as I just continued to cry and cry. When I finally ran out of tears to cry, Fourth''s shoulder was soaked with all my despair which included saliva and snot along with those tears. He didn''t make a fuss about it at all as he just waved his hand over it and the robe returned back to its original form. We sat side by side in a comforting silence for a long time. "Fourth," my voice was hoarse from all the crying, "thank you." "Thank me for what? I didn''t do anything," he replied. The ends of my lips went up and I tapped my thigh gently. "Thank you for doing nothing. If it were Second, I would probably have to be the one doing nothing," he let out a laugh. "That''s right." "First and Eleventh would just probably sneak me some alcohol... hmm... why didn''t you contact them instead?" I joked and he let out another laugh. "That''s right... I may not have alcohol, but I do have this." "Hmm?" he waved his hand and a basket of peaches appeared in front of me. "Wah! Where did you get these?" I picked one and brought it up to my nose. "From the Celestial Palace." "Huh? Fourth, won''t you get into trouble?" "Don''t worry," he assured me, "they aren''t from me. They are from Seventh." "Seventh?" "Yes. He... feels guilty... for many reasons that you should know," Fourth had an unsettling expression on his face. I just let out a laugh. "As he should be," I took a bite out of the peach. Hmm! So juicy! So sweet! So crunchy! "Ahh... so you already know everything..." "Mhmm. Hua Mi told me." "Ahh... are you angry?" "Angry? Why should I be angry? I was gone for so many years that it''s only understandable that he got married," I took another bite. "Ohh... that''s a good way of thinking," Fourth agreed. I smacked my lips together as I finished eating the fruit and stood up. I grabbed the basket and went up to set a peach in front of each headstone. "But... I''m a bit annoyed," I offered one to Fourth. He raised an eyebrow before taking the peach. "Why are you annoyed?" "If Seventh did feel guilty, then why did he send you to be a mediator?" I asked Fourth with a small smile on my face. His eyes widened for a second as if I hit the mark before he let out a small laugh. "Fifteenth, let it go. He''s got a lot on his plate right now." "Like?" I stuffed the peach basket into my inventory. I didn''t have to worry about them going bad since they were Celestial Peaches. "Did Seventh tell you that his firstborn is the Crown Prince?" he questioned. My eyes grew and I quickly let out a cough and put my hand over my mouth in order to cover my flushed face as I nodded my head. "You see... the Crown Prince has no engagement partner but has a lot of engagement proposals from other Celestial Tribes... so Seventh has been having a hard time sorting through those. His son has yet to be engaged." "Hmm?" I frowned, "why?" "That... nobody knows," he shrugged his shoulders. Su Hai had all these beautiful women lining up, waiting to throw themselves at him and he hadn''t even considered any of them? Did he like men? Wait... he wants to be with me so he doesn''t like men... still, what''s so special about me? Considering the standards in this world, I was just average and I''m definitely nothing compared to the Celestial Deities. Then... is he really... "Was S... the Crown Prince a man who likes other men?" I almost called out his name. That was bad! If he really did put a spell on the ring then he would''ve shown up right here if I called him three times. That''s right, the ring! I looked down to see it still sitting comfortably around the base of my pointer finger. I waved over it and it entered my inventory. "No, the Crown Prince definitely doesn''t like men." "Hmm... how do you know for sure, Fourth?" One of my eyebrows went up as Fourth didn''t answer. I looked over at him to see that he looked like he was lost in thoughts. "Fourth?" I raised my voice and he snapped out of his thoughts as he looked up at me. "Huh? What?" "I asked how you know that the Crown Prince doesn''t like men?" I leaned my head to one side. "Umm..." Fourth looked around to check if anyone was near us before he stood up. He walked over to me and leaned into my ear. "This is supposed to be a secret... but he was... engaged before..." he whispered. I backed away and furrowed my brows. "Why is this supposed to be a secret?" I asked and he hushed me. "Not too loud," he warned as he looked around again. "Sorry... but why is it suppose to be a secret?" I lowered my voice. "Because... the one he was engaged to passed away before the marriage ever happened so it''s taboo to mention her due to bad luck." "Hah?! Pa-" Fourth covered my mouth as I suddenly raised my voice. "Shh!" he hushed and I nodded my head as I apologized with my eyes. I cleared my throat and also peered around. "Why?" I whispered. Fourth shook his head. "I''m not sure... all that I know is that the Heavenly Emperor ordered that no one is to speak of this engagement. If they do, they have to suffer five lightning strikes each day for three hundred years!'' "Huh? Five lightning strikes? Woah..." I swallowed as I felt myself shiver just thinking about it. "That''s right... besides, not a lot of people know that he was engaged anyway so this stays between me and you, understand?" "I understand," I nodded my head. Fourth patted my back as he also nodded his head. "Fourth and Fifteenth!" we heard a voice and we looked up to see Second approaching us. Eleventh was also with him. I smiled to avoid suspicion. "What''s up?" I asked as the two stopped in front of us. Second glanced at the headstones and his eyes got teary before he cleared his throat. Eleventh just shoved a small wine bottle into my hand before nodding at me. "I got this from Hua Mi," Eleventh said as he glanced over the headstones. I looked at Fourth and we both just smiled at the two. "Fifteenth," Second set his hand on my shoulder, "I have been wondering how your skills are after 120,000 years. Mind sparring with me for a bit?" his eyebrows moved up and down. "Second," I set my hand on his shoulder, "I wouldn''t challenge me if I were you," I warned, "I''m currently... a High Immortal." "Hah!" they all yelled and I chuckled. "That''s right. During those 120,000 years, I was recuperating at a place with great energy! Are you sure you still want to spar? You''re just going to end up embarrassing yourself in front of our juniors." I raised an eyebrow at him. He narrowed his eyes at me. "Hmph! I don''t care if you a High Immortal now. I bet that I can still defeat you like I did 120,000 years ago!" Second squeezed my shoulder. One side of my mouth went up. "Alright... if you really want to spar that much, then I will give it to you," I narrowed my eyes back at him. - Second and I stood in the middle of the training ground arena. Most of our juniors had already found themselves a seat on the bench as their eyes shone with excitement. I glanced through them but didn''t find a girl. "Second?" I turned back to him. "What, Fifteenth? Are you too scared now that you want to back out?" "Psh... you wish. I just wanted to ask where... ah, where is Twenty Seventh?" "Twenty Seventh? Ah... Master must''ve told you that you have a junior sister now." "That''s right. Now tell me, where is she?" "She went out on an errand for Eleventh. She will be back later. Now, let''s get started!" Second raised his arm and I did so too. From a distance, Fourth threw two wooden swords into our hands and as we caught them we ran toward each other. Our swords clash and we both released our energy to battle each other. We swung and dodged. His sword skills were far superior compared to mine, but I combatted that with my superior energy. After another minute of exchanging blows, I swung my sword down with energy surpassing Second''s as he fell to the ground. I hit the sword out of his hand as I raised the tip of mine by his throat. "Do you surrender?" I smiled and he held his hands up. "I-I surrender!" he announced, panting. I moved the sword back as I reached my hand out to him. He took it and I pulled him off from the ground. I could hear cheering from the juniors and Second looked up to glare at them. They quiet down as they avoided Second''s gaze. "Don''t say that I didn''t warn you," I elbowed him and he clicked his tongue. "Psh... you only won because your energy was stronger! Your sword skills still suck! You need to practice more!" he lectured. "But you didn''t say anything against not using our energy... and I still won," I stuck my tongue out at him and he glared at me before reaching his hand out and pinching my cheek. I let out a yelp before I smacked his hand away and he gave me a smugged smile. "Now it''s my turn," Eleventh pushed Second away. I narrowed my eyes at Second before smiling at Eleventh. "I''m not going easy on you either, Eleventh!" "I didn''t expect you to," Eleventh retorted as he rushed up to me. - After the sparring matches, which ended up in my victories, I left to take a look at my new room. My new room was bigger than my first one as I glanced at Fifth''s paintings that hung up on the wall. I took a seat on the bed and I brushed my hand against the pillow. "Fifth... thank you," I mumbled. I was glad that I was finally able to pay my respects but I still felt a bit empty inside. If Fourth hadn''t been there... I would''ve been more of a mess. Thinking about Fourth, I suddenly remembered our conversation. Wow... I didn''t know that Su Hai''s been enga- "Don''t pretend to be innocent! Why did you request to be engaged to me?!" his voice echoed in my head and a chill ran down my spine. That''s right... I forgot... the me in the lost data... was his fiancee... but what happened? I bit my lip as I tapped my fingers on the bed. Why did he treat me like that? If he hated me... why was he so interested in me? Many scenarios ran through my head as I thought for a long time. I couldn''t come to a conclusion and just let out a sigh. "This is too confusing," I rubbed my forehead with my pointer and middle fingers. Ugh... oh well. I just need to relax in this new room. I wi- that''s right! I should pay a visit to my old room and see how my junior sister looks like! I jumped up from my bed as I started skipping over to my new room. I reached my old room in no time as I slowly pushed the door open. I looked around to see a female figure sitting on the bed. Her blue hair was put up neatly in a bun. The female figure was holding something in her hands that seemed to be a scale. My eyes widened at the sight of the scale. It was about the size of a hand and although it was primarily blue, the way light reflected off it showed more luscious colors. "How beautiful..." I let out without even thinking. The scale disappeared as the woman stood up and turned around. "Who is i-" her eyes landed on mine and she stopped moving. Her eyes widened as her mouth dropped slightly. She continued to stare at me for a while before her eyes glistened as tears welled up. Her thin lips trembled as she took a step closer to me. She reached her hand out and touched my face. "Older sister..." she breathed out as a tear escaped her eye and trailed down her fair cheek. Chapter 11 Older sister? I had just met Twenty-Seventh, but she was already tearing up at seeing me. Was she emotional over seeing another female disciple like her? I brought my sleeve up to her face and wiped away her tear as her big eyes continued to look up at me. "Junior," I gave her a smile, "why are you crying? Are you that happy seeing senior?" she frowned as she pulled her hand away. "Senior?" her voice sounded soft and cute. "That''s right. I am Fifteenth. Greetings, Twenty-Seventh," I moved my hand away. She furrowed her brows before she let out a gasp. "Greetings, Fifteenth. I am Twenty-Seventh!" she bowed before standing up. Her golden brown eyes shivered as they looked at me. I just smiled as I walked over and sat down on her bed. I looked at her and patted at the space next to me. She nodded, understanding, as she took a seat. She pressed her lips together as she hung her head low. I waved my hand in front of her. She jumped for a second but didn''t stop me. I frowned for a second before smiling. "Relax, Twenty-Seventh," I said softly, "am I that scary?" "Huh? No!" she shook her head, "senior is not scary at all... it''s just..." her eyes landed on the bed and she bit her lip. "It''s just?" I questioned and she looked back up at me. "It''s just... senior... you really look like my older sister," her voice was barely audible. "Your older sister?" hmm... that''s odd. She nodded her head. "You two look almost identical... it''s just... my older sister had a birthmark." "A birthmark? Where?" I cocked my head. She stared at my forehead. "There," she gently pressed onto the center of my forehead. "What did the birthmark look like?" I leaned my head to one side. She thought for a moment before moving her finger on my forehead. "In the center was a pink circle. The half pink circle was surrounded by a crescent moon and the other half had a spike hovering downwards out. Three spikes hovered outside of the moon, pointing up," she explained. I could see a rough picture of what it may have looked like in my head as she moved her slender finger away. "Hmm... junior, may I ask what your sister''s name was?" although I had a feeling already knew what her name was. "Her name? Hmm... her name was, Cu. Xing," she said each syllable clearly. "Cu Xing?" "Yes," she nodded her head. Hmm... I wonder why people kept thinking I was this woman... did we really look alike? Was she the me in the lost data? That was the most likely answer... but that means that I somehow went through my trial as a Celestial Being?! But... I never heard of Immortals being reborn as a Celestial Being to complete a trail... it was usually them being reborn as a mortal... "Junior... what is your name?" I changed the subject. "My name? My name is Wei Xing," she replied. "Wei Xing? Hmm, you have such a pretty name, junior." "A pretty name?" "Un. It''s much better than mine. Que. Hei. Bin. It sounds a bit ugly doesn''t it?" I raised my eyebrows and she smiled, revealing a dimple on her right cheek. "It''s a unique name," she responded kindly. I looked around pretending to check if anyone was there before I leaned into her ear. She frowned, confused. "Shh... don''t tell anyone that I told you my name sounds ugly. Master was the one who gave me this name. If he finds out how I feel... you might lose your only female senior," I whispered before leaning back. She chuckled before nodding her head. I smiled as I patted her head. "I understand. I will keep this between us," she gave me a small smile. Ahh... her and that brat were both from Celestial Tribes... how could they act so differently? Wait... that''s right! She''s from the Northern Sea Palace. I should ask for some tips before leaving so I don''t get into trouble! "Junior," I tapped my fingers on the bed, "I heard you are from the Northern Sea Palace. Is that correct?" "Yes. That''s correct. But I don''t want any special treatment! I entered this place because I wanted to train hard an-" I placed my finger over her lips. "You don''t need to explain anymore. I understand. I can see your sincerity," I gave her a nod of approval and she looked at me with thankful eyes before bowing. "Thank you, senior," she smiled. Aww... she looked so cute when she smiled! Anyways, I need to get back on track. "No need to thank me, junior. Master chooses his disciples very carefully. If you aren''t sincere and humble then Master won''t accept you... then again, I wonder how Second got in..." I rubbed my chin and she stifled a laugh. I smiled, seeing that she was more comfortable now as I watch her shoulders relax. "Anyways... tell me about the place you are from. I''ve never been anywhere in the Celestial Realm. How is it?" "Oh... the Northern Sea Palace... it''s a beautiful place... but you have to be careful with your manners when you are there. They are second in ranks, only behind the Celestial Tribe so their rules are a bit strict... and things can get very complicated there... that''s why I left," her eyes grew sad again and I suddenly felt guilty for asking her. "I see..." I tried to think of how to cheer her up and I smiled as I came up with an idea. A peach appeared in my hand as I held it up to her. "For you. Thanks for sharing with me," she looked at the peach with a shocked expression before looking up at me. She took the peach out of my hand. "Thank you," she gave me a bow, "senior... do you like peaches?" "Yes. They are my favorite fruit," another one appeared in my hand and I took a bite out of it. "Ahh..." she smiled and also took a bite out of hers. I watched as her expression lit up and she looked at the peach with awe. How adorable! "Good, right? It''s from the Celestial Palace," I grinned. "The Celestial Palace?!" she looked amazed. I nodded my head. "How did senior get your hands on this?" "Hmm... I have my ways," the story was too long to tell at that moment, "anyways," I got off the bed and threw the half-eaten peach back into my inventory, "I''m going to go rest now. Junior, get some rest too. When I have time I will come to visit you more often. We are the only females on this mountain, so let''s take care of each other," I held my hand out to her. She looked at my hand, and then back to me before she reached her hand out. We shook hands in agreement and I smiled. It felt good knowing that I had a nice junior sister on this mountain with me. I pulled my hand back as raised it up to use my teleportation magic. I didn''t really want to walk back if I could just conveniently use magic. "Senior," she said and I paused. "What is it?" I cocked my head to one side. She bit her lips for a moment before clearing her throat. "Senior... can I call you, Older Sister?" her voice was quiet. Older Sister... it didn''t sound bad to me. "Sure, Younger Sister," I replied. Her face lit up as she smiled widely. How cute! I returned her smile. "Goodnight," I said as I waved my hand. I was back in my current room and I let out a sigh of relief as I jumped on my bed. Good thing this junior was so polite and nice. I wouldn''t know what to do if she was like Second. Thinking about Second... hmm... he was right when he mentioned that I need to cultivate more. His skills have definitely improved... wait, skills. I need to take a look at my skills! "Status menu," I said and then clicked on the Skills tab.
Cui Yun Swordsmanship Flying Cooking
Teleportation Barrier Casting Transformation
???? ???? Soul Sealing
Page 1/3 ->
"What?" I stared at the question marks and then clicked on one.
Skill: ???? Level: ???? Description: ????
All of them showed the same thing and I frowned as I backed out to the Skills tab. Hmm... Soul Sealing? Did I have this skill beforehand? I tapped on it.
Skill: Soul Sealing Status: Activated Level: ???? Description: ????
What? Status? That didn''t show up on the other ones... why did it show up on this one? I didn''t understand what was going on! Was I going to get more information when I restored all the lost data? I grappled with my hair before letting out a groan. I set my head on the pillow and felt my body relax. After lying down, I suddenly felt fatigued. My eyes shut by themselves as I felt myself falling into sleep''s arms. - Huh? When did I get here? I looked around to see I was standing back on a piece of land with my pond surrounding me. "Why?" I heard a voice say from behind me. This voice sounded eerily familiar as I turned around. I gasped as I saw myself staring back at me... however I looked very different. The girl who stood a distance from me had a pink birthmark in the center of her forehead that looked like what Twenty Seventh had just told me. Her dark hair was tied up in a bun, except for a couple strands that hung in front of her face. She wore a dark short robe that ended above her knees. Overlaying her robe was a silver breastplate and on her shoulders laid silver shoulder pads. Beneath the robes were brown trousers which were overlapped by long boots that reached the bottom of her knees. She was wearing no accessories except for a golden collar. She stared intently at me making seemingly no expression. "W-w-who are you?" I stammered out. "I''m you," she answered. Her voice sent shivers down my spine at how emotionless it sounded. It was as if she was a robot... as if she had no soul. She took a step forward and I couldn''t help taking a step back. "Why?" she asked again. "W-w-why what?" I clutched onto my robe. I didn''t know why I felt so scared. "Why are you trying to restore them?!" although her voice carried no emotions, I could feel the pain from her eyes. "Restore what?" "The lost data. Why are you restoring them? I deleted them for a reason! Why must you restore them?" I swallowed my saliva as my lips felt dry. "Why not? Why can''t I restore them?" I retorted. "Y-you... didn''t you listen to me? I wanted to be happy... I want you to be happy... I told you that you didn''t need them... why must you restore them?" a tear ran down her pale cheek. I didn''t know what to say as I just took another step back. "I-I... I..." "Stop. Don''t restore them. Don''t do it," she took another step forward. I shook my head. "I can''t do that," I answered, "I need them... I want to know what happened... maybe I can get back to Earth this way," I admitted. "Don''t you remember that saying on Earth? Curiosity killed the cat. Do you want to be that cat?" her tone changed as it sounded like she was threatening me.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "I... I don''t care. If I need to, I will be that cat," I yelled back. The look in her eyes changed as they soften. "Alright... if that''s what you want... I can''t stop you," she vanished and then suddenly appeared in front of me. "Huh?" I gasped and then I felt her push me. I started to fall backward and when I did I saw the mark on her forehead slowly fading away before I sunk into the pond. - I sat up and panted as I felt sweat trickling down the side of my face. What just happened? I looked down to see my hand trembling uncontrollably. "You''re already up?" I looked up to see my Master walking toward me. In his hand was a pair of plain blue robes. "Master?" he set the robes on my lap. "Get ready. We are going to leave in an hour and also, don''t wear a lot of accessories like you usually do. You are my maid, you aren''t supposed to look so fancy," he ordered. I nodded my head and he left the room. I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my sleeve... huh? Why was I sweating again? I didn''t remember. - I went into Master''s office after getting dressed, and like he demanded I didn''t wear any accessories except for two plain wooden hairpins to put up half my hair. "Master," I gave him a bow and he looked up from behind his documents. He glanced at me up and down and then nodded his head. "Good. Now put this on," he threw a hat that had a veil covering it over to me. I caught it and let out a sigh as it reminded me of the one that Su Hai made we wear the other day. "Master," I started to put the hat on, "I can agree with covering my face, but I am still going to speak." "Hmm? Why?" "Why? Because I want to! What if I get into trouble or I witness something? If I pretend I don''t have the ability to speak then I will get myself and someone else in trouble." "Hmm... alright, alright. You can speak then," Master got up from his seat and walked over to me. He fixed the position of the hat a little bit and then nodded his head. "You look fine. Let''s go," he tapped my shoulder. - Since I have never been to the Northern Sea Palace, we couldn''t use our teleportation skills teleport to a place close to it, as the Northern Sea Palace also had a barrier around it, since teleportation can only be used in places that I have been to. It took us 2 hours of flying to finally get there, yet I didn''t mind. I enjoyed looking at the Celestial Realm''s scenery. Although it was similar to the Immortal Realm''s, the colors were much more vibrant. There were also creatures roaming the forestry that I''ve never seen before. When I asked about it, Master just said that they were petty deities that were still cultivating to gain a human form. I was confused because I thought that all Celestial Beings were born with a human form, but Master said that some have been born on ominous days when the energy in the Celestial Realm wasn''t good so that caused them not to be able to be born in their humanoid form. He also mentioned that some were creatures who roamed the Celestial Realm trying to cause havoc. There were also many wars happening in the Celestial Realm due to conflicting views. I nodded my head but was still confused on the matter subject. I should''ve paid more attention in class. - When we reached the beach of the Northern Sea Palace my eyes widened. In the middle of the sea was a path that separated the sea in half. Guards were circling the whole beach. By the entrance, there were two guards who both wore silver armor. "Follow me and be courteous. This isn''t Cui Yun Mountain so if you get into trouble here then Master will not be able to help you," he warned. "I understand. I''m not a child," I whispered back. He just shrugged his shoulders as we walked toward the entrance. The two guards looked up and noticed us as Master handed them a bamboo scroll. They opened the scroll and then looked back up. "Greetings, Lord Guang Yuan," they both bowed. "Rise," Master ordered and they rose. "Lord Guang Yuan, for the safety of our King, may we know who this lady behind you is?" one of them questioned. "She is my maid," he responded. The two looked at each other with a puzzled expression. "Excuse me for my rudeness Lord Guang Yuan, but since when did you start having a maid?" the other one questioned. "Not too long ago," Master said nonchalantly. "Then why is she wearing a veil?" "Because she injured her face and doesn''t want anyone to see it." "I see... but Lord Guang Yuan," they were persistent and I could tell Master was getting annoyed as he smacked his thigh. "I didn''t know that merely bringing a maid would cause me to be interrogated like this. Your King and I have been friends for thousands of years and your Prince and Princess are also my disciples. Are you guys inferring that I brought this maid because I have malicious intent? If so, then I will return to Cui Yun Mountain," Master started to turn on his heel and the guards held their arms up to stop them. I stifled a laugh as I saw the shocked expressions on their faces. "N-no! We wouldn''t dare interrogate my Lord. Please pass through," they made way. Master cleared his throat as he gave them a small glare before he started walking to the path. I saw sweat trickling down their necks as their Adam''s apples went up and down from swallowing. I held my hand up to my mouth to keep me from bursting out loud. "Maid!" Master yelled from ahead, "are you not coming?" "Sorry, Ma- my Lord," I ran to catch up to him. When I reached him we walked together with him leading a bit, an etiquette that maids and servants usually followed. I chuckled as the scene from earlier kept playing in my head. "Maid, what are you giggling about?" "Hmm... ah... I was just surprised to see my Lord use such a tactic. In the past, my Lord was much more patient and didn''t like to get riled up at public places." "Times have changed. I have attended too many banquets and now I find those protocols a waste of time," he waved his hand back and forth. "Ohh... your maid understands," I nodded my head. We reached the entrance of the palace and for the first time, I was thankful for the veil that covered my idiotic face as I looked in awe. The palace was decorated with gold sculptures and tall stone pillars. On the pillars were silver seashells and pearls. Bright lights wrapped themselves around the pillars like vines. Servants passed by us and I stared at their glittery robes and elaborate hairpins. In front of us was a line waiting to get into the main hall. "What do you think?" Master elbowed me. "Hmm... it looks very nice... your maid is impressed," I answered honestly. He smiled as he nodded his head in satisfaction. After a few moments, we were finally able to enter the main hall. The main hall was huge, resembling a school auditorium, as hundreds of tables were placed across the area. Master was directed to a table that was on the left side of the King''s throne. I could feel people giving us weird glances as they looked at me, but Master seemed ignored them as he sat down. I sat behind him and he turned around. He smiled and nodded his forehead for me to move closer to the table. I obeyed as I sat at the edge of the table. "Remember to be courteous," he reminded me again. "I understand... I''m not a child, you don''t need to keep reminding me," I argued. He just smiled as he turned back to the table which had sliced fruits down as an appetizer. He picked up one of the sliced fruits and bit into it. "As long as you understand," he mumbled as he continued to eat. I rolled my eyes knowing full well that no one could see my face. I looked to gradually see more and more people entering the main hall. I looked across to see the right-hand table from the throne was still empty. Master once said that the people who sit left and right of a king''s throne are the most important people to them, however, the right holds a higher position than the left. I wonder who was going to sit there. I looked beside that seat to see a man who resembled Fourteenth. My eyes traveled further but I didn''t see Fourteenth anywhere. "The fifth prince of the Northern Palace entering," the servant announced. I looked down to see Fourteenth marching in with a solemn expression. His long green hair was settled into a high pony-tail as his deep blue eyes darted around the room. Hmm... he seemed to have matured from the aura he gave off. I watched as he noticed our table and walked over. "Fourteenth greets Master," he put his hands together in front of him and bowed. "Rise," Master gestured and he stood up. "Master... is the news true?" he asked in a quiet voice. News? Master glanced back at me for a second before nodding. "Of course it''s true," he replied. "That''s good... when I have time, I will definitely pay Cui Yun Mountain a visit," Fourteenth had a small smile on his face. "That will be good... I''m pretty sure she''ll be happy." "I hope that will be the case," his eyes traveled back to me and then he furrowed his brows, "Master... this lady..." "Don''t mind her. You should go take a seat, the banquet will be starting soon," Master waved his hand. "Yes, Master," Fourteenth bowed again before leaving, however, I could still feel him giving me a curious glance. "Uh... my Lord..." I spoke. I wanted to ask if Fourteenth was talking about me and why he didn''t tell Fourteenth who I was. "Yes... yes... just be quiet..." he managed to answer all my questions without me saying a word about them, as expected of Master. I could only do what he said as I closed my mouth. I continued to think as I heard chattering fill the room, but a voice pierced through those chatters. "I... wrong... curse... forgive..." I heard a child''s voice rang out. I glanced around the room to see no children anywhere. Hmmm... what this? Could it be... my lost data? "Welcome, Heavenly Crown Prince," a servant announced and I jumped. I look around me to see everyone standing up, except for Master who stayed seated. "Master, do I stand?" I quickly asked and he just shrugged his shoulders. I squinted my eyes at him before also standing up. It was better to be safe than to be sorry. "Welcome, Heavenly Crown Prince," everyone said as they bowed. I followed what they were doing. "Rise," I heard Su Hai''s low voice command. I pressed my lips together as I stood back up. Through my blue veil, I could still see him wearing his red robes. He walked to the table across from us and took his seat there. Huh? He was the one who was going to sit there? After he took his seat others also began sitting down, and I followed suit. "What do you think?" Master suddenly asked. "Think? Think of what?" "Of him," Master nodded his head at Su Hai. What?! Why was he asking me about this? "Uh... he seems to be... courteous and humble," I replied. "Hmm... I see..." Master took a picked up another piece of fruit and stuffed it into his mouth. I kept feeling glances heading our way and I thought it was because of me, but when I looked around I could see female fairies looking at Master with heart eyes as they giggled among each other. Some of them also shot me some sharp gazes. Master seemed oblivious as he just continued to munch on his fruits. I guess after all these years he was still attractive to the younger generations. "Welcome, King of the Northern Sea Palace," the servant announced again. This time everyone stood up, including Master. "Welcome, King of the Northern Sea Palace," we all said as we bowed. "Rise," a bass voice ordered. I felt my lips go dry at how much authority there was in his voice as I stood back up. Although I couldn''t see his face through my veil, I could feel that the King''s aura was different from any aura I''ve ever met. It was a strong aura that commanded obedience and tolerated no wrong, an aura truly suited for a king. He walked his way past us and then took a seat on the throne. All of us sat down and I fiddled with my sleeve. "Congratulations Sea King," a man who seemed to be an official stood up and bowed. "Thank you, and thank all of you for coming to join me today. Please eat and enjoy yourselves to your heart''s content," he waved his arm. "Yes, Sea King," we all replied. Maids entered the hall as they set down various foods and wine on the table. My eyes sparkled when I saw the wine and I felt Master glare at me. I cleared my throat as he looked away. "Lord Guang Yuan," the Sea King suddenly said. "Yes?" Master asked. "Who is that lady next to you?" "Oh, her? She''s an Immortal who I saved not too long ago. She''s serving as a maid at the moment because she wants to repay her debt." "Why is she wearing a veil?" he got straight to the point. "It''s because her face got injured when I saved her and she doesn''t want anyone to see it." "I see. Please enjoy yourself," the Sea King gestured for Master to drink and Master nodded. The Sea King also continued to eat his food as deities walked up to chat with him. "Here. Eat this," Master handed me a piece of bread. "Bread again..." I mumbled. "What?!" he barked. "No. Nothing, Ma- my Lord," I took the bread. There were so many things on the table that looked good like meat, stir-fry vegetables, fruits, yet both of them just offered me bread. How stingy... I broke a piece of the bread off and ate it. I glanced up to see what people were doing when I saw Su Hai seem to be looking my way. Hmm... I''m wearing a veil... he shouldn''t know who I am. I thought it was just a coincidence and I waited for him to turn his head away but he just seemed to keep gazing our way, directly at me. Did he know who I was? My cheeks grew hot and I hung my head low. "M-my Lord," I pulled on Master''s sleeve. "Hmm?" he turned his head. "C-can I go outside for a little fresh air?" "Do what you want, just remember to be courteous," he reminded me again. "Yes," I stood up and made my way out of the main hall. I let out a sigh of relief as I glanced back inside to see Su Hai''s silhouette still sitting where he was. Maybe he didn''t know after all. "Curse... I..." The child''s voice sounded a lot more clear. I looked around to see that servants were busy walking in and out of the main hall to notice me. I took in a deep breath as I started to sneak my way around the palace. I headed toward the child''s voice as I continued to glance around, making sure to avoid any servants. If anyone caught me, I would just say that I got lost. Still, the Northern Sea Palace was a very beautiful place as coral reefs, smooth shells, pearls and gems decorated the place. I kept passing by rooms which had huge doors. After a while of wandering, I finally reached a room by an isolated area behind what seemed to be a concubine''s quarters. I opened the door and inside was a plain room. It resembled one of a poor mortal''s that I saw when I went down to the mortal world. There was a bed by the corner and a small wooden desk by another. The drapes that hung over the bed looked old as there were rips in them. My eyes trailed to the middle of the room where I saw a hologram diamond spinning. I closed the door behind me as I walked up to the diamond. I tapped on it.
Lost data found! Restore data?
Yes No
I tapped the yes button.
During the restoration process, lost data can only be restored in first person point of view. Do you still want to restore data?
Yes No
Oh my gosh, yes just hurry up!
Data being restored! Restoring in 3... 2... 1...
I felt that invisible hand force my eyelids to go down as I felt my conscious being slipped away once more. ~ Hmm... what''s this... I stirred in my sleep. I still needed to rest in order to recover my soul. DING! DING! DING! Gosh! Just stop notifications! I need to sleep. I opened my eyes just a tad bit to see a screen flashing at me.
New Quest Update! Quest description: Go through a trial! Difficulty Level: Unknown Reward: Dependent on results of the trial. Would you like to accept the quest?
Yes No
Hmm? A trial. "No..." I croaked out and closed my eyes. Just as I was about to fall asleep again... DING! DING! DING! Uggh... fine! Just shut up! "Yes!" my voice cracked as I yelled it out. The dinging stopped as I felt myself falling back to sleep. Ah... what''s this? Why does my body feel so uncomfortable in this position? I turned my body and then I felt myself getting slapped in the face with water. I open my eyes to find myself in the pond. No! I tried to swim back up but a force kept pulling me down. Ahh! Air! I need air! I grabbed my throat. Ahhhh! I felt this burning sensation on the center of my forehead. What was going on? Why am I in such pain?! I tried to reach for my forehead but a force pulled my arms down. I gazed down to see a huge palace underneath me. What was I- ahh! The burning sensation got worse as I felt the skin peeling away on my forehead. What was hap- huh? What''s going on? Where is this? What am I doing? Who... am I? Chapter I "Cu Xing," I felt Teacher''s fan hit my head. "Ah!" "Pay attention," he ordered. "Yes," I obeyed. "Where are your thoughts today?" he tapped my head with his fan. I put the bamboo scroll down. "Teacher." "Yes?" "Teacher... when am I going to get big like you?" my limbs were still short. "Cu Xing, you are still a child. Celestial Beings like us take at least 50,000 years to grow into a form resembling a young mortal adult." "Why does it take so long?" "Because our bodies take much longer to develop due to our longer lifespan. Why do you want to grow up so fast anyway?" he bent down so he was looking at me eye to eye. "Because... Mother''s body aches... but I don''t have enough strength to massage her. I feel bad," Mother is getting fatter each day. The doctor says it''s because she''s pregnant and that I will be going to get a younger sibling soon. I didn''t want any more siblings. They hurt me a lot. I don''t want to get hit or called bad names anymore. "Cu Xing," Teacher smiled as he patted my head, "you are a very good daughter. Your mother must be very happy to have a daughter like you." Happy? Was mother happy? She never looked happy at me. "Cu Xing, why don''t you smile more? If you smile more then your mother would be happy seeing how happy her daughter is." Smile? I touched my cheek. No. I shook my head. "No... I''m fine," I said. A chime echoed throughout the palace and I stood up from my chair. I gave my Teacher a bow. "Thank you, Teacher. I will see you tomorrow." "Alright, I will see you tomorrow. It will be your birthday, right?" "Huh?" that''s right, "yes. It''s my birthday tomorrow." "How old are you turning?" "10,000 years old." "That''s good. Teacher will bring you something nice," he patted my head, "and, Cu Xing, what do you say before you leave?" "Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself," I recited. He nodded his head. "Good job! You can get going now," he gestured toward the door. I didn''t want to leave... but I know that Teacher is busy. I gave him another bow before walking out the door. I looked around and saw no one. This was a good sign. I started to run back to my room. Ah! I fell to the ground as I hit someone. I rubbed my forehead and when I looked up I saw my thirteenth and fourteenth brother looking down at me. "I am sor-" before I could finish thirteenth stomped down on my feet. I clenched my teeth so that I wouldn''t scream. If I screamed, then they would get meaner. "Damn cursed brat. How dare you run into me?!" thirteenth brother hissed as he glared at me with his yellow eyes. I stood up and I bowed to him. "I''m sorry. I''m sorry," I kept bowing my head. "Do you even mean it?" thirteenth kicked me on my shoulder as I fell back, "you always sound so emotionless! Do you even mean it?!" "Older brother, please stop," I watched as fourteenth brother held onto his arm, "let''s get going, older brother! Forget her," Fourteenth brother pushed him forward. Thirteenth glared at me as they stepped over me and walked away. Fourteenth turned back and in his green eyes shone a pitiful look but he didn''t do anything. He never did. I picked myself up from the ground as I patted the dirt off my plain robes. "Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself," I whispered to myself as I limped back to my room. I returned to my mother''s quarters without much trouble. My mother''s quarters was located the farthest from any of the important halls. I looked inside and when I didn''t see anyone I took a step inside. "What are you doing?!" I stood in place as I heard my mother''s voice. My hands were shaking, but I told myself everything will be alright. I turned around and made sure that I didn''t make any faces. I bowed. "Greetings, concubine mother," I bowed. I made sure to have no emotions in my voice. Mother has taught me to speak this way. If I didn''t... I kept my eyes on the ground. "You wench... you dare to walk into my room? You want to die?!" before I knew it I ended up on the ground, my cheek stinging with pain, "what have you ever done to help me?!" a foot landed in the spot that thirteenth brother kicked earlier and I fell backward. "You useless child! You curse! If it wasn''t because of you, His Highness would''ve visited me more often! This is all your fault! You have no right to be happy! You have no right to any feelings! You ruined my life!" I put my arms up to cover my face. It hurts! It hurts! It hurts! "Your Highness," Zhang Bing called out as she came to grab my mother, "please calm down Your Highness, it''s not good for the baby if you act like this." "Zhang Bing, drag her out of here! Hurry! Get her out of my sight!" my mother screamed. I felt Zhang Bing''s puffy hand grab my wrist. "Princess, leave," she pulled me up and pushed me out of the room. I watched as she closed the doors to my mother''s room. It was alright. I was used to this. I wanted to take a shortcut through Mother''s room so I can get to my room faster, but this was alright. "Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself," I muttered to myself. I walked around my mother''s quarters for an hour before reaching my small room. It usually only took about half an hour but it took longer as I dragged my feet along with me. I pushed the squeaky door open and walked up to my bed. This room used to be a servant''s room, but now it belonged to me. It may be small and a bit dirty, but it was my haven. Here, I was safe. My vision started to get blurry and I wiped my eyes. I wasn''t sad, my eyes were just tired. I thought to myself. "Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself," I told myself again. Teacher is always right. I need to listen to him. - I woke up the next morning and carried my favorite doll with me. Zhang Bing told me that mother made this doll for me before I was born. Usually, I kept this doll by my bedside but today I wanted to show my mother. The robes on the doll were starting to wear off as holes were starting to form. I wanted to ask her to sew it up for me. I stood in front of her door and waited. Since she was pregnant she had what the healer called morning sickness. So, her schedule was a little bit unpredictable these days. After two hours, the doors opened and I stood up. My legs felt a bit numb from sitting on the cold ground, but I felt fine. I made sure to stay behind the line that separated her room to the palace as I held onto the doll tightly. My mother saw me and her golden brown eyes shot me with hatred. I knew I made her life bad. I knew I deserved this... but I just wanted her to sew my doll. Is it okay for me to be just a little selfish? It should be right? It''s my birthday today... other princes and princesses received birthday ceremonies but I just want the clothes on my doll to be resewn... it should be alright... right? "What are you doing there?!" she yelled, "take her away, Zhang Bing." "P-princess," Zhang Bing rushed up to me. "Mother," I got on my knees, "mother... do you know what today is?" Zhang Bing paused before moving away so I could see her. My mother glared at me. "Go away! What are you doing, Zhang Bing?" "Mother... today is my birthday," I held up the doll, "can you... fix the robes on this doll for me?" I saw her get up from her seat as she approached me. She snatched the doll out of my hand and looked at it for a couple seconds. She turned back to me and smiled. I gently tapped my thigh. I made her smile. If mother is happy, then I am happy. "You want me to resew the robes on this doll as your birthday gift?" she asked. I nodded my head. She gave me another smile as she bent down. "You," the look in her eyes changed as her smile disappeared, "you don''t get to ask these things!" she tore the doll apart as she threw its body on the ground. "My do-" "Who do you think you are?!" she pushed me back, "you are a curse! That mark on your forehead tells everyone you are curse! I should''ve never given birth to you!" she continued to scream but I didn''t pay attention. I reached for the broken doll. I grabbed the broken halves and held them to my chest. My doll... my doll... I looked back at my mother who continued to yell at me. Her blue hair came down as it became loose from all her shaking as she continued to point at me. I just stood up from kneeling and walked away.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself. Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself. Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself," I kept repeating to myself. My hands were trembling as I continue on my way to class. "Hehe... who do we have here?" I heard a high pitch voice call out, "stop," the voice ordered but I continued walking as I mumbled to myself. "Stop!" the voice yelled but I kept ignoring her. I heard footsteps behind me and then I felt nails dig into my shoulder. I turned around and hit the hand away. My eyes landed on a female who was wearing a light pink robe engraved with golden flower stitchings. Her brown hair was tucked into a headdress as her long earrings dangled up and down. I wanted to pull those earrings down. Her purple eyes looked at me with mockery as she pushed my shoulder back. Behind her were two maids who gave me the same look. She was a witch. A witch that has tormented me all my life. "You dare to ignore me?" she narrowed her eyes at me. "Leave me alone," I turned back to head to class. I didn''t want to deal with her but she pulled me back. "I''m talking to you here!" she hissed. "I don''t want to talk to you right now. Let me go," I shrugged her off. Why can''t she just leave me alone? She didn''t seem happy as she slapped me across the face. I fell to the ground and dropped my doll as I touched my cheek. "You damn cursed wench dare to ignore me? Huh? What''s this?" I turned to see she was picking the doll up from the ground. "Give it back," I launched myself at her. She took a step back and I fell to the ground. I picked myself back up. That doll was mother''s gift to me. She held the doll up in the air. She was too tall for me and even if I jumped I couldn''t reach it. "Wench," she pushed me back, "I picked this up from the ground. It''s mine now." "Liar! It''s mine! Give it back!" I yelled. "Oh ho ho! You''re finally showing some feelings," she held the torn up doll up to her face and gave me a wicked smile, "since it''s mine. If you want it, then you have to give me something in exchange." "Give it back to me!" I pushed her but she didn''t even budge. "If you really want it back, then give me something in exchange... or else, I will burn it," she threatened. I nodded my head. "Wh-what do you want?" "Hehe... kowtow to me," she looked down at me. Kowtow? Me? But we are both princesses... we don''t kowtow to anyone other than our imperial father, empress, and our mother. "You don''t want to?" her harsh voice pierced through my thoughts. "Older sister, we are both princesses. How can I kowtow to you?" I hoped she''d reconsider. "You? You think you''re a princess? Hahaha!" she laughed and her servants laughed with her, "she thinks she is a princess... Hahahaha! Hahaha!" she took a breath before bending down. She grabbed me by my collar and looked at me with disgust. "You are not a princess," she hissed, "you are a useless waste of a person. You are a curse! Hahaha! You are the daughter of a whore!" she screamed and that was when I had it. "Stop," I yelled, "you can insult me all you want... but you can''t insult my mother!" "Hahaha... why? What are you going to do? I am the Imperial King''s favorite daughter... you are the whore''s daughter who he doesn''t glance toward. If you do anything to hurt me, your mother will have to bear the consequences... So, I dare you to do something, I dare you!" she taunted. Mother... I can''t have Mother be hurt anymore. Hold it in, Cu Xing. Do what teacher says. Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself. "Alright. I will kowtow then," I got on my knees. She chuckled. "Hmph! You''re just a whore''s daughter. It''s only right that you kowtow to me you ugly wench," and that was when I had enough as rage filled my conscience. I lunged up from where I was and I pulled her robes down. She let out a yelp as I pulled on her hair and snatched the long dangling earring from her ear. I pulled down with all my might and I saw blood gush out of her ear as I fell back. I looked at the earring in my hand and felt a sense of satisfaction. She deserved it. For these 10,000 years I''ve been alive, she has tormented me to no end. She deserved all of this! "You cursed brat!" she cried as she held onto her ear. One of her maids ripped off a piece of her robe and pressed it on the witch''s ear. The other one walked up to me. "You dare to hurt our princess!" she screamed as she kicked me in the gut. I felt the breath get knocked out me as I wrapped my arms around my stomach. "You brat!" she continued to kick me as I tried to protect myself. "What is going on here?!" a low voice roared throughout the hall. I felt shaken to the very core. The maid stop hitting me. "Your Highness," she and the other maid quickly said. "Imperial Father! You must help me! Look what she has done to me!" I heard the witch cry as she ran past me. I put my arms down and turned my head. I saw my father''s deep blue eyes staring me down. I took in breaths to calm myself down. I looked around to see the other princes and princesses surrounding us. "What happened here?!" he demanded. "Younger sister dropped her doll. So, I picked it up and tried to give it to her but she just pulled off my earring. I didn''t do anything wrong! I don''t know why she did that!" she spouted nonsense. You''re a liar! I wanted to scream but my voice was caught in my throat. My hands started to tremble. I felt like I couldn''t breathe as I started to pant for air. I heard whispers around me. Stop! Shut your mouths! "Cu Xing," my father called out, "why did you pull out your sister''s earring?" "I... I..." say something, Cu Xing. Say... ah... I can''t breathe... someone help me... anyone... please! I grabbed my chest. "Cu Xing?" I heard Teacher call out. I looked up to see Teacher walking toward me. "Cu Xing, what happened?" he bent down. "T-teacher..." I could barely utter. "It''s true, Imperial Father! You must bring justice to me!" she pulled father''s sleeve. I tried to shake my head but I couldn''t move. "Oh no! Look at that birthmark on her forehead! No royal child has ever had that before? She must be a curse!" "You''re a curse! Why did you have to be born?" "You deserve to get hit! You useless piece of trash!" "You are a disgrace to our family!" "Kill her! Let''s kill her!" "Die!" People''s voices echoed through my head. "Cu Xing?" I saw a hand reaching out toward me and I pushed it away. "Don''t touch me!" I yelled. I looked up to see Teacher''s shocked light blue eyes look back at me. "T-teacher... I didn''t mean t-" "Punish her! It''s must be her fault!" Thirteenth blurted out. "Yes! Punish her!" my other siblings started to yell out! "Mei Lan!" a deafening scream came out. I looked behind Teacher to see the witch''s mother running toward us. She turned the witch''s head to face her as she looked her up and down. "My precious daughter! Who dare do this to my precious daughter?!" "Concubine mother!" she cried, "she did this to me. She did!" the witch pointed to me. Her mother turned her head and gave me a look of death. "You dare to do this to my daughter! Do you want to die?!" her face was red with fury, "Your Highness, please get justice for Mei Lan." "Your Highness!" I heard my mother called out from behind me. She stopped by my side and gave my father a bow. "Yu Nen!" the witch''s mother hissed, "how are you going to take responsibility for this?" "Wh-what happened?" "Your brat ripped my precious daughter''s earring out causing her ear to get ripped! How are you going to take responsibility for this?" I looked up to see my mother staring down at me. Her eyes burned with hatred. No... I didn''t want this to happen. I didn''t mean for this to happen! "Yu Nen," my father started, "how have you been raising Cu Xing that she acts like this toward her older sibling?" No! Don''t do this! "Y-your Highness... this i-" I forced myself to stand. I continued to pant for air and my knees shook but I couldn''t burden my mother anymore. It was my fault for being born. I am a curse. "Imperial... Father," I pushed my voice out, "it''s all my fault. It''s not concubine mother Shi''s fault. Older Sister Mei Lan and concubine mother Han, please forgive me. I''m sorry. It''s all my fault," I bowed. "You..." the witch''s mother could barely contain herself. Why? I apologized. "You don''t even sound sorry! Are you mocking us?!" huh? No... I really mean it... but... how do I sound like I mean it? I''ve always spoken like this. If I spoke differently mother would hit me... how does someone speak correctly? "No. That is not my intentions. I''m really sorry. Please forgive me," I got on my knees and kowtowed. "You are mocking us! You''re not sorry at all! Your Highness, please get justice for Mei Lan! She did nothing to deserve this! Please help us!" she cried. No... your daughter deserved it! She... she hurt me! She has tormented me for 10,000 years! I get slapped! I get kicked! I get insulted! I wanted to say something... but I couldn''t. How could I retaliate? My own mother treats me the same way... so I probably deserve to get treated this way. Right? "Imperial Father! Please help me! Mei Lan didn''t do anything wrong!" the witch continued to lie. "Your Highness, I suggest that to help Mei Lan''s ear heal and repair itself to the way it was, we take five of her scales. Please, hear my cry for justice!" her mother said. I froze. Five dragon scales? I was a Celestial Seadragon. Our scales and blood are known for being a miracle remedy but only works if the owner of the scales takes off the scales themselves. If someone else takes it off, then they will get poisoned due to the body''s reaction. Taking scales off are also very painful, and some say it is a pain worst than death. Each year a new scale is grown, but one scale equals 500 years of cultivation. She wanted me to give up 2,500 years of cultivation for her daughter''s ear? I... I... "Cu Xing," my father called out and I felt the hair on my neck stand from the coldness of his voice, "everyone must pay for the wrong they do. You hurt your older sister without reason. You deserve to get punished... but you are young. So, I will ask that your mother take off five scales instead." Huh? No... not mother! I stood up and shook my head. "No," my voice shook but I continued, "m-mother is pregnant. Doing that to her will affect her pregnancy. I will take off five scales. It is my punishment. I will accept it," the lower half of my body transformed into my animal form. I looked at my scales which were a deep blue color. I was still young so the scales were also small. I placed my hand over one of the scales and closed my eyes. I started pulling my scale out of its place. Ahhhh! I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from screaming. I felt sweat trickling down my face. It hurts! It hurts! Ahhh! The scale finally came off and I looked down to see blood trickling down my tail. I placed the scale on the ground and continued. Ahh! I started to feel light headed. I threw the second one on the floor. The taste of iron filled my mouth as blood gushed through the wound on my cheek. Then the third. Then the fourth. And then the fifth. My hand was now sticky with blood as the lower half of my body turned back into legs. I felt like throwing up but I pressed my lips together so the blood wouldn''t escape. I got my knees and gave the witch another kowtow. I forced myself to swallow my blood. "Please... forgive... me..." I breathed out. I heard footsteps as someone picked the scales up from the ground. "The punishment is done... Yu Nen... I''m disappointed in how you''ve been raising her... let''s go," my father ordered. I looked up to see him give a glance of disapproval to mother before turning, and walking away. Everyone else also left the hallway. It was just Teacher, my mother, Zhang Bing, and me. I turned to face my mother. "Mo-" before I could get anything out I fell back. My cheek burned with pain. "You useless child! Look at the problems you''ve caused me! Why did you have to be born?! Why?!" she yelled. "Your Highness," Zhang Bing held my mother back. "Don''t let me see your cursed face anymore! Go die! Go do whatever you want... just don''t appear in front of me ever again!" she screamed, "Zhang Bing... let''s go." "Y-yes, Your Highness," I heard their footsteps walk away. My head spun uncontrollably as I tried to stay awake. "Cu Xing," I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder and I looked up to see Teacher. "Teacher... I didn''t do anything wrong... she''s started it... please believe me," I tried to explain, "she took my doll... she told me to kowtow to her... she offended my mother... I couldn''t let her insult my mother... please... believe me..." "Cu Xing," Teacher looked at me with sad eyes as he pulled me in for a hug, "Teacher believes you. Teacher... believes you," he rubbed my back. Teacher''s touch was the only gentle touch I''ve ever felt... if Teacher believed me... then I was alright... I... was... alright... Chapter II "I won''t leave until you accept me as your disciple!" I looked in front of me to see a female on her knees, bowing to an older male. The male had long white hair and blue eyes. "I already trained for 3,000 years the way you told me to! You said you will accept me if I manage to defeat your fourteenth disciple in a sparring match. Now that I''ve fulfilled your requirements, you must keep your words and accept me as a disciple," the female kept arguing. The male looked down at her with a little annoyance in his eyes. "You," his voice was serene, "what is your name?" "My name? Hmm... I just go by Magpie." "Magpie? Why?" "Because I am a magpie." "Hmm... alright. I will accept you as my fifteenth disciple of Cui Yun Mountain. From this day on your name will be... XXX XXX XXX" huh? What was her name? Why couldn''t I hear him? "Thank you, master!" the female kowtowed to him, "I, XXX XXX XXX, will be faithful and follow Master to the end," she announced. "Good. Follow me," the male gestured to the huge gate door behind him. "Yes," the female giggled as she stood up and started to walk inside. "Wait!" I called out to them, "what is your name? What is your name?" I kept asking but it didn''t seem like they heard me. I ran after them but their figure just grew smaller and smaller. "What is your name?!" - I opened my eyes to see the cracked ceiling of my bedroom. I turned my head and saw Teacher sitting at my desk. My throat felt dry and my body ached. "Tea... cher?" my voice was hoarse and barely audible. Somehow he managed to hear me as he turned his head. "Cu Xing!" he got up from my desk and walked over to me, "you have been sleeping for two weeks already," he helped me sit up. "Teacher... I''m thirsty..." I licked my chapped lips. "Thirsty? Here," he handed me a cup of water. I took the warm cup in my hand. The liquid touched my tongue and quenched my throat. I couldn''t help it as I downed the whole cup. I handed the cup back to Teacher and he smiled as he refilled it. "You know," he handed the cup to me as I drank it, "while you were asleep your concubine mother gave birth." I choked on the liquid and started to cough. Teacher gently hit my back as he grabbed the cup from my hand. "A... baby?" I asked. "Yes," he wiped the tea off my chin, "a baby girl." "Girl... what''s her name?" "Princess Wei Xing." "Wei... Xing..." I felt the syllables roll off my tongue. I didn''t know how to feel. Should I be happy? "Cu Xing," I felt my teacher touch my shoulder and I looked up. "Yes?" "Cu Xing, what has teacher always told you?" "Told me?" I repeated before understanding, "Teacher has always told me to forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself." "That''s right. Are you going to follow what teacher says?" "For what?" "For Princess Mei Lan," I felt like puking when I heard her name. My heart rumbled with rage. "I... don''t... know..." I answered honestly. "Cu Xing," Teacher looked at me intently, "why? Why can''t you follow what teacher says regarding Princess Mei Lan?" "Because..." all the memories of that witch ever hurting me flashed through my mind, "I''ve... she''s..." I couldn''t make out any words. Teacher doesn''t know how they treated me... and I didn''t tell him because I knew he would bring it up to my father and mother. This could cause mother to be in more pain. I didn''t want to see her sad anymore. "Cu Xing," his voice was gentle, "do you know that no matter what Princess Mei Lan did that day, you were also in the wrong?" he asked. I was wrong? Why was I wrong? "Why? What did I do wrong?" "Cu Xing... you ripped off her earring and caused her to be injured." "But she threatened me with my doll to kowtow to her." "Still, you shouldn''t have ripped out her earring." "Then... what does Teacher think about my punishment? Just for a ripped ear, her mother demanded five of my scales causing me to lose 2,500 years of cultivation. I''m only 10,000 years old and I already lost a quarter of my cultivation. Imperial Father said that everyone must pay for the wrong they do... but for a mere flesh wound I paid so much... was this fair, Teacher?" I questioned. I wanted to know. Teacher had a conflicted look on his face. "Cu Xing..." he bit his lip, "Teacher can''t give you an answer," he looked down. He let out a small sigh before looking back up at me. "But Teacher knows that if you forgive her, you will feel better. We all must learn how to forgive in order to become better people. You must give her another chance. Be kind, Cu Xing. One day, you will be rewarded for your good deeds," he smiled. I see... if Teacher says so, then it must be true. "I understand. I will forgive her. I will give her another chance. I will be kind," I responded. "You are a great person," he patted my head, "Princess Mei Lan is only 15,000 older than you. You are both still young and there is still time to bond with each other. Teacher will go fetch some food and medicine for you so be a good girl and stay in bed," he stood up and walked out the door. I watched as his figure got smaller and smaller. Teacher... I did say I was going to forgive... but how could I ever forget? How could we ever bond with each other? - After I recovered from that incident, things changed. I didn''t need to walk to the classroom anymore as Teacher came to my room to teach me instead. He would also bring me my meals when he came and when he didn''t show up, Zhang Bing would deliver them instead. So, I didn''t need to step outside my room much other than to practice my martial arts skills or take walks. My mother was also happier. She was smiling more often but it was not me that made her happy. It was my younger sister. She showered Wei Xing with more love than she ever gave me. Not only this, but I was not allowed to go near Wei Xing at all. She didn''t want me to pass my unluckiness to her. I thought it was a good choice because I didn''t really know how to act around my younger sister... nor did I like her that much either. Her birthday was three days after mine and she always got a grand celebration being the twenty-seventh and youngest princess of the palace. My other siblings treated her well also... unlike the way they treated me. When I asked my Teacher about it, he just told me it was because they liked to bicker with me more. I didn''t know bickering included so many insults and hits but if Teacher said so, then it must be true. - When Wei Xing was 4,999 years old, she came to my room without permission. I didn''t tell her to get out because I didn''t care. I just continued to work on my embroidery. I didn''t like to sew as I preferred reading and practicing my martial arts. Although I knew I couldn''t use my martial arts against anyone in the palace, I felt a bit better knowing that I can defend myself or mother if anything ever happened. Teacher said that my martial arts skills were advanced for my age, but I felt he probably just said it to be kind. I''m not good at anything. Mother told me so. Teacher also said my comprehension skills from reading was good but Teacher wanted me to also work on my other skills, so he has banned me from reading and practicing martial arts for the time being. "Older sister," she called out. I turned my head and looked at her. Her limbs were still short and a bit chubby as she resembled a mortal toddler. She looked at me with bright golden brown eyes and her blue hair was tied up in pigtails. "Are you talking to me?" I asked. Throughout that whole time she had lived, I barely interacted with her due to our mother''s restrictions. She nodded her head. "Older sister," she smiled, "I really like your embroidery. Can you make me a handkerchief?" "A handkerchief?" I wondered why she wanted one from me. "Yes!" her smile almost left her chubby cheeks. "Sure," I agreed. There was no reason for me to say no. "Yay!" "What do you want on it?"Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. "I want a Bai Yu flower on it!" "Bai Yu flower?" I never heard of it before. "Yes! The other day, Zhang Bing took me into town and I saw it! It''s really pretty! It''s blue and purple! I really like it!" she started going on and on about her trip but I stopped listening. "Choose another flower," I said, "I''ve never seen that flower so I can''t embroider it for you." Her bright eyes lost their light and her smile turned upside down. "B-b-but I want the Bai Yu flower!" her lower lip overlapped her top one. "But I''ve never seen it. How can I make it for you, if I''ve never seen it?" "Can''t you just go into town and look at it? Please?!" she begged. Go into town? But mother would never let someone like me go into town. She was already hated for giving birth to a cursed princess. If I showed up to town then she would be even more ridiculed. "If you don''t want to choose another flower, then I can''t help you," I turned my head back to my embroidery. I heard sniffling and ignored it. After a couple seconds, the sniffling turned into a huge cry. I dropped my embroidery down as I turned my head to see her bawling. I ran up to her and covered her mouth. If mother heard then I would definitely get hit for this. "Shhh," I hushed her. She shook her head as she said something but I couldn''t understand because of her muffled voice. I slowly moved my hand away from her mouth. "I won''t stop crying until you make me my handkerchief!" she cried and I quickly placed my hand over her mouth again. "Alright, alright! I will make you your handkerchief so stop crying!" I urged. Her dim eyes lit up again and she smiled. I moved my hand away. "Really, older sister?" she asked. "Really," I swallowed my saliva. She cheered up immediately and I started to wipe the tears off her face. I didn''t want mother to know she had been crying. "Older sister, I love you," she suddenly jumped into my arms. She wrapped her short arms around my neck and giggled into my ear. I was taken by surprise. What''s this? L-l-love? I pulled her off of me and stood up. "You should go. I need to study," I turned my back to her. "Ohh... alright! See you tomorrow!" I heard her little footsteps waddle out the room. How could she love me? I am a curse... nobody loves me... so how could she? I touched my chest as I could still feel her warm embrace. I tapped my thigh. - The next day, I woke up early to go see my mother. I stood outside her gate and kept my eyes on the ground. When the doors opened I got on my knees and kowtowed to her before standing up. Through my peripheral vision, I didn''t see Wei Xing so I concluded that she probably was with Zhang Bing somewhere. "What are you doing here?" my mother hissed. I hadn''t talked to her since that incident with Mei Lan. She seemed more content without me in the picture and I didn''t want to destroy her happiness any more than I already did. "Concubine mother," I swallowed my nervous saliva, "can I... go into town?" "Go into town?! Are you crazy?!" she yelled. I had expected this reaction. "I... I have never set foot outside of the palace... so... I just want to go see how our kingdom is," I felt my lips go dry. "You want to see how the kingdom is? Do you want to bring more shame to me?!" she screamed. I got on my knees. "Please," I kowtowed to her. "Y-you... even if I let you go who is going to accompany you?! You have no maids to look after you and no one to guard you!" she was right. Throughout all these years of living, my Imperial Father nor mother ever gifted me any maids. All I had was Teacher and myself... but I couldn''t ask Teacher. He had already done so much for me. "I can take her," I heard Teacher''s voice. I heard his light footsteps walk next to me as I raised my head. "Your Highness, if you are that worried, then I can take her." "Y-you?" "Yes. I am her teacher and I am also a retired general. I also know the town well so we won''t get lost," he proposed. There was a moment of silence before I heard my mother click her tongue. "Do what you guys want then. I don''t care," she turned and walked away. After a moment, I felt hands on my upper arms helping me up. "Let''s go, Cu Xing. Your mother already gave us permission," he smiled. I nodded my head. "Thank you, Teacher," I bowed. He came to my rescue, again. "No need to thank me. I''m your teacher, so naturally, I should help you out," he patted my head. I tapped my thigh gently. - Before leaving I changed my robes into male robes and tied a headband on to conceal the birthmark on my forehead. If anyone saw they would immediately be able to guess that I was the fifteenth princess of the Northern Sea. I''m not sure how they would treat me then... but I didn''t want to find out. I also wore a cloak just in case. I saw that Teacher didn''t use any disguise and when I asked why, he just said that he had been off the radar for too long so no one would recognize him in town. - The town was noisy. There were stalls up and fairies bantering here and there. In the middle of the town was a pathway made with blue bricks that seemed to be the main road as transactions took place there. I could also smell a nice scent of food lurking in the town. It was definitely a different scent compared to the palace. "Cu Xing," I turned to Teacher, "why did you want to come to town today?" "I... I want to see the Bai Yu flower." "Bai Yu flower?" "Yes." "Hmm... you have never been into flowers. Why the sudden interest?" he asked. "Uh... someone asked me to embroider a handkerchief for her with the Bai Yu flower. I told her I was going to do it but I had to come to town first to see how it looks like." "Someone? Oh... I see." "Teacher." "Yes?" "Do you know where Bai Yu flowers bloom in town?" "Yes. Let me lead you there," he held out his hand. I stared at it and he kept holding it out. Did he want something from me? "What do you want, Teacher?" I was confused. He let out a small laugh. "Give me your hand, Cu Xing. The town''s pretty big. Teacher wouldn''t want to lose you out here," he chuckled. Oh... I read about this in books before where parents would hold their children''s hand so they don''t get lost. I tapped my thigh with one hand and placed my other small one in his big one. He held my hand with a firm grip as he started pulling me through town. We reached a bridge which had a river running beneath it. I was amazed at the sight. It was a bit weird how we were in the sea yet there were still rivers running through the town. When I asked Teacher about it he just told me that there was a barrier around the town to keep the water from coming through so that visitors can come to visit our kingdom. It was strange but I didn''t think much of it. "If we cross this bridge then we should be able to see Bai Yu flowers on the other side of town," he informed. I nodded my head, understanding. When we were crossing the bridge, I suddenly heard voices yelling out. "You stupid girl! Get out of here! You are cursed!" a boy yelled out. I froze. Were they talking about me? "Yeah, it''s all your fault that your family died! Now you''re going to come here and ruin our neighborhood?! Just go die!" another boy screamed. "Stop..." a small voice whimpered. I felt my heart stirred in pain as I heard her voice. I let go of Teacher''s hand as I ran toward the scene. "C-cu Xing!" he called out to me but I just kept running. I turned behind a house to see a small alley. Inside the alley, I saw two boys ganging up on a girl. One of them wore orange robes and the other one wore yellow robes. "Stop," I walked up to them. They turned around and gave me dirty looks. It was fine, I was used to getting looked that way. The orange-robed one narrowed his eyes at me as he walked up to me. He was a head taller than me and he had a mole underneath the corner of his left eye. He stared me down. I felt my heartbeat increase, but I told myself to stand my ground. He was not thirteenth brother. I didn''t need to be scared. I didn''t need to hold back if he did anything. "Who are you?" he hissed as the other one glared at me behind him. "Don''t you think you two are a bit cowardly here ganging up on one girl?" I taunted. "Huh? Cowardly?" they both laughed before the orange-robed boy grabbed me by my collar, "if you don''t want to get hurt, then I suggest that you quietly go on your way... do you understand?" his disgusting breath went through my nose and I felt like puking. I grabbed his wrist. "The same thing could be said to you," I retorted. His eyes grew as I saw veins popped up on his forehead. "Yo-" he opened his mouth and yelled but before he could get anything out I twisted my body. I threw him over my shoulder. He hit the floor and let out a yelp. I pulled his arm up and stepped on his shoulder. "Zhi Yan!" the yellow-robed ran toward me and I raised my arm. I gripped my fingers around his neck. He froze as he stared down my arm. "Leave... or else things will start to get really bad here," I warned as I threw the orange robe''s arm to the ground and let go of the yellow robe. Yellow robe ran past me to help orange robe up. "You... I will remember this," orange robe glared before the two left the alley. I watch to make sure they leave the alley before I turned around. I looked down to see a girl covering her face. Her purple hair was tangled and unkempt. Her brown robes were ripped and had holes everywhere as they revealed her bony calves and arms. "Please... don''t hurt me," she sniffled. I pulled off my cloak as I bent down and wrapped it around her. She flinched at my sudden touch as she backed away. "It''s alright," I tried to calm her. I was worried though because my emotionless tone has caused me many troubles... but it was the only way I knew how to speak... otherwise mother... She brought her arms down and peeked up behind them. I saw frightened blue eyes stare back at me. "You''re... not going to... hurt me?" she asked me. I shook my head. "Why would I hurt you? I just saved you," I pulled her up from the ground as she continued to cover her face. "Cu Xing," I heard Teacher walk into the alley behind me, "don''t go running away without me!" he lectured. I bowed my head. "I''m sorry," I apologized. I didn''t ask first because I had a feeling that Teacher wouldn''t let me come. It was also easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. "Thank... you..." I heard the girl mumbled. I turned my attention back to her to see her still covering her face with her hand. "What are you doing here?" I was curious about this girl as I remembered the boys calling her a curse. "I... I don''t have a home... so I stay here..." "You don''t have a home?" "I..." her eyes welled up and I didn''t want to push any further. "You... what is your name?" "My... name?" "Yes." "I... don''t have a name..." "You don''t have a name?" "Yes... but my surname is... Jiao." "Jiao..." my eyes trailed behind her to see a flower on the ground behind her. The flower glistened with colors. The petals were blue as the seeds in the middle were a deep purple. It was mesmerizing, yet had a sad atmosphere to it. Somehow, I knew that flower was the Bai Yu flower that Wei Xing wanted me to embroider for her. "You," I turned my attention back to the girl, "do you want to come with me?" "Eh? Come with... you? Why... why would... you want me? Are you... going sell me?" she trembled. "No. I just saved you, why would I want to sell you?" "Ah... sorry..." "Don''t be. You did nothing wrong." "Sir... I don''t think I can come with you..." she moved her hand away to reveal her face. Half of her cheek was covered in red burn marks. "Look... I''m cursed... I''m thankful for your help... but I don''t want to burden you any longer..." a tear rolled down her burned cheek. I raised my hand up and lightly touch it. "Sir!" she backed away, "don''t... it''s dirty..." but I took a step closer. "No," I shook my head, "you are not dirty," I touch her bumpy red cheek. I wanted to smile for her... but my cheek started to feel a little tingly. I moved my hand back and untied my headband. "Sir?" "You... come with me," I held my hand out to her as I pulled away my headband. I wanted to help this girl, "I... can''t promise you I can protect you or give you a better life than this... but, I will be there for you," her eyes landed to the center of my forehead. She let out a small gasp. "Th-t-that," her finger pointed to my birthmark, "y-y-you a-a-are..." "Shh," I hushed her and she pressed her lips together. She looked down at my hand and then back to my birthmark. Her eyebrows wriggled as she was unsure what to do. "Do you want to come with me?" I asked again. After another moment of contemplating, she nodded her head and took my hand. Despite her unkemptness, her hands were soft as I gripped it. "I... will come with you..." she mumbled. "Then... I will give you name," I stared back at the flowers behind her. "A name?" "Yes... your name will be, Jiao. Bai. Yu." "Jiao. Bai. Yu," she said each character carefully. Her eyes soften and she smiled. "Thank you..." she mumbled. I tapped my thigh and I felt grateful for meeting her. If I could save another person like myself, then that was all good. Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself. Chapter III I brought the girl back to the palace with me that day. Teacher was worried about whether or not this was going to be acceptable but he didn''t argue against me. When we returned to the palace I snuck her into my room as I didn''t want anyone else to know yet. She was shaking the whole time and I kept reassuring her that everything was going to be alright. When we were in my room I helped her change and bathe. There seemed to be a small layer of dirt stuck on her skin, and her hair took what seemed like years to untangle. Her pale skin also had old scars that resembled whip marks. I pretended not to notice them as I gave her a change of my old clothes as she was scarily thin and didn''t fit any of my current ones. "Bai Yu," I said as I tightened her sash. "Yes?" she asked. "How old are you?" "Me? I... am 20,000 years old." "Hmm... you are older than me," I put her hair up into a tight bun, "I''m only 14,999 years old." "Prin... princess... should you really be doing this? I... I am just a lowly peasant... I don''t think that you should be doing all this for me..." she looked up nervously at me. I tried to think of what Teacher did when I felt sad and then I patted her back. "Don''t worry... Bai Yu... I brought you here to stay with me. I am responsible for you. Tomorrow, we can go see my concubine mother together and ask if you can stay here with me. What do you think?" I asked. She nodded her head. I let out a small sigh of relief at her agreeing as I tilted her head up. "Pr-pr-princess!" she tried to resist but I shook my head as I took a good look at the red mark on her face. I brushed the tips of my fingers on it and she froze. "Bai Yu... how did you get this mark?" I turned her head to observe it. "I... I got it from... a Da Yan flame..." her voice was quiet and it trembled. "Da Yan flame?" I remembered Teacher talking about how the only flame in the world that can burn underwater is the Da Yan fire. It''s the strongest fire in the world and can burn anywhere. Teacher also said that people who are burned by the Da Yan fire will have a scar on their body forever... the only way to get rid of the scar is through strong and rare healing medicine. Strong and rare healing medicine? I brought my hand back and stared at it. I could see the blue veins running underneath due to my pale skin. I looked at the table and then back at my hand. "Pr-princess?" Bai Yu called out to me. I looked at her and I felt my heart sink. Due to this birthmark that barely took up half her face, she was called a curse and she believed it. Why must she be held back just because of this? It wasn''t fair! I walked to my table and in between my books, I pulled out a shard of glass. I wasn''t sure if my idea was going to work, but it was better than doing nothing. "Pr-princess?" Bai Yu called out again, but I ignored her. I pushed the sharp edge of the glass against my palm and drew a straight line. I clenched my teeth at the sharp pain as I watched the deep red blood slowly pour out. I set the glass shard on my desk and walked back to her. "Don''t worry. I''ll help you," I brought my bloody hand to her face. "Pr-princess!" she stopped me as she held onto my hand, "w-w-what are you doing?!" her eyes quivered. "I''m taking this mark off your face," I replied. She wrinkled her eyebrows. "B-b-but you are a princess... you only met me! You are royalty! You shouldn''t use your body like this!" "It''s my body. I can use it however I want." "Pr-princess! Why... are you so... kind towards me? Aren''t you afraid... that I''m a bad person? That I might hurt you in the future?" I set my clean hand on her shoulder. "Bai Yu..." I thought of what to say and bit my lip before opening my mouth again, "you... you are not a curse." Her eyes widened as she pressed her lips together. "Princess..." "And... if you do hurt me in the future... that''s alright. I''m helping you because I wanted to. I don''t ask for you to repay me," I nodded my head at her. She stared at me for a while but I feel her grip on my wrist loosened. I brought my hand to her cheek and rubbed my blood all around. After a moment, I saw the burn marks beginning to disappear as her cheek was smooth just like her other one. I pulled my hand back. I dipped a cloth in a bowl of my water and wiped the blood off her face to see the burn mark disappear as if it was never there. Thank goodness! I wrapped the cloth around my hand as I went to my desk again. In between my books I pulled out a copper mirror. There was a deep crack down the middle of the copper mirror. I pressed my lips together before handing the copper mirror to Bai Yu. "Look," I instructed. I watched as she held the copper mirror up to her face and her jaw dropped. She touched her cheek and then tears began to form. "Thi... thi... this is me?" she covered her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks. I tapped my thigh as I watched her. It was a good thing that I could help another being. Teacher''s teachings were correct. "Older sister!" a child''s voice cried out cheerfully. I turned to see Wei Xing standing at the doorway with a big smile on her face. "Older sister? Is this... Princess Wei Xing?" Bai Yu asked. "That''s right," I answered Bai Yu as I watched Wei Xing run inside. "Older sister!" she wrapped her arms around my legs as she giggled. I flinch, surprised for a moment, before I looked down at her unsure of what to do. She turned her head up to peek at me and then had this idiotic smile on her face. After a moment of contemplating, I just put my hand on top of her head. "What are you doing here?" I questioned as I stroked her soft hair that was put up into two buns. "I came to see older sister!" she held her arms up, "Older sister pick me up!" she requested. Pick her up? I took a step back and put my hands behind my back. "I know how a Bai Yu flower looks like now. I''ll embroider a handkerchief for you soon," I only replied. Her brows furrowed down as she looked at me with big eyes. Her arms slowly fell to her side. "Older sister... you don''t want to pick me up?" she whined. "You are a big girl now," I explained, "you shouldn''t ask for anyone to pick you up anymore." Her chin fell into her neck as she nodded her head. "Okay... I will listen to older sister," she nodded her head. She turned her head and her jaw dropped as she finally realized Bai Yu was in the room. "Wah! Who''s this?" she exclaimed. Bai Yu gave her a small smile. "She is... going to my servant soon. Her name is Jiao Bai Yu," I answered. "Bai Yu?" Wei Xing smiled as she waddled up to her, "Bai Yu... you really look like a Bai Yu! You are very pretty!" "Hehe... this one thanks Princess for your compliment," Bai Yu bowed her head. "You should return. I need to study," I interjected as I feared that mother might come looking for her. Wei Xing turned and looked at me for a long time.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Older sister," she gestured her stubby fingers for me to get closer to her. I didn''t understand what she was doing so I bent down and before I knew it she wrapped her arms around my neck. I stood up by instinct and noticing that she might fall I wrapped my arms around her. I heard her laugh as she pulled back and smiled at me. "I got you!" she smiled victoriously. "Are you playing tricks on me?" I couldn''t help narrow my eyes at her and she nodded like it was nothing, "Insolence," I scolded and she just shrugged her shoulders before she suddenly leaned closer to my face. I felt her lips touch my cheek as she moved back. "Older sister, I love you!" she declared with a smile. I looked at her with disbelief, unsure of what to do before I set her on the ground. "Hurry, leave," I rushed her and she just giggled before walking out. I bit my lip as I felt her warmth lingering behind. I tapped my thigh before turning my head to see Bai Yu looking at me with a gentle expression. "Your Highness..." she whispered. "What''s wrong?" I asked. She gave me a small smile and shook her head. "Nothing... nothing at all..." she shook her head. "Alright then... umm... do you know how to do embroidery?" I asked. She nodded her head. "Then... show me one of your work," I handed her the embroidery tin and she picked it up. "What does Your Highness want this one to embroider?" she held up a small piece of embroidery cloth. "Whatever you want," I replied. She nodded her head as she picked out some red thread and poked it into the needle. I watched her for a moment before returning to my desk. I picked up the glass shard and wiped the blood off with the cloth wrapped around my hand. Afterward, I put it back in place. I removed the cloth from my hand and look down to see the wound had already closed. I glanced back at Bai Yu to see her still working before I sat down on my desk. I picked up my unfinished embroidery as I continued to work on it. - Night soon came as we put our embroidery away. I grabbed an extra pillow from my small storage box and set it on the bed. I was starting to feel dizzy. It must''ve been a side effect from giving away my blood. "My room may be small but the bed is big enough to fit two people. We can sleep together," I said as I scooted to the inside of the bed. "No!" Bai Yu rejected, "this one is just a lowly peasant. How can this one share a bed with your royal highness?" she shook her head. "The floor is too hard and cold for you to sleep on it. It will only be for tonight because you will be getting your own room tomorrow." "No. This one doesn''t dare," she got on her knees. "Get up!" I said sternly as I remembered the bruises on her legs. Her eyes darted around the ground as she had a conflicted expression on her face but she stayed kneeling. I pressed my lips together before letting out a small sigh. "Bai Yu," I called out, "I already told you that I would take care of you." "But... this one..." "Are you... thinking that I''m dirty so you can''t share a bed with me?" "Huh? No! This one doesn''t think like that at all!" "Then hurry up and get up here already," I was growing impatient. The world started to spin even faster. "But..." "It''s an order!" I slammed my hand on the bed. She bit her lip for a second before she stood up. "Then... this one thanks your royal highness for your kindness," she gave me a deep bow before sliding in next to me. I nodded my head before laying down. As she laid down next to me I fixed the blanket so that it covered her thin body, leaving half of mine exposed. I didn''t mind it as I could keep myself heated using my chi energy. I turned to see Bai Yu''s trembling as sweat trickled down her face. "What''s wrong? Are you still cold? Do you need another blanket?" I asked. She shook her head. "No... this one is fine... this one is just..." her voice disappeared as she had a distant look in her eyes. "Bai Yu?" I said after a while. "Yes, Your Highness?" "Are you... curious about why I''m living like this even though I''m a princess?" "Huh? This one doesn''t dare to!" "Be honest... I won''t be angry." "Then... yes..." "I thought as much... when I was born... the palace was in chaos. My Imperial Father''s brother and sister-in-law passed away from mysterious circumstances. Our palace was attacked by a stingray demon and the crown prince passed away subduing the demon... so... I was thought of as a cursed child... did you know this already?" I knew about the gossip within the kingdom. "Yes..." "I see... did you know that my concubine mother didn''t take care of me?" "Huh?" "I was raised by her servant, Zhang Bing, and no nanny was hired to take care of me. When I reached the age where I could talk and walk I was transferred from her hall into this shed... but I don''t blame her... it''s all my fault that..." that she''s suffering when she could''ve been living a good life here. I bit my lip as I turned my body so that I was lying flat on my back. "Princess," Bai Yu''s soft voice rang out. "Yes?" "This one... may seem selfish but..." she didn''t finish her sentence as she just shook her head, "just... this one just wants to thank Your Highness again." "Un," I just mumbled as the dizziness took over and I fell asleep. - We woke up early the next day and after making sure we looked proper, we headed to my mother''s room. The doors were open and I could hear Wei Xing giggling in the inside. My mother was also laughing but when she saw us she stopped. "What are you doing here?" she asked sharply. I got on my knees and kowtowed to her. "Good morning, concubine mother... today... I have come to ask for a favor," I mustered up my courage and said. "Favor? Hahaha.... you want to ask for a favor? Was yesterday not enough? I let you crawl, and now you want to run?!" her words stung. "N-no! Just... I just want to ask for one more thing... afterward I won''t ask for any more," I tried not to let my voice falter. There was a moment of silence before she replied. "Alright... what do you want to ask for?" I stood up from the ground and turned behind me to help Bai Yu up. I then turned back around to face mother but I kept my eyes on the ground. She didn''t like it when I looked at her. "This girl''s name is Jiao Bai Yu. I stumbled across her yesterday when I went out and brought her back. I want to ask concubine mother... if she can become my servant." "Servant?" "Yes." "You... you dare wish for a servant?!" mother''s voice grew and pierced through my head as I dropped to my knees. "Concubine mother... I... I..." what should I say? What was right to say? "Concubine mother!" Wei Xing''s innocent voice broke the tense atmosphere. "Huh? Oh... what''s wrong Wei Wei?" my mother called out to her sweetly... she had never used that tone to speak to me... "Why can''t Older Sister have any servants? Wei Wei already has umm... twenty! Wei Xing has twenty servants already so why can''t Older Sister have any?" she asked. "That... uh... Wei Wei... your older sister is different." "Different? How is Older Sister different?" "Your older sister... umm... listen to mother, your older sister shouldn''t have any servants." "Why?" "Because... because I said so. Now stop asking!" "This isn''t fair! If Older Sister can''t have any servants then Wei Xing doesn''t want any servants either! This isn''t fair!" Wei Xing cried out. "Wei Wei!" I heard mother trying to calm her down. "No! It isn''t'' fair!" Wei Xing just continued to cry. "Uh... alright! Alright! Mother will allow her to keep that girl as a servant." "Really?" "Really! Now, stop crying!" I heard mother patting Wei Xing''s back. "That''s great!" Wei Xing cheered, "can she move in right away?" "Of course! Zhang Bing, bring the girl to the servants'' headquarters. Get her papers done and all the necessary arrangements," mother ordered. "Yes, Your Highness," I looked to my side to see Zhang Bing bringing Bai Yu away. I let out a small sigh of relief before kowtowing. "I thank concubine mother... and Wei Xing for your kindness," my lips felt dry. "Alright... leave... I still have to get Wei Wei ready for the day," mother ordered. I bit my lip before nodding my head. I glanced up for a moment to see Wei Xing surrounded in beautiful extravagances as she sat next to mother. Everyone around her looked at her with loving eyes, as if she was the most precious child in the world. I looked away. "Yes," I could only answer as I walked back to my room. I sat down on my hard bed as I clutched my trousers. To get just a servant I had to get on my knees... but Wei Xing just said a couple words and shed a few tears and mother agreed to everything... this... was this fair? Why did she get whatever she wanted but I had to suffer like this? Why?! I balled my fists and dug my heel into the ground. "Cu Xing," I looked up to see Teacher standing at the door. His light blue hair was tied up in a high bun which indicated that we were probably going to do some physical exercises as part of today''s lessons. I released my fists as my heart started to beat. "Teacher, are we training on martial arts today?" I jumped off my bed. Teacher gave me a smile. "That depends... let me see your embroidery work," he stepped inside my room. I ran to the embroidery tin and handed it to him. He took a seat on the bed before taking off the top and looked inside. His eyes widened as he pulled out a piece of embroidery. "Wah... this is certainly well enough for me to allow you to start practicing martial arts again!" he exclaimed, "These tulips look so full of life!" he nodded his head in approval. Tulips? I didn''t embroider any tulips. I walked up to him and looked down to see Bai Yu''s embroidery. It gave me a warm feeling as the red and white thread seemed to dance in harmony across the fabric. "This... isn''t mine." "Huh? This isn''t yours? Then whose is it?" "It''s Bai Yu''s." "Bai Yu... who is that?" "The girl that I took in yesterday. I took her to meet concubine mother and concubine mother allowed her to be my servant," I recalled the event and a bitter taste enter my mouth. "Ohh... that''s nice... so... where''s your embroidery?" he tilted his head and asked. I pulled out the other piece of fabric from within the tin and handed it to him. He held it up in the air and knitted his eyebrows together. "Daisies this time... hmm... your work is getting better. Continue to work hard, alright?" he encouraged. "Yes," I bowed my head. I looked up to see Teacher furrowing his eyebrows. He gave me a long stare and I started to feel a bit uncomfortable. "Cu Xing," he called out to me gently, "what''s wrong? Why do you seem so down today?" Chapter IV It felt like someone splashed cold water on my face as I froze on spot. "There''s nothing wrong," I quickly replied. "Really?" "Yes." "Cu Xing," Teacher bent down so he was looking me eye to eye, "if there''s something bothering you, it''s better to let it out now before it gets bigger. Teacher will always listen to you," I could see the worry in his light blue eyes. "I am really fine," I repeated myself, "there''s nothing wrong." "Hmm... then that''s good," Teacher rubbed my head before standing back up. I stood up also and grabbed the tin box. "Then, Cu Xing will get started on a new piece right away," I started to grab a new piece of fabric when Teacher stopped me. "No need, no need. Since you''ve been cooped up in your room these past few weeks, Teacher has decided that we need to do some light exercises to go over your martial arts skill. Does this sound good?" he smiled. I threw the tin box on my table and nodded my head. "It sounds good!" I tried to sound excited but my voice didn''t even change at all from its usual emotionless tone. "Good, then let''s go," Teacher led the way as I followed behind him. My heart ran with glee underneath my chest as I quickly tapped my thighs. - Teacher handed me a wooden sword as I stood in the center of the garden. Unlike the other royalty members, who used the Royal Training Grounds to train, I trained in a garden that didn''t hold too many plants. I gripped the handle of the wooden sword and took in a deep breath as I closed my eyes. I circulated my chi energy before I opened my eyes and slashed the sword out in front of me. The martial arts I practiced was called The Twelve Forms of the Northern Sea that all immediate royalty family members had to practice. One had to master at least the first four forms before being exempted from training in martial arts. I had already mastered the first five forms and was now already practicing on the sixth one. I brought my sword back and dropped it to my side as I glanced at Teacher. He held his chin as he nodded in approval and I felt the corner of my cheeks heat up. "Very good!" he praised and I tapped my thigh, "your form and posture are both very strong. I think if you keep going at this pace you will be able to master all twelve forms within the next 20,000 years!" "Cu Xing doesn''t deserve such compliments," I held my hands together and bowed my head, "compared to others, Cu Xing is still lacking." "Enough with the words, you! Get back to training. We''re going to train for a couple more hours before Teacher sends you back," Teacher waved his hand. My lips trembled and I firmly nodded my head as I held my sword up in the air once again. - I returned to my room as Teacher left to teach the other royalty members. I saw Bai Yu inside filling a bathtub up with warm water. She was dressed in the palace''s typical blue maid robes. I looked at her robes and I looked at mine. I couldn''t help but compare as her fabric looked better than my coarse fabric. It was fine though because mother gave me these robes and because of that, they are my favorite robes. "Your Highness," Bai Yu''s voice broke through my train of thought as I saw her giving me a bow, "your servant has already filled up the bathtub. Would Your Highness like to take a bath now?" "Yes. Thank you," I walked into my room. "Your servant does not deserve such gratitude. Your servant is only doing her job," she moved to the side as I walked passed her. I didn''t know how to respond to her and just ran my fingers through the warm water. "Umm... you''re excused for now. Keep watch outside while I take my bath," I said as I remembered how my body looked like. I saw her frown. "I''m not used to anyone helping me bathe or dress so I can take care of these things by myself. You don''t need to wait on me regarding these things in the future either," I clarified before she could ask. Her face straightened out as she nodded her head. "Your servant understands. If Your Highness needs anything then your servant will be right outside," she gave me a bow as she closed the door. I waited for a moment before taking off my clothes. I glanced down my arm and shoulder to see various scar marks. My eyes traveled down to my legs which had the biggest scars that resembled burn marks. I balled my fists before stepping into the bathtub. "Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself," I mumbled as I started to wash my body. After my bath was done I opened the door and had Bai Yu take everything out. I tried to help but Bai Yu kept refusing as she told me it was her job and that I shouldn''t interfere with such things anymore now that she was here. I could only agree as I sat on my bed with my embroidery tin sitting next to me. I picked up white fabric that was usually used for handkerchiefs. This fabric was the highest quality that I was given and I ran my fingers across it, trying to think of a design. "Older Sister!" I heard Wei Xing''s voice call out. I looked up to see her at standing at the doorway with a big smile. She waddled inside my room and stood in front of me. "What are you doing here?" I asked. Her big eyes grew even bigger as she focused on the fabric I was holding. "Older Sister, is that for me?!" she jumped up and down as she pointed to it. I felt as if I got caught red-handed as I stuffed the fabric back into the tin. "Who said it was for you?" I pushed the lid back on the tin. She tilted her head as she gave me a big smile. "Older Sister," she put her small fingers on my knee, "Older Sister!" she called out delightfully. "What?" the word escaped my mouth before I could stop it. "I love you!" she declared again as she jumped up on the bed and wrapped her arms around my neck. I sat there, frozen, as I didn''t know how to react. I felt her lips smack against my cheek as she pulled away and smiled. "Y-you..." I narrowed my eyes at her. She gave me another hug as she buried her face in my shoulder. "Older Sister, you smell so good!" her voice sounded muffled. I stopped breathing as I heard her said that. "You stink up the whole palace!" "You dirty brat!" "No matter how much you bathe you can never get rid of that putrid stench!" "How about you keep scrubbing until nothing''s left? Maybe then you won''t smell so much anymore! Hahaha!"Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Voice ran through my head. My hands trembled as I felt my breath caught in my throat. I tried to move but it was like someone held me in place. "Get your stinking books out of the way!" "Throw her out! Throw her out!" "Older Sister?" "Why are you even here? You don''t belong here!" "You are the reason that creatures keep attacking the palace! Your stench attracts them!" "Why don''t you go die already?" "Older Sister?" "You''re a curse!" "You''re a curse!" "You''re a curse!" "It''s all your fault!" "Older Sister!" I felt someone shake me and I took in a sharp breath. I started to pant as I looked down to see Wei Xing''s concerned eye looking back at me. "Older Sister, are you feeling bad? Should Wei Xing get a doctor to look at you? Does your stomach hurt?" her eyes got teary as she patted my shoulders. I bit down on my lip and shook my head. "I''m fine," I patted her head as I remembered that was what Teacher did when he wanted to comfort me. Tears streamed down her chubby cheeks as she pouted. "Wei Xing... W-wei Xing was so worried!" she stammered out. I looked at her with uncertainty. Worried? Why would she be worried about me? Nobody worried about me. I wiped her tears away with my thumbs. "Why would you be worried about me?" I couldn''t help but ask. "Be-be-because... because Old-ol-older Sister looked like Older Sister was in a l-l-lot of pain!" she cried out. Pain? "Everyone says that Older Sister can''t feel pain or have any emotions but Wei Xing doesn''t believe that! Who doesn''t feel pain?!" tears continued to run down her face. I felt a sudden warmth spread throughout my body as I saw this little girl crying... for me... I wrapped my arms around her as I felt her chin settle down on my shoulder. I rubbed her back. "Idiot. If I''m the one in pain then why are you crying?" "Heeuuughh! B-b-beacuse! If Older Sister is hurt then Wei Xing feels hurt too!" "Haha... idiot..." ahh... it has been such a long time since I heard myself laugh. Wei Xing stopped crying as she pushed me back. She looked up at me with her big innocent eyes. "If Older Sister is ever hurt then tell Wei Xing! Wei Xing will help!" she said seriously. I couldn''t help myself as I poked her round cheek. "How are you going to help?" "I will blow on the area so it doesn''t hurt anymore! Concubine mother always blow on my cuts when I fall down!" she replied. I felt a tinge of sadness gnaw at my heart but I pushed it down as I bit my lip. "Older Sister, where does it hurt? Wei Xing will blow on your cut so it doesn''t hurt anymore!" she started to search my body with her eyes, before picking up my hands, "there''s no cut... let me keep searching," she flipped my hands over. I pulled my hands out of her small ones and patted her head, something that Teacher often does to me which I like. "I''m not hurt so you don''t have to keep searching anymore." "Really?" "Un." "Hmm... okay... but if you are ever hurt, then just tell Wei Xing! Wei Xing will blow on them like this! Fwuu! Fwuu!" she puckered up her soft cheeks and blew air into my face. I felt the ends of my lips tingled as I gave her nod. "Alright, if I''m ever hurt I''ll have you blow on my cut. Now, get going. Don''t you have your lessons to attend to?" "Oh yea!" she jumped off the bed and headed to the door. She stopped before turning around and giving me a big smile, "Wei Xing will be looking forward to the handkerchief! Bye bye, Older Sister!" she ran out before I could say any more. I tapped my fingers on my thighs and for some unknown reasons, I felt as if my shoulders lost some weight. I glanced back down at my embroidery tin before looking back at my desk. "Your Highness," Bai Yu called out as she walked inside, "lunch has arrived. Your Highness should eat before it gets cold," she set the tray of food down on the desk. "Bai Yu," an idea suddenly popped up in my head. "Yes, Your Highness?" "While I eat, can you go find some blue and purple ink for me?" "Yes, this servant obeys," she gave me a bow before leaving. I jumped off my bed as I picked up a spoon. I swirled it around the bowl of soup as images of the Bai Yu flower flashed through my head. - I dipped my brush into the blue ink that Bai Yu found for me as I started to draw the flower onto the white piece of paper. After working for a while, Bai Yu set a cup on the table. "Your Highness, how about taking a break for some tea?" she suggested. Tea? I looked at the cup to see light brown liquid in it with steam rising out. I looked at Bai Yu before looking back at the cup. I bit my lip unsure of what this liquid in front of me was. "Is something wrong, Your Highness?" Bai Yu asked. "No," I responded as I picked up the cup. I looked back down at it before bringing the cup up to my lips. I sipped a little of the warm liquid and my eyes widened at the wonderful taste. I tried again and felt even more satisfied at the bittersweet taste. "Bai Yu, what is this?" I blurted out. "Hmm? Uh, does Your Highness mean what type of tea it is?" she furrowed her brows. I nodded my head. "Replying to Your Highness, this is just ordinary green tea." "Green tea..." I mumbled. How can such a thing be called ordinary when it tasted this good? "Excuse me, Your Highness, but is this your first time having tea?" "Yes. I usually only drink warm water or honeyed water. This is really good. Please continue to serve me this in the future, Bai Yu," I took another sip before putting the cup down and picking my paintbrush back up. I didn''t hear a response and I looked back at Bai Yu to see her looking at the cup of tea with a sad expression. Did she also want some? "Bai Yu?" "Huh?" she bowed her head. "Do you also want some tea? If you do then you can also have some." "N-no, your servant is fine. Your servant understands and shall follow Your Highness''s order," she bowed her head again. Hmm? If she didn''t want any why was she looking at the cup of tea that way? I thought for a moment before just brushing it off as I handed her the embroidery tin. "You can sit on my bed and continue your embroidery. It''s really pretty." "Your servant thanks Your Highness for the compliment. This one doesn''t deserve it," she took the tin and bowed before heading over to the bed. I didn''t want to dawdle with her any longer as I turned my attention back to my paper. - Two weeks passed before I finally was content with my painting. I tried embroidering on a few scrap pieces of fabric before finally getting started on the silk fabric that I prepared for Wei Xing. I had also asked Bai Yu to get me some yellow threads. When I was experimenting with the colors on the paper I found that yellow helped bring out the blue and purple colors. It was an interesting find because I didn''t know that colors could look so different and pretty when put together. Wei Xing also came to visit often and I always made sure to have Bai Yu keep guard so I could hide the drawings and scrap fabrics. "Cu Xing," I heard Teacher call out to me. I set my embroidery down as I turned around to see Teacher holding a basket that contained a bunch of orangeish pinkish balls. "Cu Xing greets Teacher," I bowed before looking back up at him. He gave me a smile before handing me the basket. "Happy Birthday," he congratulated. Birthday? Oh yeah, it was my birthday! "Cu Xing thanks Teacher," I bowed before taking the basket. I brushed my fingers over them and felt its smooth surface. "Teacher, what are these?" I looked back up at them. "They are a type of fruit call peach." "Peach?" I held one up to my nose and took in a whiff. Hmm... it smelt so good. "Yes. Teacher had to try very hard to obtain these so enjoy them to the fullest! Teacher already washed them beforehand so you can just go ahead and dig in," he patted my head. I felt my cheeks warm up at his touch before I took a bite out of the fruit. My eyes grew as I tasted the somewhat sweet and sour fruit. Waahh! It''s so good and crunchy! The ends of my lips trembled. "Teacher... it''s so good," I nodded my head in approval as I continued to devour the fruits in the basket. Pretty soon the full basket only had a couple of peaches left. I stopped myself before taking one and handing it to Teacher. "For Teacher." "Aye, silly one. Teacher gave you these as a present so how could teacher accept one?" "What Teacher gave Cu Xing is now Cu Xing''s, so whatever Cu Xing decides to do with it then it''s Cu Xing''s own matters," I held the peach closer to him. "Haha... alright! Then, teacher thanks Cu Xing," he gave me a small head bow before taking the peach. I watched as he took a bite and glee ran into his eyes as he nodded his head in approval. "As expected, peaches from the Celestial Palace tastes very different compared to regular peaches." "Celestial Palace?!" my jaw dropped as I looked down at the peaches. Anything from the Celestial Palace was always better than anywhere else! Not only that but they were difficult to obtain if you weren''t a member of the royal Celestial family."T-teacher! Cu Xing can''t accept this gift!" I shoved the basket back to him. He let out a hearty laugh before pushing it back. "Silly one, you already ate so much and you want to give me the leftovers? Teacher doesn''t want it. Keep it, it''s your gift." "B-b-but Teacher!" "Tsk! Tsk! Are you disobeying teacher right now?!" his voice made the ends of my hair stand up as I shook my head. "Cu Xing doesn''t dare. Cu Xing doesn''t dare." "Good student!" Teacher praised as he patted my head. The ends of my lips tingled as I lightly tapped my thigh. "That''s right. Teacher has to look for something for Princess Wei Xing also." "Hmm?" I looked up at him. He frowned back at me. "Don''t you remember? It''s Princess Wei Xing''s birthday is next week?" he asked. Oh, that''s right! It was going to be Wei Xing''s birthday soon! I glanced at my embroidery tin and felt my heart pounding nervously underneath my chest. Will she... like it? Chapter V "Have you... prepared something for her?"Teacherasked me carefully. "I... am working on it," I answered honestly. "Ohh... that''s good. It''s better for siblings to be close and help each other out, Cu Xing," Teacher said with a smile. I nodded my head. "Cu Xing understands... then, does Teacher have anything else for me?" "No. Today is your birthday so take it easy.Teacherwill be going now," he patted my head before turning around and leaving. After he left, I went back inside and set the peach basket back on the table. I picked up my embroidery tin and open it, revealing a handkerchief that had acouple of green threads through it. I sat down in my chair and started to continue sewing the fabric. - "Your Highness," Bai Yu''s voice called out from behind me. "Yes?" "It''s time for dinner." "You can go ahead and eat. I''m going to continue working on this. Also, light up some candles and place them around the table for me," I rubbed my tired eyes. "Yes," Bai Yu did as she was told and I continued working on the handkerchief. - "Your Highness." "Yes?" "It''s time for your bath." "I will take it tomorrow." "Yes." - "Your Highness." "Hm?" "It''s to go to sleep." "You go ahead first." "... yes..." Bai Yu quietly said as she left and went to her room located next to mine. I blinked the exhaustion from my eyes as I continued working. - "Your Highness." "What?" "It''s time for breakfast. Your servant also brought a bucket of water for your highness to clean yourself." "I will eat and wash later." "... yes..." - "... Your Highness, how about just taking a quick break?" Bai Yu called out a while after she came back and told me about lunch. "Later," I dismissed the idea immediately. If I wasn''t diligent then I won''t be able to finish the handkerchief in two weeks. "... yes..." "Oh! Bai Yu, if Wei Xing comes to look for me tell her that I''m busy. Please keep watch so that she doesn''t come in. Also, tell Teacher that I want to focus on embroidery so I will be busy for the next couple of days so we can skip some lessons," I didn''t want Wei Xing to look at it until I was done. "... yes... your servant understand." "Thank you." - "Your Highness." "Hm?" "Your Highness... it has already beeneight days since you last washed or eaten anything. Please, take a break," her voice was filled with concern. "Later," I ignored as I continued working. I was only two-thirds of the way done and more than half the time I had was already gone. "Your Highness... please, this is not good for your highness''s health," she pleaded. I paused myneedlework for a moment before turning back to glance at her. Her eyebrows were furrowed as her sad purple eyes stared back at me. She bit onto her bottom lip and fumbled with her fingers. I was going to retaliate but seeing her state of concern I couldn''t. I let out a small sigh I turned around and stuck the needle until it was halfway through the cloth. I folded it neatly and then stuffed it back into the embroidery tin before closing the cover. "What time is it?" I asked. "It''s fourhours until lunch," she replied. "I see... wake me up in two hours for a bath and then after I will eat lunch," I ordered as I stood up. Her face brightened up immediately as she nodded her head and bowed. "Yes, your servant understands." "Good. You''re dismissed for now." "Yes," she answered as she closed the door to my room behind her. I stretched my arms out before yawning. I removed my outer and middle robes as I climbed into my bed. I barely tucked myself in as the moment I shut my eyes, sleep came and took me away. - I looked around to see myself surrounded by shelves of ingredients. Where was I? When did I get here? I saw a wooden barred window to my side and peeked out to see a big wooden sign that had strong black characters written onto it. "Hei Ping Mountain?" I read the characters out loud. Where was I? Last time it was Cui Yun Mountain, and now it''s Hei Ping Mountain? Creaaak! I heard the wooden door open and I hid behind one of the shelves. "Damn you, Hei Ping Mountain! You won''t accept me because I''m dirt poor and have no connections or skills?! Watch me drink your wine cellar dry and then you will see my skills!" a voice yelled and whispered at the same time. I peeked out to see a female''s back searching through some wine jars not so far away from where I was. She was wearing a tattered blue robe with brown trousers and her hair was put up in a bun. Why did her voice so familiar? She picked up a bottle and pulled the cap away as she downed it. "Wah! This wine is so good!" she wiped her lips when she was done and nodded her head in approval, "hehe... coming here for wine wasn''t such a badcho-" she stopped midsentence as she froze. I furrowed my brows until I heard footsteps and watched as she scrambled to hide behind a shelf. "You dirty kitchen boy!" a rough voice yelled out as a slim body flew into the room and landed on the ground, "you dare try to get cocky just because Master thinks you make good wine?! Now you think you are good enough to become a disciple when you''re just a piece of trash?! I will kill you and make your innards into wine to serve to Master!" a muscular male walked into the room with two males on either side of him. The slim man on the ground had watery purple eyes but he didn''t cry as blood trailed down one side of his lip. His messy pink hair had pieces coming out of his top bun as they waterfalled down his bruised face. I felt my heart ache for the man as I balled my hand. I squinted my eyes at the muscular man as I prepared to fight just in case he took it too far. I didn''t want to reveal myself right now if the situation didn''t call for it... or else mother... "I... I never thought to become a disciple. I am already very grateful to His Lord''s kindness for bringing me in," the man replied to them. The muscular male''s eyebrow twitched as he kicked the frail man in the chest. The frail man coughed up blood as flew back and hit the wall. The muscular male and his two men were laughing hysterically at him. "Good. It''s very good that you think that way, kitchen boy," the muscular man said as he walked up to the frail man and clasped his pale chin, "a piece of trash like you... will never amount to anything," he hissed. The frail man looked up at him with hate in his eyes but didn''t say anything. The muscular man smiled at thissightas he brought his other hand and set it on the frail man''s chest. "Looking at you right now... you look quite pretty. Hehe... how about you become one of my bedchamber maids instead? I will treat you very gently," the muscular man licked his lips. I couldn''t take it anymore as I moved forward to rush out but before I could do anything I saw the female figure fly out. She kicked the muscular man and he went flying to the other wall. "Wha-" the other two men didn''t get to say anything as she punched them in the chin and they fainted immediately. "Who was it?!" the muscular male yelled out as he turned his head. When he looked up and saw the female his eyes widened in fear. "Y-y-you!" "Didn''t I tell you that if I see you bullying another one of my people I won''t let you off?" her voice was sharp yet filled with a tinge of humor. "Wh-what?" the muscular male looked at the frail man before looking back at the female, "when did he become one of your people?" "Is that question important?" she took a step closer. The muscular male trembled as a sweat droplet rolled down his face. "Your great goddess, this one apologizes! If this one knew that he was one of your great goddess''s men, then this one would have never dared to touch him! Please forgive this one!" he begged as he tried to scoot back but it was useless with the wall behind him. "Too late," the female only said as she rushed in and punched him. I watched as she landed punch after punch onto his face and felt shocked at how brutal she was. The man continued to whimper and beg but she didn''t stop. The man then tried to fight back to no avail as she ended up breaking his leg and arm that came at her. After the man succumbed to his fate and fainted, she finally stopped. She brushed the dirt off her fists as she cursed under her breath and backed away from the male. She turned around and looked at the frail male. She frowned as she saw him looking at her and walked up to him. She bent down to see him eye to eye and cocked her head to one side. "Hey! You alright there?" she asked. He nodded. She smiled as she brought out a handkerchief from inside the sleeve of her robe and wiped the trail of blood off his chin. "If they ever bother you again, just let me know. I will beat them to death and see how they dare to mess with you again," she declared. The frail man couldn''t hold back his tears anymore as they trailed down his face. "Ahhh!" he cried out. The female seemed to panic as she grabbed onto his shoulders. "Hey! What''s wrong? Where does it hurt?" she looked him up and down. He only continued to cry and the female wrapped her arms around him. "Alright, alright! Don''t cry anymore! They won''t hurt you anymore so don''t cry!" she tried to comfort him as she rubbed his back. After a while, he finally quieted down to onlya sniffle. She let go of him and backed away. "Are you alright now?" she asked softly and he nodded his head. She let out a relieved sigh as she wiped his tears away.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. "This onethanksyour great goddess for your kindness. This one can never repay your great goddess for your kindness in this lifetime. If your great goddess ever needs anything then just let this one know and this one will try his best to serve your great goddess," the man promised. The female paused for a second before letting go of him. "Tell me, did you make the wine over there?" she pointed to the stash of wine she was drinking earlier. The frail man nodded his head. "Yes." "Ooohh... tell me, do you want to leave Hei Ping Mountain and come with me?" "Huh?" the frail man looked at her in surprise for a moment before frowning, "I... I... I have to still repay His Lord Hei Ping''s kindness for helping me all these years..." "Forget that old man!" the female blurted out, "if he was truly kind then he wouldn''t let you be hurt like this and control his students!" "B-but..." "Tell me, how old are you?" "I''m... 30,000 years old." "Hah?! You''re 30,000 years old?" the female exclaimed. Hmm? The frail man was 30,000 years old but he already looked like a mortal adult? But Teacher said that only after 50,000 years will our bodies still to resemble a young mortal adult. I was already 15,000 years old and I only resembled that of a young mortal child. The frail man nodded his head and she let out a small cough. "Anyways, tell me, how long have you been serving as a kitchen boy here?" "For... 25,000 years." "Then, you have already served your time for helping that old man. No need to repay his kindness anymore!" the female explained. I didn''t seem convinced at all by her weak argument but the frail man seemed to be contemplating about it deeply. "But..." "No buts! Just follow me from now on, I will take care of you! Didn''t I say earlier that to that ugly piece of trash over there that you are one of my people? I don''t go back on my word! From now on we are connected and will always be. Also, didn''t you say that since I''ve saved you then you will do your best to serve me? Then follow me and make the best alcohol for me to drink! This is how you will be able to repay your debt!" she giggled as she held her hand out to him, "how about it? Want to come?" The frail man looked at her hand for a long time before he reached out and grabbed it. The girl let out a satisfied laugh as she stood up and pulled him up with her. "Good choice!" she praised as she let go of him, "now that we are companions, you can call me Magpie. What is your name?" "My name? I... don''t have one. I''ve just always been call kitchen boy," the frail man replied. "Huh? No name? Hmm... that''s fine. Then from today on you will be called... hmm... HuaMi. How does it sound? Do you like it?" "Hua. Mi... I like it... thank you," the frail man let out a smile. "Good!" the female cheered as she grabbed back onto his hand, "let''s go!" she said as she pulled them out the door. "Wait!" I called out as I tried to run after them however my body suddenly felt super heavy as I couldn''t move at all. I held my hand out and looked back up only to see the three fainted men. "Wait!" I called out again. - "Your Highness," I heard a soft voice call out as a hand gently shook my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see Bai Yu looking down at me. I rubbed my tired eyes as I sat up from my bed. I saw the steam rising from the bathtub and Bai Yu handed me a cup of tea. I took the cup and downed the warm liquid in one go as my throat felt parched. I handed the empty cup back to her and she set it on the drawer. "I can bathe myself. Just wait for me outside." "Yes," she bowed before closing the door. I pulled off my robes when she was gone and stepped into the warm bath. My aching body relaxed and I let out a small sigh as I closed my eyes and leaned my head on the bathtub. That dream... was interesting. Whowas that frail man, Hua Mi? Did he really exist? I remembered the last time I woke up from a dream and all I could remember was Cui Yun Mountain. This time I remembered seeing Hei Ping Mountain and that man, HuaMi. Strange... why am I having these dreams? And why... do I feel like I am always forgetting something important about them? "Whatever," I shook my head before dunking myself in the water. I only had six days left until Wei Xing''s birthday. I still need to finish that handkerchief. - After my bath, I pulled on the change of clothes that Bai Yu left me. I was going to open the door when I heard two cheerful waves of laughter and paused for a second. I could tell one belonged to Wei Xing, but who did the other belong to? I pushed the door open to see Bai Yu laughing as she played with Wei Xing. My back suddenly felt cold as I swallowed my saliva. I''ve never seen Bai Yu smiled like that around me. My heart suddenly felt unbearably heavy. I took in a deep breath before I walked into the smallarea that was only double the size of my room. "Bai Yu," I called out. She stopped moving as she looked up at me. The smile disappeared from her face as she gave me a bow. "Your Highness," she responded. "Older Sister!" Wei Xing called out as she ran to me with her arms open wide. I didn''t know why but I bent down to catch her as she wrapped her arms around my neck. She pressed her lips against my cheek before backing away. "Why have Older Sister been so busy lately? I miss Older Sister very much!" she complained as she pouted. I felt a sense of comfort inside as I poked her soft cheek. "Sorry. I''ve been... um..." "Princess Wei Xing please don''t blame Her Highness. Her Highness has just been studying very hard lately to understand the materials that His Lord Zhuang Hu has been teaching," Bai Yu interjected. "That''s right. I''ve just been studying really hard. You have to study hard too, alright?" I nodded my head. Wei Xing pouted even more as she frowned. "I don''t want to! Wei Xing hates studying!" she complained. I tapped the tip of her nose. "Don''t act like that. You have to grow up and study well or else concubine mother will be sad." "Mmmm!" she whined, "but, concubine mother said that she will love me even if I don''t study well!" she retorted. I stared at her in shock for a second as the ends of my hair stood up. "You''re stupid! You''re useless! I will never love someone whose stupid and useless!"mother''s voice echoed in my head. My hands trembled and I almost lost it strength as I almost dropped Wei Xing. "Ah!" she yelped and my strength came back as I held onto her, "Older Sister!" she cried out. "Sorry. Older Sister is just a bit tired," I apologized as I set her down on the ground gently. She looked at me with concern and I reached out to pat her head. "Be good... Older Sister still has to study so you should go back first. When Older Sister has time then Older Sister will play with you more," I tried to smile, but like always the ends of my lips wouldn''t move up one bit and the sides of my cheeks would just start feeling tingly. She looked at me with big innocent eyes before nodding. She moved closer to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek she didn''t kiss earlier before moving back. "Then Wei Xing will listen to Older Sister," she smiled beforeskipping away. I stood up and raise my hand to touch the cheek she just gave. It felt warm. "Your Highness... it''s still an hour before lunch is served. Please rest and eat lunch before you start again," Bai Yu suggested. "Un. Thanks for helping me out earlier, Bai Yu," I gave her a nod. "No need to thank your servant at all," she bowed back. Her face was gentle and calm, yet there was not a trace of a smile on there. "Bai Yu." "Yes?" "Do you-"want to become one of Wei Xing''s servants instead?I almost asked but stopped myself. What if she told me she wanted to? How... how could I stop her? She looked so much happier with Wei Xing then she did with me... but she was all I had. "Your Highness?" "Uh... nothing," I could only say. "Cu Xing," I heard Teacher''s voice and looked behind Bai Yu to see Teacher walking toward us. Myheart feltmuch lighter when I saw him. "Teacher," I greeted. "Lord Zhuang Hu," Bai Yu bowed.Teachersmiled and I could feel thegentleness flowing out of his eyes light blue eyes. "Bai Yu, go prepare some tea for us," I ordered. "Yes," Bai Yu left as I led Teacher to the only table in the smallarea. "Why has Teacher come here today?" I asked. He patted my head. "Because Teacher misses you so Teacher has come to see how you are doing," he brought his hand back and smiled. I tapped my hand on my thigh. "Oh... Cu Xing is doing well. Sorry for worrying Teacher." "Haha! No need to apologize... tell me, what have you been up to? You''ve never asked for daysoff before to do embroidery work." "Uh," I didn''t know how to reply, "I... I have been preparing Wei Xing''s present," I could only answer honestly. His eyes grew as he looked at me. His lips curled up into a gentle smile. "Good. You are opening up to your younger sibling now. That''s very good.Teacheris proud of you," he rubbed my head again. The tapping on my thigh continued as I felt at ease. "Now Teacher won''t have to worry about you becoming an adult," he commented. I furrowed my brows as I looked up at him. I just remembered that kitchen boy named HuaMi. "Teacher... are there any existences that have an adult mortal form even though they are only 30,000 years old?" I asked.Teacherlooked at me a bit surprised before he let out a laugh. "Yes. There are." "There is?" "Yes. Those are called Immortals." "Immortals? How come I have never heard of them before?" "Because Teacher is still busy teaching you about the Celestial Realm and Mortal Realm. We haven''t reached the Immortal Realm part yet." "Oh... what are Immortals? Why do they grow up so fast?" "Immortals are beings that are born as animals. After that, they have the ability to be able to cultivate for a hundred years before gaining an adult mortal form. Some Immortals are also mortals who have cultivated and broken through into the Immortal realm." "Then how are they different from Celestial Beings?" "Celestial Beings are born containing both a mortal form and an animal form. Not only that but Celestial Beings are also born with much more cultivation than an average Immortal. For example, even though you are only 15,000 years old right now, you are stronger than most 20,000 years old Immortal. There are three classes of Immortals which include a Low Immortals, Mid Immortals, who are just usually referred to as an Immortal because these are the most that exist, and High Immortals which only two Immortals have managed to reach the class of." "I see." "Yes. Also, Immortals are unique so Teacher has much more to teach you about them. We will learn more when the time comes, alright?" "Yes. Cu Xing thanks Teacher for the knowledge." "Yourwelcome... also, why did you suddenly ask about this question?" "Huh? Uh..." I didn''t really want to tell him it was because of a dream I had. What if Teacher thought I was weird... or even something worse? "Is it because you still want to grow up faster?" he asked. I nodded my head and he let out a gentle laugh. "Don''t worry about it. Take your time growing up.Teacherstill has a lot to teach you," he rubbed my head again. I nodded my head again and then tapped my thigh. "Your Highness and Lord Zhuang Hu," Bai Yu returned and she set a cup of tea down for each of us. "Thank you, Bai Yu. You are dismissed for now," I said as I picked up the cup of tea. "Yes," she bowed her head and then left. After I set the tea down, I licked my lips and looked up at Master. The teacup looked small in his slender fingers compared to my small hand. "Teacher, what do you think about wine?" I blurted the question out before I could stop myself.Teachersuddenly choked on his tea as he set down the cup of tea. "Teacher!" I ran over to his side and started to pat his back. I pulled out my handkerchief and handed it to him. He wiped his mouth before looking at me with confused eyes. "Who told you about wine?" he questioned. "I... I read about it in a mortal story," I made up. He frowned before shaking his head. "Don''t drink wine. It doesn''t do anyone any good. If you want to find something good to drink then just drink tea. There are varieties of teas that you haven''t tasted... hmm...Teacherwill start teaching you how to brew good tea to drink so don''t ever drink wine unless you have to, understand?"Teachersaid with a stern face. "Yes. Cu Xing understands," I complied. I really liked drinking tea anyways and I didn''t know there were more varieties of tea than the one I always drank. "Good... oh, Teacher almost forgot! Here," he waved his arm over the table and a big wooden box appeared, "it will be Wei Xing''s birthday banquet in six days... she wanted you to appear so she begged her highness and her highness agreed for you to appear so Teacher prepared robes for you," he opened the lid of the wooden box and I saw light blue robes laying inside there. I ran my fingers over the soft robes. The color was nice and the fabric felt comfortable, unlike my coarse robes. I saw a strange item and picked it up. It was a hat that had a veil connected around it. "This is..." "Oh... one of her highness''s request in order for you to be able to come was for you to wear this to cover your face. Cu Xing, don''t think much of it. Alright?"Teachersmiled at me. "... yes... Cu Xing thanks Teacher for the wonderful gift," I bowed, "then Cu Xing will go back now," I picked up the wooden box. "Un. Take care of yourself," Teacher stood up and rubbed my head. I nodded my head and then turned around to head into my room. I set the wooden box against the wall at an angle so the lid wouldn''t come off as I clenched my teeth and balled my hand. "Why were you born with that birthmark?! You are a curse! A curse!"mother''s voice echoed in my head. "Look at that birthmark!" "It''s an ominous mark!" "Why is she still alive?" "What if she brings doom to us all?" "Why isn''t she dead yet?" "You curse!"other voices started to blend together with mother''s voice. I started to pant as it felt harder to breathe and I grabbed onto mychest. "Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself. Forgive people. Give them chances. Don''t hold grudges. Be kind. Your kindness towards others will eventually come back to help you. To be sincere and genuine is to be true to yourself, " I mumbled to myself. I looked up at the embroiderytinsitting on my desk. Mypantingcame to a stop as Wei Xing''s face appeared in my head. My cheeks felt warm and I calmed down. I opened the tin and pulled out the embroidery I''ve been making for her. The only thing left to embroider was the actual Bai Yu flowers themselves as the stems, leaves, and other extra details were already embroidered. I ran my fingers over the stitches and Wei Xing''s smiling face appeared in my head. I ran my fingers over the characters I stitched on the handkerchief. "A rare star whose light can never dim and warmth never fade. Wei Xing," I read the poem. I felt much better after reading it. I hope... that she will like it... that is all I ask for.