Chapter 21 (1/2)

A fair word of warning – this chapter of Lost You Forever is intense. Jawdropping calamity of the first order arriving with almost nonstop action a few paragraphs in and doesn’t let go type of intense. Next chapter is easily one of my personal favorite chapters in the entire novel, but before we get there we need to experience what is forthcoming here. The novel has hinted at Xiao Yao’s birth father the Great General Qi Yo of the Sheng Nong Kingdom, and there isn’t enough pages I can devote to what an awesome leading man he was in Once Promised. As a lover to Xiao Yao’s mom he was unparalled in his devotion, but as a man he lived true to his principles and never once betrayed those who were dear to him. The problem in Once Promised was that there was a lot of decay and dissolution in the world and Qi Yo shouldered the burden of making sure the Sheng Nong Kingdom could survive the oncoming attack from the upstart Xuan Yuan Kingdom.

To do so he needed a revolution and he had the heart and guts to lead one. But for those who benefited from the ingrained corruption and the cla.s.s subjugation, Qi Yo was persona non grata to the entire world. He dared to change the world to make it egalitarian, to lead it to a better future even if the rotten weeds of today needed to be exterminated. His heart was in the right place but he was but one G.o.d against many and his pa.s.sing at the end of Once Promised left the world a bit better but still fundamentally unchanged. Xiao Yao’s mother knew that Xiao Yao would be in danger if her paternity were ever revealed because there were too many people who hated her father, and this chapter shows us just how impossible it is a task to keep Xiao Yao safe. Her life falls in mortal danger and it’ll take the collective efforts of Jing, Zhuan Xu, and Xiang Liu to save her. As usual, the three men who love her save her in different ways with only one goal in mind – their beloved Xiao Yao must not die!

Chapter 21 – Embracing in Life, Following in Death:

Even though neither Xiao Yao nor Zhuan Xu cared to celebrate the lunar new year, Xiao Yao still felt Sheng Nong Mountain was too desolate and planned to go back to keep Zhuan Xu company.

Xing Yue said “Even if you go back, it’s still the two of you in the huge Zhi Jin Palace. Why not have Zhuan Xu come here and we can barbecue while viewing the snowfall.”

Xiao Yao asked “That’s okay? My Gege and your Gege have been only meeting in public settings to avoid arousing attention, and the last time it was using your birthday party as an excuse.”

Xing Yue said “Don’t worry, my Gege arranged everything already. Zhuan Xu is the Prince and he is living all alone on Sheng Nong Mountain for the palace renovations. My dad is not just a Sheng Nong royal descendant, he’s also the ruler of Zhi Yi Castle and administers to the people of the Middle Plains. No matter what ident.i.ty, he ought to host a thank you gathering for Zhuan Xu. Last year my dad wasn’t at home so nothing was done, it would actually be weird if my dad didn’t do something this year for Zhuan Xu. My Gege asked our dad to invite Zhuan Xu for a short stay in the residence to celebrate the lunar new year and no one will question that.”

Xiao Yao laughed “That’s great. I didn’t want to go back to Sheng Nong Mountain, it’s more fun in the castle.”

A few days later, Zhuan Xu arrived at Little Zhu Rong’s residence.

Xing Yue took Zhuan Xu to his residence and wanted to stay a bit but the lady of the house was busiest preparing for the lunar new year celebrations so she reluctantly said to Zhuan Xu “I’ll come see you tonight, Gege won’t be home until tomorrow.”

Xiao Yao was giggling off in the corner and Xing Yue glared at her before leaving with her face all red.

Xiao Yao said to Zhuan Xu “Thank G.o.d you didn’t bring Jin Xuan and Xiao Xiao. Xing Yue knows you have those two beside you, but she’s still anxious about it. Seeing you didn’t bring your maids, she seems relieved and even her smile is extra sweet. When we first met Xing Yue she was such an arrogant girl, Gege how did you tame her so that she not only is willing to follow you anywhere, she’s even willing to let you bring along other girls.”

Zhuan Xu ignored her teasing and stared at her “You’ve been happy these past few months? If I didn’t come, you were just going to totally forget about me?”

Xiao Yao sheepishly smiled “If you didn’t come, I was going to obediently go back to Sheng Nong Mountain.”

Zhuan Xu coldly huffed and Xiao Yao pouted “If you don’t believe me, go ask Xing Yue. I even told her I was leaving, and only after hearing Feng Long’s arrangement did I continue to stay.”

Zhuan Xu’s expression softened a bit but then he harshly said “That Tu Shan Jing is everywhere! He’s already engaged with the Fang Feng family’s daughter, what right does he have to compete with Feng Long for you!”

Xiao Yao sat down beside him “Gege!”

Zhuan Xu stared at her and she sincerely said “If I say he has the right, then he has the right. Plus there is no compet.i.tion, he doesn’t even need to compete with Feng Long because I never considered Feng Long.”

Zhuan Xu was silent and expressionless for a moment and then he spoke “I hear the Grand Madam of the Tu Shan clan really likes Fang Feng Yi Yang. She keeps her by her side and teaches her personally. Everyone already treats her like she’s the next lady of the house. The Grand Madam doesn’t care whether Jing likes Yi Yang, what matters is whether Yi Yang fits her requirements. She won’t allow the engagement to be broken, and the Fang Feng family also won’t allow the Tu Shan clan to break it off.”

“I know.” Xiao Yao’s eyes showed her hard to conceal anxiety.

Zhuan Xu sighed “Forget it, let’s not discuss such unhappy matters. There is a long ways to go, we can discuss it another day.”

Xiao Yao glared at him “It’s all your fault!”

“Fine, it’s all my fault!”

Xiao Yao smiled and started to chat about this and that with Zhuan Xu. She read the letters written to her by the Grand Emperor. She told her dad about learning archery so his letter was mostly concern about that, reminding Xiao Yao not to force herself and even if she’s not very good to not care too much.

Zhuan Xu nodded “I also think you’re too insistent on this. You’re not the wandering Wen Xiao Liu anymore. You have your dad, and also me. And you also have grandfather on Xuan Yuan Mountain!”

The Grand Emperor’s letter also contained worry about Xiao Yao and Ah Nian’s future marital prospects where he bemoaned that one daughter didn’t want his worry even if he wanted to worry about her while the other daughter was constantly causing him to worry.

Xiao Yao didn’t understand what her dad meant but Zhuan Xu explained “Last time after Ah Nian went back to Five G.o.ds Mountain, she raised a fuss about wanting to get married. Master helped pick prospective grooms for her but each choice she would spend a few days with and then reject.”

Xiao Yao was laughing and rolling her eyes – that Ah Nian, thank goodness she had the best dad in the entire world. Xiao Yao said to Zhuan Xu “You even have a source on Five G.o.ds Mountain, I’m impressed.”

Zhuan Xu rolled his eyes at her “I don’t need a source there! I grew up there and have tons of buddies. I got this from Ru So’s letter where he was complaining and worried that Master would decide on him as the groom. He felt like I was a fake poser when I was there but now that I’m gone and he’s being tormented by Ah Nian, he really misses me being there.”

Xiao Yao laughed out loud and Zhuan Xu also smiled and sighed “Actually I miss them a lot, too. I was a down on his luck prince in a foreign land. They were all Gao Xing n.o.bles but they never made me feel low. Even when we fought it was sincere and now looking back I just remember the good times and all the bad times fade away.”

Xiao Yao smiled, back then Zhuan Xu couldn’t wait to leave Gao Xing and got back to Xuan Yuan. But no matter how much he missed Gao Xing now, with his ident.i.ty he would never be able to go back. Just like the Yellow Emperor never ever stepped foot in Gao Xing, Zhuan Xu’s life on Five G.o.ds Mountain would forever remain only in his childhood memory.

Xing Yue came to find them for dinner and after a simple meal, Xiao Yao made her excuses and left so that Xing Yue and Zhuan Xu could be alone.

The next day on lunar new year’s eve, Feng Long came home.

That night Little Zhu Rong had a meal with the four kids. After dinner he didn’t depart as usual but sat around a fire pit with them and asked about his daughter and son’s daily matters. He also asked about Zhuan Xu’s affairs but his att.i.tude towards Zhuan Xu was a bit unusual and Zhuan Xu was also rather strange around him.

Feng Long and Xing Yue both knew their grandfather Sheng Nong Zhu Rong and the Xuan Yuan Fourth Prince died together. Xiao Yao also knew how her Fourth Uncle died. But this was so far ago for Feng Long and Xing Yue that they wouldn’t feel the rage and anger of losing a loved one. Xiao Yao knew that Zhuan Xu already let go of personal vengeance hundreds of years ago. So the three of them pretended not to notice anything was off.

Xiao Yao inwardly sighed. Little Zhu Rong also gave up on personal vengeance for the greater good. He created a peaceful life for the people of the Middle Plains and gave up on personal and national vengeance. Perhaps because Little Zhu Rong and Zhuan Xu made the same decision, there was grudging respect for each other.

As the new year counted down, Little Zhu Rong led them up to the rooftop to watch the fireworks.

There were soldiers on all four corners of the Castle releasing specially made fireworks which flew high in the air and turned into beautiful flowers. The entire sky was like a colorful garden.

The humans were on the streets releasing their own fireworks which didn’t fly as high but were amusing and everywhere there was laughter and joy.

This was the scene of world peace and the happiness of no warfare.

Xing Yue whispered in Xiao Yao’s ear “My dad is especially fond of fireworks. Every year he hand selects the fireworks and to make it beautiful enough he would even pay for it himself.”

Xiao Yao looked up at the fireworks and thought that it must be just as beautiful right now in Qing Qiu. Jing was likely with his grandmother and watching fireworks with a lot of people as fireworks exploded in the sky. Right now in the mountains outside of Qing Shui Town, it was likely pitch black and freezing cold. The soldiers would be sitting around fires drinking coa.r.s.e wine and singing national anthems. Xiang Liu was likely dressed all in white and accompanying General Gong Gong as they walked through each and every encampment.

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After the fireworks, Little Zhu Rong went to bed and told the kids to keep having fun.

The four chatted and then went back to the fire pit.

Xing Yue and Xiao Yao sat in the outer room pallet and nodded off while Feng Long and Zhuan Xu huddled inside to discuss their matters.

Xiao Yao fell asleep and in her sleepy daze she felt someone covered her with a blanket. She opened her eyes and saw that she was sleeping next to Xing Yue and they were actually nestled together on the same pillow.

Xing Yue also woke and drowsily asked “Are you guys done?”

Zhuan Xu covered them with a blanket and said in a soft voice “No, I heard no talking out here so came out to check. You guys keep sleeping!”

Xing Yue was so tired from all the holiday preparations that she couldn’t even get up if she wanted and fell back asleep.

Xiao Yao also closed her eyes.

Zhuan Xu stared at them sleeping side by side, their hair spread out, their sleeping faces sweet in slumber, each with her own alluring features that seemed so complementary right now. It really was like two blooming flowers arrayed side-by-side. Zhuan Xu’s heart skipped a few beats and he stared for a moment before gently stroking Xiao Yao’s forehead and then lightly walked back into the inner room.

Zhuan Xu stayed for four days in Little Zhu Rong’s residence but Feng Long only stayed for one night and the second day he rode his winged ride back to Chi Sui.

Xing Yue stuck her tongue out at Xiao Yao “It can’t be helped, he’s busy like this all the time. He spent new year’s eve with my dad and me, now he has to rush back to spend new year’s day with our grandfather and mom. Actually grandfather and mom don’t mind, but those Chi Sui clan elders will grouse about it. Gege is so sick of them already! They think the Chi Sui clan leader position is greater than the Heavens but my Gege doesn’t think too highly of it. He thinks the clan rules are too strict and hamper what he wants to do.”

When Zhuan Xu returned to Sheng Nong Mountain, Xing Yue was more upset than Xiao Yao. When his cloud carriage disappeared in the sky, she stood there in a daze until Xiao Yao laughed did she pull her gaze from the sky and sigh “Don’t laugh at me, you’ll have your turn one day.”

Xiao Yao sighed, her day was already here but she controlled it well is all. But she also knew that it wasn’t her concealing it all that well, it was Xing Yue not believing it was even possible for Xiao Yao to like Jing. Xiao Yao was like a tomboy and when she was all excited she would be chummy with Feng Long as well. So Xing Yue never even considered that possibility with Jing.

Xing Yue asked Xiao Yao “You really don’t have any feelings for my Gege?”

Xiao Yao shook her head “Actually, your Gege has no romantic feelings for me either.”

Xing Yue knew Xiao Yao was smart and insightful so conceded “My Gege’s heart isn’t on women and romance. He actually likes you well enough, or better said that as long as he doesn’t dislike you that is enough. Marriage between the G.o.ds, how many are based on true love? As long as the two people can get along well like friends then that is a good marriage. Actually my Gege is different then your Gege, my Gege has never fallen for any woman. If you married my Gege, you never need to worry about other women coming in to annoy you.” Xing Yue let out a loud sigh.

Xiao Yao didn’t dare respond so gave a silly chuckle and changed the subject.

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Little Zhu Rong went to Xuan Yuan Castle and reported to the Yellow Emperor – Feng Long was in Chi Sui, Zhuan Xu was on Sheng Nong Mountain, Jing was at Qing Qiu, and the only people left in Little Zhu Rong’s residence was Xiao Yao and Xing Yue.

The Tan family daughter extended an invitation to Xing Yue to invite her and the Princess to the countryside for a Winter cherry blossom viewing.

Xing Yue said to Xiao Yao “Cherry blossoms are nothing but an excuse to go out and play. I’m really bored so let’s go for a twirl!”

Xiao Yao was different than Xing Yue, she lived alone in the mountains for twenty years, then captured by the Nine-tailed fox for thirty years. She liked people keeping her company but she was picky about who her companions were. She would rather be alone than hang out with people she didn’t like. She lazily drawled “You go, I’ll stay home and practice archery.”

Xing Yue was insistent and grabbed her arm “Good sister, the invitation named you as well. If you don’t go, they’ll discuss it behind my back that I’m boasting about being good friends with the Gao Xing Princess but you won’t give me any face.”

Xiao Yao knew those folks put a lot of emphasis on courtesy and Xing Yue was very proud so she couldn’t lose face in front of those powerful offspring so Xiao Yao smiled “Sister-in-law gives me an order, how could I disobey. But let’s agree beforehand that I’m not in the mood to make polite talk so you’ll have to deal with them for me.”

Xing Yue blushed and pinched Xiao Yao “It’s not clear who is going to call who sister-in-law yet!”

When Xiao Yao and Xing Yue arrived at the cherry blossom forest, there were already a lot of people there.

Xiao Yao was wearing a veiled hat and followed behind Xing Yue, going wherever Xing Yue went and talking to whomever Xing Yue told her to. She was quiet but everyone knew the Gao Xing Princess was difficult so no one minded and was only envious that XIng Yue was so chummy with her.

Xiao Yao saw the Mu family son, and even though the last time she saw him looking at her through the window, it was enough for her to take note because her survival instinct was so strong so now she still remembered him.

A s...o...b..ll fight started in the cherry blossom forest and Xing Yue and her cousins were pulled into it.

A girl accidentally threw a s...o...b..ll on Xiao Yao and kept apologizing but Xiao Yao didn’t mind so she moved away from the s...o...b..ll fight and started walking around the cherry blossom forest. The cherry blossoms were blooming beautifully and because Xiao Yao could hear all the girls laughing and shrieking in the fight, she didn’t feel like she was walking too far from them and continued heading towards the most beautiful view.

Suddenly all the sound disappeared and the cherry blossom forest was blooming in silence. Xiao Yao’s beast instinct caused her to stop in her steps and look carefully ahead before slowly turning around. She wanted to head back the way she came but the snow was fresh and there were no footprints in sight.

Xiao Yao took off her veiled hat and looked around, she was surrounded by fresh white snow as if she was dropped from the sky to here.

Xiao Yao gripped poison in her hand and looked at the sky but couldn’t find the sun. She looked at the cherry blossoms and realized none were casting a shadow so she couldn’t determine the direction. The only explanation was that she was in the middle of a spiritual power maze.

To create a maze or to break a maze, both were deep powers that required training and knowledge for hundreds of years to acquire. Xiao Yao lived in Jade Mountain when she was small and the Royal Mother hadn’t yet taught her such knowledge and skills before she ran away. Later on there was no one to teach her so Xiao Yao understood next to nothing about spiritual mazes.

Xiao Yao knew she was facing a powerful opponent and if the person didn’t appear then her poison was of no use.

Xiao Yao concentrated but wasn’t too worried. She was backed by the Grand Emperor and the Yellow Emperor and no one would risk entire clan and family extermination to kill her. But she couldn’t figure out who wanted to trap her and thought perhaps she wandered into someone else’s maze and when the owner discovered it she would be released.

But Xiao Yao quickly realized she was mistaken.

All the cherry blossom branches started to move and reached out to wrap around her. Xiao Yao used her agility from living on the mountains to duck and dodge like a monkey but her powers were low so after some time of being attacked she had fallen down many times but continued to get up and keep on running.

Suddenly a blackened charred hand reached out from under the snow and grabbed her foot. She tried to use a dagger to stab the hand but the hand turned into a long spike and impaled her foot into the ground.

The cherry blossom branch turned into a giant hammer and came down on Xiao Yao’s head but she endured the pain and pulled her foot free and dodged so the hammer struck the snow and sent the snow flurries flying.

Xiao Yao’s foot was bleeding profusely and she screamed “Who are you? Why do you want to kill me? If you want to kill me then come out instead of hiding like a coward.” Xiao Yao wasn’t trying to threaten the person since whomever did it clearly understood the consequences. She just wanted to know why the person hated her and was willing to incur the wrath of two Emperors to kill her.

No one answered her.

This maze was even more powerful and intricate than the maze used by Chi Sui Xian when she battled Yu Jiang at the Autumn Tournament. Only a truly powerful fighter like Chi Sui Xian or Yu Jiang or someone of their level could create such a maze with one person’s power. But Xiao Yao really couldn’t figure out when she incurred such deadly wrath. But then she thought of something scarier, this maze wasn’t the creation of one person but the combined efforts of many. There was actually a group of people with not low powers who wanted her dead!

A beast’s growl reached her and two violent vicious beasts appeared in the cherry blossom forest. No such beast could ever exist in such a forest so this must be someone who had the ability to control G.o.d beast who sent them here to kill her.

The beasts smelled blood and walked towards Xiao Yao. Her foot was bleeding and she was almost out of strength so she couldn’t escape their attack. She sat down on the snow and quietly watched the beasts.

The beasts looked at the weak Xiao Yao and instinctively realized there was danger and started to back away. They were indicating defeat and no intention of attacking her, but suddenly there was a cry from above and the beasts owner was forcing them to attack. The beasts raised its head and had no choice but to attack.

One beast rushed Xiao Yao and opened its mouth wide but she put her hand into his mouth, all it needed to do was bite down and her arm would be ripped clean off.

The beast closed its mouth but the teeth were blocked by a sharp dagger. Xiao Yao grabbed the dagger out of the beast’s mouth and ducked below its body just in time to avoid the attack of the other beast.

The beast raised up to strike with its claws and Xiao Yao stared at it coldly. When the beast’s claw came down, it sensed its life was at an end and whined pitifully before falling on the ground.

The other beast stared at its companion and Xiao Yao used the chance to stab it in the eye with her dagger before ducking away behind the dead other beast as a barrier to avoid attack.

The beasts had thick skin which made it hard to poison it, but its weak spots were the mouth and eyes. So when Xiao Yao risked her life to stick her hand in to poison it, she then took advantage of the other beast’s shock at seeing its companion die suddenly to strike it in the eye with more poison. It didn’t seem like a lot of work but required precision otherwise she would have lost an arm and would likely be in the beast’s belly right now.

Both beasts were dead.

Xiao Yao was still alive but she used up the final bits of her strength in the battle. She screamed “If you guys have the ability then keep on going! I want to see what else you have up your sleeve.”

Xiao Yao sensed they hated her immensely otherwise they could use many faster ways to kill her but sent the beasts clearly to make sure she suffered and didn’t die a quick death. Xiao Yao wanted them to use more tricks to torment her because Xing Yue was not an idiot and she would sense something was wrong, and if she sensed it then Xiao Yao had a chance to survive today.

A man walked out from the cherry blossom forest and it was the Mu family son.

Xiao Yao’s heart fell, if they weren’t concealing themselves anymore, it meant she had run out of time to stall.

The Mu family son said “We would rejoice at seeing you die in the most painful way possible, but we can’t risk you surviving.”

The cherry blossom trees started to wildly dance and branches reached out from all sides to twist around Xiao Yao’s limbs. She was too weak to run anymore so the branches tightly gripped her and then pulled her into the air to dangle above the ground.

Xiao Yao asked “Why? We’ve never met before, what did I do to make you hate me this much?”

The Mu family son yelled in rage “What did you do? My entire tribe’s three hundred and forty-seven lives!”

“It was Qi Yo who exterminated your entire tribe, what does that have to do with me?” Xiao Yao’s body was shaking uncontrollably.

The Mu family son yelled “What does Qi Yo have to do with you? Stop pretending! He killed all my relatives and now I’m going to kill his only relative! To use your blood to avenge the deaths of our families, all one thousand twenty two lives!”

Xiao Yao shook her head “No! No! I have no relations.h.i.+p with Qi Yo! My dad is the Grand Emperor!”

All the snow on the ground turned into the sharpest blades and pierced Xiao Yao’s palms and feet. The blood started to splash on the snow in a sight that was shocking to behold.

The pain started to spread as if all her insides was being ripped to shreds but Xiao Yao didn’t utter any sound and instead calmly said said “I have no relations.h.i.+p with Qi Yo, my dad is the Grand Emperor!”

The Mu family son howled “This blood is for the Zhan family!”

Six sharp blades cut into Xiao Yao’s legs and her blood continued to fall. She was in such pain but she still refused to scream or beg and instead just said “My dad….is the Grand Emperor.”

The Mu family son raged “It doesn’t matter if you refuse to admit it! This is for the Zin family!”

Three sharp blades pierced Xiao Yao’s torso and her blood flowed like a waterfall as the Mu family son said “This is for the Shen family!”

Xiao Yao’s face was stark white and she kept trying to talk “You…..you…..you are killing…..the wrong person.”

The Mu family son had tears in his eyes as he looked up to the sky “Mom, Dad, may you rest in peace now!”

He waved his hand and the cherry blossoms danced in the sky and became sharp cherry blossom knives. The Mu family son said “And this is for the Mu family!”

An entire sky filled with cherry blossom knives flew towards Xiao Yao and embedded into her entire body and blood blanketed the cherry blossom forest like rain falling.

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The deep mountains outside Qing Shui Town.

Inside a room, Xiang Liu was discussing with his adopted father about the Spring rations for the army when suddenly he bolted upright and his face changed.

Gong Gong stared at him oddly “What is it?”

“I need to leave for something.”

Xiang Liu left with just one word and whistled as he sprinted outside. Before a white and gold condor had even landed Xiang Liu had vaulted on its back and directed it Northwest.

Gong Gong and another general in the room stared at each other and then looked out the door.

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Sheng Nong Mountain, Zhi Jin Summit.

Inside a room, Zhuan Xu was sitting on the pallet with his back against the wall as Xiao Xiao was sprawled on his knee while he stroked her hair and listened with a lazy demeanor about the latest palace renovation update.

Suddenly Zhuan Xu felt his heart was jumbled and he almost couldn’t breath. He pushed Xiao Xiao aside and stood up. The subordinates could tell something was off and quickly scurried out.

Xiao Xiao waited for Zhuan Xu thinking he was about to give her an important a.s.signment.

Zhuan Xu’s face was confused as he tried to remember, and then he remembered that when his father died tens of thousands of miles away, he had the same worry and confusion. Zhuan Xu’s entire demeanor changed and he said to Xiao Xiao “You immediately bring people to Zhi Yi to find Xiao Yao and bring her to see me. No matter what happens you have to keep her safe.”

“Yes!” Xiao Xiao turned and left.

Zhuan Xu paced the room until he suddenly burst out the door and hollered “Servants! I need to go to Zhi Yi!”

He got on his winged ride and looked out at the sky as he prayed over and over in his mind “Mom, Dad, Auntie, Grandmother, Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, I beg you, I beg all of you!”

No matter how difficult his life was he always a.s.sured them in his mind “You guys don’t worry, I will continue on well!” But this time he begged of them, he begged them to help protect the last loved one in his life!

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Qing Qiu, the Tu Shan clan residence.

The Grand Madam was in a room with Jing, Yi Yang, Hou, Hou’s wife Lan Mu. She was lecturing them “I don’t have many more years to live. My first wish is for Jing to quickly become the clan leader. The second is for you brothers to get along well to protect the clan together. And the third is for a grand child. If all three wishes are fulfilled, I will die happy.”

All four said nothing and the Grand Madam coughed so Jing and Hou quickly got her water and patted her on the back. Jing said “Grandmother, don’t worry and rest up. If you get better, everything will be fine.”

The Grand Madam glared at him “You’re my biggest worry! I want you to get married and you refuse. I ask you to hold the clan leader initiation ceremony and you also refuse. How long are you going to delay all this?”

At that moment the satchel on Jing’s waist suddenly snapped and fell on the ground. Jing stared and then picked it up and felt a ominous feeling. Xiao Yao gave him this satchel! Jing’s face changed and he rushed out the door with nothing on his mind but one thought: Xiao Yao, he had to find Xiao Yao immediately.

Yi Yang and Lan Mu were both stunned and Yi Yang called out “Jing, Jing, where are you going?”

The Grand Madam said “Something must’ve happened. Jing can sense it but doesn’t know exactly what it is.”

Yi Yang and Lan Mu looked at the Grand Madam and she explained “The true descendants of the Tu Shan clan bloodline possess this power. It cannot be described or explained but is a sensation of something big about to happen. From the ancient times until now, the Tu Shan clan leader may not have the strongest powers but we have become one of the most powerful clans because of this special ability which helps the clan avoid calamity” The Grand Madam glanced at Hou and then at the Nine-tailed fox drawing on the wall before saying “Jing is destined to be the next clan leader!”

Lan Mu lowered her head and didn’t dare look at Hou while Yi Yang glanced at him with a worried look. Hou coldly smiled.

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Jing furiously urged his winged ride faster to get to Little Zhu Rong’s residence and learned Xiao Yao was not there. Shan Hu quizzically said “Princess went to the cherry blossom forest in the countryside.”

Jing rushed there and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Men and women were playing under the trees and the sound of happy feminine laughter rang out and there was no hint of danger.

Jing tensed up and brought out little fox and asked it to track Xiao Yao. The Nine-tailed fox was a born tracker and good at concealment, plus Jing kept Xiao Yao on his heart and mind all the time so even if her scent was mixed with many, he could still differentiate if there was even the slightest smell of her.

Jing was born with the spiritual eye that could see through any enchantments and mazes, plus with the help of little fox, he tracked her to another canyon. He saw a maze formed using water, wood, and fire, it was a kill maze. The ground covered in snow was to his advantage and he grabbed the snow in hand and created a fog to envelope him and he disappeared from sight.

Jing entered the maze and heard a man’s sorrowful wailing and followed the sound. He didn’t see the man but before him was a snowy ground that was dyed red with blood. A bloodied person was hanging in mid air, the body so cut up it was impossible to tell if it was a man or a woman, but her face was pristine as if carved from a crystal jade and her eyes were still opened wide.

Jing let out a scream from deep within his soul, it was a scream that didn’t even sound like it was made by a person, and he flew up and used his hands to slash the branches and grabbed Xiao Yao in his arms.

Jing went to feel for her pulse but felt nothing. His entire body was shaking and he tightly embraced Xiao Yao and tried to use his body warmth to warm her icy cold body.

He put his hand on her back and continued to push spiritual power into her “Xiao Yao, Xiao Yao, Xiao Yao……”

Jing called to Xiao Yao and leaned in to kiss her.

He kissed her cheek, but her face was still as white as fresh snow. She didn’t blush for him.

He kissed her eyes, but her eyelashes didn’t flutter like a b.u.t.terfly’s wing.

He kissed her lips and sucked but her lips were tightly shut and cold and hard. She would no longer open like a flower for him so he could taste the world’s sweetest nectar.

Jing continued to kiss Xiao Yao but there was no response.

Jing’s entire body was convulsing and his tears came down like falling rain. Xiao Yao, Xiao Yao, I beg of you!

No matter how much power he transferred to her, her pulse never started again.