Author Angel Chua

Awakening (raw 08.14.2021)

Three thin figures were seen in a distance trailing the knee-deep snow between the borders of Qinghai and Wei. Not so far is the distant Yan Ming Guan mountains still covered with its ice snow-capped mountains.

In total harshness and coldness, you can all feel it here as it drills your bone marrows to the grave.

Chu Qiao used her diamond arrows to keep their cold bodies warm. It is not definitely a time to explain how and the companions shouldn't ask questions too. Mo'Er started to set up a small bonfire to rest for the night. The valley of their destination is not somewhat far and near too.

Silence engulfs them but Mo'Er has to ask.

"Auntie, why haven't you meet uncle yet?"

"Mo'Er shouldn't you have asked that question your Uncle first?" Chu Qiao tried to sway Mo'Er.

Huan Huan interrupted said.

"Oh, who is that Uncle? I guess he is my uncle's rival too?"

Mo'Er let out a smile he said, "so you have an uncle too?"

"Yeah, I have a very handsome uncle. So handsome that pretty girls can't keep still when they see him!"

Huan Huan let out a sarcastic smile then asked again.

Huan Huan looks at Chu Qiao but Chu Qiao pretended deaf to everything she said.

"Is your Uncle handsome too?" Huan Huan wants to know more about Mo'Ers uncle.

Mo'Er swayed his head from left to right he said, "my uncle is the most handsome and richest man in the world."

"Oh you mean like he is a prince?" Huan Huan smirks at his face.

Mo'Er likes her smirking face did not answer and let Huan Huan wonder who is his uncle.

Huan Huan said again, " My Uncle is a King."

"Yeah, a wicked King!" Mo'Er cracks a smile on his face as he insults Princess Huan Huan.

Huan Huan pouts her mouth and said, "You do not know what are you talking about!"

"Maybe, but my uncle is also going to be a future king someday! He is the crown prince of…"

Mo'Er was cut off when Chu Qiao said, "enough of those trash talks!"

Huan Huan replied, "why are you upset about our uncles?"

Chu Qiao has to say this bluntly said, " Your uncles are not here, so, we should not talk about who is wicked and who is not!"

"Hmmm… You're right but I want to know more about Mo'Ers uncle and you! Are you dating each other because my uncle is married to another girl?"

Chu Qiao mirrored Huan Huan said, "Hmm… You really wanna know who is Mo'Ers uncle and if I am dating him or not?"

Huan Huan said, "Yes I want to know!"

Chu Qiao curiously asked, "why do you want to know?"

Huan Huan said, "Because…" and stops then wrinkled her eyebrows and looks somewhat angry to Chu Qiao.

Mo'Er interrupted said, "She wants to know who replaced his uncle to auntie's heart!"

Mo'Er had to shame Huan Huan's ugly face, and Huan Huan was about to spank Mo'Er when Chu Qiao said, "I am not dating anyone and I don't have any plans to date anyone of your uncles!"

Huan Huan softly whispered, " Poor Mo'Ers uncle!" and then she smirks to Mo'Er

Mo'Er heard it smirks as well and said, " Poor Huan Huan's Wicked Uncle King."

With the emphasis of the "wicked", the teasing never stops.

Its a new morning,

Chu Qiao woke up first. It's time to walk and reach their destination. But the two youngsters were still asleep. Chu Qiao smirked when she saw Huan Huan's young supple skin. It definitely reminded her of Yan Xun's youngster's older days.

Still eyes are closed, Huan Huan caught her and said, "Are you staring at me or remembering my uncle's face?"

Chu Qiao lets out a cough she said, "Ahem, ahem I was just looking if you're still dead or alive."

Oh! Still the Princess eyes are closed.

Huan Huan laughs out loud and said, "if I am alive my uncle will be happy and maybe can divorce his wife to marry you but if I am dead my uncle will probably hunt you…

"But won't kill you but I guess will kill Mo'Ers uncle too!"

Chu Qiao replied, "if your uncle can easily kill me or Mo'Ers uncle too! Pack your things and let's go!"

Ha..ha..ha..

Huan Huan opened her eyes and gladly took out her things and said, "I can still feel you like my Uncle more than Mo'Ers uncle. I am going to tell that to my uncle when I see him!"

Why do you think that way, Princess? Chu Qiao is ready to go.

Huan Huan replied, "because I am still alive and you did not kill me when you had the chance!"

Chu Qiao in silence, Mo'Er silently packed his things and was also ready to go.

The three warm bodies stopped by at the river and have to wash their faces when someone is lurking behind.

Every day the crown prince of Qinghai Ra Yue (Yuwen Yue) ordered to cut down the black vines and roots of the Moon Kingdom. It is a project in progress but always a failure to even start. Figuring out how to breach the Moon Kingdom that lies in the middle of Qinghai steppes turned out to be difficult and draining energy.

"This is futile!" Ra Yue shouts! and orders, "Again!"

The Queen Zhuejue happens to pass by and mocks Ra Yue, " are you really making a progress or doomed in failure?"

"Shall I order the Gurus to do it instead of draining your veins to destroy this black vine-rooted kingdom?"

Its his turn to face and answer the Qinghai Queen, He cannot be put silent.

"Your Highness, why do you choose to pass by this ugly road and ruin your mood?"

"Isn't a time waster to be here and same as an energy-draining activity?"

The Queen's face muscle tightens but gave a fake sweet smile to his stepson said, " an ugly road yes, and ruins my mood yes!" As long as I see some progress it is not a waste of time and definitely draining energy you should hurry to burn this in ashes once it is breached!"

Ra Yue gave the Queen an evil grin, making her believe he is someone he can rely on replied, "I must be lucky because you came in beauty but ruined today by looking at this unfinished job! It will be soon finished just as exactly you have commanded!"

It sounds like a compliment but this is rather a sarcastic remark!

The Queen heard what she likes to hear, left Ra Yue with a sharp eye indicating her patience is already bored, she orders to leave.

Queen Zhuejue compassed her hands, the servants leaving the Moon Kingdom grounds carried the palanquin marching towards the Queen's Palace.

Ra Yue is left alone and his servants came to attend him but ordered one of the slaves to bow and bear the flogging in its back.

It is definitely the old skin nature of Yuwen Yue in Wei but unbelievable ways of Ra Yue of Qinghai. Yet here he is acting what he used to be.

Ra Yue has to display the pain of his palm to make the Gurus believe He did not take the Queen's remarks lightly.

The Gurus thinks Ra Yue isn't still a trusted ally to lead their new regime. But because Ra Yue took the Queen's favor the most, Ra Yue stayed by her side to fulfill every Queen's whims and capriciousness.

Ra Yue has to look this harsh and cold as his veins turned away from the people and switch to his aristocratic attitude "slaves obeys."

The Qinghai Queen believed every deed Ra Yue did in front of her. She trusted many affairs to Ra Yue as well as putting the heads of his two brothers Ra Zheng and Ra Zhun to be captured.

Meanwhile, in the Moon kingdom, a man was dragged by Zuo and looks for Zao Baocung.

Who can be colder than his Highness Ra Yue? Yue Qi is treating the wounds of the servant who suffered from the flogging earlier.

"I don't know! Do you even know the Master of the fourth branch Yuwen Yue in Wei?" said Zuo Zong.

"I am trying to understand where he is coming from. Seriously flogging servants is one of his ways?" Zuo Zong is thinking weird.

"Is that a praise or a mock?" asked Zao Baocung.

Zao Baocung came in and said, " He has to act. And believe me, Ra Yue will soon destroy this place."

"You need to go back to Qinghai now! We will take care of this servant," said Zao Baocung to Zuo Zong.

Yuwen Yue brandished a star dart upon the arrival of Zuo Zong.

Cold eyes and not looking at him definitely give Zuo Zong goosebumps. It is surprising to believe that his master brother almost killed him.

Small drops of blood are dripping slowly from the neck of Zuo Zong and Yuwen Yue seems did not mind. Zuo Zong said, "I am sorry your Highness, I…. "

Not even finished speaking Yuwen Yue put his two fingers in his lips and applies balm in the wound of his neck. This act makes Zuo Zong confused.

Yuwen Yue softly said to his ears, " the walls have ears, illegal channels!"

Every time Yuwen Yue tells something, Zuo Zong feels strange.

He did not have an idea who is Ra Yue when he is still the Master of the Eyes of God. But looking at him right now, Zuo Zong can understand why his brother Yue Qi keeps quiet all the time.

It is not Zuo Zong's behavior but he is learning the hard way for the sake of Ra Yue's safety.

Sometimes Zuo Zong likes to give up. But every time he touches his scar in his left shoulder, it reminded him of his vow to be his Master brother's person, he is loyal to no one but to a few.

That loyalty goes to Ra Yue.

Yuwen Yue did not even look at him, and coldly said to Zuo Zong, "you are dismissed!"

Emotionless, cold, and distant this is Ra Yue at the moment.

A lady is on top of the mountain, sitting in a Buddha position, inhaled and played the flute's last notes.

She feels the end is near.

Many weeks have passed, the Cloud leader is still asleep with no hint on when she would wake up.

Viper has just finished her morning routine when Lou he greeted her, "Viper how is Zhong Yu?"

Viper swayed her head from right to left, wordless, and looked down.

Lou He sensed Zhong Yu is never gonna wake up on time and the cloud spies are not going to be as strong as she hoped to be.

So Lou He ordered Viper, "gather the Jianghu Spies, we are not going to be stuck here waiting for Zhong Yu to wake up."

"Master, and the Mimi Gongzhu?" Viper asked.

Lou He said, "I have a hint that she is bound by the ancient oracle."

Viper suddenly stops playing her whip she asked, "is it really happening, Master?"

"I have not spoken or have revealed my presence to Zao Baocung. I am to confirm if Mimi Gongzhu is bound to it. Because if she is not bound by it, Chu Qiao should have united the wind the cloud spies before the King of Qinghai died and declared a new seal of the wind and cloud decree. Qinghai should have been protected from the Gurus invasion and I would have died."

Lou He revealing the grim events had to make Viper realize that to unite the wind and cloud spies and find Chu Qiao as their Greater leader will be her end.

Viper tightened the grip of her whip stares blankly. "All this time, this is the reason why Lou He is not showing itself to unite the wind and cloud spies?"

Lou He said, "I was predisposed by the Gurus and I led their invasion to Qinghai. I faced the King of Qinghai and almost killed him. But, the King of Qinghai sudden acts of sacrifice saved me. When the King's curse was freed, it freed mine too. I was released from the Gurus dark chanting powers but I cannot reverse what happened in time. I fled once again. So here I am, looking at you today."

Viper still has to guess said, " if Mimi Gongzhu was bound to the oracle, it means her power was suspended in Erzatz Realm?"

Lou He replies, " yes!"

"And, if you abandon the Higanbana and trade it for the sake of humanity, we half breeds face the eternal consequences."

"And that is, being a prisoner in the Erzatz realm Master?" Viper never had any fear than she feels today.

"Yes! You are not a prisoner but will be swallowed in oblivion with no point of return or reverse," Lou He is in a sad tone of voice.

"Master, what is the time requirement?" Viper has to boldly ask Lou He.

A quarter of Ersatz time is measured under the quarter of Ersatz incense stick." Lou He reveals.

Viper suddenly had weak knees, she sits and stares blankly out of nowhere says, "The Mimi Gongzhu will never die but suspended in Ersatz realm forever. She will never have a normal life on earth and will never reach the afterlife."

"How much for the mooncake?"

In a soft and gentle voice, the woman whose head was covered by a scarf asked the beggar in the street.

"This is not a cheap cake, it will lead you to a thousand caves," weakly said by the old beggar.

"Set me up!" Lou He gave the beggar one silver coin and the old beggar suddenly gave her a fresh mooncake.

"My the heavens give you favor as the Moon Kingdom destruction is approaching!"

"Strange! Is this the end of it?" Lou He revealed her face to the beggar when she took off her scarf.

The beggar was astonished said, "Master is it you?"

Lou He did not speak and showed her a compass of her hand, eventually taking the beggar in a brief moment of oblivion, in another space and time. The old beggar feels calm and at peace, said, "Master we have been waiting for you to return! Save the Moon Kingdom! For imminent destruction is about to happen!"

"Lead me to the Healer!"

Zao Baocung was busy performing some chants when he felt a strange presence is inside the cave.

"Viper! Do not frighten me! I know your shadow!"

Zao Baocung took his small cold dagger and throws it, sidewards. A ghostly presence swiftly evaded the dagger.

"Oh, useless weapon!"

Zao Baocung calmly started to pick some 5-star darts and throws it again. By this time the ghostly figure turned to him and took his hand said.

" It is Lou He."

Zao Baocung is rarely seen this way, but he looked so surprised because He did not expect the Greater Master of Moon Kingdom to be alive and came back to see him.

"Master! what…. what…"

Before Zao Baocung could utter a word Lou He hushed and said to him, "I am really here, flesh and blood, and with the Viper."

Zao Baocung down on his knees cried and said, "Master! The destruction of the Moon Kingdom is near. The Mimi Gongzhu cannot save its walls, her powers were suspended in the Ersatz realm!"

"How do you know? How much time left?" Lou He asked.

"First question, because I was there when the trade of winds happened."

"Second question, it will happen anytime soon. I will also disappear!"

Zao Baocung confessed, "how could I not know, I was in that place with Mimi Gongzhu temporarily suspended saving the life of Liang prince Xiao Ce"

Lou He confirms, " yes one of the Jianghu spies told the report and we have caught the news over the roof that the Prince of Liang was dead but a miracle happened and he was found alive!"

"We know that she cannot save a soul twice and trading her powers would mean the end of Moon Kingdom. But Mimi Gongzhu wants to do it even if she knows her consequences and destruction of Moon kingdom is inescapable." Zao Baocung said.

Zao Baocung pauses, sighs, then state, "Then, after the redemption of Prince Xiao Ce now Emperor of Liang, the Mimi Gongzhu used her Higanbana power to alter the course and destiny of this man named Yuwen Yue, Qinghai's lost crown prince and missing heir of the Eyes of God in Wei. When the Mimi gongzhu (This is Chu Qiao) used her power to save Yuwen Yue (or Ra Yue) who is dying in the icy lake, she lost herself in the oblivion of time and her memories were traded in a place where no one is allowed to heal. Her Chibi is almost incurable but through Viper's help, she was able to recall her memories, the mission, and great leadership to continue the underworld league of spies, to seal the wind and cloud decree. Again, when everything is falling into their right places, the cycle of fate continues to spin the Chu Qiao's fate became entangled with Yuwen Yue's fate.

Lou He reveals, you know one thing Zao Baocung? Chu Qiao and Yuwen Yue were not supposed to meet after the icy lake tragedy. It should have ended that heartbreaking day. Chu Qiao must have not contained the outcome of the tragedy. She should have accepted that no matter how she saves Yuwen Yue, the outcome is never going to change. If she surrendered to their fate, the flowers of the afterlife should have bloomed in the place where Chu Qiao took the last stand to defend Yuwen Yue, a departed lover's sign not to meet again in their next life. It would have been easy to end it that way. Yet, Chu Qiao stirred up the heavens and used her powers to pull the strings of fate and hold it in her hand. Using your will as the cloud and wind leader this way will definitely disturb the realms because we half breeds use our powers to defy the natural order of life. If we all do this, we will all lose these powers and live like among them.

Lou He confirms, "a lot of things really happened here and I myself were also partly to be blamed. Swimming against the stream, I am lost in Gurus dark chant powers, it turned me aside for a long time. Before I disappeared, I transferred 80% of my powers to Chu Qiao and 5% to Xia Chong. So even if I present myself, my powers are not enough to hold the Moon kingdom's spies, other elements, and the dark breeds, it will soon open the world to chaos. We need Mimi Gongzhu to lead or her fate will be worst than Xia Chong who is dead by her own choice."

Zao Baocung said, "we need to stop the Qinghai Crown Prince then and save the kingdom!"

"Does the Qinghai Crown Prince know that destroying the kingdom would mean Chu Qiao's end in this realm and will be locked up in the Ersatz realm?"

Lou He is seriously asking the Moon Kingdom Healer.

Zao Baocung plainly said, "no. In fact, I know his plans, he will destroy the Moon kingdom to get them all to trust him and drive away from the Gurus by his own Poe Yue Jian sword. He will unite the entire Ximeng continent and tear the Gurus regime piece by piece. May mercy creep into his veins when that day arrives."

"Has he lost his memories? Did his Chibi has healed?"

Lou He thought this will be a hard question for Zao Baocung.

"I tried my means to heal him but the Crown Prince does not remember anything about the Mimi Gongzhu."

Zao Baocung wallowing in his sad voice.

Lou He said, "maybe he is faking it! Or why would he come to you?"

Zao Baocung said, "when we found him, he cannot remember us but feels that he can trust us so he made us his secret spies that can go anytime in Qinghai without being killed."

Lou He thinks deeply, had a short trance of vision, said, "Then only fate will lead us to our own paths. I am seeing a way out but…" Lou He stopped and definitely stares blankly at Zao Baocung.

Zao Baocung is decoding the Greater Master saw a short trance of time and shouted, "No Master! I can't let it happen!"

Lou He suddenly drops on the floor and Viper caught her.

The chanting monks closed eyes, in a Zen Buddha position with golden bowls in one hand neatly lined up outside the palace, continuously clanging, and producing soft sounds of singing bowls. The monks played by striking or rubbing its rim with a wooden or leather-wrapped mallet. This excitation causes the sides and rim of the bowl to vibrate, producing a rich sound.

The sound and smoke incense is scattered around, the clothes are neatly arranged in a body found at the center of the ornamented bed. She is beautiful and did not age all these years.

Zao Baocung performed the singing bowls song with a flute for deep relaxation to heal the muscles, joint pains and relieve tired and stressed organs in the body. Zhong Yu comes forward and whispered to her ears, "come back to us, I am here now."

Viper waits outside and guards the entrance palace door, day and night. From dusk to dawn, never left her Master alone.

A familiar monk face greeted Viper's eyes she said, "No! This can't be you!"

Yuan Song dressed in a long earthly gown and long orange sash around his shoulder to his waist, he looked at her with great compassion and did not say words. Yuan Song closes his eyes, in a Zen position continued to meditate. Viper is staring at Yuan Song for so long. She cannot believe her eyes is seeing the next emperor of the Great Summer Dynasty has joined the ranks of chanting monks who vowed to leave the possessions of this world. Next to him was a thin youngster who seems to observe Viper but stares blankly at her too.

"Does this mean…?" Viper cannot comprehend.

Zhong Yu saw what Viper saw, she said to Viper, "even if you know, you cannot reveal his identity."

"He abandoned his entire army? There is no more Xiaoqi camp?" Viper's eyes are really big like an owl cannot believe this was possible for a long time she hid behind her low profile as an underworld spy, she retreated in Wolong mountains and took care of Zhong Yu.

"Yes! And only Xuili Army is protecting the human shields installed along the borders of the Wei state." Zhong Yu confidently said. Yan Xun raided those small communities by force and burned many houses. These left many orphan children and He Xiao took care of all of them and defended them from fire arrows.

Viper suddenly remembers He Xiao, said, "that handsome general took over Xuili army?"

"As far as I know, Yes! With A'Chu" (nickname of Chu Qiao in Yanbei) said Zhong Yu.

"So where is the 7th Prince Yuan Che?" Asked Viper.

"He disappeared too, like no trace." Zhong Yu is trying to recall her last spying activity and fails to remember.

Viper curiously asked, "That is new! Abandonment is not in his vocabulary!"

Zao Baocung passed by and looked sideways, said to the two underworld spies, "Why worry on him? There is more to what meets the eyes. But seeing is believing, and you won't believe 7th Wei Prince Yuan Che is now a servant to the people!"

"A blue blood became a servant and obeys the lowly blood?" Zhong Yu clarifies.

Viper reacted, "It is rather a peculiar idea to believe and think that the 7th Prince of Wei is serving the people than serving himself."

Zao Baocung wanted to dismiss the matter said plainly, "Change happens, and it's all because of the Qinghai Crown Prince efforts and Mo'Er."

Zhong Yu imagining the change of what happened there commented, "Yeah! Detaining the 7th Prince Yuan Che seems to work!"

Viper disagrees reacted, "Because he has no choice and he can't go back either to the Great Summer Dynasty Emperor to do the report. So he stays and prolongs the inaction. And besides, the little crown prince brother is here, changed himself to become a monk. He can't be blamed either. It's either 7th Prince Yuan Che gets all the blame or points all fingers to the Crown Prince of Wei."

"Oh well, that is a terrible day when it happens! Shen Jing Gong will be a bloody ground." Zhong Yu recalls what happened to the Prince of Yanbei.

Viper shrugs the shoulders said, "The darkest hour of Wei when 3rd Prince Yuan Yang took over the Xiaoqi camp. If then, this will be just a thug of war because one of their own uniforms just took over the camp. The change did not happen! Only an exchange!"

Zao Baocung thinks this way too, commented, "we will see what the Mimi Gongzhu can do if there would be a true change of hearts after she arrives in the Freedom community."

"Do you have any mooncake message from the Mimi Gongzhu?" Asks Zhong Yu.

"No." said Zao Baocung and continues to walk, left the two underworld spies who are looking at each other.

Viper and Zhong Yu seem to know what must be done.

It has begun.

"What is this? Destroying a kingdom inside your own kingdom? Is Ra Yue even thinking right?"

After Lan Shuyi delivered the report to the Silver Prince Ra Zheng, she knew it would upset him.

"I cannot allow this to happen! If we lose the Moon Kingdom the balance of good and evil will be wiped out. And the entire Ximeng continent will be covered in darkness with no peace to wake up in the morning! Darkness will swallow Qinghai and the SUN empire will be dead."

Lan Shuyi boldly reacted, "My Prince, will it be the end of the half breeds, dark powers, and magic spells from the underworld spies if Moon Kingdom will cease to exist?"

Ra Zheng revealed, "if the Moon Kingdom will be destroyed, all prophecies will be fulfilled. The five realms will cease to exist, closing the portal gates of the Forgotten river will shut the door to the afterlife and will be out of sight. The garden of Higanbana flowers will die. The Happy Valley will be laid waste where kungfu or ice wisdom will disappear. The Hellfrost melts will unleash all the beast kept for many years. And lastly, the Ersatz realm will be trapped in the oblivion of time. What's worst is, the underworlds will no longer have the power or behold any capabilities to become superior godly human beings or be called half breeds. They will all lose their power and godly abilities, they will become simple human beings incapable of doing nothing. We will all die in human flesh and blood just like any other beings!"

"I think we all deserve to die!" Lan Shuyi said with a curious tone of voice.

Ra Zheng not upset, replied, "if we lose the balance, we all die without the power to know what is in the other side."

This is a sad day for the Silver Prince and he cannot plan his course or can even think clearly.

Ra Yue finally took a potion and dropped a portion to the black vines.

Suddenly, the black vines started to change color and transformed into green color. It becomes like the normal vine incapable of holding strength as it looks soft. It shows decaying but the ground is starting to show a lush vine forest. It looked as though the black vines were cured of their sickness, it bloomed in green color. However, the poisonous purple little flowers started to emit a very fragrant scent in the air. This is not a plum blossom flower but the scent meant to kill anyone who does not have the scarf to cover their nose and face.

Ra Yue thinks the purple little flowers are like a virus spreader disease in the air, that invites your nose to smell and once you inhale this perfect scent, suffocates the lungs and makes the people sleep and does not wake up anymore.

Is this awakening from the worst nightmare or from the wildest dream?

Ra Yue knows how these little purple flowers softly kill ordered all of his servants in their thick scarves including himself. But some of his men still fell sickly and the only cure was the plum blossom oil Ra Yue prepared on hand. Ra Yue winks at Zuo Zong with no words to say, he knows what Ra Yue meant.

"Here take it!" Zuo Zong gave it to one of their slave servants cannot dare say no. The slave servant applied it to the temple of the man that seemed fallen asleep. Zuo Zong after few seconds holds the wrist of the slave and felt a pulse. Zuo Zong looked at Ra Yue. Then Ra Yue nods and coldly said, "how are you supposed to use dead meat?"

The Gurus like a dog following Ra Yue every day looks as though the man is dead. They believe Ra Yue is disposing of his body.

Zuo Zong acting too, angrily said to the slave servant, " Get out of him here!" And the slave servant took him out, knows what to do.

Ra Yue said, " Enough for today! Unless we want all of us to be dead today, we won't destroy even an inch of this place!"

The palanquin servants lifted the Crown Prince Palanquin and all of the men followed them back to Qinghai.

One of the servants of Gurus steals the little purple flower plant and Zuo Zong caught it said, "Na, ah, you don't wanna do that, aren't you? You saw what happened here! So drop it off or I will chop off your hand!"

The young servant of Gurus drops it off and listened to Zuo Zong. He felt a little uneasy.

Meanwhile, a group of slave servants took the young body of the youngster and then left after. He is the one who was poisoned from the little purple flower planted all over the Moon kingdom's walls. As if, there is no ground to escape, these little purple flowers look innocent and harmful. But in reality, it is a deadly killer in a matter of few minutes, if not cured instantly. This boy looks pale and weakly breathing.

The mother and father of this youngster already know the boy might be dead wails, said, "Oh my son is dead!"

As they press his body their wails get louder, and suddenly, a stranger druid-looking priest, like a flash, came onsite. The parents were startled but cannot say any words. The druid-looking priest came closer to the youngster and smells a familiar smell, it felt good. He suddenly holds its wrist and feels its pulse said, "ah, it perfected the timing of when to apply, and the correct meridian to press proves to be the antidote!"

"What did you say?" the father asks.

"Oh, you do not have to worry, his pulse is still weak but he'll live! So don't bury this poor thing on the ground or I will be the one to bury you two alive!"

The stranger druid-looking priest chuckles and said, " what are you doing? get me some water or this poor boy dies!"

The parents of the boy did not hear anything except the words, "he'll live!" They were like happy frogs who want to hop and leap for joy even if there is no rain today.

"Stay here, and we will get you some water!" Said the mother and the father also went to gather more water from the nearby well.

When the parents came back with a wooden pail of water and a cup, the stranger druid-looking priest is already gone. While their son is already half-awake and almost can recognize his parents.

Back to Qinghai Palace, Zuo Zong gave the news in secret channels and Ra Yue, pretends not to know, he smirks and feels relieved that the poisoned boy is alive. He thinks Zao Baocong knows what to do. Because the boy is alive when he is supposed to be dead, Ra Yue utters like he is talking to nobody said, "the dead needs to be buried or better escape!"

Zuo Zong listened to every word he said, knows what to do, he passed a secret stone to one of the slave servants and the slave servant went on his way.

Zao Baocong receives the stone and knows what to do went back to the young boy's house and asks all of them to leave the place or Qinghai crown Prince Ra Yue kills them all.

How Ra Yue works at this moment will all believe he is a mad prince who is cold, ruthless, and has no heart. But he is the Master of the fourth branch of the Yuwen Family in Wei. The supposed to be the heir of the Eyes of God in the whole Ximeng continent. He knows so well how to look so cruel and so cold. He knows how not to feel any compassion yet brings mercy and kindness as the outcome. He knows how to be seen as a bad person yet a good person on the inside. He is not a fake badass but not also lacking in mercy and kindness. This gentlemanliness makes up that little different from all other good princes out there. Ra Yue is Yuwen Yue from his worst past and yet acting better today. There is nothing else you could ask for.

As the day approaches, Ra Yue continues to weaken the black vines, now it went like a lush fern gully of vine forest.

Ra Yue softly whispered to Zuo Zong said, "do you think a forest fire will make this Gurus believe the Moon Kingdom already lays in their ashes?"

Zuo Zong replied, " Moon kingdom is already burned inside. Do you want to display the smokes, the lake of fire, or even dig a very deep hole in Ximeng earth and let all Gurus be swallowed after?"

Ra Yue smirks but secretly chuckles said, "I want to do the last option you said."

The Gurus seems would want to hear their whispers.

Zuo Zong changed the topic but cannot hide his smile in his face said, " Very well Your highness, the walls need to be burned!"

Ra Yue thinks the same said firmly, "How's the matches and woods? Is there enough fire to consume these iron walls? We will just waste time here if we burn and still finds the iron walls in a firm place."

Zuo Zong said, "Please do not cut my head, your highness, I am thinking like a fool!"

The Gurus were murmuring and is talking in their own language. Zuo Zong thinks they are discussing something.

Ra Yue back to his stern cold face sways his hands to whip Zuo Zong's stomach, and heard him say, "Ouch!"

Zuo Zong stands still, fakes his seriousness although he is dying in pain.

The Gurus looks attentive likes what they heard even said, " Your highness, we have a new invention stronger than match sticks and woods. We have what we call black powders. All you have to do is throw 1 match stick and the black powder will spread the fire."

Ra Yue likes to trick them more to believe he is buying their offer said, "very well bring me these black powders, I'd like to set these vines on fire real quick, then we can all go home again. What do you think?"

Someone is lurking behind, heard these words, the druid-looking priest puts on his scarf and runs fast as he could.

"Lou He, are you still in lucid dreaming? Wake up!"

The next scene cannot spell anything good to happen.

Ra Yue came down from his Palanquin and took out his Poe Yue Jian sword, cuts one of the biggest vines. Then he unwraps his right hand from his white mitten, uproots the purple little flower, covers his face with his plum blossomed scent scarf, a secret he never shared with anyone else except to Zuo Zong. All of them followed as they put on their scarves but some of his men already went pale and down to the ground. Zuo Zong has to count and order these men to be removed.

They all looked stuck as they watch Yuwen Yue pick these little purple flowers and puts them in a square bonsai pot. Yuwen Yue's nostrils filled with plum blossom cannot feel the killing scent of these little purple flowers.

No one dares to move not even the Gurus, only their eyeballs watching him do these things with their whole faces covered with their scarves.

After the dramatic cutting and uprooting of these poisonous plants, and nobody understands why Yuwen Yue is doing it and likes to surprise them on the spot.

Ra Yue without any warning throws a match stick to the ground with black powder.

The black powder like a sponge lit the whole ground on fire and the unthinkable happened!

Lan Shuyi dressed like she is not going to live one more day, puts a horrifying woman in the middle of the tallest lush forest vines. It looks like she is a whore who is drugged and her clothes were torn. Looks like she was beaten to death and about to be burned alive. Her breathing is shallow but can see what is happening shouted, "Young Master! Must you do this?"

It's too late.

Ra Yue already sees the black powder's quick absorption of the fire quickly spreads.

Suddenly, Ra Yue wants to hold it back but no one dares to defy its flames, cannot react quickly. However, his memories flashed back so fast, he remembers the Eyes of God and his Yuwen Yue days, hears this…

"Slaves obeys"

"Illegal channels"

"The walls have ears"

"No one dares"

"My Palm"

"My Pulse"

"I begged you, master, kill me!" The 5th brother begs for his mercy to kill him to honor the young master.

Now Yuwen Yue wants to stop all of this when he saw her, Yuwen Yue softly murmured, "Xinger…"

(Xinger or star child, the name given to Chu Qiao when Yuwen Yue found her in the Green Hills courtyard)

Another eye cannot pretend to hold it anymore, although not safe, showed itself.

Surrounded by fire, brave and valiant, came to cut the tallest vine and took the helpless woman down.

Ra Yue is watching them walk away and believes he saw three people in the middle of a burning forest fire. After few moments, went to disappear from his eyes.

Twitching his hands, Ra Yue cannot retract the order. So he watched these human beings burn in the forest fire. He looks angry at what he saw. Yet, the Gurus finally approves Ra Yue's plans is working.

The Qinghai citizens woke up today with spine-tingling monstrosity. A cloud of black smoke hovering over their skies and the middle kingdom's black vines were all consumed by fire, unveiling the enormous wall that almost reached up to the skies. The citizens cannot help themselves to describe the Moon kingdom this way because it has never been laid bare until today. Some believe that to breach the Moon Kingdom walls is to face the horrible monstrous Undertale. Hence, no one dared to challenge the chasm of its walls not until today. Where is it now? Why is it so quiet?

Queen Zhuejue receives the spy report from the gorge spies. Her eyes were full of reverie, of rosy anticipation, and of castles in the air false visions, the Moon Kingdom in her clasp. She is to finally uncover the mysteries of the Moon Kingdom. This is the real daydream, the most promising better days ahead from the greedy and shadowy ways she worked so hard for this. Succeeding the handcuffing of Qinghai's crown prince authority, the Queen holds all keys to its total destruction.

"How are you, my love? Still feeling pain?"

These are words Ra Zheng wished to say. But how can he say such words when he is consumed in pain and still the Silver prince manages to rise from the bed and listens to the Eunuch report.

"My Lord, please stay in bed. You need to rest." Eunuch's face is full of worry.

"How is Princess Xiao Ba?" Ra Zheng is taking a long time to talk.

"The princess is still asleep my Lord. The skin bruises were treated and medicated on time. She did not suffer any degree of burn. Please rest your concerns, my Lord."

Ra Zheng heard what he likes to hear, suddenly chuckles and in the mood of telling a story.

"Ha..Ha..ha.. " (rather a laugh of hurt and frustration)

"This is just what I can do now. To sleep here and waste more time because one stupid spy took matters in her ways! I should have killed her for doing this to Xiao Ba!"

Ra Zheng opens and closes his palms and looks like he wants to punch a wall.

The Eunuch does not want to say this but said anyway, "My Lord, our defenses are not that strong enough to hold this palace. If you kill your last secret spy for taking matters into her hands, you may lose all your strong defense and have to surrender to the Qinghai Queen. Please stay indifferent these days. You may punish the secret spy when these mishaps are over."

Softly spoken, the Eunuch nodded and went out from the Silver Prince sight.

Ra Zheng thinks the old Eunuch's words have a point, wants to reverse the course of his action, draws a different plan. Calling the royal personal guard, said, "take her out of the dungeon, send her to her chamber and giver her dress and food to eat."

"Yes my Lord."

Ra Yue obviously hasn't slept well last night. He was figuring out the three figures who were burned in the forest fire, as it lights a spark of his memories about the Green Hills courtyard. Yuwen Yue remembers Ling Xi, Chu Qiao's 5th brother. The memories were randomly flashing when he heard the soft cry of a woman held in that burning vines, "Young Master! Must you do this?"

Her voice echoes someone.

Someone dear and close to his heart he felt too precious to lose. He likes to save her and follow her every step of the way. He wants to be with her even if it means his death.

Yuwen Yue feeling like this likes to die at that moment, he wants to disappear on fire.

Yet, today has come. He has to address the Qinghai citizen and he has to show how bad is the bad side seems to be. The evilness has to work to make them believe he has no heart at all. No soul left to feel.

The Snow Crown Prince Ra Yue is ready to go to his next steps. As cold as Qinghai's snow-capped mountains so is his heart. There is an Iron wall to breach, and He knows the moment he opens the Moon Kingdom to the Ximeng continent, there is no turning back.

"This is not for the faint hearts."

"This is a fight of no fight at all."

A voice like a hell hailed, "When the Moon Kingdom walls break, as the gates are impossible to breach, We will not fight back! We will finish our invaders with their own fool's paradise daydream!"

The Gurus chanting monks surrounded the outside walls of the Moon Kingdom holding something that no one knows what is. They dressed like no can ever see their faces. For to see their face is to see your end.

Whoever is inside the iron walls also prepared themselves for the worst scenario. These earthly dressed monks were also lined up and surrounded the iron walls, holds their singing bowls, and been standing in there since yesterday.

The druid-looking priest seems would want to harm anyone who stands in his way. He is definitely not going to heal today but to fight for the peace and freedom they have long been in hunger for many years. In the absence of Chu Qiao and Lou He's slumber, he will lead Viper and Zhong Yu to make the last stand.

Ra Yue cold and uninvited, have to deliver the message yet he remains speechless. The Qinghai citizen waited for this hour to hear his voice even if they knew what is already going to happen. They started to pass mocking words and defiance to the crown prince.

In case this happens, and it truly was, Ra Yue wrote his words, nodded at the Eunuch to read it aloud to the Qinghai people.

"To my Qinghai people, many years have passed and I became deaf and blind to all of Moon Kingdom's actions that stretched the Sun empire's repose. The moon kingdom grappled the lesser light to protect its people and went far to hid from the greater light's scrutiny. Today, the Sun will overshadow its moon and its moon may now rest without any definite time either any promises of revival shall come. It all ends today as the sun brings the sunrise from the darkest skies."

Surprisingly the people did not dare say any single mock of words. All of them were just staring blankly as they brace themselves for the underworld's leash. Spell destruction, this phenomenon did not come to knock politely but to snatch all living underworlds. It would be wise to stay away and hide. There is no other option aside from remaining unseen and untouched.

to be continued…