ã€ŠHeavenly Goddessã€‹


 Chapter1:The cold prince-Wang Yong Meng

    A tree with beautiful golden crimson leaves stood majestically, beneath it are two maidens sitting leisurely. Both wearing peach coloured plain bright robe. Their bodies look delicate, as if they have just stepped in their youth. They are talking nonchalantly and giggling. They dress the same way and look exactly the same, indeed they are the ¡®Liu Twins¡¯, daughters of the war god Liu Ji Lie who was also the head of the Heavenly Academy. Heavenly Academy is a place where young gods and princes practice to increase their spiritual powers and attain the 100<sup>th</sup> level of immortality. However, attaining such a high level, was no piece of cake. Even Liu Ji Lie could only attain only the 89<sup>th</sup> level even after practicing for lakhs of years¡­and the practice still continues. What it means is this that it is not necessary for you to attain the legendry 100<sup>th</sup> level, you can leave the academy whenever you think that your powers are sufficient. Not to be deviated from the story¡­so the Liu twins wee chatting while one of them became rigid and stood up forcing the other one to stand too.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡±, asked Liu Tao, snappishly.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you see? His highness prince Wang Yong Meng is coming out of his courtyard. Liu Mao looked in Liu Tao¡¯s direction only to see a man coming out of Moon River courtyard. The man, well how to describe him through mere words? His face shined like the rising sun, looking as fresh as morning dew, with remarkably chiselled features. As he strode forward, flowers turned their faces towards him, and poor birds even forgot to fly. Each step he took, the earth felt blessed. He was no other than Heavenly prince Wang Yong Meng, the second son of the Jade King. It was said that when he was born, flowers bloomed all over the heavenly realm, even the rare dragon lilies which bloomed once in every 500 years. The sky bursted out in all its golden splendour and the fairies and elves celebrated for sixty whole days. Currently, he had extraordinary talent and was a fast learner. Many believed that he would surely reach the 100<sup>th</sup> level in immortality. Moreover, he was a good strategist and looked handsome. He was only second to the Divine God in his looks and intelligence.

    Today, like all other days, Liu twins had come to just take a glance at him. He was their heart¡¯s secret crush, and not only theirs, every female immortal in the heavenly realm wanted him. The Liu twins were merely two girls, compared to the sea of maidens who wanted to be intimate with him. Even though they were the war god¡¯s daughters, none of them was competent enough to be his wife. Neither they had the looks, nor the talent. But in their hearts, they thought that if somehow, only if somehow, even if the possibility was negligible, they could make Yong Meng fall for them, all their defects could be overlooked. Yeah, it was true that every maiden¡¯s love was not sincere towards him, what they wanted was status and the chance to brag in front everyone that how incredible their husband was. And these things were not well hidden from Yong Meng, so he shoved every maiden off and never noticed them or fell for their filthy traps.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    For instance, the case of the flower fairy Lian Hua was pretty amusing and popular. She also wanted to extract her interests from Yong Meng. So, one day with her subordinate, she made a scheme to lure him into her trap. One evening, when Yong Meng was going towards his courtyard after daily practice, he was suddenly stopped by a voice coming from the back. It was Lian Hua. Making a sweet voice and smiling like a sweet flower she approached Yong Meng and said, ¡°My prince, I Lian Hua, have always admired you. Ever since I first saw you, I¡¯ve been in love with you. For you¡¯ I¡¯ve even forced my father to cancel my engagement.¡± She then leaped at Yong Meng. Yes, she literally leaped and hugged him. The turning her pink face towards him she said, ¡°I am all yours now.¡± Yong Meng brought his face near to hers. Of course, he could see through her. He proceeded towards her lips. Lian Hua closed her eyes, perhaps expecting an embrace, but Yong Meng stopped, he could see disgust written on her face. How could he kiss her, even if he was teasing her? He gave a devilish smile, and putting his hand behind her back, he pushed her into the lake alongside.

    ¡°Splash!¡±, a big sound was heard and the mocking words of Yong Meng, ¡°Sorry, not interested in garbage.¡± Saying this he went on his way, with an angry Lian Hua staring at his back and slapping her hands in water, filled with disgust and pain from failure.

    And from then on Lian Hua encountered tantrums and mockeries here and there. She was dearly called her highness the Royal Garbage, by anyone who wanted to arouse her and get a little entertained. Even her friend didn¡¯t miss a single chance to throw tantrums at her.

 Chapter 2:Summoning Day Arrives!

    The Lu Twins were very much aware of this, and hence none of them dared to do anything in front of him. But they were not the ones to give up. If not today, then there¡¯ll surely be a day, when he¡¯ll fall for one of them, thinking such things they could only comfort their little hearts, for now. Yong Meng strode forward, without noticing them or replying to their greetings. It had been a custom for him to encounter these two waiting out for him each day. And now, he didn¡¯t feel it necessary, to greet them each time. Such is the way of the world, your value only decreases by visiting a place several ties and even the people who respected you earlier, will just regard you as something trifling and unimportant.

    Yes, so as for today it was the day of ¡®The Great Summoning¡¯. This event was very special in every immortal¡¯s life. You could summon only once in your life. Yeah, there were some special cases too, but they were very rare. So, let¡¯s not dwell on that and proceed. The spiritual level of the beast one summoned, told a lot about their talent. It was so important, that immortals were graded only on this account. The stronger your subordinate, the stronger you. When immortals reached at the 50<sup>th</sup> level of immortality, they could summon a subordinate, who would assist them for the whole of its life. Every academy paid special attention to this ritual and special summoning grounds were prepare in each academy. The summoning ground of the Heavenly Academy, resembled a colossus auditorium. There was a big empty space, surrounded by seats all over on a raised platform and in the front was an even more raised platform, meant for the master of the academy. When Yong Meng, reached the summoning ground he could feel an air of confidence surging in him. Suddenly, he felt someone approaching at a fast pace towards him. His upper lip curled up, revealing a devilish smile. He swiftly moved his body side wards and, in a moment, a shrill cry from a maid was heard. Why, she had all the right to cry out loud and even beat that little pervert to death that has just landed his face on her chest.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Feng Hao was thwarted back at an instance, when he raised his head what he witnessed was a crazily mad maid suppressing her anger, and her eyes looked as if though she wanted to eat him alive. At seeing this, Feng Hao gave an innocently dumb smile. This made the maid so ferocious that she just couldn¡¯t control her anger and in fear of creating a scene she just retreated. Feng Hao is the only son of the fortune deity, and hence quite spoiled which resulted in his mischievous behaviour. Even though he is handsome no maiden can ever be sighted near him because of his behaviour.

    A pair of malevolent eyes were very keenly watching this incident. But it was not only the eyes, the whole facial expression of that person gave an air of contempt. He was no other than the eldest son of the Heavenly Lord, Prince Wang Ke Qin. It was hard to believe but he was just as handsome as Yong Meng. He had a crafty mind and a special hate towards Yong Meng. May it be born out of jealousy or for other remains, but the fact remained that they were sworn enemies. Today he was to participate in the summoning ritual, but what he hated was the fact that his younger brother was more competent than him and was participating in the ritual at such early age.

    At this Liu Ji Lie, entered the summoning ground, and all the disciples stood near their seats. Ji Lie, sat on a chair kept on a raised platform and as he sat all the other disciples took their seats too. A servant standing near Ji Lie announced, ¡°On Behalf of the worthy master I¡¯d like to announce that, now the summoning ritual is going to start. As you all know the details, I won¡¯t take much time but remind you all of one thing, an immortal can only summon once in his life, so be ready and give your all to it. The first is the prince of the Water Realm, Li Jun.¡±

    A gracious fellow stood and descended to the summoning ground. He stood calm for a moment, and then started chanting.

    In a moment blue rays of light appeared in the sky and a water dragon appeared. The crowd applauded excitedly.

    Next was the turn of Ke Qin. He looked pretty confident. His chanting was so powerful, that it became hard to breath. His powers were creating a vacuum and suddenly golden rays bursted out and a magical beast was in sight. It looked so unearthly, the combination of a fire dragon and a phoenix. It was so huge in size and such a unique creature that people even forgot to breath. Liu Ji Lie rose, and applauded energetically.

    This year, there were three disciples that were going to summon. The two had already summoned and now it was the turn of Wang Yong Meng.

 Chapter 3:Yong Meng summons a mortal!

    As Yong Meng rose, all eyes were fixed on him. Everyone was curious to know that what kind of creature is he going to summon. Specially, Ke Qin and Liu Ji Lie were very emphatic about it. But surely, they had different interests. All disciples had started whispering to each other. Yong Meng descended and started chanting. At first, everything was still and pretty quiet. But as he went on chanting, the sky darkened and wind started blowing furiously. With this kind of atmosphere, everyone¡¯s hopes had gone high. Suddenly, the earth started trembling and a golden blast greeted everyone. Ke Qin, leaned forward to look at the newly summoned creature. But it was something no one had imagined. A creature that looked just like them was trying to stand up. She was a little dizzy too.

    Yong Meng went near her, he couldn¡¯t feel any spiritual energy. She was wearing a blue skirt and white sleeveless top. Her body was too exposed. Yong Meng, put his outer clothes over her and said, ¡°It is a mortal.¡± Everyone was shocked including Liu Ji Lie and Ke Qin. Mortals were considered very weak in this world, and if someone had summoned one, he was considered a good for nothing and a lowly creature with no innate talent.

    Ke Qin was the first to burst into laughter, and soon everyone started laughing at Yong Meng.

    ¡°Hey, I thought he was very talented. Can¡¯t believe he is no better than a fly.¡±

    ¡°Even my servant can summon something of higher spiritual energy. Ha-ha!!¡±

    The mortal, who had just been summoned was feeling dizzy and finally collapsed. At this, even a greater laughter was heard.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    ¡°Silence!¡±, Liu Ji Lie rose up and said. ¡°The summoning ritual is over. Yong Meng, you can go to your courtyard with our subordinate. I will send a doctor to check on her. And everyone else can go back. This is it for today.¡± His face looked disappointed as he went away.

    For Yong Meng, he wasn¡¯t disappointed at all. He believed in hard work. So, for him he was sure he could turn this mortal into something spectacular. ¡®If we work hard the least talented can become the beast, and if we don¡¯t the most talented can become the worst.¡¯, such ran his thinking. He picked her up in his arms and just as he was about to make leave, someone called him.

    ¡°Yong Meng! Don¡¯ worry. I know you are young and have a lot to learn. Why don¡¯t you beg me to teach you something, am I not your elder brother? Ah! Don¡¯t feel too bad. I can let you touch my dear Ling Ling, if you¡¯ll beg. You know, from today onwards this is my most precious possession.¡±, Ke Qin gave a malicious and mocking smile while his one hand was stroking lightly over his mighty beast.

    ¡°If it is so precious and lovely, why don¡¯t you marry it? Ah! You are afraid of being rejected.¡±, Yong Meng smiled lightly and went his way.

    Such mockeries can¡¯t affect him in the least. He knows what he has to do. He soon reaches Moon River courtyard and puts his subordinate on his bed. Well now he can see her face clearly. She is such a beauty, so unearthly, like one he has never seen before. She has a delicate face. And eyes, so big and beautiful and her pink jaded lips, just can lure any man to kiss her. She is the epitome of beauty, fair complexioned with chiselled features. He wasn¡¯t able to see her clearly before as a lot was going all around him. But now, as he saw her, he felt like his heart just skipped a beat and if he were to keep looking at her, his heart would forget to beat altogether. He sat near her and started stroking her forehead gently.

 Chapter 4:The mortal is delusional!!

    When the mortal woke up, she found herself in a strange place. She saw a handsome man sitting beside her whose eyes were closed, as if asleep and his head resting on his hand. She tried to get up, her slight struggle woke Yong Meng who helped her get up. The mortal had a confused expression on her face. First, she observed Yong Meng carefully then she poked her finger on his chest. Her mouth half open, the she uttered surprise fully, ¡°You seem so real!¡± ¡°Of course, I am real.¡±, said Yong Meng smiling. Then the mortal burst out into laughing, ¡°Hey, you really don¡¯t know anything. Nothing is real here except me. You see I am dreaming and you, you are just a part of my dream. And¡­ and you think you are real?¡± She laughed even louder, but graciously.

    Yong Meng didn¡¯t say anything to this. For him the show had just begun. This little creature was too amusing for him. Suddenly, the mortal held his face in her delicate hands and said, ¡°Let me take a closer look¡± and drew his face closer to hers. Yong Meng¡¯s eyes were wide open from surprise. Except his mother, no one had ever dared to touch him like that. But for some reason, he didn¡¯t thwart her back. ¡°Well, this is the first time, that my dream is not blurry. My sight is crystal clear.¡± Then touching his dress, she said, ¡°Why, you are dressed as an ancient man. Perhaps I should not watch so many historical dramas.¡± ¡°What are dramas?¡±, murmured Yong Meng. His kitten, surely spoke some strange words.

    Then putting a smile on his face while his eyes were twinkling with amusement he cupped his face in his hands and said, ¡°Why do you think it is a dream?¡±

    ¡°Surely it is a dream. Can¡¯t you see. How do I explain you?¡±, saying this the mortal put her finger on her chin and looked up as if thinking something. Then right at the time Feng Hao entered the room. Seeing him the mortal¡¯s eyes gave a spark and energetically sprang out of the bed. She then put her arm around Feng Hao¡¯s shoulders and turned towards Yong Meng. Both Yong Meng and Feng Hao hadn¡¯t anticipated this move. While Yong Meng became even more interested, Feng Hao¡¯s heart was on fire. He thought, ¡®Why is this beautiful maiden standing so intimately near him? Is she Yong Meng¡¯s subordinate? Then surely, he had hit the jackpot.¡¯ When some cheesy imagination was going on in Feng Hao¡¯s mind, a smile spread over the mortal¡¯s face. Then in a confident tone she said with her eyes filled with mischievous joy, ¡°Now look carefully, and you¡¯ll find it is a dream.¡± Taking a dagger kept on the table she continued, ¡°Now, I¡¯ll stab this young man beside me and you¡¯ll see it won¡¯t hurt him.¡± When she uttered these words, fear clutched Feng Hao. It was no ordinary dagger but the one given by Heavenly Lord to Yong Meng on his 40,000<sup>th</sup> birthday. It could even wound the immortals very seriously and the healing took a lot of time.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Now, Yong Meng¡¯s eyes started twinkling with amusement and a lot of interest and a malicious smile spread over his face. The Feng Hao cried, ¡°Even if this maiden is heavenly beautiful, I don¡¯t want to DIE!!¡± Saying this he freed himself from her hold and tried to run away.

    Moon River was a peaceful courtyard. Highly reputed for its well-mannered servants, tight security and peace that seemed to last forever. Angels singing could be heard. Beautiful maids laughing as the worked could be seen. But what was this? A girl with blood thirsty eyes with a bloody dagger in her hand is chasing after a man!!! Well Moon River was so peaceful now; a monstrous cry could be heard then and there.

    Right now, Feng Hao was cursing himself that why did he go there in the first place? What was all this matter? Is this girl, who looks as sweet as if she were an angel, really going to chop him down? Behind him he could her the mortal girl crying, ¡°Come back! Stop running! It won¡¯t hurt at all you¡¯ll see!¡± ¡®Has she lost her mind somewhere? She thinks I am going to stop, if she asks me to? It won¡¯t hurt???? Then surely, she should test it first on herself, why involve others¡¯, Feng Hao was thinking all this when he halted forcefully. There was no place to run away to, there was a lake in front of him!!

 Chapter 5:The delusion breaks.

    Wang Yong Meng always thought that life was pretty simple and without any amusement. For him everything had always been very simple and hence devoid of any interest. But the moment that he was encountering just now, it was beyond compare. Why, his little subordinate had just woken up and she was out there on the bloody chase. So, he leaned his back on the cherry tree, sitting above, he could watch the drama quite well. Near the lake stood a majestic cherry tree and two people, One maiden with a dagger and excited expressions while the man was horrified.

    ¡°See, there is no use running. In my dreams, things always go as I want them to.¡±, said the mortal laughing. With a dagger in her hands and a malicious smile over her face, she quite looked a blood thirsty murderer. Suddenly she started running towards Feng Hao. Then she took a big jump, perhaps trying to land the dagger above his head. Right at this moment, her facial expressions changed. Her eyes widened in surprise and her mouth wide open she produced a deafening cry and closed her surprised eyes tightly. That Feng Hao had slipped sideways at the right moment, and now the mortal was about to get dipped in the lake. But what is this? She stopped in mid-air. She felt as if someone was holding her. When she opened her eyes, she could see a beautiful face with a pair of sparkling eyes that were fixated on her. She was in the arms of Yong Meng! How could he have let his little kitten fall into the lake. They were floating in mid-air. Then he drew his face closer to her and asked, ¡°Do you still think it is a dream?¡± ¡°Y¡­ye¡­es¡±, the mortal was so surprised right now that she could hardly say anything.

    ¡°But I think it is not. Let¡¯s see who is right.¡±, saying this he threw her in the lake.

    She landed with a big splash! Her whole body became aware of her surroundings. A ferocious chill went all over her body. And she fully became aware that this not a dream, but the unimaginable reality. But what to do now, she didn¡¯t know how to swim!! She made violent efforts to go up, but in vain. She was losing her breath. If she didn¡¯t do anything now, she¡¯d be buried in that lake forever. ¡®I¡¯ll never irritate my mother or tease my younger brother. God, please help me!!!¡¯, she cried in her mind and closed her eyes. Suddenly she felt that someone just took hold of her hand. Yong Meng had just arrived in time. He put his hand round her tiny waste and pulled her upwards.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    In the next moment, she finds herself lying on the bank. She coughs a little and gets up. ¡°Well, out of the hallucination now?¡±, asks Feng Hao and chuckles. This chuckle just pierced her nerves, and she finds she is still alive. But more than anything else, this is not a dream???!! ¡®But how can such a strange place and such creepy people even exist. Am I inside a drama? No, this is not the case. So, what is? Who are these handsome men? And why am I even here in the first place???¡¯, she clasps her head thinking all this.

    ¡°I think now you are sure that you are not dreaming. You might have many questions right now that you are struggling with. But before you begin let¡¯s go back and put some dry clothes on. I don¡¯t know about you, but if you catch a cold, it¡¯ll be very trouble-full for me¡±, saying this Yong Meng turns around and started walking towards the courtyard with Feng Hao. Then he stopped and said, ¡°You Haven¡¯t moved an inch. Don¡¯t you have legs? Don¡¯t even fancy me carrying you there.¡±

    ¡°What? Does this guy have eyes behind his head?¡±, she murmured and started following him from a safe distance. It was not like she wanted to follow him, but she had no other choice. She didn¡¯t know where she was o how she got here. So, for now she had to trust this man. She clasped the dagger tightly in her hand thinking that if he tried to cheat her, she¡¯d not let him slip off. Even though Yong Meng had saved her life, she didn¡¯t in the least felt herself indebted to her, because it was him in the first place who had dropped her in the lake, and had just corrected his mistake.

 Chapter 6:Song Qing learns the truth.

    When they reached Moon River courtyard, Yong Meng gave that little mortal to his maids and asked them to dress her. The maids began their work. They took her in a place which looked like a beautiful terraced hot spring. Five or six of them seized the mortal and started undressing her. ¡°Oh, wait! I can do it myself. There is no need to¡­.¡±, before the mortal could even complete her sentence, one of the maids said, who looked like the head of them all, ¡°These are the prince¡¯s orders. We dare not disobey. So, miss, please cooperate.¡± The mortal resisted hard, but she was one to six and had to give in at last. The maids did the best job they could do. They dressed her beautifully, did the hair job and make-up. At last what one could see was a breath-taking beauty. When all of this was going on the mortal was about to chew her own body, all of her secrets were revealed to these maids now! Thus, after she was attired, the maids took her to the hall, as they were ordered to.

    In the hall, Yong Meng was sitting alone as Feng Hao had gone out for daily practice. As the mortal entered the hall, the dull and lonely-some hall seemed to light up. She was wearing a light blue coloured traditional dress, with flower engravings of silver on it. Her hairs were perfectly set, tied with a beautiful jade pin. Her face had turned pink from previous embarrassments, also she was thinking now that what a fool she had made of herself in front of Yong Meng. ¡®This is a dream? He might have laughed too much silently, and those eyes of his, giving an air of amusement when they looked at me¡­ah! What a fool I have made of myself!!¡¯, lost in all these thoughts, she didn¡¯t know, when she reached the hall.

    Her fantasies break, when a shiver ran through her body, and she had a feeling that someone is constantly staring at her. When she lifts her head, she meets two sparkling eyes of Yong Meng, who is standing just in front of her. He smiles sweetly, with his eyes fixated on her, he asks the maids to leave. Then he turns around, and sits near his table, with his elbow on the table and his head resting on his hand, and his eyes leisurely inspecting the mortal he asks, ¡°Say, what is your name?¡±

    ¡°I am Song Qing.¡±, replies the mortal with confidence in her voice.

    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll call you Qing Qing.¡±, saying this he smiles sweetly at her then, in a rather serious tone he says, ¡°I know you have many questions. So, let¡¯s not waste any more time. This world is different from yours. You are the from the mortal realm-world of humans and this is the Heavenly Realm-world of the immortals. I am Wang Yong Meng, 2<sup>nd</sup> son of the Heavenly Lord. You have been summoned here as my subordinate during the Great Summoning Ritual.¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°Subordinate¡­ summoning what?¡±, Song Qing murmurs, this is too much for her to believe. She then asks, ¡°When can I go back? My family will be worried for me.¡±

    With serious expression on his face Yong Meng answers, ¡°You can¡¯t go back because now you are my subordinate. As for your family, don¡¯t worry about them When you were summoned, the person named Song Qing ceased to exist in your world. Your family right now will be unaffected because for them you never existed.¡±

    ¡°I never existed?¡±, Song Qing turns gloomy and serious. Then with anger filled in her eyes she cried in a piercing voice, ¡°You liar!!! My family can never forget me. All of what you are saying is rubbish. Okay, I can believe this is a different world, because you people look so weird and this place looks ancient too. But how can I cease to exist?¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case than why don¡¯t you take a look at it.¡±, saying this Yong Meng hands her a mirror, carved out of jade and continues, ¡°This mirror is made from a very rare quality jade and has spiritual energy. The one who holds it can watch their loved ones.¡± Song Qing looks into the mirror, she can¡¯t see anything. But slowly an image begins to form, a plump lady is seen working in the kitchen, then a little boy comes near her and says, ¡°Mom are we going to go for a family dinner today?¡± ¡°Yes, my child¡±, the lady answers smiling. ¡°It¡¯s my mom and brother!¡±, Song Qing bursts out. They seem very normal to her. It has been a day since she is missing, but they aren¡¯t panicking at all. ¡°Have they forgotten me?¡±, tears roll down her soft cheeks. Yong Meng heart aches as he watches her crying. Just as he is about to console her, she bursts into laughter and says, ¡°Looks like, I am stuck here forever.¡± Yong Meng watches her smiling bravely and wiping her tears, with her flower-petal like delicate fingers. Even if she is puzzled, she knows how to keep her wits about her. Just then a servant enters the room, ¡°My lord, Master Liu wants to have a conversation with you. He has summoned you to the Full Moon courtyard, right now.¡±

    Liu Ji Lie, had great expectations from his favourite Yong Meng. But when he summons a mortal, all his hopes are shattered and turned to dust. He still wants to stand for him He thought that his disciple¡¯s spirits would¡¯ve been gone down due to such failure. So, to cheer him up and provide him with hope and some necessary knowledge he calls upon him. He is an old man with fierce looks, the war god. He was brewing tea, when he saw Yong Meng entering the hall with a beautiful maiden. He couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. He kept the tea pot on the table, and rubbed his eyes, no he is not dreaming. ¡®Is it really her. But how can she¡­after so many years¡­?¡¯, he thinks hard. He couldn¡¯t have forgot her face. How could he forget his first female disciple? This maiden in front of him has exactly the same face. Could it really be her?

    Liu Ji Lie¡¯s stream of thoughts break when Yong Meng bows and greets him. Then Yong Meng starts, ¡°Master, she is my subordinate. The one I summoned during the ritual.¡± Song Qing bows and greets him.

 Chapter 7:Song Qing is troublesome!

    ¡®Snap out of it Ji Lie. I¡¯ll think about that later¡¯, Liu Ji Lie resolves in his head. Song Qing bows and says, ¡°It is nice to meet you. I am Song Qing.¡±

    In the next scene, Song Qing can be seen sitting on the stairs of the courtyard with her face cupped in one hand, while the other holding a flower which she had just plucked. ¡°What secrets do they have to talk in such privacy?¡±, she murmurs as she had been asked by Liu Ji Lie to leave them for a bit. With her eyes fixated on the freshly plucked flower, her thoughts began to wander off. ¡®I wonder what my family is doing right now? Have they really forgotten me? Why me? Why am I stuck here? Well, this is what they call bad luck.¡¯

    Then suddenly she hears someone approaching, with the corners of her eyes, she watches a man accompanied by a beast, which looked so unearthly, walk into the courtyard. She then fixes her gaze back on the flower, pretending that she hasn¡¯t noticed anything. The man appears to be Wang Ke Qin accompanied by Ling Ling.

    As Ke Qin looks forward, he sees a beauty so angel like. He is hardly able to breath and a strange feeling clutches his heart suddenly. But what is this? She didn¡¯t notice him. Now, what should he do to grab this beauty¡¯s attention?

    ¡°Argh¡­¡±, he coughs a little.

    ¡°¡­¡±, Song Qing.

    ¡°Aarrrgghhh!¡±, he choughs violently this time. Song Qing looks at him in a cold expression then retreats to her thoughts.

    ¡®Was I just ignored?¡¯ ¡°Hey maiden, you surely have ill-manners. Don¡¯t you know how to bow.¡±, Ke Qin gets impatient.

    ¡°I know.¡±, Song Qin answers leisurely, she is moreover getting interested in this little play. She was bored for long. Now she has got a plaything.

    ¡°Then, why don¡¯t you bow?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t wish to.¡±

    ¡°Do you know who I am?¡±

    ¡°Yes of course, one that has never been greeted by anyone or perhaps someone who is obsessed with greetings.¡±

    ¡°You little¡­¡±, just as he is about to say something, Yong Meng appears on the scene and Song Qing hides behind him, protruding her little face and when Yong Meng looks at her, she gives the look of a pathetic little innocent puppy.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°Elder brother, looks like my subordinate has made you a little angry. Forgive her, thinking of her as young and foolish.¡±, Yong Meng gives an irritating smile.

    ¡°She is that mortal? Like master, like servant, both have a devilish tongue.¡±, says Ke Qin.

    ¡°Well, thanks for your praise brother. We¡¯ll be heading out now.¡±, says Yong Meng giving an irritating air, then he turns towards Song Qin and says, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±, answers Song Qing smiling and follows him, then for a brief moment she turns around and smiles at Ke Qin maliciously.

    ¡®Trying to curse me¡­huh? You¡¯ll have to be taught a good lesson.¡¯, while walking Song Qing resolves in her mind.

    Song Qing is lying on the bed, counting on her fingers, how many days has it been, ¡°Five whole days and I am still stuck here.¡± Then her stomach produces a gurgling voice and she is out in the kitchen to check on the dinner preparations. The chef was not there at the moment. She looks at the food and her mouth starts watering reflexly. She tastes a bit, ¡°It looks there is something missing.¡±, then she turns around and looks at the spices, just as her tumbling through the spices, she sees a peculiar bottle. It is a pretty bottle. She opens it and smells it, there is some kinda liquid in it, which smells good. ¡°This will do.¡±, saying this she pours a little bit of it in one of the bowls containing soup. Just as she turns to put it back, two maids arrive, one of them take the food towards the hall, while the other one, points the bottle in the hands of Song Qing.

    ¡°Miss, do you have constipation?¡±

    ¡°No. Why do you ask?¡±

    ¡°So, what are you doing with this bottle, miss? It is a medicine. Even if you are shy and hiding the fact, I must tell you that this medicine is very strong. You should only use one or two drops.¡±

    ¡°What if I pour about one or two mouthfuls?¡±

    Then giggling the maid says, ¡°You¡¯ll get loose motions.¡±

    A shiver runs through Song Qing¡¯s body. She hands the bottle to the maid and runs toward the hall. Yong Meng is sitting there with the food laid before him. ¡®I am dead today.¡¯, she thinks and furtively sits near him. As he is about to start dinner, she clasps his hand and says, ¡°Aren¡¯t you a gentleman? Don¡¯t you know ladies first?¡± While Yong Meng is confused thinking what she meant, Song Qing gets the opportunity.

    She observes there are three soup bowls, which one has the medicine? She leans forward and smells each, finally she finds the one with a pretty different smell and keeps it aside. Yong Meng is observing her and is amazed at this new style of eating. Then with a smile on her face she says, ¡°Now we may begin.¡± After a little bit Feng Hao arrives, ¡°Oh, I am so hungry. Good! The food is already laid. Let¡¯s start with the soup.¡±, being very hungry, he ceases the bowl, and drinks the soup like as if drinking water. When Song Qing sees this¡­well, there is no need for much description, but her eyes swell out and she stares at Feng Hao.

    After some time, Feng Hao starts feeling uneasy, and runs to the toilet. The whole night he couldn¡¯t sleep. Whenever he was about to, he had to use the toilet. Well, even if Song Qing didn¡¯t wanted all this to happen it, it kinda amused her a little. In the morning, she was summoned by Yong Meng in the hall. Thinking what had happened she entered the hall, when she saw Yong Meng sitting with a expressionless face and a maid standing beside him. Surprisingly, it was the same made who had cautioned her against the medicine. Now the picture became clear to her. She was summoned here, because the maid had burped out everything regarding yesterday¡¯s event.

 Chapter 8:Song Qing likes to stir trouble!

    Moon River courtyard is so quiet today. No maiden running down its halls or anyone creating mischiefs. All is merry, while Song Qing is meditating under a cherry tree. With both her eyes closed, she is looking calm for now.

    After some time, she opens an eye slowly, keeping the other one closed. From here, she can take a full view of Yong Meng¡¯s room, as the sliding door is open. He is not there! She takes a sigh of relief and lies down on the grass with her legs still crossed in the sitting position. The events of today¡¯s morning start encircling her mind. ¡°Punishing me like this! I never did it on purpose in the first place. I should clear my mind? How can someone ever clear their mind in this tiring and boring way?¡±, while she is complaining all this to herself, she hears someone¡¯s footsteps. She at once retreats to her former position with her eyes closed. Looking as if she had been meditating for eternity.

    Yong Meng enters his room, with a certain paper in his hand. ¡®What is he reading?¡¯, Song Qing thinks in her head, looking at all this from her narrowed eyes. She suddenly closes them as Yong Meng looks at her to find if she is contemplating. After a moment, Song Qing hears retreating footsteps. Now she opens her eyes wide and like a thief enters Yong Meng¡¯s room through the open doors. On his table, is a paper in a pale-yellow colour. ¡°Got you.¡±, Song Qing unfolds it. It¡¯s a big note. She reads it while coming out of his room to the garden. ¡°Do they want the reader to get diabetes? Using such honeyed words and so unnecessary terms¡­oh! It¡¯s an invitation for a feast! They could¡¯ve written that at the beginning. Why make it so unnecessary long?¡±, she says to herself. Then again, she hears approaching footsteps.

    ¡°Oy, when did I come out of the room?¡±, she hurries towards the room but stops at a second thought. ¡®What if I am caught while placing it back?¡¯, she wonders and with a speed as that of lightning she hides behind the bushes. It is the best place for now, no one can see her here. It might have been difficult to go to the meditation place, but this is alright for now. Song Qing puts the invitation beside her, while she is crouched, she clasps both her hands and prays to the god in a very low voice, ¡°Please, it shouldn¡¯t be him or if it is him please, don¡¯t make him look in my direction. I promise from now on I¡¯ll¡­I¡¯ll¡­¡±, while she is busy bargaining with the god, a squirrel appears by her side. The little squirrel, takes hold of the invitation and starts tearing it, it hasn¡¯t gone far, might¡¯ve just bit a little portion of it when Song Qing notices that little paper on which her life depends for now, being destroyed by that little fella. She tries to grab the squirrel, but it slides from her hands and runs away. Without a second thought she follows it and is soon out of the courtyard. The squirrel runs towards a shabby looking dense forest. Song Qing halts and thinks for a moment, ¡®If I don¡¯t place it back that devil is surely going to eat me and moreover, I was even slacking off! I¡¯ll be dead for sure.¡¯, she calculates everything and again starts chasing the squirrel. She is going deeper and deeper in that forest. The squirrel stops near a big banyan tree, thinking that it is my territory now. Nothing can happen to me here. Song Qing, sees the squirrel, calmly beneath the tree with her paper. She proceeds very slowly, so as not to alarm the squirrel. The squirrel turns its head and notices her, with all her might it tries to make a big and terrifying face, thinking that it might scare a human many times bigger than itself. Song Qing smirks and says, ¡°If you are trying to scare then do it properly.¡±, she then makes a face so devilish and scary that the squirrel is scared to the extreme and leaving the invitation there it runs away like lightning. Song Qing laughs wildly. How could that little squirrel who perhaps had no experience in scaring could scare a human that had become the master of the art by constant practice in scaring her younger brother.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    Song Qing, now starts heading home, the way of which she is confused about. While chasing the squirrel she had come so deep in that forest, that now it was getting harder and harder to go back. She was making such rounds, when she heard the noise of water. She was thirsty after running so long, so she resolved to drink some water first. She followed the noise and reached to a natural hot-spring. As she was about to lean and drink water, she saw a man bathing at the other side. Her cheeks turned red and she turned around. She would¡¯ve had taken a few steps when she halted an turned around to take another look. It was Ke Qin! She hid herself behind a bush and said to herself, ¡°It¡¯s that bastard!¡± While she is thinking that how to take advantage of this situation, she points his clothes nearby. A devilish smile spreads over her face. She grabs them stealthily and runs away as fast as she can. When she thinks that she has ran enough and the spring is out of sight, she halts and leans her back on a tree and laughs heartily. Then staring at the clothes, she gives a malicious smile and says, ¡°What will he do now? He shouldn¡¯t have offended me.¡± She drops his clothes there and starts wandering in the forest, she still has to find a way to go back! ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it have been better if I would¡¯ve asked that sissy to help me instead of teaching him a lesson?¡± Her hopes are all down, she has been wandering for such a long time. She lifts her head and looks at the sky, while still walking and cries, ¡°I am lost! Please help me! If you¡¯ll help me then¡­¡± Before she is able to complete her sentence, she bumps into someone. It is a man wearing a white coloured robe. The robe is bright without imprints and looks beautiful in its simplicity. The man has chiselled and beautiful facial characteristics. Looking though as the epitome of beauty. Even Yong Meng¡¯s looks are nothing compared to his. His beautiful black hairs flowing in the air and his sparkling eyes as though stars are embedded in them, he is breath-taking handsome. He smiles sweetly at Song Qing, while tears are constantly rolling down her cheeks.

 Chapter 9:Divine God- Rui Niang Jun

    ¡®Why am I crying? He is just handsome. Do I have to cry just because of that?¡¯, Song Qing wiped her tears. The man in front of her giving a sweet smile said, ¡°Please complete your sentence, what will you do if someone helps you?¡± ¡°Eh?¡±, after thinking a little song Qing answers, ¡°Ah, yes! If someone helps me get out of here, I¡¯ll render that person a wish.¡±

    ¡°A wish, eh? What a helpless girl like you can possibly fulfil? Say, if I help you, will you fulfil my wish?¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡±, Song Qing answered confidently. Right now, the most important thing for her was to get out of here, in one piece. Who would like to be a snack to the beasts or die of hunger? As for the whish, who knows if she isn¡¯t lying?

    ¡°Even if you say so, I think you¡¯ll not fulfil it. Tell me, what is your name?¡±, the man wasn¡¯t a fool after all.

    ¡°Why do you want to know?¡±

    ¡°What if I find out later, that you had just used me? How will I be able to reach you and force you to fulfil my wish or punish you otherwise, when I don¡¯t know who you are?¡±

    ¡®Ah, look! This man is already planning about forcing me and punishing me. Forget it. I thought that perhaps I will fulfil his wish, if it is in my power. But now, no matter what¡­ I will teach him a good lesson.¡¯, thinking all this Song Qing said, ¡°My name is Li Rong. Now, are you satisfied?¡±

    ¡°Li Rong?¡±, a smile filled with disbelief spread over his face and he continued, ¡°Okay! Let¡¯s get out then.¡±, saying this he put his hand around Song Qing¡¯s waist and then pulling her towards himself, he flew into the sky.

    Song Qing was but a mortal, and this unearthly experience made her scream out, ¡°Whoa! I never knew that you folks can even fly. Am I dreaming?¡±, then remembering the past incidence, that how her wrong speculation had made her loose face and act foolish, she suppressed her excitement and became perfectly calm. Looking at her, the man just smiled sweetly.

    Soon they landed in front of Full Moon courtyard, Song Qing knew this place as she had visited this place with Yong Meng. So, without a second thought, she freed herself from the man¡¯s hold and ran away. While, running she turned around to look at the man. She had expected that right now he¡¯d be dumbstruck and would look like a complete idiot, but to her surprise he was smiling sweetly and that smile produced so powerful beams that she could take no more and retreating her gaze, she kept running and disappeared from sight in a short while. The man was still standing in front of the courtyard, when suddenly the gates of the courtyard opened to reveal an elderly looking man beaming sweet smiles on the man. He was no other than Liu Ji Lie. Then he drew forward and heartily said, ¡°Divine God Niang Jun, it¡¯s a pleasure to have you here.¡± Both of them exchanged greetings and went in. Liu Ji Lie led him to the main hall. After Niang Jin was seated and everything was at ease he ordered the servants to leave them alone. Then in a serious tone, he said, ¡°When I saw her, I didn¡¯t know how to react. I was really confused, if it was really her. So, I wrote to you immediately that day after she went away. What do you think, is my speculation correct?¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    Niang Jin¡¯s facial expression smoothened, then smiling he said, ¡°It is indeed her. This time she has reincarnated as an immortal.¡± The he became grave and continued, ¡°It seems that someone has sealed her spiritual energy. So, no one was able to detect that she is an immortal.¡±

    ¡°Her spiritual energy is sealed? Then¡­¡±, Liu Ji Lie was super confused and worried. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I have a way.¡±, Niang Jun looked stern and self-assured.

    Back at the Moon River courtyard, things were peculiarly amusing. Song Qing, reached the courtyard, she had to hurry and place the invitation at the table. She only wished that Yong Meng would be busy and wouldn¡¯t have noticed anything. Thinking all this, she was pacing right and left in front of the courtyard, when her gaze turned to a guard who was watching her, he looked pretty amused. Song Qing smiled to reveal her snow-white teeth and then snappishly asked, ¡°What are you looking at?¡± The guard lowered his gaze. After sorting everything in her mind, Song Qing sneakily entered the courtyard. She had gone a few paces when she heard some footsteps coming towards her, she swiftly hid behind a wall. These were some maids, but Song Qing couldn¡¯t take the chance. She knew how loyal they were after what happened with her today morning and how that maid had complained against her. When they went away Song Qing gave a sigh of relief and paced towards Yong Meng¡¯s study. She soon reached there and looking at the invitation in her hand she said, ¡°You know, today you have put me in so many troubles. I went at such lengths to protect you, even promised that stranger¡­ Well now, here is your place.¡± She put the invitation on the table and patted it. Just as she was about to leave, when she heard a familiar voice behind her, ¡°Qing Qing."

 Chapter 10:How could she disrespect the Divine Deity?

    Song Qing turned to find Yong Meng coming towards her. ¡°Is your mind clear now?¡±, he asked. ¡°Very clear!¡±

    ¡°Well, what are you doing in my study?¡±, he inquired with a piercing look in his eyes.

    ¡°I was a little hungry.¡±, Song Qing just randomly said anything.

    ¡°Hungry?¡±, Yong Meng was a bit curious now. He already knew, what she was truly doing, but this answer was unexpected. ¡°If you are hungry, you normally ask a servant to bring you something. Don¡¯t tell me that people in your realm actually like to eat paper?¡±, he truly intended to mock her, but¡­

    ¡°Paper?¡±, Song Qing suddenly got an idea. Then she took some paper from the table and stuffed it in her mouth. ¡°Yes! Paper is indeed very delicious.¡±, then she proposed some paper to him and continued, ¡°You want some?¡± Looking at her paper stuffed mouth, and how innocently she was handing him some paper, well, making a complete idiot of herself, he could do nothing but adore this little nincompoop. ¡°No need, you enjoy. When you are done, dress yourself up, we have to attend a feast, tonight.¡±, saying this he went out of the study smiling. As Song Qing, saw him go, she instantly coughed out all the paper and took a sigh of relief, ¡°Good, I have enough mind to escape a tough situation.¡±, saying this she patted her head, and went out in search of some maids to ask them to help her, dress-up.

    Full Moon courtyard, today was decorated beautifully, with beautiful flowers and fireflies that lighted it. All the disciples were invited today in this grand feast. It was told in the invitation that a special guest was to arrive in the heavenly academy. This feast was held in his great honour. Everyone, came to the courtyard, dressed handsomely, as much as they could. As Song Qing and Yong Meng, entered the main hall, all eyes were staring at them, leaded by certain whispers in the background.

    ¡°Hey, who is this maiden with the prince, she is heavenly beautiful!¡±, asked one.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you know? She is that rumoured subordinate of his.¡±, answered another.

    ¡°But you certainly can¡¯t take such a weakling to fight. She is good enough to be concubine!¡±, when these words were uttered, everyone in the hall started laughing. As soon as Yong Meng turned his chilly gaze towards the laughing crowd, all became still, and quietness prevailed. Even if Yong Meng had summoned a mortal, he was still the heavenly prince and no one dared to offend him. After Yong Meng and Song Qing were seated, Feng Hao came with a sweet smile and greeted them. As they had just started their pleasure talk, two excessively dressed and ornamented female figures stood near Yong Meng. They were surely the Liu Twins. After they heard that Yong Meng summoned a mortal, they had become audacious enough to come near him or even try to start a conversation. According to them, approaching Yong Meng now wouldn¡¯t be as hard as before, he is no longer a spiritual prodigy, but weak enough to summon a mortal, he won¡¯t be arrogant now, but sweet tonged and submissive.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    They started flattering him one by one, ¡°Oh, my! The prince seems so great today.¡±, they had just begun when they encountered a cold sneer from their dear prince. Oh! Their faces changed colours so fast and they left the spot in an instance. This was followed by Feng Hao bursting into laughter, suppressing his laugh he said, ¡°Brother dear, don¡¯t be like this or all the maidens will be scared to death.¡±

    ¡®What a bully!¡¯, Song Qing said to herself, ¡®No wonder, no one visits him except Feng Hao. Well, no one wants to be eaten by a demon!¡¯

    When she was thinking all this when she heard two maids chatting behind her.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that prince Wang Ke Qin.¡±

    ¡°I heard, that this afternoon, he entered his courtyard, naked!¡±, a chuckle followed this.

    ¡°Really?¡±, the other one inquired surprisingly.

    ¡°Yes, he was covering himself, with two leaves. I wonder what happened to him?¡±, both the maids started giggling, and then parted to do their work.

    Song Qing who was listening to all this thought in her head, ¡®Well, this is what you get when you mess with me. Too bad, I wasn¡¯t there to enjoy the scene.¡¯ While she was lost in her world, Liu Ji Lie entered the hall with Niang Jin, all eyes were fixed on them. The maidens in the hall, wanted to devour Niang Jin, with their eyes. He looked so bewitching! Everyone rose, on their spot. Liu Ji Lie then began, ¡°Today Heavenly Academy is very grateful and delighted to have Divine Deity, Rui Niang Jun between us.¡±, saying this he turned towards Niang Jun and bowed to him with a sweet smile on his face. Along with him, everyone in the hall bowed to Niang Jun. But there was an exception! The greeting was interrupted when everyone heard a giggle. They only turned around, to find Song Qing, still sitting, lost in her own world, giggling to herself. Looking as if she was unaware of her surroundings. While Niang Jin looked at her with amusement, all the people in the hall were staring at her with a murderous intent in their eyes. ¡®How could she disrespect the Divine Deity?¡¯, they thought.

 Chapter 11:The Feast.

    Song Qing felt a shiver running all through her body. Her fantasies suddenly broke down into pieces and she woke up in the real world only to encounter, faces filled with tremendous rage and killing intent. ¡®What are they looking at me like that for?¡¯, a thought came to her mind, ¡®Have they found out that I was the one who ran away with that bastard¡¯s clothes?¡¯, a deep anxiety clutched her mind. Before she could think anything else when she felt that someone had clutched her hands. Before she could take any action, two maids made her stand up and bow. She felt greatly confused.

    ¡°There is no need to be so angry and strict, I think that she was just unaware. Right?¡±

    ¡®This voice¡­have I heard it before?¡¯, Song Qing lifts her head to find out Niang Jun looking at her in a questioning attitude. She involuntarily just nodded. Soon everything became calm, and everyone seated themselves. ¡°Oi, did I just do something wrong?¡±, Song Qing leaned towards Yong Meng and asked him. ¡°Ask yourself¡­¡±, he paused and spoke no more. ¡®Ask what? Did they really find out it was me?¡¯, while Song Qing was struggling with herself, Liu Ji Lie asked Yong Meng to come over his table. Soon Song Qing was forced to come out of her thoughts. She followed Yong Meng to find out a whole group sitting with Liu Ji Lie. She seated herself and turned her gaze around her, on her one side was Yong Meng then next to him was a man she didn¡¯t know, in front of her was Liu Ji Lie and next to him was Ke Qin! Seeing him, she instantly withdrew her gaze, covering her face with her sleeve she looked sideways only to encounter Niang Jun sitting next to her. She looked at him vaguely in surprise and recalled he was also the one who just questioned her a bit ago, she couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡®Why is he here?¡¯ While she was lost, oh! She is so lost today. Encountring unimaginable events one by one. At length she was just stupefied and Liu Ji Lie broke the silence, ¡°These young men here have attained the 50<sup>th</sup> level in immortality and have just summoned their subordinates some days ago. This is the heavenly prince Wang Ke Qin.¡± Wang Ke Qin bows and greets Niang Jun.

    ¡°This, the prince of the water realm Chen Daquan and the younger heavenly prince Wang Yong Meng.¡± Bot of them also bow while sitting and greet him.

    ¡°And who could this maiden be sitting beside me?¡±, Niang Jun asks with an interest-full expression on his face.

    ¡°She is Song Qing, my subordinate¡±, answered Yong Meng.

    ¡°Song Qing?¡±, Niang Jun stared at Song Qing, while a tornado was blowing in her head.

    ¡®If I just knew, I would see him again, I would¡¯ve never lied to him about name or made that stinky promise. If I just knew¡­¡¯, a pitiful and helpless expression covered her face while her cheeks became completely pink. She bowed and greeted.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Niang Jun just smiled. He already knew everything and that dub expression on her face was just killer! Soon, the atmosphere became quite boring as they all started talking about spiritualism, politics and drank alcohol. Song Qing just yawned the whole time. Niang Jun was calm and talked less. While everyone was busy in their gossip, she secretly slipped out from there. Everyone had become illusioned by alcohol now, what heavy drinkers! People had started to leave their places and wander in the courtyard. Song Qing was sitting in the garden on a wooden chair, when Niang Jun reached there. ¡°Looks like, you are enjoying it quite well.¡±, saying this he sat beside her. Song Qing gulped, though she hadn¡¯t been eating or drinking anything. But her mind was still unrestful, she was totally confused about today¡¯s events. At length she turned her face towards Niang Jun and asked, ¡°Who are you? How come you are here?¡±

    Niang Jun smiled, he had already expected this question, ¡°I am Rui Niang Jun. And I m here to attend the feast.¡±

    ¡°So Niang Jun¡±, she was calling him by his name. Well, no one dared to do that in all the realms. He was highly esteemed and powerful.

    But nonetheless, she continued, ¡°¡­are you someone important or powerful? They all were behaving so deadly respectful in front of you?¡±

    ¡°You guess.¡±, Niang Jun supported his head by his hand and smiled faintly. Before Song Qing could guess, Yong Meng appeared there and said, ¡°Sorry to interrupt you, but we must take our leave.¡±, saying this he bowed to Niang Jun and then turned to Song Qing, ¡°Qing Qing, let¡¯s go. Song Qing got up and followed him. Soon, they were out of sight. Niang Jun cupped his face in his hands and faintly murmured, ¡°Qing Qing, huh? Are they that intimate already?¡±

    Next day arrived, as quickly as possible! The morning was quite beautiful. The plants and flowers covered in morning dew, it felt so fresh and good. A beautiful bird with a crown of jade on its head, called the jade bird, quite small in size, but exquisitely beautiful, was just trilling on his chirpy note, sitting at the branch of a tree in the Moon River courtyard. Suddenly, it was shaken to death when it heard such noise burst out of the courtyard. Well, poor bird, it chose the wrong place to spend the morning, how could Moon River courtyard, housing Song Qing, be calm? Yong Meng was sipping his tea, sitting in his study and enjoying the beautiful garden view when certain noises broke his calmness. The cook came running to him dragging Song Qing by the hand, ¡°Master, look at her, she ate all the pastries that I had prepared as evening snack.¡±, the cook looked angry.

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t!¡±, Song Qing tuned to Yong Meng and tried to defend herself, then she turned to the cook and continued, ¡°I told you, it was a cat and not me. I had just entered the kitchen when I saw the cat eating all the pastries and I tried to drive it away, just when you came up and alleged me. Why would I eat them!¡±

    ¡°Cat? What is that? I¡¯ve never heard of such a creature. Look, master she is lying, there is even some bits of pastry on the corners of her lips.¡±

    Yong Meng raised his head only to find Song Qing wiping her face with her sleeve in a hurry. She went near the cook and brought her face near him saying, ¡°Where? Look my face is all clean!¡±

    ¡°Both of you¡ª¡°, Yong Meng was suddenly interrupted by a servant who told him that he was summoned by Liu Ji Lie and he should hurry.

 Chapter 12:She is not your subordinate.

    ¡°I¡¯ll deal with both of you later.¡±, saying this Yong Meng put on his outer robe and went out, followed by Song Qing. ¡®Good! I am safe for now.¡¯, thought Song Qing and turned towards the cook to reveal a devilish smile.

    Soon Yong Meng and Song Qing reached Full Moon courtyard. When both of them entered, Liu Ji Lie greeted them, ¡°Meng¡¯er, sorry for troubling you so early in the morning.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine master.¡± he answered and all three of them entered Liu Ji Lie¡¯s study. Niang Jun was already seated there. They greeted him and seated themselves. Niang Jun looked at the flowers in the garden and said, ¡°Miss, why don¡¯t you go out and enjoy the view. We¡¯ll be here talking at some serious matter and don¡¯t dare bore you.¡± When all in the room tilted their heads in agreement, Song Qing got up, and went out in the garden. As soon as she was out of the room, the door behind her shut instantly. Song Qing went out and sat on a wooden chair under a tree. Back in the study, there was a serious atmosphere. Niang Jun spoke as he stirred his tea, ¡°Yesterday, I heard two disciples gossiping about you and your rumoured subordinate Song Qing. They were pitying you, who had summoned a mortal according to them. I couldn¡¯t help but laugh when I heard them. Do you know why?¡±, he lifted his head and gazed at Yong Meng who was looking a bit confused for a while and continued, ¡°Indeed they were senseless to think the heavenly prince to be this weak. But let me clear something here¡ª¡± He suddenly stopped and smiled, then he rose up quietly and opened the sliding door (well to avoid confusion, the sliding door faces the garden, kind of like a French window) to reveal a stupefied Song Qing, with her ear towards the door, looking as if she was trying to listen to their conversation secretly. ¡°Looks like you got some itchy ears. No Problem.¡±, saying this Niang Jun took her in his arms and proceeded towards the chair. Song Qing¡¯s whole body was stupefied, she couldn¡¯t even lift a finger. ¡®Why¡­why can¡¯t I move?!¡¯, she cried in her head. As Niang Jun seated her on the chair, a terrifying white coloured snake appeared on his shoulder. This snake had a silvery white skin which shined like stars in the night sky, green eyes gave it a terrifying look. It had a certain kind of shining stone embedded on its forehead. The snake was quite big. It slipped down from Niang Jun¡¯s shoulder to Song Qing, coiling her body from the top to the bottom. All colours left Song Qing¡¯s face. She didn¡¯t dare to move an inch even if she could move. ¡°Quite beautiful isn¡¯t it.¡±, Niang Jun looked at the snake and praised it, as his gaze turned towards Song Qing¡¯s mortified face he said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯ll protect you, in case someone pesters you, while you can¡¯t move.¡±, saying this he went back to the study and closed the doors. ¡®Beautiful my foot!¡¯ Song Qing was going mad, ¡®Doesn¡¯t he have eyes? And did god forgot to give him some brain? Protect? This thing will surely eat me. I know! He is doing it on purpose.¡¯ When she was thinking all this the Liu Twins appeared there. One of them remarked, ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t she the prince¡¯s subordinate?¡±The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Looks like she is being punished.¡±, the other one laughed.

    ¡°She even dared to disrespect the divine deity, surely she would be punished. Oh! And we were thinking that she was being specially treated by the prince.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯d know her true place now.¡±, both of them giggled. Right now, if Song Qing could move, she would¡¯ve told them what punishment meant right then and there, but that was out of her power now. Her face became red with anger as she heard their babble. ¡®Curse that Niang Jun¡¯, she cried in her head.

    Back in the study, Niang Jun took his place and continued, ¡°Where was I? Oh yes! At length, she is not your subordinate.¡± Yong Meng was greatly perplexed, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±, he asked. Niang Jun, first looked at him then surfacing the ends of his tea cup he spoke gravely, ¡°Have you ever heard of Heavenly Goddess Ji Hua?¡±

    ¡°I have. I heard that she disappeared some 200,000 years ago, no one knows what happened to her.¡±, answered Yong Meng. Niang Jun looked up at him and spoke, ¡°But I know. She reincarnated as an immortal. Do you know who she is? She is Song Qing.¡± As soon as he uttered these words Yong Meng lost control and cried, ¡°What!??¡±

    ¡°I know it¡¯s hard to believe and I can¡¯t explain the matter right now, but you may be sure, I am speaking the truth. As you know we can¡¯t establish a master-subordinate contract with someone of higher status, so she is not your subordinate. The fact that you actually summoned her is just coincidental, your spiritual energy matched with her¡¯s for a second and so you were able to summon her.¡± Yong Meng sat there stupefied. Looking at his face filled with disbelief Niang Jun said, ¡°If you dare not believe me, then why don¡¯t you use the summoning mantra again.¡± The summoning mantra was a powerful one. No matter where the subordinate is, he would¡¯ve to appear right then and there when his master chanted the mantra. It was a clear way of finding out whether Song Qing is his subordinate or not. If she was, she¡¯d surely appear there, no matter if she was bound by a barrier and if she wasn¡¯t his subordinate then, nothing would happen, no matter how many times he chanted it. So, Yong Meng started chanting the mantra, but nothing happened, Song Qing didn¡¯t appear. He in despair tried a few more times but the outcome every time was the same, she didn¡¯t appear.

    Yong Meng was filled with confusion; how could that happen? Well, this was one of those rare cases when the subordinate was not really the subordinate.

    ¡°As you have clearly seen now¡±, Niang Jun began ¡°I have no more to say now, but I¡¯d like to thank you for keeping her with you all these days when I wasn¡¯t here. Now, as I have come, I¡¯ll be taking her with myself.¡±

 Chapter 13:Heavenly prince Wang Yong Meng challenges divine deity Rui Niang Jun

    Yong Meng smiled faintly which soon turned to a smirk. ¡°She is not my subordinate. Well, I can¡¯t do anything about it. But there is something I really can¡¯t understand. Why must she go with you?¡±

    Niang Jun smiled and looking in the eyes of Yong Meng he said, ¡°Because she¡¯d be safe this way.¡±

    Yong Meng sneered and smiled a smile which was not a smile, ¡°What kind of dangers could she get in? She has just arrived.¡±

    ¡°The heavenly prince wasn¡¯t even born when the Ji Hua had disappeared. Nor do you know the reasons. So, regarding that matter I don¡¯t think that you have the right to speak. You don¡¯t know, how she suffered or the people who made her suffer.¡±, then in a certainly mocking tone he continued, ¡°Do you even know, why was she born? What¡¯s the true purpose?¡± Now he looked grave and a little angry, ¡°If those people know she has reincarnated, they would do everything that is in their power to harm her again. So, I must keep her safe.¡±

    Looking at the divine deity getting this angry, Liu Ji Lie who had been quiet like a like little child until now, finally spoke up, ¡°Divine deity, there is no need to be so angry. He is just a kid. And spending so many days with Song Qing, has made him considerate towards her. I am sure he didn¡¯t mean to offend you.¡±, then turning towards Yong Meng he continued, ¡°Am I right Meng¡¯er?¡±

    ¡°Master is indeed right. Looks like the divine deity is a little sentimental. Good! If it is about protecting Song Qing then the heavenly academy can do it very well, you need not worry.¡±, when Yong Meng uttered these words both Liu Ji Lie and Niang Jun stared at him. Niang Jun laughed and said in a mocking tune, ¡°Do you think it¡¯s child¡¯s play to defeat those people. I think you should reconsider if you don¡¯t want to be torn into pieces.¡± Yong Meng was grave, he sneered at Niang Jun and then rose up, ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate me. Divine deity I challenge you to a fight. If I win Song Qing will stay here and if you win, then you can take her with you.¡±Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    While Niang Jun smiled, fear clutched Liu Ji Lie. ¡°Good! Let¡¯s do it then.¡±, said Niang Jun with a smirk on his face. ¡°Meng¡¯er! You must not do it. The divine deity¡¯s powers¡ª¡± Before he could say anymore, they had already prepared their minds.

    A chill crept up all over Song Qing¡¯s body. Well, this chill had always been a kind of premonition, an evident signal of something bad that is going to happen soon. ¡®What¡¯s the new trouble now?!!¡¯, she cried in her head. The sky had turned dark, little birds had ceased chirping, there was no sunlight, lovely flowers started fading. Of course, this was to happen, the divine deity was going to fight. Suddenly, the sliding door of the study burst open and revealed Yong Meng and Niang Jun with killer expressions on their faces. Both of them flew away and took their places. They were face to face, with a bout four to five meters distance between them. As soon as the snake saw its master, it left Song Qing and crept over Niang Jun¡¯s shoulder. Opening its mouth wide, it hissed contemptuously at Yong Meng. Yong Meng wasn¡¯t ruffled at all. Niang Jun stood there in front of him with a mystical fan in his hand and a contemptuous smile on his face.

    In all the realms, the immortals had a major element, in which they were specialised. The heavenly prince¡¯s major element was fire but for Niang Jun, he had totally different and mysterious powers. Looking at the two warring immortals, the Liu Twins fled to their father, while Song Qing sat on the chair, thinking gravely, ¡®Weren¡¯t they chatting over some boring matters? How did it turn into this?¡¯

 Chapter 14:Lets go together!

    ¡°I¡¯ll not attack until your three moves.¡±, said Niang Jun. ¡°Whatever.¡±, saying this Yong Meng flew high into the air and a bow appeared in his hand, covered in blue flames, he stretched his right hand backward while holding the bow with the left one. As he stretched his right hand more, the string of the bow also seemed to be stretching backwards, though there was nothing in his right hand. Niang Jun was just observing his move, when he suddenly saw him relaxing his hand and as he relaxed it, an arrow suddenly appeared out of nowhere, it was fast coming towards Niang Jun. In a moment, the arrow seemed to pierce someone, all of a sudden a BOOM was heard, and when the smoke started fading, Yong Meng was surprised to see, just a log burning and his arrow pierced in it. He looked around and saw Niang Jun standing behind him, smiling. Niang Jun had mysterious powers, even if he didn¡¯t attack, killing him or harming him in any way, is not a piece of cake, for a learner like Yong Meng. Now, Yong Meng, again stretched his hand to attack, this time two arrows appeared, Yong Meng leaped high in air, and in a moment, he was riding on the arrows, which were directed towards Niang Jun. A sword appeared in his hand. Niang Jun lifted his hand and made something circular in the air, and soon he trapped himself in a bubble looking like shield. Yong Meng didn¡¯t expect it but still he gave a cunning smile. When the arrows reached near Niang Jun, he instantly leaped in the air, while the arrows, bent sideways and continued along their path, and finally collided with Liu Ji Lie¡¯s study, which caught a fire. While, Yong Meng, took a leap and jumped straight on the bubble shield with his swords edge directed towards Niang Jun¡¯s head. The sword was no ordinary sword, it was gifted to Yong Meng by the Jade Emperor on his 30,000<sup>th</sup> birthday. It was one of the favourites of the Jade Emperor and certainly very powerful. It was made from the backbone of the former demon king, who had rebelled against the heavens and was finally defeated and killed. The sword pierced through the shield and it might have broke open Niang Jun¡¯s head had he not made a fast move at the right time. The sword met with the ground, and a crack opened up in the earth.

    Such a noisy and destructive fight had gathered everyone¡¯s attention. All disciples of the heavenly academy had gathered in the courtyard, while some helped Liu Ji Lie in putting out the fire others enjoyed the big show.

    Yong Meng, again came upon Niang Jun, but still missed. Niang Jun was tremendously fast, even before Yong Meng could attack him, he had already disappeared. Now, Niang Jun could finally attack, he had been bored by playing this lousy game, he wanted to end it at once, so he opened his fan and gave it a flap. Yong Meng, who was approaching him with his sword, suddenly fell down on the ground.

    The audience who had been watching the show, started whispering to each other, while Liu Ji Lie ran towards his beloved Meng¡¯er, to check upon him. He sat on the ground, with Yong Meng¡¯s head in his lap, he gently began to stroke his cheeks, ¡°Meng¡¯er what has happened to you?¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. He is just sleeping. Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯ll wake up in ten short days. His spiritual energy is quite low, but he has talent and a strategical mind.¡±, said Niang Jun, then looking at the dumbstruck audiences he grinned and said, ¡°Quite a show, isn¡¯t it? Well, are you waiting for your turns? Come, come, I¡¯ve got plenty of time.¡±, just as he uttered these words, everyone left the courtyard at lightning speed, including the Liu twins, they were safe however, but didn¡¯t wanted to take any risks. Niang Jun looked towards Song Qing and snapped his fingers. The spell was broken, Song Qing could move now. She got up and went towards Yong Meng, but suddenly she felt a certain restriction. Niang Jun, was holding her hand, ¡°Where are you going? I am standing here.¡±, he said smiling. Liu Ji Lie was taking Yong Meng in with the help of some disciples, right now, even if Song Qing wanted to be with Yong Meng, he couldn¡¯t satisfy her curiosity. So, she stopped and turned to Niang Jun asking, ¡°Why were you two fighting? Didn¡¯t you say you were going to talk over some matter?¡± Niang Jun smiled wider and said, ¡°Don¡¯t you know? Weren¡¯t you secretly listening to our conversation?¡± Song Qing narrowed her eyelids and angrily looked at Niang Jun, ¡°Just say you don¡¯t want to tell.¡±, then in a certainly faint voice she continued, ¡°Tch! Taunting me like this¡­¡± Niang Jun smiled cunningly, while Song Qing stood there unable to stand his beaming smile, she retreated her gaze and cried in her head, ¡°Oh god! Why does he smile so much?¡± Niang Jun looked at her pink face and said, ¡°I¡¯d have to go now. My work is done here. Let¡¯s ask Liu Ji Lie for leave and go together.¡± As he walked towards the courtyard, holding Song Qing¡¯s hand she halted suddenly and asked, ¡°What do you mean? Why must I go with you?¡±, while she was asking this Liu Ji Lie also came there. Niang Jun made a wearied expression and muttered, ¡°Ah! Another lousy explanation!¡±, then he looked at Song Qing and spoke, ¡°You wanted to know why we were fighting? Well, Yong Meng said he didn¡¯t want you to be his subordinate and asked me to be your master instead. Well, I told him that he seems weak to me so his subordinate would be weak too. He then challenged me to a fight. Well, now I have seen and I am satisfied. I¡¯ll be your new master from now on.¡±, saying this Niang Jun took a deep breath. Then he glanced at Song Qing with her brows furrowed and disbelief on her face. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me? Then ask Liu Ji Lie, he was there too.¡± Both of them looked at Liu Ji Lie, he stammered a little and then spoke at length, ¡°What the divine deity said is totally true.¡± Song Qing stood there and thought for a moment, ¡®He certainly didn¡¯t like me, and always seemed offended, perhaps it is true that he didn¡¯t wanted me to be his subordinate and would¡¯ve asked him. But what is this. All this is happening so fast! Why must I be tossed here and there???!!¡¯ Niang Jun bowed to Liu Ji Lie and asked to leave, he clasped Song Qing¡¯s hand and was about to depart when she asked, ¡°What about my luggage?¡± ¡°Ah, you won¡¯t need that. I have all the things that you¡¯d ever need.¡±, saying this he walked again but halted, Song Qing was still standing there thinking. ¡°Want me to turn you into a fly?¡± Song Qing shakes her head in disagree, ¡°Come on then.¡± Song Qing didn¡¯t know what exactly was happening with her. All this was too fast for her. She had many questions, but she swallowed them for now and bowed to Liu Ji Lie and followed Niang Jun, soon both of them disappeared and were out of sight.

 Chapter 15: Li Jing reborn as Yong Meng.

    Song Qing has born to fulfil for a sin that she committed thousands of years ago. She has multiple identities, she is Song Qing, she is Ji Hua and she is the one who committed that crime, that sin¡­, Xia Ruo. All this started from a silly immortal who could not recognise what true love meant and burning in fire of revenge, she destroyed everything, even the people who loved her best.

    There once was a realm which was more powerful and divine than the heavenly realm, the divine realm. In all the realms the immortals had a special elemental power, but that was only one element. The immortals living in the divine realm were different, they had powers of all the five elements, fire, earth, water, air and space or sky. Unlike the Heavenly Realm which was ruled by the Jade Lord, the Divine Realm was ruled by the Supreme Goddess, who controlled time and fate of all beings whether mortal or immortal.

    ¡°Niang Jun, eat your vegetables too.¡±, came from a girl sitting near the table. The kid in front of her (who looked 9-10 according to human age) made a contemptuous expression when he looked towards the vegetables, in his dish. ¡°Jun¡¯er, if you don¡¯t eat, I won¡¯t play with you.¡±

    ¡°Ruo jie*¡­¡±, Niang Jun looked at Xia Ruo with unwilling eyes but retracted and started eating his veggies when he saw her cold expression.

    ¡°I am finished, can we go out now?¡±, after a while Niang Jun asked Xia Ruo. ¡°Sure.¡± Xi Ruo smiled sweetly. She cleaned the table and put on her outer robe. She held little Niang Jun¡¯s hand and as they were off to go a voice came from behind, ¡°When will you be back? Don¡¯t stay out for too late.¡±, a sweet plump looking lady asked, she was Niang Jun¡¯s mother and Xia Ruo¡¯s aunt. ¡°Don¡¯t worry aunt, we¡¯ll be back soon.¡±, answered Xi Ruo as she went out of the house.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Soon, they reached a playground near a river. ¡°Let¡¯s play hide and seek!¡±, Niang Jun exclaimed.

    ¡°Okay! Which colour would you choose, white or black?¡±, Xia Ruo, bent down and asked Niang Jun excitedly. ¡°White!¡±

    ¡°Eh? You always choose white¡­¡±, Xia Ruo complained while she made a spherical object appear in her hands. ¡°That¡¯s because, it is my favourite colour and it is so bright. I too want to be bright like white.¡±

    ¡°Bright like white? How funny¡­ okay! This time if the white colour appears then you win and I¡¯ll seek you while you¡¯ll hide and if black colour appears¡­¡±, Xia Ruo was explaining the rules, just when Niang Jun became impatient. ¡°Okay, okay¡­ I know.¡±

    Both of them put their hands on the spherical object and said, ¡°Crystal, what¡¯s this time? Black or white?¡±

    Suddenly, black colour appeared with effervescence in the crystal. ¡°Looks like your lucky colour didn¡¯t save you this time, ha-ha¡±, Xia Ruo giggled and continued ¡°Count to 1000, I¡¯ll be off now.¡±, saying this she disappeared in an instance while Niang Jun stood there counting aloud.

    Xia Ruo appeared on the other side of the river and hid behind a bush, from here she couldn¡¯t even spot Niang Jun but it was the same for him and thinking of it as the best place for now, she quietly hid there. Suddenly, she heard some voices, it felt like a couple quarrelling. She lifted her head and looked at some distance, ¡®What is Li Jing doing here? And who is that girl?¡¯, she involuntarily rose up. ¡°Jing ge ge*, what are you doing here?¡±, she asked to the man standing at a distance from her. Li Jing turned his head towards her and his face turned pale. Who would know that Li Jing is an exact copy of Wang Yong Meng, or is it Li Jing who has been reborn as Yong Meng.

 Chapter 16:Hope you can never marry that bastard!

    ¡°Ah, you were here I didn¡¯t notice.¡±, Li Jing spoke with hesitation and terror filled his eyes. Xia Ruo went near him and held his hand, while Li Jing¡¯s heart beat became fast, ¡®Has she heard us?¡¯, the possibility was too horrible. Xia Ruo smiled at him. Just then he was relived. ¡°Who is she? Never seen her here before.¡±, Xia Ruo looked at Li Jing.

    ¡°No one just a relative, my sister¡­Ming Jiao. She is from the heavenly realm.¡±, Li Jing answered with a puzzled expression when he suddenly looked at Ming Jiao¡¯s irritated expression. ¡°It is nice to meet you. I am Xia Ruo, Li Jing¡¯s fianc¨¦. Hope we get well in the future.¡± Ming Jiao spoke nothing instead she gave an unfriendly smirk, and went in the direction of her home. ¡°Ming Jiao, what happened? Why are you going?¡±, Li Jing yelled from behind. ¡°Enjoy yourselves, I don¡¯t want to bother you too.¡±, she yelled back. There was a hidden pain in her voice which Li Jing totally understood.

    Little Niang Jun who had been patiently counting all this time, when saw her beloved sister not taking the game seriously and instead fooling around, he became angry. ¡°Ruo jie! I won¡¯t play with you ever again!!¡±, he yelled as he clutched Xia Ruo¡¯s robe, then pushing her he said, ¡°You don¡¯t even want to play with me. All you see is that bastard!!¡±, his angry eyes turned around to stare at Li Jing who had been quiet all this time. ¡°Jun¡¯er say sorry right now! From where do you learn such things, huh?¡±, Xia Ruo was surprised.

    But Niang Jun didn¡¯t do anything of that sort, instead he rolled his eyes at both of them and went away in anger and tears, he never expected that his dear jie would talk to him like that, just because of that person, who according to him was a good for nothing.

    ¡°Please forgive his imprudence. He was surely taught better manners. I wonder, from where did he learned all this?¡±, Xia Ruo bowed before Li Jing.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. Well I¡¯ll also be angry if I were him. He is just a kid.¡±Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°You¡¯ve come after such a long time to the divine realm. Tell me, did you fall in love with someone there?¡±, Xia Ruo stiffened her brows. Li Jing gulped, though he had been chewing nothing. Then suddenly she burst into laughter, ¡°Hey, why do you look so serious I was only joking. Do you know when you were gone¡­¡­¡±

    Li Jing wasn¡¯t listening to anything she was saying. Instead his mind was wandering. Yes! His feelings had changed. He didn¡¯t feel the same for Xia Ruo as he did before he went to administer some official work in the heavenly realm. He was the representative of the divine realm. There he had met Ming Jiao and he felt something strange. But this strange feeling gave him happiness, although he is not sure he loves her. ¡®I want to be with Ming Jiao. Why did she just leave like that? Did she get hurt.¡¯, he was thinking all this when he took Xia Ruo¡¯s hand off his arm and ran towards where Ming Jiao had earlier gone. Before Xia Ruo could do anything, he was already far away from her, ¡°What¡¯s gotten into him?¡±, she murmured. Xia Ruo stood there for a moment thinking then after she felt useless crap filling her mind, she went back to her way to home.

    As she entered, she saw Niang Jun sitting in the yard. When he looked at her he gave a smile filled with attitude and joyous victory, ¡°What? Back so early? Does your dear ge ge not want you now?¡±, he teased Xia Ruo. ¡°You¡¯ll see when we are married.¡±, Xia Ruo attacked, not the slightest bit irritated and went towards her room. She was like this. She had faith in Li Jing and moreover this engagement was established by the Supreme Goddess and Li Jing would never disrespect that. Here in the divine realm, the population was barely a hundred. This was because, it was very rare to be born with the power of all the elements. It was more like a little village with the supreme goddess as the village head. But it should not be thought that they were weak. Instead this realm was powerful than any other, despite a little population.

    Xia Ruo woke with ecstasy the next morning. This is the day when the supreme goddess will return back to the realm. The supreme goddess liked to explore the universe, so she barely stayed at one place. ¡®Perhaps, the goddess will announce our marriage in the feast tonight. Oh! I am excited.¡¯, Xia Ruo giggled as she ate her breakfast. While Niang Jun, who could just see through her smirked and thought in his mind, ¡®Hope you can never marry that bastard Li Jing!¡¯

 Chapter 17: The Heavens Play With Us!

    ¡°Ruo¡¯er, looks like Li Jing returned yesterday.¡±, spoke Mrs. Rui.

    ¡°Yes, I met him yesterday.¡±

    ¡°Really? Was he happy to see you? How come you didn¡¯t tell me of such an important thing? You are going to marry him soon, you should be considerate about such things.¡±

    Hearing this Xia Ruo blushed like a rose, ¡®Marry him?¡¯. Those words from her aunt felt as sweet as nectar.

    Placing a box wrapped in a beautiful imprinted cloth on the table, Mrs. Rui said, ¡°When you finish eating, deliver this to Li Jing. He has come back after such a long time. We should send a gift, right? Ah, and take Niang Jun with you. He should too pay his respects. I would¡¯ve sent your uncle, but he is busy with the court work.¡±

    ¡°Being a prime minister, is not easy, well. Let¡¯s not disturb him, Niang Jun and I will deliver this. Uncle will see Jing ge ge at the feast tonight.¡±

    Xia Ruo, increased her eating pace, then after wearing her outer robe she took the parcel in a hand and with the other she forced the less willing Niang Jun to go with her. ¡°Look, you can¡¯t even do this little work without me. And after considering how you behaved towards me yesterday¡­¡±, Niang Jun spoke in a complaining voice.

    ¡°Yes, yes your majesty. This Xia Ruo is just but a mere being. How dare she disrespect you? Please forgive her for her imprudence.¡±, Xia Ruo spoke in a comical voice. ¡°Well, you could¡¯ve said that earlier. I forgive you.¡±, Niang Jun behave as he really was a king. Soon, they reached in front of Li Jing¡¯s house. ¡°Wait, aren¡¯t you going to call out for him first? Going to someone¡¯s house so sneakily¡­¡±, Niang Jun clutched Xia Ruo¡¯s robe.

    ¡°We need not follow such customs. You think too much. He is not a stranger, is he? We¡¯ll surprise him!¡±, Xia Ruo continued on towards the hall.

    ¡°Why do I feel like, we are the ones who are going to be surprised.¡±, Niang Jun murmured. The hall was empty, so Xia Ruo took a peek in Li Jing¡¯s room. What she saw in there, she could¡¯ve never imagined it in her wildest fantasies. There was her beloved Li Jing, kissing another woman passionately. She hid herself and Niang Jun behind the wall and signalled Niang Jun to keep quiet.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Ming Jiao, what¡¯s the matter with you these days? Why did you suddenly thrusted me back?¡±, Li Jing¡¯s voice could be clearly heard.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with me? You are asking me that? Why? From the day I got to know you have a fianc¨¦, I¡¯ve been worried day and night about us. When you brought me from the heavenly realm, you told me that you¡¯ll severe your ties from her. Yet, you didn¡¯t tell her anything yesterday. And what if the supreme goddess announces your wedding tonight? What will I do? Where will I go with my wounded heart? Have you ever thought about our relationship seriously? And yet you dare ask me that what¡¯s the matter with me?!¡±, Ming Jiao¡¯s voice was fierce yet it felt like there was pain in her heart. And what to say about Xia Ruo? She had completely transformed into a statue. It felt like that she wasn¡¯t even breathing. Just standing there stupefied, hearing the hurtful but true words from Ming Jiao.

    Then a slight sobbing was heard, coming from the room. ¡°Jiao¡¯er, how can you say that? I am very considerate towards our relationship. When I had met you first, I had resolved in my mind that I¡¯ll marry only you. You don¡¯t know, but I¡¯ve already resolved about this matter from the supreme goddess. Tonight, at the feast, I¡¯ll announce my wish in front of everyone, and the goddess will surely consent. You need not worry about this.¡±, Li Jing tried to soothe the fretting Ming Jiao. By this conversation, the truth was no kore hidden to Xia Ruo. Niang Jun was unable to take all this, he snatched the parcel from Xia Ruo¡¯s hand and entered the room to encounter a hugging couple.

    ¡°Looks like you are very loyal to your fianc¨¦. Hugging other woman like this¡­¡±, Niang Jun spoke with a calm voice, yet anger was suppressed in it. Li Jing when turned around to look at Niang Jun, he was terrified. ¡°How long have you been here? Have you heard everything??¡±, Li Jing¡¯s face was becoming tensed. ¡°I¡¯ve heard everything, from the beginning to the end. Ah, and I thank the cosmic powers that my jie got to know your true face before it was too late.¡±, Niang Jun threw the parcel and went away with heavy stamping feet.

    ¡°What did he mean? Don¡¯t tell me¡­.¡±, Li Jing came out of the room hurriedly to encounter a broken Xia Ruo. There she was sitting, her back leaned on the wall, all quiet like a corpse. Her face had dried and she was lifeless. Li Jing lowered himself and touched her shoulder, it was stiff and cold. She slowly turned her face towards him. Her lips trembled as she spoke, ¡°What a fate! The heavens play with us!¡± She wanted to speak a lot more, she wanted to cry like mad, she wanted to shout. But she didn¡¯t do anything. Just got up, threw Li Jing¡¯s hand away from her shoulder and went away. As she walked, she felt that all the world¡¯s weight was on her delicate shoulders. She was so shocked that she didn¡¯t even cry. Her feet trembled, and she fell on the ground. She saw the wide and eternal sky before her, it was beautiful yet meaningless to her. Her vision started fading, until it all became dark as her life had become.

 Chapter 18: Niang Juns Dream and Xia Ruos Message.

    ¡°What a cold day!¡±, a man walking on a snow- clad path suddenly spoke up. His breathing was heavy and he was trotting his way across the snow. He was wearing a plain white coloured robe, with his face as cold as ice. But his eyes looked kind. ¡°Jun¡¯er.¡±, a soft voice called behind him. He halted at an instance. This voice¡­he has heard it before. His head filled with the memories of that person in an instant, memories that came up to his mind storming. His eyes became watery and it seemed that he couldn¡¯t breathe at all. He slowly turned behind, not believing his ears. It was her! The person he longed the most for. Tears run down his cheeks, and when he felt that it was all real¡­he just couldn¡¯t control himself and ran towards her. Filling her in his arms, he felt so secure and safe. This he felt after a long time. This feeling had gone away with her and the day she disappeared his life changed for the worst. The day she disappeared¡­was the start of that calamity that will plague him for lakhs of years.

    Niang Jun¡¯s lips trembled and he laughed in disbelief while hugging her. How long had it been since Xia Ruo disappeared? He was a little boy then and now¡­ a grown man. ¡°Why¡­where were you all these years, huh?? I¡­I¡­¡±, Niang Jun couldn¡¯t even speak, when he felt something wet. Something was not right. He looked at his clothes, they were soaked in blood and then he looked at Xia Ruo only to find blood flowing from her mouth silently. Still her face looked calm. Niang Jun was shocked! As he brought his hand near her, he was suddenly taken aback and covered his nose with his sleeve. Xia Ruo¡¯s body was rotting. It produced a stink so unearthly. Little by little the rotting effect took charge of all her body and bits of her body started falling down. She was literally rotting!! Niang Jun couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. He touched her, even though he was afraid, but still. He screamed! As he touched her, the rotting effect infected his hand too, it was like a virus. Anyone that would come in contact will be affected. Xia Ruo¡¯s body disappeared and what remained was a pitch black, jelly like stinking liquid. Niang Jun clutched his wrist and shut his mouth tightly in pain. He couldn¡¯t believe it but eyes started appearing on his hand and soon the hand started melting.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    Niang Jun woke up, his breathing was fast and heavy with his body covered in sweat. Perplexed, at length he spoke, ¡°Only a dream¡­¡± and took a sigh of relief. It was still dark outside. Thinking gravely, he lighted a candle. He was much calmer now. This dream¡­it was not the first time he saw it. It has been frequently disquieting him ever since the day Xia Ruo disappeared. Carrying the candle, he went in the hall and lighted other candles. ¡°It¡¯s a beautiful night, isn¡¯t it?¡±, he again heard her. Shocked, he turned his face when he saw Xia Ruo sitting on the raised platform in the yard. She was viewing the moon, then she turned around and looked at Niang Jun. ¡®Am I still dreaming? Well, then how long is it going to be? I¡¯ve never seen this part.¡¯, Niang Jun thought as he went in the yard and sat beside Xia Ruo.

    ¡°You saw that dream again, didn¡¯t you?¡±, Xia Ruo looked at him and asked.

    ¡°How do you know about that?¡±, Niang Jun hadn¡¯t expected that.

    ¡°I just know.¡± Then pausing a little she added, ¡°Well, let¡¯s talk about important things first. Do you know about Shin Ming mountain?¡±

    ¡°That snow mountain? Yeah, I know.¡±

    ¡°If you go there, you¡¯ll find someone waiting for you. Don¡¯t make that person wait for too long and start your journey tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Who someone?¡±, Niang Jun asked perplexedly.

    ¡°You¡¯ll know when you reach there. Also, that person might be important to you. So, don¡¯t take my words for granted. I want you to go there and find that person.¡±, Xia Ruo answered commandingly.

    ¡°An important person¡­an importa¡­¡±, Niang Jun was murmuring in his sleep, when a snake with bright white skin and jade embedded in its forehead appeared at the scene and coiled itself around Niang Jun¡¯s body. Niang Jun woke up and found himself in the yard, ¡°That¡¯s strange. When did I come here? Really strange.¡±, then when he felt a little strangled, he at last noticed the snake, ¡°Fei Xi, I have awoken now. Get off, you are strangling me!¡±

 Chapter 19: Niang Jun discovers...

    ¡°Eh, and a you believe that dream?¡±, asked a little boy with sparkling white hair. ¡°I don¡¯t have any other choice. I¡¯d have to go there if I really want to know the truth.¡±, replied Niang Jun as he put on his outer robe and got ready for the journey. ¡°Don¡¯t they say that something dark is trapped on Shin Ming mountain? And you still dare?¡±, the boy was still not satisfied.

    Niang Jun looked at the boy from the corner of his eyes, he smirked. ¡°Are you afraid, Fei Xi?¡±, he asked in a mocking voice. Fei Xi shaked his head in disagreement. Transforming itself in a snake, he climbed up Niang Jun¡¯s shoulder. All was good and Niang Jun left his house to find that important person. He himself was not sure if he¡¯ll be able to find the person. All these years he lived alone, without a single person by his side. The day Xia Ruo disappeared, his father died mysteriously and his mother went insane. After a year she died too. Since that time, he was all alone. People called him cursed and no one ever cared to ask that if he was okay. He dealt with all that, never complaining a bit. He was not in the state to complain, he committed a sin and he knew that too. He calmed himself each time he was in pain by thinking that it was the punishment for the crime he committed. He had resolved in his mind, that it will never end, until he was given a ray of hope. Perhaps now, he¡¯d be able to share his guilt and worries with someone. He won¡¯t be alone anymore.

    It took him twenty days to reach Shin Ming mountain. Even though with his powers it shouldn¡¯t have taken that much time, but that mountain is no child¡¯s play. They say that it keeps disappearing and reappearing, to hide the evil that it holds. So, that no one may be able to free it, from the mountain¡¯s prison. The dark thing was trapped there by the Supreme Goddess herself, knowing that it can¡¯ be destroyed, so it¡¯s better to keep it out of anyone¡¯s reach. It was Niang Jun¡¯s talent that he was able t find it so quickly, while other people chase out for it for years, though there aren¡¯t many people who would dare to do that.

    Niang Jun had but one task, to find that person there. But it seemed that there was nothing live there except the trees. Niang Jun started his search. He searched constantly for two days. But he didn¡¯t even saw the shadow of a person. He was filled with despair. ¡°That was but just a dream. Why did I even believe it?¡±, he murmured as he started for his way back. Strong winds started blowing and it seemed like there¡¯ll be a snow storm soon. Niang Jun was at the top of the mountain right now, and if he started his journey now, he¡¯ll surely be caught in the storm. So, estimating everything in his mind, he started looking for a shelter. Luckily, he found a cave. But it was suspicious. ¡°That¡¯s strange. This cave was not here before. Is it some kind of trap?¡±, he said to himself. By now, the storm had begun so he had no choice but to find shelter in the cave, no matter what kind of dangers he thought awaited him. The floor of the cave was covered with snow, so first he cleared some snow and then kindled fire with his spiritual energy. Outside the cave, the storm was exceptionally strong. Niang Jun had never witnessed such a strong one. He was thinking about his dream, when he felt like he was sleepy and wanted to lie down. The ground was hard, but he somehow manged, but when he put his head down, surprisingly he didn¡¯t feel hard at all. Instead he felt like, his head was resting on someone¡¯s hand. ¡°Someone¡¯s hand?¡±, he murmured as he got up. He cleared some snow, and it revealed a hand. Niang Jun was surprised. ¡°Is it someone¡¯s corpse?¡± He cleared more snow. Then he uncovered all the snow from the body, in hurry. It was a woman, though her face was covered with snow and her body was cold as if it had become ice itself. As he gently removed the snow from the woman¡¯s face, Niang Jun jumped out of his skin. His hands trembled as he touched the face again and again in disbelief. It was Xia Ruo, but looking at her in this state, has she died? Niang Jun checked her breathing, it was slow, very slow. But that meant she was still alive. Without wasting a moment, Niang Jun put his hand on her body and started transferring his spiritual energy to her. But it was in vain. She was not getting up. Soon, Niang Jun started feeling dizzy. His powers were draining. If he didn¡¯t stop soon, he¡¯d too become lifeless like Xia Ruo. Even if his mind alarmed him, he couldn¡¯t stop, because his heart didn¡¯t want to stop. He fell beside her exhausted, his hand still resting on her. His eyes closed, despite his will, and he went into deep unconsciousness. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

 Chapter 20: If you go under a hidden identity....

    Niang Jun woke up with a dizzy head. His vision was foggy. He was trying to get hold of himself when he heard that voice again. The voice which haunted him in his dreams¡­the voice which always made him remember his unforgivable sin. ¡°How do you feel now?¡±, the voice asked softly. Suddenly at hearing this voice, a shiver ran through Niang Jun¡¯s body and he became the most conscious of his whereabouts. Before him was a figure of woman kindling fire, he could only see her back. At once, the former events ran through his mind. ¡®If all that wasn¡¯t a dream, then surely, she is¡­¡¯, he was contemplating hard about this matter. But how could that even be possible. He had himself witnessed¡­ But when the woman turned her face towards him, all his fantasies became true and his logic became something absurd. Looking at him wide awake but still making no response, Xia Ruo stood up and sat near him quietly. ¡°It has been long, hasn¡¯t it? You were always right, I can¡¯t do anything without you, and look here I am¡­. Well, I doubted if you¡¯ll¡­¡±, Xia Ruo suddenly stopped when something pinched her. ¡°Oi! What are you doing?¡±, she cried when she looked at Niang Jun, who was flabbergasted himself. ¡°Nothing, just checking if you are real.¡±, he replied. ¡°Of course, I am real? What did you take me for, a ghost? And, do you really have to pinch that hard? Look my skin¡­¡±, before she could have said any further Niang Jun hugged her. It had been so long since her being felt such warm embrace. She had been buried in that snow for so long, and her body had turned so cold that she never imagined that she could get everything back that she possessed earlier. It was love and warmth of a true relation. Nothing like that Li Jing¡¯s lowly and fake caresses. ¡°I just can¡¯t believe my eyes. I thought¡­that¡­y-you¡­¡±, Niang Jun couldn¡¯t speak anymore, his eyes were filled with tears of joy. Of course, his wildest dream had come true. And now he didn¡¯t feel as guilty as before. Wiping off his tears and getting accelerated with both joy and curiosity he asked her, ¡°How did you reach here? I mean this place is very far away from¡­¡± He was suddenly stopped when Xia Ruo said, ¡°You need not know it. It¡¯s one of my life¡¯s horrific memories.¡±, and then getting a little snappier she continued, ¡°Have you come all the way, just to ask me these rubbish questions? Are you not happy that I am still alive?¡± Silence prevailed for a moment. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t mean that. Anyhow, do you plan to return?¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°Do you want me to?¡±, asked Xia Ruo. Niang Jun wanted to say a lot just as she asked it. He wanted to tell her that how much he had dreamt of this incident, of meeting her again. He even had hallucinations sometimes, that she was sitting right beside him. And he wanted to tell her how alone he has become in this world, without anyone by his side. But he controlled all these emotions and said at length, ¡°Well, I¡¯d love you to return only if you¡¯d want to.¡± A grave silence prevailed in the cave for a moment then looking out of the cave Xia Ruo said, ¡°The storm has stopped now. We should hurry on our way before it rouses back.¡± At hearing this Niang Jun smiled widely at her, but suddenly his expressions changed. ¡°What happened?¡±, asked Xia Ruo, who hadn¡¯t expected it. ¡°You see, it has been 30,000 years since you disappeared. Even though I am not asking where you had been all this time, but the villagers will surely ask. And there¡¯s Li Jing too. Moreover, to satisfy themselves about your disappearance, a story is very popular among the villagers.¡±

    ¡°What kind of story?¡±

    Niang Jun¡¯s face turned still as death itself and he spoke with hesitation, but gloominess, ¡°They believe that you had a secret lover and that the day you disappeared, you had actually run away with him.¡±

    ¡°What rubbish? How could they¡­just¡­ You know I am not like that, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well I do, but they don¡¯t and I am afraid that it¡¯ll be hard for you to go back.¡± Then looking at her blue face, after a second Niang Jun spoke chirpily, ¡°But there¡¯s a way.¡±

    ¡°What way?¡±, Xia Ruo looked at him with hope filled in her eyes. Niang Jun grinned and said, ¡°They have problem with Xia Ruo, but if you¡¯ll no longer be Xia Ruo, then I think¡­yes! That¡¯s the way.¡±, but when he looked at her perplexed face he elucidated more clearly, ¡°If you go under a hidden identity.¡±

    ¡°And how will that happen? I mean what¡­whose identity?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t worry in the least about that. I have a secure plan. Everything¡¯s set.¡±, Niang Jun grinned even wider.

    But Xia Ruo couldn¡¯t help but worry. This expression on his face meant, there was something really weird going in his mind. As far as she knew him, his plan would surely be troublesome. But she could do nothing, moreover, she didn¡¯t have an alternate choice or better idea herself. So, she consented in going with the flow.

 Chapter 21: Ji Hua- Princess of Shen Sheng

    ¡°My head feels so numb.¡±, spoke Ji Hua softly as she tried to get up. ¡°Song Qing¡±, she suddenly heard a mysterious yet cute voice. She looked around her, it was little boy (5 or 6 years old). She had never seen the boy before, yet he was here gazing at her calmly. The boy came near her and clutching her robe, spoke, ¡°Why did you do that?¡± in his cute voice. He spoke it so innocently just as he really meant it and Ji Hua ransacked her mind thinking that had she ever met this boy or done anything to him? She hesitantly spoke, ¡°What do you m¡­¡± Before she could¡¯ve said any further the boy, ¡°Ah! You don¡¯t know me?¡± For a moment silence prevailed. Ji Hua didn¡¯t know what to say while the boy stared at her. Suddenly his body started to tremble. His eyes became red and the former expression of calmness was replaced by an angry look. ¡°You don¡¯t know me? Yet you made me turn like this?!¡±, his voice was trembling in extreme anger. Ji Hua was thunder struck, before her eyes the boys turned into a sluggish black matter. A monstrous opening appeared on the matter¡¯s front surface. The opening moved and produced a demonic voice, ¡°It hurts! Song Qing, it hurts!¡±, soon the voice was mixed with several other voices and they repeated the same sentences again and again until Ji Hua felt like if she heard anymore of this perhaps her body will dismantle on its own. ¡°I am not Song Qing!!!¡±, she cried.

    ¡°But I never said that you are Song Qing.¡±, Ji Hua opened her eyes only to find Ji Miao sitting on her knees before her. Ji Hua hopped up and looked around her. It was a beautiful tree around her with its purple blossoms and vast stretching grassland. She took a deep sigh, ¡°Oh! What kind of dream was that?¡±, she murmured. Looking at the ruckus being played in front of her Ji Miao spoke, ¡°Looks like you had a bad dream. This is what you get when you slack off training.¡± Ji Hua grinned wide to reveal her snow- white teeth. But Ji Miao had an air of seriousness, ¡°Brother Ji Luo is here and he is asking for you.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Why did he come? Have I made a mistake again or master complained against me?¡±, Ji Hua became cognizant in an instant. ¡°Made a mistake? You know that better than anyone else. Well, but don¡¯t worry. It isn¡¯t the case, this time.¡±, Ji Miao consoled Ji Hua as she taunted her. ¡°But then for what¡­¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no time for thinking all that.¡±, Ji Miao spoke as she dragged Ji Hua along with her. Ji Miao being Ji Hua¡¯s only and best friend is also her cousin. Daughter of her father¡¯s brother. They had spent their childhood together and are best of friends. Ji Miao is the only one who shields Ji Hua whenever she is accused for one of her naughtiness. So, more than anything she is her shield and her secret keeper.

    Soon they reached Full Moon courtyard, and were directed towards Liu Ji Lie¡¯s study by a maid.

    ¡°Come, child. Your brother and I were just talking about you.¡±, spoke Liu Ji Lie with a warm smile on his face, ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave you both to talk.¡±, saying this he rose up and went out of the room followed by Ji Miao. Before Ji Hua, sat a figure calm and complacent, sipping tea. His face had the aura of a beautiful and awaited sunrise. His eyes as sharp as a sword and judging by his meticulous and well-mannered actions, he was indeed Ji Hua¡¯s elder brother and the crown prince of Shen Sheng, Ji Luo. ¡°Have you been training well?¡±, Ji Luo looked at Ji Hua with his voice as cold as ice.  Ji Hua nodded not daring to lift her head and look towards her brother. Why? Because her brother is known in all the realms, to be a perfect immortal from all perspectives. He is calm, obeys his elders, never lies, handsome and is already on the 87<sup>th</sup> level of immortality. How can Ji Hua just stand the glowing aura coming from such a connoisseur? And what¡¯s more, he can¡¯t tolerate ill-manners.Stolen story; please report.

    ¡°There is a matter back home that must be dealt with.¡±, Ji Luo surfaced the edges of the tea cup, ¡°You must return back.¡±

    ¡°What matter?¡±, Ji Hua finally looked at her brother and asked.

    ¡°Just a matter. You¡¯ll get to know when you reach Shen Sheng. Now, don¡¯t waste any time and bid your farewell to the people you find necessary.¡±

    ¡°Bid farewell? Am I not going to return?¡±

    Ji Luo gazed sharply at Ji Hua, ¡°You ask too many questions. Tell me, what have I taught you?¡±

    ¡°Always obey your elders and never question their decisions and intelligence.¡±, Ji Hua spoke as she was chanting a sutra.

    ¡°It¡¯s good you remember.¡±

    ¡°Is Ji Miao also coming?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Closing the door behind her Ji Hua took a deep sigh of relief, then she looked at Ji Miao, who¡¯d been waiting for her all this time.

    ¡°Do you know why my brother has come all the way here?¡±, asked Ji Hua.

    ¡°Yes, I know. I am ready to go home.¡±, Ji Miao answered with a complacent look on her face.

    ¡°Well, if that¡¯s the matter then, I am going to visit Mrs. Liu, one last time before leaving. You wait for me with brother.¡±, saying this Ji Hua went on her way to Mrs. Liu¡¯s chamber. When she reached, she found her re-writing some sutras. She was a middle-aged woman. Now her face was a little shrivelled, but it seemed that she would¡¯ve been quite a beauty in her times. Ji Hua had always admired her wisdom. She was like a motherly figure to her.

    ¡°Hua¡¯er¡±, a soft voice jingled in her ears, ¡°Why are you standing there, dear? Come in.¡±, Mrs. Liu spoke looking at Ji Hua. Ji Hua hesitantly entered. If it had been any other time, she had not felt like that, instead she¡¯d have entered like a chirpy bird. But, today was different. Living for about 5,000 years in the Heavenly Academy, she had developed a close connection to this place and specially to Mrs. Liu. Now, thinking about going from here¡­...Ji Hua didn¡¯t even know when she¡¯ll be coming back. ¡°What are you writing, mother?¡±, Ji Hua used to call Mrs. Liu mother. ¡°Nothing, just re-writing a sutra. The old one¡¯s nearly damaged. It¡¯d be better to¡­¡­ah! I remember, is it today? Are you going back today?¡±, Mrs. Liu had a gift of foresight. She already knew about everything. So, it wasn¡¯t much surprising for Ji Hua.

    ¡°Ah! You know that too? Don¡¯t worry I¡¯ll come back soon.¡±, Ji Hua tried to speak confidently but there were certain traces of gloominess. ¡°Hmm¡­ It¡¯d be a total lie if I say that I won¡¯t miss you¡­be a good child back home, and don¡¯t be too mischievous. People that are with you now, won¡¯t be there in the future perhaps¡­but you should be strong. You are just leaving your academy¡­what I can see of your future, you¡¯d have to do even more severe things.¡± Then taking out a wooden hairpin from a box kept on the table she spoke, ¡°In times of extreme crises, use it. This may help you to change yourself.¡±, saying this she handed it to Ji Hua

    Mrs. Liu seemed serious then she added laughing, ¡°Don¡¯t miss us too much, okay?¡±, saying this she looked at Ji Hua in the eye. ¡°A parting gift? You are making me feel like I am not to return.¡±, spoke Ji Hua with a delicate voice. ¡°Eh?! Is that a tear in our mighty Ji Hua¡¯s eyes?¡±

    ¡°What tear? Looks like you are getting older, as to speculate such things.¡±, Ji Hua cried as she exited in a haste.

 Chapter 22: Keeping it from Ji Hua

    Shen Sheng is a vast kingdom ruled by the bird emperor. The flower deity being the wife of the emperor adds to its power and status all over the realms. It is surrounded by a magical shield, to prevent others from entering. This kingdom in itself is kind of isolated from the rest of the world and certainly mysterious.

    Ji Luo handed Ji Hua to the head maid and instructed her to do as was told earlier. ¡°Wait brother.¡±, Ji Hua spoke up being confused of the sudden developments around her. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Is there a special event?¡±

    Ji Luo¡¯s lips curled up as he spoke, ¡°You¡¯ll know soon. For now, just obey the head maid.¡±, saying this he went out. For now, he was doing as was instructed to him by his father. It was an important event and everything had to go right. Ji Luo entered his father¡¯s chamber, the bird emperor. The emperor had tough facial expressions and an air of self-righteousness and assurance. If one was to look at him and his son, they could not help but say, ¡®Like father, like son.¡¯ With rigid and unchanging cold facial expressions, they were just the same. In this family, perhaps Ji Hua was the only exception who is said to have been taken after her mother, the ever active and loving flower deity.

    ¡°Everything is going as you planned father, until she doesn¡¯t make a mistake.¡±

    ¡°Good! Be ready with the proceedings. I¡¯ll accompany you later.¡±, the stone-faced father spoke up.

    ¡°I have a suggestion in mind.¡±

    ¡°Speak up.¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be good to let Ji Hua know everything? I mean it is like the most important event in a person¡¯s life.¡±, Ji Luo didn¡¯t like to keep the thing from his sister until the end. Moreover, he felt like it was her right to know about it. The bird emperor placed his hand on Ji Luo¡¯s shoulder, ¡°I know, as a brother you care about her. But emotions and relations should not get in the way of our goal. You know her personality. If we just tell her, she¡¯ll screw everything up. She will never consent. Achieve your goal by hook or crook. This is what wise men do. Thinking about this residuary matter is just a waste of time. Moreover, it¡¯ll not hurt her. So, rest assured about it.¡±

    Ji Hua was super confused about the matters regarding the past and the current events. ¡®Why am I summoned here all of a sudden and all of this? Have I upset or offended anyone?¡¯, sitting on her bed, cladded in a beautiful red coloured robe with heavy jewellery, she was contemplating in her mind and ransacking all the past events. At the end, the only conclusion that she could get was that she has to join a grand event. That¡¯s why she has been prepared by the maids.  When she was thinking all this Ji Luo and Ji Miao entered. ¡°Time to go. Get up fast.¡±, Ji Miao spoke as she helped Ji Hua get up and arranged her dress. ¡°Brother, are we going to a grand ceremony or something?¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°Yeah, kind of¡±, Ji Luo spoke with a certain restriction in his voice.  ¡°Where are mother and father? I haven¡¯t seen them, since I have come here.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll meet father soon and as for mother, she is resting in her room and doesn¡¯t want to seek audience from anyone.¡±

    Ji Hua again opened her mouth to speak something but retreated in an instant when she saw her brother¡¯s indifferent yet fiery eyes.

    The flower deity indeed didn¡¯t want to seek anyone¡¯s audience. She was too busy tiring her eyes out crying over her husband¡¯s decision. But she could do nothing, just sit in her room, surrounded by gloom and regret.

    As Ji Hua sat in the carriage with Ji Miao, her mind was full of questions and suspicion. The way it looked, and the massive procession behind the carriage, the event was not going to be an ordinary one. Ji Hua sat upright yet tensed, inter-mixing her fingers and biting her lower lip, she was greatly exasperated. No one was telling her what was actually happening. At such a time, she could only go with the flow but at the same time be extremely vigilant.

    Time flied quickly, and as the tick-tock of the horse hoofs became gentler, Ji Hua concluded that they were very near their destination. Ji Miao poked her head out of the carriage window and inspecting the surroundings, she retreated back inside. Taking a bright red coloured veil in her hands, she took a deep sigh and was about to put it on Ji Hua when she felt a certain restriction. ¡°Ji Miao, what are you doing? What¡¯s that for?¡±, Ji Hua¡¯s eyes were red with anger and a certain teary as she spoke angrily yet in a supressed voice. The picture now started to become clearer to her. But she didn¡¯t want to believe it. Looking in Ji Miao¡¯s eyes, her mind was chanting just one question, ¡®Am I getting married?¡¯

    From the look on Ji Hua¡¯s face, Ji Miao knew instantly what she was thinking. ¡°Don¡¯t be so rigid. Now there¡¯s nothing you or I can do. Accept it as your fate.¡±

    ¡°What rubbish are you speaking, huh?¡±, Ji Hua¡¯s emotions exploded all at once, ¡°¡®Accept it as your fate¡¯, from where have you even heard this old-sluggish sentence?¡±

    Ji Miao held the perplexed and angry Ji Hua¡¯s hand tightly, yet warmly. While Ji Hua was exploding with anger inside her head thinking that she has been cheated by all her loved ones. Her anger was overflowing from her eyes in the form of tears. Wiping her tears softly, Ji Miao spoke slowly with sympathy, ¡°Revolting won¡¯t be of any use now. Get hold of your mind, and don¡¯t act foolish. I am sure you¡¯ll certainly find a way, if you put your head into it.¡±

 Chapter 23: Entering the palace

    Ji Luo, on his majestic white horse, riding side by side, the main carriage, could hear faint noises of crying and curses. He was evident, that by now, Ji Hua would¡¯ve figured out the situation. For now, his major concern was, to stop Ji Hua from acting recklessly and destroying their father¡¯s agreement with the demon lord. He wished that Ji Miao might control the situation somehow, and beat some sense in that childish sister of his.

    The procession halted after some time and a maid came near the principal carriage to notify Ji Miao of their arrival.  Putting the red veil over Ji Hua¡¯s head, who had become as in animate as a rock, she helped her down the carriage. Looking at the situation, all calm, Ji Luo was finally relieved. Before them was a grand palace and several servants and other important people waiting for their arrival. But, in all this crowd there seemed a man as placid as the jade and as refreshing as the morning dew, even outshining the Demon Lord, who was evidently his son, the Demon Crown-Prince, Bao Xiang Lei. As soon as Ji Hua, who was now the bride, came out of the carriage, several servants ran towards her, and took her in their custody. Several dozens of maids took her and Ji Miao in the palace. While the bird emperor and his brother, Ji Luo and other relatives and officials of Shen Sheng were welcomed in by the demon lord and his son themselves, who had been awaiting them for a long time. The relationship between the demon realm and Shen Sheng was not new, one could say that at a point of time in history, they had common ancestors. But this relationship had become a little foggy, since the former emperor of Shen Sheng had formed a marriage alliance with the heavenly realm, marrying the daughter of the former Jade Lord. What the current rulers of Shen Sheng and the demon realm are doing is just but reconstructing their old ties through the marriage of their children. But it is also evident that they have ulterior motives too.

    Ji Hua felt that this palace was too colossus, or more like a maze, as they had been going around and around, and still there seemed no end. Each corridor that they went through opened into a grand yet another grand courtyard. And it looked that they palace had loads of servants, who could be found in each corridor, who as saw the new bride, side-lined to the walls and bowed until the little procession passed.

    Soon, they reached the grand Kang Jie, a sub-palace within the palace, made exquisitely for the Demon Crown-Prince. It was beautiful and decorated here and there with majestic flowers and other little creatures, merry-making all through its gardens. The Demon Realm, wasn¡¯t a place, Ji Hua had always thought it to be. According to what she read from books and heard from others, the Demon Realm was a dark and hateful place with filthy creatures roaming about its lands, not suitable to be inhabited by any respected person. But, to her surprise, it all proved wrong.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Well, this is the place when she¡¯d have to part from Ji Miao. This place was the prince¡¯s quarters, so no one other than the prince, his wife and the concubines was allowed to move in. As Ji Hua proceeded towards the inner quarters, she could hear women laughing and merry-making. And there seemed loads of them. A maid, accompanying Ji Hua who had an air of attitude spoke up, ¡°These are the crown prince¡¯s concubines. But, my lady, need not be tensed about it. For she is the legitimate and primary wife of the crown-prince. And provide for the beauty you possess¡­¡±, the maid was interrupted when Ji Hua spoke up taunting, ¡°It is a wonder for me, that how can there be people who can tell whether someone is beautiful, without even looking at them.¡±

    The maid seemed at a loss of words, while other maids hided their smiling and taunting faces. Nevertheless, giggling she said, ¡°Beauty with brain. My lady need not think negatively about what I said. I just accidentally saw your portrait which the crown-prince was admiring.¡± Even thought he maid had not seen the portrait and had just heard that the prince possesses one, she found it a good way to shield her foxy behaviour. The servants halted after a moment, as they reached the crown prince¡¯s personal chamber and Ji Hua was sent in. As soon as she entered the chamber, she ordered all the maids to exit and not to disturb her. Now, only Ji Hua was left in the room.

    <h1>She sat on the divan and thought gravely about the matter. If she were to accept this marriage and stay here, what could be the possible outcomes? For sure she thought, her freedom will be taken away and she¡¯ll be bound by rules. Moreover, all this matter seemed certainly fishy to her. This marriage had popped out all of a sudden from nowhere. And why did his family needed to keep this matter from her? ¡®Were they afraid that I might create troubles or refuse it? But, if they insisted on doing something against my will, then seems that this matter is more important to them than me. What are they gaining from it?¡¯, sitting there Ji Hua dealt with the question that whether she should do something to prevent her imprisonment in this for forever or not? At last rising she spoke with confidence, ¡°Okay! In the first place, no one has the right to decide about my marriage, except me. I am not going to tolerate this imprudence. I¡¯ll certainly tell them, what I am made of. Doing it against my will, huh? Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ll get for it.¡±</h1>

 Chapter 24: Let my luck decide

    ¡°Hey!¡±, a maid cried as she saw Ji Hua, exiting the chamber.

    ¡°Who are you? Never seen you here before. Don¡¯t you know that men are not allowed here?¡±, the maid spoke with her eyes wide staring at Ji Hua. It became now evident to her that if this maid is not subdued right now, things could go really bad. ¡®What do I do? I can¡¯t use my powers!¡¯, she cried in her head. A sudden change in the atmospherical energy would have alarmed all those powerful people in the main hall, and Ji Hua would have become a fried chicken, good for her that she used her pressure point technique, and the maid became unconscious. Her next task was to get out of this place. But that was no piece of cake, as the palace was heavily guarded and¡­of course the biggest problem of all, she didn¡¯t know the way out!! Even if she were to try to find the way, with so many maids roaming here and there, the task seemed impossible. In enthusiasm, she had said that she is going to make real upheavals, but now it seemed that it would be a blessing if she could get out of here. The place moreover was like a maze. ¡°Why didn¡¯t I think of it earlier? I am better dead now.¡±, Ji Hua leaned on the wall all helpless and waiting for an idea to strike her mind. It was when she was thinking gravely that she heard some footsteps coming towards her. She stretched her brows and looking at a distance, she found a man coming towards her. She just froze in her position. Her mind thinking of all the possible excuses she could make to justify her presence.

    When the man first looked at Ji Hua, he knew at an instant that she was a woman, moreover, he even knew her exact true identity. How could he not have known? For he has gazed at her portrait day and night, how could he not recognise this person? And him being at the 95<sup>th</sup> level of immortality, you can¡¯t expect for him to be so dumb as to be enchanted by the hairpin¡¯s effect. Yeah, Ji Hua had used that transforming pin given by Mrs. Liu. Transforming herself to a man¡­well, she looked like a man and people will be under the delusion that she is male but physically, she is still a female. Only anyone above the 90<sup>th</sup> level will be able to recognise her true identity. But that was nearly impossible, for only in a million years, such person was born who could surpass the 90<sup>th</sup> level of immortality. So, Bao Xiang Lei had no difficulty in recognising her. But it was a little surprising for him too, to find his bride, in that attire.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Excuse me¡±, Xiang Lei spoke softly, ¡°Who are you?¡± Even though he knew who she was, but it seemed that he was in a mood to play a little. Added the fact that, he thought it could turn interesting somehow. As for Ji Hua, she couldn¡¯t use neither her powers nor her skills on him. She had already sensed his enormous energy, and thinking of her being only on the 45<sup>th</sup> level, she dared not take any chances.

    Xiang Lei moved his hand in front of the mummified Ji Hua, ¡°Are you there?¡± Ji Hua stammered a bit and then bowing down really deep, she spoke, ¡°I¡­am Tian Zhuan.¡± ¡°Oh, I see.¡±, Xiang Lei didn¡¯t expect this kind of answer, but he really seemed interested and went with the flow. ¡°And Mr. Tian, what brings you here?¡±, he asked in a genuine manner. Ji Hua, didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡®Hey, why do you need to be so prying? And mind dear, think of something! Why are you always inactive when I need you the most?! But I didn¡¯t expect him to be illusioned by the pin. Whatever, it¡¯s still great for me.¡¯, she was literally crying in her head and stammering on the surface. ¡°Oh, I guess you are from Shen Sheng, came here with the procession, right?¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes-yes. You are right.¡±, Ji Hua brightened up suddenly. This fool had given her a good idea to start her story. Then here begins master Ji Hua¡¯s award-winning drama. ¡°You see I had come to meet for the last time to my sworn sister, the bride. And I was just returning back¡­¡±, she then went over and leaning over a pillar like a helpless creature and continued, ¡°But¡­I found that this palace is so colossus and I don¡¯t know the way back.¡±

    ¡°Then, how did you reach here?¡±, Xiang Lei wasn¡¯t leaving a single opening for her. Instead he was getting interested in her fake tale. As for a person like him, his life was devoid of any kind of entertainment. This was the best opportunity for him, to enjoy it as much as he wanted.

    ¡°I came¡­¡­with¡­ a maid?¡±, Ji Hua spoke suddenly brightening up, then she again leaned on the pillar and continued, ¡°But, I can¡¯t find her now to take me back.¡±, and her voice turned gloomy.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s not something to worry about. Everyone from Shen Sheng is assembled in the great hall. I¡¯ll take you there.¡±

    Just hearing this Ji Hua became as pale as a dead body.  Won¡¯t there be many people from Shen Sheng. And what if they said they didn¡¯t know her? Won¡¯t she become suspicious. She again froze in her place.

    Xiang Lei turned back to find, Ji Hua still mummified at her place, ¡°What? Don¡¯t you want to go?¡± Ji Hua shook her head and followed him unwillingly. ¡®Let my luck decide, what¡¯ll become of me.¡¯, she thought.