Finally finished it, this has to be the second longest chapter I've ever wrote

There were the sound of Bells ringing As bird flew in the air to the kingdom of Xie in the clouds, just then a mysterious flash of light hit heaven, cause quite the ruckus

" someone just ascended!"

" and quite an entrance!"

" who is it?!"

" a new arrival in heaven"

" Ahh this is so noisy!"

" no! My poor palace!"

" most ascendence's don't cause much of a ruckus!" A woman stated

"But this one is about to bring the whole sky down!" A man said, the power from the wind the light caused the bells to ring

" he must be remarkable"

" highly cultivated" lots of people murmured

" Extraordinary I'm certain"

" who is it?"

"You know, a couple hundred years ago, the same thing happened when Prince
Xian le" someone stated as people came rushing to see who was arriving

" no! Not him!" Someone growled as a figure appeared in the light

" come on, let see who we've got" a man in front of the rest said, the light got bigger and bigger before it exploded making everything turn white, the light and smoke then cleared, revealing a handsome young man, with long brown hair, He was also dressed in simple, white Taoist robes and bandage around his wrists and one on his neck

Once he opened his eyes, he smiled raising an eyebrow for a sec before smiling sheepishly laughing when everyone groaned with annoyance

"Ugh you again!"

"Oh you had to come back?!"

Time skip

Elsewhere he walks on a bridge where a woman with greyish blue hair, at first her head was lowered, but then rose as she Saw xie lian arriving

"Congratulations, your highness" she said Then opened the scroll in her hand, which revealed a small amount of writing " I'm pleased to report that you've won the coveted award of official most likely to be cast out of heaven" she said

Making him laugh a little sheepishly "Ah...I see...." he says scratching the right side of his face "Somehow I find it difficult to be excited about that..." he admitted

"Well the prize...is one hundred merit credits" she said closing the scroll " oh then count me in next time as well" he said enthusiastically with two thumbs up

" guess who was second" she said holding yet another scroll

He sighs then Starts to ponder " that's tough, I might be unpopular enough to take the top three all by my self" he said leaning over to see

" close enough" ling wen says letting the other part of the scroll fall to the ground, revealing what was writing inside " no one else received any votes, so the list starts and ends with you" she stated

Making him back up smiling sheepishly " so uh...who was the previous winner?..." he asked hesitantly

" no one" ling wen stated closing the scroll " we began the contest this year, specifically, just this morning."

Xie lian sighs still smiling, turning his head away " lovely...it would seem I showed up just in time..."

She turned and gestured with her arm which direction to follow her in, the two then start walking " do you know why, you did so well?" She asked

" not my fan club?" He guessed

" the bell" ling wen says pointing to her left " look over there" she said the boy looked at the tall golden tower to find there was no bell at the top

" what bell?" He asked narrowing his eyes, trying to get a better look since he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him

" very observant, it's no longer there, it was shaking of its tower when you ascended, it fell on a heavenly official" she said making his eyes widened and look at her nervously " and what is the situation now?.." he asked

" it's under repair" she said calmly, not getting he wasn't asking about the bell

"I meant the official" xie lian stated

"He was a martial arts god, he cut the bell in half" she said, which was true, when the official saw the bell falling and hearing in his direction, he grabbed his sword and cut it in half like it was paper

" ehh..." xie lian felt like he was gonna pay for it later

"Now observe this golden palace" she said then pointing to her right at a beautiful golden palace

"Well...it's not missing" xie lian noted

" which is most unfortunate, it's merely a temporary structure, Erected to take the place of the numerous buildings you devastated during your rather destructive ascend" as she said this, xie lian sighed lowing his head in despair, knowing he was in a lot of trouble

" it's all my fault?..." he asked sweating a little, even though he knew the answer

"Hmm, afraid so" ling wen looked at him for a brief moment before turning back to her front

"My first day back and I've made enemies already..." he murmured

"It's simple enough to fix" ling wen said, which xie lian perked up " and how's that?" He asked

"Merit credits" she said looking at him over her shoulder "eight point eight million" He had a look of shock on his face, how was he to earn that "Though I know you don't have a tenth of that" she says

" not even...a thousand..." xie lian smiled sheepishly, ling wen placed a hand on his shoulder, gaining his attention " we will cross that bridge, in time" she assured

" I fear the bridge has been burned..."

Ling wen removed her hand and touch her head with her index and middle finger before lowering them " I have a plan" she stated which made him look at her " do you remember the pass word to the telepathic matrix?" She asked

"Ummm.."

In a room

Ling Wen called everybody into the meeting in the telepathy hall, Mostly complaints were heard

" this is a farce"

" can we speed this up please?"

Ling wen stood at the centre of the room " is everyone in attendance now?" She asked as her voice echoed in the room loud enough for everyone to hear" the emperor of heaven had an urgent matter he had to deal with in the north"

Behind the curtains, xie lian, who was looking nervous " could any martial diodes spare a pair of officials to aid him?"

The room was silent, until one of them spoke " I've heard no such news about his majesty, are you asking on behalf of someone else perhaps?"

Flash bacK

Xie lian was leaning against the table ling wen was working on " your highness there is a way for you to earn merit credits quickly" she announced gaining his attention, she shoved away other scrolls and opened one on the table " lately we've been receiving a great many of prayers from the north, they've requested our aid in dealing with some dangerous ghosts, sadly, The emperor is too busy and general Ming wan as well, However if you fill in, A wealth of merit credits would be yours, Offerings as well" she explained

Flash back end

" is it the crown Prince your helping?" He gasped quietly when he heard someone talk about him " I wonder how long he'll last" the same man smirked

" this was his third time already!"

" I'd give him a few months at best"

" they three days"

" he was banished in a single tea break last time" a woman said, He frowned for a sec before smiling sadly turning his head

" you don't want the Prince to be expelled again, so you cooked up this plan" the same man from before stated

" how terribly transparent" a woman mocked " well he certainly needs the help"

" haha! He's a laughing stock of the palaces!"

"He had no palaces! No offerings! And no believers!"

He smiled sheepishly behind the curtain at every word he heard ' this is just as I expected...' he moved the curtain out of his way, rubbing the back of his head laughing quietly " hello everyone, I'm back..."

"Yes we noticed" one said with distaste in his voice " what with your destructive entrance"

"hehe...I wasn't hurt..." xie lian laughed nervously

"Unfortunately your surroundings didn't fare so well" the man stated

"Your highness the bell" ling wen reminded, He cleared his throat "I heard word of the bell, I'm really sorry it hit you"

The man scoffed

" pardon, but what is your name?"

The entire room froze in shock, a small wind brush into the room

" that Imbecile!"

"Your highness, It's Xuan Zhen" ling wen replied

"General Xuan Zhen, you mean Mu Qing?" Xie lian looked at the man in the curtain, Just then a very loud voice boomed " who
Tore down my palace?!" An angry man in his curtain marched in " Answer me!"

Everyone around started laughing " what's it you?! Huh?! Stop laughing!" He asked looking at general Xuan Zhen "I only played a small part, Ask the prince!" He smirked

Xie lian laugh a little nervously "It was my fault, I'm sorry.." he apologised

"Your highness, that's Nan Yang" ling wen stated

" yes I know but does he recognise me?" He wondered

" likely not, as he's been in the mortal realm and missed your ascension" ling wen replied

"Please accept my apologise, I swear, I will compensate you" xie lian said placing a hand over his fist "I simply need some time"

" hmmp, well I suppose we'll see how much your word is worth" Xuan Zhen said

"I have business to attend to, I'll take my leave, Fare well" Nan yang turned and walked away, as did the others

"I have work too"

"Me too"

"So long"

"I'm leaving"

"Good luck"

Everyone walked away, leaving lingwen and xie lian in the hall

Time skip

Ling wen sighed as she sat in her seat " I'm sorry, if it weren't for Xuan Zhen, that might have gone better" she apologised

" it's normal" xie lian blew it off like it was nothing waving his hand " for me to work alone"

" need weapons?" She asked

" I'm fine" he declined " I have been banished twice you know, I can't wield magical arms"

She looked at him for a moment before looking at the scrolls on the table "Not enough mana, very well then, But do be careful" She pleaded "It's an important task" she stood up and started walking to him with a scroll in her hands "Feel free to contact me if you run into any complications, And I'll do my best to help" he took the scroll and placed it in his sleeve "Here are the details" she then noticed something "Your rather quiet
No questions?" She asked

"No, Thank you ling wen" he smiled

She gasped a little before replying "Just doing my job, Really" she said sincerely "The one you should thank is the emperor"

"I see" he turns and starts walking away, not before ling wen bows her head saying "May you have a safe journey, and where ever you go, I wish you all the heavenly blessings"

He stops and turns back smiling "And may all taboo's, be shattered" he said then left, back to the mortal world

Time skip

A man yawned outside his tea shop, since he didn't have any customers he sat outside almost looking like he was asleep, some women walked back talking " did you hear about what happened on mount
Yu Jun?" one asked

" oh not again" another said in sadness

" another missing person

"When will it end?"

" how many missing girls have they're been?"

Xie walked pass them but then stopped and stepped back noticing the tea shop

The man in his seat yawned again, opening his eyes and noticed the boy looking at the sign, he got up and guided him In and lead him to a table " welcome good sir, please take a seat"

Xie lian takes a seat, also removing his hat " a pot of tea please" he smiled at the man

"Right" the man nods and was about to walk off and make some before " uh pardon" xie lian stopped him for a moment " has anything strange happen here lately?" He asked

"Speak no evil, see no evil" the man then walked away, xie lian sighed knowing he wasn't going to get answers

He then gasped when he saw the small wind, which carries plum blossoms, he also saw a white butterfly as well, which seemed to drop little sparkles, he managed to catch one of the flowers and look outside the window to see where the rest went but they were gone, he then looked down at the one he caught but then his eyes widened as it had disappeared

" your highness" he started hearing a voice and started looking around "Can you hear me?" It was a familiar woman in his head

'Ling wen?' He placed both his index and middle against his head

" I have some good news, there are two junior officials from middle heaven coming to aid you" she informed " in fact they should be there now"

"Junior officials?" He turned to see two men that looked around his age, one with brown hair and the other with dark, but they didn't seem to happy to be sitting there

" by the way one question, did you send them here to aid me or to behead me, because they don't look happy at all" he stated sweat dropping with his head turned, but he didn't hear her "Ling wen, hello?"

The three sat at the table, while the man poured they're tea, xie lian picked up his and drank it, before smiling at the toe and asking " so, you are?"

"Nan feng" the male on his right with the dark hair said

"Fu yao" the brown haired male said

" I meant your position, but names are nice as well." Xie lian smiled " could you tell me which gods your work for?" He asked taking a sip " Nan Yang" nan feng replied

"Xuan Zhen" as did fu yao, making xie lian freeze and turn his head spitting the tea out, he coughed a little before turning to the two " i see...so then it was the two generals who sent you here to aid me..." xie lian shivered

" actually they're clueless" Nan feng said making xie lian look at them confused

" We didn't tell them" fu yao stated, which xie lian blinked confused, he looked down  for a moment before raising his head "Do you two...know who I am?" He asked hesitantly

"The Prince of xianle" nan feng replied

"A true beacon of virtue" fu yao rolled his eyes then returns to normal smiling smug "A beloved ruler"

" did he just role his eyes at me?" Xie lian asked nan feng with a poker face pointing at fu yao

"Yeah, kick him out" nan feng said not giving the other guy an eye, while fu yao glared at him

"He's useless" he said turning smug "you should kick him out"

The two then glared at each other, nan feng slammed his fist on the table and stood up along with fu yao, looking like they were gonna fight, xie waved his arms " you weren't tricked into coming here against your will were you?! We can all work together!....." he said shivering

The two looked at him making him flinch before looking back at each other glaring " yeah of course!"

The poor Prince sighed

Time skip

"Alright then getting straight to the point" xie lian opened the scroll which ling wen gave him, revealing the details of the mission "our business is on mount Yu jun, they say there's ghostly groom living there, a wicked and vile creature, he likes to kidnap young brides, in the past hundred years, Seven teen girls went missing and countless of they're bridal processions were killed, these tales escape the notice of heaven, until an instant with the seventeenths bride Father, a very powerful officer, aware of the legend he choose forty gallant escorts to protect his daughter as she traveled to her wedding, Through in the end they all failed, Upon hearing the fate of his beloved daughter, The officer came together with his influential Friends to give many offerings and prayers, They even put a bounty on the ghost groom, Soon everyone in the north was talking about it, And word reached heaven as well" xie lian finished, he closed the scroll and put it away "So our goal for this task, Is to capture the ghost"

"Do all these brides have anything in common?" Nan feng questioned

" some were rich, some poor" xie started pondering " come concubines, and some not, so nothing"

" has anyone seen this ghost?" Fu yao asked

"They haven't" xie lian answered

"In that case how do you know it's a ghost groom and not something else?" fu yao asked

"It's just a figure of speech" xie lian stated "But I agree, It's getting fake, We should find some accommodations"

Xie lian and the two officials started walking outside, but as soon as the Prince lifted the small curtail above the doorway, they noticed the commotion outside " what's that?" He wondered out loud

There were people walking down the path carrying a sedan, with a suppose bride inside

" a wedding now? These idiots" fu yao grumbled

The men around and carrying the sedan were also carrying weapons, hands on the hilts of they're swords

" somethings odd" nan feng stated

"Let's go see" xie lian said, just then a young woman rushed past them towards the group "Stop it! Please!"

She tried to get to the bride but passing all but one of the men " stay back!

"Ma am! They're just using you as bait to lure out the ghost groom! You can't go!" She terror to reach for the 'woman' inside

" get away!" Just then a head fell out making the girl gasp and move away, revealing the woman inside was nothing but a fake

" it's a doll?" One of the men, presumingly to be the leader, kicked the doll head away" you again? Can't mind your own business, can't you ugly!?"he said marching up too ok her scaring the girl

"This is all your fault to begin with, you were supposed to dress up for us!"

"She is playing" fu yao said

" that's the part your focused on?" Xie lian sweat dropped

"Is that Xiao Pengtou and miss Ying over there?" The three turned to see a conversation between two on lookers at the window of the building " sure is" the second man stated

"He and his gang are always up this sort of nonsense he caught wind of the bounty, And now he's going after the ghost, good luck with that one" the first man then drank his drink

" this is too dangerous, If you go up there you'll die!" She exclaimed "Your just being greedy-" Xiao Pengtou walked forward and started pushing her

"Greedy? So what?" He said with that smug look everything he pushed her "We're still killing a monster! It's fine! It's honest business isn't it?"

"But this- is suicide!" She proclaimed

"First you won't dress up as a bride, Then we go alone you stop us, What do you want?!" He leaned forward creepily

"Let us do our damn job!" One yelled

"Oh wait I get it~ I get it~ you love the ghost groom~

"But! No-" she protested

"You sneak off to his mountain!" He proclaimed "We've all seen it!" Some of the people around her started agreeing, except for two, one of them grit they're teeth, as the cruel man talked the one in the dancer clothes starting walking towards them, making the other one look at her in shock then rush after her

This is the other girl
Not my art

"Your hiding something! I know it!"

"I'm not! No stay away!" Before he could touch her, he was pushed back by another girl In dancer clothes and her hat, which made it difficult to see her face " get away from her!"

Xie lian gasped a little looking at the strange girl coming to the other girls aid

Important note
Remember he can't see her face

" miss dancer" The girl being assaulted smiled relieved, but went back to scared when the leader stepped forward, so the other girl pulled her back with her

"Oh look who it is~ the exotic dancer from out of town~"

" you need to step away from her, right now" she glared with a low voice

" and you need to mind your own business" he countered, trying to push her away and get to Ying, but she slapped his hand away, shocking the crowd around and making him angrier " she was only trying to save you from murdering yourselves, Oh but never mind, can't help those that want to die" she said

As she was about to walk away with the girl he purposely stepped on her skirt, ripping it also, she gasp and was then pushed and fell to the floor, making his men laugh

" miss!" The girl kneeled down to her, as did the other girl who was with her

"Filthy thug!" Nan feng glared about to March forward and help the three women but gasped when he felt the Prince moving forward at fast speed

" alright then, why don't you take her place instead and be the bride, but first I wanna see that pretty face under the hat, let loose that exotic hair-" as he reached for the girls hat, before the other girl could stop him

Suddenly Xiao Pengtou was sent flying and crushed against the sedan

The three girls, especially the girl wearing the hat looking up at the man in shock

"Who's that?!"

Xie lian looked at the girl who had fallen for a moment before glancing to the bandits and they're leader  " get him! He's a witch!"

His men started running at him, but  Nan feng, slowly slammed his head against one of the beams of the building he and fu yao were still next to, creating a pulse and a force knocked a tree down, the bandits got scared and started retreating,

Leaving Xiao Pengtou behind he looked scared while xie lian just smiled " well,
what's wrong?" He asked smugly " are we fighting?"

"I'll let you off this time!" Xiao Pengtou yelled as he started running away  " who ever you are!"

The man that owned the shop inspected the beam the official slammed his hand against, as he poked it, the beam cracked then brought the entire front entrance down

Making xie lian look over and smile sheepishly " we'll pay for repairs"

" understood" Nan feng agreed

Xie lian approached the girls, mainly the one wearing the hat " miss? Are you alright?" Making her gaze up at him as did the other two, he then looked her skirt that Xiao Pengtou tore, under her hat she was blushing embarrassed" umm...what are you doing..."

He started removing his outer fukata to give to her " your skirt-" but xiao ying took it the wrong way and slapped him away from the dancer girl " you pervert!" 

The two junior officials looked at him with deadpanned and unamused expressions

xiao ying and the other girl started pulling the dancer girl with the torn skirt away while xie lian with a pained look and slapped red hand print on his face " her skirt is ripped...." he said with a small groan and sad voice

The girl did look over her shoulder at the stranger who saved her and the two girls before the two were complete separated

Time skip

They went back in the tea shop to pay for the damage they caused during the ruckus with the bandits, as the man added up the total of money he got compared to what was owed

Xie lian had his arms behind his head smiling sheepishly as he was scolded by fu yao "Mind your own business next time, People bite the hand that feeds them you should know that"

" technically the girl didn't slap him, her friend did, taking it the wrong way" Nan feng defended

"The bill is settled, you may go" the man said finishing his calculating

" thank you sir" xie lian said to the man " do you know where the nearest Ming wan temple is?" He asked

"I'm sorry, but we don't have one here" the man stated

Surprising xie lian " you don't?" He then started to ponder " that's odd" he murmured

"However, We have a nan yang temple" the man proclaimed

Time skip

"It's only five miles away, turn right once you pass through the city gate"

The door was opened and the three walk in,  walked around to see the offerings left " strange, general Ming Guang presides over the north, he should have a temple here" he said, he looked at the statue before turning to Nan feng "Nan yang is well liked though, Even far away from His domain"

"That's right he's loved by all" fu yao said with a smirk

" I have a question, but..."

" if you think you shouldn't ask, then don't" Nan feng cut him off "Uhhh..." xie lian sweat dropped " I was going to say I don't know who to ask" he stated

" no need to be shy"  fu yao said all smug like  " it's about the naming of the temple isn't it?"

" the naming?" Xie lian looked at him confused

" shut it!" Nan feng glared, which fu yao concealed his laugh " many years back, Nan yang was also known as duke Yang, however a careless king once misspelled Duke with tragic consequences, and before long, All duke Yang temples became d*** Yang temples, people
Couldn't wait to spread the word" at the end of the explanation, fu yao started laughing

" it's been corrected!" Nan feng glared with fury

"So you say, but even now, Nan yangs temples are oddly popular with women" fu yao smirked as he spoke every word, Nan feng gripped his fist tighter " And I hear as beneath they're prayers, They're cheeks burn red"

"You bastard!" He roars as fu yao laughs "Go sweep the floors!" He ordered, making the junior official freeze and glare daggers at him " what was that?"

" hmmp, or maybe serve tea, perhaps you should make the princes bed! Like Xuan Zhen did!"

" what are you getting at? If you want the Prince to have the royal treatment the. Do it yourself"

" better than abandoning him, isn't it?" Nan feng countered " the Prince brought Xuan Zhen to heaven, but when things went south, he relayed the princes kindness, but spiting right in his face!"

"Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black!
Nan yang was the Prince sworn, bodyguard, But that loyalty amounted to nothing in the end!"

The two then broke out into fight, things getting knocked over and thrown around the room, poor xie lian getting hit by some of the room, as one dumpling hit him, as it started falling to the ground, he caught it

As the two continued fighting, he dusted the dumping off any dirt, before he could even eat it, Nan feng blasted energy at it " don't eat that!"

" huh?..."

"Yeah it's dirty" fu yao said

Before they could fight again, xie lian put a stop to them both " wait!" He said thrusting his arms out "First. Stop arguing  about the Prince, you do realise that's me do t you? I won't be used as a weapon in your petty feud, Second your here to help me, so who's in charge?"

the two sighed " you are..." they both said in sync, making the Prince smile " good, let's move on" he then turned to Nan feng " could I borrow some mana please?" He asked

Making the official raise an eye brow " just use your own" he said

" I don't...have enough" xie lian admitted

The official then pressed his hand against the princes transferring some of his mana

The Prince used it to contact ling wen, who was In the telepathy hall

" hello your highness" she greeted " I how things are going well in the north, are the junior officials to your liking?" She asked

"Of course" xie lian smiled " I'm grateful, they're quite charming"

" that's good to hear, if your still looking for accommodations, find a Ming wan temple, in the north, general pei should receive offerings all year round" she stated

"We couldn't find a Ming wan temple
So we're staying at Nan yang's" xie lian informed

" you couldn't find his temple?" she asked, surprised " how peculiar"

" do you have any more information to say On the ghost groom?" He asked

" I do, as a demon, it's classification as wrath" she explained " in case you need a reminder, the ranking is wickedness, ferocity, wrath, then devastation" she listed " that's one rank shy of the worst case scenario, It could case tremendous harm if we don't stop it" she warned  "Please deal with this quickly your highness"

Xie lian was then back at the temple with the two officials " you were chatting for long enough, what's the situation?" Fu yao asked

" the ghost groom is a wrath, we need to be cautious, but we need to be swift, any ideas?"

"The ghost is only interested in brides right?" Fu yao reminded  "So we should use one as bait, But a wrath won't easily be deceived, So we can't use something like a doll"

"But it doesn't go after every bride, There's some other factor" Nan feng added

"It doesn't matter, Let's just get a girl, and see what happens"

"We can't" xie lian stated "If we fail, Then the girl will surly die"

"Alright what should we do? Use a man?" Fu yao asked sarcastically

"But it would have to be one of us and...Eh" Nan feng trailed off as he looked at xie lian, as did fu yao, both seemed to have the same idea while the Prince looked confused

Next day

The Prince stepped out, wearing the bridal get up, however the two junior officials stare in shock and unease

🤣

" what a sorry excuse for a bride" fu yao stepped back " if I were the ghost...."

"You'd string her up?" Nan feng guessed what his comrad would say next, fu yao then clenched his fist " and burn down her village!"

"Somehow your even worst than a wrath" xie lian smiled somewhat amused, just then they heard a female voice

" um...excuse me sir?..." they looked at the doorway too see a certain girl from before, along with a dancer girl who spoke stood behind her, wearing her regular clothes again, but wearing a hood

" oh it's you two, from yesterday" he then noticed the girl he saved looking away with red cheeks, he was confused to why until he realised the bridal clothes he was currently wearing "oh right the dress..." he waved his hands nervously and embarrassed " please don't get the wrong idea....this is to lure out the ghost groom"

Xiao ying looked down ashamed until the girl behind shyly poked her shoulder making her lift up the basket " listen, I'm ready sorry, we wanted to make up for before, the tea house owner said you were staying here so we brought some food as a token of our gratitude"

"No it's alright, it was no trouble" xie lian waved off smiling

" By the way I'm good at sewing" xiao ying says walking up to him "Perhaps I could help you with your dress, You might look prettier with a few alterations" she smiled

" ehhh..." xie lian smiled awkwardly

At sunset

Xie lian sat inside the sedan as it was being carried down the path, some men carrying it and walked along side, along with both the junior officials stand to the left and right sides " everything alright?" He called out to the two " the sedan carries are more than capable, they're skilled in martial arts and are facials with the area, Don't worry" Nan feng assured

" just focus on your own safety" fu yao says

But what they didn't know, was that they were being spied on by the bandits from before

"They're tryin to swipe our bounty" one of them said with anger

"Ying wouldn't help her own neighbours
But she'll help some strangers" the guy next to Xiao Pengtou said "Little brat"

"Tch, while the mantis is preying on the cicada the sparrow lies behind them" he said, meaning the bandits were the sparrow, the Ghost groom, the mantis, and the strangers with the sedan, then cicada

"Now...go!" They followed after them

What not only the men carrying the sedan, or the bandits, or even the Prince and his junior officials, was a familiar girl with dark blue hair, Was dressed as one of the men in disguise

The sun finally set and it drew dark, the others remained on high alert

"Excited about your wedding?" Fu yao joked teasingly "It's a big day"

"I'm a bit forlorn" xie lian admits "There's something missing from the processions you know" he states

" there's something missing? Like what?" Nan feng asked

Xie lian snickered within the sedan, making the two look in his direction "Two maids for the bride" he said, indicating, since he was dressed as the bride, they should have dressed as the maids, both turned away 'hmping'

"I'm afraid your family's to poor for maids, what a pity" fu yao says

"Nan feng, where are we right now?" Xie lian questioned

"We've been on mount yu jun for a while" he answered, it was quite, very quite, apart from the occasional owl hooting, just then xie lian heard the sound of someone giggling and gasped slightly

"Something wrong?" Fu yao asked hearing the Prince as someone started singing, xie lian placed a finger to his lips indicating him to be silent, and leaned forward to talk with Nan feng "Was that a child laughing?" He asked

While Nan feng looked forward again " I didn't hear a thing" he said, the laughing grew a little louder " nor did I" fu yao added in

Xie lian narrows his eyes a little 'perhaps I was the only one intended to hear it'

The men in front along with the ones holding the sedan stopped feeling uneasy " something feels strange."

" keep going, act normal"

The resumed walking forward

" it's singing" xie lian spoke

" about what?" Fu yao asked looking around for something strange

" cross the mountains, in tears, never smile, before the ghost groom"

Nan feng held the hilt of his sword " a message? Or warning?" He looked around

"If not a trap" fu yao says " you better not cry" he warned

"Laugh or cry "...what's the worst that can happen?" Xie lian questioned

"You could be kidnapped " fu yao stated

"In that case...I have something to tell you" xie lian admits

"What?" Nan feng asked

"I've been smiling wide...This whole time" the Prince states, which was indeed true, he had been smiling the entire time they had left

The wind blew through the trees and both Nan feng and fu yao had they're swords drawn, ready for an attack, something fast sped by, suddenly the men holding the lanterns up front stopped, seeing something up ahead, they see green eyes in the darkness and the shapes and howling of wolfs making the man with the lantern scared

" it's a pack of wolfs!"

" wolfs don't live here!" The other man next to him exclaimed

They snarled and rushed towards the sedan, as the men rushed back, both Nan feng and fu yao rushed forward slashing they're swords

The men were trying to use the fire in the lanterns to make them back off, but it wasn't working

Xie lian bumped against the wall, then leaned forward, opening the curtain to see what was going on outside, the two junior officials killing the wolfs 'It must be a magic formation, Where's the source?'

" Nan feng, fu yao, you can handle this I assume?" He asked

" they're just mutts" fun yao replied

As he ran back into the fight, behind the trees, corpse started rising up and heading towards the sedan, one man noticed them approaching

"Monsters!" The man yelled, xie lian tired to get up " what happened?" but was thrown back and lands back in the seat

"Stay inside!" Nan feng yelled

Xie lian crouch more into the sedan, not noticing the hand creeping in, and grabbing the bottom of the dress

" slave goblins!" Fu yao grunted slashing the ones attacking " treached things! They just keep coming! At this rate they'll ware us out!" Fu yao exclaimed as more kept coming

The men they were with Amos had they're swords out

"Did ling wen mention this?" Fu yao asked

Inside the sedan, xie lian was struggling with a slave goblin that got in "Not at all, how many?" He questioned pushing it back

Nan feng answered after gaining his breath back "About a hundred, Maybe more" he said as he saw more coming

"Ten is a hand full" xie lian grunted, he narrowed his eyes 'We can't hold out'

Something glowed under his sleeve, which was "Go...Kill them" it wrapped around the goblin and dragged it out, also killing it, at fast speed, the juniors watched as something fast sped by killing the ones around the sedan instantly, and they're blood painting the trees

The men and the junior officials were exhausted

" I thought, you couldn't wield magical weapons" Nan feng stated

"There are always exceptions" xie lian replied " you should retreat" he stated

" retreat?"

" if you guard the sedan, they'll keep coming, and you can't kill them all, pull back" he ordered

" and you?" Nan feng questioned

" I'll wait till the groom shows himself..." xie lian replied, making the official narrow his eyes

"I won't argue with him, We can come back later" fungal stated "Come on let's hurry" Nan feng looked at the sedan, but then at the exhausted men "This way quickly!" Fu yao gestured to them

Once the two officials made sure the men were retreated to safety, they ran away too

The men ran far away along with the officials, however the girl who disguised herself couldn't follow them, some of the slave goblins appeared in front of her, and she had to change paths

She continued running until she had no where to run, she shut her eyes kneeling down as they were about to attack

But felt nothing, and heard the sound of slashing, and felt someone gently embrace her and pulled into someone's chest, making her gasped,  her eyes rolled up to see a man

his face, it wasn't easy to see because of his long hair, but she did see him wearing an eye patch on his right eye

She froze when she felt his grip on her shoulder  as he helped her up, still keeping her in his arms protected, he lead her away, the whole time, he wouldn't let her go

Some of the wolfs from before came back, they snarled at the two, which brought the fear back into the girl, but the man gave off a look and an intense aura, which they whimpered and ran away

Walking down the path, she noticed the silver butterfly's following them

Time skip

Xie lian was left alone in the sedan, no one or Anything around, no wolfs, or slave goblins

He summoned the bandage back to him, and waited, there was a strong just of wind, which meant something arrived, something big

He bit his lip a little

The area returned to calm and silent

But close by, Floating in the darkness, there was a little silver butterfly, a small breeze blew at the curtains, the wind carried plum blossoms

He heard the curtain shuffle, indicating something, or someone was here

" who's there?"

He gazed forward, then noticed the glowing plum blossom and a silver butterfly float  in

His eyes widened slightly, he remembered seeing them before, Mainly the plum blossoms, like the one he caught that disappeared, he looked down at the flower that landed on his lap, then noticed a small hand reach in

He lifted his head up, his breathing hitching as he saw the person in front had a small smile on her face, but he couldn't see her face completely

Story time

In a beautiful kingdom

"Long ago in this central plain, There was a Kingdom known as xian le

The Prince was known as xie lian, he cherished his people, and in turn, was beloved by all

Tales of his valour were often told "

Reality

He slowly reached out and took the girls hand, she help him to climb out, but he tripped, he fell into her, but she had one leg standing strong behind to help stabilise them both

In the story

In the story a young girl fell along with a little boy in her arms, trying to protect him from the fall

"He once saved a girl protecting a child on Shenwu street"

As the two fell, he leaped and caught the maiden in his arms, one hand clenching hers gently while her other held the child

Reality

Just like in the story, he clenched onto her hand as she did too, as soon as he straightened himself, he looked at her, her clothes, pure white covered in trinkets, her white veil over her face but not her mouth

Story

He was now standing in the opposite side of the bridge from his opponent

"And Vanquished a demon with dazzling skill on yinian bridge"

The demon readied it's sword as did xie lian, both charged at each other, both blades clashing

Both blocking the others attack, before jumping back, the demon charged forward, but xie lian prepared swiped his sword against he water as he aimed to kill the demon

After battle, From his hand something sparkly was dropped from his hand and onto the ground

"The heavenly emperor saw great potential in this Prince, And he ascended to heaven at a very young age"

The Prince turned and saw the emperor behind him

Reality

The Prince and the young girl walked down the path, alerting the wolfs that attacked before

They growled until they saw the fury within the eyes of the girl

They whimpered scurried away, allowing the two to walk further together

Story

It was raining and his kingdom was on fire, the poor people were running with these star he burn marks on they're skins

"However, The kingdom of xianle
Soon faced a terrible crisis, The crown Prince descended To the mortal realm to save his People, but his efforts were in vain"

One person, a girl tried to call out at the people saying horrible words, but the fire cut her off

Reality

In the wooded area they walked, the trees dripped blood, crows with red eyes occupied the trees, and took notice of the two walking down the path

Small silver butterfly's flew along with plum blossoms

The girl lifted an blue umbrella and shielded the two from the rain that started to poured down

A skull on the ground gave of a dark arua, but the girl crushed it with her foot like
It was nothing, the crows fly away scared

The arua the girl emitted managed to break whatever dark arua was around the area they walked

Story

The Prince stood with a red umbrella under the rain, outside a small shrine with in a deserted village, he then dropped his umbrella

"If you can't find a meaning in life, Then allow me to be that meaning"

She remembered him saying those words

The girl on the hood stood there, getting drenched with the little boy, then rushed towards the shrine

Reality

Their feet splash through the pool of blood and the strong drops of rain and blood come ascending on top, beating against the umbrella.

a beautiful smile spreads on the girls lip as the two hold hands while walking down the path, not looking back at the scene behind them

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]