Liu Wei pulled back Zhi Ming who had started to walk towards the barn.

"And where do you think you're going?" He asks.

"To talk to Wei young, that vile woman had no right to do that to another royal" he said. Liu Wei was speechless, this was the first time seeing Zhi Ming like this.

"You have to calm down....let Murong li handle this, come let's take you home"

Zhi Ming sighed and nodded.

"If you say so"

✥------- † -------✥

Murong li and Wei young were in a stare off, their swords aimed at one another. Wei young smirked.

"I don't believe Yaoguang teaches you about swords, all you do there is give unnatural birth to demons" she said trying to make him angry.

"We may be demons but atleast we don't cause unnecessary wars over some petty issues, we have three days left until the war and yet here we are" Murong li said calmly.

"We shall end this here and now then, fight me Murong li"

Murong li laughed in a taunting way.

"Fight you? Why? So you can boast about saying you defeated me? No....that's not how it works"

"What do you mean?"

Murong li smirks, the expression making Wei young shudder.

"What if i told you my general right now has destroyed Wu Yue sect as we speak"

Wei young froze, is that the reason he came here late? But...how?

"You're lying"

"Am I?"

Her sword was lowered, Murong li smiled.

"I look forward to seeing you in the battle, drop your sword to the ground" he said.

With a dull 'clank' her sword dropped to the ground, Murong li nodded to the door, his sword aimed at her chest.

"Let's go outside, i want to show you something"

Wei young started to walk forward, Murong li pressed his sword on her back.

With a sword pressed against her back, Wei young made her way outside, Liu Wei and Zhi Ming were about to take the carriage to Yang Wu palace when they saw the two come out. The Jingnan disciples gasped seeing Queen Wei young in such a predicament.

"Let this be a lesson Wei young, If i wanted you dead, that arrow would've killed you the second i set it free, but I am not like you, i will not engage with you in this way anymore however, if you push me expect me to retaliate" Murong li whispered in her ear.

Wei young nodded feeling the sharp blade prick her skin.

"Understood"

Murong li stepped back, he put his sword back into it's camouflage sheath and walked towards Zhi Ming.

"Ah li..."

"Let's take you home, your father is worried"

✥------- † -------✥

Liu Wei looked at Wei young who was staring into the distance, her eyes were glazed over as she thought of the possibility of finding her sect in ruins, all because she wants to redeem herself.

"What did he say to you?" Liu Wei asked.

"He said he looks forward to the war....that person....is not one of us"

"What do you mean?"

"He is like a statue, no feelings, no remorse, the fact that he said he destroyed my whole sect while i was here makes me realize that he's  a force to he reckoned with"

Liu Wei chuckles remembering how swift Murong li's attacks are.

"Go home....if what he said is true then....Jingnan will help you"

Wei young sighed and patted his shoulder.

"Thank you my dear friend, I shall leave now"

Liu Wei watched her walk away, Li Jun walked up to him.

"What should we do now your highness"

"We mind our business from now on, look at what meddling cost us, let those who want to fight fight, Jingnan will not be part of those wars"

"What if they come after us?"

"Then we defend ourselves"

✥------- † -------✥

Zhi Ming's legs were still numb so he had to let Murong li lead the horse back home, his arms were snaked around Murong li's slim waist.

"Ah li...."

"Yes?"

"Why did they hate you so much during the Jingnan training?"

"......i have no idea"

They went silent after that, Zhi Ming could feel Murong li's flute under the fabric. After seeing Murong li holding a sword, it didn't change anything for him, in fact he found it rather arousing.

"Zhi Ming...stop what you're thinking this instant"

"Oh? Why?"

Murong li was silent, he could feel his face heat up.

"Your 'junior' is poking my back"

Zhi Ming laughed.

"Do you find it odd? Have you not experienced such a thing before?"

"Zhi Ming! This is not the time"

"Ah li....stop the horse"

The horse stopped, Zhi Ming got off and wobbled for a  moment, he then picked up Murong li and set him on the ground.

"Ah li....we are a couple now, such things shouldn't be secret between us"

Murong li gasped. He and Zhi Ming were a couple? No maybe he heard him wrong.

"Zhi Ming, your father is waiting for you, let's go"

Zhi Ming pulled him back, Murong li gasped feeling something poke his lower backside.

"I can't meet my father like this though?"

"What are you suggesting" Murong li asked quietly. Zhi Ming turned him around.

"Ah li....let me show my love for you"

Murong li turned his face to the side, his face crimson, he cannot believe what he is hearing at this moment, this prince wants to 'do it' in the forest? In the middle of nowhere?

"Ah li...." Zhi Ming said turning him to face each other, Zhi Ming could feel Murong li's warm breath on his face.

"Zhi Ming....we shouldn't do this here....not now"

"Why not?"

"Your father.....*sigh*.....your father is sick Zhi Ming"

✥------- † -------✥

Wei young was about to arrive to Wu Yue, her heart was beating against her chest vigorously as she prepared herself to see the whole area burnt to ash.

"My queen we are here"

It took her a minute to build enough courage to get out of that carriage, she got out and gasped.

Wu Yue sect was still intact, she chuckled when she realized something.

"Murong li knew he wouldn't beat me so he played with my mind.....i have to admit, he is a very calculating person"