It was a long, dimmed hallway. They, walked eternally, accompanied by the smell of musk and old cedar incense. The columns and walls, as one looked up to the sealing, seemed as a dark pit, one ready to be engulfed into complete darkness.

DuZhi whined,

- Why is it that I feel like I've been walking for hours and don't know how long ago that impecunious pair left before I could blink twice!

Xian Leng grimaced at him. The cold look made DuZhi tensed.

He hadn't forgotten he was being watched ever since he tried to eat Pamella and during the fight, almost incinerated Jiti.

Lord Xian was being rather oc for a person who didn't care about others; neither the young or the old. The fact that he was overprotective for a weak human with low spiritual energy was funny. If it was DuZhi, he would have sucked what little did the human matchstick had left of his insignificant prowess.

The human matchstick didn't look like someone who could put up a fight and wouldn't last three seconds without been shredded or dismembered; even so, thinking back at the time DuZhi was threatened by the man, he could see that he carried within himself a spike of darkness. He looked at him the same way the Lord in his past life looked at those who were weak and helpless among his presence.

Still, now, the weakling smiled and looked around the big building like a curious ignorant child.

Pamella neared her hand and taped the walls while they walked onwards.

- Hmmm... Great structure system. Can't believe most of these columns are made of whole metals. I thought wood or concrete plaster was used frequently during this time...

Hei Bao commented,

- It's not a strange thing at all Miss Pamella. These metals are within most of the great palaces in the world. They concentrate energy like raw crystals do and while cultivating, ones prowess becomes stronger. The metal's spiritual energy fertilizes both the soul and the lands.

She glided her hand over the metal's surface. It glowed slightly only to dim itself away. Hei Bao continued his explanation.

- Only the commoners or less fortunate people use wood and plaster, but they will still carry a metal or crystal ornament inside their house to chase away bad spirits and demons.

Pamella,

· And are they the same value; I mean, the metals and the crystals?

Jiti joined into the small class.

· Yes and no. Metals are great energy cunducting elements, while crystals are better reservers. The crystals are cheeper because they are less useful during battles, but the difference is almost meaningles since you also need crystals to have some energy of use for later on.

Hei Bao walked closer to Pamella so he could have a more proper conversation as they walked.

· The size of the piece also matters as well as the quality. Crystals with many cracks and metals with scratches or even oxidized don't show themselves to be of most use. They deviate energy and the flow becomes obstruct.

Xian Leng was also paying attention to the new information but also was paying attention to Hei Bao's expression and moves.

The cat was sneaky in so many ways. He could show a friendly gesture towards one but think opposite of his actions.

Xian Leng suspected Hei Bao knew something he didn't seeing that he would try anything to not leave Pamella with him unguarded or even throw anything on his mind to make their closeness in a space less. Something like now, is a way for him to break a bond and mend a new one. But Xian Leng didn't worry of it, Pamella and he were connected by both blood and soul. No matter what kind of "bond" those two made, Xian Leng was still the most important subject for Pamella's protection, she needed nothing else.

He walked closer to both keeping watch at their surroundings. They were in a place strange to them so, indeed precautions must be taken.

Taking the opportunity, the cat, bird and matchstick were not paying attention to other things but their conversation, DuZhi took the initiative to speak to the Lord of all evil things.

Remembering the confused expression, the Lord had plastered on his face when he had gestured him as "Lord", DuZhi decided to play it safe and ask without using such title.

- Excuse me, Lo... Master Leng, forgive me with the boldness, but what is the relation between you and...

He glanced at the amazed young man that now had the bird on his shoulder.

- That man...

It was bold of him indeed to ask such personal stuff, but if he was going to hang around with these guys for now own, he at least wanted some things clarified; even if he wasn't still trusted enough to know them.

Xián Leng glanced at him, remaining silent as they walked without rest.

DuZhi cleared his throat and dared ask again, adding some side comments.

- The way I see it Master Leng, that pretty guy holds great part of your thoughts. There is no instance where you two are separated. Not to mention the way he looks at you, it is rather uncanny...

Xián Leng glanced over again to the little devil, finally giving it what he wanted. He asked,

- Uncanny...?

DuZhi snickered to himself. Finally, he got the iceberg to talk. Now, it was the time to see how much he could make him speak about.

- Yes, uncanny! I mean, he looks at you as if he longs to own you, like when I look at sweet, juicy, delicious rotting flesh!

Xián Leng squinted his eyes and twisted his mouth showing obvious disgust from DuZhi's diet preference. Rotting meat is not some delicacy anyone would dare want to try.

- ...

DuZhi changed the subject immedietly.

- Also, don't you find it strange that both of you stick like two pieces of melting candy? Master Leng is there a reason to follow him around much? You don't need to be somebody's bodyguard!

Xián Leng never thought his serious protection was as extreme as DuZhi made it sound like. He couldn't help himself to ask, if Pamella felt the same way DuZhi insinuated with his tone of words. Was he suffocating her wih his much care or was she getting tired of his continuous presence? But weren't they about to...

Thinking about it all made him uneasy and troubled; to much conflicting feelings.

Following the emotions surging in one, the other felt them as uncontrollable heartbeats and high blood pressure. Noticing she was not feeling like normal, Pamella glanced over to the grimacing Xián Leng. Her eyes lowered to his clenched hands, from which veins protruded ready to explode any moment.

If it isn't me who is having mood swings then, it's definitely him...

She excused herself for a moment and walked towards DuZhi and Xian Leng; Hei Bao followed with his eyes her figure. He concentrated his look towards the dark hallway.

Jiti murmured to his ear,

- Be reasonable...

Hei Bao,

- I am, I am being reasonable enough.

Jiti,

- Only yourself believes such remark. Should I remind you the reason and outcome of this journey? That woman has too much on her plate to be thinking like a romanticist. The first thing she'll do is get the Hell out of here once the opportunity shows itself!

Hei Bao's mood became worse than it was before and what pissed him off more than having a bird giving him love tips and what not, was that he was right. Most of the times Jiti analyzed a situation and came up with a conclusion, his statement went in accordance with things. Although it was a great gift he had, it could get on the nerves of people; especially those whose patience was very limited.

- Could you... Let me be?

Jiti wasn't going to get his feathers plucked so he agreed on shutting his beak and stare at the scene developing at the other side of the hall.

Xián Leng,

Xián Leng,

- I am fine! Why are you worried about me all of a sudden? I suggest you worry about your arm.

Pamella contradicted while smiling.

- My arm is fine now! See!

She moved her arm up and down left to right; showing a forced smile with sweat beads and a pale complexion that threw her argument to the gutter. Xián Leng sighed while stopping her absurd behavior.

- You have to stop being too obstinate! You'll make it worse the way you are swaying it!

Pamella thought Xián Leng was right but he still carried an annoyed expression. She leaned in with DuZhi still between the two of them, having one brow twitching from anger. He cursed at the human matchstick's bad moments to intervene important conversations.

Pamella taped Xián Leng's shoulder.

- You should just tell me what's up with you and that awful face you got molded on.

Xian Leng continued to walk into the darkness, gathering his pace each second. DuZhi had to fast walk four steps for each step Xian Leng gave, while Pamella, unaccustomed to being evaded by such means ran jogged as fast as she could to keep up pestering him for some answers.

- You say I'm the stubborn one but you are worse! Look at yourself strutting the hallway as if life depended on it!

DuZhi had to open his mouth.

- Master Leng...?

Xian Leng without losing his focus and speed,

- Shut up! Both of you...

DuZhi did as instructed but Pamella as stubborn as she was continued claiming conclusions of her own.

- I bet it was the little devil here that made you lose your cool. DuZhi what things have you been telling Xian Leng!

She hoped it was nothing regarding the dark side of his past, but couldn't be so, because it would have been far worse than how Xian Leng was acting at the moment.

DuZhi,

- I haven't said a thing to piss off Master Leng!

Pamella,

- You... Shut up! And you...

She pointed at Xian Leng while they now were practically running, the sound of their steps echoing when they came into contact with the floor tiles. DuZhi was left behind as well as the other two who had speed up when they saw what was going on with Xian Leng and Pamella.

- Wait up!

She started to feel the breathlessness, but she wasn't going to be ignored just like that. As Xian Leng was getting near a massive door, she threw herself and landed on his back with such force that both slammed open the door and stumbled inside. Jiti, Hei Bao and DuZhi caught up and ran inside just to make sure both of them were all in one piece.

Pamella grabbed Xian Leng by the collar and with face full of anger.

- You... That was dangerous! I almost broke my nose!

Xian Leng frowned and interjected.

- That should be my line! YOU were the one that jumped on me!

Pamella,

- I wouldn't need to do so if you'd been more cooperative!

Their rambling went on and on. Hei Bao and DuZhi would just stare aloof at the scene while Jiti on the other hand would maniacally laugh.

- THIS TWO... HAHAHAHA... I CAN'T OW OW OW, my stomach... HAHAHAHA!

Pamella was about to inquire what was so funny until a cough and a cleared throat sound made everyone shut their mouths and look forward to where the sound came from.

Seated in a magnificent golden thrown, wearing pure white robes, a gold lotus hair ring and gold silver cuffs. He had long dark polished hair and a pair of light honey like eyes.

He stared at them surprised and after scanning them over, his stare landed on the youthful pretty boy holding another man by the collar. He tilted his head to one side telling himself that something about the young man seemed rather familiar. He had seen him somewhere but couldn't quite grasp where exactly.

Pamella's grip loosened and jumped up while exclaiming,

- You're that crazy dude who crashed on me on the streets back then!

The King had never had someone speak to him in such a way, neither did he understand the nature of the words Pamella spoke.

- Excuse me... "Dude"...?

He suddenly remembered that the young man was the one that lightened his crash to the floor when a bunch of mad shop keepers chased him for not having enough money to pay for the drinks he chugged. He decided to play dumb, just to get himself out of any troublesome matter, he was the King so he didn't need to explain to anyone.

- I am sorry young man... I have no idea what you're talking about... You must have me mistaken. I never leave the palace to walk among the common people...

Pamella thought,

This guy... He hasn't even introduced himself even though it's obvious who he is, but even so...

- So, you're the king... You sure know how to put up characters well. There is no need for stupid dialogues so please drop the courteous act your Highness.

The young man's attitude was quite feisty. It wasn't much the times in his spirit years he has been in charge, he got to have such people as guest; he might as well enjoy himself and talk smoothly.

- Fine. Tell me first who are you and we can proceed with whatever you desire.

He smiled and slanted his eyes as if thinking other things which he did not speak about.

Pamella looked over his attire, trying to find any presence of the Wise Spirit's charm. There was no sign of it whatsoever and if she remembered correctly the King didn't have much time to speak to other people who weren't himself. This is going to be harder than I thought...

- Your Majesty is very nice indeed~ My name is... Wu Zhu Chi. I have no mother or father and am just another survivor of this unjust world. I was taken hostage by a group of bandits that later on treated me as their son and brother but later decided to run away since I got beaten rather harshly and pushed to my limits. As you can feel your Highness, my cultivation level is low and I don't have the same endurance as my friends here. So, you see, we have come a long way to...

The King awaited intrigued, for the man's last statement.

Pamella breathed in and out while bowing but locking her eyes with his Highness yellows.

- Bargain with your Highness~

-