"Hell King has arrived."  The Eunuch called out into the hall as Takeshi led the way with Lihua by his side.  

His all black court outfit with her all white dress made them look unearthly.  Takeshi had her hand in his has he lead the way towards his seat.  The King and Queen have yet to arrive, however King Nao's favorite concubines have already found their seats.  As his name was called the room quieted down and everyone stood up and bowed.  Takeshi held a title of King in name only, however with his years on the boarder and in the army, he had won the trust and respect of most of the Generals.  They all had brought their daughter to the feast in hopes for their daughters to marry him.  

However upon seeing the woman by his side and how he held her hand so openly, they saw what message the Hell King was announcing to them.  All the women fell in love with Takeshi at first sight.  Eleven years away from the royal city, they all have forgotten how he looked like.  But to those that he was close with, they now see the wisdom in his eyes.  Before he was still a spring youth.  Ready to take on the world.  Thinking that he was invincible.  Now he carried himself with a deeper knowledge of the dangers of the royal family and those who fight to be one with them. 

The women stared intensely at the man known as Hell King.  His manly achievements, his superior body  and skills made him the better man in their eyes.  His looks also helped them decide to target him as their next husband.  His dark hair and black clothes enhanced his pale, milky skin.  While his cold silver eyes, that frightened them also drew them into the danger that his aura possessed.  His masculine features drew their eyes to stare at his face longer than propriety suggest, but they couldn't help themselves.  The Hell King was alluring and they flocked to him like a moth to a flame.  

Upon seeing him holding the hands of the girl he brought with him.  They immediately were jealous of her.  Who was the woman who could stand by the Hell King's side so brazenly?  Was she even worthy?  Her clothes looked fine enough, but her hair ornaments although looked pretty were too simple in contrast to the other ladies in the celebration hall.  

"Rise."  Takeshi said when he reached his table.  

The women's gazes turns even more ugly when they see him take care of the girl.  Making sure she got into her seat before sitting next to her.  Instead of letting the servant serve her, the Hell King himself took care of her.  Placing pastries on to her plate and suggesting her to try them with the tea in front of her.  As he whispered to his ear and made her laugh.  

Her laugh was like a magical note that drew the attention of the people around them.  They were curious enough of the identity of the woman beside him, however her laughter enchanted them even more.  

Her every move was graceful and elegant. Even drinking tea, she would use the long sleeve of the dress to cover her face to drink, only lifting the veil slightly so her mouth can taste the floral tea.  

From the other side of the room, Akira seethed in jealousy and anger.  She knew he was hiding someone in the room next to him.  She wanted to see the person herself to see who could catch his attention.  He had always loved her all his life and has chased only her.  But to see him with someone else made her angry.  He was suppose to only have her in his heart and mind.  How did the little bitch get her dirty claws into him?  Akira stared at them with hatred.  How could he act so brazenly in front of everyone.  Never once when he courted her did he bring her to a palace function.  Never once did he do anything out of propriety.  He didn't even try to hug or kiss her.  He didn't even hold her hands!  Not even in private!  How could he changed so much to hold a woman's hand as if no one was there.  

As she seethed more in her own jealousy, the eunuch by the door announced the King and Queen.  Everyone got up and bowed as they entered.  King Nao saw the woman in whit sitting next to his brother and he smiled happily.  He finally set his heart to rest that his younger brother did find someone he love and wanted to be with that he didn't have anymore thoughts about Akira.  

The Queen also saw the woman by her brother in law's side.  Her expression lit up in surprise before hiding her lit emotions behind her mask that she wore.  

"You may rise."  King Nao said as he sat down at his table.  His table was at the end of the hall on a platform higher than everyone else.  Next to him, on a platform lower than his on his left side was reserved for this brother, while on the left side was reserved for his favored concubines.  On a step lower than the second platform were reserved for his Generals and Prime Minsters, after them were places for lower ranking Minister and lower ranking Generals.  

King Nao looked around the hall and his heart was content.  His country and people were doing well.  He had a balance of power in the state and war department.  He had the women he loves by his side, but best of all his brother was back.  Everything felt right for the first time in a long time.  

"We come here to celebrate the safe return of my brother, the only man we all know as Hell King, King Takeshi Shiro."  King Nao said as the room looked and listened on.  "He had a series of misfortune that caused him to be apart from us for eleven years, but with the help of the young lady, beside him, my brother, King Takeshi, has returned to us safe and soundly. Tonight we celebrate his return and his successful cultivation to becoming the greatest in the martial world. King Takeshi, is now at peak Heavenly Dragon Martial Stage. He is truly, Hell King"   

A loud gasp was heard in the hall, they can count the number of people who have broken through to Heavenly Dragon Martial Stage all on one hand.  All three of them have now become Gods in their own sense. 

"Raise your cups in celebration that this King has such an amazing brother.  This King is truly blessed." 

Everyone raised their cup towards the King then drank only after he did.  

"Which brings me to the second reason why we are celebrating."  King Nao said as he looked towards Takeshi and the woman.  

"This woman saved King Takeshi and helped nurse him back to health.  Without her selflessness, this King's brother would not be here today by this King's side.  Step forward and accept this King's decree."  

Lihua gracefully stepped forward and walked to the middle of the hall, stopping right in front of the King.  She knelt down on her knees as she bowed and opened her hand.  A Eunuch came and stood next to her as he announced her virtues and achievements.  He then announces the gifts bestowed upon her by the King.  By the end of the announcement, Lihua had become a rich woman for several lifetimes.  

The Eunuch rolls up the scroll and places it on to her opened hands.  

"It is this servant's luck to of found King Takeshi.  This servant thanks King Nao for his generosity.  May the King live a thousand years. Hail. Hail. Hail."  Lihua said in a clear voice.  

"Hail. Hail. Hail." Everyone else followed.   

King Nao smiled to himself.  The woman that his brother chose is a smart woman.  Not only did she praise him and give him face, she claimed her actions was because of his brother's luck and not her own.  By doing this, she has also gave King Takeshi face.  Just by this few small sentences, King Nao could tell the woman grew up in court and knew how to present herself before royalty.  Takeshi's words rang more true by the minute.  Takeshi would never lie to him.  Her few sentences that she uttered sealed her fate with Takeshi.  

"King Takeshi step forward to receive this King's decree." 

Takeshi stood up and knelt right beside Lihua, in the same pose that she is in.  She still knelt because King Nao have not dismiss her yet.  The very same Eunuch opens up the scroll and reads it out loud for everyone to hear.  

"On this day, In celebrating the safe return of King Takeshi.  King Nao has given permission to King Takeshi to marry the woman he chooses."  

Everyone gasps even louder, for they were not ready for such a sudden decision from the King.  

"This King thanks King Brother for his generous heart.  This King will gladly and gratefully accepts this decree.  May the King live a thousand years. Hail. Hail. Hail."  Takeshi said.  

"Hail. Hail. Hail." Everyone else said.  

"Please rise."  King Nao said.  

As Lihua got ready to get up, she was suddenly stopped by Takeshi.  

"King Brother, please bless me with this union, between me and my savior.  She saved me and nurse me back to health. She is my savior and I wish for her to become my wife.  I find that I cannot live without her by my side.  Please grant this wish of this young foolish brother of yours."  Takeshi said.