"And my men?"

"They've all hidden well and all stayed loyal to you. I shall call them to you and all of them will be present by tomorrow morning."

"Good." Takeshi said as they washed him.

Lihua had left the room after the mention of his men, for she knew there were things he did not wish to discuss in front of her. Instead she walked out of his room and was met with an old woman. Her scowling look did not intimidate Lihua instead it encouraged her to tease the old woman to no end.  

"Pretty maid," Lihua said sweetly. "May I bother you to show me where my rooms are?" 

The old nurse's eye twitch before she turns around and starts to march off to the room next door.  

"Ah, this pretty maid is so nice to show me where my rooms are.  I should praise the Hell King of the efficiency of his servants." 

Who are you to praise our Master!  Nurse Yi shouted to herself.  Why are you hanging around our Master!  What are your intentions with our Master?! 

"Ah, pretty maids everywhere!  Hell King, sure does like to have pretty maid surround him."  Lihua said as she saw more maids waiting in the courtyard, wanting to see a glimpse of his beauty.  

Pretty my butt! Nurse Yi snorted.  

"Pretty maids for a handsome Master. The level of standards here in Hell King's estate is high.  I wonder if his male servants are good looking too?" Lihua said out loud as if she was talking to herself and not to Nurse Yi.  

"Servants are not to be violated!"  Nurse Yi shouted.  She stopped immediately in her tracks as she realized her mistake.  Turning around she apologizes to Lihua.  "Please forgive this servant for misspeaking out of terms."  

"What is there to forgive when Nurse was just stating the truth."  Lihua said.  "Please do not mind me.  My mouth runs easily without thought."  

They both proceed on and Lihua is lead to the room next to Takeshi.  The large room had more than she could ask for and connected to a bathing room as well.  

Four maids were waiting for her in her room and bowed once she arrived.  

"These servants are to serve you for the duration that you stay here in our Master's Estate."  Nurse Yi tells Lihua. "We have been told to fulfill any and all wishes that Miss Lihua asks for." 

"I am quite tired from my travels with your Master, I shall take a nap. You are all dismissed."  

Lihua laid down on the bed and immediately fell into a deep sleep.  She didn't even wake up when Takeshi came into the room to check in on her.  No did she feel his lips on her forehead as he kissed her before leaving.  

---------

At the palace, Takeshi was given the fastest access through the palace gates.  No one stopped him or questioned him as the carriage brought him to the Royal Courthouse were court was still being held.  King Nao had not told any of the arguing minister of the return of his beloved brother.  He wanted to see their faces as the announcement was made.  He wanted to see who was involved in the disappearance of his brother. 

"Before we adjourn this court session, there is an announcement that I would like to make."  King Nao said as he looked at each minister in the room.  Seeing how none of them could look into his eyes, King Nao was satisfied.  "As you know, soon after my crowning ceremony, my brother disappeared without a word or a trace.  This King has sent several search parties out to look for him, but to my disappointment, every search party has come back empty handed.  With every year that he is gone, every year this King feels the emptiness of his presence by my side.  However, this King has received great news, that this King's brother has returned safely."  

King Nao waved his hand towards the entrance of the courthouse and the door opens.  There stands an imposing man that no one could deny.  The power of his aura radiated strongly as he walked past all the ministers and stop to bow in front of his King Brother.  

"King Brother, I have returned."  Takeshi said.  "You must punish this young brother for his negligence towards you, King Brother, and towards this country."  

"Stand." King Nao said as he stood up.  He walked down the several stairs and pulled Takeshi up and into his arms.  Hugging him as Nao looked into the eyes of his Ministers.  "This King is happy to see you are alive and doing well.  Instead of you asking for forgiveness it is I, this King, who should be asking you for forgiveness.  This King as the older brother should be protecting you and not the other way around."  

"Let us forgive and forget, King Brother.  For what matters now, is that I am back and back for good." 

"Let us rejoice."  King Nao.  "For the safe return of our Hell King! A banquet for your safe return will be held in three days time.  We have a lot to talk about! Court dismiss."  

With a wave on his hand,  the room cleared out slowly.  They too wanted to know where Hell King has been for the past 10 years.  

When they were alone, Takeshi told half lies and half truths to make his story real.  

"So you're saying you don't remember who knocked you out?"  King Nao said as the two of them sat in his study talking over tea. 

"Last thing I remember your crowning ceremony.  I don't know what happened, but darkness flooded my vision and I lost all memories there afterward.  Next thing I remember, is that I was chained up inside a cave.  I couldn't break free, even with all my might, the chains held on tightly.  I hung in that cave for eleven years, until a maiden, my savior, stumbled into the cave and found me.  She released me from the chains and nursed me back to health.  We can straight to the city after I recovered."  

"My poor brother has suffered for eleven years.  For eleven years, you suffered by yourself and my uselessness as your King Brother could do nothing!  Please for give me."  King Nao said as tears came down his eyes.  His heart ached for the suffering his brother went through while he lived a life of luxury.  "This King Brother has also betrayed you.  Although I have granted you permission to marry Lady Akria. This King Brother had married her a year after your disappearance."

King Nao left his chair and knelt down in front of Takeshi.  

"Brother!"  Takeshi shouted in alarm.  

"Forgive me, after you disappeared, both Akria and I were heartbroken and missed you terribly.  She cried everyday and refused to eat.  The only person who was close to you was me so when we met with each other we would talk about you and the good memories we had.  Not long afterwards, we fell in love and I found myself not able to live without her by my side.  I married Akria, a year after you disappeared.  I married the only girl you loved.  Forgive me brother.  For this betrayal, ask anything, and this King Brother will grant to you willingly."  

Although Takeshi knew this already and have prepared himself for it, he still couldn't hide the devastation on his face.  

"What is there to forgive?" Takeshi said.  "You and Lady Akira have done nothing wrong.  You fell in love with each other and married.  As long as King Brother and Lady Akira are happy, there is nothing that this young brother can say or do.  There is nothing that this younger brother wants." 

King Nao buries his head on to Takeshi's lap crying harder.  

"This King Brother is blessed to have such a wonderful younger brother.  This King Brother will grant you anything you want." 

"I might do something you won't like in the future."  Takeshi said coldly.  "I want a future pardon from all my crimes I might commit in the future."  

King Nao stopped crying and looked up at Takeshi.  "What do you mean?" 

"Someone drugged me, took me from my home, then chained me up in a cave and left me to rot.  I plan on finding out who did it and plan of killing everyone who was involved, even killing their bloodline.  When I do, King Brother, you might not like what I have done to get my revenge." 

"Who ever did that to you deserved the fate you give them.  They deserve the whole bloodline ending by your hands.  This King Brother will grant you this pardon."  

King Nao got up and wrote the decree and hand the decree to Takeshi.  

"Stay and have dinner with me."  King Nao asked.  

"As my King Brother wishes."  Takeshi answered.

*********************** 

Just some story information that you might wonder about and will help with references in the future.  

Stages of Martial Class

1st Tier

Martial Movement

Martial Strength

Martial Force

2nd Tier

Earth Bound Martial Stage

Water Bound Martial Stage

Sky Bound Martial Stage

3rd Tier

Noble Phoenix Martial Stage

4th Tier

Heavenly Dragon Martial Stage