Episode 1:
Genesis

«In ancient times, the land lay covered in forests, where, from ages long past, dwelt the spirits of the gods. Back then, man and beast lived in harmony, but as time went by, most of the great forests were destroyed. Those that remained were guarded by gigantic beasts who owed their allegiance to the Great Forest Spirit. The passing time brought a sense of superiority among the beasts which, later by the time, started hunting the man. Their lustful hunger kept increasing rapidly. Years passed and every other species was extinct by the time. The great forest spirit, angered by the mass genocide of the species that bore life, cursed the beasts to ultimate annihilation. As a result, the gigantic civilisations soon disappeared in the midst of dust. The beasts, because of their sins, couldn't ascend for heaven and were forced to dwell as ghosts forever.

The Great forest land soon turned barren with no living creature alive.

Sadden with the deplorable state of their world, the gods decided for the revivification of the living. The next generation of man was introduced, with a much taller and more powerful build- a bunch of hunters who can- when needed- protect themselves on their own. But nothing helped. The ghosts that trampled the land didn't let the lands be at peace. They started possessing humans for their own survival, resulting in corruption of the human race- an ugly infiltration which later killed humans mutilating their bodies in crumbs.

On the other hand, Life in the 'Herb Ghost valley' was more downcast than it seems to be. Wandering through those dejected lands, the goddess that resides the place had always eluded to evade the central territory of the living. The bashful beasts, the human genocide, the sacrifice, or the miserable state of the green lands;  nothing affected her as she, no matter what came into being, would always remain with the title of Dusk maiden of the Veil Herb Ghost valley.

The title, although may be judged for being used to describe her dark skinned solitude beauty, it was nothing like that in reality. The dusk maiden was a goddess disowned by the harmony of the other gods and, due to her aloof personality and problematic wrath, was forced to look after the folklore ghost valley.

But, as time passed by, the hatred within her heart subsided and she soon got habitual of her title. Her acceptance, however was not whole-heartedly, but to some extent she was satisfied with it. Loneliness was something she was used to. Being one of the gods in nature, they say that she shouldn't feel something irrelevant as human emotions but again, she wasn't the almighty but rather just a small part of it.

All of the gods were just a part of the almighty, all different from each other. These humans, beasts, ghosts, spirits, all were just a part of its world- the only creator. It made some people good, it made some do well. It raised heaven to balance the hell. This was all just a big ground, where lives the good but so do the evil.

The dusk maiden was also a part of this enormously powerful being, the almighty, but then why? Why was she excluded by her own kind? This thought always made her gloomy.

The said goddess was always inquisitive about the humanly sentiment. In her hundreds and hundreds years of being in existence, she witnessed a lot of them. The emotional deviations being the most peculiar betwixt them. When the rapid contamination by the beasts continued, her only source of entertainment to cope up with her anguish of desolation was snatched away. But, as hopeless she became by now, the goddess just observed everything from afar.

Years passed but she stayed quite over all this fuss until that one particular incident. The Dusk Maiden had something that she adorned. A human girl who infiltrate the Herb Ghost Valley. The goddess was initially angry on her but yet- the girl only giggled in joy when she spotted the goddess. The human girl was bewildered of her beauty and praised the goddess for her service in that valley. And oh! Was it the first time someone appreciated her so much? The goddess soon grew a soft spot for the human girl until one day- the girl never returned to the valley. Sometime later when the goddess inquired, she was informed that the human girl fell a prey to the beasts.

The agony of losing the only person she had in her loneliness, the goddess decided to take matters into her hand. And thus, One such day A beast named Lov possessed a little human girl who was picking on flowers. The girl, as soon as the beast invaded her body, changed her form. It was the goddess of the Herb Ghost valley.

The negative energy within her body was far more than the beast and so, the beast was unable to possess her and got trapped within her body for forever. Soon, the goddess trapped five most powerful beasts within her body eradicating the age of beasts as the other belonging to that race feared the goddess and promised to never invade man's boundaries again. The goddess's wrath however was too much. She tormented the beasts for years and once her anger subsided, she trapped them in a hollow realm within the earth's surface.

The dark fall sucked in all the wandering beasts within the earth and the goddess shielded its opening with her energy. The other mighty thanked the goddess for her generosity and gave her a special privilege. The Dusk maiden of the Herb ghost valley was now- crowned as the new Forest Spirit.

Under her surveillance, no beasts were ever able to escape the dark fall. But the goddess knew that the moment the heavens called out for her and she ascended to paradise, the world will once again be terrorised by the beasts.

The beasts trapped within her body can't ascend above with her and so, will be released and cause havoc- chaos might unfold and once again the human race with her trampled amidst disaster. They will open the dark fall with their combined yin after killing the other species and all the remaining beasts will come back to the earth.

To avoid such a future, the goddess made a deal with the beasts caged within her.

One night she interconnected her soul with that of the beasts and proposed a simple and enchanting offer."I appreciate how you all have been living quietly within my body for all these years. Impressed by your actions, I have decided to grant you freedom. But on one condition, you all have to live within a human body.”

The beasts were overjoyed with the goddess' mercy. They instantly agreed to her offer unaware of the goddess' ulterior motives.

As decided the goddess called out for five most powerful warriors from different parts of her land. The warriors included both males and females- they were strong, powerful and most gracious beings that have blessed the lands with their existence. They excelled in every aspect of their life and had a strong spiritual control over their core.
The goddess enclosed one beast in each of them as she chanted the vows and soon each of the beast left her body and got caged among each warrior. The beasts, unaware of the goddess's motive, tried to possess the bodies. But before the beast could do so, the goddess locked their soul. The beasts couldn't possess them anymore. The souls of the warriors were forever protected and so, the goddess won against the beasts with her intelligence and quick wit.

She built five different weapons from the five elements that mark the earth and gave one to each of the warriors accordingly. Legend says that each of the beasts held a special and different power and when, they got trapped within the goddess, she used her energy to trap their powers within these weapons.

The goddess named the bunch of those warriors as the Traces of the Sun.

The Traces of the Sun- a group of five most glorious and celebrated warriors in the history- who oathed to protect the existence of life on earth and thus- were the trace of that mighty sun which bores the light to this earth. The Warriors went back to their kingdoms and ruled their country- marking their reign as the golden period of all time. Satisfied with everything, The goddess soon ascended to heaven and due to the presence of five powerful beasts entrapped within humans, the opening of the dark fall was left untouched.

The Warriors soon got married and had kids. But a strange pattern followed among all the five kingdoms.

The moment their third kids were born, the warriors felt terribly sick and the kingdom suffered drastically. It was addressed as the curse of a ferocious beast which dawned upon them. However, the beasts trapped within their bodies never got released due to the weapon they possessed. Instead, the trapped beast and its power was transferred to the child which the said warrior consented to and The same pattern followed within the next generation and so on.

For centuries, the power was being transferred among the royal blood of the five kingdoms. But unfortunately, the kingdoms were destroyed over time due to the turning age of evolution.

The Traces of the Sun soon became a myth or a legend for the common people to gossip as no such power was ever witnessed in a century. The concept of beasts or goddess of Ghost valley all became a part of ancient mythology. »

Breaking off her explaination with a unwanted cough, the old lady rubbed her chest in order to calm it down. The dozens of children surrounding her shuddered as their stance broke all of sudden- who were too immersed in the legend that the old lady was narrating them earlier. A small whine escaped the mouth of a young lad who almost aged five, “Ugh Granny! You can't just stop right now. What happened next?” The other kids following him also boarded the old woman with complaints about how they want to know more about the said legend. Soon enough, a middle aged man walked out of the house. A stick in hand and an obvious frown he chased the kids away as they giggle and scatter here and there in a stance of joy. It was their favourite evening chore. Running to the old lady who owns a basket shop, listening to her interesting tales and then- getting chased by her son who takes a break in the evening after a day long of hard working in fields.

“Haha! Say what Uncle, Have you become so old that you can't catch us now?”

the same young boy chimes in addressing the incompetence of that man to catch all of them as they ran in different directions. He giggled and teased him with his actions as he ran forward with full speed. Grinning to himself, as he skimmed through the bustling streets causing things to fall here and there. The boy was young- but boy was he fast! Soon enough, he can see the old man falling behind in the crowd as he laughed to himself before running to a secluded corner- which he apparently thought was a way to his home.

“Ah!” Bumping against a tall silhoutte, the boy fell hard on his back as he hissed in pain. Looking at the cause of his pain, he saw a group of young adults who clearly weren't polite in anyways.

With scars decorating their bodies, they looked like local thugs who steal from people and If they get nothing- might just beat people up. The boy- scared out of his mind- slowly took few steps until the one in the middle held him from the collar picking him up. “Where are you running off to punk? You made my drink fall!” The man said in a menacing tone pointing towards a broken glass of beer. “How will ya pay for this eh? Got any dime to save your scrawny self?!” the young boy can only move his head in denial as he barely had any money on him. His response clearly pissed the thug as he threw the little boy on the ground, spitting on the side.

“You Bastard! You dare mess with us without having anything to compensate huh!? You are asking for a beating!” The man scowled nearing towards the boy who can only quiver in fear, teary eyes waiting for maybe some miracle to safe him.

“L-let me go please. I won't do it again sir-” He can only say much with his quivering lips as a hand approached his cheeks in a harsh tone. Immediately shutting his eyes close, the boy waited for the slap to sting but surprisingly, he never got hurt in anyway! Rather he heard a loud this followed by a louder scream as the said thug now laid on the ground with his hands twisted. The boy was wide eyed but the thugs in front of him were more shocked and scared. Following their gaze, the boy looked behind him only to find a tall man standing behind him,  munching on a apple. Sensing him, the said man winked at him, throwing him the half ate apple before picking him up from the ground and making him sit on the side.

“Now lad, close your eyes. The following scene is going to be a bit graphic for your age okay?”

The tall man, who apparently had a sweet but deep voice too, told the boy who just nodded and closed his eyes tightly. And the next he knows were loud screams and pleas of the thugs asking to be spared. Soon enough the chaos subsided and the boy slowly opened his eyes. In a side he found a bunch of thrashed bodies lying in pain, groaning among themselves. Next to his left, he found that same tall man checking through the money bags of the thugs- taking everything he can find and throwing all the coins in his bag.

“A-are you a thief?” The young boy can't help but ask with his innocent eyes blinking with tears. Hearing his accusation, the tall man stood up- clearly looking offended.

“Thief? Did you just call me a thief lad? Oh I am hurt. I just saved you little mouse and you- ugh! Where are the kids, who used to be grateful, gone?” Dramatically sighing, as the tall man face palmed to himself nagged the boy for calling him a thief- who apparently can't help but doubt him more. The gold coins which the tall man nabbed out of the thug's pockets wasn't helping his testaments in any way. “Man did I skip a generation or what because last I remember kids used to say 'thank you' in case you safe them from a kickass beating but alas! Looks like the times indeed have changed.” the tall man went on and on with his rant, making the young boy doubt him further.

Previously scared from getting slapped, the boy was now scowling at his saviour. “Yeah but are you a thief?” He asked again, this time a bit sarcastic.

The said tall man sighed dejected as he tugged his fanny bag deeper in his clothes and approached the young lad with fancy steps. “Listen boy, I am certainly not a thief. I just- borrow things and forget to return it back. Plus this was just an compensation for saving your life by risking mine.” the tall man boasted about his bravery, as the coins in his bag cling to resonate his prideful demeanour.

“So you are indeed a thief.”

The boy deadpanned making the tall man frown at him. He picked the boy up in his arms before finally giving up. “Duh! I am. You kids are kind of smarter these days. Anyways kiddo, I saved your life and you dodged a bullet- No one has to know about it. You go your ways, I go mine. Fine?”

Although the tall man looked cocky, he didn't mean no harm. So the young boy could only say a thank you and run away towards his home. But for a moment he halted- eyes following back to the build silhoutte of that beautiful man. Long voluptuous hairs flowing luciously with the silent breeze, clothes resembling the jade tones, a bow clinging to his shoulders but no arrow to be found. An emblem of peace hung around his waist and a bottle of wine in his hand. His fanny bag had- jiggling gold and silver coins- as he juggled it in his hands. How was a man with such distinctive features and immense power a thief? The boy can't grapple over that thought. Mother told him that Thiefs are not good guys and he was obliged to inform an adult but yet- the tall man who helped him didn't look like a bad guy.

And as if the said man can feel his gaze on him, the boy saw the tall man turning around. And did he ever notice those eyes? Because did he just see a peculiar sight?! A sight to behold in his memory forever were a pair of enticing green eyes looking towards him. The boy felt captivated by that gaze and yet something told him to run. And so he did! The tall man could only smile as the young boy ran out of spite.

Rushing to his home, the young boy finally knocked on the door. His father, a man in his late thirties who always had a frown up- opened the door to let him in. “Where the hell were you young man?” His dad inquired seeing the amount of sweat the boy had. Though he got some injuries, thankfully it was all hidden under his clothes. “Ah- the old basket lady! She was narrating that book about beasts.” the boy replied almost immediately trying to avoid anything which his father might ask further. The Man, however, didn't ask much. “Whatever, it's all just a story anyways. But listen, me and your mom are going to the market. Take care of the house and don't let strangers in yeah?” the father informed but- he looked slightly annoyed.

“Really? Can I ask where to?”

“Where else! That same veil shop!!”

“Beautiful.”

One hand holding the woman's hand and another slowly caressing her palm with his fingers, the said man wore a big extravagant dress. His siren eyes and soft lips, although, only uttered compliments. Just like that one he murmured right now, Beautiful. The woman who he apparently addressed slightly blushes at that compliment as he furthermore examined her palm at a closer distance. The husband, who was clearly scowling, stood afar as he saw that ridiculous scene unfold.

“Lady, you're very beautiful. And thus, your fate is also beautiful. You're blessed with an enchanting face and elegant grace. Your existence is already a boon to this earth- a gratitude must be bestowed upon you from blessing this land with such an unparalleled beauty.”

Addressing the chain of compliments sprinkled with a pinch of flirtous tone, the man leaned in to land a short lived peck on the woman's hand. She gasped, oh so slightly, in fake surprise but still flushed red like the first time.

But someone definitely scratched the wall next to him- with the scene he encountered.

This was the forth time his wife came to visit this palmist. And every time he has to stand at the side and witness this handsome bastard flirt with his better half- who clearly didn't mind it at all!

“Ya! I would be glad if you told us about her future instead of shamelessly flirting like a creep!” The man finally said with smoke oozing out of his ears. “You shut up!” retorted the wife, “Let him do his work.” which made the palm reader smirk to himself.

Wang Yibo was indeed a charmer. Afterall, all these years, he only survived because of his good looks. He easily fooled people with his innocent smile and at the same time made them mesmerized with his beautiful green eyes. His quick wit and sugar coating was another share of skill set that he possessed a mastery in. This lady here was no different from his previous clients. Neither was her husband any wrong. In their last four visits to his stall, he barely mentioned about her upcoming future, instead, just gossiped about irrelevant things and complimented her in the between to cover it up.

In return, he got a satisfactory pay. Every time someone visits him, he charges 2 silver coins. That was enough to get him a two-time meal.

“Relax gentleman, I won't steal your lady. I am only appreciating a sight of true beauty, Right miss?” His deep but soft voice was another factor that added to his charm- the effect being visible on the ruddy cheeks of the lady in front of him.

“Cheeky bastard!” Her husband mumbled under his breath seeing the clear pretence being played in front of him and yet offered not to say much considering that his wife's happiness. Not that she was cheating on him- he can bear with a little flirt if that can help him gain some fortune with his wife's destiny.

Wang Yibo gave him a sweet smile- almost fake- before closing his eyes, frowning his brows, showing his utter concentration in the process and then opening it back with a jolt.

“Lady, You have a bright future! A tremendously successful life with all those materialistic luxuries one can ask for. An expensive wagon, lots of jewelleries and big residences! Your life is soon going to have the biggest turn and You will live like a rich madame, I am sure about it!!” Yibo announced in a monotonous, serious voice as his fingertips grazed softly over her handlines.

A second or so, the palmist waited for something, scratched his chin and went in a stance of deep concentration.

“Hmm...” he mumbled, his frown deepening continuously. “You can even hit a jackpot by tonight!” He claimed- out of sudden- with an assured confidence painting his face. Hearing his words, that almost sounded delirious to the couple, the lady glowed with happiness. Wang Yibo can swear, the apparent husband had coins dancing in his gaze.

I mean, who doesn't want luxury?

“Really?!” The lady jumped in joy. “If that happens, I will shower you with gold!” The lady exclaimed with pure excitement as she held onto the palmist's hand in anticipation.

“Uh sure. I will wait for you m'lady.” Wang Yibo continued in his flirty voice. “I would love your company more than that- although, but since that's your wish, I won't complain.” Ending it with a wink, the young warrior can see the excited husband pulling his wife by her arm.

“Let's go! You can't hit jackpot just by seeing his annoyingly handsome face!” the husband exclaimed on his way out as the wife tried to wait a bit more.

"But.."

"Let's go!" The husband finally pulled her wife out of the blue tent which has the fortune stall, thankfully out of the palmist's gaze.

“You! Why did you pull me away? I still have something to ask that handsome man.” The lady puffed her cheeks in annoyance as she felt the need to see the palmist once more. “No need to go there anymore! We got what he needed. Wait here, let me buy a lottery ticket first.” Her husband, after reaching some distance, pulled out his bag to find the gold coins. Although to his misfortune, the jiggle he expected was not felt against his granny hands.

“Huh- Where did all the money go?” Pulling out his money bag, he turned it upside down. Thrashing it around, tossing it up and down- to maybe- maybe a single coin could fall and yet not a single penny!

The couple paled as they can't find the coins. They tried to look around in every possible way and yet they couldn't find anything. Amidst the chaos, a slight shimmer from the mirror sticking to the tents around hit the lady on her face. Trying to escape the sharp reflection, she squinted her eyes and looked down and oh man! The money wasn't the only thing gone!

“My Golden Bracelets!” Hearing her scream in fear, her husband looked at his wife in disbelief. Equivalent to him, she could only meet his sight in absolute confusion and shock. She gulped seeing her husband turning red in anger and why won't he be? They were robbed!

“He stole it! That bastard!!”

“No way! Why would he do something like this? He looked like a gracious intellect. Why would he steal from us?! Maybe we are mistaken. I am sure, you dropped the coins somewhere!”

“Oh yeah? Unbelievable! Okay, for your delusions, let presume I drop the money but you?! You somehow drop your jewellery?? That too a pair of bracelets! How in the hell is that explainable huh! I am sure, he stole it! That fucker was too slick not to doubt. I will beat him up, just wait!” The Husband finally snapped as he stormed out in anger and ran towards the blue tent that held that thief's stall.

His wife followed soon after and they soon reached the spot.

"You- you!" The man barged in but to his stupefaction the whole tent was empty. His wife dawdled behind him in hesitation and was taken aback by the absence of her 'gracious intellect' of a palmist. “No no. It can't be.” Her voice choked with realisation. The handsome sweet talker actually robbed them with his sweet little talk!

Everything he said, everything he did, was all just a lie! That forecast, those compliments were all a bunch of lies! All were his tactics to lure them in his trap and rob them!!

However, that forecast...about winning a jackpot...turns out it was not wrong. The forecast about the jackpot was indeed true! But the only difference was that Wang Yibo was the one who hit the jackpot because of their stupidity!

Walking down the street, Wang Yibo was munching on a pack of caramel infused nuts he bought. He threw one piece in the air that was caught by someone who accompanied him on his tough shoulders. Yibo smirked at that and winked before he slowly patted the cute babe along with. “Good work sweetheart.” He claimed giving a flying kiss to his acquaintance who only snarled back making his laugh at that antic.

The duo in crime were happily skipping down the busy street until someone called out to him- more like screamed at him but same thing.

“Wait, You fraud! Give me my money back!”

“Bao!” Wang Yibo called out. As soon as he called it out, the small, black cat with gold eyes grabbed that money bag in her sharp teeth and ran towards a whole opposite direction. It climbed up the broken walls surrounding the crowded market, giving a final look to her master.

“Love you!” Wang Yibo smirked, giving her a kiss, before turning around and sprinting out to face the shrieking man behind him.

“Hey you! You fraud! Come back.” That man, hurrying towards him, chased him in a rapid pace as he clasped on a huge wooden stick in his hand and was enraged in vexation. The green eyes fraud only grinned before skimming through the busy bustling market- pushing people, bumping into things in his way and making it fall here and there.

“Hey!” A Vendor said with a disappointed sigh as Wang Yibo passed by her stall and bumped with her basket of loaquats, making them tumble on the ground. The said fruit rolled around going everywhere, making people step on it and fall with a thud! The fraud could only laugh out loud as he picked a few of her loaquats, absconding away at that very instance. He spun his head back to check his footing and gave an amused screech. The furious husband of that beautiful lady was right behind him!

Just a few more steps and he is going to get caught for real.

“Shit just got real! Run Yibo or you'll get crushed as that lady's fruits!”

Saying it to himself, Wang Yibo jumped over a handcart that was carrying a few sacks of wheat. With his impact, the weakly packaged sack teared up and the grain started falling out on the ground.

“You! How dare you?” The old man carrying the cart stomped his feet as he jumped towards the young brat with his stick. Yibo instantly said sorry, not actually meaning it, cause his elegant face held in fact held a smug nonchalance. On his way out to escape the market, He bumped into enough people, breaking things here and there, and as of now, a crowd of ten was chasing him around the street.

He laughed and laughed through the mess, enjoying this spicy essence of his daily routine. What can you even expect? He was a theif afterall! One who steals everything- from money to trust to heart and soul and leave you in shambles.

The popular fraud migrates every three days, juggling around his course of skills as he manages to find a new job to scam people. Someday a palmist, someday a tarot card reader, one day he could just be a vendor and another he might turn into a lender. Several shades of thievery! The young lad finds a place, sets his tent, lures people with his charm and fancy outfits as he slowly feeds them sweet lies. He might make them a king and then the very next moment, will rob it all to leave them as a beggar. He was charismatic, quick and sleek as one may call him- a sinful pleasure. Some might compare him with an illusion because honestly, once Wang Yibo gets his hand on your money- he would be gone forever!

However, he didn't dawdle out of everything on his own. His partner in crime, more like the main culprit behind the sneaky thievery was a cute feline. Her golden eyes were suspectible to gold and once she sights it in, she will take that for herself. Bao, a random name for a random cat Wang Yibo found in the streets of the Xiao Dynasty. And probably, the only one he truly cares about. Because why not? She isn't just anyone, but literally his insurance. Someone who Wang Yibo trusts with money as Bao can leave food but won't fumble on a stack of coin in her mouth.

Just like now, where when the crowd distanced a bit, Bao had already taken a short route and caught up with her master.

And of course, The expert cheat Wang Bao didn't drop a single penny. She climbed up the wall which is her master's only way out of the market. On spotting his love climbing up a wall and waiting for him, Yibo got the indication. He instantly leaped up the wall by stepping on some piles of boxes by the side. The fraud was flexible and a master in practical wit because of his sly routine. Jumping a wall so high was a piece of cake for him.

One leg set on the other side, he looked at the angered crowd for one last time who could only scream to him. He chuckled again knowing how none of these peeps will even try to make a jump so high. Giving a last flying kiss to the fuming crowd, he boasted in a flirtous tone. “All my beautiful ladies and pretty boys...their ugly mums and their grumpy husbands, the elderly and the maidens, Let's not meet again.” And with that the fraud, Wang Yibo advanced down the other side of the wall.

Bao, too, jumped by his side, the money bag held tightly against her sharp canines. She nudged Wang Yibo with its nose who grinned before pulling the money out of her mouth. He didn't even have to check, Bao won't miss anything.

“My Darling, aren't you just the best babe? Hmm?!” Yibo began with his usual blabbering, peppering his 'babe' with small pecks who only snarled back in return. Turns out Bao, in fact, only loved money!

Yibo only pouted but still kept kissing her before he picked it up and made her sit on his shoulder. Next he started slowly walking down the different route which he jumped off to. Happy with his success and money, the young warrior must have missed the loud noise that erupted from a distance until a huge black wagon almost hit him.

“Meowwwwiiiee!” Bao screeched and jumped off his shoulder as Wang Yibo shrieked. He would have got crushed by those white horses that carried the wagon if it wasn't for his quick senses that made him bounce back and jump to his side.

"What the hell!"

The Xiao Dynasty stretched to huge boundaries. A place that held home to millions having varying ethics, different cultures and different delicacies- throughout the nation. Once known as the 'Heaven on Earth' the dynasty was one of the most peaceful countries among all. However overtime even iron develops rust on it. A nation of peace, now turned into a war ground. Everyday, in some or another, citizens of the country were fighting to survive. Whether it is to save themselves with thugs, earn in extensive corruption or sickle out a full meal amidst the highly imposed taxes. But still, the people of the nation were grateful to their king. Because in the end, atleast they had a roof over their heads. Xiao Fengmian, his majesty, was a man of his words. After the demise of his older brother, only twenty years old Fengmian managed the weight of the crown and the responsibilities that follow- such as one that came in the form of his elder sister-in-law who was three months pregnant at that time when she lost her husband. A heartbroken widow- the Queen Mother of the Xiao Dynasty- was barely alive with the future of the nation growing in her womb. Soon enough, as the country finally got back it's momentum- almost six months or so later- a boy was born to the Queen mother counting in as her third child.
As a Rite of Passage for the Xiao Clan and the late King's wish, that boy was chosen to be crowned as the next ruler of the state.

But the moment he was born, hell broke.

“You heard about that news?”

It wasn't new for the Xiao Dynasty to have gossip going around but today, the scale of it was on a whole different level. Accommodating the townhall in different chatter groups, an exclaimed voice of a man in his mid forties whispered to his group of friends.

“What news?!” asked one of them who was clearly younger than the others in the crowd.

“The Royal guards were talking about it this morning. I heard that the Forth prince, Duke Xiao Zhan is returning to the nation.” The same old man explained, this time a bit more careful as he was talking about the royal family.

“What!? Isn't he the military general? I heard he was some sort of cursed child.” Another man, already fifty spoke up trying to jot his memory a little. “Yeah that's him! I wonder why after so many years, his majesty asked him to come back. To be honest, I almost assumed that he would have been dead.”

“Shush, Keep it low! If you don't want to be hanged to death that is. He may be wretched omen, but still he is a member of the royal family. If the knights heard us, they will sew your mouth up.” The eldest among the crowd scolded the others who apparently were being a bit too loud for their own good.

“Yeah, I know! But still.. Don't you all find it strange?”

Their conversation was interrupted when a royal guard poked one of them with the back of his sword, looking slightly angered but mostly neutral. “Hey, Move it! You all are blocking the way.” The guard ordered as the group was blocking the way of the townhall that caused a bit of a nuisance for the other citizens. He scowled pushing them away which immediately made them alert. They hesitantly bowed and scattered away almost immediately.

Seeing this episode from a far, another younger guard approached his senior.

“Senior, What happened? Is everything alright? If required, I can assist you with it.” he exclaimed diligently which almost made the elder swoon at him. “Atleast for now.” He released a deep sigh as a frown decorated on his friend's forehead.

“Now?”

“Ah well, seems like you don't know much about it. That Bad luck- I mean the fourth prince is returning soon. Only God knows what will happen this time!” A disappointed sigh left his mouth as he looked up in the sky reminiscing the tales he had heard and some sightings he witnessed at a young age.

“Cheer up! It's been years now. Maybe the curse or whatsoever that stained his highness withered away with time. He is our prince afterall and not to forget our brave Military General- though I never saw him once.”

“I can only wish for it.”

Rumours in the Xiao Dynasty rife like a forest fire that just had gallons of gasoline sprinkled every second. The catastrophe of the nation, Duke Xiao Zhan was abruptly ordered to return home. The fact that a royal was coming back to his birth place wasn't that shocking but- it's the person it was associated with. Once glorified as the forthcoming of Late King who was forecasted as the golden ruler, the Original Crown prince of the empire, however was now just someone who got exiled at a mere age of sixteen.

One would have never imagined that the face of the King would once get called an 'ugly plague'.

Everyone had different opinions about the sudden decision that was announced not even a day ago. The questions that were raised by the civilians was equivalent to that immediate attention to the gossip it brings along.

“He is still alive? Huh! That wretched should have died already. Did the king forget what happened twenty years ago?”

“Exactly! The day he was born, It was like all the misery fell upon our homeland. And how can the king forget what happened to his own family? The douche birth killed our Queen Mother. And then, it was like everything just went downhill!”

Some hated the Duke's arrival while some were curious over his return- probably the ones who never witnessed the veil aura because of him. But the only thing that was mutual among all of these people was FEAR; fear of encountering another 'years of misery'.

“I heard that the king sent him away because he was too powerful to be kept in here.” The florist said as he held his chin high, contemplating.

“Huh? Why? Was the king too jealous of his own son?” Another said as their group chuckled at that statement.

“Who knows? I mean we never saw the Prince anyways. Neither do we know about his capabilities, except for the fact that he never lost any war while being the Military General for a decade now. Guess the hot take! He wasn't even properly crowned in the castle for his position. From what I know, a scroll was sent away with a royal stamp and that's it!”

“Damn! The king must have really hated him to actually treat the Prince as such.”

“Jealousy is a bad disease.” Someone commented before they started laughing again.

Rumours were always a source of entertainment for the people in the state. They just enjoy and spread it away- not caring about whether it's true or not. A sense of belonging can make humans curse a bird if it will make them join the fun. And that's exactly how the top of the food chain survives in the wild.

Wit, brain and a lot of Vain.

Somehow these rumours had all three attributes. But was everything really true? The undefeated commander of the military- was he really just a miserable bastard that everyone portrayed him off? Miserable...Who knows? Who could tell his fate? The one they call a ugly sight might just eat them all alive. Cause fear has it's own root- a root everyone can agree with. Fear isn't of nothingness...

Not at all..

A dark room, that dim light- a strange pattern in their sight...is it what scares people?! Oh how foolish!

What I can't see was never a bother- but rather about what I might see- when the eyes focus deep enough and something might just catch up to me.

And What if- when the light finally hits the cloud- what if that horrific stance is just a reflection of me!?

How Terrible!

But...

Won't that make me inevitable?

How Lovable.

AN💕

Okay, the first chapter. I didn't try to spoil much but- this one is gonna be a bit different that PYW. First, It's a period drama and though I don't know shit about ancient China- bear with me 👀 I won't make it too tough to read like with too much honourfics or anything but- it would have a different approach.

1- It's gonna be a supernatural+ slight horror🫣 the characters are grey shaded.

2- It will have slight mentions of my own interpretation of the world like the last few lines I wrote in here 😭 Don't judge me for it okay? It's just something I wanted to add as my flavour.

3- I might take a few references from the Bhagwat Geeta and the Bible, maybe the Quran too- though I will write it in my style and with my understanding of the verses.

4- The Beasts and Humans story is completely fictional ✨ I just thought nonsense and made an alternative world for the story.

5- The Herb Ghost Valley is a reference from the Legend of Yunxi played by Zha Zhehan and Ju Jingyi.

6- Chapters would maybe be a bit shorter than PYW as Plan your wedding has way more shit to write- plus I kinda have dozens of scenes already written down for it.

Again, It's purely fictional. Don't try to find logic in it guys👀 I might write some unbelievable stuff about the anatomy of the characters in here but yeah I guess you get it. Also this won't prolly get updated much until I bag the third season of Plan your wedding!

Bao Apparently!

Until then
Spread love and legs.