Xuan HanFeng

JiuTian was not aware of all the happening in the teahouse; she was at that moment, caught by the mysterious man who was leaping from branch to branch. Kidnapped, missing from the team, missing out on action was not something she had in mind when she joined this infiltrating mission at the city wall.

"Let me go," said JiuTian. She had tried screaming at him, creating a fuss and everything in her power but without any magic, without her sword or any weapons, she could not as much hurt him.

However, from the way he moved she was sure that he was not an ordinary human.

"I need to go to the privy," yelled JiuTian as her last resort. She thought it might have been useless, but the man stopped and placed her down on a tree branch.

He seemed cold and expressionless and only looked at her.

"Do you think I could pee on a tree branch high up in the trees?" exclaimed JiuTian.

He nodded and bought her down on the ground, where once more he looked at her with the same expression.

"Are you a pervert, who would look at a lady while she is doing her business?" asked JiuTian sarcastically.

The black coat really looked away. "He seems so obedient," thought JiuTian.

"Do not look behind until I say so," said the girl as she tiptoed away, slowly, one step at a time and when she was far enough, she ran as fast as her legs could carry her. It was at this time, that she cursed herself, being unable to transform into a wolf just like JinGe.

The man gave her enough time, seeing that it was long enough, he turned around to look, seeing that she was gone. He was not mad or anything, his face was expressionless, but he was a man who speaks louder with action rather than words and he ran.

He was lightning, he was speed, he was quicker than the birds in the sky, the horses in the meadows and he caught up to her in no time. He ran aligned her, with few trees apart. JiuTian saw him as well, but she had no reason to stop and continued to run. The man threw a knife. It did not hit her, but flew past in front of her face, which caused her to stop and fell onto the ground.

He approached and cornered her. JiuTian slowly backed up against the tree, the man looked at her, his face closing in, and she could see the fangs he had. "Is this demon?" thought JiuTian.

JiuTian's usual courageous self was gone. In her place was a coward, fear gripping at every inch of her skin. She can't escape and she couldn't.

The girl was anticipating for death but, instead of biting into her flesh, the black coat said to her, "Do you not remember me?"

She looked at him as he flipped away the cloak that was hiding his face.

JiuTian did not recognize him at all and shook her head in response.

The youth was a handsome man, with thick eyebrows and an air of nobility; however, the way he dressed was nothing like that. He had armour over his body, two shoulder pads made from bronze, two gauntlets, and two leg guards as well. The clothes he was wearing were also nothing that JiuTian had seen before. They seem to belong to tribal clans and there is the emblem of wolf on his armour that made him even more suspicious.

"You do not recognize me?" asked the youth again.

"I think you are misunderstanding something here. I might the person you are looking for, but I am not her as you might have guessed," said JiuTian.

"What do you mean?" asked the youth. "You are JinGe, are you not?"

"I am her and yet I am not her."

It seems that her words made him angry, and he grabbed hold onto her hand.

"Who are you? What did you do to her?"

"I am her."

The youth released his grip and looked at her confusingly.

"Chill out, I haven't even said the most important point yet."

"I am her. We are both the same person and yet we aren't. I am JiuTian, her other half, the soul which had been separated from her."

"Then why you couldn't remember me?" asked the youth who remained calm and expressionless.

"I do not know," said JiuTian truthfully. "Who are you anyway? Why did you kidnap me?"

The man looked at her as if deliberating whether he should or should not tell her further and then he decided, "My name is Xuan HanFeng. I am from Wolf Clan, the Black Wolf Tribe. I am your fiancé."

The last sentence shocked JiuTian, "When did 'I', I mean JinGe had a fiancé. I never heard her mention anything about it."

"It's a marriage which were decided by our grandparents, I mean the elders of the White and Black Wolf Tribe," explained HanFeng.

"Oh," said JiuTian and the flow of conversation stopped. It seems that unless he is asked of something, he would not voluntarily tell it to her.

"Umm, so what are you doing kidnapping me?" asked JiuTian.

"I thought you were in danger," said HanFeng.

JiuTian give some thought to his answer. At that time, she did hide behind ZhenYu and there is that crazy blast coming from behind YongSan, but she was not sure what the danger was. "What danger was I in?" asked JiuTian.

"There is a dangerous demon nearby," said HanFeng.

"Hmm, I see," said JiuTian, finally understanding why she was kidnapped and then she asked him another question, "Do you like JinGe?" asked JiuTian.

"I like her," confessed HanFeng, without batting an eyelash. He sincerely answered her question, which impressed JiuTian. However, she can't tell whether she, 'JinGe' would be able to reciprocate his feelings.

"However, if she were to go back to the heavenly realm, then time might heal her heart and he might be able to marry her. Especially since she's an immortal, it's better if she is with an immortal too or else, separation will come soon for an immortal and a human. If it's with him, she would have a life like she had wanted," thought JiuTian and she stood up on her legs and patted the man's shoulder, "I will support you to win her heart."

He looked at her, feeling somewhat strange at the change of attitude from her.

"Anyway, when have you started observing me and JinGe?" asked JiuTian.

"You knew?" asked HanFeng.

"Yes, JinGe had told me and without her too, I was able to sense you. You were too close when you are tracking me," said JiuTian. "I could feel your aura."

HanFeng was contemplating and then nodded in agreement but in defense he said, "I was happy to meet you again."

"You mean JinGe, not me. I just look like her, but I am not her. Do not get us confused," said JiuTian as she started walking back in the direction which he had dragged her here.

He nodded again.

"You really seem obedient," stated JiuTian.

"I am not obedient, I only listen to reason," said HanFeng.

"Why did you come here? I mean to the human realm?" asked JiuTian as the both of them walked along the trees. "You won't just come here to spy on me, did you?"

"No," answered HanFeng.

"You can't tell me the reason?" asked JiuTian as she pushed away a branch out from her sight. It was a tough branch and HanFeng helped her with it. She moved under it and then changing the topic, "Are you bringing her back with you?" asked JiuTian.

"Yes, if she willed it. I will bring her back to our realm," said HanFeng.

"Can you force her to go back?" asked JiuTian.

"Why?"

"She will die if she continues to stay, and if she dies so will I," said JiuTian and then looking at HanFeng she added, "I sound selfish right?"

"No, you are worried about her," said HanFeng as he passed under the shadow of a large tree.

"How could you be so sure?"

"Your face is showing it," said HanFeng.

"I guess both of us aren't really good actors. She is even worse than me, so you better take care of her, or I would not forgive you," said JiuTian as she hit his shoulder.

"I should protect you as well, aren't you part of her," said HanFeng as he looked at her with the same truthful eyes which amused JiuTian. She had never met someone so straightforward, so simple and she gave him a little grin.

"Did you meet JinGe before? I never heard about you from her?"

"It's normal. I never meet her before too. Our marriage was an arranged one by our grandparents with a game of chess."

"Game of chess?" asked JiuTian curiously. "Was not it decided when you are born?"

"No. My grandfather gambled with White Wolf Tribe elder, JinGe's paternal grandfather and the old man lost and my grandfather took advantage of it and casually asked their grandchildren to be wed if they are the opposite sex or become sworn brother or sister if they are the same sex which elder Yang accepted."

"They are really rash," said JiuTian.

"But I was glad," said HanFeng, although his expression did not change, JiuTian could tell from his tone of voice that he was happy about the engagement.

"From my observations, she seems great."

"I think it's better that if you have met her first before jumping into headlong. 'She', umm... JinGe is not a simple girl."

"Thanks for your advice. I will take caution," said HanFeng.

"What's it's like in the heavenly realm? What are Black Wolf Clans? Is it different from JinGe. She is a white wolf," asked JiuTian curiously.

HanFeng smiled and explained things to her patiently.

While they were talking, unknowingly, the duo had reached the outer parts of the forest.

However, as they were leaving, JiuTian can't help to remember that she had forgotten something, someone important.

"What are you thinking about?" asked HanFeng.

"Ah. Nothing. Let's move. I will bring you to her."

TanHua

The waiters from MingYan Teahouse had slacked off again today, to get a glimpse of the performance by the Dancing Merchants, but they were disappointed again today as well. It's been a few days now.

"We have a higher chance to see her back at the restaurant," said one of them. The others nodded but then the one who said it, thought for a while again. "No, I think we better go and ask why she isn't performing." The others nodded again and all three of them marched off to the merchants.

ShiBa and the rest was nowhere to be seen. FuHan, one of BuDao's lackey was in charge today and he was busy serving a customer, thus they went for another unoccupied salesperson.

"Hey, why isn't she performing?" asked one of the waiters to a thin man who resembles a toothpick. It was ZhuQian, he was small in size, tend to hang out with FuHan. They were best buds, and was tasked to watch over the shop with him.

"Who do you mean?" asked ZhuQian who was waiting for his friend.

"We mean the one that resembles the goddess, the 'Celestial'," said the waiter on the left.

Apparently, after her performance everyone, whether young or old, child or adult were all talking about her. Shortly after, she was included in every topic of conversation in XinYe. Through word of mouth, the people praised her dance and her beauty, out of proportions and soon she became famously known as the 'Celestial'.

Before ZhuQian could speak about JinGe, PangShen's brother, PangHai also came over. He too wanted to know about her condition. He had been secretly without his brother knowledge, been sneaking away from his duties to watch her performance. "How is she? Is she sick?" he asked ZhuQian.

"She-," before he could say it, again he was interrupted by his friend, who came back to watch the store with him. FuHan hit him on the head, "Stupid, the boss already said that we must keep it a secret."

"Oh yeah, sorry I forgot," ZhuQian apologized to his friend, and faced the men again, "Sor-" before he could say anything, the men were already walking away with sad disappointed faces on their face, "Another let-down day," thought all of them all at once.

"Wait," said ZhuQian, which made all of them turnaround to look at him. "I can tell you something," he said to them.

"Seeing how you guys are already coming here every day. I pity you all. Let me tell you something. Do not tell others," said ZhuQian. They crowded together and ZhuQian whispered the words to them, "Our DaJie, she is sick."

"Oh," all of them said at once.

"Is it very bad?" asked one of them.

"Yes, the doctor said that we need a very special medicine to cure her," said ZhuQian.

"What is it?" asked PangHai.

"It's a flower, but I can't remember its name," replied ZhuQian.

Then FuHan came over and sighed, "Since you already tell them. Then I will just let them know." All the others were staring at him as they waited for the name of the medicine.

"It's called TanHua Hou, the Queen of TanHua (The Queen of the Night Blossoms) which only opens on the highest peak of Ma Zong Ridge on Mount Lao Jun on a night of a full moon. It is an unreachable place, which could not be reached by foot, or neither could it be climbed. Many travellers, merchants who desired the flower had died trying. It is said that nine hundred and ninety-nine people had already tried but failed and died a quick death at this ridge," told ZhuQian's friend to the others.

"Would you all like to try and get it for our DaJie?" asked FuHan to PangHai and the waiters.

They kept silent and went away, thinking about the question while FuHan and ZhuQian continued with their work. It was an impossible flower, and no one could reach it. She was destined to die an early death.

However, that very question was not only on their head, but it was also in YongSan's mind as well, as he kept thinking about the flower and JinGe.

He was in his study, sitting in his chair, a furrow in his brows. He sighed thinking about how to get the flower for JinGe.

If he could get it then it would mean that he could repay his debt for her when she saved his life when they were children, thought YongSan. "But how to get there?" and there was the obstacle of leaving the city.

He was in charge of the security of the city, and he could not take a day off. Nevertheless, the biggest problem wasn't about this, but the white clothes. With him away, he would not be able to protect the citizens.

Leaving means, leaving things in charge to SongLing. And he can't afford that. There was a lot on his mind as he repetitively thought about a solution.

The rumour about JinGe's illness soon began spreading around and somehow it had gotten out of control and become something else altogether.

Ah Zhong was eating with the twins, he held up his chopsticks when someone barged into the hideout. It was a man with three servants who are all armed and equipped. Even though JinGe had casted an enchantment over the route to the hideout, with her powers getting weaker, so does the enchantment.

"Hey, who are you guys?" asked Ah Zhong who was angry that their dinner was interrupted by strangers.

"How dare you, to speak so rudely," said the first servant of that man.

"Why do we even ask? We do not even care who you are," said Ah Zhong as he rushed into the group with his sword ready. But it was deflected by the eye patch man.

"ShiBa, why are you hindering me?" asked Ah Zhong, angrily.

ShiBa pointed upstairs where a young woman stood. She was even angrier than Ah Zhong. The girl on the second floor was none other than JiuTian with BuDao standing at her side.

"What do you need?" asked JiuTian who was very angry at how useless people kept charging into the place, seeking JinGe.

"I have a business proposal for the Celestial," said the man with the fan.

"What do you have to offer when we have everything," said JiuTian.

"Then what I am offering is something you do not have."

"Tell me, what it is that we do not have."

"Love," said the man arrogantly.

"Why you?" said BuDao angry at the man's statement.

"So, you after my sister's hand," said JiuTian after stopping BuDao with her hand.

"Yes, in matrimonial. I fell in love with her the instant she appeared on stage," said the man.

"And why do you think she will marry you? Do you have what she wished?"

The man signaled his servant to talk. The second servant cleared his throat and began, "My master here is the eldest son of Lord of ZhangYang, Meng LiXiao. And all the wealth in this city will soon be his when he becomes Lord, and also the power and status of Lord. He is also handsome and intelligent," boasted the servant.

"Is that all?" said JiuTian, looking at the LiXiao, coldly and unamused as she turned around and wanted to go back into her room.

The man looked surprised, usually girls who had heard those exact words had already fallen with him already and tried cosying towards him. This is the first time; he was insulted like so.

"Then what do you want more?" asked the dissatisfied young man, trying one last time to attract her and make her stay. "I will get it for you and your sister, jewels, silk, fur coats, pets, anything."

JiuTian smiled at his shallow comment which the young man interpreted as a smile of satisfaction upon hearing his question, "This woman is greedy just like the other women I have met before," thought the young master.

JiuTian opened her mouth and said, "I want, never mind you would not get it for me anyway."

"Just tell me," said LiXiao.

"A plant."

"Plant?!" repeated LiXiao who was surprised by her demand. "This is the first time someone asked for grass," thought the young man.

"Yes and no, more specifically it is a herb where its flower could be used as a medicine."

"What is its name?"

"TanHua, a special flower which only blooms at night."

"If it only TanHua then it is simple. I could get it for you this instance. I had a lot of them at home."

"No, this is a special flower; what I wanted is the Queen of TanHua," stated JiuTian. "Would you get it for us?'

That scared the young man, even though he was foolish, he was not foolish enough to not know of the existence of this flower, which had killed every man who wanted it. He has never thought that the woman wanted something so dangerous, but it did not need to be him. He could just hire some men to procure the flower but anyone who heard of its name, quickly reject the offer, and fled just like he is now.

"There is no way in the world that I could get that precious flower even with all the wealth I have," thought LiXiao. In his way to get out of the situation, he said, "Heh, you are not worthy of the flower. If I was to get the flower, I would have chosen another girl, a younger, more beautiful girl."

Ah Zhong wanted to hit the young man for spouting such words, however, he was disrupted by ShiBa who stood in front of him, "Then would you like to leave now?" asked the eyes patch man to the Lord's son.

"I wouldn't want to be here for even another second," replied the Young Master and the young man and his servants were sent away, leaving through the door.

After the men left, everyone returned to what they were previously doing, eating, drinking, and gambling. JinGe and BuDao went back into the room while the young scholar was ducking under the tables to get the chopsticks he had dropped on the ground.

It seems that Celestial sickness has changed into Celestial Marriage Proposal and now people from all over the city was coming over to seek her hand in marriage.

"This is a big problem, JinGe is getting paler every day," said ZhiMei as JiuTian entered into the room with BuDao.

"We do not know either," said JiuTian, who was feeling worse as well as JinGe's got weaker.

"I was so shocked that day when Master JianYu bought DaJie home with him, followed by the twins and the little girl and also Young Master Zhen," said ZhiMei as she remembered the events of that day.

Wounded

JianYu bought JinGe back to the hideout and laid her on the bed and began using his own powers, accumulating the Qi to heal her wounds. However, he was interrupted as BuDao and the rest got into the room.

"Leave the room, I need to be alone with her," said JianYu seriously which BuDao understood at once, especially since he saw how JinGe's clothes are covered in blood and ordered everyone to leave them.

The twins came back from the teahouse and entered anxiously, their eyes scanning the hall, looking for their mother and then they saw how the adults were crowding on the second floor, right in front of their mother's room. They both ran up the stairs.

However, BuDao stopped them.

"You mother is fine. She just needs some rest. Be good boys and wait here," said BuDao to the twins who exchanged gazes with each other, and their focus landed back on the big man, "Would you let us visit her later?"

"Yes," said BuDao. "After your mother gets bet-"

Before he could continue, another person entered into the premise. It was ZhenYu and ZhenPing.

At the teahouse, ZhenYu was only stunned for a moment, when he recovered, he ran out, trying to chase after JinGe, where he met with Ah Lu on his way.

Ah Lu, who was a little plump, wasn't in her best condition when it concerns anything physical, and was nearly out of breath, running after ZhenPing. She saw ZhenYu and told him instead to chase after ZhenPing before she was lost, "Young Master, I could not run fast enough. Your sister is following the twins."

ZhenYu nodded and followed after ZhenPing who was chasing after the twins.

ChunWah on the other hand, could not follow because YongSan grabbed hold of her and asked her a question.

"What is their relationship?" he asked her.

"They just met today," lied ChunWah and hurriedly she left soon after ZhenYu. However, when she went out of the teahouse, he was already lost in the sea of passers-by.

And that was how everyone arrived at the hideout.

The twins saw ZhenPing and got over to her side as they were followed behind by BuDao who was not acquainted with ZhenYu.

ZhenYu stepped forward and introduced himself to the bald and stout man, "Please to meet you. I am the stepson of City Lord Zhen of AnShun, ZhenYu."

"Pleasure to meet you as well. I am the owner of this place, BuDao," said BuDao in response and he continued, "What business do you have here?"

"My friend, umm my acquaintance, is hurt. She came here carried by her guardian. I want to know about her condition," said ZhenYu humbly.

"What is the name of your friend?" asked BuDao even though he knew that answer already.

"Miss Yang, Yang JinGe," said ZhenYu. "She was hurt due to me. She was trying to protect me, and she got hurt in the process."

BuDao sarcastically, was all too glad to hear how her DaJie once again, severely injured, trying to save someone else life again. "She is too reckless," thought BuDao as he looked at ZhenYu's haggard appearance. There was even blood on his clothes.

He doesn't want to know anything about it, "Leave your address here. I will send someone over to inform you about her condition," said BuDao as he turned around and wanted to go back up the stairs.

"No," replied ZhenYu.

The twins knew the temperament of their uncle and grabbed hold of ZhenPing and dragged her away from her brother, ZhenYu.

"What did you say?" asked BuDao as he revolved around and stormed towards ZhenYu. He stood in front of him, his tall and daunting figure in front of him but, ZhenYu still said to him, "I say I want to wait here."

BuDao got a close look at the man's eyes which was staring back at him with a lot of determination, he had met him instead of JinGe five years ago, and he would have been his sworn brother instead of JinGe. He admired him just as he had admired JinGe.

"Fine, stay here and wait," said BuDao finally giving in and went back to his own room.

Everyone in the house was tense as no knew could guess JinGe's condition.

ZhenYu sat on one of the chairs and waited anxiously. ZhiMei brought water and food for BuDao and the others who most of them do not have the appetite to dine in.

The sun went down, going under the horizon and the sky turned dark. Lights were lit but still no sound was heard from JinGe's room until the door slowly opened and JianYu appeared.

"You," said JianYu as he pointed towards ZhiMei who was passing by. "Go in and changed her clothes." ZhiMei nodded and went passed him and into the room.

JianYu still standing there announced to everyone in the house and said, "She is fine. She is over her critical stage," and the man walked down the stairs.

BuDao who was in the room overheard the news and felt relieved. Without any more worry, he began to feel hungry and started to eat while ZhenYu who was downstairs gave out a breath of relief.

When JianYu arrived at the hall, he looked over to ZhenYu and said to him, "We need to talk."

The both of them talked over at the pond while ZhiMei was changing JinGe's clothes.

"Please, do not come near her anymore," said JianYu to ZhenYu.

ZhenYu did not know what to say to him and remained silent.

JianYu continued, "You are something which she doesn't need right now. You are a burden to her."

It made ZhenYu angry hearing him said something like that but then suddenly JianYu, bowed to him and said, "Please I beg you. Stay away from her life."

There was no reply from ZhenYu. He kept silent.

JianYu almost fell to his knees, while saying, "Please."

ZhenYu managed to stop him from kneeling on the floor.

"I don't understand. JinGe, she is–"

"You two are not meant to be. Being together will only cause harm to each other. There's misfortune destined in your stars. In your fate and hers. To collide and be destroyed together. I don't wish this luck upon her."

ZhenYu haven't able to reply the man as ZhiMei came out from the room and called out to the others. JianYu and ZhenYu wrapped up their talk and the both of them walked back into the hall and up the stairs and into the room.

BuDao stood there, looking over JinGe who was sleeping soundly on the bed.

JianYu came into the room last and said to the others, "Although her condition has stabilized, it doesn't mean that it won't get worse."

"What do you mean?" asked BuDao.

"She won't wake up. I have slowed the poison. However, she will continue to get weaker if she doesn't wake up," replied JianYu.

"How do we cure her?" asked ZhiMei.

"We need an antidote, a flower called TanHua Hou (The Queen of the Night Blossoms)."

"You mean that impossible flower," exclaimed ZhiMei who had heard rumours about the flower.

"Yes," said JianYu. "I would have gotten it myself however, there is a specific factor which is fulfilled to reach the mountain and get the flower. It is the hardest part."

"How do we get it?" asked BuDao.

"We need a person who is of purest of heart who doesn't have any aim to get it," explained JianYu. The mention of without aim already sunk everyone's wishes to get the flower. To save JinGe, everyone would have climbed the mountain to get the flower, however, to save her would be the reason or aim which forbids them to reach it.

After ZhenYu left the house that night, JiuTian arrived home alone without the black coats. She looked over to JianYu. The man was drinking again, looking at the moon. Everyone was probably asleep, as the night was already late.

She walked over to the man and took a seat next to him.

"The story you spun before, I have heard another version of it," she started. "You told me that the white clothes which are chasing after JinGe was from the other realm. They are after something precious which her mother gave her. In order to protect her, you needed her to go back to the clan where she will be the safest. After the story you had told me, I agreed with you to go back."

The man still shown no agitation and continued to look at the moon and took a sip from the bottle in his hand.

JiuTian continued, "However from what I heard from a little black wolf. White and black wolf clans are allies."

JianYu didn't flinch at all from her story and was calmly listening to her words.

"WanYue was a mysterious forest which the Black and White Wolf clan was protecting over. Within the White wolf, there was two factions where some supported the first prince and some the second prince. They fought and war broke out. The second prince was injured but he won, while the first was dead. JinGe is the daughter of the second son. That is why the White Wolf is targeting her by sending over their tribe men to hunt her down. Her mother bought her to the human realm in order to protect her until she is grown up and probably living the rest of her life here in the human realm."

JianYu did not look at her, as if her existence was similar to the air in which he breathes.

"If the black wolf is telling the truth, it means that you are taking her back with you to the other realm to reunited with her tribe, she would surely be dead because her uncle would have surely killed her," said JiuTian.

JianYu did not say anything in response and took another gulp of wine.

"Say something," said JiuTian.

The man finally showed some response; however instead of answering her, he stood up and walked away with the bottle in his hand.

"Are you using her? Are you a confidant of the first prince, who is trying to lure her back, in order to kill her?" demanded JiuTian.

The man stopped in his steps and uttered, "She is precious to me. I would have never ever hurt her and the one thing I had told you about, it's true, you could see already see it on her," before leaving the hideout.

It was the last time she had seen him, thought JiuTian as she remembered everything and how she later knew about JinGe's condition and the flower.

There was so much she wanted to ask, and to seek answers from, but how? Where?

ZhiMei was talking to her; however, none of her words were entering into her mind.

"JiuTian, JiuTian," said ZhiMei repetitively, trying to bring her back to reality.

"Yes?" asked JiuTian.

"JiuTian, regarding DaJie's master, do you know where he went?" asked ZhiMei.

"No, I do not know," replied JiuTian.

"Hmm, I see, lucky he still remembered to write a note on how to cure DaJie if the flower is found," stated ZhiMei.

JinGe is once more injured due to her recklessness? When will she learn. 

Through, Xu HanFeng, from the Black Wolf Tribe, JiuTian discovered more about the heavenly realm. Do you think JianYu had an ulterior motive to bring JinGe back?