Zaujan, Crow and the boy stride in the middle of the night. Across a forest, through a canyon and along the street of Jujiang. Even at night, the city is still bustling since it was the Hub of the Eastern Region Donglan.
Crow and Zaujan are walking along this bustling street, still wearing their mask, yet not a single eye follows them, just a few curious glances and most of them are towards the boy who is carried by Zaujan.
Crow, who had 'disappeared' for 3 years, is foreign to the current political situation of Hazhui and is perplexed at how openly they can walk without a single wary person screaming that there is someone from the Demonic Sect here
"…Lord of Blood, tell me what happened in the past 3 years?"
Crow asks as she tug at Zaujan robe like a clinging daughter, but she quickly fixed this action and took a few steps back.
Zaujan almost laughed at her action, but he quickly composed himself and answered.
"The Tang Dynasty has lost the mandate of Heaven, Hazhui is in chaos as the 4 side of the Heaven all split and become each other monarch"
Crow then asks again, this time, her voice is filled with excitement
"Then has the Southern Wind Blows?"
"Not yet"
Zaujan said with a bit of regret in his voice, yet it was masked professionally with elegance
"The Southern Kingdom is now ruled by the Mugeon family who declared themselves the Mugeon Dynasty. The Western has now become the Zhao Dynasty, and the East becomes the Shu Dynasty, The North didn't bother trying to amend the broken rules, but I heard Kunlun Sect is taking over."
Zaujan answered, he then turned into a desolate alleyway before jumping towards the roof of a building, Crow follows suit behind him.
Zaujan then sat on the top of the roof in a lotus position, but Crow opted to stand instead.
"Now…"
Zaujan then makes a complex hand signal, then, with each gesture, a golden light flows before dissipating into the thin air.
Crow knows that it's a signal to announce their arrival to the Crimson Birch Heavenly Court. She tried to mimic it, but she failed due to how complex the signal is.
Zaujan looks at her attempt and chuckles before speaking in a gentle tone
"Little Mei, I am well aware of your current confusion, please ask me anything"
Crow, whose name is Hu Mei, is flustered for a second before speaking
"…I am not little, not anymore"
Zaujan chuckles and continues with an amused voice
"Alright-alright, let's hear your question"
At his words, Hu Mei sat beside him and pondered at the city-lit landscape and the steppe beyond, the lamp dims the stars so she can't see it clearly, which she finds disappointing. Then, she asks
"Why did Jujiang let us in? And the people didn't care about us?"
"Jujiang is their own government now, ruled by the mayor they opted to stay out of the Shu Dynasty expansion which warrants an animosity with them"
Zaujan paused for a second before continuing
"So, the mayor hired us, Demonic Sect Warrior to protect Jujiang under a condition that we can conduct all sort of operation inside Jujiang, which was why nobody seems to care about us."
Hu Mei nods slightly and asks again
"What sort of operation does the Demonic Sect wanted to do?"
"…Its confidential"
Hu Mei laugh, she expects that, but she asks anyway since she is curious
"Figures…"
Zaujan smiles faintly under his mask at her remark, this time, she is not the Hu Clan princess, but an ordinary girl.
But that happiness lasted for a short time as a whistle was heard. It was faint, but it was loud enough for them alone.
"The Demon King has expected us, come…"
Zaujan stands up and jump, roof to roof under the guise of darkness followed by Hu Mei
They have now reached a pagoda. Guarded by around 100 men, each one can take on an army by themselves.
The moment Zaujan and Crow step into the courtyard of the pagoda, they both bow respectfully
"We are here on the order of the Demon King, as written" they said
Several burning red eyes emerge from the shadow, one of them approach. He wears a Blue Demon mask and wears a full black robe.
"You may enter" it said in an obscured voice
Zaujan and Hu Mei soon enter inside the Pagoda. There, atop a throne made of gold. Sit a figure in crimson robe with a phoenix symbol sewn across. White hair due to aging and wrinkled face shows his age yet it didn't hide his gallant form, charisma and sheer pressure. It was the Demon King himself.
"We Greet the Demon King!!" Zaujan and Hu Mei shout as they bow respectfully
The Demon King gestures to stand up, the gesture is simple yet full of command.
He then slowly moves towards Zaujan and speaks
"So, that boy…" He asks, his own voice is charged with power and is filled with dignity.
Zaujan bows, but due to the boy still on his shoulder, he can't bow deeply
"Yes, your lordship Demon King. He is the one your lordship has been searching" Zaujan said.
The Demon King then gestured him to put the boy down which he did.
"Hmm, quite a profound core... Maybe a Celestial Realm or beyond." The Demon King approached the boy, examining him like a weapon, his hand hovers above his form and brushes his white snow-like hair aside. Revealing a face that could seduce men and women alike, it's so beautiful its borderline unthinkable how can such face be in a male's body.
"Quite beautiful too, if not for his muscle I might've mistaken him for a girl…" He said as he takes a closer look at his white, pale face. Then he looks at his bare chest that has a scar and examined it closely
"This is the Karma Chasing Scythe works, no?" He asks, Hu Mei face instantly falls, and she bows deeply, sweat forming in her hand.
"F-Forgive me your lordship, I didn't mean—" she stutters, but Demon King just laugh at the sight and forgive her
"Its fine, just a mere flesh wound…" he said as he examined more closely at the boy energy, revealing a hole in his chest that leads to nowhere. Nothing can be seen inside due to it being black and dark, as if something is covering it.
"And the hole. Did you do it?" he said, frowning his brow and tried to put his hand inside.
"N-no your lordship" Hu Mei answered in between nervous voice "He already has that hole even before I slash him with the Scythe of the Death God"
The Demon King then nodded at her answers and stood up once again. His black robe cascading elegantly.
" Have you known of this boy physique?" The Demon King asks with growing curiosity
"I yet to know your lordship, but he has a constitution so fierce that I have to resort on using my Foundation Technique" Zaujan said with quite a bit of pride strewn of his face.
"To think that this boy could make the Lord of Blood use his Foundation Technique. Very impressive" The Demon King said with amusement.
"I would love to see this boy true ability… What was his name?" The Demon King said with a slight smile
"…My apology your lordship, I have yet to know" Zaujan bow deeply
"Ah, is that so… then it was unfortunate that we have to wait until tomorrow" The Demon King chuckles before he gestures for the Heavenly Demon to come.
Then out of thin air, a man with a clear face yet fierce eye, Short black hair with ponytail behind and red glowing eyes.
The Demon King then climbs back up to his throne and bellows out an order
"Listen up, we leave this place at dawn and return to the Demonic Sect at once!" The Demon King said, clear and concise. His voice is powerful enough that it shudders Zaujan and Hu Mei
"As you wish, long live the Demon King!" The Heavenly Demon said as he instantly vanishes into the air
The Demon King waved his hand, and the Heavenly Demon knew instantly what he must do as he vanished once more into the thin air.
Zaujan and Crow, still bowing. Awaiting the next order from the Demon King
"Now, Little Mei…" Demon King said
Hu Mei shudders, another cold sweat falls "Yes, Mas— I mean your Lordship"
"At ease Little Mei… So, how is the journey?" The Demon King asks as he walks back towards the throne.
"…It is fruitful, this one come to learn the many aspects of battle and the way of life and have not done anything to disgrace the Sect" she said, her face eased up a bit.
"I have heard a whisper from the wind that you are now known as Head-pecking Crow. What a terrifying name for my disciple" he said, his face constructed in such a way that it seems as if he was ready to eat her soul.
Hu Mei gulps before saying "Then the wind is indeed loyal to the Sect, it is indeed true that this one was known as Crow, yet this one didn't know about the Head-pecking parts that was told" she said
"Well, I suppose a whisper is a whisper, breeze are still a breeze no matter how strong it is. Nothing good came out of a Rumor" he said with a satisfied voice as he turned his back towards them.
"Well then, enough with the talking. Zaujan, I hope that you treat that boy well. Once we return, I would like to know his constitution that you told me," As soon as he said that a loud bang emanates from within his form as he vanishes without a trace alongside the golden throne
Zaujan then slowly rose, he was prepared to pick up the boy, but Hu Mei stops him from doing so
"Mei?" he asks
"Let me check him too, what does mast— I mean, his lordship sees in this maniac" she said as she clears the boy face of his hair.
She saw a gentle face, smooth, round and feminine. Though she can see the dried-up blood of his massacre, it was covered up by his heavenly beauty.
She was considered one of the Sect beauties, yet this boy fairs better than her.
'It's just as master said, he looks just like a girl'
she thinks as she cups the boy face, connecting her Core to his to see deeper
What she feels, is nothing… No, she was prohibited from feeling it since her energy was stopped abruptly.
Normally, a manipulated energy won't just suddenly cut off unless the user dies or the energy contact with a much-concentrated Inhibition than the user.
Hu Mei is confused and scared. She is at the Celestial Realm, what's more she is an Energy Cultivator. For her energy to be abruptly cut off is abnormal at best.
All this question yet not a single answer, she cannot see deeper. This boy becomes more mysterious the more she tries to understand him. Just like how the Moon continues to fleet no matter how tall you climb.
"Zaujan, what are the chances that he is a Fallen?" she asks
"Low, very low… If he is indeed a Fallen, there is no way he will looks prettier than you" Zaujan said, tapping his mask as if thinking.
Hu Mei pouts at his pointless remarks before returning at the topics at hand.
"Yet his Inhibition is abnormal, my energy was cut off as soon as it contacted his Inhibition Core. That can't happen unless the Core is hyper-active and shoots out Inhibition anywhere. Should I check his Central Core?" she said in visible confusion and bewilderment.
"You should not…There is a reason why the Demon King covet him so… Nevertheless, forgive me for this late announcement" Zaujan then bow to Hu Mei
"Congratulations Miss Hu Mei, for completing the Seven bird descend trial" he said with a proud voice
"Mmm, I was lucky to be alive up until now. But let's not dwell on that matter, we must complete his lordship order first and foremost" she said as she stands up and exit the Pagoda, followed by Zaujan
Zaujan saw her back, her mannerism is already that of a head clan. He is proud that the girl he used to cradle has grown so much, yet he is also sad at the loss of her innocence and immaturity.
.
.
.
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Jiangnam Region. The southernmost region of Hazhui. There, a city with the same name stood tall, resisting the Mugeon Dynasty influence.
Behind the tall wall, a Palace was built in the middle of a busy street, surrounded by trench filled with clear water. It was more akin to a fortress
In front of its gate, many people gathered around to witness the return of their ruler.
The Demon King and his entourage arrived in a convoy akin to an envoy of an entire nation. Met with celebratory joy and religious chant as the crowd welcomed their King
"Settle down!" a guard trying to deter the growing crowd
"O mighty monarch, bless us!"
"Demon King!"
"O Demon King!"
"Demon King!"
But the crowd pays no heed to the guard, they are overjoyed to even witness his convoy finally returned
"Demon King Has Arrived!" The Heavenly Demon shouts, it was met with instantaneous, almost uniform bow by everyone presents
"We Greet the Demon King!" All of them shout, bowing as deep as they can, almost worshipping. It was as if the wind itself ceases blowing. Everyone, from children, adults, guards and laborers. All shall bow to the Demon King
Yet the person who is the subject of their worship and unending respect, are currently dreading over the reception
"Who announced my return!?" he asks, his tone demanding and dark
"T-The crowd themselves happen to be here…" the servant said, but they instantly fall when they forgot the honorific "F-Forgive me your lordship. This idiotic servant fails to address your lordship as such" they said as they all bow
"I forgive you servant… Pay it no heed" the Demon King said as he watches the bowing crowd in worry.
'Am I being too terrorizing? Or scary? Or both?'
He thinks to himself
"I am deeply grateful your lordship… Truly, I would give up my life if your lordship said so" he said in over-gratitude
This response deeply displeased the Demon King, though he paid no attention. Knowing that if he refuses his fervent prayer, it's just going to complicate things even more. Even then, he is really worried about the fanaticism of his followers
The Demon King finally returned to his rightful throne; the golden throne called the Monarch of Blood. A Divine artifact loyal only to the Demon King. His arrival was met with all the Lord
The Demon King walks in regal and dignified posture as he recalled each Lord one by one
The Lord of Sword, Musashi Gen
The Lord of Poison, Liu Haite
The Lord of War, Nazawa Aigen
The Lord of Blood, Hu Zaujan
The Lord of Steel, Damascus
The Lord of Merchant, Lago Namen
And The Heavenly Demon, Viren
That is all, the Demon King then sat on his throne and gestured to the Lord to sit as well
"The Lord of Bloom has yet to return?" He asks with genuine concern
"It is most unfortunate that Lady Akiri has yet to return, her illness, the 'Severing of the Heart' is stable, yet it didn't want to get better" Viren answered
"Severing of the Heart… an Illness that kills even Dragon, should her condition worsen inform me immediately" The Demon King said with a grave tone as he sat upon his throne.
"Of course," Viren bowed
"I will make this fast, each Lord will speak of the detail, event and complications that has transpired" he said with commanding tone
"" Yes, your lordship Demon King!""
Then, Gen Musashi answered, "Lord of the Sword reporting, the movement of the Southern Kingdom 5th army is approaching Jiangnam Great River, the scout we sent has returned safely and is currently on the way towards the Sect for further reports" he said with confidence as his hand dangling around his robe
It was then followed by Haite Liu, "Lord of Poison reporting, the medical hall is functioning as usual and is having some difficulty cultivating the Devil Snare" she said with gentle yet dangerous voice
"So, it seems that the Devil Snare is indeed quite troublesome to cultivate, should you need assistance, be sure to let me know" The Demon King replied
"I am ashamed to have to accept the assistance your lordship, I will make sure that the difficulty will be dealt with" she said as she bowed
"Looks like there is something even you can't do perfectly huh?" Gen Musashi said with a satirizing smirk.
"…Surely, I've done more in the recent weeks than you musclehead" Haite Liu responded with a piercing side eye as she unfolds her Fan and covers her mouth.
"Hah! Yer slander so old I rather call you the Ancient Fairy instead…." Gen Musashi said as he crossed his arm, the vein in his arm is bulging so much it might explode
"Oh my~ you and your brutish way of speaking. I know this side of you will come eventually… All of Nippon descend are all brutes" Haite Liu said as she twirls her fingers around.
"The fuck is that supposed to mean wench?!!"
"Muscle head Brutes…"
"Stuck up Brat!"
Their bickering is akin to a teenager pissing contest than a magnificent lord arguing over something important. Lago Namen, who has been watching over the sideline, can't help but to be confused.
"W-what is this?"
"You're new here right? Don't worry, that's just how they talk to each other" Nazawa Aigen said as he looked at them both with pity and shame.
"Hey Aigen…" Damascus suddenly said in a whisper
"I don't want to hear it" Aigen responded as if he already knew what Damascus was about to say.
"If I draw their story today as something erotic will it sell well?"
"Don't ask me about such a thing!"
"But aren't you an expert at erotic sto—"
"I said I don't know about such a thing!!"
Both Damascus and Nazawa Aigen started arguing now, enveloping the room with overlapping voice and shouts.
"Hahh, it always devolves into this piss pen" The Demon King sigh and can't help but to make an inappropriate remark.
"Cease this you fool!" Viren shouts in booming voice, silencing the room.
"You are in the presence of your King; how dare you all show such uncouthness and let your insolent tongue runs wild??!!" It's safe to say that Viren is both ashamed, and pissed at the Lord's behavior
The bickering Lord can do nothing but stay silent at the Heavenly Demon scolding. Lago, who is new to all this court's intrigue can't help but remember his father's words when he asks about the Crimson Birch Heavenly Court. 'Court? More like Pig pen.'
Lago is confused and disappointed that the Court, who is supposed to be the place where the direction of the Sect is taking, is nothing more than a bickering place for the Lord.
Lago mind wanders off to his father's face when he realizes that he is finally retiring. 'Finally! I can fish in peace without someone yelling at me!' Are his final words before he goes to the Jiang River for 3 months.
"It seems that the atmosphere of the Court is yet to be suitable for such a formal meeting, just write your report and send it to my Palace" The Demon King sigh in silence, as he walks off the Court.
"Yes Demon King!" the Lords all shouts with their head bowed down, as if a kid being scolded for misbehaving.
"And Zaujan, bring that Boy into the courtyard" The Demon King said before finally exiting the Court.
"Yes, my Lord!" Zaujan said as he quickly walked behind the Demon King.
The Demon King arrives at the courtyard, where he sees the boy tied into a lotus position and is guarded by 5 of his guards.
"...You don't need to do all of this" He ponders quietly before realizing that it's pointless trying to make his points clear.
So, he sits on a prepared soft chair complete with refreshment and his favorite wine, the Undiluted Blood Wine.
Then Zaujan arrives alone, his walk is elegant before he stops behind the Demon King and bows
"I greet the Demon King!" he said, the Demon King then gestured him to sit beside him. Zaujan hesitated a bit before sitting.
Shortly after, Hu Mei arrived, she wears a Crimson Cheongsam with Swallow bird ornament and a black hair ornament as her black hair flows like water.
"I greet The Demon King!" She said, then The Demon King gestured her to sit beside Zaujan
"Wake him up Zaujan" The Demon King said.
"Yes, Your Lordship" Zaujan said as he undone the 'Nerve Wrack'.