They two looked at each other in silence. The awkward moment was broken when they subconsciously chuckled at their behavior. Ming Yue Yin looked down as she laughed lightly. Her laughter was clear and crisp like a small bell. Yuan Shao's heart turned to mush as he covered his mouth with his fist and laughed. It took her a while to calm herself.

"I… I'm glad you are not yet asleep," Yuan Shao's smile widened as he moved closer to her. It was the first time he felt nervous yet he had once faced a thousand enemy soldiers with only five hundred soldiers on his sides.

​​

"You know I tend to sleep late…" Ming Yue Yin shrugged.

"I know…" He nodded and became silent. He struggled to find the right words to explain himself.

"You are going to leave tonight?" She asked.

"Yes…" He replied easily.

"Have you talked to Xue An?" She asked.

"I have. She understands… She will be safe with the Hei Shen Sect," He said with assurance. He won't have dared to leave Yuan Xue An if he was unsure of them.

"What about you? Will you be safe?" She tilted her head as she questioned him. Her beautiful phoenix eyes brimmed with worry and sadness as she knew she might never see him again.

He didn't have quick answers to her questions. The place he was going to was not the safest of places but it was where he needed to be stronger, "I'll be fine. You don't have to worry."

"Who said I'm worried…?" She refused to admit her thoughts as she pursed her lips like she was wronged.

"Okay. You don't need to either way…" Yuan Shao raised his eyebrows and grinned. He was amused by her stubbornness.

Ming Yue Yin's frowned deepened but she knew he was teasing her. Her heart, however, kept thumping louder and her cheeks felt hot for some reason. She avoided his eyes.

Yuan Shao held her shoulders and lowered his head to meet her eyes. Ming Yue Yin could see her reflection in his eyes and her heart thumped then he held and said gently, "I need to go somewhere first. If I succeed, I will become the man you need or the man I wish I could be to stand with you…"

"I… I don't understand…" Ming Yue Yin was dumbstruck. She could feel her blood rushing towards her head.

"You cannot marry anyone as an Empress, especially not an exiled general like me," He explained slowly but firmly as he hoped she would understand his message.

"Wait! What do you mean… Why are you speaking like we are… I mean… We have only known each other for a short period," Ming Yue Yin jumbled her words as she blushed heavily. She wondered if he was joking but his dark eyes penetrated through her heart and confirmed his seriousness.

"So what? You blew my mind the first time we met. I had nothing but admiration for you. I was attracted to you the second time we met. My feelings grow deeper the more I know you. I want you in my life and I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else. I'm begging you as a man…" He reached for her hands and held them tightly, "Give me three years. I will come back to you and marry you after three years!"

It was like a bomb had dropped on Ming Yue Yin's head. Her ears buzzed, her eyes widened and words failed her. Yuan Shao became anxious when she froze. He couldn't tell if she was happy or scared by his confession. It was possible she didn't reciprocate his feelings as they hadn't known each other for long.

"Two years…" She finally said with a low voice.

"What?" Yuan Shao leaned closer as he had not heard her.

"I give you two years! No more… Don't even make me wait an extra day," She sounded confident but she was flustered. Her face, ears, and neck had turned red. The faint moonlight couldn't hide the change.

Yuan Shao was elated. His smile grew wider. He had taken a shot in the dark and her acceptance was a surprise. He held the urge to jump with excitement but tempered it down by pulling Ming Yue Yin into his arms. He vowed, "Yes. Two years… Give me two years. I will die a horrible death if I disappoint you."

Ming Yue Yin stiffened as it was the first time a man held her. However, the hard chest against hers and the warmth from his embrace made her go limp. The feeling was new but she liked it.

"Don't say that…" She lightly hit his chest. Her next words were a warning, "I will marry someone else if you come late…"

"Can I choose a horrible death instead?" He tried to bargain.

"You can only choose to come on time!"

"Deal!" He grinned and tightened his hug.

Yuan Shao left the Yong Heng Manor with a few of his shadow guards. He was a few steps from leaving the city when assassins in black attacked him. Yuan Shao unsheathed his sword and calmly leaped towards them as he had suspected it would happen. Some of the black assassins dodged Yuan Shao's sword but he quickly threw hidden knives at the assassins breaking their formation. He launched another attack and killed one of the assassins with one strike.

Yuan Shao's subordinates were also able to attack fiercely. Their actions were uniformed making it easier to defend themselves. It took ten minutes for Yuan Shao and his shadow guards were able to kill all the assassin with minimum injuries.

"My help seems unnecessary."

A familiar voice startled him as he raised his sword by instinct. His action was met by a devious smile and dark cold eyes. Yuan Shao held his breath for a second as he recognized the intimidating man in front of him, "Long Ming!"

Zhao Li Xin was with Mong Ki and Mong Yi. The moonlight that shore behind him made him seem more imposing and a little eerie. He looked like a Grim Reaper ready to collect a soul.

Yuan Shao was confused to see Zhao Li Xin, "What are you doing here?"

"Someone forced me to make sure you left the city safely," Long Ming answered lazily. It was obvious he wasn't there by choice.

Yuan Shao scoffed. Luo Ri Yi was the only person who could make Long Ming do something he didn't wish to. "Thank you for your consideration but you have already helped me more than enough."

"Are you sure you still want to visit the Zhuan Dong continent?" Zhao Li Xin was curious to know why Yuan Shao would risk everything to go there. The path Yuan Shao chose was not easy.

"Yes," Yuan Shao's answer was firm. "I know someone there. Someone in a high position. The man owes me… Going there will give me a rare opportunity to gain what I lack."

"Why?" Zhao Li Xin's eyebrows furrowed. He never thought Yuan Shao was an ambitious man as such a person would not have easily dismissed his position and the reputation he had built for years. The Zhuan Dong continent was a wild and lawless place. The continent was also plagued by war for decades yet Yuan Shao insisted on going there.

"For the same reasons like you… A girl," Yuan Shao chuckled lightly and shrugged to show he was helpless against his feelings.

Zhao Li Xin raised his eyebrows as it all became clear. The girl Yuan Shao mentioned was Ming Yue Yin. He remembered the head housekeeper's reports. Apart from visiting his younger sister, Yuan Shao also used his manor as a rendezvous spot for him and Ming Yue Yin. Zhao Li Xin never complained as nothing improper took place and Yuan Shao's visits meant Ming Yue Yin would spend time with him more than with Lory, which also gave Lory and Zhao Li Xin extra time alone.

"I see…" Zhao Li Xin muttered.