"Then you should come out now," his voice softened, he has been watching her all along but he wasn't surprised to see that she is not crying, from their years of dating, he already knows her completely, when something bad happens to those around her which also concerns her, she starts tending to others to put on a strong front but when the pain and sadness fill her chest, she excludes herself to release it quietly then she returns like nothing ever happened.

This is how she has always been.

​​

She opened the door then lifted her face to look him in the eyes, her reddened eyes couldn't hide the fact that she cried, his heart hurts for her, he embraced her tightly then patted her back while she held the sides of his coat tightly then released the pent up sadness in her chest as tears.

- - - - -

Parallel world.

The day they had all been waiting for finally came, the martial heroes contest they were all looking forward to is now here, the people were excited knowing they are going to watch an even better show this year.

The sect leaders and elders from each sect including the wind sect except very few were already seated when the emperor entered.

"The emperor is here!" the head eunuch announced, they all stood up from their seats to bow with their hands cupped while the commoners who were already standing bowed to the ground.

"Your majesty!" they chorused in unison, the emperor took his seat at the highest seat with the sect leaders of the four main sects seated at both of his sides except for the flame sect whose seat has been excluded for many years but has now been added, the regional commander who mostly accompanies him everywhere took his seat at his right side.

He beckoned them to take their seat with a benevolent smile befitting of an emperor who cares about his people, although the emperor and the court are not allowed to get involved with the martial world, it doesn't stop the emperor from attending the contest every year just so he has his eyes on every one of them and he has since held Bohai in high regards.

He nods his head with a faint smile at Bohai who cupped his hands and bowed his head in acknowledgement of the emperor's high hopes placed on him, now he remembers he has a daughter, he is now considering getting her married to Bohai so as to tie him and the entire martial world to the court so they can't escape his grip but then, he noticed something amiss.

The seat besides the regional commander is empty.

"Sect leader Ling, is the flame sect not participating in this contest?" he whispered to the wind sect leader, he smiled faintly.

"They must be running late," he whispered back.

Just then, Mo Yuhan arrived at the tournament drawing all the attention to his presence as he walked in with his three guards behind him, he and his guards are all dressed in red and black robes with his having gold lapels on the shoulder.

The spectators and people from the sects present started murmuring especially since they are just seeing his face for the first time, in all the previous meetings, he has always worn his bird shaped mask.

"He is very good looking,"

"We all thought he is ugly or he has a scar, why did he hide his face until now?"

They all started commenting, the females eyes were filled with admiration.

"Greetings, your majesty," he and his guards greeted upon getting to the front, Sect leader Lin and the emperor narrowed their eyes at him, as for Mo Yuhan, this is the first time he is attending the martial heroes contest since his sect always send disciples to just participate.

"Alliance leader Lin," he greeted with his hands still cupped and his head slightly bowed then he raised his head with an upturned smile on his lips.

They were all certain that if not for his regalia, they wouldn't have been able to recognise him.

"Sect leader Mo, it seems like you have finally decided to show your face to the world but I wonder what made you attend today's contest since you have always missed the rest?" Sect leader Lin questioned with a displeased look on his face.

One thing he has always disliked Mo Yuhan for is his high profiled regalia, as the leader of the alliance, he is supposed to be the one with the best mannerism and regalia but Mo Yuhan always has a way of outshining him, if the azure demon sect was one of the four main sect then it will definitely be a serious problem.

He chuckled lightly before flapping his large sleeves as he brought one of his arm behind him.

"I was merely thrilled by the chance to watch the flame sect compete so I decided to see it for myself," he broke into laughter after his answer, making both the emperor and the three main sect leaders furrow their brows while the murmurs filled the entire place.

It was very clear from his answer that he is only here for the flame sect but sect leader Lin still managed to fake a smile.

"Then you might be disappointed cos it doesn't seem like the flame sect plans to attend the contest," he responded.

"I am afraid you are mistaken, Sect leader Lin," a familiar resounding voice responded, they all turned to the entrance.

They were thrilled to see the people from the flame sect arrive at the tournament with sect madam Huo walking in front of them with a smile on her luscious red lips, she walked with perfect elegance with her whip in her hand, her long red cape swept the ground with every step she took.

The flame mask they all respected has appeared again, noise filled the tournament once more while everyone watched them make their entrance, Mo Yuhan then took his seat.

"Greetings, your majesty," they all greeted then they turned to sect leader Lin.

"Alliance leader Lin," they greeted then they raised their heads, although everyone except the elders and the sect madam is wearing the flame mask, the emperor could still recognise Huo Ying since he has already seen her in the palace without the mask.

"Sect madam Huo, it seems like I won't be able to see your daughter's face now that the flame sect has officially returned to the martial world," the emperor remarked, causing everyone to wonder if he has seen her face.

"Your majesty has seen my daughter's face back in the palace, I am sure it is enough," she replied, then she made her way to the right-hand side of the emperor where she took her seat beside the regional commander who nodded at her while the rest of them took their seat where the others from the four main sects were seated.

"Now that everyone is here-"

"The first and fourth princes are here!" the eunuch announced as everyone turned to the entrance again, the people felt as though they had just won a lottery, first Mo Yuhan appearing and revealing his handsome face, second, the arrival of the flame sect and now for the first time, they are going to see the first and fourth princes.

They all started stretching to catch a glimpse.

The first prince in a blue robe and the fourth prince in a black robe with his hair neatly resting on his back and some held up by a gold ring, entered the tournament together. every one of their steps screaming royalty with Xiaodi and the first prince attendant behind them.

They were shocked at the visuals of both princes, especially the fourth prince who has been the talk of the nation after the emperor's birthday.

"Greetings, Imperial father," both chorused as they stood in front of the emperor who is the most confused person as to why both of his sons are present at the tournament without telling him or receiving his permission but he is more outraged at the fact that the first prince he tried so hard to hide from the public is now appearing before everyone but he still faked a smile.

"You are here," he concisely answered, then the disciples arranged seats for them on the high stand.

"Now that everyone is here, we will bring in the second young mistress of the flame sect!" Sect leader Lin announced, the people gasped in shock, they were surely not expecting the monster to be present at the contest.

They became terrified, it was going well until they announced that they are bringing in a monster who is very well capable of blowing all of them up.

Noises filled the place.

The first prince noticed the fourth prince ball his fist tightly with his vein almost popping out, he glanced at his face only to find his eyes misty and filled with mixed emotions that he can't describe.

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