"Master, I wish to leave."

Bai Yu Yue sat opposite to grandmaster Mu Chen and notified her intention to leave the sect.

"So soon?"Mu Chen asked to affirm. He got to know from Mu Qing that Bai Yu Yue is interested to study in Mu sect.

He was a little bit hesitant to let a talented student like her leave the sect, without teaching her anything.

"I have an emergency at home. I need to go." Bai Yu Yue elaborated.

"Hm, it can't be helped then."

"I am not sure that I will get another opportunity, but I am glad to say that it was an honour to meet you, grandmaster Mu, thank you for helping me." She bowed in gratitude.

"You are not coming back?" He inquired, "I thought you wanted to study here,"

"I would love to study here, but I don't think I will get enough time " She replied with a smile.

"I guess I am not as fortunate as Qin Kai, to have you as my disciple," Mu Chen huffed,

"Even if you haven't taught me. I would be honoured to address you as my master," Bai Yu Yue appeared pleasant like a blooming flower.

"I heard that maidens in Yu clan can choose their partner?" Mu Chen suddenly dragged her attention to something different from what they have been discussing.

Though Bai Yu Yue was left surprised by his words, she replied calmly.

"Yes, master. The suitors have to prove they are worthy for the maiden."

"What about our Huo Jin? Is he worthy enough to get selected?"

Bai Yu Yue kept quiet, she clearly know where is this conversation is heading.

"Huo Jin has told me everything." He looked at the girl who appeared aloof and continued, " he wishes to-"

"Master, I can't," Bai Yu Yue interrupted him before he could elaborate any further.

Mu Chen's small eyes drenched in affection,

"I know you are bound to your duties, but nothing can overpower the feelings in your heart."

He caught the momentary sorrow glinted on Bai Yu Yue's face.

"I don't want to force you, but let him find his way to you."

Bai Yu Yue let out a low chuckle,

"I never knew that the grand master Mu loves his disciple this much."

"Hahaha, you mean I am playing a cupid for Huo Jin" Mu Chen laughed on his own words,

"I cherish all of my disciples. This is the first time I had a female disciple, can't I wish for her well being?"

"Master, my well-being lies in the well being of my kingdom. I alone cannot make a decision." Bai Yu Yue said sheepishly.She never thought about getting married let alone having feelings for someone.

She was focused on protecting the Queen and the kingdom.

"So should I talk to your parents?" Mu Chen asked. If she cannot make a decision alone, then it better to inform her family and let them help her with it.

After all, it is an important factor which is going to determine not only the future of two individuals, but also two kingdoms.

"I will think about it and let you know, master." Bai Yu Yue tried to tackle the situation wisely. But Mu Chen was not ready to give up.

Within a month, Huo Jin will be enthroned and entire kingdom will be searching for a suitable lady to adorn the throne with him.

In Mu Chen's knowledge, there wasn't any other woman who is more suitable than Bai Yu Yue to become the better half of Huo Jin.

"So you are leaving without giving an answer to him?"

"I hope he will understand my situation."

"Hmm," Mu Chen didn't wish to continue the topic.

"When you visit Tu Mountains, please visit us...let Yu clan host grandmaster Mu."

"Sure, sure." He accepted her invitation immediately,

"Please do remember that the doors of Mu sect will be always open for you," he reminded her,

"I will take my leave then."

After bidding farewell Mu Qing and students of the sect, Bai Yu Yue looked around for Huo Jin. He was nowhere to see.

"Where is senior Jin?"

"Brother went to the stream," Huo Yan informed her,

Bai Yu Yue nodded and headed towards the stream hidden in the thick forest.

Huo Jin's forlorn figure was sitting on a boulder, staring at the ripples in the water,

"Senior Jin," She called him and walked towards Huo Jin,

"I am leaving..."

"Hm," He nodded with a meek smile.

"Don't you have anything to tell me?"

"I'm also leaving the sect," Huo Jin notified her with an expressionless face.

"Is it because of me?"

"You are not the only one who is bounded to duties," his voice had a tinge of reprimand and pain.

"Hm, I will leave then." Bai Yu Yue turned around to walk away.

Huo Jin didn't try to stop her,

Bai Yu Yue rejected him saying that she cannot love him. He doesn't want to burden her with his love. If she doesn't want him- he will not chase after her.

But letting her go like this- it was excruciating for him. Bai Yu Yue was the first-ever woman who won him over. He wished to spend a life time with her.

Bai Yu Yue stopped in her tracks and turned towards him with a faint smile,

"I tried to think about it." She paused for a moment. "What you have said last night,"

Huo Jin's dispirited face immediately brightened upon hearing her words,

"It cannot be completely helped, but."

"But?"

"We can at least try." Bai Yu Yue's lips curled upwards, revealing her pearl white teeth.

"It is not easy for me to accept your heart. I am bound to my duties. Even if I say yes, my family, they need to accept you."

"I can come with you, I will talk to them." Huo Jin immediately walked towards her.

"No, not now," Bai Yu Yue who got startled by his actions, quickly stopped him. "I have things to sort out at home. Let me complete it and I will try talking to my family."

Bai Yu Yue's postive stance elevated Huo Jin's weak spirits.

"I will wait for you." He said with determination.

"Don't keep your hopes high."

"Why? I am not qualified for you?" He asked her,

"No, it is not like that." Bai Yu Yue tried to explain,

"Then what is the problem? Should I officially send out a proposal for you?" Huo Jin asked for her opinion.

"No, don't... it won't work that way in my family."

"Then?" Huo Jin raised his eyebrows,

"Come and find me." Bai Yu Yue took out a box from her robes,

It was a small palm-sized box made up of white jade and in the centre of it, five coloured gemstones were arranged.

"Are you testing me?" Huo Jin examined the box in his palm,

"Yes, this will lead you to me and if you fails-"

"You don't believe in my skills?" He asked with a smug face,

"Nothing can be obtained easily."

"Hmmm, understood,"

"I...I think I should go now," Bai Yu Yue said and turned to leave, but somehow her feet remained frozen to the ground, unable to part ways with him.

"Dai Yu," Huo Jin called her and to his surprise, Bai Yu Yue responded to his call,

"Do you know what is the meaning of Dai Yu?"

Bai Yu Yue was born in the Jade land, the largest repository of gem stones in the world. She knew every single detail about Jade.

Black Jade was considered as an etheric bodyguard and a stone of protection. Its strong elemental energy shields not only the physical body but guards against negative forces or entities, and people projecting anger and aggression.

"When I was born, everybody said that evil forces will follow me wherever I go. It was my grandmother who suggested that keeping a black jade will protect me from every misfortunes and evil eyes," He said with affectionate eyes and showed the black jade amulet tied in his wrist.

"You protect everyone with your life.

Why don't you rest for a while and allow me to protect you?

Huo Jin gazed into her eyes which held starlit galaxies in them,

" Can you protect me like this Dai Yu, forever?" His question was sincere and genuine,

Bai Yu Yue stood like a statue unable to reciprocate to his demand.

Whom he is trying to impress? Bai Yu Yue. Her heart is made up of the stone, it won't change even if he asks a thousand times.

He sighed at his lamentable situations.

"It is alright," Huo Jin said in a docile voice and tried to ward off the uneasiness clouding his mind while stepping back.

All of sudden, Bai Yu Yue grabbed Huo Jin's collar and pulled him down to place a kiss on his forehead.

Huo Jin was taken aback with her sudden actions.

"Stay happy."

Even before she could move away, Huo Jin pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Wait for me,"

He snuggled to Bai Yu Yue's neck and smelled her rich fragrance. Huo Jin clearly understood that, he got a place in her heart. Otherwise, she would have drawn clear boundaries with him. She just need some time to sort out things and he was willing to wait for her.

"Until I find you,"

Bai Yu Yue didn't reply to his promise,

She knew that it is impossible task to fulfill, yet she didn't want to refrain him.

A broken promise is better than no promises at all.

Bai Yu Yue never wanted to give Huo Jin any false hopes.

But despite all of her efforts to stay away from him, Bai Yu Yue felt that she has succumbed by him.

She would have left without any hesitation, if he remained silent about his feelings.

But he confessed,

For a moment Bai Yu Yue was fascinated and wished to become a part of his peaceful and pleasant life. She wished to become a commoner,

She wished to lead a life of a wife who cares only about the wellness of her husband and children.

But she was Bai Yu Yue, the princess of the Yu kingdom, to lead a normal life like others- it was an impossibility for her.

After deliberating it all over the night, finally, she came up with a solution.

She couldn't leave without giving him a proper answer.

------------------------

Jing Junhai and Xue Lian were already seated on the horseback, ready to leave the Mu sect any minute.

Everyone was waiting for Bai Yu Yue,

"Have a safe journey," Mu Chen wished them,

"We will always grateful towards you, grandmaster Mu," Jing Junhai thanked him.

Bai Yu Yue who came with Huo Jin, bid farewell to everyone and got on to the horse.

"Don't hesitate to ask help, if you need any," Grandmaster Mu Chen assured her.

"Thank you so much, grandmaster Mu," Bai Yu Yue bowed and glanced at Huo Jin who stood beside him, "Bye, senior Jin,"

Huo Jin smiled and waved his hands, "Don't forget me, Junior Bai"

Bai Yu Yue smiled,

How can she forget him?

He is and He will always remain as her first love, forever,

The trio has left the hidden forests of the Mu sects and headed towards the southwest direction.

"Warrior Bai, where are we going?" Jing Junhai asked Bai Yu Yue, who led them to the unknown routes in the deep forests.

"Home," She replied in her original feminine voice. It was like soulful music to their ears,

"Where is your home?" Jing Junhai inquired with an embarrassed voice. She used to part of his troop for six months and he never cared to ask about Bai Yu Yue's home or her family.

"Her home is in the Tu mountains," Xue Lian answered on Bai Yu Yue's behalf,

"You are from Tu mountains?" Jing Junhai couldn't believe what he just heard.

They ran away from the foot of Tu mountains after challenging Xue Feng, the new ruler of the Qi kingdom. How can they return to that place? It would be suicidal.

Bai Yu Yue scanned Jing Junhai's worried face and understood the reason behind his uneasiness.

"Have you been to "Heaven", major Jing?" She asked with a warm smile,

"Heaven?"

"Do you know that there is a place called Heaven exists on the earth?"

"Heaven on earth?" Jing Junhai contemplated for some time. He was sure that he did hear about it, but where?

The moment his brain recognised the place, Jing Junhai's hawk-like eyes widened in astonishment.

"No way," he carefully examined the woman who had a rich honey-coloured skin. How can he miss the biggest hint,

"You are from..."

"Yu kingdom," Bai Yu Yue completed his words.

The Yu kingdom, the heaven on earth.