"Long live His Majesty, the Emperor, may you live ten thousand years."

Lu Fengmian bowed as Hui Yin also stood and quickly bowed in turn, the rest of the servants cowering down at once.

"You may rise." Mo Chou merely said as he waved his hand, walking towards Bai Suixin with Tang Qingshan tailing him.

Staring quickly at Hui Yin, Mo Chou took a seat next to Bai Suixin as Hui Yun returned to sitting in her original spot, opposite of Bai Suixin.

Tang Qingshan smiled as he walked towards Lu Fengmian. Standing in front of Hui Yin, Tang Qingshan bent his back and said in his cold voice, "Long live Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and Her Majesty, the Empress, mayor live ten thousand years."

"Please rise, Tang Junwang." Hui Yin replied first, eyes sneakily looking at Bai Suixin and Mo Chou.

Lu Fengmian couldn't help but stand closer to Tang Qingshan as the man rose, standing straight as a pole. Tang Qingshan looked at Lu Fengmian and sent him a light smile before he looked forward and resumed his cold face. Lu Fengmian's lips curved gently as he also resumed looking forward in silence.

Tang Qingshan turned to Mo Chou and then said, "Your Majesty, this official and Physician Lu will take our leave first." Saying this, he sent a look at Mo Chou who merely nodded.

"Go, We have took much of your time already." Mo Chou swiftly said. He too, needed to speak with these people for the moment so he reluctantly let Tang Qingshan go even though the man had some work left.

Finally getting the answer he wanted, Tang Qingshan bowed once more as Lu Fengmian also did too. Then, very quickly, the two walked away, leaving the three big figures sitting next to each other.

As Lu Fengmian walked by Tang Qingshan's side, he asked, "How did court go?"

Tang Qingshan turned back to look at Lu Fengmian with a light smile, "Today, it went pleasantly well. There have been movements around Suzhou lately and so some officials were sent there but that was about it. And you, how were things on your side?"

"It went the same as always. Her Majesty is fully healed now so my visits to the palace will be fewer." Lu Fengmian replied in turn as the two walked towards the exit of the palace.

"I guess you won't be accompanying me anymore." Tang Qingshan jokingly brought up. His deep voice was twinged with playfulness, albeit rather light.

Lu Fengmian felt a warm feeling rush in his heart. Ahhh, even after so many lifetimes, this man still made his heart beat as if they were just new lovers. "No, but I will still be staying at your manor. It is not like I am leaving."

Tang Qingshan's eyes roamed over Lu Fengmian's tall and graceful figure. For some reason, the man looked a bit different lately.

The two continued to converse as they walked out the gates of the palace, to where a rather outstanding carriage was already prepared, two big horses standing tall.

"Tang Junwang and Young Master Lu, please enter." The servant was new. That was what Lu Fengmian first noticed. He had never seen this man before.

Tang Qingshan stared a bit longer at the man, his eyes frightfully dark. Finally, he made a move to enter the carriage.

At this point, Lu Fengmian could tell that something was wrong, especially by Tang Qingshan's slight act. But even so, he didn't say or do anything odd as he also entered the carriage, the doors closing gently.

As the two sat in the carriage and it began to move, they didn't say anything. But with just their eyes, they were able to tell that something was wrong. Lu Fengmian began preparing himself.

Lu Fengmian was not all that nervous. If the worst outcome came, then he would just face it. After all, nothing would be worse than losing Tang Qingshan, just like before. So instead of panicking, he began thinking ahead. After all, he was able to rival Tang Qingshan head on in a spar.

Both Lu Fengmian and Tang Qingshan knew that something was off, but of course, they were waiting. The atmosphere within the carriage was a bit tense, but that was only normal.

Suddenly, Tang Qingshan turned his head to his right, looking at a small compartment within the carriage. Slowly, he opened it, revealing two swords within.

The good thing was that this carriage did belong to the Tang Family, hence, all of Tang Qingshan's careful weapons were still placed within.

Tang Qingshan grabbed a sword and handed it to Lu Fengmian during the rumbling and shaking of the carriage. With a sword in each of their hand, they began speaking to each other, knowing that if they did not, the other person would become suspicious.

Lu Fengmian was the first to speak, bringing up, "I heard that matters in the court have become bustling lately, is there any troubling matters?" He threw the bait out, purposely lying.

Tang Qingshan secretly smiled as he replied in a serious voice, "As far as I know, there have been some issues with the tax. It also seems like His Majesty's ties with the Empress has become a bit estranged, but other than that, everything is fine."

Lu Fengmian couldn't help but smile. The two were both playing mind games now, messing with whoever was driving the carriage. He knew that whoever they would be taken to, there was definitely going to be an assassination attack targeted at Tang Qingshan. For whatever reason, it was only normal now that Tang Qingshan had returned. Of course, one person came into his mind, a man that was against both Mo Chou and Tang Qingshan, Mo Shen.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped. Lu Fengmian's eyes glinted. Whoever issued this attack was meticulous. The ride took nearly the same time as it would be getting back to Tang Manor.

"Tang Junwang, Young Master Lu, we have arrived at Tang Manor." The male's voice was the same, calm without a ripple.

Tang Qingshan and Lu Fengmian exchanged a glance, holding tightly onto their swords as the door began to creak open. As soon as the door open, they rushed out with their sword in hand, back against each other's as they looked at their surroundings.

Surrounding them, plenty of people dressed in black were seen, a typical scene.

Without a moment to rest, the attacks came. Lu Fengmian and Tang Qingshan kept their mood clam, defending and attacking the people in black.

Lu Fengmian had to give them an applause. Each of the people were properly trained and highly skilled, not to mention, they didn't bother with the stupid villain talk that lasted forever and just got straight to the point.

In a deep forest, the sound of metal swords were heard, clanging against one another. Ruffles were heard in the desolate forest as a group of people in black cloaks surrounded two men. But even with the two men outnumbered, they fought with ferocity, their attacks calm and clean, easily taking down the people in black.

Lu Fengmian held his sword tightly in his hand, scanning his surrounding as a black cloaked person ran towards him at a high speed. Lu Fengmian used his sword, raising it as the other person struck hard against it. Lu Fengmian pushed the sword away, using that split second to attack the person's neck. Unfortunately, while his sword made contact with the person's neck, it left only a small streak of blood as the person hurriedly dodged. But while the person dodged, they had let their composure slip and Lu Fengmian quickly stabbed his sword into his chest, quickly pulling it out as the other collapsed.

Blood spurted at Lu Fengmian's face and without anytime to wipe it, Lu Fengmian continued his outrageous attack, as if his sword knew no limits.

On Tang Qingshan's side, he was handling the matters much quicker than Lu Fengmian. After all, compared to Lu Fengmian, Tang Qingshan was used to killing. Because of this he was quickly disposing the cloaked people at a faster rate, using just one attack to kill everyone, blood running wild.

While killing and getting rid of the pests, Tang Qingshan kept himself widely alert. In any other cases of sneak attacks, he had to be ready and prepared.

Suddenly, through the sound of swords, a whistle in the air was heard, the sound of air being sliced through. Lu Fengmian glanced up, his normal gentle features were hardened.

An arrow pierced the air, slicing through with a loud sound. It's only aim was Tang Qingshan.

Tang Qingshan had already heard the noise, and knowing immediately what it was, he raised his sword, hurriedly killing the person in front of him and dodged to the side, missing the arrow by just a hair.

Lu Fengmian noticed the person who had shot the arrow hurriedly retreated, the figure running through the forest at a fast rate. Lu Fengmian chased right away, knowing that if he let this person go, the mastermind would know what else to plan. So without thinking twice, he ran.

Luckily, Tang Qingshan had already handled most of the people and there were only a handful left. Seeing that Lu Fengmian had chased after someone, Tang Qingshan could only widen his eyes before turning to the only person alive. Quickly pushing the person's acupuncture, he forcefully kneeled him down. First, Tang Qingshan would wait for Lu Fengmian to come before questioning this person.

Lu Fengmian really didn't know why he chased after this person. Before he even knew it, his body had already begun moving. Running through the forest was not easy but he was slowly gaining on the person running ahead of him. Just then, the person turned around. Lu Fengmian didn't know what was happening and to take cautions, he stopped a meter away.

From the figure in black, a woman's voice was heard. "As a fox demon, aren't you ashamed that you have actually backed a mere human?" It was an alluring voice with the charm of a demon, able to intoxicate anyone.

Lu Fengmian furrowed his brow. This was a fox demon. Now that he was closer to this woman, he could obviously tell that she was also a fox demon.

"Gentleman, will you answer me? You, too, are a fox demon. As a demon, it is in our blood to kill the humans, to take away their meager lives and make it our own. It is merely the law of this world, the strong will live and the weak will die." The woman's voice was alluring, speaking with a strong charm.

Lu Fengmian suddenly regretted ever chasing this person. But, no matter what, he was going to be looped in. "I will not kill a human just to benefit myself."

The woman, having heard this, suddenly let out an ecstatic and cruel laugh. "Hahaha, well, look what I have here? A fox demon who says that he will not kill a human? Boy, you are a young demon. When you experience the lives that we, demons, have gone through, you will understand why we kill and kill. I can see it in your eyes, the forbidden fruit of love that has begun to grow. Ahh, such naivety. To love a man, a human while being a fox demon, you are merely setting yourself up for a pain that will last a lifetime." Obviously, the woman was trying to sound caring, yet there was a strong wickedness behind her tone.

Lu Fengmian clenched his sword tightly, a sense of anger sprouting from within him. "No, I will not be like any of you."

"Heh, isn't that what they all say?" The woman walked closer, a pale hand stretching out. On her palm, a long gash, a scar was seen. "See this? This is what the man that I loved with all my life gave me. I fell for a mortal man when I was young, vowing that I too, would never become like the other evil fox demons. But I was betrayed. When I revealed my identity, he pretended to still love me, luring me into his trap. He sacrificed me to the Taoist Priests and they tried to cut off my hand. I killed them all. I killed them and vowed to never let the humans live a good life." She flicked her hand. "You too, will end up like me."

Lu Fengmian's heart pounded against his chest. A sense of panic came over him. To imagine a world where the man he loved most hated him, it was the worst nightmare possible. But, he knew that Tang Qingshan loved him...

"You are a young fox demon, I have lived for centuries now. Don't be a fool and give your heart so easily. All humans will hate us, fox demon." As the woman said this, she turned away. "This is my warning to you. Once you end up like me, you will realize that human's are fickle, their hearts evil."

Lu Fengmian's gentle face was marred with confusion. It wasn't even his own feelings, it was the original soul's that struck his heart. There was something more that the original soul had not passed on to him, something that was blocking him from understanding the whole story. As Lu Fengmian glanced up, he wanted to chase after the woman, but as if his body was possessed, he could only stand still.

"Don't be a fool like me."

Suddenly, from the back of Lu Fengmian's head, he heard a voice overlapping in his mind. Lu Fengmian's hand flew to his head, his sword dropping onto the ground. He clenched his head in pain, his brows furrowing.

"Don't make the same mistakes I did. You must not repeat what I've done."

Suddenly, Lu Fengmian's eyes widened open. It was the original soul, this was the original's words to Lu Fengmian...

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"They say that a pair fated by the heavens will have seven lifetimes to be with one another. In those seven lifetimes, no matter what they will be fated to be with one another. Once those seven lifetimes are up, they will never meet each other again. Mortal, do you believe in these words? Well, the heavens also say that a person whose soul is not complete will never be able to reincarnate fully. In fact, that person will live a life wondering aimlessly until each and every piece of their soul is collected and whole once again."

Zhu Longwang closed his eyes. As a spirit, his body was incomplete, as if it would disappear. In fact, his body even as a spirit should not look like this, only that, as his soul was not complete, it hindered him. His immortal-like features were still handsome, even in this form.

"What do you wish to say?" His voice was deep and entrancing.

"Don't you think it is best for you to let go now? Accept your punishment and go to receive your sentence. After a hundred years, the pieces of your soul will then be forcefully retrieved and you can go to reincarnate. You have spent hundreds of years waiting already, sitting in that very position for so many life cycles. It should be time for you to move on."

Zhu Longwang sat in silence. His face turned cold and resolute.

"Of course, while I understand why you are still here, hundreds of years have passed already. Sitting here, isn't it just punishing yourself already? Why not just take your punishment and go to reincarnate?"

There was a moment of silence between the two.

"No, there is someone that I'm waiting for. Until I meet him once more, I will stay in this place and wait for him. I... do not want to pass the River of Oblivion and forget all the memories I have of him."

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