A suffocating blanket of silence shrouded the halls, curls of incense smoke rose slowly, the golden pillars carved with dragon symbols were majestic and awe inspiring.

Yet the rows of old ministers and officials were hunched over, their heads lined with cold sweat as they bowed low, receiving the stare from the man sitting on the throne.

It has been weeks and the ministers were still unable to find a single assassin guild

Upon receiving the cold glare, some of the older ministers nudged each other hoping someone would speak up. This time they knew, someone's head is about to roll.

Yet the next moment, a commotion was heard outside the grand hall.

Emperor Junzhan frowned deeply, his eyes were like tempered glass containing his annoyance.

A loud slam was heard, shocking everyone in the hall, followed by a gust of wind.

The bright sunlight shone through the now open doors of the Grand Hall, blinding the people in the dim hall.

The body of one of the palace guards was hurled through the doors and slid onto the floor, spitting out blood before losing consciousness.

The Ministers stared in shock, wondering which insane person decided to rudely barge into the cave of a dragon.

Their eyes focused on the light footed figure who entered gracefully. Behind her was a group of disoriented palace guards all lying on the floor, each seemed to have completely lost consciousness.

Dressed in a stunning white robe lined with tiny crystals with silver thread embroidered cranes dancing like a live painting.

Her back held straight, chin leveled and piercing cold eyes stared directly down towards the man sitting on the throne for a quick moment before turning to the rows of ministers.

There was coldness contained within those eyes, freezing and sending a shudder down the spines of the people in the room. Royal bearing befitting that of an Empress, no...in fact her presence was so domineering it overshadowed even the Emperor himself.

"Greetings to the First Princess of the Nation!"

The old ministers instantly called out with heads bowed.

Even thought they were displeased with a woman barging in and making a scene, their ranks were not high enough to go against her who was bestowed the title of First Princess of the Nation.

Without shifting her eyes, Feiyun continued forward, completely ignoring the old ministers,

"This Princess has come to discuss certain matters with the Emperor. I hope Emperor JunZhan can forgive this one's rude entry. "

Her cold eyes were cunning and seemed unreadable.

Emperor JunZhan cleared his throat and raised his hand.

" Leave us."

The old ministers bowed once again and repeated in sync with one another as though practiced for ages.

"This officials will take their leave."

The room full of old men's were quickly emptied until only two people were left staring at each other.

Both eyeing each other, one with narrowed suspicious eyes and the other with a gentle and nonchalant expression, her lips pursed elegant beneath her mask.

After a delayed silence, Feiyun continued forward again, her long white robe dragging behind her as she continued

"The Long Clan has been stationed outside our gates to the imperial capital for far too long. The people are restless and worried.Those Long warriors are far too many and too dangerous to leave unchecked.

I suggest that Emperor JunZhan call upon the Long Princess to send her Army back."

Emperor JunZhan smirked casually, his fingers rapped against the golden throne.

"There is no need. The Long Princess has signed a peace treaty, she stands nothing to win from starting a war. First Princess was worried for nothing. Please leave."

'What does this wench have in mind?'

Although the words were spoken gracefully, the venomous look in Emperor JunZhan's eyes were far too obvious.

"Then allow me to bring in a small group of Vermilion soldiers from the South. To at least set the minds of the people at ease."

Feiyun continued there was a frown followed by a flash of anxiety across her eyes.

'Hmp. Incompetent brat wants to challenge me? Does she think I am so stupid?'

"Are you telling this Emperor what to do?!"

With a roar of power, the domineering voice resounded in the hall, but Feiyun stood calmly, back straightened as though a large tree unaffected by the gust of wind.

"This Emperor has heard about Prince TianHuo's stay at the Long Princess's manor. I will not entertain a fight between two woman. Bring you women quarrels else where!"

Emperor JunZhan narrowed his eyes and stared for a long while at the changes on Feiyun's face.

Until he suddenly relaxed his shoulders slightly, his eyes flashed briefly with realisation.

Raising his brow, he commanded nobly,

"But...on account of the First Princess's worries, this Emperor will discuss the North's Dragon Army and the East's Turtle Army to return to the Capital with the Generals.

In the mean time, some of the elite Dragon Army guards will be dispatched out to start making patrols and safety checks.

While the West Tigers will move to stand guard behind the army of the Long Warriors.

This way, is the First Princess satisfied?"

Emperor JunZhan had made the arrangements so quickly that she didn't even have time to cut in.

Feiyun looked up, her willow brows wrinkled in a small frown, peeking up from behind her mask.

At the same time, both Minister Yuan ChiDe and Minister Gong MoYi quickly entered, coming to the front of the throne, just slightly behind Feiyun and knelt down with a bow ready to receive their orders.

"Then the Vermilion -"

Before Feiyun could continue her words were cut short again by Emperor JunZhan

"The Vermilion can remain in the South. A war just ended there and the people are still rebuilding and danger might pop when one least expects it.

But if you're truly worried...then send half of the army to accompany the West Tiger Army to stand guard behind the Long Warriors...if something were to happen, at least we will be ready."

She frowned and narrowed her eyes.

Emperor JunZhan simply smirked as he waved a hand for the eunuch to pass the order to the respective Ministers in-charge of each gate and army.

Feiyun stared cold daggers at the old man who was receiving his order from the Eunuch.

'Judge Yuan, be pleased this princess has not forgotten about you ....'

Yuan ChiDe glanced slightly, feeling Feiyun's stare. He only felt a chill travel down his back and felt like a mouse in front of a cat.

As soon as he received the order, Yuan ChiDe quickly retreated to outside the Grand Halls and resumed his position amongst the other officials who were standing around discussing while waiting for Feiyun's audience with the Emperor to end.

Turning back, a short sigh escaped Feiyun's lips, her eyes were narrowed into a small frown.

This didn't escape the emperor's all seeing eyes.

"Then, this Princess understands. The Emperor is wise, I shall pray that the proud armies of Xing will bring peace and security to the people."

With that, Feiyun flourished a sleeve and left in annoyance.

Leaving the man on the throne who had a satisfied expression on his face as he scoffed internally,

'First Princess or not, still ten years to young to challenge and scheme in front of me!'

Outside, as soon as Feiyun took a step out from the great hall, an old figure approached her,

"This official must thank the First Princess of the Nation for giving this one such a big chance to gain merit and protect Xing. "

Yuan ChiDe's gloating smirk was annoying and his tone filled with sarcasm.

Feiyun's piercing cold eyes stared daggers directly at him but didn't say a word. Instead she flourished her sleeve in his face grandly as she turned to leave.

"Sending off the First Princess of the Nation."

'Fool! Hehehe!'

Yuan ChiDe laughed internally, his victorious voice resounded behind Feiyun, clearly he could see her clenched fists and couldn't help but relish in her anger.

It was a pity that, with her back to him, he could not see the sinister and bone-chilling smile that bloomed beautifully on her cherry lips.

After Feiyun had left the scene, the group of minister and officials quickly returned to the great hall to continue the morning court.

Yet the moment Yuan ChiDe returned to his place, as the minutes ticked by, he felt a rush of blood, his body started shivering and turned cold.

Beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead as his whole figure started trembling as he fell to the ground, gripping and clawing at his throat.

"M-Minister Yuan are you ok?"

Before the young official could complete his sentence, Yuan ChiDe's eyes bulged from its socket, his cheeks swelled purple-blue and after a loud scream of agony, blood burst forth from his mouth, sticky and coagulated, the blood spluttered around, all over the men surrounding him.

The lifeless body of the old man laid crumpled on the floor, blood flowing freely from every orifice.

The blood smelt rancid and was sticky and thick. It's color nearly black as the ministers all watched in horror.

Emperor JunZhan slammed hard on the golden throne, surrounded by a circle of imperial guards who were protecting him, he quickly ordered for someone to call a physician.

The entire court was in uproar and even after a group of royal court physicians were called in, they were only left in shock and confusion.

They have never seen such a problem before.

Was this a disease? Or was it poisoning?

The testings showed that there were no signs of poisoning yet they've never heard of such a sickness or illness before.

Finally with no one that was able to determine the case, Emperor JunZhan felt a throbbing trouble at the back of his head. His morning court had been dragged until late afternoon and still nothing had been done.

The smell of the rancid blood was getting increasingly bad and people started to turn pale.

It was at that moment when a shadow appeared by his side, bowed in respect as he whispered just loud enough for the two to hear.

"Your Majesty, my sister might know the cause of this, our clan's history and teachings consists of many knowledge found further beyond the surrounding land."

Emperor JunZhan frowned and narrowed his eyes, that is right, there was still another physician and poison expert in his hands.

With much haste, he quickly made his way to the hidden chambers. Leaving the group of old man and doctors in the great hall.

Opening the secret chambers, the smell of rotting flesh and blood was strong but it didn't seem to faze him.

Emperor JunZhan silently walked, until he arrived at the large hidden hall. Behind the desk the busy petite figure was hunched over working on something.

"You. Come here."

"Yes, your majesty.

-------

"It's done."

Ruyi spoke as he smirked.

Feiyun nodded and glanced towards the large group of shadow guards crouched uniformly in front of her.

At that moment, a screech could be heard from above, a circling bird above flew and danced in a beautiful arc, Feiyun simply extended her arm to her side, the bird swooping down and landing softly on her forearm.

Feiyun chuckled under her breath as she stroked the bird, releasing the note from its leg.

Then she allowed the black falcon to perch itself on the bird stand be her side.

Her cold sharp eyes scanned the note quickly and a flash of interest swiftly passed before she burnt the note in the lamp.

"My Wangfei is so busy, "

Hearing the deep magnetizing voice, Feiyun's ears twitched and she glanced back, a beautiful smile bloomed on her face, cherry lips parting as she walked towards the man in his usual black robes.

He calmly pulled her into his embrace, unbothered by the people around them, as though it was only the two of them in the entire world.

As soft as a whisper, he continued

"surely, this time the show would be another exciting one."

Resting his forehead against hers as they got lost in each others eyes, a connection only they two shared,

"Mhmm. I did promise blood for blood."

Softly, he kissed the center of her forehead and then chuckled,

"Hmn.. how about a kiss for a kiss?"

The shadows crouching on the floor froze in place,

"..."

They've not seen their Master for only a few months and what have become of their coldblooded, unfeeling, merciless and ruthless Asura they all worshipped?!

They heard rumors from their captain that their new mistress could make the one and only cold face God of War show a side they wouldn't even dare to imagine.

At first they scoffed thinking that rumors were just rumors, but now...Unable to leave, they simply felt like they've just been fed a mouth full of dog food.

A playful frown of annoyance appeared on Feiyun's face, however she quickly reverted to her stern and cold face, turning back she ordered,

"Dismiss"

In an instant, the courtyard full of black shadows were cleared.

How could they even want to stay a second longer to be fed dog food by their two masters.

"Shall we?"

Tianhuo picked Feiyun up in his arms before she could even respond. His smile played at his lips softly and he continued,

"Our clothes for tomorrow has been delivered."

Feiyun simply grabbed onto his strong neck and shoulder,

"Why do I feel that you're more excited about the clothes than I am?"

Tianhuo paused for a moment, his blue eyes looking at her gently full of doting and warmth.

"Tomorrow is a special day."

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

"Your Majesty, the banquet must not be allowed. Already, several ministers h-h-h-have exploded, according to the investigation, those who had touched Minister Yuan's blood have all collapsed after showing the very same symptoms...up until the way they die, their eyes bulging and blood leaking from every orifice and spluttering all around them."

"YOU!...you will not tell me how to act!"

Emperor JunZhan viens were visible, his anger unable to contain. His eyes were raging with anger and one fist trembled as the other hand grabbed onto the young girl's slender throat.

She trembled and gasped for air , struggling to appease the man to save her own life.

"T-t-this humble slave doesn't dare!"

Seeing that the young lady's eyes were misty with tears, he flung her to the ground and simply stood with his trembling rage.

"Your Majesty... this is one of the Northerner nomads' rarest poison. I myself have never seen it until today but I remember seeing it in my Great grandfather's medical notes.

The poison will keep spreading through contact and anyone who touched the black blood of those poisoned will also be poisoned...the worst part is that it only take a drop of blood..."

"And what?!"

His frustration was boiling and the little girl stuttering and hesitation only made it worse.

"There is no limit to how long it takes before a person starts showing reactions or symptoms."

Silence hung in the air as Emperor Junzhan digested the words of the little girl.

"....Then you will make me the antidote. If you fail then both you and your brother can go die."

Of course Emperor JunZhan only said those words to threaten the young lady, he would never discard a pawn like her brother so simply.

Seeing that the young lady seemed to have understood her predicament, leaving those words, Emperor Junzhan coldly left the desolated chamber and returned to his room.

His eyes narrowed coldly, who could be the one using the poison.

The Long Clan?...His own son, the Crown Prince? or the foolish and bothersome First Princess of the Nation? Or the 4th Prince Tianhuo?

"Hahahahha!"

His hollow laughter of rage rang through his empty room followed by a loud crash of him swiping everything off his table.

Everything has been going against him and plotting to steal his throne.

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