After Jun Wu Xie departed, the expressions of Jun Xian and Jun Qing darkened.

“The matter about Lin Yue Yang is true?” Jun Qing brought up the discussion they had earlier before Jun Wu Xie came.

Jun Xian nodded solemnly, “It is strange, Lin Yue Yang has always been honest and upright and does not hold a high rank. But recently, the number of impeachments against him has been astounding, and the Emperor has ordered investigations into it.”

“Lin Yue Yang saved the life of my brother, if not for his report on the spies within the army collaborating with the enemies, my brother might have lost that war.” Jun Qing sighed at the favour the Jun Family owed to Lin Yue Yang.

“Yes, he is an honest man, and no fool. When he was promoted to an official post in the Imperial City, he distanced himself from Lin Palace. He might have sensed something and drew a clear line between us. For many years, we have not met him much though we all live in Imperial City. Lin Yue Yang has been subtle all this time, who would harbour ill intentions against him?” Jun Xian pondered, for a man holding an unimportant post, without any authority, not involved in Court matters, who can he offend?

“Are you going to investigate, Father?” Jun Qing queried.

Jun Xian sighed, “Your brother owes him a debt of gratitude, and he is an honest man. It it wasn’t for that incident with our Jun Family, the Emperor would not even begin to suspect a border guard to be in collusion with our Jun Family. We are responsible for dragging him into this mess.”

Jun Qing thought back to the past when Lin Palace was at its peak, before his brother died for the country, before he was crippled, its glory and grandeur covered and protected them. Since its decline, in the absence of its former glory, hidden dangers started to surface.

“Have someone look into it.” Jun Xian shook his head, helpless. He cannot bear to see a just man framed like this.

An urgent knock sounded, interrupting their conversation.

“Come in.” Jun Xian intoned.

A Lin Palace guard knelt at the door, the cold night wafting into the room.

“Reporting to Lin Wang. The General Li Ran requests for an audience.”

“General Li Ran? What does he want from me so late in the night?” Jun Xian asked, brows furrowed.

“I do not know, the General has quite a few soldiers with him, and seems anxious.”

“I’ll go take a look.” Jun Xian stood up, and Jun Qing tugged on his sleeve.

“The cold gets frosty, deep in the night. Father, take caution.” Jun Qing implied.

Jun Xian nodded.

Just outside Lin Palace, a pair of soldiers brandished burning torches, driving back the night. General Li Ran, stood in front of his horse, looking anxious.

Seeing Jun Xian coming out of Lin Palace, Li Ran rushed up, and prostrated himself.

“Li Ran, what is this all about?”

“Lin Wang! Please help!” Li Ran pleaded, fist in hand.

Jun Xian raised a brow, “What happened? To make you come here so late in the night.”

“Official Lin’s….. household…..” Li Ran hesitated.

Jun Xian’s heart skipped a beat, but maintained his composure.

“What happened?”

“I was carrying out His Majesty’s orders to bring Official Lin in for questioning in regards to corruption and bribery charges. When I arrived, the mishap at Lin Household had already happened. Official Lin killed thirty six people of his household, when I got there, I saw him holding on to the sword, insane, that was still impaled in the chest of his wife.” Li Ran was bathed in cold sweat, unable to believe what he witnessed earlier.

“What did you say?!” Jun Xian stared, unable to believe what he just heard.

“Official Lin knows, His Majesty has been investigating his foul deeds, I do not know how he came to know about it. He suddenly killed everyone in his household, and I wanted to apprehend him just now. Little did I know, his skills far surpass mine. He defeated tens of my guards, and escaped. I am not his match, hence, I came here to request for assistance from Your Highness! I implore Your Highness to lend a hand! If he escapes, His Majesty will not be lenient with me.” Li Ran pleaded, kneeling before Jun Xian.

Hidden within Jun Xian’s sleeves, were fists tightly clenched. Using all his might, he masked the shock that reverberated through him.

It was impossible that Lin Yue Yang, such an upright man, would kill his whole household over trumped up charges!

“Where is he now?” Jun Xian asked coldly.

“I had him followed. He has left the Imperial City, heading south east.” Li Ran replied hastily.

“I will set off now.” Jun Xian refused to believe Lin Yue Yang was capable of such atrocities, but with Li Ran bearing eye witness to Lin Yue Yang killing his wife, they will kill Lin Yue Yang right there and then if they get to him first.

The Jun Family is indebted to Lin Yue Yang, a point Jun Xian would never forget. He will handle this matter personally, bring Lin Yue Yang back to reveal the truth, in order to keep him alive.

The majority of the Lin Palace guards were out with Long Qi escorting the pills. Jun Xian gathered the remaining guards, though few in numbers, every single one of them a top fighter.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Jun Xian was on the chase.

A hidden shadow, watched Jun Xian leave the City Gates. He grinned wickedly, shrouded in the darkness.

“Your Highness, as astute as you are, you will not allow your benefactor to die an ignoble death.” The shadow in the darkness, let out a series of low laughter and turned, hands kept behind his back. Within the dark alley, pairs of cold and evil eyes looked at him intently, numbering in the hundreds.

“Is it certain, that most of the Lin Palace’s guards are out of the city?” The hidden shadow asked cagily.

“I am certain! I saw a large number of guards escorting several horse carriages out earlier.”

“Would you know, where they have gone?”

“I do not know, guards from the Lin Palace belongs to the Rui Lin Army, the terrain is too open after the City Gates and I dare not follow, fearing discovery. But I have also verified, most of the remaining guards in the Lin Palace have followed His Highness in pursuit of Lin Yue Yang. There will be no more than fifteen guards remaining in the whole of Lin Palace.”

“Fifteen soldiers from the Rui Lin Army?” The dark shadow chuckled.

“I would like to see, if my suicide squad of three hundred, can annihilate the Lin Palace tonight! Convey my orders! Infiltrate the Lin Palace, turn it inside out, I do not want anyone in the household alive by sunrise! Especially Jun Wu Xie and that useless trash, Jun Qing, I want to see their heads!”

“It shall be done!”

In a flash, all the dark cloaked shadows in the alley disappeared.

The shadow who issued the order, ascended the tall tower in the Imperial City and peered in the direction of the Lin Palace.

After tonight, Lin Palace shall cease to exist! And the Jun Family shall be no more!

The bright moon slid behind dark clouds, obliterating the last vestiges of moonlight.

In the deathly still of the night, dark shadows infiltrated the Lin Palace.

Shrouded by the darkness, the hidden Lin Palace guards from the Rui Lin Army noticed the abnormal movements as they stepped out from the shadows, to welcome the uninvited guests.

“If you are here to seek an audience with His Highness, please come again in the morning. Lin Palace does not receive guests after dark. The white haired Uncle Fu stood, hands behind his back, eyes steeled, facing the oncoming rush of shadowy assassins. Standing behind him, fifteen resolute and stalwart figures blocked the only way to the backyard.

“We are not here to visit, we are under orders to send everyone in Lin Palace on their way to hell! “ The dark cloaked figure exclaimed, laughing maniacally.

Uncle Fu’s eyes flashed, dropping the kindly smile, as his sharply honed killer instinct took over.

“Then I won’t be polite! Intruders to Lin Palace will only face ….. Death!”

In a flash, Uncle Fu and the fifteen Rui Lin Army soldiers rushed into the midst of the horde of shadows. The light coloured clothed guards of Lin Palace shone brilliantly in contrast to the onslaught of shadows.

The deathly still of the night was broken, smelling acridly of death and blood.

Two groups of shadowy figures slipped into Lin Palace from the back as the battle in the front yard raged. They quickly killed the guards in the back of the Palace. With blades still dripping with fresh blood, they walked to the backyard.

The sweet smell of herbs lingered in the backyard, all was silent and still. The lotus pond rippled, as a soft breeze blew, bringing a chill.

One group of shadows stepped out, shattering the beauty of the night. Holding in their hands, blades that dripped blood, fresh from their slaughter, leaving a smattering of red on the ground.

“Tsk tsk…It is not advisable to disturb the rest of Wu Xie.” A charming voice rang out suddenly, breaking the quietness in the yard. The shadowy figures startled, as they swung around to confront the voice.

A tall, slender figure, stepped slowly out of the shadows and into the illuminating moonlight. The handsome figure with his boyish grin belied those eyes, that exuded terrifying menace.

Jun Wu Yao glanced at the wary group casually, as he moved his gaze to the blades that were dripping blood onto the ground and his eyes glowed a dark violet.

“Dirtying Jun Wu Xie’s yard is a crime, a crime you shall pay….. With your lives.” Jun Wu Yao’s smile slowly spread, however it was one that brought about a chilling tingle in the spine.

Under the moonlight, the shadowy group could see the lone figure clearly. The gaze from those violet eyes, like a sharp sword, seem to have pierced their hearts.

“De….. demon……”

“That’s just rude!” Jun Wu Yao shook his head, “How can I be a mere demon?”

The violet hue in his eyes flashed, and his body became a blur of movements.

In a blink, quiet returned to the yard….. scarlet rain descended as the warm red colour fell onto the ground.

Jun Wu Xie opened her door at that moment, still dazed from sleep.

In that strangely enchanting scarlet rain, an elegant figure stood unmoving, his face tilted up, the stunning handsome face smattered scarlet from the rain.

He was laughing as his half amused violet eyes looked at her sideways, and the corners of the mouth curled up.

Those eyes showed merciless annihilation, his laughter maniacal. It makes one’s skin crawl, a sight that Jun Wu Xie would never forget.

It was extremely beautiful, strangely alluring, but chilling to see at the same time.

 

The scarlet rain that fell brought with it an acrid and suffocating smell. Jun Wu Xie glanced at the bodies scattered all over, her eyes strangely calm.

“Sorry I woke you, Wu Xie.” Jun Wu Yao smiled apologetically, and looked down at his blood spattered clothes. “I really wish you didn’t have to see me like this.”

Jun Wu Xie narrowed her eyes. Upon hearing fighting from the front yard, her eyes flashed a cold intent.

[Master! Something’s up] The little black cat arched it’s back in anxiety.

“It’s the Emperor.” Jun Wu Xie reasoned exceptionally coldly. “Jun Wu Yao!”

“Hmm?” Jun Wu Yao smiled faintly, fervour in his eyes.

“Kill them.”

“As you wish.” Jun Wu Yao’s smiled and his slender figure turned into a shadow, and shot towards the front yard.

[Master, your uncle!] The little black cat exclaimed.

With a flourish, Jun Wu Xie threw the little black cat. Its body elongated and bulked up and a majestic black beast landed in the back yard. Jun Wu Xie hopped onto the beast, eyes ablaze with fury.

“Go!”

The ferocious black beast, in full stride, sped towards Jun Qing.

Clamour and din tore through the night in the Lin Palace, as the stench of death hung heavily over the palace.

Jun Qing sat in his wheelchair, eyes narrowed, staring down the group of men in black who broke in. A sword in hand, droplets of scarlet were dripping down the tip of his sword onto his wheelchair, as blood from the five dark clothed figures who laid dead, around the wheelchair. More shadows closed in on him.

“I see Your Highness is still as skilled as before, but in your current state, are you able to win against these odds?” The dark clothed man sneered, looking at Jun Qing in his wheelchair.

They know very well the formidable skills and prowess the Jun Family possessed, if Jun Qing was still at his peak, he might be able to defeat them all, but the once formidable Jun Qing had been reduced to a cripple, with great sword skills, albeit without the freedom to move his legs.

Jun Qing eyed the men in black that surrounded him, expression cold as steel, eyes narrowed as his eyes flashed a glint of murderous intent.

These men in black, having chose this most opportune time to come here, obviously had plotted this for some time. With the majority of the guards out of the city, the few remaining guards, must be having a hard time with the enemy.

“A small fry, showing such impertinence in Lin Palace, you overestimate yourself.” Jun Qing intoned coldly.

He was not afraid he was surrounded. He was more worried for Jun Xian and Jun Wu Xie!

Jun Xian was impelled to leave the city, and these men in black immediately stormed the Lin Palace. This whole ruse was targeted at the Lin Palace all this time! He was worried if Jun Xian was all right, and if his niece Jun Wu Xie was safe.

Jun Wu Xie did not have any contractual spirit and was not able to develop her spiritual energy. She would not stand a chance against them if the men in black found her.

“Your Highness is sounding rather high and mighty, there are but a few guards here tonight, and there is no point dragging the inevitable. The remaining guards are held up in battle in the front yard, and I’m afraid the Missy of your household might have already lost her head. Tonight will be the downfall of Lin Palace, surrender yourself and I’ll give you a painless death.” The dark clothed man gloated.

A sudden bright gleam flashed, and the dark clothed man’s eyes widened in horror before he collapsed.

Though surrounded by the men in black, Jun Qing was unyielding, his blue cloack fluttered in the breeze, his attractive features took on a menacing shift, as he gripped his sword, and fixed his gaze on the enemy.

“Intruders of Lin Palace, shall DIE!” The decade of repression withheld within Jun Qing burst forth at that moment into a mesmerising dance with his blade, a weaving trail of moonlight reflecting off the sword like liquid silver, weaving through the shadowed figures in a flash!

Standing as though rooted to the ground, the shadows had no time to react!

They stood in blank astonishment, looking at Jun Qing.

Did the cripple who was sitting in the wheelchair, just kill a score of his enemies in a flash? That swift and unerringly precise swordplay chilled them to their bones.

Jun Qing was not crippled! He was faster than ever!

They could only watch on in dismay, as their comrades were killed one by one, as chilling fear crept into their hearts.

“White Owl!” Jun Qing summoned under his breath, and blinding brilliance burst forth from the ring on his finger. A large white owl manifested within the light, and with a screech, swooped into the enemies!

The Bone Corroding White Owl! Jun Qing’s contractual spirit, of the highest seventh level of spiritual power, had spread fear in battle throughout the lands!

For ten years….. Jun Qing had hidden the spirit from people, and most have forgotten the existence of the Bone Corroding White Owl!

With its massive wingspan of over three metres, it kicked up a bloody whirlwind among the enemies, in the eye of the storm!

“Damn it! Jun Qing legs! How can Jun Qing move like this? What is happening!?” The shadowed figures crowed as they were pushed back by the ferocious onslaught of blindingly fast swordplay by Jun Qing and the savage ferocity from the massive beast of an owl. With less than half their numbers remaining, they fled in retreat.

“Arghhhhh!!” The first of the retreating enemies screamed, and the dark clothed group turned to the sound of terror.

A magnificent black beast stood with a dark clothed figure’s neck held mangled within its massive jaws, bright red blood ran freely, as it splattered all over the ground.

Crack.

The beast broke the neck.

“None of you will leave here alive tonight.” Perched upon the back of the beast, a beautiful youthful girl declared indifferently to the panic stricken group of dark clothed men, staring down at them with cold merciless eyes.

The black beast sensed the blood thirstiness emanating from its mistress, and pounced upon the enemy.

With blindingly fast Jun Qing at their backs, the vicious Bone Corroding White Owl above, and the ferocious black beast blocking their retreat, the group of men in black fell in a symphony of screams. Even at the point of death, they did not know what hit them.

The Lin Palace was on its decline, how are they still so strong?

Nearly a hundred men in black were slaughtered in a blink of an eye, the pungent smell of blood hung heavily, the ground littered with bodies, turning the once quiet and tranquil backyard into a scene from hell, a ghastly sight to behold.

“Wu Xie! Are you alright?!” Having killed all the enemies, Jun Qing looked inquiringly at his niece perched atop the massive beast, eyes alight with wonder.

The white owl fluttered down, hooked claws on a corpse, and tilted its head, observing Jun Wu Xie’s mount.

“I’m fine, Uncle. Are you hurt?” Jun Wu Xie asked.

“It will take more than these trash to injure me, I must say I feel slighted.” Jun Qing gestured at the beast under Jun Wu Xie, eyes bright with fascination, and asked :“And, this is…..?”

The black beast looked very much like a panther, but upon closer inspection, it was bigger, more bulky and muscular, and its ears were pointed, unlike the rounded ones of a panther.

“Meow” A gentle meow sounded from the imposing black beast with its slavering fanged jaws.

Jun Qing was dumbstruck in astonishment.

This is Little Black Cat, you’ve seen him.” Jun Wu Xie explained.

“…….” Looking back at the times when Jun Wu Xie had been carrying the tiny little black cat in her arms, Jun Qing was unable to believe the massive beast that stood in front of him and that tiny kitty were one and the same.