“This is your spirit?” Jun Qing, amazed.

“Yes.” Jun Wu Xie was unable to explain how little black cat came about, and with Little Lotus still not matured in the pond, she nodded haphazardly.

“Your spiritual powers have awoken?” Jun Qing asked in surprise.

“Not too long ago, a little late though.” Jun Wu Xie replied.

Jun Qing was ecstatic, Jun Xian and him had thought Jun Wu Xie was born with no affinity with the spirits. Alas, the heavens still blessed the Jun Family!

As Jun Qing and Jun Wu Xie was talking, a blood soaked Uncle Fu rushed in with the fifteen Rui Lin Army soldiers. Seeing his lord and young miss fine, he dropped on one knee, sword at his side.

“My tardiness has made you suffer, my Lord and Young Miss!”

“It’s all right, all of you please rise.” Jun Qing assured them. The bulk of the enemies charged the front yard, over a hundred of them. These sixteen men were vastly outnumbered, and their clothes were now in tatters, the blood on them whether from the enemies or from the wounds they carry, was indistinguishable.

Jun Wu Xie reached into her robes and threw two white porcelain bottles to Uncle Fu.

“Taken orally and applied externally.”

Uncle Fu held the two bottles in his hands, and looked at Jun Wu Xie gratefully.

“Thank you Young Miss! If it was not for the Young Master’s help, we might have been further delayed.”

Jun Wu Xie raised an eyebrow in thought. Jun Wu Yao was quick and nimble in the battle, but at that moment he was nowhere to be seen.

“Tonight has shown us someone is plotting against our Lin Palace. We managed to handle them here, but father was compelled to go out of the city. Although he brought some guards with him, it is obvious that the enemy are well prepared.” Jun Qing’s expression grew grim, the attack on Lin Palace tonight was a thoroughly planned out one, if not for the false weakened front that Lin Palace had put up, the enemy might have succeeded.

Three unexpected elements threw the enemy off.

They did not expect that Jun Qing could regain the use of his legs, Jun Wu Xie’s spirit’s sudden appearance blew up in their faces, and Jun Wu Yao, with god slaying prowess…..

The series of surprises allowed the Lin Palace to overcome the overwhelming odds the enemy threw at them, and blew the well planned ruse to smithereens.

But, Jun Xian was still in danger!

“Locate Lin Wang immediately!” Jun Qing ordered.

The Lin Palace was awash in a sea of red, and before the guards were able to move out, someone came before the gates.

Li Ran, the general who just a while ago, left from these very same gates, came in pale and gaunt, bearing grave news.

Jun Xian while in pursuit of Lin Yue Yang, met with an incident, the guards were all killed, and Jun Xian himself had disappeared.

Hearing the news, Jun Qing was barely able to control his rage, his eyes tore into Li Ran, suppressing a strong compulsion to shred him to pieces.

Jun Wu Xie stared coldly at the news, stood up resolutely and hastened out the gates of Lin Palace.

“Wu Xie!” Jun Qing looked at Jun Wu Xie quizzically.

Jun Wu Xie walked on till she stepped out past the gates, she reached within her robes and pulled out a small embroidered bag that contained the Soaring Cloud Signals.

A beam of red light shot high into the night sky above Lin Palace, and exploded into a brilliant burst of fire with a ear splitting roar, obliterated the darkness completely and shattered the quiet of night!

Li Ran, who witnessed all this, fell back in shock, sitting on the ground, looking at Jun Wu Xie, teeth chattering.

With the Soaring Cloud Signal fired, the entire Rui Lin Army comes!

What was the Jun Family Missy thinking!?

“Uncle, I have to find Grandfather.” Jun Wu Xie turned her head, backlit by the signal’s flare, it was seen, the cold chilly eyes had been lit aflame.

A thunderous roar resounded throughout the entire Imperial City as people were abruptly awoken from their slumber looked out their windows groggily and saw the night sky illuminated red.

The citizens who did not know the reason behind the red sky felt that it was a beautiful sight as the sparkling red trailed off, as whole families gathered together, admiring it.

The officials, however, were not in the mood to enjoy the red tinged sky. Simply because that red light and that thunderous roar was all too familiar to them.

Every time they heard this sound, and saw this red sky, it only meant one thing – There was going to be bloodshed.

Soaring Cloud Signal has been activated! The call to mobilize the entire Rui Lin Army!

Tthis was a jolt to their mind as the terror that came with it filled their hearts.

Something major will happen tonight! A huge change was coming.

In the Royal Palace, the Emperor who was in his chambers let out a startled cry when he heard the resounding roar. He rushed out to see what the commotion was about as he wiped off the cold sweat but when he looked at the source of the noise, he stood there motionless as he stared agape at the red sky. It was a familiar red, as he swallowed an involuntary gulp as his heart started to feel as if it was on fire, ablaze with fear.

Who was it? Who signaled the Soaring Cloud Signal?!

Under the cover of the night, the earth was trembling slightly as the mad rush of horses neighing and hooves clamping could be heard nearing the Imperial City.

In Imperial city, the guards narrowed their eyes and peered into the darkness with the flickering torches, when they saw the cavalry of fully armoured men with the Qilin emblem coupled with their oppressive presence and with ferocious eyes. The guards felt their legs go soft as they fell back onto the city wall as they looked at the entire regiment that appeared before them.

The Rui Lin Army!

It’s the Rui Lin Army!

Riding their majestic horses and galloping into the direction of Lin Palace, they were like a gust of wind as they rushed past the guards who still had not awoken from their stupor.

That night, it was a sleepless night for everyone in the Imperial City.

In Lin Palace, Jun Wu Xie was standing motionless as if deep in thought as the night breeze blew as the flickering flames from the torches illuminated her beautiful face. However, her expression was grim and cold.

Once the Rui Lin Army reached Lin Palace, they dismounted their horses. They each had on polished silver armour with a Qilin emblem on it and immediately got down on one knee in unison as they assembled in front of Jun Wu Xie.

Long Qi was at the front of the ranks as he solemnly kneeled and said: “Young Miss”

Jun Wu Xie narrowed her eyes as she looked at the most elite troops in the State of Qi, all the frost in her eyes were engulfed by a flame from within.

“Wu Xie! What is your intention?” Jun Qing was sitting in the hall as he looked anxiously at Jun Wu Xie who was standing at the doorway.

Jun Wu Xie turned around and looked at Jun Qing, her eyes full of murderous intent.

“Emperor to abdicate.” That foolish Emperor! How dare he?!

Jun Qing was startled as his eyes widened in shock, forcing the Emperor to abdicate? Has she lost her mind?

Li Ran who was badly shaken by the onslaught of events was trembling by the wall, his legs threatening to buckle any moment. He could not believe what he had just heard.

Lin Palace Young Miss wants the Emperor to abdicate? He was covered in cold sweat which even soaked through his clothes.

“Little Black.” Jun Wu Xie coldly called out with her icy voice. A large black shadow strode into the hall with domineering steps as in walked in majestically. It’s fangs were still stained with blood.

“Silence him.”Jun Wu Xie narrowed her eyes.

Li Ran’s heart felt a sense of foreboding but before he could respond, in a blink of an eye, a huge black beast had reached him.

A shrill scream resounded throughout, however in a short moment, everything went silent.

Jun Qing stared expressionlessly at Li Ran’s body that was tossed onto the floor by the black beast as it strode back to her side.

Outside the gate, Rui Lin Army had all personally witnessed this gruesome scene, they had all recognised General Li Ran, however they did not know how he had offended their Young Miss and ended up in this situation.

They all looked on coldly without uttering a single word.

Rui Lin Army had absolute obedience towards the Jun Family.

When she first stepped into the Rui Lin Army’s barracks, Jun Wu Xie had, in the name of the Jun Family, assumed command of this formidable army as well!

Jun Wu Xie disregarded the General Li Ran’s body and turned to face the Rui Lin Army.

“Traitors to the crown are threatening the Imperial City, soldiers of all ranks, do your duty! Tonight, we take down the traitors!”

“Yes!” the soldiers thundered.

Perched atop the black beast, Jun Wu Xie called out, “Long Qi.”

“Here!” Long Qi replied, thinking how long it had been since the Cloud Soaring Signal was used. He could not remember it clearly, but when the signal flared, lighting the sky with its brilliance, it lit the dormant fire within him as well.

“Bring me Wu Wang.”

“It shall be done!”

“To all commanders, turn the Imperial City inside out if you have to, arrest all the traitors!” Jun Wu Xie ordered.

Whoever dares hurt a hair on Grandfather, even if its the Emperor, he shall see, the Lin Palace is not to be messed with!

Jun Qing watched on as Jun Wu Xie gave out the orders, speechless as her every word added on to the shock that shook him to the core.

Traitors? What traitors!?

Jun Wu Xie summoned the Rui Lin Army, ordered a search throughout the city, not for traitors, but for Jun Xian! She wanted chaos within the Imperial City, to rattle the Emperor, with a grand show of force to show him who he is messing with!

A hundred thousand soldiers from the Rui Lin Army, can create pandemonium.

With that force, one can even throw the Emperor off his throne!

Jun Qing finally understood, why Jun Wu Xie killed Li Ran.

Though unknowingly, Li Ran unwittingly became an accomplice that led Jun Xian into the trap. When she mentioned abdication in front of Li Ran earlier, she had not intended to let him live.

Only the uncle and niece knew about the intention to force the hand of the Emperor, and for the army to find Jun Xian. All the Rui Lin Army knew were the orders to sieve out the traitors.

“Uncle, it’s time the Jun Family take a strong stand.” Jun Wu Xie left with these solemn words, and led the Rui Lin Army right into the centre of the Imperial City.

The army of one hundred thousand filled up the streets and alleys, the torches they carried lit the city bright as day.

Armoured horses galloped, kicking up a dust storm!

This night, the whole city was awoken, and they looked out, startled to see great numbers of horses galloping past them.

It had been many years, since they last saw the glory of the Rui Lin Army, who would have thought, they would bear witness to their valiant strength once again, within the Imperial City of Qi!?

Within the Imperial City, the palaces and residences of high ranking officials were surrounded by the Rui Lin Army.

The usually dignified officials hid within, terrified by the stoic and unyielding Rui Lin Army at their doors.

Long Qi broke into the Wu Palace with his men, pulled the Wu Wang from the warm embrace of his concubine, and threw him to the floor.

Squealing in fright, Long Qi unceremoniously dragged him away without a word!

An unparalleled beauty stood at the forefront of an army stopped right at the gates of the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor who was startled by the Cloud Soaring SIgnal, came down to the Imperial Palace where a large crowd congregated. He widened his eyes, as he saw Jun Wu Xie, standing in front of the Rui Lin Army.

The once widely criticised wilful and unreasonable Young Miss of Lin Palace, had now led the huge Rui Lin Army and blocked the gates of the Imperial Palace, the rows upon rows of torches, snaking throughout the city, looked like fire dragons, entrenched within!

Mo Qian Yuan stood among the crowd, looking down at Jun Wu Xie, from high upon the palace walls, eyes full of shock and surprise.

The entire Rui Lin Army was mobilised!

Wasn’t the wide span of flickering torch throughout the city a show of the Rui Lin Army’s complete control of the Imperial City?

“Jun Wu Xie! What is the meaning of this!?” Mo Xuan Fei shouted, standing behind the Emperor, unable to believe the scene before him.

Jun Wu Xie raised her head, under the flickering torchlight, her beauty was breathtaking, except her eyes, which emanated merciless murder.

“The Lin Palace, has under the orders of His Majesty, pursued the culprits who attacked the Second Prince.” Jun Wu Xie replied coldly.

“What nonsense are you spouting!” Mo Xuan Fei stared at Jun Wu Xie with an incredulous expression.

The attack on the Second Prince happened some time ago. The matter was handed to Jun Xian to investigate, but to no avail, and everyone had almost forgotten about it.

“The Lin Palace has carried out your orders and executed the culprits.” Jun Wu Xie ignored the outburst from Mo Xuan Fei, her flaming eyes locked onto the lone figure in the dragon robe.

With that statement, the Rui Lin Army soldiers piled hundred of mangled corpses before the gates, their blood still flowing, staining the ground with scarlet pools.

The acrid stench from the pile of bodies wafted with the breeze, filled the air. The whole scene caused the air to feel heavy.

Upon seeing the bodies’ dark clothes, the Emperor and Mo Xuan Fei were taken aback.

“These were the assassins that attacked the Second Prince. My grandfather gave orders to apprehend them, and they attempted to annihilate the Lin Palace. In retaliation. I had them all executed.” Jun Wu Xie explained as she coldly looked up where the Emperor and Mo Xuan Fei stood. Other than Mo Xuan Fei and Bai Yun Xian, there were no other witnesses. Only they knew that it was not a group of assassins as claimed, but a single person. Jun Wu Xie knew that it was just a lone Jun Wu Yao.

Mo Xuan Fei gave false leads to Jun Xian intentionally, and now, she turned the table and used his own ruse against him!

Mo Xuan Fei was left flabbergasted, he never would have thought, a careless joke on Jun Xian has been turned back upon himself! Those bodies did not attack him, they were assassins he sent to infiltrate the Lin Palace!

Three hundred assassins, all dead!?

Weren’t the Lin Palace guards lured away? A mere fifteen guards killed three hundred assassins?

The Emperor saw the look on Mo Xuan Fei and it was clear what happened. He plastered an amicable smile and said: “You’ve done well. Since my orders have been fulfilled, I will reward Lin Palace personally.” With a hundred thousand Rui Lin Army soldiers in the city, even the Emperor didn’t dare pick a fight with Jun Wu Xie.

The Rui Lin Army might be a sharp blade of Qi, but the blade could be reversed and pressed against its own neck, and that blade is nothing to laugh at.

Jun Xian being a loyal vassal, would not bring the whole Rui Lin Army into the Imperial City, not even to apprehend assassins.

On top of the palace walls, the Yu Lin Army stood shaking as they watched Jun Wu Xie, the first person to bring the Rui Lin Army within the Imperial City, the criticised Young Miss from Lin Palace!

Not even Jun Xian or Jun Qing had dared to do it, didn’t she care to keep her head?

They can see the green veins popping on the Emperor’s tightly clenched hands!

Jun Wu Xie must be fearless, this act of hers will draw undue suspicion to her loyalty! Such boldness! Such rashness! What was she thinking?

The Emperor’s amicable words were obviously in fear of revolt by the Rui Lin Army, once the soldiers retreat, the wrath of the Son of Heaven shall descend upon the Lin Palace!

 

Alas, the Emperor was helpless at the moment, and Jun Wu Xie continued in total disregard of him as she pressed on: “These assassins are very crafty, many have fled and have hidden themselves within the Imperial City. I have ordered the Rui Lin Army to flush them out, please be at ease!”

“Lin Palace will never allow villains like them to hurt your people.” Jun Wu Xie shot up a wintry glance, the eyes colder than ice over a frozen lake.

Jun Wu Xie was usually quiet, but when she spoke, she rendered people irrefutably speechless.

Scheming against the Jun Family? She would like to see, who shall triumph?

They started the fire, and she blew it back, an inferno!

The Emperor bit down on his lip, unable to fault Jun Wu Xie. Looking at the corpses strewn in front of the gates, they number not far from the three hundred assassins Mo Xuan Fei sent to annihilate the Lin Palace. And seeing the mutilation and degree of wounds on them, none escaped the ferocious retaliation and walked out alive.

What did she have up her sleeve, what was her underlying motive?

This obviously was not merely about the capture of assassins, but to exert pressure on him!

The army of a hundred thousand, portrayed in brilliance with the glittering of torches weaving through the streets and alleys, sounded alarms within the Imperial Family.

The Emperor could not counter the situation at hand, and have the army retreat.

With the grand entrance the Rui Lin Army made, they woke the whole city and the people gathered, curious, around the Imperial Palace where they heard every word exchanged at the gates.

The scene that played out in front of the people seemed to be that the loyal Lin Palace had carried out their duty and apprehended the criminals.

Little did the large crowd know, they had been roped in unwittingly by Jun Wu Xie, to pressure the Emperor to do her bidding!

You want to win the hearts of the people? I’ll deliver it right up to you! Under your orders, the villains have been vanquished, how will you fault me on that?

Jun Wu Xie had shrewdly used the orders previously issued carelessly to Jun Xian by the Emperor back against him, this time a slap across the face of the Son of Heaven, the Emperor himself.

The Emperor could only swallow the insult. He had no excuse to make the army retreat.

But faced with the army within the Imperial City, the claws of fear gripped his heart tightly.

The people might not see the underlying battle of wits at play, but it was all too clear to the Emperor and Mo Qian Yuan.

The Imperial Family’s malicious intent to annihilate the Lin Place was now plainly known to the Jun Family. Jun Wu Xie’s actions tonight, was a big show of might, and a stern warning to the plotters.

“How did the plan for Jun Xian go?” The Emperor pulled Mo Xuan Fei to him and whispered, seeing the tide of events going against him.

Mo Xuan Fei replied in a low voice: “I’ve been told, the mission was a success, and Jun Xian is being escorted to the dungeons in secret.”

There were two aspects to the plan to take out the Lin Palace. The first was to annihilate the Lin Palace, and the second aspect was to lure Jun Xian out of the city and ambush him.

The plan for the Lin Palace had spectacularly failed, but at least Jun Xian’s capture was a success.

“Make sure Jun Xian is watched closely, Jun Wu Xie’s actions are obviously an attempt to locate Jun Xian. Under no circumstances must you allow the Rui Lin Army to find Jun Xian.” The Emperor hissed as his eyes narrowed in malice, intending to hold onto this glimmer of hope tightly. As long as Jun Xian was not found, no one can prove that the culprits behind tonight’s attack on the Jun Family, was in fact the Imperial Family!