There was no use crying over spilt milk, the Emperor knew, Mo Xuan Fei knew.

They could only pray, the men were slow to carry out their orders, and Jun Xian was still alive, or they would have to accompany him in death!

The cold wind blew, but it was not as cold as the chilling scene of slaughter before the people. The suffocating smell of blood churned their stomachs, this night, the State of Qi lost one third of their officials, their heads laid in front of the palace gates, in the dust.

After the last of the officials fell to the ground lifeless, Jun Wu Xie lifted her arm. The Rui Lin Army soldiers stepped back, and wiped their blades and sheathed them, but unable to wipe off the fact that those blades claimed many lives that night.

Jun Wu Xie smiled at the Emperor.

That smile terrified the Emperor as he stood atop on the wall, he was afraid of what might come after that smile and said hastily: “Wu Xie, you have done well to rid Qi of the cancer that had been plaguing us. You are most definitely a descendant of Jun Xian, the Lin Palace shall be well rewarded!”

Jun Wu Xie lost her smile and her eyes iced up in frost, while the Emperor sweated profusely under that gaze.

This was the first time the Emperor had mentioned Jun Xian to her, and she understood the underlying connotation.

Good, that was what she wanted!

The Emperor had buckled under the fear for his life, and chose to release Jun Xian.

But…..

Jun Wu Xie remained in silent expectation, not showing reciprocation for the Royal Benevolence bestowed, and sat stoic upon the black beast.

The Emperor’s face twitched in annoyance but could only swallow any rebuke he had in mind. Jun Wu Xie was not taking his word for it, she wanted Jun Xian there in person!

As the two of them faced off, the Emperor could only pray in hope that they bring Jun Xian safe and sound.

Jun Xian was the only one who could make Jun Wu Xie back down towards maintaining a harmonious relationship between ruler and vassal.

Time ticked by, as the Emperor’s sweat trickled down his face.

The hurried shuffling of feet was heard approaching from behind and the Emperor turned expectantly, his face pale as a ghost.

The eunuch sent to stop the tragedy returned huffing – without Jun Xian!

“Where is he? Where is Jun Xian!?” The Emperor screamed silently.

The eunuch was on the verge of tears, “Your….. Maj…..Majesty….. When you servant arrived there….. It was….. Empty….. O…..Only a pool of blood…..”

The Emperor almost sank to his knees at the news.

Blood…..

Was….. that Jun Xian’s blood!?

For many years, he had yearned for Jun Xian to be dead. With the news the eunuch brought, he felt fear like never before!

Jun Xian is dead! Jun Wu Xie will not not spare his life!

Despair fell heavily onto the Emperor, he could not turn to face out to the gates. Eyes wide with terror, sweat ran freely down his face.

Jun Wu Xie will annihilate the Imperial Palace! She will spare no one!

“Your Majesty!” The sudden cold voice inquired, like a sharp blade, which pierced his being.

“Y….. yes?” The Emperor stammered through chattering teeth, trying with all his might to maintain a semblance of composure. Jun Wu Xie must never know that Jun Xian had been killed!

The frosty gaze scanned the group huddled atop the wall.

In that moment, those eyes flared and the murderous malice that flowed unrestrained was felt by those high on the wall.

He dared!

 

“Long Qi!” There was madness in Jun Wu Xie’s eyes, her voice chilling to hear.

“I’m here!”

“The assassins have infiltrated the Imperial Palace, lead the Rui Lin Army in to save the Emperor!” Jun Wu Xie ordered with her eyes narrowed. The Emperor’s expression had told her everything.

She wanted the whole Imperial Palace buried with her grandfather!

“Order all the soldiers surrounding the guilty officials’ residences to spare none! Uproot all evil!” Jun Wu Xie’s two orders made the Emperor turn white as a ghost.

It’s over! All over!

“It will be done!” Long Qi sped off!

With two short sentences, Jun Wu Xie had forfeited the lives of the executed officials’ families, while she nudged the beast to proceed to the gates of the Imperial Palace!

I’ll kill them all!

Every single one!

The Rui Lin Army marched behind Jun Wu Xie, advancing towards the the gates. The Yu Lin Army guards tensed, nervously holding their posts. They could feel the cold menacing chill of murder emanating from Jun Wu Xie in the distance.

Regicide!

Jun Wu Xie was going to kill the Emperor!

“Jun Wu Xie! Stay back! You are a member of the upright Jun Family!” The Emperor blathered in horror at the sight in front of him.

“You’re right! I am a member of the Jun Family.” Jun Wu Xie lips curled at the corners, a mesmerising beauty, but now, the devil lurked under that ravishing allure.

She had crawled out from the depths of fire, to bring them all to HELL!

Grandfather! You shall be avenged!

“STOP THEM!” The Emperor screamed.

The Yu Lin Army lowered their heads and charged at the Rui Lin Army. The brief exchange only served to clearly show the disparity of strength between the two armies. The Yu Lin Army were crushed in a flash, with no casualties on the Rui Lin Army!

The citizens watching at the side were stunned, unsure what is happening.

But they still placed their trust in Jun Wu Xie, who had helped to rid them of the corrupt officials. On top of that, coupled with the high standing the people have always given to the Jun Family, the words of Jun Wu Xie must have been nothing but the truth!

The assassins must have infiltrated the Imperial Palace! The dutiful Jun Family were protecting the Emperor!

In the battle, the Yu Lin Army was utterly defeated and the Rui Lin Army advanced, battering on the gates. The wall reverberated with the impact and was felt keenly by the people atop the wall.

“Why….. Why did it come to this…..” The Emperor staggered, as his knees buckled, and was caught by Mo Xuan Fei.

The Emperor had kept aging at bay for decades, but the events tonight seemed to have made him ten years older.

It’s over, all over…..

A loud crash boomed, and the Imperial Palace gates had been breached. Jun Wu Xie’s murderous intent was at the height of frenzy. She rode the black beast, about to charge right into the Imperial Palace and exact her pent up vengeance!

“Wu Xie.” An all too familiar voice rang out. All thought of vengeance and killing, the murder and malice that was just boiling a moment ago, melted right out of her at that moment. Her head swung around.

Among the crowd, a figure standing tall and straight stepped out, the stern yet affectionate expression on his face, was just all too familiar.

Jun Wu Xie teared, rimming her eyes and blurring her vision, as she whispered:

“Grand….. father…..”

Jun Xian looked at his granddaughter dotingly, and walked towards Jun Wu Xie.

The Rui Lin Army parted without a word at the appearance of Jun Xian, heads bowed in reverence, in a show of their undying loyalty to the man.

Beside Jun Xian, a slender figure followed quietly. A wide smile hung on a devilishly handsome face. The eyes stared haltingly at the emotional Jun Wu Xie.

His little girl was about to cry.

 

“Silly girl.” Jun Xian walked over to Jun Wu Xie, anguish in his heart upon seeing her blood splattered dress but relieved she was safe, and raised his hand and ruffled her hair in affection.

“Your grandfather is fine.”

Jun Wu Xie blinked her eyes, and feeling the tears well up threatening to fall, she lowered her head and pushed back her tears.

Jun Xian patted Jun Wu Xie on the shoulder and looked up the wall at the Emperor who still stood trembling. “Rest assured Your Majesty, the assassins have all been rid of, and the Imperial Palace is now safe.”

Jun Xian’s appearance had shocked Jun Wu Xie, and had the stunned the Emperor to stare speechlessly at him.

He’s alive?

“Uh…..Erm…. My beloved vassal, you have suffered. The Lin Palace has gained extraordinary merit again, and I will not forget it! Men! Covey my orders! The Lin Palace is bestowed a hundred bolts of brocade, ten thousand taels of gold, and the Rui Lin Army is to be awarded commendation for protecting me.” Irregardless, Jun Xian is alive!

Heaven knows, he might have been killed!

If not for the appearance of Jun Xian, his head would not be still attached.

The Emperor was so glad this day that Jun Xian was alive!

Before Jun Xian replied, Jun Wu Xie had regained her composure, and lifted her head to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, the credit for the events today was not due to the Lin Palace.”

“………..” The Emperor’s heart sank when Jun Wu Xie spoke, and he remained quiet.

“The successful execution of corrupt officials tonight, was due to the meticulous preparation by the Crown Prince. His highness had hidden his intelligence and wisdom all this time, to appear mediocre and unambitious, in order to catch them all unawares and secure evidence of their crimes! The apprehension of the corrupt tonight was made possible only through the unparalleled wisdom, and at the sacrifice of his image and reputation, to be misunderstood by all, in order to drive the State of Qi to greater prosperity and might!”

Jun Wu Xie had lifted the image of Mo Qian Yuan up to the skies with her statement, and not just the Emperor, even Mo Qian Yuan was caught by surprise, as both of them stood just staring at Jun Wu Xie, clueless as to what she was up to.

The glory and credit due for the execution of corrupt officials, had been handed over to Mo Qian Yuan on a platter!

“I implore Your Majesty to bestow the gifts to the Crown Prince, as the Lin Palace is undeserving of them.” Jun Wu Xie pushed on, ignoring the looks of puzzlement around her.

The Emperor did not know what to make out of it, but to escape from the scary girl who stood before the gates, he nodded hesitantly, trying his hardest to portray a look of benevolence when he turned to Mo Qian Yuan.

“Qian Yuan, it has been hard for you these years.”

Mo Qian Yuan snapped back to his senses, trying the grasp the whole situation, and gravely replied: “It is my duty as the Crown Prince, and was just doing my part.”

“ You have done well, and you will be rewarded handsomely.” The Emperor said, with a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Seeing the revered exchange between the Emperor and Mo Qian Yuan, Mo Xuan Fei was overcome in disgust.

Jun Wu Xie was obviously rebuilding the reputation and standing of Mo Qian Yuan among the people. When news of tonight’s events spread, his past idiosyncrasies and indulgences will be forgotten and instead remember him as the Crown Prince who sacrificed everything for the Kingdom! No one will fault him for his past arrogant and obnoxious behaviour.

That move Jun Wu Xie made was sure smooth, vicious and precise!

Things turned out beyond the expectations of everyone!

She reversed Mo Qian Yuan’s years of poor and tattered reputation to the people in one quick move!