I knew then and there, with absolute certainty that my sister has found a faithful companion who would love her for a lifetime, if only she could survive. Regret heaved from deep within my chest, like a knot twisted around my heart. The magical qilin was a wise and noble creature, perhaps he had already foreseen the future and knew I would come to regret my hasty decision.

Well, he was right. I regretted being nothing more than an impetuous boy! Why was I so eager and impatient? If only I had the foresight, I would have been able to save my sister with the wish, but there was no such thing as “if only” in the world. Such notions were only wishful thinking. Originally, the spirit of the qilin was meant as a gift for Yu Liang. I was under no delusion that Huo Wei Hu had forfeited because of me, but she had so freely handed it over to me without a second thought.

Deep shame choked me, it was extremely stifling. What was the point of having a voice if she was no longer here? Didn’t we communicate for the past five years without difficulty? In the end, I was still just a kid, immature and reckless. Now, my sister paid the price. Rueful tears dripped from my dragon eyes.

My eyes locked on the lifeless body of my sister, protected within Huo Wei Hu’s embrace. The man was strong and imposing; decisive in his actions and merciless in the punishments he dealt. He annihilated the enemies with such cruel methods that even I was suspended in midair motionlessly, afraid to accidentally get caught in the crossfire, but I was also thankful to him for that, because he done what I couldn’t…

Now, I watched passively as he kidnapped my sister away. I wasn’t worried because I knew she was safe as long as he was with her. There was nowhere safer than under the protection of the most dangerous man alive.

I don’t blame him for leaving me behind, although I would be lying if I said it didn’t bother me that I was totally forgotten. I had long accepted the fact that in this multifaceted world, only my sister Yu Liang cared about me and to me, that was more than enough. I considered myself quite lucky and fortunate.

Plus, I still have some unfinished business here. Tilting my dragon head toward the immortals who recently descended from heaven, my gaze flew pass all of them and landed on the one sitting on the highest point — The Jade Emperor. I have an inky suspicion he arrived because of me. Since he came, the dragon blood in me were drawn to him with great familiarity.

Dragons were divine, sacred beasts and few could be born as one. My gut feeling told me this Jade Emperor was my father. Sure enough, he confirmed my suspicion.

“Bai Long, my son, my flesh and blood…you have suffered.”

I pretended to be mute even though I no longer was because I couldn’t find the words to say to him. They were all uncomfortably repressed in my throat. The Jade Emperor wasn’t deterred and continued with his one-sided conversation.

“I’ve made a mistake Bai Long…” He sighed deeply as he gazed into the horizon and his thoughts wandered far away. “When I first met your mother Huli, I had no idea what came over me. One moment of impulse led to many years of suffering for you. I wanted to take you under my wings, but…my Jade Empress would never allowed such a thing. After all, it was I who wronged her first.”

So you choose to wrong me? To abandon me?

Those words were on the tip of my tongue, but they never escaped my lips and only the stony silence dangled over us. His flowery words sounded nice, but I understood the hidden meaning behind them. I wasn’t just a sore reminder to the Jade Empress for her husband’s infidelity; I was also the walking abomination of a hybrid between a heavenly deity of the highest standing and a demoness from the darkest race. A mongrel or a mutt, there was no place for me in heaven.

“Tell me, what can I do to make you forgive me?” he earnestly asked. “As long as it’s within my power, I will grant your heart’s desire.”

For long moments, there was only silence. People said a monarch’s words were worth more than a thousand gold. If that was true, then there was indeed something he could use to exchange for my forgiveness. If he could give me a miracle, then I would gladly forgive the Jade Emperor.

After all, forgiveness doesn’t mean I have to become best friends with him. It merely meant not to hate him anymore and hatred was something I could let go of. Such negative emotions were too tiring for a young dragon fox like me. I met his gaze with strong confidence and clearly voiced what I wanted from him…after I corrected how he addressed my name.

***

Meanwhile, hidden within the vast mountains and dark, lush forests over ample terrains, was the territory of Huo Wei Hu, the kingdom of the Immortal Emperor of Chaos.

Huo Wei Hu stood guard over the unconscious Yu Liang like a vigilant, devoted husband. Tenderly caring for his woman by the bedside, while diligently supplying her with a constant stream of spiritual energy to maintain her weak body. He believed she was sent by someone with a dark humor to teach him fear because he was finally afraid. Deeply, truly afraid.

Humans are fragile. Easy to get hurt, easy to age, and even easier to die.

A man entered and knelt down on one knee. “My king, a young dragon fox arrived and seek an audience.”

“Not seeing.”

The man broke into cold sweat, but didn’t rise nor did he leave. With slight hesitation, he continued, “My king, he identified himself as the brother of our future Empress of Chaos.”

Huo Wei Hu briefly paused, a complicated look crossed his dark eyes. If his subordinate never mentioned him, he would have totally forgotten about her brother. Something akin to guilt attacked his conscience when he stared at the pale face of his beloved woman.

When did I start having a conscience? But, if she wakes up and finds out how I forgot about her precious little brother and left him all alone in the lion’s den… He couldn’t help, but flinched at the thought.

Upon receiving a slight nod from his king, the man quickly got up and cupped his fists in a respectful manner before retreating. Soon after, a young boy entered the room.

Yu Tian respectfully stood behind Huo Wei Hu, sneaking a peek at his sister, worried over her condition. “Brother in law…”

A beautiful smile curved slightly upward when Huo Wei Hu heard those sweet words, but his dark eyes never left Yu Liang, so no one saw the refreshing smile on his face.

“Brother in law, I have something that might save my sister.”

At those words, Huo Wei Hu sharply turned around. His piercing gaze finally focused on Yu Tian. The normally stone-cold expressionless face was now filled with nervousness and hope. His dark obsidian eyes followed Yu Tian’s hand, watched as it dipped into the large wide sleeve of his robe and pulled out a plump, ripe, and juicy, longevity peach fruit.