Sneering and laughing masculine sounds mingled with the opium haze assailing through the gambling den. Not to be outdone, clicking wooden chips, soft paper whispers and clinking coins added to the noise.

At the right of the tavern, near the wonderfully-crafted paper calligraphy art, a pot-bellied man named Liang Zhu stood frowning disappointedly to the poker-faced gamblers playing Ma Diao Pai. Much to his utter dismay, everybody seemed to do his best to ignore Liang Zhu's existence.

Well, the reason wasn't that hard to figure out: Liang Zhu was considered a tavern fool for seeking too much attention from the people in the gambling den. If his ugly smirking face was not the reason, then it was most certainly his irritating mouth which did not seem to have the ability to stay close even for a short period of time. His overbearing narration of his latest venture or whatever menial deed he had done for the day had already grated to the people's nerves.

"My bet on Jinzhou Lu Wang Wei had been extremely profitable. I know that he will make it to the championship unscathed. And, let me predict, the championship fight will be between him and the Ninja boy." Liang Zhu announced hoping to get some attention from the disinterested gamblers.

"It is expected," one of the gamblers sneered distastefully but not directed to the news but rather to Liang Zhu whom he deemed a plaguing nuisance.

Sensing that he could not get an ounce of the attention he sought than what he had just received, Liang Zhu added slyly, "Oh, I forget to mention that I placed equal bets between Jinzhou Lu Wang Wei and the Ninja boy. Isn't it extremely fortuitous of me?"

The statement caught the attention of another gambler who disgustedly remarked, "Only a coward without honor will bet on two opponents - that is pure stupidity."

The gambler's companions agreed and diverted their attentions back to their game leaving Liang Zhu in sneering silence.

Feeling even more neglected and sneered upon in addition to being irritated as one of the gamblers purposely released the opium smoke in his direction earning a sputtering cough from him and humorous laughs among the gamblers, Liang Zhu persisted in talking, "In gambling, you need to be wise and practical even if it means being a coward. And besides, there is no honor in gambling - only gains and losses."

"Are you implying that placing equal bets on two matching opponents as wise?" One of the gamblers sarcastically questioned him.

Feeling belittled but still determined, he answered, "Partly"

"Partly? Bah! Half wise and half foolish would never be wise - that would be the most stupid thing I have ever heard." Another gambler jeered loudly that the gamblers from the other tables heard and guffawed at Liang Zhu.

Liang Zhu merely smiled in an indignant way ignoring the jeering laughter aimed at him. "It doesn't really matter what you think of me now. I know each of you bet on either Jinzhou Lu Wang Wei or the Ninja boy but I tell you loyalty to one fighter won't make you gain more money. Now, I may have placed equal bets on both of them which technically mean that I will not earn a copper this time. Who cares if I might not earn this time, I already won betting on the two fighters during their previous fights anyway. At least, in the end, no matter the outcome of the fight, I will always be a winner."

"That is if you call a half loser a winner!" One of the gamblers said which intensified the laughter inside the gambling den.

Liang Zhu realized that he would never get the kind of attention he sought from the gamblers but only more insults so he left the gambling den in haste.

When he was gone, the place became eerily silent as if gamblers are suddenly locked in their own reflective thinking. At first, they were disgusted with what Liang Zhu said to them considering how twisted his logic of being wise and practical seemed to be. In the end, they all agreed albeit silently, to avoid being dubbed as stupid, that Liang Zhu despite being foolish was being practical and somehow wise - that was if partly wise could be accepted.

°°°°°

The wind was gentle as it kissed the balcony like a mother cradling her baby. Over the horizon, a shooting star passed by the jeweled cloudless sky. In another time or in a different circumstance, such a sight would have been wonderful but still not enough to hamper the tears streaming from Yan Mei Ling's eyes.

She was supposed to clear her mind from all murky thoughts for the championship tomorrow but she was buried in the pit of despair. She couldn't help but think of what would happen should the Hsein clan attack the empire. And, what bothered her most was Li Lei Shuang's absurd though unselfish sacrifice of her self.

Sacrifice - such a terrifying thing! If only things would not be as complicated as they truly are; if only war had not only existed, then she would not be sitting outside her room in the balcony crying against the night; continuously pondering on a future that represented danger.

Had she been given a chance to change even a thing in the past, then she would see to it that the evil tyrant, Lord Hsien Mao Dong, would never be born. He was the root of all evil and, simply thinking of him made her want to do things that could only be deemed as evil. He was the reason why she could never paint beautiful colors in her life; he was the reason why she'd never have peace in her mind.

As she continually thought about things, her reflection brought her back to a beautiful memory - something that she would never forget:

The street on the market was congested during that time. Wonderful wares and mouthwatering meals were on display.

The sun didn't feel harsh, just perfect for a stroll. Yan Mei Ling and Li Lei Shuang were walking as if they were part of the common folks wearing simple identical white gowns they borrowed from the maidservants - Yan Mei Ling took the pains of convincing and bribing them.

'Look, Li Lei Shuang, a wonderful sword! I have never seen such a beauty!' Yan Mei Ling said exuberantly pointing to the direction of the merchant who sold several weapons. Her eyes glued avidly to the biggest sword with intricate dragon design on the grip.

'Your father will not be pleased if you buy that,' Li Lei Shuang reminded her gently.

Yan Mei Ling snorted childishly and began sulking.

Li Lei Shuang looked at her friend seriously for a moment before walking to the merchant who sold arm-wares. She took her time examining the different weapons put on display while Yan Mei Ling continued sulking, oblivious to everything.

She smiled when she saw a small knife. Its hilt was made of black lacquered hard wood, encrusted with pearls and jade. It also had miniature dragon paintings done in lustrous gold. It was perfect. She politely asked the merchant to wrap the thing.

The merchant's eyebrows rose skeptically obviously doubting her ability to pay for the knife considering the type of clothes she was wearing. He purposely told her the price even though she did not ask for it. When the penniless-looking beautiful girl remained undaunted, he became amused. She nodded respectfully, took her purse and gave it to him. He disinterestingly opened the purse and his small eyes dilated with shock when he realized the amount of its content.

Li Lei Shuang smiled at the merchant and told him that he could have everything in the purse if he would wrap the knife nicely. He immediately complied, took his best silk and wrapped it. Extremely grateful, she thanked him as she took the knife and went back to the sulking Yan Mei Ling.

Li Lei Shuang gently tap her grumpy friend's back.

'What?' Yan Mei Ling asked in irritation.

'I have something for you,' Li Lei Shuang gently answered.

Yan Mei Ling looked at Li Lei Shuang's hand where she saw something wrapped wonderfully in a red silk.

'If that's a mirror or a comb or even a sweatmeat, then I am not accepting it,' Yan Mei Ling exclaimed childishly, crossing her arms in her chest.

Li Lei Shuang smiled patiently and said, 'Why won't you take and open this so you will know what I am giving you?'

Yan Mei Ling's curiosity was piqued but remained skeptical. 'What is that? I know I'll be sorely disappointed.'

'I have this specifically wrapped to surprise you. Won't you take and open this?'

After a moment's hesitation, Yan Mei Ling relented and accepted Lei Shuang's gift.

'Open it,' Li Lei Shuang gently urged her.

Yan Mei Ling immediately opened the parcel and looked surprised upon realizing what it was. She marveled at the knife's exquisitely painted containment and unsheathed it. Though small, it looked formidable. Its steel shone when the sun's ray kissed it. Her palm could snuggly hold its majestically-designed hilt, extravagantly encrusted with jade stones and pearls.

'This looked even more wonderful than the sword that first caught my fancy!' Yan Mei Ling exclaimed happily as she sheathed the knife back.

'I know you would like it - it reminds me of you. At least, it will be easy for you to hide it from your father.' Li Lei Shuang explained. Her heart bursting with joy upon seeing Yan Mei Ling's ecstatic reaction of having the knife.

'Oh, Li Lei Shuang, you really are my best friend!' Yan Mei Ling hugged Li Lei Shuang in supreme gratitude.

Li Lei Shuang smiled and gently kissed Yan Mei Ling's forehead. Then she paused when she remembered something. 'It is almost time for tea, Yan Mei Ling, and we have not brought any sweetmeats yet.'

Yan Mei Ling broke from their embrace and said, 'Oh! Let's buy now and be quick.'

'I have no money left,' Li Lei Shuang told her.

'Oh,' Yan Mei Ling blushed guiltily upon realizing the reason why her friend had no money anymore. 'Ah. . I have a few coins. I will pay for the sweetmeats'

Li Lei Shuang smiled and they went to the store that sold sweetmeats. They brought everything that looked and taste delightful and happily went out of the store.

Yan Mei Ling was happily testing each sweetmeat when Li Lei Shuang ran and went to an old beggar. Her mouth went agape when she saw her friend took the little silver combs from her own hair and gave them to the old beggar who in turn smiled gratefully.

Li Lei Shuang smiled when she went back to Yan Mei Ling, her lovely long hair unsecured and was swept by the wind.

'Why did you give your combs to the beggar? Look at you,' Yan Mei Ling asked.

'She needs the combs better than I do.' Li Lei Shuang simply explained.

'Huh?' Yan Mei Ling exclaimed - confused by her friend's answer. 'Whatever would she need the comb for? The beggar wore her hair down and probably never comb it. You should have given her a sweetmeat.'

'Oh, I also gave her a sweetmeat.'

'Then, what is the purpose of you giving her the combs when you already gave her a sweetmeat? She obviously doesn't comb or tie her hair.'

Li Lei Shuang remained silent for a while then look at Mei Ling. "You are right, Yan Mei Ling. She doesn't need the combs to make her hair looks nice but those are made of silver. The sweetmeat would only feed her for a day but she can sell the combs and make her fare better."

Yan Mei Ling was dumbfounded with what Li Lei Shuang said. A blush guiltily crept her cheeks and she felt ashamed. 'You could have asked me some coins to give her.'

'It's fine, Yan Mei Ling. You've purchased the sweetmeats and somehow you've helped her. Isn't it nice to help someone?'

Yan Mei Ling smiled happily at what Li Lei Shuang said - her heart was overwhelmed with too much emotion.

Yan Mei Ling smiled at the recollection. She would never forget the way Li Lei Shuang humbly bared her kindness to her people. She was the kind of person that do good deeds without telling others who she really was. There was even a time when she gave her jade bracelet to a poor family while they were visiting the town square.

Li Lei Shuang was the most generous and loving person Yan Mei Ling had ever known. She would definitely make a wonderful Empress. At this time, the thought might be a bit shaky but Yan Mei Ling was bound to make it a reality. Not only was Li Lei Shuang the Son of Heaven's daughter thus made her the heir to the throne but she truly deserved the throne. Her kindness and generosity were the things that the people needed. And if Lord Hsien Mao Dong would marry her, then the Empire's peace would be forever thrown among the winds of peril.

Yan Mei Ling would never want that to happen. She must protect her best friend at all cost. She would be willing to lay her life for Li Lei Shuang.

The moon's light momentarily took her attention. The sheer beauty and clarity it presented were overwhelming. She noticed how it illuminated the darkness behind it; she marveled at how its light never dim even at night. A ghost of cloud threatened to cast upon it but the gentle zephyr blew the latter and its light continued to reign.

A thought came to her upon realizing the meaning of what the moon seemed to represent. If she wanted to protect Li Lei Shuang, then she should be like the moon. Someone that could never be defeated by the darkness.

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

'I am not perfect but so are you.'