After 30 minutes of one person chasing and the other dodging, both parties came to a standstill. the once beautiful courtyard were littered with broken vases and toppled trees and plants.

Long Lishi had started perspiring, a thin layer of sweat covered her forehead and back. Slightly out of breath, her eyes narrowing as she studied the man before her. Tianhuo seemed at ease, not a single hair out of place, as though the past 30 minutes has been nothing but a walk in a park.

His deep blue eyes narrowed, iciness reflected as his brows furrowed together. It seems that his strength is slowly draining out and becoming suppressed. His fingers feeling slightly numb his vision slowly blurring. He could feel the rage brewing in his heart, clenching his teeth together he dangerously spat out 2 words,

"...Restraining powder..."

Gripping tighter into her short sword, Long Lishi was impressed, in such a short time he actually found out she had sprinkled the Restraining powder around him. An arrogant but dazzling smile appeared on her face as she nonchalantly replied, using the other hand to flick of her long hair back,

"Otherwise do you think I would dare charge into the den of the tiger unprepared?"

Long Lishi felt assured, thankfully she decided to use the powder, this man's strength is truly boundless. To still be able to dodge her so effortlessly under the effect of the powder, there was one remaining thought on her mind.

'This man... I must make him mine!'

"Heh, a dangerous rendezvous out under the moonlight, how sweet."

A cold yet spring like voice appeared from the doorway.

Her figure leaning calmly on the door frame with an arm crossed in front of her chest as she chuckled lightly and dangerously tossed the dagger in her other hand. Wrapped in a white dress Feiyun had already removed her mask and her face revealed had momentarily stunned Long LiShi.

'So this is her true face?'

Long LiShi snorted in disdain her expression darkening, unable to stand that Feiyun was obviously much more beautiful than her. She was the Warrior Princess of her tribe praised for both her talents and looks but why is it that this commoner has trampled over her in every aspect that she was proud of?

Glancing between the two people. Feiyun's expression changed slightly others may not be able to tell but Tianhuo knew that she was definitely angry. Not wanting her to misunderstand he turned and walk towards her, uncaring for the lady in front of him.

But before he could take a step, Long Lishi once again charged towards him, forcing him to step back. With her back to Feiyun, Long Lishi spat out as she continued her fury of attacks

"This does not involve you, its between us Husband and Wife."

Feiyun eye brow rose slightly at the phrase 'husband and wife'. Although she knew that the other party was just trying to get her angry, she truly did not like those words. But Feiyun was never an impulsive person.

She silently observed the surroundings. The fact that this battle is happening here and not a single one of the guards had appeared could only mean that they had been subdued and right now both Tianhuo and herself were probably surrounded by enemies...to be able to hide this well, those enemies were probably really skilled, at least much more than the manor guards.

No wonder the entire manor was quieter than usual when she arrived. Feiyun truly regret sending off her shadow guards as well. She wanted to spend the night together with Tianhuo but she never thought that it would be this way. Thankfully she had release a note to call Ruyi back when she felt the unnatural thump in her heart.

Feiyun knew that due to time constraints, Ruyi and the shadow guards were all sent on missions hence they were all scattered about. Who would have thought that in the middle of the capital, there would be people daring enough to enter the God of War's manor and to think they would have chose this very night when all the stronger shadow guards were absent.

Judging by the time she sent out the letter to Ruyi, she only needed to stall for as much time as possible.

Feiyun narrowed her eyes slightly and shot forward, wanting to assist Tianhuo.

But before she could, she was cut of by a large group of red head warriors who appeared from the shadows. The coldness in her eyes were almost reaching subzero.

These men were definitely slaves forced into fighting for that woman. With a dagger in front of her, she stood in a prepared stance. Fighting off 1 of these men would be easy but against so many, it would definitely take her some effort.

Meanwhile, Tianhuo watching all these was becoming more enraged.

"Touch a hair on her and your head will fly."

Those cold icy words spat out through gritted teeth by Tianhuo who had remained silent until now only further infuriated Long Lishi.

'Only speaking for this woman?'

Just as she thought that, an idea popped into Long Lishi's head. Truly the God of War who remained undefeated until now had one very big weakness.

A smirk appeared on her face as Long Lishi gave a signal to attack and shot towards Tianhuo again.

Chaos ensued as the warriors received the order to kill and moved in towards Feiyun. Amidst all the chaos, Tianhuo did not miss Long Lishi's move of switching her weapon into her left hand, she was planning something...

Narrowing his eyes coldly as he glanced back towards Feiyun who was fighting against the red haired warriors, completely tied down against their numbers.

It was at this moment that Feiyun finally realize why the WangHu Tribes man were to be feared. Each one of them was ridiculously strong and had great fighting prowess. Truly men that were born to fight.

"Do you have time to be distracted? Why not worry about your situation first?"

Just as she said her words, Long Lishi licked her lips and flicked her right hand out, 3 long and thin and narrow small blades flew out.

In that moment, Tianhuo finally understood that they had been played. Truly this woman was cunning. Making him dodge and pretending to chase and corner him but artfully making sure he drew closer to Feiyun.

Right now, if he dodged, then Feiyun who had her back towards them at this moment would definitely be hit.

With resolution in his eyes, Tianhuo did not evade and allowed the 3 thin blades to pierce into his forearm. An electrifying pain shot through his arm as they came to a stand still once again.

"Fo-und-it! Your weakness.~"

Long Lishi playfully teased, her hand playing around with another set of thin blades, her eyes curved and full of delighted, shimmering under the moon's light.

"I told you. If you hurt a single hair of her, I will personally escort you to the deepest level of hell."

His voice was cold, devoid of emotions like a voice that carried the weight of the sea yet his eyes blue and burning with the rage of purgatory. Sending a round of shivers down Long Lishi's back, making her stiffen up momentarily.

But it lasted a moment, Long Lishi smirked. This futile attempt to induce fear. No matter how much his icy blue eyes stared at her, the man was now in the palm of her hands like a little bird trapped within its cage.

If she could not talk him into it, there are always other ways to make him hers. It's the same for all men, they may pledge of 'till death do us part' but one only needs to show a little bit of love and skin, with a bit of time, even the gods above would be on their knees.

She herself was the results of her mother's scheming and seduction, the art of seduction was ingrained in her by her mother. If men controlled the world then the woman than has that man under her control will have the world.

Upon seeing the 3 thin blades in his arm, Feiyun screamed out,

"Tianhuo!"

In her desperation, she was slashed in her arm by one of the red burly man's sword. The smell of blood hung heavily in the air. Seeing her disheveled look, Long Lishi smile widened like a blooming flower,

"Withdraw."

Under her command, the red haired warriors stood at attention behind her.

Their eyes found the knocked out friends lying around, they could help but feel slight confusion. Usually in a fight, they were prepared to lose their brethren but who would have thought, for some reason, the lady didn't kill a single one.

And she even fought against their numbers unwilling to back down and only sustained several cuts and bruises. As people who lived by strength, their eyes shone with reverence for the small lady, a flash of pity soon took over but was quickly hidden.

Taking the opportunity and rushing to Tianhuo, Feiyun quickly grabbed his arm and examined the blades.

"It's poisoned. Why didn't you dodge?"

Seeing her worried and panicked expression with blood still staining her dress and a head of disheveled hair, helplessness appeared in those deep-blue eyes as he gently pulled her into his embrace with the other hand,

Feiyun frowned, even at this stage he still treasured words like gold. Before she could continue, Long Lishi arrogantly cut in, annoyed that she had been ignored and treated like air,

"No need to examine. There is no one in this world who has the cure...aside from this princess that is."

Seeing that there was no response from the two people still embracing in silence, Long Lishi folded her arms sneering as she continued,

"It's fine if you don't believe me, let's see how useful you are to him. If you can't even save him then do you have the rights to stand by him?"

Feiyun pulled apart and shot her a glare filled with murderous blood lust, to treat a persons life like a game. Who gave her the guts? Between clenched teeth Feiyun replied, her eyes back on the 3 bladess,

"You're one to talk."

The only thing stopping Feiyun from tearing out her throat was the fact that helping Tianhuo was priority now.

Ignoring her, Long Lishi continued.

"You see this men? They are the supposed "protectors" protecting the Long clan. I'm sure you know or at least heard of them - the WangHu Tribes. The Long clan were suppose to be their enemies and yet they were working for me. Want to know why?"

Long Lishi had hooked a finger against the metal part of the collar of one of the men behind her. Pulling him forward and making him kneel on all fours while she elegantly took a sit on his back crossing one leg over the other as though he was less than a human.

Feiyun remained silent as she glared at the woman. Those metal collars around their necks, they were slaves for sure.

Seeing how silent Feiyun was, Long Lishi only felt happier and she smiled as she continued. She was not afraid to reveal it to Feiyun after all there is no one but her who had the antidote.

"Poison of course. To have their veins slowly corrode and burn internally before melting the organs and bones into a puddle of blood and gore. If you were them, what would you do? When you're trapped with poison so strong that unless you are given a dose of antidote monthly, you would die a death so horrible that not even a single part of you would be left."

Although Feiyun hated to admit it, this was a poison she had never seen. The world was after all wide.

Glancing towards Tianhuo who still seemed like this conversation had nothing to do with him, Long Lishi sneered. She had come across Tianhuo before and saved his life once, falling in love at the time. No matter what she will make him hers. This woman, Feiyun only deserves to clean her shoes.

Seeing how the two had remained silent, Long Lishi's smirk deepened. The best feeling comes when you give them hope and let them try saving themselves until they realize that there was truly no more hope.

Knowing that even if Tianhuo was stubborn, once he felt the pain he will definitely come over to her.

Satisfied with her plan, Long Lishi finally stood up and left after saying a few words.

" You have half a day to say your goodbyes. Don't forget, If I can save your life once, I can also take it away."

Once the group left, in the messy courtyard, Feiyun finally turned back to Tianhuo who was now slightly pale, his arm dripping and soaked in blood.

Feiyun quickly led him indoors and proceeded to feel his pulse. Her heart feeling disturbed. For once she was truly stumped. She stood there beside him, 2 fingers on his wrist yet her eyes were like a soulless doll.

Just at this moment, Ruyi burst through the door, panting and wheezing his expression was filled with panic and worry. He had received the falcon letter from Feiyun yet he could not make it in time.

"T-t-tianhuo! You're hurt!? How are you hurt, that woman was definitely weaker than you."

Those words had unknowingly stabbed Feiyun right in her heart. Of course she knew. That weakness was her. She kept her head down on the 3 blades, her eyes were cold and emotionless.

Tianhuo frowned, the pressure he emitted told Ruyi to shut his mouth. Sensing the anger, Ruyi quickly covered his mouth.

"I-i will go and check on the manor's people."

After Ruyi left, Feiyun remained silent as she proceeded to clean the wound so she could remove the blades.

Holding onto her wrist, Tianhuo finally spoke, a slight frown between his brows but his eyes were gentle and filled with worry, watching her arm with the big gash how could he not feel pained.

"Take care of your wound first."

Feiyun had kept her head down the entire time, refusing to meet his eyes. She silently shook her head.

Met with her stubbornness, Tianhuo sighed slightly and wanted to pull his arm out of her grasp so he can help her to clean up her wound himself yet was met with her vice-like grip, this usage of strength only made more blood gush out from her wound.

"Feiyun..."

Finally, under the silence a single tear drop fell onto the back of his hand.

"Feiyun, look at me."

Gently lifting up her head, Tianhuo came face to face with her tear filled eyes. Filled with so much pain and self-blame.

"Look at me, aren't I fine?"

Shaking her head, another tear that she tried to stop from dropping escaped down her cheek,

"You're poisoned because of me. At least let me clean up the wound I caused and then...you go to her."

Seeing her pained expression, Tianhuo felt his heart drop to the bottom of the ocean. He did not expect that his decision had caused her to reveal such an expression. Yet, he could not find it in him to regret his choice, if he had dodged then she would surely have been the one poisoned and Long Lishi would never save her.

"She won't let me die. "

Feiyun quickly took out a bottle of liquid and a needle to numb the wound before extracting the blades.

"I know. "

Her fingers moving quickly even though tears were flowing down her face from time to time. She was trying to remain strong yet she could not forgive herself for becoming his weakness.

"After this, go straight to her. She will give you the antidote. "

Tianhuo felt troubled. Being threatened by Long Lishi he had no other choice, he was resolute, he would kill her with his bare hands and take the antidote.

Of course Feiyun knew the man's thoughts, the murderous aura around him had suddenly became so heavy. She paused her hands and looked up straight into the raging blue eyes that seemed to carry the rage of the oceans.

"You can't kill her."

Tianhuo was very angry right now and his eyes were cold beyond belief. But seeing Feiyun's red rimmed eyes, his gaze softened a bit as Feiyun continued

"You can't kill her. She is my prey."

Feiyun wanted Tianhuo to cooperate with her. She knew that Long Lishi was a intelligent woman, there is no way she will give Tianhuo the full antidote. So until Feiyun could create one, she couldn't risk Tianhuo's life.

Anyways, she wanted to let Long Lishi know that daring to poison her love one, she will pay back double. A quick death just wouldn't do.

Feiyun once again looked down and continued bandaging the wound gently.

"I will make the antidote to completely cure you."

Tianhuo nodded silently as Feiyun injected a needle and withdrew a small bottle of his blood enough for her to make and test the antidote.

When she was done and about to keep her things, Tianhuo quickly took hold of her arm, his eyes clearly giving no way for her to refute.

As his hands quickly cleaned her wound and wrapped it up gently. When he was done, he bent forward and gently kissed it.

Feiyun watched the man before her, finally speaking once more,

"Will you trus-"

Before she could speak, Tianhuo had seize her lips and as if a starving man, he ravaged her tongue kissing hard and deep. Only pulling away after they both had become breathless, he rested his forehead against hers,

"I trust you. I will wait for you but don't keep me waiting too long, I don't know if I have enough patience to not kill that woman."

Having said that, Feiyun hugged him tightly. Engraving his warmth and scent into her mind. This was not goodbye, she vowed to take him back with her own hands. She would not be his weakness once again.

Just like that, they walked hand in hand towards the Manor's gate the amount of unconscious guards lying in the great hall was enough to turn Feiyun's expression cold.

"Seems like they will need more training."

Feiyun simply commented, reminding herself that her own guards could use a good training too. After that fight with the WangHu Tribes men she felt there was room for improvement on her team.

"I'll leave that to you, wifey. Make sure to train them well by the time I return."

Tianhuo let out a joke, trying to lighten Feiyun's mood just a little, using his left hand to ruffle the top of her head.

Just like that the pair continued slowly both wishing for time to slow so they could spend even a second longer together.

Once they reached the front gate, only after a long silence, as they stood face to face at the front gate, Feiyun finally revealed a smile on her face her eyes shining with determination and confidence.

"One month's time...I'll see you in one month."

"Mhm...Alright-"

Just as his words fell, Tianhuo pulled her into another warm embrace, before he whispered by her ears,

"I love you."

With that, he flashed a gentle smile towards her as he caressed her cheek and kissed her one last time.

Watching his figure departing in the darkness, Feiyun wiped the tears that were threatening to fall. She had stood there for a long time, feeling her heartbeat with both hands clenched tightly until her knuckles were white.

She's never felt this type of agony, like a slow burning amber slowly eating away at her, surging waves of emotion. Vowing to herself, her own weakness has led to this.

"I promise."

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- Long Lishi's small blades - think of kunais used by ninjas . but more of a spearmint leaf shaped with jagged ends. its also thin like a leaf