"Master..."

...

After waiting for a response yet met with none ,FeiAn continued in a soft voice from behind the door.

"Master, You should eat something and rest. "

It's been over a week and a half without seeing Feiyun appear from the small room she had locked herself in. Whether she ate or drank, only heaven would know.

All of the Shadow guards who were the closest to Feiyun had tried to coax her into coming out even for just a while but was met with the silent wooden door. Even FeiQin who was the closest couldn't get a response from Feiyun.

The only thing that kept them reassured that the person inside was still alive, were the smoke that would periodically appear from the chimney and the 'never ending' amount of drugs, herbs and medicinal plants that were being continuously decreasing.

FeiAn could only look anxiously towards Ruyi who shrugged his shoulders, looking just as worried as her.

"Master...I've gotten the..h-herbs that you asked for..."

The tired and near crying voice pulled the two worried souls to turn, in the moment that Ruyi saw the frail young lady who had just arrived with a bunch of herbs in her arms, his already anxious face darkened even more.

FeiDu who had always been a happy-go-lucky type of girl with bright cheerful face, yet at this moment, she appeared to have gone through hell and seemed to have been running around a forest with twigs and leaves stuck in her hair. Her face covered with dried mud and dirt, eye bags that reach for the earth, looking so sallow and pale .

"Uwahh...FeiDu, what happened to you?"

FeiAn could only frown and sigh helplessly as she offered to help carry the things in FeiDu's arms.

FeiDu's eyes brightened the moment she saw them yet in an instant dimmed into weariness and worry.

"Are you all here to save me? Take me away from this hellish place. Never in my life would I want to study again. "

FeiAn: "..."

Ruyi: "..."

A puzzled look befell the two people in front her.

FeiDu had always been a book loving nerd who would bury her nose in mountains of books and would be even willing to chase to the ends of the Earth to find all kinds of poisons and toxins. What happened in the short matter of days that caused this poison-loving-study-freak to change so drastically?

Looking towards the two people who had eyebrows raised towards her, FeiDu seemed like a dejected sad puppy, pouting as she spoke

"You both don't know what I went through. At the start I was super happy thinking I would be able to help Master solve this new and challenging poison, yet since day one, I've been sent out to collect all sorts of plants and medicinal drugs. The moment I return, I would be sent out on another one. I even had to copy down a thousand page medical book some toothless old hermit as he slowly recited his knowledge of herbs just in hopes to find some leads and medical formula...My big brother and sister*, won't you take me away and save me from misery?"

Ruyi sighed helplessly. Just as he was about to console the young lady, a cold piercing voice resounded from behind.

"What are you all doing?"

Ruyi could tell that Feiyun was in a very very bad mood.

Although she had no jewelries adorning her body, she still carried herself with elegance.

Her appearance was slightly pale with obvious dark rings under her eyes, and her hair was messily rolled into a bun with a writing brush used to pin it in place.

In her plain white robes that seemed to have small patches and dots of soot showed that she had been working hard in that small room.

Her whole body carried the smell of herbs which was slightly overpowering yet subtly and strangely complimented the fair young lady.

"Master!! I've found the things you asked for. Can I come in and help you now? "

Forgetting the words she spouted just then, FeiDu pouted and shuffled up to Feiyun, her eyes sparkling with hope but one word from Feiyun had crushed her hopes to oblivion.

"...No need."

Having said that, Feiyun glanced towards Ruyi, her eyes feeling sharp and heavy. Sending a shiver running down his spine.

Ruyi had forgotten. Her eyes were similar to Tianhuo's when he was running rampage the other time when Feiyun got shot with an arrow. The only difference was the dark calmness in her eyes that seemed to suck in his soul and left coldness vibrating through his body.

'this storm...will be a huge torrential storm that will flood the world...'

Ruyi internally sighed, trying to calm his trembling heart. Swallowing the bulge of saliva stuck at the back of his throat.

How could he, a Shadow guard who's followed Tianhuo through heaven and hell mercilessly slaying their enemies and facing armies a hundred times the size of their own, feel so small and powerless in front of this young lady?

"How are things on your end?"

Feiyun spoke as she crossed her arms in front of herself,

"Not yet, we have observed the palace activities but the old crook (Emperor JunZhan) seems to be overly cautious...

So far he hasn't gone near that room. There are no obvious patterns."

Nodding quietly, Feiyun seemed to be deep in thought as she headed back to her room. Stopping just in front of her door, with her back to them she asked in a soft whisper.

"...and him?"

Ruyi instantly understood who 'him' was referring to. Straightening his back as he replied gently, a warm foxy smile on his face,

"Master is okay. Although we couldn't get in contact with him, our people have spotted him almost everyday."

Feiyun smiled to herself. He was a smart man, he knows to make the effort to show his face in the back gardens so that his people can see from their post.

Feiyun continued quickly into the room, wishing for a quick shower.

"Princess!"

Ruyi couldn't help but call out.

Feiyun had turned around slightly, tilting her head with an eyebrow cocked,

Judging by her appearance, she looked really down and at lost. Should he ask about the progress of the antidote?

"Erm...ah that's right! The HuangQuan Guild is ready to meet you."

Internally Ruyi wanted to slap himself, in front of her domineering eyes, he just couldn't seem to get his real question out.

"HuangQuan Guild? Who?"

Feiyun frowned once more, narrowing her eyes. All she wanted now was a warm bath.

Ruyi felt his eyebrows twitching.

'Did she really not know or was she pretending? Excuse me princess but as the master Yueliang, a the well known intelligence group, shouldn't you at least have heard of us?!'

Seeing no response from Ruyi's frozen foxy face, Feiyun continued slightly annoyed.

"Don't know them. Why do they want to meet me?"

Ruyi felt like ripping his hair out. The HuangQuan Guild was Tianhuo's secret group of assassin's. Although small in number, they were mighty and fiercely loyal. Tianhuo had left an order to him, that if anything were to happen to him, the Shadow guards of his will all pledge to serve Feiyun.

Now Tianhuo had given her full command over his shadow guards while he plays the well-behaved kitten for Long Lishi.

After carefully explaining the origin of the HuangQuan Guild and the fact that TianHuo had left them entirely to her, Ruyi finally felt relieved having gotten this off his chest.

However, Feiyun simply let out a soft mysterious and heavy chuckle, which sent a dark foreboding feeling through Ruyi's tummy.

"Hooo... strong? Even if the rumors says that, they aren't considered strong until this Princess have met them."

Ruyi:"..?.."

FeiAn & FeiDu: ( internally shakes head in pity.)

'What? How many people are finding the HuangQuan guild hoping to lick their boots for recognition but this lass dares to say that she won't acknowledge them?'

At this stage, it would be a lie to say that internally Ruyi still had any hair left on his head... He definitely couldn't understand this dangerous woman!

Glancing at the setting sun, Feiyun sighed a little. It had been awhile since she got her body moving. Maybe a little warm up could serve some good for her stiff muscles.

"I want all of them them here within 15 minutes, if not they can go back to whichever hole they came from."

With a wave of her sleeve, Feiyun headed to her room to change into the same clothes she wore for the battle of the South.

A black robe that's fitting, wrapped around her body revealing only her head with her long dark ebony hair tied into a high pony tail and secured properly. She fitted a half mask on her face and casually sat down sipping onto her tea.

Undercover of darkness, a group of the most elite assassins assembled in Feiyun's Courtyard.

A smirk on their faces upon seeing the small lass who was casually sipping her tea. They had been serving Tianhuo all these time and yet this is the first time for them to come face to face with the renowned Princess Consort.

Only Ruyi who serves by Tianhuo's side knows the true strength of Feiyun. To the rest, they only know to respect the strong.

As soon as Feiyun settled down her teacup, what she saw were many pairs of eyes filled with frustration, some curious and others nonchalant.

The frustrated few had pledged to follow Tianhuo but for them as elites to also have to pledge to the little girl just because their master adored her... to the point that even their Captain had warned them to 'watch' themselves.

Of course she could understand. Having trained many corps of spies and assassins in her lifetime, she knew that in this world, only strength can make them bow.

"You all are the 'Elites' of the HuangQuan Guild?"

The loud thud of knees hitting the floor resounded.

Ruyi came forward, this time, those fox like eyes were now no longer smiling as before but held a serious and sharpened gaze.

"Princess, on Master's orders, we will wait for Princess's command."

Silence filled the courtyard as Feiyun's icy gaze swept over their heads.

"You all want to serve me?"

Somehow those who had thought that this secondary master was a gentle rabbit felt a sense of fear like as though a prey being watched.

They kept their heads down, waiting for their Captain to respond.

"Yes."

Ruyi couldn't help but feel the foreboding feeling becoming worse.

"Hmm.. I see. "

Shock appeared on Ruyi's face, looking up, before he could say a word, Feiyun's fist was already flying towards him.

For the first time, Ruyi felt the pressure of having Feiyun as an opponent. She was not kidding around.

Each attack she threw out at him was life threatening, aiming vital spots and most of all, that bloodlust coming off her body and eyes, he couldn't help but remember the say Tianhuo went on a rampage. It was equally the same if not fiercer.

Although he did not want to hurt her, Ruyi could only dodge to defend himself.

Just as he reached out to stop her strike, Feiyun's shadow flashed before him, twisting sharply as she leaped up and delivered a sharp round house kick straight towards his head.

In an attempt to save himself, he could only use his arms to defend. But that kick had sent him backwards, leaving a trail as his foot dug into the ground.

"You'll lose your life if you play around."

Her body swift and sharp as she dove pass him. His arms were numb from the kick. The pain, excitement and fear he felt, until now his whole body trembled, drench in cold sweat yet a sense of reverence flashed through his eyes.

On the other hand, Feiyun continued her assault on the group who were now shocked speechless. Her eyes cold and merciless as she went towards them, a group of elite assassins.

Some of them felt that she was merely a rabbit. No need to take her seriously, yet when faced with her on coming attacks, they could only defend with all their might.

They had no clue what to do but after watching how Ruyi had suffered at her hands, their instincts told them if they didn't at least dodge, this 'little rabbit' would definitely reap their lives.

FeiAn and FeiDu watched from the small tree, standing there quietly from start to end.

Their faces were both a mix of pity and yet felt a sense of relief.

When they had been trained, they went through something just as nightmarish.

Having to defend themselves against her onslaught were something they would remember for life.

But seeing the number of man left twitching on the ground...they could only shake their heads in pity.

"Stand up."

Although filled with pain and bruises. They could only obediently get up. After experiencing a trashing under the hands of a person they all underestimated, a sense of shame and bitterness filled their hearts.

'What elites? Can't even stand up to one young female would they still dare to call themselves elites?

Ruyi too felt that way. It's no wonder those girls under Feiyun were all so strong. FeiAn had warned him never to underestimate Feiyun's skills.

"Look at your body. What do you see?"

Feiyun took a wet handkerchief from FeiAn who had appeared beside her. Wiping her hands nonchalantly asking. Prompting the man to glance around and look at each other.

Murmurs filled the air. The men were shocked to find patches of glowing spots on their body. What's worse was that they were all on vital areas.

"What are these things on us?"

"Be careful it might be dangerous."

A spring like chuckle filled their ears, pulling their attention back to her.

"Those aren't poisonous. My shoes and fist are covered with this luminescent powdered substance. After coming in contact with the moisture in the air, after some time, they will glow even in the dark. They can be removed easily with water."

As soon as she finished her words, they only realised that her boots she was wearing were also glowing brightly.

"I want you all to realize one thing- Complacency will kill. Each and everyone of you would have died a hundred times over if I had been your real enemy."

Ruyi himself was speechless. He had finally realize Feiyun was not only strong but also a respectable leader.

But a disturbed frown appeared on his face, if she was this strong yet couldn't fight against those red haired warriors of the Long Princess...then what else is there to say about themselves? Are they going to be of any use?

"I didn't ask for you to serve me nor do I want your lives. But if you want to continue serving Tianhuo then get stronger, as you are now, you can not beat those red haired warriors.

Remember there will always be someone who is above you. If it's not me, it's Tianhuo, if it's not him then it's someone else."

Those man who had eyes filled with lost confidence suddenly regained a sense of understanding.

Seeing that she had finally knocked sense into this group, Feiyun turned around with a sigh preparing to head back into her room,

"In a week's time there will be a rematch. When you return here, I want to see stronger, faster and smarter men. If you win, I will take you under my wing, of not then..."

There was no need to complete her sentence. They knew if they didn't win, they didn't have to return to serve Tianhuo ever again.

Ruyi's eyes widened. How much can one train in a week's time? Isn't princess just being too harsh?

Back in the room, Feiyun had already removed her dark clothes, a thin sheen of sweat from the exercise earlier could be seen on her forehead.

A small smile unknowingly crept into her face. Those men reminded her of her times during training. Each of them were loyal and dedicated. But their sense of achievement had put their heads in the clouds.

Only by falling and realising how high they thought themselves to be can they really awaken and strive to become better.

"FeiAn."

Hearing FeiYun call for her, FeiAn's shadowed appeared, with her head bowed waiting for her command.

"Here."

Feiyun turned a glance towards FeiAn ,

"Go get FeiQin to oversee their training and get a batch of Strengthening Blood marrow pills for them...also send a note to FeiSha for her to return by the end of the week."

"Yes."

A warm yet pitiful smile appeared on FeiAn's face as she replied.

She knew Feiyun only treated those men as such because they were Tianhuo's men and she wanted him to have only the best.

But just thinking about FeiQin's training regime and then a fight against FeiSha...she could already feel goosebumps and pity for those HuangQuan Guild members.

The sound of flapping wings came from the back window and attracted both their attention.

Walking to the back, Feiyun saw her black falcon perched on the bird stand, a small paper note rolled and attached to its leg.

A smirk crept onto her face as she picked the note to read, smoothly patting her falcon's head, to which the bird allowed, enjoying the skinship with its master.

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

The soft melody of a Guqin played in a beautiful garden. It was the middle of the night, the moon's light shining down upon the garden perfectly illuminated the scenery.

Under the wide pavillion, his gallant figure sat lazily, dressed in his black robes with a larger cloak drapped over his shoulder as deep dark hair gently cascaded down in waterfalls. His face however was much paler than usual. His deep blue eyes hidden from the world as he kept them closed.

One would think he was a statue if not for the barely visable white mist that appears as he breathed out against the cool spring night. The large brazier with coal placed by the side was the only source of warmth.

"Its late. Why are you still out here?"

A striking voice appeared from behind him, to which he ignored as though he was the only being in the world.

Seeing that the man had refused to acknowledge her presence once again, Long Lishi gritted her teeth.

Even if she love the man in front of her, there was only so much of her pride she could put aside for him.

Yet remembering her maid's words, she pressed down her rage once more.

Taking a seat beside the man, she poured herself a cup of plum wine. Glancing towards him for a moment, she couldn't help but be drawn to him once again.

His appearance was like an immortal, perfect beyond belief. With the moonbeam shining down on him, he felt just like a God of the moon.

Once again she smirked to herself, it was the right decision to love this man.

Tianhuo on the other hand remained quiet and unmoving like a jade statue.

"Why...-"

Her voice dragged and paused for a moment before she continued,

"-won't you talk to me?"

This time Long Lishi's voice was very gentle. Like a lonely girl without arrogance.

Silence hung in the air, only the melody of the Guqin playing from a distance.

This had been going on for the past half a month. Since arriving, not even a glance, word or sound came from this man. Like a doll or statue that only knew to breath, eat and sleep. Even when he coincidentally met her in the courtyard, his gaze never once saw her, as though looking through her like air, he would then move about his business.