Heavenly Star

Yue Handong was evidently making an unnecessary move. Even if he had not gone to Long Yin, the Ye Family were already making preparations. Ye Nu and Ye Wei were not impulsive people, the five days of delay were similarly their bottom line. If the situation continued, it would threaten the people. They were actually on the passive side of the war so they did not have the right to bargain for anything.

“Yao-er, what you want to bring with you? Tell mother…”

While Wang Wenshu was speaking, she was also wiping off unending tears. Since that day, Wang Wenshu would frequently wash her face of tears. Hearts of the mother and daughter were connected, so she could not just be like Ye Nu and Ye Wei who only kept it inside their heart. The past few days, she would also sleep beside her daughter at night, since once her daughter left for Gale Nation, they would never meet each other again.

On the contrary however, Ye Shuiyao’s behavior was overly calm, just as before, with neither happiness or sadness. Even if she was now considered the adopted daughter of Long Yin in front of civil and military officials, and bestowed with the title “Princess Yao Feng,” she was still emotionless. Her face was so cold that it surprised anyone. At Wang Wenshu’s question, she only shook her head and picked up the long wooden box beside her bed.

“Mother, let’s go.” One hand was holding the wooden box while the other, her mother’s hand. Outside, the people of Gale Nation were waiting for her. Reality, after all, was not some dreamland, one was not able to escape it. Even so, she did not have any plans to escape, leaving Tian Long Nation was also to free herself.

“Yao-er, you really don’t need anything?” Wang Wenshu was extremely pained as she remarked, tightening her hold on her daughter’s hand and a thousand times unwilling to let go.

Ye Shuiyao shook her head, pulling at her mother as they headed outside. Her eyes, softly swept through every corner of her bedroom. This was the place she had stayed in for more than ten years, it was quite familiar and warm. After stepping out of it today, she might not able to return here ever again.

Suddenly, she stopped and looked at her bed. Her eyes were fixed on the soft pillow and her gaze was frozen to it, as if attracted. A thin layer of mist turned her vision fuzzy.

“Yao-er?”

Ye Shuiyao shook her head, wiped off the mist in her eyes, then continued to head out. When she was about to step out of her room, she stopped again. Grabbing her hand, Wang Wenshu was able to feel the coldness from her palm and her body was slightly trembling. She felt sorry for her and wanted to cry out loud, not knowing that Ye Shuiyao was making a heart wrenching choice.

Ye Shuiyao released her mother’s hand to open the wooden box she was holding. Inside were some of her most favorite dresses and two rolled up paintings. Aside from these, there was nothing else and no other luxuries. She took out the paintings, hugged them in her arms, then proceeded to her bed. Her hands trembled as she laid them down on the bed, then she fiercely turned around and did not look back at them again.

Just cut it off like this, treat it as a dream and consider him dead a year ago. Forget it, break it, run away from it… That was a kind of love that should not exist, her heart should not be this way…

But her heart not in pain anymore, just very very empty, like it had stayed with the paintings and his shadow, lost…

It was the first that Yue Handong saw Ye Shuiyao, and without any make-up or ornaments, yet still so breath-takingly beautiful. She was just like a goddess that descended from heaven, even he who liked war and killing, who judged women as dirt, was stunned for a moment. He finally knew why the crown prince made such crazy move for the sake of one woman from Tian Long Nation.

Indeed it was truly femme fatale. Such a woman, whether to stop or trigger war between two nations, anyone would recognize this capability.

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, would like me to pass on a message. Old General Ye and General Ye, please feel assured that His Highness the Crown Prince will surely permit Princess Yao Feng to enjoy all the glory and splendor. She wouldn’t suffer from anything or else he will kneel before the Ye Family to apologize. If you miss your granddaughter, you may visit the Gale Nation at any time, the crown prince will certainly welcome you.” Yue Handong said respectfully and not just because of Feng Ling’s strict command. In front of Ye Nu, he was still of the younger generation. Ye Nu’s reputation was also like thunder that pierced through one’s ears. Although they were at opposing sides, he had admired the man for a long time.

“I see that Crown Prince Feng is indeed true to my daughter. I will not say any more unnecessary words. Throughout the journey, please do take good care of my daughter.” Ye Wei sighed. Ye Shuiyao was still cold and silent so his guilt had lessened a bit. What consoled hom was the fact that once she reached the Gale Nation, she would certainly be pampered and would not suffer from any hardships. But what worried him was after all these years of being alone in her chamber, and rarely stepping out of her own room, she might not be able to adjust being by herself in a foreign land.

“Please don’t worry too much. In order to avoid any unexpected incidents along the way, His Highness, the Crown Prince, ordered numerous experts to escort her. Even if they were to die horribly, they will absolutely protect Princess Yao Feng.” Yue Handong said, making a solemn vow. He did not want to delay much longer, so he saluted, “Princess Yao Feng, please get into the carriage.”

Outside the gate, an extremely luxurious carriage was parked. More than thirty men with bright eyes dressed as imperial bodyguards were guarding the area. Beside them were a few young girls dressed as maids. Ye Shuiyao’s gaze swept through her parents and grandfather one by one. She then opened her mouth and coldly said, “Don’t worry about me.”

Her face was without happiness or sadness and she did not stay any longer for more words. Without hesitation she turned and headed out. Wang Wenshu leaned on Ye Wei’s arms, sobbing silently.

“Yao-er, remember, wherever you go, you will forever a daughter of the Ye Family!” Ye Nu yelled out as he clenched both fists tightly.

Ye Shuiyao halted a bit, then continued on. A maid went ahead and pulled up the curtain. After Ye Shuiyao hopped onto the carriage, she took one last glance at the Ye Family until her gaze and figures were separated by the carriage curtain into two separate worlds.

“Ye Yi, Ye Er, followed them the entire way. Protect her and come back after a month.” Ye Wei heaved out a long sigh as he plainly remarked, looking in the direction where his daughter’s figure had disappeared to. He must know about his daughter’s welfare in that place.

“Yes.” They responded and went to stand behind the carriage.

Yue Handong did not decline, he saluted and said, “We shall meet again someday. I hope during that day I will be able to witness Old General Ye and General Ye’s elegant style in the battlefield.”

“I hope that day will never come. I already fear it.” Ye Nu said in a weary voice then sighed.

Yue Handong was startled, but quickly changed into a more respectful expression. Ye Nu was afraid, but it was not because of the Gale Nation, nor was he afraid of losing his life. He was afraid for Tian Long Nation, the land which he had protected almost all his life. For Tian Long Nation, which had been peaceful for so long, he had reached the point wherein he had to abandon his family to temporarily evade the crisis. How could he not feel ashamed and afraid?

“We shall meet again.” Yue Handong did not linger, he turned around and left.

In the afternoon, the procession had finally set foot to return to the Gale Nation. Long Yin personally went out of the city to send them off. Only until they disappeared into the distance and he could no longer see them anymore did he sigh and return. During the next day’s morning assembly in the imperial court, he sighed in appreciation of the courage of the daughter of the Ye Family. Having the Ye Family was truely Tian Long’s greatest blessing.

Under the setting sun, the curtain was eventually pulled up. Ye Shuiyao glanced at the gradually receding Tian Long City one last time, then finally her tears fell down like rain.

…………………………………………………………………………

“Brother, how many days left till we get home?”

“……”

“Brother?”

“Ah?” Ye Wuchen, having been lost in thoughts, regained his attention and looked at Ning Xue who was full of questions.

“Brother, what were you thinking about? I want to know how long it will take until we reach home?” she looked at Ye Wuchen with a puzzled face.

“Maybe around four or five days more.” Ye Wuchen replied. The speed on their way home was much faster than their journey to the South. In approximately half a month, they would be able to reach home. A while ago, he suddenly felt depressed, as if he was being suffocated by something.

On Ye Wuchen’s right shoulder, a white pocket-sized girl floated. She blurted out many squeaks but he could not understand.

The Heavenly Fire Volcano.

The originally purple lava had turned scarlet. After Ye Wuchen left, it was peaceful once again. Although the Heavenly Fire Volcano’s temperature had obviously dropped by a lot, nobody dared to approach this place still.

At this moment, a dark light flashed through the center of the Heavenly Fire Volcano, reflecting a black shadow on the calm surface of lava. The head of the black shadow gave a frightening evil laugh that could cause people to tremble with fear.

Lava started to rise and fall, until it violently flared up. The figure was completely wrapped up by a dark light. Two flickering eyes with deep and distant light producing an ear-piercing sharp hiss. The figure turned, and the frighteningly dark light came out from its body, silently cutting through the lava and continued downwards.

Whoosh!

The lava exploded as a tremendous head emerged from the surface. Both of the large dragon eyes was full of shock and indistinct fear.

“It’s you, you’re not dead yet!”

The surrounding lava continued to explode, and the entire Heavenly Fire Volcano shook endlessly as if it could erupt at any time. This time, the shock in its heart doubled.

“Yes, I’m not dead. But you…will die soon.” The black shadow had an incomparably gloomy and cold voice, it resounded in the ears like cold wind blowing. It could freeze the body of anyone who heard it.

The figure moved, rapidly rising, a strong and dazzling dark light expanded from it, continuing to expand. Faraway in Yan Long City, people were surprised to see that there seemed to be an expanding black sun over the Heavenly Fire Volcano. When the black sun stopped expanding, it suddenly fell right into the Heavenly Fire Volcano and the people suddenly felt an extremely frightening energy.

Boom!

Yan Long City violently trembled during the collision. The Heavenly Fire Volcano which had existed for very long time was completely covered in the dark light as it rapidly crumbled.

A resonant angry cry of the dragon streaked across the horizon, and the tremendous dragon with a completely scarlet body soared up to the sky from the collapsed Heavenly Fire Volcano, followed by an alarming cry that pierced through the entire city.

The Heavenly Fire Dragon’s body was more than several hundred meters long that aside from Yan Long City, a portion of the south was able to see the figure of a scarlet dragon up high in the sky. A few balls of flame erupted from the dragon’s mouth as it attacked the area below.

“Hahahaha… So that’s the way it is, I’ve bet the current you is already in a pitiful and weak level so I was able to launch my attack. All these years, I’ve been hiding and recovering. Today, I’ve finally got this opportunity! Hahahaha…”