Embers of Love

Chapter 37

    Danzhu tried all sorts of gimmicks and tricks, bending over backwards, wearing himself out in an all-out attempt to distract the beloved Light Immortal from the pain of rejection and his nephew's indefinite period of absence.

    Though she smiled and laughed and clapped, he knew it was just for show. She was only extemporizing, patronising him. Her eyes always contained a faraway look, like half her mind was elsewhere.

    Until finally, that third evening, while the Matchmaker was teaching Juying how to play Chinese Chess, a breathless palace maid came running up to them, disrupting the pair. "The... the Heavenly Emperor. Just returned," she panted.

    Game long forgotten, Juying dropped the pieces she was holding and latched onto the maid's arm. "Where is he? Take me to him immediately," she requested urgently. The fire qilin was barely able to contain her anticipation. She was convinced that everyone within a bu of her was able to hear the galloping in her chest.

    As the pair hurried off briskly, the fox spirit gripped onto his wooded staff, waving it frantically as he tried to keep up. "Wait for me!"

    Her footsteps became faster and faster. Before she knew it, Juying had broken out into a run. The palace maid pleaded with her to slow down for the fear that she might fall. However, the fire qilin barely registered her words.

    Coming to a stop at the gates of the Empyreal Cloud Palace, she looked around searchingly.

    Then, from a distance, it wasn't untill her eyes landed upon that all-too-familiar face that she was hit with the reality of how much she had missed him. Absorbed in thought, the regal, yet not imposing figure made its way up the steps with his soldiers trailing behind. Dark hair, cold eyes, pressed lips and eyebrows turned downwards in a frown. He hadn't noticed her yet.

    As he approached, the sounds of the world seemed to become muffled. Juying found herself unable to tear her eyes away. The longer she stared, the tighter the knots in her stomach became and her breath caught in her throat. Would he be happy to see her?

    He wore a brooding expression, the muscles in his jaw ticking as he listened to members of his court that were clamouring to greet him. The dragon spirit carried his silver helmet in one bloodstained hand. His once pristine white robes bore rips and uneven crimson patches, while his silver armour was branded in blackened scuff and scorch marks.

    Not far off, the Medicine King waddled from one critically wounded soldier to another, who were supported by their more able-bodied peers. Upon seeing the silver dragon, he hurried over to treat his wounds. However, the Heavenly Emperor only waved him off with a dismissive, disgruntled hand, instructing him to tend to his injured men first.

    With a newfound sense of purpose, he began striding towards the gates, turning a deaf, uncaring ear to the praises and celebratory sayings by the members of his court. As he approached, an anxiousness seized the Light Immortal. How should she greet him? Should she play it cool? Or express her relief?

    There was no time to think. As he reached a few steps away from Juying, she stepped forward, finally catching his attention. Brimming with excitement, she whispered, "You're back!"

    The Heavenly Emperor only glanced at her for a brief second, his expression one of cold, blank indifference. He turned back to face the front and walked past her without a word, as though she were nothing more than a column of air.

    "Pojun, gather the generals to Qizheng Palace immediately," he ordered.

    "Yes, your majesty," Pojun obeyed.

    The dragon spirit continued to stride off, never bothering to back.

    Stunned, and at a loss for words, Juying stared after his receding figure, wondering why it felt as though someone had just driven an invisible dagger straight through her chest.

---

    "We were ambushed," Runyu growled through gritted teeth, "There never was a border dispute. It was all just a set up."

    "Preposterous! Those wolves and bears fight with no honour," Pojun slammed his hand onto the table, sending several tiny troop markers toppling over. "They knew that we'd only send a small army to break up the fight and took advantage of our lack in numbers. Since they want to play dirty, we should summon all our troops and attack them immediately while they are still in recovery."

    His words were met with a thunderous chorus of agreement from the other generals, while others exchanged murmurs and uncertain glances. "Exactly. Now that the Six Realms know they are traitors to the throne, we should wipe them out completely as a warning to all living creatures under the Heavenly Emperor's jurisdiction!"

    The generals' impassioned cheers were only met with the silver dragon's stony silence. He was finally sure that the wolves and bears had intention to kill him and rise to power. For that, they would certainly face his wrath, and he was determined to make them pay with their lives.

    "However, that is a measure which would cost me public support," he brooded. "I cannot afford to lose the reverence and respect that I have so meticulously built up for the past two thousand years."

    "We do not kick people when they are down," the dragon spirit solemnly spoke, silencing the crowd. "Resorting to cruel, underhanded means is no longer the way of the Heavenly Realm. I am tired of the hypocrisy." Some generals openly voice their approval, while the others nodded their begrudging agreement.

    "Ready your soldiers, for the wolves and bears will strike again. Starting from now, their right to establish and maintain trade connections shall be revoked. That will reduce the amount of food and essential supplies entering their territory."

    Fixing a hard gaze on each of his men, Runyu continued "In view of their willingness to resort to such surreptitious means, it becomes even more vital for us to protect our own. It is unsafe to leave the Empyreal Cloud Palace for the time being."

    Pojun bowed his head, crossed an arm across his chest and knelt down on one knee. "Forgive me for speaking so openly earlier, your majesty. The Heavenly Emperor is wise. Pojun awaits your orders."

    The other generals mirrored his actions and echoed his words.

    "Pass along my command," the silver dragon ordered. "For the foreseeable future, nobody is allowed to enter or leave the Empyreal Cloud Palace without my permission. Anyone who disobeys must immediately be reported to me, and they shall be locked up as punishment."