The Black Emperor's Runaway Bride

Ghost Valley Master

Qingya Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the Wei Kingdom, was situated over its Southern Border. Locals said that the forest contained the most ferocious monster that craved human blood. Tall trees with greenery covered the forest sky not allowing any light that passed through causing the forest shrouded in darkness. It was the perfect hiding place, silent and abandoned. The forest and its haunted valley were named the Ghost Valley.

Footsteps were heard breaking the silent night in Qingya Mountain. A general clad in his armor was chased down near the cliff. Hundreds of men in black clothes just like a shadow, moving fast trying to catch the man. He was surrounded.

"Just surrender, general. You know that the Black Emperor hates failed missions. All will be questioned in front of him. Failure would not be tolerated in Ghost Army. Accept your fate." One of the ghost armies said. The general tried to jump but failed as they managed to tie him down.

The man was dragged into their main hall in Ghost Valley, his hands tied, legs chained. He saw the other Ghost Generals already present. "Hanging Ghost, as one of the Ghost Generals in Ghost Army, you know that Chief will come and punish you. You dare running away from him!" Lovelace mocking him. Happy Ghost also laughed non-stop celebrating his mistake.

In Ghost Army, everyone was willing to kill each other to gain the favor of their Chief, The Black Emperor. It's either you killed others or be killed. No mercy accepted. All missions must be done perfectly. That's why the Ghost Army was feared, the Ghost Generals were cruel. They were all monsters that took pleasure in killing people.

The drum was beaten continuously to announce the entrance of Ghost Valley Master. All Ghost General and ghost army present knelt immediately. A lone figure clad in a black robe entered the hall, powerful strode, his aura exudes power, his presence demanded attention. Beautiful face obscured by a half-face obsidian mask. High nose bridge with thin lips that always in a smirk. His right hand toyed with two walnuts.

"Chief is back! All evils retreat! All ghosts return" cacophony of voices echoed accompanied with the drumbeat.

He lifted his right hand and signaled them to arise. All Ghost Generals followed him to the throne room. There was Xie Wang, his Advisor with his other four Scorpion Assassins. They bowed to the Chief.
Hanging Ghost was forced to kneel in the middle of the room, head lowered.

"The Hanging Ghost failed his mission. The second Princess of the Shu Han Kingdom and her husband managed to escape our attack. He tried to run and almost jumped into the cliff, but we managed to catch him" Long-tongued Ghost reported.

The Chief remained silent, closed his eyes, rested his arm on the throne armrest, back relaxed, and flexed his left leg over the throne, still playing with his walnuts, undecided. The Chief's silence was suffocating, and everyone present became more restless. As the head of all the Ghost Generals of Ghost Valley, the Changing Ghost acted first as he was furious.

"Useless!" he screamed, then slapped the Hanging Ghost hard. "Failure is not accepted, you embarrass me as your leader. Chief, I beg you...Please punish him"

Suddenly the Chief laughed "Very good, very good" he stood up and walked toward Hanging Ghost.

Shaking, Hanging Ghost bowed down in tears "Chief, I beg your forgiveness. That night, I managed to drug all the Shu Han imperial family and killed them. I didn't expect that both the Second Princess and Prince Jiu Xian were missing. Once they informed me, both had already escaped. We chased them but failed to catch them." Hanging Ghost has finally spoken explaining why his mission to eradicate all the Shu Han Kingdom Imperial family failed.

"Please spare my life. Please spare my life" he repeatedly hit his forehead on the floor until it bled.

The Chief crushed the walnuts on his palms. Hanging Ghost in his chokehold in a blink of an eye, then he threw him a few meters away. The Hanging Ghost threw up blood, life hanging on a thin line. He knew the Chief never offered mercy, but he tried to plead for his life. Now his chance was slim.