Mo Yuan and Shao Wan (三生三世十里桃花) - Vol. 1 [COMPLETED]

Chapter 57

"You'll soon be the last Royal Family Member of the Grand Ziming Palace."

"I also entrust the Ghost Realm to you."

Over 700 years ago, after Er Ge had placed the sleeping spell on her, he had his Qilin and the soldiers lock her and Qiao Er up in the Arctic Land prison. During those seven days, hope and fear had intermingled. She had prayed for his success, and that no harm would come to her brother, because Qiao Er needed a father, and she too needed her only kin. But Yan Zhi also knew that the worst would come when he spoke those departing words to her. Yan Zhi had begged the soldiers to let her out, to stop her Li Jing from his suicide mission, her father was too powerful, too dangerous. But they had refused to release her, as was their duty.

Once the 7th day was reached, she had sped back home. Her world had collapsed when she had seen Er Ge's body by the ceremonial platform. She had broken down, cradling his limp body in her arms - and she knew, her father had killed Er Ge, his last and only son. The thirst for revenge had overcome his familial instinct. The realization that she had not been able to stop her family from slaughtering each other was a crushing defeat. Who was she to rule the Ghost Realm, when she couldn't even protect her own family?

Yan Zhi had left with Qiao Er soon after she had lain her brother to rest next to his wife. She had abandoned the little Qilin, because he had made a promise with Er Ge to help her ascend the throne. But it was a throne she didn't want, nor felt suited for. But now that she was back here, Qilin, who had waited patiently for her return, had insisted to never leave her side again. Since Qilins brought fortune to those he wished to serve, Yan Zhi had assigned him to protect Qiao Er.

With three incense in her hands, Yan Zhi knelt before her brother's grave, with Qiao Er and Qilin by her sides.

"Er Ge, forgive me, it took me so long to return with Qiao Er. You had placed your trust in me, but I have failed you. I didn't understand then, but I do now. I will protect our clan in your stead. Please rest in peace with Er Sao."

Placing the incense on the ground, she bowed before her deceased elders. She used to think the Grand Ziming Palace was where humanity was stripped away from everyone, but those days were past. This was her home, it had always been, and she would remain here until the day she died. No longer would her people kneel in front of other Clans. As the future Queen of the Ghost Realm, she would rule, lead, protect, and make her people proud of their lineage.

******

Late Afternoon

Yan Zhi, dressed in battle armor, climbed on her horse, with her gear secured behind her. Turning to her attendants, she looked at Qilin and the Xiu Sisters, the personal royal guards of Ziming Palace she had assigned to Qiao Er.

They were the infamous five daughters of General Kai, who sought to serve her upon the first day of their arrival, with their mother's blessing. General Kai, unlike other men of the Ghost Clan was a faithful man, who only wanted one spouse and no other consorts. Although his choice to remain faithful was often mocked by other Generals in the past, he was still highly respected due to his accomplishment in battles, his loyalty, and because his daughters were not to be trifled with.

His wife, Lady Ling, was a frail yet determined woman, who did all she could to produce a son who could one day lead his own army. But they had sired five strong warrior daughters instead, all named after the flower Hydrangea (绣 Xiu), Lady Ling's favorite, symbolizing love, gratitude, and enlightenment. Xiu Yin (银 Silver), Xiu Li (栗 Maroon), Xiu Tao (桃 Pink), Xiu Lan (蓝 Blue), and Xiu Zi (紫 Purple) were all born before the family was finally blessed with a male heir - a boy much younger than his five warrior sisters, in fact, he was near Qiao Er's age.

Yan Zhi turned her attention to the oldest, but smallest in stature compared to the rest of her siblings. "Look after the Princess. Qiao Er should continue her riding and magic lessons. I am going to see the Elders."

"Yes, your Highness," Xiu Yin bowed without further words. She had asked on several occasion to come along as her bodyguard, but Yan Zhi had firmly refused.

With a nod of dismissal, she galloped towards the open Valley. Upon the first five days of her arrival, she had listened to the intelligence collected about the Demons, Celestials, and Fox Clans. While the Celestials might look outwardly peaceful, they were always prepared for war. The Demon Clan was as well, itching for revenge. Cheng Yin had emerged as a figurehead of the Demon cause before even the Ancestor's return, a man very hungry for power, and quite obviously also meddling with Ghost politics. Now that Yan Zhi was back, there was no time to waste: She and her trusted allies had to stop the Ghost traitors who were amassing their own powers and might attack at any times.

She could only trust a few of the Generals, but thanks to the Elder's control, it had not gotten out of hand. If not for the Elder's intervention, the Ghost Tribe would had been wiped out when Yan Zhi had left. Whatever their demands, she felt she had to comply, because she owed a great debt to them.

Now, Yan Zhi arrived at her destination. She climbed off her horse at the entrance to the valley. Yan Zhi readied her equipment. She took her bow and plenty of arrows, tied a long dagger to her waist, and hid smaller ones on her body. Cautiously, she crossed into the hostile territory. She had not even passed twenty yards when magical vines shot out from all sides. She jumped and dodged their attacks as she cut them down with her dagger. This, she had practiced many times before, and she easily passed through the first trap.

Not long after Yan Zhi left the magical vines' territory, large, closed mallows surrounded her path. The deadly red hibiscus soon sensed her presence, but she shot them with her arrows in every direction before they could open their petals. However, her speed was insufficient, a few managed to bloom and started to shoot out deadly darts, aimed at body heat. Leaping and jumping forward, she continued to shoot at the deadly flowers. An opening behind the trees! She swiftly leapt through, spinning around, swatting down the darts with the rotation of her bow. Too late, she noticed that one had already pierced her shoulder.

Upon landing on the edge of the water, her gaze swept over the large lotus leaves in the pond. She started to leap over, using the leaves to land her steps. Water started to shoot up like a geyser in her path. Pivoting to her left, she moved around it, but another blocked her path again, forcing her to double back, making her come upon another geyser from beneath, damaging her qi. Undeterred, she zigzagged and bounced over the lotus leaves, dodging the water expertly. Her timing had much improved, Yan Zhi actually managed to land her feet on dry ground again.

Next up was the silkworm maze, her favorite. Passing through such a maze required excellent balance and maneuvering skills. She had been hit thrice so far, but the injuries were manageable. The forest was still vast and she already knew the four routes ahead. Let's see how far she would manage today. Yan Zhi checked on her weapons one last time, before heading forward.