The Princess And The Lord

The crimson-colored liquid that came down little by little made the small pool on the white marble floor feel so quiet that sobs could be heard.

"Why..." the voice choked. "Why are you doing this? WHY?!"

Li Xin, what's wrong?" Lory cupped Zhao Li Xin's worried face, "You've been quiet all this time, tell me what's bothering you?"

Zhao Li Xin pinched his glabella he didn't know what he just saw it felt like a dream but the scene feel unfamiliar but it jumbled with his nightmare Zhao Li Xin felt he was going crazy.

"I feel like dreaming with eyes opened...I think there's something is very wrong with me" he sighed quietly as he divert his eyes from Lory, it was rare to hear his voice on edged.

"Hey, don't say that" Lory squeezed Zhao Li Xin's cheek between her palms "Even if it's true, I won't let anything happen to you, and you know that, right?!" her eyes shoot at him with pure determination.

Zhao Li Xin's gloomy face eased slightly then he looked deeply into Lory's eyes, "I know, but if you take care of me, who will take care of you?" Zhao Li Xin gently kisses Lory's hand feeling embarrassed for showing his weak side, but he can't help it, cause the thing that Zhao Li Xin feared the most was he failed to protect Lory when she need him the most.

Zhao Li Xin knew unlike the previous battle, this time's battle is the most important one, therefore, he cannot afford to be weak.

On the contrary, Lory remain calm as usual then she replied in a playful tone "Well I have an old bird to look after my back, like literally so you don't have to worry, I'll be fine,"

Her relaxed tone made him feel relieved but jealous at how much Lory put her trust in Girsha, Zhao Li Xin sighed feeling pathetic he then leaned his forehead on Lory's shoulder weakly "I know, but I am your husband… I should be the one who protects you, it's my responsibility" he felt a little dissatisfied.

"What is this?" Lory's brows arch in surprise "Are you jealous with the old bird?" Lory patted the back of Zhao Li Xin's head.

Embarrassed, Zhao Li Xin didn't dare to lift his head now that he realizes he was being stupid, Lory thought her guessed was right and she laughed out loud even Girsha laughed with her as well, putting aside that they were different species even if Girsha become a man their relationship will be like father and daughter or nagging teacher with his naughty student.

"Okay enough laughing" Zhao Li Xin raised his head then pursed his lips and then grumble.

His pouting face makes Lory want to laugh even more but she holds it in regard to save his face, Lory covers her mouth with the back of her palms and her face slightly red from too much laughing, "Gosh, because of you I got less tensed…" Lory clear her throat while trying to hold her smile "Ehm,…thank you~"

Zhao Li Xin scratched his nose his face slightly flushed, he feel he had just made a fool of himself.

"Okay, enough kidding, where exactly are we?" Lory checked her surroundings then clicked her tongue and put her hands on her hips "I saw that mark on the wall three times so I guess..we're lost, now!"

Zhao Li Xin's charming smile radiated on his heavenly handsome face, "No, this place is actually designed in a certain formation and that mark on the wall is intentionally designed there to make others think that they have passed this way before" explained Zhao Li Xin gazing at the sight that in a glance seems inconspicuous but actually catches the attention of everyone who passes by.

Lory's brows arched then she look at him with a gleaming eyes "so there's a trick like that" Lory mumbled then he asked again "Have you seen this before?"

Zhao Li Xin nodded "The underground has the same trick as this, It took a while for me to figure it out"

Lory's lips pursed in annoyance "Why are you never told me that?"

Zhao Li Xin stared at Lory blankly, not seeming to understand why she was upset, "I don't think it matters..."

Actually, Lory wasn't angry that Zhao Li Xin didn't share her experience, the thing that annoyed her was imagining how lonely she was. Unlike Zhao Li Xin's childhood, Lory had many people to support, guide, protect and also teach her that's why Lory was able to grow up safely without care because she knew she always had someone to rely on when she was in trouble but Zhao Li Xin was alone from the day she can remember it. it was already a miracle Zhao Li Xin didn't die when he was still a baby.

"Okay, forget it, I'm not angry..." Lory sighed tiredly, this wasn't the time to think about it she then continued to look around her and realized this place was like a ruined palace, Lory saw there were engraving marks on the stone fragments scattered on the ground unfortunately because of corrosion the engraving on the stone become unclear.

Lory gently wiped the stone then blew away the remaining dust, "It looks like carved of scales...but it doesn't look like fish scales, what do you think these are?" Lory showed the stone to Zhao Li Xin.

Zhao Li Xin lowered his head and then examined the stone in Lory's hand carefully "I don't know, but people usually like to carve dragons."

"Dragon huh?" Lory thought it made sense but normally only emperors allow dragons to be carved into their dwellings so this is most likely the ruined palace of king Lei Yu. Everything would make sense why King Lei Yu's heirloom weapon was here.

"This place is a bit like an underground place before restoration but the condition of this place is much worse" Zhao Li Xin looked around him then realized where the familiarity was coming from still he got many questions rising in his mind.

"In other words, your underground palace might have a connection with King Lei Yu?" Lory swept her gaze across the area while subconsciously rubbing her arms as a strange feeling pricked her skin like needles.

Lory and Zhao Li Xin were lost in their thoughts no one spoke anymore as an uneasy feeling loomed like a shadow it feels like they were dancing on someone else's palm. Lory and Zhao Li Xin look at each other in silence without a word they knew they think the same things.

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__Somewhereelse in the Empyrean Green forest__

"We are already in the Yin Shan mountain area, now what?" Tao Bing Wen put his hands on his hips while looking up at the billowing gray sky with an anxious face, what would happen if a volcano erupted while they were still here? will they be able to get away from this place at the right time?

Meanwhile, Yang Xi Ying stared at the mountain, he was sure Lory and Zhao Li Xin must be there, but she was worried that they might already be inside Yi Shan mountain.

Yang Xi Ying turned her gaze back for a bit then he looked up at the mountain again while contemplating what she will be going to do next.

Unfortunately, Yang Xi Ying felt that whatever decision she made would be dangerous as she didn't know when Li Mo Zhen would find her, and waiting here would only make her an easy target therefore her only option was to find Lory as soon as possible but how can she do that?

Yang Xi Ying frowned then suddenly heard the sound of a twig snapping.

"What's that?!" Yang Xi Ying reflexively looked back.

Tao Bing Wen also looked back with a tense face, "What? What did you hear?" there was a hint of panic in his voice.

Yang Xi Ying's eyes quickly glanced left and right then she whispered, "I'm not sure….prepare your talisman!" she gave a swift order at the same time summoning his sword from his ring and the protective talisman in her other hand.

Tao Bing Wen felt his stomach churns with trembling hands he gripped the talisman until it was almost crumpled.

"Stay calm..." Yang Xi Ying's gentle voice slightly eased the tension in Tao Bing Wen's mind.

"Count to five and breathe slowly....yes, do it like that" Yang Xi Ying used the method she saw when Lory calmed Ming Yue Yin's temper and she succeeded, Tao Bing Wen's breathing gradually stabilized.

"Beat can smell our fears from our heartbeat, so we should stay calm?" Yang Xi Ying speaks softly while tightening her grip on her sword.

You're not afraid, huh?" Tao Bing Wen glanced at her in pure admiration.

Yang Xi Ying smiled dryly, "Are you kidding me, I'm terrified now" Yang Xi Ying gulped.

Tao Bing Wen was stunned he then saw the thin layer of sweat on Yang Xi Ying's forehead he instantly felt like a fool how could she not be afraid, even though she is older than him but she is still a young woman not to mention she is also pregnant so how can she not be afraid.

Suddenly there was a glint in Tao Bing Wen's eyes then he took out a short sword from his sleeve that had been neatly tied to his arm all this time.