(Part 5)
* THE DEMON INFERNO CITY:
The teleportation array which Fenghuang drew to teleport Shentong and himself at the Inferno city, opened in the middle of the Eden of the Inferno city. Shentong fell off and hit himself hard as Fenghuang walked outside straight. He stood up in pain "Fenghuang, how many times did I ask you to repair your array designing skills, every time I use them to teleport. I obviously hit myself hard!" he complained.
Fenghuang looking at him annoyed fumed "If you have such problems with my arrays. I suggest you learn to design your own!" Shentong rolled his eyes ignoring him. "Where is Xiao ye…?" he guessed looking around. In an instant, his gaze shifted at the centre.
Yeying long stood there with a jade parasol twirling over his head. Moonlit nightingales fluttered around him as he grabbed a white chrysanthemum gazing over it intensely. "Xiao ye!" called Shentong finally grasping his sight. He ran towards him. The moonlit nightingales surrounded him as he made his way "Good morning, little nightingales." He greeted touching them. Yeying turned around, his expression still unseen, he asked "Brother Shen?" Shentong hugged him tightly nodding "Of course! It's your big brother! Fenghuang is also here!" he stated directly looking into his eyes which Yeying avoided.
"Brother Shen… don't look directly into my eyes…" he reminded. Shentong realising gasping "Alright! Alright! I won't. Don't be so alarmed." he assured. Yeying nodded affirming while turning around to grasp a look at Fenghuang who stood with his back against a tree. "Brother Feng…" he whispered. "Yo! Xiao long…" he greeted. Yeying nodded.
Turning back to face Shentong he questioned "What brings you here...?" Shentong replied with a heartfelt smile. "Xiao ye… I saw a dream! A spirit will give birth for you in this Eden in a while. Make sure you welcome it grandly!" Yeying smiled back, the parasol hiding his expression twirled around. Fenghuang sighed.
"Don't just turn your back on us Xiao ye, just to tell you this news. He pulled the whole Heavenly City in chaos. And, right now Feixing might be going through a horrendous trial!" All thanks to this idiot!" Fenghuang mocked. Shentong turned his head around arrogantly. Yeying gazed at the grass below. "Brother Huang, brother Shen… I'll watch over you… Tell this to brother Fei as well…" he said with a smile.
Shentong once again faced Yeying "Xiao ye… best of luck! And remember if things get a little difficult for us. We might have to bring the spirit with us to the heavenly palace. If it turns out fine. We won't bother!" he exclaimed.
"Let's go back! I am at my limit on my breathing time! Fenghuang! Let's go! Make an array straight to the heavenly palace!" he ordered. Fenghuang looked at him with veins popping off his head. "If you have this much time to order people around then kindly learn to make one by yourself!" he angered while making the array with his paintbrush.
Shentong faced him proudly, fanning himself ""No way! This highness only uses his mind... Moreover! A prince never does anything, a servant does…" Fenghuang eyed him fuming "Do you mean to say I'm a servant?! And you are a prince?! You little!" he grabbed Shentong and started hitting his head hard. "Ouch! Ouch!" Shentong cried. "How many times will you hit me today?" he asked slight angrily.
"You deserve it!" replied Fenghuang still hitting him. Yeying with the sight of the two them sighed with a smile. Activating the array, the very last time Fenghuang turned around to face Yeying. "Xiao long… Feixing said "No matter what happens, don't worry. We are right beside you. No need to hesitate. Just move forward! May heavens grace be upon you and all blessings unrestrained!" " He repeated the exact same words Feixing told him before he left.
Xiao yin unable to stare at him stared with his lips a gape. Instantly a smile covering them, he nodded "Thank you…" he thanked in a light whisper. Fenghuang and Shentong stared at him and then each other breaking into a smile. The two of them stepped back inside the portal. "Best of luck! Xiao ye…" called Shentong waving his arm on last time as the array disappeared into thin air.
Yeying Long walked with a steady pace. His face glistened and his smile evident. The parasol revolved around him. Making his way past towards the centre of a large oak tree, moonlight nightingale's flew all over it creating a scenic sight. Just as the moon stood at the peak of the night. A large white chrysanthemum appeared with flicker of light, just like snowflakes falling on a chilly night. Yeying long with his steady and graceful steps walked towards the magnificent sight. "How long has it been?" he thought to himself. His expression untold.
Under the full moon night, glistening with stars. An icy breeze blew. The trees bowed and the flowers swayed gracefully. Amid the grandiose Eden, A pearl white chrysanthemum bloomed elegantly. Cutting thorough the gentle breeze Yeying walked past by. Slender yet strong, and his aura domineering enough to make the surroundings shiver. His robe black imprinted with Red roses all over with its steps tranquil than the night itself. In his right hand twirled a jade red parasol covering his black hairs with silver dye reaching down to his waist. Over his left pointed ear, a crescent crown shimmered, connecting itself to two red gems dangling on each ear. In his middle finger was a hair strand tied firmly, and with every step his silver vambrances and chains clanked. Tiny, translucent moonlit nightingales chirped around him in the lightest pitch, creating a euphonious tone. Under the parasol, his eyes hidden yet an unknown smile rested on his lips.
Walking across the Eden, he halted before the white flower. Petal after petal it unwrapped.
Revealing a jade white figure. Moonlight covered her from head to toe, she gently stirred. Her hairs caramel brown streaming down the flower. Below them were two exquisite pairs of dim silver wings which slightly twitched upon the lightest touch. She sat straight blinking her eyes, ever so lightly. A gust of icy breeze went past her cheek making her shudder. She raised her petite arm and rubbed her eyes. Gently opening them, two blue silver moons seemed to be gazing around right and left with a blazing pink orb in the centre. Under the blinding moon, her moonlight dress dazzled, perfectly enough to blind everyone around the sight. Grasping the sight of the figure in front of her, the girl sat straight. Dazed and gasped, her eyes blinking in surprise.
The moonlit nightingales sat on every corner of the petal. Curiosity took over her as she touched one of them. Her long slender finger penetrating thorough the translucent silver nightingale. Shocked with the reaction she immediately pulled it away. Surprised yet mesmerised she gazed in awe. Under the light chirping of twilight nightingales her lips redder than cherry broke apart as she questioned
"Are you… the sovereign of the Demon world…?"
Her voice lighter than a whisper echoed throughout the Eden. The figure cladded in black hinted a soft smile, his expression unseen asked back
"What do you think?"
His voice sharp enough to waver huge lands made petals flutter around them. The girl who still couldn't grasp the situation gazed around the four corners. "Did I come back here...? Is this the inferno city?" she thought. Looking again at the unclear figure above her she pondered "Could it be he is the demon sovereign? Or not…?" "You are…?" she replied unconsciously. The nightingale's piqued her interest as she touched them. Her pearl white finger passing through them as she pulled back. Yeying smiled. Gazing right and left for a long time the girl tried to stand up. Her feet bare she stood straight on the flower looking at him. "Your name my lady, what is it?" Yeying asked. His tone polite yet his face still eclipsed. "My name… Yue Xianwu…" she replied. "Yue for moon, Xian… for a fairy and Wu for dance… a great name…" he said turning around. His long hairs tied haphazardly and long enough to touch the ground. Xianwu admired the sight in front of her.
The moment she walked she instantly felt a tingle behind her back. Turning around she saw a pair of wings. A moment of confusion took over her. Seeing the figure in front of her walking away. She tumbled behind. A cold shudder took over her with the cold she felt up her feet. "Wait… kindly tell me about the sovereign…" she called. Yeying long without halting his steps replied "Follow me…" Xianwu toddled behind him. Walking through the Eden Xianwu grasped the surrounding. For her to wake up after a 1000 years was no jest, for her even walking right now was hard and slightly painful. Instead, she needed time to adjust to her surroundings which she wasn't able to receive in the slight possible way. "Who are you?" she asked trying to look at the tall figure above her yet still unable to see his face. "Yeying Long…" Yeying replied.
Xianwu toddling behind Yeying with her feet bare, could feel shivers down her from the grass dew. "Cold…" she thought. Looking at the tall figure in front of her she couldn't help but ponder "He's so tall… could it be he knows the demon sovereign. Or is he maybe his friend, or an aide probably…?" Grasping billions of possibilities in her little brain she walked beside him tumbling. "Moreover, those wings behind my back... I think I really am a spirit now. They maybe my life force now..." she thought.
Just as the Eden had finally ended, Xianwu could see red and golden chandeliers hanged on the wild streets which were in frenzy. Ghosts and demons of all kinds were on its way towards the path entering a huge manor and other halls. Xianwu with her eyes widened pondered "So… this is the inferno city? How majestic… how strange… in the past I thought it was like a graveyard?" However, her little thoughts soon vanished. When she saw people walking with their heads in their arms. Eyes hanging on doors as doorbells, people walking without hands and feet and demons trying to eat with their mouths on their stomachs followed by humans with the body of animals.
The sudden change of sight, made chills went down her spine. "Maybe I was a little bit right… I have fought millions of them before. But they really have evolved since then." she gulped, instinctively grabbing Yeying's robe and hiding behind him. Yeying looking at her sudden reaction couldn't help but smile. He walked closer. Instantly, his aura changed and his dress turned light.
Xianwu stared at him in wonder, gently tiptoeing. Sure not to make a scene or stand out. The ghosts and demon laughed creepily. Some of them, gambled and the others hit each other ruthlessly. A moment after a moment. Xianwu looked around nervously while grabbing his robe tighter than before. Suddenly, she bumped into a demon woman. She stared at her anxiously while the woman stared at her in surprise.
"A human girl?!" she exclaimed in shock.
With her single sentence the whole demon street went silent. Xianwu gulped moving closer towards Yeying. "What is a human girl doing here? Don't mortals know rules of our city?" she angered. A demon man walked closer towards them from his appearance. He was huge! huge enough to make Xianwu look all the way up just as if gazing a 100 meter tall tower. He stood with his bulging stomach, on which a bloody apron was tied. His face was horrific, half burned and half intact with one eye dangling out. In one of his hands he grasped a large knife, which he swung around like a little doll. From the very looks, he gave a sight of a demon butcher. "Who in the world creates a ruckus here?" he growled. Xianwu terrified, couldn't help but hide.
Of course, If one would look at the past, this kind of demon would be nothing in Xianwu's eyes however right now it was different. Neither was she a heavenly supreme nor did she hold heavenly power. And, to face a demon bare handed was something she could not even try.
The woman eyed the butcher annoyingly "And what are you doing here? Did I ask you to come here? Or even ask you tell me what to do?" she asked clicking her tongue. The butcher eyed her disgusted. "Listen to me, you crazy woman! It isn't your city. If you have any problem go settle it with the sovereign. People like you only stir trouble!" he angered. The demon woman rolled her eyes "I never created trouble! She did!" she shouted pointing towards Xianwu whose heart skipped a beat. All the demons surrounded and stared at her.
"A human?!" gasped one of them in shock. "Ha! What did I tell you? What in the world is she doing here? Does she want to be our food that badly?" the demon woman asked revealing a disgusting smile. Xianwu trembled with the sight. The butcher looked at her and then eyed Yeying. "Hey girl! Get lost! Is this man here your accomplice? If you have any sense left run away! Demon city isn't made for the likes of you!" he shouted.
The demon woman rolled her eyes again in annoyance "What is your problem?! Don't you look at how pretty she is? If I devour her… my soul would become forever pretty…" she revealed her snake like tongue, approaching closer towards Xianwu. Xianwu hiding closer shut her eyes tightly.
In an instant, millions of moonlit nightingales scattered surrounding the whole street. Everyone went silent. And soon, a voice was heard clearly "It's the moonlit nightingales! They are the nightingales of the Demon sovereign! Everyone bow down!!" it echoed. The moment the name demon sovereign was called Xianwu looked up at Yeying, his expression still hidden but a smile covered his lips. The nightingales dissipated into thin air. The demons and ghosts from the whole street were seen bowing in front of Yeying. "Forgive us! My lord! Never will we dare to think to touch your belonging! Forgive us!!" they chanted in sync. "Lord of infinite faces just give us a last chance! Never will we dare to commit a heinous crime like this!!" they cried. Xianwu stared at the sight in awe. "He is the Demon Sovereign of the inferno city…?" she thought in disbelief.
Yeying taking a deep breath spoke up "This girl, is the spirit of the Inferno city. She is born as your aide. One finger towards her and you'll lose your lives!" he ordered. Up to Xianwu's surprise, Yeying's voice had turned into a ruthless and a murderous one. "Yes! My lord! Welcome spirit of the Inferno city! We welcome you to the inferno city! Inferno city will always be at your service!" they greeted together. Listening to them Xianwu felt weird, as similar memories of past rushed by. And the sudden realisation made her weak. Xianwu couldn't help but tightly clutch Yeying's robes.
"All of you are ordered to serve her, Take her towards the Arcadia Manor and ask every woman to serve her under her command! After she's done bring her to me. That's all!" Yeying ordered. "Yes!!" they all replied in perfect harmony. As soon as Yeying stopped. The street was dismissed. Many demons and ghosts surrounded Xianwu and Yeying.
Xianwu who was perplexed couldn't help but question "Yeying… what's going on?" Yeying turned around to face her, his expression hidden under the parasol and only a pair of red lips curved into a thin smile were to be seen "Lady Yue… you are going towards the Arcadia Manor which lies in front of us. Once you restore your strength. You'll come back to me. Don't worry… this place is all under my rule, none will dare to hurt you…" he confirmed.
Xianwu stared at him in shock. Still her legs wouldn't move, nor would they be ready to leave. Yeying gazing at her confusion walked closer to her giving his hand. Xianwu eyeing him with a gulp gently took his hand, which was as cold as ice. "They're freezing cold…!" she thought. Yeying with his parasol twirling and moonlit nightingales chirping around him greeted "Lady Yue Xianwu… demon Inferno city, once again welcomes you. Hope you won't be too scared to face us now…" he smiled. Xianwu finally sighed in relief.
Taking her hand back, she nodded walking towards towards the chandelier lighted Manor, slowly turning her head around to face him one last time she thought "Is he really the Demon sovereign...? Am I really not mistaken? From when did they become this kind?" A Nightingale flying around her. "I was told to stay by his side and help him… but I can't even see his face…" she thought. Yeying walking back towards the highest veranda of the Arcadia Manor. With his steps steady, gazed at the bustling city under him. "Last Princess of the Yue dynasty... Yue Xianwu. Welcome to the demon Inferno city..." he whispered.