Chapter Three: Of Smoke and Shadows
The Heavenly Realm was finally settling back into its usual rhythm.
Peace was on and off but was still felt.
The Sovereign King's return had stirred things, yes, but peace was still intact. The Protectors had gone back to their territory, guarded and blessed with wards no one dared to trespass.
Sixuan had finally gotten a moment to herself.
One that seemed impossible for months, thanks to wars and work.
Her people cooked, laughed, and lit lanterns in celebration of the festival of Feathers-a day they used to honor those who fell in past wars. Their camp buzzed with joy. For once, there was warmth in their cold mountains.
For once, she felt like herself, not Lady Sixuan....just her.
The girl who grew into a beautiful, strong woman.
Just Sixuan.
Until the sky cracked.
A deep, splitting sound ripped through the clouds. Bells clanged from the towers.
The skies darkened, swallowing every light it had once held.
War.
A horde of corrupted spirit beasts tore through the southern borders of the Heavenly Realm. No warning. No reason. Just destruction.
"You've got to be kidding me!!!" A female warrior yelled, banging the Wooden table.
"It's our duty and we'll never fail at it" Sixuan scolded
"But-"
"Prepare for war"
---
Sixuan led her warriors straight into battle. Her body burned, her shoulder bled, but she didn't stop.
The beastâs claw raked across her stomach. She winced but didnât budge, hands over the wound, blood slipping past her lips as she tried to breathe.
It was only after the final beast fell and silence crept back in that she allowed herself to stagger.
---
At the palace, news spread.
"Sixuan had defeated the beasts! What a mighty warrior she is"
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One person didn't seem too happy.
Zhixi, curator of the Royal Archives, daughter of a high official, and the definition of unhinged royal thirst. Despite the fact that the Sovereign King had been gone for seventy years, she had somehow developed a crush deep enough to sink a city.
She'd sent him scrolls, pastries, paintings, and once, a live talking deer that quoted poetry.
He never responded.
But that didn't stop her.
And ever since she saw him talking-really talking-to Sixuan, she'd spiraled.
She'd been watching from the balcony when it happened. His soft smile. Sixuan's dismissive eyes. It made her chest ache with rage.
And now that Sixuan was wounded... it felt like the perfect time.
She hated her so much.
---
Sixuan limped into the outer palace courtyard. Her red robes were darker than usual, soaked in blood at the left shoulder and belly area.
She came to give her report.
Zhixi stepped into her path with the fakest gentle smile in existence.
"Lady Sixuan. You should rest. Why come in such a state? Are you trying to kill yourself? "
Sixuan raised an eyebrow, not buying her BS.
"I have a report," she said simply.
"The King isn't here right now. Perhaps I can help."
"You can't."
Zhixi's smile twitched. "At least let me walk you in."
"No."
Zhixi's lip curled. Then, suddenly, she launched a spell-a flicker of gold light aimed at Sixuan's injured side.
Sixuan barely moved.
The spell shattered against a barrier she summoned mid-blink. She raised one brow, unimpressed.
"Really?"
"You seduced him, didn't you?" Zhixi hissed.
Sixuan blinked, utterly bewildered.
"You think hiding behind a mask makes you mysterious? You sly thief! You're just a-"
She didn't finish that sentence.
Because Sixuan moved.
Even injured, her palm struck the air once, and Zhixi flew back into the courtyard tree with a thwack.
Gasps.
Sixuan didn't move further. Her face was unreadable, but her tone was sharp.
"You think I need a reason to bury someone? I've ended greater threats with a glance. Try me."
Zhixi scrambled up, tear-streaked and dramatic.
"You crazy bastard!!. I'll kill you today"
Sixuan didn't respond. She didn't have the energy.
She kept glaring at Zhixi, waiting for her to make the first move.
She'd never hit first.
Even with demons and beasts.
The Sovereign and the Heavenly King strolled across a small bridge, laughing and speaking softly, their regal air evident even from a distance.
"Perfect timing," Zhixi thought to herself before falling to the ground dramatically and on her own.
"How could you do this to me?!! Lady Sixuan, all I did was try to help you. "
Sixuan didn't blink-just stared, trying to figure out if this was a joke or insanity.
Sovereign King walked in slow and calm, but his eyes immediately went to Sixuan's bleeding body, chest tightening.
Heavenly King had gone off to deal with Heavenly duties.
Then he turned to Zhixi.
"What happened?"
She attacked me! She's always hated me! How can an immortal even strike another immortal? I knew it-I always knew the Protectors were vile, twisted people! I was trying to help her, and she turned on me!"
"Lady Sixuan, is that what happened?" He asked,his eyes trailed slowly over her body, tender and intent.
Sixuan met his gaze with a fierce one.
"No."
"I believe you,"
"How could you believe this stupid warrior? Just look at how filthy and dirty she is!!"
His eyes darkened, and his jaw clenched so hard it looked like it might crack.
"You sent me a deer that recited romantic poems before. I ignored it. You sent me a painting of yourself riding a unicorn. I burned it."
The silence was deafening.
"And now you attack an injured warrior and expect me to believe this... melodrama?"
Zhixi looked like she was trying to dig a hole through the palace floor.
"Leave," he said.
"But-"
"You've embarrassed yourself enough. Spare the rest of us."
She fled.
He turned back to Sixuan.
"You should sit."
She exhaled. "Thank you. I didn't have the strength to explain her nonsense."
"Lucky me, I have a strong stomach for nonsense."
"I'm going back," she muttered.
"You can't walk all the way. Let me take you home."
"I'll pass."
"I won't do anything. Not while your people are watching."
She raised a brow.
"Did you just threaten to misbehave when they're not watching?"
He grinned.
She smacked his shoulder with her uninjured arm. Not cute. Not playful. Painfully real.
"I deserved that."
---
He entered the Protectors' compound, carrying her in his arms.
Gasps.
Glares.
Weapons lowkey raised. No one moved, though.
"She's injured," he said calmly. "Let me help."
They took her gently from him, treating her like a sacred treasure.
A protector with red tattoos shoved the Sovereign King backwards.
"We've got her. Your Majesty."
He stepped back, smiling slightly.
"Her scent lingers," he muttered under his breath.
---
Back in the tree scene with Grandpa, little Yao burst out laughing.
"SHE SMACKED A PRINCE?" she squealed.
The adults chuckled.
"She did," Grandpa said.
"I wanna smack a prince one day too!"
The whole family burst into laughter, the chill of the afternoon forgotten in warmth.