Wielding Misfortune

Tianwu is one of the continents where the human race lives, geniuses have been born for tens of thousands of years. They are divided into the highest land: the three heavens of the martial domain, and the four lower domains: the northern heaven, the western wasteland, south China, and the eastern continent.

The Five Kingdoms are located in the most remote place in the Northwestern Region of the Land of Hundred Dynasties. The Great Qi State was one of the five strongest countries in the Land of Five Kingdoms. It has very thin true energy and the highest martial artist is only of the Xuan level.

But the land is rich with ancient remains that give way to power and change fate. All the while, the ruling states are giving birth to new talents and looking to build stronger connections amid raising tension between the Qi and Wei states.

Royal Palace, Qi State

"Your Highness, if you allow it, I wish to take your concubine's servant as my husband." Xiao Ya's words struck like lightning in the hall. The officials and the emperor were shocked.

Although Yi Fei had many servants, it was no secret that only her steward was publicly referred to as her servant. He spoke with her authority and was the only one she claimed even if he caused trouble.

"H-Haung Dawei. You wish to marry Huang Dawei. The boy recently turned sixteen and hasn't awakened his bloodline or reached the human level. He isn't worth mentioning let alone marrying." an official spoke.

He then felt two strong forces hit him. One from Xiao Ya and the other from Yi Fei.

The Emperor hated to see his love upset. He glared at the officials and none said anything else on the matter. Yi Fei whispered to his majesty and he cleared his throat audibly before speaking.

"Pavillion Master Xiao. Your status is comparable to my own with the backing of the Dan Pavillion. If you wish to take a servant as your husband then why would I oppose?"

Xiao Ya tittered. She didn't expect the Emperor to disagree, after all, none of them viewed Huang Dawei highly.

"Thank you, your highness. But I only wish what happened today won't plague my husband in the future. After all, the pavilion affairs keep me rather busy, and of late, I can fill the limitations of rank 4 losing for me."

Xiao Ya's words were loaded. Dongfang Qing had become a level 4 bloodline mage three years ago and had a direct line with higher shrines getting better resources. If Xiao Ya was projected for the same, it would be beneficial to put her in a place of goodwill.

Not only was the Emperor thinking this but the court officials as well. Who was Huang Dawei? But who was Prince Zhao Qiirui? The Qi empire didn't have a shortage of hollowed-named officials. One more wouldn't hurt the empire, in fact, it strengthened the empire by solidifying a connection to the Pill Pavillion and a rank 4 alchemist. In the future, she may be even greater.

"Haha, recently a villa was built in the east district. After the wedding, consider it Yi Fei's wedding gift. The great Xiao family will also be added to the noble registry." said the Emperor

"Xiao Family? Oh no, your majesty, I think very highly of my love. Of course, only the Great Huang Family is an adequate name,"

Many many laminated. All wondering how a trash boy could seduce such a great woman.

"Of course!" Yi Fei spoke, "My little Wei was born great. I'll also give him my family guard and staff and his weight in gold. The Emperor has been chiding me for years to take on his more adept guard. This should be the perfect time to do so. And you have nothing to worry about as Little Wei has managed them for years."

Xiao Ya internally scoffed but she held back knowing that this was everything Huang Dawei had planned. Earlier that morning, Huang Dawei had told her many truths and the Yi Fei girl was nothing but a two-faced bed-warming tool for her man. But after the wedding, he planned to leave her in the palace and cut all ties but master and servant.

"Is that really what you wish?" the Emperor asked.

"Yes, your highness. After all, my Yi family is all but destroyed. Even if I have a child, they will be surnamed, Zhao. What use is the remnant of a forgotten family."

The officials nodded praising the emperor's taste in women. She had given so much to help the Emperor in his move to secure a big ally.

"A noble family that has a future of bright generations. I too shall gift Pavilion master Xiao's weight in gold and wish you a merry wedding."

The Emperor decreed Huang Dawei a free man and Lord of the Huang Family of Qi. The engagement was then announced across the city and the wedding was to be held in two days.

Sometime later, Xiao Ya returned to the Pill Pavillion and prepared to host Bloodline Shrine Master, Dongfang Qing. Meanwhile, Huang Dawei sat in the Yi manor completing the paperwork for his noble ascension. When he was finished, he pressed an emblem of a phoenix hugging a spear. He then sent it to the magistrate and made his way to the reception hall.

Like most auspicious times, things moved fast and opportunities came and went. One needs a calm mind and proper time management to grasp them all. As of now, Qin Yuechi's son had been in a coma for two days and nights. Before anyone could take advantage, Huang Dawei had her summoned for his benefit.

Qin Yuechi now sat and spoke privately with Yi Fei. Huang Dawei arrived on the back end but soon enough to hear Qin Yuechi speak about the days becoming rougher in the Qin Manor. She had received medicine from the family but still, her son hadn't awakened.

Yi Fei then asks why Yuechi didn't stay away from the capital with her son's father. Yuechi fell silent and refused to answer. Any woman could see that it wasn't her personal choice. But not anyone could see what Huang Dawei could see. That this woman was great. And it oddly explained why she was in her current situation.

Entering the hall, Yi Fei stood up and gave him a nod. She then moved towards the door as Huang Dawei took her seat.

"Who.."

"I am the one who asked for you to be here." Huang Da Wei spoke as two bottles appeared from his space ring.

"The first bottle will wake your son and strengthen his physique, washing his bones. The next one, if you choose to accept will be for you."

"For me?" she asked, a bit coy.

Huang Dawei smirked at her display. "You really are a dutiful mother. Despite your power, you still deal with lowly beings. But that can't be all. For the sake of the Qin Family?"

Qin Yuechi frowned. "Sir, I don't know what you mean."

"We can cut the nonsense. Qin Yuechi, you are the only Wuzong cultivator I've met in Qi State. Why hide your power? Beg for medicine for your son?"

Qin Yuechi was taken aback. Loss for words. Huang Dawei had a trait specific to his race. Like blood beasts, instinctual read the power of their opponents. Huang Dawei could sense qi convergence from powerful people to artifacts, spiritual treasures, and pills. An animal instinct geared to help him survive.

"How did you?"

"You should know the world is great. If the Five Kingdoms didn't have things I was interested in, I would have left for the greater world." he explained, "But since you put yourself in this position, how about we deal?"

"What kind of deal?" she asked.

"One year and one day. Protection in exchange for resources," he replied. "As I said, a pill to wake your son now and I promise access to the new bloodline machine to awaken his bloodline at all costs. In time, Marshall Qin will also be brought back to reinstate your position in the Qin Family. Most importantly, the heaven-level skill you cultivate, I'll gift a saint-level skill and help you break through Wuzun. As for the pills to help, you should have heard by now."

"Heard…What?" she asked.

"Pill Pavillion Master Xiao Ya is to be my wife and soon to become a rank 4 alchemist." Huang Dawei sipped his tea calmly.

Qin Yuechi's biggest concern was her son. Right now he was doomed to be weak forever. But for a year contract, the man before her was offering more than the Prince of Qi, Zhao Qiirui who just wanted to bed her in exchange for dogshit medicine.

"A man with information. I'm sure you must have also heard," she replied.

"Go on."

"I've made a deal with Prince Zhao Qiirui. Your medicine is obviously better and the deal is unique. But can you handle the repercussion of breaking a deal with that man?"

"Haa. Cai'er" Huang Dawei called and the little maid rushed in.

"Handle Prince Zhao Qiirui. He wishes to advantage of Lady Qin and her situation. I think it's time he and his wife go on a second honeymoon to repair their marriage. Make it clean and expeditious."

Cai'er bowed and rushed off.

"He will be gone by the night," said Huang Da Wei.

"You! Who are you?" she asked, thoroughly intrigued.

"Huang Dawei, Lord of the newly minted Huang Family of Qi. So what will you do?"

Qin Yuechi thought long and hard. But what face did she have to deny? She practically sold herself already for scraps. Now Huang Dawei offered to feed her for a year and a day. It was easy considering not only she, but Qin Chen will benefit from it. And in a year's time, hopefully, she would be strong enough to follow her heart even if she had to protect her son while traveling across the continent.

"I…agree." she gave in.

"Oh no. It isn't that easy. You must sign in blood and essence." Huang Dawei tossed a scroll. It unrolled in the air and hovered down on the table beside her.

Reading the contract she was not surprised. She bit her finger and signed. A moment later the scroll exploded and the particles formed words in the air. It then split into two and inserted in Yuechi's and Huang Dawei's bodies. The only evidence was an inscription band wrapped around their left wrists.

Huang Dawei was pleased. If not for his hard work building connections, the day wouldn't have gone so smoothly. Opportunity for some is a misfortune for others.

"The second pill is for you to regain youth. It will return you to your eighteenth year after taking one pill at midday for four days." Dawei explained, "Go know and take care of your son. If you have any problems at home. Show this. But your position shouldn't be revealed until my wedding day in two days."

Qin Yuechi caught a golden pendant of the Royal Family and took her leave. Along the way, she laminated on her life and actually began to scorn her absent lover a bit. Left alone for so many years, she was now in this predicament. A concubine and bodyguard for a year and a day to a Qi Condensation boy.

She had read the contract thoroughly and saw all of its restrictions and requirements on both sides. At least the bonus that Huang Dawei offered her didn't require secrecy. As her cultivation techniques now could bring disaster to the whole Qi Empire. Not to mention, a saint-level cultivation technique was simply a myth. If she could get one, what would the future hold for her?

While sad, she was oddly looking forward to serving out her contract with the mysterious young man.

Still, what could possibly happen at the side of a sixteen-year-old lord? If anything, Qin Yuechi felt he was just another man looking to flaunt his beauties. She was already disgraced and didn't mind one more sacrifice.

Once home, Qin Yuechi went straight to her son's room and place a pill in his mouth. She then waited for him to awaken as she helped the medicine circulate through his body.