10 Repeating First Encounters (Part 1)

Sitting back to back on a rooftop was Ding Yiu and Meng Su. They were simply waiting for the main event to happen, so they could then partake in a 'rescue' mission. Rather than attempting to deliver the man's message to his companion, Ding Yiu decided it would be more beneficial to her if she directly saved their target. Meng Su didn't understand Ding Yiu's little scheme at first until she was handed the pendant. Now examining the thing in her hand, Meng Su couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. The golden pendant had the clear inscriptions of 'Prince Ping' on it.

"Ding Ding, did you save that guy knowing he's got a connection to your husband?" Meng Su directly asked, passing the pendant back to Ding Yiu.

"He's Xiao Yiu's husband, not mine," Ding Yiu corrected, carefully placing the pendant back in her robe. "Besides, with my normal face no one thinks I am Consort Liu."

[Even so, Xiao Yiu is still you], Meng Su mentally retorted. "So, what's your reason for caring about Prince Ping then?" she probed, "you never do something without reason."

"I want to re-enter Ping Tian Palace."

"See, you have taken a liking to your hubby," Meng Su tried to make a point.

"Ping Tian Palace will provide a good cover for me whilst I investigate Lord Lan Ling," Ding Yiu muttered away, "if that man continues to interfere with underworld business, we'll eventually cross paths. As the Second Princess Consort, I can make my move against him first if necessary."

[Why is she suddenly so interested in Lord Lan Ling?] Meng Su wondered, listening carefully. "Are you concerned the Falcons would get in our way? They only seem to target the big names of the underworld. I don't think we're of any interest to them."

"Perhaps for now we aren't," Ding Yiu began, "there's nothing wrong with being more prepared for the future. Besides, Lord Lan Ling seems to have quite an interesting Gods weapon. He's strong." A mischievous smile formed on her lips, "I may be interested to have him as an ally."

"You're too ambitious," Meng Su commented, now fully understanding Ding Yiu's intentions. "But Ding Ding," Meng Su turned slightly to look at her, "can't you just go back to Ping Tian Palace? You're married to Prince Ping and are his princess consort. Must we go through all this trouble to rescue him ourselves? There are so many other options that uses less effort."

"I'm doing this because I messed up," Ding Yiu admitted, "no matter the circumstances, I'm still a consort that's run away. I'll surely be punished when I return. However, if I save Xia Qian Ping, I can get him to look past this indiscretion." Ding Yiu rubbed her fingers, "I won't allow myself or Wan Xin to be punished by Madam Xiong. I'm not Xiao Yiu. I don't live like her."

"I'm curious to meet Xiao Yiu one day," Meng Su uttered, resting her head against Ding Yiu's shoulder. [Innocent and a pushover, she's the complete opposite of you. Just what is her worth? I really wonder the real reason for Xiao Yiu's existence].

"Meng Su," Ding Yiu nudged, pointing down towards one of the narrow passageways they overlooked. "Isn't that Huo Zui?"

Meng Su peered down at the person merrily walking by. It was a man in his early 30's dressed in dull earthly colours. His short spiky hair poking out from the bandanna tied around his forehead. He was carrying a woven basket on his back, whilst dangling from his neck and tied all around his waist was dozens of wine bottles. Anyone would recognize those signature wine bottles. "It is Huo Zui," she confirmed. "Why is he in this town?"

Huo Zui was a well-known underworld poison maker. His skills and knowledge within the art of poison remained unbeaten by anyone. Many people from all sorts of background often sought for his creations. He was of course a wanted man who travelled the world at his own pace. This meant trying to establish a long term business with Huo Zui was impossible. It was also considered difficult to approach the man in the first place, due to his peculiar personality. Unknown to the world though, Huo Zui was actually a kind-hearted person to a certain extent.

Jumping down from the roof in one smooth motion, Meng Su tapped her umbrella on Huo Zui's head, landing in front of him. She looked an unfazed Huo Zui in the eye. "What a coincidence to see you here?"

"Oh, it's the boring proclaimed 'Queen' of the pleasure district," Huo Zui said flatly. "I'm not interested in sex." He turned in the opposite direction to leave, when he spotted Ding Yiu sitting on the roof. He frowned, "so the Honey Empress is here as well."

"The 'Mi' in Mi Hou stands for secret," a slightly agitated Ding Yiu corrected. The title Honey Empress made her sound too sweet, and was certainly not appropriate for use in the underworld. Huo Zui was aware of this and insists on calling her 'Honey Empress' every time.

"I heard you disappeared for a year," Huo Zui probed, "why are you back?"

Meng Su whacked Huo Zui on the head with her umbrella. "Stop being so rude to Mi Hou."

Huo Zui rubbed his head, his frown deepening. He didn't appear annoyed or angry though. "You two would just take advantage of me if I'm not rude." In Huo Zui's memory, whenever he came across Ding Yiu, he would always end up helping her or doing as she requested. Now he wasn't particularly close to the girl, nor were they secretly best friends. He didn't particularly like her more than any other person either. It was just she seemed to understand him. He was comfortable doing business with her. Then there was also this strange perception that he needed to tell her certain things.

"Did you have a customer here?" Ding Yiu directly asked. On any normal day, she would just be curious of Huo Zui's business. Finding out any new poison he had created, who he sold them to, or just where his next destination was, could all end up being valuable information to someone. She would be able to trade or sell this kind of info easily. However, the real reason she was asking him today, was her concern for Xia Qian Ping. Ding Yiu couldn't get rid of the bad feeling she got when she set eyes on Huo Zui. She was convinced he would be involved in the assassination attempt of the Second prince.

"I did have a customer," Huo Zui admitted, "sold them my latest paralysis poison that can spread through air. When breathed in, it'll only take a few minutes for the body to become stiff to the point it won't function correctly. I'm not sure if death would be a side effect." He had a smile on his face as he described his creation proudly.

"Who did you sell it to?" Ding Yiu continued to ask.

"That's none of your business," Huo Zui looked away, "I'm leaving now."

"Wait," Ding Yiu called out, jumping off the roof. She stretched her hand out towards him, "give me the antidote to that paralysis poison."

Huo Zui stared at Ding Yiu, "I refuse, Honey Empress."

An hour later, Prince Ping and Sima Heng had arrived in the town near the capital city. They had arrived earlier than the proposed meeting time by the fake Jing Ke. Already, the two were alert as they cautiously made their way through the streets.

"Qian Ping, look out for concealed weapons," Heng whispered, staying close to Prince Ping. "We don't know who plotted this assassination attempt."

"I know," Prince Ping whispered back. He held onto his sword with a firmer grip.

The two continued to make their way through the streets of bustling commoners. With so many people around, it became rather distracting for them to concentrate. Thud! A wooden cylinder tube suddenly landed near them on the streets and smoke started leaking out. Prince Ping and Heng weren't quick enough to cover themselves. They could taste a horrible sourness from the small amount of smoke they breathed in. At the same time, leaping from the rooftops on both sides of the streets were assassins. There was panic as people on the streets fled. Immediately, Prince Ping and Heng had their swords out, engaging in a fight with the enemy.

Heng swung his sword to block a few of the assassins attack. Swinging his arm over one of them, he slit their throat before easily pushing back the other two. [They aren't very strong], Heng thought, striking his sword through another's chest. [We should be able to finish them off].

To his side, Prince Ping was deflecting every blow that came towards him. Instead of striking back, he kept defending until his lips curved into a faint smile. Clearly he enjoyed toying with them. "Well it's about time," Prince Ping said, gripping his sword. A strong force surrounded him as a strange red tattoo formed over his right eye. With one single swing of his sword, all the assassins standing near him were blasted far away. All dropped to the floor, lifeless.

"Ouch," Heng winced. He looked at the morbid sight of blood streaming down from the dead assassins eyes, nose, mouth and ears. What was disturbing, was the dead person's face that was wrinkled up, almost like a mummies. [Qian Ping's Gods weapon is too destructive. I'm glad he is the owner of the Life Severing Sword].

"Stop standing there in a daze," Prince Ping shouted, thrusting his sword into an assassin that had approached Heng from behind. "We're still fighting." He turned around to block. That was when he felt a prickly sensation run through his body. [What is this feeling?] Prince Ping thought, trying to swing his sword to block another attack. His movements were slower than before. He was struggling. [Why is my body so stiff? I can barely move]. Prince Ping turned to look at Heng who seemed to be suffering the same symptoms. [That smoke was poisonous], he concluded. [Damn. We were too careless].

With the poison kicking in, both Heng and Prince Ping were struggling immensely to keep the assassins away. Their bodies only seemed to grow stiffer and heavier with each movement they made. Heng was now a fair distance away from Prince Ping. Failing to land any decisive blows to his attackers, he was constantly pushed back. Losing his balance, Heng fell to the floor. A sword swung towards him. Using all the strength he had left, Heng rolled to the side, merely dodging the attack.

"Heng!" Prince Ping shouted, anxious and desperate. He tried running to Heng only to be stopped by assassins. Unable to activate his Gods Weapon in his current condition, the tattoo now faded from Prince Ping's eye. It was as though strength had left his body. Clearly his attacks and defences were a lot weaker than before. [Just one more time], Prince Ping gritted his teeth in anger. He ran his sword through an assassin's chest. [If I can push myself to activate the Life Severing Sword one more time…] He tightened his grip on the sword, trying very hard to concentrate. Prince Ping took a deep breath. [Please, listen to me], he mentally demanded. Blocking out everything around him, he concentrated on controlling the Life Severing Sword. He made a swing but nothing happened. Instead one assassin managed to slash him across the shoulder. Prince Ping quickly stabbed that assassin in the stomach, whilst deflecting a few more of them away. "I won't give up, just once more is enough," he breathed.

Eyeing his targets, Prince Ping made one more attack. This time as he moved, he felt a strong force surge through his body, causing a powerful energy to release from the Life Severing Sword. All assassins around him were blasted away, dropping dead to the ground. Prince Ping stood very still. He could feel that strong force leave his body. [That power wasn't mine], he noticed, [it came from….] Prince Ping slowly turned around. His eyes widened and for seconds, he could only comprehend his own heart beating faster. His thoughts disrupted by all sorts of emotions as he set eyes on her. [It's you], he mentally acknowledged.

Prince Ping now looked at Ding Yiu, who returned his surprised gaze with a smile. One of her hand gently touched his back, as though supporting him. "Ding Ding," he managed to say, dropping his sword to the ground. Finally he succumbed to the poison. The sight of this girl causing him to let go of control. His consciousness wanting to fade. It looked like he was going to collapse.

Seeing this, Ding Yiu spun to the front and grabbed onto Prince Ping's clothes, pulling him close to her. "Help me," she demanded firmly. She held him close to make sure he didn't fall. "I only need one favour from you, Xia Qian Ping."

[This is exactly like a year ago], Qian Ping recalled. He was staring at that same confident expression, into those same piercing eyes that once again drew him in. [She hasn't changed at all], he realised. The only difference was her grip on his clothes were firm and not shaky as before. "Let go," Qian Ping said, repeating his words from a year ago. "If you don't show me respect, I won't listen to you."

Ding Yiu didn't listen to Prince Ping this time. She kept her grip on him. Holding his gaze in hers, she took out the pill she managed to get from Huo Zui. Leaning in close to Prince Ping, she whispered, "I don't plan to repeat the words I said to you a year ago," and pressed her fingers with the pill upon his lips.

A flash of anger flickered in Qian Ping's eyes. He bit her finger, swallowing the pill as the memory of their first encounter repeated itself.