Scarlet Flame

When Jiao went back to call Xueyu and Bao Wei they both stopped marvelling and hurried to enter.

Qui Yang was sitting patiently , waiting for them. After they entered the expression on his face changed.

His brows scrunched up and a layer of sweat formed on his forehead.

He stared at Xueyu with bulging eyes then swung them back and forth between her and Bao Wei.

He gripped his chest tightly and you could see the nails almost tearing through his robe.

'It's you,' he whispered faintly, his voice coming out coarse.

Xueyu and all the other people present were tense.

What on earth was happening to him?

What was he talking about?

Xueyu took tentative steps forward moving to help the man.

She walked up to him slowly before placing her hand on his arms.

He jumped in the chair recoiling from her touch. Xueyu stared at her hand in shock wondering why he had just behaved that way and why she felt a jolt run through her.

The five who were seated around the table turned hostile towards Xueyu when they saw the reaction their master had to her.

'Jiao why did you bring them in here? Look at Master,' Xi Xi chided Jiao for his actions with the expression of a distraught mother.

Jiao simply looked around dumbfounded.

Why?

How?

Huh....

Qui Yang waved off the 4 individual that were ready to pounce on Xueyu if she even twitched.

They scratched their heads in confusion.

'You, girl, who are you? Why are you here?'

Qui Yang had schooled his features and the previous shock and disbelief was erased from his face. His voice had gained strength and he no longer whispered.

Xueyu was still a bit befuddled but she answered his question.

' I am Xueyu. I was instructed to look for you,' she answered keeping it short and simple.

Qui Yang nodded his head, lost in thought.

Whoever had sent him such a rare jewel should definitely be rewarded.

'... and who is the young man?'

Qui Yang gestured to Bao Wei who was the only one still in the same spot. He had a really puzzling expression on his face as he gazed at Xueyu in interest.

'That's Big Brother, Bao Wei, i met him a few days ago.'

Qui Yang narrowed his eyes before calling out to Bao Wei.

'You can remove those. It's as clear as day to me what they are.'

Bao Wei sighed in annoyance at the old man's smartness.

He reached up and pulled two clear discs from his eyes and everyone, except Qui Yang and Xueyu gasped.

Scarlet eyes...

Bao Wei explained to Xueyu when he saw her head that was angled to the side.

'It's a special Transparent Lens that changes the colour of my eyes. Only those who have seen me in my true form or truly skilled specialists can tell the original colour.'

Xueyu instantly understood what he said while Qui Yang got even more puzzled.

'True form?'

'My beast form,' Bao Wei answered feeling proud when he saw the look of surprise in Qui Yang's eyes.

Qui Yang was secretly rejoicing in his heart.

To the gods of the Celestial Heavens I thank you. You have sent me true gems today. Help me out once more.

Qui Yang eased himself out of his seat and motioned for the 5 youth and Jiao to sit down.

He walked over to Xueyu and placed a hand on her shoulder.

'What is it you'd like from me, little girl,' he asked.

Xueyu looked up at him with truly sincere eyes and a chin stiff with determination.

'I'd like to join the Shadow Sect,' she declared, her voice oozing with the new found change in mindset and the evidence of the maturity she had to quickly gain.

'Why?'

Qui Yang felt the girl was interesting enough all he needed to know was her reason, her motivation.

She smiled sadly then all of a sudden it changed and her face was void of emotions except for the vicious glint in her eye.

'Because I have a vendetta. A little matter I need to settle.'

Qui Yang nodded then waved his arm toward the door.

'Walk with me.'

'Only you,' he added when Bao Wei moved to join.

She smiled apologetically at him but he nodded in understanding, seeming to know the path that the conversation with Qui Yang would take.

Xueyu followed closely behind him stopping only when they got to an open space filled with cherry blossom trees.

There was a pond to the side where a limb from a tree hung over. Ever so often a petal would float on the wind before touching the surface of the water.

Qui Yang stood in the middle with Xueyu two steps behind him.

During the whole walk he had kept quiet, lost in his head.

He finally sighed and turned to face Xueyu which caused her to abruptly stop.

He placed a finger to his chin.

'I have a theory girl. A mere observation has caused it. Do you remember when you first stepped into the room?'

Xueyu nodded not knowing what that had to do with the Sect.

Qui Yang continued,' For the past few days I've been having a phantom burning pain. I have tried meditation and all means possible to find the reason. I gleaned a bit of information and it pointed me to Rui Yan. I came here five days ago and I felt the pain get stronger every time I meditated.

Two days ago this burning was accompanied by a strange aura. I knew the two had to be connected.'

Xueyu had a hint of suspicion to where this was leading now.

'That friend of yours is a Celestial Realm beast and it is simply unheard of for there to be shifters. He is the only one. That was the reason behind the strange aura. As for the burning...'

Qui Yang had an expression of excitement yet amazement.

'As for the burning... it's my theory that you are gifted with the Scarlet Flame.'

Xueyu was confused.

What was the Scarlet Flame?

'Your confusion is understandable. Not many know about the story of the Scarlet Flame. It is ancient story that is believed to be a myth. Only those who have lived for centuries can possibly know of it. I am aware because it was a family treasure passed down through my line. The scroll of the story of the Scarlet Flame.'

'Little girl, if my theory is correct then you are truly gifted by the heavens.'

'Wielder of the Scarlet Flame.'