Light as a Feather

Opposite to what the Emperor of Qing feels that day, the Emperor of He spends his day on a cheerful mood. He is radiating with liveliness all throughout the morning. His imperturbable bodyguard stays at his side quietly as he went to the capital to enjoy himself. The two of them are visiting booths and various stalls that sell rare items. He also dines out with few ministers during lunch.

He was so carefree that day. The people who recognized him grow their admiration towards the ruler of their empire. The man is so young but so capable. Sometimes, emperors will have to think twice when going out in fear of being ambushed or assassinated but their emperor does not seem to mind the possible dangers that the power and authority he has could bring to him.

"You've never explored my whole empire?" the emperor asked to the lady walking beside him.

"It's not important your majesty." the lady told him and did not answered his question.

They are walking on the lake and as they go further, tall bamboos can be seen in the area.

"This is where I trained when I was young." the emperor said while they entered in the bamboo forest.

The lady saw that there is a decent house built in the middle of the forest. The emperor casually entered the empty house and she silently follows his track. Inside the house, the emperor pushed a statue and another door has opened. It was a secret room underground. Inside the underground room was several variety of weaponry. She saw spears, swords, arrows and bows, daggers and etc.

The emperor picked a sword and hands it to her. The lady has never touched a real metal sword in her hands. Although their clan are sword wielder, their hands are actually soft like a cotton because the weapon they use does not have a weight. When she grabbed the weapon that the emperor gave her, she was startled by the heaviness of it. She stared at the weapon in her hands with eyes full of amazement.

"Just as I am almost convince that you are not capable of making other facial expression, I was wrong! Your face looks surprise by this ordinary thing? " the emperor said to her as he did not understand what is so amazing about the weapon he just handed to her.

Ye Shin looked at him before she manifests her sword. She then let the emperor hold the Spiral Sword. The emperor did not take her weapon and he just stared at her hand that is offering it. The weapon is considered as sacred and he was hesitant to hold it. When the lady saw his hesitant look she sighed.

"Take it, and you'll understand." Ye Shin ordered him. The young emperor reluctantly holds the weapon and to his surprise, it was like holding an air! The only difference is that his hands can grip the hilt of the sword.

"Careful it's sharp. Do not let it touch on anything. It's capable of slicing even metals." Ye Shin told the emperor as the man stared at the sword in his hands.

It is his first time to hold the weapon manifested by inner force and he almost shivered by the idea. He cannot imagine going in a combat with a weapon that is a light as a feather! How can a weapon that weights so insubstantial become terrifying? The emperor wondered.

At that very moment, he just doubled the amazement in Ye Shin's face. He raised his hands and twirls the hilt. The sword followed his hand movements. It feels so strange.

"I did not expect that your sword is this light. It feels like I am holding nothing in my hands at all!" the emperor stated while still examining the weapon. He was about to touch it when he heard Ye Shin's warning voice.

"Do you want to cut your fingers? I just told you that it's sharp." she said using a tone that is similar to scolding a child. The emperor was instantly alarmed and distanced the hand that is about to touch the sword. He was about to say something when the sword was gone in his hands.

"It requires presence of mind when holding my weapon. My inner force has honed my sword into perfection. One small mistake and you'll hurt your own self your majesty. This is why we do not allow others to touch our weapons." the lady said. Her voice is full of concern towards the man. She then returned the ordinary metal sword to him and walks at the corner. The emperor subconsciously followed her.

"How do you fight using such weapon?" the emperor asked her absentmindedly. The girl smiled at him. He looks so lost of his thoughts. When he saw the lady is smiling at him, there is something deep within nudged. A warm feeling enveloped his heart.

"You smiled." he said staring at her face.

Upon hearing what he just said, the lady actually laughs at him. Her laugh is contagious and he could not help but joined her. It was like an unknown music to his ears.

"I am human, your majesty." the lady answered.

"I thought... - never mind." the emperor started to say something but awkwardly stopped himself.

"You have so many weapons here." the lady commented while her eyes are travelling everywhere.

"This place is owned by my third brother. He is travelling to the outside world ever since we were young. This is his collection." he explained while gazing at the objects in the room. The lady nodded her head as an acknowledgement to his response.

"You know how to use all these weapons?" the lady asked.

"Yes." he proudly responded.

"That's good. I can't imagine using any of these. After all I am just a girl." she humbly said.

The emperor laughed and stared at her before he decided to go back to the palace. It is almost dark when they are out of the house. The bamboos are swaying gently and the sound of its leaves is soothing. They walk slowly and enjoy the peaceful environment. Two people enjoying the solitary peace continued to stride their way to the palace.

After they arrived at the palace, Ye Shin went to her room. She does not need to be his bodyguard at that time as it was already dark. As she entered, the emperor also followed her. The place is as big as his room. It was supposed to be his study room when the two of them has not yet met.

"Your room is that way." Ye Shin pointed the door of his room using her index fingers.

"Last night, you told me that someone is watching or listening in my room. You have not explained this part." the emperor said as he smiled at her. A scene of what had happened last night is replaying in his mind.

"You're safe. Don't worry about it." the lady responded and gives him a cup of tea. He sip the tea and pondered for a moment.

"Do you think something will be watching tonight also?" he inquired.

"You are the emperor favored by the heavens; there is nothing that can hurt you." Ye Shin declared as if reminding him of his status. The emperor looked at her with gentle eyes.

"Tell the kitchen to bring my food here." he said. The lady gaze on him briefly before she went to ask some palace servants.

After few minutes passed and the food is delivered. Ye Shin arranged the foods in the table before she sat opposite to the emperor. They are facing each other. They both grabbed their food and silently eats it.

The emperor is far from finishing his food when Ye Shin ate all her portions.

"Help me finish my food." he told her when the food in front of her was completely gone. Ye Shin, without waiting for another invitation picks food on his bowl until it was all done.

Her appetite is really something! He looked at her physique while she is clearing their table. His gaze followed her as she went outside the room carrying the things they just used. When she came back, the emperor walk out towards his room.

Upon entering his room, the emperor noticed his trusted shadow in the corner. He wondered if the lady was referring to the shadow when she said that someone was watching him last night.

"Ling, are the shadows in their original post last night?" he asked. If the shadows did not leave their posts, there is no way they could see him inside his room.

"They are on their original post, your majesty." He Ling responded. The emperor pondered something and his shadow just looks at him.

"Is something bothering you, your highness?" the shadow asked the emperor. He then told his shadow about the abnormal gathering of moon essence that Ye Shin described as well as the possibility that someone is watching or listening to him last night.

The shadow was deep in thought.

"Your majesty I have heard some hearsay in the past about people who creates teleportation portal. They utilize objects in order to make a formation for the teleportation to be possible. Could it be that, what happened last night was also the same? Someone has tried to harm you by using moon essence your majesty." the shadow informed him.

"Oh?! There is actually something like that? This happened after the Qing Princess arrived here. It should be part of the Qing Empire's schemes. They really can't wait to destroy me!" the emperor analyzed.

"The Qing Empire is getting bolder day by day. Do you have plans to take action against them, your majesty?" He Ling asked the emperor.

"At first, I let them go when they brainwashed my second brother about overthrowing my throne. I also let them go when they paid the barbarians to make trouble in my kingdom. I even gave them face during the arrival of their second princess. But it seems like they will not stop until they acquire my kingdom! Track my third brother Ling and make him come back here even if you need to tie him. It's time for him to settle down." the young emperor commanded. The shadow offered a customary bow before he left.