Nie Li’s Secret Master

It had been a week since the tragic death of the City Lord. The whole of Glory City was in mourning. Lord Ye Mo was sitting in his son's study and looking through various reports. He looked older and frailer than before, the loss of his son weighing heavily on him.

Suddenly, he sensed something and looked up to see a cloaked figure sitting in front of him. He was shocked silly as he did not sense how the figure entered the room as if it was always there. He jumped up and raised his guard as he suspiciously observed the intruder.

"Relax, old man Ye Mo. I mean no harm. On the contrary, I bring you Divine Gifts." Chuckled the cloaked man. By the voice he sounded to be in his forties. Lord Ye Mo pondered on his words and asked.

"If you have come with good intentions, why not reveal yourself? Furthermore, I do not need any Divine Gifts of yours." Snorted Lord Ye Mo.

"Oh, apologies. I thought you would want your son back from the dead. It seems I was wrong. Farewell." Said the cloaked man in a mockingly apologetic tone as he tried to leave.

"Wait!" Shouted Lord Ye Mo, as he stared at the man. "What do you mean by bringing my son back? He is dead." "His body is destroyed, yes, but his soul is still intact. As long as you have it and give it to Nie Li, he can bring Ye Zong back to life." Said the man slowly, while taking out the Soul Bead and showing to Lord Ye Mo. "Inside is the soul of your son, complete and unharmed. Would you not call it a Divine Gift?"

"If it is genuine, I would indeed, but what do you want in return?" Inquired Lord Ye Mo, while trying to suppress his hope and excitement.

"Nie Li can prove it is genuine. As for the price, it is very cheap. In return for this Soul Bead, the City Lord's Mansion will provide full, unquestionable support for the Immortal Wine Merchant House, that belongs to me. I know Ye Zong had suspicions about it and me, as the City Lord should. However, that will stop from now on. I like Glory City. I will protect it. I believe me giving you the Soul Bead is proof of my sincerity. So anything I do later, you will not ask questions and offer full assistance if required. Understood?" Replied the cloaked man.

"I see. Very well, I understand. As long as the Soul Bead is real, the City Lord's Mansion will look after the Immortal Wine Merchant House. I give you my word." Stated Lord Ye Mo resolutely. The cloaked man put the Soul Bead on the desk and turned around, preparing to leave, before stopping and asking.

"Ah. I almost forgot. Could you also pass a message to Nie Li?"

"What message?" Wondered Lord Ye Mo.

"Tell him that his secret alchemy master sent him his regards and that the Demon Lord was already killed by him. Farewell." Chuckled the cloaked man before vanishing on the spot, leaving dumbfounded Lord Ye Mo.

It took a while for him to recover his wits as he still could not believe the words of the cloaked man. He took the Soul Bead and noticed his hands trembling. Lord Ye Mo calmed himself and went to find Nie Li.

Two weeks later Glory City welcomed a miracle. The deceased City Lord came back to life, and though he was still weak, was expected to recover soon. The whole city was shocked and bewildered by the fact of Ye Zong's revival. They only managed to calm down, once Lord Ye Mo explained that it was accomplished with the assistance of a Spiritual God, successfully fooling most of the populace.

One day Hong Yue Xian met up with Xiao Ning'er, and brought her to a remote place, where no one would disturb them. "Ning'er, we need to talk. You know I love you and want to marry you. That will never change, I promise. But what would you say if I wanted to take another wife? If I had another girl I loved as well? Of course, I would love and care for both of you equally." Asked Hong Yue Xian gently.

"As long as you still love me, I would not mind if you married another one. She has always been like that. I can't blame you for it." Said Xiao Ning'er resolutely yet sorrowfully.

"Wait." Said Hong Yue Xian bewildered. "Who are you talking about?" "I am talking about Ye Ziyun. You are in love with her, right?" Explained Xiao Ning'er sulkily. Hong Yue Xian realised that she misunderstood and kissed her before she could continue. Once she calmed down, he told her.

"I am not in love with Ye Ziyun. Never have. Never will be. You are a thousand times better than Ye Ziyun. If I were given a choice between you two, I would always choose you." Declared Hong Yue Xian. Xiao Ning'er was shocked and embarrassed by her overreaction, as well as relieved at his words.

"Ning'er, I may not have feelings for Ye Ziyun but I do have feelings for other girls. I do plan to marry them and I hope you could accept them as well." Said Hong Yue Xian as he waited for her answer in trepidation.

Xiao Ning'er was surprised before looking intensely at Hong Yue Xian. She coiled her arms around his neck and coquettishly said. "You. Will. Tell. Me. Everything." "Err... Sure..." Stuttered Hong Yue Xian as he was not used to Xiao Ning'er behaving like that. For some reason it frightened him.

"And that is why we are here." Concluded Hong Yue Xian as he looked at Huyan Lanruo, Yang Xin and Shen Xiu, while they were exchanging awkward glances with Xiao Ning'er standing by his side. They were all at his home. After hearing everything Xiao Ning'er wished to meet the girls, so he brought her there. The tension in the air was almost tangible.