Chapter Fourteen

@Red Dragon Crest. #next morning

"We will depart now. Ready everyone?"

"Yes Master." All the women said in unison as they stepped out of the wretched hut that marked the outside of the magic space where Red Dragon crest was.

"Are everyone out of the space?"

"Yes Master. I have checked." Lu replied.

Yu Long observed as all the women gathered outside. Soon Rahu created a fireball in his hand even without chanting a spell and directed it towards the hut. The whole place was on flames, burning down to nothing but ashes.

Such a fire and still people are passing us as if nothing happened. No ruckus at all? Why?

FeiMei joined Yu Long and greeted him.

"Are you wondering as to why no one is able to notice such a fire? Even without a magical barrier."

Yu Long looked at FeiMei in shock.

She reads people's minds?

FeiMei giggled behind her sleeves, "Actually you are easy to read, Mister Yu. Anyways this hut is a door to that space where our pavilion is. Master destroys one door and creates another door. No one can see the fire except the one with Master's special consent. Not everyone can enter the space even if they enter the hut. They will need the permission from Master like we get while we enter the space every time. That time when you entered the space with Sister Lu, Master must have sensed your presence."

"Oh! Is it that way? Strange skills of your Master. He really has great skills and being able to create a space of his own is wonderful."

FeiMei looked front at the blazing hut with pride. "We all are proud of our Master and our little space. We treasure it actually."

Strange people. But thank you Mother Empress for giving me this opportunity. I met such beautiful people. I will come to rescue you, and Royal Father and Qinshen soon. With Brother He and Lin'er.

@ Dungeons in Qiying, ZhaoShu Imperial Palace #same day

"You traitor. You betrayed your own people." Yu Rong howled.

"You might have got Qinshen for good, but you will never get what you want."

Lin Na screamed with anger and hatred for the person standing in front of you.

The person laughed horribly before grabbing the fallen empress by her hair.

"This is the end I believe, my beloved Empress of Qinshen. I wish you would have selected me instead of that stupid husband of yours. Like Feng Bi, you were foolish enough to make such a terrible decision. Don't you think? That stupid decision led to your demise. Think and regret in hell."

The man in black hood threw the bound empress towards her husband and chanted.

"Bronze Magic: Dancing Daggers. Enhance.

Goodbye, love and Rong."

The man left the dungeon chamber with two corpses and spattered blood. The horrific scene could get anyone to get a heart failure. There was blood and blood everywhere. The left behind bodies were shredded into uncountable chunks.

@ZhaoShu-Taijing Border #same day

I am coming for you, Yu Long.

Yu He and Yu Lin sat with their disguises in a cart full of artifacts. LiBing was controlling the Mystic Bird. They were waiting in a long line for security permit and verification.

Suddenly from nowhere a beautiful fire Phoenix came flying from ZhaoShu and suddenly swiftly glided its way through the queue of people. Everyone started moving out of the line to let that bird wrapped in fire finds its way. The Phoenix flew straight for Li Bing. LiBing was scared seeing the approaching ball of fire. He ducked down to dodge it, as the Phoenix flew past him towards the cart. The phoenix stopped in mid air in front of Yu He and burnt to ashes. The ashes soon rearranged themselves as letters.

Brother He, I will be in Liong in ZhaoShu. Treat Li Bing and my artifacts well. Meet you soon.- Yu Long.

"This magic is too strong and fire based. It is not Brother Long's. But the words are very like him." Yu Lin giggled.

Yu He clenched his fist.

We are coming soon. Wait for us, Long.

"What was that, Master He?"

"Bing, it was Long's message. We will head to city of Liong. As fast as possible."

"Yes."

The people looked in astonishment at the cart as the Phoenix disappeared. They immediately moved aside to let the cart owner proceed for verification thinking he was someone very important. Yu He immediately asked Li Bing to cease the opportunity and so forward for verification.

Phoenixes were used as a means of communication. But it was a luxury as it was tough to create a real beast using magic which was target specific. It needed a very precision and control. Rarely golden core cultivators could do so. So Phoenix users are richly reputable.

@Guoshan #after half an hour.

"Where are we walking to? Isn't Liong the other way?"Yu Long asked as the women started moving towards north, opposite to the direction of the Liong.

FeiMei immediately tried to clear his doubt.

"Yes, but Master needs to rebuild a gate to his space. But for that we will go to Liong through the passageway that he uses. He uses old magic gateways. It is said these gateways existed even before he was born and was made by his Master. He will rebuild a connection from the old passageway of this city to his space then to the target city's passageway. See Master's skills excites me. Maybe I should train to be a royal illusionist."

"Royal illusionist?"

"Looks like Mister Yu doesn't know, in the royal army of ZhaoShu, there are three types of warriors. One of them are the Illusionists. It is High end profession which not everyone can get. They are all based on strict standards like one's lineage, natural talent…Their are other professions like Summoners and Refining Alchemists. These are also very highly creditable occupations. Every year people take part in the Annual Selection and Examinations. But most of the participates fail to cross the preliminary round itself."

"Oh!" Yu Long wondered as he suddenly felt FeiMei's bright aura changed to dark aura.

"I am born with bad luck and poor core else I would have got a chance to take part in the Examinations."

"Can't you take part in the examinations now? I think you might succeed."

"It is not possible, Mister Yu. You need to have a golden or silver core to take part in the Examinations. And it is super elite profession."

"That is a good way to lessen the number of participants."

"There is one in upcoming three months. It is held in the capital city Qiying. Do you try for that, Mister Yu?"

Yu Long suddenly lost all his smile and not and answered with a straight face, "Never."

"Sad, Mister Yu. Our Master is training you as well. You might be too good else master taking in a disciple is unheard of."

"I am kind of not interested in ZhaoShu's political or security. Qinshen might be just a province. But it is still my kingdom. I hate it that it fell in the hands of that demon."

"I really apologize for my rude behavior. That was inconsiderate of me. I forgot you were from the royal family of Qinshen."

"Please don't say that aloud. I want to keep my identity a secret as I am a wanted runaway criminal for ZhaoShu."

"Don't worry. We are not allowed to reveal it to anyone. Master made us swear. You can relax and trust us."

"Yes. I believe you all." Though I can't actually trust you all completely.

Soon Rahu stopped in front of a luxuriously decorated pavilion.

"This is it. I will go and talk with the owner." Rahu spoke addressing the women.

"We have reached, Mister Yu."

Yu Long and FeiMei were the last ones to reach. Yu Long looked at the board on the entrance to the Pavilion.

Floating Gardens.

"What is this place?"

"Brothel."

Miu replied coming from behind.

"Brothe...what? Brothel?"

Yu Long exclaimed.

Why are we in a brothel. The passageway is through the brothel? Or is it just for the pleasure of their dragon master, Rahu? He doesn't seem that hungry for lust and pleasure though.

FeiMei chuckled seeing the quizzical expression on Yu Long's face.

"Mister Yu, it is a brothel but the passageway lies in this place. And the owner is a very pleasant man. He is a friend of our Master."

"This way please." A beautiful lady came forward to receive them.

She had a heavy makeup and strong perfume on her. Her slim figure was draped with the rich and shiny embroidered silk. Her hair was very beautifully arranged with headdresses. Her pose was graceful and alluring to look at.

"Come Mister Yu. We will wait here."

FeiMei motioned in direction of a room where other women were.

"We will wait for Master."

Lu announced as the other agreed at got back to their gossip.

Lu came and sat down next to FeiMei.

"Mister Yu. Really sorry for all the inconveniences so far. As Master comes back, he will address the price for travel."

"Price?"

"Yes. For each travel, they charge you ten thousand Dais per head."

Yu Long suddenly started worrying as he didn't have that much money with him. Nor any such valuable item to exchange.

"Mister Yu, you don't have to worry. The owner and the Master are very good friends. They don't charge us for travel. Instead the owner gives us a chance to entertain their customers."

This again made Yu Long worry as to what all do they have to do to entertain people in the brothel.

Are they going to make me...not happening. What is this situation? Do these people get ready to ….in exchange for a travel trip?

Lu and FeiMei looked at each other before giggling behind their sleeves.

"We haven't told you about our profession. We are dancers."

"Yes, Mister Yu. We perform music and dance. Master doesn't appreciate us selling our bodies against our will."

Yu Long sighed mentally.

"Good to hear that."

"O Master has come."

Rahu came in followed by a beautiful woman as he announced that they will be leaving as soon as they completed their performance.

The women started getting ready for their performance. Yu Long felt out of place so he went to join Rahu and the beautiful woman who looked as the owner.

"Apologies. Can I please join you?"

"Ah! Stupid human, meet Han. He is the owner of this place and passageways we will be using. He has the largest passage network in ZhaoShu. And this is the new member of my troupe,WaYi.He serves as my assistant."

Assistant? Who is your assistant? And Han doesn't sound like a woman's name.

"Stop exaggerating. It is simple and small network. Nice to meet you."

Yu Long was not surprised to hear a heavy male voice. He slowly bowed as he introduced himself.

It is as I guessed. A man.

"Sit down young man. Feel at ease and enjoy the performance. All the important customers are going to come to be here soon. Then we will start this performance."

"Han, who are your guests today?"

"The emperor himself and his elites."

Yu Long's eyes widened in shock.

Zhang XinYi will be here. I need to hide. I don't want to face that perverted demon now. And if he captures me this time, I will lose all chances to meet with my brother and all that awaits for me will be death. Rahu, help me.

Yu Long looked at Rahu with eyes filled with concern as if requesting for help. He looked like a helpless, trapped cute baby beast from Rahu's view. Rahu shook his head.

"Are you okay, Rahu?" Han said after looking the strange reaction of Rahu and Yu Long to the news of arrival of the emperor.

"Han, can you do me a small favour?"

"Rahu asking me for favour. How can I say no?"

"Then can you do give him a good disguise?"

Han looked at Yu Long and scanned him from head to toe, then front to back.

"I think I have a perfect one for that slender body." He said with a smirk.

I think it is definitely going to be something weird. I want to run away.

"Come inside, darling."

Han gracefully led Yu Long into an inner chamber.

Save me. Someone save me.

#after half an hour of struggle

Han all tired after struggling and forcing Yu Long into a disguise of his own choice despite Yu Long's disagreement. Yu Long had given up as Han used his air magic to tie Yu Long's limbs. He needed Rahu to protect him and help him meet his brother. So he had

"WaYi'er let's get your hair done. Please sit upright."

Han slowly combed through the hair before assembling the strands and placing the headdresses.

"I am giving you the look of the woman working in the brothel. Anyways why do you need a disguise? It has something to do with the Emperor's arrival."

He is pretty observant.

"Well… I had some previous strange encounters with the emperor and his elites. I would like to avoid it at all costs."

"Strange? Well the emperor is strange at times but if you would have been in his wanted list you would have been dead by now. So I would say you are a lot safer."

I can't tell you Miss...Mister Han. That perverted emperor and our fist encounter in Shixing Iron Forest but scary. That scoundrel didn't leave me unscarred...he robbed me off my dignity...he...he licked me...the intimacy… Aaaahhhhh…

Yu Long's thoughts started running wild. He shook his hand to wipe off those memories. He didn't want to have such an encounter ever again.

This gesture made Han stop his hair styling and look at Yu Long weirdly.

"L-Let me do you a makeup. Then please join Rahu. Stay with your head lowered and gracefully serve Rahu. This will not attract any weird attention."

After all the makeup was done, Han and Long joined Rahu. Yu Long tried to be all graceful as possible while imitating Han's gestures. It was not graceful instead it was weird. He was miserable when it came to act as a woman especially like the one who worked in the brothel. Yu Long tried serving the wine in a cup instead he spilt it on the table. Rahu shook his head before holding Yu Long's hand and bringing him to a halt.

"Sit next to me. That is enough. Your actions with blow off your cover."

Yu Long was embarrassed so he immediately did as he was told. As he sat next to Rahu, Rahu pulled him closer to him, their thighs were touching.

It is too close. We are too close.

This made Yu Long's face flush red. Rahu also looked in the other direction but Long could easily notice the reddened ears.

Soon, the seats in the hall starting filling up. The centre was an elevated platform. The seats surrounded the platform on three sides. Rahu had taken a seat in the corner. Soon all the seats filled up on the sides except the centre.

The centre seats for the special guests most probably the emperor and his men. With time, the anxiety and worry of Yu Long was rising. Rahu felt all the anxiety as he gave a pendant white magic stone to Yu Long to wear.

"Wear it. It will hide your core shade."

Yu Long nodded and put that pendant on. Just then all the women in the brothel and men sitting in the seats rose up.

"Looks like the important person has come." Han proceeded to the entrance of the hall to receive the emperor and his elites.

Yu Long shivered as he unconsciously clung onto Rahu's arm.

"I hope this gets over as soon as possible."

He saw four men enter. One was tall, silver haired beautiful man, other had his long black hair tied up and looked like a lady killer. They were followed by two more man. One had loosely tied black hair and looked eldest of the four. Seeing the fourth man Yu Long flinched. The last man to enter was the mysterious intruder in Shixing. The most handsome of the four. Xiyi. Or the disguised look of emperor. That disguise was well known in ZhaoShu. Everyone recognised him as the emperor in that look even though it was less attractive than his real look.

Zhang XinYi. You came didn't you, you demon.