The Encounter

Ying Yue opened her eyes with a sudden urge to curse. This world was about to be doomed, so why did she choose this one in the first place?

Bao'er noticed that Ying Yue was conscious so it pounced on her trying to pacify her. " Yueyue, in any case, the restrictions for you wouldn't be much since the world's consciousness is not awake. As long as we do things within the bounds of limitations, how you accomplish tasks of helping this world would be a lot easier."

Ying Yue thought that this was indeed reasonable. This world was on the verge of collapse but it did not mean it was the end. She can still rectify the situation by starting where all of this fell apart. The death of the fourth prince.

Seeing the fourth prince bloody with an arrow on his heart gave Ying Yue a very heavy feeling. It felt like her heart was being wounded by countless nails until it becomes mangled and shapeless.

"Bao'er, the assassination, when would it be?"

"According to the timeline, the prince was almost eighteen when he came back, comparing the timeline from the flow of fate to the current, the prince would be back in a month or two."

Ying Yue felt dread for the first time since coming here. All she could think about was to save the prince. This emotion doesn't come from the original purpose of harvesting her good karma but of something else.

Her heart that was still for a long time finally beat and this attachment scared her. Was it only because his blood enticed her that she could not accept her prey being killed by another?

"Bao'er, I feel strange." This emotion was strange and she couldn't help but whine to her little blob.

The blob was confused as well. Thinking that her mistress felt unwell because of the barrage of information, advised her to rest instead. "Yueyue, we still have a month or two to prepare, let Bao'er scout for more information in the capital alright? For now, you need to rest."

Ying Yue was moved with the sincere care the little blob gave her. Forcing herself to focus her attention to where it matters, she discussed and gave the blob tasks while they wait.

"Bao'er, you need to check the departure and the arrival of the fourth prince. After that, keep a close eye on Bai Xiang'er so we could have a lead on what she planned to do."

With that, she finally put her weary heart at rest then tried to recuperate her mental and spiritual strength.

On the border, the fourth prince's entourage was preparing to make their way into the capital.

This return was important since the prince would have his coming of age banquet and would then rightfully lead the military might through fire and death.

The prince who rode the sturdy horse, as usual, was emotionless. The face was clearly ethereal, but his bearing was solid and the breath his body exudes was very intimidating. He looked like nothing in this world could shake his wooden block face.

Although still young, he reached the highest position in the military ranks using his own ability and wit thus no one in the entire camp dares to belittle or disrespect him.

The soldiers who were in charge of defending the border lined up to send their esteemed general off. They all stood uniformly, with great discipline and faces full of reverence.

"Your highness, the troops are ready. We shall leave on your command." Li Bo, his right-hand man informed.

"En." The usual monosyllabic response reverberated then the troop made its way forward.

Calling it a troop would be an overstatement as the entourage only consisted of two dozens of guards, his two close subordinates, and himself.

Long Xiongwei looked forward, his face showing not a hint of how he felt. He has long forgotten how to smile or how to sincerely be appreciative. Everything around him seemed just as supposed to be, no expectations nor disappointment.

A blob of light flickered above him then it suddenly disappeared with not a single soul noticing it.

Bao'er hastily made it back to its mistress reporting the departure of the fourth prince.

"Yueyue, since the prince made his way back, Bao'er estimates he will arrive in the capital exactly a month from now."

"Thank you Bao'er for your hard work."

"No problem Yueyue! Bao'er will do everything for you! Unlike this stupid cat!" Of course, the little blob would have to jab at this useless tiger every day, or else its day would never be as complete.

The tiger upon hearing this got mad and pounced on the little blob, only ending up pouncing on empty air. It then started it's chase around the room as if the blob of light was just a pesky mouse that it could chew to bits and pieces.

Ying Yue was helpless and had to shake her head. These two never go well together like fire and ice. Laughing to herself, she then closed her eyes and started meditating.

A month passed by unwittingly, and the day that Ying Yue dreaded came. She has collected enough information from Bao'er and knew the location and the time of the ambush.

Sneaking her way towards the mountain, she brought along the medicines she brewed. This would be helpful in case of an emergency. She also had Bao'er add another layer of concealment to her and Shasha as to add on an element of surprise which would be at their advantage.

She prepared everything and even got her nerves ready to fight at any time but what she never expected was to come a bit too late.

Blood dyed the soil red as countless of bodies in black robe loitered everywhere. She hastened her steps following the trail of blood that ended near the cliff.

As she lifted her head, she felt like her breath was knocked away. There, she saw the prince, battered and bloody, standing at the edge of the cliff.

"Bao'er, Shasha make a huge diversion and protect each other." She commanded then jumped in to join the fight.

All of a sudden a whoosh sounded then she saw an arrow aiming towards the prince's heart. Throwing all cautions and thoughts of her life to the wind she rushed forward and encircled the prince in her arms. Not a moment after, she felt an arrow pierced her shoulder, but before she can make a sound, she felt herself and the prince fall off the cliff.