An Uninvited Guest

Shen Lu wasn't as calm as he seemed. What seemed like a normal exchange, was, in reality, a fierce spirit power inspection which left him breathless. When he locked gazes with that man, voices started screaming in his head louder and louder, and his body started to tremble. Afterwards, he felt empty inside, devoid of any emotion, thought and energy, leaving just a facade. He felt so weak and little in front of such a powerful man. That simple look made him realize how arrogant he behaved, just because he had memories from his previous lives. Those memories belonged to people who were already dead. He was Shen Lu, a five years old toddler who believed to be an almighty expert, but the truth was, he still didn't accomplish anything. Until now he talked big, treating someone else's feats as his own. He looked at the Emperor again, in deep thought. He was lucky that this time his "opponent" didn't have killing intent, but he wouldn't be able to do anything in case he was against an actual enemy. Cold sweat ran down his back. It was good that he learned this bitter lesson right now, instead of suffering in battle. After he cleared his mind, the strange voices stopped howling, and he felt like he gained something from this experience. He understood one simple concept which should be obvious, but is not always respected: don't overestimate yourself and don't be an arrogant bastard if you can't back up your words with your actions.

"Brother Shen Lu, is everything ok? Did the Emperor scare you?" asked Feng Li touching his shoulder. Shen Lu came back to himself and smiled to the worried Prince.

"I'm not scared, just surprised. I wonder why His Majesty came here. It is certainly a great honour for me and the Shen clan, but I hope nothing troublesome happened ."

The perplexed expression on his face reassured the rest of the younglings, who thought he might drop dead. They didn't even think of mocking him, after all, their knees were also a little weak.

It wasn't long before the centre of attention switched from him to the Emperor. Shen Lu wasn't happy about it, but he could understand. What was more important? Talking to the Emperor and maybe improve the relationship with the Capital, or a brat's birthday? Even the younger generation soon flocked to His Majesty's side, trying to catch his attention.

While bothersome, this was a good opportunity for him to eavesdrop and "befriend" whoever had the time or the will to talk to him. Of course, eavesdropping the conversations of the powerful people in the room was impossible, but he was satisfied with all the little secrets and seemingly useless information which entered his ears. Words, gestures, simple gazes, everything could be useful and in that chaos, Shen Lu felt like fish swimming in a river.

The cute little Feng Li was going after him, his hand tightly gripping his sleeve and shyly stuttering when someone talked to him. Suddenly, he tugged his sleeve.

"Brother Lu, look there," he said pointing at some people who tried their best to be ignored by everyone. They were Lin Chao and those from his clan.

With a serious face, he slid through the crowd. He cursed himself for not thinking about it. The Lin Clan was on good terms with the Shen Clan, but they were still underlings of the Ming Empire which didn't have a peaceful history with the Qin Empire. As guests, their safety was their responsibility, but currently, everyone was too busy with his grandfather's and the Emperor's apparition to take care of them. Their presence wasn't anything serious, but it could cause a few misunderstandings, or annoy His Majesty. He had to get them out of as fast as possible.

When Lin Chao saw him coming their way, he made a mortified face. 'What does he want? Go away! Don't attract the attention on us!'

On his way, Shen Lu whispered some words to a servant who ran away shortly after. He soon reached their place. Just as he arrived a group of servants came in with a few giant portions of food and brought them in front of the Emperor.

"Please, come this way," he said to the confused Lin clansmen.

Lin Chao and the rest followed him with a sceptical expression. The whole group cut again through the crowd, guided by the Young Master. When they finally got out of the Ceremony Hall, the scepticism turned to bafflement. They couldn't believe such a simple plan worked.

An Elder made a slight nod with his head and came near him.

"... I owe you an apology, Young Master Shen Lu. Thank you for taking care of us."

"It was nothing. I suggest you leave before night. It is a bit rude, but I'm sure you understand. The Emperor rarely visits Grandfather, so I'm certain he'll stay for a while."

"You have good insight. We'll do as you say."

Before they retired to their rooms, Lin Chao waved at him. He wondered how this young boy could be so intelligent that even his Elder was impressed.

Shen Lu sighed. He didn't want to return inside now, he was bored and annoyed by his own party. He sat on the ground next to the entrance of the Hall. Feng Li's head peered out of the room.

"Brother Lu, what are you doing?"

He watched as the little prince sat beside him.

"Little Li, why are you following me? You should go back to your Elder. I bet he'll introduce you to the Emperor, don't you want to meet the Emperor?"

"The Emperor is scary..."

Shen Lu threw back his head and laughed at his cute frightened face, then he abruptly stood up and grabbed the young prince's hand.

"Let's go meet His Majesty!"

"Wait, n-n-no..."

His panic-stricken whispers only amused him more. Also, he wanted to know his grandfather's sworn brother a little better. He didn't think much about it before, but they were all at least as old as the Empire itself, being the founders of it. His Teacher said the Qin Empire was about 160 years old, so, since, when the war started, they were already experts, they had to be older by quite a bit. Who knew how many stories they had. He had so little time to spend with his grandpa...

"Oh, there you are little rascals! It's the first time I see you both, but you left me with a rather good impression! I'm sorry for stealing your scene, Little Lu!"

A hand messed up his hair, and a thunderous laugh entered his ears. Qin Liuxian and Shen Zhang were actually going out right at this moment when they met them on the doorway.

"Happy Birthday!" he shouted while leaving.

Shen Lu made a disappointed smile. Time passed and he didn't do anything useful, nor he talked with the Emperor or King Shen Zhang. He didn't even realize it was that late... strange.

He stayed to send off the guests, then he hugged his dad and mom. It was nice, for a change, to feel like a real family. In the darkness of his room, he was about to dive deep in his blankets and sleep, when he felt something was missing. 'Mao! That Demon Beast disappeared again...'

It wasn't the first time Mao disappeared. After an upsetting experience, or simply after a childish tantrum or fight, it was common for the Dragon Cat to run away. When it was younger, it would return after he was bullied by other wild Demon Beasts or when it was hungry, but, in the last year, it became bigger and stronger. Now, it was him who bullied the other Demon Beasts, so it would return when he was bored or missed his Master.

Shen Lu got out of his bed with gloom upon his face and, with a last longing look at his pillow, he went outside in the cold night. Or so he thought. He could swear on his ancestor's grave that from his room's window the sky was black as ink and the moon was high up in the sky. But now, an unexplainable phenomenon was in front of his eyes: while inside the Mansion the night was sovereign, everywhere else the rays of the sunset were shining and engulfing the scenery in an unnatural sea of blood-like light. However, the most unsettling thing was that nobody else seemed to notice. Servants and guards were preparing for their night shifts like any other normal day, ignoring not only the absurdity of the situation but also the young shocked Young Master, treating him like thin air.

"Beautiful isn't it."

The familiar voice sent shivers down his spine. He never heard it in person but, despite his trouble with their memories, it was impossible to forget this voice from his past reincarnations.

A pale man in an emerald gown and with a copper crown on his head was standing beside him. The fourteen ferocious dragons white dragons sewed on his robes emanated a freezing aura around him and, in his eyes, there was only suppressed rage.