A casual shrug

It was several days later when Yu Yanlin was back at the mountainside lake.

This time he was alone.

He chose an ungodly hour, where the villagers would have long gone to sleep. He could have chosen a more private location, however, the ancient powers that lingered within the depths of the lake would serve well for the spell that he wished to attempt.

A giddy feeling was about his heart. Yu Yanlin couldn't help but feel that he was growing into a mischievous person. It felt strange, being free.

The sky was black with clouds; no moonlight seeped through, no twinkling of stars graced that night. The winds howled, hearkening to winter. Yu Yanlin wasn't bothered and in fact, welcomed the cold. He'd also grown used to the blindfold around his eyes but for this particular spell he'd need his eyesight.

He reached back and unclasped the thing and allowed it to drop in his palm. There was a shift in the winds, the atmosphere chilled. A yawning voiced joined the demon king at his side.

"Ah, it's getting cold up here…I'll return to the south soon…" the snake demon rubbed his eyes. He bowed lazily and greeted, "I hope you are well Your Majesty. I heard from my servants that you've been rather lively."

That was putting it simply. However, Yu Yanlin wasn't interested in having small talk with his official and promptly held out his hand. "The Dawn Star."

"Yes, yes," Su Zui hummed, his lips curling up into a smile as he fished through his oversized sleeves and pulled out the lacquered box.

Inside was the beautiful jade ornament; the Dawn Star.

These Sacred Star Jewels that were now scattered upon the lands once belonged the deities that populated the earth and heavens. Yu Yanlin had read up about them when he was a small cub.

The Dawn Star fell from the skies and shot from one end of the earth to the other. The Princess of Stampedes and Rain, Tian Lan rode across the continent to catch it as it fell. It was said to behold terrible power, able to cleanse any illness but also spread disease and plague. Tian Lan eventually ascended to the Heavens, bringing the Dawn Star back to where it belonged.

Only it was no longer in the lofty belly of Heavenly Offices and was now in Yu Yanlin's hands. He ran his fingers over the jewel and felt its deep thrum of power. How the Sacred Star Jewels scattered across the lands was a mystery as deep and vast as the one about the missing gods and goddesses.

Yu Yanlin quietly put the thoughts of ancient mythology in the back of his mind and took out the Dawn Star. What he wished had nothing to do with the plight of ancient deities and their precious treasures.

While only the gods would use the Sacred Star Jewels with any true efficiency, there was still a way for Yu Yanlin to draw out something beneficial for himself. He smiled at his thoughts. A large-scale array had already been drawn out around the perimeter of the lake and was now going to serve his purpose.

Su Zui watched quietly, observing the calm but mirthful expression that Yu Yanlin beheld. He had never seen his liege behave like this before and found himself sufficiently intrigued. Power swirled at Yu Yanlin's fingertips and Su Zui could no longer hold back his question.

"Is Your Majesty interested in seeking revenge?"

Yu Yanlin raised a brow. To say that he was feeling exceptionally vindictive would be wrong. The throb of disappointment had almost completely dissipated with the vibrant bliss that the Immortal of a Thousand Blossoms graced him with. But it wasn't as if Yu Yanlin was against the act of vengeance either.

"It seems fun," he answered plainly with a casual shrug.

Ah, as Su Zui thought. This demon king was truly a strange one! But he wasn't about to question Yu Yanlin's actions further and instead stepped back and watched the spell unravel.

The Dawn Star began to glow, swirls of light danced from within, spilling out into the black night. The jewel lifted from his palm and floated slowly till it rested just above the surface of the lake.

The array began to light up, streams of light connected and shot into and out of the Dawn Star. The calm waters began to ripple and erupt with life. From above, the mirage of a dragon deity roused and swam in figure eights.

Yu Yanlin began a low chant, the array tapping into the ancient power the brewed within the jewel.

His meridians strained but Yu Yanlin kept going, refusing to lose to the mythical power that buzzed within the jewel, drawing it out. The surface of the water shimmer and soon, there was a different image that played out instead of the illusion of an old dragon god.

Instead, there was a wide hall; black and gold with accents of red. A familiar throne with curling dragon arm-rests. But it was not Yu Yanlin who sat within its lofty position, looking down at rows and rows of officials and servants.

Yu Xinen was similar to her older brother in appearance. She was more often described as handsome rather than beautiful, with her sharp features and striking profile. Her silver hair was elegantly styled and her face painted with a light sheen of makeup that did not sit too heavily. A smirk decorated her visage, something terrible swirled in those blue irises. Her white tiger tail swayed back and forth.

Someone, a familiar face was giving her a report. Upon closer inspection it was another general of Yu Yanlin's, Ma Jian. Well, he could have seen her betrayal coming from acres away and was not surprised that she was now serving his sister.

There was no sound coming from the projection so they could only guess what could have been said. Yu Xinen's arrogant expression changed into one of rage. She shot up from her seat and shouted back.

The officials trembled at the sight of her, shrinking as she stomped down.

Ma Jian kept her head bowed, only looking up with express permission from the new Demon Queen.

They marched down the halls of the Unholy Garden Temple. They went down to the hidden dungeon that could only be accessed with the blood of the royal family offered to a wide golden bowl.

Huh?

Yu Yanlin always thought that dungeon strange. He rarely put prisoners down there because he often would forget about them.

What could Yu Xinen be using this hidden dungeon for…?

...

In the meanwhile, Zhang Wang was back at Xunfeng Peak. He had no idea where Yu Yanlin had gone.

He had been exhausted ever since Sikong Ren and his entire harem-- erm. His gang, or whatever, finally made their return. Everyone was alive with gossip, celebration and praise, seeming to kiss Sikong Ren's feet as he went.

Zhang Wang kept contact to a minimal, even when the Master of Strays kept circling around him for a drink or something.

Zhang Wang wasn't interested.

Chu Changying returned with him as well and was now hovering around Sikong Ren with a glowing smile on her face, one that Zhang Wang felt that he hadn't seen for ages.

And then there was the Jade Flower Elder as well…

Basically, the entire manor was a minefield of problematic personalities and Zhang Wang was already plotting his inevitable escape. Some had also taken an explicit interest in Yu Yanlin which was less than comfortable for Zhang Wang.

He sighed, rolling over under the bushes. It was night, and rather cold and he had better places to be than hiding in the gardens because Hou Ruyen was patrolling the halls around his room. He had no idea where Yu Yanlin went, having sent the demon off before he had to suffer through another terrible dinner with Sikong Ren and friends.

Yu Yanlin never actually took Zhang Wang up on the offer before and silently sat through their scrutiny over the days.

That day, however, he left.

A strange anxiety plagued the Immortal of a Thousand Blossoms. He slowly rolled out from the shrubs and dusted himself off. A passing servant who was bringing in a pail of water gave him a strange look.

Zhang Wang ignored the staring and went to see if it was safe for him to go to his room. He walked under the eaves and found his room.

But where he expected to find the demon king, was empty of life.

A pang was in his heart. He felt strangely disorientated, away from Yu Yanlin. Where did the demon king even go?

Zhang Wang, unnerved, searched the entire manor…

It was a while before he came upon a servant that explained he saw Zhang Wang's mysterious lover leave the bounds of the manor.

What…? Where could he have gone…? And why?