3. The Journey To Destiny.

The sleek black Mercedes Benz glided to a stop right in front of the towering skyscraper, the largest in the state.

Stepping out of the luxury vehicle, Lu Shui Hua commanded attention with his mere presence.

His name and his new project had become the talk of the town, spreading like wildfire across the web and news outlets.

The entire nation knew that something extraordinary was about to unfold, and they didn't want to miss out on witnessing the transformative power of this visionary researcher.

Blogs and media outlets eagerly vied to be the first to report on his every move, knowing that being associated with Lu Shui Hua's endeavors would grant them unparalleled exposure.

The press, too, gathered in anticipation, lining up to capture his image and secure exclusive interviews. Cameras flashed and microphones were poised, ready to capture his words.

Inside the building, the elders and influential figures of the country had already assembled, their importance magnified by their presence at this momentous occasion. They were all waiting for the highly respected man who had the entire country dumbstruck by his countless achievements around the globe.

"Sir, he has arrived".

One of the agents in a black suit announced to the Governor in a whisper as he slowly went behind with his hands crossed forward.

Their eyes strolled to the door when bodyguards came dashing from the door and took their places in front of the entrance of the large room.

At that moment, Lu Shui Hua stepped in.

Yes, he is one of the most respected men in the world, but he was also the heartthrob of all the ladies.

He is freaking handsome in a supernatural way.

His hair was the lightest shade of yellow, and his green eyes made his perfectly carved-out nose irrelevant. His lips were the color of a fiery rose and his long lashes made every damn soul in the building speechless. That was a rare beauty at its peak.

His eyes traced from one piercing gaze to another as he walked in grace. He knew the kind of effect he had on each of them and he knew perfectly well that his looks were capable of causing the breathless looks on their faces. He looked like a god.

They were all in their seats when he approached them. In a split second, he was in front of them, like the wind, he rendered them utterly brainwashed.

Could a man be this beautiful?

The thoughts in their mind were beginning to scare them as his scent filled the entire room.

Lu Shui Hua wasn't surprised at all. This wasn't the first time he had encountered this, nor was it the one hundredth, this occurred every time he went out and it was now his life. Ever since he had known himself, he had always been chased by both genders and he had accepted his fate at this point.

He bowed his head in greeting and the gesture was reciprocated after coming back to their senses gradually. Yes, they have heard of him, and all he had achieved over the years but they left out this information about him— the fact that he was the god of beauty.

"Mr. Lu, it is an honor to see you in person".

The governor spoke and gestured for him to take the seat opposite him as Zhou Jiangsu took the seat by his side. They didn't even notice him because of the beauty before them. Zhou Jiangsu was already used to the fact that he became irrelevant whenever Lu Shui Hua was in the picture, he was not even recognized at all.

"Likewise, Your Honor". Lu Shui Hua spoke politely as all eyes were on him.

They were there for him and also for his discovery. They were all anticipating this new quest of his because of the profits they would earn from adding this myth to their other collections in the museum. As a matter of fact, this discovery would make their museum the best among others. It is a huge growth for the country.

"Shall we begin then?" He asked without wasting much time as the lawyers of both parties emerged forward to begin their profession.

"But of course".

~~~~

The contract signing took two hours. It was a long run of negotiations and procrastination, but it finally ended in peace. Both parties were on good terms before they shook hands and parted ways.

Meanwhile, when everything was taking place inside, something happened that had reporters rushing in their masses to where words were spreading out like wildfire. It was mysterious and somehow had something to do with the project that was going to occur in a few days.

SOME HOURS AGO,

"Jinjin, come back here".

The voice called from behind as the little boy kept running nonstop. He was chasing a butterfly with all seriousness that he couldn't even hear the call of his mother. His eyes were fixed on the colorful winged creature that he didn't realize that he was already heading for the road full of cars that were going without pausing.

" Jinjin…". "jinjin…".

The woman kept calling after him with teary and worry-filled eyes. Her voice was already breaking. Her screams were to no avail because the boy was already brainwashed by the magnificent colors luring him to the road.

His steps were not slowing down at all, and neither were the cars. He was now on the road not minding the rapid movements.

"JINJIN".

The woman cried as she couldn't pursue him anymore because of the speed vehicles took.

"XIA JING!!!!

She screamed when she saw a truck heading towards him as he suddenly paused and turned to the moving car heading in his direction. At that moment, realization struck him that he was in the middle of the road and he started screaming as he saw his life flash before his eyes when suddenly, everything came to a halt.

It was as if time itself had been cleaved in two.

In the blink of an eye, the entire world came to a standstill.

Not a single thing stirred, not even a whisper of wind.

Cars hurtling forward abruptly halted mid-motion, their brakes engaged in a futile attempt to navigate around the little boy suspended in mid-air, his audacious swagger frozen in time.

Conversations that had been in progress were now trapped in silence, participants locked in their last uttered words.

Trees that had been gracefully swaying to nature's rhythm stood motionless, their branches reaching out in suspended animation.

Even the falling leaves, caught in their descent, hung frozen in mid-air. The mother, her hands outstretched in a desperate attempt to protect her son, found herself trapped in that posture as well.

The world became a tableau, a three-dimensional painting frozen on the wall of reality.

Suddenly, an ear-piercing shriek erupted from the clouds, its thunderous pitch reverberating through the atmosphere like a chilling symphony.

The once-white clouds transformed into a blazing red inferno, darkness descended upon the land, accompanied by the fury of thunderstorms. It was as though an apocalypse of time itself had materialized, a tempestuous event hidden from the mortal eye.

The sound grew louder, its intensity permeating every corner. Its origin remained shrouded in mystery, for such a deafening roar could only belong to an unimaginable, untamed beast that held dominion over all.

The shriek echoed once more, tearing the sky apart, revealing the beast that resided within the cloud. Its feathers blazed with an intensely hot red hue, its eyes held the promise of death, and its cry arrested the flow of time itself.

A creature that ruled the heavens, commanding the very essence of life with each beat of its fiery wings.

Flames danced at its command, for it was composed of their very essence.

With another resounding shriek, it asserted its dominance, causing the earth to tremble under the weight of its sonic might. Inflicting its presence to be known.

Yes, the guardian of the golden eyes had been awakened.

It wielded the power to annihilate and command all within its domain, holding sway over every mortal soul within its reach through its mere presence...

This fiery supremacy was known as The Zhūquè, a legendary mythological spirit among the four guardians that safeguarded the entire realm.

Its magnificence stretched across the sky, its wings ablaze with infernal fire, its roar resonating with unyielding authority as it soared through the heavens, exuding regal dignity. Yes, it was a creature of legend.

In the blink of an eye, it dissolved into the ether, leaving no trace of its existence.

Just as it had materialized out of thin air, it vanished without a trace causing the sky to regain its brightness, and the events that had unfolded continued as if nothing had occurred.

However, this time, everything had been rectified. The car that had been on the verge of colliding with the boy came to an abrupt halt, and other vehicles that had been destined for destruction were magically halted in their tracks.

The entire sequence of events played out in an instant, returning to normalcy in the blink of an eye. The astonishing swiftness of it all left bystanders completely unaware, except for the lingering flames that danced in the surroundings like an enigmatic trail.

A trail of intrigue, an indication that something mysterious had just transpired.

The source of the fire remained an enigma, baffling onlookers who engaged in spirited conversations about its origin. The flames drew their attention, its pervasive presence raising questions and drawing the interest of the press. Firefighters swiftly arrived, their trucks rushing to douse the flames and restore order.

"Jinjin," the mother called out, her voice filled with a mix of relief and concern. Two men hurried to her side, gently scooping up the frightened child and reuniting him with his trembling mother.

"Madam, do you have any knowledge of what transpired here today and what sparked the fire?" a reporter inquired, thrusting a camera toward her as she held her son tightly, still in a state of shock.

"I... I don't know, I'm sorry," she stammered, her words laced with genuine bewilderment.

"Did you witness anything at all?" The reporters persisted, pursuing her as she attempted to retreat, clutching her son in her arms, still shaken by the ordeal.

"N-No... please, just let me go with my son," she pleaded, the weight of the situation evident in her trembling voice.

The street became a hub of activity, with various reporters seeking answers from those present, piecing together fragments of the puzzle. Some settled on the assumption of yet another natural disaster, while others delved deeper, determined to uncover the truth behind the inexplicable events that had unfolded before them.

~~~~

"Did you catch the news?" Jiangsu turned towards Lu Shui Hua, seeking his attention as they soared through the sky. Their departure came swiftly after the contract-signing ceremony with the governor and community elders. Lu Shui Hua's determination to expedite their journey stemmed not only from a desire to save time but also from an inexplicable pull as if he held a profound connection to the search at hand ever since his return to the country.

He yearned to bring it to a swift conclusion.

"What news are you referring to?" Lu Shui Hua tore his gaze away from the captivating scenery below and focused on Jiangsu.

"It's regarding the mysterious fire that broke out on Street C, right across from Street B," Jiangsu explained, emphasizing the proximity of the incident to the exact location where they had signed the contract.

He asked, still looking out below. His entire senses reacted strangely to the mountain down below and his mind was drawn to everything down there.

"Nobody knows. It could be somewhat another natural disaster".

Jiangsu spoke calmly when the pilot interrupted their thoughts as he announced that they were above Kunlun mountain.