Tang Yin rested in her cave while a small white python came near her. She caressed it lightly. She had named it Mu Fan. It had been with her since Feng Jiu had woken her up and she fell back asleep due to lack of spiritual energy. It was him who brought dead bodies of animals and plants which nourished her with energy and let her wake up. Suddenly it transformed into a human boy, which meant he was a ten-thousand-year-old snake. Tang Yin and Mu fan walked inside the cave. There were two ways. Previously the places it lead to were Nine heavens and nearby mermaid clan but since she had returned to the cave and found her dark magic manual left by her master, the cave had shifted itself to Qingque. And she didn't want to recklessly open the doors.

"Mu Fan, you've been loyal to me and have now attained a human form. I shall let you free." She said. Her eyes filled with dark emotion and deep sadness. Her expression was mixed.

"Mu Fan wants to stay with you."

"First go and train yourself. If I'm still alive after you have a specific cultivation base I shall be your teacher. Or you are free to choose your master."

"Why would the master die?" He asked anxiously. He had been with her all this time. Actually, at first, he was one of the snakes to guard the Stone and took pity on the beautiful lady lying inside the cold coffin. He wasn't aware of her past mistakes. He just knew who she was as he saw her.

"I committed immeasurable crimes back then and now too. My...obsession for him has reached the stage where either I'll die or he will. Both of us can't exist together. The way he crippled my cultivation back then and humiliated me is engraved in my heart. The love I had for him is just a memory I can't let go of. The hatred is too strong and I have already come a long way. Why not see the end of him or mine?"

She walked a few steps forward with murderous intent in her eyes. At this point, she wouldn't mind dying. Because she had already accepted her death back then. Her awakening was a curse for her. She had gone mad and she knew it.

"Either he'll die or I would. The moment I get the stone from the girl he likes I'll call upon my army. As arrogant as he is, he won't bring anyone to help." She laughed diabolically. Mu fan looked at her a little surprised and a lot worried and when the time passed for one incense stick to burn he left the cave and went to the mainlands of Qingque.

He had become loyal to Tang Yin because she fed him whatever she got and both of them were companions to each other. Although seeing her go mad sometimes would scare him, he had made the opinion that Dong Hua was the reason she turned that way. And was now convinced to take revenge for her master. With an evil plan, he applied for a job in the fox cave.

---

The next morning, Feng Jiu went into the kitchen and prepared some fried fish for herself. The dishes the other fairy maids prepared just seemed too bland for her own taste. Just as the sweet and sour fish was ready. She took a bite of it and savoured it with excitement. Then she heard someone greet Dong Hua Di Jun outside the kitchen. Lines appeared on her forehead and she pouted. She wanted to avoid him. Before even taking a glance at him would be difficult and now he was all around the place. Plus with what happened the other day. She was sure the heavens were torturing her. As she sensed someone coming in she changed herself into a fork.

Dong Hua entered the kitchen along with Si Ming. Feng Jiu sighed.

My fish...

Dong Hua had been determined to seek the truth out of Si Ming today. That's why he brought him into the kitchen. To either tell the truth or have a taste of his heavenly sweet and sour fish which had made him pass out and lose all his senses the last time he ate it. Dong Hua was fairly good at anything but cooking and he knew that. But he also knew that no one could refuse to eat. When they walked into the kitchen which was filled with the refreshing aroma of the fish Feng Jiu had made the expressions of both of them changed. Dong Hua knew the smell. He had once tasted the food of a fairy maid and had highly praised it but that maid had gone missing overnight. And he wouldn't remember such a trivial matter if it wasn't for the divine taste. While Si Ming's scared and anxious expression slowly faded while he grew excited to taste it.

Both of them walked near the dish and Dong Hua noticed the fork. On it, there was a phoenix flower engraving. He quickly picked it up and then inspected it while a slight smile appeared on his face. He looked amused. As to what was going in his mind was hard to know.

He clasped the fork and grabbed some fish with it. While Feng Jiu was shocked and scared. If she came out now it would be a lot embarrassing. But if she didn't Dong Hua would surely put her in his mouth. She was afraid of his saliva wetting her clothes.

Don't. Di Jun. She internally screamed. As he took a small bite, the fork only slightly brushed his lips. Feng Jiu was relieved but her heart was beating too fast to be able to calm down. He closed his eyes and devoured the flavor. When he opened his eyes and looked for another bite the fish was gone. And Si Ming had a happy expression on his face. He was literally licking his fingers disgustingly. Dong Hua felt a pang of jealousy. Although it was for a fleeting moment. The emotions awoke were strong. He rubbed his forefinger on his forehead and stared at Si Ming.

"Thank you for the food Di Jun. It was delicious." Stars lord Si Ming said wearing a dumb expression.

"Then have some more." Di Jun said as his lips curved up slightly. Si Ming felt somewhat insecure after looking at Dong Hua's face. His instincts told him that something was not right but he just smiled and nodded politely.

Dong Hua took a last look at the fork and placed it inside his gown. Feng Jiu was more hungry by now. She too wanted to eat and just sighed while she had no idea when she would be able to get out. But she was certain it would be soon after all no one would keep a fork with him all day. But he had already known it was Feng Jiu's mischief. With her around, he couldn't push Si Ming to tell the truth.

After giving Si Ming a taste of his heavenly sweet and sour fish he left for his room while Feng Jiu grew sleepy as she sat inside the metal box sort of a thing which was the three-dimensional core of the fork she turned herself into.

_____________________________________________