Chapter 14



Her boots sank into the damp earth. She couldn't see the grass from all the blood. In the middle of the carnage stood a familiar figure. He was leaning against a stolen sword, rolling something around under his boot.


"Wenchang Dijun."


"Princess." He bowed sarcastically, "What brings you out here? If you're looking for some ghost scum to slaughter, I'm afraid you're too late."


"So I see."


"You look disappointed. Well, we can't have that. Here," he kicked something to her feet. She rolled it over and held back her shock. It was the ghost king's head. "You can play with that, if you want."


Her nose scrunched in disgust, "I think I'll pass."


Wenchang chuckled, the course sound quickly dissolving into a coughing fit. He bent over, blood spraying from his mouth. He had been standing so confidently before, she hadn't noticed his injuries. And they were extensive.


"What's the matter, Dijun?" She sneered, "Did the king not go quietly?"


Wiping the blood from his mouth with his sleeve, he sighed.


"Yes, well, you knew that damned Qing Cang. He never did anything quietly." Wenchang's voice turned frigid, "Even when killing my father, he had to be loudmouthed."


Xiao Hong looked away, silent. What should she say to that? It's not like she'd ever met the Heavenly Father. After all, her family had been at war with the heavens even before her birth.


She kept a cautious hand placed on the hilt of her sword. There was something especially off about him today. It seemed his father's death did not leave him unaffected. It was surprising to her, thinking that this man had any semblance of a heart.


Still, she couldn't help but think about her own father. If she were to lose him... Xiao Hong couldn't even begin to imagine that pain.


"I'm sorry for your loss."


Wenchang studied her for a moment. Maybe he didn't believe her.


Xiao Hong turned to leave.


She didn't care what he thought of her words. The only thing that mattered was that she had said them.


"Wait," he stopped her. "I-I thought... Aren't you going to take advantage of my current state."


Xiao Hong raised a brow, "No, did you want me too?"


He chuckled, "Well, as long as it's you."


"I think you're a little old for me, gramps." She dryly replied, and he scoffed.


"Old? Who's old? I'm practically a spring chicken."


She could only snort, "Please, if you're a spring chicken, then I'm next year's egg. You were ruling heaven when my father was still a silly pup trying to steal honey and wine."


"I think you're exaggerating, princess."


He smirked and opened his arms, like he was inviting her to look.


Xiao Hong rolled her eyes and prepared to leave again.


"You're really not going to try to kill me?" He asked, astounded.


She paused in bewilderment, "Do you want me to kill you that badly, Dijun?"


"I'm just being honest. You might not get another opportunity like this, you know?"


"You're right." She grit her teeth.


Xiao Hong hated the truth in his words. She hated that he made her seriously consider killing an already half-defeated man.


"The smart thing to do would be to kill you right now. If I don't, it might be my father's head that goes rolling. Or maybe even mine. So, the answer is simple."


His shaking hand wandered to the whip hanging by his waist. The great Wenchang Dijun looked like a strong wind could knock him over.


Xiao Hong let out an emotionless laugh as she sheathed her sword, "However, us foxes know a little thing called honor. Perhaps you should try finding some, Dijun."


When she left, his mouth hung open in protest. A swell of a feeling bloomed in her chest. She thought it was pride. How many others could brag about leaving the Lightning Emperor with so little face to save?


Later, though, she'd recall it as her first stumble. Because she hadn't minded it, the little back and forth they'd shared, the moment of understanding in a place which before had only held contempt.


She might have even enjoyed it, if it weren't for the corpses.

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