The silver lion's roar called forth a chilling blizzard. Its fierce storm tore through the forest, bending branches to the sacred beast's will. It had been rampaging like this since its master's demise, and any efforts to peacefully calm it had failed rather miserably. Xiao Hong watched the scene quietly for a few moments before sighing at the misfortune.

She'd have to kill it.

Drawing her sword, she prepared to make the beast's end merciful. Before she could strike, however, a bright flare of lightning burst from the sky. Xiao Hong had to shield her eyes from the light. When she looked again upon the clearing where the lion had been rampaging, she was met by it's charred corpse and him.

"Wenchang Dijun." She glared at him through her stinging eyes, "That was-"

"Helpful? Amazing? Kinda sexy?"

"Unnecessary." Xiao Hong frowned, "What are you doing here?"

Wenchang latched his whip to his belt and rested his hands behind his head. She wondered if it was his way of mocking her, that she was so little a threat to him he could leave himself open and wander around her like he hadn't been mortally wounded just a few days prior.

It was infuriating.

"I was looking for you." He answered with his usual easy smile, and her grip instinctively tightened around the hilt of her sword. "Aww, Xiao Hong, don't be so cold. I didn't come here to fight."

"Then what did you come here for?"

Leaning against a tree he brushed his unruly mane back before answering, "You spared my life. There's no one else I know, not in this realm or any other, who would pass up the opportunity. I just thought I should repay the favor." Wenchang chuckled, "For honor's sake, at least."

Xiao Hong flushed with anger, "Don't insult me. I am more than capable of taking care of the ghost king's pet."

"I know. I simply saved you the effort."

He sauntered closer, and she held her ground until her sword was the only thing between them. Her heart hammered restlessly in her chest as he gently moved her blade from his neck. His breath tickled her ear, and she wondered for a brief moment if she'd lost her mind, letting him in so close.

"Debts must be repaid," His voice was soft, almost vulnerable. It made her breath catch. "How do I repay you, Princess?"

Her eyes snapped up to meet his stormy irises.

Wenchang Dijun, Emperor of Heaven and Earth, the one who'd been opposing her family and their people in an almost hundred thousand year war, was offering her a favor?

It was surreal.

Xiao Hong almost wanted to laugh. Was this some sort of trap? A trick to lure her into a false sense of security? It didn't make any sense. He didn't need to go so far if he wanted to kill her. Sure, she wouldn't go quietly. She'd give him a fight, but in terms of cultivation, skill, and experience, she paled in comparison.

If it wasn't for the Heavenly Father's timely death, she had little doubt he'd have already killed her.

She pushed him away as she regained her senses.

"Xiao Hong," He caught her hand in his. It was surprisingly warm to the touch. How could someone with so much death on their hands have such warm palms? "I promise on my name as the Emperor of Heaven and Earth, this is no trick. If you asked, I would give you anything, so long as it's in my power. And there is not much that isn't in my power."

She snorted. Even bowing his head before her, he was still as cocky as ever.

"What, do you still not believe me?"

"It is rather difficult." She snarled, a sarcastic tilt to her tone. "You're not exactly the trustworthy type."

He scoffed, "Me? Untrustworthy? I may be known for violence, some even call me blood thirsty, but I've never been known as a liar, Princess."

"That's... true." And it was. He never won through trickery, just brutish force. Xiao Hong tilted her head in contemplation. "Still, one can never be too cautious. Perhaps you are just playing with me."

He brought her hand to his lips, a playful glint in his eye. Xiao Hong rolled her eyes to distract from her blushing cheeks.

"Even after humbling myself before you, will you still not believe me?"

"Humble is the last word I'd use to describe you, Wenchang Dijun." She remarked dryly and he tossed back his head in laughter.

"Ah, you wound me, Princess."

He gripped his chest, feigning pain.

Xiao Hong strode closer, tails swinging impishly behind her. She took delight in watching his cocky smirk freeze and his breath catch as her hand brushed the silk draped across his chest.

She hated him, this god who stood above the rest, who laughed elbow deep in blood.

But, she rather liked him on his knees.

"Good," she snickered as she pushed him away.

Let him plead. Some humility would do him wonders.

Wenchang staggered back a few steps, letting his back rest against a tree. Xiao Hong crossed her arms and raised a brow at his dramatic act.

It almost made her smile. Almost.

She thought about the next time they'd meet. Would he still be so charming on the wrong side of the battlefield?

"Xiao Hong, how do I repay you?"

His soft voice made her flinch. There was an honesty in his eyes she wished to ignore. She didn't want to believe he was anything more than a mindless monster, didn't want to see him any differently than she had the day she'd met him.

Afterall, it's easy to raise your blade against a monster.

She turned away, shaking her head.

"I need no repayment. Father always taught me to fight with honor. Killing you in that state would be betraying those morals."

"There must be something you want."

Of course there was, but it was nothing more than a foolish child's dream, one she'd given up on long ago.

Xiao Hong grit her teeth, "There's nothing."

He scoffed, "Of course there is. Everyone has wants. Knowledge, a magical artifact, a sacred weapon, something-"

"Peace!" She finally snapped. Her tails twisted bitterly behind her as she spun around to face him. "But that's not something you are willing to pay, is it?"

He fell silent, his mouth curled into a frown. Xiao Hong furrowed her brow, frustrated by her foolish outburst.

Why couldn't she keep her mouth shut?

Wenchang sighed, his voice full of regret she refused to hear, "It's not that simple, Princess."

"I know. But, if anyone has the power to bring peace to these realms, isn't it you?" She bit back the hot tears pricking her eyes, "I've lived twenty thousand years, and all that time I've never known a day without war, without loss, without grief."

She turned her back, trying to hide her shameful face.

"Xiao Hong, I-"

His hand reached for her houlder, but she pulled away.

"No, don't. You asked, and I have answered. All I want is to see peace in my lifetime, but since that is too much for Dijun, I will ask for nothing at all."

Then, believing their ties to be cut, she left, only glancing back once. He stood, head bowed, staring blankly at the pine needles under his boot.

If the other day was the stumble, then this was the pitfall.