Donghua set his tea down a little harsher than he should have, cracking the cup and making Fengjiu flinch. He must have heard her wrong. How could there already be a Wenchang Dijun? Wouldn't he have heard another Dijun? Impossible.

It had to be a mistake. 

"What was the name?" His voice betrayed his shock, but he hardly cared. He wanted her to tell him he had heard wrong. "Did you say Wenchang Dijun?"

"He must be lying, Dijun!" Fengjiu heard her voice bordered on desperate. "He knows about the rock. How does he know? Not just anyone can know such a thing. He must be using it to manipulate me or-"

"Fengjiu, calm down."

Though he said it to her, he meant it for himself as well. He needed to calm down. The tea spilled on the table was proof enough of that.

She did not seem to notice his own turmoil and looked a little embarrassed by her outburst.

"I really don't like him..." Fengjiu muttered softly and he was reminded of her nightmare. Had this man been the one harassing her dreams? "Dijun, say something."

Donghua shook his head and was silent. He really had not expected this when he asked her for her honesty. Now his thoughts were swirling while he had to appear indifferent. He felt like he was walking on a hair trigger. Anything he said could be misunderstood. He really wanted to avoid hurting her more, wanted to avoid the feelings between them. If this person she had met was really Wenchang, then he should push her towards her fated romance, but it was too suspicious. If it was not Wenchang, but some dangerous person... But maybe that was just his emotions talking. Donghua could never be clear minded when it came to Fengjiu. Could he already be losing her to Fate? He thought he had more time, more time to distance himself, to move on.

"Donghua," She grabbed his arm and his spiraling train of thought was derailed. "Do you really think who I met could be Wenchang Dijun? It can't be!"

"I don't know. I had never heard of a Wenchang Dijun... I assumed he would be a god in a future generation." Finally finding his voice, Donghua rose from his seat. "I do find it hard to believe another Dijun lives in our realm without my knowledge. Dijun is a title reserved for those who ruled heaven and earth, and I am the only one called this. I will just have to meet this Wenchang and judge for myself."

Yes. He would find this supposed Wenchang Dijun and find the truth. And if it was some nefarious person trying to take advantage of Fengjiu, he'd definitely have their head.

"...Donghua Dijun," Fengjiu spoke carefully, not really wanting to ask, but needing to know. "What if... What if he is Wenchang?"

Though he did not wish to answer, he had to. "Then he is your fated love."

Fengjiu shook her head. It was impossible.

"But, I don't love him." She whispered, but he still heard her. "I won't ever love him."

Donghua smiled bitterly, turning away to hide his emotions.

"But you will. Someday... Someday the feelings you have now will fade and you will find happiness with someone else. Fate has written it in stone."

His words hurt both of them deeply. Fengjiu started to say something to deny it, but was stopped by a sudden tug in her soul. Her shields had just been torn down. She pulled her sword to her.

"We will talk more of fate later."

Sensing the change, he strode forward gracefully, his own sword in hand. Truthfully, he was grateful for a little distraction. They rushed to the mouth of the den and Fengjiu froze a little next to him. Donghua stayed steady, looking at the stranger with an icy gaze. The stranger was tall with wild hair and an arrogant smile. One might say he had handsome features and a strong figure.

Donghua immediately disliked him.

"Why have you broken my shield?" Fengjiu snapped, "Didn't I tell you that you aren't welcome here?"

The man glanced at Donghua. Their eyes met, and he felt like cutting off the stranger's head right then and there. This couldn't possibly be Wenchang. Fate couldn't possibly pair Fengjiu with such an obviously despicable man.

"Who are you?" Donghua asked, but was ignored. The stranger only looked at Fengjiu.

Fengjiu glared, "You should answer the question carefully."

"Now, Xiao Hong, don't you know we are fated? You should not be so mean, forgetting my name like that."

Fengjiu's cheeks reddened in anger.

"Don't speak so familiarly with me!"

Wenchang shook his head as if saddened by this response. His arrogant gaze was faltering and he stepped closer to Fengjiu. Donghua stepped between them, his red aura swirled around him powerfully. Most immortals would take a step back when faced with such a power, but this Wenchang only looked more defiant.

"Don't be angry at me, Donghua Dijun. You had your chance, didn't you?" Lightning wrapped around Wenchang, crackling like laughter mocking him. "You could have had your happiness with her, but you've forsaken fate. What right do you have to stand between us?"

Donghua faltered at his words. How could he know something like that?

"Who are you?"

"Haven't I said it enough? I am Wenchang Dijun." He released a lightning whip from his hand and let it fly. Donghua had to quickly push Fengjiu back to block the hit. "And I am here to collect what is owed to me by Fate. Who are you to stop me? You should know the consequences of going against Fate, but please continue to try. I would be all too happy to see you fall."