Side Chapter: Xuan Shen and Deng Shi. (1) Meeting.

"Come, come Little Brother."

Xuan Shen his face, tranquil and emotionless was being led through the Deng Family Estate. An Estate in name only, just like the one given to him it was a mountainside palace. Made to comfortably hold a family of 36 masters with each having their own court. With servants and all the necessities, each would need.

"Does Elder Brother have another gift?"

The one he asked this, the only one Xuan Shen allowed to address him as "little brother." Despite him being unworthy to do so. Was a clean-shaven old man. With a grey ponytail that reached his ankles. And twinkling amethyst for eyes.

The old man was dressed in robes just like Xuan Shen. Water-like, clear but not transparent that had black and gold trimmings. But while the back of Xuan Shen' robes had no symbol. The old man had an amethyst mountain. Showing the old man to be the Lord of Ruo Mountain. The leader of the Ruo Clan and the Reflecting Moon Sect.

The old man made a ticking sound from his throat. An indication that Xuan Shen should wait and see.

So, Xuan Shen said nothing else. Following Ol' Ruo through the wide, ornate halls of the Deng Palace.

As Xuan Shen followed him. Ol' Ruo continued that ticking noise. And Xuan Shen began to frown.

Ol' Ruo was annoying him, bullying him even. But that ticking wasn't only to irritate. It was to indicate how much longer until they arrived. Tickling Xuan Shen's impatience. As he walked at a pace to build suspense.

It was something that Ol' Ruo always did whenever there was a big reveal. And though it drove Xuan Shen mad. Ol' Ruo never disappointed. So, Xuan Shen never beat him up for doing this.

Slowly at first, a tick at every three breaths. Then a tick at every two. Then a tick at every breath. Two at each breath. Three at each. Then four. Five. And then silence.

Xuan Shen stood in front of a doorway. If he remembered right, then the doorway should lead to a balcony. A seating area over an ingrown garden and pond.

He shared tea with Ol' Ruo here when he had time. Glancing at the old man. He saw the latter wiggle his eyebrow at him.

"I will be back soon. I hope I can trust little brother to be proper."

And with a wiggle of his eyebrow. Ol' Ruo faded away as if he was a trick of the light.

Sighing at the old man's behavior. Xuan Shen pushed open the door and went out on the balcony.

For some reason, he closed his eyes after stepping out. It was a foolish action for any warrior. Stepping into a room with your eyes closed. But Xuan Shen followed his heart. And stepped out onto the familiar balcony with his eyes closed.

The Autumn wind teased his clothes and his untamed hair. Even loosening the ribbon on his ponytail that already had hair escaping it.

Xuan Shen opened his eyes and the first thing he looked at was the full amethyst moon. Remembering Ol' Ruo wiggling his eyebrows he frowned. And looked at the "gift" he could already sense.

A veiled woman in complete black seemed to blend into the night. Her prim and proper velvet-like hair in contrast with his.

Even though she was covered Xuan Shen found himself captivated. Then without he, himself realizing it he had attempted to remove her veil but had to stop as a hand was pinching his wrist.

Seeing the situation Xuan Shen's face cramped into an awkward smile.

The hand pinching his wrist dropped it. And then with careful moments removed the veil. Before discarding it over the edge of the balcony carelessly.

Xuan Shen's breath stopped, the woman before him was beautiful, too beautiful. Her appearance made her look like artwork from a master painter come to life.

Without even thinking back Xuan Shen knew she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. Enough that he thought he had a sort of immunity to beautiful things. Yet here she was tearing apart his arrogance without even taking any action.

His smile grew bitter but soon it relaxed as he gazed into her eyes. He felt calm, simple as if everything in the world was alright and would always be alright.

Xuan Shen was powerful enough to know there was no technique or spell in play here. This feeling was natural and if his guess was right then there were quite a few people who felt the same upon meeting her.

"The Fairy of Ruo."

A sigh of disgust and annoyance answered Xuan Shen. The so-called "Fairy of Ruo" expression changed. However, Xuan Shen didn't know her well enough to tell. It seemed to be the same beautiful, cold and arrogant face she unveiled. But that sigh was enough to let him know he was right and that he already managed to annoy her.

Before he could salvage the situation. A gloating laugh rang out from behind Xuan Shen.

"How is she? This daughter of mine who was so beautiful that we had to hide her away. And even then, she still managed to attain the title of a fairy."