A Deal Of The Ages

(Changing Tao to Dao)

As Hu Wenxi exited the throne hall the various experts saw this as the signal to leave. Many of the experts present looked battered and dejected inspire of their rewards. Many among their ranks had revealed a traitorous willingness to turn on them and this feeling bred unease even amongst old friends.

However the time for political intrigue can wait as their current injuries. Long Chi Bai and daoist infinity heaven as well many others took this opportunity to leave as well. The past year had been very tough on them.

For many older experts they'd have to face the heavenly tribulation soon. In the coming thousand years many familiar faces would probably disappear.

Hu Wei and Hu Wang Tian kept quiet throughout the addressing. The thoughts going through the pair's heads were no doubt fear and paranoia. As top officials and royal princes, the two were very aware of the political turmoil likely going through everyone's heads.

'In the end, we rose up too fast' this was the only thought through their minds. The Hu imperial clan would forever need Hu Wenxi to survive. Their base talent and power base is simply too weak. Hu Wang Tian took a side place at Qiang Mei Hua,

Qiang Mei Hua had changed out of her armour into a simple while yellow chiffon decorated in elegant flowers. Her impressive immortal power was visibly diminished compared to before.

'In the end we still have to rely on them' though the cousin of the emperor. Hu Wang Tian also took a place at another figure. It was a woman with hair as black as the void. She was still dressed in a form fitting dress like armour. Upon her head were elaborate deer like horns symbolising her status as a dragon.

Ao Changying hadn't interfered throughout the address, she merely stood by and watched. While everyone in the room did not know her, Hu Wang Tian and Hu Wei did. In fact they were the first to recognise her.

Many years ago, when Hu Wang Tian was still the young lord of the Hu clan, he had remembered seeing this woman accompanying his cousin. Back then Hu Wenxi was still trapped in the Foundation Establishment realm and weren't anything of note.

The son of the record keeping elder at the time wasn't the figure of renown today. He wasn't the majestic emperor of the current error. Back then he was just another background figure. Ao Changying's appearance actually affected the hearts of many young Hu family men.

She caused quite a bit of chaos for Hu Wei during her stay in the compound. Hu Wang Tian was however shocked to see her again after so many years. Ever since the Hu clan and Xiang clan overthrew the Nan clan and the martial alliance that year, Ao Chanying had disappeared.

In fact Hu Wang Tian's last memory of her was the imposing figure of the gargantuan black dragon throwing down with martial lord Jiang Chen during the hectic battle.

Hu Wang Tian looked towards his father Hu Wei who was gearing up to leave. He looked back at Qiang Mei Hua approaching Ao Changying one last time. "We'll need to check on all members of our Hu clan" said Hu Wei. Hu Wang Tian nodded following his father out.

…

"Who are you?" Ao Changying looked up in surprise, she had been leaning on a pillar minding her own business when Qiang Mei Hua approached her. There was a noticeable stark difference between the two women, one as a world class beauty styled in elegance and glamour while the other was more akin to a soldier.

Ao Changing was still beautiful but in a more badass/cool kind of way as opposed the empress. She hadn't expected for Hu Wenxi's main wife to approach her like this so suddenly. However in hindsight it was expected.

Ao Changing was a complete unknown to Qiang Mei Hua. The empress had never encountered the dragoness and it was very difficult to gauge her threat level without getting to know her. The empress was at a disadvantage here but chose to be more blunt about things. The opposite however was not true.

"Its nice to finally meet you Qiang Mei Hua" Ao Changying Dao bowed towards the empress who remained slightly stupefied. Although she widened her eyes Qiang Mei Hua returned the greeting.

"Any friend of Hu Wenxi is also my friend. However why is it that I've never heard of you?" Asked the empress. Ao Changying smiled, "He doesn't really mention things of the past unless they relate to stories. But I'm sure the Hu clan men have mentioned the black princess right?"

Qiang Mei Hua nodded, "He is like that sometimes, I do not know what's so fascinating about history". The empress shook her head with a mirth grin. Ao Changying returned the grin. For a moment it seemed the tension had vanished.

"I have no ambition on your crown nor this kingdom. Hu Wenxi and I made a vow to reach the apex, companions of the Dao, a promise I intend to see through" stated Ao Changying. "I help where I can and where I need to. Power of your sort do not interest me".

Qiang Mei Hua raised her golden eyebrow, "Does it not entice you? The call of such power, you are a dragon are you not?" The empress accused the dragoness. It was an obvious jab at Ao Changying's bestial nature, to the greatest demonic lineage since times immemorial.

Ao Changying scoffed upon hearing those words, "In this world Dao gives understanding, understanding brings enlightenment, enlightenment gives power, and power gives security. Cultivation is everything, your throne is shortsighted at best". Qiang Mei Hua narrowed her eyes but while there were bits of anger there were signs of resignation.

"I see, you've given up" Ao Changying slowly said. She tilted her head to one side, "Why though? You're very young still, plenty talented and access to vast recourses". Ao Changying looked at Qiang Mei Hua in confusion as if not understanding anything about her. The empress looked impassive.

"You may use the guest, I'll have a servant show you the way" said Qiang Mei Hua finally. Ao Changying shook her head, "No need, I prefer the outside".

She turned around to leave, all the while Qiang Mei Hua watched her back. The empress looked slightly dazed, she watched Ao Changying's retreating figure reach the steps. As soon as she stepped outside a massive flash of light illuminated the outer palace as well as the exposed throne hall.

Due to her mantra and cultivation, Qiang Mei Hua did not need to shield her eyes. She watched in crystal clarity as Ao Changying's feminine form grew, twist, and contort. Her black, white, grey armour melded into her body becoming sharp blade like scales. Her limbs lost their soft skin and became coated in such scales, stretching and contorting, fingers merged and sharpened into claws. Three talons in the front and one in the back for each of her four claws.

Her head elongated to a dragonic snout. Swirling catfish whiskers protruded from her nostrils stretching back to he nape. The dragon that appeared was much smaller then the ten thousand metres one during the battle of star city, a testaments to the dragon's natural ability to change their size. This time Ao Changying was only 30 metres long.

The dragon flew off without looking back. With nothing occupying her time Qiang Mei Hua turned to leave only to see Hu Wenxi who had returned to the throne hall. It was only them two now.

"Well for first meetings between your friend and your wife that was pretty smooth" Hu Wenxi began. Qiang Mei Hua turned to gaze at him, the emperor can never be called handsome but there was a charm to him. It also helped that his body emanated immortal power.

Even surpassed as he was it still felt as if she stood before an incomprehensible being of lovecraftian proportions. 'Lovecraftian, what an odd word' she thought. Hu Wenxi had used it in the past to describe texts left by her ancestors. All these years around him have allowed her to pick up on it as well. She had always taken it to mean otherworldly, this was an apt description for anyone with cultivation sufficiently high enough.

'The gap only got bigger' she thought to herself.

"I was thinking with you here we can decide what to do with these two" Hu Wenxi said while flinging out his sleeve. Two sandy lights flushed out landing on the ground revealing two figures. It didn't take long to see Yun Xiao Che and the Crimson star princess.

The two weren't bound but in Hu Wenxi's presence they didn't need to be. However just in case Hu Wenxi casted a field around the throne hall isolating it from the outside world. Spacetime was locked down preventing teleportation. Distance at the edge of the throne hall will continuously expand indefinitely.

The Crimson star princess immediately got her bearing after noticing Qiang Mei Hua standing within 10 feet of her. Her dazed eyes turn hot with rage and she immediately moved to attack. As a top class Martial Saint the princess is easily capable of destroying lower realms. To apply logic from Hu Wenxi's old world then they are planet busters.

Their offensive ability no matter how poor is still very high. The princess specialised in surprise attacks that aim to kill within the initial hit. It was very strong on first contact as such it was considered the best assassination skill of the celestial star kingdom lineage known as crimson flashing star.

In normal circumstances the crimson star princess could very well have injured Qiang Mei Hua. This time however she couldn't even muster any ounce of Qi. No supernatural power answered her. In an instant she realised the problem, Hu Wenxi had definitely sealed her cultivation hence binding her use of any supernatural powers.

However that did not involve physical strength. She was not the strongest physically but as a saint she still possessed impressive strength. Hence she ran towards the empress fist raised high.

What a pity it is that Qiang Mei Hua while also not being proficient in physical strength had an even greater strength thanks to a higher cultivation. The empress merely raised her palm to block the attack.

FWOOSH!

The fist came into contact with the palm kicking up a whirlwind of air.

"DIE!" The princess began furiously attacking with a flurry of punches and kicks. In her fury she resembled a wild dog. Yun Xiao Che's eyes widened in panic, he was arrogant not stupid. The man had seen first hand what Hu Wenxi was capable of.

"That's enough Jasmine" he stretched his arms to stop her. His now significantly higher cultivation at the first meridian Crossing Tribulation was increased exponentially by the inheritance of the god of elements allowed him to grab hold of her arm and stopped it momentarily.

Yet the princess broke out of his hold and ran for Qiang Mei Hua once more. The empress shook her head in disappointment, "All these years and you still remain a child". She sadly needed to gather immortal power to flick the both of them back.

"Husband, why did you bother bringing them to me?" She asked Hu Wenxi who stared in contemplation, "I thought since she has grievances with both of us that we should decide". He paused for a minute before continuing.

"Truthfully, it was just a spur of the moment. He's a template I'm familiar with and I did find"

Qiang Mei Hua cut him off, "You're rambling, he's a threat with a valuable resource that we can use or your clone can use". She extended her hand raising Yun Xiao Che into the air. "Just because you're nostalgic to whatever book you read 501 years ago does not mean you should let it overtake you. If you don't have the heart to do it I will".

"Che NO!" The Crimson star princess howled in furry barreling forth. The suddenness of the event disrupted Qiang Mei Hua's concentration somewhat and Yun Xiao Che dropped to the floor gasping for air.

The empress' face darkened, "Now you're just a pest". She clicked her fingers and all four of the princess' limbs twisted breaking at the elbows and knees in unnatural sixty degree angles whilst flipped over. Blood flowed out of the girl as she screamed in pain.

She reached out and shot forth golden bright light that stabbed into Yun Xiao Che who's eyes widened in terror. 'Yue'er, Yi'er, Ling'er, Xue'er, little aunt, fairy I'm sorry' he thought.

The Crimson princess coughed blood but laughed, "So dumb you are, even if you kill him you can't extract his inheritance". She struggled in a pool of her own blood while laughing to herself.

Suddenly her eyes glazed over as if possessed. "Speak" Hu Wenxi commanded and the girl in red spoke up. "The god of elements inheritance is tied to a single blood essence. It eliminates the meridians and Qi channel veins in the body and reconstruct it specifically to suit the god's cultivation. It's a one of a kind artefact" she added.

Hu Wenxi nodded, "Thought so, the elemental god's cultivation was much higher then mine. My time reversal will not affect his direct inheritance". The emperor looked at Qiang Mei Hua who let Yun Xiao Che go and smiled. "Killing someone of his talent will be a waste so I suggest we bring him under our control".

Qiang Mei Hua thought for a second, "You can roughly guess his story right? In spite of the differences?". Hu Wenxi nodded. "Then I'll trust you" the empress stepped aside for Hu Wenxi.

The emperor raised both hands out and gathered immortal power of unimaginable proportions. He was like a star to a candle compared to Qiang Mei Hua. "Yun Xiao Che, I see worth in you. I also see how deeply you love. I will extend protection to your family and woman under one conditions".

Yun Xiao Che gritted his teeth, "You'll protect them at all cost?". Hu Wenxi answered, "I'll protect them to the best of my judgement". Immortal power swirled around and Yun Xiao Che's mind became slightly muddled.

He shook his head wildly responding, "Protect Jasmine too and I'll be yours to command". Hu Wenxi nodded, "She'll live". Yun Xiao Che nodded, "What do I do?" He asked.

Hu Wenxi smiled, "Repeat after me, I swear under my true soul of Yun Xiao Che that I eternally enter the service of emperor Hu Wenxi of the Yin dynasty, I will become his sword and shield and greatest ally against the tide of hi enemies. By the grace of the Heavenly Dao, so mote it be".

Yun Xiao Che did so. "Then I Hu Wenxi swear to protect your loved ones to the best of my judgement as long as you uphold your end of the deal. By the grace of the Heavenly Dao, so mote it be".

That night the sky lit up in glorious light of a thousand colours. The Heavenly Dao's mysteries descended to complete the contract that binds two individuals. Should one turn their backs on this deal they will be sited to oblivion.