Chapter 5: A Hindrance Of A Lifetime

My gaze falls tenderly on Fa Jing. How will she react when she'll wake up? Yu Hai clears his throat.

"Lord, Hua Jiang Guan is suspecting you."

"When everything is going smoothly, why this heavenly disgrace has to ruin everything." I mumble under my breath.

"Aiya, God Guan Jin surely has a thing for 4th Demon Lord."

I don't even need to turn to know it's Jing Jin, daughter of Heavenly Lynx and Demonic Phoenix. I could see Yu Hai shift in discomfort.

I keep my mouth shut as I try to ignore her.

She masterfully splays her palm on my shoulders. Yu Hai tenses beside be. Jing Jin then takes a look at unconscious Yun Guniang. "4th Demon Lord did you forget, nothing can be hidden away from this Jing Jin." She inches her face towards me, then pauses as she glances at Yu Hai, who has turned his face away.

She can never dare to touch me inappropriately. Not in front of Yu Hai.

"I know she is here for weeks, 4th Demon Lord" She smirks. "Don't worry God Guan Jin still has not idea where she is actually, but is surely searching her whereabouts." She whispers.

"But he is quite suspicious about your sudden movements." She finally got away from me.

"4th Demon Lord, remember not to mix fire and water together. Some mist can cause blisters." She said.

She went away, without saying goodbye, a typical Jing Jin trait. I chuckled.

"Yu Hai, what do you think of her?" I asked as I pointed toward Jing Jin. "She needs to grow up from her behaviour." He replied, annoyance dripping from his words.

"What's between you and Hua Jiang Guan?" Yu Hai asked. I am taken a back from his question.

"Yu Hai some questions are better not asked." I said as I vanished into my sleeping chambers.

***

While we were still learning to cultivate, I met Jing Mei and Fa Jiang, they were later adopted by the Grandmaster Hua of Yifei. I was sent to the Yifei Mountain too, but I found my peace in diabolism.

As all the heroic stories go, it didn��t end happily. It just didn't.

He blamed me for something I didn't did. And my Clan Mother got angry. I was adopted by High Priestess Gu of Yuwei Valley. The relationship between Hua and Gu Clan was already sour, and our broken friendship was the final nail.

I haven't forgiven myself for whatever happened to Hua Yun Fang.

Suddenly someone knocks the door. I was expecting it to be Yu Hai but it's Jing Jin. "4th Demon Lord, there is a hindrance of a lifetime." She was breathing rapid and heavily as if she ran from all way up from Heaven.

"Jing Jin, you know what you have to do. Reinforce the shields."

***

(Intermission: Hua Jiang Guan)

I clenched my fists as sweat dripped from my forehead. My worst fear is coming true. I fell on the throne as the Temple Guard broke the awful news. Rian Sha is missing from the Temple altar.

The guard kept on begging for forgiveness, repetitively. I pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance. "You may leave." I said through gritted teeth as calmly I could.

"Lord Jiang-"

"I said leave." I roared.

I sank back into my seat.

I wander into Fa Jing's Palace, hoping if I could see her again. But only cold eerie silence greets me back.

"Seems I am already criminal in your eyes, that you don't even need to hear out my justification." I chuckled humourlessly as I entered inside the forbidden sleeping chambers. The place is untouched.

Suddenly the idea crosses my mind and I hurried back.

There were faint murmurs when I arrived. The court had my most supported people. But someone is still missing.

"Are you looking for me, God Guan Jin?" Jing Jin immerged from back. "Ahh, Jing Jin." I straightened myself.

This immortal is unpredictable than the Demons themselves.

"You know I have work for you."

She gave a silent nod and looked disconnected. This is quite unlike her. "Jing Jin, are you okay?" I asked.

"Huh, God Guan Jin I'm fine." She smiled. "Thanks for your concern."

***

(Cian Tou contd.)

"I didn't mean like that." Jing Jin said. "Shen me?" I pinched my bridge of nose. She frightened me unnecessarily.

"God Guan Jin is asking for your audience."

I froze. This is worse than some random God attacking me. Good thing is he asked my permission first rather than barging inside like a mad mortal being.

"He told the Rian Sha is missing from Goddess Yun Mei's temple.

Sweat trickled down my forehead. But I can't deny him audience, or else he would be suspicious.

"You know my answer, Jing Jin."

"Meiyou, I don't know your answer."

"Jing Jin, why don't you confess your feelings towards Yu Hai?"

"You know my reasons."

"Meiyou, I don't."

"4th Demon Lord."

"Yes, my answer is yes."

***

Eunuch Ling brought tea as I and Hua Jiang Guan sat face to face. The tension was so thick that one can cut it with knife.

"It's been a long time, since we sat together and had tea. Isn't it Bian Ci?"

I have heard this name after a long time.

"It's 4th Demon Lord, Gu Cian Tou. God Hua Jiang Guan." I sternly corrected. "Yes, Lord Gu."

Ling was patiently waiting for my order to serve the tea. "Ling." I quietly ordered. He bowed as he served the tea and some cakes.

"Sweet Lie cakes." God Hua gasped. "Yeah, a token of our memories." I said nonchalantly.

I was hoping he would half-heartedly apologise for some bitter memories but, like the arrogant God he is. He simply munched on tea and snacks as if he hadn't eaten for days.

I finally got the courage to ask, "Is something wrong? You asked for an audience."

"My niece, Yun Fang's daughter is missing."

"Is she a Hua Goddess?"

"Meiyou, after Yun Fang's infamous affair with the mortal. The Heavenly Emperor married her." He took a deep breath.

I know Tong Wu Tang had three wives already. I clenched my fists. "Then you know Fa Jing was born. And soon the news spread Yun Fang was pregnant before the marriage. And was thrown out. I brought them back to the palace. But, one night she killed herself with…" He pauses. I guess he is done with the story.

I know a major piece is still been hidden from me. "And you are saying Yu… Hua Guniang is going to do the same. What if she has already done it." My nails dug into my palm.

I know I'm lying. Because I have to.

"Debuchi God Hua, I can't do anything more." I rose from the seat. "I wish I could chat with you more, but I'm going to Yuwei Valley for cultivation."

***

(Extra: Yun Xi)

I stare at the black and white pieces. My mind is spinning like crazy. But today I'm determined to learn 'Go'.

"Hua Guniang relax. You are not going for a real-life war." Mister Gu told. "One should always be prepared. You don't know what can happen tomorrow."

"Well, you are getting married tomorrow." He joked. "Yeah, I'm getting married tomorrow." I smiled.

"Keep eyes on the game." He sternly told. "Yes, shifu." I laughed.

He moved his pawn.