Xunfeng Peak was quite far northwest, nestled in the depth of an uninhabited mountain chain, deep past long stretches of grassland. In its bosom beheld the Virtuous Phoenix Sect Manor. Being so far from the Dark Kingdom, they were the last Great Sect that still enjoyed any sort of prosperity in these decrepit times. Of the Hundred Mighty Sects that were detailed in ancient manuals dating from the Golden Era of the Gods, the Virtuous Phoenix Sect was one of the few names remaining.
It was not numbered among the top sects back in ancient ages, but because of its location, it has prospered since. It was within the belly of this sect and its territories that Zhang Wang enjoyed a relatively uninterpreted childhood.
The closest city to Xunfeng Peak was still a full day's horse ride away, separated by a gull of lush grassland. There were villages scattered around the plains and nomadic tribes that dotted the horizon of the north. In reality, Zhang Wang's excuse for remaining in the city of Yinsi was a flimsy one.
One the first day he had said it was to collect supplies. The second was to collect rumors. And on the third he only waved Yu Yanlin off with a slur of gibberish before making a trip to the gambling house.
A small fortune laid on the table as he watched the croupier sort through the beans. Zhang Wang sat back with lidded eyes, feigning indifference. His arms splayed out as he sat back, a beauty leaned into his chest.
The scent of thick perfume mixed with sweat smoke and alcohol. Zhang Wang had already forgotten her name when she nudged into the crevice on his neck. "Dage~" she purred, drawing a little circle on his chest, "Will you come join me in the tea house later? You must!"
"Hmm," he hummed absently as he watched in despair, counting the beans already knowing there will not be the number he bet on.
His fortune was seriously shitty, he thought miserably. But still Zhang Wang summoned a charming smile, trying to forget all the coins he was soon going to lose. "Whatever you so please--"
But as he was about to lean in close to her, a chill traveled down his spine.
Zhang Wang froze.
A prick of a needle-sharp hairpin pricked his neck. And he wouldn't be surprised if it was dipped in poison.
"Five months," A female voice rumbled in a low tone.
Zhang Wang feared that laughing would cause the needle to break skin, no doubt spreading fire-like pain through each of his nerves. "Ah, Shijie!" He chirped, cold sweat beading at his brow and neck, "I have missed you so dearly, my lovely jiejie! How tragic would it be for me to drop dead before we had the chance to catch up?"
Chu Changying's brow twitched, her face pulled into a displeased expression. With a sharp glare, the floozy in Zhang Wang's arm flinched and squealed. "Oh forgive me!" She said with a meek voice, "I didn't know gege was taken. It is this humble one's mistake." She batted her eyes, wide and innocent.
But Chu Changying did not care about this random girl, long used to Zhang Wang's antics. She hissed with as much venom as a desert viper, promising pain and agony, "You're coming. With me."
Leaving no room for argument, Zhang Wang was dragged out of the gambling den and outside the bustling streets.
Unlike the desolate place that Zhang Wang left behind five months prior, life was quick to return to these parts with merchants howling and performers singing, cheering in the streets as though in celebration, hearkening the coming peace.
But didn't they know? It wasn't like the war was over. Zhang Wang sighed at all the obnoxious displays.
Sure the battle at the Palace of Sins had been a decisive one but it was as though the capital of the Dark Kingdom had fallen.
War would continue, just as it always had.
Zhang Wang tried not to wallow too much in depressing thoughts and kept his gaze on his Shijie.
Chu Changying was a beautiful woman. Her hair was like fine silk, shining almost blue in its deep inky hue. It fell around her ivory visage like a perfect veil, framing small peach-shaped cheeks and two large enchanting eyes. Her grace was divine and her beauty hailed as celestial in class. Her stature was a little tall for a woman but still stood below Zhang Wang in height. She walked with her chin tilted up and chest out like a man, but her essence was too full of Yin energy to be mistaken as masculine.
Though she was not modest about her appearance, today she hid under a dull-colored veil flipped over her head, obviously not trying to attract attention.
She was leading him to the Wandering Tortoise, a large inn that stood at the very heart of town, tall and overbearing in its pride. It was the most expensive inn in Yinsi and Zhang Wang preferred to avoid the establishment when possible.
It was one-hundred and ten percent impossible if he was traveling with his sect members. They all favored this place. His face was so well-known by the staff that they greeted him with a swooping, "Young Master Zhang," or even, "Immortal of a Thousand Blossoms."
Zhang Wang forced out a smile and greeted them politely, following Chu Changying up carpeted steps inside the lively inn.
He was, however, very surprised when she led him to a small room in the very corner of the establishment with very quaint furnishing. He looked around for signs of company but there was none.
Chu Changying sat on her bed with arms crossed, "We need to talk."
But unlike her, Zhang Wang was in no hurry and asked, "Where's Sikong Ren?"
"...Not here. He is still south, picking up the pieces left behind by war. You know how it is."
Zhang Wang recalled the bodies mounted on stakes. He nodded at her words.
Only to be startled by a loud slam against the bedside counter, "That's beside the point! Where in the world have you been the past five months!? What made you think you could simply disappear off the face of the earth and think you could get away with it? Why did you abandon us!?"
She hissed at him in her annoyance, her eyes sharped with promised rage. Zhang Wang laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. This kind of reaction was to be expected and he had to admit he that had been doing his best to avoid it.
"You must have missed me plenty," he tried to ease the atmosphere with a casual joke. "Were you perhaps worried about my safety? My heart soars hearing such news!"
"Yes! I was worried sick!" The declaration, loud and confident with her cheeks light flushed made Zhang Wang totally freeze.
"Huh?" He said dumbly, not expecting this at all.
"Y-You…!" She shrilled, raising a fist, "Do you really not understand that everyone was worried sick for you!? Do you truly not understand that we care?! We're friends!"
A barrage of punches came his way and even Zhang Wang couldn't help but admit, he totally deserved this punishment. "I'm sorry, Shijie, please stop hitting me! Please spare me, that really hurts, oww!"
"We thought you were dead!" She screeched.
"Ah please forgive this lowly one," he resorted to groveling under her merciless heels.
"We even erected you a grave!"
A grave? Man, was he really gone for that long? Did they really not have any hope for him? Zhang Wang wasn't sure if he should feel depressed or guilty. "Please forgive this lowly one…"
"As if I'll forgive you so easily!" This time, the rage simmered out in her voice. Though the change was slight, Zhang Wang knew her well enough for his heart to drop. Oh no…here came the real reason why Chu Changying approached him.
"If you wish for my forgiveness then you will help me out with something very, very important!"
Zhang Wang, who still had his forehead kissing the ground and Chu Changying's heel resting on his nape had no choice but to concede. "Yes…I will do whatever you say, Your Majesty…" He whined teasingly.
Chu Changying's lips lifted up into a satisfied smirk. "Perfect!"