Several black clothed men disappeared within the black sky. But if one look really really closely, the black clothed men didn't really disappear; it's just the color of their clothes blended with the moonless night. Even the chilly night couldn't reduce the speed they're using to move to the nearby forest.

"Spread around, search every nook and cranny!", ordered Rui Sheng. Although his clothes are black as the background, his white silvery hair stood out among the shadow guards.

"Yes second master!", with the sound, the shadows move quickly. If they combine their efforts, they could even find treasures hid deep in the forest.

Although the shadows has begin their quest, Rui Sheng stands at the top of the leafless tree with his eyes closed. Concentrating on finding Long Jie's exact location, he nearly couldn't avoid being struck by lightning. Fortunately, he moves quickly as the branch he had been standing on has burn. Looking at the burnt branch with dismay, Rui Sheng smirks, maybe using his power is not a good idea. They are still watching him; guarding against him.

Moving his attention at the dark forest again, Rui Sheng quickly move his feet jumping from one place to another. Even if he couldn't use his divine power again, he has seen Long Jie. The problem is, he could only see that his cousin is hurt. He didn't know the extent of his injury or his exact location. But as long as Long Jie is alive, he still has a high chance of recovering. He is sure of it.

***

At the army camp~

"General Murong, sorry for not thanking you earlier. If it wasn't for you, my guard wouldn't be safe", Li Xi Rui bowed her head politely. She is not familiar with Murong An.

"It's my duty to protect people of Qi kingdom. Princess doesn't have to thank me", Murong An is smiling.

Looking at the smiling face, Li Xi Rui is stunned, 'Under that boyish attitude, her charms as a woman could still shining through. I could see how Jie could fall in love with her'. Unconsciously she clenches her fist. No, she wasn't jealous! Because there is nothing to be jealous of. "Then, if that is all...", Li Xi Rui didn't want to stay that long with Murong An. It is uncomfortable.

"Princess, could I perhaps asked for a favor?", Murong An interrupted Li Xi Rui.

With hesitation, Li Xi Rui nodded her head. She didn't know what to make of this General Murong. Should she be gentle? Or should she be fierce?

"Then, could Princess tell me the name of that man?", Murong An is still smiling with a hint of blush on her cheeks.

'That man? Jie Yi?! She is interested in Jie Yi?!', thought Li Xi Rui. After thinking for a while Li Xi Rui shakes her head, "No. Unfortunately I cannot introduce you to him". Judging from Murong An's attitude, Li Xi Rui is sure that Jie Yi has been keeping his mouth shut except telling her to send him into the camp. With an attitude like Jie Yi, it's no wonder that Murong An is intrigued by Jie Yi.

"Is that so?", Murong An could see that Li Xi u is reluctant to do so. "Could I ask why?"

"Well, it's because that man is already betrothed. So it's not appropriate for him to be introduced to another woman", said Li Xi Rui. If Li Xi Rui tried to matchmake Murong An with Jie Yi, what if someone become sad? She couldn't do that. Moreover, Murong An used to be her husband's fated one. So she couldn't let Murong An get closer to Long Jie via Jie Yi. 'I am not jealous!', she thought.

"Princess is not the same as those rumors talking about. But maybe I shouldn't make my own conclusion yet. After all, we didn't really know each other", said Murong An. Though she is a bit sad that Li Xi Rui seems to be reluctant to introduce her with that weird man formally, it's not like she like that man to that extent. She was just fascinated with the man. When else she could see a man that injured to get up and run around the army ground like a headless chicken?

"Is that a compliment?", asked Li Xi Rui.

"Princess could take it as so. Though, people say as a woman, that I am too straight forward", Murong An smiled. By now, if the rumors are true, wouldn't Li Xi Rui get mad right about now? Sometimes people get offended by the way she talked because it come off as rude.

"Then, I would take it as so; as a compliment", said Li Xi Rui. She returned the smile although it is a forced smile.

'Lovely', thought Murong An. Li Xi Rui is everything that she isn't; beautiful, small and ladylike. Murong An is a bit jealous with the beautiful woman in front of her. 'No wonder people couldn't leave her alone', in Murong An's mind, people spread the rumors due to jealousy. How could people let someone better than them live peacefully? That is the nature of human. She had seen it even in battlefield; killing their own comrade because of being betrayed; betraying their comrade because of greed. She has seen the dark side of human.

For Li Xi Rui, Murong An is someone   she couldn't hate. She generally didn't like people but Murong An is different. She exudes charm that could reel you in.

Meanwhile at a certain tent, Jie Er is busy nagging his chief, "Chief, why didn't you take care of yourself? Why did you run around like nothing when your wounds are this bad?!".

"Jie Er, shut your mouth", Jie Yi is lying down on the bed. The few days he had been spending trying to locate his master, take a toll on his already wounded body. Only god knows why he didn't die yet.

"Tell me what happened that day? It's ridiculous that only with one stab chief could be injured!", Jie Er is persistent. He sat down on the bed near Jie Yi. He could see that the chief is pale.

"Jie Er!", Jie Yi stared at Jie Er. Some things he rather not say in front of the madam or Jie Er. How could he say that in the middle of war, the phantom sect decided to ambush them?! So yes, it's not an ordinary stab. The stab is full with inner force that could almost kill him. He just didn't want them to worry.

"Chief! I am just concerned! Do you know how I was the past few days thinking about you?! How could..." Jie Er cries out. His eyes wet with tears.

"I said shut up and yet you... Forget it!", and with that, Jie Yi pulls Jie Er on top of him and kiss Jie Er's sorrow away. One with content mimicking how the master kissed the madam and one with eyes wide open trying to take it all in.

Opening his eyes, Jie Yi could see that someone is staring with shocked, "Close your eyes!".Jie Yi reach out and cover Jie Er's eyes with his palm.

Ah yes~ like master like shadow guards. Stealing tofu wherever they go. Doesn't even matter if someone is injured with grave injuries.

P/s: Yup, it happens. As the author I am also surprise. You'd think that we plan every single plot. But no, sometimes the story writes itself. That is scaryyyy in so many ways. Btw, I am not possessed. At least I hope I'm not...

Hurm, I've been thinking about the smut chapters (there're 2 chapters) that I have took off from the original storyline (it offended some people though I actually wrote it for a friend). If they're many who want to read it, please leave some comments. And if the comments exceeds 50 (only for publishing it), I'll consider republish it.