Legend of Fu Yao

The spectacular fireworks were a gift from the man garbed in white. He knew that she would not enjoy a luxurious welcome in a war-torn city where the scent of blood still lingered, yet feared solitude and looked forward to enjoying the warmth of gathering. Hence, he chose to set off fireworks so as to chase away the loneliness.

Meng Fuyao eyes reflected the vibrant colors in the sky.

That year, she gave that person a bustling scene.

This year, another had put in great effort to present her with an astir city.

All the beautiful thoughts in the world unfurled in front of her eyes; so precious that it made one feel bittersweet.

Behind her, Zhangsun Wuji hugged her as he too enjoyed the splendor of this city.

‘I had such plans too, but since I am on your land since Fuyao is by my side, forget it…’ he thought with a slight sense of superiority.

But, just feeling touched for a while was enough. Just a while.

The magnanimous crown prince, a trait he had apparently given himself, admired the lips that had enamored him so much with glee. And then, he leaned in for a kiss.

Fireworks burst through the dark night, leaving a blazing trail of red. The window embellished with curtains that drape down halfway made the perfect frame for the night sky. As the gentle breeze caressed and teased their hair, the two remained in each others’ arms as they stood there quietly, cherishing the moment they had.

Another year had passed, just like that.

Meng Fuyao was now continuing her uncertain journey as a 19-year-old.

Compared to a year ago, or even the loneliness and emptiness from three years ago, despite the hardships she had gone through, every day was filled with fulfillment.

She had left a mark on the world with her arrival—the Five Regions Continent remembered her, just like how she so vividly remembered her previous life.

Meng Fuyao smiled as she led her horse along the tranquil streets.

After a night of celebrations, every household was resting behind closed doors. Meng Fuyao walked over the tiny pieces of red from the firecrackers as a feeling of warmth surged in her heart.

She looked up at the city gates as she left the city.

There were three holes made from a sword. The blood that was spilled that day was long gone. But it was right here, three months ago, that the other Zong Yue, the world’s best assassin, had taught her how to sneak past security.

She wasn’t a good student—he peeled off human skin, but she ripped off pieces.

As she passed by the hill, she slowed down, looking back at the position she and Tie Cheng had hidden themselves as they observed the man in black’s amazing skills in the dark night.

Zong Yue that fellow’s body was certainly worth salivating over…

Meng Fuyao revealed a lascivious smile over his body. ‘That guy should be currently busy with stabilizing his regime by eliminating those who oppose him and giving confidence in those who believe him, huh,’ Meng Fuyao thought.

The most splendid man in the whole of the Five Region Continent; he deserved his throne.

She smiled as she changed reins.

From far away, a melodic piece could be heard.

The notes sounded as if they came from the pages of history, quietly mourning a loss. They echoed, a deep timbre different from that of a flute, yet, left a pleasant, mellow aftertaste to those who heard it. From above the city walls, icy snowflakes fluttered gracefully from the sky.

The snowflakes danced quietly to the rhythm of the melody, landing onto Meng Fuyao’s charcoal black lashes. Her warmth silently melted the tiny snowflake. A tiny drop of water formed at the corner of her eyes, as though expressing emotional state.

Wind, road, separation, and melody.

A song of ‘Remembrance.’

To remember who, to remember what? Back then, he had performed this song for her as he shared with her his past. Now, it was a song of separation where his yearnings had morphed into a snowflake, quietly forming a tear of longing on her cheeks.

Right now, she was outside the city, looking in the direction of the city as she sat on her horse. He was in the city, gazing in the direction she had left. She was outside, as the snow fluttered down while the melody rang. As the floor and the sky blended into one uniform color, she was reminded of the man with beautiful eyes. He was inside, performing a song for her as he reminisced the little details they had experienced with one another… that time she had pounced over urgently… that time where she had protected his head with her hand as the sword probed in… the close stool bed she had painstakingly made… the gentleness she had as she carefully applied medication on him… the kiss in her palm… the hug behind the wall… hitting her head against his chest… making a wish under the red lantern… the first and perhaps the last time they could spend time together—just the two of them.

Through the trials and tribulations, they had… those were the days that could not be replaced.

Those days that they accompanied and supported each other through every adversity.

From now on, his life would head in the direction of fame and glory, but he would never love again.

The end of the song, the silence from the two.

Meng Fuyao watched the city guards but still, she could not spot him. After a while, she drew her dagger and flicked her finger against that dark blade.

Wong—

A crisp, loud sound could be heard. Meng Fuyao smiled in that direction and galloped away.

She galloped away, but that unique sound that belonged to her rang in the air for a long time.

In the city, the man donned in white slowly put down his ocarina. His long fingers gently caressed the ocarina.

The corner of his lips curled up into a small smile.

‘Fuyao, take care.’

As she passed by the Xuanyuan border, she could spot groups of people with torches in their hands. They were reasonably far away so as to not cause chaos or create a ruckus.

The Emperor of Dahan paced around the border, waiting to welcome her.

With a hand on her forehead, she complained, “A tiger in front, a wolf at the back and a fox beside me… Why is my life so hard… Ahhh…”

Lord Yuan Bao on her shoulder, with a cape around its shoulder, thought, ‘You heartless piece of sh*t. You sure didn’t complain about them when you were using them.’

It couldn’t be helped. Meng Fuyao knew that it was easy for her to invite the ‘Gods’ but hard for her to send them away. She sniffed as she braced herself. “Ah, what a good weather today, is Your Majesty out for a hunt?”

Zhan Beiye stared at her as he replied nonchalantly, “I am out to hunt for rabbits.”

Meng Fuyao’s mouth twitched. Apparently, hunting rabbits was now the synonym for robbery.

“I have nothing on me.” Meng Fuyao opened her arms. “I’ve certainly had nothing His Majesty would take an interest in.”

“I just need you,” Zhan Beiye said straightforwardly, totally ignoring the Zhangsun Wuji beside her.

Meng Fuyao looked up and glanced at the soldiers behind Zhan Beiye. Those soldiers belonged to King Han’s army. ‘Can’t this fellow look at the current situation and not just confess? He needs to know my future subordinates are listening,’ she thought in annoyance.

“I heard you are going to Xuanji.” Before she had the chance to reply, Zhan Beiye added. “How do you plan to go there?”

“Through Yaocheng and then follow the waterway to Xuanji.” Zhangsun Wuji broke his silence, and with a smile, he said, “Fuyao hasn’t gone back to Yaocheng in a while.”

“From Fuyao’s territory, she can enter Xuanji directly.” Zhan Beiye glared back. “Fuyao hasn’t been to her fief.”

Meng Fuyao facepalmed…’Having too much land sure isn’t a good thing…’

“Let Fuyao decide for herself.” This sentence was actually said by Zhan Beiye! Meng Fuyao looked up at him, surprised, but then, he casually added another sentence. “Empress Dowager has followed me out for a change of pace. She is currently resting at Wuqing County 50 miles from here, and she really wishes to see you. Her health is not the best, and I don’t dare to bring her along with the army. She’s now there waiting for you.”

Meng Fuyao glared at him…’Zhan Beiye you actually dare to play mind games with me!’

This was the place where it was the closest to the three countries, the best place to decide whether to go via Wuji or via Dahan. The moment she went to Wuqing county, there would be no justifiable reason to make a detour back to Wuji.

While Zhan Beiye gave her the power to decide, it was but an illusion of choice. To go Wuqing county would essentially mean that she would be taking the Dahan route. But how could she bear to make the sickly Empress Dowager wait in this weather?

‘Damn this Zhan Beiye, how dare he involve his mother?’

Zhan Beiye understood her gaze and raised his brows. “You can go wherever you want. Empress Dowager hasn’t been out for many years, and she’s just out for a change of pace.”

Meng Fuyao glared at him. ‘Yes, she came out on her own accord, but she wouldn’t suddenly choose Wuqing County, would she?’

Zhan Beiye welcomed her gaze head-on. While she didn’t particularly think that whichever route she took was important, it just didn’t sit well with her that she had to make the decision in front of everyone.

Just as she hesitated, Zhangsun Wuji said, “Since Dahan’s Empress Dowager wishes to see you, then head to Wuqing County.”

Meng Fuyao heaved a sigh of relief and gave Zhangsun Wuji face of gratitude. He looked back with a smile and gave her a “taking a step back isn’t the most important, sometimes showing who the boss is” kind of gaze.

Meng Fuyao’s lips curled up and threw back a “you are the sliest” gaze.

Zhan Beiye watched on as the two interacted with their gazes. Suddenly, he raised his whip and pointed towards the direction of Wuji’s border. With a smile, he asked, “Crown Prince, if the Dahan army were to cross your borders and invite your officials over to our capital as guests, I wonder how that would feel?”