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Table of Contents
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Her Heart’s Dilemma
Lina sat on the edge of a wooden chair, her back straight and her hands tightly clenched in her lap. It had been half an hour since she had asked Yue to reveal everything about Dongfang Qingcang, the man she had married and regarded as a close friend – someone she had entrusted her life to. The room had dim lighting, and the fairy’s revelations hung heavily in the air.
Lina found the idea of Dongfang Qingcang killing his father to seize the throne unfathomable. Even more challenging to accept, the title ‘Moon Supreme’ symbolized a tyrant responsible for unspeakable horrors and the destruction of entire populations. Learning of his brutality left her feeling betrayed by the man she had always seen as a ‘good guy’, now described as a monstrous figure.
“Chunli, are you okay?” Yue inquired, her concern evident as she observed Lina. Tension etched across her face. ‘I can’t blame her for being upset about learning the truth about her leader, especially with her memory loss,’ she thought, her brow creasing with worry. ‘I just hope she doesn’t come back as a spy or return at all.’
“Yeah, I’m okay; it’s just a lot to take in,” Lina responded, her voice steady. She tried to hide her true emotions, but her clenched fists and the tension in her jaw betrayed her inner turmoil. ‘I’m furious… I want to… break something… get out of here… and…’ her thoughts trailed off, a lump forming in her throat. ‘Pretty Eyes… you… you…’
Yue heaved a deep sigh, her eyes locked onto Lina’s anxious gaze. “You know what? Let’s go to sleep. You’ve had quite a day. Take some time to relax, and we can talk about the rest tomorrow, okay?” She spoke gently and soothed her guest with a comforting touch on the shoulder, conveying both comfort and understanding.
Lost in thought, her mind a blank canvas, Lina struggled to think with precision. Falling into silence, her heart growing numb, she nodded, unable to find the words. ‘My only hope was to find Dongfang Qingcang, but now, I’m at a loss,’ she pondered once she regained her composure.
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In a corner of Yunmeng Lake, another name for the human realm, Shangque moved with quiet efficiency. He left no place unchecked while exploring the area in his quest to locate the girl his lord, the Moon Supreme, had entrusted him to find. His movements were as discreet as the gentle breeze rustling through the trees, and he observed each residence he encountered with a keen eye.
As he continued his search, Shangque’s thoughts wandered to the recent events that had unfolded in the past few weeks. Several significant incidents had occurred within Cangyan Sea during that time—incidents he had not had the opportunity to explain to Dongfang Qingcang. He could not bring himself to tell his lord that the realm he once knew had undergone a significant transformation, and he had barely escaped with his life.
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Shangque’s Flashback
In the heart of Ninth You in Cangyan Sea, the city overflowed with vibrant life. The bustling marketplace displayed a vivid mosaic of colors and fragrances. Delicate pottery adorned with detailed patterns graced the market stalls, captivating passersby with its artistry. Shimmering textiles with a rainbow of hues swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze, their allure undeniable. The air carried the exotic aroma of aromatic spices, teasing the senses and transporting one to distant lands.
Beyond the city’s borders, Cangyan Sea revealed its other natural wonders. To the north, peaceful greenery extended as far as the eye could see, sprinkled with pomegranate trees bearing fruits as crimson as rubies. To the south, a stunning sandy beach awaited, its golden shores kissed by the soothing embrace of crystal-clear waves.
However, atop a mountain outside the metropolis, panic gripped the Moon Tribe soldiers. They stood bewildered, brows furrowed, eyes darting in all directions, pondering the sudden disappearance of their lord. The event had unfolded with remarkable speed and mystery, leaving them dumbfounded, their shoulders slumping and their breath shallow. As they gathered, they discussed with deep concern the absence of Dongfang Qingcang, especially during this critical moment when their people’s lives hung in the balance.
“One thing is for sure, we won’t give in to those tricky fairies!” declared one passionate Moon Tribe soldier, thrusting his clenched fist defiantly into the air, his determination etched across his face. The tension in his muscles and the fire in his eyes displayed his unwavering defiance against oppression.
In the silence of the night, Shangque, Qingcang’s right-hand man, rested his hand on his chin, assuming a contemplative stance. His ebony sleeves glistened in the ethereal moonlight. His brows furrowed in deep thought, his mind racing with unspoken questions, and his eyes narrowing with concern as he pondered, ‘The fairies are getting too close to our borders. Where are you, my Lord?’
End Flashback
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Shangque shook off the painful memories that haunted him and sighed deeply. If not for the Moon Supreme’s unwavering determination to find Lina, he would have already shared the distressing news about his home realm. However, time was of the essence. He remembered Qingcang’s silence when he asked about the girl and could not shake the sense that she held urgent importance.
“Whoever she is, if she’s important to my lord, she’s important to me. Once we find her, I’ll be sure to fill him in on the hardships we’ve dealt with in Cangyan Sea,” Shangque mused and sighed again, his thoughts tinged with worry.
Deep lines creased Shangque’s brow as he pondered the matter, and he wore an expression of confusion and worry. These lines on his face painted a vivid picture of the burden he carried—unspoken news and unyielding loyalty to his lord.
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As Lina lay in bed, her mind swirled with memories and emotions. She thought back to the last time she had seen Qingcang, his image constantly flickering in her mind. His secretive nature and demeanor were etched into her mind, and the sense of betrayal lingered. With furrowed brows, her thoughts dove deep into the past few weeks.
Lina pondered in silence, her fingers nervously toying with the bedsheet. She shifted, unease evident in her movements. “The fact that he kept so much from me,” she mused, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m a demon now,” she murmured, her eyes darting around the room as if anticipating some hidden threat. “I’ll never feel safe in this place,” she whispered bitterly. “My life is constantly at risk because of my Moon Tribe origin.”
Lina’s shoulders tensed, and she scoffed in frustration, her face heavy with the weight of her circumstances.
“Screw this,” Lina grumbled, her growing distrust of Yue, the person she had once considered an ally, becoming increasingly evident. “I can’t even be sure what her true intentions are,” she muttered, her suspicion deepening. With a sigh, she buried her face in her pillow, feeling exposed and all alone. “Maybe she’s just after information about me, and that’s why she didn’t hand me over to the soldiers,” she speculated as she rolled onto her side, caught in a tangled mess of doubts. “Life is never as simple as it seems,” she said in resignation, her determination slowly building as she lay there. “I need to get out of here,” she declared softly, her gaze fixed on a distant point on the wall.
Gathering her willpower, Lina pushed herself out of bed, moving with purpose and determination. She knew that her only chance of escaping this treacherous Fairy Realm rested in her own hands. Yue’s house, once a sanctuary, now felt like a cage, and she could no longer stay there.
As Lina opened the door, a rush of cold night air hit her face, sending shivers down her spine. The moonlight bathed the forest outside in an eerie, silvery glow, creating long shadows on the ancient trees. She took a deep breath, bracing herself for the challenges ahead, and said, “I can do this.”
Lina closed the door behind her and ventured into the darkness. Her steps were cautious, almost silent. The darkness concealed her movements, but her heart pounded with fear and determination.
‘WHO’S THERE?’ Lina thought. Panic set in as she heard a distant roar. Every rustle of leaves or sound felt like a threat.
Lina knew she had to be watchful to survive this escape. Alone and without allies, every decision weighed heavily on her shoulders. The path posed a danger, but she refused to become a helpless pawn in this game of deception. Fueled by an unshakable desire to break free from this nightmarish realm, she pressed on.
Hearing distant conversations, Lina abruptly stopped in her tracks. Her heart raced, and she held her breath, straining to make out the words of the fairies. These were the same soldiers who had been searching for her before Yue came to her rescue.
‘What was I thinking? Who goes off on their own like this?’ Lina chastised herself. ‘Why did I decide to leave in the middle of the night, especially when I’m not even familiar with this place?’
“Show yourself!” a soldier shouted, his voice echoing through the still night air. His white armor glistened in the moonlight.
Lina let out a low curse as fear took hold of her. She observed the soldiers closing in rapidly, her heart pounding in her chest. Gasping for breath, she sprinted as fast as her legs could manage. Her eyes were wide with terror, her body tense with anxiety, and the trees blurred past her as her footsteps landed softly but were burdened by her worries. ‘I wish I could just teleport out of here when I need to!’ she thought, her panic gnawing at her. Still, she did not dare glance behind her; one misstep could mean the end of her life.
Lina’s desperate sprint through the dark forest came to a sudden and painful halt as her foot caught on a hidden tree root, causing her to stumble and fall.
“Ouch!” Lina winced, her body contorting in pain as her head hit the earth. A sharp branch from the ground left an angry gash on her leg. Pain surged through her as she gasped, her heart pounding with fear and agony.
Struggling to her feet, Lina winced with every movement. She attempted to push forward, but the soldiers had disappeared into the shadows. The dense greenery and the irregular moonlight had swallowed them up. She held her wounded leg, gritting her teeth against the pain, determined to press on despite the odds until her body finally gave up. In this moment of despair, she came to a stark realization about the dire circumstances of her life.
Lina lay on the forest floor, releasing a sigh of frustration as she shifted uncomfortably. “I swear, I must be the unluckiest person on the planet,” she mumbled, tears brimming in her eyes. The gravity of her situation, the pain in her leg, and the fear of capture or worse overwhelmed her.
Lina lay on the cool, damp earth, her fingers instinctively digging into the ground. She listened to the distant leaves rustling in the night breeze, her gaze unfocused as she lost herself in the soothing sounds of nature.
“Pretty Eyes,” Lina whispered, her tears streaming down as she recalled the moment she had seen Qingcang leave after waking up startled in his embrace. Her voice quivered, exposing her vulnerability. “Why did you leave me yesterday? You… you…” Her whispered words trailed off as her sobs grew more intense. “I can’t even scold you in my thoughts.”
Lina clenched the earth on the ground into a fist, pouting and sniffling as she wept in agony, her whole body trembling with emotion.
“Dongfang Qingcang, you’re so annoying,” Lina whispered, her voice catching. Her emotions made her throat feel tight. Her breath quickened, and her chest rose and fell rapidly with each breath. You, you deserter…”
“Do you dare to accuse me?” a deep, familiar male voice retorted, slowly emerging into Lina’s view. The moonlight bathed the surroundings, casting a silvery glow on the man who loomed over her, regarding her with an air of authority.
Raising her gaze to see the man, Lina struggled to discern his identity, his figure silhouetted against the radiant moon behind him, which momentarily blinded her. Yet, in a brief moment, she caught a glimpse of his face and instantly recognized him, her heart racing. She scoffed in disbelief. “I must have hit my head pretty hard if I’m seeing you… Or maybe I’m just losing my mind,” she mumbled, her voice quivering.
The incredibly handsome man stared at Lina in confusion, his eyes narrowing as he crossed his arms over his chest and released a deep sigh. “You’re saying some strange things, Silly Little Human,” he commented in his deep, masculine voice, his tone a blend of bewilderment and irritation.
“Pretty Eyes?” Lina whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief and relief as she saw Qingcang, whose brow furrowed. Her anger and frustration dissipated, replaced by a sense of comfort and confusion. “How did you find me?”
“As I mentioned, I always find what I want,” Qingcang replied, his expression growing more serious. “You’re hurt.”
Lina wiped away her tears, wincing at the pain in her leg from the fall. “Yes, my leg—”
“I wasn’t referring solely to your leg. You’re sad. What’s bothering you?” Qingcang asked, interrupting Lina as he reached out and knelt beside her.
‘Why is he acting so kind?’ Lina wondered, her eyes filled with a whirlwind of emotions as Qingcang approached her. She remained uncertain about the Moon Supreme, torn between accepting his tender gestures and grappling with his dark, murderous past.
Qingcang’s typically cold eyes softened as he observed Lina in such a vulnerable state. With a gentle touch, he lifted her up, hearing her wince in pain as she rested her arm on his neck. He held her in a protective, bridal-style embrace. “Mhm?” he encouraged, his tone filled with concern.
Lina hesitated and released a deep sigh, letting her head rest against Qingcang’s chiseled chest. She lacked the energy to discuss her concerns about his past, especially when he was being kind to her. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she replied, her voice conveying weariness and resignation. She decided to avert her gaze, captivated by the stunning beauty of their surroundings.
To Lina, it felt as though she had stepped into a realm reminiscent of the fantastical forests found in video games, akin to MMORPG worlds. As she marveled at this breathtaking sight, she felt as if she had entered a sanctuary. The soldiers were gone, and she was safely cradled in the strong arms of the Moon Supreme.
The panorama before them was a breathtaking fusion of vivid and exotic sights. Radiant hues and sparkles intertwined, casting a captivating glow illuminated by the moonlight. The scene unveiled an ethereal spectacle as navy and purple hues danced across the sky like an iridescent canvas. Shimmering petals of flowers floated through the air, adorning the woods around them. The environment exuded an otherworldly trance, a blend of sapphire skies, emerald-hued greenery, and the ethereal dance of the aurora borealis in amethyst shades, saturating the surroundings with its luminous embrace.
“Then, what is it that you desire?” Qingcang inquired, growing impatient with Lina’s evasion of his question. He could tolerate the pain in his leg far better than she could, but it was beginning to wear on him.
Before replying, Lina closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh, needing that brief pause to collect her thoughts and summon the courage to express her desire. “I want to be able to walk, but I’m injured,” she murmured, her gaze now fixed on the radiant scenery surrounding them.
Qingcang paused, his typically inscrutable eyes briefly revealing a flicker of deep thought. “Your leg is a nuisance. By my will, it shall be healed,” he stated, turning his gaze towards Lina’s face. His eyes showed a hint of life compared to their usual numb stare.
“Huh?” Lina wondered, taken aback by Qingcang’s unexpected offer. In an instant, he gently placed his hand behind her head, startling her as she observed his every move closely, scrutinizing his expression and looking at him in bewilderment. “Um, my leg is kind of down th—”
Qingcang’s eyes closed as he leaned in, swiftly bridging the gap between them. Their luscious lips were drawn together in a magnetic and powerful embrace, meeting in a kiss of unparalleled intensity as Lina’s eyes widened. Their hearts pounded hard, creating a wild rhythm between them in response to the unexpected intimacy. Joined together, they savored the heat of their breaths intermingling in a steamy embrace.
The yearning of their primordial spirits ignited a pinkish-red flame from their hearts, an image of their ancient essence that swirled and danced with the shimmering flower petals around them, entangling the destinies of two souls drawn together. The fire swirled in the air, catching them both off guard, and a surge of electric energy coursed through them, an otherworldly sensation neither anticipated, matching the colors of the moonlight. Their primordial spirits were drawn into a deep exploration of each other, and each heartbeat resonated in harmony with the glimmering emerald-green forest.
The crackling sparks of electricity intertwined with the flame, enhancing the spectacle surrounding them. Their inner selves were laid bare, defying their previous hostilities, their soft lips sealed in a searing kiss as his yearningly pressed against hers, the girl he had once sworn to kill.
All original additions in “The Moon Supreme, Dongfang Qingcang” are copyright © 2022 by Aurora Luxi. All rights reserved.
Aurora Luxi 