Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

In the arena of the Mu sect, two warriors stood opposite to each other, ready to duel.

"So you are Bai Yue?" Huo Jin asked the delicate figure with an aloof face,

"Bai Yu Yue." She corrected him.

"It doesn't suit you. How about Dai Yu?", He sneered.

"Black jade," the moment Bai Yu Yue heard that word, an angry storm surged inside her. Huo Jin was trying to tease her and make her agitated so that she will lose her temper. 

"Are you angry, Dai Yu?" Huo Jin chuckled, "Do you want to fight with me?"

Huo Jin threw a sword at her.

"Dai Yu is too casual. How about dark night ?" He smirked and examined the girl who stood before him.

Bai Yu Yue's clear eyes flashed a glimpse of displeasure as a result of Huo Jin's continuous teasings. Teasing someone on their physical and mental attributes was considered as a heinous crime in her law book.

He needs to be punished,

Bai Yu Yue swung her sword against him and Huo Jin swiftly defended her attack.

Last time when they fought, Bai Yu Yue played safe in order to give Xue Lian enough time to escape, however this time she will not restrain herself. 

She should teach this man a lesson.

Huo Jin has also had the same thought. He was intrigued and interested in her. But to become his junior she must prove her worth by fighting with him.

Once they started, no matter how hard she tried, Bai Yu Yue couldn't overpower Huo Jin. His skills were one level above her and the luck was clearly on Huo Jin's side from the beginning itself.

As soon as the duel advanced, Bai Yu Yue realized that she was getting weaker and weaker after defending herself from Huo Jin. He threw continuous blows without giving her a moment to breathe.

Bai Yu Yue's forehead was filled with sweat beads and her big black eyes appeared more focused on pinning down the opponent.

"I wonder what happens to you in darkness." Huo Jin voiced out with a flirtatious smile, which is hidden with sly innuendoes.

Bai Yu Yue who remained unbothered by his words, finally lost her cool and couldn't control but gave him a fatal blow.

However, Huo Jin defended him from Bai Yu Yue within swift motions and made her drop the sword she wielded.

Huo Jin pointed his sword to Bai Yu Yue's neck and smiled in triumph,

"If this was a real situation, you would've died by now." 

Bai Yu Yue glared at him with cold eyes while panting,

"Do you know where did you go wrong? Huo Jin asked her, "From the very first time you reacted to my words."

He turned to face his juniors and the audiences,

"Rule number one- Never fall for your opponent's words." He explained,

"Words are double-edged swords if you want to wound your opponent's self-confidence, use it wisely-."

Even before Huo Jin could finish his words, a powerful blow hit him from the back and made him fall down to the ground.

"Rule number two," Bai Yu Yue sat on Huo Jin's back, pinning him down to the ground, "Never turn your back on your enemy." 

Huo Jin's lips curled upwards, in a glimpse of a moment, he rolled over and pinned the "girl" under his body.

He bowed his head slightly and stared at her, his thin lips breaking into a devilish smile,

When his warm breath tickled her cheeks, an unknown fear pervaded Bai Yu Yue's chest.

Is he going to kiss her, again?

Suddenly a pebble hit Huo Jin's chiselled cheeks, breaking his advances towards Bai Yu Yue.

"Rule number three-Never lose your focus," An authoritative voice rang around the entire arena,

"Grandmaster Mu,"

Everybody stood in unison and bowed, 

A man in late sixties stood before everyone. His facial expressions remained amicable but his amber eyes showcased an air of sovereignty.

Bai Yu Yue pushed Huo Jin away from her body and stood up in her feet to bow,

Huo Jin followed her immediately,

"Who is this young man?" Mu Chen's gaze fell on the young man stood next to Huo Jin.

"Bai Yu Yue of Tu sect salutes, grandmaster Mu Chen," 

Bai Yu Yue kneeled before him and stated her name.

"Bai Yu Yue from Tu sect,"

That single line created an uproar among the crowd.

The students of Mu Sect only knew that their Sect leader brought someone who wounded on the way. But that pretty brother was actually from Tu sect?

The students whispered among themselves. "No wonder, he was so good in the duel,"

"Silence," Huo Jin silenced his juniors.

"You are Bai Yu Yue?" Mu Chen's face bore a hint of surprise, "Qin Kai's student?"

"Yes, master," Bai Yu Yue replied, 

Grandmaster Qin Kai was the sovereign of the Tu sect, Bai Yu Yue's master.

"Do you know him?" Mu Qing who was dumbfounded by his master's question asked to clarify.

"Of course, Qin Kai always talks about his precious mountain Tiger."

Bai Yu Yue smiled in agreement. If master Mu Chen is aware of her nickname, then it is obvious that her master has talked about his first-ever female disciple.

Qin Kai named Bai Yu Yue as "Mountain Tiger" giving light to her silent and solitary but predatory personality in combats.

"Grandmaster, we have across with him while coming back from town," Huo Jin notified the reason for Bai Yu Yue's arrival in Mu sect.

"Hmmm, once you are done with sparring, please do visit the southern wing," Mu Chen asked her and headed to the southern wing of the main building, where the study room of grandmaster is situated.

"So Junior Bai, should we continue?" Huo Jin placed his arm on Bai Yu Yue's shoulder and asked with a smirk,

Bai Yu Yue looked at him with a burning glance.

"We can continue it later, Senior Jin." She said and slightly bowed before leaving the place.

As soon as Mu Qing entered into the study room of grandmaster Mu Chen, he pestered his master with the identity of Bai Yu Yue.

"Are you aware of the fact that she belongs to the Yu clan?"

"Yes. How did she end up here?"

"Huo Jin and Bai Yu Yue had a conflict, in which he almost killed her by choking,"

"Oh no," Mu Chen face broke into a bitter smile, "So is that why they were sparring."

"No, grandmaster. There is something else," Mu Qing hesitated. He wanted to confess what he has seen in a week of time.

"Huo Jin knows that she is a girl and,"

"And," Mu Chen narrowed his eyes in anticipation,

"He likes her,"

Mu Qing was actually worried about Huo Jin and his obsession over Bai Yu Yue. That's why he shared the truth with his master. However, Mu Chen's reply left him speechless.

"Well, they are around the age of young love."

"Grandmaster, she is a woman from the Yu clan. They will never go against their clan rules, I don't want Xiao Jin to get hurt because of a woman,"

"You think too much, Mu Qing," Mu Chen calmly said.

However, nothing could calm the storms in Mu Qing's heart.

"Huo Jin is going to enthrone in a couple of months,"

"He is a man and he clearly knows what he must do and must not do," Mu Chen insisted,

"Student Bai is here to meet the grandmaster," A guard informed them and within a moment a charming youth walked inside,

"Bai Yu Yue of Yu clan," Mu Chen called her name,

"The hidden trump card of Tu sect. Qing Kai thinks his only female student deserves more fame and popularity than others. He wishes to acknowledge you before everyone, but surprisingly it is you, who refuses to reveal the truth."

"Fame never tempted me. Grandmaster talked about lowly disciple like me to his friends and colleagues, that alone can make me happy," Bai Yu Yue's eyes had a faint glow of bliss.

Mu Qing smiled, everyone wished to become famous and popular. But this girl wants to remain hidden.

"Mu Sect is happy to host you, warrior Bai Yu Yue,"

Knock, knock

"Grandmaster, there is a message." Huo Jin's deep husky voice drifted from outside, "It is from grandmaster Qin,"

"Come in,

Huo Jin entered into the study room with a soldier,

"What is the message?" Mu Chen asked the messenger who appeared sick and tired due to the journey. He opened a small scroll from his sleeves and began to read.

"The winds of political change have reached the foot of the mighty Tu mountains. Two more kingdoms have been conquered by The Wolf of Northeast and he is reaching out towards Tu sect, to join hands with him for a unified tomorrow." The messenger read out the message.

Mu Chen's face got immediately darkened,

"The wolf of the East." He uttered the name in disgust, "This is not good,"

"Wei emperor. He is going overboard, how can he go against the laws of the mainland?"Mu Qing appeared exasperated by the news.

"Everybody fears him, the Huo sect and Shui sect supports his atrocities,

He fears no one, but still hidden behind the mask, treating his allies as his minions and spilling blood all over the mainland in the name of unification."

"This time, he directed the death of the king of Qi Kingdom and enthroned one of his princes as the new king." The messenger added,

"Qi kingdom?" Bai Yu Yue asked to confirm. "What happened to the king of Qi Kingdom?"

"He was murdered by his own son,"

"No. that's not possible, I saw him last week," Bai Yu Yue raised her voice in disbelief.

"Bai Yu Yue, you know him?" Mu Chen asked her, seeing her agitated state.

"I was deployed in Qi kingdom,"

"What is the current situation in the Qi kingdom?"

"They are mourning. Once the mourning period ends, the crown prince's official enthronement will take place."

"How's that possible? King only has a girl child with his royal consort?" Bai Yu Yue asked, 

"It was treason, they removed all the supporters of the king from the capital and murdered them overnight. They even tried to kill the princess, who is the true heir,"

The attack on Xue Lian and her royal entourage was part of the treason? Bai Yu Yue's mind immediately joined the scattered dots in the map and drew well-planned treason.

"They have even deployed the army against common people to control the possible political uprisings and revolutions."

"What is he looking for?" Mu Qing suddenly asked.

"He claims that he is aiming for the unification of the mainland. But grandmaster Mu, his words differs his actions.

He never tried to go towards the south,

He ignored every single kingdom which is under the Guan Empire."

"No, he is gathering the forces to take over the Guan Empire and thus rising into the undefeated Emperor of the mainland," Huo Jin who remained silent till the moment stated as a matter of fact.

"Grandmaster Mu please allow me to leave the hidden forests of Mu sect," Bai Yu Yue requested.

"Where are going?" Huo Jin startled by her sudden request asked Bai Yu Yue.

"I need to go and there is someone whom I need to look after,"

"Don't go alone, I will come with you," Huo Jin volunteered,

"What are you saying? You have one more month to-" Mu Qing tried to interrupt and remind him of his responsibilities.

"She is used to guard the princess of the Qi kingdom. So it is normal for her to look after her benefactor."

"No, she is my junior, I won't allow her to go alone." Huo Jin declared.

"I don't need anyone's help," Bai Yu Yue bowed before her Mu Chen and walked out of the room.

"Master," Huo Jin bowed hurriedly and followed her.

"This is what I have mentioned before," Mu Qing sullen face was apparent.

"He is smitten with her and acts like a fool.

He is supposed to be enthroned in a couple of months, how can act like this?"

Mu Chen remained calm and composed,

"It's their fate, Mu Qing. Even though they are apart from each other, both of them, Huo Jin and Bai Yu Yue belong to the same sky, "

---------------------------------------------

"Bai Yu Yue, wait," Huo Jin rushed outside and grabbed Bai Yu Yue's arms to stop her."Let me come with you,"

"This is none of your business, stay out of it, senior Jin" Bai Yu Yue refrained him harshly."It is dangerous."

"Yes, it is. They are having a political uprising. How are you going to survive there alone?" Huo Jin's face filled with concern towards his newly appointed junior.

" Princess Xue Lian," Bai Yu Yue stopped for a moment. "I promised her that I will take care of her," Her words had an unknown melancholy, "They tried to kill her. She is just a kid who wants to live happily with her family. How can I remain calm after knowing that they went after her?

" I know you are capable of going alone, but let me accompany you," Huo Jin assured her."Believe me, Two is always better than one. Please wait here, let me talk to master," Huo Jin pacified her and returned to Mu Chen's study room. However, only Mu Qing was present in the giant room.

"What are you planning to do?" Mu Qing asked him. " I know that you like her, but how can you act like this?"

"Second master, I just want to make sure that, she is the best candidate for the future empress of -,"

"Yaaaa, she is not a person whom you think of." Mu Qing immediately cut him off.

"I wish to take her as my queen. I don't care about her family background or status. Even if she belongs to a poor household or an orphan, I don't care. I want to stay with her," Huo Jin said with a determined face.

" You are crazy," Mu Qing rebutted,

"I don't want to make her burden her with my love, I wanted to solve the misunderstandings between us and confess my feelings. Second master Mu, please allow me to go,"

While Huo Jin was requesting for permission to accompany Bai Yu Yue, She stood in front of the southern wing of the building while contemplating over his words. 

As mentioned before, Two is better than one.

She was worried about Xue Lian's safety.

But deep in her heart, she was worried about her own homeland.

If Wei emperor is trying to widen the horizon's of his empire to the Tu mountains, the existence of Yu Kingdom is on a threat.

In recent years, she has witnessed how kingdoms are obsessed to find the Yu clan and their treasure troves. With the current Jade land army, they cannot withstand an attack from another kingdom.

They were not allowed to go out of the Tu mountains.

But she rewrote the rules and descended the Tu mountains,

She chose the Qi kingdom to serve was because it was one of their neighbouring countries,

Keeping her allies closer was one of Bai Yu Yue's strategies to secure the borders of Yu Kingdom, but the sudden political change in the Qi kingdom have toppled her plans.

She needs to go back and check the possibilities in order to secure the boundaries of Yu kingdom,

Yu kingdom must be protected at any cost,