Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

The great Tu mountains, the largest mountain ranges in the world.

The ancient mythological texts of C country have depicted that, the boundaries of the human realm, the earth, ends at the foot of the majestic mountain ranges,

The world beyond the soaring heights of Tu mountain was considered as the abode of the mighty Jade emperor,

A dwelling place of various gods and goddesses, a place where fabled plants and mythical creatures wandered.

Through the untinted glass windows, Li Juan gazed agape at the marvelous creation, as her ebony eyes widened in bewilderment,

It was her first time travelling to a mountain.

For the last twenty six years, she used to live as a city dweller constrained to the concrete jungle.

Whether its the Jing city which is surrounded by landmasses or the S city which lies next to the south sea, her poor heart was exhausted by the hassles and bustles of her life.

But one day, the mountains called her, in a language which is alien to others, an overwhelming tone which no one else could hear.

"You belongs to the mountains," 

The scenic view of snow-covered mountain peaks created ripples in Li Juan's stone-cold eyes, bestowing her with a radiating glow.

It wasn't just Li Juan, everyone else in the aircraft had similar astonished expressions.

Except for one person,

Liang,

Everyone on the aircraft was immersed in the picturesque view outside the window

but his eyes were glued to Li Juan.

For him, nothing held more value than the blissful expression on the woman who sat before him.

She didn't make any exclamatory noises or appear jubilant like others.

But the ecstatic expression lingered on her usual stone-cold face was enough to prove that she was on the top of the world,

Well, they were practically on the top of the world.

It has been eight hours since they started the journey from the Yun city, 

As soon as Bai Zhu came up with permission letters to travel through the Xi Bei area, the team has split into two groups and started the journey,

Zhang Zhi Jun and Su Wu led a group which comprised of mining workers, whereas Li Juan and Liang were in charge of the other group consist of the exploration team.

Within an hour their aircraft entered into the inner valleys of Tu mountain,

Li Juan couldn't believe the aerial view of the lost city,

A circular piece of landmass which is surrounded by white mountains,

The foothills of the mountains and the valleys appeared barren and brown in colour.

The landmass filled with emerald green forest cover and blue rivers.

It was exactly like how it is depicted in the route map.

"Majesty, I'm here," Li Juan muttered under her breath.

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

The expedition team who came from Jing city has returned to their tents after exploring the forests, 

Temporary settlements have built on the barren land located on the entrance of the forest area, near to the river banks,

Since they are in the unknown wilderness, it is always better to stay in the open land rather than seeking shelter inside the forest,

The grumbling of aircraft engines echoed all over the valley and the people who were resting inside the tents came out and looked at the giant mechanical bird in the sky.

"Is that military?" Han Guang placed his palm over his forehead and looked at the aircraft which is preparing to land, 

"No," Tang Wei Sheng narrowed his eyes. "There are no military symbols on its body, but it does have our flag,"

"There wasn't any notice from Jing city that we are having visitors today," Cheng Tao said half-jokingly, 

"Miss Ning, what do you call a person who enters without any notice or permission?" Cheng Tao asked Ning Jing with mocking tone, 

Ning Jing glared at him and gnashed her teeth in anger. She clearly understood the hidden meaning of his question.

"Intruder," Lee Tae Min answered the question and glanced Ning Jing with a sneer.

Within fifteen minutes the aircraft landed on the barren land, a two hundred metres away from the tents, blowing the brown soil into the air,

The Jing city team curiously looked at the people who were getting down from the aircraft,

"Is that Zhang Zhi Jun?"

Cheng Tao was the first one to recognize the leader of the intruding group.

"Zhang Zhi Jun?" Ning Jing focused on the towering figure walking towards them like an army general leading his troupe.

" Why he is here?"

Tang Wei Sheng and Han Guang walked forward,

"Senior Zhang, what a pleasant surprise!" Ning Jing who followed them immediately greeted him, 

He faintly smiled and walked past her towards Han Guang and Tang Wei Sheng,

"You must be Professor Han Guang, I am Zhang Zhi Jun," He introduced,

"Mr Zhang, what brings you here?" Han Guang was in a daze.

"We came for an expedition on behalf of Bai Corporation."

Bai Corporations! The giants in the mining industry, why are they here? Tang Wei Sheng was at a loss of words,

"But it is a place of historical importance," Han Guang was the one to ask.

"We came for sightseeing." Zhang Zhi Jun replied casually, 

"This is a government restricted area."

"We got permission."

Bai Yu who stood beside Zhang Zhi Jun took an envelope from his jacket and gave it to Tang Wei Sheng.

Tang Wei Sheng opened the envelope and quickly ran through the contents.

"Is it true, CEO Tang? Are they here for an expedition?" Han Guang anxiously asked. 

Tang Wei Sheng nodded in agreement and handed over the paper to Han Guang,

"Site expedition, what rubbish?" Han Guang read and muttered under his breath. 

He gave back the papers to Bai Yu and pulled Tang Wei Sheng back to have a conversation.

"Han Guang, you look terrified," Su Wu who came last in the group called out for his junior.

"Senior Su, why are you here?" Han Guang was surprised, 

"Oh, I came with them,"

The casual air in Su Wu's words left Han Guang in doubt,

"Senior Su, can I have a moment alone with you?" Han Guang pulled Su Wu away from the group,

"What are you doing Senior Su? they are the giants in the mining industry, how can you lead them to such a place. This place is known as the gemstone repository, I am damn sure they are here for that," Han Guang immediately shared his concerns regarding the intruders.

"Uffo Han Guang, we just came for sightseeing," Su Wu assured him, "They are not going to take anything from this land." 

However, Su Wu's answer couldn't ease the Han Guang's anxious mind.

This place was hidden from others for a thousand years and the moment, he found about it people are barging to exploit this sacred land.

"I hope you don't have a problem with us staying here." Su Wu said with a smile,

"You can proceed." Han Guang said to him with a faint smile, he cannot say anything against them.

Han Guang went back to the main tent and urgently called a meeting with his teammates.

Tang Wei Sheng gave them a briefing on the current situation.

"CEO Tang, this ridiculous, how did they found about it expedition?" Wang Shiwei was literally on fire. 

This was something none of them has expected.

"Are they going to mine around this place?" Cheng Tao asked in frustration, "what is with Zhang Zhi Jun leading the group?"

"He is a major shareholder of Bai Corporation," Tang Wei Sheng said in a calm voice.

"But how did they know about this place? Cheng Tao ruminated over it, "Even though Professor Su give us the details about the map, there is no chance he would know the exact location. This was only known among us."

"What if someone tipped them off?" Ning Jing suggested.

"What do you mean?" His words reeked disdain."Who will do that nasty business?"

Cheng Tao turned towards Tae Min who sat idle without anything to add on to the discussion.

"Well, some people were once part of the team, could have done it?" Though she didn't mention Li Juan's name, everybody understood that Ning Jing meant Li Juan.

Within these days spent together, everyone clearly understood Ning Jing and her assistant's dislike towards Li Juan and their enthusiasm in finding every single opportunity to throw dirt on Li Juan who already left the team.

"Miss Ning, that's a really strong speculation." Cheng Tao couldn't keep his mouth closed whenever someone bad-mouths Li Juan.

"Assistant Cheng, I am only stating the facts." 

"Enough!" Tang Wei Sheng, who was silent till the moment, finally spoke. 

"All we have to do is to protect the place before they do something. 

I will try to talk to them." Han Guang suggested.

Tang Wei Sheng walked out of the tent and looked at the blue mountains before his eyes.

There hasn't been a day in Tang Wei Sheng's life that Li Juan fails to visit his memory,

For almost seven years, two of them lived in their own world, unaware of the feelings budded in their heart for each other. Though they lived apart, he had a belief that one day she will realize his feelings. But now, every single memory of her hurts like hell,

There was a time when they were actually in love. 

The time when he could hold her hand and talk freely, 

The time when she snuggled into his arms and kissed him,

He gave her a word that he will take care of her.

He promised her that he will not make her cry again.

They were supposed to visit this place together. 

They were supposed to live a life together

What went wrong between them? 

Tang Wei Sheng took his leather wallet and took out Li Juan's ID card. He looked at the photo on the ID card.

Li Juan, 

Though she wore a faint smile on her face, her ink-black eyes oozed melancholy.

Whenever Tang Wei Sheng called Zhang Zhi Zhong, he always asked about Li Juan. He was informed that Li Juan was safe with the Zhang family, but still,

He wished to talk to her,

He wished to hear her voice.

He missed her.

Tang Wei Sheng sighed and looked at the sun which is getting ready to set. Through the gleaming golden yellow light, he saw a lean figure on the other side of the tent. 

It was a familiar silhouette which Tang Wei Sheng could recognize even in darkest hours.

Li Juan! Tang Wei Sheng mumbled her name in surprise

Am I dreaming? What is she doing here? 

Li Juan, Tang Wei Sheng tried to reach out to her, however, suddenly a man appeared next to her.

He took the bag from her hand and directed her towards the tent.

Li Juan didn't even notice Tang Wei Sheng and went directly to another group who were building up the tents. 

Tang Wei Sheng couldn't believe his eyes.

He never thought li Juan would appear in front of him like this.

She was supposed to be in Xi city with Zhang Zhi Zhong's family.

But the most surprising part of Li Juan's entry was that she went to the other team.

That means! There was a shock in Tang Wei Sheng's face.

Li Juan betrayed him.

She betrayed her team.

She betrayed everyone whoever believed her.

"Li Juan," a shocked Han Guang called her.

"Professor!" Li Juan's face immediately brightened with happiness, however, the very next moment, it vanished without a trace.

"Do you know them?" Meng Yu asked Li Juan who remained frozen to the ground. 

"What are you doing here?" Han Guang asked her.

"She is part of our team." Meng Yu said it on the behalf of Li Juan,

"Why?" Han Guang's voice laced with disappointment.

"Why would you do that, Li Juan?"

She was his favourite student. Even though Ning Jing made many speculations about her, he never doubted Li Juan for a minute, but this time, it was inevitable. Seeing Li Juan with the other team means that, she is the one who betrayed them.

"More than anyone else, you know the importance of this place and still you." 

Han Guang didn't complete his words. It was another blow for him.

"Wow! Look who is here! Is this your favourite disciple professor Han?" Ning Jing took a glance at his devastating condition and said in a mocking tone.

"I believe my speculations about her were not wrong." Ning Jing stared her in disgust, "A traitor,"

Everyone was looking at Li Juan. 

"Is there anything which we are unaware of, supervisor Meng?" One of the workers from Yun city asked Meng Yu.

"Shh..." Meng Yu silenced him and concentrated on the drama happening in front of his eyes.

"Li Juan," Tang Wei Sheng called her name. "What is the meaning of this?" 

"I don't think I owe you an answer CEO Tang." Her voice lacked every sort of warmth. 

"But you owe me one." Han Guang's demeanour has changed when he heard Li Juan's cold reply.

"Tell me, why did you do this? Why did you betray us?"