Something Beautiful And Wicked

Shanghai: 

It was nearly dark when Shi Yen opened her closet with Yuan Shun trailing behind her. He had been in her secret room before, but he never had time to register a good look. Inside, he stared in awe and amazement as he gazed at the tidied and polished weapons, the opera masks, and the fighting fear that hung in an organized fashion. 

Everything about the room told him what Shi Yen had been up to before they got together, and it made him feel more connected to her than ever before. He was glimpsing at something she never showed anyone before. 

"The only people that know my identity are six of the seven organizations, and they understand the consequences for betraying me," she said coolly. "As for the others that had found out, most of them are dead." 

Yuan Shun shivered when she reminded him. 

She continued to speak as she selected some pieces of clothing to wear. "Long Jie had been informing me about the organizations in my absence. There has been some disorder going on since many feel that there is no Emperor or Empress to keep them in check." 

"What about the other leaders? That's their responsibility?"

"Indeed," she said, "but some members have betrayed their leaders, thinking they can create new organizations without having to listen to anyone. It's reckless and calls for attention. We are the Black Society. We remain hidden amongst the elite. We're careful. We lie and scheme, and we get away with it." 

"And you want to go back?" 

"I have to," she said. "That's my responsibility." 

He sighed. "Don't think I'll send you off alone." 

"Of course not," she said with a serpentine smile. "You're coming with me." 

Her smile was infectious. Yuan Shun couldn't help but curve his lips. Shi Yen then went to grab a dark mask to conceal his face. Yuan Shun looked at her with widened eyes. "You don't really mean—?" 

"Yes," she answered him quickly. "You're going to be by my side as my partner. My equal." 

The mask belonged to her father during his glory days as the Emperor. Yuan Shun couldn't believe she entrusted him to wear it. 

"It's yours now," she told him. 

He looked at her. "But it belonged to your father?" 

Shi Yen shrugged. "It belongs to the Emperor," she said. "Which you are now if you choose." 

Yuan Shun gaped. He couldn't find words to form a response. 

"Get dressed," she urged him. "I know you have never been to any of these official council meetings before. But I know you'll adapt perfectly." 

Yuan Shun nodded, and he quickly left to change into his fighting gear, and when he returned, Shi Yen was already dressed from head to toe. 

Together, they walked through the house and the garage, driving the car toward the secret location Shi Yen arranged. It was an abandoned warehouse, and they parked at a distance away. "This is my property," she told him. "So, there's no trespassing. I arranged a deal with the previous owner, so I didn't purchase it under my real name." 

Yuan Shun was impressed. 

They stepped toward the front of the warehouse, and Yuan Shun heard Shi Yen release a breathy chuckle. "This feels so odd," she said. "And a bit nostalgic for me." 

He could tell by her soft voice. 

She turned to face him. "Let's go." 

They entered the warehouse, walking long and dark halls and corridors until they found a small group of people in the middle wearing masks, like them. Each of them wore what they represented. He recognized the dragon, the phoenix, the Tiger, the Tortoise, the Scorpion, the Wolf, and the Lion. 

Beneath the Scorpion mask was Luo Tian, beneath the Wolf was Yuan Ning, and beneath the Lion was Master Wong. They each brought a unit with them, and every member parted so they could walk through the crowd. 

Yuan Shun stayed next to Shi Yen until they reached the end of the hall, where they made a sharp turn, facing a quarter of their organization. 

Each person in the room was silent, watching, assessing them. 

Master Wong, the Lion, stepped forward, and he bowed slightly. "Welcome back, Lady Empress," he said to her. The other leaders then bowed in unison, except the Tortoise King. He stalked toward them and faced the others. "How can you all accept someone who had abandoned us before?"

It was Long Jie that stepped forward, his hands crossed behind his back. "Because we chose her to be," he said sharply. 

Shi Yen raised a hand as if to silence them both. She regarded what Long Jie said, but then she spoke. "I spent the last year and a half recovering from a near-fatal injury. During that time, someone else had resumed my place, but someone else used him as a pawn. He's no longer fit for the position, but I am. And last I heard, I'd have to die for someone to replace me if I don't want to withdraw. If you wish to challenge me, then do so." 

Yuan Shun widened his eyes. He knew that she still hadn't recovered from her new injury, and it was one that wouldn't heal so quickly. 

He watched as the Tortoise King shift slightly. It was a battle to the death, and it was a challenge many were not willing to participate in. The Tortoise King was assessing her. If she had reigned and survived this long, there was a reason for it, and he wouldn't make the mistake of challenging her in front of the entire council. 

Shi Yen then faced the entire hall, hard. "I know most of you have little faith in me. I hope that moving forward, I can prove that I can be as a good leader as I once was before. Today, I came to announce that I would be taking back what's mine, and I have brought someone with me," she gestured at Yuan Shun. "I understand that it's been a long time since we've had two people lead the Black Society. But as tradition goes, he's my consort and now the Emperor." 

With each word, she spoke with no affection, no emotion. It was as if there was no attachment between them, and Yuan Shun realized that she did it to protect him. If she displayed her affection for him in front of the council—as not all of them were to be trusted—it could be used against her. 

To those who never knew them personally, their marriage, to them, wasn't a love match. It was solely for convenience. 

Yuan Shun stepped to her side, and they both stalked toward the middle. 

"I want to know who's betrayed us," Shi Yen spoke icily. "And you all must be honest." 

The Scorpion prince stepped forward. Luo Tian. He was stepping in for Luo Wanting, and his father, the Scorpion King. 

Shi Yen arched a brow beneath her mask. 

He browed slightly. "Apologies, Lady Empress," he said. "But it was one of my people that betrayed us. He finds my leadership to be unimpressive due to the absence of the King and the First Prince. Therefore, he's riled up some people, encouraging them to take his side so that they can overtake the Black Society." 

Shi Yen was enraged, but she didn't show it. Reckless fools, she thought. "Find out which members have joined this rogue one," she said, glancing at Luo Tian and then to everyone else. "And do the same for the rest of you. There are traitors amongst us, and I won't have them plague our society. Punishment will depend on the severity of their betrayal. You are all dismissed." 

"What happened?" Yuan Shun finally asked. 

"There are some people who are craving for my power and are willing to do anything for it. I can't let them spy over my plans," she told him. 

Yuan Shun paid attention.

"That's why I can't let this go," she continued. "If I retire now, the black society will become like the Dark Forces." 

"Who are the Dark Forces?"

"They are unkempt, rogue, and unorganized factions that cause hell and create havoc for sport. We can't go that route." 

Yuan Shun understood well. She couldn't have kept the meeting any longer because some of the traitors would overhear valuable information. But, tonight was about her reappearance. It was a message. And it said she was back. 

"I know I didn't ask you to join me, but I want to show them that I'm not alone, and not to be messed with. If you want to withdraw, that is okay, too."

Yuan Shun kept silent for a moment. Like hell, he'd withdraw. "I choose to stay by your side," he said. He didn't see her reaction, but he knew Shi Yen smiled.