Pouring fresh tea into the cups, Wan Xin stood happily watching as Meng Su and Ding Yiu conversed with one another. It felt so natural for the three of them to be together like this, Wan Xin couldn't be happier right now.
"Meng Su, you should've tried waking me up sooner," Ding Yiu complained, "I've wasted a good year not really doing anything."
"I would've done so if I knew when's the best time to make you switch," Meng Su countered with reason. "Besides, you're forgetting I've never properly met Xiao Yiu. I can't possibly approach her out of nowhere." Meng Su then pouted, "Ding Ding you meanie. How can you complain to me like this? You know I've missed you to the point of heartbreak."
"You're exaggerating," Wan Xin commented, causing Meng Su to reach out and pinch her cheeks.
The two now struggled as Wan Xin protested and Meng Su wouldn't let go. Ding Yiu smiled, seeing the two get along so well. She was relieved her decision to take Wan Xin in wasn't wrong after all. Ding Yiu caught Meng Su's quick wink at her. They were most likely having the same thoughts about Wan Xin. To both Ding Yiu and Meng Su, Wan Xin's blind devotion to repay Ding Yiu's spur of the moments kindness, was akin to a breath of fresh air in their world, where nearly everyone else was just a heartless, greedy and self-centred bastard. Though, the unique bond of trust and attachment developed between Ding Yiu and Meng Su could also be viewed as something rare and valuable within the underworld business. Wan Xin finally gave up and apologized, so Meng Su let go of her cheeks.
"Ding Ding," Meng Su now focussed back on Ding YIu, "didn't you plan for Xiao Yiu to be awake for the past year? I assumed there was a reason you didn't switch more often."
It was a question that certainly unnerved Ding Yiu. Of course she didn't plan for Xiao Yiu to be active for almost an entire year. It just happened that despite the bullying, Xiao Yiu had been living peacefully alone in Ping Tian Palace. There just wasn't any 'danger' that triggered Xiao Yiu to switch. This was an on-going problem Ding Yiu was aware of. [There's not really a proper solution or much I can do though], Ding Yiu thought to herself.
"It was only a few months ago I last saw you," Meng Su continued, "that was when you informed me of Xiao Yiu's circumstances in Ping Tian Palace. Has that changed now?"
"Potentially, I've changed that for her today," Ding Yiu admitted, "I took Wan Xin and left the palace."
"You did what?" Meng Su almost shouted. "Ding Ding, you do realize you are considered Prince Ping's wife. The punishment for a runaway consort could be severe." Meng Su swivelled around to stare at Wan Xin. "Wan Xin, did you not try to stop her from doing something so reckless?"
A guilty Wan Xin sadly shook her head. Meng Su rolled her eyes, knowing better than to rely on Wan Xin to keep Ding Yiu in check. In the past, it drove Meng Su crazy whenever Ding Yiu decided to take the most reckless options. Even she struggled to control Ding Yiu during those moments.
"So now you're a runaway consort," Meng Su frowned, "what are you going to do?"
"Nothing," Ding Yiu casually replied, "we can deal with this after I switch with Xiao Yiu." Seeing Meng Su about to protest, Ding Yiu quickly demanded, "tell me the current situation of the underworld business. Any news I need to be aware of?"
Meng Su sighed letting the issue drop. Ding Yiu was right. They should concentrate on more important matters, and figure out how to deal with Xiao Yiu's situation later. "To be honest, nothing has changed since the last time we met," Meng Su informed. "There's been fewer large trades since the Falcons have started to interfere. Things have been quiet."
"Aren't the Falcons, a special investigative unit led by the Emperor's younger brother, Lord Lan Ling?" Ding Yiu tried to recall, "I've heard rumours he's one difficult person to deal with."
"Indeed he is," Meng Su confirmed, "he's merciless towards those operating in the underworld business. The tricky thing is, he also possesses one of those Gods weapon."
"Gods weapon?" Wan Xin repeated, unable to help but interrupt. "Isn't that just a whimsical thing you made up from your fantasies?"
Ding Yiu and Meng Su looked at one another, concerned that Wan Xin clearly had a disbelieving expression on her face. It seems there was still a lot for Wan Xin to learn.
"Meng Su, what did you tell Wan Xin?" Ding YIu asked.
"I told Wan Xin all the main facts about Gods Weapon. Honest!" Meng Su was annoyed. She looked at Wan Xin speaking, "listen, Gods Weapons are unique weapons in this world that has special powers. It's unknown how many there are, but most of the found Gods Weapons are in the hands of the Royal Xia family." Seeing Wan Xin was properly listening, Meng Su continued, "No one knows where these weapons originated from. It's just known that not anyone can use a Gods weapon. The user or owner has to be chosen by the weapon. Are you taking this in?"
Wan Xin still had a doubtful look. Meng Su immediately turned to Ding Yiu for help. [I can't possibly say things simpler than this for her to understand. You say something], Meng Su kept rolling her eyes at Ding Yiu.
"For an ordinary person like Wan Xin who's never seen a Gods weapon before, it's hard for her to picture," Ding Yiu contemplated. "Meng Su, we might as well just show Wan Xin."
"Ding Ding, do you mean..." Meng Su began, then a smile formed on her face, "I suppose Wan Xin will have to know eventually." Meng Su stood up, moving over to do a quick check that the door and windows were firmly shut. "No one's awake at this time in the day. We're safe."
"Wan Xin, watch me closely," Ding Yiu ordered, her lips curling into a slight malicious smile. She closed her eyes. Instantaneously a golden, rising dragon mark appeared next to her left eye. The mark strangely glistened as though it was alive. When Ding Yiu opened her eyes again, Wan Xin yelped out in shock. Ding Yiu's left eye was golden, her pupils turned red, whilst her right eye remained normal.
"Xiaojie... what's going on? Your eye..." Wan Xin stammered to say. She was worried and overwhelmed at the same time.
"Don't worry," Meng Su moved over to gently squeeze Wan Xin's shoulders for comfort. "What you're seeing now is one of those Gods Weapon. Ding Ding has the Dragon Soul Stone."
"Xiaojie's eye is a Gods Weapon?" Wan Xin couldn't believe this.
"Correct," Ding Yiu confirmed, tracing a finger over her dragon mark. "This Dragon Soul Stone's unique ability allows me to store it inside my left eye. Don't be too surprised it isn't in a more conventional form like a sword."
"Please, this Dragon Soul Stone is more powerful than any sword," Meng Su said excitedly, "it's got one of the most unique abilities I've ever seen. The summoning and manipulation of a dragon's soul."
Wan Xin's eyes went wide, her lips parting to form a little oval shape of astonishment. Meng Su was satisfied with that reaction. When she first saw Ding Yiu use the Dragon Soul Stone years ago, she had the same shell-shocked feeling. But the more she saw Ding Yiu use it, the more she admired such a peculiar and powerful ability.
"There's a limit to how much Ding Ding can use this Gods weapon though," Meng Su went on, "it takes a lot of willpower to control the ability. Misusing it can damage one's own body."
"There's one more thing you need to know about Gods weapon," Ding Yiu added, "whenever a user of a Gods weapon activates its ability, a strange mark, such as this one on my face will appear on a part of their body."
Wan Xin nodded, this time fully taking in the details. "I think I'm starting to understand," Wan Xin assured the two. "But Xiaojie, how did you get your hands on a Gods Weapon? Aren't they rare in the world?"
"Gods weapon are incredibly rare in the world. So far only 9 are found, and 6 of them are already in the hands of the royal family," Ding Yiu replied. She closed her eyes, the dragon mark disappearing from her face. "My mother was holding onto the Dragon Soul Stone when she died. I don't know how or where she obtained it from." Ding Yiu opened her eyes, both looking normal again. "There's a chance her death is linked to these Gods weapon. That's why I've been searching for them as well."
"I understand," Wan Xin assured again with a smile. "I'll remember all this."
"Aww, you're so cute when you're trying," Meng Su cooed, rubbing Wan Xin's head.
This caused Wan Xin to protest and wriggle away from Meng Su. But much to Wan Xin's surprise, Ding Yiu decided to come over and start patting her head too. Wan Xin gave up, letting the two pet her until they were satisfied.
"Speaking of searching for these Gods weapon, I've heard a rumour regarding the whereabouts of one of them," Meng Su said. "There's a rising underworld merchant who claims to have obtained a Gods weapon. He's passing by the village, next to the small town just near the outskirts of the capital city. It's about a day's journey away. Are you interested?"
Ding Yiu moved to open the door, "let's go."
Half a day passed by. Despite Meng Su's claim the journey to their destination would be at least a day, they somehow made it here just before night approached. Ding Yiu had transferred a dragon's soul into their carriage. Nothing looked out of the ordinary to the naked eye. It was a simple plain wooden carriage, minus horses attached to pull it. However, once the carriage started moving at a pace faster than any horse could gallop, Wan Xin sensed it. The carriage moved like a dragon. It probably was momentarily a dragon. Meng Su seemed to just accept the strangeness of all this, but Wan Xin had plenty of questions. She wanted to ask how Ding Yiu's ability really worked. What were the limits? Though Wan Xin kept quiet, thinking this wasn't the right time to ask all of these.
The three stepped out of the carriage. Ding Yiu had changed out of Xiao Yiu's consort clothes, into something lighter and easier to move in. She was dazzling, wearing a slightly daring, off the shoulder silver and pastel blue dress that showcased her fine figure. Her hair was also half tied up into a beautiful, elegant style with a white silk ribbon. Meng Su on the other hand was in her typical, lavish, seducing attire, never forgetting her signature umbrella. Wan Xin simply didn't bother changing out of her maids clothes from Ping Tian Palace. They were of good quality, so she wasn't going to waste it.
"What's the plan?" Meng Su probed, twirling her umbrella. She was already impatient for action.
Ding Yiu first turned to Wan Xin, "you stay here by the carriage."
"Xiaojie, why can't I come with you?" Wan Xin immediately protested.
"Be good Wan Xin," Ding Yiu said, "it's for your own safety. I and Meng Su may not be able to protect you."
Wan Xin had a clear look of disappointment on her face. She knew it was due to her lack of skills in martial arts. Meng Su was actually a very strong fighter despite her looks, and Ding Yiu had a Gods weapon. Wan Xin however was a weakling. Her only talent was her knowledge of herbs and medicines. She also had an uncanny sense for poison. Though such skills were useless for fighting or protecting herself. "If only I was stronger," Wan Xin muttered.
"Don't be so down," Meng Su chipped in, "making sure our carriage is safe and intact is an important task. We need it to travel back home."
Wan Xin let out a sigh. "Go. I'll stay here by the carriage. Since we're parked a little away from the village entrance, it should be safe."
Ding Yiu gave Wan Xin a pat on the head before entering the village with Meng Su. It wasn't a big village in terms of population, but the houses and sporadic stores were fairly spread out. They could already see the few villagers retiring into their homes for the day. Well, in another hour or so the sky would start to turn dark and there wasn't any point being outside. They had walked about a quarter of the way into the village when Ding Yiu noticed something strange. She put her hand out to stop Meng Su from going further and motioned for them to hide around a corner, out of sight. They stared at two suspicious looking men sitting on the doorsteps of one of the houses. The two men holding an empty bowl, were dressed in ragged clothes, their hair and appearance messy. Beggars. Ding Yiu and Meng Su would believe the two men were beggars if only they weren't wearing such high quality shoes. The way the two men were constantly alert and looking around was also suspicious. Observing the house the two men were sitting in front of, it appeared occupied, with candle lights emitting from the windows.
"Those two are definitely not beggars," Meng Su commented. "They're more like guards. You don't suppose that's the underworld merchant inside?"
Still observing the house and two men, Ding Yiu confidentially said, "It's not the underworld merchant. If my guess isn't wrong, the underworld merchant is probably staying a little further in the village, near the back where it's easy to leave unnoticed."
"Then what's with those two men?" Meng Su stared, "I can't shake off this feeling that they're not normal villagers."
"Meng Su, we need to split up," Ding Yiu calmly assessed the situation. "You'll distract the one inside that house. I'll take the opportunity to move further down the village to where I think the merchant is based. We'll meet up with Wan Xin after."
"Is it necessary to deal with whoever's inside that house?" Meng Su complained, not wanting to leave Ding Yiu's side. "Can't we just avoid them? Take a way around route to the back of the village to find the underworld merchant."
"Whoever's inside that house is going to get in our way," Ding Yiu stated, "I don't want to take chances. If there is a Gods weapon here, I have to take it."
"Then Ding Ding, remember to bring back some goods from the merchant," Meng Su reminded. She wasn't going to argue with Ding Yiu. In Meng Su's memory, Ding Yiu rarely made any mistakes. She was almost always right in assessing their situation, their opponents and devising their best strategy. [That's how she's slowly built up her name as 'Mi Hou'], Meng Su reminded herself, [Liu Ding Yiu knows how to survive. And I, must know how to best play my part in her plans]. Meng Su stood, making her way towards the two fake beggars.
Sitting very calmly inside the house, surrounded by a few of his most talented guards was a man in his mid-twenties. Poised with a serene expression upon his face, he appeared angelic. Though there was a hint of casualness as his long black hair was loosely, but neatly tied to rest on his right shoulders. He playfully tapped his fingers on the exquisite bow lying on the table before him. It was a unique looking bow that imitated the moon. Its perfect ivory curve marked with azure stars emitted an eerie glow, matching the sharp azure bowstring that was strangely curved outwards, to make a more moon-like shape than being a vertical line. The man stopped his playful taps hearing the sudden commotion outside. His guards instantly went into a defensive stance around him.
One of them moved to the window to take a closer look. He turned back to address his master, "Lord Lan Ling, it appears a drunken prostitute has started an argument with the two posing as beggars outside. Should we deal with her?"
Xia Lan Ling raised an eyebrow, "a drunken prostitute?" [There isn't a brothel in this village. A travelling prostitute wouldn't be interested in a poor place like this either], he pondered. [Even drunk, it's not convincing a prostitute would pick a fight with some beggars]. He took hold of his bow, [she appeared now when I'm about to catch the underworld merchant….] Lan Ling stood up. "Someone is after my prey. We're going to make our move now."