After Ying Yue and Jianyu helped the couple reunite, they informed Ying Yue and Jianyu of their situation. Ying Yue offers what was left of her water to the man and tells him to keep the water jug.
"My name is Ying Yue; this is my husband Jianyu. Can you tell us what happened here?"
"My name is Wan Zhe. My wife is Shao Jiang. I'm sure she's mentioned that I am the last remaining royal member of Shanliang's royal bloodline."
"She has informed us a bit on it, but can you go into details? I knew Shanliang was once a thriving kingdom. It's hard to see it come to ruins in only a few years."
"Ying Yue was it? I'd be more than happy to share my kingdoms history if you're willing to listen. It wasn't this bad until five years ago. After Xinjing withdrew their troops and cut off our food and water supply we've been reduced to this state. Those who could leave, left. And those like us, who couldn't; stayed behind."
"How many people are there left?"
"Counting my family and those alive, I'd say there is about two hundred of us left."
"If you've been here for a while, have you noticed anyone strange here lately?"
"Who are you looking for? If its someone I've seen, I will remember them."
"A man looking to be in his mid-twenties, with red hair. Like my husband."
Jianyu removes the spell on his hair and reveals his beautiful naturally red hair. The man claims he never saw someone with that hair color, but his wife Shao Jiang claims she knew who they were searching for.
"Ah, I think I know who you're talking about."
"You do? Where have you seen this man?"
"About ten days ago. A man who with red hair came by with some girl. He told me he was looking for a resting place. I told him this was all that was left of Shanliang. Although he smiled, and thanked me his eyes weren't smiling. I believe they headed towards the ruins of the palace."
"Hah, of course. Thanks Shao Jiang. We'll be sure to be back for you two."
Ying Yue looks at Jianyu and motions to him that it was time to confront Bai Chun. In mere seconds, Jianyu was able to chant a spell and open up a portal connected to the ruins of Shanliang once royal palace.
All that was left was half a building of what used to be the throne room. There was nothing but barren land and the remains of fallen palaces. Ying Yue clenches her fist and grabs onto Jianyu.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes…I'm fine Jianyu. I knew we would have to face him sooner or later."
Just as Ying Yue was about to take a step, the face of a familiar woman walks towards her and Jianyu from what was left of the entrance to the throne room.
"It's you, Song Qiu."
"Oh? I'm surprised you remembered my name."
"You know who she is?"
"Yeah, at one point I locked her in a prison."
The woman blushes as she remembers what Ying Yue did to her.
"Stop talking about that!"
"Well, why are you here?"
"I'm merely here to guide you on Bai Chun's order. Now, if you'll follow me, he's been expecting you two."
Ying Yue clenches onto Jianyu's hand as he leads the way. Taking a deep breath Ying and Jianyu silently follows Song Qiu into the dark dirty halls of the throne palace.
"This way."
After following the woman for five minutes, they all finally came to a stop. The woman opens one of the doors and asks for Ying Yue and Jianyu to enter. As Ying Yue stepped into the room that was missing half it's ceiling; she could smell the scent of rotting flesh.
Jianyu chants a spell and lights the dark room to find a shadow sitting on the throne.
"Ah, so we finally meet face to face my nephew."
"Bai Chun! You have no right to call me that after all you've done!"
"And that's fine. So nice for you two to come out of your way to see me as I'm wasting away."
Bai Chun finally steps out of the shadow and into Jianyu's created light. Ying Yue's jaw drops at the sight of seeing Bai Chun rotting away while he was still alive.
"I know, it's revolting. But looks like my time is coming to an end. Why have you come here?"
Ying Yue lets go of Jianyu's hand and walks closer to Bai Chun.
"MinZhu asked me to help you."
"Pffft…you're lying."
"I am not! MinZhu is unable to rest because she feels guilty for allowing you to go down this path!"
"You...you know of my story with MinZhu?"
"Yes....yes I do!"
Bai Chun remained silent as Ying Yue went on to tell him of Jianyu's mothers last regret. Jianyu who was silent finally walks closer and pulls out the scroll he took from the black chest.
"Bai Chun, why did you want this scroll? It wouldn't benefit you to have this scroll as the user is sacrificed in return for a wish."
"I'm aware of that. I was an idiot to believe that crown prince in Xinjing. Used and thrown away and now I am just wasting away. Day after day until there's nothing left of me. Look at me, my flesh is rotting away and every time it does…...I feel unbearable pain. I'm aging faster than ever. In just three days I look like an old man in his sixties now."
Ying Yue moves in front of Jianyu and reaches to her waist and pulls out her sword. With only ten feet between them, Ying Yue glares down at Bai Chun.
"Let me help you Bai Chun. As much as I hate you for what you've put me through, you are still Jianyu's only surviving family left. Given the choice I'd rather let you rot and suffer to death, but I know MinZhu would be sadden by it."
"You…...that sword…. what is it?"
"A divine artifact of the heavens. This is what Xinjing wanted when they asked you to kidnap me."
"Hah, don't tell me you think that sword can save me."
"It killed a goddess centuries ago and was able to help her."
"Are you saying you want to slay me with that sword?"
"If I leave you as you are, you will become a roaming spirit upon your last breath. You'll never reincarnate, or be able to rest. But if you die to my sword, at the very least you'll find some peace and be given the chance of reincarnation."
Bai Chun remains silent as he thinks of what Ying Yue was just telling him. Unsure whether to believe her or not, Bai Chun scoffs at the idea before forcing his aching body to stand up and walk towards Ying Yue. With only two feet between them now, Bai Chun grabs onto Ying Yue's blade and points it to his heart.
"Then do it. I've lived far too long and have grown tired of it."
Ying Yue turns to look at Jianyu who then moves closer to Ying Yue and places his hand on top of Ying Yues. Ying Yue turns and looks at Bai Chun one last time.
"I pray…that in your next life you make smarter choices. I pray you meet MinZhu on the other side one day."
"For someone I put through a lot you, sure are soft hearted."
"It's only natural to pray for the less fortunate."
"A word of warning then. Be careful of that prince. He's not human."
"What...what do you mean by that?"
"Who knows…..ahh…..I can smell my freedom any second now."
"Bai Chun! Wait!"
Before Ying Yue could get an answer, Bai Chun had already rammed the sword through his heart. With not even a drop of blood from the wound, Ying Yue watched as Bai Chun slowly fell to his knees and become limp. Ying Yue finally let's go of her sword as Bai Chun falls over with the sword still in him. In mere seconds Ying Yue and Jianyu watched as Bai Chun turned into white light particles and vanished into thin air.
"What…..what just happened? Damnit Bai Chun!"
"Ying Yue are you alright?"
"Yes….I'm fine."
"Don't cry for those who don't deserve your tears."
"I…I'm not crying! I'm mad!"
"Sure….sure.."
Jianyu pulls Ying Yue into an embrace and holds onto her as Song Qiu walks back into the room. Staying a good few feet away from the couple, Song Qiu bows and thanks them for helping Bai Chun.
"Thank you for helping my master."
"Wait, Song Qiu! What did Bai Chun mean by saying the crown prince of Xinjing isn't human?!"
"That says it all already doesn't it?"
"What is he then?!"
"I don't know that myself. I would like to go and mourn for my fallen master. If you'll excuse me."
With those parting words she quickly disappears into the darkness of the hallways.
"Jianyu I'm fine, let's head back to Wan Zhe."
Ying Yue wipes away her tears and grabs her sword and shoves it back into her scabbard. Taking one last glance at the empty throne room, Ying Yue follows after Jianyu into another portal. Slowly opening her eyes, Ying Yue finds herself back to where the others were waiting.
"Ying Yue you can open your eyes."
"Ah, sorry Jianyu. Wan Zhe, would you and your people like to take shelter in the dragon kingdom until we help you rebuild Shanliang?"
"You…you're from the dragon kingdom? I'm so sorry for not realizing it! Is….is that alright for us to come along though?"
"Yes, right Jianyu?"
"Heh, whatever my empress wants. Of course, my people may object but seeing as you're war refugees they will not be able to turn you and your people away. So, what do you say?"
"Of course! Let me accept and thank you on behalf of my people!"
Wan Zhe falls to his knees and continues to bow and thank Jianyu.
"You've done a lot of portals today; you must be reaching your limit. We can take as many people as we can and send the head priest to come for the rest. Will that be alright Jianyu?"
"You know me well, my empress."