The earth king paused as he looked at Fengge smiling. Although he was trying his best to smile, what he wanted to do was to scold the living daylight out of his daughter. This daughter of his that has brought nothing but trouble to him.
"Not at all. I am just trying to talk sense to this unruly daughter of mine" The earth king said.
"Really? She's your daughter?" Fengge asked amused.
The banquet theme was a masked theme party which meant he wasn't supposed to have recognized her. But there was just something about her.....
"Greetings crown prince" Su Ying said bowing down.
"Please rise. Don't stand on ceremony. Today is such an auspicious day." Fengge said.
"Allow me to wish you happy birthday. With an outstanding crown prince like you, the three realms at bound to be at peace" The earth king said.
Just as Fengge was about to answer, they heard people murmuring.
"Look! Such an auspicious cloud!" They heard people say behind them.
Turning back, they saw all the guests present looking up at the sky so they decided to look up. Looking up in the sky, they saw clouds gathering in the sky. Together they were shaped like a big star. Just like the day he was born. The banquet had been held in open air. On top of a piece of rock.
The god of fate entered inside and looked up. Seeing the cloud in the sky, he smiled. Meanwhile, Fengge looked at the clouds in amusement. Every year when it was his birthday, this star appeared. At first, the celestials found it strange but later on, they took it to be auspicious based on the words of the god of fate.
Suddenly, all the celestials turned facing an open area which caused Fengge to follow the crowd. The first one to enter was the hot tempered fire god who as always was dressed in a red fur coat. The second one to enter was the heavenly king who was dressed in an elegant fur coat. Last was the ice god. Despite the fact that the heavenly king had managed to steal throne, the ice god still showed he had immerse powers in the heavenly realm.
The heavenly king had allowed this in order to show how filial he was. Many praised him for it but the ice god didn't care because he had still maintained his power. When all three of them were seated, Fengge came forward to greet them.
"Greetings first uncle. Greetings father. Greetings second uncle" Fengge said kneeling down.
"Rise dear nephew. Today is your birthday. How do you like your banquet? Is it to your taste?" The fire god asked.
"Replying to second uncle, the banquet is to my liking" Fengge said.
"See? Second brother, the crown prince is exactly like you. Filial and outstanding. The late heavenly queen did such a good deed" The fire god said causing the whole room to go silent.
Fengge held his breathe as he saw his father's face changed. Today was his birthday but also the heavenly queen's death anniversary. Since they had to choose one to celebrate, they had chosen his birthday which was considered auspicious. Talking about death could make the whole occasion inauspicious.
The heavenly king glanced at his junior brother who was sitting two steps down beside him. The ice god was sitting far away but one level below him. This was to show his supremacy and he was loving it. When it came to the fire god, he had always tried to do his best to stretch out his patience. This was because the fire god was the last of them three and their mother had always emphasized the need for them to look out for him. Taking a deep breathe, the heavenly king smiled.
"Yes. The late heavenly queen did give birth to an outstanding crown prince" The heavenly king said lifting up the atmosphere.
Thank you Father" Fengge said smiling unaware of his father's feelings.
"Okay. Bring in the dancers!" The heavenly king said.
The dance troupe came in amazing all the celestials with their dance. Just like all the celestials, the dance troupe was also wearing masks. Su Ying found herself amazed at the crown prince's mask. It was in the shape of a white lion which was both cute and adorable.
Suddenly, the dancers left and a girl entered with four people holding the gifts behind her.
"Greetings heavenly king. Greetings ice god. The nature realm sends their heartfelt wishes to the crown prince. The nature realm wishes you longevity and good health" The ambassador of the nature realm said.
"Thank you. Please enjoy the banquet" Fengge said.
"The dark realm offers nothing but its sincere wishes towards the remarkable crown prince. Wishing you a long life full of greatness" Tingzhe said raising his head smiling.
Fengge's eyes widened in shock as he looked at Tingzhe. He was surprised that they had sent Tingzhe to offer the gifts.
"Thank you. Please have a seat" Fengge said signaling Tingzhe to come and seat beside him.
After Tingzhe left, Fengge used his powers to make an extra chair with table of food for Tingzhe. When Tingzhe arrived to sit with him, the two friends laughed as they sat down. The heavenly king's eyes widened in shock at the sight of seeing Fengge seated with a demon lord's successor.
Many people from different clans in the heavenly realms also came to offer gifts to Fengge. Each year, Fengge was always the one to carry the most gifts. This year was no different.
"Look at him. He's so arrogant" Su Ying said.
"Su Ying, he is the crown prince. You shouldn't be talking about him like that. Besides, why do you hate him so much?" Jiu Bao asked.
"I don't hate him. Have you forgotten? When I was young, I adored the crown prince of the heavenly realm and wanted to be like him? I am just so disappointed that it is him" Su Ying said pointing at Fengge who was constantly laughing with Tingzhe.
"And see. He is laughing with a successor of a demon lord. Violating all the codes of the heavenly realm." Su Ying said.
"Matters between the heavenly realm and the dark realm right now is complicated. Now that the two important people of the two realms are friends, I don't think there will a war anytime soon. One should always strive for peace and the harmony of the three realms" Jiu Bao said.
"Why do you always have to scold me? Making me look bad" Su Ying said murmuring as she turned away crossing her arms.
Jiu Bao laughed at Su Ying who was acting immature.
"Maybe its because you are in love with him? I mean maybe you like him but you don't just realize it yet." Jiu Bao said teasing Su Ying.
"You are teasing me! I am going. The banquet is very noisy. Besides all the celestials are here." Su Ying said smiling.
"No Su Ying. Don't go anywhere. What if a celestial catches you snooping around?" Jiu Bao asked.
"Don't worry so much. Nobody will catch me and plus, they wouldn't even know I am missing. Bye!" Su Ying said leaving.
"You!" Jiu Bao said as she watched Su Ying leave.
Everywhere in the heavenly realm was indeed paradise. The flowers bloomed in blue color when it was night. She had walked for several minutes away from the banquet. Now, she was getting scared to admit to herself that she was getting lost. What if she walked into a forbidden area? The heavenly realm was strict on following rules and they showed no mercy in executing punishments.
Suddenly she stopped when she heard a beautiful melody. Judging by the sound of the melody, it wasn't too far from her. Walking deeper, she was finally able to locate where the melody was coming from. Her mouth dropped in shock when she noticed someone sitting down with a zither in front of him. His hair was bright blue and so was the color of his eyes. Dressed in white, Su Ying wondered why he was like that since white was for mourning.
He stopped playing immediately she started walking towards him. Her footsteps had been so quiet. Su Ying paused a few meters away from him laughing. She cracked her head trying to remember what celestial he was. If he was one, she would surely be able to remember him.
"What are you doing here?" The man asked.
Well, she shouldn't be calling him a man since he looked almost a few years older than her.
"I.... Well, you wouldn't believe this but I got lost. And I heard your melody. Its so nice. I can also play the zither." Su Ying said using her magic to conjure up a zither of her own.
She started playing a soft melody. Light and soft just as she had heard him play earlier. The tune made her feel light headed. Like all her worries had disappeared.
"You know how to play a time exactly even after just hearing it once?" He asked.
"Well, I have always been like that. Once I hear a tune, it never leaves my head" Su Ying said blushing.
Not paying any attention to her, he continued playing the zither like he did earlier. Su Ying stood happily listening the melody of the song he was playing. Using her magic once again, she conjured up a flute and started playing along with him. She smiled at just how skillful he was at playing the zither. Looking at his face once more time, the image of where she had seen him suddenly popped up in her head making her drop her flute in shock.
"I remember you! You are the god of sound" Su Ying said screaming
The god of sound stood up picking up his zither. Not saying a single word, he walked passed her and then disappeared leaving her alone.
"Really? Are all celestials jerks? Then, I'd rather be a demon!" Su Ying shouted into the night.