Chapter 3 - Love?

" What were you thinking, locking away your soul in your sword?" The cold voice of the Emperor resounded in the room.

" I….was about to die. I.. couldn't…. leave like that without fulfilling my duty. '' Xing Mei whispered. She looked down at her perfectly manicured fingers. She couldn't bring her head up to look at the Emperor.

" I said, I would protect every disciple of mine even at the cost of my life. If you had made a mistake, your soul would be lost forever. What if I hadn't come in time?" The Emperor glared at her.

" Master. ...I..." She couldn't formulate a sentence.

" You thought I wouldn't care about you again, after what you did. Xing Mei, am I that heartless?"

She couldn't respond to his question.

" You know , the price to pay is huge. And you still went ahead to do it. I didn't expect that from you. "

At this, she raised her head up.

" Master, I love him. " She said affectionately.

The Emperor's eyes had a sharp glint in them.

" Love? Love? He doesn't love like you do. The bastard was already married with children, and you had no idea. He tricked you. Love? It's just a weak emotion. When you are in love, nothing else matters. You lose your sense of reasoning. Why can't you understand that a demon, and a human can't be together?!!! Xing Mei, open your eyes. " The Emperor rebuked her,

" Master.!!! You have never been in love, that's why you don't understand what I am saying.!!!" She shouted back at her master in a fit of rage. She was already out of the bed with a finger pointed at the Emperor.

" Xing Mei…"

Her anger dissipated immediately she heard the Emperor's cold voice. She went down on her knees, with sagged shoulders.

" Master….I…"

" Enough. Even after staying in the snow world, you haven't let go." The Emperor said coldly.

He turned around and took a few steps forward.

" When he saw who you truly were he was afraid. I don't want something bad or even worse to happen to you. You hate me?

It has been six years , can't you let it go? He has ascended the throne, and already has his third child. You are his mate, but he doesn't know or understand how it works. You love him too much, but he doesn't. You are in anguish, but he is in happiness. Your sacrifice was rejected. He didn't look for you once. Xing Mei…you have really fallen deeply. "

Xing Mei raised her head up, and looked at the straight back of the Emperor.

" Master…. …"

" If you don't believe me , go to him in your true form . I don't care if you hate me because of what I did to you. But if you let me catch a whiff of your hatred, I would kill you on the spot.

The fox Queen has given birth to the prince. Go pay your respect to her." The Emperor said coldly. Without a bit of emotion.

" Understood." Xing Mei said without an ounce of emotion.

" Remember, you are Yihua Palace Chief disciple. You are a role model to your juniors. " With that said, he left.

Xing Mei stood up and held her fist tightly.

" Master, I don't hate you. I can never hate you. In fact, I admire you. You are able to continue living after everything you went through. But I can't even let go. If you hadn't arrived, I would have died giving that bastard satisfaction. I promise, from now on I will be the disciple you always wanted me to be. "

" Bleaegh…." She coughed out a mouthful of blood. Her body wobbled , and she lost the strength to keep her body standing. She slumped to the ground, blood dripping from her mouth.

She slowly moved her legs, and criss-crossed them. She closed her eyes, and started cultivating. Soon, the blood stopped, and her pale complexion became rosy. She opened her eyes, which had a red hue in them.

She removed her robe, and wiped the blood dripping down from her lips.

She stretched her hand forward, and a white robe flew out from a cupboard afar. Red spiritual energy came out of her stretched hands, and controlled the robe. She was dressed in no time , without using any of her limbs.

She was dressed in a pure white robe. With a silver tassel hanging from her waist. On it was inscribed ' Chief Disciple'.

She opened her door, and walked out. She took out a teleportation talisman, and lighted it. In the blink of an eye, she vanished and appeared in front of a pavilion.

She walked into a courtyard full of plum blossom trees. They were in full bloom, and released a pleasant fragrance.

" You survived. " A cold voice stopped her in her tracks. She turned to the side to see a woman in a red flowy robe with pure white hair.

" Your Highness." She bowed her head, and greeted him.

The woman slowly turned around, and looked at her with piercing, magnetic red eyes. She was an androgynous beauty.

" Maybe…..I shouldn't have been expecting more from you. After all, no one has control over the emotions they feel. "

" Your Highness…."

Xing Mei raised her head up , and stood straight.

" Forget it. What has happened has happened. You are now a three tailed fox, thanks to the Emperor. I have never seen anyone achieve that in a short period of time. You are really lucky. As the fox Queen, my punishment for you is to become a five tailed fox before the war. After what you went through, I decided to be lenient with my punishment. Do you understand?"

" Yes, Fox Queen. " She cupped her fist forward, and said with determination.

" That's good. I presume you are here for the prince. " This time her voice was gentle, and she had a smile on her face.

" Yes. Immediately I was informed, I rushed here. " She dropped her hands to her side, and smiled slightly.

" Hughhh…..He is sleeping, but follow me. "

The fox Queen turned around and walked forward, while Xing Mei followed behind her.

' lenient? Fox Queen, your punishment is impossible. How can I became a five tailed fox in such a short span of time? Becoming a three tailed fox almost cost me my life, if not because of His Majesty. Ahhhhhhhhh.....I have to. That bastard is going to regret ever betraying me. '