"Talk?" she repeated, her tone softened. "Is there anything left to talk about?"
"Yes, Bai," Mason pleaded, his eyes filled with determination. "There's always something left to talk about."
A silent moment passed between them, the tension in the air palpable. Finally, Bai took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She folded her arms across her chest and said, "What do you want to know?"
"Why did you leave? Where did you go?" Mason asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Bai stared at him for a moment, her eyes searching his face for sincerity. She sighed, lowering her gaze to the ground. "I left because I needed to grow stronger. I needed to find my path."
"And attacking me?" Mason asked, feeling a knot in his stomach. "Was that part of your path?"
"No," she admitted, her gaze returning to meet him. "I wanted to see if you've changed. I needed to see if you're still the same Mason I once knew."
"Even if it costs you your life?"
Bai's eyes shimmered, her gaze turning serious. "If it meant getting your attention, yes."
Mason was taken aback. He hadn't expected such an answer. But he wasn't done. He needed to understand why she'd gone to such lengths, why she'd risked her life.
"But why?"
Bai sighed, a flicker of annoyance flashing in her eyes. "Because I knew you wouldn't kill me. You're not that kind of person, Mason."
'Right! But one issue, I might have the memories of your precious Mason, but I could have killed you if I didn't recognize you from those memories,' Mason thought sarcastically to himself. 'Well, at least it got my attention.'
"Maybe the old Mason wouldn't have, but things have changed, Bai," he responded with a sad smile, his words echoing in the quiet night.
She seemed to ponder his words before a smirk pulled at her lips. "You're right," she agreed. "The Mason I knew wouldn't be here trying to cultivate the Ascendant Realm."
Mason was taken aback by her comment. How did she know he was trying to ascend? He had deliberately delayed his ascension for a life of extravagance and a means of avoiding being the patriarch of his Sect, but Bai seemed to have known all along. A fleeting image of him leafing through ancient texts in his uncle's study flashed in his mind. She must have seen him there, he realized.
'She hid surprisingly well or my uncle and I were just distracted by the heat of the moment.' Mason pondered.
"Yes, I'm trying to ascend," he admitted. "But why is that of importance to you?"
Bai's smirk broadened, and she slyly tilted her head. "What if I told you I could assist you with that, Mason? Would you take my help?"
[I had told you, host]
'Am I meant to say thanks? Or kiss your invisible toes that even I can't see? I'd rather pretend and play dumb and see how this goes.' Mason thought sarcastically to Kitanai-kun as he stared at Bai with amusement.
"Assist me?" he questioned, his voice filled with curiosity as he raised an eyebrow. "I'm already attempting to ascend with my current efforts."
Bai's eyes sparkled in the moonlight. "Your efforts and methods will indeed take you to the Ascendant Realm, eventually," she acknowledged. "But it could take you years, maybe decades, who knows, centuries? Are you really prepared to wait that long?"
She paused for a moment, a shadow passing over her face. "I don't mind you having been with Fiona," she continued, a bitter edge creeping into her voice. "But we both know that she's not here right now and you've never had enough time. I could save you time, Mason. You could still dual cultivate with her since she has just a rank higher cultivation than I am. You're trying to figure out the mysteries of the Ascendant Realm in the ancient library while continuing to enjoy the mundane pleasures. I've been watching you. You're trying to balance two worlds."
Her words made sense. Mason did feel as if he was balancing two worlds. A world where he enjoyed his freedom and a world where he was expected to fulfill his duty.
Dual cultivation was a dangerous practice, often resulting in mutual destruction. But with Fiona and Bai, advanced cultivators, the risk was much less. Moreover, it was true he was running out of time to cross his fusion realm. He had avoided being serious about it for years, mainly due to his reluctance to give up his life of luxury. However, the current situation was demanding his attention.
"But why, Bai?" he finally asked. "Why would you help me? What do you stand to gain?"
Bai sighed, staring up at the sky. "A bargain," she said, turning her gaze back to Mason. "You help me rescue my brother from the Golden Dragon Dynasty, and I will help you reach the Ascendant Realm. It's that simple."
"I see," Mason murmured, mulling over her proposal. He looked at her, a serious expression on his face. "Why should I trust you, Bai? You tried to kill me tonight."
"I didn't try to kill you, Mason," Bai replied evenly. "I couldn't have, even if I tried. As you can see, you're still standing here and speaking almost as we had done those years ago."
"Yes, but why should I help you?"
Bai's gaze intensified. "It's the least you could do to help me, Mason. If you like, I won't ever show my face in front o... of you again."
Her eyes glimmered in the moonlight as she spoke. Mason could see the hurt in her expression and it was clear she was offering herself completely to him in exchange for his help in her plan to rescue her brother.
Mason sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. This was a lot to process. He looked up at Bai, meeting her wavering gaze. "If I agree to this, you have to promise me one thing," he said, his voice steady.
"What is it?" Bai asked, her brows furrowing.
"Promise me that you won't attempt to harm Fiona."
A long silence stretched between them as Bai contemplated his demand. Finally, she gave a curt nod. "I don't see how that's possible except your beloved is weak, but I guess it doesn't hurt to be concerned about her. Very well," she said, extending her hand. "Do we have a deal, Mason?"
Mason stared at her extended hand for a moment before finally reaching out and shaking it. "Deal," he said.
*****
As the sun rose the next morning, casting a golden glow on the magnificent kingdom of the Golden Dragon Dynasty, Fiona sat by the serene pond in the palace gardens. The entire landscape was bathed in soft, warm light, reflecting off the dew-kissed flowers and the shimmering waters of the pond. The air was crisp and fresh, with the gentle rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds adding to the tranquility.
She was deep in thought, her mind plagued with worries and insecurities. With her father's declining health and her mother's strict regime, she felt like a bird caged in a golden prison. She longed for Mason's comforting presence, his soothing words, his tender touch. But she was helpless, bound by her duties as a princess and her mother's expectations.
Suddenly, she heard the distant echo of a drum beating, stirring the peaceful morning calm. It was the signal announcing the arrival of new servants. As the drum beats echoed through the palace grounds, a middle-aged woman, wrapped in a sleek jade-green robe, walked briskly towards her.
This was Madam Lu, Fiona's lady-in-waiting. Her hair, peppered with gray streaks, was neatly coiled into an elegant bun. Her face, unlined but for a pair of deep-set eyes that held a stern, disciplinarian gaze, commanded respect. She was a woman of traditional values, who held the old ways of the court in high esteem.
"Young mistress, your presence is requested," she said, her voice deep and crisp, filled with authority.
Fiona looked up from her contemplation to meet Madam Lu's scrutinizing gaze. She was sitting cross-legged, an uncultured position in Madam Lu's opinion. The older woman frowned, disapproval etched clearly on her features.
'I know that look. I'm most comfortable this way, you know,' Fiona thought defensively.
"Your Highness, that posture is unbefitting of a princess," she chided gently, but with a firm note of authority. "A lady of your status should always maintain grace and dignity."
Reluctantly, Fiona unfolded her legs and rose to her feet. With a sigh, she followed Madam Lu toward the main hall where the new servants were being presented.
Upon entering the spacious hall, Fiona saw her mother, the Empress, sitting on a grand throne, her majestic presence dominating the room. Before her, seven male servants knelt, their heads bowed low. Stern guards were stationed behind them, ensuring they didn't dare lift their heads.
"Mother, why are there more servants?" Fiona asked, her voice resonating in the high-ceilinged hall. "We already have more than we need. We should let these people go. It is burdensome to have so many."
Her tone was indifferent, almost dismissive. But Fiona hoped her mother wouldn't see through her pretense and agree to release these men, returning them to their families. The Empress merely regarded her with an unreadable expression, and Fiona felt a flutter of anxiety.
'Shit! Why did this new reality give me such parents?' Fiona thought bitterly as she shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another. 'Maybe I'll just keep pretending I don't care and see how it goes.'
Just as her mother was about to respond, something unusual caught Fiona's eye. One of the servants, a young man not much older than herself at least in appearance, began to struggle against the guards' grip. Against all odds, he managed to raise his head, risking a glance toward Fiona.
His features were sharp and well-defined, an unusual contrast to his ragged appearance. A dark mop of hair fell over his forehead, but it didn't conceal his eyes— ocean-blue eyes that were filled with a strange mix of murderous intent and amusement. A wicked smirk played on his lips, and Fiona's heart thudded in her chest.
'What's with that aura and look?' Fiona thought as she stared at him with wide eyes, trying to make out that the details of this young man were unknown to her, yet there was something familiar about his features.
He resembled someone she knew, someone she had caught a glimpse with a few years ago. But the murderous look in his eyes terrified her. Why was he looking at her like that? And why did he seem so familiar?
As these thoughts raced through her mind, she felt an icy chill run down her spine. The young man's smirk broadened, a sinister amusement glinting in his eyes. And then he spoke, his voice sending a shiver through the grand hall.
"Long live Princess Fiona," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm and mockery. "I'm looking forward to our time together."
And with that cryptic statement, he was forcefully pushed back down by the guards, his amusement-filled eyes never leaving Fiona's shocked face. The room fell silent, and Fiona felt a sense of dread and foreboding grip her heart.
Her mother got to her feet in rage, glaring down at the servant with a look of unmitigated fury on her face. "How dare you!" she thundered furiously at the servant who dared address her daughter with such insolence.
'Mother... you don't need to add–'
"How dare you speak to my beautiful daughter in such a disrespectful manner!!"
Fiona felt a lump rise in her throat as her mother's voice echoed in the grand hall until she calmed down and ordered her guards to escort the servants to their quarters. Her mind was still focused on what that mysterious servant's words possibly meant. What was his connection to her? And what could happen next?
She knew she shouldn't care, but the image of his mocking smirk burned into her mind, filling her with dread. What was it about him that reminded her of someone? Was there some deeper connection between them?