The Princess And The Lord

Lory's heart was beating fast as a mixture of emotions engulfed her. She was anxious, nervous with a touch of adrenaline rushing through her veins. Her fingers twitched with excitement as the long-forgotten addictive sensation returned.

"Are you nervous?" Zhao Li Xin saw her shaking hand and asked.

"No. I just can't wait…" Lory smile turned devilish. Expectation filled her eyes. There was no fear.

Zhao Li Xin sighed as he saw another side of his little savior. His feelings were still mixed when he thought of her entering the tomb, "Don't stray away from me!"

"I'll try my best!" Zhao Li Xin frowned at Lory's vague answer.

They turned to look at the footsteps behind them and saw a dozen men and women in white robes. The Heavenly Jade Pavilion members were the second group to arrive. Other people in different uniforms were right behind them. It was clear another group had joined the Heavenly Jade Pavilion in the journey through the forest. 

Huang Ni Yang was elated to see Zhao Li Xin but the same could not be said for Huang Zi Feng. The Huang brother still felt inferior before the handsome Hei Shen Sect members, most especially Zhao Li Xin. Huang Zi Feng scowled at Zhao Li Xin who only glanced at him for a second before looking away.

Huang Ni Yang, however, couldn't hide her disliked for Lory especially when she saw Zhao Li Xin holding Lory's hand. She didn't understand why Zhao Li Xin liked Lory who wasn't as beautiful as her. Like everyone else, she saw Lory as a waste who couldn't cultivate. She also didn't think Lory had a better background than her. All those facts should have lessened Lory's worth.

"Young master, are you sure you want to take her with you?" Huang Ni Yang revealed her jealousy. She put on a concerned face; a soft gaze that would make one believe she meant well but Zhao Li Xin could see behind the façade. "The tomb is very dangerous. A weak woman like her might not get out alive."

"SCRAM!" Zhao Li Xin said in a low but clear voice as malice filled his eyes. He hated women like Huang Ni Yang as they reminded him of Consort Ying.

Huang Ni Yang was shocked. She didn't understand Zhao Li Xin's anger towards her yet she was trying to be nice to him. Her gaze turned to the floor in imitation of a bullied young girl. Some people pitied her as they threw blaming looks at Zhao Li Xin for being rude.

Huang Zi Feng's eyes flashed with fury. This was the second time Zhao Li Xin humiliated his younger sister, "My sister is just showing concern for that woman. You should be thankful instead!"

"Concern? It sounded like a curse to me," Zhao Li Xin scoffed. He hated pretentious women like Huang Ni Yang. His next words hit Huang Ni Yang right in the chest, "And I don't know her yet she keeps talking to me... It's annoying,"

None of the people present could understand why Zhao Li Xin kept embarrassing Huang Ni Yang even though they had not been formally introduced. It was clear to all Huang Ni Yang was fond of Zhao Li Xin but it was also clear he detested her. Zhao Li Xin kept looking at her like she was disgusting.

"I didn't mean to curse her. I just don't want her to drag you down," Huang Ni Yang's eyes turned moist with tears. She pursed her lips like she was wronged. Her pitiful expression stirred the hearts of the men who watched her and the urge to protect her blossomed.

"Young master, this kind lady only cares for you. You don't have to be mean to her," One of the young men defended Huang Ni Yang.

"Yes. Having a woman beside you doesn't mean you have to humiliate other women," Another man scowled at Zhao Li Xin.

"Yang'er, don't be sad. This kinda man isn't worth it," Huang Zi Feng comforted his sister as they acted as victims before a tyrant.

"Nice…nice performance!" Bei Li Yan clapped his hands at Huang Ni Yang and Huang Zi Feng's act. "You first came to our lord cursing our young miss, then you tell our lord that our young miss would drag him down without an apology. Is it a surprise our lord got angry? It's good enough that our Lord didn't throw you off the bridge."

Bei Li Yan's mockery stunned the audience as they realized Huang Ni Yan had indeed offended Zhao Li Xin. It was wrong for the crowd to interfere and curse at Zhao Li Xin.

Huang Zi Feng clenched his jaw while Huang Ni Yang's face turned red from shame and anger. This was the first time they failed to deceive others. They used to be able to change things from black to white but they made themselves look like fools this time around. They wonder who the people in the handsome group were and if they really didn't know them.

[Lory, something is approaching and it is big] Girsha warned Lory through their telepathic connection.

Lory became anxious [What is it?]

[I don't know, but you should run, NOW!]

Lory gasped at his words. She pulled Zhao Li Xin and Bei Li Yan's hands as she screamed, "RUN!!"

Zhao Li Xin and Bei Li Yan had no choice but to follow her. Jin Hao and the Mong brothers were unsure what was happening but chose to run after their lord. The other people were left confused when they saw them run. 

"Ri Yi, what happened?" Zhao Li Xin asked as he saw Lory's panicked eyes.

"Something big is coming. RUN FAST!" Lory was still dragging them as she ran frantically.

Zhao Li Xin and Bei Li Yan looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Zhao Li Xin swiftly picked Lory and used his Gin Qong to increase his speed and Bei Li Yan also did the same. They trusted Lory and followed what she said. She was a mysterious woman who at times knew something they didn't.

A deafening roar and thundering thump shook the ground suddenly came close to the bridge. The bridge almost crumbled from the impact. Huang Ni Yang's group and the rest looked at each other in panic as it dawned on them what was happening. A giant beast as tall as a twenty-floored building headed their way.

It looked like a bison with a humongous horn above its ears. It had three eyes and dark long but dirty thick fur over its face. Its furless body looked like wrinkled skin. Its protruding mouth revealed a raw of sharp teeth and long front fangs. It was a four-legged beast but stood on its hind legs and attached with the front legs. It slashed bodies into two as it swung its front paws. It was a bloody scene enhanced by screams. 

Lory looked back and was amazed by the beast's size. Her eyes widened from shock, "What is the level of this beast?"

"HOLY SHIT!" Jin Hao calmly replied.

"Oh my…" Lory gasped.

They managed to get inside the ruined entrance but it was missing a door. This worried Lory as she knew the beast was fast enough to reach the entrance in less than five minutes. 

Huang Zi Feng and the others tried to fight the beast but they were quickly overpowered when the beast blew out fire from its mouth. Huang Zi Feng used the people beside him to shield himself from the fire.

'GREAT! It can breathe fire too!' Lory was exasperated.

Zhao Li Xin placed Lory on the ground and stared at the beast. He didn't feel any fear as he knew he could defeat the beast. The only thing that stopped him from fighting it was the beast's fire. The tomb could easily explode If his fire collided with the beast's fire. Zhao Li Xin knew he couldn't afford to destroy the tomb since Lory wanted to save someone inside it. 

'Lory, remember this… A beast is still an animal whatever the level. So, always think of them as ONE BIG ASS ANIMAL!'

"Big ass animal, big ass animal, big ass…" Lory recited Fargo's words. She could feel a draught coming from below the ground. She looked down and saw a crack. Lory knocked on the floor and heard the faintly sound of something crumble as the crack turned into a hairline. Lory jumped as the crack became bigger and the floor weakened. She looked up and saw a giant statue swaying to fall through the crack. 

"This…this might work…" Lory murmured.