"Remarkable," the Emperor’s voice echoed with a hint of admiration. "I was aiming for your neck, yet you sensed my sword at the last second and dodged. Tell me, are you Alpha or Beta? I smell nothing from you."
Hua Ren kept his jaw clenched, saying nothing, his entire focus was on sharpening his senses further. He could feel the Emperor moving, like a predator toying with its prey.
The Emperor sighed. "Last chance, rebel. Reconsider."
Hua Ren’s silence was his answer.
And then, Hua Ren heard it, the sound of a sword slicing through the air. He reacted instantly, bringing his dagger up to parry the strike aimed at his heart, the impact sending a shock up his arm. He leapt back, putting a considerable distance between them, but the Emperor was upon him in an instant, his boot heavily striking the back of Hua Ren’s head.
The blow sent his hat flying, and Hua Ren’s heart trembled in fear. His identity would be exposed!
But then, like a shadow summoned from nowhere, another figure in black appeared between them, his tall figure blocking Hua Ren from the Emperor’s view.
Hua Ren exhaled shakily, relief flooding him as he leaned gently against the back of his saviour, his heart slowly returning to it’s normal pace.
Sheng Fei had arrived just in time to shield him from the Emperor’s gaze.
"Are you okay?" Sheng Fei asked, voice low, as he turned his head slightly to look at the General’s pale face.
"I’m fine," Hua Ren whispered quickly, his voice tight as he tried to ignore the searing pain radiating from his shoulder. He was bleeding too much but he didn’t want to worry Sheng Fei because Sheng Fei had to focus on fighting the Emperor.
"I gravely injured your partner there." The Emperor chuckled darkly. "If you don’t stop the bleeding, he’ll most likely bleed to death."
Not believeing the Emperor, Sheng Fei shot him a sharp glare, gripping his sword tight. He thought the Emperor was spouting nonsense so as to distract him. This was the perfect moment to rid the world of the Emperor once and for all. He couldn’t miss such an opportunity.
The Emperor clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "Do you rebels care so little for each other? Are you so eager to kill me that you’d let your partner bleed to death right here?"
Hua Ren forced himself to straighten, ignoring the pain. "Don’t listen to him," he said, his voice hoarse. "Fight." Maybe what he couldn’t do, Sheng Fei would be able to.
But then Sheng Fei smelled it, blood, thick and heavy. Alarmed, he turned, concern flashing across his face as Hua Ren collapsed into his arms. He tried to steady him but froze when he felt Hua Ren’s blood soaked sleeve. The Emperor was saying the truth.
He cursed under his breath and turned to face the Emperor but there was no one there. The Emperor had disappeared, vanishing into the night. Sheng Fei’s jaw clenched as he sharpened his senses, straining to hear the distant sound of the Emperor’s hurried footsteps fading into the dark.
Just then, three of his subordinates arrived. Hua Ren, regaining his composure, gently pulled himself out of Sheng Fei’s embrace, standing tall once more. He could not be seen weak by anyone. Especially rebels.
"Should we chase after him?" Blaze asked, stepping forward.
Sheng Fei shook his head. "You’re no match for him. He’d kill you in an instant."
Blaze and the others fell silent, knowing he was right.
Rina glanced worriedly at Hua Ren’s arm, where blood continued to drip onto the ground. "Is the Ivory Warlord going to be okay?"
"I’ll be fine," Hua Ren replied before Sheng Fei could answer. "Are they safe?"
Blaze nodded, knowing that Hua Ren was referring about the people they had rescued. "They’re being transported to a safe house as we speak."
Hua Ren finally felt relieved. He turned to Sheng Fei with a nod. "This is where our cooperation ends."
He made a move to leave, but Sheng Fei caught his good arm, stopping him. "I understand, but let’s get you treated before you go."
Hua Ren felt an unbidden shiver course through him at Sheng Fei’s touch. He wasn’t used to it and it made him feel weird so he quickly withdrew his hand, hiding it beneath his sleeve. "Thank you, but I can manage. Just... make sure those people have a good life."
Sheng Fei sighed. He knew Hua Ren had suffered enough tonight, but he couldn’t stop himself from asking. "What about the Emperor’s proposal?"
Hua Ren paused mid-step and turned to meet Sheng Fei’s gaze. "After tonight, you already know my answer. I’ll deal with the Emperor in the morning. Thank you for opening my eyes, Sheng Fei, and also thank Qi Zhen for me. Tell him that I am sorry I didn’t listen to him sooner. I appreciate him not giving up on me."
"Is that all you want to say?" Sheng Fei asked, staring at the back of the Ivory Warlord, his white hair cascading down to his waist like a stream of moonlight. "There’s nothing else you want to tell me?"
Hua Ren closed his eyes, his breath shaky. What else was Sheng Fei expecting? He had just recieved a huge blow. He could not bring himself to utter words he would not be able to honour. "I know we just worked together but you’re still a Rebel, Sheng Fei." He said. "And I am a soldier of the Celestial Kingdom. This is the last time our paths will cross. Goodbye."
Before Sheng Fei could respond, Hua Ren leapt into the air, disappearing into the night with his flash-step technique.
Sheng Fei’s jaw tightened as he watched Hua Ren vanish. The last time their paths will cross?
He turned to his subordinates. "Get the auctioneer to our base and tell Kira I want answers. I’ll be back later."
Without waiting for a reply, he took off, moving swiftly in the direction Hua Ren had gone. There was no way he would let things end this way.