I was given a choice...on one side lie my freedom, while on the other...a bond which I never hoped for, a promise to be a caged bird....

"My princess....You are the only daughter that I have. No father in this world would ask his daughter to walk into the dark cave with no light to clear the path. But. We're no simple family. For us, the nation comes before anything else...I hope you make your decision carefully. The future of the whole county depends on you my dear. Not only of ours, also of the nation across the gate."

I could refuse it, refuse to be bound to someone I know not, someone I care not of, and someone who will never see me as anything other then a ticking bomb, ready to blast any minute. But if i choose my freedom, the green fields shall be painted red, and the moans of the dear ones of the dead will forever haunt me...So I did what I taught to do.....

"Father, I am ready to wed the Crowned Prince of Long Empire."

And that's how I became a caged bird, with no mates to speak to, kept eyes on 24×7 and what makes it worst, this place is so 'ancient'. No automobiles, no electricity, no anything and worse of all, no smartphone.

I didn't even know whom I got married to. Not until I saw him one autumn morning.

"Hey! You're the guy who destroyed my CTZ 2o1."

But I forgot I thing....he can't understand the way I speak. A reason why I had to spend three years to adapt to their culture and language before I got married.

Or... He did understand what I said...

"What is CTZ 2o1?"

It was the very first time I heard him talk. His voice was deep, and his tone was cold. His brow narrowed as he glared at me. He was every thing but cheerful and happy to see me. Then it came to my mind.

'I just yelled at the Emperor.'

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"It's already late, this lord shall stay here for the night." The Emperor said as sat down on the bed.

"Your Majesty, this room is not suitable for Your dragon body to rest. This Concubine shall arrange the guest room of the courtyard for His Majesty."

But before she could order her maid, a rough hand grasped hers and pulled her. The next thing she knew, she was already sitting on the Ye Jiao Long's lap.

His hand then hugged her waist so tight that Ah Li was unable to break free. His other hand caressed her face, his eyes locked with hers. Blood rushed on her face as she felt is warm breath on her neck.

"Why in such a hurry to send this Lord away? This Lord will spend the night here...on this bed...with you, my dear Concubine." His husky voice seeped out as he planted wet kisses across her neck.

Liang Jing Li tried to get up again, putting in every strength she had. But she was suddenly thrown onto the bed with Jiao Long's weight pressing her down.

"It seems like my lovely Concubine has a lot of strength in her even after cleaning the whole pine gargen. There is no use of getting the punishment if you don't get tired from it. Hmm...This Lord shall change it....so that you won't be able to get up for at least a week."

Jing Li's eyes showed horror, hoping the Emperor would spare her. Too bad, the smirk on his face contrast what she wished for.

Chaos. That's the word to describe the situation of the Royal Court of Ahzhi Empire. The appearance of the 3 pre-teens from the nowhere was cause of burning head ache of the Monarch. Emperor Liang.

"Your Majesty, we just can't let them slip away after committing such crimes." Said a Minister Yi.

"Absolutely. They should be given the consequences of entering Ahzhi without permission and attacking our citizen."

"We should give them the same treatment the gave us. We should attack their people."

People voiced their agreement to the minister. But another voice objected their demands.

"No. Your Majesty. We shouldn't take such hash decision without finding out the core of the problem. And. The boys are still young and immature, have barely crossed ten on age. Our constitution prevents from punishing juvenile children without proper reason."

"They attacked many citizens. What's a better reason there to find more than that they are a criminal!"

"Minister Yi, the boys may have attacked because they were scared. We can't just punish someone without proper trial. It's against our law."

Before Minister Yi could give a comeback, an voice toned up with authority stopped him.

"I agree with the Prime Minister. We need a proper investigation before taking any steps. Their appearance from the blue wall proves the myth of the existence to a different world."'And I only thought it was a myth.' Emperor Liang thought to himself.

"So what shall we do now Your Majesty." The Prime Minister said.

"Well shall send a team to investigate what's across the gate. Further decisions will be made after the investigation. Does anyone object?"

Seeing that nobody spoke against him, the Emperor dismissed the court and went to his study. As soon as he reached his study, he called for his assistant.

"Guan Ting!"

"Your Majesty."

A dark complexion boy with short black hair appeared for the Emperor, kneeling as he wait for the commands of his Lord.

"Where is Jai Hao?"

"My Lord, the Prince is improving his marksmanship."

"Tell him to come here immediately."

"Yes. My Lord." Saying that Guan Ting stood up to perform his task. But was once again stopped by the Emperor.

"Wait!"

"My Lord?"

"Where is Ah Li?"

"..."

Guan Ting kept silent as he diverted his eyes away from his master. Seeing the guilty look on his assistant's face, Emperor Liang frowned as he.

"Don't tell me she went to Daring Beam again!!"

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At the place knows as the Daring Beam, roars of the crowd could be heard from even outside the stadium. Everyone eager to win the bet they made. Some calling out For the black car, some for the red one. But most were calling out, "QUEEN LIYA"

The never ending cheer only got louder when the blue sport car lead the rest to the end of the track, winning the race.

On the track, the car stopped and then came out a beauty, which looked as of she's was the moon itself. A fair skin, flawless like a jade, and the long silver hair which looked like the silver stream of the full moon night.

"Damn! Li. Why do have to win all the time? At least give us some face before the chicks here. Eh?" Said the man who drove the red car as he eyed the girls who were taking care of the betting prices.

"Do you even have a face? If you do, then I think a shoe made from it could be quite good." Another man from the black car said.

"Shut up Jun. You're the thick skinned one." glared the first guy at the named person.

"I never said you were thick skinned. Looks like you know yourself well, mate."

His word simply turned the other guy red. The angered man was ready to attacked but was cut of by the silver beauty.

"Stop messing with Chen, Jun."

Happy with the support he got, Chen rose his head and repeated her words.

"Yeah. Stop messing with me. Or else i_"

"Or else he'll start throwing tantrum like a five year old kid."

The beauty did a high five with Jun as they laughed at the miserable look on their friends face.

"This is not funny. Why do you guys always gang up on me? It's not fair!" Chen said stomping his feet.

"Well. Get used to it mate. Cause that's how life is. It's never fair."

"Hmmph" The poor guy could only pout in annoyance.

"Miss Liya?"

The silver haired girl turned back to see Guan Ting.

"Guan Ting, what brings you here?"

Although she had already guessed the reason of his appearance, she still asked. Hoping that she didn't get caught again.

"Master asked for your presence. He...He seems to be less happy knowing Miss Li went here."

'I'm screwed!' was all she could think.

"Who's he talking about Liya?" Chen asked.

"My boss. I skipped my work to come here so he's not happy." She said making Guan Ting sweat at her lie.

'When did master become your boss, Young miss?'

"Your boss? When did you start working?" Jun asked.

"Just recently, as an assistant."

"But you_"

"Sorry guys. I have to go. See you soon. Bye. And please take my car with one of you. I'll pick it up tomorrow."

After bidding goodbye, she rushed away with Guan Ting. When they reached the car that Guan Ting brought, the man said.

"Young Miss, Master would be sad to hear that you think of him as your employer."

Liang Jing Li could only glare at the silly statement made by the most trusted man of her father.

1 step forward...2 step backward...this kept on repeating for the nth time before Guan Ting said,

"Young Miss Liya, Master shouldn't be kept waiting any longer. Or else he would be more angered."

'I know that. It's just...I don't want to face him now. What would he do? Don't tell me he's going to block my cards. No I don't want it to get any worse now.'

Jing Li finally reached the door of the Emperor's study room and hesitantly gave a know. A deep 'Enter' was heard before she opened the door and went in. She slowly closed the door and turned only to be the target of the icey blue eyes.

Jing Li, aware or not aware, straighten her posture in attention. The room was filled with a tense silence. Neither of the two made a sound or moved. Even the ticking of the watch on the Emperor's wrist could be heard.

Unable to handle the silence any longer, Jing Li took the initiative to start a conversation.

"Good Morning, Father."

"..."

"..."

"It's fifteen pass twelve now. It's no longer morning."

"My mistake. Good Afternoon, Father."

"And, how many times do I have to tell to adress me formally in my office and in public."

"Forgiveness, Your Majesty." Ah Li bowed and continued, "Good Afternoon, Your Majesty."

Emperor Liang could only sigh at his daughters silly nature. She would turn rigid when she nervous or scared. Even the coldest man couldn't keep his calm when she becomes like this.

"Do you know why I'm calling you here?" he asked.

"If not to block my cards, I couldn't guess any other reason, Your Majesty."

"Hmm...That would indeed be a great method to keep you on line. Maybe I should..."

"NO!!." Ah Li suddenly shouted and stepped forward. Coming to her sense, she regain her posture and said, "I...What I mean to sy is that there's no need for that."

"I hope I don't need to do that."

"Leaving that aside, how did it go?"

Instantly, all the silliness left Jing Li as she began to speak.

"Firstly. To prevent from more complication I've deployed a few teams to prevent the public from entering that area. And also to be alert of any changes in the wall."

The Emperor nodded in agreement.

"Then I tried to interrogate the three kids. But I found out that questioning was totally unhelpful. They couldn't understand what I was saying. So I had to use the bloodline."

Hearing this the Emperor gave her a worried look, as if to ask if she was okay. Knowing what he was thinking, Jing Li ensured she was totally fine.

"Since it was a mind of children, I didn't need to use to much Qi to get what I want. I was able to learn their way of speech which helped me communicate with them."

Emperor Liang waited for her to continue.

"The myth seems to be truth. There really is a whole different nation behind the wall, which is also ruled by an Emperor. The boys were playing around when they accidentally activated the passage wall and crossed it, entering our nation. Frightened by the people who kept on looking and talking to them with unknown language they attacked the people as 'an act of defence'. There are some things I found similar to ours.

One they use a language similar to our ancient text to communicate. And two. They also have Qi . Being able to use Qi in the age of 11 and 12, it only means that their cultivation system is superior to ours."

The Emperor didn't seems too happy to hear that.

"I don't whether this fortunate or unfortunate. The boys seems to be from noble families and one of them happens to be the Ninth Prince of the nation."

"Hmm...It can be both advantageous and disadvantageous. Good thing we didn't take any hash decision." The Emperor kept quite for a few minutes before looking at her.

"I want you too investigate it. Take your team with you. You shall leave by dusk and come back within three days."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Emperor Liang then looked at her with warm eyes.

"Be safe, Ah Li."

Liang Jing Li gave her father a smile to ensure the Emperor.

"Yes Father."

"You can go prepare for the mission now."

Hearing the command, Jing Li disappeared leaving only an after image if her where she stood.

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After a few hours, Jing Li accompanied by 6 others people stood behind her. She was admiring the runes on the translucent blue wall and was so into it that she didn't notice her trying to get her attention.

"Cheif!"

Finally she turned her attention to her teams second in command. Lieutenant Ji.

"I think we should enter, Chief."

"En...We should. But before that, let me do something."

Jing Li's body seemed to be covered by blue flame as she closed her eyes. The flame like tentacles extended till the tips touched the head of the other six member of the team.

Already had seen this before, the team was calm and let the warm but stinking feeling pass them gently till the end.

After the flame like thing extinguished, Jing Li seemed to ne a little exhausted from using too much Qi . But she took a reinforcement pill and regained her strength instantly.

"We know not what's waiting for us behind the wall. But we should be able to adapt and blend in with whatever is there. What I shared with you is the information and the language I obtained from the kids.

Once we reached the place we will decide in to three teams. Tiger, weasel and crow will investigate the market areas. Robin and racoon, the army strength. Me and eagle will investigate the administration. All clear?"

"Clear Chief!"

"Great. Now let's go."

Without any hesitation, Jing Li entered the wall and the rest soon followed.