/*unedited*/

Several people enter the hall where many of the generals and the leaders of the alliance are discussing. The entrance of these people made the whole area turned quiet. These several people are dressed differently, in fact, from the looks of it, two different groups have just entered.

One group is wearing a cultivator's armor and artifacts as they look valiant and have a regal aura, while the other group is donned in metal like a skeleton frame which looks domineering and oppressive. But what surprises the people in the room is that these people are mere mortals. They are not cultivators, but none dared to judge.

Everyone in this room is already aware of the growing power within the Xi Empire. That growing power is controlled by both cultivators and mortals. And they have mortals in that place that can wield uncanny magic and terrible strength.

Hence the presence of these people right now is something that gives a bit of hope to the people in this room. Another powerful force is a great addition to the war effort.

The beast clan Emperor Hai Borak along with the other generals stood from their seat and walked towards the newcomers.

"We welcome the 2nd prince of the Xi Empire, prince Li Yan Xi, the hero prince of the Xi Empire." Emperor Hai Borak loudly proclaimed as he came closer to the 2nd prince and cupped his hand in greetings.

"You're majesty. We are honored for your warm welcome. These are…" Li Yan Xi said.

Li Yan Xi didn't finish his words when he suddenly saw the six women behind him walk towards a direction. When he turned his gaze to where they were heading a conflicted expression appear on his face.

Lead by a woman wearing a veil, her posture and elegance are one of a kind. Even with her veil people can see that she is a true beauty, the mystery brought by her veil is making everyone curious about who this woman really is. And behind her is a group of five women who has impeccable attractiveness yet domineering appearance because of their armors, they look like fairies ready for battle.

Qin Lou saw from the corner of her eyes someone she knew and had a surprised look on her face. She could not believe that the person she thought would not come had come to this place. So she hurriedly walked towards him.

But contrary to her expression, the 5 original members of the shadow squad have a different reaction. All of them have a pleasant surprise and a longing look on their faces.

Phoenix, Serpent, Vermilion Bird, and Qilin have their eyes wide open upon seeing the person they have missed for a very long time. The person who had changed their lives, the one who made them who they are right now, the one that they owe their lives to, their master… s.h.i.+n Jiao.

s.h.i.+n Jiao, on the other hand, was truly surprised and seem to have been petrified.

He didn't expect that this scene would happen. He tried and tried to think about how he would face Qin Lou again, but because of the trauma he had experienced in his past relations.h.i.+p, he was too afraid. Then after some time, he turns that fear into something else just to distract his mind into thinking of her.

The pain of knowing that your woman already has another man is something too terrifying that meeting his arch enemy. At least in battle, he can still have a chance to win, but when it comes to love, winning or losing is not within your hands.

"Hey, what's wrong? I… I thought you wouldn't come… I was sad but now that you are here, then everything would be fine." Qin Lou said with a smile clearly written within her beautiful smile.

s.h.i.+n Jiao didn't know what to say as he just stood there petrified.

"Hey, s.h.i.+n! Who are these people?" an arrogant and haughty voice woke s.h.i.+n Jiao up.

Agnes walks to s.h.i.+n Jiao's side and with one hand on her hips she acted coquettishly as she slowly puts her other hand on s.h.i.+n Jiao's arm.

When Qin Lou and the rest saw this, the temperature in the room immediately dropped.

s.h.i.+n Jiao was perplexed at this situation and didn't know what to do. If these people have no importance to him, he would try to justify himself and give them some flowery reasons. But these people are very important to him and he didn't want to hurt them. So he is deliberating on what to do.

With a smile, s.h.i.+n Jiao release Agnes's hand and step forward.

"Guys, this is a long story. Why don't we do the pleasantries first and then I can explain to you everything… Okay?"

Everyone understood that s.h.i.+n Jiao was right and this is not the right time to talk about this situation. So they continue with the pleasantries with the beast clan emperor and the important people in this place. But after knowing the ident.i.ties of these people, the generals, and the leaders could not help but take a glance at the young man who seems low-key and was the one who saved them all a while ago.

…

Inside a large room, ten people can be seen inside. Some of them are sitting while others are standing. The tension in the room is a bit suffocating as it seems that three factions are going to have a face-off with each other. Prince Li Yan Xi is sitting on a soft chair with Master Ju standing beside him, Qin Lou and Qian Li are also sitting with the other girls standing behind them, while s.h.i.+n Jiao sits in the main seat with Agnes on the side.

"Ahem…" s.h.i.+n Jiao cleared his throat.

He is trying to deliberate whether he would tell them about Agnes or not. It is known that her information is very sensitive and that if everyone would know who she is, then there might be trouble brewing their way. So he needs to thread this thing lightly.

But if they wanted this thing to stop, then these people should know.

"When I went to the Valley of Death and harvested the Soul flower, I encountered a peculiar situation…" s.h.i.+n Jiao explained what had happened in there and the pills.

Then the second prince showed a grateful look on his face as their eyes met. He stood up and cupped his hands.

"Brother s.h.i.+n, I thank you for saving my life… twice." Li Yan Xi said.

Then he continues his story as he told them about his encounter with the demon queen and her gang. Then the plan they have concocted to end the war once and for all.

When everyone heard this, they showed an astonished expression while looking at Agnes. They never would have guessed that the beautiful woman beside s.h.i.+n Jiao is not his woman but the demon queen herself.

Master Ju is already on guard, while everyone had a doubtful expression on their faces.

"Yes… he is telling the truth. I am the former demon queen. But because of the coup, a demon general named Belfast unseated me. I was wounded when I fled… How do you think this little guy can beat me?" Agnes said proudly.

"This is impossible! If you are the demon queen, then how can you enter this place?" Master Ju asked the question that's in everyone's mind.

Agnes just shrugged.

"I… it was I who removed the power of darkness within her. That's why she can now control her bloodl.u.s.t and had changed her appearance." s.h.i.+n Jiao said.

"Will she become the demon queen again?" the second prince asked.

With this question, s.h.i.+n Jiao nods.

"She must… if not, then this war would never end until a race would die."

Then s.h.i.+n Jiao explain to them the plan further. Upon hearing this, everyone's expression lightens up a bit.

"You are telling us this, but how can we trust you?" suddenly Qin Lou asked.

This is because she had already noticed that s.h.i.+n Jiao is acting differently. This is not the man she fell in love with or rather, he seems to have suddenly changed his att.i.tude.

"I was with Qian Li part of that time…" s.h.i.+n Jiao replied with a smile.

When everyone heard his words, they immediately turned their heads towards Qian Li who shows an embarra.s.sed look on her face coupled with a guilty expression. Everyone is looking at her with an inquiry of what really happened and didn't she tell them.

However, from her expression, they knew that she is guilty of something.

"Don't blame her, it… it was I who told her not to tell you guys. I… I was too worried that is would cause more trouble. I worked as fast as I could to finish the long-range transmission, but was not brave enough to know the truth in that place… especially… especially upon knowing that there is another… me… another s.h.i.+n Jiao."

When everyone heard this they showed an incredulous look on their faces. However, the prince, master Ju, and Agnes, upon seeing the faces of everyone, the three had their gossiping side turned on.

Qin Lou's emotion right at this time immediately changed, she was the one who is truly affected in this situation that she didn't know how to react. Her heart is in chaos and turmoil because she knew that her conjecture was correct.

"No… I… No… s.h.i.+n, tell me this is not true. Tell me this is all a lie… You are with me. Together we already bowed to get married. We… we… No…" she said while tears began to swell in the corner of her eyes.

s.h.i.+n Jiao now felt worried and guilty at the same time. Because of his indecisiveness, he hurt Qin Lou. His heart is pained and felt that he seem to be losing something very important again. He wanted to hug her, to calm her but what right does he have?

"You were kind to me… you were always there on my every whim. You… you already said that you loved me…" Qin Lou muttered.

Her heart and mind are in chaos as if tens and thousands of memories came cras.h.i.+ng through, both wonder ones and others. But she also felt that everything seems to be all lies. This mental pressure coupled with her excessive worry for him when she left, made her feel exhausted.

Then suddenly, she fainted.

…

The situation now became too complex that it made s.h.i.+n Jiao's head turned blank. Right now, he wanted to run away from this trouble and go back to his life from before but he knew he can't do that. He has already abandoned her because of his cowardice in facing his heart demons, so once again he needs to see this through to the end.

If she forgives him, then he would do all he can to make her happy. However, that is if…

"Sigh… loving someone is truly a very complicated thing. Why do I have to go through this ordeal again?" he muttered as he sat beside a large bed where Qin Lou is currently lying.

He looks at her and calmly caresses her soft and gentle looking hand as he waited on her side.

…

Meanwhile, outside the door, six people are standing.

Agnes had an expression of being agitated. She didn't know why but she felt uncomfortable while s.h.i.+n Jiao is inside the room.

Looking at her, are five women with an incredulous expression.

Her fidgety action and annoyed expression tell them that this woman had already fallen for their master. However, they just heave a heavy sigh of helplessness. They already knew of their master's ability and charm. To say that a woman would not fall for him when they are together is something almost next to impossible.

So they just look at each other while shaking their heads.