THE REFLECTION

Zhu Jiu fell face first on the ground, but the pain did not stop him. He pushed his body up and rushed to find his fiancé, gripping her shoulders. "Hong-Er... Is it true that you are pregnant?" He ignored everyone who helped him, but no one seemed to mind. Zhu Hong lowered her gaze, nodding. "Why didn't you tell me?" Zhu Jiu asked again.

"That's because you always put yourself in a dangerous situation," Zhu Hong sniffled.

"You know that is my duty."

"That's why... That's why I don't say anything to you. Because... Because if I do, you will never allow me to follow you."

"Not only Zhu Jiu, none of us will allow you to come with us." Zhao YunLan sighed in the middle of his gasps. He glanced at his younger brother, who dropped to the ground.

"Geez, you men are all useless." Sha Ya did not hide her upset. "Do you know a pregnant woman is so sensitive? Zhu Hong knew she couldn't stop you. That was why she followed you."

"But that will be very dangerous for her and the baby-"

"Have you ever heard of a woman who lost her baby when she heard her husband died?" Sha Ya cut Zhu Jiu's words. "If waiting for you in a safe place and coming with you has the same risk, why doesn't she come with you? At least she has a chance to do something to keep her loved one alive." She lifted her eyes, peering at everybody around her as if throwing a challenge at anyone who dared to retort.

"So... Is that the reason you told Wang Zheng and Sha Ya but not me?" Zhu Jiu asked. He did not look upset. But he could not hide his disappointment.

"I did not tell them," Zhu Hong answered.

"But how do they know?"

"She doesn't need to tell anyone," Wang Zheng intervened. "When I saw her again, I realized something was different from her. When I confirmed my suspicion, she admitted she was pregnant."

"Just like that?" Guo ChangCheng jumped.

"That's why I said all the men are useless." Sha Ya shook her head. Although she sounded rude, nobody seemed offended.

"I understand," Chu NianZhi took a deep breath. "I understand what you feel because my wife is also pregnant. However, it is not right to put the baby's life at risk just because of that selfish reason."

"Selfish-"

Sha Ya could not finish her words because Chu NianZhi lifted his hand. "Zhu Hong is not the only one who feels that way. My wife feels the same. Madame Shen and Mrs. Zhao, too, once experienced the same thing." Chu NianZhi stared straight at Zhu Hong. He was not named a commander for nothing.

"Mmm-hmm," Shen YongZheng nodded. "She was carrying my twin sons when I had to go on a hard mission. I even missed the day they were born." He lowered his gaze. "That happened on the day of your birth, too." He glanced at Zhao YunLan.

"It's not because we are insensitive, but everyone should keep their share of responsibility." Zhang Shi smiled. "Indeed, everything has the same risk. However... If you tell Zhu Jiu that you are pregnant, he will do everything in his power to return to you and your baby. Although he doesn't make it, he will go in peace knowing the child will be safe."

"Take the new occurrence as an example," Zhao YunLan glanced at both ladies. "What can you do in that situation?"

Zhu Hong and Sha Ya clenched their jaws. No one of them could answer the question.

"Say that you can save Zhu Jiu. What if the price of saving him is you losing your baby? Can you be content with the outcome?" Chu NianZhi crossed his arms. This time, Sha Ya lowered her gaze. No rebuttal slipped through her lips.

"I'm sorry." Zhu Hong lowered her gaze.

"We don't tell you to make you apologize." Shen YongZheng rested his back on the tree behind him. "We just want you to understand. You put everyone in danger, including your unborn baby."

"I understand. It will never happen again next time-"

"There will be no next time!" Everyone cut Zhu Hong's words in unison. Chuckles filled the air after some quiet moments. The tension dissolved right away.

"That's that." Chu NianZhi turned his head from Zhu Hong towards the elders. "I think many of us deserve to hear the truth about Xiao Zhao." He turned his body around, lowering his head at Shen YongZheng. "It doesn't mean that I disregard your authority."

Shen YongZheng took a deep breath. He glanced at Zhang Shi. Zhang Shi peered around and found many people were eager to hear. "Well... let's clean our body first. I'll tell you everything you want to hear."

**********THIS STORY IS STOLEN BY NOVELHD, PLEASE JUST READ THE ORIGINAL IN WATTPAD OR AO3 **************

"They did it?" Ma TiHua gazed at the glass filled with red wine in his hand. Leaning on the leather recliner backrest in his office, he listened to the report.

"Yes," Ouyang Zhen smiled.

"I confirmed the round jewel's existence with my own eyes," Ya Qing added.

Ma TiHua smiled. "We are close, everyone. Now, get ready."

"Yes..." Both people answered.

"Call Ding Dun. It's the time to do your main task." Ma TiHua glanced at Ouyang Zhen.

"Yes, Sir."

Ma TiHua stood up after he was left alone, and strode to another chair near him. "How are you feeling?" He kneeled in front of Ye Zun.

"Much better," Ye Zun answered. Leaning his head on his right fist, his expression was richer.

"Do you hear that? We found the jewel." Ma TiHua took the man's hand. "Soon enough, your heart will beat again. Naturally." He kissed Ye Zun's hand, feeling the warmth that returned along with the blood flow inside the vein.

"Shen Wei is not stupid."

"But you will help me, right?"

Ye Zun tapped Ma TiHua's forehead with his finger. "You bet," he said.

**********THIS STORY IS STOLEN BY NOVELHD, PLEASE JUST READ THE ORIGINAL IN WATTPAD OR AO3 **************

"As I said earlier, the Lord of Du Huang Mountain has a younger brother. Unlike his brother, Lord Tai was a loner. When Lord KunLun cared for his surroundings, mingling with the people. Lord Tai preferred to stay inside Xiang Lan Palace on Hua Kao Peak, far away from everybody." Sat comfortably in the Hanga tribe's guest house, Zhang Shi opened his story. Shen YongZhen and Shen Wei returned to their daily appearance. "Lord Tai was closer to nature than humans. He considered humans as a threat to the planet's stability. It was Lord KunLun who always interceded between them. He stood for his brother in front of the humans, yet he persuaded his brother on behalf of the humans."

"So, his distrust in humans was what made him become a loner?" Guo ChangCheng touched his necklace. He could not blame the man. Humans were cruel to nature, although not all of them.

"Mm-hmm," Zhang Shi nodded.

"We can't blame him," Sang Zan put in.

"We can't. But many humans are blind. They consider nature as a threat to their community just because they judge nature based on their appearance." Zhang Shi sipped his tea.

"What happened?" Zhao YunLan knitted his eyebrows.

"The story began when the DiXing people entered the HaiXing planet." Zhang Shi threw his gaze outside the window, leaning on the backrest. "Zhao YunLan... You know what happened at that time, don't you?"

"Mm-hmm," Zhao YunLan nodded. "The radiation changed some of the HaiXing creature's genes."

"That was when the Yashou tribe was created and people we called DiXing were born," Zhang Shi proceeded. "And also... The demon beasts."

"Well... That's something new for me." Zhao YunLan straightened his sitting position.

"For me, too," Shen Wei added.

"Some people were like Professor Shen, they were nice and had a soft aura. They easily bonded with some demon beasts. They trained them and played with them, considering them as family." Zhang Shi lowered his gaze. "Although they look frightening, those demon beasts are helpful. They are strong and loyal. Just like what you can see in Xiao Cài."

Listening to the story, Zhao YunLan and Shen Wei blinked. Somehow, they already saw what was coming.

"Let me guess... Some others were convinced that they could do the same," Guo ChangCheng put in.

"But they proved themselves wrong and the poor demon beasts became the victims," Chu NianZhi added his opinion to the guess.

"Not only that. Some people thought it would be fun to make the strong demon beasts fight each other," Zhang Shi sighed. "They breed those demon beasts according to their needs."

"Breed them?" Zhao YunLan jumped off his chair. "Were they out of their mind?"

"If only they used them as guardian dogs, but no..."

"Let me guess... They bred those demon beasts to make them fight, then reap the benefits for themselves." Zhang Shi did not finish his words when Zhao MingAn cut him. The young man clenched his jaws. His voice squeezed through his teeth.

"Is he right?" Zhao YunLan glared at the elder as if Zhang Shi was the one who did it.

"Sit down." Shen Wei pulled the man's hand. "That's already happened in the past. You can't do anything even though you want to."

"Lord KunLun warned them so many times about that, but many people refused to listen." Zhang Shi pressed his nose base. "Some society leaders asked Lord Tai for help. Lord Tai happily complied to help, stopping the cruel people. He taught them how to train the beasts and those demon beasts lived amongst them peacefully." Zhang Shi took a deep breath again. "People's stupidity has no limits. Some of them repeated their mistake towards the demon beasts in the past and made the demon beasts go feral and attack people."

"With that horrible treatment, who will not? Even humans can go feral and attack someone else." Zhu Hong chirped.

"However, some people disregard the fact that the demon beasts were the victims. Instead of punishing the humans who mistreated them, those idiots commanded to kill the animals. Condemned them as a threat to society."

"A threat to society?!" Zhao YunLan screamed, again, cutting Zhang Shi's story. "Were they blind? Even blind people could see better than those idiots." He was not even an animal lover, but this was absurd for his ears.

"Lord Tai against those such people. He blatantly defended the demon beasts, but those jackasses put Lord KunLun in the middle. They pushed both brothers to the point of against each other."

"Huh?" This time everyone shouted in unison, cutting Zhang Shi's words.

"But Lord Tai was not stupid. He was known as a strategist, how he possibly let those people win against him?" Zhang Shi stood up, striding to the window. "That was the time he showed his creation. The artifact." He glanced at Guo ChangCheng. "With the help of the artifact and the monument Lord Tai created, the demon beasts could tell everyone what they came through. The reasons why they became feral and attacked humans. Regardless, the morons did not care. They didn't want to see the demon beasts in their land."

"Then... What happened next?" Guo ChangCheng touched his necklace.

"There was someone, the richest man, who offered his land to be used as the place for the demon beasts." Zhang Shi took a deep breath. "That man was your ancestor." He turned his head, looking at Guo ChangCheng.

"What? Mine?" The young man stood up out of shock.

"Mm-hmm," Zhang Shi nodded.

"That's impossible. How can my ancestors be so rich but I'm poor?" Guo ChangCheng pouted.

"Xiao Guo..." Lin Jing pursed his lips. "Your rich ancestor lived thousands of years ago. If you want to blame someone, blame the next generation of your useless ancestors."

Guo ChangCheng scratched his head. He could not answer the scientist back.

"The problem solved then?" Shen Wei led the discussion back to the line.

"Ha ha." Instead of answering, Zhang Shi laughed. "Those idiots were not only blind in the eye but rotten to their hearts."

Everyone frowned as they heard the answer. "What do you mean?"

"They refused the idea." A female voice answered Zhao YunLan's question. Ying Chun appeared at the entrance. "They stated they did not want the land to become the safe haven for the demon beasts."

"What?!" Everybody screamed unconsciously. Their head whipped to the door.

"But the land owner did intend to make that land the safe haven." Guo ChangCheng stood up.

"Those monsters wanted to hide their hideousness under the pretext of doing their best for society. Of course, they didn't want someone to appear as the angel." Ying Chun gulped to suppress her rushing adrenaline. "However, they stepped on Lord KunLun's landmine when they did so. That was why they reluctantly agreed."

"The problem rose once again when the Hanga tribe begged Lord KunLun and Lord Tai to let them keep their demon beasts." Zhang Shi proceeded with the story.

"Let me guess... Those pieces of sh*ts did not allow them." Zhao MingAn threw curses for the first time in his life.

"Nope... They allowed the Hanga Tribe to keep the demon beasts. However, they wanted a compensation."

Every jaw dropped when they heard Zhang Shi's answer.

"A compensation?" Zhao YunLan repeated.

"Yes," Ying Chun clenched her jaws. "In a huge amount."

Again, silence reigned in the chamber.

"Lord KunLun tried his best not to provoke more conflict. He paid the amount, and let the Hanga tribe keep their demon beasts." Ying Chun proceeded with the story.

"Wait a second, wait a second..." Chu NianZhi lifted his hands. Even for someone with a sharp brain like him, the news was too overwhelming. "Do you mean that the demon beasts we dealt with earlier are the Hanga tribe's pets?"

"They are..."

"You know that?" Zhao YunLan glared at Sang Zan and Wang Zheng. Both shook their heads.

"Only the elders know about it." Ying Chun lowered her gaze. "But they are too old to manage the tribe right now. They may be telling the next leader when the coronation comes."

"Then how Madame Gwang knows?" Chu NianZhi knitted his eyebrows.

Ying Chun turned her face away from everybody. "Does anyone here can guess what is in her mind?" Zhang Shi returned the question as the leader of the flower tribe did not seem eager to answer.

"Then..." Again, Shen Wei urged the elders to continue.

"When people begin to judge certain creatures' by their look... it's just a matter of time before they do the same to certain humans."

"What do you mean?" This time, Zhao YunLan's stomach sank when he heard Ying Chun's next story. Something kicked his gut that this would be an unsettling story.

"Don't tell me that their next target was Yashou tribes and DiXing people," Da Qing tensed.

Ying Chun turned her gaze back to the audience. "This time, they have not only chased the DiXing people and Yashou out of HaiXing but also Lord Tai." She clenched her jaws. Anger flared through her eyes.

"But... But... Why Lord Tai?" Shen YeZun blinked in confusion.

"When the alien's spacecraft hit HaiXing land, Lord KunLun did whatever it took to minimize the impact. Of course, his brother would never sit still. The radiation that spread around the ship hit both men. Lord Tai covered his brother and as a result, he was the one who impacted." Ying Chun stared back outside the window.

"And..." Zhao YunLan gulped.

"His cells mutated. He became something between DiXing and Yashou. Not to mention, he was powerful even before his cell was mutated. Those discriminating people used the fact against him."

Again, silence engulfed the whole chamber as Zhang Shi dropped his answer. Zhao YunLan stared at Zhao MingAn. The young man's eyebrows twitched, signifying his disbelief. It seemed the news was also new for him.

"Both Lord KunLun and Lord Tai had enough of this idiocy, I suppose. That was why they disappeared at the same time as soon as the alien and their descendants went to the deepest belly of the earth." Shen YongZheng took a deep breath. "And the flower tribe too..." He glanced at Ying Chun.

"If only their next action was not that disgusting, I wouldn't be this infuriated." Ying Chun gritted her teeth.

"What?" Zhao YunLan tilted his head.

"Remember the compensation money those monsters asked from the Hanga tribe?" Zhang Shi sat back in his chair. "They used it to fund a war with other tribes, enlarging their territory."

The chamber fell silent again, but it was rich with the distraught expressions of the young people. Shen YongZhen took a deep breath. Seeing Ying Chun's reaction, that part of the story could be history that never changed no matter how many times the time flow was interrupted.

"However, all stopped when the meteor hit this planet." Ying Chun broke the silence.

"Huh?" Zhao YunLan frowned. "Do you want to say..."

"In previous timelines." Ying Chun stared back at Zhao YunLan. "But in this timeline, the war was stopped by someone... The legendary astronomer. Wu FeiTian."

"Wu FeiTian?" Shen Wei knitted his brows, where did he ever hear the familiar name? "Ma TiHua?" He straightened his sitting position.

"Yes..." Ying Chun nodded. "He was the one who persuaded every HaiXing people to mend their relationship with the Yashou and DiXing people. He was the one who brought the union amongst HaiXing people and upheld peace on this planet."

"Huh?!" Everyone jumped from their seat. Zhu Jiu grabbed Zhu Hong to stop the lady from doing excessive movement. Zhu Hong caressed her belly to comfort the unborn baby.

"Wow... wow... wow..." Zhao YunLan pressed his forehead. "What?" He bumped his back into the backrest. "It seems many things are hidden than what you letting on." Zhao YunLan rubbed his face. He no longer blamed the leader of the flower tribe for her silence. Whoever this Lord Tai was, his existence must have been significant for the flower tribe. Seeing how the humans treated him, it was just natural for the flower tribe to refuse to be involved with human affairs. And for Ma TiHua... Zhao YunLan ruffled his hair. No matter how he racked his brain, he could not find the answer to his questions.

"So... Your story still doesn't answer our question." Chu NianZhi crossed his arms. "What happened to Scientist Zhao? Why does he have a fragment of Lord Tai's power?"

"Mm-hmm," Da Qing nodded. "And why does he mutate?"

"The poison Ma TiHua injected into him is his serum." Sang Zan answered the question. "I helped him to inject the antiserum into his body when Xiao Zhao realized that he mutated."

"We just knew about it when we were already on the land of the four perils." Shen YongZheng continued. "But why his mutation is special? I don't think any of us has the answer to it."

"So, you know that you are not poisoned all along, and instead tell us the truth you prefer to follow Ma TiHua's lead?" Zhu Hong glared at the young man.

"If I ever tell you the truth, all of you will lock me in the facility to tend me."

"Isn't it obvious?" Zhu Hong returned Zhao MingAn's question.

"Then how do we finish this wicked problem?" Zhao MingAn raised his voice. His emotions were unusually fluctuating.

"MingAn..." Shen YeZun clasped his lover's arm.

"Sorry..." Zhao MingAn pressed his forehead. "My head is a little bit spinning."

"That's because your power is rushing to the surface. You must learn to control it fast before you end up hurting people you love." Sha Ya stared at the young man.

"Professor Shen can handle it." Zhao MingAn took a deep breath, leaning his head on the chair.

"What?"

"We talked about it." Shen YeZun convinced his elder brother when Shen Wei reacted to what sounded like an arbitrary statement.

"They are adults," Shen YongZheng glanced at his eldest son. "But you are still my son. You should say something to your family." He glared at his youngest son.

"We just talked about it, Father. We will discuss this with everybody." Shen YeZun lowered his gaze.

"But... it still doesn't answer why Ah Ming has the power fragment." Zhao YunLan stared blankly at a single point. "Do you think Ma TiHua did it on purpose?" He glanced at Shen Wei. "Injected my brother with a unique serum to make him mutated, knowing that Ah Ming would insist on finding the jewel?"

"It could be." Shen Wei lowered his gaze.

"But how did he get the exact serum that caused Ah Ming to mutate in the same way Lord Tai mutated?"

"The mutation is not important, but the power." Shen Wei touched his chin. "Is it related to his blood relation with you?"

"That's possible. Although I'm not sure how he got the power." Zhao YunLan remembered the day he replaced KunLun. "And this Madame Gwang... Do you think it's suspicious for her to lure Ah Ming to accept the serum, helped us deal with the demon beasts, and gave us so many clues?"

"Do you think she is involved with Ma TiHua?" Shen Wei glanced back at Zhao YunLan. This time, Zhao YunLan lowered his gaze as he racked his brain to search for answers.

"I don't care who she is..." Zhao MingAn leaned his upper body toward the table as if prepared to stand up. "But all I know is she never lies to me." Zhao MingAn leaped toward the window. His hand stretched out, grabbing something black and throwing it into the middle of the chamber.

"Ya Qing?" Ying Chun was stunned when she saw the one thrown onto the floor.

"Madame Gwang told me that Ma TiHua has a spy. I never thought that the leader of the crow herself would be the one." Zhao MingAn's tone and eyes glints changed as he stepped towards the lady in black. His arm enlarged as black fur grew.

Chu NianZhi and Chu ShuZhi grabbed Zhao MingAn's arms while the others were still in the daze. "Xiao Zhao, calm down.

"After what she did?" Zhao MingAn fought the twins. if only he were still his old self, just Chu ShuZhi was enough to subdue him. But now, even the twins' power combined was not enough to hold Zhao MingAn.

"Zhao MingAn!" Zhu Jiu entrusted his fiance to Wang Zheng before he grabbed Zhao YunLan's younger brother's shoulders. "Control yourself!"

"Don't stop me, Zhu Ge. She is the reason why our plans messed up so many times." Zhao MingAn

"What?",

"Ah Ming." With just a single call from Zhao YunLan, the young man ceased his struggle. Zhao YunLan sighed, feeling relief as he was born as the elder son. "Calm down." He patted his brother's shoulder, pulling the young man closer to him.

"General Shen!" A man burst into the chamber. "What happened?"

"It's okay," Shen YongZheng waved his hand to dismiss the man. "Just return to your post."

"Yes, Sir." The man stood near the door, guarding.

"Is that true?" Shen Wei glared at Ya Qing. "That you spy on us?"

Ya Qing smirked, snorting. "If I do... Then what do you want to do?"

Shen Wei almost sprang at the arrogant yashou when Zhao YunLan held his chest, shaking his head. "Let me guess... All for your tribe's glory. Am I right?" He stared at Ya Qing.

Ya Qing pushed her elbow to push her body up, climbing her feet. "A HaiXing like you will never know our struggle."

Zhao YunLan joined his eyebrows. It seemed like the present Ya Qing was tougher to convince than she was in the past.

"If you complain about how the Crow tribe is the least among the tribe, don't you think you should know the reason?" Zhang Shi climbed his walking stick.

"Are you trying to preach to me now?" Ya Qing pressed her left arm. Zhao MingAn grabbed her wing too tight. It nearly broke.

"Nobody tries to preaching you," Zhao YunLan pressed his nose bridge, "but don't you think everyone has their advantages and disadvantages?"

"Mm-hmm," Shen YongZheng nodded. "The Crow tribe is smart, agile, and fast. Although their lifespan is relatively short among the Yashou tribes, you can underestimate the Crow tribe. That is what I learned from your father." The old general smiled at Ya Qing.

"If you call the Crow tribe short-lived then what do you call the Cat tribe?" Da Qing crossed his arms. "Can you find a better excuse to be evil?"

"I don't understand." Zhu Hong chirped in. "Why do you think eternal life will make your tribe prosperous? Do you intend to overpower the other tribes?"

"How? Start the war and conquer them?" Lin Jing probed.

"Is that what Ma TiHua planned?" Shen Wei stiffened,

Ya Qing snorted. "If that's the truth, what will you do?" She stared at the people in the room. "You may think I'm a greedy person. Nothing that I say will make you understand my mind."

"You learned that the XingDu Beureau and SID failed to stop Ma TiHua. You know the confrontation with this man will lead to inevitable conflict or even war. That's why you side with Ma TiHua. To save your spot in the side you believe will win." Zhao MingAn glared at the lady. "Am I right?"

"It seems you truly inherit Lord Tai's DNA. Mr. Ma's calculation is right," Ya Qing smirked.

"What?" Everybody could not hide their shock.

"So, Ma TiHua knows about this?" Shen YongZheng clenched his jaws. Did this mean the man wrapped them in his little fingers, forcing them to walk in his plan?

"You just realize it? This is the difference between you and him." Ya Qing lifted her chin.

"Now you better tell us what he up to, or else!" Zhao MingAn gritted his teeth, struggling to suppress his anger.

"You want to know his plan?" Ya Qing snorted. "I'll tell you. Get the gatekeepers and open the dimension to the two chambers."

"That we already know." Zhao YunLan rubbed his face, "but you know we will never let it happen." Zhao YunLan stopped his words. His annoyance dropped when he saw a widening smirk on Ya Qing's face. "YeZun!" He turned his head to find the man.

"Where is he?" Shen Wei burst among the crows to find his brother to no avail.

"He just standing here a few moments ago." Sha Ya touched the floor where Shen YeZun had stood up earlier.

"You!" Zhao MingAn veered his body to grab the crow lady, but Ya Qing flew outside the window.

"We'll see again in the gate," she smiled. Zhu Jiu sprinted toward the lady, but something pulled her into a wormhole and disappeared before he could grab her.

"Damn!" Zhao YunLan punched the air.

"Where do you want to go?" Zhang Shi held Zhao MingAn's arm.

"Find him. Where else?"

"That's why I asking you. Where do you want to go?" Zhang Shi reprimanded the reckless young man.

"Anywhere. I can't just stay here. I can go crazy," Zhao MingAn insisted.

"Save your energy." Ying Chun cut the argument. "I know where they are."

"Where?" Shen Wei tightened his fist.

"Blue Tree Meadow."

"Where?" Zhao YunLan shouted unconsciously as everyone threw their eyes at Ying Chun. Hundreds of thoughts flashed in their mind. Wild presumptions filled their heads.

The reflection. The return of sound, heat, energy, and light from a surface.

In our lives, the way we looked at something reflected what we have in mind. Ancient said when you pointed one finger at something another three pointed back at you. When you called a creature a monster, you were triple of monsters.

Being alert was different from judging. You had no right to hurt any creature just because you were afraid of them. Peace only be achieved through understanding and seeing every creature as an equal...

**********THIS STORY IS STOLEN BY NOVELHD, PLEASE JUST READ THE ORIGINAL IN WATTPAD OR AO3 **************

Picture credit to Juan Davila

https://unsplash.com/photos/lake-under-blue-sky-during-daytime-P8PlK2nGwqA