记得

Ching Lan stands on the riverbank. Her eyes face the sky solemnly. Despite her calm exterior there is unrest within her. There has been fear causing her unrest for the past few days. She can sense something that isn't quite as it should be. The intensity of the darkness surrounding the village has grown exponentially. She knows that Huang won't be enough to fend it off this time.

"You should go home," Huang suggests, approaching her. "The day is cold. You should be in the warmth."

"You cannot continue this way," she insists worriedly. "I fear this time you won't return."

He pats her arm comfortingly. "Don't worry for me. The demons I have faced have fallen before me,"

"All but one," Ching Lan whispers. "How can I possibly be at peace with myself if you are at risk? I… I can't bear to lose you."

Huang's eyes widen and he stammers. "You care for me that greatly?"

"Of course," she blushes. "The village would have been destroyed long ago if not for you. I would have lost my sanity if not for your efforts. I owe you my life and you already own my heart…"

He smiles and brushes her hair from her face. "I will protect all that you hold dear and I will return to you. Now go to your family and prepare to stay indoors for as long as necessary. I will tell you when it will be safe once more."

Ching Lan nods obediently and smiles softly as she walks away. Huang watches her leave him sorrowfully. Her compliments fill his heart with guilt. He sighs quietly and looks to the roving mountains outside the village.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Hu growls gruffly.

"I have never been so sure of anything in life. You know how long I've lived," Huang explains. "This is all that is right."

"This is all that is wrong," Jie Rui states. "Love is an emotion that heralds defeat and sorrow. A greeting always leads to a farewell. Kun is not an enemy to be taken lightly and you will most certainly make an enemy of him by continuing on this path. I cannot force a decision upon you; I simply wish to ensure you know what you have chosen."

Huang exhales loudly. No matter whom he could have explained the situation to these questions would always follow. They try to inflict doubt in his mind but he knows they will never succeed. Ching Lan is far too great to be accompanied in thought by doubt. Huang looks at his three companions cautiously. He had taken a great risk by speaking to them and has placed them in a precarious position.

Because the nature of his discussion is so sensitive he had called a summons to a cave. The dark walls and dank air seems to close in around them. Their presence for such a gathering is considered the highest of treasons. Huang sincerely hopes that he hasn't sealed their fates. His and Ching Lan's destiny is more than enough of an occupation.

"Huang," Kai Liang pouts. "You know that we are immortals, don't you? She is human and fragile. She won't live long and you will exceed her by millennia."

"I have no intention of exceeding her," Huang murmurs.

"Huang!" Hu roars, leaping to his feet. "We are immortals. We are meant to live as we are given life. Would you dare to defy Heaven? How many mortals wish to be immortal? You would cast it aside so swiftly and arrogantly as though it means nothing!"

"I have already lived for millennia!" Huang exclaims, exasperated. "Hu, when we leave here look, or look through memory's eyes, who in this ravaged land has any purpose? So many peasants have no one in their lives and could become immortal without regrets. I have someone who I refuse to outlive. I am blessed."

"So be your choice," Jie Rui states solemnly. "Don't expect us when your time has ended."

"I won't," Huang glares.

In the shadow swathed palace Huang stands. He faces the throne with solemnity. His heart is calm and his breaths are relaxed. He gives no reason for Kun to suspect anything. Without suspicion there will be no pre-emptive strike. Huang knows that Kun has informants everywhere.

"Lord," Huang bows.

"Huang, how nice to know your presence once more," Kun's voice booms. "I have noticed that you have taken land and not expanded it. You have killed demons that came to assist you."

"Trespassers are unwelcome," Huang growls.

"Now, explain, why have you come?"

Yanmei watches his audacity. Her heart is alight with fury. She swears vengeance.

Huang races to the river's edge. His desperation taints the air. Yanmei smirks and glides towards him. He races past her and collapses at Ching Lan's side. He wraps his arms around her tightly.

"What did you do?" Yanmei whispers, feigning shock, as the village burns beside them.

Huang whimpers and chokes on unshed tears. He shakes his head as though in disbelief. He pulls Ching Lan closer to him and tries not to cry. Her skin feels so cold and her attempts to reassure him with a smile are heart breaking.

"You were right," she whispers. "You came back… Thank you…"

"No…" he wails. "No you can't. Don't do this."

She shakes her head and tries not to wince. She mouths her apology and hopes that it's enough. She can't bear to lie to them both.

"How could you?" Huang roars. "Yanmei, you evil witch!"

Yanmei glares. Her nails slice through her palms as she watches them. Huang was meant to run to her side. They were meant to marry as planned. Instead Huang holds onto Ching Lan as she bleeds from Yanmei's attack. Huang brushes hair from her whitening face. Blood streams from her back and paints the grass. Blood flows from her mouth but she still tries to reassure Huang with a smile. He's helpless as her life finally fades away.

Author's Note: This series is over. I hope you have enjoyed what you read and I apologise if you did not like what you read. Thank you for reading. I am sorry for the lack of tones but the story simply would not flow if I had included them.

Kun – Universe.

Yanmei – Flattering and seductive.

Hu – Tiger.

Kai Liang – Optimistic.

Jie Rui - Quick minded.