Yōu Míng City. The Street.
"Good timing, General, Elders!" Hēi Hǔ complained, his voice respectful but smug.
He pointed at Han Yuan. "This guy brought people from the Light Realm into our city!"
Yè Liú ignored him completely. He walked straight to Han Yuan and dropped to one knee.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
The crowd gasped. "Your Majesty?" The four Elders behind Yè Liú also bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Following their lead, everyone in the street dropped to their knees.
Hēi Hǔ was stunned frozen. "Y-Your Majesty...?" he stammered.
"Hmm?" Han Yuan hummed, his gaze landing on Hēi Hǔ with terrifying weight. Fear finally pierced through Hēi Hǔ's skull. He slammed his forehead into the dirt. "G-Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Gù Míng and Xiangling were the only ones left standing.
"Get up," Han Yuan said calmly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the crowd chorused, rising.
"Your Majesty, sorry for the rudeness of my subordinate," Yè Liú said smoothly. "I will surely teach him a lesson."
Hēi Hǔ was sweating so much he looked like he had been in the rain. He didn't dare look up.
"Your Majesty, this way," the Elders said, parting the crowd to open a path to the palace.
The Dark Palace.
Han Yuan sat on the throne of black obsidian. The four Elders stood before him.
"Mmm," Han Yuan commented, shifting slightly. "It is not as comfortable as that bed in that broken temple."
"Your Majesty, should we get someone to change it?" asked the leader of the Elders, a woman with slit pupils known as Māo Zūn (The Cat Lord). "No need."
Silence stretched in the hall.
"What? Is there anything you want to say?" Han Yuan asked.
"Ah, we are the Four Elders of the Dark Realm," one of the men, Hēi Yún (The Black Cloud), stepped forward.
"Your Highness probably doesn't know us. I am Hēi Yún, and they are Māo Zūn, Zǐ Yè (Midnight) and Guǐ Yǐng (Ghost Shadow) .Five days later, there will be a succession ceremony to welcome you. I was wondering if Your Majesty has any suggestions?"
"No," Han Yuan replied, bored. "Do as you see fit."
"Your Majesty, there is another matter to report," another elder, Guǐ Yǐng, said.
"There has been news spreading that the Sword of Light is in the Dark Realm. However, I have sent people to look for it. There has been no news. I am afraid someone is deliberately spreading false rumors to cause trouble."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Han Yuan asked.
"Since the Sword of Light is lost, then let's start a war again with the Light Realm," Guǐ Yǐng responded eagerly. "With you, I believe we will win this war."
"Then what will you do if it is a lie that the Sword of Light is lost, and they are just using it to bait us to start a war?" Han Yuan countered.
"This..." The Elder stammered, unable to answer.
"Alright. Just wait," Han Yuan concluded. "Wait for them to make a move, and then we will have this discussion again."
He stood up to leave.
"Then..." Māo Zūn began.
Han Yuan looked at her. "Is there something else?"
"The people from the Light Realm you brought...?" she asked cautiously.
"They are my guests. Take care of them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Farewell, Your Majesty."
Guest Chambers.
Han Yuan entered the room. Gù Míng was standing by the balcony, looking out at the purple, alien sky.
"Are you disappointed that the view is not as beautiful as in the Mortal Realm?" Han Yuan asked. "No. It is just as beautiful," Gù Míng replied without turning.
Han Yuan looked across the room. Xiangling was on the bed, happily munching on a plate of carrots. He walked over and swiped the plate away.
"What are you doing?!" Xiangling shouted angrily.
"Stop eating. I have a task for you."
"No."
"I haven't said what it is and you are already refusing me?"
"Whatever it is, it can't be something good. I am not helping you."
Later that night.
"I can't believe I am helping you," Xiangling muttered under her breath. She ran to the bed where Gù Míng was sleeping and jumped on his chest.
"Wake up!" Gù Míng groaned.
"What is it?"
"Come with me, there is something important."
"It can wait till tomorrow," Gù Míng mumbled, rolling over.
"Han Yuan's coldness has relapsed!" Gù Míng sat up instantly. "Where is he?"
A Secret Garden in the Dark Realm.
They arrived at a place with no buildings, no immortals. Just darkness. Then, slowly, the darkness was replaced by thousands of glowing, round purple lights floating in the air. As the light grew, Gù Míng saw the ground was carpeted in flowers that bloomed in the night.
"Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~" Han Yuan appeared, flying gently towards him, singing softly.
"Happy birthday, dear A-Ming~ Happy birthday to you." He landed in front of Gù Míng, holding a small box. Xiangling stood there and sighed, shaking her rabbit head. Unbelievable.
"You are...?" Gù Míng asked, bewildered.
"Celebrating your birthday." Han Yuan opened the box. Inside were two silver rings. He took one and placed it on his own index finger. Then, he took Gù Míng's hand and slid the other onto his finger. Gù Míng looked at it, confused.
"Your birthday gift," Han Yuan explained. "This is a magical artifact. I can use it to locate you, and you can use it to locate me. No matter where you are in all these realms."
"Not interested," Gù Míng said, turning away.
Saying not interested, but not taking it off, Han Yuan thought, smiling at Gù Míng's back.
"Ah, by the way," Gù Míng asked, looking at the ring. "How did you know today is my birthday?"
"Well... ummm..." Han Yuan rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncharacteristically shy. "I'll tell you some other day."
"Huh?" Gù Míng looked at him, surprised.