Chapter 108 - This Is Not His Doing

Ying Yue stayed behind with Sect Leader Zhi and Han Mo escorted Sect Leader Yang back with his warriors. From what the blue clothed man stated, he assigned his brother to care for his sector, so he was not worried about his area. That made things a little easier for them all.

Ying Yue was currently up on the roof placing warding charms around the palace. He stated he would head out of the palace and ward around the vicinity. Sect Leader Zhi agreed and he left to the outskirts. He did as he said, but his mind was still focused on the fabric hidden in his sleeve.

Wang Li… he was the one who killed Sect Leader Bo, but why? That did not make sense to him. What reason would he have to do such a thing?

'To create chaos,' his inner voice reminded him.

'For what purpose?' He asked, but dread washed over him like he was buried six feet under.

"It's my fault," he shut his eyes, "I shouldn't have left again. Forgive me, Ah Li. Please…"

He whispered and clenched his heart with his fingers. He… he did not want to believe it was his husband, but this handkerchief… it was his.

He heard footsteps neared him and he turned to the man with a demon mask. Forcing a smile, he waved at the man in raggedy red. He saw him tilt his head before walking over.

"Please be careful, Sir Ghost. Here," Ying Yue handed him a warding charm, "It will protect you from some ghosts."

Sir Ghost held the charm and folded it into his sleeve. The man reached out a scarred finger to his shoulder, fingers that no longer covered with the whites of the leather glove.

'Thank you.'

"You are welcome."

The finger hovered over his shoulder for a moment.

'Sad.'

Ying Yue felt his nose tickle as his eyes watered more.

'Cry. Okay.'

Fingers wiped his cheek and he felt the wetness, signifying his tears. Inhaling sharply, he felt his chest trembled as he cried. Stepping forward to the man, he felt fingers slipped away from his skin. Sir Ghost stepped back and there was distance between them again.

Wiping his face with his sleeves, his heart was hurting, bleeding, crying. He felt his arms pulled away and a white cloth was pressed against his cheeks, dampening it with his tears.

"Thank you," he whispered and he felt the handkerchief stay on his skin for a moment, chilling his heated skin.

'Tell.'

"I will be fine, Sir Ghost," the blonde shook his head and stepped back to bow, "Please take care of yourself."

He turned and walked away, leaving the man with the mask staring at the wet white cloth, embroidered in a golden koi fish.

When Ying Yue returned, he heard a meow and he smiled. Snow was being held by a female with a kind smile and soft eyes. He thanked her and picked up his pet, nuzzling his face with the kitten.

"Chosen One, he is very sweet."

"Thank you miss."

"It is rare to see a leopard, lest of all a snow leopard."

"He is a gift," Ying Yue said gently and ran his fingers through Snow's fur, earning purrs, "I will go meet with Sect Leader Zhi now. Thank you once again, miss."

"It was my honor, Chosen One."

He bowed and headed over to find the sect leader. The dark blue haired man was speaking with one of his people in blue. Ying Yue waited with Snow until the leader was finished, before walking up to the sect leader.

"Oh, Heaven's Chosen. Is everything done?"

"I've warded the entire sector, Sect Leader Zhi, but I worry about your sector. I should go ward it off too."

"I am also worried. Do you think you can get there quickly? My brother is doing his best to handle my sector, but… they are not too fond of him."

A sigh escaped his lips and he walked out of the room. Ying Yue followed and bowed to those who greeted them. They seemed to be walking to an area he didn't recognize.

Glancing at Snow who sat in his arms quietly, he noticed they were walking through a place with no pathways.

"Sect Leader Zhi?"

"Chosen One, you are very kind. The Ghost King… this is not his doing. I know it."

Ying Yue blinked his golden eyes and held his pet tighter.

"What do you mean?"

The man paused and turned to him. His face was set in determination, true on his own conviction.

"The Ghost King is a kind man. I have spoken to him often. He saved my brother, Chosen One. I owe him much."

Ying Yue could not help how his heart pumped happily. His beautiful Wang Li, showing he was more than the burden he was given. He smiled and felt thankful to the brunette.

"I agree. He is kind."

The blue haired man's shoulder's relaxed. A charming smile replaced the deep-set lips and blue eyes crinkled into crescents.

"I am glad to hear that, Chosen One. Come, I wish to show you something."

The platinum blonde followed passed the forest to a rocky area where a temple was built. He stared at it for a moment and Snow perked up.

"Meow."

Snow sounded and wriggled out of his hold to run up the steps to the temple. Ying Yue followed Sect Leader Zhi to enter the temple and he found his heart racing. A statue of Wang Li carved from stone stood looking just as regal as the Ghost King was. Candles lit the area and he could not help the smile crawling on his lips.

"Is this… your doing?"

"My brother and I made it a long time ago. We figured if Ah Yang was so adamant in worshipping you, Chosen One, it would not be fair to our king."

Ying Yue wanted to cry. This was amazing and his heart felt so full of proudness.

"Are you alright, Chosen One? You aren't angry, right?"

"No, I am just…," he took a deep breath, "Thank you. This is wonderful."

"Meow," Snow sounded and they walked over to him, to see he was getting himself comfortable on a delicate red fabric on the floor.

"Snow, this is not a place to stay," he laughed picking Snow up to earn sad noises from the kitten, "This is where we can come to pray for our king, ok?"

A lick of an agreement from the snow leopard caused him to let out a laugh.

"Thank you, Sect Leader Zhi for showing this to me. It made me very happy."

"I am glad. Do you wish to pray with me?"

Ying Yue nodded and joined. His thoughts went to when he prayed with his lover for Sheng Shui, but now he was praying for Wang Li. He smiled softly as he placed the incents in the bowl and knelled down on the pillow to bow.

'I pray for your health, your love, your happiness my love.'

When they left the temple, Ying Yue felt himself lighter and happier. Leaving Snow with the blue haired man, he stepped onto his sword and flew to the South Sector. When he arrived, he noticed how quiet the place was.

He saw a man that wore the outfit of a chancellor and called out to him.

"Chosen One, what brings you here? Did something happen to Sect Leader Zhi?"

"No, he is alright. However, I would need to ward your sector. Sect Leader Bo was murdered and we are currently looking for the culprit. Is the secondary leader in?"

"Many apologies, Chosen One. He is currently busy withholding changes the villagers are requesting."

"I can assist him, if he wishes."

"No need," the man waved his hand, "Please ward our sector, Chosen One. I will tell him your purpose. I am sure Sect Leader Zhi would expect you to return."

Ying Yue furrowed his brows at such avoidance. He would need to speak with Sect Leader Zhi about the cold reception. Shaking his head, he went and did as he came to do. As he placed the last warding charm, he felt the hair at the back of his neck rise. The sense of danger made him alert and he turned quickly with his sword in hand.

The back of a man in red with long black hair was before him. His eyes widened and his heart quickened, as he tightened his fist on the hilt of his blade. The man turned slightly, but Ying Yue still wasn't able to see the face clearly.

He rushed off and Ying Yue chased.

Ying Yue ran as fast as he could, trying to catch this man, this killer. Entering what looked like a cavern, he turned the corner and bumped into someone. Quickly jumping back, he held his sword before him and his brows rose.

"Sir Ghost?"

The man with the demon mask stared at him, rubbing his chest against the red tunic.

"Wh… What are you doing here?"