Chapter 123 - The Blood Sacrifice

While the gore battlefield resonated with the clanking sounds of swords, dark ominous clouds gathered over the skies signalling the calamity that is going to descend upon the sacred soil of Yu kingdom.

The thousand men army remained amazed by the clash between two ferocious warriors. These army men, they were trained to control their emotions, however, the moment the duel started they were astonished by the talent and power possessed by Bai Yu Yue.

No wonder!

No wonder she had the guts to act boldly and lead the army against Wei empire.

No wonder she was able to behave arrogantly and challenge their Emperor to fight one-on-one with her.

She had the strength and sheer audacity to be known as the pride of Yu kingdom.

Bai Yu Yue was not being overconfident when she chose to fight without armour. Though the heavy iron-clad armour protects her from injuries, it limited her movements in the duel.

She wanted to be free and flexible so that she can attack the opponent with power-packed heavy blows.

Once the duel has ascended to a difficult level, the sense of underestimation about Bai Yu Yue disappeared from the army men. Some of them even began to cheer for her, forgetting that she was their enemy and her opponent was their own ruler.

In the mainland, back in their homes, women were considered lower than men, delicate and pretty flowers who are meant to adorn the households.

But in this faraway land, a young woman shattered all of their stereotypes and re-wrote the rules and concepts, making them bow down in respect. 

Her fighting skills were unparalleled to the prowess shown by the top warriors across the mainland.

She was an exceptional warrior who was honed for battles.

The soldiers who have participated in various duels gradually figured out the pattern of the Queen's striking order.

Defend as many strokes you can and retaliate with a huge blow. It was the basic attacking strategy of Tu sect,

Wei Sheng with his continuous and fierce attacking style earned an upper hand in the duel,  but the way Bai Yu Yue defended his strokes was even more remarkable.

A duel is not always based on a strong attack, but it depends on how strong the defence is.

While everyone was praising the Queen, Yang Gongren's eyes were fixed on the man whose limelight has been stolen by a woman.

How does Wei Sheng think of a woman who fights against him on almost the same level?

Especially when his demonic alternate ego considers himself above the gods?

Can he handle a woman who is trying to overpower him?

However, the moment Yang Gongren's eyes fell on the mischievous smile plastered on Wei Sheng's majestic face, he was left stupefied. Instead of fierce bloodthirst, his amber eyes were glowing in excitement.

Wei Sheng was actually enjoying the fight with Bai Yu Yue. 

But his rupture didn't last any longer, within a blink of an eye, Bai Yu Yue swished her sword and slashed Wei Sheng's muscular arm.

His brows creased in sudden pain and his bright smile vanished into thin air, plunging the entire battlefield into silence.

No one thought that Wei Sheng will be the first one to get injured.

The one who attacked him remained unwavering, without giving an ear to the gasps raising from the audiences. 

"Do you regret fighting without an armour?" Bai Yu Yue raised one of her eyebrows and asked in a clear voice.

"I regret," Wei Sheng abruptly halted his steps and gaped directly into her cold black eyes.

"I regret the moment I decided to meet you as a conqueror rather than your suitor," He declared with an unusually calm and sharp voice.

"Warriors!!!!" Wei Sheng raised his voice and gained the attention of the men watching the duel.

The Wei army men who were split into two teams cheering for the two ferocious warriors, immediately straightened their back and stood in unison.

"Do you regret that we missed serving an amazing Empress?" 

Wei Sheng's magnetic voice echoed across the battlefield.

Empress! Did they hear him address Bai Yu Yue as Empress?

The bystanders left petrified by the unexpected turn of events.

Is this real? Did they find the Empress who is going reign the mighty Wei Empire?

Even Bai Yu Yue who previously paid no attention to Wei Sheng blabbering narrowed her eyes and stared at the man with confusion.

"Do you regret it?" Wei Sheng faced his army and enunciated every word he spoke.

"Yes, Majesty." Everyone replied in Unison. "We missed serving an amazing Empress."

Wei Sheng proudly looked at Bai Yu Yue who appeared untouched by any of his words.

"You heard them. I, Wei Sheng, the ruler of the Wei Empire never regretted anything in my life till now." He swept a glance across the battlefield,

"But today I realized that, Bai Yu Yue," He stopped and gazed at her with a pang of guilt flashing in his glowing eyes.

"The intention to end your life will remain the greatest regret of my life."

Wei Sheng's thin and attractive lips curled into a perfect curve, elevating his exquisite facial features into an excellent artwork of Gods. 

Yang Gongren choked upon his cousin's words. Is this Wei Sheng or Wei Lang? Who is speaking?

He looked at the man who is grinning like an idiot.

Don't tell me that his majesty finally fell in love with a woman?

When did Wei Lang allow his alternate gentle self to resurface and confess his willingness to take her as the lawful partner?

While Yang Gongren contemplated the transformation of Wei Sheng, the main protagonist of this awkward love story remained like a lifeless statue.

"My Queen," Wei Sheng gained Bai Yu Yue's attention. "Do you want to regret for the rest of your life?"

"I will regret" Bai Yu Yue calmly said. "If I don't kill you with my own hands,"

Though she appeared calm, anyone can detect the murderous intent hidden in her cold voice.

"Oh, that hurts!" Wei Sheng faked sadness and glanced at her with a meek smile.

"If you are done spouting all that non-sense, then get back to your position." She demanded,

Wei Sheng was left dumbfounded by her reply.

He confessed his desire to take her as his wife, just like the way she demanded earlier and now she dared to regard it as non-sense?

Does that mean she rejected him?

"So you don't want to surrender?" He asked to confirm.

"Death is better than surrender." Bai Yu Yue repositioned herself and got ready to face him.

"Remember, Winner, takes all," Wei Sheng grinned and took his position.

He was desperate to end this duel and make her yield in.

Without any inhibition, he attacked Bai Yu Yue with his all might. She didn't back off either. Instead of defending his strikes, she changed her strategies to focus more on attacking.

"It was impossible to win this woman by fighting fairly, he should look for other possible ways to defeat her."

Instead of going for her arm which wielded the sword, he attacked her wrists on the other arm. His sword slashed her veins in the left wrist. 

He took advantage of her wound and attacked the other wrist by slashing the veins. The sword slipped down from her hand and fell in the soil. 

Blood oozed out from both of her wrists. Wei Sheng pointed his sword at her neck and triumphantly smiled.

"You call this winning?" She seethed, her gorgeous face was covered with rage.

"I disarmed you,"

"By breaking the rules,"

"Rules are supposed to break," Wei Sheng laughed in contempt, "So, Winner takes all."

"Not when I am alive," Bai Yu Yue pulled her Jade pin from her hair and pointed at him with her narrowed eyes. "Didn't you tell that rules are supposed to break,"

"Sweetheart, I think I am falling for you,"

Wei Sheng threw away his sword with a condescending sneer and walked towards Bai Yu Yue with open palms.

"I clearly understood that you like to fight, and you are good at too… Just like everyone else, I am also totally impressed by, Bai Yu Yue, the pride of the Yu clan."

His eyes glittered in admiration.

"So why don't you save your energy for now and throw it away?"

He tried to pacify the woman who remained adamant on continuing the fight. The sleeves of her robe have already turned red and her proud face started to lose its color."We all acknowledge that you fought well, so why don't you submit?"

"Why should I yield in? Our fight is not over,"

This woman why can't she stop being cocky and admit her defeat?

"Listen to me, I will give you enough opportunities to fight with me, you can fight with me, but not here," Wei Sheng's lips curled into a salacious smile, "In my chambers." 

The continuous presumptuous remarks of Wei Sheng had aroused revulsion in Bai Yu Yue,

"Do you think of me as a maiden who is mesmerized by your handsome face and wealth?" Bai Yu Yue inquired all of sudden,

"Then you are wrong, Wei Sheng," She proclaimed as she stared him in contempt "You are absolutely wrong."

A vicious murderous glint gradually replaced the calmness of her black eyes.

"It's true that Yu clan believes in peace and harmony, but that doesn't mean that we are magnanimous enough to forgive an enemy who murdered my family." Even though there wasn't any change heard in her tone, the corner of Bai Yu Yue's lips turned upwards in disdain.

"Majesty, we cannot undo what has been already done," Yang Gongren knelt before her and pleaded. Wei Sheng has already given her numerous opportunities to live, but this woman was keen on seeking death by getting into his nerves.

"Why can't we come to an agreement? You give moonstone and we give-"

"I want him dead," She replied and raised one of her eyebrows haughtily. "And moonstone, don't even think about it,"

"You are quite a fierce one," Wei Sheng looked at her nonchalantly, "that's what makes you eligible for the title of the Empress of Wei empire,"

"You brought war upon us, murdered my family and shed blood on this sacred land. You stepped on the blood and flesh of my people and demanding me to become your empress!!!" She scoffed, "All I want is to kill you,"

"I came here for moonstone since you are challenging me, I will make sure to take everything from this land, including you." Wei Sheng arrogantly said.

"You won't be able to take a single pebble from this land." 

"You really think that I will be scared by your little hairpin," He ignored her protests walked closer to her.

"I Bai Yu Yue, mother of Yu clan and protector of Jade land swear upon the mighty heavens and great mount Tu, the wrath of Yu clan will hunt you down until the great Wei empire crumbles down into ashes and dirt."

Wei Sheng stopped for a moment and stared at her,

Under the dark ominous sky, Bai Yu Yue stood in the gory battlefield like a white lotus bloomed in the murky water.

The howling wind fluttered her long black hair, making a perfect contrast with her pure white robes.

On her head, she wore a Jade amulet with five colored gemstones and a phoenix-the symbol of Queen.

"Whoever shares the Wei bloodline will never own the moonstone. The man who broke the con-sanguine bonds will be betrayed by his own people whom he considers as his own family, and will suffer as long as his bloodline survives."

She menacingly spat the vicious words,

"Do you think that I will back off if you curse me?" Wei Sheng sniggered, "You have no other option than surrendering yourself and your kingdom,"

Bai Yu Yue re positioned her Jade pin towards her and raised her eyes to the dark sky.

"The great mother who wields this earth and sky, your vassal, the lunar maiden who possesses the blood and flesh of the Bai tribe, sacrifices her soul on behalf of the entire Yu clan and beseech the power to protect my land from the enemies,"

Within a flash moment, the pin thrust into her heart.

As the blood rose bloomed on her white robe, Bai Yu Yue's remained calm and serene without showing a hint of pain.

"Let it be the last time the enemy sets foot on this sacred land."

The moment her blood dripped on the murky ground, a bolt of dazzling lightning and struck down the city gate, setting it on the fire.

As the terrifying scene revealed in front of their eyes, an unknown fear crept into the minds of Wei army men.

The continuous roaring of thunder and lightning has reminded them something they have forgotten long ago,

The land they were standing, it was the sacred soil of Yu clan, the heaven on earth, the abode of the jade emperor.

The Queen who made the blood sacrifice and soul binding vow with the heavens on the verge of death, she was the personification of the goddess mother nature.

Her curse will come true!

In the enchanted night, an elegant figure stood unmoving, her stunning face tilted up and illuminated by the lightning.

As she lowered her head, the corners of her mouth curls into an evil grin when she gazed at the man who stood in front of her, 

Those eyes showed merciless annihilation,

"No one will leave this land alive," her laughter turned maniacal, 

It was extremely beautiful, strangely alluring but terrific to see at the same time.

Under the thick stench of blood and rotten bodies, Wei Sheng's superior olfactory senses picked up a floral scent permeating around Bai Yu Yue, who has been bleeding.

That intoxicating floral scent lingering around her somehow felt familiar.

The heavenly tuberose!!!