The Zou group reappeared in a clearing in the middle of a forest. Some of them losing their balance and toppling over as their swords cut through the air. Their eyes darted around in confusion as they adjusted the new dark surroundings.

The manor was gone, the city was gone and soldiers were gone. They were in the complete dark of the forest.

Confused whispers permeated the air, all wondering what and how this happened. They all remembered being at the Chen manor bracing for the onslaught of Imperial guards but then they were suddenly here in the forest.

Chun Hua was the first to get over her shock and immediately she immediately turned to her brother with knit eyebrows and asked, "You can do this?"

This question quickly drew the attention of the others and they all turned to Chun Hai with raised shocked eyebrows. They were happy to alive and away from that dire situation, but it was impossible...It should have been impossible but he had somehow done this? It was incredible and they were all very curious, some still in disbelief.

The men could not question Chun Hai, but Bao Zhun quickly spoke for them all, "You really did this?...how?" He asked, blinking at him in surprise and intrigue.

Chun Hai narrowed his eyes irritatedly at Chun Hua and then turned to Bao Zhun and simply said, "We should keep moving. The farther we are from the city the better..."

Chun Hai could not explain the situation to them in a way that would make sense. He himself did not really understand it, he just accepted the possibility of it. Moreover, he also did not want to put a spotlight on Monk Du and cause trouble for him. If it was not because the situation was dire, he would not have used it.

It might be cruel, but he honestly did not care much about the others, a great part of why were the questions they would have. He was not even sure it would have worked, after all, he had only ever used it on himself.

So back there, his focus was on bringing his sister with him, which was why he gripped onto her arm so tightly. But it seems he must have subconsciously wanted to bring them all, after all, they were all in that situation because of his sister. He must have felt a duty to save them, but still, he was not going to explain anything.

He saved their lives therefore, he owed them nothing. If anything, they owed him.

Bao Zhun observed Chun Hai's irritated demeanor and he quickly understood and so he went, "Oh well, whatever it was. Let's just be grateful to be alive and leave it there. I don't want useless talk about this spreading. No more about this." Bao Zhun finally casting a sweeping warning glare across his men in silent threat.

The men cupped their hands and promptly bowed to show their understanding and gratitude.

Bao Zhun nodded and then turned back to Chun Hai, "How far do you think we are from the capital?" Intentionally framing the question like this.

Chun Hai glanced around and then responded, "I don't think it's far. Probably somewhere in the forest surrounding the capital..."

"Ok -"

"Excuse us!" Chun Hua cut in as she grabbed her brother's arm and pulled him along, disappearing through the trees. After they were far enough out of earshot, she stopped. She was not too worried about one of the others sneaking after them as she knew Bao Zhun would keep his men under his watch. She narrowed her eyes at her brother and asked, "What is the meaning of this? How come you can do that?"

Chun Hai frowned and hesitated, and then Chun Hua indignantly went, "You're keeping secrets from me now? Is that it? I thought- "

"Alright...." Chun Hai said with a sigh. "Here..." He said pulling out a small pouch from his inner robe.

Chun Hua raised an eyebrow and watched as he opened it and emptied it onto his palm, two lightly glowing small blue crystal orbs came out.

Chun Hua picked one up and scrutinized it as she asked, "Monk Du gave you this?" The crystal orb seemed to hold magical essence, a familiar essence so she did not need to be told who he got this from. The blue contents in it swirled with each movement, reminiscent of the ocean's waves.

"En. He showed up while I was going after Prince Rui for my "assignment". He gave me five of them and instructed to break one when in extreme danger and they will lead me to safety..." Chun Hai explained, he had used the first two during his botched assassination attempts on Prince Rui months ago.

Chun Hau stared at the blue orbs and pouted.

{...Why didn't he give me something like this?...}

A light bulb suddenly came on in her mind and she excitedly went, "This! This is it. With this, we can just appear in the palace and kill the Long Emperor and then leave! Easily! You should have told me about this long ago. Let's go - No, not now. We should wait, we also need to plan -"

"No." Chun Hai said with a frown.

Chun Hua frowned, "Why are you being like this? We can do this. We can appear in his bed chamber and I Just need to use a little poison or we can just slit his throat or something. We do it, we disappear. It's clean and easy! Do this for me...please." She added with a beseeching expression.

Chun Hai sighed and then explained, "It's not that I care about the Long Emperor's life, I can't do it because it can't be done...I have to know where I'm going, I have to be able to visualize it...I have been there before. Like this spot here, I had marked the clearing and seared it into my memory as I made my way to the capital. That is why I could bring us here...It won't work if I don't know the place, it won't break if I can't see it in my mind."

Chun Hua knit her brows and then promptly said, "Then I'll do it." While she had never been in the Emperor's - No it should actually be that Lei Xing's bedroom, she amended the plan in her mind.

While she had not been to Lei Xing's bedroom, she had been to her palace a few times so she could at least "visualize" it. If she chose a strategic point she might be able to go unnoticed. It would definitely be risky but she was willing to take the risk.

But then Chun Hai burst her bubble with his next words, "That won't work either. He had me put my blood on them, so they only work for me. On anyone else, they will be useless..."

Chun Hua opened her mouth and then closed it and her face formed into a deep scowl with jealousy and anger. They had such a good item but yet it was completely useless now thanks to her brother's lackadaisical behavior.

If she had known about this earlier, she would have found a way to get him into the palace, to get him to the Emperor's side so they could have had this chance.

She also felt some resentment towards Monk Du for not giving her such a good item when he had every opportunity to do so last time they met.

{...What a waste!...}

"Get the thoughts of the Long Emperor out of your head. We're going home." Chun Hai said snatching the orb out of her, putting them back in his pouch and returning to his robe. After that, he turned and returned to the others with Chun Hua begrudgingly following.

By the time they reached the group, they had a little fire going and were resting.

When Bao Zhun saw them, he walked over and explained, "I think it is best for us to wait till morning. After all, no one would imagine we were outside the city, and treading blindly through an unfamiliar forest is not ideal, and using lights could possibly attract attention..."

Chun Hai nodded and then went sit and rest on the tree at the edge of the makeshift camp. While Chun Hua stood there frowning at her brother. She was not entirely persuaded by his claims just now about not being able to get to the Emperor. After all, he had never been in support of her mission here. Regardless, she could not behave rashly, she needed to think...to plan.

"Is something wrong?" Bao Zhun, concerned with her poor expression.

Chun Hua shook her head with a sigh and then turned to him with a smile, "Thank you for coming to rescue me...But next time act with more caution. Don't let my brother drag you around."

"How can?" Bao Zhun said with a scoff, he smiled and then changed the topic, "Are you hungry? I can have the men find you some fruit or something..."

"No, it's better to rest." Chun Hua responded with another sigh, glancing over at her brother again with a disgruntled pout.

"Then you should stay by the fire so you don't catch a cold." Bao Zhun said grabbing her arm and pulling her along with a happy smile.

It was a definitely good thing that he came along with her. Before she would never even glance his way but now she was smiling at him now.?He knew his tenacity would eventually pay off.

***

"Wake up, wake up!" Chun Hua quietly said as she shook her brother awake.

"What?... What's wrong?" Chun Hai said as he sat up, ready to fight. Only for him to see a peaceful camp with most of its inhabitants asleep, except Bao Zhun and another man, who seemed to be on watch at the moment and Chun Hua, who was in his face.

"Come with me." Chun Hua said and then got up and walked into the forest again.

Chun Hai sighed, he knew his sister was too stubborn and would not let this go. He could guess that she had not slept and had been thinking about how to use this new knowledge to her advantage. This was why he never told her about them before. He was not interested in continuing the conversation, but still, he got up and followed.

"I have a plan." Chun Hua said with a smile as soon as he arrived on the scene.

It was just as he expected.?Chun Hai did not respond, but not at all dissuaded, Chun Hua ordered, "Take me to that Prince Yi. You've been to his manor before, don't lie...Bao Zhun already told me. Let's go."

"Why can't you just let this go?" Chun Hai said with exasperation, "This is becoming an unhealthy obsession."

"Take me there." Chun Hua said with a frown.

"No, it's a waste. There's only two left and we're still deep in enemy territory. Who knows what trouble we will face later on. Our lives could be hanging on this yet you'd rather waste them to go kill an irrelevant Prince? Do you think Houyi will care about that? Do you even think Houyi act-"

"Who said anything about killing him?!" Chun Hua interjected with irritation.

"Then what do you plan to do there?" Chun Hai said, obviously not convinced.

"Talk." Chun Hua vaguely responded.

Chun Hai snorted, "Well then, I'll tell you now that he does not want to talk to you or me. I'm sure you should have also heard from Bao Zhun how things with Prince Yi played out..."

Chun Hai then sighed and advised, "Let's just go back home. Forget Houyi, Bao Zhun is a good man who clearly cares a lot for you....and if you don't want that, then we can return to Jiu country. I'm sure uncle would be very happy with that...Just forget this, okay?" He implored as he moved to pat her back.

Chun Hua immediately slapped his hand off and said, "I can't return empty-handed, you either take me there or I'll go myself...and if you try to restrain me, then - then I'll just kill myself!"

"Huayan!" Chun Hai said in anger, "Why are you being so stubborn?! Can't y-"

"You're the one being stubborn. How can you not understand what is at stake here?! You's always like this, how can you not care about what is important?!" Chun Hua shot back, then she took a deep breath to calm herself and lightly touched her brother's arm and pleadingly said, "We promised to always support each other, to always be there for each other...I need your support now. I need this, please..."

Chun Hai knit his brows and looked at Chun Hua's beseeching expression and then said, "This is stupid..." with raised eyebrows.

Chun Hua smiled in victory and pat his arm and sweetly said, "It'll work..."