Chapter Text
Chapter 2
CLOUD PAVILION
MID-DAY
The sun was shining as Huang Feiyu sat on the porch watching his father go through some sword forms, the little boy was 5 years old now, and his hair reached just past his shoulders a mix of red and black giving him a unique and exotic look, a fair skin tone with silver eyes that had a golden ring about the pupils. He was currently wearing a light blue and white robe and his hair in a simple ponytail.
Huang Feiyu smiled as he watched his mother enter with her maid, he was enjoying his new life so far he got to enjoy having loving parents this time! His parents were a lovely couple, sure they were strict when it came to lessons but considering he was of royal blood it made sense, he just wished he had better step-siblings and family members.
His step-siblings were all their own forms of headache givers with a few exceptions, he shook his head as he looks at his hand. He had recently formed a golden core within his diadem out of sheer stubbornness, he had seen and heard how his step-siblings, Xiao Yun, and Xiao Zhongqi were being favored by his Xiao Bastard of a stepfather, then again the two were his problem not the Huang's problem.
His third sister, Xiao Yun, was an ice summoner she was just starting to train toward being a 1-start summoner but it would take time. Xiao Zhongqi was the true born male of the Xiao family side, his potential was a warrior the same as his sister, Huang Feiyu shook his head. He opens the fan he held to cool himself down, he looks over as his mother arrived looking annoyed by something.
"Mother, welcome back," Huang Feiyu said waving but not leaving his spot, it was a hot day and he was in a cool spot!
"Hey, Wen'er!" Huanyuan Wentian Said spotting his sword forms to greet his wife with a smile.
"Fei'er, Tian'er," Huang Huiwen said with a smile as she dismisses the maid with her and went over to give her husband a kiss on the cheek before moving to sit by Huang Feiyu.
"You look annoyed Mother," Huang Feiyu said as his father came over and sat down as well.
"Just fourth wife Xue bragging about things again," Huang Huiwen said as her right eye twitched.
"What was it this time? Her daughter got a new hairpin?" Wentian asked sarcastically making Huang Feiyu snort.
"I wish, she was bragging about Xiao Yun is going to become a 1-star summoner by the end of the month," Huang Huiwen said with a deep sigh.
"Um, has she forgotten that her daughter isn't the only summoner here?" Wentian said scratching his head as he shares a look with his son.
Huang Feiyu had the talent to be both a summoner and cultivator, he had potent Qi and a lot of spiritual energy, he was stubborn after hearing stories about the cultivators in the far northern lands and spent an entire 4 months working on making a golden core and spirit pathways through his body. He now had a small golden core that was weak at the moment but as time goes by it will get stronger, he was now focusing on at least getting to a rank 2 or 3-star summoner before working some more on his core.
"She was short-sighted to begin with," Huang Huiwen mutters making her husband chuckle as Huang Feiyu smirks, his father bringing out the sarcastic side of his mother.
"Oh, right, Tian'er, you have a mission in two days, a platoon has spotted some worrying signs of demonic beasts appearing near the city, I'll be helping my brother with a court issue, one of the concubines is on a warpath," Huiwen said with a sigh.
"I don't pity your brother," Wentian said with a sweatdrop on the back of his head before looking at his son.
"Feiyu, make sure you only marry those you deeply love, be it male or female, stay awake from snakes and arrogant heads," Wentian said making Huang Feiyu nod.
"I will! No ugly snakes like Wife Xue," Huang Feiyu said smiling making his father laugh while his mother chuckles.
"Now, head inside, I need to see how your writing is coming along," Huang Huiwen said getting up and making her son pout but do as he was told while Wentian went back to training.
Later that night, Huang Feiyu sat in his room, he looks out the window of his room with a sad look in his eyes but one of acceptance. He sighs looking down at his hands, even in this life he still loses them.
"Death," Huang Feiyu said quietly making the deity appear leaning on the wall.
"You saw it then," Death said softly.
"Yes, it won't be long now, ha, please...make it painless," Huang Feiyu asked as he moves to lay down, his emotions somber after seeing the death day countdown on his parents.
An ability from being the master of death, one that only shows up if he has a close bond with that person. It helps him brace for the inevitable, he silently mourns while Death nods wishing his master a good night before leaving. He floats above the city, he had managed to give his master as much time as he could with his parents but some events are too locked into place it seems.
"Cherish the time with them Master, good luck," Death said before vanishing back to his realm.
A FEW WEEKS LATER
Huang Feiyu sighs as he sat beside his crying mother, his eyes stung from crying so much. Two days ago they had received news that Huanyuan Wentian had been killed during a mission gone wrong. His body was badly mauled by an out-of-control spirit animal, the owner of the spirit beast had done something and ended up killed by his own beast then it went on a rampage.
The funeral would take place in two days, his mother was hit hard, and he was doing his best to comfort her, he glanced up at her head, and his ability flared making her death date appear. He let a few more tears fall, this time for her as he silently grieved in his heart for she would soon be gone.
'Is this what a broken heart looks like?' Huang Feiyu thought as he looked at the doorway where a maid stood with a young white-haired boy, both looked sad and worried.
The maid was Jingfen, his mother's royal maid and doubles as a bodyguard, she was training 7-year-old Dongling, a boy born with a rare case of albinism with white shoulder-length hair, a pretty face, and violet eyes. He was healthy unlike back in his original world in this world due to cultivation the health problems that albinos get were negated and his looks were enhanced making Dongling look like a little fairy.
Dongling was saved from a village where bandits had raided and destroyed it, Princess Royal dealt with the bandits and found Dongling, and offered him a home and a job. He would become Huang Feiyu's manservant and bodyguard, and when he turned 16 he would get the chance to have a last name and citizenship so far now he was under the protection of the Huang's as a servant.
Feiyu gestured for both to come in, the maid went to her lady to comfort her as Dongling move to sit on his knees near Huang Feiyu, the young prince looked at his friend.
"Any news from the main area?" Huang Feiyu asked.
"The servants are in mourning and the Xiao members are wearing a white slash but they don't seem bothered by Wentian's passing," Dongling said with a frown.
"I expected that Xiao Yuancheng was also sour when mother married father, keep an eye on him he may try something with mother while she's like this," Huang Feiyu said making Dongling nod.
After his mother cried herself to sleep her son went to keep watch, he sat on the landing watching the sunset, he would need to prepare funeral clothing soon. He sighs at least he had good memories to look back on, he just worried about his mother a broken heart can do a lot to a person's health both physically and mentally.
Later into the night, Huang Feiyu was doing a bit of caligraphy practice before bed, Dongling was sleeping in his own room connected to the building, and his mother was sleeping as well. A noise made him pause and look up to see the gate to the Cloud Pavilion, it opens and a maid stepped inside with a tray. There was food on the trey, he put his brush down and watched as the maid approached him.
"Young master Huang," The maid said giving a bow to which he nods.
"Greetings, what business do you have here?" Huang Feiyu said as he watched the maid place the tray of food on the table it was some sweets.
"I was told to deliver this, it's a gift to help lighten the spirits," The maid said.
Huang Feiyu didn't recognize this maid, she must be a new one, he didn't see any marks indicating which concubine she served or young master or miss. Could she be from outside the family?
"I don't recognize you, are you a new maid here?" Huang Feiyu asked as he looks the maid over.
"Yes, I was brought in yesterday to serve First wife Feng," The maid said giving a bow before quickly leaving.
Huang Feiyu narrowed his eyes at her before looking at the sweets, he reached over and picked one up to sniff it, no bad smell, he then used his spiritual energy to check it over. It was clear, he relaxed a bit, if it was from Concubine Feng then he guessed it was okay, she was nice compared to the others. He cautiously took a bite and when nothing happened 5 minutes later he finished it and ate one more of the sweets before disposing of the rest for the birds to have. He yawns and went to get ready for bed.
MEANWHILE
The same maid from before was now shivering as she sat on her knees before a room, she gulps not daring to look up.
"So, did the brat eat the sweets?" A voice asked.
"H-he was hesitant and cautious so he only ate two and gave the rest to the birds," The maid said her voice shaky.
"Tch! Not enough! Gurrr, no matter I'll just keep trying, leave my sight and if you speak of this to anyone consider your parent's life forfeited," The voice said making the maid nod and quickly leave.
A WEEK LATER
Huang Feiyu growls as he stood in the courtyard of the Cloud Pavilion he was only in some pants and a training top, he was looking at his sword as he tried to use his spiritual energy only for it to go wrong.
"Maybe the stress is affecting my pathways?" Huang Feiyu mutters as he sighs and put his sword away.
"Master, should I call a doctor in? Maybe you've come down with a spiritual sickness?" Dongling asked as he walks over and passed Feiyu a cup of water.
"Hmm, considering how things have gone since fathers funeral it might be best," Huang Feiyu said as he drinks.
It has been a stress-filled week since his father was out to rest, and his mother was showing clear signs of depression and was busy right now helping her brother out to distract herself. Huang Feiyu was busy with his studies and training, and along with dealing with the Xiao's, he felt like he needed a vacation.
"Call the doctor let's play it safe," Huang Feiyu said as he went inside to change into some more casual robes.
An hour later the doctor arrives with his mother's maid, so now he was sitting letting the doctor examine him.
"Hmm, there's nothing majorly wrong body wise young Prince, but you are showing signs of stress on your muscles and extreme stress on your spiritual pathways, this is quite common for those who have faced a traumatic experience," The doctor said as he finished and gave his results.
"So not that big of a problem?" Huang Feiyu asked crossing his arms.
"Yes, it only becomes a problem if you push your body too much then it will start to rebel, so for now young Prince focus on healing and then strengthening your body first to allow your pathways to recover," The Doctor said as he went over to a scroll and wrote something down.
"Here, this medicine will help with your muscles and spiritual recovery," The Doctor said passing the scroll to Jingfen.
"Thank you Doctor, Jingfen-Ayi, Dongling, I wish to sleep for a bit," Huang Feiyu said as the Doctor bows and left while Jingfen left to get the medicine while Dongling went to do some chores.
Huang Feiyu once he was sure it was clear gave a smirk as he looks to the corner of his room.
"Was I convincing enough?" Huang Feiyu asked as Death appears chuckling.
"It was pretty good master," Death said as he moves over to his master.
"It was enough to trick that Doctor at least," Feiyu said leaning back.
"Master, why are you letting yourself be poisoned? Isn't it counterproductive?" Death asked as he held his chin.
"Hmm, I remember Teddy saying in the original story Beiyue was killed via poison and its discovery led to the one who did it being exposed," Feiyu said as his grin turns vicious.
"So I'm just gathering evidence, besides it's helping me build up my poison resistance," Feiyu said as he lifts his arm and held up his hand, his hand glowed as black gunk oozed out of his fingertips.
"Sneaky master, how did you find out?" Death asked as he grins.
"Let's just say a little birdy told me," Huang Feiyu said as he moves to lay down.
A few days ago he found some dead birds in his yard, he was confused at first before remembering that those birds had eaten the sweets he tossed out. He quickly knew something was wrong and hunted down the maid who gave them to him, he found out she had been ordered to deliver the sweets to him but they were not from lady Feng, she wouldn't say more since the one who did it help the poor girls family against her. He promised to help her family on the sly in return she would for-warn him of other poison attempts to prepare for them.
He had also discovered his body developing an anti-poison skill, he nearly deadpanned since of course! He couldn't escape being poisoned in either life, be it giant deadly snake venom or poisoned food.
Death hums as he taps his chin "You have a few more weeks left with your mother, are you going to do anything special?" Death asked.
Feiyu hums "A camping trip for a beast sounds fun, doesn't it? I think it's time for Yan to join in on the fun," He said.
"It will stop him from lazing around that's for sure," Death said as he got up.
"I wish you, luck master, just give me the word and I'll kick Yan your way," Death said with a smirk and wave before leaving in a swirl of shadows.
Huang Feiyu chuckles before closing his eyes to try and sleep, he needed to keep up with his act after all. Still, he did need to find a way to shield his pathways from the poison if he wanted to get strong under everyone's nose.
AT THE PALACE
Huang Huiwen frowns as she got the news from her maid that her son was sick, she hoped he recovered quickly. She would have another doctor check him over to double-check everything or she could ask Song Mi, he was skilled in the art of medicine as well so maybe he could make something to help Feiyu.
With that in mind, she left the room and went to the gardens, she quickly found Prince Xiaoyao or Song Mi looking at some flowers. She approached him, her footsteps making him pause and turn to face her. He smiled closing his fan.
"Hello Princess, what brings you here this time of day?" Song Mi asked.
"Song Mi, I need your assistance on a matter related to my son," Huang Huiwen said as she pulled out the scroll and passed it to him.
He took it and began reading it over, he hums before rolling it back up and putting it into his sleeve.
"I'll work on something to heal his pathways, maybe a full detoxification pill will help clear his body of any badness that the stress has built up," Prince Xiaoyao said making Huang Huiwen relax.
"My thanks, I'll return home once my job is done, please let me know when everything is ready," Huang Huiwen said as she gave a polite bow to her friend who returns it, she then left.
"Have a safe trip home, Wen'er," Prince Xiaoyao said with a soft look as he watched her vanish around the corner.
He then gains a determined look as he opens his fan and went off to start work on his new project, he made a promise to Huanyuang Wentian to look after his family. He was going to keep that promise, as long as Huang Huiwen and Feiyu were happy and healthy his heart was content and Wentian's spirit could rest in peace.
Back in Princess Manor, Huang Feiyu frowns as he looked at the note he received from his little spy, he looked over at the tray of 'get well' sweets a servant delivered. He then grins a very satisfied grin.
Next to the sweets was a single note, the handwriting was neat and the words encouraging and sweet yet it was his biggest clue.
"Now I know who to target, this is going to be fun~," Huang Feiyu said his smirk turning vicious as his eyes glinted.
Done!