"For some reason, I think you're talking nonsense."
The King stood motionless, his gaze locked on Shangxian. "Why don't you go back to reflect on yourself peacefully? No strumming your strings and amusing your mistress! Accept your punishment!"
"Ling Wang! Don't be—"
Before the plea could finish, a whirlwind erupted from the scorched air. The blast hurled Shangxian's body upward; it struck the ceiling, then fell limp to the floor.
"You truly know no fear."
The King's words hung in the air like a curse. For a heartbeat, the body lay still, then a twitch, a shiver, and trembling hands pressed against the ground. Slowly, stubbornly, Shangxian lifted his head.
"Your Highness… believe me," he rasped. "The Abyss is endless, yes, but it can also be a gate. A door that opens to any realm, any dimension."
"Nonsense."
The KIng's gaze did not waver. No council elder, no divine decree, no celestial thunder had ever swayed him. Why, then, would the ramblings of a half-dead musician move his heart now?
Shangxian coughed, blood painting his lips crimson. "With your strength, Your Majesty, reaching that place, any place, wouldn't be difficult. You, not, no just you, we, we can still make it."
"You won't stop until death silences you, will you?"
Another wave of power surged. The whirlwind returned, violent and merciless, and flung Shangxian's battered body out of the hall.
"I'll return, Your Majesty!" his fading voice echoed. "Think on it! I just need a pipa… to save Yue Xiang!"
The King exhaled, face dark with irritation. "Idiot. What did she ever see in him…"
He turned and flicked his hand towards someone by the pillars. "Send the Shadow. I want to know if there's even a grain of truth in that fool's words."
"It will be done, Your Majesty!"
"Then why are you still here?" The King's voice cut sharp with irritation.
"Please forgive my impertinence, Your Majesty," came the hesitant reply, "but perhaps we should also enlist the aid of our wards at the River of Oblivion. Since they oversee the Gate of Reversal Formation, there's a chance they could adapt it for our purpose as well."
"Hmm…"
A slow, satisfied smirk spread across the King's face. "You're right. The River of Oblivion is hidden from the Heavens. Their eyes neither cannot see beneath that dome!"
Laughter erupted in the grand hall, echoing from the gilded walls. The King's hands clapped once, twice, his joy reverberating like thunder. "Be it the Abyss that opens doors, or the Gate of Reversal Formation between worlds, the Heavens won't know a thing! Excellent! Truly excellent!"
"I'm glad, Your Majesty, that I could please you." Footsteps began to retreat.
"Stop."
The figure froze. "Anything else, Your Majesty?"
"The Shadow must still go. I want every secret of the Abyss uncovered. There must always be a backup plan. Ha–ha–ha!"
*Thx for reading.