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“Permission to cross the gateway to enter the Netherworld,” he replied.
Lord Dalian shook his head. “The gateway has grown unstable of late. We must secure the passage for our own people.”
General Fang frowned. “My lord, the Winged Devils are our faithful allies. They are in danger after attacking Queen’s Caihong’s palace upon our request. They expected our aid then, but—”
“Then they were fools,” Lord Dalian snapped. “How could we reveal ourselves back then? Tell them to be patient. Once the gateway is fully opened, they can rejoin us.”
General Fang exchanged a look with a tall woman, who stepped out from the side. Her long hair was braided and tucked into a helmet. “My lord, what of the Winged Devils in the Immortal Realm, imprisoned by Queen Caihong?” she asked.
“They will have to wait, Captain Lai. Our priority is to secure the Mortal Realm. Once we are strong, the other realms will fall.”
She stiffened, her jaw tensing. “General Fang and I gave our word to the Winged Devils that we would protect them in return for their service—”
“Captain Lai, it’s not my concern what promises you made,” Lord Dalian said harshly.
“These promises were what you told us to make.” General Fang’s gaze slid to Aunt Shou. “Great Lady, surely you see the importance of keeping our word?”
“My mother no longer rules here, General Fang.” Lord Dalian’s tone was sharp with threat. “Do you need a reminder of who wields the power now?”
His gaze shifted to the general’s gold bell that glowed with an eerie light. A strangled sound slipped from General Fang’s throat, sweat glistening across his brow. The color drained from Captain Lai’s face as she fell to her knees, clasping her hands before her. “My lord, General Fang spoke in haste. We will respond to the Winged Devils as you commanded.”
Aunt Shou touched her son’s hand. “Dalian, enough. General Fang is a brave and loyal warrior.”
“Maybe, but he needs to be cleverer, unless he wants to be replaced.” Lord Dalian glanced at Captain Rao, whose hungry expression reminded me of Minister Guo whenever he scented opportunity.
A heavy silence cloaked the hall as General Fang and Captain Lai left. I was beginning to understand why few wanted to sit close to the throne, but I couldn’t let that deter me.
“I have a favor to ask of you, Lord Dalian,” I said.
An eyebrow quirked up, the expression so reminiscent of Chengyin that my heart quailed. “You may ask.”
“I am here now, one of you. Will you release Chengyin?”
His fingers crumbled a pastry upon his plate. “Do you still care for him? Your mortal betrothed?”
“Our bonds are not so easily broken.” I turned to Aunt Shou, adding, “Just as he’s still your son.”
Lord Dalian scowled, displeased at the reminder. “I’ll keep him a while longer, until you prove yourself to me.”
I cursed inwardly, for it meant Zhangwei and I were trapped too. But a direct challenge would only set him against me when I needed him to think I was on his side. “Lord Dalian, haven’t I already done that? I did as you asked, going to the temple. Why are you still holding him captive?”
He studied me through hooded eyes, as though trying to see beneath my skin. “Come, let’s speak as equals.”
It rankled that he hadn’t thought of me as one before. “Very well, Dalian,” I replied, intentionally misunderstanding him as I discarded his title—he didn’t deserve the courtesy.
Anger flickered in his gaze. “Things might be different in your mortal court, but here, you will adhere to the formalities. I am the ruler and will be acknowledged as such,” he said cuttingly. “As you know, I want you to open the gateway to Kunlun. A small matter for the rulers of Tianxia who are its guardians.”
He was lying. Just as he’d lied to get me to the Temple of the Crimson Moon. It was my immortal bloodline he was after. My mother, Queen Caihong, had trapped the Wuxin here with her magic—and only with mine could they be released.
“How do I know you’re telling the truth this time?” My tone was soft yet firm. “You said you’d free Chengyin before, too.”
He sighed as though I’d become tiresome. “I swear before all present—once you open the gateway, I will leave this mortal husk.”
My hands clenched but I forced them to loosen. “Why do you want to open the gateway?” Aunt Shou had told me, but I would hear it from him; I wouldn’t obey him unquestioningly. And this would help me measure his support at court.
He looked around the hall. “Because we need the realm beyond. My people grow hungry; the Wangchuan River can no longer sustain us.”
Several nodded, as did the woman with the translucent fingers—but as many or more remained still, their silence emboldening me.
