"Your Majesty, you look very confused." Deng Rao smiled as he stared at Feng Haoran.
"Stop playing games, old man. Explain at once what the Prison of Eternal Darkness is."
"As you wish, Great Emperor." Deng Rao bowed slightly. "The Prison of Eternal Darkness is not merely an empty dungeon, Your Majesty."
Feng Haoran shot him a sharp glare. However, it was evident from his expression that his interest had been piqued.
"Explain," Feng Haoran commanded.
"Very well, Your Majesty," Deng Rao answered.
A heavy silence settled in the middle of the night. The sound of crows echoed as four of them circled the palace. The number four signified death, yet this was a fate far more cruel than death itself. The moonlight illuminated two creatures who were no longer worthy of being called human.
"It is a prison where the Atma, or the soul, no longer has access to the physical body." Deng Rao grinned.
"Continue," Feng Haoran ordered.
"A prison filled with the energy of despair. It contains beautiful memories of a past that can never be repeated, dominated by the power of the Yin Demon. In that place, the eyes are no longer granted the permission to see. All five senses are sealed away."
Deng Rao paused. "That is what is known as the Prison of Eternal Darkness, Your Majesty."
"You intend to torture my woman?" Feng Haoran asked while staring intently at Deng Rao.
"The Great Emperor is truly holy. Truly, terrifyingly divine." Deng Rao's smile widened.
"Explain your plan now," Feng Haoran said.
"Tomorrow, you must take her to the most beautiful place possible to satisfy her inner soul."
"The Red Lilies Garden?"
"Precisely, Your Majesty. Take her there and invite her to indulge in nostalgia. Leave the rest to me. I have prepared the most beautiful surprise, one that would make a gift from the Ninth Heaven look like mere trash." Deng Rao smiled cunningly. "The Illusion Realm," he added. "Let her dance."
Feng Haoran and Deng Rao shared a dark smile.
The following morning, the palace appeared radiant and magnificent. RuiXue had just stirred from her sleep.
"Where is he?" RuiXue was confused because Feng Haoran was not by her side.
She walked out of her sleeping chambers and was immediately greeted by beautiful maidservants.
"Good morning, Your Highness. May you live forever," the servants exclaimed as they welcomed her.
"My wife?" Feng Haoran walked toward RuiXue while carrying a tray of tea.
"You are awake? I have just prepared this tea for you."
"My husband, why did you go to such trouble? You could have simply ordered the servants," RuiXue replied.
"Why? Do you not like it?" Feng Haoran's face shifted into a slightly pouty, playful expression. RuiXue smiled at the sight, her drowsiness completely vanishing.
"No, my husband. I am very happy." RuiXue gave him a tender smile, and Feng Haoran returned it with a sweet grin of his own.
"The Great Emperor and the Empress are truly a perfect match," the maidservants whispered.
Deep within his heart, the demon stirred. Good. But this is still not enough, the voice in Feng Haoran's soul hissed.
"My wife, let us enjoy this tea inside. There is something I wish to tell you," Feng Haoran said softly.
"Very well, my husband," RuiXue answered.
Once they reached the room, Feng Haoran opened the window curtains. "Enjoy this morning light," he said with a sweet smile.
"We can enjoy this beautiful morning light forever, my husband."
"Of course," Feng Haoran replied calmly with a thin smile.
They enjoyed their tea together, chatting and laughing as if they were basking in a final moment of happiness.
"My wife," Feng Haoran interrupted their conversation. "Let us go to the Red Lilies Garden when the sun begins to set."
"What is this? Why the sudden invitation, my husband? Do you miss the memories there?"
"Yes, I miss them very much." Feng Haoran looked at her tenderly. "Eternal memories that will never perish. Let us relive them once more."
RuiXue hugged Feng Haoran tightly. "I knew you would never forget our beautiful moments," she whispered.
"How could I ever forget? However, promise me one thing, my wife."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Do not bring anyone else there. There must only be you and I. No one is allowed to disturb our beautiful moment together."
"Alright, my husband. Only the two of us."
"Only the two of us," Feng Haoran repeated.
Inside his heart, he thought: Soon, the first gate of the Gates of Shadows will open. I will break through level by level and finally follow the path of darkness!
During their journey out of the palace gates, Guang intercepted them.
"The Emperor and Her Majesty must be guarded. This is the ancestral decree of the Great Forefathers. Forgive my insolence, but may Your Majesty live for millions of years!" Guang shouted while bowing.
Feng Haoran placed both hands on Guang's shoulders. "Guang, my wife and I are only going for a short walk. We will return before midnight."
"It is true, Guang. You do not need to worry about us. With the Emperor's strength, he can surely protect me," RuiXue added.
Guang could only bow his head in silence. He felt something was strange about Emperor Feng, yet he did not dare to disobey.
When they arrived at the Red Lilies Garden, the sun was beginning to dip.
"My wife, we have arrived." Feng Haoran gave a strange smile.
"Illusion Realm." Deng Rao drew an ancient symbol in the air. "Open!"
RuiXue stood frozen in confusion. A magnificent lotus altar appeared in the center of the garden. Pillars wrapped in gold and made of eternal jade stood tall, things that should not have been there. Jade beauties danced in the air with golden scarves, accompanied by a melody so beautiful it felt like a dream.
"Let us dance, my wife."
RuiXue, who was initially dazed, suddenly agreed to Feng Haoran's invitation because she had been pulled into Deng Rao's Illusion Realm. They danced gracefully as RuiXue's eyes sparkled with joy. Feng Haoran's demonic soul grew hungry.
Every step of their dance added to the grandeur of the illusion. Four jade beauties approached and began to dance around them. The number was exactly four.
Eventually, the jade beauties pulled RuiXue up into the air, leaving Feng Haoran smiling warmly from below. RuiXue looked down at him with pure delight.
"My husband, I am so happy!" she cried out.
The lotus altar was filled with her happiness.
"Have your fun!" Feng Haoran shouted from below. He was smiling, but this time, RuiXue saw that the smile was incredibly haunting. Why is he looking at me so deeply? she wondered.
It was too late. The grand altar and all its luxury faded instantly into shadows. Deng Rao appeared to welcome her.
"Welcome, Your Highness." He smiled with satisfaction.
RuiXue vaguely heard the voice, but the greeting seemed to repeat over and over again: "Welcome! Welcome! Welcome, Your Highness!"
RuiXue snapped back to consciousness. "My husband? Where are you?"
Meanwhile, in the real world, Feng Haoran sat cross-legged in the middle of the garden. He smiled, yet his expression was filled with a terrifying emptiness.
"I am here."