ALL NOVEL The Starsky Kingdom was draped in shadows of despair as the growing power of the demon sects cast a pall over the once vibrant land. Whispers of terror threaded through the streets as villages were razed and innocents slaughtered, the dark tide seemingly unstoppable. Even the presence of Empress Xinmei, a symbol of supreme power and authority, had done little to stem the tide of chaos that now gripped the kingdom.
Within the ornate halls of the royal palace, the atmosphere was equally charged with urgency and foreboding. Yiman moved like a storm through the corridors, his expression a mask of fierce determination and anger. Bursting into the room without a knock, his eyes were immediately drawn to the vision of allure that was his mother. She stood there, clad in nothing but a silken bathrobe, the damp fabric clinging to her curves and accentuating her slender waist. Her wet skin, glistening with droplets, enhanced the porcelain smoothness that he had always admired.
The bathrobe, left partially open, revealed a hint of her well-endowed bosom, the fullness of which was emphasized by the delicate fabric. Her raven-black hair, usually pinned up in an elegant coiffure, now hung loosely around her shoulders, the tendrils framing her ethereal face and contrasting with her silver eyes that shimmered like the moonlight itself.
The blush on her high cheekbones added a touch of innocence to her otherwise sultry appearance, and her plump, rose-hued lips seemed even more inviting than he remembered.
The sight of his mother, with her exquisite features and undeniable beauty, left Yiman momentarily breathless. She exuded an air of sensuality and elegance, a combination that only served to heighten her allure.
As he stood there, his anger momentarily forgotten, she spoke,
"Yiman? How can you barge into my room like this? Didn't I teach you to knock?" Xinmei's voice was cool, tinged with a rebuke as she turned to face him, her silver eyes wide with surprise.
Yiman, flustered but desperate, averted his gaze hastily, "I am sorry, Mother, but this is very urgent. Did I hear it right? Are you really going to negotiate with Vuhan, the king of Soulstar Kingdom, to help us fend off the demon sects?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and worry, his brow furrowed in deep concern.
Xinmei, composed as always, slipped into her black silk gown with graceful movements, her demeanor shifting to one of solemnity. "Yes," she affirmed, stepping forward with a seriousness that matched the gravity of their situation, "It is something I must do to save your kingdom."
Yiman, frustration and confusion swirling within him, shook his head vehemently. "No. You have no reason to go. Why would you when you have an entire empire at your beck and call? He will be at your feet if you want him to," he argued, his voice a blend of plea and command, unable to fathom why his mother would choose a path fraught with personal risk, especially when he knew what kind of man Vuhan was.
That old pig didn't even hesitate to express his desire to fuck his own ex daughter-in-law.
Xinmei shook her head with a firm resolve that matched her regal bearing. "You very well know why I can't do that," she began, her voice steady yet tinged with a hint of weariness from battles fought not just in fields but in the courts of power. "The Maurin Empire is waiting for an opportunity to invade my empire. If I direct even a single army unit away from my borders, they will take advantage of it. And these demon sects have been growing across the world; my empire is also busy dealing with them. Now is not the time for me to act recklessly."
Yiman, frustration etching his features, responded with a mix of concern and defiance. "But that doesn't mean you have to go. Why can't I go and negotiate with him? I know Vuhan better than you do. He is a cunning old bastard, and I have dealt with such dogs before."
"I know you already failed your negotiations with Vuhan. Otherwise, would I even think of doing this?" Xinmei retorted, her eyes sharp, reflecting a lifetime of navigating the treacherous waters of politics. "You have the right to be concerned since you are my son, but I am still your mother and an empress. Are you underestimating your own mother? I will be greatly disappointed if you think so little of me when I am doing this for you and your kingdom."
Yiman bowed his head, the weight of his mother's words pressing down on him like a physical force. His heart was torn between his duty to protect his kingdom and his instinct to protect his mother.
"Then let me at least accompany you," he pleaded, his voice laden with desperation.
"Your kingdom needs you here. Don't dump it all on your wife. Who knows what she might do behind your back," Xinmei countered, her tone softening as she gently cupped Yiman's face. "But you have nothing to worry about, son. I won't be alone. Bai Ling will be accompanying me."
"B-Bai Ling? Why him?" The mention of Bai Ling sparked a surge of irritation in Yiman. He couldn't fathom why his mother placed such trust in that man.
"He is strong, trustworthy, and has a sweet tongue. He might come to be very useful for these negotiations. It's time now. I have to go," Xinmei declared, her decision final as she walked past her son.
Yiman stood rooted to the spot, his heart hammering in his chest. As his mother's figure receded, a resolute light ignited in his eyes. Despite her instructions, he couldn't just stand by. He decided then, with a surge of resolve, to secretly follow her. Whatever dangers lay ahead, he would face them by her side, unseen and protective.