Reign of the Hunters

Ye Ci got to enjoy the view from dragonback as the strong wind prickled her skin. 

She allowed her gaze to drift, before settling on the horizon far far away. What she saw was a sea of clouds. It was beautiful. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, filling her lungs with the cold morning air. 

When she opened her eyes once again, she directed Ol’ Six towards the ground. 

The dragon descended slowly on the lush green plains below, kicking up dust. Ye Ci leaped onto the ground, dismissed Ol’ Six, and made her way to a tent not far away. 

“How is it?” The man in the tent smiled at her as she entered. 

“Not bad. The skies are clear. We’ll have a clear view of the battlefield.” Ye Ci yawned, “As long as the weather stays good.” 

The man chuckled. 

“What’re you laughing at, Breeze?” Ye Ci was confused. 

“Oh, it’s nothing.” came his reply, “I’m curious. How does it feel like to wage war against your fiance?” 

“Breeze,” Ye Ci pursed her lips, “You don’t strike me as a gossipy man.” she voiced her protest. 

“You’re our trump card. I’ll have to arrange our strategy around you.” Breeze crossed his arms in front of his chest, “It’s been two years since his proposal. Look at me, I’ve had a couple of children now. Don’t you think fighting like this will damage your relationship?” 

“What does it have to do with the battle?” 

“A lot, actually. Are you willing to fight your future husband with all you got? Especially just moments before your wedding? It’s not normal.” he said, “Shouldn’t you be looking forward to your wedding with joy in your heart? I can’t understand you sometimers.” 

Ye Ci narrowed her eyes. She was not surprised when Breeze returned to the game, nor was she surprised when he chose to join the Dark Side. There was no bad blood between them after all. And that was why the two were able to become comrades. She had even worked with Breeze in large scale PVP actions against the mainstream players. 

Breeze’s ability to keep up with the big picture was impressive. He was always a few steps ahead of his opponent in battle. The two partners in crime were a menace to the mainstream players. 

Their presence on the battlefield would often demoralize any opposing force. Not many were willing to face them in combat. But despite their close partnership, Breeze had never once asked about her personal matters. 

“Love might not last forever, but rivalry is eternal.” Ye Ci grinned. She was in a good mood. 

Breeze was confused, but he remained silent. “Off you go, tomorrow’s your wedding. I’m sure you have a lot on your plate right now.” he waved his hand dismissively at Ye Ci. 

“I’ll be online right on time tomorrow.” Ye Ci smiled at him. 

“Alright.” Breeze turned his back towards Ye Ci, “Will you hold back against him?” he asked silently. 

“Nope.” she said as she left the tent. 

She logged off and stepped out of her room. Her family members were busy getting ready for the wedding. Zuo Xiaolan and Zuo Xiaoqing were busy decorating the living room, while Bai Mo and his father, along with Ye Nantian and Tan Polang were busy moving things around the house. 

All of them appeared busy. Ye Ci was the only one who had nothing to do. “Hey, is there anything I can help with?” she asked. 

They all stopped dead in their tracks. Zuo Xiaolan was the first to speak up, “Ye Ci! Look at yourself! Do you look like a bride at all? I told you to go get your hair done! What’s this?” 

“Ah, I forgot.” Ye Ci scratched her head. She could vaguely recall someone telling her something about her hair in the morning. 

“Oh yeah? Are you the one getting married or am I the one getting married?” Zuo Xiaolan exploded into anger. 

With that, Ye Ci was dragged outside and were soon on her way to the spa. 

“Hello?” her phone rang as she laid in the big comfortable bed at the massage parlor. It was Fleeting Time. Ahhh… Having a massage feels so nice! thought Ye Ci as the masseur worked on her body. I would’ve visited this place everyday if I’m not so busy.

A smile appeared on Fleeting Time’s face when he heard her voice, “Are you sleeping?” he asked. He was standing in their new house.

“Nah, just some last minute preparations.” Ye Ci studied her skin. Yup, this is definitely worth the money.

“Are you at the spa or something?” 

“Yeap.” 

Fleeting Time thought of how fierce looking his bride-to-be was on the battlefield, and then at her lazing at the spa. What a contrast it was. “Do you need me to pick you up?” 

“Nope. Are you done with things on your side?” Ye Ci was slurring as the masseur continued her work.

“I’m almost done.” 

They hung up after some small talk, and Liu Chang sighed at her best friend, “Why does it feel like you’ve lost your passion for each other?”  

“We spent it all in the game.” Ye Ci chuckled. 

Liu Chang chuckled along as well. “Oh, by the way, do you know that Dong Yin is going to get married soon as well?” she asked. 

“Nope. I haven’t heard about her for a long time.” Ye Ci closed her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy the massage, “Well, I’m willing to bet that her groom’s not He Xiao.” 

“Yup. You're right.” Liu Chang sighed, “I wonder if she ever regretted her decision.” 

“There’s no need for regret. We all have to take responsibility for the choices we made.” Ye Ci’s voice grew softer as memories of her last life flooded her mind. It had been a long time since something reminded her of what she experienced in her other life, “What about Yi Cang? What’s he up to these days?” 

“I have no idea.” Liu Chang shook her head, “I haven’t heard from him for quite a while. Even news about Dong Yin came from my parents. They mentioned nothing about him.” She was finally able to let go of the person she used to care about so deeply, of the person who had been with her throughout her childhood and her youth. Even she did not realize when was it that she found the courage to do so. 

“Time flies.” 

“Indeed.” sadness crept into Liu Chang’s heart, “Little Ci, I still remember the days we used to play hide and seek at the park. Yi Cang was always the bad guy. You’re always the last to be found, while Dong Yin would cry the moment she was found. I, on the other hand, would always allow myself to be found.” 

“What a good time it was.” Ye Ci allowed her friend to continue uninterrupted, “We had no worries in our minds. We play when we feel like it, cry when we’re sad, and sleep when we’re tired. Even a fight would not last into the next day. But everything changed with adulthood.” 

“I’ve changed. You’ve changed. Everyone has grown so far apart.” Ye Ci spoke up after a long silence, “Our pure hearts were washed away by the passage of time.” 

Liu Chang’s eyes remained close. There was a long silence before she responded, “Little Ci, I want you to be happy with Fleeting Time.” 

Ye Ci was stunned. She stole a glance at Liu Chang, but her best friend had already fallen asleep. She stared at the ceiling instead, and slowly drifted to sleep. 

Everyone was chasing their own happiness. Life was great.

Fang Susu was married to Qin Curuo. They were the first among their friends to get married. Bai Mo was still struggling to get a girlfriend. Tan Polang was very popular in the university he attended, girls were trailing behind him wherever he went. Dong Yin got married as well, while Yi Cang was busy with his own thing. He Xiao did not end up marrying Peacock Blue. He had ultimately lost to Unbridled Willow. 

Love was blossoming between Fruit Jelly and Four Seas, while Green Hill’s Moon found a new girlfriend once again. Let Go Of That Girl married Ideal Height 1.7m, while Timely Rain was dating a girl from Upwards Ho!. Breeze and Death Blossom had a beautiful daughter, while NightAndDay found a new love. The Tang Dynasty was growing rapidly under his guidance. 

Wandering Clouds, on the other hand, broke up with his lover. Purity Essence was finally able to become the Rank 1 commander on the Eastern Continent. With Sour Apple pregnant, Absalom was preparing himself to become a dad. Even Spotless Spring was able to get a girlfriend, and she was even more of an idiot than he was. 

Wang Jiangnan, too, found happiness of his own. He was crowned as the Father of Fate. 

Each and every one of them were on a path to their own happiness or misfortune.