Reborn: The legend of the Phoenix

After Meng Fusheng jumped over the wall, she stopped in her tracks and looked dazed.

Feilong thought she was still scared because although Fusheng acted bravely in the hall he could feel her fears, in fact he had to support her with his powers to stop her from breaking down. He asked "Little girl, are you ok? What is the matter? Is it your step mother, don't worry you have this venerable dragon by your side, I will not let anything happen to you, just do not be scared."

Fusheng turned her head to him and gave him a nervous smile and said "I do not remember the road that leads to the Academy, it's been so long since I came here I really cannot remember."

Feilong was stumped, the words of encouragement that he had yet to say out died in his throat, he let out a sigh of disbelief. "The Academy you have been clamoring to attend, you don't even remember the direction"

Fusheng scratched her hair in embarrassment and said "You know it has been a while since I left the mansion, so many things has changed in the capital and I feel like my memory was damaged by the illness."

Feilong did not know if he should laugh or if he should cry "You... Hmmm I don't have words for you. Let's just walk away from this Meng walls then we ask someone to show us the way to the Academy." 

When Fusheng was sure they were no longer close to the Meng Family house, she found a shop owner and asked her for the direction of the Academy. The shop owner enthusiastically answered "Oi are you lass a student there? You lot are impressive, I have a neice that got accepted to the academy, You may know her Jiang Yan. Even our madam's daughter Miss Meng Meilan was also accepted, that young lass is very impressive, she is so brilliant. Rumour has it..."

Fusheng could not stand her chatter and said "Madam please the direction of the Academy I am running late." As she said this, Fusheng dropped some gold taels for the woman, the woman's eyes brightened on seeing the money then she pointed the direction out to Fusheng.

As Fusheng left in the direction of the Academy, Feilong humphed in annoyance and said "Humans seem to not have changed over the years, that woman is lucky I no longer kill indiscriminately, I would have devoured her."

Fusheng nodded and said "That particular one is very annoying, but I gained one thing from her, the shops around the Meng Family and that concubine is parading herself as the Madam. Just how much did these people take from me?"

Feilong said "I think you are the most pitiful girl I have ever seen or had a contract with. Then again you are the youngest person I have had a contract with. That reminds me, who was that woman you greeted in the Hall?"

Fusheng replied "Oh that is the only surviving sister of the Emperor, born from the same woman. I heard from my grandfather that before the Emperor had a lot of siblings, but palace schemes ended the lives of the siblings, leaving Muroung Xiye as the only girl remaining. I think the Emperor has other brothers, but they are not in the capital. The Royal Aunt was a family friend, I was very close to her while growing up."

Feilong asked "If you were close to her and from what I got from your conversation with the crown prince, I found out that you were also close to the Emperor, why did they not help when you were in trouble?"

Fusheng sighed and said "About that, after my mother passed away, the Emperor called me and asked me if I wanted my father and his concubine to leave the house. I was very naive then and thought that if I did not attack them, that they would not attack me either and that we will live in peace and respect, to think I even thought that Meilan the first thing she learnt in Martial arts, because at first she had no cultivation. So at that time when the Emperor asked me what I wanted, I told him to leave My father to be and also leave his concubine. I was really foolish back then, I wonder how my mother must have felt when she saw her husband bring back his mistress and her daughter and I did the very same mistake."

Feilong did not know how to comfort her, he just said "Get your Cultivation back, get powerful and take back what's yours."

As they were talking, they saw a big sign "THE ROYAL DRAGON ACADEMY"

Fusheng stopped in her tracks, she took deep breaths before walking into the academy. There were few people present in the academy, most likely because the academic session had not started yet. Fusheng was once again confused about the directions so she asked someone for the admission office and calmly walked into it.

The office was filled with books, Fusheng could only see a head out of all the mess in the room. The nervousness that gathered in Fusheng's stomach disappeared on seeing the state of the room. The person in the room was yet to notice Fusheng, so she just cleared her throat and got his attention. The person was startled and caused more books to fall.

The person smiled nervously and said "I, I am sorry for this mess, it is not normally like this, it's just... " The person must have realized that he did not need to explain himself so he added "Anyways I am Teacher Lu and I handle the admission office, what can I do for you?"

Fusheng gave the room another glance, then produced the letter out of her sleeve and said "I am here to register into the Academy."

The man was visibly taken aback by her words "You want to register, today? But this the registration period is over."

Fusheng furrowed her brows slightly and said "No it is not, it ends today. That's what my letter says." She pushed the letter to him.

The man looked at the unfamiliar face his eyes trailed to her outfit which was not the common outfit for girls before finally taking her letter. He looked at it confirming that it was truly the Academy's letter before opening it. But his eyes turned to saucers due to the content of the letter to be more specific he was startled seeing the name of the person the letter was addressed to. He hurriedly asked the girl in front of him and said "What is your name?"

Fusheng looked at him and said "I am Meng Fusheng" 

The man was clearly scared out of his wits and hurriedly read through the letter twice to digest the content.

"MISS MENG FUSHENG 

This is your last chance to redeem your admission at the Royal Dragon Academy. You have been offered an admission to the academy, but you have delayed in getting registered into the Academy. This is the last notice that will be given to you from our institution. You are to bring a total of 1000 gold teals to the institution to officially register into the Royal Dragon Academy, before the 20th of the month. Failure to do so will result in the nullification of your admission.

THE ROYAL DRAGON ACADEMY."

He looked at Fusheng, for a long time, Fusheng thought he was asking for the money and hurriedly presented the gold coins to him. He flinched as the money pouch came near his face and he said to someone outside "Whoever is there? Someone!! Quickly call the Master over"

Fusheng was shocked, but the man did not spare her a glance, he hurriedly organized himself, he caused a wind to blow with his cultivation and proceeded to arrange the books with it. Fusheng raised her eyebrows in realization, whoever this Master was must be very powerful, for this Teacher Lu to react like this.

Teacher Lu looked at Fusheng and said "You, just wait here the master will attend to you."

In a short while a group of people came to the admission office. Amongst them, the only people Fusheng found outstanding was an old man and a young man that had white hair. Fusheng felt that the Old man was most likely the Master. Immediately Teacher Lu saw them, he walked up to them and bowed. He then handed over Fusheng's letter to them, whispered some things and pointed at Fusheng. The group of people were startled as the looked between the letter and Fusheng.

Meanwhile Fusheng was already feeling uncomfortable with the stares. Feilong said "I know you are a legend, but do have to stare at you like that?" Fusheng just shrugged in reply.

After a while the old man reacted first "Who do you think you are trying to impersonate Meng Fusheng?" He said harshly.

Fusheng narrowed her eyes at him and said "And what makes you say that?"

The old man continued "Because we send out letters to Meng Fusheng to remind her to register for the past few years and we always get the reply that she was not interested in the Academy anymore, and now someone just walks in here claiming to be the same Meng Fusheng that did not want this admission and we're just supposed to cross our arms and receive her?"

Fusheng was slightly surprised but did not let it show; "so they Academy sends these letters every year and yet I did not get anything. But why was this particular letter still in my room?"

She said to the man "Well I said that I am Meng Fusheng and that is the truth even if you want to spread your arms and receive me. As for your previous letters have you ever thought about the fact that they were not given to me at all?"

The man was stumped but soon replied "Well even though, everyone in the capital knows that when Fusheng lost her cultivation, she also lost her beauty and became hideous, but clearly don't..." 

Fusheng interrupted him and said "listening and believing roadside gossip is not a virtue of a member of the Royal Dragon Academy. Making judgements based on gossips alone is a disgrace to the Academy."

The old man was furious and wanted to retort but was silenced by the young man with the white hair who said "Young girl, why did you choose this time to come to the Academy?"

Fusheng did not want to tell them of her life story so she just smiled and said "Because the time is now right."

The Young Man nodded and asked "Are you with your gold taels?" Fusheng nodded.

The old man from earlier exploded "Master, why are you allowing her to get admitted? She could be an imposter, she has to prove that she is Meng Fusheng."

Fusheng glanced at him and said "You just don't get it, do you? Since you need proof, then ask the Crown prince, the both of us spoke today and he can vouch for me. If you don't believe it then check the money pouch, you will see the royal sign on it. Making all these noise, I thought you were the master." She sighed.

On hearing the name of Crown prince and seeing the Royal sign, they had no choice but to believe her. 

The Master which turned out to be the Young Man with the white hair smiled and said to Fusheng "It's okay we believe you, give him your admission fee and settle your admission, you came just in time Miss Fusheng. Which branch of the Academy will you be focusing on?"

Fusheng replied "Martial arts"

The man nodded and turned to Teacher Lu "Complete her registration normally and tell her when to resume."

With that he nodded at Fusheng and calmly left with his entourage, while the old man was still giving Fusheng daggers through the eye. Fusheng felt that the Old man might be a source of trouble. She finished her registration and was told to resume in two weeks, when she would given a wooden name plate.

By the time she left the Academy, there was already a small crowd gathered around. Fusheng rubbed her stomach in hunger and leisurely walked out of the School gates and into the market street outside.

Unknown to Fusheng, half of the capital were already talking about her. The news in town was that "The Legendary Fusheng was already back and has apparently registered into the Academy."

***

(SOMEWHERE IN THE CAPITAL)

A young man was leisurely lounging on the chair, listening to the report of his shadow guards, his face was covered with a black mask.

The shadow guards said "Master she has already registered."

The Young Man's laughter filled the room, the laughter was silky and soft to the ears. His cold voice tinged with laughter sounded "Someone!"

Immediately a servant walked in trembling, not make a sound out of fear of offending the god of death.

The Young Man continued "Inform father that I will be a student in the Royal Academy, but on my own terms."

More laughter echoed through the room...