The Rebel's Omega
Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Chapter 46

It was almost midnight.

Hua Ren stopped meditating and began to get ready to go out. He had already told the guards he would not go back to the palace tonight and they trusted him enough not to question his intent. After all, the Emperor had given no explicit orders to bring him back. And although it was now known that he was an Omega, he was still the Ivory Warlord. The First General of the Celestial Kingdom. The Emperor hadn’t denounced him despite knowing his true identity which only meant one thing.

The Emperor still recognized him as his trusted General so they were to act accordingly.

Hua Ren’s chambers reflected his refined, calm nature. The room was spacious but minimalistic, bathed in soft, muted colours. The walls were a pale gray, almost silver in the dim light of the lanterns, and the furniture was simple yet elegant, made of polished dark wood with clean lines. A low bed sat in one corner, adorned with pristine white silk sheets and a few white pillows arranged neatly. The room smelled faintly of jasmine incense, the fragrance subtle and calming. Two large windows, framed by translucent white drapes, let in the cool night air.

Hua Ren moved towards his wardrobe, carefully removed his pristine white robes, folding them neatly before placing them on a chair. He reached deep into his closet and pulled out a set of black robes. The only ones he had.

The black garments were simple yet elegant, the fabric soft against the skin and comfortable to wear. Though Hua Ren hated the colour, it was necessary for tonight. Black was the perfect companion to the shadows.

He slid into the robe quickly, its loose fit allowing him to move easily. He secured it tightly around his waist with a black sash and hid a dagger within. Knowing his white hair would easily expose his identity, he packed it up with a band and placed a wide-brimmed black straw hat onto his head. The veil attached to the hat cascaded down, covering his face in a thin, gauzy layer, obscuring his features. This way, he wouldn’t be easily exposed.

He slipped the bronze amulet Qi Zhen had given him into his sleeve then moved to the window. Hua Ren exhaled softly, his mind troubled by the decisions he would soon have to make. His Emperor was someone he had trusted, someone he admired but there were things he just didn’t understand.

Then there was Sheng Fei, the Rebel leader, the man who the heavens had deemed his Alpha and mate.

He could only choose one side. Who was right and who was wrong?

Tonight, he would have his answer.

Hua Ren carefully placed his hands on the window frame and hoisted himself up, not wanting to alert the guards stationed outside.

He slowed his breathing, shrinking his presence to almost nothing as he centered his energy, using the martial technique known as "Qi Concealment" to mask his presence, making him nearly invisible to the untrained eye.

Using the flash step technique, Hua Ren stepped out through the window and disappeared into the darkness, leaving the stillness of his chambers behind. His form blurred as he moved, his feet touching the ground lightly, barely making contact before launching forward again. The mansion became a blur behind him as he darted through the gardens, over the high walls, and into the night.

*********

Qi Zhen and Sheng Fei sat in the dimly lit corner of the inn, their faces completely obscured by their disguises. Both men were dressed in worn travelers’ cloaks, their hoods pulled low to conceal their identities. The soft clinking of teacups and low murmur of conversation around them gave the inn a lively yet subdued atmosphere.

Qi Zhen downed his cup of tea and set it down with a satisfied sigh. “You’re in a particularly good mood today,” he said, a knowing gleam in his eyes. “Is it because you got to see your mate?”

Sheng Fei’s lips curved into a faint smile as he recalled the sensation of Hua Ren’s silky hair slipping through his fingers and the feel of his cool skin against his lips. He hadn’t realized how much he wanted to touch him again until that moment.

Qi Zhen chuckled softly, noticing the lovesick expression on Sheng Fei’s face. “I was right then. Ah, young love. So beautiful. I just hope the Ivory Warlord comes tonight, or all our efforts will have been in vain.”

“He will come,” Sheng Fei said with confidence. He didn’t know his mate that well but the entire Kingdom knew about Hua Ren’s sense of justice. If he had even an iota of doubt about something, he would investigate until he got to the bottom of it and also solve the case as best as he could.

Qi Zhen raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?”

Sheng Fei gave him a look as if he was dumb. “If the Warlord had no intention of coming, he would have exposed us the moment he recognized us in his home. My mate is no fool. He knows what to do.”

The old man nodded thoughtfully, stroking his beard. “Hmm, that’s true. Then why did you make us come too? You even stationed Blaze and Rina outside.”

“This is the Ivory Warlord we’re dealing with.” Sheng Fei replied. “You asked him not to cause trouble, but do you really think he’ll be able to hold himself back when he sees what they’re doing here?”

Qi Zhen’s brows furrowed, then he sighed. “Good point. So we’re here to stop him from making a mess?”

Sheng Fei nodded. “Or to get him out of one.”

Just as the words left his mouth, the heavy doors of the inn swung open. A small-statured figure stepped inside, dressed in black with a wide hat on his head. The edge of the hat had a veil which obscured his features but Sheng Fei could tell with a glance that it was his mate.

Sheng Fei’s smile deepened. “I told you he’d come.”

Qi Zhen’s eyes flickered to the door but he couldn’t tell who was the Ivory Warlord. He frowned. "Where is he? I don’t see him."

Sheng Fei ignored the old man and watched as Hua Ren moved, his steps light as he approached the bar. His fingers slipped into his sleeve, pulling out the bronze amulet, which he handed to the barkeep with a soft murmur.

The barkeep with the tattoo of two swords on his left cheek nodded and gestured subtly toward the back of the inn.

Sheng Fei stood up and Qi Zhen followed. They walked towards the barkeep and took out the same kind of bronze amulets they had given to Hua Ren.

After saying the password, they were also directed to the back of the inn.

It was time.