Oh, so I realised I was reaching the end of volume one. Silly me, did I never share the proper spread artwork of volume one with the folks at home? Well here it is below. The art is by Liu Wei who goes by several other names.
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Here is Mr. c.o.c.kblocker no. 1 (An Xun)
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And I thought it may help if I updated the FYJT world map so you guys know where Fan Jia is located.
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Green – Fan Jia
Red – Li
Orange – Xi Rei
Blue – Tong
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Notes: Be aware that n.o.bles, royalty tend to refer to themselves as a third person.
With Fan Jia’s An Xun procession quickly looming the palace doors, Feng Ming and Rong Tian rushed back to their chambers, exchanging their riding garments for their official court clothing. The security had forwarded word that the important guest was making his way through the capital.
“Open the gates!”
A chorus of sounding bells and beating drums welcomed the guests. The court officials led by Feng Ming were all lined up in the front courtyard, standing before the main section of the palace and all ready to greet their special visitors from afar.
The strangers were dressed in the attire of traditional to their country, each were wearing an iconic black cloak. One of the arrivals took the lead, walking in front with his chin up and dignified. On top of his head was a glistening gold crown, needless to say this had to be the notorious An Xun.
“Good to see you Prince An He,” An Xun slowly paced towards Feng Ming, offering the slightest of bows, a gesture that was very gentlemanly.
“An He is most delighted to see his Royal Uncle.” Feng Ming reciprocated the manners. Although this man had married into another country, he was still capable of enforcing his blood inheritance.
In Feng Ming’s imagination, he had expected to be confronted by a treacherous looking scoundrel instead he was pleasantly surprised at how handsome An Xun appeared. There was definitely a similarity between ‘his’ uncle and the Regent King. However, An Xun’s skin was pale, and in an overall a.s.sessment he was slightly androgynous. Regardless, he was actually quite an attractive man.
“Uncle has journeyed for so long, An He had to personally welcome your honourable presence, else it would be a complete shame.” Feng Ming was basically biting his tongue as he picked his words. The unnatural pattern of speech was giving him a headache.
An Xun’s eyes glazed over his nephew, sizing him up as a smile drew across his lips.
“Many years have pasts since I’ve last seen you now the Prince is all grown up. Uncle is very relieved. Uncle has resided in Fan Jia for countless years and has not had the opportunity to visit your father, which I hope to make amend during this visit. Recently, I have heard rumours entailing my Royal brother’s condition. I’ve heard horrible news that his condition is growing dimmer, An Xun felt restless thus immediately rushed days and nights on end to return to brother’s side.”
Raising his hand he signalled a servant behind him, moving to her master she produced a small s.h.i.+ny box.
Taking the box into his hands, he opened the container and revealed the content had been delicately wrapped in layer and layers of intricate and beautiful linen. Indicating the content was something rare and exceptional.
“This here is the secret treasure of Fan Jia, the Spirit of the Snake a preserved gallbladder that has been aged over a millennium. It has unspoken powers, capable of reversing a desperate situation. An Xun has personally arrived to Xi Rei with this gift and wishes to help your father’s illness. Dearest Prince if you could kindly lead the way to where my good brother rests.”
An Xun lifted his hand ushering the Prince to take the lead, with such a stunning speech and grand display of his loving intentions how was Feng Ming supposed to decline the invitation? He needed a quick fix to cover the truth that the King of Xi Rei had long taken his last breath, and it was impossible to take him to see the living being.
Feng Ming’s eyes darted around desperately, catching Rong w.a.n.g’s attention who immediately inserted, “The good King of Fan Jia has travelled endlessly, how did you managed to get here? We only received word of your approach to the city.”
An Xun had left Xi Rei for over ten years and had never returned during that period. However, he kept himself well informed about Xi Rei court matters. The man who stood awe-inspiring that spoke unwavering to him was no doubt the newly appointed Regent King, Rong w.a.n.g. He understood that the man was in control and dominated the current political affairs of Xi Rei.
He felt that this’ Rong w.a.n.g’ had an even more overbearing and powerful presence in contrast to his predecessor. There was an air of mystery around the confident handsome face.
“On this trip, I was carrying a precious cargo. The travel plans were rushed, and the number of troops in the entourage was minimal for convenience. To prevent mishaps along the way, the soldiers were ordered to cover our tracks as we sullied forth to Xi Rei for this great emergency. It was only when we reached the city was it necessary to erect the flags of Fan Jia.”
An Xun lifted his gaze and settled momentarily on the Regent King before turning his eyes towards Feng Ming. He cupped his hands in obeisance and lifted up to ask for a pardon. “Uncle’s failure to notify you of my pending arrival was my fault, forgive me my Prince.”
“There’s nothing to be pardoned, and no need for such formalities.”
“You are my blood relative, why the degree of courtesy? Most importantly is dear brother’s sickness, I would like to meet with Xi Rei’s King at once.” He persisted by bringing back the topic of seeing the King in person almost too casually.
Feng Ming played with the information he had been given, An Xun definitely had the upper hand, the King was nothing but a body. He couldn’t help but shudder at the level of cunning acting his uncle was portraying in this pre-emptive attack.
Just as he was about to signal to Rong Tian for a helping hand, the Regent King intercepted the ball once again.
“The King is in the inner Palace recuperating, he is currently not seeing any outsiders. However Fan Jia’s King is also the Royal brother of Xi Rei’s king who has brought a medical treasure for the King to use, hence, it is a different story altogether. May I have the honour of leading Fan Jia w.a.n.g to the King?”
“That is good.” An Xun had succeeded in achieving his goal, he set aside the treasure in his hands showing that he was eager to depart.
King Rong tilted his head, eyeing the vast numbers of Imperial Guards that had escorted the Royal visitor. “The King is resting, I’m afraid we must not disturb him.”
“Certainly.” He simply replied. An Xun knew the meaning behind the man’s words, he turned around and commanded his men, “All stand down and wait for my return in the annex, only Xun Tian is permitted to remain as my guard.”
Feng Ming had no idea concerning King Rong’s intentions. Were they taking An Xun to see the cold dead corpse that lied in the icy crypt?
He was a nervous wreck, he couldn’t help but to secretly tugged at the King’s sleeve, catching the man’s attention he signalled desperately with his eyes, along the lines of ‘What the h.e.l.l are we going to do!’
Rong Tian issued him a sly smile.
The party of important men entered the inner grounds of the Palace, and walked towards the Queen’s quarters.
Feng Ming knew the location of the King’s body, hidden deep in a maze of corridors that lead to an underground cavern. But with An Xun and his personal guard easing towards Xi Rei’s largest and darkest secret he couldn’t help but feel apprehensive of what was to come. There was no comfort from Rong Tian who had walked beside him.
“The King has been recuperating within the Queen’s quarters.” Rong Tian pointed at the closed doors.
The men had reached the gates for the grand entrance into the intricate network of the Queen’s chambers.
“I can finally see my Royal brother. I wonder whether the years have changed his appearance.” An Xun sighed loudly.
Pus.h.i.+ng pa.s.s the entrance the four men entered the reception hall. Due to the Queen’s preference of a serene environment, inside the building was only guarded by a few soldiers. Rather it was filled with several maids that occupied themselves with cleaning and tending to the gardens. Upon seeing who had entered, the servants all quickly paid their respects to the men.
They continued their way, threading through the s.p.a.cious reception hall and into the grand hall. It was the room that was used for the official greetings during the Queen’s Birthday ceremony.
The Prince was shaking as he maintained his wits about him, everything that has happened so far felt like a strange drama, the problem was that this was real people, real props and now the story has developed into the climax that was riddled with tension.
Usually on television, in a moment like this his heart would react by pounding in suspension…at least a commercial break would timely switch on and let his heart relax. This wasn’t television and he didn’t have that luxury, everything was flowing down a rapid river without stopping.
Once they turn out of the main hall and pa.s.s a several complex corridors they will be facing the secret chamber. Was Rong Tian serious about letting An Xun meet with the King? Or was this a decoy, so he could lure them into the room, entrap them and let them freeze to death in the dismal prison?
Feng Ming thought about all the possibilities, his mind jumping from one conclusion to another completely preoccupied with his thoughts.
Sure enough they had made a turn heading in the right direction as Rong Tian continued navigate the men.
Turning into the second corridor, all four men were startled by something unexpected.
“Oh?”
“Ah!!”