Chapter 02 Part 03 - Personal Affairs
Chapter 02 Part 03 - Personal Affairs
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Sitting inside the carriage, ZiChuan Xiu admired the feasting and revelry of the prosperous city, a total opposite of the Far Eastern Regions. He deplored to himself: “This is what we risked our lives for, to protect this place of peace and happiness.”
He and ZiChuan Ning were the only ones inside this carriage while Luo Jie and the other followed closely behind.
ZiChuan Ning: “So many years, how have you been?”
ZiChuan Xiu Sighed under his breath: “Six years, other children of his age enjoyed their care-free and cheerful childhood, while he had to endure the numbing pain and sorrow of the battlefield. He had to watch his closest comrade being torn apart and eaten alive by the demons; their horrifying screams constantly haunted his nights. The time he had to escape Demon’s pursuit, he had to hide neck deep in the muddy quagmire for a whole day and night, not daring to move even an inch. And the time he had to cannibalize the dead in order to survive when he was trapped without food or weapon; not to mention the unbearable pain that kept him awake in the night from the dozens of times he was wounded… How do you even begin to convey this kind of suffering to a little girl whose biggest worry in life was having a pimple on her face?
ZiChuan Xiu nodded, speaking coldly: “It is ok, just the food was terrible.”
Let’s talk about something else: “How is the situation over here?”
“Great, under the leadership of Supreme Commander Yang Ming Hua, we are racing towards h.e.l.l at full speed.”
“Oh? What happened?”
“His l.u.s.t of grandeur; he launched three invasions against the House Liu Feng, and Liu Feng Shuang kicked the c.r.a.p out of him every time. When the Council of Elders asked for his explanation, he shamelessly gave a speech saying that loyalty was his only fault…”
ZiChuan Ning mimicked Yang Ming Hua’s voice: “We must destroy the House Liu Feng at all cost… If that was a mistake, then I will gladly make that mistake. I will not deny it, nor regret it!” And thus it was enough to fool the Council of Elders, and they let him go.”
ZiChuan Xiu wasn’t surprised: “A bold speech. Without the first part, I almost thought it was some confession from a girl who is having an affair with a married man.”
ZiChuan Ning laughed so hard she almost fell.
…
Our Supreme Commander sure is brave and crafty… What about the House Liu Feng? If we kept losing, why didn’t they come and pay us a visit? It’s not Liu Feng Shuang’s style.”
“You must have been out of the loop. Liu Feng Xi Shan has fallen gravely ill. His three sons are busy fighting for the seat of the House. Liu Feng Shuang is his daughter; she is not in the line of succession, but they are all wary of her. So they sent her far away from where the decisions are being made, all the way to Fort Xi Bing. She is now a Commander on the frontline.”
“That was ill considerate of Supreme commander… Why was he trying to interrupt them when House Liu Feng was about to make a grave mistake? If he wanted to destroy House Liu Feng he could easily waited till they are done fighting themselves then pay them a visit.”
“Not at all! Our Supreme Commander has no intention to destroy the House Liu Feng. In contrary, he couldn’t be happier for having an enemy like Liu Feng Shuang!”
“Why is that?”
“Before that, if he wanted to have someone removed, he had to at least come up with a valid excuse, like corruption, negligence or something of the sort… But now he just needs to give them a pep talk: “Go attack Fort Xi Bing!” And that unlucky b.a.s.t.a.r.d is done for. No one has ever managed to come out ahead against Liu Feng Shuang. For the past half year, the Commander position of the Border Army has been changing faster than the facet on a revolving lamp. All of them were demoted after losing to Liu Feng Shuang, and all of them were the ones Yang Ming Hua had problems with… So you tell me, does he not love Liu Feng Shuang to death or what?”
“Then… Is Stirling all right? He is definitely against him.”
“Yang Ming Hua can’t wait to let Stirling “talk” to Liu Feng Shuang, and have him battle it out with her, face to face. I heard they even met during the second invasion, but before the battle was decided, due to Uncle ZiChuan Shen Xing’s protest, Stirling was rea.s.signed to the Imperial Guard Army as Deputy Commander. So he never had the chance.”
ZiChuan Xiu thought to himself: Everyone kept saying what a fool ZiChuan Shen Xing was, but that decision was very wise.
…
“Then your Uncle… His Excellency, does he not care what Yang Ming Hua is doing?”
“He has b.l.o.o.d.y Alzheimer… I think so anyway!” Annoyance flared inside her at the mention of her Uncle: “I told him several times to watch out for Yang Ming Hua, but before the day had even pa.s.sed, he already…”
ZiChuan Ning spoke using ZiChuan Shen Xing’s feeble mannerisms: “About that, leave them to Yang Ming Hua. Eh? What did you say? I can’t hear you, speak louder… Oh, I don’t feel so well today. I’m getting too old for this, I should retire soon!”
Her vivid imitation brought forth much laughter from ZiChuan Xiu. But he knew things were much more complicated than ZiChuan Ning had thought. He could still recall the vigorous new Headmaster, ZiChuan Shen Xing from six years ago. There was no way someone like that could turn into a useless coward in the short span of a few years.
“You should stop saying things like that to him from now on.” It didn’t matter whether ZiChuan Shen Xing was really a fool or it was merely an act, ZiChuan Ning would get in trouble if Yang Ming Hua got wind of this.
“Sure!” ZiChuan Ning nodded meekly while speaking in an even softer voice: “I’m glad you are back, now I can just leave everything to you!
Sudden wave of emotion came over ZiChuan Xiu: ZiChuan Ning was only sixteen years old, yet she had already demonstrated a sense of matureness not often found for someone her age… Clearly, growing up alone in a place surrounded by enemies had to have taken a heavy toll on her. He spoke softly as well: “You can count on me.”
In that moment, both of them were silent… and an aura of tenderness began to creep its way in, filling the void that was left behind by the aloofness separating them moment earlier.