Can we get over this resentment so we can free ourselves from this trap.
Li Jun Jie
***
In the morning I woke up with the same pain. I try to move but the great pain attacks me suddenly. I don't want to surrender. I have to leave this place before Cheng Sheng Lin, who is lying on the cave wall, wakes up. I try to sit on the ground slowly then collect my scattered layers and wear it slowly. The injury is still in pain when rubbed by the garment. Even though I feel the pain, I make sure Cheng Sheng Lin will never hear the sound of pain from my mouth even though I don't know what I am supposed to do right now but I know that I have to come back to Huang manor soon.
I am walking slowly to leave this cave but Cheng Sheng Lin points his sword on my neck from behind.
"Li Jun Jie, Where do you want to go?"
I think Cheng Sheng Lin doesn't need my answer to his stupid question because He knows I want to escape from him so I take a deep breath before turning around and facing him face to face.
"Li Jun Jie, I will never let you go." He is smirking because he knows my chance to escape from him had already flown away as he was blocking my way.
"Li Jun Jie, you promised me that you will follow me if I let them free. Don't you?"
'What?! But I saved him. Why did I meet a cunning man like him?!'
"Yes, I am but General never let them free because I was the one who made them go."
"Do you think you could let them escape from my armies if I didn't let them?"
"So tell me what is your point, General?"
"Laws are always laws. I have to bring you to the capital city as a prisoner. Li Jun Jie, you gave your promise to me." I hate him the most when Cheng Sheng Lin smiled as Cheng Sheng Lin freed me from his sword but let his armies seize me. This time I can't move. Cheng Sheng Lin is really cunning. I think his armies discovered us when I still slept.
"Chains him but don't hurt him!" He commanded his army then he looked at me with his evil gazed. "Let him walk. Keep him alive until we arrive at the capital city."
"Yes, General!"
One of his army bowed to him then bring me out from the cave roughly . Actually, I don't understand how I offered myself to follow him for the sake of Yu Wen and Jia Ming Yue but now, I feel the peace in my heart. Perhaps I wish to never meet them again.
Cheng Sheng Lin gets to ride his horse then his armies force me to follow him from behind. In this state, I was ready to be beheaded at the capital city. I am walking without rest. My energy had run out. The pain from lotus and injury mixed and made me almost fall down.
"We will rest here! Tomorrow we will continue this journey!" He gives the command to his armies with a loud voice.
"We will stay here tonight!"
His subordinate beside him shouted out loud. He must be his right hand. Cheng Sheng Lin gets down from his horse then gives me water from his leather pouch. Why does he have to give me his water? Does he want to kill me? Even he wants to kill me but in this state what can I do? I take the leather pouch from him and drink the fresh water from Cheng Sheng Lin. The water is refreshing but it cannot reduce the pains that I felt.
"Li Jun Jie, tell me if you feel the pain." He said.
What?! Why does he treat me kindly? What happened with him? I see him suspiciously.
"I am fine but don't you want to kill me?" I asked him back. "Cheng Sheng Lin don't make me confused."
"Why? Do you think I will kill you now?" He laughed.
"I don't know."
I never tell him what I felt with this lotus pain. I will hold this pain alone.
***
Tonight is so beautiful. The chilly atmosphere just makes me remember the reason why my heart became icy by betrayal. I see millions of stars amazingly scattered in the sky like dust.
"Li Jun Jie, Why are you still awake?"
I am startled when I see Cheng Sheng Lin come closer. I can see him in dimly lit, then he sits next to me. I feel so weird because since this afternoon. He treats me so kind.
"Li Jun Jie, I don't understand why you were letting them free?" He asked me as his eyes fixed on me.
I am staring at the star in the sky. He must be thinking that I am stupid but I want to protect Yu Wen even he disappointed me deeply so before give him my answer, I take a deep breath. "I promised to protect him. I knew they had betrayed me but that's not the reason I didn't fulfill my promise."
"Li Jun Jie, you always take your promise seriously so I will remind you again. You have given your promise to follow me then you cannot go without my permit."
"Cheng Sheng Lin, can you see that I am here right now?!"
"But you had attempted to escape!"
"Alright. That's my bad. I am sorry." I said. "To be honest, I will fulfill my promise to you if you really let Yu Wen and Jia Ming Yue go away. They will not make problems or be a burden for you. I promise."
"What if they make mistakes in future?" He asked me.
"If someday they are making mistakes. Cheng Sheng Lin, you can punish them freely but for now please spare them as I will do whatever you want."
"Don't make promises to me cause I will claim what you promise."
"I understand why they are mad at me and my family. That was because my father had been made them orphans so I owned them. I understand both of them." I take a deep breath again. "So… as you let them free tonight, I will do whatever you want. You can punish them like other people if they commit something evil."
"Then…I stamp your promise."
"Uhm.."
"Alright. I still don't understand why you…" Cheng Sheng Lin stopped before looking at me. "Li Jun Jie, what would you say if I wanted you to become my slave forever?"
"What?"
Is it his trap question? Why is his request something like this? I don't understand.