The next few days were the same, everything they had all had only lead them to dead ends. Eventually, this case was passed to Luo Lan and Xiao Fan because both Li Wang and He Hou had other important political issues back at the court and other things. Xiao Fan was getting frustrated and annoyed to the fact before this solving cases was all so easy until this case of people disappearing, this was like finding a needle in a haystack.
She was at the verge of exploding, Luo Lan hadn't shown any other expression other than the emotionless one. Unable to handle non-talkative, cold face, stone heart people, she had to always find something to like entertain herself, like books, shopping and stuff. Xiao Bao had been sent back to the palace because she didn't want her little gem to be food for the soldiers or Luo Lan. Plus Li Wang and He Hou had been teasing her about turning Xiao Bao into food, after Xiao Bao heard her soul went to heaven.
Today was like any other day, Xiao Fan got up and took a shower and changed to her daily hanfu when she heard a scream from downstairs. She quickly fixed herself and rushed downstairs, to see all of the soldiers were gathered around a body to see what had happened. ' These people have nothing to do... ' Xiao Fan thought as she pushed through the crowd. Just then she was suddenly pulled back by someone, she wanted to like shout at the person for pulling her back.
" Why are you pulling back? " She shouted out loud and turned behind to see it was Luo Lan. He pulled her out of the tavern, " The 1st Prince and Yi Ge to bring you somewhere and I have to stay with until this is all over. " Luo Lan said as he placed her on the horse as he mounted the horse, then the horse started to run.
Both Xiao Fan and Luo Lan were quickly out of the Zhang Market, they were going down the mountain which was connected to the forests. After some time of running on the dirt road, arrows were raining on them. Luo Lan quickly summoned his sword and slashed it towards the arrows. Sending a blade of wind which sliced all the arrows. After that was dealt with, he turned his focus to getting somewhere safe but deep down inside Luo Lan felt uneasy. ' Something wasn't right. ' He told himself but quickly brushed it off.
" What's happening Bing Bing?! " She asked him, she looked at him with confusion and worry written all over her face. Luo Lan ignored her as he tugged the horse reins as it made a jump down into the forest, the wind was smashing into their faces. Their hair was flying everywhere, oftentimes they ducked down to avoid getting hit on the face by branches. Xiao Fan was getting more and more worried as time past.
" Luo Lan! " This time she shouted, her hair covered her face as she tried to hide her upset face. She couldn't help but feel helpless, confused, annoyed, worried and upset about this. Not knowing anything being lead away from the Zhang Market arrows raining on them, and she's there clueless on what was happening. Not knowing what was going on made her heart heavy as she can't help but feel sorry for the villagers. Luo Lan was stunned but his face didn't show anything as he continued to maneuver the horse around the trees. " We won't stop until we find somewhere that is safe. " Was all his said, Xiao Fan frowned at this. As she turned behind to look at the distance, as she saw a figure with red eyes glowing looking at them, it was standing on its two feet too, a long beaned shaped head. It's large claws, were clawing the tree as it jolting from time to time.
Her face widens in horror seeing that figure standing there, she closed her eyes for a brief second when she opened them again it was gone. Nothing was there but it's claw marks, the forest was dark and eerie but it was morning. What if it was night...?
They had been running for quite some time already, soon they slowed down and started to walk but their ride was silent. Xiao Fan was getting sleepy, her head started laying on Luo Lan's back as her grip around his waist loosened. " Sleep. " Was all he said as he looked around the forest for a place for them to settle for the night. Luo Lan then noticed that Xiao Fan had fallen asleep on his back, he sighed silently.
The rays of sunlight were filtered through the trees, the black stallion walked walking so majestically through the forest. It was almost like an illustration, the scenery was definitely stunning with the slight fog. It made the scene more mysterious but it may be beautiful, however, nightfall was not far away. Luo Lan was running out of time to find a safe place to stay for the night, if they didn't, they might not survive the night then. Anything that can smell, see or sense them would surely come for them. Especially the Shi Hun Zhe or known as the soul eaters, they target people not only in the village but those that wander around the forests. These creatures could take the form of anything human or inhuman.
They feed on the flesh of a human or perhaps even their souls, their screams were said to be so loud and the pitch was so high to the point that they could cause brain damage or the worst-case scenario, brain death. At times even after they ate their victim's souls, they could use their bodies to manipulate others and eventually lead them to their deaths. They are somewhat like ghosts, the stronger ones could make themselves known to the human world, while the weaker ones left unknown.
It's now nightfall, Luo Lan had just found a cave, he felt some pressure leaving his chest. Xiao Fan moved a bit, her forehead was filled with cold sweat, ' She must be having a nightmare... ' Luo Lan's first thought was that he go off the horse slowly making sure Xiao Fan didn't fall over. Then he took her off the horse and carried her in a bridal style. He then placed her inside the cave against the wall, he stood up then looked down at her again as she whimpered slightly. He bent down and took a handkerchief and wiped her sweat away, then went to tie the reins of the black stallion to the tree. He went to gather firewood and find some food for tonight so they that they could eat, with the help of magic he managed to start the fire.
Xiao Fan soon woke up to the sounds of fire crackling, soon she could see clearly, she saw Luo Lan there cooking some food. The none of those things mattered to her because desolation had already absorbed her, she stared at her hands. " What's going on, Bing Bing? " Xiao Fan asked Luo Lan in a soft but audible voice. " I have no idea what their motives were but their target was never the villagers but use them as bait to target us. We are to stay somewhere safe until things are settled. " He spoke truthfully, his brother and the 1st Prince refused to let him know anything else.
" Why? Why do people keep targeting me? So many people died trying to protect, then here I am always running away from it. " She muttered as her hair was covering her face, it was slightly messy. She took out her hair stick from her topknot hairstyle, her hair fell and rested on her shoulders. Looking at the hair stick, allowed a slight warmth to envelop her chest as she smiled slightly. The hair stick had some lavender flowers made out of gold and gems, decorated the tip of the hair stick. It reminded her of her mother's eyes, delicate words and gentle hands, Luo Lan looked at her. This incident that is happening right now was an all too familiar to the both of them like they had been here before.
____
" Will we be able to live happily together, at this time around. War is going on and... " A woman muttered as she asked the male, she wore a beautiful light purple hanfu, but it still allowed her to move quickly and efficiently. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, then the lavender hair stick was placed on her belt securely, then the ring on her finger. The male wore a light turquoise hanfu, the upper part of his hair was tied in a topknot then the rest was loosely laying on his shoulders.
They looked at each other lovingly as the candle flickered, " We will think about this after the war. Now we need our full attention on this war. " The male replied softly to her as he walked over to the large table, where the maps and plans were. " Yea, you're right. " She said wanting to continue her sentence but was cut off by a soldier running in. Their head snapped towards the gasping soldier that just entered the cave, " General! The enemy has made their move! " They looked at each other then went to grab their swords, then rushed out to the battle. But before the female left, she set the battle plans on fire, to avoid any enemy from getting a hold on this information.
Then the next thing that happened was, everyone was attacking each other, countless lives had to be taken because of this war, innocent or not. That night it was a blood bath, dead bodies littered everywhere, the two generals stood in the middle of everything. The camp site was slowly being consumed by flames, then a soldier reported. They jumped up into the trees and started running and jumping from the trees because the ground was covered in bodies and fire.
____
~Words~
Yi Ge - First brother