In the outskirts of Jiangsu.
Zhu Su was standing there. It was the busiest crossroads in this area, it could reach all areas affected by the epidemic. The cold breeze brought snowflakes which patted his pale, stiff face. His eyes were fully focusing on the small green crystal bottle in his grasp.
He got this bottle after passing through many difficulties. He even had to sneak into Liu Ku's bedroom and rummaged through it, until he finally found this bottle. Despite small, this bottle could save hundreds, or even thousands of human lives.
"You tell a lie, I know it. Actually, there is an antidote to diminish this epidemic, right?"
"Well... It's true. There is an antidote for this epidemic."
"Then, give it to me."
"What's wrong with you, Your Highness?! How can you ruin this plan so easily?! You know it very well that we have arranged with great efforts for it?! And above all,, we almost win this war, but you instead want to ruin this victory?!"
But he was not the kind of person who did something without considering. He had already thought about it, very carefully. And his mind could no longer withstand the agony caused by this guilt.
Since he saw by his own eyes, the people of the Jiangsu outskirts whimpered in pain and begged him for help, the feelings of guilty did not stop whacking his mind. It all started because of the war for power, the war among the royalty, and it was the imperial family who got actually involved in. However, those who must become victims of their selfishness, were the people who had nothing to do with their businesses. And when he later won this war, it was he who got power, not the people. So, was it appropriate for innocent people to suffer just for their own interests?
Only for the sake of the throne and power, he must let innocent people become the victims?
"... To reach that Throne of Dragon, you surely need to step on hundreds, or even thousands of human skulls..."
How could he diminish his kindness, and became such a cruel monster, just to fulfil that earthly desire?
Moreover, he had just murdered innocent lives.
The empress' twin babies.
That was right, he held grudges against their father. His grudges were so deep to the point that he was so eager to kill their father. But did he hold grudges against the twins? And the twins themselves, knew nothing about what their parents were doing. But still, they must become the victims?
Just for the sake of taking revenge? Just to wreak the hatred that burned his mind?
Zhu Su grasped the green crystal bottle tightly. He was ready to use it, to eliminate this terrible epidemic.
He did not wish more innocent lives to be killed because of his selfishness.
An arrow shot briskly. It soon scratched Zhu Su's hand. Blood was flown out from his injured hand.
"Aaauucch!" Extreme pain immediately spread all over his hands. The green crystal bottle in his grasp was barely released, fortunately, his grip was still strong to keep holding the bottle tightly. Zhu Su held his bleeding hand. He kept moaning in pain, his standing position turned shaky.
Who the heck has done such damn thing?! Is he... Xie Wang?!
Zhu Su's eyes widened. Zhu Di was standing before him, his right hand was holding a bow. His fourth brother now glared at him, very furiously.
"Su... I never thought... that you will betray me..."
Zhu Su was panting as he replied, "Brother Di... why are you here? Is it you who shot me?..."
"Release that antidote!"
"Brother Di... how do you know?..."
"Of course I know it! Heaven has told me! It's indeed a coincidence for me to come here since I want to investigate this area, then Liu Ku tells me what you are going to do. Are you crazy? The reason why we can defeat Li Jinglong is because of this epidemic!"
Zhu Di tried to grab the antidote held by Zhu Su. However, Zhu Su could get a strange energy to ignore this agonizing pain. He immediately stepped away from Zhu Di.
"Su! Why on earth must you do all this?!" Zhu Di shouted impatiently.
"Because... because I can't let innocent people become victims... just for our own selfishness..."
"How can you refer it as selfishness?! We are fighting against tyranny! If Yunwen falls from his throne, the people will also get the benefit!"
"Brother, have you ever thought, from the war you are launching, how many soldiers have you lost? Is it ten thousand? Or one hundred thousand? Or... more than that?..."
"Why do you ask such that question?!"
"If you say that your soldiers must sacrifice themselves to defend their country, and we are against other nations, then they deserve to die because it is their duties to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their nation. But we are not against other nations. We don't even fight other people, we fight our own siblings! Then should we sacrifice those people, to wage the war amongst our own families?"
Zhu Di gritted his teeth. "Now I get a headache because of your such nonsense talk! Aren't you the one who agrees to wage this war?! You hate Yunwen so much because he has imprisoned you, your wife, and your son. You are so eager to knock him out of his throne and even vow to take any kind of strategy no matter how cruel it is. You are even more eager to do it than me! I am not Yunwen's direct victim, but I support your intention since I can feel the sadness you suffer from... how can you change your mind instead?!"
"Yes, I admit it... I hate him so much. The grudge I hold against him is really, really deep!... But when I realize, plenty of people who have nothing to do with our family problems lose their lives just because of me, I can no longer continue this war."
"But if you don't defeat him, you have to live this way for the rest of your life. You must live as a fugitive!"
"But they can't catch me until now, right? No problem. I will separate myself from this society and stay in a remote area, if it can save the lives of thousands of people, I am willing to do it."
Zhu Di was agape. His expression obviously showed that he wondered whether his hearing was failing him or not.
"Su... are you still deserved to call yourself as the son of the Hongwu Emperor?"
Zhu Su blinked. "Why do you ask that question?..."
"Because the weak mindset that you spoke out just now is very contrary to Fu Huang's principle! Fu Huang must have been crying in the Hereafter if he knows of having a son with that kind of utopian mindset! You don't deserve to be a member of Ming imperial family!"
This time Zhu Di's words struck straight at Zhu Su's central chest. He was soon suffocated. Excruciating pain burst in his chest. When Zhu Di put his hand forward a few inches, Zhu Su did not make any dodging motion. Finally, the green crystal bottle moved to Zhu Di's grasp.
"After all, Zhou Wang, nothing you can do right now. The antidote is no longer useful. Because, they have died."
A cold wind suddenly blew. Blowing Liu Ku's long robe, made it flutter fast. His pitch-black eyes were staring sharply at Zhu Su, who stared back at him with astonishment.
"What did you say, Liu Ku?" Zhu Su quickly approached Liu Ku. "They have died?!..."
Liu Ku turned around, led the way towards the south. Zhu Su and Zhu Di followed him. They kept walking, and shortly after, they arrived at the most spacious medical clinic in this area.
When Liu Ku opened the door, surprised sealed Zhu Su's throat as he could not speak out even a word.