Upon stepping out of the city gates, General Rong Xian Yiu approaches them, riding his trusty Guo Xia."General Feng, I see you've brought his royal highness with you and...his attendant. Let me escort you to Sui Zhang Xie's memorial. His fiance happens to be there; she wants to tell you something."He leaves swiftly, expecting them to follow around just fine.
Feng only glances at Xiao Chen and Zai Shan before speeding off on his horse, startling him as he tails Feng. Halfway through the ride, Xianyiu slows down. He looks back at the both of them are their horses come to a stop, slowing down as they catch up with him."I'm impressed, your royal highness. Your composture remains well taken care of even after that kind of ride. A very rocky one, if I were to be specific."
"Ahahaha! You take me for a weakling, General Xian. As the leader of the soldiers by the north post, I thought you'd know better than look down on me."Xianyiu's face remains stern as he looks at Zai Shan seating on the back of his horse, but he does grin lightly."You've always been cooped up in the imperial palace, it's quite rare to see you like this."
"General Xian, could we stop by the east post later? (I haven't met the general there just yet...strange.Could he be at the memorial?)"
"Hm..well, you'll be able to meet General Jin by the memorial later, if that's what you want. Unfortunately, Zhang passed away so soon, that night was special as you had just awakened from your extended coma...who knew he'd be mercilessly eaten by those...things...during that same night..."
"I hope that his soul may rest now that you've cleared off most of the swarm residing there. Its been growing increasingly larger in number as the months passed. Those reverities...they've been with us for centuries. Most small villages outside these walls are easily torn to bits, it's a miracle that Wu City prospered just fine."
"Indeed, it is all because of the Wu Family's ever so prosperous way of ruling. I hope to see more improvements to the city soon."Zai Shan blurted in."Ah, yes yes! What a sharp tongue your attendant has."
"How did that happen?"Xiao Chen asked him calmly."Oh? I thought your royal highness would've been heavily informed of this by now. However, seeing as you must have forgotten after that long nap you've taken, it does seem so that I should tell you once again. Well, it can wait until later."
"Right, congratulations on making it out alive. After that...reckless attempt you've made, the imperial family's condition has worsened. They were extremely worried about your health, I'm surprised his majesty has even let you accompany General Feng."
"(...Maybe this imperial family isn't as bad as I thought they were. Although, I can't assume just yet. Besides that scheming bitch of a crown princess, the imperial family does care for their each other just like any other. Looks like I'll have to give that maid an earful later.)"
"Feng Luo Xi, you alright? You seem lost in thought."
"No need for your concern, your royal highness. My mind just lingered off somewhere else; we'd better hurry now, while it's still early in the morning."Xiao Chen and Xianyiu nodded, as they rode far off into the north post. They remained quiet throughout the rest of the journey.
"My lord, your royal highness, you have arrived! We've done as you asked, glad to see both of you in good shape!"She Yan Hai greeted them as well."Perfect timing, General Feng. She's waiting for you inside; General Jin is talking to her. We shall be here when you need us."
He then focused his eyes towards Zai Shan, still on the horse. Xianyiu helped her down the back of the horse as they talked.
"Thank you, we'll be out in a few minutes."Feng and Xiao Chen got down from their horses and entered the small shed slowly. It was small, but it was in good condition. One wonders how it remains intact when the wood clearly looks brittle."Ah, General Feng—Please excuse me. I must take my leave now, General Feng and his royal highness have arrived."He bowed, leaving soon after.
The lady only agreed with a slight sound, as she turned her head towards Feng and Xiao Chen."Thank you for trying to save my Zhang Xie, General Feng. Your highness did your best as well, I understand."
She wiped away her tears; it represented her everlasting sorrow.
Feng felt a sense of guilt rush through him. Xiao Chen's expression showed clear remorse like so."Forgive me for making you come all the way out here. It must have been far too troublesome for you, as you had other matters to attend to. I still hoped to see you though; once again, forgive me for being immoral."
"It's alright. I know how you feel."
Feng could only stare at the draped cloth covering the general's lifeless body. The crown prince could only stand by him, hoping he could help ease her pain."...May heaven welcome him with open arms."
"I truly hope so...I shall let my husband rest now. He once told me that if he ever died on the battlefield, I shouldn't shed any tears during his burial. He would hate to see me in such a miserable state. He's long gone, turned to dust...I can't do anything else for him now, besides holding back my emotions."
"Either way...I have some information that may be of use to you. This was the main reason I had invited you here. My husband would have wanted to tell you himself, but this mere coincidence of the reverities sudden increase in number was but false. The situation has been calm up until yesterday."
"My husband had sent me a letter that night, using a carrier pigeon. It felt wrong upon receiving it, but he had informed me of a certain relic in the woods that kept attracting those hellspawns. None of the soldiers dared to come out and try to pick it up for themselves; it was far too risky, he claimed."
"A relic?...What kind?..."
"No specific details were given, but he claimed it may have been from the same accident that had happened months ago. You were present at the time, so you must have witnessed it for yourself."
"Who knew that cursed Feng Xie Fan and Feng Ge Cao had left such a dangerous artifact at that same post...that soon lead to my husband's death. Truly unforgivable, they disgust me. They even had you in a coma..."
"...Accident?..."Feng did not remember any of this as he did not retain the previous general's memories, but it must have been the cause of his coma."(Plus, those were my parents' names...what the hell is going on?)"
"Thank you, we truly appreciate it. We promise to serve justice to you and your husband."
She smiled, and waved goodbye to them as they left the shed."Zai Shan, we'll be leaving now. Please stay here with General She."She remained calm, but detested it heavily."That is unacceptable, your royal highness."
"His majesty himself has concluded the fact that me and General Feng's guards, as well as his trusted maid, are to be with you and him at all times. Or, do you wish to have some privacy with General Feng during this investigation?"
"I'll go with the second option, thank you. Surely you understand what I mean?..."Feng rolled his eyes and interrupted him, but to no avail of ever getting noticed."I can hear you, you know."
Ye Zai Shan sighed in disappointment, but she soon agreed to it."Very well, please be careful. Although we may be severely punished for this, please do come back safely."
She Yan Hai pretended to cough as he held Zai Shan's hand."Oh, are we interrupting something? Forgive us, forgive us! We'll be leaving now. Thank you!"Xiao Chen then dragged Feng all the way back to the horses with him as they rode off to the east post with Xianyiu."Take care, your majesty."She bowed and walked off.
"...Ye Zai Shan."Zai Shan tries to ignore him, but eventually speaks to him."General She Yan Hai, please take a rest now. I'll deal with the rest."Yan Hai grabs her arm and doesn't let go. He takes her into the forest(a large part of the area surrounding the city all the way to the towers is just a giant forest, but there are pathways headed to the towers)and pins her onto the tree."Why won't you speak to me."
"Do I need to say anything, General?"
"Why is it that...when I try to speak to you...you're always avoiding me? You can't keep doing this to me, Zaishan..."Zaishan shoves him away and glares at him."I'll keep doing it as much as I want to."
"Zai Shan, wait for me!Please!"She doesn't stop, and when Yan Hai grabs her arm she slaps him."I'm sorry. I can't be with you, General. As much as I want to, we're not meant for that."She walks away from him, and she sheds a few tears as she returns to the post.
"...Why do you always have to be like this?..."
[To be continued in the next chapter, please be patient for the next one. Thank you for reading.]