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Chapter 25 - The Rivers Way

It became evening as Jinghua and Bingwen continued to walk down the road they walked before. They ended up at a river. It was the river that split the northern and eastern regions apart. If you follow the river it will lead you to the other side, or in some cases, to death.

Jinghua spotted a small boat, big enough for two people. "Ning Cheng, where are we actually going?" Bingwen asked.

"Far away. Far enough so they won't get us."

Yuming and Hung Meifeng were on the eastern Yue clan borders. There had been an attack of angry dire spirits upon the village and the two were around just in time. They fought the spirits off. "I don't think this was the plan for tonight but we don't really have a choice." Hung Meifeng jokes.

"Now isn't the time for jokes or to get too distracted!" Yuming said, catching and fighting off spirit by spirit. The Yue borders were cold. Snow fell all throughout the year. Suddenly Yuming slipped on ice under feet. Hung Meifeng caught her just in time though. "T-Thanks.." Yuming stutterd. Hung Meifeng smiled. The two got distracted as a sword poked through Yuming's shoulder. She screamed in agony and fell to the ground. Hung Meifeng fought off the spirit with the sword and others around them, only protecting Yuming. Hung Meifeng got nipped with the swords of the spirits a few times. She had multiple cuts on her face but her only goal was to protect Yuming, as a royal guard.

Hung Meifeng had fought off all the spirits. She picked up Yuming and carried her to the hut they were staying in. Hung Meifeng placed Yuming on one of the beds and hurried to heal her and bandage her up. "You're okay, Mei, you're going to be alright!"

Yuming fell asleep after a while. Hung Meifeng was disappointed but knew Yuming would be alright. She got up and walked over to Yuming, then pecked Yuming's forehead with a goodnight kiss. But why?

Jinghua and Bingwen slowly flowed down the river leading them to the eastern region. Bingwen was asleep and Jinghua was awake, steering the boat. Jinghua couldn't help but think how peaceful Bingwen had looked. Jinghua started muttering to himself.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you. But how could you die in my hands. My hands…" Jinghua thought. It was the hands of his father. Jinghua thought of how similar he was to his father. He would get angry for no reason. He would get aggressive towards Bingwen. "I'm so sorry, Bingwen." Jinghua whispered. Bingwen yawned and opened his eyes. And in a tired voice, he said, "What..did you say?" Jinghua was surprised. He thought that Bingwen was asleep. Jinghua turned around and stared at Bingwen within the darkness of the night. "Y-Your awake?" Jinghua said. Suddenly, something hit the side of the boat. Bingwen was now fully awake. "Stay still. Very…still." Jinghua said cautiously. "What the hell was that?!" Bingwen said, holding on to the sides of the boat. Cold water splashed inside the boat as the boat kept on being slammed against something. It was too dark to see what was in the water. The boat was tipping so much it was about to turn over. Jinghua threw his sword in the water, "Jin Si, light up!" He commanded. The water then lit up. About five or six spirits swam around in the water under the boat.

Suddenly, two spirits emerged from the water and grabbed Bingwen's arms , trying to pull him into the water. "Ning Cheng!" Bingwen yelled. Jinghua looked over and tried to reach for Bingwen. But Bingwen was pulled into the icy water before Jinghua could catch him.

The water hit Bingwen's skin like hundreds of stabbing icicles. It stung him. The spirits dragged him under the water, deeper and deeper as Bingwen struggled and kicked to get away from their grip. It was getting harder and harder for him to breathe. He was drowning.