Hu Lan's elder brother,Hu Wei was totally different. He was sufficiently amiable and romantic enough. His wife Su Rong ,was from the noble Su clan. Leading as an example,the couple delved into the world of passion. Sounds of their heavy breaths filled the atmosphere as they ground against each other.
"Hubby,why are you so fierce and it's only the beginning?"Su Rong whispered to Hu Wei's ear in a low seductive voice. Hu Wei lifted her up to a different angle kissing her hungrily.
With the Lunar Nectar acting as a catalyst, they had a stamina that could enable them do it for the whole night.
*****
Even after excluding themselves from humans for long,the foxes still retained some of the habits common in the human race like investing in beverages and foods. Hu Lan sat alone at the gazebo with a full teapot of oolong tea which was his favourite tea. He took slow slips giving his taste buds enough time to relish the taste. His brother walked in and one glance at him ,Hu Lan noticed the half hidden hickeys on his neck;an evident result of a wild night. Hu Lan quickly looked away,a faint red hue painted his cheeks after feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Lan, you're up early,"Hu Wei spoke awkwardly.
"You too."
Hu Wei chuckled nervously.
"How was your night?"Hu Wei asked even when he knew clearly what his brother's answer would be.
"Just the usual. Drinking wine and sleeping."
"Didn't you mate with anyone?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I'm not some kind of animal that has to be instructed when to get intimate and when not."
"You're always harsh."
"By the way the inauguration ceremony is in two days.We need to prepare for it ."
"What is there to prepare?"Hu Wei questioned blithely.
When Hu Lan took a long time to reply is when he realized how serious his brother was.
"Is something bothering you?" Hu Wei asked hoping to get an answer from his introspective brother.Hu Lan tended to think a lot about his own thoughts. If he had any insecurities,he would spend time alone to evaluate the insecurities or other problems or feelings not willing to share with others.
"Well,Hu Feng has been lying low for a while. I'm sure he will make his move on that day."
" We already made peace with him I don't think he will go back on his word."
Hu Lan knew his brother too well. He tended to trust others too much especially family members and believed people had their own reasons for doing things and making the choices they did. Hu Lan dropped the subject and not knowing how to continue the conversation,he simply kept quiet and waited for his brother to broach another subject.
Unlike the human race whose leader was the emperor,the Hu Clan was led by a chief. Since the death of the former Chief Hu Zhen, his eldest son Hu Wei was destined to become the new Chief. Hu Zhen had a younger brother who died before him. His younger brother had a son who was born a few months earlier than Hu Wei,Hu Wei's older cousin brother Hu Feng. Hu Feng had a younger brother Hu Xue and a younger sister Hu Mei.
Hu Feng had always been at odds with his cousins. He was against the idea of Hu Wei inheriting the chief's position. He felt the position should have belonged to him. However in the recent months,Hu Feng seemed to have let go of the grudges he held against his cousins. He suddenly became supportive of Hu Wei and promised to work with him to serve the clansmen with all he had. But this was purely a sugar-coated lie according to Hu Lan who had trust issues with certain people that his instincts warned him about.
*****
On the inauguration day was when Hu Wei would be acknowledged publicly as the Chief of the Hu Clan and take over the role officially. The elders had already acknowledged him and the clansmen were ready to have him as their new leader. This gave him the morale to take over the Chief title as soon as possible. Smiles flashed across his face while his wife dressed him up for the event.
"Hu Lan said you should board the servants' carriage,"Su Rong reminded her husband while combing his hair.
"What could possibly go wrong?"
"I have a bad feeling about today so it's better to do as Hu Lan arranged."
"Fine enough with that talk. I will follow your instructions."
While Hu Wei went to the event venue with the servants,Hu Lan boarded his brother's carriage pretending to be him. And just like he had predicted,he was ambushed on his way to the venue. Several strong fox spirit fighters appeared before him.
*****
"Hu Wei you think you can stop us from killing you?"one of the gigantic fox spirits gnarled threateningly.
Hu Lan was wearing heavy clothes to have a slightly plump figure as his brother. He stuck a skin mask on his face to resemble his brother making it hard to tell the difference between him and his brother.
Without wasting time,Hu Lan unleashed his best fighting techniques and moved around swiftly attacking his opponents.
*****
At the heart of Hucheng City was the townhall,a central hub for major activities and gatherings. The townhall included the main hall, council chamber, library, training grounds, shrine, and enchanted garden. The main hall was well decorated in favour of the event. The elders were already waiting inside for Hu Wei to crown him at the auspicious hour. The servants' carriage stopped right outside the townhall. Hu Wei and Su Rong alighted from the carriage and walked majestically up the stairway that led to the entrance. Everyone had bright smiles lingering on their faces accompanied by the music hence livening up the atmosphere. Everyone was pleased with Hu Wei's punctuality and the elders praised him and predicted he would be a great leader to all.
*****
Meanwhile Hu Lan,Hu Jian and Li Na were outnumbered by their opponents. Hu Feng and Hu Xue were both there acting as generals during the war against their cousin.
"Hu Wei,just because you're more talented that me you think you have every right to become the chief. Today I will dismember you and destroy your golden core and you will never be able to reincarnate again,"Hu Feng said threateningly aiming a sword at Hu Lan's neck.
Hu Lan's face was covered with patches of blood. His thin delicate lips were painted scarlet red by blood. His blood was boiling as he glared at his cousin that he had loathed for many years. He held his rage in and let go of his pride because he knew he was at loss. His friends were already on the brink of death and he didn't want them to be finished off because of his arrogance.
Hu Feng raised his sword high up in the air but before he made his last slash one of his henchmen arrived and whispered something to his ear which made his eyes widen in reaction.
"Guys we've been fooled. He's not Hu Wei he's Hu Lan."
Hu Lan laughed mockingly while peeling off the skin mask revealing his flawless face,"Hu Feng, you think I couldn't predict your plans?"
"Guys let's go to the townhall. Hu Xue don't leave them alive,"Hu Feng instructed his brother and left immediately. Hu Xue loved following his brother everywhere he went like a dog so that moment he ignored his brother's command and followed him.
*****
When Hu Feng and his team reached there ,Hu Wei had already undergone all the necessary procedures and had now been crowned as the Chief. But this didn't stop Hu Feng from attacking him.
"You and that heartless brother of yours really played me like a game,"Hu Feng clenched his teeth in fury.
That's when Hu Wei realized Hu Lan was right all along but there was no time to waste. He immediately fought back against Hu Feng. With the help of the elders,Hu Wei eliminated the rebel. Hu Xue begged for forgiveness but the elders didn't spare him either. He was charged with the crime of trying to assassinate the chief and he ended up losing his life as well.
*****
"Guys ,teleport!"Hu Lan desperately warned his two friends when they were on the verge of losing against the army of fox spirits fighting them. There were no chances of winning the battle.
Retreating was the only choice. Hu Jian and Li Na used up the little energy left and teleported. When it was Hu Lan's turn to escape he was suddenly unable to do it. He struggled to make his powers work and after several failed attempts he managed to escape.