Chapter 2
Part I
Jumping off from Xuan Ya, Feng Ming never had thoughts it would taken great deal of power and effort to open the parachute due to the sharp downward velocity which has increased rapidly.
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The altitude wind has always been unexpected for novice skydiver. The parachute finally able to balance for a moment, the wind from underneath seems to support the parachute and stopped Feng Ming from continue being fallen; it was actually uplifted slightly higher.
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In a split moment, like a thunder strike momentum, for the force of nature had manifested as the wind suddenly ram Feng Ming into the cliff.
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“Ah!” a sharp pain passed thorough heart and spreads from his chest.
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Fortunately, after this one hit, the parachutes had drifted away from the cliff, and finally returned to earlier direction, downward to the spiral river and slowly descended.
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“Boom”…… Feng Ming fallen into the water, he knew has successful taken the first step to escape. He struggled in the water to remove the parachute and barely swam across the river.
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“Blockade the river, quickly! Searched for about fifty yards, no inches of grass are allowed to go uncheck!” He just arrived to the shore and into the wood when constantly boisterous shouts came from a distance, accompanied by the heavy puffed and with hooves sound.
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‘It was unthinkable the pursuers have moved so rapidly.’
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Feng Ming taken aback, he went into a clump of bushes which, has tiny blooming pink flowers, breathless and then snooped.
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“General, found this in the river!” Soldiers were picked up the parachute from the river and brought it over.
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Hooves echoes rapidly, as a crisp female voice called out: “Have Duke Ming been found?”
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“Your Highness!”
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“Miao Guang Princess!”
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“Reports Your Highness, Duke Ming is temporarily unaccounted for, your servant has the river blockade and ordered to intensify the search.”
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Miao Guang sat on the horse, panic-stricken, no longer composed like her usual self: “He…… he jumped off a cliff , is it likely……”
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“We has searched the river surface and had found this material, Duke Ming likely used this to escape.”
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Miao Guang took the wet parachute, and instantly recognised it was her petticoat, frozen for a while before face turned cold: “Someone, keep this for me; ah! Heralds the message, if anyone able to catch Duke Ming, I’ll report to my Brother King to reward and knighted him.”
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“Yes!” Everyone was fiery responded.
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Hooves and footsteps were roared into his ears.
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‘Be reward and knighted?’ Feng Ming smiled drily, he turned around, and the riverbanks were surrounded by soldiers which had started for their searches. If he had have stayed in the water instead of swam to shore then they would surely found him.
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Since the incident was unexpected, Miao Guang’s soldiers were only a vanguard group, so the group is small in number. Moreover, the parachute was found in the river thus they have focused their attention on the river. Therefore, the woodland compared to riverside was more thoroughly searches. ‘This is the best time to get far away from here as possible.’ Feng Ming quietly moved backward and fled.
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He bolted into the woodland, then taken a little stop for breathing and all a sudden chest pain was felt aching inside.
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“Ah……” Feng Ming groaned, hurriedly untied his outer clothes; there was no bleeding on the chest, but there was a residue red bruised: “Oops, I’m afraid the ribs have cracked.”
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The wind seems to carried an uneasy atmosphere; Feng Ming looked around, and immediately slumped down to the ground and put his ear on the earth.
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He heard that the ancients could prostrate on the ground and listen to distinguish the coming of their enemies. Feng Ming certainly did not have such ability, but the land was indeed a better medium for sound than the air, he vaguely listened for a while, ‘although I do not know how many people and from what direction, but there are many soldiers are approaching him.’
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‘My body is injured, and there are many pursuers, if this continues I’ll be caught.’ Feng Ming put on his thinking hat, ‘with Miao Guang’s intellect she would surely has guessed that I fled into the forest, and most likely to send another team to search from the opposite direction, desperate to escape and ran like crazy only means eventually running into them.’
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Feng Ming frowned thoughtful and suddenly teeth clenched: “It’s already a risky adventure, I’ll shows you, even aware there is a tiger on the mountain, I’ll be undeterred.” He raised his hand and felt another burst of chest pain. He reluctantly took off his outer garment and torn the fabric apart, wrapped it on a hanging branch of a tower tree.
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“See what you’ll make of this.”
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He seized the time, went around the area and changed the layout to distract the soldiers. He no longer headed to outside of the forest direction but reflexive traced back the old path.
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He was cautiously made his way, returned to the place where a few meters away from the riverbank in the forest, Miao Guang seems still dazed at the shore. Feng Ming was secretly alerted, laying low about half- height of the grass.
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“There is no news?”
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“Report Your Highness, Duke Ming whereabouts still unfound, but General Mo has led troops to enclose the woodland, they will find Duke Ming sooner or later if he is within the forest.”
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Feng Ming cried inside of the possible danger, ‘they’re really good pursuers.’
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Miao Guang dignified nodded: “Heralds the message, Duke Ming is scheming, he’ll be captured and uninjured.” She pondered for a moment, and added: “If using bows and arrows, do not shoot at the heart, lung area and neck, in case it would kill him, your life and clan will be repaid the debt.”
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Feng Ming felt unjustly: ‘On the level of craftiness, how can I hold a candle to you?’
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A messenger reported: “Report Your Highness, General Mo found this thing in the woods.” A scout held Feng Ming’s torn garment in his hand.
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Miao Guang took it and frowned: “This was deliberately done, but what is it signifying?”
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A General officer disagreed: “I believed it is a delay tactic.”
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“No, Duke Ming is too clever, he would not waste time to do such thing, and there must be a profound meaning.”
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When he saw Miao Guang really paranoid and contemplated, Feng Ming almost laughed.
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The scout continues: “When General Mo discovered them hanging on the tree, oddly shaped, he was unsure how to deal with it, he ordered subordinate to consult with Your Highness.”
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“Alright, I’ve to take a look myself.” Miao Guang reined the horse: “What other tricks he’s up to now?”
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Feng Ming spied in the bushes for nearly half an hour, the searches party down at the river comes nearly to an end. The ancients did not know such proverb state that ‘the most dangerous place is the safest place’, hence no one search at the bush area where Miao Guang had stood.
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This is a psychological strategy.
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When he was seeing the search party moved toward the woodland, Feng Ming took the opportunity and the advantage of sky was still dimmed, quietly crept nearer to the riverbank. His movement was like a snake that lived near the water and quietly dived into the water.
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He already prepared a reed on the mouth earlier and swam towards the other side.
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It seems that at the foot of Xuan Ya where Feng Ming had imprisoned, Ruo Yan has blockage the entire vicinity, event the grasses and trees were not spared. The only place that may be neglected would be his accommodation— Xuan Ya, where Feng Ming had detained.
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‘Hope this was not a mistaken deduction.’
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Feng Ming placed the reed into his mouth, taken a deep breath before swim to the other side, he grateful that Rong Tian had forced him to practice martial arts. If Rong Tian had not anticipated and ensured that Feng Ming has strengths to escape, his physical power would never have made to shore that day.
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Feng Ming was panting and crawling to shore, he did not dare to delay and take a moment to rest, immediately headed toward the towering Xuan Ya.
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He ran about a few hundred feet, suddenly the throat felt fishy. Feng Ming legs gave out, but he knew he absolutely cannot stop here, took a fierce breath and continued bolted.
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Feng Ming selected a twisty little road and ran, so that he could avoid the possible of attacking by the pursuers from behind. When he saw the cliff was not far away, approximate about half an hour of terribly running to get there, then he saw another smaller footpath at the side also leading to Xuan Ya.
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He looked cautiously around, there seems no human sound and with little peace of mind, he dashed outside the forest and taken covers. Feng Ming’s hand picked up a hardwood.
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“All I need to grasp a solitary guard, and immediately knock him out with a stick……” Feng Ming gasped, he kept muttering to suppress from being faint: “…… Then, put on his clothes, posing as guards …… follow the crowd and then escape……”
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When he lifted his head to look ahead, the vision began to blur as he saw a lonely figure was coming closer. It was a guard costume, who absently looked around, very likely that man was searching for Feng Ming trace.
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“Hmmm, that would be you, the hapless one.” Feng Ming tightened his grips on the hardwood, tiptoed quietly like a cat from behind.
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Unexpectedly when he came behind the guard, and before lifted the hardwood to fiercely knock the man, his knees suddenly felt weak and awkwardly fallen to the ground. The hardwood has rolled aside.
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It turned out due to his running and injured, he was finally came to the point of exhaustion, once he stopped for a moment, he was immediately out of breath. Feng Ming saw lights flickering and fallen unconscious.
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‘No, ah, actually fainted at this time, I was really the world’s most unfortunate fugitive.’Before Feng Ming was swallowed by darkness, he deeply cried.
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——————————-
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Part II
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The guard has incredibly agile movement. Hence, when he heard a sudden wind from behind, he immediately turned around. He did not expect the attacker to suddenly fall down. After taking a closer look at the man’s face, he almost cried aloud, but recognised the current situation as he immediately swallowed them.
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“Duke Ming?”The guard has a handsome face and his black eyes were sparkled, surprised and squatted down to whisper: “Duke Ming, Duke Ming, it’s me. Rong Hu.”
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Duke Ming had already fainted and did not hear him.
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“Elder brother.” A shadow sprang out of the forest also wearing guard costumes, breathed heavily and appeared anxious; his gasps were apparently the result of running: “I’d heard a bad news. Duke Ming is no longer above….. He jumped off the cliff.” After he finished his sentence, his tearful voice choked.
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“Lie-er, take a look at who this is?”
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Lie-er was the one who went to investigate the whereabouts of Feng Ming and when he overheard the news that Feng Ming had jumped off the cliff, he was very sad and wanted to cry badly. So when he looked down and saw a familiar, extremely handsome face: “Duke Ming?”He immediately jumped in disbelief and he looked over to his elder brother with wonder.
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“Elder brother, how could Duke Ming be here?”
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“Don’t know. I was wondering on how to enter Xuan Ya, and then turned around……” Rong Hu scratched his head: “just saw Duke Ming lying here.”
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“Oh, ha ha ha.” The two brothers were glancing at each other and laughing softly.
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“That’s great. Even in a muzzy way, we still found Duke Ming.”
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“This place is dangerous. Let’s leave immediately.”
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The two of them carried Feng Ming and agilely sneaked back into the forest.
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The spring time is beautiful and everywhere is full of life. The living room of Earth Moon tribal leader was always filled with burning incense aroma, which made others feel relaxed.
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Feng Ming was feeling regretful and not willing to wake up.
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He fainted on the road which Ruo Yan was probably using to travel to Xuan Ya, and there was no doubt that his fate was back where he’d escaped. On this very thought, he simply decided not to open his eyes.
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“Ah, Duke Ming woke up!”
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“Really? Chiu Xing, you should not give false information. These past few days, you’ve been screaming over and over again, always making us happy with your white lies.”
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“I was sure I saw Duke Ming’s eyelashes moved. Alas, it has been a few days already. Do you think Duke Ming will ever wake up?”
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“Why not? Duke Ming is a good person, how would God be tormenting him?”
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The clear tones sounded like an almost cry. On top of his head there seems to be many sighs.
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‘I must be dreaming,’ Feng Ming was repeatedly reminding him that this was not possible, but still could not help to secretly sneak a peek.
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The two small, pink familiar faces appeared very sad —- It was his beloved little friends, Chiu Yue and Chiu Xing.
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“Ah!”Feng Ming suddenly opened his eyes in disbelief: “It really is you? You…… you also…Ruo Yan ……”
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“Ah!”Chiu Yue and Chiu Xing also shouted at the same time. The volume had surpassed Feng Ming’s voice: “Duke Ming’s awake! Duke Ming really has woken up!”
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A whirlwind rolled into the room from outside. It was Lie-er who ran in and asked: “He woke up? He’s really awake? Chiu Xing, if you lie to me again, I’ll……” his eyes suddenly contacted with Feng Ming’s teary eyes, and stood there like a lost soul.
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In the blink of an eye, Feng Ming was surrounded by enthusiasm and tears from his friends.
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Chiu Xing hugged Feng Ming as she laughed and cried: “Duke Ming finally woke up; you’ve worried us to death.”
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“Duke Ming, ah, please don’t ever run around again. Look, just this trip alone and you went all the way to Li Kingdom. Life is empty without you.”
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“Fortunately Your Grace has woken up. If not, how could we face our King.”
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Rong Hu hastily arrived, saw that everyone was frantically overjoyed as he stood beside them and smiled quietly.
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“Chiu Yue…… Chiu Xing…… Lie-er……Rong Hu……”Feng Ming eyes were circling the group. He did not have time to react, but bewildered and asked: “Why are you here? I … I am possibly……”
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Chiu Xing fiercely replied: “When His Majesty knew that Your Grace was in Bo Jian, he immediately invited Mei Ji to Bo Jian on demand; however, when he arrived in Bo Jian, Duke Ming disappeared. Ruo Yan, thatdamn abhorrent man had actually sowed a discord with the Bo Jian’s Royal family against His Majesty and used the useless Second Prince in an attempt to murder our King.”
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“His Majesty is wise and greatly intuitive, so how was it impossible for Bo Yiu to kill him?”Lie-er inserted another sentence, “But maybe he did cause a little trouble for His Majesty.”
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“Afterward, His Majesty guessed that Duke Ming was caught by Ruo Yan, so he had secretly slip into Li Kingdom.”
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“However, Ruo Yan is really cunning. He had hidden Duke Ming so fast that we…..”
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“Oh Lie-er, do not interrupt me again.”Chiu Xing was dissatisfied as she glared at Lie-er.
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Lie-er grimaced and closed his mouth.
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Chiu Xing turned back to Feng Ming and continued after she’s satisfied that Lie-er had obeyed her: “Ruo Yan was very strict in guarding Duke Ming. His Majesty had taken a long time to find out Your Grace’s whereabouts. We later learned that Li’s Royal Family have a resident in Xuan Ya and had never let outsiders stay there. Nevertheless, we were not able to determine if Your Grace is locked up in there. If Duke Ming was not being held there, and attempting to rescue Your Grace would arouse Ruo Yan’s suspicions, then……”
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“Chiu Xing, why are you going around in a circle? Duke Ming will be confused by you.”Chiu Yue cried: “Anyway, we have incited Moon Earth tribal to confront with Li Kingdom. His Majesty has helped to arson the capital in order to create disorientation as he played game with Ruo Yan which, given Rong Hu and Lie-er the opportunity to investigate whether or not Your Grace was locked up in Xuan Ya.”
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“That’s enough, what are you two little ladies yelling for? Should it be my elder brother’s turn, since he was the one who rescued Duke Ming?”Lie-er proudly said as he raised his chin.
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Rong Hu watched over the group’s commotion and helplessly smiled: “I have no credit; Duke Ming was escaping and unfortunately, just fainted on the road. It was right at the time when we were trying to sneak into Xuan Ya as guards. We were at the right place and the right time. What’s most pleasant is that we have been checking the terrain several times before the trip to the mountain, and arranged escape routes, which had become handy.”He paused slightly: “However, Duke Ming just woke up, his body’s still bandaged. Why are you holding him like that? I do not think it is a good idea.”
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The trio looked down. It seems the bandages wrapped around the body were messed up, and now shaped like an octopus. They blushed and let go of him before taking two steps away.
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Feng Ming was breathless after they hugged and unconsciously shook him in the process. The chest wound started to ache faintly, so his heart was full of praises for Rong Hu’s consideration.
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“Since you’re all here, where is Chiu Lian?”
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“Chiu Lian is still remaining at the palace.”Chiu Yue replied: “When we were heading off, she was howling and yelling that she wants to go rescue Your Grace too. However, His Majesty would not allow her to go as it would be too much trouble.”
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“His Majesty was correct. Just the two of you were enough trouble as it is.”
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“Well, why not?” Chiu Xing naturally came to aid Chiu Yue, glared at Lie-er: “If not for us, the Earth Moon tribal would never easily considered assisting the King.”
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Feng Ming looked puzzle and turned to Rong Hu for help. Rong Hu explained: “Chiu Xing and Chiu Yue’s mother was from the Earth Moon tribal, a beautiful woman who was married to a Xi-Rei and strengthen our diplomatic relationship. The Earth Moon’s leader has greatly helped us because of this.”
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“Oh, I see.”Feng Ming finally understood the situation. Although, the question his heart really wanted to ask was not easily commuted to them.
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Lie-er saw the hesitation on Feng Ming’s face and guessed a bit. He giggled and asked: “Why hasn’t Duke Ming ask where His Majesty is yet?”
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“Rong Tian…… Where is he?” When Rong Tian’s name was mentioned, his heart could not help but beat faster. Feng Ming cursed himself for his foolishness, reminded that he needed to give Rong Tian a few punches when he sees the man, given that Rong Tian had failed to protect him as promised.
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“His Majesty is temporarily staying in the Li’s capital in order to distract Ruo Yan.”RongHu gently said: “I’m afraid it will be some days before he’ll be able to join us.”
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“What?”Feng Ming screamed and jumped out of bed: “Is he out of his mind, underestimated Ruo Yan, in and out of that place?”He felt a sharp pain from the wound, probably resulted from the earlier action. Feng Ming cried aloud a few times before falling back on the bed.
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“Duke Ming, please be careful of your wound.” The crowd panicked and hurriedly calmed him down: “Please do not worry, Your Grace. The King will arrive soon.”
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“He doesn’t have to come!”Feng Ming angrily growled: “Anyway, he would not want to see me.”
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“Why would His Majesty not want to see Duke Ming?”Chiu Xing reassured him.
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“Since the day Duke Ming had gone missing, the King has lost his appetite and lost weight. His Majesty was also wounded by an arrow when he was ambushed in Bo Jian. The wound has not healed, but he was still determined to sneak into Li Kingdom regardless of the danger. Who would he do it for if it is not for Duke Ming? Moreover, the last time when we tried to get to the border, the King was almost……”Lie-er’s constant winking had finally stopped Rong Hu in time. He then knew something was better left unsaid. Chiu Xing stuck out her tongue and was quiet for once.
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“Almost what?”
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“Nothing.”The four of them desperately shook their heads in denial: “It’s nothing really.”
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Feng Ming’s heart was touched and anxious that he gave a loud grunt: “I obviously have been rescued. Why is Rong Tian still not leaving there? Did he want me to be distressed?”
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Rong Hu stepped forward and bowed as he whispered into Feng Ming’s ear: “Ruo Yan is very ruthless and never let those who wronged him get away. If His Majesty was not there to stop him, I’m afraid he would have immediately come here and destroyed the Earth Moon tribal. If that was the case, Your Grace would not find a place to recuperate.”
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“The journey back to Xi-Rei is very far and Duke Ming is heavily injured. The Li Kingdom border is also tight in security. Hence, to leave the country would be difficult. The only safest and comfortable place is here.” Lie-er nodded in agreement.
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Feng Ming looked around, firstly at Chiu Xing, Chiu Yue and then to Rong Hu and Lie-er.
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‘Rong Tian at the moment is risking his life to distract Ruo Yan’s attention in the capital. I…… how could I actually want to punish him?’
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He felt ashamed as well as being disappointed of not seeing Rong Tian; the emotion was swelling like an overflowing fountain.
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“Is there any way we could aid for Rong Tian’s safety?”Feng Ming geared up his sleeves and said: “He is in danger and in need of our support. Rong Hu and Lie-er, could you go inquire if there’s any news from Li’s capital?”
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The four glanced at each other oddly. They all thought of one thing: ‘to be able to keep you here safely, we’ll be more at ease.’
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“This could wait for a few days later. First thing first, that is nursing Your Grace to get well again.”
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“That’s right. Duke Ming first must be healed and soon, we will be able to return to Xi-Rei.”
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Chiu Yue brought the medicine fluid before Feng Ming’s mouth: “Your Grace, you first must drink this.”
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“It’s too bitter.”Feng Ming briefly gulped the liquid before he frowned and complained.
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“This is a family recipe from Earth Moon tribal; Duke Ming’s injury will rely on them to be healed quickly.”
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“I do not want to drink.”
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“No, you certainly must drink them. Chiu Xing, come here and help me.”
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“I don’t want to drink! It’s very bitter.”
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“Oh, Duke Ming is still his same old self.”
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Rong Hu slowly nodded: “Indeed, he’s still the same.”
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Lie-er watched over Chiu Xing and Chiu Yue as they were trying to deal with an unreasonable Feng Ming, then mysteriously smiled and whispered to Rong Hu: “Elder brother, Ruo Yan had captured Duke Ming for the past few days. Do you think Ruo Yan had……”
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RongHu’s eyes sharply wept over Lie-er: “You dare ask? Be careful or the King will cut out your tongue.”
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“Duke Ming is very beautiful. Many would dream of coveting him. In the past, His Majesty had slept with many people too.” Lie-er stuck out his tongue and did not dare to bring the subject back again.