Chapter Eight

For months together, Yu siblings kept moving, shifting from one inn to another or changing cities. They hardly stayed in one inn for more than two days. They moved from one city to another every fortnight.

During this movement, on Yu He's suggestion Yu Long changed his disguise to a much simpler girl, whom people would easily ignore.

After a month, they finally reached the Taijing-ZhaoShu border city of Bulung. They first went to a cheaper inn, rented a room, trying to save Dais for their future venture. They freshened up and had a good meal.

"I want to look for the Hui Family's library. They might have the answers I am looking for."

"You are not going alone, WaYi. We will accompany you."

"Yes, mother."

The Yu Siblings had got used to their disguises and had accepted it as their real selves. They couldn't take a chance in getting discovered. They had to stay hidden till their Royal Father asked them to return. But return to where? They knew they had lost their homes. They were now trying to survive in hope of their parents being alive.

"Let's ask about for the location of the library."

"Yes. May be the inn attendant can help."

"WaXia, you need to look after our cart and belongings. Stay in the room."

"But-"

"We can't risk it always going about in group of three. Our belongings are precious to us, and are needed for our survival. So is the cart and the mystical beast."

"Okay. I wanted to go, you know." Yu Lin pouted. She was mostly left behind by her over-protective brothers, obviously for her safety. Secondly she is inferior to her brothers in the cultivation techniques. Yu Long is still good at defensive techniques. But Yu Lin is a failure in that as well.

"How about you meditate and try to go through this new technique. It is a powerful healing technique. It will be really helpful during this trip, having a person with good healing powers." Yu Long tried his best to cheer up Yu Lin by giving her a small scroll. He felt bad always isolating his sister.

"This is a special scroll, given to me by Mother Empress. Cherish it well."

Hearing this Yu Lin's mood elevated and she felt excited to be able to try one of the rare collections of her brother's. Yu Long had knowledge in a wide range of topics, but only studying made his practical skills poor. He was not skilled in warfare. But his defense was top class.

"I will, Brothe- Mother." Yu Lin grinned snatching the scroll from her brother's grasp.

Yu He and Yu Long smiled at the innocence of their younger sister. Yu He created a magic barrier to prevent any damages to inn chamber or furniture and then they set off to the attached restaurant where the inn attendant was talking with a customer.

"Young mister and mistress, how may I help you?"

"Is there any library nearby?"

"There are many libraries here. Is there any particular one that Young Mistress is looking for?"

"The one owned by Hui Family."

"That one. It was burned down ten years ago. Now they have switched their business to alchemy. The old man is a bit sick, you see, he can't interpret or speak properly. He isn't dumb. But he can't speak, and the reason is unknown."

Strange. But that elderly woman said it was a library and was owned by her Hui family. She wouldn't have mentioned it if it never existed. So is this man lying?

Yu Long wondered.

"So where can we get this alchemy?" Yu He questioned.

"If Young mistress and master have to visit an alchemist , why not go to the best. Ming family is the best in alchemy. Anyways that place is now a rundown. They rarely have any customers."

"Actually we had to deliver a message to the owner of Hui family library. It is from their other shop in Ching."

"O-okay. It is two lanes away. Next to the Ming family's alchemy stall. It will be easy to locate."

"Thank you."

Yu He and Yu Long made their way through the main street and looked for the lane which had the Ming's Alchemy shop.

"I think it is this way." Yu Long said pointing towards the busiest lane in that marketplace.

Yu He nodded. They made their way through the busiest lane. They saw a very long queue in front of the first three stalls in that lane. They all belonged to the Ming Family. They ran the alchemy, next to which was a magnificent high class restaurant owned by them and an exhibition of antiques. Hui Family library or alchemy was nonexistent compared to the glamour of these Ming buildings.

Still the Yu brothers reached the so called Hui Family's alchemy stall. It was a complete wreck for a place to run one's business. No wonder they had no customers. The stall's roof had burnt clay bricks laid on a piece of wood which was half broken and merely supported by two bamboo stalks. The wall was not repaired or painted. It was still black from being burnt. The place marked the negligence of it's owners.

"It is creepy for a library or alchemy place."

"Let's go, WaYi."

They moved through the first door which was open, only to find the inner shop locked from inside.

"Who keeps their stall shut when it's peak hour for business. No wonder they were called failures." Yu He said while knocking on the closed door.

"No one is here?" Yu Long said while knocking the door for the seventh time.

"Looks like we need to come back later." When they were about to leave, they heard a rustling sound from the other side.

"Someone is there." Yu Long whispered.

They both froze in their positions as the door slide open with a creek noise. Yu Long was scared to look behind. What if there is an evil spirit or ghost behind him. He had no way to run. He couldn't fight. Defense wouldn't last longer. Sweat starting forming on his forehead.Escape plan. He needed it.

Yu He on the other hand was brave. He held out his long knife, more like a dagger, that he was carrying and turned back facing the so called ghost.

"It is customers?"

Said a pretty high pitched voice.

"Yes. We were looking for-"

"They are here to kill us. We have paid our debt off. Don't kill us." That thirteen year old girl fell on her knees begging Yu He.

"Put your knife away. You scared her."

"She scared us first."

Yu Long went ahead to help the girl get up on her feet.

"We are customers. We wanted to meet the owner of the library. Could you lead us there?" Yu Long said with a smile. The smile looked so captivating that the girl stood there mesmerized, "Goddess."

"Goddess?" Yu Long responded all confused. He looked about, to find the goddess who froze the girl. He found none.

Yu He came forward and flicked his fingers in front of the girl, "Can you led us or not?"

"Y-Yes, I can lead you their, Young Mistress." Saying so, she grabbed Yu Long's hands and rushed inside the door.

Yu He followed them.

"Who was it, Lu?"

"It's Goddess herself. Grandfather, see she has descended from the Heavens looking for us."

"I am not Goddess. I am WaYi. I am looking for the owner of the Hui Family's library."

" I am the owner and I also cannot see any Goddess. All I see is a disguised man as woman."

Yu He and Yu Long were caught.

"You can see through our disguises? Your special ability?"

"Before you talk to me,wouldn't it better to show your true selves."

Yu Long and Yu He realises their magic spells, and reverted back to their true selves.

"O it was a man, so deceitful. You are too beautiful to be a man. I still believe you are a celestial being. So let me call you Goddess WaYi."

" We are Hui family of the Feng tribe. The Feng tribe members can see through other people's disguises and fake expressions. It is a blessing and a curse in ifself. So, what are your real names?" the old man said while sipping his tea.

"We are-" Yu Long was stopped by his brother.

" It's dangerous revealing ourselves. What if they give us away to the provincial head? It is not worth the risk."

"You have no other way to talk to me. I will do whatever I have to do with your identities."

" We will risk it and trust you. You can sell us out if you want. But I am here for answers I need desperately. I am Yu Long, the Second Prince of Qinshen. He is my brother, Yu He. We are here looking about Kungu's Four scrolls. We wanted the location of the scrolls. The elder woman at Ching's annual fair directed us here. She said you are too knowledgeable when it comes to those scrolls."

"I am, my prince. Qinshen, was it? Feng Bi' s sons are you?"

"You know our mother?"

"She was a beauty and a genius. She was headstrong and could go to any extent to protect her loved ones. She fell in love and settled in Qinshen. Her sudden death came as a heavy blow for her mother. She also died soon after."

"Why do you know so much about our Royal Mother?"

"Hui family is a part of Feng tribe. After we lost our village a century ago, we used to move from one place to place. We were used to nomadic life, but Feng Bi fell in love. If the numen of your tribe decides to settle down, who would stop her. We all decide to stop and start our lives the way we wanted. We all were well connected till she…" He sighed heavily.

Yu Long and Yu He looked at each other.

"Since you are here looking for information about Kungu's Scrolls, you have one scroll, don't you?"

"We do have one scroll."

" That is not just a scroll. It is everything that created and destroy our world. The scroll you have is the one that Feng Bi must be having. Can I see it?"

Yu Long nodded and flicked his sleeves and soon a scroll propped in the air and floated in the air in front of him.

"This is the Last scroll of the four. It is called the 'Soul abjection scroll'. You can't read any one of the Kungu's scrolls without the other three."

"Does this tell us about the origin and downfall of the seven kingdoms?" Yu Long asked with his eyes glistening.

"Yes. But it is not that simple. There is a reason why these scrolls are scattered over the four kingdoms. If they all fall in wrong hands probably we will be again having the Historic Cataclysm."

" Grandfather is the scrolls that dangerous?"

" They can bring prosperity, peace and harmony. But if used with vile intentions they will just bring crisis, misfortune and tragedy. The effect of the disaster will be felt far and wide. Lives will be shattered."

" If it can bring such misery to us, why was it never destroyed? Why was it kept scattered?" Yu He said with his face exhibiting concern and distress.

" That is something even I don't know. But I know that the creator of this scroll was very powerful. The secrets of these scrolls died with him. He made it for the betterment of his folks but all came with it was years of suffering. But I know that these scrolls cannot be simply destroyed. Why? I don't know."

"Can you help us locate the rest three? And those matching jade stones?" Yu Long asked with curiosity in his voice.

" I hope you are not trying to destroy this world. But I believe you will righteous like your mother. You risked your identities, I will risk this information." The old man said with a long sigh.

" The scrolls were protected by the Feng and Mayu tribes. There are said to be the protectors of the legendary Light Dragon and the Dark Dragon. The creator of the scrolls was the son of these two Dragons."

" So we need to go and meet the tribe hea-" Yu Long was cut off just when he felt he got the answer.

" No you can't." The old man said casually while taking a sip of his second cup of tea.

" Why is that grandfather?"

" Because Mayu tribe was destroyed with the Historic Cataclysm. They were meant to protect the premium scrolls but failed as they were affected by the massacre and famine that followed the same. Feng tribe has only us Hui and Han Family members left. I can assure you none of us have any scroll. The only scroll we protected was the Soul Abjection Scroll which you have. To find the scrolls you need to track where the tribes were scattered or massacred. The scrolls might be nearby that area. As for the jade symbols they must be in display in some antique showroom. Hahaha."

" Are you joking with us, Old Hui…."

" Ping! I am Hui Ping, Yu Long. I understand your anxiety and curiosity. I will give you whatever I have with me. I have one Jade stone symbol with me. You can take that. That will lead you to it's matching scroll."

Hui Ping flicked his fingers and a ring came from nowhere in front of Yu Long.

"I only hope you will do good with the scrolls. But as you start collecting scrolls, you will be putting yourself in danger."

" I assure you, I will never do any bad with those scrolls."

"Don't cause those scrolls for your selfish reasons. Like vengeance. That will only bring despair to you and your loved ones."

" Yes, I will use it for my selfish motives."

" Now leave I need to rest."

" Yes, let me lead the way." Hui Lu led her guests to the exit door.

" I wish Goddess Long and his brother good luck in your future endeavors." Hui Lu and Yu Long exchanged bows.

Yu Long and Yu He retraced their way back to their inn. But before they could cross the lane they saw a small crowd in front of the Ming Family restaurant.

Yu brothers moved through the mass to the front only to find a small, meek boy being beaten by an older man.

" You dare to steal from my restaurant, you filthy rat." He continued kicking the boy, who was curled up with his hands covering his ears and tears flowing unceasingly.

Yu Long immediately ran to protect the boy with even considering that he was in the public and had not activated his Transformation spell.

Yu He immediately tore a piece of cloth from his sleeve and tied it in his face and used his Fire element spell to scatter the crowd.

"The Fire Tornado. Disperse."

This plan of Yu He was a success but not a complete win.

" Are you fine? Is he even alive? He looks miserable."

" We both are fine. Let us get him to our inn. He needs time to completely heal but I think we have a few Sedative potions and Healing Enhancing pills in the inn."

Yu He immediately picked up the fainted boy and motioned towards their inn. Yu Long followed him closely.

As they knocked their inn chamber room, they were greeted by Yu Lin who looked tired from practicing her new technique in the magical barrier set by Yu He.

"Who is he? Friend or Enemy?"

" He needs our help. We will know whether he is our friend or for once he is awake. But I don't think he will wake any time soon."

Yu He laid him down on their bed. " We need to clean his wounds to prevent inflammation. I will vet warm water."

" I will look for the pills and potion."

" I will ...I can help you look for the pills."Yu Lin joined her brother in the search of the pills and potion bottles. "I found the potion. Brother Long, here is the Sedative potion"

"I found the pills. Healing Enhancers might be dangerous for him. He doesn't look like he can survive can overdose either. Should I give him one pill every one hour?"

That afternoon was spent in taking care of the helpless boy lying on their bed. His wounds were cleaned and wrapped with clean clothes to prevent infection. They had given him pills and potion in small quantities every hour. They took turns to feed him his medications.

"Yu Long don't jump into the public without your disguise. I doubt anyone had noticed it this time. But if they have, they will be coming after us sooner. We need to leave."

" That was a mistake, Elder Brother. It will never happen again. But we cannot leave him here. He needs us now."

Yu He didn't want to agree but knew how stubborn his siblings can be, so he gave up.

That night, the Yu brothers stayed awake and took turns in taking care of the patient while Yu Lin fell asleep.

@Ming Family Restaurant, that afternoon

"They are going to kill him." One man said while staring at the young boy being beaten by the Restaurant's attendants. They were ruthless as they continued stabbing, kicking and knocking the boy, who lay senseless on the ground.

"Poor boy, he should have been witty enough to look for a less guarded restaurant. Else at least a bit skilled to steal from under their nose," said a young man in his late twenties. "What does Young Lord think?"

Across him, sat a young man with handsomely sculpted face, pale skin and sharp jawline. His hair dropped neatly down the shoulders almost touching the ground as he sat there drinking his wine. He didn't respond to the man sitting in front of him. He kept staring at the unpleasant scene through his window.

"We have to hurry and proceed to the Taijing palace. By the way, when are you planning on wedding his daughter. I heard she is a beauty. Is she still in Taijing?"

The young man carried on chewing the exotic fried duck meat and sipping the expensive wine.

"Young Lo-"

"Look that fool jumped into the ring to help the boy. He is risking his life for that good for nothing kid. Sad. Next he will be kicked in his beautiful face."

"He is a beauty, isn't he?"

The customers started mumbling and chatting loudly. The young man for the first time uttered, "Look what we have here?" as he smiled playfully looking out of the window next to him, with his eyes fixed on one person. The beauty. Yu Long.

"Young Lord. Young Lord. Young Master. Your Majesty." The other man spoke with voice becoming gradually shrill. He noticed his young master was staring at one person with his full concentration. He looked out of the window to see the person who had enchanted his master.

"O heavens! Is it not-"

"Coming to Taijing was definitely worthwhile, don't you think so, Minister Jin?"

The young man could only smile on seeing his master grin at the sight of the beauty he desperately wanted to win over.

The young master smirked at the sight of his to-be possession.

Coincident? Na. We definitely have a connection. Don't you think so, Yu Long?