Chapter 05 Promise Broken

In Guozhao Zhiqiang's dream, he stood in the middle of the burning village. He saw fire and dead people everywhere. He saw people who look like him running for their lives. He saw a woman calling him to run, but he was too disoriented, he stood frozen watching everyone around him get killed one by one.

The fallen woman shouted, "Run!"

Guozhao Zhiqiang began to approach the fallen woman, stretched out his arms and called to her, "Mother..."

The Fallen woman shouted, "Run away, child..."

Guozhao Zhiqiang saw a man in black riding a black horse and shot the woman in the back with his spear. Guozhao Zhiqiang saw the woman's hands slowly fall to the ground. Guozhao Zhiqiang walked slowly towards the fallen woman, but someone ran forward, picked him up from the ground, and rushed them away farther and farther from the burning village.

Guozhao Zhiqiang woke up suddenly, in a cold sweat. He felt his heart beating faster. He took a few deep breaths. He wiped his forehead and found that Hu Dingxiang was not in bed with him. He remembered that today is the fifth day, the bandage on Hu Dingxiang's eyes will be unwrapped. Guozhao Zhiqiang is confident that after the incident between him and Hu Dingxiang last night, Hu Dingxiang will come to see him later on. He threw a talisman on the ground and summoned Shan.

White smoke came out, and Shan stood expressionless, "Zhiqiang."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Shan, please tell my masters and shimu that I will be back in a few months."

Shan questioned Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Why are you all the way to the Northeast?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "I need my time alone."

When the smoke disappeared, Shan also disappeared.

Later that afternoon, Guozhao Zhiqiang heard a soft knock on the door. He went to open the door; it was Hu Dingxiang. He looked at Hu Dingxiang's eyes. He smiled at Hu Dingxiang, then kissed Hu Dingxiang's lips, but Hu Dingxiang stopped him.

Hu Dingxiang said shyly, "It's daytime."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Yesterday was also daytime."

Hu Dingxiang said, "There are more people today. I will pick a hunter to fight alongside me. Fortunately, my eyesight has recovered. Do you want to come?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang stretched his arm around Hu Dingxiang's waist, and Hu Dingxiang hurriedly pulled away.

Guozhao Zhiqiang was puzzled by Hu Dingxiang's unwilling reaction. He expressed, "You are really different today from two days ago."

Hu Dingxiang looked at Guozhao Zhiqiang and said, "I'm sorry, but I'm really excited because this is my first time participating in this competition." He grabbed Guozhao Zhiqiang's hand. "Come and help me choose a hunter."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said, "I told you two days ago, I will be your hunter, why would you need to choose another hunter?"

Hu Dingxiang smiled at Guozhao Zhiqiang, "I thought you were joking."

Guozhao Zhiqiang said sincerely, "When it comes to you, I don't joke." He held Hu Dingxiang's hands. "If we win. You go down the mountain with me as we promised."

Hu Dingxiang smiled at him and nodded. Guozhao Zhiqiang pulled Hu Dingxiang into his arms and kissed him on the forehead.

Hu Dingxiang said, "Since I chose you as my hunter, you can go up the mountain with me. I have to prepare. My servant will pick you up in two hours." He walked towards the door but was hugged by Guozhao Zhiqiang again. "Don't worry, I will see you in two hours."

Guozhao Zhiqiang kissed the back of Hu Dingxiang's head and said, "I really love you from the bottom of my heart. I may not have fame and fortune, but I am willing to spend my life faithfully to you. I am very happy after knowing that you are willing to leave here with me."

In a secluded hillside, inside the dark cold dungeon, Deming felt his body lying on the cold bed. He was a little confused, because when he fell asleep last night, he was in the warm embrace of the man who promised to take him out of the land of hell. Deming blinked slowly unconsciously, and suddenly found himself back in the dark room with his hands and ankles tied to his most hated chains. For a moment, he thought that everything that happened was just a dream, created for him by his mind, but when he sat up quickly, he felt a sharp pain in his backdoor, and then he knew what happened between himself and the man it's all real. He yanked his hand away but was held firmly by the chain. He saw the boss sitting on the chair at the door.

Deming asked confusedly, "Why am I back here?"

Hu Dingxiang said, "Where do you think you should be?"

Deming said, "We have a deal. If I go to bed with that man, you will give me my freedom. I didn't look at that man's face."

Hu Dingxiang sighed, "That's right, we have a deal, but I never says I will keep my words."

Deming sobbed, "You lied to me."

Hu Dingxiang said, "If I do, what are you going to do?" He walked towards Deming. "Deming, your place is always in this dark dungeon. No matter how loud you call him, no one will come to rescue you."

Deming sobbed and begged, "Please let me go... I didn't see your face, nor his face." He grabbed the hem of Hu Dingxiang. "Please..."

Hu Dingxiang chuckled, "No… If I left you go, I won't have any sandbag to punch when I am angry." Hu Dingxiang kicked Deming's left shoulder with his left leg. "So, you stay and continue to be my sandbag."

Deming pleaded, "You promised that if I sleep with that man, you will let me go. I have done my duty." He cried. "Please let me go. I didn't see your face. Please let me go."

Hu Dingxiang sighed and smiled, "Deming, I will never let you go. You will die in this dungeon alone."

Deming screamed in anger, "Liar! You lie to me." He rushed to Hu Dingxiang but was kicked severely by Hu Dingxiang. With a heavy kick, Deming slammed back to the cave wall. Deming fell to the ground and vomited blood.

Hu Dingxiang chuckled loudly, "I promise if we win the competition, I will treat you well and will not use you as my sandbag for the time being. Be Obediently." Hu Dingxiang walked out of the door and closed the iron door with a slam.

Deming is back to where he hates most. He did everything he was asked to do. He obeyed every order, but the boss deceived him. When he was sobbing in the dark room, he wondered if the man would come take him away as they promised. Then he realized that the man would never come. The man may not know where he is imprisoned, or if he knows but he is a good friend of the boss, then it is impossible for the man to rescue him as he promised. Deep down he wanted to know why he became like this. He is an innocent child, he is still innocent, why should they treat him like this? He didn't see the boss or the man's face. He has no way to identify them. He buried his head on his knees and sobbed pitifully.