Chapter 10;The Mysterious Blacksmith

As Dan Zhang hurtled through the air, his heart racing with fear, he suddenly felt a pair of strong arms wrapping around him, breaking his fall with a gentle and reassuring touch. When he glanced at his savior, he was taken aback to see none other than Crown Prince Ming Yuan himself. The robbers, sensing an intimidating and commanding presence emanating from the prince, hesitated in their tracks, feeling the weight of his power warning them not to proceed any further.
"Attack!" The leader of the robbers bellowed, urging his comrades to take action. However, they remained frozen in place, unwilling to challenge the presence of not only Crown Prince Ming Yuan but also the formidable figure who had joined him. While the prince exuded the aura of an ice dragon, intense and unyielding, the newcomer embodied the spirit of a fire dragon, fierce, invincible, and elusive. Their combined presence commanded respect and instilled fear, compelling the robbers to reconsider their hasty decision.

The leader of the robbers, filled with desperation, bellowed a tempting offer
"Fifty hundred taels of gold to anyone who could defeat them." The robbers, driven by their greed, charged at them with frenzied determination. In a blink of an eye, Ming Huan swiftly moved towards the attackers, leaving Dan Zhang in awe and confusion. As he witnessed the lightning-fast movement, Dan couldn't help but wonder if this was the legendary technique known as the "Phantom Lightning Flash."

As the battle ensued, Crown Prince Ming Yuan watched with a discerning eye, recognizing the display of the phantom lightning flash technique. This profound technique allowed its user to move at lightning speed, leaving behind illusory images that deceive opponents and create chaos on the battlefield.
In the midst of the intense battle, Ming Yuan found himself intimately close to Dan Zhang, their bodies pressed against each other. Ming Yuan's mind became overwhelmed as a rush of thoughts flooded his consciousness, causing his heart to throb uncontrollably. However, consumed by the excitement of the fight, Dan Zhang remained oblivious to Ming Yuan's inner turmoil, fully engrossed in observing the impressive display of battle prowess and technique.

Ming Huan's occasional glances toward Dan Zhang and Ming Yuan festered with a simmering irritation that seemed to gnaw at the recesses of his heart. It was a sensation so potent that it pulsed through his veins, anchoring a novel and discomforting experience for him. The onset of this unfamiliar sentiment invoked an unshakable perturbation within him.

Meanwhile, Ming Yuan, too, found himself ensnared within a web of perplexing emotions, evident in the taut clenching of his jaw. The source of this inner turmoil eluded him, leaving him grappling with an enigmatic and unrecognizable sensation. Within this tangled emotional landscape, Dan Zhang's gaze, brimming with admiration and awe toward Ming Huan, only served to exacerbate the brewing discomfort within Ming Yuan.

Ming Huan's reaction mirrored a blend of jealousy and displeasure as he observed the close, intimate embrace between his cousin and his bunny. Ming Huan's frustration prompted him to unleash his simmering rage on the hapless robbers, whose ill-fated encounter with him proved to be a source of misfortune for them.
On the other hand, Nan Fang, finding himself in a precarious situation, breathed a sigh of relief when the remaining robbers diverted their attention, opting to assault the other stranger. Observing the nuanced interplay of emotions between the two princes, he shook his head amicably, mustering a faint smile.

Upon surveying the scene, Dan Zhang observed many of the robbers were riddled with bruises and swelling, a testament to the talon-like prowess of Ming Huan.

"Whoa! Ming Huan fought without a sword?!" Dan Zhang marveled. Stepping away from the former's embrace, he hurried over to Ming Huan, gazing at his resolute and cold countenance with a mix of respect and admiration. Ming Huan, detecting Dan Zhang's acknowledgment, found solace and contentment, though his visage remained stoic.

In response, Dan Zhang clasped his fist and bowed in deep gratitude, recognizing the honor and strength displayed by Ming Huan.
"Thank you, kind sir, How can I repay you?" he asked.
"A drink will do," Ming Huan replied, proceeding to walk.
"Sure, I know just the place."

"Bottoms up!" Dan Zhang gulped his wine in one go. He led the group to a tavern along the east wing of the city—Chen's tavern. Known for serving the best wine at affordable rates, it was a refreshing stop.
Dan Zhang requested their finest wine, generously serving their guests and raising a toast, before indulging in a hearty gulp.
A mild wince danced across Dan Zhang's countenance, a subtle testament to the strength of the liquor. The princes, in an earnest demonstration of respect, delicately savored their wines, each sip anchoring a moment steeped in balance and restraint. However, in the midst of this exchange, a seemingly seamless succession of potables unfolded—one pot, then two, eventually tracing the path toward the third.
Nan Fang, cognizant of Dan Zhang's relatively meager tolerance for alcohol, interjected with a gentle rebuke, urging caution in the face of potential overindulgence. "Hey, don't drink too much," he cautioned.

Dan Zhang, however, met this well-meaning intervention with a sharp retort,
"Leave me alone!" his brusque rebuttal underscoring his own resolute determination in the matter, prompting Nan Fang to cast a wary glance around the tavern. A sigh of relief escaped him as he noted the relatively sparse attendance within the tavern.

In a state of inebriated whimsy, an indistinct laughter bubbled from his lips, soon transforming into a tone of reproachful amusement. Seating himself upon the table, cross-legged, Dan Zhang's gaze fixated upon Ming Huan with an icy veneer, "You…you…." his demeanor laced with disconcert. Amidst the abruptness of the encounter, the princes, though visibly taken aback, retained a stoic composure that belied the striking peculiarity of the unfolding situation.

As the focus of Dan Zhang's scrutiny homed in on Ming Huan's curly locks, the latter's countenance steeped in a flush of embarrassment, a visible cringe underscoring his inward chagrin.

Amidst the halls of the imperial academy, Ming Huan bore a silent burden—discreet laughter that trailed in his wake, carrying with it the weight of unspoken ridicule tethered to his unruly curls. The tangled strands, often difficult to manage, became a furtive target for mocking glances, woven into whispers of underlying derision that quietly plagued his surroundings. Wrapped in subterfuge, he bore the unspoken moniker of "feminine," a silent echo of the doubts and ridicule that shadowed his every step.

Yet, submerged in the vortex of his inner turmoil and anticipation, Ming Huan found himself blindsided by an unforeseen twist within his exchange with Dan Zhang—an expectancy redefined by an unforeseen string of words,

In a moment of vulnerable honesty,
"It's… It's… pretty," was all he managed to articulate, his gaze locked in an incredulous stare directed at Dan Zhang. The former, seizing a lock of his own hair, intertwined it with Min Huan's, deftly weaving and braiding the strands.
"I wish… I wish I had your curls!" he exclaimed with a wistful longing before slipping into unconsciousness, his head gently leaning on the latter's shoulder.
Ming Yuan's demeanor gradually turned colder whenever Dan Zhang interacted with his cousin, hinting at feelings of possessiveness and jealousy. The lack of recognition for saving his life stirred a sense of unacknowledged valor within Ming Yuan.
On the other hand, Ming Huan found himself frozen in the moment of contact, captivated by the sight of his bunny, engrossed in play and exuding genuine happiness. Nan Fang's deep sensitivity to the subtleties of his surroundings, as he involuntarily shrank within himself in response to the palpable chill that had enveloped the atmosphere.

Ming Huan's tumultuous heartbeats hinted at an inner conflict, while Ming Yuan's visibly tightened grip on his robes spoke volumes about the internal tumult he grappled with. Nan Fang, with a solemn shake of his head, offered a sincere apology, recognizing the unintended trouble caused by the situation.
Nan Fang, burdened with the weight of his charge, grappled with the strain, silently adjusting his position as he undertook the difficult task of aiding the inebriated Dan Zhang.
On the other hand, Ming Yuan, torn between the urge to assist and a sense of decorum, hesitated in offering immediate help. mindful of the proprieties that encumbered the situation.

Navigating the path in silence, the air brimming with an unspoken tension, Ming Yuan abruptly broke the silence.
"Have you heard of the Iron Welder?" he inquired, catching Nan Fang by surprise, causing him to momentarily falter in step. Though fleeting, the subtle pause did not escape the discerning gaze of the observant princes, revealing a hint of Nan Fang's momentary reluctance.

Feigning ignorance, Nan Fang initially evaded the topic.
"What about him?" "Anything peculiar about him?" pressed Huan.
"I know he's the greatest blacksmith," Nan Fang responded with an air of indifference, though a notable pause followed.
"Rumor has it that he could forge anything from scraps of metals," he continued.
"He is a peerless cultivator among his generation, and travels the world, creating artifacts and lethal weapons that harness the power to vanquish even immortals."
"Leaving behind samples of his incredible collections, it is difficult to track him down," Nan Fang revealed, lowering his voice until it was barely a whisper. "Anyone who has a countenance with him disappears forever."

"But it's just hearsay," Nan Fang responded with a shrug, continuing forward. However, as they parted ways, the two exchanged a meaningful look, silently contemplating the weight of the unsettling revelation.

"Hmm," the emperor mused, deep in thought as he considered the report on his son and nephew within the resplendent setting of the imperial court. The imperial court's opulent interior design featured lavish and ornate elements, including intricate woodwork, vibrant paintings, and elaborate carvings. The atmosphere was further enriched by the use of silk fabrics, lacquerware, and porcelain, all contributing to the overall opulence and grandeur of the court. Incorporating traditional Chinese motifs, like dragons, phoenixes, and lotus flowers, the designs embodied powerful symbols of prosperity and purity. Their furniture, crafted from high-quality wood and embellished with luxurious materials such as jade and mother-of-pearl, encapsulated opulence and regality, serving to showcase wealth, status, and the might of imperial authority.

Amidst the discussions, the ministers conversed in hushed tones. Suddenly, the emperor's personal eunuch hurried to his side, murmuring a few inaudible words. In response, the emperor nodded his approval. The eunuch then signaled to the imperial court bailiff, who promptly announced, "The renowned entertainer has arrived!"

The room filled with a palpable surge of excitement, igniting fervent chatter and leaving the ministers and court officials visibly stirred. With grace, the entertainer entered, the jingles on her ankles resonating melodically as she moved towards the platform. Upon reaching it, she clasped her fists and reverently bowed before the emperor, addressing him with respect: "Greetings to the emperor of Great Wei. May you be blessed with wisdom and longevity." As she slowly lifted her gaze, she fixed her eyes firmly on the emperor.