Chapter 96 The City Of Warriors Part 32

Haneul and Sukh chased after Lan Huan, the wind blew across their faces, Sukh asked, "You know that forest is not an ordinary forest, why do you still want to enter?"

Haneul said, "My dear general, if I don't face danger and improve my skills, how will I regain the kingdom that was stolen from me."

Sukh said, "With the mages on our side, we can conquer Tangzang.  Why do you need to put yourself in danger. You are the future king of Tangzang, and you should not put yourself in a dangerous situation."

Haneul said, "I have walked in lady Lan's footsteps before, and I know how lonely it is to walk on a road where your shadow is your only friend."  He chuckled.  "But I am luckier than lady Lan because I have you fighting by my side, Sukh Bayarmaa I am determined."

"What?" Sukh asked, because the wind was strong and Haneul's voice was not loud enough, so Sukh couldn't hear Haneul's voice at all. "I really can't hear you."

Haneul voice became louder and said, "I have decided that when I conquer Tangzang, I will make you the Great Grand General of Tangzang.  I also want to issue an imperial edict that no one in Tangzang can have this title except you."  He laughed loudly and rode after Lan Huan.

Sukh rode his horse to follow Haneul and said to himself, "Sometimes, your jokes are just as ridiculous as some of the tasks you ask me to do for you."

As she approached the path, Lan Huan began to see hundreds of old and new sedan chairs on the roadside. As she approached, she encountered a group of villagers walking towards her. Lan Huan jumped off the horse and stood aside waiting for the others to leave. She dragged her horse and continued walking on the road, where she met a mother and her daughter.  Both mother and daughter cried heavily.

"I don't want to go in," the daughter cried, hugging her mother. "Please take me back. I don't want to die." 

"You have to do this," the mother cried.  "Your name was chosen by the village chief. There is nothing we can do. My dear daughter, I wish from the bottom of my heart that I could take your place, but heaven chose you instead."

"I will walk into the forest on your behalf," Lan Huan said, looking at the mother and daughter.

"Really?" the daughter said, wiping her tears.

"Heaven chose her, not you," Hamza said, stepping out from behind the mother and daughter. "We cannot define heaven."

Lan Huan said, "Whether she goes or not, I will enter that forest."

Hamza said, "You cannot enter the Forbidden Forest.  The heaven has not chosen you."

Lan Huan said, "You can't stop me from entering the forest. I have a person in that forest who must be saved."

Hamza said, "Lady, those soldiers did not listen to us. They have entered the forest, and no one has come out yet."  He looked at Lan Huan.  "They knew the risks when they entered the Forbidden Forest."

Lan Huan saw a woman dressed in black facing the forest. "I entered the forest of my own free will."

Zoya turned around, and when she looked at Lan Huan, she saw the dark energy surrounding Lan Huan.  "An Untouchable," Zoya said, staring at Lan Huan.  "You are different from other untouchables... You are surrounded by dark energy... You are not an ordinary untouchable." When Zoya's eyes met Lan Huan's, she suddenly gasped in horror. Her knees became weak as she heard hundreds of cries pouring into her ears at the same time. "Hamza... let her go into the forest."

Hamza turned to Zoya, "Are you sure?" 

Zoya said, "Yes, let her go into the forest."

Lan Huan got back on her horse, abandoned the villagers, and rushed into the forest.

Zoya stood and watched Lan Huan disappear into the forest. She sighed and said, "I hope you can never escape from this forest."

"And why would you say that?" Haneul asked as he and Suk approached the villagers and walked towards the small group of villagers standing with Zoya.

Zoya said, "Skull Forest is a forest full of mythical creatures. Since ancient times, it has been a forbidden land for mortals and immortals. The guardian of the forest has a key to No Man's Land. With this key, the guardian of the forest is much more powerful than ordinary mythical creatures."  She looked at Haneul and she smiled.  "The King of the North should think twice before entering the forest."

Sukh asked, "No Man's land? What is No Man's land?"

Zoya said, "I don't know, but I heard that as long as you collect five keys and enter No Man's Land, you can be grant with one wish."

Haneul sighed and said, "I have learned not to believe rumors over the years. Since it is so dangerous, let's go in and help Lady Lan."

Zoya said, "It is better to imprison her there. If she escapes, thousands of innocent people will die in her hands."

Haneul asked frantically, "Why? What crime has she committed?"

Zoya said, "It because she is a rogue Untouchable."

Sukh asked, "How do you know that?"

Zoya said, "Because I am also an Untouchable."

Sukh asked, "What is the difference between Lady Lan and you?"

Zoya said, "Untouchables can only predict the future and foresee what will happen to the people we care about most, but the woman who just entered the Forbidden Forest was surrounded by dark energy and her hand smeared with blood of the innocents." She sighed.  "Looking at her, I heard the screams and cries of those who lost their lives because of her." Zoya shook her head. "Wherever she goes, death follows."

Haneul laughed and said, "If that were the case, you would all be dead now."

Hamza said, "If she breaks the peace agreement our ancestors made with the forest guardian, we will soon perish."

Haneul said, "Human sacrifice. To me, I think this is the worst peace agreement your ancestors could have made with the mythical guardian of that formidable forest. I know that following your ancestors' wishes is something that the younger generation must do, but sacrificing one's own family is unreasonable."

Hamza said, "How can you say such things easily when you have your own kingdom and home to return to? Since the five kings signed the peace agreement, if we were relatives of the ancient king, we would be driven out of our home, forced to move from one place to another. After all these years, we are still being chased."

Haneul said, "So you are people of the Cutlass Exiles Clan."

Hamza said, "Yes, we are the descendants of the Cutlass Exiles Clan."

Haneul said, "I am different from you. I can tell you now that I am a descendant of one of the original five kings, but like you, I too, also an exile in my kingdom, but after I helped Lady Lan save her master's lover I will return to my kingdom and take back my throne as the King of Tangzang. Think about it, although Tangzang Kingdom is small, it is big enough to accommodate a few thousand more people."

Hamza said, "You are willing to accept us into your Kingdom?"

Haneul said, "As long as you become a good citizen of Tangzang and don't commit crimes, I don't see why not." He smiled sheepishly. "But as I said, I haven't taken back my throne yet, but when I do, you are welcome to Tangzang."  Haneul reached into his robe and handed Hamza a seal. "You can show this to the guard at the gate when you come to Tangzang. No one will question you or your people."

Hamza untied the sword belt from his back and handed the sword to Haneul.  "A gentleman's promise. I give you this sword to express my gratitude."

Haneul took the sword from Hamza and said," A gentleman's promise. If I become the King of Tangzang, and if you and your people reach Tangzang, you will be my citizens."

Sukh said, "We have four hundred and one people waiting for us near the capital of Magior. If you feel that it is not safe here, you can take your people there and show the seal that Haneul just gave you. They Will look after you and your people." He quickly followed Haneul toward the entrance to Skull Forest, then stopped and turned around. "Oh, I forgot...if you decide to meet our people, please ask for chief Keme."

Zoya said, "Wait."  Haneul and Sukh turned around as Zoya came closer. Zoya looks at Haneul.  "When I look at you, I see happy citizens and I see the entire northern land beneath your feet. I hear people chanting your name."

Haneul smiled and said, "Oh, what exactly are they chanting?"

Zoya said, "Hail to the Northern King of the North."  She looked at Haneul, then turned to Sukh. "I also saw red snowflakes and a large red river."

Haneul asked, "What does this mean?"

Zoya said, "I don't know exactly what it means, but the only advice I have for you." She looked at Haneul.  "Never betray your promise because that will be your downfall." Zoya reached into her left sleeve and grabbed the sword Haneul was holding with her left hand. She grabbed the hilt of the sword and touched the pommel of the sword.  After she finished chanting, she removed her hand from the pommel and appeared on the sword's pommel engraved with a large green stone. "This stone will protect you and show you the way back."

Haneul asked, "What is this?"

Zoya leaned close to Haneul's left ear and whispered, "Let just keep this between you and me. This green stone is one of the keys to No Man's Land."