Part Two8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUVGagV0UB 維尼
“Ah this is where you are,” comes a voice from behind making him jump and turn around. “Xīwàng!”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ulbOXUoz1 維尼
The Necrosis Deity quickly goes to him and says in a soft voice, “I’m so sorry.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zkXn9Y2wD 維尼
“It’s all right. I should have guessed you would come looking for me,” replies Ju-long with an easy laugh.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHtURBVc8y 維尼
“And forgive me if you wanted some space,” says the god, turning to leave.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu1g0L7JBn 維尼
“No, don’t go... I’m just wishing I could have a normal life.... I so want to be free,” says the prince, watching a butterfly land on the Xīwàng’s hand.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp4s3NH4LN 維尼
“I completely understand, my dear boy... I really do. There might be a way, change your name, and live in my village.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LKxdjE9aa 維尼
“But all it takes is one person to leak to the palace, I’m still alive and Xiao-ping will send out his guards to capture me and most likely kill me.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5lh8SiThM 維尼
Xīwàng can see the worry in the young man eyes and asks, “I wish there was something I could do...”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfZhRqFpyg 維尼
“You have already done enough... Because what I wish, I can never have as long as my brother remains emperor or alive.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIAOAfEasY 維尼
“I’m sorry,” replies Xīwàng, bowing his head.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zfo4Iv9Rf 維尼
“Hey it’s not your fault... None of you gods could have foreseen this,” says the prince giving him a pat on the arm.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT4MopM0Ue 維尼
“You’re right, dear boy. Anyway, come I’ve made lunch.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj1lPghmHV 維尼
Ju-long gives him a nod and together they make their way back to the hut.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmWq9Bl7Gj 維尼
The following morning, Xīwàng is on his way back from collecting wood when he sees a Dragon is standing outside the door, he drops the pile of wood and calls, “Diē!”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsZWbL4TaM 維尼
Xuě turns around and replies, “My dear boy.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3O5VpOGFb 維尼
They hug and the Dragon goes on to hold his son’s face in his hands and say, “You’re looking well, my dear boy. How are you coping being out here?”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlr2Xp4f25 維尼
“Fine, but I think Ju-long is getting tired of the isolation.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzGabAEBB0 維尼
“Ah that is why I’m here,” replies Xuě, winking his left eye.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0Lwktv3NA 維尼
Xīwàng grows a little excited and asks, “You’ve come up with something?”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fUqJujQd2 維尼
Xuě gently pats the side of his son’s face and replies, “Not me, my dear boy, Heng.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsKqtSvFBS 維尼
“Who’s he?” comes a young voice, making the gods turn their gaze to the hit to see the young prince is now standing in the open doorway rubbing his left eye.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfiwqitL2P 維尼
“He’s a Dragon and family. He is married to my nephew, Xīng-lóng, who is my brother Yúnlong’s eldest son.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡQilNnAHjEf 維尼
Ju-long’s eyes blink a few times and he mutters, “Married?”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gAxVl0lNa 維尼
This makes Xuě emit a soft giggle and replies, “Yes, they have been together a very long time, and have two children.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw9zYeOwsl 維尼
“Oh that’s lovely. Sorry I thought you were the only Dragon who was married.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxb4cA3Gqo 維尼
Xuě shakes his head and replies, “Not at all as there are a few of us who are married or have lovers.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09dFd7zLWA 維尼
“Ah forgive me,” says the prince performing a deep bow.502Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnvbNnin5s
8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dt6UzgR69 維尼
“Hey forget about it, dear boy,” says the Dragon patting the young man’s shoulder. "Heng Xù is a herbalist who lives far to the west. He has offered to give you a home within his village, which is like this, very isolated, no one in the palace will even know you’re there as no emperor has ever dared venture into those mountains as most mortals believe it’s only for us gods. However, I feel I must warn you, it’s very cold there, the mountains never lose their white tops even in summer. The land is harsh and not much grows there, you’ll live mainly on rice and hardy root vegetables, that take some chewing.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ItfGUQm8u 維尼
“I can live with that, as it would just be nice to be around people again,” replies the prince his eyes filling with tears.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡaetbZN3kIR 維尼
Xuě gives him a hug and says, “Excellent. I’ll go and inform him.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hBkyxxLVb 維尼
“Diē, won’t you stay for a cup of tea?”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDvnlsFJBN 維尼
Xuě gives him a hug and replies, “Of course I will, my dear boy.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡec9VcaFYcJ 維尼
The Dragon goes on to help his son pick up the sticks and they all head inside the hut. Once Xuě has had his second cup of breakfast tea, he sets off for the Western mountains.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡALGJ3tc9rn 維尼
After breakfast Ju-long goes for a walk in the forest and when he returns he sees a tall Dragon dressed in a pale green Hanfu is talking with Xīwàng.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhNgtE91YT 維尼
“Ah here he is,” says the Necrosis Deity pointing his left hand outwards.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuKzl7yJHn 維尼
The Dragon turns around and says in a soft voice, “Why hello there, my boy. I am Heng Xù.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbAmRSDKTj 維尼
They both bow and the prince replies, “It is nice to meet you.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CvjNTm4Gg 維尼
He watches the tall Dragon place his hands behind his back and starts to walk around in a tight circle as he says, “Now I was going to take you first to my home to see how you cope with not only the cold, but the altitude, because I have found in the past mortals who were not born in the mountains suffer with dizziness and feeling sick. I have already been informed by Xuě, you’re not a well man.... Nonetheless, I think we should give it ago, as us gods feel you should not have to live like this. However, if you do continue to be sick there is an alternative, Yúnlong has offered to put you up in his village.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXRV1Awhh6 維尼
Ju-long looks up at him and replies, “Let’s try your village first.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5fgZlp1R8 維尼
“All right. You’ll need to wrap up warm first before I take you,” says Heng, pointing his long fingers towards the young man.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHkGZ3hnaB 維尼
The prince gives a sharp nod then heads inside.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4y03Sji6c 維尼
“Thanks so much for doing this.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIRWKZtSOj 維尼
“Well the poor lad cannot live here all his life.... It could drive him mad.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaw8sSNhO8 維尼
“Fair point, uncle. And it would be nice for me to head home.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡchZx9mYjjj 維尼
“You’re son’s have been missing you, nonetheless they knew it wouldn’t be for long as us Dragons would come up with something,” replies Heng, winking his right eye.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡNinr7RLP7e 維尼
Xīwàng nods in agreement and gives him a hug. “Take care of him.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzITup0slN 維尼
“Huh? Forgive me, my dear child, you’re coming with us for just a day.... Forgive me, but I need you to tell me what you use to teat his symptoms.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzWNxXMAvi 維尼
“Ah no problem uncle, plus I cannot see him settling without me being there.”8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPldrcJ7xU 維尼
“My thoughts exactly dear boy,” replies Heng, giving him another hug.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1SDYkI1GX 維尼
Just as the prince returns Xuě comes into land, he picks up his son and Heng picks up Ju-long. They all take off into the clear blue sky and the more west they travel the colder it gets. It is early evening when they come into land in the small village nestled at the base of a huge mountain with its top hidden by low clouds.8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1mjxPvWOb 維尼
To be continued...8964 copyright protection498ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDBhKDfsEp 維尼
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