Part Twocopyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ggJwZdumi
“Ah this is where you are,” comes a voice from behind making him jump and turn around. “Xīwàng!”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHBqlpWUyE
The Necrosis Deity quickly goes to him and says in a soft voice, “I’m so sorry.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxRQ3xPNrU
“It’s all right. I should have guessed you would come looking for me,” replies Ju-long with an easy laugh.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrJE80uk8v
“And forgive me if you wanted some space,” says the god, turning to leave.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvf6C5glPK
“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.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvY6G531JF
“I completely understand, my dear boy... I really do. There might be a way, change your name, and live in my village.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8EBVZDDVo
“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.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6rc9mM57f
Xīwàng can see the worry in the young man eyes and asks, “I wish there was something I could do...”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqd4ERDBMd
“You have already done enough... Because what I wish, I can never have as long as my brother remains emperor or alive.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaHHFe0KQR
“I’m sorry,” replies Xīwàng, bowing his head.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1Nqqz12Dw
“Hey it’s not your fault... None of you gods could have foreseen this,” says the prince giving him a pat on the arm.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VYL4zS1O7
“You’re right, dear boy. Anyway, come I’ve made lunch.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9NkfuvqfS
Ju-long gives him a nod and together they make their way back to the hut.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYTZ0pGHy3
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!”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyWKDsI3OR
Xuě turns around and replies, “My dear boy.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡyniX24CJPp
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?”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡInfAeuT5aq
“Fine, but I think Ju-long is getting tired of the isolation.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDTEUkvdnZ
“Ah that is why I’m here,” replies Xuě, winking his left eye.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ox8hFn4k4
Xīwàng grows a little excited and asks, “You’ve come up with something?”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnUQsWQmnb
Xuě gently pats the side of his son’s face and replies, “Not me, my dear boy, Heng.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHQO6ys1lY
“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.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUezLpnYt9
“He’s a Dragon and family. He is married to my nephew, Xīng-lóng, who is my brother Yúnlong’s eldest son.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KRCNE7rMw
Ju-long’s eyes blink a few times and he mutters, “Married?”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡylcCjMTQjw
This makes Xuě emit a soft giggle and replies, “Yes, they have been together a very long time, and have two children.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7axLsmMnf
“Oh that’s lovely. Sorry I thought you were the only Dragon who was married.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsegkOW5fV
Xuě shakes his head and replies, “Not at all as there are a few of us who are married or have lovers.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl5mioqMTo
“Ah forgive me,” says the prince performing a deep bow.269Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRmlVH1bqU
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“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.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6ebFyJwT1
“I can live with that, as it would just be nice to be around people again,” replies the prince his eyes filling with tears.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1O7CAJH3u
Xuě gives him a hug and says, “Excellent. I’ll go and inform him.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCiXyKFABW
“Diē, won’t you stay for a cup of tea?”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVrGMAwq2H
Xuě gives him a hug and replies, “Of course I will, my dear boy.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp8IjS4OQi
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.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qw1p2xHO1
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.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡa25uYjFjAA
“Ah here he is,” says the Necrosis Deity pointing his left hand outwards.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdiYHyiJqS
The Dragon turns around and says in a soft voice, “Why hello there, my boy. I am Heng Xù.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYYKV5tiXM
They both bow and the prince replies, “It is nice to meet you.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAr4jEBBmZ
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.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSfN1ccm0j
Ju-long looks up at him and replies, “Let’s try your village first.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡct56Kyd7CF
“All right. You’ll need to wrap up warm first before I take you,” says Heng, pointing his long fingers towards the young man.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Znd3AyqIN
The prince gives a sharp nod then heads inside.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY3pZLCzO5
“Thanks so much for doing this.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgrv9sx9At
“Well the poor lad cannot live here all his life.... It could drive him mad.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kW5yQm5hj
“Fair point, uncle. And it would be nice for me to head home.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjQWYWm9kI
“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.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVyYF3kBF7
Xīwàng nods in agreement and gives him a hug. “Take care of him.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZfNLYofLA
“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.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7yroRTJVx
“Ah no problem uncle, plus I cannot see him settling without me being there.”copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLMueHBHti
“My thoughts exactly dear boy,” replies Heng, giving him another hug.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qPid7ZvFn
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.copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3GwxejRTE
To be continued...copyright protection265ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J9Rec4unU
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