Part Twocopyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwUtPnO5WL
“Ah this is where you are,” comes a voice from behind making him jump and turn around. “Xīwàng!”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh1oLSgAav
The Necrosis Deity quickly goes to him and says in a soft voice, “I’m so sorry.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmbY1dud4k
“It’s all right. I should have guessed you would come looking for me,” replies Ju-long with an easy laugh.copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JQYcGl0Mi
“And forgive me if you wanted some space,” says the god, turning to leave.copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9AOxmGOXQ
“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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhcvgeJKsN
“I completely understand, my dear boy... I really do. There might be a way, change your name, and live in my village.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vwVuJBQJn
“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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wwKk460S3
Xīwàng can see the worry in the young man eyes and asks, “I wish there was something I could do...”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcl4IBjrlL
“You have already done enough... Because what I wish, I can never have as long as my brother remains emperor or alive.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqhMmLvXBf
“I’m sorry,” replies Xīwàng, bowing his head.copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLLSv6WB7P
“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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ213KCmcY
“You’re right, dear boy. Anyway, come I’ve made lunch.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sppeLaKIM
Ju-long gives him a nod and together they make their way back to the hut.copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3xLW2SSEZ
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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkYKl2vYpH
Xuě turns around and replies, “My dear boy.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx9lWo678P
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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8TqUPtMI7
“Fine, but I think Ju-long is getting tired of the isolation.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqrKaMMGKc
“Ah that is why I’m here,” replies Xuě, winking his left eye.copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHJx3GW9N5
Xīwàng grows a little excited and asks, “You’ve come up with something?”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGeS68HAVp
Xuě gently pats the side of his son’s face and replies, “Not me, my dear boy, Heng.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHQ9s1WfHG
“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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5oaCrQzBD
“He’s a Dragon and family. He is married to my nephew, Xīng-lóng, who is my brother Yúnlong’s eldest son.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAkSsr191X
Ju-long’s eyes blink a few times and he mutters, “Married?”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIFpS7qOm8
This makes Xuě emit a soft giggle and replies, “Yes, they have been together a very long time, and have two children.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNdTYQlPpW
“Oh that’s lovely. Sorry I thought you were the only Dragon who was married.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4wNXYeY8g
Xuě shakes his head and replies, “Not at all as there are a few of us who are married or have lovers.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIZB8RIzF5
“Ah forgive me,” says the prince performing a deep bow.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn2Q3ZrDp6
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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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡlafRYcQdbY
“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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7GsIOjrnY
Xuě gives him a hug and says, “Excellent. I’ll go and inform him.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡw59pZdhKDY
“Diē, won’t you stay for a cup of tea?”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY9aQ7nGky
Xuě gives him a hug and replies, “Of course I will, my dear boy.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡENFlgoazPx
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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡymCIMCV4ny
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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jxcunjR3E
“Ah here he is,” says the Necrosis Deity pointing his left hand outwards.copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIs53Iudij
The Dragon turns around and says in a soft voice, “Why hello there, my boy. I am Heng Xù.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRGozs1vxo
They both bow and the prince replies, “It is nice to meet you.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zIBMcZ642
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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuKdzNW31e
Ju-long looks up at him and replies, “Let’s try your village first.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM54bFxca4
“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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeEjQqwPwB
The prince gives a sharp nod then heads inside.copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh5CuEqqIr
“Thanks so much for doing this.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5eK9qpGCA
“Well the poor lad cannot live here all his life.... It could drive him mad.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdPpxFP4ul
“Fair point, uncle. And it would be nice for me to head home.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmCKZ7ppx7
“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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcd6Xmwn38
Xīwàng nods in agreement and gives him a hug. “Take care of him.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOmMdTr3YW
“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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDj1oi8NHG
“Ah no problem uncle, plus I cannot see him settling without me being there.”copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyT7FQubdy
“My thoughts exactly dear boy,” replies Heng, giving him another hug.copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡjanGXBApEy
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 protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3cF5AXenE
To be continued...copyright protection103ＰＥＮＡＮＡVidOpSEU3R
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