Part Twocopyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OOsk9WzQJ
“Ah this is where you are,” comes a voice from behind making him jump and turn around. “Xīwàng!”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡngfQcKcXND
The Necrosis Deity quickly goes to him and says in a soft voice, “I’m so sorry.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡO44s3MLzUx
“It’s all right. I should have guessed you would come looking for me,” replies Ju-long with an easy laugh.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVl1oFbkf1
“And forgive me if you wanted some space,” says the god, turning to leave.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Chjtu3FsQ
“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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhVnJY9vx4
“I completely understand, my dear boy... I really do. There might be a way, change your name, and live in my village.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KZnMn2XIi
“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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLVg5oL84d
Xīwàng can see the worry in the young man eyes and asks, “I wish there was something I could do...”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnuUKdTUJq
“You have already done enough... Because what I wish, I can never have as long as my brother remains emperor or alive.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLbY8YmbW4
“I’m sorry,” replies Xīwàng, bowing his head.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUQobVNW4R
“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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3eEYZSRUB
“You’re right, dear boy. Anyway, come I’ve made lunch.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTnuRvseHo
Ju-long gives him a nod and together they make their way back to the hut.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbjazv5nsa
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCdthcta3n
Xuě turns around and replies, “My dear boy.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmg8Q8Ejnm
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGx2Q7xWuZ
“Fine, but I think Ju-long is getting tired of the isolation.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JCkdTwG3A
“Ah that is why I’m here,” replies Xuě, winking his left eye.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PWlYNuD6R
Xīwàng grows a little excited and asks, “You’ve come up with something?”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPywRoEol8
Xuě gently pats the side of his son’s face and replies, “Not me, my dear boy, Heng.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡosS1N5VjMZ
“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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQOQbNEGqK
“He’s a Dragon and family. He is married to my nephew, Xīng-lóng, who is my brother Yúnlong’s eldest son.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqz5WruBQP
Ju-long’s eyes blink a few times and he mutters, “Married?”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeiCg5Hbpt
This makes Xuě emit a soft giggle and replies, “Yes, they have been together a very long time, and have two children.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡajkZawMOcd
“Oh that’s lovely. Sorry I thought you were the only Dragon who was married.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJD9PAAjbq
Xuě shakes his head and replies, “Not at all as there are a few of us who are married or have lovers.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VFrxVwe7V
“Ah forgive me,” says the prince performing a deep bow.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKdhbdICeo
copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhf3gpz3eM
“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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNwUXluxFG
“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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOBEg9zMoH
Xuě gives him a hug and says, “Excellent. I’ll go and inform him.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6YXafnJjB
“Diē, won’t you stay for a cup of tea?”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzp2umoZU3
Xuě gives him a hug and replies, “Of course I will, my dear boy.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTShx8q7VO
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEVNC52ZPl
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlV0oqnMph
“Ah here he is,” says the Necrosis Deity pointing his left hand outwards.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4bImIRNQM
The Dragon turns around and says in a soft voice, “Why hello there, my boy. I am Heng Xù.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡBErxr3Du3s
They both bow and the prince replies, “It is nice to meet you.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEOMFcc2YB
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPGvx3doQ3
Ju-long looks up at him and replies, “Let’s try your village first.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsIDZaGCFK
“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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5voTi35u64
The prince gives a sharp nod then heads inside.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qTMVrP9PG
“Thanks so much for doing this.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡd18VF76lKL
“Well the poor lad cannot live here all his life.... It could drive him mad.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PhuIzyN3F
“Fair point, uncle. And it would be nice for me to head home.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡS95LW1cMb2
“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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡso4AkJHq5s
Xīwàng nods in agreement and gives him a hug. “Take care of him.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbhsGZ1eN5
“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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFe0rb1EXc
“Ah no problem uncle, plus I cannot see him settling without me being there.”copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpBLZVuHlz
“My thoughts exactly dear boy,” replies Heng, giving him another hug.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xLqZrq1Gd
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ATlAlwCZu
To be continued...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGTprTlVAG
ns3.236.15.142da2
