Heaven's Unwritten Decree

CHAPTER 3

XIE YUNXING

"PRINCE YUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!"

Oh, dear heavens. Why are these old men chasing me again?!

I ran as fast as I could, weaving through the familiar paths of the palace while the guards followed closely behind.

They would chase me, surround me, chase me again, and then surround me in another circle. At this point, I was beginning to wonder if they were actually trying to catch me or simply enjoying their morning exercise. Oh danggm at this point I can have a tour in the entire kingdom.

"Why ya'll chasing me like I'm a creep!"

"Please stop, Your Highness!" Chief Wan called out between breaths. He had one hand gripping a nearby post as he tried to recover. "We can catch you easily anyway, so please don't exhaust yourself by making us chase you!"

I stopped and slowly turned toward him.

"What???"

Chief Wan immediately straightened his back.

"Ah, nothing, Your Highness! What I meant was, please don't worry. Next time, we will make absolutely certain that you won't see any kind of animal slaughtering again!"

I placed my hands on my hips. "Do you know what greeted me the moment I entered that place? A chicken's severed head! It was practically flying toward me!"

I shuddered at the memory. I had only wanted to take a quick look around, yet the moment I stepped inside, I was welcomed by something I would rather not see again. And the smell! Don't even get me started on the smell.

"That serves you right! Who told you to visit an animal slaughterhouse in the first place?" a familiar voice demanded. "Didn't Mother tell you to prepare for the reception later? Come here!"

Oh, no no no. Another old folk.

I slowly lowered my head and muttered, "She's really angry, isn't she?"

"What did you say?"

"Ah, hehe. Hello, Sister!"

I immediately flashed her my sweetest smile and waved at her from where I stood. My older sister, Yunian, was standing at the entrance, looking as though she was one second away from dragging me back herself.

"I'm sorry for this animal's behavior," she told Chief Wan and the other guards. "I'll take responsibility for disciplining him."

"There's no need, Your Highness. It is our duty to watch over the prince."

I didn't like the sound of that. Why did everyone keep talking as if I were some dangerous creature that needed constant supervision?

"Xing'er," Yunian called, turning toward me. "Come here quickly unless you want me to drag you over."

I obediently approached her with my head lowered. Anyone watching us would probably think I was a puppy that had just been scolded for chewing on someone's favorite shoes.

The moment we returned to the chamber, Mother greeted me sweetly by pinching my ear.

"If your sister hadn't come looking for you, you wouldn't have returned home at all!"

"Mother, that hurts!" I tried to pull away but she only tightened her grip. When I glanced at Yunian for help, she merely grinned at me.

"Sisteeeer, help me!" I reached toward her with my free hand, hoping she would take pity on her poor, suffering younger brother.

Instead, she crossed her arms and watched me struggle.

"Why does everyone in this house have the mouth of a dragon?" I muttered under my breath.

"Stop mumbling!" Mother snapped. "I can hear you perfectly well! You boys in this house do nothing but give headaches!"

"But Sister was the one who told me to look for her missing rabbit!" I protested, putting on my most pitiful expression. "I only went looking for Xiuxiu, and somehow I ended up wandering all over the place!"

Yunian's eyes widened. "Xing'er! You—"

She was about to defend herself when our eldest brother entered the chamber. He informed Mother that he needed to speak with her privately, so Yunian and I were told to leave.

The moment we stepped outside, my sister turned toward me. "You!"

She raised her hand as if she were about to hit me, but I knew her well enough to dodge first and lightly knock her on the head.

"Nyenye. You thought you could get me?"

"Just what did you do to Xiuxiu?" she demanded while her ugly eyebrows are drawing together.

I gave her a mischievous smile. "Roasted him!"

"XIE YUNXIIIIIIIIING!"

Oh, dangg! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE YUNXING!

Several hours later, I had finally finished bathing and getting dressed. I even made sure my clothes were properly arranged before stepping outside. After all, I was a prince. I couldn't possibly look like someone who had just spent the entire morning running around the kingdom.

Unfortunately, avoiding my sister proved much more difficult than fixing my appearance.

Every time I turned around, I caught her staring at me. Her gaze was sharper than the blade of her sword, and I was beginning to suspect that she was planning my execution in her head.

"Sister, take it easy," I said, slowly backing away. "If you keep glaring like that, even your eyes might get scared and abandon you—OW! MOTHER! AAAAAAAAAAAAAH! MOM HEEEEEEEEEELP!!!"

Why was I surrounded by such violent women?

"KINGDOM OF GOLDEN WISTERIA OF THE EAST, RECEIVE THE DECREE!" A sudden announcement from outside.

"Everyone, come out and compose yourselves," Mother instructed as she headed toward the entrance.

We immediately followed her. Waiting outside was the Imperial Messenger, carrying a scroll bearing the seal of the Imperial Throne. The guards stood in formation nearby, and the atmosphere had become noticeably more solemn.

We knelt before the messenger as he began to read.

By the Mandate of Heaven, let this decree reach every royal house within the realm.

By Imperial Order, all princes of royal blood are hereby summoned to the Imperial Capital.

Let each house prepare its prince for the journey. No delay shall be permitted, and no royal seal shall exempt its bearer from this summons.

The reason for this gathering shall be revealed upon arrival.

Until then, let no house presume to question the will of the Throne.

For what has been decreed beneath Heaven shall, in time, come to pass.

BY IMPERIAL COMMAND:

SEALED IN THE NAME OF THE IMPERIAL THRONE.

"Empress of Golden Wisteria, please receive the scroll."

Mother accepted the decree.

Princes of royal blood? What was this, another one of Eternal Twin Crowns' strange ideas?

Why were they summoning everyone all of a sudden? And why did they have to make the announcement sound so serious? Well, Those Eternal Crowns are always serious, aren't they?

Anyways, why was I even worrying about it? Surely Father and my older brother would handle everything.

Once the messenger had departed, I immediately stood up and prepared to sneak away.

"Can't your feet stay still for even an hour, Xing'er?" Mother remarked, throwing me a look that made my stomach drop.

"Mother, it's not like that. I was just—"

"Yunian, look after things here for now. Xing'er and I are leaving." Mother stood and turned toward my sister.

"Yes, Mother."

"Where are we going?" I asked, following her. "Which deity are you planning to offer something to this time? Could Sister go with you instead? Because, you see—"

"AAWWWWW! MOTHER! AAAAAAAAAAH! SISTER, HEEEEEEEELP!"

"YOUR FACE! YOU DESERVE THAT!"

"YOU HAVE NO HEART! NO SOUL! NO BRAIN! NO BONES! I'LL ADD VEGETABLES TO XIUXIU SO HE'LL TASTE EVEN BETTER!"

"XIE YUNXIIIIIIIIING!"

"Mother, RUN! FASTER! YOU'RE TOO SLOW!"

By the time we arrived at the palace, Father and my older brother were already seated at a small table. Mother joined them, while I looked around suspiciously.

Were they planning a rebellion without inviting my sister? Or perhaps they were planning to marry her off?

Oh, no. If that was the case, I should probably leave before they decided to marry me off next.

"I'm leaving—"

"Xing'er." Father's serious voice stopped me.

"Yes?" I immediately sat up straight.

"We have something important to discuss, so I need you to take this seriously for a moment."

I adjusted my posture and put on my most serious expression. See? I could behave properly when necessary.

Father began explaining that the imperial decree had arrived earlier. Since our kingdom had only two princes, there was no question that one of us would have to answer the summons.

"If you're thinking that we will send your older brother, we won't," Father continued. "You will be the one going, Xing'er."

My expression fell. "M-me? So... you don't love me anymore? Have I been too naughty? Is that why you're sending me away?"

My older brother laughed knowing perfectly well that I was putting on a performance.

"No, son," Father replied, reaching toward my shoulder.

"Then why are you sending me there? I've never even been there before! What if they hurt me? What if they refuse to feed me? What if they turn me into a servant? What if I never get to come home? What if they kill me?"

I pretended to wipe away tears while looking between Father, Mother, and my brother.

All three of them seemed to be struggling to keep their laughter under control.

"You really don't love me! You don't love me at all!"

A sudden smack landed on my head. Who else would dare do that to me?

I turned around and found Yunian standing behind me.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded. "Mother told you to stay behind!"

"So what?" she replied, rolling her eyes before taking a seat beside Father.

"Now, Xing'er," Father interrupted before we could start another argument. "Listen carefully."

Everyone finally quieted down. Well, almost everyone... My sister and I were still glaring at each other.

"We are sending you because your older brother has not yet completed his training. His coronation is approaching, and there are many preparations he must oversee. You understand how important that is, don't you?"

I looked toward my brother. He gave me a reassuring smile.

"So, Xing'er, I hope you will accept the summons."

I was about to think of another excuse when my brother's voice suddenly echoed in my mind.

Don't you think this is a good thing? No one will be watching your every move anymore. You'll have much more freedom in the Imperial Capital. You'll meet new people and discover things you've never seen back in the East.

Oh... Right... That actually sounded wonderful.

"Fine!" I said, immediately breaking into a smile.

Father looked relieved. Mother seemed satisfied, and my brother was probably laughing at how easily I had changed my mind.

"However," Father added, "you must travel to the Imperial Capital alone."

"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!"

TANG ZHILE

Who on earth had nothing better to do than write that ridiculous imperial decree?!

I was perfectly happy living in my own kingdom. I had food, a comfortable place to sleep, and absolutely no reason to travel all the way to the Imperial Capital. Yet here I was, walking beneath a scorching sun because some people in Eternal Twin Crowns had decided that summoning every prince in the realm was a wonderful idea.

Once I reached that kingdom, I was going to make them compensate me properly for all this trouble.

They could at least have sent a carriage. Or a horse? Or even a person to carry me? Damn.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead and looked around. The road stretched ahead of me, with trees scattered along the sides and no convenient inn in sight. The shade was tempting, and my feet were beginning to complain.

Then I spotted a particularly comfortable-looking tree branch. Oh perfect! I climbed up, settled myself against the trunk, and closed my eyes.

Just a little nap wouldn't hurt. Besides, if anyone asked, I could always say that I had been resting strategically to preserve my strength for the journey.

...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! HELP ME! SOMEBODY HELP MEEEEEEE!"

WHAT NOW??!

I opened my eyes and looked around, irritated by the sudden screaming.

A man was running down the road looking like a freak while a large snake was chasing him. The man screamed even louder before grabbing a tree branch and hanging from it with both hands.

"You i***t!" I shouted from my own branch. "Snakes can climb trees, too!"

"THEN COME SAVE ME! AAAAAAAAAAAAH! SNAAAAAAAAKE!"

I was just about to climb down when another scream came from farther away.

"SNAAAAAAAAAAKE! LOOK AT ITS HUGE EYES! HELP MEEEEEEEEE!"

I turned toward the sound. Another man came running into view. The moment he spotted the first man hanging from a branch, he immediately climbed onto a nearby tree and grabbed a branch beside him.

"Snakes can climb trees!" the first man reminded him.

The newcomer stared at him.

"Then why are you still hanging up there?"

"I'll run when it actually climbs up here."

"Oh. Then I'll do the same."

I stared at the two of them.

...

I covered my forehead with one hand. Were these two people serious?

The snake was still on the ground, and neither man seemed interested in doing anything useful about it. They had simply decided that hanging from trees was the best solution to their problem.

Fine. I'd do it myself.

I pushed away from the trunk and landed on the ground. With a quick movement, I summoned my ring blades, their edges catching the sunlight as they appeared in my hands.

The two snakes turned toward me. I moved before either could approach, directing my blades at them in a swift attack. Within moments, the danger was over.

I returned the blades to their resting place and brushed the dust from my sleeves.

"Whoa! That was amazing! Who are you?!"

The two men immediately jumped down from their trees and hurried toward me. The one who had screamed about the snake's enormous eyes looked especially impressed.

"Wow! Young Master, you're incredible!"

I glanced at them. "They're just snakes, not your mothers."

The second man paused, seemingly considering my words with great seriousness.

"That's true," he finally said. "My mother's tongue is even more poisonous than a snake's."

After fixing his clothes, he gave me a proper bow.

"Ah, a pleasure to meet you. I am Prince Xie Yunxing of the Kingdom of Golden Wisteria."

He had gone from screaming for his life to introducing himself like a perfectly respectable prince in less than a minute.

"My name is Prince Tang Zhile, of the Kingdom of Heaven Devouring Soul," I replied.

The other man stepped forward with a pleasant smile.

"I am Li Liexiao of Celestial Phoenix. It is a pleasure to meet you both."

Yunxing and I froze. "Celestial Phoenix?"

Liexiao tilted his head slightly, then smiled as if our reaction were perfectly understandable.

"Ah, yes. I do come from a kingdom, though it isn't as large as yours. Our kingdom doesn't appear on the map, but we received an Imperial Decree, so here I am."

I looked at him, then at Yunxing. A kingdom that wasn't on the map?

"So a place like that actually exists?" Yunxing asked, looking genuinely enlightened.

Apparently, he had never heard of it either.

I couldn't help wondering how a kingdom could be left off a map, but I decided not to question him further. After all, it wasn't as though I had personally visited every place in the realm.

"But why are they summoning all the princes?" I asked.

Yunxing turned toward me.

"Does that really mean every kingdom? Every single one?"

"Yes," he answered himself a moment later, remembering something. "Father said everyone was being summoned."

"Ohhh."

The imperial summons had reached kingdoms both large and small, even one that apparently didn't exist on the map. Whatever was happening in the Imperial Capital, it must have been important enough to bring all of us together... Or someone in the Imperial Capital had far too much free time.

"If that's the case," Liexiao suggested, "why don't we travel together?"

"Approved!" Yunxing immediately declared. "Let's go!"