(90) Alternating Fate
1018 Words
Ye Zen watched the Xue Hong Rabbits left. They were twitching while the black miasma devoured them. He stared at the shadow moving to each elder's corpses and leaving bones only. In no time, the place was emptied with only bones left. Sovereign Hei returned to the pearl Zi Yingjun holds as it turned from transparent to black. Ye Zen secretly released Hu. Zi Mingde still doesn't know about Hu's existence, only Zi Gu Wen does but he kept it a secret too.
"Hu, take a look around." Ye Zen ordered as Hu's white cloudy body headed behind a tree and changed himself to the same small tiger cub. Hu flew around and searched for the culprit. "She really doesn't listen!" he thought and warily looked at Zi Yingjun. Sovereign Hei is a Feral Semi-Devil and he is Zi Yingjun's demon beast. He must have told Zi Yingjun about a new foreigner.
"Hu!" a girl with white furry cloak jumped down a branch and hugged Hu. Her face was covered with a fox mask and a hood was draped on her head. "Hu, you harmed my rabbits. I thought you promised not to hunt them."
"Your Highness, apology but it was what Master ordered. He is tasked by his teacher to keep a person safe. What Your Highness did nearly ruined Master's chance to prove his use." Hu happily burrowed his face on the girl's chest. So soft, so big, ah. Wasn't it like sleeping on clouds?
"Humph! He always follows his teacher but never listened to me!" the young girl snorted. She looked down to the crystal attached to her cloak. It already have a damage. "Now look. My artifact is ruined. Tell him he should pay once he goes back!"
"Zi Yingjun." Ye Zen approached Zi Yingjun who headed to a certain direction. He knew Zi Yingjun was informed. "Where are you going?"
"You're aware there is someone here. Its impossible you don't know Enslavement Dao or tamers." Zi Yingjun shot a detached look. Sovereign Hei noticed the strain of Enslavement Dao from the Xue Hong Rabbits he devoured. There is also a very tempting scent. It meant the person controlling the demon beasts have a unique aptitude.
"What are you planning to do?" Ye Zen's face turned dark. Zi Yingjun grinned and faced him.
"Is the girl related to you?" he questioned back. Ye Zen clenched his fists and nodded. "Why is she here? It was obvious she wants to kill us and exempt you. When you were with us, the rabbits were less violent unlike those that surrounds the elders."
"She's not an enemy. I don't know why she came here but I already sent Hu to communicate with her. I expect you will not feed her to the Shadow Asura." he closed his eyes and hoped that she will be fine. What she did is just so reckless. She will surely get punished for escaping.
"Let me meet her." Zi Yingjun suddenly said. Ye Zen opened his eyes in disbelief.
"I will not allow you." Ye Zen shot an oppressive look.
"One way or another." a grin formed on Zi Yingjun's face and raised the black pearl.
"Eh?" Hu suddenly got off the girl's chest. "Your Highness, Master sent an order. He wants Your Highness to meet him outside Zi Clan. I will help Your Highness to go there."
"So sudden? I thought he will scold me. Or chase me away." the young girl expected Ye Zen to make her leave Da Long Mountain. She knows how Ye Zen thinks or how angry he is when she keeps disregarding his warnings.
"Master is often repulsive. Your Highness, please don't take it as an offense." Hu apologetically said. This girl and Ye Zen rarely fights but when they do, it will rain cats and dogs.
"Course, not." the young girl rubbed Hu's head. "Now lead the way."
Zi Yingjun watched Zi Yanfan embrace her husband tightly. She was ever so relieved to see him survive when the rest of his group are gone. He alternated someone's fate. Zi Mingde was destined to die today but he lived because of Zi Yingjun's intervention and Ye Zen's presence. He, as a variable of fate, completely alternated the destiny of everyone around him. Ye Zen never appeared in his past life but because he never committed murder, Ye Zen would have probably infiltrated Zi Clan in a different way.
That girl who is related to him caused this trouble. It must have happened in his past life too. She came to see Ye Zen and retreated after knowing Zi Clan is not much powerful.
After the incident, Zi Yanfan had someone send a new scouting group. Zi Mingde never spoke of what happened and was often in daze. She worried for him and fortunately, a new group came forth in advance.
"Mother! Father!" from the group of elders, Zi Yan Yue quickly rushed out and embraced her parents. She was relieved they didn't die. Her premonition was altered but why?
"Ah Yue? Why are you here?" Zi Mingde was astounded. His guilt was drowned with the appearance of his daughter. He left her five years ago but now, she have grown to a young maiden.
"I was worried." Zi Yan Yue wiped her tears. She looked behind her parents upon seeing Zi Yingjun and Zi Gu Wen. The death of Zi Yingjun played in her mind again. "Are they done escorting the crown princess?"
Zi Yanfan chose to explain the circumstances. Relief washed over Zi Yan Yue's heart. The premonition was altered. But how? Zi Yan Yue touched the Xing Stone when she noticed Zi Yingjun is looking at her. A new image appeared in her mind.
It was her older self. She was standing in front of someone while crying in despair. The older Zi Yan Yue raised her hand that is holding a dagger and aimed it to the person ahead. To her shock, it was Zi Yingjun.
"Ah Yue? Ah Yue, are you alright?" Zi Yanfan asked after seeing Zi Yan Yue in trance.
- Writer
