4# The search

... -Li Xun-...

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

The Great Heavenly Lake.

It took Li Xun days to arrive at the mountains surrounding the lake again, and the first thing he noticed were several groups of people desperately trying to get past the barrier. Needless to say,

with the news of the Empress's miraculous recovery spreading through the nation like wildfire, it wasn't a surprise that many people had travelled from afar in search of the Celestial Flowers

Rogues, nobles, and villagers... They were using whatever means they could to destroy the barrier, but Li Xun wasn't surprised that they didn't succeed

Greed was a terrifying thing

It turned men into blind fools.

Shaking his head at them, he returned to his task on hand Draping a hood over his head, he and his guards lingered at the back of the crowd, staying low so that no one would discover a prince was walking among them. If they noticed him, they might hinder him from conducting his search properly.

Returning to his task on hand, a curious frown set in on his face. His fingers reached out to touch the barrier, probing it gently, but all he felt was an impenetrable wall with a sheen of cold mist

Emanating from it.

As his heart no longer sought the Celestial Flower this time, it was understandable that he couldn't get past the barrier this time. Knowing that he was left with little options, he decided to hike bond the perimeters of the mountains, hoping to catch a glimpse of his savior entering or leaving the place again. It was rather disappointing that he couldn't glimpse through the barrier because this would only mean that it was harder for him to search.

Thinking back, the person was slim and shorter than an average man was. When he had killed the creature with a precise shot, this could only mean he was a very experienced archer

What was he doing inside?

Was he trying to obtain the Celestial Flower as well? But why did he end up leaving right after saving

his life?

Where was he?

Were they searching at the wrong place? What if he was from one of the nearby villages around here?

With that possibility in mind, he ordered a few of his men to depart from the group and search the villages.

Once they left, he decided that the remaining guards ought to build a fire and a makeshift camp for the approaching night.

As the sun set, he wandered from his group, taking only two guards with him. Since their tasks were delegated, he had taken the liberty to hunt food for his men. He moved quietly and carefully between the trees, his eyes scouring his surroundings

for prey. When he spotted a rabbit darting from bush to bush, he lifted the bow in his hands and took his shot.

It took him an hour to obtain enough food for his men.

As they made their way back to their camp, their path was intercepted by a group of unfamiliar-looking men. A quick count would soon

reveal twenty of them. They were all scruffy-looking, wearing old

clothes with patches in them. In their hands, they were carrying

Weapons of all sorts; sickles, hatchets, knives and wooden clubs,

Rogues.

A man - quite possibly their leader - stepped forward. He chewed on a piece of grass haughtily as he spoke.

" I thought I recognised

that face of yours," he sounded amused. "It's your Highness, isn't

It? What brings you here? Didn't you come once before? Or are you back for more Celestial Flowers because they weren't enough for you?"

Li Xun's eyes narrowed darkly. "Scram."

His order didn't stop them from approaching. "You're holding a rather expensive sword in your hand," the heavily-built man mused. "I wonder how many gold coins you have on you? How

much money do you think the Emperor would trade for your dead body?"

Li against Xun his when neck. the latter There was pulled

He was about to lay his hands on

Out his sword and held the blade

Threatening note in his voice as he uttered a warning.

"If you want to live, leave us be."

Yet, the leader didn't seem to fear him. They weren't in the palace. This was the outside world, a place where a few brave ones would

dare to challenge his authority, especially if he was outnumbered

Like now.

A fight broke out, three against twenty. This wasn't the first time that Li Xun had encountered rogues. They may be experienced in fights, but they lacked technique, something which Li Xun hoped

Could be used to their advantage

As if the rogue leader knew what he was thinking, the man decided to pull dirty tricks

When Li Xun was fighting against three other rogues, dirt flew into his eyes, blinding his vision temporarily. Seeing this, the leader took advantage of his faltered movements by taking a wooden club to hit the back of his head. Pain lanced through Li

Xun's skull, jarring him into almost oblivion.

He staggered backwards until he hit a wall behind him. Clutching his head, all he could hear was the sound of a man laughing at his pain, clearly finding joy at seeing a prince being cornered like a

prey.

Footsteps approached him. Li Xun tried to blink his eyes several times to clear his vision, but all he could see was a shadow towering over him. He raised his sword, ready to defend himself

If needed, but in the end, the rogue leader never got to him first.

To their surprise, somebody else grabbed his shoulders and pulled him through the misty barrier

Darkness was all he saw.

...****************...

When he finally woke up, he found himself sleeping in anbunfamiliar place. He sat up slowly, taking his time to observe his surroundings. It seemed like someone had brought him to their home.

The room that he was in had a clean smell and was furnished with basic furniture, including a wardrobe and a fresh bedding. Right next to where he was sitting, food was prepared for him-a bowl of

Rich pumpkin oatmeal. The smell was SO inviting that it made his mouth water and stomach rumble.

How long had it been since he last ate?

Despite his hunger, he hesitated. Whoever left him here shouldn't be a person with ill intentions, right? If he was, he would have killed Li Xun right away instead of going through the hassle of placing him in such a warm and cozy room.

Shaking his head, he decided that it was best for him to leave the room and check the place out first before deciding if he was safe or in danger

The morning sun had risen, bathing the land in its glory. To his amazement, the sight that greeted him was a vast, gorgeous field of flowers that stretched endlessly beyond the horizon, taking his

Breath away.

As He was absorbed in the beauty of nature, he failed to sense the presence of another person standing behind him. When he finally turned around with the intention to explore the rest of the house,

he was startled at the figure and leapt back in surprise. He recogsaviorhe person right away.

"Oh! It's you!"

His savior stood before him, dressed in the same black robes and mask when Li Xun saw him the other day. He was silent and unmoving, his eyes regarding the prince with wariness.

Looking at his saviour this close, Li Xun realised he was simply a boy. He didn't look any older than he was. Li Xun broke the silence first.

"Thank you for helping me again. Tm in your debt."

His saviour levelled his gaze on him coolly, making it hard for anyone to tell what was running through his mind. He studied Li Xun cautiously, as if he was trying to assess whether he was a friend or an enemy.

After several moments, the mysterious boy finally spoke for the first time

"Who are you?"

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