LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 158: Planning to Leave

His soft words comfort you and calm you down, until you fall asleep on his shoulder.

Murong Chong: What have you been through?

The girl leaning on him is haggard and frowns as if she's having a terrible nightmare.

Murong Chong: Why won't you tell me anything? I'm not going to mock you. You've relied on me since you're little...

He smiles and shuts hit eyes. The girl next to him is not frowning anymore and is sound asleep. You eventually wake up to bright sunlight. You get up and are surprised to see the man by your side.

Xiu Ying: Murong Chong?

Murong Chong: [Opens eyes slowly] Why sound so surprised? This is not a dream.

You had a dream that you and Chong were picking on each other as youngsters. You thought it's just a dream, but he's actually here... Then you slowly remember what happened before you fell asleep.

Xiu Ying: It is really you! But how did you find me?

Murong Chong: It wasn't easy. You were already gone when I found out you were in Western Liang and got there. Pill Bottle told me the route you took, so I hurried and finally caught up.

He is taken aback by your glare.

Murong Chong: Well, isn't Wei Jie a pill bottle? Why can't I call him that? Whose side are you on, anyway?

Xiu Ying: How immature...

He is dismayed at the disdain you're showing.

Murong Chong: What do you mean? Is it because I'm not coy as that pill bottle?

Xiu Ying: Just stop with the nonsense! Oh, did you see anyone else, has anybody been by at all?

You're wondering about Shadow and if he was safe, of course.

Murong Chong: No, it's just the two of us. Why, are you looking for someone else? Is it a man?

Xiu Ying: Yeah. You didn't see him around?

Murong Chong: I'm the only man here! What I mean is, why are you out with a man?

Xiu Ying: A lot of people wanted to kill me on this trip. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here talking to you right now.

Murong Chong: In that case, I owe him a huge debt of gratitude.

Still no sign of Shadow and that worries you. You decide to wait a bit more before going back to look for him. You scan around and realize you're in a very secluded, quiet spot. You can't help but start zoning out.

Murong Chong: [Waves hand in your face] Snap out of it. Tell me, who wanted you dead?

Chong gets annoyed by your silence and gets up.

Murong Chong: If you won't say, I'll look into it myself and get justice for you!

Xiu Ying: Stop! I don't know who it is, either, but probably someone from the palace... I'm scared Chong.

Tears drop from your eyes again. Chong rushes over and clumsily wipes them away.

Murong Chong: Don't be afraid. I'll pay whoever's trying to hurt you back ten times! Please don't cry... I don't know what to do when you start crying.

You two grew up together and the families have a long history of alliance, so he's definitely trustworthy. Yesterday's assassination rattled you and you realize the need to plan your moves.

Xiu Ying: [Determined] Chong, I want to get mother and father out of the capital!

A lot of the people in the capital want to see you dead, so might as well leave and stay away from them as far as possible. The pain and helplessness on your face is visible enough to make him feel your pain. He crouches to your eye level and smiles.

Murong Chong: Sure, count me in.

You're reassured and become more determined to go through with the plan.

Xiu Ying: No one can know about this or it will be in vain.

You can endure the consequences if it's just yourself, but not when your father and mother are also involved. Therefore, the idea is to eventually get as far away from the capital as you can to avoid any potential threat.

Xiu Ying: It's going to be very difficult since they're both renowned in the capital, and someone's probably watching them already...

Murong Chong: Come on, little girl, are you seriously still underestimating me after all these years? Who was always there to help you out when you got bullied?

His scowl makes you giggle as a breeze hits your face.

Murong Chong: Why are you laughing? Don't you believe me?

Xiu Ying: I believe you, and in fact, only you could help me with this.

Murong Chong: Ahem, guess I am important, after all.

Xiu Ying: [Look seriously at him] I want to escort my parents away from the capital and leave all past behind. Honor and glory is no longer important. I just want my family to be safe.

Chong replies with equal gravity.

Murong Chong: I got you. I'll convince them and get to work on a plan.

You notice a figure rushing toward you and signal Chong to stop talking.

Xiu Ying: [Happy] I'm over here Shadow!

Shadow: [Points sword at Chong] Who are you?!

Murong Chong: [Casually] Who sent this stink face to bodyguard you, little girl?

Xiu Ying: Stop it, both of you! This is my childhood friend, Murong Chong, and this is Shadow, the person who's been protecting me all this time on the trip.

Murong Chong: [Barely smiles] Thanks for protecting my... childhood sweetheart.

Shadow: [Smirks] I did protect her not for you but for my master.

Murong Chong: [Looks at you] And who may this master be?

Xiu Ying: [Cough] Let's forget it and get moving before more assassins show up!

You take off in a brisk walk. Chong and Shadow have no choice but to follow, while annoyed at each other.