Destinies : Connected by Fate✔️

Chapter 33

*TengFei: Observatory Tower*

"Son," YiLei addresses YiHuang, leading him towards the large window from which almost the whole city was visible. "The General is concerned about you. I suggest you don't hide things from him...from me."

"Father, I have never refused an order you have given, but this time I don't think I can. I can assure you that it has nothing to do with the kingdom." He lowers his eyes, "Even if you don't allow it, I will proceed with it even at the cost of incurring your wrath."

YiHuang's words intrigue the old man.

'Whatever it is, must be important. If I give him my word that I will allow it in exchange for his cooperation, I can ensure that he will do as I say.' YiLei nods and pats his shoulder,  "Fine. If you are so hell-bent on protecting your secret, I will not push you for now. Ah-Huang, there is a reason why I have asked you here today."

YiHuang quirks his brow and looks at him questioningly, "Father, does it have something to do with the barriers weakening all over the kingdom. I was on my way-"

"That and more, Ah-Huang." The Emperor sighs and looks at the horizon. "Son, as leader of our race, there are innumerable responsibilities on me, the most important being protecting the lives of our citizens and ensuring the continued existence of our race."

"Father, I don't understand."

"Son, I am sure you know why this Observatory was built." The Emperor asks; the young prince nods, "To detect threats."

The Emperor agrees, "Yes. But there is one more reason. You see, when The First decided to settle here, he knew that one day, this place would start to wither and eventually die. He, like me, could look into the future, but since the future was very distant, it came to him in spoken words rather than images."

"Words of The First?"

"Yes. Though it's a secret, everyone knows that the first left us some instructions in the form of words. Only a few of us know what the instructions were. YiHuang, today I need to tell you what they are."

YiHuang fringes ignorance, "Why, Father?"

The Emperor explains what he had been told by his father and the vision he had had thirty years ago. YiHuang pretends to be shocked when the Emperor reveals the name of his biological father. He cross-questions him about how he could be sure that 'The Key' would open the beacon, how could it resurrect the first, and how could he be sure that they could trust the XudianJi. It is then that YiLei recites the words of the first:

When the end nears, the beacon will glow. The planets will align; the seed shall deliver 'The Key' home. Through their blood, the essence of the first will once again flow. Two races shall begin anew as one.

After hearing all of it, YiHuang shakes his head. "Father, what if that's not what the words mean at all. What if your plan doesn't work?"

YiLei wonders if Hu Kwan had filled his son's head with his family's thoughts on the matter. Anger bubbled inside him, "Are you doubting the first, or do you lack faith in me!?"

"Father!" YiHuang falls at his father's feet. "I won't dare to do that. I was merely considering other ways in which the words could be interpreted. It was not my intention to offend you. I am willing to receive any punishment you see fit, father."

The Emperor fumes but realizes that he couldn't afford to lose the boy's trust in him. He lifts his head, "YiHuang, trust your father. And in exchange for your cooperation, I promise to give you anything you ask for."

YiHuang's brows knit, "Anything?"

"If you desire the crown, you can have it." The Emperor offers sincerely, making YiHuang cringe from within.
"I am merely a soldier, father. I don't know a thing about leading people. I have never craved the crown."