WangXian Forever Book 8

Chapter 51 Passage

Jin Ling didn't know what to make of this guy.

He didn't trust people easily, not after the huge betrayal he had suffered at the hands of his Uncle Yao. The truth was rarely easy to digest and to this day, he wasn't sure how much of his uncle was good and how much was bad.

Similarly, this stranger with his weird yellow eyes was ringing warning bells in his head. And he was scared that SiZhui, sweet and too trusting SiZhui, was going to wind up hurt because of him.

"I thought dragons are naturally immortal?" He asked, scrutinising the stranger for any signs of him lying.

Gu Xing sighed.

"They are. All of the ones I have helped fly from here...certainly. But not Zhi Zhi. He was my only friend in this barren land and I miss him dearly. My theory is that because he never benefitted from his mother's milk...this led to him being underdeveloped and perhaps that's why he passed away?"

"He was a big dragon. What did you feed him?" Jin Ling continued, still suspicious. "If it's a barren land and all..."

SiZhui squeezed his hand, wanting him to stop.

"What?" He whispered back, mystified at his husband's reaction.

"He might be telling the truth." SiZhui whispered back, well aware that they were being overheard.

"And he might not be." Jin Ling didn't care.

It was better to be safe than sorry, even if SiZhui didn't agree.

"I realise, Young Master, that we are strangers here. You have no reason to believe me, but I equally have no reason to lie. And you have come to my place...I think I'm well within my rights to ask you of your intentions?"

Gu Xing looked annoyed.

Which could be bad for them, since they had no idea of his skill set.

"Actually, it might be better if we did tell you why we're here." SiZhui said, in that calm way of his.

Jin Ling noticed it for the first time today.

SiZhui was blessed with a naturally peaceful demeanour but only now Jin Ling was seeing how effective it was in tense situations. And how remarkable that he hadn't noticed it before, never paid attention to this very useful gift. He and SiZhui would be talking some time soon about this.

For now, he let them talk.

"My fathers are currently trapped inside a cocoon, being borne over there somewhere." SiZhui pointed across the bridge and the valley under it. "We don't know much more than that, and I was hoping you would know more about that." There was not a trace of deceit in his voice.

"How are they getting there?" Gu Xing asked, looking puzzled.

"Shen Ling and Shen Qing." SiZhui answered. "These are their children." He motioned towards the three dragon babies.

"They were not born here....interesting...." Gu Xing said, scratching his chin. "I know that after Zhi Zhi passed away, dragons stopped coming here. Otherwise every single dragon was born here and came here to die if it was their misfortune."

"So you can't really help us, then?" This was JingYi.

He was standing in front of his babies, preventing them from going to sniff the stranger. He didn't trust Gu Xing just as much as Jin Ling didn't, and he wasn't taking any chances.

"I did not say that, Young Master." Gu Xing replied, looking at them carefully. "I can take you across that bridge." Now he was speaking to only Wen Ning.

"Why only him?" Jin Ling asked.

"We want to go too." SiZhui said, fear creeping into his voice.

"You cannot. No mortal has ever been allowed over there, past the wards. But your friend...he is not alive...but nor is he dead...? I think he will be granted safe passage." Gu Xing promised.

"How sure are you?" Jin Ling demanded. He was sick of the games this man was playing with them.

"I'm not sure at all." Gu Xing chuckled. "But then the fact remains, what is certain these days? We have entered a new era it seems, where nothing is sure." He banged his staff on the ground, causing a fissure to open up. "I do not care if you believe me or not. It makes no difference to my life. But as my guests, I offer you help to cross that bridge. Now, it your choice whether to accept or not." He became silent, watching them through his gray lashes.

Wen Ning sent a message to Hui Gai explaining what was happening.

Are the children safe? Hui Gai asked.

Yes, for now. But if this Gu Xing takes me across this bridge, then we accomplish two things: we get to find out what has happened to Young Master Wei and his husband, and the only threat to the children is taking me there. What do you advise? Wen Ning asked.

That's your call. Do you trust him? This stranger?

No. But I am not scared. Wen Ning replied.

Alright. I'm in the middle of something myself, but I'll try and join you as soon as I can.

Wen Ning nodded to himself.

"I will go with you." He told the yellow-eyed stranger.

SiZhui turned to face him.

"Uncle Ning!" He took his hand, letting go of Jin Ling. "Are you sure?"

Wen Ning knew he could not tell them the truth, not when they all were looking towards him for leadership and direction.

"I am sure. We need to find out what is over there, and what has happened to your parents. There is only one way to do that." He turned back to Gu Xing. "Let us go."

"Very well." Gu Xing replied. To the children, he said, "you are welcome to stay in my home while you wait."

"What? In that skull?" Jin Ling asked, incredulously.

"The very same." Gu Xing smiled and set foot on the rickety bridge as the children watched their Uncle Ning follow him, step for step.