Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 12: Night Crawlers

[Shi Han Jun]

Han Jun rushed to the edge and caught Guang Dong's wrist. They hung there for a minute while Han Jun caught his breath. "I'll pull you up, trust me." Han Jun used his other hand and reached it out to him. Guang Dong caught it. Han jun leaned back and got to a standing postition, successfully pulling Guang Dong to safety.

Tang Yi rushed up to Guang Dong, speaking in a different language. Han Jun stepped back and patted his clothing.

Mian Feng looked at Han Jun in awe. "Han Jun! You are usually afraid to get dirty! Why did you jump in and save him?"

Han Jun scowled, "Rén mìng guān tiān." Human life is really important.

"People say you are a benevolent Third Prince. They were right about that," Mian Feng said.

As soon as the group heard this, they immediately dropped to their knees, brought their hands to their chest and bowed their heads. "Cānjiàn sān huáng zǐ," they said in unison. Greetings, Third Prince.

Han Jun immediately bent down and said, "Get up! Get up!" He helped Tang Yi to his feet as the others followed suite.

"Forgive us for not recognizing you and giving you the respect you deserve, Third Prince," Tang Yi said as he clasped his hands and bowed.

"Don't blame yourselves," he said as he helped Tang Yi straighten. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want to let you know. Besides, you allowed us to join you in our time of need. You saved my life, even."

"You're making a big deal out of nothing. We helped you because we want to help those less fortunate than us. Helping others is what we're supposed to do. Third Prince, you saved Guang Dong and I am forever in your debt. I am willing to ally with you and support you in times of trouble or times of peace," with that Tang Yi knelt down once again.

Everyone else followed his example. "We are willing to serve you," Tang Yi said.

"Stand up everyone! Stand up!"

They all rose obediently.

"Today I am not a prince. I am only Han Jun. I am the merchant you've met yesterday. You can drop the formalities. After all, we have been through life and death together and are Xiong Di."

"Being able to serve Your Majesty is our blessing!" Tang Yi said.

"And being able to meet such good people is my honor," Han Jun replied.

"Let us continue on our way. We still have some ways to go before we can set up camp," Tang Yi said. Soon they were on their way again, trudging along the mountainside.

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"What?" He bellowed as a jade cup was smashed on the ground. "You're telling me the mission failed?"

"Second Prince, please calm down," his body guardsaid.

"Calm down? You want me to calm down? I sent you to kill Han Jun but he's still alive and well! Fèi wù! Worthless. Why do I have you when all you do is to fail me?" A servant cowered on the ground. Second Prince whealed himself over the man's finger. A sickening crack. The man yelped, pulling his crushed finger from under the wheal.

"Guards take him away!"

"Your Majesty! Give me another chance!" The guards dragged him out.

Rubbing his temples he turned to his loyal body guard and asked, "Where are they now?"

"According to the time, they're almost half way up the mountain."

"Send them to kill him tonight! This time we must succeed," Second Prince said sternly.