Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 17: No Choice

[Quan Mo Ran]

"Do you know when you will return?" Ru Xiang asked. They had risen early and already had breakfast. At present, they stood just outside of Lian Hua Lou. Mo Ran had a bag slung over his shoulder.

"Not sure."

"Here, take this," She put a small wooden figure in his hands.

It was in the shape of Ru Xiang. "With this, you will never forget what I look like no matter where you go." She took out another minifigure and showed it to Mo Ran who smiled.

"Is that me?"

"What do you think?"

Mo Ran smiled and tucked the minifigure of Ru Xiang in his robe. Ru Xiang took both Mo Ran's hands in hers and held them up.

"Li Qing, promise me you will come back safely."She looked into his eyes intensely.

He gazed into her pleading eyes and couldn't say no. Patting her on the hand gently, he said, "Don't worry, my love. I'll come back soon." She went on her tip toes and kissed him on the mouth. She took two steps back and said, "Alright my love! You better get going! Come back soon!"

Mo Ran smiled at her and replied, "Yes Fu Ren!" He turned and strode away. After he had walked a couple paces, he couldn't but help but glance back the way he came one last time. Ru Xiang was still near the doorway and waving her hand. Smiling, he turned away

By now the streets were packed with people milling about. There were all kinds of market noises. A carriage was passing swiftly by, forcing Mo Ran to walk close to a man who was buying some trinkets from a stand.

Mo Ran had walked three steps past the man when the man suddenly exclaimed, "Where's my money bag?" Mo Ran paid no attention but kept walking. "You there! In the red! Zhàn zhù !"

Mo Ran stopped. His back still toward the man. Without turning around he said rather coldly, "What do you want?"

"You stole my money bag! You filthy Jing! Give it back!"

"I didn't," Mo Ran said as he started to walk again.

The man reached to grab Mo Ran, but before he could, Mo Ran spun around, grabbed his arm, and twisted the man's arm behind the man.

"OWW! LET GO!"

"I said. I. Didn't."

"Let go, you flithy Jing! You don't deserve to live as we do! You filthy dog!" Mo Ran twisted the man's arm harder. The man's face grimaced in pain.

Around him, the crowd started murmuring.

"Who does he think he is?" one man nearby asked.

"If he is a Jing, then he will go to prison. It's against the law to hurt any Yan," another replied.

"Everyone, let's check to see if he's a Jing! We can't let these filthy dogs live like we do! Who knows? Maybe one day they will try to wipe us out like the Jing in the south!" A voice from the crowd yelled.

"He has a point!"

"We can't let them get away with this!"

"Grab him!"

Suddenly, the crowd surged forward as they all tried to grab Mo Ran. Many pairs of hands were laid on him and Mo Ran released the man. Normally, he could've easily killed off most of them, but if he were to kill them in broad daylight, then he would definitely be guilty and condemned. He instead tried to flee, but rough hands clawed at his shoulder. A mob surrounded him and squeezed him. He felt the temperature go up. Someone punched him in the gut. Another slapped him on the cheek. One person kicked him on the leg and made him fall to the ground. He landed on his palms and cut himself. Mo Ran curled up in a fetal position as people kicked him everywhere. He rolled on the ground as they beat him.