Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 21: Village Stop

[Quan Mo Ran]

Mo Ran trudged through the forest. It was hot and sticky, but Mo Ran didn't care. A bug flew around his eyes. Back and forth it went. Its buzz became unbearable. With lightning speed, Mo Ran's hand reached his eye and he pinched. The buzzing stopped. He let the dead bug's body drop to the ground and stomped on it.

He continued on his way. This is a perfect opportuniy. Once he dies, then I can take the Dan Wen, go to the imperial college, and then finish my mission. Yes, that's what I'm going to do.

Rui Ming's face popped into his head. She looked at him with those gentle eyes and said, "A Mo, I hope you will always choose to be good no matter what." Is allowing someone to die even if I had a way to heal him be considered killing the innocent or is it merely allowing heaven's fate to reign?

But he could imagine what she would say. She would say something like, "A Mo, if you have a cure but don't help, you are as guilty as killing the person himself."

Mo Ran sighed. Only for you Rui Ming, will I choose to be good. Besides, I can't have him die, especially since Han Jun is going to stick by him. There's only one way though...But if Han Jun finds the Dan Wen...Mo Ran shook his head. My plans would be ruined.

He took out a small cylinder. He took out a small slip of paper that read: 要事稟告求見義父。Import news to report, must meet Yi Fu.Unscrewing the lid, he put a slip of paper he had preprepared in. He whistled. A black crow landed in front of him. He bent down and tied the cylinder to its feet. It flew off.

Mo Ran made his way back. When he arrived in front of the house, he stopped in front of the ajar door and peeked in. Han Jun watched over Xiao Zhao. "Xiao Zhao, Xiao Zhao. Who are you really? Could you really be her son?" Han Jun sighed.

Mo Ran pushed open the door.

Han Jun whipped around. "You're back!" He jumped up, knocking the stool over. Mo Ran smirked and strolled to the table. He sat down and poured himself a cup of boiled water. Han Jun sat across from him. "Where were you? I was worried!"

Mo Ran drank. "Tired," he said. He went to the wall and leaned against it, closing his eyes.

"You're going to sleep just like that?" Han Jun asked.

Mo Ran ignored him. Soon, his world faded away.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Mo Ran's eyes snapped open. The door was still slightly ajar. There was no one there. He strode out and saw a small figure run to his left. He followed the boy to the back of a house. The boy ran to a figure in a robe. The figure bent down and put something in the boy's hand. He then straightened and the boy sprinted away.

Mo Ran approached the figure and knelt. "Yi Fu."

"Please rise."

Mo Ran obeyed.

"What important matter did you want to report to me?"

"Yi Fu, I found the Dan Wen."

"Oh? Where is it?"

"It's on someone."

"Who?"

"Luo Xiao Zhao."

"Well? Why didn't you take it?"

Mo Ran hesitated. He held up his hands, making them touch. "Due to special circumstances, I can't take it."

"Oh?"

"Xiao Zhao has the Dan Wen, but he always hangs around Third Prince, making it difficult to make a move."

"Third Prince?"