Die with me in paradise

War infused

Chapter 11 : War infused

As Xie Lian stepped through the gates of Xin Le, Lan Ying by his side, the weight of his quest settled heavy upon him. Years of searching, years of longing, and still, the boy he saved remained elusive. The memories of that fateful night lingered, etched in his mind like a promise unfulfilled.

Qi Ming and Fei Xin greeted them with worried eyes, their faces etched with concern. "Martial Prince, has your determination driven you to madness?" Mu Qing's words cut sharp, but Fei Ming's gentle nudge stayed his tongue.

Xie Lian's gaze met theirs, unwavering. "I know your fears, my friends, but I've found a thread of hope. Lan Ying, from Yong'an kingdom, knows the way to him ." A glimmer of light in the darkness.

Lan Ying's presence stirred a mix of emotions within Xie Lian. Her quiet strength and resilience reminded him of the boy he sought. Together, they might unravel the mysteries surrounding Yong'an's plight.

Mu Qing's skepticism lingered, his voice hushed. "Rumors speak of a land cursed, where hunger drives men to madness." Xie Lian's smile soothed the air. "Rumors, nothing more. I'll seek Father's counsel, and together, we'll weave a plan to revive Yong'an's parched lands."

Before the throne, Xie Lian bowed, his words pouring forth like a river. "Father, Yong'an's people suffer, their crops withering, their hearts shrinking. We must extend a hand." The empos face, a map of worn resolve, remained unmoved.

"I've considered your plea, Xie Lian," the king said, his voice firm. "Our kingdom's reputation won't be tarnished by association with...those people." The words cut, a knife to the soul.

Xie Lian's heart ached, remembering the father he knew in the past shrouded in stubborn pride. Dying to not live in poverty..he'd stay slience in pain not wanting to be seen as weak. "But, Father, compassion knows no borders. We can't turn blind eyes to the dying." The king's silence thundered, a refusal to yield.

"Think of the people, Father," Xie Lian pressed on, his voice laced with urgency. "Their children cry out for aid, their futures dwindling like the last embers of a dying flame."

The king's expression hardened, his eyes flashing with a warning. "Your emotions cloud your judgment, Xie Lian. I won't be swayed by sentiment."

As Xie Lian departed, the shadows whispered warnings: war's specter loomed, fueled by prejudice and fear. The martial prince's path, fraught with peril, beckoned him forward.

Lan Ying's gentle touch on his arm stayed his thoughts. "Your Highness, don't lose hope." Her words, a soft breeze on a summer's day, brought solace.

Rumors have caused an uproot between Yang an and Xian le kingdom after dogs have been snached and belonging missing and the blame shifting to those who disadvantage outside the gates of they own luxury.

The night air carried the whispers of the past, echoing through the halls of Xin Le. Is this the  kingdom's fate, war is inevitable for Xian Le kingdom.