Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 45: I'm Not Wrong

[Quan Mo Ran]

Mo Ran had felt something off when the guard had approached Han Jun. He didn't know what was wrong, but he could feel something was off. He wanted to warn Han Jun, but he didn't want to seem too attached or paranoid. He is your responsibility though. You promised to protect him. That was for a little bit though, certainly he's not your responsibility now.

Mo Ran shook the jumbled thoughts from his head. No matter what, Han Jun did willingly sacrifice himself for me. The least I could do is make sure he doesn't die. I owe him this. Didn't he say he'll be back in a few hours? Well then, I'll just wait until the hours are up and then I'll check on him.

Mo Ran stood on the porch of his dorm room. Leaning against the pole supporting the roof he crossed his arms. The moon started to rise. It's beautiful tonight. If only Ru Xiang and Rui Ming were here...

From a distance, he saw a shadowy figure walking his way. It was hunched. When the figure stepped into the moonlit pathway, Mo Ran knew that it was Xiao Zhao. Why is he here?

Xiao Zhao approached Mo Ran and stopped in front of him. "Why are you here?" Mo Ran asked.

Xiao Zhao sighed. He ascended the steps and at down next to Mo Ran's feet. "I want someone to talk to."

Mo Ran moved toward the dorm.

"Where are you going?"

"Cao Xin."

"I don't want to talk to Cao Xin. I want to talk to you."

"Humph," Mo Ran turned, about to enter his dorm room.

"Wait." Mo Ran turned to him. Xiao Zhao got up. "I want to ask you something."

"Ask."

"It's Han Jun..."

Mo Ran glanced at him sharply.

"He..."

"Spit it out."

Xiao Zhao sighed. "Do you think Han Jun is capable of murder?"

Mo Ran shifted his sword hilt in his arms. "Never." He turned away.

"Why?"

Mo Ran rolled his eyes as he faced Xiao Zhao. "Han Jun has only helped people. Never harmed."

"How do you know though? What if he's just putting up an act?"

"Then, Xiao Zhao, ask yourself if there was anything Han Jun ever did to intentionally harm you. If there's nothing else, I will retire."

He strode into the dorm door. Throwing open the doors, he glanced back and stepped into the room. Closing the door behind him, he peered through the mesh of the door. Xiao Zhao stood forlorn. Under the moonlight, he looked like a heavenly being. His clothes shimmered. A pensive look was on his face. After a moment of standing there, he sighed and turned away. He stepped off from the porch and disappeared into the shadows. What happened between those two? Why are they acting so off lately?

Mo Ran strode to the table in the middle of the room and pulled a small stool out. He sat on it. He overturned a cup and poured himself tea. His lips touched the cold cup and he smelled the fragrance of it. He took a sip. Setting the cup down, he put his sheath across his lap and clutched it. He stared ahead, waiting for the time to tick. When three hours had passed, he got up and opened the doors. He slipped through the shadows until he finally arrived at Han Jun's dorm. The window was slightly ajar and Mo Ran peeked through. The moonlight fell into the room from another window across him. On the bed he only saw one sleeping figure. He's not back yet. What are the chances something happened to him?