The Endless Promise {COMPLETED}

127. Frosty-Eyed Stranger

.

Bailong turned down the East Sea throne, but the damage had already been done as word drifted into Yin Zhi's ears.

"That arrogant fellow!" Rather than relief that Bailong refused, Yin Zhi saw his actions as an insult.

And to get at Bailong, he attacked what he cared about the most...

The Carp twins, Yin Xing and Yin Yue.

And this led to Yin Yue's death...

Bailong arrived in time to save Yin Xing, but there was no time to mourn Yin Yue...

The twins had shared a core, half within each, and with Yin Yue's death, Yin Xing was fading away fast, leading Bailong to move heaven and earth, going as far as the shadow realm to heal him.

By the time he succeeded, years had passed, and he had learned a lesson...

'I can no longer stay here!' He thought sadly, looking up at the towering East Sea Palace.

"Must you really leave?" A swirl of water beside him revealed Yin Shuilong, 1st Prince of the East Sea.

Bailong let out a sad sigh. "Through the years, we've secretly countered 2nd brother's more sinister moves. Now he can even kill his own siblings... It's better if I leave and never return..." He turned to his brother.

"But 1st brother, don't be a saint worthy of the three realms! Please be a bit selfish or 2nd brother will seize the throne and be the worst King these waters have ever seen!"

Yin Shui chuckled and in the mild shimmering moonlight, they shared a moment of companionable silence, watching the colourful luminescent creatures swim by...

But Bailong finally sighed.

"I turned down the throne, yet 2nd brother didn't spare me. Even if father picks him today, he would try to make me pay in some way... And the most likely way is by harming that shrimp again."

Yin Shui protested, "But we can take care of A-Xing (Yin Xing)! Keep him under constant protectio-!"

But Bailong shook his head. "We'll never know who 2nd brother has coerced. So he'll never truly be safe." He turned to Yin Shui. "Father is a dragon, you're a dragon, but we're surrounded by countless Merpeople. I'm not saying they aren't loyal, but more than half the East Sea generals are already fond of Yin Zhi simply because he's a Merman.

"They don't know his true nature, and a few are still angry because they think father killed the Mer Princess in anger. All this might treace into the Palace and past our guards.

"It was my mistake... the twins were always too close to me. I'd have taken A-Xing with me now, but he's not fully recovered and needs his birth waters... The only way to stop 2nd brother from looking in his direction, is to remove the eyesore. Me."

"Aiyu..." He turned and walked away, scratching his head. "I was already planning to run off and wander the world... I'm just leaving a little earlier."

"Wait! Catch!" Yin Shui tossed something to him, and he swivelled and caught it.

It was a beautiful gleaming blue clam. "This is..."

"It's a compass and a key. To the south of here, in the shadowy regions of the sea, there's a vast land father once gifted me. The sea bed is full of nutrients and spirit energy." He turned away, a sad note in his voice. "I know you want to build a garden, so I'm giving it to you! Don't waste it!"

He resolutely walked towards the palace, determined not to turn around. "Silly brat, I'm your first investor! Don't forget me when you become something great!"