92 Stalk Me (1/2)
On the quiet streets of the Capital, not a single sound could be heard except for the occasional footsteps of the patrolling soldiers keeping the city safe.
A man leisurely walked the empty streets before he turned a discreet corner down an alleyway.
”I know you're there.” He shifted his chin slightly to catch a glimpse of the man following him.
”I made it deliberate.”
”You have a lot of guts to stalk me in my territory,” Wen Jinkai said, turning around to see the figure of a familiar man.
”I wouldn't call it stalking.” Yu Zhen's voice was filled with laughter. The moon illuminated his features, revealing the even-tempered smile on his face. It looked out of place, especially with his indifferent eyes.
”What do you want?” Wen Jinkai did not have all night. He had places to be and a house to break into. His fingers tightened on the small jar of ointment in his hands. He wondered if prolonged time might form a permanent bruise.
”To warn you.” Yu Zhen nonchalantly shrugged. He didn't care that the soldiers patrolling the grounds were Wen Jinkai's men. Nor did he care about the possibility of getting killed—if they could even get past his sword skills.
Wen Jinkai chuckled deeply, so entertained by Yu Zhen's words A slight smirk rested on his lips. ”Last time I checked, these grounds are my battlefield. Everything yields to my favor here.”
Wen Jinkai's face grew serious and eerie. ”If I wanted to, I could deliver your head back to Hanjian. Do you think I care about this alliance?”
Yu Zhen tilted his head and mused, ”It'd be fun to have your head spiked in the town center for everyone to spit on.”
Wen Jinkai stepped closer, his face filled with threats. ”Try me.”
It was Yu Zhen's turn to laugh. ”A small provocation and you instantly took the bait. They weren't lying when they said the Commander of Wuyi was nothing but an empty-headed man.”
Wen Jinkai's hand flew to his sword and he challenged, ”Let's not waste time on pointless talks. You want my head? Come get it.”
Yu Zhen shook his head in disappointment. ”Can't we have a civilized discussion?”
”Soldiers talk with their swords.”
”Uneducated men talk with their fists.” Yu Zhen clicked his tongue, his hand comfortably resting on the hilt of his sword. He was laid-back and carefree, his face as placid as before.
”All bark and no bite?” Wen Jinkai humored the man, realizing Yu Zhen had a point. They were both raised in the right environment.
Yu Zhen shrugged. ”That's not what your comrades said,” he paused, ”Oh, wait. Dead men tell no tales.”
Wen Jinkai's face grew more serious. Instantly, he unsheathed his sword at the same time Yu Zhen yawned and stretched.
”You get provoked so easily.”
”What do you want?” Wen Jinkai snarled, tossing the sheath of his large sword onto the ground. It clacked and created a small commotion, but not enough to draw the attention of the soldiers. He wanted a fair fight.
”Stay away from Li Xueyue.”
”Why should I?”
Yu Zhen's serene and untroubled expression instantly became stoic and stony. ”A man like you will only ruin her.”
Wen Jinkai laughed yet again, a dark edge to his tone. His eyes flashed with a warning. ”As if Hanjian's backstabbing hierarchy wouldn't kill her. You're a Prince whose life is destined in the palace. Do you think she'd be happy in the palace harem who wouldn't hesitate to rip her into pieces and feed her to the pigs?”
Yu Zhen simply smiled. ”Why don't you worry about your own court politics. Last I checked, the people that raised you tried to send her away to the enemy lines. And now they're toying with her life.”
Wen Jinkai snarled, ”I had it under control.”
”How is Hanjian's Princess treating you?” Yu Zhen snickered. ”You're being married off like livestock for the benefit of your country.”
Wen Jinkai raised a brow. ”Would you like to meet her?”