9 Yuewei (1/2)
Suyin and Areum roamed down a small, narrow dirt trail. The trees were close to the pathway, almost hitting the heads of Suyin and Areum. Areum was carrying the map and followed the tracks of the map to get to Yuewei. The noise of a flowing stream echoed within the forest the closer they got to their destination.
”It seems like we have to cross this river near here to get to Yuewei.” Areum aimed ahead. Suyin followed the trail and discovered that the little dirt path was the accurate way for them to follow. A bridge was made out of fresh wood as if someone assembled it not too long ago. The rope didn't look sturdy but had a promising destination straight ahead. If the Prince made this map, presumably they made the bridge to cross to their side of their territory. The two gradually but surely marched through the rapid current from below. It appeared as if one wrong misstep and they could easily slip into the stream. Although the current didn't look shallow, Suyin could stare through the water for so long and not see the bottom of the river.
Upon reaching to the other side, Areum and Suyin stood at the top of a hill, surveying the tall gates enclosed by concrete brick walls. Guards were fully armored, some carrying swords attached to their waist and a couple of them carrying spears. Cautiously, they proceeded down the pathway as the trees became less apparent in their eyes. An open field packed with tents and large, wooden cart with spikes facing in the front were endlessly in rows.
”Halt!” The guard demanded clearly in a deep, reasoning voice. The male held onto the scabbard on his waist, ready to strike Suyin and Areum if they did anything reckless.
The two girls flinched at the guard's command, stopping their tracks. They grasped the idea that they could reach to the city, but of course, with Yuewei being the strongest, military force, they weren't going to permit two women to walk into the city at a simple cost.
”What are you doing here?!” The guard examined in a harsh tone. More guards emerged near the guard who stood near the wooden spiked carts. The guard studied Areum then took a long gaze at Suyin. He noted her strange attire-- the silk, beautiful peach robe was ruined by the rip on both sides of her shoulders, but the gorgeous black and gold cloak wrapped most of the rips. The guard's eyes were wide after remarking the cloak on her, taking out his sword.
”What are you doing with that?!” He investigated, pointing his sword at Suyin who was flustered at his question. All of the guards swiftly lined up in front of the main guard and faced their weapons at the two.
”What are you talking about?!” Areum questioned, puzzled at his question.
”That is the cloak of the Prince!” One of the guards shouted out, leading in front of Suyin as he held the cloak.
”The Prince's right-handed man gave this to us!” Areum reacted, firmly defending themselves.
”The right-handed man of the Prince does not have any power to give the Prince's cloak to anyone!” The guard exclaimed. One of the guards grabbed Suyin's wrist, dragging her in. Suyin struggled to fight against the man's grip, ”This was given to me!” Suyin screamed.
”Silence!” The guard attempted to take the cloak off of Suyin. ”You have wounded the Prince, knocked him unconscious, and used his cloak to get into the city, you spy!” The guard fought with Suyin, who grappled to fight back. Areum was held in the back, if she moved an inch further, the arrows were going to shoot at her.
Suyin clung onto the cloak, struggling free from the guard as the dragon jade fell down into the ground. The guard who fought with Suyin froze, staring down at the jade.
”T-The jade of the dragon!” He bent to the ground, shaking uncontrollably in front of Suyin. All of the guards immediately kneeled hearing the name, not daring to lift their heads up to Suyin and Areum.
”I-I apologize for the misunderstanding!” The main guard exclaimed, now kneeling towards Suyin and Areum. The guard helped Suyin stand up, pleading for mercy.
”It's fine. It's just a misunderstanding after all.” Suyin frowned, still irritated at the nonsense story that they made up about the two. She could now understand why this city was so troublesome to get into. She bent down to pick up the jade dragon and cleaned off the dirt on it, placing it inside of her robe.
Areum ran to Suyin, mouthing an ”are you okay” to Suyin as she nodded once to assure her. The guards instantly moved to the side and made a row in the center to enable them to walk into the gates of Yuewei. The wooden bridge came down, permitting Suyin and Areum to access the city. Perplexed about their actions, Suyin and Areum entered into the territory of the Qin and the city of Yuewei.
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*30 minutes ago*
Prince Fuhua and his right-hand man, Weizhe reached there from another path (different from Suyin and Areum's path). Qin Fuhua's aura was compelling and terrifying, his expression dark and cold as ever like the sky without a moon. His clothes that he wore earlier was now covered with a beautiful black and white silk robe, embroidered with gold threads. It made him resemble an evil villain from stories that were told back in the days.
Weizhe, on the other hand, was unaffected by Qin Fuhua's presence. It was respect and admiration that Weizhe would risk his life for Qin Fuhua, which was the reason why he still rode on his favorite, white beautiful horse while he mounted on the black horse that he had discovered back in the forest. Qin Fuhua wouldn't approve Weizhe to ride on the black horse for some odd reason, but he didn't dare to ask the question, why.
The guards recognized the two from afar, immediately standing on guard and stood in a line on both sides, creating a pathway in the center.
”Your Highness!” They all addressed in a synchronized tone. Not daring to look up at the Prince of misfortune, some shivered in fear.
Qin Fuhua and Weizhe's horses nonchalantly walked down the path, until Qin Fuhua halted his horse. The guards, fearful that they did something wrong,dropped their heads even lower. If they could hide under their armor, they could definitely do so at that exact moment. The general guard, who took care of who came in and who came out of the gates was right next to Qin Fuhua. Qin Fuhua didn't glance at the general guard, staring straight ahead.
”If someone comes in with my jade of dragon, you let them in without any question. If I hear that something happens to the person with the dragon jade, they shall be executed by me.” Qin Fuhua commanded.
”Yes!” The general guard quickly responded, obeying his command in his head. ”Your Highness! What has happened? Where is your royal cloak?!” The general guard questioned in a respective manner.
”Someone had injured me back in the forest. I will be heading to the doctor to check it out.” Qin Fuhua's horse slowly strolled ahead of the general guard. ”My royal cloak was taken away.” He commented before he moved on with Weizhe.
Qin Fuhua didn't tell them that he gave Suyin the cloak, challenging her to see if she deserved to enter the city or not. For sure, if they see the jade of the dragon, they wouldn't dare to do anything to her in the end anyway.
They planned on going to the City of Qin, but it was too much of a trip to take and he was already exhausted from everything that had happened previously. Qin Fuhua intended to take a trip to see a doctor who was working hard to become the next imperial doctor so that it wouldn't be too much of a trouble if he could assist him.
Qin Fuhua, the Prince of Qin and Weizhe entered the city, not paying attention to much of the townspeople crowding up. They were either frightened or interested about the presence of the Prince of Qin.
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*30 minutes later on*
The guards scattered after acknowledging the person who had the jade of the dragon(which is obviously Suyin). One of the guards ran up to the general guard, glancing at two figures that entered the palace.
”Sir.” He commented, ”That person... is actually a woman, who had the dragon jade!”
The general guard admitted that too. It was unusual for the Prince of Qin to recognize someone and give them the jade of the dragon. The stone was handed down by the previous King, but only those that hold the jade of the dragon had the ability to surpass any objection or rules.