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Lóng Wei realized that without the help of Shuyao he would not be able to reach here. The route was complex and anyone would get lost. That’s why people in the village said that the place was another name for death because the route was dangerous and full of wild animals.

However, with Shuyao the journey was not difficult. He knew the routes better as if he once lived here.

“Your Highness, you are lucky that the weather did not turn bad,” Shuyao stated.

Lóng Wei realized why his mother sang that poem all day long when she would be alone and would write it down daily because this place was truly a paradise. He was confident that he would meet Qiu Qizhen, his real father today. However, he was slightly nervous too.

Would he be able to face him? That was his biggest fear. He always ran away from the truth and now he was so close to it that he again wanted to run away.

“Your Highness, shall we go ahead?” Shuyao asked and Lóng Wei tilted his head to look at him.

“Where are the ninety-nine lakes?” Lóng Wei asked. He clearly remembered his mother had mentioned those lakes in the poem.

“That place lies ahead of the dawn redwood forest,” Shuyao answered.

.....

“That means we have to stop here, right? The sun has almost set down the horizon and if we resume the journey, then we may get stuck in the middle of the forest,” Lóng Wei asserted as he looked down after gazing again at the sky.

Shuyao shook his head. “The forest from her looks deep, but there is a clear path to go ahead. We will not be stuck, Prince Lóng Wei,” Shuyao replied. “I want us to reach there as soon as possible so that the Prince fulfills his promise to me.”

Lóng Wei gazed at him with skepticism. Shuyao indeed knew about Qizhen, but he did not ask about it from him. Now, he was close to his destination, so he would find the remaining answers himself.

“Give me water,” Lóng Wei asked Shuyao and extended his hand out. Shuyao quickly took out the gourd from the leather and handed it to the prince. Lóng Wei drank the water until his thirst quenched and then wiped his lips from the back of his palm.

“Let’s go, Shuyaoo,” Lóng Wei asserted and fisted his palms. He suddenly felt a new energy in him.

Since his destiny had brought him here, there was no use looking back. Shuyao walked ahead of Lóng Wei. The sky had started to turn darker as time passed. Lóng Wei told Shuyao to walk slowly because he was unable to see anything ahead of him.

“I told you that we should stay there. If we get stuck in this forest, I will—” Lóng Wei paused as he found the path was suddenly illuminated. He knitted his brows and quickly went ahead of Shuyao to check and found a clear cobblestone path going from the middle of those tall redwood trees.

He turned to look at Shuyao with inquisitiveness.

“I told His Highness that we will not be stuck in the middle of the forest,” Shuyao said with a smile and told Lóng Wei that they should keep walking.

Lóng Wei hummed and turned enthusiastic. Did Qizhen make such a path? Except for him who could have carved such a path. Also, those lanterns in the way showed only one thing: there was a house nearby. Lóng Wei hastened as he was too desperate to see Qizhen.

Suddenly a mist formed in their way and they looked up at the sky. “It feels that soon the clouds would gather in the sky,” Shuyao said.

“We must hurry then,” Lóng Wei stated. “How far are the ninety-nine lakes from here?” he questioned Shuyao.

“It will take thirty minutes more, Your Highness,” Shuyao answered.

“Let’s run then,” Lóng Wei stated when Shuyao grabbed his arm.

“We should not tire ourselves out,” Shuyao advised Lóng Wei. “The lake region is usually cold at night. It is said that it also consumes your Qi energy at night if we try to go close to it,” Shuyao affirmed.

“Tsk.” Lóng Wei yanked his arm off his grip and told him to stop believing in superstitions.

Shuyao laughed to hear that and they both resumed the walk.

“Prince Lóng Wei, why don’t you tell me the real reason why you are here?” Shuyao asked him.

“Why should I tell you?” Lóng Wei asked him.

“Prince Lóng Wei is still stubborn about not telling me the real reason why he is here,” Shuyao taunted him.

“Why don’t you tell me the real intention behind your help?” Lóng Wei inquired as his feet slowly came to a halt.

“I already told the reason to the Prince,” Shuyao stated.

Lóng Wei chuckled and asked Shuyao how much more he would lie to him.

“I didn’t lie to Prince Lóng Wei. I brought him here because I want him to give me justice,” Shuyao affirmed with a tiny smile on his lips.

If there was a person with whom Lóng Wei could not win in an argument, then that was Shuyao.

It surprised him all the time how Shuyao could be so fearless before him. He shook his head and noticed that the mist was thickening.

“Let’s not argue anymore,” Lóng Wei said and they again began walking. The mist lessened as he saw the first lake which was surrounded by trees and on its next end there was a palace kind of structure.

Lóng Wei’s eyes widened and his heart got restless to see that structure.

Was that the place where Qizhen lived? Not a place but a palace! Lóng Wei blinked a few times and took a few more steps when he heard Shuyao’s voice.

“Your Highness, tell me will you give me justice?” Shuyao again asked the same question.

“What if I don’t?” Lóng Wei inquired. “Will you kill me?” He instigated Shuyao so that he would give the true answer.