432 Blackened bodies
Night comes. The patrol officer was on duty by midnight.
Gong! Gong!
âHot and dry nights, beware of the lamp, avoid fires!â exclaimed one of the patrol officers who were going around in turn, two people each.
Gong! Gong!
A quite luxurious inn in the centre of Yang Chou city, no matter how busy the day was, it suddenly became very quiet. This city has never had any meaningful conflicts before because most of its citizens are traders and businessmen who make money by selling whatever they get in other cities and selling it to other people who come from all over.
Luo Xiang hugged Bai Ying who was resting his head on his chest.
His hand stroked Bai Yingâs shoulder like what he always did when they were about to sleep, pushed the young manâs head slightly and kissed his forehead.
âHey, is my Ying Ying tired? Weâve walked two days from Xi Yang, didnât expect the forest area to be so winding too.â
Bai Ying shook his head, holding the Crown Princeâs hand over his chest.
.....
âNeither, Your Majesty, because Your Majesty is there so the trip doesnât feel tiring, hem, itâs just like sightseeing, Ying really enjoyed itâ
Luo Xiang smiled, touching the tip of Bai Yingâs nose with his index finger.
âOh really? Did Ying Ying really didnât mind? Arenât you already screaming of tired?â
Bai Ying smiled, he closed his eyes and snuggled into the Crown Princeâs warm chest.
âUm, because Ying canât wait to go back to our room too, Your Majesty, Ying will sleep after returning to Xin Hua, I really miss my bed.â
âHem, Her Highness the Princess will be very disappointed because it turns out that this grandson of her misses his bed more than his grandmaâ
Bai Ying opened his eyes and swelled his mouth at the sight of the Crown Prince who was smiling teasingly at him.
âOf course, itâs not like that, Your Majesty, I also miss grandma, but Your Majesty should not say this to her, well, Grandmother is old, sometimes very sensitive, she doesnât think about it, itâs only on her lips, but actually she really thinks about everything, Ying doesnât want her to think that Ying doesnât pay attention to herâ
Luo Xiang held back a laugh, Bai Yingâs face at that time was really cute, he was an innocent little kid who always thought about what other people would think, what if that person was hurt by him? Itâs really sweet.
Luo Xiang squeezed Bai Yingâs tiny hand in his. The young man closed his eyes again trying to sleep this time.
âErm, what, Ying is happy now? Having your family, Grandma, and your older cousins, as well as all the citizens of Wah Ye, are all your family, right?â
Bai Ying opened his eyes. He looked far ahead, thinking for a while.
Luo Xiang lowered his head to check on the boy, he had misrepresented an old story.
âEh sorry, Ying, sorry brother for talking like that, brother, only this Ying Ying can feel relieved now, all this time, you always have that burden in your eyes, look at this forehead of yoursâ
Crown Prince raised his hand to touch Bai Yingâs forehead between the two his eyes are often wrinkled. Only the Crown Prince could realize that, realizing that even though Bai Ying had always smiled, deep inside his heart he still had wounds. It was not even noticed by Bai Ying, who had always been very cheerful.
âYour Majesty, servant...â
Luo Xiang smiled, he hugged Bai Ying closer to him.
âBrother knows that deep in Ying Yingâs heart is still a deep wound, this time, let big brother try to heal that wound, never keep it all alone again, and, Ying Ying can cry if you want. This Ying Ying of mine is still a sweet little boy, you are not a King in front of me, let alone a King of Realm, this, only the sweet Ying Ying that Crown Prince Luo Xiang loves dearly, a sweet elf who always smiles like the sun, after all, you are still a childâ
Bai Ying was silent, he buried her head deep into Luo Xiangâs chest, raised his hand to cover his eyes, and trembled, he cried.
âHuks Your Majestyâ he cried, not because he was remembering all the painful past, but he was crying because he was able to go through it all and become who he is now that was not even in his mind.
âHahaha brother Xiang Xiang, come on faster!â Hua Bai Yingâs small steps were pulling his kite far away with Luo Xiang chasing behind him, both of them laughing very cheerfully as if nothing bad was going to happen.
âBrother, wait for big brother!â
The sun shone brightly again, its rays bouncing off the water and hitting the window of the room where the Crown Prince and Bai Ying slept, both still enjoying their sleep. Still in the original position where Luo Xiang was holding Bai Yingâs small hand which was using his chest as a pillow and his body as a heater when the cold night air blew.
Luo Xiangâs eyes opened swiftly, hearing the sound of his name being called at the door.
âForgive Servant for disturbing you, Your Majesty, however, something so important just happened.â
Not long after, in the front room of the inn.
Luo Xiang and the others were standing around something covered by a white cloth in the middle of the room, something, resembling a human corpse with a hand sticking out from behind the cloth looked blackened like it was burning, but it wasnât a burn.
Bei Yau explained.
The Inn owner and keeper stand a little bit far frighted of the horror sight in front of them.
âI have sent a servant to report to the city officials regarding this matter, the innkeeper found these bodies not far in front of the inn this morning, I have no other choice but to secure themâ
Luo Xiang approached and glanced at Ge Lu to remove the cloth covering the corpse. The skin of the men whose faces were no longer visible was wrinkled and blackened and glistened, two eyes wide open, with palms in a gripping position. Both of them clearly died in a terrible and sudden way, having not had time to escape from whatever was attacking them.
....
The Yang Chou City Governorâs office.
Bruk bruk bruk.
The sound of footsteps could be heard clearly as far as the main room where the governor was having their internal meeting with several other city officials.
The big man sitting at the very end, Cai Lo, a big man with a stern face turned his head, saw the city guard who came in and lowered his head in front of him, looking in a hurry.
âReport, Governor, there is a problem at the Orchid Inn in the middle of the city.â
Cai Lo saw the young man dressed as a city security officer sharply.
âCanât you see Iâm also in an important meeting, canât wait for it to finish?â the man asked.
The young guard raised his head, and looked around where several city officials were looking at him as if waiting for his answer, the young guard stuttered,
âEh, that..â
The Governor finally waved his hand asking all the officials to leave them.
âWe will discuss this matter this afternoon, donât forget to prepare all the reports I asked for earlier.â
The old officials nodded, and the four middle-aged men stood up from their seats and excused to left the room.
Cai Lo poured tea into his cup, glancing at the young guard to come closer.
âThen what is that very important matter? Why donât you say anything now?â
The young bodyguard approached and spoke in a small voice.
âEh that, Master, eh, another victim of black poison was found in the middle of the city, this time two people at onceâ
Cai Lo didnât seem surprised to hear the news, he poured his tea a second time and was ready to drink it.
âThen? Why donât you deal with it as usual? Donât make any fuss, this matter is so complicated, donât let one or two strange deaths tarnish the face of this beautiful and peaceful town, just cremate the corpse, why need to bother and make some noises?.â
But the young guard looked at Cai Lo with worried eyes,
âB-but sir, the problem is. .â made Cai Lo look at him strangely.
âWhatâs the problem? This has happened several times, whatever creature it is, donât panic, just burn the corpse and itâs done, donât make all the newcomers run away if they hear that this city is not safe, you want all our money to fly away?â exclaimed Cai Lo.
The young bodyguard scratched his head, looking at Cai Lo who raised his teacup.
âThe problem is sir, the person who found the corpse was the inn maid, and coincidentally, at that time, there was a guest who saw it, and, now, they report this founding and asked the city security officer to go there to take care of this matter.â
Cai Lo raised his head, glaring at the young guard.
âThen? Why are you still here? Hurry up there and settle this matter right away, take the corpse and burn it, do I have to teach you everything? You guys are really stupid, um, but, who is the guest?â asked Cai Lo curiously.
The young bodyguard scratched his head.
âEm, thereâs the inn servant in front, he just said, if itâs like the bodyguard and the young masters, they look very rich and powerful, they rent a whole inn for only a few people to stay thereâ
Cai Lo enjoyed his tea leisurely.
âHeh, maybe just some Young Masters who take a relaxing vacation, so, just go there, take the corpse and burn it, solve the problem quickly, donât make a small problem become big.â
The young guard nodded.
Yes, Sirâ
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