The Demon Swordsman 2
Ch. 189 - Uninhabited Boat
The west wind blew quietly as the sun crept up over the earth, twelve days after the battle that destroyed that one city. The poranda that hit the capital of the Shang Empire could not be restored anymore, so the place was left with fire that continued to burn the land and air. Burnt the famous city of magnificent and peaceful.
Circulating the news of Xin Chen's disappearance after the war, many people questioned it and talked about the truth. The story of Xin Chen expands, his name begins to be remembered when Xin's second son no longer shows himself. They were expecting Xin Zhan and Xin Chen to take his father's place to sustain this Empire even though their lifespan was still insufficient.
By the time they arrived in the town of Fanlu, the anchors had been lowered and the remaining residents were gathered in a very, very crowded harbor. One of the Imperial soldiers approached Ren Yuan and Xin Zhan, saluting politely.
"We've prepared a place to stay for you and Young Master Xin first. Mayor Hong is very accepting of your arrival at his residence." He said with a little head up.
Ren Yuan did not reply, Xin Zhan read his mother's unwillingness to answer and let out a voice. "We don't need a big place, we'll just stay in people's houses."
"But, Mister-"
Xin Zhan followed Ren Yuan towards the provided refuge, although they were quite distinguished in the Empire but Xin Zhan never hesitated to sit down with the small people. Generosity is one of the things taught by his father, Xin Zhan fused with the hustle and bustle of society. Treating and preparing emergency tents for shelter for families who have not received temporary shelter until the situation can be stable as before.
That day had entered the rainy season, Xin Zhan had just returned home from the tents to help treat the injuries of the residents. That night Ren Yuan sat at a low table staring out the window for hours. Losing Xin Fai and Xin Chen at the same time was the thing that took him so hard, never to fall back on his tears. Xin Zhan was afraid that he would be worried, but his health was declining more and more. And all of that made Xin Zhan sad.
"Danell ...."
Ren Yuan's voice broke his daydream, Xin Zhan immediately turned to look at the mother who was aware of his presence. Ren Yuan smiled slightly, patting the seat next to him.
"Why are you sad? Tell me about mom."
"Mother, I'm not sad."
Xin Zhan had been sitting next to him, Ren Yuan sweeping down the cheek of his son.
"But you just cried."
Xin Zhan was unaware of it, he tried to avoid the sadness by busying himself. The fact that their families became ruined and only the two of them remained here. Xin Xia was treated elsewhere with Lan An. Many of the Ren clan members were found lifeless in the residence and also now Xin Zhan had no idea what he could do to save Xin Fai.
The enemy has great power behind them. Dark dragons and the Qing Empire are starting wars, to fight over the heirlooms of the sky and territory. Had he had the power to stop it all, he would have continued to make Xin Zhan regret. Unaware one hand was clenched.
Ren Yuan patted that head, when he was a child Xin Zhan was the loudest crying, making his father unable to sleep during the night because of his behavior. Xin Zhan was chatty and his sister, Xin Chen was similarly chatty. Those days of happiness left Ren Yuan yearning, but now even they had no home.
"I can't find any more traces of him. He's completely disappeared. Mother, please don't think about her anymore. Thinking of him would only make you sick," Xin Zhan asked. Actually, for many days, he had also been looking for information about Xin Chen's whereabouts. Afraid that his sister was chasing Xin Fai all the way to the Empire of people. But of all the residents there was no telling where Xin Chen had gone. No one saw him passing through the port or the street of Fanlu.
"Your health is getting worse, Mrs Ren."
"I'm just not used to the rainy season, no need to worry." Ren Yuan gave a faint smile. The woman whose age had entered the four heads threw a glance out the window
"This empire is not okay. I know that the surrender of the Demon Sword made the residents feel insecure. But, Mrs Ren, your husband took the best course. Now is the Era of Peace and he doesn't want bloodshed ...."
"When that day he didn't make sacrifices maybe a war would break out, the Qing Empire had hundreds of thousands of soldiers. We won't be able to hold it." Continued the woman, as the wife of a soldier she knew very well the state of this Empire. And as everyone was regretting their First Pillar actions, he understood it was all done by Xin Fai to guard the millions of lives in this Empire.
"Ah, I remember once. When your husband saved this town." Ren Yuan looked at the woman who was still continuing to tell him, "It was during the coup that happened by the second Prince. The village was almost completely slaughtered, at which time Mr. Xin was in a great hurry. The war is taking place in Renwu City. But that day, he put our lives first, which are just this small society, rather than chasing their enemies."
"Yes, I know him very well. If it was all about the life he took. Xin Fai would not think twice to save, even if it were to sacrifice her life."
Xin Zhan was silent on the conversation, imagining a moment of war a few days ago, where someone he even thought was dead insisted on living and waking up to finish off his enemy.
"All men are precious, Zhan'er." Ren Yuan spoke softly, patting him on the shoulder. "Your father has passed the time of slaughter, and it is your duty now, to defend what he has fought for."
"Even if you have to sacrifice your life?"
"Your lives are as precious as they are, Zhan'er."
The old woman seemed to recall something, she picked up something behind the folds of her clothes. A thin wood with inscriptions carved with sword eyes.
He told me that early in the morning, a boat without occupants sailed to the edge of the harbor. There's no one on it, except just a piece of wood. The woman had yet to hand it over to the city guards and chose to ask Xin Zhan first.
Xin Zhan accepted the confusion, as he read the writing he knew very well who wrote it.
'Say I am dead. Don't wait.'
Ren Yuan received the wood and clenched it tightly, without hiding his cries anymore. Ren Yuan was crying, his heart was fragile even though the woman repeatedly tried to toughen up. Now, Xin Chen asked himself to assume the child was dead. Ren Yuan's lifetime was never ready to accept even if Xin Chen was truly gone.
Xin Zhan stroked his mother's back, the woman in front of them had just understood why Ren Yuan was crying. Most likely it was the last message from his son, Xin Chen who was recently talked about.