Chapter 125 - Kings Rising (5)

Most of them didn't sleep that night, except maybe the old stranger they let stay for the night to re-charge.

In the early hours of the morning, Xun Zichen had indulged himself in his third cup of coffee, trying to spark any energy he needed to help him last the day. He knew sleep would have been impossible, especially if Su Xiang wasn't with him, wasn't in his arms. And he tried for the sake of needing to last the day, but it was no use. He just couldn't.

He took a sip of warm coffee when his regal-looking parents stepped through the front doors unexpectedly. He choked over his mug when Song Ren stormed towards him and shouted, "Where is she?"

"We were unsuccessful," he reported.

"Then why did you go alone with Luli and Jie. Oh, I will scold them too," She demanded, pulling on his ears.

"O-ow," he stammered, "I'm sorry that I wanted to get her back as soon as possible."

Song Ren let go of his now burning-red ear, and Xun Zichen didn't bother rubbing it. His adoptive parents could probably tell he was a mess through his ghastly pale and restless expression.

"You were acting too impulsively,"聽she said.

"Maybe," he replied.

Song Ren breathed hard with knitted brows. "I had to worry about her all night, and now I worry for you too, damnit." Xun Zichen had always been used to her cursing and unreserved temperament. But, she was outraged, and it something he hadn't seen in a long time.

聽"How did you know we went to look for her. When I called you, all I said was that she was missing," he questioned her.

"We heard of Long Yuntian's passing. We heard of how he passed," she clarified.

"Well, we at least have her location, or at least we know where they're taking her," he glanced at Song Ren and Su Feng, "but we can't go now. Anything that happens during daylight would give us out and attract unwanted attention. So, we are spending most of the day collecting some resources."

"Who has her?" she demanded from him.

Xun Zichen was afraid to meet her eye. "Xun Yaozu...took her," he admitted.

Song Ren widened her eyes, planting a hand to her stomach to keep herself from wretching as her stomach churned.

She remembered what his organization did to the hospital, to the Xun Xiaoli and her boyfriend, towards many innocent people that night, including the cold toddler she found in the back of a truck, all because of Xun Yaozu's ambitions.

"News spread that Long Jie will inherit everything Long Yuntian did not give to his sons," Song Ren said. "I hope鈥攕ince I know the history of the Long's鈥攖hat Long Jie can collect what he has to get Xiang back."

"That," Xun Zichen replied, "and all I have to do is challenge Xun Yaozu, to prevent a bloodbath hopefully. If I have the entire Flock on my side, we have a chance."

Song Ren's eyes shot open horrifically. With a shaky breath, she replied, "...No! You can't."

Xun Zichen didn't reply, cleaning and sharpening his blade. He had made up his mind, and there was nothing that was going to change his mind.

"Please," she breathed and pleaded.

Xun Zichen paused, but he didn't face her.

"In case I鈥?#34;聽he began to say, and the words died on his lips. "You know I can't begin to express how much I am grateful for you," he began anew, lifting his eyes to meet hers. "For taking me in and loving me unconditionally."

Tears brimmed in his adoptive mother's eyes. She stepped forward, circling his shoulders. "I know I can't stop you because you have that same sheer determination as to the woman who trusted me with you. But know that you saved me in more ways than others when I took you in."

At that, Xun Zichen had felt both sadness and peace. Sadness in a way that he was not sure if he would come out of this alive, and to not see his family again, the family Xun Zichen thought he had no place being in鈥攁nd peace because he felt like he finally found his place.

He squeezed her, muttering something in her ear before letting go. He then strapped his swords on his back, stepping towards his adoptive father, Su Feng. He hugged him briefly before the two men went on, discussing on about their later strategic infiltration and rescue.

...

Song Luli had spoken to her father, knowing that he had already begun to collect their forces. From what they've discussed the night before, Xun Zichen had the advantage of duelling against Xun Yaozu. If he won, the Flock would be his and Su Xiang would return safely.

However, if he lost, the Flock would surely kill them all if they felt like it. But, Xun Yaozu winning over the Flock still won't stop Han Ru's madness. After all, this started because of his thirst for defeating the Long family.

At the thought that there might be no way in winning, Song Luli bolted towards the bathroom, lifting the toilet lid to hurl her guts out. She hadn't eaten much in the last 24 hours, but she wasn't sure if it was food not sitting right or her unsettling nerves.

Long Jie swept in, startled to see her crouched near the toilet.

"Are you all right?" he asked her.

"I'm fine," she said, allowing him to haul her up.

"I will get some tea. Can you get some rest?" Long Jie said.

"I don't know if I can," Song Luli replied. Long Jie thought the same. He felt like he didn't get so much as a wink last night. They were all restless, and they all looked and felt like hell.

He helped her to the bed, telling her some soothing, reassuring words that helped her drift in at least a nap, if not a full sleep.

Song Luli woke up an hour later, not expecting herself to sleep at all. Steaming hot tea waited for her at the nightstand, as if Long Jie knew precisely the moment to have it prepared when she'd wake.

She gulped the tea down, letting it warm her belly. She hoped it was just nerves; she really hoped it wasn't鈥?/p>

She didn't let herself finish the thought. She rather not know.