Xie Lian took the cart's owner to the back in the hay with Honger and me. We sat in silence as the ghosts grew closer. I looked over at Honger, who had a smirk, and gave a quick wink. I slid my mask over my face and looked to the ghosts as they approached. I didn't want to attract the attention of ghosts that I may have met when Xie Lian and I were separated. The ghosts passing us looked like executed criminals. I can't say it's improbable that I met them. I met a few prisoners in the past. Though I will never tell Brother about the time during the separation period between him and me. The car moved with a nudge, and Honger and I climbed over the hay and sat with Xie Lian.
"Nice work!" Hong-er called as he peeked over the hay pile before leaping over to sit with my brother, and I sat in silence. "You are truly a man of many talents."
"its nothing, but thanks." He greeted me with a smile as I took my seat beside him. "Are you alright?"
"Well, I'm scared." He said it in a flirty voice, his hand propping up his chin. Honger plays it off like he is just there for fun, but he is truly a hopeless romantic. I shifted in my seat Till my back was pressed against the wood. I looked up at the night sky, looking at the sparkling stars overhead. I slid off my mask to feel the cool night air against my face. It felt pleasant. But I couldn't help but be reminded of Xianle, how the feeling was indescribable. I remember back when I was a teenager, I would beg Xie Lian to sneak out with me just to see the stars. The palace rooftop was one of the highest points of the kingdom, and I loved going up with Xie Lian and adoring the skies above us. Closing my eyes, I could still see it. Flower Sword and I were just enjoying the sky above, and laughing about nothing that mattered. I felt a single tear fall, thinking about back then. Lowering my head, I wiped away the tear, and I couldn't help but laugh silently to myself. Eight hundred years, and I still can't help but cry about the lost past. I looked to brother, and my eyes locked on his neck. Bandages that hid what I knew were to be a cursed shackle. A painful memory filled by mind.
"Brother, come on!" I shouted to him, even after we rejected the emperor's words.
"Xianle! Xiamei!" The Emperor shouted after us as we were leaving. "How can you make this kind of decision after everything?"
turning to him with a hatred burning in my eyes as the white of them turned black, and my voice echoed as if more than one voice was talking through me.
"Because we promised to save the common people." I spat, and the look in his eyes was one of complete shock. "I wouldn't expect someone as disinterested in saving innocent lives as you or any officials to understand!"
And with that, we left. All because I insisted on Flower sword, and I went back home to save our people or die trying. It was all because of my stupidity.
"Hold on!" his brother warned as he flicked the reins, tying the ox to the cart. The cart jerked back as we yanked through the forest. The ghosts behind us must have noticed us. They were shouting and seemed to be chasing us.