Long Time No See

The night in Xin'an City was sparse with starlight, with barely a few points visible.

The moon was not bright, either.

Tonight, the vast majority of families in the Zhuang Kingdom were not reunited.

In most houses with doors bolted shut, there were people far away in the Yong territory, bathing in blood and slaughter. They were fathers to children, husbands to wives, and sons to parents.

They would not return tonight, and perhaps they would never return at all.

A long silence, followed by long boots treading on stone bricks, the sound steady and heavy.

Those two red lanterns had been left far behind, guarding the festive spirit that this day ought to have.

There are many kinds of untimely stubbornness; the houses and pavilions hidden in the night were always silent.

"Jianqiu, how long have you been by my side?"

Dong A asked suddenly.

"Ever since I entered the State Daoist Academy, I have been following you," Li Jianqiu said.

Dong A did not look back, walking slowly forward: "Having been by my side for so long, there are some things I have not hidden from you. With your intelligence, you should have guessed something. Am I right?"

Li Jianqiu followed slowly behind, saying nothing.

Silence was an admission.

Dong A's resolute face moved through the dark night like a dull reef in a black tide.

"Do you hate me?" he asked.

But he did not even turn his head to look at Li Jianqiu's expression, because he already had the answer to this question.

Li Jianqiu's footsteps faltered for a moment, but he continued to follow.

His steps were much heavier.

"I have hated you," he said.

"Have you thought about killing me?"

After asking this, Dong A immediately shook his head, answering his own question: "You