One only needed to kill Lang Yuan to bring him back to his world.

Of course, Dong Wei could do that in one move. By just simply stabbing Lang Yuan, he could bring back the youth to where they should be, and then he will kill his self to follow. However, things are not that simple. If it was, he could have done it the first time he found Lang Yuan. There are also rules about this matter that he thankfully learned beforehand or else he could have ended both of their lives.

The entity can only be returned to his world if killed by the Rules.

Since only The Rules knows the existence of the entity, it is also only them who has the ability to return the entity back to its home. Dong Wei did not know how but the Rules have their way on things. They are the laws of this universe so it can be said that returning a lost soul is very easy. It's as if they are just plucking seeds from a fruit then planting it back to a new plot.

So, the thought of killing Lang Yuan and committing suicide is out of question.

Dong Wei told JiDan that his plan is to hide Lang Yuan from the Rules, but actually, he is paving the way to be noticed. The moment the Rules will see them, they will be stricken to death. Neither JiDan nor the emperor could stop them from returning. It would be too late for these people to realize their departure.

Using the tactics Dong Wei gave to JiDan, they successfully operated the plan without mishaps. It can be said that they were moving so fast that one would realize an anomaly. JiDan always felt that something is wrong but he could not place a finger over it. However, on his twelfth kill, he encountered his first stepping-stone.

He did not expect to meet Kun Shao.

Kun Shao, the hermit gardener, is actually a former general that once hailed as the strongest amongst the dragons. He is said to be able to shake the heavens in one strike, and could even split the dimension of time. Though, the general retired after the late emperor descended the throne to give way to the new generation.

That is to say, Kun Shao is one of the oldest people on the empire. But due to his constitution he never showed any signs of aging. He also remained in seclusion to which Emperor Yu XueQin granted him. To meet such a strong foe, JiDan has no chance of surviving. However, due to the legendary weapon, Kun Shao won't be able to attack carelessly.

If ever they face in a fight once again, JiDan is sure that he'll be beheaded without even knowing about it.

He escaped the conflict and somehow became the catalyst of the events. His identity is now getting clearer and anytime people will start to suspect him. With Lang Yuan's intelligence, this case about the god killer would be solved in an instant. This is the reason why JiDan would always distract Lang Yuan during discussions, or wish that he will not come or else he will be discovered.

For Yu XueQin, he is always been partial to his kin. He will not suspect the persons on his sides. Like Lang Yuan, none of them will think that it was all JiDan's wonders. It is because the parents are always been biased to their children. If ever some major mistakes are done, they won't blame their kids but the other person instead. This is like the instinct to protect the young.

Now, after escaping from the Emperor and the Former General, JiDan used his flame to ignite the whole sect on flames before teleporting out. They arrived at the expected location. JiDan is still carrying Lang Yuan while Zhong Song is hanging on Dong Wei's shoulders. Their next direction is to walk towards the middle of the forest where the concentration of energy is abundant.

They already mapped the whole forest creating small pathways to guide them on their journey. These pathways are just grazes on the ground, a trench-like marking to remind them on the right way. Since the Forbidden Forest is a dangerous place, it is important for an individual to become familiar of its sites. Or else, one poor soul could get lost in a monster's nest and would be eaten alive.

JiDan is not afraid of these beasts but it is said that they are stronger than the gods are. Even Dong Wei admitted that facing a high-level beast would take him at least three hours to kill it. So, to avoid delaying the plans, they created a route that is away from any nests and has a little probability of being crossed by the beasts. Just by using that route, they quickly arrived to their destination.

In the middle of the Forbidden Forest, a building foreign to any inhabitants of this world stood upright. Its base is circular with steps pointing up gathering the entirety into a stage-like platform. The floor is made up of polished marble bordered with cracked andesite and mossy cobblestones. A few parts are already plucked out from their places leaving blanks and spaces in between the stack.

The structure has no walls but it has pillars surrounding the edges. It was covered with squared windows though it was severely destroyed with shards of glasses scattered around the circle. There are pieces of paper randomly stuck between the piles carrying weird shapes and symbols. A few furniture remained on their state on the corners but one can see the damage of time.

[A/N: I am confused, really. This is a circle stage... yet it has corners...]

The whole thing was covered with a dome. Though, one thirds of it has already crumbled, leaving a huge hole on the ceiling. But despite the damage, one can easily imagine what kind of beauty this architecture have. Especially on the inside part of a dome that is painted with a fresco of cherubim wrapped in white fabrics while looking over the clouds in the skies.

This kind of design is famous during the eighteenth century in Europe where the main movement is focused on music and arts. There is no reaction when Dong Wei saw the building. Structures like this are already common on the modern century, almost integrating to the box like architecture of the contemporary world. Actually, designs like this will be considered as noble and old-fashioned since it represented the wealth status of the older century.

However, it is different for JiDan. He almost gaped upon seeing the majestic structure. Even though it is already broken, he could still see the beauty it once carried. The dome is different from the palace on the Higher Realms that is only made up of wooden walls and sliding doors. This is even his first time seeing glasses that is used as windowpanes instead of only eyeglasses and bottles.

The whole thing exhibited a beautiful mystery that makes any heart clench.

As to why there is a dome in the middle of the forest, nobody knows. Though, JiDan remembered that there is this one person who is said to be from the other world. When Lang Yuan is browsing the library on the Sect, JiDan has already entered the site. Well, if he can't pass the guardians on the door, he could just simply teleport inside.

He found the books that carried strange symbols and shapes and some objects that only humans from the other world could understand the use. This place is part of the set-up so he has to see what is inside the room. He is also flabbergasted with the objects wondering how they are created. If only he could ask Lang Yuan, JiDan would be sticking to him like a koala.

Oh, by the way, it was JiDan who pushed Lang Yuan towards the room.

The two of them entered the building. Upon entering, anyone would instantly notice the circular carvings on the middle of the dome that is glowing little specks of light. This is the activated ritual drawn by Dong Wei. This is also the place where JiDan will stand to send the godheads towards the Rules.

Dong Wei placed Zhong Song to the ground. On the way, the scholar has been constantly healing his self. Now, he is already a bit conscious. Though, he remained motionless on Dong Wei's shoulders to avoid trouble. He still needed a few energy to close the deep wounds. Fortunately, the Forbidden Forest is concentrated with energy helping him to heal faster than usual.

On the other hand, JiDan placed Lang Yuan above a table. He carefully laid out some clean cloth to the surface to avoid putting dirt to the youth's clothes. He made sure that in this position, Dong Wei wouldn't be able to snatch his mother away. He kissed Lang Yuan's forehead for once before turning around to meet Dong Wei.

However, before he could face his direction, one silver needle came to greet him. JiDan is already in full alert since earlier so he noticed the attack coming. Using the same flames, he created a wave to push the needle back to its source. The surge of fire spreads out like a wind coming from a fan. It caused the disturbance on the surroundings causing a few trees to fall down. The dome also took some damage as one part of it fell down to dusts.

Dong Wei only took a side step to avoid his own needles with his hands folded on his back. He smirked from the fierce reaction of the young dragon, amazed by the suspicions it held all the time. JiDan remained on his position as he glared at the other man with contempt. Dong Wei raised both of his hands up as if surrendering.

"Okay, okay, I'm just teasing you," Dong Wei said carelessly.

"Teasing, ah! Have you ever thought what could have happened if I avoided it instead of blocking?" JiDan yelled with a loud voice. "My mother will receive it! Are you even thinking?"

"Hey, calm down kid. I won't do it again. We are doing all these because of Yuan Yuan, right?" Dong Wei shrugged his shoulder. "Why would I harm the person I fancied so much?"

"Ha! Talk about nonsense," JiDan walked towards Dong Wei. Since Dong Wei is older, he is taller than Lang Yuan. But it doesn't mean that he is any bigger than JiDan. On this form, JiDan can stand face to face with the person. "Don't even try hurting my mother or else..."

"Or else what?" Dong Wei closed in with a taunt. The smile on his face showed his intelligence, however it quickly turned down in a frown. "Remember that I am the only one who knows the ritual. Any disobedience will-"

The ground suddenly shook. Dong Wei turned around to see what just happened when he noticed a disturbance coming from far away. It made the energy around the Forbidden forest to fluctuate, causing the collision of materials to become faster. The nests and monsters could feel the danger from that disturbance. Moving from their extinct, they scrambled around like ants running for their lives.

The dome also shows signs of collapsing. The foundation is already weak and it only needed a small shake to pull it down. Dong Wei turned around to fetch Lang Yuan when he suddenly found the place empty. He turned to look at the ground where Zhong Song is lying but the scholar is not there. He was left alone inside the crumbling building.

It only took five second before the whole dome caved in leaving a huge pile of dust on the air.

The one who escaped is almost running on the air. JiDan carried Lang Yuan on his back while he assisted the wounded scholar. Zhong Song breathes in the particles of energy around him to heal his wounds faster. However, since he was sucking it an extreme speed the concentration pained his body. They paused from running when Zhong Song stooped down to vomit blood. JiDan placed Lang Yuan beside the large roots of a tree to help his uncle.

"Wait uncle," JiDan rummaged from his pockets getting a jade white bottle. He opened the cap and handed it to Zhong Song. "Here, drink this. It will make the pain go away."

Zhong Song did not hesitate and accepted it. He poured everything up to his throat in one gulp. The medicine quickly showed its effect when a warm feeling enveloped Zhong Song. His wounds are still not healed but he feels better. He gave the bottle back to JiDan.

"Thank you for the medicine. It at lease eased the pain," Zhong Song said as he spat the remaining blood out from his mouth.

"No, no, it's fine uncle. Here, take some pills. You need it," JiDan then again took out a few tablets from his pockets.

"No, keep that for yourself. You have to-"

"Uncle, I can't," JiDan said firmly. "You already know the grave danger I am in. These pills won't work on me. So you should take it."

Zhong Song stared at the young man before him. Somehow, he saw the image of Yu XueQin overlapping to his strict image. It's just that JiDan still looks softer and immature than his straight-faced father. Zhong Song shook his head as he patted JiDan's shoulder.

"Are you really sure about this? What will happen if it didn't work?" Zhong Song asked.

"It will work," JiDan said with conviction, it is as if he already knows the outcome of the story. "And if not, at least mother will be safe."

"How about you?" Zhong Song frowned. "You are also important to him. If you were to-"

"Uncle," JiDan called with a clear voice. "Things will only end on the place it started. There's no other solution to it."

Zhong Song knows that he could no longer persuade this child. He shook his head while remembering what happened earlier. From all the evidences given to him, Zhong Song somehow realized that all the events are surrounded around Lang Yuan. So, the possibility of having the suspect around him is very high.

He already suspected JiDan. It seems that he is right.

"Then, I think my role here is done," Zhong Song said.

"Thank you, uncle!" JiDan made a ninety degrees bow. One can see the sincerity coming from his body. It is also the same bow that he did before Kun Shao - it is as if he is recognizing their existence. Zhong Song closed his eyes as he retained the memory of this sight.

One day, if JiDan do actually succeed, he hoped that The Rules would retain his memory. If not, he would try hard to carve this memory to his soul. JiDan is only a young dragon but the soul that he carried is much stronger than a soldier is. If Kun Shao will see this, he will surely kneel before this kid to show his respect.

The scholar nodded. JiDan straightened his self up. Zhong Song could see an answer coming from those red deep eyes. With a gesture, Zhong Song returned the respect towards the young dragon. JiDan smiled from it as he took the message deep inside his heart. Somehow, tears wanted to fall down from his eyes.

But what can he do? This is the only way to save Lang Yuan... to save everyone.

"Goodbye Uncle," JiDan said. "Until next time."

JiDan threw in the same dust over Zhong Song and ignited it with his flame. In a flash, Zhong Song's image was engulfed by the flame. The young dragon watched the figure to slowly dissipate before turning around. He looks at his mother on the side that is still sleeping. There are no signs of him waking up.

He carried Lang Yuan on his back. He secured the sides to make the position comfortable. When everything is fine, he turned around to the path where he ran before. He walked towards the site of the dome in a normal pace. He looked up in the sky to see it bounded by the flickering stars.

Somehow, the night sky looks different today. Lang Yuan... will he also see this kind of night sky on his world? Will he be fine... without him (JiDan) on his side?

The young dragon continued on the path created by the cruel faith. His eyes showed his determination to win this race. From the start, he already knows the outcome of the game yet he still persevered. After all, he is Yu XueQin's son. They all think the same through and through.

They both know what is important - protecting Lang Yuan.

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Yay! I Updated!