Blue

Blue - the color of sky and sea.

--- Associated with : Depth and stability. Symbolizes : trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth and Heaven.

Fifth Color – Blue

Perhaps, due to Jing's 'Life Replenish' pill, Gu Miao Lang only needed two days to recuperate. On the third day, he could already get up from the bed by himself, and although still a bit slow, he could already walk.

After hearing all of Gu Miao Lang's story, Jing decided to help him out --- Actually, it was Lu Cang who originally asked him. Besides, Jing also had his ulterior motive in helping out. He wanted to make them see clearly that Lu Cang was not the Prince they had been looking for. Also, to make sure this suspicious character would not forcing his Lu Cang to be their Prince out of desperation.

Moreover, there was one more thing that had been bugging Jing. He did say he was chased by the Regent Prince's supporters in order to make him fail his mission, however, he deliberately didn't tell them who exactly that person was. Judging from all of his wounds, mostly on the front part of his body, most certainly, when he was tortured, he was facing the villain. Yet, he refused to reveal the culprit's identity. Jing was really curious and eager to find out the answers to all his suspicions. ---And not so surprising, Lu Cang was having the same suspicion. He told Jing about his unsettled feeling, like Gu Miao Lang was still hiding something in his sleeve.

And because previously Jing said he wanted to see one or two bandits, why not take this chance to play around for a bit?

Their first destination after leaving Kuaiji was back to Hangzhou, to the goverment of law and justice, the prison to be exact. ---This time, Jing chose to travel in a carriage since his mood to sightsee had since long gone. They needed to talk to the mountain bandit who was captured long ago and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in the prison.

For Jing, seemingly there was nothing impossible. Even when he was disguising himself, not professing himself as the Emperor at all, to gain access to the goverment facility could be said as a breeze for him.

Flashing his golden Emperor Emblem and only professed himself as the Emperor's representation, there was practically no one who dared not to give him whatever information he needed. In no time they found out that the ex-King of the vicious gang of mountain bandits was imprisoned in the dungeon, the deepest part of the prison, even sunlight couldn't reach there. Jing smoothly got the pass to the innermost part of the prison, the darkest part of the prison to imprison the most dangerous criminals and let them rot in the darkness; some even lost their rationality due to being unable to differentiate day and night.

The air of the dungeon was the mixture of suffocating mold and the sickening rusty scent of blood; strongly they could smell the disgusting smell of rotten flesh. The guard who seemed to be used to this kind of smell only slightly raised his brows. Gu Miao Lang seemed to be too occupied by his own thoughts to be bothered by this kind of sickening smell. Jing raised his sleeve to cover his nose while giving his silk handkerchief to the seemingly nervous Lu Cang. The nice familiar scent of the handkerchief which had the same scent as Jing relaxed Lu Cang's senses at once.

It was not the smell that made Lu Cang feel nauseous. It was his own state of mind. Since long ago, even before they stepped into the prison, ever since he knew they were going to see the ex mountain bandit King, Lu Cang had been agitated. On one hand, he was happy to see his Master, one who taught him the basics of martial arts, before sending him to learn from another several Kungfu Master when he was eight until he was fourteen, ---the previous Bandit King threatened the nameless Kungfu Masters in Jiangnan to take Lu Cang as their disciple, on the other hand, he didn't know what kind of expression he should wear when facing this man. Bandit might be vicious and ruthless, but amongst the brothers of Mount Lu Cang's bandit, loyalty towards the brothers must be held as the utmost important virtue. Lu Cang didn't immediately come to rescue the captured brothers could be counted as an act of betrayal. And towards him, someone who he had deemed as a betrayal, how would his Master's react? Eventhough Lu Cang had his own reason for his action, he could not expect his Master to understand or forgive him.

These mixed feelings had been hurling violently in his stomach. Causing him to nearly unable to bear the urge to vomit. ---Jing lightly patted his back to ease his nervousness.

As they walked down the corridor. A young prison guard held the torch and showed them the way.

They barely walked about ten minutes, yet it seemed like they were walking down a never ending path to the netherworld.

Finally, they stopped in front of one of the cells. The door was sturdy and only had a little doorway, seemingly that small passage was to deliver food for whomever inside. "My Lord, we are here. Please be careful. He is very dangerous. After years in this darkness, he is on the verge of losing his sanity." A soft hardly detected sigh was in the voice of the young guard. If it was not for their eyes all focused on the door of the cell, most probably they could see his eyes shining in sympathy. Of course, Jing was only the exception – nothing escaped him.

After giving them a warning in whisper, the guard knocked on the iron door with the hilt of his sword. "Old Lu, some people have come to see you......" Surprisingly, the guard was talking in a respectful manner despite talking to a dangerous criminal. They originally thought he would shout or talk in a rude manner towards a mere convict. ---Maybe because Jing was there, who would have the guts to act impudently in front of the Emperor's representation.

A long silence......

"Old Lu, are you asleep? Please wake up. Some honorable guests are here to see you. They said they have an important matter to ask regarding a baby you guys picked up along time ago."

From inside the room, a sound of clashing metal was echoed, ---it was the sound of the chain being dragged. Then a rough and coarse voice was rising up.

"Baby? What baby? We killed and ate the baby we picked up. There is no baby left!"

The guard threw the honorable visitors an apologetic eyes. "Old Lu......" Once again he tried to make the old man come to his senses.

"Open the door!" But before the guard could finish what he wanted to say, another horrible roaring voice, like the voice of a wounded beast, was transmitted from the cell.

The guard threw apologetic eyes at Jing again. Seemingly he was afraid that Jing would blame him for the convict's misconduct. He couldn't afford to offend the Emperor's representative of course.

Lu Cang charged to the front, ready to call out to his Master, also his foster father, Father Lu. ---He had never known his real name as all the Brothers called this used to be the man he looked up to, either Father Lu or Big Brother Lu. Moreover, Lu Cang was named by him. They found him asleep in a lush green of a bush, face also ashen due to the freezing cold weather, hence he was Cang --- the deep-green and the ash-gray, all the more, he was found on Mount Lu Cang ---they used to joke about his glorious name. Yet, he was stopped by Jing. Jing blocked his mouth and shook his head very slowly, indicating that it was not a wise decision for Lu Cang to call out to him.

And Jing was right, just as Lu Cang about to protest to Jing, Old Lu was roaring again.

"Open the door!! Let me go! That ungrateful child, that damn traitor, instead of coming to rescue us, he claimed the position as the leader! OPEN!"

Hearing this, Lu Cang's heart sank to the bottom of a frozen lake. Cold and heavy.

As he thought, he had been deemed as a betrayal. Maybe not only by Father Lu, maybe the rest of the captured Brothers also deemed him and the other brothers as ungrateful traitors. It was understandable, most of them were picked and raised by the previous generation of Mountain Bandit of Mount Lu Cang.

Heaven knew how much he wanted to rescue the brothers who were captured by the goverment's sly ambush, but what was there to be done, the members who were left behind were the weakest among the gang. All Lu Cang could do at that time was to ensure the safety of the rest of the gang. Besides, he was a mere sixteen year old teenager, how could he rescue them without losing his life, it would be the same as the moth who threw itself to the fire, a foolish vain sacrifice. It was a sacrifice he deemed not worthy as if he lost his life, no one was left to look after the remaining of the gang.

Jing's hand was still covering Lu Cang's mouth, preventing him from saying anything that could reveal himself as the part of the mountain bandit, ---'was' the part because Lu Cang was no longer the mountain bandit, he was Jing's beloved Empress now. Of course Jing knew Lu Cang's habit of blurting out whatever in his mind. Jing's palm could clearly feel the tremble of Lu Cang's lips and his getting heavier breathing.

He forcefully pulled Lu Cang's face to look at him, as if saying he was there and that Lu Cang could rely on him anytime. Lu Cang nodded in understanding and very grateful to have Jing by his side at this moment. Perhaps, if Jing was not there to calm him with his simple gesture, since long ago Lu Cang had bumped his head on that thick iron door and loudly apologize in tears.

In place of Lu Cang, Gu Miao Lang asked in a loud voice to vie with the roaring voice. "Old Lu, can you please tell me, about the child you saved at that certain time, it was roughly twenty four years ago?"

A loud sound of 'BANG' caused them to retreat a step out of surprise. ---Old Lu seemed to bang the iron door with his chain out of irritation.

"GO AWAY! There was no damn child. That child had since long ago died! I killed him! I killed him with my own hands, over and over again! I drank his blood! I smashed his guts with my own bare hands! That ungrateful dog had died....MUAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH......" Old Lu seemed to break into a frenzied laughter. He was laughing so loud, to the point they must protect their ears with qi while the poor guard and Gu Miao Lang desperately used their hands over their ears to lessen the destructive power that voice carried.

Lu Cang closed his eyes. His heart was sinking even more, to the point it was aching, so painful......

He had never thought that Father Lu would hate him to such an extent. Even to go as far as to kill him in such a vicious way even in his imagination.

"I killed him! I killed him! I killed him!" He repeated the same lines without stopping. Every time he said it, a soft bang sound could be heard, most probably he was banging his head to the door as he said those words.

At this point, Lu Cang's heart already ached to the point of bleeding. Forcefully controlled his tears from flowing, he slightly nodded to Jing. The light from the torch fell into his eyes, like the light of his determination.

Fully understanding what he meant, Jing slowly let go his hand on Lu Cang's mouth.

Slowly approaching the door, Lu Cang whispered in a low voice and directed it to the man behind the door, for the man, his voice was as clear and bright, right to his earand heart. ---At this moment, Gu Miao Lang and the guard were having a fit of diziness due to the overly loud noise that they failed to notice Lu Cang's unusual movement.

"Sky as the roof, grass as bed, the mountain is our home. Water and food, we never have to worry. The Brothers 'continue' singing the happy song of freedom."

These few verses were like an anthem for the Mount Lu Cang bandits. Every time, whenever they caught a big prey, or successfully robbed the rich, they would be partying all night long and sang these verses in all satisfaction. But this time, Lu Cang deliberately added the 'continue' word. It was to tell Father Lu that he didn't forget about him, but his utmost priority was the brothers' survival.

The banging sound actually stopped after Lu Cang said this verse, ---other than Jing, the other two couldn't clearly hear what Lu Cang had whispered to Old Lu.

The dungeon once again reigned by silence......

"AHAHAHHAHAHAHHAH......" All of a sudden, Old Lu laughing as if he had lost his mind.

The guard shook his head. "I am sorry..... seems like it is impossible to ask him anything once he is like this......"

Gu Miao Lang opened his mouth, seemed like he was still discontented. How could he be willing to leave in vain? What he wanted to know hadn't been told to him yet. He knew the prisoner was not telling the truth. But the seemingly not stopping any sooner laughter, definitely it was impossible to get information from a mad man. Despite his reluctance to go but at Jing's silent order and his overpowering aura, he had no choice but to obey.

The party was on their way out when the laughter stopped and a loud shout transmitted: "Damn brat! You better be a worthy Big Brother or I will kill you a thousand times!"

After that, the ominous laughter continued to ring.

The Guard and Gu Miao Lang were confused about these words from Old Lu, but Gu Miao Lang didn't dare to go back to ask him after his eyes locked with Jing's glare.

However, the Lu Cang who previously wore a whole face as if facing his execution expression, upon hearing those last words from Father Lu, his whole face shone like the sky after a gloomy rainy day.

In the end, Father Lu had forgiven him. Even asked him to be a good Big Brother for his sworn brothers. Lu Cang was moved to the highest point. Without his awareness, he reached out for Jing's hand and held it tightly. So very tight, even Jing was a bit hurt by his gripping power, yet Jing didn't complain at all. He knew his lover was overwhelmed by happiness at this very moment. ---Initially they went to get some valuable information, who would have thought, they got something more valuable. The forgiveness of Father Lu.

Lu Cang was certain that Father Lu could recognise him from the verse, that's why he said that blessing, right? This very thought had caused Lu Cang to smile in satisfaction and happiness. And, it just happened that Lu Cang's happiness also meant Jing's happiness. Slight sweet and happy smiles were hanging on their lips for quite a while. Together, they walked out of the dungeon, hand in hand, as if walking out from their dark past and heading towards their bright future.

The only person with gloomy face now was Gu Miao Lang. He kept throwing his gaze to his back as if reluctant to leave the dungeon.

His only hope to find the slightest thread of a clue that could lead him to his lost Prince was now all gone. He would never have another chance to talk to that mad Old Lu again. Today, he could go this far only because he was relying on the beautiful man's power and influence. ---He should be one of the high officials in this country, the largest Imperium in the world, Datong. And judging from Lu Cang's indifferent reaction, it appeared that he also knew about his companion's power and influence. ---It was obvious that they had been travelling together for a long time.

Looking at them walking shoulder to shoulder, how much Gu Miao Lang wished that Lu Cang could be the lost Prince he had been searching for. Last time, they had convinced him that Lu Cang was definitely not the lost prince. According to them, Lu Cang didn't have the special mark, disappointedly, there wasn't even a single mole on his body. ---in his devastated state after hearing this shocking fact, Gu Miao Lang failed to notice why the beautiful man could know about Lu Cang's body, he clearly was absolutely sure there was not a mole on Lu Cang's body.

"I am very sorry My Lord. Old Lu almost everyday shouted about killing. But once occasionally, when his mind cleared, he talked about his glorious past as a mountain bandit King. He did say they picked up a lot of orphans and children abandoned on the mountain ---boys only though, took them to the mountain, trained them to be the next generation of mountain bandits when they all retired. There was also one particular brat he proudly talked about. One he said he considered as his own son. He personally trained him and so on. It is nice to talk to him when his mental state is clear, but, aiii......unfortunately, it was once in a blue moon......" In the past, the guard admired the bandits seemingly free of worry way of living. But of course he didn't agree with their ruthless methods. That's why he settled with only hearing the tell-tales about them.

The guard seemed to be a talkative one. And from the way he talked about Old Lu, he seemed to respect him to certain degree. No wonder he didn't shout rudely at Old Lu.

"They picked up a lot of orphans?" Then, didn't it mean, every mountain bandit could be the lost prince. It seemed the chance to find the prince was getting slimmer.

"Pfft!" Jing rudely burst a 'pfft' laughing sound to mock Gu Miao Lang. "Do you expect them to give birth to the children?"

Gu Miao Lang's face now was a layer of desperation, ---exactly the same as what Jing had expected.

"Then, what about we go to the mountain bandits' stronghold and ask them?" Of course Lu Cang would look at Jing with confused eyes, they both knew that the stronghold was nothing more than an empty fortress. All of its occupants had moved to Hangzhou's Military Governor mansion. But Jing only gave him his mischievous smile.

"Is that alright? They are vicious mountain bandits after all......"

The prison guard was about to open his mouth, he intended to tell them that the mountain bandits since five years ago seemed to have ceased their vicious activities. The mountain path now was much safer for travellers. But when he felt Jing's piercing cold eyes on him, he instinctively shut his mouth.

Looking at the dungeons direction, there was this mixed feeling in Lu Cang's heart. He wanted to ask Jing to let Father Lu out from the prison, with Jing's power, it would not be a difficult matter. But......

"Can Not!" Jing firmly rejected his hadn't been spoken out request when he saw Lu Cang frowned deeply like there was something weighing his mind. "His mental state could bring harm to the people."

Of course Lu Cang understood about this reason, but still, understanding didn't necessarily mean willingness. He still was unwilling to see Father Lu in that moldy dark place.

Seeing his most beloved Lu Cang's face disheartened, Jing couldn't help but have his heart softened. Heaving a soft sigh, he said in a low voice : "I will arrange for a home arrest, and this guard will be in charge of him, alright? But still, he will have all those chains to prevent him from running away."

This was a much better condition for Father Lu. At least, he was not left rotting in that dark dungeon. Given fresh air and sun light, Father Lu's mental state might even improved. Also the prison guard seemed to have great respect for Father Lu. Of course Lu Cang would give his consent.

After arranging everything properly, including promoting the extremely surprised and pleased low rank prison guard into Old Lu's special guard, the party of three headed to the mountain.

------

The familiar mountain path made Lu Cang's heart heavy with fond memories. He used to walk on this path with his brothers who were noisily talking at once, walking proudly as the owners of the mountain, even the mountain beasts must give way to them.

Their life was crude and rough, yet they had all the freedom in the world to do whatever they wanted. They killed without hesitation, played to their heart content. When they were short of money, they would choose the wealthy but cruel family to be robbed. ---Without any awareness, a slight smile floated in his eyes, yet this tiny smile didn't escape from Jing's keen sight.

They had been together for such a long time, yet, they rarely talked about their pasts because Jing said it was pointless to talk about the things they already couldn't change. Jing knew a lot of Lu Cang's achievements as the Mountain Bandit King from the brothers' loud mouths. ---They seemed to be so proud of their Big Brother. But how Lu Cang became a mountain bandit king, he had never heard of it.

Truthfully, if it was not for his fear of losing his Lu Cang, Jing would admit that Lu Cang was more suitable to be a prince than to be a mountain bandit. His haughty manner and his dashing features, so much fitted to be a great leader and a charming prince who would be admired by all the women in the world.

But NO. In every possible way, Lu Cang may not be a Prince. He could only be his Lu Cang, his very own Lu Cang. He would do everything in his power to keep Lu Cang by his side. He knew he was selfish and being unfair to Lu Cang but he didn't care as he could not and would not lose Lu Cang.

Each of them seemed to be busy with their own train of thoughts until they reached the abandoned Mount Lu Cang Stronghold.

The once terrifying stronghold had become an uninhabited wilderness. The bushes grew tall and covered the stoned pathway, the vast and beautiful yard now had turned into a bushland. The rusty main door emitted a horrible shriek upon a push. Cobwebs and dust covered the entire main hall ---the very hall where Jing and Lu Cang met for the very first time.

All of this nostalgic scenery caused Lu Cang's rim of eyes to be warm, he had to force back the threatening to flow down tears. After all, he spent most of his life in this place.

He thought he would see Jing's mocking eyes when Jing suddenly grabbed his hand. But to his surprise, Jing was shifting his eyes to all around in cautious manner. Lu Cang couldn't help but following Jing to carefully check their surrounding. At the time he noticed the peculiar state of the grasses, he looked at Jing who also looked at him now, as if confirming whatever in his mind.

"This can't be! No! Impossible!" A sudden miserable cry broke them from their silent communication.

As Jing had expected, after seeing the deserted stronghold, Gu Miao Lang's whole face was devastated as if losing its soul. A wicked smile floated in his pair of beautiful eyes. Very satisfied to see that all of his plans had smoothly worked out as he wanted.

"Seemingly they had been disbanded." Rubbing salt onto the wound, Jing stated the fact loudly.

"No...... Prince...... Your Highness......" Gu Miao Lang staggered and retreated for a couple steps. His eyes reflected nothing but desperation. Even the dimmest spark had vanished into the abyss.

"Sir Gu......" Lu Cang was about to assist Gu Miao Lang to stand properly, but Jing quickly caught his wrist, prevented him from approaching the man. Jing needed to completely crush his hopes so he wouldn't insist on Lu Cang as their nonsense lost prince anymore.

"As you can see, the bandits have been disbanded; the leader has gone mad from the years of mental torture. Also, there is no clear evidence that your prince is one of the mountain bandit members." Jing harshly dumped the cruel words as heavy as a big lump of rock on Gu Miao Lang's face. "Go back and tell your Queen, there is no prince or whatsoever here. Your prince has since long ago died. No need to waste any effort in vain only to find a person whose spirit is no longer in this world. Even if he is alive, finding your prince is like finding a needle in a haystack."

Actually Lu Cang disagreed a little with Jing's harsh way. However, it was indeed better for them to just give up on finding the unknown prince, ---whether he was alive or dead, and just simply gave the throne to the other prince despite his young age, Prince Fu Long.

"You can have the carriage." Suddenly remembered about the carriage they left on the town's fringe before they walked to the Mountain, Jing casually gave it to Gu Miao Lang.It was Jing's indirect way of saying - Get out from our sights as soon as possible.

Both of them were just about to walk out of the wide and desolate hall when suddenly Gu Miao Lang grabbed Lu Cang's foot. Unabling him from walking further......

******

Next color......