Da Huang's Dilemas

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Back to the resident inn's house.

As the sun rises, its rays sneak through the dense leaves of the highest trees, illuminating the lower ground. The morning birds fill the quiet atmosphere with their beautiful songs after a cold wind just passed by following last night's heavy rain. 

The bungalow is filled with cool morning air and there's a fish pond in the front yard. The dew is still dripping slowly from the edge of the leaves to the ground. Some old leaves that fell from their stalks float lightly before touching the mossy ground with some other fallen leaves.

Fei just lifted the blanket that covered Hong's chest as soon as the physician finished checking on him. The rather chubby old man straightened up his body after finishing writing the drugs prescription which was handed to Lu Yan.

"Physician, how's my brother?" asked Fei.

The old man, physician Liu, smiled.

"Don't worry, Young Master, little Young Master is fine. He was just a bit weak because the effects of the drugs were still in his body, but after this, he will be fine. I have prescribed the medicines. Given to him in the morning and evening after the meals. Don't let Young Master get out of bed for a day or two. His condition is not like others, his pulse is so weak, he needs a lot of nutritious food"

Nutritious food? Their mother always gave Hong all the best food from all over the country. What nutritious food has he never had?

But, remembered something.

Fei frowned his forehead. Da Huang said he saw Song Er sitting on Hong's body.

"Then, really nothing wrongs with him? How about ehh…" Fei couldn't continue his words. It involved Hong's dignity, but he couldn't ignore it.

Physician Liu smiled, he seemed to understand the young man's meaning even though he hadn't asked yet.

"Please be relieved, Young Master, Little Young Master is really fine. He hasn't been touched to that area yet, there are only a few forced kiss marks on his neck but they will disappear for a few days. Other than that he is fine"

Fei's cheeks were red from embarrassment. He never thought he'd talk about it so openly in front of a stranger, but this is his precious little brother. He has to know whatever happened to him.

Fei grabbed Hong's cold palm and rubbed it to make it warmer.

"Heh, thank goodness, Hong you scared me to death"

He stroked Hong's front messy hair back to its place. Hong's face wasn't as pale as last night when he took him home.

Physician Liu excused himself to go out with Lu Yan and escorted him.

"Physician, then what about Young Master Song"

The two arrived outside the room.

The old physician took a deep breath, stroking his slightly long white beard.

"For that young man, it may take time to recover. But as long as the medicine is taken regularly he can back to normal. For such a young kid, he is quite good at restraining himself"

"Does, that poison that great?" Lu Yan asked.

Physician Liu nodded.

"Well, some of my patients came with more miserable conditions. This poison is not so dangerous if when it is reacted the victim immediately channels his lust. The poison attacks his mind and sexual organs, so if his not do anything he will suffer serious internal injuries. It can even damage his nerves"

Lu Yan understood.

For an inexperienced youngster like Song Er, that kid was pretty good at holding his urge. At least until he was defeated.

"I will give you a prescription that is easy to find. So next time it can be treated immediately after exposure to this drug."

Lu Yan nodded respectfully at the old healer.

"Thank you, Physician, for coming, my men will send you back"

....

The door was opened. Lu Yan approached Fei who was sitting next to the bed.

"Young Master"

Fei tucked Hong's hand under the blanket.

"Heh, forgive us, Brother Yan, our trip has been disrupted. It's not enough to almost be robbed, Xiao Hong is also injured like this. If Mother found this out I don't know how she felt"

Lu Yan smiled.

"I think Old Man Chang can wait a little longer, he won't mind if he knows what happened. This trip is indeed more difficult than usual. Lord Jie has anticipated that, next time let the branch recruit new men by themself. So we don't have to always make this trip every time. The problem is, that all branches have great respect for the Big Lord. His good reputation makes people come and join as guards"

Fei nodded. He knew that. His Father's reputation is one of the reasons that's made the expedition work. But this is his first official trip without him, which turns out to be very bad. His Father might not entrust other missions after this.

"Heh I'm going to get some air, brother Lu. Please take care of Hong for a while, he can panic when he wakes up and find no one around"

Fei stands up. Walk towards the door, before Lu Yan's hand came out to hold him.

"Young Master, I think you should talk to Da Huang. That kid has been acting so weird since this morning, he was just standing on the tree and didn't want to enter the house"

Da Huang. Fei forgot about him. Last night because he was so worried about Hong he didn't even think about him at all.

...

The wind blows cold.

The sun shining through the dense trees didn't help to warm up. Winter was coming quicker in the mountainous area.

The sound of rustling leaves in the wind was like a kind of sound that filled the silence along with the sounds of other small animals.

Da Huang, who was standing leaning on the big tree in front of the pond shifted his legs. Lines of little-sized chickens with their chicks passed in front of him. He shifted his body backward and almost hit someone who was approaching from behind.

"Aww" the tip of the scabbard hit the person's stomach.

Da Huang turned his body and bowed to see who was already standing behind him.

"Excuse me, Young Master'"

Fei touches his belly. Da Huang scratched his head.

"Pardon me"

"You, what are you doing by standing here all the time? Have you had your breakfast yet?"

Da Huang lowered his head, he avoided his Young Master's eyes.

"Not yet, I'm not hungry yet"

Fei smiled, he took a deep breath and released it. He lifted his hand and patted Da Huang's shoulder. A martial arts champion, who had been very obedient to him since they were kids. They are the same age. But sometimes he had to act older so Da Huang would hear his advice.

"Did you still think about last night? Hong is fine, you can see him inside if you want to. How about your hands, are you feeling better?" Fei glanced at Da Huang's right hand which was bleeding again last night. He was pushing himself too hard and didn't even care about himself.

Da Huang nodded, still not daring to look at Fei.

"Servant is fine, thank you, Young Master, for asking"

Fei chuckled.

Da Huang. Just as Da Huang he had always known, who had always been like that. He never changes.

"Fine then. Better hurry up and have breakfast, if you're falling too, we'll have a hard time continuing our journey. And I can't protect Hong by myself. Now that you're here I can count on you"

Fei was about to leave Da Huang, maybe he needs time by himself. But Da Huang's voice stopped him.

"I deserve to die!" Da Huang exclaimed.

His chest heaved up and down rapidly. He looked into Fei's eyes for a while, then lowered his head. Da Huang dropped his knees in front of Fei.

"Da Huang, what are you doing? Stand up" Fei didn't expect the big boy to do that. His body is shaking.

"Servant deserves to die, I have failed" Da Huang could no longer hide his tears. He had been holding them in for a long time and had to let them out or else his chest would explode because of it. He clenched his fists on both of his knees while trying to wipe away the tears that kept flowing.

Fei tried to help Da Huang up, but the big boy didn't budge.

"Da Huang stand up, what are you doing?"

Da Huang cried. He tried to be a strong man but he failed that time.

"Servant has failed. I failed to protect Little Young Master. That man almost did a lecherous thing to him, and I, allowed that to happen. Servant, was not by his side when those people abused him, I...deserved to die, please, Young Master, please punish me, I'm so useless"

Fei held himself from crying. Da Huang was indeed in shock. He is a big boy but soft-hearted. It's not weird for him to be like that. This also may be because he's so attached to Hong.

"Heh"

Da Huang wiped his tears. He still remembered clearly how his Little Young Master was helpless and being touched presumptuously by those filthy people. He still held back his emotions and was ready to kill anyone who did that. He had unstoppable anger that kept pushing out his heart. Make his heart ache.

Fei patted Da Huang's shoulder. He smiled.

"Da Huang, I know how you feel. But you did a great job by protecting him by come in the right time. If it wasn'tyou, I dont know whats would happens to him. So please, don't ever blame yourself for this. Just be grateful."

Da Huang raise his head, looks at his Young Master's who smiles at him. He wiped his tears.

"Young Master, you're not mad at me?"

Fei shake his head.

"Why should I? Get in and take care of Hong inside. He must be happy to see you when he wakes up. After all, me and Brother Lu need to take a rest"

"Young Master"

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