Chapter 137 Into The Phoenix Chamber Part 17

U-ri sat on the grass and began to take care of Abrafo's burned hand, while watching Lixin and Bong talking a few steps away from them.

Abrafo said, "Do you think Lixin joined forces with him to deceive others?"

Michio said, "I don't think so. It seems that Lord Lixin is very angry with his friends."

Abrafo turned to Yul and asked, "Hey, why did you suddenly learn such powerful attack?"

Yul said, "I don't know, but at that moment, I felt like I was struck by lightning." He looked at his hands, which were still stained with blood. "I think it might have something to do with blood."

U-ri said, "According to Lady Lan, this sword belongs to our king. Maybe there is power hidden in this sword that we don't know about."

Michio asked Abrafo, "Are you going to take that sword with you?"

Abrafo said, "Yes, that red phoenix broke my beloved sword that His Highness gave me. I take his sword as compensation." He looked at the broken sword on the ground. "I wonder if it can be refined back to its original state." He picked up the broken sword and wrapped it gently.

Yul looked at his four friends and asked, "Are you ready to continue?"

The four Tanzanies nodded to Yul.

U-ri asked, "Do we want to walk that way? It looked like Sir Lixin, and the other was still arguing."

Standing a few feet away from Lixin and Bong, Abrafo asked, "Do you think we should intervene?"

Jin said, "Please don't." Jin, Heng, Feng, and Shi walked out from behind the trees.

The five Tanzanies saw Lixin's four men walking towards them. Behind Lixin's four men, there was a small group of eighteen men and two women, still some distance away from Jin, Feng, Heng and Shi.

Feng said, "When Lord Lixin and Prince Bong are talking, it is best for outsiders not to interfere."

Abrafo swallowed his saliva. His voice was broken, and he said, "Pri...Pri...Prince? That... that man... with the bad attitude, he... he is a prince?"

Jin nodded. "Prince Bong, the youngest of the three princes of Emperor Khai." Jin looked at the five Tanzanies. "Let us keep the identity of Prince Bong to ourselves for now."

Jin and the others walked towards Lixin and Bong, who were having a fierce argument.

Abrafo's knees began to shake. He felt all the energy drained from his body. He thought about what he had done to Bong a few nights ago. He could believe that he had offended the prince.

Yul looked at Abrafo and asked, "What's wrong? You suddenly turned pale?"

Abrafo's voice trembled as he said, "I may not live long enough to complete this journey with you."

Hajime asked, "Why did you give up so easily this time? You are not that kind of person."

Michio said, "Don't tell me this fight scares you."

Abrafo said, "It's not the fighting that scares me... it's..."

"What?" U-ri asked.

Abrafo said, "I offended that prince."

Yul said, "You might have your differences, but a simple apology can resolve everything."

Abrafo said, "This may not help resolve the hatred he feels for me deep down. I may have done something to him, and even the word apology will not solve our problems."

U-ri asked, "Tell us and we might be able to help you."

Abrafo frowned, "Neither you nor anyone else can help me this time." He sighed. "This time, I'm really in trouble and no one can help me."

Yul said, "Tell us, even if we can't help you much, a little help is better than nothing."

Abrafo looked at the four Tanzanies and knew that sooner or later everyone would find out. "I... well...I raped him."

The mouths of the four Tanzanies dropped.

Hajime said, "Ah... no wonder you spoke so strangely that night."

Yul shook his head and said, "Now I understand why he wanted to kill you."

Michio closed his eyes. "Amitabha..."

U-ri hit Abrafo twice in the head. "What's wrong with you? With your looks, there's no need to force anyone to engage in this kind of activity. Of all the people you could offend, you... why did you choose to offend the Prince of Misnix. You must not want to live anymore. Explain it now."

Abrafo said, "Remember that night when Lixin asked us to go to dinner, but I refused to go?"

The four Tanzanies replied, "Yeah."

Abrafo said, "Well, I was hungry, so I went to find food, but I found a man who drugged me, and when I woke up, I was in bed with my hands and feet shackled to the bedposts. That prince wanted to rape me, so I decided to rape him and destroy his manhood image. I swear to Heaven, I had no idea he was a prince at the time. If I had known, I would have walked out of that tent."

Yul sighed and said, "That must be why he attacks you on sight and refuses any kindness you offer him."

"I understand now that no matter how hard I tried to befriend him, he refused," Abrafo said.

U-ri said, "Well, you have only two choices at this moment. Stay away from him and avoid all contact, otherwise make him fall madly in love with you. Marriage between kingdoms is common, maybe it will be good for our kingdom too."

Abrafo said, "No, thank you. I don't want to be with him. I don't think he wants anyone to know about our encounter either, that's why the incident has not been known to anyone yet, so let's keep it a secret for now."

Hajime said, "Judging from Prince Bong's behavior, he must hate you to the core, so I think the first option is more suitable for you."

Abrafo said, "I think I just have to stay away from him for now."

Lixin stood there looking at Bong and couldn't help but feel angry. He knew that Bong was always disobedient, but this time Bong went too far. Growing up, Bong had no friends, and many people didn't like Bong, so Lixin agreed to befriend Bong because Taió had asked him, but his kindness and friendliness made Bong break the rules and trample on many people because of him. Looking at Bong standing a few yards away from him, he regretted it very much by quickly agreeing to Taió's wish.

"You promised not to follow me into Scattered Forest!" Lixin shouted at Bong. "Why make a promise when you can't keep it?" He looked at Bong madly.

Bong said, "I know I promised you, but at the same time I really want you to have this title. I know this is something you have always dreamed of since."

Lixin gritted his teeth and said, "I already told you; I can do it alone. I'm tired of listening to other people talking nonsense behind my back."

Bong said, "When you and I both know that your achievements are all your own doing, why should you care about what others think."

Lixin sighed and said, "I value your friendship, but I don't need your royal status to enhance my achievements. From now on, until we leave Scattered Forest, don't interfere, or help me in any way."

Bong stepped forward, "Lixin!" He grabbed Lixin's arm.

Lixin quickly pulled his arm away. "This time, if you interfere, I will sever our friendship." He looked at Bong. "I mean it this time." He turned and started walking away.

Bong said, "I know you are angry, but..."

Lixin turned around and said, "No more, but this time, don't try to help me in any way. I don't want to owe you if you are punished by His Majesty. So, no matter who you pretended to be before, just continue your disguise, and don't interfere."

Bong took out his fake beard and stood aside, watching Lixin and his men walking towards the mountain.

Jin looked back at Bong and then at Lixin. "My Lord, are we really leaving Prince Bong behind?"

Lixin said, "Did you hear what Emperor Khai said? Inside Scattered Forest and the Phoenix Chamber everyone is the same."

Shi said, "If something were to happens to Prince Bong, what should we tell Prince Taió?"

Lixin said, "Just tell him the truth." Lixin walked in front of his men. "There's no need to lie to Taió."

Heng whispered, "Our Lord can be cruel to anyone, but he is always gentle to Prince Taió."

Jin said, "Don't interfere in the young master's private affairs."

Feng looked back to Bong and said, "I feel sorry for Prince Bong sometimes." He shook his head and continued walking with the others toward the mountain leaving Bong behind.

Shi said, "For as long as I can remember, Prince Bong has been trying to get our Lord's attention."

Feng looked at Shi and said, "Sometimes, when you want something really bad and work really hard, you never get what you want. And for other people, they don't even try, but they got something they didn't want."

Bong looked at Lixin's back and said to himself, "After so many years I'm still not as good as Taió in your eyes."

The five Tanzanies watched as the other participants followed Lixin and the others towards the gable.

Hajime looked at Yul and said, "Our situation now is a bit awkward."

Yul sighed and said, "No kidding. Honestly, I have never seen Abrafo so scared before."

Hajime was about to open his mouth to speak when a huge shadow flew over them. He felt a sharp pain in his shoulders and was lifted into the air.

Yul quickly reached Hajime's right foot, but he could only pull off Hajime's shoe.

"Hajime!" Yul screamed as he watched Hajime being taken away by a huge black flying beast.