Chapter 172 Mystery In Stone Valley Part 2

The heat wave is sapping the energy of participants heading to Stone Valley. They knew they would likely reach Sunsend Mountains within an hour, so they kept walking at a very slow pace because the heat prevented them from going as fast as they wanted. 

Looking at the large group of people walking behind him, Yul wiped the sweat from his forehead and felt a little worried. He turned to Michio. "Michio..." he asked. "Do you think the weather here is any different from when we came a few days ago?" 

Michio took a sip of water and said, "Think about it, the weather is indeed different this time. It feels hotter." He also wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Even with the headscarf on, I could feel the heat burning my bald head." 

Yul sighed and said, "It's only been a few days, so the weather shouldn't have changed so much." 

One participant walking near Yul and Michio said, "It's always hotter when you go to Stone Valley. The reason is that the ground is hot too, so combined with the heat of the sun and the heat rumbling under our feet, the weather feels hotter." 

Michio was taken aback and asked, "Really? There heat rumbling under our feet?" 

"We're actually walking on volcanic land," the participant laughed. 

"Ah, what?" Abrafo turned around in surprise. He shook his head. "We should've gone with Hajime and U-ri." He looked at Bong. "Do you know about this?" 

"Everyone involved knew about it. You were stupid for not asking for more information," Bong scoffed. "Besides, you can still walk, so why bother competing with those who can't." 

Abrafo said, "Why don't you go with them? Having you walking beside me makes this walk even more tiresome." 

"Oh, you really want to argue with me now. I don't have any problem; you're just getting my adrenaline pumping," Bong said, his right-hand clenching into a fist. 

Abrafo saw Bong's fist and he didn't want to fight Bong because he knew Bong was still injured and if they fought, Bong would have no chance of defeating him. 

"I don't have any energy to fight with you. I prefer to use my energy in a different way," Abrafo said. 

Bong asked, "In what way?" 

Abrafo chuckled and said, "For example, keep a distance from you." He quickened his pace and left Bong. 

Lixin turned around and sighed when he found Bong and Abrafo fooling around. 

Shi looked back and then he looked at Lixin. "It seems that Prince Bong and Sir Abrafo are getting along very well," he said. He studied Lixin. "My Lord, I have something on my mind." 

Lixin looked at Shi strangely and asked, "What's the matter?" 

Shi said, "According to some ancient books recorded in Nok's literature in Zhul's library; the description of pure phoenix eggs is different from the phoenix eggs in your hand." 

Jin looked at Shi and asked, "What do you mean?" 

Shi explained, "Well, as far as I know, it is recorded in ancient texts that the pure phoenix egg is soft to the touch, and the person who can possess her is the one who awakens her." 

Lixin asked, "Is there anything else?" 

Shi shook his head. "No, this makes me wonder why the pure phoenix eggs we got are so different from those described in ancient books," Shi said. 

Feng said, "We can't go back into Scattered Forest and confirm it." 

Lixin said, "Now that everyone has seen that the egg in my hand is a pure phoenix egg, let's just leave it like this for the time being to prevent anyone from dying again. Before starting the fighting match, let's confirm that what I'm holding in my hand is indeed the pure phoenix egg. When we arrive at Stone Valley, I will invite officials who have seen the previous phoenix eggs to confirm again." 

Heng said, "Maybe there is more than one kind of pure phoenix egg." 

Jin said, "That's true." 

Lixin said, "Anyway, I have someone confirm it again." 

Michio turned to the left, catching the attention of the participant walking next to him. Michio asked, "Do you know how far it is from here to Stone Valley?" 

"We're closed," the participant replied, pointing ahead. "Do you see those three mountains in the distance?" 

Yul and Michio looked up. Michio said, "Yes."

The participant said, "Those mountains are called Sunsend Mountains. We used them as a marker that we are heading in the correct direction, and once we get past those two mountains, Stone Valley is at the foot of the mountain on the other side." 

Yul said, "Judging from the time, it is probably sunset by the time we arrive at Stone Valley." 

Michio said, "Or dark. I don't believe these people can walk any faster than that." 

"Hey, I saw Sunsend Mountains." 

"Yes, it is indeed Sunsend Mountains." 

"Everyone, hurry up, we're almost there." 

When the participants saw that they were not far from the foot of Sunsend Mountains, they began to pick up the pace and walk faster towards Sunsend Mountains. 

Seeing that the participants suddenly became energetic, Michio rubbed his forehead and looked at Yul in surprise. "I guess I was wrong, we really can make it before sundown." He chuckled. 

Yul smiled and said, "Well, we'd better pick up the pace too." 

Michio frowned. "I wonder if Hajime and U-ri will prepare food for us." 

Yul pulled a neatly folded blue cloth from his robe. He looked at it for a while. Holding the folded blue cloth in his right hand, he remembered that Hajime had given it to him this morning. 

(Flashback) 

Michio wrapped up the last of their rations and distributed them evenly among the six people sitting around the burned-out campfire. 

"This is all the food we have left," Michio said, handing out packaged food to those sitting around him. 

Abrafo looked at Bong and complained, "Why did you give him our food?" 

Bong grabbed the food from Michio and rolled his cold eyes at Abrafo. 

Jin walked up to the group and said, "Sir U-ri, everyone is ready to go." 

U-ri grabbed his medicine bag and said, "Hajime, let's go." He stood up and looked at the three Tanzanies and Bong. "I wish you three good lucks. Hajime and I will wait for you three at Stone Valley." 

Yul grabbed the bag next to Hajime and said, "I'll walk you over." 

Hajime took the bag from Yul's hand and said, "No need. My head injury is better now." 

Yul looked at Hajime and said, "Stop arguing." He took the bag from Hajime's hand and led Hajime and U-ri towards the eagles. 

Bong looked at Yul and Hajime, then at Abrafo. "Hey!" Bong said. 

"What?" Abrafo replied annoyingly. 

"Why don't you treat me as kindly as Yul treated Hajime?" Bong asked. 

Abrafo scoffed and said, "Look at yourself? If you can behave like Hajime, I will reconsider being nice to you." He grabbed his bag. "Michio, let's go." 

Hajime stood in front of the eagle and looked back at Yul. "Hurry up, or you'll fall behind," Hajime said. "Be careful, see you in Stone Valley." 

"Mmm..." Yul replied. 

Yul turned around and walked away slowly. When Hajime saw Yul's back, a feeling of sadness suddenly surged into his heart. He hurriedly walked to Yul and put his arms around Yul's waist. 

Yul was surprised by Hajime's sudden hug. Yul turned around and asked, "What's wrong?" 

Hajime looked up at Yul and smiled while holding back tears. "It's nothing...I... suddenly don't want to be separated from you." 

Yul smiled warmly at Hajime. "We'll meet again in a few hours." 

This was the first time Hajime saw Yul's warm smile. Hajime smiled and murmured, "The road I travel is steep and long; who knows when we will meet again?" 

Yul smiled and said, "I promised that we would meet again before sunset today." He kissed Hajime gently on his forehead. "Let's go... everyone is waiting for us." 

Hajime stuffed his food into Yul's robe and tied his bag of water to Yul's belt. 

Yul said, "Keep it for yourself. I'll be fine." 

Hajime said, "Keep it. You need it more than I do. Besides, I want to give you everything I can while we're still breathing. I want you to remember the smallest things I do for you, so if one day... I must leave you; you will never forget me." 

Yul smiled happily and said, "Let's save this conversation for when my hair is as white as yours." He turned and started walking towards Abrafo and the others. 

(End Of Flash Back) 

Yul unfolded the blue cloth and handed the bread Hajime gave him to Michio. "Here you go," he said, handing the bread to Michio. 

Michio grabbed the piece of bread and asked, "Bread? Why do you have two portions?" 

Yul said, "Just eat it." 

Michio said, "But I feel wrong eating it." 

Yul tucked the blue cloth back into his robe. "Why do you think that?" he asked Michio. 

Michio said, "Hajime must have given this to you. If Hajime knew about it, he would be very sad." 

Yul said, "He won't. Are you going to eat it or should I take it back." 

Michio smiled and took a bite of the bread. "I'm going to eat it...I'm going to eat it." He chewed the bread slowly and then swallowed it. "Hey, speaking of Hajime...do you think Hajime has changed since he returns from Scattered Forest." 

Yul said, "I noticed it." 

Michio said, "I found that he is more emotional and behaves more maturely. The most important thing is..." 

Yul looked at Michio and asked, "What is it?" 

Michio said, "I found him to be very obedient, especially to you." 

Yul said, "I noticed it too." 

Michio asked, "Something must have happened in the Phoenix Chamber that Hajime didn't tell us. There must be some important things that he doesn't want us to know." He looked at Yul and found that expressing his concerns did not make Yul feel better but only made Yul's expression darken with worry. He cleared his throat. "But whatever changes happen to Hajime, it will be for the better, right?" 

Yul asked, "What do you mean?" 

Michio said, "Well, for example, he will no longer argue with you." 

As the people ascended Sunsend Mountains and the sun began to set on the horizon, Yul looked at the bright orange and red sun and the beautiful scenery in front of him, but Yul did not feel happy at all. Yul knew Hajime must had encountered something in the Phoenix Chamber to make Hajime change dramatically. Yul knew that the subtle differences between him and Hajime would not be the reason why Hajime suddenly changed overnight, and even took the initiative to apologize to him. He sighed with a heavy heart, deeply worried that what Hajime was hiding from him might be something big. He planned to have a good talk with Hajime after arriving at Stone Valley and having enough rest. Yul looked at the small valley below, sighed, and followed the participants towards Stone Valley.