EXECUTION 2

Zhu Su was now looking curiously to a man who was standing in front of the dungeon bars.

He was a man in mid-thirties. His face was so silky Zhu Su almost mistook him as a woman. His long, straight hair fell down his back. He had a small and thin posture. But what attracted Zhu Su the most was his expression - it was blank. Stiff, and also dull. He just stood there, his face shrewdly hid his true feelings. However, from his bruised cheeks, bleeding streaks, as well as his odd way of standing as if his feet had just been injured, Zhu Su then guessed that the young man must be in a state of extreme pain.

The jailer pushed him harshly into the prison. But even though the jailer had returned to his site outside, he still remained standing with his wobbly legs, mouth kept closing.

Zhu Su continued his observation towards the man, but the man did not seem to realize that Zhu Su was watching him. It was indeed very strange that the young man did not realize that he was being watched, since Zhu Su was watching him blatantly.

Nevertheless, because Zhu Su's mind was in disarray, he did not want to spend his energy to observe this man, let alone talk with him. He then returned to his original position, leaning against the wall.

"You're the Ming Prince?"

Zhu Su glanced up, dumbfounded. The man was now staring straight at him.

"Yes..." Hesitating, Zhu Su replied. "And you?"

"I am Liu Ku." The man sat down beside Zhu Su.

Zhu Su was about to ask "How do you recognize me?", yet instead, he asked, "Why do you get imprisoned here?"

"Because I make a new potion Xie Wang doesn't like," answered Liu Ku in a half-mumbled voice.

Xie Wang did not like? Zhu Su's curiosity toward the young man increased. "Are... your job is to make potions for Xie Wang?..."

"Yes." The young man nodded. "I am the Fangshi * assigned to make deadly diseases."

Zhu Su's eyes went round. On the other hand, Liu Ku seemed untroubled when he said these words as if he was only mentioning his breakfast menu today. Seemingly unaware of Zhu Su's astonished expression, Liu Ku asked, "How about you? How did you get captured by Xie Wang? Because as far as I know, Xie Wang always complains about how difficult it is to defeat you."

What a strange person. He can talk about his horrific job so casually. Hmm... but it's still not suitable to say that he is naïve. Or... is he similar to Rui and the others, hypnotized by Xie Wang?...

"Anything can happen if your destiny has come," Zhu Su sighed. "And you... why can you work as Fangshi for Xie Wang?... I mean... you mustn't be just any person, since Xie Wang can select you..."

Liu Ku did not answer immediately. He looked up, his eyes appeared pensive.

"I just acquire this job from my father. And my father inherited it from my grandfather. And so on. Our entire bloodline work as Fangshi for Yunnan royal family. So, if you ask me about that, I can't give you a certain answer. Maybe, as you said, if it's been your destiny, anything can happen."

Assuming his way of speech, he must be ill will with Xie Wang? "If you are not bound to continue your lineage job, will you remain to be Fangshi for Xie Wang?"

Liu Ku winked. "I don't know," He mumbled.

"Why?"

"Because I have no chance to walk that path."

In a flash, Zhu Su was inspired to ask that offering, "Then you will work for me?"

This man can become Fangshi for Xie Wang, then he is not just any person. Besides, apparently he is the one who designs all kinds of diseases and the poisonous herbs for Xie Wang. And that datura trick must be his job as well. It's very dangerous if I let him keep working for Xie Wang! And... isn't it a great benefit then, if someone genius like him can dedicate himself to Ming?...

Suddenly, Liu Ku burst into a laugh.