THE TOMB OF XIANG WANG

The Tomb of Xiang Wang was located at a village in Jingzhou Prefecture. Even though Zhu Bai was a Fan Wang, his tomb was very dirty and messed up. Let alone be buried in a magnificent mausoleum like his elder brothers Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang who received great respect when they passed away, Zhu Bai's tomb was very desolate and alienated. Only a round dome as a tombstone, with weeds screwing up here and there. Zhu Su was sure that if his father was still alive, he would turn wrathful as his son had been treated improperly even after his death.

And, Bai himself must also feel the same, He added gloomily in his mind.

The sky was dark when they arrived, as it was covered by dense, grey clouds. The wind came, blowing the cold air that made body shiver at once. As if it would snow soon, but instead not even a drip of snowflakes fell down.

Zhu Su nodded at his men. Liu Ku, Qu You, as well as the experts in veneration of the dead would lead the veneration towards Zhu Bai. Zhu Su himself, bowed down three times to pay his respect, before he spoke towards Zhu Bai's gravestone.

"Bai, this is your fifth brother, Su. I am really sorry, it's been too long since your death day and I just come here today. I have heard the fateful story which has afflicted you, I am so sad that you chose to walk on this path. But still, it is your choice. I bid farewell to you. And, please go without carrying worldly grudges. Leave all of your sadness and despair in this world, and release grudges to those who are guilty to you. Like Mr. Chen Xinyi, just release your grudges against him. So that you can reincarnate and get a far better fate later."

Zhu Su stood up. Now it was Liu Ku and the others' turn to start the veneration. They arranged prayer paper, offerings, and incense sticks, thus began to recite the ceremony, accompanied by mantra chants and drums which were specialized to honor the departed soul.

The wind which had been blowing hard since earlier, now blew even harder. The candles were extinguished in the wind, the prayer paper scattered everywhere. The offerings also fell down and messed the ground.

"We can't, Your Highness! The wind is too strong!" Qu You shouted.

Chen Xinyi was shivering. "Xiang Wang doesn't accept it!... He doesn't accept my apology..."

Is Bai really grudging against Chen Xinyi?! Zhu Su looked heavenward. The sky indeed had been dark from earlier, but now it was much darker than before. And the snow still did not fall.

"Stick everything to the rock with an adhesive, so it won't fly in the wind!" Zhu Su gave the command.

While they were carrying that instruction, lightning broke the sky, it was streaking directly onto the area very close to them. Its light was so dazzling it immediately made all of them jump. And even more, the thunder rumbled in such a deafening sound.

Chen Xinyi hurriedly knelt down, "Your Highness Xiang Wang! Please forgive me, I beg you!..."

Zhu Su lost his mind. He shouted loudly towards the sky, "Bai! Why on earth must you hold such grudges?! You know, you only torture yourself! I tell you, It is useless to torture others, since you take nothing to the afterlife! It is useless, after all!"

He seemingly could hear that shout, " ... and how about you? You are still alive, yet you are so eager to take revenge, and even have the heart to attack those who have nothing to do with you?!..."

Zhu Su gnashed his teeth. That was true. How could he become a hypocrite and tell Zhu Bai to let go of his grudge, while he himself was holding such a deep grudge against Zhu Yunwen to the extent that he did lots of evil things to make it happen. For example, the outbreak occurred recently, although it was Zhu Di who spread it, but did it originate from him?

He had no right to advise Zhu Bai. Because after all, he was the same with his younger brother.

"You're wrong, Bai!" Zhu Su shouted again. "I have not done an illicit way to take revenge, the way I am doing is head-on, is frontal! Everyone in Yunnan and other areas knows that I am running a medical center to help sick people. Besides, if the person I hate has asked sorry to me, I will definitely forgive him, I won't torture him constantly!"

"It's just your excuse! Whatever you say, the infectious disease has spread, has killed many innocent lives!"

"It's not my business! Not my business!"

"You are a liar! A hypocrite, a fraud! You give advice to your brother while you are eviler than him! You visit your brother's tomb, not because you love him! You just want to take advantage of him, because if you can help this Jinyiwei, then many of your problems will be solved, you selfish man!"

Zhu Su now fell himself to the ground, kneeling in despair. Perhaps it was really Zhu Bai who accused him, or it was all just a delusion, but after all, that sound was totally correct. Yes, it was so painful... but he had to admit, that sound was correct. He only took advantage of his younger brother, he hoped that if Chen Xinyi felt that he had helped him and owed him a debt of gratitude, then he would gain the power of a Jinyiwei which he could use to take revenge. In conclusion, he could not let go of his grudge, either.

He said nothing more. He could only keep kneeling in silence, with his chest getting suffocated, full of frustration and despair.

Bai... how miserable you are. Being slandered, punished by your own nephew, and even after you died, you are still exploited by your brother... how miserable!

And I... am a blunder. A heartless person. Who can take advantage of the suffering of a poor brother...

It's not only Chen Xinyi who has to apologize to you. Even more, as your brother, I must apologize to you.

I promise you, Bai. If a miracle happens, I can get rid of those who have made you suffer, then I will hold a proper burial ceremony for you, I will build a magnificent mausoleum you are supposed to get as a prince, and moreover, I will restore the title of yours and your entire family's as it should be.

"The wind has stopped, Your Highness! We can continue the veneration again."

Zhu Su looked at the sky. The wind had indeed stopped blowing. And, the gray clouds hanging in dense before had totally vanished. Only the bright, sunny sky existed right now.

"Bai..." Zhu Su's voice trembled. "Thank you very much..."