Back off

"One week to find the thing my first owner left behind. I will be generous enough to give you a hint as well, he lived in the 'unforsaken lands'." this was what Hinoe uma had said to Xiao Lan, her words indicating that she was giving him another chance.

They also kept on circling inside his mind as he walked back to the temple. The steps which had been easy to climb once now felt haunting and heavy with every new step that Xiao Lan took.

He did know that it was all inside his head and these steps were not actually multiplying in any way but his heart was just not in it right now.

He did not think he made a mistake by taking this chance but he also couldn't help but think that he made the right decision.

"Are you worried about your brother's reaction once you tell this to him? Or your mother's? Don't worry so much and just pin this all on me" Fu Hua tried to reassure him, an attempt the other had been making for the better part of an hour now.

Xiao Lan knew the other was not really at fault in what happened since he had no control over anything but he could not help but hold him accountable as well since the other had known about this all and stayed quiet.

"Young master, please consider the present circumstances and think how to deal with our future problems" the real pearl of wisdom among the three turned out to be commander Yuhan, his words pacifying the worried prince.

But they also made a lot of sense.

"I'm trying not to. It's not my mother or brother I'm afraid to disappoint again but this country. Who knows how the temper of that beast would turn if we failed to comply with her request" Fu Hua fell quite at those words, his eyes shifting around to avoid Xiao Lan's own.

Not that it would help since the damage was already done and all they could bear were the consequences.

"Anyway, we should still reassure the villagers and promise them a better future than their present one. It's still a problem that they got ignored by the royal family" ah yes, the other elephant in the room was his own negligence, his and his army's.

Xiao Lan had known that the nobility had been negligent in their duties but his brother had always asked him to be lenient toward them to foster a stronger bond between them and their loyalty but his mother had opposed it often.

Xiao Lan had taken the side of his brother then, not wanting to alienate the only ally he had after Fu Hua in the court. Now Xiao Lan was seeing the problem with his decisions made on other's words.

"-nd I said I am under imperial orders. Please leave this place to me" they had not yet climbed all the stairs when the sound of argument reached their ears. Someone was arguing viciously and the voice was very familiar indeed.

"This area is under my control though and I will complain to the royal court if you do not hand those people over to me. They hid such a dangerous creature like the Hinoe uma so they deserve to die" the voice that opposed the first one was considerably lazy but also greedy for power.

The court was a vicious place for one to learn politics and learn to read voices with intentions behind them. Even for someone like Xiao Lan, who had stayed outside the circle for most of his time, it was easy to tell that this person was no good.

"Excuse me but what is going on here?" Commander Yuhan was the first one who arrived, Fu Hua and Xiao Lan behind him and slower in pace. If anyone of them had a chance of getting recognised then it was the royal commander.

"A-ah, I was not aware you would be here as well commander Yuhan but it is nice to see you. As you can see, the noble family of Xi is no longer with us and the people of this land are left without anyone to rule them so as is my right, I am here to claim them as my own" the tone of the noble had shifted 180 degree from before.

It was expected too, since commander Yuhan was a noble born to the previous general's family and was the true 'blue blood' in the nation after the royal family. He was also familiar with the royal family so no one wanted to accidentally insult him.

"No" Commander Yuhan ignored the small 'finally you are here. Now I can wipe my hands off of this' detective Song whispered as he faced the other noble. The confident face of the other fell at the blank refusal by the commander.

"N-No? What do you mean no? Does the rule not say that they would fall under me now that their noble family has been killed off? I'm just doing my duty" the noble had seemed shaken at first but soon steadied himself since he believed himself to be right.

Xiao Lan knew it was his cue to make an appearance now.

"Oh, so you are going to pretend you did not see me at all? I see how this is and I will be sure to forward 'your' complaint to my brother." His young voice attracted a lot of attention since his body was far too young.

But it was an advantage right now which allowed him to get away with much more. Fu Hua;s quite laugh was only heard by Xiao Lan's sharp ears and he noted it down inside his heart for future reference.

Just because he wanted to take revenge on the other for this transgrance and not for any other reason.

A small cough interrupted Xiao Lan's thoughts and he was happy when it did happen. Not that he showed it on his face at all, he had a better reputation and face-saving instincts than that.

"I'm sorry but who are you? Wait, don't tell me you are that wit-queen's adopted ward?" the noble had been about to say witch, Xiao Lan knew that but he chose to ignore that. It was a famous nickname for his mother after all, the witch from another kingdom who had seduced their kind king into marriage and made him banish his first wife.

Xiao Lan did not care about those rumours at all but still, this noble will pay for what he was saying and for ignoring Xiao Lan's words. No one ever said that Xiao Lan was a good person at heart, he was very vengeful if he felt wronged.

"He is indeed young master Xiao Ran" commander Yuhan confirmed the noble's words and the other visibly gulped the saliva that had gathered inside his mouth.

Suddenly, the situation that had been in the noble's control turned out of his control.

"Ah, I-I see that this place is taken care of. I shall be off to my duties but don't forget to ask for help if you need me, young master Xiao Ran. And I also hope we can forget the friendly encounter we had" Xiao Lan saw the other run away from him, his back facing Xiao Lan as he fled.

"Someone give me a statue report and let the royal soldiers inside once they come. I *cough* my brother ordered damage control once he learned about this situation so it should all be alright" the people looked relieved at his words and a small smile found it's way on his face.

Xiao Lan turned toward Fu Hua to ask his opinion next but the other was looking away at the family who had sheltered them in their inn. They looked stunned and when Xiao Lan looked that way the young female hid her face in her hands, avoiding his gaze.

Not that Xiao Lan cared much for her at all but it was obvious she regretted her words. In his opinion she was still a child so she could behave like that if she wanted to and he would not hold it onto her.

"Sir, the soldiers are in the village and are trying to put the flames down but there is nothing to be done. What are your orders?" the new soldier asked, having just arrived at the scene.

As custom, he ignored Xiao Lan and moved toward commander Yuhan for further instructions who looked back at Xiao Lan. The soldier looked at Commander Yuhan and then back at Xiao Lan, instantly understanding the circumstances, changes his target had to address.

He was a bright one and they could really use more like him in the army for sure.

"Try to save those who are down there. As for the fire? There is not likely much we can do now but to wait for it all to burn down" the soldier looked regretful as well but he did not question his orders.