Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 445 : Khadagan’s Legacy

Chapter 445: Chapter 445 : Khadagan’s Legacy

Lying inside the box was a vessel flute made of ceramic. Its surface was adorned with black veins branching out from the mouthpiece.

"Khadagan left this before he left with our brothers to war," the High Priestess noted as she picked the wind instrument from the box. "In a way, I believe he had a feeling that he might not make it back here alive to pick it up. I see it as my responsibility to hand this item over to you, his son."

The High Priestess extended the vessel flute in Huang Taichen’s direction.

"We from the Banyue Tribe use musical instruments to amplify our control over the animals. Instruments are neither good nor bad. Those who use them must decide whether to use them for a good or a bad cause."

Huang Taichen took the vessel flute from the High Priestess with trembling hands.

"Father," he whispered, his voice shaking from suppressed emotions.

Qiao Wei smiled.

"I am glad," he said. "Thank you, High Priestess."

The High Priestess turned her face in Qiao Wei’s direction and nodded in acknowledgment before she lowered her eyes to look at little Zhang Fengxi, who tried his best to act like a specifically obedient human child.

"I have nothing to give the two of you," she said. "May I offer some palm reading?"

"No need," Qiao Wei answered. "We are already quite grateful that you bothered to save us from the ambush out there."

"But I insist," the High Priestess said with a soft smile. "This might be the last time we meet, as my time in this realm is limited. Consider it as a parting gift."

Zhang Fengxi narrowed his eyes at the blind woman.

"Sure," he said. "Start with me, then."

"Gladly."

The High Priestess placed Zhang Fengxi’s little hands in front of her. Slowly, she traced the lines across the little boy’s palm while mumbling something to herself in a foreign language.

"Young man, you are incurring the wrath of heaven," she slowly said. "Before it is too late, you should repent and return to your original path."

Zhang Fengxi arched his brows at the unseeing eyes looking down at him.

"What if I refuse to?"

The High Priestess could not help but smile.

"You will try to, but eventually, you will bend yourself before the will of heaven."

Zhang Fengxi scoffed.

As if he would.

That was all the High Priestess had to say to him. Next, she directed her attention to Qiao Wei.

"You are going to go on a journey," she told Qiao Wei. "It will be an arduous one. It will challenge your perception, your beliefs, your values. But it is also a chance to rediscover yourself. To know who you are, where you are, and what you are here for."

"Thank you," Qiao Wei sincerely said while clasping the High Priestess’ hands in his. "I appreciate the reading."

"May the wind of heaven blow behind you and bring you safely to your destination," she said. "Farewell."

"Shizun, I don’t understand," Huang Taichen said once they left the borders of the Banyue tribe village behind. "Why didn’t the High Priestess offer to read my palm? I need a palm reading desperately."

"Stupid boy, if you want one, why not ask for it?" Zhang Fengxi barked at him.

"I didn’t ask you, you dwarf!" Huang Taichen cried out.

"Stop it, don’t fight," Qiao Wei swatted at Zhang Fengxi, who was hissing at Huang Taichen like a tiger cub. "Huang Taichen, you already have the instrument. Maybe that’s all you need in the future."

"Hmmm."

Huang Taichen took out his new vessel flute and gingerly blew into it. It produced a sound reminiscent of a whistle.

"I don’t know how to use this," Huang Taichen frowned.

"You will learn. Take it as a replacement for Discordant Melody."

"Mmm. Yes, Shizun. Shizun, what should we do now?"

A soft sigh escaped Qiao Wei’s lips.

"That is a very good question," he said. "We may have to hide away for a little while until the other sects stop chasing us."

He then lowered his eyes and looked at Zhang Fengxi.

"Fengxi, you should go back."

"No," Zhang Fengxi replied stubbornly.

"Fengxi, I am worried about Mingrui and Junjie," Qiao Wei stared at him.

"They need you more than I do. Please go back. You are welcome to return when Huang Taichen and I face some distress."

"I decide when I go," Zhang Fengxi murmured. "Don’t worry about the kids. They are fine."

Huang Taichen tried his best to turn deaf, but he still ended up listening to his shizun’s conversation with the dwarf of a shiniang.

Did they just talk about kids?

Huang Taichen’s view started to spin.

He heard about relationships between men before, though most of them did not end up getting married.

His powerful shizun, on the other hand, not only got married but even had children together with his male wife.

Maybe he, Huang Taichen, still had a lot to learn about the world, but he was pretty sure that men could not give birth.

Or could they?

It was all so confusing.

So confusing that he did not react in time when a silvery light from a sword cut in front of them.

"Huang Taichen, pay attention!"

Qiao Wei pushed Huang Taichen behind him and drew his sword as fast as the lightning.

A figure slammed against the sand, sending a swirling vortex of dust skyward. Before the haze settled, a familiar voice cut through the air, announcing the newcomer’s identity.

"Wei Wei...!"

Qiao Wei’s mouth dropped open in astonishment.

"Little Ling...?"

Sobbing, Bai Ling broke through the cloud of dust and threw herself at Qiao Wei’s neck.

"Wei Wei," she whimpered. "Wei Wei..."

Cradled in Qiao Wei’s arm, Zhang Fengxi hissed at Bai Ling in displeasure.

After wiping tears off the ends of her eyes, Bai Ling suddenly ran toward Huang Taichen.

"Little Ling, stop!" Qiao Wei shouted in horror.

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Author’s note :

Beloved readers, this author is back!

You will have another update on 23rd Feb (next Friday) before we have a daily update from 1st March until the novel concludes (⁠´⁠∩⁠｡⁠•⁠ ⁠ᵕ⁠ ⁠•⁠｡⁠∩⁠`⁠)