Chapter 18 - A song of love and devotion

 Meanwhile in Zhejiang, Feng Long takes a zither, sits down in the middle of the large square in front of the temple, closes his eyes, and starts playing. The passersby are enchanted by the melody. No one gets too close to him, so he can play without disturbance:

-I miss you so much, Yu Lexuan... I hope you took good care of Zhang Yi too... I'm passionately waiting for you to come back and make me happy as only you know how to...- He mentalizes while playing.

Not so far from there, Zhong Kunyi hears the delicate melody coming from the zither. He looks where it is coming from, and sees the emperor alone, playing with his eyes closed in the middle of the square, while people gather around him, but keeping a large distance and not doing anything other than hearing that beautiful tones.

After a couple of minutes, he walks towards the square. As he gets closer to the emperor, he slowly stops playing his zither and opens his eyes. Upon arrival, Zhong Kunyi claps:

-My majesty is really inspired today. I wonder why are you so dreamy.

-Life without the beauty of inspirations is a giant void... I'm missing someone, hoping for the best...- Feng Long smiles.

-It's been about three days since they departed. Huangshan is not so far away, I can't understand why haven't they sent a letter.

Feng Long gets up and takes his zither:

-Maybe they are very busy... Zhang Yi likes to work hard on an issue, and Yu Lexuan does not communicate much, but I'm sure they are fine. I can feel it. 

-Feel?

Feng Long moves past Zhong Kunyi, staring at him sweetly:

-When you love someone as I do, you don't need letters. My spirit is just part of the person I love, that's why I can feel it, regardless of the distance. I can feel it for him, as I can feel for you too... You all are my precious gems, and that's why I composed so many songs about you.

Zhong Kunyi blushes a bit, while Feng Long moves back to the palace:

-My majesty has already gotten to the highest degree of passion about those he loves... but how is it possible for him to love so many people simultaneously?  

 

Feng Long puts his zither back to its support and goes back to his room. Zhong Kunyi follows him:

-I bet my majesty would enjoy practicing with his sword... we are having a mild, sunny day.

Feng Long smiles:

-Why not? Not really the, hm, "sword" I know you wanted, but it is a good thing to do so I could keep my ability.

Zhong Kunyi blushes:

-Well, I really meant that thing, not the other.

-Hahaha, I got you on that.- Feng Long giggles. 

He takes his sword, and they move again to the square. They touch one sword against the other:

-Majesty, you can start.

-If you want...

Feng Long moves his sword fast towards Zhong Kunyi, who blocks it. He tries to strike back but is also blocked:

-That's a good move, Zhong Kunyi, but how about that? 

Feng long smiles. He turns around and nearly hits Zhong Kunyi, who managed to block him again:

-Those are beginner-level movements, majesty, I know you can do better. - Zhong Kunyi laughs.

-So, let's get a bit rough...

Zhong Kunyi turns rapidly, trying to hit Feng Long in his neck. Feng Long lowers his body just enough to avoid being hit, and then touches Zhong Kunyi from behind. He goes forward and evades Feng Long:

-I'd be dead by now, Zhong Kunyi.

-I'm not so sure about that...

Zhong Kunyi makes a very complex and fast movement and ends up over Feng Long, he moves aside and Zhong Kuyi falls standing on his foot:

-This was a very well-made movement, Zhong Kunyi...

Zhong Kunyi projects his sword forward, and Feng Long jumps before he could be hit. He lands over Zhong Kunyi's sword:

-Remember to put your sword in a vertical orientation, or your enemy might land over it Like I'm doing now.

Zhong Kunyi pulls the sword back, and Feng Long jumps back. As he falls, Zhong Kunyi tries to hit him midair, he blocks the attack using his sword and touches the head of Zhong Kunyi using the tip. Zhong Kunyi freezes:

-I'm already dead...

Feng Long moves close to him:

-Yes, but only because you set the bar too high... I can guarantee that you will never make those mistakes again in a real battle if you ever need to be on one.

-But I lost...

-Yes, like the weiqi game we played. But you performed so well in the other game, it was a draw but the emperor was almost defeated, hahaha! - Feng Long giggles. 

Zhong Kunyi blushes:

-Well... I tried... but I cannot compare to my majesty.

-You can, we are friends, we are a family, and we love each other. Our combined abilities are even more important than our individual ones.

Feng Long kisses Zhong Kunyi's left hand:

-I'll take my leave and walk around for a while. I like to see how things are going in our town.

-Sure, my majesty. I'll be near you if you happen to need me.

Feng Long smiles, and let Zhong Kunyi alone. He walks towards the commercial street, right in front of the temple. As we pass by the numerous kiosks in the way, people bow to him:

-You are all my family. Let's stand together if the disease is thrown at us. We can win it!

On the way, he bought some attractive jade pendants for his waistbelt, and also some buns. 

Later, as the sun sets, he returns to the palace and enters his room. He brings the zither again with him and sits on the steps leading to the palace. He looks at the first stars to appear in the sky, and starts playing:

-I know my love is fine, he's far away, but he will come back. And we will be able to play this instrument together again, as it should be...

Feng Long closes his eyes and keeps playing passionately. 

...

◄Previous chapter                  Next Chapter►