3. Is It Hunting Or Being Hunted?

"Xian! Come take a look!"

Rushan called for his friend who at the time was staring at the food being sold nearby. There was some grilled meat, some bread and biscuits baked beautifully, roasted corn cob, anything that was sweet and delicious was displayed for the customers to see. He could not contain himself but imagine the monarch going about trying everything as he urged him to try as well.

"...." He turned to look to the one who had called him. His gaze landed on the sword in his hands. It was just a normal sword. But he knew the prince thought otherwise.

"Should I buy it? I am going to gift it to Imperial brother." Lui Xian didn't have to answer before Rushan purchased it. After a while wandering about and taking a mount of things in an expensive sac, the two started to make their way back to the palace.

They were on their horses riding at a steady pace. For some reason, the two didn't want to get back early for they knew that on their arrival they would see preparations for the hunt being organised. And they didn't want to participate in that.

For it was only a few days away and the people could not sit still with excitement. After all, there are rewards for those who would come back with many preys. The rewards are really good, if one obtained ten boars and thirty rabbits they would be rewarded with five hundred gold pieces, ten thousand silver coins and a weapon from the Emperor. So who wouldn't want to try his best?

Several days slowly passed by and the actual hunt had come, Lui Xian was well dressed and ready to catch some prey. He looked around him searching for his friend only to see him from afar walking beside the Emperor and the royal consort as they made their way at the front to address everyone.

He could not stop his eyes from staring at the man in front who was glowing so brightly with his bright yellow robe. He looked just like the sun so blinding to hateful eyes and so striking to yearning ones. When the monarch spoke his voice could reach Lui Xian's soul making him a stature that could only stare at the one salvation at the grounds.

Also, when the one he loved miraculously moved his eyes to look at his face, his heart began to pound very quickly and his blood gushing at an abnormal speed. He could not help himself but look into the other one's eyes as well.

At some point, he felt the urge to confess to him. He wanted to shout,

"I admire you!"

"I want you to be mine."

"Mine alone."

It was very rare for Wu Luan to even look at his feet but today he looked at his face with a smile that wasn't one. Even if he has worked for him for so many years, speaking with each other almost every day, but he had never looked at him like he did today. It was truly a miracle.

While they were still in their moment a mysterious red-black-eyed hooded stranger was barring needles at their backs. It seemed as if they wanted to turn the two into mincemeat or perhaps into mush.

At the time, Lui Xian could not see anything but those beautiful eyes. Everything he did from that point on was for those beautiful azure eyes. He wished to kiss them and cherish them for a lifetime.

It is not known when he came to his senses for he found himself in a forest holding the bow and arrow which he aimed at a hare that was busy feeding on grass unaware of the danger coming on its way. He did not hesitate to let loose the arrow as it hit the rabbit on its stomach before it twitched and lay limp on the grass. He went forward and effortlessly picked it up before looking around for another prey.

bam! bam! bam!

He heard the drum calling for everyone to gather. It continued to sound for a short time before stopping. Lui Xian at once walked towards it while he carried his score. He had only caught one rabbit but he felt really happy. He didn't mind at all. Rewards could not measure to those beautiful, magnificent and brilliant eyes.

Suddenly out of nowhere, there were some swishing sounds followed by very light footsteps and figures who were dressed in black and covering their faces with creepy musks appeared right in front of him. They were armed with swords which they were pointing at him, blocking his path.

The glint of their swords obstructed his view. The surrounding air abruptly dampened, filling the whole area with condescending auras.

"Who are you?"

He could not help but confusedly ask the assailants. He took few steps back holding the little meat tightly.

He had not offended anyone, did he?

The men did not answer as they moved forward to make a move, they wielded their sword only with the intent to strike. Kill... Kill.. seemed to be the only language they understood.

When the men advanced at him with extreme speed and brilliant foot work, Lui Xian could only dodge and defend himself. He had fortunately brought his sword along and as for his horse, it had long gone to who knows where. Now he has to only rely on the mere steel that had been his companion for many years.

He promptly took the sword out from it's sheath just in time blocking a vicious attack that had been aimed at his chest where his heart was located. He managed to block a few more attacks as all of them came at him at once.

After he had exchanged moves for a long time, Lui Xian got bored and didn't want to entertain them anymore. He took a stance and swung his sword in a flash.

A glint of light and a soundless slash came upon the four as some managed to retreat within a blink of an eye.

Lui Xian lowered his sword that was now tinted with a crimson colour and left it dripping with rustic red drops, a slight chunk of flesh fell on the dry leaves. Before one of the assassins bid farewell and slept for eternity.

Lui Xian did not forget to ask, "Did you mistaken me for someone else? I remember well that these years I have tried my best to not offend anyone and not get on their bad side. I would say you have all managed to ruin my day. It had been the best of all."

"Why am I even bothering telling you all of this." He stepped over the dead body as he prepared to hunt yet another prey.

"Hahaha. Peasant, you seem to be so full of yourself. Let this teacher show you the way of the sword"

Lui Xian heard these words and immediately felt a sharp cut at the side of his stomach. He dropped the poor rabbit on the ground letting it fall with a thud. He clutched at the wound for it to stop bleeding whilst he frowned at his enemies looking for the one who had spoken.

It was hard to keep up with the attacker for he had been going on it for three hours and added to that he was fatigued and full of wound openings. The sharp cut was very deep and had left him at his weakest.

Failing to locate the other he looked at the one who had just approached him with the sword raised high, he had no other way out but to kick the leaves and dirty soils he was stepping on, temporarily blinding the other before he turned and fled deep in the forest. He tried hard to prevent his wound from bleeding again.

He almost slipped down on some thicket before falling and rolling into a deep trench.

"What bad luck."