Chapter 38 - Deep Caves
Chapter 38 – Deep Caves
While Rui Fei was cuddling Ji Wen's son his father was throwing a fit in his Pavilion sending everything flying with the maroon dressed man kneeling before him. Chairs, tables, vases, you name it, he threw it all.
He was angered when he found out that brat made a break for it and his wrath increased each month he hadn't found him. Just as he almost grasped that kid Ji Wen suddenly interfered messing up with his plans again.
He really wanted to slaughter that pirate like a pig but the moment Ji Wen left the pier it was incredibly hard to catch him. That's because the land was Prince Rui's but the sea belonged to Ji Wen.
Now that his kids were under Ji Wen's protection it made recapture nearly impossible. This is why he was throwing a tantrum like a toddler in a grocery store.
After venting out all his anger he slumped on his new throne and let out a psychotic laugh like he had lost his marbles.
The maroon dressed man felt annoyed but for the sake of the objective, he remained calm. They needed this man to help them find the rest of the keystones so he could only endure.
"Since this is how he wants to play then how about we pay a special visit to his island and shake the tree to see what falls out," he finally said making the man kneeling before him raise his head. "What? You don't agree?"
The man was only worried for Ji Yao which is why he reacted this way but of course he didn't want Prince Rui to suspect anything so he said, "That island is more heavily fortified than the imperial palace and guarded by the most powerful Nocru and half Nocru which means if your highness sends someone over there would only be heavy losses."
Prince Rui moved his torso forward and said, "Oh, I know which is why I won't be using my troops. All I have to do is convince my father that Ji Wen and his band of merry bandits are planning on taking over the dragon throne and start a war. While they fight it out I can grab that little brat and… game over."
The man knew that this was an overreach but he would never say it out loud, at least not now. He decided to redirect Prince Rui's attention by saying, "Your highness, it would be better to seek out the rest of the keystones for the time being. It's only then his highness would be able to attain true power."
Prince Rui snorted as he glared at the man kneeling before him. Yes, the keystones were more important than hunting that brat down but his pride had taken a huge hit. He felt upset being outsmarted by his offspring which made him search across the land vehemently for the past two years.
Just as he was about to capture them Ji Wen intervened so how could he let him go without any consequences? Ji Wen stole what belonged to him and naturally needed to be punished for it.
"Fine, now get out," he commanded and as soon as the man was gone a black shadow with a body outline of a cat hopped on his lap.
Prince Rui soothingly stroked its ears but surprisingly the cat shadow was trembling like it was afraid. "It's about time you stir up things between the emperor and Ji Wen. Make sure the entire court agrees to attack Ji Wen's little private island…. do you understand," he said as his grip on the shadow's neck tightened.
Prince Rui strangled the cat in the air as it struggled kicking its hind legs. Its actions were futile but it's still tried to save its life. "Don't disappoint me," he said before tossing the shadow cat out of the window.
Having being granted amnesty the cat vanished into thin air and somewhere in the capital city of Hyesong, a man woke up coughing with ligature marks on his neck. He knew working for the villain was a high-risk job but what choice did he have? it was either this or die.
***
Rui Fei was woken up the next morning by the loud sounds of the crew docking the ship. For a moment he didn't realise where he was and it took him some time to figure it out.
When his brain finally recalibrated he looked around only to find Ji Yao missing. His bed was spread neatly but the person himself was gone.
Thinking he had been abandoned by his new older brother he hurriedly got off the bed almost tripping to the floor. In haste, he put on his brocade boots while opening the cabin door. Everyone was there all apart from Ji Yao.
Rui Li was hanging on the shrouds of the ship like a monkey while Rui Yewan was standing on the main deck tossing raisins into her mouth from that distance. They had made a game out of it and from the looks of it they were having fun.
He walked over as he fixed his sleeves. "Where is he?" he asked Rui Yewan.
"Aiya dage… not even a good morning. You have changed," said Rui Yewan as he carried on tossing another raisin towards Rui Li.
Rui Li hung upside down revealing the orange pants underneath her robe as she chimed in, "Yes, gege has indeed changed."
But as soon as she said this the expected raisin didn't come. Rui Fei had intercepted it and he was currently looking at them like a parent issuing a warning to their kid who was misbehaving in public.
Rui Li was about to get down and placate her older brother when a familiar sweet voice spoke from behind Rui Fei.
"He went to get some time alone in the deep caves," replied Xiaoyu wearing a conceited expression. She didn't mind any of the Rui siblings all but one. Rui Fei always gave her a weird sense of discomfort and that was the same person Ji Yao was sharing a cabin with.
How could she sleep well knowing that? She had woken up early this morning mostly because she couldn't sleep but she didn't expect to see Ji Yao at that hour. When she called out to him Ji Yao had ignored her as he leapt off the ship despite being a bit further from the shore of the private island.
She could tell based on his reaction that something was wrong. She was about to follow him when Big Hei suddenly said, He is going to the deep caves to spend some time alone. Something must be eating him up for him to go there."
Recalling everything that had transpired since yesterday how could she not deduce the cause? It had to be Rui Fei's doing.