Mengyao sighed as he lay in bed. He couldn’t sleep at all knowing that Peizhi and Luli were out in the world by themselves.

What if they were attacked by bandits?

What if they got lost?

Could they survive?

He shook his head as he lay there, gripping the black tassel in his hand. He had to believe they could handle themselves. They were smart girls! They were resourceful and could overtake a bandit or two using their wit.

He couldn’t help the smile he gained from thinking about Peizhi attacking a bandit with a ladle. It was a thought he’d one day love to see. Mengyao began to close his eyes to drift to sleep.

Until a hand covered his mouth and something covered his eyes. He began struggling as hands began to tie him up and gag him.

“Haha! This was easy!”

“Shh! You want the Lady of the House to hear you?! She has ears everywhere!”

“She can’t hear us! Or else we would have been caught already!”

“Enough talking! We have to take him to the High Priest and soon.”

Mengyao continued to struggle and cry out, trying his hardest to get loose from the binds but they proved to be difficult. He didn’t know where they were carrying him to. All he knew was that he had to get away and alert Madame Tung-Mei.

Without warning, he flew in the air and was caught by a few arms.

“Easy!”

“For someone so thin, he’s heavy as fuck.”

“Maybe you just need to work out.”

All Mengyao could feel was something hard and wooden and the sounds of wheels creaking. They were moving but to where?! Mengyao continued to struggle until he felt something hit him in the back of his head. And like that, he was out.

When Mengyao finally came to, he was no longer gagged or blindfolded. He groaned as he moved but noticed his hands and feet were still bound. He looked at his surroundings and realized he was in a cart. The sky was dark with no moon in sight. His head turned to the sound of laughter and loud talking.

“You sure the High Priest wants this guy?”

“Of course! He fits the description the “holy” bastard gave us!”

A High Priest? Of what? Mengyao shook his head as he realized he couldn’t think of that right now. He needed to escape. He pondered for a second before he thought of a spell. He laid as still as he could while the men laughed and talked.

“May this message reach out to one that’s near, please help this life so dear,” Mengyao whispered to himself as his hands began to glow blue for a second. Mengyao sighed quietly as he tried to figure out what he could do to get out of his binds.

He looked around and noticed one of the men foolishly left their knife nearby on the cart. Mengyao held his breath as he snatched the knife quickly and waited to see if the men noticed his movements. 

Mengyao kept the knife close but not close enough to cause injury. He had to wait for the men to fall asleep before he could even think about cutting the binds.

After what seemed like hours, all the men fell asleep. Mengyao placed the knife between his knees and began quickly sawing at the rope. He was grateful this knife was decently sharp as the rope began to slack on his wrists. Once his wrists were free, he cut the rope on his ankles. Once he was able to move around, he tucked the knife into his pants as he quietly made his way off the cart.

As he glanced at the men, he noticed one of them had a tassel nearby with a small glint. Mengyao squinted before he realized it was Longwei’s tassel they had! 

Mengyao believed he should have ran and worried about the tassel later but his feet began moving before he could stop himself. He silently snuck up on the man who had his tassel nearby. Actually looking at this man, he frowned.

He was rugged with scars all over his face and a beard that was patchy. Mengyao shook his head and with a quick hand, snatched the tassel and held his breath. When he was sure the men wouldn’t wake up, he turned and darted into the forest.

Mengyao ran as fast as he could as the cool air hit his face. He hoped someone, anyone, would hear his cry for help and would help him. As he ran, he heard something like a horse running toward him. Could it be help?

As he ran, he heard soft jingling as it got closer. At this moment, he was so overjoyed, he thought his chest was going to burst.

As Longwei came into view, Mengyao almost slammed into Banye before reaching Longwei's sleeve, holding it with a grip as if he would die if he let go.

“Men! Kidnapped away from Madame Tung-Mei! Need help! Need to hide!” Mengyao sputtered.

“Whoa, whoa, slow down there. Come on,” Longwei said as he helped Mengyao onto his horse. “Hold onto me.”

Longwei kicked his horse and began riding further away from the direction of Mengyao’s kidnappers. Mengyao held onto Longwei for dear life as they rode away.

When the Sun finally began to rise, they reached a residence that had Dragon statues out front. On the black and golden plaque read that it was the Duan residence.

“Come on,” Longwei said as he hopped Banye and helped Mengyao off. A Servant bowed to Longwei before taking Banye away to the stables. “You gotta be hungry and exhausted. Come on. Explain while you eat.”

Mengyao nodded as he held onto the black tassel in his hand. He noticed Longwei glance at his hand and raise an eyebrow.

“A tassel?”

Mengyao opened his hand before closing it again quickly and said, ‘Ah, yes! But--”

“Wait a minute.”

Longwei opened Mengyao’s hand to reveal the black dragon tassel. Mengyao’s heart began to pound in his chest as Longwei looked at him.

“How did you get this?” Longwei asked, his eyes narrowing. Mengyao noticed Longwei’s jaw tighten, as if he were becoming angry.

Mengyao swallowed. He figured it was time to reveal himself. He gave a smile as he looked at Longwei. “Longwei, you remember telling me about a friend you were looking for?”

“Well, i found him.”

“You found him?”

“I did.”

Longwei’s eyes widened as he smiled. “That’s amazin’! Where did you see him?! When did you see him?” Longwei asked, his hands gripping Mengyao’s shoulders. “Tell me where he is!”

Mengyao took in a deep breath. “He’s close by.”

“How close?”

“This close.”

“What?”

“It’s been a long time, Wei-ge.”