PRECIOUS PRINCESS

NINETY SEVEN

They then peeked out from behind the tree. They saw an old man who was injured while holding his stomach. It's like asking for help. After making sure there were no people around there, Xuan Lan and prince Zhan then approached the old man. Prince Zhan asked Xuan Lan to treat the old man. Actually without prince Zhan being asked, Xuan Lan would already be treating that grandfather. He saw the wounds he had on his body before he concocted the herbs he needed to treat this grandfather.

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After pounding and attaching the herbs to the injured grandfather, Xuan Lan then walked again towards his horse. He took the water he had taken yesterday in the river.

After that he returned again to Prince Zhan who was waiting for the grandfather. Xuan Lan then put the pill into the mouth of the grandfather and pushed him to use the water he had brought earlier so that it could work perfectly inside the grandfather's body. Gradually, grandfather's eyes began to open. His lips whimpered slowly, he tried to get up but failed.

"Grandfather sleep first" Xuan Lan told the grandfather earlier.

Almost the entire day Xuan Lan and prince Zhan waited for the grandfather so that he could have his body completely strong. Prince Zhan had also been looking for food for them to eat today. Maybe they will spend the night where this grandfather was found first.

In the afternoon, the old man just woke up from his sleep. He opened his eyes. Xuan Lan who knew about it then approached the grandfather and helped him wake up. He then gave water and some fruits that he had peeled for the grandfather.

"Did grandpa feel better?" asked Xuan Lan.

"Yes" the grandfather replied softly with a smile.

"Better grandpa rest again. Maybe tomorrow grandfather's situation will be even better" Xuan Lan told the old man. Grandfather nodded. He laid down his body again aided by Xuan Lan.

"How's Lan'er?" ask prince Zhan.

"Maybe tomorrow his condition has improved and then we can leave him" Xuan Lan said.

"Yes, it doesn't matter if you have to take care of him all day" said Prince Zhan with a smile. They then chose to eat the food that had been obtained by Prince Zhan.

When night fell, prince Zhan asked Xuan Lan to sleep while he would stand guard. He forbade Kuma to come out because he was still wary of the old man. Even though he was old, Prince Zhan still did not know what the reason grandfather had fought and who the grandfather was.

The sun began to rise, the morning began to say hello. It did not feel that Prince Zhan was asleep while doing his night duty yesterday. Then he looked around. Everything felt the same as when he had not fallen asleep only that the fire they lit yesterday had been extinguished. He then gently woke Xuan Lan up.

Xuan Lan opened her eyes. He then saw the condition of the grandfather he helped yesterday. The herbs stuck to his body started to dry up but Xuan Lan still let it all go. He peeled the fruit and ate it.

Shortly thereafter, the grandfather was washed out of his sleep. He then straightened his body from his sleeping position. Prince Zhan then gave water and fruit to the grandfather. Slowly but surely, the old man began to eat the food that Prince Zhan had given him.

"How's grandpa feeling?" asked Xuan Lan.

"I feel better" said the grandfather.

"Why can grandfather get hurt like that?" asked Xuan Lan.

"I was attacked" said the grandfather.

"Is there a reason they attacked grandfather?" ask Xuan Lan again.

"I can't tell you" said the grandfather in a hoarse voice.

Xuan Lan understood it, she asked too many questions so the person she spoke to felt uneasy.

"Thank you young man" said the grandfather.

Xuan Lan and Prince Zhan only looked at each other. They nodded their heads at the same time.

"Where are you going?" ask grandpa.

"What business do you have until you want to go there?" ask the grandfather.

"Sorry cake, I can't tell you" Xuan Lan repeated.

Grandpa just nodded. Then he said again.

"Can I come with you? I also want to go there" said the grandfather.

Xuan Lan looked at prince Zhan asking for an answer. Prince Zhan seems to think first. Prince Zhan was unwilling if this fellow would only utilize the two of them. Not that it is bad to think, but being vigilant is the main thing.

"We do not know the way to the mountain of hope. We're walking in no direction, so are you going to show us the way to the mountain of hope?" ask prince Zhan.

The old man nodded. He will point the way to these two who have helped him where the mountain of hope lies. They had already saved his life so if it only pointed out the direction towards the mountain of hope it would not matter to him.

The three of them then walked over to approach the horse near them.

"You just get on that horse, cake. I will lead him" said Prince Zhan.

Xuan Lan did not budge either. He was still next to his horse and had not yet boarded it. If his bow would lead the horse, he would do the same.

The old man smiled. He then rode on a horse assisted by Prince Zhan.

"Where are we headed we're going to cake?" ask prince Zhan.

"We must turn first and then head west" replied the grandfather. Prince Zhan was a little surprised but he did not show that surprised expression. He was sure that this grandfather really knew the location of the mountain of hope because his words were the same as what was shown on the map.

They turned their horses and walked in the direction that grandfather had said.

"Are you feeling Lan'er sultry?" prince Zhan asked Xuan Lan who was guiding the horse beside him.

"No gege" Xuan Lan said as she shook her head.

"This forest is so cool, even sunlight like it can't get inside here because of the denseness of the trees" Xuan Lan said as she looked up.

Prince Zhan also followed Xuan Lan's gaze. The path they were going through was indeed darker than the previous one even the gap for sunlight was almost non-existent.

"Rarely anyone who can enter this forest then this forest is still very awake even like this" said the grandfather.

"Do you often go to the mountain of hope cake?" ask prince Zhan.

"This is my third time to the mountain of hope" said the grandfather, smiling but there was a stroke of sadness visible from his eyes. They continued their journey without saying anything.

"Goarr" suddenly a group of lions came to surround the three of them with their horses. Their size is slightly larger than other normal lions.

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updated at 14;36**