The Legend of the Devil
Ch. 05 - Ziran Zhao
"What gives you the right to live?"
One question that determined Xue Zhan's life or death.
He was in the palace hall, facing off against Ziran Zhao who was engulfed in wrath. Around it was another magnificent chair filled by the Nine Councils. All eyes were on him, and the gaze was always the same. Filled with hatred and fear.
The man's facial lines were deeply wrinkled, his eyebrows swooped and his eyes sharpened to mean that he did not like his presence very much.
Xue Zhan who was in a kneeling position trembled. His voice suddenly disappeared.
This was the first time he had seen such a highly respected leader in Diqiu Empire. He is an honorable man.
"The demon race was long extinct 10 years ago. The massacre they committed last time in the Phoenix Empire caused a huge shock around the world. But ... I can't believe one of them survived. This is the worst news I've heard in five years." From his throne, the Emperor finally woke up.
"But I'm kind enough to give you a chance to live. Choose the answer, so that I can determine whether the sword will kill your life on the spot or not."
Xue Zhan's forehead was dripping with sweat, he looked down at the extremely cold floor of the hall. Behind him a warrior with a sword prepared to carry out the Emperor's orders.
Ziran Zhao's. Again, he is such a man. In certain situations Ziran Zhao never hesitated to kill the guilty person directly on the spot. All the people obey him. Because if they rebel the iron-armed men will not hesitate to take their lives.
"I have to live.."
Seconds after seconds Xue Zhan could not think, he found no answer. Emperor Ziran was getting impatient.
"I'll count to three."
"By finding myself and making people admit that I'm not a monster to be hated." Xue Zhan answered what he was thinking.
Ziran Zhao was not interested in the answer, he raised a hand. The soldier behind Xue Zhan was preparing to draw a sword that could decapitate the young man at any time.
"You are a sin. The power within you has the potential to destabilize the world. I can't risk the safety of this world just for that blind desire. Humans will still hate demons like you, it's been going on for five hundred years. You won't be able to change it that fast."
"I can, Your Majesty!"
"My decision is round. Your life must end today as well. For the safety of all men, consider this your sacrifice. You died honorably, young demon."
Emperor Ziran paid no heed to his words, Xue Zhan would be killed in any case.
Xue Zhan stood up, his head turned to the back where the sharp sword darted around and was about to take his life.
The young man sat down, covering his face with his arms. Both of his shoulders were trembling. A few seconds nothing happened, Xue Zhan ventured to open his eyes. Seeing someone standing protecting him from the sword slash.
Kang Jian's. The man who saved him held the soldier's hand.
"Let me answer Your Majesty."
Ziran Zhao hated being interrupted the most, but since Kang Jian was a top-level swordsman he could not ignore the wish.
"Please." Ziran Zhao raised his face, revealing horror in his gaze. Xue Zhan could not even look at him for long but Kang Jian was not at all daunted.
"I checked the house where this demon boy lived and found something."
"Show me" said Emperor Ziran. Kang Jian stepped towards him. Handing over a wooden box that was the last relic belonging to Mother Xue Zhan. The letter in the box was sent out.
Ziran Zhao perused the string of sentences that had been written dozens of years ago. His eyebrows kept coming together. Kang Jian half-kneeled down waiting for the man's reply.
Ziran Zhao's hand went down, hinting at the soldier behind Xue Zhan to pull the sword back.
"In three days the death of this child will be considered."
Even so Ziran Zhao still showed anger on his face.
"Kang Jian, because you proposed this. Then for the next three days I'll assign you to watch him. And if something bad happens..."
Kang Jian nodded, continuing Ziran Zhao's sentence, "I'll be in charge."
Xue Zhan was much worse than Kang Jian, his face to death pale.
"You okay?"
Xue Zhan looked at him, "Why ... You helping me?" He was so stiff, Kang Jian chuckled despite sounding clumsy.
"Because the rules are so." He folded both hands behind his head.
"That rule?"
Occasionally passersby greeted Kang Jian, until they walked out of the palace. The envoy pointed out the place where Xue Zhan stayed in the temporary halfway house for the next three days. The two of them walked over while talking.
"Don't be afraid. You are innocent. Unless you kill or do evil things."
Xue Zhan the mound. Kang Jian's words earlier made him pause for a moment.
"Because I'm Mei'er's parents murdered. I have brought misfortune in the home of a kind person who accepts me. It seems true, Your Majesty said, I must be killed to end that misfortune."
Kang Jian glanced with his tail eyes, seeing Xue Zhan he knew full well of his suffering. From Xue Zhan's gloomy gaze and how the boy looked at the people around him.
He was isolated and lonely. Without parents and friends, even siblings. Kang Jian widened his smile, "Oh yes. We haven't introduced ourselves yet, my name is Kang Jian. You you?"
In front of the palace Kang Jian stopped. Stretched out a hand, waiting for Xue Zhan to introduce himself.
"My name is Xue Zhan" he said welcoming Kang Jian's hand. A few soldiers watching watched the two.
It seemed like other than Lin Yu Mei and her Grandfather, Xue Zhan had never gotten this kind of treatment from a human and that made him unaccustomed to it.
"G ... Xue Zhan, yes. For the next three days I will watch over you as Your Majesty ordered. Just call me Senior or whatever. It's up to you."
"good. Thank you for saving me."
Kang Jian focused on something else.
"Your eyes just now," Kang Jian walked first in front of Xue Zhan. "You want to break the hatred between humans and demons, don't you?"
Xue Zhan nodded. "true."
"Do you know how to make it happen?"
"A hero will be recognized if he has the power and can help many people." Xue Zhan clenched his hands, recalling Ziran Zhao's threat earlier that up to any time humans would always hate demons. He doesn't agree with that at all.
"If I become a hero and everyone recognizes me, I think they will also accept my identity as a demon."
A moment when Kang Jian was stunned, his steps came to a standstill.
He was amazed at the way Xue Zhan thought, for a fourteen-year-old, such sharp thinking he rarely encountered in his Empire's young swordsman.
"I have to get stronger."
"Good spirit! You will become the strongest hero with that determination!" Kang Jian cheered, they had already arrived at the house the envoy had intended.
Kang Jian opened the door of the house, "Your adventure starts from..."
He pointed into a very messy house. Naturally, the temporary house was the lowest level and was rarely cleaned.
"Clean the house!"
Xue Zhan was about to cry. Kang Jian laughed with satisfaction at seeing his face, he already knew before Xue Zhan.
When Xue Zhan saw the man he could only smile. It seemed that Kang Jian had a unique personality, he was very easily familiar. His mind was fixed on the next three days which was the determination of his life and death.
Congratulations or not, it all depends on Ziran Zhao's decision.