Chapter 246: Zhang Xuan’s Suggestion
Chapter 246: Zhang Xuan’s Suggestion
"Why are you looking like you are about to murder someone?" Zhang Xuan asked as he slowed down to walk alongside Xiang Ling who was walking at the end of the group that was making their way through the dense forest.
Instead of answering, Xiang Ling just took a quick look in the man’s direction while she continued walking forward. She had been feeling stressed ever since her talk with Xin Cheng ended nearly an hour ago.
"I’m just trying to be polite." Zhang Xuan’s words pulled her attention toward the man once again. "I’m sure you will not like to know that I already know what happened back there between you and Xin Cheng. I’m trying to act polite by pretending to not know anything."
"Don’t try." Xiang Ling told him as her gaze shifted to Xin Cheng who was at the front of the group, leading them forward. She wanted to pull him aside and ask him why he did something so horrible to her. Even though she was the one who wanted to know his secrets, she never wanted to end up in such a huge dilemma. She promised him to never make him choose, but he had done the opposite to her.
"Why do you think he did that? Forcing me to choose a side." She found herself asking Zhang Xuan as the man continued to walk beside her at her pace. His presence was the comfort she needed and wanted so badly at that moment. Most importantly, he was the only one around her with whom she could talk about this matter.
Zhang Xuan peeked a glance at her before he refocused his attention toward the path they were walking through. "I can’t give you the actual reason. But I can help you speculate." He offered after a moment of silence.
"Go ahead." Xiang Ling wanted to hear his opinion, and somehow, she knew that he wouldn’t be biased even though he seemed like someone who would use this chance to paint Xin Cheng badly.
Zhang Xuan again took a moment as if he was collecting his thoughts and then finally spoke, "Maybe he wants to use this chance to see where your loyalty lies. Or... he might be using this chance to decide what he needs to do."
The second part immediately caught Xiang Ling’s attention and she turned to face the man with questioning eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Zhang Xuan stopped in his tracks and turned to face Xiang Ling. "I’m trying to say that maybe he’s going to use this test to decide his future with you." He took a step forward and almost stood a breath away from her. Gazing down into her eyes, he added, "Because if I have the love of my life choosing me over her loyalty toward her realm, I will never let go of her at any cost. I will keep her with me and protect her just like I will protect my people and Realm."
For the fourth time that day, Xiang Ling felt her breath getting caught in her throat as she was left too stunned to even breathe properly. "Is it what this is? A test of loyalty? And if I will choose him, then he will choose me too?" She was unable to hide the hope in her tone as she waited for confirmation.
Zhang Xuan took hold of her shoulders and gazed straight into her eyes as he answered, "I told you that I can only help you speculate. I can’t assure you that the reason is indeed the one I just mentioned."
Xiang Ling took in a deep breath and nodded her head in understanding. The two stood there in silence and it was at that moment she realized that the others had walked up ahead without noticing their absence.
"What are you planning to do?" Zhang Xuan asked as he took hold of her hand and started walking again, forcing her to follow him.
"I’m not sure. It’s such a hard decision to make. If I informed the Upper Realms about this, I will be betraying Xin Cheng and Dao Ming. But if I kept it a secret, I will be betraying the Upper Realms." She sounded so tired as she voiced out the dilemma she was currently facing.
"You don’t want to be disloyal to your Realms." Zhang Xuan stated with a little nod of his head.
But Xiang Ling quickly shook her head before adding, "It’s not about my loyalty to the Upper Realms. It’s about the safety of the Five Realms. We both know that Shadow Lord’s escape and these demonic activities are somehow tied to one another. Someone is trying to create trouble and it will undoubtedly cause chaos in all Five Realms. Keeping this matter a secret will cost us way too much."
Noticing just how deeply troubled she was feeling, Zhang Xuan quickly pulled her closer to him and gave her hand a light squeeze. "I know what you are thinking. You don’t want to become the reason of the innocent people’s deaths. But you also don’t want to sacrifice your only possibility of making Xin Cheng accept you."
"Am I being too selfish for even thinking about choosing him when the lives of millions of innocent people are at stake?" She asked while looking at anywhere but him.
"You are not." Zhang Xuan immediately replied. "Trust me, Ah Ling, one of the many reasons I fell in love with you is because I know you will never give up on your loved ones for your duty. Choosing either Xin Cheng or Upper Realms is not what matters here. What actually matters, and should matter, is that whatever decision you will make, it will be the best one for all the parties involved. The only suggestion I will like to give you is that... don’t trust anyone blindly. Xin Cheng might not be as selfless as he seems, and the Upper Realms might not be as just, kind, and righteous as they pretends to be."