Recommended Listening: [The Horses of Fate – By Gabriel Saban & Tian Bo]
Ever since his horse had taken the first thud into Jian Ye's lands, the object confined within Zhou Yu's sleeve throbbed like a heartbeat.
It was the Qì Hún Zhū (weeping soul pearl). And how did it come to be? It was his latest invention after slaying the night-weeping fox, using its remains to create the pearl into something that could be used to investigate the sources of demonic energy.
There was an eerie smile that tugged at Zhou Yu's lips as he remembered the night-weeping fox at the mercy of his blade. The creature wailed louder than ever before when his sword was brought down, slicing through fur, flesh and dark energy.
Its heart was used to manifest the pearl. But its remains? Left to rot in the woods as a reminder to other lurking demons that the feared Gōngjǐn was now roaming these lands.
To the onlookers from the wall of Jian Ye's fortress, it seemed as if Zhou Yu were riding alone. His men were stubborn to the core and insisted that it would be dishonourable of them if some were to arrive before him.
Hence, the loyal fools awaited his arrival at the edge of the Heiwu Senlin forest to ride alongside him.
From the gates of Jian Ye, Sun Ce stood tall, his arms crossed over his chest. In the distance, behind his sworn brother, he noticed a lengthy row of sand and dust clouding up the air, followed by shaking of the ground.
Gōngjǐn did not ride alone, it seemed.
Why would he bring troops?
Zhou Yu made for a striking figure riding in lead of his troops. The army were well-coordinated for they seemed to ride in a systematic formation that maximised their defences.
"He is always impressive…" Sun Ce mumbled in admiration, studying the different patterns his sworn brother's army alternated between.
"He is showing off his skills," Ling Tong commented, appearing at his friend's side. He snorted in amusement. "There is no reason to ride in such a flashy style when there are no threats this close to Jian Ye."
While that may have been true, Sun Ce had learnt in his youth that his sworn brother was always a very cautious man. He was always prepared for the worst possible scenario, which made Sun Ce wonder if his sworn brother was blessed with foresight from the heavens.
How else did he know when his enemies would strike and where?
It wasn't long before Zhou Yu was within a few feet of the fortress, halting abruptly as his horse stopped but a few inches away from Sun Ce.
The animal neighed, standing up on its hind legs before settling down again. And in that moment, it was as if time seemed to stand still, unravelling in slow motion.
Meanwhile, Ling Tong had taken several wary steps back, urging his friend to do the same, but
Sun Ce made no effort to move.
The amount of trust he had in Zhou Yu to rein in his horse before it crushed him was insane to the onlookers, but Sun Ce simply kept a welcoming smile on his lips.
On the other hand, for Zhou Yu, a myriad of emotions were quickly swirling within him. Why was Sun Ce here? They were not supposed to meet this soon.
Sun Jian sent word through a letter that his eldest son had been deployed with a few troops to investigate the borders of Lushan and he would not return for another week.
So why was he here?
"Gēge," Sun Ce addressed him, wearing a gentle smile. "I am pleased to receive you on your arrival."
Eleven years had passed between them. One hundred lifetimes in a loop of not just death but also sorrow and heartache.
It never made meeting Sun Ce in every lifetime any easier than their last encounter.
Zhou Yu knew full well that emotions should not take control of him. He needed to suppress them and focus on the goals rather than his desire for love to bloom between them.
Love was futile. Zhou Yu now only existed to break the cycle of death and rebirth and lay both of them to rest for good.
He inhaled a deep breath, dismounting his horse swiftly.
He moved forward, placing a hand over the region of his heart in greeting, but what he did not expect next was that Sun Ce would suddenly embrace him.
Now twenty years of age, Sun Ce was more than a head taller than him. Young and handsome with high cheekbones, a chiselled jaw and striking golden eyes.
His voice was surprisingly deep, measured and aristocratic but there was a hint of gentleness to it that felt nostalgic to Zhou Yu.
The young warlord's lengthy hazel-brown hair was wavy and untamed, but it framed his handsome face well.
But that aside, this was completely new. Except for their first lifetime, Sun Ce never embraced him so tenderly.
Zhou Yu didn't have time to protest or argue. He didn't understand why Sun Ce hugged him so fiercely, like he was afraid of losing him.
This was uncharacteristic of Sun Ce.
The young warlord found himself subconsciously inhaling the pinewood scent from his sworn brother's hair, remembering the familiarity of that scent from his childhood and the time he spent around Zhou Yu before.
Sun Ce's hand trailed up to the back of his sworn brother's hair, cradling his head against his shoulder as if he'd missed him so dearly that he didn't wish to part from him.
"Are you pleased to see me, Gēge?" Sun Ce asked, pulling back only to press their foreheads together in a warm greeting. "I am even taller than you are now."
Zhou Yu was still far too stunned to form his words. Sun Ce was too close for his comfort, too close for him to remain steadfast in his goals rather than in his emotions.
His hand ached to reach for the young warlord's cheek, to stroke his skin and feel its warmth, but as a man who was known for his composure and grace, Zhou Yu could not allow himself to falter.
Fondly, he patted Sun Ce's shoulder, finally breaking the contact between them.
"You have grown into a remarkable warrior," Zhou Yu answered, although his words seemed lacklustre.
Sun Ce was surprised by his sworn brother's indifference, but perhaps the man was weary from his journey.
'I should not trouble him too much…' Sun Ce mentally reprimanded himself.
He was snapped out of his thoughts by the arrival of Zhou Yu's troops. They quickly regrouped in an orderly fashion, awaiting their lord's orders.
It pained Zhou Yu to act the way he did, but he knew it was better that way for both their sakes.
He'd given up rekindling an old love between them.
This lifetime was simply about revenge and salvation.