He couldn't allow it.

Zen remained silent as he was carefully placed back within his body. It hurt him to watch how painful the process was for prince Yuen, since he'd needed to break off another piece of his soul in order to complete the ritual, but as soon as he was able move and breathe again, he hurried to sit up, then fumbled over to the sword the other man was walking toward.

Zen grabbed it quickly, holding it to his chest as his body swayed on his knees with dizziness.

"You are helping no one, little guard. I know that you feel for the boy, but his life had ended long ago. There is only an aggrieved spirit left, hellbent on revenge," prince Yuen said as he calmly knelt before him and held out one hand.

"I will repent once our current dilemma is solved, but there is nothing I can do for him any longer. The best thing for him now would be to let his soul finally rest."

Prince Yuen was just reaching for the hilt of the blade when Zen stood up abruptly and sheathed his weapon. Looking frustrated and tired, prince Yuen stood as well.

I will discuss Xisheng's situation with my master before a decision is made.

As much as he wanted to believe that there was something he could do to save the poor boy's soul, he was at a loss. So, he would speak with his master and allow the man to make the final decision.

"You are a stubborn one, but I will not argue. Just, please, keep that blade sheathed until we are able to contain Xisheng's abilities safely," he said, earning an immediate nod from Zen.

I will keep it contained, and I thank you for your assistance with my mistake.

Prince Yuen sighed but smiled before reaching up to mess up Zen's hair.

"Let us be off, then. Your master has likely gotten close to the palace by now and will need our help soon," he said, making Zen quickly fall in line at his side, but slightly farther back. The habit of walking with his master had somehow carried over to the other prince, but he did not mind.

He began to get lost in his own thoughts as they moved, so when he suddenly felt an arm wrap tightly around his waist, his fingers flinched toward his sword.

"Focus, Zen. Leave your wandering thoughts for another time," prince Yuen chastised as Zen hurried to hold onto the man as they began to be lifted by a length of vines.

Darn plants. Of course you listen to him.

His thoughts got a chuckle from the man holding him as they were swallowed up by the darkness above.

The next thing he knew he was staring up at the night sky and loud festival music was being played somewhere close by. Bright red lanterns glowed around them as they stepped out onto a busy street.

Ah, the annual lantern festival is going on.

He had lost track of the days while they had been in Han.

Zen was just about to begin heading straight for the palace when he felt cold fingers wrap around his wrist and tug him back against a wall.

"Behave, you," prince Yuen said as he reached up to pull Zen's hood back over his head.

Oops.

Once that was settled the man checked his own, then took his hand to begin guiding him around the area. Zen wasn't too sure what prince Yuen was doing as they stopped at a candied hawthorn stall and purchased a stick, then milled about from booth to booth while the man nibbled at the treat he clearly wasn't interested in consuming.

You must blend in here, little guard. They are looking for you.

Zen chanced a glance around, but he could see no one acting suspiciously.

Behave, the prince reiterated, making Zen bite back a scowl.

I am.

Prince Yuen picked up his pace a little, skipping every other booth as they made their way farther into the capital. Thankfully, traveling through the man's lair had done away with the need to walk through all of the farmland along the way.

After he'd eaten all but one of the hawthorns, Huang handed the stick to Zen. Normally, he would have no interest in the sweet treat that his master favored, but after having his soul sucked out and fused once more with his body, he was honestly a little hungry.

Thus, he began to nibble at the food as they continued walking around excited children, flustered ladies, and drunk men.

It truly was an odd sight to behold. His master did love the lantern festival and always celebrated it with him, but they rarely ventured into town to partake in the boisterous festivities. They had always just enjoyed their celebration in private.

I miss him...

"You will have him with you again soon," prince Yuen said without looking back at him.

He knew that. Once this was all over him and his master would settle back down into their quiet, yet busy, palace life. It was definitely something to look forward to.

Unfortunately, I do not believe your lives will ever be as such again.

Zen looked up, frowning at the man's words.

You do not actually think that my father will let things go if this attack fails, do you?

He had not thought of such a thing. It was his master who always decided the plans and considered the outcomes.

It is not my place to comment on such things.

Evidently, that response had been the incorrect one, because he soon found himself against another wall just inside a small alleyway between shops.

"I know that you have been a loyal guard to your master for many years, and that your mind was molded with certain ideas and ideals, but now is not the time to rely on those teachings," prince Yuen said, his words only confusing Zen further.

He did not understand why their plan had to be anything more than save his master and fight off the bad men.

"It has to be much more than that, Zen. I... I really did not intend to mention this yet, but perhaps it can put things better into perspective for you," the man before him said as he looked out of the alleyway, then returned his attention to Zen when he seemed content that no one else was listening in.

"Your master is your life, and I know you know this. But your master is not just yours, and his importance reaches much further than this little country and its tiny city and minimal farmland," he said, making Zen grow slightly frustrated at the belittling of their beautiful kingdom.

Sure, it was very small, but it was still a beautiful place full of wonderful people.

"That is just it, Zen. The people here. Nearly all of them, in fact, are only here because of that day," prince Yuen said, making Zen's heart suddenly feel uncomfortable in his chest.

I do not understand.

Prince Yuen seemed about to respond when he jerked his eyes back toward the entrance to the alley. Another second later and he was leaning into Zen, pressing him into the wall as he whispered a quick string of words. They both vanished a moment later, and for good reason. Several men dressed in simple clothing appeared at the mouth of the alleyway.

They looked directly toward them for a brief moment, then glanced around the empty alleyway before talking amongst themselves, then dispersing back into the bustling crowd.

Almost everyone in this town was loyal to the king of Han, or has come here to seek shelter from the new king.

Zen frowned at that information, feeling as if he was only becoming more and more confused. There was only ever one king of Han so far. He currently had many sons in line for his throne, but the dynasty was started by him, there could not be another yet. At least, not while the current one still lives.

That is it! prince Yuen exclaimed excitedly into Zen's mind, making him wince at the jump in volume within his head.

There cannot be another true king while the current one still lives. The true king of Han was never in great health after the war so his aging appearance was only known to those within the palace. Thus, no normal peasant or popper would think twice if that king died, and another silently usurped him after the murder.

Zen's eyes widened in shock.

The true king of Han had been murdered?

Prince Yuen slowly stepped away from him, steadily becoming visible again as his ability wore off.

"Yes, my father murdered the true king."

Zen immediately reached for his blade, but when prince Yuen simply watched him with calm eyes, he made himself retract his hand and calm his sudden aggression.

"My father killed him and took his throne, many years ago. Most of the people who had served the previous king tried to speak of what had happened, but my father's performance easily fooled the masses. Instead of getting justice, the servants and palace workers who were truly loyal to the real king were pushed out."

Forced to come here... Zen added, earning a nod from prince Yuen.

"My father gave chase, at first. Especially after his first assassination attempt for the previous king's only heir, failed. But when he realized that those who had fled were in no shape to rebuff him, but starting a fight with them could mean possible damage to his credibility with the people, he relented and returned back to Han. His new kingdom."

Zen thought through his words carefully, but one part specifically kept coming back to his mind.

He failed to assassinate the heir?

Huang Yuen nodded.

"Yes. He failed to assassinate the only true heir to the Han kingdom. The former king's only progeny... Han Qi."