Race to the
Throne
Chapter 20: She can live
Annual Hunting festival takes place every year (off-course it takes every year if it's annual) and the reason behind this festival is to pray gods that they will keep the whole kingdom safe and full of resources
The biggest animal caught by the royal heirs is used as a sacrifice (burned) in the ceremony or prayer to the god
The festival time limit is only 5 hours, starting from the early morning (around 6 or 7)
It's a normal festival or that's what Hao Jiazhi thought when he heard about the festival but in truth, this festival is quite a grim one
As it was not just animals that are used as a sacrifice but also humans
Yes, Humans
All those people that have committed some crime and mistakes that made royal people angry are all locked up and used them on this day
Before sending these people out, officials make sure that they eat a certain type of poison that can be only cured if they come back by the end of the day.
Making sure no one runs away if they aren't caught in the next 5 hours but if they are caught within 5 hours, they are killed on the spot
There is no way out
And this is the reality of this world; once you get fucked up by some big shot… you can't do shit to them and you will die for sure
Big Sister Hao Tai is not here because of her own problems, she can't walk (don't forget this)
Hao Jiazhi, with his attendant and brothers, stand at the base
They had set up a tent in the forest and soon the hunt will begin
After some time, all captives that had been caught up were released and the hunt begins
Hao Jiazhi with his 2 guards and his attendant (Han Yachun) went into the forest on their horses to hunt animals
To Hao Jiazhi it doesn't matter whether he kills human or animals; to him, it is only money or no money
He only cares about his objective, that's it
*Animal cries and then falls down*
"Good shot, Prince Hao Jiazhi" Wang Liang, his bodyguard, praised Hao Jiazhi for killing a deer (or any other animal if you love deer)
It's been an hour and so far, Hao Jiazhi has killed only 1 or 2 animals
It's not like his aim is not good as for the past one year he had been training like a psycho as he knows just how strong martial art is in this world
He is just un-motivated in this game
All he has to do is find some big animal and kill it, and then he will be the winner for sure. So why bother finding animals here and there, also spend arrows for no use or on small animals
*someone's running noise*
"ahhhaa"
Suddenly Hao Jiazhi and his team hear a noise of a female
"Must be one of those people… let's go" Hao Jiazhi said to his team and then moved towards the place form where the voice came
The place from where the voice/scream came-
A young female is on the ground as she holds her leg
One of her legs had an arrow pierced in it and right now she is bleeding heavily
"So it is you huh..." Hao Jiazhi came into the scene with his men
Xiao Cai and Wang Liang (his 2 bodyguards) clearly knows that Hao Jiazhi don't show any mercy and he will for sure kill her
And Hao Jiazhi is doing what everyone expects from him
He takes his arrow out and then puts it on his bow, aiming at the young female down on the ground
"nooo… please No..." The female begged for mercy but Hao Jiazhi is in no mood of leaving her alive
To him, it's all normal
But to his surprise, Han Yachun appeared in front of him
"My Lord, saving a life is much bigger than taking life. I think you should consider your action" Han Yachun said to Hao Jiazhi
This made Xiao Cai and Wang Liang all shocked as they didn't know what Han Yachun is trying to do
Hao Jiazhi smiled and said "Then is the life of those animals that died worthless? If you are going to speak about saving a life, then you should have said before I had killed a few animals. Now it is useless"
Hao Jiazhi clearly hates it when someone tries to stop him from doing something but he is not a psycho that won't hear the other side's word
After all, he is in no mood of spending his arrows on people or animal that has no value for him so he will listen to her
Han Yachun took a breath and then said "An emperor should be merciful to his people and know what the true matter is before passing judgment"
Hao Jiazhi nodded lightly but then made a serious look
He asked "This is not like you Han Yachun… You never stopped me from doing anything, then why now? Did I gave you so much praise and freedom that made you think that you can sway my decision?"
Hao Jiazhi is clearly showing his anger towards Han Yachun and she knows it
But still, she knows how Hao Jiazhi thinks; after all, she had been with him for more than one year
So she didn't beat the bush and told the truth "She is Duan Yi, my cousin sister. My lord, for the loyalty that I had shown for the past one year, I want you to save her"
Hao Jiazhi didn't show any emotion and just took his bow up and one more time aimed at Duan Yi (the girl fallen on the ground)
Han Yachun became all scared and said "She can be a good maid for you"
Hao Jiazhi pulled the strings of his bow
Han Yachun became all restless and started thinking about the way she could save her sister. Finally, she said "She is still a virgin, she can help you in nighttime and also stay loyal to you forever"
Hao Jiazhi releases his arrow that passed through the head of Han Yachun, towards Duan Yi
Duan Yin didn't know what was going on or who Han Yachun is but she still hoped to live a long life, she hoped that she will be saved but it seems like she was wrong
She closes her eyes as she knew that she will die this very moment
*animal falls on the floor*
But to her surprise, the arrow was not meant for her, but the animal (wolf) behind her.
Hao Jiazhi jumps on the ground and said "If she can become a very loyal servant then she can live" to Han Yachun
Han Yachun bowed her head and said "Thank You for showing mercy my lord" and then she went beside Duan Yi
"Duan Yi, its me… Han Yachun" Han Yachun introduced herself to Duan Yi
"Big sister Han???" Duan Yi asked in a surprised tone
Seems like they do know each other
. . . .
To be continued-