Were the guards not allowed to discuss it or did the investigation never take place? She doesn't know. Fu Xie Lan was confused.

"It's late at night, you should rest early," said Grandpa Xin.

​​

"If you want, you can rest in the hut, it's just that there's nothing inside I'm just offering," he said again then stood up.

"Don't think about us, we can rest anywhere Grandpa," Fu Xie Lan replied.

"Hmm, alright. Good night."

"Good night, Grandpa," Fu Xie Lan and Xue Ning replied almost at the same time.

Seeing Grandpa Xin disappearing behind the door, Xue Ning turned to Fu Xie Lan, "You should rest too," said Fu Xie Lan when she found the girl staring at her.

I'm not sleepy yet, Xie Lan," Xue Ning replied. Since earlier, her mind has never left Fu Xie Lan's words before.

"Xie Lan, may I ask you something?"

"You'd better save your question first, I'm going to sleep," replied Fu Xie Lan immediately stood up and then walked closer to one of the trees that stood firmly, took a stance, and jumped onto one of the biggest branches.

She deliberately did that to avoid any questions from Xue Ning, she already knew a little about the character of the people she was with. If her guess was correct, the girl would inquire about her previous remarks when mentioning the name of the Zu kingdom.

Indeed, who doesn't wonder when someone mentions the name of a place that is the first time they have set foot in that place. It wasn't that she didn't want to answer, it was just that she was a little lazy. After all, one day they will surely know the facts about her.

Sooner or later, it's all just a matter of time.

Seeing Fu Xie Lan was already leaning on a tree, Wan Lie and Ju Xian joined in looking for a comfortable place for them. And left Xue Ning alone, pensive in front of the bonfire.

It's not that the girl is not tired, it's just that her eyes are reluctant to cooperate and as a result, she stays awake when all her friends have landed in dreamland.

only the occasional evening breeze blows, blowing her long hair, occasionally dimming the flames and then disappearing. The air temperature grew colder as if it had reached its lowest point in the night, only the sounds of the night animals accompanied it.

Sitting with bent knees, Xue Ning never took her eyes off the flames.

Being in that position for a few minutes, without realizing it, her eyes slowly closed, landed her head on her knees, and fell asleep.

***

Sunlight began to follow its axis, horizontal shadows began to form from the trees and old huts in the middle of the forest of the Zu kingdom.

"We say goodbye, Grandpa."

"Thank you for everything," said Fu Xie Lan.

"If you want to thank me, how about fighting one more time?" Grandpa Xin chuckled.

It was the tenth time Grandpa Xin had said it.

"Get some rest, grandpa's body is old," Fu Xie Lan replied.

From the moment they all started to wake up, the old man had again invited every one of them to fight with him. however, instead of getting what he wanted, only rejection was accepted.

The sigh that sounded so heavy from Grandpa Xin's lips, deep in his heart, he slightly agreed with the words of the little man in the mask and it seemed that what he said was true. But how could he enjoy the rest of his life if he just continued to rest? Hmm, so boring.

"Alright, I won't ask you to fight anymore."

"Before saying goodbye, may I know your names? I don't mean anything, I just want to know. You guys are the first to treat me differently, despite knowing bad facts about me."

"Grandpa can call me Xue Ning, this is Wan Lie, Ju Xian and this is Fu Xie Lan," Xue Ning said introducing herself and her friends to Grandpa Xin.

"Xue Ning, Wan Lie, Ju Xian, and Fu Xie Lan," repeated Grandpa Xin pointing at each of them. A smile appeared on his lips.

"Hmm Fu Xie Lan, your name reminds me of someone, hehehe."

"Does grandfather have any acquaintances with the same name as Fu Xie Lan, Grandpa?" Xue Ning asked curiously.

Grandpa Xin nodded with a smile still plastered on his already wrinkled lips, "Not an acquaintance. But the whole kingdom knows her name, she is the eldest Princess of the Zu kingdom, her name is also Fu Xie Lan."

"You have the same name as her name, Wish you better luck than that poor princess, kid," Grandpa Xin added. The old man never expected that the name of the eldest princess of the Zu kingdom would have the same name as that of a small man from a remote village at the far end of royal territory.

Let's say, their farewells are unique because usually introductions are made when someone has just met, in contrast to those who make introductions when they want to leave. Funny isn't it?

Unintentionally, Grandpa Xin's eyes met Fu Xie Lan's, only for a few seconds but even though it was very brief, it made the smile on Grandpa Xin's lips suddenly fade.

"What's wrong, Grandpa?" asked Fu Xie Lan to find the old man's expression suddenly changed.

"Ah, nothing. I just like the color of your eyes, kid," said Grandpa Xin immediately normalizing his expression.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

"Then let's go first. Take good care of yourself. one day we will visit Grandpa if we have time," said Fu Xie Lan quickly left and the others followed.

Grandpa Xin still stood rooted to the spot, waiting for the children's shadows to disappear into the grove of trees.

His face suddenly changed. The wind that was blowing slowly turned strong.

"Poor children, may you be safe from all the harm that will soon befall you," he muttered under his breath and then turned around.

The only thing Grandpa Xin didn't tell the children about himself was the ability to see the future or in other words, he was able to predict someone's future.

Sometimes just by looking into someone's eyes, Grandpa Xin was able to see what that person's future would look like.

Before, he tried to do that to the four children, trying to see their future by eyeing them.

Three children whose names he knew were Wan Lie, Ju Xian and Xue Ning had almost the same future. Wherever they go, there will always be many dangers lurking.

As for Fu Xie Lan. Very different from the others, when Grandpa Xin tried to see her future. All he found was empty. Nothing at all.

And it was this that made the smile on his face earlier suddenly disappear. It was the first time for him to meet someone who had an empty future.

Grandpa Xin guessed, that such a future would happen according to his person. Meaning that Fu Xie Lan was free to carve out what kind of future Fu Xie Lan would create.

Unlike other people who live only by accepting their destiny.

Fu Xie Lan was not like that. It is not destiny that determines her life, but she who will carve her destiny.