-~*~-
.
.
.
At the police station.
After punching in, Yanyi went over to Daniel's office which has now turned to become both his and Andrew. Opening the door she is faced with two younger individuals that are chasing each other across the room.
Andrew is currently running around the room, avoiding Daniel who is holding onto a legit jar of preserved heart. How the hell he got that I don't know. Needless to say the whole room is a chaos tycoon.
"GET THAT AWAY FROM ME!!!" Andrew yelled as he was now trapped in the corner of the room. Daniel, like a mad scientist, approaches the unfortunate young man with a really nasty grin. If his maniacal laugh didn't give it away Yanyi wouldn't have known if it was an assault or an attempt to kill.
Before he could get near, Yanyi had taken the liberty of being the much older person in the room, albeit just 1 year older, to pull away Daniel from terrorising Andrew any further. "I have so many questions right now. Especially to you." That last sentence is clearly rewarded to the one in her grasp.
Daniel shrinks his body while holding onto the preserved jar. Not long after they both return back to their professional look and wait as Yanyi stares them down. Likely to discipline them. "One, why the hell are you guys chasing each other? And more in fact, to you Daniel." The man clasped his lips even more.
"Two, why and how the hell do you have a jar of a preserved heart?!" Daniel gave out a nervous laugh. His eyes slowly turn to look at Yanyi in front of him. "I get it as a present from the Inspector when I qualify for the scholarship for my current academy."
The face of Yanyi is one with pure disbelief and tiredness. When Luyao told her how Daniel and Max had joined him from the military she had thought just his subordinate. Never would she have thought that he, Zheng Luyao out of anyone would comply with Daniel's weird antics.
'Whatever. They deal with it themselves.'
"My first question?" This time Andrew decided to speak up. Defending his position as the clear victim in this situation. He explained how last night they had fought over which is superior, research in plants or animals. It got so intense until at the end of their job, Daniel had sworn that he will bring his own treasure.
Turns out that treasure is a jar of preserved human hearts. Disgusted by the thought of Daniel even having them in the first place he starts to distance himself. Seeing the look on his face, Daniel starts to chase him around the room while threatening to let Andrew touch the heart.
Daniel — "I mean I'm not wrong. Humans are animals by technicality."
Andrew — "That doesn't validate your actions, moron!!!"
Daniel — "Hey! If it weren't for you who starts to boast about your massive greenhouse research then I wouldn't even think about showing my precious treasure!"
Andrew — "At least I didn't become a dick and start to chase others with my plants! You psychopath!"
Daniel — "Why thank you. I'll take that as a compliment. After all, psychopaths have the tendency to be smarter than normal people like you."
Andrew — "Why you!!!"
Yanyi shakes her head while witnessing the two children fighting. Not wanting to deal with any more delay she cleared her throat. Two pairs of eyes now focusing back on her. She then proceeded to ask the third question "Three, how's the research?"
"The research is… well it's not going bad." Daniel expressed his thoughts, eyes darting towards Andrew. Wishing that he would explain further. To which he did. "It's just…Lady Yanyi, we don't think we are quite okay with this whole…research thing."
"Why not?"
"Well, one is on the ethical part. I mean the flower itself is very much a forbidden one." Andrew starts to explain his side of view. Stopping to allow Daniel to say his own piece of mind. "And the corpses…I don't think further experiment would be moral."
The lady before them raised one of her eyebrows, enticing them to further explain why. Daniel didn't hesitate. "I mean the corpses are already dead. Sure, finding a cure for morian flowers is a good thing. But I do believe that giving the dead a sense of peace is much more important."
"And in a sense, we aren't as capable as you would've hoped for. Especially with this whole morian flower thing. It would be best for the Imperial family to be involved." Andrew explains his own point of view.
They had thought that what would follow is a reprimand from the Holy Maiden. Instead, they both received applause. Yanyi gave them a smile with pride. They are confused to say the least. After all, Yanyi had taken a life oath for their success.
Seeing their shocked expression, Yanyi then explains to them the following. "I don't expect you guys to do it right now. Yes I do believe in your capabilities but not right now. This is more of a test to see whether you guys still retain your morality or not."
Daniel — "And?"
Yanyi — "And you passed. The life oath I take has no specific deadline. It just entails that you both need to find a cure for morian flowers only. If it takes years then so be it."
"But why wouldn't you tell us?" Andrew asks, his voice tinged with a bit of frustration from being played. But I knew what follows next is up to his wish. "Because I wish to enroll you both in Soter University." Both pairs of eyes stare at her in excitement.
Soter University is essentially the next path for most academic driven individuals. They are often filled with people whose sole life is driven by research and preservation of knowledge. The way to enter the University itself is hard.
You have to actually be evaluated by individuals that are part of the Soter's Academy Board. A board with sole dedication to lead the development of knowledge in Volenix. Yanyi is not part of the board but she herself had been given the invitation to join the board. Unfortunately she would have to decline it regardless as her ties to the Imperial family would bring a bit of complication.
However, they did permit her to be one of the enrollment admissions to the University. Essentially she would be able to enroll anyone into the academy by giving them tests that would prove their credibility not only in their field of research but also in their morality and ethical knowledge.
Needless to say. "You've passed."
The silence is louder than the excitement they feel. Speechless to even say anything. "We-We get to enroll in Soter's… Soter's University…" Daniel repeated back what Yanyi had confirmed with a slow and careful tone. Making sure that he didn't get anything wrong.
"Is it real…" The same happened to Andrew.
Yanyi nodded, quite glad to see their expression. Soon enough it would be pure joy. But she has her own bidding that they have to complete. "Ah, but you still need to finish the report on the drugs. That and the corpse as well. If I can't make a report, how must I send the letter of recommendation to the board."
She then took off from the room. The moment she closed the door, the pure scream of excitement filled the room. "Enjoy your prize, children. You deserve it."
She then proceeded to get to the shared office. Sitting down at her table, she starts to write down report after report that needs to be handed out to basically all of the Founder Family. The resurrection of an old founding family is a big deal okay. Someone needs to tell everyone.
.
.
.
Luyao's side.
After punching in he had to go back to the manor to continue his work. And no, he is not visiting Kazuto. He can do that after work anyway. He is heading over to the Ryuichi's dungeon where criminals that are highly connected to the Ryuichi are kept.
He walked past all of the empty and occupied cells. Some had even stayed down here for a prolonged period of time. He soon came to the end of the long hallway. No one, not even prisoners are around the occupied cell.
Precaution as they would say.
Luyao and Kazuto knew what this man before him could do and thus to keep him secluded to avoid any manipulation tactics. If he can read minds, what else can he do? They are being careful.
That is why after being captured, no one is allowed to go near the man. All but one. Zheng Luyao. The only person that they have a solid ground for would not harm.
Luyao stood before the cell. The man inside has his wrist and waist chained to the wall. His body is stripped from his old clothes. Even if the man is in his late 40s he is still as strong as a newly recruited soldier.
"You came to visit me, Young Master? How nice of you." He said with his eyes staring at Luyao. Not sure if it is resentment or gratitude. Luyao didn't say much and stated his business easily.
"I am here to question you. If you would cooperate, perhaps this wouldn't take much time." He said, expecting the man to resist but surprisingly, he nodded. Makes his job much easier.
Eventually Luyao asks about his initial motives and what had led to such outcomes. To which he explained in detail. Like he is recalling a very fine memory. One that he thought would not put him in the wrong.
Apparently, he had the idea to revive the Zheng family literally. Instead of searching for Luyao and resurrecting the family name, he meant it by reviving back his old master. Luyao's parents.
He stated that the reason why he suddenly came is to bring Luyao back to his parents grave. Stating how he had perfected the formula for the revival process. All he had to do is have the blood of the descendants. Allowing for the mental state of the revived to align with the next heir.
The following then followed his story. "Throughout my life after the fall, all I wanted was to see the house Zheng thriving again. Just like what the master worked and wished for." Voice tinged with a hint of sorrow.
Luyao felt something thin stabbing his inside. But he shakes it off, knowing that whatever the purpose is, the action that Lewis had taken is not the right one. "One cannot play with life and death easily. Fate is cruel, yes. But so does the world."
Lewis didn't respond. He stayed silent. Luyao continued with his little speech, hoping that it would bring Lewis out of that mental state of mad scientist. "The world has been cruel to my parents, and thus to relieve them of this cruelty, fate decided to take them away. I didn't blame the world nor did I blame fate. Things have been written in stone."
Lewis — "The master and lady would be proud of you, Young Master. They would be disappointed in me."
Luyao — "What mother and father thinks in the afterlife is nothing of my concern."
Lewis — "What?"
Luyao — "Not because I didn't love them. I do. I just hope that whatever they thought about in the afterlife would be towards their next life. Not me, not the past. That is the best ending I would've wished for them."
Lewis was silent while seeing Luyao who was not lifting his head away from his notebook. Writing down all of the things that Lewis had told him. Striking a small chat while doing his work.
He was reminded of the day where he stood aside in the late Earl's office. How Lady Zheng had come in from time to time, cradling the young Luyao and talking sweet nothingness to Yingjian who was stressed from all the work.
That small giggle that escaped from the one year old boy and the gentle smile etched on both Lady Lydin and Master Yingjian. If he has a canvas or a camera with him, he would capture that moment to keep for the rest of his life.
Now standing in front of his capture house is that young master again. Not with smiles of joy but with composed and under discipline. Just like his father. His appearance resembles both beauty and elegance. Just like his mother.
Now he had realized the cause of his action.
If he had succeeded in his plan, would the young master before him stayed as he is?
Would he retain that composure of a leader like his father and that elegant demeanor like his mother?
Or
Would he lose it all for the sake of vengeance?
His lips that have been dried out moved and he recalls back everything that he wishes to say. All of his longing has been trapped inside his heart for 2 decades.
Lewis — "I was the head butler of the Zheng family years ago. One that has been tasked to also keep you safe, young master. Though I am the head butler, I am nothing skilled like the late master Yingjian."
"..."
Lewis — "After the sudden disappearance of the family, many had eventually left. The manor was eventually under the Imperial family control and I was also kicked out. That is when I learned that your parents had gone over to the farther coast of Kinsel. So I decided to go and search for them."
"..."
Lewis — "I searched for years and years and found nothing. One day I heard the story about how the village coast bordering Kinsel and Anderil was destroyed. That village is where your mother was from. I knew that such incidents paired with their disappearance would mean that they are no longer here."
"..."
Lewis — "I soon settled down in Red Leaves Village. A remnant of the late Lady's hometown. I started a new life. Went hunting, cultivating herbs. All without knowing that you are alive."
"..."
Lewis — "That is when I heard how the Ryuichi family had attempted to adopt a child that they had nurtured from a young age. One that had been saved from the war 8 years ago. I didn't think much until I heard your name."
Luyao — "... That is when you knew I was alive…"
Lewis — "Precisely. I thought that I should go and at least met you so I prepared to search for the finest elixir there is. Wouldn't you know it, that is when I stumbled upon the grave of your parents. Overseeing the cliff towards Anderil and the Pioneer ocean. They are there."
"..."
Lewis — "That is when all madness surges to me. You knew what happened next, young master."
Luyao didn't reply to him. All but one single sentence just now. Lewis then proceeded to explain all of his plan of cultivating Morian flowers and why he suddenly tested on humans.
Lewis explained how he had stumbled upon a Morian flower on his parents grave and made an extensive research on it. Testing it over and over again with other herbs. He even starts to cultivate his own Morian Flower using the rare beast that often wanders around the Red Leaves forest.
One day while he is testing with a Venium and testing it on a rat, he starts to see a huge change. The rat had died a day before but his properties never changed so he had thought the rat was sleeping.
At first the rat didn't move, prompting him to think that he is now dead. But the next day, the rat suddenly woke up from the dead. His body is limping but it's functioning. Eating and drinking water for survival.
His revival concoction is working.
That is when he works on a much bigger dose. He hadn't planned on working on a live human so he went over to the dark alley and found a corpse that has yet to rot. He brought the corpse to Red Leaves Village and experimented on it.
One day, he found that the corpse had escaped. One would usually panic but not him. He found it a success. He has perfected his formula.
All he had to do was to prepare the dose and went over to Luyao and fetch him. That is when all the fiasco with Venium starts to play out.
The dungeon is silent.
Luyao had nothing else to say and neither did Lewis.
But he has a question about his family and takes his opportunity. "Who are my parents in your eyes?" Lewis' eyes once covered with sorrow now brim with light. Excitement if you could say.
He explained the extended story of how his parents are.
How they met.
How strong they are.
I would tell you all of it but it would be best to save it for later.
Finishing his session, Luyao moved back to the way he came from. Soon he will leave Lewis alone. His fate is yet to be determined. Whether the Ryuichi or the Imperial family or him. It has yet to be decided.
Despite all the wrong and the unknown future ahead of him, Luyao stated one thing that he ought to learn before his impending punishment.
"My name is Luyao. Zheng Luyao. And I will carry my parents' wish to the very end."
.
.
.
"Thank you."
"..."
"Thank you."
Walking away, his steps are accompanied with heavy sobs from a broken man.
.
.
.
-~*~-