The Misadventures of Hui and Okhin Chapter 2: Onwards to Xu province, an avatar: last airbender fanfic

Chapter 2: Onwards to Xu province

Hui and Okhin traveled several miles past the Omashu-Shiwei border into the Shiwei province they went on and on about conversations. Even shared some laughs and awkward stories about their childhood. Hui wasn't sure where they were headed since Okhin was the one who was returning home from the journey. Plus this adventure would suffice enough for the crowned prince before he headed back home.

Hui pointed at Okhin he rolled his indexes in a clockwise motion in front of him, he pointed at Okhin once more. Hui tapped the tips of his hands together to form a triangle, he scrunched his eyebrows and pointed in front of him in different directions before he signed one with his index.

"You mentioned you're in a barbarian clan, which one is that?"

"Oh I'm in the Chono clan, we've been around since before the Kuiwu Dynasty overthrew the Southern Han Dynasty," answered Okhin.

Hui placed his hand on his chin, he curved his fingers and placed his hand in front of him while making an O shape with his lips. He switched out his pinky and thumb and then motioned his hand down slowly. He scrunched his face and then pointed in different directions before he placed a balled left fist into an open and spread out right hand. He shook his left index and then curved it down to his waist.

"Hmm...that's where that insult comes from..."

"Hmm?" Okhin glanced at him for a second when she noticed he had signed from the corner of her eyes.

Hui waved his arms in front of him as he shook his head, he pointed at her then opened his hands like he opened up a book. He tapped his forehead and then his chin with his palm, Hui pointed at her for a brief moment while giving an expression of curiosity, then he tapped his forehead again.

"How did you get interested in signing?"

"My mother was deaf and so I had to learn so that I could communicate with her. She had gotten rabies from a wolf bat bite, she passed when I was twelve. I suppose it became a useful skill now that I've met you," explained Okhin she lowered her head down a bit as she remembered the face of her mother. Her father used to say that Okhin reminded him of her.

"My father always tells me I remind him of her," she added.

Hui's index and pinky were out again he tapped his right palm as he frowned, he pointed at Okhin, he slightly frowned again and tapped his left index to the left of his forehead three times. Hui pointed at Okhin once more then tapped his left index to his bottom lip.

"At least you got to know your mother."

"Did she...pass away after childbirth?" Okhin paused for a moment as she attempted to find the correct words. She looked at her friend again and questioned him. She knew the subject was touchy and she didn't want to upset him.

Hui pointed at himself and wiped his forehead with his left as he slightly gave an expression of disapproval. He rose his index and in front of him, he motioned it left, middle, and to the right. His left thumb touched the center of his right palm. His index curled forward rapidly three times, he pointed at himself and then formed a claw with his left and pushed it forward a bit. He tapped his left thumb to his lower lip, he stuck out his left arm, his left hand's fingers pointed down as he frowned. His left fingers tapped his lower lip and he extended them out in front of him. Hui pointed at himself and wiped his forehead with his left as he slightly gave an expression of disapproval. He rose his index and in front of him, he motioned it left, middle, and to the right. Hui tapped his left index to his bottom lip again, with his left index he turns it slowly as he points upward.

"I don't know, every time I ask my father he refuses to answer. I don't know who my mother is, or whether she still lives or not."

Hui remained silent Okhin noticed that he held the frown and she refused to press on the topic more she kept to herself as they continued down the road. They climbed over a hill the dirt road transitioned into a road with a brick road that had some dirt here and there because of tiles missing. As they resumed on the path it began to become more frequent that there were no missing bricks.

The cart in front of them was made from expensive wood, and the design seemed elegant Hui knew this to be some noble or perhaps the magistrate of the settlement. Okhin pointed at the town in front of them with excitement and shouted, "There it is! We're finally here in Gu Ming!"

Hui's hand moved back and then forward, his right thumb and index formed a circle, while his middle, ring, pinky fingers separated from each other to form a three. He ran his left index across the three fingers while he gave a quizzical expression.

"Gu Ming?" he was confused.

"Wait you're joking right? How do you not know of Gu Ming? You're the prince!" Okhin was confused she questioned the prince's knowledge of the town in front of them.

Hui shrugged, he pointed at himself then shook his head he placed his left index on his forehead, and tilted his head back a bit. He formed an O with his hand, touched his forehead then raised only his index and middle finger, his mouth formed an O, and his left hand touched the back of his right hand. He placed a hand in front of him and formed it like he was going to measure a height. As his hand went up his head followed the direction of the hand, both hands pointed down, his thumbs met and then he motioned like he crunched something together. He slightly smiled and tapped the back of his left index to his forehead.

"I'm not aware of every place that is established in this land, not even Gao Zu knows. We just take the taxes from the governors every month," Hui responded.

Hui pointed at Okhin then he placed his left index on his forehead and tilted his head back a bit. He held his hands close to his chest and then cupped them as he opened his mouth a bit. Hui tapped the tips of his hands together to form a triangle. He formed a K sign with his left hand, tapped his right shoulder then left shoulder with it. This hand-formed into a flat and spread-out hand that pushed downward.

"Are you aware of all the clans in the Kingdom?" he asked her.

"Uhh well just the ones in Xu and also the two in Omashu, other than that...no," she thought about it for a moment before she gave her reply. She paused for a bit then shook her head, she noticed he returned an echo question to her.

Hui hardened his fist in front of him then crossed his index and middle finger with each other. Hui pointed at Okhin and then stuck out his thumb and pinky and tilted his arm down to the right. Hui commented, "But you're a barbarian though."

"It's not the same thing, I'm just a simple person with a menial life, you're the head of state," she retorted. Their communication ended when they passed through the arch of the town's gates, once through what was known as the western gate they saw they were in the residential area. Hui and Okhin followed the signs that directed them toward the market section of the town. Which was littered with not only market stalls and useless stores but also food services. They found themselves on a street that had several eateries to their left and right.

Hui laid his eyes on what he believed to be a spa, his eyes glistened at the marvelous sight finally somewhere to get cleaned up he thought. When he felt Okhin's eyes staring at him he put his right fist to his mouth and cleared his throat. Okhin chuckled at the strange reaction from the crowned prince, "What's so strange? Two seconds ago, you seemed excited to see a spa."

Hui scrunched up his face and waved his left index rapidly at her denying it. Hui pointed at himself and crossed his arms as he shook his head. He held two fists close to his chest and shook them side to side and then front and back. He moved his hands rapidly up and down, then his left formed with his fingers up and his thumb positioned in and touching the center of his palm. He touched the bottom of his left ear and then patted down the area in front of him.

"What? No, no I don't do...spas...that's girly," Hui lied.

"You're not afraid of clogged pores, stinky feet, or hair in odd places?" Okhin inquired, she knew that Hui was lying to her.

She gave a slight grin to the prince, Hui rose his index and rested his middle finger on his ring and pinky fingers. Then he opened his mouth, winked, and touched his bottom eyelid with his index. He scrunched his face up in disagreement and waved a sort of closed hand then opened it again. Hui placed his hand on his chin as if in thought again.

"Of course not that's preposterous," said Hui he crossed his arms and looked away from the barbarian.

Okhin's slight grin grew into a smile she lifted her right arm and revealed to Hui her growing patch of armpit hair with a braid. Hui screamed and hopped behind a few crates terrified of what Okhin had shown him. She rolled her eyes, they paced down the street with restaurants Hui's head darted all over the place as he read signs that hung over the entrance of different diners. Hui's stomach growled he clutched at his belly. His hand reached for his coin purse then his face presented fear he screamed again he felt around his torso and waist for something nonexistent.

"What's wrong?" Okhin was concerned and worried.

Hui pointed at himself and then he tapped his right hand with his left index and motioned that he was putting something in a bag. He held out his pinky and thumb and then turned his hand over on its back while he gave a huge frown. He held the frown and rubbed his belly again before he wiped his hand down his tunic.

"I forgot my coin purse now I'm going to die of starvation today!" he frowned.

"Calm down you'll be fine, have you not gone a day without a meal?" she wondered.

Hui thought about it for a moment he placed his hand on his chin, glanced up, and rose his left eyebrow. He pointed at himself then shook his head and crossed his arms and pointed past Okhin. Hui pointed at himself and motioned dropping money into his hand. His hands came together and separated into K signs before they crossed each other twice. His index and middle fingers touched and formed the point of a triangle. He motioned with his left index like he was writing and then repeated the same hand signs again. He waved his hand down twice then placed his index dead center of his lips then slid it down.

"I have but that's not the point I don't have money for transportation from Xu to Omashu," recalled Hui he was worried and startled that he had no way back to Omashu province.

"Use your prince charm to persuade them to give you free food," suggested Okhin.

She pointed at the outdoor patio restaurant in front of them. The sign that hung over it read "The Proud Dragon", Hui's eyes followed the length of her arm to where she pointed at. He stared at her for a moment then gave a slight smile, he swaggered up the steps of the place with confidence because he knew his princely charms would get him food.

A man stood examining his nails as the prince walked up the steps in the cloak that covered his entire body down to his ankles. The man's eyes steadily met gaze with Hui he arched his eyebrow at the stranger because he knew the stranger couldn't afford to eat here.

"May I assist you?" the man said with an uninterested tone.

Hui held a smile and widened his hands apart, Hui crossed his index with his middle finger and twirled both of them in a small circle. He pointed at himself and then tapped his left index to his right fingers, his right switched into his index while his left's pinky and thumb only stuck out. He attempted at another sign but the man silenced him with his hand.

"Long story short I'm the prince of O-" Hui was interrupted.

"Stop playing with me! What is it?! Speak!" he shouted at Hui the man grew impatient rather quick.

Hui pointed at him and then shook his head he pointed at himself, he brought down open palms down and motioned like he dropped something out of his hands. Hui frowned at the man's impatience that he too was now annoyed.

"You didn't let me finish!" commented Hui.

"You're wasting my time get out of here, hoodlum!" shouted the man, he put his hand to Hui's face and lightly pushed the cloaked teenager away. Hui felt disrespected he glimpsed at Okhin who stood only a few feet from the restaurant. Her arms were crossed as she stared blankly at Hui, he headed onto the next one that he seemed to like. A medium-sized tavern across the road and two restaurants down this one were called, "The Clumsy Tigerdillo Tavern".

It was sort of dead but that's only because no musicians were available to play at the time when Hui walked in. Some patrons kept mostly to themselves but when Hui opened the door to the tavern all their eyes were on him before they turned away and back to their menial lives. He padded toward the counter where a bartender stood as he leaned against the wall and waited for someone to approach to serve them.

He pushed himself off the wall with his feet and back muscles and then placed his hands on the counter as Hui sat down. The bartender asked the cloaked stranger, "What can I get ya, kid?"

"I forgot my coin purse back in the palace but I'm the prince of Omashu and-" Hui was interrupted then the man left. Hui was irritated now because this was the second time another older gentleman stepped forward in the position of the younger one. The older gentleman was able to sign and as he signed he drawled out the words, "What can I help you with?"

He waved his hand down twice then placed his index dead center of his lips then slid it down. Hui formed O's with his hands and then spread them out and wide in front of him. He raised his left index finger, and motioned it like a spoon and his right palm as a bowl. He motioned the spoon to his mouth to indicate that he wanted a meal.

"Well as I was telling your friend I'm the prince of Omashu and left my coin purse back at the palace. I was hoping you could give me a free meal and when I go back home perhaps I can return an award for assisting me," explained Hui.

The craziest laughter that involved wheezing filled the man as he slapped his knee it seemed almost comedic to him. He couldn't wait to tell the story to his social circle this evening when the regulars come to the tavern on the weekends.

"Durc! You gotta see what this guy just told me!" his head darted to the younger man's location then he yelled.

"Bao I'm busy," the other screamed as he cleaned the tables with a rag.

"He just said he was the prince of Omashu, but he's in rags!" cackled Bao.

A boisterous guffaw from the younger man who cleaned the tables entered the jest the teenager created. Both men were filled with laughter that Durc decided to mock the poor boy, "Yeah? Then I'm Governor Nanzi Mei!"

Hui frowned, he furled his brows in anger and placed his hands on his hips to be more assertive. He pointed at Durc angrily and shook his head. His pinky went up and down on his forehead four times as he frowned, his two indexes touched at the tips as he gave a toothy smile before returning to a frown. He grabbed his ear lobe and then pointed at nothing, then he put his left hand forward and smiled again before he tapped it to his right fist.

"You're not Nanzi Mei, how dare you insult your governor that way! She's a kind woman!" Hui scolded them in a fit of rage.

"Listen, kid. We don't serve beggars here. Now scram!" laughed Bao.

As Hui exited the tavern in sulking sadness he glanced back at Okhin who stood there distracted as she sniffed her armpits. He slouched and clopped down the road she noticed that he was indeed sad and ran behind him to get a response from him. She caught up to Hui but he seemed to ignore her words he continued down the road. Instead, Okhin grabbed Hui's hand and led him to a rickety old shack of a restaurant she found necessary to intimidate.

The place was called "The Little Den", the place might as well look like it was ancient because there had been no repairs or renovations done to the place since it opened for business. Okhin and Hui barged into the small restaurant, the door slammed into the wall near it. It startled the owner who jumped up and screamed. The door almost blew off its hinges, the cook only peeked his head out from the kitchen to see a girl in furs and a cloaked boy behind her.

Before the owner was allowed to speak the girl pointed and yelled at him, "This is the Prince of Omashu, he forgot his coin purse at the palace and if you don't feed him he will execute you and your entire bloodline!"

Okhin removed the hood of the cloak off Hui's head which was hidden when they entered. The owner shrieked horrified and collapsed knees first onto the ground and he kowtowed before Hui. The owner screamed, "I am not worthy, Your Highness!"

Like some scum of an insect, he slid over and began to give Hui's dirty yet expensive shoes pecks of kisses. Hui had mixed feelings about Okhin's threat he felt disturbed but at the same time, he approved of it. She'd make a great Royal Captain he thought but enough of the future he suggested to Okhin, Hui placed a balled fist to his mouth and then opened it as he slowly moved it forward and pointed at the owner. He patted his right shoulder with his left hand and then with both palms moved them forward and backward twice and smiled. He tapped his left fist's side to a side face opened his right hand.

"Tell him that for his service he will be greatly compensated soon."

Okhin nodded to the fantastic idea and then mentioned to The Little Den's owner, "The prince says you will be greatly compensated for your service."

The owner rose to his feet and barked at the cook in the back, "Teeso! Make Prince Hui a feast!"

An hour later, the food decorated the table except now Hui wasn't alone in the restaurant. Instead, he was surrounded by his loyal subjects, to his left was Okhin while to his right and next to Okhin were Tseeo's and the owner's families. Okhin leaned in and whispered into his ear, "I think it was humble of you to permit these people to eat from the feast."

Hui pointed at himself then pointed outside then positioned a balled fist near his temple then brought it down in a singular chopping motion. He tapped his fingers and formed his hands into a triangle, he moved his left fist left to right then repeated the motion on a flat right hand. He pointed toward the door again and then curled all the fingers of his left and took a swipe forward. He rose his right index and ran his left index across it left to right then he pointed at himself.

"I still want those others executed and their bloodlines eradicated how dare they defy my orders," replied Hui.

"Lighten up enjoy the feast with everyone here," Okhin reasoned with him

Hui rolled his eyes then nodded and gave her a thumbs-up, "Fine, fine."

Hui stood up from his seat and rang a bell to announce it was time for prayer.

Because he can't speak he lowered his head instead. Hui mentally prayed while everyone else caught on and held hands and joined in prayer. He steadily opened his eyes and saw a piece of bread on someone else's plate. While everyone resumed their prayer to the gods he snatched the pastry and devoured it. Hui wiped his mouth and then brushed off any crumbs from the folds of his tunic before he unblocked his throat. The prayer finished and the young man from Tseeo's family furled his eyebrows in visible confusion and stared at his plate where bread was missing.

The young man grabbed his plate and looked underneath it and saw there was no piece of bread. He was baffled that pastry was gone and then frowned in disappointment. Hui sat down and remained silent and everyone congregated and ate together. After the meal, everyone was full and had gone their separate ways. Hui and Okhin headed to the northern area of the town where they saw that same cart again from earlier in the day.

The cart however this time around halted for a moment the noble exited out the carriage and took a look at the young man who came with the barbarian. He fainted while his carriage driver luckily caught him before he injured himself. Hui stood over the fainted nobleman and gave an expression of confusion. He beamed, "It's you, it's you! What are you doing out here, Your Highness?"

Hui glanced over at Okhin to help him out with a response, "Traveling the kingdom's lush lands," answered Okhin.

Hui pointed at the noble, he positioned a clawed hand near his chin, he then motioned to hand over something to him as he grinned a bit. He pointed at himself.

"Asl him if we can spend the night in his estate, I couldn't bear to sleep on a patch of dirt," requested Hui.

"The prince requests that you allow him to-" Okhin spoke but she was quickly interrupted by Hui. He corrected her by pointing at himself and then back at her twice. She cleared her throat and repeated the request, "The prince requests that you allow us to spend the night in your estate, we couldn't bear to sleep on a patch of dirt."

"Yes! Marvelous! Join me in my cab!" he marveled then offered them to join him inside the carriage. He opened the door for Hui and Okhin as he knew their feet must be weary of all that walking. Half an hour later they entered the walls of Lord Mao's estate. Lord Mao made way for them to stay in his home until the guest house was prepared by the caretakers.

Hui and Okhin were escorted to the guest house that was cleaned and prepared to what Lord Mao believed that the two teenagers would find to their liking. Hui yawned and stretched when he entered the guest's home. It was a lot smaller than what he was used to but he didn't let it bother him, the estate guards were near the home were replaced with soldiers stationed in the town.

They opened the bedroom door to the main room where they found the place littered with scattered flower petals and sporadically placed lit candles. The room emitted a sweet floral fragrance, a small white table held a hot kettle with already warm tea for both of them. Hui believed Lord Mao had good intentions but misunderstood the relationship between Okhin and himself.

There was also a bowl of dumplings in the center of the bed with two pairs of chopsticks. It would've been great for a couple but not for himself and his new friend. Okhin scanned the room and found it repulsing, the thought that Lord Mao assumed she and Hui were an item. Hui was still baffled at the scene in front of him. They both stared into each other's eyes for a moment, they both laugh and felt awkward.

Hui pointed at Okhin and motioned that was taking something and then he formed a triangle with his hands and then motioned a wide circle, "Er...you can have the room."

"I've never had a room like that you're used to this, you use it. I'll stick to the dusty corner over there," declined Okhin she pointed behind her where the ta was nearby. Hui nodded then closed the door he got comfortable and took a teacup in his hands while he slid into bed where the warm dumplings waited. Okhin cozied up on the ta and laid down. Okhin took about an hour to doze off as her eyelids shut and she fell asleep, Hui burst out of the door screaming.

He pointed back at the room which startled Okhin clutched her battleax and charged toward the room. She clenched the battleax firmly she scanned the entire room most of the candles were melted halfway, and only a few dumplings were left inside the bowl. However, near the edge of the windowsill existed a small spider. Okhin chuckled and dropped her battleax she rolled her eyes and took a gander at the horrified prince.

"Really? One of the most powerful earthbenders in the Oma Kingdom is terrified of spiders?" Okhin questioned Hui her tone seemed to mock him. She smirked at him, Hui shook his head frightened and bugged eyed he made a stomping motion with his right foot and ordered Okhin to put the beast out of its misery.

Okhin took the small critter in between her hands the cute little bug seemed innocent and harmless. The spider crawled on her hands as she minced out of the room while Hui pushed himself up against the wall and shimmied into the room again. He slammed the door shut and was disappointed Okhin didn't murder the damn thing. Okhin surveyed the area and made sure Hui didn't peep his head out when she deemed it to be safe she stuffed the spider into her mouth and chewed on it.

She returned to the ta where she rested once more hopefully Hui didn't wake her again over invading critters. The next morning, Hui briskly walked alongside Lord Mao as the noble gave the crowned prince a tour of the entire estate. At the same time, Okhin awoke because the sun's rays had forced their way into the guest residence's windows. She found the entire interior empty and put her battleax on her back. She exited the home and asked the soldiers stationed by the door a question, "Where's the crowned prince?"

"Lord Mao came to pick him up for a tour of the estate, he should return soon unless you'd like me to escort you to them," responded the guard before he returned an echo question.

"I would appreciate it," Okhin smiled.

The soldier nodded and escorted the barbarian girl around the premises of the estate on the lookout for the prince and the noble. After several minutes, they encountered the men as Lord Mao took Hui around the garden. Hui and Mao heard footsteps behind them and turned around to see Okhin and the soldier. The soldier knelt before Hui and pushed down Okhin by her shoulder and forced her to kneel before the crowned prince. She wasn't very pleased about it, Hui rose his hand and dismissed the soldier. He pointed at Okhin and then gave a quizzical expression on his face.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned her.

"I thought it was important to hit the road again," Okhin said.

Hui sat on the thought of what Okhin said then pointed at Okhin and back at himself, Hui pointed at his eyes and in the direction outside of the estate. Hui pointed down then formed a square with the indexes and thumbs of his hands, he separated his hands, put his indexes together with the middle fingers, and rose his thumbs as he motioned them down. He opened his hand and tapped his forehead with the back of his thumb, while the palm faced to his right. He formed rings with his indexes and thumbs and interlocked them together before he shook them once. His indexes touched at the tips and he moved them around in a large circle once.

"We should see the magistrate about specific people before we head out," remembered Hui.

"Oh right...right there's that," she nodded.

Okhin and Hui discovered the Magistrate of Gu Ming was on the road nearby, they stopped him in his tracks. Magistrate Ye Peng kowtowed before Hui and heard the report given to him by the Crowned Prince. The Magistrate himself was furious about the experience Hui had while in the town and told him he'd have everything arranged. Two hours later, Hui sat on a makeshift throne carved out of the earth. To his left stood Okhin with her battleax that rested on her back she watched the gallows which was about twenty chi away from them.

The gallows sat close to the residential streets that led to the commoner's neighborhoods, it was a structure made of wood. The stairs led to a platform with two trapdoors and a lever, above the platform were overhead supports which had a noose tied around them. Oma soldiers brought forth the families that were to be executed this late morning. The traitors were the owners and cooks from "The Proud Dragon" and "The Clumsy Tigerdillo Tavern", who refused to feed the crowned prince. Their families were to be hung with them to eradicate the bloodline. This was often practiced in the Oma Kingdom whereas, the Qiangda Kingdom became less popular after the mid-Qian Dynasty.

The families were chained together while they waited in line to die, all of the members of each family sobbed during the event. A crowd began to form around the gallows when they saw the executioner arrive. Some of the citizens were confused, why were the owners of their favorite restaurants going to be executed? What did they do?

"The Ao Long family, step forward!" he yelled.

The owner of The Proud Dragon stepped forward behind him was his wife who held his newborn child. The wails of the newborn echoed across the town square this had disturbed several of the citizens in the crowd. Some wondered what kind of monster ordered this but they remained silent lest they were next for speaking up. Hui sat comfortably in his makeshift throne as he grinned, his hands rested on the pommel of a walking stick gifted to him by Lord Mao.

"Hui," called out Okhin.

The silent crowned prince ignored the call from the girl and instead enjoyed the execution that was about to happen in front of his eyes. Hui hasn't been this happy since he left the palace, "Hui!" she repeated this time a bit louder.

Hui faced Okhin with a perplexed look on his face she too seemed a bit disturbed and concerned for the newborn child. Okhin attempted to convince him, "Let all the families go, kill the men who hurt you."

Hui shook his head and pointed at himself then back at the people in line, he crossed his arms twice as he shook his head. He pressed his thumbs against his fingers and faced the back of his hands forward and waved them back and forth twice. His left index move left to right in front of him and then it met his right index and formed a triangle, he waved his hand in front of him as he frowned. Both hands only had the index and pinky out. His left tapped the top of his right fist's side then crossed it, he pointed at himself. His right hand was flat and his left hand came in and formed a fist on it, Hui then turned both hands around and motioned a grasp.

"No, I want them all gone because then that'll teach everyone not to cross my authority," Hui disagreed.

Okhin tried her luck again and reasoned with him, "Hui, listen to me you'll be seen as a cruel ruler if you kill those children."

He frowned and sighed, he raised his hand then he opened his mouth and motioned a voice with his hand. Hui motioned like he was stabbing something then tapped his indexes together, he pointed at himself, formed cuffs with his hands, and opened his hands outward. Hui pointed at himself again then he motioned a wave over his right fist. He slid his left hand over his inner right bicep, and then he rubbed his left temple with his left hand.

"Alright fine, tell the executioner I want the families released. I'll only spill the blood of the men," sighed Hui.

The executioner tightened the noose around the necks of the Ao Long family, Okhin knew she had little time to act. And she needed to act fast, the executioner walked forward and announced, "For the crimes of crossing the authority of Crowned Prince Zu Hui the Ao Long family will be executed by hanging. Their offspring will be crushed after their parents have passed. Any last words?"

"STOP!" yelled Okhin from a distance, the executioner scanned the crowd for the person who dared to question the execution. Okhin ran up the steps and screamed, "The prince orders you to let go of the and the baby! He only wants the men to pay with their blood."

The noose around the woman's neck was loosened then removed she began to sob and a guard handed her, her child. She sobbed while the baby wailed once more the man had his hands tied behind his back and even he released a tear. He aimed to grab the executioner's attention, "May I say goodbye to my family?"

The executioner nodded to the request, his wife held her baby close and she tightly hugged her husband as she cried on his shoulder. The man whispered something into her ears and then kissed his child one last time. The executioner replaced her with the cook, "He Zhou step forward!"

One of the soldiers shoved the prisoner once he reached the platform of the gallows the man fell. His family shrieked because he was to be killed. Their bonds were cut but the soldiers prevented them from stopping the execution. A noose was placed around Zhou's neck his head lowered in shame he only followed the orders of the man he worked for. He didn't know the cloaked stranger was the crowned prince and now his mistake cost him his life.

Okhin returned to Hui who sat on the edge of his seat while his back leaned back on the throne. A coin flipped between the fingers on his right hand while he waited for the execution to begin. He saw the barbarian returning she seemed a bit upset with Hui. It must've been over the cruel order to get the families killed as well. The executioner stepped over to the lever both men faced each other for a few seconds. Xiaoyu Ao Long clenched his teeth and shut his eyes he was scared for his inevitable death while his cook He Zhou accepted it and shed a tear when the executioner lowered the lever.

The trapdoors opened outward the men dropped into the holes and fell underneath the gallows stopped by the noose tight around their necks. They swung side to side and even the rope twisted while their throats were constricted of air. Okhin turned away she refused to watch the men's life leave before their very eyes. Hui, however, was entertained after a few minutes the corpses were removed from the nooses and the next two prisoners moved forward.

Several hours later, Hui and Okhin were brought forth to Magistrate Ye Peng in his hands he clutched the reins of an ostrich horse. A gift he gave to the prince and his friend, the magistrate felt this would make their trip faster and lighter. Okhin took a hold of the reins of the beast, they bowed to the magistrate and said their goodbyes.

Okhin led the beast out of Gu Ming with Hui who treaded on Okhin's heels. Once outside of town Hui climbed the ostrich horse and he extended his hand to Okhin she crossed her arms and shook her head. She refused to accept the offer and instead chose to walk, Hui frowned. He wondered perhaps because he ordered to kill those men who refused to serve him.