When the words of the old Taoist in Tsing Yi reached the ears of Princess Suining, Princess Suining said to Tang Zhangwei: "I always feel that this old Taoist in Tsing Yi is not authentic. “

Tang Zhangwei said: "I think so too, I feel very embarrassed that this old man in Tsing Yi is going in and out of the Tang Palace. ”

Princess Suining said, "Why don't we conquer my royal brother with food!" ”

Tang Zhangwei said: "I think your idea is very good, Tang Xizong!" Although you were born in a wealthy family, no one in the world can surpass your royal family's wealth, but I think your life is very rough. ”

Princess Suining said: "I also think so, our life is piled up with money, but we don't have any taste. ”

Princess Suining took those people with them, and they were doing things in their own way.

Princess Suining likes to eat duck eggs the most, and chef Wen Xianke is best at making duck eggs, and a large number of duck eggs he makes are exported to the Eastern Roman Empire.

As soon as you insert chopsticks into the duck egg he made, it is a piece of chopsticks red oil.

Together, the two built a fire and put a lot of wood until the heat drove them back. His father handed him the Book of Shadows and told him to throw it into the flames if he was convinced. Richard held the Book of Shadows in one arm, and the fingers of the other hand caressed the leather cover. He held his father's trust in the crook of his arm, held the trust of everyone, and he felt the weight of responsibility. He threw the book into the fire, and from that moment on he was no longer a child.

Flames hovered around the book, embracing it, caressing it, devouring it. Various colors and shapes swirled upward, accompanied by a burst of crying. A strange beam of light shot into the sky. The wind made their cloaks flutter and swing. Apparitions appeared, outstretched arms as if engulfed by tongues of fire, their cries echoing in the wind. The two stood like stone statues, unable to move or close their eyes to avoid these strange sights. The scorching flames turned into the coldest wind in winter, so cold that they shivered involuntarily in their spines. Then the cold was gone, and the flames were bright enough to swallow up all white light, as if they were standing in the sun. In a flash, everything was gone. In that place, there was only a dead silence. The bonfire was extinguished, and wisps of light smoke rose from the charred charcoal and melted into the autumn wind. The Book of Shadows is gone.

Richard knew what he saw, and he saw magic.

Richard felt someone's hand on his shoulder, and he opened his eyes. It was Karen's hand. Through the fireplace outside the door, he could see her sitting in a chair dragging close to the bed, and Zord's big old black cat was curled up sleeping on Karen's lap.

"Zod's where?" He asked, his eyes wide open.

"He's gone out to find the herbs to cure you." Her voice was gentle and calm. "It's been dark for a few hours, but Zod says it will take some time to find that herb. He said that you will be unconscious and awake from time to time, but it will not be life-threatening. He said that the drink he had just given you would keep you safe until he returned. ”

Richard realized, for the first time, that she was by far the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her hair was cascading all around her face and shoulders, and he wanted to stroke it, but he didn't. The feeling of her hand on his shoulder was enough, it was enough to know that she was right there for him and that he was not alone.

"How does it feel?" Her voice was so gentle that he couldn't even imagine why Zod was afraid of her.

"I'd rather fight the Quartet one more time than provoke the snake vine."

She smiled, the peculiar smile of sharing something with him, and she wiped his forehead with a damp cloth. He reached out and grabbed her wrist. She stopped to look him in the eye.

"Karen, Zod has been a friend of mine for many years. He was like my second father. Promise me you won't do anything to hurt him. I can't take it. ”

She looked at him with a look in her eyes as if assuring, "I like him too, very much." He's a good guy, like you said. I didn't want to hurt him at all, I just wanted to ask his help to find the magician. ”

He grabbed her arm: "Promise me." ”

"Don't worry, Richard. He will help us. ”

He remembered the look on her face and the hand she clenched at his throat when she thought he wanted to poison him with an apple. "Promise me."

"I've sworn to everyone else. I am responsible for other people's lives. Many, many people. ”

"Promise me."

She stroked his face with her other hand: "I'm sorry, Richard, I can't. ”

He let go of her wrist, turned around, and closed her eyes. She withdrew the hand that had been placed on his face. He thought of the Book of Esoteric Things, the things it prophesied, and realized how selfish his demands were. Even if he had made her spare Zod, he would have died with them soon. He couldn't let everyone else die or become a slave and only let Zod live a few more months. Nor could he let her die worthlessly. He was ashamed of his stupidity. He had no right to make such a request to her. To her, it was wrong. He was glad she wasn't lying to her. But he knew that Zord asking about the trouble they were in didn't mean he was going to help what was happening on the other side of the barrier.

"Karen, the high fever makes me a little stupid. Please forgive me. I have never met someone as courageous as you. I know you're trying to save us all. Zod will help us, and I'll let him help. Just promise me that you'll wait until I'm better and give me a chance to convince him. ”

She gently squeezed his shoulder: "I can agree to this request." I know you care about your friends. If you don't care, I'll be disappointed. That doesn't make you stupid. Now, go ahead and rest. ”

He tried not to close his eyes, because every time he did, everything would spin uncontrollably. But the conversation eroded his physical strength, and soon the darkness consumed him once more. All his thoughts turned into an empty space again. Sometimes he wanders half-conscious in nightmares, and sometimes he even wanders where he doesn't even hallucinate.

The cat woke up and pricked up its ears. Richard is still asleep. The sound that only the cat could hear made it jump off Karen, trot to the door, crouch and wait. Since the cat didn't stand up the fur on her body, Karen sat next to Richard and waited. There was a thin voice outside.

"Cats? Kitty! Where did you go? Well, you're good to stay outside. The door creaked open.

(End of chapter)