Chapter 37 - 37 - The Clone

Long held his lover's hands firmly. Xia nodded his head and walked ahead into the dark passageway.

"Who has the power to do this unnoticed?" Xia fake gasped and held his chin.

"Beauty, there is a group called the black cicadas that does all such dirty work," one of the thugs whispered.

"Oh, I have never heard of them."

"I guess you are not from around here ah. The black Cicada group owns the black market of course they will have people in powerful places."

"Hmm," Xia nodded and walked close to the little snake. "So where is this market," Xia blinked the thug.

"This market appears only during full moons. Luckily, it will open tomorrow. So beauty are you coming with us," the thug threw his arms around his shoulders.

"Tomorrow? Too bad, I have some important business to deal with." Xia sighed. He slightly pinched the little snake's arms. "Little snake, how are we going to escape?" He mouthed.

Long Aotian smirked and mouthed, "Trust me," he winked.

After just walking for five minutes they found an azure clothed figure slouching against the passageway.

"Boss, he is here," one of the henchmen shouted.

All the thugs ran towards the mysterious guy but Long pulled Xia's hands and ran towards the other direction.

They reached a small forked pathway. "Little long, which way do we go now?' Xia Che scrunched his nose.

Long sniffed around and led them towards the left passageway. They both ran for a long time but the passageways were never-ending.

"Hey Long, I'm curious who was that man," Xia panted holding his knees.

"Long held kissed his lovers sweaty forehead. "Silly, that is a clone talisman."

Xia kissed his cheeks gleefully. "Oh god, you are a genius Long. When did you even think of that?"

Long looked at him dazed and whispered, "When I was tied up."

"Oh good, my little son super intelligent," Xia patted his head.

Long Aotian pouted and hugged him close. He kissed his lovers cold palm and whispered, "I—I used your clothes to create that clone. Are you angry with me?" Long glanced down at him.

"Its okay, Yukiya can always make me new ones," Xia cheerfully said. He caressed the guilty little snake and kissed his forehead.

"Xia I…." Long hesitated. "Xia, can I ask a question?"

"You can ask me anything," Xia laughed and walked ahead.

"How—how do you know that Yukiya is still alive? She has been missing for almost six months now. And the thugs also mentioned young girls being kidnapped in the village she recently visited. For all I know she might be….. Dead." Long Aotian blabbered.

Xia tilted his lightly and gave a wide smirk. "She is alive. I can feel her through this," He pulled his sleeves down to show a small lotus tattoo. "Yukiya drew this on me to protect me from harm. I can sense her and she can sense my presence through this."

Long held his hands and took a good look at it. It was a small lotus formation and it was glowing blue.

Xia sighed and pulled his hands back. "I can only sense that she is alive through this. But I am worried that she might be hurt or bullied," He whispered with a downcast look.

Long cupped his face and pecked his lips. "Didn't you say she was a lucky Koi fish, then she will be totally fine," Long caressed his face. His lover's eyes lit up at this.

"Yes, how can I forget? My Yukiya mommy is lucky to the boot," Xia cheerfully laughed.

"Hmm my little crayfish is lucky too. Look ahead, we have found our way out," Long kissed his supple cheeks.

"Yes I am. All thanks to my little son," Xia pinched the little snake's cheeks.

Long Aotian smirked and winked at him. "Now, let's get out of this damp hole."

"Yes!" Xia exclaimed and pulled his arms.

A blinding light appeared before them as they walked out of the doorway. And their step landed on a room in the inn they were staying.

"We are back," Xia said gleefully. "My little lucky snake," Xia exclaimed and hugged him.

"Hmm I am lucky," Long whispered hugging him close. 'Lucky to have met you,' he thought snuggling into his neck.

A loud growl disturbed their lovely hug. Xia blushed and held his growling stomach.

"Let's go eat something," Long linked their fingers.

"Hmm, the lotus root in this inn was tasty. Let's eat some snacks here."

"NO! let's eat somewhere else. Last time your stomach got upset right?" Long pulled him out of the inn.

They went to the nearby vendors and ate some candied hawthorn. But Long was distracted glancing at the direction of the inn.

"Xia, can you wait here. I left something at the inn," he whispered into his ears.

Xia nodded and waved his hands.

The little golden dragon darted towards the inn. He entered a small alleyway connecting the inn to the small road. 'Anyone who tried to hurt him should not exist.' He thought with bloodlust flowing from his eyes.. He firmly punched the inn's walls and the entire inn shattered into pieces.