The night enveloped them in its cool embrace as Xiao and Zhulong fled through the labyrinthine corridors of the clan estate. Xiao's mind raced with turmoil, replaying the scene in his father's chamber over and over. He couldn't shake off the image of Zhulong, entranced and manipulated into committing such a heinous act.
Zhulong, too, was grappling with the aftermath. His hands trembled as they navigated the shadows, haunted by the memory of choking his own father. "I didn't want this," he muttered, more to himself than to Xiao. "I didn't want any of this."
"We have to keep moving," Xiao urged, his voice tinged with urgency. "If they find us here..."
They rounded a corner just as a group of guards appeared in the distance, alerted by the commotion from Xin Cheng's chamber. Without hesitation, Xiao pulled Zhulong into a hidden alcove, pressing them against the cold stone wall as the guards rushed past, torchlight flickering.
Once they were out of earshot, Xiao released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. "We can't stay here," he said firmly, meeting Zhulong's gaze. "Not after what's happened. They'll hunt us down."
Zhulong nodded weakly, his guilt-stricken eyes reflecting the torchlight. "Where do we go?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Xiao glanced around, mind racing for a plan. "There's a safehouse in the outskirts," he replied after a moment's thought. "It's abandoned, hidden from prying eyes. We can lay low there until things calm down."
With a tentative nod, Zhulong followed Xiao's lead as they stealthily made their way through the estate, evading patrols and slipping through gaps in the security. Every step felt heavier than the last, burdened by the weight of their actions and the uncertain future ahead.
As they finally reached the outskirts of the estate, Xiao led Zhulong to a secluded cottage nestled amidst overgrown foliage and ancient trees. The door creaked open reluctantly, revealing a dusty interior that spoke of neglect and solitude.
"We should be safe here," Xiao assured, though his voice lacked conviction. "At least for now."
Zhulong sank onto a dilapidated chair, exhaustion etched deep into his features. "What do we do next?" he asked quietly, eyes pleading for guidance.
Xiao hesitated, grappling with his own doubts and fears. "We need to lay low," he began slowly. "Wait for the right moment to make our next move. We can't confront Xin Cheng again until we're sure..."
"Sure of what?" Zhulong interjected, frustration and confusion bubbling to the surface. "Sure that you won't manipulate me again? That I won't... lose control?"
The accusation cut through Xiao like a blade. He had acted with the best intentions, driven by a desperate desire to rewrite a tragic history. Yet, in his pursuit of change, he had underestimated the consequences, the toll it would take on those he cared about most.
"I didn't mean for any of this," Xiao admitted quietly, shoulders sagging under the weight of guilt. "But we can't undo what's been done. We can only move forward."
Silence settled between them, punctuated only by the faint rustling of leaves outside. In the solitude of the abandoned cottage, they found themselves grappling with their shared burden, uncertain of what the future held but determined to face it together.
As dawn began to break over the horizon, casting a tentative light into the cottage, Xiao and Zhulong knew that their journey was far from over. The events of that fateful night had set them on a path fraught with danger and uncertainty, yet infused with a newfound resolve to protect their family and forge a different destiny.
With a solemn nod, Xiao turned to Zhulong, determination flickering in his gaze. "We'll find a way," he vowed quietly. "To make things right."
And together, they began to plan their next move, mindful of the challenges that lay ahead and the unyielding grip of fate that bound them all.