Chapter 260 - The Quest of Pilgrimage (2/2)

“You only have to train,” Father said indifferently, “That is all you need to do. Remember what I told you when you fainted and got sent to the hospital? You have magical powers but you are not enlightened enough. Mentally, especially. To put it bluntly, your comprehension of the essence of the cosmos and existence is still too shallow. That is why you have to use your blood to simulate a state similar to actually being one with the Shiyan Blade. You need to see more of the world and hone yourself more.”

“What utter piffle!” I screamed, on the brink of going mad, “The problem is I need time! I have none of it now! The flowers outside would have gone through all four seasons by the time I’m finished!”

“But, boy,” Master Six interjected suddenly, wearing a wry chuckle on his face, “Don’t you feel that your grasp of your magecraft and sorcery has greatly improved since your venture into the past?” It was true; I had felt it since I came back and I had spoken about it with Father. In fact, since returning from the past, I had become more touchy than ever.

“I might know little about Tao and Buddhism,” Master Six went on before I could speak, “But I daresay I understand a great deal more than most people on how the world works. You need to hone yourself more and stretch your horizons. In fact, I think a quest of pilgrimage would do you some good. It is the most simple way to strengthen yourself. To put it crudely, you need to go on quests to vanquish evil and help the weak. See more into the world and learn what you can from it and you will naturally become stronger.”

“But what evil is still left around here now that needs vanquishing?” I muttered, annoyed and peeved.

Master Six and Father exchanged another quick glance for a beat and he said, “There might not be any now. But there’s definitely lots in the past.” “You mean you going to send me back through Time again?” I blurted. “Not you alone. All three of you,” Father quipped with a smile curling, “Chongxi and Lin Feng shall join you this time.” My friends looked at each other, grinning excitedly. But I noticed Master Six was looking rather pleased with himself as if a plan of his had come into fruition and Father was shrugging his shoulders as though in defeat. For that very moment, I had the odd sensation that this was a plot hatched between Master Six and Father to have us sent back through Time to complete something for them.

It was only during our quest of pilgrimage when I finally understood why Master Six was looking so self-satisfied. He had known beforehand what would happen for there were events that were predestined by Fate.

For the sake of continuity, let us leave the details for a later date. (Our adventures in the past shall be written into a future side-story.)

With us being present, Father and Master Six set aside their arguments for now, although something told me that there was something that they both wished to keep from me. But I knew better than to pry. Father and Master Six would never bulge no matter how hard I try.

Master Six came again the following morning. It was time, he said, and we were to get our things packed. We would be sent off in the afternoon. “But this time, things would be slightly different,” he said, lighting himself a cigarette, “This time, I’m not sending just your souls. Your physical persons would go to. But I cannot do this alone. I’ll need your father to help me to send all you three back through Time together.”

The news of us three going to be sent back together left Edelweiss stricken with panic. She begged Master Six to send her back with us. But even with the imploring look from me, Master Six shook his head, refusing to yield. In fact, I was not the only one wishing to have Edelweiss coming with me. Even Lin Feng and Chongxi were hoping to bring Xiao Yu and Yuanyuan along. Who wouldn’t? It was not every day you got the chance to step back into the past.

It was nearly time and Father was talking to Master Six deeply when the door sounded with a series of knocking. I opened it and saw it was Xiao Qi and the rest of the Seven Ghostly Sisters. “Shiyan!” She said at once when she came in, “Why is your Center not open today? What a shame, it’s a cloudy day today and you know we don’t get to come out that often…” And her voice died in her throat when she finally noticed the irked stares coming from Father and Master Six.