CHAPTER 17: MOVING FORWARD

Jian Tao was in his study room reading when Chief Wen entered in. His hands folded in front and bowed halfway.
“Your Majesty, Prince Long Wei is back and he is outside asking for your presence.”

Jian Tao stopped reading, “Oh?” and glanced off to the side to think. Why did he come back so early? “Tell him to wait until I am finished here.” Then he went back to reading.

Chief Wen added, “Ma Guo Wei came with the Prince as well.”

Surprised, Jian Tao glanced up at Chief Tao. “He’s here?!”

Eager to see him, he stopped what he was doing and rushed out of the room; Chief Wen followed behind. Outside, the Elders were having a conversation with Guo Wei and Wu Jian when they saw Jian Tao approaching; they bowed to greet him.

“Greetings Your Majesty.”

“Greetings King Father,” said Wu Jian.

Jian Tao saw that Wu Jian had crutches and his ankle wrapped with a cloth. He got worried. “What happen?”

“I’ve sprained my ankle during my travel to Chu Palace.” Then he lowered his head and looked upset. “I didn’t make thus far to meet King Chu. Your son has disappointed you greatly.”

Wu Jian tried to kneel down to Jian Tao, but he stopped Wu Jian. “You’re injured, so don’t kneel.” Then Jian Tao sighed. “I am a bit disappointed, but your health should be first priority. I will write a letter of an apology to King Chu then.”

“There’s no need King Father. I’ve already sent lavishing gifts and an apologetic letter to King Chu and Princess Xiu Rong.”

Jian Tao nodded and patted his shoulder, “Well done. We will have to schedule another day for you to meet the Princess again then.”

Wu Jian didn’t like how he was forced to meet a princess that he had never known. He wasn’t ready to find a wife and wanted to explore the world first before settling down; but he had to, for the sole purpose of allying Wu Tribe and Chu Kingdom. Comparing to the small Wu Tribe in Wu Mountain, Chu Kingdom was one of the five largest kingdoms in the middle plains. Their territory extended ten times bigger than Wu Tribe, so if allied, both kingdoms can help defend enemies from the North.

Wu Jian forced a smile, “Yes King Father.”

Jian Tao patted his shoulder again. “Good.” Then he turned to Guo Wei; both were happy to see each other. They hugged and patted each other’s back, “It’s great to see you old friend,” said Jian Tao.

“It is!” said Guo Wei.

They let go of each other. Guo Wei stroked his beard as he stared at Jian Tao’s physique. “Look at you! Now that you’re a King, I cannot measure up to you.”

Both laughed heartily. “My old friend, status cannot measure to our friendship.” Guo Wei nodded in agreement to what he said.

Guo Wei introduced his student to Jian Tao, and De Ming formally bowed, “It is my honor to meet you Your Majesty.”

“Your student is a bright young man,” Jian Tao commented.

“Bright, but still need to learn his wrongs. Nowadays, the young ones only want to play…” Guo Wei said as he looked at De Ming.
De Ming pursed his lips and scratched his head.

After some light conversations, Jian Tao turned to Chief Wen, “Get rooms ready for our two guests, and tell the cook to prepare some fine dishes for tonight.”

“Yes.”

---

Jian Tao and Guo Wei stood at the shoreline of Bloody Devil Lake, staring at the Demon Realm’s seal. Guo Wei saw the big crack that was sealed by the Taoist Binding Spell. Like the others, he was also worried for the fate of Mortal Realm. Flashback of the Battle of Mortal Realm rushed into his mind. He could hear sounds of metal swords clanged as they made contact, and loud roars of demons echoed as they made their kill; but most of all, the horrendous deadly cries that came from the hundred thousands of their allies being slaughtered like meat by the enemies. This historical event was one of the bloodiest battles of Mortal Realm.

When he and De Ming wandered the Seven Seas, they saw the aftermath from the battle. Many heroes lost a limb or two, some were still capable of functioning as a human being, while others became insane. Saddened by the traumatic event, his eyes welled up with tears. He grabbed his wine bottle from his belt and began to drink in gulps. Then he took a deep breath and exhaled to clear his thoughts. Guo Wei stared at the blood-like water.

“This Bloody Lake reminded me of The Battle of Mortal Realm…Water and sky became blood, lightness turned to darkness, and Mortal Realm almost became extinct…”

Jian Tao let out a sighed, “Although I wasn’t there to witness the battle, goddess Wu Li Ling told me what happened.” Then he patted Guo Wei’s shoulder to comfort him. “You’ve gone through a lot old friend. I wished that I was there to help.”

Guo Wei shook his head, “I’m happy that you did not, or else who knows if Prince Long Wei would have existed.”
Jian Tao slightly laughed, “You’re right.”

Then Guo Wei took another drink and cleared his throat. “…Honestly, the broken seal is a small matter comparing to a bigger threat that may be on its way. Since we do not have the Celestial Immortals’ help anymore, this is going to be far worse than the Battle of Mortal Realm…Taoist sect will have to do their part and hopes HE does not escape.”

“Taoist sect has bound the area and is heavily guarded, so enemies cannot enter in the area with the use of their spells and internal qi. Many enemies have tried rescuing HIM, but were unsuccessful.”

He let out a big sighed and stroked his beard. “…I hope that you are right…”

To make a living in fortune telling, Guo Wei foretold people’s future through his senses. If one asked him a question, he would sense if it was going to be good or bad. For this typical situation, Guo Wei felt very uneasy. He felt that something bad was going to happen, but he didn’t know when and what. All he knew was disaster awaited for Mortal Realm.

Jian Tao began to think of their childhood years. “Old Guo, remembered when we were children, we had our dreams of wanting to become somebody important to the world? I said that I wanted to help people and as for you, you wanted to become a wanderer hero?”

“Yes, I remembered. I guess our dreams did come true…in a weird and different way…” Both glanced at each other and burst out laughing. Guo Wei continued, “You became a King and I became a wanderer demon hunter.”

Jian Tao snorted, “Right…”

After their laughter died down, they sighed.

“Now, we are really important to the world. Mortal Realm is in our hands to protect…” said Guo Wei.

Then Jian Tao frowned, thinking about his incapability to continue being the Mortal Protector. Guo Wei noticed it.
“What seems to trouble you old Jian?”

Jian Tao folded his hands behind his back and looked at the colorful orange red sky. “I cannot continue being the Mortal Protector. My body cannot take it like it used to.”

Hearing this saddened Guo Wei, but he understood the consequences of becoming the Mortal Protector. Comparing to Jian Tao, Guo Wei’s internal qi was stronger and have the ability to slow down the depletion.

“Are you going to choose Prince Long Wei to be the next Mortal Protector then?”

“Yes. In this way, I can focus on being the King for my people.”

“That is a good idea,” Guo Wei took another drink from his wine and handed it to Jian Tao. “Here, drink this wine. It’s Mu Village of Chu Kingdom’s best wine, 10,000 Years Old Wine.”

Jian Tao took it from his hand and drank it. The taste was satisfying to his like. “This is indeed the best wine I’ve tasted!” Both laughed boisterously and took turns to drink.

---

At dinnertime, all the men and Queen Li Hua sat down to feast. The table was full of different meat-duck, lamb, and pork sautéed with hot and sweet sauces, and vegetables cooked to perfection. Everyone ate and drank fine wine with glee.
Elder Tao sipped his cup of wine and then spoke, “Now that we have reunited two out of five Mortal Protectors, we will start our search for the others.”

“Have you received news from Grandmaster Huang yet?” asked Jian Tao.

Elder Tao nodded. “I’ve received it this late afternoon. He is going to send out forty Taoist’s best students to help with the search to cover most grounds. The other five are going be arriving shortly to Wu Tribe to help with the binding.”

“That is great news,” said Jian Tao. Then he turned to Wu Jian, “Son, I have a gift for you.”

Everyone, except Guo Wei, was anxious in what this surprised gift was. Throughout Wu Jian’s childhood life, his father’s gifts were only words of wisdoms or encouragements. Never once, he had received a physical gift from his father. The reason behind it was that his father wanted him to learn that wisdom was more important than materialistic thing. Puzzled, but at the same time, anxious like the others, he wondered what this gift that he was about to receive. Jian Tao called in Chief Wen and he came out with the Five Element Qi Sword. Chief Wen came and stood next to Wu Jian with the sword in front.
“Son, I want to give you the Five Element Qi Sword.”

Everyone and Wu Jian became dumbstruck and speechless. Guo Wei stroked his beard as he smiled, showing teeth, knowing that this was coming. Wu Jian didn’t know if he should be happy or upset about this. The sword was his father’s precious treasure and nobody, even him, could touch it.

“What is the meaning of this King Father?” Then he looked at Queen Li Hua, “Step Queen Mother?”

She was clueless as he and shook her head.

Jian Tao explained, “I cannot protect Mortal Realm while I try to be Wu Tribe’s King. That is why I am handing it down to you as the new Mortal Protector of Mortal Realm.”

Jian Tao took the sword from Chief Wen and offered it to Wu Jian. “Take this Five Element Qi Sword son.”

Still with a sprained ankle, Wu Jian carefully knelt down with his arms raised up to receive the sword. Everyone was ecstatic by this moment and watched as Jian Tao handed the sword into Wu Jian’s hands. Wu Jian grabbed it and felt the heaviness of the sword.

“You are now the chosen Mortal Protector of the Five Element Qi Sword my son, Wen Long Wei...” he said happily.

“Thank you King Father. I will take the responsibility in protecting Mortal Realm from evil.”

A gold glow came out of the sword and traveled throughout Wu Jian’s body, giving an aura; then it disappeared into him. He felt a warm and strange, yet powerful energy inside. It was the sign of new ownership of the sword.

Jian Tao helped Wu Jian stood up. Then everyone also stood from their seats, folded their hands in front, and bowed their heads. Queen Li Hua and Jian Tao stood close by Wu Jian as they cheered.

“Congratulations Prince Wen Long Wei, the new Mortal Protector.”

Wu Jian couldn’t be happier of this gift that his father had given to him and held the sword tightly in his hands.

---

Late that night, Wu Jian walked with his one crutch into the dark Memorial Room, holding the Five Element Qi Sword in his other hand. He saw a big name tablet, goddess Wu Li Ling, carved in gold on one of the finest wood, displayed on top of the alter. He knelt down on the round pillow and placed the sword on the floor. He stared at the tablet with a doleful look.

“Father has chosen me to be the next Mortal Protector…” he paused for a second to take a deep breath and then continued, “…aren’t you proud of your son?” There was silence again, and his eyes started to get watery.

He was four years old when his mother passed away from illness. The only thing he remembered of her was holding her soft and warmed hand when she died.

Wu Jian wept uncontrollably, and his voice started to choke as he spoke. “I wish I could see your face to know if you are happy…I can only picture you in my mind of how you may look from father’s description…He said you were the most beautiful woman that he has ever met…” He sniffed and wiped his tears with his hands, but tears kept flowing down. “I miss you so much mother…”

Outside, Jian Tao stood in the dark, hidden from Wu Jian’s view. Every night, before Jian Tao went to sleep, he would stop by the memorial room to speak to Li Ling. Tonight was his first time he saw his son came to the Memorial Room this late. His heart ached so much to hear his son’s conversation with his mother that he wept silently, wiping his tears.

Flashbacks of him and Li Ling’s relationship came to his mind. He remembered the first time when they met.

Wu Li Ling was taking a bath in a small waterfall lake. Jian Tao happened to walk by and saw two men peeked at her behind a nearby bush.

“Hey!” he shouted.

Startled by being caught, the men quickly fled. Li Ling also heard his voice and flew out of the lake. Big waves of water forced out of the lake as she flew up to cover her naked body, so nobody could see, as she got dressed in her white robe. Jian Tao froze in awe of her powerful skills, but that was not all, he saw the most beautiful woman dressing in front of him. Her ivory skin shined radiantly like the sun, hair as dark as night, and her eyes-big and golden brown that could capture anyone’s soul. She saw him gaped at her and got upset. She swung her arm sideways to direct water toward Jian Tao. He didn’t have time to react, and the next thing he knew, he was already drenched with water. As he wiped his face from being wet, she was already finished putting on her robe.

“You’ve misunderstood,” he said as he squeezed water from his wet clothes.

She flew out of the lake and landed gracefully onto the grass with her bare feet. She walked toward him as she spoke angrily, “If I misunderstood, then why didn’t you turn your head when you saw me?”

He folded his hand in front and bowed in front of her, “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to. I saw two men peeking at you and …”

Li Ling didn’t let him finished and quickly grabbed one of his wrists. Jian Tao tried to pull his wrist away from her but her grip was too strong. With her quick fingers, she hit his acupuncture points on his chest to lock him in position.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

Her face, inches away from his face, as her golden-brown eyes gazed into his. She used her “Soul Searching” powers to search deep into his thoughts to find the truth about the incident. She saw his entire life flashed before her eyes and saw all of the goodness of him. There was no faults whatsoever in his life; only pure and innocence. Then she finally saw the incident of her bathing. She broke the trance and let go of his wrist.

“You speak the truth.”

He rubbed his wrist and asked, “Are you a fairy?”

“Fairy; Mortals may call, but I am not. I’m a fallen immortal of the Celestial Realm, goddess Wu Li Ling, the queen of Wu Tribe.”
He was shocked to finally meet the queen of Wu Tribe. From what he heard, due to her reputation as a fallen immortal goddess, most men dared to not make her their queen. Those who did tried, ended up being humiliated by her for their unsuccessful attempts. Due to a short life span, Li Ling rather not spent her time on Mortal Realm to be in a relationship. She had only one important priority, and that was to find a suitable Mortal Protector to protect the realm.

He formally introduced himself, “My name is Wen Jian Tao.”

Jian Tao’s face lit up. He couldn’t believe how fortunate he was to meet her. He was an ordinary man that she chose as her Mortal Protector and later fell in love, got married, and gave birth to their son, Wen Long Wei. Due to her rapid aging and vulnerability to diseases, she handed Fan Li Hua, her close Wu Tribe’s sworn sister, to him to marry. After that, she passed away shortly within days.

He heard Wu Jian getting up, so Jian Tao darted out of the area before he was caught. Wu Jian left the room unnoticed of his father’s hidden presence.

---

Somewhere up in Wu Mountain’s cliff, Wu Jian and Jian Tao stood in front of the small waterfall scenery. Next to it was a hidden cave covered with overgrown vines and wild flowers. Wu Jian was amazed of the place and never knew it existed.

“Long Wei, this place was where your mother and I first met,” explained Jian Tao. Wu Jian looked up at his father in surprised. Jian Tao pointed at the lake and continued, “Over there was where she bathed when she saw me.” He slightly laughed as he reminisced the past. “She was upset that I peeked at her, but it was all a misunderstanding, and threw a big wave of water at me…”

Wu Jian chuckled. It reminded him of when Cecilia threw a bucket of water at him.

“This area became a sacred place where she taught me the Five Element Qi Sword techniques in complete isolation. After I mastered the divine skills, this place has remained untouched for many years.” Jian Tao placed his hand on his son’s shoulder, “Now, it will be your turn. Here, you’re surrounded by all the elements, so it will help you with your training.”

“How long do I have to stay here?”

“I’ve completed my training for a year and a half, just because your mother transferred her qi essence to me; but for you, it may be faster because you have inherited some of her qi essence. That is why you are able to learn martial arts faster than others and…” He looked at the sword that was in Wu Jian’s hand, “I believe that your internal qi won’t get depleted as fast as mine when using the Five Element Qi Sword.”

Wu Jian looked at the sword and then his father. “Was this why you cannot continue to be the Mortal Protector? This sword has consumed your energy throughout all of these years?”

“It’s a god sword that was created by your mother; so of course, any mortals will lose their energy by consuming it. But don’t worry; you will learn how to regenerate the energy that you have lost.” He turned to the cave, “Inside, you will find the hidden manual written on the walls. It was designed to only be seen by the Five Element Qi Sword’s chosen one. As you practice in total isolation, I will have a servant bring food and other necessities daily for you.”

Wu Jian nodded.

Jian Tao handed him a bag, “Here are your belongings. I wish you the best.” He patted Wu Jian on the shoulder and left.
Wu Jian watched his father walked away until he disappeared from his sight. Now, he was alone with nature. It was peaceful and quiet, which he enjoyed the most out of everything that has been happening to him. Being a Prince, there were heavy burdens that he had to carry; allied marriage, reputation, and his people’s wellbeing. Here, he doesn’t need to worry about any of those. He closed his eyes, raised his arms up to his side, and took a deep breath to smell the fresh moist air that came from the foliage and the misty water. He could hear the rushing water from the fall and chirping birds nearby.

“So this is how it feels to be free…”

After relaxing, he walked toward the vines covered cave and stood there. Then he pulled down the vines that hung over the entrance to the cave until it was big enough to let light in. He went inside and to his surprise; the cave was small and there were few furnished furniture made out rocks-a flatbed was on the other end of the wall, a flat table with stools on each side in the middle, and on the ground were some old straw baskets. Then he saw light coming from a smaller entrance to a cave and walked inside.

He noticed that the light came from above and not on the walls, so he tilted his head up to the ceiling and saw the writing was glowing.

He read it, “To master the Five Element Qi Sword Techniques, a combination of deep meditation and physical strength will awake one’s mind, body, and soul. When mastered, one’s internal qi will control all five elements: Fire, water, earth, wind, and metal with the sword.”

Then the words faded out, and a holographic image of a lady in white appeared in placed of it. Her beauty was exquisite and elegant-hair that surpassed to her knees, ivory skin, big golden brown eyes, and rosy heart-shaped lips. She started to show him sword moves. Every stroke that she made with the sword, it was smooth and filled with grace. The lady looked familiar to him and he wondered who she may be. Then it hit him.

“Mother?”

He finally saw how his mother looked like. His father was right; she was a very beautiful woman indeed. Sadness began to fill his heart and mind; but fought it, so he could concentrate on the moves. The moves finally embedded into his mind, yet tears continued to stream down his face. After showing him the moves, the image of his mother turned to little particles and it dispersed violently everywhere onto the cave walls.

“No!”

His heart sank, not wanting her to disappear, and the room began to dim down from the faded light particles. Then he wept in the dark. Seconds later, the room began to slowly light up again and he looked up. On the walls, he saw all of the sword stances that he just viewed, meditation techniques, and more writings.

“The Celestial Immortal Sutra?”

Days turned to weeks, and every day and night, he studied the Celestial Immortal Sutra and meditated it. In months, he began his sword trainings. His body moved with grace as if he was dancing-twisting and turning his body with the sword in his hand, flying midair with strokes and swings, and he felt his inner qi and strength increased.

---

While Wu Jian trained to be the Mortal Protector, Guo Wei and De Ming left to search the other three Mortal Protectors. The other Taoist students came to Wu Tribe and help their Elders take turns to bind the Demon Realm’s Seal. Jian Tao and Queen Li Hua watched over Wu Tribe and had set another date, after Wu Jian mastered the Five Elements Qi Sword techniques, for Wu Jian and Princess Xiu Rong to meet again.

As for Cecilia, she was taught to write, read, and cook by Xing Fu. Nevertheless, Guo Jing and Physician Wei taught her herbal medicines. As weeks turned to months, she had mastered all of the skills taught by them. They were impressed of her fast learning ability and knew it was because of her special qi. Her nightmares were also gone, so there was no more sleeping next to Xing Fu anymore. He was bummed at first, but he understood. Since their feelings for each other grew stronger than ever, it wouldn’t be a good idea for them to be physically that close. Her habits, they still accompanied her. She, Xing Fu, and the physicians learned to accept and deal with them. The only thing they did not know was her ability to fight; it still remained a secret and she hoped to leave it that way. Her interest in finding her lost memories and Kai faded through the months. It was replaced by hard work of learned skills and people she surrounded with, especially with Xing Fu. Their relationship bloomed and became inseparable. Everywhere they went; they were together. They held hands, cuddled, fed each other, however; through all of the affections, he had not kissed her yet. He wanted it to wait for that special moment in which he already had it planned.

She finally had her wish. She no longer Cecilia Lin anymore; she was now Xiao Xing.