47 第47章: A day to chat

She came out in the early morning to see the little girl again. Even as it was a sign that her father was here. And sure enough, he came out the next instant. Still in his large cloak.

Giving a wave. Even as a couple of days has passed without them making an appearance. And having finished with the splitting of the work. Even as she was now a glorified messenger with Yuan Shao. She didn't really mind, as it meant that she could see more of the city than what she had.

"Feiyu asked me to take over today." Absent from the last night for the most part. And today as well. Even as she took out her parasol. Knowing full well that this was what he wanted of her.

She would oblige it. Using her umbrella was harder as she had fewer choices in terms of mobility. And why she could never pull off what he did. But the control of the wind.

Remembering that the energy that they used was something that didn't seem to have been intuitive to many. Something which required them to actively know that they were defying fate. Or that they were in control.

"Do you know why this energy isn't harnessed by anyone?" Perhaps she got why Feiyu may have decided to let him handle the more peculiar aspects. Other than the fact that he seemed more able to explain it.

She had an idea. "Is it because we have to think of it?"

"No, because from young we're told that we should follow fate. It is the belief that is ingrained in us since the beginning of our memories." It was an explanation that made a lot of sense to her. Something that she could get behind as well.

"And thus, that is why we don't use it."

"It's within us. We have the ability to take upon it and call upon it while we can. The power of fate should have been energy which did not force. But now, it is forceful. And thus forces our own wills to succeed to them."

And she understood that the reality should not have been so. Their wills should not be subservient to some omnipresent beings. "Because they are forceful, we are now following. And breaking with it is much harder because we would be different when compared to others."

And thus harder for many to choose to leave. If the pressure was there. She had abandoned her family at this point. Believing that it was better for her, and breaking with fate because it was so.

She had known that it was far from the truth. But she could not see another life without opting for this.

"Is it normal?"

"That is a question that I can't answer. What is the natural balance is something that I do not know." And thus could not answer. It made a lot of sense as well. Since it was at the core something that did not seem to have a definitive answer.

"But back to this." Since he was answering the harder questions. Explaining the details of what they had known. "We can do as we wish because of the fact we know what we want. If we don't, we are susceptible to the influences of them. And what they would do is to think of it."

And she knew that the deeper it was entrenched in the mind. The more likely they were to eventually make use of it. It was not something that they could avoid. But to fight against it required a stronger mind.

Even as the girl has come up to her father. "Is that what you never told me?"

"Forget everything I just said." She glared at him. It was impossible. Just impossible. She gave a small laugh.

So it was a conscious decision to fight against these influences. "Is it something that we can just do once. And hope we never have to do again."

It was a question. One which she didn't know whether the answer would be what she expected. Or the one where she was expected to fight the influences for the rest of her life.

"In the essence, we would have to do it. Fate has a way of getting back at us. The same way that many could be lured back. It isn't something that we can do about. So, it's a conscious fight."

And that was why perhaps not all of them could enter. "Would they test this when I take the exam?"

"They would. They need to see whether your mind is resistant enough to this. Whether you can be able to handle absolutely tempting circumstances."

She was reminded of her own mirror. But it was a miserable cage for her. An unhappy life for no one but her. A cage made just for her. But to anyone else, it would be the dream they had always wanted.

She couldn't think of what would be tempting to her. "But that would be too early."

But this energy was hers to harness. As long as her will was great. "And to expand it is to rid yourself of further influences. But that again is for later and up to Feiyu. She is the one who took you on and had the best chance to understand your background."

And thus strengthening it. Even as it became necessary for her to think about it now. How she was able to become stronger and more forceful. And perhaps, she would need to ask it during their strategy sessions.

Even as that was not done two days ago. Mostly doing it with Yuan Shao, or Zhixun in the evenings after he had come back. At least that was how she passed these two days.

"But first is to mostly clear your mind. Focus on your goal and figure out where it is. That should strengthen it." For now. She had closed her own eyes, taking in a deep breath. Before choosing to raise her umbrella again. Sweeping it without seeing.

A much stronger gust of wind followed. Now as she opened her eyes. She looked into it. Before giving a smile. "It's exactly just that."

"What's next?"

"That's about it. How about you ask me any questions, I'll be happy to answer them."

"Any questions?" He nodded.

"How long are you supposed to be here for?" She asked. Testing the first with something as simple as this question, and perhaps whether asking would work. As he suggested that they were finished for the day.

"Another hour at the least." Which was a good thing in a sense, since she could ask questions as much as she liked. She now had reasons to ask him some questions that had been in her mind. She did have them, but there just was not enough time to handle most of them.

And she knew that it was the best for her now. Any questions that she might have would be answered, hopefully. There truly was no better time and place to do so.

Even as he took a seat down. Before she did too. His daughter came to be beside her. "Ask him more questions, as many as possible and make it uncomfortable."

"Angry that he hid stuff from you?"

She nodded. Folding her arms. Even as she gave a chuckle. "I'll buy you a new set of clothes. I'll get you a new toy." Noticing just how he was trying to futilely win over a little girl.

"What is your story?" She asked.

"It's nothing as exciting as being found by Madame Yuan, nor was it as unique as Feiyu. But I was found as an orphan on the outskirts of the West. And why you would never see me much around West China."

She knew of the borders and their associated. "What is further west?"

"The Great Jin dynasty. Who had come from outside China." Even as he placed his hand on the girl's head. "You definitely look like a serving girl. Since you clearly weren't so educated."

"I am somewhat literate. I can read, but not necessarily write well. Reading was important if I ever needed to go into a contract." But writing had not been for her.

"Well, I would think so if Feiyu had to teach you that. Either way, I found by Feiyu's master, who took me down. At that time Madame Yuan had not entered yet. And it was under him. He heads the capital, Kaifeng, and is known as Master Zhang."

"The same master with Feiyu." He nodded. "And one of the many people who judge and bring them together. There is a council of four to five, who make the suggestion on who to promote. I often find myself on them, since I can't be bothered to find an apprentice. And the others always seem to make a motto of finding an apprentice before the end of the year."

She knew that they were few in numbers. Due to Yuan Shao sharing with her much. And it made sense that the rule was to not have an apprentice.

"So, is there any prerequisites?"

"You need to be here for at least three years as a full-fledged member."

"So, Yuan Shao could take an apprentice next year?"

"Precisely that. Even as I can tell you that it would be highly unlikely. And I bet that the guy who is with Yin Rui would get it first. That boy is still too immature and too young. That even if he were to bring home an apprentice, that apprentice would be finding another master instantly."

Which made a ton of sense. At least since she knew he was still a child. A woman became one at 15 but was only considered an adult upon marriage or if they were still unmarried at 20. Even her ceremony signified that she was ready for marriage and childbirth.

While boys waited till they were twenty. It was also a necessity before they could marry. "So, you just don't take them?"

"Well, you're technically a student of mine. And I just told you a lot of things I'll never tell Wei'er. That's the main reason why I don't." Even as the girl looked at him.

"The rules say I have to send them in for the examination within three years. Which means they would need to be ten at the minimum. And there are some things that I can't talk to her about since that is reserved for between master and student."

"So, what was Yuan Shao doing here as a child?"

"The same reason why she can be with me when I'm here. Children, you can't really leave them alone for long periods of time." She had the feeling he was lying to an extent. Even as it didn't seem to make any sense. But not on a mission, which again made a lot of sense.

Companions but an apprentice. Not until later on in their age. And she knew that there was a minimum age. At the very least. And this was something that they could not avoid.

"I didn't know you were chatting with him." Yuan Shao had joined them at this point. A surprising person to see. Even as he rarely made his appearance until the afternoon. And it was still in the early morning.

"He was supposed to teach me. But he's already reached the limit of what he can do. Unless I decide to suddenly change masters."

"Not exactly, but rather more of what I can teach you would come later in your skill. Feiyu needs to work this out. And it a requirement before you head for the exam."

"You are a surprisingly good teacher. Better than some people I have been under the tutelage of."

He gave a shrug. Not really caring all too much about what they were doing. "Well, he doesn't take any on because he has a daughter."

"And there are bets that he would take her on as his first apprentice." Which made a ton of sense. Even as they were whispering to each other. "Either way, mother had not taken on an apprentice since me. And before me, there were also a few."

Either way, it seemed to be fun. "And by the way, Yin Rui is asking for the both of you. And that you need to remember that you were supposed to bring her along."

He gave an awkward smile. Even as she stood up. "Well, I should get going." Liao Yue stood up and decided to make them leave. Even as Zhixun led the two of them to his quarters.

"So, how's being a secretary?"

"It gave me reasons why I should never ever take it again. Nothing against Yin Rui, but it's just the system which bothers me. And thank the heavens this is only a cover."

Which in her mind meant that it was one of boredom. There just wasn't another better way to put it. Even as they had reached his office. It was a quick entry into it.

Clear that they were here for something. "Here is your next assignment." Yuan Shao took it first. Before passing it to her. It was a definitive location. No comments and the man gave a narrowed glance on Yuan Shao.

"You'll leave for it the next day." They nodded before taking the chance to leave.

Outside, Zhixun was still around. "So, where are you heading?"

"Well, we'll be heading to a rich merchant family this time around. Although I'm not familiar with the area, I think I'll be fine. I mean, Dianyu likes an adventure."

"I'm sure that it'll do fine as well."