8 Building Bridges.

I opened the curtain and looked out the carriage window. Today's weather feels nice for sunbathing. I inhale deeply as the scent of peach blossoms and wild flowers assail my nostrils. I sit back and relax enjoying the sight fleeting past through the window. Kita is sitting opposite me as he hasn't agreed to leave my side since yesterday's incident.

We are currently heading towards the Wei Tian Forest Range. The carriage's exterior is quite plain since I need to travel incognito but the interior is still quite arranged with necessities for a comfortable trip.

While horses are used for transportation, it is unusual to use horses to pull carriages because spirit beasts are used. They are called riding beasts and although they are used to pull carriages, they still have to be tamed. One of the ways by which the prestige of each family is showcased is dependent on the spirit beast used to pull their carriages.

This journey though would take a total of about 20 days, 12 days by carriage ride and the remaining 8 days on horseback. There are 2 routes to the forest range from Mount Fu but we are currently on the longer of the two since as I need to check up on some of the new subdivisions that were added to the sect which started putting in place since I became Grand Master.

Originally the majority of funds earned by the sect came from the Medical Peak and although funds were earned from the other peaks and we have a large reserve of resources, being that the sect which has existed for over 800 years always positioned itself to be neutral to the affairs of the realm they didn't involve themselves in any other activities. However I am a strong believer in always preparing for the future as change is constant.

Starting with the already available divisions and subdivisions in the sect, we expanded to have a presence in every single town in the realm plus using my knowledge of Architecture, construction and business in my previous life, we are currently developing a construction, lodging and restaurant chain in every location we have a sub-division.

Kita suddenly turned causing me to snap out of my reverie, "Master we are being followed, though I don't think they mean us harm."

"Don't worry it's the Wu Xing, most probably Uncle Wu had them follow us to ensure our safety although I told him there was no need." I smile feeling all warm and gooey inside.

The Wu Xing were the shadow agents within the sect that undertook all of the most dangerous and underground activities of the sect and are under the direct control of the Uncle Wu spearheaded by the Grand Master. They are made up of 5 agents at the topmost level followed by 5 agents under each agent and five agents under the next group of agents down to the base like in a pyramid scheme.

I settle down in a full lotus position to meditate and absorb spiritual energy. Since I don't need to cultivate innate talent and spiritual energy want abundant everywhere, I could absorb spiritual energy anywhere just by meditating. And with training from my master, I could meditate anywhere which was like a cheat for me.

After about two hours, I stretched my limbs, pick up some pastries from the table beside me and placed in my mouth. Kita appeared to be meditating as well and I smiled to myself while admiring his handsome face. Yes am that shameless for someone who looks fifteen to look this handsome of course its so I can look plus its free of charge.

Picking up another pastry about to put in my mouth, the carriage jerked and started to slow to a stop. I raised the curtain to look out as a guard on horseback approached me.

"Master there is some fighting in front. Though it doesn't affect us, I think it would be better to wait a while till they disperse since we don't want to reveal our identity or we could change routes."

I nod my head, "We can change route". As he turns to leave I call out "Wait!!!."

I open the carriage door and step out of the carriage which had already stopped. Kita stepped out after me as I turned to the guard "I would like to see what's happening."

I could already see the displeasure and reluctance written over his face as he stared at me while thinking of the best way to pass on his objections, "Master, they seem to be there to pick someone it really doesn't have anything to do with us."

"Mhhhmm, the more reason why I should go check it out you never can tell you know." I argue. "Moreover, you just said it had nothing to do with us so it's fine. How far in front are they?"

"About 2 li."

"That's fine too." I called for my horse and set towards the direction accompanied by Kita and 4 guards.

After about 5 mins, I could hear sounds of fighting with weapons clashing against one another and shouting. I stopped, got down from the horse and walked forward followed by Kita and 2 of the guards while the other two guarded the horses.

The route was lined with bamboo trees on both sides and from the sounds it seemed the fighting had moved from the road to the forest beside if so I followed the sounds. Nearing the scene I could clearly make out the conversation in between the fighting. Obviously someone was supposed to get assassinated.

Employing qigong we climb the trees to get a better look and the situation didn't look good.

There were about 25 men currently facing a lone young man with about 6 lying on the ground from the offending group. One could see that he was at the third stage of the orange innate power level with excellent martial art skills from his movement despite his young age which was a rarity on its own but there were also 3 orange level practitioners in the group with one equally at the third stage.

He was already breathing sluggishly with a pale face and his movements were becoming slower. He seems to be poisoned. To actually go to this length hmmm they must really absolutely want him dead.

Looking for a vantage point I turned to the men," I think it's time to let him go."

The fighting seized for a moment as they all turned to look in my direction.

"Who is this idiot who doesn't seem to know his place" The one with the third stage orange level cultivation who seemed to be their leader shouted.

I turned round to look for the idiot and the "him" he was talking to. Am clearly a woman you know? Then I remember am travelling in a male outfit. Oh! So the idiot must be me as well.

"I understand you're surrounded by melons but everyone isn't one. Anyway this melon thinks it's time to let him go. It's bad enough that he's clearly outnumbered but you had to go as far as using poison on him? Where has your honor gone to? Oh!! For barbarians there shouldn't be anything like honor I forgot."