The Ritual

"Do you see over there, that largest mountain?" Su Xin Yu pointed to one of the big mountains in the distance. Both the people were still relishing the sunrise but now the temperature had started increasing and the light breeze had stopped too. Su Xin Yu was a bit worried about her cousin too. He would have definitely drifted off to deep sleep now.

"Yeah, what about it?" Even from afar, Li Ming Hao could feel that it was the most mysterious of the lot. And that mountain was the only one that had most cluster of cloud around it. It would be unimaginable how many secrets that kind of place would have.

"For this journey, that's out final destination," she informed him. Given how ominous it looked, Li Ming Hao was suddenly not looking forward to visiting any of them. More than that, how much time would it take for them to just reach that mountain, it looked hundreds of kilometers away from the current mountain top. He frowned a bit.

"Don't worry, the mountains are all connected through a natural system of caves formed over millions of years here. If you go further down, they become dungeons. Otherwise, they are just a channel of natural tunnels. It should take us about two days to reach there, including breaks in between," she could really read his mind through his expressions right now. But that was also because she had experience with other kids of the school. For long journeys like this, she only chose people with enough stamina and will power and they still reacted the same way.

"Well, you are my sole guide, so if you say it like it, I will believe you." Her reassurance did not make sense to him but he had no choice.

"Also, I want to do your ritual first. I don't want you to get injured because of my stupidity again," he said determined this time. Last time, it was his stubbornness and his dad had given in too, very easily at that. Guess he did not believe in it either. But he saw the disaster last time with his own eyes, he could not risk it this time. If he had to placate the spirits, he had to do it.

"Oh? Changed your mind? Well, the effect from last time will not go that easily. But at least if you do it now, there will be fewer consequences," Su Xin Yu was delighted secretly that the guy had decided to uphold her tribe's tradition, even though it was out of fear.

"Okay then, let's go down. Those trees will be plenty here. I can make a make-shift drink, if not the actual wine," she beamed, taking Li Ming Hao by surprise. Why did she have to be this happy over such a small thing? And look so cute on the top of that that he felt like pinching her cheeks?

Both of them finally went down to find Chen Chen really sleeping. He was rather snoring, so it told how tired he was. The two of them also decided to take a break and eat something before waking up the cousin and hitting the road again.

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"Have they started yet? I don't think that boy is diligent enough to wake up this early and go on a journey like this," Dean Li was looking at some documents in his hand when his assistant came in with his report.

"The group has already left actually. We have sent our spy behind them too," Wang Qi replied, handing over his report with a smile on his face. In the past few years, Su Xin Yu had not given them any good news about the treasure. Nor had she found any clue about her dad. Thus, they had to employ methods other than herself to find more information. Otherwise they could not know if she was withholding information or not. And so, they had sent Li Ming Hao to her, to befriend her and accompany her at all her expeditions.

If not for the carelessness of his master, who had just taken over the school, that guy would have never left the underground prison. Wang Qi had no idea why he thought keeping anyone, who knew most of the secrets of his ancestor's traps, in a prison made with same traps. Ultimately, that Su guy was supposed to tell them the secrets but he managed to flee. They were left with nothing but a seven year old child.

Whenever Wang QI thought about it, his blood boiled. They could have been rich by now, he could have his own slaves. But thanks to his own master, who liked to take decisions without consulting with anyone first, they had lost everything. And now he was trying to pine his hopes on that little girl. What did she know?

"Do you think that person would perform?" Dean Li raised his eyes from the documents and looked at Wang Qi.

"Yes sir, definitely. We have nurtured that person from childhood too, just like Su Xin Yu. And they understand much better about their own strengths and weaknesses than anyone else. They will bring us some good news for sure!" Wang Qi reassured his master once again.

"Well then, I will wait for the results," Dean Li went back to reviewing his documents without changing his expression at all.

"Tch, thankless bastard," Wang Qi rolled his eyes.

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After having their food, the three people started their journey again. Chen Chen was completely cured of his rashes, thanks to the miraculous medicine from Li Ming Hao. On the way, they found the sacred tree of Su Xin Yu's tribe. She carefully chiseled a young branch on a small tree, extracted some kind of liquid and diluted it with water.

Then they went through the ritual for the guy, who almost puked at the taste of the solution.

"I am sorry, since the wine is fermented, it tastes much better. If you had told me earlier, I would have got some with me," Su Xin Yu shrugged. She thanked the tree for its help and tossed a candy to Li Ming Hao.

"Eat this, it will help take out the bitter taste."

Li Ming Hao grabbed the candy and ate it like a desperate kid.

"Alright, let's start our real journey then," Chen Chen took the lead this time and the group finally started moving. A person in shadows was observing everything. They ripped a few of grasses in fury as they saw the interaction between the girl and the guy.