Chapter 8: First and Last Time

“Tell everybody I’m on my way!”

“Ook!”

The singing duo of Wang Zen and Shibi continued to sing out of the window of the carriage.

“I wish you two would be less noisy,” Zhing Yin said as he walked beside the carriage.

“I’m sorry, Zhing Yin. It’s just that I have to get psyched up or I’ll end up crying at leaving everything I know.”

“You’re a cultivator, kid.” Yin said. “The stronger you become may mean that you’ll have to travel. Whether it’s taking on missions abroad, hunting beasts through forests or accompanying a kid who sings horribly with his red monkey.”

Zen’s mouth curled into smile behind his mask. Al though it was not as powerful as his father’s the mask did hide one full ki level, meaning 10 Ranks in total and since he was at the Beginner level of his cultivation, that meant that it hid all of his power just like his father’s mask hid his. Although, unlike his father’s mask, his was not made of black iron with a demon’s face. Instead it was round and white with red line markings and two holes positioned perfectly for his eyes. Almost like it was made for him but considering his father made it, he doubted it was truly made for him.

“Why don’t you wear your mask?” The boy asked his head guard.

“The mask is good to hide you or to keep your opponent off balance. But sometimes exposing your power is good too. It lets enemies know you’re powerful and that they should stay away.”

“That’s interesting,” Zen said taking off his mask, which was immediately stolen by Shibi as he headed inside. “But the mask could also be intimidating too. I mean there are techniques to hide your power from weaker foes, so enemies could think your stronger than you actually are.”

“How true,” Yin smiled at the boy. “You’ve been thinking about it a while haven’t you?”

“Actually my brother told me that when… when he was still.”

“It’s okay,” Yin smiled reassuringly. “Your brother was smart.”

Wang Zen nodded fiercely at this. “And powerful too and I’m going to be as strong as him one day.”

“That’s a good goal,” Yin smiled at the boy. “Now, please young sir, stop sticking your head out of the carriage.”

Zen smiled before his head retreated back inside the carriage.

“Young Master Wang, your hair is a mess!” Don Fat who was riding along in the carriage scolded before digging out a jar of oil. He stood beside Zen and smoothed his hair back into a neat shiny gleam that was fashionable amongst a few nobles. “There, that looks better.”

Wang Zen looked at Jun Nee who was staring at the corner of the carriage in fear. This was because there was man seated in the corner, shrouded in shadow with a single eye gleaming out.

“Jun Nee!”

Jun Nee yelped at hearing Wang Zen.

Zen smiled at the girl. “You don’t need to be afraid of him. He’s just trying to act tough.” Wang Zen hefted a glare the man who remained silent and generally unmoving. “So, have you left Wuming before?”

Jun Nee smiled shyly before shaking her head no. “This is the first time I’m leaving the province,” she shyly.

“I’ve left the province many times before,” Wang Zen boasted. “But this is the first time I’m travelling with Don Fat.”

The elderly servant smiled at this. “Yes, I guess I haven’t travelled recently. When I was younger, I’d always accompany your brother wherever he went… even sometimes your father. Now that I’m old, the road seems too much for me.”

“But here you are with me now.” Wang Zen pointed out.

“Yes,” the grey haired man laughed a little at this, “to be honest sir, I’ve known you since you were a baby. I feel that I have to see you off, especially since we may not see you again for a while.”

Wang Zen nodded and smiled at this. “Thank you, Don Fat.”

There was a province in between Wuming and Goixi Province. Which meant a longer journey. The going was easy and uneventful. Soon they were walking through a pathway flanked by a light forest. In a day’s time they would cross into Goixi Province.

On one of the days, the carriage and the guarding party had to stop when there were three men in the road.