Wang Zen paced up and down the hallway. The only door for a while that was in the hallway was where the healer was sleeping.

“ZenZen?” Wang Lin said. “Why did you scare me like that. I thought the healer was up.”

“Hmm… sorry, Mother.”

“Mother?” she raised an eyebrow. “You seem very serious.”

Zen said nothing, just stared at the closed door where the healer was probably sleeping peacefully beyond.

“Thinking about the healer hey.” She said.

“I don’t understand why she can’t… do her things now.” Zen said in frustration.

“She has had a long journey, non-stop on the road.” Wang Lin said. “You need to understand, Kiddo, healers are not rugged and toughened warriors like you and I. So it is understandable that she is tired.”

“Its hard to wait, Mommy.”

“I know,” she said. “But we’ve waited for what, a week? We can wait one more night.”

Zen nodded.

“Where are your friends?”

“Yin Zheng and Jun Nee? They went home.”

“Should’ve invited them to stay.”

Zen shook his head no. “Jun Nee needs to take care of his brother and Yin Zheng… Yin Zheng does not like to leave his mother after his father died.”

“Ah, Yin Bhiki.” Wang Lin said sadly. “I always liked him. He was a very loyal servant of the family and a dear friend of your father’s.”

Zen nodded.

“Where is Shibi?”

Zen nodded to the side where Shibi had curled into a small ball where he slept on the floor.

Wang Lin smiled. “Poor guy. He really doesn’t leave your side, huh?”

Zen smiled and nodded.

“You should really make a contract with him.”

“I don’t want to subjugate him. He is my companion, not my beast.”

“Please, you know there are more types of contracts other than master and servant.” Wang Lin said. “I saw your research in your room.”

Zen kept quiet and looked at Shibi.

“I could help you with that, you know.” She said. “There are a few documents in this mansion’s library.”

He nodded. “Thank you, Mommy. I’d appreciate that.”

“LinLin?” Jao said as he walked over. “Oh, you’re also here, Wang Zen.”

“Yes, Grandfather.” Zen gave a short bow.

“I was telling him he should go to bed.” Lin said. “I need you to wake up strong and healthy tomorrow.”

Zen nodded. He walked to Shibi and swept the sleeping Scorch Ape into his arms, where he continued to sleep.

“Goodnight, Mommy.” He said as he passed his mother.

“Night, ZenZen.”

“Night, Grandfather.” He said as he passed his grandfather.

“Night, Grandson.” Jao said.

Zen left his mother and grandfather alone in the hallway.

Wang Lin looked at the shut door.

“Daughter, you should also get some rest.”

Wang Lin nodded. “I don’t know if I can, Father.”

“You need to try, I know you are as anxious as your son.” Jao said. “But its good to show him a brave face while we wait for tomorrow.”

She turned around, finding it hard to tear her eyes away from the door. “Yes, I better go lie down, else, I will also be stuck pacing up and down here until the morning.”

Wang Lin left the corridor and soon, so did Jao.

The next day, there was a knock on the door.

Zen opened his eyes, the sun morning sun streaming into his room. He had not gotten much rest last night.

“Master Wang,” came Ding Wu’s voice as he knocked again.

“Ding Wu,” he said as he swung his feet off his bed.

Shibi, who was sleeping at the foot of the bed also stirred awake.

“Please, come in.” he said.

Ding Wu opened the door. “Master Wang, you should probably get prepared.” He said. “Miss Xing is awake.

Zen nodded. “Thank you, Ding Wu.”

Zen bathed and wore fresh clothes. Ding Wu led the way to the medical centre in the mansion. Ding Wu opened the door to the room and there she found Xing, his mother, Wang Lin and Jao waiting for him.

Wang Lin smiled at him and stood up to greet her son. “Morning, ZenZen.”

“Mom.” Zen smiled at her. He looked at Miss Xing and clasped his hands and bowed. “Miss Xing. Grandfather. Morning.”

“Morning, Master Wang.” Miss Xing said.

“Here,” Lin said, leading him gently by the shoulder to the bed in the centre of the room. “Lay down here so Miss Xing can examine you.”

Shibi got off Zen’s shoulder and found a high perch to observe the room.

Zen laid down and Miss Xing hovered over him. “Okay now, Master Wang. I’m going to use a Wood Technique called Deep Root Scan. It should allow me to see accurately the extent of the damage you suffered.”

“Okay,” Zen said before gulping.

She smiled at him. “Relax,” she said softly. “This will not hurt.”

Her hands hovered over his body. For a moment nothing happened as she closed her eyes. Then a turquoise light emanated from her hands, showering down on Zen. Zen’s body began to glow with the same light, first his chest glowed, then it spread out to the tips of his fine shoes to the to the top of his messy hair.

Zen felt warmth and calm as the light penetrated and flowed in and through his body. He relaxed and closed his eyes and even beneath his eyelids, he could see a turquois light.

After ten minutes, Zen started feeling the light withdraw from his body. He opened his eyes and saw the Miss Xing was using less and less power until she finally stopped.

“There, I’m done.” Miss Xing said.

Zen sat up on the bed.

“So, Doc,” Lin said. “When can you have my boy fixed?”

“That… is a difficult question to answer.” She said.

Lin looked at Xing in confusion, “What do you mean?”

“I’ve done this diantian fix operation a few times. It works on mostly people between 30 and 50. Any older or younger and the risks of failure are high. Basically 50%.”

“So there is 50% that the operation will fail?” Jao said.

“Yes, young bodies especially ones with many ki impurities don’t survive.” She said. “There is no risj in Master Wang simply waiting until he is 50.”

“What? But I’ll lose power in the meantime!” Zen said.

Xing nodded. “Yes, you will.”

“Then there’s no doubt, I need to do it!” Zen said.

Wang Lin looked at Xing. “Miss Xing, what happens if the operation fails?”

“Well, if the operation fails,” Miss Xing began, “then Master Wang will die.”