The Tale Never Ends Chapter 128

We decided to take up lodgings at the old man's burrow that evening. For the first time in many nights, I finally had a proper rest. Edelweiss shook me awake the next morning after she had brought me water to wash up. As I sat up groggily, I could not help feeling touched at being able to enjoy the bliss of having a young woman like Edelweiss taking care of me.

We had meat again for breakfast. It was the only food available since winter began ravaging across the wilderness. In contrast to Yuan Chongxi who wolfed down his food with tremendous vigor, I merely took a few disinterested bites.

I was fortunate somehow that our host hardly has an eye for detail. He did not notice my reluctance for our breakfast and I kept from troubling him any further. I was already grateful enough for his hospitality thus far. The old man urged that we should set out as soon as possible, for 'the other old man' waiting at the other side of the canyon must be anxious to see us. He was truly an honorable person, despite his eccentric manners. Yet, even after spending almost a day and a night with him, I did not know his name. But I decided not to ask since he made no mention of it as we bade him goodbye and took our leave.

We began riding towards the other side of the canyon. Through our casual trot out the snowy gorge, Yuan Chongxi released his grip on the reins of his horse. His hand would sneak into his pouch for pieces of beef jerkies, chewing on them like snacks as our company moved. The old man had made sure that our supplies were well-stocked with dried rations, water, and even wine! We really owed a great deal to him for his kindness!

We picked up our pace whenever we could and slow down to a lope whenever we encounter trees or other obstacles. After tens of miles of journeying, spotters at the front of the company reported of a tent far ahead of us. A black stallion was grazing lazily outside the tent and on its saddle was seated a young lad donning a wolf pelt cloak. Noticing our arrival, the young lad squeezed his legs around the horse's flanks and rode up to meet us. He saluted and bowed. “Do I have the pleasure of addressing Young Master Murong?” “I am he,” I replied, “My name is Murong s.h.i.+yan!” The young man gave another bow to me, acknowledging me. “The Master of the House is expecting you. At his behest, I am here to escort you. We've erected a small tent ahead with some refreshments,” he motioned to the tent ahead of us. Such excess, I brooded quietly, while saluting in return to the young man. “Thank you very much. But I am still uninformed of the name of the master you serve?” “Our Master goes by the name Shang. He's the Master of Fort Enigma,” revealed the young man.

Hearing this, G.o.dmother quipped, “Shang? The Third of the Six Terrors of the Frontier, the divine Shang Pei himself?” “Indeed, he is!” The young lad replied. G.o.dmother glanced at me and gave a nod. We rode to the tent and went in. We walked through the openings of the tents to find inside furnished with tables and ornate silverware. We enjoyed some suutei tsai tea with compliments of our mysterious host and I remarked, “My thanks to you too as well for your reception.” “Please, don't mention it. I was bade by the Master to see to your needs,” said the young lad, “He is close friends of your father. His son was present during your investigation agency's opening, I believe. It's a pity I was not able to attend.”

We quickly ended our brief respite and continued our journey with the young lad in the lead. Edelweiss and I rode at the forefront just behind him with G.o.dmother sharing a horse with Edelweiss. Such was the advantage of using magic, I mused, that G.o.dmother might even be able to pa.s.s off as Edelweiss's sister.

We finally came before the gates of the fortress after another tens of miles of riding. Another man was waiting outside to receive us; another young man who looked n.o.bler in stature. He smiled as he walked slowly towards us, “It has been two years since we've met during your opening, Young Master Murong! How is business?” I returned his salute. “All is well, all thanks to your blessings! I hope you're well too, Young Master Shang!” We dismounted and the Shang the younger held my hand like a brother, leading me into the fortress.

Still, despite his warm affability, I could help but wonder, have I truly met him before? There were just so many people during the opening; guests during the day and ghosts during the night who had come from far and wide to congratulate us on the opening that I could hardly remember most of them!

We reached into a great hall. Seated on a dais at the end of the hall at the seat of honor, was an old man. This is my father, said Shang the younger. I took a few brisk steps forward and bowed, “My greetings to you, Uncle. My name is s.h.i.+yan!” I lowered myself into kneel, but the young Shang immediately stopped me. “There's no need for such decorum!” Shang the older pointed out heartily, “Treat yourselves at home! There may be no proper arrangements between your father and me to recognize our brotherhood, still, we have bled together in the past. This makes us brother-in-arms! He's very much older than all of us, hence all six of us, the Six Terrors of the Frontier, address him as our Big Brother!” The old man rose firmly from his seat and walked down the dais. He held my hand and led me to a chair by his table. “I was hampered by some business during the opening of your own investigation center. Hence I could only send my son to attend the ceremony in my stead. I hope all is well at your center so far!” “Of course, Uncle! It's all thanks to your good wishes!” A maid appeared and set the table for tea.

“This is…” I began to gesture towards G.o.dmother but to my surprise, the old man added quickly before I could introduce her, “I know her!” He smiled at G.o.dmother and greeted her, “It's been three centuries since we last met. Have you been with Brother Hai all these while?” The remark of Father's name reminded G.o.dmother of her sorrows. “Three hundred years, eh…” She lamented, “For three hundred years I have been searching for him in vain!” The old man chuckled. “It is as I have foretold. You and he are not meant to be! But I was afraid that the revelation might be a blow to you. Hence I had never been able to be frank to you. Brother Hai is a pract.i.tioner of magic and a keeper of arcane knowledge. It is only normal for him to choose to remain free, unlike we mere earthly beings!” G.o.dmother's expression began to soften. The old man had referred himself as well, to be one of the “mere earthly beings” he mentioned even though G.o.dmother once mentioned that he had the powers close to that of half an immortal. It was beyond any doubt that he was several times more powerful than G.o.dmother.

I began introducing the rest of our company to the old man and his son. The girls of Aunt Ulan's horde, observing the traditional customs of their ways, conveyed their respects the old man and toasted to his health. When it came to Edelweiss, I introduced her as my girlfriend. Hearing this, the old man was overjoyed. He tugged at his son's arm excitedly as if his own son was getting married. This called for a gift, he began yelling. A bright girl herself, Edelweiss began addressing him as Uncle like how I did, much to the old man's delight that he started to turn ecstatic! How about a golden knife, he suggested. But when Edelweiss declined his offer, he turned sour like a pouting boy! I shot a knowing look at Edelweiss and gesticulated quickly to her so that she would agree. Little did she knew that a gift from such a person, one who was merely inches away from attaining immortality, could only be a very impressive item!

Seeing that Edelweiss finally accepting his gift, the old man was pleased. I continued presenting to him my companions, Lin Feng and Yuan Chongxi. It happened that the old man knew Chongxi's mentor, Old Man Chen! “So, your Old Chen's heir!” The old man chuckled blithely and said, “He's indeed blessed to have found such a good student! He should thank his fortunes to have found you!” “Thank you, Senior Shang for your gracious words!” Chongxi remarked cheerfully, proud of himself too.

“How is he now?” The old man burst into laughter. “Has he changed from his bad habits?” Chongxi began to look puzzled. Seeing his expression, the old man said, “You don't know, eh? When he was young, your mentor was proud of himself! Too proud of himself, in fact, that he brashly revealed secrets from his divination!” Yuan Chongxi was surprised. This old man knew his teacher since before he lost his eyesight!

But Chongxi, being a blunt person, blurted quickly, “He has long refrained from his old ways. He's been blind for decades!” The news of his friend's loss of sight struck the old man silent. With lips trembling on the verge of breaking down, he stammered, “D-decades? H-how long has it been?” Chongxi paused and thought before he uttered, “Close to five decades now. More than forty years ago.” All of a sudden, the old man began shedding tears! Silent trails of droplets rolled down his cheeks as he remained in shock at what had happened.

Shang the younger went to his father and held him up. I followed too. But none of us knew the reason behind Old Man Shang's surprise behind the news of Old Man Chen's blindness. The old man sat on the edge of his dais, sobbing hard as he pounded on his own chest, screaming hoa.r.s.ely, “Old Chen, my friend! For decades we've not met! I'm to be blamed for your ill tidings, my friend!” This shocked everyone: was he part of the reason behind Old Man Chen's blindness? Even his son was equally flabbergasted, although he could say nothing, merely reaching for his father's cup of tea and handed it to his father, asking him gently to calm down.