Reunion: The Guardians of the Five Elements

Chapter 17

"You have this the whole time?! Why didn't you say anything, Jinx?" Pang Zi exclaimed, confused as to why their companion has not said any word about it. "I have no idea that this is the one or one of the lockets that we are looking for. This was only given to me by my mother before Er Shū called us." Liu Sang explained to all of them as Wu Xie examined the locket that his friend owned. "Did they tell you anything about it?" Liu Sang handed the locket to him and said, "They told me to keep this with me at all times and when the right time comes, give it to the rightful owner of the locket." "Rightful owner? Then this is not yours or to your family?" Black Glasses Ge asked when Wu Xie passed the locket to him and passed it to Chu Chu where she went to where the girls are huddled together to have a look. "I don't know. I asked them about it but they also have no idea." Liu Sang said as he looked at the girls and sigh. "Don't you think something happened at the time when they were about to be buried?" Jia Le thought out loud gesturing at their special guests. "What do you mean?" Kan Jian asked, out of curiosity not noticing that everyone is paying attention to them. "Why would Miss Li's locket be at the possession of Liu Sang's family when his ability is enhance hearing? I think, someone wanted to steal the lockets to get the stone and when that person was about to do it, one locket was missing. Of course, one gold locket is enough to get rich at that time and one stone can make anyone stronger, assuming that this person has no idea about the stone and only knows that it is powerful. So when that person tried opening it, it wouldn't. Then that person, realizing that the missing locket is needed for it to open, is already gone. Well, I can be wrong. Anything can happen in the past that we don't know." Jia Le shrugged. "Or maybe, the locket does belong to Liu Ge's family but destiny has its tricks. A descendant from the eye-gifted ancestor, like an odd number to all even ones." Kan Jian added as the two shrugged their thoughts to the side knowing that their theory may be too absurd in this present time when both of them noticed eyes on them. So, when they looked at the side, Kan Jian raised his hands while Jia Le looked at the wide eyes and was confused. "You have gullible friends, Sir Wu Xie." Zhang Wei said while Ju Lai giggled in amusement. Wu Xie laughs in amazement. "That's why they are in my team." He said then looked at the two boys. "Relax. You didn't do anything wrong. It's just that, the two of you might get the gist of the whole mystery behind Liu Sang's locket." "Oh." The two boys said as Huo Dao Fu ruffled their hairs, proud of them while the others smiled at them. "Then, Ju Lai, do you know what happened?" Bo Sying asked.

Li Ju Lai smiled gently at her and said, "It is just as they guessed. Only, I saw it happened when I accidentally touched the hand of my most loyal handmaid and best friend. She was with me when I'm still young and blind. It happened after my, our death when my uncle wanted to steal the locket. Without thinking, she took my locket and kept it safe until my mother was blessed by the goddess with another child. My handmaid became my little sister's loyal maid and she passed the locket to her, telling her that it was mine and asked her to keep it safe. Also, it should be passed down to the next generation who has a special ability like me and Ah Wei. Now, my locket is with you." "But, shouldn't Ah Sying have that locket since she can see?" Chu Chu asked, confused still. "Ideally, yes. But, she's not from the Li family or has any connection to them. And, from Miss Li's story, we can theorize that Bo Sying is from the Qi family." Wu Xie said and looked at Qi Zhang Wei to confirm which the other nodded. "Her family bloodline is not direct to the main family but she has Xiao Lai's ability and the only descendant who has it. My other great-grandchildren wasn't chosen by the goddess." He explained. "Then, Sir Qi Zhang Wei, do you know where your locket is? From all the information now that we have, there's a high possibility that it might not be in your tomb." Pang Zi asked which Wu Xie sighed for the rude questioning. Though he understands his friend why. He's tired. Tired? He thought again and looked at their fat companion as Zhang Wei answer them. "My father gave my locket to his favored general. His tomb is located at the top of the mountain. But be warned, it isn't buried. It is in him." Everyone were confused by the warning except for a certain fat companion who is unexplainably irritable for a while now and the others understand why. "Wow, that's great. How on earth do we get there?! The only passageway is blocked and we are not even sure if there's a secret door here to get out of here." "Papa, calm down. There's a way to look for another passage." Xiao Mei said gently consoling her father from a distance since she is not yet allowed to move from the mat that they have placed for her, for her safety and she knows very well that her father is getting tired by staying too long inside the mountain. "Calm down and sit on the mat. The more you move, the more the mountain sucks your energy." Huo Dao Fu said as he pulls Pang Zi to the mat beside his daughter and forcibly pushes him down. "Hey, sour dumpling, is this how you treat your patients? That's why yo-" He was then cut off when Zhang Qi Ling stuffed his mouth with a sandwich to keep him busy. Wu Xie sighed and shook his head at his friends and smiled. He knew well that even Huo Dao Fu is irritated at Pang Zi's remarks, he would still keep an eye on him. And Xiao Ge. He knew well how to keep fatso busy with food. He thought while the others laugh at them. "Well, we can't stay here any longer. Pang Zi can feel the effects already. It won't be long 'til Xiao Mei does." Black Glasses Ge said looking at Wu Xie then look at Xiao Mei, comforting her father. Chu Chu looked at Black Glasses Ge's concerned face then went back to reading the map that Bai Hao Tian and Xia Yu Yan had been analyzing for a while. Bo Sying kept touching on the wall around them, trying to see whether she would be able to see through the wall rather than seeing the past and future but, she doesn't. It didn't hurt to try. All of us are running out of time. Bo Sying thought then went back to her other friends who are reading the map still.

Liu Sang tried making another map, this time, using the headphones to cover more ground. Knowing that they are now further from the entrance of the mountain, he might find another path or passage. As he blew his whistle, Kan Jian, Jia Le, and Huo Dao Fu, with the use of their hammer and chisel, tried opening a wall that can help Liu Sang widen his map-making as well as looking for another passage but with caution. They can't just hit any ramdom walls. It might fall on them and cause more trouble than help. Wu Xie and Black Glasses Ge then tried opening the blocked entrance if it can still be used which they doubt it will but, they needed more options and this is what they can think of as they wait for Zhang Qi Ling from his search. Good thing though that Pang Zi is resting while Xiao Mei studied the map with the other girls. Li Ju Lai smiled at them and then looked at her beloved as Qi Zhang Wei looked down at his love and gave her his gentle smile. "You haven't told them how to get to General Chen's tomb. Why?" "Your great-grandson will soon find another path. The strong man who is currently scouting will find clues about this mountain and what to avoid. Everyone here is capable and reliable. Even the fat one that saved everyone here." "So, you weren't testing them. You just weren't able to tell them when all of them started working?" Qi Zhang Wei didn't answer Li Ju Lai knowing that his beloved would understand his unspoken answer who smiled widely at him. Then both looked at Bo Sying and passed a message only she can hear until everyone around them felt a cool wind passing through them as if giving them the energy to continue. Even Zhang Qi Ling who just got back felt the wind. But, only one took a moment to stop and look for the source of the wind. Bo Sying smiled.

"Ah Sying, always remember that this mountain is our haven. It won't harm its guardians. The lockets are your keys. Use them wisely."

"Thank you."