Reunion: The Guardians of the Five Elements

Chapter 18

In minutes, Liu Sang finished his new, detailed map and immediately called everyone's attention to discuss their next action. It was during this time that he saw her. She's shaking? No. It's more like shivering. Why is she wearing those clothes? Since when she- wait. She wasn't wearing those clothes before. His eyes widen in realization. Oh, fuck! Why am I so stupid? She was just beside me all this time and I haven't noticed her ceremonial thin clothes. Damn it. Just because I have enhanced hearing that doesn't mean my other senses don't work. He swore at himself as he removed his outer coat and casually wrapped it around Bo Sying, who absentmindedly, let him fix it for her as if they have done it all the time, not realizing that all eyes are on them but not voicing anything it out. "As far as we all know, this wall may or may not be a secret passage. We'll use explosives. But, we have to be cautious. We might activate a sound trap, unintentionally. Liu Sang, we'll rely on your ears. Not only him. All of us will have to be vigilant as well. Alright. Let's go." After that and their planning, they all move out and headed to their possible way out where Liu Sang, Pang Zi, and Wu Xie leading the group while Huo Dao Fu and Black Glasses Ge are behind them as Kang Jian and Jai Le closely following behind him with Xiao Mei being carried by her Muscle he walking briskly. Though running should be done but because of some uncertainties, they all decided to do that.

As they all hurry, Bo Sying noticed eyes on her and when she looked beside her, she saw Bai Hao Tian looking at her with scrutiny then she noticed Chu Chu having the same intensity while Xia Yu Yan smirked amused at her as she was piggybacked by their Xiao Ge. Confused, she raised an eyebrow at them already telling them why are they looking at her like that. Like she's hiding something from them. Well, I did keep something from them but it was for their safety, or else the future will change drastically. But, I know they would grill me on that once we are all out of this mountain and safe. Then, why are they looking at me like that? She thought. "Once we get the other locket and get out of here, we will have a good chat, okay, Ah Sying?" Bai Hao Tian said smiling darkly at her making her gulp and nod. I just hope they all go easy on her. Then, they all come to a wall. A wall that should be a passageway towards their next location. "Jia Le, get the dynamites ready." Wu Xie said and immediately placed the dynamites in place that Pang Zi instructed as Chu Chu helped him. Being a gentleman and a worrywart, Black Glasses Ge snatched the dynamites she was holding and placed them accordingly, and then gather all their threads in part to one thread that is long enough away from the wall. Again, perhaps a habit he didn't notice he established, Black Glasses Ge stayed closed where Chu Chu is as he placed his left arm over her shoulders, to protect her while Xiao Ge shields his partner, Bai Hao Tain and Bo Sying since they closed to his side. Kang Jian, Jia Le, and Huo Dao Fu huddle close whereas Xiao Mei is in the middle, protecting the little girl as the remaining trio braced themselves for the impact. When the fire is almost closed to the explosives, Bo Sying looked at where Liu Sang is, covering his ears hard while curves in a fetal position to lessen the impact of the explosion, and without thinking, she rushed to his side to cover his ears at the exact moment the dynamites exploded. Shocked by the sudden action and noise, it took a few seconds late for Liu Sang to cover his partner's ears.

Once the ringing subsided, Bai Hao Tian and Chu Chu were the first to run towards Bo Sying who is laying over Liu Sang's left shoulder, and few tears rolling down her face. He was about to speak, yell at her impulsiveness but stopped himself when he saw Chu Chu signing at the girl in his arms.  'What do you feel now? Has the ringing subsided?' "It's not... not that loud any-anymore." Bo Sying said trying to avoid flinching for any sound she can hear due to her sensitive hearing. So, this is what Liu Sang's been feeling. She thought when she felt a soft tap on her legs to see Bai Hao Tian signing to her. 'Can you hear us?' Bo Sying smiled and nodded. "But not too loud, or at least for now, I think. My ears hurt just by hearing myself breathing." "That's normal when you heard an explosion this close. But to be safe, all of us will have to speak softly for a while to ease all of our hearing. Liu Sang, how are you feeling? Your hearing, anything?" Huo Dao Fu asked after checking Bo Sying and went near him to check for himself as the other answered him. "Some ringing but not as loud as you all think. I'll be fine in a few minutes or so." The doctor nodded, also getting the same result over his checking then checked the others for precaution, especially Xiao Mei, who among everyone, hasn't experienced such an explosion and needs looking after.

Once done, everyone continued their venture when they saw a passage, just like what Liu Sang drew on his map. "You don't have to carry me like this, Liu Sang. You can put me down." "You shouldn't have done that." Bo Sying looked to her partner as she was being carried in his arms like a bride. "I'd rather hear that explosion than you suffering from it. You've been hearing too much. Especially that we are in an enclosed space didn't help. It's just a small gesture as long as I can help, right?" Liu Sang can feel her smiling through her voice and he didn't have to look at her to prove it. "You're truly something." "Wha-" "So, what did our guardians tell you before they left? They told you something and the wind shouldn't be that gentle and warm since we are inside the mountain." That's when he looked at her only to be surprised to meet with a soft smile. "I can't hide anything from you now, can't I?" He softly chuckled at that, agreeing to her statement. "What is it then?" Liu Sang asked and Bo Sying shared what she thinks that is needed to be. Especially, Li Ju Lai's reminder.

~*~*~*~*~
The group reached a lift, of some sort. It's like an old lever lift where there's a rope that is needed to be pulled so that it could go to the next level. "What do you think we should do now?" Pang Zi asked everyone as they all looked at the lift that can fit a maximum of five people. "What do you think we should do? Of course, use it. I didn't expect you to lose your brains, fatso. With what's left in your brain." "Oh, I have a brain alright and I think I will need to beat you up so I can get my brain to work. How's that sound, jinx?!" "Papa, calm down." "Ah Sang." Xiao Mei called out to her father as Wu Xie hold him down with Zhang Qi Ling as Bo Sying got in between them, calming Liu Sang down before it escalates.

"We need to hurry. If he's losing his senses, Xiao Mei will be feeling the same thing." Xia Yu Yan said while Chu Chu supports her weight by standing up. Upon hearing this, Wu Xie instantly gets into motion. "Pang Zi, you and Xiao Mei get on the lift first with Yu Yan." "I don't think that group won't be good." Bai Hao Tian said. "Pang Zi and Xiao Mei will immediately weaken the moment the two of us get separated, even for a few minutes. We can't risk that." She added. "I think, Pang Zi, Wu Xie, Bai Hao Tian, Xiao Mei, and Dao Fu should go first. If anything happens, there's a doctor near the two critical guardians." "I don't like that tone of yours, Black Glasses Ge. I'm not that weak." Wu Xie sighed but then instantly pushed their fat companion inside the lift as the doctor sighed as well already agreeing with his partner's suggestion. Liu Sang then helped Bai Hao Tian to get Xiao Mei over her back and into the lift. Then, he went towards the rope where the other boys are and starts to pull. They took at least half an hour to get the first group on the upper level and get it back down, being careful as they can. As they get the next group to get inside the lift, Liu Sang heard scratches from afar. Like small legs running all over the walls. Bo Sying saw his reaction and immediately went near him as Zhang Qi Ling watched his friends. "Chief, when I tell you to get in the lift, go. Xiao Sying and I will handle the spiders." "Spiders?!" Kang Jian yelled, getting everyone's attention. Even at the first group who are already on the upper floor. "Ah Sying!" Xia Yu Yan and Chu Chu called but couldn't do anything since they are already being lifted upward in a fast-paced. Zhang Qi Ling didn't need to answer when a glow of green over the ropes and instantly, the lift is being moved upward at a fast pace, not giving the people on the lift to brace themselves. "Go, Chief!" Liu Sang said as he and Bo Sying focused on the rope while their Xiao Ge reluctantly ran towards the lift and jump.

"No! Ah Sying!" "Liu Sang!"