Reunion: The Guardians of the Five Elements

Chapter 24

"What would be the previous fire guardians wished for?" Jia Le asked from the backseat of the boys' van. "If we are going to consider the locket that the wood guardians now have, maybe it's an accessory?" Kang Jian answered but sounding more of a question as well to everyone inside their van. "It's possible, right Tian jie?" Xiao Mei said through the Bluetooth that everyone is wearing whereas the girls' van is closely following behind the boys. They left the cabin hotel from Shāndōng Province before sunrise and they are now heading to their next destination, Húnán Province. The province where Mount Héng Shān is located. "Yes, Mei Mei. But, we can't all assume that it is. According to the information, they wished that the stone will be in them and will never be taken away or removed by any means. It can mean anything." Bai Hao Tian said, reminding everyone connected to the call. "Alright. At the first gas stop, we gather supplies and refuel. Xiao Jie, please follow closely." Pang Zi said, teasing the other van's driver with a nickname he is so famous for calling to everyone and ended the call which cause Wu Xie to groan and looked at their Xiao Ge who still looked indifferent as the others ignore their fat friend, who is laughing at his own joke.
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Laughing can be heard inside the girls' van as Xia Yu Yan tried, but failing miserably, not to blush but the nickname Pang Zi gave me matched perfectly. "Papa got you." "Mei Mei. Guys. Please stop. I want to drive carefully and you are not helping." "Wow, Yan Yan. You're whining. That's not like you." Bai Hao Tian said and still laughing at their driving friend. "Nice way to lift the mood. Though, you've been quiet, Yan Yan." Chu Chu added after trying so hard to get her breathing back to normal after laughing so much. And, silence. Bo Sying sighed. "Is this the first time Xiao Ge hurt you?" At that question, Xia Yu Yan flinched suddenly and hissed softly, trying to not let the others hear her but was heard, still, by all of them. "It's not that bad. Dao Fu ge said that the swelling already subsided. Also, I'm feeling better than two days ago. Don't worry guys. I'm okay." Xia Yu Yan said with enthusiasm in her voice but they all feel the pain instead. How many okay's has she said to herself whenever this happens? Can she still handle it? How many okay's will we say too? They all mentally sigh. They may have done one quest and yet why does it feel like there will be more painful incidents in the coming quests? They can only wonder. When everyone is feeling gloomy, their small friend cleared her throat to get them out of their dark and sad thoughts.

"Our quests now will be more painful and darker. Anything can now happen. We just experienced the first one. I know you'll be doing the same thing, sacrificing, covering up, protecting, even if you get hurt in the process but we can't keep on doing that. We did promise ourselves to spend this free time meaningful and worthwhile. So to avoid getting ourselves killed, we all need to agree on one thing. We will move as a team. We understand ourselves better than the boys. When it comes to making decisions, don't rely only on me. We need each other to anchor one another. I may make a wrong call so to avoid that, we make decisions accordingly and stick to it without regrets." Bai Hao Tian said with dignity, as expected to their small leader. Xia Yu Yan smirked and reached out her right hand and hastily mess her hair since Bai Hao Tain is seated at the front seat, which the other complain about such action while Chu Chu and Bo Sying smile widely from the back seat as Xiao Mei mess her Tian jie.

~*~*~*~*~
Once they arrive at the gas station, the girls, with Kang Jian and Jia Le, went inside the store to get some extra supplies like food and bottled water while the rest of the boys refuel both of their vans. "Hey, Naive. I've been itching to tell you that your admirers are following us so close. They even parked right across from us just to see who's your girlfriend. Did you say something about our family vacation?" Wu Xie looked at his friend confused by way of asking that question when he noticed his fat friend's eyes looking at their peripheral vision. They are being followed. Wu Xie thought and looked at the others with them who also noticed this but act as if they don't know. We need to split up. The girls can't be on their own together. He thought at the exact moment the supply team returned and put the already bought things inside both vans. "Papa, I have to show you something. Hurry." Xiao Mei said, pulling her father in the boys' van with Xia Yu Yan close behind, smiling at Zhang Qi Ling for helping her carry some of the supplies to be placed in their van when Wu Xie noticed Bai Hao Tian near him, smiling directly at him. "Let's go." She said only making him chuckle. They already know. "Manager Bai! Where do I put this?" Jia Le said from the boys' van as Huo Dao Fu went to the younger's side to help him, instead. "Yeah. Let's go." Wu Xie said to Bai Hao Tian as he help her get inside their van and looked at the others on the second van. "Mindlink call." He softly said, only for their hearing friend could hear. And then, when he get inside the van, they all started moving again. He checked his phone when a named group call is linked to his phone. Everyone is already connected.

"Black Glasses Ge, status."
"They are not too close behind us and not speeding up."
"Keep an eye on them. We can take turns, just give us a signal."
"Roger-"
"Speed up."
"What?"
"Ah Sying?" "Xiao Sying, what did you see?"
"Speed up!"

Everyone heard the sudden outburst of their seeing friend and Liu Sang asking his partner about it when Bo Sying screamed making them do as she says.

"Liu Sang, control your girl. She's making me feel nervous. I'm driving here."
"Shut up, fatso."
"Papa, don't be rude."
"What did you see, Ah Sying?"
"She won't speak, Tian Tian. She's trembling."
"Guys, they're gaining on us."
"Kang Jian, watch out for them and warn us-"
"Guns!"
"WHAT?!"

"If you don't want to get hurt, I suggest you let us follow you to the next destination. We can have our chat later when we are settled down. Is that alright, San Xie?"

San Xie? Wait—How did they manage to get through our signal? Why did that name sound familiar to me, like a distant memory? Wu Xie thought and looked at his team as he can also feel the tension on the other van then he looked back at his Xiao Bai who nodded at him, telling him that whatever his decision is, she will follow through.

"Alright. But, you have to follow our rules."
"And, they are?"
"For now, follow us closely and keep your guns. We don't want anyone to see you carrying guns, do we?"
"Alright, San Xie."