WangXian Forever Book 8

Chapter 73 Endeavour

Hui Gai and Zago transported into the space within the necklace. For a few minutes, Hui Gai just watched his children playing, and in his mind he knew that he felt the same way about Li XiWang and Rumi as he did about Klem and Jez.

This wasn't something that he needed to be taught...more a feeling that grew out of being the protector of one and suddenly having more children to look after...not just here but back in the Nether World too.

And if there was one thing Hui Gai had learned from his PengYou, it was that a heart only grew bigger with more people to love. It was a severely underrated emotion, because it had the power to obliterate its enemy, if it was nurtured and cultivated with kindness.

Of this, Hui Gai was absolutely certain.

He knew only too well that had Wei Ying not accepted his friendship, he could have spun out of control in a tidal wave of hatred towards his captor...but then...but then he would have missed out on the gifts the Universe blessed him with.

Everything was about balance and Hui Gai was going to see it restored. When his friend came back, he should be happy with what was going to happen now.

"I like what you've done with the place." Zago was saying, looking around. "How did you get the idea of making it this...Nice?" Her tone was full of admiration.

Ever since she had met Hui Gai, he had never stopped surprising her. She had yet to fully believe that he was real, and really helping her. He might be her king, but he never behaved obnoxiously, or threw his weight around. And she saw how he garnered respect from all who came into contact with him, by his actions rather than temperament.

She also knew that if she was to mention it, he would fall back and tell her it was all because of Wei WuXian and his influence...but there was only so much that could be laid at his feet. She knew better than anyone else that Hui Gai was good, right down to his core even if he denied it.

And it was this trait that her pledging her loyalty to him without having to say it aloud.

"I've always lived here." Something passed across his face. But he smiled. "When I was freed from the curse that bound me to my master, I discovered I had powers that I never knew. Now...I think I might have even had the power to free myself from that predicament since I've not met any challenge I've lost against yet."

Zago nodded, listening intently.

"I think it's a genius idea anyway. No one will ever find out where the kids are...it's the safest place."

If Hui Gai could blush, he would have.

"We're running out of time. Let's get on with this." He replied gruffly, but Zago knew it was because he was embarrassed.

So she made it part of her mission to remind him now and again, how wonderful he was. He had saved her too, after all.

Li XiWang was the first to notice him and she squealed, getting up from the floor to throw her tiny arms around his waist. Hui Gai bent and kissed the top of her head, and the other three followed. He greeted them all the same way, including Oge who had a naughty smile on her face.

"Are you going to kiss me there too?" She smiled mischievously.

"For now." Hui Gai promised, grinning back with the promise of more, later when they were alone. "But...we're not staying. We only came to give you all an update on what's happening...so you don't worry."

That produced groans and whining all around.

Zago smiled, watching Hui Gai, thinking he was so good with children.

Hui Gai sat down and had all the children sit by him, pulling Oge to sit by his side. Then he looked up at Zago and gestured for her to join in too.

This was kind of new to her and she decided to do what he said because the children were all looking at her now and it was becoming awkward. Once she sat down, he smirked in her direction and began speaking.

"We don't have a lot of time, so I'm going to keep things simple, alright?" He waited for the children to nod. It was amusing to him that the three younger ones watched Li XiWang and did what she did...as all children do.

It was nice to see...an unofficial leader of their little group, even if none of them were aware of this.

"We brought your brother and Jin Ling back from that place. JingYi and the Dragon babies had taken them all to the Dragon's Graveyard with Zhitiao. They're all back now. Then we went to find Uncle Ning."

"Is he back too?" Li XiWang asked, eagerly, her burgundy eyes bright with hope.

Hui Gai hated it that when he shook his head, her face clouded over with disappointment before she schooled her features into a neutral expression. That was something she had learned from her other father, it seemed.

He lifted her onto his lap and the other children crowded closer.

"Uncle Ning wanted to stay." He said quietly, letting them process that. But to Li XiWang, he said, "Little Rabbit...it's okay to feel things. It's natural to be disappointed, or to feel sad and happy...all those things. You don't have to hide it."

Li XiWang nodded and hugged his neck. Close to his ear, she whispered, "but they'll see."

His heart broke for her. What a brave girl she was being.

"It's alright for them to see, too. Family can help...it's the one place you can be yourself... with your family." He promised her.

Li XiWang looked deeply into his red eyes and nodded.

Hui Gai wasn't sure how much she believed him, and maybe her fathers would be able to explain it better...when they returned. For now, he was conscious of every single second that passed.

"WingAndLaZhan?" Rumi asked, his purple eyes excited.

"Time moves differently there, but we saw your parents." He explained. "They are well...the dragons Shen Ling and Shen Qing were passing spiritual energy to them. They were resting on an array...and Suanni was there."

All the children cheered at that, and Hui Gai was happily encouraged to continue. Although Jez had never seen Suanni before, the other three's enthusiasm made him join in too.

"So I think they're going to be fine. Now...we have another problem here. Over there, we didn't know that today is the fifth day...today is when the Sleeping Sickness Demon will return for Rumi." He carried on.

"You're not going to take him!" Li XiWang said with determination.

"No, I'm not." Hui Gai said with a twinkle in his eye. "Because I'm going to be him."