Call On Me

12

I summoned Lan Zhan to my workspace after having a thorough conversation with Wen Qing. She looked at the instructions on making the elixir specifically and said that she'd help make it. I nodded and let her go back to work. Lan Zhan arrived not long after she left.

"Leader San," he greeted.

"This room is private from everyone else. You can call me by my main name here," I said.

"Wei Ying," he seemed happy to say that name again. It felt a bit strange hearing it but I was okay with it as long as we were alone, "this room?"

"It's a workspace," I answered, "books all on charms, talismans, alchemy, chemistry, and cultivation and so forth. There was even a couple stations dotted about the room. Places to build, to mend, to heat and cool, and to clean and sharpen. I make my disciples weapons here, so it's got weapon parts and materials, such as different types of wood, bamboo, and metal. Even some fabrics. It's a very large room and it's kept private just for myself to work on whatever I want."

He nodded, "it is a nice room," he said, "why have you summoned me?"

"Come," I motioned him over. He stood beside me and I showed him the page for the elixir to help me build a new golden core, "this recipe is ancient but I imagine this is how many cultivators started off. The ingredients are difficult to come by but I can tell that once refined into an elixir, it will help a person cultivate. As long as they follow the instructions given. The problem is I am too weak to go get these on my own. Two of the three are located in the Burial Mounds and the last one is on a mountain filled with spiritual beasts that are very dangerous to humans. I know I am asking a lot but..."

"You want me to come?" He asked.

"I understand if you don't want to, but I realized I need help with this if I want to try to cultivate again. If I don't try, how can I continue to protect these people? They count on me and there is only so much I can do with what I have," I explained, "Will you help me?"

"I will," he replied, "I can help you. But this journey looks like it could tire you out if we are not prepared properly."

"Wen Qing said that even though I just had one done, that I should have another treatment before leaving. It will give me enough spiritual peace energy to at least protect myself a little bit," I told him.

He nodded, "when did you want to leave?"

"Well, I have to make sure everyone is okay here first. I know Wen Ning would want to go with us but I need to have him here to help Wen Qing run San Bao until we return. I am leaving this place defenseless by leaving," I said.

"Would you be willing to let my brother help in some way? I can write to him a private message to tell him our situation and he might be able to come and watch over the place. Maiden Jiang is also here," he suggested.

"Maiden Jiang will probably stay to help with the current situation in the infirmary. And I don't know if I want any other people involved. If your brother comes here, that could lead others to suspect something. This war with Wen Ruohan is also still going on. I can't risk these people getting hurt or killed," I said, "I have a protection barrier surrounding this small clan but it could still break."

He nodded in understanding, "very well, but at least let Maiden Jiang know and maybe she can help the people here in some way. I'm sure she knows a little about handling a sect."

"I suppose I could talk to her about it," I said, "so we can prepare to leave in a few days. It will allow me to get another treatment done and rest for a day before heading out. Plus we need to pack up some stuff like emergency supplies and maybe food."

"Allow me to help get that stuff prepared," he said, "are there any other disciples here that could possibly come along as help?"

"My oldest disciple is sixteen. His main name is Wen Yong, but under San Bao, he goes by San Yong. He has his own sword but he also started a new form of cultivation and is actually really good at it. I even thought Shijie and Nie Huaisang could take up on it. It is fan martial arts. It still requires some spiritual energy but it requires less energy than it would a sword. I can use that method but it uses up the little I have each month pretty fast if I am not careful. If I use it on our journey, it would be strictly for emergency situations," I explained, "as for San Yong, I do not know if he is prepared enough to come along. I'd rather have him here to help Wen Ning. I do not think it would be too difficult with just the two of us...unless you do not want to be alone with me."

"That is not it," he protested, "I just want to make sure we are prepared. The Burial Mounds I can most likely handle but if that mountain has a lot of dangerous creatures, we will have to be careful."

"As I said, I won't use any of my energy unless it's necessary. You have to know I can still protect myself," I told him.

He nodded, "very well," he said, "let us leave in a week to give us some time to prepare."

"That's fine with me," I said.

He nodded. I noticed him scanning the room a bit. He noticed a whip lying on my workbench, "what is this?" He pointed out.

"Oh, I realized that a spiritual whip also used little energy to use, so I was making one for myself. A couple disciples have one and they are useful. This whip is made from a vine of a willow three. (inspired by the Willow Vine Whip in ErHa, or Husky and His White Cat Shizun). I saw some samples in a couple books and found they have some interesting qualities when infused with the individual's spiritual energy. I have yet to finish it," I explained, "it's in a whip form now, but I want to make it so it can shift into a bracelet or a ring for convenience sake."

Lan Zhan nodded, "I've heard of these types of whips, but it's hard to make one. The ones that currently exist were crafted by an ancient god. Those people who have them now...there are only two in existence. This knowledge is limited I'm sure."

"Possibly, but the inspiration is there. It doesn't have to have the same qualities or characteristics. It's material make for a good whip. That's the only reason for making one. Any abilities can be added with the right charms and enchantments," I explained.

He nodded, "alright, just as long as you are being careful."

"Of course," I told him.