The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

In the cave. Xionmao explained to Lifen and Ming.

"That blue stone you're talking could be Kreg. It gives strength to someone weak and makes a person active. Other humans gained temporary powers while using it but this seldom happens. During wars in the past, the other guardians gave this stone to physicians to sustain the life of their patients and to give them the strength to continue healing the wounded.

"While village warriors used the stone to defend their people, but some Chiangdas found it and used it for their own evil motives and caused the chaos. Maybe, these men got them from those who had it before.

"If that man has blue stones as big as those, you better be careful. Even if you're a Chiangda, you must avoid direct confrontation. Most of all, the birds saw Chiangdas helping the Goding army. So, there's a big possibility that man could be a Chiangda too."

Then Xionmao told them what the birds reported. Lifen and Ming's hearts skipped a beat after hearing everything. Ming fisted his hands as he let out his anger, his nails digging on his flesh.

Lifen slumped on the chair, feeling helpless for the first time. "Oh, my great ancestors. The Goding king has planned this well. They knew General Wu Qian was coming and intercepted him. They are really determined to take this city.

"Based on what I understand, their ultimate goal is Fengfu City. Probably, the mines are their aim. So you need to defend this city at all cost and don't hand it to them."

Ming felt the pressure but as the governor, he couldn't allow helplessness to overwhelm him now. Thousands of lives depended on him. He had to save the people. "Ma, Don't give up yet. Please, not now. Help me think of a good plan to defend this city… "

Lifen wiped the sweat on her forehead. "I'm sorry, son. I'm just overwhelmed recalling Goding's great army earlier, while we have no one to defend us but ourselves."

"I know, I felt the same way too. But, mark my words, I won't give up this city without a fight. I'd die trying than seeing this city taken away." Then Ming turned to Xionmao. "Will you help us defend this city, Master?"

"No, we, guardians should not interfere with human affairs, to protect what we need to protect. Other guardians suffered and died because they intervened. I helped you twice out of favor but I cannot help you more."

Ming's ears stiffened hearing Xionmao's statement and eyed the panda with disappointment on his face. "So... even if we die, it doesn't matter to you as long as this cave is safe? You'll only fight if they try to come here? Is that it?"

"You might think I'm selfish and looked at this place as a plain garden, but millions of lives depended on this cave, including you and the future generation of Chiangdas."

Lifen and Ming gasped. This was unexpected.

"What?" "What do you mean, Master?"

"I can't tell you more," said Xionmao as he plucked butterfly fruits from a blue bush and handed them to Lifen. And pulled a miniature mango tree from the ground and cut the yellow tubers from the roots. "Here, eat these. These will give you speed and strength when you fight. But only eat one of each at a time. Remember, one at a time."

"If we eat more?" asked Ming.

"Try finding out." Xionmao gathered more fruits, including the Moon Fuyen Herbs and took a green bag from the cave wall. He placed his harvest inside and gave the bag to Lifen.

"Here. Don't lose this bag because this is one of a kind. This can preserve the fruits and herbs from rotting and you can carry large and heavy objects inside as well. There are more herbs inside. Say 'Yoop' to open it. Say ''Yabey' to close it.

"I, also, included the water from the sacred river. Drink it if you don't have food to eat. It will keep you from getting hungry for days. But, remember, don't let anyone know about this. Now, go. Don't come here unless you need to hide the women, children, and elders."

After knowing they could hide the weak in the cave, the heaviness inside Ming partly lifted and bowed at the panda. "Thank you, Master."

As they walked out, "What is your plan, son?"

"Ma, I have a hunch. I think Goding's general is planning of speeding up the whole war after they lost their food supply since winter is coming. I also believe that they are trying to lessen the casualties. That's why they are sending this man to fight one on one, believing I will lose."

"Good point. But they didn't know you're a Chiangda."

"I know but we can't give in easily to give time for Xinyi to come back."

"What are you planning?"

"I will fight but I will ask for three bouts. One fight a day. I think out of that, I stand a chance to win. Mostly, with the fruit Master Xionmao gave us."

"Include me. I want to fight them. My blood is boiling right now after what they did to General Wu Qian and our army," Lifen said and looked up. "I wish Xinyi will be back soon."

Ming walked out of the forest. "But we can't let her fight with her powers. She must remain hidden unless…"

"I know but she can do something while hidden, at least." Lifen crossed the brook.

"You're right." Ming looked up too and remembered something. "Wait, Ma." He ran back to the cave and came back minutes after.

"What was that?" asked Lifen.

"I asked Master Xionmao to warn Xinyi from exposing herself and the dragon."

"Good thinking."

Xionmao went out later. He clapped his hands once and the trees near him uprooted themselves and covered the entrance of the cave. Next, he stomped a foot on the ground and some trees all over the forest lit up and a thick fog swallowed the whole forest.