Chapter 3: Clueless pursuit.

The next morning after everyone slept and went out, they noticed that Jiang Li was not there.

“Where did Jiang Li go?” Yun Ji asked others.

“No idea...” all of them said.

Looking around they could see in the distance a silhouette who was running towards them, holding something sparkling in its hands. The silhouette looked all muddy and its clothes were ripped everywhere.

It was Jiang Li who was running and holding beautiful red sparkling flower in his hand wrapped in a cloth. The flower had 5 spread out yellow hade petals and green sparkling stem. It was extremely gorgeous flower with very mystifying aroma.

Wide smile on Jiang Li’s face could be seen as he approached them, “Morning.” He said and quickly went next to Huo Ba, “I-I, ‘Accidentally’ found this flower while strolling around the town... I thought you might want to have it...” Jiang Li was red faced as he quickly gave the flower to Huo Ba.

“T-Thank you.” Huo Ba looked at Jiang Li flabbergasted.

Jiang Li nodded then quickly turned around, and spoke, “Ah what a good day for training!” and started heading towards their training grounds. You could see his face red as reddest apple and his ears looked burning from far away.

Huo Ba wanted to say something as she raised her hand, but Lin Hao stopped her and giggled.

Everyone else held their laugh while Yun Ji quickly ran next to Jiang Li and raised his thumb, giving thumbs up, “Good job.” He said as he headed together with him.

Shuang Dao looked at the two girls, but didn’t say anything as he also quickly cached up to the other two.

“You are the real man Jiang Li, at least you can honestly show you feelings!” Yun Ji said as he glanced at Shuang Dao with mocking smile. Jiang Li hearing this put on mighty look and Shuang Dao just ignored Yun Ji.

At the same time Lin Hao took Huo Ba to her shed where she carefully put her flower inside a hand sized pit she dug out. Putting the stem inside the pit she covered it with soil.

“Huo Ba, you should definitely think about Jiang Li...” Lin Hao spoke seriously.

Huo Ba was rather pale as she didn’t know what to do, the flower that Jiang Li got was very beautiful and it smelled really good. It didn’t seem like it was easy to get as well, he might have even risked his life.

“But he is like little brother to me...” Huo Ba spoke hesitatingly. She didn’t want to hurt Jiang Li, but she also didn’t like him like that.

“Then just let him prove himself!” Lin Hao spoke as she knew that these things were very complicated.

Huo Ba nodded, but didn’t say anything as she has decided to give Jiang Li a chance.

...

On the training grounds Jiang Li was all fired up and he was training hardest ever in his life. As the saying goes, “Love is the strongest motivation.”

Seeing this Shuang Dao and Yun Ji got fired up as well, training with their whole hearts.

….

Training endlessly, days quickly passed, Shuang Dao arm healed and Jiang Li continued pursuing Huo Ba, training the hardest ever.

The day to take their emblem came and they were very excited to see it. They were also determined to take their first mission today and spread their name.

It was still the same attendant working there and so seeing them she smiled. She was happy that they still haven’t died.

“Hello young Solitary Demons.” She greeted them.

They nodded, “Hello, is our emblem done?” Shuang Dao spoke calmly with smile.

“Yes, your emblem is done, I will get it in a moment.” As she said so she walked off somewhere and when she came back she was holding a hand sized emblem in her hand.

She handed the emblem to Shuang Dao, “Is it good?” asked the Attendant.

Solitary Demons looked at the emblem as they were amazed by the craftsmanship. The carved and painted Starry Sky was certainly amazing to look at and it was very beautiful.

“It’s really pretty!” Exclaimed Lin Hao, she was actually the one who came up with it in the first place.

“Then that’s great. Is there anything else you want today?” The attendant asked politely.

“Yes we would like to take on a Quest.” Shuang Dao spoke.

“Okay.” Attendant said and took out a pile of paper. On each one of the papers there was a bronze marking. This means that it is bronze level quest, on each of the quests there is written how many points it will give. After one collects certain amount of points then one can do silver level quests.

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There were all kinds of Quests with the reward and how many people can precipitate written on it. Some of them even had special requirements such as stats, age and gender.

“Filter them so it would only show five people or more, around our age and statistics.” Shuang Dao spoke and the attendant quickly and professionally ordered them. Taking out one which seemed to meet their requirements.

“Looking after Old Man Shu in his mansion for one year.

Reward: 500 gold coins or more, depending on the Old Man Shu.

Requirements: Age 11-13, group of 5 people.”

They exclaimed in surprise especially looking at the date added it was actually today. They hit a jackpot! They thought.

Also they were extremely suspicious and cautious for such a big reward only looking after old man for one year. They could literally live their whole life without problem with that much money.

“Should we do it?” Shuang Dao looked at others.

“I don’t know… This looks too much of a coincidence and also really creepy... An old man wants 11-13 year olds to look after him...” Yun Ji spoke with eyebrows knitted.

“I think we can try it, and if he tries anything weird we can quit the quest.” Jiang Li said as he looked at others.

Huo Ba and Lin Hao agreed with Jiang Li and so the matter was decided.

“We accept this quest.” Spoke Shuang Dao.

Then the information about the location of the Quest and other details were given to the Solitary Demons.

“You were truly lucky with this one!” Attendant exclaimed.

“Old Man Shu is the richest person around here and it is even said that he is already one thousand years old!” Attendant said as she was a bit jealous of their luck.

The Solitary Demons were shocked. Did they just spend the luck they accumulated for the past 13 years?

Not thinking about it anymore they headed to the direction show on the little map. They headed towards Flying Tiger Mountain! Going past few narrow roads they arrived in front of a humongous gates and fence that surrounded gardens and huge mansion.

Two guards were standing in front of the gates they wore heavy armor and looked very sturdy. They had helmets that left uncovered eyes and mouth. They were just standing there with blank, expressionless look.

“Hello we are here for the Quest.” Shuang Dao spoke as he looked at the two guards.

One guard then tapped the gate as it slowly opened and an old man was standing behind the gates.

Looking at the old man the Solitary Demons were shocked to see that it was actually Uncle Shu!

“Uncle Shu how come you are here?” Yun Ji spoke as he gapped.

Uncle Shu smiled gently, “Actually I am Old Man Shu, but you five were special so I let you call me Uncle Shu.” Old Man Shu spoke casually.

“B-but you would always dress so...” Yun Ji spoke again.

“I just like dressing very simple and I am actually near death so I naturally look shabby.” Old Man Shu said casually again.

“B-but you also ate that spirit beast as if it was long time since you ate it...” Yun Ji Spoke more and more confused.

“Well of course it has been long time since I ate such crude meet, it reminded me of my youthful days so I was really happy.” Old Man Shu said calmly.

“Ah! So it was actually not a coincidence at all that we were able to take on this Quest!” Jiang Li suddenly spoke as he realized that.

Solitary demons knit their eyebrows as they were not sure what was going on.

“That is indeed true that this was not a coincidence, but let’s not talk here. Why don’t we drink some tea while we talk about it?” Old Man Shu spoke so calmly as if nothing in universe could move him.

Shuang Dao looked at others and everyone agreed, so they proceeded towards Old Man Shu mansion.

The mansion was extremely big and looked almost like a castle with very elegant architecture as it was engraved with strongest of Spirit Beasts and elegant patterns.

The Mansion was surrounded by beautiful ponds, trees and flowers; birds, ants and cats were playing around. It looked like a holy ground which mortals would not be able to enter.

Because this Holy ground was surrounded by huge trees which had unclear age as they rocketed towards heavens so much that no one was able to see this ground.

Entering the mansion they saw exquisite paintings and extravagant curvatures it seemed that Old Man Shu had a hobby of collecting extraordinary art work.

They entered a side room with a low table and 6 lavish armchairs, the room had more beautiful paintings and a big window to the gardens. If one sat there, then they would be able to see the gorgeous garden.

As they sat down five maids entered, carrying porcelain cups on plates, sugar holder as well as beautiful tea pot which spread amazing aroma of green tea.

Holding a cup with the tea Old Man Shu finally spoke:

“Solitary Demons. It’s really impressive name, but I am afraid it would not be long lived, if you kept risking it. As you all five know, life is not a game, if you die you will not just start all over again.

You all neither have knowledge nor the strength to adventure the world.

Actually I think fate had led you too me, as I will die in roughly a year.” Old Man Shu spoke calmly while sipping tea.

When they heard that the Uncle is about to die, they couldn’t help but be sad, after all, he was really good person.

“So I have decided to take you five under my tutelage and spend my last year with you. Also depending on your determination you will get an according reward,” Old Man Shu made a quick pause and continued, “I also want to take Huo Ba as my disciple. She has great talent for alchemy.”

Solitary Demons were flabbergasted at this point, but also extremely ecstatic. They couldn’t help but feel like they were dreaming.

What does it mean to be supported by someone rich? It means that they will have countless recourses for improvement. What does it mean to be supported by an alchemist? It means that you can get recourses you would not be able to get for any amount of money.

“Can I really learn alchemy from you?” Huo Ba was hesitant as she had no knowledge of Alchemy. She didn’t understand how she can have any kind of talent in alchemy.

“Well of course you can learn alchemy. You have the highest talent for alchemy amongst everyone in the world. I do not dare to even exaggerate, you are Royal Blood Fairy after all. Fairy amongst fairies.” Old Man Shu said as his eyes glittered.

“Fairy? But how can I be fairy... Aren’t fairies small the size of a hand and live only amongst themselves?” Huo Ba asked confused.

“Yes that is normal fairies that you are talking about and what you said is indeed true, but Royal Blood Fairies are actually very similar to humans. It’s that you are sealed right now and so you are unable to use your fairy powers such as flight and natural affinity to wind magic. Royal Blood Fairies are natural rulers of the fairy race and they have the best affinity towards nature. This makes them the best alchemist, but not only that! You actually have a fire affinity too, a Fairy with fire affinity!” Old Man Shu spoke with passion and excitement especially the last sentence he was basically shouting.

Solitary Demons were totally flabbergasted, because they knew little about this whole race thing.

Can I really be fairy?

Huo Ba was rather excited because this meant that she could find out something about her background.

“But how come my powers are sealed and I am not in the fairy land?” Huo Ba asked confused.

“I do not know that, but I can unseal your powers if you become my disciple, naturally.” Old Man Shu spoke calmly. As if he didn’t care if she becomes his disciple or not.

Huo Ba didn’t know what to do after all everything was too good to be true.

“How can we trust you for not using anything suspicious on her?” Jiang Li spoke as he was the most worried about her.

“I, White Spiritual Flying Tiger always hold my word.” Old Man Shu spoke.