I walk through the garden and see how the work is progressing. The gardeners are working hard to make it perfect and out work is really paying off. Paths circle the different parts and in a while, the garden will be filled with plants purifying the air and providing shelter for the cultivation stations around the school. It will be both pretty and functional, as well as the first proper park in the village. I am proud of what we have managed to accomplish over the last few years. The school is up and running, the village is prospering and growing. All is well and stable enough that I now can leave.

My walk brings me into the large central hall of the school. The hall is the biggest room in the area and can house more than fifty people listening at once. I really enjoy seeing when it is filled with children in the summer months. All the student and disciples of the school have to teach the children reading, I have adopted as one of the school tenants that “You have not understood something before you can teach it.” So each summer there is teaching for free in the village. One or two months depending on weather and season when kids from all over can come and be thought. They get a piece of wood showing what they have been through so they can advance the next year.

The hall is filled with people, all the teachers, some disciples and all of the movers and shakers in the villages of Rapid, Banks and Hill. I have called them here because it is finally time, and I do not want it to be a surprise, I am soon leaving for my adventure. Having told and gotten feedback on the process I am hoping everything will be okay with the school and villages when I come back. I am leaving Ha in charge of the school and my brothers in charge of my many businesses. Xia is in charge of the manor and the different farms around it. She is also in charge of our fortune as a wife should be. I have thought her double entry bookkeeping so she can keep our finances in order, and even though money is not pouring in, there is still money.

Everyone rise and I can enjoy the colours in the room from all the pretty clothes. All the teachers are dressed in white and black with the school's mark on the back and right front. Ha has silver on the edges of all her clothes, it is mirrored in my gold. The teachers sport white while the different ranked students also have their colours. Tion tells me that it is unorthodox how little emphasis on the ranks we put. Her own family's cultivation method expels all the poison in the body when changing ranks and that is the norm. They then also put more emphasis on the different ranks in their clothing. When she told me this I was horrified at the damage these methods must have on the body, but I also saw money since just such damage is what my method is good at repairing.

I smile at all gathered “Please take a seat.” I tell them and with a bow they do. Rising when a superior person enters the room is not part of our culture, but part of the growing culture around the school. Rise, bow and then sit when the person entering has acknowledged the honour. I make my way to the seat reserved for me at the head of the table. Sitting down I see the papers laid there for me and the little gavel in case the room won’t come to order. This is also part of the growing culture, I call it open meetings and they can get very rowdy. It is like a brainstorming session with note takers and rules of conduct. The most important of which is that no one is allowed to take offence at anything said, and all disagreements have to be resolved before ending the meeting. I remember the first meeting where I had to keep it going for three days. Turned out to be a great success though.

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“Thank you all for coming,” I tell them and look around the room. Everyone knows why they are here, but I go over it again. “I have talked with each and every one of you before about my desire to travel and now I have decided it is time. This meeting is to organize my departure, settle all matters internal to the school and decide upon any tasks I should try to fulfil outside. There are four purposes to my travel. I wish to explore and bring back knowledge to the village, I wish to find new opportunities for growth and I wish to spread the word and renown of this school.” My little speech did, I again survey the room and see the Village head of Banks holding up his little paddle to speak. “I have long known this day would come and I have not looked forward to it. After I have spoken with Learned Su about his reasons I have agreed with him. In this regard I sent around a paper with the goals I think worthwhile to pursue.” He says and everyone finds his paper in the pile. That paper mill is a fucking wonder and it is like printing money. It is situated in Banks since it needs so much space, water and manpower to run. Small speeches like his goes around the room and in the end there is a long list of matters for me to look into. My mind might have despaired at it if it was a task list, but it is more like a dream list. “Meeting the emperor” is on it, but I see no great reason for me actually working towards such a lofty goal.

“No, I do not think it is enough with two companions,” My father says for the last time. “Three is the least you will leave this town with my boy.” His voice is firm and decided, but I have managed to pass under ten at least. “Agree” I hear from many around the Hall. I cave and look around me “Then whom do you think should be the third?” I ask them, I wanted to bring only Xi and Tion on this adventure. “You need to bring one of your disciples,” Ha says with a firm voice and her arms crossed. “Okay, but whom?” I ask again and the discussion continues. They end up sending Yuan, one of my oldest disciples with me. She is unmarried, close to twenty-five and good with her hands.

Xia does not seem happy when we walk back from the meeting. “You are leaving me behind.” She states when she finally says something. I look at her and think about our agreement before marrying. “Yes, everyone knew this when we married. I even made a point talking to you about it.” I say and continue, she stops and I have to turn when she speaks next. “So that is all I am to you, someone to keep the home?” She looks hurt and I feel like I am on the uneasy ground again. I need to tell her how I feel and not make it sound like I am a pompous ass while doing so. “Kind of, since you are the only one I truly trust to not mess up leading all I build. Ha has her own plans, Xi is a battle maniac and the elders have no vision for the future. If I am to leave and have something to come back to I need to leave you to watch after it.” I tell her and smile while walking over to her. “You are probably the best person in this whole region and I wish I all our children will take after you.” I hold her hands and draw her up to me for a kiss. “Really?” I kiss her on the mouth and answers her with a smile. “So why do you have to leave?” I feel all my good words fall down around me since she does not seem convinced. Again I have to find the right words. “Do you really think keeping me here is a good idea?” I ask her and look around, here and there I see pretty girls doing their own thing and leer. Xia grip my upper arm and drag me along behind her back home.