The next day, all three went to see each other at the back porch. Each greeted the day with a different emotion. Somad was tense and anxious from the sudden great responsibility on his shoulder. Mingliang as always hid his concern well under his laidback disposition. While Sari was in high spirit, still indulged in her new experience in cultivating the qi.

Mingliang found her, punching and kicking on the backyard. He could induce Qi within each movement.

He must admit, that Sari had a talent in practicing a martial art. He looked around and found Somad, sitting on the bench with his eyes wandered. Mingliang didn't try to console him. He watched Sari and Somad for a while, then went to the kitchen to prepare a simple breakfast for them all.

About an hour later, they were having breakfast together. After that, Mingliang didn't wait for Jim and Anton, he and Sari left with her car, to get his belongings from his rented room, while Somad waited for Jim and Anton alone.

Nothing important was happening that day, until about lunchtime, when Jim and Anton came to visit.

Mingliang and Sari already returned and kept all Mingliang's important belonging in one of the room. They packed them inside one big old leather suitcase.

Mingliang, Sari, and Somad were going to have lunch when Jim and Anton came.

"Look, my luck is always good. In my previous life, I must have been a good person.", Anton laughed and greeted everyone warmly. Without any hesitation, he picked a position on the bench and took an empty plate. Eager to wait for his turn to scoop the rice.

Jim sat next to him, but he paid no attention to all the food served on the table. After shortly greeted Sari and Somad, his attention turned to Mingliang, without any greeting, he jumped directly to the point, "So, what's your answer?"

Mingliang knew he would ask, and he already had the answer prepared, "Yes and no. I agree to lead the unit, but I don't personally teach them. Somad is my only true disciple. He will be the one who'll teach them all they need to know."

"Somad !?", Anton stared the boy in disbelief.

Jim said nothing, but he was taken aback too, it showed on his expression, "Are you sure about this?"

Mingliang nodded without any hesitation, "Yes, six months isn't enough for them to learn anything advanced and Somad already knew all the basics. Don't worry, I'll check on their progress from time to time. I might personally teach a skill or two when I see fit."

"I hope you take this unit seriously.", Jim didn't hide his dissatisfaction. His eyes stared straight at Mingliang.

Mingliang genially returned the stare. He didn't wince at all and calmly answered, "I do."

For a few seconds, both men stared at each other. Mingliang did his best to show his determination and seriousness. Jim did his best to read the truth behind it. After a while, Jim's face softened, and he nodded, "Okay, I trust you."

"I believe you already know, but I have to remind you, people won't like it. You and Somad, are going to face some challenge. And I don't blame them for it.", he added.

Mingliang grinned and patted on Somad's shoulder, "I believe in my disciple."

Unlike his usual mischievous grin, Somad showed a reluctant smile. The boy had been thinking all the time since Mingliang entrusted him with the responsibility. A part of him was proud for the trust. There was another part of him who disappointed at his teacher's decision. Somad didn't understand, why Mingliang seemed to plan a suicide mission. Even worse, he dragged Sari who loved him in that mission. While at the same time, for the sake of keeping the inheritance alive, he asked him to escape.

The boy was confused. There was a conflict in his mind, between his respect toward his Teacher and his disappointment at his Teacher's priority, that put the inheritance over everything, including his life and the life of the woman he loved.

Anyone could see the responsibility weighed on his mind, without knowing the real reason behind his silence. Sari gently patted his back. But Mingliang who usually comforted the boy, this time showed no sympathy at all. They ended up eating their lunch in awkward silence.

"I've talked with the family who will own this house. They agree to sell it to the government. After what happened here in the house, they have no interest to keep it anyway.", Anton broke the silence.

Jim nodded, "He's right. Considering the nature of this house, I have contacted and convinced several people above. They would like to meet you and see you demonstrate your power, but in principle, they agree to support us. This house will be your special unit's main base."

Sari frowned, "This house is quite spacious compared to its neighbor, but I don't see how you would put a hundred of people here?"

Jim nodded, "That's true, I have discussed it. They asked me to bring Mingliang to meet them. I'm afraid I overestimate my influence, they don't agree to form such a large unit."

Sari seemed dissatisfied. She ignored Somad's relieved face, "How come? We're facing a real emergency here. How many are they willing to invest in this special unit?"

Jim calmly finished his last spoon, "Hmm, they might not see, what you see. I wouldn't surprise, to find someone among them might see it as an opportunity instead. You weren't there if you were there, then you might think some of them are part of this act of terrorism."

Sari looked disappointed and had a hard time to believe what she just heard. Jim's sharp eyes observed Mingliang and Somad. He didn't surprise to find Mingliang calmly accepted the news. But he didn't expect to find Somad, just as calm as his teacher. When he saw it, Jim suddenly felt relieved. His trust in Mingliang restored a bit.

"So, when are you going to see them? One of my purpose for this visit is to arrange a schedule for your meeting with them.", Jim turned his head to look at Mingliang.

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Mingliang flexed his arm and leg. His eyes fixed on the table before him, seemed to think about something. After a few minutes passed, he lifted his head and looked at Jim, "Do they want it as soon as possible? How long you could postpone it?"

"Isn't sooner will be better?", Jim raised his eyebrows and asked back.

Mingliang nodded, "Hm, but I have planned to close up and train. That's why I entrust the rest to Somad. I didn't know there's another meeting. But if you give him a week or two, he will be able to demonstrate what I did and even more."

Jim's and Anton's eyes sparked when they heard it. They took a glance at Somad in disbelief. Jim turned back to Mingliang, "Are you sure about it?"

Mingliang nodded his head and turned to Somad, "What do you think?"

Somad gave it a thought seriously and then nodded his head, "Two weeks. Give me two weeks."

Jim was inspired. Somad's demonstration would leave a stronger impression compared to Mingliang's, and they would receive less opposition when Somad became the teacher later.

He vigorously turned his stare to Somad, "Boy! Are you sure about that? Two weeks you said?"

Somad didn't falter under his stare and confidently nodded his head, "Two weeks it is."

Jim nodded, "Good! I'll give you three weeks."

He turned to his younger partner and slapped his shoulder, "We back!"

The middle-aged captain didn't wait for his partner. He marched out of the house, in giant steps. Anton who almost spurted his lunch grudgingly stood from his seat in haste.

"Sorry, guys, got to go now.", he still reached out for a chicken leg before running to catch up with Jim.

Mingliang waited until they both left the house, before he turned to Somad, “Have you finished your lunch?”

The boy's plate already cleaned, and he didn't want to add more. His mind already filled with many worries, he already lost his appetite since yesterday. He looked at his plate and then turned to Mingliang, "Yes."

"Sari?", Mingliang turned to Sari.

Sari gestured with her head, "You do your business. I'll clean the dishes first."

Mingliang stood up and nodded, "Okay, once you finish with it, go to the room. I'll prepare the array for you."

"I got it.", Sari replied.

"Somad, come with me.", Mingliang then turned around and went.

He brought Somad to look at his book collection. Patiently he explained the content of each book to Somad. Somad listened attentively and crammed as much information as he could to his memory. After each explanation, Mingliang would stop and gave the boy a chance to ask questions.

There were more than 40 books there, but Mingliang grouped and arranged them, that helped Somad to remember each book's content and importance.

It took longer than Mingliang thought. When they finally went to the room where the gate to the other world opened, Sari was there already. She sat in meditation, Mingliang's and Somad's sensitive senses could feel strands of energy pooled like a whirl around her.

Somad watched her in awe. He knew Mingliang just taught her yesterday.

Mingliang saw his expression and patted his shoulder, "Don't think she only began practicing yesterday. She has trained her body and mind for years. Like a building with the good foundation already laid out, she advanced faster than people in general."

Somad nodded, "I understand, Teacher. I must follow Sister Sari example, never rush, but lay each foundation in good order before trying to advance."

Mingliang gratefully patted his disciple, "Good."

"Now, I will tell you what we will do. I and your sister, Sari, would stay in this room to focus on our practice for forty days. I will draw protection arrays surrounding this room, no one will be able to enter, until that 40 days pass."

"Your duty is to prepare yourself, for the demonstration. Prepare yourself, to be the teacher for the new special unit."

"I won't tell you how you should arrange it, but I leave all my book collection for you to use."

Mingliang patted Somad's shoulder, "I leave the responsibility to you. Whatever happens, you have to keep our inheritance alive."

Somad merely nodded his head, couldn't say a word. The weight burdened his mind and heart. Mingliang gestured with his head, to send the boy out. Somad nodded once more and then left the room, leaving Mingliang and Sari.

Sari heard their conversation from the start. She circulated the qi another round before she ended her training.

Slowly she opened her eyes and saw Mingliang sat a few meters before her, waiting.

"Aren't you put a burden, too heavy for his age?", she asked right away.

Mingliang sighed, "To tell the truth, I don't have much confidence in our attempt to stop them. We even might not survive it."

His eyes searched deeply into her eyes, and she said, "Don't ever think of asking me leaving you then."

Mingliang smiled bitterly and nodded his head, "I know."

There was a long pause, "That's why I have to put all of my hope on his shoulder."

Sari said nothing and Mingliang continued, "I only have six months to prepare him. If something happened to us, he had to survive alone, in a much different world than we're living today. I have to force him to grow, by putting this pressure on him."

"I believe in him. Other might crumble under this pressure, but not him. This pressure will turn him to a diamond.", when he said that, his face was firm, there was no doubt in it.

"And I believe in you.", Sari softly said. Her words, made Mingliang's expression softened.

"So what are we going to do now?", Sari asked.

Mingliang nodded and pointed at some open space, "I will draw the array there. It will draw energy and create the five elements energy inside, where you will practice. You can stop at any time, and the limit is 40 days. If you can stay inside for 40 days, then the technique is perfected in you."

"By the way, you won't need to eat and drink, while you're there. The array will provide these energies for your body.", he added.

Sari nodded her head, "Okay, I'm ready. How about you? What will you do then?"

Mingliang answered, "I'll be here practicing and watch over you. I'll act as your protector."

The girl jumped, "Okay, let's do it."

She hated all the worries and anxiety. She hated all the wait. She preferred stopped worrying and started taking action. When she did something, she felt her life was in her hand to control. Mingliang knew her well and wasted no time. He started to draw the array. With the abundant energy coming out of the gap, the process became easy and smooth.

While they were busy inside, Somad was walking back and forth. He was having a hard time to calm himself. Black Jade, the snake, rest on his neck, hanging there like a necklace.

The boy's mind cluttered with many ideas and thoughts, "What should I do? How should I start?"