NOVPUB"I see." The Grandmaster nipped at his tea. "I am unable to stop you. I have learned that much so far in the time we have known each other. Do you already know how to get to Sea God Island? It is not exactly close by."
"I thought of hiring mercenaries, like Yule and the others from the guild. That always worked well, and I can afford it. Or maybe join one of the trading Caravans of the Damians family as a Spirit Master. I can fight for my own well enough." She said and shrugged her shoulders. "Haven't thought that far yet."
"In that case, may I suggest something." He said, and she nodded.
"Ask Ning Rong Rong." He told her. "She is the young mistress of the Seven Treasured Glass Pagoda, and one of her honorary uncles is the Sword Douluo."
"Seriously?" she asked, and the Grandmaster nodded. " Though I don't think they would ask one of the Douluo to accompany a little girl, even when it's Rong Rong donig the asking."
"Mhh. I wouldn't be too sure of that." The Grandmaster said. "I believe you may underestimate your potential."
"Grandmaster, I am many things; humble is not among them." She noted dryly.
"How about you let me finish my point." He grumbled back. "What I mean to say is. You have always been surrounded by people like Tang San or Gale each of them possessing, in their own way, an immense amount of potential and talent in their prospective fields. That is not the norm, believe me; even among them, you always shine with your immense spirit, power, and stubbornness. You are a talented Tang Yin, someone everyone wishes to recruit or get on the good side of. If only for your potential alone and for the possibility of a friendly relationship one day, because the only thing you will do if you don't die is grow. So if you politely let drop you wish to learn the sword, and the request comes through Ning Rong Rong, it's not that impossible for them to send the Sword Doulou; even if not, they would never dare to send just another spirit master, they will send someone who knows their way around a sword. It will be in their own interest, to build a powerful connection to more then one extremely talented spirit master, after all you and your brother are a package deal."
"High words from you, Grandmaster. Alright, I will try. I mean nothing to lose." She grinned, and then her grin turned wry. "I just need to break those news to my bro."
The Grandmaster dipped his tea. "Now, that is where you are alone."
"Yeah, sure." She leaned back and finished her water. "That I guessed already."
"Good luck."
"I think I am going to need it." She sighed. Alright, I'll try taking Ning Rong Rong. If that doesn't work, I'll just go with the original plans and hire someone else or just join one of Damian's father's Caravans. I mean, usually, they do take along spirit masters for free, even someone as young as me."
She smiled at him as she got up and left with a nod of her head as a thanks for the advice.
Once outside, she saw that her brother was already waiting for her, sitting on a fence close by. She walked over to him and grinned. "How is the air up there?"
"It's fine," he said and jumped down. "Penny for your thoughts?" he asked her, and she flinched. Thinking about it now was a time like never before, but then she had wanted to tell him about her choice at the right moment. But when was the right moment, when would the right moment come? There was never the right moment to break the news to someone.
So swift.
"I am going to leave Shrek." She told him, and he blinked before nodding.
"Alright. Then I'll need to get everything ready. Tell the director we will be leaving..."
"Without you, " she added, and he stilled as if she had just said something he couldn't believe. "I am going alone."
He stared at her. "No," he said, as if she were saying something so outlandish he would never consider it, and she sighed.
"Shreck is the right place for you, bro, but...I don't think it's for me. I love the people here, the atmosphere, and everything. There is no better school, but you know it as well as I do, maybe even better." She stared at her hand. "The only place with a permanent solution for my special issue is Spirit Hall," she stilled. "Or Sea God Island."
"Yes, I understand. That's why I say we can go there together." He said puzzled and started walking towards their dorm rooms. "I don't understand why you need to go there alone. I mean, we can learn there together as well: I am not that far behind you in terms of spirit power, and Xiao Wu and Ning Feng will come along as well."
"No. Tang San."She said and looked at him. "I need to do this. I need to go there to become stronger. Something like that that happened in the forest is not going to happen again. I want to be able to protect you betetr one day. When I am with you, I will always rely on you because you are responsible. I will not watch you take constant responsibility for me; risk it all for me when it comes down to it. I know you will; even if I end up a wreck, you still care for me. But I don't want that, not for you, for Xiao Wu, or myself. To do that and to survive, I need change. Not to continue to rely on you. This isn't just a spur-in-the-moment thing; I have been thinking about this for a while now."
He stilled and took her hand, looking at her. "But we have always been together. You have always been doing your thing too. I don't mind being the responsible one either. I don't mind taking care of you; you are my sister, my family. I don't care what happens; I just want to be together. Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am." She smiled at him. "I'm sure, Bro. For us both, I will go away. I will come back, and then I will make a mess out of your life as usual. I will be forgetful, annoying, and make you want to scream. But I will no longer be completely dependent on you. I will ensure you can rely on me as much as I am on you."
"Alright, I will always support you...so. Go ahead." he said and sighed, then sprang into worriesome brother. She could see the change in his expression. "Have you thought about how to get there yet? I mean, it's a long way to the sea. Also, you must pack; you always forget things and spend a lot of money. I will also have to make you pack emergency food and everything: raincoats, boots, pants, and cutlery. I need to make a list. Usually, I handle the finances myself, but I can put the money into a bank and then name us both full authorities so you can get it anywhere. If I put in more work I can also make enough to support you better. And you need a storage tool and everything. I think I saw one at an auction a few weeks ago. It's a lot of stuff. I also need to hire a guard."
"San." she interrupted him. "Tang San."
"Yes."
"I am going to be fine, " she said. "Don't worry too much. Technically, I am in my thirties—mentally, in theory. Also I can my own money. I am a good artist, a educated spirit master and a decent Blacksmith. I mean nowhere your level but good enough."
"I am your brother, " he said and then hugged her, making her laugh. "It's my job to worry and you will need all the support you can get, and I want you to be able to fully concentrate on your studies and not worry about stuff like that."
"I know, and I love you for it and that is why I want the same for you." She leaned upwards and pecked his cheek. He glared at her before his arm curled around her as he leaned his head on her shoulder.
"What am I going to do without you." He muttered. "We have never been apart for long ever since we were born."
"You will be just fine. " she stated and pressed down tightly on his hand. Then they saw Ma Honjun and waved at him. He waved back while he walked to the Grandmaster's place passing them.
