As dawn broke over Anyang, the city stirred to life, with bustling streets and eager merchants preparing for another day of trade. Rui and his entourage, set on their journey to Chang'an near the mighty Chang Jiang River, began their departure amidst the morning's vibrant energy. They first embarked on a caravan that wound its way through picturesque landscapes towards the Jiang River, where waiting ships awaited to ferry them onwards to Chang'an.
After a smooth journey through the rolling hills of Anyang, the group finally arrived at Suzhou Port. Port. Here, Rui's status and the wealth of the Eaiga Merchant Group allowed him to swiftly secure an entire ship for their voyage—a testament to their immense financial prowess and influence in trade networks.
The voyage commenced smoothly, yet with an undercurrent of caution. Xu Fu, Rui's long-serving bodyguard and now the captain of their vessel, remained vigilant. His years of loyalty and expertise made him not only a protector but also a trusted advisor, especially concerning the threat of pirate raids. His warnings underscored the precarious nature of their voyage, where valuable cargo made them potential targets in the open waters. Rui hired more ships to protect their main ship from pirate attacks and was entrusted by his father to bring goods from Angyang to Chan'an to trade them.
From the moment they left Suzhou port, every wave and gust of wind carried with it the anticipation of danger and the determination to safeguard their precious cargo and their lives. Rui was worried as Zen was unconscious and had few real people to depend on. Xu Fu's presence reassured Rui and his companions as they navigated towards their destination, Chang'an, the great city that awaited them with its own unique promises of prosperity and intrigue.
After a while, Rui went to talk with Yawen, who could hardly move and had frequent attacks of the poison, which was a problem for her. Rui told Yawen Yawen about the potential pirate raids, and the people they hired to protect them could not be fully trusted either, as they were just mercenaries. mercenaries. Rui added that they had hired some reputable people to guard their main ship and had made them live there. Yawen asks, What good do we have that we have to face pirate raids? Rui said it with a giggle. Yawen laughs too. Ling says, Can you estimate the pirate size? Rui says that there have been a lot of pirate raids lately by a group called Hidào. Hidào. They seem to be a big organization, with branches working in different cities. They already know that I am here; that's my speculation, and I believe they will raid us to use me for ransom. Yawen says if they don't attack in a small fleet, we will have a hard time. With Zen asleep and in my current state, we can barely fight. Ruisaid said that after we reach the city of Linyi, we will reinforce ourselves further. We will have to buy more goods there as we head to Chan'an too. Yawen asks, Why do you need to buy so many goods? Rui replies, My father has entrusted me with bringing goods to trade. As we are heading towards Chan'an, we must reach it with our goods without fail. With this, I can make my grandfather and my father happy.
Yawen nods with agreement. agreement. She asks, How far away is Linyi? Rui says we should be reaching there by tomorrow afternoon. Yawen asks how many people we have hired to protect us and the goods. Answers that answer that we have three smaller ships guiding us, with each ship containing 50 people, and on the main ship, we have 80 people who can fight and 20 people who help us with the goods and all.
"Being cautious always pays off," Yawen remarked, reinforcing Rui's sentiment as they navigated the perilous waters ahead.
As Rui and Yawen stepped outside, the gentle breeze of the evening welcomed them to a secluded spot where Rui had arranged a small tea party. The soft glow of the lanterns added a serene ambiance as they settled in. Rui gestured with pride to his companions.
"Yawen, this is Xu Fu, our trusted ship captain," Rui introduced warmly. Xu Fu, a stalwart figure with a weathered yet kind demeanor, nodded respectfully. "Lady Yawen, rest assured, your safety is my utmost priority," he assured her in a reassuring tone.
"I appreciate that," Yawen replied with a grateful smile, feeling reassured by Xu Fu's steadfast presence.
Rui then turned to Chen Wei, their gunji, who stood with an air of dignified composure. "And this is Chen Wei," Rui announced. Chen Wei, impeccably dressed and with a polished demeanor, approached Yawen gracefully. "It's a pleasure to meet such a stunning lady in this remote setting," he complimented sincerely.
Yawen, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment, blushed slightly. "Thank you, Chen Wei," she responded softly, feeling a touch flustered but appreciative of his charm.
Throughout the tea party, Chen Wei attended to their needs with attentive grace, ensuring the atmosphere remained relaxed and pleasant. His presence, along with Xu Fu's reassuring words, helped Yawen feel more at ease amidst the uncertainties of their journey. As they enjoyed their tea and exchanged light conversation, Yawen found herself gradually warming up to the place, which was unknown to her.
As Rui requested Chen Wei to prepare dinner, the mercenaries on their respective ships observed his affluent lifestyle with a mix of envy and resignation. Captain Ku Shi of the second ship muttered resentfully, "Such a spoiled brat. Some people have everything handed to them. We were born into low-class families." His crew murmured in agreement, acknowledging the disparities in life.
"But boss, we're here to protect him and get paid," one of Ku Shi's men remarked pragmatically, quelling any thoughts of discontent.
Chen Wei, following Rui's orders, meticulously prepared a hearty meal not only for Rui and his companions but also for the mercenaries. This gesture aimed to bridge the gap and foster goodwill among them, promoting mutual trust and cooperation during their perilous journey.
Observing Rui's adeptness at building relationships, Ling remarked admiringly, "This child has a knack for forging alliances. He's destined for great things." Yawen nodded in agreement, adding, "Indeed, his ability to connect with people will serve him well."
As the evening progressed and everyone sat down to dine together, the atmosphere became more relaxed and congenial.
As the captains of the other ships joined Rui, the atmosphere at dinner became lively and convivial. Ku Shi, captain of the second ship, introduced himself first, followed by Len Shu of the first ship and Di Xa of the third ship. Each greeted Rui respectfully, establishing camaraderie among the captains.
In turn, Rui introduced Xu Fu, Chen Wei, and his other companions to the captains, fostering a sense of unity among the group. The dinner proceeded under the gentle glow of the moonlight, creating a picturesque setting for their gathering.
During the meal, Ku Shi expressed gratitude for Rui's generosity in inviting a captain from a "lower-class" ship to join them. Rui humbly replied, "The pleasure is all mine. We are all equals here."
The other captains observed Rui's conversational skills and his ability to build rapport effortlessly. They acknowledged his diplomatic finesse and how he could charm and appease people. As the dinner ended, the captains left their ships along with gifts given to them by Rui.
Yawen commented on Rui's skills in making friends. Rui said this is nothing; we must always be kind to others. Ling said to Yawen, This child is trying to flirt with you or what? Yawens, of course not. With this, all of them headed to bed. The captain said that as long as the winds are strong, we will reach Linyi sooner than expected.
The next morning, Yawen approached Rui with a worried expression. "Zen still hasn't woken up," she exclaimed sadly. "It's been so long, and even though Ling always gives him her energy, he shows no signs of waking up."
Rui placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He won't sleep forever, Yawen. He will wake up soon; we just have to be patient."
Yawen sighed but nodded, trying to find solace in Rui's assurance. "I hope you're right," she said quietly.
"Let's focus on something we can control," Rui suggested, steering the conversation to a more actionable topic. "Let's talk about the summoning scrolls we received from the ruins."
They moved to their hall for a more private discussion. Yawen began, "We have two scrolls, but one is lost. I think it might have been meant for Zen and me."
"That's fine," Rui replied. "I managed to get the Serpent King's egg. It will hatch soon, though it will take time for it to grow."
Yawen looked intrigued. "That's amazing, Rui. The Serpent King will be a powerful ally."
Rui nodded. "You can use your summoning scroll to form a contract right now. It's best to be prepared, especially with the threats we might face on our journey."
Yawen took a deep breath, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Alright, I'll use the scroll and form the contract. We need Ling's help to make a contract."
Ling activates the scrolls and commands Rui to form a circle marked with mustical symbols. Then she commands Rui to mark herself (Yawen's body) with essence. Ling muttered up some chants, and they went into the realm of consciousness. In the Yishi realm, they met a large bird, Qingniao. (The Qingniao represents messengers and guidance, embodying the swiftness and agility associated with the air element.)
The bird with striking blue feathers is capable of swift and graceful flight. Its presence brings a sense of serenity and clarity, aligning with the qualities of the air element.
The bird, still in its infant state, fascinated both Yawen and Ling. Ling stepped forward and asked the bird to be summoned. She extended her marked forearm towards the bird, and the creature mirrored her gesture by touching its beak to the glowing rune on her skin. The bird refused.
"I don't trust easily," Qingniao's voice echoed in Yawen's and Ling's minds, a hint of defiance in its tone. "How can I be sure you are worthy of my allegiance?".
After a moment of hesitation, Yawen herself stepped forward, her hand outstretched. The Qingniao regarded her with cautious eyes, its wings raised slightly in a defensive stance. Undeterred, Yawen approached calmly, her heart steady despite the uncertainty.
As she drew closer, the Qingniao seemed to sense her sincerity. Its feathers relaxed, and it mirrored her gesture by lowering its wings. With a gentle touch, Yawen placed her hand on the bird's soft, azure feathers. There was a brief pause, a silent understanding passing between them like a whisper in the wind.
Without fear, Yawen embraced the Qingniao, feeling the warmth of its body and the flutter of its wings. It was a moment of profound connection, as if they had known each other across lifetimes. The bird responded to her embrace, its initial caution melting away in the face of Yawen's earnestness.
They stood together, exchanging a bond that transcended words. In a gesture of trust and commitment, Yawen and the Qingniao exchanged a drop of blood each, mingling their essences in a symbolic ritual of unity.
"And from now on," Yawen whispered softly, her voice carrying the weight of their newfound bond, "you shall be known as Feiyu."
Ling added that the bird will test you to see if you are capable of being her master or not. Ling then gives Yawen a feathered amulet to summon Feiyu at will. Ling adds that the summon will only respond if it wants to. You have to be incredibly strong to forcefully summon it.
Yawen asked Ling about summonings. Ling responds Summonings require an object to summon them. A very strong summoner does not require any object to do it. The amount of Essentia or Umbra required for summoning depends on the summoner's strength. S-rank and above summons require considerable Essentia and Umbra. You can also summon by using incantations. There are many ways to form bonds between summons and the summoner. Through blood, through the exchange of essence or umbra, through vows, or through mutual trust. Very advanced summoners can combine their summons to create a special or hybrid summon. This is similar to how very powerful warriors can change their weapon's shape at will.
Additionally, as a summon levels up, it becomes stronger and gains new features. Leveling up summons can be done as the summons become stronger gradually or through elixirs created through special flowers and herbs. As for Feiyu, it will grow blue flames over its body. You cannot abuse your summons as you like, as that would be a breach of contract, and you must treat them fairly.
Meanwhile, Rui observed the summoning ritual with keen interest. After it concluded, Rui approached Yawen with an intrigued expression. "What did you summon?" he asked curiously.
Yawen's face lit up with a smile. "I got a Qingniao," she replied proudly, "and I've named it Feiyu."
Rui nodded approvingly. "Feiyu, that's a wonderful name," he remarked. "Once my serpent egg hatches, I'll also name it and forge a contract with it."
Ling, who had been quietly observing, added his insight. "Making a contract without a scroll is different, but since you'll be raising it from birth, it will naturally trust you, and the bonding process will be smoother."
Yawen nodded, already feeling a deep connection forming with Feiyu. "I'll ensure to nurture our bond," she affirmed, gently stroking the feathers of her newly summoned Qingniao.
Rui glanced at his serpent egg with anticipation, envisioning the future bond.
As afternoon approached, they reached the city of Linyi. All the crew members came out and went to the city. As Rui walked along the city to find more people to aid him in the journey and buy goods, a mysterious person stared at him from afar. Yawen went to inquire about poisons and herbs around the city. While Zen was asleep on the ship,. They decided to rejoin in the evening.
As the group rejoined, Rui mustered up three more ships and an additional 100 members for their journey up ahead. They set sail along the river, eventually heading towards Chan'an.
Who is the stranger who looked at Rui?