Beginning Beyond The Horizon

In the evening, six Tanzanies, eleven Missicks and Fufu returned to the half-burned house. When they walked into the house, they found Jiāo waiting for them inside.

Jiāo walked up to Hajime and others and smiled gently, "You are finally back. The Ninth Prince wanted to see you, but he was too injured to come in person, so he asked me to pick you up to see him and give you a proper thank you for saving many of the people."

Lixin said, "I need to rest. I will not be going." He walked towards his room.

Jin said, "Lady Jiāo, please tell your lord that we very appreciate it, but since our lord is not doing well himself, we will have to postpone this for another day when both of our lords are doing better."

Jiāo said, "I understand." She turned to looked at the six Tanzanies. "What about you five?"

Yul looked at Hajime and said, "Let's go see Baishui."

Hajime looked at Yul and said worriedly, "But your wounds."

Yul said, "After taken U-ri's medicine, I feel better. Baishui might had something important to talk to us, also now might be the time he need friends like us the most."

Hajime said, "If that is the case, then let me finish milking the goat first."

Jiāo smiled and said, "Sure. Takes as much time as you want. Maybe bathe yourself before going would be better." She chuckled.

Hajime took the rope from U-ri's hand and left with the white goat.

Abrafo looked at Jiāo and said, "Tell me, is your lord preparing a big meal for us? I was hit badly during the fight and broke two ribs. I need a comfortable bed to rest and good food until my broken ribs are heal."

Jiāo said, "The Lord has prepared something better than this for you, but I still recommend that you take a bath and change clothes before leaving."

Abrafo grabbed Jiāo's right arm and said, "Really? Now I can't wait any longer." He quickly sniffed himself. "No personal odor. Let's go."

Bong pulled Abrafo's hand away from Jiāo's arm and said, "Don't you think you have act inappropriate towards her. No matter how shameless you are, Jiāo is still a woman."

Jiāo giggled and said, "I don't mind. It's not like I haven't seen him act shameless before. I know all about his shameless behaviors."

Abrafo looked at Bong said, "Look, she doesn't mind. If you don't want to come with us, you can go back and rest with the others. As for me, I'm going to enjoy the feast that the gatekeepers of the South Sea had prepared for us."

Bong said, "Of course I will go too. If I don't go with you, maybe you will be killed for your shameless attitude." He rolled his cold eyes at Abrafo. "Do you think you're the only one who helped this city?"

Abrafo growled at Bong and said, "Jiāo said, the five of you. That means you are not included."

Jiāo said, "I would remember if I said that to you."

Jiāo stood by the pond waiting for the Tanzanies to get ready. After waiting for two hours, the Tanzanies and Bong finally arrived at the pond.

Abrafo complained, "I don't understand why you want to go with us. You know, it is inappropriate to attend an event as an uninvited guest. Not only that, the main reason why the host did not invite you is because they don't want you to go."

Bong hit Abrafo on the back of the head. "If you don't speak, no one will ask for your stupid opinion," Bong said through gritted teeth.

U-ri shook his head and said, "You two stop. Everyone standing here, including Meiji and the white goat are going." He turned to Jiāo. "Please lead the way. The longer we stand, the longer these two unreasonable people will keep Baishui waiting." Pulling the white goat, he followed Jiāo.

Only when they are leaving the city did the Tanzanines and Bong realize that Jiāo did not take them into the city, but to the outskirts of the city. They kept wondering, but no one asked, so they continued to follow Jiāo. When the six Tanzanies, Bong and Jiāo arrived, they saw Baishui standing under a green willow tree. The Tanzanies and Bong saw a beautiful clear river with fish of different colors swimming around. They saw rows of willow trees growing on both sides of the river. Although there are many willow leaves under the tree, there is not a single leaf in the river. There are some branches growing towards the river, and under the overhanging branch sits a white shiny boat.

Jiāo rushed towards Baishui and said, "My lord, they are here, plus one, so you lose."

Hajime asked, "What are you betting on?"

Jiāo smiled and said, "My lord bet that only five of you will come, but I bet that more than five of you will come, so I won the bet."

Hajime smiled and said, "Don't you two have anything better to do than betting on us?" She turned to looked at Baishui. "How's your injury?"

Jiāo said, "The Ninth Prince is still recovering, so he is not allowed to do anything abnormal. Therefore, we can only stay in Dreake City until the Ninth Prince recovers."

Baishui smiled and said, "Don't listen to the nonsense of the silly girl. I have already started to heal. It won't take long for me to return to normal. In any case, I want to thank each of you for saving us. I never imagined that visiting Green Mountain would allow me to meet so many great people and make lifelong friends."

Hajime said, "So are we."

Baishui looked at Yul and Abrafo with a smile. He quickly transferred his chi energy to Yul and Abrafo. After his finished, he slowly backed away with a pale face.

Yul and Abrafo quickly moved their bodies and found that their wounds had completely healed. They looked at Baishui and became worried when they saw Baishui's pale face.

Yul said, "Baishui, you don't have to do this. Soon, these wounds on our bodies will heal slowly. There is no need to transfer your energy to us."

Baishui smiled and said, "If you are not in good health, you can't travel." He looked at Hajime. "I know you want to complete the mission assigned to you as quickly as possible, so this is the least I can do as repayment for the fifty years of life you sacrificed for the people of Dreake City."

Hajime said sadly, "Baishui, you don't owe me anything. I did it because it was the right thing to do. The most important thing is that I did it voluntarily."

Baishui said, "It doesn't matter, there's nothing to be sad about. The energy I gave away, can be recovered after a few hundred years of cultivation. Now, you two need it more than me." He pointed to the white shiny boat. "She'll take you to No Man's Land."

"No Man's Land," Hajime murmured and turned to looked at Baishui. "You know the way to No Man's Land?"

Baishui said, "Only the descendants of the nine-dragon clan know the way to No Man's Land. This boat is made of my father's scale, so she will protect you during your journey. Before you reach the white desert, you should never step out of this boat. The less you talk the better is for you." He approached Hajime. "You said you could kill Eldrys. I trust you."

Hajime said, "I will kill Eldrys."

Abrafo smiled and shook his head. "So, that's why you chose to call us at this time, you know that with Lixin's arrogance, he won't come." He turned to Bong. "Well, I think this is goodbye for you and me. You go back with Lixin and the others. If a miracle happens and we survive, I...I... I might come looking for you." Bong grabbed Abrafo's collar and dragged Abrafo to the coracle boat. "Hey, let go of me. What the hack... let go of my collar..." He tried to pull Bong's hand away from his collar as he was dragged closer to the coracle boat.

U-ri grabbed his medicine box, and Yul's backpack. He walked up to Baishui and said, "I don't think we can take that goat anymore. I'll leave it to your care for the time being."

Michio took out a talisman and give it to Jiāo. "Hajime borrowed the white goat from Kaizen. Can you summon Kaizen and return the white goat to him tomorrow? Kaizen very stubborn and will not come if you call him. If this is the case, give the white goat to someone else who needs it, or you can keep it."

Yul sighed happily and said, "Thank you. If we succeed, I will extend you an invitation to visit our kingdom." Yul picked up Meiji from the basket and walked to the coracle boat with U-ri.

Baishui smiled at Hajime and said, "Heaven knows you and your friends will help us today, so fate made us meet in Green Mountain that day."

Hajime stretched out his arms and hugged Baishui tightly. "I will never forget you and thank you for everything," he said, and he tightens his arms around Baishui. "This is the last time we see each other. So, I want you to know that I am grateful to have you as a friend. Goodbye Baishui, I will always remember you." He pulled himself away from Baishui.

Baishui smiled at Hajime and said, "Before you can see the warmth of the sun, you have to experience the dampness and coldness of the rain. Heaven is always fair Hajime... you must believe it."

Hajime smiled at Baishui and said, "I will keep that in mind." 

Hajime wiped away his tears and walked towards the small coracle boat. Yul stretched out his hand and pulled Hajime onto the coracle boat. The coracle boat slowly left the willow tree and sailed towards the center of the river. Hajime waved at Baishu and Jiāo.

Baishui looked down the river, and the coracle boat slowly disappeared under the many overhanging branches down the river.

Baishui exhaled and said, "Friends, I wish you good luck."