The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

The sun was almost high up and the progress with the cave's entry was still small. It was bigger this time. A little more and it could fit two men but the boulders were bigger and harder to cut. The workers went home for lunch, leaving only Mafan and Qinfen. 

Mafan grew impatient for the workers were too slow. Looking at the worker's speed, it was impossible to get a mine opening free of obstruction in just one week's time.

"This is no time to be furious, but I need this open soon, but how can I do that?" He breathed deep to compose himself and analyzed the whole area then suddenly an idea came into mind. "What if I send men to explore the mines at once? But I can't trust these people. Even if I can let them search for the stone, I can't control their wills. If I'll go in alone, the boulders might close in on me. That option is too risky." 

He thought deeper about it. then his eyes lit as another idea sprung in. "Qinfen, do you have any access to explosives?" He hoped for good news. 

"I do," Qinfen said.

"Good." Mafan beamed. "Get explosives. Bring a lot but don't let anyone see you."

At this rate, Mafan didn't care anymore whether people would hear the explosion. Time was of the essence. His plan was simple, explode the entrance, and get ahold of the stones, knowing he would still get a headstart.

---- o ----

Their conversation with the Panda took some time, Xinyi seemed to understand bit by bit that the city had more secrets than it seemed. 

"Why are you telling me these things? There are many people who could do more with that knowledge. Why me?"

Sure, she had been close with the panda for some time but she lacked self-confidence, thinking she almost died because she wasn't that powerful enough to even protect the Hutyuns. The gentle panda smiled kindly and patted Xinyi's head. 

"Trust yourself, child. You worry too much on the things you can't do when you are so capable of almost anything." The panda sat down again and sipped his tea. What he said seemed nice, but she wasn't sure with the knowledge of her power, so far. She stood up and bowed to this gentle creature and went back to her quarters.

"The only thing that keeps us from doing possible things is if we imprisoned our minds within the thoughts that we shouldn't heed." He reminded her before she stepped out from the pond area. She looked back at the calm-looking panda, feeling a fatherly care from him and smiles sweetly as she waved goodbye.

I should seek counsel about this from someone who knows a lot about this place. But who? Lifen Ma or Ming? She then shook her head. Xinyi remembered, she supposed not to tell anyone about this. It'd be wrong to do so. Xionmao entrusted her with this information. 

Back at Nufang pavilion, she paced back and forth in her room thinking about what she would do. Time ticked, and she still had no actions done. She was feeling pressured and didn't even notice that Nianshi was behind her all along, looking at her in confusion. 

"Ah, you're awake. Did you eat?" She laughed nervously, but Nianshi's expression was nonchalant.

"My lady, I've been following you the whole time since you snuck out earlier this morning to meet with the fluffy black and white guardian. Tell me, what did he say for you to become like this?" He gestured on her anxious demeanor as he calmly pulled out a chair for her. Then he went to the door, on the lookout for any eavesdroppers when they're talking on a sensitive topic.

"Nothing, it's just that there's a lot of stuff going through my mind right now" She sat obediently and looked outside the window. Xinyi wondered if Xionmao would mind if she told Nianshi. She paused for a while and looked at Nianshi who closed the door.

Nianshi and I are together in this. I trust him with my life, I shouldn't keep this a secret from him. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath.

"Nianshi I-," before she could even utter another word, a knock on the door interrupted her. Nianshi opened it and Ming showed up with maids in tow, bringing in food for two.

"Ming, what are you doing here this early?" She recalled the first Ming came and brought her out for breakfast. Remembering the way he held her hand that day made her cheeks turned cherry.

Ming's brows wrinkled, confused and laughed. "Early? It's already past lunchtime. I also heard from your maid you haven't had breakfast when you went for a walk." Ming let the maids lay the food on the table and let them leave.

Nianshi was glad the governor came. He could console her more than I can. He closed the door for them and hunted to fill his hunger pangs. 

"Oh!" Xinyi said as she covered her mouth. She didn't notice that her little visit to the panda's lair took away her whole morning. She didn't even feel hungry, wondering the tea the panda served might have made wonders in her stomach. Also, she missed the time since the cold winter air kept her from feeling the sun's noon heat. 

The two spent time together not knowing Mafan was ready to blow the entrances.