The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

In Fengfu City, Prime Minister Xian Lang and Lifen had a close-door meeting in Ming's study in Cuxin Estate.

"We heard about Governor Lei Ming's disappearance."

Lifen jerked her head up to meet the prime minister's eyes. "How did you know about this?"

"Don't worry. Only the King and I know about this. When we heard the Goding army intercepted General Wu Lian at Ninpu City, the King sent his black guards to protect Governor Lei Ming and his family but they arrived late. They only witnessed my..." His chest hurt to remember Xinyi was not his bosom child, but his face didn't show this. 

"... the governor's wife's display of power. They reported this to the King. The Black Guards are Chiangdas who swore their allegiance to the King alone so your secrets are safe from evil ears to hear."

Unfortunately, Lifen didn't know Xinyi was not the prime minister's biological child and misunderstood him. It was because he had sworn in his heart to bring this secret to his grave because he didn't want to hurt Xinyi further.

Lifen scowled at the prime minister. "Why are you addressing your son-in-law and your own daughter like outsiders? She is even the chosen Sorceress. This was all your plan to marry her off to my son, of which the King agreed. Who knows? Sending my son here might also be one of your plans."

"Big sister, please don't make things difficult for this sworn younger brother of yours. Please understand my difficulties. My daughter and I have been separated for years. I ... I hardly know her, but I believe she has grown up as a fine lady. But I still feel awkward talking about her. I gave her to your son because he is trustworthy and a Chiangda too. I also trust you and your son won't mistreat her. Am I right?"

Lifen didn't say a word, but only stared at him with a solemn face. 

"Sending your son here was the king's idea. He trusts your son is capable of protecting the secrets within these walls. Come on. You know I can't expose the king's plans without care. I am only his pawn acting the villain." He let out a sigh.

Lifen clenched a fist and faced the window. "Humph, that old rascal. He's supposed to be our sworn big brother, but told us to keep it a secret. But why didn't he tell me this so my son won't feel left out? Knowing this now makes me feel left out too."

"Please understand big brother's difficulties. He is the king. The ruler of this country. Unlike those days when we were still young. But now, he can't easily divulge his plans to everyone, including to you, an outsider of the royal court."

He sighed again. "It was also my mistake for not telling your son the truth, about why he was sent here and about my daughter's true identity. It was because I was still in doubt if I was doing the right thing." 

Unknown to Lifen, the prime minister's last sentence was talking about the message left to him by the late Sorceress. The message said not to mention her identity to anyone and to marry her off to Lifen's son, but didn't specify which son. But he couldn't tell this to his sworn sister in front of him because he didn't know she was a descendant of the late Sorceress' disciple. 

However, after Xinyi displayed her powers in Fengfu, he assumed Lifen had learned of Xinyi's origin as the powerful Sorceress who was only mentioned in old folk tales. This conversation confirmed his assumptions.

Her countenance softened. "Fine, but what are his plans now since he sent you here in secret and didn't flaunt your title as the prime minister?" 

"We heard the old organization, Cleansing Fire, disguised themselves as merchants and announced to every country to buy the stones. If possible, including the stone mines itself. And if they can't get it the subtle way, they will get it by force. The king sent me to protect it in the governor's absence."

[The organization's background in Chapters 23 and 103.]

"I take it, I am part of this plan since you came straight to me. What is the part I need to play?"

"Keep everything that happened about your son's disappearance and my daughter's powers in secret. But I believe you already did that. In case this is exposed, spread out any rumor to dispel the truth. I also need you to continue as the governor so I can keep our movements against the organization in utmost secrecy."

Lifen had no qualms on what he said. The prime minister took her silence as her tacit agreement. This displayed each one as an open book to each other's eyes for having known each other for years.

"How is General Wu Lian? How's your other children?" she said. 

"He is in a coma right now..." They went on through the day, catching up for old times' sake. 

[General Wu Lian's fight happened in Chapter 51.]

---- o ----

Xinyi spent most of her time reading the first Sorceress' book. Yet, the excitement she initially felt slowly dimmed as there was nothing more about the essences in the following paragraphs. Impatience crept in her and wished to skip the other topics to reach that part soon, but scolded herself. 

Xinyi, self-control. Lady Devina had her reasons she wrote it in the latter part. So learn to wait.

But her brows furrowed as she read more. The following lines were a repetition of what the late Sorceress told Xinyi. The urge to skip popped out again, but along the lines, her eyes thinned as she read an intriguing part.

Chiji is a unique world incomparable to other worlds. Although its power lies in the Kore, but the true power lies in the powerful spirit beings in this world because without them, the power chain will die. 

Other worlds have their own way to keep the power chains alive, but their powerful spirit beings are few. In contrast to Chiji, they used other means to power up the power chains and were costly not just in monetary ways but also in the lives sacrificed for it. If only the powerful beings in this world unite, Chiji will become the most powerful world second to Vethilles.

"Wow, what the heck? If that is true, why the power chain dwindled?" She read the two paragraphs again and couldn't help but be proud to be the Chief Guardian in Chiji. But as the adage said, With Great Privilege Comes Great Responsibility.

Thinking along this line made her silently yell in her mind. How to convince the world to change for the better so they would reach the pinnacle of their power?

She shook her head and blew strands of hair covering her eyes. "This is an uphill battle. What is to be proud of? I might be the Chief Guardian, but it feels like I'm only carrying a burdensome title." 

"Now that you know, then do something about it." Alva said in her mind.

That statement made Xinyi stop and think. Alva was right. She had the book to guide her, unlike in Lady Devina's time. This inspired her and promised to try her best. She thanked the Koi girl.

A day had gone, but the two dragons were still unconscious. Xinyi never expected this. 

What is wrong with them? Are they in a coma? Or maybe another reason I don't know? She was not at peace at all.