Reunion with Xu Yang

Preparing for a long trip. Fangsu tightened the straps on her luggage that held the bare essentials, medicine and her distiller but she had to strap her weapon on her person for easy use. It was quite inconvenient that she had to carry her tools, especially the Beast Warding Bells which were bulbous in its shape and it was quite awkward to carry it. Tian neighed quite excitedly knowing that he would get to have a long trip, "Tian, when I pass," Fangsu rubbed Tian face knowing that Tian was the only companion that had been with her the longest, "You can freely roam the wild again like you use to," It was as if he understood her words. Tian placed himself on Fangsu's shoulder as if he was trying to thank her for caring for him for so long.

Fangsu's hair was free of the dye leaving behind her shiny and glossy ash grey which refracted the sunlight but she kept it hidden behind a veiled hat. Turning to her grandpa and Yun Nan who sorrowfully stood at the entrance, "Grandpa! Yun Nan! Xiao Ming! I'm heading off now!" Mounting Tian with ease and as she was about to leave.

Her grandpa grabbed the reins stopping Fangsu. Grabbing her right hand, her Grandpa took off his spatial ring from his hand which was a white jade. But he went to put the ring on her index finger, however, it was quite loose. Fangsu laughed at how small her hands were in comparison to her grandpa's. Taking the ring off her index finger, Fangsu put the ring on her thumb which fitted quite snuggly. He then nodded, entering the manor leaving behind Xiao Ming and Yun Nan, "Don't worry about him," Yun Nan went to comfort Fangsu.

Fangsu nodded as she stared at the entryway door which was still opened, "I know but I'm worried about my grandpa," Even still Fangsu was worrying about her grandpa.

Xiao Ming jumped up and down like a rabbit, "I will look after grandpa!" His enthusiastic nature was quite a shock for Fangsu but nevertheless, she was given a piece of mind. He wanted to out because there

Fangsu smiled leaning down to ruffle Xiao Ming's head, "I leave it up to you to look after grandpa while I'm gone," Nodding his head up and down. He knew that Grandpa would still be upset Fangsu would be leaving the capital. As Fangsu was able to lead Tian to the streets, she jumped off Tian running into the manor through all the corridors until she found her grandpa slumped figure that was seated on his usual chair, "Grandpa!" Rushing to her grandpa who was shocked to see her come back. Tears fell down her eyes as she embraced her grandpa, she feared like her younger self who would always spend time with her grandpa on the island learning botany. That he would disappear from her world forever.

Fangsu's grandpa held her exactly like the time when she was a little child who barely reached his hip. His body was humongous compared to her as a child and it always protected her from danger whether it was big or small, "Fangsu, life is like a garden of flowers," He embraced the crying Fangsu gently, "I can nurture the garden but I can't prevent them from dying," It was strange to be thinking about the death and comparing it to the plants he ever cared for.

Fangsu held onto her grandpa, sobbing. It was strange for her to pour out her emotions like this but after all the years of bottling these emotions, "Grandpa, I'm grateful to all the years of care" The bottle that held her emotions cracked after seventeen years, "Promise me that when I come back that we can have Canh Chua with everyone," Such a request was quite unusual but to Fangsu it was something she wanted to spend her last moments.

Her grandpa wiped away her tears and brought her up to her feet, "I will make the biggest one!" He escorted Fangsu back to Tian who patiently waited for her, "I will make sure everyone has Canh Chua!" His voice boomed loudly which was quite shocking since he was normally a reserved and quiet person. Fangsu smiled as she jumped back on Tian's back, waving goodbye.

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Fangsu led Tian through the streets, exiting the capital and into the wide-open plains that had small settlements. Travelling past a small settlement, Fangsu continued down the path. Eventually diverging from the path into a forest where Fangsu summoned Bai Xue, "It has been a while," Fangsu lugged off the luggage from Tian's back to allow him to roam until she came back, hiding the saddle in the under a bush of the forest. She laughed her luggage on her back, leading Bai Xue up the mountain stairs.

As they reached the top of the stairs, entering the peaceful utopia where all the Qilins resided. Bai Xue immediately left Fangsu's side to play with all the other Qilins, "Xu Yang! I'm back!" Fangsu walked to the small hut where Xu Yang came out. Running to Xu Yang who was looking forward to Fangsu's visit, "I got some things for you," Pulling out some cosmetics that would help protect the skin from the sun and help with uneven complexion.

Xu Yang was fascinated as she stared at the numerous products that Fangsu created, "Where is your grandpa?" The last time they were together Fangsu made aromatic dew and perfumes, "Is he not with you today?" Xu Yang looked behind Fangsu only to find no one with her.

Fangsu paused in her actions but she continued to smile, "No, he is still in the capital," Unpacking the rest of the products that were in her luggage, "I have decided to travel for the next couple of months and I was hoping that I could spend the night with you before leaving," Fangsu placed her hands together as she cutely begged.

Xu Yang patted Fangsu's head as she took Fangsu's luggage to a spare room, "Are you sure that didn't fight with your grandpa?" She took Fangsu outside to a garden where there were a bountiful amount of vegetables, "Is that an excuse to run away?" On top of the mountain, there were fruit trees growing where all the blooming petals that began falling and the small buds of fruit began sprouting.

Fangsu giggles at Xu Yang's speculation as she shook her head, "No, that isn't it," Bai Xue came running to Fangsu with a bunch of other Qilin nudging against Fangsu's hand wanting some affection, "I'm travelling to new places and hopefully return back home, one last time before I go," Fangsu stared at the beautiful blue sky that has always was so much bigger compared to her. The cumulus clouds that floated in the sky were always out of reach.

Xu Yang was obviously confused with Fangsu's words, "You can always go back home anytime," Harvesting vegetables and fruits into a basket, "You don't have to stop visiting a place," Xu Yang carries the bucket to feed the Qilin who began picking out their favourite fruits and vegetables.

Fangsu picked lychee, deskinning the peel before popping the juicy fruit into her mouth. A shiny orange gem shone in the corner of her eye, a kumquat tree. Fangsu began rushing towards the bush grinning with delight, "This year will be my last," The small oval orange fruit was the most delightful thing to Fangsu, "I want to have no regrets," Reminding her of the times where she would make candied kumquats or tea for her family.

Xu Yang was now even more confused by Fangsu's strange behaviour, "Fangsu, I am no mind reader so tell me what is going on," Sitting down on a moss-covered rock that cushioned against the rigid edges.

Fangsu sat on another moss rock. Bai Xue laid down on the ground, wrapping its body around Fangsu's small figure, "I have the Unending Suffering," Running her finger against the smooth white scales and soft pink fairy-like hair, "It doesn't help that I have a weak constitution that can't no longer keep up any longer," Her soft voice contradicted the severity of the news causing Xu Yang to widen her eyes in shock.

Xu Yang felt a great deal of sympathy for Fangsu. Placing a hand on Fangsu's head, "Aren't you scared of dying?" This simple question always seems to shock people when asked.

Fangsu earnestly thought of the question, "I don't know if I'm scared or not," Staring into the paradise which the Qilin always resides in that is always hidden from the entire world.

Xu Yang was quite puzzled by Fangsu's ambiguity, "If you had to answer," but Xu Yang thought that Fangsu may have experienced near-death many times because of her illness, "Would you willing accept death or fear death itself?" Calmly staring at the passive Fangsu who turned to stare at Cu Yang with unnerving resolute that struck a cord to her heartstrings.

Fangsu never wanted to have a life full of constant limitations and pain. But, the company of others and family were the only things that made Fangsu continue living, "Of course, I am willing to accept death," Her calmness and acceptance of death seem to unnerve Xu Yang as people who were willing to accept death were those who had enough, "But I don't want to die too soon because I want to have dinner with everyone," Her smile seems to emphasis the helplessness of her circumstances. Taking the empty bucket from Xu Yang's hand, Fangsu disappeared back into the forest picking fruits and vegetables.

Xu Yang decides to return back to her duties to prepare for the new generation of Qilins. The birth rate for Qilin offspring was rather low as it is difficult for Qilins to sire children and usually there one offspring per pair. There have been occasions where there have been twins or triplets but those were in rare cases where there was an abundance of Qilins mating that year.

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Xu Yang was about to prepare simple dishes for dinner, however, Fangsu had already set up the table full of dishes that Xu Yang never would have cooked. Piping Hot Fluffy Buns, Potato Pancakes, Stir-Fried Vegetables and Peach Blossom Drop Soup, "I made dinner to repay for allowing me to stay the night," Fangsu wiped her hands from the residual flour on the apron that she donned.

Xu Yang was shocked to see the array of food that was displayed on the table. The food was delicious and it had been a while since she had a company to eat with. No wonder Fangsu wanted to have dinner with everyone, the company made the food more delicious. Placing her chopstick on the edge of her bowl, "What do you plan to do on your travels?" Xu Yang wanted to know what Fangsu would do on her first trip.

Fangsu who eating with gusto stopped to think about what activities she would do on her travels, "Firstly, finding exotic ingredients and medicine," Tilting her head in a cute manner, "Maybe eat some local food, sightseeing or enter a dungeon," There was a multitude of activities to do while travelling. It honestly excited Fangsu to imagine all the fun activities that she would have never done before.

Xu Yang chuckled at Fangsu's childlike wonder for the expansive world but it was also had many hidden dangers, "Just be careful when travelling especially since you are a girl," Warning Fangsu of the possible dangers of travelling which were elevated the risk due to being targeted because she was a female.

Fangsu nodded, "That's why I'm dressed as a guy," Clearing the table of the empty dishes which were effortlessly cleaned by Fangsu who also cleaned the rest of the small hut. Xu Yang tried to stop Fangsu from doing chores but Fangsu said it was repayment for allowing her to stay the night.