Chapter 20 (part four)

It was the first time. Cherry had a holiday from something. She sat on the ground with her legs crossed in the garden. She was trying to free herself from all thoughts when she remembered how much the mansion had cost and what she had to buy. Not only that, but she required a headquarters for the Deadly flowers and so much more. For some reason, Jim had bought one of the most expensive manors in cloud city. At least Harrison found his talent. He was a changed person. The price was in spirit stones. Being a little spendthrift wouldn't cause a hole in her pocket. A smile spread from one ear to another. She had struck gold when she got lost in the spirit mine. Luckily Enough, it had no owner, but now it did. Jim reported. The Spirit mine was humongous Everything from the floor to the ceiling were spirit stones. The highest-ranking stone they found was a dark emerald green spirit stone. Green often embodied life and spring. It smelled like fresh grass. These were approaches Milk tea mentioned when describing the colour green. The only colours known as cherry were grey and black. Sometimes on a bright summer day, she would stare into the sun, allowing her to see a shade lighter than black. Milk tea said it was named grey.

Spirit stones were operated, by high-ranked cultivators. It was used as currency and for cultivating purposes. Spirit stones assisted the cultivation by providing the needed qi. Red, Orange, yellow, green, turquoise, cyan, Blue, and the purple colour system were used for many things. It was used to grade or rank cultivation techniques. To determine how much affinity one had for martial arts and the single attributes. It was also used for ranking spirit beasts and spirit stones. Red is the lowest rank and purple is the highest.

It was also the system that caused her bad reputation. She tested as a clear talent. no colour was shown when she placed her hand on the orb. Clear these thoughts and concentrate on your surroundings. Some days ago, Little spirit had presented her with a stalk of techniques. One of them was called the eye of truth. It was a skill that trained the eyes to see auras and the essence of things. It was a skill favoured by alchemists who used it, combined with soul force to identify herbs.

Maybe just maybe, I will be able to see the world. Its many colours, not merely the shade of Gray and black. Now concentrate.

The garden was enclosed by walls and an array. There were lakes and ponds some ponds covered with Lille's and Searoses. The ponds were home to frogs and fish. The rocks were scattered. Flowers, trees and plants were all over the place, seeming unintentional. Accompanying were an assortment of halls and pavilions, tea houses, bridges, and pathways to work on. It was the estate agent's most prideful work. On one of the bridges was a so-called bare footage. One would walk barefoot over the bridge while it massaged the feet. She tried grasping the essence of the plants, critters, and the things around her. But all to no avail. The only thing she could feel was the rays of the sun kissing her skin. She sat in this position for hours utilising her qi to cover the garden. Until she felt something activating in her body. The surrounding atmosphere changed. The cries of the animals were no more heard.

For some reason, I know, I am not in the Space jade. It was devoid of Qi.

She took a few steps around and noticed the smell of something rotten. This must be my other space. The one I created years ago. But why did I appear here? I thought for a while and remembered a space was created with soul force. I tried to activate my soul force did it work? Let's try to leave. I imagined myself outside the space. That is not right why is the dead spirit beast who made it smell foul beside me? Why do I feel that?

The first option I am going crazy.

The second option I am getting a hang of this soul force thing.

Imagine yourself sitting on the tiled floor. Before she could finish she was outside.

Little Spirit, Is going to be shocked. He said it takes years to feel one's surroundings.

Feeling proud she ran to where she had left the jade space and milk tea when she fell into the water.

Don't get too arrogant she reminded herself.

The water was shallow. She held her breath. So I am part of the small percentage of water-attributed people who can reside underwater for a long amount of time without the need for air. Well enough but how do I get back up?

Cherry thinks she massaged her head. Perhaps a boat of ice. A boat made of ice. She started creating what she thought was a boat. A big thing floats on water with a gigantic sail. She finished her boat. Slowly it rose from the water bed. The boat cherry created looked like a half-opened clam made of ice. She sat in it. The clam moved very slowly, so cherry continued practising until they hit the floor.

Cherry got out of the clam leaving the maids who swept the pathway in awe. But none of them dared to make a sound. They stopped sweeping. Standing in a row they bowed. Unbeknownst cherry had not sensed their presence, so she did not know people were standing there until she suddenly felt the movement of a broom.

Who goes she hastily turned around creating in a second a sword made of ice which she pointed at the poor maid. The maids were terrified they would never make a sound in her presence.

The maid was shocked not even a word could leave her mouth. It was a boy who answered. Your excellency this servant's name.

I do not need this information.

Cherry began to walk fast she was heading to Jim's office when she suddenly hit a pillar.

Well, that was embarrassing. They were probably there before so how did I not notice them? Cherry, why don't you ask them to escort me?

Cherry walked back to where the maids were sweeping.

Can you escort me to Jim's office.?

She asked in a quiet voice.

Yes of course. It shall be our honour.

They escorted her but when they passed the courtyard of the maids. They heard someone screaming she did nothing wrong please punish me.

Cherry flinched what was going on that voice belonged to someone I met at the market.

What is going on?

Cherry began to run in the direction of the voices.

What is going on here? She asked.

Get out of my sight was the answer.

In the lady's eyes, all she saw was someone in fancy clothing who had been drowned or kidnapped.

For some reason, cherry was to know the girl's exact location.

Get up she offered a hand.

But before could be taken a whip sounded in her palm.

You the lady screamed. Do you know who I am?

No, I don't Cherry answered.

I am the head maid appointed by the flower herself. Common people like you shouldn't be allowed to talk to me.

The other maids escorted cherry. Now arrived. It was when one of the maids said how dare you to speak to the flower like that.

Hahaha, hypocrites believe in hypocrisy. The flower is an embodiment of elegance. Something I have known since I met her.

You are not the flower, and you made me escort do you know how much I have to do?

I never said I was the flower. Cherry said. Don't ruin the act let us see how they are.

How did you even get into the mansion?

Well I will tell you a secret come closer she urged them to come forward she whispered in her ear

I am an elephant.

It shall be my job to teach right and wrong. She pointed as the face turned a bright red.

We shall put this girl on trial.

One of them handcuffed her hands and tied them with a rope.

They led her to Jim's office.

Captain, we found this suspicious person. May we enter the head maid said.

When they entered he saw. Cherry sorry state.

Let her go quickly.

Jim rushed up to cherry. You there get a towel. You there get a new set of clothing. Jim pushed cherry into the changing room with a different batch of maids. But before they can do anything she said. In a second she was the only one left she started changing.

Jim's office

Head maid tell me who gave you the courage?

The head maid panicked when she looked at the girl she looked homeless and noble. So she didn't bother. But she can't be the flower she let us capture in her own house.

May I explain?

We were in the halls sweeping when a clam was seen out of it came to a lady. She walked on the pathway in haste, but we weren't disrespectful we bowed at the thought of the flower. She did not answer. When she was leaving we continued sweeping that is when she pointed a sword at me.

Somehow she left again and came back asking for an escort to your office. …

Whiles escorting her we passed the maid's quarter suddenly she ran off in the direction of the maid's quarters.

When she arrived she was fighting with the head maid.

She said she was an elephant he began to laugh. When she was younger the master asked her name, but she told us her secret of being an elephant.

Cherry finished changing and came out.

So what kind of punishment will you enforce?

Teach all the maids how to tie proper knots.

The shadow guards of the pathway were nowhere to see.

We shall reflect. Jim said.

But all in all, it was fun.

She got to understand the concept of the eye of truth.

Do you mind joining my handmaiden?

It would be an honour the head maid said.

Not you mean her.

She looked back to see if anyone was behind her.

Yes, you

and the senior maid too.

What is the lowest rank of the maids?

All those over Body tempering 7.

Master in ten minutes The meetings will begin.

A meeting with whom

You'll see

Master, you might not know, but currently, the flower is the third most influential person in cloud city. ….

Jim lectured her to understand what kind of position she was in. She has thousands of professionals in all fields under her.

Yes, Jim, I have understood.

These are your most trusted officials do you still want to wear a cape?

If I want them to trust me I have to trust them cherry thought to herself. She took off her cape and threw it on the chair. I am not scared. Cherry wore a white dress with pink Petals. It matched her hair.

She still wore a red veil and took the jade space from the table. The milk tea was still sleeping.

Let us go. Jim kept himself together he wanted to touch cherry's hair but he didn't. Her hair was white as snow and the tips a tinted red.

In the main hall. From afar the gatemen had seen Jim and ?. They quickly announced that the flower was soon here.

I have to fake it till I make it. I am power rich person would I behave yes by opening the door and walking like a peacock?

Cherry opened the door and with long elegant strides, she went to her chair and sat on her chair.

As soon as her foot entered the main hall silence ruled. They all bowed some even holding their breath. Rumours had travelled that the Flower almost killed a maid because she could hear her breath. It is said she had know had no heart and feared no one. Telling government officials that they disturbed her rest.

This lady was someone they dared not to offend their lives were on the line.

Cherry sat in her chair sipping a come of tea. Ten minutes passed.

If you have nothing to say then I will be leaving.

Miss, they have something to say but you have permitted them to rise. Jim said.

Oh, I haven't

Next time after bowing count to 10 then rise, and clear.

Yes, your highness.

So it seems all of you are my new subordinates.

It is our honour.

That's what they all say. Jim bring me the crystal that can tell someone's true nature. Darian, bring me three random flowers and a crow.

Just to make it clear. I do not care how powerful or talented you are because that is something that can be easily changed or trained.

Form a line.

Cherry hated arrogant people. Anyone who failed the test will work for a year in the mine and can come back to retake the test if they are no casualties.

On the floor amongst the legs was a small animal dashing through towards Cherry's chair. People caught a glaze of it trying to catch the gold hamster.

Cherry where are you the space jade is gone! I am so sorry I didn't notice. My eyes were wide open. The hamster leapt onto her lap. With a little grin, Cherry quickly removed the ring and put it in her other hand.

Go look for it. I am counting on you when I am done here I will help you look. She whispered

I won't disappoint you he ran off at full speed. When he left she couldn't hold back her laughter.

This scared the people who were about to be assessed.

Miss, we are back.

well, put these things on the table.

Everything is simple just say your name and your job. Whiles touching the crystal.

First in line was a middle-aged man who wore worn-out grey robes.

My name is Din An and I work here as the head alchemist.

Go to the left.

Just by the mention of an alchemist Cherry's mood turned foul. Even though she was an alchemist herself.

My name is fu li the

left

left

left

left

left

left

left

left

My name is Jim the

left, I mean right.

left

left

All those who introduced themself went left, which meant they failed the test.

Till the end of the week, all those to my left will have to prove themselves, and why they qualified to work for me.

With that, I will take my leave. If any matters come up, simply knock on my office. Keep this in mind. There is a high chance. I will not reply.

I challenge you to duel. Fu li said.

I decline.

You can't be kidding. Who are you? Why are you the master of ethereal pristine when Jim created and works hard to maintain it? He travelled far away. Just to recruit the best of talents. Yet you throw them away.

Li stop this is my master you are talking to. Miss he

Fu Li you are now on the right your probation has ended. Cherry was happy this was intentional she liked justice-oriented people like Fu Li.

What, Why? What about the others?

Cherry left.

Fu Li pushed Jim why do you follow her like a dog?

It is my fate to come let us have some tea, my old friend.

May, I join? the alchemist asked.

In a pavilion, they sat down and had some tea. It all began ten years ago when I met this girl. She was very young and couldn't even tie her hanfu together and still smelled like her mother's milk. She entered the guild and bathed in blood. In her left hand, she held a ranked 4 demon beast and in the other a hamster.

How much she said putting the animal on the desk.

3 silver I answered. At that time I was a newly appointed house boy.

Are you fine? I asked.

Not my blood. she said.

The occurrence was a little weird but in the evening it got crazier.

In my dream there was a woman with long silver hair sitting beside a stream behind her was a waterfall. She said many things but all I heard was please protect her. In the morning I found out that everyone that day who had seen her had the same dream. The next time I met her that evening the lady told me to take care of her.

After a year of meeting her, the dreams ceased. I never saw that lady until today. The same glistening silver.

I always thought the lady was her grandmother.

I follow this master with my heart and soul because she has a heart and soul, a task granted by the universe.

Have you ever asked her?

I dare not.