While waiting for a friend at a coffee shop, a thought crosses Namjoon's mind; "What if I'm the only one that can't read minds?" He hears glass shatter, and it suddenly becomes terrifyingly quiet, Namjoon turns around. Everyone is staring at him with a terrifying look in their eyes.

                                     «»«»«»

©ImThatGirl534 (Vintage Blackn'White), 2019

CALLEA'S eyebrows were drawn together as she walked down the living room. She had been trying to recover from the days she had to entertain Deive's grandfather and her own family and she wanted to catch up with work. Surprisingly, she got along just fine with Don Jorje. He liked old jazz and her piano pieces. He was also into history so they had a lot to discuss. He asked her to visit him in Manila.

She thought she could have a peaceful time for herself since Deive went to the field to help out Torque with harvesting vegetables. He needed to impress her cousin. And since Lee is a financial analyst, he would ask for his help on business as well.

She didn't expect any visitors coming for her. Then she saw who was sitting on the sofa. It was her publisher, Mattheu Segundo. She noticed a black box on the middle of the mahogany center table. She had a bad feeling about this.

He came towards her as she reached the landing. "Finally! I thought you have no plans to see me. How's my most bankable graphic novelist?" he asked and kissed the back of her hand.

Her boss was a handsome and dashing man. A dreamboat for most women. He was a member of Stallion Island Riding and Leisure Club like her cousins where only the rich and young men in the country could join as members like her Torque and Lee. That was why they entrusted her works to him. She knew that she would be taken care of and her identity would be a secret.

"I am good. Thanks for the visit. So what brought you here, boss?"

Callea never visited the office. They just send the check to her bank account and her accountant handle all her accounts. Contacts were sent to her through a courier. She had just submitted her latest book last month. She beat her deadline. Her next deadline was still months away. The renewal of her contract was still a couple of years away. If her publisher would grace her with his presence himself, it must be freakin' important. She was wishing that he was there to increase her talent fee.

"I just visited you. I brought cake and some books on Japanese horror. Vintage ones." There was the sparkle in her boss' eyes as he opened the box. Her heart leaped when I saw the yellowish cover with Japanese ink and an illustrator of a Japanese girl in kimono with blazings eyes, standing in the middle of a bamboo forest. It was something she had never seen before that made her salivate.  It was a forbidden book, according to some. And her boss acquired it for her. "This is for me? This is too much, boss. You know that I am happy that you publish my stories and people appreciate it."

It was too precious as a gift. There was no malice between her and the boss. After all, he only sees her as a cash cow. She was scared of what he would ask in return. It was always business with her boss. There was no such thing as free lunch.

Then came Marina with a green tea crepe cake. She wet her lips. Darn! Her boss knew her weakness and how to put her guard down. They ate while they discussed the comic conference in Tokyo that he attended and how spring came earlier than expected and they nearly missed the sakura blossom.

It was a dream of Callea to visit Japan. She was planning to go there with her friend until her demise.

"I have a favor to ask, Callea." Mattheu's voice sent her back to the present.

"What is it, boss?"

He greased her with a vintage Japanese horror book and a matcha crepe cake. She was ready to listen. Her boss was a wolf. Pretending to be grandma until he shows his fangs. And she knew that she couldn't say no.

"I want you to attend our book signing."

An arranged marriage to a perfect bride.

To keep him in line, playboy Deive Hontiveros needs to marry Callea Lopez so he could start his own business. He thought he got lucky when he sees how beautiful and caring Callea is.

She lives in a haunted mansion though and he got plagued by a mysterious ghost of a woman and her cat from hell.

He must protect his bride at all cost. 

But what if Callea is one with the darkness?

Chapter 2:
Spit Out These Sentiments





My life wasn't in shambles for any old reason. Though I suppose Karma was looking for a way to let me know how bad things were going now. Just a month ago I was just a quiet ordinary Otaku living in my quiet ordinary life. I had a good job as an accountant for a publishing company, I wrote web novels on the side, one or two little stories, nothing too major but mostly just to have something to do.

I was a good person, even though I had few to no friends. Blah blah blah. One thing led to another and I was killed in a car accident trying to save a young girl's life, and then the god of the dead, King Yama, gave me a chance to redeem my life with being- Oh you've heard that one…

Falling asleep at my desk I was suddenly awakened by a young goddess, she pleaded with me to save her dying world. The demon god was defeated by the Hero, and now someone needed to clean up and rebuild humanity. I would receive powers beyond imagining as long as I promised to restore everything and become- Dammit you know that one too!

So my grandfather found this ancient Egyptian puzzle, taken from the tomb of an unknown Pharaoh, a puzzle that only I was able to put together and when I did powers of darkness unleashed that made me the- Oh ok. You know that one too. Fine, I'll tell the truth...

My name is Shikiro Momotarou. I'm half Japanese born and raised in Kyoto. And I'm a twenty-seven-year-old Isekai-maniac. I wanted to be different, to live in the worlds I had been vicariously living through manga, anime, and even my writings. I became obsessed with Isekai, the other world summoning stories. Wishing I could be the hero in those tales, hoping upon hopes that one day I'd wake up and find myself inside such a fantasy world. The fame, the money, the harem of cute and beautiful girls...Ok, mostly for the harem of girls.

And I certainly wasn't going to find that living in the real world. So all I could do was hope and pray that some god would take me to save their world, and make me powerful enough to do it easily. Too bad I didn't ever heed "be careful what you wish for" on that day everything messed up.

It all started with the worst storm of the decade. It had started brewing from out of nowhere, the clouds had been light and fluffy all morning but had thickened into the blackness of nightmares by afternoon.

I had just gotten off work and I was getting ready to head home by way of the trains when the power died, it was late enough that the manager and I were the only ones left when she locked up the building and drove off after seeing me towards the train platform. This part of town was mostly business and warehouses, nothing open after six unless someone needed to stay late at work.

I wasn't the only one there when the station lights turned off suddenly. I can't recall all the details right there, maybe there were five of us, maybe more or less. A couple of them tried cell phones but either the connection was bad or the power company wasn't giving any time frame of when there would be lights or even a train for that matter.

Forced to huddle under the train covering as we waited in the chilling air for about an hour before the storm completely let loose. It was like a tsunami opened up in front of us, the wind blowing harshly into the station building, sputtering as the rain whipped into my face some of us tried to look for some building that might still be open. Others were trying to get a signal on their phones to try and call friends or family to pick them up.

"Over there!" A woman's voice called out, I think she was an auntie that worked at a reception desk next door, she pointed into the dark street below. I took a glance at her first then followed her pointed arm, she was a nice looking auntie from what I could tell in the rain and dark, at least from her figure, her voice certainly seemed to tell more of her age than anything. I would think about basing a new character off her in one of my stories.

Just a short way down the street was a man waving towards us from a building, holding up one of those fake vintage lanterns that used halogen lights instead of oil. He was shouting something that I couldn't make out, but motioning for us to hurry to him.

Shelter from this downpour was a plus on everyone's mind, so we began our immediate departure from the station, fighting our way down the stairs and into the street. The wind and rain seemed to get even stronger as we battled toward our salvation from this storm. I could feel things starting to shift, trying to blow any of us across the way. "Quickly now! Get in before the storm rips the doors off!"

I bowed my head slightly in thanks as I passed the man. He seemed to be a bit ragged even for his age, definitely in a later end of his prime. He ushered everyone in and then he and one of the last ones in pulled the door closed, locking just in time as another gust of wind blew down the street, I swore I almost saw a parked car sliding down the road.

Looking around the hallways I noticed that a few lights were active inside, flickering slightly but keeping steady and thanks whatever gods were looking out for us there was still air moving inside. A building with a generator, at least we have a couple of hours before we get stuck in a completely stuffy building then.

"Quite the kamikaze in't? Ah, haven't seen of its like in decades." The man spoke plainly, and against even the rain and wind outside, I could hear him clearly. He was a foreigner for certain, maybe Irish. As people slipped off wet coats I began to see that a couple of my storm companions were also from differing origins.

"Dammit... I had a date planned for tonight!" A man slightly older than I was, maybe in his younger 30s, grumbled and half-punched his fist firmly against the wall, he had certainly held back from what I could see of the muscles under his shirt. He seemed American, through his hair was darker than mine, seemed strong, outgoing, one of those types that got the girls fawning all over him just for existing. The guy that won everything in web novels and mangas, and make it look easy all the while satisfying gigantic harems of beautiful women. The kind I would remove first thing in any story I was ever involved in to keep the ladies to myself. Riajuu explode!

"Not like you can't get another one later, Harmon-san. Knowing you she'll be apologizing for the weather and begging for another shot." The auntie called out to him, with a little laugh. Now that there was some light and her coat was off, I could see she was good looking, a decent curve along her body that was just a little on the wider side, just a small fleck of white in her amber-colored hair and a hint of wrinkle on her face that, overall, made her rather cute.

The guy, Harmon, chuckled quietly and sighed nodding. "Yeah.. you're right, Kichi-san." Riajuu! … Just die... Please… Leave some girls for the less fortunate males around you.

"Out of the storm, lights and air conditioning. I'd skip a dozen dates over being out there right now." A young woman spoke, looking outside the window, a crash of lightning shattering the darkness beyond the door seemed to emphasize her point. I nodded in agreement, taking a moment to enjoy the feast in front of me.

She was curves that screamed woman, and yet she wasn't overly so but enough that her Harajuku jacket seemed to be a little strained holding closed over her breasts, yet there was still a hint of daintiness that still hinted underneath. Maybe the jacket was a hand-me-down or old memento because she didn't look like she belonged in it while wearing the business style skirt and heels that flowed from below. I kind of wished she take off the jacket but she was clinging to the front of it quite securely, leaving to only my imagination how beautifully cute she was underneath.

Another lovely girl shivered and moved further inside glancing around with a shiver, she had been one of the first to get out of her wet coat and was looking a bit anxious to get away from the door. She also had carried the air of a woman, but a woman who liked being in charge or she would be lost. Her long blonde hair was streaked with rain making it flat and sticking to her face as she tried to rearrange it. Unfortunately, her makeup was starting to run from the overbearing amount of water we had run through just moments ago. "Since we are all nice and safe-ish. Is it alright if I can use the restroom Mr…?"

"Silas Clarion. If we all move in further we can get into the safer rooms away from the windows and outside walls. The restrooms are just down the hall and to the right, we'll be on the left side through the double doors when ye are finished ."

She bowed slightly and moved in a hurry to correct herself no doubt and clean up. "Thank you so much, Clarion-dono" The other two ladies followed her, leaving with Clarion-san and the Riajuu. Have I said Riajuu explode?

Following them both down the hall I glanced at the odd picture frames lining the hallway, starting to notice them, illustrations of various stories I had read as a child. Amaterasu and the creation of the world. Susano the warrior and Orochi. There were a couple of western stories mixed in as well, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, Some green-tunic wearing archer guy, a girl laying in a glass coffin, Snow White or maybe it was Sleeping Beauty I can't remember the stories well enough, weren't they both sleeping and/or dead for some reason? The only reason I know Red was the color of her clothes and the wolf.

"What is this place, Clarion-san?"

"This is my life's work. A library that surpasses all others. A collection of every story ever put to pen and paper by man. Protected so that people will always have The Word to rely on no matter what."

I felt something tingling in the back of my head, scratching my cheek as I tried to recall there being a library in this part of town. I thought I knew all the ones between here and home considering that I'm responsible for about 30% of the annual donations of books from the light novels and manga I finish reading.

"I don't really remember there being a library here… is this a private collection?"

Clarion laughed, reaching forward and pressing the door open slowly, letting us look at the rows upon rows of shelves. "Yes and No. Anyone who desires may enter and read as they wish. But those who would silence what lies within these books will never be welcomed as long as this place stands."

If this was a story that would be a red flag if I ever heard one. Of course, one would have to be paying attention to him, I'm quite certain he knew what he was doing because I was far too distracted with the vast number of books before my eyes. Stepping in as I looked around in awe I couldn't wrap my head around the sheer amount of books and papers organized all around us. The vast space even opened up above us showing more bookcases going up every floor to the ceiling. Did the God of Literature just grant me a wish?

"Feel free to pass the storm in here, if ye know of it I have it. Just use one of the computers over here to find what ye are looking for, they can find and help with everything you would like to see."

Taking him at his word I bow and offer my thanks before rushing calmly toward one of the computers. He might have some original Isekai books in here if what he was saying is true. Taking a seat I sat down and immediately grimaced for half a second. W***ows 95. The guy was using ancient computers to run everything in here, though I guess when you have so many books it is bound to happen. On the screen was an Ex*el style catalog and even my old nemesis, the thrice-damned Mr. Paperclip, sitting there casually in the bottom left of the window.

(I see you are looking for books. Would you like assistance?)

Well, I guess it can't be a perfect dream, at least he wasn't using index cards anymore. Ignoring Mr. Paperclip I type into the search field and begin scrolling through the list. Looking through things I started writing down a couple of titles that seemed like they would be good attention grabbers for weathering the storm comfortably. Then I noticed something Mr. Paperclip is saying.

(I see you are looking at Isekai. Would you like to create your own instance?)

I paused and raised my eyebrows. Was there some hidden game on this piece of antique hardware? Curiosity was getting the better of me as I clicked {Yes}.

(Please input the desired Isekai parameters)

{F-A-N-T-A-S-Y}

(I understand. Preparing to create Isekai. Please input coordinates for starting {FANTASY})

I drew a blank on this question. What the hell was 'coordinates for starting?' I clicked the help button looking for more detailed explanations.

(If you are having trouble I can automatically fill in this variable. Do you wish to proceed?)

{Yes}

(Using Current Coordinates. WARNING: This will overwrite current instances located here. OVERRIDDEN. ERROR: System MALFUNCTION- WARNING: Laws of physics destabilizing. Initiating failsafe- ERROR OVERRIDDEN)

I started to panic, looking around for Clarion-san. Hoping I hadn't broken something when there was a lurch that knocked me back into the chair, looking at the screen my heart sank as I saw the texts whirling past faster then I could keep up.Catching only glimpses of words
(System Failure… Transmigration… MONEY… activated… DAVE… Commencing… EVERYONE overwrite... DEAD…. 54353*9873242 ABC123… DAISY… ISEKAI….1000%...)

Everything started to shake, books falling off shelves, I could hear one of the girls screaming. Harmon tripped trying to scramble to safety, and I was stuck sitting in my chair watching the horror just beginning. Things began spilling out of the books all around us, monsters and demons, angels and heroes, witches and ghosts and everything imaginable spilled out and began to take over everything in front of me. There was a burst of light, and then it all went black.

All Shikiro Momotarou, aka Blue, wanted was to have an adventure in his own Isekai fantasy world. To be a famous hero, save the day and score fame, wealth and girls. But instead of being summoned into such a world, he’s summoned all the fantasy worlds into his. All. Of. Them. Every story ever written. With a world thrown into mayhem and chaos, the quest begins to return everything to normal before the universe collapses into itself. Familiar and unfamiliar faces and stories abound as mixups and twists on classic and not so classic tales around the world bring you on a wild ride across time, space and genre. Hopefully, Shikiro can find some help.

"Wingardium leviosa." Harry said in a calmed tone and with the swish of his wand the books floated in the air. He went to grab one of the vintage leather books and handed it to Aaron. 
"Where did you learn these spells?" Aaron asked. 
"From my grandpa's books. Reading books is my hobby." Harry said and snapped his finger. All of a sudden all the books fell to the ground. 
Aaron was left completely amazed with his mouth hanging open. He then asked Harry to pinch him to see if it was a dream. Harry pinched him in the butt and he yelled. "Ouch! Why did you do that?"
"You asked me to pinch you?" 
"Yes I did, but not in the butt, dumbass." 
Aaron decided to open the book Harry handed him and take in some reading. "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Admission to Hogwarts is selective, in that children who show magical ability will automatically gain a place and squibs cannot attend the school as students." Aaron suddenly stopped reading and turned to Harry with a strange expression in his face. 
"So how can we know if we're wizard or not?"
"Wizards don't seem to have a natural ability to 'sense' whether someone is a wizard or a Muggle but there are some spells and signs that can help them distinguish people around them." Harry explained. "Spells, such as Repello Muggletum will help them prevent a muggle from seeing or entering-."
Harry wasn't finished talking when Aaron's phone rang. He was so anxious to take the call so he dropped it instead and left. 
"Hey Ron, is everything alright?!" Harry tried to chase him but Aaron runs too fast and  he could not catch up. "Wait!" 
Harry was left confused and worried. Tangled of thoughts began to popped and crackle in his head like fat in the fire, until he went home. He went straight to his room and lay down for a nap. In a restless doze Harry saw Aaron  as a kid again. 
Aaron came from a family of wizards. Unfortunately, Aaron wasn't like them. He was a squib, in other words "Wizard-born muggles". Squibs are kind of the opposite of Muggle-born wizards, but Squibs are quite unusual. 
Harry wakes up a moment later. It was a short dream but it stayed with him. It was already seven thirty five in the evening when Aaron paged him. Fifteen minutes after Harry woke up. He told Harry his location and asked him to come over.

Eversince  Harry Morris was young, he dreamed of entering the ever famous Hogwarts even just for a day,but there was a big problem  he needs to deal with. Hogwarts mysteriously vanished 22 years ago along with the death of Harry Potter. Will Harry be able to bring back Hogwarts again? Join Harry and the new generations of wizard on their quest of finding Hogwarts.

As no one could actually see anything valuble in unit 29, the starting bid for the unit was only 100$. I however saw plenty. This was going to be a home run for me.

The auction for unit 92 shoted. "One hundred twenty, one hundred twenty, one hundred dollars twenty for this unit -going!"

However, just as the auctioneer was going to close the bid at 120$. Cat appear in her tight spandex. Her keen eyes saw what I saw, treasure. It was going to be a bidding war. And then more people will bid. This was going to be a long tiring process.

"Five thousand dollars." She shouted

"Seven thousand dollars!"

"Nine thousand dollars!"

Cat eyes were bright and her body was tense. She wanted this. It was important. Thinking back at  that look I think I knew what it was as the time framed match up. A stupid tin toy made during the civil war era. I made a decision, I look at the unit and went for the kill.

I shouted "One hundred thousand dollars!"

Cat gritted her teeth and shouted "One hundred thousand dollars and one dollar!"

The girl knew me too well for my liking. I just shook my head. We had different styles. If up bidding her and making her go over budget. I could force her to go home without having to pay an extra cent. This was good.

I had a feeling that the item I was after was in unit 31. Cat smirk and move to pay for the unit. I watch as she leaved and move to the next unit.

To my delight everything went rather smoothly, the next room was a room with a single vintage suitcase place in the middle of lots and lots of old books. I smirk and the sixty two stacks of book arrange into a formation. It was good thing Cat didn't see this or she'd break her budget to get the suitcase from me.

It was rather satisfying to pay one dollar. And Roll out the books with the suitcase to my apartment instyle. The books to my delight were spell books and  potion formulas invented during the 60s, invented from old worn out family spells during the hippie generation where anyone could do magic. 

62 Solid books would put me in Hebe's good side for months. To top it off the ingredients use in these potions were on the cheaper side of the scale.

A simple rebirth story. Finding love. Righting wrongs.

The carriage was built of dark iron and adorned with sparkling jewels and gems. Its interior was spacious, and light shimmered from within like it was daytime.
But there was nothing but emptiness and silence inside the luxurious carriage that had endured for thousands of years. Contrary to their earlier beliefs, no immortal had seemed to escape the Immortal Realm via the carriage from the route of the Celestial River.
With no time to wait, Meng Qi noticed the mane of the Celestial Horses rustling and fractions of minute movements as they began to stir.
An idea came to him. He invoked the thunderbolt mark on the back of his hand and mimicked the aura of the ancient Thunder God. Propelling himself through the currents of the pond, he threw himself at the carriage and shouted at his companions via telepathy:
"Into the carriage!"
His instruction to his friends proved unneeded as they had already guessed his plans. The Celestial Horses seemed to hold special abilities that would allow them to travel at high speeds despite not being of the Dharmakaya realm. With a kick of their hooves, the horses would deliver them so far away that not even Snake Dang could keep up!
Meng Qi led the way, summoning a doppelganger which leaped before them to test for traps or barriers in the carriage. Jiang Zhiwei remained as a rearguard, holding the Oceanic Dominion Pearl in her hands tensely.
There would be no need for her to venture any risky maneuvers if their plan could work!
Still, Snake Dang was already a zombie, and the Oceanic Dominion Pearl's actual function was to confound its Vital Spirit, cripple its physical body, and steady the current of flow. They could not finish off the monster even after severely destroying its body.
Meng Qi's doppelganger entered safely into the carriage, indicating the absence of any magical traps or barriers. With his mind at ease, Meng Qi leaped into the carriage with Ruan Yushu, Qi Zhengyan, and Zhao Heng close behind. Jiang Zhiwei stepping within after them.
Suddenly, they felt the cold and deathly presence of their nemesis closing in. The head of the gigantic snake peered through the surface of the pond with its blood-shot eyes. With the silhouettes of the white-haired zombie and Luo Shengyi still within, the eyes scanned warily in fear of Meng Qi's "I, the Unique and Righteous" technique!
The massive presence of a force so close to the Half-step from the Dharmakaya realm sent a chill down their spines, freezing the blood in their veins and their Vital Spirits. More so for the spit of venom that could spew forth anytime and consume everything at the bottom of the pond. Still, the Celestial Horses had yet to buck. They leaped despite stirring from their slumber of millennia!
Jiang Zhiwei stood bravely at the edge of the carriage. She wore a cold, defiant glare without fear and anxiousness in her eyes. In her hands, she readied herself with the Oceanic Dominion Pearl currently blushed with a faint colored glow. She was prepared to use it at a moment's notice.
Having experienced its lesson from Meng Qi's Secret Treasures, the giant snake cowered reluctantly at the sight of the Oceanic Dominion Pearl. Still, it slunk and withdrew slowly with apparent unwillingness as if it could, at any time, hurl itself forward and snatch its prize even at the cost of its body!
Meng Qi calmed himself. The motion of the saber he held became sluggish and slow. His stare grew dark and distant as ethereal and gossamer threads became visible to him.
The stroke of utter destruction—the Fruits of Karma technique!
Meng Qi looked once more at the massive figure of Snake Dang. It was unlike before. There were not many threads of Karma that spread out from it, and most of them were slowly fading due to its death. There was one which caught his eyes from amongst the remaining threads which numbered at below ten. A diaphanous strand which was thick and robust, sparkling amidst the shade of gloom. That single most distinct thread stretched far into an unknown distance.
Snake Dang instead felt a chilling dread as Meng Qi's eerie stare rested on him. Between Meng Qi's icy stare and its fear of the Oceanic Dominion Pearl, it could not help jerking its head back momentarily.
Noticing her chance, Jiang Zhiwei drew the shutters with her foot. The doors of the carriage closed with a slam.
The Celestial Horses came to life, springing into fluid motions that continued from the events that have transpired tens of thousands of years ago. With no hesitation and doubt, the horses kicked and leaped into the Celestial River. The carriage shone with a shroud of bright green as it drew through the currents of the heavenly river, tightly shut by the enchantments that came into effect on its own.
The heavenly steeds threw their heads back and neighed loudly, trampling through the rapids of the Celestial River.
Their bodies turned translucent suddenly as if they were entering a mysterious and magical channel!
Meng Qi finally heaved a massive breath of relief. He could feel the dangers and hidden secrets that lay behind the distinctly thick thread of karma belonging to Snake Dang. It would be nothing short of suicide if he were to use the Fruits of Karma technique on the monster and inherit the burden of Karma. It would have overwhelmed him instantly. Warding off the gigantic serpent was the best possible outcome.
He looked around the interior of the carriage. A question came to him finally: was the carriage prepared by Zhu Bajie for his escape, or was it by someone else who had left already?
If it were the former, Zhu Bajie himself would have been able to escape with higher speeds than using Celestial Horses, considering that his body still stood even after thousands of years of enduring the scorching heat of the Grand Sun. If it was the latter, when had the Immortal left? Was it during the fall of the Celestial Court, after the fall, or did he go sometime during Meng Qi's company's arrival?
The giant snakehead ventured another look from the surface of the pond and saw only the ripples of currents of the Celestial River.
The monster serpent hissed and emitted a deafening roar of anger that shook even the stars in the Heavens. But all was lost for it!
...
Four Celestial Horses drew the golden carriage across the belt of the Milky Way, flickering in and out of view as the heavenly steeds galloped upon the currents of the Celestial River with high speed.
On a planet covered with oceans and continents with rich flora and fauna, there stood more than a dozen men in front of a pile of ancient ruins, clad in strange clothing.
The leader of the group pointed to the ruins and said, "This is the altar of sacrifice built by the tribes of old to pray and offer sacrifices to the gods in return for their blessings and protection. There have been records in the ancient manuscripts about the coming of Immortals and Deities. With the manuscripts, we can restore the ancient civilization, practices, beliefs, and relationships between other tribes."
There were several amongst the group who took down notes vigorously. Some studied the ancient altar curiously and some, in their peculiar headgears with strange decorative patterns, looked up into the blue sky while they visualized the lives of the ancient tribes.
All of a sudden, one of the men looking into the sky uttered incomprehensible gibberish that caught the surprise of the others. But they had barely been able to react when they saw a streak of light tearing across the sky with tails of flames behind it. It moved not with the speed and intensity of a comet, but calm and composed as if it was revolving around the planet.
"The engravings of the ancient bird on the altar is the emblem of this ancient tribe, slowly through time it became..." The lecturer saw his students staring blankly into the sky and felt it strange. He was suddenly bathed in light from behind as if something was descending into their midst.
He turned without thinking and looked at the altar, only to see four handsome horses with flowing manes drawing a majestic carriage of gold, galloping gracefully upon a belt of light and coming to a stop upon the altar.
"T-This..." Nobody uttered a word. It was like a bizarre dream.
The Celestial Horses took a brief respite before they gave a loud triumphant cry. They conjured a magical formation and leaped into the air once more, the divine convoy fading from sight and disappeared into the air.
Night came swiftly and the stars returned into the fold of darkness. The streak of light continued its journey across the stars, flickering continuously.
On another planet filled with nothing but the sands were minarets and turrets that pointed into the sky.
Several men dressed in the costumes of priests stood at the top of a tower, looking into the beautiful but bleak view of the desert.
"Another sacrificial ceremony tomorrow." One of the priests said poignantly.
Another remarked with a laugh. "It is just for show. There is no need for anxiousness."
The words had barely left their lips when their gazes fixated upon a meteor falling from the sky. It drew closer to them, getting larger and larger as it came, and they saw that it was no meteor, but a divine-looking carriage of gold drawn by proud horses of the heavens that rode imperiously across the sky.
The horse-drawn carriage came to a stop briefly on the top of the tower for a brief respite before the priests, who were staring with gaped-mouth astonishment, and ignored their presence.
After their rest, the heavenly steeds leapt in unison and set off with a brilliant glow that engulfed the entire pinnacle of the tower as well as the horses themselves.
The carriage once again took to the sky, galloping away with high speeds, leaving the priests awe-struck and stunned with silence in their wake.
...
The carriage continued its voyage through the dark pool of stars in the sky, making brief stops at intervals. After a time, the Celestial Horses suddenly climbed higher and hit a vortex.
The carriage came to its final stop. Meng Qi and his companions projected their senses outwards to make sure that they were safe before they even thought of stepping outside.
Just then, the voice of Dominator of Samsara in Six Realms reverberated once more.
"Successful withdrawal from battle; the assigned task is complete and a success. You may now return, or you may elect to stay for another hour. During the hour, you may select to return immediately regardless of if you are caught in battle or not."
With the assuring words of the Dominator, Meng Qi survey their surroundings, feeling only the fresh scent in the air and the deep blue sky above them. There was an inexplicable familiarity that hinted that they might have returned to the World of the Journey to the West!
Not far away from where they were standing, they saw an old and decrepit ranch. There were no signs of life, save for the pungent stench waft drifting from the insides of the farm.
Meng Qi returned his gaze to the Celestial Horses and temporarily ignored the smell. Ruan Yushu looked at the steeds too with interest.
"These horses are precious 'assets' that can travel through the skies!"
The thought had barely registered, and suddenly he could hear the long whinny of the horses. A sudden, strong gale of wind blew and whisked them off into the air, keeping him and his companions away. The horses then rode through the wind and out of sight into the skies.
"These horses have sharp perception..." Meng Qi pursed his lips with faint disappointment. When they had first escaped, he was already thinking of ways to transport the horses back to the Realm of Reality!
Jiang Zhiwei smiled. With the effects of her technique diminishing, her aura turned extremely weak like Meng Qi. She turned to look at the ranch nearby, noticing the infestation of vines and creepers that have "drenched" the buildings into a shade of verdant green.
From the gaps between the vines, she made out a few words which she read out loud:
"The Gao... Vintage... Ranch..."
"The Gao Vintage Ranch?" Meng Qi could not believe his ears. "The destination of the carriage is the Gao Vintage Ranch?"
"It is true then, that the carriage is related to Zhu Bajie!"
"Let's go in and have a look," Meng Qi said with a heavy breath, dragging his weary self forward.
This time, Ruan Yushu, Qi Zhengyan, and Zhao Heng took the front and covered the rear, showing no doubt to Meng Qi's suggestion to venture a look into the abandoned ranch. They hoped to gather as many items as possible to exchange for additional Karma Points.
They tore through the luxuriant vegetation of creepers and went through the main gate of the forsaken ranch, which broke into pieces after a mere push.
They searched the rooms and chambers but found nothing of use. Some of the items left, due to the ravages of time, reduced down to mucks of slimy sludge.
They ventured further and reached at the center of the ranch, finding a small chamber that seemed to be a study or a room used by the owner of the farm.
"Let's search the study first. There might be manuscripts or books containing skills or techniques." Meng Qi suggested.
Unbeknownst to his companions, Meng Qi knew that the Gao Vintage Ranch was the residence of Zhu Bajie's in-laws. There could honestly be items of high value hidden here!
"All right." Ruan Yushu was interested in the music of the World of the Journey to the West. She also wanted to examine the study herself even if there were no books on martial disciplines contained within. Tailing close behind Zhao Heng, she stepped carefully into the study with Meng Qi beside her as they began to climb to the second floor.
Moving carefully and with light steps with consideration for the old and frail planks of the floor. Stepping with any force more significant than they currently moved could break the planks into pieces.
A more profound observation would yield that the second floor was full of books. Nothing but the yellow shade of papers and parchments filled their sight.
Meng Qi's eyes swept around and his gaze caught something. On the desk beside a window was a simple and old book with a cover in dark blue.
The companions searched around separately for anything useful. Meng Qi stepped to the table and picked up the book. Upon its cover were three words written in ancient runic seal script,
"The Tao Te Ching (the Scripture of Virtue)!"
"Enlightenment, if explained, would never be universal and eternal as it ought to be..." Meng Qi recited a phrase he saw as he riffled through the page. It was an ancient manuscript of archaic origins, not dissimilar to the "Tao Te Ching" that could be found circulating in the actual world they came from.
Suddenly, Zhao Heng heaved a dejected sigh. "These books are so old that they crumble to dust even at the gentlest touch. We have to use our genuine Qi to secure the books and lift them carefully. I have yet to see anything worth keeping here."
"These books are so old..." Meng Qi murmured as he returned his gaze on the Tao Te Ching in his hand. There was something peculiar about it despite its common and relatively newer appearance.
Confused and bewildered, he beckoned his friends and got them to examine the book. But no one found anything extraordinary with it.
"An ordinary book..." After thinking about it, Meng Qi decided to keep the book for future examination. There was still room in his Space Ring anyway.
After much searching and delving for an hour, they found nothing of value. The footprints and traces left in the deserted ranch suggested scores of monsters have frequented the area. It will be unsurprising if they have already ransacked and plundered all that they could!
The voice of the Dominator of Six Samsara Realms echoed, signifying it was time to return,
"The main task has been completed. Each person shall receive the reward of 3,500 Karma Points."
"Return."
Pillars of light fall from the sky, returning the group to the Samsara Square with their injuries healed. Meng Qi felt all weariness and fatigue leaving him.
Just then, the hollow voice of Dominator of Samsara in the Six Realms rumbled again:
"The Samsara deepens as you cast off your immaturity and inexperience. The next task is a Death Task that will take place in a year. Be prepared."
"For this mission, you will be forbidden from using your Secret Treasures and other artifacts. You will rely only on your skills, weapons, raiments, and other protective gears as well as only one healing elixir."


I care not of my past and neither of my future.
Conquering all heroes and foes while looking with disdain at the horrors of the Samsara, I yearn only for a life of thrilling wonders!
History will repeat itself after many ages as the menace of the Great Calamity rises once more.
Which will rise with triumph in the face of adversity; the Golden Form of the Great Buddha or the invincible Heavenly Taoist Form?
Which will seize all glory amidst all struggles; The Buddha's Palms or the  Seven Strokes of Heaven's Interception?
From the sanctum of the Shaolin Temple, Meng Qi's adventures and struggles through the Samsara begin as we follow his climb to claim the title of "the Unrivaled and the Invincible One"!


He came like the wind, gently and slowly seeping in through the windows. Mr. Boardmann loomed like a relic from my past. 

Therefore it was only logical that I distract myself. I spent the afternoon walking down to the touristic part of the boulevard from my house at the extreme end of the boulevard. I admired the sea on my right as I walked along the endless blue-bricked path. There was a slight breeze all around me. My hair swayed with the wind. I watched the dune grass sway gracefully; its sharp blades and frilly crowns made a whistling sound against the wind. The migratory herons were standing stoically in camouflage amongst the shrubby foliage, silently waiting for prey. I took it all in. These were the loves of my life at this moment of time. 

After walking for five kilometres, the uneasiness I felt dissipated. The public library came in sight on the left of the boulevard. I entered, mostly for a cup of tea at the tea café which made up a corner of the library. It was where you could also read magazines and books while enjoying your tea.

The café was empty except for Cherie, the librarian who also doubled up as the tea-lady. I saw her every time I went to the library. She was hard to miss as the library was almost always empty. I thought it was due to its location some distance away from the hustle and bustle of the suburb. Also, because this suburb was the residence of white-collar professionals who worked during the day, they simply had not the time or the inkling to go to the library. What more, when you can read e-books nowadays. Well, I was but old-fashioned when it came to books. 

I loved to drown myself in the trials and tribulations of dusty, old hand-held books which I could feel, touch and see. The older the book, the better; the richer the history of the book. I wondered about the previous readers of the books; whose hands had skimmed down the pages just as mine did. I liked to look at the different type-sets used. They almost seem to bulge out from paper. I touched the corners of the books. I felt the texture of the individual pages. I especially liked brown, vintage paper. Oh, the loves of my life. I needed nobody. Just me against the world. 

I emphasized on loving my life a lot today as I needed to rid Mr. Boardmann from my central nervous system. It seemed that he had been lodged there and it was affecting my faculties. It was through no fault of mine. I just did not need to go into too much reasoning of why and how. I reprimanded myself. Just do something and get moving, Lila, the call girl.

I had a cup of bergamot tea. I was beginning to relax, and the tea made me feel rather languid. I took Jane Eyre from the shelf. I have read it numerous times, more for the language rather than the story line. Somewhat dramatic, long-winded perhaps but I could really feel the passion in her character, the strength in her suffering and the redemption she craved. I liked strong women. No kudos to her troubled, arrogant and ignorant, male counterpart. But then it brought me back to him- not Mr. Rochester, but to him whose eyes pierced me. I slammed the book like a door, put it back on the shelf and started helping Cherie sort out the returned books.

One last glance at him, one last glance at the penthouse suite, and then I was a minuscule creature below the grand marble arch entrance of the penthouse suite; the residence of the wealthy in the suburbs. 

Then I took a few steps further to the boulevard ahead of me. I dared not turn back for I might just change my mind and run back to his suite; knocking like crazy on his door, begging him to let me in.

The breeze became more volatile the further I left the boulevard. I walked towards the coastline. Sand made its way into my ballet flats, causing my skin to feel its rough friction against my flats, but I was too determined to be distracted by it. 

Then I walked towards the rising tide. I saw waves; its crests subtle and light in movement. 

Now, at the edge of land and sea, the sun had yet to shine and the moon yet to fade away. 

I felt that I was here; I knew I was here; I could feel my joy and my sorrow; everything and nothing flashed before me. I brushed the flapping shawl away from my chest and touched the icy cold moonstone at my neck. 

I felt the weight of the world in a tiny moonstone; a stone which had been with me throughout my life, dangling in front of me like a sacred pendant. 

Gazing at the stone, I knew I could no longer keep it. That time had passed. I wanted to move on, and the stone reminded me of all that was; the pain, the joy, the sorrow.

Chapter 52

     After Qin he left the elevator, the long European style retro corridor gave Hu Xiaoli a silent and lonely sense of fear. 

     Hu Xiaoli looked left and right until his forehead and nose hit the back of the person in front of him severely, then he hurrying backed away.

    "I'm sorry!" 

    Qin He looks back, his calm eyes skimming over Hu Xiaoli's pale face.

    "You can go back." 

    "... Ah?" He looked up, the little fox was stunned.

    He always seem to be like this. He doesn't think much about anything. It's very simple. After encountering something that can't be solved, he is stronger than anyone and will not complain at all,  but will try to find a solution. 

    Qin He dare not say how much he knows about the boy in front of him, but he is the first one who makes himself feel so warm after living for so long in the world...

    Fairy. 

    Seeing the doubtful look in the boys' clear pupils, Qin He didn't overdo it, his voice was still cold like an iceberg. 

    "Don't watch horror movies, if you can't handle it." 

     He must've been scared, not to mention being forced to watch by Xu Mengmeng. A fox not being able to beat a rabbit? 

    As if recalling the horrible clip in the movie just now, the little fox's face turned white again, and he promised to Qin He repeatedly: "No more, no more..."

    Fool, Qin He can't help but think of this one word. 

    As the night falls, the air is filled with a humid atmosphere, and the stars are like a magical brush intently depicting the beauty of dreams in the night.

    Hu Xiaoli, who was lying on the bed after washing, stared at the ceiling, remembering what he did today, as usual. 

    Did he do something wrong? 

    —— He didn't, and was super-well behaved! 

    What was more memorable? 

    —— Being pulled by Xu Mengmeng to watch horror movies and then taken away by the curator... 

    Thinking of this, Hu Xiaoli blinked inexplicably. 

    After that, Qin He let him go back to the room and didn't ask him to do anything. What was the purpose of calling him to follow him in the lobby? 

    All of a sudden, Hu Xiaoli sat up from the bed and stared at nothing with a surprise look on his face.

    Maybe, Qin He did want to let him continue watching horror movies, so he took him away! 

    Wow—
  
     The curator is very considerate!

    His cheeks were reddish, and he seemed to feel a unusual heat. Hu Xiaoli turned over and flung his face into the soft pillow. 

    I don't know how long, Hu Xiaoli turned over and stared at the ceiling. He laughed. His eyes narrowed to the point of not seeing his pupils. Which revealed his silly look

    In the corridor outside the door, the tall and handsome man dragged the suitcase and paused while passing by 302. He looked at the vintage carved door in wonder. 

    He has a keen sense of sounds, and although the walls are soundproofed, that undisguised laughter naturally flows into his ears through the door. 

    If he remember correctly, 302 is the newcomer's room. 

    Is this a good thing? 

    The man's face, as warm as jade, was covered with a light smile and shook his head incomprehensibly. 

    Dragging the suitcase, the wheels on the soft carpet, though hard to move, did not make a sound. 

    The man stopped at the door of 303, took out the key from his pocket, inserted it into the keyhole, and turned it slightly, and the door opened in response.

As a simple fox, Hu Xiaoli, who has survived into human society as an adult, has decided to be an honest reporter who only reports real events. After entering the Fairy Mansion, Hu Xiaoli found that there was a group of big-headed stars from all walks of life in the mansion. So he became a gossip reporter who only covered real events. -

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