Xue Chang was completely flabbergasted by the news the guild master had given him.
An organization of the empire, such a backing made the guild seem more mysterious in his eyes. Even if the Northern Empire didn't assist in the guild's success, there must've been some deals in the background going on.
Else the guild wouldn't have remained so loyal thus far.
"I wonder if my father knows?" As he was thinking of this, Xue Chang realized something.
He still never asked the guild master what the wooden medallion was for!
He felt conflicted. Although he could just go back and ask the guild master, it would be a little embarrassing. And he's be damned if he gave that old man anything to laugh about.
"…but I'm curious as to what the medallion does…"
He was very conflicted.
In the end Xue Chang decided to just leave. He'd ask Wu Jie if he knew anything instead. Who knows maybe his uncle might surprise him?
________
"It's a legacy hunter charm." Wu Jie quickly answered after taking a quick glance at the medallion in Xue Chang's hand.
"Legacy hunter?"
Wu Jie laid down the text he was studying before answering Xue Chang, "it's a subgroup of individuals within the guild. Legacy hunters are known as the nobles of the guild, those who hold potential and may become big figures in the future. To receive a legacy hunter charm means you are a VIP not just in this guild but any guild you go to in the future."
This was quite a surprising turn of events, "Such a good thing, why haven't I heard of it?"
Shrugging, Wu Jie said, "It's not like legacy hunters are easy to find. A charm can only be given once every hundred years. As such guild halls tend to be quite picky when choosing someone to be their legacy hunter."
He took the charm from Xue Chang's hand in order to inspect it further, "There's more to it as well. This medallion doubles as a communication device. It seems through this the guild master is able to contact you, though only for a short period of time."
"It seems he sees a lot of value in 'Yong Heng' to give him a legacy hunter charm." Xue Chang thanked his uncle for the explanation. This saved him the trouble of having to awkwardly go back to the guild master and ask about it.
"I'm surprised though, you've reached a point where you could even become a legacy hunter." Wu Jie ruffled the hair on the top of Xue Chang's head while grinning to himself.
Walking over to his work table, he picked up a wrapped package Xue Chang had given him.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Xue Chang nodded, knowing what Wu Jie was asking about.
"It's time I brought it back. I feel like something bad is going to happen, so I need to prepare for it."
Wu Jie nodded silently. He too had been getting a bad premonition recently. And when it comes to such feelings at his level, they were rarely incorrect.
"To use THAT again, well as long as you're careful." Unwrapping the package, Wu Jie rubbed his hand on top of the item Xue Chang had brought over.
"I'll have it done in a few weeks, be patient till then."
"Also uncle, did you know that the guild is an organization under the rule of the Northern Empire?"
"Wait up, they're what?!"
"That's it! That's the reaction I had as well!" Xue Chang laughed at Wu Jie's flabbergasted face. This was the reaction he expected, but it also made him curious.
"Would my dad know?" Xue Chang thought this silently to himself while exposing the truth to Wu Jie.
Wu Jie, "Wow, that's… ingenious of the empire. Well if even the Immortal Families have given their okay, then I'm sure it must be fine."
Xue Chang nodded in agreement.
Suddenly the sound of the door sliding open entered into his ears.
Both Wu Jie and Xue Chang turned to find a surprising visitor standing at the doorway.
"Da Ge!" Xue Ai quickly blinded over and jumped into Xue Chang's embrace.
The older brother grinned happily as he rubbed the top of his sister's head making a mess of her beautifully braided hair.
"You're here!" Xue Ai's eyes shined with excitement and expectation, but Xue Chang casually shook his head.
"I'm only here for a short visit, I won't be staying for long."
Xue Ai's face slowly lost its splendor as a somber expression appeared, "Oh, you aren't staying around?"
Feeling the mood was a little off, he quickly changed the subject.
"So how's the birthday girl?" Xue Chang teased
"Hmph, you know it's not actually my birthday right?"
Winking, Xue Chang said, "Of course,
But it doesn't mean I can't be excited for it. My little sister is growing up."
Getting onto his knees, a gentle look radiated from his eyes, "Tell this big brother of yours what you want for your birthday, I'll make it happen to the best of my ability." Adding a little catch at the end, Xue Chang gave away another wink as he waited for Xue Ai to respond to his request.
The seven year old girl thought quietly to herself under the watchful gaze of Wu Jie and Xue Chang.
A few minutes passed before she finally thought up a response.
Waving for Xue Chang to come closer, Xue Ai whispered into his ears.
Unfortunately her whispering didn't change anything.
Wu Jie's current cultivation level allowed him to easily listen in to his niece's request.
But once he heard what she said the smile on his face was slowly wiped off.
Xue Chang kept his gentle expression present as he listened to the request quietly.
Looking at his sister, he gave off a smile before saying, "I'll see what I can do. I'll try my best to make this wish come true, I promise."
"You promised! Remember that, dad says that when a man makes a promise he must abide by it no matter what! No take backs." Xue Ai cheered happily at Xue Chang's promise before rushing over to Wu Jie and embracing him. The two casually talked a bit and she told him Zhou Wei was planning to go eat out and wondered if he would join them.
Wu Jie thought it over and told Xue Ai, "Of course I'll join you. Run along now, I'm a little busy at the moment you little scamp."
Wu Jie ruffled the hair on her head into an even bigger mess than before.
After relaying the message, the little girl waved goodbye and rushed out of the room excitedly.
"An energetic one that girl." Xue Chang shook his head at the disappearing figure of his sister.
Wu Jie laughed at Xue Chang's words, "Xue Hai wasn't so different at her age."
"True enough."
The two laughed at their last memories, but as the laughter died out Wu Jie couldn't help but stare at Xue Chang.
"Zhao Wei did always say that a man was only as good as his word. You gave your word that you'd complete her request, yet…"
"I know uncle, but for a short period of time I'll make it happen. Afterwords I need to disappear."
Wu Jie eyes dilated as he stared at Xue Chang seriously, "What do you mean by that?"
"I only have a couple of years left. I can't stay here. There has to be something out there that can improve my condition, I refuse to just stay here and die. After the birthday party, I plan to go out and travel around while searching for a remedy for my constitution. Please don't tell mother and father."
Using his hands to rub his temples, Wu Jie gave off a sigh while spitting out, "And Xue Ai? What about your promise?"
"She's young right now. When she gets older and learns about the truth, I'm sure she will understand."
Shaking his head sadly, Wu Jie just kept muttering under his breath, "I hope you're right Xue Chang, I hope you're right…"
Xue Chang sat within Wu Jie's office closing his eyes slightly as he recalled Xue AI's previous words.
"Then for my birthday, stay here with me, mom, uncle, and dad! Stay with us forever and ever!"
A simple request, yet one he could not fulfill…