"Oh no, wait…" Noah sat up in bed again "There's something I need to do first. So, wait a minute."
Closing his eyes, Noah took a deep breath and concentrated. And while watching him, Xiao Yun couldn't understand why he was doing that 'What is he doing?…'
Suddenly appearing behind the phoenix, Noah looked at her, and said, "Hey, look over here! I need to ask you something."
When he turned towards her, the phoenix lowered his head a little, and he asked "But has he returned to human again? What happened?"
"Don't give me that! You can see everything that happens out there. So you sure know why I'm here."
"…You want to know in more detail about how the contract is made, right?"
"Exactly! So tell me, what else do I need to do? "
She leaned in, and turned away from Noah. "You don't have to worry about that. Just go there, and do what I've taught you before."
"But that won't work, right?! There are definitely more things that need to be done. I want to know what they are."
"I already said human. Just go and do what I say. Don't worry, I'll take care of the rest."
"You… Okay! I'm leaving, but remember to make it work!"
"Do not worry…"
Standing there in that spot, Noah started to disappear. 'Why didn't she want to tell me?… Well, never mind! Anyway, she seems to be confident, so maybe this is right. At least I hope…'
"Ready!" he got up "Shall we do this soon?"
'Huh? What was he doing? It didn't seem to be absorbing IQ. So what…'
While he looked at Xiao Yun, and waited for an answer. Noah waved his hand in front of his eyes as he said "Hey! Have you ever given up? Have you changed your mind?"
"What?! No no, that's not it! Just tell me what I should do."
"Well, simply put. You just need to keep what you want to get out of this contract in your mind." Noah placed his hand on Xiao Yun's forehead "Remember to do what I said…"
Seconds later, going much faster than the first time. The lace-shaped mark appeared again on Noah's chest. However, this bond seemed to be crossed, with what had been created previously. In Xiao Yun's case, the noose appeared on his forehead, as well as on the phoenix and the snake.
Noah opened his eyes, and removed his hand from Xiao Yun's forehead. Then, as he did that, he was able to see a small part of the loop, which had not yet disappeared.
"…There, we're done. You can now open your eyes."
"We are done?" Xiao Yun smiled "So now…"
"Of course, I'll give you that pill... But first, there's something I'd like to ask."
"A question?"
"What happened to that kitten? Why does she need to use a wheelchair?"
"Oh, that?…" He looked away "Nothing happened… Yang Se was born that way…"
"Was she born that way? And is it possible to cure it with a pill?"
[Yea! It is perfectly possible to cure that child, using a pill of up to the third degree! Or even a few seconds.]
'Third?…'
"…Well, the doctors said that it would be possible to cure her if she used a total of 9 pills of the second degree, or one of the third. But each pill would cost a hundred blue crystals. And a third degree, 350… "the anger showed in his gaze as he clenched his fists" So, thinking it would be a big waste of money, those people… "
"Those people?"
"The Xiao family…"
"Xiao family? But isn't your last name Yang?"
"No, that's the name I gave her, Yang Se. Mine is Xiao Yun."
"What name did you give? But what about her parents?"
"Country?" he laughed "We don't have it..."
'So it was true… did he really walk away from his family? But why?…'
"And why do you say that?"
He smiled "Would you call family, people who just use you, to increase their own status, and abandon, someone who is not useful to them? …Even if these people were your own children?"
Hearing that, unable to contain himself, Noah ended up smiling. And not understanding why he was doing that, Xiao Yun asked "Why are you smiling?"
"Because? …Well, I guess…I found this a little familiar."
"Family?"
"No, just forget what I said. And explain to me why you are saying that she was abandoned by them. Didn't they really do anything to try to help you?"
"They called a doctor, but only because I begged on my knees, to that miserable old man. But beyond that, they didn't do anything else. Besides ignoring her, and letting anyone despise her. Even though she knew she couldn't, or would have the courage to defend herself against those idiots. After all, after growing up hearing from everyone around you, you're useless. At some point, you yourself will come to see this fact as the truth…"
"So, you hate your family for doing this?"
"Hate them?" Xiao Yun smiled, and began to wipe her tears, that somehow moment as he spoke, it began to trickle down his face. "No, I don't hate them. I feel angry, of course. Such a rage that every time I see one of them. I need to restrain myself, and a lot, not to punch them... But, do I hate them? …I don't think it's enough."
"OK! So my last question. Are there any events in this city? An event where all the big families participate?"
"An event like this… I think the closest thing to what you said would be the dispute between the big families."
"A dispute?"
"Yea! But despite having this name, anyone who wants to can participate, even if they are not from one of the biggest families. All that person has to do is pay the fee for one blue crystal, per person."
"…And all families participate in this?"
"Well, usually yes. I think it's more for them to maintain their status."
"And when will this dispute take place?"
"When? …I don't think it's that long… Maybe 60 days, or something close to that. It always happens in the middle of the year. So, as we're almost there, it's probably pretty close to happening."
"Do you think you could beat this easily?"
"No, maybe I can make it to the finals. But winning…"
"All is well then." Noah picked up the space bag "I think you might want this already. So why don't you go there and give this to your little sister?"
After taking the pill from Noah's hand, Xiao Yun bowed "Thank you, sir!" and then she walked out of the house, a bright smile on her face.
And completely thoughtful, Noah sat up in bed. 'Each of those people who were at the meeting sure had their own goals. But apart from Arthur, that idiot too straight. The other leaders sure were dying to have all those crystals in their hands." Noah grinned. For even though he pretended to be calm the entire time, it was obvious that the one most interested in those crystals was him. And when he saw the pill… '
"Well, it looks like this is the event where all the big families participate. And in an attempt to maintain their pride, and status. It is obvious that they would never send only one representative from each family."
"So, with so much money, and their pride at stake. What would they do if the entire contest was won. By a single participant, who would not represent any of these families?" he smiled 'I think your reactions would be hilarious… But doing that would also be dangerous. So, I think it's better to think better, before doing anything…'
*********
When each of the leaders took up their chairs again, the meeting was resumed. With the old man in the center, Chen Fang on his left, followed by Xiao Feng. And Zeng Uo on your right, followed by Arthur.
"Like I was saying, before you two left. We need to resolve this issue, before the dispute." said the old man.
"But sir how are we going to do this?" asked Arthur.
"After that happened, it seemed that the being causing that pressure had disappeared. So it will be impossible to find him, even if we want to." said Xiao Feng.
"Well, apparently the pressure was stronger on the south side of town. So, the cause was probably there too."
"Sir, are you suggesting that…" said Arthur.
"Yea! I am saying that we will go, into the south side of the forest."
Upon hearing what the old man said, everyone stood up, and exclaimed "What?! But, sir…"
"Why are you so excited? This is the only alternative we have. We have to find out what caused it. Even if we have to enter that place…"
"But sir, getting in there is not the problem. And yes, what we would do, if the beasts decided to band together, and attack the city at the same time. Even with the barrier, I fear with so many attacks coming from all sides. It will probably only last a few hours… or even less…" said Arthur.