"What you call teleportation, is actually known as the Flicker Technique in the Arts world." Tan Huizhong explained. "Although it looks like teleportation, it is not. Sorry to disappoint you."
"Then what is it?"
"Brat! Don't interrupt me!
"Ahem- As I was saying, it isn't teleportation. It's actually just moving faster than the speed of light. You can run where you can see, so the amount of space you can travel is limited. And, the farther away you are from when you show up again is crucial. If the distance is too far, you can't do the technique properly. Unless, your inhumanely fast.
Theres only one way I know of that enables you to teleport where you can't see. But, it can't be somewhere you've never been before if I'm not mistaken.
But, don't ask me how to do that. Cuz' I don't know either, Kay?
To be able to use the Flicker technique, you have to learn a few things first. Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Okay then, copy me."
-
It took Bohai a week before he could copy Tan Huizhong perfectly, and another two days for him to be able to recall the moves by himself. Once he finally could do that, Huizhong proceeded to teaching him.
Three weeks passed in the blink of an eye, and by the fourth week Bohai had a low understanding of the Flicker Technique. The speed of his progress stunned Huizhong, but he refused to admit his awe.
The Flicker Technique was an A class technique, and usually took at least two years to comprehend a low understanding of it - one if you had an affinity for air. What took at least a year for others, Bohai had managed to do in a month. It was an unimaginable development.
During the month of practice, Qingling distanced herself from Bohai; only talking to him during meals and occasionally after them. Bohai wasn't dumb though, he could pick up the hints she was dropping, and after two weeks of trying to talk to her ended in failure, he gave up.
The agreement Qingling had made with Tan Huizhong, when they first arrived at the Tan estate, was that after a month they'd escort her back to the capital - like they had promised. And since a month had passed, they were due to escort her. However, an urgent matter had come up and Tan Huizhong had to say his goodbyes while still in the estate. He sent Tan Duyi instead, much to Bohai and Qingling's dismay.
Ever since their arrival, Tan Duyi had been anything but a good host. From a fight to the near death with Bohai, to harassing Qingling everyday, it didn't stop. Qingling was excited to leave, to pursue her dreams. But, somewhere deep down, she knew she'd miss it - not the place, but the people. Even if she was scared of Bohai, she couldn't help admire him. His determination to learn, and how smart he was - plus his looks were to die for. She didn't think she'd ever meet someone like him again.
"I'm not going in there." Tan Duyi explained, as they reached the capital city's walls. "You guys go have fun."
"You just wanna leave so I can't enter the estate again." Bohai guessed. Tan Duyi was surprised when Bohai had guessed correctly, and his silence was enough of an answer for Bohai. He grabbed his wrist and dragged him inside along with them.
"Lets eat something before we part ways." Bohai suggested. Luckily, everyone agreed with him.
It had taken hours for them to reach the capital, and they were all starving. As they walked around the capital, they found a green restaurant. It was crowded, and people were happily enjoying the food - which was always a good sign.
The owner of the restaurant, Ma Zemin, upon seeing two people dressed in cloaks, rushed to greet the customers. He had bandages around his wrists and legs, but wore expensive cloaks. A month had passed since Shen Zihao's private army had beat him up, and now that the pain had gone away, he was thriving. The money that Tan Huizhong had left him had been more than enough for his hospital bills - he even had over $1k left. Everyone asked him where he got the money from, but he never spoke. Not even to Shen Zihao.
"What can I get you all?" Ma Zemin carefully asked.
"Your best dish." Tan Duyi ordered for the three of them, annoying Qingling and Bohai immensely.
Shortly afterwards, three dishes of delicious smelling food came out. Immediately, the three forgot their hostilities and began to eat together. They savored the food with smiles. Tan Duyi especially. His smile was eccentric, and awkward. The sight of it made Qingling burst out in laughter for the first time in a month.
"What?" Tan Duyi demanded, but Ma Zemin interrupted him.
"How was it?"
"Good." Bohai replied. But his reply was overshadowed by Qingling's professional thoughts.
"Good. But it would be even better if you added some things..." Ma Zemin would usually be offended if anyone suggested that his meals weren't the best thing ever, but the things the girl was talking about made sense to him. He even sat down at the table to discuss it more with her. At the end of the night, he had convinced her to follow him into the kitchen.
Bohai watched as the whole thing took place, a faint smile crossing his face. While on their journey to the capital, the only thing Qingling could think of was cooking. He was happy for her. And he knew he wouldn't have to worry about her not being able to find a job. Instead of waiting to say their goodbyes, Bohai took Duyi and they left. It was already night by the time they left.
"Do you remember how to get out?" Bohai asked, after walking for ten minutes.
"Of course not!" Duyi retorted. He didn't realize that neither of them knew how to leave, until a few seconds after he spoke. He turned to see if Bohai was serious, and he could immediately tell that the lost and confused expression he wore on his face was genuine. "We're lost, aren't we?"
"..Yeah."