Xu Ding Ai made a confused face as she looked at me. She made a few noises like she was trying to understand what I was talking about. Then she shrugged it all off. "I don't understand it, Big Brother. I know that if you came to bring me away I wouldn't complain! So why does anyone else? It's confusing." She said, causing the group of four men off to the side, to spit out their freshly made tea in shock. "HEY! That's Big Brother's Tea! Don't you spit it out! Rude much?" She snapped in a scolding tone.
"Uh, little Xu Ding Ai, you're just too funny, openly saying things like that in front of so many people." Ning Qi Zhi replied, holding back his laughter.
"What's wrong with loving and trusting my big brother!" Xu Ding Ai pouted angrily.
"Ding Ai, what did I tell you earlier? Did you forget already?" Bing Xue scolded softly.
"Uh, Um… I haven't big sister… I'm, sorry." Xu Ding Ai answered, shrinking away.
With the atmosphere growing tense I decided to take action before it got worse. "Ding Ai, you should go back and practice some more. I can sense you're not far away from a breakthrough. I have business that must be attended to." I said, softly.
"Big brother… Why?! I don't get to spend time with you anymore!" Xu Ding Ai complained again, with a few small tears.
I wiped the tears away gently. "Listen to me, this whole Palace is in need of my attention. My father isn't available for the moment. So it falls to me to handle all affairs. I'm quite busy." I explained. "Besides, we have to get used to operating at full steam regardless of who remains. That is the only way things will ever remain safe. Isn't that right, Supreme Elder Ma Fan?" I added with a half smirk.
Out from the side the Grandmaster Ma Fan stepped out from his hiding place. "I should have known better than to think I could hide myself from you." He stubbornly mentioned. "But yes, Young Master Yang is right. While Palace Master the Void Lord is away, it is up to the Young Master to handle matters. As such he has responsibilities that can not be ignored. It may feel unfair to you, but it is important. Without his judgment on matters many things within the Palace would come to a grinding halt. And the heavens know I'm not doing that job. Count me out." He answered, explaining more.
Xu Ding Ai got up from my lap and walked back over to Flower Shadow. She was clearly very upset. It was painful for her, but it wasn't any easier to see either.
"Don't worry Martial Nephew, I'll make sure she knows the importance of your position, as well as the difficulty." Flower Shadow reassured me, knowing exactly how I felt.
"Good, I hope she understands. I'd hate for her to hate me over this. After all, how could I destroy the thing that hurt her if that is myself." I nodded with a trusting smile and concerned eyes. "Star Boundary, would you mind going with them too?" I asked, then leaned in close to whisper a request in Star Boundary's ear.
"Oh! I can do that! It's the least I can do for someone who brought me back to life." Star Boundary said, jumping off my lap. "Let's Ai'er! We're going to have some fun while training." She said running over.
"Before I forget, I wrote something that might help to supplement my little sister's cultivation. If she studies this as well. She will be nearly invincible within her realm." I said, floating the scroll over to Flower Shadow. "However, it will only be given to her when she understands the significance of my position." I added, making it very clear, that was a must.
I stood up and stretched for a moment, though it didn't last long. Bing Xue had closed the distance as soon as she saw the opening. Wrapping her arms around my neck, staring into my eyes and kissing me, maybe with a little too much passion for the scene where we currently stood because Grandmaster Ma Fan cleared his throat. To which Bing Xue glared a deathly dragon stare his way.
"I hardly ever have time to kiss my husband. You better believe I'm going to whenever I get the chance." Bing Xue said, in an angry tone. It was borderline the same tone that a mother would have to protect her baby from an attacker.
"There's business that needs taking care of. Can we get some of that done before you two turn this into a private chamber?" Grandmaster Ma Fan asked with an exasperated sigh.
Bing Xue grumbled with annoyance as she turned to look me right in the eyes again. "You had better make this up to me. Get this work done quickly." She said, twirling into my arm. "I'll be staying by your side though." She added, making it clear that she wasn't going to relent.
"That's fine, I want you here with me anyway. I love you." I said holding her close. Then with that matter settled for the moment, I hoped her feelings would simmer down a bit, as I turned to Grandmaster Ma Fan. "Please, go on. I suspect I have an idea what you need me for. And if it's what I am thinking of, then it's about time I see it for myself." I continued, instructing the Grandmaster to explain.
"If you don't mind Young Master Yang, we're going to go see your father now." Fu Xuan said, clearly asking to leave.
"Please, I can teleport you there if you wish, it really isn't difficult nor does it consume any effort on my part. It's as easy as breathing… Though I suspect Sir Wu Yi could do it just as well. Go and have fun. It's a really lively place over there. My siblings are quite good. Several of them have already learned how to transform. I'm sure you'll appreciate it." I said with a chuckle.
After a bit of embarrassment on the part of Wu Yi, everyone aside from Grandmaster Ma Fan, the assistant head manager, my wife Bing Xue and myself were left in the room.
"Good, I need help dealing with the Good Fortune Divine Furnace. Mainly, too many people have been wanting access…" Grandmaster Ma Fan started.
"Then let's go and see this thing. I'm curious about its abilities. Very curious." I said, rubbing my chin.