Chapter 203: Undercover Expedition
After listening to her shifu describe the predicament, Anji knew what she had to do. Although she was young, she watched her parents closely as she grew up. Zhao Mingfeng might seem carefree and kind. However, he was also a fiercely protective parent, even if Zhao Wanting was the stricter one.
"What did my father say?" she asked eventually. While Yan Ping and the Elders explored all options to work with Anji’s suggestion, the girl had also worked equally hard memorising her father’s complicated seals. There was only one last step before she completely memorised them.
Normally, Yan Ping was not one to falter in delivering unfavourable news. However, she had a soft spot for children, particularly Anji, whom she saw as an extension of her flesh and blood. While she understood where Anji’s parents were coming from and could not fault them, she did not want Anji’s hope to be erased this cruelly.
"Shifu has failed you," she admitted quietly. "The elders are holding a meeting to see if there is another way we can convince him. Your mother sounded hopeful. However, your father expressed immediate rejection when we mentioned the idea."
Anji loved her family. She really did. She knew that if needed, everyone would jump in with their lives on the line for her. In fact, it was exactly what she would do for them if the situation called for it. No matter how weak Anji was, she still wanted to do her best to support them. It was just what families did for each other. Zhao Wanting was the type of mother who would die to protect her own children. Zhao Ruiting was that big sister who would shoulder all the responsibility for her younger siblings so they could enjoy their childhood a little more. While Zhao Yihao was a little immature, Anji knew her third brother was someone who would not hesitate to seek revenge on her behalf if she were wronged. Her second brother, Zhao Mingshen, loved spoiling her with luxury as his form of affection and hid many things from her on purpose. Anji never once questioned his darkness. She loved him for who he was and continued to bathe him in her optimism.
Yet, Anji’s father loved Anji the most intensely. On the surface, he was a doting parent and a hero of the murim world. Yet, Anji knew that if required, Zhao Mingfeng could abandon his principles to become a mass murderer for her sake. Anji would never wish that for her father. The father she loved was a hero to the people, and she wished he would always remain that symbol of hope for everyone.
"Shifu, why not let me talk to my father?" Anji suggested. "After all, this was my idea."
Yan Ping wanted to deny that request. It was an adult matter and her responsibility. However, this was also Anji’s life. Ignoring Anji’s wishes would be wrong on her part. Zhao Mingfeng might listen to his daughter, but there was a small chance he might hold a grudge against Yan Ping and the Mystical Qilin Sect for influencing his daughter to stand up against him.
"What will you tell him?" she asked cautiously.
Thinking briefly, Anji smiled brightly.
"I’ll tell him the usual things I say whenever he is feeling conflicted," she grinned. "Sometimes my father is too busy and he tends to forget the most important things, so I’ll have to remind him."
Curious, Yan Ping waited for Anji to explain. Her silence encouraged Anji to divulge her plan. Normally, these were words that belonged only to Anji and her father because her mother would not understand or approve of it. However, Yan Ping was a logical person. Anji believed her shifu would understand them.
"When I was born, I was supposed to die. If it weren’t for my father, I would not have lived. But my real wish is to live until I’m an adult and a happy old lady who will not marry anyone, even if I cannot cultivate in this lifetime. So, father needs to remember that I’m only still alive because he tried to change fate. The fact that I can still talk to my father and hold his hand is because he fought for me to live."
That was the usual speech Anji would tell her father whenever he was hesitant to let Anji try anything risky. However, Anji now had a new thing to add.
"Even with my father’s efforts, Anji would only live till six. However, with shifu’s help, Anji can live until ten with the possibility of reaching adulthood. However, for Anji to live until an old age, I would like to challenge fate for the third time with father’s permission and shifu’s help."
That sealed it. If Yan Ping were a more emotional person, she would have broken down on the spot. There was not a trace of delusion or falsehood in that declaration. She saw the same spirit in Zhao Mingfeng when she first met the men as a murim vagabond. Nobody could doubt that Anji was his daughter. There was no way Zhao Mingfeng could deny Anji’s wish. It was as if he were looking in a mirror. His youngest daughter reflected his younger self so much that it was frightening.
"If you can convince your father, Shifu and the six elders will modify the seal as soon as you finish memorising all three seals. I’ll give you the finalised design of the modified third seal. You can let us know what you want to edit. After all, this is your design. It’s best if you think it out to explain to your father how it would work and why you want to modify the existing seal."
Thrilled that she was allowed to contribute, Anji thanked her shifu and asked if Anji could also take this rare opportunity to talk to everyone else in her family.
"I don’t doubt shifu and the six elders," she explained. "However, Anji understands that my father is heavily against it because of how dangerous this operation is. I want to comfort them and tell them I will be alright no matter what happens."
Although Yan Ping already knew there was no room for error, hearing Anji’s preparation for the worst created a lump in her throat. Could she handle this risky modification when her heart was in such disarray?
"It’s easier if you go back home to have that talk instead," she concluded. "If they agree, tell them to escort you back to the Mystical Qilin Sect. If they disagree, you can stay with them this winter instead. Shifu will come to fetch you next spring."
Confused why she was permitted to break the sect rules, Anji wanted to ask if the other people in the sect would be alright with this arrangement. After all, the people who could freely walk in and out of the elusive sect could be counted on one hand.
"From today onwards, Ci Wang will be entering restricted succession training with me until further notice. No other person in the sect is permitted to enter the Ginkgo Sanctuary without my permission."
Hearing the sudden announcement and surprised by the use of her courtesy name, Anji had to think for a bit before understanding dawned on her. No wonder shifu said that she would personally fetch Anji next spring. It was an undercover expedition and a private talk between the two sects.
"Anji thanks shifu for the opportunity!" getting down on her knees, Anji performed a kowtow to express her immense gratitude for her teacher’s sacrifices, while yan Ping acted oblivious to everything.
For Anji, there was no greater consent than the deafening silence and blatant ignorance from her all-knowing teacher.