Vivian had gotten some important information about the Day of Return but, just barely.
"Important relics?" Hao Ren responded with an expectant look on his face. "What's that about? Something to do with ‘the door’?"
"No idea," replied Vivian as she spread out her hand. "its existence’s still a speculation. I heard a group of Blood Clan said they had found a sacred item which can be used to unlock the secret place behind some of the temples in Greece. But it’s unknown what the secret place is all about, that family had been very discreet about it as they’re afraid that the demon hunters might get wind of it. Anyway, it’s said that the Blood Clan had found some sort of ‘primordial power which has been preserved till today’. My wild guess is, this primordial power must have something to do with The Plane of Dreams."
Hao Ren nodded as if in deep thought. He had had many discussion before about The Plane of Dreams with them. Many conjectures had been made; one of them was the decline of the other-kinds had something to do with the Earth’s environment: these creatures of Plane of Dreams had a hard time adapting to Earth’s low-energy environment; as they were cut off from The Plane of Dreams, and at the same time receiving inadequate energy supply here on Earth, they were slowly weakened from one generation to the next. So The Day of Return naturally became an attractive proposition to regain power, which most likely referred to their reconnection process with The Plane of Dreams.
If anyone found the primordial power on Earth, chances were high that this primordial power must have leaked from The Plane of Dreams. Probably there indeed existed an opened loophole?
The more Hao Ren thought, the more he was convinced of the possibility. So he decided. "Then we go! After all I’ve nothing to do at the moment. What about you guys?"
Everyone was free, everyone said yes. Even Becky, who was busy and having loads of fun at the TV station, decided to join Hao Ren, travelling the world and widening her perspective. The lady mercenary was all these while having a tourist mentality; new things and new places, you name it and she would be interested. Now prize for guessing why everyone could travel impromptu; aside from Lily who had a so-called proper job, and Hao Ren whose job was travelling around, no one actually had work.
Another day, another ‘family trip’, Hao Ren started to guffaw. "I can’t believe we’re at it again, I mean we’ve just come home. It’s a busy life."
Lily looked happy. "As the saying goes: the abler a man is, the busier he gets."
"Speaking of which, this is the intel we’re looking for, you should have told me earlier, not waited until the end, Vivian." Hao Ren looked at the vampire maiden, who looked not particular enthusiatic. "Why do you look not very happy?
"I’m just worried about a very difficult person." said Vivian, looking tense. "Not an enemy in particular, just that it’s very difficult. OK, screw it. Since you’re going, I would just tag along."
Hao Ren glanced at Vivian quizzically, wondering the reason the low-profile lady vampire had got herself into trouble with others. The difficult persons Vivian mentioned were certainly not werewolves, as werewolves were customary enemy of Vivian. It must be someone more difficult than that. Also judging from Vivian’s tone of voice, that person must be someone she knew, even friend—just that something had happened between them.
Knowing Vivian didn’t want to talk about it, he didn’t press on. After bolting down the breakfast, he went back upstairs, did the application for flight tickets and visas for his bunch of black-children.
In fact he had a better alternative which was faster and more convenient: which was to courier the mobile data terminal, MDT, to Greece; the MDT would send back its coordinate which would be used to teleport everyone over. Or an even better way was forget about courier, let the MDT fly to Greece—faster than any manmade aircrafts. Perfect plan.
But inexecutable: the MDT made a death threat on its own life that if Hao Ren didn’t respect its dignity as a PDA, it would download two hundred episodes of braindead dramas and played it 24/7—it was called suicide, but Hao Ren felt it was more like poisoning...
But it didn’t matter even if the MDT didn’t cooperate, he wasn’t in a hurry—the all-paid-for first class cabin ticket seemed like a more attractive proposition. Furthermore, Becky had never flown before, it was an opportunity for the lady mercenary to get a taste of flying, she might forget about going home all together after that.
They weren’t first-time travellers, no more a bunch of clueless rookies. Like what Hao Ren said, after having been to the otherworld, sliding across a few time zones in lateral direction on Earth seemed like child’s play. Even the Petrachelys could travel triple the Earth-Moon distance with just a single press of pedal, so now everyone can travel overseas like visiting own backyard. They lazed around the house for a few days while waiting for the flight tickets and visas to be done. After that they boarded the flight to Athens.
As they landed, they roamed through the intricate cobweb of streets like headless chickens at noon, and finally got themselves lost in between the architecture of the old, the classical, and the mordern before they finally found their pre-booked hotel in the evening.
Reality check: having been to the otherworlds and having the sense of direction on Earth were a world of difference!
Hao Ren’s global translator device was a savior indeed, it saved them from getting into bigger shit as they got lost. Everyone was ready to drop as they checked in and got into their rooms. After they sorted themselves out the night already fell. Like in the past, their plan for a street tour in the foreign land was dashed. As usual, Lily had lost her fight with jetlag—she already dropped dead in the hotel lobby while checking in. In the end, Hao Ren had to seduce her back to her room using a piece of floss bread...
Outside, the night fell. Hao Ren was standing by the large windows in his hotel suite, looking out at the city made up of a fusion the old and the modern, he was immersed in the exotic atmosphere for a while. Then he turned and thought to himself, "Someday I’ll to get used to life where I’ll be always on-the-go, thousands of miles from home. Even now, I’ve started to feel unaffected by jetlag."
The fund Raven 12345 disbursed for the trip was enough—in fact, more than enough; it was a high-end hotel sitting between the old and new sections of the Athens city, complete with private suite for privacy, a good hiding spot for a bunch of non-human, weird creatures.
Lily was completely defeated by jetlag and lying half-dead in her bed. In the other hand, Becky had enthusiastically dragged Nangong Wuyue along out loitering in the city: the night wasn’t able to stop the hyperenergetic lady mercenary from going out. Ever since she experienced night life on Earth, she came to the realisation that sunset isn’t the end of a day; the only thing that prevents one from having fun is energy. She had loads of it, so she decided to have fun.
Meanwhile, the siren—Becky’s escort— was completely worn out.
The only ones stayed were Hao Ren, Vivian and Y’zaks. Three of them gathered in the living area, discussing about their itinerary next day. Vivian was looking out from the windows at the old town section. "Tomorrow we’re going to see someone. Just like me, she’s from the mythological era, a bit weird but a nice person."
"She’s your source?" Hao Ren recalled what Vivian had said before they came here.
Vivian nodded lightly. "Yeah, I’ve not seen her for a hundred years—the longest among the old fellows I’ve contacted with. I’ve got to thank her weirdness; she had refused to leave no matter how bad the situation was, I’d only contact her because of that."
"How she looks like?" Y’zaks became curious.
"You’ll know when you see her." Vivian gave out a secretive smile. Then she called something. "A few Blood Clan families are here too, they might be able to smell us out. So stay calm if you bump into one, don’t approach them. There’s one among them who’s very difficult. Once she warms up to you, there will be no end."
Judging from the strange look on Vivian’s face, Hao Ren had finally figured out who the ‘difficult fellow’ was. It was her own kind!
He wondered what the social circle of this vampire maiden was like.
Suddenly, there was a signal from his Dimensional Pocket. Then he only realised he almost messed up. "Lil Pea’s still inside!"
That’s right. He brought the fish along this time.
Vivian had gotten some important information about the Day of Return but, just barely.
"Important relics?" Hao Ren responded with an expectant look on his face. "What's that about? Something to do with ‘the door’?"
"No idea," replied Vivian as she spread out her hand. "its existence’s still a speculation. I heard a group of Blood Clan said they had found a sacred item which can be used to unlock the secret place behind some of the temples in Greece. But it’s unknown what the secret place is all about, that family had been very discreet about it as they’re afraid that the demon hunters might get wind of it. Anyway, it’s said that the Blood Clan had found some sort of ‘primordial power which has been preserved till today’. My wild guess is, this primordial power must have something to do with The Plane of Dreams."
Hao Ren nodded as if in deep thought. He had had many discussion before about The Plane of Dreams with them. Many conjectures had been made; one of them was the decline of the other-kinds had something to do with the Earth’s environment: these creatures of Plane of Dreams had a hard time adapting to Earth’s low-energy environment; as they were cut off from The Plane of Dreams, and at the same time receiving inadequate energy supply here on Earth, they were slowly weakened from one generation to the next. So The Day of Return naturally became an attractive proposition to regain power, which most likely referred to their reconnection process with The Plane of Dreams.
If anyone found the primordial power on Earth, chances were high that this primordial power must have leaked from The Plane of Dreams. Probably there indeed existed an opened loophole?
The more Hao Ren thought, the more he was convinced of the possibility. So he decided. "Then we go! After all I’ve nothing to do at the moment. What about you guys?"
Everyone was free, everyone said yes. Even Becky, who was busy and having loads of fun at the TV station, decided to join Hao Ren, travelling the world and widening her perspective. The lady mercenary was all these while having a tourist mentality; new things and new places, you name it and she would be interested. Now prize for guessing why everyone could travel impromptu; aside from Lily who had a so-called proper job, and Hao Ren whose job was travelling around, no one actually had work.
Another day, another ‘family trip’, Hao Ren started to guffaw. "I can’t believe we’re at it again, I mean we’ve just come home. It’s a busy life."
Lily looked happy. "As the saying goes: the abler a man is, the busier he gets."
"Speaking of which, this is the intel we’re looking for, you should have told me earlier, not waited until the end, Vivian." Hao Ren looked at the vampire maiden, who looked not particular enthusiatic. "Why do you look not very happy?
"I’m just worried about a very difficult person." said Vivian, looking tense. "Not an enemy in particular, just that it’s very difficult. OK, screw it. Since you’re going, I would just tag along."
Hao Ren glanced at Vivian quizzically, wondering the reason the low-profile lady vampire had got herself into trouble with others. The difficult persons Vivian mentioned were certainly not werewolves, as werewolves were customary enemy of Vivian. It must be someone more difficult than that. Also judging from Vivian’s tone of voice, that person must be someone she knew, even friend—just that something had happened between them.
Knowing Vivian didn’t want to talk about it, he didn’t press on. After bolting down the breakfast, he went back upstairs, did the application for flight tickets and visas for his bunch of black-children.
In fact he had a better alternative which was faster and more convenient: which was to courier the mobile data terminal, MDT, to Greece; the MDT would send back its coordinate which would be used to teleport everyone over. Or an even better way was forget about courier, let the MDT fly to Greece—faster than any manmade aircrafts. Perfect plan.
But inexecutable: the MDT made a death threat on its own life that if Hao Ren didn’t respect its dignity as a PDA, it would download two hundred episodes of braindead dramas and played it 24/7—it was called suicide, but Hao Ren felt it was more like poisoning...
But it didn’t matter even if the MDT didn’t cooperate, he wasn’t in a hurry—the all-paid-for first class cabin ticket seemed like a more attractive proposition. Furthermore, Becky had never flown before, it was an opportunity for the lady mercenary to get a taste of flying, she might forget about going home all together after that.
They weren’t first-time travellers, no more a bunch of clueless rookies. Like what Hao Ren said, after having been to the otherworld, sliding across a few time zones in lateral direction on Earth seemed like child’s play. Even the Petrachelys could travel triple the Earth-Moon distance with just a single press of pedal, so now everyone can travel overseas like visiting own backyard. They lazed around the house for a few days while waiting for the flight tickets and visas to be done. After that they boarded the flight to Athens.
As they landed, they roamed through the intricate cobweb of streets like headless chickens at noon, and finally got themselves lost in between the architecture of the old, the classical, and the mordern before they finally found their pre-booked hotel in the evening.
Reality check: having been to the otherworlds and having the sense of direction on Earth were a world of difference!
Hao Ren’s global translator device was a savior indeed, it saved them from getting into bigger shit as they got lost. Everyone was ready to drop as they checked in and got into their rooms. After they sorted themselves out the night already fell. Like in the past, their plan for a street tour in the foreign land was dashed. As usual, Lily had lost her fight with jetlag—she already dropped dead in the hotel lobby while checking in. In the end, Hao Ren had to seduce her back to her room using a piece of floss bread...
Outside, the night fell. Hao Ren was standing by the large windows in his hotel suite, looking out at the city made up of a fusion the old and the modern, he was immersed in the exotic atmosphere for a while. Then he turned and thought to himself, "Someday I’ll to get used to life where I’ll be always on-the-go, thousands of miles from home. Even now, I’ve started to feel unaffected by jetlag."
The fund Raven 12345 disbursed for the trip was enough—in fact, more than enough; it was a high-end hotel sitting between the old and new sections of the Athens city, complete with private suite for privacy, a good hiding spot for a bunch of non-human, weird creatures.
Lily was completely defeated by jetlag and lying half-dead in her bed. In the other hand, Becky had enthusiastically dragged Nangong Wuyue along out loitering in the city: the night wasn’t able to stop the hyperenergetic lady mercenary from going out. Ever since she experienced night life on Earth, she came to the realisation that sunset isn’t the end of a day; the only thing that prevents one from having fun is energy. She had loads of it, so she decided to have fun.
Meanwhile, the siren—Becky’s escort— was completely worn out.
The only ones stayed were Hao Ren, Vivian and Y’zaks. Three of them gathered in the living area, discussing about their itinerary next day. Vivian was looking out from the windows at the old town section. "Tomorrow we’re going to see someone. Just like me, she’s from the mythological era, a bit weird but a nice person."
"She’s your source?" Hao Ren recalled what Vivian had said before they came here.
Vivian nodded lightly. "Yeah, I’ve not seen her for a hundred years—the longest among the old fellows I’ve contacted with. I’ve got to thank her weirdness; she had refused to leave no matter how bad the situation was, I’d only contact her because of that."
"How she looks like?" Y’zaks became curious.
"You’ll know when you see her." Vivian gave out a secretive smile. Then she called something. "A few Blood Clan families are here too, they might be able to smell us out. So stay calm if you bump into one, don’t approach them. There’s one among them who’s very difficult. Once she warms up to you, there will be no end."
Judging from the strange look on Vivian’s face, Hao Ren had finally figured out who the ‘difficult fellow’ was. It was her own kind!
He wondered what the social circle of this vampire maiden was like.
Suddenly, there was a signal from his Dimensional Pocket. Then he only realised he almost messed up. "Lil Pea’s still inside!"
That’s right. He brought the fish along this time.
