The Time Stone Crystal

Chapter 45

During the Song dynasty (960–1126), Shanghai emerged from its somnolent state as a small, isolated fishing village. The area to the west around Lake Tai had developed a self-sustaining agricultural economy on protected reclaimed land and was stimulated by an increase in population resulting from the southward migration of Chinese fleeing the invading Mongols in the north. The natural advantages of Shanghai as a deepwater port and shipping center were recognized as coastal and inland shipping expanded rapidly. By the beginning of the 11th century, a customs office was established, and by the end of the 13th century, Shanghai was designated as a county seat and placed under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu province.

Kairo and Weng went to Shanghai, China to visit the ancient marketplace. She wanted to see the civilization China had since then. Just as she expected the whole place was famous for its goods and they were in that era they had to wear similar garments with the Chinese traditional dress.

"My love, there are still a lot of antiques here."

“So, what’s your plan? Shall we buy again for souvenirs?”

“That’s how it is. You brought me here and we won't buy it.” She frowned.

“We will buy whatever you want. What do you want, my Queen?”

"It’s up to you. I mean, what are the good things to buy here?”

“There are many options here, especially antique vases, clothes, jewelry, and more. What else is missing from the ones you bought before when we were in Rome?”

“I can't remember the things we bought from Rome. I should see something better here.”

They look at goods on the other side of their spelled market.

“Mi, kèhù! Tāmen zhǐshì piányi! (Buy it, customers! They are cheap!)” the Chinese salesman shouted.

She could not even understand what the man was saying because of its traditional Chinese words but because of the ability of the stone crystal, she understood it and was able to speak as well. She also sees many antique Chinese accessories such as good luck charms and others to be found in Chinatown.

"With so much, I can hardly choose, my love."

Sometime later someone shouted.

“Zéi! Zéi! (Thief! Thief!)” the woman shouted.

They saw the man jump over the goods so as not to be caught by the pursuers.

She glanced at her husband. "My love, I'll catch him."

"Are you sure, my love?"

She nodded. "Yes."

“Okay. He is going to a dead-end so I will wait for you there but be careful because he has many colleagues. There are about ten of them and they know Kung Fu.”

"I got it!"

"Good luck, my love."

After their conversation, she ran quickly and chased the male thief. She followed it where it slipped and she was also very happy because she was able to keep up with its speed like no ordinary person.

There’s a man who was still carrying some goods, the carts were thrown away, the customers were still slipping and what other things it did to destroy the passers-by.

“Hey! Nín jiāng wèi cǐ fùchū dàijià! (You will pay!)” The man shouted when his cart of fruits threw.

She saw the apples thrown away then she picked up two.

“Xiojiě nǐ fù qiánle ma. (Miss, you need to pay it.)” the salesman said.

“Lǎopó huì fù qián de! (My husband will pay!)” She ran again.

“Hēi! Nín jiāng wèi cǐ fùchū dàijià! (Hey! You need to pay for it! I worked so hard for those!)” he said with a crying tone of voice.

" Wǒ huì fù qián de, (I'll pay,)" Kairo said who was already there.

“Xiānshēng, n-nǐ de nǚhái hé nǐ zài yīqǐ ma? (Mister, i-is that your woman with you?)”

"Tā shì wǒ de qīzi zhè shì wǒ fù gěi tā zhāi de píngguǒ de qián. (She’s my wife. Here’s my payment for the apple she took.)” Kairo reached him for a brown bag.

The man took it and opened it. He was amazed to see that the bag was only having pure gold coins. “Xiānshēng! S-Shùliàng hěn dà⸻ (M-Mister! I-It's a big amount⸻)” He was surprised when there was nothing in front of him. “Tā xiànzài zài nǎ'er? Ji zài zhèlǐ! (Where is he? It's just right here!)” It just scratched his head.

At Weng's direction, she caught up with the man. She pulled the collar of his dress to the back then she pulled hard to stop him. The man crossed the trash can on the side and then released the small bag with money that was scattered on the road. He got up immediately and then confronted her, unleashed a punch and then a kick but she avoided it. She used the knowledge that Master Zhang taught her in a short time.

"Haahh!"

The small table that the man kicked was destroyed and she managed to escape. Her movements are smooth and she just follows every attack of the man. She is also analyzing its Chi flows where it is weak. Yes, and she can see that with her eyes using the stone crystal's ability as well. She didn't use it but it just came out to help her especially in such a situation.

“Ni dǎpòle wǒ zhuànqián de cèlüè! Nín zhīdào hěnduō rén yīlài wǒmen ma? (You broke my strategy to make money! You know a lot of people depend on us!) Haahh!” the man shouted.

“Tōuqiè rengrán shì cuòwù de, nà shì wéifǎ de! Ni wèishéme bù zhǐshì móushēng ne? (It's still wrong to steal and it's against the law! Why don't you just look for your livelihood?!)” she shouted in response.

“Méiguānxì! (It is none of your business!)”

She was alarmed when it showed a knife in front of her but she also immediately saw its movement. She saw every second of its motion and where it hits. She tapped his hand holding the knife then he felt extreme pain and released the sharp object.

"Ouch!" the man felt the pain.

Later, his comrades are already there, as her husband, Kairo, had said. She was surrounded by her stand because they were determined to oppose her.

“Xiǎoxīn! Tā yòu kuài yòu hǎo! (Be careful! She's fast and good!)”

They all feel their actions if who will start the fight. In a few moments, men in their twenties and thirties age rushed forward to attack her. They are all at once but she will not give up on people with bad intentions in life. They are also Kung Fu experts and as Master Zhang told her that self-defense is not used for its own purpose but to help people in need.

She used them with a strange force that was beyond their imagination. Simultaneously, they rushed with kicks but she preceded their attacks. She was in the middle so she used one hand to restrain its upward kicks. She seemed to be holding something above her right hand and she pushed them with all her might.

"Aaaahh!" They all shouted.

Others are holding a weapon and it is the sword. Four more rushed at her, but she also drew her sword in her hand without them noticing.

"Haah!!"

She repulsed the attacks of four and simultaneously used her very fast moves. She kicked and punched one then she ran to the other to step on its shoulder when she got up then she seemed to fly in the air and meet another man. Even she couldn't believe her every move that her opponents couldn't see anymore.

A few minutes passed and they retreated as they carried the weapons. They can no longer speak because it has nothing against her. She glanced at her apple that had fallen earlier in her fight. She noticed the beggar to one side and just handed it to him.

Her husband, Kairo, applauds. “Bravo! Bravo!”

She was still shaking her palms. “I hate people like them. Don't want to work hard in life and just want to make money in an instant. The cruel ones still want to steal them. Disgusting!”

“You did the right thing, my love. Those like them must be taught a lesson. But they will not stop their goal and their work will continue.”

"What will be the god's plans for people like them?" she asked.

“Of course, the creator will punish them. They still have things to realize before they regret what they did.”

“What kind of remorse is that, my love? Is it brutal?”

"I didn't want to tell you this but I have to." He sighed. “A group of a Hyperion general will go to this world and look for personnel. They are one of the chosen but they will perish in the bloody battle of the temple.”

She was shocked. “In the temple? Do you see the future? I thought it was…”

“The future depends, my love. I’m leading this because I want you to be prepared and alert. It will happen tomorrow night. I also told Master Zhang about this incident so that they could prepare. Later when we return home, his staff and our group will be ready.”

"Why did you just tell me this right today, my love?"

"I don't want to surprise you and I want you to enjoy our shopping but I don't think that it will happen since you heard about that premonition."

“I was always worried. I don't want to shop first and I want to go home to the temple.”

“Let's shop first, my love. We can only use the diver spell once during this time and you may lose a lot of energy. I don't want that to happen again.”

“I can handle myself, my love. I’m a fighter, right?” She smiled slightly at her husband.

Kairo smiled as well. “I know, my love. You are already one of the people I admire most because of your character and ability. Come on, let's go for a walk. We will give the woman's money that the thief grabbed from her.”

“Oh, of course. Let’s go, my love!” At the same time, she immediately grabbed her husband’s arm.

They immediately returned the money snatched from the woman earlier and were also very grateful to them. Until they finally went home to Master Zhang's temple while Lady Weng bought some things.