Flying Ark reached the ocean. Scenery became monotonous. Everyone lost interest in staying on deck. Returned to cabin. Played games. Forced themselves awake. Gemini brought out magical snacks mixed with prank treats from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Cabin occasionally erupted with shrieks—someone turning into an animal or eating strange-flavored Bertie Bott's beans.
After who knows how long, ship trembled slightly. Drowsy group immediately looked up. "Are we there?!"
"Yes, arrived. Come on, let's disembark!" Sun Xiaoxiao entered cabin. Called to everyone.
Peter and Ned cheered. Ran out first. Gemini dropped her bag. Told Steve to collect things. Followed them out. Left adults to helplessly pack and gather luggage.
Flying Ark stopped at what looked like mountain village. Everywhere—lush forests. Houses hidden among trees. Lake sparkled nearby. Reflected setting sun's light. Small boats on lake appeared returning to shore.
People already waiting. Gemini immediately spotted the leader—the Seeker!
"Welcome to China, everyone! I'm Qu Liangjun. We've met before!" Qu Liangjun smiled. Greeted them. Arranged for people to help with luggage. "Come on, I'll take you to accommodations first. Must be tired after long flight. Arranged special local lodging. Rest a bit. Have dinner. Adjust time difference. We'll go sightseeing tomorrow!"
He spoke Chinese. Gemini and others understood perfectly. Clarity Fruit was truly amazing.
Everyone had been on Flying Ark so long. Not particularly strenuous. But exhausted from staying awake. Followed Qu Liangjun outside.
Walking along tree-lined mountain paths, Qu Liangjun led group through gate with white walls and gray tiles. Eyes weren't enough to take everything in. Just inside gate—carved screen wall. Walking around revealed garden. Covered walkways led deeper. Small courtyards scattered throughout larger garden.
"This is Ninghui Hall. Suitable for families. Would Parker family like to stay here?" Qu Liangjun brought everyone to courtyard entrance. Turned to ask.
"Can we tour it first?" Steve asked curiously.
"Of course. If Mr. Parker doesn't mind, let's all look." Qu Liangjun looked questioningly at Ben. After he nodded, pushed open courtyard gate.
Small siheyuan appeared. Facing gate—main hall. Side rooms east and west. Plus ear rooms. About seven or eight rooms total. More than enough for three people. Even if entire group squeezed in.
Qu Liangjun gave tour. Looked authentically ancient outside. Inside had everything—TV, lights, choice between canopy beds and mattresses. May couldn't move when she saw beautifully carved canopy bed. Immediately decided to stay.
Originally Parker family could rest. But after discussion, decided to continue touring. See everyone else's accommodations.
Ned and grandmother's lodging wasn't here. Had business. Needed to stay at Daoist headquarters. Check Ned's talent tonight. Wouldn't delay tomorrow's outing.
Gemini's accommodation—two-story building. Supposedly arranged like ancient Chinese lady's residence. First floor—small reception hall. Entire second floor hers. Bedroom, bathroom, study. Everything complete.
Steve, being single, no special requirements. Chose courtyard next to Gemini's. Similar layout. Fewer rooms. Perfect for him alone.
After touring accommodations and settling luggage, nearly dinnertime. Dinner arranged at main hall near entrance. When they followed Qu Liangjun there, table already set.
Gemini's group had eaten at Chinatown. Could use chopsticks decently. Meal featured eight cold dishes, eight hot, three soups, one staple. Each dish with beautiful name. Tried some hot dishes as takeout in Chinatown. But flavors completely different. Learned Chinatown food was modified. This was authentic flavor.
Meal made Gemini want to kidnap a chef. After discussing with Qu Liangjun, arranged for Coby to learn techniques in kitchen. Qu Liangjun said no problem.
Hadn't felt it while touring. But now full and satisfied, everyone wilted. Even energetic Peter started nodding off.
Seeing this, Qu Liangjun quickly arranged everyone return to courtyards. After hasty washing, Gemini collapsed onto room-sized bed. Pulled blanket over herself. Fell into sweet dreams next second.
Slept until sun was high. Finally woke to birdsong. Looking at unfamiliar surroundings, Gemini confused for several minutes. Then remembered.
After getting ready. Going downstairs. Gemini stood forlornly at door. Problem with houses too big—how know what Parkers and Steve were doing?!
"Gemini! Over here!" Just as Gemini wondered whether to find Steve or Parkers first, shouting came from distance. Looking up—group at end of path. Great. Didn't need to go anywhere. She was only late riser. Everyone else already gathered.
After Chinese breakfast, walked outside. Qu Liangjun waiting with map. "Our route is like this. Take a look. Course, not going many places—otherwise couldn't finish touring in years."
Gemini took map. Never been to China. This mysterious country had little information even in Black family library. Could only glance before agreeing to Qu Liangjun's plan.
Walking down mountain path brought them to lakeside. Wide road ran along water. Business van parked. Big enough for all.
Peter hesitated. Asked Qu Liangjun, "Where's Ned? Isn't he coming?"
Qu Liangjun smiled. "His business isn't finished. Should join us in day or two. Don't worry."
Only then Peter relaxed. Got in car. "We're driving?" Gemini fastened seatbelt. Looked confused at Qu Liangjun in driver's seat.
"What else? Walking?" Qu Liangjun also confused. Didn't understand why Gemini asked.
"Don't you have sword flying? Or I have flying carpet." Gemini said. "Shouldn't this include Chinese magical features?"
Qu Liangjun immediately laughed. "Different national conditions. China has many people. Naturally many cultivators. If you want to fly and I want to fly, we'd go crazy managing air traffic. So Chinese cities prohibit flying except when necessary. Cultivators have fixed designated routes. Flying randomly gets you shot down."
Only then Gemini understood. Nodded.
Next several days, unless changing cities, vehicle was this van. Gemini and others followed Qu Liangjun touring mountains and rivers. Entering markets. Observing all walks of life. Not to mention snack streets they nearly couldn't escape.
"Young Daoist, is my old man doing alright down there? Keeps appearing in dreams saying he's hungry. Really troublesome—haven't skipped offerings!" Roadside elderly woman grabbed young Daoist in robes. Talking. Gemini's group secretly sat on stone benches. Watching.
"Don't worry, Auntie Wang. Nothing's wrong. You think during day, dream at night. You just miss Uncle Wang. We must believe in science, not superstition!" Young Daoist said seriously.
Nearby, Gemini and others covered mouths. Stifling laughter. Young Daoist was Qu Liangjun. Since Gemini's group saw people in Daoist and Buddhist robes running everywhere without concealment, curious how they interacted with ordinary people. So forced Qu Liangjun to change into robes. Walk streets. They followed from distance.
Sure enough. Qu Liangjun soon stopped by elderly woman. Taken into her home. Seeing him barely escape, Gemini's group burst into laughter.
"How does your Daoist sect tell people to believe in science and not be superstitious? What was that old lady's situation?" Gemini asked. Suppressing laughter.
"That's national policy. Those who know, know. Those who don't know don't need to know too much. If someone with bad intentions uses these methods to harm people, becomes our problem." Qu Liangjun spread hands helplessly. "That old lady's husband sick long time before he died. Until end, never got to eat favorite braised pork. Now craving it. Appearing in dreams. I just went to their house—old lady happened to have made braised pork. So I offered some to old man. Sent him on his way."
"To hell?" Peter said with horror. "Shouldn't innocent people go to heaven?!"
Qu Liangjun waved hand. "That's your foreign stuff. In China, Heavenly Court is where immortals live. Underworld is people's destination." Then introduced Bridge of Helplessness, King Yama's Hall, eighteen levels of hell. Made foreigners exclaim in amazement.
"Didn't you say you have Heavenly Court? Where is it? Can we visit?" Gemini asked.
Qu Liangjun paused. Smiled. "That's classified. Definitely can't say where. Can only say they're protecting us."
Gemini didn't press further. Picked up map. "Where next?"
Qu Liangjun leaned over. Pointed at map. "Let's go here. Can apply for this flight route. Perfect for visiting Elder Sun."
Gemini had no objections. Bought some wine supposedly Elder Sun's favorite. Followed Qu Liangjun to secluded courtyard. Boarded small Flying Ark. How small? Just big enough for their group.
Flying Ark faster than airplanes. Didn't spend much time traveling. Upon arrival, still had to hover invisibly in sky long time. Finally landed in empty courtyard under young Daoist's guidance.
"Mount Laojun is great except too many tourists. Every visit requires avoiding people. Such hassle." Qu Liangjun complained to young Daoist. Put away Flying Ark.
Gemini and others stared confused. "Isn't this your Daoist sect's place? How are there ordinary tourists?"
"Our Daoist temples and Buddhist monasteries all inherited. Ordinary people can't know too much about strange things. But these temples can't be hidden. Can only open parts as tourist attractions." Qu Liangjun explained. Told receiving Daoist, "We're here to visit Elder Sun. Please ask if convenient."
Young Daoist looked curiously at Gemini's group. "It's convenient. You notified beforehand. Elder Sun is waiting."
Group followed young Daoist through several gates. To side room. Elder Sun waiting.
Seeing what they brought, Elder Sun beamed. "You came all this way—why bring gifts!"
"Bringing friends to visit. Can't come empty-handed." Qu Liangjun replied casually. Placed items on table. Introduced Gemini's group.
Elder Sun immediately recognized Gemini. Happily greeted everyone. Gave Gemini and Peter each a jade pendant. Said he'd personally nurtured them. Wearing regularly would bring benefits.
Gemini and Peter happily accepted. Admired exquisite jade and beautiful cords. Immediately tried them on. See where they looked best.
Seeing their delight, Elder Sun overjoyed. Had tea served. Began telling about temple's origins and youthful adventures. Even Steve listened with fascination.
When Elder Sun told about helping family remove curse that plagued them for generations, Gemini's heart stirred. Quickly mentioned Astoria family's bloodline curse. Asked if Elder Sun had solutions.
Elder Sun pondered. "Hard to say. Had little contact with foreign matters. Need to see the person."
Gemini jumped up. "I'll notify them right away! Can you help examine them?"
Elder Sun smiled. "Course no problem. Don't usually go abroad. If they can come here, can naturally help take a look."
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