Chapter 97 - Mu Clan
"Yes?" Ki'Nha jolted awake, looking at Re'Kha as she took a moment to gather her bearings. "How is it, Lady Re'Luk?"
Though, even without a reply, Ki'Nha already knew the answer when she saw the bright complexion of Re'Kha. Unbruised arms, a healthy face with a rosy complexion, and a body brimming with vitality, Re'Kha was perfectly fine now.
"Oh, I was wondering who it was. So, it is you, Lady Ki'Nha." Mu'Tua exited the room, smiling as she cupped her fists in greeting. "I hope this child didn't trouble you much."
Her eyes shone as Ki'Nha realised the meaning behind the words Mu'Tua used, asking immediately, "Is Lady Re'Luk related to you, Lady Mu'Tua?"
"She's a far relation," Mu'Tua smiled, not detailing further. "This child is always travelling and hasn't stayed in one place for long. I'm dragging her to my house, otherwise, I won't even be able to meet her by the time of my death."
"You jest, Lady Mu'Tua." Ki'Nha laughed, "All it needs is a word from you and people would be line up to meet you."
"Oh my, you are a smooth talker, Lady Ki'Nha." Mu'Tua engaged in a conversation for quite a while. Finally, when they were done exchanging the long-winded pleasantries, Re'Kha bowed, "Thank you for all your help, Lady Ki'Nha. I'll definitely repay this favour in the future."
"Please," Ki'Nha bowed, "You have saved our lives. This gratitude, Ki'Nha remembers. If you ever come across any difficulties in the future, please call for me. Whether it is me or my daughter, we'll definitely come to your help. It is the same for the other four too."
"If your daughter dreams that place once again, please tell me," Re'Kha replied.
Ki'Nha bode farewell, whispering something to Mu'Tua before she left. It was just in time when Re'Kha had deactivated her Wind Qi perception, when ten breaths in time were up, so she had missed out on the conversation.
Mu'Tua summoned a nurse and relayed the instructions. Soon, her servant was dispatched to the inn to bring her luggage back.
Re'Kha accompanied Mu'Tua as they exited the hospital, hailing a cycle rickshaw to travel to her cottage. The Mu Clan was divided into many parts throughout the city. They had four large residences in the central district, with each situated next to the respective public hospital.
They had five minor residences that housed the Clansmen working next to each of the four Elemental Clans and the Royal Clan. It only took 300 breaths in time for the cycle rickshaw to reach the entrance of the Mu Clan's residence.
The walls were raised high, trailing to a height of three grown men. It wasn't much, considering it was a height any Harmoniser could scale using his/her Pranic Art. But to prevent such a thing from happening, soldiers patrolled the entire place.
They were stationed atop the walls in regular intervals and patrolled the roads surrounding the residence. The doctors were of utmost importance in their city's livelihood. So, their safety was heavily prioritised.
The cycle rickshaw stopped at the gates of the residence as a team of soldiers approached them, peering into the carriage as they saw the figure of Mu'Tua, turning respectful immediately. Their leader, a Harmoniser cupped his fists as he bowed towards Mu'Tua, "My lady, can I know the identity of the person accompanying you?"
"She's Re'Luk," Mu'Tua nodded, as a matter of fact, turning silent after that. The leader frowned as sweat covered his head. That level of information was insufficient to allow someone entry into the Mu Clan.
But, he also dared not press forth in fear he would be executed. Either he performed his job and offended his employer, or didn't do his job properly and face consequences later when it was investigated. After all, the name Re'Luk only meant the person was from a water Clan. It gave no other information.
At least, stating the name of the origin city would have been better. That would have helped with their identity verification. Now, if they wished to find out who Re'Kha was, they had to scour through the identities of Harmonisers from all the three water Clans in their state.
Re'Kha didn't say anything, leaving everything to Mu'Tua. She knew how to handle the situation.
Seeing that he wasn't able to get anything else, the leader sighed, motioning the soldiers to open the gates.
They were permitted to enter as the cycle rickshaw sped through the entrance. There were less than 60 houses in the residence. It wasn't big.
"Most of the doctors have only been initiated. Very few have enough Qi to summon their Pranic Avatar." Mu'Tua said upon seeing the expression of Re'Kha.
"Shouldn't their growth be given a higher priority? If we had more doctors capable of summoning their Pranic Avatars, people would have an easier time recovering from their injuries." Re'Kha inquired.
"You should know better," Mu'Tua smiled, "We need Prana Stones to fuel our growth as a Harmoniser. But, the amount we can get is limited. If we increase the tax any more, all the Elemental Clans would revolt. Among those doctors on duty, only 20 can summon their Pranic Avatars."
"Still," Mu'Tua smiled, "They are enough. Most of the commoners cannot afford the expense of regrowing their limbs. Only wealthy Harmonisers among the Elemental Clans can do so. And, remember that there are nine hospitals in total in Burfuna City."
"I forgot that part," Re'Kha scratched her cheek, noticing how most of the ground in the residence was covered by medicinal herbs.
She saw a pond at the centre. Growing within was a type of fish. Smaller ponds were surrounding it, each containing a different type of fish. Finally, there were cages housing animals of all sorts. Each and every one of them was being grown or reared because of their medicinal purpose.
The cycle rickshaw moved based on the route Mu'Tua specified, soon arriving before a cottage. It was a double-storey house, almost a mansion. It had a wide garden full of medicinal herbs and one pond in the centre.
"Welcome, my lady, and Lady Re'Luk." A servant bowed at the entrance, awaiting their arrival.