"Everything's ready. You know what to do, right?" Zhuang Shi asked, reclining in his chair and fanning himself with a gunbai.
"Yes. I'll use the time difference to finish a novel, then return to this world and publish it," Ming Jing said, sitting cross-legged with the Bronze Mirror cradled in both hands.
"Did you explain things to your parents?" Zhuang Shi continued.
"I did. This time, I won't be gone for four years. I'll be back in two months," Ming Jing replied with a gentle smile.
Zhuang Shi asked curiously, "How did you convince them? They looked like they were about to lose their minds."
"I told them that in two months, I'd bring them a daughter-in-law." Ming Jing lowered his head to look at the Bronze Mirror in his hands and continued, "I hope you didn't lie to me."
Ming Jing held the Bronze Mirror in both hands and, through it, smoothly controlled the Power of Illusion within his body. He calmed his heart and, following Zhuang Shi's instructions, concentrated the Power of Illusion into the Bronze Mirror. At the same time, he silently recited, Ever without desire, one may observe its wonder; ever with desire, one may observe its boundaries. Mystery upon mystery, the Gate of All Wonders.
"Open!" At Ming Jing's soft shout, a pale golden radiance shot out from the Bronze Mirror. The Golden Light circled the mirror, forming one seal after another. Ming Jing stared in astonishment. Weren't these the Sixty-Four Hexagrams of the I Ching?! This formation encompassed all things and governed the order of all beings. It was the source of the Great Dao!
"Get in, quickly!" Zhuang Shi stared entranced at the slowly rotating Sixty-Four Hexagrams, then abruptly came to his senses and reminded Ming Jing.
Ming Jing no longer hesitated. He