Hardcore: Qi Worlds Chapter 46: Qi Healing 2

 Benzhi stepped through the portal if what Huineng had said was true, he had just entered what was his antechamber. 

 He had been here before, it was the dark room with the pool in the centre. Well, it was the centre this time, the other times Benzhi had been in this room he had never been out of the pool, the cool waters lapped against the side of the pool, the surface only visible because of what looked like stars on the ceiling of the cave.

 Was this a real place? Benzhi had thought it was what his imagination had created as an intermediary between the qi world and the real one. The room was further lit by the blue portal behind him, the one he had just come through, he could see out, into what was the Seer's cave beyond.

 After a minute the portal closed. Benzhi could see there was a frame where the portal had been. He reached out with his qi as he had watched Huineng do not that long ago, sending a stream of qi around the frame. This far out of his body, he really had to push the qi stream, but once it reached the frame, his qi nestled into a grove and flowed like water around the frame.

The portal flared, the blue tinted window into the qi world was open once more. Again he could see the Seer's cave. He had been completely fooled once by the Seer, by Huineng, he would test everything, where he could, without making assumptions. He was glad he could venture back to his world at any time through this portal, it gave him comfort.

 Benzhi took his time and walked around the pool. He did not see any other frames in what seemed to be rock, he engaged qi sight and was immediately blinded by the pool. The thing was pure qi. Benzhi speculated, 'was this part of the Qi Line that Huineng had mentioned? It wasn't a river, just a pool, so perhaps not.' Benzhi felt like he needed a notepad for all the questions he wanted to ask Huineng if he ever got the opportunity in the future, Huineng had left that part open to speculation.

 Benzhi saw what he thought was the portal back to earth, it was the pool itself, he waded into its centre, it kept him afloat with no effort, strange it wasn't salty, it must be the nature of the qi pool. Benzhi guessed that it would sustain this body, just as this body had lived off qi alone for its first month. Another question for Huineng, 'was this pool where the lumps were created?'

 Now that Benzhi had someone to ask questions, they were piling up quickly, before he would just shrug and shelve it as unimportant, some things were nice to know and some things were need to know. More and more were being sorted into the latter.

 Benzhi lay in the pool and relaxed...time passed...

 Alarms were sounding. Ben was on his gurney, waking from a very long dream, he opened his eyes. There was hustle and bustle around the ward, it seemed to be surrounding him, yet, not.

  The alarm stopped its incessant noise. Ben stretched, he was so stiff. 'Oh shit, oh fuck,' he could move his arms and legs. They weren't perfect, hell he had been lying on a gurney, if Huineng was to be believed, for three years. Ben sat up and immediately an attendant made his way over, placing a hand on his shoulder, a gentle hint not to get off the gurney.

 It wasn't long before the white lab coat boss entered followed by what looked like several other bosses going by the body language of the clinical staff and the clothes the men and women wore. When they all arranged themselves around Ben's gurney there must have been fifty people packed into the ward. It wasn't a small ward, but fifty was a lot of people.

 White lab coat boss spoke in Chinese, followed by another boss in a suit. Everyone clapped politely, they were looking at Ben and clapping.

 Ben smiled, "You shouldn't have," he said. Not knowing what to make of the reception.

 An old man dressed in a hospital gown approached Ben's left side. He must have been a hundred Ben thought. He had one of those distinct philosopher goatees with a thin moustache with long hair in a pony tail. All pure white. Not grey, white. He was bent over, and extremely thin, he probably weighed twenty kilos Ben guessed.

 "Done well Ben," he said in broken English, "I am Huineng and you healed me." He smiled like he was the cat that just ate the mouse. Huineng said nothing else, he just looked Ben in the eye and nodded slowly.

  Before Huineng ambled away, Ben grabbed his hand and said, "Seer?"

 Huineng smiled and nodded, patting Ben on the shoulder. The last look he gave Ben before he was pushed into the background was one of sadness. 

 Ben reached for his qi, he had to know was it present here as well. The familiar sensation of qi circulation was present, Ben engaged qi sight and checked the room of fifty people for talents. At least ten were talented, most of the bosses and a couple of others including Huineng. Of all of them, Huineng was amongst the top talents, he looked like what was a master or black cloak in terms of qi pool. Ben looked down, at his own pool and it was almost twice the size of anyone in the room.

  The white lab coat boss was at his side, "Eleven," he said with affection. Maybe after three years of looking after Ben he had grown attached. "first we do tests, then you eat, rest and recuperate. After all this, we talk." He said smiling.

 "My name is," he was about to say Benzhi, but that name belonged in the other world, in this world, he was Ben, "Ben. But you can call me eleven if you like. What is your name?"

 "Ah forgive me, Ben," white lab coat boss bowed slightly, "I am Shiyan Shi. Now we must run the tests, already too much time has passed."

 Shiyan Shi accompanied Ben through all the tests. He may have been one of the bosses of the ward, but now it seemed his one responsibility was Ben. It also helped that he could translate. Similarly to when he entered the program, there was a barrage of tests, many of them the same. Ben wiggled his toes, moved his legs slightly, even though he was able to move in the qi world, it was still exciting that his body had healed itself. He should be able to walk, with some physical therapy.

 It also appeared that the healing on Huineng had worked, however, testing if cancer was in remission or gone would take longer than the thirty minutes that had gone by. Ben would wait and see before assuming everything was at it appeared. 

   After the tests, Ben showered, shaved, ate, went to the toilet and had a power nap in the small apartment that was assigned to him. He had difficulty with everything, including the nap, but it was a relief to be left alone for a few hours.

 His legs worked, he could walk, albeit shakily as his muscles were in an atrocious condition, compared to Benzhi who was the epitome of fitness, Ben was in poor condition. He was gaunt, like Huineng, he must have weighed fifty kilos at most. His dark hair had been cut to a crew cut by his caretakers. Although he shaved in the shower, they had been shaving him as well.

 Ben reached for his sword and shield and sighed. They weren't here. He dressed in neat black robes, which had what was called a mandarin collar. Opening the door Ben spied a guard sitting in the corridor who immediately called on his walkie-talkie after Ben appeared. The guard signalled for Ben to wait, which he did, and Shiyan Shi arrived a few minutes later.

 "Your recuperation is outstanding, as expected from the unexpected master," Shiyan Shi said.

 "No point waiting around," Ben said, he wanted to see what was going to happen next, what they wanted. He just wanted to get back to his land, to Gisael, Reyas and his people. There was that Land Core he spied when in the form of a Kite-Hawk, damn another thing he needed to ask Huineng. And he was pretty sure Vaugend would be on its knees from the gnolls, he probably should do something about that.

 Shiyan Shi led the way through corridors, up an elevator, across a suspended walkway and into what seemed like the more luxurious part of the complex. Shiyan Shi approached a young lady sitting at a desk and they talked quietly, she buzzed on her intercom.

 After a few minutes, they were escorted inside by the beautiful secretary. Not my type though Ben thought, no way she could kill a yeti solo.

  Inside was a large office, it had a desk but it also had a meeting table. Seated at the table was Huineng while standing and chaperoning them to the table was a white suit wearing boss.

 Shiyan Shi completed introductions and everyone bowed. Huineng was now dressed in black robes similar to Ben, Shiyan Shi was in his white lab coat still, with a suit underneath. He was young for a boss, probably early thirties. And the most senior who everyone differed to was Buxiu. Shiyan Shi introduced him as head of the, what was loosely translated as, everlasting program. Or more ominously, immortality.

  Ben sat and tried not to look like a deer in headlights.

  After completing the introductions Shiyan Shi was quiet, Buxiu took over the meeting. Fortunately, his English was very good.

 "You have done very well, Ben, can I call you Ben?" Buxiu asked.

 "Ben is fine, but eleven is growing on me," Ben answered.

 Buxiu chuckled lightly and shook his finger at Ben, "ah but you are eleven no longer. Ben, it is."

 Buxiu tabled the original agreement Ben had signed. "In this document, we have a binding contract. This contract quite clearly states that any discoveries you make while in the program belong to the QWP (Qi Worlds Project). It also states that if you make a significant discovery you will be rewarded with compensation, in the form of shares or cash, at the discretion of the board, to be commensurate with the discovery. And in this circumstance, the board determines the value of the discovery."

 Ben could already see where this was going based on how Huineng had warned him.

 Buxiu tabled another document, "this is the report from Huineng, lead field researcher, which itemises the discoveries you have made. Please read the list on page four and let us know if anything is missing or incorrect."

 Ben turned to page four of the document.

 Spoiler is extracted from the document

 Subject eleven qi manipulation discoveries as observed by researcher 001.

Qi Healing

Cell repair - Bone, Tissue, Skin, Muscle, Tendons, Nerves, Minor organs

Cell destruction - Bone, Tissue, Skin, Muscle, Tendons, Nerves, Minor organs

Cell creation - Bone, Tissue, Skin, Muscle, Tendons, Nerves, Minor organs

Minor Cell Repair - Complex Organs excluding eyes and brain

Connection - Ability to heal another being with qi adept qualities

    Qi Body

Strength - Technique to manipulate strength in muscles

Speed - Technique to manipulate speed in muscles

    Qi Communication

Ability to communicate through land Core to qi masters connected to said Core. 

 Ben read the document. Huineng had left out a lot of information, but he had given them what they wanted. He had left out tree-running, the connections he made it sound like it was only to do with healing, he left out the terraforming they had done, establishing a domain, harvesting qi core from monsters, shunpo, stoneskin...hell, he only gave them qi healing and a couple of others to make it look good.

 Ben nodded. Handing the document back.

 "It is an impressive list Ben, where so many have failed, to think a westerner would succeed. It hurts our honour that you have done so, however, what is most important is the result. Not where you came from. You are one of us now," Buxiu almost sounded authentic.

  "What is next?" Ben asked.

 "Ah now we get to the best part," Buxiu said, "despite what your contract says we want to move forward without wasting time. We can discuss terms now, to gain your full support, and I can ask the board to approve tonight."

  "What do you mean by full support?" Ben asked.

 "Yes, this will need to be documented. We wish you to work fulltime for QWP where you will receive a salary with backpay for your first three years. We are generous, so the cost of your healing and care will be gratis."

 "So no shares?" Ben asked.

 "The shares in QWP are extremely valuable Ben," Buxie paused, waiting for Ben to speak when he did not he continued, "I could negotiate some shares on your behalf," he said finally.

 "Let us discuss salary and share value," Buxiu offered, "remember we will be paying for full living and medical costs for you. What sort of salary did you earn in the defence force before your injury?"

  Ben tried to be smart, "I do not think that is relevant. I was not in possession of a groundbreaking discovery where so many had failed when I was in the defence force." Ben was a little frustrated how the conversation was going. He actually did not care about money at all, all he wanted was to go back to his land and be free of these people. Learning qi healing had become a curse, not a benefit in the least if it weren't for the technique he would still be in the Alpine Forest.

 Buxiu chuckled affably, "ah yes you have a point," he said, and he very well knew it. "Well, our top researchers and qi masters earn 250k USD per year with full living and medical as mentioned. At this rate, they work non-stop, with only a holiday every six months to rejuvenate."

 Ben noticed Huineng and Shiyan Shi were dead still and deathly quiet, he didn't even know why they were still here. Were the communicating with Buxiu using qi? Hang on. Ben looked at Huineng with qi sight, they still had a connection, Ben had not severed it since the qi healing.

 'Hello, Seer, can you hear me?' Ben sent. 

 Huineng just stared daggers at Ben. Ben sighed so much for assistance from that quarter. 

 "I think the salary is fine, I plan to work and train all the time, however, I have a requirement on the shares and a few other stipulations I need in my contract," Ben stated.

"Very good, so we are agreed on the Salary. With a salary that high it will diminish the shares, we can offer," Buxiu stated.

 "I want one hundred shares per year, backdated three years and one hundred more shares per year when I am working fulltime, or one percent of shares issued that year, whichever is greater," Ben said.

  "Oh, oh, Mr Ben," Buxiu was surprised, "I thought you went from the defence force into care and you are only twenty-eight years old. It is unexpected you are such a good businessman," Buxiu was always flattering, but trying to get Ben for squat.

 "Is that something you can get approved?" Ben asked.

 "It may be," Buxiu said noncommittally. 

 "I have more requests," Ben said, "where will I be working? I wish to do my best for QWP and need some more details of what my work will be."

 "You will work here," Buxiu said.

 "Doing what exactly?" Ben asked.

  "Teaching and healing some VIPs, like you did with Huineng here," Buxiu replied.

 "That won't work," Ben replied. Thinking about what Huineng had told him, assuming Qi Cores were not present on earth.

 "What do you mean it won't work?" Buxiu got a little angry.

 "What he means is," Huineng spoke for the first time, "as I stated in my report, that Qi Healing uses a tremendous amount of qi core pool, several times what the most talented person possesses. Ben used the Land Core to provide the qi, he worked hard at collecting Cores and used their concentrated qi resource to heal himself on several occasions and finally me."

  Ben realised the Huineng pointedly did not mention Ben healing Ailen or Reyas, he had also told Huineng about the shield's storage capability on two occasions. Ben was thankful at the old man's guile if they knew he could store qi in the shield he would have no reason to return to the Alpine Forest. By withholding as much information as possible was allowing them to manipulate Buxiu. Cunning old man.

   Buxiu was lost in thought and finally asked, "what do you recommend Shiyan Shi?"

  "QW9, Dawnharbour has a city core in the monastery, it is the largest ever found and with all the qi adepts present the last report is indicating it is getting larger. Also, it is a destination which is accessible with the new pods, most of the VIPs already have avatars in Dawnharbour, due to the fact if you die there, there is almost zero chance you will die in your pod. It is also the only QW destination available remote from this facility."

   Buxia said, "hmm, this is even a better solution, the VIPs could undergo training and healing without having to come here. And if many already have avatars on QW9 then it will streamline the process even further. Shiyan Shi, you are in charge of this project, you will manage Ben and ensure deliverables are met. Huineng, you will act as a conduit between Ben and Shiyang Shi as your duties on QW6 will be greatly diminished now that Ben is not there."

 "Shiyan Shi, I will have a the prioritised client list to you tonight with deadlines, in the meantime organise a pod in Bens apartment, I want to keep him separate from the subjects. He will be treated as a master from here onwards." Buxiu was in giving out instruction mode. Ben was glad he was included it gave him insight into what was happening. Huineng was correct, they did not treat him as an enemy as long as they got what they wanted.

 "Huineng please instruct Ben in the use of the next generation pod and the guidelines he must follow as a master in the QWP. If there are any mishaps I will hold all three of you accountable, is that clear?" Buxiu finished with an ultimatum.

 On that note, the meeting was wound up. Ben headed back to his apartment with Huineng in tow. He was reeling, how was he supposed to get back to QW6 and his people? How did he get railroaded in the end, it was as if Buxiu only cared about money so he thought Benzhi only cared about money. His other requirements were overlooked in the end.

 What was he going to do?

Chapter end