Be sure to call me Sir Mouse

As Mr Ming spoke, Taf was in deep contemplation. The scenes from the previous encounter played over and over in his mind.

'Yes, I was careless in my actions and putting the only people I care about in harm's way.'

PLOP!

His knees hit the floor as his eyes became misty,

"I., I am sorry old man Ming I did indeed put you and your family in harm's way.

I don't know how I could've lived with the consequences of my actions if things had gone South."

Tears streamed down Taf's cheeks as he continuously berated himself for his seeming incompetence.

"Now now, don't be so hard on yourself; lessons are meant to be learned when young. It can be said that you have.

It is a part of growing up as no one is born an adult, right? " Mr Ming consoled the tearful youth then patted him on the shoulder before helping him.

Haha!

"This old man was here to take care of that small matter, so it is but water under the bridge. I, after all, finally got to stretch these old legs of mine." He continued slowly imparting his words of wisdom,

"Now, let's clean up this mess before someone comes and see this. Especially Mrs Ming, could you imagine the fright she would experience?" 

Taf rubbed his eyes before dusting himself off. He then looked at the scattered bodies.

Old man Ming's words did make much sense. This sight would frighten Mrs Ming, but what if little Sue also saw these corpses.

" After we are finished, this old man will tell you tales of his splendid past.

How glorious was I back in the day? I bet you won't roll those eyes at my tales now, huh?" Mr Ming laughed while he shamelessly boasted.

Taf could only shake his head hearing old man Ming words. He saw the old con man he knew back to his regular shameless self.

The place was a mess, so it took time to get it back to its previous state. Mr Ming had someone he knew come to help out with the bodies.

When asked who that was by Taf, he was told that it was an old friend and nothing more. Taf didn't continue with the questioning after getting this response. Putting it all down to a need to know basis.

After everything was taken care of, they sat at a table with some tea engaging in a bit of chat,

" I'm guessing you are shocked, huh? got many questions, do you?" Old Man Ming broke out in conversation as he sipped on his tea.

" Yes, I Actually do," Taf responded excitedly. " Ah, Are you some retired master or a hidden cultivator that lives among us mortals?"

Haha!

"No, I wouldn't call myself a master, and I definitely am no cultivator. Although I am no master, I have been taught certain skill sets from my previous occupation before I retired."

Chuckles filled the room as Old man Ming listened to the little ones questioning.

" I see you're going to be all secretive about it, huh, oh well, guess I won't say anything about it then." A disappointed Taf stated after countless insinuations were rejected.

" Ok..ok, don't get all sad on me once more. I was once a part of an organization that filled certain requests from special top-ranked clients."

With his words, Taf eyes because wide with excitement.

"To complete my given tasks, I was trained relentlessly in the arts of fighting, poisoning, guerilla warfare, camouflage, and others."

Old man Ming had a smug look while responding to the curious youth's question.

An even more inquisitive look was shown on Taf's face as he heard Old man Ming's words. " So you were once an assassin?" He hurriedly asked.

" Yes, of sorts, but that's all you will get from me. "

The old man had a teasing look as he spoke,

" The most important thing now is to give you some well-deserved training, right? or do you still want to be bullied by all?

Taf couldn't hide the excitement that was plastered all over his face. 

How awesome would I be if I was like old man Ming? When they dare to mention the mouse after, they might just need to put a 'Sir' in front of it.

A smug look started to show on his face as his imagination went wild.

" Ok, calm down."

Mr Ming interjected as he noticed Taf drifting away.

"Starting tomorrow we will start your lessons. I will begin teaching you all the tools I think you need to learn to defend that little life of yours."

Unedited Version

To be continued...