Secrets Unveiled

Zhao Hui was carrying the child in one arm like a sack of potatoes as he used qigong to jump to the private floor that was reserved for Wen Cheng's personal use. Jumping all the multiple roofs to reach the floor that Fangsu was on. The child was happily viewing from the high place overlooking the streets with glee. Fangsu made the child sit in his seat, dishing them with some food into their bowl.

Fangsu carefully fed the child who obediently ate whatever she gave, "I have to ask little one, are you a girl or boy?" Taking a spoonful from a congee with some meat Fangsu fed the child.

The child kicked their leg back and forth as they sat on the high chair, "I'm a boy," Being sorted on the high chair felt like he was standing on the highest mountains, "This chair is as tall as a mountain!" Shyly smiled at Fangsu who could only reciprocate the smile as just the smile of a child brightened her life.

"A very small mountain," Zhao Hui smirked at the child as he finished his bowl. Wen Cheng could only laugh at the childish comeback from Zhao Hui who was probably four times older than his victim. The child angrily puffed his cheekily but the effect was quite cute.

Fangsu ruffling the child's head, "Don't worry about him," Scooping a small bow of dessert for the excited child, "I can take you on the highest mountains," The bowl was easily demolished by the child who shyly asked for seconds which Fangsu happily obliged.

Wen Cheng and Zhao Hui could only watch from the sidelines and felt that the bright atmosphere surrounding the two was blinding, "Bro, I feel like they belong to another world from us mortals," Wen Cheng continued to drink his cup of tea only picking at the food on occasion. Zhao Hui could only nod at that fact as he continued to eat his fill.

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As the dishes were wiped clean by the group it was as if a typhoon has swept by. Fangsu carried the small child in her arms exiting the establishment before walking to the Blossoming Fragrance. As Wen Cheng's eyes followed the young girl into the Blossoming Fragrance establishment. His eyes met with another set of eyes which blatantly showed hostility towards him. Da Fu, one of the most trusted employees of Blossoming Fragrance as well as being quite protective over Fangsu. Her piercing eye bore into him which intrigued him to a certain degree as no other person had before but in response to her blatant glare. Wen Cheng gave a vulpine smile as he waved at Da Fu whose expression darkened at his response causing her to return back to the establishment out of his sight.

As the day darkened and entered the night, Wen Cheng began closing up shop to have the midnight meeting at the Chen manor which was a simple but spacious residence. As Fangsu and her grandpa waited outside the residence, Wen Cheng was politely welcomed into the house. Looking at his surroundings, Wen Cheng saw that there was a minimal amount of basic furniture as if the place was just filled with the basic necessities, enough for people to live in. As the old man and Fangsu seated themselves on at a table. Wen Cheng also seated himself in between the two, "Shall we have a chat amongst each other or are we going to talk about business?" Flicking his fan out pressing it against his lips.

Fangsu's grandpa nodded before explaining the complicated circumstances about their sudden reappearance to the capital as an effort to maintain their low profile, however, because of Fangsu's mishap with the Empress. Their cover had been slightly blown. Simply to put it they had no choice but to return to the capital as a means to hide. Wen Cheng who was highly intrigued by the mystery surrounding the two individuals had finally been lifted and it was quite an exhilarating tale, "So you are saying that someone from the Royal Family is responsible for the massacre of your family?" Placing the bamboo fan against his lips as he tilted his head as he thought about the possibilities, "The only reason I can think of is that your family only has the innate ability to enter the spiritual realm without any limitations." Wen Cheng rested his elbow on his leg, leaned on his chin on his hand.

Fangsu entered the room with a plate of snacks and partially listened in the conversation, "It would make sense since there aren't many people practising under the spiritual arts since the conditions are difficult to fulfil," Placing a small treat in front of the child to eat, "Lately, someone has been capturing powerful spirits in these spirit sphere for commercial use in combat," Seating herself at the table whilst taking out an empty spirit sphere which gave off a luminous glow occasionally shifting in different colours. Taking out another spirit sphere but this time with a captured spirit and setting it next to the empty one.

As Wen Cheng grabbed the captured spirit sphere, peering into the sphere to see a beautiful spirit contained which instantly shocked him, "Must be a new product at the black market," Taking the other empty sphere in his hand, "It brings about some terrible consequences if it becomes commercially used." He felt uneasy with the possible future with these spirit spheres being distributed to the public.

A small hand took the spirits sphere which was holding the contained spirit, "This one is very strong but energy is spilling out," Rolling it in his hand, playing with the fun toy.

"Fangsu?" Fangsu's grandpa crossed his arms with a dark expression, "You went to the black market?" The hoarse tone towards Fangsu caused her to flinch. Fangsu immediately hunched her back, fiddling with her fingers knowing that she had forgotten to tell her location to her grandpa.

Fangsu could only timidly nod. After a couple of hours, Fangsu's grandpa scolded Fangsu that the black market was a dangerous place especially for a girl like her, saying that she could have possibly been taken by indecent men who would have taken her to become a red light district prostitute. Wen Cheng could only block the small child's ears in an effort to protect the child's innocence while listening to the industry workings from the old man's mouth. The fiery old man was making sure the information of the industry would one day benefit them. But as the child was listening to the old man lecture, the information was going through one ear and out the other. He understood nothing.

After the long lecture, Wen Cheng was red in the face listening to the explicit details of prostitution, "I do have to say the Chen Family's sure happens to be very open with such sensitive topics," He fanned himself with his bamboo fan to cool off his burning face.

Fangsu's grandpa released a heavy sigh after the long scolding, "If people continue not to educate their children about this then those children will be ignorant about everything," The long lectures about the various dark industries were reasonable and Wen Cheng has to agree with that logic, "Fangsu, take the child to sleep." Fangsu's grandpa went to continue talking to Wen Cheng.

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Taki the spirit spheres from the table, Fangsu held the small child's hand in hers to set up a room for the child, placing many pillows and blankets to make the bed as comfortable as possible for the child. The small child was obviously quite joyous having a comfortable bed as he was used to sleeping in the cold hard ground that would often turn ice cold during the winter and burning hot like lava during the summer. As Fangsu was tucking the small child into bed, he grabbed her hand, "Big Sister, will you give me a name?" His rough small hands held onto Fangsu's soft one tightly.

Fangsu smiled, thinking about a name for the child who desperately held onto Fangsu like a lifeline, "Chen Ming, I wish for you to have bright future which will overshine your dark past," A name to signify a bright future would be much more beneficial for the small child, "Remember you are now an official member of the Chen Family," As Fangsu gently held those tiny hands which can only hold so much. Tears fell from Chen Ming's eyes as he finally found a place to belong to. Fangsu gently wiped away the tears as she sang a lullaby hoping to calm the child who eventually began nodding off to sleep. Gently caressing the soft hair of Chen Ming, Fangsu smiled as she stared at the sleeping Chen Ming.

Holding the spirit sphere in her hands, Fangsu walked to the garden under the moonlight which shined gently on her. The contained spirit in the sphere was quite powerful. If Fangsu could employ the spirit under her power she would have another powerful ally. Fangsu waved her hand which signalled for Ming Yue who gracefully floated by Fangsu's side waiting to protect her Master even if it meant being eaten. Drawing out a paper talisman, Fangsu creates a containment barrier which would prevent the spirit from escaping. Slowly releasing a small stream of spiritual energy into the Spiritual Sphere which slowly causes the contained spirit to be released from the sphere, "You are that spirit who was watching us!" Ming Yue exclaimed as she recognised the spirit. Fangsu seated herself on the grassy floor facing the powerful knowing that they could easily overpower her and possess her body.

The silent spirit ignored the other spirit, staring at the fearless girl who had a unique appearance unlike any that she had seen. A petite figure that seemed so easy to break, slightly olive skin that was contrasted against her ash grey hair and eyes. A slight sprinkle of freckles were scattered across the midsection of her face with a cute button nose accompanied with soft pouty pink lips that were similar to a petal that had rested against her face. She was pretty but she resembled something like a white rabbit but the aura surrounding her was completely contradicting as if she was a restless ghost awaiting for a return. But, as the words exited the girl's mouth it almost had a calming effect to it which was amplified by the soft appearance of the girl, "The name is Dai-Tai," As Dai-Tai floated in the air she crossed one leg over the other.

Fangsu smiled at Dai-Tai will stun her, "I give you two choices, Stay as one of my own people or Leave this place and live your life freely," The choice of freedom was the most tempting at the moment as she had been trapped in that spirit sphere for so long and she wanted to be free. But, seeing another spirit willingly staying with the girl made Dai-Tai wonder how the spirit was able to continuously sustain themselves without eating another spirit.

Dai-Tai knew nothing about the mysterious girl and the circumstances about the spirit that was accompanying her, "What are the benefits that I will gain from staying with you?" Inquiring about the working conditions which seem appropriate from the observation of the spirit in front of her. Dai-Tai was quite curious about working with the girl and the spirit.

Fangsu stared at the spirit, "I will provide you will cultivation technique which help with spiritual energy," Those tired eyes made Fangsu realised that she recognised those people who experience such hardship and have grown tired of living, "You will be given time to be free but your duties will be to protect me," Given freedom with some way to cultivate spirit energy without eating other spirits made the offer of staying with the girl much more appealing.

Dai-Tai decided it would be best to join the girl seeing that there were more benefits reaped being with her. Fangsu created a contract with Dai-Tai which allowed Fangsu to summon Dai-Tai when needed and allow her to stay in her shadow, "Looking forward to working with you! Master!" Dai-Tai blew a kiss at Fangsu who just smiled at the kiss.

Ming Yue could only huff as she sulked at being ignored, "Hey! Don't go seducing my Master!" Protectively shielding Fangsu from Dai-Tai.

Dai-Tai giggled Ming Yue, "Seducing? What's wrong with that?" Floating circles around Ming Yue and Fangsu, "She is also my Master," Dai-Tai's eyes seemed much more lively judging from her mood. As Fangsu entered the manor to retrieve a suitable cultivation method for Dai-Tai who was more suitable for melee combat. Ming Yue was more suitable for magic type combat so the cultivation methods were different for the both of them.