Fogie Cultivators

How-how do you know I'm Rey? Where am I? What is this place?"

Zhao Wen's eyes welled with tears. "Tian Cai...where's my Tian Cai?"

Zhao Jia flashed to appear next to Zhao Wen. With a bony arm, she hugged her saying, "Grandmother's here...we-we knew this time would come."

"Is my son really gone?"

"This-this place is-is my room. I'm-I'm a five year old boy!" Tian Cai jumped up patting his small body continuously. Suddenly, his face contorted into red anger.

"F*ckers! Those three g*ddamn fogie cultivators really did it! They kidnapped me to god knows where. ARRRGGGH..I was abducted by cultivators! F*ck! F*ck Me!

"You...You...Watch your mouth!" yelled Zhao Jia, pointing an angry finger at Tian Cai. "Don't think I won't spank..."

"Ah! Are you cultivators too...are you going to eat me?? I don't wanna die! Please don't kill me!!"

Sniffling, Zhao Wen said, "Cai'er its Mother...don't you remember me?"

"Mother?" Tian Cai suddenly, collapsed back, "This? This is my second life? I'm no longer Rey."

"It's been five years since your masters brought you here. I accepted you as my son...I am Zhao Wen, your Mother. Your name, in this life is Zhao Tian Cai of Savant City's Zhao Clan in the Third Chaos Heaven. You are perfectly safe. No one will hurt you. Mother would die protecting you."

"Cai'er, be calm child. I am your great grandmother Zhao Jia."

"Grandmother? AAHHHH! Those damn fogies…!"

Zhao Wen and her grandmother looked at each. The elder nodded and said, "Do it! He's too hysterical."

"Cai'er...forgive Mother," with a slap she knocked Tian Cai unconscious.

What have I done? Didn't I just promise him, I'd protect him forever?

Seeing Zhao Wen's guilt ridden face, Zhao Jia tried to console her. "You had no choice, his emotions are too rampant. It's not like that slap really hurt him."

Zhao Wen sighed. "Grandmother, what do we do now? Do-Do you think he'll not want to stay?"

"Silly, how can you think that? In this world he's still only five years old. How would he take care of himself?"

Abruptly, Tian Cai sat up, "Who was it? Who hit me? Argggh! I was really kidnapped!"

"See, you didn't even hit him hard enough. Child, you need to sleep well!" yelled Zhao Jia as she smacked a palm into his forehead."

"Grandmother!"

"I'll bear the guilt this time," said Zhao Jia.

An hour later, Tian Cai woke up again and this time he found himself paralyzed and completely unable to speak.

Zhao Wen grabbed his hand, "Before you go crazy again...let me say a few words. When your masters came to me, they showed me how they found you. In your past life….didn't you want to kill yourself?"

A surprise murmur escaped Tian Cai's mouth.

"If I recall, you also wished for a second chance. From this, I gather your previous life was severely lacking and caused inconceivable pain. Although your masters forcibly took you, they also didn't have a choice. In fact, be proud to know that you saved their lives. For repayment, they accepted you as their direct disciple and gave up their status. Your fate is now irrevocably intertwined with theirs as with mine."

Zhao Wen paused mulling for a moment her next words.

"In this life, you-you are in fact my true son. When your masters regenerated you, they intermingled their blood and my blood with yours. Biologically, I am your mother and they are your fathers. You may wonder how this can be?….Over a 1000 years ago, you had an elder sister who died to illness. Mother's Dao Partner also died and I couldn't have another child. Thus, when your masters asked me to accept you...I wholeheartedly gave my consent…."

Zhao Wen again paused momentarily. With a wavering voice, she said, "Realize this. If you can still find it in your heart to accept me as your mother...I Zhao Wen, The Sun Sword Goddess Empyrean, will give you all that you didn't have in your previous life."

Clearing her throat, she said, "Mother will now release you and listen to your words."

For several moments, Tian Cai sat motionless while Zhao Wen stared at him with trepidation. Solemnly, he finally spoke, "Your assumptions about me are true. My last wish before dying and being abducted was to have a second chance at life...I never thought it would be in another dimension. Truthfully, I can't believe this is all really happening...I actually don't want to believe those three fogies are my fathers…in fact they would be my last..."

Zhao Wen chuckled in response.

"What?" asked Tian Cai.

"You were their last choice for disciple….most certainly a son. However, now isn't the case."

Tian Cai eyebrows curled in confusion. "How so?"

"I'll tell you shortly, however right now...I just want to know how you feel about me."

Tian Cai's small frame trembled at her words. Turning his face away he said, "I was born an orphan in my previous life and abandoned by parents I never knew. This was a weight I carried throughout that life. I as Tian Cai, clearly remember the past five years as though it was yesterday. If-If-If you can accept a 40 year old child, then I will accept you as...Mother."

Tian Cai felt Zhao Wen's hand tighten. "Mother...is relieved...Mother thanks you.."

"Humph! Are you forgetting this old lady??" said Zhao Jia. "How about me, since you accept her than am I still not your great grandmother?"

Tian Cai looked up in surprised. "Granny you're here too?"

"Brat, hurry up and show us proper respect. Since you accepted us and we accepted you into the Zhao Clan, don't forget your filial piety."

Tian Cai jolted in bewilderment.

Zhao Wen laughed and said, "Dear son, you need to kowtow and respect us as your elders."

"Kowtow??" The fog of confusion was quickly replaced by the light of remembrance. "Ah, I remember now."

Jumping off the bed he quickly bowed and knelt three times.

"Good Good Child!" said Zhao Jia approvingly.

"Cai'er, The Zhao Clan will always be your home."

Nervously, Tian Cai asked, "Mom, can-can I hug you?"

"Mhm," said Zhao Wen, opening her arms.

Excitedly, he ran into her arms, forgetting he was a 45 year old man-child.

Zhao Jia turned away, her eyes red and wet with tears. Pulling out a handkerchief, she quietly dabbed her eyes dry.

"Granny!"

She stiffened, feeling Tian Cai's small arms hugging her waist. "I Tian Cai, finally have a family."

In response, she patted his head gently and said, "Good Good grandson."

"Mom?" he said questioningly, letting go and turning about. "You have the innate sunlight body like me. You're an Empyrean, why is your constitution only at 30% of its potential."

"What!" exclaimed both women simultaneously.

"Child, are you saying you have the Innate Sunlight Body?" asked Zhao Jia.

"Son, how do you know I have the Innate Sunlight Body? What do you mean it's only at 30% potential?"

Tian Cai scratched his head shyly. "Uhm just now when we hugged earlier, I felt a resonance. From a memory, I recall that this how one detects the Innate Sunlight Body. The strength of the resonance also determines the potential. However, as an Empyrean it typically would be at 50%. Right now, my own constitution is at 5% which is considered normal for my age."

Whispering, Zhao Wen looked at her Grandmother and said, "It's-It's the memories of our ancestor..."

Zhao Jia gasped, "You mean the Archaic Grand Empyrean?"

"Mhm," responded Zhao Wen with a nod. Looking at Tian Cai, she said, "How-How much can you recall about the Innate Sunlight Body?"

His eyebrows actively twitched as his eyes rolled up. With a shrug he said, I recall body tempering strategies, cultivation techniques for males and females and martial techniques for known variants."

"What!" exclaimed Zhao Wen.

"Somebody bring me wine!!" ordered Zhao Jia.

Within moments, Zhao Chen bust through the door followed by a maid. "Mother, I knew you would need a drink sooner or later. So I already prepared."

"Grandpa!" said Tian Cai, sprinting over to hug his jolly belly.

"Cai'er, Grandfather is glad to see you...how do you feel?"

"Leave the wine and hurry on out," commanded Zhao Jia.

"Mother! Can't I have drink as well? Can't I spend time with my beloved grandson?"

With a frown, she responded, "Were talking Clan things…you aren't qualified to stay."

"Fine I can go...however what about the complaints. It's night time already, shouldn't we be out and kekeeek?" he asked, using a thumb to draw line from one side of his neck to the other.

"Fat Shadow!!" called Zhao Wen.

Several shadows quickly streamed into the room and Fat Shadow soon appeared. "Aunt," he greeted.

"Cool Dude!" exclaimed Tian Cai.

Everybody looked at Tian Cai with strange eyes. He smacked his palm against his head, realizing they didn't understand the jargon from his past life. Shrugging his shoulders, he quickly stepped back and hid himself behind Zhao Wen.

Also realizing what just occurred, Zhao Wen quickly diverted attention with a question. "Fat Shadow what's the strength of those people you mentioned earlier? Is this something you can handle with Bai Guang and Grandfather?"

"There's no one above early Martial King. It should be safe with Old Master as backup. Bai Guang and I can lead the Five Shadows and kekeek...we'll be sure to take care of everyone on the list."

"Good..Good..Good...these people think they can slander my son."

"Humph! Fat Shadow, you bury their heads in ground," said Zhao Jia.

"Quickly, go!" ordered Zhao Wen.

Fat Shadow, took a deep look at Tian Cai, "Youngest Master, I'm relieved you are well. Tonight, I'll be sure to bring justice for you. Kekeek….they'll disappear."

Fat shadow quickly streamed out of the chamber. Zhao Jia and Zhao Wen looked at Zhao Chen.

With a slight frown, he asked, "What?"

"Aren't you going? Aren't you their backup?" admonished Zhao Jia.

"Ah! That's right I have a job do. Cai'er, Grandfather will visit you later." He immediately zipped out of the room.

As soon as the door closed Zhao Jia gulped down two cups of wine in rapid succession. "So sweet...just how I like it." Seeing Tian Cai looking at her, she said, "Don't be like your Granny and Grandpa...don't ever develop a taste for wine."

Tian Cai smacked his lips while shaking his head. "That'll never happen. I only like light beer."

"Beer?"

"Beer? Son, what's that?"

Tian Cai's eyes misted over and peered off into the distance. "Heh..beer? Ice cold light beer is the best. In a tall cold glass, like golden ambrosia as you chug it.."

"Child, is this beer some sort of divine wine?" asked Zhao Jia with extreme interest.

"Granny...very different from wine. In my world, millions of people drink it and there are hundreds of variations." Slapping his palms together and rubbing them, he said, "If there's none in this world, I certainly can attempt to brew some and you can try it later. But before I do this, I need to find coffee."

"Coffee?" asked both women.

Tian Cai's eyes gleamed even more brightly. "Mhm! Coffee is the blood of life. Coffee is my everything. I must have coffee."

Seeing the fanatical light in Tian Cai's eyes, Zhao Jia looked at Zhao Wen. "That's the same look Chen'er has when he looks at wine jars. I think we may have to keep him away from this coffee."

Zhao Wen nodded in agreement. "Son...Mother loves you...but you can't be drinking this coffee. Mother won't allow you to develop bad habits like your Granny and Grandpa."

"Eh! What did you just say about your grandmother?" asked Zhao Jia.

Tian Cai chuckled, "You misunderstand, coffee is drunk by millions as commonly as tea. It certainly is not a bad habit."

Zhao Wen sighed with relief. "Mother was worried for nothing."

"Your grandmother still needs an explanation," said Zhao Jia.

"Grandmother, granddaughter really just meant grandfather."

"You better not be lying to your grandmother...don't think I don't know how to break all your techniques. This granny will show you what a real Empyrean is. Back in my day, no one dared to cross our Zhao Clan. Even the City Lord..."

"Yes..Yes..Yes...Granddaughter understands. Grandmother, shouldn't we continue the conversation below?"

"Below?" asked Tian Cai.

"Mhm...follow Mother." Chuckling, she said, "Grandmother, I hid a stock of various wines down below. You can't say I don't love you. These are all famous wines I found during my travels."

"Eh! You-You really brought me famous wines. Hurry and open the seal so that Grandmother can take a look."

Zhao Wen walked to a blank nondescript wall. She performed several signs while releasing a tendril of Empyrean power. Touching the wall, a tendril of power buzzed abruptly as it's energy dissipated along the stone spans. An arched doorway appeared and split open.

Entering, she said, "Let's take a look."

Zhao Jia followed and Tian Cai followed them both down a circular stone stair case. The bottom lead to a long narrow pathway and soon it opened up to wide hall with three entry points.

Tian Cai looked about in amazement. "Mom, what's this place?"

"It's been awhile since I've been down...you didn't tell me that you expanded it," commented Zhao Jia.

"Let's talk in the Sealing Chamber," said Zhao Wen. She veered right toward an entry. They followed her into another hall lined by nine humanoid puppets. Performing a hand signal, she closed the entry way. With another signal, the puppets activated, a blade readied in each arm. She continued leading them through another door. As soon as the three of them were completely in the next room, Zhao Wen's power sealed the door with a three-person thick stone. Sconces, flared into life revealing a stone circular chamber. In the center, was a carved stone table. The buzz and sizzle of energy sparked as a several defensive formation activated to completely protect the room.

"Mom...this is so cool, but why-why is there such a secret area? Why do you have Zhu Clan Battle Puppets?"

"Eh?? Son knows those are Zhu Clan Battle Puppets outside?"

"Mhm...fogie Hao is familiar with them."

"Cai'er its not appropriate to call you Master a fogie," said Zhao Wen.

"He's my father, I should be able to call him anything I want. Isn't it the same when you call Grandpa unreliable?"

Zhao Jia spat out a mouthful of wine, cackling. "Wen'er he's got you there!"

"I see you found the wine rather quickly," said Zhao Wen with a raised eyebrow.

"Humph! What are you implying?"

"Son, you simply can't be disrespectful. I'll explain it this way. Below your hand is a fly you can swat to death. Beneath your foot is an ant you can crush. Above you is a mountain that can fall on you. Above that mountain is an ocean. Any three of your masters is like that ocean."

Tian Cai's eyebrows raised as he pondered her statement. "Son understands, however that ocean requires this 5 year old child to wake him up."

"Haaahahah!" cackled Zhao Jia.

"Humph, don't think I won't spank you." Somehow Zhao Wen's shadow grew to engulf Tian Cai. Her eyes seemed to blaze with insurmountable power. The space about her distorted as she released her aura, "That mountain above you is me."

Tian Cai's eyes popped open wide as he stared up in blank horror. In his past life, he had an online friend or two that would be desperately afraid of their mothers. Now, now he completely understood them.

"Son understands well...Master Yun Hao..Master Yun Hao."

"Humph! It's good that you understand."

"Enough, we've long ago have been distracted by too many things. Let's have a good discussion," said Zhao Jia.

Zhao Wen's aura disappeared and she reverted back into the form of an elegant middle-aged woman. Tian Cai breathed deeply in relief. He had the feeling, he never wanted to see The Sun Goddess Empyrean fully angered.

"Son, this is our Zhao Clan's secret area. In the past, this chamber was the only room. In the last five years, I slowly had the other rooms built out. This was all in preparation so that you can cultivate in secret."

"Cultivate?"

"Have you not recalled yet?"

Tian Cai responded by shaking his head in negative.

"Your Masters left you memories to guide you in cultivating. I believe you can learn the details from them. With the chamber sealed and the formations activated, we can discuss things in complete secrecy. And this is why you we are here. Son, from now on, you have to be extremely low profile."