Younger Brother?

Tian Cai ran out of the main hall with arms stretched out behind him like wings. As he thundered away, two shadows hurriedly followed him. On his left, Gray Shadow appeared and Small Shadow on his right.

Tian Cai smiled. Wasn't this just like the fabled three person ninja team?

Gray Shadow asked, "Little Brother where are you going?"

"Sister, show proper respect and call him Youngest Master."

"Did Father say you were in command?"

"You!"

"Relax you two, aren't we cousins? Just refer to me as brother. To answer Elder Sister's question, I'm heading to the clan library."

"Little Brother, Father commanded us to follow you everywhere and naturally will do so. However, you're heading towards the main gate...the clan library is in the other direction. In fact, its right next to the main hall," said Gray Shadow.

"Crap!" yelled Tian Cai. He dived, rolling forward. "Rising Coiling Dragon!" He called jumping back to his feet and reversing his direction midair."

If Grandpa could see me now.

In the distance Zhao Wen and Zhao Chen witnessed Tian Cai's move. Chuckling, Zhao Wen asked, "Father, what strange moves are you teaching to Cai'er?"

"This? Er-um..Daughter, grandson needs to be prepared in case he meets with slippery surfaces."

Seeing his Grandfather and Mother, Tian Cai waved his hand as he started running back. "Hi Mom. Grandpa did you see my new Rising Dragon technique!"

Zhao Wen covered her mouth, holding back a muffled laugh.

"Are you laughing at your Father?" asked Zhao Chen, with a blackened face.

"Aren't you going to answer your beloved grandson?"

Sporting a giant fake smile, Zhao Chen said, "Truly my grandson's technique is the most profound."

Small and Gray Shadow looked at each other, rolling their eyes.

Wasn't this move just recovering from a simple fall. How did it turn into a profound movement technique?

Pointing to a small nondescript building, Zhao Wen said, "Son, that's the library."

"Thanks Mom! You two..follow meeee! Team Seven, Goooo!"1

Zhao Wen chuckled.

There goes my little man-child.

Beside her, a grumbling Zhao Chen, "Daughter, you shouldn't laugh at Father like that."

Moments later, Tian Cai and the two shadows burst through the library's door in rapid succession. As scrolls, skins, and quills were flung about, Tian Cai blurted, "Hah! I win!"

"Ah! My things," cried an old venerable man. "You..You..what are you little punks doing?" he demanded.

"Scholar Jin!" greeted the two shadows with a bow. Stepping forward, Small Shadow said, "Youngest Master has come to visit."

"Youngest Master Tian Cai?" asked Scholar Jin. Finally his eyes centered on Tian Cai's small body.

Cupping his hands, Tian Cai said, "This one sees Scholar Jin." Looking about at the mess, while shyly scratching his head, he motioned to the shadows. "You two, help Scholar Jin with the mess."

Gray Shadow used her foot to shove Small Shadow's butt forward. "Get to it."

Small Shadow's eyes popped open as he glared back at his sister. "You..You aren't going to help?"

"I'm not 'you'...I'm your Big Sister. Get to it."

"I'll tell father your disrespecting me as his successor."

"What do I care."

"In the future, you'll have to listen to me."

"Say that when you can defeat me in the combat yard."

Tian Cai looked at Scholar Jin and noticed he was already cleaning the mess. "Ah Senior! Please let me do it. He rushed forward to help.

Seeing Tian Cai now helping to clean up, Gray and Small Shadow gave up on their argument and proceeded to help.

After the clean up was completed, Scholar Jin asked, "Youngest Master, for what do I owe this visit."

"Scholar Jin. Last night I had the strangest dream. In a room full of savants, everyone was bowing and acknowledging me as teacher. I ask, what do you thinks means?"

The man gasped. "Youngest Master, you really had such a dream? Did you hear anything else. Please try remembering as this is really important."

"High above me, I heard the voices of the Divinities and my ears were bleeding in rapture."

Suddenly, Scholar Jin gasped, patting his chest repeatedly as he pranced about the room. "This! This! This! Youngest Master, this could be the so called prophetic dream. The Divinities have granted you a vision…they are calling you to be a Savant."

"Young Matriarch said those very same words. In fact, she suggested that I come to library and start reading every book and record," said Tian Cai.

"Young Matriarch has always been wise. Should you become a leading Savant, our Zhao Clan's future is guaranteed in Savant City."

"The lead the way, this Youngest Master will start reading whatever he can now."

Two hours later, Tian Cai sat with a pile of books in the secret area. Although it looked like he was studying vigorously, he was in fact performing one of his greatest innate skills from his past life. In school, he learned how to sleep with eyes open and sitting up. In his later years, when he was the online gaming king, this skill helped to earn the title Couch Emperor.

"Elder Sister, I never thought that younger brother could religiously study like so."

Gray Shadow smacked the back of Small Shadow's head.

"OW!"

"Look closely, he sleeping," she said.

Small Shadow was about to retaliate and attack, when Tian Cai's suddenly shuddered. "I'm awake-I'm awake." Quickly looking about, he noticed the two shadows observing him. Turning away, he stretched his arms and yawned. "Ah, I've been studying so hard."

Sarcastically, Gray Shadow said, "Little Brother, I believe you're fated to become a legendary Savant."

Small Shadow rolled his eyes.

I need these two be somewhere else.

Standing up, Tian Cai slowly walked up to the two shadows, then he pretended to trip into the both of them.

"Elder Sister, Elder Brother...Little Brother slipped and apologizes!" The three were sprawled together on the floor and quickly scrambled back up."

Gray Shadow's body trembled in anger. Small Shadow's face was dark but he took the chance to cause conflict. "Elder Brother understands...it was just a simple slip. However, looking at Elder Sister, it appears she wants to hit you. Don't worry, Elder Brother will protect...AAAHAH!"

Gray Shadow's fist shot out and smashed into Small Shadow's face. "Sorry Younger Brother, it-it slipped."

Tian Cai burst out laughing. Pointing at the two, "You two are the funniest sister-brother pair I've ever seen!" Still chuckling, he said, "Just know I noticed Elder Sister has the Dawn Shadow constitution and Elder Brother has the Solar Eclipse Shadow constitution...Wah! Younger Brother didn't realize you both were so talented?"

"Eh!"

"Brother! How do you know? We ourselves don't understand our constitutions," asked Gray Shadow.

"Just now, when our bodies collided, I was able to determine your constitutions. If I hadn't been secretly reading Young Matriarch's library, I would never have known."

"Then-Then why hasn't our Matriarch mentioned anything before?" asked Small Shadow.

Tian Cai scratched his little head, smiling wryly. "This one didn't say this...but-but Young Matriarch hates to read."

"So it's like this," said Gray Shadow.

"Younger Brother, if this is the case, then I beg you to tells us about our constitutions. Regrettably, Father has been unable to provide insight," said Small Shadow.

"Mhm...Us siblings have long known we have special constitutions but have failed to bring forth our potential power," said Gray Shadow.

"In the ancient record I read, the Dawn Shadow has only appeared in the family less than 10 times in our clan history. Between each appearance, could be span of 1000's of years. So this explains why Uncle Fat Shadow is unable to offer guidance. The Solar Eclipse Shadow Body almost has rare as it has appears once in each generation. Both constitutions are deeply coveted in our family, most especially when they appear together. You may not know, but Young Matriarch has the Sunlight Body Constitution. When the three operate has a formation, profound techniques can be used against our enemies. When I inform Young Matriarch of this news, most likely she will place priority on cultivating your talents."

Without realizing it, the two shadows had sat down to listen intently to Tian Cai. The 12 year old sister and the 11 year old brother, appeared to sit before a great venerable teacher. Realizing this, Tian Cai chuckled inwardly.

Aren't I a great 5 year old teacher.

"Do you two know your characters?" asked Tian Cai.

"Mhm...This is the first thing our Father taught us," answered Gray Shadow.

"You two, go get scrolls and ink. I will dictate a cultivation technique for each of you to record."

Both scampered way to retrieve the needed tools.

Tian Cai looked up through the roof imagining Zhao Wen in the Main Hall.

Mom..son is already filial. Even now, I am helping to raise our clan.

After about an hour, both shadows had eagerly left to different a chamber of the secret area. Tenderly held in their hands was a cultivation technique matching their special constitution.

Whew! I finally got rid of them.

Clutching a talisman that allowed him to freely enter the forbidden area and control the Sealing Chamber, Tian Cai commanded, "Seal!"

The Iron Slab sealed the room with a boom and the defensive formation hummed into life.

Okay you fogies let's see how you explain yourselves!

Sitting down with crossed legs Tian Cai closed his eyes. The outside world disappeared and an inner world appeared with boundless light.

"Where-Where am I?" asked Tian Cai.

A ball of light appeared, "You've finally have awakened."

"What-What are you?"

The sphere bobbed in the front of Tian Cai's face and said, "I'm a guide left behind by your Masters. This inner world that you see is your mind."

"Your a guide? Where the f*ck are my fogie masters?"

"Brother, is this how you treat our fathers?"

Tian Cai's head and shoulders cocked back in surprise, "Whoa...Brother!?"

"Mhm...I am an amalgamation made of soul strands from each of our fathers. Since you are an amalgamation of their blood, how can we not be brothers?"

"F*ck, me."

"Brother, has anyone said you have an uncouth mouth?"

Tian Cai smacked his forehead. He definitely was feeling a headache coming on.

Sighing he asked, "Do-Do you have a name?"

"Since it may be years until our fathers awaken...will Brother give me a name?"

"I'll call you Little Bro...how's that?"

"I want a real name."

"Well you sure aren't dumb."

"How can I be when our fathers are Grand Empyreans."

"Do you have a preference for a name."

"I want, I want a heroic name."

"Heroic name? How about Fei Hung after Wong Fei Hung?"2

"Whose is that?"

"He's a famous martial arts master from my world. I long thought of him as my idol."

"Younger Brother Fei Hung greets Big Brother."

"You're younger?"

"Mhm..I'm 5 years old and your 45."

Tian Cai's face blackened.

"In this world, I'm 5 years old, so how can that be?"

"You're still older as then there would be a 1 minute difference between your regeneration and my creation."

"Well since I'm older than, doesn't that mean I'm in charge?"

"Our Father's commanded me not to always listen to you."

"What the F*ck! Blazing balls why??"

"It's because...as an amalgamation of their strands from their souls, I have access to all their memories. My prime purpose is to protect their secrets. My next purpose is to serve as a guide and call out memories as needed. So as long has your desires don't conflict with my primary purpose, then I will listen."

"Good...Good...Good," said Tian Cai sarcastically.

"Big Brother, our honorable fathers left an introduction memory for you. Which would you like to view it now?

Tian Cai nodded an affirmative, scrunching his cheeks as he snorted simultaneously.

Finally I get to see you three.

Fei Hung flickered and expanded into a light screen. In it, Yun Hao, Ding Gang and Jiang He stood with their backs as they looked far into the distance.

"Big Brother, see how heroic and mighty our fathers appear. Are we not lucky to be their descendants?"

Tian Cai's eye twitched.

They must've brainwashed him.

As though they were the holiest of beings, blazing light coalesced about the three as they slowly turned to face him.

The one in the center was middle-aged and rotund in purple robes. What made him unique where his long hairy eyebrows that extended out as though they were wings.

What the hell are those?

"Fatty Disciple, Master Yun Hao greets you."

On Yun Hao's right stood a stout muscular man with a v-shaped torso. His hair was tied in a ponytail and he wore a pair of rune-etched gloves. A long scar ran down the side of is left cheek.

"This one is your Master Ding Gang."

To Yun Hao's left, stood a thin man in flowing green robes with deep blue eyes and long silvery hair.

"Little Fatty, we finally meet. I am Master Jiang He."

With clenched fists, three veins protruded out from Tian Cai's forehead.

Fogies! Kidnappers!

"Now we have many things to tell you. First..."

Suddenly the picture warbled and distorted. Flickering, it blinked out into blackness.

"What just happened!?"

The screen condensed back into a ball and Fei Hung hovered in front of Tian Cai's face. "Big Brother, our Fathers were greatly weakened and were forced to slumber."

"Slumber?"

Fei Hung's color tinged to red, "Thanks to Big Brother...After regenerating you...Fei Hung only had a few breaths of time with them."

"Humph! I call bull crap...just now was the only time I've spent with them. You...how can you blame me??"

"True if its you as Tian Cai. However Big Brother, what about the time they found you on Earth and brought you over? Humph! Can you truly say you didn't spend more time with them?"

Tian Cai smacked his forehead. His initial feeling was correct. He now had a massive headache.

"What the hell do I do now? Weren't they suppose teach me how to cultivate? Weren't they supposed to reveal innumerable secrets??"

"If you fulfill some conditions, I might be able to make a suggestion or two," said Fei Hung.

"Does Big Brother even have a choice?"

Letting out an evil chortle, Fei Hung said, "No."

"Fine! Let's listen to your conditions."

"Big Brother, you may not know, but I haven't talked to anyone in the past five years. When you sleep, occasionally I can hear conversations. However, Younger Brother is unable to see the outside world. Big Brother...Fei Hung is lonely."

"How come you can't see outside?"

"Fei Hung doesn't know why but, most likely its because I'm too weak."

"Then-Then what exactly do wish to ask Big Brother?"

"Can you spend time with me every day...Can you tell me stories about what the outside world is like?"

Tian Cai's heart stiffened.

He recalled a deeply buried memory.

Sister Juliet...where is my Daddy and Mommy? Will they come for me?

Look, that's Drew with is new parents.

Wasn't Fei Hung like an orphan himself. Wasn't he like those terminally ill children that never leave hospitals?

Tian Cai slumped down to his buns, taking a seat.

Eyes softening, he cupped his hands and said, "Fei Hung, come here."

Fei Hung floated down and gently rested within Tian Cai's small 5 year hands.

"Unlike Big Brother who is a 40 year old man-child...you-you are really 5 years old...you-you are still innocent. Just now, Brother realized we are alike. Since our Fathers are unable to be with us, Brother will stay with you. Brother will raise you and teach you about the outside world."

"With a meek, cracked voice, Fei Hung asked, "You promise Big Brother?"

"Mhm...from today on, you will be Zhao Fei Hung. I will beg Mother to enter you into the family registry so that formally, by law and by fate...we will be brothers."

"Brother!"

"Brother!"