"Not right in head? Mom, what do you mean?"
"Son, Mother loves you best. You..." Momentarily she patted his head. "You have a fear of blood. You fainted because you saw a bleeding hand."
Plop. Drip. Plop.
Remembering the dripping blood, Tian Cai's face whitened.
"I don't understand? How can this be? Mom, in my previous life I didn't have this sort of problem."
"Mother knows...it's not your fault. If Mother could, she'd pull each of your Masters out and kill them."
"What-What do those Abductors have to do with this?"
"You're this way because of the Essence Extraction and your regeneration."
"I don't have any recollection of this. How can I be so traumatized?"
"Son, they blocked that memory. You won't ever remember until you've reached Grand Empyrean.
"Fei Hung!!" yelled Tian Cai.
In his mind, he appeared in Fei Hung's courtyard. "Get out here!!!"
Out of the Manor sauntered out a man-sized version of Godzilla.
What the hell is that?
Immediately, Fei Hung's glowing sphere shot out from the manor. "Big Brother you're here."
"Little Brother, there's a memory you absolutely need to find."
"Sure, what memory is it?"
"The time when our Fathers' extracted my essence and then regenerated me into a baby."
"Give Brother a moment to find it." Fei Hung's started blinking as though actively searching like a computer. Suddenly, a huge face of Jiang He appeared in the sky.
"Forbidden! Disciple, you know not what you ask," he said.
Yun Hao's face also appeared. "Forbidden, there are some things you shouldn't know."
Finally Ding Gang's face appeared. "Humph! You want to see that which shouldn't be seen. Forbidden!"
Fei Hung zoomed over next to Tian Cai's face. "Big Brother, what can I say. The memory you want is in the forbidden space of our fathers."
"There's no way you can call it out?"
"Eh!"
"What?" inquired Tian Cai.
"Big Brother, isn't this just like that scene in Superman I where he was reversing the Earth's axis to turn back time. Then Zor El appeared in the sky and tried to warn him of the ramifications."
Tian Cai cocked back his head in surprise. Glancing back up and taking a hard look at the three giant faces...Fei Hung was exactly correct."
"Little Brother is right, except this is like that scene times three. Wait, just how many movies have you seen?"
"I've seen all the Godzillas five times. All the Supermans once. Right now, I'm working on the Dragon Ball series."
Am I raising my Little Brother to be the King of Nerds. Wait, that-that was me in my past life.
"Little Brother, You can't always be watching movies and anime. You have to stay connected to real people and real life."
"Big Brother, Fei Hung doesn't understand. All I know, I can only live in this place."
"Ah..This..ahem...Big Brother will figure out a way. You need to limit what you watch."
"Big Brother, I have a question. What does yaoi mean?"*1
"Holy Crap, where'd you learn that term?"
"I read it from a Manga."
How the hell was he going to explain this to Fei Hung. He needs a mother, there's no way a 45 year old man-child can raise a five year old.
"Er-Big Brother doesn't have time to answer right now. But I need you to do something else."
"See, if you can find any memories on Zhu Shensheng, The Divine Pig, Queen of the Cosmos."*2
"Who's that?"
"I'm still finding out. More importantly, Little Brother she-she knows the way back to Earth."
"Your original home?"
"Mhm."
"Little Brother will do his best to find out any information."
"Cai'er, can you hear Mother?" asked Zhao Wen, nudging Tian Cai's forehead with her forefinger.
"Do you have lock jaw again and are unable to speak?"
Fingers curling into a tight fist, it erupted with red flickering flame. "Does Mother need to beat it loose again?"
Suddenly, the light in Tian Cai's eyes brightened and he immediately focused on the flaming fist. "Mom...this? What are you doing?"
"You don't have lock jaw? You stopped speaking so..."
"Oh, no-no-no. I was just talking to Fei Hung. I wanted him to find that memory."
Zhao Wen's face stiffened. "Fei Hung called out that memory for you?"
Tian Cai shook his head in negative. "My masters have it sealed in their forbidden memories. He's unable to show me."
Zhao Wen sighed with relief. "Promise Mother you'll stop trying to remember that time."
"Why? In order to figure out how to treat this hemophobia, I need to understand how I got it."
"Son, your Masters blocked that memory to protect you. I'm sure when you mature into a Grand Empyrean you'll be ready to recall that horrible time. Just-Just let it go."
"Mom, how can the Genius of all Geniuses have such a weakness? If people know I can't stand the sight of blood..."
"That works to our advantage. It's perfect if we want to maintain your Low Profile. If people think you have such a problem, none would believe you to be as strong as a Martial King. When enemies come looking to kill you, unknowingly they'll have kicked an iron plate."
"Mom, we have to find a cure."
"Mhm, we will Son."
"Okay, Son-Son will let the matter go for now. However, I have another problem?"
In the next few moments Tian Cai explained his issues with Fei Hung.
"Son you know you did wrong. You can't be exposing him to things from you past life. Those are things he would never encounter in the Nine Chaos Heavens. Technically, his parents are from here. He is born from here. Fei Hung needs to be taught the ways of our world."
"Mom, I felt sorry for him. He spent five years alone in Darkness..he-he was like a blind sick child."
"Mother knows you meant well. Starting tomorrow, I will take charge of his life. I will start teaching him as a true parent."
"How?"
Zhao Wen pulled out a dull crystal. "This is called a memory jade. For a specific number of times, you can record memories into it. Normally, this jade would glow a bright green. After each use, it loses a bit of color. Hence, you can tell this one is now useless. Tomorrow, when you tour the city with Bai Guang, you buy three of these. Then Mother can start leaving memories for Fei Hung to learn from.
"Tomorrow-Tomorrow we can surprise my Little Brother."
"Mhm."
"Mom, this idea really makes son happy. Regrettably, I have to let you know about another problem."
Suddenly, a bad feeling fell into the pit of Zhao Wen's stomach. "You-You didn't break anything at the Ling Clan did you? We-We don't have to pay anything right?"
"Well technically, I did break something."
"What did you break?"
"Er-Uhm a wall."
"You a broke wall!?"
"Don't worry, Young Miss Ling Fan took the blame and we won't have to pay anything."
"Patriarch Ling's daughter? Then what's the problem?"
"You know she's a Martial Adept."
"I already heard from Fat Shadow. What's the problem?"
"Ah that...Mom, does Grandfather like drinking wine?"
"Of course he does. Everyone in the Clan knows this to be true."
"Recently, someone stole several jars of Thousand Flower Wine from the Ling Clan cellars."
"What are you saying? My father wouldn't drink such spittle?"
"Spittle?" asked Tian Cai.
"Your Grandfather doesn't like flowery wines. To him its spittle and he rather die than drink it."
"Really?"
"Don't you think I would know my own father?"
What is going on? Why would grandfather steal Thousand Flower Wine?
Abruptly, roars erupted outside.
"Damn you!!! Beast, I'll kill you!! I'll inundate your body with a 1000 holes! I'll grind each of your bones to dust with my own hands! ARRRGGHHH! NO-NO-NO-NOOOOOOOO!!"
"Father!"
"Grandfather!"
Mother and son ran out of Tian Cai's courtyard. A few moments later, they arrived at Zhao Chen's residence. Zhao Jia was already there along with all the Five Shadows and several guards.
"Grandmother what happened?" asked Zhao Wen.
"Child, that King of the Nether Hell's beast struck again. Grandmother-Grandmother will have to clean up your father again."
Tian Cai looked in horror at his Grandfather who seemed too stupefied to know what do with himself.
"Mom, is-is this what happened to Grandfather last night."
"Son it was much worse, it looks to me that the amount he suffered was twice that of before."
"Twice that before?"
"Hot Water, bring this Old Lady hot water. This time, keep the buckets coming. You-you go to the market and buy their most powerful soap. Buy it at all costs."
"Grandmother you can't clean him again. He's my father, Granddaughter will clean him."
"STOP!!!" roared Tian Cai. Everybody froze and stared at Tian Cai in surprise."
"Mom, Granny neither of you will do it. Grandson will clean grandfather up. This is beneath the both of you."
"Cai'er," muttered Zhao Wen with soft eyes.
Granny turned her head. "Tian Cai, you are growing well. Chen'er, don't you see how filial your grandson is?"
As Tian Cai's little frame strode forward to demonstrate his filial piety, Zhao Wen asked, "Son, the smell doesn't bother you."
At this moment, Gray Shadow cupped her hands and offered, "Great Aunt, Youngest Master is immune."
"Immune?"
"Great Aunt, earlier Old Master asked the same question. Youngest Master said, he's actually smelled worse," said Small Shadow.
Everyone looked at each other.
What could be worse than the piss and manure of a beast born of the deepest Nether Hell?
Later in the late evening, deep within the Zhao Clan's hidden area. Tian Cai was performing his nightly duty of reading up. He had to continue moving forward, the events of yesterday were just too bizarre. He needed more power.
If only I had some coffee.
"Abomination, there you are. You made this Queen search a bit," Zhu Shensheng, the Divine Pig appeared within the secret chamber.
"How-How did you find me? How did you enter here?"
Shensheng grunted and sniffed at the same time. "You think this Queen can't track her own innards. You truly are brave, to suffer so with your Grandfather."
"The smell just tingles my nose. There's worse that I've experienced before."
"This Queen is indeed impressed with your ability. The mysterious Toe Jam of yours must be very profound."*3
Tian Cai shifted his feet a bit.
"Speak, what's your purpose in seeking me out?"
"Firstly, let's rid you of that smell."
A fluctuation hit Tian Cai and almost instantly, he could breath normally again. In fact, he felt lighter and refreshed.
"Secondly, this Queen previously stated she will come find you later. Will you acknowledge me as a teacher?"
Tian Cai bowed, "Zhao Tian Cai recognizes Teacher Zhu Shensheng."
"Good...Good...Good!" gleefully snorted Shensheng.
Jackpot…This Queen has struck gold!
"Teacher, what-what exactly are you?"
"Indeed you are a genius. Ling Fan has yet to ask that question. This Queen, in your eyes is more like a Descender. We Queen and Kings of the Cosmos, reincarnate from time-to-time. It's both a duty and a vacation for us."
"What, there are more of you?"
"On your Earth, we would be known as the Zodiac. The Divine Rooster, The Divine Dragon and so on."
"My original body was born under the sign of the pig."
"Teacher knows and sensed our affinity early on."
"Teacher can you stop the Celestials? Can you prevent the Calamity?"
Shensheng sauntered off a bit and stared far into the distance. One could imagine she was a master crossing her hands behind her back.
"It's not my place to intervene, doing so defies cosmic law."
"Then you don't have the power."
"Am I not the Divine Pig, Queen of the Cosmos? In the future, when its time to ascend, I'll have the power. In fact, you'll have to ascend with me."
"What!?"
"Child, your an abomination that shouldn't exist in the Nine Chaos Heavens. If this Queen doesn't take you with her, you yourself will be a calamity."
"Why call me an abomination. Can't you call me a happy accident?"
"Your not a Transmigrator nor a Reincarnator. And you are not a Decender. You're more like an Ascender except you didn't ascend to a higher heaven. Instead you ascended into another dimension. In addition…"
"What, there's more?"
"...Indeed. Within you're bloodline is a seed."
"From my mother's bloodline or one of my Masters?"
"From your original bloodline, the one you inherited on Earth. Who would've thought you'd be an Earther."
"Teacher, what-what does this mean?"
"It's to early to reveal such secrets. If you live long enough to ascend, then those secrets can be revealed."
"At least tell me what this seed is?"
"This? MMMMMMMMMMMMMM—NO."
"Then go away, you're no longer my teacher."
"You!!! You can't do that."
"I have enough Masters and this Tian Cai's Mother is his greatest teacher. You going around saying mysterious things that leaves me with more questions...Humph! Not interested. Get out."
"You dare insult this Queen. The things I can do to you..."
"Do it then. If I'm not wrong, the cosmic laws forbid you. I'd like to see what happens should you break the rules. I'm sure that will truly be Divine Punishment."
"Divine Transporter!" snorted Shensheng.
Suddenly, Tian Cai's vision blurred. Somehow he was now viewing Shensheng's eyes as though they were world-size saucers.
"What-What did you do??"
"Humph! How do you like it...being just a fly on this Queen's nose."
"Impossible!"
"Go ahead, fly about and see for yourself. You'll quickly see your vegetative body. In fact, drool is falling endlessly from your mouth like new a born babe."
With a buzz, Tian Cai flapped his wings and to his horror, Shensheng was right. His 5 year old body was slumped on the ground, his eyes vacant.
"You...You!"
"Continue disrespecting this Queen. See how I swat you into the ground..."
Deep above the Nine Chaos Heavens, a beam of light punctured through the Starry Sea. In an instant, it traveled pass five of the Chaos Heavens and was streaming its way towards the third. A ringing sounded and Shensheng looked up in shock.
"Damn you! Divine Transporter Return!" squealed the Divine Pig.
In another instant, Tian Cai found himself on the ground. With trembling limbs and heaving chest, he looked up in horror at Shensheng.
She was still looking up towards the incoming beam of light. Within seconds, the beam dissipated into nothingness and Shensheng sighed in relief.
"What-What did you do???" hoarsely asked Tian Cai.
"Humph! Apparently, you are protected by the Cosmic Laws...this means your fate is strictly tied to that of the Nine Chaos Heavens. However, now you know...you just can't anger this Queen."
"Are you going to explain to me what technique that was?"
"My Divine Transporter? It's just one of my Innate Skills. With it you can transfer one's soul to another soulless body. In your case, your soul was transferred into that of a fly."
Tian Cai's trembled.
Who could fight against such power? In this situation, wasn't it better to be part of the same team.
"As my Teacher, is that something you would teach me to do?" asked Tian Cai, wobbling back to his feet.
"Ha! Now you see the benefits of being my student. You will never be a Divine being like myself, so you can only learn a weaker version of the skill."
"Is that the same as with the Divine Defecator?"
"Why you interested in that? It only makes people relieve themselves. My Silent Killer is much more...damn you already have that Toe Jam thing. What exactly is that? How can it possibly resist my Silent Killer."
"Fine…I'll willingly be your student."
"Ha! Now you know your just the frog at the bottom of the well. It's good that you accept your fate. Now, this Queen is really curious. Explain to me all the wonders of this Toe Jam."
Tian Cai's face blackened.
"Is it possible to transfer a memory to you."
"I can catch it as though it was a dream. Just imagine sending that memory over to me."
Tian Cai shook is head in disbelief. What kind of pig could catch dreams? What kind of pig could transfer souls?
Within the next moment, Tian Cai sent a memory of his past life over to Shensheng.
Abruptly, her eyes looked in horror at his feet.
"This Queen has seen some disgusting things throughout the Cosmos. The feet of your past life?? The things crawling in that garbage heap you called home? You walked in that bare-footed...You...You're forbidden. Never will you show me your bare-naked feet."
Tian Cai stood with a straight face and just smacked his lips.
I've heard it all the before. You're the one that takes massive dumps in the sky. That's not disgusting?
"Teacher, we should discuss something important."
"This Toe Jam, don't ever mention it again in this Queen's presence."
"Teacher, what is Young Miss Ling Fan to you? Tian Cai asks, because in the near future, I'm going to have to kill her."
"Eh!"