Shensheng's eyes constricted as she floated before Tian Cai.
"You-You want to protect this woman?" she asked looking at Mu Huizhong.
"Whatever damnable skill are you using... RELEASE HER!!"
Looking at Tian Cai's back, Mu Huizhong's eyes welled up in tears.
Master, you-you haven't changed. Even at this age, you were protective.
"You dare raise your voice to your Teacher! You wanna see the inside of a fly?"
"Didn't Cosmic Law forbid you? Weren't you forced to withdraw last time?"
"Che! She want's to kill my Disciple! You think I can just let her do as she pleases?"
Tian Cai, cocked his head back in surprise. "You wanna kill Little Killer as well?"
Mu Huizhong heart trembled. What-What would he think of her now?
Continuing, Tian Cai said, "Indeed we think alike. When I first met Miss Ling Fan I thought she was the twin sister, Damien never had. You must've erred in your character judgment as I did."*1
Shensheng gave Tian Cai gave a look.
"Fool! She's the sister! She's the sister!"
"Hubby-this? Er-Indeed I mistook her as related to an evil hussy I met before."
"Tian Cai understands, however, you must know that Shensheng is my Teacher and Miss Ling Fan is her disciple. Thus, that makes her my Martial Sister. You understand what I'm trying to say."
In response, Mu Huizhong groaned. "This—Hubby, wife needs to find the latrine."
Upon hearing her words, Tian Cai turned to Shensheng with bugged out eyes. "TEACHER!?"
"This Queen will watch you very closely...Release!"
Immediately, Mu Huizhong felt lighter than a fresh breeze. Stumbling back to her feet, she patted Tian Cai's hair.
"Hubby, wife thanks you."
Shensheng floated two inches from Mu Huizhong.
"What're you doing!?" asked Tian Cai with a knitted forehead.
"Don't your eyes see, I'm watching her closely. Who knows when she'll jump over the wall and attack my disciple. You-You better be careful girl…."
Suddenly, Shensheng's eyes constricted. Hissing, she said, "Actually this Queen has things to do!!"
With a swoosh, she flashed up into the sky.
Not even a moment later, Zhao Wen was humming as she glided into Tian Cai's courtyard. Seeing her, Tian Cai ran over and said, "Mom, you're here!"
"Cai'er, earlier Mom heard a ruckus while heading here. What was that about?"
"Ah that?"
"Mother-in-law, earlier Hubby saw that I tripped. And was upset that I wasn't taking better care of myself."
Zhao Wen's eyes misted over.
Is my son already a protective husband? Must he grow up so fast?
"Mom, you visiting so late..is there an emergency?"
Zhao Wen took out a memory jade. "Mom just wanted to pass this over. I'm sure a certain someone is expecting it."
Tian Cai's eyes brightened, "MHM!!"
Clearing his throat, Tian Cai said to Mu Huizhong, "Seeing as you are alright now, Tian Cai will go cultivate now. Good Night. Good Night, Mom!!" In a flash, he had already disappeared within the manor.
"Miss Mu, I was wondering if I could trouble you with some things?" asked Zhao Wen.
"Mother-in-law, please address me as Huizhong."
"Huizhong, such a pretty name. Seeing you are a master of the Golden Path, I was wondering if you could inspect our formations. In the Third Heaven, rarely do we see formation masters."
"Daughter-in-law has already begun inspecting. In fact, I have enhanced most of the formations about Hubby's manor.
"You-You have?" asked Zhao Wen in surprise.
Covering her mouth, Mu Huizhong giggled. "Daughter-in-law is only performing her duty as a wife."
"What-materials...whatever you may need, our Zhao Clan will surely compensate."
"Patriarch sent me with countless materials. There should be more than enough to protect the Zhao Clan five times over."
"Still, our Zhao Clan can't be so shameless we must.."
"Hubby is a future Grand Empyrean, a future pillar of the Yun Clan. All the things I give him, are barely a pin drop compared to what is owed. Long ago, the things I have already should have belonged to him."
"Huizhong, how strong are you? Are you interested in exchanging pointers tomorrow? In fact, its best we leave early before hell-er-things becomes lively."
"Although, my offense techniques are sub-par I can boast the strongest defense in my generation. My beloved Master taught me many things."
"Then tomorrow, I'll show you a nice area in the mountains where we can spar without affecting anyone. Grandmother will be joining us as well."
"Mother-in-law, besides you and Grandmother-in-law, are there any other powers that need consideration?"
"There are several crouching tigers and hidden dragons in Savant City. Being from the Ninth Heaven, you may not know but at one point Savant City was considered the Capital of Third Heaven. There are only four other Empyreans who's strength is at the peak. Of course there's the City Lord, the Black Bank Head, Gu Clan and Sun Clan heads respectfully. The later two are the families that lead the Savant City Academy. Along with our Zhao Clan, we are the five controllers of the City."
"Are any of them considered threats to Hubby?"
Zhao Wen chuckled, "If they were, they'd already be well into their next life. After all it's best to prune weeds early."
Mu Huizhong's eyes constricted.
The things she heard about Mother-in-law's younger days were true.
Roars erupted from Zhao Chen's courtyard.
"Father!! By the Divinities, what am I seeing? Is that sh*t!?"
"Qiang'er, don't-don't look at father!"
"The smell its eroding my eyes!!"
Zhao Wen gave a half-embarrassed look to Mu Huizhong. "In the evening, it's best to avoid my Father's courtyard at all costs."
"Father, Son's going blind!!"
Zhao Wen's forehead knitted. "Huizhong, Mother-in-law er-uhm has family business to take care off. You make sure and rest well," she said, running off.
"Qiang'er show Father your eyes."
"Aiya it stinks!!"
Mu Huizhong, looked out from Tian Cai's gate.
What happened?
Oblivious to the events happening in the Zhao Clan manor, Tian Cai stood in Fei Hung's courtyard. He was staring hard into the sky. Normally, without a doubt, in the night sky there should be a moon. But that thing, the thing in the sky was most certainly not the moon.
"FEI HUNG!!" yelled, Tian Cai. He was about to rush into the manor when another sight paralyzed his legs.
Out of manor came the floating head of Darth Vader.
SWOOSH!
It appeared before Tian Cai. Deep breathing echoed about in all directions.
"Tian Cai, I am your Father!" said a deep voice.
Child-like laughter erupted from within the mask.
Huffing, Tian Cai pointed into the sky, "Fei Hung, what-what is that!!?"
"Big Brother…that's the Death Star of course!"*2
Indeed, what was up in the sky wasn't the moon but the Death Star.
"Big Brother, Fei Hung needs to ask an important question."
Knowing he was going to regret it, through gritting teeth Tian Cai asked, "What?"
"Who do you think would win in a gunfight...Space Battleship Yamato or the Death Star?"*3
Tian Cai groaned, "I-I dunno, why?"
Bobbing excitedly in his Vader helmet, Fei Hung said, "Because we're about to find out!! Look! Look!"
Far away on the other side of the sky, the Yamato warped into view with a swarm of Cosmo Fighters. Three Imperial destroyers started firing red blasters amid a battalion of howling Tie Fighters.
BOOM! The Yamato's main cannons fired a salvo. Piercing blue rays tore through a destroyer. Losing control it crashed into another destroyer and a tremendous explosion ripped through space. In a flurry of mini-explosions the Cosmo Tigers and Tie Fighters clashed as individual battle erupted like fireworks.
On the Death's Star's main firing dish, green beams started building up power. Similarly, the main turret on the Yamato was sparking into life.
"Big Brother here it comes!!!" shouted Fei Hung.
ZZZZZTZT! An intense, green beam shot out of the Death Star.
In a booming roar, the Yamato's Wave Motion Gun fired an overwhelming blast that shook the heavens. As the two forces met, a terrific explosion ripped across heavens. Clearly, the power of the wave motion gun was overwhelming. Annihilating anything in its path, it slammed into the Death Star!
ThaBOOOOOM!!
The blast shattered the sky.
"Haaahaaha! Haaahahaha! I knew it Big Brother, I knew nothing could defeat the Yamato!! Haahhahahahaa!"
Tian Cai gave a look to Fei Hung's Darth Vader helmet, bobbing about in jubilation.
I created a monster.
"Little Brother, how in the world did you do all this?"
"Of course its an illusion art I found in Father Hao's memory. Big Brother, are you here to bring me that gift? Little Brother's been waiting all day for your return."
Tian Cai pulled out the memory jade. "Little Brother you-you know what this is right?"
Fei Hung sighed, "That's some sort of glittering jewel??"
Tian Cai smiled, "This is a memory jade. Our Mother, she left memories for you."
Fei Hung froze solid. "Mother? How-How is this possible?"
"Silly, isn't my mom your mother too?"
"Big Brother is this true? Fei Hung has a mother?"
"Mhm."
"Let's go to the den and watch it together."
"Little Brother, these memories are just for you. Promise me, you will be filial and listen to everything she says," said Tian Cai, holding out the jade.
It floated gently and hovered next to Fei Hung. In a soft voice, Fei Hung said, "Big Brother, Fei Hung will go watch it now."
Swoosh! Fei Hung zipped away, the jade closely trailing after him.
Reaching the den, the jade morphed into a DVD. Fei Hung willed it into the player and immediately the TV flickered into life.
Zhao Wen appeared in her courtyard. In her hands, she was knitting.
"Fei Hung, when your older brother was born, I knitted him his first robe. The one Mother is knitting now is yours. When your brother finds you a body, this will be waiting for you. You may not hear, but in the distance are hammers. People are working hard to build you a courtyard. Fei Hung, all that Mother and your brother has, you will have as well. Zhao Clan will always be waiting for you. Even if your brother leaves, the Zhao Clan will be your home. Mother, will always be here, waiting for her son Zhao Fei Hung."
Outside, the manor, Tian Cai was about to leave when he heard Fei Hung's sobbing.
"Mom, Fei Hung will be filial. Son will be filial!"
Tian Cai eyes moistened.
Big Brother will always be here as well.
The next morning, Tian Cai woke up to a smell he thought he never would smell again.
On the table next to his bed, was a pot of fresh brewed coffee and a note. Pouring himself a cup, he blissfully sip.
Aahhhhh! So good Smiling. The light in the room seemed brighter. In the distance birds were happily chirping.
Shouldn't all mornings be like this?
"Zhao Qiang, get your ass out here!!"
"Dog Bastard Zhao Qiang, come pay respects to your father!!"
"What the hell's going on?"
Jumping out of bed, Tian Cai quickly dressed. Running out of the manor, he was halfway to his gate before he remembered something important.
"My Coffee!!" he roared.
Gray and Small Shadows appeared behind Tian Cai.
"Little Brother, what's wrong!" asked Gray Shadow.
"Wait a moment," said Tian Cai. He disappeared into the manor with a roar. He reappeared with a pot in one hand and a cup in the other. Finishing his cup of coffee, his forehead was deeply knitted.
"What the hell is all the ruckus outside? Who's disturbing me and my morning coffee. Small Shadow, call all the guards. Get ready to kill me some rats!"
The two hissed.
When had their Little Brother ever been so angry. Could it be??
Both looked inquisitively at the pot of coffee.
"Coward Zhao Qiang, come out and face your death!!"
Tian Cai's eyes bugged, "What the hell's with all this noise!!?"
Gray Shadow eyes brightened with understanding. "Little Brother, you may not know but this-this is normal."
"Normal!?" blurted an astonished Tian Cai.
"Uncle Qiang, whenever he returns to Savant City, the following days he's challenged to duels. With this being the first day, many are anxious," clarified Small Shadow.
"Mother, how come she doesn't you know, Keeke?" asked Tian Cai.
"In the early days, she did make those people disappear, however...soon after complaints were filed through the City Lord's office. We lost during the tribunals as Young Matriarch's reputation preceded her."
"Mom has a reputation?" asked Tian Cai with a raised eyebrow.
Small Shadow looked to his older sister. "Big Sis, you say...Younger Brother just can't describe."
Gray Shadow patted her brother's shoulder with understanding. "Elder Sister will explain well. Aunt is actually more infamous than all the three disaster kings. In her early days, Young Matriarch was known as the Legacy Killer. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Stop with the roundabout phrasing and tell me straight. Does this Young Master look happy this morning?" griped Tian Cai.
Gray Shadow looked to Small Shadow. "You-You whisper it in his ear."
Small Shadow gave a dejected look.
Weren't you going to explain well.
Sighing, Small Shadow whispered into Tian Cai's ears.
Tian Cai blinked in wonderment at what he just heard. "Did my ears hear right? Are you telling me my Mother cuts off peckers!?"
Both Gray and Small Shadows closed their eyes and nodded in affirmative.
Holy Sh*t! I've heard stories about bad ass mothers, but this-this?
"Zhao Qiang! Your Grandfather is here to mete divine justice! Get out here!!" roared another voice.
"Where's Uncle Qiang why hasn't he gone out yet?"
Both Gray and Small Shadows shrugged their shoulders.
Suddenly, Small Shadow gasped. "Ah Little Brother, Older Brother just remembered. Earlier, Aunt stopped by then left with Miss Mu. She said, she left a note for you."
Tian Cai smacked his forehead.
The Note!!
Seeing that Tian Cai's hands were full, Gray Shadow said, "I'll quickly bring back the note."
POOF!
Her body dissipated into streams of gray shadows. Within a moment, she had returned with the note.
"You read it," said Tian Cai.
Nodding, Gray Shadow read it.
"Well?" asked Tian Cai.
"Aunt says she took Granny and Miss Mu to exchange pointers in the mountains outside the city. Since your the smartest out of the Disaster Kings, you are in charge until she returns." Gray Shadow handed over a command token. "Aunt says this token will grant you command over everyone."
Tian Cai accepted the token with a blackened face.
What happened to my beautiful morning?
"Bastard Zhao Qiang, today is the day you meet the King of Death!!"
Tian Cai's eyes bugged out, "Where the hell's my uncle!?"
Gray Shadow coughed, "This? Little Brother you may not know, but last night that foul beast attacked again."
"What's this have to do with Uncle? The beast only craps on-er-attacks Grandfather, unless…?" Tian Cai looked at the siblings. "Was my uncle up all night cleaning—er—taking care of Grandfather?"
"Mhm."
Tian Cai sighed.
Uncle, you are filial as well?
"Sister, here you bring this pot. Brother, bring this cup. No one wants to see want happens if anything drops." grimly said Tian Cai.
Inter-connecting his fingers, Tian Cai flexed his elbows and cracked his neck.
"Let's go open a six pack of whoop butt!"*4
As Tian Cai led the way, Small Shadow whispered, "Sis, his mood it must be this coffee?"
"Mhm." agreed Gray Shadow.
"What does he mean by six pack of whoop butt?"
"I surmise it must be some great ancient saying."
"You think I can't you hear you? It means going to the mattresses," said Tian Cai.*5
"Little Brother, could you clarify that as well?" said Gray Shadow.
"Really, must I," grumbled Tian Cai.
Meekly, Small Shadow said, "Perhaps you need another cup of coffee?"
"Finally, a brilliant F*cker said something correct!" exclaimed Tian Cai. Suddenly, he felt a tingle on his cheek and a sense of danger. Noting the feeling, he pushed the sense back and said, "I'm so angry, I'll spill anything I try drinking."
Deep in the mountains outside of Savant City. Zhao Jia stopped walking as a shadowy tendril reached her ears.
"Grandmother, is something wrong," asked Zhao Wen.
Zhao Jia pulled out the Heavenly Punishing Paddle. "My dearest little friend, it's time to put you to good use," she said.
Zhao Wen hissed. "Did Cai'er run his foul mouth again?"
Zhao Jia grimly said, "Mhm"
Mu Huizhong looked at the paddle with astonishment.
Isn't that Master's Divine Weapon? It actually used to belong to his granny?
"Little Brother, going to the mattresses, is that also a mysterious ancient saying?" asked Gray Shadow.
"You recall Granny beating Uncle Qiang silly? Imagine that fury times six. That's what it means to open a six pack of whoop butt. Going to the mattresses means were all going to War. Now you f*cking know."
Both looked at the 5 year old. It finally dawned on that them. He was pissed.
If they drank the coffee too, would it have such an affect on them as well?
Finally, they reached gates. Fat Shadow appeared with the other shadows along with all the Zhao Clan guards. Everyone was armed to the teeth. Fat Shadow looked to his children and noticed the pot of coffee and cup.
What the hell are those two doing?
Fat Shadow was about to yell at them when Tian Cai interrupted.
With inverted eyebrows, he said, "Open the F*cking Gates!"