Hu Jiao

Tian Cai trembled. The sun was talking to him?

"What, you don't know how to answer questions? How about I send over a flare and melt you as well as that place you're from?"

Bowing so deep he could see the edges of his buns, Tian Cai said, "Senior, this one begs forgiveness. This one was in shock at being spoken to."

"Yawn...I was happily dreaming with my brothers in the distant star sea and you broke my blissful rest."

"Senior this one is Zhao Tian Cai of Third Chaos Heaven."

"Since you woke me, you have any tea? Any offerings? How about wine? When one visits, don't they normally bring gifts?"

"Senior, this-this is not my physical form, so Junior apologizes as he was unable to bring anything."

"Eh! Well then how about you SCRAM!!"

Tian Cai woke up abruptly from his meditative state. A breath later he gasped because he saw scorch marks on the ground about him.

Suddenly, he heard running footsteps. "Little Brother, Small Shadow will save you!!!"

Splash!!

Water was thrown all over Tian Cai.

"Small Shadow!!" spat Tian Cai.

"Good Good, the fire's out!"

"Fire? What are you talking about?"

"Just know, Brother came looking for you and to his surprise he found you burning naked on the ground. Sister Gray also came but your nakedness scared her away. Therefore, it was up to Brother to save you."

Tian Cai spat again. The water had a foul smell about it.

"Just where did you get this water!?"

"There's that special tank right next to the latrine," replied Small Shadow.

"Small Shadow!!!! That's the dirty water from cleaning the Latrine!!!" roared Tian Cai.

An hour later, Tian Cai had bathed and changed into clean robes. As for Small Shadow, he sent him to go look for Sister Ling and Little Lord. Before the day got worse, he didn't want the bunny cutting a path through Savant City. Wouldn't the damages be astronomical?

No,w his priority was to absolutely get whatever offerings the Sun wanted. Who knows when Mu Huiqing's dear beloved would come looking for him. Grunting, he ran out to look for Alchemist Gu.

Soon, Tian Cai found him in the research area.

"Senior Gu, this Young Master has come to visit."

Alchemist Gu replied, "Young Zhao, you're here. Is there something this Alchemist can assist with?"

"Senior you're a learned man and were a student of Savant Academy. Have you ever heard of peoples in the Nine Heavens worshiping the sun. If so, how would they make offerings?"

Alchemist Gu chuckled, "Young Zhao, you're asking such a simple question? Isn't there the Temple in Savant City? On the north side is a shrine dedicated to the Sun Divinity. There, citizens make offerings."

Astonished, Tian Cai said, "Senior it can't be that simple? If it's true, then what type of offerings does the Sun Divinity prefer?"

"That? My apologizes, this Alchemist doesn't recall. Normally the stewards of each great clan send the offerings over to the Temple. Perhaps, the Zhao Clan steward would have the answer."

"We have a steward?"

Alchemist Gu said, "Young Zhao, isn't the Zhao Clan steward Scholar Jin? He's the one that found our Gu Family a courtyard."

Tian Cai smacked his head.

"Senior Gu, your right. This Young Master's mind today is a bit addled. Thank you for your assistance."

Tian Cai quickly ran off to find Scholar Jin. A few breaths later, he entered the Zhao Clan library.

Scholar Jin was at a desk in the corner actively copying a scroll.

Cupping his hands, Tian Cai said, "Scholar Jin, this Young Master has come to visit."

Scholar Jin quickly rose to is feet. Bowing he said, "Scholar Jin greets Youngest Master."

"This Young Master has a question regarding offerings to the Temple. Does our Zhao Clan send offerings to the Sun Divinity?"

"Of course. Youngest Master, you may not know but our Zhao Clan has long supported the Sun Divinity's shrine. Since time immemorial, our Zhao Clan has worshiped the Sun."

Tian Cai's eyes brightened. Finally, he was getting somewhere.

"Scholar Jin, what offerings does the Sun Divinity prefer?"

"Aged Fire Wine from Fifth Heaven."

"Where can this Young Master obtain such wine?" eagerly asked Tian Cai.

"Typically we special order it from the Ling Clan Merchants. Sometimes they have it in stock. Old Master greatly prefers that wine and will often buy it."

"Scholar Jin is there a ritual to making offerings?"

Standing up, Scholar Jin looked to a shelf. He was about to pick out a scroll when he remembered something important.

"Youngest Master, this one almost forgot. Recently, you've borrowed almost every technique in our library. Humbly, I ask when will you return them? Please note, many clan members rely on these manuals to improve their cultivation levels and techniques."

Sheepishly, Tian Cai scratched his head. "Ah, this Young Master has recently been overseeing many things. Me not returning those manuals was due to forgetfulness. My servants will return the manuals no later than tomorrow."

Steward Jin crossed his arms and started whistling.

Tian Cai's face contorted with dejection. Obviously, Steward Jin expected him to return the manuals right this instant.

Through gritted teeth, Tian Cai said, "Ha! How about we have those manuals returned right now?"

Opening the door, he peered out and called a servant over. "Inform Gray Shadow to have all the martial and cultivation manuals returned to the library as soon as possible," he commanded.

Turning about, Tian Cai smiled. "Scholar Jin, as you heard, all those manuals will be returned soon."

"And if we lend you our scroll, Rituals of Savant City, when will you return it?"

With a twitching eye, Tian Cai replied, "Ha! As soon as this Young Master completes his task. He'll send it back right away."

Peering with an arched eyebrow, Scholar Jin asked, "Promise??"

"Of course, the book will be returned in a couple of days at the most."

Sternly, Scholar Jin said, "Very Well."

Leaning over the shelf, he pulled out a set of ten scrolls.

"Scholar Jin, so many?" asked Tian Cai with surprise.

"This is an early edition copy especially prepared by the Temple. Youngest Master, please take the utmost care. These scrolls are 20,000 years old and the Clan paid 2 million spirit stones for them."

"2 million!!"

"As they are my responsibility, should they be damaged, the Matriarch will be greatly angered," said Scholar Jin, passing over the scrolls.

Tian Cai said, "Understood."

After carefully dropping the scrolls at his manor. Tian Cai immediately left for the Ling Clan. Arriving at the Main Hall, a servant announced him.

"Patriarch, Young Master Zhao has come to visit."

Ling Ming trembled. Small Disaster King was here!

Ling Ming quickly composed himself as the servant led Tian Cai in.

"Young Zhao, if your looking for our Ling Fan, she's currently visiting with her friend Mo Lai."

Cupping his hands, Tian Cai said, "Patriarch Ling, Zhao Tian Cai recognizes you. How are things? This Young Master has come to ask a favor."

"A favor from our Ling Clan?"

Tian Cai nodded his head. He was about to explain when Ling Wenyan stumbled through the door.

"Sister Lin, how are you over there?"

Ling Ming groaned. "Father, again?"

Tian Cai eyebrows curled in curiosity. "Senior this?"

"Lin Mingmei, did you have to leave Big Brother so early? Could you have not have taken me with you?"

Upon hearing Tian Cai's question, Ling Ming calculated with his fingers. "Damn, that day's here already?"

"Senior, what's this about?" asked Tian Cai.

"Ah Young Zhao, you have your grandmother's eyes," said Ling Wenyan.

"Father, leave him alone. Someone, come take Old Patriarch to rest," commanded Ling Wenyan.

Several servants ran in and helped Ling Wenyan stumble back to his room.

"Young Zhao, this Ling apologizes for Father's indiscretion. Just know, Father was referring to your late Grandmother Lin Mingmei. According to his old stories, he first had the honor of meeting your Grandmother on this day," said Ling Ming.

Tian Cai eyes blinked a couple of time. "Patriarch, your words are astounding...For your Father to be so attached so many years to my Grandmother.."

Ling Ming stiffened, "You don't know? Father and her were childhood sweethearts."

"Eh!"

"Indeed, he was 8 and she was 6 when they first met. Who would have known she would've grown up to be Savant City's Top Beauty."

"If they were childhood sweethearts, how did Grandmother end up with Grandfather?"

"The Empire was at war and the Clan was obligated to send men. Father was sent to represent our Ling Clan. During the Battle of Royal City, Father suffered a severe injury and was unconscious. The healers couldn't identify him. After several years everybody assumed he was dead. Finally Father regained conscious and return home. By that time it was too late. She had already married your grandfather."

Tian Cai shook. Inquisitively, he asked, "Patriarch Ling, were you named after my Grandmother?"

Ling Ming sighed deeply then nodded in affirmative. A couple of breaths of awkward silence, Ling Ming coughed and said, "Young Zhao you came for a favor. How can our Ling Clan help?"

"Ah! Patriarch Ling, thank you for reminding me. Do you have any Aged Fire Wine from Fifth Heaven in stock? If so, this Young Master will buy everything."

Ling Ming jolted, the light of green greed sparking to life.

"Someone, send for Manager Wu and ask him to bring the catalog."

"Ha! Are you buying your Grandfather the wine as a gift?" asked Ling Ming.

"Unfortunately no. The purchase is for this Young Master's own purposes."

Within ten breaths, Manager Wu came running in. "Patriarch you called?"

"Do we have any inventory of Aged Fire Wine from Fifth Heaven. Young Zhao is interested in purchasing whatever stock we have."

Nodding with understanding, Manager Wu quickly started perusing the catalog. "Here...we currently do have Aged Fire Wine in stock...2 cases. It should be 2 cases. Eh?"

"What's the matter?" asked Ling Ming.

Manager Wu replied, "The passage between Fourth and Fifth Heaven closes in about 30 days. This means we won't be able to renew our stock for at least 50 years. Normally, as a result the price rises three fold."

"What is the asking price?" asked Tian Cai.

Manager Wu looked to Ling Ming who nodded his consent. "450 Spirit Stone a jar."

Ling Ming was about to open the door to negotiation when Tian Cai handed over his Black Bank Card.

"I'll take them all right now."

Cha-Ching!

Both Ling Ming's and Manager Wu's eyes glittered like money signs.

Manager Wu hand swiped the card faster than a blinking eye. "Young Master Zhao, allow this Manager to quickly process this sell."

Turning about he quickly ran out in glee.

"He seem's like a happy man," commented Tian Cai.

Ling Ming sighed. "All our Ling Managers receive generous commissions for their sales." Suddenly, he slapped his forehead. "Oh my, what if your Grandfather comes looking to buy wine. It has to be said, he gets ornery when we don't have the wine in stock."

Tian Cai shook his head. What was he going to do with that old man?

"It's guaranteed for a Month he won't be knocking at your door looking for wine. He currently has much, much more serious concerns to worry about."

Ling Ming chuckled, "This Ling is indeed impressed. To think that old man still has it in him to still produce descendants....legendary. However, he must've been severely drunk to have relations with Hu Jiao."

Tian Cai's eyes shot up. "Eh! The news is already out? What do you mean Hu Jiao?"

"Mhm. You haven't heard of Crooked Nose Hu Jiao?"