Old Condition

What's this in my hand?

Tian Cai peered down and most certainly, he didn't expect to see the mass of flesh in hand.

Startled, he yelped and tossed the thing high in the air.

Oblivious to the direction, Tian Cai desperately was searching for a washbin.

In comparison, the horror continued for the spectators. In fact, that mass of flesh was flung their way.

Roars exploded, martial auras bursting like no other, as citizens vacated the air in screaming whizzes and whooshes. Surprisingly, this catalyst would cause many to break their limits and reach new heights in cultivation.

In the future, that portion of the street would lose all business and become a publicly known forbidden zone. Eventually, citizens would petition the City Lord to raze the street and rebuild.

For now, shock paralyzed the brawlers.

Gray Shadow was the first to recover her composure.

"Surrender! Or suffer the same fate!" she roared.

Clang! Clang! Thud! Thud!

Black Spear Gang members and Evil Snake Mercenaries dropped their weapons and collapsed without blinking to their knees. Sweat pooled about each man, as fear gripped their souls like a cold fist.

"Wash basin! This Young Master wants a wash basin and f*cking new robes now!!!"

Small Shadow disappeared with a burst of shadows. Two breaths later, he appeared with the requested items.

Gray Shadow roared, "Surround Youngest Master and grant him privacy!"

"Youngest Master is Mighty!" Exclaimed the Zhao Clan Members. With a blur, they surrounded Tian Cai. In their eyes, gleamed a new level of fanaticism.

"F*ck! Disgusting!" exclaimed Tian Cai as he washed and changed.

Lieutenant Cao shouted orders.

"Call the cleaners! Remove the bodies! Arrest those bastards! Luckily, they've all just been recruited to rebuild our prison."

Chief Hu also blurted commands. Seeing as the Evil Snake Mercenaries were no more, now was the time for him to act.

"Five Tigers, heed my command! We go to take over the Evil Snake Mercenary headquarters. Go!"

Cupping his hands towards Tian Cai, Chief Hu said, "Young Zhao, forgive this King for leaving early. Later he'll pay a visit."

Yueng He-ping slipped next to Small Shadow.

"Little Brother, Youngest Master? What-What technique did he just use? This King can only sense a Martial Intiate aura from him?"

Before Small Shadow could offer a comment, Tian Cai came out in new robes.

"Burn these damn clothes!!!"

Straightening his robes a bit, Small Disaster King sauntered over. Behind him, men scrambled to fulfill his command.

Yueng He-ping's eyes constricted.

A five year old was so interprid and noble? For a fleeting moment, an image appeared in his mind. This vision was a picture of Tian Cai and Ling Fan standing side by side.

If those two ever became a pair?

"Fish 2, this Young Master thanks you for your support. Just now, Godkiller sent a subordinate to guard in the shadows. That subordinate acted in secret and ended things in our favor."

Godkiller has subordinates!

"Lord Godkiller is mighty!" fanatically roared the Zhao Clan Guards.

"It must be those two pigs that are always following Lord Godkiller," offered one guard.

"Those two?"

"To think I almost kicked that ugly boar the other day?"

Suddenly, the Zhao Clan guards shivered with realization. Taking those animals for granted...DANGEROUS!

After a breath, Yueng He-ping nodded. "So that's how it is...this King understands now."

A city guard ran up to Lieutenant Cao. Pointing to the center of the newly minted forbidden zone, he asked, "Lieutenant, what should be done about that?"

Lieutenant Cao's eyes popped. "Burn it fool! Find the highest flame and burn it man!"

Glancing at the Swallow Tail Inn, Yueng He-ping asked, "Young Zhao, now that the Black Spear Gang is no more, what should be done about their properties?"

Tian Cai's eyes suddenly brightened. Wouldn't this be an opportune time?

Clearing his throat, he said, "Fish 2, earlier you said you were Fierce Leader's subordinate. On behalf of Big Brother Zhao Ding, this Young Master offers them as gift for her."

Master Zhao Ding? Gift?

In many eyes, Yueng He-ping wasn't viewed as the smartest. However, even his brain deduced Fierce Leader and Master Zhao Ding had a special relationship.

All this time, hadn't he been foolish for not realizing sooner?

Yueng He-ping bowed deeply. "This King graciously accepts Master Zhao Ding's gift. Our Fierce Leader, will be greatly pleased."

Tian Cai beamed a bright smile. Nodding contently he said, "Good Good Good."

Turning to the Lieutenant, Tian Cai said, "Lieutenant Cao, our Zhao Clan thanks you greatly for standing for justice. Later, this Young Master will relate your heroic deeds to Uncle."

Lieutenant Cao chortled mightily. In his mind, coin purse upon coin purse were piling up in a mountain before him.

"Young Zhao, our City Guard stands for justice. How can we not punish such foul persons as the Evil Snake Mercenaries."

Tian Cai chuckled, knowing very well of the Lieutenant's special relationship with Uncle Qiang.

"Fish 2, please do this Young Master a favor. For a month, allow Lieutenant Cao and his men to drink for free."

Lieutenant Cao and his men eyes's sparkled with delight. A month's free of drinking? Just now, didn't their actions prove beyond fruitful?

Yueng He-ping cupped his hands to Lieutenant Cao, "We will be honored by your patronage."

"In the future, if your Swallow Tail Inn has issues, just call on this Lieutenant!"

Gray Shadow whispered into Yueng He-ping's ear. "Isn't this a good time to build relations for your Fierce Leader? Shouldn't you offer a carrot and earn points with her?"

Yueng He-ping eyes popped. He nodded furiously at Gray Shadow. "You...You enjoy a month's free drinking as well."

Turning to Lieutenant Cao, Yueng He-ping said, "Lieutenant, why don't we take this time to become close friends? After the the month's up, this King will offer you and your men a 20% discount across the board?"

Tian Cai shot a thumbs up at Gray Shadow.

Isn't that my Sister Gray.

Small Shadow groaned in disbelief an envy.

Endless chortles erupted from Lieutenant Cao and his men.

"Why don't me and my men help you clean the place up!! Men, go!!!"

Tian Cai said, "Fish 2, seeing as you have business, we'll allow you to remain and manage things. Sister Gray, stay and help a bit. Enjoy some wine."

Gray Shadow exclaimed, "MHM!!"

Cupping his hands, Tian Cai said, "Seniors, this Young Master still has business. Thank you! Chief Gu...Small Shadow, to the Temple!"

About thirty minutes later, Tian Cai arrived at the Temple. Surprisingly, their path was free and clear of any traffic. Long ago, word spread that the Legacy Killer Reborn, Small Disaster King, was making his way towards the Temple. Normally, the street would be milling with throngs of people. However, today would become one of the worst business days in Savant City's history. In the city's archives, the Brawl at Swallow Tail Inn would go down in infamy as 'The Dark Brawl'.

Before the Temple entrance, waited Scholar Jin and a throng of people. Amongst the group were six hooded figures. A cart contained the wine and other necessities for the ritual.

Scholar Jin cupped his hands, "Youngest Master, greetings."

Prayers hollered out from the confines of the Temple.

"Lord, protect my hubby from the likes of the Legacy Killer and her son!"

"Oh Great Divinities, I will kneel for ten days. This Master begs you to save the city from Small Disaster King."

Earlier, a Temple Acolyte alerted the higher ups that Tian Cai had arrived.

Vice Temple Master Jun came running out.

Sporting a happy smile, he looked at Tian Cai like he was a heavenly treasure.

"Young Zhao, our Temple welcomes you. Ha! Thanks to you, we just received ten years worth of alms."

Tian Cai's face contorted with dejection. Although he supported religious rights, weren't these people saying prayers against him?

Master Jun continued, "Normally when a family or clan arrives to perform a ritual, we ask for a small donation. However, seeing how you greatly bring rewards to our worship...happily will forgo the requirement."

Scholar Jin rolled his eyes. How many times had he personally handed the man a coin purse?

Smiling with a twitching eyes, Tian Cai said, "Vice Temple Master, our Zhao Clan thanks you for your benevolence."

"Please, Young Zhao, happily will we escort you to the Sun Shrine."

A few breaths later, they arrived to the Sun Shrine. It was an interesting and very, very bright place. On the altar stood a sun shaped white jade. A series 36 bronze mirrors pointed light at the jade. As a result, the white jade blazed in pure sacred glory.

Scholar Jin commanded, "Unpack the wine and organize them on the altar. Dancers and musicians prepare!"

The hooded figure disrobed, revealing the figures of alluring women. Muscians quickly tested their intruments.

Scholar Jin took out a large green jade bowl. "Youngest Master, our Zhao Clan brought this from Sixth Heaven. It has been passed down since ancient times."

Tian Cai accepted the bowl and carefully examined it.

So this is a drinking cup for a god?

Once, the music starts and the dancers begin, then you may pour the first cup. Afterwards, you open all the other jars. If our offering has acceptance, there will be phenomena. At that time, you may make your request."

"It's that simple?" asked Tian Cai?

Scholar Jin chuckled, "Since early times there has only been a response twice. Never has our clan been graced by such an event."

Suddenly, Tian Cai realized something.

"Scholar Jin, if you knew the ritual already, how come you had this Young Master read the rituals?"

"Youngest Master, as a Scholar, its my duty to educate our future Patriarch in the rituals of the Divinities. If I hadn't done so, would you ever have taken the initiative to learn the rites? More importantly, would you ever have returned our clan's manuals?"

Tian Cai's face scrunched. How long had it been since a teacher had bested him?

Scholar Jin continued, "Seeing as Youngest Master is barely five years old, one would expect you not to drink the wine. Still be warned, the Sun Divinity very much loves his wine. You sip, you may be cursed."

"Rest assured," said Tian Cai. He was about to comment further however his eyes suddenly exploded.

A dancer had completely removed everything, including her under garments.

"By the Divinities, what are my innocent eyes seeing!" cried Small Shadow.

As Tian Cai jaw dropped into a giant O, he suffered his old condition...lockjaw.