Nostalgia

Hearing that Little Lord was heading to the Ling Clan, Tian Cai was about to make a move when it dawned on him, this could be an opportunity for some freedom. However, his hopes vanished like smoke.

Boom!

Small Shadow screamed, "You! Get Youngest Master! Lord Godkiller just blasted his way into the Ling Clan."

Quickly, putting the baskets of honey cakes down, Tian Cai said, "Big Sis, Brother will have to retrieve these later!"

Tian Cai shot a way like fire sparking his buns. "Little Lord!!!!"

Bai Guang pondered whether she should chase after, however a honey cake caught her eye. "Oh did you reveal yourself on purpose little one? What, are you saying you want to be eaten?"

Suddenly, the young girl stiffened. She felt a razor like gaze on her back. She gulped in trepidation, realizing it was her Master. Long ago, Zhao Wen had appeared and noticed her disciple with several baskets of honey cakes.

"Guang'er you think Master wouldn't notice...Didn't I forbid you to eat honey cakes for two months. Recently, have you not gained weight exponentially?"

"M-Master it-it's not like that...Disciple was.."

"Humph! Master believes you are ready for the new training program she has just prepared for you. I'll say this once, when you're done, you will be like a new person."

Bai Guang's face blackened.

About an hour later, Tian Cai returned from the Ling Clan with Little Lord. Veins of dejection riddled his face. Earlier Little Lord had greatly damaged Ling Fan's abode. Then that idiot Mu Donghai nearly caused the apocalypse. Clearly, the men of the Mu Clan weren't as talented in the brains as the women. Tian Cai's eyes misted over as he recalled Mu Fiance. Always, he remembered her brewing the coffee...wasn't it the best? Little Lord squirmed and jolted the boy back to reality.

Tian Cai shuddered. The squirming just reminded him how he had to take the little bugger to the bushes. In fact, if his hands were free he would be rubbing out a hole in his glabella. Wasn't he now a million spirit stones poorer? Sighing heavily at the loss, Tian Cai could only grit his teeth. Ling Fan was more than mightily upset. But what really ticked Tian Cai was the fact that Little Lord listened to her orders and not his. Apparently, the commands of the father were nothing compared to Little Lord's mother. *1

"Dadda, son hungry."

OMFG!

With a thick vein popping across his forehead, Tian Cai was about to give it to Little Lord, when Zhao Chen and Yueng He-ping strode into his courtyard.

Clearing his throat, Zhao Chen said, "You asked to see us?"

Yueng He-ping shifted nervously upon hearing Fish 1's address. He was more concerned about Little Lord's reaction. In fact, a terribly cold shiver ran down his spine like a sharp blade. A moment later, realizing there was no reaction from both Lord Godkiller and Young Zhao, Yuen He-ping breathed the deepest sigh of relief. Not even a second later, he shot a look Fish 1. Was his Big Brother's status so special, he could speak with familiarity to Young Zhao?*2

The peerless light of idolatry blazed in Yueng He-ping's eyes.

"It's good you two are here...tomorrow we will be leaving for Shadow Hell Forest. Someone! Lord Godkiller is hungry."

Upon hearing Tian Cai, servants scurried away to fulfill his command.

Inwardly, Zhao Chen felt like a mountain had been lifted from his shoulders. With his Mother wanting to beat him silly over the issue of Hu Jiao, he desperately wanted to leave. Not to mention Chief Hu was already asking for a marriage date. At that point, would't his lazy free days be over?*3

"Young Zhao, we are to travel to Shadow Hell Forest?" asked Yueng He-ping.

"Both Scholar Gu and I have business there. As Alchemist Gu needs to monitor the testing, you two will be joining us. Please prepare yourselves."

"Ah this, this one needs to seek permission from his Fierce Leader."

"You mean Miss Ling Hua?" Inquired Tian Cai.

Yueng He-ping nodded in response.

"Ah, then go seek permission now....Ah wait..this. Erm, you wouldn't perhaps know what Miss Ling Hua likes? Later this evening, Big Brother Zhao Ding will be meeting her. He plans on giving her a gift or two."

Yueng He-ping trembled. Did this mean, Zhao Clan's unfathomable savant and his Fierce Leader would finally become a couple!?

Fierce Leader!!

Upon seeing Yueng He-ping's reaction, Tian Cai's eyebrow curled in curiosity. "Fish 2, are you unwell?"

"Ah this! Er-no! I was just attempting to recall the things that Fierce Leader likes."

Motioning with a hand, Tian Cai said, "Do tell, after all there only so many hours in day left for Big Brother Zhao Ding to prepare."

Zhao Ding, nudged Yueng He-ping. "Second Brother, hurry and tell after all, isn't Zhao Ding your savior? Surely, he'll remember well if you are able to assist."

Fierce Leader, just what does she like? Yueng He-ping scrunched his eyes, recalling every detail that he could remember about the Fierce Leader.

One theme appeared to stand out with regards to her tastes. Certain words, he remembered very well. Ling Fan's voice echoed across several memories.

"This Leader can only cut you!"

"I'll cut open you're stomach and pull out your intestines one-by-one."

"I'll cut you!!"

Sheepishly scratching his head, Yueng He-ping said, "Fierce Leader, she-she likes to cut things."

Eh!?

Both Grandfather and Grandson looked at each other. What did he just say?

"My words...don't misunderstand. Fierce Leader's weapon of choice is the sword. I'm sure the thing she would appreciate the most is the sharpest blade you can find."

Tian Cai chuckled. For some reason, the image that came to mind was when he first saw Ling Fan crouching with her sword. Back then, didn't he use to call her Little Killer? Hadn't he thought she represented a future calamity and he needed to end her?

Still chuckling with nostalgia, Tian Cai said, "Fish 2, thank you. I'll relay your words to Big Brother...I'm sure he'll be able to find her a suitable sword."

Yueng He-ping bowed. "Young Zhao, Master Zhao Ding is my savior. Any help I can provide, I will do so. Now, then please excuse me."

After Yueng He-ping left, Zhao Chen asked, "Cai'er just now, did he say a funny?"

"Even though he was speaking of Ling Hua, for some reason I thought of Sister Ling Fan. Specifically, when I first met her...In my eyes,I thought her to be a little killer."

Zhao Chen shook his head. Recalling the adorable little face of Ling Fan and her mask, he could only see her as the spitting image of her mother. Thinking of those days, reminded him of his wife.

Before he could dwell deeper on his thought, Tian Cai said, "Grandfather, the other day, Grandson briefly met with Chief Hu. You may not have heard, but many rumors were spreading regarding you and your relations with Hu Jiao. Grandson went to the Swallow Tail Inn to squash those rumors permanently."

Zhao Chen jolted, "Rumors?"

"Mhm...mainly about Crooked Nose Hu Jiao finally finding a man."

"Crooked Nose!?"

SMACK!

Tian Cai's eyes dilated. Zhao Chen had just smacked is own head.

"Now I remember....for days Grandfather was trying to recall why he remembered her name so well. No wonder she always wore a veil."

Tian Cai shook his head. Just now, he promised himself to always control his drinking. It was best to never ever find himself in the same predicament as his grandfather.

"Grandfather, Grandson wants to ask...just what will you do about her?"

Without skipping a beat, his Grandfather said, "I'll bring her here. As the mother to your future uncle, her and the child deserve an honorable place."

Tian Cai stiffened, eyes moistened. In his past life, if only he had a parent like that. He wouldn't have grown up so alone...He wouldn't have felt unworthy."

"Cai'er, Grandfather hopes you will support him. After we return, I will set the Marriage date. Mother and Daughter may object, at that time...Grandfather hopes you will intercede on his behalf."

Intercede? Meee!?

"You should also know that your Uncle Qiang wasn't happy from the news at all. He was very close to your Grandmother. In fact, some would say he was a Momma's boy."

"Grandfather this...just how do you want me to intercede? Wait, did you just call Uncle Qiang a Momma's boy?"

Zhao Chen sighed, "Cai'er if Grandfather speaks, he certainly will be beaten into a pancake. Indeed, the Uncle Qiang you see now is nothing like his younger days. In fact, his personality didn't change until after your Grandmother's death."

"Grandfather, just how did she..."

"You....You ask your Mother to detail the story, Grandfather can't ever speak of it. Since those two love you so dearly, even if they beat you, they won't kill you. I on the other hand...No, won't do it. I won't send myself to death."

Tian Cai's eyes popped in alarm. You want me to send myself to get beaten?

Little Lord suddenly sat up.

Not even half a breath later, Zhu Shensheng appeared with Junjie. "Big Brother! Sister has come to visit," snorted the Divine Pig.

Upon seeing the two pigs and how they ignored him, Zhao Chen said, "Cai'er, do Little Lord's disciples not understand my status. If Little Lord thinks of you as father, shouldn't they recognized me as the Grandfather?"

Tian Cai's eye twitched. How was he going to explain, they weren't Little Lord's disciples but his juniors. More importantly, wasn't his Grandfather risking Divine Punishment!?"

"Little Genius, its good you are here, Teacher has some things to ask you. Earlier, she was discussing things with Mu Donghai."

"Cai'er have those two recognize Grandfather properly. If not, punish them accordingly."

Snorting, Shensheng said, "Old fart, enjoy life as a fly for awhile."

"NOOOOOO!" Tian. Before, he could even act, Zhao Chen's body slumped to the ground.

Grunting vigorously, Junjie miraculously brought out a jar of flies.

"F*cking Geezer, you dare offend my Queen!"

Zsst..Poof!!

Junjie squealed. He just found the tip of his tail burned off.

Eyes flashing red, Little Lord hissed, "Little Punk, that's my Great Grandfather!"