Holy Warrant

The Heavenly Snow Phoenix shifted.

"Sister Zhao, a Divine Pact?"

The viewer nodded, "Mhm...Sister proposes our clans enter a pact. Firstly, immediately end all hostilities and exchange prisoners. Second, once we enter the Nine Chaos Heavens, we end the war."

"These two conditions alone do not require a Divine Pact," commented the Heavenly Snow Phoenix.

"Your assumption is correct. It may be millenniums upon millenniums before our clans can return home. During that period, either clan may fall and no longer be a tenth of its past glory. Sister wants to place a seed to ensure the future of the clan. It is this small chance....this one hope...I want to leave for the future generations....."

Tian Cai's Ancestor paused a bit before continuing, "The purpose of the Divine Contract is to protect our legacies. We leave copies of our clan's core arts with the other for safeguarding...to hand down to our descendants...to give them a chance to return home."

The Heavenly Snow Phoenix's eyes constricted, "In this way, each will not dare reveal nor attempt to steal the core art?"

The Ancestor nodded her head.

"This may not be enough to convince my Big Brother."

"What if each side agrees to help the other in times of crisis once? We can negotiate ..."

The memory became garbled at this point. However, Tian Cai was able to see some glimpses and indeed a pact had been agreed to. His eyes flickered as he mulled a bit.

Seeing that her son hadn't responded to her question, Zhao Wen asked, "Cai'er, are you unwell?"

Shaking his head, he replied, "It's not that...just now when you said Heavenly Snow Phoenix, Mom triggered a memory."

"Memory?"

In the next few breaths, Tian Cai explained the contents of the memory. Zhao Wen's mouth hung in disbelief. Their Ancestor led the clan to the Nine Chaos Heavens to seek refuge from an enemy known as the Fiend Race? Long ago, their clan used to be mortal enemies with the Yue Clan?

"Mom, has some heirloom been handed down between the Zhao Clan patriarchs...It should be a jade box embroidered with images of snow phoenixes? In it should be the core inheritances of the Heavenly Snow Phoenix. If Sister Ling Fan already inherited the innate skill of the Heavenly Snow Phoenix, perhaps she has some relationship with the Yue Clan."

"Yue..Yue..Yue!" Suddenly, Zhao Wen recalled pertinent information about Ling Fan's mother. Her grandmother was from 4th Heaven's Yue Clan.

"Cai'er she may be a descendant of the Yue Clan, her maternal grandmother was from the Yue Clan."

Tian Cai's eyes widened. Was there such a coincidence? If she was, then wouldn't this be an opportunity for Ling Fan to inherit the arts of Divinities?

"Mom, you must find the box, it may be a fortunate event for Sister Ling Fan."

"Mhm. It's necessary to confer with Grandmother...she surely must know something about the box. Cai'er, Mom will go now and investigate,"

Swoosh!

Just as quickly as she appeared, Zhao Wen flashed away in an instant.

Tian Cai helplessly, shook his head. Why was everything about Ling Fan today? He grumbled in frustration. But then, he almost forgot..What about Ling Hua's gift!?

"Youngest Master, this Scholar has come to visit," said, Scholar Jin.

Tian Cai shook. The old fart didn't come to start the tutorial sessions, right?*1

Chuckling lightly, he was prepared to make a move when Scholar Jin said, "Youngest Master, this Scholar heard you were traveling and felt the need to warn you."

"Warn me?"

Scholar Jin nodded somberly. "Our Matriarch may not have passed this information to you, however we avoided a calamity earlier. While you were being blessed by the Sun Divinity, Vice Temple Master Jun discovered the nude dancers."

Tian Cai scratched his head, perplexed why Scholar Jin would want to discuss such a thing.

"The truth of the matter is their participation wasn't part of the original ritual. Thus, the Vice Temple Master was enraged. This deviation in the ritual is considered an act of blasphemy."

Tian Cai's eyes blinked for a moment. "Scholar Jin, as I am still 5 years old, perhaps I fail to comprehend how this is related to me?"

"Ah, that's right you may not know, it's against the Law to commit an act of blasphemy. In fact, Vice Temple Master Jun was about to report it to the Temple Master and this Scholar was almost arrested."

"Arrested!? The matter is actually that serious?"

"The Divinities truly chose to intervene on our behalf. If the matter was reported to the Capital's Grand Temple, a Holy Warrant calling for our arrest, would've been issued."

Flabbergasted, Tian Cai asked, "There's such a thing?"

"Youngest Master, as you know you are already Savant's City most wanted. With a Holy Warrant, hunters would chase us throughout the Empire. In addition, most subjects of a Holy Warrant, are never brought to the Grand Temple in one piece."*2

"Scholar Jin, how is that we are to blame?"

Sighing, Scholar Jin replied, "This has do with Patriarch Zhao Deiming. As Old Matriarch constantly watched his behavior, he sought ways to obscure his activities from her eyes. Therefore, he's the one responsible for changing the ritual."

"Shameless..Unforgivable!!" spat Tian Cai.

"Fortunately, before Vice Temple Master Jun pursued the matter, he was conveniently reminded that our Zhao Clan is the Temple's biggest donor."

Rolling his eyes, Tian Cai asked, "And in this way, we were able to avoid this calamity? If so, then why is there a need to warn me?"

"Youngest Master is correct. The need lies with the fact that you are visiting the monks in Shadow Hell Valley. They are notorious for their strict piety. If they find out what occurred at the temple, or any of your actions are construed as blasphemous....it will be a storm of troubles."

"Their beliefs are that rigid? How come my Mother didn't relate this information," asked Tian Cai.

"Matriarch intended to inform you of the incident. Most probably, she's unfamiliar with the monks and is oblivious as to why they need to be treated delicately."

"If this Young Master missteps, then we may not obtain the help we need, if so..."

Tian Cai's eyes moistened. Fei Hung, Brother won't allow failure. I will bring you back. Both Mother and I are waiting for you.*3

Looking up, Tian Cai said, "Scholar Jin, go make plans. You will be joining us on the trip to Shadow Hell Forest."

"Eh?"

"You think Uncle Qiang or the others will be capable of negotiating with those monks? This trip must absolutely be a success. You going, is a must."

Realizing Tian Cai's words were true, Scholar Jin sighed in resignation.

"Youngest Master, it can only be so. As such, this Scholar will go prepare."

Scholar Jin just turned about to leave, when Tian Cai asked, "Scholar Jin, does the clan have any sharp swords?"

Tian Cai chuckled inwardly, recalling Yueng He—ping's words about Ling Hua.

'She likes to cut things.'

What an interesting woman...What's she like in person?...Is she really as beautiful as they say she is?

"Ah, Youngest Master must be looking for a weapon for the trip. If so, why not go to the Zhao Clan Warehouses? There should be plenty of weapons there."

"Clan warehouses?"

Carefully, Scholar Jin glanced about to ensure privacy. With a wink, he softly said, "Those warehouses are where we store things, whose owners suddenly suffer mishaps."

Tian Cai gritted his teeth. Weren't those the people that dared to file complaints against the clan? Wasn't he the youngest master of a gangster clan? Things needed changing.

"So it's like that. Where are these warehouses?"

Scholar Jin reflected a strange look.

"Did I misspeak?" asked Tian Cai.

Clearing his throat, the old scholar said, "It's not that Youngest Master...It's just that Gray and Small Shadows are well acquainted with the warehouses. You need only ask them to escort you."

Tian Cai grumbled inwardly. Apparently, there were some things I don't know about those two. They better not be stone cold killers.

"So it's like that...then feel free to go prepare for tomorrow. We leave directly from Dragon Claw Cliff when Uncle Qiang finishes his dueling."

"Then this Scholar humbly takes his leave."

"Sister Gray, Brother Small....are you there?" called Tian Cai.

The shadows in the courtyard fleeted and shuffled about.

Swoosh!

Wind buffeted Tian Cai as the siblings appeared.

"Little Brother you called," asked Gray Shadow.

Tian Cai's eyebrows curled. Their robes were a bit ruffled and marked with dirt spots and scuffs.

"Humph! We're you two fighting again? Is this something, your Father needs telling...HUH?"

Gray Shadow said, "It's not like that...we were making preparations in preparation of Senior Mu's arrival."

"What's this have to do with that fool?"

The pair's eyes popped in surprise. Youngest Master didn't like Mu Donghai?

Small Shadow answered, "Little Brother you may not know, but Big Sis and I have learned the Mu family is a clan of clean freaks. We were expecting Senior Mu to arrive and immediately start evaluating the manor's state. Therefore, we've been cleaning in inconceavable ways."

Tian Cai's nodded in agreement. Perhaps Mu Huiqing was crazy, but she sure knew how to clean well.

Eyes gleaming with hope, Gray Shadow asked, "Is Senior Mu not staying in your abode? Why did that psycho b*...er..Senior Mu Huiqing leave so abruptly?"

"It's not that In-law won't be staying here...it's that he's unable to. Earlier, he infuriated Little Lord and was almost sliced in half. He'll probably die if he visits while Little Lord is present."

The siblings hearts skipped. Could it be? Their nightmare was finally over??

"Therefore, Senior Mu will be staying next door with the Ling Can. Sister Gray, he's a Talisman Master, please remind Matriarch at your convenience. Senior Mu should be more than happy to assist if needed."

At this point, wet joyful tears dripped endlessly from their faces.

Tian Cai continued, "Sister Gray, as Brother Small Shadow will be accompanying me, then of course things at the Manor will be under your care. Please ensure that Alchemist Liu has all the resources she needs to grow the trees. Also, please closely watch Big Sis Bai."

Tian Cai sighed. The pair were actually hugging each other in glee. Wasn't this how sibling love should be?

Suddenly, he was reminded of his in-law Mu Huiqing. Why did she leave? Shouldn't she have said her goodbyes first?