Ling Hua Exposed

Small and Gray Shadows led Tian Cai to a warehouse. Soon they went to another to search and then another. After an hour, Tian Cai was visibly frustrated.

"Nothing!"

On the side, Gray and Small Shadows were sighing in relief. During the search for a sword, Tian Cai had actually tested several swords. The siblings were the thankful the quality was subpar as his testing method was questionable.

Gu Jin asked, "Junior Gray, does Youngest Master typically test swords by trying to stab himself? If so, it has to be said...he's not in his right mind and this should be reported to the Matriarch. At the very least, we must prevent him from harming himself."

Small Shadow nodded in agreement. Gray Shadow's hand twitched as she struggled to not smack the back of his head. Shouldn't he be supporting Youngest Master, regardless of his idiosyncrasies?

You just wait and see. Later, Sister will buy that under armor and see how you look in it.

"Senior Gu, you saw for yourself. None of those weapons were even capable of scratching Little Brother," replied Gray Shadow.

"This King cannot debate your words."

While they were talking, a thick vein of frustration was forming on Tian Cai's forehead. He kept looking up in the sky. There simply wasn't enough time. Where would he find a suitable sword? Mayhap he should look for something else. Jewelry? All women liked jewelry, correct?"

Beating his brain, a small glimpse of a memory kindled like a small flame.

Tian Cai shook. There's a sword that was handed down as part of the inheritance of the Heavenly Snow Phoenix!

Roaring, he said, "GO!"

Startled, everyone jumped! They were discussing a safer method for testing swords when Tian Cai surprised them all.

"What're standing about like fools for? There's no time left, return to the Clan, NOW!"

Swoosh!

The earth started shaking as Tian Cai sped off without them. Martial auras burst all around. The siblings collapsed into shadows and fleeted after Tian Cai.

"Follow!" roared Gu Jin.

In Zhao Wen's courtyard, Shadow Six and Fat Shadow stood in conference with Zhao Jia and Zhao Wen.

Zhao Jia's anger had been smoldering for awhile now like a long slow roast. The urge to drag Zhao Wen over to the Heavenly Punishing Wall and imprint her face was growing stronger by the minute.

Zhao Wen actually sweated slightly. How long had it been since she felt pressured by her grandmother? Wasn't this a sign that her cultivation had grown?

"Now that everyone is here, it's time to pass on some important news. However, you must sign a Divine Contract and never speak of these secrets to others."

Everyone jolted. A secret so severe, it required a Divine Contract?

Shadow Six spoke first. "Does this have to do with Mother's unhappiness? Since Uncle arrived, her anger's been growing? Uncle wants an explanation."

"Lord Uncle, you are correct. Niece must divulge a secret that justifies my action earlier."

"Humph! That shameless child! She dared to defy you! Why didn't you end her?" spat Zhao Jia.

Fat Shadow said, "Someone dared to disrespect the Matriarch! Who was it? This King will take all the shadows and end them."

Shadow Six patted Fat Shadow's should. "Child calm down. When have you ever seen Honorable Niece restrain herself? Surely, she has reason?"

Fat Shadow stiffened. Half a breath later, he said, "Ancestor is wise."

Disappointment marked Zhao Jia's face. She was planning on accompanying Fat Shadow to ensure the completion of the deed.

Bringing out a Divine Contract, Zhao Wen said, "Sign this and promise to never divulge the secret. Then, I will clarify everything."

Fat Shadow looked at Shadow Six.

Nodding, the later said, "Do it...this will be an even greater lesson for you."

Soon, everyone had stamped the contract. Rolling it up, Zhao Wen cleared her throat.

"The truth is that Little Lord is not Lord Godkiller. Also, those two pigs are not his disciples...."

For the next few breaths, Zhao Wen explained the existence of the Divine Kings and Queens.

Zhao Jia, Shadow Six and Fat Shadow stood gobsmacked. Despite the statuses and cultivation levels....despite the years of experience....weren't they still frogs at the bottom of the well?

Zhao Jia was the first to recover. "This old lady admits, this knowledge that Little Lord and that Pig are Divine Beings is beyond comprehension....but-but what's this have to do with you not ending Ling Hua?"

"Grandmother did you not hear that child Ling Fan? Didn't she say Ling Hua was the pig's disciple? Killing her guarantees the end of our Zhao Clan."

Zhao Wen, Shadow Six, and Fat Shadow jolted. Zhao Jia's reaction shocked them. For her to feel this way?

Zhao Jia's eyes popped out and her face visibly blanched to the color of snow.

Iron plate....iron plate. The words repeated endlessly, in Zhao Jia's mind.

Shadow Six eyebrows raised. "Mother are you unwell. Why end that lass Ling Hua?"

Zhao Wen sighed upon hearing his question. "Cai'er setup a date with her tonight. Fat Shadow, what do know about her? Do you have a portrait?"

This!

"So it's about Little Nephew. Mother should I tell her?"

Zhao Jia gasped, "Son already knows?"

"Mhm..Isn't so not the eyes and ears of the clan?"

Zhao Wen's eyes constricted. "Tell me now, what is it that I don't know."

Zhao Jia sighed, "Ling Hua is actually the Wine Master, who in turn is actually Ling Fan."

EH!!!!!!

Zhao Wen's locked a steely gaze on Fat Shadow. "And you didn't pass on this information?"

Shadow Six stepped in front of Fat Shadow. "If you must blame someone, then blame Uncle. It was I who knew and failed to mention it to him."

A knot formed in Fat Shadow's throat. Ancestor!!

"Humph!"

Zhao Wen looked away in a huff.

In a tiny voice that all could hear, Zhao Jia said, "Wen'er you-you just saved us all. Later, Grandmother was planning on sending your Father over to erase her."

Zhao Wen trembled with the news. Not half a breath later, she chuckled.

In the distance, a shrub flared into powder. "Are you mocking Grandmother!!"

"Grandmother, we must certainly be connected by blood. Later, Granddaughter was planning on sending the Five Shadows over to end her."

Shadow Six shot a look at Fat Shadow. The women in this family are crazies!

Fat Shadow nodded, understanding his Ancestor's intention.

Zhao Jia sighed, "It's good...It's good that we talked first."

Everybody victoriously nodded in agreement.

"Knowing now that Ling Hua is rally Ling Fan....this Mother knows not what to think? We promised Huizhong to marry Cai'er, who wouldn't approve of such a loving Empyrean for a daughter-in-law," said Zhao Wen.

Shadow Six chuckled, "Mother, Niece...you both are overthinking it. In reality, Zhao Ding and Ling Hua have never met. Both don't know who the other really is. If you are really against their courtship, why not keep this secret at costs? Why not make sure, they never meet in person?"

This!!

"Can it be so simple?" asked Zhao Jia.

"We may be able to rely on this method somewhat. However, you all must know two important facts. First, Little Lord views Ling Fan as his mother. Second, Little Lord is her Master's Senior. In fact, he's considered part of the upper ranks of the Divine Beings."

"Wine! Bring me the biggest jar you find!" commanded Zhao Jia.

"Mother, is now really the time to drink? Isn't Little Nephew's date soon?"

Veins of frustration riddled Zhao Jia's face. How was she supposed to think properly without a sip? Her brains was thoroughly addled by the aliases and contending with iron plates nobody could afford to offend.

Shadow Six shot another look at Fat Shadow. The later understood immediately. Clearly, the conference wasn't going to end soon. Who wouldn't be stumped on such a problem?

Outside the Zhao Clan Ancestral Hall, Tian Cai stood with Gray and Small Shadows.

"Little Brother, you brought us here?" asked Small Shadow.

"If Brother is correct, there is a treasure hidden here."

Eh!?

Running off without explaining, Tian Cai said, "You two wait here."

Entering the hall, Tian Cai demonstrated his filial duty and properly kowtowed. After paying his respects, Tian Cai closed his eyes. In the memory, he remembered the sword...most specifically he recalled a particular ringing ...if he could just find that.

Ting!

Faint, extremely faint.

Ting!

Opening his eyes Tian Cai trembled. He could actually hear it. The sword was really here!!!

After concentrating, Tian Cai was able to follow the sound to a nondescript back room filled with odds and ends. He knew this was purposely done. Where better to hide an inheritance but a simple place like this?

It's here.

Before Tian Cai was a series of large storage jars. Carefully he moved them aside and unveiled the character of the Zhao Clan roughly engraved on a stone panel.

He tapped it several times and detected a faint hollow sound. Mischievously, he looked about to verify he was alone and.

CRACK!

The stone panel splintered into pieces. Wrapped in a cloth was a rectangle shape of a box. Without even hesitating, Tian Cai grabbed it. He almost ran away at that instant, but decided to clean up the scene. By the time anyone noticed the inheritance was taken, it would be too late. Finishing replacing the jars he ran off in glee.

Gray and Small Shadows spotted Tian Cai when he exited the Ancestral Hall. The way he held the box. The way he paused and scanned the area for observers.....Didn't he look like a thief?

The siblings looked at each other. Little Brother, what-what did you do??