A Place To Call Home

One year has passed since the lovers returned home. They built a small house for the four orphans down in Cloud City. Zhao Renshu opened a shop in Cloud City according to his plan, but did not sell paper money or incense. The shop sells medicines and herbal supplements. Zhao Renshu was not happy at first, but since this shop is the only clinic in town and the business is very good, he has no complaints.

They had discussed about establishing a sector, but since they were always out hunting, it was not finalizes. The disciples they accepted were Guozhao Zhiqiang, Yang Bao, and the four children.

Guo Baiyu, Zhao Renshu and Fang Yaoting concluded that children need to learn how to protect themselves from danger. The children will learn literacy with Lee Dachin in the first two days, then spend two days with training swordsmanship with Fang Yaoting, one day with Guo Baiyu, and one day with Zhao Renshu. The three masters also set rules so that once the disciple graduates from basic training, he or she choose what they want to continue learning.

Yang Bao became the second disciple of the Guozhao and his dream came true. Yang Bao quit his job as a waiter to take care of the children and the store. After graduating from basic training, he decided to continue studying medicine and swordsmanship.

On the other hand, Guozhao Zhiqiang has no choice but to learn all three. His masters are very harsh on him, because as the first disciple, he will be a role model for juniors. He was not interested in medicine, so his first master taught him the Guozhao principles of philosophy. The Guozhao principles of philosophy is a combination of his first master and the late Master Zhao's knowledge and experiences.

Standing on the top of a mountain overlooking Cloud City, two men stood side by side, watching the sunset on the horizon. One man stood taller than the other.

Guo Baiyu, "You grow up fast? You are as tall as your second master. If you don't want to eat at here tonight, you can go down the mountain and eat with your juniors."'

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "It's okay. Only once a month. It won't kill me, I'm used to it."

Guo Baiyu, "As our first disciple, the world is watching you, and we are watching you."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Are we ever going to form our own sector?"

Guo Baiyu, "We are waiting for you."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "I don't understand."

Guo Baiyu explained, "As hunters, we are always on hunting trips. If we set up a sector, who will stay and teach our principles of philosophy to the other disciples? You must learn everything we offer you so that you can continue our principles of philosophy." He paused. "Zhiqiang, being a great hunter does not make people respect and fear you. Always remember that people will fear and respect you only when you do the right thing with a clear conscience and do not harm others."

Guozhao Zhiqiang nodded.

Guo Baiyu, "Do you know why many people are afraid of us?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "I don't know."

Guo Baiyu, "The reason they are afraid of us is because we live according to our principles. Our principles have brought us to many great men around the world." Guo Baiyu changed the subject. "If a clan or tens of thousands of bandits decide to take over Cloud City, what do you think will happen?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "They can easily take over this city, because other than us, no one else can defend this city."

Guo Baiyu smiled, "They will not be able to take over our city, Zhiqiang."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "How? If someone attack, I can't see how we will survive."

Guo Baiyu, "It is easy for us to survive, because if this happens, they will face Lim Peizhi's army of Waterfall City, the twelve spirit clans, and fellow hunters who have been friends with us for many years."

Guozao Zhiqiang, "How can we trust that they will come to our aid?"

Guo Baiyu, "There will always be those who will come to our rescue regardless the situation when we call. There will be those who will only meet us halfway. There will be those who will acknowledge us when we are beneficial to them and cut us loose the moment we are no longer beneficial to them. In other words, when making friends, you must make sure to use your best judgment."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "I will remember." He hesitated. "Master, can I ask a personal question?"

Guo Baiyu, "Go ahead."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "I have read some of Shimu's journals. You are a very respected heir. Why do you leave all these behind?"

Guo Baiyu smiled, "You are still young, you may not understand. When you find someone you love, and that person really loves you, you will understand that only soulmate understand sacrifice."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Is it hard for others to accept?"

Guo Baiyu, "Your Shimu told me that the most dangerous weapon in the world is a person's mouth. People may misread us, but they don't realize that we cry in the same way, feel the same pain, and breathe the same air because we are still human beings."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Master, I promise that I will always follow our principles of philosophy and always stand up for justice."

Guo Baiyu, "It's getting late, let's look back before it gets dark."

When two people entered the kitchen area, no one was around. Guozhao Zhiqiang sat on the table, and Gou Baiyu walked into the kitchen to help Zhao Renshu bring out the dishes.

Guo Baiyu, "Ping'an?"

Zhao Renshu, "She is still praying. I will go get her."

That night, Guozhao Zhiqiang was lying on the bed, wondering where he would be if he hadn't met his three masters. In the past year, Guozhao Zhiqiang noticed that his Shimu would have hand problems on the fifteenth day of each month, and his two masters would do all the housework.

Between his two masters, he prefers the cooking of the second master. The reason is simple, because even if it is not a vegetable day, his first master's dishes are tasteless, but his Shimu has never complained, so he cannot complain. He admired his first master with all his skills. His first master was proficient in medicine, art, music, poetry, invention, martial arts, spells, and he could continue to tell the skills of his first master, but his cooking was not good. He is very grateful that dinner tonight was cooked by his second master.

There are only four people inside Peach Blossom Valley tonight. This is his masters private house and no one else live here but his two masters, his shimu, and Shan. His four juniors are in town with his junior Yang Bao. He needs to rest, because tomorrow he will have to face his third master. Among all the masters, he disliked the third master the most, because his third master punished them for every little mistake, but at the same time, he also admired his third master's swordsmanship skills. He wants to be the best out of everyone because he doesn't want to disappoint his masters. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

The next morning, Guozhao Zhiqiang slowly opened his eyes and stretched out on the bed yawning. He turned to the right and he saw two red eggs, a pair of boots and a new neatly folded outfit. He stood up and put on clothes and it fit him perfectly. He put on his leather boots and looked in the mirror. It brings back unpleasant memories. He recalled when he was seven years old. A child got new clothes, holding two red eggs and chatting with his friends.

The child said, "My mother bought me this new set of clothes and red eggs for my birthday." He turned to look at Guozhao Zhiqiang. The kid picked up a small stone and threw it at Guozhao Zhiqiang. "What are you looking at, black boy?"

Another child said, "A son without a father."

From a young age, he dreamed of waking up in the morning and would have a new dress with two red eggs. At the age of sixteen, his dream finally came true. He rushed out of the bedroom and found his Shimu was combing his second master's hair. He rushed over, holding Ping'an tightly and rested his chin on her right shoulder.

Zhao Renshu, "Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing, let go of my wife?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang lived here for the past year. He don't understand why his two masters still married to one woman and loved her unconditionally. He thinks that his Shimu and his mother are no different, they sleep with men for benefits, but he now knows that his Shimu is different from his mother. He understand why his two masters love her so much.

Ping'an, What's wrong with you?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Thank you, Shimu."

Ping'an, "For?"

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "For clothes and two red eggs."

Ping'an smiled, "I'm glad you like it." She braided Zhao Renshu's hair. "I will also help you comb your hair."

Zhao Renshu stood up, sat behind Ping'an, wrapped his arms around her waist, "Hey, kid, don't steal my pose, this is my personal pose."

After a while, Ping'an finished braiding Guozhao Zhiqiang's hair. He turned around and held her hands. He saw that her hands were stained with red dye. He lowered his head and put his face on her palms. After a while, he opened his eyes, "Thank you, for giving me a place to call home."

Ping'an smiled, "Don't get excited. Today is your birthday. Let us all go to town and celebrate your birthday with your teacher Lee, your third master, and your juniors."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "Okay."

Zhao Renshu, "Happy Birthday kid. I think it's time to teach you how to flirt with ladies."

Gouzhao Zhiqiang did not answer.

Zhao Renshu complained, "Kid, you need to spend more time me than your first master. He is turning you into a person that act and talk like him. You need to be more like me."

Guozhao Zhiqiang, "I don't wish to fool around. I wish to practice more and become better."

Zhao Renshu, "You sound ridiculous." He bursts out laughing.

Guo Baiyu walked in, "Breakfast is ready."

Guozhao Zhiqiang's heart sank.