Wû Chāng Zhihaó - Trials and Tribulations

Wû Chāng Zhihaó

"Hurry hurry la, we must see all the things. It's busy this morning! And they have the dumplings on display." My mother tugged at my sleeve, pulling me along.

We got a few stares, considering I was the Head of the Ming Mêi militia. I was revered, and I came here with my mother knowing that.

On one hand, it was nice since I got discounts on almost everything and I had little to no trouble navigating the area since people made way for me, but on the other hand, it made it hard to go alone because people speculated and created rumors.

Tourists also didn't help.

Especially now since Yuá had put up whole fucking signs advertising getting me a partner.

Dragon after dragon approached me, and if that wasn't bad enough, now foreigners were attempting to get in my pants.

I say 'get in my pants' because so far no one has wanted me because they wanted me. They wanted the money, or the fame, or the body, or the status. Or all of the above.

The second I was paired with someone, the first thing to leave their mouth would be some variation of, 'what would I expect to see in this relationship?'

They don't know me, nor do they want to know me.

It was lonely, in a way, but it was just how it was. Someone in my position wouldn't have it that easy when it comes to love. That was just how it was, and I wouldn't throw myself a pity party over it.

And it's not like I don't have people. I have Yuá, and my mother. And even my father, at times.

So I wasn't completely isolated.

"Amma?" I called out to my mother. I had gotten lost in thought and when I came to, she had been walking towards a dumpling stand. She haggled a bit with the lady, who was set on giving her no discounts. I chuckled as I watched, but then my mother pointed at me, and smirked at the owner.

"Amma!" I hissed, walking up to her.

"You're seriously trying to use my fame to get yourself free food?"

"Yes, la, I hatched you for a reason, flour boy." She chuckled and asked for her dumplings again. I watched the stand owner gawk for a moment, before hurriedly rushing away.

The owner returned with the meal, speaking quietly and smiling embarrassingly.

"I apologize for her-" I began to say, but mother shoved a piping hot dumpling in my mouth. It burned my tongue, but I continued to chew, swallowing and feeling it scald my throat as it went down. It'd heal soon, within minutes, but that didn't lessen the soreness.

"No apologies, child. You fight and have fought many times for us, it's proper that we all offer care towards you."

"Offering and demanding are different, ma." I sighed.

"Sure, sure." She waved off my words, ushering for me to follow. I stayed a step behind her, and got some odd looks. Typically, the women would stand behind me, since my rank was much higher than hers, however, she was my mother, and I truly did believe she out ranked me anyday. Being my mother was an honorable status.

The market was buzzing as usual, and I got to watch as my mother flitted around to each stand and cart, getting things after things. Eventually I started paying for stuff as well. I had offered at the start, but she'd waved me off. Since she'd bought so many snacks though, she needed more money, and I was happy to provide.

Each cart and stall was told all about how her son was Wû Chāng Zhihaó, and how great I was. I appreciated her praise, but I felt ashamed that the title I worked so hard for was being used as a bargaining chip.

And those poor stalls owners wouldn't even tell her no, since it was true. I was her son, and I had saved many people here countless times.

With each cart and stall we passed, I hastily waved my thanks. My arms were stacked with even more things as she dumped her items on me.

We finally got to a point where we sat down. She had gotten sweet buns and wanted to eat quietly. I called my dad to pick up the stuff from us, and he quickly arrived. He made two trips home and my hands suddenly felt more open, which was nice. He, too, sat down with us.

"Bàba." I tilted my head down to him respectfully.

"Zhihaó, I hope you are well?" My father asked, bowing his head in return, and sitting next to me, on the opposite side of my mother.

"Yes, Bàba, I am. You as well?" The two of us smiled warmly at each other. Me and my father were different then me and my mother, but we still loved each other the same. My father just happened to be more reserved than my mother. The yang to her yin. They were a lovely couple.

"I am. Healthy and prosperous and blessed to be so. Your day has been comfortable? Your mother has been wanting to go here for some time, you see."

"Ah, yes. I extended the invitation, and did not want to go alone to a market. Amma never fails me when I ask." I confirmed as my mother handed me a piece of the steamed sweet bun. I did really want it, but I offered it to my father instead. It was more respectful to honor your elders first, in your place.

She chuckled and handed me another piece, one of my own.

The bun was rich and filled with red bean paste. It melted in my mouth. The bread was the right amount of fluffy and soft, and the paste was just plenty to compliment the dough.

She then offered me two pieces of Taro Root Bun, one of which I offered to my dad. He gratefully accepted it and left me to eat mine as he talked to my mother.

It gave me a chance to watch the market move. People here were well behaved, but on market days it was busy, crowded, and loud. Everyone was looking to get the best things, marked at the best deal, from the best stalls. It meant competition took over.

It was condoned here, however, because it was always good to get your qualms out somewhere, and if pushing people around to simply buy food was enough? Then why would we stop it? It never broke out into physical fights, and it was only during the morning market that it was like this. Any other time, the amount of people was more limited for a better flow of traffic.

I think my mother enjoyed the thrill of pushing through others, and I think she also enjoyed watching others gawk at me as I was dragged along to carry her stuff.

I didn't mind though. I still got opportunities to snatch stuff from carts. Obviously I paid. The only bad part was the awkwardness of being social. I wasn't… challenged socially. I've not learned to be good at…people. But that's plenty fine. My job needed power, a dynamic, and I was good at that. I was good at the leadership, the skills, and the diplomacy needed to be who I was.

I really was only bad at standard people. I can't treat others like that work under me, when they very obviously don't. It would be disrespectful. As a result, I often ended up giving a small wave and a smile before leaving. I avoided conversation if possible. I managed to snag some snacks for myself, and a flight of sweet rolls for Yuá. She liked them, and anytime I went into a town and saw them, I was expected to get them. She'd skin me if I didn't.

It was reasonable for her to request that of me though. She was a princess, and I was her best friend. She couldn't just waltz out of the royal palace whenever she wanted just to get snacks, unlike me.

And as her best friend, I was not only morally obligated, but contractually obligated.

I say contractually because she definitely has threatened to make me sign a magical waver formed with her magic so that I am physically bound to get her what she wants, where she wants it from.

I certainly don't look forward to that happening, so I just grab her what I can. It's not like I don't have money anyways. And I'm pretty sure that's what best friends do. I mean, she's given me kitchen keys so that I can rummage through the pantries at nighttime when the folks are done cooking.

I've tried explaining this arrangement to my dad. He says I should try to marry her. The second he proposed that my body reacted instantly, by getting nauseous and leaning over backwards to try to avoid upchucking my morning meal.

Yuá was my best friend, as was I hers, but the thought of it ever having to be with her seemed…sickening. She needed someone to match her magical capacity, who wanted to be king and wanted to take up the throne beside her. She needed someone who would take over their duties so that she may go pursue her own dreams as well, and I was NOT that man.

But, I was that friend. And I would help her when I could.

I made that clear with my father, and he's respected it since, which settled my anxiety about seeing him. I really couldn't handle my own family badgering me about finding romance in my life.

My only romance was a good meal and Gilmore Girls. That's also the only thing that's managed to get into my bed, so I'd say finding anyone who can somehow top that would be near impossible.

Yuá doesn't count, by the way. I don't let her in my room, she just forces her way in. I do NOT have a choice. Stronger magic and all that stopped me from being able to blockade her out of my room.

I continued to watch people run around, but I was startled and my gaze was pulled away as my father nudged me.

"I am to go now, it was nice to see you again Zhihaó, we will have to do this again. I am needed. Your younger brother, Feng, is calling for me to come help him." My father nodded, checking his phone. Feng was the youngest of my clutch. Amma and Bàba have had two clutches. I was one of the first. Three eggs.

I had 4 siblings. Feng being one of them.

Amma waved my father off and I gave him a nod. She began walking off and I was forced to follow her once more. I was just glad to not be carrying so much crap through the busy streets anymore.

"La, hurry, walk fast and be swift. Be closer." She ordered, and I sighed before running up next to her.

"Amma, what is it?"

"I am going to go get those Yaksik, Zhihaó. They look marvelous, and your father enjoys them. They even have the honey ones that I like!" She beamed and walked into the line in front of the desert stall. We had reached a less crowded area, so it was less difficult to make my way through. I caught some older women looking at me, but they quickly turned away once they saw that they'd been spotted.

"Let us quicken this, Amma. I do not like the stares." I sighed, rubbing my temple and staring blankly ahead.

"I am sorry la, would you like some Yaksik? I will buy you some as a treat?"

I nodded slowly, despite knowing that she was now spending my money anyways. It was funny, in a way, so I chuckled softly. I knew I looked fonder now. I really adore my mother. She was a fierce woman, but she was also a wonderful lady.

I hopped out of line and sat on a bench under a large cherry blossom, waiting for her to finish and leave with her orders.

In this time, I saw more stares, but the one that didn't bother me much was the stares of a child, likely around 8 in human years, staring at me while clutching onto his mom's hands. It reminded me of when I used to follow my mother around like that. I was glued to her sides while my siblings fought with each other on the sidelines under the watchful eye of my father.

I was a little startled when the young kid, a boy, pointed at me and looked at his mother, clearly asking for something.

I watched the mom look at me, looking almost distressed. Likely because she didn't want to bother me. I knew I looked mean at times, and now probably wasn't much different if you included the title I had.

I gestured for her to come over, and it made me soften when I saw the kids face light up. She walked him over wearily.

"I apologize for my boy, he is yet to learn manners when he's excited, my Lord." She glared at her son softly before ordering him to apologize. I was quick to stop them.

"Ma'am, it is no trouble for me to meet a kid. Thank you, though, for being respectful of my space. That's not something I see as much with my current status. It's very kind of you." I bowed my head slightly before turning to the boy.

"General! Oh, oh general! You are so cool! Can you sign this? Oh and this, and…and this!" He held a bunch of stuff out to me and it made me chuckle.

"How about I give you something better?"

"Really?" His eyes lit up. I pulled out a fountain pen I had on me. It was engraved with not only the royal insignia, but with my name. It was a turquoise and silver pen.

"Now whenever you write you write with my name in hand. If you lose it, it will come back to you, just say my name." I smiled, handing the pen to him.

He was practically bouncing, and I admit, it made me happy as well. It was nice to see kids happy. Joyful.

"My lord, you needn't-" his mother began, but I held up a hand.

"I do not mind. I have plenty, and now, I won't be graffiti-ing his things."

"Mr. General? I wanna be just like you when I get bigger. Màma knows! I have posters and everything! I have swords and I train in my backyard all the time so I'll be just as strong as you!"

"Is that so?" I chuckled. "Well then, let me tell you something. Kid? Don't be great for me, alright? Be great for you. Because you should always be your motivation. Be great for those around you. Don't tie yourself to an idol, alright? I admit, I appreciate your devotion to being like me, but I promise that being you is much better than trying to be me. Keep working to make that dream your reality, and the royal family will certainly be willing to take you under their wing." I smiled, giving him a respectful nod. His face seemed enraptured by what I was saying.

"Besides, I'm the princess's best friend. Her only friend, really. I could always put in a good word if you do as good as you dream too." I chuckled, holding out my hand. He excitedly gave me a handshake and clutched the pen with his other belongings.

"Yes, yes I will prove myself Mr. General!" He beamed. It was right in time as my mother walked close to me.

"La? Is this a fan of yours?" She asked, smiling.

"Who is this?" The kid asked.

"I'm this boy's màma." She smiled, before patting my shoulder.

"wow…" he whispered.

"Oh, aren't you a charmer? Thank you, la, though, I do apologize. Me and Zhihaó here must be on our way. I have to return him to the palace."

"You what?" I asked her, my face twitching.

"Ah, yes. Your princess friend called your phone while you were over here. I picked up and she said you were needed, la!" My mother chuckled at how my face dropped. I did not wanna go back.

I watched the young boy's mother run off with his mom, still clutching the pen. It made me smile, before I returned to my previous state of irritation.

"You couldn't have ignored her?" I asked.

"Bad! Bad Zhihaó! You do not run from your duties." She frowned and I felt slightly bad.

"But ma-"

"No! You are going to that castle young man. Up! Up up!" She swatted me into a standing position. I was left sighing and walking towards the nearest flight station with her. Going up meant that we would shift into dragons and fly. It was simple.

As we reached the castle I transformed back into my humanoid form with a thump, walking without my earlier enjoyment.

"Hurry on la!" She called. "And make sure to be eating well, doughboy! Your Màma will be sending food for you!" She called. I smiled back before turning and walking inside the palace doors, a nod towards the guards was all I needed to be let in. I stayed standing tall, despite my irritation with having to be here.

It was reasonable of me to at least attempt to have some decorum, regardless of how little I actually wanted to have it.

Besides, Yuá would skin me for not being proper.

What really irritated me, though, was that on the ONE day I wanted to go out and do things with my mother, I just happened to be called in. Whatever it was better be important.

The ground quaked slightly and I was forced to walk lighter. My emotions were manifesting physically.

I turned through the windy halls, and headed to my room. Yuá had wanted to meet up there. The walk all the way downstairs was long, but comfortable as the chilly air fluttered around me.

I turned the corner to find Yuá standing next to my door, while looking rather impatient. She was tapping her foot anxiously against the floor.

"Yuá?" I called out. "You requested my presence. This better be good, my day with my Màma was interrupted." I made my irritation clear, and I knew my words were taken seriously as she glanced at the wisp of fire that had escaped from my mouth. It happened sometimes when I, or other dragons, were irritated. Our breath would become more dragon-like as we lost control of our temper.

Though, it also happened when we were happy too, so maybe we just were built like that.

"Look, Zhihaó, I apologize. My father called you. He wanted me to locate you, and-" she paused. "I just get worried, y'know? He never calls about good stuff, Zhihaó. So please, be careful." She sighed. I blinked in slight surprise, before softening my approach. Maybe I had been too harsh. Now seemed like an opportune time to give her the snacks I had gotten.

I pulled out the boxes up deserts and handed them to her.

"Zhihaó?" She looked at me, and then at the box. "I trained you well."

My mind blanked, before I sputtered indignantly.

"I was NOT trained."

"Uh huh." She said between a mouthful of food. "Keef tewwing yoursewf that." I cringed at the way she spoke and I turned to dart away, not wanting to be the third wheel to her make out session with food.

I made my way through the palace and to the throne room. That was where I was likeliest to find the king.

As I stepped inside the Grand room, I could feel the stifling magic in the room. It was almost sticky, and clung to everything it touched.

I walked towards the bottom of the large stairs, where the throne sat up top, and I sank to my knees, bringing my head to the ground, arms flat.

I waited to be addressed. I could feel the Emperor's stern eyes on my back, and it made me cringe inside.

"General Wû." He said my name, his voice rumbling. "Rise."

"It is an honor to be in your presence once more, Dianxia. How can I be of service, my lord?" I asked, loud enough to be heard, but quiet enough to be respectful.

"I have called you to discuss…certain worries, I have, General."

Great, more work.

"There have been disturbances around the area. Foreign changes in natural behaviors of the environment below us, and around the world. My cities have not yet been affected, but I can only suspect that they soon will be. I want you to find this cause. I believe it to be another being, strong like us." He explained. His voice was articulate, and he was stern in his request.

"Is that all, my lord? Have we any evidence, or clues? Suspects, perhaps?"

"I'm afraid there are none. What further concerns me is that there appears to be a… rift that has been created. The magic feels like that of a djinns, but I can't be too sure, considering they are tricky creatures. I need to know why a djinn has any business creating a dimensional rift, and if I will even allow for such a thing to stay. I have created a tool. You may shape it into whatever you'd like. It is a key, of sorts, that will bring you to what is inside this rift." He paused.

"I expect for you to bring back a thorough report after we find the cause of our first problem. This is a second priority, up until it shows signs of becoming dangerous. For now, though, it is a tame rift, and is not causing troubles. I have checked it myself, and it is well hidden. It was almost undetectable when I managed to find it. You should not have the same troubles. This key will get you in and out, easily. It bypasses the magic. There should be no harm to come upon you via the transfer through it."

He wanted me to do all of this? The first part was fine, but a rift? Did. I really have to deal with a rift? Who even knows what's inside! But…this was a sacrifice I made as a general, I suppose. Not an enjoyable one, but a sacrifice no less. Who knows, maybe it's just a fucking dump site for a stupid djinn who couldn't be bothered to do anything easier.

They were flashy with their magic. Egotistic bastards.

"Consider it taken care of, My Lord. I will have it tended to immediately. Is there anything else to be discussed?"

"Nothing else, no, General. I expect frequent reports from you. I don't want to see any slacking. That will be all, Wû Chāng." he waved his hand. "You are dismissed."

"Thank you, Dianxia." I bowed once more and hurriedly took my leave, irritated that I now had a big thing to do. I'm sure Yuá would be excited though. She never got to adventure, so she's probably going to use this as an excuse to go out and explore.

I rushed to my room to tell her the news.

When I arrived, she was on my bed, eating her snacks, and some of mine, while watching the start of Gilmore Girls.

"You enjoy this, Zhihaó?" She mumbled while stuffing her face.

"I do, actually, now, stop stuffing your face and pay attention. This is important."

"You're one to talk!" She squawked, but set down the box and crossed her legs. I sat on the edge of my bed and sighed.

"Your father has assigned work to me. There have been unusual patterns of behaviour around the world. I'm guessing that means unnatural weather, human behavior, and a mix of supernatural disappearances. If you're not aware, the lead face of the werewolf court is currently gone. No one knows where he went, and it's been causing panic. That's one thing, paired with atypical human behavior. I'm sure something is amiss, like your father said." I rubbed my temples and closed my eyes, breathing.

"He also said that he's picked up on a disturbance in the dimension. A rift has been made within the last few years, and he's only now just caught on. He speculated that a djinn might be behind this, so truly, I don't know what I'm walking into. They're unpredictable with their magic. The rift has allegedly not caused any detectable harm, but it is obviously intentionally hidden very well, very secretively. He gave me a key, a dimensional one, so that I can infiltrate the world, but I am skeptical it will work. Whatever magic was used, was likely strong, and whoever built it clearly wanted it to stay hidden, which also meant they wanted it inaccessible."

Yuá nodded her head in agreement.

"Chances are, if a djinn made this, I won't be able to get in, and even if I managed to, I certainly won't be able to get out easily. Djinns don't exactly have that many magical barriers. It's why whatever made this has been able to literally rip a fabric in reality. I want to explore it, but I was ordered to figure out his first direction immediately, and to not engage in the rift until I've finished, unless the rift begins to show signs of being more important to handle."

I groaned and leaned back.

"That sounds fucking complicated, Zhihaó. Are you sure you're up to this? I mean, you've done a lot, but a rift? Not even my father's actually been in one." She said nervously. I could tell a part of her wanted to go with me, but I also knew she was hesitant to let me go at all.

"You know you can't stop this anyways. Your father wouldn't have sent me if he planned to change his mind." I sighed dejectedly. "Just promise me that if things go…wrong? Put someone fucking decent in my position, and make sure my family's alright. Not that I expect something to happen. But it's best you know."

"I know Zhihaó, you give me this speech anytime you do something dangerous. I want to come with you, alright? My father probably won't let me, but I can sneak out. He won't come get me himself either, so it should be fine. We'd do better together anyways, since I'm stronger than you." She chuckled, nudging me in my ribs. I hissed at the feeling but smiled.

"It's not reasonable to worry right now anyways. I have that first problem to worry about." I groaned.

"You need help?"

"Not yet. He didn't even give me anything good to go off of. I'm just expected to play detective, I suppose." I threw my hands around mockingly, irritated.

"Detective Zhihaó." She mused. "Has a nice ring. Almost as good as Sherlock."

"Shut up." I sat up, flicking my hands and changing my clothes into nightwear. "Get on the floor or leave, I wanna sleep, and I don't share my bed." I pointed to the ground. She huffed, but whipped herself up a small mattress on the ground by my dresser.

"Normally I'd leave, but that show was actually not terrible, and I'd like to watch a bit more." She said, settling in behind a curtain. It was not right for me to see her in nighttime clothes, regardless of how close we might be. It was not proper.

I could see the glow of the duplicate TV she had fashioned up but I didn't care enough to watch. I wanted to test before a day of detective work.

"By the way, Zhihaó, this is not me admitting that you're allowed to laze around all day just cause this is interesting." She said possibly, and I just grunted and covered my eyes, not justifying her words with an answer. I was too exhausted to care much.