Chapter 2 - 2 - Kai Seven's Test And Training

After a strenuous day of grocery shopping andtending to his fortune-telling shop, De Qi felt the weight of exhaustion settling upon him.

Despite his weariness, he could not shake off a nagging worry about his son's whereabouts. Calling out for his son and scanning the premises, his search yielded no sign of him. Frustration simmered within him as he pondered the possibility of him idling away his time with unsavoury companions once again. However, his fatigue from the day's errands compelled him to rest.

Putting aside the groceries and firewood on floor, he resolved to steal a moment of reprieve amidst his shop's tranquillity, since the day had been slow with no customers. As he drifted into slumber, he felt someone shaking his shoulder vigorously.

Blinking groggily, he opened his eyes to see an old man clad in white clothing and black tunic, flanked by his companions in white and green. The old man's sharp tone pierced through his sleep and demanded his immediate attention.

"Hey, wake up!" The old man cried out.

Startled awake, De Qi rubbed his eyes and greeted them with a polite smile. "Oh! I'm so sorry. Gentlemen, are you here to have your fortune told?"

"No, we're here for geomancy consultation." The old man replied curtly, his tone serious and business-like.

"Oh, okay, I close the shop and accompany you." Realizing the nature of their visit De Qi nodded understandingly and offered.

But before he could even get up, the old man interjected firmly, "No! I want the other guy. The younger fellow."

"Are you referring to my son?" De Qi inquired, perplexed by the old man's request "He's not here at the moment."

The old man hardened his gaze, casting doubt upon De Qi's words.

"Really?" He challenged, suspicion evident in his tone. "Or are you hiding him somewhere, knowing that we come looking for him?"

Caught off guard by the accusation, De Qi's mind raced with uncertainty. However, before he could respond, his son entered the shop, unwittingly interrupting the tense exchange.

The moment Kai Seven laid eyes on the old man, he recognized them.

For he remembered him vividly as his savior who intervened when palace guards were hot on his trail to arrest him for impersonating as Prince Da Li in recent competition arranged by the Highness.

However, in order not to startle his father with this revelation, he maintained a casual outlook and remarked, "Oh, if you're looking for me, I certainly come with you. Since you helped me before, I repay you this time."

"Good! Since you are here, I want you to provide geomancy consultation for me and my brothers who are looking for a new home around this area." The old man declared as his two companions nodded in agreement.

"Me providing geomancy consultation for you three?" He echoed, despite knowing nothing about it.

Undeterred, the old man nodded and assured firmly: "If you come with us, we will reward you and your family handsomely."

With that said, he produced and placed a token card on the table before his father before directing his attention to latter and continued: "Here is the partial deposit of 10,000 platinum or 5000 gold bars. Once your son accomplished the task we set for him, we will foot the balance."

Sensing his son's unease and inexperience in fortune telling, let alone geomancy, De Qi stepped in and offered himself as more seasoned alternative.

"If that's the case, why don't I go with you instead since I'm more experienced?" He suggested.

But the old man was unwavering in his decision and insisted strongly: "No! I want your son to accompany us."

Directing his gaze firmly at Kai, he asked: "So, are you coming with us?"

Eager to seize the opportunity and showcase his talent despite being ignorant, Kai Seven beamed with excitement.

"Of course, I will!" He affirmed, brimming with confidence that he could employ a few tricks to deceive them, much as he had done with Bai San and past customers, despite his uneasy memories of first encounter with the old man.

"Then we leave right away before nightfall." The old man signalled him to leave and follow them.

Despite their age, they walked at brisk pace that left Kai struggling to keep up and calling out to them to slow down and wait for him.

But his pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears as they continued forging ahead.

Eventually, they left the confines of Dai Capital City behind and entered the dense woods. Towering pine trees and earthy scent of the forest filled him with a sense of familiarity for he had navigated and traversed his route regularly, his wooden hut among Qing Tao hills and bustling Capital City.

As they delved deeper into the forest, his memories stirred, recognizing the familiar surroundings as in leaves rustling and sunlight filtering through the dense canopy. But his initial joy and relief began to wane when they ended up in alternate route he had not noticed before, being engrossed in catching up.

"Hey, wait for me!" He panted, his tired legs protesting as they struggled to keep up.

Turning round to see him lagging, the old man shook his head, silently and apparently noting his obvious lack of fitness.

Upon reaching the riverbanks, where they treaded carefully to avoid falling into the water, Kai could not contain his curiosity.

"Where exactly are we going? Don't tell me your new house is in this dense forest?" He asked in confusion and frustration.

The old man stared at him sternly and pointed toward the distant hills before answering; "It's among the hills up there."

Assuming those to be Qing Tao Hills, Kai felt a surge of excitement, but beneath the surface, his intuition warned him that there was more to it than met the eye, especially considering the old man and his companions' behaviour. As they ascended the hills, the surroundings grew more rugged and challenging. The terrain became steeper, with loose gravel making each step treacherous.

Despite the increasing difficulty of the journey, Kai felt his legs becoming into lead, and every step he took became a struggle. But the old man and his companions remained unaffected and pressed on toward their destination. Finally, when they reached a relatively flat stretch of ground about halfway up the hill, he could go no further. He collapsed onto the ground, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath.

The old man's voice cut through the air, sharp and reproachful. "Hey, young man! Why did you stop? We are paying you for your geomancy consultation, not resting!"

Gasping for air, Kai managed to raise a hand in protest. "How... much longer?"

"Soon! Very soon!" the old man replied, his tone impatient and disappointed. "Now keep going!"

"Please…let me rest…" Kai pleaded.

Problem was his plea fell on deaf ears as the old man remained adamant. With a firm grip on Kai's right arm, he pulled him forward and despite Kai's protests, dragged him across the rough terrain. His companions mirrored his disapproval, shaking their heads -in disappointment at his apparent weakness.

"Hey, young man! Since you made your promise, we make sure you keep it!" One of his companions chimed in, his tone just as firm and unsympathetic.

Upon reaching the summit, they found themselves in a desolate landscape stripped of its greenery. Facing the young man, the old man spoke with his companions flanking him: "This is the place."

"You mean you want to set up your home here?" Kai inquired, still catching his breath from the arduous journey.

"Yes, for us and our leader." The old man replied with a smile, joined by his companions.

"Leader?" Kai questioned, struggling to comprehend amidst his exhaustion.

"Hey, young man! Now that our big brother has informed you, why are you still standing here?" His other companion interjected. "Are you going to examine this place and provide us consultation?"

"Okay, let me calculate for you," Kai agreed.

Examining the surroundings, Kai closed his eyes and began his customary prayers and incantations, known only to himself.

Upon opening his eyes, he offered his analysis: "This is a great venue based on location and surroundings. Look here, it points directly to the sun, and on the back are more hills, forests, and a river. A great venue for your new home!"

However, the old man and his companions remained unimpressed by his acting and marketing. The former asked in demanding tone: "What nonsense are you sprouting?"

"What do you mean I'm sprouting nonsense?" Kai protested. "You asked me to provide consultation, and I just gave you. You yourself mentioned this is where you intend to set up your new home for your leader and yourselves."

"That's right!" The old man affirmed.

"Then even more I am right! The sun symbolizes glory, and nature represents beauty. I am sure with these; your home will be safe and sound for your leader and your group." Kai continued, relying on his persuasive skills.

"Hey! I asked you here for your professional advice on this venue, not commentary on the mere surroundings!" The old man snapped.

"Please be patient with me. I have not finished what I am about to say," Kai attempted to reason.

Before he could continue, he was seized by the old man's companions on his arms and forced to move on with them.

"Big Brother, what now?"

Upon their return to the Qing Ming Emerald Sect, Hai Hu Fai enquired about the pressing matter at hand. But not before locking the green-haired man up in another chamber.

"To be honest, I share your thoughts." Tian Hu Fa responded with a heavy heart, shaking his head in dismay. "But since our late leader has given his instructions, we have no choice but to abide by them."

"But he can't even keep pace with us, constantly complaining about rest and spouting nonsense!" Di Fu Fa chimed in, expressing his frustration.

"Nevertheless, we must adhere to our original plan. Now that we have him, I no longer care about his family or what they may do." Tian Hu Fa said firmly. "We shall subject him to a series of tests and challenges. If he fails, we have no option but to end his life before ending ours."

"What will be your first test?" Hai Hu Fa inquired, eager to understand their strategy.

Gathering his brothers closer, Tian Hu Fa whispered his instructions to them, ensuring their collective understanding and commitment to their plan.

Despite being locked up by three strangers, Kai found himself in the luxurious chamber.

Cool air enveloped him as he looked at the comfortable-looking bed with side desk. Driven by instinct and the overwhelming fatigue from his arduous journey, he laid down and rested, seeking respite from the relentless sun and the strenuous pace set by his captors.

Before long, his weariness gave way to sleep, offering a temporary escape from his dire circumstances.

Unknown to him, but fully known to Tian Hu Fa and his brothers monitoring him, a trap had been laid.

Anticipating his fatigue, they deliberately confined him within a cozy bed chamber, expecting him to succumb to rest.

With precision, Tian operated the control panel, setting a timer and activating a mechanism. Turning to his brothers, he remarked, "If he fails this test, we may well prepare for his funeral tomorrow."

"Let's eat." suggested Di Hu Fa. "For we are famished after wasting so much time with him."

Nodding, he exited with his brothers from operation room which controlled their manor's booby traps and defenses.

Despite realizing that the Highness had officially selected West District Commander Li Neng Yuan as Prince Consort and her husband, Kai Seven found himself with her once again.

Unlike the last two previous encounters, he now found the Highness alone waiting and expecting him at the stone boat teahouse within the Dai En lake.

With her wink of left eye and right finger signaling him to come closer, Kai became seduced by her. He did not know why or how, but he had the feeling that the Highness was now a completely different person from the one he saw during Dai Unity Festival, recent competition and even at his fortune telling shop.

Following her, he found himself in the bedroom. Before he even had time to examine the room, the Highness suddenly shut the door behind and put her arms around him. After which she embraced him tightly around his wrists and then kissing him on lips Then she started undressing him, taking him completely by surprise. After which she pushed him into bed and sat upon his legs before laying her head on his bare chest and her fingers touching his face and lips in seductive manner.

Before he could even say anything, he soon found himself in intimate affair with her, drawn by both her seduction and beauty. They kissed and made love and rolled over the bed to see who was on top of the game.

As Kai tumbled from bed to the floor, he was jolted back to reality by the cacophony of crashing sounds.

Confusion clouded his senses as he struggled to make sense of the chaos that engulfed the room. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, his eyes widened in horror as he beheld a sight straight out of a nightmare. A crown crystal chandelier, once a symbol of the chamber's opulence and elegance, now lay shattered upon the bed. His heart raced as he realized that the falling shards were not mere glass, but razor-sharp blades poised to inflict grievous harm.

What the hell? He wondered as a wave of dread washed over him. What if he had remained in his prone position just moments earlier? The thought sent shivers down his spine as he contemplated the grim fate that narrowly eluded him.

Rising from the floor, he could not shake off the lingering discomfort in his back. Though relieved to still be alive, a pang of unease gnawed at him. Pondering over the events that transpired, his mind drifted back to the vivid dream he had just experienced. In that intimacy with the Highness, he felt a sense of exhilaration and desire unlike anything he had ever known. Yet, even as he savoured the memory, a sense of resignation settled over him.

For deep down, Kai knew that such fantasies could never materialize into reality. The vast chasm that separated their worlds was too great to bridge. Despite the allure of the dream, he understood that it was nothing more than a fleeting illusion, destined to fade into the recesses of his mind.

Seated in the rustic exterior pavilion of their manor, Tian Hu Fa and his brothers engaged in a candid discussion over their evening meal.

"Perhaps I am wrong about him after all." He mused, his tone reflecting a hint of uncertainty. "To be honest, even I have no idea about our late leader's thoughts. Instead of leading us on a wild goose chase for that jade treasure chest, he might well appoint one of us as successor. That way, we will not be wasting time searching and ended up being with him."

His brothers nodded in silent agreement, their expressions mirroring his contemplative mood.

"Big brother, the way we see him, he is just a con man trying to fool us." Di chimed in between bites of his meal; his skepticism apparent.

"From what we knew so far, his father is the legendary fortune-teller De Qi," Hai interjected, offering insights gleaned from their investigations. "As to why he has such an incompetent son, I really have no idea."

The revelation sparked further discussion among the brothers, each speculating on the mysterious origins of their enigmatic captive.

The next morning, the trio proceeded to the designated chamber as planned.

Upon swinging the door open and scanning the room, their eyes widened in disbelief over his disappearance. Then suddenly, he materialized behind them with a smile from the door.

"Hey, gentlemen! Good morning," He greeted cheerfully.

Stunned into silence, Tian asked: "How are you still alive?"

"Haven't you forgotten? I am a fortune teller," The young man replied. "I can foresee events before they occur. Last night, I had a delightful dream of spending time with the Highness. It seems fortune favours me. Now that I have provided you with my consultation, can I have the balance?"

With a casual gesture, he extended his hand, expecting payment for his -services rendered.

"What balance?" Tian asked, his tone laced with indignation at the unexpected turn of events, though he could not help but acknowledge the young man's resourcefulness.

"Hey, old man! Do you intend to go back on your word?" Kai Seven retorted, his frustration palpable as he confronted the old man's refusal.

"Just now at my father's fortune-telling shop, you made a request to my father for me and footed the deposit. You also promised to pay the balance once I have accompanied and provided you, my services. So, can I have the money now?" He persisted; his hand extended expectantly.

Caught off guard and unsure of how to respond, the old man reluctantly presented another token card. However, just as Kai reached for it, the old man pulled back his hand with a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes.

"Young man, how about we use this balance to lay a wager again?" he proposed, his companions sharing his suggestive gaze.

"Hey old man, that was not part of our agreement! Since you requested for geomancy consultation which I provided, the remaining balance should be mine as consultation fee!" Kai vehemently argued his case, unwilling to be taken advantage of. He extended his hand once more, demanding what he believed was rightfully his.

"Fine!" The old man relented, but not without adding a twist. "If you win the next round, I double the balance!"

As those words hung in the air, his mind raced, weighing the risks and potential rewards of accepting the offer. Doubling his fee was a tempting prospect, and since the old man proposed it, he reasoned it was worth a shot.

"Alright, I take my chances," He replied cautiously. "What exactly are we betting on?"

The old man's response sent a chill down Kai's spine. "I'm betting on your life! That you won't survive before dawn!" He declared, his mischievous smirk unwavering as his companions silently assented.

As Kai found himself once again amidst the trees, his task differed from the previous day's journey.

Instead of trailing and playing catch-up behind the trio, he was handed a shovel and instructed to unearth a supposedly sacred treasure chest buried deep beneath the earth. While toiling away at the task, the trio leisurely enjoyed their morning breakfast picnic on a mat laid out with food and drinks. Containers filled with buns, cakes, and bottles with tea, providing a stark contrast to Kai's gruelling labour.

As an hour passed, he felt exhausted and hungry. Since yesterday, he had not eaten anything. He decided to take a short break, hoping they showed some empathy by offering him what they ate and drink.

But his plea was met with interrogation.

"Hey! Who gave you permission to stop?" One of them demanded to know.

Apologizing for his audacity, he explained his hunger, hoping for a modicum of kindness. "I'm sorry. But can I have some of your food and drink?" he asked tentatively.

"You want some of our food and drink? Can! But only after you finished digging and retrieved what we want!" The old man, their leader, conceded to Kai's request but imposed a condition. "Now keep digging!"

With a heavy heart and a growling stomach, Kai begrudgingly resumed his labour, his hunger overshadowed by the weight of his task. Suddenly, emerging from above, he spotted another elderly man clad entirely in black engaged in a desperate battle against a horde of equally masked riders.

Perched upon his own hoverbike, he valiantly defended himself against the relentless pursuit of six riders, their bikes ablaze with crimson fire from side-mounted sub-machine guns. Despite being outnumbered, the elderly man fought bravely with his beam scimitar, its green blade deflecting bolts of energy that threatened to strike him down at any moment.

Witnessing the scene unfold, Tian Hu Fa and his brothers sprang into action, brandishing their own illuminating green daggers and spears.

Though they had been enjoying their leisure, they would not hesitate to aid someone in need. Especially one about their age. Within moments, they dispatched three riders from their bikes, relying solely on hand-held weapons to fend off the energy-firing guns, before commandeering the remaining bikes and engaging the remaining assailants.

Before Kai could comprehend the unfolding chaos, he was swept onto the hoverbike by the elderly man, who continued to ride without explanation.

Though confused, he could see that his rescuer intended to use his captors as distractions against those black masked riders. Grateful for his deliverance from what had clearly been a ruse orchestrated by his captors, he held onto his saviour as they sped away to their next destination.

Wherever it might be.

Meanwhile, Tian Hu Fa and his brothers, having dispatched the remaining riders, realized with shock that their green-haired captive had vanished without a trace.

"We have beentricked!" He exclaimed in frustration. "That young man must have sent those riders to distract us while making his escape with the other!"

Even though they could pursue on the hoverbikes they hijacked from those assassins, problem was they had no idea where the young fellow and that mysterious old fellow headed.

"As long as you paste these talismans on all your doors, your home will be at peace and the demons won't bother you again."

That was what De Qi said to assure his customers of an elderly couple and one daughter during his fortune telling consultations. Just when the husband asked him how much was the consultation and service fee, he saw the same old man and his companions barging into the shop.

Before he could say anything, the old man banged on the table and scared his customers away. Including those who waited in queue for his services.

"Get out, all of you!" One of his companions - a burly bearded man shouted.

Feeling fearful upon their sudden intrusion, De Qi begged for his life saying: "Gentlemen, please spare my life!"

The old man suddenly presented the green illuminating dagger and pointed at De Qi's neck before saying: "If you want us to spare you, get your sonto come out now!"

Hearing this, De Qi became confused and asked: "Haven't my son already left with you?"

"Don't lie to us!" His burly-bearded companion refused to believe him. "On our way, your son has been captured by another elderly man!"

"What?" De Qi could not believe what he just heard. "Is my son killed as well?"

"Hey, please don't act blur!" The old man added. "If you know what is good for you, get your son to see us when he is back! Let me also remind you that whoever we are looking for will never be able to escape!"

With that said, the old man and his companions left.

As De Qi attempted to regain his composure after the unsettling encounter, another elderly man made his entrance into the shop. Clad entirely in black attire, with a matching headband, he appeared to be puffing on an opium pipe of similar colour. Before he could fully collect himself, the newcomer inquired, "Hey, may I ask who those three men were?"

"I honestly have no idea. They barged in here suddenly, demanding to see my son/" De Qi replied, still trembling with fear.

Upon hearing his words, the old man suddenly switched roles with him by offering his insights. "From your looks, your son is in trouble."

"How do you know?" De Qi asked, surprised by the man's apparent perception.

"Don't worry." The old man assured him. "Your son is now safe and sound."

"Is that so?" De Qi queried once more. "Who you are and why you are here?"

With a wry smile, the old man echoed De Qi's question, "What am I and why am I here? Obviously, I come here to have my fortune told, like everyone else."

"Sure, it's my pleasure to serve you as my customer," De Qi replied, his smile growing wider as he felt reassured by the old man's presence. He took a moment to study the wrinkles and lines on the old man's face before responding.

"From your appearance, it seems you' are destined to be a wanderer journeying from place to place indefinitely. But fear not, for you are blessed with longevity, owing to your adaptability and the wealth of experiences you accumulated. Eventually, you encounter someone who will assist you in transitioning to the next phase of your life."

"Exactly! I have been roaming from place to place for years. Your insight about having someone to assist me is precisely what I hope for!" The old man affirmed with a perpetual smile.

De Qi nodded in agreement before the conversation took an unexpected turn in the old man querying him; "But do you know who that someone is?"

"Who?" De Qi responded, a hint of confusion in his expression.

"It's you!" the old man declared, gesturing with his opium pipe.

Startled by the unexpected revelation, De Qi sought clarification: "Me?"

"That's right! Do you recall twenty-two years ago, on the night of heavy snow?" The old man prompted, maintaining his cheerful demeanour.

"With each passing year, winter brings snow. How could I remember events from so long ago?" De Qi could not recall and understand.

"No, no! On that night twenty-two years ago, something extraordinary occurred," The old man corrected, still smiling warmly. "A highly skilled warrior arrived, carrying a baby girl, and collapsed on your doorstep in Qing Tao Hills!"

In that moment, De Qi's recollection was crystal clear. "Ah, it's all coming back to me now! You're the renowned warrior, Lao San Shou!"

"Exactly! And you, De Qi, remain the same as ever!" The old man affirmed, prompting laughter from both as they reveled in their unexpected reunion under unlikely circumstances.

The next destination took Kai Seven completely by surprise.

Without even speaking with his new saviour, he was back at his wooden hut home in few minutes after being rescued from other old man and his equally pragmatic companions.

"How do you know where I live, even without me telling you?" Kai asked, his curiosity piqued by the mysterious turn of events.

Laughing heartily, his saviour responded, "You may not know me, but I know you and your family very well!"

Perplexed, Kai admitted his confusion. "I don't understand."

"Your father and I go way back. Old friends who have not met for a long time." The old man chuckled, hinting at a connection Kai was unaware of. "Is your father still at the fortune-telling shop?"

"Yes, but how? How do you know him?" Kai pressed for answers.

"Let's just say it is between us that you kids know nothing of. Now that I brought you home, I am heading to Capital City to visit him." The old man replied cryptically.

"Thank you for saving my life. May I ask…"Before Kai could even finish his question of asking for his name, the old man simply accelerated on his bike.

After his tumultuous ordeal, Kai became hungry and tired as he trudged back into his home.

His immediate priority was to satisfy his hunger, but upon searching the kitchen, he found it devoid of any sustenance. Driven by exhaustion, he headed to his room, where he collapsed onto bed, craving the comfort of a proper sleep to rejuvenate his weary body and mind.

"Hey, Kai, time for lunch!"

As Kai drifted in the delicate balance between sleep and waking, his god sister's voice pierced through the veil of his dreams, beckoning him to the realm of consciousness while still dreaming of the Highness whom he longed for. However, annoyance gnawed at him as he sensed her entering his room, disrupting his fragile peace. He shifted away from her, seeking refuge from the intrusion.

All the sudden, he heard his father calling out to him and entering his room as well.

"Hey son! Why are you still sleeping at this hour?" His father rebuked and shook his shoulder vigorously. "We have a special guest today. You have been a great embarrassment to me!"

"Father, I have been out for the whole day and night with those fellows without a proper rest." Kai pleaded with his father; his eyes still sealed shut. "Please let me sleep longer."

"I want you to wake up now!" His father turned him around.

Opening his eyes reluctantly and rubbing the dirt, he saw both his god sister Yin Er and his father as usual. But right behind them was another person who turned out to be the same old man who saved him.

Smoking what seemed to be some opium pipe, he turned to his father and asked with a smile: "So is he your son?"

De Qi smiled back awkwardly and replied: "I am afraid so."

Turning to his son and reverting to his feelings of being upset, he said: "Kai, now that you see him, are you going to greet him? Look at you! We have a special guest here and you are still sleeping!"

Reluctantly, Kai addressed him, not so much because of what his father said but because of the fact if not for him, he would not even be here with his family now.

"Uncle." Kai greeted him.

Turning back to his friend Lao, he apologized while still smiling: "I am sorry. But my son's still immature and growing up."

"None taken." His friend said. "Saving and bringing him back here is my priority given our friendship."

"Yin Er, can you get our guest out for a while?" De Qi asked him.

Once she did so, he again turned to his son with his usual lecturing: "Why are you still sitting on the bed? Aren't you going to clean up and join us for lunch? You brought me nothing but shame time and again!"

Making sure that his son went outside to nearby toilet and bathroom cubicle to wash himself first, De Qi then proceeded to join his friend Lao San Shou and adopted daughter Yin Er at lunch table in the adjacent dining room to the bedroom.

Having lunch over some simple dishes of braised tofu, pork and vegetables and rice with herbal tea, De Qi apologized to his friend by saying: "I'm sorry. Our place is small, and we can only entertain you with these as our meals due to our modest budget and lifestyle."

"Nope! Not at all." San Shou answered. "Having been wandering about for years, I'm beginning to appreciate what is like to be home and enjoy home-cooked food. On the contrary, I am beginning to like this place!"

"Yin Er." He now turned to his adopted daughter. "Besides getting you to have lunch with us, I have something to tell you."

Putting down the chopsticks and bowl of rice, she first digested properly before asking: "What is it, god father?"

"This is my friend Lao San Shou." De Qi introduced his friend. "He is also your real father."

Yin Er looked at him and his friend puzzled before echoing his last three words from her perspective: "My real father?"

Nodding his head, De Qi confirmed: "Yes, he is your real father who entrusted you to me when you were just a baby."

Smiling at her, his friend San Shou asked as if almost in tears: "So you are Yin Er. Wow, I did not expect you to grow so fast!"

"You are my father?" Yin Er asked as if she could not believe what she just said and yet with tears in her eyes. "The one who entrusted me to my god father when I was baby?"

"Yes, I am!" San Shou nodded his head repeatedly. "I won't lie to you. What my friend and your god father just said is true!"

"If you are really my father, where have you been all these years? How can you leave me just like that?" Yin Er almost looked like crying while asking.

Shaking his head as if in resignation and sighing, San Shou looked away while still replying to her questions. "During my younger days, I made many enemies who have been after me for money and my life.

Despite promising your mother that I look after you when she is gone, I am unable to. I don't mind losing my life, but I do mind losing you as my only child and daughter. If I bring you around, it will be very inconvenient and even dangerous for you. So I entrusted you to my friend De Qi."

Yin Er looked at De Qi who nodded in confirmation.

"But as time went by, I began to miss you very much." San Shou continued. "Like your god father, I am now getting old and don't have many days left. So before leaving this world, I hope to see you again and that is why I come here today. I hope you don't blame me for that."

"Father…" Yin Er began to stand up and approach him with tears welling in her eyes.

San Shou did likewise and embraced her emotionally. "My good daughter."

After washing himself, Kai Seven joined his family for lunch.

But upon seeing his god sister hugging his saviour, he became puzzled and asked: "Hey, what's going on?"

"Son, what took you so long?" His father again lectured him. "The special guest I am bringing with me is not just my friend but your god sister's real father as well."

Turning to Lao San Shou, De Qi continued: "My god daughter is like my own daughter. She has been hardworking in helping with house chores and serving the Highness as her maid to support us financially."

"Really?" Lao San Shou pulled away and asked his daughter face-to-face with a smile. "You work for the Highness in palace?"

Yin Er nodded her head while still recovering from her emotions of being reunited with her actual father.

"Unlike my son," He now turned to Kai with resentment. "who has disappointed me time and again!"

"Hey father, how can you say that?" Kai argued his case while eating.

"Kai, he is also your uncle. Now that you are here with us for lunch, aren't you going to serve him food and cup of tea?" De Qi continued his reprimand.

Reluctantly, Kai did as he was told.

"Thank you, young man!" San Shou accepted the cup of tea and food served on his bowl of rice. "Since I am your god sister's actual father, you should acknowledge me as your father-in-law."

"What?" Kai asked in disbelief. "Hey uncle, while I am grateful and served you as my repayment and father instructed, I have no interest in your daughter. She is like my sister!"

"Hey young man! How can you say that about my daughter!" San Shou protested. "Even if she is not your real sister, she has all the virtues to be a good wife too!"

"Father, can you please stop it?" Yin Er asked, blushing. "You make me embarrassed!"

"Daughter, what I said about you is true! And I am sure your god father agrees with me too!"

De Qi smiled awkwardly before giving his opinion: "While I am happy at your reunion as father and daughter, I don't think it is appropriate to talk about this now. For my son is still immature and can't even look after himself let alone others!"

"Your son has a lot to learn indeed." San Shou acknowledged. "Otherwise I won't be saving him in the first place!"

"Father, what's going on?" Yin Er asked, looking puzzled. Then turning to Kai, she asked: "Kai, are you getting into trouble again?"

"Actually, Yin Er, I am to blame too." De Qi acknowledged his flaws. "What happened is that two days ago, three men came to my shop demanding to see my son for geomancy consultation. Even though I volunteered to go with them, they insisted on my son instead.

Just this morning, they came back to confront over my son's disappearance and demanded that I bring him to see them. Otherwise they will make life hard for me."

Turning to his son again, he questioned: "Son, how and where did you get to know them in the first place? You must have done something to offend them, haven't you?"

"Father, I really do not know them at all. They just came from nowhere and made life difficult for me. If not for this uncle's help, I may not be here anymore." Kai said.

"De Qi, I have to agree with your son." San Shuo said. "If not for me being pursued by my own enemies as well, I will have not encountered and saved your him!"

"Then in that case, is there anything else you can do to help me deal with them?" De Qi asked. "Otherwise they will come again to create trouble!"

"In that case, father, can you do something to help us?" Yin Er requested as his daughter.

"Of course I can! Since you are my daughter and he's my potential son-in-law, how can I leave him in trouble?" San Shou said, smiling radiantly.

"In that case, I have to trouble you again." Kai said, feeling totally relieved over what he just heard.

As night descended upon Dai Capital City, Tian Hu Fa and his two brothers made their return.

Their footsteps echoed softly against the deserted streets as they made their way back to the fortune-telling shop. Upon reaching, they were taken aback to find lanterns adorning the door, alongside talisman tokens which elicited disdain from Hai.

"That's outrageous!" He exclaimed with contempt. "Trying to feign death to fool us!"

"Let us force our way in and confront them." Di Hu Fa concurred.

With resolve in their hearts, the trio approached the door with the intention of breaking it open. However, before they could take further action, a white assassin appeared before them, blocking their path with an imposing presence.

Instinctively, the trio brandished their emerald beam daggers and spears in defence before charging forward. However, they soon realized that their opponent to be highly skilled, capable of blocking and deflecting their attacks despite being unarmed. Even when outnumbered three to one, he seemed undeterred, demonstrating unmatched skill and agility as he maneuvered through the onslaught of strikes.

With swift and fluid movements, the assassin disarmed each of the brothers, rendering them defenceless within moments. Their emerald beam daggers and spears now lay at the feet of their adversary, who stood victorious over the fallen warriors. The fight ended in seconds, leaving the brotherly trio stunned and vulnerable on the ground.

At that moment; the assassin removed the mask and revealing himself to be Lao San Shou. With weapons in his other hand, he chuckled as he looked upon the bewildered faces of three brothers.

"White And Black Demon Warrior Lao Shan Shou?" Tian Hu Fa asked while he and his brothers were still baffled by how they were defeated so easily and quickly.

San Shou nodded his head and answered with a smile: "Yes, that's me!"

"Aren't you the same guy who was attacked by the black riders and whom we try to save?" Hai Hu Fa sought clarification.

"Why do you suddenly get in our way?" Di Fu Ha questioned, suspicion lacing his tone. "Was that attack part of your scheme to distract us and facilitate that young fellow's escape?"

"I am born and live as a wanderer with a strong sense of justice." San Shou answered. "What and why I do is my own business and none of yours!"

"What and why you do is your business indeed." Tian Hu Fa said as he and his brothers got back on their feet and asserted their own autonomy. "So is what and why we do as our business! Since we don't know each other well, why do you want to cross our paths?"

"That's funny. I am about to ask you as well. Who are you guys actually?" San Shou counter asked. "And what wrong has Kai Seven done to you and deserve your repeated harassment for him and his family?"

Tian Hu Fa and his brothers exchanged uncertain glances, grappling for an appropriate explanation for their actions

"What's wrong? Are you all dumb?" San Shou inquired. "Dare to do but don't dare to admit?"

With his gaze fixed on San Shou, Tian Hu Fa said: "This is a sacred secret among our Qing Ming Emerald Sect members and cannot be disclosed."

San Shou, still puzzled, pressed for clarity. "I'm sorry? But I don't understand what secret you try to hide, and most importantly, what does Kai have to do with this?"

At this point, Hai turned to Tian and urged him: "Big Brother, since he wants to know, I suggest you tell him."

Reluctantly, Tian nodded and conceded: "Very well. We are the last survivors and members of Qing Ming Emerald Sect. According to our late leader's will, whoever found the jaded treasure chest he has been hiding for years will be officially appointed as his worthy successor.

For that chest contains four valuable items wielded by our leader in battle as in emerald ring, crossbow, seven arrows, and five sacred daggers. It so happens that Kai Seven accidentally found the chest by chance, and by right, he should be our next leader."

San Shou absorbed the explanation also with a nod but remained puzzled by asking: "I still don't get it. If he is your new leader, why do you want to create trouble for him and his family?"

"That's because he does not know anything about martial arts and combat skills! So, we decided to test and train his endurance but ended up wasting time with him. Therefore, he's not fit to be our leader and will bring our reputation down." Di justified their actions, citing Kai Seven's lack of martial prowess.

Tian and Hai nodded in agreement, reinforcing their stance.

San Shou contemplated their reasoning before offering a suggestion. "If that's the case, why not ask him to return the jaded treasure chest and those items to you? Why must you make life hard for him and his family?"

"Because even though he should be our leader, he has a lousy attitude and weak endurance. All we did was to test and train him into a better warrior within the time frame we set for him. But you chose to interfere. Not once but twice!" Tian defended their actions and duty to groom him into their capable leader.

"Oh, I see. Since you want to train him into a better warrior which is also what I have in mind, how about we make a deal?" San Shou chuckled again as he said and asked.

"What deal?" Tian asked with no-nonsense look and tone.

"Since you want your next leader to be highly skilled in combat and martial arts, let me train and mould him instead. What do you say?"

Turning to his brothers who nodded, Tian did likewise and agreed: "Very well then. I leave Kai Seven to you in training and moulding him into a better warrior. But on one condition."

"What condition?" San Shou asked.

"We give you six months to train him. But if by then he still hasn't changed and loses to us, then don't blame us for being ruthless as this has been an agreement among all three of us!" Tian Hu Fa declared.

"Only six months? If not, you will kill him? Isn't that too much?"

"That's our final decision. Non-negotiable!"

Without even giving San Shou a chance to argue further, the trio turnedand departed.

"Given my son's wayward behaviour, I now entrusted him to you."

Those were what De Qi said as he allowed his son Kai Seven to leave with and being trained by his old friend Lao Shan Shou into better warrior and person. Along with Yin Er, they bid farewell to her father and his son just at the hut doorway.

Kai, now in his green tunic and white clothing with green boots, remained uninterested and pretended to be distracted by his natural surroundings despite being well-familiar with them.

Under their agreement, Yin Er would continue to provide for his father as Highness's handmaiden and helping with household chores while Kai would undergo six months of vigorous training in fitness and combat skills at Shan Shou's hideout and other home on the other side of Qing Tao hills.

"Kai, I hope you can look after my father the same way I looked after yours." Yin Er said.

"Of course! Even though your father is also my martial arts teacher and should be better in looking after himself!" Kai responded sarcastically.

"Son! Can you please mind your manners?" His father again told him off. "

He's now your teacher. Do what he tells you."

Turning to his friend, he said with a smile: "I leave him now to you and trust that you will change him for the better."

"Of course, I will! I need to leave now. And my daughter, please take care of yourself as well." San Shuo said.

After which, they bid one another farewell and moved on with their lives.

The journey to his new master's abode stretched far longer and more arduous than Kai Seven anticipated Even the previous expedition with three elderly brothers Tian, Hai, and Di Hu Fa paled in comparison to this.

Initially filled with enthusiasm and curiosity on exploring, his excitement waned as the journey dragged on. Hours passed with nothing but an unending expanse of pine trees stretching out before him. Each step grew heavier, and fatigue began to weigh on his body, urging him to rest.

Despite his weariness, he hesitated to voice his discomfort to San Shou. Instead, he stopped and leaned wearily against the nearest tree before succumbing to sleep.

As Lao San Shou observed Kai sleeping a mischievous prank manifested in his mind.

With a playful grin, he plucked a slender blade of grass from the verdant carpet of foliage and approached the sleeping young man. Gently trailing the grass across Kai's cheek, he hoped to rouse the slumbering youth from his dreams.

"Hey, young man!" He echoed through the tranquil forest as he trailed the grass along Kai's cheek, but to no avail. Kai remained blissfully unaware, lost in the realm of dreams.

Growing impatient with Kai's unresponsiveness, he resorted to more drastic measures. With a sudden burst of energy, he leaned close to Kai's ear and unleashed a hearty shout: "You little rascal!"

Startled by the sudden noise, Kai opened his eyes and bolted upright, clutching his ear in discomfort.

"What in the world?" He exclaimed; his irritation evident as he rubbed his throbbing ear. "Hey! Do you have to shout in my ear?"

But San Shou could not suppress a chuckle at his disciple's reaction, finding amusement in the success of his prank.

"It's getting dark soon. We need to move quickly to avoid getting lost in the woods." He urged his disciple.

"Can't you see I'm getting tired? Can't you let me sleep just for a while?" Kai asked in frustration.

Undeterred by Kai's protests, Lao teased him with warnings of the dangers lurking in the forest at night.

"You want to sleep here? That's fine with me." He replied, still chuckling. "But let me warn you. Come nightfall, there will be beasts, demons, ghosts and even reptiles creeping on you when you least expect. If you don't want to continue, I will go alone."

As his master prepared to leave, Kai was drawn to unusual sounds emanating from somewhere within the forest.

Filled with fear that his master's words might come true, he was overcome with terror and urgently shouted: "Master, please wait for me!"

With a sense of trepidation gnawing at his gut, he hurriedly gathered his belongings and hastened after him, his decision reinforced by the eerie noises echoing through the forest.

"What's wrong? I thought you said you want to sleep here. Why suddenly follow me again?" his master asked.

"On second thought, I think it is better to follow you as my master." However reluctant he was, Kai felt compelled to express his change of mind as they resumed their journey.

Nestled amidst the peaceful embrace and other end of Qing Tao Hills, Lao San Shou's wooden hut stood as a humble sanctuary amidst the rugged wilderness.

Surrounded by towering pines and ancient oaks, the hut seemed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings, its weathered exterior weathered by the passage of time.

From afar, it appeared as a solitary beacon of tranquillity amidst the untamed wilderness, a refuge from the chaos of the outside world.

Approaching the hut, Kai became disappointed as what he saw failed to meet his expectations. For the humble dwelling offered no hint of the mystical wonders he envisioned.

As he entered, his eyes swept over and took in the sparse furnishings and utilitarian decor. A simple wooden table stood at the center, flanked by a pair of worn chairs, while a threadbare rug lay strewn across the earthen floor. Shafts of sunlight filtered through the cracks in the walls, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow upon the room's modest surroundings.

Compared to his own humble dwelling and even his father's modest fortune-telling shop in Capital City, his master's home seemed woefully inadequate. The walls, weathered and worn with age, bore the scars of time, their surfaces marred by cracks and patches of peeling paint. The earthen floor, bare and dusty, creaked underfoot with every step, and the sparse furnishings did little to soften the harshness of the surroundings.

As he sank into the worn chair, its familiar creak echoing in the silence of the hut, he again felt exhaustion settling upon his shoulders. Resting his head upon the table, he closed his eyes, surrendering to the pull of slumber. The worn surface beneath his cheek felt cool and comforting against his skin, a welcome respite from the heat of the day. As he drifted into unconsciousness, the cares and concerns of the world melted away, replaced by the gentle embrace of sleep.

Entering his modest abode, Lao San Shou took a swig from his weathered wineskin and relished the taste of the aged vintage as it warmed his throat and invigorated his senses.

Despite the weariness, the wine seemed to infuse him with a renewed vitality, banishing the fatigue that threatened to overwhelm him.

Glancing at his disciple, he felt amused. Though he had traversed the same rugged terrain, he had greater endurance. Upon settling before table, he savoured the last drops from his wineskin. All of sudden, his disciple opened his eyes and asked: "Master, can you let me rest for a while?"

"No problem, my young friend," he replied, his tone gentle and reassuring. "Take your time."

As his disciple closed his eyes and laid his head again, he remarked loudly: "Wow! How come there so many red ants under the chair and on the table!"

Startled, Kai sprang to his feet, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he recoiled from the perceived threat.

Only to find himself the unwitting victim of his master's playful ruse, as the latter reclaimed the seat and kicked the other to the far corner, leaving Kai to stand bewildered and bemused. His master then unfurled an old handheld fan, its weathered surface a testament to years of use, and began to fan himself leisurely..

"You fall for my tricks again!" His master again chuckled. "As your master,I am always better than you!"

This time Kai remained silent as he found no way to argue with his master.

"Hey, you think you are the only one tired?" His master asked. "I am just as tired. Since I am the master and this is my home, it is now my turn to sleep. While I sleep, go and prepare a meal for me. Once you are done, wake me up!"

Having said that, San Shou fell asleep on the table.

Cooking was an art that Kai had mastered amid his lacklustre approach to life.

While he may have been lazy and sloppy in other things, wielding a spatula and stirring pot seemed to awaken a latent talent within him. This culinary prowess owed much to Yin Er, his god sister and the daughter of his new master. Under her tutelage, he had gleaned the finer points of cooking from her dishes.

Despite his culinary aptitude, Kai harboured a curious habit of refraining from cooking whenever Yin Er was present. It was as if her mere presence rendered his culinary skills dormant, awaiting her absence to spring to life. Only in her absence, while she attended to the Highness in the palace, did he venture into the kitchen, ready to unleash his culinary creations upon the world.

However, even in her absence, his culinary repertoire remained relatively modest. His dishes were simple yet satisfying, comprising dishes such as roasted bean curd with seafood in chili sauce, succulent roasted chicken and duck meat, and hearty braised vegetables served alongside steamed rice.

Once he finished cooking, he arranged them meticulously on plates and in bowls, alongside chopsticks and spoons, As he stood before the table, he came up with a impish idea and intended to play counter prank on his master

Armed with a vial of sleeping pills and jug of wine, he set to work, stealthily crushing the pills and surreptitiously mixing them into the wine. It was a risky gambit, but the prospect of seeing his master on the receiving end of his own tricks filled him with a sense of gleeful anticipation.

"Master, your dinner is ready," Kai declared, his voice laced with feigned innocence as he gestured towards the table laden with food and drink.

Lao San Shou stirred from his slumber, stretching his arms with a yawn before casting his gaze upon the dishes before him.

His eyes widened in surprise as he took in the sight, a smile gracing his lips at the sight of the sumptuous feast laid out before him.

"Master, please eat while the food is hot." His disciple urged, settling himself into a chair opposite him.

Impressed by the sight before him, San Shou could not help but offer words of praise to his disciple. "Wow! I didn't know you're such a great cook despite being poor in everything else."

Kai humbly deferred to his master, eager for him to sample the fruits of his labour.

"All thanks to your daughter. Master, please try my cooking," Kai insisted, serving up generous portions of each dish onto his master's waiting rice bowl.

Yet, even as he prepared to indulge in the feast laid before him, a hint of suspicion crept into his master's voice as he voiced his concerns. "At the same time, I'm wondering if your dishes are laced with poison?" He quipped, a playful glint in his eye as he teased his disciple.

Taken aback by his master's jest, Kai protested vehemently, his words tinged with indignation.

"Hey master! How can you say that? You asked me to prepare a meal which I did painstakingly. Besides, I have a lot to learn from you. Let's not talk now while we eat."

Agreeing to set aside their banter in favor of enjoying the meal, Lao San Shou proposed a compromise, suggesting Kai partake of the feast first.

"Okay, in that case, why don't you eat first and I eat later?" he suggested, eager to defuse the tension with a light-hearted jest.

With his master's permission granted, Kai wasted no time in sampling his own handiwork, eagerly digging into the array of dishes before him.

Yet, as he began to eat with gusto, his master gently intervened, halting Kai's chopstick with his.

"Hey! I only ask you to try some, not eat all! Since you cooked for me, shouldn't I eat as well?" he chided, his words infused with a hint of mirth.

"Ok." Respecting his master's wishes, Kai acquiesced with a sheepish grin, conceding to share the feast as intended.

When his master ate, he continued to praise his cooking: "Hmm!Your cooking is pretty good!"

Next, his master lifted the cup to his lips and sipped the wine.

As the meal progressed, and Lao San Shou indulged in the dishes prepared

by his disciple, a subtle change began to come over him.

Gradually, a sense of drowsiness crept upon him, his eyelids growing heavy as he fought to stay awake. Despite his efforts to maintain his composure, the effects of the sleeping pills mixed into the wine began to take hold, casting a hazy veil over his senses.

Sensing his master's impending slumber, Kai Seven could no longer contain his amusement, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

With a light-hearted chuckle, he was unable to resist teasing his master, relishing the opportunity to reveal his prank.

"Master, you finally fell for my prank!" he exclaimed, his laughter echoing through the room as he watched his master succumb to the effects of his sleeping pills.

As Kai observed his master lying unconscious, a surge of opportunity and freedom enveloped him, urging him to seize the chance to escape the oppressive hold of servitude.

Bolting into the dense woods, he disregarded the ominous warnings of mythical creatures and shadows that had haunted his existence under his so-called master's tutelage. In the embrace of newfound liberation, his heart swelled with unrestrained elation, his cries of joy echoing through the silent forest.

Yet amidst his jubilation, his heedless stride faltered as he stumbled over an inconspicuous obstruction, unseeing in his exuberance. Angrily spurning the seemingly innocuous white cloth strip that had ensnared him, he pressed forward, only to be ensnared once more by a relentless phantom force through disembodied voice this time.

"You little rascal! How dare you poison me!"

In his frenzied escape, his path intersected with a figure emerging from the shadows - his master, Lao San Shou.

The once-revered mentor now revealed his sinister intent, wielding the very cloth that had ensnared Kai with a cruel, mocking laughter. With swift efficiency, Lao Shan Shou bound Kai's legs, his laughter resonating through the forest as he dragged his captive back into the darkness of their shared abode, Kai's fleeting taste of freedom vanishing into the night.

The next day, Kai Seven embarked on his initial training session, regardless of his previous actions that led to him caught by his master.

Lao San Shou seemed to have noticed and acknowledged Kai was not in good physical condition. As a result, he instructed Kai to run five kilometres from his house to a nearby hill, despite Kai's objections. Ensuring that his disciple would not deceive him and escape again, he securely fastened Kai's legs with the same white cloth while simultaneously running and pulling him along.

Despite Kai's reluctance and complains, both finished the run and then returned to his home for lunch, followed by a two-hour training session where Shan Shou instructed Kai in fundamental leaps, roundhouse kicks, and punches. During this instance, Kai Seven demonstrated a greater level of seriousness. As he practiced amidst the tranquil woods' surroundings, San Shou smiled, nodded, and supervised him while waving his old hand fan.

Following which, San Shou proceeded to instruct Kai in the art of aerobic leaps, a crucial skill in martial arts training. With precision and focus, Kai executed the leaps flawlessly, effortlessly bounding from one tree to another under his guidance.

With the completion of the aerobic leaps training, Kai's first day in formal training ended. It marked the beginning of what promised to be a challenging yet rewarding guidance under his new master.

Shortly after sending her godfather off from palace, Yin Er received new instructions from the Highness which she found rather weird.

From her years of serving the Highness, she always saw her as calm and composed. But from the Highness being visibly upset by her godfather's insights about her older brother's plight, she could not help feeling her next assigned task was rather irrational and nonsensical.

Which was to summon her god brother Kai Seven to the Highness's Chamber the same way she summoned her godfather and Kai's father De Qi. For she knew them both well.

Given his mischief and tendency to get into trouble through his words and actions especially masquerading as some Prince Da Li in recent competition by Highness to find marriage suitors, she could not see how her god brother could help the Highness better than his father who was clearly more experienced and professional in his fortune-telling.

But upon the Highness's strong insistence and threat of terminating her services as handmaiden - should she continue to argue and question further, Yin Er had no choice but to comply even though this was the first time she suffered the Highness's wrath following her depression over what happened to Li Neng Yuan and her older brother.

Realizing that her god brother Kai Seven was still undergoing training by her actual father and now his new master, she decided to visit them with her godfather De Qi.

On their way there in the woods, they saw something or someone flying from one tree to another.

"Godfather, what's that?" She asked.

"Must be some bird flying. Come, let us proceed before nightfall." Her godfather De Qi urged her on while carrying his grey backpack.

It did not take long for them to find out the answer.

As they delved deeper into the woods, a figure suddenly appeared, leaping before them.

De Qi instinctively shielded himself with his robes, wary of potential danger lurking in the forest. The memory of his past encounter with that old man and his men at the shop weighed heavily on his mind, heightening his caution.

Yin Er, initially taken aback, soon recognized the familiar face of her godbrother, Kai.

"Hey father! It looks like you are timider than Yin Er!" Kai commented upon landing right before them.

"How do you know we come to see you?" She inquired with her smile.

"I also don't know. Your dad asked me to practice my acrobatic skills by jumping and leaping between trees. Even though the training is over, I am still enjoying the thrill." He replied with a grin.

"But even so, you should not jump around and scare us instead of greeting us directly." De Qi again gave his usual lecture. Then all the sudden, he turned to Kai before he too smiled and asked: "Hey Kai! Your skills have improved tremendously!"

Kai Seven awkwardly displayed a smile, appreciating the rare moment when his father offered praise instead of criticism and scolding.

Feeling curious of their visit, he asked: "Why are you both here?"

"We are both here to bring you back." His god sister answered, still smiling. "The Highness wants to see you immediately."

Upon hearing the news, Lao San Shou became upset.

He grabbed his disciple's shoulders and forcefully pinned him onto a bench inside his home, assuming that the disciple had been romantically involved with the princess instead of appreciating his daughter.

"Tell me, how did you get involved with the Highness?" San Shou asked, his voice filled with anger. "You took my daughter for granted, despite all that she had done for you and your father. I now regret taking you as my disciple!"

"Father, you got it wrong! The Highness wants to see him for his fortune-telling consultation on her older brother's whereabouts and plight. This has nothing to do with me! But everything to do with the Highness! Since she is my superior, I must bring him to see her." Yin Er clarified and pleaded with her father.

"No! I won't allow him to leave!" San Shou turned even his daughter down. "His training has just started. Besides I have given my word to Tian Hu Fa and his brothers to train him for six months which failing to do so, they will find him and create more trouble for us! Given his lack of fitness and just teaching him a few basics, he will not be able to meet their requirements!"

At this moment, De Qi smiled and decided to intervene: "To be honest, like your daughter, I found the Highness's request weird too.

Despite giving my best in my consultation, the Highness refused to believe me and insisted on seeing my son for the same reason regarding her older brother's plight. So for my sake, can you let him go and see the Highness for a while?"

"I'm sorry, my friend. Though he is your son, he is also my disciple. Just because I teach him some basics to improve his fitness and skills, he still has a long way to go and has not even mastered a tenth of what I intend to impart him." San Shou turned him down flatly.

"Hey master, I only see the Highness only for a day! After which I come back and continue my training. Why do you kick up such a big fuss?" Kai asked in protest.

"You little rascal, you still owed me a lot for what you put me through! Just because I taught you some basics, you think you can take on the world. Don't be so naïve! Besides I have given my word to them. Believe me, six months will pass quickly." San Shou maintained his stand.

"No matter how you put it, you are just doing it for yourself!" Kai argued.

"Hey, I am doing these to help you, and you did not even thank me!" San Shou countered.

"Kai, can you stop being rude to your master!" De Qi again lectured him.

"Since your daughter asked me to go, how can I turn her down?" Having said that, Kai got up and walked out of the door.

Only to be stopped by San Shou's halting voice.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?"

"I'm accompanying your daughter to see the Highness of course!" Kai answered.

"You come over here!" San Shou demanded.

As Kai came over, his master tied up both his hands with his white cloth tightly before granting him permission: "Now you can leave."

After his disciple and daughter left, San Shou turned to his friend De Qi saying: "This rascal has a lot of tricks up his sleeves! If I don't discipline him, he will never listen!"

At this point, De Qi could only nod and smiled despite feeling disturbed.

Due to the grandeur of the coronation and marriage ceremony of former Shibeibu Princess Demeika, Yin Er found herself caught up in her duties as among the handmaidens attending to the Highness.

Her obligations prevented her from immediately bringing her god brother into the palace. Like others including the Highness, she had to greet and acknowledge the newly crowned Empress Dowager in her new chambers. It was only after she and the other maids were dismissed that she could finally return to Kai and facilitate his entry.

Before leaving him, she took a moment to untie Kai's hands, offering him reassurance that she would tie them again later, upon their return to her father and Kai's master. She also provided him with instructions to wait for her at the Dai Long Teahouse, along with money to sustain himself while he waited.

Despite her efforts to ensure his compliance, she could not shake her concern that he might take advantage of her absence to join his unsavoury acquaintances. The thought troubled her, knowing that she would face a difficult task in explaining his disappearance to both her father and godfather if he were to abscond.

Upon entering The Highness's Tower and Chambers, Kai Seven could not contain his awe at the grandeur and opulence surrounding him.

For despite having been in the Dai palace before, this was his first time exploring The Highness's personal domain, and the experience left him spellbound.

The intricate architecture, adorned with elaborate tapestries and gilded decorations, spoke volumes of the Highness's status and importance within the palace. He could not help but marvel at the wealth and power that emanated from every corner of the chambers.

Although he had sneaked into the palace with chef Bai San's help and assumed the identity of Prince Da Li in recent competition for The Highness's hand in marriage, this encounter felt entirely different as he was here as himself, guided by his god sister as among Highness's handmaidens and with a legitimate purpose for his visit.

As he proceeded further, he could not help feeling fascinated and being captivated by the intricate details of the furnishings, the delicate craftsmanship of the artwork, and the air of majesty that permeated the space. As well as the gardens surrounding the palace. The vibrant colors of the flowers, the lush greenery, and the delicate fragrance of blossoms filled the air, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere.

He was also attracted to the intricately designed pathways that wound through the gardens, leading to hidden alcoves and tranquil ponds. Each step revealed new wonders, from exotic plant species to delicate sculptures nestled among the foliage. The gentle rustle of leaves and the melodious chirping of birds provided a soothing soundtrack to their stroll, adding to the enchantment of the surroundings. He felt a sense of peace and tranquillity wash over him as he immersed himself in natural gardens.

Lost in the splendour of the moment, he lingered a little longer, drinking in the sights and sounds of the palace gardens. It was a fleeting escape from the rigors of everyday life, a moment of pure wonder and delight that he would treasure forever.

Overall, the anticipation of finally meeting The Highness face-to-face added an extra layer of excitement to his exploration. His first unexpected encounter with her during Dai Unity Festival and after her unexpected appearance in his father's fortune-telling shop, he had been haunted by dreams of her, each one more vivid than the last.

When he saw her face-to-face, he could not help but be struck by her presence. She was even more beautiful than he had imagined, her white robes flowing gracefully around her, and her long blue hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. But what caught him off guard the most was her height. He had expected her to be regal, but she stood taller than he had envisioned, her stature commanding attention and respect.

Lost in admiration, he was momentarily oblivious to his surroundings until he felt a gentle nudge at his shoulders. Turning to see Yin Er, his god sister, he realized that he was too immersed by the Highness's presence to even notice her.

"Hey! Now that you are before The Highness, aren't you going to kneel and pay respect to her?" Yin Er's voice brought him back to reality, her words a gentle reminder of the protocol expected in the presence of royalty.

Startled out of his reverie, Kai quickly dropped to his knees, bowing his head in deference to The Highness. Despite his initial awe, he knew that he must show proper respect and courtesy in her presence, as befitting her status in comparison to his and even his god sister.

"Greetings, your Highness. I am Kai Seven." That was all he could bring himself to say since he was overwhelmed by her beauty and stature.

"That's ok. Being Yin Er's brother, there's no need for formalities. You can stand up." The Highness said before taking her seat on the chamber throne.

"You may sit too." She said, turning to Yin Er who then guided him to the seat before the circular table facing the Highness.

Upon being seated, Kai felt more comfortable and was able to speak naturally.

"Your Highness, I'm really sorry for what happened the other day in my shop." He apologized. "I was too engrossed with my work that I failed to notice you and your other maid. Please forgave me for my negligence."

"It's okay. I understand." The Highness forgave him before getting to the point. "Now it's your turn to make amends. I want you to find out my older brother Dai Chong's current whereabouts and plight. Though your father has provided me with his analysis, I am not convinced. Can you do better and help me this time?"

Upon hearing these words, Kai felt bewildered and confused. For he knew next to nothing about fortune-telling compared to his father and had to rely on deception to navigate his way out of situations with past customers including Bai San. But deceiving the Highness would weigh heavily on his conscience if his ruse was uncovered.

"Hey, Kai! Didn't you keep telling me you like the Highness?" His god sister suddenly chimed in with a teasing tone. "Now she is giving you a chance to prove yourself, are you just going to sit and do nothing?"

Nodding his head, Kai took his father's grey garment bag and retrieved the same black cup and three dice with blue dots before placing them on the table, with the cup covering the dice. Like his father, he simply shook the cup and dice while moving them across the table while keeping his eyes closed. After a while, he took up the cup and revealed four, five and six dots on each of the dice.

"Now, that's a good sign!" He commented. "Right now, your older brother is still in Shibeibu Empire and danger. But with his strong will, status and body, he won't die easily. Eventually his luck will change, and he will return here safely."

Even though he was just basing his optimistic predictions on the dice figures, he could now see the Highness smiling more radiantly and looking more relaxed.

"I am happy to hear that. Thank you for telling me." She expressed his gratitude.

"Please don't mention it, your Highness. I'm just doing my job." Kai Seven chose to be more modest in his reply.

"Now I have another favor from you." The Highness made her second request.

Upon hearing those words, Kai and even his god sister were completely taken by surprise.

"Your Highness, may I know what that is?" Kai asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I want you to find out the whereabouts and well-being of Li Neng Yuan and his family." The Highness replied, her tone serious and her gaze unwavering.

Upon hearing her request, Kai felt a pang of disappointment in his chest. For his hopes of making her happy were now replaced by a sense of resignation.

"Are you referring to the former West District Commander and Prince Consort?" Kai asked, seeking confirmation even though he already knew the answer. The reality of Neng Yuan as her choice was hard for him to accept.

The Highness simply nodded in response.

Though reluctant and weighed down by a heavy heart, Kai did not want to let the Highness down. Repeating his earlier actions, he again covered the dice with the black cup before shaking and moving them across the table. Opening the cup the second time, he saw three, four and five dots on the dice before providing his interpretation:

"Regarding the former West District Major and Prince Consort, his situation is the same as your older brother. He will also face challenges but with his skill and wisdom, he will overcome them and reunite with you."

"Is he and his family still alive?" The Highness inquired, leaning closer with concern evident in her eyes.

"Of course, of course! With his capabilities, no challenge will prove insurmountable." Kai replied with a reassuring smile, though inwardly he harboured doubts about his own words. Nevertheless, he felt compelled to get the Highness smiling again.

"Thank you for your consultation once again." The Highness expressed her gratitude, though his god sister looked on with scepticism, aware of his tendency to embellish the truth.

"Don't mention it. It's my honour to be of service to you, your Highness," Kai replied, choosing to remain humble despite convincing her again.

Turning to his god sister and her handmaiden, the Highness instructed: "Yin Er, please pass the token worth 20,000 platinum or 10,000 gold bars as his compensation."

"Yes, Your Highness," Yin Er complied dutifully, carrying out her task without hesitation.

"Kai, are you sure your analysis is accurate about the Highness's older brother and Prince Consort Li Neng Yuan?" Yin Er asked as they exited the palace, her tone still laced with doubt.

His god sister asked him on their way out of the palace after she passed him his reward.

"Of course! How could I be wrong?" Kai responded with a playful grin, though Yin Er felt a pang of concern.

"Kai, the Highness may not know you well, but I do," Yin Er warned, emphasizing her point. "Moreover, she is smarter than both of us. If she discovers you lied to her, even I won't be able to help you."

As they reached the exit gates, Yin Er handed Kai back her father's and his master's white rope, a symbol of their shared responsibilities.

"Here, you should tie your hands again before returning to my father. I am still on duty, so I can't accompany you." She cautioned, passing him the cloth. "And please, don't get yourself into trouble again!"

"Don't worry. I am heading back to your father now." He assured her with his smile.

The moment they parted ways, and on his own, Kai Seven began to glee over his face-to-face encounter with the Highness finally and the token card he received as reward for helping her despite failing to win her heart.

With the money, he of course had no intention to tie his hands nor return to his master right away. Instead he returned to Capital City. The first thing he spent on were hot pancakes from the vendor he came across. He went about chewing those served with honey syrup. Even though he had an earlier meal at Dai Long Teahouse, he was hungry again after spending time and energy providing consultation for the Highness.

He also began to miss life there, especially downtown plaza after his father's decision to restrict him within his shop after his trouble with the former West District Commander who was now Highness's choice as husband. Halfway while exploring, he heard voices calling him.

Turning around, he was happy and relieved to see his friends - An Qiao, Bai Huo, Cong Lang and Yang Ge - approaching him even though they were considered by his family as bad company. Especially after the Dai En brothel incident and arrest by Li Neng Yuan as reasons why his father and god sister still held them accountable.

Cong Lang's voice broke the air, filled with the warmth of camaraderie.

"Hey bro! It has been a long time since we last met. How've you been?"

Still harboring a smile, Kai responded, "Let me finish my food first."

After savouring the last bite of his pancakes, he resumed, "Ever since the last incident, my father confined me to his shop and our home. But recently I met a top pugilist master who happens to be my father's friend and been learning martial arts at his place in the hills."

Yang Ge interjected with scepticism: "Hey, please stop bluffing us! While others do not know, we do! You like to talk big but never do and accomplish anything!"

"Hey, it's true!" Kai protested. "Instead of just talking, let me show you some few moves he taught me."

With confidence, he demonstrated a series of swift maneuvers - a body flip over the ground, followed by precise punches and kicks. As he gracefully landed back in front of his friends, they stood in awe, silently acknowledging his newfound skills.

"See, what I mean?" Kai grinned over their astonishment. "This time I am not boosting but speaking the truth!"

Then producing his white token card with the Dai Dynasty emblem, he proudly proclaimed: "You see this? This is not just any card. But a token directly from the Highness as reward for helping her. Do you guys want to know how much it is worth?"

"Really? You mean the Highness has taken a liking to you?" Bai Huo asked.

"How much, Kai?" An Qiao inquired.

"Believe it or not, this card is worth 20,000 platinum or 10,000 gold bars. Hey since today is my lucky day and I am in great mood, let me treat you guys to Dai En brothel!"

With that said, all of them headed for Dai En brothel the second time, assured that the amount they have is much more than last time.

Following his return to Dai Dynasty and palace for the first time in years, Hu Qi' decided to head to Dai En brothel.

This time, his visit was not cantered around official matters and discussions, but rather to celebrate his promotion as the new West District major and law enforcement commander. Deputy owner Madam Huang had recommended the best women available to serve him in the elegant dining areas reserved for the elite class on the second storey.

As the evening unfolded, the table was adorned with the finest dishes and wine, catered from Dai Long Teahouse, set before him and three girls. Laughter filled the air as they engaged in an old game of tic-tac-toe, with the losers having to take additional drinks, adding to the jovial atmosphere of the celebration.

As the celebration progressed, his attention was drawn to a commotion unfolding downstairs. Intrigued by the disturbance, he went down the stairs and saw Madam Huang and her guards engaged in a struggle with some unruly youths attempting to force their way into the brothel.

Fuelled by a sense of duty and responsibility as the newly appointed West District major and law enforcement commander, he felt compelled to intervene and restore order to the situation. Addressing the intruders with a tone of authority, he inquired, "May I ask which stray dogs do you belong to?"

His words were backed by the presence of his own Dai bodyguards, signaling his readiness to uphold the law and maintain peace within the district. The atmosphere grew tense as the green-haired youth, evidently the leader of the group, responded with a mocking laugh.

"Which stray dogs are you referring to?" He retorted, his companions joining in the laughter.

His anger flared at their insolence. "Obviously I am referring to all of you!" He thundered, feeling insulted by their dismissive attitude.

In a swift motion, Hu Qi halted his descent down the stairs and positioned himself right before the unruly youths. Without a moment's hesitation, he launched into action, delivering powerful punches and kicks towards the green-haired man's face and abdomen.

The sudden assault caught Kai Seven off guard.

Despite his basic martial arts knowledge, he was ill-prepared for the onslaught and bore the full force of the blows. Struggling to maintain his balance, he leaned heavily on his friends for support, his body reeling from the impact of the attack.

Enraged by what they saw, his friends An Qiao and Bai Huo leaped into action, determined to defend him. However, their efforts proved futile as they were overwhelmed by the opponent's superior strength and skill. With lightning speed, the adversary unleashed devastating roundhouse kicks, sending them crashing into the door, their bodies reeling from the impact.

Witnessing their friends' plight, Cong Lang and Yang Ge rushed to join the fray, hoping to turn the tide of the battle. However, their attempts to land punches were met with resistance, their arms deflected and twisted by the opponent's expert maneuvers. Excruciating cries of pain echoed through the room as Cong Lang and Yang Ge found themselves powerless.

Fuelled by fury at seeing his friends in distress, Kai launched a renewed assault, flipping his body and delivering a powerful punch. But his efforts were in vain as the opponent swiftly retaliated, using the weight of his injured friends against him, sending him hurtling through the air with a forceful blow.

Before Kai could recover and get up, he felt being stamped upon his back and his long hair being pulled roughly by his new brown-haired opponent.

"No matter how good you are in martial arts, you will never be a match for me even if you practised for ten years and more!" He twisted his foot upon Kai's back upon uttering those words. "Also let this be a lesson and my final warning for you and your friends. I am now the law enforcer and if I see you again, I will throw you all behind bars and be fed to real stray dogs!"

Laughing, he released his foot before departing with his men, Madam Huang and her guards from the scene while everyone else resumed their activities, leaving Kai Seven and his friends utterly angered and humiliated.