"So, What is this?" Lo Feng pointed down at Liang Kuo who was staring wide eyed up at him.
Liang Shufen hummed as he shifted through the pieces of fabric. "What is what?" He idly asked, not bothering to look over.
"What is this." Lo Feng stood up gesturing to Liang Kuo, "This! This child! This thing! Since when has it been here?"
Liang Shufen gazed at him for a moment then glanced down at Liang Kuo with a gentle smile, "Oh, this is my son. Kuo, introduce yourself."
Liang Kuo's gaze never left Lo Feng. With a dull voice that didn't match the childlike eyes that held more killing intent than Lo Feng had seen in years, he said, "My name is Liang Kuo." And then as if to add fuel to the fire he added, he smirked and asked "What is yours?"
Lo Feng bristled.
He had arrived earlier this morning with a bundle of silks in his arms. Lo Feng was known to be eccentric and overly friendly by the villagers, to the point where truths mingled with lies until all that reached Laing Shufen's ears were rumors so dark and twisted that Liang Shufen wanted nothing to do with him. That was why the moment he had received notice that Laing Shufen had invited him to his sect- well he dropped everything he was working on and ran here as fast as he could, but the moment he saw Kuo his smile dropped and the silks he had painstakingly picked out fell to the ground, rolling all over the place.
How could such a thing be here! On a cultivation Sect at that! He couldn't believe it, and it only kept getting worse.
Kuo was shifting through the silks he had brought over with Liang Shufen. He would pause every now and then and gaze up at Lo Feng, smirking with that stupid face of his.
Lo Feng's hands clenched, an action that went unnoticed by Liang Shufen due to them being hidden by his robes sleeves, but that brats smirk only deepened.
Oh, how much he hated the child. He knew full well what the brat meant when he smirked. After all, Lo Feng had told the brats' real father that he hadn't had enough silk to make the clothes he had asked for and yet here he was with enough silk to cloth a village. If word got out about this- he didn't dare think about what would happen.
"This silk?" Liang Shufen spoke up, disturbing the silent war that was happening between the two behind him.
Lo Feng smiled, immediately returning to his normal eccentric self, "Oh! Yes, that fabric was the one I wanted to show you!" He stood up and walked over to Liang Shufen, purposely hitting Kuo with his robes as he did so.
He let out a chuckle as Kuo fell face first into the floor. Kuo scowled as he rubbed his face, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes.
Lo Feng ignored the measly threat and turned his attention back to Liang Shufen. The fabric in question was a beautiful shade of purple that sparkled as it moved. It was softer to the touch and when Liang Shufen pushed some Qi into it, he found that the clothing absorbed it like a barrier.
Lo Feng hummed as noticed the others' actions, "Fascinating isn't it." He grabbed a similar article of silk, this one a deep shade of green, "This fabric was made from red silk spider silk. Very hard to come by and very hard to produce." He held the fabric in front of his face, pride welling up in his eyes.
"And yet, you were able to get your hands on it?" Liang Shufen doubted that Lo Feng had just happened across the silk of red silk spiders.
"Oh! That's the best part." Lo Feng leaned in, practically resting his head on Liang Shufen's shoulder. He glanced back, smirking at Kuo's darkening gaze. While looking Kuo dead in the eye he halfheartedly dropped his arm around Liang Shufen's shoulders. "I didn't just obtain the silk, but the spiders themselves." He whispered into his ear.
A sharp killing intent rose behind them, one that made Lo Feng want to laugh out loud.
Liang Shufen was too engrossed in Lo Feng's words to notice the change of aura behind him. He lifted his head, with wide eyes he dropped the silk in his hand "The spiders! How-"
Lo Feng shook his head and leaned back, sighing as he said, "That's the weird thing. They were given to me as a gift from a guest."
Liang Shufen frowned. It wasn't unheard of for people to exchange priceless treasures for other items, but for someone to have red silk spiders? "What did this guest look like?"
Lo Feng shook his head once more, "Couldn't tell you. They wanted to keep their identity a secret, hmm, but they did order a bunch of robes made from the finest of silks, so they had to have been rich." He leaned back into Liang Shufen's space, resting his head on his shoulder, "Hmm, maybe it was a noble lady or perhaps a noble gentleman trying to win over his lover's heart. Ahhhh, could you imagine?" He covered his heart and let out a dreamy sigh.
Liang Shufen sneered at the other and pushed him away. He remembered why he never invited this man to his Sect, he was too…everything. The man was simply too much. From his extravagant robes to the way he acted, Liang Shufen couldn't figure the man out and had a harder time talking to him, but for once the man actually proved useful.
Red Silk Spiders were demonic creatures known for their silks' unique properties. They used to be highly sought after by cultivators trying to prove their worth, but never had he encountered such creatures in the human realm.
'They must have escaped into the human realm during that…time. ' He frowned at the thought. He hadn't seen red silk spiders when they were…fighting. His eyebrows furrowed and his frown deepened as he tried to recall the painful memories. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the silk. He would have to look into this.
Liang Shufen stood up. Collecting the fabric made by the red silk spiders, he handed them to Lo Feng, "Make enough outfits for my son. I have some matters to discuss with my disciples." Liang Shufen paused before heading out the door, "Will they be done by tonight?"
Lo Feng stood up. Holding his head high he smirked, "Of course, who do you think I am? Hmm."
The moment would have seemed cool if it were any other man, but with Lo Feng it only looked stupid. Liang Shufen sighed at the man's confidence and self-centeredness.
"Baba?" Kuo pulled at Liang Shufen's robes. His eyes wide as he looked up at him.
Liang Shufen's entire demeanor instantly relaxed and he gently patted his son on his head. "Be good and wait here with Lo Feng. I will be back in a little bit."
"Wait, what!" Lo Feng dropped the silk he had grabbed. "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, that is not-Liang Shufen I do not watch children! Wait! Don't go-don't-AHHH, nooooo! Why." Lo Feng fell to the ground and cried out as Liang Shufen's figure disappeared from view.
"Ahhh" Lo Feng sighed, "What damn luck." He sneered.
Despite his anger at his baba leaving, Kuo watched with great interest as Lo Feng's entire persona switched. The smile Lo Feng wore on his face was more sinister and his eyes held a corrupt mischievousness within them. He gathered himself up and with a hum he spun on his heel, gathered the silks he had dropped and got to work, ignoring Kuo's presence.
Kuo scoffed at Lo Feng. He obviously knew of Kuo's true status and yet he ignored him as so. Kuo glanced at the fabrics that were left on the ground than at Lo Feng who was humming to himself as he worked. A smirk made his way onto his face and with all the mischievousness of an innocent child he wobbled over to a pile of silk. He shuffled through them like a warrior on a mission until he came across a plain looking white robe.
"Now, what are you doing?"
Kuo glanced up at Lo Feng with a blank look. He batted his eyelashes and gave his best innocent face, "Pwetty cowthing!" He tugged at the silk in his hand, getting ready to push his Qi into it.
"Uh-uh." Lo Feng grabbed Kuo by the hand, ripping him from the robe. " Don't think I don't know what you are doing." With a firm grip he started to draw Kuo away from the silk. Then like he was reprimanding a child he said, "that particular silk is for a highly respected client. I don't want your childish fingers ruining it."
"Hiwey respected? I don't think so." Kuo whispered.
Lo Feng paused, "Oh? So you do know who you are." He eyed Kuo, "interesting." He leaned down so he was face to face with Kuo, "I think your father would love to know your whereabouts, don't you think so?"
Kuo's eyes turned a deep red.
Lo Feng scoffed at Kuo's attempt at scaring him. "Hmm, now that I think about it. I bet your new father would love to know about your true origins, don't you think?" He sneered down at Kuo, relishing in the others' obvious hate and vulnerability.
He clicked his tongue and smirked, "Sucks when you don't have power, doesn't it."
Kuo's hands shook, his hair fell in front of his face, obscuring his eyes.
Lo Feng smirked, "You know what. I think it would be beneficial if your new father met your real father."
Kuo's eyes flashed at his words. Without warning a piece of silk that was near the two burst into flames.
With a startled yelp, Lo Feng darted towards the burning silk. "Put it out! Put it out!" He yelled at Kuo, but Kuo only stood there, his eyes red as the fire danced before him.
Lo Feng paled as the other watched on with a smile. That look. It resembled him. With a click of the tongue Lo Feng reached into his sleeve and pulled out a talisman, bringing it to his lips he whispered a couple of words and embedded it with Qi. With a flick of his wrist he slammed it onto the burning silk. Instantly the flame was doused by water.
Lo Feng wanted to smile, but upon looking at the scorched fabric in his hand he could only curse in his heart at the demon smirking behind him.
Lo Feng gripped the burnt fabric in his hand and snarled, "I see, so that's how we are going to play, huh." He whispered.
Liang Shufen didn't have to walk far before he stumbled upon his head disciple. Although Chun Hua had been getting things ready for the other Sect Leaders arrival, she had not been neglectful of her duties. At the moment she had been teaching a few newer disciples on their forms. He paused for a moment. His head tilted every so slightly as he gazed at the many new faces. Since when had they gotten new disciples?
One of the newer disciples in the front was the first to catch sight of him. He froze and it didn't take long for the rest to follow.
Chun Hua frowned at the new disciples lack of attention. She too had felt her Shizun's presence, but that did not stop her from focusing on the task at hand.
"Back into positions." She lightly chided. The disciples stumbled at her words, but did not immediately move. They glanced between her and Shizun like small dogs not knowing who to listen to.
"Listen to your Shijie. Get back into position." Liang Shufen's voice was soft as it drifted on the wind, but it also held a sharp sense of authority.
At first the disciples froze at their Shizun's voice. A look of astonishment and amazement washed over them, but upon registering the order within his words and noticing the firmness in his voice, they scrambled on top of one another to get back into the right positions, not daring to glance at their Shizun anymore.
Liang Shufen hummed at their actions.
Chun Hua turned towards her Shizun and bowed, "This one greets Shizun."
Liang Shufen waved his hand and passed her, making his way over to the disciples, specifically a young boy who was shaking as he held the fake sword in his hand. With every step he took, he would stumble lightly, catching himself just before he would make another stumble. It wasn't very noticeable from afar, but with Laing Shufen's cultivation, he could spot it from a mile away.
The young disciple flinched as a shadow covered him. "I-uh-this one-um." The young disciple stuttered as he spoke.
Liang Shufen ignored the young boy's rambling and immediately began to correct his feet. "When wielding a sword, it is not only about where the sword lands, but also how your body wields it. If your feet are unstable your sword will be too." Liang Shufen gently tapped the boy's feet with his sword and moved them to the right position. "Try again."
The boy's eyes light up, "Yes Shizun!"
Chun Hua watched from behind Liang Shufen, taking notes inside her head on the teaching she had missed. When Laing Shufen turned to face her she bowed once more, "Apologies Shizun, this lowly one has not mastered the art of teaching. This one will pay more attention from now on."
Liang Shufen nodded, "It is good that you know your weaknesses. There is a book in the library in regards to cultivation forms, study it and write a report on what you have learned by tomorrow morning."
"Yes Shizun." Chun Hua smiled as she bowed.
Liang Shufen hummed in acknowledgment, "While you are at it. Gather a few disciples and send them on a mission to the neighboring village."
"Shizun?" Chun Hua's eyebrows furrowed. "Is there something happening in the village?"
"As of now, I can not be certain." Liang Shufen placed his hands behind his back as he watched the disciples practice. Their forms getting better with every step. His eyes softened, 'Would this be what my son will look like in a couple of years?'
The thought alone brought a faint smile to his lips.
"Lo Feng came by today."
Chun Hua hummed at that, silently rolling her eyes at the name. "Is he here to make clothes for Shizun's son?"
Liang Shufen nodded, "Yes, but upon his arrival, this one was made aware of a transaction regarding red silk spiders."
Chun Hua froze. "Shizun!" She exclaimed, "But those spiders, they don't live-"
"In the human realm. Yes. I am aware. Yet, Lo Feng was given red silk spiders as a gift from an unknown individual."
Chun Hua began to focus, her mind reeling. It was absurd to think that red silk spiders had entered into the human realm, but then again after that incident anything was possible. If Lo Feng had been gifted such creatures then the individual must have access to such creatures. Chun Hua's eyes light up, understanding what her Shizun wanted her to do.
With a stern voice she cupped her hands, "This one understands, Shizun."
Laing Shufen nodded his head, "Good. See to it that it gets done quickly, but…" He paused, gazing at the disciples training, "…be careful."
Chun Hua smiled. It had been a long time since she had felt this. This warmth filled her heart and brought ease to her mind. Only her Shizun could do this. "Yes, Shizun."