ZHAN SHENG CRIED so hard and for so long that he gave himself a headache and fell asleep shortly afterward. Zhan Sheng slowly opened his eyes, blinking several times as he tried to focus on his surroundings. He found himself in a large bedroom, the walls adorned with intricate carvings and silk tapestries. The room was filled with antique furniture, ornately decorated with inlaid jade and gold leaf. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he realized how comfortable the bed was beneath him, and he snuggled deeper into the soft blankets. Suddenly, Zhan Wei entered the room, and his eyes lit up when he saw Zhan Sheng awake. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed, wrapped an arm around his son, and pulled him close.
"Good morning," he said warmly, smiling down at Zhan Sheng.
Not so fast Mister! We just met!
Don't think I'll let you off that easily! You've been gone half my life. You've got some explaining to do!
But still Zhan Sheng felt his eyes fill with tears again, and his bottom lip trembled.
Who am I kidding?
Daddy! Wuuu! Wuuu!
He stopped himself from crying harder. Zhan Wei tucked a stray piece of hair behind his ears, peering at him fondly. "You look just like your mother."
Zhan Sheng's mind felt like a beehive, he was lost and confused. Why didn't his father come sooner? Why did he let them kill his mother? If he was this rich the whole time, why didn't he ever save him? Or at least bring him some glutinous rice balls!?
Zhan Sheng's bottom lip trembled again.
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions," Zhan Wei said. "I'll try my best to answer them all, but just know Shengzi, I did everything I could to get back to you sooner."
Why didn't you? The words were at the tip of his tongue, but he didn't dare speak them. Even if Zhan Wei were his father, he could still throw him out if he thought Zhan Sheng was too troublesome.
"Don't be afraid," Zhan Wei said his eyes crinkling at the sides. "I'm here." Zhan Wei's alpha scent is like a tantalizing blend of warm spices and rich soil, like the aroma of an exotic spice market mixed with the scent of the earth after a summer rain.
Zhan Sheng relaxed instantly, falling into his father's embrace. "Why didn't you come sooner?"
Zhan Wei stroked his chubby cheeks and sighed through his nose. "I was delayed in the devil's realm."
The devil realm? His mother did tell him that his father was a devil and that he was a half-breed, but Zhan Sheng was always taught that devils always remained in their realm. Did that mean his father was good or evil? Did he have plans for world domination?
Why do these villains always have to be so dramatic?
Can't they just be evil and get on with it? Do they really need to have a sob story about how their cat died and now they want to take over the world?
Bah! He hopes his father wasn't like that, but one can only dream.
"Your grandfather, Zhan Long… well he kept me from coming back to see you and your mother… Shengzi…when you're older I can explain more, but do you know of the four sects?"
Zhan Sheng nodded of course he knew. Everybody knew.
"In Sun Ocean Palace, we have four main sects that are all under the Emperor's rule," he began. "Each sect has its unique characteristics and abilities that make them valuable to the kingdom. The first sect is the Burning Fire sect, made up of shifters who can transform into wolves. They're known for their strength and agility, and they're often called upon for their combat skills."
Zhan Wei paused to let the information sink in before continuing. "The Heavenly Orchard sect is the second sect, consisting of white wolf shifters who can blend into their surroundings. They're excellent hunters and trackers and are often called upon for their strategic thinking."
Zhan Sheng listened intently; his eyes wide with wonder as his father spoke. "The Poison sect, also known as the Snake Poison sect, is made up of snake shifters who possess deadly venom that they can use to their advantage in battle. They're often feared and respected for their deadly abilities."
Zhan Wei leaned in closer to his son. "And finally, the Fearless Gang sect, consisting of mountain lion shifters who are known for their stealth and agility. They make excellent scouts and assassins and are often called upon for their abilities to move quickly and silently."
Zhan Wei paused for a moment and then laughed at his wide-eyed and shocked expression. "The Burning Fire sect was given to me by Zhan Feng who left the sect to go into seclusion, he's at the Dao Seeking stage. I was in the devil's realm when I heard of your mother's passing…" a dark expression came over his face. "She was on the run, you see and it wasn't safe for her to return to the Burning Fire sect just yet…" Zhan Wei sighed through his nose. "There were so many things I wish I could have done differently."
Zhan Sheng chewed on his bottom lip, trying to comprehend everything his father was saying, but some things still weren't adding up. His mother always said his father was stuck in the devil's realm, if that was the case how did he get free? We're all Wei's from the devil realm? But now wasn't the time for those questions. Zhan Sheng snuggled deeper against Zhan Wei, breathing his scent.
Zhan Sheng had a home. He had his father back. That was the most important thing for now.
●
ZHAN SHENG DASHED outside with his father following closely behind him. The snow-covered courtyard of the Burning Fire sect was a serene winter wonderland. A thick blanket of white powder covered the ground, crunching underfoot as the disciples moved about. Delicate snowflakes drifted down from the sky, their intricate patterns forming a dazzling display in the crisp air.
Zhan Sheng felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension as he stepped into the grand courtyard of the Burning Fire sect, surrounded by imposing stone walls and the sounds of disciples training. The rooftops of the buildings were capped with snow, and icicles hung from the eaves, sparkling in the sunlight.
"Slow down," Zhan Wei chuckled, trying to stop Zhan Sheng before he tripped and fell. But he was far too riled up. He watched Xing Junwei study martial arts and he had even been able to cultivate the Qi Condensation stage. There were rows upon rows of disciples, all of them bare-chested as they ran through various drills. Zhan Sheng watched with wide, beady eyes, taking in all their motions.
"Will I learn too?" Zhan Sheng whipped his head around to look up at his father.
"Soon." Zhan Wei's lips tugged into a smile. "But I have to make sure Lei Bo can give you all of his attention."
"Lei-ge? But he's only at the Qi Condensation stage?" Zhan Sheng gasped in shock.
"Lei-ge is it?" Zhan Wei chuckled. "Well, how soon would you like to start?"
"Now!" Zhan Sheng replied, he wanted to jump for joy but knew that he had to restrain himself. He was the sect master's son, he needed to be stern and unfilial.
"Let's see what your Lei-ge thinks of that," Zhan Wei replied signally to one of the disciples to fetch Lei Bo. The quiet hush of the snowfall only added to the sense of peace and tranquility that filled the courtyard. Lei Bo strode through the rows of disciples, his back straight as an ancient oak tree and his fur coat dragging on the ground like a cloak of royalty. He was a sight to behold, with the cinnabar near his eyes making him look both fierce and alluring.
Big brother is way too attractive.
It's distracting me from my martial arts training. I can't focus on my moves when he's standing there, I'll fall flat on my face for sure. Wuu!
Zhan Sheng's little heart sped up the moment Lei Bo caught his eye, he walked towards them unhurriedly, carrying the scent of a mountain spring, crisp and clean with notes of pine and earth. Zhan Sheng shrank back to his father, trying to make sense of the pounding of his heart. The folds of his robes seem to ripple like the surface of a tranquil pond, and his steps are light and fluid, like a stream gently meandering through the forest.
Lei Bo saluted Zhan Wei. "Zhangmen, how can I be of service?"
"Lei Bo, I want you to train my son in martial arts."
Lei Bo's expression remained stoic as he replied, "I'm afraid I must decline, Zhangmen."
Zhan Sheng's face froze in disbelief, his eyes widening like saucers as he struggled to comprehend what he had just heard.
No. He must have misheard.
Lei-ge declined to teach him martial arts. Why? Was he not good enough? Did Lei-ge hate him already? Zhan Sheng's blood pulse in his veins and he felt his eyes sting while he looked up at Lei Bo, who remained as still as an icicle.