Chapter 11: Chapter 11: The Sisters Finally Meet
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Tang Zhen's Soul Skills:
1st: Three Thousand Thunder Movement
2nd: Tesla Prison
3rd: Thunder Emperor's Armor
4th: Heaven's Shockwave
5th: Thunder Emperor Lance.
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A couple of days later the group of seven, Ning Fengzhi, and Sword Douluo returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and took some time to rest.
While Zhu Zhuqing was sleeping, Tang Zhen held her hand staring (totally not like a creep) and thought back to the promise he made when they were younger.
He told her that once they were older he would tell her why he thought she should seek answers directly from Zhu Zhuyun about why she tried to have Zhuqing killed.
"I think it's time…. Although I'm not 100% sure when it comes to Zhuqing, I don't want her to follow a path of revenge or lose herself."
Slowly Zhu Zhuqing woke up. Feeling someone holding her hand, she looked over to see Tang Zhen staring at her with a tender gaze. She blushed and quickly got up.
"Did you sleep well Zhuqing?"
"Mhm…Big brother Tang Zhen were you here the whole time?" She asked timidly. She hoped that she didn't drool this time.
Tang Zhen chuckled knowing what she was worried about. He honestly found it cute that she drools in her sleep a little.
He took her by the chin and kissed her. Stunned for a moment, she soon wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.
After an intense make out session, they got up to join the others. Everyone welcomed Shui Bing'er and were helping her slowly recover from the shock of what she went through. Even though Tang Zhen saved her, she was wary of men after her experience.
Telling all the girls that he needed to talk to Zhu Zhuqing alone today, they reluctantly agreed to let them go out together.
For Zhuqing she was over the moon, it was rare she got a moment alone with Tang Zhen. They spent the morning flying through the clouds and enjoying the scenery. They talked and laughed about some things along the way and Zhuqing thoroughly enjoyed it.
Arriving at their destination, Zhuqing was excited. Rising Dragon City although located in the north of the Star Luo Empire was not under the administration of the imperial family. Still it was flourishing because of trade.
Walking down the street hand in hand, they stood out amongst the crowd. Men were shooting dagger at Tang Zhen while drooling over Zhuqing and women had hearts in their eyes looking at Tang Zhen while shooting envious glances at Zhuqing.
Maybe it was because of spending so much time with Ning Ringrong but Zhu Zhuqing feeling a bit mischievous, hugged Tang Zhen's arm in between her breats and leaned her head into his should as they walked almost like a challenge to the other women.
All the men spat out blood at the subtle smug smile Tang Zhen had on his face.
They arrived at a street vendor that sold some accessories and was greeted warmly by an elderly woman.
"My my, what a beautiful couple. Young sir would you like to buy something for your wife?" She said trying to butter them up a bit.
Zhu Zhuqing had an atomic blush appear on her face at the mention of wife. She wasn't against it, she was actually really looking forward to officially being called his wife.
Tang Zhen just smiled and thanked the lady not denying her words making Zhuqing blush harder.
After much deliberation, he settled on a necklace that she could wear under her choker/collar. It was an amethyst stone that matched her eyes.
Happily the couple continued on sampling snacks, seeing the different goods, and over all having a nice time.
All of that was suddenly interrupted by a voice.
"Oh. So my little sister has found a new boy toy."
Turning around they saw an entourage of troops from the Star Luo Empire led by a woman that looked like Zhu Zhuqing but much more mature with a larger chest and alluring figure that could drive men wild.
"This must be Zhu Zhuyun. Truly the women of the Zhu family are true beauties in the Douluo continent." Tang Zhen tried his best to keep a neutral face using inhuman willpower to not look at her chest.
He felt Zhu Zhuqing squeeze his arm tighter and he slid his arm around her waist oulling her closer to him.
Zhu Zhuyun was thoroughly surprised. She was staring at the most handsome man she had ever laid her eyes on. Still her attention returned to Zhuqing.
"So does your fiancée, the second prince, know that you're so close to another man?" Zhu Zhuyun said with an almost accusatory tone.
"He. Is. Not. My. Fiancée." Zhuqing retorted coldly.
Stunned by her resolute answer Zhu Zhuyun said, "Do you think the imperial family would allow you to be with someone else? You're engaged to Dai Mubai. That is your fate, your destiny."
"Your future is something you create yourself. If you believe that a certain path is your destiny, how can you ever hope to change it?" Tang Zhen interjected.
"An outsider like you shouldn't meddle in our family affairs! What do you know about our family?" Zhu Zhuyun shot back angrily.
"I know enough. Zhuqing told me that she would eventually have to fight you and Dai Weisi with Dai Mubai lest she be killed. I don't know everything about your family. But the one thing I do know is that Zhuqing will never be forced into doing something she doesn't want to." Tang Zhen declared.
"And what makes you think she can go against hundreds of years of tradition."
"Because I will not allow it! I will not allow her to be forced to do something she doesn't want to do!" Tang Zhen angrily retorted.
Smiling devilishly, Zhu Zhuyun asked calmly.
"And what if my dear sister no longer wants to be with you?"
"...Although it would break my heart. I will never force her to stay. I would still wish for her happiness…..even if it's not with me." Tang Zhen said the last part solemnly and you Zhuqing could hear the pain in his voice.
Tang Zhen grew to truly love this girl over the time he has been in this world. If she wanted to leave, it would break his heart but if it was something she wanted, he would allow it.
Everyone was quiet for a moment. The silence and tension thick. Then Zhuqing spoke up.
"I will never leave big brother Tang Zhen. I love him and I will fight anyone that tries to break us apart. If you try to force us apart, I. Will. Kill. You. So be careful Zhu Zhuyun."
Zhu Zhuyun and Tang Zhen was stunned by her resolve. Zhu Zhuyun walked forward with her guards but she kep walking past them. She turned her head slightly and responded.
"We'll see how strong your conviction is little sister. After all when we fight, I will kill you and I will be queen. So enjoy your time with your boy toy because sooner or later, you will die." Then she turned to walk away but no one noticed a tear falling from her eye except one person, Tang Zhen. With that, he was sure of his theory.
Zhu Zhuqing feeling weak suddenly collapsed but Tang Zhen caught her. She looked up at him and she just leaned into him. They stood there in the street and everything faded but them in that moment. The crowd, the noise, nothing mattered. They just stood there in each other's embrace.
"Zhuqing, remember I told you to get stronger and confront your sister for answers?" Tang Zhen said gently,
"Mhm" she responded still buried in his chest.
"Let's go home and join the others. I have something to say." "Mhm"
It was night when they arrived back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Tang Zhen gathered everyone in the courtyard. The Tyrant Empress team, Liu Erlong who was the "teacher" for the group, Dugu Bo, Ning Fengzhi and Sword and Bone Douluo.
"Tang Zhen, why have you gathered us here?" Dugu Bo asked curiously.
It's rare that Tang Zhen asks for a meeting. They were sitting around a fire with Zhuqing leaning against him. The girls knew something was wrong and let her be with Tang Zhen alone for now.
"Zhuqing, do you want to tell them or should I?" He asked her.
"No, it's my family matter, and I want my sisters to know everything." She replied.
Zhu Zhuqing told the group everything. From her engagement to Dai Mubai, him escaping to the Heaven Dou Empire while leaving her behind, the attempted assassination attempt , meeting Tang Zhen, and finally their encounter with Zhu Zhuyun and the impending fight to the death to decide who would rule.
"What a scoundrel. That coward left you to deal with your family alone?" Xiao Wu yelled with indignation.
"Big brother Tang Zhen, I understand us but why were the elders called?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
"I want to tell you all a story."
".....that's why you called us here you brat!" Dugu Bo got up rolling up his imaginary sleeve to teach this brat a lesson as he was being held back by Bone Douluo.
"It's important, and it pertains to Zhu Zhuqing."
(A/N this is going to be long so bear it me. If you know and don't want to read, please skip to the next A/N).
"It's a story of two brothers. Their names were Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke." Tang Zhen started.
"Strange names." Ning Fengzhi stated.
"The Uchiha clan was known for a unique bloodline that gave them special eyes that allowed them to predict and copy any movements or attacks they saw as well as place people into illusions by staring at them." The whole group was shocked by that.
"But there was an evolution for the eyes. Once obtained, they gained immense power but they came at a cost. To obtain them, you must kill the person closest to you, whether it's your family, lover, or friend. Or you must see them die. And after prolonged use, the user would soon go blind."
Everyone was shocked at the fact.
"How can there be such a barbaric method of evolution? To kill your most important person for power…" Sword Douluo asked solemnly.
Tang Zhen told them of Uchiha Itachi's past. Him experiencing war, to his first kill, to him contemplating suicide and the birth of his little brother Sasuke and to the nine tails attack on the village and the mistrust that was created due to people seeing the eye of the clan in the beasts eyes seemingly controlled. He then spoke about his increase in power and being divided by his identity as an Uchiha to his loyalty to his village.
"Soon the clan and the village came to an breaking point. The Uchiha clan dissatisfied with their isolation and treatment planned a coup against the village. Uchiha Itachi knowing this would lead to a civil war significantly weakening the village, tried to stop it. Once the other enemy villages found out, another great war would start resulting in thousands dead. He loved his village and at a young age showed the qualities befitting of a leader. Either way, he knew the chances of his little brother whom he loved dearly would either be killed in the coup should it fail or in the war that would begin if they won, made a decision to be a double agent for the village."
"He went against his own family for the sake of the village and his brother. How old was he when this all happened do you know?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
"13." Gasps filled the air. He was the same age as some if them right now. Tang Zhen waited before continuing.
"Knowing his brother's life would be in danger, he went to the village leader and tried everything he could to stop the coup with his best friend. His name was Uchiha Shisui and his evolved eye had an ability that could manipulate a person's mind and control them."
"What a frightening ability." Dugu Bo responded.
"Indeed. The plan was to use Shisui's eyes on the clan leaders to stop the coup. But before they could, an elder of the village, greedy for power ambushed Shisui and took one of his eyes. Although Shisui was able to slip away, he was poisoned. He met Itachi by a cliff and entrusting his other eye to him, committed suicide in front of Itachi. Stricken by guilt at not being there to help his friend, Itachi's eyes evolved. Since his eyes did not have the same ability as Shisui, he went back to the village leader and made a decision…" Tang Zhen stopped for a moment, he admired Itachi a lot.
"What decision did he make?" Liu Erlong asked warily.
"To massacre his own clan…."
Everyone was too shocked to speak.
"He said he would kill everyone in the clan, but he had help from a rogue Uchiha member that wanted Itachi to join his group of mercenaries in return. Itachi sensed that this person claiming to be the village's greatest traitor was a danger to the village and agreed to be a spy and report back to the village. He only asked for one thing in return. Knowing that he would be branded a traitor and kinslayer, Itachi begged the village leader to look after his little brother."
While everyone's respect for Itachi grew, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but compare siblings and grew bitter towards Zhu Zhuyun.
"That night, he and the other Uchiha massacred the Uchiha clan, whether it be man, woman, or child. He even killed the girl he was in love with. Itachi knowing that his father, the clan leader of the Uchiha clan, would be his biggest challenge prepared himself. He remembered how his father always praised him for being a prodigy and him growing distant from the family. When he arrived home, expecting to fight to the death, he saw both his parents kneeling on the ground with his father saying he would not want to participate in a deathmatch with his own son and that although their paths differed, he was still proud of him. Itachi heartbroken struggling with the weight of his decision hesitated while shedding tears until his father told him that while their pain may be brief, his would be a lifetime and said that he was a kind boy. Soon he killed both of his parents and at that moment his brother Sasuke arrived."
Tears filled the eyes of the women while the men closed their eyes at the story of the boy.
"Itachi willingly took the blame and told his brother that he killed the clan for power and for Sasuke to live his life hating him, to come find him when he had the same eyes that he did. Using his new eyes, he placed his little brother into an illusion showing him killing the clan traumatizing the little boy. Then he left shedding tears."
"Why would he do that to him?" Ning Rongrong asked crying in the arms of her father.
"Itachi wanted his brother to clear the Uchiha name and rebuild it with honor. He hoped that his brother fueled by anger would become strong enough to come find him and kill him and return to the village a hero."
Tang Zhen then went into Sasuke's life about betraying the village and leaving with Orochimaru and almost killing Naruto. He then went into the final battle where Sasuke kills Itachi.
"In the end, it didn't go as Itachi planned as the rogue Uchiha warped Sasuke's perception of the village leading him to make a decision to destroy the village. But he went through everything to protect his little brother even if he died in the end."
Everyone was drained from the emotional story.
(A/N phew that was long.)
Zhu Zhuqing turned to look at Tang Zhen.
"Big brother Tang Zhen why did you tell us this story?"
Tang Zhen chuckled and rubbed her head.
"Zhuqing, when I first met you, after I killed the woman, I felt another presence there but they were much stronger than me at the time. Although they just left I wondered who it was. I can't be sure but it might have been someone your sister sent to protect you from the shadows."
"No! I dont believe it! She said she would kill me the next time we met!" Zhu Zhuqing stood up shaking her head.
"Zhuqing when we saw her and she left, I noticed her shedding a tear. I told you this story because I want you to get answers from her directly but I dont' want you to follow Sasuke's path of vengeance and cut people who love you out of your life. Don't let anger and revenge cloud your mind and take over your life." Tang Zhen said seriously.
Xiao Wu walked over and hugged Zhuqing.
"That's right Zhuqing, don't leave us or cut us off. You have us and you have big brother Tang Zhen. When the time comes, we will all help you find answers." Xiao Wu said.
Zhu Zhuqing started shaking and started crying with Xiao Wu. Seeing this Tang Zhen walked over and held them both.
After a while of the girls comforting eachother Zhuqing determined, declared she would get stronger and challenge her sister together with the group for answers earning a kiss from Tang Zhen.
Dugu Bo lamented on his past actions of revenge against the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and then looked at Dugu Yan who was crying and laughing with her friends. Moved by the story, he decided that he will do everything for his granddaughter and put his revenge aside for the moment. He would rather see her grow, get married, and have a family than possibly dying leaving her alone.
Chen Xin felt the same way about his goal of avenging his father by defeated Qian Daoliu. He wanted to be there for Rongrong through all her milestones.
Everyone soon retired for the night leaving Zhu Zhuqing and Tang Zhen alone. They embraced staring at the moon.
"Big brother Tang Zhen, thank you. For being in my life and for helping me with my path." Zhu Zhuqing said staring up at him with love.
"I will always be there for you Zhuqing. I promise, we'll get through this together."
"Mhm… but you owe me another date."
They both laughed, shared kisses and enjoyed each others company ready to tackle the future together.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone