Bab 12: Low Profile
Junjie squealed like he was suffering the greatest of tortures.
Ling Fan's face distorted in horror. Didn't she asked for training earlier?
Beside her, Tian Cai was thanking the Divinities he already had three masters.
"Since you two are preoccupied, this Young Master will return home," said Tian Cai. He was about to leave when he remembered the other purpose of his visit.
Noticing his hesitation, Shensheng snorted, "Earlier didn't you also say you were seeking guidance from Teacher?"
Clearing his throat, Tian Cai said, "Big Sis, is it possible to talk privately with Teacher?"
Before Ling Fan could reply, Shensheng said, "Relax, I just blocked her from our conversation."
Sensing her connection with Shensheng had been cut, Ling Fan gritted her teeth.
Did she just block me!
Just as Ling Fan was about to protest, a servant came walking in. "Young Miss, Mo Lai has arrived with mask samples. She asks for an audience."
Shooting laser eyes at Shensheng, Ling Fan said, "Lead the way."
"Junjie!! No halfsies. This Queen wants to see full sit-ups!"
Tian Cai winced looking down at poor Junjie. The ugly little thing was squirming helplessly below Shensheng's robust rump.
"Teacher, this one has a few questions."
"Mhm, although this Queen is in the midst of training she can multi-task. Feel free to ask."
"Teacher as you know, Grandfather has experienced numerous graces from you already. During this time, this one noticed a few abnormalities."
"Yes Yes, Go on."
"Previously Grandfather was 98% bald...also it was clear with his amount of wrinkles he was starting to reach his Golden Years. After suffering numerous graces, it appears his hair is growing back and he in fact is looking younger. This one just wanted to confirm whether..."
"Ah you're asking about that small thing," interrupted the Divine Pig. As Junjie was still attempting his first sit-up, Shensheng stared off into the distance. One could imagine she was a supreme master with her hands clasped behind her back.
"Teacher, please illuminate me with your wise words."
"Us, Kings and Queens of the Cosmos are supreme beings. When we consume food or energy of course it's natural to discharge the useless waste. To us supreme beings, the waste has no value. But those things...how to say?….If you recall, The Heavenly Lord Zenithar, many beings below his level would treasure uhm our excess waste. To any beings in the Nine Chaos Heavens, the affects of such waste can only be described as divine. Of course hair could grow back...Of course it can revitalize the skin...Of course it can cause miracles."
Tian Cai gasped, "Divine-Divine Miracle Dung!"
"Indeed," asserted the Divine Pig.
Junjie released a final squeal and collapsed into unconsciousness. Shensheng pattered off him revealing the poor ugly thing's body firmly embedded into the ground.
"Good...Good...Good, You lasted twice as long as last time," praised Shensheng. "Rest well, after an hour we shall try again."
Tian Cai was shaking his head. No matter how he looked at it...How was this training?
"Teacher, if you stop using our Zhao Clan as your personal latrine...where will you...you know?"
Shensheng sighed. "Although it will be slightly troublesome, this Queen will need to locate a suitable area."
"Teacher, what if it was unnecessary? What if you could happily continue to erm-relieve yourself in the same place...just not on my Grandfather?"
Confused, Shensheng focused her gaze onto Tian Cai. "Just what exactly are you saying?"
Tian Cai pulled out a handful of coffee tree seeds. "Teacher, these seeds are from a coffee tree. What I need to grow more trees is good soil. The key to good soil is fertilizer. What better fertilizer can there be than er-your divine extracts?"
Shensheng floated over and peered into Tian Cai's hand. Dubious of the unknown, she sniffed a few times and then a light of realization sparkled in her eyes.
So it's like that...these seeds are from the future. However, the ramifications of seeing the fruition of such a tree….?
Shensheng was about to decline whatever Tian Cai wished for until he mentioned the magic words.
"Of course if we are able to grow these trees and produce coffee, then your reward would be an endless supply of Sweet Joe."
In Shensheng ears, the only words she heard were, "Sweet Joe...Sweet Joe...Endless Supply"*1
Shensheng chortled, "If all you need is for this Queen to conveniently continue performing her business in the same place, she has no objection. Of course if you fail to produce said Sweet Joe as promised, the Divinities forbid what shall happen to Third Heaven."
Suddenly, Thunder clapped all across the sky as though a contract had been signed.
Tian Cai looked up.
What did I just do.
"Teacher, this is of course if we're able to produce the coffee beans."
Shensheng ignored him, her eyes seeing stars as she dreamed of drinking Sweet Joe. Happily, her tail was flapping back and forth in anticipation. Drool was falling from her mouth in heaps.
Scratching his head, Tian Cai was waiting for some response. Unfortunately, his wait was long. Finally, he heard snoring.
Ling Fan returned and was followed by Mo Lai. Seeing Shensheng, she immediately understood the situation.
"Brother Zhao, she often falls asleep like that. Usually after she eats..." spoke Ling Fan. She was about to continue until she realized Junjie's miserable state.
What kind of hellish training was that? Doesn't he look like a pancake?
"If that's the case, then this Young Master can only return home. Big Sister, enjoy the rest of your day," said Tian Cai cupping his hands.
Ling Fan nodded blankly as it dawned upon her, training under Shensheng...she-she might actually die!
Mo Lai raised an eyebrow as she noticed Tian Cai exiting via the hole in the wall versus the main gate. However, a moment later he came back through.
Ling Fan asked, "Brother Zhao weren't you leaving?"
Tian Cai sheepishly scratched his head. "Ah that...Small and Gray Shadows are awaiting me in your great hall. Farewell!"
The two females watched Tian exit towards the main hall. Covering her mouth, Mo Lai giggled as she gently elbowed Ling Fan. "You two seem to have a rather intimate relationship. Feel free to share any details with Mo Lai."
Unbeknownst to Ling Fan, Mo Lai was recognized as Savant City's Gossip Princess.
"Intimate relationship? Hardly, don't you know he's already betrothed."
Mo Lai's eyes popped wide at the news.
"Apparently, she's a mysterious assassin level Empyrean. Just the other day, she was targeting me. This Young Miss believes Savant City is no longer safe like the old days."
Betrothed?
Empyrean?
Assassin?
JACKPOT!
Mo Lai trembled excitedly. Upon returning to the shop, one could imagine the number of people she could relay the juicy details to.
"Young Miss, then why is there a breach in the wall?"
Ling Fan rubbed her glabella, remembering the mess Zhao Qiang caused earlier. With a sigh, she said, "Living next door to the Zhao Clan is strenuous at best. The things our Ling Clan suffers...that Young Disaster King burst through the wall the other night. Luckily, Elder Bing was here to defend. The two seemed like old acquaintances."
Mo Lai's eyebrows raised.
Old Acquaintances!
"Miss Mo, please feel free to take your measurements. With Zhu Shensheng sleeping, now would be the best time."
Taking out a measuring tool, Mo Lai proceeded to work. Meanwhile, the Wang Sisters walked in with Tang Xifeng. All three were sweating profusely.
"Big Sis, Little Sister's so hungry she could eat five plates," she said Wang Chuntao.
"After we properly wash up. Noble ladies need to be presentable at all times," responded Wang Chunhua.
With puppy dog eyes, Wang Chuntao asked, "Can't Little Sister have one small snack?"
Tang Xifeng was about to add something when all three noticed Ling Fan staring down at the small convulsing body of Zhu Junjie. Unbeknownst to everyone, dread was silently creeping into Ling Fan's heart. Would Shensheng force her to do 100 sit-ups as well?
"Little Sister, this?" asked Tang Xifeng. Half Drawing her saber from its sheath, she asked, "Should I just end his misery."
Alarm abruptly brought Ling Fan back to reality.
Kill Junjie? You wanna bring down the apocalypse!?
Nervously, she smiled as she gently prodded Tang Xifeng to sheath her saber. "Hahahaa! You don't understand our Junjie. Not only is he the handsomest, but he's also the strongest of all boars."
Everyone looked hard at Junjie. Was there even a shred of handsome on that face? After a moment, they all shook their heads in negative. In fact, Tang Xifeng was about to re-draw her saber when Shensheng snorted and stretched.
"Junjie, this Queen has allowed you an hour rest. Time to resume training."
Junjie squealed relentlessly. One could imagine he was begging someone to save him.
Shensheng was about to saunter on over when she noticed Mo Lai. Turning to Ling Fan, she asked, "Isn't this the shop girl. What's she doing?"
"Ah that, she's verifying the measurements of your snout for a mask. Also, since you wanted a crown, she is taking measurements of your head. Accordingly, they will start a search for suitable crown," responded Ling Fan.
Shensheng nodded in understanding then focus laser sharp eyes on Junjie's squealing form.
"Humph! Are you not a descendant of the Heaven Swallowing Boar? Can't you take even one percent of this Queen's weight? Again!"
The Divine Pig once again lowered her rump onto Junjie's back. Immediately, he choked out a squeal and fainted.
This?
Everyone except for Ling Fan stood in shock. She was now sweating profusely; the dread like a mountain on her shoulders. Was it too soon to reject the Divine Pig as her master?
"Little Junjie, you better perform better tomorrow. The road to Heavenly Lord is long. To be a god amongst your kind, you must persevere," criticized Shensheng.
Wang Chunhua ventured to ask, "Little Sister, us Wang Sisters have seen many a strange thing but this?"
Mo Lai nodded, "A pig sitting on the back of another is indeed peculiar."
Tang Xifeng shook her head as she shot a look at Ling Fan.
Hasn't this Lady seen many peculiar things about Little Sister?
"Someone bring Junjie back to his abode. Try to feed him some food so that he can recover. Also be sure to massage his shoulders. Tomorrow, he will be resuming training."
Wide eyes were all around on each of the Fairies' faces.
Before anyone could inquire deeper, Ling Fan cleared her throat and said, "Sisters, we need to discuss Brother Zhao's warning." Waving them to sit down at the table, she looked at the Wang Sisters and asked, "How is it? Has any of the guards seen a mysterious person?"
Business like, Wang Chunhua said, "Indeed, there appears to be a cloaked man wearing a hood, monitoring the residence. Several guards have noticed him throughout the day."
"Humph! Big Sis and I were about to go arrest him, but decided it was best to ask for Little Sister's opinion."
"Young Miss, may I inquire what's this about a strange man?" asked Mo Lai.
Ling Fan responded, "Earlier, Brother Zhao noticed a stranger targeting our Wang Sisters. Humph! Courting death he is," said Ling Fan cracking her knuckles.
"Oh my, what does he look like?" asked Mo Lai.
Wang Chuntao just finished swallowing a morsel of food and said, "His face is always hidden beneath a hood."
"We must capture him, however not near our Ling Manor. We should remain low profile and interrogate him at a hidden location." Ling Fan's eyes gleamed with cold silvery light. "After I cut him a few times, I'm sure he'll reveal all his secrets."
Mo Lai's eyes popped wide looking about. Similarly, others were looking at Ling Fan with raised eyebrows.
"I know some hidden areas, you stick the right blade in, twist appropriately, indeed he'll tell us all we need to know," confidently offered Ling Fan.
Tang Xifeng leaned over to Wang Chunhua and whispered, "Mayhap it was too soon to give her weapons. Should we inform the Patriarch about Little Sister's idiosyncrasies? Just the other day, I saw her scratching that pig's butt."
Wang Chunhua eyes dilated from her words. Signing, she said, "A doting father like him? Wouldn't he simply ignore our concerns."
Tang Xifeng sighed as well.
Wang Chuntao asked, "But where may we find a hidden location?"
Coughing Mo Lai said, "Our shop has a couple of unused warehouses, how about we lure him to one of them?"
Ling Fan smacked her hand on her thigh, "Good idea!"
Suddenly, Mo Lai's eyes sparkled with realization as she looked about. Was this the famous girl's crew?
Qin Rong strode through the wall breach. "Little Sister, Qin Rong has returned. You all are together? Are you planning something fun?"
Wang Chunhua said, "It's like this..."
After a few breaths Qin Rong was filled in on the details. Elder Bing walked into the courtyard carrying five jars of wine. "Sister Tang, I brought your monthly allotment of Thousand Flower Wine. Don't say Big Sis doesn't take care of you."
Tang Xifeng chortled and zipped over like a red stream. With glee, she happily accepted her monthly allotment of wine. "Che! Coming to Ling Clan was this Tang's greatest choice!"
Mo Lai smiled.
Indeed this was the famous all girl's crew.
"Elder Bing, it's good you are here...," said Ling Fan who proceeded to bring her up to speed.
Nodding, in all solemnity she said, "It's good to not expose the clan. If it really comes to it, say we are from the Zhao Clan. Should the enemy be inept enough to go looking.. Humph! We'll see if they survive the iron plate called Zhao."
Everyone looked to Qin Rong, thinking that she would object. Instead, she nodded in affirmative, Qin Rong said, "Master, our Zhao Clan's Battle God, will gladly show them to the gates of death. However, it's still good to be low profile. Call me Bai Guang when we are out and about."
Ling Fan's eyebrows arched, "You're joining us?"
"How can I not? Until our debt is repaid, this Qin will defend you."
Nervously, Mo Lai asked, "Sis-Sisters when do we go?"
"Sisters Tang and Qin, How about you two accompany Sister Mo to a warehouse. Take a look at the layout. We need to know which areas are best for attacking and defending," said Elder Bing.
"Mhm!!" responded both girls, rising to their feet.
Tang Xifeng, mysteriously had already hidden her jars of wine. "Sister Mo, if you can lead the way. Us Sisters will accompany you."
"Wait!" said Ling Fan. Her Gangster Queen instincts kicked in. "Also look for the best routes to escape."
Mo Lai's face was filled with all kinds of joy. She was already part of this crew?
Qin Rong started doing stretches. Then threw some shadow punches and kicks.
Everyone noticed the subtle vibrations in the air produced by her strikes. "Haa!" She exclaimed. Nonchalantly, she said, "Who knows if we run into some thief or two. It's good to loosen up first, just in case."
Tang Xifeng eyes sparkled, "Sister Qin, perhaps later in the training yard we can exchange pointers."
"Mhm," agreed Qin Rong without even blinking.
Ling Fan slapped her thigh, "That'll be a thing to watch!!"
Elder Bing smirked, recalling something. "Little Sister Qin, if I recall you and Bai Guang are famous rivals. Who's stronger?"
"Humph! Earlier, this Master dueled Bai Guang for five hours. She lost focus and was shamed with defeat," nodded Qin Rong with contentment.
Wang Chunhua noticing Mo Lai, said, "Sister Mo, if your not busy, how about you return and spectate their sparring?"
Mo Lai shot a look at Wang Chunhua and nodded furiously.
Savior!
Excitedly, Tang Xifeng said, "Sisters Mo and Qin let's quickly go and return!"
"Mhm!!"
The three rapidly left to fulfill their mission.
Ling Fan was still contemplating the operation when Shensheng snorted, "Disciple, since you and this Queen are free, let's train."
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Daoist631688
Daoist631688 1 - Shensheng becomes addicted to Sweet Joe in CZTC: Chapter 13.
Status Power Mingguan
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