Bab 8: Queen's Mount
Early the next morning, Ling Fan saw Shensheng and asked, "How was it? Not your-uhm-business but your meeting Tian Cai."
Shensheng sighed, "He is beyond complicated. His mood swings are worse than a woman. First he says yes, then says no. Finally, this queen had to bring out some real power."
"I thought you said your Silent Killer has no effect on him?"
Shensheng grunted. "That was one surprising thing I discovered...the profoundness of that Toe Jam that allows him to resist my Silent Killer."
Curious, Ling Fan leaned over, "Well what is it?"
"Little Child, you still yet have some innocence. If you are exposed to the true horror of this Toe Jam, your-your soul will be forever scarred. Master must protect you."
Suddenly, Shensheng chortled.
"What-What's so funny?"
"Little Genius, he-he called you Little Killer. He thought you had something called the Evil Eye and it was his duty to save the city from you. Otherwise you would grow up to be the twin sister Damien never had. He informed me he was going to kill you."1
Ling Fan's face blackened.
How in the world was killing her funny?
Through gritted teeth Ling Fan asked, "Who's this Damien? Why compare us?"*1
"The son of the Satan."
Seeing Ling Fan's confused look, Shensheng continued, "On Bright Star World you have a legend of Malesfor the Evil God, do you not?"
Ling Fan stiffened. Looking about, she said, "Your-Your not supposed to mention his name out loud. Or he'll strike you dead."
Ignoring Ling Fan superstitious reaction, Shensheng said, "Damien would be like the Son of Malesfor."
Ling Fan shot to her feet, slamming her fist into her palm. Whap!! Cracking her knuckles, she hissed, "I'll cut him. He dare's compare me to the Son of Malesfor!!"
"Master has already made him see the bottom of the well. You would only be wasting your time trying to hurt him. It's like a pillow hitting an iron wall."
"Tell me, how? How, did you make him pay?"
"I transported his soul into the body of a fly."
"You what!!??"
"Master has an innate skill called Divine Transporter. Any little bastard offends me, I transport them into a fly and swat them to death with my tail."
"I call bull crap!" Ling Fan said in disbelief.
"Divine Transporter!"
Ling Fan's vision twisted and blurred. When she regained focus, a snout the size of a mountain and two saucer sized eyes filled her vision.
"Humph! How is it? The feeling of being a fly? Should Master end you?"
"Ling Fan was wrong! Ling Fan was wrong!"
Her vision distorted again and immediately she knew she returned to her body. In horror, she looked at the Divine Pig.
Queen of the Cosmos...NO! QUEEN OF HELL!!"
"You-You did the same to Zhao Tian Cai?" asked Ling Fan.
"This Queen was forced too. Little Genius sure is a handful. Yesterday he resisted two of my innate skills."
"Two? What else did you do to him?"
"Divine Defecator!"
Abruptly, Ling Fan keeled over, as her gut gurgled. In horror, she was desperately looking for the nearest latrine.
"Release!!" commanded Shensheng.
Pointing to the Divine Pig, "What Nether Hell born skill was that!?"
"As you experienced, my Divine Defecator causes one to—ahem--release until I command otherwise."
Ling Fan spat, "And Zhao Tian Cai resisted that!??"
"Like you, this Queen brought him to his knees. But with shear will power, he resisted and stood back up...Little Genius is really a Little Monster."
"How-How did he resist that?"
"He resisted by not resisting," replied Shensheng.
"EWWWWWW!!"
Wang Chuntao hurried in, "Young Miss it's good that you're awake. Old Patriarch is calling for you. He says, he will take you now to tour Savant City."
"Oh, let's go!!"
Finally, I get to see Savant City.
Trailing behind, Shensheng squealed, "Robes!! Buy this Queen robes!"
Quickly Ling Fan discovered everyone was waiting for her.
"Sister Tang, Elder Bing you both are coming too?" she asked.
Elder Bing nodded. "Yesterday, my whole residence was obliterated. I was only able to save my last jar of Thousand Flour Wine."
Tang Xifeng said, "Young Miss, Tang Xifeng lost everything in the barracks as well."
Ling Fan smiled exuberantly. Wasn't this the famed besties outing, shopping with the girls? When had she ever done such a thing on Bright Star World?"
"Sisters, as a greeting gift, this Young Miss will buy you new clothes as well as masks."
"Eh?"
"Masks?"
"Young Miss, this?"
Shooting a look at Shensheng, she said, "Nobody can predict when that beast will attack. With the masks we'll as least have some chance of resistance."
"Young Miss is wise," said Elder Bing.
Wait, did I just called a six year old wise?
With a wave of her fist, she said, "Us Fierce Fairies, let's go SHOPPING!!"
After meeting Ling Wenyan at the gate, the group headed out. Upon arriving at the market, Ling Wenyan's eyebrows knitted.
"Grandfather, what's wrong?" asked Ling Fan.
"The Market quarter is normally busy at this hour. For barely a fly to be fluttering about its possible that.."
A passing citizen said, "Sir, be on guard. Small Disaster King is roaming about shopping."
Sighing, Ling Wenyan said, "This? Fan'er its best we return tomorrow. We could be inviting a calamity by running into Zhao Tian Cai again."
"Grandfather, Granddaughter isn't concerned. What are the chances of bumping into Zhao Tian Cai the very next day? I promised new sets of clothes and masks for my sisters."
"You want to buy everyone masks?"
"Yes...after meeting Senior Zhao Chen, anyone can deduce that beast's attacks are not ordinary."
"Fan'er you words have the ring of foresight. Grandfather agrees, our Ling Clan guards need masks as well. Come...Grandfather knows the perfect shop. Afterwards, we can indulge in tea at the Paradise Tea Pavilion," said Ling Wenyan, leading the group forward.
They were about to enter the main shopping corridor when Shensheng said, "Disciple, there we must go over to that butcher's stall."
Ling Fan glanced over. It was a butcher's stall specializing on pork meet. Next to it, was a pen full of pigs waiting for the chopping block. Turning to Shensheng in shock, she said, "I've seen all kinds of hungry, but to even eat your own kind?"
Ignoring Ling Fan's questions, Shensheng trotted forward. Snorting, she said, "Hurry! There's something good over there."
Grumbling, Ling Fan ran after her.
Ling Wenyan said, "Fan'er wait for Grandfather! Everyone follow!"
When Ling Fan caught up, she found Shensheng by the pen. On the other side was what could only be described as the ugliest pig like creature she'd ever seen. Ling Fan couldn't even recognize if its eyes were aligned properly. Interestingly, it along with all the other pigs were lowering their heads to Shensheng.
"Are they all bowing to you?" asked Ling Fan.
"Would you not bow to your progenitor?"
"Progenitor? Does this mean you are….?"
"Yes, this Queen is the Mother of all Pigs." Shensheng chortled, "It's as I surmised...we-we struck gold."
"What gold? Where?"
"This one before me...hehhehehee...it shall be this Queen's mount."
"Mount!? You had me run over here for a mount? Is it really even a pig...it's so ugly that..."
"Sssshht! Quiet, don't-don't ever talk bad in front of it," said Shensheng.
Ling Fan rubbed her glabella. This early in the morning and the mother of all headaches was already coming.
"Tell me why not? What so special about-whatever it is?"
"Heee…this one has the bloodline of the Heaven Devouring Boar. Raised well not only can it be a mount, but it can be the guardian beast of your Ling Clan. However.."
"Yes, Yes However?"
"Heaven Devouring Boars are notoriously sensitive. You say even the slightest bad thing to them...it's a headache like no other."
Ling Fan shot a look at Shensheng.
Your the headache! Bigger than the highest mountain.
Sensing something wasn't quite right, Shensheng curiously looked at Ling Fan.
Under the Divine Pig's scrutiny, Ling Fan looked away. After several moments of silence, Shensheng said, "Well...well aren't you going to buy it?"
"Fan'er, you just can't run off like that. Grandfather, learned how you really like your pork…," he said, pausing looking about the stall and pen. Continuing, he said, "It appears you DO really like your pork."
Everybody was giving Ling Fan a strange look.
Pointing at the ugly-duckling of a boar, Ling Fan said, "Grandfather, I want to take this-this-this boar home as a pet."
Everybody looked at each other.
Wasn't that the ugliest boar of the whole bunch? She wanted IT as a pet?"
Twiddling his beard, Ling Wenyan asked, "Fan'er, you-you really want this thing?"
He was imaging Ling Ming's reaction.
Father, what did you buy her now?
Gritting her teeth, Ling Fan said, "Grandfather it's the cutest little thing."
Shensheng nodded, "That's it..keep showering the little one with praises. In order for it to fully bond with it's master, it needs to feel loved."
"It's so adorable that Granddaughter can only take it home."
Ming'er this Old Man can only be a doting grandparent.
Turning about, he yelled, "Butcher! You there, we want to take this one home."
"Master, truly is a pork connoisseur. Wild Boar meat tastes exquisite. I'll chop this one up for you real well. To which manor should I send the meat to?" asked the Butcher.
"You misunderstand, she wants this boar as a pet."
The Butcher's eyes constricted. Glancing quickly at the ugly-duckling, he said, "Master, can you repeat your words, my ears aren't hearing right."
Patting Ling Fan's head, "My Granddaughter has taken a liking to that boar and wants it as a pet. How much to buy it?"
"Master, forgive me but this is a first. Never has a customer requested to purchase a pig as a pet from my humble self," said the Butcher.
"How about I give you 10 golds and you send it ALIVE to my Ling Clan manor?"
"Master, consider it done. I'll send it over personally."
Handing over the monies, Ling Wenyan said, "If they inquire about it at the Manor, say that it was a special purchase by Miss Ling Fan."
"Miss Ling Fan...this humble one will remember well."
"Fan'er come on the shop is just ahead," said Ling Wenyan. Leading the group away, his face was slightly dejected.
Did I just purchase the ugliest animal in the Third Heaven?
Ling Fan sighed, giving Shensheng a dejected look.
What did you make me make my Grandfather do?
In comparison, Shensheng was happily trotting forward.
Soon..Soon...this queen will have a mount!!
As the group entered the shopping corridor, a hooded man looked at two scrolls as he watched the Wang Sisters.
As I thought, it is them!
Keeping a safe distance, he started following the group.
Soon after, Ling Wenyan lead Ling Fan and her Fierce Fairies into a shop. Largely empty, the owner looked dejected until he saw a potential customer.
Quickly, he ran over and bowed, "Welcome to Chin Clan's Custom Clothing. How may this one be of help?"
Clearing his throat, Ling Wenyan said, "My granddaughter and her guards are the ones with requests. Do you have a place for those that wait? Whatever they want, you can use my Black Bank jade card."
The owner eyes gleamed brightly.
Big Fish!!
With cupped hands, The owner graciously accepted the card. Upon clapping his hands, several assistants swarmed Ling Fan and the fairies.
"Master, if you follow me. We have a place where you can enjoy refreshments."
"Go ahead, purchasing masks is an exercise in futility. You do realize, as I go stronger so does my Silent Killer. At some point, not just your skin, but your clothes and those masks will just erode," commented Shensheng.
"There is some time before you gain that power. Why wouldn't I just kill you now?"
"Just a gnat courting death. Killing this body releases me from reincarnation. Humph! I'll return to my Divine Place in the Cosmos, recall who killed me, swat my tail and just destroy their world."
Ling Fan hissed.
"Would you rather be my disciple or my enemy?" asked Shensheng with a snort.
"Disciple! Ling Fan will just be your disciple!"
Shensheng nodded with gratification.
Just as this Queen thought.
An assistant bowed before Ling Fan, asking, "Young Miss. How may this humble one help you first?"
"Please attend to Elder Bing and my guards with whatever needs they may have. As for myself..."
Ling Fan paused, to bring out an old worn nose mask. Continuing, she said, "This used to belong to my mother, is it possible to find one like this? Better yet, make one?"
Gracefully receiving the mask, the assistant said, "Young Miss, our shop certainly does carry such masks but they are typically for males. Thus, finding one that specially fits the contour of your face, is not possible. Also, such masks are designed for protection during battle. Appearance wise, they may not be to your liking."
"Then, we'll need to have custom-made masks."
"This one understands. Please wait a moment, while I invite our head seamstress over," said the assistant.
Within a few breaths later, a refined elderly lady came out. Following her was the previous assistant and a 10 year old girl.
"Young Miss Ling Fan, may I introduce Head Seamstress Mo Lian and her disciple Mo Lai."
Shensheng grunted with a sniff. "Those two-they're related."
Ling Fan rolled her eyes.
Not only are you blind but you're deaf as well. Clearly through the introduction they're related.
Shensheng grunted again. "Make this Queen a mask as well."
Her eyes still rolling, Ling Fan asked, "Why-Why would you want a mask?"
"It's because you humans stink. You'd be surprised how many of you don't take baths."
Ling Fan started rubbing her glabella.
"Young Miss, are you unwell," asked Head Seamstress Mo?
"Ah that-er-uhm I just remembered something that I have do later."
"Young Miss, that's a great relief. My understanding is that you would like a custom made mask?"
"Actually Head Seamstress Mo, it's not just one. All of us here need masks as soon as possible. In addition, most probably our Ling Clan guards will need them as well."
Head Seamstress Mo, her daughter and the assistant gasped.
Big Order!!
"Grandfather will need one as well!"
In response, Head Seamstress Mo clapped her hands, "Tut-Tut-Tut, call out all our assistants. Get measurements from everyone! Young Miss, please state any requirements like type of fabric, color and features."
Ling Fan paced about, mulling on the question. Some breaths later, she replied, "The first and foremost requirement is the masks must be able to block smell. So there should be nose plugs."
This?
Flabbergasted, Head Seamstress Mo asked, "Young Miss, did I hear you correctly."
Ling Fan said, "Head Seamstress Mo, you may not know but our Ling Clan manor resides next to the Zhao Clan. Truth, be told, all kinds of foul smells from the Zhao Clan manor find their way over into our manor. In fact, only one wall separates my courtyard from whatever things occur over there."
"So is like this," said Head Seamstress Mo with understanding. Simultaneously, her assistants peered at Ling Fan as though she was a tragic victim.
Shensheng snorted, "Shameless, disciple. How dare you place blame on Little Genius?"
"And you want me to say we need those masks as protection from your Silent Killer? And who's the one using Senior Zhao Chen's courtyard as her personal latrine? MHM!? MHM!?"
"What do you think about worms?" asked Shensheng.
"Worms?"
"You keep talking and Master will be happy to let you know what the inside of a worm is like…MHM!? MHM!?"
"Young Miss Zhao, although this one understands your needs—er--nose plugs may not be so practical? Do you have other requirements."
"For the men, the masks may be the type used with battle armor. Us Sisters...however, we need something more practical. For example, a mask that's easily carried and can be worn within two breaths. And of course, it looks aesthetically pleasing."
"Young Miss, could you allow us some time to perform design considerations?"
"You may have some, however, can you provide a temporary solution?"
"Mother, didn't the shop just purchase several rolls of Star Spider Silk. If daughter recalls correctly, is has properties that naturally resist gaseous poisons. Could we not make temporary masks out of that," said Mo Lai.
Ling Fan's eye lit up.
That's exactly what we need!
"Indeed, however Star Spider Silk is expensive," responded Head Seamstress Mo.
"Spare no cost, we'll buy all of it! We absolutely need those masks," blurted Ling Fan.
Shensheng snorted, pacing about.
Groaning softly, Ling Fan said through gritted teeth, "Also, we need a mask and robes for my pet pig. Please see that she is properly measured as well."
"Eh!!"
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Daoist631688
Daoist631688 1- In the movie, “The Omen”, 1976, Damien is the son of Satan.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone