Chp 24: Waking Up

Clouds floating peacefully…

Birds chirping tirelessly…

The breeze was no longer chilly. The morning had passed, greeting the noon as it claimed the day. The sun was high up in the sky, brazenly shining upon all living beings. Being hit by such a fierce sunray, a childish grumble protested… As if saying, let me sleep for another ten minutes… Sun, go back to sleep!

As she turned a few times on the ground, she felt the thick blanket covering her, and the pillow underneath her head. They were so warm, and comfy… What a heaven… As she thought so, she felt someone’s face, close to hers.

As a force of habit, she protested;

“Lin lin… not now… Another ten…”

“Who’s Lin lin?”

She heard a hoarse, grumpy voice asking her something.

Weird, did she hurt her throat again?

Silly Lin lin, told ya’ not to scream so much doing those silly punching exercises…

I wanna hear your cute kitty voice, not this toad-like voice…

She opened her eyes slowly.

For some reason, the beautiful, bright sunlit hair of Lin lin… turned snowy white? There’s also some hair on her mouth… Without thinking about it, her hand caressed it… then grabbed it.

Is this a prank?

Yeah, this must be it…

Lin lin, you wanna surprise me again eh?

Be thankful I didn’t slap you!

“Lin lin… did you grow some beard… Eh, hehehe… this is nice… This beard looks real, where did you buy it? You look funny…”

“Funny… I look funny…”

“Eh? Uweehh!”

For some reason, the beautiful face she should be seeing, changed into an old, wrinkled face of an elder… all white hair, with a magnificent beard. And it just so happen, when she freaked out, she pulled the beard down with everything she had!

“Daahh! My beard—”

“Ah, opsss!”

“Guh!”

She let it go abruptly and the elder groaned in pain.

It was Elder Fang, pondering about who this girl was, again. What strength! To pull down his beard so much, he thought it would come off for sure. He even almost kissed the ground…

“Elder? What are you doing? You almost scared me to death!”

“I’m the one almost scared to death! Uuu, my beard…”

“Eh hehe, sorry? I’m a bit groggy after waking up…”

“You call that a bit?”

Not knowing how to deal with the girl, the elder sighed.

He had waited for her for a few hours and had only meditated ever since. Aside from calling in someone to bring a pillow and a thick blanket over, he did not do much. However, since it was already noon, and Yun Zhi seemed to have calmed down, he felt like the worst had passed. Whatever emotional damage she suffered, after waking up, she should be fine. After all, she was still a martial artist. She would recover.

After waiting for a few moments, he decided to try waking her up lightly…

Never did he expect, to have his glorious beard, trimmed carefully for almost thirty years… almost taken down. Had she pulled it out, he would’ve wailed for days… Eyes as if facing injustice, the elder stared daggers at the newly awakened girl. Seeing her confusion, he sighed.

Whatever anger he had, dissipated into air.

Knowing she had just overcome her emotional scar, there was no need to agitate the girl…

“Elder…what happens? Didn’t we… What did we do? Why…”

Why were there a blanket and a pillow on the hill?

This place should be away from the homeless camp, and also… She didn’t think these were hers. These were premium stuff! Comfy, yet light!

The fluffiness!

The jiggly-wiggly!

This creampuff!

This smells… like expensive stuff!

Premium stuff is supreme!

She had no idea how these got into her hands, but he had no desire to relinquish them…

Finders keepers!

Don’t blame me, I only exercise my right!

“Girl, what do you remember, last time?”

“Eh… We kinda spar? And the trees… Ah, did I pass out?”

“Since you remember it that way, then that’s what happens…”

“Elder, you’re weird…”

“Me, weird? You sleeping right after a spar is weird!”

“Ah, is that so? Anyway, where did these babies come from?”

“Hmph, I let my people send them over.”

“Waa…”

Hearing so, her eyes glittered. Just by this deed alone, Yun Zhi’s evaluation of this grumpy elder rose to a new high. Hesitating, she still dared herself to ask;

“Elder… C-can I… can I…”

“Can you? Can you what! Be clear!”

“Can I keep these?!”

“…”

Is she for real?

Doubting what he had heard, he turned confused. Still, it seemed she was serious. Seeing her asking him for real, he felt like conversing with his granddaughter… back when she was still innocent. Clearing his throat, he placed his fist over his mouth, coughing;

“Ehem, t-take them… They’re all yours,”

“Waa… Thank you, elder! I love these, I’ll treasure them!”

“Ehem, no big deal… no big deal…”

Taking the blanket and pillow into her embrace, her eyes were jumping,

The joy she expressed, the elder felt, was too pure. How could one be so happy with just these simple things? Thinking back, he was glad to make the call to bring these for her. With her being all innocent, he was almost convinced she was not with the cult. However, he still needed to ask her… This time, directly;

“Child… No, little Yun… Can this old man ask you something?”

“Oh, please do! Sorry, I’m just too excited to use these babies…”

“Haha… Well, do you know about the Great Demon God?”

“Eh, isn’t that the idol of the cult or something? I read in some forum,”

“Yes, he’s the primary God of the cult. I’ll be direct… Are you from the cult, little Yun?”

“What— No! If anything, I’ll be avoiding them like the plague!”

“Em? And why is that?”

“Well, my big sis did say…”

She told him what Sector Guardian Xue Bai had said, no, put into her mind.

It was about the hypocrites, described as ‘our true enemy’. They were even more terrible than the devils, since they seriously thought they were doing good and righteous deeds while doing terrorism. Because of their viral enthusiasm, their brainwashing ability was high, and they often able to blend in with society without anyone suspecting. Those who fell victims to their brainwashing were the naïve, the needy, and the arrogant.

They were aptly called useful idiots.

Hearing her explanation, the elder was amazed.

Whoever this big sis was, she knew her stuff!

“The naïve, the needy, the arrogant… well said, well said! Your big sister is brilliant!”

“I know right? Big sis is amazing! So… You no longer suspect me from the cult, right? They’re my enemy too.”

“Hm, almost, almost… All you have to do is… insult the Demon God. Please do it now,”

“Ehh… Why should I? I don’t even know him,”

“Well, cultists usually couldn’t bear insulting their idol, especially young cultists… So,”

“Elder, I need to at least know him to insult him… For all we know, the cult could just be using his name? Insulting someone you don’t know is a bit,”

“Really? No way around it then. I guess I still have to detain—”

“—Demon God is shit!”

She raised her voice, cursing the Great Demon God with all her might.

As if a pro, she laid him with so many curses, like her life was on the line. Hearing so many advanced curses, the elder turned dizzy. He couldn’t even understand half of them. Raising his hand, he told her to stop;

“Alright, alright, I’m convinced! You’re not from the cult. That’s enough,”

“Really? I have some other 36 verses of curse…”

“I’m not detaining you anymore so you can chill!”

“Hehe, alright…”

This girl, really afraid of being detained!

It was amazing and pathetic at the same time, so bizarre. Seeing that she had recovered, and he also had no more questions here, he stood up;

“Alright, let’s go,”

“Eh, g-go where, elder?”

Yun Zhi felt dread. Didn’t he say he was not detaining her anymore?

Sensing her terrible expectation, he sighed;

“Didn’t you say you live with the homeless? I still need to check your living condition, and speak with those uncles and aunties you mentioned,”

“Ahh, I see… No problem, I guess,”

As she thought, he’ll be doing some fact-checking. Never mess with a pro, as expected. Had she lied, she would be busted in just a moment. Fortunately, she only hid the very most crucial fact. Everything else, she had to lay bare to gain the elder’s trust.

Being a messenger of Heaven was not a glorious job…

It’s filled with tests and trials!

As she made a long sigh, the elder gestured;

“Take the lead… Ah, as for your men, tell them to disperse for now. They’re waiting for you below. I’ll give you ten minutes,”

“Ah, little Yun thanked elder,”

Below the hill, the thugs were busy relaxing. Seeing such a rowdy bunch, most of the park visitors were intimidated, avoiding the foot of the hill. However, contrary to expectations, they behaved well. They did not even leer at the passing girls jogging through the tracks…

Well, maybe not too obvious.

Yun Zhi, seeing them gathering down below, suddenly got the notification;

[SUPPRESSED THUGS: 31/1000]

‘Oh, nice…’

She had no idea how that happened.

She could only guess that her spar with the elder had something to do with it. Ah, perhaps Mo Hong did have something to do with it. That guy seemed a bit overly loyal.

She put on her shoes. Not wishing to waste time, she jumped from the hill, stepping on the slope every five meters as she dashed down.

Shaa—

Her feet reduced her descent, stopping right before the bald Mo Hong and the big Don bro. Seeing her in front, the boys rejoiced.

“My Queen, you’re okay!”

“Young lady, greetings!”

“Greetings!!”

With Don bro leading with the mafia-like bow, everyone followed suit. After seeing her sparring with the elder, their admiration of her had risen to a new height. As for her little ‘incident’, they all already agreed they never saw any.

“Oh, hey…”

Seeing them all respecting her as a formal boss, she felt a bit awkward.

Then again, if she was about to take on the role, she had to be bold and fearless, yes? No one would want to follow a timid boss after all. Well, being a prime disciple, she had the experience of being respected. However, as for leading, because of her young age, that was quite limited. She had only led her team during the tournament. As for her past normal life, that memory wasn’t as reliable.

Sometimes, it was clear. Most of the time, blurry.

Still, the very first thing an organization needed would be rules.

Primary rules.

Not too complicated, just enough.

“Listen… Mo Hong probably already briefed all of you, but… From now on, if you wish to follow me, some things had to go, some had to change.”

She explained everything to them.

She opened the opportunity for them to change their life. However, that also meant they had to change first. From being a thug, they must reform into something better. Whatever evil deeds they used to do, they must first stop. Later, when an opportunity came, they must redeem themselves. Whatever the way, she didn’t care much.

If it’s money, pay all of them back slowly.

If it’s bullying, then apologize and take whatever hit needed like a man.

If it’s crime, stop everything first… We’ll sort it out later.

If anyone broke these rules, then everyone else must stop him together.

“These will be our ground rules. From now on, you’re not thugs anymore. You’re… aspiring martial artists, all under me. Do you agree?”

““Yes, young lady!””

“Good. Then, Don bro!”

“At your command, young lady!”

He stood tall, right hand on his chest, as if a loyal bodyguard reporting in.

His fierce face, with his thick lips and stern eyes, had the effect of intimidating people.

“Eh… Did you watch some mafia drama or something? Well, whatever… I need you to make me some lists…”

“Lists? Alright, just tell me. I’ll get it done, big sis!”

“Big sis?”

“Ah, no… Can I call you… Young lady is too long,”

“Well, just don’t shout… You’re embarrassing me,”

“Y-yes, big sis!”

“Told ya’ not to shout!”

Pak!

A hit from big sis!

Yet, instead of angry, he was happy.

Ever since awakening his Qi sense, becoming a Third-rate warrior, Don bro had seen a new light. No longer he wished to go back to being a mere school thug. Nope, never again!

He now had a future!

Back at home, his parents and sister had always nagged him, telling him he ought to change, otherwise, he had no future… You wanna be a failure, ah?

With your face, no money, who wanna marry you?

Dang, it hurts!

Emotional damage—!

Of course, he knew they meant well, but that still stung.

Though he had a scary face, didn’t mean he doesn’t have a heart…

Change? Alright, fine, I want to…

The problem is, I don’t know how!

Without a good academic result and bad company in school, who would dare give him a good job? His scary face also didn’t help. Cooking? The kitchen would burn to ashes… A sales worker? A mere sight of him, people would either hand over money or just run!

Mafia? Nope, his mother would kill him!

Him being a school thug, was already walking a thin red line with her… That was why, though he was a thug, he never harassed any girl… Though misunderstandings did occur.

Hmph, perhaps he could only apply as a construction worker. His big physique could be useful there. They also didn’t care much about what he did back in school… All he had to do was to use his muscles there. But, it was risky. If you’re injured, you won’t get reimbursed much. You could be a cripple and nobody would care.

In addition, it was not a popular job…

A construction worker was not held in high regard. Coming from a low-middle income family, he would just shame his family. The neighbors loved to gossip, never tired of chatting about others. His mother, the one woman he truly cared for, had been shamed by their neighbors for some years already. Aiya, they said they were only ‘concerned’ for him, but in reality, they were just taking comfort from others’ misery.

His mother had lost face among her ‘friends’.

Her once beautiful face had more and more wrinkles due to him.

And he had been troubled by this for months.

But, today…

‘Mom, I’m a martial artist!’

He couldn’t wait to tell her this, in person.

Wanting to see his mom cry happily… because of his future.

This new future… The path of being a martial artist!

He felt Qi surrounding him. His eyes became clearer, and his ears could even pick up the cicada noise from the distance. Power started to course through his thick muscles, making him feel even stronger than before. Becoming a martial artist… no longer a pipe dream!

Not only it was glorious, people also held them in high regard. And even a low-rank warrior would earn many times what a construction worker could earn! He had seen a movie about a ranking martial artist becoming a bodyguard of a super-rich young widow, protecting her from her late husband’s enemies...

Though it was just a contract, he never gave up…

And it was so inspiring!

That guy, so reliable!

Reliable… The mark of a true man!

And for this young lady, who showed him such a path…

He decided, he would dedicate his all to her!

My young lady, my boss!

I’ll never disappoint you!

Seeing the burning determination in his eyes, Yun Zhi did not worry;

“Em, good spirit. Remember, what I’m about to tell you, is a secret. I want everything done by tomorrow, are we clear?”

“Leave it to me, big sis!”

“Good. First, make a list of what everyone in the gang had done, their personality… We need to fix whatever we can. Next, a list about the bike gang…”

While typing his instruction into his phone, Don bro listened carefully to what she was saying in real-time, not daring to miss a word.