Chapter 3: A New Master

The following day came quickly. Soon both boys were at the Wang family mansion. They slowly made their way to the small arena located at the back of the big area that served as the Wang’s yard.

The two boys walked side by side, chatting about regular things that 12-year olds who had just graduated from lower section of the academy education system would speak chat about. These two were close friends, even though they were different.

Wang Zen was a black haired brown eyed noble. He grew up in comfort and multiple luxuries. His sparring clothes looked expensive, almost no different than the clothes he would wear day to day. He wore a blue kimono like dress with comfortable grey shoes, promising to give comfort and freedom during physical activity. He smiled with the naivety of one who had had an easy life.

Yin Zheng was also brown haired with slightly darker brown eyes. He grew up like many commoner kids grew, appreciating everything they had and always hungering for more. He wore an old shirt and pants cut off from the knees as his sparring clothes and went bare feet for the coming exercise. He smiled with the happiness of one, knowing he was better off than most commoners for his father was a powerful cultivator.

Both were so different and yet had still found common ground and forged a strong friendship.

Walking behind them was Yin Zheng father, who also was amazed at the friendship these two had built. However, with his amazement was the thought of whether their friendship would survive after Wang Zen left for a school in a different province.

As they walked Shibi, Wang Zen’s red furred monkey, surprised both boys by landing on Zen’s shoulder.

“Shibi! Don’t do that!” Wang Zen scolded the beast. He smiled at his pet before rubbing its head. “Do you want to see the sparring match between Zheng and I?”

The monkey made a few noises and ‘ooks’.

Wang Zen smiled at this. “Okay!”

Zheng frowned at his friend. “Do you really understand what he’s saying, Zen’er?”

Zen shrugged. “I’m told that Shibi would have to get stronger in order for his intelligence to rise up to the level of human speech but I think he understands basic stuff.”

“And a friendly sparring match is ‘basic stuff’?” Zheng sounded sceptical.

“Who made you king of basic stuffs?”

Zheng shrugged at his friend’s counter argument.

“Anyways, we will need a referee for our match. How about it, Yin Bhiki?”

“Oh, no, no, I couldn’t,” Yin Bhiki shook his head, “Considering my son is taking part, I fear that I may be unintentionally bias. Let us get someone who can be more neutral to do this.” Yin looked around until he spotted someone. “Ding Wu, come here!”

Ding Wu looked annoyed as he answered his superior’s call. Ding Wu did not have as much muscles as Yin Bhiki. He was slender with his black hair lying flat around the circumference of his head. In his mouth, a stick protruded, quivering as he rolled it between teeth.

“That is Ding Wu,” Wang Zen whispered to his friend.

“Oh?”

“Yes, he recently became a Master level cultivator.”

“Really! A Rank 1 Master, huh? Now that you mention it, I can sense it.” Bhiki looked at the approaching man in awe. Zheng then rubbed his nose confidently. “Hmpf, he’s still weaker than my father though. He is a Rank 4 Master after all.”

“Yes, sir?” Ding Wu looked less enthusiastic up closely.

“Come now, soldier, show a little oomph!” Zheng Yin scolded.

“Sorry sir,” Ding Wu said. “How can I help you, sir?” He said louder.

“The young master and my son are going to have a sparring match and I want you to be the referee.”

“Do I have to?” Ding Wu whined with his shoulders slumped. “I don’t want to referee and I never have done it before.”

“Then this will be a good learning experience for you.” Yin Bhiki smiled. “You are a master ranked cultivator after all, so people will be looking to you for the most honoured tasks such as these.”

“Getting to Masker level was bothersome, if I knew it would also bring bothersome tasks with it, I’d never have done it.” Ding Wu said under his breath.

“Excuse me?”

“I said I’ll do it, sir.” Ding Wu snapped to attention.

“Good! Boys, it seems you have a referee now.”