William struggled to think of what to say. “Well, you see…” He stroked his chin with his hand, trying to think of something good. “Yeah, I don’t really have anything to say here.”

“No no, go on,” Yu Jian smiled, “I believe you were saying something about your sister learning magic. From where?”

“Hmm, well… It’s not that I won’t tell you, but I don’t think you will believe me.”

Dong Xin coughed. “I can hazard a guess. Was it you?”

William nodded. “Yeah. I’m not really sure why you guessed that though?”

William’s grandfather just watched intently, and Dong Xin responded. “It’s quite simple really. Your stories were quite accurate. You know more than you should at your age. Finally, you’re most comfortable calling yourself William Stevenson, and I absolutely believe in reincarnation.”

“There are other possibilities it could have been though. I have books on magic, or she could have found someone else to teach her.”

“You have books on magic?” Dong Xin shook his head. “Well, your martial style also matched what my teacher’s teacher’s teacher told me.”

William tilted his head. “What, do you just learn the way absolutely everyone ever fights so you can recognize them?”

“Don’t be silly. Only important people, and in this case someone that had reincarnated.”

“I suppose, but what are the odds that it would happen again? My understanding is that people usually lose their memories.” William nodded seriously to himself.

“Well…” Dong Xin shrugged. “We’ve seen no specific evidence of it happening anywhere else. However, it isn’t so strange. It happens to the Demon King after all.”

“Isn’t it more likely that the Demon King is a special case?”

Dong Xin raised an eyebrow. “Is it more likely?”

William threw his hands up in the air. “I don’t know! How am I supposed to possibly research this stuff. However, why even bother keeping such information around for generations, anyway? It seems like a waste of time.”

“It was… until now. Besides, weren’t you the one who spent large amounts of effort making sure there was going to be a secret society of people ready for the Demon King’s return?”

“What, that actually worked? Though, I don’t think I intended for it be secret at all.”

“Well,” this time William’s grandfather spoke up, “It’s much easier for it to be secret than appearing on the surface and seeming to do nothing. At least, it has kept it from dying out.”

“That’s a good point. Are you in contact with anyone from other countries?”

They both shook their heads. “Contact has become scarce over time. It’s not like it was a well connected network to begin with.”

“That’s probably my fault,” William said. “I was the central point, and not terribly great at organizing. Though, in my defense, I also died suddenly.”

“Hmm.” William’s grandfather seemed to want to speak. “While there have been many momentous revelations today, I have a question. I finally met what should have been a cute, genius grandson today, but now I fear I have already lost him. How am I supposed to feel about that?”

William shrugged. “I don’t know. I can still be your grandson, if you want. I doubt I’ll be cute, though, and I don’t know if I technically count as a genius either.” William thought for a moment. “However, your granddaughter is definitely all of those things.”

“Ohh, good point.” Yu Jian nodded seriously. “I need to go see her, I’ve been rather… absent… after my mistake.”

Though the three of them still had many matters to discuss, standing around outside a hut wasn’t the best place to do so. Thus, they headed toward the main family compound.

-----

Shortly after they entered the compound, William saw a group of elders. If he hadn’t needed to maintain some sense of dignity, he would have just buried his face in his hands. Instead, he tried to keep his sigh not too obvious. William knew this was the consequence of his actions. Not that he felt any of his actions had been wrong. At least, not morally. Just not optimal, or the most wise. On the other hand, he couldn’t really know what the consequences of other actions could have been. William steeled himself for what was to come.

“There he is!” a familiar, but not in any way pleasant or desired voice spoke. Yu Chao’s father came out. He probably had a name. Was it Keung? Kong? Well, not that William much cared. Then he remembered, it was Mu. Not that he would or could ever use that name, since he was an elder. Yu Mu spoke, “This is the junior who has disrespected our clan, openly slapping the face of an elder!” William would have literally slapped him in the face, if he thought he could get away with it… or maybe even if he thought he could succeed in the first place. He tried to think of what to say, but it wasn’t exactly his “turn” to speak.

Fortunately for William, he didn’t have to. Yu Jian walked forward. “Those are serious accusations. Which elder of our clan did he insult?” Yu Jian looked at those people behind Yu Mu, pointedly ignoring him.

“Hmph, it was me of course!” Yu Mu then realized who he was speaking to, and coughed. “That is to say, it was this one who he insulted.”

“Is that right?” Yu Jian stroked his beard. “Are you a member of the Yu family?” Of course, Yu Jian knew the answer to that question. Yu Mu was, after all, his nephew. “That’s a strange thing, because from what I hear of your actions, you seem to be a member of the Song family.”

“What… what do you mean? My family origins are quite clear!” Yu Mu seemed nervous at the accusation, but he was obviously confident in the second line.

Other elders spoke up for him, and Yu Jian nodded. “Oh, yes, of course I didn’t doubt your blood. I know very well where it came from.”

One of the various elders spoke at this point. “That’s right. He is not the one in question here. The one being examined is the child behind you!”

Yu Jian smiled, and very politely said, “Shut your mouth. None of your have any right to question my grandson.” He stretched his back out, like a tired old man, but at the same time washed out with a wave of ki in an intimidating manner. Even William, who it wasn’t at all directed at, started to feel nervous. “Why don’t I hear your story, and see how you condemn yourself. Or, you can just apologize now.”

Yu Mu started to sweat, but began to tell what had happened.