One year had passed since the lovers returned home. They had built a small house for the four orphans down in Cloud City, a place for their new junior disciples. Zhao Renshu opened a shop in Cloud City according to his plan, but, much to his initial chagrin, did not sell paper money or incense. The shop sold medicines and herbal supplements instead. Zhao Renshu was not happy at first, but since this shop was the only clinic in town and the business was very good, he had no complaints, the practicality winning out.
They had discussed establishing a sector (a formal hunter organization), but since they were always out hunting, it was not finalized. The disciples they had accepted were Guozhao Zhiqiang, Yang Bao, and the four younger children they had taken in from various incidents.
Guo Baiyu, Zhao Renshu, and Fang Yaoting concluded that children needed to learn how to protect themselves from danger. Their training regimen was carefully planned: The children would learn literacy with Lee Dachin in the first two days of the week, then spend two days training swordsmanship with Fang Yaoting, one day with Guo Baiyu, and one day with Zhao Renshu. The three masters also set rules so that once a disciple graduated from basic training, he or she could choose what they wanted to continue learning, allowing for individual passions.
Yang Bao became the second official disciple of the Guozhao, and his dream came true. Yang Bao quit his job as a waiter to take care of the children and manage the store. After graduating from basic training, he decided to continue studying medicine and swordsmanship, embracing his new path.
On the other hand, Guozhao Zhiqiang had no choice but to learn all three disciplines: swordsmanship, medicine, and Zhao Renshu's unique combat style. His masters were very harsh on him, because as the first disciple, he would be a role model for his juniors. He was not interested in medicine, so his first master (Guo Baiyu) taught him the Guozhao principles of philosophy instead. The Guozhao principles of philosophy were a combination of his first master's and the late Master Zhao's knowledge and experiences, a deep well of wisdom.
Standing on the top of a mountain overlooking Cloud City, two figures stood side by side, watching the sunset on the horizon. One man stood taller than the other.
"You grew up fast," Guo Baiyu remarked, a fond smile on his face, looking at his disciple. "You are as tall as your second master (Zhao Renshu). If you don't want to eat up here tonight, you can go down the mountain and eat with your juniors."
"It's okay," Guozhao Zhiqiang replied. "Only once a month. It won't kill me; I'm used to it." He enjoyed the quiet solitude with his master.
"As our first disciple, the world is watching you, and we are watching you," Guo Baiyu said, a hint of the weight of responsibility in his voice.
"Are we ever going to form our own sector?" Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, a question that had been on his mind for a while.
"We are waiting for you," Guo Baiyu replied cryptically.
"I don't understand," Guozhao Zhiqiang admitted.
"As hunters, we are always on hunting trips," Guo Baiyu explained. "If we set up a sector, who will stay and teach our principles of philosophy to the other disciples? You must learn everything we offer you so that you can continue our principles of philosophy." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Cloud City below. "Zhiqiang, being a great hunter does not make people respect and fear you. Always remember that people will fear and respect you only when you do the right thing with a clear conscience and do not harm others."
Guozhao Zhiqiang nodded, absorbing his master's words.
"Do you know why many people are afraid of us?" Guo Baiyu asked.
"I don't know," Guozhao Zhiqiang confessed.
"The reason they are afraid of us is because we live according to our principles," Guo Baiyu explained. "Our principles have brought us to many great men around the land." Guo Baiyu changed the subject, turning his gaze back to Cloud City. "If a clan or tens of thousands of bandits decide to take over Cloud City, what do you think will happen?"
"They can easily take over this city," Guozhao Zhiqiang replied, considering the lack of overt defenses, "because other than us, no one else can defend this city."
Guo Baiyu smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "They will not be able to take over our city, Zhiqiang."
"How?" Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, confused. "If someone attacks, I can't see how we will survive."
"It is easy for us to survive," Guo Baiyu said confidently, "because if this happens, they will face Lim Peizhi's army of Waterfall City, the twelve fairy clans, and fellow hunters who have been friends with us for many years."
"How can we trust that they will come to our aid?" Guozhao Zhiqiang questioned, his past experiences making him cynical.
"There will always be those who will come to our rescue regardless of the situation when we call," Guo Baiyu elaborated. "There will be those who will only meet us halfway. There will be those who will acknowledge us when we are beneficial to them and cut us loose the moment we are no longer beneficial to them. In other words, when making friends, you must make sure to use your best judgment."
"I will remember," Guozhao Zhiqiang said, committing the lesson to memory. He hesitated. "Master, can I ask a personal question?"
"Go ahead," Guo Baiyu encouraged.
"I have read some of Shimu's journals," Guozhao Zhiqiang said, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "You are a very respected heir. Why do you leave all these behind?"
Guo Baiyu smiled, a wistful look in his eyes. "You are still young, you may not understand. When you find someone, you love, and that person really loves you, you will understand that only soulmates understand sacrifice."
"Is it hard for others to accept?" Guozhao Zhiqiang asked, thinking of their polyamorous relationship.
"Your Shimu told me that the most dangerous weapon in the world is a person's mouth," Guo Baiyu replied, a hint of a smile. "People may misread us, but they don't realize that we cry in the same way, feel the same pain, and breathe the same air because we are still human beings."
"Master, I promise that I will always follow our principles of philosophy and always stand up for justice," Guozhao Zhiqiang vowed, his voice firm.
"It's getting late," Guo Baiyu said, looking at the setting sun. "Let's look back before it gets dark."
When the master and disciple entered the kitchen area, no one was around. Guozhao Zhiqiang sat on the table, and Guo Baiyu walked into the kitchen to help Zhao Renshu bring out the dishes.
"Ping'an?" Guo Baiyu asked, noticing her absence.
"She is still praying. I will go get her," Zhao Renshu replied, heading off.
That night, Guozhao Zhiqiang was lying on the bed, looking up at the ceiling, wondering where he would be if he hadn't met his three masters. In the past year, Guozhao Zhiqiang noticed that his Shimu (Ping'an) would have hand problems on the fifteenth day of each month, a side effect of her spiritual energy or injuries, and his two masters' would do all the housework, caring for her.
Between his two masters, he preferred the cooking of the second master. The reason was simple: because even if it was not a vegetable day, his first master's dishes were tasteless, but his Shimu had never complained, so he couldn't complain either. He admired his first master for all his other skills. His first master was proficient in medicine, art, music, poetry, invention, martial arts, spells, and he could continue to list the skills of his first master, but his cooking was not good. He was very grateful that dinner tonight was cooked by his second master.
There were only four people inside Peach Blossom Valley tonight. This was his masters' private house, and no one else lived here but his two masters, his Shimu, and Shanquan. His four juniors were in town with his junior Yang Bao. He needed to rest, because tomorrow he would have to face his third master.
Among all the masters, he disliked the third master the most, because his third master punished them for every little mistake, but at the same time, he also admired his third master's swordsmanship skills. He wanted to be the best out of everyone because he didn't want to disappoint his masters. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
The next morning, Guozhao Zhiqiang slowly opened his eyes and stretched out on the bed, yawning. He turned to the right, and he saw two red eggs, a pair of boots, and a new, neatly folded outfit. He stood up and put on the clothes, and they fit him perfectly. He put on his leather boots and looked in the mirror. It brought back unpleasant memories. He recalled when he was seven years old. A child had gotten new clothes, held two red eggs and chatted happily with his friends.
"My mother bought me this new set of clothes and red eggs for my birthday," the child had boasted. He turned to look at Guozhao Zhiqiang, his eyes filled with disdain. The kid picked up a small stone and threw it at Guozhao Zhiqiang. "What are you looking at, black boy?"
"A son without a father," another child had sneered.
From a young age, he had dreamed of waking up in the morning and finding a new dress with two red eggs, symbols of love and celebration. At the age of sixteen, his dream finally came true. He rushed out of the bedroom and found his Shimu was combing his second master's hair. He rushed over, holding Ping'an tightly and rested his chin on her right shoulder, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing, let go of my wife?" Zhao Renshu protested playfully, but his voice was fond.
Guozhao Zhiqiang had lived here for the past year. He didn't understand why his two masters were still married to one woman and loved her unconditionally. He had thought that his Shimu and his mother were no different, sleeping with men for benefits, but he now knew that his Shimu was different from his mother. He understood why his two masters loved her so much.
"What's wrong with you?" Ping'an asked, startled but gentle.
"Thank you, Shimu," Guozhao Zhiqiang said, his voice choked with emotion.
"For?" Ping'an asked, confused.
"For the clothes and the two red eggs," Guozhao Zhiqiang replied, still holding her tightly.
Ping'an smiled, a soft warmth in her eyes. "I'm glad you like it." She braided Zhao Renshu's hair, then looked at Zhiqiang. "I will also help you comb your hair."
Zhao Renshu stood up, sat behind Ping'an, wrapped his arms around her waist, a playful gesture. "Hey, kid, don't steal my pose, this is my personal pose!"
After a while, Ping'an finished braiding Guozhao Zhiqiang's hair. He turned around and held her hands. He saw that her hands were stained with red dye from the eggs. He lowered his head and put his face on her palms, feeling the warmth. After a while, he opened his eyes. "Thank you, for giving me a place to call home," he whispered, his voice full of gratitude.
Ping'an smiled, her eyes glistening. "Don't get too excited. Today is your birthday. Let us all go to town and celebrate your birthday with your teacher Lee, your third master, and your juniors."
"Okay," Guozhao Zhiqiang agreed, a wide smile on his face.
"Happy Birthday, kid," Zhao Renshu said. "I think it's time to teach you how to flirt with ladies!"
Guozhao Zhiqiang did not answer, his smile faltering slightly.
"Kid, you need to spend more time with me than your first master," Zhao Renshu complained, still trying to influence him. "He is turning you into a person that acts and talks like him. You need to be more like me!"
"I don't wish to fool around," Guozhao Zhiqiang replied, his voice firm. "I wish to practice more and become better."
"You sound ridiculous!" Zhao Renshu protested. He burst out laughing, finding his seriousness amusing.
Guo Baiyu walked in, carrying a platter. "Breakfast is ready."
Guozhao Zhiqiang's heart sank, knowing that a tasteless meal awaited him from his first master's cooking.