Who’d ever thought Martial Kim would survive long enough see the first snow in the modern world. It was only when he touched the snowflakes falling from the sky, did he realized he had forgotten about returning home until now.
Case after case have tried him, tested his wits and mettle, if not challenged his morality and sense of justice. Who’d ever thought he people here lived a complex life of petty conflict within global peace; greed and corruption in the era of prosperous technology and communication; and so much hate and vile in a ‘digital space’ that could be used for the greater good and let creativity blossom.
Truly, his new life and understanding were too vexing. And it was because of rough times like this, would he often wake up in cold sweat wondering ‘What was Moon Tavern?’.
Another year – no, another month more and the Martial Kim of the Martial Arts World would cease to exist. Only Office Kim working from 9 to 5 on minimum wage would remain.
--- Gods. It would truly be a day of reckoning if I ever forget who I am... But every time I look into the mirror, my reflection feels so foreign to me. What can I do, to give confidence to my doubts?
In the end, he never truly gave up. Rather, he realized he could take advantage of this society and their incredible wealth of knowledge. In following Professor Stone, the young master became enlightened with advanced physics and science that are beyond the realm of the mortals.
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity; Wormholes; Time Dilation; Travelling at the Speed of Light; Quantum Mechanics; String Theory; Membrane Universes; etc.
Yes – he had absolutely no freaking clue how any of them work, let alone comprehend their complex science. However, Martial Kim believed with time and hard study he can master their secrets like some sort of martial arts scripture.
Not to mention, he DID pass the Imperial Examinations and scored top 10 amongst the civil and martial scholars. Those types of challenges were as difficult as a Master’s Degree test (more or less). Surely these complex science would be but a trifle (hopefully).
However, little did he know that ‘wealth’ wasn’t exactly found in a library.
“Miss Keekee, this is incredible! What do you call this device again?”
“Hmm? Oh it’s a cellphone – well, we also call it smartphone if you wanna get technical.”
Keekee wasn’t in the mood to cook today. Neither was she hungry for some take out. So she lounged on the couch in her grandmother’s cabin while eating one bag of snacks after another. She didn’t want to be a bore, neither did she want to be seen like a junk food eating pig in front of her friend it’s just that...she really needed it.
Meanwhile, Martial Kim found god in Samsoon Cosmos 29+.
In the Jade Empire, the writing system of their literature was always in the form of column by column, from top to bottom. So it was common for well learned young masters like Martial Kim to roll up books like a scroll in one hand and turn the pages left to right with the other.
But – with this newfound power, he learned the secret of the finger flick! How such a small gesture saves up SO much time and energy! Look at the pages whipping by – wheeeee!
“This is remarkable! Absolutely remarkable!” Martial Kim can’t help a yelp – the Christmas child bouncing in his voice, “To think the knowledge of the world could be found in the palm of my hand. Everything has been written and re-written in near real time, a cultivation of history’s finest intelligence!”
“Hnn. (Munch munch).”
“And look at this, the amount of detail is staggering! Not to mention these life-like illustrations. You call them photographs, right? Using some sort of technological device to capture the moment – like a scene straight out of time! The words, the photos, they speak a thousand things to me second by second!”
“Hnn (Munch munch).”
“...Although. It would be very helpful if these flashing images and animation do not get in my way. You referred to these annoyances as ‘ads’ correct?”
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“Hnn (Munch munch).”
“.........Before my bed, lies a pool of moon bright; I imagine, that is is frost upon the ground; I look up and see the moon shining bright; and I bow my head, thinking of home.”
Oh a famous poem! Well said, well said! Now, what is Keekee’s response to it all?
“Hnn (Munch munch).”
...
This wasn’t the first time Martial Kim would drone on about his excitement while others would fiddle with a finger traps or bolt awake in their seats with drool caked on their lips. The first culprit he could think of was his own disciple Martial Yellow Sister. Despite her eagerness to become a renown detective like Martial Kim, her patience was thinner than the first ice forming on a pond.
Naturally, he would rectify this with a bonk on her head...however.
The messy frown on Keekee’s face spoke volumes.
The young master chanced to ask, “Miss Keekee. Is something on your mind?”
“Hnn (Munch m—out of ammo).” Keekee groaned when she realized the bag of chips she held in her hand was well devoured minutes ago. She struggled to find a new prey within the pile of trash on the coffee table. Like a bloodhound sniffing a fox out.
Before Martial Kim could properly address this.
Ring-Ring. Ring-Ring. Ring-Ring. Ring-Ring. Ring-Ring.
“Oh Hello? Teacher?...Hello?”
Ring-Ring. Ring-Ring. Ring-Ring. Ring-Ring. Ring-Ring.
As the young master had a few crash courses in how to operate a smartphone, in the end of the day he would always be defeated by his rivals called parents and grandparents. He couldn’t even recognize that fact that was not his ringtone!
“Teacher? Teacher? Speak up? I can’t hear you if you keep making my phone sing!”
Keekee, on the other hand, was digging through the trash to find her phone, “I-it’s mine one second.” After a quick wipe of her hands on her overalls she plucked out her phone, glared at the number, and forced a smile on her lips. “Yes sir? What can I—Yeah...uh-huh.”
“Miss Keekee, I am right here—Ah yes. Phone. Phone.” Martial Kim remembered why she kept talking to herself and in thin air, so he gave her some privacy and tried to distract himself in the kitchen.
“.........................................................................................................................”
However, the silence from his friend tugged at his curiosity. He had to eavesdrop or he’ll never sleep soundly.
“........................Yes sir.......I know.....I’m sorry....I’ll get it do—ne...Good bye.”
The last part was a waste of time, as the call was cut earlier than she prepared. Because of that, it was completely understandable for Keekee to chuck her phone into her couch and kick her coffee table with a strained—
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! DAMN IT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL!”
Alright. Not that strained.
“FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA—” Keekee kept kicking the leg of her coffee table, to get every ounce of emotion out through her heel or toe.
After 10 good drop kicks, she sucked in the air to try and piece her soul back together.
Then, she wanted to scream so bad – as if she was shoved into a horror house.
“OH! K-KIM! G-god! I-I-I am so-so-so sorry you had to see that! I-I-I’m not that k-kind of person! I-I swear!”
“......................”
“P-please yo-you got to believe me! I-I am totally not what you just saw. I-I can expl-lain!”
“...................Oolong, or Jasmine?”
“Wh-what?”
“Apologies. I believe I was trying to say your Chamomile or Earl Grey.”
---Poor Miss Keekee. What in the world would cause her to feel like a cornered animal? She’s always been smiles and laughs...Perhaps only around me? Now that I think about it, she has always been acting on my best interests. Has she ever paused to think for herself?
The young master would ponder on this for a while.
---What emotions does she face, when alone? What thoughts does she keep, behind closed doors? It is not my place to pry, but given the fact we live under the same roof – I have yet to truly appreciate who she really is...How shameful of me, most shameful.
Guess, this was a good of time as any to properly get to know each other after a busy week.
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