(Author: Hello all. Spent the last few days experimenting on stories and taking a break from constant releases. I didn't want to rush my story too fast and wanted a solid first volume that introduced the characters I aimed to keep as well as establish a storyline. Don't worry. I will release chapters of this story as it is my main story while randomly releasing chapters for 2 of the other stories I released while on break that I liked. Also, people suggested I use italics for telepathic communications between a mythic beast and its master so I will use that from now on. This second volume will be twice as long and I will try to focus on character development throughout the volume. Chapters will start small and grow bigger. Thanks to all my followers who waited patiently until now. Hope you enjoy the chapter.)
Chapter 15: The Lu Manor
"So this is the famous Lu Manor," Cao sighed with awe as they approached a large estate in the Wei empire.
The Lu Manor was a large estate with white marbled walls, crimson red tiles, four small ponds containing exotic fish, ripe peach trees, four houses to the left and right of the entrance with a large mansion in the back of the manor. The Lu Manor also had guards and servants with high levels of qi cultivation. The servants were at the second stage of Spirit Lord while the guards were second stage Spirit Kings. It was as if the Knight Destroyers walked into a small military base on the verge of an assault on enemy forces.
"So strong," Richard gasped as he noticed the servants. "Even the servants are Spirit Lords. Your family exceeds my expectations. To hire so many powerful martial artists as servants? The Lu family truly is strong."
Liao only faked a smile as he had the real Liao Lu's memories. He wasn't concerned about the servants or guards. He was concerned about how his mother would greet him. The old Liao Lu was raised to be noble and courageous. To have an upright appearance before he left. Liao Sima, in Liao Lu's body, had changed that appearance. He had a scar over his left eye and had an imoogi tattoo encompassing his entire left shoulder down to his wrist. Plus, he was wearing his monk-like armor that revealed his tattoo. He looked far from a noble and more like a monk down the wrong path.
Liao relaxed as he had Yueying holding his waist as they rode on Hunluan. He couldn't appear weak in front of her.
"My family will be waiting in the main house up ahead. Try to keep any unnecessary words to yourself. If you think they might offend my family, don't say it while we stay here until the academy reopens. My elder brother, Lei Lu, is an accomplished scholar and my second brother, Liang Lu, is a powerful and exceptional martial artist. Both of them served in the frontlines of my father's army. My second brother is more prideful than eldest brother so watch your tongues. Especially you, Cao, as you love to speak your mind and think of the consequences second," Liao warned.
"Do they know about me?" Yueying asked, her smile sending chills down Liao's back as it seemed colder than usual.
"Yeah. General Zhao was watching the tournament. He would have reported about you to my parents. I also kind of told them we were dating in a message back when we were escaping from the academy," Liao said nervously.
"In other words, you might be skinned alive," Cao laughed. "Don't worry. I'll keep my mouth shut. I definitely don't want to die."
"So he can keep his mouth shut," Sakura whispered to Richard.
Richard snickered and said, "I wonder how long that'll last as we don't know when the academy will reopen."
Sakura laughed and walked over to Ling. She was the only member of the Knight Destroyers who was not dense and realized that Ling had feelings for Liao long ago.
"Are you okay?" Sakura asked in a silent voice.
"I'm fine," Ling replied. "I knew I didn't stand a chance when we saw them together at the lake before we left."
Sakura sighed as she watched Ling join the others toward the main house. Mizu, her deer mythic beast, watched one of its riders jump off and leave. Mizu was relieved as it did not like having another person riding on its back except for its master. Plus, it tried not to complain that Ling was too heavy as Mizu was a deer mythic beast and not a mythic beast tiger or imoogi.
"She will be fine master," Mizu said to Sakura.
"I know Mizu, but it must be hard for her. I know I feel pain when Cao talks about other girls so it must feel even worse for her. Who knows? She might even fall in love with Richard. However, if she likes Cao, I won't lose," Sakura replied and ordered Mizu to follow them.
"LIAO! Little brother has returned," Liang Lu laughed as he stood on the steps in front of the main house. He was a muscular young man with biceps as large as a melon and was already more than six feet tall. He radiated power as he was a Spirit King and nearly crushed Liao as he hugged him.
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"Still strong as always," Liao said, repeating the words the old Liao would normally say.
"So that is your mythic beast Hunluan!" Liang grinned as he looked over Liao. "Spirit Lord rank imoogi. Stronger than you. The fact that you even have a mythic beast makes me jealous. Oh! That little beauty atop of Hunluan must be the famous Yueying girl you talked about!"
"Hello Liang Lu," Yueying greeted as she got off Hunluan. Hunluan shrunk in size and slithered around Liao's neck as Yueying greeted Liang Lu.
"My little brother gets all the luck," Liang sighed. "His companions aren't bad either as they have mythic beasts. There's even a lion turtle and phoenix among them. Come, come. Lei Lu and my parents are waiting inside. They are anxious to meet Liao's friends and the girlfriend Liao spoke so much about."
Liao breathed deeply as he followed his elder brother inside. Liao motioned for the mythic beasts to form a line to the right while the Knight Destroyers formed a line on the left. Hunluan was allowed to stay around his neck and they saw Liao's family seated on large, black wooden chairs with an emblem of a large white dragon encircling the name, Lu, at the emblem's center in gold.
"And so my third son has finally come home. Earlier than expected, but I am glad that you arrived safely," Hui Lu said. "And finally a Spirit Sage! Good! You made progress."
"Liao, you got stronger," Lei agreed. He wore a simple green robe with a gold embroidered dragon on the hem of the robe. He wasn't as muscular or as powerful as Liang Lu, but he was the most dangerous of his brothers due to his intellect and controlled four elements like Liao. However, Lei Lu was a Spirit King and a scholar and teacher at the Wei empire's top academy. Lei Lu had as much political influence as his father had military influence.
"I don't like the tattoo or scar," Lady Fei said. "However, I am shocked you are dating this Yueying. She is a true beauty. Tell me, are you a member of the Bao clan?"
Yueying's eyes widened in shock and answered, "How did you know?"
"The eyes girl. The Bao clan are the only people I know whose eyes mutated into a purple color due to secret practices of the Bao clan. They are the most powerful and secluded family of martial exponents with their elders are Spirit Reaper and Spirit Dragon. No one knows where they live, but none of us who know of them ever slander them," Lady Fei said. "There is another reason why they are secluded but I won't reveal that or tell others of your true identity. I trust my son and his friends will do the same. Whether you tell Liao in the future is up to you. Love does not last forever unless it is marriage. Right Hui?"
"Y, yes Fei. Of course," Hui stuttered, he was a general but his wife's happiness meant his happiness.
"Now all of your friends must be tired. Liang and Lei will escort them to the guest houses for them and their mythic beasts. We will all talk later. You will remain here, Liao, as I have a few concerns about your recent changes," Lady Fei said.
"Good luck," Cao chuckled and the Knight Destroyers left the main house.
Hunluan enlarged to his full size and formed a ring around Liao, afraid that Lady Fei would harm Liao.
"Now Liao, men have scars and I can understand why you have one. However, I want to know why you have that skeletal imoogi tattooed on your arm?" Lady Fei said in a cold voice. "Hidden weapons is one thing, but choosing a divine tattoo to hide them in is another. My main concern is who gave you that tattoo. Is he a friend or foe? Anther concern I have regards the annihilation of the rebel army. I am no fool. There is no way a dragon as great and mighty as the one that appeared would concern itself with human wars. What is your connection to that dragon?"
"General Zhao investigated the background of the Xu boy you killed to belong to a lineage of dragon slayers," Hui interrupted. "I am grateful but I need to know about that jade dragon."
Just then, the dragon medallion flew off Liao's chest and hovered in the air. The jade dragon engraved on the black medallion shined, causing all the color in the room to appear as jade. Hunluan lowered its head on the floor as it knew that the Great Dragon God would speak. Liao gulped in fear as he did not know what the dragon god would do.
Chapter 14: Spirit Beast Attack MAIN PAGE Chapter 16: Meeting a God