The Smiling Monster

The room was silent, everyone stared at the stunning form of their previous grandmaster in utter shock and disbelief.

"Mas...master," Grandmaster Wei breathed. Decades have passed since his master had left without a word and left him the responsibility of all the sects. Never did he think that he would appear before him right there and then, and he was overwhelmed with sorrow and grief.

Grandmaster Feng smiled brightly. "Now...what are you so sad for?" he exclaimed, attempting to lift the mood. "It's supposed to be a happy reunion! And hey!"

He turned around and shook an accusing finger at the elders and their disciples, offended and annoyed. "As your grand-grandmaster, don't you think I deserve some sort of greeting?" he complained, wiping nonexistent tears from his eyes.

He whirled on his disciple and shook him by the shoulders. "Oh dear, what has my sect become?!" he cried. "Wei Han, explain! Do my people not love me anymore?"

"Eh?" Grandmaster Wei dropped his usually collected composure and protested in a frenzy to reassure his master. "No, no! It's not like that! The fact is, everyone misses you! They're just so moved by your appearance that they don't know what to say!"

The elders quickly snapped out of their dumbfounded state and frantically dropped to a low bow with their hands clasped tightly in front at the mention of Grandmaster Wei's personal name. No one dared to call him in such a casual manner, and seeing that the grandmaster held no fury to the one who did, they were now convinced that the great one standing before them was indeed the real Grandmaster Feng.

"The elders of the Mystic Sky Sect are incompetent for not recognizing you right away, Grandmaster Feng!" they echoed. "Please forgive us, sect master!"

Feng Kohan smiled inwardly, greatly satisfied with just these words. But outwardly, he kept on a face of disapproval and crossed his arms, nodding. "Hmph, okay. You may rise," he said.

"Thank you, sect master!"

Lance blinked rapidly at the golden-robed, white-haired figure that even Grandmaster Wei was bowing to. So, that was the great and mighty sect master that he'd only heard about from the elders...but didn't something feel a little off about him? The way he talked and acted seemed awfully familiar to him...

Starling mustered a smile, trying to restrain herself from laughing. It turns out even her junior brother would become speechless after encountering someone who has an even bigger personality and ego than himself.

The grand-grandmaster rubbed his chin and eyed every single one of his former subordinates, curious about their every adventure and accomplishment in the time he was gone. If he were able to keep his current form indefinitely, he would've sat down to have a long and casual talk with each of them.

Sadly, that was not the case, and before long, his form would begin to dissipate once more.

So he turned to the twins and clapped his hands together with a cheerful smile on his face, his facade of authority and mightiness were already gone with the wind. He must focus on what's most important, first.

With his arms outstretched he stepped towards the pair of siblings and placed a hand on one of their shoulders. "Ah, so welcome to the Mystic Sky Sect, my beautiful twins," he exclaimed, his eyes twinkling. "The days to come won't be easy, I know. But from now, I hope you can work together with our sects to lead us to a victory. My people will be at your assistance, as you will be at everyone else's."

Then he flashed a radiant but dangerous smile at the elders and their disciples. "I don't want there to be any unnecessary quarreling, understood?" he warned sweetly. Even though they didn't say anything, he could sense the doubt in a few of them.

"This is my decision, it is also my order. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak up now so I won't have to track you down in the future and rip off your legs for causing trouble."

The disciples shivered, unnerved by this sect master's words. He looked so elegant and charming with his shimmering robes and long, white hair, and his egotistic personality was more or less like Lance's. But yet through his brilliant exterior, his tone was as sharp as the greatest sword, threatening them all with a smile on his face.

Azure took another step closer into Cyrus's shadow, hoping to avoid the blazing eyes of the sect master. What a creepy smile...

He darted his eyes nervously as his senior brother Lance, fearing the type of smiling monster he would become in the near future.

"Er..." An elder from the left took a step forward and bowed respectfully. "Sect Master, this one has a question," he started uneasily. "Though you have brought to us your chosen one and their sibling-"

"Both," the master interrupted. "They both have received my blessing."

The elder was taken aback at the confirmation. So there were really two, not one. He kept his bent posture and continued. "Ah, excuse this elder for his ignorance," he apologized. "But even with the young miss and young master, I feel that we would still require more help..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Sect Master?"

Grandmaster Feng smiled sharply. "Are you doubting my precious babies?" he asked.

The others in the hall cringed deeply. The elder shouldn't have worded that in such a way...

The elder straightened up, flustered. "Er, no. Apologies, that's not what I was trying to say!" he corrected. "I meant, we were discussing earlier of the appearance of two dragon masters at the Infernal Spirit Sect! I feel that we should sincerely ask them to assist with our calamity!"

Elder Sima only ran his hand through his beard pleasantly beside the dais as he watched the clueless elders and Grandmaster Wei conflict with their inner thoughts and pointless concerns. They were so worked up with these rumors, yet they don't take a good look at who were the ones standing before them at this very moment.

Grandmaster Feng lightened up. "Ah, dragon masters, you say?"

The elders nodded their heads, expecting guidance from the sect master to locate these mysterious godly beings.

But to their dismay, he only waved it off, seemingly unconcerned even at the mention of 'dragons'. "There's no need to ask," he claimed as he plucked curiously at Elias' exceedingly lengthy hair.

The elders weren't convinced, especially with the grandmaster's carefree behavior. "Why not?" he asked.

Grandmaster Feng blinked at him. "Of course, that's because you have my dear Eryn and Elias here! What's the point of looking for some nonexistent masters?" he retorted.

"But-"

He held up at hand, stopping the elder from continuing mid-sentence. They all glanced down to see his form slowly fading, reminding them of their time-limited meeting. Grandmaster Feng sighed.

"Well, looks like it's time for me to go again," he mumbled. He looked back up and eyed each of the elders carefully. "Heed my words," he chided. "If you still have doubts, you can ask Sima Gong. He has all the answers to your questions..."

Elder Sima dipped his chin in acknowledgment.

"Don't make me disappointed...all of you. Even the disciples. I'll still be watching," the sect master reminded. "Don't slack off. Don't fight amongst each other. Think about what's most important, now."

The elders nodded and bowed, having no choice but to follow his orders. Even if they didn't understand the meaning of his actions and words, he was still their sect master, and he was still the Phoenix of his generation. He decisions wouldn't harm them.

Grandmaster Wei suddenly grew anxious as he saw his master slowly fade away from his sight. There were still questions that he had unanswered. He didn't even know if he was doing his job right. "Wait, master-!"

Grandmaster Feng only smiled. "I know what you're thinking, Wei Han," he said. "The truth is, you're doing just fine...I'm already proud of you!"

He stared at his master, suddenly at loss for words. He couldn't just leave like that again, could he?

Feng Kohan grinned. "Aish, why does this make me feel so cheesy? Anyways, don't miss me too much~" he sang.

And then he was gone.

Everyone was staring at the spot he stood on just moments ago, now empty, as if he never was there all along.

Elder Sima cleared his throat and broke the silence, stepping forward to the center of attention. "Now...let's get down to business, shall we?"