Death Warrant (II): Promises

(The cultivation world is a hypocritical world! A conundrum in and out of itself. It's the worst possible version of life anyone can ever wish for, and yet many people still flock to it. What would give you unending happiness today, could very well be the reason why your wife and child would find you dead in a ditch somewhere, or betrayed by the ones you love. This world, this existence, this life, is built on envy. Every power, every land, every prestige gained is obtained because someone was envious of another, and there's nothing a cultivator is more envious of, than the talent of a superior cultivator. Jealousy that would burn as hot and as fiercely as the very flames of hell itself, and believe me it shows no mercy and when it has run it's course all that would be left behind is nothing but ash. To my descendants, trust no one, and guard your talent selfishly, for this world of cultivation would take everything, just because you're more favored by the heavens, be warned! Beware.)

{From the lost tomes of ARISTOTLE}

Alex was beginning to get scared, and so was Anya, but at the moment there was not much they could do, the entire situation seems to be in the hands of the grown ups, and they were just along for the ride. But even so, Alex could not sit still, the feeling of being in serious danger was not something he could get rid off, and with each second he spent on this jet, the worse it got.

He wasn't even allowed to stay near the windows, rather he was kept in a special room, with one way in and one way out. The security measures his grandfather and uncle were taking to protect him was quite extreme, but through it all, Alex wished his dad was here, it would have made things a whole lot better.

The jet they were on, was not your normal jet, it was the size of a cruise ship, you could say there really wasn't any difference between it and a cruise ship, except of course that I was flying. Alex didn't think it was right to call it a jet, maybe and airship would have been better, but it had an official name, and jet was in it, so people chose to call it a jet.

These stream of thoughts were just Alex's way of keeping himself busy and dealing with the anxiety within his heart. Plus he was really bored, so there was nothing much to do except contemplate on the cultural effects of calling a flying ship a jet. Of course he could cultivate or even practice his martial arts, but his head was not in the right place, so he would be completely unable to focus.

"I'm sorry things had to happen like this Feng'er this was not what I wished for you. But this is what we have to do to keep you safe. Anyway don't worry, we should be seeing the front gates of the sect in about three hours, there's a couple of battle jets besides us right now, and your mother is in one of them, so don't worry, everything will be okay, you have my word."

Alex's grandfather seemed really sure of himself, but Alex was not so much of a child that he didn't know or understand the true nature of the situation as it is. Because of just how powerful or rather the potential of how powerful he might become, it had painted a target on his back, and now the enemies of the Wudang sect wanted to kill him.

It was a scary thought, and Alex had no idea what to do other than being really afraid. In a way, it was at this point he truly understood why his father had fought so hard to keep him away from the Wudang sect for so long it was just so that he would be safe from situations like this, but as it stands, nothing ever lasts forever.

"Where is Anya? Is she safe?" Alex asked his grandfather as he shifted uncomfortably on the chair he was sitting down on.

"Don't worry she's fine, and she's just as worried about you, as you are of her. You don't have to worry after this is over she'll never leave your side, not unless house want her to. She would protect you even better than I might, she's a good friend to have." His grandfather said to him with a smile. Alex nodded his head and then they lapsed into a rather uncomfortable silence, until.

"Feng'er would you like me to tell you the story of the most powerful martial arts manual, it would be worth your while you know." Alex appreciated his grandfather's effort to connect with him, and as it stands maybe this was the only chance for him to get his mind of the current state of things.

"Grandson have you ever heard of the (Yin Jin Jing)?" His grandfather asked, looking mysterious all of a sudden. Alex suddenly sighed and answered in exasperation.

"Isn't it a myth, a story that parents and fools tell to children to have them fixated on cultivation. That manual doesn't exist." Alex said with a matter of fact tone, however…

"pffttt Hahahaha seriously! How did you figure that out? Hehehe my grandson is so rational and wise, and that makes me so proud. However you would be a fool if you think myths and legends are just what they are. There's always an iota of truth in every myth and legend, sometimes the legends themselves are complete truths.

As for the (Yin Jin Jing) it does exist, and I should know because I've practiced and studied it before, so did my master before me, and his master before him. It's been in our family for generations, and it's always the responsibility of the next head of the Zhang family to keep it safe, and without a doubt that pleasure goes to you.

This is one of the most coveted secrets of the cultivation world Feng'er, it's the most powerful manual in existence, it had the power to turn even the most useless of talents into peak warriors and legends and ensure that their bloodline remains strong for ten thousand generations. You think you're strong now, just wait till you have your own children, only then would you know the true meaning of monstrous talent.

I've told you this because I believe I can trust you, you're my blood, my heir, my grandson. Keep this to yourself, tell no one not even your friend or your mother and uncle. The future belongs to you, and just know we will fight with everything we have just to make sure it remains so, all you have to do is grow up, get strong and carry on our Legacies. And I know you'll do a fine job of it, and that's because it's not only talent you have, it's heart."

Alex looked up at his grandfather with a soft and happy smile. He had only had this much love and affection from his father, he felt less alone and in that moment he promised himself he would do everything his grandfather asked of him, and do everything in his power to make sure their family was united and okay.

Alex wouldn't have made all those silent promises if he knew just how much of a sacrifice he would have to pay in the name of family, how much pain it would cause him. And his grandfather knew what he had gotten his progeny into, and it caused him pain the likes of which he had never felt. Nothing he had told Alex was a lie, but it was all just a means to an end, manipulation to keep the young boy in line by giving him a sense of responsibility and a connection to the family entirely unique to him. He was offering a choice to him with the idea that it belongs to the boy himself, a choice he might never be able to u make even if he became the most powerful person on earth. And as he got up to leave the room, the guilty grandfather could not help but cry out in his heart.

"Feng'er you really do have heart, and goodness and grace and love. But it would be hard for any of those things to survive the world you just stepped into. I hope your story is different from ours, however one thing is certain...…the Wulin would break you, and there's no way you can stop it."

*💥 BOOM BOOM BOOM 💥!*