4- The crazy old man

At a Zhong clan leaders' courtyard.....

Seated upon the throne, a middle-aged gentleman wore a troubled countenance.

He was Zhong Li the clan leader of the Zhong clan and also Zhong Peng's father, the door swung open with a creak, and in walked a guard who immediately dropped to his knees and performed a reverent bow as he announced, "Clan Leader Song Lijuan seeks an audience with you. Shall I permit her entry?"

"Yes!" Zhong Li exclaimed with fervor, his voice echoing throughout the grand hall. "Grant her entry at once!"

The door swung open and in strode Song Lijuan, who immediately fell to her knees and performed a profound bow before speaking. "This humble one pays respect to the esteemed Clan leader" she intoned with reverence.

Ignoring Song Lijuan's respectful salutations, Zhong Li cut straight to the matter at hand. "Little Song," he inquired with a worried inflection, "how is my son doing."

"I came here to give a report... "before she could finish the man shouted angrily.

"I told you to stay with my son and not to come here except there it is an important issue.

"sir I came to report about the young master."

"what is wrong..ng with hi...m" The usually composed clan head was now trembling.

"Young master is awake now" song lijuan replied.

"you mean that my son is awake now, how is he, when did he wake up...." the clan head started throwing questions to the young lady who just stood there not knowing which to answer first.

**********************

*Back in zhong peng's room*

"mortal pay respect to your God" the voice of the ancient old man sounded throughout the whole room.

Zhong Peng gazed at the crazy elderly man for a moment before speaking with a hint of frustration in his voice. "Old man," he queried, "what brings you to this place and why do you persist in referring to yourself as a God?" Then, with a touch of annoyance, he added, "And who in the world constructed this place?"

With a voice full of majesty, the old man roared, "Insolence!" Anger resonated in his tone as he continued, "How dare you address me in such a disrespectful manner!"

"Listen, old man," Zhong Peng said in a confident tone, "I was brought here against my will by this book, and I don't give a damn about what you're doing inside it. All I need is a way to get back home. My grandmother must be worried sick about me.

"audacious!" exclaimed the old man, his voice filled with anger. "I am a master in the way of cultivation, having achieved heights beyond your imagination. How dare you speak to me in such an audacious manner!" The old man's fury was evident in his words.

"Old man, there's no need to get upset about it. Since you've been living inside a book, you must have a way to send me back home. And what crime did you commit to be locked inside this weird-looking book?" Zhong Peng bombarded the man with questions, his tone assertive and unwavering.

"I am not locked inside a book I left my consciousness inside a book for my inheritor!"

"So, that means you are the one who brought me here!" Zhong Peng said furiously, his voice raised with anger. "Send me back at once now!" Zhong Peng demanded, his tone unyielding.