Chapter 56: Chapter 56

On getting there, they were stunned to see Long Ren, Fu Jin, Ju Wei and Bai Lu Chen tied up in their very seats. It was also clear that old man Long sealed their voices.

Clark asked in confusion.

"What's going on here?"

"We are having a family meeting," replied old man Long as he removed the seal he'd placed on them earlier.

Aarti asked her husband what was said and when he translated it to German for her, she chuckled.

"I've never seen such a spectacular family meeting before," she commented in amusement.

"Mistress' mother, you are so pretty. You deserve my great respect." Bai Lu Chen started his fawning, causing Long Ren to feel anxious.

"Mistress mother is a fairy that no one can compare to. Her words are like prayers of blessings to the hearer." said Long Ren and Theresa chuckled.

"Have you two blockheads forgotten that my mum... can't hear what you're saying?"

That was like an arrow straight into the heart!

Bai Lu Chen and Long Ren were embarrassed but didn't let it show. Instead they started cursing each other telepathically.

"Theresa?" Aarti called out in a whisper.

"Yes mum?"

"Why are they staring at each other like that?"

"I forgot to tell you. Cultivators here are capable of telepathy when they reach a certain level." she explained and Aarti nodded.

"Can you please untie them sir?" Clark requested and old Long sighed in defeat.

"Fine!" he then mumbled some strange words and the ropes disappeared.

Clark wasn't too shocked but Aarti and Marabelle were.

"Theresa, does that Sir accept disciples?" Marabelle asked eagerly.

Theresa didn't understand what happened to Marabelle today. What medicine was she fed?

"No. He isn't and I won't let you be his disciple even if he does,"

What a joke! How would she deliver her sheep-like friend into this man's hands. Not happening!

"Oh!" Marabelle was disappointed but she soon cheered up.

"Theresa, we should have a party. A reunion party!" but then her mood dropped.

"What's wrong my dear?" Aarti had noticed Marabelle's dropping mood and sought to know the reason.

"We aren't on earth; so there will be no DJ or party music." said Marabelle with a sigh.

"Bai Lu Chen, can you sing?" Theresa asked.

"Yes mistress!" Bai Lu Chen stood up immediately.

"Ju Wei, can you dance?" she asked again.

Immediately, Ju Wei stood up and answered.

"Yes! I can dance really well."

Theresa nodded. This was good enough.

"Foster father, can you play the flute?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes!" Fu Jin answered excitedly.

"Grandpa Long... er..."

"I can play the Guqin!" old man Long answered quickly.

"That's very good. Dad can play the Big drum, Mom can play the pipa too, Marabelle can play the harp. Long Ren?"

He immediately jumped to his feet. He was waiting for this moment to prove his sincerity and worth.

"I can play the chimes really well." he advertised but his excitement was dampened in the next moment.

"No, you are responsible for our food. Make sure you put your heart into it. We'll have the party in the secluded room in the evening. For now, I want to show my parents and Marabelle, my bestfriend, the world here after we've taken care of our morning routines." said Theresa.

"Yeah!" Fu Jin shouted.

"Theresa, where is the bathroom?" Clark asked.

"Ju Wei, please, show my dad the bathroom." commanded Theresa but Clark immediately refused.

What a joke! There's no way he'd allow it. Besides this guy was a....

"Oh, I know I'm a cutsleeve but I don't like you; so I won't touch you. But I have to say you have a nice butt." said Ju Wei with a carefree attitude.

"Long Ren, before cooking be sure to deal with him. Bai Lu Chen, you take the task. You are responsible for their baths and clothing. Marabelle and I will be alone in the swimming pool." Theresa had decided.

"There's a swimming pool?" Clark furrowed his eyebrows.

"Dad, that pool is dangerous to you and mum. Besides, Marabelle and I are not going there to swim. Girls talk, you know?" Theresa explained.

"Hey you two!" Aarti pointed at Clark and Theresa. "You do realize that I can't hear Chinese, right? Tell me what you guys said just now."

"It's a secret!" Clark said before lifting Aarti up and placing her over his shoulders. She blushed in shame.

"Hey, old man put me down. Put me down. This is so embarrassing! Put me down old man," she cried out in complaint.

"Oh, if I'm old, then, you must be my sugar mommy." Clark teased her as Bai Lu Chen led them away.

"My daughter, I feel jealous. If only I could get you a foster mother," Fu Jin pitied himself but Theresa only chuckled.

"Actually foster mum Ye Feng would..."

"Hehe... I suddenly recall that I have something vital pending. Let me go check on it quickly." with those words, Fu Jin vanished.

"What a dad!" Theresa thought and turned to face old man Long and slightly bowed her head before turning to leave with Marabelle for the pool.

Long Ren immediately took out a whip different from that dragon bone whip. His eyes turned purple and his aura was terrifying, making old man Long nod in agreement.

"Now that's my grandson." he muttered under his breath and vanished. He was gone this time; heading to his home to rest and bicker with Fu Jin later.

**********

That evening, after Theresa and her parents, together with Marabelle and Bai Lu Chen returned from shopping and exploring this ancient world and eating at a restaurant, everyone gathered at the secluded room dressed to their very best.

Aarti wore a red and black hanfu with a purple scarf and purple shoes, Marabelle dressed in pink, Clark in green, Long Ren and Ju Wei both wore light blue clothing, Long Hua Ming and Fu Jin wore white robes and Theresa wore black and purple robes with a pink scarf. In her hair was a golden hairpin. The three females in the group were looking beautiful and earned praises from the males.

Today, Theresa had the face of a seductress. Her mother had a gentle face and Marabelle had a wild princess face.

All sat on the chairs which had been provided by Long Hua MIng, elegantly with an unknown but refreshing incense to accompany them.

Aarti, Clark and Marabelle sat close to each other, mostly because he was the only one that could translate to them. When it was time for the party to start, Theresa rose.

"Welcome everybody! It's a delight to have you all here tonight. We are here for the party that serves as both a reunion and merry time. I hope we'll all do our best to make this party an unforgettable one. The party officially begins. First, let there be a competition in music to liven things up. The one who wins gets to see us three females dance and then there will be poetry, chess and an extra dancing competition. Finally, to soothe our nerves, we will be well fed by our Long Ren. I bet the food must be delicious," Theresa said while eyeing a nervous Long Ren.

"Alright, who wanna go first?" Ju Wei asked and Fu Jin volunteered.

After bickering with Long Hua Ming at his house, both had gotten ready and returned 30 minutes before the party to decorate everywhere and set up lamps to illuminate the room. The room was then made cooler by Long Ren.

Fu Jin stood up from his seat and walked to the mini stage with a Dizi flute and played 'Song of the four seasons'. It seemed crude at first, but slowly it became wild and later refreshing.

He seemed to be able to switch and affect others' mood at will. While playing his hair and clothes fluttered even though there was no wind. At the end of the play, Fu Jin slightly bowed and he was given a thunderous applause.

"Not bad!" Aarti said in German.

"Old man, you did well," praised Clark.

The rest said nothing, but they approved of him.

"That was very good, foster father. You are indeed a master. Who is the next person to come liven our mood?" Theresa asked with a smile and Long Hua Ming volunteered.

He directly jumped onto the stage and sat down, crossed legged. He flicked his sleeves and a Guqin appeared.

"Wow! Such nice Guqin," Ju Wei praised.

"Shut up!" Long Ren scolded.

He was sulking at the fact that he wouldn't perform today. He continually stared at Theresa, hoping that she'd change her mind, but she turned her face away.

That's right! She's still upset.

Long Hua Ming played 'Maidens of the tea mountain' slowly but steadily. It was a soothing tune that gripped the hearts of the listeners and immersed them in another world. Some were even close to tears.

"Who knew that evil pal has such magical hands?" Fu Jin thought and nodded in approval.

Long Hua Ming was better than him, but still he was unbeatable in flute music. Heh!

8 minutes later.

Long Hua Ming plucked the last string for a longer time and ended the music. It took a while for everyone to come to their senses, and they gave him an applause that lasted longer than Fu Jin's.

Yeah, Fu Jin was the one who applauded most.

Clark and Aarti came up next. He's good with the drum and he played it together with Aarti who knew how to play the Pipa along with two Indian musical instruments. The song they played was Clark's own song in Chinese that he had written and sung to her on their honeymoon.

Though she didn't understand a word but she could play the music and everyone nodded at their perfect cooperation when playing. Clark did the singing, and it shocked all except Theresa and Aarti at hearing his voice. Such an angelic voice!

After they were done playing that music piece, they played an Indian song and this time, Aarti did the singing with Clark being the backup.

For Theresa, it was a first to see someone play Indian music with the pipa. It felt different, but it was still good. Aarti had been taught the Pipa by her late aunt Priya Singh when she was 7.

After her death, she touched the Pipa less often, but Theresa knew her mum could play it. She has heard it when she was 12 and loved it.

Hearing her mum's sweet voice and her music again, Theresa was moved to tears and clapped slowly in a rhythm.

In the latter part of the music, Marabelle ran up to them with the harp and played along with them and joined Clark in being the backup singer. Not that she knew Indian language very well, but she was very familiar with this song, hence she joined them even when it wasn't her turn.

After everything, the trio on stage bowed, and the rest stood up and applauded in tears except Long Ren. He was not happy here. He really wanted to show his talent, even if it's just for a minute. But alas...

"You guys are great!" Long Hua Ming praised.

"Yeah! Mister Clark, what's the name of the first Chinese music you played," Fu Jin asked. He itched to play it with his flute.

"Love of a thousand years not denied," Clark replied with a smile.

"A very fitting name indeed. Your wife is excellent with the Pipa too, and so is the little girl," said Ju Wei. But Clark shot him a baleful look with his eyes for a second.

"Eh..." Ju Wei scratched his head.

"Ju Wei can dance, so let's play a song for him, shall we?" suggested Clark.

"GREAT! GREAT!" old man Long exclaimed as he fiddled with his hair.

Ju Wei went up to stage after changing his clothes to that of a dancer's.

Clark, Long Hua Ming and Fu Jin played a piece of music and he was able to stun them with his incredibly terrible dance. His body seemed rigid and Theresa thought even a three-year-old can dance better. Gosh! His skills suck!

The trio playing didn't even wanna play anymore, but when they were about to give up, Marabelle got up and suddenly walked close to the stage and played her harp too. If one could look closely, her eyes were darker than before.

Ju Wei upon seeing this decided to be serious now and immediately his aura changed and then instead of the terrible dance of earlier he performed a shocking dance and then... twerked!

Since when does one twerk to a classic song? Ju Wei's lean hips did their best to shake vigorously. It was such a sight to behold!

At this, they stopped playing and Marabelle's eyes returned to normal. It shocked all to the point of silence.

"You... how can you do that?" Bai Lu Chen spat.

"Eh... Mistress had once asked my master to do so, but he disobeyed. So I decided to do it in place of him. Also, she said, we have to make this party unforgettable. And I also wanna show you how nice my ass is so..."

"Get... down... the... stage." a pissed Clark slowly said and Aarti massaged his back.

He suddenly felt that this guy must be taught a lesson once the party was over. Theresa stood up with a smile to ease the rising atmosphere.

"Ju Wei, you did well to give us a dance that will never be forgotten. But I suggest that you re-dance with your junior brother to sing for you. Foster dad and Sir Long will play for you two. Choose the song that you love to dance to and then Bai Lu Chen will sing for you," Theresa suggested and for once, Long Ren chuckled.

"Serves you right, attention seeker!" Long Ren said to the unhappy Bai Lu Chen telepathically, but he didn't reply.

"Mistress, I choose to dance to 'black knight and his rose hugging their fox' " Ju Wei declared and Bai Lu Chen's face went black.

Wasn't that a part lullaby romantic song? This Ju Wei wanted him to sing that? Come on, you gotta be kidding him, here! How old was he?

"Junior brother, you won't refuse right?" Ju Wei winked mischievously at Bai Lu Chen.

"Fine! I'll sing for Mistress' sake!" he finally relented with a sigh and Theresa gave him a thumbs up.

Seeing that, his heart soared in delight. He provokingly spoke telepathically to Long Ren: "Senior brother, it's a pity, someone won't get approval no matter how much he yearns for it. I feel so sorry,"

"I also pity someone who gets a cut sleeve as a partner. I wonder who truly is the pitiful one, here?" Long Ren retorted.

"Whatever," Bai Lu Chen flew to the stage and stood proudly.

"Everyone, this Taipan king wishes to sing a song to liven the party. I also propose that Mistress allows Long Ren to sing with me." said Bai Lu Chen.

Hearing this, the rest turned to look at a speechless Long Ren and then at Theresa.

"I agree. I haven't heard Long Ren sing, so it's an excellent opportunity. Go on," Theresa spoke with a sly smile and Long Ren felt his head spin.

"Fighting! Fighting!" Ju Wei cheered, and the rest joined him in cheering.

"Fighting! Fighting! Fighting! Fighting!"

Bai Lu Chen chuckled and covered half of his face with a fan he took out from his spatial ring.

"Senior brother, thank you for honoring my request. I look forward to our awesome duet." Bai Lu Chen said and bowed his head slightly.

Long Ren vanished and appeared on the stage. Both he and Bai Lu Chen changed their outfits in a second.

Bai Lu Chen changed his outfit to pale orange with a golden belt while Long Ren changed his to a black robe with a silver belt. He was holding two ribbons while Bai Lu Chen held a fan.

"Wow! Ren'er, you're looking good!" old man Long praised, but Fu Jin did the opposite by showering praises on Bai Lu Chen.

"Evil pal, my little Bai is more manlier than your foxy,"

"Oh, my Long Ren will get girls easily with a wink but that guy has to beg for their affection," old Long rebutted.

Seeing that things would be ruined if they allowed these two geezers to continue their bickering, Theresa rose again.

"Foster father, Sir Long, this is a party. Any party spoiler will have to pay a fine of 70 diamonds. This is the last warning," said Theresa politely before sitting again. This successfully made the two men shut up.

"You can start now," Clark said.

Ju Wei was in front of the two competing guys sitting in a cross-legged position. His face looked like he had seen a ghost.

That's when Old Long plucked the first string of the Guqin and while he played, Long Ren walked worriedly to Ju Wei and squatted. He patted Ju Wei's head with 'love' and rose. He ran towards Bai Lu Chen, who had his face covered with a purple fan adorned with roses.

He gently tapped on Bai Lu Chen's shoulders and when Bai Lu Chen lowered the fan, Long Ren pointed at an almost crying Ju Wei.

Both ran to him and Bai Lu Chen took a small bed out of his storage ring that would fit only one person and that is, a five-year-old.

Ju Wei was an adult but Bai Lu Chen did this to anger Long Ren. But he only smiled and beckoned an internally unhappy Ju Wei to lie on the bed,

"You bastard, don't ruin the show or you'll pay the fine!" Long Ren threatened telepathically and Ju Wei internally sighed.

He then tried to squeeze himself to lie on the tiny bed.

"How do you like my work?" Bai Lu Chen telepathically asked as he went on one knee and petted Ju Wei's head. If one looked closely, he was more like hitting Ju Wei's head.

"Not bad! You're doing quite well, Mr. Bai," Long Ren replied telepathically as he patted Ju Wei's back 'gently.'

Fu Jin played his flute slowly in a soothing manner and both Bai Lu Chen and Long Ren got up and stared at each other with 'loving eyes'.

"Just you wait!" Long Ren telepathed Bai Lu Chen.

"Like I'm afraid of a tiny fox," Bai Lu Chen telepathed back.

While exchanging taunting words, they both continued their 'intimate act'. They then circled around Ju Wei slowly before stopping behind him and giving each other a little more distance.

Bai Lu Chen smiled and began to sing.

♪ I'm father black knight of the night. Saving all damsels in distress. My little angel, fear not the dream, for the knight of the night ,your dad is here! ♩

Everyone was shocked at his voice. It was terrible, sounded more like a frog trying to sing opera.

"Gosh! This is embarrassing," Ju Wei thought.

"Pleasant voice you have there," Long Ren telepathed Bai Lu Chen in mockery.

"Ha, let's see whose voice is better." Bai Lu Chen telepathed in rebuttal. "Your turn!"

♪ I'm a little rose fairy of the earth. Born to bring peace to all little ones. Make all men fall for flowers, soothing dreams disturbed by evil. I'm your mama Rose, the fairy of the earth. Fear not little one, for you are a shining star, you can do it. Lay back down and enjoy the wind of happiness sink in you. What can a little rose fairy say? You're not alone, little one. ♩

Long Ren's voice was... even worse. Sounded more like a lion trying to sing high notes. Everyone was dumbfounded.

"This isn't my grandson. He must have been switched. I'm sure of it!" old man Long shook his head. Both geezers continued to play, albeit with lesser interest.

Bai Lu Chen and Long Ren competed heatedly in a duet; wanting to see who could last longer in singing while the audience felt like beating them up. Ju Wei who was close to them was close to aging by ten years.

One voice was bad enough, but with two terrible voices as duets, he could swear that he could kill right now. This song was his parents' sang to him every night. These two bastards actually had the guts to turn the music upside down with their ugly voices.

To worsen things they petted Ju Wei, but in reality they were transferring their tension on him and he could swear that his skin would soon be red from all the hits.

"Bastards! ENOUGH!" Ju Wei couldn't take it anymore and yelled in frustration.

He exhaled heavily and shot murderous looks at Bai Lu Chen, before pouncing at a stunned Bai Lu Chen and pinning him to the ground.

His eyes had turned into an unusual burgundy red eyes that went unnoticed by both men on stage.

Ju Wei could be said to have lost his sanity as he started hitting, pinching, and punching Bag Lu Chen. Then he started pulling his hair, and this caused Bai Lu Chen to hiss in pain, and he tried to toss Ju Wei away from him, but Ju Wei seemed to be extra strong tonight.

Long Ren was also pissed. Didn't he warn Ju Wei to behave? What then is this? What the hell is he doing now? He planned to use this chance to win mistress favor back, but this spirit had ruined it completely.

"You think you are the only one who gets pissed? Bastard, let me teach you a lesson."

With that, he pounced on Ju Wei and started yanking his hair. Ju Wei yelled and pulled Bai Lu Chen's hair even harder.

Bai Lu Chen, unable to care about his image in Theresa's eyes, got hold of Long Ren's waist-length hair. So.it became a scene of three men pinching, scratching, and pulling each other's hair; none willing to yield.

Old man Long and Fu Him sighed while the others were taken aback.

"Honey, what's happening? Why are they fighting?" Aarti asked in an awed manner. Never in her dreams did she think of such a scene. Just look at this trio behaving like lunatics. Seriously, this was embarrassing.

"You three, stop!" Long Hua Ming hollered, unable to stand this terrible sight. He was sure that they'd even strip each other naked and still not stop fighting. Sigh! These kiddos need to be taught a lesson. Fu Jin was silent this time.

The trio quickly released each other and arranged their disheveled clothes. None of them looked handsome anymore. Instead, what their faces spotted were injuries from scratching and pinching and black eyes from punches.

"Clark, I don't think our baby is safe with this trio." Aarti worriedly said to Clark, but he only smiled.

"They are our daughter's pets. They might misbehave for a while, but they won't harm her," said Clark.

"But still... we need to teach them a lesson. Honey, what do you suggest?" Aarti used her trump card- puppy eyes. Clark could not resist, and he agreed.

"You three, as my child's pets not only did you hit her face but made her cry multiple times. She's been too kind to you, so as her dad, I will mete out punishments. Bai Lu Chen, I want you to eat lots of hot and spicy food at this party tonight. Don't worry, my wife will supervise you," said Clark with a smile.

Bai Lu Chen felt like choking.

Man, what kind of punishment is this?

Torture, beatings, injury, he can accept all this but not spicy food. This guy really knew snakes.

Plopping to the floor, he begged after turning to a five-year-old.

"Uncle, please don't do this. I beg you..." he couldn't continue his words because Long Ren kicked his butt hard.

"AHHHH," Bai Lu Chen cried out. "It hurts! Uncle, he's bullying me,"

"He isn't!" Clark said coldly, stunning Bai Lu Chen. "You deserve it. Long Ren, you did well and so I task you with cleaning up all the mess after the party, by yourself,"

Long Ren knelt and bowed to Clark.

"I accept the punishment,"

Bai Lu Chen also said the same thing now Ju Wei was the one remaining.

"I'll eat spicy food too." Ju Wei quickly spoke, but Clark shook his head in amusement.

"I haven't said a word and you're already punishing yourself. Isn't that too bad? How about this? You'll sit with me and my wife."

"Yes, uncle!" Ju Wei blurted and rushed over to Marabelle and stood behind her.

"Also, you three have to pay me something for my advice. I want 30 diamonds from each of you, 27 healing pills and seven female ornaments," Clark spoke shamelessly and Ju Wei almost fell.

"Diamonds? Can I pay with pearls?" Long Ren asked.

"Give me something equivalent then," Clark agreed. He wanted to let these three know that their mistress' dad is no joke.

"Then we will each give you something equivalent."

Bai Lu Chen brought out a jade pendant made out of Burmese jade. Long Ren took out a large red pearl big enough to fit a palm. It glistened and one could see some qi energy surrounding it.

Ju Wei took out a small dagger with diamond edges. Each of them also brought out 2 healing pills and then either 7 bracelets or hairpins made from fine wood, gold, and silver. Clark nodded and collected them from the trio, a satisfied smile on his lips.

He walked to Theresa and placed them in her hand.

"Keep it, my dear," Clark spoke in a low tone of voice in German. "Your life isn't easy here. You were here without us and might be without us again so take this as Papa's gift to you."

Theresa shook her head and pushed the items back to her dad. "I have my precious pets here. I won't lack. Give these instead to mom. She needs them more because I can sense that when you guys return, there'll be danger. Keep them, dad"

"No, this is a gift! You gotta accept it" said Aarti.

Theresa sighed and took them. Then she placed them in the space ring that Fu Jin gifted her.

Well, since Bai Lu Chen was outta the ring, she could now use it.