“This is Hei Hei and Xia Fei,” Ze Ting continued, “They are both Heavenly Realm Cultivators of the second and eighth step respectively. They can not only be present to protect you, but they can also train you in cultivation and combat techniques that your parents will not be able to”.

“You’re giving my son servants? How do you expect him to pay them? My wife and I may run this store, but for cultivators of their calibre we cannot hope to afford them-”

“Which is why they are gifts,” said Ze Ting, “My family is quite adept at training cultivators, and should you agree, these two will receive a severance pay that will last them at least a decade if not more. You only need provide them with living quarters and food”.

Ning Wei and Wu Lan found Ze Ting’s nonchalance jarring. Kai Lan was inclined to think of it as odd as well, but Ze Ting had said that he was trying to earn his favour.

“My Ma and Ba say that lying is bad, Elder Ze Ting,” said Kai Lan.

“Lying?” asked Ze Ting, “Whatever do you mean?”

“You say they are gifts, like the talisman was a gift, but you also said that you wish to earn my favour,” said Kai Lan.

Wu Lan released a breath, understanding what his son was trying to express, Ze Ting looked at him in confusion.

“A gift is given without expecting anything in return,” Wu Lan explained, “But you are expecting a return from this, so we can only assume that you require the fulfillment of a favour. If we are to keep track, as no doubt you are, the Talisman is one, and despite them being given together, I’ll assume that these two, while no longer working for you directly, will still be on your pay roll, making them favours two and three. Three favours, and my son is just two years old. By the time he is old enough to repay them, how many do you think he’ll have accumulated?”

“He’ll be no better than an indentured slave, and you know it,” Ning Wei spoke softly as she placed the tin of tea on the table.

“I insist, they are gifts,” Ze Ting repeated.

“With all due respect Elder, we know it is not that simple, please do not treat us as stupid just because our cultivation base is low and we live on a local herb farm,” stated Wu Lan, “We may not be rich, nor powerful, but we are aware of how the Cultivation world works”.

Ze Ting took a moment before he spoke, his tone graver, “Then, you are refusing my gift?”

Wu Lan sighed, looking over at his wife.

Ning Wei nodded, “We are. Still, we cannot deny that they would both be very useful to Xiao Kai. So, if they quit your family of their own will and come to us of their own will to serve my son and help him train, though we cannot pay them, we also will not refuse them”.

There was silence before Wu Lan spoke, “My wife speaks for us all, apologies that you have wasted you trip, Elder. Take the tea, as humble and unworthy as it is as gratitude for your visit, and we wish you and your family a long and healthy future”.

Ning Wei moved forward to take Kai Lan from Wu Lan’s arms, “Come on birthday boy, back to bed with you or you’ll be falling asleep in your dinner. Say thank you and goodbye to Elder Ze Ting and his family”.

Kai Lan turned to them in his mother’s arms and bowed his head, “Thank you for your visit, safe journey home”.

Ze Ting managed to rise with his family as Ning Wei stepped inside with the boy who appeared to already be falling asleep again in his mother’s arms.

Ze Ting turned to Wu Lan, “I leave you and your family in peace, Shan Wu Lan, but others will not be so kind nor forgiving”. The Elder took out a card and handed it to Wu Lan, “If you ever need my help, please don’t hesitate to call. Take that one phone call as being free of charge, a true gift”.

The Elder left with his family, the black cars and all the guards leaving with them.

All except Hei Hei and Xia Fei who only spoke a few words to Elder Ze Ting before they grabbed their bags from one of the cars and stood before Wu Lan.

“I wasn’t kidding, we can’t afford to pay you,” said Wu Lan.

“We’re not asking you to pay us,” said Xia Fei, “If you’ll allow it, when your son wakes up, we plan to pledge our allegiance on our elements”.

Wu Lan’s eyes widened, “But that’s…”

“It’s an ancient custom, yes, but it feels right. My name is Xia Fei, 8th step Heavenly Realm Cultivator. I specialise in combat and I’ve also been a Beast Master in the past,” said Xia Fei, “This is Hei Hei, he’s a 2nd step Heavenly Realm Cultivator, and you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone more knowledgeable or skilled with Talismans and Formations”.

“Two individuals so skilled, and yet you will serve my son?” asked Wu Lan, “Free of charge? Even pledge your elements?”

“I cultivate the Spirit Element, it was what made me such a good Beast Master in the past,” said Xia Fei, “I’m sure you’re aware of the tendency of Spirit Elementals to have prophetic dreams?”

“I am aware of it yes,” said Wu Lan, “You’re saying you had one of those dreams about my son?”

Xia Fei smiled softly, “Not exactly. But let’s just say it led me here, and I have never been wrong to follow these dreams of mine before”.

Wu Lan hesitated only a moment longer before he sighed, “You’ll have to take the annex. It’ll need some cleaning as well. You’re welcome to join us for meals if you wish”.

Xia Fei and Hei Hei looked at one another before nodding, then followed Wu Lan to the other end of the house where the Annex was situated.