D.I. Freed - Reborn

Main hall, City Lords Palace of Fei Shu City, Xiao Weili Prefecture, Xing Nation, Gui Empire:

Fenghuang Da paced across the worn wooden floor with a scowl on his bearded face. One particularly sharp turn caused the marbled red seams of his otherwise black hanfu to whip out and then stream behind him, fluttering about his legs. Out of his left eye, he saw a single long black hair that had escaped from his topknot. It bothered him that it exposed a sign of imperfection in the otherwise refined clan leaders visage he allowed the public to see. As the lord of the city and Patriarch of the citys strongest clan, he felt he should show no weakness. Even at a moment such as this.

What could be taking so long? His clenched fists and stomping gait revealed his agitation, despite his best efforts.

Brother, be calm, pled Fenghuang Gen. Das middle brother continued to enjoy meals more than physical training, so he was thicker around the middle than cultivators who focused on combat. But as a healer, it was not unexpected. Most of them behaved that way. He wore a green qipao with blue vines adorning the chest and cuffs. Still, his gentle appearance did not lessen the power and prestige he wielded as a powerful master of his craft.

Gen raised his hands in an appeasing gesture and spoke again. These things take time. There is nothing you can do.

A laugh sounded in response to the comment. Da looked over at Fenghuang Zhao. His youngest brother leaned against a nearby pillar, his hands crossed over his chest. Still young by cultivator standards, he was shorter and thinner than both his elder brothers. Dressed in a black qipao highlighted by silver clouds, he laughed again and clapped his hands to his thighs.

In a mocking, but not unkind, tone he said, My dear eldest and fiercest brother, general of the mighty Xing Army, esteemed Patriarch of the Fenghuang Clan, bringer of peace to the Xiao Weili prefecture and mightiest cultivator for a hundred thousand li in any direction, finally brought low by the birth of a child. And not even your first.

More teasing laughter from Zhao and even a few chuckles from Gen followed this statement. Da finally paused his march to turn swiftly and glare at his most irritating brother.

If you ever loved a woman, Zhao, you might be lucky enough to worry for her as I do my Meixiu and her sister-wives. Da returned to his pacing with even more fervor than before, each echoing step causing the ether lamps hanging throughout the palace room to sway and the light to shimmer against the gold and silver designs. Fenghuang Da didnt care. Let them fall, he thought to himself.

Zhao offered a sly smile and responded cheekily, Brother, I love many women. And often.

Da huffed and shook his head but ceased his pacing.

Gen stepped up to Da and said, Zhao, boorish as he is, is correct. At least in that you must calm yourself.

He held up his right hand and it glowed for a moment, illuminating the room with the color of the forest. A green square with black writing and a blue border on it appeared before him. Do you see, brother?

Name: Da

Clan: Fenghuang

Clan Rank: Patriarch

Qi Type: Aura

Qi Affinity: Fire, Metal

Cultivation Stage: {Blocked}

Status: Agitated, elevated heart rate

Health Assessment: Lack of Qi control may result in harm to self, nearby individuals, or objects and structures.

Fenghuang Da glanced at it, waved his arm dismissively, and huffed again. I do not require your insight, Gen. If I lost control, this

His statement was interrupted by the howling cry of a baby.

One of his second wifes maids approached with her head lowered, carrying a bundle of crying newborn. Seeing his child for the first time, the clan chief summoned his Qi and rushed to the woman.

He knew it would appear as though he had vanished and reappeared in less than the time it took to blink an eye, but he did not care at that moment. And it suited his purposes anyway.

Da let go of the Qi of the Heavens and Earth as he stopped in front of the meek woman. She lowered herself to her knees, still holding the child.

Speak! he bellowed, anxious to hear of his second wifes condition. The childs crying immediately ceased upon hearing the echoing roar.

The servants timid, shaky voice was low but heard by all in the silence. My lord. Your lady wife is well and is expected to return to full health in a day or less. I have been ordered to present to you your young daughter, Fenghuang Yu.

Da restrained himself from raising his voice again. Losing control of his emotions like that was unbecoming of a leader, especially before a mortal.

In a much softer but no less commanding tone, Da ordered, Stand and hand my child to me.

The terrified woman rose slowly and then extended her arms, which held the pink-skinned child bundled in wool and violet silk.

Da knew his reputation. In fact, he worked hard to maintain the fear that most in this country had of him. In a world where power was the only true currency, fear was a commodity of incalculable value.

Da reached under and lifted his youngest child. Despite this being his fifth child, it still amazed him how small and vulnerable they were. His scarred warriors hands dwarfed the small swaddled form. He turned, ignoring the woman as she bowed low and backed out of the room. With as much gentleness as possible, he pulled down the cloth with a finger so that he could gaze upon the face of his only daughter.

Da felt his two brothers appear on either side of his shoulders and stare down at the tiny form. Gen reached his hand out and held it over the child.

It glowed green and he said, She is healthy. Obviously I can tell no more until she is tested at the stone in ten days. She barely made it in time.

Despite being the most talented healer of his generation in the nation, not even Gen had the ability to use the God Sign to assess a human until they had first been declared by the gods.

Shes so small and wrinkly, muttered Zhao, his face alight with both awe and bewilderment.

Not taking his eyes off his daughter, Da heard Gen chuckle lightly behind him. She is a baby, brother. You looked much the same when you showed. I remember.