The flower garden was silent and the hooded figure stood next to the doorway that led to the flower garden , surveying the hundreds of faces watching him with a mix of confusion and amazement.
"What's up with you guys?" he asked, his eyes going from one pair of eyes to another.
They were all watching him like he was something incredible, something they'd never seen before. He scratched the back of his head.
"Why are they watching me like that? Did I interrupt something important?" he muttered.
Huo Zin's face was unreadable. Guo Yuxuan was holding his hand tighter.
The figure shrugged.
"Whatever. As I said, I'm ruining this stupid wedding."
There was a stunned silence before Huo Zin's mother suddenly pushed herself up from her seat, her chair sliding noisily over the stone floor. Her face was pale.
"That voice..."
She looked at the figure, her eyes wide.
"No... No, that can't be. Are you... Are you Huo... Huo Shuzoh?"
Huo Shuzoh turned slowly to face her.
"Hello, mother."
The woman's mouth fell open in shock. She could barely get the words out, and she had good reason to be stunned. Twenty-one years ago, she'd watched her son get banished from the Huo estate by the head of the family.
The reason?
She'd tried to convince him to stay, to let her keep him as her son, but he'd refused. Huo Shuzoh had no "flame" in him, the old man had said, and he was no good to them in any capacity. He was useless, and the boy's future as a member of the Huo family was decided the moment he was born.
That just reminded her of fresh tears and she wanted to throw her arms around her son, feel his skin, look into his eyes after so long, but seeing the look on his face she forced herself to stop. Huo Shuzoh was angry, but it wasn't enough to make him lash out. It was the same look he'd had when he was banished twenty-one years ago.
The same look he'd had when his mother, his only remaining family, hadn't fought for him, hadn't tried to stop the people who hurt him. His mother was forbidden to see him after he left the estate, and she was never allowed to speak of him again. She couldn't even visit his grave, because he was no longer considered family.
Huo Shuzoh bit his teeth, forcing himself to relax.
"Mother, I understand that you want to have a long and emotional conversation with me about what happened all those years ago, but I'm afraid that will have to wait, as I'm here for a reason."
He raised his hand, pointing at Huo Zin, causing the young man to frown in confusion.
"I'm actually quite surprised that no one seems to have noticed it yet, but apparently, Huo Zin is not actually Huo Zin."
Many of the guests had already been confused, and they were right to be, as what Huo Shuzoh was spilling from his mouth made no sense whatsoever.
They thought of him as some madman who had the sheer courage to come out of wherever he came from to insult them like that. Guo Yuxuan was also one of them, as there was no way her husband was a fake.
"You don't believe me..." he said with a small chuckle. "Very well then, if the real Huo Zin is really here, as you all presume, then who is the Huo Zin who died at the age of twelve from lung failure? Can someone tell me that?"
Guo Yuxuan turned to face Huo Zin with a puzzled expression.
"What is he talking about? Huo Zin, is that guy lying; please tell me that he is lying!"
Huo Zin did not say anything, his eyes were fixed on his brother. Huo Shuzoh looked at the person who was staring at him and smirked.
"Well well, would you look at that? Can't admit that I'm right huh, such a shame. Just tell the truth already, you have the audience and the stage, the only thing left for you to do is to perform. I would do it if I were you."
The Huo family members looked at each other in disbelief, their mother who was the wife of both Huo Zin and Huo Shuzoh finally stepped forward to clear up the commotion, her voice shaking slightly due to anger.
"Enough with this nonsense Huo Shuzoh. Are you really trying to make stories, trying to bring down the reputation of the Huo family? Please I beg of you, stop this already, that is your brother over there. The very brother that supported you when I couldn't and now this is the reward for his kindness?"
Huo Shuzoh looked at his mother for a moment then slowly lowered his head.
"I'm sorry mother, you're right."
Their mother smiled happily, tears of joy running down her cheeks.
"That's okay my boy atlea–"
Their mother's words were cut off as Shuzoh looked up with a smug expression.
"I'm sorry that you're a terrible mother, that you're extremely blind. How come you can't see the obvious; that person is not your son. Your own flesh and blood died twelve years ago and yet you still fail to acknowledge the obvious."
The Huo family matriarch couldn't believe what her sons were saying. It was like they were carving into her heart and giving it a small twist before killing her.
"Don't you look at me with those saddened eyes, you know I'm telling the truth or what let me guess my supposed all for nothing father had something to do with this?"
A memory instantly triggered in the matriarch's mind, it was the day when Huo Zin was twelve years old when he mysteriously vanished from the Huo family estate. As a caring mother she desperately searched for him until days passed by and there was no sight of him anywhere. The clan head of the Huo family came to his wife and revealed that Huo Zin was sent to a "friend" of his for simple training and that he'll return after four years when he reaches a more mature age.
The matriarch was at least comforted knowing that her son was safe and that she at least knew where he was, although she still had the persistent desire to see him at least once before he leaves, but the clan head refuted her desires saying that she should've been more patient.
If you piece all the little details together it was quite obvious that Huo Zin indeed did have an illness when he was twelve years old and that during his recovery he mysteriously vanished, not to mention it was the clan head who sent him off to begin with.
More tears trailed down the matriarch's cheek as realization struck her like lightning. The clan head had done something to Huo Zin that caused his lungs to deteriorate and eventually kill him and replaced him with a fake so that she wouldn't have to worry. Her heart shattered into pieces as if the glass walls surrounding her room were knives that impaled her. She couldn't help it anymore as she glared furiously at Huo Zin or rather the fake imitation of her son.
"Who are you?"
Huo Zin didn't say anything.
"I said who are you!? Where is my son's body, why did you take away my son you monster!?"
Huo Shuzoh was delighted to hear that his mother finally understood the truth
"Now now with that little piece of information out of the way, how about you take off that mask and reveal to us who you really are?"
Huo Zin began to chuckle at his mother's revelation.His laugh grew louder and louder until he met Huo Shuzoh's eyes and smiled.
"How'd ya know?"
Guo Yuxuan couldn't help it, so she looked up in shock at the man standing before her. She wanted to ask him who he was, wanted to ask where her consort was, wanted to demand an answer for why this was happening but her body wouldn't allow it. The man lifted a hand and moved it across his face, peeling away the remaining remnants of the mask from his face and revealing a man with sunken brown skin and green eyes
He closed his eyes for a long moment, breathing in deeply. A strange smile made its way across his face.
"Now this...this is what fresh air should feel like. I'm free...finally, I'm free after all these years."
No one could respond but Guo Yuxuan somehow managed to squeeze a few syllables from her throat.
"Who are you?"
His eyes slowly moved to meet her own, locking onto her face for several long seconds. His smile promptly disappeared.
It wasn't because of anger, but more because he looked disappointed at her question.
"That's a good question. Ain't it?"
Huo Shuzoh crossed his arms as he watched the man.
"I was wondering when you would finally introduce yourself."
The stranger's green eyes moved to fix upon Guo Yuxuan again. He gave a tired sigh before saying quietly,
"My name...isn't Huo Zin. But I'm sure you already knew that."
Huo Shuzoh narrowed his eyes at him before also giving a sigh.
"Well, how about you introduce yourself then? We all want to know your name, Mr. Stranger."
The man blinked at him several times.
"Okay."
He seemed unfazed by the dozens of pairs of eyes watching him. In fact, he appeared completely unbothered by the hundreds of eyes that were boring into his skull.
"If you say so."
He paused for a moment, giving a small smile as he replied,
"Just call me Gun Shenin. If that name is too long for you to remember then you can always use Huo Zin instead."
Huo Shuzoh instantly frowned at that.
"Man, you're such a pain."
Gun Shenin smiled at him.
"Sorry ‘bout that."
"I suppose it doesn't matter. I'm taking you with me on a little trip to hell."
Gun Shenin gave a curious look at him for a moment before simply nodding.
"Okay."
All of a sudden, Gun Shenin leaned forward and the stone floor cracked where he was standing. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from sight. Shuzoh's eyes widened as he stared at the space where Shehin had been standing.
"....!"
Gun Shenin appeared in front of Huo Shuzoh and immediately delivered a punch to his face. Huo Shuzoh twisted out of the way and the punch grazed past his cheek but Shenin used his momentum to propel himself forward. Instead of stopping, he placed his foot down and drove his other fist into the ground.
The courtyard vibrated as the stone cracked underneath his fist, creating fractures that shot out from beneath him like lightning. Several guests cried out in alarm and fell backwards. Huo Shuzoh landed several feet away, his expression dark as he glared at Shehin.
Gun Shenin slowly pulled his fist from the broken stone as he stared at the damage beneath him.
"Oops. Did I break something?"
Shuzoh's facial muscles twitched.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Gun Shenin gave an apologetic smile.
"Oh? What's wrong?"
Huo Shuzoh stared at Gun Shenin but Gun Shenin casually walked around the broken stones.
"Did your father do something to you?"
Huo Shuzoh's expression darkened even more
"Did he treat you badly? Or maybe he just did not give you enough of his precious attention?"
A few guests frowned at Shenin's words. Shenin rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"That's quite sad, ya know.”
"Be quiet," Huo Shuzoh growled
Shenin chuckled happily
"Ah, there we go. That's the look I like to see. That expression suits you well." Gun Shenin said as he gave a toothy grin.
Huo Shuzoh clenched his fists. He was getting even more furious by the second. However, just as he was about to lunge at Gun Shenin, the latter suddenly stomped on the ground and one of the broken stones in front of the villa lifted up.
"What?" Shenin asked surprised
Gun Shenin lazily kicked the huge piece of debris into the air. However, right at that moment, Huo Shuzoh's expression changed. Behind him, his mother was walking. Several other guests followed her. If the piece of stone fell on the ground where they were, it would crush them.
"Damn it!"
Huo Shuzoh immediately disappeared before jumping at Gun Shenin's location. He clenched his hands, and golden-orange flames appeared above him.
"Heavenly Flame Arts: Form Sixth..."
The flames lifted up forming a huge sunflower on top of Shuzoh. The petals of the flower were on fire, creating a massive flaming shield in front of his mom and the other guests. They were protected from the incoming stone.
"Sunflower!" Shuzoh shouted.
The giant rock flew upwards colliding with the massive flaming sunflower. In an instant, the courtyard was filled with the sound of burning rock and wood breaking and the big stone cracked in half. Several smaller rocks also broke apart crashing on the ground one by one. The flames dissipated, leaving everyone stunned. Shuzoh stood right in front of his mother shielding her with his body. She looked at his back in disbelief. Shuzoh turned his head around
"Is everyone safe?"
No one responded. Gun Shenin was watching him from a distance. His grin was back
"Interesting."
Huo Shuzoh turned his head, now his look was different. His anger was still there, but there was something else now.
Gun Shenin chuckled
"Guess, I found something else that you care about. That being your mother, of course"
"You're really starting to piss me off”
Gun Shenin's eyes were wide, barely had he lifted his arm when Shuzoh's fist came crashing down, throwing him back, but before his feet touched the ground, the other was on him again driving a knee into his gut. He twisted his body to the side, and the knee nearly missed, but he caught Huo Shuzoh's leg
Gun Shenin pulls him forward, causing him to swing it elbow at his face, but Shuzoh ducked, and the elbow passed just over his head. Huo Shuzoh then drove both of his hands into the ground, planting him, and kicking upward, with his heel hitting Shenin's chin sending him flying backward, but once more, instead of falling, he used the momentum to flip over backward
He landed on his hands and his legs came up in a wide arc, and Shuzoh jumped under them, then landed on his backside already grappling Gun Shehin by the shoulder and spinning him around, and Shenin's body rotated with him. Instead of trying to break free, he used the rotation to drive his own elbow back and into Huo Shuzoh's side
Huo Shuzoh caught it with his forearm, and then Shenin's other hand shot forward, trying to grab his wrist as well, but Shuzoh caught it too, and for a moment, the two stand motionless, each holding the other's wrist, until Shenin let out a laugh, a big grin across his face, clearly enjoying fighting so far
Huo Shuzoh's eyes narrowed.
Gun Shenin suddenly lunged forward, driving his forehead into Shuzoh's face, but he pulled his head back at the last moment, and the attack missed, leaving Shenin open for a moment, which Shuzoh took to drive an elbow into his ribs, but to his surprised, Shenin slipped under it, then grabbing him around the waist and lifting him clean off the ground
Shuzoh's feet leaves the ground, and without thinking he let loose a jet of flame from his palm, forcing Shenin to release him, and he flipped backward, landing on his feet
Gun Shenin stumbled back, looking down at his sleeve, a small hole in the fabric.
"Guess that's the way you wanted to fight"
Huo Shuzoh did not respond and lunged forward again
This time, Gun Shenin met his charge halfway, and the two men collided fist-first, the impact sending a jolt up their arms
Shuzoh took advantage of the opening, driving a low kick into Shenin's shins, but somehow, he jumped over it, and Shuzoh changed his attack, bringing his leg up and around
Shenin raises both of his hands to block, and the leg slammed into his guard
Shenin was driven back, but he planted his hand on the ground, and spun, his leg snapping up and across Shuzoh's throat.
Shuzoh simply lean back, avoiding the attack, and then Shenin used the momentum to twirl again, his leg coming up from the other side, and this time Shuzoh raise his forearms to catch it, but he was forced backward anyway when the kick connected, and Shenin didn't give him time to recover, going after him again, but Shuzoh blocked another punch, ducking under a following elbow, stepping aside from a knee, and jumping over a sweeping leg, before colliding with his opponent in midair, fists colliding again, and again, knocking the wind from their lungs and sending both men flying back.
Shuzoh landed on the roof of a nearby greenhouse while Shenin landed in the courtyard and the two stared each other down, neither showing any sign of injury or fatigue, and Shenin actually smiled.
"You're pretty good"
Shuzoh said, wiping a few stray drops of blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Same to you."
Gun Shenin suddenly dropped into a crouch, and the look on his face made Shuzoh's heart race. The next instant, Shenin was already charging forward but instead of going for him, he aimed his attack at the ground beneath him
Huo Shuzoh's eyes nearly popped out of his skull
"What are you....?"
Gun Shenin's fist came crashing down onto the roof, which cracked sending shards of stone flying everywhere, but Shuzoh was already falling, and as he go through the break in the roof, a large jet of fire erupted from beneath him, propelling him skywards
Shenin looked up as Shuzoh came flying at him, his fist already pulled back
"Gotcha"
He said brightly, stepping forward to meet him, the two men's fists colliding once more sending a shockwave rippling through the courtyard, causing several lanterns to swing wildly, and the guest to cover their eyes. The two men stood a few meters away from each other, sizing each other up. They both have a slight pant from their last little workout, but neither is willing to give an inch. Shenin shrugged his shoulders, rolling them back.
"You're quite good. In fact, you're doing so well that I'm actually curious."
"Curious about what?" Huo Shuzoh asked.
Shenin gives him a thumbs-up sign.
"About you."
At this, Shuzoh give him a strange look.
"You obviously didn't learn those skills at the Huo manor. Every one there thought you dead, and if you did return, you weren't welcomed with open arms. In fact, considering the circumstances, you probably learned your skills elsewhere. Someone else taught you. Your style is too clean for you to have been able to teach yourself. Now tell me who your master is, I want to be taught by them as well."
At this, Shuzoh looked at him oddly, then take a deep breath, closing his eyes. When he open it again, the warmth had completely drained from them, leaving only cold and bitter feelings.
"Why would I tell you about my master to a nobody such as yourself?"
Shenin blinked at this, then smiled.
"A nobody? Me?"
"Yes, who else would I be talking about?" Huo Shuzoh asked.
Gun Shenin was about to say something but suddenly burst out laughing then he stop, looking at Huo Shuzoh with a smirk.
"Oh man, you're serious. You're just getting me more and more curious about your master."
Huo Shuzoh raised his flames once again.
"Then come and find out for yourself."
"I'd love to." Shenin smile.
Gun Shenin charged forward, his feet breaking the already damaged stones as he accelerated towards Huo Shuzoh.
Shuzoh make no move to avoid him, simply watch him approach. Gun Shenin was nearly on him, drawing his fist back for another strike. He pay him no mind, taking a deep breath before he mutters the words
"Heavenly Flame Arts From Second... Sunforge."
The golden-orange flames around him dissipate; for a moment there was nothing, before erupting around both of his fists.
They didn't spread out, instead compacting together to form thick bands of Seidan around his arms. Huo Shuzoh clenched them, and Gun Shenin grin widened.
"So that's your answer?"
Hio Shuzoh lowers his stance.
"Come."
Gun Shenin didn't have to be told twice, he accelerated forward, and Shuzoh did the same, the distance between them quickly closing. Gun Shenin threw a straight punch, but Shuzoh easily slid past him, his right fist driving into Shenin's ribs but he twisted his body to avoid the full brunt of the impact, but the moment Shuzoh's fist pass him the compacted Seidan explode outward, imbedding itself into the stone floor, creating a crater.
Gun Shenin's eyes widen.
"Explosive?"
He quickly uses the force of the impact to propel himself backwards. Huo Shuzoh follows, and Shenin lands hard on his backside, rolling across the stones before coming to a stop on his feet, but Shuzoh was already upon him. He tried a left hook, but Shenin ducked under it, and a right strike, but Shenin blocked it.
The impact sent Shenin flying to the side, skidding across the stone before coming to a stop, his palm pressing against the ground as he turned his body, using it to launch himself back towards Shuzoh. His heel came up, aiming for Shuzoh's head, but the man caught it with his forearm, and Shenin grinned. Shuzoh's fist suddenly flared with more light, causing Shenin's eyes to widen.
"Wait…"
The flames exploded between them, sending both men flying back.
They land on either side of the courtyard, sliding back on their rears before coming to a stop. After a moment, two figures stand from the dust and smoke, neither felled. Shenin wipe some blood from the corner of his mouth, his grin returning.
"Now that's a martial art."
Shuzoh raised both of his flaming fists.
"You're not getting another explanation."
Shenin lowers his stance, crack his neck.
"Good, because I'm done asking questions. I'll just have to force the answer out of ya."
The two men vanish once more. When they appeared to each other, the battle started once more. Fist upon fist and knee upon elbow. Step and shift across the courtyard as two bodies flew through the air and punched at one another faster than the guest could keep up with. Huo Shuzoh slips under a strike, Gun Shenin turns and drives his heel into Shuzoh's temple.
Shuzoh catch it but sent skidding backwards a few feet.
Gun Shenin moves in right behind him and shoots another punch, but the man catch it again, then retaliated. Shenin turn away just in time for the shockwave to pass between them. Gun Shenin use the recoil to throw himself back in towards Shuzoh again and this time his fist is aimed at Shuzoh's face.
Huo Shuzoh ducked, but Shenin's knee came up and he blocked it, then a spinning kick came next. Huo Shuzoh takes a step back and the two men break away from each other. They come at one another again. Their fists meet and Shuzoh breaks away. Shenin landed a few feet back.
"What?"
Huo Shuzoh didn't respond immediately as his eyes were still on Shenin. Something about this fight was off and he knew it. He had paid close attention and had seen nothing, but the feeling was still there. Huo Shuzoh let his arms drop.
"Why aren't you using your powers? Are you messing with me?"
Gun Shenin stared at him and blinked a few times. For a while, he simply kept his face expressionless before letting out a sudden laugh—a very real laugh that made Shuzoh's expression darken.
"What's so funny?"
Gun Shenin wipes a tear from his eye.
"What are you talking about? I've been using them the whole time."
"What?"
Gun Shenin grinned.
"Every attack I've made, every movement—I've been using my powers the whole time."
Huo Shuzoh stared him down, and for the first time since the fight began, he looked genuinely surprised. Gun Shenin merely shake his head.
"You really didn't notice huh?"
Huo Shuzoh said nothing, causing Shenin to laugh even harder, unable to contain his mirth.
"That's hilarious."
Gun Shenin wipe away a tear that had begun to flow down his cheek.
"How about I give you a little lesson about my Seijinism?"
Huo Shuzoh stared at him, then Gun Shenin look up at the ceiling thoughtfully.
"Um... How would you like to start?"
Shuzoh's eyebrow twitched.
"Are you serious?"
"Maybe I'll tell you what it does... Actually no, perhaps I should start with how I discovered it?"
Shuzoh's expression darkens further.
"Get to the point. You're wasting my time; I have better things to do after this."
Gun Shenin snap his finger.
"There it is."
Shuzoh frown.
"What?"
Shenin's grin widens.
"That's how my power works."
Shuzoh's eyes widened as he stared at him.
"What are you..."
Before he could finish, Shenin was already in front of him, Shuzoh's eyes flying open in surprise as he feel a fist slam into his gut. The impact was massive and his feet leaves the ground as he sends launching through the air like a missile, his body breaking through the glass walls of the greenhouse.
Glass erupted from the impact, beams groaned and bent, and plants and flowerpots flew everywhere as Shuzoh landed inside the greenhouse. Gun Shenin lowered his fist and glanced at the broken greenhouse, then smiled.
"Now you understand."
Inside the greenhouse, Shuzoh slowly lift his head, some blood trickling down his cheek.
"You didn't say anything, and you're asking me if I understood what you had just said."
Shenin's grin widened.
"Don't blame me—making people dumb is my specialty.”