4 Chapter 4: Ordinary as can be

His mother, Ava, was a strong woman with long black hair. She managed to quickly recover from giving birth the very next day. She even did the housework without so much as looking tired.

Ava's morning routine was relatively simple. First, she'd go about doing the housework before tending to her children's needs. She would often talk a lot, so her children would be able to pick up her words.

Though one of the two already knew how to speak, the other had nothing better to do other than listen and learn.

'This is rather pleasant.' Ye Feng was pleased with this development.

Two months passed since Ye Feng, who now knew his name as Kiel, was reborn in this world.

He learned a lot of things and had already grasped almost everything that he could from his parents.

On a hilltop was where their house was built.

His home was a small house built only from materials found in the nearby forest; it had three rooms: the bedroom, the kitchen/dining area, and the other for storage.

From what Kiel knew, his father, Noah, was strong. He ventures to the nearby forest to hunt for food and beasts to sell for other resources.

During the day, Ame and Kiel made an unspoken rule of not cultivating to not create a big commotion. They did not want their parents to have an unappreciated headache.

After all, despite their weird quirks, Ava and Noah seemed to be a relatively normal couple.

However, during the night, there was a meeting between two tiny children.

[Can you understand me now?] Ame asked with her eyes closed and without opening her mouth.

[Yes, I already learned from Ava — I mean Mother, how to speak the words.] Ye Feng answered with confidence.

They were not communicating with their mouths but instead, their minds. The two of them had a relationship that neither of them could explain. It may have been that thing that others say about twins having a mental connection, but whatever it was, the two of them were now living like this.

[You learn fast; it hasn't even been a whole week since you began learning the language. Are you sure you weren't faking earlier?]

[I have nothing to gain from lying.]

[Hehe, I couldn't understand you, but I knew that's what you sounded like.] Ame giggled.

[Who are you?] heabruptly asked.

[Why should I tell you? It is not like I know who you are.] Ame refused with nonchalance.

In the past, Kiel had no need to ask anyone for their names. They would either introduce themselves, demand a name, or he would live his life in utter silence, only speaking when needed.

Kiel, however, wanted to form a connection. He learned that to live was to create relationships and to cut them off was to die; thus, instead of getting angered or irritated, he chose to become the "bigger person," [My previous name was Ye Feng, I come from a time when this world of yours did not exist. I was a wandering man with no direction. In my time, I used to be a person who had nothing despite grasping everything. I am an empty figure from a distant past that no one knows.]

Ame was somewhat surprised to hear Kiel speak of his past. From his tone, she could tell that he should be someone with an understandable depth, but who knew he was this open?

Kiel was either stupid or eccentric.

However, she snorted, 'Peh, a time when the world did not exist?' she was doubtful, but... she could somehow tell that he was not lying.

[Are you lying?]

[I gain nothing from lying to you.]

'...why do I not feel doubt? It's kinda creepy.' for someone like her, doubt and suspicion were second nature.

Kiel did not rouse such a thing.

Was it their connection? It was something she could not quite understand. Even after experiencing so much, Ame wasn't all-knowing, after all.

Clearing her mind, she decided to respond in kind to his introduction, [My name was Qiara, I am someone who appropriates unwanted treasure from the rich to those who need them—namely myself— until I got ganged up on by ten assholes of the Council. The Ten Sovereigns personally came to find and end me.

[They set up a trap to take me down after getting informed that I had found their secret ledger of nasty transactions. I'm not really a fighter, so I was no match for them, but I still managed to kill three of them despite the cultivation and number disadvantage. I had no one other than my beloved, and soon, I will leave this place to reclaim what I have lost and get revenge... or is avenging? I am honestly unsure.]

Ame was already settled with it was what she desired to do. She wanted to get her life back to the life she had.

[So you were a thief?] Kiel innocently asked to confirm.

[...from everything that I said, that's your concern? I just claimed to have fought the ten Sovereigns of the Council and killed three of them. Do you really not question any of that?]

[I do not know this Council you speak of, much less the Sovereigns.]

Ame's head turned to Kiel so quickly that it was weird she did not experience whiplash, [Are you serious?]

[Why can't I be?] he said, his posture and tone unchanged.

[Everyone knows what the Council is. Protectors of the weak, Bringer of Order in the Chaotic World. One of the oldest and strongest factions that rule over billions? They have the Ten Sovereigns of Power that protect the Two Emperors. Do you not know any of them?] Ame listed the most prominent and shared knowledge about the Council.

Kiel did not react to any of it. He was utterly oblivious to her words.

[I do not know what kind of people these Council people are. But, I ask, again, were you a thief?]

[...yes, what of it? You have something against a thief!?]

[Thievery is a skill that is rare to come by. I wanted to confirm what kind of technique to give you, seeing how you are a Thief; I reckon I should hand you a movement technique and something that increases one's dexterity... wait, do you use a weapon?]

[...Is that all you have to say?]

Kiel stopped his thoughts and looked at Ame with questioning eyes, [Why?]

[What do you mean why? Don't tell me your time didn't have thieves?! Thieves are villains who take for themselves.] Ame shouted in their minds, not caring how she was bad-mouthing herself.

[No, they aren't.] Kiel once again stated calmly.

Her heartbeat became wild; she was starting to get irritated by Kiel, [Don't you dare patronize me, don't even act like you understand.] she scoffed.

[Thieves take from others, similar to how one takes from nature. Everyone is a thief; people steal the lives of other creatures to live; those with a dream steal chances from others to improve; Cultivators steam from the world to become Immortals. Everyone is a thief; everyone just branded those who chose to steal material possessions.]

Ame was dumbstruck by his words. She became a thief to survive, but she never once saw it like that. The more he listened to Kiel, the more she grew to be mystified by him, 'Maybe his words about a different time may just be true....'

Kiel ignored her reactions to ask, [Again, do you use a weapon or your hands in a fight?]

[...I am most proficient in palm techniques.]

[I see, then, I shall devise a technique that can help you. However, it will take me years to complete. I first need to observe this world and you. I will be modifying the techniques from my time and pass them to you.]

Everyone was different, and even with the endless knowledge behind him to use, Kiel did not have the perfect technique for everyone. He must modify them to suit this world and the cultivators they are for.

After all, techniques weren't created to accommodate everything. It was created by someone who has a different physique and different thoughts. No one was the exact copy of another.

[Just so you know, I am going to use whatever you are going to teach me to kill others.] Ame reminded Kiel.

[What you do with it is not something I can control. Kill all you like, just make sure not to hurt those who are undeserving.]

Ame had a direction she wanted to live, and Kiel found this enviable. He closed his eyes and simply said, [I shall not stop you in what you want, but as you are now my sister and family, per my wish, I shall help you in getting what you want. If you ever wish for something, ask me, and I will grant it to you.]

Ame laughed, [I do not know how strong you were in the past, but the ones I will be fighting are not some chumps that you can find in—kyaaaaa~]

Crash!

Ame's words stopped as she let out a terrified yelp. The roar of thunder had rendered the feisty twin without defense. She was trembling from fear for reasons Kiel could not understand.

Kiel moved his hand and held Ame's; he then whispered, [There, there, brother's here.] he did not know what kind of things a brother acts, but from what he could gather, a good brother takes care of his siblings when needed.

Ame wanted to shake Kiel's hand away but was too scared to do so; as such, she was forced to hold his hand — she failed to notice that she was no longer trembling.

Kiel opened his closed eyes and saw Ava was already by their side.

Ava and Noah awoke, not because of the loud roaring thunder but because of the scary sound Ame created. Ava opened her eyes and checked on her children; she smiled and noticed that Kiel held onto Ame's hand.

"The older brother protects, I see…." She reckoned that Kiel must have done this by reflex. Seeing that the two babies were awake, Ava picked them up and looked towards Noah's direction, "Dear, I think this is no ordinary lighting. Can you stop it please?"

Noah got up from the bed and yawned, "Okay, dear…" he stepped out of the room with a tired look on his face. It was clear that he wanted to sleep some more.

Kiel stared at Noah, who had just exited and felt anxious about his safety. Although Noah was strong for a Mortal, Kiel doubted he could do anything about thunder. He reached out with his left hand as if he was trying to stop his Father — Kiel did not want to lose something he had just gained.

"Are you worried about your Father, Kiel?"

Ava asked, and with a giggle, she too exited the room.

Seeing Ava go outside with the children, Noah raised his brows, "Ava, what are you doing outside? Just go to sleep; I'll finish this in a minute. I do not need any help."

Kiel saw Noah exiting the room he had not yet entered. On Noah's right hand was a Black Sword and on his left was a three-legged furnace.

He had many questions about them, but his curiosity could not be answered as his two parents saw the items as normal.

"Well, our little Kiel seems to be worried about your safety. He seems to be already aware of his surroundings, so is it not good to show the manliness of his father?"

Noah's eyes began to water as he leaned in to rub his bristled face to Kiel's soft baby skin, "How filial you are, my child, hohoho, I'm sure you're going to grow up strong!"

Pak!

"Ow!"

Noah cried as Ava kicked his knee.

"Get away from Kiel this instant; what if he gets a rash?"

Noah laughed as he apologized and then exited the house. Ava followed with Ame and Kiel in her hands.

When they exited the house, the rumbling thunder frightened Ame stiff. She unknowingly buried her head on Ava's bosom while tightly clutching Kiel's hands.

Ava took note of this and shouted aloud, "Noah, stop playing. Ame is scared of thunder!"

"Really!? Then I'll have to try hard for my baby girl!" Noah answered loudly.

Kiel raised his head a saw the flashing lightning but failed to know the origin of the lightning. But then, he saw it, a beast with the body of a beer, the horns of a bull, and the cloven hooves of a goat — it was a Qilin.

It was partially covered with azure scales. When it roars, lightning from the heavens strikes its horns. When it moves, the thunder's roar reaches the next town.

The lightning swan around the Qilin, traveling from its horn to its body. Flickering and glowing with a menacing gleam.

Its very appearance was like that of a Monarch enjoying its uncontested rights to rule. Every Beast and Spirit Devourer keeled over, not showing the top of their heads to the King above.

But, a human walked out of a small hut.

"That's enough," the Spirit Devourer spoke without respect.

The lowliest of its kind held a spear; it wanted to contest its right.

The Qilin violently moved its head as its nostrils flared. Every time it stomped its hooves, thunder echoed, and as it did, Ame would flinch, frightened.

Noah removed his smile, "Enough!"

He roared, and so did the Qilin.

The Qilin's anger peaked and summoned a bolt of thick lightning that dissipated the thick clouds upon its descent. Its horns absorbed the lightning. With a body clad in lightning,

Noah did not panic; he had the furnace float as a response. The carefree aura of Noah dissipated, replaced by an overbearing presence. He opened his mouth to speak once more, "You are too noisy."

His voice was cold, like tempered steel.

The Qilin heard his words despite being so far away and then dashed forth with a raging temper. It turned its lightning-covered horns towards Noah with the sole intent of skewering the impertinent man.

The Qilin's horns were no mere ornament. It was the place where it stored its lightning, thus making its horns its most potent weapon.

Noah could feel the pressure, but he simply flew up and met with the Qilin and then swung it to meet the Qilin's horns. The sword didn't seem extraordinary, but the Qilin's horns had already flown off as Noah completed the swing.

SKUAAAA!!! The Qilin roared in pain and wildly crashed on the ground.

A mere Spirit Devourer dare injured it? Much less he claimed its majestic horns.

Unforgivable, indeed, the worst crime to be committed. Without its horns, the lightning it gathered throughout its life ran wild.

Its resplendent luster was as beautiful as it was dangerous. Wreathed in lightning, the Qilin was as though it wore a complete set of armor.

Gathering the lightning in its mouth, it planted its feet on the ground.

Hong!

The world shook with its rage.

BOOM!

The ground underneath its hooves bore web-like cracks as concentrated lightning beamed towards Noah. Its path was devastated, turning the earth over its own.

Seeing this caused Noah to simply shake his head; he used his finger to tap the furnace's lid. The furnace opened, and from within, cerulean flames appeared.

"Cerulean Fire Serpent — Devour."

These blue flames flickered about and then shot out of the furnace to become a serpent with untold length. The bright Cerulean serpentine slithered across the skies and devoured the breath of lightning with its giant maw. But it didn't stop; it overpowered the lightning breath and reached the Qilin.

The Qilin's eyes dilated from fear.

It roared in defiance as the serpent plunged its fangs on its body. The lightning scales failed to even slow its entry to its neck.

Cloud of dust billowed, and the serpentine retreated into the furnace, dragging the Qilin with it.

The tiny furnace somehow accommodated the Qilin and Serpent. The furnace jumped around and then stopped, its lid opened, and came out a palm-sized snake carrying a satisfied expression. It hissed in delight at Noah and burped before nodding its head and retreating into the furnace.

"As shy as ever, I see," Noah said with a smile.

The clouds of dust settled down below, and the Qilin was no more. Noah quickly went back to where Ava and the rest were.

"You could have ended it with your sword. Why do you have to bother Ziao?"

"It's fine; you said to show them my manliness, so I did. I also wanted to make an imprint on our children. A Father must be respectable, gahahaha!" Noah triumphantly said with pride. He then noticed Ame staring at her with what seemed to be expecting eyes. Seeing this caused Noah to smile with even more pride, "Did you see that, my daughter? You do not have to be worried by mere lightning or thunder; your father is here to protect both you and your brother."

No one knew when Ame raised her head to watch, but it was clear that she saw the serpent devour the Qilin. She was amazed.

Noah and Ava returned inside. Noah placed the Furnace and Sword back in the storage and went back to sleep. Ava had Kiel and Ame join them in their bed to ensure the children would be given comfort.

"Sleep now…" Ava said as she rhythmically tapped Ame to sleep.

However, Ame was screaming in her head and found it hard to sleep.

[How amazing and Noah's Soul Beast was nothing to laugh at. I do not even know what it was. How can someone like him be living in this place? He can open up his own power, and I am sure he'll be able to rule over a good chunk of land!] Ame had a new impression of this family of hers. She thought she was part of some ordinary household, but she couldn't have been any wrong.

She was in awe; however, someone else was passive, [Noa — I mean Father seems pretty good, but he needs to be more decisive in his movement. He could've ended it before the Qilin showed itself. Ame, everything is all right now, so I shall be going to sleep.]

Kiel yawned and fell asleep. He didn't even try cultivating and simply chose to rest instead of wasting time.

He was clearly unimpressed by Noah's performance.

Ame… was rendered speechless. But she did ask quietly, [Who is this baby?]

He was far more mysterious than Ame had thought. She closed her eyes, ready to fall asleep when she heard her twin respond.

[I am Kiel… your brother.]

As he had thought, this was a typical household you could find anywhere.

He was glad.