Chapter 3 The Young Zheng Zinuo
"Zinuo, get up already . . ." A beautiful young mom opened the door of a lavishly decorated room, patting the young boy still in bed.
"Yes . . . Mom," the little boy said as he got up, rubbing his eyes. "I had that weird dream again. That couple was suffering again because of that scary man."
The woman was taken aback by her son's words and his constant dreams of this. She smiled as she rubbed his head. "Don't worry; it's just a dream. It must be because you want to do kung fu, so you're dreaming of fighting."
"Really?" Zinuo seemed lost in thought.
"Of course! Get up now. Today is the Wu Xiu talent exam. It's only once a year. You're eight now and old enough to take the test. I told you about this yesterday and you still slept in. C'mon, your dad and brother are already waiting," said the woman as she helped her son dress.
"When your brother tested three years ago, he was the Blue Battle Spirit, and a Level Nine. It's incredible for an ordinary family like ours. As long as your brother works hard, he'll be really successful and maybe even make it into the high levels. You have to work hard, too. Maybe you'll be just as gifted."
"I know, I know." The boy nodded and followed his mom outside the room. As long as he got to play, he was happy.
They lived in Sun Battle Kingdom, one of the two kingdoms of the land. Like the other kingdom, the Moon Battle Kingdom, both countries valued fighting above all, with numerous Wu Xiu battle pavilions. These pavilions were created by both countries, and were meant to cultivate talent for the kingdoms and the Wu Xiu religion.
Both kingdoms had the regulation that anyone eight-years-old or above would be tested on March 1st of every year for their Wu Xiu talent. If they were found to be talented to train in Wu Xiu, they had to enroll in Wu Xiu school.
The kingdoms had various sects and tribes, which each had their own family or tribal power and privileges. Some renowned families or tribes didn't even need to adhere to the Wu Xiu religion, or the kingdoms, and lived their own lives.
This young boy was Zheng Zinuo; he'd just turned eight. He was the youngest son of Zheng Changfeng, a Level Twenty-Seven Wu Xiu master in Bingjiang City of Sun Battle Kingdom. His older son, Zheng Zizhou, was eleven years old and had already tested at Level Nine three years ago, which shocked the whole city at the time.
After a quick breakfast, Changfeng left with his two sons for the Wu Xiu pavilion at the center of the city. His family lived in the less-populated suburbs, and needed some time to travel.
Changfeng may have been a Level Twenty-Seven master, was very well-known in the city, and a teacher at a mid-level Wu Xiu pavilion, but he was a low-key person, as shown by the fact he personally drove his two sons to the test.
Zinuo became sleepy-eyed on the way; his initial excitement was now replaced by grogginess and he started yawning.
Zizhou, seeing his brother's lethargy, frowned and patted his shoulders. "You've got to wake up; you'll be tested for your Wu Xiu talent soon. You're not from a random family. Your dad is a Level Twenty-Seven master and your brother is at Level Fourteen. If you do badly, people will make fun of us."
Zizhou had inherited his father's seriousness, while Zinuo was more easy-going and intellectual like their mom.
Zinuo shut his eyes at his older brother's words, wanting to chase away the fatigue. Then he made a face. "All right, all right, you nag more than Mom!"
Zizhou grimaced; he didn't know what to do with his brother. He pondered the matter. "How about I tell you about the exam now? It'll help very soon."