Five men sat together, playing a round of cards while drinking jugs of ale. One man, dressed in long, flowing white robes with long hair, tied back in a high ponytail, placed a run of cards down letting out a joyous laugh. The others all groaned, slamming their cards down on the table. They had all just lost the game.
The white robed man was named Li Huimin. He was known by everyone in the world of Meixia, where they resided, as the King of Cultivation. He spent a lot of time with his four friends: Lan Dingbang, the Demon King; Zhang Guoqiang, the Elven King; Lu Huan, an ancient Banshee who protected Quoqiang's land; and Huang Guiying, a common cultivator who happened to be Huimin's right hand man. The four spent a lot of time together, keeping the harmony between their races.
"Dingbang," Huimin said, glancing at the ancient demon sitting across from him as he gathered all the money they had pooled in the middle of the table. Dingbang looked up at him with raised eyebrows. The man was tall with very defined muscles. His face looked aged and battle worn, with multiple scars all across it. He shifted in his seat, his crimson and black robes swishing as if blown by wind. "How's your son? I heard he's starting to read. For a two year old, that seems pretty advanced."
"My son is smart. He'll make a great king one day," Dingbang responded, his voice deep. He nodded towards the man sitting next to him, a man with shoulder length hair and very defined dimples. "I haven't seen you in a while. But I hear you have a son now too."
"He's a year old now," the man, known as Huang Guiying, said with a nod. He grinned lightly as he thought about his boy, his eyes sparkling. "He looks just like me. He's going to be a very bright young man. I just know it."
"Are you and your wife trying for more kids?" Dingbang asked him, causing Guiying to laugh and nod his head.
"She's going to take a pregnancy test later this week," Guiying told him. "We're hoping it comes back positive this time. We want our little one to have some siblings."
"I wish you luck," Dingbang told him. He then turned on the Elven King, Zhang Guoqiang. He was more poised than the rest, sitting tall in his chair. He had long, silver hair that flowed down his back. His pointed ears peaked from underneath his hair. "Are you guys hoping for an heir?"
"Only time will tell," Guoqiang said. He didn't want to talk more on the subject, causing the men to all nod their heads.
Li Huimin cleared his throat, causing the group to look towards them. Lu Huan just sat quietly, gathering everyone's cards as everyone conversed together. Huimin had finished putting his money away in the pouch around his waist. He then folded his hands together, placing them on the table in front of him.
"Have something to say?" Dingbang asked with raised eyebrows.
"Actually, I do," Huimin said with a curt nod. "I'm finally having a son."
"Don't you already have a son?" Guiying asked him. Huimin looked at him with a small pout appearing on his lips.
"We all know that I can't see my son often. He's an immortal after all," Huimin said with a deep sigh. "But that's not what I mean! I have a kid. In this time. In this world."
"You have multiple children out there, I'm sure," Dingbang said. Guoqiang and Guiying let out a snort at those words. "You're Meixia's biggest playboy."
"I have a child with Jie Xinyue. You know, my wife of five years now?" Huimin said with a huff. The others let out a soft laugh, showing that they were only teasing him. Guiying then reached over and cupped his hands.
"Congratulations, my old friend," Guiying told him. "I'm truly happy for you."
"Do you know what you're going to name your child?" Dingbang asked, causing Huimin to hum in thought. He finally nodded his head.
"I think I'll wait to let you know that information. I think an air of secrecy is in order."
༻✧༺
"It's time to fight," Dingbang said, charging through Huimin's front door, finding the man feeding a young child. Dingbang had a dark look in his eyes. Anyone could see that he was pissed. "You've been putting off your duties for two years. You're needed now. The demons are reorganizing. There's a new power looming over us."
"I need to protect my son," Huimin said, glancing at the young toddler sitting next to him.
"The best way to protect him is to leave him in the protection of his mother," Dingbang told him. "I've already sent my wife away with my son, Boyu. It's best if you do the same."
"I won't leave him," Huimin said with a quick shake to his head.
"You must," Dingbang said, his tone growing fiercer. "The world of Meixia needs us, Li Huimin. You are the King of Cultivation! The cultivation clans need you to lead them!"
"He's only a year old," Huimin said, glancing over at his young son. "I can't—"
"Go," the voice of a young woman said. Huimin's wife stepped into the room, wearing a velvet sleeping gown. She looked into Huimin's eyes, letting out a deep sigh. "We agreed already. When things got too serious, you would have to leave. If you stay here, you'll only bring misery to me and our son."
"Xueyue," Huimin said, a hint of sadness in his voice as he stared at her. "I can't just leave you guys now. You're my family. I must—"
"The best way to protect us is if you leave," Xueyue said, her voice firm. "You have a war to fight. We both knew this day was coming. If you don't leave, the war will end up on our doorstep. Our son will be in danger if that happens."
"Xueyue," Huimin said again, but Xueyue just shook her head. She walked forward and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
"You won't lose him," Xueyue promised. "Don't worry, I'll make sure we find a cultivation clan and that he learns from the best. He'll be okay."
"We have to go," Dingbang said again. Huimin's eyes watered lightly as he glanced between the two adults. He let out a deep sigh before walking over to the baby and placed a long kiss to his forehead.
"I'll be back, my son. I promise," Huimin said, softly. "One day we'll meet again."