Chapter 19: Teahouse Legends

Okpoko Hills, East Cang Mountain Range, Dianoma City.

Dianoma City na place for rogue immortals for border of Okpoko Hills and Southern Jambu Continent, dem say na third generation Masquerade Clan immortal build am, almost ten million years old. Sun Zikora and Amara fly almost ten years reach.

They find teahouse, pick quiet spot.

Teahouse na where better gist dey.

True true, before dem even sit, person for center table talk:

"You know why Celestial Council fail for Okeji Mountain war?"

Everywhere quiet, all dey wait for old Elder to continue.

Since nobody answer, old Elder sip tea, continue:

"Two hundred and forty years ago, for dry season, Celestial Council gather all Eastern Heaven War Zone Celestial Soldiers, Musa Lawal lead, Eze Uka, Four Celestial Kings, Giant Spirit God, all generals attack Okeji Mountain.

Wetin be Okeji Mountain? Who for three realms no know? Great Sage don go west collect scripture, become Elder, get title Fighting Saint.

No even talk Great Sage, just Celestial Council attack Okeji Mountain already shame West, but West no talk—na sign say dem agree."

Listeners shock, old Elder bold.

One young man ask:

"West gree, Celestial Council fight—Great Sage cause wahala for Celestial Palace or Lingshan, make both vex?"

Old Elder wave hand, say make dem calm, continue:

"Whether he cause wahala for Celestial Palace or Lingshan, we no know, but if e happen, we for hear. But..."

He pause, see all dey wait, then talk:

"Seven hundred and thirty-eight years ago, Golden Araba get scatter by old beast, only soul escape, run go Okeji Mountain.

Elder of Sandalwood Merit go Okeji Mountain—nobody know wetin dem talk, but he waka comot vexed."

His talk dey dangerous.

"After Elder of Sandalwood Merit waka, Great Sage send people find Pure Altar Envoy, search for years, finally go himself, but no see am.

From then, Great Sage dey leave Okeji Mountain often—where he dey go, nobody know."

Someone ask:

"No be Elder of Sandalwood Merit be Great Sage master for journey west? Why he waka comot Okeji Mountain vexed?"

Old Elder smile, no answer, continue:

"Back to war. That day, Eze Uka first fight Great Sage, lose small. Musa Lawal order all troops attack, send Four Celestial Kings help Eze Uka.

But who be Eze Uka?

Proud reach, no dey look Supreme Elder for Celestial Hall. Even if he lose to Great Sage, he no gree gang up, so he waka go sky, dey watch Great Sage turn, fight four at once."

Old Elder dey excited, stand up, act like storyteller:

"Holding Country King push treasure bead at Great Sage, Great Sage just catch am, throw am at Growth King, step forward, grab Holding Country King left hand, twist, spin am, step on face, tear arm.

Hearing Much King open pearl umbrella—everywhere dark, thunder, true dragon show—but Great Sage no fear. In few rounds, he make Hearing Much King put umbrella away, collect am, break am, throw at Growth King. Then kick Hearing Much King go sky.

Broad Vision King red rope turn to ten thousand feet, wan bind Great Sage, but Great Sage turn, grab dragon head—dragon scream—use rope as whip, flog Broad Vision King, e no sweet, so throw am, hit Growth King. Great Sage punch Broad Vision King, make am vomit blood fall.

Great Sage look Growth King wey just stand, hiss, Growth King run."

"Sigh."

Old Elder sigh for nothing.

Everybody confuse, but keep quiet, wait for old Elder to continue.

The teahouse air thick with awe. Even the akara seller outside stop to listen, oil dripping from her spoon. Amara sip tea slow, eyes bright, as if every word na charm. Sun Zikora lean back, heart beating with both pride and small pain. The legend of Okeji still fresh, even in this far corner of the world.