Takeshi and Prince Haneul had broken off to the side to talk about Takeshi's battles that he encountered, while Lihua stood awkwardly with Thorin listening.  

"Is this your first time attending the Phantom Mirage Tournament?"  Lihua asks, trying to come up with things to talk about.  

"No, Lady Lihua, this is not my first time attending the Phantom Mirage Tournament."  Thorin answered politely.  

"Did you attend as a participant in the tournament or as one of the members to go into the Phantom Mirage?"  

"I participate when I was 13 years old."  Thorin answered. 

"I hear The Phantom Mirage is a dangerous place to go to.  You must be a very strong martial artist to come back from it." Lihua said.  "And at such a young age!  Your family must have been proud and yet worried for you."  

"Yes, they were."  Thorin said.  "My mother especially, she prayed everyday for my safety."  

Thorin didn't know why he brought up his mother nor why he felt like he could talk to Lady Lihua so easily.  

"She sounds like she loves you very much."  Lihua said.  "She must be very proud as well.  You attending the Phantom Mirage Tournament at such a young age.  And now being a Master Teacher to the royal family."  

"Yes, she was proud of me."  Thorin said sadly.  "She pass away about a year and a half ago." 

"I'm sorry."  Lihua said.  "I didn't mean to bring you sad memories."  

"It's okay.  My mother was a strong and loving person.  She was the strongest person I know and the most loving.  I could only wish to be a quarter as strong as she was."  Thorin said as he got lost in his memories.  There was something familiar about Lady Lihua that comforted him.  He couldn't put his finger on it, but talking to her felt like he was talking to an old friend.  "Anyways, my children and nephew plan to participate in the tournament and plan to journey into the Phantom Mirage.  I am here to guarantee that they survive the Phantom Mirage."  

Lihua nods her head in understanding.  "I too, also plan to journey into the Phantom Mirage with Hell King.  Shall we keep an eye on each other should we run into each other in the Phantom Mirage?"  Lihua suggested.  "With an alliance, we all could survive the dangerous dimension and reap the rewards at the same time." 

"That sound like a good idea."  Thorin agreed happily.  With the help of Hell King, their rate of survival would be increase.  

"You said your children and your nephew have come to join the tournament.  They must be just as talented and smart as you are."  

"Ah, yes. Haha!"  Thorin laughed happily at the complement.  "Let me introduce them to you."  

------------

By the end of the banquet, Lihua was able to meet all of her grandchildren and spoke with them about their lives and interest.  Her conversations with with caused a stir at the banquet, because she spent most of the time speaking to them and with no one else.  Not knowing that by doing this, she had slighted the other countries and kingdoms.  Lihua was only concentrated on spending time with them.  

Her conversations with them were interrupted when Takeshi told her that they have to go back into the banquet.  

"If we spent the rest of the time in the garden, King Nao would be suspicious."  Takeshi whispered to Lihua.  Lihua nodded and they bid their goodbyes to the people of Bido Kingdom.

"It was very nice meeting you guys."  Lihua said.  "Should we find each other in the Phantom Mirage, let us work together amicably." 

"Then we shall rely on Lady Lihua and Hell King."  Thorin said as he agreed.  

"Enjoy the rest of the banquet and have a goodnight."  Lihua said before she left with Takeshi to sit back at their table.  

The Lei children watched Lady Lihua's back recede deeper into the great hall before disappearing.  

"She seems like a nice person."  Chiyo said.  

"She does."  Takao said.  "There's something about her that reminds me of someone."  

"I think so too!" Dai said.  "But who?"  

They stood there as they go through the people she reminds them of, but they couldn't come up with the person.  

"Why did Hell King choose the Bido Kingdom to align himself with?  He could clearly survive the Phantom Mirage by himself.  Why us?"  Thorin asks his family.  

"Whatever the reasons, let us count our lucky stars that he did." Sora said as he kept watch of their surroundings.  "With him watching our backs, our survival will be guaranteed."  

"But why though?"  Thorin asks.  "This is the first time meeting both Hell King and Lady Lihua, why would they help watch our backs?"  

"Maybe they wish to create an alliance on behalf of King Nao?" Takao said.  "That's the only reasonable explanation. Maybe we'll find out after we all come out of the Phantom Mirage alive."  

"Maybe." Thorin said as Prince Haneul makes his way towards the Lei Family.  "But, still keep your defense up."  

"Yes, Father."  His three children said.  

"Yes, Uncle."  Sora said.