It was a bright morning as Tang Wu, Jian Mo, Su Daji, and Leon Aja strolled through the village. As usual, Tang Wu wore a mischievous grin, clearly up to something outrageous again.
"Guys, we're going to cause a commotion today!" said Tang Wu enthusiastically.
Su Daji eyed him suspiciously. "I hope you're not dragging us into trouble again, Tang Wu. We've dealt with enough messes already."
Leon Aja snorted. "Don't tell me you're pulling another prank."
"Relax, Leon! This time, I've got a brilliant idea!" Tang Wu said as he walked toward an old, quiet house at the edge of the village. "Look over there — an old man lives in that house. I'm going to make him believe I'm a powerful young warrior from the Sword Kingdom."
Jian Mo scoffed, clearly uninterested. "That's your plan? Fooling an old man with some made-up story?"
But Tang Wu was already too excited to stop. He ran toward the house, followed by his friends who knew all too well how this would end. After a few knocks, an old voice called from inside.
"Who is it?" asked the old man, surprised to see Tang Wu at his doorstep.
Tang Wu puffed out his chest. "I am Tang Wu, a legendary hero from the Sky Sword Kingdom! I've come to defeat the demon that's troubling this village!" he declared heroically, voice full of confidence.
The old man raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Sky Sword Kingdom? You look awfully young to be such a great hero."
Tang Wu, never short on theatrics, quickly stepped into the house, thumped his chest, and proclaimed, "I was trained by the Sword Master himself! I've defeated thousands on the battlefield!"
Su Daji, well aware of Tang Wu's antics, burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You never run out of tricks, do you, Tang Wu?"
Despite how ridiculous it was, Tang Wu kept up the act with a straight face. The old man, slightly amused, took a seat. "Well, young man, if you really are a hero, perhaps you could help us. We've got a giant rat ruining our food supplies."
Tang Wu froze for a moment. "A giant rat? Uh… of course! I can handle that easily!"
Leon Aja, who had been eavesdropping, couldn't help but laugh. "A giant rat? Really, Tang Wu?"
Jian Mo just shook his head in exasperation, while Su Daji doubled over laughing. "Grandpa, you've just walked into his trap!"
But Tang Wu didn't back down. "Don't worry, everyone! This is nothing! I've faced monsters far scarier than this!" With that, he dashed out of the house, leaving his friends in fits of laughter.
A little while later, Tang Wu returned holding an empty box, wearing a serious expression. "Grandpa, I've caught the giant rat. Here's the box!" he said, handing it over proudly.
The old man examined it, puzzled. "You really caught it?" he asked, hope glimmering in his eyes.
Tang Wu nodded with great confidence. "Of course! It was easy!" he beamed.
But just then, a rustling sound came from the box. "Eh? What's that?" the old man asked, worried.
Tang Wu hurriedly opened the box… and a small mouse leapt out, scurrying away.
"The rat escaped!" Tang Wu cried, pretending to be shocked, though he was laughing inside. "Ah, that was the giant rat — just very, very fast. Too fast for me to contain!"
Su Daji was laughing so hard she nearly fell over. "Grandpa, did you really believe Tang Wu's story?"
The old man sighed, then chuckled. "Ah, you kids are something else. I had a feeling you were just playing around."
Tang Wu, proud of his "mission," beamed. "See? I made everyone laugh! That's even better than slaying a monster!"
Leon Aja, who had been annoyed earlier, could only shake his head. "You really never stop, do you?"
Jian Mo also shook his head, though a small smile betrayed his amusement. "Tang Wu, you're truly one of a kind."