Chapter Twenty-Two: Love and Honor
Zhang Liao stood before two unexpected warriors: Master Tigress of the Furious Five and his younger brother, Ping.
Zhang Liao was clearing a path from Chor Ghom Prison to the Valley of Peace for Master Tai Lung, to whom he pledged allegiance to. He defeated those that stood in his way and spared them.
Soon, he faced Meng Lao and Hei Li, his two friends. These two were two of the last four on the way to the Valley. However the defenses were light as Tai Lung's Escape was a rumor.

Master Tigress, however, never expected what she felt for the masked warrior facing them with Dragon Revival defensively pointed at her and Ping. She did not see evil in this warrior. She saw respect, wisdom, and strength.
Ping was curious at the sudden arrival of Zhang Liao. In truth, Zhang Liao was Shu Ai, the Lion of the Valley. The entire Valley, including Ping himself, believed that Tai Lung killed Shu Ai until Zhang Liao revealed himself as Shu, alive and well.

"You seem like a warrior I would respect; even admire. What is your business?" Tigress spoke first.
"I am Zhang Liao! My intention is simple: To clear a path for my Master," Zhang Liao simply replied.
"Who is this Master you speak of, Liao? I remember you had none," Ping asked, speaking this time.
"My Master is Tai Lung! I pledged allegiance to him during my stay at the Chor Ghom Prison!" Zhang Liao's reply put a shock to their face.
"So the rumors are true, then… Tai Lung has escaped and is heading to the Valley… Master Shifu should know of this…!" Tigress said aloud her course of action.
"Tigress, you've grown quite nicely. How long has it been since we've seen each other? Years?" Zhang Liao put confusion at Tigress' face.
Tigress soon remembered Zhang Liao: The masked and mane-less lion who had visited the Bao Gu Orphanage when she was a cub. Ping was her first friend and Zhang Liao was her second. She also became one of those Zhang Liao kept in contact with. However, Vachir had stopped a lot of letters addressed to Liao. His increasing decrease of replies had made her believe that he had forgotten her.
"I see you recall now. There's no need to worry; I have not forgotten about you; any of you. My commanding officer at the prison must have simply stolen most of our letters," Liao replied.

"Brother… Why would you align yourself with Tai Lung?" Ping asked, utting a relaxed Tigress into confusion once more.
"That's right, Tigress. You don't know," Zhang Liao remembered that Tigress, along with many individuals, did not know his true identity.
"My real identity is Shu Ai. If you heard the stories I was the Lion of the Valley who seemed to fall to Tai Lung's rage those many years ago," Zhang Liao revealed himself as Shu Ai. To prove it to her, he took off his iron mask by allowing a paw to let go of Dragon Revival. His face astonished Master Tigress. Shu Ai was a thirty-five year old (His birthday happens to be the day Tai Lung Escaped) who looked like he was in his twenties. He was still quite handsome despite the scars that blinded his left eye. His remaining eye showed great strength.
Master Tigress and Ping seemed to lose their true purpse; which was to keep Tai Lung and his helper at bay; if the rumors were true. Ping had lowered his bow and Tigress relaxed from her stance.

"This is the kind of battle I desire; no, crave. A Battle that can be won with words and compromise; not the sounds of clashing weapons and painful screams," Shu Ai never favored physical fights. If they could be avoided altogether, he would choose that path. If words could solve the fight, he would utilize words. He did not know why he did not try this with Meng and Li during their fight. Maybe he was lazy again?
He did however spare all of those who he fought. He also never shed a single bloodshed as he never had Dragon Revival's blade touch their skin. Every individual has someone to go home to, Shu Ai thought. He would not be the kind to take away the life of one who had someone to go home to.
Tai Lung was one of his many friends but he felt that he was Tai Lung's only one. This saddened him greatly and this was strengthened when Tai Lung told him that he felt betrayed by Shifu and Oogway's 'betrayal'. He thought of giving Tai Lung someone to 'go home to'.

The three warriors relaxed now.
"Master Tigress, you are one of the Furious Five? It is an honor," Shu Ai gave his respects to Tigress with a bow.
"And it is an honor to meet you, Shu Ai," Master Tigress returned the bow.
"Ping, you're an Archer now? When did that happen?" Shu looked to his brother now.
"Oh, um… After you left for the Prison, I applied at the Jade Palace and got accepted. I focused mostly on Archery," Ping told him.
"All this time you've been focusing on just Archery?" Shu asked him.
"Well, I am your brother. Surely I'm lazy too," Ping grinned, glad that they didn't have to fight… or so he thought.

"I have a plan," Shu surprised them as he held Dragon Revival in both paws once more in his traditional fighting stance.
"What…?!" Ping was surprised and his first reaction was raising his bow.
"What are you implying, Master Shu?" Tigress asked Shu.
"Don't call me Master! I'm not yet that old! Five more years and yeah I'll think about it!" Shu joked as he rushed at the two warriors.

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The Valley of Peace was buzzing with news and rumors. Tai Lung was free and heading back to the Valley for revenge? Apparently the messenger that Shifu sent was so scared he was stuttering Tai Lung's name as he flew back to Shifu. He also mentioned that Tai Lung had helped, but was too shocked to reveal Zhang Liao. Hei Li, Meng Lao, Ping, and Master Tigress were sent to confirm the rumors. Hei Li and Meng Lao ha not returned and they were becoming more suspicious and worried.

Their attention was caught by three figures coming from where the Don't-Look-Down Bridge was from. They recognized Master Tigress who looked determined and young Ping who looked nervous. Master Tigress was in front while Ping was behind, his bow and arrow aimed at the third individual who was in between them. He was their prisoner.

"Master Tigress… What is the meaning of this…?" A passerby mustered the courage to ask the warrior of the Furious Five.
"We have captured this individual from the Bridge. We will bring him into the Jade Palace for questioning," Master Tigress made her voice loud enough for everyone within earshot to hear.
"And what of the rumors of Tai Lung's escape?" Another asked.
"Rumors will stay rumors, I can assure you that," Tigress merely replied as they walked past the crowd and towards the Jade Palace.
Shu Ai, their prisoner, was looking down. His mane covered his face. He did not want to show his humiliation.
"Who is the prisoner? Do you at least have a name?" One last question was heard.
Tigress looked back at Shu who nodded.
"Shu Ai, the Lion of the Valley," Tigress simply replied.