Shiren caught a very sceptical view from Quántóu as he, Yong and Jil entered a huge lawn with some big and tiny rocks on it. From the whole area behind a fog were other mountains imprecisely visible in the distance like it rained on the other mountains trough the sun was shining.
The lawn pretty looked like as the place where Lao few days ago explained something about history but without a forest on its rim.
The quiet atmosphere made this place peaceful like it is a place to train without any disturbances. No village was near by it neither is it in range of a route people really contemplated to take.
Shiren was glad nobody talked because something at this place impressed him and took his attention. He couldn't explain what it was or where it was specifically that impressed him.
Though it looked very similar to Lao's favourite lawn he did not feel anything on it there, different like here. Every rock seemed to be holy or seemed to have a meaning; A purpose or even a history.
Like it was build by masters.
The only sight disturbing the magic feeling was Quántóu and the other solders with their weapons like they did not belong here.
It was a place of balance patience and discipline, not war.
Shiren was curious about this place and waited for the moment Lao starts to explain what he knew about it and how long the deep history of every single blade of grass, like usual. But surprisingly Lao silenced. Everybody silenced, even the solders. Maybe they were tired or had some respect but Shiren did not think they knew about this place. Less than Shiren knew, that means. He knew they were close to the Sacred Pool of Tears and he knew something about it. It was a special place… for something. But it was a special place, makes everything around it special. That had to be the answer! It was special enough people believe Oogway founded it.
"I don't like this.", Panggui said and broke the silence.
"Shh.", Jil answered calmly to shut him down again: "This is a sacred place. No Kung Fu-Master would ever dare to do a real fight here, like in a war. So it is for us as well."
On a parting of the ways Jil pointed on the right way and said: "Go this way. It leads to the new venue of the alliance."
Quántóu immediately turned to her and answered: "That sounds like you have your own plans."
He looked at the left path. "This way leads to the Jade-Palace. What in the-"
"General.", she interrupted him strictly: "I will go with my students this way. It leads to the Jade-Palace, yes, but we are not going there. We will stop at the actual Pool. You can see it as a tradition. A little excursion with my class."
He shook his head and answered: "That means you are going to taking the snake with you, right? I must admit you take an escort with you."
Jil stood sharp: "No, thanks. I have the situation completely under my control. It is just… kinda… forbidden for… normal warriors to enter this place, if you know what I mean.", she explained.
"I just hope you know what you are doing.", he gave in.
From somewhere Jil had good control about Quántóu. Whenever she spoke she seemed like controlling his mind or just be the superior. Whatever it was, he respected her and believed in her statements.
Maybe they met each other once before and she made him respect her or something.
Shiren remembered speaking once alone with her. Rather speaking often with her alone. She was kind but also scary. She knew what she wants and how to put it. She always made people listen to her calm and restrained voice and Shiren learned it is senseless trying to bargain with her about anything.
She always won the conversation without ever loosing her mind.
It was painful to loose a battle of fists but it was a huge shame loosing a battle of words, or rather, a conversation.
She made good work making other respecting her in every way.
"Alert us if something happens. We will stay near by.", Panggui said.
Jil nodded: "I don't think it is necessary in any way but I appreciate it. Now if you excuse us. The faster we split up the faster we can reunite.", she greeted and signalised her students to come with her.
On their way as they had enough distance to the solders so no one could hear them any more, Jil started speaking: "I hope you get yourself to enjoy this trip. The day after tomorrow will be our final battle and… however it ends… I do not think we are gonna visit this place in his beauty like today any time soon again."
No one answered immediately. After few seconds of silence Xing asked: "Why are you so sure we can enter this place that easily? This is a sacred place if not THE most sacred place, as you said. Why are you so sure nobody would engage us there? Why shouldn't they try to… nah… punch us away? It's their own ground and water! At least I would kick everyone out who dares stepping with one foot on my territory."
Jil smiled and answered: "We entered their territory a long time ago if you remember correctly. The lawn was already sacred land. And you know what we are going to do if they meet with us?"
"We are going to deeply apologize.", Shiren guessed.
"Yes you are right. And as I said, whatever happens... whatever… happens… never, NEVER … attack. Defend yourself. But don not engage! This is sacred land and it rules are affecting you as well.", she said slowly and distinctly.
Nobody answered.
Only Shiren once spoke up to Xing while they were traveling and joked: "Hey, Xing. If nobody shall do a step on your territory, does it mean I am free to enter?"
Since he entered the sacred lawn Shiren felt better and with every second they came closer to the sea he did not feel pressure any more. It was like he never was prisoned, stressed, suspicious or anything like that.
"Shut up, wisenheimer.", she simply spoke back to him.
"And what about me?", Lao asked: "May I fly above your house?"
"Dude, that's creepy! No! Don't do that!", she answered disgustedly.
The weather grew more and more cloudy like it could started raining pretty much soon.
The area was made up by huge rocks covered with moss which already felt wet.
"Here we are.", Jil said right before a big gorge.
Then she turned to the left and seemed to watch at something Shiren was not able to see because it was behind a rock and the path made a bend on where Jil stood.
As he reached the bend he could not believe what he saw. It was an awesome outlook.
Water flew from a stony area, encircling a pond partially covered by a cave. Few waterfalls fell down from it's top and the stream of water flew out of that cave trough the stones down the mountain. The valley was still filled with fog but the most impressive sight was few hundreds of metres away: The Jade-Palace.
They have come so far it was hardly to believe they still need two days until they are going to fight there on the huge building.
For the Chi.
Jil slowly stepped into the cave. From this side it was nearly impossible to not get wet while entering the cave because there was no save path and the rocks which reached out of the water were not that close to each other..
The excitement overthrew Siren even more much as the arrest previously while he entered this place, he felt like he had overpressure in his body.
It was not only an awesome looking place but also a sacred place and so close to the head quarter of their enemies. Calculated, they could get there in few minutes if they would going to run. What if someone is inside this cave?
What if they have to fight now? Maybe against the Dragon Warrior? What was his name again? It was something short but Shiren was not able to remember.
He almost startled as he saw a big dragon statue in this cafe with golden eyes but he gasped, surprised by it, it's size and it's looking. Except for Jil the cave luckily was pretty much empty. Few lanterns were glowing at the edge of the cave.
Not many stones were out of the water so Shiren assumed it was not built for many people to be in.
The first one who said something was Lao as he loudly said: "And now have a look at this! Who still does not believe birds got their origins from the dragons as well?"
Yong confusedly looked at him, expecting an explanation.
"Well...", he explained and pointed at the claw of the dragon statue. "Look at the claw. That's clearly a bird´s claw. Look, it's very similar to mine. You can't deny."
Ku Zhan sighed and went pass by him: "If you are a descendant of the dragons so why can't you fly without your wings? Why is the claw the only thing that's connect you?"
"Don't push on me! Why should snakes be descendants of dragons, as everybody tells? Are they able to fly? Do they have claws?"
After he said that nobody took attention at him any more. Shiren did not want to commit to this conversation. It was senseless to discuss about things like this nobody can really tell about. Specially now was totally not the right place and time to do it.
"Look at the Jade-Palace. Majestic.", Xing said.
"And also so close.", Shiren added. "I can hardly believe he still need two days to reach that place."
Jil chuckled: "Well, it's not that hard to get into that thing. We can surely make it in like fifteen minutes.
But it's a whole army we got to guide it's way into it. The alliance need to plan every detail because the only entrance for a big army are the massive stairs. It's not just an impressive look but also a magnificent defence. You know it's hard to engage a stronghold but it's harder to attack a stronghold with the high-ground. But the most best defence is a palace, located on a mountain and guarded by legends and thousands of steps of that stairs. And guess what? It's really the only entrance for a big army like ours. Only one weapon would be able to shoot it from the save distance. Can you guess what I am talking about?", she asked.
"Shen´s cannons?", Lao guessed.
"Precisely.", she nodded: "But nobody was able to get them to work again since… the whole factory was burned down after Shen's defeat and, well, all of the knowledge was gone."
Thad made Shiren thinking for a moment. Well, it was not the first time but he got an interesting toppic.
Someone… Shen, got with high science ultimate weapons and it got destroyed.
Now the Jade-Palace got a new weapon which is not necessarily a weapon and it would going to be destroyed as well. Forgotten for ever.
Tale as old as time but isn't it worth saving the knowledge for times like this?
Oh well, on the other hand… paw… then again: If they would had do so the knowledge would had been laid down into the halls of the Jade-Palace, so in that case, never mind.
"So...", Yong said: "You dragged us here just to show us a little cave? I mean, I might sound like a philistine but is there something else but this nice view to the Jade-Palace we cannot archive after all this is over?"
Shiren expected some sharp words from Jil or Lao about how holy this place is and how she could dare to ask such a foolish question. But Jil showed calmness and answered:
"Yes. You, Yong, may know as best I would never dare to make a detour just for a pretty view. In fact I also prefer visiting this cave after this war is over. But..."
Jil's face grew worried and she took a deep lock to everyone here before she continued: "I… we… How should I put it best…?" Lao made an attempt to commentate something but Xing stopped him without saying anything. This was serious if Jil was out of words.
"This war ends in two days and this might be our last chance to… have a calm talk like this. We expect to win but fate isn't written. Our opponent is still a dangerous enemy. Strong, proud and… tough. And even if we are manage to defeat them… it will still be a tight battle. Maybe the whole palace will burn, your surroundings will be in chaos… short: One last time war will happen. You haven't seen which kind of battles the main army faced while we went for the flanks. And even if you would know, those were nothing compared to what will happen in two days. You met the Furious Five, but never united and with full power. The Dragon Warrior will surely come as well and I also might mention their teacher by the way.
That's why I will use this chance to say something to you:
The last days were surely not what you can call easy. But whatever you have done so far the last days, in all those battles you fought and also the fact you yet did not give in and returned, what you can possibly do every moment…
makes me proud.
Before we started this journey I could hardly believe I am going to still teach you. Or rather: Attempt to."
She looked at everybody again: "And you grew with this fight to better fighters and persons. You did not destroy any building we faced so far. You were insane with your coordination in battles, your choices and teamwork. I want to thank you you proved me you are not just a wild clump of punches and fists. And after that is over I shall do the exam for the emblem of mastery. Right here."
Everybody silenced. Some looked at each other and Shiren felt like his head would explode.
A rank of a master means not just a lot of honour but also a stand of power. A prove for abilities and mind control. But it means the end of the study by Jil as well. Probably everybody would go their own way like Shiren would do. He promised Hao to return home with her and Chang. He couldn't wait to see his parents again though they probably won't be at home currently like they usually did it felt like.
But to disband with his friends here was an imagination he yet was not prepared for. He had his own background with everyone of them and China was a big realm.
"Guys.", Jil interrupted his thinkings with a wink like she knew what her apprentices were thinking right now. "It's not over yet, okay? I can still change my mind! As I said: Fate is not written! Maybe you will stick together for a longer time like a big clump. Which makes me… the head… of a big… dump… wild… … clllump. You don't want this to happen neither do I, so focus on your next tasks. Make sure we all make it home and everything will be fine.
Lao, don't fall asleep while fighting. We can use you very well out there.
Xing, you're doing fine. Stay like that.
Yong, look for your teammates and don't try to do anything on your own. That battle will be huge so nothing… special please. At least not without warning.
Ku Zhan, I know you can do that. You told me you do not feel comfortable with this but when you fight side by side with your classmates the quicker and maybe easier all of this will be.
Shiren…", she thought what to say for a moment but said: "Just don't loose your mind. It's the most important and powerful weapon you got. And we will not split up. You stay with your classmates as they will stay with you. I hope I got your attention and you do not forget what I said."
Shiren nodded deeply. He knew his situation is dire and he wondered why Jil even expected him to have the right fighting the Jade-Palace again.
"I'm starving.", Ku Zhan answered. "We haven't eaten since this morning and I let my rations with the alliance."
Jil smilingly nodded: "Of course. Praise this place and leave with peace."
