Happy late anniversary, everyone! The first Kung Fu Panda was released on the day yesterday, which is exactly thirteen years to see our beloved hero Po and the Masters of Jade Palace, then our leopard boy Tai Lung!
6/7/2021
Volume Two: Eyes of Hate
Chapter XVI
Lord and Lady of Gongmen
September 15, 1210
The quartet riding the cat junk sail trekked on the calming river, reached far to the East. Former Lord Shen's son, Lord Dongji of Gongmen City, occupied his reign at the Tower of Holy Flame with his mother, Lady Xia, and another soon to wed with the swan as Xing strongly pondered of her. There lived with the Nine's Heavyweights Niu, Zhao, Shou (Sea Defender's new captain), and Stewardships of the Masters' Council Ox, Croc, and Boar. Soft breezes of salt wafted from the ocean, numerous junk ships of red-orange sailing on the harbor. As soon as their junk nearly disembarked toward the dock, either of these tastes and senses struck in the tiger's head, reminiscing horrible experiences as if Po, Shen, and Crane went through this tragedy before, even the Second Gongmen Battle.
Only that the three had to agree to their feline colleague to head for the Tower of Holy Flame, but to stroll toward complex hill country towns, Xing remained close to the Dragon Warrior without rejection. Knowing each road impacted the tiger's thoughts on pacing fours, the fire scorching districts, and his worthy opponent spawning other two limbs under his main arms. Half the ruptured buildings still crumbled, filled what's left with the ocean of dry ashes; numerous Gongmen citizens brought many carriages and tools to repair what was lost: their homes, their private businesses, and many more.
One wolf guard in silver armor sauntered with his spear in front of the quartet. The city emerged to have a common treaty to which any citizen or warrior could become guards, obey high ranks, and even their Lord and Lady of Gongmen. Wolves and antelopes were all as one; some of the officers training with low ranks and scouting across Gongmen City used to work for Peafowl Nobles during Shen's time. After the departure of the peacock lord and wolves, many antelopes supported Stewardships when Lord Feng and Lady Muqin, Shen's parents, passed on. Finally, the lupine guard was introduced.
"My heroes in all of China. I am Lieutenant Leo, former Commander Lang Zhong's gladiator. Lord Dongji sent ten of high-rank officers to search for his visitors, and I am here to escort you to the Tower of the Holy Flame."
"Thank you, sir. Lead on," Po grinned, and the group followed Lieutenant Leo into the midst of complex roads.
They arrived in time to reach for the Holy Flame's gateway, which these doors stood its metal frame of peafowls and spike edges. Standing behind the gate were Lord Dongji's antelope and wolf guards, towering their halberds next to their sides. Lieutenant Leo accorded these visitors to hand over weapons — part of this was to allow this Royal Land to be more protective than compromised. Xing untied his sash band, offered his chokuto sword to Leo; former Lord Shen surveyed his robe and within deep pockets of his long sleeves. Crane, however, tapped his conical hat with a greeting — his only confidence he would not take it off, and how dare they!
The Gate of Holy Flame unlatched its low rumbles, guards bestowing their paw and hoof gestures toward the courtyard. Po, Shen, Crane, and Xing went on, surveying new banner poles on sides of the straight path, toward the main square, and the tree chanting leaves on branches. Triangle flags that swelled outward, hued in navy with ocean trimmings, appearing train feathers in the sky, and the golden tower at the heart of the city. Originally, Shen's parents used to bear their sigils, which only represented the city and elegant feathers of deep red and gold. Their banners would have offered their son to rule his throne to continue his legacy.
"XING!"
The tiger sighted a large bovine in patched shorts and aegean sash belt bound from the square platform. The crocodile and bull followed their ox brother, sprinting toward the Nine's Leader. "Ahoy, Xing!" the Nine's Pirate cheered.
Xing dropped his traveling bag and spread his limbs. "Niu, Zhao, Shou!"
The Nine's Heavyweights leaped and tackled Xing on the ground. Niu, son of Master Storming Ox, with heterochromia eyes of blue and red, cheered. "We miss you and the Nine at our home, brother!" He released his feline brother and let the reptile wrap his lengthy tail over Xing.
"I'm so glad to see you again, Xing!" Zhao tightened his limbs on the tiger's body. A firm grasp almost suffocated his breath, but Zhao released him freely. After the crocodile patted the feline, Xing regarded the bull student spread his arms apart, and hug the Nine's Leader. He was now one of Master Croc's nephews as discovered.
"Oh, Shou. I am happy to see you, buddy," Xing simpered.
"Aye, I'm happy you are well, Matey."
Shortly after reuniting with the Nine's Leader, the Nine's Heavyweights greeted two Masters of Jade Palace, shaking Po's paw and nodding to Crane as the avian did the same. They finally addressed Lord Dongji's father, a good greeting as if Niu was the last, and only bobbed his head once. Masters of Gongmen sauntered down the path behind the stone square as they only greeted honorable masters. Masters Storming Ox ignored the peacock.
The Nine and Masters approached the front tower's door where the young lord and a lady appeared. Lord Dongji's Lady was a white swan in aquatic robes, tinged by its sunlight reflection to under the void. Her crown glittered with a yellow mark above the bird's head. Isn't that the swan lady who my brother rarely mentioned from his old home before? Xing pondered. In his grandfather's blue robe with red necklines and yellow sleeve edges, the peacock lord spread his wings as he and the swan lady passed down toward guests. "Brother! Welcome!" Lord Dongji announced.
The tiger knelt. "My Lord," Xing arose and embraced his peacock brother. They clasped their bodies, chuckling. "Brother."
"Thank the Gods you have traveled safe," Lord Dongji grinned with optimistic gratitude. He inspected the other three guests behind the tiger. "Dragon Warrior. Master Crane. Welcome back to Gongmen City," he praised these warriors, and then the next as he silently inhaled his beak after sightseeing Po's student. "Hello, Father."
Shen nodded. "Hello, son."
Lord Dongji turned to Chen Xing. "Have you got those scrolls I sent you?"
"Oh, yes. I've been reading into it, only ten pages at least."
You'll read those scrolls once more.
The peacock lord patted his brother's arm. "That's good. I assume you have trekked well with the Dragon Warrior, Master Crane, and my father?"
"Yes," the tiger answered. "The journey's such an elegant view. I miss adventures, alright."
"My dear brother," his feathers flattened behind Xing's back, forwarding to his mate. "I like to introduce you to my old friend from the Summit Village. Lady Huiliang."
The swan hardly glanced at the tiger's vicious scar, which stunned her with sympathy. She shook at once her Lord lightly cleared his long throat. "Greetings, Master Xing. I've heard various tales about you. My pleasure," she knelt while spreading her hanfu dress apart.
"My Lady," Xing gaped and met her feathers, shaking her wing. "It's my honor to meet you. So you are his old neighbor at my brother's old home?"
Her dawning beak grinned. At first, Lao had nearly forgotten his neighbor's child, who mostly came to Lord Shen and Lady Xia's cabin in the northeast with calvary wolves and two gorillas. The fact was Xing, nearly good at remembering names as Lao mentioned "Huiliang" in the peacock's sleep, the Nine's Leader and Dancer discerned of their peacock brother's long-lost companion. "I am. And now, ever since Gongmen City has a new heir to the throne for Lady Muqin and Lord Feng's unbreakable vow, mentioned of the name Prince Dongji as the new Lord of Gongmen, I've come to see my old friend once again. Your honor is mine, Master Xing."
She's so unique and attractive. You're lucky to find my brother.
Lord Dongji gave his guest a proper greeting to his soon-to-be Lady of Gongmen as the swan introduced to the Dragon Warrior and Crane. Instead, Huiliang masked her smile ahead of Shen and bowed to him.
"And Mom?" Xing pardoned his dear brother.
"Come with me. Mother is outside watering my grandparents' Garden back there."
Chen Xing followed his brother and Princess Huliang within the first intricate floor of the Holy Flame tower, passing by the golden staircase, and through the backdoor, which sealed with oak mahogany, shaped these patterns of the moon with yin-yang. The tiger had thrilled to see someone so exceptional in his heart, raised children well by an adoptive parent who was the Nine's Lady — the heart of the family in the eyes of Xing, Lao, and Lotus.
Once these hinges in the rumble to open the door, the afternoon light striking its warming tan on them, Chen Xing bent his grin to his ears as if the Peafowl Garden chanted colorful flowers and thorns, deep red and tea roses humming. A peahen in purple hanfu and blue edges of neck and sleeves watered lily blooms beside marble tombs of Shen's parents, Madam Soothsayer Mali, and Master Thundering Rhino behind them. Her feathers blended with pink and turquoise.
Chen Xing sauntered into the Peafowl Garden, unaware of Lao's mother, who continued bearing the water sprinkles, soaking other flowers and vines. "Hi, Mom."
Lady Xia ceased as he recognized one of her son's thick voice, so warming and wholesome. Her head cast to where the Garden's door was and gasped at her adoptive feline son. "OH! My gracious! My boy, Xing!"
Both Xia and Xing went on to each other and wrapped their limbs over their hearts. Her neck lay and curl behind his, her feathers stroking his back as the tiger was chuffing. She kissed her beak on Xing's scar, blessing again and again. "Mommy blesses your wound. Mommy hugs you more. I miss you, son," Xia beamed, fondling his scar.
"Oh, Mom. I really miss you," he shed one tear, twinkling at her.
They embraced again, long one than ever. "I'm here. Xing. I'm here."
The Nine, Masters, Shen, and Lord Dongji and Princess Huiliang dined together on the eighth floor of the Holy Flame. Antelopes, deer, and goats in silver and navy robes delivered various gold plates with steaming and hissing foods. The dining room wafted most of the potatoes, carrots, noodles — strange noodles — if Mr. Ping would have been in here with Po and said that next to him, and various kinds of vegetables. Glass cups of rice wine lined to where each individual sat. Only two out of thirteen gold chandeliers kindled nine red candles.
Clasping one dumpling with his deep red chopsticks, the Dragon Warrior peeped at his avian partner. "Look at you, Crane. You're quite shy to speak with the Nine."
Crane dipped his silver spoon under the soup. "No, Po. Why would I?"
"Unless, you know, if anyone likes to interact with you, I mean."
"You're the only one interacting with me, and Shen too. So. . ."
"Ha!"
Next to Po to his left, large bovines sat as they devoured large portions of steaming rice and pasta dumplings. Master Ox beckoned his son's virtue to seek improvements of mentality and knowledge and several tactics to wield large axes. Next to him, Master Croc commented more on recognition to Niu's godfather, Master Thundering Rhino, as all three were unique, taking on numerous bandits. Another one was that they achieved greater good was to prevent Wu Sisters from inviting dangerous adversaries, including conquering all of China.
Passing over these conversations, which chanted prospering without one steam from Shen or Master Storming Ox, Chen Xing blended his rice with chopsticks, absorbing peppercorn seasoning. His peahen mother Xia spoke to his son beside Xing and Lady Huiliang next to her, expressing multitudes of their people in Gongmen City spread rumors, which continued to develop one story as these birds and Masters of Gongmen heard. For a moment, they remained their regards at once one of the guards could share answers soon. Lady Xia peeped at her tiger son, who ate small portions of spicy rice, sipping red wine after.
"My dear Xing. Has Hong mended your wound well at home?"
"She does, Mom. Every two weeks," Xing answered. "Hong will receive more of her remedy equipment from her cousin Wu Hop at the end of this month, about four times treatments to get, which I'll be using to treat my scar for six months."
Xia bent half of her grin. "Scars heal, my boy. You know I had one under my ribcage when my accident happened. It's impossible to forget how wounds rip, more painful than an unnecessary death. That mark won't fade for life, Xing, but only leaves with a long-lasting healing wound."
"Does your scar sometimes bother you, Mom?"
"Not always," Xia said, shaking her head. Xing began assembling his rice more on his chopsticks. Laughs and chuckles faded beside them, continued to chat once more. His peahen mother continued. "I truly do not know how traumatized you went, but I know this: perfection doesn't have to be perfect. One panda I met before in Xia Province before I moved on to seek a better life, Taozi was an expert dancer and a fierce lady who was my caretaker. She was the one who had a terrible injury in between her muzzle."
Xia gestured her feather among her beak, crossing in between her eyes. "My caretaker defended her son from a Mongol — argali bandit — he sliced her with his cleaver. Then, after a brutal confrontation when my grandfather was arrived there, late with his company to prevent a small incursion, Taozi lost her son. Mongol plunged him, and her son stabbed back at him.
"With my life before I was away, Taozi was such into misery after she lost her son. So instead, I came to her in a sleeping chamber, wanting her as my Nana. When the day arrived as I was thirteen, I caught a glimpse of a robbery, had to fly to my father's throne room, but a rabbit thief pitched his rope dart, and I fell on the roof tile. I'd never experienced how excruciating this wound ever since I thought of Taozi's scar, which kept flaming her for years.
"Days passed on when Taozi was in my chamber to clean my deep wound under my ribcage. Her remedy was worth lifesaving, and I wished that I could credit her the same. I asked my Nana once, something that I should never say, which would have made her rather insulting, but wishing to know more about the night that Taozi never forgot," Lady Xia, giving a small smile, yet stern to unmask her feeling toward her feline son. "You have the same question, Xing, the way I asked her once. 'Does your scar sometimes bother you?'"
Chen Xing lay back on his chair, reflecting on his peahen mother. "Your momma was not the same peahen I once was. My scar did change me, and the rest. But for one thing that I may never change after years of unfair life, but brought me happiness," Lady Xia bent forward and stroked her feathers on Xing's paw. "It's you and Lotus, uniting with my firstborn son."
One chair screeched slow beside them. Master Storming Ox sauntered away from the dining table, following one antelope servant toward the stairs after he breathed out his muzzle.
"Is Master Ox alright, Mom?" Xing asked.
"Juren had a long day ahead. Nothing too personal after my son's meeting. Not a terrible discussion about trademarks, but one did disrespect him earlier."
Lao cleared his throat after stashing his spoon on his bowl. "Remember the owl lord who was in General Bear's war tent since we the Company of the Dragon Warrior had a discussion about the next incursion's whereabouts, Xing?"
"I do," Xing recalled. For a moment, his eyes met on the swan first, whose beak tugged in, and lastly his brother's head who shook. "The meeting earlier in the Throne Room didn't go so well, right?"
"It's a bit rough. The owl lord will not be attending council meetings in the future until he improves his mood," he folded his napkin after cleaning he cleaned his beak. Lao stood and put his chair under the table, following the swan beside him. "Excuse me. Huiliang and I will be in the royal chamber. Enjoy your feast, everyone."
Sauntered close to the shoji door where the gaps entered its blends of salt and fall, the Nine's Leader leaned his right shoulder beside the golden structure of the shoji wall. The night cloaked it's velvet black with tiny sparks of whites, the horizon tinging with midnight blue, a streak of peanut with specks of black shimmering its numerous stars. He and his brother and sister were the ones been glancing at the night sky while resting their backs on a brushing grass, along with their peahen mother near her vine cabin above one of the ridges in the Prosper Valley. By far, his best moment to be along with them in his memory.
Faint steps approached beside the shoji door, emerging one albino in silver robes. "Oh? Not having a good night's rest, are you?" Shen pondered to the tiger, strolling toward him.
The Nine's Leader offered a small grin to Lao's father, nodding to him. "I prefer to watch the night's sky before I go to sleep," answered Xing, twitching his black ears. Soft snores thundered across the chamber floor, made the tiger smirk, and the peacock frown a little. "Po is very sleepy, isn't he?"
"I prefer quietness. His snores keep me alive from sleeping."
"You'll get used to him. My grandmother's neighbor is very loud than him. Neither of them bothers me. Before I sleep, I clear my mind what I thought most."
Sometimes. . . Xing reflected.
Shen nodded. "Marvelous out there, wasn't it?"
"Far exquisite."
The shoji door behind Shen and Xing knocked. "It's Lao."
Lord Dongji pardoned before he entered his brother's visitor chamber, clasping one cobalt scroll. He was dressed in his midnight blue robes, grinning at them. "Are you alright, you two?"
"I am, son," Shen said.
"I'm good, just watching the view here with your dad," Xing smirked. "You can't sleep as well, brother?"
"Not necessarily. I was coming in here to see you after our mother went to sleep. She's alright."
Gods to be good for her. Shen approved, glancing at them both. "Your robe suits you well, Dongji. This garment reminds me of your grandfather. What material is it?"
"Velvet and silk. Mother bought this robe from the fabric shop last month," he stroked the outer layer of velvet that bent with streaks of midnight from the moonlight. Lao inspected his brother cast his head downward. "Xing. You wished to speak with me before dinner. What's on your mind?"
Lao sat beside his brother as the tiger pressured his lips softly. "Last time, you once said that you wished to be a farmer. Something that you could carry on rather than becoming a noble."
"Everything changes, Xing. It's not that I refused to be the Lord of Gongmen. On the contrary, this city needs to be healed once more, needing Peafowl Noble's grandson to watch over Gongmen City," Lao said. "Masters Ox and Croc educate me to manifest presence of politics, which is I must express words well, be Lord Feng's grandson as some of the old recalled his appearance, and they expect me to act like one."
"Which ones are you currently learning, son?" Shen asked, slightly rotated his head.
"Trading goods and supporting needs. In the current matter of this city's collapse, Gongmen almost has one-third of civilians facing poverty. Donations come forth to rebuild every region and recover people's banks. Emperor Huangdi in the Forbidden City regards reconstruction, and Lady Huiliang's family sends their fortune to the poor."
"I assure you these contributions will grow even further," Shen assisted.
"There will be, father," nodded Lao. "Some of the lords and ladies in all of China will assist Gongmen City."
"That's amazing, Lao. It's something that —" the tiger glimpsed at his brother's sleeve, appearing the knob of the scroll, "— wait, you got the message?"
"Oh. I almost forgot about this scroll," Lao brought the cobalt parchment, indicating waves with a lotus flower — the Nine's parchment. "Your grandmother sends her letter to you, Xing. Kong came by a moment ago before he went into the guest room. I believe it's crucial to notice her regards?"
Xing led in front of the circular window as he opened the Nine's scroll, scrutinizing his grandmother's letter, which her handwriting strokes were accurate and beautifully bold. For a moment, Shen cleared up his cough twice as if his son raised his brows. "I accidentally swallowed my throat."
"You're okay," Lao aided his father and turned to his tiger brother. "What's the word, Xing?"
The tiger's muzzle let out his sharp sigh, his head slowly shaking. "Lao, do you remember on the day the Nine accept Lu Disciple's challenge at the tournament?"
Lao's crests lowered while reflecting. "Yes? Forgive me. I must have been forgetting that moment how their tournament happened. We fought many antelope students and a Tibetan red deer. Is there a reason why you inquire?"
The peacock lord sought Xing wrapping the Nine's parchment and place it on the mahogany counter, turning to him. "Master Le arrived at Shui Palace two days ago."
Shen straightened his sleeves as soon as his son leveled his neck. What had come to Lord Dongji's attention now? He could hardly read his son's expression, to that knowing the same as his father, Lord Feng. Shen had been into the Throne Room with his mother, Lady Muqin, and Soothsayer Mali, the goat caretaker, when he was invited by his father's request to inspect these recognitions of politics, to regard concerns, which responsibilities were essential throughout China, and this city to look after. He took a hard glimpse on Lord Feng sitting on the blue throne chair with gold feather gloss, contemplating most regards from visitors and honorable individuals to share the news with Peafowl Nobles. He never liked to listen to any reports during his young age but wanting to spend time with his mother and caretaker out at the Tower's Garden. With one news that was considerably horrendous after he heard the manslaughter of wolves village, his father Lord Feng widened his glance.
The albino gazed at his son, who began to open his beak. "Do you consider that Master Le devours his expectations for his students to rechallenge the Nine? Not after the tournament's final round was almost barbaric?"
"Aside from that, Lao, which will never happen again," Xing shook his head, drifting his eyes down to his feet, "his son has been missing."
While referred Master Le's son, which impacted Lao's head to a full mindset of a Tibetan red deer in dark green garment and black linings, the figure's muzzle cloaked with splotches and a black eye. A final twitch to reflect was his tiger brother, locking the deer's limb on his throat, wrestled him on the square with yin-yang patterns. His opponent tapped the floor, and Lu Disciple's antelope in a midnight green robe waved his red flag.
"Wang?" Lao answered, and his feline brother beckoned.
"He hasn't come home to his father's temple after the Battle of Gongmen. The last time before the Nine competed in the Kong Bai Stadium tournament with Masters and Righteous Seven a few months ago, Le and his students decided not to come. As we remember well," Xing crossed his arms, "Lu Disciples were forbidden to fight any class or even creating one event to try to set one; they broke one code during the Nine and Disciples competition five years ago."
"They dishonored the Shaolin code, brother," said Lao, sighed in agitation. Once flickered his crests upward, the peacock lord sparkled his deep blue irises at his feline brother. "Actually, the Nine and Lu Disciples shattered it, despite how you and Wang fought terribly."
Damn. I nearly forgot about that.
Chen Xing beckoned his nod while crossing his arms. "Yes, and we swore not to break the code again, Lao. Not only that either of us has to stay out of trouble, but Lu Disciples, including Wang and his dad, are the ones asking for it."
"Gods," Lao stood up and massaged his tired eyes. "Lu Disciples's tournament is such a controversy. We cannot resolve their behaviors in front of the Martial Arts Trial. One of the six masters has their colleague, and that colleague is the stag who always refuses to learn the truth from us." The peacock lord turned to his brother. "Is there any more of Master Le's excuses?"
Xing fiddled his chin beard. "Only a request. He wants me to find his son, and if found by me, only then as Master Le promised, Lu Disciples and the Nine will have common treaties," answered the tiger.
More like declaring a rematch. I know that stag's character.
Lao buzzed his throat, and his father cleared his own, straightening his silver robe. "I believe this night is passing. Sleep well, my son. We shall speak more in the meantime. Have a good night, Xing."
"Good night, father."
"Rest well, Shen," simpered Xing when the albino broke one smile before closing the guest's door, sauntering to his chamber. Po's snorts deafened after he went into his visitor chamber and perched on his bed.
Chen Xing loosened his arms, which he had previously crossed, palming over both sides of his waist ahead of the window. "You all are still searching for crocodile bandits. You wrote about that to me a few weeks ago," he heard his brother's voice behind the tiger. "Have you found any details?"
"Not quite, brother. Finding two of the missing reptiles is not that simple. Fung and Gahri could be lurking anywhere. They wouldn't just walk off far."
The peacock lord sighed. "You fended against the challenger five years ago, brother. The Nine witnessed the tragedy between you two. Wang has a terrible taste like his father, to not only disagreeing judgments, but Master Le is such a spreader, filling his silent glares at his own students. We both know you and your grandmother have handled this consent issue between the Nine and Lu Disciple. You should offer a big help from our friends — Masters of Jade Palace."
The tiger turned to his brother. "Nana only wants me and her to deal with them. If we cannot go further, we'll see what I can do," Xing promised.
Lao nodded to him. "I assure you will."
"Anyway," Xing sat on his bed, "what of this rumor you mentioned to Master Ox earlier, brother?"
Lao muttered under his throat while bridging his feathers on his beak. His eyes dazzled. "A dow tailor sought a flash of green on the top of her apartment complex twice. She informed Niu's father about this situation."
I saw Kai with my own eyes, and he has no green eyes anymore.
Xing's breath barged in his muzzle. "Jombies are long gone, brother. My student has nothing to do with that involvement."
"I wasn't asking, but you might be right," the peacock lord said, shaking his head. "A little deaf, as the villager has clogged ears, not to be extremely arrogant, but she mentioned angry green flashes above, delivering shriek sounds. I think some of the children accidentally fused small fireworks near the stands."
"They're kids. No need for them to be punished."
"Aye," nodded Lao. He went for the shoji door and glanced at his tiger brother. "As only another news so far, compared to Wang been missing. Praying Mantis Lily of Guangzhou was disappeared four days ago."
Deep down in the tiger's heart struck to a rime, flashing through his spine. Now only two are missing.
"Something's not right," Xing pondered.
"Agreed. For now," he eyed on Xing, "we'll gather some information later on."
"Okay. You have a goodnight, my Lord."
"Sleep well, brother."
The shoji door finally closed as the tiger rested on the bed, glimpsing at the twilight sky with only one spark beyond the ridges of the eastern mountain. A green flash glistened twice in a row and vanished in the dark. He shut his eyes, and echoed his voice through his mind, starting one question that scratched his head all night long.
Is that only a green star flashing, or am I being followed?