Authors Node:

Hello everyone!
This is going to be my last Chapter of this story and I appreciade you reading it. Feel free to criticize me and this story in any way.
But before you do:
- I know there are a bunch of grammar mistakes in this story, especially in the first chapters. So what I do before submitting part two, is fixing everything I can find here. Once I'm finished I'll remove this node

-For every Po-Fan around there, I'm sorry but I was not able to use him in the story as often as I would had like to becuase he is a very complex character to write for me and it was hard finding an important role for him in my story. So I preferred to let him be than risking to ruin his good Character.

After saying that, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Have fun

After the long and exhausting battle Junjie was presented to the dragon warrior, the first person entering the courtyard.

Shiren knew he was the only right person to give it to though he still slightly felt his anger.

As the Dragon warrior it was Po's burden to disclose the dark secrets, the real cause of this war and bring peace again where chaos left its marks.

The councillors of the alliance and Shifu made a conference about the war and how things would progress again right after the fightings were over. The alliance agreed to rebuild what got destroyed while Shifu took all the debts on his shoulders and promised to take care so this would never happen again.

The alliance dissolved and split back to their normal provinces.

Happy music and lots of shouting and cheering resuscitated the Valley of Peace like a huge festival when the villagers returned. They praised to the Dragon Warrior and the end of the war under a blue sky, filled with peace and hopes of a new day.

The former class of Jil took a short rest to regain straight and silently celebrate what they just accomplished.

It was unbelievable for any of them everything being over now. Everything seemed fine now where few minutes ago the situation was tense. It was surprising how quick a war can end. The situation was stabilized, the courtyard was save and secure again with local solders arriving and arresting every of Junjie's mercenaries which still left in here and did not manage to escape during the fights.

Ku Zhan at least had a smile on his face when he looked at the sky and watched the clouds.

Xing was silent. She didn't seem to be that happy though she won a fight which was always a joy for her. She was looking for her wounds and didn't really pay attention to anyone.

Shiren wasn't satisfied but he took the victory as it was. He was proud he managed to overcome his feelings and he was glad his plan worked out. But still not as clean as it could had been. So many things went wrong. He looked to his allies more than reflecting what happened.

Lao and Yong they were pretty as always. Hiding emotions seemed to be an issue they were conversantly hiding most of the time. Lao looked more tired than excited when he just sit there and looked into the air. Yong didn't seem to enjoy anything here at all. She watched the people going in and out though it weren't many. Maybe giving Junjie to the Dragon Warrior was something like giving away a prey to her. It was true: She fought for it. Shiren felt bad for it too but he did not want to risk anything at this point. So many things could had go worse if they tried bringing him back on their own. It wasn't meant to be.

And especially right now he was not up to be traded like a hero. Nearly killing his target out of rage wasn't a thing he wanted to be acclaimed for. He also did still feel bad for Jil and Huan; Two people he fought and left behind today. He did too many things he regretted as if he could be on the streets and be happy and celebrating, together with all the other people around.

Yong was the first asking to leave this place. She was tired of it, wanted to leave and have a look how things were progressing outside of it except for the loud noises.

At the outside, on their way to the streets, the first person engaging them was no other than Jil like she waited for them.

She was not up for a fight but on the same time she did not look happy.

She was smiling a bit but her eyes looked more worried than pleased.

Shiren did not look at eyes. After all what happened today he was not up to talk to anyone. He wasn't proud of himself. He said so many bad things to her and it was just a half of an hour maybe past since then.

Lao greeted her: "Jil. How is it going?" as if nothing happened.

Jil looked at everyone before she answered: "The war is over. The councillors have seen the truth. Though everyone is praising the Dragon Warrior, I guess you had something to do with it."

Ku Zhan sighed: "I'd rather not speak about it. It was… tense. Maybe I'll give you a full report when the situation calms down again."

Jil leaned her head a bit. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you more."

"Help more?" Shiren asked displeased.

Jil looked at him but he still refused making eye contact. "I know, Shiren. As your teacher it was my duty to make your lives a living hell as every teacher should do to his students. Some day you will understand I was actually helping you. It may not be today or tomorrow. But let's speak of another topic." She turned to the whole group again and continued:

"I make it short. As for me, I would be happy to let you do the mastery exam. But sadly I'm no longer allowed to teach you officially.

When I was speaking to out chieftain he told me: He was glad and thankfully about what you've done in the end. But the way you did it was more… complicated as it had to be. For the time being he told me that you gain an honourable discharge from the military and everything which contains Kung Fu. That means you're no longer allowed being fighters for Lu Lan and so I'm no longer allowed to be your teacher."

A big moment of silence roamed around the conversation. It was obvious what Jil meant and what the consequences were. It was time to look for another job.

Lao clapped slowly. "Alright. I guess. This owl won't people rebel against his orders. Understandable. So we are supposed going home again and pretend nothing just happened? Like the last year? And everything we get is a little Thank you? Is that what I think?" It was not discernible if he really accepted it or he just spoke out of ironic.

"I mean, this Thank you is a high prestige for ending a whole war," Jil explained: "I know it's not much but I sadly can't change it."

"Great," Yong mumbled.

"Xing, you can return home normally if you want to. What you've done today will not be noticed on the records. Your family will just know you fought in the fight and ended the war."

Xing shrugged."Satisfying, I guess. More than I can ever hope for."

"I'm happy you take it so easily. Again, I'm sorry but I was not able to chance anything on the chieftain's decision. You can trust me I tried."

Lao nodded. " Yes, we do. So I guess that's it. I'm tired of this place and this situation and we can't change anything any more. So, who else is up for a lunch?"

"And now, Tigress..." Shifu said: "I give the fate of the Jade-Palace into your canny claws."

"He? What? Why do you say this?" Tigress wondered. The statement of Shifu came out of nowhere.

Shifu explained: "I might need a vacation. After all what happened… couldn't be wrong. And I need someone to watch this place in my name."

Tigress breathed in and saluted. "Master… it's an honour. Let me know when ever you're coming back. I make sure-"

"Oh, I'm not in a rush. Make sure to push Po to his lessons," Shifu said calmly.

Tigress chuckled. "It's already my daily routine. And I guess that won't change in near future. You can count on me."

Now Shifu greeted her back. "If you need something, you should know where to find me, Master Tigress. But please, just if it's really necessary."

Tigress nodded and before she could speak on, Ku Zhan interrupted her:

"Excuse me?" he asked them: "Pardon me, masters. But have you see a- … I mean, our snake?"

Tigress looked at him. He was alone. "You mean, Shiren? No, sorry. I haven't seen him at all."

"I have. Well, at least I've heard about him," Shifu answered.

"Really? Because we wonder where we went. I haven't seen since our talk with Jil; That was at the start of the celebration. He said he would take a short look at something. I assumed he wanted to talk to someone and went for lunch with the others but… he never came back. Master, where is he?"

Shifu looked at the hill where the morning ringing bell stood. "He is outside."

"Eh, pardon me? What do you mean with outside?"

"I've heard he was seen at the exit of the valley, on his way to the east. The only crestfallen soul around, they said."

"I guess he is gone then already… I gonna tell the others. But why hasn't he… well, Thank you, Masters. Good Bye."

"Do you need someone to look for him?" Tigress asked but Ku Zhan shook his head.

"No, thanks. I guess he does not want someone to bring him back right now. I think we won't stay here long too since we have our own problems. Thank you," he explained and went away.

On his way back he stopped on the road and looked upwards to the hill Shifu was looking at previously. He sighed. He wished he would be able to help him in any way but there was no way to assist him now. Ku Zhan supposed Shiren would probably look for his home.

After growing feral today he would need time now. He always wanted respect and not being hated for what he was.

Ku Zhan did not feel good leaving him alone but he also wasn't sure how to help him. Also he had now his own future to make.

He sighed hardly.

"… Farewell, Shiren."

On a hill, near by a bell, Shiren looked down to the valley, taking one last look on this place.

Then he closed his eyes, turned around and went away.