Shiren wasn't ready yet to leave the place on this night. Until he knew where nextly to go, he stood for the night at the palace.
At the next day a visitor came up to the palace, a well dressed grey wolf, who looked like some kind of adventurer or archaeologist. His sand coloured dress looked cleaned and ordinary though. He carried a bag with a few scrolls in it that were partly visible on the outside.
His face showed confidence and the way he moved very civilized and noble. He also wore a head which he has put behind the neck.
"Greetings, my lady. Can you tell me, where I can find the chief of this place? Or maybe, how I can schedule a meeting with her if not direct confrontation is viable?" he asked the person he saw on the outside.
"In what regard?" Viper asked, who was the one engaging him, unwell feeling about his strange view on her.
Something that looked like a grin over his lips, but just slightly though. He was interested, or maybe fascinated on something on her. But she was too polite as she could just have asked him about that. Maybe he was just curious or even concerned about her species. In time like this she would not have doubted that.
"Well," he explained his visit: "You see, I have made a quite important discovery out in the desert. The wasteland on the way to Gongmen City."
"Are you talking about maybe a ruin or something? Aren't excavators or archaeologists supposed to handle those issues? I'm not sure why you visit the Jade-Palace for that regard. We are protectors of the people, no explorers for difficult terrain," Viper explained. She wondered about this visit. Normally what she heard from visitors was they wanted to visit the hall of heroes, bringing news or have something to do with Po.
But the wastes? She never heard about someone asking for the wastes.
"Well, I wouldn't have made all my way up here if I wouldn't be aware of this consideration. The circumstances are somewhat special though I couldn't help but coming here. I would like to discuss the details with the great master herself. Else I would have to tell the whole story twice, wouldn't I? You are welcome to listen too, if you insist. I promise the time I require will be worth your effort."
Viper nodded politely. "Alright, Sir. May I still ask about your name though before we might speak to Tigress?"
"Of course. Where are my manners, Master Viper? I'm professor Jiàoshòu, teacher for the professorship in history, legends and past architecture of the Gongmen City university."
"Alright," Viper said while turning around: "Wait here, Mister. You'll get your meeting."
Inside of the Hall of heroes, the number one hall to greed visitors in the Jade-Palace, Monkey was still around with Tigress when Viper told them the story about the visitor.
"And then he said, he wanted to see you," Viper finished her explanation.
Tigress looked thoughtfully towards the door. "A professor, you say? Well, that's something different than one of the people that need aid in their city. I'm curious what he wants…" she sighed: "I wish Po would be here. He is always good when it comes to talk to people."
"They should already on their way back," Monkey said to her.
Tigress nodded and looked to him. "I know," she agreed: "Because everything else wouldn't take even ten times as long as the way back. Alright." She nodded again twice while turned towards the door, stood degrees and put her arms behind her back. "Let him in."
Slowly two servants opened the giant gate of this building and one person came in. The wolf seemed to wait right in front of the door until this moment.
He came closer and bowed politely before Tigress.
"Good evening Mrs. I'm professor Jiàoshòu from the academy of Gongmen City, leader of an expedition towards the wastelands." He turned up again and continued:
"I have discovered something quite fascinating I know will get high interests from your kind. The reason of my visitation can be explained as: I wish the help of the most talented warriors when I believe I've found what I suppose, is what I've searched for a long time and I know I'm not wrong."
Tigress was a bit irritated from this long monologue. From this she didn't expect this conversation to go any way easily. But she didn't show any not polite emotions when she answered:
"Well, at least you seem to have confidence in what you're saying. I can feel that. So, what specifically, do you think, might be that important the Jade-Palace should be involved in?" she asked, trying to act like Shifu would.
The wolf took a smile on his face when he answered: "Heh, well, I was about to say. My recent exploration has found a place that is mostly just known for stories and legends.
A place that nobody ever would have thought would exist..." he looked up where the statue of the dragon starred into the pool in this room. The statue that once carried the scroll of the Dragonwarrior. It was though just a replication but the message stood the same.
"The lad of the gods," Jiàoshòu revealed.
"Gods? What do you mean by that?" Tigress looked at him irritatingly, wondering like he lost his mind.
But the wolf stood confident when he said:"You know the legends of the ancient times? What I am talking about are dragons," he explained himself slowly and clearly.
Tigress and Monkey were speechless. But not Viper. She asked right away: "Dragons? You can't be serious. You know this creatures are just myths, right?"
The wolf turned at Viper, looked at her and answered: "Oh, I know, master Viper. But as far as I am aware, even your clan is told to be descends from dragons. Their fire floats trough your venom."
"Told," Viper said: "Not confirmed. Just myths. I'm not sure what you think you might have found out in the desert but you might just be fooled. As a descend myself I can assure you, these are just legends. If dragons are real life beings then I'm the empress of China."
The wolf smiled confidently.
"Well, in that case we should quickly go to Gongmen City and celebrate your coronation."
When Viper was just about to continue this discussion Tigress interrupted her. "Viper. Please. I think I got this," she said and looked to the professor again: "Alright. Land of the gods, you say. I'm excited to see what you truly mean."
The wolf nodded deeply. "Thank you. I've discovered it needs a dragon to open the gate that will lead to this magic place. A dragon, or… one of their descends…" When he finished his sentence his view went to Viper.
"No way! I'm not offering myself to do that. If you don't mind, I think I rather say where I am. I'm not so excited seeing something I already know does not exist."
"But I am." Shiren entered the room, accompanied by Yong and Crane. Yong came at this place again after she had to leave for the night. Though the conversation on the last day wasn't successful she still was willing to help him and understand his position. But of course one proper fighter had to stay with them and Crane was voted to do the job.
"Shiren? You're already up?" Tigress wondered.
Shiren nodded. "I am. And despite everything you might say, I'm going with the professor."
"Shiren! How dare you?" Viper asked crankily.
"What's wrong with it, Mrs Viper?" the wolf asked: "How bad can it be visiting a place that… doesn't exist?" the professor asked, still with his confident smile on his face.
"That's not what I…" she sighed "…however. Looks like I'm coming with you after all… Just to make sure… someone…" She looked at Shiren when she said: "doesn't loose his mind somewhere."
Tigress turned to Jiàoshòu and said: "Thank you, professor. We'll join your search and prepare to move out with you. Please wait until we are done. Monkey, would you show him round this place during it?"
Monkey wondered a bit but answered: "Me? I mean, yes, of course. But one second please."
"Of course," the wolf said and went outside again.
"Why, Tigress?" Monkey asked.
"Because you seem to have the fewest problems right now as long the others aren't here. I need to talk to Viper for a second while Crane is having his eyes on Shiren."
Shrien started to greet the professor and both seem to start a conversation. However it happened but Shiren seemed to have respect for this man.
"It's nothing, Tigress," Viper defended herself.
"That's how it looks like," Tigress answered ironically while Monkey understood and went to the professor. Crane closed the door after everyone but Viper and Tigress was out.
The hall of heroes was silent again with just these two persons in it.
"Viper," Tigress started the conversation: "I see this is troubling you, don't try to fool me. I know you may have your reasons but you can't leave me in the dark like this. I have to know what's wrong with you."
Viper hesitated to answer. Which was unusual for her. Normally she wouldn't wait to talk with her best friend but the place the professor was mentioning… the land of the gods… she didn't want to talk about that with anyone.
"You are right," she finally answered: "I have my reasons. But that's something more… family intern. Some of our secrets which are obviously nothing bad meaning for you or anyone else. And not knowing it is actually better for you. But…" she sighed deeply: "It seems like we can't stop this expedition from happening any more, can we? Every of your questions will be answered, I promise. When the time comes. But whatever we are about to face or whatever I have to hide, it won't have an influence on my condition or our friendship. You have my word."
Tigress looked seriously at her when she said: "… And for that you have my faith, Viper. Just make sure it doesn't get to tight."
"It won't."
Tigress nodded. "Alright. The way I see and interpret your expression, we should keep an eye on Shiren during this?"
"No. I mean, yes, naturally, but not because of that regard. I'll keep an eye on him personally and try to get what's wrong with him."
"You do?"
"… He reminds me of Fu-Xi. The cobra that…"
"I know. You don't need to talk about this. It was a rough time for you."
"You're very optimistic. But yet I don't understand his motivation. Either I can make him stop besmirching our pride or I will put him in prison personally."
"Alright. I was up to do that any ways. He may have his chance here. I'm going to prepare my stuff. You know, someone needs to take care of this place while I'm not here and someone needs to prepare for a possible trap."
"Alright. As for what I will ask you to do is…" she looked at the gate: "Having an eye on this professor. These secrets wouldn't have to be ones when they wouldn't be dangerous."
"I understand. You have my word."
After a while, at the outside, everyone was ready except for Po and Monkey. They seemingly had trouble getting somewhere in time. Mostly. Not always. But Tigress got used to it.
"So," Crane asked: "Who is watching for this place while we're gone?"
"I decided to send Zeng asking Shifu to take charge of the Jade-Palace while we are gone. There is nobody else I would trust this position at right now. I thought about giving Po the privilege. He would definitely keep this place save but I doubt he would be able to clean the mess he would likely create before we come back. And I'm tired leaving any of our team behind."
"Sorry, but we can't come with you," Monkey siad, who approached the area.
She turned around and wondered: "How so?"
"Well," he explained: "The Shifu you just mentioned wanted me and Po to stay here."
She looked around and asked: "Shifu? Is he here?"
"No. You know… it was… the universe telling me that," Monkey explained.
She disbelievingly raised an eyebrow and asked slowly: "Really?"
"Yes indeed. It's not the first time the universe is asking for Po, is it?"
Tigress crossed her arms. She just said she didn't want to leave anyone behind, nor did she want to believe what Monkey just said but on the other hand…
When Po's father would never have showed up here or Po would have stayed here back then when Kai was terrifying the land… She didn't want to think about that. She shook her head.
"Then we should all stay here in case something is wrong."
Monkey shook his head and said: "It said, it's okay if I stay here if something bad happens. It knows Shifu will arrive and more does it not need."
Tigress groaned slightly: "That sounds pretty made up to be quite honest now."
Monkey looked at the ground. "Didn't it last time too? You know I wouldn't lie to you like that. Especially not now. It wasn't easy to accept for me either."
Tigress slowly accepted his position."… You have a point. So you and Po? And you're sure you will be okay?"
Monkey looked up again and said: "Oh, I'm more concerned about you."
She looked a bit aside towards the group and chuckled a bit."No needs, really. It's not like we're going up against Shen or suchlike."
The professor interrupted the conversation: "Well, if you wouldn't mind, I think we should make our leave. The day won't last forever."
"He is right. The sooner we're getting there… the better," Shiren agreed with him.
"Yes, of course, professor. After you." she turned back to Monkey once more and greeted: "See you, Monkey. Take care."
"And greet Shifu!" Mantis added while they started to leave.
Monkey waved after them. "Take care!"
Authors Note
I must apologise for everyone who is expecting to see Po in this story.
He is sadly not going to participate in any way in this book and I have my reasons.
It wasn't easy but the right thing to do in my perspective.
Though I still hope you will enjoy every other character I bring to this adventure here.
Thoughts and critics (positive as well as negative ones) are, as always, very welcome in the reviews.
Take care.
