Volume Three: Deng Wa
Chapter XXXVII
Master and Leader
November 21, 1210
Chen Xing was the last student to fully awake from his bedroom, hearing the rest of the Nine's echoes of hails in training outside. The first thing after previous aspects of the badger he remembered was the argali bandit's last breath, who hacked with gore before his death, watching his paws as if he was the cause of the casualty. He sought Master Bingwen behind the harsh smoke supporting Takin's arm over his neck. They were the two before three warriors who witnessed Argali slashing his knife at the tiger, full of rage. Words of loathsomeness had blinded the blind. The Nine's Leader was the purpose of his leadership, handling incursions with no issues of any bandit he faced many of them. After saving the town of Hajin Province from boar bandits building artilleries with support from bovines, the Nine kept their will to follow their principles. The problem while handling the incursion was that the son of Master Storming Ox almost slit the boar commander's throat. From their teacher's testimony, allowing the same comparison to Shaolin Codes not to compromise their lives, the Nine's priority number one was as simple as you consider but challenging to stop your enemy. The Nine shall not bring dishonor on killing.
How will I explain this to Nana? That Argali almost took my life, and he murdered himself with his knife from my paws.
Chen Xing entered the Dining/Meeting Room as flower blooms of osmanthus and mujin wafted. His students enabled exercises outside the Fighting Square as he reached for the teapot and poured with his cup, the sense of mint swallowing his vision to hear both women in this room. As a small boy who had not let him understand grown-ups' life before becoming an adult, Xing swaddled his patched sheet around him and entered the dining chamber. One emerald candle towered on a table before his grandmother and peahen, where they sat on their chairs as the outside registered the night's cold breaths along with silver snow pouring.
The child caught one word stabbed with needles in his heart: leaving. After knowing peafowls for almost eight months been aiding, where could the mother and her son go? There was nowhere else to remain out of sight from her husband. The Shui Palace was only the safest; luck by finding a temple to reside after a month of running across the storming snow, the bamboo jungle, and small villages Lady Xia rented apartments. Nowhere else in China was safe.
Xing's peacock friend was only inside his bedroom sleeping once the tiger cub had trouble snoozing from the harsh winter and made his way to Lao's mother in a silver silk robe. In a light cobalt coat, his grandmother Chen Ming urged him to give his fondness to the peacock's mother, having the boy watch Lady Xia's eyes stream red while he reached out to peahen, embracing her warmth chest.
Stay. Stay with me.
Oh, my sweet kitten.
Xing escaped with his sniff and throat clear when the introduction of gentle steps approached; with grace and confidence in ocean and pink hanfu robes, Chen Ming joined from the path with a slight simper. "Morning, Nana," her grandson greeted.
"Morning, my Sunzi. Sit by me with your tea."
Chen Xing sat on his chair as he waited for his grandmother pouring her cup of mint green tea, sitting beside him. "The Nine's Messenger worded to me last night after your arrival. You traveled to Wukong with Masters Monkey, Tigress, and Tai Lung, and within the library, you found one scroll."
"I had to go there, Nana. There were answers I needed to find out the truth about Wang," Chen Xing explained, stroking the cup's edges. His grandmother watched his eyes resting on her with determination. "He said something in front of Kai, a name I did not recognize. Nana, I looked in Jade Palace Library for the past few weeks and never found anything familiar or in our scroll room."
Ming's head moved closer. "What is the name you are looking for, Sunzi?"
Her grandson beckoned his sip, giving a long sigh before Xing elaborated further. "Before Wang almost murdered Kai in the cave, Nana, he said something about the era, perhaps the next dynasty," the Nine's Leader commenced shaking his head. "I had to repeat this name in my head, which rendered some details regarding my student were involved with the others, others like the Jade Slayer. Many before Kai failed him, Wang said."
The tiger's eyes leveled on his tea. "The unknown word Him has to be the name of this mysterious figure."
"Are you looking for the name Deng Wa?"
With an immediate trigger, Chen Xing widened his cold eyes at his grandmother. "Yes. How do you know?" he stuttered.
Chen Ming folded her voluminous sleeves on her belly with logical concerns. "What I only know the name was the antique dagger-ax that turned to a knife, called the Dagger of Deng Wa. A weapon that brings chaos to those who drove them into madness, the capability of destruction, the unfathomable power-hunger," Chen Ming clarified, readying her stone eyes upon him with cautionary. "Is that the name you were looking for, Sunzi? The name has never been around for more than a millennium."
The tiger beckoned his head left and right. "I know nothing about the knife, Nana," Xing said, sharpening his sight. "Does the dagger do something to anyone who could go crazy if by wielding that raging power?"
"By one of the legends told. The weapon no longer exists; Grandmaster Oogway mentioned the dagger's destruction, which the blade itself could deceive one's mind, like a disease to believing uncertainties. Whoever grasps that instrument, the blade controls the wielder to loathsomeness," Ming elaborated, her leading paw's fingers tapping on the table. "During your recovery, Kong discovered the missing weapon after we returned from Gongmen City. The Nine recognize an old-fashioned artifact in the Relic Room, which neither of you touched blades, but the story remains sealed in your mind."
When was I in there last time? Chen Xing reflected, whose gifted scents churned wafts of pasta and black ears murmuring drumming laughs.
The night prevailed its warming welcome to honorable guests of Emperor Huangdi's travelers, Righteous Seven students, and Masters of Jade Palace. This invitation proved to give these warriors to know each other before the three classes fought in the Tournament in the next couple of days. Chen Xing entered the Nine's Artifact Hall, layered with voluminous paintings of each instrument's elaborateness tale. One guest he went for was the swan behind her velvet cloak, seeking the Mightiest Warriors painting, and underneath the monument, bearing on green silk cloth, stowed a weapon relic that General Kai held.
"A double halberd," Xing revealed, meeting his grandmother's eyes. "Nana, the ancient weapon used to be in the Nine's Artifact Hall. The last time I saw it was when the swan lady went in there, pondering about the Great War history."
Yes. I do recall.
Ming leaned her body against the table, bridging her limbs under her head. "I believe your student attempted to steal his swords before Kai came to the city. Po mentioned that his chi dragon dissipated Kai's other blades in the Spirit Realm. Those blades we had, are the remake for Kai to use for backup during the Great War."
Her grandson leaned his back on the chair as several hails outside intensified, delivering Xing's eyes at his fellow brothers and sisters and his student. Kai stood his might with his arms crossed beside Lotus and her father, Wolf Boss, who were bridging their limbs into a form of a circle, circulating chi sao. Hard enough to see the Mightiest Warrior present his eyes at Xing, the yak cracked his little smile with a nod. Xing weighed his perception that Master Bingwen's robust and silk voice shared with a group, mentioning Oogway's brother.
The unknown cause of Oogway's brother remains a mystery. Despite the growth of hostility unleashing untangled chains unraveled, emerald eyes snared the brother. Nevertheless, the mighty warlord wished to bear more power all to himself. To understand the character's eyes, look harder.
At first, he encountered the Supreme Warlord, whose eyes of emerald lingered. The second followed the Iron Antlers, whose lips became wicked. And third, the original visions of hate stirred the revelation, revealing the Asian badger with green eyes.
Deng Wa was here. And he found his mastery weapon? Was he in Kai all along before Wang?
Chen Ming sipped a large portion of mint tea. "Would you like to know how I brought Kai's weapon, Sunzi?"
Her grandson beckoned his slow nod, and she clasped her fingers on the table. "Grandmaster Oogway invited me into his antique chamber, yearned to place old artifacts across the Hall of Heroes. Inside we lightened candles in there, filled with pleasant smells of rain and cherry to have ourselves focus on organizing relics. He had two of his objects I accidentally went for, which I examined his eyes well when his wooden pole barricaded my chest. I was the only one in Oogway's chamber to speak with him dearly, even though I have been an excellent listener. To seal the revelation from my master's grief," Ming gave her rustling sigh, sniffing as her grandson patted on her other limb.
The Nine's Master barricaded her wrinkled paw against her muzzle. "Every day, I sought him writing his voluminous scroll, painting at first the way I remembered his eyes well. They were pouring," Ming moaned while she brushed off her teardrop, now chuckling. "Gods. I have my master's tears."
Chen Xing spread his lips to a nod. "Our Grandmaster loved his closest friend."
"More than anything," she patted back on his paw. "Oogway spoke every way to free his pain from fault, knowing the blame was unbearable, and he made his choice. To banish one who loved him like a brother, despite that betrayal ripped his heart."
With round glasses, the Nine's Messenger introduced his throat clear, tapping the door thrice. "Good morning, Kong," Xing simpered.
"Good morning, Master Xing," Kong reached for the table and handed a gold parchment layer on the table. His rough chuckles shortened. "I trust you had a long trip?"
The tiger yawned. "Quite a rough trip, but you know me well."
"Of course," Kong grinned and moved the parchment close to two felines. "Here is one piece of news so far, Masters. I think you will fill your spirits well."
Chen Xing was the first to open once the morning light of cobalt and gold expanded from the Guilin Mountains, rays of yellow touching the temple behind felines. Elevating his brows with hesitation, the tiger read the main article that layered bold strokes of fading gray to black.
Former Lu Disciples' teacher, Le, is convicted of domestic violence, broken conduct, and child abuse.
"Masters Shifu and Ox witnessed Wang's father in the Shaolin Court two days ago, Sunzi," Chen Ming elaborated. "They suspected his ill manner once Monk judges accused Le of criminal actions. Witnesses, including two students of his, criticized him for attempting ferocities, following his codes of conduct into fragments, and the abuse against his son. Master Owl strongly wished to have him executed for treason, although his daughter craved Le to be in prison. Despite the unanimous decision on Le's fate, his execution date occurs around the end of next month."
"The court made such a drastic action, Master Ming," Kong said, grunting in short. "What kind of a monster would do such a thing to his son?"
"It is hard to explain, Kong. I wish I could give all my blessings to the poor child. And now that boy Wang became a nightmare, raised by a monster who mistreated him," Ming puffed her disapproving sigh. "But, his father is not the cause, nor being taught with hate by the Mightiest Warrior. Kai had green eyes, and Wang followed after. There will be a prime purpose to discover what drives the boy mad."
"I am certain of Wang's reason," Kong nodded, and his partner outside called to his name. "Excuse me, Masters. I must go with Biyu. It's good to see you back, Xing."
The tiger earned his respectful beckon with chuffs when Kong departed. He extended his left arm on the table. "Is it worth it?" Xing asked Nana.
Ming's head had drawn close to him. "What is worth, Xing?"
His silver eyes radiated toward her. "I mean, is stepping Le and his temple down worth it? They were the ones who caused so much trouble, forced by their teacher's doing," Xing gritted his teeth behind his lips, shaking his head with disgust after closing his eyes. "I hate Le."
"Sunzi. Do not let hatred cloud your thought and flood inside your heart," Ming urged in her bold tone to him, suppressing Xing's rumble under his throat. "What was done is done. Detaining Le to the Shaolin Council is fair, and the judgment from the monks has been made. He and his former students are no longer part of our problems."
Instead of his eyes opening, Chen Xing beckoned his slight nod; Chen Ming reached out to him and gave her a long embrace, her head meeting her grandson's scar with blessing.
Two felines went out to the palace door and strolled across the pathway beside cobalt columns, observing the Nine training with themselves. Xing and Ming continued sipping their tea cups before the introduction of thin air breathed out cold. After giving short exhaustion while starting warmups in push-ups, the bunny Hong started on with Fanshe and Bao Gorilla and waved her tiny paw to Xing, and the Nine's Leader greeted her back with a broken smile.
Ming's grandson sipped his peppermint tea. "So, where will all of Le's students go now, Nana?"
"Former Lu Disciples will go to different houses," Ming said, sipping her mug. "Each one shall participate in classes across China; two will be in your colleague's, and one to Gongmen City."
"Po's?" the tiger asked.
"Instead of Jade Palace Masters, one of the Dragon Warrior's companions will look after his new students. Your leopard friend — Peng."
Xing puffed his sigh with curiosity, visioning the snow leopard in a lime vest and crimson trousers. "Peng came to me at one of the visitors' chambers in the Tower. While resting and recovering from my injuries, I did not get a chance to see him, but Peng's words are unavoidable. I have not seen Peng since Gongmen Battle."
"And neither Po hearing about him. Friends are always to be in touch. You should write letters to Peng, so shall he returns writing to you," she suggested. "That precious boy reminds me of the one I adored, who was my son."
Ming was the second who bore me around my swaddle. She blessed me with many encouragements.
Chen Xing regarded Tai Lung mentioning his adoptive mother last time in Jade Palace Library. He would rather not wish to speak of him next to his grandmother after Tai Lung's chaos, which had her cornered to give her and Shifu a tough decision: rejecting their son. One day, their boy turned against his family, who encouraged him to believe what the Great Dragon could do to master his ideal and be flawless so that Tai Lung should carry his title and be the Emperor's right hand. Neither happened for him to be the Dragon Warrior, even though he was among the best. Thanks to their Grandmaster, who had a vision of loathsomeness in his grandson's heart. After leading his way of healing from Oogway's guidance in the Spirit Realm, after returning to the Mortal Realm with the Prince of Darkness, after lingering in the shadow behind Jade Palace, the Great Dragon remained on his clemency path with his feline sister Tigress, closing his wounds that shall worth filling his father's heart.
Chen Xing began to bring to mind antelope disciples, leaning his right shoulder against the path's column. "All six deer students faced their teacher's aggression for far too long," he turned to Ming. "There's only one who hasn't surrendered yet."
"You can find Wang, Sunzi. A crucial quest to educate Kai matters the most," she said. "Many people in all of China received our words. Whenever students of any temple lose Wang wherever he goes, another will catch him."
"Le abused his son, and my competitor went on a rampage, causing most collateral damages."
Chen Xing pressed his tiring sigh. "If there's one way to bring him back, only by anyone capturing Iron Antlers," he shut his eyes downheartedly, "I do not know what his fate will be the same as his father's."
Chen Ming's eyes of silver glinted, drawing her comfort space close to him. "Speak plainly, Sunzi. What is that you come to mind?"
"I have been thinking that the Nine will have to offer Wang to Shui Palace," he said.
Chen Ming opened her lips, but her grandson expressed. "Nana, Wang has no family anymore; no relatives are around in China — he is the only one left."
Ming breathed in before she hummed. "You and I do have our same topic in common. You and the boy still have a bitter history, and your thought about allowing Wang to live in Shui Palace is bold. Your sister will not accept your former competitor."
"Whether Lotus accepts him or not, Wang will live here, and I make sure he keeps his words away from anyone," he promised. He finished drinking the last bit of tea and put the cup on a plate, handing those to a goose butler. Xing continued after he dismissed the butler into the Nine's Barrack. "If that is what Le wants me to find his son and bring him home, Wang should have a better life here."
The Nine will have to think of my grandson's judgment. Ming thought.
"One parchment from the northwest provinces," Biyu uttered. Kong's messenger dashed toward two feline teachers, carrying a rolled parchment with an emerald silk wrap and a sheep sigil.
"We will talk about this conversation next time, Sunzi," Ming said. "Let's open the letter."
As Chen Xing unwrapped parchment after greeting Kong's partner, his silver eyes surveyed rough handwriting words, bringing the tiger to share his voice. "Righteous Seven spotted Wang and his Jade Warriors. Help is on our way to Wugu City. Signed by Master Shujaa of Kenya."
The Nine's Leader stalled his sigh. "Lady Kasi is fast. As a Jade Warrior, she does not hesitate."
"I am aware of her fighting experience, driven by Wang's mind," Ming considered.
For a moment, glancing harder with her words "Wang's mind," visioning the jade glare, Xing hindered his thought on his dragon who glimpsed the terror, one badger standing before creatures of crimson eyes.
I must warn her about this badger.
"Nana, by any means necessary, we need to invite all masters in all of China," he forewarned. "They need to see what we all are facing. And it is not Huoju's Commander in Mongolia."
Ming's wrinkled head leveled her height as her grandson elaborated. "The main enemy is on the loose. After I touched Bingwen's scroll in Wukong Library, a memory from the White Dragon flowed into me through what she witnessed this beast in the battle with pandas. A badger with eyes of hate who carried his dagger-ax, and his eyes were green, the same thing happened to Wang, and the same thing happened to Kai."
Ming's silver eyes dilated to earnest. "The White Dragon fought with pandas against the Curse of Men, and she witnessed Deng Wa?"
"I saw him with the Mind's eyes."
Ming planted her limb on her waist with regard, observing her students' training. "Her eyes showed you the truth. This is ominous."
"From what I know, Deng Wa is inside Le's son, using him like a puppet," Xing clarified, panting his muzzle. "I need to find out how to defeat this guy, Nana."
"Let us focus on Bingwen's scroll later. I'm afraid this matter becomes the main one."
As it is, Xing thought.
Xing turned to Biyu, who pardoned him with her wing tapping his forearm. "Pardon my interruption. Are you going to Wugu and help your colleagues, Master Xing?" Biyu asked. "They are requesting support to capture Iron Antlers."
I wish I could do more. But I must learn this hidden enemy first.
Chen Xing wrapped Shujaa's parchment and handed it over to his grandmother's paw. "The Nine's Leader stays. I have work to do."
The Nine's Master reached her paw to her grandson's and had Xing turned to her. "And Xing? One more thing before you go," she said. Ming stroked her other paw on Xing's scar. "Speak to me first next time before you travel somewhere else important. Remember what I told you about unfriendly eyes."
With his slight guilt, neglecting one horror that continued remembering Argali's death, Xing nodded. "My mistake will not happen again, Master," he flattened his crown on Ming's forehead. "I love you, Nana."
Ming blessed his head. "I love you too, Sunzi. You can go to your student now."
Wolf Boss and Kai progressed their forearms when they fastened their horse stances, maintaining their bodies turn one way and the next as Lotus guided their arms into basic Chi Sao. The lupine reflecting this elemental form made his arms deflect one's limbs, pondering how his daughter practiced her form of art of momentum, which took her years of studying essentials of improvement and wisdom, including her discipline.
Kai stopped his arms in the middle with Wolf Boss, his eyes feasting at the Fighting Square before the Nine's Dancer asked him about ceasing. Lotus and her father followed the giant's glance, finding another that filled her core inside, her breath flooding her lungs with surprise. Chen Xing knuckled Bao Gorilla's head along with Fanshe, who crept and rounded his whole around his neck, and Hong's arms clenched under Xing's knees. After cuddling, the Nine's Leader praised his companions for enhancing their strengths, allowing them to continue their resilience.
The gold and silver eyes of tiger brother and wolf sister met again.
"Cookie!" Lotus jumped with her lengthy tongue, sprinting to Xing as she clasped her limbs around him.
Xing chuckled once his wolf partner blessed on his cheeks, refusing to stop licking. "I'm here, Lotus. I'm here," he embraced her.
"My cookie. Cookies should never leave without me."
"Don't worry, sister. I am not going anywhere."
The Nine's Commander strengthened his rough chuckles as Chen Xing went and patted Wolf Boss's shoulder. "Good morning, Commander," he smirked, and Lotus's father motioned his grin.
"How was your field trip, big guy?" Wolf Boss asked.
"It was a bit fun and rough, more or less," he answered. "I believe it's my turn now."
Wolf Boss chuckled, standing aside. "Kai is all yours."
"Thank you."
With elegance, burying thoughts behind the harsh words from his student last time, Xing joined Kai and performed his horse stance, leaving his slight grin with a beckon. "General."
"Little Kitten," Kai addressed, mirroring his teacher's stance. "Are you ready to spar?"
"Ready to spar is my middle name," Xing said, and Kai presented his low grunt approval. "Show me what you got."
Chen Xing's grandmother regarded the training once Kai and Xing commenced their Chi Sao, propelling their circle fists. The Nine piling together around the spar cheered on just as Ming entered the Barrack, strolling in the corridor before his grandson's chamber. Rummaging in a sheet, she searched Bingwen's scroll with a yin-yang sigil and sat on the mat, opening the knot.
The Nine's Master scrutinized the fading words of Master Wuxi's writing, indicating his list of students who mastered their incredible enchantment talents. Leading to the fifth student delivered Ming an appalling look, so pale enough to witness the badger and his name. For a few days, never letting Ming's eyes on the scroll while rolling the tale, the Nine's Master studied the two sorcerers, one leopard whose violet garbs and draped sleeves billowed in the breeze, and the badger held his black paw on hers. In the air, the two rotated together in the harsh reality of the Spirit Realm and unfamiliar terrains of isolation. The lands between deserted temples floated with debris beyond hues of violet and emerald rays.
The badger Deng Wa in a straw garment glinted his own brown to jade eyes. And his panther mate Xiuying tinged from her ocean irises to his.
Author's Note:
— The correction in one of the chapters of A New Prophecy may occur about General Kai's return, which my mistakes were his two blades on his loincloth belt. His first halberd turning to a long chain of two blades was destroyed in KFP3, so his second halberd in my headcanon has been around since then. As I am supposed to edit Parts One and Two this year (but V3 Deng Wa needs to be done), the rest of Book One's changes may vary.
— Hope you all readers enjoy reading so far! Feel free to review this chapter. Volume Three is still on the run to build its dark story and a climax. The whole book of The Trinity's Three Volumes is expected to be Part One, in which I created the introduction with suspense, tensions, and slightly horror. After completion, the tale continues on different paths with Tai Lung, Shen, and Kai after Deng Wa. You will expect plot twists and turns throughout these current and future volumes. See y'all on August weekends!