A/N: Okay. In my previous note, I did mention that Chapter 61 would be the ending. As this new chapter reaches closer to 7k, I split them into two parts rather than having to read a whole. So, in correction, Chapter 62 is the last one. Really-really!
Volume Three: Deng Wa
Chapter LVII
Wedding Invitation I
January 19, 1211
The morning day swarming with the city's red lanterns was the promising path to see one of the Nine getting married. Chen Xing preferred to dress in his gold robes, which his brother offered his invitation yens to purchase one of the finest silk in the province of Gongmen City. His choice of dressing in blue for a lifetime meant guidance and honesty throughout his life as the Nine's Leader. Before that, following his family's legacy of pure blue was essential to him. The tiger knew this restriction of dark garments (no gray, black, white, or dark blue garments) at his brother's wedding, and Xing had to be dressed appropriately in any garments of gold and orange. This wedding was for him to give his brother's blessing and worship with visitors (even a few royalties and the Emperor) of all of China.
Kai was against restrictions but did not matter about other options as he attended marriages (including his he vowed his beloved Wugu) before his brothers' weddings, and how he cared for those on his side in the war. This invitation to attend Lord Dongji's wedding became distinctive, perceiving Chen Xing's peacock brother admired General Kai, similar to Lotus and Xing, who they credited him. Avoiding green clothes was part of the yak's preference; many thoughts of this as luck becomes unlucky were reasonable enough. Instead of green and barely visible wearing his loincloth or burlap shorts Lotus gave him, he wore gold hanfu with buttons, yellow fittings around his waist, and brown trousers. Lotus wrapped Kai's mane with a large bun and had other strings of braids to the line over his bulky shoulder from behind, ensuring neither visitors nor royalties would glance at him like an outsider or a cave yak.
Both warriors of the bear and snow leopard robed in yellow silk garments and brown trousers, strolling across the main road, surrounded by food stands on sides puffing out several senses of pasta and vegetables, and beyond hill roads left with ruby pennants and lanterns hanging throughout alleys. Po drummed and brushed his round belly next to Tai Lung. "Auh. Noodles. Come to me!"
"Po, did you eat fifty dumplings back there?" the leopard arched his brow in confusion.
"Fear not, Tai Lung! Never underestimate the power of starvation!"
Tai Lung winced with a scoff. "No wonder you could not stop eating after your tenth lunch break."
"Believe me, Tai Lung," Crane joined their company. The Furious Five dressed in their appropriate garments of yellow. "We've seen Po like —"
"All the time!" Monkey chirped, walking beside them.
"Dammit. Why am I the only one who is green?" Mantis complained on his shoulder.
"Relax. Lao is fine to see you green. Besides, you are being invited."
The leopard gave his low thrums under his throat. "How would you like tea with me and our father, Tigress?"
"Serve me some. But first, I like to send my red parchment to Lord Dongji and have us greet Lady Huiliang's family."
"Oh, I can't wait to meet them!" Viper curled close to her feline sister.
Arriving toward the Holy Flame's front gate, which the iron and wood rumbled when opening, the Nine of Prosper Valley and Jade Palace Masters greeted fellow guests, seventeen lords and ladies of Song Dynasty houses, and seven honorable masters. The Nine of Gongmen City, Niu, Shou, and Zhao, reunited their brothers and sisters; Chen Xing and Lotus hugged all three before Bao, Fanshe, and Hong joined their company. Those becoming stunned finally met Kai, bestowing their respectful nods before they shook their hands at the Mightiest Warrior. Later, thriving with politeness and greetings to one another, they searched for their reserved seats next to the Masters of Jade Palace as the table's name was The Nine. All twelve seats, but their member had one for the main table with his bride on the main square.
"Mommy!" Lotus barked delightfully and ran to Lady Xia in peach hanfu. Chen Xing saw his peahen mother embrace her pink feathers around the wolf as Wolf Boss and Kai strolled next to the tiger, meeting her with kindness.
"My babies!" Lady Xia offered her wing and hugged her feline son, her head meeting theirs before the two introduced. The peahen, tittering after gaping stupendously, met Xing and Lotus's student, who presented his bow and shook her wing.
"My word!" the peahen gasped, fixing her eyes on her son. "I've never seen your student's horns so enormous and intimidating, son. Is that who I think he is?"
"Oh, yes. My student is not here to do the party crash. I introduce you to General Kai, the Supreme Warlord of all China," Xing presented. "And General, this is Lady Xia. My mother."
The yak palmed his heart, simpering. "Pleased to meet you, Lady Xia."
"Xing, how did you feed Kai that big, son?"
Chen Xing laughed. "Lotus gave him a lot of Monkey's cookies."
"Nah, Po's dumplings!" Lotus tittered.
"He ate meals without sharing," Wolf Boss revealed his teeth while smiling.
"Did not," Kai widened his eyes, full of innocent, before he grinned. "But I ate the panda's tenders."
The group guffawed, and Lady Xia only chuckled. "I am pleased to meet you as well, General! Come sit here with the Nine!"
Crimson silks spread across dinner tables as lanterns and pennants hung amidst the square temples; the Tower of Holy Flame gleamed windows to rose and red. Most of these to every individual represented luck and prosperity as if Lord and Lady pledged their vows and would live well with fortune. Gold has this wealthy support with the red that dragons in yellow and gold gleamed its detailed scrolls, teacups, and garments. On their seats, many waited for these couples from the Tower as if marriage officials commenced providing Lord Dongji and Lady Huiliang; only private for the birds to vow their marriage before they announced in front of the people.
Suspicions swam over Kai's surroundings from these decorative tables, lanterns, and the public area of Holy Flame. Knowing the eyes of visitors from all over China wondered about an enormous yak's horns, which were hauntingly manifested with tapered sides of four (each one side) that neither of the bovines could live on many such ages. Besides, the General lived longer than any mortals; he was a Great War survivor, the Supreme Warlord, Zhanshi and Lord Li Han's dear companion, Deng Wa's victim, the Original Mightiest Warrior, and Grandmaster Oogway's brother, his closest friend.
"Isn't that odd to see unfriendly eyes looking at me?"
"They don't look happy," Xing noted, neglecting gazes. "Besides, it's not worth excusing Gongmen Masters."
Across the table down to the north appeared a bovine and a crocodile in gold council robes. These masters thirsted for justice against the one who opposed and cast their souls into Kai's strength. His teachers advised Kai to maintain his behavior once, avoiding eye contact and neglecting whispers from a few tables around the Nine. Unlike how he got used to stares before his war days, the General would have punished newcomers and those who kept their eyes on him long enough. His warlord brothers knew the outcome too well, and so did his beloved.
"Look! They're married!"
The Nine's Doctor Hong cheered next to Xing; the people of Gongmen City and Masters applauded and whistled. Upon the stairway from the Holy Flame's doorway, Lord of Gongmen pledged to Lady of Song Province, who now became the new title of her appearance as Lady of Gongmen. The peacock and swan in their red robes holding their feathers headed to the courtyard and waved at every guest, including their families.
The night was passed with a dark cobalt sky while the band of geese and sows held their instruments and fiddled strings near dining tables. Tigress bore a piglet on her arm and the other with the spoon aimed at the child's mouth, chuckling with her serpent sister Viper. Monkey handed bowls of Mr. Ping's noodles to Mantis and Crane at three tables to the left near the Nine's table. Masters Ox and Croc, sitting on their seats on the other side of the courtyard, spoke in public with Shifu and the Dragon Warrior.
Next to the banquet table, filled with vegetable pasta, rice, bean buns, abalone, and sweet peach buns, Chen Xing met the swan, Lord Huiliang, the princess's father. Meeting gladly in person for the lord and the warrior had them share their stories from history — Huiliang was known to be his city's virtuous essence which kept his assurances to stocks, balanced the people's yuans from being broke, and sent donations to those who required aid. He remembered the Lord and Lady of Gongmen City before Huiliang became his mother's new heir, later before he heard distressing news from his father's colleague, who had banished his son. After the Gongmen Battle, once heard gossip that Lord Feng's grandson was now heir by the Emperor's order, Lord Huliang mentioned the Dragon Warrior's hero who ceased the tyrant from the realm's destruction. The ancient bloodline surname "Chen" to him and high temples was well known, the survivor of the Qing Temple's desolation.
Huiliang's father pardoned the tiger as he wished to speak with him next time; the swan greeted other guests five tables down, appearing avians in yellow robes with swathes. Xing felt his back stroking by one's wing droop toward his shoulder. His mother, Lady Xia, browsed for steamed foods ahead of her.
"My sweet child. How are you all been doing in Prosper Valley?" Lady Xia asked, grabbing her plate with radish soup and vegetables.
"Many of us still miss you, Mom," Xing simpered.
"Of course, you all are," the peahen spread her beak. "Tell me, my boy. I am curious about your student. Wasn't Kai supposed to be destroyed?"
"Each of us has perplexed questions about his second arrival. The only considerations the Masters and the Nine know so far are the ones Kai killed himself when consuming Po's chi. Later on, a worthy opponent brought him back," the tiger managed to get a bowl of noodles, nearly hesitant from grabbing a pair of chopsticks. "I still do not know — Kai wouldn't turn himself to an amulet unless. . . something changed his fate. It's complicated."
"Complicated, indeed. I am aware of Kai's titles that feared many and the rest. He was called the 'Maker of Widows.' What caused him to do such drastic actions, my dear?"
Her question swarmed his thought, disappearing his smile. "I don't think he ever wishes to mention his title, Mom."
"Was Kai. . .?" her heavenly voice lowered, curving her brows upward.
"He could have. While leaving his rough pasts behind, Kai embarks to let everything go and move forward," Xing answered tentatively. "But I would not ask him about his bitter reputation."
"Phew!" Po stormed and nearly tripped his right foot, almost slamming the banquet once Xing and Xia returned their smiles at the bear. "Excuse me. Sorry about that. These bean buns and dumplings are so delicious!"
"Save me some, Po!" Crane hollered from the Jade Palace table.
"Back right at you, Crane!" the panda hollered but was interrupted by the peahen's throat clear. He smiled at her. "Good to see you again, Lady Xia."
The panda grabbed a handful of plates on his arms and above his head, hasting his walk. Returning her pose ahead of her feline son, Lady Xia patted him on his lower back. "My baby boy. For the last half of your life, you cherished your action figures and shared your toys with my firstborn and daughter," Lady Xia rotated her head ahead of him. "Since Ming always spoke you nighttime stories about the warlords, you liked General Kai more. Something you could not explain why you had your respect for him, but he was your inspiration, and always."
"Now and always," he curled his lips a little.
"So that you know, Xing. Despite the hero's morals leading to bad, not all the warriors could present their second chances."
"Kai found his ambition, Mom. He has found peace," Xing said, waving his claw at Lao and Huiliang at the main table, which had a voluminous red bow and rose flowers, and gold chairs they sat on. Such spirit from the Lord and Lady of Gongmen, they waved back at him.
The wedding's rhythm was beaten with soft drums and strings. Kai could observe these citizens of Gongmen City amidst the square bridging their hands together while dancing. The party to him reminisced of those peaceful scenes, which he and his beloved in a western providence bestowed their challenging aspects; more than a hundred soldiers and villagers had astonished she-ox in voluminous rose garments and the yak in lime kimono robes. When other generals volunteered, Kai was off with his brothers for two weeks after the battles.
Tigress gorged a round of noodles in her mouth and chewed to bits as Lei Lei twirled her lips with Bao, who had his food shaped to a round head with a beak and two black beans. Po was thrilled and offered encouragement to his panda student once Tai Lung was beside her, arching his brow in puzzlement but surprise. Surprised, indeed, when the leopard quivered his chuffs as he smirked and noticed his sister left a string of pasta on her muzzle, rounded as a Fu Manchu beard. Their father, Shifu, gusted his raspy laugh at Tigress as she kept her nonchalant pose with a smile, presenting her bow before Po and the Furious Five joined their chortles.
After dining, strolling across the courtyard, Tigress clasped her fingers in front of her stomach next to Lei Lei before she glanced at the Nine's table, where she revealed her slight grin. Po and Shifu sat with Gongmen City councils, chuckling with Master Ox's bovine wife in gold kimono with a fan. Niu was along with Croc beside two bovines, sharing their conversations well. Tigress could see numerous servers of sows, antelopes, and geese bearing large plates with large crimson and gold bottles, passing those on one table and the next.
Lei Lei trotted near the Nine's table and surrounded her limbs over Xing's body with a thud. "Birdie! Kitty!"
"How are you doing, sweetheart?" Xing simpered when Tigress arrived and blinked her eyes at him.
"May I sit with Kai, Kitty? He seems lonely."
"Of course, Lei Lei," Xing allowed her. "Enjoy his company with Lotus's father."
Simpered, Tigress saw Lei Lei trot and cuddle Kai. "Fluffy puffy," her student's head leaned on the yak's cloth.
"Having a good time, nephew?" Tigress sat and introduced the peahen, who nodded to her. "My Lady."
Xing blended his noodles with his pair of chopsticks. "Better than last time. The party is like I remember other parties from yesterday."
"You are not wrong. The Masters of Jade Palace mostly accept invitations, and otherwise, there's something that Po and the Five must accommodate our time to stay sharp. How are your students, Xing?"
"They seem to progress well," Xing surveyed three chairs down to his upper right, where Wolf Boss nuzzled his rough fur on his daughter, who heightened her giggles. "Zhong is too pure to reveal his soul ahead of my partner. Despite the change of heart, he has grown into much recognition that a wolf has a soft side. Lotus is lucky to have her dad."
"Most wolves have aggression, but the way I see your sister and her father, they define moral characters," Tigress said, stretching her grin a little. "When Lao's father was gone, I suppose many disappeared. We were with Masters Croc and Ox to search for any bandit survivors and turn them in, but we focused on supporting the rest of the citizens. Gongmen Councils wanted to offer wolves army to be in parole to clean every damage these wolves committed the destruction and loyalty to the mad Lord of Gongmen."
"I see," Xing comprehended, grabbing his cup of herbal tea.
"You and I have not talked much, Kai," Tigress turned to Kai. "How are you been doing with Xing and Lotus?"
"Starting to progress well. Not a simple task, but it's worth timing to steal your chi once more."
"Not my Stripey," Lei Lei tapped her fist on Kai's ribcage, letting the yak chuckle.
Xing caught his aunt's eyes slowly broad, but he shook his head with a smile. "Kai's joking. Sort of," Xing regarded, showing his wary eyes at his student. Kai lowered his chuckling chuffs as his teacher simpered, widening his right eye at Lei Lei. "I suppose you defend Tigress for life, hmm?"
"Yes!" the girl clenched Kai's belly, showing Xing suppressed his guffaws.
"You're too smart, precious," Lady Xia smiled, tittering.
"So far, my student remains a bit bold, but Kai is starting to reveal the meaning of resemblance. Redeeming one another could have taken years to seek balance and amity. This one is quite rare to level Kai's aspects into Kung Fu. We were relieved after a few days to get ourselves warm near the fireplace at my friend's cottage; Lotus was with us all the time, ensuring us to get better. That comforted two of us."
"Us Masters of Jade Palace presented our blessings to you and Kai after Deng Wa. I am glad you and the Nine are alright," Tigress was relieved.
Accepted her blessing, Chen Xing sipped a portion of peppermint. "By the Gods. This tea is so delicious."
His aunt beamed a little. "So it seems. Enjoy your feast, Xing. If you wish to talk again, you know where to find me," Tigress stood before her nephew, blinking her eyes at the yak amiably. "Kai."
"His belly is so soft and squishy!" Lei Lei groaned.
"Nah, you're so soft and squishier!" Chen Xing caught Lei Lei and wrapped her around his arm, fiddling his paws where the panda attempted to block her weak spots on her love belly, giving her boisterous giggles. "Okay. Have fun with Tigress, Lei Lei."
"Oh, I'll get you for that next time, Kitty!" she wavered her digit and tittered, scurrying away behind Tigress. "Wait for me, Stripey!"
The wedding's rhythm altered to silence, heightening the people's cheers as honored guests praised musicians. "Isn't the girl so ravishing, Mom?"
The peahen droned her sigh of benevolence. "Absolutely ravishing," Lady Xia had her talon reach for one of three crimson bottles. She regarded most were ready when servers opened caps and left. "Are you ready, Xing?"
"Ready for what?"
"Celebration, my dear boy," she had her wing to pour a bottle of clear wine on ruby cups. "For your brother and my daughter-in-law. For succeeding in your ambitions to save China with the Mightiest Warrior, and —"
"Ganbei!" a sow waiter amidst the courtyard uttered.
Both Kai and Xing grabbed their cups and drank. The flavor of their drinks mixed with sweet pear and strong rice liquor, which had Kai's throat itching from his guzzle. Puzzled at first but significantly stunned, Xing suppressed his short cough. "Is this rice and elderflower?"
"It's the best drink for the wedding," Xia said, having Xing pour another shot as the tiger favored this beverage.
Twelve cheers later, Monkey had strolled on fours around the courtyard's tables and searched for the Nine's table nearby; the Dragon Warrior wished for his companion to invite one with the Furious Five, who most deadened their boisterous chortles when celebrating. From his sensation that impacted his head, filled with slight drifts, making his hands wobble his balance a little, Monkey pardoned guests and arrived at the Nine's table, presenting his welcoming bow.
"Hey there, Xing," Monkey tapped Xing's fist. "Would you mind if I like to have Kai to the Jade Palace table and let him cheer up with my buddies? He and Crane are not against each other anymore. We all don't bite."
"Why not?" the yak's tone was straightforward, yet his expression altered into sloppy and exciting. Chen Xing nudged his hammer claw on Kai's wrist.
"Have fun with them, Kai," the tiger broke his grin, and Kai stood and left with Monkey across the courtyard; the yak lowered his horns forward from crimson lanterns and strings above him. Before the two warriors met with the Masters of Jade Palace when Po spread his limbs for pleasure, Xing sought Masters Ox and Croc faded their gaze as Lotus's father strolled to five tables and greeted them. Wonderful. Wolf Boss talking to these legends will buy Kai more time and —
"Ganbei!"
The tiger drank his fourteenth shot. The next sip grated his throat with intense strokes.
The last eight shots brought most minor disorientations, altering every subject's perspective to wobbles. This bitter drink putting the tiger's slight edge had Xing ignore previous events that clouded his thoughts, most that nearly attempted to kill him, insults from his former nemesis, the badger who dominated one's body. Spiritual memories from his companions and the Nine brought his smile more; he remembered the Dragon Warrior summoning his chi, which provided Oogway's tree more resilient and healthier than last hundreds of years. Gods — Heavens brought this wine. Good heavens, bless you.
Without realizing he was waking himself from dizziness, the tiger made his twenty-third shot, which let him quiver his head, resulting in his wobbly views being normal. "Why the long face?" Xing heard his mother's dynamic voice. Lady Xia leaned her body and crossed her wings against the table. "This night will have our thoughts remembered. Can you not deny that your brother will serve his passion with his beloved Lady?"
The tiger's brother was on the platform with his dear wife, extending his cobalt train before he embraced her. Their necks arched upward, their heads meeting as Xing glanced at two birds exhibiting the shape of a heart. "Lao will be doing great with his Lady, Mom. They will be living well together."
I wish I could stay with my brother more. Lotus and I miss him and Mom.
"Ni hao, Xing," a friendly voice rang beside him. What he was introduced to from his presence was an antelope from Lu Disciples.