Volume Three: Deng Wa
Chapter LIX
Defender's Paintings
Snores shook two shoji walls once the night passed two quarters, and Xing was the only visitor of the tenth-floor chamber in his room with Kai and Lotus alive. A brawl attempt between Kai and Master Monkey persisted the tiger awake as if the wedding's eyes placed a sharp cold stone behind his spine. Most of these citizens of Gongmen City quite distinguished his student that the Maker of Widows would have been the one who tore this town where bloodshed happened by the Prince of Darkness's hooves. These masters quickly recognized him well. Casting this horrid beast out of the Mortal World was simple to them, ensuring that Kai would never again erase the Magnificent's memories.
Sitting up from his bed, Chen Xing reached for Kai's voluminous green cape on the counter beside him and spread it behind the Mighty. He stretched his sleepy limbs while yawning, unleashing his soft growls before reaching for his bed nearby, regarding whether to sleep or not to sleep. Instead of resting, he could feel warmth again, the same as he sought white flame sheets from Gidahn's fireplace danced and reached out to his scar. Whose scar that Hong mended him was not mauling or leaving another burnt mark but somewhat soothing the feline from the cold. From his strange sensation, he sensed one's stroke of rocky keratin, unable for Xing to see who was aiding him in Mel's chamber.
Quivering off his thoughts, Xing sought his student rotate his body to his belly comfort position. The yak's eyes were unlatched. "Oh. Kitten," he lowered his tired hum. "You are still up?"
"Not for long. I will sleep when I feel like it," Xing massaged his neck.
Kai crossed his forearms under his pillow, arching his brows. "Did I ruin your special day with your brother's wedding?"
Hearing the remorse tone from his student, the tiger shook his head. "No," he stretched his grin lightly. "It was the best day I have ever celebrated."
"Hmm," the yak pulled his lips back. "Happy birthday."
"Thank you, Kai."
"You and the girl brought me gifts, and I owe you both. Someday," Kai said, sealing his eyelids.
I am sure you will, Da—
No. Xing was quite intoxicated and almost had his thoughts swirling. He thought one bovine could be his parent, but his peahen mother was the only one who raised him, her firstborn, and her adoptive daughter. The best replacement that Lady Xia could present was love for one another, one boy who could protect her firstborn. And Wolf Boss accepting him was the beginning of showing Xing the pack's strength, wolves binding with him as their adopted blood.
Dumb fools — Those puny soldiers stole my drinks! The tiger recalled Kai's bitterness.
What was the word Kai called me? He mentioned someone.
Chen Xing and Kai were recovering in Shui Palace's chambers two weeks after the emerald storm. In the morning, before the bell rang, the tiger checked on his student, who muttered his breath in his sleep. Ten times, Kai named the unknown who was with him and other warlords; the other five words mentioned "arrow banners," the symbol of the strongest allegiance under General Kai's connections. Considering the unknown, Xing liked to know who the yak's soldier was.
"Who is Dakai?"
His curiosity to receive his student's reply did not come to him. Kai went back to sleep with soft snore throbs. The general, who served to fight in the war over a hundred battles with the original Mightiest Warriors, bewitched by Deng Wa, and fought back for his redemption, now rested, no needed to continue fighting as if the war was over.
A shoji door tapped thrice in a row, waking the Nine's Leader next to Lotus and General Kai. The bovine with eyes of crimson and ocean craned his head to the side of the gap. "Brother? I'm sorry to bother you," Niu whispered. "May I have a word with you downstairs?"
Chen Xing yawned and stretched his arms wide. "Sure," he stood up.
"Turtle's blessing. That's one hell of the Mightiest Warrior," the bovine broadened, unable to close his mouth. "How did he grow those behemoth horns?"
"When you are that old," the tiger closed the shoji door, giving his soft punch on Niu's arm. "What a lovely night, don't you agree?"
Niu pulsed his low hum. "A night to remember," he agreed. "You had a good sleep, Xing?"
"A little, just a bit exhausted."
"No nightmares?"
"Not one."
Master Ox's son unveiled his surprising look into a high spirit. "That's wonderful to hear, brother."
Xing lied to him once, remembering a previous nightmare that shook his head, a natural sense that both hooves gripped his feet and dragged him under the ice. The incident that brought the calamity had the tiger reflected Wang being the monster under the evil specter's control. He could hear the haunted voice of his former competitor spitting all the hatred against him and the badger's silver tongue. Chen Xing and Niu made their way to the stairs near the octagon structure, which left five strings with amber-red lanterns and two chains of gold chandeliers hanging throughout each floor. When drawn closer, crimson reflections stroked their bodies, and Chen Xing thought of Master Storming Ox.
"Your dad doesn't seem happy earlier, Niu. I saw him with Master Croc, where they sat with fellow nobles when our brother was dancing with his wife. Is he alright?"
"Could we go down the stairs? I wish not to disturb our family sleeping in their chambers."
Nodded, the tiger strolled downstairs with the bovine, yawning once more. "My apologies, brother. About my father, it's not the wedding problem or Lao's dad either, which I do realize is why he doesn't speak of him."
"I'm all ears, Niu. What comes to your mind?" Xing queried, as Niu could see the leader speaking to his big muscle with care.
"My pa has something to do with — complication."
"Complication?" Xing repeated, maintaining his grip on the railing before they led to the seventh floor.
"Yeah. While you came with the Nine, dad was often getting bothered. I could see his glance looking away at someone, that he had the exact pose like I used to despise my former classmate who had ill manners before I came to the city. Not like being annoyed, but with the same look, I could see my dad giving a glare."
"Your dad saw someone he used to despise?" Xing arched his brows in slight consideration.
"I know that you and Lotus have Kai now, and don't get me wrong; he's an interesting one who I would like to speak with him about ancient warlord days," Niu said, stopping halfway as Xing turned to him. "Could you not be mad at this one, Xing? I have the heart to share my words, but it's bitter."
"Go on," Xing let his bovine friend speak freely.
The bovine cleared his throat, presenting his sigh when looking down at his feline companion. "Not want to make this personal: my dad wants me to tell you to stay away from your student."
Of course, Master Ox has a history with Kai.
The tiger droned his hum in disapproval. "You know I won't, Niu."
"Because you and your sister promised to Oogway. I know you two made your word to the Nine's Master," he said, unbiasedly that Niu reckoned the Nine allowed to approve their leader's student.
Noting to sense the bovine's tone, Xing leaned against the staircase column, crossing his arms. "It appears your father has a history between him and Kai," he regarded. "What do you know of his complication?"
Niu was ahead of the tiger in the opposite direction. "Months ago, Dad and I had talked about your student before whenever you left with Po, Crane, and Lao's dad back home. He told me that the Jade Slayer came and sent his jombies across China. I was here when I met my father and my uncle Croc to embark on training in Kung Fu, which you and the Nine know how that happened the rest of my tale. But there's one I have never told you all, which kept my secret for more than ten years."
Two warriors walked downstairs further, reaching for the memoir platform. "What troubles you and your dad, brother?" Xing asked, allowing his companion to clasp his hooves ahead of his stomach.
"On the seventh month of that time, after I came to Gongmen City while training with two masters, we heard the news of this Jade Slayer that Shifu wrote warnings about him. Each day, and maybe over a month, we heard about missing masters across China; my father assembled the councils with nobles to gather all forces and protect this city from another threat, which did not compare to Shen's reign. For the next half a month, when I was helping Master Boar and the citizens to repair the city, dad came home with my uncle Croc and Masters Bear and Chicken."
Both warriors stopped sauntering, letting Niu continue. "I was somewhere on the road to purchasing the needs with Master Boar before the sky went dark with streaks of emerald, and we sought six jombies race on boundaries, rampaging crowds and toward the Masters' Council. They were General Kai's victims when he stole their chi, and I could not find my father for countless days."
"You hid with Master Boar from Kai," the tiger noted, and his friend nodded.
"I never knew what my father's top issues to prioritize that matter was, but it was a little late for me to save dad in the Council," Niu said as he led toward main memoirs of peafowl and honorable masters, shaking his head. "Master Boar and I were looking after the city for almost three weeks, keeping the city under supervision. After the reunion, dad told me that Kai and his jombies barged into the Council the last time he was there. Pa recognized one of the jade stone warriors, which could not clasp his dear life that he honored someone close to him."
"Who was the jombie there in the Council?" Xing asked with curiosity. He regarded most of Deng Wa's victims as treating other victims with strong chi, priceless to claim theirs how General Kai stole masters. After Kai's defeat, only mortals stayed, and the other half returned to the peaceful Realm with late masters. The tiger followed Niu's gaze and sighted paintings of the worthy master, followed by one's father and forefathers before legends. A rhino in his flowy gray coat and white garb held his clouded hammer beside his left foot, grinning at you.
"Wait. . ." Xing grew his eyes wide. "Master Thundering Rhino was there?"
The feline could see his bovine brother beckon with his slow nod. "Dad had seen him in various dreams of Rhino, likely happy memories," he shook his head, eyes closing. "I should have been in touch with my godfather more but stayed with my mom in Tsushima instead. Dad could not believe that Rhino was in the Council. I thought he was alive, but—"
Niu closed his heterochromia eyes, exhibiting his slight melancholy. He could almost remember the warrior's eyes of cobalt who stood on the harbor platform with bovine and reptile guardians, waving his gray hand a last farewell to his godson before Niu sailed away with his mother. "I miss him."
In amidst realms of heaven and hell, Xing initially caught on Master Thundering Rhino, who tossed him his weapon before the tiger whipped the Prince of Darkness. Thanks for the hammer, Master Rhino! The tiger went close to Niu and presented soft pats behind his back. "We all know Rhino is in a better place with Oogway and all the Spirit Warriors. I liked him, Niu."
"Dad and I pray that seeing ghosts like my godfather will not happen again," the bovine assured, relieving his coarse sighs. He led near the banister and looked upon ruby lanterns, reminding a previous event that he celebrated Year of Rabbit.
"The Nine did not know you and your dad had a history with my student. I'm sorry, brother."
"I had to spill the beans. I wanted to tell you the rest, but now you know. Dad and I will continue to carry on rather than get ourselves trapped in the past," he crossed his arms on the railing, giving his kind look to his feline brother. "Do you believe in spirits, Xing?"
The tiger squirmed his lips. Nonetheless, he sometimes regarded ghosts as either real or not, if only he could ever encounter one but the badger ghost. "Maybe?"
"Not like demons or anything that bothers you. You saw anyone you knew?"
The tiger remembered yellow glares from the horizon struck his eyes, which blinded him into disorientation once he tried glancing at the tree next to the Yin-Yang platform. Two silhouettes of his kind stood there, calling their child's name as soon as he tumbled into gold waves. "My mom and dad were in the Spirit Realm after I defeated the Prince of Darkness. They stood with all the Spirit Warriors, and my eyes were unclear to see their faces. I wish that I could have stayed there, but someone brought me home who healed my wounds."
Niu remembered that Xing lay dead in the crater of Gongmen City's main road, and Lao's father revived him with his chi. "Without you, the whole Realm would have burned to ashes by the hands of a madman," Niu said. "You did save Gongmen City, and now us mortals but the two Realms here and above us. I am sure your parents have been proud of you, Xing."
"I am certain they do."
"Let's go to the Library. I want to show you something."
The bovine and feline arrived on the sixth floor (Library), entering the main section's doorway before the bookshelves filled with scrolls and antique stacks of scripts. They passed through the astronomy and history sections, later arriving at the Great War timeline toward the beginning of the end, the last corner before the three kingdoms area. The vast chamber had yellow dragon chandeliers above from one end toward the following serpent, the pearl dragon. Chen Xing lit up cherry scents and placed plenty into the serpents' mouths before lighting emerald candles on the mahogany table.
When browsing the three kingdom bookshelf, Chen Xing waited as Niu crouched to the Great War section panel of scriptures, grabbing four of his scrolls. He and the son of Storming Ox glanced around for any viewers or librarians from all floors and this current chamber peeking. No eyes from their surroundings prevailed, including Juren (Storming Ox), who would be the first to demand his son's colleague.
"There you are," Niu searched and caught a yellow scroll. He gathered five scrolls in his arms and stacked them on the table when Xing sat on the chair. The bovine pulled the scroll's red bow and opened his drawing. "Here you go, Xing. I'll let you be the judge."
The painting indicated two bovines standing by the small peak next to their two-story cottage, with strings lined from the pole and the next. On those strings fastened their kimono garbs and trousers, and what was ahead of the oxen perched flat peaks, layered with soft gray and white blends on screes. Closer to their cottage, about three hills, and beyond stood pagoda towers beside the waterfall. "Whoa," the feline breathed out, gaping. "Is this—?"
"Yep. That is Tsushima. My grandmother's home from my mom's side," Niu smiled wildly. "My mother is pure Japanese, and my dad is full-blooded Chinese. One may have stubbornness, and the other wields strength, but they made a giant of iron and sharp eyes, thanks to my dad's gift."
"You did this one on your timing, Niu?"
"I did after training, usually only when my head starts to wobble like I was drunk walking from the blossom bar," he winced his chuckle. "But really, I am not allowed to drink at the tavern because that labels warriors as. . . dishonesty if you know what I mean."
The tiger stroked his manchu beard under his chin. "We do drink, only ceremonies, but not to abuse yourself being alcoholic."
"Yeah, Lao told me you were intoxicated earlier. What was it like to feel drunk?"
The tiger shrunk his lips. "I do not remember," he thought a little. "I felt like shit."
The two lessened their giggles, and Niu's question made it challenging. "Perhaps I like to join what you feel next time?"
"Niu! By the Gods," the tiger whispered, attempting not to draw anyone's presence from the Library or a few floors. Several giggles receding to chuckles later, Niu and Xing stayed on the topic of paintings. "Anyway. Is there a purpose for the first artwork, Niu?"
"My first painting serves no purpose but had me and my mother stand on the peak, looking at something," he said. "Open the second one."
The tiger pulled the other red string and opened another. "You see anything familiar?" Niu asked.
Their eyes lingered on this rough painting of the black bear's devilish grin revealing her teeth, her claw-spreading fingers that stroked on the innocent figure hiding behind Mingling's glare. Under the bear's claw was a bunny holding the panda toy, crouching under the desk. "This painting gives me the creeps when I see the bear scowling at someone, Xing. You know how an ancient storyteller who can entertain children, but a few, like brave and stupid ones dared to hear these disturbing stories?"
"Kind of," Xing shrugged.
"That's like when the old told a horror story to wondrous eyes. Children get nightmares for a while, not like forever. Thank the Gods."
Had enough to give a long stare at Mingling, Chen Xing flipped the painting. "What does the second one mean to you, Niu?"
"This bear is trying to intimidate the villager. That might not lead me to question if I had to look at it again, that how you mentioned most drawings will go false. This one may look like I want to fill a puzzle or something, but I cannot explain why."
Same. I want to remember what I saw, the last premonitions. Xing only recognized a crimson harbor behind the horizon that stood a hoof behind the sun. Nothing else to decipher the following or the other after. "Does that awkward sensation force us to paint? You and I cannot be the only souls who experience what we feel."
"There was one who did see, too," Xing recalled. "One boar bandit I knew in the Valley of Peace did say some words that bothered him. A word quill was right when —" his voice faded.
"When what?" Niu asked, filling his breath with suspicion.
"When a jombie porcupine's quill was beside my foot after all three coaches were on the river bridge, and all hell went to chaos," elaborated Chen Xing, whose head softly shook. "There was no need to discover the boar's illusion because he's dead. The turmoil was on the real evil monster who caused Wang to be the next Jade Slayer, originally did Kai with the unknown cause that betrayed his brother."
"That was Deng Wa, right? The real monster?" Niu thought the badger. "The Nine worded us before the tragedy."
"He was," Xing lay his back against the chair rails. "That badger had been around since Zhou Dynasty, Niu. He was behind everything that put his victims in chains. Deng Wa controlled them all, especially Kai and. . ." For the last months, incidents occurred to him, witnessing the flashes of green eyes in front of him. A red deer unveiled his wicked grin before he threw Kai's knives at him.
"My condolences, brother," Niu expressed. "For the last five years, the Nine sought what one soul was incapable of empathy for on the outside, but his heart kept opening wounds on the inside. Wang looked like he had a difficult life, which your former competitor wanted to help with. You once messaged me about one thing you could change. And that change was to have a Lu Disciple member reside in the Shui Palace."
"Kai and I did save half of China from Deng Wa, and I failed Wang's dad," Xing said, rounding his paws on the table. "After knowing him being an abusive parent who pushed his wife away from their son, I'll never forget what Le did to Wang. Instead of his dad's promise, which may never have a second chance to bring what's broken, I would have wanted Wang to provide him with a new home there in Prosper Valley. He would have been the Nine's Courage if Deng Wa didn't happen."
Master Ox's son beckoned his slow nod, comprehending the tiger's words well. Indeed, either of the Nine would have him in common to understand Wang and his agony. Niu had his bitter reflection to silence Master Le's son, but not what Master Ox allowed his son to treat enemies. After sharing their brief thoughts about Wang enough, Niu wrapped two scrolls and stashed them away where he had put them before; Chen Xing began to pull the third scroll's red ribbon and opened it.
The drawing manifested a behemoth barrier with bricks linked with watchtowers within the ridge distance and linked to the other. The Great Wall, Xing figured. Closer than the wall nearby stood a pagoda tower before the courtyard. Amidst one of these towers glowered in flames, specks of torches raced down the edgy ridges toward walls, and embers swam under the velvet stars in ink. "Where is this Great Wall in the North, with a fortress and pagoda towers?" Xing asked.
"I am not sure where the place is, Xing. There are several fortresses up there," Niu stretched his head close to his friend, pointing his index keratin at multiple areas. "My painting indicates men from here and far north of barbarians clash together."
"Mongols can't go through the Great Wall, Niu," Xing was certain. "For hundreds of years, people claim that Mongols can mount and attempt to rule China, but regardless, it's a myth."
"I kept thinking about it, brother. I am aware of what the invasion will happen."
"Only if they have armaments that may rip through the Great Wall, Niu. We have metals. They don't," the tiger darted his main thumb. "The north is always on guard."
"But what if, Xing?" Niu worried. "What if the Mongols invade the north?"
"I hope the wall is higher enough. However long the north can."
Chen Xing managed to roll the third drawing. "My big brother, you have to be mindful of those trick visions," he said, gazing at Niu's red and blue eyes. "The bear who spat water on you forced you to look at unfamiliar views, maybe a real one."
"Real one, you said?" Niu repeated.
"My grandmother's friend Gidahn talked to me through what he experienced," Xing mentioned, beginning to tie a red sash around the scroll. "From someone, he knew long ago said only one vision becomes real."
The bovine was dreaded and lowered his view to his feet, reflecting his paintings. "Do you know which visions are real while the rest becomes too distracted?"
"I only answer when I see one," Xing handed the scroll to him.
"Anyway," Niu shared his thought, walking toward the bookshelf, "this one might be authentic to indicate the issue, whether or not I go there. But my father wishes me to remain with your peafowl family at all cost."
Indeed. Xing nodded before his companion walked back to him.
"Do my drawings ever occur to you? Any recent ones?"
"Nothing at the moment," Xing shook his head, grabbing Niu's fourth scroll. "The bear's power remains picky for those affected but concerns your movement. If your lead grows cold, you may not find the real path."
Opening the scroll unveiled charcoal webs blanketing trees and water in soft gray and white linings. Amidst the painting, reaching from the mud water rose a petiole, the crown expanding flower petals. Around the flower was chanted with its light surroundings, wavering against the darkness. Xing sought one flower sigil from his palace outside the fighting square, and both Ming and Lady Xia planted a few near the garden. His thought of recognizing a sigil led him to reflect on two warriors in their majestic uniforms. His wolf sister Lotus and aunt Tigress wore their qipao tops with pink flowers and roots.
"Does this painting mean anything to you?" Xing questioned.
"Let me explain, Xing. It is essential. Remember that you scratch my back, and I scratch yours?"
"You know we help each other."
"Now, this is the moment I want my help, and I need you. My dad and uncle Croc cannot know this."
They rechecked their surroundings, detecting one room and the next across the platform. No one else emerged, skulked behind bookshelves, or heard giant steps, but why would Master Ox be mad at his son? For hiding something from him? You would not want to keep a secret and lie before your family. Realizing what could occur to his bovine brother being in trouble for painting illusions, Xing shared his word nonchalantly. "I'll keep it confidential."
Relieved from his heart racing with a soft sigh, Niu craned his head at the drawing. "This art remarks the flower from the mud, which it sinks and revives itself," he explained. "Lady Xia recognizes this bloom she fonds of, and you know Nana and Xia cherish flowers in the backyard at Shui Palace."
"So, what does this lotus flower mean, Niu?"
"Before and after daily routines, our brother Lao has his part-time studying these old manuscripts here. Before Huiliang came, his mother searched and found an old parchment filled with hundreds of flower names for remedies and myths. What Xia and her son discovered, this lotus flower always reincarnates and symbolizes good luck. Some myths are that this bloom can bring back someone from the dead."
Xing filled his breath in silence. "A resurrection?"
"Yes."
The tiger reminisced odd gossip from most of the rumors before he and the Nine met Masters of Jade Palace, mentioning one who was returned. He was neither believing nor ever could discover his peacock brother's father from his legacy but wished to meet one, unlike the Dragon Warrior's student. Xing remembered the night's roar intensified across the longing narrow ridges from MengMeng mountain. "The Prince of Darkness resurrected his sister to a creature of a thousand scathes, and her tongue of a scorching sun almost burned this city," he worded clearly. "That has nothing to do with the magical flame that he brought back. . ."
"Lao's dad. Po told me about his student's experience," Niu noted. "This flower is a symbol of the universe, always binds new birth of stars, becomes dark when dies, and rebirths to another. We live, we die; this lily is the meaning of life."
"As we are all mortals. You have to enjoy your life for as long as you live well with happy times," Xing said.
Both warriors sought Niu's fifth painting, which manifested a wasteland merged with over a thousand lines thronged across the sea of desert. Farther down to the left was a conical-headed warrior with a fluttering cape standing on a gargantuan stone, facing the army and pillar peaks in shadows. This conversation had them ponder what this painting could indicate, either one of the Dragon Warrior's dreams or maybe a tyrant guiding the shadow sea of white spear marchers: Demon Mountain or the invasion.
"Okay," Chen Xing sat up. "Now that you showed me everything, I must take your drawings."
"But—" Niu quivered his head but stopped by the feline's index digit.
"But, for your dad's sake, Niu, I cannot let you endure more of those secrets. Keeping dirty secrets can hurt somebody like him," Xing advised, his voice changed from nonchalance to seriousness. "I am helping you not to show these to your father; otherwise, as you said, he will not be pleased. Master Ox fills his stubbornness type, but since his look is intimidating, every time I like to see him, he has a good heart. I have your word, so let me help you in return."
From his brother's insight, Niu saw in Xing's eyes a faithful helper. A friendship favor that he needed. Beckoning his nods, Niu reached for his hoof on Xing's arm. "Promise me, brother."
"And promise me you will not draw once more, even when you will receive a drunk sensation," Xing advised Niu. "Make your father happy for me. Spend more time with him the way you wished to be the intelligent one, followed by your father's gift."
Niu's face became stiff but bobbed with haste. "I can manage that."
"Let's hide them all in a different spot for now. Until the day when the Nine of Shui Palace will depart, you put them in my rucksack."
Two warriors strode back upstairs when Chen Xing observed most structures and closer halls if any onlookers appeared nearby, but gladly did not. The tiger regarded Niu's father, who was kind to him, who would do no such thing to mistreat his son — if only Wang's dad could have been a better father in treating his boy, an innocent son who was grown from his rough life to a horrible death. Who was the fault to blame? Le, in Xing's thought. Regrettably, if one thing he could change, rather than Deng Wa, he would have taken Wang from the family abuser.
Leading to the ninth floor briefly emerged a crimson train from the north corner, and what stood further was a peahen in a rose-tangerine hanfu, smiling with grace at Xing before Niu came behind him. Lady Xia waved his feline son before one's wing stretched close to her round head, steering her into another path.
Just in time, arriving near the tenth floor, Chen Xing and Niu roamed toward the lobby hall, filled with the zen of snores across shoji walls and fading red lights from the ceiling. Turning toward the following path had Xing force his gasp in his lungs, and Niu's father, in his gray night garb, buzzed his low throat in a friendly manner.
"Oh, you're up so late," the giant lowered his chuckles.
"Master Ox. I didn't see you here. You got me spooked a little," the tiger chuckled. "Have you been doing alright so far?"
"I feel. . . good," Master Ox smirked, seeing his son join his side as two bovines gave pats on their backs. "You have been with my son more often?"
"Yes, Master. Niu and I wished to chat, to know how I had been. We are now heading to chambers."
"Wonderful," Ox simpered. "And. . . Happy birthday, Xing."
Chen Xing nodded with his eyes shut once, pleased to accept his blessing. "Thank you, Master Ox. You both have a goodnight."
"Night, brother."
"Good night, Master Xing."
Oxen strode away in the opposite direction, toward their chamber with about seven shoji doors when Xing led to his and closed the door, and finally, rested with Lotus and Kai.