A/N:
— I left my note at the end of Chapter 58, mentioning the grammar part that most of y'all caught, so my explanation is there. Now, in future references, I'll pin a star (*) on any word for additional notes and clarifications in all my books. Onward to sixty!
— Book I's finale starts on March 27th! Two chapters to witness!
Volume Three: Deng Wa
Chapter LX
Volunteers
January 30, 1211
The morning of a thousand crimson paint brushes from the east ascended, with the harbor wind breathing in and out along the sea's ripple surges, and the Masters of Jade Palace packed their belongings. This month was a far blessing to catch their colleague's wedding, as they granted their fortunes to the Lord and Lady of Gongmen City. Watching the morning on the balcony, Lady Xia had hopes for her son to regard the city with her daughter-in-law, Lady Huiliang. Before marriage, what was essential for them now, after being separated ever since barbarians raided their home and fought Shen and his wolves army, Lao and Huiliang regained friendship. Now, more than ever, by gaining loyalty from another house, Lady Huiliang's swan family could finally restore the city's damages and expand more lands across uncharted rims: more residential complexes and farmhouses, schools for the young before attending to Holy Flame's academy, watchtowers and departments for local authorities, guards, and rookies.
Finished enjoying the soft cold breeze, Lady Xia wandered off to her chamber and gazed at her memoirs next to her bed, the Nine, Prosper Valley, and her children. This portrait was when the Year of Rabbit celebration, which most students before the heavyweights praised Hong before her birthday about a few days. Hong had her crimson hanfu, the edge of her dress gliding as the flying dragon before the tiger brushed his head near hers. One night, they popped firecrackers across the street with their fellow citizens of Prosper Valley, who all praised rabbits as their neighbors, friends. . . family. Lady Xia remembered Hong, who received the last ruby and gold scroll from her former Master, a Tibetan Mastiff monk. He wished her to be blessed by that year and her birthday anniversary.
The girl's a strong lady. My dear Hong, you have been such spirited to my children.
The peahen held her wing against her chest, full of brightness, before the chamber's door tapped thrice. Her antelope handmaid, Amy, uttered a visitor. Xia allowed her to open and invite the guest in and—
"Good morning, my Lady."
The peahen rotated and found the warrior of black and white, whose green eyes radiated, pulling his grin. Po was holding a steaming bowl of noodles. "Auh. Dragon Warrior. I find your resting so much more comfortable in your chamber, my dear?"
"Yeah," Po bobbed. "The bed's more relaxing than my two bedrooms. I need one for Jade Palace."
She tittered, clasping her wings. "I assure you and Masters of Jade Palace will afford those in the coming weeks."
Po entered Xia's chamber and placed the bowl on the marble counter. "Here's your noodles, as you requested, my Lady."
"Oh? Thank you, Master Panda."
The Dragon Warrior gave his slight grin before chuckling. "Please, my Lady. Call me Po."
"Okay, Po," she accepted the panda's name. Po led back to the chamber as Xia cleared her throat, straightening her robe's neck. "Have you gotten your rucksack, my dear?"
"Yep," the panda got his firm grip on the bag's end under the strip. "I have all I need for collection!"
"Treat them well, Master Po. I am certain you share my fortune with your family," Xia simpered, seeing the Furious Five walk past their panda companion. All beckoned their waves at Lao's mother when Monkey tapped his feet, flickering his hand before Tigress softly swatted his arm. After Grandmaster Shifu, who beckoned his bow before dispersing with Tigress, Tai Lung summoned his silvery hums with a nod.
"They are good people, my dear. Keep them close."
"I always will, my Lady. My family will be in touch with the Nine," Po smiled, jogging down the stairs. "Take care of your son, Lady Xia! Bye!"
"Farewell, Dragon Warrior! Come again next time!"
Not long before the Masters of Jade Palace departed toward the stairs, strolling down to the courtyard, the Nine gave their companions some wishes for a safe journey just as the small airship of five behemoth balloons safely landed near the front. Six bovine aviators lowered round torches as the other half dropped their boarding ramp. As always being a hugger, Po patted the Nine's backs and gave his paw shake on General Kai's grip, giving gratitude as the panda thought he could likely meet the yak at some other time. The Mightiest Warrior, however, looked forward to spending his time whenever he expected.
Mounted aboard, raising toward the apex, the Masters of Jade Palace offered their waves at citizens of Gongmen City, who all ran across boulevards and peak hills, praising these heroes before many returned to their works. The harsh wind stirred the ship's course into thin clouds, gliding it toward the west, and they sought the eastern town no more once, swimming through floating clouds. At last, reminded of his own "collections" as he forgot the intense weight, the Dragon Warrior went into the main deck, leading into a room fitted with at least three people.
Po put his rucksack on the bamboo bed and opened the wood window, which sharp breezes murmured from thin cloud streams. "Okay, Shen. You can come out now."
Ripping out the rucksack from his talon, Shen gasped for air and puffed his blunt coughs, fanning his voluminous train. How long did the peacock fit in Po's bag and tolerate near suffocation? How dare Po! Wheezing, landing his whole back with a hard blow against the shoji jamb, Shen fastened his ruby eyes at Po. "Remind me that if you are willing to attempt this again, the next will have an ax chop my head off."
"Nah, come on," Po buzzed his lips. "At least no one saw you entering the city, right?"
"None, except my son and his lady," said the peacock.
What was unfortunate, his son's wedding did not invite him. For safety reasons, Shen determined that many guests, including Masters of Gongmen, could cease him from entering, knowing their persistence too well that they forbade Shen from celebrations, counsels, and the fireworks factory under destruction. Not only Masters Ox and Croc wished him to be arrested for vicious crimes, but their revenge would not bring Master Thundering Rhino back. After the wedding, once Lord Dongji and Lady Huiliang reached the Laboratory Hall (where no guards and maids appeared), his father was there with the Dragon Warrior, pleased to see Lao married.
Two peacocks of the father and son tolerated good terms, had Shen blessed their marriage with fortunes.
"Hey. At least your son is in good hands, Shen," Po assured, patting Shen's shoulder once they heard crews above the wood ceiling utter for the ship's course. "Lady Huiliang is a nice lady. Besides, I believe Lao can handle himself."
The peacock nodded, glancing at the window that beamed its silvery yellow hues before his round head. "I am confident he does his own will."
"I'm gonna make noodles and put a 'Do not disturb' sign here so that no aviators will come in. I'll be back."
The only answer was his harsh throat clear. The peacock could see Po closing the shoji and placing a sign on the handle before he could not see him anymore, the wood's whining steps becoming absent. Finally, in solitude, Shen dug in his lengthy sleeve and brought out a feather of pink and turquoise. Aromas of tea rose, and jasmine swirled in as he nuzzled his beak through peahen's feather, allowing him to reflect on his fondling memories of Lady Xia, cuddling their necks with the shape of the heart.
"Oh, Lao and his Lady will be doing great!" Viper smirked, slithering close to the barrels on the starboard side. Mantis hopped on the wood barrel and listened. "Besides, I like her, and her daddy is no doubt will achieve supporting the city and your son's revenues."
"Okay? So, how do you know Lady Huiliang's dad, Viper?" Mantis pondered.
"My dad met him when I was tiny. Unlike most arrogant aristocrats who only help themselves but badly treat citizens, Lord Huiliang is among a greater noble and loving parent. He is a good swan."
"Tell me something I don't know," the insect quivered his tiny wings. "I like the sound of that."
Upon the port side, the avian with his thin legs strolled beside Monkey, who trotted on fours. "That kid will do well to practice his meditation, Crane," Monkey conversed with Crane, rounding his swing on one web of ratlines. "Remember how Lao could fly from our palace to Xing's from that far?"
"Of course he could, Monkey. And now he's been improving into what I taught him," Crane recalled, his indigo and silver feathers fluttering from gentle breezes. He tipped his conical hat behind, allowing his amber-yellow eyes to inspect ubiquitous terrains of rice lands and broad ridges in dark emeralds. "Not most of the peafowls can fly far, but Lao is. . . What can I say?"
"Different?"
"Not really? Maybe. . . special."
Crane glanced at Monkey, who held his body upside down. "My cookies and bananas are."
"You dare keep your jars hidden from Xing's sister."
As Shifu finished communing with the airship's captain near the quarterdeck, Tigress strolled upstairs and joined her leopard brother's company. Wandered to the railing, remarkably enjoying nippy breezes that fiddled his bristled fur, Tai Lung kept his back straight, glancing over his shoulder. His feline sister, clasping her claws behind her back, observed the scenery.
"Tai Lung."
"Sister."
Greeted each other, two felines wandered their eyes on thin streams of silvery clouds as the sky ebbed from dawn yellow to light blue. "You used to come to my bedroom and have yourself read an old scroll for me," Tigress neared her brother. "I heard you always wanted to be a Dragon Warrior, and I said, 'Not yet.' I remember our father whined about you bothering me."
The leopard pulsed his low drums with chuckles. "Oh, Tigress. I was an annoying big brother. But yes," his radiating sunlight eyes met her. "Shifu wished me to do a nighttime story with you when our father talked with Oogway and. . ."
His mixed thoughts of their father and grandfather motioned to a striped feline in blue hanfu, who held her claw toward his chest. "Ming," Tai Lung reflected.
Tigress arched her brows. "Have you tried to speak with her, Tai Lung?"
"Every day in Chorh-Gom Prison, I thought about her when the warden and his guards mocked me for twenty years," he said, his tone grating to discouragement. "Whenever I see her, Ming still has the same face after I broke our father's legs. The same eyes that Oogway looked away from me after I achieved my hardest tasks."
His sister watched his gold eyes turn to her. "Disappointment."
"Don't think that way, Tai Lung," she urged. "You and Ming will spend more time together again. Would you like for us both to visit her palace during weekends?"
"You both can," Shifu suggested, the two felines looking at their father, who flattened his round cheek close to his root pole. "I think it's time for Ming to regain your trust, Tai Lung. There is still hope for her to love you back."
A short whistle heightened behind these masters. "Okay! Who likes to come to a dining room and eat Monkey's cookies!" Po hollered.
"Wait! Don't leave without me!" Mantis hopped and stormed into the ship's deck, leading Viper to follow in between Po's feet before Monkey trotted on fours. With only a trio behind, Shifu held his son's claw to remind him that there was still hope for Tai Lung's bright future, ensuring he could meet his feline mother again for this new year.
"Go on, son," Shifu elevated his long ears, patting his son's hand. "I'll observe with the captain."
Breaking a smile before the sunlight's beam on him, Tai Lung strode with Tigress and had Po wrap his flabby limb around the leopard's upper back. Finally, from the wind's song lessening his uncertainty, Shifu saw cirrus clouds' shape of a tortoise shell. And the head that stretched his lips more.
My time will come, Master.
The Nine of Prosper Valley stayed with their peacock brother and his new beloved wife in Gongmen City, just as the Masters of Jade Palace left the town and decided to return home to the Valley of Peace. Master Ming accepted the consent from Lady Xia's wishes, knowing all six of the Nine members, even their teacher, to persist in Gongmen City for more than three weeks to spend more time with their brothers, sisters, and Lady Mother.
Days before the Jade Palace Masters' dismissal, the Nine and Masters of Jade Palace supported Gongmen Council arrangements, determining the city's significant proportions across most dynamic cities. The Forbidden City delivered countless donations, which rebuilt most Gongmen districts and helped those who lost their homes, including shops. Fùyǒu, one of three of the wealthiest providences in all of China, transferred food crops to each subject who resided in the city's rim. Lady Huiliang's mother urged her affluent husband in favor of their son-in-law's demands, something Lord Dongji's grandparents could achieve better than ever.
Standing proud and saintly on the Throne Room's balcony, Lord Dongji surveyed all the lands shaded with tan, red, and orange from the sky, the warm sunlight bathing his white feathers. Lao could determine his people, even his new Lady of Gongmen had vital to encourage them. The peacock caught the airship's balloon floating beyond thin stream clouds to the west before thick white pillows swallowed a whole, and he saw Jade Palace Masters no more.
Beside him, Lady Huiliang, robed in voluminous yellow hanfu, her dress train dragging from behind, caressed his feathers. "Look at this city, my love. What do you think of our people being so supportive?"
"There's only one thing that citizens reminisced the good lord and lady before my father," Lao pondered. "I'm not like my grandfather, but Master Ox did say that my achievement is better than Lord Feng's."
"Of course, he is," Huiliang chuckled. They continued to glance at the rim of the Gongmen City, where ships at the harbor spread their sails, hearing inaudible roars from sailors. "Here's a word from my home, my love," she brought her parchment from her sleeve and opened it. "My parents' relatives will arrive."
"When?" the young peacock chuckled.
"Next week," his wife answered.
Giant steps from the platform's stairs neared, and the old bovine emerged in his fluttering robes of gray coat and white with gold sash. "Good day, Master Ox," addressed the Nine's Brilliance.
"Good day, Lord Dongji and Lady Huiliang," the bovine introduced as the swan gave a respectful nod. "By your request, may I bring your brother to you? It is time for him to know."
Lao drifted his eyes momentarily before his ocean eyes sparkled. "Yes. By all means, clarify my brother first before you fetch him to me. The Nine have ears."
"Right away, my Lord," the bovine dismissed and walked with his reptile companion toward the lengthy stairs.
The peafowl garden bloomed a hundred rainbow hues with blessings as the Nine's Lady and Leader had been watering plants before red and tea roses, along with Lotus, Wolf Boss, and Kai. Two wolves and the yak strolled on the side of the garden's tombs, chuckling their ways to stroke flowers wafted with countless scents. Wolf Boss shared his tale with Kai on how he met Shen's parents, his guardians, after his father was murdered, weeks before he stormed to Gongmen City and found the peafowls. Master Thundering Rhino's burial next to late Soothsayer Mali and Lady Muqin kept the wolf reflect the legend who was his mentor with care and educated him and Shen with complex Kung Fu and Cai Li Fo skills. Cai Li Fo was only recommended for fast and light individuals, as Zhong preferred Kung Fu as his primary, but he experienced well sparring with his former partner Shen.
Finished watering ruby roses with water, Lady Xia wandered to his feline son, who inspected tea roses with his paw, stroking foliage carefully enough from sharp thorns underneath blooms. Regarding his bovine friend's matters about his illusion paintings, Chen Xing recalled his temple's flower sigil and his aunt's flower she wore from her red qipao, questioning his thought on what this myth could do. Purity from Tigress became purity, and innocence from his wolf sister were their characteristics. Good fortune and happiness endured for generations in China, but resurrection? But we live, we die, and rebirth to another. Endless life cycle.
"Come here, my boy," Lady Xia pardoned his son. "I want you to listen to me; this shall be your life lesson to keep moving forward."
And Xing followed. His peahen mother gave him examine at a horde of blooms close before the two. "You mind yourself like this flower here. Look," her feather digits beckoned at a withered plant, shrank its height with rust foliage. One piece fell along with dead blossoms. "This plant is nearly drying, gradually retreated from living without drinking water, as it is thirsty for survival. Reflecting on those who were rotten, the flower peels one and again for another, and by persisting in suffering, it can die."
Her words of wisdom singing in Xing's ears changed his expression to nonchalance, nodding to her. "Even as it is what you see one that persists in happiness with flowers around it, deep down inside, grief eats and withers the plant," Xia added. "How will you feed this bloom that keeps wilting, Xing?"
Not much being a gardener, the feline studied his Nana and Lady Xia, feeding flowers with water during seasons. "Feed it with water. Have the sun warm the flower, allowing it to grow."
"Good boy," she patted his head, calling her wolf daughter nearby. The Nine's Dancer, fluttering her cobalt hanfu with green vines, cast her tongue out in merry presence. "Now, my dear Lotus. How would you like to use a peony flower on your ear?" Lady Xia held a light pink bloom that flashed Lotus's eyes.
"It's so beautiful!" she tapped her feet, giggling.
"Now, now, my Lotus," the peahen eased her daughter's excitement. "I hear most flowers died from the frozen breeze at home. Nana Ming shall receive peonies and azaleas by the end of this month. Treat them well when you see all, both of you."
"Yes, Mommy."
"I will, Mom."
Steps encroaching from the Holy Flame's garden door stopped, emerging two warriors of bovine and reptile. Master Storming Ox appeared in the peafowl garden where Shen's parents' tombs lay on the soil. The tiger and his adoptive peahen mother were watering plants and colorful flowers.
"Good day, Masters Storming Ox and Croc," greeted the Nine's Leader.
"Good day to you, Master Xing," addressed Master Croc before Ox presented his bow to him. "May we have a word with you?"
"Of course," Chen Xing nodded, palming his peahen mother's shoulder. "I'll be back, Mom."
The three masters strolled into the Holy Flame's main floor, hued with over a hundred gold and orange lanterns here, and toward the Throne Room above them. Beneath their feet lay a crimson rug of a thousand suns. "How are you two, Masters?" Chen Xing simpered with the two legends.
"Good," Master Croc said.
Ox chuckled in his low voice. "Same here, kid. How about you and the Nine?"
"The Nine have been better. We're glad to see the Nine's Brilliance and his new Lady begin their new marriage journey. I wish them well," the tiger said, fulfilling delightfulness. He locked his claw digits behind him. "How can I help you, Masters?"
Master Storming Ox started after humming his throat. "I comprehend well that you and Niu are dear companions, had grown up as brothers, and you both help each other. You trust my son, Master Xing?"
The bovine's transparent question uplifted Xing's confidence. "I trust him with my life, Master Ox. More than anything, Niu and I are mighty and strong."
"I'll never forget you saved my boy from himself becoming a street fighter. The path he nearly went was my rough beginning before I met one who led his friends change to fight for honor," Master Ox expressed. "Niu's godfather would be proud."
"You know our good friend did," Master Croc smirked.
"Anyway," the bovine clasped his hooves behind his back. "My son has the problem of seeing things, which you can include."
Did Master Ox know of this? Was he peeking somewhere in the Library at night? The tiger could feel his chest drumming from his racing heart, having him maintain his posture before the giant spoke further. "One month before Lord Dongji's wedding, Niu urged me to invite the ibex soothsayer of 'The Righteous Seven,' Tai Chi members from Wugu City. The oracle examines the prediction to each individual's future, familiar to late Mali the Soothsayer's enchantments, but casts brief dark magic."
"After the battle here," Master Croc began, strolling back and forth near his companion, "multiple guards sought one of the ribbon shadows laying its traces on a few catastrophic boulders across the city. One of them believed that he remembered the bear's face well, the Prince's Commander. The ibex came and studied the shred as she read Li Han's scrolls."
"Have you read his ancient parchments Lord Dongji gave you, kid?" Ox asked the tiger dearly.
"I have, Master Ox."
Master Croc continued. "There's a probability that any affected subject can see things they cannot comprehend. In a simple, repeatable trance, however, the person has to deliver one sample garment, including a fur or a feather, into the bowl with the shred."
Master Ox nodded. "Lord Dongji informs me that you wish to see his nightmare, something that the Dragon Warrior and his successor could change the course. Since the ibex soothsayer is here," the old bovine eyed on his shoulder to Chen Xing, "she invites the young Lord of Gongmen and my son."
Chen Xing glimpsed at the two legends with concern before looking at the intricate platform. "Lao has seen enough of rampage. Master Ming, my grandmother, worded to me that he no longer sees what he has seen before," he viewed at the two Masters. "Since I am the oldest sibling to whom I introduced the forever term Lord Dongji and I promised to look out for each other, I can volunteer."
"Wise decision-making, but that will make Lady Xia fretted about you."
"Have Niu and Lord Dongji know of this, Masters?"
"Let us speak with them in the Tower."
"Are you mad?" Lady Xia filled her look too stern, widening her glare at her feline son. Their discussion in Lord Dongji's Throne Room was fierce in minor debates.
"It's a terrible idea, Mom," Chen Xing reasoned with his mother, the orange sunlight bathing behind him. "It's the only way for me to take over your son's turn. And the Nine know we will not allow Lao and Niu to be harmed by sorcery illusions."
The tiger, filling breaths in his lungs, met the peacock's eyes in consideration. "My Lord. You said that you would never experience that phantasm. Aside from this, the ibex soothsayer from the Righteous Seven is inviting you."
Lady Xia gasped, palming her heart toward Lord Dongji. "Why, in the name of all the Gods—"
"He will not. I promise you," Chen Xing assured his adoptive mother. "I shall partake in Lao's request to foresee his nightmare."
"Brother," Lao rushed his walk to his feline brother. "I cannot let you go through this horrible experience."
"And that is why your best friend and a big brother will protect your life, your Grace. If the ibex soothsayer wants you, she will have to go through me first," the tiger pinned his finger at his upper chest.
"Alright. Consider this as such bravery, brother, but it is extremely—"
"I know, my Lord. Insane and stupid, but that's no choice."
"What does she want with him right now?" Lady Xia demanded with her sharp glare.
"An old garment, something that he was injured before."
"I burned it a few months ago, Xing," Lao said.
"Just one garment you no longer use to have a simple fabric. And last but not least."
Without hesitation, the tiger yanked his brother's feather under his wing. "Ow!" Lord Dongji snarled, withdrawing his limb. "What was that for?!"
"Sorry, brother. Pulling your feather isn't my doing, and the ibex wants it. I wish not to do this. Besides, you got your fancy style than I am."
"Remind me to peel off your whisker the next time if you are doing such favors."
"My children!" Lady Xia snapped, interfering between their eyes. "You will not harm yourselves when I am alive, even under the grass. Swear to me."
Their peeps finalizing their quarrel lessened their intense expression. "We swear, Mother," Xing and Lao promised.
"Good boys. Now, my dear Niu," the peahen walked and met ahead of Master Ox's son. "The Soothsayer of Righteous Seven wishes to see you. Do you want to manifest my son's nightmare fate?"
"I do, my Lady. I truly am," Niu articulated. He linked his hooves on his waist, straightening his back. "If anything for me to protect your son, I shall observe Lord Dongji's vision with Xing."
"You will not," his father grunted, stepping next to Lady Xia.
"Dad?" he baffled.
"No father shall see his son be in peril in front of his eyes," Master Storming Ox dazzled his crimson eyes, standing directly before Niu. "I am volunteering your turn, boy. Those magics from fortune tellers shall not harm you in front of me."
"Dad, I am not a ch—"
"YOU ARE MY CHILD! I FORBID YOU TO SEE A NIGHTMARE!" the bovine roared, deafening the room. In silence but holding his bitter thought, Niu could see their worrisome stares, all who cared about him would not like to see Ox's son in misfortunes. Master Ox firmed his hoof behind his son's head. "What would your father do without you, HMM?"
"Your dad's right, Niu. You have seen enough of apparitions," Chen Xing affirmed, glancing at him and his peacock brother. "While you and Lord Dongji stay behind, Master Storming Ox and I will go to her. No rejections."
The Throne Room filled its silence, and their fixed eyes staring at each other longer had Lady Xia arched her brows, her beak clenching before she bobbed her head in upsetting favor.
"That's settled then," Master Croc said. "We meet the ibex now."