Episode 2: Brothers for Life (6 - 11)
Chapter (XVI) here finished editing on 12/13/2021. Already edited (XVII) on 12/19/2021.
Chapter XI
Rather Disappointing Day, Act Two
I. (XVI) Crestfallen to Outstanding
"Is there a problem with hurting the Nine's coolest students, Lidong?" the Dragon Warrior demanded.
"These three chicken shits destroyed our fun, Dragon Warrior!" Lidong spat. The rest of the crocodile gangs went clamorous behind the colossal bandit.
"Fun?" Peng beside Tigress bellowed, pointing his finger at Lidong. "You robbed villagers inside the Tea House with Fung, Gahri, and your boar gangs!"
"Wait, there is an attack in the Valley, Peng?" Po asked, turning his head at the snow leopard.
Peng nodded. "My new friends and I handled them before pandas took care of those gangs!"
"ENOUGH TALKING!" Lidong clenched his yellow teeth, stomping his right foot forward. One block of the main path shook a whole, dripped several plates, bamboo counters, and clothes, pots shattering on the ground. The giant crocodile hated this conversation against warriors. Lidong pointed out all three heroes. "Give us Peng, tiny-whiskers, and Lord Shen! Or we break this village in pieces!"
Somebody hand this guy a giant dumpling to shrink his height.
Brushing his chin jaw under him, the tiger ambled forward and clasped his paws behind his back, darting his eyes at the tallest reptile, who craned his stiff neck. Xing raised his head. "You see the rest of my villagers glaring at you?" Xing pointed to many intersection roads, sidewalks, and alleyways. Lidong and his crocodiles revolved their heads to all sides. The giant reptile caught his left eye at one pig who wielded a bamboo pole under the standing counter on windows. Within the streets, rabbits and geese rose and gave a snarling look with small sticks and big pans.
"Whoa! These guys are defensive!" Po was stunned with his feet tapping.
"They have practiced at my palace every morning until afternoon for years," the tiger warned. "These people are bold enough to break bandits' arms if you all touch children or steal their belongings. Your move."
Lidong's mouth with sharp fangs widened, giving a short glimpse at a small tan bunny in pink kimono who wielded a large iron pan, tapping her smallest paw on it. The villager beckoned her disappointing glare, her poofy fur thriving.
Fung's cousin guffawed, sprinkling his tears elsewhere. Many gangs behind Lidong followed their bellowing laughs as if the panda, two tigers, and a white peacock sniffed cheese breaths from the colossal crocodile's yellow teeth. "You and what army, whiskers?!" Lidong grinned, raising his right fist.
Somewhere as Tigress and Xing flickered their ears, a black iron pan hurled and walloped Lidong's left eye. "OW! HEY!" Lidong grimaced when covering half of his left face, glaring at whoever threw the kitchen pan at him. "Who did THAT?!"
"My army," Xing announced. The enormous croc rushed with his loud bellow. Xing stood before his forward open palm, launching his six-inch fist toward Lidong's chest. "Chop Suey!"
Lidong launched across his bandits and wrecked with them. All eyes grew, and mouths dropped behind the tiger — the giant crocodile whose breath shortened with his lungs with his excruciating chest. Muscles stung with fire. "KILL THEM ALL!" Lidong commanded with his weak breath when placing his claw over his heart.
All warriors positioned their Kung Fu and Wing Chun fighting stances; crocodiles dashed and—
CLASH!
The main road rumbled, fists and kicks thudding within the splash of hordes. Starlight impacted all the heroes and outrageous bandits running against each other. The Nine, Masters of Jade Palace, and bandits brawled over the blessing daylight with the ocean horizon. A few villagers vacated the fighting area while the young Ox Niu, the gorilla Bao, and the yak pirate Shou advanced with their giant fists.
Heavyweights engaged local bandits from the side of the skirt road. Zhao and Fanshe stormed into surrounding enemies, their swift tails bashing one and the next.
Chen Xing, Lao, and Lotus charged forward with Chi Sao attacks and blocks from crocodile clans. The three broke fast blows as the Furious Five and Dragon Warrior united. Behind these substantial students, Chen Ming and Shifu intervened reptiles, climbing onto village tiles. The Nine's Master circulated her straight blows as Shifu drew his staff and swept under their feet, deflecting swords and daggers. Both masters had their spiritual nature as elderly teachers, chosen by the hand of the Kung Fu maker.
Monkey bashed his palms, confusing the enemy's senses. Mantis's 'thingies" penetrated swords, capable of small, patience, and nearly impossible to see a tiny master within the conflict. The bunny boosted her jump on Lao's back, springing upward amidst the air. Her rapid kicks bounded her foot and the other, thrashing each crocodile's head.
Crane shifted his wings and bashed his combo talons towards bandits up in the air, which foliage of green and pink floated. Tigress offered Viper to slither over the feline's whole body through her limb and launch onward with a snarl. Beside them, Po belly-gonged a croc as the panda could cope with any size of the opponent. By being fluffy and big, Po propelled fast punches around him. Lao caught his silvery guan dao from Kong in the air, and the peacock had learned wooden poles for Wing Chun, the same as the complicated martial arts Cai Li Fo.
While several crocodiles stumbled in fear while retreating in shorthand, Monkey sought the peacock wielding his weapon, repelling most parries. The golden snub embarked to spring while bowling his body elsewhere. Storming Ox's son deflected most of the metal weapons Niu used two large horns to repel. Bao teamed with Niu and combined his brute limbs of lap sao, bong sao, and back knuckle combo. The gorilla forged a unique smash ability, shaking like the aftershock to flinch and lose balance to surrounding bandits.
Fists and kicks deafened when the panda swept his limbs on bandits, flipping and rolling down on brown patch roads. Xing engaged three suspected callous bandits, dodging knives that nearly sliced him apart. Tigress forcefully drew her tornado backflip on crocodiles, propelling two reptiles from Chen Xing. She guarded him. While there was no time to introduce a family during this skirmish, the two striped felines pressed onward, diverting fast fists. Amidst the main road near Chen Xing and Tigress, Crane repelled his wings, Lotus sweeping her ribbon on local bandits. The wolf tangled all four over their bellies, and the avian shoved most over the boundary from barging into homes.
Peng dismantled his gray hood cape, tossing ahead of a gruesome crocodile with snarling sharp teeth. After being disoriented, the bandit's muzzle was struck with a powerful sparrow kick, crashing his chest down. So tolerant that Peng became vicious, Po could not help but spill his surprising tone. "I can't believe you're back!" Po stood up with Peng once the panda back-elbowed the bandit from behind. "Masters of Jade Palace have missed you!"
"So have I, Po!" Peng beamed after the leopard spun his triple kick in the air. "I have a lot of stories to discuss after this is over!"
Loneliness alleyway near Shui Palace, pounding floors and walls colored in plain white as yellow, nearly gazed sunlight to the yak student and marauder bandits. Shou sliced many swords using Baat Jam Do. Lidong's metal armbands deflected the yak's swords that kept cleaving and swiveling in random directions. The Nine's Pirate diverted his blades in each turn, and the other whipped Lidong's cheek, losing the giant's sense of direction.
While grunting with hostile glances at the young bovine, the giant reptile was hesitant, unable to lift his limbs or step away. Something within the Nine's Pirate made Lidong reminisce. Green fires spread from mountains into the heart of darkness — homes with bricks scattered with snarling reptile creatures. The sky was hued with smaragdine sunlight, rocks covered with thin ice, and ancient monastery temples floating across different cultures.
The vision happened so fast when Shou's Baat Jam Do blades only shimmered jade.
One of Lidong's recruiters ran for the Nine's Pirate, and the giant crocodile snapped. "Hold fast, you maggot!" Lidong tripped on the small rock while retreating, and Shou's blades gave strong whips on each encounter, slamming the undersized rookie down.
While pouncing his butterfly knives by diverting limbs each time, the Nine's Pirate glimpsed at a green insect launching under every reptile's feet. Sweeping against the dirt made several crocodiles fall, one by one.
"Nice move!" the Nine's Pirate astounded Mantis before intercepting a giant crocodile from behind. "I'm Shou! It is a pleasure to meet you, Master Mantis!"
"You're welcome, big guy," Mantis appreciated, then observed one bandit behind Shou as the bug leaped the yak's shoulder and fully charged onward. "FEAR THE BUG!"
Three reptiles advanced to the yak as Shou armed his two blades; the middle bandit's sword heaved upward, and the cobalt silk line clenched his left wrist, forcing him to slap his comrade's muzzle. The Nine's Dancer Lotus in royal blue qipao and black short trousers rolled her ribbon stick, the fabric beating the next as she yelled. She slapped her small pole, battering one's rib and the other under his ankle; with acrobatic rolls in the air, Lotus landed and hammered—
The crocodile with a battle helmet winced and crashed his knee. "DOW! NOT MY—!"
Without hesitation, the Nine's Dancer flung her strong kicks twice, tumbling him within the horde. With sharp growls, one brute stormed toward, having Lotus flip backward, her foot uppercutting his jaw. After thrusting him in the air, her ribbon tightened his body, spinning the brute as he shouted.
"Whoa! Sweet moves!" Po supported the wolf when the large bandit fell above the pack, giving Lotus a wild smirk to the panda. "Monkey, cease those guys!"
"On it!" Monkey raced on fours and chased two reptiles in a small alleyway.
Crocodile bandits barged through the sow residence's mahogany door, snarling in a rampage. Inside, the room unveiled the window's light, which shone a brown rug and poster boards with words of hope, love, and peace. Besides these items were pictures of a sow family on one of the structures. Monkey infiltrated the house right on time after two bandits entered. The two rookie crocs had nowhere else to exit except some windows, as Monkey studied them well; crocodiles could not fit over the small shutters to go. Instead of escaping, while the rookies nodded to themselves, they roared forward to Monkey, rounding their small limbs. Monkey bashed his palm strikes and a long tail at them. Just then, the cobra slithered and entered the small window from the light as Fanshe noticed rookies taking over the house.
Walls rumbled from banging, wood shredding, and papers tearing as the rookie bandits advanced. While Monkey focused these crocodiles ahead of him, Fanshe salvaged one of the Five, snapping a tail onto the rookie's arm after that crocodile tried to smash Monkey using—
A brown clay pot shattered like rocks, and baked wafers splattered on the floor. "A cookie jar?" Fanshe opened his eyes.
"Free cookies!" Monkey cheered after knocking one of the rookies with a palm knife hit. "Just come and join the Five Side!"
"No offense to you. I'm on a diet!" the cobra commented while slapping the gator's cheek with his tail. "I'm Fanshe! It's an honor to greet you, Master Monkey!"
"I'm grateful to meet you, kid!" complimented Monkey.
Main roads had filled with a fierce battle.
Shouted voices thundered as a few bandits stormed near villagers' homes, shredding their belongings. The peacock scattered a few when parrying weapons, swiveling his guandao. Most of the bandits switched their daggers with defenses instead. They decide to engage in weapons for murder. Lao did not want to slay anyone initially because killing was a dark way to end their lives. Weapons were only for what he achieved to defend himself, opposing the murder.
Engaging through arms, chests, and feet, the peacock diverted daggers, nearly slashing him. Repelling enough blades using guandao, he hastily extended his cobalt train; Lao clouted all three with a single swing, tumbling them backward. The rookie crocodile from different locals froze, and the peacock struck the bandit's forehead with a guandao pole. The bandit flattened out cold after tumbling on the floor.
"This is so unnecessary!" Lao was disgusted after defeating the rookie.
"Focus!" Xing advised his brother from aside to Tigress.
The peacock spiraled his weapon when the Nine's Doctor launched her fists at other reptile bodies, disorienting their heads with a hard kick twice. Hong parried her sai blades on fast daggers, booting her feet on their knees.
Once Hong mounted on the peacock's back, Lao launched his whole back, letting the Nine's Dancer hail her cry in broad daylight. Crane propelled his foot, and the other on one reptile bandit as Tigress uppercut him first, driving him into the horde. Several that were against Masters crashed on the floor, grunting.
"Alright, Master Crane!" the Nine's Doctor supported with her grin before she clenched one's claw, slamming his body down. On to the next engagement, Hong swiveled her foot, flipping the next one forward. She quickly scanned on marauders near the alleyway and began to trot within the horde, hitting each bandit's knee. Most were after the Nine's Doctor.
Shou rammed his head sideways as Lao thrust his kick onward to the next crowd of crocodile bandits roaring with their vicious teeth. Farther behind the two warriors, Chen Ming and Shifu remained in their fighting poses with the Emperor and Master Storming Ox near Mrs. Yan's silk store beside the Nine's Shui Palace. The Nine's Defender Niu motioned his lofty arms on two crocodiles as they swung wavy swords. The young bovine caught one's wrist and booted twice on the other's knee and chest. His hoof clenched the pressure point, made the bandit release his grip with his hollering cry, and Niu threw him in the air, spinning his kick at the reptile.
"Behind you, Bao!" Niu warned his gorilla companion, who drummed his giant fists while roaring.
"Bao, strong!" the Nine's Heaver elbowed the giant crocodile's muzzle, leading him into marauder hordes. Most of what they roared on surrounded the ape in full force as the gorilla pivoted countless blows with his quick bare hands.
Underneath the riot farther from the Nine's Heaver, Viper plunged several knees and ankles by more than ten storming their way, and she ascended through one's spine. One rookie that Viper clenched her body against the reptile's whole arm swung his own twice, now swaying toward the other five bandits. Bao continued striking in the center of his Chi Sao form by standing still with arms guarding on front. Rapid lightning darts from Viper's tail pounded one and the next, having the colossus ape thrill on the green snake's fluency on subtlety.
Lao spiraled his guandao, which four reptile gangsters were surveying him, and the weapon was frightful enough to hold fast or lead on against the peacock. The Nine's Brilliance possessed eight cuts side by side before one could advance, and one of the tall ones charged.
Need to be faster.
The peacock swept the tall's right foot, bowling him down with a pole lunge.
The second (average-size) he spun a spiked tail, allowing Lao to roll to his left and rush his guandao grip. He uppercut the bandit's long jaw with a quick knockout. The third (overweight) shoved his wavy sword, and his opponent hammered it down. Lao pinned his armament while launching his whole weight, his talon slapping above the bandit's head. The fourth (about the same average size) retreated his feet and crashed his back from unconscious fellows he stepped on, and a streak of green with a yell — Fear the bug! — zipped.
Next to the Nine's Brilliance, Shou attacked the other four as crocodiles observed his strange stance. They had not trained against the pirate before. The yak performed his sword style, swirling and deflecting their blades as if for those confused at Shou's tapping feet, then their heads hammered and spun their bodies to the ground.
Tigress propelled fast kicks on every two against one on the main path. As Chen Xing flung his limbs on several crocodiles' claws, the Dragon Warrior maintained his fighting stance. While diverting and belly-gonging three reptiles, the bear spotted bandits engaging the peacock around him. What interested the bird more was the blade's metallic shrieking while Lao parried cleavers. The guandao was forged with gleaming silver. Glinting its light once on the panda's eyes let him remember his old foe from Gongmen City. The Lord of Gongmen wielded the same weaponry as the edge slashed off some fur on his muzzle. Instead, Po shook off during this riot.
"Wow! You have your fancy guandao! What is that blade made with?" Po asked while hammering his elbow at one's chest.
"This blade is Heaven steel, Dragon Warrior!" commented the young peacock.
Po gasped wondrously, trapping the reptile's neck with his flabby arm. "Heaven steel?! One of the three-hundred forge blades from the stormy night sky to soar and vanquish ten thousand demons?!"
"Yes!" Lao answered after he gyrated the pole and swept the crocodile's feet.
"WHOA!"
Lidong's muscle groups assembled as their leader commanded to attack the three warriors, peacock, panda, and yak, to their right. From Lidong's perspective to the top left, the young leopard paced his paws on hordes while performing acrobatic spins. Peng clouted his strong kicks on three muscle bandits, the front line of reptiles hesitating as they stood their ground. Before the raid stopped, Lidong sought all four, enabling two Kung Fu forms from Peng and Po and two Wing Chun builds from Lao and Shou.
"Screw these guys! I'm going for those two tigers!" One of Lidong's recruits returned his formation to the left horde, and the Nine's Leader and Furious Five's alpha thundered their growls. Their snarls against throng bandits finally appeared dominant, retreating more than ten reptiles. "Nevermind!"
Lao pointed his silver guandao under Lidong's throat, whose eye pupils shrunk. "Consider your judgment, or face your consequences."
Grunting with a snap, Fung's cousin stomped his foot, shaking the four and the whole block before he roared and spun his tail. Lao sprang over Lidong's lengthy tail and jabbed his weapon's pole on his chest, staggering the colossus away. All five bandits bellowed in front of their leader, storming all four warriors.
Shou severed their wavy swords as Lao swept his train, and Po brawled with Peng, their limbs thwacking on each Lidong's brute they faced. The giant harshened his breaths for a moment before maintaining his stance, and firm whips to his left were deafened, combining with his group's shrills. Amidst the crocodile horde surrounding the middle emerged their kind, whose spike tail pummeled their bodies. One by one, Lidong's gang of twenty swiveled their heads, observing their surroundings in confusion.
"What the—?!"
A spiky ball hammered his head. The next one in the opposite direction struck the side of his ribcage, snarling in pain. "I'm on your side, dammit!"
"Who the hell is?!"
"Then how do we know which is which?" the rookie bandit glared.
"MAGGOTS! If that guy hurts any of you, he's not with us!" Lidong swayed his clenching fists. "There he be!"
The Nine's Predator scurried underneath the pool of affrays; Zhao towered his height and engaged four limbs, his tail clouting Lidong's cheek. While the giant crocodile was spitting curses while flaring stings mauled a scratch, the vulture in the sky dove with his shriek, aiming his fast glide at the young peacock. Crane made his way in time by rolling and striking the blackbird's left lung with precision.
Lao parried his guandao, whose weapon glinted with white sparks; three bandits beside their reptile companion hurled lengthy ropes, snatching Shou's horns. They tossed his head side by side, and the peacock flung his feather blades, snapping lines apart, causing the Nine's Pirate to free his way with relief.
The Dragon Warrior uppercutting the croc's jaw, forcing the bandit off course, sought a stream of five reptiles storming down to Lao. "Help the big guy with two swords, Viper! I'll go help the peacock!"
Peng pounded his hammer kicks on one bandit and the other as Viper next to him launched her slither, following Po toward the Nine's Pirate. Shou hailed for his peacock companion once the five crocodiles pressured their line against Lao, leaving the yak against the crowd. The panda began chasing next to him before the green snake pierced her tail with rapid lightning, staggering those who were gaining on the Nine's Pirate.
"You look mighty, sweety!" the serpent master expressed gratitude with her hissing smile.
"Thanks, Master Viper!" Shou nodded, and the two engaged forward with full force, his butterfly knives dicing their blades and her tail whipping their limbs.
The peacock's defense became too much pressure on all five bandits engaging him; luckily, his guandao was the variety Lao achieved on attacking and defending. The Nine's Brilliance focused on the tall opponent beckoning his snarl, heaving his ax while the peacock thrust his foot to the left. He bowled to the right before Lao mounted on his back, springing in the air with his peafowl caw.
Lao's foot hammered the tall opponent's muzzle, knocking him down. The second advanced with his wavy sword while all three turned their heads at the panda, engaging him. "Tear the panda apart!"
The Dragon Warrior propelled his open palms on their wrists, diverting their limbs before elbowing one and the second. The third thrust his kick, giving the panda's foot to block the leg and throw him on the brick structure.
The second flipped in the air with his spike ball, and Po caught his tail with haste, slamming him down. "WHATCHA!" after Po flipped, his belly bounced the bandit's head, his paws clenching his lengthy end, spinning him above the bear. The first retreated, bellowing his anxiety. "Catch!" Po threw the screaming bandit at him, tumbling them into the affray.
Po's ears registered wood fractures behind him, giving a short glimpse of the peacock and the tall crocodile advancing their armaments. The reptile slashed the water tower's leg column beside him, creating harsh rubbles on supports. Snapping fragments haunted the panda ever since each rope ripped apart from Lord of Gongmen's Warship; the past to him repeated a deja vu scene. That thing's going to fall!
The Nine's Brilliance struggled his parries from the reptile's ax whacking his guandao. About four times, the croc's fifth attempt went for Lao's head; the peacock hastened his dodge under, the ax slicing another tower's column. Cracks from the water and wood raised as the bandit clenched the bird's robe, shoving him away before retrieving his ax. "Have a nice swim, bird-brain!"
By the Gods!
Lao hastened his crawl while the water tower wobbled forward, the water rushing from its lips. The Dragon Warrior tackled the Nine's Brilliance right before the fall, reaching its final collapse.
A splash of waves washed with cracks of ice and wood on a few blocks and toward the main road, leaving a small stream of water into bits. The brawl quietened while seeing the minor destruction, and the affray started more with battle cries.
The panda checked for cuts and bruises on himself and the young peacock near the main road. As Po did, venomous tones crept into his head. I scarred you — I scarred you for life.
The Dragon Warrior beckoned his rough shakes on his head, forcing the haunting past away as he could. The Nine's Brilliance held his head. "Are you okay, buddy?" Po widened his jade eyes at the bird. As far as the peacock would wave his nod at the panda who saved him, the tall reptile behind Po raised his ax with his shrilling roar. The panda countered his wrist from slashing, belly-gonging him toward the flooded alleyway.
Po checked back on the peacock student, wishing to give him salutes as Lao would want to, as only the Nine's Brilliance gave a short nod to him. One of the Nine in the affray shouted for help, bringing two warriors to return to their positions.
Near Mrs. Yan's silk store beside the Nine's Shui Palace, Chen Ming and Shifu threw most of the close-quarter combatants who raced around their flanks. Two oxen warriors, Storming Ox and Niu, farther down to two older masters, maintained their dragon stance positions with Huangdi and his buffalo guards. Defenders in ornate gold armor tipped their halberds on fast swings of swords. The avian Crane shifted his short glide, thrashing the second vulture's chest and neck.
"Son, watch out!" Niu's father unfolded his solar red glares, his son turning his back. A brute crocodile in a gray armor plate and battle leather helmet crawled on fours with a sprint, snarling straight on the bovine. The giant punched as Niu encountered fast blows with his Chi Sao, palms bridging on forearms, two hands striking the croc's mouth.
After disorienting with smothers, the giant croc with a gray armor plate launched his hands at the bovine as Niu's forearms deflected from grasping. The Nine's Defender unleashed his circle punches at him, remarkably had Master Storming Ox glimpse at his son, charging his forehead at the bandit's crown.
"Nice work, son!" Niu's father praised him while wheeling his body, his iron horns warding off wavy swords with harsh clanks.
"Thanks, Dad!" Niu broke his grin.
Peng, Po, Shou, and Lao detained the line of raided crocodiles, forcing them through. Crane above the sky caught a vulture storming down, smartly spun his kick, and wicked blackbird descended toward the mighty leader, crashing down. Lidong drifted his light head on elsewhere as Po engaged him.
Gotcha!
Po's combinations of one uppercut, snatching Lidong's tail while whipping the main ground grounds back and forth, let the poor bandit faint with whizzing growls. The panda threw him toward the confusing leader, whose eyes sharpened a vicious glare. Lidong stormed forward and shouldered every reptile in his way, and his beastlike grumble grew deafening.
The Dragon Warrior and a mighty reptile leader rushed their strong blows, embarking the panda deflect and clout on Lidong's ribcages, and Lidong burst his grumbles in pain. Fung's giant cousin ran his main fist harder before Po clutched his punch, and one of his fingers was free. He sought what horror stories unfolded from several bandits, mentioning the golden wave of chi vanquishing the Great Dragon.
Po's grip with thumb and index lifted his pointy finger.
"Oh no!" Lidong gasped, trembling his body. Fung's cousin knew what Po could do to the mighty crocodile. "The Wuxi Finger Hold?!"
"Are you and your army going to surrender, Lidong? This is your last chance!" the Dragon Warrior insisted.
Weapons still drew near every bandit attached to the Nine. Most were on Lao's guandao, which pointed one of the lieutenant's blades near the bandit's neck. Many froze their muscles, and the Nine and Furious Five waited for any bandit's movement. Behind Chen Xing, the Five's leader Tigress stayed on guard with her Kung Fu tiger style. One of the bandits touched Xing's arm as the tiger used the block fook sao in the upper chest of the crocodile. Xing shook his head softly; the bandit knew the crocodile could not be more clever than the tiger.
The panda nearly triggered his pinky finger, and Fung's cousin's face went pale.
"STAND DOWN!" Lidong shouted, forcing his crocodiles to turn their heads at their leader. For a moment, while staring at a whole, one by one, they dropped weapons, and Lidong faced the panda. "We surrender."
The Wuxi Finger Hold bore its potential enchantment, yet lethal to each master, as many taught before their teachers. Before teachers, only one refined the ability, knowing to be the creator, Master Wuxi. They cast their soul to the Spirit Realm as part of a technique to defeat those who refused to surrender. There was another life of heaven masters, outcast warriors, and peace when the suffering was no more.
Multiple discussions from bandits shortly debated to agree and disagree with each of them. Although properties in damages and nearly assaulted a few villagers, Shou, Lao, Bao, and Chen Xing of the Nine and Tigress and Crane of the Furious Five witnessed several. All six reported to their masters, Ming and Shifu. Huangdi's guards linked chains with eight-point acupressure cuffs to the rest of the lieutenants; many recruiters followed those orders to clean every property damage to all houses.
"Lao," Shou called beside the peacock. The way a young yak sought his peacock brother to wield his guandao in a forceful and highly guarded way, Lao lowered his train and feathers. "You can stand down your guandao now."
Lao nodded to his pirate brother when pointing down his weapon. Some of Huangdi's guards cuffed around fifty acupunctures; the last one was the giant crocodile, whose wrists were linked.
"We finished this fight," the lieutenant said Emperor Huangdi in apologetic feeling that the giant regarded this consequence. "We will clean this property damage and turn ourselves in for our commitment to a crime. My men and I have noticed that serious outcome."
As the lieutenant chained his wrists with Huangdi's best guard, Lidong visualized all four warriors standing beside the entrance of Shui Palace. Po, Peng, Shou, and Lao inspected the bandits cleaning damages by the Emperor's order. The Dragon Warrior decided to stand with his friend and new colleagues while crossing his limbs, watching Lidong as two guards remained ahead.
"There was a dream I saw," Lidong embarked on his words while gazing at three warriors, not Po. "I keep seeing your uncle who bailed Chorh-Gom Prison to claim some scroll. A noble peacock lord from Gongmen City wanted China with the unstoppable weapon he used. And then, a big yak came down with a flash of green fire and smokes from the sky. He wanted to steal everyone's Qi to conquer the world full of jade stones. Not just China. If those dangerous, Mightiest Warriors were here by now, then China would have shaken everywhere."
Mightiest Warriors? Po and Lao thought with confusion.
"You must have seen a nightmare before, but that was only a dream," Lao clarified while strolling close to the Croc lieutenant. "The Dragon Warrior used powerful Wuxi magic on Tai Lung and banished him. This Lord Shen from Gongmen City crushed and sunk to the bottom of Gongmen Harbor by his creation. This Beast of Vengeance has been gone, obliterated to himself in the light at the Spirit Realm. Those 'Mightiest Warriors' you are considering of those adversaries returning, it's a nonsense myth."
"I hope you are right, peacock," Lidong expressed while Huangdi's guard grasped the giant croc's arm to move forward. Both stopped momentarily, and the lieutenant needed to inform a question to the peacock. "Before I go, are you—?"
Lao shook his head, but his striped feline brother intervened, his opened paw stopping the peacock forward. "Save your words, Lidong. There's no such thing as you can see my brother here as another tyrant. The Nine heard of the Lord of Gongmen, and my brother has never met him," Chen Xing said.
"Then I am sorry," Lidong apologized before dispersing with his gangs and Emperor's guards. For a moment, Lao observed most reptile bandits properly cleaning damages for their punishment. His feline brother had bold thoughts that clouded him momentarily.
Those personal words from them mean nothing to my brother. Lao is not the son of the tyrant.
Chen Xing turned away from bandits in line with a link of metal acupressure chains on the road. He checked on his peacock brother, whose weary eyes cast down to his feet. "You good, brother?"
Lao lifted his crests and placed his feather blades in his long sleeve. "I am alright."
Two hours of delay.
The Nine's Brilliance meditated in his quiet room, with shoji walls painted with snow mountains. Lao sensed the petals swimming on the rippling stream near him. No screams or the fragmenting woods interfered with the old calamity, which the peacock avoided his nightmare. The phrase referencing the serenity, "Be like water," Lao was only good on reflection. Instead of reflecting the misery, the Nine had one of their principles to maintain each student or master's course. Dwelling in the past remains yesterday, never to those who regarded complexities.
II. (XVII) Dramatic Demonstration
Afternoon skies filled with orange fruit, and audiences from the Prosper Valley, the Emperor's followers, and honorable guests in both galleries had fulfilled to experience Wing Chun's philosophy. Masters of Jade Palace had listened with their leopard companion Peng to the Nine's Leader, Chen Xing. They contemplated the Valley of Peace's attack as his grandmother was with him near the Fighting Square. The Masters had histories of crocodile bandits (Lidong's) and boars raiding the Valley before, knowing thieves and gangs robbed and hurt villagers. One of the Emperor's guards reported to Huangdi and Master Storming Ox that he spotted a large group of boars on the steep ridge edge of the Prosper Valley after Lidong's surrender. Neither could avenge their reptile comrade as the buffalo guard sought them all to depart into the woods.
This long day to two warriors of the Nine could have been the worst, nearly causing Chen Xing and Lao's lives in jeopardy. Luckily, instead of disappointing them, the Masters of Jade Palace blessed their arrival to the Valley of Peace. The three warriors and Po's people prevented the Tea House hostage. They were grateful enough to handle the unexpected raid and followed the Emperor's appearance at Shui Palace.
During this delay, marveling to see the Masters of Jade Palace, Chen Xing glanced at many guests across the Square. At the same time, Emperor Huangdi apologized to the people near the buffalo guards. The first was oxen Niu and Storming Ox, embracing dearly, a reunion as the tiger figured with a wholesome. I'm glad they see each other again. His dad should know I saved his son from being a street fighter.
All four of the Furious Five stood next to Peng and their new colleagues, the Nine. And finally, close to Chen Xing, the Nine's Dancer Lotus was with Tigress, Po, Shifu, and Chen Ming. He surveyed pleasures and commemorations on complimenting the Nine's current demonstration, becoming vivid and blessed. Xing had been bearing his demeanor to one guest who was almost a ghost from the past, which one's face was natural, but with amber eyes. His mother's eyes were the color of the stone.
Tigress beckoned her slow nod to the Nine's Leader, and Xing returned him with gratitude.
Guests returned to their seats as Emperor Huangdi announced the presentation to resume shortly. Both Chen Xing and Niu went in line with the Nine next to the platform as the Nine's Master went into the Nine's Barrack. Chen Ming checked her adoptive grandson in the peacock's bedroom. "Lao, my dear. You are ready."
The Nine's Brilliance strolled out of the Barrack to embark on his essential demonstration role. The Masters of Jade Palace sought him, closing in on the Fighting Square, and Lao's brother Xing went behind and wrapped a black sash cloth around the bird's eyes. Blindfold is an expert level closer to black sash rank, always recommendable to sense your surroundings and feel the presence of enemies approach within close and far range. A blindfold level is physical and mental — your brain and ears guide. Your eyes do not.
I know one's face.
In the middle of the gallery, Emperor Huangdi surveyed the young peacock. Next to the elder buffalo, Storming Ox barely widened his crimson eyes while craning his neck with surprise. The kid cannot be the son of my old friend's killer. He's just the boy.
Chen Ming gestured her bow to the Emperor and lectured the audience.
"My Emperor. I like to introduce you to my second student, a worthy, well-mannered peacock. I feature you the Nine's Brilliance. Lao."
Lao, The Nine's Brilliance / Blindfold, and Guandao
The peacock bowed to the Emperor and every master before his wings contacted Xing's arms, embarking on Chi Sao. Their limbs formed in a circle as Lao let his wings follow and control his brother's movement. Lao could enable all forms of Wing Chun with attack and defense strategies. Snap paws sweep wings like silk breeze, a soft strike from claws, and white feathers repel with a bong sao and tan sao combo.
The peacock managed momentum to his slender limbs and feet, knowing his kicks were strong than his wings. His wings, however, were only to deflect various targets of fast blows, weapons to disarm and knock opponents using his poles. His Chi Sao blocks had the Nine's Brilliance focus on challenging close-range attacks.
Chen Xing started on his circle fists toward his brother's arms, delivering Lao's wings parry.
Wavering bridge links while one maintained the bridge and the other connected, Lao swiveled the tiger's arms wide, his train fanning while sweeping. The tiger's feet sprang before he landed close to his brother, taking another engagement to guide the peacock on his surroundings. The Dragon Warrior scanned his emerald eyes on the two warriors when the crepuscular light cast its soft yellow beam toward the Fighting Square — the day that seemed yesterday made the panda reminisce reverberations of crackling woods, gurgling ripples, and panting breaths.
"You gotta let for that stuff from the past because it just doesn't matter, Shen," Po says to the defeated conqueror, whose body of snow-white feathers with a red train in a silver silk robe. The eyes of red-orange cast his glare down in reflection. Above, next to the peacock, the Warship's ropes strangle the metal barrel of the dragon's fragmenting face. "The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now."
"You are right," Shen beckons his nod. The last thing the Dragon Warrior could do was to see the Lord of Gongmen, the peacock's head cast to one of his feathers. Was Shen able to commit his surrender to the panda, the only symbol of a black and white warrior who had changed the course of history to defeat him? Could he turn himself in? No. That would not matter to him, despite the people he feared could rip him apart.
"Then I choose. . . THIS!"
Glossy feather blades swing toward Po, the peacock's crimson eyes snapping. Po diverges side by side from sharp knives, which silver metals shriek while Shen reels with aggression. The Lord of Gongmen bursts his loathsomeness screams before the panda begins to parry and bridge his main arm movement. After a single spin to his foot, the peacock attempts to cut through, his knives landing a small streak to Po's muzzle.
Po gives out his distortion of yelp as his muzzle fur floats down, widening his glance at the wild peacock. Shen flings his screeching feather knives, attempting to get the panda to stomp his foot and grasp the broken deck's floor. One blade after the rest flies before the Dragon Warrior plunges the board, almost hitting his face.
Shen was advancing hard, drawing his silver guandao. Ropes snap their cuts from the peacock, fluctuating his weapon to the panda each time. Without advantages to stop him, Po manages to maneuver one way and the next as the Lord of Gongmen gains on him, spiraling the blade with lethal pivots. Po rolls forward before the peacock leaps to the weak structure, which amidst the column strangling, the dragon cannon fragmented, and the last time facing his old adversary, the cannon itself collapsed. Metals creaked, and woods screamed to sheds.
And peace silences the Lord of Gongmen's misery.
Reverberations of cheers and applauses interfered with Po, waking him into reality. The Nine's Brilliance now wielded his glittering silver guandao on the Fighting Square platform, slicing action dummies they were spinning toward the young peacock. Gongmen City and his old nemesis were impossible to forget. Demanding the evil peacock lord was one thing the panda wanted answers about his kind; the night that chaos stormed with fire, howls featured their leader's bird caw.
Shen is gone.
That was all the Dragon Warrior softly squinted his emerald eyes. Next to Po to his left, his striped feline companion raised her steady regard. Not wanting to interrupt him when the crowds beckoned awes at the young peacock student.
Spoken voices from Po's surroundings piled in.
"Looks like the kid Lao has talents!" Viper mentioned while observing the Nine's Brilliance wielding his guandao, sweeping various attacks and parries. "Could the Nine's Brilliance be. . . like the other one we confronted before?"
"No. That's just another peacock," Monkey scrutinized Lao's movement. "But this kid's very good in combat back there."
"So far, that peacock's young and unique," Crane detailed as he surveyed. "He looks familiar to someone we knew. Lao has average academic words that we barely understand. We can manage some of his angered issues."
"I can help him as well, Crane," Viper agreed. "I will love to control Lao's temper. What do you think, Po? Po?"
Po quivered his head softly after his daydreaming through his old adversary encounter. Monkey patted the panda's shoulder. "You okay there, buddy?"
"Yeah. I was daydreaming. And yes! I'm interested in him."
Chen Xing, the Nine's Leader / Chi Sao, Blindfold and Persistence
Tigress and Shifu surveyed the Nine's Leader in a long-sleeve blue silk tunic with black vein leaves and ebony trousers. He positioned on the Fighting Square with the Nine's Dancer Lotus, his black sash wrapping around his head from his eyes revealing. With their Wing Chun stance, their limbs bridged and formed Chi Sao forms in circulation. The wolf started first as she pounced her loop fists on her tiger brother, whose paws deflected with accuracy and speed. Lotus propelled one of her feet when Chen Xing bashed his palm parries from his sparring partner's kicks. His foot barricaded her leg, letting the tiger advance with rapid circle punches.
Ahead of the Nine's Leader, the Nine's Predator (his second volunteer) emerged, whose lime eyes widened. The tiger's forceful blows ruptured with a short breeze when Tigress kept speculating him with marvel. Chen Xing maintained his Chi Sao stance before Zhao swirled his lengthy tail, building the tiger's advantage to his feet, shoving with a block. Zhao always knew he could not underestimate his feline partner. Xing regarded the crocodile's lack of reaction as the reptile could improve further.
One of the tiger's kicks let the Nine's Pirate (his third and final volunteer) flinch briefly and leveled his guards up in defense, facing the Nine's Leader with his black sash blindfold. Size does not matter in combat whether you are a little encountering the tall and the big facing the small. The yak and tiger linked their arms through a circle of Chi Sao as Chen Xing sensed the pirate's tense and soft limbs simultaneously.
The Nine's Leader attempted to launch his straight punches at his yak companion, and the Nine's Pirate deflected his palm blocks. Little by little, Xing's blows were in pace and, in more incredible swiftness, made the audience in awe, letting Shou diverge his strong arms. Shou made his opponent's arms apart by hammering palms down and swinging wrists upward, shoving the tiger back.
The Nine's Pirate started on his round kick as he hailed; Chen Xing flickered his black ears after swiveling his striped tail. The's whole left arm firmly trapped Shou's leg, and Xing's right foot clamped behind the yak's foot, throwing him down to the platform. With a loud thud from Shou, the tiger drove for one smack close to his ribcage, his circle fists rapidly striking near his head. The whole gallery filled with the Dragon Warrior's applause.
Rumble
The Nine favored their best hobby of free-fighting martial arts. Heavyweight students Shou, Niu, and Zhao wielded their swords as the two learned their yak brother's pirate style and butterfly knives from the Nine's Master. Bao and Fanshe, their bond of their brothers as close friendships, pulsed countless tail strikes and large palms. The Nine's Serpent performed his pacing slithers as he deflected his gorilla brother's bashing hands. Fanshe stormed and rounded his whole body over Bao's legs, falling the ape on the platform with a loud thud.
After a brief snarl with triumph, having the gallery filled with whistles and cheers, Fanshe supported Bao as the gorilla began to bow, dancing his palms across the Fighting Square. Visitors and guests burst their guffaws.
Both female warriors, Lotus and Hong. Fast paws and ribbons. Hong dodged the swirling fabric, having Lotus advance toward the bunny her approach as the Dragon Warrior reminded the Nine's Dancer of Mei Mei's nunchuck and ribbon stick. The next, while Lotus's ribbon tackled and spun Hong, a white smoke puffed beside the wolf. The Nine's Leader using his wooden pole, dashed in the smoke as Chen Xing searched for one of his brothers, which his black ears registered the Nine hailing each other with sword clangs. As persistent to inspect his surroundings, he caught the floor's soft stroke, letting Xing swim his head one side and the other.
A cobalt train fanning with vibrations swept the tiger's legs, and Xing leaped his feet from his peacock brother's surprise, vanquishing the white smoke. Lao pivoted his wooden pole toward his feline brother, parrying Chen Xing's dragon pole with acrobatic spins. One of Lotus's ribbons almost clenched Hong's stomach, which the Nine's Doctor rotated her small limbs over and the next, drawing closer to her opponent. Behind Hong, the Nine's Predator Zhao spiraled his spiky tail against the two bovines, who both ducked their heads from him. The Nine's Pirate and Defender faced their reptile opponent before Hong spun herself from the ribbon, heaving Lotus.
The Nine's Dancer made her front body crash before she gave a rapid glance. And before anything to defend herself, the other went for the win first. The Nine's Doctor Hong drew two sai blades near Lotus's chest. Emperor Huangdi and many close to him filled applauses.
Guilin mountains gleamed with russet sunset over the Prosper Valley. The Wing Chun demonstration and entertainment were over. The Nine completed their hobby activity, "Rumble," before following the Combinations test and Elimination spar with Master Chen Ming. By such a substantial performance of the Nine's event of Wing Chun, they showed the Masters of Jade Palace, their citizens, and the Emperor and his people.
The Nine's Master invited plenty of his honorable guests to dinner; the Emperor of China granted his wish to try Chen Ming and Chen Xing's white rice.
Ming and her grandson cooked white rice with melted butter as several villagers of the Prosper Valley left Shui Palace. Later after dinner, the Masters of Jade Palace communed with the Nine as Chen Ming conversed with the elder buffalo. His hooves clasped on his belly with delight.
"I like to thank you and your grandson for inviting my group and me to your feast, Master Ming. Your food is flavorful," the Emperor of China beamed ahead of the old feline teacher, whose smile curved with wrinkles.
"Your welcome, my Emperor," the Nine's Master pleasured.
"The Dragon Warrior recommends you and the Nine try Mr. Ping's noodles in the Valley of Peace."
"The Nine will look forward to eating noodles soon, Emperor Huangdi."
"I am strongly intrigued by your students," Huangdi interested with amusement. "I am curious about one of your Nine students. The peacock."
"Lao is beyond unique, my Emperor," Ming said, gazing at first toward her student. "He is like my own grandson, just as the peacock's peahen mother offered me to stay close to Lao with his tiger brother."
"Is there a heritage to your finest student?" asked Huangdi, his sun eyes beamed with a respective grin. "I knew someone who was my closest friend, the extraordinary one. Around the latter, my persistent father ordered the two who could have destined for tenderness to throw their son away."
Chen Ming hummed with determination. "As far as I know, my Emperor, my student is worth superior. Brilliance came from his father's side. And charity was born from his mother's side," Chen Ming elucidated. "Lao's lifetime is complicated here in Shui Palace, Emperor Huangdi. I would love to clarify more about my peacock student. A letter will let you know about my second student if you wish to accept my offer."
"Yes, indeed. Your student reminds me of Lord Feng of Gongmen City, Master Ming. I loved him and his lady more how they were gracious."
"Who was your closest friend, my Emperor?" the Nine's Master inquired with inquisitive reflection.
The Emperor's gold eyes drifted off and rested toward the Nine's Brilliance. "Someone who had a complicated life," answered Huangdi.
The Masters of Jade Palace on the Fighting Square speculated the Nine with amazement, respectable deem, and encouragement. The red panda teacher met the two warriors and the leopard. "I am grateful for you, Chen Xing and Lao of the Nine, and to you, Peng," Shifu applauded with a single clap. "We thank you three for saving the Valley of Peace. Fung and his crocodiles would have caused chaos in the village without you three."
"Thank you, Master," Xing and Lao nodded.
"It was worth you two came along," Peng beamed at Lao and Xing next to Shifu. "You guys are incredible. I have never seen any of those famous martial arts like that before. As I am honored and would love to practice Wing Chun with the Nine, I have my Kung Fu Clubs to look after. There will be countless mentions across China, and my classes will be your sponsors."
The Nine's Heavyweights Zhao, Niu, and Shou took their surprising glances and slapped each other's hands with approval. "Alright! Now the Nine will have sponsors!" Niu grinned.
Master Storming Ox patted his son's shoulder. "I'm proud of you, my son," he chuckled with a low voice.
"The Masters of Jade Palace will oblige the Nine to seek how you can improve your physical combat and state of mentality," Shifu uttered the Nine with tactful encouragement. He began to scrutinize the three giant warriors to the left.
"Shou, Niu, and Zhao," the red panda chuckled with curiosity. "Emperor Huangdi's colleague Master Storming Ox mentioned earlier that you three are familiar with the original Street Fighters who became legendary heroes. He craves inviting you to the Council Masters of Gongmen City as you are honorary students and Prosper Valley's Defenders."
The red panda ambled and speculated the mighty ape, cobra, and bunny. "Hmm. Resilience, speed, and bravery," Shifu described the other three disciples with determination. "To Bao and Fanshe as 'Heave Slither Brothers,' my student Viper reflects the time of Lord Viper, who protected his village from a thousand bandits. Only one in shiny armor nearly attempted, and his daughter achieved succession. She is delighted to see you, Fanshe. A family reunion of brother and sister filled her heart. Your adoptive father will be proud.
"Viper will inspect your skills of subtlety and strength," Shifu again chuckled. The Nine's Doctor wavered her tiny paw with a salute, making Lotus and Chen Xing suppress their chortle. The red panda continued. "An expert healer, you are, and somewhat more comedic relief than my insect student. Mantis has an interest in the capabilities of having two physicians for both the Nine and Jade Palace Masters. He will guide you through rapid attack advantages as you main on passive-aggressive techniques."
The Nine's Dancer remained postured as Shifu's wooden pool tapped twice. "Attractive and veracity," said the red panda. "The Dragon Warrior notices you are an elegant ribbon dancer. He will offer the Pandiva founder to help your style of balance. Po recommends that you try to use nunchucks."
Those will come in handy! Lotus widened her smiling teeth.
By the next, as Shifu embarked to survey the Nine's Brilliance, the figure of a young warrior let him reminisce of raging flashes of crimson fireballs across the harbor. The red panda cleared his throat beforehand, neglecting the haunting white figure. "An intelligent student," he described the young peacock. "Before the dark time, a young prince of Gongmen City was Thundering Rhino's pupil who became the morality and defender, seeking encouragement by helping his parents' citizens. He helped them handle bandit incursions across districts with his master. He was righteous among his people and envisioned political aspects of economic goods and needs.
"Whatever happened to Thundering Rhino's student who went berserk at the end, he was no longer the one who could have continued his parents' legacy. Shen would have been the honorable Lord of Gongmen if his destiny by the beginning never occurred."
One by one, the Dragon Warrior and Furious Five gesticulated their slow nods to the Nine's Brilliance, whose ocean eyes rested on them all. They met and witnessed the tyrannical peacock lord.
The red panda master started. "My student Monkey has an excellent taste to your guandao attacks. You'll bear mobility once more as he can improve your pole. Crane anticipates you are slightly good at gliding in the air. Escaping routes and evading obstacles are your endurance. While you have your extraordinary gift of soaring, not many peafowls but one can fly. My avian student will teach you to maintain your flight courses."
Shifu strolled halfway and wavered his pointy finger. "The Dragon Warrior has his cravings for your weapon skills of feather knives and rope darts. So as another, for your mentality, Po can guide you through difficulties that you have issues remembering the disturbance. The Masters of Jade Palace hope you will memorize the unknown. You will always remain present, but learn the past from not dwelling in despair."
More than likely, the peacock understood the concept as his feline teacher had advised him before the red panda did. Shifu now stood forth to the next student, a feline warrior of stone eyes and a short, black Fu Manchu beard. Tigress maintained her posture after she clasped her wrist behind her.
"And finally, Chen Xing. Leadership and strong," Shifu defined the Nine's Leader. "I am your grandmother's closest friend. We became brother and sister under the Grandmaster's care," the red panda scanned the tiger's rough paws. "Stone hands, which I assume you have been bashing Ironwood logs. And dummy's wooden arms, you hit your forearms with deflection. How many years have you been into punching Ironwood trees?"
"Fifteen years, Master Shifu."
"That's good. Eradicating pain is substantial to your advantage while engaging in combat against hordes of bandits."
Yes, indeed. Chen Xing agreed.
"For decades," Shifu continued, his wooden staff towering beside him. "Grandmaster Oogway and I had been searching for your kind after your grandmother's departure. Chen Ming had to return home to watch over her son after her companions who brought their daughter to Bao Gu Residence were evanesced. Although mysteries have always lingered across China, knowing any soul can happen with uncertain fates."
The world seems dangerous out there. Nana was right, and Shifu as well.
Chen Xing nodded with understanding as Shifu continued. "My student Tigress has been under my care and Oogway's. She was the only tiger left, as I thought I could never see my closest companion. And so, as you and Chen Ming are considered the only souls left in common, the three felines are no longer in solitude.
"However," Shifu considered. "Tigress will need her room to meet you and your grandmother in person. She will invite you to Jade Palace whenever she is ready. Tigress will train you with her Kung Fu tiger style, regarding your paws as firm and slightly tense, but you performed precision hits with various blocks of Chi Sao well. Masters of Jade Palace have our new intention in practicing your Wing Chun, and the Dragon Warrior delivers his remark."
The black and white bear spread his limbs with encouragement. "You guys are awesome, the way you all defeated the whole army of crocodiles back there, and each of you performed demonstrations to your consistencies! You will all be amazed to see the Hall of Heroes, thousands of scrolls, the Training Hall, the best room in the Student Barrack, and everything! You gonna love that place!"
"Oh, the Nine are looking forward to Jade Palace, Dragon Warrior," the Nine's Doctor Hong assured.
"I agree," Chen Xing nodded. "The Nine will have free time this weekend or later to head to Jade Palace. We'll get to know each other as your new colleagues."
The next moment as one of the Furious Five was about to open for more, Xing's stomach made a faint growl, letting him chuckle. "By the Gods, my brother and I haven't eaten food."
"Speaking of food," Chen Ming simpered. "The Dragon Warrior served his noodles as your gift. A gift for the Nine to eat his secret ingredient."
The Nine's Messenger strolled with a wooden pushcart of five dish bowls detailed with cobalt-long dragon wave plates. Beside him appeared his geese partner Biyu, who brought another wooden tray with four large bowls. All bowls contained fading steam of Dragon Warrior's noodles. The Nine thrilled their breaths with passion.
Lao hummed after swallowing his food in satisfaction in the Nine's Meeting Room. "By the Gods! This food is delicious!"
Beside him, Hong clasped a large portion of noodles in her mouth, devouring with relief. She pointed her chopsticks at the peacock while swallowing her food. "Mark my words! I'll be heading to the Valley of Peace and eating many noodles from you!" Hong clenched her teeth, smiling.
In front of them, the Nine's Defender Niu burst his chuckle. "Not when I get there first!" he uttered.
After the Nine finished their meals, Masters of Jade Palace shook their hands as soon as the dusk of pumpkin orange and jade clouds merged toward the west. Peng began to join them across the cobblestone road once Tigress was the last to give her paw shake to her striped feline colleague Xing. She promised to meet again at either Jade Palace from him or Shui Palace if she wished to attend to see the Chen family.
The Masters of Jade Palace rode on the boatman's junk sail as the Nine offered yuan tips to ride these warriors home. The babbling water reflected dark clouds and a few white sparks from the sky, the bamboo forest crackling branches with chirping insects. Tigress sat behind the front bow with Shifu as she crossed over her knees with her tail hooking next to her foot. She and her adoptive father reflected the two warriors of her kind while the Furious Five conversed under the roof.
"I'm happy you came here with us, Peng," Po beamed, patting Peng's shoulder beside the leopard with Monkey and Crane. "We also have a lot of stories to tell you about how we confronted Lord Shen in Gongmen City and encountered Kai in Secret Panda village!"
"I've heard those two before," Peng mentioned. "The peacock lord's return to his city made half of this country concern him. And the other one, a few people mentioned that the yak went from temple to temple, raiding and claiming souls with Jade Warriors. How did you guys survive both evils?"
"Maybe luck?" Crane guessed.
"No shit, genius," Mantis creaked his wings above Crane's conical hat.
"I can't stop thinking about the Nine. Two of them, actually," Peng pondered. "Chen Xing's a cool guy, reminding me of — well, he's got types of you and Tigress, Po. And Lao, he's like one of my avian students with miles upon miles of complex words than him. The peacock looks like those peafowl nobles. Are they any more birds like him here?"
"Not all of them, I'm afraid. I hear peafowls live from India," Monkey indicated while massaging his jaw.
"I read your message yesterday, Peng," Po smiled. "That is so awesome you have your kids!"
"Kids?!" the bug leaped toward Peng's leg. "Whoa there! Are you the father now?"
The leopard beckoned as the Five praised him. "Sounds like great news there, kid," Crane said. "Are your kids like sons, daughters?"
"Two of my special sons," Peng replied. "They're so innocent and adorable."
"What are their names?" Monkey inquired with curiosity.
"My youngest son is Diyu," Peng named one. "My other son, I adored the awesomeness name I gave him at birth."
"What's your other son's name?" Viper slithered to Peng, showing her red lips wide.
Someone who is a good friend to me, Peng reflected.
Peng could not stop smirking as their eyes rested on him with interest. He turned to the panda. "Po."
Viper was the first to gasp while Crane collapsed his beak wide open toward his panda friend. Many turned to the Dragon Warrior, whose emerald eyes glittered. His gasping went inaudible. "I named my firstborn after you," Peng smiled once more. "My wife Lian and I wanted to have our son's name for you. Despite all six being good companions I came along with, the seventh, you are a great friend, Po. I use his name to follow his uncle's footsteps, letting Lian and me, as his parents guide him through his course to become an honorable warrior.
"That is why I named him, in a futuristic thought that my son desires to meet you all one day. Po loves Kung Fu, just like you. And I wanted to say that my son is such a wonderful kid, and he wishes to see his godfather someday."
"His godfather?" Po pondered. "Who is your son's godfather?"
Peng chuckled. "You are," Peng pointed panda when Crane's mouth wide open with shock. Most of the Five polished their eyes, and Tigress slightly smirked. "Lian and I hardly chose one of you to be my son's godfather for days after my firstborn son. We thought someone perfect for letting my son will see his uncle in the future."
"That is so nice," Viper's cheek gleamed into a rose, her tongue ringing with a pleasant hiss. "And his godmother?"
"That's a good question, Viper. Lian and I thought about who my son's godmother would be, and we hardly tried to choose which one. At first, Viper," Peng rested his yellow eyes on the reptile master's eyes. "My wife and I believed you would be the first to be his godmother under Po's guardian while you are right at mother guides. But, my firstborn once said a very first word after he saw one of the Furious Five posters at my clubhouse."
"What did Po say?" asked the panda.
"You all gonna like what he spoke after Lian and I found his perfect aunt as his godmother."
The Masters followed their leopard companion's gaze to one of their own. Their eyes embarked on widening their eyes than Crane's beak after Viper melted her awe expression. Me? A stripped feline stammered, her amber eyes glimpsing at them back and forth before resting toward Peng's.
"I realize you are going to say no, Tigress," Peng realized. "I choose both of you as my son's godparents. Because in our distant future, if Lian and I will soon not survive, I strongly desire you and Tigress to look after my sons. Even when someday we will not be around if anything gets worse."
Po and Tigress gazed to themselves with wary recently. As they contemplated their leopard companion who desired his Will to two warriors, they met their red panda master beside him within the interior. Shifu took notice of their regards, beckoning his slow nod to Po and Tigress. A striped feline reminisced about her parental guides from her reptile sister. Viper's thin red tongue tickled Lei Lei's cheek in Tigress's chamber.
I look after Lei Lei as my own, as her mother is thriving, and her aunt Mei Mei is exquisite.
"Tigress and I will look after your sons, Peng," Po patted Peng's paw.
And Tigress unveiled her slight grin with a nod. "You have my word," Tigress took her pledge to him.
How do you like this chapter?! The brawl against a small army of crocodile gangs? Latest entertainment? And Peng's two sons Po and Diyu?!
