Thank you, guys, for reading Chapter 3 of The Story of Jinjing 3.
SpiritChannelerJosh: Thank you so much!
I'm really sorry that it took me so long to write this. Please forgive me, readers.
Announcement: Ice Age 6 is coming soon to theaters! Yay! I thought that the Ice Age franchise was done with 5 films, but I was wrong. Anyway, I'm excited. Let's hope that Diego and Shira will have kids in Ice Age 6. If any of you Ice Age fans remember, in Ice Age: Collision Course, Diego and Shira have talked about starting a family of their own.
Here's Chapter 4. Enjoy!
Chapter 4
The moonlight rippled across the Pool of Sacred Tears, its silvery glow casting the courtyard in an ethereal light. The air hummed softly, carrying a melody Jinjing couldn't quite place. Her footsteps slowed as she neared the sacred pool, her reflection wavering on its tranquil surface. Two figures stood motionless at the water's edge, their silhouettes as familiar as her own shadow.
Her breath hitched. The world around her seemed to still as her mind raced to reconcile what she saw.
"Mom? Dad?" she whispered, her voice trembling as the figures turned to face her.
Dongmei's soft smile was warm, though her eyes carried a sorrow that tugged at Jinjing's heart. Beside her, Longwei stood tall, his presence steady but shadowed by an unspoken urgency.
Tears blurred her vision as her legs carried her forward. She reached for them, her arms wrapping around their faint forms. Though insubstantial, the embrace felt achingly real—like a memory brought back to life.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice wavering between joy and disbelief.
Dongmei's hand rested on her shoulder, light yet grounding. "We've come to warn you, my little one."
"Warn me?" Jinjing's heart sank. "About what?"
"Danger is coming," Longwei said gravely. His gaze locked onto hers, unflinching. "He's hunting the Kung Fu masters—Shifu, Po, the Furious Five… and you."
Her stomach twisted. "You mean Kai, don't you?"
Her parents exchanged a solemn glance before Dongmei nodded. "Yes. How do you know about him?"
"I've seen him. In my visions." Jinjing's voice dropped to a whisper. "He… he took Oogway's chi, didn't he?"
Longwei's expression darkened, his voice heavy with forewarning. "He did. And now he's growing stronger. Jinjing, you must prepare."
The air around them shimmered, faint chains glowing in the distance. Their soft clinking sent chills down her spine.
Dongmei turned slightly, her voice low but firm. "Master Oogway shielded us from Kai's grasp so we could come to you. But our time here is fleeting." She faced Jinjing again, her eyes brimming with urgency. "Trust your instincts. Your visions are a gift, but they cannot guide you completely. The rest must come from here." She pressed her hand over Jinjing's heart.
"You carry more strength than you know," Longwei said, his tone softening. "Your family, your friends—they'll need you."
The air seemed to pulse, carrying the faint echo of distant voices. Dongmei's face softened, and she leaned closer. "Remember, we are with you. Always. [1]"
*KFP*
Jinjing's eyes snapped open, her chest heaving with sharp, ragged breaths. The warmth of her parents' embrace still lingered, but the cool night air sweeping through her room reminded her of the truth. She touched the crystal pendant around her neck, its familiar weight anchoring her to the present.
The shadows in the room felt unusually still, amplifying the fading echoes of her parents' warning. She sat upright, their words replaying in her mind:
Kai is coming.
There was no time to waste. Though the dream had ended, the danger was real. She slid out of bed and stepped quietly into the night, her feet carrying her toward the Master Garden.
The garden's tranquility offered little comfort. Jinjing's thoughts churned like a storm. What am I going to do? she wondered. If I don't warn them, everything could fall apart…
A soft voice broke her reverie. "Excuse me, Master Jinjing."
She turned to see a duck standing nearby, a scroll in his hands.
"There's a letter for you," he said, bowing politely.
Jinjing offered a small smile. "Thank you. And you don't have to call me 'Master Jinjing.' Just Jinjing is fine."
The duck nodded before retreating into the shadows. She unfolded the scroll, its elegant script catching the moonlight as she read:
Master Jinjing,
It is with utmost respect and admiration for your exceptional abilities that I extend this invitation to you. As the Headmistress of Phoenix Blaze Academy, I am always seeking individuals who not only excel in Kung Fu but also embody the values of wisdom, courage, and compassion—qualities, you have demonstrated time and time again.
At Phoenix Blaze, we are dedicated to shaping the next generation of martial artists, and we believe that your vast experience and deep understanding of Kung Fu would make you an invaluable mentor to our students. Your journey, filled with perseverance, bravery, and heart, serves as an inspiration to all who seek to master the art of combat and life.
If you accept this offer, you will have the freedom to guide our students according to your unique perspective, fostering both their skills and their character. It would be an honor to welcome you as a teacher at Phoenix Blaze Academy.
I eagerly await your response, hoping that you will join us in our mission to cultivate strength, wisdom, and honor.
With respect and anticipation,
Master Xiufeng
Headmistress, Phoenix Blaze Academy
Jinjing lowered the scroll, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been chosen. She could feel the weight of the offer and the responsibility it carried. But as the words from her parents echoed in her mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that her path was not yet clear.
Her thoughts drifted back from the dream, the warning of Kai, and the peace she had always known. I can't leave, she thought. Not now. Not when they need me here.
She thought of Shifu, Yue, Po, and the others—family, friends, all of them part of her heart. The letter from Phoenix Blaze Academy felt heavier with each passing moment. The opportunity was incredible, but could she walk away from everything she had fought for? [2]
What if I could make a difference? The thought flickered, but the idea of leaving the Valley felt like too much of a sacrifice. She wasn't sure she was ready.
Her fingers traced her mother's crystal pendant, grounding her in the present. Whatever decision she made, her family's love would stay with her.
Jinjing stood, the weight of her choice setting in her chest. She might not have all the answers yet, but she would face the future with the support of those she loved. [3]
It was time to talk to them. To share what she had learned and find the right path together.
Author's Notes:
1) The Pool of Sacred Tears appears in both DreamWorks Kung Fu Panda (2008) and in Season 2, Episode 2: "Royal Pain" in Nickelodeon's Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011-2016), where it's an important part of the lore. I love weaving in these references to the original series.
2) Jinjing's relationships with Shifu, Yue, Po, and the Furious Five shape her deeply. Though she's offered a new path at Phoenix Blaze Academy, leaving behind her family makes the choice harder. Their influence will continue to guide her through the challenges ahead.
3) The crystal jade pendant Jinjing wears is a symbol of her mother's legacy. It represents both her past and future, grounding her in moments of uncertainty as she moves forward. The crystal jade necklace first appeared in Chapter 12 of The Story of Jinjing 2.
Do you think that Jinjing should take the offer to teach at Phoenix Blaze Academy? Please let me know.
What will happen next?
Please review.