The Scorpion and the Tiger

A time period piece set during the Three Kingdoms era of China...a Wuxia novella

   Mostly of what I remember of it all, there was never any doubt as to my mistress' identity, even though she never spoke of it. It was many things which gave it away. Her manner of speaking, or walking. The flash of her eyes, her stance when preparing to fight. Most importantly, her Wushu. I, had never heard of Wu Dan style, as with being a practitioner of Changquan myself, I had been made privy by my masters at Shaolin the names of the many styles practiced throughout all of China. Yet of Wu Dan? It was something new, and most formidable, empty handed or not.

   "Li Bo!" She looked down to me from her mount. "Must you always pester me?" I felt nervous as she fingered her sword. "Just because your masters at Shaolin, never mentioned to you Baqua Zhang, such ignorance on their part does not mean it does not exist!" She was quite right. "Ten times ten times I have placed you upon your backside, where you have been unable to prevent it!" I grimaced to the fact. "Your...feeble Shaolin Wushu is no match for Wu Dan!" Her eyes flashed with an intensity. "Face it." She looked ahead at the empty road. "You're useless!" She then reached for her reed flute and began to play a most haunting melody.

*

   General Tsao, and the prefect Wu Di Fang, stood within the Cherry Blossom garden of Kun Ning Gong. They had heard rumors of my mistress being seen passing through Shantung, not more than a month before. Had it been anyone else, they would have held no concern of it, yet again, my mistress was a celebrity of great persuasion, who with a whisper, could move armies upon one another.

   "So then." Wu Di pawed the water of a fountain. "The report is authentic?" General Tsao glanced in Wu Di's direction.

   "Unfortunately, yes." Wu Di quickly reached into the water.

  "Well then." He then pulled a fish from the fountain, speared upon his fingers. "It seems that Yingkou has failed in his mission." Wu Di looked upon the dying fish without any care to its suffering. "He is dead?" He looked to General Tsao, seeing him nod his head an affirmation. "By the little w***e's hand?" Again, General Tsao nodded his head. Wu Di turned, and stepped toward General Tsao. "Most impressive." Wu Di tossed the dead fish to Daiyu, his pet Li Hua. "Perhaps, we need to send more than one, to kill the little b***h." General Tsao stood tall. "Fifty should be sufficient." General Tsao frowned lightly. "Thirty on foot, ten on horseback, along with ten archers." Wu Di had turned, coming to the fountain to rinse his hands. "Order them to bring her body back to me Lei." Wu Di stood proper, stepping again to General Tsao. "So that I may enjoy watching, as her lifeless corpse is devoured by swine." General Tsao Lei scowled, then after a bow, turned and left Wu Di alone within the garden.

*

   The Pingguo Hua pavilion within Xijiang Qianhu Miao, was bustling as usual. My mistress had commanded me to secure a stall for her ivory tinted mount, as she had decided to partake of the amenities of the pavilion. It had been her intention to secure an immodest suite within the pavilion, where a bath, meal, and entertainment was to be enjoyed. I, was ordered to stay within the stables, to insure her mount was fed and groomed properly.

*

   Her armor was heavy, and more than difficult to manage by the pavilion nuli nuhaizi. Thick and hard leather, pinned tightly over an unknown metal. From her throat to her feet, the leather was the same color. Black as an infernal night, with crimson tethers tied in Zhongguo jie, in a most unsettling fashion. Her sword, a jeweled Jian, was magnificent to say the least, which she would wield with a deftness that defied description. Of all of it, it was her helm that brought the most angst to any and all. Dark, as was her leather, with again crimson tethers upon the crown which trailed long, with a visor, that left her no way possible to see.

   "Mistress?" She turned her head barely to the right. "Your bath has been prepared." I had been a bit put out by being ordered to remain in the stables. I had climbed up to the fifth tier of the pavilion, finally coming to find her suite after stepping cautiously about the cornice. I saw her step from the shadows, out into the dim light, where the sight of her made me almost fall to my death. I, never in my life, had seen so many tattoos.

*

   Within Beifang Shaolin Simiao, the chant of the surviving masters could not only be heard, but felt everywhere throughout. Li Jiayi, a disciple of Long Fengge, received a letter from his sister, Chao-xing. Their parents had been killed...

             Dage

          Wo xie xin gei ni beishang de yinxin...

             Big Brother

          I write to you of sad tidings. Our parents, are dead. Slain at the hands of an assassin, sent by the prefect Wu Di. He left me alive, only after placing me in bondage, and ravaging me many times, so that I would live with the shame and despair. You had written me of your friend Li Bo, who had left Shaolin Temple to follow a Junfa, who had bested the grand masters of Shaolin Temple. I beseech you Big Brother, find Li Bo. Have him ask the Junfa, whoever they may be, to exact revenge. I shall wait until I hear news of the death of Wu Di, then I will take my life, being happy with the retribution, and of our parents being avenged. Take care Big Brother, until we meet again.

             Xiao mei

*

   The music filtering through the open doors of the balcony was of a most familiar song. Jia Ren Qu. Yet, the voice I heard singing, as soft as the cooing of a dove, was of my mistress. Beautiful, talented, skilled, with an intellect that was an envy of all. Philosophical, though at times more cynical than optimistic, she was more an enigma of being what she was, rather than who.

   "Shagua!" I cringed. "Since you undoubtedly climbed all this way for a reason?" I thought it would probably have been better if I had fallen. "You might as well come inside." I stood, then climbed over the balcony railing, stepping inside the dimly lit suite. The scent of jasmine and Sandalwood incense was subtle, as was the music being played lightly. I stepped through the double balcony doors, then immediately fell to my knees, forehead tight to the floor. "You have never looked better, Shagua." Her light laughter seemed playful. "You may rise." I stood quickly with a most ceremonious bow. "You have questions?" I stood dumbfounded, as always, to her knowing my thoughts.

     "Yes mistress." My eyes, strained to see her face in the dim light.

   "I will permit you only eight question Li Bo." I had more. "With each question preceded by an axiom, I am unfamiliar with." I had none. "Yet?" I had not taken my eyes from hers. "It would be easy to surmise, your curiosity at this moment, is concerned with my flesh." I could feel the warmth of my predictability flash upon my face. "They are all of my sins." I did not know what to say.

*

   Dried leaves moved across the aged stone floor, with what seemed a purpose, by the subtle breeze that always seemed to come with the dawn. The large temple bell could be heard, which announced the rising of the sun, in the distance,though of this day most subdued.

   "Li Jiayi." Li Jiayi bowed more than proper. "So it is true." Jiayi held his eyes to the floor. "You are planning to leave." Jiayi raised his eyes.

   "Yes master Zhang." Zhang Nianzu sighed with a shake of his head.

   "Within this year, Jiayi, you will gain your marks denoting that you have become a full fledged monk of Shaolin." Jiayi closed his eyes briefly. "If you leave now?" Nianzu stepped to a small window looking outward. "You will not be allowed to return." He turned to face Jiayi. "Under such circumstance? You will not be a benefit to yourself or your sister." Jiayi tightened his jaw and fists.

    "But master!" Jiayi hesitated in taking a step forward. "My family must be avenged for what has befallen them!" Jiayi glanced to the floor then back. "I am the only one able to do this!" Nianzu glanced to the floor with a tilt of his head briefly.

   "I...know of someone who may help." Nianzu turned back now looking out the window once more. "Many years ago, when I was a young monk, I was set upon my first travels of our land." Nianzu turned again to face Jiayi. "During my travels, I came upon a maiden from Xinjiang." Jiayi listened intently. "Her name was Fei Chenguang. We grew very fond of each other, and fell in love." Jiayi drew a sharp breath. "Though not encouraged by our edicts, it is not forbidden, so we pillowed on one auspicious night." Nianzu turned back looking out the window. "Many days later, I continued on my travels, where several years following my departure from Xinjiang, I returned." Nianzu turned to face Jianyi, who saw a look of admiration upon his master's face. "I learned then, that I had become a father." Jiayi smiled with a surprise. "I had a child with Chenguang, a daughter, who was given the name Eu-Funh. Zhang Eu-Funh was barely seven when I first saw her. Beautiful as her mother. I took it upon myself, to teach her Shaolin Wushu, and did so for the next ten years." Nianzu chuckled lightly. "She excelled in the disciplines of Shaolin, mastering style and technique much faster than I ever did." Jiayi saw Nianzu turn solemn. "On the eighteenth birthday of Eu-Funh, Chenguang gained a fever, and perished three months after." Nianzu turned to the window again. "I felt such a loss, yet, felt even more anguish for Eu-Funh, as no matter the words nor embrace and caress, could I console her at the loss of her mother." Nianzu turned back facing Jiayi, who could see the well of tears as Nianzu reminisced of those days. "I gathered my daughter's things, and then left with her in tow to my sister's home in Wuyuan. I then returned here to Shaolin to take my place as a teacher. I send letters to my daughter once a month, which she answers happily. I have as yet to send one for this month." Nianzu stepped closer to Jiayi. "I will write to her, and petition her to seek out Li Bo in your stead." Jiayi recoiled visibly. "In this way, you will be able to finish your erudition here at Shaolin, while she seeks the whereabouts of Li Bo. Once he is located, along with the Junfa he has come into service of, she will inform me of it all, including where they will be within the year following. When time comes for you to leave Shaolin? You will know where you must go to find Li Bo." Jiayi could not speak. "It is possible to serve two masters Jiayi." Nianzu chuckled lightly. "I am happy for the lesson." Nianzu bowed most ceremoniously to Jiayi, then turned and left him to consider his future.

*

   The sound of the waterfall within the immodest gazebo, seemed as if set by hand to match the music being heard from the distant open pavilion. Tsao Lei sat within a most ornate padded chair watching a woman dancing. By comparison to the maidens playing the far heard instruments, she displayed her age clearly. Lei looked upon her mesmerized, as if obedient to her presence by a power, he wished to never be free of. He sipped from his cup the cool wine, his eyes never wavering from his view of the woman. His desire for her was apparent. Lei stood from his chair, then after looking upon the woman with an unbridled lust, turned and stepped out into the garden. He could hear that the music had been halted, no doubt at the command of the dancing woman. He listened to a nightingale as they sang from a high branch within the garden somewhere, wishing for but a moment, to trade places.

   Wu Di had a vendetta against the mysterious Junfa, who when asked of their identity, Wu Di spat. He could only watch Wu Di walk away briskly, his scowl etched into his mind. Wu Di had arrived from Hangzhou the day he had been given his commission as a general in the service of Qin Shi Huang. The Emperor, did not care for Wu Di either, and so sent him away to Gushi, to oversee the reconstruction of the village. Reports returned of sedition against Emperor Qin, where an army was sent to squelch the rebellion. The reports, were false, yet, many died under the orders of Wu Di. Lei recalled that he had been given command of the army that arrived within Gushi, a month before the reports arrived within Zijin Cheng. He remembered the look on Wu Di's face, as the village was razed.

   The nightingale's song entered Lei's thoughts. The Emperor Cao Pi, was held tight under Wu Di's sway. He could not stand against him, with the Emperor hanging upon Wu Di's every word. Lei turned from the garden, making way to the small garrison he maintained within his home acreage. His men came to a quick attention, causing his lead captain, Feng Kai to exit the garrison carel to meet him.

   "My general!" The bow was most ceremonious and sincere.

   "How many men of our district are being held with demerits?" Kai stood proper.

   "Forty-three." Lei smiled with a huff.

  "Have them assembled and ready to move out at dawn tomorrow Kai." Feng Kai recoiled visibly, though bowed as quickly.

   "It shall be done my general!" Lei bowed lightly to Kai, then turned, making his way for the gazebo, and the woman waiting within.

*

   I had been brought a plate of food by a handmaiden, along with a pot of Jasmine tea. It was all of the most perfectly prepared duck, with sweet dumplings and steamed rice. What had perplexed me however, was that my mistress had me face her directly as I sat to eat. In all that would unfold this evening, I would come to understand, that fate had its own set of rules, and I, its most obedient adherent.

   "One thousand, seven hundred and three years passing, there was come to Bing Hu Bifenggang, a young maiden named Yutu Ni Ke. Her beauty was superfluous. When time came, that her sixteenth birthday arrived, all the princes from all the land, came to pay her homage. One such prince, had insidious intentions, with designs on gaining the Ting Yueliang, in which to hold her to his sway, with the threat of exposing her as being an immortal. The goddess of the Moon, Heng'e. His plan fell perfectly into place, and he now stood in a great position of power, and Heng'e, having no choice,  surrendered to his will. His demands were simple. He would return the Scepter and remain silent to her identity, in exchange for the essence of immortality. Heng'e knew what it would mean, should the prince gain such a power, so? She returned to the moon, after exposing her true self to him. Yet, she had told him this. 'You would wish to live forever, with no fear of death, to become as if a god among men, that you would subjugate with a cold and cruel heart. The mandate of heaven, would never allow one so petty as you, to stand as if one among them. Yet, within such a demand? There is merit found to enlighten you of life's more grandest of treasures. From this day on, your appearance shall be that of a most frail and impotent man, where you will remain, immortal, yet capable of dying at any time. How you make your way through life, is of no concern to me, yet as well, from this day on, no one shall remember you, for it shall be, as if you were never born'. The prince was horrified, falling to his knees before Heng'e, begging from her a change of heart. Her heart, remained closed to his pleading. Heng'e returned to her place upon the moon, leaving the prince now alone within the palace chamber, where he stood, finding himself looking frail by all definition. The last that Heng'e spoke to him, was that he would find no rest, in this life or the next, until felled at the hands of one sent by Heng'e. So, the prince has had all of that time to hone his martial skills to a most finite level. Yet, for all he comes to master, he shall be no match to the immortal, Blood Orchid." I, had not touched my meal, nor sipped the tea.

   "Mistress." My eyes had not drifted a fraction from hers. "The name of the prince?" My soul, now felt as if turned to ice from her tender look turned harsh.

*

   Wu Di looked upon the many snow white and sky blue orchids of his garden as he stepped along the polished white marble palisade. He stopped, turning proper to an orchid now in full bloom. His hands tightened along with his jaw, as his face turned to a scowl, filled with dire emotions. He turned from the one singular orchid, continuing on his way through the garden, as the notes of a distant pipa could be heard lightly in the distance. Hard as he tried, he could not remove the sight of the Blood Orchid from his mind.

*

   My mistress began to move, then stood from the bath water. I turned my eyes away, though must confess, not for a few moments, for her feminine nakedness was more than attractive, as the tattoos alluring. Several of the maidens came quickly to her side, where they began to towel the excess water from her exposed flesh, then, in what I can only describe as mesmerizing, did they began to clothe her in the finest of white silken wraps.

   "Does my form please you, Li Bo?" She had not turned to speak, and I, could not. Again, such playful laughter. "Would you find it easier to serve me?" She turned to look in my direction. "If I were a great beast?" I stumbled back off my seat, causing again her laughter to flow. It had to have been a trick of the light, I thought, as I again sat proper. "Would you find it easier to pillow with me, if I were but a young maiden, here within this pavilion, whose virtues can be had by the jingle of a full purse?" The maidens attending my mistress, dared not look to her disparagingly. She turned, now facing me. "How many talons of silver and gold do you possess Li Bo?" I had one of each.

   "One of silver, and one of gold, mistress." I glanced away briefly. "But I have chipped at both to acquire some things." My eyes remained to the floor.

   "Yes, you have." I could hear her stepping my way. "To gain a quite welled made Jian." She stopped several paces from my table. "Yes?" I turned my eyes back to hers slowly.

   "Yes, my mistress." I pushed the small flat seat back and away, falling hard to my knees, my forehead hard to the floor.

   "Li Bo." I heard the rustle of silk, then felt the touch of delicate soft fingertips upon my chin raising my head. "If you have the desire to watch me, as I work my Jian?" Her smile, seemed to calm my soul. "Then watch me now, as I dance to music." She stood, drawing me to my knees. I slowly found my seat again, waving away the meal from my table, as my mistress stepped to the center of the suite. She barely turned her head with a tilt, and the music began to play, a soft yet haunting melody I had heard many times before. The candlelight, though subdued, seemed to radiate an ethereal glow about her. I could easily have passed the illusion off as the light reflected upon the gold and silver thread of her black silk Qipao. Yet, the more she swayed to the notes of music, the more the glow became prominent. It was then that I drew a deep breath, turning myself about quickly. The balcony doors had remained wide open, where there framed within them, was a perfectly displayed full moon. I turned back to the cessation of the music. "She always did love to watch me dance." I watched, as my mistress reached down, taking my purse, and the talons within. She then stood proper and retired to the bedding room, where the maidens in attendance, closed and locked the doors.

*

   I had found myself still sitting upon the balcony floor come the sunrise that morning. All my thoughts centered on what was taking place. How had I been chosen by Yue Xia Lao, to have found myself in the path I now tread? I had not the answer, yet, felt that I had to follow it to the end, if for anything, to understand my purpose of being.

   "Master." I turned to the maiden calling to me. "Your mistress is waiting for you in the stables." I felt ill. "She bids you to return to her side immediately." Now, even worse, as I quickly left the suite, only this time, by the front door.

*

   I entered the stables, finding my mistress had already prepared her mount for departure. Her eyes caught mine as if timed by some strange pathos, where within her gaze, I could sense it was not in my favor to recant the prior evening's events.

   "Li Bo." I came to her side, my head held low. "We have far to travel still." I stood proper. "I have secured a mount for you." A stable hand now brought the animal before me. "Well?" I smiled as I bowed.

   "Thank you mistress." I turned to the animal, stepping cautiously toward it. Magnificent she was. Her head held proud, with a perfect mane and tail, so blonde in contrast to her russet coloring. I held my hand out, which she nuzzled tenderly.

   "She has no name." I glanced briefly to my mistress. "Yet, she has been tempered. So fear not when upon the saddle." My mistress quickly straddled her mount, her eyes to me as I now did as well. "You seem familiar with this, Li Bo." I smiled, as I now pet my mount's neck.

   "Yes mistress." I turned my eyes to hers, the smile upon my face genuine. "My father was an excellent horseman in the service of the Emperor Qin Shi Huang." I cantored my mount next to my mistress. "He taught my brother, sister, and I how to ride." Again I looked to my mount. "She is beautiful, mistress. " I turned my eyes proper.

   "So then, Li Bo." We both cantored our mounts outside of the stable. "What will you name her then?" I looked to my mount, where in my thoughts, there was only one name that would befit her.

   "Lan Yueliang." I smiled warmly, which waned quickly to my mistress' scowl.

   "You take much liberty with my temperament, Li Bo!" She quickly spurred her mount into a fast gait, where I, without much hesitation, followed quickly after.

*

   Tsao Lei, his armor set proper upon his muscular frame, stepped from the balcony of his bedding room, stopping at the bottom of the staircase. The sunrise was most splendid, with a soft orange hue that had always pleased him since he was a boy. He had chosen that color for his banner, along with the wild boar. It reminded him of his father, who had raised swine in their village. Regardless of the chides he endured while growing up, he admired his father with a genuine pride. Lei tilted his head back to his right. His smile grew upon his face.

   "You are anxious." He turned about, setting his eyes to the woman standing barely covered within the balcony doors. She held her right hand out to him. Lei dipped his chin briefly, then stepped back up the stairs, taking her hand into his.

   "You do not plan on returning." Lei looked to the floor then back, stepping closer to the woman.

   "Of my plans?" Lei now caressed her right cheek with his left hand. "They are inconsequential." He now thumbed her chin lightly. "Unlike my plans of loving you." The woman tilted her head lightly. "Such was ordained before the stars in the sky came to be." Lei drew a deep breath. "Of that twist of fate? I shall always be eternally grateful for." She began to tear, choking free a heartfelt smile. Lei leaned forward, tasting her lips once more, his eyes closed, sampling the only perfect thing, as he thought, of the life he had been given. He leaned back, then opened his eyes seeing only hers. He stepped back a pace, then with a light bow, turned and stepped down the staircase, now heading for the garrison.

*

   Shadows, were fashioned with the sole purpose, according to the mandate of heaven, to keep the light from being everywhere. So the axiom stated. Yet, within the shadows, things not concerned with the mandate of heaven dwelled. Eyes, holding no emotion, belonged to one who stood to move against the Fates, considering soft whispers of sedition and treachery as the best of compliments. They had been to Shantung, seeing first hand the skill of the mysterious Junfa. They had also found the remains of their fellow assassin, Yingkou. No one who stood as Lien Kuen, should ever die in such a manner. Yet of Yingkou, he deserved the all of it. He had been a rapist of females, whether very young or very old, it mattered not to him, where it had been the pleasure of their screams that drove him to do it.

   From a distance, they watched as Tsao Lei approached the garrison. His benefactor had been right. Tsao would lead the way in which to engage the mysterious Junfa. It had something to do with an error in judgment, his benefactor had stated, on the part of Tsao Lei. Of all he had heard of the great Qin General, he had never done anything that would have been construed as an error of judgment. He had been victorious in all of his campaigns, gaining the eastern and northern regions with few losses. That, was more than a decade ago, long before they had come into the service of their benefactor.

   They moved silently from corner to cover, and from ledge to edge, finally leaving the compound of Tsao Lei. Before the coming of the third night, they would be within the company of their benefactor, the prefect Wu Di Fang. He would be both pleased and cautious of Tsao Lei's decision to make way himself to intercept the Junfa, yet, would consider his death, most auspicious. He stood at the edge of the woodlands that surrounded Tsao Lei's compound, viewing the soft orange banners waving, as they shrunk into the distance, then turned, vanishing into the shadows once again.

*

   We had ridden hard for the early part of the journey, stopping only to rest the horses. Of this particular day, I had walked down to the edge of a pond surrounded by a small grove of Birch, admiring the ducks that swam leisurely by. I heard the horses whinny in the background, then again the distinct sound of steel being drawn. I turned quickly, being in time to catch my newly acquired Jian in my right hand. My Mistress was upon me before I could draw a breath, where in a single motion, she had disarmed me, with the point of her sword at my throat.

   "Li Bo." She shook her head with a light chuckle following. "You must always be aware, as you must always have your sword close at hand!" She lowered her sword taking a step toward me. "Else?" She struck me hard upon my left cheek. "You will die." She stepped away taking up my sword, where she tossed it to me. "Forget all you know of Shaolin, Li Bo." She now stood on guard. "This?" She whirled her sword about her body in a blinding fast motion. "Is Wu Dan!" She moved on me so quickly, where I barely reacted, again finding my sword upon the ground, her hand upon my cheek.

*

   The fire had been set proper, with the fish from the pond I had caught earlier, roasting upon a makeshift spit. I had considered the difficulty of eating my share, as my face ached from chin to crown. My mistress played her reed flute as always, her eyes neither upon me or the fire, but more in the distance.

   "I need to gather more wood for our fire mistress." I stood, looking her way. "I shall return in a moment." She only waved me off as if shooing a fly. I stepped away from the fire out into the darkness of the woods, using what light was availed to me from the fire. Mostly twigs and modest sticks were available, which would be fine to begin with, but I needed to find a few fair sized branches to keep the fire ablaze throughout the night. I knew I had to venture farther away in which to find them, so took a breath and stepped into the dark of night.

   "Li Bo." I froze in my place, as the feminine voice I was hearing was not, of my mistress. "Shy at times, brave at others." I still could not move. "Why do you serve the Junfa?" It was a question, I had not even thought to ask myself.

   "I..." I shook my head subtly. "I do not know why." I now felt my mistress was more than right, for I felt quite useless.

   "Li Bo." I could hear no movement, though the voice grew closer. "Brave at times, shy at others." It was then, that she came to step then stand before me. "You serve the Junfa? Because you feel her worthy of such a dedication." I could not move still, though only by being held in such awe of the maiden before me. She leaned close to my left ear. "Do not ask the Junfa such obvious things as who and where." She leaned back then again closer to my right. "But instead, of how and why." She stood proper, her smile like the morning, her laughter like falling rain. "Remember Li Bo." She stepped back and away into the darkness. "The earth abides, as the water abandons." Her voice seemed as if a whisper all about me, replaced by a gently breeze. I returned to the fire still unsure of what had taken place, yet carried enough wood for the night. I set the wood close where I had set my place to sleep, then turned to tend the fire once more.

   "Mistress?" She looked to me with her left brow raised, obviously a bit perturbed at my pestering. I drew a breath. "The earth abides, as the water abandons." Her expression, went flat.

   "Eh!" She turned her eyes upward to the moon above. "Do not give him any help!" A soft scowl formed upon her face as she spoke. "Ask your first question Li Bo." She set her reed flute by her side, now sitting most proper. I thought for a moment, remembering what had been said

   "How are you called, and why a Junfa?" Now she furled her brows with a growl.

   "I am called Luo Li-Te, and a Junfa, because the mandate of heaven saw fit for me to be nothing less." She stood, then came and knelt before me, lifting the sleeve of her right arm. "This?" She pointed to a tattoo atop her wrist of a screaming woman surrounded by fire. "Is my mother." She softly caressed the image. "She was burned at the stake, after being condemned a witch." Now, she covered the image with her left hand. "I betrayed her to the local constabulary, after she had made a love potion for a man of our village, who had eyes for another woman." She lowered her sleeve back into place. "I was jealous, that he wanted another, and not me, and felt my mother had betrayed my desire for him to another." She turned her eyes up to me, where her tears fell upon her cheeks. "They made me watch as she burned, until only ash remained, as all the while I cursed myself, and the full moon of that night." I felt as if I could not breath or move as she spoke. "I awoke the next day, lying still before the place she had perished, feeling a burning sensation upon the back of wrist." She hesitated reaching again for the place upon her wrist. "I found the tattoo somehow had been set there over the passing night." I hesitated then relinquished the need of reaching forth to comfort her. "As I had told you Li Bo." She stood, looking down into my eyes. "They are all of my sins." She tightened her hands into fists. "From that day on? I have betrayed those most loyal, killed those most innocent, and have found enjoyment in the razing of honorable village, or holiest of temples, and each time the deed is done? I receive a tattoo of it. There is only one place, that has not been touched, and it rests over my ethereal heart. It stands, Li Bo, because I have never fallen in love. I will betray them, and take their life, as it is my destiny to do such. Nothing can prevent it. It is why I am a Junfa, Li Bo. Being such, gives me no time to love." She turned, coming to sit back upon her bedroll, where she took up her reed flute, and again played a most haunting melody.

*

   Along smoothly hewn marble walls, brands of the purest pewter had been inset, casting an eerie glow within the large and ornate room. Wu Di, surrounded by ten wood and iron Mu Ren Zhuang, stood in contemplative silence. His mind could only see within its darkness the Blood Orchid within his garden. It was a warning, that his time was growing short. He drew a deep breath, then moved slowly, where he now stood in a most familiar fashion. He neither smiled nor frowned, as his thoughts turned to the mandate of heaven. He weaved slightly in an almost imperceptible circular motion. Zhu Tanglangquan, was all of his own creation. Much as was Yinghua Xiequan. Each designed with techniques, that maimed, then killed most excruciatingly slow. Upon the surface of the Mu Ren Zhuang, there could be seen the marks of both fingers and hands. The wood, dry and splintered. The iron, rusted and cracked. The result of Wu Di's skillful touch. His profession however, was that of an Apothecary, which is how he came into the service of the Emperor, or Empress depending.

   "Master?" Wu Di drew a deep breath, opening his eyes as he turned in the direction of the voice, stepping from within the circle of Mu Ren Zhuang.

   "Yes Jia?" Wu Di ignored the fear in the young girl's eyes.

   "There is a man awaiting your presence within the Pubu Fangjian." Wu Di began to button his shirt.

   "Thank you Jia." Wu Di stepped passed Jia, making his way to the far side of his home.

*

   As I tended the fire, my mistress had departed into the darkness, her reason unknown to me. I stood, then stepped to her bedroll, seeing her reed flute lying atop the bedding. Since the very first time I had seen her draw it forth at Shaolin, it had appeared to be as if a Zhoushan. Yet, hearing the music pour forth from it, I knew it could not have been, and simply understood that the instrument had been covered in its skin. I looked about as I slowly crept forward, my ears listening through the crackle of the fire. It was a most wondrous reed flute, not like the bamboo Dizi and Xiao flutes I had become accustomed to seeing and hearing played. I knelt down, reaching my hand out to the instrument, hesitating as I looked about once again. I turned back becoming frozen with fear, as I now looked into the eyes of the largest hooded speckled snake I had ever seen.

   "Shagua!" It was out of fear that I turned my head back to my left. "What are you doing?" I remembered the snake, looking back quickly. "For all that is right as rain!" I truly did feel like crying. "Can I not even pee without you pestering me in some way?" I set the leather bound reed flute back upon the bedroll gingerly. "Well?" I stood up slowly, backing away from my mistress' bedroll, the nonsensical giggling and babbling flowing passed my lips. "What in the hell is wrong with you?" I watched as she sat down upon her bedroll, taking up again her reed flute. "Maybe?" She moistened her lips preparing to play. "I made a mistake in accepting you as my servant." I sat back hard to my bedroll, now hearing my mistress begin to play, the song of Bai She Zhuan.

*

   My sleep, if it could be called such, was filled with great warriors, immortal goddesses, and hideous creatures, all choreographed into a maelstrom of confusion. Yet, within the center of it all, stood my mistress. Her eyes, beckoning me onward, as her smile gave me strength, her laughter, comfort. I awoke, finding her gone. Her bedroll was still set, and I could tell she had taken down one of her packs from her mount. The sun had barely cleared the peak of the mountains, bathing the small glade in an almost illusory glow. I stood, then made my way down to the small pond to wash, where as I neared exiting from the modest shrubbery, it was then I could see my mistress within the pond, the water barely to the break of her hips. Upon her entire body were tattoos, where in the center of her back was the inking of the moon, holding the words Tie, and Si. Iron and Silk.

   I had known of this martial philosophy, since studying at Shaolin. It had been a constant subject of old groundskeeper Hui Chen Chao, who had come to Shaolin but was never allowed to study the disciplines within. Iron he said, was hard and unyielding. Silk was soft and yielding. He would laugh heartily, then speak of the Yin and the Yang. My mistress. Iron, and Silk. Yin and Yang. Iron, I was told, has no influence on Silk, as the harder you swing at Silk, it simple moves out of the way. Silk has no influence on Iron, as it tears when used against it. Yet, when combined at the just the right moments? Invincible! I had turned away from the view of my mistress within a moments time. I sat down upon the still moist grass behind the shrubbery, my eyes to the ground, finding an epiphany flash into my mind.

*

   Wu Di entered the Pubu Fangjian, the brands within illuminating the room with a perfect Feng Shui. He could see the man Jia had told him of standing at the far end near the Wu Fu Penquan. Who he was, was inconsequential. What he was, was Lien Kuen. Wu Di had garnered a true use for them, and always as spies or assassins, with some performing both tasks at once. He had left the cost of payment to the desire of the Lien Kuen attache in his service at the time, where he found most desires simple and easily paid.

   "Shifu." Wu Di returned the more than proper bow. "It is as you surmised." Wu Di beckoned the Lien Kuen envoy to step with him. "Tsao Lei, has taken command of the force directed to intercept the Junfa from Bingshan." Wu Di appeared not to react to the news. "He consigned his entire estate to his concubine." Wu Di glanced briefly to the envoy, as they continued. "She could be eliminated if..." Wu Di raised his right hand quickly.

   "She is to remain untouched, until the mandate of heaven delivers her last breath." Wu Di stopped, looking to the envoy. "Is that understood?" The envoy turned his eyes low with a tilting bow acknowledging the command. "Continue." Again, they stepped about the large ornate room.

   "The Junfa from Bingshan, travels with a Shaolin monk." Wu Di raised his chin.

   "His name?" Wu Di listened while drawing a deep breath.

   "At Shaolin, they say he was called Li Bo." Wu Di stopped turning to the envoy.

   "Li Bo." Wu Di's face turned to a menacing scowl. "Name your payment." The envoy stood proper, his eyes to Wu Di with intent.

   "The maiden." Wu Di stood proper. "Ming Jia!" Wu Di glanced quickly over his right shoulder, then back to the envoy.

   "Only if I were dead." Wu Di had stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes hard upon the envoy.

   "What is she to you, that you would make such a statement?" Wu Di set his hands by his sides.

   "Perfection." The envoy shuffled his feet barely noticeable. "Your next move, will be most unwise!" Hand against arm, fingers against flesh. Wind draws frost upon the reeds, as earth falters under falling hail. Wu Di stepped back, watching as the envoy fell to his knees, then to the cold marble floor.

   "Fu Shang!" The maiden, Ming Jia stepped closer, coming to kneel next to the dying envoy. "He knows who I am." She placed her left hand upon his chest, allowing her eyes to illuminate lightly. "As he knows who the Junfa from Bingshan is." The envoy began to breathe more comfortably. "You knew what was to become inevitable, and trying to keep it a secret through more treachery will not stem the retribution demanded by me!" The envoy looked to Ming Jia, his right hand coming to hold her face tenderly. "You must leave here at once, this very night! You are more than well now, Kai Tong." She touched his hand with her own. "Go Home. Find a wife, and have a child." Ming Jia stood, drawing Kai Tong to his feet. "Tell no one of this, which you have become privy to." Ming Jia stepped back a pace. "Or I shall revoke this gift of life I have afforded you this night, instantly!" Kai Tong looked to Wu Di, then to Ming Jia.

   "I..." Another glance to Wu Di. Kai Tong bowed most unceremoniously, then turned and vanished into the night.

   "You said, I was perfection." Ming Jia turned to face Wu Di, who did not move a fraction. "You know better, Fu Shang." Wu Di watched as Ming Jia stepped around him then listened as she walked away, with the slap to his face burning upon his left cheek.

*

     Tso Lei, held his helm loosely in his left hand, looking out to the north east, where in his mind he could see the fortress of Wu Di Fang. He recalled the way the mist would play about the battlements in the early morning, soon replaced by fog in the early evening. There were places within the old fortress where shadow had never felt the caress of light, whether natural or otherwise. He had heard tales of the fortress, mostly as a boy growing up in Shanghai. It had been known as Lang Wo, before he was born, yet none called it that outright. Guimu, was what his grandfather spoke. Such, seemed more appropriate. He had sat atop his mount as his men rode by, his eyes out to his home. He could see Yin Kongque, standing in the doorway, the crimson silk curtains flitting about her nakedness, her dark auburn hair doing the same about her face. He looked up to the sky drawing a deep breath. She, possibly more, loved him than he loved her. He smiled warmly to the fact. Her love made him invincible, at least, until now. He often wondered if she would have felt the same as she did, if she had not been born blind, where she could have looked into his eyes, to see his most hideous soul.

   His horse had finished drinking from the cool pond, as his men had finished replenishing the water in their pouches. Lei set his helm proper upon his head, then turned, stepping toward his men leading his mount along. They were good men, fierce warriors, but just a bit headstrong. They were, Lei thought with a smile, just what he needed for the gambit soon to be played. He saddled up, slowly moving his mount to the fore, then raised his left hand, motioning for all to follow his lead. Again, he drew a deep breath to the thought. To follow his lead, unto certain doom, for he had set in his mind that the mysterious Junfa, whoever she was, would have his aid in bringing about the downfall of Wu Di Fang.

*

     Ming Jia watched as the sun climbed high into the sky. She could easily calculate that half of the day had passed. To her, the hours of daylight seemed to move slowly, compared to the hours of the night.

    "Mistress." Ming Jia turned with a start. "Forgive my impertinence." Ming Jia stepped slowly to the shadowed figure.

     "Kai Tong." Ming Jia stepped slowly toward the Lien Kuen assassin. "Why have you returned?" Kai Tong fell upon his right knee, his hands set before him respectfully.

     "I have come to beg of you a favor, my goddess." Ming Jia stopped a pace from Kai Tong.

     "You have forgotten my mandate, Kai Tong?" Kai Tong stood quickly with a sharply drawn breath.

     "No, my goddess, I have not." Ming Jia tilted her head rightwise. "I have need to know, how you are here as you stand?" Ming Jia smiled forlornly.

     "By compromise, Kai Tong." Kai Tong furled his brows, now more than puzzled.

*

     The light that shone through the weald canopy gave the surrounding scene a most surreal look, which only added to the feeling of the same intensity as I rode onward. My mistress, the Junfa Luo Li-Te, sat crossed-legged upon her mount, seemingly stationary in movement. She spoke, with a calm I had become familiar with.

     "The Prince had learned of the identity of Heng'e, yet, had sworn to keep such secret. His word however, did not go without a condition." I had nudged my mount along side of my mistress, listening intently. "As I had mentioned, the moon goddess Heng'e, is most beautiful, and the prince, wished to always have her about, to gaze upon her beauty. It was not so much her beauty of face that had mesmerized the prince, but her eyes, which he found a calm within, the likes he had never known. So, he told Heng'e, he would keep her secret, as long as she remained by his side, though if she left for even a moment, he would use the Ting Yueliang, and expose her to all the land. Heng'e told the prince, that such would be impossible for her to do. When asked why, Heng'e said 'I am the moon goddess, who resides within the moon, and makes it shine bright at night. If I remain during the night, then the moon will not shine, and the stars that reside in the canopy of heaven will fall, and the earth will burn from their brightness so close.' The prince understood such, as he had a knowledge of the mandate of heaven, and agreed, that when nightfall came, she could return to her throne of the moon, where her light could shine bright. Yet, during the day, she would remain by his side as a maiden within the fortress of the prince." My mistress furled her brows. "I go, to set her free Li Bo." I recoiled visibly, finding myself gripping my sword nervously, as she returned again to play a most haunting melody upon her reed flute.

*

     Kai Tong stared blankly ahead, even though the garden before him was most exquisite. The sound of the fountain behind him, brought his mind back to where he stood, the scent of jasmine and sandalwood wafting to his senses. He knew, it was the scent of the moon goddess, Heng'e. Kai Tong turned slowly to Ming Jia.

     "I am ready." Ming Jia stepped forward, her right hand rising toward Kai Tong. "Just grant me one request, my goddess." Ming Jia nodded her head listening. "Allow me the privilege, of remaining by your side as a wraith in your service." Ming Jia drew a sharp breath. "For all eternity if you so choose." Ming Jia glanced to the ground briefly. "In this way? I will be your immortal guardian, in this life, and the next." Ming Jia smiled warmly, now placing her right hand upon Kai Tong gently, allowing her eyes to illuminate lightly.

     "So be it, Kai Tong." Kai Tong felt himself turn cold. "Your heart's desire!" He then fell to the stone floor of the garden pavilion. Ming Jia watched, as his last breath left him, as well as the light from his eyes. She stepped back a pace, then turned her eyes to the clouded sky above, her entire being welling with sadness. "Where are you, Xue Lanhua?" Ming Jia now turned, and walked out into the garden, and the gentle falling rain in which to hide her tears.

*

     My mistress looked up to the clouded sky, then bowed her head, as for but a moment, I thought I saw her armor shimmer, as if wet, like blood. She nary turned, so it was not the sunlight that gave the impression, it was something else entirely. She halted her mount, then dropped to the ground drawing forth her Jian.

     "Stay here Li Bo!" Her glance to me sent a chill to my very soul. "Understand?" I bowed my head lightly, where I dropped to the ground, taking the reigns of her mount, then obediently remained behind.

*

     Within the village of Wuyuan, all was moving at the days usual pace. Above the music shop of Zu Mo, Zhang Eu-Funh placed the letter from her father into the inside of her blouse. She had packed only the necessities, knowing she could easily purchase anything else she would need while on her way to find Li Bo, and the mysterious Junfa. The only other thing she took with her, was the twenty-four foot steel tipped Bian. It had been her mother's, which she learned to use before her mother's death. After the years that passed within Wuyuan, she had gained much reputation in the region, earning the moniker of the Hei Bian.

     She took the steps of her apartment down, turning out to the main street. She hesitantly looked back to the cold and dark place that had been her home for many years, then back to look up the street.

     "Huangshulang!" Eu-Funh drew a deep breath turning to Zu Mo. "Today is the day, huh?" Eu-Funh smiled, nodding her head. "Don't worry." Zu Mo stepped closer to Eu-Funh. "I will keep a sharp eye on your home." He glanced up to the apartment above his shop briefly. "You can be assured of that!" He smiled warmly to Eu-Funh. "Oh." He stepped back. "I almost forgot!" He turned looking over his shoulder to Eu-Funh. "Just hold on a minute, eh?" Eu-Funh lowered her kit to her right side, awaiting the return of Zu Mo. "Here." Eu-Funh looked at the small leather pouch. "I...want you to take these." Eu-Funh opened the pouch, seeing nine expertly honed Shou Li Jian within.

     "These are Lien Kuen weapons!" Zu Mo looked to the ground briefly. "You?" Zu Mo smiled shyly.

     "Yes." Zu Mo stood humbly with Eu-Funh. "Until coming here. I found my peace of mind and soul, turning away from that path." Eu-Funh closed the pouch, placing it into her kit.

     "Not an eccentric shop owner, are you?" Zu Mo smiled, now standing proper.

     "Huangshulang." He chuckled warmly stepping back. "I am that, most certainly!" He stopped, bowing lightly to Eu-Funh. "On your way, Eu-Funh." He waved at her to go, where after a proper bow to Zu Mo, she turned with a final wave good bye, then strode up the road through town.

*

     It had seemed as if hours had passed, though it had only been maybe one at most. My mistress stepped from the dense underbrush, her jian, gleaming as if brand new and unused. She looked to me with an urgency, yet moved as always, with grace and balance, finally coming to stand close by.

     "There is a great force which moves as we do Li Bo." She retook the reigns of her mount. "They will arrive at Guimu before us." I gripped the hilt of jian tightly. "This? Can not be helped." My mistress glanced to the ground briefly. "In three days Li Bo, we will find ourselves tightly within the grasp of calamity." My mistress smiled wryly. "It is a most comfortable situation Li Bo." I looked to my mistress puzzled, watching as she set herself atop her mount. "Within such, there are only two ways availed." I now mounted up, my eyes to my mistress. "Life, and death." She laughed warmly, then turned and spurred her mount forward, as did I, finding the absence of her flute, most unsettling.

*

     Eu-Funh lead her mount from the stables, her eyes now to the eastern horizon. She tilted her head rightwise, her eyes narrowing. It seemed, that what her father had told her, was more than truth. 'Fate, my daughter dear, has its own set of rules, where it will, when you are needed, move you to where you must be to learn of your purpose'. She could see the storm growing in the distance, where she knew only Lang Wo stood. Four days leisurely riding, and she would be within sight of the dark stone fortress. All knew of its history.

*

     According to an archaic calendar, in the year of the Ruby Hawk, during the waxing of the Diamond Moon, a traveler from far off Beiji Quan, arrived. They had brought with them only that which they could carry upon their back. Night fell, where all anyone could see, was a small fire in the distance, which none took as anything different than the stranger keeping warm. Come the dawn, all were called to the edge of the Ash forest, as there within it's center, the dark stone fortress had risen, seemingly overnight. So the legend had been written.

     "Don't be so childish Li Bo." I rode along side my mistress. "The fortress had been built by Menggu Ren, hundreds of years before the first age of Zhongguo." I raised my brows in surprise. "They abandoned the fortress several decades later, returning to their own lands." My brows furled now. "The great Ash forest had kept it hidden for many years, until it was discovered by Ting Sying." I, had never heard of such a maiden before. "She knew if she spoke of it, all would come, wishing to claim it. She wanted it all to herself. So? She made a pact with a Jingling named Xiaoqing, who had been living within the fortress, to keep it hidden from all eyes but hers. Xiaoqing agreed, and cast a spell upon the fortress." I listened, as always, intently. "Ting Sying finally decide one day, to venture within the fortress. Once within, Xiaoqing closed the great gate to the fortress. Ting Sying thought nothing of it, feeling she could leave at anytime. What she did not know, was that Xiaoqing had fallen in love with her, and had already decided not, to let her go." I narrowed my eyes, as my mistress continued. "After several days, Ting Peng, her father, along with several men went looking for her. They soon entered the Ash forest, coming to the center of the weald. They found an immense field of shui xian hua, displaying every color imaginable, yet there was no sign of his daughter, Ting Sying." My mistress glanced my way as I listened. "Her father, soon followed by the other men, began calling out to her. She ran to the top of the battlements, and called down to her father. He had heard her call, and began to look about for her. Xianqing had been good to his word. No one could see the fortress, which also included her as she stood within its walls. After several days of encampment, the other men left, leaving Ting Peng alone to search for his daughter, whom he could hear calling to him. She watched as her father died of sorrow, which caused her to take her own life, by jumping from the battlements toward where her father had died." My mistress drew a deep breath as did I. "From that time on? The place has been called Guimu." I watched my mistress reach for her reed flute, where she again played the same haunting melody as always. I, reigning my mount slightly, fell back to the heel behind her.

*

     Eu-Funh rode on toward the storm in the distance, her mind recalling the tale, of the maiden Ting Sying. The tragedy had stuck well inside her mind, as it had been her aunt who had told her of it. It was not so strange, that she now rode in that same direction of the fortress. Regardless of anything, one thing she gleaned from her father, was the mandate of heaven was not absolute, but fate, gave no room for error. It was explained, as she recalled, in an axiom her father learned at Shaolin Temple. Wind or blade of grass, each bow to one another, knowing their purpose. Such made her think of Zu Mo. Wind, or blade of grass, she could only surmise that at one time, he may have been both.

     She glanced over her left shoulder at the instrument case resting upon one of her packs. She had had a dream to become a performer within Zijin Cheng, yet of fate, there had been no room for such fanciful ideas. She was a Zhandouji, though happily not a Guyong Bing. She despised them, engaging them every chance that would arise. Such the thought caused Eu-Funh to lower her eyes briefly. She had injured many, and had slain a few. She was, who she was meant to be. The Zhandouji, Hei Bian, now making way to Guimu, and her destiny.

*

     Ming Jia, turned her eyes to the sky. Wu Di, now did the same. The storm rage was turning in opposition to the law of nature. Wu Di knew, that the mandate of heaven had begun to draw all forces concerned toward the fortress. Wu Di turned his eyes to Ming Jia, his look stern, hers, calm.

     "The Junfa is the immortal, Xue Lanhua. Blood Orchid." Ming Jia glanced to the marbled floor of the enclosed gazebo.

     "Yes Fu Shang." Ming Jia looked proper to Wu Di. "She is the Moon Knight, Blood Orchid!" Wu Di's face turned to a most harsh scowl.

     "She is the one whom you have summoned to set you free!" Ming Jia stood defiant, as Wu Di stepped closer. "I will not release you Heng'e!" Wu Di had now stopped center of the gazebo. "Ever!" His hands turned to fists.

     "If you do Fu Shang, then the mandate of heaven will calm the storm, and all will be set right as rain!" Wu Di looked briefly to the floor of the gazebo, then up proper, to the touch of Ming Jia's right hand upon his face. "Please my prince." He drew a sharp breath. "Release me." Wu Di closed his eyes as he reached then held her hand with his pressed tight upon his face.

     "My goddess." Wu Di opened his eyes looking into Ming Jia's, then stepped back a pace, letting Ming Jia's hand slip away from his. "Never." Wu Di's expression turned hard and hateful.

     "Then Fu Shang?" Mia Jia allowed her tears to fall. "All, is lost!" Wu Di drew a deep breath.

     "So be it!" Wu Di looked to Ming Jia for a brief moment more, then turned, soon leaving her alone within the gazebo.

*

     For three days through the wilderness, my mistress and I made way to Guimu, where during that time she taught me her Wu Dan Jian style. At Shaolin Temple, I had become adept in its use, yet now, seemed to possess an almost inherent skill under my mistress' tutelage.

     "I must admit Li Bo." Steel through air, kisses with injurious intent. "You are become much more skilled." Eyes can not see, what the spirit feels, which the heart confesses. "Come a day?" She stepped back and away, her jian swirling about her. "When you may actually be good!" She stopped, her jian set proper behind her, tip up above her head.

     "You really think so my mistress?" I hesitantly stepped closer, as she to me.

     "No Li Bo." My heart sank to my feet, my eyes to the ground. "I think?" My eyes returned to hers. "You will be great." I drew a deep breath, a smile forming on my lips, which vanished as she smacked me. "Don't let it go to your head Li Bo!" She turned stepping to our mounts. "We needs be off!" She mounted up, where with a moments hesitation did so as well, taking up the heel.

*

     Wu Di could see the orange banners of Tso Lei nearing in the distance. The great Qin General, known by all as the Chengse Hu, would be within his courtyard by night fall. Such also declared, that the Junfa Xue Lanhua, was close in their arrival as well. Wu Di, never being one to underestimate the fates, had gathered his own mercenary army. Sixty of the most vile warriors he could find. Rapists, murderers, dishonored Imperial soldiers, and disgraced palace guards. They were the best that had been found and ransomed from the prisons of the land. He had promised them riches, fame, and glory, for their loyalties.

     Where Ming Jia was concerned, the first day of their arrival, Wu Di challenged any who would wish to try and best him, five stepped out accepting his challenge. They were large and strong men, whose reputation, known to many in attendance, had preceded them. Wu Di slew each one, in a most ghastly fashion. They had, in truth, been made an example of, with a warning following the demonstration. The maiden Ming Jia was not to be touched, or even spoken to. None had.

     Wu Di looked upward to the storm overhead. It had grown near pitch dark, yet of the horizon, the day and night moved to the mandate of heaven. Had it not been for the stormrage, all would seem as if nothing were amiss. Wu Di could now hear Ming Jia singing. Something she rarely ever did since arriving within Guimu. He turned, stepping to then sitting upon a small marble bench near the main garden gates. He wished to see her singing, yet knew, that upon his arrival she would stop, possibly never starting again. Tong Hua. It was a most melancholy song and most appropriate, since it dealt with a girl who had no belief of happy endings, and of the boy who longed to be her prince. Wu Di listened, barely breathing.

*

     Tso Lei, who had ridden forward at a gallop from his men, now sat atop his mount looking out and upon the dark stone walls of Lang Wo fortress. His expert eye revealing the fact of soldiers atop the battlements on watch. He smiled, seeing no archers. A miscalculation on the part of Wu Di. Yet, Lei had never been one to take things for granted, and set in his mind that the archers were being held in reserve.

*

     Qu Kahn stood within the shadows of the eastern tower, his eyes out upon the hillocks. He could see in the distance Tso Lei, and smiled. Wu Di stood a pace further within the tower.

     "Tso Lei has already assessed the situation." Qu Kahn barely glanced to Wu Di. "Now?" Qu Kahn turned to Wu Di. "He will formulate an attack." Wu Di turned with Qu Kahn, now stepping from the tower.

     "Why do you believe he will attack? He had been ordered to come to aid us!" Qu Kahn stepped within the inner battlements along with Wu Di.

     "I surmise such, simply because he appeared upon the hillocks, alone." Wu Di glanced to Qu Kahn briefly. "You do not make an observation of an objective alone, if you are to be arriving as reinforcements." Wu Di continued to walk with Qu Kahn, as they stepped down a flight of stairs. "He is planning to aid the Junfa Luo Li-Te." Wu Di turned his eyes to Qu Kahn, then back proper as they continued downward.

     "How long have you known?" Qu Kahn smiled stopping, turning to Wu Di.

     "Since four days now passed." Wu Kahn stepped closer to Wu Di. "Kai Tong was my brother, Fu Wei Shang." Qu Kahn smiled wryly. "I know everything. And before you even think of using your poison touch on me? Keep one thing in mind." Qu Kahn leaned a bit closer to Wu DI. "My men? Are loyal to me, and mercenaries? They are not." Qu Kahn shifted his weight. "They are Lien Kuen, like my brother? Like me!" Qu Kahn leaned back, now standing proper. "My brother, was Kahn Kai Tong, and I?" Qu Kahn stepped back a pace. "Am Kahn Qu Wei." Qu Kahn bowed lightly to Wu Di. :Your call for mercenaries did not go unnoticed, and when your herald left on his task? I had the task of dispatching them on to the great mystery." Qu Kahn scowled angrily. "But not, before he divulged all, giving credence to my brother's words." Qu Kahn bowed lightly, then turned and stepped toward the distant pavilion.

*

     I had been set about the task of grooming the horses, after setting good our camp, where my mistress tended to the spit. It would be all of fish over an open fire and dumplings steamed proper upon the fire ring rocks. I had no more than finished with my task, as the veil of night began to fall upon us. Of all that I had become privy to, of this night, I shall always recall with a clarity like no other time.

     "Xue Lanhua." I looked to my mistress, seeing her armor shimmer as if aflame, then change to her black silk Qipao. My mistress curtsied as a fine lady does, her eyes to the ground. "Li Bo." I knew the voice. "Shy at times." I knew the lady. "Brave at times." My goddess, Heng'e. I fell to the ground, my head low. "I journey to my place, within the moon." I raised my eyes, not out of disrespect, but as a simple witness, seeing my mistress now standing proper. "On the dawn, I shall descend into the courtyard of Fu Wei Shang." Heng'e now stepped close to my mistress. "You and I, at certain moments, are vulnerable, Xue Lanhua." Heng'e placed her left hand lightly upon my mistress right cheek. "While there is daylight, I can perish without much concern, and of you? As always at night." I had learned a most dangerous secret. "You must arrive at Guimu by first light on the morrow." I had by now stood, standing attentively. "Fu Shang, has acquired an able force, though mercenaries, they most certainly are not." I now wondered of my mistress' plans.

     "Yes." My mistress drew a deep breath. "I had expected he would, and as well, I have noticed the movement of Imperial troops." She stepped even with my goddess. "They will be in position to intercept my advance, and with only one proper way in to the fortress?" She turned her head to Heng'e, looking upon her silhouette. "I will have to expose my hand in which to gain access." Heng'e nodded her head lightly. "Such will allow Fu Shang the chance to prepare for our eventual confrontation." Heng'e, and my mistress, now looked ahead proper.

     "Yes, Xue Lanhua." They turned, as if by a pathos I had come to find my mistress having, facing each other proper. "Yet." My goddess smiled lightly. "Do not discount Li Bo." They both now turned and looked in my direction, where I swallowed audibly.

     "Li Bo?" Again, I felt a pang of disappointment.

     "Yes, Xue Lanhua." My goddess stepped in my direction, causing me to fall to my knees, my head tight to the ground. "Li Bo!" I heard the ruffling of silk, then felt most delicate fingertips upon my chin, raising my eyes. "Brave at times. Shy at times." She stood, drawing me to my feet. "He is Shaolin." She turned to my mistress. "And, he has been learning your Wu Dan Jian style, yes?" My mistress glanced away briefly, then looked to my goddess nodding her head lightly. "He will be more than a match for the Lien Kuen who fight along side of Fu Shang." She stepped to within a pace of my mistress. "Set him free, my champion." My goddess began to change. "And he?" Again, I fell to my knees. "Will protect you." I now watched my goddess, Heng'e, rise into the air, then as a streak of light move to the moon, which now became brightly illuminated.

     "She must see something in you, shagua, that I do not!" My shoulders fell, as again she wounded me. "But?" My mistress now sat upon her bedroll, taking up her flute. "My lady has never been wrong." The haunting melody was issued, and I, was grateful of it, as now, it seemed to calm my soul.

*

     I, like my mother, fell in awe to the dawn. Regardless of the fatigue, to witness the rise of the sun was most grand. Food for the soul she always spoke. Yet, of this dawn. I washed well within the pond, as did my mistress, where as I turned to step back to my folded pile of clothes, I found my mistress standing beside them. I felt I should have left something on before entering the water.

     "Is there a reason you remain within the water, Li Bo?" Yes, in fact, there was. Again, there came her usual wry smile. "When? You step from the water Li Bo, put these on." She set the bundle within her hands next to my pile of clothes, then after a slight girlish laugh, turned, stepping toward the camp. I shook my head rising from the water, in perfect time within her turning about. She glanced at me from toes to nose, then with a smug look upon her face, turned back around, making well for our camp.

*

     As always, Wu Di Fang stood within a gazebo that by all appearances, had no entrance. Within the center of it, there was set a pool, where a pedestal was set, hewn with a most ornate yet delicate staircase leading down and over the pool to the marbled floor of the gazebo. At the moment that dusk and dawn broke covenant, upon the pedestal came to stand Heng'e, goddess of the moon, now, as the maiden Ming Jia.

     "Shifu." Ming Jia curtsied more than proper. She stood, her eyes now falling upon Wu Di Fang's, where he could see within them, a blood orchid fade from view.

*

     Tso Lei had not slept. There was no need. He had been a soldier all his life, where he had learned that such pleasantries were left to women, children, and politicians. He looked out among his men. They too, were soldiers, where they took the night to prepare for what was to come. As his eyes panned over each man standing as his rank and file, they stood, each issuing a most assertive bow. Hand on sword with shield, or bow set with quivered flights. He turned to view his mounted warriors. They stood along side their mounts, pikes at the ready.

     "Jintian women qu yingjie women de mingyu." ...

     ... "Today we got to meet our fate!" Tso Lei stood his ground, hands by his sides. "It is not in the service of an Empire, nor for the sake of fame and glory, but for the all that is right, and just!" Lei looked into the eyes of every man availed to a clear sight. "There will be no gold or silver tails garnered through this endeavor." He raised his chin slightly. "In fact." His mind drifted for a moment to a brief image of Yin Kongque. His heart, skipped a beat. "We will more than likely all, perish to the last." The men gathered, as Lei glanced about quickly, nary flinched. "I was foolish demanding you move with me, and ask your forgiveness. Those that wish to withdraw may do so at..." Lei...

     "AI O!" ...never...

     "AI O!" ...finished.

     "AI O!" Now, came the rattling of sabers.

*

     I entered the camp, finding my mistress dressed in full armor, her helm held within her left hand, her right hand along her side.

     "Now, you look more than fierce Li Bo." I had to admit such as well. Now, I stood clad in silk as dark as the infernal night, with crimson ties set just so, with my feet adorned in black leather boots that reached my knees. I had marveled at such finery, yet felt more than honored, by the blood orchid embroidered over my heart.

     "I...thank you my mistress." She raised her chin slightly.

     "Do not be so eager to thank me Li Bo." I furled my brows tilting my head puzzled. "For all you know?" She quickly found her seat upon her mount. "They are your funeral attire." I smiled with a light bow.

     "If only in your service, my mistress." She sat upright, a smile forming upon her lips.

     "So be it!" I smiled back, now setting myself proper upon my mount, then as always, followed my mistress' lead.

*

     Khan Qu Wei looked to the horizon, the many orange flags tied to pikes billowed with the wind, as he watched the mounted knights riding closer. The Qigong trained Imperial soldiers would be a challenge. He did not make light of such a fact. Yet, it was the Qin general that concerned him the most. He was easily worth a hundred soldiers alone. Qu Wei had been trained as well within the Imperial garrison at Zijin Cheng, knowing full well all that Tso Lei had learned as skill and technique. Yet, it was his experience, coupled with his tenacity that Qu Wei could not calculate. Something that Wu Di Fang underestimated, at every turn.

     "Your men..." Qu Wei... "...are at the ready?" ...nary turned to the voice of Wu Di behind him.

     "Yes." Qu Wei drew a deep breath. "Well hidden within the fortress." Wu Di now looked to the horizon. "Yet? They will not strike, until Tso's soldiers fall within the main courtyard." Wu Di turned his eyes to Qu Wei.

     "You still insist that he will aid the junfa Luo Li-Te?" Qu Wei huffed slightly.

     "You still insist that he will not?" Qu Wei turned his head rightwise, his eyes falling upon Wu Di's with intent, turned away, stepping from Wu Di's view.

*

     When Lei was but a boy of seven, his father had been ordered by the Empress Dowager Bian, to bring his best boar to be roasted in celebration of the Lantern festival. It was also, his mother's birthday. His father had raised the boar to have as a meal for that day. Yet, his mother had told him, that the honor of being asked to bring her birthday meal to be set before the empress, for such an auspicious celebration, was even more of a birthday wish, since his mother had always wished each year for his father to gain favor with the Imperial court. The empress Bian, was more than pleased with the boar brought, and in recognition of the prized swine, the empress Bian granted Lei's father, one favor. 'His son a position within the Imperial Army.'

     Lei cantored his mount off to the side, now directing his soldiers into a proper position for battle. Soldiers to the front, archers behind, and knights to either side. He had given orders to his lead captains, to maneuver the units into the middle of the battlefield. The placement would divide the field respectively even, between the fortress, and the lone approaching junfa. Near fifty soldiers, a pair of lead captains, and one Qin general. It would not be enough, to defeat the junfa from Bingshan. Not, in a thousand campaigns.

*

     I had seen the abilities of the Imperial forces, first hand. The village of Feicui Hu, had been decimated down to the last remaining man, woman, and child. An example made to the northern villages against any acts of sedition, and insurrection. None were present within the village, yet, it had simply been chosen at random to be set as the example. My mother, escaping well ahead of the onslaught, watched along with me. We were witness to the carnage wrought by the mighty Imperial forces against an undefended village from Yin Wu Shan. Later, as I was traveling with my master Zhang Nianzu, and my brother from Shaolin Li Jiayi, we watched, me again as witness, to the power of the Imperial Qin forces. Only this time, against a well armed and disciplined Manchu army. The result, was the same.

*

     Lei drew a deep breath. He turned his eyes upward quickly to the cry of an eagle. He smiled to the majesty of the avis, only now desiring to keep his place. He set his eyes proper, then spurred his mount into a gentle gallop, passing in front of the right flanked knights. His eyes, only upon the junfa from Bingshan in the distance.

*

     I sat calmly beside my mistress, watching the Qin general approach. I had only glanced briefly to my mistress as he began to approach. Her smile, gave me the impression of her having a certain familiarity of the approaching general. If true, then there would be more still to come of this day, concerning unavoidable events.

     "Remain mounted, Li Bo." I nodded my head lightly, keeping my eyes upon the approaching rider.

*

     Lei now reigned his mount in, setting a light dressage as he approached. Not more than ten paces away, he stopped, then dismounted.

*

    I turned my head to the sound of my mistress alighting upon the ground at the same instance. I watched, as she stepped toward the Qin general, slowly removing her helm.

*

     Lei stepped to within a pace of the Junfa, his helm held under his left arm. He bowed more than proper, as Luo Li-Te curtsied.

     "Quite a mess, it seems, we have made of things." He smiled warmly with a raised left brow.

     "Indeed Lei." Luo Li-Te glanced to the ground briefly. "Seems as if it is our only talent." They both shared in the brevity.

     "Wu Di has garnered an impressive force." They both haphazardly glanced to the fortress.

     "Yes." Luo Li-Te caught Lei's returned look. "And all of them, Lien Kuen!" Lei nodded his head lightly.

     "I know you have a way to breach the fortress gates." Luo Li-Te nodded her head lightly. "My men and I are ready, my junfa." Luo Li-Te smiled wryly. "Give the order." Lei looked into Luo Li-Te's eyes, where he saw them sparkle.

     "The order is given, my Yiban." Now, Lei smiled with a sparkle to his eyes.

*

     I watched, as the Qin general mounted up, then reigned his mount about, which he spurred into a quick gallop back to his men. My mistress mounted up as well.

     "We ride to the side of Tso Lei." I swallowed visibly while lifting my chin. "There will come a sign to attack Guimu, where we will ride with Tso Lei into the courtyard, Li Bo." I nodded my head once in understanding. "Along with Tso Lei's soldiers, the Lien Kuen are yours to deal with." My mistress drew a deep breath. "Wu Di Fang, is mine!" She quickly spurred her mount into a fast gallop. I, quickly followed suit.

*

     My mistress and I now positioned ourselves alongside Tso Lei, my mistress between us, I glanced to the very top parapet. I could see what appeared to be three figures standing. It did not take long to understand, that one, was an archer.

*

     "As I told you Wu Di." Wu Di and Qu Wei looked out at the formed ranks opposing the fortress. "Tsao Lei has more hatred for you, than he has fear of the Emperor's reprisal." Qu Wei nodded his head once to the third man attending.

*

     The movement, then the sound of the flight striking the ground just before my mistress' mount, told more than any supposition had been pondered of. She, was the threat.

     "I fear you have been doing this for far more longer than any have given you credit for Lei." Tso Lei glanced to the junfa Luo Li-Te.

     "Maybe just a day or two." Now, both my mistress and Tso Lei set their helms proper upon their heads.

     "Mistress?" I could see her barely glance my way. "The fortress gates?" I had been wondering of them since the dawn. She nary moved, nor spoke a word.

     I had learned, while attending at Shaolin, that the mandate of heaven abhors violence. Yet, such was more an axiom for contemplation and meditation, than an actual truth. All of nature was wrought through violence, where the momentary calm of it all, was just awaiting the next cataclysm of a never ending cycle of death, and birth. The example, was thunder, without lightning.

     I could see in the distance what appeared to be a lonely beggar. Clothes tattered in places, patched at others. Their hair was disheveled and their appearance more than unkempt. They walked, leaning upon a staff, which at the very top I could easily see a wine flask had been tied securely. I then turned, noticing my mistress tighten her grip upon the reigns of her mount. I took the initiative, and did the same to mine.

     Again, thunder, without lightning. My eyes turned back to the seeming beggar. They had made the center of the gates. They had now set themselves where they were facing us properly. They then bowed most proper. Only my mistress bowed her head in response.

     "Mistress?" I turned back to view the seeming beggar, then to my mistress once again. "If you know. Who are they?" My mistress smiled in a way I had never seen before. "Mistress?" I looked back to the beggar.

     In all my life, from watching my mother perish before my eyes from illness, to this very moment seated upon a most majestic mount, in the company of a great Qin general, and a most mysterious junfa, I had always believed there was more to the world than what was apparent. Perhaps it was the street magicians that gave me such a belief. Yet, I had come to find myself an adherent to the possibilities of greater things, and as well, greater beings.

     The beggar raised his staff, then struck the ground hard with the bottom of it. My mistress' outcry, was startling, causing the foot soldiers and archers to advance at a quick run to Tso Lei's order given a moment later. As the soldiers advanced closer to the fortress, she then spurred her mount into a fast gallop, followed by the Qin general Tso Lei, myself, and Tso Lei's mercenary knights. As we all raced toward the gate of the fortress, I then became witness, to the beggar turn to face the gates, and with one hand, knock the gates inward, at the exact moment we arrived as a complete cohesion.

     I had never studied military strategy and tactics, not even at Shaolin. Such, was not an endeavor I had considered. Yet now, I had become a consummate student, watching as Tso Lei's forces entered the fortress with a precision and purpose that only much study and training had afforded them. They were however, met with an equal precision and purpose, by the Lien Kuen forces of Khan Qu Wei.

*

     Iron strikes silk. Silk caresses iron.

*

     "Fu Wei Shang!" I could hear my mistress' voice cry out, yet could not turn to see the reason, as I had now been engaged in combat with my peers of Shaolin.

*

    Wu Di, drew a deep contemplative breath. The mandate of heaven was now upon him.  He looked upon Luo Li-Te, the Zhongguo jie appearing as if freshly drawn blood upon her dark armor, the visor of her helm drawn low. He could not use his blinding technique, knowing he now had to use simple skill and talent alone to defeat her.

     "Xue Lanhua!" They both stepped to the other. "I will not fall so easily, as the mandate of heaven believes!" Wu Di now stood a mere ten paces from Luo Li-Te. "I am as immortal as you at this time!" Luo Li-Te brought into view her jeweled Jian. "What is this?" Wu Di took a step back.

     "It is the Green Destiny, Fu Wei Shang!" Luo Li-Te took a step forward. "A gift, from Guang Yi!" Luo Li-Te whirled the wicked blade about her. "And with it? I will cleave your heart in two!" Wu Di spat.

     "Unless I kill you first, b***h!" Luo Li-Te moved, as did Wu Di, meeting together for the first, and last time.

*

     Day for night. The reed bows to the presence of the wind. Night for day. The wind stays its place honoring stone walls. The balance, must be maintained.

*

     Within the main courtyard, the fighting was most fierce. Upon the bulwarks, archers were engaged by their own. I had been told at Shaolin, of the treachery done by the Lien Kuen when in battle, such had not been told as a falsehood. Every manner of edged weapon was used, including the Jian, and all most adeptly. I had never been one fond of Imperial combatants, as I had seen them as being cold and cruel, yet of this day, was more than glad for their aid. Their ferocity was most welcome, as was their grit.

     I had dispatched one of the Lien Kuen, coming to turn about, as my eyes fell upon my mistress that I noticed another. My mistress had indeed engaged the prefect Wu Di Fang, yet in the same minute, had begun to be pushed back. Her Jian had not yet found its mark, and he, was now gaining the upper hand. His poisoned hand techniques were far more advanced than anyone had been led to believe, where with such application, had reduced the Green Destiny, to a mere wand of steel. I moved by reflex, stepping away from what could have been a fatal blow, just as I witnessed what seemed a dark cordage move outward, taking hold of a Lien Kuen warrior by the throat. I turned to find a pair of deep green eyes above a veiled smile, knowing the whippist was a woman, somehow trained in the wushu of Shaolin. I nodded my head a thanks, where she moved off, allowing me to turn to see my mistress falter to one knee under Wu Di's counter-attack.

*

     Luo Li-Te looked up to Wu Di, her eyes flexing in astonishment, as Wu Di had bested her without any trouble.

     "For near one thousand years Xue Lanhua, I have perfected my skills in such the way as to defeat you easily!" Luo Li-Te Stood slowly, her breath labored, her look despondent. "From the darkest forms of meditation, and the forbidden scrolls of the Lien Kuen, I have gained Mogui de Chumo!" Luo Li-Te knew now, that Wu Di had traded his soul for the most darkest of wushu. "You, the Green Destiny..." Wu Di laughed wryly. "...even the mandate of heaven, is no match for me!" Luo Li-Te stood proper now, ready for another advance of Wu DI Fang.

     "No!" Wu Di turned his eyes to the left. "But I most certainly am, Wu Di Fang!" Tsao Lei stepped quickly toward Wu Di, who now could see the tenacity and fierceness of the one all called 'Chengse Hu', Orange Tiger. "Now, Scorpion! Come dance with a Tiger!" Tsao Lei. His attack was most fierce. Wu Di now knew that the legend of the great Qin general was genuine.

*

     If size and strength were all, the tiger would not fear the scorpion. Yet, speed and application falter, under determination and courage.

*

     Luo Li-Te turned as well upon Wu Di, who was now pressed hard to the test against the seemingly indomitable pair. I, was gaining ground against the Lien Kuen brethren, with the aid of the Imperial soldiers under general Tsao's command. I had to admit, at least to myself that the Shaolin techniques, coupled with those of Wu Dan, were making a significant impact on finding victory this day. I could now see my mistress stepping in and around Wu Di, as Tsao Lei continued to drive Wu Di back toward the center of the courtyard.

*

     Iron rusts, silk freys. Nothing lasts forever, save the mandate of heaven.

*

     Wu Di again had gained the upper hand, evading Tsao Lei, driving Luo Li-Te back. It seemed that no matter the action against him, his skills were far too great.

     "As I said Xue Lanhua, I will not fall!" Tsao Lei, stepped forward with a yell, striking Wu Di hard in the chest. He stepped forward taking hold of his silk jacket pulling him close.

     It was then, that the Tiger embraced the sun. "Strike!" Lei had now taken Wu Di from behind, holding his arms tight. "Strike now!" Luo Li-Te did not hesitate, driving her jeweled Jian, the Green Destiny straight and true through Wu Di's black heart. The Green Destiny as well, pierced Tsao Lei's heart, clean and true.

     "Hung'e..." Wu Di spoke her name softly, then began to perish most terribly, as the years that had passed, became etched upon his face, until only blanched bones remained, falling to the dirt covered courtyard.

     Tsao Lei smiled to Luo Li-Te, his head bowing once slightly. His eyes turned quickly to the sparsely clouded sky to the cry of a hawk. He wished silently, to have traded places. "Yin Kongque." He faltered to one knee. "Wo qiu qiu ni, yuanliang wo!" He slowly slumped forward, then rolled to his back.

     The fight had now left the surviving Lien Kuen, as they could see their leader, Khan Qu Wei hanging from a flag pole by what none could mistake for anything other than a whip, him held in place by the hand of Hei Bian. I could see an expression in her eyes, as she let loose the long hideous weapon, which caused me to turn about. Superfluous, she appeared, in both beauty, and grace.

     Hung'e stepped close to Tsao Lei, lowering herself down to one knee. "The mandate of heaven tells me..." She smiled lightly, placing her right hand atop Tsao Lei's chest. "...that it is not your time." I could see a faint blue tinted light grow from her palm. "Perhaps?" She now lightly touched his right cheek with her fingertips. "After your son..." Lei's eyes widened. "...has taken your place, will you be needed to defend the mandate of heaven, as one of its knights." Lei's eyes teared though none fell. She stood proper, now turning to face me directly. "Li Bo." Her smile calming to the soul. "Brave at times, now, a hero, noticed by the mandate of heaven!" Hung'e caressed my face so tenderly, her eyes within mine telling me without words, of her great appreciation. She then turned, now stepping to my mistress. "Xue Lanhua." My mistress fell to her left knee, eyes held low. "My most personal knight of the moon!" I felt my balance falter, almost falling to my knees myself, learning the honest truth of my mistress, whom I had come to know as the Junfa Luo Li-Te. "And my most trusted friend." Now, I did fall to my left knee. "You have freed me from my bonds to the Manchu prince, Fu Wei Shang, held for more than a thousand years in his sway." Hung'e raised my mistress' eyes to hers, with the touch of her fingertips upon her chin. "So, for this?" Hung'e stepped a pace back away from my mistress. "I grant you, your heart's desire!" My mistress shuddered, then after a deeply drawn breath, screamed aloud, as all of her sins were removed.

     To me, it seemed as if my mistress had burst into flames as the many tattoos, her sins, were taken from her. Even Tsao Lei looked on with disbelief, after becoming revived by who he now knew as the Moon Goddess, Hung'e. The fire now lept from my mistress into the air, where the plume of smoke that accompanied it, turned to a great wyrm, bellowing fire high into the sky. It then, turned to a light and gentle falling rain.

     Lei removed his coat, placing it gently about my mistress, as she knelt within the rain naked, her skin unblemished by any definition. Hung'e was now gone, undoubtedly returned to her place within the moon. He helped her to stand. Come Shaolin!" He looked to me directly. "Help your mistress." He turned back to my mistress touching his face.

     "I thank you, general Tsao..." He looked to her with intent. "...for your aid this day!" He drew a deep breath. "And ask you forgive me when I struck you." Now, Lei smiled lightly.

     "No need to ask for such a thing." Lei now smiled wryly. "You did as you were told to do!" His smile became filled with a warm laughter. "Farewell, my Junfa." I had come to take my mistress in hand, as Lei stepped back a pace, then bowed to my mistress most proper.

     "And to you, my Yiban." Lei nodded his head in acceptance, then turned, leading his surviving soldiers from the fortress.

     The mysterious woman, now holding the wicked whip set proper approached. They reached upward, now pulling the veil they wore down and away. "Li Bo." I was taken aback to her knowing of me. "I am Zhang Eu-Funh, daughter of the Shaolin shifu Zhang Nianzu, who has been asked by your brotheren of Shaolin, Li Jiayi to find you." She stopped a pace or two away. "It was to have you ask your mistress, the Junfa Luo Li-Te to help aid in the death of Wu Di." She smiled with a chuckle. "Which, I would say was a moot point now!" I smiled with a light chuckle bowing my head once to the fact. I also had noticed how lovely Eu-Funh was.

     "The fortress!" I, as well as any still within the fortress walls, looked about, now seeing the stone beginning to waver. "It is acting so strangely." We all could see the beggar from the fortress gate enter the courtyard approaching our palce.

     "The enchantment of it is waning!" He now stood a pace from my mistress, who bowed most courteously.

     "Father." He smiled warmly. "I thank you most humbly for your aid today." He smiled with pride.

     "Xue Lanhua." He set his fists upon his sides. "A better daughter no one could hope for." She stood proper, a blush upon her face for the praise. "And I Guan Yu..." I felt ill. "...am most blessed to have you as mine!" My mistress...

     "I am most grateful for you, my father." ...the daughter of Guan Yu. "Mother..." He silenced her with a soft touch upon her face.

     "It was the work of Wu Di Fang, that moved you to such an action." He stood proper. "You were set upon the path of revenge upon him, long ago daughter dear, and now? It is done!" He kissed her lightly upon the left cheek. The great god of war turned now to me. "Li Bo!" He smiled then laughed aloud, glancing to Eu-Funh briefly. "I would take this one for a bride." I looked to Eu-Funh. "She is well endowed..." I witnessed her blush. "...and more than a proper age!" Eu-Funh curtsied to Guan Yu. He turned back to my mistress. "Will I see you at home, sometime soon Xue Lanhua?" She glanced away, then back to her father.

     "Someday father." She held his hands within hers. "Yet, not today." He drew a deep breath, then sighed aloud.

     "Someday though." She nodded her head once in agreement. "Well?" Guan Yu looked to all quickly. "Time to find a kind hand, letting go of a few coins!" He smiled with a wink, then let go a hearty laugh, as he faded from view with a single step forward and away.

     Our eyes, met. "You are the immortal, Blood Orchid." My mistress nodded her head once in acknowledgement. "Who, is Luo Li-Te." My mistress smiled forlornly.

     "Your daughter, Li Bo." I felt my eyes widen. "At least? She will be." She looked to Eu-Funh. "We each, all of us..." Then back to me. "...meet for certain reasons. You and I Li Bo, met so that I could gain a faithful friend, who would follow me to the ends of the earth simply upon their own want and need, rather than by my reputation or out of fear. You put up with my temperament, and you accepted all that you had seen and heard with little mention. You are an exceptional man Li Bo." She then turned to Eu-Funh, her smile soft and genuine. "You? You took up the cause for righteousness sake, simply by your knowledge of who Li Bo stood as. You only knew his name, then hearing his call, seeing him turn to it, you immediately came to his side. You confirmed my choice of him as a confidant, allowing me to rise from a very dark place." She smiled to both Eu-Funh and I in turn. "You both, have saved me." She allowed one single tear to fall. "I bid you both marry one another, and have your children." Children, I thought. "They will become...more than you can ever dream of!" My mistress bowed most proper to Eu-Funh and I, then stood, vanishing from view along with the fortress within the grove of Ash.

     "So." I turned to Eu-Funh. "Will you?" She turned demure in my sight.

     "I would be most happy to." I raised my hand out to her, which she took stepping forward. We turned together, now walking through the grove of Ash. "So a daughter, and I would imagine a son?" I smiled nodding my head. "Mu Bei." I turned to look at her, where she turned to me smiling.

     "Li Mu Bei." I glanced away breifly. "Sounds good!" I had been set on the road to becoming a Shaolin priest. I instead became a mercenary in the service of an immortal, to find my way, to the life so fashioned by the mandate of heaven, held in sway by the fates.

*

      Chao-xing sat along the bank of a small rill, the notes issuing from her Pipa, melancholy at best. Along side her, there had been placed a dagger. The red latern hung upon a rod of bamboo, had been set into the moist ground. Chao-xing stopped playing, as from the latern there came to rise what she took for a Jinn.

     "I, am the immortal Xue Lanhua." Chao-xing dropped her Pipa, now falling to her knees, her head placed tight to the ground. "I know that which you have planned to do, Chao-xing! You, however, will forego such, and take up my cause!" Chao-xing raised her eyes to the immortal before her. "You will go to the Bei Yiwang de Meng Shan, and establish a convent there in my name." Chao-xing looked to the immortal, as she sat listening intently. "You will find those girls and women, whom have been forsaken, abandoned, or mistreated. Those whom you gather, will learn Wu Dan Baqua Zhang Wushu!" Chao-xing nodded her head once in understanding and acceptance to the charge brought upon her.

     "My mistress." Chao-xing now stood proper. "May I know your name?" The immortal now came closer, her green emerald eyes sparkling.

     "I am the immortal, Blood Orchid!" Chao-xing watched, as Xue Lanhua, turned from a Jinn, to a most lovely woman, with flawless skin, ride away upon an ivory mount, while playing upon her reed flute, a most haunting melody.

*

FIN

Author's Note

...some of the characters and places will be real others not, this is to give a feeling of reality...just a quick reference note: inspirational music that I listen to while writing this here on Writer's Cafe, is performed by Anna Guo, Liu Fang, Lei Qiang, and Pan Jing & Ensemble...