v6c38: Sneaking Back Home

Fa Bi De waved goodbye to the Thunderhooves, as Shen Yu’s sword lifted into the air. The forest stretched out below them: pale white grass on the ground, the glowing fungus on the trees, and the frost dancing in the air graced Iceheart Forest with an otherworldly beauty.

“Man, in stories, this kind of place is some sort of dangerous forbidden zone… but we can come here whenever we want,” Yun Ren mused.

Master Forest Sweeper had been most kind, in extending an open invitation to those from Fa Ram, as friends of the forest, to visit.

“However, visiting is still an issue,” Bi De replied. It was across the Sea of Snow. Without a flying sword? It would probably take Bi De the better part of a month to run from Fa Ram to Iceheart Forest, and that was assuming optimal conditions. Any inclement weather, and that month could stretch out much longer. Maybe if he flew with his wings, he could make it faster, but everyone else was out of luck.

“I made arrangements with Forest Sweeper to drink with him again,” Shen Yu said from his place at the front of the sword. “He’s a fine companion to spend time with, and if I am travelling anyway, I see no issue with a few passengers.”

“Well, then, Iceheart Forest will get rather lively. I do not see Tigu turning down the chance to study the art of the Thunderhooves,” Bi De said.

“I wonder how Chun Ke will feel that there are finally those bigger than him?” Ri Zu asked from her place on Bi De’s shoulder. She was back in her rat form, after spending her time in the forest as a human; being so small around such titanic Spirit Beasts made interaction hard.

“Are they bigger than him?” Bi De replied.

“It’ll be fun to find out,” Ri Zu smiled.

The sword slowly rose toward the treetops, until they were in open air. The aurora above shone in all the colours of the rainbow, and the stars twinkled in their millions.

‘It’s so pretty, seeing it from the sky,’ Spooks whispered.

“It truly is beautiful,” Bi De mused. “Your recordings capture some of the majesty, Yun Ren, but seeing it in person…”

“It’s always better in the flesh. That I get even some of it? That’s a good recording,“ his friend answered. “Each time you try and get closer to the truth, to that perfect moment, preserved forever,” Yun Ren’s tone was wistful, and he had a small smile on his face.

“It is indeed a fine pastime,” Shen Yu said. “It teaches one to be observant, and meditate upon the interplay between light and shadow.”

Yun Ren grinned. “See? The old man gets it!”

“But we rarely see your work, honoured Grandfather,” Ri Zu teased

“I only showcase things worthy of it,” Shen Yu said, his nose in the air.

“Such images being few and far between,” Bi De said innocently. Shen Yu turned to glare.

“Brat, you dare mock your Master?” Shen Yu demanded with faux anger, while the rest of them chuckled. The old man clearly didn’t mind the ribbing.

“Forgive your lowly disciple, Master,” Bi De said with a mock simper. “He failed to see Mount Tai. You are correct; the rarer your images, the more weight they hold.”

Shen Yu huffed dramatically. “See that you are enlightened, Bi De… otherwise you’re walking home.”

They all chuckled, until Yun Ren sighed a bit wistfully.

They cleared the tops of the trees, and the world began to blur as Shen Yu flexed his might. His blade accelerated to move at nearly a thousand Li an hour—a pace that Shen Yu showed no effort in reaching, even still injured as he was.

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“Too bad it wasn’t a full reunion,” he said. Master Forest Sweeper had asked about what had happened to their other companions—Shao Heng, Yushang, Han, Yingwen and Fenxian of the Shrouded Mountain Sect, all who had trained within the forest, and who had assaulted the demons in the north with them. The Thunderhoof had been pleased they all still lived, and understood that they all had been indisposed.

‘I hope they’re alright,’ Spooks murmured.

“Then that shall be your next task,” Shen Yu said. “This old man still needs some rest, but you whippersnappers still have fine bodies. You, my disciple, will once more investigate the Shrouded Mountain Sect. You shall determine what actions they have taken, and how the general population sees them. If they are succeeding, it is all well and good, but if they are failing… then you shall extract what value you can.”

Shen Yu’s words were sobering… but Bi De could not deny them. If they were failing, the best course of action was to grab their friends, Nezan, Old Ling the groundskeeper, and take whatever was left of the Fox’s legacy from the Shrouded Mountain.

Bi De hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

“After the New Year, but before the spring planting,” Bi De agreed. His wounds had mostly healed. His chest still hurt occasionally, but it wasn’t too much of an issue. “Your task shall be accomplished, Master.”

“Good,” Shen Yu said, giving Bi De a firm nod.

They lapsed mostly into silence, as they continued on their way back southwest. Bi De approached Shen Yu at the front of the blade after a moment, and the two stood beside each other.

“Do you think Master Forest Sweeper made the right choice?” he asked quietly.