v6c50: Not So Different

As always, the silence after Bi De resumed his true form was heavy. Eyes were wide, mouths were open, and some had even recoiled.

Bi De said nothing, letting them recover, but one man spoke before the others.

“Your plumage is more radiant than ever, Bi De,” Cai Xi Kong said, raising his own wine cup in salute.

Bi De smiled. “Thank you, Sect Master Xi Kong. It is good that we are sharing a drink again; and I dare say we are overdue for another round of go.”

“It would be a pleasure,” Xi Kong said. “Our discussion last time was enlightening.”

Their casual conversation blew away the shocked silence, and some of the Elders started shifting on their cushions. Now, Bi De could see it in their eyes; they were rationalizing his existence. A chicken, who surpassed them. They were searching for a reason, to salvage their pride. Elder Xinling was still staring at him, her eyes shifting back and forth in abject confusion. He heard her muttering “He’s a bird, how’s he still handsome as a bird?” under her breath.

On Gang was staring at Bi De like he was a ghost.

“This is your true form?” Baatar of the Grand Ravine asked after a moment. His eyebrows were high on his forehead, but he had calmed himself. Now, he just looked interested.

“Indeed. I am no legendary phoenix, nor vermillion bird. I am but a humble rooster. I do believe many of you met me the last time we were at the Dueling Peaks; I was oft perched upon my Master’s shoulder,” Bi De commented, fluffing out his feathers.

There were several sounds of recognition this time, the Elders remembering the chicken on his Master’s shoulder. Most had been too awed by his Master to look more closely at Bi De.

“How does a rooster even become a cultivator, let alone First Disciple?” Elder Chen of the Framed Sun Sect asked, clearly louder than he intended to. The man paused, but Bi De saw the interest in the room at the words.

Bi De considered the question.“It is a tale as old as cultivation. A powerful Master met a poor child and recognised something within him. When he realised what I was, my Master took responsibility for me, raised me, and taught me how to live,” he narrated, looking into the cultivators’ eyes as he spoke, making sure they saw the truth of his words. “He is my father and Master both; just as I am his son and Disciple.”

Baatar stroked his beard. “That is indeed a familiar tale; all of us have heard one akin to it. Many of us have even participated in a variation on that story.”

The humans in the room nodded at Bi De’s motivations. The slight apprehension when he revealed his true form started to fade at his very human way of looking at the world, and his familiar tale.

“Indeed,” Bi De said. “But as to the original point I was making. No, the monkeys of Crystal Hill and Shaggy Two are not exceptions. More Spirit Beasts than you are aware of might be possible to work with.”

“Yet every other Spirit Beast I have met has been a savage animal,” Sheng of the Azure Horizon Sect rebutted.

“Yes, I am sure that is true,” Bi De acknowledged. “But I shall impart unto you some knowledge: the vast majority of Spirit Beast lineages think of humans in the exact same way. Have you not gone into the homes of Spirit Beasts to slay them, extract their cores, and kill their young? Have you not destroyed their dens and put to the torch their nests to use them as resources, or just because they were in the way?”

Sheng grimaced. On Gang looked away, his dead eyes boring into the tray in front of him.

“I do not tell you this to shame you, but to provide context. Some men are wicked. Some men are righteous. Some Spirit Beasts are wicked. Some Spirit Beasts are righteous. The angry ones go out and fight. The angry ones attack villages. The ones that just wish to live their lives? They stay in their dens, or stay away from humans in general. It is a cycle, I’ve found. It is the same with the various human tribes and the Empire. Violence begets violence. Past slights spawn future insults.”

At this there was silence. The Elders of the Azure Hills were considering his words carefully. Baatar frowned, the old man stroking his chin. On Gang downed the rest of his cup.

“So you suggest that we can just treat them like they’re human, ask them to come to the table and they will simply listen?” Xinling asked.

“Yes and no,” Bi De replied “While some of their behaviour will be understandable, they are not human. They will not think the same way you do. They will consider different priorities. They will have goals that are incomprehensible to you, yet make perfect sense to them. Asking them might not work.”

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“So it’s hopeless then,” On Gang muttered, his voice raw.

“I did not say that. I said it might not work. Just as the cultivators gathered here might not have agreed to work together,” Bi De paused, and then continued. “The scars run deep between men and Spirit Beasts. But… I think the bonds might run deeper.”

On Gang’s head snapped up. He saw Bi De looking at him and bit his lip. Bi De knew he was thinking of Lord Yao, the ruler of the Roadspinners, who had sheltered humans under his shell, in an act that had killed him.

“The cycle must be broken. And a new cycle must be formed in its place,” Bi De finished.

“Thank you for your insight, Fa Bi De,” Baatar said. “You have given us much to think on.”

There was another pop, and Bi De was human again. “My pleasure,” he said with a smile. “I consider the Azure Hills my home as well, and I would aid it as I can… even if I have much business to attend to outside the province.”

“Wait…” Elder Xinling said. “You said we worked with many Spirit Beasts, but the monkeys don’t have many of their members here. Are there others that have already joined us without us knowing?”

Bi De raised an eyebrow.

“You will treat them differently if I say; so I shall not. If you ask and they answer, that is their business… but you might be surprised. Just as I have said, the Azure Hills is their home. Why would they not wish to support something that will bring peace?”

Bi De stayed a while longer, but the atmosphere was quiet and considering.

On Gang repeatedly clenched his fist almost idly, staring off into the distance.

“The cycle must be broken,” he muttered to himself.

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Bi De stayed for a few more days at the Dueling Peaks, watching over his friends and family. It was a most enjoyable experience.