The Torch Is Still Bright

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     The day for Baohu to marry Kai Shandian Li was fast approaching.  He was a nervous wreck.  He couldn't keep his mind on one blessed thing for more than five minutes.  He was sitting in the dining hall trying to keep a straight face.  Finally he slammed his cup down and went to his room.  He was pacing back and forth when a knock came on his door.  He took a deep breath and spoke.  "Enter".  His Fuqin walked in.  "Would you mind telling me why you are in such a foul mood?  You're about to be married in a few days.  What is wrong if I may ask?"  "All this damn waiting!  I'm sick of it!  Why can't we just run off?  It's easier!"  "Bai Baohu Zhe!  I think you forget your responsibilities as God of War!  First and foremost you always have to take care of your business.  Shandian Li will be there by your side.  She may not be as powerful as you, but if she was allowed to go to trial to be a high goddess, she very well could be.  Think how long I waited for your mother!  Time heals, my son!  It's only a few more days!  Now calm yourself.  Meditate for a while and calm yourself."  "You're right, of course.  *sigh*   "Fuqin, I know you and Mother still have a deep physical relationship even after all these years.  Shushu told me he was 20,000 when Xue and JinDe were born.  Sometimes it doesn't seem you are that old.  I'm still just a Xiao Jin Huli kit.  I'm just a child in your eyes."  "Baohu, in some ways to me you are a child.  You will always be my Xiao Jin Huli, but in many ways you are a grown man.  A very fine grown man.  In fact, you are a lot like I was when I came here when I was 70,000 years old.  I am now near 400,000 years old.  My dear son, stop sweating the small things!  In a few more days, you will have the love of your life by your side.  Now let's go for a little walk.  We can talk small things and enjoy the fresh air.  Your mother is sleeping in and I didn't want to disturb her."
     "Fuqin, is Mother ok?  I know Taiyang and Zhenzhu were very hard on her."  Mo Yuan hung his head for just a moment.  "It was my fault it was so difficult, but it won't be this time!  I intend to take care of her myself.  Speaking of which.  Liang Lei's aura is disjointed.  I'm wondering if she is going to her high god trial before her siblings.  I know she has been working hard to increase her power and so has Qiang de Hei."  "Fuqin, I really like Hei.  They will make a good pair.  I wonder if he is close to his trial?  Would it be possible that they would be thrown together?"  "Hmmm, a good question.  He will be here tonight.  His Fuqin sent me a message yesterday telling me how excited he is that Hei is interested in our Liang Lei!  We will just have to see how it works out.  Tell me what you think of the little valley your Mother and I gifted you and Li Li!  Do you really like it?"  "Do I like it?!?  I love it!  I can't wait for us to go there.  She transforms into her horse, I'm in my fox form, she's galloping around, I'm laughing as the wind goes over us, we fall into the clover and make mad, passionate love.....Hmmmph!!!"  Mo Yuan laughed out loud and held Baohu's shoulder.  "It's how I feel about fox tails and dragon scales!!  Yes, my boy, you're finally understanding why I wanted to lock you and Jinzi away when I was with your mother!!" "Ewww, the picture of you naked with mother is not a pretty one, Fuqin!  Not at all!"  "That's not what you thought many millennia ago when you and Jinzi went on a quest to find out where the "dragon thing" goes!"  "I have a vague memory of that!  Why you didn't lock us in a room I'll never know!"  "The thought did occur to me!  How about a good soak in the hot spring?  I need to relax a little.  I'll get Xue and JinDe, too or should it just be you and I?"  "Just us, Fuqin.  I still want to talk!"  "Just us it is, then!"
     They jumped to the hot pool and undressed.  Baohu noticed that his Fuqin still had the physique of a much younger man.  "Fuqin, how do you keep your body in such good condition?  You don't look much older than me!"  "Oh?  I thought I looked old.  Jinzi found a gray hair on my head.  He asked me if my calamity was near!  I eat a good diet, I exercise every morning and I try to get enough sleep.  My power level has been very high since Fuxi put up the barrier over the whole mountain complex.  Maybe the day will come when I will be on the down side of that hill, but I don't know when that will be."  "Fuqin, I must admit, when you said you wanted to retire, it scared me.  I thought you were about to meet your calamity.  I don't know how to live without you!  You're a big part of my life!"  "I know, my son!  All of you are a big part of my life.  Now let's get out of this pool!  I'm starting to wrinkle and I want to spend time with your mother.  Besides, Die Feng is about to round the corner."  "How can you tell?"  "You need to start being aware of where you are and who is near.  Now out!"  Die Feng did indeed round the corner just as Baohu was straightening his robes.  Mo Yuan was tying his belt.  Die Feng bowed to both of them.  "High God Baohu, I believe your first disciple has arrived."  "Oh?  Meet me in the great hall with him then."  He bowed and left.  Mo Yuan smiled.  "I see you took my advice.  Your first disciple!  Now we have a dilemma.  You can't call him first.  I guess you start with eighteenth.  Just continue the numbers.  And one other thing.  Make sure you don't allow another female in!  Your mother nearly disrupted the whole mountain!!  Now go meet your disciple."
     Bai Baohu Zhe walked into the hall ramrod straight with his best frosty god face on.  He sat on his dais and reached for the scroll that Die Feng handed him.  He read the young man's story and why he wanted to be a disciple.  He was of the bear clan.  His clan was scattered and he had no family.  Die Feng was asking him questions.  As he was interviewing him, Baohu read him with a finger of his essence.  Alarm came to him.  He stood and went to the boy.  He looked down at him with his fox eyes.  "You dare to come here with the stench of demons on you?  What is your real purpose here and how did you get past the gate guardians?"  The boy fell down on his knees.  "Please forgive me, High God Baohu!  I only wish to be your disciple!  I have traveled many lands seeking peace and rest.  This is the only place I can find it.  My mother and Fuqin are dead.  I have no siblings.  They were killed by marauding demons close to the border.  I mean no ill intent!  I am of the light!  I am not a child of darkness!"  Baohu walked around him and his senses were fully attuned to him.  He smelled many lands and peoples on him.  He smelled his true form.  He walked back to his dais.  "What is you name?"  "Xiong Da Hei, High God Baohu."  "Xiong Da Hei, today you will henceforth be known as Shiba, the eighteenth disciple of Kunlun!  Die Feng, swear him in!"  Die Feng led him in the acceptance ritual and he was accepted.  The other disciples introduced themselves and offered to show him around.  He was given Shiqi's old room.  New robes were brought to him.  Die Feng brought him a rule book and told him to read it before breakfast.  Da Hei laid down on the bed and for the first time in many years, slept peacefully and without fear.
     Mo Yuan had set up the pavilion for he and Bai Qian to have a little fun of their own.  Mentally he rubbed his hands together in glee.  He was getting a picnic lunch from Chang Shan when Die Feng intercepted him.  "Shifu, we have a new disciple!  He's a bear spirit!"  "Oh?  Where is he quartered?"  "He is in Shiqi's old room for now, unless you want him elsewhere?"  "No, it's fine.  Has he been through orientation yet?"  "I was about to go get him.  Would you care to meet him?"  "Not at this time.  I'm about to go picnic with Qian Qian.  Now if you two will excuse me?"  He grabbed his basket and quickly walked to his room.  Bai Qian was not there.  He sent feelers of energy out over the mountain.  Her old room?  Ok, then.  He walked to her old room and started to knock.  He heard the conversation within.  "Tell me, Shiba, what brought you here?"  "I have no family.  I heard how High God Mo Yuan always took you in like you were a son to him.  I'm a very gentle spirit.  Demons tried to make me fight.  I escaped.  I came straight here with them on my tail.  I think that gate guardian killed them.  Is High God Baohu kind like High God Mo Yuan was?  Will I be ok?  I'm scared!!"  "Shiba, I am High God Mo Yuan's wife.  Baohu is my son.  He will expect you to try your best and keep up with your studies.  You will be ok.  If you have a need, go to First Senior, Die Feng.  He will help you.  This room you are in was my room when I was a student here.  You see, I am Shiqi.  Mo Yuan sacrificed himself to save the world many millennia ago.  I knew I loved him then but I never told him.  He always knew I was a girl all along.  He loved me too, you see.  When he came back from the chaos, he asked me to marry him.  The rest is history!  We will be on the mountain for a while.  He has retired and Baohu has taken his place.  Don't be afraid!  We are all here to help you!  Just read your manual tonight.  The bell will ring when it's time for dinner.  Now I must leave you to your thoughts.  Remember, you are not alone anymore!  You are family now!!"  A knock came at the door.  "Enter".  Mo Yuan stepped in the door to see Bai Qian holding the young boy's hand.  Her eyes told him everything.  "Shiba, is it?  How nice to meet the first new disciple since Shiqi here!!"  The boy scrambled to his feet to bow.  "High God Mo Yuan!  It's an honor!"  He bowed so low Mo Yuan was sure his nose touched the floor.  "If you don't mind, I was about to take my lovely wife on a picnic."  Mo Yuan noticed the boy eyeing the basket of food he had.  "Excuse me for being rude, but have you eaten today?"  Shiba hung his head.  "I haven't eaten in days."  "Come with us!"  He took Bai Qian by the arm to lead her out and motioned the boy to follow.  They went to the dining hall.  He sat Shiba in Bai Qian's old spot and called Chang Shan.  He came and bowed.  "Can I help you, Shifu?"  "Chang Shan, meet Shiba.  He is our new disciple.  He has had nothing to eat for days.  Please bring a plate of food for him!"  Chang Shan left and was back in a few minutes with bowls of food.  He had a hearty soup, some rice, some fruit and tea to drink.  The boy ate like the starving bear he is.  He cleaned every bowl.  He drank his tea and wiped his mouth with the napkin provided.  He placed his hands in his lap and waited.  "Did you get enough?  Do you need more?"  He bowed and thanked them for the food.  "It was plenty!  Thank you!  Thank you so much!"  Mo Yuan called out loud for Die Feng.  He came running and bowed.  "Die Feng, this young man had no food for days and you sent him to his room hungry and alone.  Since when does the hospitality of Kunlun slip so badly?"  "Shifu, I must apologize to you and to Shiba.  It is my duty to take care of him.  I ask forgiveness from you both."  "He has been fed but get Shiliu to show him around.  Now I'm off."  He took Bai Qian by the arm and left.  Die Feng motioned the boy to come with him.  "Is High God Mo Yuan always so nice?"  "Yes, unless you make him angry.  Never make him angry.  He once tore a demon in half with his bare talons for trying to kidnap Shiqi.  His dragon is a mighty thing to behold, let me tell you.  The first thing you learn will be how to control your inner beast.  Lord Baohu will teach you.  He is young by some standards, but in mind he is very mature.  I also will be teaching you.  I will get Shiliu to show you around now."
     As soon as Die Feng took over Shiba, Mo Yuan jumped himself and Bai Qian to the pavilion.  She looked around and smiled.  "So, you sneaky dragon, I see you have been busy!!  Just what are you up to?"  "This!"  He took her into his arms and kissed her lips softly.  His breath blew warmly across her tongue and sent waves of pleasure over her.  His hands softly traced down her sides and over her stomach.  He picked her up as he removed their clothes and laid her on the soft cushions.  His eyes turned gold as he continued his tender lovemaking.  Jinlong had learned his lesson the hard way, so he wanted to show his tender side.  His hands were warm, his body was hot and his need was high.  Slowly he caressed, kissed, licked and loved.  His tender moans brought a sigh from her fox.  Her tails were all over him.  He could barely contain himself but he had made a pledge that he wouldn't ravage her so roughly while she was pregnant.  His tender touch on her petals was driving her insane.  Finally he slowly licked up her slit, blowing hot breath as he did.  His tender touch had her begging.  "More!  I want more, Jinlong!"  He laughed as he continued his pleasuring of her.  Her climax came hard and fast.  He rose up over her and impaled her with his rock hard shaft.  Slowly they rocked like a boat on the ocean.  Slowly, methodically, tenderly they loved on.  His slow motions had her body putting off waves of heat.  He sent waves of his cultivation down his shaft and heated her core.  Their climax came upon them quick and hard.  Their breath was ragged as they lay together.  "Qian'er, I love you.  Will you still love me when I am no longer able to pleasure you?  Will you still love me when my hair turns gray and my body weakens?  Will you always be there?"  "I will be with you until the day we both go into nothingness together, for when you, my Jinlong, perish, I too, will be by your side as we enter the chaos together.  I love you!"  For the rest of the day, they fed each other, lay in each other's arms, swam in the pool and made love.  They didn't show up for dinner and Baohu was concerned.  He sent tendrils of his essence over the mountain and found them together at the pavilion in the jasmine valley.  A smile crossed his face.  JinDe noticed that smile.  "The pavilion?"  "How did you know, Er ge?"  "Just a feeling.  It's where they always go to be alone.  Are you nervous, Baohu?"  "Am I nervous?  Did Qing Cang have horns?  Does the nine heavens have eternal light?  Am I a fox?  Of course!  I just hope my life with Li Li can be like Fuqin and Mother!  They have been in love a long, long time."  "Yes, they have.  Indeed, they have!  What amazes me is that their love has steadily grown.  It has never diminished or faded in any way.  I hope to one day be the same with Mei Ying.  I want our love to grow until we part in death, as it should be."
     After dinner everyone finished their chores before bed.  One by one they went by to check on Da Hei, now known as Shiba.  Zi Lan stayed with him for a while.  Many questions were asked and he answered them the best he could.  "Shiliu, do you like it here?  Are you happy?"  "Shiba, when I came here, I came the same day as Shiqi.  Shifu named me her senior that day.  You see, I'm also an orphan.  The people here are my family.  Coming here is the best thing that ever happened to me.  Trust me!  Your life will be good.  Now off to bed!  I know you're tired and you have a big day tomorrow!  I'll see you in the morning."  He left him to his thoughts.  He smiled and settled into his bed.  He was thinking how good his life could be now that he could have a real family.  Real people who cared about him, who wouldn't mistreat him.  Yes, he felt happy for the first time in a long time.
     Baohu arose the next morning with his mind on two things, Li Li and Shiba.  Since he could do nothing about Li Li for the time being, he decided to go to the dining hall to eat breakfast and then on for training with Shiba.  "Shiba, meet me on the training grounds after you finish your breakfast.  We will start there to evaluate your beast powers.  Shiba bowed and answered, " yes, Shifu!"  They all finished their breakfast and cleaned up after themselves.  Zilan took Shiba to the training grounds.  "Shiba, the first thing we all learn when we become a disciple is how to control our inner beast.  Lord Baohu will test you today.  Are you ready?"  "Yes, I think so."  Zilan led him onto the grounds and Baohu jumped by them.  "So Shiba, Die Feng tells me you are a bear spirit.  Let me see it."  Shiba stood back and erupted his bear.  He was very large.  Baohu noticed right away that his beast was deathly afraid.  For a bear spirit, this is a problem.  "Attack me, Shiba!  Come on, I need to see your powers!  Attack me!"  He instantly cowered on the ground.  Baohu walked over to touch him and saw him flinch.  "Demons mistreated and beat you, didn't they?"  Shiba's bear moaned and kept himself curled into a tight ball.  "That is enough for today.  Transform back now."  He transformed back and hung his head.  Baohu placed both of his hands on the boy's shoulders.  "You need have no fear here.  We will help you overcome this fear!  Who knows!  You just might be one fearsome bear!!  Now come.  Let's get you into some classes.  Die Feng!"  "Yes, Lord Baohu!"  "Get Shiba into his class schedule.  Include time here with me after breakfast every morning."  "Right away!"  Baohu walked to his Fuqin's study.  He knocked and heard that all too familiar voice answer.  "Enter".  "Fuqin, I need to discuss Shiba with you just a moment, please."  "Oh?  Is there a problem?  I met him yesterday and he seemed to be a nice young boy."  "This problem concerns his beast form.  Somehow he was captured by demons.  His parents were killed by marauding demons.  They forced him into his beast form and tortured him.  His beast, which is actually a very large bear, is terrified.  He cowers on the ground like he is deathly afraid.  I need your advice on how to get him over his fear."  "Hmmm.  How about I come in the morning and help you get off on the right foot.  You can help him get over his fear, have no worries about that."  "
    

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