An Old Friend, Closure and New Roots

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     Mo Yuan was trying desperately to juggle his schedule.  He had three days to take Tian Shu and Chin Chu to their realm to meet the people there.  He wanted Bai Qian to go too.  He made his plans, sent a message to Ye Hua and went to the nursery.  Jingsi was pouting at him.  He walked in and sat down.  Jiaxiao toddled right over.  "Fuqin where you been.  Jiaxiao whine and cry for you!  I sad!"  He picked her up and swung her up in the air.  "Fuqin has been very busy planning a little trip.  Would you like that?"  "Me like.  Where go?"  "We are going to take Chin Chu and Tian Shu to see their realm and meet the people there.  You might just have fun!  What do you think?"  She quirked her eyebrow the same as her Fuqin and nodded.  "Me like.  When go?"  "Tomorrow morning.  Fuqin will come get you early.  Now go to your mother and let her read stories to you."  Mo Yuan went to his study and sent messages to Tian Shu and Chin Chu.  While he was waiting, he finished reading and answering his correspondence.  When he finished the last message, Tian Shu knocked on the door.  He went to bow.  "No need for formality here.  You are about to be a ruler of your own realm.  Do you think you are prepared?"  "Yes, high god, I do.  Fuqin has been teaching me, plus all of the lessons from you and Tianjun should hold me in good stead."  "I called you to inform you we leave in the morning for a short trip to your realm.  I want the people there to get to know you.  It's a small realm and their customs and ways are a lot like Qing Qui.  I believe you will like it there.  Where is Chu?  I messaged her to be here."  "She's gone to the market in Qing Qui."  "Ah, yes!  Well, I guess she needs clothes.  Alright, then.  Be prepared to leave in the morning." 
     Baohu had taken to training again and seemed to be falling back into his routine.  He spent time with Fengbao and WuYun every morning.  He trained Shiba and Shijiu after that.  Ever since he had made the trip to the flower house with Ru, he had been rather quiet and reserved.  He went about his duties but Mo Yuan noticed his heart just wasn't in it.  He found him at his desk.  "Well, my Xiao Jin Huli!  You're very quiet.  Is there something you need to talk to me about?"  Baohu looked at his hands for a moment and then up to his Fuqin.  "Yes, Fuqin, there is.  I feel like I have betrayed Li Li.  I can't come to grips with it.  I don't think I will ever be able to cast my charm spell again.  In my heart, I can't accept the fact that I'm just...just....just a sex crazed idiot after I cast it!!"  Mo Yuan sat down and patted Baohu on the shoulder.  "It's ok, Baohu.  There are many spells that have some sort of backlash.  Your charm spell is one of them.  You never talked to your Da ge, did you?"  "No, I was afraid to.  I was afraid of what he would say."  "Call him to you and talk to him.  I need you to come with us tomorrow morning to Tian Shu and Chin Chu's realm.  You need to know them because you are their protector.  They have no army.  Understand?  Even when you hurt inside, you still have your duty.  I know this very well.  How do you think I felt, knowing I was about to leave Ye Hua and your mother behind?  Call Xue to you now.  I will leave you to talk to him.  Always know that I love you, Baohu."  He walked out the door.  Baohu thought a moment and called Bai Xue to him.  "Da ge, would you please come talk to me?"  Bai Xue, hearing the rather forlorn tone of Baohu's voice answered him.  "Yes, I'll be right there."  He was there in minutes.  "You wanted to talk to me?"  Baohu look at him with red rimmed eyes.  He took a deep breath that was more like a sob.  "I want to know....I want to know what she said to you.  I need to know!!"  Bai Xue sat by Baohu and put his arm around his didi.  "Are you sure?"  "Yes, I need the peace it will bring."  "Very well.  Listen carefully and don't interrupt me.  I will only tell you once.  Understood?"  "I understand."
     "Fuqin couldn't stand the thought of Li Li leaving her boys and being alone.  Her Fuqin had searched everywhere for her but couldn't find her.  I found her in a valley close to the herd the celestial army keeps.  She was right up under our noses.  She was alone, her coat matted and dirty and she was too thin.  She was ill.  When I found her, she resigned herself to it.  She laid down on her side.  I sat down and held her head in my lap.  I told her what had happened to you and tried to convince her to return to her boys if not to you.  She wouldn't.  It was then that she transformed in front of me.  Her cheek was bruised and her eye was black.  She showed me her side which was also heavily bruised.  I must say my anger rode very high.  I once again tried to convince her to let Jinzi heal her.  She would only shake her head no.  She was broken, Baohu.  Her spirit was literally broken.  Her breath came in gasps.  She told me to tell you that she still loved you, but she was done with you.  Her last words were "tell him I forgive him.  I will forever love him".  Her spirit fled and she sighed in my arms as she left this world.  I scanned her as I held her.  She died from a broken heart.  I know I was still angry that she died that way when I slapped your face, but you needed it at the time.  I'm so sorry, didi."  Tears were streaming down Baohu's face.  He fell into his Da ge's arms like a small child and cried out all of the anguish, sorrow and tears for his lost mate.  Bai Xue held him close and let him rid himself of his sorrow.  Several minutes went by before Baohu rose up and wiped his face.  "Thank you, Da ge.  Thank you for sharing this to me.  Thank you for being there so she wouldn't be alone.  Thank you for slapping my face, because it was restitution for my idiocy.  I can now pick myself up and be the God of War again.  I'll never be the same as I was, but I will never let this realm be attacked.  I swear it on my honor!"  They stood and Xue hugged him once more.  "Baohu, I was 50,000 years old when you were born.  When the day comes that Fuqin meets his calamity, just know I can never take his place, but I will be there for you."  He patted Baohu on the shoulder and left him to his thoughts.
     The next morning saw Mo Yuan in the great hall trying to get baggage and people organized.  They were a rather large crowd.  He went over everything once more.  Baohu was the last one to come.  He nodded to his Fuqin.  They all jumped a cloud together.  The realm of Lu Shu was a quiet peaceful realm.  The small palace was built in the forest there surrounded by huge evergreen trees of cedar, fir, pine and redwood.  The grounds were planted with an elegant garden and surrounded by a stone wall.  When they arrived, the people were ready to receive them.  The small realm had a small population of 1000, but it had always been self governed in hopes of one day having it's own ruler.  That day had come.  The ministers and personnel that Long Li had picked were there to welcome them.  Rooms were readied for them all.  Baohu decided to take Fengbao and WuYun on a walk into the forest.  They transformed and explored as hulis.  For over an hour they walked and talked.  That sat beneath a very ancient tree for a rest.  A voice spoke out loud.  "It has been a very long time since a Huli walked in this forest.  The last one was Bai Zhi, emperor of Qing Qui.  Do you know him?"  Sensing no ill will, Baohu stood up and transformed.  "Yes, I know him.  He is my Zufu."  The huge tree transformed into a tall muscular man.  "Who are you, young huli?"  "I am Bai Baohu Zhe, God of War, son of Mo Yuan, Master of Weaponry and Warfare, Master of Kunlun Mountain, sunzi of Fuxi, Father of Gods, sunzi of Bai Zhi, Emperor of Qing Qui, prince of heaven and prince of Qing Qui.  Who are you?"  "Did you say Mo Yuan was your Fuqin?"  "Indeed I did!"  "I thought he took an oath to remain celibate.  Has he broken his oath?"  "Fuqin sacrificed himself to the Bell of the East Emperor.  All oaths became void since he died.  He was resurrected 20,000 years after his death.  He married my mother then.  I am his fourth son.  You can come to the palace to meet with Fuqin, if you wish.  He is there so my jiemei and her soon to be husband can meet the people here.  Tianjun Ye Hua wishes for them to rule here.  Would you come?"  "These two are your sons?"  "Yes, they are!  This is Fengbao and WuYun.  Boys, greet this man properly!"  They bowed and stood behind their Fuqin.  "Very mannerly for hulis!  Yes, I will come talk to Mo Yuan.  It has been a long time."  "May I ask your name, old one?"  "My name?  You may call me Xiangshu."
     They started their trek back to the palace and small talked as they went.  Xiangshu was very interested in current affairs and he wanted to know more about Ye Hua.  "Tell me more about this Ye Hua.  Who is he?  What happened to HaoDe?"  "Tianjun Ye Hua is my Shushu, didi to my Fuqin, Mo Yuan."  "Mo Yuan had no Didi or jiemei.  How can this be possible?"  "My Zumu, Nuwa, was pregnant with twins when the pillars fell.  She expended her energy and was wounded when she repaired them.  She gave birth early to Fuqin and Shushu.  She died a few days later.  Shushu a few days after her death.  Zufu was so aggrieved that he used half of his power to create a fetus for Shushu's soul and placed him into a golden lotus.  He was placed in the lotus pond in the nine heavens.  When Zufu was about to die, he gave Shushu to Fuqin and told him the whole story.  For years Fuqin tended to Shushu and fed him energy.  Fuqin went to war against Qing Cang.  He deployed the Bell of the East Emperor.  Fuqin had to sacrifice his soul to seal Qing Cang in the bell and save the world from being destroyed.  When Fuqin died, Shushu came forth.  Lady Li Xu, wife of Yang Cao, touched the lotus.  He entered her and was born.   For 20,000 years, Fuqin lay in Yanhua cave in Qing Qui asleep.  Zumu helped him come back.  He went to get Ye Hua and brought him to Kunlun to be raised by him.  Zumu told him to rescue Shushu from a harsh life.  He married mother at the same time."  "I see.  It seems I have slumbered for a long time.  I look forward to seeing Mo Yuan again."  They walked into the gate and up to the palace.  Mo Yuan was there talking to the people there.  Baohu went directly to him.  "Fuqin!  I have someone here who says he knows you!"  Xiangshu looked hard at Mo Yuan.  It had been a long time since he had seen him and at first, he wasn't sure.  He was in the process of bowing when Ye Hua arrived.  To say he was amazed was an understatement.  He looked back and forth between them.  He bowed low.  "High God Mo Yuan, it's been a long time since I saw you.  You were but a young boy then."  Mo Yuan looked at the man and racked his brain before it came to him.  "Xiangshu, the Father of trees?"  "You remember?  How wonderful!!  I was asleep in the forest here when these Hulis came walking by.  The last Huli I had seen was Bai Zhi.  This one tells me you are his Fuqin.  Is is true?"  "Yes, he is mine.  His mother is the daughter of Bai Zhi, his last child.  Have you been here that long?  Why don't you come to Kunlun?  The throne is there most of the time.  The energy is high and you would flourish there.  My other Huli son, his twin, is married to a plant spirit.  She has aided the trees on Kunlun.  Would you consider it?  There is a valley where you could plant yourself if you wish."  Baohu stepped up to him.  "Yes, please come to Kunlun.  I have just the place for you!"  "Very well!  It's been a long time since I saw Kunlun Mountain.  I will come!"  "We leave for Kunlun in two days!"
     For two days the people of Lu Shu came and met their soon to be rulers.  They were ecstatic and couldn't wait to have them.  Chin Chu had walked around the realm and met people.  They had a small market.  The people welcomed her with open arms.  Long Li had called some of his people who were warriors.  They worked with Tian Shu.  He want the people to know they would be protected.  Mo Yuan, seeing that they were well received, had done some walking around of his own.  He felt no ill will and felt good about everything.  When they went to leave, Tian Shu left his minister in charge until they returned.  Xiangshu had been discovered by Jingsi and Jiaxiao.  They suddenly wanted to know about trees.  He sat in the hall with the beautiful little girls on his knees.  He was mesmerized by them.  They were very smart to be so small.  Jingsi wanted to know all about him.  "Me want to know where you come from."  "I don't really know, little one.  I'm older than your Fuqin.  That's all I know."  "Fuqin old, but young.  He not act old.  Him big bad dragin.  Me 'fraid of big bad dragin."  "Ah yes.  The golden dragon.  Is he really scary?"  Jiaxiao nodded and held her hands wide.  "Him big, 'normous, have big teeth, breathe fire.  Very dangerous."  "Did you say he could breathe fire?"  "Fuqin breathe golden fire.  Me breathe white fire.  See?"  She brought forth a small white flame and rolled it over her hand.  It disappeared.  He raised his brows.  "Wonderful!  You are a very beautiful little girl!  Both of you are!  When I come to Kunlun, you can come and sit under me.  How about that?"  "We like!"  Mo Yuan saw them and came forward to collect them.  "What do you think of our little ones, Xiangshu?"  "They tell me you can breathe fire.  Is it true?"  "Yes, Fuxi taught Ye Hua and I."  "Interesting.  Remind me not to be in your line of fire."  Mo Yuan smiled and took the girls into his arms.  "We leave in the morning for Kunlun.  Be ready!"
     They returned to Kunlun to prepare for Tian Shu and Chin Chu's wedding.  It was decided that Tian Shu would wait for her in their new realm and that his Fuqin, Lian Song, would come get her.  All preparation had been made and the people were excited to be able to participate in the wedding.  The day came and all was made ready.  Tian Shu, new ruler of Lu Shu, took Bai Chin Chu to be his wife and queen.  Their whole realm was celebrating with them.  Mo Yuan was amazed for Baohu did not touch a single drop of liquor.  He drank tea and conversed with the people there.  He was the perfect gentleman.  Tian Shu was led to their room where Chin Chu awaited him.  She was a picture of loveliness.  He was nervous and it showed.  Being shy, he had hardly kissed her and was the epitome of a proper gentleman.  His hands were shaking bad as he raised her veil.  He looked at her beautiful face.  "Chu, I've waited for you!  I watched you a long time, thinking I wasn't good enough for you.  You see, I'm in love with you.  Hopelessly in love!  Come let me prove my love to you."  He kissed her madly as his aim was to claim her.  He threw off their clothes and was naked laying beside her on the bed.  Their kiss was hot as her tails erupted and were all over him.  No longer able to take it, he rolled her to her back and kissed his way down her stomach.  He feasted his eyes on her treasure.  He worshipped her.  He pleasured her with his tongue until she climaxed.  He rose over her and entered her in one hard thrust.  Her scream brought fear to his face.  "Chu!  I love you so!  I would never hurt you!"  She hugged him tight and kissed him.  They started their dance of love.  Their passion overwhelmed them as they flew high together.  His gentle rocking was answered as her tails caressed him all over his body.  They reached the stars together.  They forced themselves to return to their banquet.  Mo Yuan watched them together.  He smiled to himself and remembered when he and Qian'er married.  Had it really been so long ago?  He looked at her beautiful profile as she sat beside him.  Still like a thousand suns shining in the East!!
     They stayed for a week to get Chu and Tian Shu settled into their kingdom.  It seemed that the people there were glad to have them and many gifts had been brought to them.  Feeling that everything was well, he told them would would be returning home in the morning.  Tian Shu stood with Chin Chu tucked up under his arm.  Tears were in her eyes, but she knew her life was here in their kingdom.  One by one her siblings came to say their farewells.  Mo Yuan came to hug her.  "Fuqin, please come visit when you can!  It's going to be hard being without seeing you and hearing your voice!"  Tears ran down her face.  He turned her sweet face up to look at her and wiped the tears away with his thumbs.  "I'll visit.  No worries now!"  He hugged her and passed her to her mother.  Goodbyes said, they jumped their cloud to Kunlun.  Mo Yuan sat in his seat drinking tea.  He was in a rather melancholy mood.  Xiangshu came to bow and sit beside him.  "High God Mo Yuan, although Taizi was what I called you before, I wish to plant myself here in this realm.  The energy here will aid my growth.  I wish to be where I can see and hear people, if I may, but I'm very tall.  Is there such a place?"  "Yes, follow me!"  Mo Yuan walked to the back of the mountain through the peach trees until he reached the back mountain where Xue and JinDe had their palaces.  Junjie's palace was under contruction, but a garden was being built out front for an entry.  Mo Yuan stood on the path across from that entry.  The peach trees didn't come this far and there was an area there where he could plant himself.  "These three palaces belong to my sons, Bai Xue, Mo Junjie Jin and Mo JinDe.  Xue and JinDe are my first born twin sons.  Xue is the oldest.  Junjie is the fifth.  As you can see, the evening sun bears down hard on this spot.  Plant yourself here to offer shade and comfort to anyone who comes by.  I will have grass planted and benches brought here.  I have a feeling many will come.  Maybe a small pond and fountain?"  Xiangshu clapped his hands together.  "Wonderful!  Just wonderful!!  When you are ready, let me know.  I wish to learn more about your children.  Those little girls are just wonderful!"  "As soon as this palace is finished, then we will build your small park.  Now come and tour the mountain with me."  They walked and talked for over an hour.  They returned to the hall and Mo Yuan left to go to the nursery.  Everyone was napping so he went to the training arena.  Taiyang was sword practicing but Zhenzhu was sitting under the pavilion.  "Zhenzhu, why aren't you practicing?"  He jerked at the sound of his Fuqin's voice.  "Fuqin, I'm not so sure I want to use the whip anymore.  It doesn't feel right to me now."  "Hmmm, I see.  Explain to me what doesn't feel right to you."  "Fuqin!  You already know!  How can I wield a weapon like that when I know that the Demon Queen taught me?"  "Did she really teach you or did she just refine what you already knew?  Did you read the books on whip usage in the library?  What exactly did you learn from her?"  Zhenzhu thought for a moment and grinned.  "Fuqin!  You're the best!  I see now.  I think I'm better than her now!  Thank you!!"  Mo Yuan smiled as he watched him run out into the arena.
    

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