Rescue Me, My Love

And Maybe the Twain Can Meet

     Bai Xue got his people right on the investigation of the Xiyi that was in the mortal realm.  There was a reason for it hunting there.  He wanted to know why.  He sent four of his best operatives to the dark realm to find them.  All four of them came back with the same report.  Hunger was rampant in the dark realms and very few were farming.  They were scavenging for any and everything.  Many were going to the mortal realm simply to find food.  The stronger tribes were killing off the weaker tribes.  Xue gathered his reports and went straight to Mount Junji to report to his Fuqin.  He walked through the gate to see and hear laughter from the children.  They caught sight of him and ran to him.  "Da ge!  Come play with us!"  They grabbed his hand and led him to the courtyard.  He was amazed how carefree and playful they were.  Mo Yuan walked out the door into the courtyard and offered tea to his eldest.  Xue lifted his cup in appreciation and took a sip.  "Fuqin, I have reports from the dark lands.  I'm afraid the news is not good."  "Oh?  Well tell me all you know."  "I sent my four best operatives to search the land and report back to me any and all kind of activity.  It seems hunger is rampant there.  The lands are not being farmed.  Tribes have organized just like those Xiyi.  The strong tribes are killing off the weaker ones for food.  Yes, there is cannibalism going on.  I may have thought of a way to help them, but we would have to be on guard.  Mi Shu and Meili could try to repair the land with flora and possibly set up gardens here and there.  That way there would be food.  We could subdue the cannibalistic tribes so the other more peaceful tribes could flourish.  They need help, Fuqin.  Even my agents were upset by the children they saw.  We need to meet with Shushu and send emissaries immediately.  It's that bad.  We also need patrol to the mortal realm to ferret out any that are there to hunt the humans or the beast that are there.  They could actually unbalance the mortal realm."  "Excellent work!  We need to meet with Ye Hua immediately.  Do you need me to go or can you handle it?"  "I will brief Baohu and take him with me.  He needs to be ready to visit the dark lands, too."  "Very well.  Let me know if I'm needed.  I'll be here."
     Bai Xue landed on the portico of the temple and went to the hall.  He sent Die Feng for Baohu.  He walked in from the arena where he had been working with his three disciples.  "Da ge!  How's Fuqin?  Better, I hope?"  "Baohu, Fuqin looks better than I've seen him look in a long time and so does Mother.  The children are carefree and happy, even though Fuqin gives lessons every day.  That little hut that you, Jinzi and Junjie stayed in is no more.  Fuqin let Taiyang and Zhenzhu design and build new housing.  You should go soon.  But first, I have news and reports to brief you on and then a meeting with Tianjun.  I'll call Junjie to join us."  Junjie came in and they got down to business.  For nearly an hour, Xue briefed them on the findings his agents reported of the dark lands.  Instead of gungho war, Baohu suggested aid of some kind.  "I know they have always been against us, but they need help.  We can't just let them starve.  Plus it's just a matter of time before the raids into our lands become stronger and more dangerous.  I propose we talk to Shushu as soon as possible.  First I suggest we go see Zufu.  He needs to help us with some good advice."  "Agreed.  Let's go now."  Xue, Baohu and Junjie jumped to the bench and waited.  Baohu was dressed out in his armor with his swords and his dagger in his belt.  Fuxi materialized beside him and turned him about to look at his regalia.  "This armor is well designed as are your weapons.  You look very intimidating with that white hair in a warrior's pony tail, god of war!"  Xue stood and bowed to his Zufu.  "Zufu, we have come for some advice."  "Well, let me hear your questions then."
     "Zufu, as you know, Fuqin is at our compound on Mount Junji for a much needed vacation.  While there, he ran into a Xiyi who had a very nice trap set up to catch mortals for food.  I sent my operatives into the dark lands to investigate.  It seems they are in very dire straights.  There is no food and starvation and disease is rampant.  The stronger tribes are killing the weaker for food.  Cannibalism is also rampant.  We actually thought about trying to help them establish farms and try to restore the flora and fauna that was destroyed in attacks by us.  We must do something.  It's just a matter of time before they invade our lands looking for food.  Either that or they will unbalance the mortal realm.  We must do something.  We must either aid them or destroy them.  I am loathe to destroy them.  We have not discussed our plan with Fuqin, but we were about to bring it to Tianjun Ye Hua.  We wish for Fuqin to stay where he is, on vacation."  "I see.  You know I have no love for the dark lands, but you are right.  They need help.  Do not, I repeat, do not send emissaries.  They would be killed.  Only high gods of great power such as yourself, your didi here and your twin, JinDe, should go.  Take Jinzi to heal any who need it.  Maybe kindness would sway them to a better path.  Nuwa could appear to their monks and priests to tell them help must come from the light, not the dark arts.  Their dark magic has brought pain and suffering.  I'm aware of the Xiyi.  They bear watching.  As to Mo Yuan, I too agree that he is where he needs to be.  Leave him there.  You, young Bai Baohu Zhe, must spread your wings and fly, especially now that your wife can aid you.  I agree with your plan to aid them.  Present your plan to Ye Hua.  Tell him to wait seven days before he sets anything in motion.  Nuwa can get it started.  Now go."  They left him sitting there in deep thought.  Nuwa sat beside him.  "We must help them.  I'm very proud that they want to help, not kill.  They could destroy the dark lands if they wanted, but they chose a higher path.  Can you persuade them to accept the aid from the lands of light?"  "I will start now.  Every monk or priest that is using the darkest arts will be destroyed.  Those seeking what is best for the people will be answered.  I must be about it then."
     Bai Xue and Bai Baohu Zhe sought an audience with Tianjun Ye Hua.  He met with them for lunch.  Yu Yu was unwell, so he left her to rest and met with them instead.  "What brings my Chief of Intelligence and the God of War to see me?"  "Shushu, we have a very big problem.  As you know, since you destroyed him, the Xiyi was in the mortal realm trapping humans.  I sent people to investigate.  Shushu, the conditions there are deplorable.  They are starving.  There are no farms and no food.  The stronger tribes are killing the weaker ones for food.  Cannibalism is rampant.  We have come to offer solutions before they start attacking our people for food or worse yet, living in the mortal realm and bringing about unbalance.  We need to send emissaries.  Zufu said not to send weaker people but only JinDe, myself and Baohu.  Maybe Jinzi to offer healing to try to help them recover.  We have two choices.  We can offer aid and benevolence to a people who have always brought war and destruction or we can wipe the land clean of them all.  I say we aid them.  If we do, it's possible that we could turn the tide to help them see a better life.  Instead of evil, they could pursue peace and use their gifts for good.  Zumu was going to send visions to their monks and priests.  She is going to weed out those not willing to stop using dark evil arts.  She is going to pave the way for us to aid them.  Of course, it's your decision to make.  We just wanted you to be aware."  "Let me look over every report you have and I will give you an answer in six days.  Is Da ge still on Mount Junji?"  "Yes, and I say we leave him there.  Fuqin looks better than he has looked in a long time.  I say we let him stay there and only call him when we need him."  "I agree.  Let me look over your reports then."
     Nuwa was appearing in every temple that was open and investigating those that weren't.  So far she had brought death to six priests who were practicing the darkest of arts.  The majority were asking her for aid.  The head priest of the demon tribe was very old but very wise.  She appeared to him in a dream.  Dai Lai Guang saw her standing in front of him.  "Dai Lai Guang!  Hear me and obey!  A choice is before your people now.  You must accept aid from the nine heavens.  If your people refuse, they will be destroyed.  The Xiyi tribe must be destroyed for they have become cannibals.  The gods of light can help you.  You could be enlightened.  Make your choice!  I will strengthen your magic only if it used to help your people live in peace.  Now go and tell them!"  He awoke in a sweat.  That Nuwa herself had appeared to him was very telling.  He had been asking for the path to open and so it had!!  He awoke the next morning, put on his best priestly robes and started his journey through the lands.  He went from temple to temple gathering those who had like visions.  They convened at the old palace gates.  He spoke to the people there to gather their families as quickly as possible and come there.  The population had suffered over the years but there were close to 50,000 families there.  Dai Lai Guang climbed up on some fallen stone to speak.  "Hear me!  Nuwa has appeared to us in dreams.  She said we have two choices.  We can accept aid from the nine heavens or we can be destroyed.  A Xiyi was killed in the mortal realm by Tianjun Ye Hua.  It's our choice to live or die today.  We have magic that could aid the world as do the gods of light.  We have herbs and plants for healing.  We have people who love the arts of music and art.  We can become a great peaceful realm if only we wish it.  I ask you to look at yourselves and your children.  We are all hungry.  I'm told that the wife of the great white dragon can heal our land as well as the wife of their great medicine king, the golden fox.  Choose today what you wish for.  War has only brought us destruction.  Peace could bring us so much more.  Now I will seek the answer here."  He stepped down and sat on the ground in a lotus position.  They were there when the emissaries from heaven came to help.
     Ye Hua called Bai Xue, Mo JinDe, Bai Baohu Zhe, Mo Junjie Jin, Meili, Jinzi and Mi Shu to him.  "I've called you here because I have made a decision.  We are going to help the dark lands.  Meili and Mi Shu can aid in replanting the flora and fauna there and helping to establish gardens for the people.  We go in peace.  If they wish for peace, that is even better.  Be ready to leave in the morning."  Bai Xue decided they all would go on one cloud.  Baohu and Li Li were to be in full armor.  They departed and flew to the demon lands first.  When they landed by the gate of the palace of the demon realm, they were surprised to be greeted by a large crowd.  Dai Lai Guang rose and represented the people.  Xue could tell he was ancient and wise.  He bowed and introduced himself to the old priest.  "I am Bai Xue, the white dragon of Kunlun and son of Mo Yuan.  I am chief emissary for Tianjun Ye Hua of the nine heavens.  I have brought these with me to aid you.  Let me introduce them.  This is my twin, Mo JinDe, commander of the celestial army.  This is Bai Baohu Zhe, God of War and his wife, Shandian Li.  This is Mo Junjie Jin, my aid and didi.  This is Meili de Lianhua my wife.  This is Bai Zhi Jinzi, medicine king and twin to Baohu.  This is his wife Mi Shu.  We come to help you set your land in order.  I have two younger didis that are excellent builders and architects who can rebuild this palace.  My wife and Lord Jinzi's wife can regrow the flora and fauna and set up gardens and orchards for you.  We can help you rid your land of the cannibals who are terrorizing your land.  Tell us what you wish of us."  The old priest was impressed.  The children of Mo Yuan, the retired God of War.  He was impressed to the soul of his being that Mo Yuan had taught them the way of peace, not just how to make war.  He nodded and smiled.  "High God Bai Xue!  We had just finished meeting!  We wish to take the road to peace.  We know the Xiyi have been a scourge to our land.  Help us purge them.  We need food quickly.  Our children are sick and starving."  "Very well!  Jinzi, set up an area over there with shade so you can see the sick that are here.  Meili!  You and Mi Shu get a feel for what food plants will grow well here and plant a field over in that area to the right of the gates.  Junjie!  Go to Kunlun and tell Chang Shan what we need to provide food here.  Tell him to get food from Qing Qui.  Bring him back quickly.  Baohu! You, JinDe and Li Li go with the soldiers here to find those Xiyi!  I will stay here with this master."
     Jinzi was quickly surrounded by those who were sick.  He had studied many books on the different diseases of the dark realms.  He was healing those he could and giving medicine to them.  Slowly the demons there realized they were there to help.  Mi Shu and Meili had talked to some of the farmers there.  In no time, they had an entire field planted and grown with many types of food plants that demons prefer.  Before the field was grown, Chang Shan appeared with an entourage from Kunlun with crates of food.  He set up a field kitchen and started cooking.  He was dishing out food to the people in no time.  Once many of them were fed, they set about to help where they could.  Bai Xue was like a general going from place to place to check on progress.  The old priest was beside himself with joy.  He sat under a tent that had been brought for him.  He ate as he watched the people being tended to.  "Great dragon, tell me, did your Fuqin teach you the way of peace?"  "Yes, old one, he did.  Fuqin taught us that peace should be sought first and if all else fails, then war.  Most people are surprised that the God of War was also a God of Peace.  I bet you didn't know that Fuqin is also the God of Music, did you?"  "No!  You mean he is an accomplished musician?  I'm very surprised!  Maybe he could come and give the children lessons sometime.  We were a very cultured people at one time."  "I know.  Fuqin told me you had many poets, artists and musicians.  We are here to help.  I'm about to go get my didis to rebuild this gate and rebuild the palace.  Is there anyone to rule your people now?"  "Not that we know of.  We have lived in fear after Shao Wan appeared again.  Sadly she brought more war.  All we want is peace.  We thank you for letting us see that peace and living side by side can work.  Hopefully, your war god can rid our land of those Xiyi.  They flourished while we were starving.  I hope his power is sufficient to destroy them.  Our previous ruler had warned them on several occasions but they never listened."  "Trust me when I say my San ge, Bai Baohu Zhe, is one very powerful deity.  He can flush them out, I assure you.  Tell me, did Zumu talk to you?"  "Zumu?"  "Nuwa, my Fuqin's mother."  "So you have seen her too, young dragon?"  "Yes.  My very beautiful Zumu has spoken to all of us.  There are seventeen of us, you know!"  "What?!?  You mean the great Jinlong has seventeen children?  I'm speechless!"  "The last were triplets, Bai Hulis.  They shifted into their human form here recently.  They have golden hair!  They shine just like Fuqin does when the sun hits his scales!"  "Did you say three of them?  It's a sign!  Blessings from heaven!!  I have never practiced the dark arts.  I knew that our mother Nuwa had bestowed gifts to us to aid the realms.  You know the rest.  Those hungry for power and conquest brought ruin.  Utter ruin.  Great changes are coming!  I feel it in the air and the earth under our feet!"  Bai Xue left him there and went to get Taiyang and Zhenzhu.  He knew they could build that gate in no time!
     The demon realm soldiers were terrified of the Xiyi.  Many of them told Baohu of narrow escapes from certain death.  They showed him every den they knew of.  He killed them one by one.  One even had the nerve to come out of his den holding an arm he was feasting on.  Baohu took his head off his shoulders for his trouble.  They destroyed egg clutches and nest.  All day long they purged the land of a terrible evil.  The demon soldiers got braver as the day went on.  They realized that help was here and they could take back there land.  Every den was destroyed.  Some of them even had the nerve to live in the villages where they could feast at will.  The people who couldn't come to the assembly were freed and brought supplies.  They were told of the fields being planted where food could be gathered for their families.  He left them with new respect.  It was late when Baohu returned to the gates.  He was amazed to see the people laughing and talking instead of the sullen sad faces he had seen that morning.  The old priest beckoned to him.  "Did you destroy them all, war god?"  "Yes, everyone I could find.  If any survived, your people should be able to take care of them.  There is no need to fear them and please, just call me Bai Baohu Zhe or Lord Baohu.  No need for titles among friends now is it?"  "Well young Baohu, I here your Fuqin is quite the master of Taoism.  Maybe we could debate one day."  "Would you like to meet Fuqin?  He would be glad to meet you!"  "I'm afraid I can't tolerate the power of Kunlun Mountain."  "Oh, but he's not on Kunlun.  Come with me!  Li Li!  Come with us!"  Baohu jumped them right outside the gate of the new estate.  Baohu was amazed.  He only remembered the hut and their bamboo walls.  Here was a real palace.  He knocked on the gate.  Long Li was there.  "Long Li!  I have a visitor for Fuqin.  Is he busy?"  "No, Lord Baohu.  He is in the courtyard with the children."  "Come with me!"  Dai Lai Guang was amazed himself at the beautiful landscape and the simple buildings.  He wondered about this Mo Yuan and what kind of man he was.  They walked into the courtyard and the old priest was flummoxed.  Two of the most beautiful little girls he had ever seen came to stand before him. 
     Jingsi and Jiaxiao, catching site of Baohu leading the old man, flew to him and stood in front of them.  Jingsi looked and introduced herself.  "Hello!  Me Mo Jingsi Yuehai.  This my twin Mo Jiaxiao Yuwan.  Who are you?"  "Well little one, I am Dai Lai Guang.  I am a demon.  I have come to see your Fuqin.  I hear he is a master of Taoism."  "Fuqin know everything.  Come!  He here!"  Dai Lai Guang saw Mo Yuan and bowed low.  He looked him right in the eye.  "I see it's true.  You are the spitting image of your mother."  "You saw her?"  "She appeared to me in a vision several days ago in the temple I serve.  We always followed her and her teachings.  I must say, your children have really impressed me.  I would think they would have been war mongers, not seekers of peace."  "Excuse my rudeness!  Come sit here and have tea and cake.  May I know your name?"  "High God, I am Dai Lai Guang, high priest in Nuwa's main temple in the land of the demons."  "I see.  How long have you served her?"  "I was a young boy when the pillars fell.  Ever since then."  "I guess you know of my didi and I then."  "Yes, I do.  I just wanted to meet you before I meet my calamity.  I'm rather old.  I must praise what your children have done today.  They have saved us from utter destruction.  We can live now in peace.  I thank you for them and the life lessons you taught them."  "My mother taught me that all life is sacred.  We must strive to live in peace.  I'm glad you have come.  Come here anytime you wish to see me and we can discuss whatever you wish."  They drank tea and talked for some time before Dai Lai Guang asked to leave.  "Thank you for your kindness and hospitality!  I will try to return soon.  These children have brought joy to me too.  Farewell my friend!"  Baohu jumped him back to the gates of the demon palace.  Taiyang and Zhenzhu had already repaired them.  A month after they had come to help, Dai Lai Guang had gone back to visit Mo Yuan.  He was sipping tea and smiling at the beautiful triplet boys with the golden hair.  He closed his eyes and sighed as his calamity came upon him.  Mo Yuan caught him as he fell over.  He held him close as he breathed his last breath in peace and comfort.  His soul was at peace as he entered the chaos.  He rejected those of evil and sought his reward in perfect peace.  His soul was free at last.