Choices and Consequences

Decisions and Dilemmas(Juédìng hé kùnjìng决定和困境 )

Peach Tree Grove

"How dare you Dong Hua!! Are you crazy?  Do you really think it is in her best interest to take that elixir?  Feeding her an elixir made with your own blood will strengthen the protection spell which I am sure is your intention.  But, have you considered the consequences?  Without love to anchor it, the bond that she will develop with you will be fueled by obsession which will eventually consume her.  Are you that selfish to condemn her to that fate?  GET OUT!!!  Leave her be.  We will protect her. Do not and I repeat, DO NOT  attempt to ever see her again or else I will tell Bai Yi of what you tried to do.  You know he and the whole fox clan will come for your head!"

Zhe Yan blasted Dong Hua with his essence, casting him out of the grove. He then modified the barrier around the grove effectively barring Di Jun from ever sitting foot in it again.

Zhe Yan took a deep breath to calm himself.  It's been a long time since he fought with Dong Hua.  He knew that he was lucky that Dong Hua's attention was still on Feng Jui or he would have not been able to cast him out as easily as he just did.  He felt a little lightheaded.  He has used his power more in the last few weeks than he has in the last 100 years.  He felt drained and would need to go into seclusion to cultivate and recover. 

He wearily walked back to his hut to check on Feng Jui.  She was still sleeping and weak but healing.  He walked to the window and extended his hand palm up while letting out a melodic, soft whistle.  Within seconds one of his sprites, Gongfie, landed on his palm.  "Go find Mi Gu in the fox den.  Ask him to find the fox emperor and empress and tell them Feng Jui has been attacked."

As he turned away from the window, the satchel that he dropped on the floor caught his eyes.  He was reminded that he has the ingredients for the elixir that Xiao Wu needs.    He hastily wrote a note to Changsan to come to the Peach Tree Grove.  He did not explain why. He was still in two minds on whether to let Mo Yuan and Ye Hua know of the attack on Feng Jui. He was not sure if the attack was a random event or if it's related to the prophecy. 

He sat on his usual spot in the banks of the jade pool.  A jug of his peach blossom wine materialised at the low table beside him.  He poured himself a cup and slowly sipped the fruity wine while his gaze was focused on the rippling water of the pool. The many colourful fishes darting in and out of the muted rays of light that filtered from the peach trees canopy created the myriad of colours just below the surface.  The scene usually calms his mind and allows him to relax but not this time.  Zhe Yan's mind is filled with the difficult situation he found himself in with regards to Dong Hua's involvement in the rescue of Feng Jui and the events that followed.  His mind continued to weigh the possibilities while he waited for Changsan and the fox family to arrive.

Taichen Palace

Lian Song and Si Ming are in their usual spot under the pagoda in Taichen palace.  The two are in the middle of a tense game of Weiqi. Lian Song has lost the last two games and he was not allowing Si Ming to win this time.  Both were so intensely focused in the game that they failed to notice the disturbance of the aura around them.  Both almost jumped out of their skin when an enormous thunderclap followed by a storm of heat that swept through the palace and singed the hairs on their heads.  They sat googly eyed and slacked jawed as Di Jun entered his palace with his purple phoenix aura pulsing and coiling around him like a fire serpent. 

Lian Song and Si Ming looked at each other and uttered together "What happened?"  It's been hundreds of years since the last time they've seen Di Jun that angry.  The ancient god has not shown any kind of emotion in his perpetually placid demeanour since he retired. Both feel at a loss as to what angered Di Jun.  They heard a pop of apparition and saw Ye Hua and Haode hurrying through the entrance corridor.