Journey to the West: LEVEL UP (Book 1)

3 (continued)

"I've made you tea," Lu Bu said as he walked through the door to Diaochan's room. Surprisingly, it was open. Lu Bu hoped that it meant that she was open for reconciliation. He placed the tea on the table. "It's lychee green tea with rose petals on top, it's your favorite."

Diaochan was meditating in the corner of the room, and was in utmost concentration. She was going to break through to the Diamond Soul Stage. Breaking through a stage of cultivation, especially one of the later stages (Emerald Soul, Ruby Soul and Diamond Soul), could be a very difficult task. Lu Bu had known several individuals who were at the top of Emerald Soul or Ruby Soul for decades and even centuries, and still haven't broken into the next stage despite cultivating nonstop.

"I'm sorry for earlier today," Lu Bu added. He hated having to bite his pride and apologize, so it came out as more of a grumble than a heartfelt apology. While Lu Bu was talented at many things, apologizing wasn't one of them. "After I defeat Sun Wukong, everything will be fine."

Diaochan frowned upon hearing Lu Bu mention the monkey. "Does defeating Sun Wukong matter that much to you?"

"It really does. How could I call myself an immortal if I couldn't even stop a meddlesome monkey from interfering with my well-devised plans?"

"Your well-devised plans? Or were they Chen Gong's?"

"Perhaps I can say that they were in some part Chen Gong's. Maybe half. Okay, fine, they were completely his. But still, I am his lord, so I deserve all of the credit."

"I'm not sure it works that way." She drank from the cup of tea. "Hmm, it's actually good. I guess I'll accept your apology then. If defeating the monkey matters that much to you, then I suppose I will allow it. You've been very understanding about how my immortal cultivation is important to me, so it's only right for me to show you the same support in your endeavors, however ridiculous I think they are. I'll come up with the perfect plan, with my strategic genius and your martial prowess, you will be able to defeat Wukong."

"Must you tell me they are ridiculous?"

"Yes, as your date as well as your strategist, it is my job to be of utmost honesty about my opinions. You will not succeed if you surround yourself with people who do not point out your faults, for they will let you succumb to those faults."

Lu Bu smiled. "If everything goes well, you will meet my adoptive father soon." He then let her return to her meditation.

Later that night, he wrote a letter and instructed two of his troops to deliver it to his father.

The troops must have been quick with their delivery, for his father appeared at the entrance to his cave only the day after. He was an aging man with a long, gray beard and he wore the burgundy robes and tall black cap of a minor city official.

"Father," Lu Bu said with a bow, greeting him at the gates. Diaochan, who was standing next to him, also bowed.

His father did not return the greeting, and instead slapped him on the cheek. Lu Bu was taken aback.

"Father, what is it that vexes you?"

"How dare you be so insolent?" his father demanded. "I've read your wretched letter about how you've captured the Tang monk and how you're going to defeat Sun Wukong. Do you have no shame? Do you dare attack heroes of the kingdom? Furthermore, have you no filial honor – that you would invite your aging father to such a dishonorable sight such as the celebration of a horrible deed committed by your undeserved might? You wish to rip my face off!"

"But father, you should be proud, I've done so well. I have conquered all of the armies to the south and the north, and the world dares not speak my name lest it incites my wrath," Lu Bu argued. "The entire empire bows before my might, and they shiver on their knees. Is that not enough to make you proud?"