Taoist Master

Reeling Him In.

It was one week later before Bai Qian was able to tear Mo Yuan away from his mountain for an entire day.  She had a very special gift to give him, but seeing as he had been caught up with whatever was happening in the darklands, she'd had to wait for her chance to not only end his meetings by gate crashing his study with his lunch, but she also gave his generals her killer smile.  One that not only killed the conversation quickly, but she had a strong suspicion that Mo Yuan wouldn't like it.

And she was right.  Not only did his eyes narrow dangerously at every man in the room for daring to smile back, but she was now positive that he had feelings for her even if he hadn't yet realized it.  Actually her visit to his study was for two reasons.  One to ensure he ate and the other to test her suspicions that he was falling for her.  And the way he all but threw them all off his mountain before grumily eating his meal, also had her suspecting he was completely oblivious to how he was presenting himself at that moment.  Like a jealous lover.

It amused her immensely to think that she had snared him and she had done nothing but be herself.  But with a special gift in mind and running out of patience, she quickly set about hurrying him off the mountain and onto a cloud.

"Where are we going?" he asked as her hand found its way into his while also prepared to turn the cloud around seeing as she still had no idea how to get from the main temple to the kitchen much less a destination that looked as if it might be some distance away.

In fact, her directional skills had become such an issue, that Mo Yuan ensured that the youngest disciples kept a constant eye on her.  So if she lost her way, one was always within sight and because she was a fun guest, one that always had time for their questions and plenty of time for play, they were more than willing to help her out.

Chang Shan too surprisingly took a liking to his Shifus guest to a point where she was one of the few people in their world that was allowed in his kitchen.  To his mind, she was polite, courteous and respectful of his domain and his role as the head chef.  She never entered without his say so, and she always left his kitchen in the exact order she found it.  Though like the little ones, he too took it upon himself to ensure she never got lost while also taking extra time to help her find her way though the maze of outer corridors.

If anything, Mo Yuan wasn't the only one she was winning over.  His boys were well trained in the art of reading energy, faces, expression and even thoughts, so they were not fooled in the slightest by false smiles and fake kindness.  Only she proved from the beginning that not only were her smiles genuine, but so was the kindness, and all just by being herself.

"I'm taking you home with me, so be prepared for a day out." she replied with excitement in her eyes and beaming smile.

"And what exactly are we going to be doing?" he asked even though he knew it was a surprise.  Her entire demeanor was filled with excitement and even a little mischief but seeing as her attention was completely taken with whatever surprise she had planned for him, she did not notice the slight tilt of the cloud which Mo Yuan was turning around seeing as she was heading west rather than east.

"Let's just say, we will not be alone when we return." she grinned sneakily having quickly ducked her head so he couldn't even gain a clue from her eyes.

"Well then, I am curious.  What could it be I wonder?" he laughed before speeding her cloud up to get them there quicker.  

He still had meetings that afternoon with his generals and even Donghua who was planning to visit later that evening, so whatever she had planned, he would enjoy thoroughly but he would insist on returning before his meetings.

The Demons were at odds with a neighbouring tribe who were encroaching into their lands.  Only the neighbour, an alliance partner of the Celestials, had found an old contract that stated the land was in fact theirs.  However the Demons had held ownership over it for centuries, their people had built homes on it and even farmed it.  As far as they were concerned the land was theirs now and any historical contracts were no longer valid.