The new journey, and the tiger core

Year 0196 of the MunYu empire, day 12 of four Moons

A week had passed since the storm spirit attacked the Tiger Village. Lee Yenshu sat beneath the old peach tree outside Tiaowen's cave, gazing up at the moons glowing in the night sky.

He twirled the small, glassy spirit core bead between his fingers wondering when its owner would regain enough strength to take physical form again.

His mind drifted back to the events of last week. He had helped fight off a powerful spirit and protected his new home and family, but more than that, he saved a life, that would be lost otherwise.

For the first time since arriving in this strange world, he felt a sense of true belonging. His inner darkness seemed to retreat further into the shadows of his mind.

-Thank you for giving me the strength to push forward, Pine tree spirit, thank you for all your gift's, thank you for saving me.

Lee Yenshu whispered looking up at the stars. He felt the comforting presence of the old Pine Tree spirit even though her soul wisp had faded from this world. The spirit core in his hand pulsed gently as if responding to his voice.

Lee Yenshu smiled softly. He would help this storm spirit just as the pine tree spirit had helped him. And not only that, soon, he should be able to see his brother, as his roots had settled, and he was just a few days away from sprouting again.

His moment of contemplation was suddenly shattered however, when he heard Tiaowen loudly clearing his throat behind him. He quickly slipped the spirit core into his robe pocket before turning to face his adoptive father.

- What are you doing still up at this hour? You should rest, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow!

Tiaowen said, his tail twitching excitedly. Lee Yenshu looked at him puzzled.

- A big day?

-Yes! Word has spread of your feats last week. Several nearby villages have sent envoys requesting to meet the 'Divine Child' who subdued the raging storm spirit. As village chief, naturally I must accompany my talented son to greet our new neighbors.

Tiaowen beamed with pride. Ever since officially taking Lee Yenshu as his adopted son, he had spoken of nothing except showing off the boy's accomplishments. Lee Yenshu didn't care much for the attention, but he happily went along with his father's wishes.

- Very well, father. I look forward to visiting other villages. Will we be gone long?

-No, just a few days to visit the closest towns. We will return before your classes with the cubs resume.

Tiaowen's tail and ears were more puffed up than usual, showing just how much he was thrilled.

- Now get some rest! We leave at dawn.

Tiaowen hurried back inside, no doubt to triple check all the gifts and supplies being prepared for their trip. Lee Yenshu could see, with the corner of his eye, a robe, made in the same colors as the Tiaowen's fur, with a beautiful embroidment of a pine tree under the night sky. Tiaowen placed that into a box, and glared at Tiaowen, making gestures with his hand for the boy to leave. Lee Yenshu decided to obey, and went to rest on his own house. He was nervous, but also excited at the chance to see more of this world outside the forest borders.

The next morning Tiaowen, Lee Yenshu and a small envoy of tiger warriors departed the village heading west. Their first stop was Fēi Shù Village, home to a large clan of avian and insect type beast men. The village chieftain, a proud rooster harpy, welcomed them eagerly.

- Welcome! Welcome! We have heard great tales of your feats, young master. Please enjoy the hospitality of Fēi Shù Village. It's not always we have the joy of having someone capable of fending off a storm spirit, let alone, someone who can calm them down.

The village chief was already showing the signs of the passage of time, his feathers had lost most of it's color, but, you could still see the fire in his eyes, he warmly welcomed everyone, and seemed to be in a really good term with Tiaowen, it was not long before both of them were drinking, and bragging about each other's offspring's.

The harpy clan hosted a magnificent feast in their honor. Lee Yenshu was fascinated seeing the wide mix of bird and insect folk. They resembled humans in their beast form, but with animal characteristics such as colorful feathers, antennae or even extra limbs. Several young female harpies and moth girls couldn't help staring curiously at the handsome, traveler.

The other tigers were lost in their own world gorging on the endless plates of meat dishes, Tiaowen and the village chief, were trying to see who had the most grandchildren, and so, Lee Yenshu was left to defend against several young ladies who tried to win his favor. This made the spirit core heat up in his pocket.

After a while, after everyone was full, and had drunk and sing about the feats of Lee Yenshu, he and his father exchanged many gifts with their new allies. The day dawned, and the feast resumed, as they watched the young ones play at the fire. They enjoyed their last day of celebration before continuing on to the next town.

Over the next two weeks Tiaowen and Lee Yenshu visited two other villages – Shuǐ Jīng Town and Shān Lí Tribe.

The sea turtle clan of Shuǐ Jīng were master craftsmen skilled at enchanting weapons and tools with spirit energy, they taught a few of the warriors the ways of the spiritsmiths, and Lee Yenshu managed to see the ocean, crashing at the sand. The turtle clan was comprised mostly of old people, and that made Lee Yenshu fell more at ease, it was like being in the presence of the pine tree once again. They were all very wise. Before leaving for Shān Lí, the tortoise elder gave Lee Yenshu a special shield, made of the broken shells, that the turtle clan would shed every 100 years.

The rabbit folk of Shān Lí were kind, but very timid. Lee Yenshu helped the village healer gather medicinal herbs which earned him the eternal gratitude of the bunny clan.

In contrast with the turtle tribe, the rabbit village was filled with young ones, he could not help but remember his students, seeing all those young bunnies. While they stayed in the village, he taught a few steps of his martial arts for the kids, who were more than eager to learn.

Everywhere they traveled all manner of beast clans greeted them warmly including. News continued spreading of the young hero who saved the tiger village from disaster.

Lee Yenshu became increasingly popular much to Tiaowen's delight.

On their long journey home, Lee Yenshu pondered his future. He had learned much from his father and siblings back in Tiger Village, but he wondered if it was perhaps time for him to embark on his own adventure.

There was still so much more for him to learn about harnessing spirit energy properly. So much to learn about healing herbs, and medicines, and so much to learn about all the different tribes. And that was only inside the forest... Inside one continent. His mind wondered just how much could he learn by roaming the world.

As the village gates came into view, Lee Yenshu made his decision. His eyes were saddened, but determined. Tiaowen noticed that, but pretended not to.

That night after the celebratory feast, he asked Tiaowen to speak privately.

- Father, I...I have been thinking a lot about my path in cultivation.

Lee Yenshu began slowly. Tiaowen's tail twitched nervously sensing what might be coming next.

- Our travels showed me how vast this world is and yet how little I still understand of it. How much beauty, and how much wisdom the world has to offer.

Tiaowen sighed heavily, but gave Lee Yenshu a gentle smile, and before the child could continue, he placed his hand on his head.

- I knew this day would come eventually. You are meant for great things, my son, far greater than just guarding our tiny village. Of course you must follow your own path.

Lee Yenshu eyes began to tear up.

-You just have to promise me, never forget, that you are my son, the proud son of a Tiger. And know, that, no matter how far you go, how long it takes, this is, and will forever be, you home.

The always bright, sometimes fierce figure of Tiaowen was shaken, he kept his hand on Lee Yenshu's head, as to try and keep his son from seeing his own tears. But failed to do so.

-Thank you for understanding, father. I promise I shall never disgrace your name, I will make you proud.

-I'm always proud of you son. I always will be. Don't forget all that I've taught you either. Stay alert out there and trust your instincts.

Tiaowen pulled Lee Yenshu into a tight embrace. Neither said anything more, but their hearts understood one another completely.

-You are my son.

The next morning, Lee Yenshu prepared to depart on his new solo training adventure. His siblings and many of the villagers came to see him off. The cubs made him promise endless times that he would come back soon to finish teaching his unique martial arts style.

With his travel pack secured and mighty Eight Branch Sword in hand, Lee Yenshu set off down the dirt path. As soon as he was nearing the village's end, Tiaowen was waiting for him at the gate.

-Here, you should use those, think of it as a memento from home.

It was the vest Tiaowen had hidden, prior to their visit to the other villages. Upon picking up the cloak, it began to move, and in a flash, it was gone.

-That's a spiritual garment. That's the reason I agreed to going to the old turtle's place. This was done using my own fur, and the Pine's tree leaves, that I still had saved. The old spiritsmith made it so that it reacts to your will. It is spirit bound to you know, and, it holds a tiger core at it's center.

Tiaowen look saddened, but at the same time, happy.

-That core belonged to one of my sons, he died in battle, before you came to the village, but we were able to save his core. Now, he can keep on living, protecting his younger brother.

He turned his back to Lee Yenshu, as not to show any more of his sadness

-Make sure you return. I can't loose another son.

Lee Yenshu's tears flowed down his checks, as he watched his father going back to the village, and, with a simple tough, his clothes were changed into the spirit cloak, that had not only the color of his father, and the scent of the pine tree, but the courage of a brother he never knew, but that he was sure, would protect him.

As Tiger Village disappeared from view, he paused looking back one last time. This place had become his cherished home over the past years. He carved the image firmly in his memory before continuing onward.

Lee Yenshu now walked his own path, he wanted to see the world, and prepare to face his inner demon. As he was nearing his Qi Gathering stage, he decided he would focus solely on unlocking the deeper secrets of Qi energy and the mysterious Dao that binds all things together.

And what that in mind, he headed towards were he first arrived in this world, to see his brother off. It was about time his sapling once again gained conscious.