Qiáng Tiger

Li Bai Xue, Lin Qian, and Wen Yu Qian were about to exit the palace until they saw Mama Xi.

"Gongzhu, "Mama Xi greeted. "Empress Dowager will pray for you."

Li Bai Xue bowed, "Thank you greatly. Please take care of NaiNai for me." Mama Xi nodded politely.

Mama Xi looks at Wen Yu Qian, "Laoshi Hua. Empress Dowager trust you will take care of Da Gongzhu."

"Don't worry, "Wen Yu Qian said. The three left the palace. Mama Xi returns to Fan Sang side. She was writing Scripture.

"Empress Dowager, Da Gongzhu have left, "Mama Xi said. Fan Sang stop writing and set the paintbrush aside.

"Mama Xi don't let anyone disturb me in the next few weeks."

"Yes, "Mama Xi said. She had happened before. It was when Wen Qian Gu had died that she prays and fasted for three weeks. She did it to give her a mind of peace in heaven.

***

Li Bai Xue arrived at a small house with another small house which seems to be the kitchen. She had never lived in such a small place before.

"This is where I used to live before entering the palace," Wen Yu Qian said.

Li Bai Xue look around her. She saw spiders web at each corner, and tiny bugs running everywhere. She had also never lived in such a dusty and ugly place before either. But she was in the wild for some time during her mother's death, so she wasn't shocked at such a sight.

Lin Qian looked around and was shocked. Although she was once a runaway slave so she had experienced this before, Gongzhu had never experienced such a place. So she was furious at Laoshi Hua, but she couldn't voice her anger nor show it because Laoshi Hua was still a Master. So it would be a huge disrespect, and she would be in great trouble.

Wen Yu Qian knew their trouble. She threw something at Li Bai Xue. She caught it. "Take it and keep it well."

Li Bai Xue look at the dagger she threw. It was the Azure Dagger! Li Bai Xue eye widens including Lin Qian. It was really rare because a blacksmith who was travel happen to found three scales that belongs to an Azure Dragon. The Azure Dragons have been rumored to have disappeared from the world. Some have disagreed and say that only the destined one would be able to find and tame them.

So the Azure dagger could cut through anything and it would never become dull as long as the person who wields it has a pure and kind heart. When the blacksmith auctions these off, he kept one for himself and many people fought for it. He didn't sell it for money, but to only those who could find it. Only those of a pure heart could find it.

The King of Jing obtain one while another obtain it, but it was unknown who had also obtained it. Since the King of Jing obtained one his reputation went up a lot that he was truly a kind soul.

Li Bai Xue would never have thought that Laoshi Hua was the one who obtained the third Azure Dagger. "This..."

"Keep it well. You will use it in the future, "Wen Yu Qian said. She had given it to Li Bai Xue because she knew she was a pure and kind heart person. "Let discussed some rules first." She turns to face them. "There are only three and simple rules to follow. Rule one is to listen to me at all times. Rule two is you will not interfere in anything I said or do. Rule Three is no one will be treated high then the other."

"I promised to take care of you from the Emperor and Empress Dowager. However, this is not the palace so you will be treated as everyone in this house will be treated. Lin Qian will not be treated as a slave but as a friend. Li Bai Xue will not be treated as Gongzhu but as a normal person. I will not be treated as Laoshi Hua but as your elder. Understand?"She stared as Li Bai Xue.

"I understand," Li Bai Xue said.

Lin Qian didn't want to admit to this, but Gong- Li Bai Xue already did so she had to, "I- understand."

Wen Yu Qian smile softly, "Good. Let's clean this place up with everyone. Li Qian will chase the bugs and rats out Afterward she would cook dinner for us. I will clean the spider web and the house, and Bai Xue will collect water from downhill. Also one more thing. You can not use your powers to finish the job for you. Let clean the place."

Li Bai Xue had to carry two large empty buckets all the way downhill. Then she had to carry two large buckets full of water back uphill. She to fill the huge cauldron outside the hut. But she must cross through the forest which contains the demonic beast. She had to be careful because Lao- Elder Hua had instructed them that they could not use their powers.

She grabs one bucket in each hand. She was going to obey Elder Hua's words because she knew it was for a reason. Lin Qian look at Li Bai Xue retreating, and couldn't only pray for her safety.

***

Li Bai Xue had successfully filled the cauldron two-thirds with only a few more to go and she will be done. She couldn't wait to finish because her leg had become tired of running and walking. Her hands had become red and had splinters in them. Her shoulder, neck, and back hurt from the heaviness that the bucket gave her.

Lin Qian couldn't bear this and offered to help, but Li Bai Xue refused it. Lin Qian had finished her chores ages ago, and Elder Hua was just finishing up. Li Bai Xue was still working longer than them because Elder Hua was using the water to clean the house. Lin Qian had to use the water to cook dinner for everyone. Lin Qian frowned bitterly at Li Bai Xue who was running to the forest.

Li Bai Xue ran into the forest, but then suddenly something charge at her from behind. Li Bai Xue was able to barely dodge. She looks at whatever had attacked her. It was a Qiang Tiger. They were powerful and had lots of strength. They only lack a brain. They weren't smart nor sly.

Li Bai Xue remembers what Elder Hua had told her so she can't use her power. Li Bai Xue wasn't powerful so she knew she was at a disadvantage so she jumps into the tree before Qiang Tiger could put it claw on her. She jumped high from its eyesight. She didn't use power but qing gong.

Li Bai Xue remembers from a book Elder Hua had given her that the only way to tame a Qiang Tiger was to beat it somehow. It didn't say what ways you could beat them it only says you had to beat them. So she came up with a plan.

"Qiang Tiger. Let's make a bet,"Li Bai Xue said.

"What bet?"Qiang Tiger asked. He was interested.

Li Bai Xue said, "I am a mere human with no strength as powerful as yours. So you can only find me, but it must be within an hour. If you win then you will have my life. If I win then I am your master. Deal?"

Qiang Tiger pondered for a while before answering, "Deal!" He was sure of his strength even though he was not smart. He was wandering through the forest without a trace of Li Bai Xue. What he didn't know was that she was following him only she was up in the tree.

"30 more minutes," Li Bai Xue shouted after some time. Qiang Tiger didn't panic and still slowly walk around the forest. "15 more minutes," Li Bai Xue yelled. Qiang Tiger then panicked and started to run around the forest. He had looked everywhere but still couldn't find her. So where could she be? "5 more minutes." Qiang Tiger looks up at the sky.

'Could she be up there somewhere?' He looks at every tree in sight, but he couldn't find anything.

"Time up's, "Li Bai Xue said. She then jumped down from the trees. Qiang Tiger did not attack her like earlier.

Demonic beasts were very true to their words. If only humans didn't hunt for them then maybe they might be able to live in peace together. Qiang Tiger bow it heads toward her as acknowledging her as it master.

"Master should decide what Qiang Tiger names should be, "Qiang Tiger stated.

Li Bai Xue measures it up and down. She then notices how beautiful his skin color was. It was a shade of dark jade with its beautiful shiny white eyes. "Ah! Lu Hu! The names fit perfectly," Li Bai Xue said with a smile.

Lu Hu said, "Thank you master for naming thee." Then the Qiang Tiger turns into a small girl. Li Bai Xue was shocked. Earlier in the form of the Qiang Tiger, it had a deep man's voice, but it was a young girl who looks a lot younger than her. "Master... Master..."

Li Bai Xue came out of shock and look at the sky. It was getting dark so she summons Lu Hu away. Lu Hu was not physically seen, but she was still a part of Li Bai Xue's mind. She wasn't allowed to appear unless Li Bai Xue summons her, but she could still talk to Li Bai Xue.

She also wasn't allowed to transform into her Qiang Tiger form unless Li Bai Xue gave her permission. Li Bai Xue quickly grabs the two buckets after finding them. She had to complete her part of the chores. She ran as fast as she could without stopping.

She ran back to the house and saw Lin Qian waiting outside. Lin Qian smile of relief as soon as she saw her. "Gongzhu!"Lin Qian shouted. "Elder Hua! Gongzhu returned. She has returned."

Wen Yu Qian ran out of the house. She had a warm smile on her face. "Welcome back home."

Li Bai Xue felt happy. Her inside turn warm and she blushes at them. 'Was this what it feels like to have a family who didn't hate each other?' She couldn't help but smile back, "En. I'm home."