by Mark Swaine
“Now, shall we try again?” says Yu-Huang strictly.
“Yes, Master Yu-Huang,” replies Xunsu sheepishly.
Xunsu follows the Emperor through the Red Sun village to a slim tropical waterfall at the end of the Yellow river. Wading through the pushing current she holds onto a rope leading to five parallel narrow rocks overhanging the waterfalls edge. She gawps contently at the various breeds of bird swooping back and forth to nests suspended on outreaching branches leaning over cliff faces ascending both sides of the waterfall. Yu-Huang climbs onto the base of a platform and walks to its edge before gesturing Xunsu onto the platform beside his. Xunsu's smile drops and she begins considering the health benefits of spending another day fishing. Yu-Huang shoots her a warning glance, then points to the platform once again. Xunsu, nervously climbs atop the base of her rock, and then makes her way to the end on her trembling hands and knees. Yu-Huang rubs his forehead patiently and purses his mouth before smiling at the pitiful sight.
“DRAGON! ” bellows Yu-Huang.
Xunsu jumps at Yu-Huang's false warning and drops to her belly whilst wrapping her arms and legs around the sturdy beam of rock. Looking nervously at the sky all around her, she looks at Yu-Huang doubled over whilst apologising in laughter. Looking at him scornfully, she rises back to her hands and knees and continues shuffling forward. Yu-Huang's laughter subsides, and he shakes his head at the sight of the slow crawling child.
“Xunsu, whatever you do, do not look down,” warns Yu-Huang.
Xunsu reluctantly peers to the side of the platform and freezes as she looks down at the endless fall of water and chirping birds flying in the rising mist between the two floral layered cliff faces. Xunsu looks at Yu-Huang for aid, and he stares back at her sternly.
“Rise, and continue forth on your feet, or shuffle your way back to shore,” says Yu-Huang, brusquely.
“I cannot,” whimpers Xunsu, petrified.
“Why are you here Xunsu, why did you journey so far?” reminds Yu-Huang.
Xunsu's face screws up in determination, and she steadily and determinedly rises to her feet. Placing her feet on the wet and smooth rock, she smiles curiously as finds her grip resolute. Continuing to the end, Yu-Huang claps wildly.
“What now master?” smiles Xunsu.
“One does not master the art of Wushu overnight. Until sundown, you will practice balance, in the art of T'ai chi ch'uan,” says Yu-Huang.
“T'ai Chi?” asks Xunsu.
“Tai-Chi is the sign language I use to communicate with wild dragons. Wild dragons have not the intellect or reserve to realise they possess verbal ability, Tai-Chi is the only language they understand,” explains Yu-Huang, “Observe my movements, watch my actions, and try to keep up,” adds Yu-Huang, forming the quishi stance.
Xunsu begins copying Yu-Huang to the best of her ability, and after five minutes she exasperates.
“I look like a fool,” says Xunsu, under her breath.
“Then do not behave as one, now silence,” says Yu-Huang.
For twenty sunsets the Emperor and his student train in the art of T'ai Chi, and Xunsu had become quite adept in the unhurried technique. Xunsu had even grown to enjoy the peace inducing activity, and eventually begins to perfectly match Yu-Huang's slow twisting movements. Moving in perfect unison, Yu-Huang secretly begins to incorporate aspects of Wushu in his training, and his blissfully ignorant student has no problem keeping up. Many sundowns later, her forward thrusts have become increasingly powerful, her aerial kicks are able to manipulate the rising spray from the crashing white water below. After a long day's training, Yu-Huang and his more disciplined apprentice camp by the river enjoying a meal of chicken, rice and vegetables below a bed of bright stars and a full moon.
“You have made excellent progress, Xunsu,” states Yu-Huang to his preoccupied student.
Xunsu observes the rows of ragged and frayed green banners leading from the red rising paifeng to Yu-Huang's homestead and temple at the top of the hill. Chewing off a piece of chicken, she analyses the emblems stitched into every banner. Xunsu peers closer at the faded circle divided by a wavy line. One half of the circle is black with a small white circle in the top centre, and the other is white with a small black dot at the bottom.
“Master, what is the meaning behind that symbol?” asks Xunsu.
“‘Tis the very symbol I was born under, and a concept I am trying very hard to teach you,” replies Yu-Huang.
“You have missed being home, I can tell. You seem different here,” says Xunsu collecting a mound of rice with her chopsticks.
“This is where my life began. Everything good in my life began here. Everything I learned, everybody I loved. It has been a long time since I set my eyes on this place,” says Yu-Huang, proud of the renovations he and Xunsu have made.
“I asked you upon our arrival, your reasons for our presence here, and your reply was humble, kind and well considered. You are not just here to train me, you are seeking something here. You once said that I could speak to you, now I am telling you that you can speak to me,” says Xunsu.
“Training you in the arts of Wushu, and helping you to achieve your goals, is my primary care. Though I am also seeking answers,” admits Yu-Huang.
“Answers to what questions master?” asks Xunsu.
“Answers to the problem that I wish not to discuss,” replies Yu-Huang.
“Very well,” says Xunsu, dissapointed.
Although Yu-Huang sees Xunsu as a child, he suddenly realises he must also treat her as adult if she is indeed to grow strong. Yu-Huang realises that by refusing her well meant offer of counsel he has not only offended her, but also made an error of judgement.
“Something is happening to me, something I was not warned of during my upbringing,” says Yu-Huang pouring himself some tea, “I thought visiting the place where everything began might reveal a memory, or something. I was wrong,” says Yu-Huang, hopelessly. “How can I hope to defeat this darkness in my current weakened state?” says Yu-Huang worriedly.
“My Father often says, everything happens for a reason, you are Emperor Yu-Huang, Master of the Divine light, for whatever reason your weakened state has occurred, do not be too quick to assume the worst. Perhaps there is a reason the answers you seek are beyond your knowledge, perhaps you are not intended to know until you are ready,” says Xunsu.
“Why, for what reason?” asks Yu-Huang taken in by Xunsu's sudden bout of wisdom.
“You have already begged the question, in time, and with patience, all will be revealed,” says Xunsu.
“I hope so,” replies Yu-Huang with a quaint smile.
“When we first arrived and we visited your old home, in the dojo it appeared you remembered something important,” says Xunsu.
“‘Twas nothing, a bad feeling, nothing more,” says Yu-Huang unsurely.
“Master, is it true you keep an all knowing dragon in Liumang prison,” asks Xunsu.
“I keep nothing in the Liumang prison, the dragon resides there of its own free will,” corrects Yu-Huang, “requesting an audience with the dragon's wise counsel will be a last resort. I must resolve this mystery myself, or my great wisdom will be questioned by the Brotherhood,” adds Yu-Huang.
“So it is true, how is it that a dragon willingly placed itself in your care,” asks Xunsu.
“When two dragons mate, sometimes the female will attack the male and rip its wings off in mid flight. Dragons that survive the fall are said to have ages pass before their very eyes. Any dragon that survives the fall is granted wisdom and knowledge beyond possible reach of a rational mind. The Black Dragon fell into the Red Sun village years before I was born. But he is not all knowing Xunsu, do not believe everything you hear, but I do value his counsel,” says Yu-Huang.
“I find it difficult to believe that you would ever need counsel,” says Xunsu.
“Nor am I all knowing Xunsu, especially of late,” says Yu-Huang.
“Sometimes in the market, people were so engaged in
words, they made it easy to steal from their pockets,” recalls Xunsu.
“Is that so?” replies Yu-Huang unimpressed.
“I paid no heed to their superstitious ramblings, but now I know,” says Xunsu, sternly.
“Know what, Xunsu?” asks Yu-Huang, curiously.
“There are things out there, creatures and monsters, demons... a Darkness,” says Xunsu unafraid. “Whatever it is you face, you will not face it alone,” pledges Xunsu.
“Rest now,” says Yu-Huang smiling appreciatively of his loyal friend, “dream not of monsters and creatures of the night below this wondrous sky,” he adds whilst patting his headrest.
Xunsu lies back resting her arms behind her head, lost in wonder and awe of the twinkling unknown above.
“I wish I knew what they are. Why do they shine that way?” asks Xunsu wondrously and child-like.
“Pay heed to what you wish for,” says Yu-Huang lying back to stare at the panoramic view of space, “for I could reveal the very nature of their presence here and now. ‘Tis not only the sight of such wonders that captivates the mind, but the mystery of their existance. Do you wish for me to reveal the secrets of the night sky, and rob them of their purity and anonymity?" asks Yu-Huang.
Xunsu ponders long and hard over the Emperor's offer to reveal such rare and sacred information, then looks up to the stars once more, and they beg to remain anonymous.
“No, leave them be,” says Xunsu, content with a smile in her decision as she drifts off.
“Wise choice,” says Yu-Huang,
The Emperor could only wish their enigmatic shine were also a secret to him, but he wishes even harder why he knew such things. His private thoughts are broken as Xunsu speaks aloud in the comfort of her slumber.
“I love you Yu-Huang,” says Xunsu softly.
Yu-Huang stares lovingly at his adorable pupil before resting his head back.
“I love you too Xunsu. Rest well my child,” replies Yu-Huang before drifting off.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Morning shines upon the shimmering Yellow River and the golden macaws squawk loudly against the thrashing noise of the waterfall. Yu-Huang faces his student on the adjacent slim platform and they pay no heed to the brave dives and close encounters of the active swifts darting by their ears. Yu-Huang forms a crane stance with his palms outwards and adjacent to one another.
“Today Xunsu, you will begin training the technique of the Thousand Kicks of the Swift,” says Yu-Huang. “If you can catch a swift, you can move like one,” says Yu-Huang, calmly.
“Catch a Swift, I can barely catch a chicken!” exclaims Xunsu.
“Your constant remarks of self-doubt are becoming a hindrance to my teachings,” says Yu-Huang in a stern focussed voice,
“But Master I… they move too fast,” exclaims Xunsu.
With a sudden wpff, wpff, wpff, Yu-Huang's toned arms move rapidly as his hands grab fistfuls of passing feathers. Xunsu marvels at Yu-Huang nurturing three adult Swifts resting in a line along his crossed forearms. Yu-Huang allows the birds to fly away as he awaits Xunsu's response.
“But that is easy for you, you are the Master of Divine and…”
“What of the Mighty General Arachie, is he also a Master of Divine? Or perhaps Chung Denshi, a most noble Priest within the Ministry. Does he too possess some form of magical divinity that I am unaware of? For they too, have mastered the art of the travelling Swift Kick, with less complaining, and more concentrating!” grills Yu-Huang.
Xunsu quickly walks to the end of the platform before she is given extra exercises as punishment for her insolence and forms the crane stance. Until sunset, Xunsu makes attempt to catch one of the Swifts zipping by her head whilst maintaining a balanced posture. Nightfall approaches and the birds return to their nests, free of Xunsu's failed clutches. Yu-Huang and Xunsu make camp by the riverside, with Xunsu disappointed with her lack of progress.
“Do not despair; one does not achieve the task I gave you this morning by a few mere sunrises. Very few have achieved it at all. Today you have displayed the most important quality required to complete your training, patience. Rest now, at first light you will try again,” says Yu-Huang encouragingly.
The mood is good around the campfire, and the two jest aloud at how eventful their time has been together. And as they begin discussing the trolls, it was only a matter of time before their conversation took a darker turn.
“I understand why the trolls do not like us, sometimes I do not like people either,” says Xunsu understandably.
“Why would you say that? Because of your father?” asks Yu-Huang.
“No, because of my mother, and all of her male friends,” says Xunsu. “You do not like people much either, do you?” says Xunsu.
“What gives you that impression?” asks Yu-Huang.
“You refer to us only as mortals, and you distance yourself from us,” replies Xunsu.
“Am I distancing myself right now? Have we not enjoyed our time together? For I have,” says Yu-Huang.
Xunsu is without an answer to his question, and she is humble enough to simply nod and acknowledge her error of judgement.
“I do not dislike... people,” says Yu-Huang finally. “‘Tis just...after countless centuries I do not yet understand them. I too am mortal Xunsu; I am not a Demi-god as most people hail me. But if I am capable of attaining balance and finding the strength to live a life of goodness, why do others stray so far from the path to enlightenment,” replies Yu-Huang.
“But not everybody is as fortunate in their wealth as you, not all are as fortunate in their place in this world,” replies Xunsu.
“My place in this world is irrelevant, and my duties far exceeded those of a homeless child.Life is intended to be difficult, designed to test the spirit within. ‘Tis what makes the spirit stronger, the will to endure whilst retaining character... this my friend, is the way to enlightenment,” replies Yu-Huang sturdily.
“I have stolen, and harmed others, but I did so too survive. Does that make me a bad person, a mortal on the way to damnation?” asks Xunsu fearing his reply.
“No, for you strive to better yourself by not only declaration of your words, by by statements of action, otherwise you would be here now.The Three Pure Ones smile upon you. But let us be real Xunsu, you were not forced to live on the street, you ran away from your Laoshi remember. You chose that life, action, and reaction my friend. But you have learned the errors of your ways, at least I hope,” says Yu-Huang.
“But you are assuming the life of mortal is just as simple and easy as yours,” says Xunsu.
“You believe my life is simple child,” laughs Yu-Huang.
“With respect master, to assume the air in our lungs and the will to survive another day will place food in our bellies, then you are sorely mistaken,” replies Xunsu.
“People need not steal, maim or murder, the land provides you people with everything you need, yet you are still discontent with your lives. You mortals are capable of so much more, yet you do nothing to prevent your own damnation. Very few respect the gift of life bestowed upon them... and others. You crave merely an easy life,” says Yu-Huang.
“Of course, our lives are much shorter than yours,” replies Xunsu exhaustedly.
“Then perhaps I need to become completely mortal to fully understand you people,” says Yu-Huang jokingly.
“Maybe you are becoming completely mortal,” replies Xunsu in turn.
Yu-Huang chuckles at the ridiculous notion, but in that moment he worries that Xunsu's half hearted suggestion might actually be the cause of his fatigue.
“Until recently, I did not realise just how corrupt the mortals have become,” says Yu-Huang in dismay. “I am failing at one of the tasks my father lay before me,”
“We were corrupt long before you entered this world,” says Xunsu. “Do not despair my friend: my father worked from sunrise till sunset shovelling pigshit for less than five cowrie shells a day, and he always came home with a big smile and a
cuddle for me,” says Xunsu warmly.
“He sounds like a good, hard working man, and an even better father. Where is he now?” asks Yu-Huang.
“I know not,” replies Xunsu, suddenly realising that her father isn't the prime example of a mortal Yu-Huang is searching for.
Both sleep that night, but not really, for both ponder on much. Xunsu fears what Laoshi told her about her mother and father might be true, yet she still prays her eyes had deceived her. Yu-Huang frets about everything, and aside from Xunsu's training, he wonders if he has wasted his time coming home, for he feels he has found nothing concrete in his search for answers.