Yun Pei Shan sits cross legged by a blazing fire roasting a Deceptive Iguana tail, salivating at the thought of how tender the meat will be. He nods in satisfaction as he turns a skewer, The flames are engulfing it just right to give it that nicely charred taste.
"That boy,Yun Tai." Haha... he laughs out loud, I told him it was a precious ingredient I needed for an elixir. If I told him it was my favorite midnight snack I don't think even for that wine he would have risked his life. But, I know of all of those brats he is the most gifted and protected by the gods.
The gods have a sense of humor because right at that moment Yun Tai flies next to the old man by the fire.
Yun Tai laughs and grabs the old man in a bear hug."Old man, you are losing your ability to sense me coming, are you just getting senile or am I getting more talented?"
"Let go of me brat!" Yun Pei Shan's brown eyes crinkle and he has a faint smile as he bellows, but he is enjoying having Yun Tai embrace him.
Yun Tai effortlessly lifts the old man in the air."It's been fifty years since I laid eyes on you."
"Put me down!" He remembers his barbeque tail and rushes to fire. Thank the gods it's perfectly cooked, "With only seven tails I only have it occasionally."
Yun Tai grins listening to him lie, occasionally? you have enough for a year,they each weigh fifty cattys .
"Hand me that porcelain bottle over there, no not that one the one behind you. It's my secret recipe created it just for these tails,'" No reason trying to hide the fact now.
Yun Tai stares at the skewers of meat then looks at Yun Pei Shan.
"Come, sit, join me, I don't usually share but you must be hungry the way you are looking at my skewers."
"..." Old man you are shameless!
"What brings you to the mountain, shouldn't you be cultivating in seclusion? You look a bit ashen", He mumbles with a mouthful of food. He wipes the grease that is dripping down his chin and takes a good look at Yun Tai.
"Master, I came here because I think Feng Tian got himself into something and doesn't realize the depth of the consequences. I came for your advice, your permission, and several items I will need to help him. I only brought a few things to trade because I rushed up here, so you might need to put it on a tab."
"Yun Tai, you know my advice is always free, my permission I need to ask what for and mull it over, the items you need we will see what you brought to exchange. You know I have a no credit policy."
"Can you pass me that small rock on the table, I just discovered it if you shave a bit off it makes the flavor of food a bit more intense. I heard a merchant call it salt when I bought it from his stall." He continues to pull pieces of meat savoring the flavor.
"You worry about that Feng Tian like he is a child. He is a grown, and Immortal at that! You should think about your own situation, you just returned and need to replenish your spiritual energy, yet you rush up here to see me."
"He has his head in the clouds he met some girl and isn't thinking straight. I had no idea he wasn't aware of the importance of the Seven Mythological Beasts. Tian thinks the Zehran Water Dragon is jmerely some old relic of the past that oversees this island. Now, he is involved in a plan to disrupt some Beast Hunters who are looking to remove its Beast Core", Yun Tai begins to explain as he reaches for a skewer.
Yun Pei Shan scratches his long white beard."Beast Hunters come from all over to try to capture that rascal of a Dragon. I have known that Dragon for a thousand years and no one has removed a scale from him. As a matter of fact, that brat Tian got that Dragon's tooth and is the only one to have survived. So why worry about him?"
"Grab anothe skewer, I can't have you fainting from hunger like a little girl."
"..." Yun Tai gnaws on the skewer in his hand then continues, "This time it is different, from what Tian told me these people are from another world."
"Another world? You mean an outer realm?" This is an interesting development, Pei Shan ponders the implications.
"No, another world, I don't know much yet, but apparently someone is going to transport a female Zehran Water Dragon here and attempt to remove it's Core while the dragon is attempting to mate. Which you know is the only time it would be vulnerable."
"That's right Tian used the spell he got from that drunk Sorcerer to create an illusion of one". What a laugh I had when I heard that. It is a damn shame, that kid is clever but only uses his intelligence for pranks and his own entertainment.
"Go on with the story, pass me that jug of wine after you pour yourself one, you look tense."
Yun Tai explodes, "Yeah I'm tense! I just got back planning on slipping into the cave and replenishing my spirit energy. I have been fighting Demon Wars for fifty years and come back to a bunch of .... going on in my house! The most disturbing bit of information is Feng Che is accompanying them on this journey.
"Language", let me get you a relaxation pill, no charge.
Yun Pei Shan chews the meat, but it isn't tasting as good as it was a few moments ago. His oldest and dearest friend is Feng Tian's father and he loves each of his sons as though they were his own.
Feng Che is the most politicaly brilliant, he does what he needs to do to maintain peace and harmony among the Seven Kingdoms so why would he leave his seat on the High Council for a period of time. His absence possibly enabling corruption and his carefully built system to corrode.
He is thinking this does sound deeper than it looks on the surface. Feng Che never dirties his hands with anything. His extensive network of shadow guards and informants take care of problems for him before they can even touch the hem of his robes. All the brothers each have a role within his framework to keep the peace and protect the seven Kingdoms, only Feng Tian is exempt because of his mother's last wish.
Yun Pei Shan appears on the surface to be just an old martial arts expert, a little eccentric who lived on the steepest mountain in Cloud Edge Wilderness. In reality, through the years he has been behind the scene helping Feng Tian's father whenever needed.
He trained each of his friend's sons to be the best in all the Kingdoms in martial arts and their cultivation which enabled them reach the status of Immortal. His adopted son, Yun Tai ultimately became part of the framework as the God Of War who protects The Order.
The Old Master felt he was growing a little weary, he thought after this last Demon War, the Kingdoms would settle into a period of peace. Yun Tai could find a woman and settle down. Yun Pei Shan had watched this adopted son grow and persevere through many trials over the years protecting The Order. He never seemed to have a true smile on his face unless he was talking to Feng Tian or LingLing.
Yun Pei Shan sets down the half eaten skewer of meat and took gulp of his wine. He looked to the sky and saw the formation of the stars in the shape of a lotus. He had seen this constellation for three nights in a row, now Yun Tai appeared with this news.
The dream he had the night he found Yun Tai nestled behind a rock by the Forest of Illusions had long been forgotten. He lovingly gazes across the flames at his cherished son he has an ominous premonition.
Yun Tai glances over to see Yun Pei Shan furrowing his brow while pulling on his long white beard. He is now assured he understands the enormity of the problem after the mention of Feng Che's involvement.
Yun Pei Shan heard Che went to get Feng Tian for a power marriage to strengthen his position but also to allow Feng Tian to avoid getting sucked in by the other officials using the guise of marriage. The family he had selected their daughter was beautiful and gentle, everything Che wanted for his brother. She was proficient in all the arts and had a sweet demeanor. He wouldn't have to worry about the gentle woman scheming to enhance her family's power.
Yun Pei Shan gathered all this gossip from a friend who he had placed in Che's inner circle. According to his informant, her father was one of Che's allies, a man of principle who upheld righteousness. So he thought joining these two together in marriage would kill two birds with one stone.
The old man surmises that Feng Tian must have told his brother of his plans and Feng Che is concerned not just for his beloved younger brother, but The Order. He loves his brother and doesn't want him to change because of getting involved with the High Council,but he can't allow him to disrupt it either.
"Hey Tai what are you staring at so intently? Haven't you ever seen an old man enjoying a midnight snack before? I'm glad you decided to have a few skewers" He sees a stack of bamboo sticks on the ground and inwardly sheds tears for the loss, Dammit! While I was lost in thought he devoured my barbeque!
"So old man, first... the advice it's free right?"
"Let's hear it"
Yun Tai is grateful Yun Pei Shan is his Master, he can honestly reveal his inner turmoil to him. "I'm thinking if I go into seclusion for three days I should be fine.I would love my usual ten days so I feel great, but three will be adequate. I have no commitments right now so I think I should go with them."
"Good idea"
"No advice?"
"Not right now"
" Secondly, he has a girl with him that is very weak, not weak like weak can only throw a spear 500 yards, but so weak like faints at the sight of a knife", Yun Tai is thinking she could probably be blown away by the wind when they cross The Mystical Plains.
"That is very weak."
"Exactly, so I would like to teach her some of your cultivation techniques just so she can have even the very slightest chance of survival if she wanders away. She seems like she would wander away after witnessing her in muddle headed behavior in the garden.
"Fine" Yun Pei Shan after seeing the constellation in the form of a lotus has some clue who this girl is.
"????" that was too easy I am beginning to worry he is senile. He has guarded his Cultivation Manual with his life. No outsider has ever had a chance to take a peek.
"I will need several items if I am going to be prepared for the journey." Yun Tai looks at him with a pitiful, please Father, may I call you father look. I would like those idiots to survive this journey.
"There.... we might have a problem, show me what you brought for the negotiation." Yun Pei Shan must maintain his image but with what is at stake will give Yun Tai whatever he needs to successfully thwart the Beast Hunters and protect the little Sorceress.
Yun Tai pulls out petrified hearts from three Xianjie Devil Boars, six perfectly shaped Obsidian colored roots from the Fallen Angel Tree that only grows in the abyss by the entrance to the Underworld. It is guarded by Malix Mastiffs that absorb your dantain if they are able to scratch you with their claws....actually that was going to be a gift but I need bartering power.
The Old Master's eyes light up when he sees the roots, he wasn't going to have to slash his prices at all! He has wanted even a sliver of that root for five hundred years and here are six perfect ...absolutely perfect roots.
Yun Tai notices the sparkle in the old man's eyes and wishes he could have just come here to give them as a gift. He truly loves the old man. But, he needs to get some potions and elixers, maybe a weapon or three.
"I'm not going to lie, I am very impressed with these items. I know you have heard me mention that root through the years and how I wanted to possess one. So I know you intentionally got these for me.
Yun Pei Shan forces back the tears that want to fall. "Thank you son'"
Yun Tai feels moved and his heart tightens, he usually calls me Tai or brat.
Yun Pei Shan feels very sentimental right now which is unlike him. He knows although this man has to be strong and has trouble with expressing his emotions, he has a good heart. The old Master knows how much he loves him, Feng Tian and LingLing, but seldom expresses it verbally.
Yun Tai will demonstrate his strong affection through the gifts he brings back. Unusual wine for Feng Tian, precious herbs from distant lands for him and he would laugh at Ling Ling's excited expression when he let her pick whatever jewels she wanted from his cellar.I really want him to find happiness in this life.
Yun Pei Shan waves his sleeves in the air pointing here and there. "Take whatever you need from the house and storehouse and I have some new weapons by my room you can have."
Yun Tai is shocked at his generous attitude, typically the old man will make me negotiate for an hour , what came over him tonight?"
"Thank you , I will only take what I need and will compensate you when I get back."
Yun Tai's eyes are bloodshot from fatigue and his internal enrgy is depleted so he hurries to collect the supplies. Yun Pei Shan notices he isn't taking any rare potions only what he might need. He didn't grab the newly forged Spirit of the Wind sword. He might need that, It would be light enough for that girl to wield. I will put it with his things and stuff some rare elixers in there too. That boy is too honest.
Yun Tai thinks he has gathered the essential items and prepares to leave when unexpectently the old man comes over and gives him a hug.
"Take these too you stinky brat." He shoves the sword and rare elixers to Yun Tai.
"This flexible and light sword should be perfect for that girl and instructions about it are in that book I gave you last time you were here."
Yun Pei Shan purses his lips as he points his finger at the priceless manual. "The instructions and what each elixer I just gave you are also there, so don't lose the book!"
Yun Tai teases, "What book?"
"You.... "
As he flies into the night Yun Tai calls out to him. "I will pay you back Old Man!"
Yun Pei Shan wipes a tear from the corner of his eye as he watches Yun Tai leave. He gazes up at the star lotus in the sky and quietly murmers,
"Just come back."
Peace will not come soon.