On the fifth day of their journey, as the sun reached its peak and the Millbrook group rested under the shade of large trees, Li Yuan sat with Old Pete and Granny Meredith, who were recounting legends about people from distant lands.
"They say the people from the east have a very different way of life," Granny Meredith said, sipping water from a coconut shell. "They say they can sit still for hours without moving, as if they were statues."
Li Yuan listened with a faint smile. Meditation, he thought. They're describing the meditation traditions of the Kuatri race.
"I've also heard," Old Pete added, "that they build houses without nails, just by weaving bamboo and tying it with rope. But those houses are said to last for hundreds of years."
Anna, who was sitting not far away braiding Lila's hair, asked with curiosity: "Yuan, have you ever met people like that?"
Li Yuan was silent for a moment, considering how best to explain without revealing his true identity.
"Yes," he finally answered. "And I'll also give names to the races in this world, so we can understand their differences more easily."
That statement attracted the attention of almost everyone in the group. Even the children stopped playing and came closer to listen.
"Your race," Li Yuan began, looking at the familiar faces around him, "I will call them the Luxen race. From the word 'Lux' which means light—because you are a people who uphold glory and knowledge."
"Luxen," Thomas Aldrich repeated the name thoughtfully. "That... sounds noble."
"And it is," Li Yuan nodded. "You, the Luxen race, have distinctive physical features—tall and large bodies, fair skin, hair that varies from blonde to brown, beautiful blue, green, or emerald eyes."
Margaret smiled, touching her golden-brown hair. "And what about our culture?"
"You uphold honor and the code of chivalry," Li Yuan explained. "You love to build great cities with magnificent architecture. Nobility runs strong in your blood. Your philosophy is: 'Light exists to conquer darkness, and knowledge exists to master the world.'"
David Miller raised his hand. "What about the people from the east that the elders talked about?"
"They are the Kuatri race," Li Yuan answered. "From the word 'Kuat' which symbolizes fortitude and discipline."
He stood up and began to walk slowly in front of the crowd, like a teacher giving a lesson.
"The Kuatri race has slender but muscular bodies, determined faces, and black or dark hair. Their eyes are sharp, as if always in a state of focus. They highly value ancestral traditions and a... uh, a disciplined way of life."
I almost mentioned cultivation, Li Yuan corrected himself in his mind.
"They live in clans or large family groups," he continued. "They enjoy long meditation and martial arts. Their philosophy is: 'True strength is born from self-control.'"
Ben Carter, still enthusiastic despite his injured hand, asked: "Does that mean they're stronger than us?"
Li Yuan smiled at the boy's innocence. "It's not about who is stronger, Ben. It's about a different approach to life."
He sat back down and looked at everyone with eyes full of understanding.
"For the Kuatri, the world is an endless training ground. They believe every breath is part of... a life practice, every movement is a discipline, and every challenge is a test of the soul. They teach that patience is sharper than a sword, and inner mastery is more important than outer victory."
"Like flowing water," Marcus, who was starting to understand, murmured.
"Exactly," Li Yuan nodded. "They seek perfection in order, merging with the flow of nature like water that never stops flowing."
Sarah Miller looked confused. "But doesn't that make them... passive?"
"No," Li Yuan shook his head. "They have a saying: 'Still water can break a stone, because patience is stronger than violence.' And also: 'He who masters himself will never be conquered by the world.'"
Old Pete nodded in understanding. "Just as I've always said—rushing only makes us fall."
"Now, you, the Luxen race," Li Yuan continued, "view life as an arena of glory. For you, honor and ambition are the ways to achieve a name's immortality. You believe that innovation, courage, and knowledge are the keys to surpassing the world's limits."
Anna smiled. "That does sound like us. We've always dreamed of making life better."
"And that's not a bad thing," Li Yuan emphasized. "You pursue personal and collective glory, igniting the fire of ambition until the whole world is illuminated. Your proverb might be: 'Light doesn't question the darkness, it simply shines and conquers it.'"
Thomas Aldrich raised an eyebrow. "Glory isn't inherited, but forged by ambition?"
"Yes," Li Yuan smiled. "And: 'Only those who dare to challenge the heavens are worthy of being called Luxen.'"
A momentary silence fell as everyone pondered those words.
Lila, who had been listening with wide eyes, finally asked in her small voice: "Uncle Yuan, which race do you belong to?"
Li Yuan looked at the little girl with a warm but complex smile. A question I can't answer easily, little Lila.
"I..." he began, then fell silent. How could he explain that he was a Kuatri who had lived for thousands of years and had developed a perspective that transcended racial boundaries?
"I might have Kuatri blood," he finally answered, "but my heart has become part of the Luxen through all of you."
That answer made Anna smile with teary eyes. "And we've all become wiser for knowing you."
"What's interesting," Li Yuan continued, "is that these two races actually complement each other. The Kuatri with their patience and discipline, the Luxen with their ambition and innovation. When they meet and work together, they can create something extraordinary."
David Miller asked enthusiastically: "Are we going to meet the Kuatri race on this journey?"
Li Yuan looked east, where the sun was beginning to lean west. "Maybe. This world is vast, and there are many other races we don't know yet. But if we do meet them, I hope you will remember that differences are beautiful. Each race has unique wisdom and strength."
"Like what you've taught us," Robert said, smiling even though he was still using crutches. "True strength comes from understanding, not from dominance."
Li Yuan felt warmth in his chest. They're beginning to understand. The values I've been teaching them all this time—about appreciating differences, about the strength born from understanding—are starting to take root in their hearts.
"Exactly, Robert," he said. "And when we meet other races later—whether Kuatri, or perhaps a completely different race—remember that we come as friends, as learners, and as people who want to understand."
Granny Meredith laughed with a shaky voice. "Who would have thought that in my old age I'd still be learning about new things like this."
"Learning never stops, Granny," Li Yuan answered gently. "And sometimes, the best lessons come when we least expect them."
As the sun began to set and the group prepared to spend the night, Li Yuan sat a little apart from the group. In his Zhenjing, seventeen wrapped Understandings vibrated gently, reminding him of the complexity of the interracial relationships they were about to face.
Kuatri and Luxen, he mused. Two different philosophies, two ways of viewing the world. The patient water and the blazing fire. Both are beautiful in their own way.
And I... I am a bridge between the two. Kuatri in blood, but Luxen in heart. Maybe this is my purpose in this long life—to help different races understand and appreciate each other.
The world is about to become a lot more interesting.