THE PATH: CHAPTER 7 (END PART 1)
A marvelous gust of wind crossed the courtyard like an army of ghosts. It moved through a linear path lifting layers of snow into a twirling flurry. The world became a dark and evil place under the gaze of the Asura. Still, for a flashing moment when the vorpal blade fell upon Qing-Mei’s body, a black silhouette emerged within the valiant wind intercepting the stainless sword. Like a darting cat, the silhouette managed to ensnare Qing-Mei off the ground while catapulting through the Asura’s maneuvers. Violent sparks ignited from the blade’s edge as it collided with the hard cement. 
Dust erupted from the ground, revealing a deep lightning fissure beneath the sword. When the wind passed and clarity returned the Asura was left stupified when he found that the child had disappeared. No body, no blood or bone was left beneath the demolishing strike. What appeared to be a series of black wispy particles, twirled frantically at the tip of the red blade. From the dark shade, the particles began to shine a glow momentarily before evaporating completely.
Suddenly, something sharp drove itself into the Asura's forearm — dragging it with shocking force. The enraged beast tried to recoil, but with Chen-Chen within the deadly clutches, it made retaliating difficult. The Asura looked up and saw that the thing was enormous. With its agile wings and snake-like neck, the sharp beak of a giant crane had pierced into the beast's forearm, and at last Chen-Chen was freed from the unbreakable grip.
He fell awkwardly out of the Asura’s hand but was quickly scooped away by the crane’s long dexterous talons. With one final assault, the darting bird opened its expansive wings and flapped like giant fans producing bouts of air strikes onto the Asura. The rear arms on the Asura spine sprung out like scorpion pincers, unleashing the scimitar blade, but missed the ascended crane. It hovered gently before drifting across the courtyard like a swordfish piercing through water. And at last, landed a few feet away where the black silhouette was standing.
The silhouette revealed a man in black and golden robes holding Qing-Mei in his arms, he stood at the centre of the disarray compound. His swift and graceful entry was both silent and unanticipated, leaving the Asura riveted in another foul mood.
With a flick of his fingers, Ru-Jing commanded the giant crane to place Chen-Chen onto the ground, the talons were careful not to harm the beaten tiger. Ru-Jing placed Qing-mei back on her feet and dusted the snow from her shoulders. Her face appeared as colorless as the snow and her distraught body shook uncontrollably.
“ Are you hurt?”
Qing Mei raised her head and her eyes landed on a familiar man's face. Her trembling finally eased, but her eyes began to water, “Shifu...”
“It’s alright, I’m finally here now. Although I wish I had come sooner.”
The giant crane distorted and faded like a drop of ink dispersing on a wet canvas. Ru-Jing’s attention wavered at the sound of Chen-Chen's abrupt cough. The two members quickly ran across to be beside him.
The air finally returned to his defeated lungs, and a large amount of blood had seeped into the snow. Strangely, Chen-Chen felt his entire body had become free of pain, instead, it was now shrouded with chilling numbness, but even the snow beneath him began to feel like nothing. After clinging to his last breath, his remaining strength had already waned severely. The candle of life was coming to an end for him. He could finally let go and succumb to the unbeatable tiredness. His body was degrading, or perhaps just returning to the earth and his soul could finally shatter into the unknown.
Once his eyes had scanned Chen-Chen’s condition, Ru-Jing could not help but feel a disturbing ache in his heart. It reminded him of their first encounter at Black Bone Valley, where the young white tiger had been slumped beneath a pile of rocks waiting for the poison of the scorpion yao to do its job.
The muscles in Ru-Jing’s jaw tensed when he noticed the missing arm from Chen-Chen's body; the fur around his neck had been ripped apart exposing his bruised skin, revealing the ruthless red and purple markings of a handprint.
With all his efforts to prevent the civilians from infiltrating the Scripture Palace, Ru-Jing had a pang of impending guilt strike him like a curse. In the end, he failed to protect a single one of his disciples. He crouched beside the departing white tiger and called out softly. “ Chen-Chen.”
At the sound of his master’s voice, Chen-Chen's eyes cracked open. When his vision cleared, he felt a sense of relief wash over him when Ru-Jing’s face appeared.
“Forgive me Shifu. I failed to take them down the mountain.”
Feeling heavy-hearted, Ru-Jing clenched his teeth and shook his head. His usual calm demeanor was overtaken by remorse. “ No. I should be the one begging for your forgiveness. I was outsmarted. Had I known that the enemy was waiting here I wouldn’t have sent you to find the disciples alone. I am the one who must repent for my faults. I have failed to protect you. I have failed to protect my disciples. I have failed to bring salvation to the residents of Mount Hua. All I've done is lead you all to a horrific demise.”
“Demise? Nonsense.” Chen-Chen chuckled weakly. “ Shifu has always been so kind to others, but Shifu is always so harsh on himself."
Ru-Jing held his tongue as his eyes began to water.
Chen-Chen turned his head forward and his eyes peered upwards to the clouds. The falling snow gently caressed his muzzle."Is it a beautiful place up there?"
Ru-Jing looked up in confusion.
"Shifu, what does it feel like to transcend mortality and be blessed with eternal life."
Ru-Jing’s eyes began to narrow with concern as if a great hidden secret had been revealed.
"Shifu, I heard heaven is the most beautiful place that anyone can imagine, why do you choose to spend your days in the world of mortals?"
Ru-Jing faltered but couldn't suppress his surprise, " How do you know?"
Chen-Chen gave a weak smile “ I guess it should have been clear. With the wisdom you provide us and the profound martial art you possess. No. It is not a martial art. I should say it is simply art itself. You have saved hundreds and thousands with your words alone. You have a mind that dreams of ending chaos and setting order in the world with such devotion. None have witnessed you succumb to illness, hunger, or thirst and yet your body is as pristine as ever. Could a man like yourself be from this world?”
The harsh snow appeared to lighten as it fell softly onto the compound. Like small gentle touches on the skin
Ru-Jing let out a relieving sigh. “ Yes. I am not of this world. I have been sent here from afar to rectify the damage of the past. I am Mo Ru-Jing, a scribe who serves the Heavenly Jade Emperor of Purple Palace. My duty was to ensure the order of the mortal realm would not be overthrown by chaos. I never intended to deceive you of my identity. It was an order to keep my past unannounced.”
Chen-Chen's let out a weak chuckle.“ It doesn't matter whether you are a Heavenly Scribe or a mortal man. You will always be Shifu Ru-Jing in my heart. As I lay here, I sense death's cold embrace, But your words, they have always echoed in my mind, A solace in life's fleeting race. Your wisdom is a light that shines in the darkest times, so I do not fear death's silent call. I greet it like an old familiar friend. For in this life, I've learned that life's so small. And in this world, we're but mere guests to lend. The illusions and impermanence, they show. That the act of living is but a fleeting dream, it's true. So, I embrace the end, with peace aglow, For with your words, my spirit shines anew....” Chen-Chen let out a pained cough, releasing fresh blood from his mouth.
Qing-Mei crouched down sniffling, she held dearly onto the exhausted white tiger’s remaining paw, “Uncle Chen-Chen, thank you for protecting us.”
Although he could not feel the pain in his body, he felt his heart shatter. Chen-Chen could not hold back his tears and in his hoarse voice, he cried.“ Poor child. So young and yet you have suffered so much.”
Qing-Mei held onto Chen-Chen's paw tighter, as though it was something precious that was once lost, only to be found again.
Chen-Chen tried to raise his eyes towards Qing-Mei, but the cold wind had numbed his face. No matter what expression he tried to exert, he could not tell whether he was smiling or crying. “I’m sorry Xiao-Mei. Li-Cheng is— I couldn’t save him.”
Qing-Mei cried out in refute, shaking her head quickly. She tightened her small hands onto his furry pad, rubbing it gently. She could feel his strength was diminishing by the second. Her tiny hands wiped the tears from Chen-Chen’s exhausted face but failed to do so as her own tears fell onto his cheeks.
“Xiao Mei, I feel very tired.”
The haunting wind seemed to return in a somber cry, Qing-Mei continued to weep as she threw her hands over the tiger's body, and in a soft desperate voice, she whispered “Please don't go..”
Ru-Jing nose stung and his eyes almost burst like a ravine. But he held his breath to suppress the agony in his chest. He placed a hand on the tiger's head and stroked it gently. At a time like this, he didn't know how to answer. He placed his other hand on Qing-Mei's back to soothe her and after a brief moment, he let out a long sigh. " A coward will die multiple times in their lifetimes, losing their self-worth and soul each time they run from their fears, never facing them. But a brave warrior like you will be able to return to a place where valiant souls go after battle. Home."
*
Snow fell from the grey sullen sky like tears without a voice, the wind cried without shedding a tear. The peaks of Mount Hua continued to stay the same, but after today the essence of the great mountain had changed. As his eyelids began to fall shut one last time, a drifting whisper lingered within Chen-Chen's heart.
The candle you have lit for me has come to an end. But I'm glad knowing that we were able to light countless other candles and shine a light upon a desperate and pained world.
小美xiaomei : little mei. 小 is a prefix added to a name often used as a nickname for young children or among friends. It indicates a younger person. The literal meaning is small or little.
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