POSTED ON NOVEMBER 23, 2016 UPDATED ON NOVEMBER 24, 2016
Chapter 109 – Shifu Has Returned
I secretly stuffed some of my beloved dried fish into Xiao Mao baggage and stood by the door to see him off. Before that though, I reminded him to obediently listen to the teacher’s words and not stir up trouble.
Xiao Mao’s eyes were red, his head down, unwilling to look me in the eye.
“Blue Feather Goddess is really nice, Teacher Huang is also very kind except for being a little too strict. But since Xiao Mao is smarter than Mother, whcih means you definitely won’t get the whip. Even if you are hit, don’t be afraid, it doesn’t hurt one bit.” I finally understood Shen Jun’s feeling of wanting to send me there.
Xiao Mao casually nodded, but did not make a sound.
I thought and thought, but still could not be at ease, thus I reminded, “If you need to pee in the middle of the night, you can call Mo’lin.….”
“Mother, I’m almost 500 years old, it’s been a long time since I’ve wet my bed.….” I wanted to laugh as Xiao Mao said this in embarrassment.
I scratched my head, and then said, “The food Jin Wen makes is really delicious, you can go over there and try it, no need to be courteous.”
“I know.” Xiao Mao wanted to turn around and leave.
I quickly grabbed his hands, and then hesitantly said, “That, be sure to come back in a month, Mother actually can’t bear to see you leave.….”
“En!” Xiao Mao fiercely nodded.
Yin Zi stopped me from saying anymore, and informed, “It’s not like Xiao Mao won’t be returning, so why are you so worried? Xiao’lin and Jin Wen will treat him as if he was their own son, why worry?”
I stared at the little figure in the distant horizon and couldn’t help but call out to him, “Xiao Mao, when your Father comes back, we’ll give both our love to you! You are our most precious son! Don’t worry!”
Xiao Mao turned around from surprise and looked towards me, his eyes red.
I joyfully gave him a wide grin, until the white sheets of cloud concealed their figures. Only then did I reluctantly return to the entrance so I could wait for Bi Qingshen Jun’s return.
The stars have come out. The moon wasn’t visible in the night sky. The bamboo whispered into the night while the cool wind danced around. Bi Qingshen Jun still have not returned, Miao Miao is a bit sleepy.
I mustn’t sleep. If he comes back and I’m not here to pick him up, he’ll be sad.
Just wait a little more, just a little more. My eyelids began to droop, and the scenery began to become fuzzy.
In a dreary half awake state, a thick robe was draped over my shoulders. I opened my eyes, turned around, and discovered Yin Zi standing next to me holding a candlestick. He yawned, “It’s getting late and cold, how about you go back now and wait again tomorrow night?”
I shook my head, and then tightly tugged around the robe, “Can you bring my blanket over here? Miao Miao will sleep out here.”
Yin Zi let out a sigh. And then advised again, “If Bi Qingshen Jun sees you treat your own body like this, then he’ll certainly be angry.”
“Will he scold me?” I stared in surprise.
“It’s not like you don’t know that your Shifu dotes on you the most, so if he finds out that you’re not sleeping, he’ll be angry.” Yin Zi explained, using the tone as if he was coaxing a child to sleep, “Go to sleep. Even if Bi Qingshen Jun was returning, It’d be in the morning, Miao Miao be good and listen to my words.”
I looked towards the entrance. I obediently nodded and returned to my room, however, I rolled around the bed unable to sleep. I miss Shifu, I miss Xiao Mao.
I thought for a while, and when dawn arrived, I got up in confusion and sat in a daze. I was afraid that like in my dream, Bi Qingshen Jun might get lost in the bamboo forest on his way here.
After waking up, I hastily ran to the kitchen to grab a bun for breakfast and headed to the forest of my dream.
Coincidentally, the flowers of spring and wild plants have bloomed beautifully throughout. Unfortunately, due to the years of mischief Xiao Mao has caused, this area has come to be known as a monster infected zone by the villagers nearby therefore the sight of humans have become quite a rarity. I was very assured that no humans would see me so I did not put in the effort to hide cat ears and tail, and just sat atop a tree branch gnawing at my bun and waiting for the man whom I’ve waited for 500 years to appear.
At this moment, the familiar sound of footsteps coming from the east passed through my sensitive ears. My heart beat frantically accelerated, my face becoming hot, and I turned and stared in the direction of the sound. My hands tightly grabbed my clothes as if I was about to tear it apart.
It’s coming, it’s coming. Is it really you?
There was no one around, however, a hoarse voice could be heard, “Scholar Bi, this mountain here is infested with many monsters, this old one doesn’t dare take another step forward so you must be careful and not let any man-eating beasts get you.”
“En, I understand, I must thank you for leading the way.” I used my hands and feet to climb up a tree. I saw that about a mile from my position, there was a familiar looking person dressed in green clothing standing on a rock saying his farewells to an old man.
That old man sighed and then continued, “Scholar has helped us eliminate so many demons from our village, and this is all we can offer, we really are ashamed.….”
The man in green politely said, “Xiang Qing as a disciple and member of the Maoshan Sect, slaying demons and monsters causing havoc is my responsibility so Uncle does not need to thank me.”
That old man gave his thanks again, and then finally hurried away.
I continued to observe that familiar sound, becoming more and more excited. When the man slowly turned around to head towards the mountain, that face, is definitely the same as Bi Qingshen Jun’s.
Although his hairstyle has changed, his clothes a bit different, his eyes now black as pitch darkness, his build a bit thinner, and his aura a little less domineering, but I can feel it in my bones that this is my most beloved Shifu.
I was overly excited thus I didn’t know how to act. I saw him slowly approach and then took out a mirror. He proceeded to place a drop of his blood onto it, however, no reaction occurred, causing him to frown. From his mouth, whispered, “Perhaps Master’s Demon Scouring Mirror isn’t working?”
I contained the joy from within my heart, jumped out of the tree, and threw myself into his arms, saying, “Shifu! Miao Miao really misses you!”
“Demon! Monster!” I don’t know why but Bi Qingshen Jun’s strength seems to have become nonexistent. He was knocked over as I pounced onto him, and appeared as if he was nervous and fearful.
“Miao Miao was originally a demon ah.” I didn’t know what Bi Qingshen Jun was so afraid of, and just smiled at him. I rubbed my head against him to show that I’ve been well-behaved, “I was waiting for you since yesterday night.”
Bi Qingshen Jun soon calmed down, he pulled out a piece of yellow paper and then stuck it onto my head. I reached to pull the piece of paper away and discovered that it had writing written in blood. I was afraid he’d tell me that I had not made any progress in all these years so I quickly changed the subject, “Miao Miao practiced calligraphy, so compared to the past.….it is a lot better, I’ll show you when we return.”
“You demonic being, you’re actually not afraid of this Heavenly Talisman. You’re skills must not be weak!” Bi Qingshen Jun grit his teeth, and reached his hands forwards to push me away, but was unable to. From behind, he suddenly pulled a sword and aimed it at me.
That sword was made of wood, upon contact with my shoulder, there was a little pain. I gave it a thought and then determined he must be trying test my improvement in martial arts all these years. I quickly let go of him, used my paws to break the sword, and then fiercely pushed him away.
I hadn’t expected so much force to come out of my palms. His body was sent flying into the air, his head making contact with a tree in the process. When I got there, it was already too late, he had fainted without even letting out a single cry.
What should I do? How come Bi Qingshen Jun is so weak? Almost as weak as an ordinary human being. I stood there for a long time holding my ears, unable to think of a reason.
Well, it doesn’t matter. As long as he’s back, even if he’s become weak, it’s okay, anything is okay.
The sun was up high in the sky as I happily carried Shifu back home on my shoulder, humming and singing songs along the way.