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I felt the sincerity.

I was rooted to the spot. This was serious. Completely and utterly serious, like the scene out of the romance of the Three Kingdoms when Liu Bei, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu swore to be brothers in the Peach Garden Oath. Where they swore to unify all of China.

I felt like I was witnessing history. Something that people would be talking about for a hundred years if not a thousand years later.

Big D, Pops, Lu Ri, all of us stood witness to a moment in history. Yun Ren’s crystal chimed, as he captured them all, standing there like a renaissance painting. The sun shining down on them; the tendrils of their Qi flowing through the air.

“Now we shall go; and like the seeds of the dandelion, our mission will take root in the hearts and souls of others. All who will join our cause are welcome.” Xiulan siad. “But tonight… tonight, we shall rest, and be merry. One last celebration, before we begin.”

Shen Yu watched the youngsters as they drank together. They were mostly solemn, the weight of their journey before them, yet enjoying each other\'s company one last time before they departed.

There was a slight melancholy in the air of Jin’s home. It was something Shen Yu had experienced himself. The hope, fear, and anxiety for the future, coupled with the determination to see it through. A time of parting.

“It was a good oath.” Lu Ri solemnly stated from beside Shen Yu. “It was righteous in its intent, and their hearts are set.”

“Indeed it was.” Shen Yu replied. It had been a good oath. A pure one. They had considered their problem, identified its seriousness, then forged ahead without hesitation. Shen Yu had seen enough pomp and circumstance to have long grown bored by the fakery of sects playing at alliances for a ‘righteous’ goal, but these youngsters had stood on a field far from any eyes save those they cared for and made an oath before Heaven itself.

All for a better place, a better world for the next generation.

“Master Shen, forgive this Lu Ri for asking, but how do you view their goal?” the man asked, turning his attention to Shen Yu.

“...in some ways, changing the current world is just as hard as travelling to the next one. With Cultivation, once one is finished, they can just leave. Staying in this world? Living with the politics? Those require maintenance

.”

Shen Yu himself had no desire to tie himself down somewhere like that permanently. The paperwork alone would drive him to madness. He couldn’t see himself sitting behind a desk listening to inane chatter while holding in his desire to bury them all... Ridiculous! He wanted no part of it.

“Yes. I have come to understand that most thoroughly.” Lu Ri replied. Shen Yu snorted at the inflection in his voice.

Indeed, maintaining things was more difficult than simply consuming something and moving on— but neither could he fully agree with what was a common thought amongst cultivators.

They decreed that such things didn’t matter at all. You were destined for the heavens, or you were going to die. Either way, those who came after were not your problem.

It was true that resources were limited. That was what had produced the world they lived in. There would be no need to fight if there was enough for all. But while things were limited, the complete disregard for the world they lived on was foolish in Shen Yu’s opinion.

Taking and destroying the works of mortals and the weak were beneath him; only those who lacked self control were wanton in their destruction, and if they lacked self control then they were unworthy of ascension. Rare ingredients were to be used, of course, but some of the lengths others went to were… distasteful. He could not entirely condemn it; One did what was necessary to achieve the path to the Heavens… But he had seen enough excess to know that much of the time, it wasn’t necessary.

Shen Yu brushed the thought away. My, my, he was getting philosophical in his old age; Brother Ge would have been worried for his health!

“So, what do you think of the flower that leads them?” he asked, nudging Lu Ri. “I’ve seen you speaking with her when you’re showing little Mei the ropes of that spear style.”

“She is acceptably honourable and righteous; She also sees the value and wisdom in the Honoured Founder’s words.”

“Oh? You let her read some things?” Shen Yu asked, amused.

“Indeed. I always carry several of the beginning primers with me, so that those who display the necessary temperament can be enlightened.” Lu Ri said, tapping his storage ring. Twelve scrolls popped out—Lu Ri’s own, hand-copied works. Shen Yu had to hold back his snort of laughter at Lu Ri’s proselytizing; well, the old Masters would have approved of the boy. “The Lord Magistrate, for instance, was already familiar with their ideas and his own meditations are quite insightful—but I digress. She comprehended their words and requested any other wisdom that might be shared with her. The desire for law and order, and the abolishment of the wicked is a course of action this Lu Ri can only approve of.”

“Well, that is indeed high praise!”

The old man snorted and returned his attention to the leader, who was holding court. The pretty flower who had depths unseen.

Shen Yu hadn’t really thought much of Cai when he first laid eyes on her. She was a pretty one, and her chest was downright heavens defying, but that was just it. Jade beauties were quite common, and aside from outliers like Minyan, they all acted boringly similar. There was only so much ice a man could stomach, and while defrosting such a lady had its joys, it was quite tiring.

The little flower had surprised him with her warmth. She was accommodating and polite. Shen Yu had come to appreciate the woman’s breakfasts, and she positively doted upon Xiaode. That alone might have swayed him to her. The child was a delight.

She also had a charisma about her when she changed from a delicate flower to a true cultivator. The unwavering will that burned in her eyes had his approval. She would accomplish her mission or die trying; the bearing of an Empress.

She could also sing The Whore and the Donkey, complete with all the correct movements

They really did make ladies different here in the Azure Hills. From Mei’er’s own delightful singing ability, to the Liu girl’s refreshing bluntness, and even the little mortal Biyu giggling and practically drooling over the scandalous costumes Jin had designed—why couldn’t he have found women like this during his youth?!

Shen Yu huffed out an amused sigh, before he felt someone approaching. Shen Yu turned so that he could look upon Yun Ren. He looked slightly sheepish as he scratched the back of his neck. His other hand held a bottle of rice wine.

“Uh, ‘scuse me, Grandfather. Could I have a sec?”

Shen Yu glanced at the Spirit Beast sitting on his shoulder. It obviously wasn’t one of Jin’s but it had been tolerable enough, once it stopped cowering. Really, the creature had had nothing to fear; it was too weak to bring any benefit to Shen Yu.

“You may, boy. Lu Ri, go and bug my grandson for some of his ‘special’ mead.”

Lu Ri blinked at the clear dismissal, but obeyed.

The boy huffed out a breath and sat down. After he poured Shen Yu a cup of wine and they were both properly lubricated, he just opened his mouth and said what was on his mind.

“Well, you know how you’re heading up the Howling Fang Mountains? Well, I was wondering if I could tag along? I don’t want to go lookin’ for demons, and I don’t want to get in your guys way, but after watching that, well… you know?” he asked, gesturing to the others who were talking and celebrating.

Ah, a fire had been lit beneath him, hm? “It will be dangerous, Yun Ren. And I sense that your companion may have their own desire to come.”

“Forgive this lowly beast, Master.” The white fox said, bowing immediately. “He overheard your plans to investigate the Shrouded Mountain Sect. Su Nezan would offer his assistance in this matter. He knows many safe houses through the north, and places that are still hidden from that Sect’s eyes.”

Shen Yu considered the offer. It was actually quite a good one, at least for Bi De. A place to rest and recover was valuable.

He shrugged. “As long as you are not a bother, and do not interrupt anything.”

My, he was getting soft in his old age…

The boy grinned.

“No problem, old man. Won’t even know I’m there!”

He took one look at the vulpine pair grinning at him and snorted.

The party ended early, and Xiulan was rather glad for it. While everybody had drunk a little bit, they were all aware that they would be leaving tomorrow. Nobody wanted to end up with a hangover.

The boys had gone to their bedrolls, and Xianghua had gone with Gou Ren—she had last seen the two of them sitting on the bridge, Xianghua’s head on Gou Ren’s shoulder.

Xiulan had been preparing to turn in herself, until Tigu had dragged her into Jin and Meiling’s room to say good night to her little brother.

“Do not miss me too much, Xiaode! Big Sister will be back soon, this I promise! Do not grow too much either, I want to be there when you speak your first words! And they should be Tigu! As is proper!” Tigu declared, planting a kiss on her little brother’s cheek and snuggling with him as she curled up in the big bed.

Jin chuckled as he clambered in behind Tigu, rolling his eyes, but not objecting as the girl pressed her back into his chest. Xiulan could see the tense muscles in Tigu’s frame. She was confident, but still stressed about what they were about to do. It was the last night with her family, and she was obviously going to make the most of it.

Meiling chuckled at the sight, and Xiulan couldn’t help but smile too. She really did look like Jin’s daughter when she curled up against him like that.

The shorter woman shook her head, then turned to Xiulan. She stepped forwards, and Xiulan accepted the warm embrace.

“Good night, Xiulan.” Meiling said, as she pulled back from the hug. It had been… too short, in Xiulan’s opinion. “I’ll make you all lunches, so you have something to go.” Her smile was bright, and affectionate.

“Good night, Meiling.” Xiulan returned, as she let go of her friend’s arms. Normally, Meiling would start to tease; she would get a rise out of Xiulan, and they would start to squabble. Xiulan had grown to love their little, heatless fights, poking and prodding at each other.

But tonight, Meiling obviously just wanted Xiulan to sleep, and be rested, so she clambered into her own bed, embracing both her children and her husband and making noises of comfort.

It looked warm, and it looked comfortable. Xiulan smiled at the scene, and made to leave herself. Back to her own bed, alone for the last night.

Xiulan hesitated.

She glanced back at Jin and Meiling, and chewed her lip.

She… she didn’t want to be alone tonight, either. Not out of lust, not out of some base feeling… But because she wanted to feel the warmth of home, for just a bit longer.

At first, hesitantly, and then, with more determination, as she grabbed the covers of Jin and Meiling’s bed, pulled them up… and then slipped in behind Meiling. The married couple froze as she hugged Meiling from behind.

There was a bit of embarrassment; Xiulan waited for Meiling’s teasing, about how she finally really got Xiulan in their bed. She was stiff, and a bit awkward.

But instead, there was nothing. Meiling’s hand came up to grab Xiulan’s own, the slight tremor in it dying immediately at her friend\'s touch.

It was not the touch of a lover, or filled with any sort of lust.

It was calming and soothing. The pillar she had relied on, when her heart was so disturbed.

Xiulan took a deep breath, the scent of medicinal herbs filing her nostrils, clean and fresh. Then, she looked up to Jin. her sworn brother smiled at her. It was the same expression she had seen on Bowu’s face, when he spoke with Xianghua; his own hand touched hers.

Tigu looked at Xiulan for a moment, before huffing, and with a muffled pop, there was an orange cat laying curled up where there once was a girl.

‘Too crowded.’ Tigu complained, but made no attempt to leave.

Even with that, the bed was slightly too small. They were all crushed together. But Xiulan slept peacefully, and without interruption, holding on to that feeling in her chest.

She would come home. She would each and every person who would embark on this journey home—

And there was nothing in the Azure Hills that would stop her from returning to this.