Kunlun Mountain Part 4 - The Return

Chapter 44 - A Disciple First

Arriving back on Kunlun Mountain with his hand firmly around her waist, they both reentered the Grand Hall, where her seniors were still in the same state they had left them.  For them, no time had passed, and it was at that moment Die Feng got an inkling into their Shifus ability to warp time.  Many times over the years he had witnessed Mo Yuan leaving only to suddenly appear behind him or in a room he had not seen him enter.

But wherever they had just been, he was happy to have them back again.  They all had questions for Si Yin, and he knew he would not be able to hold his brothers back from demanding her attention.  For them, they had just learned of her relationship to them all and the excitement in the air was so palatable, that he noticed her suddenly move in closer to Shifu as they entered.

She knew what she was returning to, but she was not ready for it.  Not when she saw the excitement on their faces and the questions in their eyes.  But it was when she caught Gouzhis gaze, the memory of Liang came back to her.  And the heartbreak once again began to fill her eyes.

Tearfully she left Mo Yuans side and walked straight towards him.  What she had returned to do, could wait a few more minutes as she slowly enveloped him in her arms.  "I am so sorry.  I did not know of his passing.  I loved him dearly." she said softly against him as his own arms raised painfully to return the embrace.

"There is something he told me not long before he died, that I do not think you are aware of.  But we can discuss it later." he said as she pulled away to look at him.  

Even though he was Liangs twin brother, they were not identical, there were differences and not just in their physical appearances, but also in their nature.  Gouzhi was a rough and ready boy who liked to fight, to tumble about on the training grounds and of them all, his mouth was the most foulest when it came to expressing himself when he was overly excited.  Whereas Liang was more gentle in nature, he spoke more eloquently, and fighting was a necessity, one he indulged in only if he deemed it worthwhile, otherwise, he preferred the quiet solitude of a library rather than the training grounds.

But her mind was not on their differences, but on the way her brothers were edging closer towards her.  Looking back, she could see that Mo Yuan was in a deep discussion with Die Feng.  She knew what they were talking about, so letting Gouzhi go as her brothers then moved in to surround her, she tried not to show her discomfort, but they were making nervous.

She understood they were all feeling overwhelmed at her appearance, but to then find out she was their Seventeenth Disciple would no doubt take some time to settle.  

"Seventeen, you kept us searching for so long.  Now I understand why." Cheng Bao said smiling at her shyly.

"Hn.  Little bastard knew we'd kick his ass if we got our hands him.  Its' just as....."

"Zi Lan!" Chang Shans voice suddenly boomed through the Hall as he quickly marched forward to glare at him.  

Rarely did Chang Shan raise his voice, but the sound instantly had them all coming to a standstill, including Mo Yuan who was looking at them curiously.  Whatever was going on, he did not feel he needed to intervene, instead he gave Die Feng the order to leave, while he took a seat at one of the low tables to watch in interest.

"Oh come on senior!  Its not as if he hasn't been called worse." then shoving his face right up into her own, Bai Qians smirk infuriated him even more.

"I bet you think you're all high and mighty now, but you are and always will be a little bastard.  And don't think for one minute that I'm going to ...."

"ZI LAN!" Chang Shans voice broke over the top of his own, only to have Bai Qian waving him away before moving slowly towards her Sixteenth Senior.