Chapter 3: A Come Back

Zhe Yan and Bai Zhen were impressed with Feng Jiu's sudden change. They were not complaining but remained observant. Feng Jiu's appetite returned, and they were happy to see her eating again. For the next three months Feng Jiu became enthralled on learning medicine and herbology with her great uncle Zhe Yan. She gained a great deal of knowledge of concoctions and healing techniques while her fourth uncle trained her hard in martial arts and sword fighting. Her skills greatly improved. She was focused to leave her silly demeanor behind and mature day by day. She decided that she wanted to improve her concentration skills, so she asked to go to Kun Lun Mountain and study under Mo Yan's guidance. Zhe Yan brought her to Mo Yan and he accepted her to study with him as he saw great potential in Feng Jiu. Mo Yan saw that her emotional status was distressed, and he decided to first work with her towards her healing. He studied her aura and found her aura different from her aunt Bai Qian. It was raw, powerful, and yet hidden. Mo Yan decided to keep this discovery to himself because he wanted to see if Feng Jiu would reach her true potential while being under his tutelage. She was truly exceptional, a rare jewel. She was able to do things in a short time that even his disciples spend years learning. He was stunned to see her daily progress.



Feng Jiu was like a sponge, she memorized entire books on wisdom, philosophy, war strategies, political protocol, justice, legal terminology, history, medicine practice, martial arts techniques, calligraphy, communication, secret coding among other subjects. She was rarely seen out of Mo Yan's library. Mo Yan had given her full access trusting her with sacred texts and ancient scrolls. He began teaching her complicate alchemy with the intention for her to achieve full ascension during her stay at Ku Lun mountain. She spent 300 years training. During her stay, she developed a close friendship with all of Mo Yan disciples, especially with Zi Lan, he was Yan Chiwu's twin brother, which she also knew from her kittling days playing near the demon lands border, she misses seeing him too, he is like a big brother to her but needed to keep their friendship a secret due to the clans rivalries. They all loved her cooking skills; it was like having a private chef. Cooking was Feng Jiu's passion and therapy, she loved cooking for a big crowd. She made sure everyone was fed until their hearts were content. She was genuinely happy in her kitchen element learning the healing power of food. Mo Yan also taught her different techniques of the art of brewing tea.



Zi Lan became her sparring partner. He daily practiced with her sword fighting and martial arts techniques for years. She excelled in her training as time passed. Improving at each level and technique that she was learning. Pairing her with Zi Lan was the best idea, since he was able to push her limits without getting her frustrated. Zi Lan's peaceful persona rubbed on Feng Jiu. She started to look up to him and imitate him. They were inseparable. One day during her training she was able to beat Zi Lan. That is how Mo Yan knew that her training phase ended, Zi Lan was his best disciple, so he decided to message her father to come to pick her up.


After 300 years, Feng Jiu truly blossomed, she was more matured for her age, focused, centered, she adapted her life around simplicity. Her natural beauty was shining thru her like sunlight on a cloudy day. Feng Jiu loved to spend time watching the mountain scenery around the landscape. It reminded her of home. She felt so much at peace with herself. She felt ready to take full responsibility on her duties. It was time to move forward.


Zhe Yan, came to visit her with her father Bai Yi, they were astonished at Feng Jiu's progress from Mo Yan's report. She was unrecognizable to them. It was a radical change. A good change Bai Yi thought.


"Feng Jiu greets high god Zhe Yan. Feng Jiu greets father, his highness Bai Yi." She kowtows to them and gave them a brief smile.


"Xiao Jiu you look well" Bai Yi spoke.


"Feng Jiu thanks father for his complement", she kowtows again to her father.


In all the days she was in the fox den, Feng Jiu respected him, but never approached him like this. That surprised him a bit. He smiled at her. "Perhaps our relationship will improve" he thought.


"We have come to pick you up and return to Qing Qui so you can take on your duties." Her father said.


"Feng Jiu is ready", she responded, while keeping her face down.


Zhe Yan and Mo Yan were observing Feng Jiu composure towards Bai Yi. Although she seemed educated and well behaved towards her father, Zhe Yan did noticed a bit of resentment on her voice towards Bai Yi. He telepathically asked Mo Yan, "Is there something wrong with her?" "Are you sensing what I'm sensing Mo Yan?" "She seems a bit odd don't you think?"


"When Feng Jiu arrived here, her emotions were all hiked jacked, she was severely depressed. Is her nature to be an emotional being after all, with a strong personality, she needed to channel her emotions to achieve her goals. She changed Zhe Yan, she is not the little mischievous girl that got herself into trouble all the time. Those days are over for her. She might have some unresolved issues that she needs to take care of but give her time to deal with them. I'm confident that Feng Jiu will clear those up in no time." Mo Yan told Zhe Yan.


Zhe Yan was not 100% convinced and he felt that Mo Yan was keeping something from him but decided not to push the subject.


Mo Yan approached her and said: "Feng Jiu remember your training here; you are always welcome if you need to seek me or your brothers in the future."


Feng Jiu knelt and touch her forehead to the ground three times at Mo Yan feet as a token of homage to honor him as her teacher. "This bow is to honor my laoshi. Feng Jiu is thankful to her lasohi and will remember the grace bestowed upon me by the god of war."


Everyone was surprised to see Fen Jiu pays her respect towards Mo Yan. He was not expecting her to honor him like that in front of everyone because of her status. All of his students seeing that their shifu was being honor by the Queen of Qing Qui, they all knelt towards Feng Jiu and in unison declared: "We are forever indebted of your highness gratitude towards our shifu. Your grace is most generous".


Feng Jiu demeanor changed when she heard her brothers recognizing her as a queen; "Please rise my brothers, there is no need for such formalities from you." And with that she hugged everyone and bid her goodbyes. She promised them to visit them near in the future.


Mo Yan only regret was that he was not able to drive out her ascension while she was training in Ku Lun. Zi Lan was sad to see her go, but he knew that his sister path was full of obstacles that she needed to conquer. He will miss their late-night heart to heart chats and specially her special sweet treats. She knew his palate so well. He silently smiled at Feng Jiu.


As they were coming down the mountain, Feng Jiu noticed an exotic bird flying circles on top of the mountain. It was a rare scene, a beautiful fire phoenix. She smiled at the rare sight. A flash back came to her when she remembered the time that she was attacked by the spirit phoenix from her aunt fan many years ago. She almost died, if Dijun did not intervene on her behalf. She continues her descend from Ku Lun mountain with her father and Zhe Yan ready for her next life adventure. Zhe Yan smiled at Feng Jiu while watching the phoenix bird flying around them. Mo Yan stared at the phoenix and at Feng Jiu, he understood this vision and gave them a small smile.


During the 300 years that had passed, wedding preparations were underway for Qian Qian and Ye Hua's nuptials. It was the biggest event being held in the heaven realm. Finally, Crown Prince was back, and he was preparing to take the role of Heavenly Emperor sometime after the wedding. He and Qian Qian were getting ready to take their heavenly trail together after their honeymoon. Everyone was busy with the wedding preparations.


Qian Qian was at the fox den going over some ceremonial scrolls getting prepared for the wedding, she was getting desperate to finish, when she sensed her beloved niece presence entering the den.


"Feng Jiu greets high goddess Bai Qian" Feng Jiu bowed to greet her aunt.


"Who are you and what you have done with my kittling?" Bai Quian asked surprised to see Feng Jiu acting so proper.


Feng Jiu smiled at her aunt and simply said: "Gu Gu I missed you so much"



"That's much better, come here and give me a hug" "How you been my munchkin?" "You seem different, let me take a good look at you." "Hmm your cultivation is different too, you have grown".


"Thank you, Gu Gu, I feel amazing."


"Is good to know that Xiao Jiu. How is everyone at Kun Lun Mountain?"


"Everyone is well, including laoshi"


"Laoshi? You mean my shifu?"


"The one and only high god Mo Yan. Yes Gu Gu, I was training under him."


"No wonder you are different! I hope to see all of them at the wedding. Speaking about it, I hope that you baby sit Ali while we go to our honeymoon. I will ask Nai Nai to help you out. Is that okay?"


"Of course, Gu Gu, I'll take care of Ali for you. Where is he?"


"He is with his father. He wanted to spend time with him before the wedding. Knowing that I will be busy as you see. Ahhhhh I dread all these wedding rituals. We don't have them here in Qing Qui. Enough of this, tell me Xiao Jiu how was your stay in Kun Lun?"


"It was a wake-up experience for me, it helped me change my views and perspectives at things. I learned a lot. I will miss being there."


"I know the feeling. Did you got bullied by Zi Lan?"


"Oh no we became great friends, he's an easy going fellow"


"Easy going? Hmm he and I will fight all the time, are you sure we are talking about the same Zi Lan here?"


"Yes Gu Gu, he was my sparring partner. I learned a lot with him too. Plus, he loves my sweet carefree cakes."


"I never saw him eating any sweets. Wow Feng Jiu you really changed him! Speaking of food, can you cook something? I'm starving, I haven't been able to eat a decent meal since forever."


"Sure, Gu Gu let me check the pantry and see what we have on hand?" The pantry was full of cobwebs. She smiled at it. "There is nothing in the pantry Gu Gu let me go to the market with Migu to buy some groceries."


"Excellent! Please do hurry and bring me some loquat fruit!"


"Yes Gu Gu" Feng Jiu and Migu left to the market to buy groceries. On their way, she was discussing with Migu some of the upcoming changes she wanted to do with the fox den. Her ideas were great and Migu was pleased to hear his highness focused and planning to renovate the residence. Migu was an expert carpenter and cabinetmaker. He was exchanging ideas with her and was eager to engage his talents. 

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