"What?! You're saying Aegwynn ran up a tab of ten thousand gold on the commercial street before she left, all in my name?!" Hu Feng roared heartbrokenly.
Chief Councilor Aethelus nodded calmly. "Yes, Divine Emissary. She purchased many precious magical materials and crystals, saying they could simply come to you for payment afterward."
Hu Feng covered his face and hissed. "Pay it! And... send the bill to Stormwind Kingdom and have them reimburse me! If they refuse, tell them to go find Merith!"
Just then, Elisande walked in carrying a tray of exquisite pastries and a cup of Moonlight Wine. Hearing Hu Feng's complaint, she let out a chuckle.
"All right, all right. It's only ten thousand gold. The great Divine Emissary isn't short of such a tiny sum. Consider it a meeting gift from you, her grandmaster." Elisande set down the tray and sat beside Hu Feng.
Aethelus tactfully took his leave.
"By the way, a Pandaren riding a turtle arrived at Darkshore. I sensed that he was rather unusual, so I invited him to stay in Suramar for a few days," Elisande told Hu Feng.
"A Pandaren? Didn't they vanish along with Pandaria Continent?"
"Yes. According to the Pandaren himself, he is an adventurer. He wanted to explore this entirely new world again, so he decided to leave Pandaria on his turtle."
"What's his name?"
"Liu Lang."
In a small room that felt exceptionally familiar and dear to Hu Feng, Liu Lang had made a few simple arrangements, filling it with a rich Eastern flavor.
Hu Feng personally visited Liu Lang's temporary residence. The two were now seated on the floor.
"I never expected the Divine Emissary to understand the art of tea tasting as well."
Liu Lang had a plump build, with a long beard hanging to his chest. Beside him rested a wooden staff with a slightly curved top.
"Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" Hu Feng said with a smile.
Delight flashed in Liu Lang's eyes. "The Divine Emissary understands our Pandaren proverb. I am deeply impressed."
"I saw your turtle earlier. His name is Shenzhenzi, isn't it? That turtle has tremendous potential. Given time, he could grow into a gigantic creature as large as an island."
Liu Lang smiled and nodded. "That's right. He is my old companion. He has accompanied me across the world, and out at sea, he can listen when I need someone to talk to."
"Master, there is something I hope you can tell your people when you return to Pandaria someday."
"Please speak, Divine Emissary."
"Closing yourselves off and running away will never bring any good. Only by actively integrating into this world can the Pandaren grow and prosper. If one day your emperor comes around, you may contact the Night Elves. I will do everything in my power to support the Pandaren's return to this world."
"The Divine Emissary's insightful words are deeply enlightening. I will convey them to our emperor."
Hu Feng nodded solemnly at Liu Lang.
"I heard Lady Elisande say that the Divine Emissary enjoys good food and drink?"
"Of course. I have always wanted to taste Pandaren cuisine and strong liquor, but unfortunately, I never had the chance."
Liu Lang laughed and took out a thin booklet. "I wrote this when I was bored. It contains recipes for some common Pandaren dishes, as well as methods for brewing several ordinary strong liquors. I hope the Divine Emissary will like it."
Hu Feng was overjoyed. At last, he could taste the flavors from his previous life again! He thanked Liu Lang repeatedly as he carefully tucked the booklet away like a treasure.
"Master Liu Lang, let me show you around. The customs and scenery of Suramar City and Darnassus atop the World Tree are things you would never see in Pandaria."
"That would be wonderful!"
Both the Night Elves and the Highborne were somewhat puzzled by the Divine Emissary's great regard for the Pandaren. This Pandaren spoke strangely; some of his wording and intended meanings left them completely baffled.
Moreover, the Pandaren named Liu Lang repeatedly called for no war and no killing, saying that such things would produce Sha energy, which would slowly occupy both the land and people's hearts.
What the hell did that mean? What was Sha energy? Some kind of magical energy?
The Divine Emissary merely smiled without answering. Even when Lady Elisande personally asked him, he only said strange lines that sounded smooth yet made no sense at all: "Why does war burn? Why do autumn leaves fall? Nature cannot be taken away, and we too are filled with doubt."
Walking slowly along the crown of Teldrassil, Hu Feng and Liu Lang had just finished touring Darnassus, the capital city of the Night Elves.
"The Divine Emissary always leaves me in awe. Your verses would rank among the finest even in Pandaria. But may I ask whether there is more to them?"
Hu Feng smiled. "I believe the threat of Sha is not limited to war or other major causes. As long as selfish desires remain in one's heart, Sha energy will never disappear. Sometimes, fighting violence with violence is not such a bad method. I think the White Tiger would understand my thoughts."
"The White Tiger has always lived in the Kunlun Mountains. Only monks or wandering scholars with great strength and character receive the White Tiger's guidance. That's right, you and the White Tiger would surely have much to discuss."
"You asked whether there was more. There is: Why does war burn? Why do autumn leaves fall? Nature cannot be taken away, and we too are filled with doubt. For whom are fists of rage clenched? To protect the nation, bring peace, and punish the wicked. Follow the natural way to cast out the demons of the heart. War never ceases, nor does doubt. Then why do we fight?"
Liu Lang fell silent after hearing this.
By the Endless Sea, Darkshore.
"Master Liu Lang, this is where we part. I hope you remember what I said and convey it to your emperor."
Liu Lang was already seated atop Shenzhenzi. He smiled at Hu Feng, then removed the string of wooden beads from his wrist and handed it to him.
"Divine Emissary, I do not know why you understand our culture so well. Nor do I know why your name is so similar to ours. But none of that matters. These beads were made from Cedar Wood from the Kunlun Mountains on Pandaria Continent. It is said that only after receiving the White Tiger's personal blessing could Cedar Wood thrive upon Kunlun's snowy peaks. I give them to you. Meeting is fate, and I think you share a profound fate with Pandaria Continent. May you one day meet the White Tiger and drink together in good cheer."
Hu Feng accepted the beads and slowly put them around his right wrist.
Shenzhenzi carried Liu Lang away on another journey. A desolate instrumental melody drifted over, and Hu Feng recognized it as an erhu.
Pandaren never forget their homes; at night, dreams return swiftly there. Who sends them home through the night? Slightly drunk in faint light, wandering...
These are old tales; a man's dream shatters in his homeland. Leaving Fengdu behind, drifting with the wind, forgetting home...
Following the wind, I recall what I saw; beneath the cliff, only faint memories remain. Wandering the lands for ideals, ideals...
The desolate Song of Liu Lang echoed across the sea for a long time without fading.
After this parting, they would likely never meet again.
You can find the Song of Liu Lang with a quick Baidu search, or hear it in the Pandaren starting village beneath the highest bridge on the second floor, where two Pandaren tell young Pandaren about Liu Lang's deeds. You can also join this book's communication group to download the full version. Group number: 480243964
Before you continue