With no attempt to keep things secret at the Jade Palace, word had spread by now, and nearly every animal person there—including the pig servants, goose guards, and ordinary little rabbit apprentices—had heard the terrifying news that the evil Tai Lung was about to return.
However...
Knowing about it was one thing. With Master Oogway still around, and Master Shifu and that little girl, Master Annie, both remaining relatively calm, the Furious Five also continued their regular training and patrols, often appearing around the Valley of Peace to right wrongs and help the weak. So the Jade Palace remained relatively peaceful. Aside from some nervousness during the first couple of days after they heard the news, and the occasional discussion over tea, the animals didn't dwell on it too much.
And with the Jade Palace staying stable and not falling into disarray, the town of the Valley of Peace naturally remained unaffected!
Though some bad news had spread widely among the pigs, rabbits, and gray-and-white swans in town, everything here was still as peaceful, tranquil, and serene as before, like a secluded paradise.
But in truth, with the kung fu masters of the Jade Palace protecting it, wasn't the Valley of Peace really a secluded paradise compared to other places?
The Valley of Peace...
"Chirp~!"
"Chirp~! Chirp~!"
It was nearly noon. In the courtyard of Mr. Ping's noodle shop, a cicada perched on the trunk of a tall chinaberry tree, whose shade offered a little relief to diners eating at the outdoor tables in the scorching summer heat. It kept buzzing away, adding to the sweltering summer atmosphere of the unbearably hot season.
By now, a full seven days had passed since Little Zeng, the big gray goose from the Jade Palace, had brought back the news that Tai Lung