So, here the last chapter of this story...

34. Cold goodbye

Carefully Po looked around the corner. Mr. Ping stood in the kitchen. He sighed and walked to him with lowered head.

"Uhm, dad?"

Mr. Ping interrupted his work. "Yes, Po?"

"Uhm, I, I wanted to say…"

He rubbed his head nervously.

Mr. Ping put away the knife and looked at his son. "What is it, my son?" he asked with a gentle voice.

"I want to say, that… I'm so sorry that I didn't say the whole truth from the beginning. I didn't want to bring you in danger. It was just…"

"Po."

Mr. Ping went to him and touched the panda belly. "Listen, I would never address reproaches to you because of that. I know why you did it. And I understand. To say the truth, I had suspected something, but I was sure, you would do the right thing, Po."

"So, you aren't angry about it?"

"About what?"

"Well, he is not just a stranger like strangers come in our restaurant every day. It's because, he did bad things to me and my parents. You aren't angry with him?"

Mr. Ping sighed. "Well, he made a lot of mistakes. But after a little dialog, I think I know what's going round in his mind."

Po looked at his eyes. Mr. Ping touched his face. "I'm very proud of you, Po."

Po smiled and wrapped his arms around him.

"I love you, dad."

"I love you too, my son."

Mr. Ping was near to tears.

Nobody knew that somebody watched them through a window. The lord stepped back, but he didn't lose sight of them. The embrace of them, let him rise a feeling inside him which he had forgotten all these long years. Something what he wanted to feel again. Somehow.

"Shen?"

The peacock winced and turned back in his proud posture and looked down at the old goat.

"You're still here?" he asked emotionless.

"Where should I be instead?"

The lord snorted. "Don't think that I forgive you all these turbulences from the last few days. And be sure, there is still nothing completely forgiven and forgotten."

The goat nodded and watched him calmly. "And what's your next step in your life?"

The lord shook his head slowly and looked into the distance. "Did you say something about from my father?"

"Have you thought twice about it? I mean, you can stay here as long as you want." A cleaning hrumph of Shifu let Po stop. "Uhm, more or less."

"Panda," the lord began. "I have other plans already."

They stood at the edge of the village. Next to the lord stood the goat and in front of him Po, Shifu, the furious five and Mr. Ping. It was the next day after the festival of peace and after the nation rulers had already left the village and promised to come back next year.

The panda lowered his face with disappointment. "Alright. Well, in this case, I wish you goodbye."

"Farewell."

With that, they bowed in front each other respectfully.

"You know, if you need help," Po said after they had lifted their heads again. "You know where you can find me."

"I appreciate it, panda."

"Write a letter."

Shen's glance wandered to Shifu, who stared with grim-faced at him. He said no word. No sound. But the peacock guessed what he was thinking. The lord said no word too. He just nodded with a mocking snort at the red panda and didn't deign to look at the furious five. Just for Mr. Ping he nodded with a little thankful look. Mr. Ping nodded back and bowed.

"It was a pleasure for me to serve you."

"I really appreciate it. Well then."

With that, he turned around. The soothsayer walked beside him and together they walked along the path through the fields of the valley of peace.

"He never said a thanks," Mantis muttered angrily.

"He did it already," Po said. "Even though without words."

"Are you sure, he will not make a new war try?" Monkey asked while they were looking at the two Gongmen Citizen who became smaller and smaller.

"Don't worry," Po said calmly. "I'm sure, someone will keep an eye on him."

The last few warm sunbeams lighted the horizon and bathed the landscape in red yellow colors.

The lord let shine the sun on his face. With closed eyes he sat on a little stone and looked like in meditation.

Meanwhile, the soothsayer had lighted a campfire not far away. Now she went over to him.

"Shen?"

"Mm," he muttered quietly.

"Dinner is ready."

He nodded softly. The lord stood up and turned his back on the sun.

The goat watched him. He seemed to be relaxed. With a soft sigh the lord sat down in front of the campfire and didn't say a word until the goat handed him a bowl of soup.

"How long do we need to reach our travel destination?" he asked.

"Just two days." She gave him a worried look. "How do you feel?"

"I'm not sure. It's different. But it doesn't feel so good."

"That's normal if things develop different from planned."

The lord lowered the bowl in his hands and stared inside the liquid.

"It was my dream to rule China."

"The main point is that you still alive, and you can make your parents proud."

"Do you think, they are proud of me?"

"I'm very sure, like I'm proud of you."

"Have you thought, I wanted to kill him when I took the spear?"

"I know you. You wouldn't have done it. The knowledge of honor was one of your facets in your life, what you had before your banishment. I was sure you wouldn't forget it."

"I guess, you never want to give me up, do you?"

"No."

A soft smile played around her mouth. And that was a warm feeling in his snow-white soul.

He looked back. The sun was gone. A soft coldness filled the air and let memories come back from the last weeks. He didn't say it, he owed the panda a lot. And he knew it wouldn't be the last time that he met him… the warrior in black and white… and the one who defeated his war. But in contrast to the Dragon Warrior he still didn't feel inner peace. Something was incomplete. There had to be something more. Somewhere…

So, that was my story. I hope you enjoyed it. I have to say thousand thanks to everyone who read and wrote so heartwarming comments. Thank you very much for your patience because of a long break. And I don't want to keep you in suspense longer and the sequel starts today. ;) See you then.