Enter the Dragon

Jian

Snowflakes drifted in the breeze, swaying and dancing in a carefully graceful balance, as night fell over the Northern Province. The cold air of the night embraced the Xun clan's home like a warm blanket, granting those who sought reason, spiritual enlightenment, love and justice solace for the night. But many would not rest -- Many would choose to only cultivate deeper into the night, accruing a richer understanding of the Qi around them, and inside themselves.

One such case... Was less human than most.

The gentle, mystifying sound of an erhu sprung like a river from the courtyard. A lone cultivator, a teenage boy with fiery red hair, undulating horns, and a colourful, scaly snake tail, sat under a lonely tree, surrounded only by the garden around him, the birds that flew past... And a large, imposing shisa dog, resting in the form of a statue beside the tree, almost dwarfing it entirely. The string instrument's song was beautiful, intense, melancholic... But the boy did not play for playing's sake. The melody came to him from the other side.

Xun Jian, once Fengbao Jian, belonged to a now lost minor clan. He grew up surrounded by artists, specifically painters like his older sister, Ri. But Jian always loved music more, despite his efforts to match his sister's skills with the brush. When their clan fell, his attempt at using the Inkbound Craftwork technique that had been passed down from generation to generation of the Fengbao clan made his Spirit Foundation spark a chain reaction... And the koi scales that he painted on his back grew into true koi scales, spreading all over his body and permanently scarring his Spirit Foundation entirely -- Or rather, was his root awakened to its true potential?

As Jian developed in the loving embrace of the Xun clan, he pursued his true passions of playing the erhu, becoming a court musician for the wider clan, as well as devoting his skills to the service of his branch leaders -- Xun Wen, his sister's liege, and Heinrich Gotthelf Humboldt, a foreigner whose name Jian struggled to pronounce properly at first, who was also Wen's spouse. He played for them, and for a time, things were peaceful for Jian, despite everything that had happened.

But once his thirteenth spring came, and the koi scales covering his body were spreading too far to hide. They begun changing in colour as well, hardening and developing into true dragon scales, little by little. Jian began painfully growing horns on his head, as well as a winding tail. Many in the Xun clan began seeing him as a case study, an ideal guinea pig -- The boy was transforming into a dragon! Many mysteries were bound to find their answers in his growth. Jian took the new attention on him badly, and began shying away from the prying eyes of alchemists and doctors that sought to take samples of his scales, or hairs from the end of his tail. The boy had become a recluse, only speaking to a handful of members of the clan outside of what was necessary. Ri was concerned, as she was one of her brother's only close relationships at the time -- But her obligations with Wen meant she'd have to give as much support as she could, hoping Jian might find inner peace eventually. Around the same time, the boy began refining his erhu playing, now fully integrating it into his fledging cultivation practice.

Jian began hearing voices from beyond. A calling... One he wasn't sure how to answer. It did not come with words, but rather sounds, as through meditation, the mighty dragons from far away told him stories of the fate that awaited him through song. Jian received instructions from the Qi around him as he cultivated, transforming them into melodies that gave him the key to mystical secrets.

When Jian's true potential began to show, the boy had become more in tune with nature and beasts than ever before, often taking long hikes by himself into the mountains. It was during a gentle summer that Jian stumbled upon a seemingly inert statue deep in the valleys of the North Province, one that came to life before his very eyes! It was a Shisa, a lion dog of legend -- creatures distantly related to dragons.

Jian and the creature, which he named Dashan, the Great Mountain, became great friends. They were inseparable, sharing long philosophical discussions into the night, hikes through the snow, and even hunts. Jian's sister, Ri, was relieved to see that her brother had found a friend, thus placating his solitude somewhat. It was thanks to Dashan and Ri's efforts that Jian began coming out of his shell more often, regailing the Xun clan with his musical gifts -- always at a comfortable distance.

On a night like that very night, Jian cultivated his spirit, as well as his erhu playing, as the promises of his dragon blood roared from the string of the instrument, telling legends and fables of how Jian could see the world through their eyes one day. It was a careful, meticulous ritual -- As Jian drew in vast amounts of Qi, he had to be careful with his technique, as one wrong note, or one wrongfully expressed note, would be detrimental to his root. The dragons' instructions were very precise, much like a demanding maestro. They expected a performance befitting the great promises they had for Jian, and it was his duty to deliver. One misstep or distraction could be harmful to the young cultivator.

And, just when Jian wouldn't expect it -- A new face interrupted his peace.

"What's up, kid?"

Opening his amber, slit-pupil eyes wide, Jian had to stop his playing immediately out of impulse in order to prevent a fatal mistake. His Qi charge came to a screeching halt, saving himself from great harm just by a hair. By the look in his eyes, the new arrival knew Jian wasn't happy.

Fei Cangqiong, a foreigner that had been staying at the Xun clan's court for some time, broke Jian's cultivation by accident. However, that was enough to draw Dashan's ire, and the statue roared to life, staring down the wind-aligned bachelor with shining, furious eyes.

"You FOOL! Are you aware of how dangerous a break in concentration can be for Jian?!" The stone guardian growled, scaring the living daylights out of Fei, for whom the reaction was entirely unexpected, as he raised his arms above his head in a flimsy attempt to protect himself from the beast.

"EASY BOY, EASY!! Jeez, what the heck is up with your dog, kid?!"

"Dashan, wait --" Jian sighed, gently putting down the erhu and stepping up to calm his friend with one hand on the Shisa's thigh, causing Dashan to understand the gesture, and thus standing down. He was calm and collected, despite the prior disturbance. "Forgive him, Dashan. He doesn't know."

"But Jian, what if you had made a mistake?"

Jian shook his head. "I've had a few. Ri's wards would've protected me from the worst of the damage."

Fei started to get the feeling that something else was going on that he was unaware of. He raised an eyebrow, curious as to what Jian was talking about.

"Uh... What damage? Are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine..." Jian kept patting Dashan on the side as he maintained eye contact with Fei. "How can I help you, traveller?"

"Oh, uh..." Fei started to feel confident again, confident enough to ask what he wanted to ask from the start. "So, I saw your sister the other day... Her name's Ri, yeah?"

"Yes..." Jian tilted his head, getting some slight suspicions of where Fei might be going with this, if his second-hand accounts of the man were accurate. "What about her?"

Fei's smirk was shameless. His whole demeanour changed, much like a child begging their parents for candy, knowing that the baby-doll eyes would be enough to eventually sway them -- Except no one would be swayed by Fei's efforts.

"Is she single?"

Dashan growled once again, stomping on over to Fei before Jian stood in between them once again. He turned around, giving a stern look to the bachelor as his tail shifted in the cold wind.

"That is none of your business, Cangqiong," Jian said with a firm tone as he stared up into Fei's eyes. Fei sighed with disappointment, slouching over and crossing his arms as he admitted defeat.

"Well, I tried. Look kid, you just don't get it, okay?" Fei pleaded with Jian, hoping to find at least something to build an angle with. "I'm not gettin' any younger! I gotta wife up! You know how it is around all these nobles, right?" He nudged Jian's scaly shoulder with his elbow, finding with some surprise that he was, indeed, scaly, but choosing not to mention it to avoid the boy's ire.

"You're not that far from marriage age yourself, are ya? Heck, there's princes in other lands that get married before your age... C'mon, you're not interested in anyone? No young handmaiden's caught your eye yet? No one? Really?"

"P-Please stop talking." Jian held up an open hand, signaling for Fei to stop his fast-paced speech, which Jian could barely keep up with. His hands showed sharp claws, much like a true dragon's hands. He looked down, disappointed, as feelings of self-doubt crept back up and over his scaly back.

"Listen... I'm not like you. I'm not... Human. I think. I'm not sure what I am anymore."

"Huh?" Fei blinked twice, finding the shift in tone surprising. "What do you mean?"

"I... I wasn't always like this. But the more I grow, the less... Normal I am. I'm just gonna grow into more of..." Jian pointed at his horns with one hand, and at his tail with the other. "This."

"So? Chicks dig dragons, kid! You're golden! Just gotta pick one and shoot your shot!"

Jian shook his head. "You don't understand, sir. I don't think this world has a place for me. If I make such a commitment to some poor girl who chose to overlook my disfigurement and make a life with me, and then... Find my true calling, somewhere else... That would be far too cruel for her."

Fei began understanding, dreading commitment as much as the boy -- Even with how much he sought to find it.

"Well... Maybe by that point, she could make you happy enough to stay by her side?"

"No, sir. That's not possible... You can't understand just with words. I can show you."

"Oh really? What are you gonna show me?"

Jian walked back to the tree, folding his legs and holding the erhu with calm confidence. He began to close his eyes in preparation to play, signaling for Fei to sit down in front of him. As the bachelor sat opposite the boy, Jian checked the string with one draw of the bow, tuning with a carefully-played A that struck Fei's ears like a chiming bell.

"What does this have to do with music?" Fei was flabbergasted, just as much as he was interested. "Be quiet," Jian demanded firmly. "You will understand shortly."

As Jian began playing properly, he entered his cultivation state. Fei could feel how the Qi in the air was drawn into Jian and filtered through his hands, finally resonating on the string of the erhu and exiting as a complete, beautiful melody that Fei had never heard before. Fei was transported to faraway greenery, a lush valley overseen by golden clouds and bathed in lotus. Imposing mountains, rushing waterfalls, and carps swimming up them, struggling to rise to the top. Fei could feel the determination in the water, as each fish fought to rise above the odds. As he found himself rooting for them, finally, one managed to climb the waterfall, being bathed in golden sunlight, before emerging in the shape of a red dragon, and rising into the clouds to become a guardian in the sky, protecting the peace of the valley that filled Fei's lungs with calm and relaxation...

...And when the song was over, Fei was sent back to the snowy courtyard, as if nothing had happened. Yet, the sound, the story, the promise -- It stayed with him in his heart. He didn't quite understand it all yet, but true artistry couldn't be ignored, not even by him.

"WOAH! What was that?!"

Jian opened his eyes, his tail wiggling behind him and shaking off the snow from when he sat down as he put the erhu down on his lap.

"That, Cangqiong, is my calling. The dragons... They speak to me. They sing through me, through my erhu. They tell me tales of places I may travel to someday. Battles I may fight, creatures I may meet. People I may protect. They have promised me a place beside them, if I were to choose their path and shed my humanity, come the day I achieve the peak of my path as a cultivator... But I must be careful with how I interpret their words, as they are quite specific with their wording. If I were to get distracted and play a wrong note, or play without feeling -- The punishment to my root would be severe."

The realisation hit Fei like a ton of bricks. "Oh shit... So if you screw up, you're gonna get hurt? I had no idea, kid -- Promise!"

"Now you know. So think twice before interrupting Jian next time," Dashan spoke with indignation.

Jian smiled at the thought of Dashan's concern for him. "No harm, no foul. I am unharmed, as you see."

"Phew..." Fei sighed with genuine relief. "Well, I'd tell ya to try and enjoy life until you turn into a dragon, kid. Girls are a lotta fun! When I was your age -- hoo boy!"

Jian furrowed his brow... But the thought wasn't entirely unpleasant. Deep down, his human side sought companionship of some kind too, despite the scars.

"Erm... That might be nice. I mean, as long as a girl can overlook my obvious deformities..."

"Just leave it to good ol' Fei!" The bachelor placed a hand of confidence on Jian's shoulder. "Stick with me, and you'll be swimmin' in chicks, kid! I know eeeeverything there is to know about handling girls, just you wait!"

"And yet, you have no wife to speak of."

"Touché. In any case, I'm your best shot, so what'll it be?"

By all means, Fei might be annoying, but he wasn't entirely bad -- The clan trusted him, clearly. It would be a benefit to have a few more friends, and get out of his comfort zone more often. Jian considered the offer, even if it might tie him to the material when he sought the spiritual... Maybe Ri would be happy to see him happy.

"If it helps me understand my humanity a little better... Sure, I don't see why not."

"Alright!" Fei celebrated the deal with pumping fists. "We're gonna be best of friends, buddy! And hey, you think you could get me in touch with your sister?"

"No."

"Tch -- Well, what if we just talk naturally? Nothing you could do about that, huh?!"

"I... Suppose not... But if you try something, I'll know. And I'll be there to protect her."

"Pshh, sure. Anyway, first lesson starts tomorrow! By the end of the season, we're both gonna be SUPER married, kid! ...To other people. Not each other, clearly."

"Yes, yes. I understood. Good night, Cangqiong."

Fei left with a handwave, leaving Jian and Dashan alone in the cold of the night again. Dashan seemed to have calmed down, but the beast's air of consternation had not left him entirely.

"I don't know if he can be trusted. He seems like a layabout to me."

"Don't worry, Dashan. I think I should have more friends, but I understand how you feel. You'll always be by my side -- If he means me any harm, you'll be there to protect me, right?"

"Always. Until the day my body turns to dust."

"Then let's shine eternally into the night, together."

Jian resumed his erhu playing deep into the night. He went to sleep eventually, not wanting to upset Ri by missing his bedtime. As Jian lay in bed, staring into the ceiling, and thinking about what Fei said...

He wondered if Moyu would get him into any trouble tomorrow.

THE END

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Pub: 08 Dec 2025 21:02 UTC

Edit: 08 Dec 2025 22:18 UTC

Views: 131