Lu Chan sat up in his chair, his eyes opened in shocked surprise.

'What did you just say?' he asked the guard who knelt before him.

'Elder Lu Yong has exited closed door training, and is asking to be given the task of Guardian.' the guard answered solemnly, his gaze never once leaving the floor as was proper for a well disciplined member of the Lu Clan.

'I see.' responded the Clan Leader, once again calm and serene. 'I am curious. Please invite Elder Lu Yong to the Lu Hall immediately.'

'I am already here, Clan Leader Lu Chan.' said a powerful voice from the entrance.

Lu Chan's gaze shot towards the towering double doors where a man was seen walking briskly down the central aisle. Having never seen Elder Lu Yong personally, Lu Chan was caught off guard by the imposing being in front of him.

Appearing to be in his mid-20's, he exuded power and masculinity. Broad shouldered, but with an athletic build, he graced the black outer robes of the clan rather than wore them. The ever present sword Daolu Jiebing, known to most as Black Ice, rode on his hip in a simple black leather scabbard. An obsidian crown with a silver pin capped his black hair in a half topknot, the rest falling elegantly down to just above his waist. Those dark eyes burned, and his brows turned slightly downward, as he nodded in greeting towards the Clan Leader.

'Elder Lu Yong greets Clan Leader.' he said clearly, those burning eyes never once blinking.

'Elder Lu Yong.' Lu Chan nodded back, his mind a blank. He felt it would be safest to stick with formal politeness. 'It has been centuries since we were last graced with the presence of your venerable self. I am honored to welcome you back after so long. It's good that you're well. Dare I hope that your closed door training was successful?'

'I have reached Mid-Nascent Soul, but there is still much to be done.' he responded with a trace of disappointment.

'I see.' Lu Chan tapped his finger lightly on his chair, and tried not to be intimidated by the dark man standing before him. His icy aura was quite overwhelming. 'Having reached this stage in your cultivation, don't you think becoming a Guardian to be a bit...' Lu Chan waved his hand and cleared his throat uncomfortably, '...beneath you?'

Lu Yong appeared surprised by the question.

'Clan Leader. How long have I been in seclusion?' he asked carefully.

'It has been 300 years, Elder.' responded Lu Chan gently.

Lu Yong nodded, his eyes dropping to his hands where they twisted an intricate silver ring that glittered in the candlelight.

'Are you aware that I am the original Guardian?' he asked quietly, ignoring the in-drawn breath from above him. 'I am the reason we are bound to guard the Wu Clan on their quests. I have the right, and the duty, to finish what I started.'

Lu Yong suddenly fell to one knee and he looked fiercely toward the Clan Leader. 'Do not deny me this. I cannot convey to you how important it is. I must have this chance.'

Lu Chan stared at the powerful man before him, brow furrowed in thought. He had heard rumors, of course, and been privy to the secrets handed down from his father, the previous Leader. He did know that Lu Yong had been responsible for the life-debt, it's just that no one had heard from him in ages. Most thought him dead to a qi deviation centuries ago, though none would dare enter his cave to actually check.

He knew another thing about this man, he was dangerous. He had mastered all of the clan's hidden weapons, and had even invented several that were still in use. He was disciplined, sharp, and deadly with a sword. His mastery of their clan's ice technique gave him the nickname Frost Demon when he was still a youth of 20. Yet here he was, on one knee, asking to become a Guardian. What was he to make of this?

'I will of course be happy to grant you the chance, Elder.' he said slowly. 'Perhaps this is your fate. Perhaps it is time for us to clear the debt we cannot seem to pay.' He watched calmly, eyes glittering, as the man once again stood tall before him. 'Finish what you started, Elder. It is past time.'

Lu Yong bowed gratefully towards the Clan Leader. 'This one gives thanks to Clan Leader.'

Lu Chan nodded in response. He waved his hand toward the guard who had never moved during this most important discussion. 'Lu Ba, please find a room for this most distinguished Elder. He will be joining our party with the other Guardians when we leave in the morning.'

'Yes, Clan Leader.' Lu Ba bowed respectfully, and led the Elder towards the double doors at the end of the Hall.

*********************************************************

Lu Yong barely glanced at the room he'd been given. He absentmindedly removed his scabbard and placed it on the nearby sword stand. Then, he sat stiffly on the platform bed, his gaze unfocused, deep in thought.

It was still hard for him to believe that Wu Chen had actually been freed from his enslavement and allowed a true rebirth rather than being reincarnated. However, the old monk who had delivered the exciting news back then had been most adamant. The gods had made their ruling in this messy matter quite clear to the monastery.

Lu Yong had immediately sent one of his subordinates to find out everything he could about one Wu Chen. It didn't take long for his man to return with the good news. It was true. The Wu Chen he once knew was again walking in this world.

His Wu Chen, not some namesake.

Since then, Lu Yong had kept close tabs on the young man as he had grown, and it had given him real hope after so many years. He was the same in every way. It really was him, just as the monk had said it would be. He waited impatiently for the time that Wu Chen would finally reach the age to take his Clan Quest.

He actually felt a bit nervous. He hadn't seen him in so long, he almost couldn't remember what he looked like. Only his laughter filled fox eyes remained clear to him now. Soon, he would have the chance to see him again. His heart quickened at the thought. He'd have to be careful though. Wu Chen would have no memory of the past, including himself, and he didn't want to make any stupid mistakes.

While Lu Yong remained lost in his thoughts, Lu Ba quickly explained things to the servant who had been assigned to Lu Yong for his short stay. The young man quickly had several dishes brought in, not knowing what his new master liked, or even if he ate. Once the table was ready, and feeling quite intimidated by Lu Yong's aura, he bowed and waved at the table in silent invitation.

When no movement towards the food laden table seemed to be coming from his dark master, the young man finally gathered his courage. He cleared his throat, and tried again.

'Something to eat, Elder?' he asked carefully.

'En' Lu Yong finally acknowledged, and slowly went to the table. He didn't really need to eat often anymore, not with his cultivation, but he still enjoyed savoring the different tastes he experienced while eating.

His every move was elegant and calculated. The servant watched, fascinated by this mythical Elder who was now in his charge. He ate everything offered, without so much as a clue to a preference. Obviously he wasn't picky, thought the young man.

After cleaning up, he offered his master a bath. Once given his assent, the youth was relieved to be out of his brooding presence. He quickly ran off to get the tub and order the water.

He lost count of how many young servant girls stopped him on his way to ask about the mysterious Elder now in his charge. He remained tight-lipped and focused, right up until he was cornered by young mistress Lu Huan.

'Is it true?' gasped the young woman, her doe-like eyes shining with curiosity. The young man swallowed hard as he gazed at this vision. Her hanfu floated around her in shades of deep blue with shining silver embroidery. Her waist length hair fell in a cascade down her elegant back, while her bejeweled headpiece sparkled in the candlelight. He was more shocked that this fairy actually spoke to him, since he was quite sure she didn't even know he existed.

She clapped her hands excitedly, and continued, 'Did Elder Lu Yong really appear after 300 years? Is he as handsome as everyone is saying? Is he really the most powerful member of the Clan right now?'

Her questions came quickly, and the young servant was absolutely frozen, back pressed against the wall. He swallowed again as he tried desperately to avoid her, but he couldn't help the occasional glance. She was so pretty, and he was a healthy male after all.

'Young Mistress!' sniffed an older woman in clan black robes. Her pinched face pulled into a frown as she tapped her foot at the young lady practically dancing in front of her. 'Let the poor boy finish his task. Do you wish to make the Elder wait, and possibly upset him?'

'But Elder, aren't you the least bit curious?' the girl asked petulantly.

'He will be leaving with the Guardians in the morning, and good riddance.' she snapped. She turned and waved at the servant to go, and ushered her young lady back to her rooms to finish preparing for the evening meal. Lu Huan sighed, but followed the pinch faced woman with no further complaints.

The young servant boy wiped the sweat from his brow, and continued with his task. He, too, would be glad when this troublesome Elder was gone. No matter how amazing he was, his reappearance had caused enough of an uproar. He sniffed disdainfully. He, for one, would be most happy for things to get back to normal.

It didn't take him long to get the bath ready, since several of his friends were happy to help haul the buckets for him. He made sure to set everything up properly, and called out to the Elder that the bath was prepared.

Lu Yong stepped out from behind the wooden divider, and held his arms out patiently. The young boy began helping him disrobe, and tried to keep his trembling to himself. The man seemed to have scars everywhere! His powerful body, though toned to a shocking degree, was crisscrossed with various cuts and lashes long healed. He wanted to ask about them, but knew that it would be rude to do so. Dazed, he carefully folded the man's garments, and turned to throw them over the divider.

'Be careful with those,' spoke the man with a mischievous grin as he casually began washing his arms, the sound of splashing incongruous to his words, 'I am a master of hidden weapons, and those clothes are loaded with most of them.' He winked at the now very pale servant who blinked at the neatly folded terror in his arms. 'That's a good boy.' he chuckled.