Bai Zheng left the slave traders in the hands of his friends, and companion, that he met while he was living in the mountain. At first, when he arrived there, most of the beasts didn't like him hence he was an unknown intruder, and because it was a famous mountain where only powerful beasts who lived for decades, centuries, but few were those that reached up to millenniums.

They wouldn't allow a spot, unless that someone would deserve it. That was the rule of the well-known mountain, which every human and animal feared.

The beasts would fight against him every day, taking turns to test his powers. But, at that time, Bai Zheng was the weakest. He was unfamiliar with his current form, his Tiger self. At that time he was twelve years old, a young boy in human years but already an adult in his beast form.

Life was harsh on him, all his life was shattered in front of his eyes, he got betrayed, by his closest companions. Bai Zheng was resentful, filled with that rage he fought with the other beasts. He had no time to be sad, or cry about his parents death.

He had to get strong to survive and to never believe anyone especially humans. Bai Zheng held onto that anger and turned it into power. If he keeps gaining power, he would go and kill those people that betrayed him.

The fights between the beasts got rarer and rarer, that one day after several years no one came, Bai Zheng used that opportunity to go for a walk beside the pond falls. He spent the day swimming in the river, learning how to catch fishes while playing with his claws and his long fangs.

Bai Zheng enjoyed the time in peace so much that he didn't want to go to his den, his new home. Which was in a hidden cave, where he made a big bed for himself, using grasses and preys skin.

The darkness came and the Tiger slowly returned to his home, when he got to the entrance, he noticed the shadows of some beasts lurking around him. Bai Zheng was scared to bones, ready to attack, whoever confronted him. But at that moment, every beast came out and congratulations him for his acceptance in this new mountain „family".

All the beasts brought something special to Bai Zheng, as a token of acceptance and approval, such as; some brought animals flesh, deers, wild boars and bears to feast on them, and many other treasures they had.

The White Tiger was so touched by their actions, it was the first time in a while that he felt warmth overpowering him and livened up his numb heart. Then he met the wise Vulture King, the one that taught him many things, that supported and advised him.

There is a moment, which Bai Zheng will remember for the rest of his life, it is that time where Bai Zheng confessed his past to the Vulture King, he told him about his planned revenge and anger.

But what the Vulture King said was that „Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die", a quote that the Vulture heard by his distinguished, prominent friend.

At that moment, Bai Zheng realized that he needs to let go of that resentment, negativity because no good comes from it and needs to start focusing on his current life.

If the heavens allow, then he surely will come back to his rightful place and punish them. The Tiger now focused on his friends, helping them, improving himself as a better person and learning things.

One day, Bai Zheng missed his city, his home so much that it was unbearable. He went near the city and watched from far away,  from the now changed city. But the humans spotted him,  an alarm went off immediately.

They launched the arrows at him when he started to run, hunters threw a heavy net on The Tiger in order to capture the Beast. Bai Zheng was struggling to run, he couldn't escape much from the hunters who now were chasing him.

He got severe wounds when he fought with some of the hunters but then also the royal guards came to their aid, everyone used different types of weapons to kill him but he used that opportunity to get released from the net.

The Tiger kept running and running, that didn't have any strength left in his legs and suffered so much from the blood loss, that his legs gave up when he arrived near a small house, and that's how he got to Li Xue. A human, which he never excepted, to help him.

Bai Zheng thought Li Xue was one of the hunters so he roared at her so he could frighten her and got ready to attack but his body wouldn't listen to him, numbness overtook his body, he was fighting with himself to keep his consciousness.

He looked at the girl with a pained countenance, with a belief, that it is his last moment before she kills him. But he was wrong, the girl came up to him and touched his head softly, with such a loving expression; that he got surprised from the sudden warmth he felt and the blinding light he saw, but he lost in the darkness of the unconsciousness.

When he woke up, he saw he was put in a room and felt the arms of the girl around, hugging him.  Bai Zheng, for his entire life, knew that it was impossible to revert back to his original form but now things had changed, neither heavens could believe that he would turn human.

The trigger and the key to his change, was that girl, his savior. She was a sign from gods, Bai Zheng swore to them that he would cherish Li Xue, until his last moments of life. They were already bonded together for eternity by the symbol, she was his Master now.

Zheng reminisced his past, that leads to meeting Li Xue, who was now laying on his bed, in the den. He looked at her first, then bowed an apology to her that he will start to do a thing any woman would dislike.

Bai Zheng started to undress her first, he then proceeded to remove his clothes too and carried her further on, where was located a hidden pond filled with green water.

He put her slowly in the middle of the pond and sat on the opposite of her, so their backs touched together. Li Xue was still unconscious, fighting with her wounds to keep herself alive, she was leaning on him due to her uncontrolled body.

Bai Zheng closed his eyes and focused on the chi, surrounding them. The pond, where they were in, was filled with healing water which he discovered when he was severely injured from the beast fights.

Although the water did not vanish his wound completely, it helped on soothing the pain, closing the wounds and mainly, advancing the healing process, which would normally would take a couple of months; but in this pond, it would only take an hour or two.

Now that she was his master they were connected, Zheng could help her greatly on accumulating chi to heal her external and internal wounds and train her body to gain more power.

When the process finally finished, he put her back on the cozy bed, tied up her wounds with a fabric he tore from his outfit and dressed her in the newly washed clothes.

Carefully he gave her water and prepared a juice from the various fruits he could find to fed her because she had to take vitamins she needed, Li Xue didn't eat that day at all, due to many problems she encountered.

The night came quickly, she was trembling from the coldness the dark released, Bai Zheng noticed that, so he transformed back to his Tiger form to give her his warmth. He climbed on the bed and laid down near her. When Xue felt the warmth emitting, she embraced him with a tight hug and continued her sleep.

The next morning he already reverted to his human form when Li Xue fluttered her eyes open, she saw Bai Zheng's face close to her. She stopped and studied his features, wondering if it was a dream or reality.

She was cuddled up to him, their legs intertwined, Li Xue was hugging him tight meanwhile Bai Zheng held a hand around her waist. Xue started to move away slowly from him but he didn't want to release her from his grip, he wrapped his arms around her even more and brought her close to his body.

Until, the moment when Bai Zheng started to wake up because he felt her breath on his neck and her squirming movements. He opened his eyes wide and released her, he got up from the bed at the instant.

„I'm sorry, I didn't..." he mumbled while scratching his head in embarrassment.

„Don't worry, I enjoyed every bit of it." Li Xue replied with a wink, to tease him. His face flushed red like a tomato. So cute, she thought.

Xue looked down on her clothes, she got surprised to see them new, „What happened here, you removed my clothes!" she shouted.

„Eh, I enjoyed every bit of it," Bai Zheng mocked her back and took out his tongue to tease her.

Li Xue got so angry she threw her shoe at him, and chased him with the other shoe in her hands, to beat his ass up. Bai Zheng laughed hard at their childish actions, but later on, he whined hard, so she would forgive him.

„If I didn't do it, you could die Li Xue. I am really sorry, but for me, you matter more than anything else." He apologized while kneeling

On the other side, Li Xue was sitting on the bed with one leg up, just like those final bosses in the gameplay. She removed her top to check on her wounds, they were tied up nicely so she decided to not remove the fabric in a case to not worsen their condition.

Xue felt weird that the wounds didn't hurt as much as they did when she first got them, she found it strange but brushed away her thoughts, by thinking it is how it's supposed to be.

She didn't know how to respond to him so she just nodded, „Alright, I'll trust you. Now tell me, is it already night?" she questioned.

„What do you mean night, it's early in the morning," he furrowed and tilted his head.

Li Xue slammed her hands on the bed in panic, „What! Did we spend the night here? But what about my father, I bet my mother already alarmed the whole city that I have disappeared and my father searching for me." She covered her eyed with her hands, she was ready to cry at her mistake that can't be reversed, but Bai Zheng interrupted her.

„Don't worry, I already sent him a letter saying that you will spend the night outside in order to buy rare gifts for your family," he replied

Li Xue let out a deep breath, „So it's all okay?" she asked in disbelief. Xue felt happy that she could escape from this all, by just buying something for them, it was with no doubt the easiest job for her.

„Yes, of course, they are waiting for you now." He said with a bright smile.

She admired his intelligence and way of solving problems; You just saved my life two times, she thought to herself.

„And, where are we now?" she examined the den, which was a magnificent cave carved with rock formations. There was nothing else inside it, besides a big bed that was half size of the cave.

„It was my home, before meeting you," Bai Zheng leaned against the rock, he felt proud that he found his den and claimed it before any beast came to it.

Large bed, for a large cat; Xue giggled with herself, she found that cute to imagine.

Bai Zheng noticed her behavior, „It seems that you like it," he smiled.

„Oh, I indeed like it, very much." Li Xue beamed. If this cave was found in her times it would be a big hit from the tourists visiting, it surely was the most majestic cave she had ever seen. It was all naturally formed, no LED lights that decorated the cave thankfully because they would rob the attention of this beauty.

„I'm glad, now let's go buy gifts for your family." Zheng recommended, but then he remembered to get a bottle of healing water for her father before they head out.

„Sure, let's go, little Tiger," she saturated with happiness.

***

The streets of the city were filled with endless wonders, in such an exquisite day, where the sunshine rays flattered the products, that the merchants were selling.

For the charming Li Xue and companion Bai Zheng, it was the first time in a while to go buy things and be at peace, they were both feeling overwhelmed with eagerness and curiosity.

Li Xue's whole face lit up when she noticed a shop that had beautiful, aesthetic display windows. It was the only expensive shop in that area, and it was enormous in size.

Her eyes were sparkling, „ Let's go to that shop," she pointed in its direction then grabbed Bai Zheng's hand and rushed to the store.

The shop was even more dashing inside, they had beautiful clothes on one side, on the other side they had shoes, pieces of jewelry and bags. Her heart filled with joy, she kept looking all over the place, analyzing the products over and over again.

They were all fresh designs as if they were inspired by modern times current fashion. Li Xue decided to buy clothes for her parents and sisters, so they don't get angry with her or envious at each other for the different gifts. Good thing she found the gifts all in one place, she didn't want to walk much that day.

She bought matching outfits for her father and mother, in a dark blue color. The color was indeed dark, but it was portraying elegance and according to their appearance its design would make them appear more youthful and invoke their charms.

For the sisters, she bought outfits in the color of the lavender, that on the sides, from shoulder to toes had purple flowers embroidered. Li Xue was very happy with the presents, they saved her from the wrath of her family and besides, she had to repay her father for his help. She is going to need his help in the future too.

Li Xue started to look for a necklace, for her adorable Bai Zheng. Her eyes noticed a silvery moon piece, that had engraved little stars as a complimentary detail. This is perfect for him, Xue smiled brightly.

She went on her was to pay for the present but at that moment Bai Zheng signaled her to follow him.

„Sit down," he ordered her. Li Xue quietly obeyed him and sat on the chair that was beside her. Her eyebrows rose, she was curious to see what had he prepared for her, or that maybe he wanted her opinion on his outfits.

He left the store worker, and returned shortly after, with a pair of white shoes which had white roses drawn on them, and as the extra detail, they also had pearls. While Li Xue admired at the shoes, Bai Zheng took off her worn out footwear that got dirty from the yesterdays fight carefully, and put on the pretty shoes, that he found for her.

„Where did you get them, they are so beautiful!" Li Xue turned, to look at Zheng. She was on cloud nine, she let out sweet giggles.

„They fit you well," Bai Zheng replied with a smile, he was as happy as a lark to see his master enjoy his gift.

Li Xue gave a big hug to Bai Zheng as a gift, and rises on her feet to test her new beloved, comfortable shoes, She skipped in the shop like a child, singing and dancing around.

Thankfully, in this era, the heels weren't used much or she would have already broken a leg. She was more of a sneakers type of girl or everything that was flat.

They paid for the gifts and went on their way home, as they walked there was a tall bridge where children played with a ball and their kits.

„Let's go there too," Xue said, and Bai Zheng followed.

They bought a street snack that looked like a donut, they ate it with pleasure, while leaning on the bridge and looking at the sky.

„It's so beautiful," she added.

„Yet, not as beautiful as you," Bai Zheng blurted.

Xue's cheeks flushed pink from his sudden compliment, she was a shy maiden that wasn't used to be teased by others, she only knew to tease others. Afterward, it was an awkward silence surrounding them.

Bai Zheng thought that he maybe said something wrong to her so she got mad at him, he fiddled around with his fingers, trying to come up with something to say.

„Close your eyes," she instructed him.

He slowly closed his eyes and remained still, Li Xue came near him, she tiptoed to reach him and put the necklace around his neck.

„There you go," she mumbled.

Bai Zheng looked down to see his present, he placed the necklace on his hand to see it closely and flashed a radiant smile to her.

„It's amazing, thank you!" he replied with enthusiasm.

After the warm gesture they finally headed to their home, but there one kid that was running after his ball, he pushed Li Xue with all his force so he could get his ball that was thrown in the air.

Xue lost her balance, she jumped and did a triple spin to land safely on the bridge while she caught the ball on her right hand.

„Here you go," her mouth twisted in a sinister smile, as she handed the ball to the boy that intended to literally throw her off the bridge just because of a damned ball. The boy got the ball and ran away while crying.

„Why so harsh?" Zheng chuckled.

„Because he pushed me," Xue pressed her lips together.

„Come down, you can fall from the bridge," he said and reached his hand out to her.

She ignored him and jumped down on her own with just one leg, to test her body for which  she had practiced a long time. But as soon as she landed a cramp got her, and she lost the balance once again, this time Bai Zheng caught her by the waist.

„Don't be stubborn Master," he scowled at her childish actions.

They finally arrived back home with Li Xue on his side, stomping her feet and huffing. When they came inside a servant came up to them greeted, and then she informed Xue: „ Your parents are waiting for your arrival Miss," she bowed.

„And, where are they?" Li Xue crossed her arms. If someone says they are waiting, I expect them to wait me at the door, she claimed.

„They are in your Fathers room," she replied.

Li Xue stared at the servant for some time, and walked to his part of the manor. She was once again greeted by the buffalo guards, they opened the door and she went inside the room.

„My daughter, you are finally here!" her father welcomed her in, with his affectionate tone.

A/N

Hello everyone! Thank you for reading my book, my chapters seem to get longer and longer each time. I hope you don't mind that~~

This was a really hard chapter for me to write, I wrote it for 6 hours in a paper and it took me more than that to write it on Wattpad. -.-"

What did you think of todays chapter?

Which scene was your favorite?

Comment down below, your thoughts and opinions!