With that being said, Houli takes it a bit differently as she feels that it is more a threat, but thinking about his character, she knows it is not something he would do. However she still asks with an upset and surprised expression.

"Are you threatening us? I must admit, I never thought the day would come.

" She scoffs a bit at the end.

"Take it how you want, but to be honest that is not my intention. I have only ever desired the happiness of those around me, but if you would like to leave I will not force you to stay. For if you love something let it go, if it loves you it will come back to you. That is my belief on the matter, so please chose whatever you feel is right.

" Yueliang explains his reasoning.

Standing in the well lit cave on one side near the entrance, he feels quite sad but it is only visible through his eyes, where as he smiles to not show the pain that he is feeling at the thought of losing more of his friends.

Just as Houli is about to answer, they both hear a sound of gravel moving a little bit, thus turning their heads to face the entrance. Seeing the shadow of Shen Hu, and the cubs coming into the cave with the two warm corpses of the young deer, and older buck. Although the closer he gets, the more perceptible the angered face and menacing aura become of the tiger.

As the five arrive in the room, Shen Hu motions with his head, and the cubs quickly make their way to the far side of the room where they quickly fall asleep as they are worn out. Then seeing them asleep, he tosses the corpses to the side of the room not far from the cubs but up against the cave wall.

Then using soul communication so as to not wake the cubs, Shen Hu says to Houli.

"I could hear you from outside. What would the cubs think if they understood what you were trying to do? Either way, we made a promise, and a contract, and even if we had not do you really want to leave our young master? He is basically family, yet you treat him as if he were a stranger. Tell me my love, if I leave for a week or two would you ostracize me as well? If so it is a wonder that I did not see it until now.

"

Looking back at him with a pitiful look, and her head down a little indicating submission, Huoli exclaims to Shen Hu.

"You are different, but he was not even here to meet the young ones. Even if he was, our young master comes and goes as he pleases causing us to worry. Not to mention the stress it caused you while he was gone, and even then why should we leech off of him and his family? Have you lost your pride and dignity as a divine tiger?

"

Without saying a word, his gaze intensifies quite a lot causing her to worry, as she can clearly see how angered he is. Taking a step forward, and infusing his chi in it, he causes the ground to tremble beneath Houli to indicate his seriousness.

Once she is down on the floor with her belly against the ground, as well as her head to show her full submission he exclaims still using his soul communication.

"How dare you! You not just question my choices as the head of this family, but you even dare to kick away our benefactor without good reason. We would not be where we are today if not for him, but instead trying to survive the winter, and we might not even be alive right now. Yet you dare think you have the right? If you want to question my leadership, shall we put it to the test right now? Get up and fight me if you want to lead so bad!

"

...

Seeing tears start to fall from her eyes, he retains his seriousness, and continues.

"I said get up and fight me, and stop crying.

"

....

"You want to lead, yet you know you are not strong enough. So instead follow me as you always have. I love you, and never wanted such things to happen. But I will not stand for the questioning of the person who has given us a whole new life. We have names, one of our children as well. Our bloodline purified, we have friends who love and protect us. We have a home where we need not always be on guard. So please just tell me what is so wrong here?

" Shen Hu says in a soothing voice, as he walks towards her to comfort her.

Standing beside her, about to lay down beside his love, she answers.

"I just do not like how he left us, nor how it made you feel when he was gone. Seeing you sad hurt me more than any blade that could pierce my hide. Please forgive me my love, I will never challenge you, and you are right.

"

Laying beside her, he licks her face to show he does not hold it against her, that she is forgiven, and that he loves her.

Meanwhile hearing the whole thing, unbeknownst to the others, but staying silent so as to not intrude in their family matters, Yueliang asks with soul communication.

"Should I go? Or what is going on?

"

Realizing that their young master is there, as they have forgotten during their talk, the turn their heads from facing and licking each other to looking at him. Then Shen Hu says.

"It was just a small matter, there is no need to go. It has been so long, and it would be nice if we could catch up. Tell me of your travels over this last week or so. Surely you must have learned or gained a lot. By the way, please forgive my earlier impudence, we meant no disrespect my friend and young master.

"

"Think nothing of it, the matter has been forgotten. But my story may not be all that exciting. So do you still want to hear it?

" Yueliang replies, while thinking. 'I am glad everything worked out, and I guess it makes sense why he said what he said. As they are under him, their mistakes appear as if they are his, and would look bad on him the leader among them.'

Excitedly, he nods, as he looks forward to hearing of the fantastical adventures of his young master, who always seems to end up in the most amazing of circumstances.

Seeing this, Yueliang walks closer to them, and takes a seat before his friends and says.

"Well as you know I had to go out for training, so let us start there. Grandpa brought me to a world of dragons, which was amazing, although sadly I did not get to see any except for their mix breed descendants that look nothing like them. Then bringing me into the immortal caves in that world, he asked me to pick, and without knowing I picked the hardest, but little did I know at the time I was fated for said place.

" Yueliang keeps telling his story with a smile, as he is excited as well to share his experiences with his friends.

"Going in, I had to escape death various times, and even challenge it. The pressure alone in the tunnels was so strong I could barely crawl let alone stand. Eventually I learned to separate matter from chi and see a future version of myself. But moving forward, I returned home because of grandpa worrying about sis. Although all turned out alright, and little happened except meeting my sisters pets, which by the way I think you would like, and then I had a vision telling me I must go back...

"

"... So without further delay, I went back and while nearly dying a number of times, my future self taught me the void steps through which without cultivation walking on air and so much more is possible. For instance even folding space is as simple as a thought now, although time is still out of reach for me. Anyways, shortly after by following the cave, I met a robot of my mothers, who told me she is still alive and was kidnapped but is fine for now...

"

"... Coming back after that, there was an invasion of the palace, where I met a kunoichi and made a deal, as well as a lot of other things happening, but after telling gramps about the situation with mom, he has released killing intent enough to kill, thus you should not go out. For the most part, that has you all up to date. Also I went on an official date with Orslaine for the first time.

"

Hearing all of this, except it was in more detail as it was told, Shen Hu felt his eyes shining, while being happy to hear about his friends adventures, and thinking about what it would have been like to be beside him.

Either way he says.

"It is great that you two are finally together officially, everyone has been waiting. Next time you go on an adventure, please take me with you. it has been too long since I have stretched my legs and chi.. Regardless, as much as I would like to continue this talk, if you have not already warned the others you should get to it as some come to visit us and the cubs fairly often.

"