Chapter 27: Treatment for a Companion

Zen opened his eyes, seeing Jiahai’s concerned face above him.

“Jiahai?” Zen said before he shot up to a sitting position. “Shibi, where is he?”

“Shibi is resting outside.” Jiahai said. “They don’t really treat beasts here so he stayed with me over the night. Apparently, some of the students found you stumbling your way to the academy before you lost consciousness.”

“What are you doing here? I thought you went home for the holidays.”

Jiahai smiled sadly before shaking his head no.

“Were you waiting for me to wake up this whole time?”

“I wish I could say I did but I just arrived now. I tell you, it’s like Shibi knew I ws coming to see you because he wanted to come with me.”

“Then I need to make sure he’s okay,” Zen said, swinging off the bed. He wore yesterday’s clothes and made to leave, ignoring the medical practitioners and Wood element cultivators who told him otherwise.

“People are saying crazy things about you,” Jiahai said. “They say you got angry at failing to beat… you know who and became suicidal and challenged a fire element cultivator to a fight to the death so as to kill yourself.”

“What a load of crap!” Zen said.

“So the burn marks were not from fighting a fire element cultivator?”

“It was but it wasn;t suicidal.”

“If you’re fighting someone that strong, it may have very well been.”

Zen walked out to see Shibi sleeping on the doorstep. He leaned down to him, scooping the Fiery Ape in his arms. Shibi woke up with a start, his arms waving around. It hurt Zen seeing the ape in such pain.

“Shhh, it’s me, Shibi.” Zen held the monkey close to his chest which seemed to calm him down. Zen clenched his teeth, “How can they call themselves doctors when they refuse to treat Shibi just because he’s a beast?” He looked at Jiahai. “Would you be willing to accompany me to the city to see a beast specialist.

Jiahai nodded, following Zen behind as he stomped off.

-

Jiahai looked at Zen, with the Fiery Ape resting in his arms. Zen had a determination in his eyes, a determination he had never seen before.

“You really like that beast, don’t you?”

“Like?” Zen looked down at Shibi. “I love him. Shibi is not a beast to me, his not a pet. He is my partner, my companion because he fixed a hole in my heart that was created when my brother died. I just hope I have enough money to help him.”

“Are beasts specialists expensive?”

“Yes. Shibi was once hurt by a traveller who thought he was a wild beast who was free game. Luckily, with the help of a family guard Yin Bhiki, we were able to save him but Shibi was badly hurt. The traveller was forced to cover his medical expenses and I must admit they were high.”

“But why would beast specialists cost much,” Jiahai said. “I mean many cultivators own them, whether it’s Bounding Stags for pulling carts or Hunting Hounds for hunting. It makes no sense that the prices would be high.”

“Well, apparently, most cultivators treat their animals like disposable things. If a beast dies, they tame another or if they have enough money, buy another.”

They arrived at their destination. Shibi was handed over to the doctor who looked at the Ape’s injuries.

“The main injuries of the Fiery Ape are the broken collar bone and ribs.” The specialist said.

“How much will it cost?” Zen said, looking at Shibi lying on the bed.

“12 gold coins.”

Zen bit his bottom lip as he fished out the gold coins he had been saving for a high quality Qi Well Pill. “I only have 11.”

“Then we can’t treat your beast.”

“I’ll give you the rest,” Jiahai said, producing a gold coin.

Zen nodded his thanks as they handed the money over.

Zen and Jiahai waited on a bench while they treated Shibi. Zen peeked under the bandage at his forearm, looking at the healing burn mark that had been treated by the Cooling Ointment, which healed burned tissue quicker than normal. He kept thinking about Jun Nee. He felt as if he had failed her and did not want to repeat his mistake again.

“Jun Nee, I vow to help you!” Zen thrust his fist out before him.

“What?”

Zen smiled, “Nothing, I’m just dedicating myself to helping a friend.”

Shibi came out of the room, as energetic as ever. He climbed on Zen and spun around him happily. Zen rubbed the monkey’s neck.

“I suggest you try and get the ape to take it easy,” the doctor said.

Zen nodded, happy to have his companion back.