The next few days established a new routine. Luna, now in human form, became an integral part of Tang San's daily life.
Each morning before dawn, Tang San would wake for his Purple Demon Eye cultivation. Luna always accompanied him to the hilltop, sitting beside him as he absorbed the purple qi from the eastern sky.
"You know," he said one morning, "I still can't quite believe you can talk now. And that you're... well, a girl."
Luna smiled. "Is it strange?"
"A little. But good strange." He paused. "Luna, why did you choose to stay with me? You could have left at any time. You still can."
"I don't want to leave," Luna said simply. "You're kind. You saved me when I was hurt. You didn't try to capture me or use me. You just... cared. That's rare."
Tang San's expression softened. "I'm glad you stayed."
Back at the cabin, Luna helped with cooking and chores. She had to relearn everything—her memories of being human were there, but her new body moved differently, and she had to account for the nine tails that seemed to have a mind of their own.
When Tang San worked at his forge, hammering away at the iron, Luna would watch with fascination.
"What are you making?" she asked one day.
"Eventually, hidden weapons," Tang San replied, pausing to wipe sweat from his brow. "But first, I'm refining this iron. Father said I need to hammer it ten thousand times."
"Can I try?"
Tang San looked doubtful. "The hammer is heavy..."
But Luna surprised him. Her spirit beast strength remained even in human form. She could lift the hammer, though wielding it with technique was harder.
Tang San taught her the basics—the three hearts method, using leg strength to power the strike. Luna was a quick learner, and soon they were taking turns at the forge.
The days passed peacefully. Luna made clothes for herself from spare fabric Tang San had, simple but functional. She learned to navigate the village, though they told people she was a distant relative who'd come to stay.
The villagers accepted this easily enough. A few gave Tang Hao strange looks—wasn't this the man whose wife had died in childbirth? Where had this girl come from? But no one questioned it directly.
Three days before the spirit awakening ceremony, Old Jack visited with news.
"Little San, you'll turn six soon. Time for the awakening ceremony."
Tang San nodded. Luna, sitting quietly to the side mending clothes, listened carefully.
Old Jack's eyes flickered to her. "And who is this young lady?"
"This is Luna," Tang San said. "She's... staying with us."
Old Jack looked between the girl and Tang Hao, clearly confused, but he let it drop. "Well, the ceremony is in three days. I'll come collect you then."
After Old Jack left, Tang San turned to Luna. "The awakening ceremony. That's when I'll learn what my spirit is."
Luna knew, of course. She knew about his Blue Silver Grass and Clear Sky Hammer. But she couldn't tell him that.
"I'll be here waiting when you get back," she promised.
The day of the awakening arrived. Luna watched from the cabin as Old Jack collected Tang San. She wanted to go with him, but that would raise too many questions.
Instead, she waited. And planned.
When Tang San returned, his expression was troubled.
"Blue Silver Grass," he said. "My spirit is Blue Silver Grass. The Spirit Master who tested me said it's useless."
Luna took his hand. "Nothing is useless if you know how to use it. Didn't you tell me that about materials for hidden weapons?"
Tang San smiled slightly. "You're right. But Luna... there's something else. Something I haven't told anyone."
He looked around to make sure they were alone, then raised his left hand. Black light appeared, and suddenly he was holding a small hammer.
"I have two spirits," he whispered. "Twin spirits. This is the other one."
Luna gasped appropriately, though she'd known this was coming. "Twin spirits? Is that rare?"
"Extremely. And dangerous. Father made me promise never to use this one, never to let anyone know." He dismissed the hammer. "But I wanted you to know. You're... important to me. I don't want secrets between us."
Luna's heart swelled. "Thank you for trusting me."
"Of course I trust you," Tang San said. "You've been with me from the start. You transformed for me, stayed with me. If I can't trust you, who can I trust?"
Shortly after the awakening, Tang Hao made a surprising announcement.
"Little San. You'll go to Notting City. To the Spirit Master academy."
Tang San's shock was evident. "But you said—"
"I've changed my mind. Old Jack arranged it. You'll be a working student." Tang Hao's expression was complicated. "And... the girl can go with you."
He looked at Luna. "You're a spirit beast, aren't you? Hundred thousand years?"
Luna froze. How did he know?
"I'm not blind," Tang Hao said gruffly. "Those ears, those tails—you're in human form, but you're still a spirit beast. Just... take care of my son. That's all I ask."
Luna nodded solemnly. "I will. I promise."