told me you didn’t know your way around Diyu.”
“Why would I?” ShiShi retorted with a snarl. “I served the Li family faithfully for three centuries, leading its sons to victory and bringing great honor to the family. Every one of my charges was a hero, so they never spent long in the Underworld. Ten generals, two admirals, and three military advisers to the Emperor. My track record was unblemished until General Li was dishonorably ambushed by those Huns—”
“General Li was a hero,” Mulan interrupted. “His dying in battle does nothing to change that.”
Some of ShiShi’s anger—and bravado—faded.
“I know that,” he said staunchly and marched forward without another word, smashing through branches in his way.
“Shang is a hero, too,” she said quietly.
The lion’s face drew tight, creases wrinkling his nose. His whiskers stiffened. “Li Shang…Li Shang will perish before I even have a chance to begin aiding him.”
“Shang isn’t dead.”
“Not yet, but his father is.”
The bitterness in ShiShi’s tone made Mulan soften. “You must miss him.”
The lion growled. “What would you know about the bond between man and guardian? You’ve barely experienced one battle. General Li and I fought hundreds together.”
“Before becoming a soldier, I was clumsy and impulsive. I didn’t know the first thing about fighting. My guardian helped me.”
“Li Shang’s training helped you.” ShiShi scoffed. “Who is your guardian, anyway?”
“His name is Mushu.”
“I’ve never heard of him. I would have thought your ancestors would have sent the Great Stone Dragon of the Fa family to protect you.”
Mulan shrugged. “Mushu’s…portable.” She smiled to herself. “When I first met him, I thought he was a house lizard.”
“A house lizard?” ShiShi looked repulsed. “Strange that your ancestors would send such a pitiful guardian to protect you in battle.”
“Mushu isn’t pitiful. He’s—”
“A guardian is a reflection of whom he protects. If your ancestors sent you a lizard, then they must not think highly of you.” ShiShi sniffed. “Perhaps it’d be better if I alone sought Shang and brought him home.”
Mulan wouldn’t let the lion’s skepticism upset her. She replied calmly, “You need my help, ShiShi.”
ShiShi bared his teeth at her. “I need no one’s help. You are not a part of the Li family. I still do not understand why General Li would trust you, a mere recruit, to bring his son home. Look at you—you’re entirely unprepared for the dangers of Diyu. You didn’t even bring your sword!”
“I…I dropped it when you dragged me down here.”
“How committed are you to rescuing Li Shang, little soldier?” ShiShi demanded. “Are you only here out of guilt because he saved you? Or is it the honor you’d bring to your family if you saved him?”
“A little of both,” Mulan confessed. She couldn’t lie to Shang’s guardian—she did feel guilty. And she did want to make her family proud of her. But ShiShi didn’t know why that was so important to her—he didn’t know how much she wanted to prove she could bring honor to her family, even if it wasn’t by impressing the Matchmaker or marrying well. ShiShi didn’t even know she was a girl. If he did, he’d probably never have accompanied her to Diyu.
“And even if Captain Li hadn’t saved me from Shan-Yu, I still would have come here,” she said stoutly. “Shang is my friend, and China needs him. If it’s what it takes, I will stay here in Diyu in his place.”
ShiShi studied her, his anger fading. “Let’s hope you aren’t all talk, Ping.” He let out a resigned sigh. “I remember your father, Fa Zhou. He fought with General Li many years ago. They were friends. Not good friends, but they respected each other. You remind me of him. But you’re far more stubborn. And shorter.”
ShiShi meant the words as a gibe, but Mulan smiled, happy to be compared to her father.
“We’ll find Shang,” she said gently, “but not if we keep arguing over how to do it. We have to work together.”
The lion nodded once. “It was a foolish thing to do—bargaining with King Yama,” he said again. “But it was brave, and I respect that.” He paused. “My visits to Diyu have been brief, but I have centuries of experience. I may have my doubts about you, little soldier, but I’ll help you any way I can. That I promised General Li.”
It was a start. “Thank you.”
“Well, first we have to get out of this godforsaken forest.” ShiShi snapped another branch with his teeth. “I can barely see where I’m going.”
Mulan eyed the surrounding bamboo plants, then looked