The argument between the Kheshig Khan and a few border officers wasn't too amicable. Temujin wanted his people to live within the agrarian zone's wilderness, whereas the law enforcers insisted that they join the other refugees towards the inner walls.
While there are plenty of uninhabited lands and overgrown wilderness within the agricultural zone, the security officers still cannot allow such a peculiar group of nomads into their city unchecked. It would be a huge breach to security if they allow a tribe of armed people in without administrative approval.
But as for the Kyoshi warriors, the University recommendation letter grants them immediate clearance. After passing the security check, they are allowed free access everywhere in the city. Almost everywhere.
"I can't thank you and your people enough," Mayumi bowed low to Temujin and the other Kheshig. Satchiko followed suit, bowing even lower. This act of gratitude is the least they can do. Without these nomads, this entire journey may not have been possible.
"I guess this is where we part ways then," Satchiko said with a sad tone. She has met so many people. There is the young and energetic Batu, his welcoming family members, captain Ganbaatar, Jargal the hunter, Amgalan, Batzorig, Subutai the physician and many more nomads.
"Hey it's ok," Batu assured, hoping to cheer Satchiko up. "Who knows, maybe we might be around this city for quite a bit. If we are allowed to live here, maybe we can even go and visit you! Who knows, I might be able to visit that zoo and hunt some wild animals there. I can also buy all the snacks the city sell!"
Perhaps Batu's lack of education contributed to his false information. The animals in the zoo are not meant to be hunted.
"Exactly!" Jargal laughed brightly, also adding to Batu's efforts. "I haven't even eaten the roast ducks in Ba Sing Se yet! Unlike the other towns, we haven't even scrap the surface of what this city has to offer." He then leaned close to Batu's ears and whispered. "There is saying that the girls in Ba Sing Se are the most prettiest in the world!" His face is suddenly smitten by the notion of meeting someone special in the city. Satchiko thought to herself, if any woman have even the slightest thought of being in love with this Kheshig hunter, then she would have to endure his terrible cooking skills.
"Yeah!" Both Batu and Jargal high fives each other, both seemed to have plans to what they want to do here. If only she had the same enthusiasm as these two, Satchiko thought. University life might be a challenge, but since it's just earth bending, it can't be that difficult to learn.
As for Jargal's ludicrous claim that the city has the prettiest girls in the world, she would also argue that her own sister is the only one that deserve such prestigious title. While currently she is unsure if the Kheshig tribe are staying in the city, she hope she can still see them all again.
"Do not always think about trivial matters!" Subutai lectured the young nomads and dampened their youthful energy. "If any of you youngsters are thinking about entering the city and interact with those sedentary folks, you should think more about how your actions can benefit the tribe!"
"Indeed," Sarangerel walked up to them, accompanied by a sick baby bison with very curly hair. "Even if we are not planning to stay here long term, we still need to find a new buyer for our sky bison wools. The last merchant is no longer dependable, so we must jump on a new boat."
Both Batu and Jargal corrected their behavior, they should placed a higher priority on their own community first.
"I think we have delayed them enough," Temujin said thoughtfully, standing on his bison. The journey have definitely taken a toll of him. It must have been years since he had encounter so many dangers on the journey. "Whatever those two are doing next, we will take a backseat from now."
Ganbaatar then handed two bowls of fermented milk to the Kyoshi warriors. And everyone else except for Batu and the other children, all have a bowl of drink in their hands. They are going to be wish the Kyoshi warriors a farewell for now.
Temujin lift up his own bowl, to gave a final toast to their allies. It's also a way for them to wish Satchiko and Mayumi the best once they leave the for the outer ring.
"This toast, I would like to dedicate it to our allies, the Kyoshi warriors." He said, having a softened facial expression after arguing with the border officials.
All the members of Kheshig listened, some curious farmers even stopped their labor and watch it from a distance.
"They fought alongside us, and unlike those pathetic blue arrows, they are honorable warriors. May the wind guide them to whatever goal they wish to succeed in, and vanquish whoever that dare to stand in their path. To victory!" After Temujin finished the line, everyone begin to pour beverages into their mouths. Mayumi easily finished it in one full slurp. As for Satchiko, her tongue burned like thorns stabbing her mouth. The feeling of of a sharp sting made her almost vomit the content out, but endured it out of respect for others around him.
There actually wasn't that much potency in her own bowl, still, it's hard to get use to it when she consuming drinks for other cultures.
The tribesmen waved their hands warmly, cheering as Mayumi and Satchiko as they headed on the path towards the inner walls. The musicians even played a tone as their friends finally depart.
The two of them need to follow the refugees, who are probably boarding the trains right now.
"Hey Satchiko!" Batu called out. "Sorry about the turtle ducks, I promise I won't harm them in future!"
She met this with mixed reaction, but showed none of it to him. This innocent looking boy, is both impressionable and deadly. Both friendly and vengeful. She never saw him the same way after he killed a that cultist right in front of her, but she knew she can trust him when the situation demands it. Now, she still cannot help but be confronted with the ignorant smiles of his family.
And then a thought came to her, if one day Batu becomes someone who commits unspeakable crimes, would she have the will to fight him? Hopefully she never have to be in such position to entertain that.
"Hey look," Mayumi stopped in walking. "Isn't that Liu? What is he doing?" She noticed how the Jian Sin soldier made a left turn at the intersection. Road signs indicated that there is a military facility near another section of the wall.
He is definitely planning to meet the Judge of Honghai, Satchiko told herself. "Hey Liu!"
Liu turned around, surprised to see them both. He greeted them in the traditional Earth Kingdom way, and asked them what business they want to have with him. He explained his own goal.
"I have finally made it to the city, now it's time for my next step!" Liu stated with determination. "After learning combat skills from General Old Iron, I will bring destruction upon the state that have instilled suffering on my family!"
Once again, the question of his non-bending hinderance crawled into Satchiko's mind. During the battle today, she just witnessed an unprecedented mastery of earth bending by the Judge of Honghai. He is a fine example of an Earth Kingdom general AND a champion that is reminiscent to the heroes from story books.
...
They finally arrived at a military camp somewhere along the outer walls. There are countless tents and facilities assembled to house both weapons and earth bending powered tanks. Many houses are also built high up against the walls, protruding from the bastion. Disciplined sounds of soldiers training and vehicles grumbling increased in volume with every step closer. On their way there, they even occasionally spot flying airships made by Cabbage Corp, an inferior company and the rival of Future Industries. It is strange for the Kyoshi warriors to witness so many technologies that have been absent from their island. In fact, people on Kyoshi island still used fire lamps to light up their homes. Perhaps their rather primitive existence is the reason why they can only attract a small niche of tourist. Those who are there to learn about the Kyoshi warriors and their culture, or on the worst side, people with deluded intentions towards the women in armor.
Satchiko noticed the countless non-bending soldiers who are training in rigorous formations and fighting maneuvers. Instructors would demand the soldiers to quickly enter certain formations, making them act as one large blob of spears and shields while ensuring the whole army functions effectively. Their fighting style and doctrine differed greatly to her own combat lesson she have been invested in. As the armies here valued a higher emphasis on the overall results rather than the individual troops. By just looking at these people, she is confident that she can defeat one of them in a duel. But facing a whole squad of them? She would definitely have a hard time to find weak spots on their phalanx formations.
"Halt!" A bare footed soldier levitated the room sized rock and floating it above them, threatening the trio. "Who goes there!" Him and five other soldiers in green armor are guarding multiple elevators attached to the wall. It is also placed next to the wall's stairs, which would have been hellish to climb.
Liu quickly used hand gestures to defuse the situation. The guards here are mean, reflected by their hostile attitude to newcomers like them. These are the same people who brutally slaughtered a bandit army right before their eyes.
"You want to see our general, ha!" The soldier laughed, unimpressed with the request. "What makes you think he would want to meet a worm like you? Scram troublemakers, or we will send you to them."
The other guards narrowed their faces.
"Who are them?" Satchiko asked. Who could he be referring to?
"Silence!" the guard bluntly snapped at her. "If you are spies or assassins, we will deal with you accordingly. State your intentions or be crushed!"
Mayumi and Satchiko knew they might have made a mistake to accompany Liu. The giant boulder above them could come down immediately, maybe it's better if they let Liu handle this alone...
"I have come to be his student!" Liu kneeled to the ground, pleading with the men clad in iron armor. His humility have definitely taken the guards by surprise. "Please, my parents have died in the Twenty Year War, and I wish to avenge them. If I learn from the greatest general in all of Ba...no, all of the Earth Kingdom, then I will surely achieve this goal!"
The guards looked at one another, unsure what to make of this Jian Sin man. They scanned Liu's appearance. Since Ba Sing Se are technically neutral throughout the other state's civil wars, natural the city have no hostile relationship with the state of Jian Sin and Siaw Jong. Which is why they don't need to view Liu as an enemy, but simply a nuisance. Even so, the soldiers can't let him immediately onto the walls.
"Another one," groaned the Earth-bender guard, he causally threw the boulder to the side and walked to a nearby table. "The general lives within the walls, and so do the rest of us. But he lives in that turret right up there." Pointing at it directly, Satchiko saw where it is. It's just a simple turret with the flag of Ba Sing Se. To her, it is strange to see an entire army and its general living inside a wall. To be completely honest, she would have much preferred to dwell in the humble wooden lodges back home than some grand defensive bastion.
The radio produced some crunching noise after the guard sent in some input. Clearance has been granted. It's strange how these grown men are communicating through a tiny box rather than sending a messenger bird. But who is she to judge? She has seen much more unexplainable technology in this world. It is quite fast.
"You three are luckily that our general has free time to accept unexpected appointments!" The guard muttered. "And you!" He addressed Liu, intimidating the Jian Sin man. "Anticipate nothing, expect the worst! Be grateful that our general is setting aside his paperworks so that a nobody like you can have an audience with him!"
The Earth bender then raised a small platform near the wall's base. He stepped on it, and instructed the visitors to climb on too. She isn't sure what his intentions are, but asking now would be inappropriate and unwise.
"It's faster this way, I will take you three ruffians with my bending."
The idea itself is completely illogical. How could Earth bending be used to help them up the walls? She then tapped Mayumi's shoulders, wondering if it's better if they just leave Liu and allow him to privately talk with this Judge of Honghai. Part of her is a bit intimidated by this mysterious entity. But another part is also rather curious to see the prominent general up close.
"I do want to thank him first, he did helped us after all. Father always told us that it's good to be grateful for the assistance from others. Which is why it's respectful to thank him in person." Mayumi replied. The well mannered and cultured older sister archetype always overrules her status as the younger sibling.
Once they all stepped onto the platform, the Earth bender stomped the platform and moved his arms in repeated circular motions, lifting the platform upwards. It was quick, and the Kyoshi warriors felt they could almost fell off. It's a strange experience to witness Earth bending being used as a form of transport.
They can see the endless green fields of wheat and the rice paddies as the platform raised them even higher. How much food must be produced to feed the vast population behind the walls? Definitely much more than what the fishermen back home can catch in ten years.
Having saved them from Niujiu, the Judge of Honghai deserves at least some gratitude. Since Mayumi is the one that deeply values respect, her own conscience forbade them to leave without saying 'thank you'. This can't be helped then, it's a two against one. Satchiko's own fear might have been unfounded, after all, there is no danger in this place right?
When the platform finally reached the top, they all walked forward. Grateful that they didn't fall of the edge. While it would have been safer to just take the elevator, where's the fun in that?
But there is a pale faced man standing in their way. Cladded in black lamellar armor with wing ornaments on the side of his helmet. The cleanly shaved man blocked them from seeing what is behind him. There is also a dog, a war hound, sitting besides this person.
With a stern expression painted across the man's face, Satchiko grimaced as she felt an unsettling aura from this person, her hand went straight to her war fan. To raise her suspicion, this warrior also has a tattoo on his forehead, a third eye.
"A Combistion bender?" Liu said with astonishment. "Since when did Ba Sing Se have Fire Benders in its armies?" He didn't have enough time as he felt someone nearby bolted pass him. The steps were loud, but they were also quick as the person charged with full force.
"Satchiko no!" Mayumi cried in dismay. She couldn't stop her sister. Satchiko lunged at the man, attempting to deliver a flying kick to the stomach. The Earth bender guard's face also perplexed as the teen initiated an unprovoked attack.
"I knew you are an assassin!" He yelled, but somehow didn't intervene.
The lieutenant moved out of the way. And simply stared at Satchiko with narrowed eyes. He wielded his spear to defend himself from this unprovoked attack. The war hound also responded by barking repeatedly at the unruly teenager.
Ignoring Mayumi's plea, Satchiko continued the assault by swinging her lone war fan into a spray of attacks. Stabbing, slicing and punching with her spare fist, hoping to eliminate the fire bender.
The man used his spear and fought Satchiko head on, blocking and parrying every blow. From this encounter, she knew this is not an average soldier in the army. His is skillful with his weapon, and without bending, he can still defeat her. Which is why she must be more vigilant.
"A Fire bender inside an Earth Kingdom army, you must be a spy for the bandits!" Satchiko accused the lieutenant as she continued to use her war fans. All reasons was thrown out of the door the moment Liu said the word. While she isn't sure if this man is truly is a Fire bender, her own guts told her to taking him down first is top priority.
"Jang! Why are you fighting a child!" A sound of a woman sharply punctured the air. She stepped off an elevator. And both Mayumi and Liu turned around to see her carrying a small basket with food.
The lieutenant immediately halted as if he just received a military command, and so did Satchiko. Even the war hound became docile on the presence of this figure.
She was surprised to see a women in blue tunic scurrying right up to Jang, positioning herself in front of him. And Satchiko soon noticed the atmosphere have reduced in tension.
"What's gone into you!" The woman demanded, horrified by what is happening. "I thought you told me you would only point your weapons at pirates and thugs! You are bringing disgrace on yourself to attack a youngster!"
Satchiko wanted to ask this woman who this fire bender is, but was refrained as Mayumi told to her observe the scene. The woman talking with Jang have a rather foreign outfit. She has brown skin and blue clothing. If that isn't enough, the betrothal necklace is an obvious indication that she is from the Northern Water Tribe. But what further confounded the Kyoshi warriors is that this woman who came out of nowhere, has no fingers on her hands. What has she been through in past? They dare not to dig further.
"Sedna, I am simply performing my duty, if I am dishonoring anyone, it would be to the one that is curating this section of the wall." Jang replied, but also with an equally antagonist attitude. Both of them stared at one another, and Jang looked displeased to see this person here. "You shouldn't even be here."
Both them glared at one another, neither refusing to back down or compromise. If Sedna have any fingers still attached to her palm, then she would have likely slapped Jang across the face. Both of them stopped their little staring contest when a guard in full face covering came over and whispered something into Jang's ear. The lieutenant immediately look behind him.
There was a large rectangular table, placed at the edge of the wall. It has a few objects on it. Some paint brush and a blank piece of parchment. There is also Niujiu's hammer, resting beside a tiny decorative pagoda tower. Right there in front of Satchiko's view stood the man himself, the Judge of Honghai. His back is facing all of them as he himself looked at the endless deserts beyond while dangling a paint brush in his left metal hands. His silence is all it took for lieutenant Jang to regain his composure.
"Forgive me general, I will escort all of them off this wall so that you may continue your work in peace."
The general didn't approve nor reprimand Jang's action. The guard then came over to Jang again, and delivered more than what he had expected. The lieutenant looked confused, but obeyed nonetheless.
"Yes, general," the lieutenant said to the Judge of Honghai. Jang turned around and faced Sedna. "We will need to talk, but not here."
Sedna nodded, and rubbed her own stomach caringly. Before going, she bowed to the army general until she and the lieutenant walked side by side to the elevator. The war hound, previously showing its sharp fangs, retracted them. It now looked very friendly, and followed Sedna into the elevator.
Mayumi suddenly noticed that Sedna's stomach looked a bit large for a normal woman. But that is not the issue now, because the Judge of Honghai is here. If Satchiko acted anymore disrespectful, than not even the Judge would have patience to deal with her. They haven't done anything which has warrant the Judge's welcome. Unlike with Temujin and the Kheshigs, they are not invited here, and they are definitely not some honored guest. In this military establishment, they are simply strangers who came knocking on his door.
Satchiko slowly approached the general from behind, observing him as the Judge danced his paint brush on a large sheets of paper. He slowly drew multiple sand dunes, replicating the dry and heating sand of environment outside. It was near perfection, and it allowed the artist to fully compose the landscape onto a blank piece of paper.
"You had a man that bends fire in your army," Satchiko said in an accusatory tone, crossing certain boundaries. She doesn't care what other people say, Fire Benders to her are a scourge to this world, the embodiment of destruction. Asides from that worker on that Fire Nation steam boat, every other Fire Bender she has met is an enemy who knows only savagery. "You, the Judge of Honghai, allowed a fire spitting bandit into your own army. How could you!" She repeated it again, filled with disgust and anger, she wanted this mysterious man to answer this question.
The general took his time as he focused on a portion of his painting. His hand calmly run its course as the ink marked its place on the paper.
"Who are you?"
The voice was not what she has anticipated. She expected a voice of man around the age of forty, wise and cautious. Yet, his first words sounded nothing like a normal human. It felt muffled, and harrowing. His vocal cord is devoid of any life and emotions. The atmosphere became more imposing.
It sent a little shivers down her bones, as if this entity before her is actually a machine assembled by tiny little parts of moving gear grinding against one another.
As for his question, she doesn't exactly know how she should answer it. She took a step back, and allowed Liu to take her place. The Judge of Honghai can obviously sense this shift from her anxious body, so he didn't demand her to answer the question right now.
Liu bowed to the Judge, who is still facing them with his back.
"General Old Iron," Liu addressed him with reverence. "My name is Liu, I am a simple man from Jian Sin. I have come all the way here to study under you!"
The Judge didn't bother with looking at Liu. The man in his full suit of armor is much more focused on his painting. "General Old Iron is the name of a giant spirit, guardian of Lady Tienhai. I see that people are bestowing even more ridiculous titles on me, for I am not a spirit after all."
She doesn't know too well about the spirits, all she knew are from folk stories told by Akahana and the other senior Kyoshi warriors. It is said these so called spirits or Kamuy as her people would call it, would took the form of translucent animals with strange properties. They are able perform extraordinary feats with unexplainable reasons. But what is important to her knowledge is that if humans do not bother the spirits, they will mostly be harmless.
The inhabitants of Kyoshi island are not completely strangers to such mythical phenomenons. Occasionally they would also have festivals and ceremonies dedicated to the spirits, blessing the fishermen so that they can receive good harvests and return safety. To her, it's all just weird traditions followed by the adults. Although there were some rumors floating around that suggests one of the Kyoshi warrior matrons can use mystical powers in combat. Since she haven't even been to the other villages besides her own, none of these rumors can be confirmed. And since there are only three main Kyoshi warrior matrons, her own mother definitely isn't using some weird magical spiritual powers.
"So tell me, Jian Sin soldier." The Judge asked. "Why should I accept you as my student?"
Liu gave it a good thought before answering quickly. "To avenge my family, so that I will one day go back to the battlefield and fight the Siaw Jong! But I can only do that if you would accept me as a student, to teach me the combat skills and turn me into a warrior!"
"No," the Judge brought the hammer down and shattered Liu's determination. "I refuse."
"What... what do you mean?" Liu desperately tried to persuade the Judge. "Is it because I am a non-bender? Our my goals are not justified? Why did you reject me as a potential student?"
The Judge soaked his brush with more ink, and decided to add a bit more detail to his painting.
"I do not teach students, and I promised myself that I will only pass my skills and knowledge to one successor only. You are expecting me to train you into a warrior who can defeat everything set against you, perhaps you should look at yourself first. You very think that you can fight a whole army of Siaw Jong troopers and expect to win? Just you alone? What are you trying to accomplish here?"
Liu didn't respond well with this harsh evaluation. It is true, what was he hoping to achieve anyway.
"Hey, it's ok." Mayumi came next to Liu and reassured him. "You tried your best."
The Judge of Honghai temporarily halted his brush, seemly offended by what she said. "Tried his best you say?" The Kyoshi warriors noticed his shifting attitude, it was a challenge to Mayumi. "What is the point of trying one's best, if the main problem isn't solved. You think all the challenges will automatically resolve itself if you cry hard enough!? Or worse, if you walked what you thought was the surest road, and all that lead to is suffering and pain for others. I have seen plenty fools with mindset of toddlers, yet they have been given the keys to change the millions of lives. Yet what did they do with all that power? Misuse it. Abuse it. Neglect it, and even Forsaken it. All they cared about are themselves, they failed to reconsider the perspective of those around them. And in the process of recreating the world after their own naive vision, they have realized just how many people wanted them died! I do not settle for a successor who only tried their best. For I will only accept those who wishes become their best!"
"What in the world is wrong with you? How could you say that to someone who have lost everything?! The reason why he is here is so that he can become stronger by becoming your student!" Satchiko interjected fiercely. Liu just wanted to avenge his parents, while she doubts about his chance of success, she cannot stand seeing others being treated unfairly. "Liu may be a non-bender, but why won't you gave him the skills and knowledge still avenge his family?"
"If your strength is small, don't carry heavy burdens. If your words are worthless, don't give advice" The Judge of Honghai harshly refuted her.
"Liu," The Judge then said with a much deeper tone.
"Uh...yes?" Liu answered nervously, unsure what the Judge of Honghai is planning.
"He is referring to me," the guard with face covering clarified. He is holding a Ji spear offensively, as if he about to challenge an opponent to a duel. Can't believe they are meetings by ANOTHER person named Liu.
The Judge of Honghai than addressed the first Liu as well as the Kyoshi warriors. This could be some sort of test they are not aware of, maybe it's all designed to test the Jian Sin man's skill in combat.
"Think about it. How many people in this world is called Liu? Thousands? Millions? I certainly do not know the exact number. But I do remember every single man who have bowed before my feet, begging me to take them as my personal student." The Judge of Honghai resumed his art, he is almost there to completion. "I also know every single soldier under my direct command, their stories, their faces. I even understand their future aspirations as well as their painful past. I know every single one of them like they are my sons, because each soldier is a person, a story that must be told." He then addressed the Kyoshi warriors" These women in armor will be witnesses to what you will do next, and that is battling one of my soldiers."
There was a ray of hope in Liu's eyes. "You mean you are willing to take me as a student if I defeat this guard here?"
"No," the Judge once again have crushed his hope. It's like chewing it in the mouth and spitting it into the dirt. It's even worst that Liu falsely interpreted this as a trial of combat so that he can be accepted.
"It is simply something I urge you to do, so that you may see a clearer picture of yourself." The Judge vaguely put it.
Satchiko looked at the guard with scale armors. The man looked just like an average soldier in the military camp below, yet he has higher quality equipment than Jian Sin gear Liu is wearing. Even the weapon feels more intimidating than Liu's normal looking spear. To her, the Ji looked like a hybrid of a spear and a dagger axe. It is a pole arm that is much more sophisticated than Liu's weapon.
"Very well," Liu accepted this weird proposal by pulling out his own weapon. His opponent, this other Liu, uses a similar weapon. So the odds of winning isn't too unfavorable against him.
The other Liu is smiling underneath the face covering. What could he be thinking? What are the thought processes of the soldiers under the command of the Judge of Honghai himself? Based on their battle maneuvers, it clear that these type of Earth Kingdom soldiers operate well in massive shield walls.
"Funny how this man you are facing is similar to you. Both of you lost your parents, and tried to convince me to teach you." The Judge's comments have taken them the trio by surprise, but have no time to ask more about what game he is playing. "Liu has joined my army for over a year now, let's see how much different both of you have."
This other Liu swung his Ji in all directions, showing off the one year of experience he had accumulated after joining this army.
"Get him Liu!" The Earth bender guard cheered, but definitely not to the Jian Sin one.
"Hey! Don't be so unfair!" Satchiko snapped at him. The Earth bender simply huffed and crossed his arms.
The Liu with the Ji swung his weapon is circular motions to show off his proficiency. As for the other Liu, he does not have the skill or luxury to do the same. The Earth Kingdom are not always known for producing the most well trained soldiers, as quantity is often prioritized over the quality of individuals. But there is certainly a gap between the two.
With one furious cry, Liu charged at the Ba Sing Se soldier. Both of them slammed their weapons together, forcing it into a test of brute force.
But the other Liu has no plans for this. He forced Liu on the defensive after retracting the Ji and thrusted it into the opponent's center. The difference is skill is becoming more stark.
"A weapon is an extension of your body," Mayumi begin to teach Satchiko on what Suki said to her. "You can use it to fight your opponent, and even reroute their strength against them. But weapons are also just metals at the end of the day."
"But, I thought we should treasure our weapons given to us." Satchiko responded with confusion. "We are taught by our seniors that we should treat our weapons as if they are our friend. Didn't aunt Ayuma said to you that you should treat your sword as if it was alive?"
There was a long running belief on the island that even inanimate objects are somehow alive. Weapons like war fans, katana, naginata and all weapons are all said to have Kamuy. While the idea of spirits living inside weapons are unbelievable to most people, Satchiko was taught to respect her own weapons nonetheless. It is therefore imperative that she treat her weapons with respect and care, which is why it was even more devastating when Choman rudely 'stole' her other war fan.
"Weapons, are indeed just metals clumped together." The Judge of Honghai said. "Even if that is the case, the more refined craftsmanship of a legendary sword can definitely showcase power and status. There are times when it's more about owning the weapon, and others will know who the owners is without speaking a single word." And with that, he finally finished the painting.
They all heard a loud painful grunt as Liu from Jian Sin fell to the ground. Completely disarmed, he was defeated by the other man.
The Judge of Honghai finally decided to turn around. The holes on his mask only showed the abyss of darkness, as no one can see his face.
The general walked forward, and looked down at Liu. "What did you saw, tell me."
The exhausted Liu tried to get up while his opponent still looked healthy. Muttering underneath his metal conical helmet, he said what the Judge was hoping for.
"I am too weak, and unworthy." Liu admitted.
Satchiko felt pain hearted as she saw him react like this. Yet she is in no position to just go up to the Judge of Honghai and force him to take Liu as a personal student.
"Correct," the general reinforced Liu's self evaluation. "If you can't even fight a non-bending foot soldier in my army, how could you ever hope to defeat the Siaw Jong? Even if you are a bender and can fight a whole army, who are you enacting vengeance against? Do you know who specifically killed your parents? If you don't, then do you want to destroy the whole state of Siaw Jong and fuel the cycle of violence? What are you after exactly?"
There was no response, as Liu simply cried in tears. This is man that just wanted to avenge his family, yet the very person he thought would help him do that became the obstacle.
"Do you even know about your enemy? Or what about yourself?" The Judge asked another difficult question, but cannot be answered by Liu. "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle!"
It was a mouthful, why can't he just speak in more simple tongue so that they can all understand? The Judge of Honghai then suddenly offered a hand to the man on the ground. Liu was hesitant, but accepted the help nonetheless.
"You may think that I am discouraging you from doing what is right." His words was a surprise to all of them, especially Satchiko. "There is nothing wrong in wanting to bring justice to the wrongdoers. But you also must be intelligent about it."
The Judge turned to his table and opened the stools. He grabbed a small lump of clay and molded into a small figure. The sculpture turned into what appears to be an Earth Empire soldier, with their signature metal armor and glass goggles.
"I will not teach you as a student, because I do not believe I am the right person for you to reach your fullest potential." He then handed the sculpture to Liu. "I am simply saying that there are many ways to achieve what you want."
He then guided Liu to the edge of the wall facing inward, so that both of them can look at the countless soldiers training rigorous below. "How many of them do you think have came to me personally, how many of them do you think I have rejected?"
Liu looked at the hundreds of training soldiers swinging their spears and stabbing their swords. They are probably all like him, all seeking to become stronger for a variety of reasons.
"You want me to join your army, aren't you?" Liu asked his idol.
The Judge of Honghai continued to look at his legions of warriors below. "I want you to reach your full potential, that is all."
Satchiko and Mayumi observed the silence between the two. The Judge of Honghai's intention is clear. He empowers Liu by encouraging him to achieve his zenith, but refused to accept him as a personal student. But giving him a place in the military can allow Liu to become stronger. Since Ba Sing Se is not at war with the other states, there are room for Liu to develop himself.
"I humbly accept your offer," Liu bowed to the Judge. And with that, the Earth bending guard and the other Liu escorted him to the camp below. Probably to initiate him into a unit of soldiers, and be added to the countless other men who have flocked to the Judge's banner.
The iron clad hero returned to his working bench and looked deeply into his new artwork. The paint is still not dry yet.
"I see that you two haven't left," he said in a nauseating tone. "If you don't have anything else to say, maybe you should consider spending your time on more productive activities."
At that moment, all she wanted to do was to lash out. But her more cool headed sister spoke up first.
"Forgive our intrusion, we are simply here to thank you for your help earlier." Mayumi said in a amicable tone. Clearly, the Judge of Honghai is an experience general for over a few decades. Even without seeing his face, Mayumi guess that he is a bit older than Hakaru.
"You are welcome," the Judge replied simply. He held up his painting and shine it to the sun, the paint dries quicker this way.
"What should we even call you?" Satchiko blurted without much consideration. "The Judge of Honghai sounds a bit mouthful, can't we just call you by your real name?"
"They call me many names, some are more prestigious than others." The Judge begin, and she knew it's going to be a long talk. "Perhaps the battle of Honghai is where it all started. Who would have thought protecting an Air Temple could also allow you to save a group of slaves taken from the other nations. But it did have made me a hero of the common folks. All I did was killed a pirate warlord and freed the captured slaves, and all of a sudden, they call me all sorts of names and titles."
"Like what?" Satchiko said, hoping the Judge can just finish it quicker. He if there is a shorter title for her to pronunce, she would gladly take it.
She heard a long and tied sigh from the Judge. The Earth bending General pulled out what appears to be a journal.
"Let's see." He scanned through the list, the nicknames he received from others are all due to his contribution at the grand battle of Honghai. "Earth Kingdom called me General Old Iron. The Northern Water Tribe refers to me as the Great serpent slayer. As for the Fire Nation, while unofficial, the commoners often call me the Dragon of the East."
"The Dragon of the East?!" Mayumi sounded a bit incredulous after hearing that, she almost broke her usually calm composure after listening to him. Such title isn't something being issued so easily. While the Judge of Honghai might have liberated the slaves from other nations, it is still far too unpretentious for such prominent title being used as a nickname. She always had a penchant for knowledge of the outside world, and the books told her that only those who have killed a dragon can be given such prestigious honor. "But you didn't slay a dragon, did you?"
The Judge of Honghai was quiet. "Not yet." What is that even supposed to mean? Satchiko then asked another question, hoping to roll with the conversation along.
"What about those people who can bend air? Those air-nomads, what did they call you?" Satchiko wanted to know more, she is curious as to what nickname was given by the very people the Judge saved.
Instead giving her a clear response, she was met with silence. The sound of the wind whispered in a hissing sound, as if some imaginary force is telling her that something isn't right here.
"Aren't you going to respond?" Satchiko is uncomfortable with the silence. "They did thanked you for defending their temple against the pirates right?"
The general nodded, but didn't have Satchiko any answer as to what is bothering him.
The general simply into the nearby wall turret, and returned with a large table and some chairs. The table is actually a massive Pai Sho board, and he also brought the tiles for each pieces.
"What is the meaning of this?" Satchiko asked. The Judge is suddenly acting all weird. He didn't answer her questions, and now he is setting up a Pai Sho game for them all. The mystery of this man exceeds Temujin himself, who is much more open about his past and personal life, even going as far as to reveal his identity as a former White Lotus guard. But the Judge of Honghai is much more unpredictable. His actions are with unclear intentions, and a philosophy too difficult for her meager brain to grasp around.
"Pai Sho is an ancient game played by the four bending nations. Invented by the sprits, it is also used to measure one's own wisdom." He placed the round circular table, and arranged the tiles in its place.
"I know, my father taught me to play this before I left the island." Satchiko's expression lightened up when she mentioned him. "He said that it is a game of both strategy and chance."
The Judge seemingly stared at her, she couldn't tell if he was angry or disappointed. His angry metal mask eliminates any attempt to know his personality, and his mechanical like voice only hides this emotions.
"Chance?" The Judge insulted Hakaru. "Your father is a foolish man to believe Pai Sho involves the foolish notion of chance. I do not believe in chances, for all the tiles are there in their own rightful places. How could your father folly himself when the rules dictates that only the player's decision can alter the game's result. Hard calculated decisions, are the only way to guarantee victory."
"You take it back!" Satchiko shouted, failing to contain her anger. "My dad is the best Pai Sho player in the world, he beat everyone including the Pai Sho grandmasters from Chin village!"
Mayumi tried to mediate between the two. It's like she is a mother trying to stop two children from fighting. Of course, there is no doubt that their father is a great Pai Sho player. In his youth, he bested all the other villagers. He even made their mother rage once after defeating her as well, which didn't end too well for the intellect. Before Satchiko's birth, she watched Hakaru played against the finest players in Chin village. And dismayed and shocked faces of the elders in identical clothing is still priceless.
"Is that so?" The Judge of Honghai challenged. "I haven't lost once in more than twenty years! There is only one other man who have beaten me, and your father is definitely not him!
He slammed the table. "Since you are the daughters of the greatest Pai Sho player in the world, let us see if he had taught you two well."
"Bring it on!" Satchiko assertively readied her resolve. She has nothing to fear. In her eyes, her own father is the greatest Pai Sho player. While she didn't inherit his intelligence, surely she have got some of his Pai Sho skills flowing in her veins. "Prepare to lose, I will make sure you taste your first defeat in twenty years!"
...
Things didn't go the way she had hoped for. Just when she thought she had the upper hand, the entire situation turned against her when the Judge turned her offense into a fight for survival. The Judge of Honghai effortlessly defeated her in both strategy and wits. She even tried using the White Lotus tile to secure a victory, but still failed. Therefore, she has brought dishonor upon her father.
"Don't worry sister, you are still beginning to learn the basics, so don't be too hard on yourself." Mayumi moved another piece to attack the opponent's defense, to which the Judge responded immediately. "I'm not very good at playing Pai Sho at the start too. But I practiced, just like how you train with the fans."
"Argh! How did I lose so quick?" Satchiko groaned in frustration. She cannot get over the fact she has been defeated in a simple wooden board game. She is just like Akahana when losing against Hakaru, frustrated and in rage. While she might not have her father's patience and amicable attitude, she definitely have inherited her mother's easy to anger personality. It's a miracle that Akahana is able to suppress such traits when her youngest daughter displeased her. Satchiko can only imagine what life would have been if Akahana openly express her anger and rage willingly.
"I see Pai Sho as an expression of free will, every move you made on the board is a decision. There are no in between. Nothing is left to chance." The Judge closely analyzed Mayumi's play style. She had demonstrated a much more competent skill and incorporated more strategy than Satchiko's aggressive approach. "And it appears that you intend to sacrifice a tile in a attempt to achieve victory."
Mayumi have purposely allowed one of her tiles to be encircled, so that an opening can be created. It was an adequate ploy, but was still countered by the Judge. While Mayumi while sacrificed her tile, she did achieved minor gains on the board.
The general used this opportunity to ask the Kyoshi warriors a question, a rather philosophical one.
"There are no victory without sacrifices, and no mistakes without consequences. But if you account for everything, it is easy to know what you will lose."
Another stupid philosophy, Satchiko internally groaned. How much is this veteran General going to dispense his annoying wisdom?
"All I lost was a simple tile, it does not matter in the grand scheme of things." Mayumi replied calmly.
The Judge of Honghai pondered underneath his helmet. Whatever expression he displayed, they can never see it. So far, he is unreadable.
"If that tile you just sacrificed was a person, would you have made the same choice?" The Judge asked out of the blue. "Does the result you want justify the means?"
Mayumi thought about it for a moment before she made another move. She positioned the tiles so that it would capture another opponent's tile.
"It's...I suppose if the outcome outweighs the lost." There was waver in her voice, clearly a crux lies in her heart. "You are a general who commands an army, surely you would know this more than I do."
"Indeed," The Judge moved the tiles forward. "When you are planning the battle in the comforts of your tent, commanders sometimes forgotten that all the Pai Sho board tiles are humans, organized into units that you freely control. They entrusted their very lives in a leader, whose decisions will affect their very lives. I wouldn't want to be a sacrificial Pai Sho tile, or expendable soldiers who will be used to lure the enemy."
Just how many battles have he went through? For Satchiko, she doesn't care about such nonsense. Right now, all she need is to learn Earth bending and get back home.
The game ended in a narrowly in the general's victory. It was quite close, as Mayumi almost won the match. What was applied by the Judge of Honghai wasn't something accumulated through luck, it was all planned. Cold hearted calculation, making the opponent play by his rules.
"Not bad," the veteran commented with a harrowing voice, Satchiko still is not use to that. "Your father have taught you well, he must be a great Pai Sho player."
He then returned to the table, and found the painting had finally dried. The image of countless sand dunes and mountains created by brushstrokes looked surreal. It reminded her about the deserts right outside.
"Follow," he lead them inside the turret, carrying both the painting and Niujiu's hammer.
When they stepped into the turret, they realized that it is actually a cubic living compartment. Three side of the stone wall are dedicated to different things. One section is populated with armor stands, displaying various outfits both modern and ancient designs, most likely all his old armor before he became a general. Another section was dedicated to display countless weapon racks. Lastly, the largest wall in the room was used to display his paintings, it is the most beautiful one.
The Judge of Honghai placed his new painting inside an empty frame, he did the same with the hammer on the other wall.
He made a long content sigh. "Another victory, and another weapon added to my great collection."
Satchiko marveled at the wall of weapons first, ignoring his other life like paintings.
"What's this?" Amongst the countless swords, spears and axes on display, one weapon stood out the most to her. It appeared completely strange. There are even tiny animal bones dangling from its handles.
"Ah, so you have noticed!" The Judge displayed an unexpected hint of interest. He grabbed the weapon from the wall and handed it to Satchiko.
Upon closer examination, this weapon looked like a harpoon. But unlike the ones used by her village's fishermen, the material is not made of metal.
"This spear," The Judge said with pride and passion. "It belonged to the pirate warlord who wished to invade the Western Air Temple. Looking at the curving shape of the weapon, you can tell that it is fine work of art by the Northern Water Tribe."
"What is it made of?" Mayumi asked. The harpoon's material is white, not glinting like steel.
"Whale bones."
Satchiko grimaced, why would people use bones when metal is available? She gave the weapon back to the Judge of Honghai, who held the weapon with the upmost care.
"This is a fine piece of treasure, and I consider it my greatest collection yet." He returned it back to place, clearly he can appreciate this weapon more than her untrained eye. He then walked to the painting section.
"A pristine weapon, equally matched with the artwork." He then walked next to another painting, a very large one. "And this is my greatest masterpiece, I called it Honghai."
Both sisters looked at the art, it has upside down temples hanging underground. Above are grass, and below are full of stone towers and statues on the side of a large cliff.
While Mayumi already seen pictures in books, Satchiko was confused. And the general noticed this.
"The Western Air Temple differs from the other three. Instead of being built on a tall mountain, whoever constructed it have thought it would be a good idea to make it accessible to invaders." The Judge have decided to focus on the more military aspects of the temple. Unlike the walls of Ba Sing Se, the western temple is actually very easy to attack. A simple rope is all it takes for some without Air bending to invade the temple. "But nonetheless, I am glad that I was able to visit that place with my men. They even have a giant Pai Sho board!"
Such inconsistency in his thought process is hard to get use to. "So uh, what was the battle like?" Satchiko asked. "How did you win?"
"It was...difficult. The sand near the shores itself is a hinderance to my men. As for the tactics, make your enemy think you are weak, and destroy them in one decisive move." He explained his rationale. Usually, it is better to let an enemy underestimate you, lower their guard by making them feel they can win. And then all a person needed was to shock the world by killing the unkillable. "The Earth Kingdom are not known for having good navies, so I challenged the pirates on dry land, and annihilated their whole army. Even though their forces outnumbered mine, I still knew I can win. As long as I account for all the factors, all battle is winnable."
Satchiko couldn't comprehend the scale of battle that have taken place. People said this is the man who accomplished extraordinary military feats, and is the greatest general of the north. It's hard to see the bigger picture when you are not at the Battle of Honghai yourself to witness what happened.
"What did those air monks called you?" Satchiko reintroduced her earlier question. "Didn't they thanked you for what you did?"
She can sense Mayumi giving her a small tap on the shoulder. Clearly her elder sister knows something she couldn't see. Something must have prevented the general from fully answering the question, what title did the Air Nomads have given him for his contribution in quelling the invading pirates?
After a long withdrawn silent, he spoke, but not providing the answers she hoped for.
"There are many military commanders throughout history who were given titles for both famous and infamous feat." He slowly explained, lacking in any humanizing tone. "Toz the cruel, Bloody Flail of the Eastern Sea, Gravedigger of Zhulu Pass, Dragon of the West, and finally." He looked at the Kyoshi warriors, as if he is preparing them for what is about to state next. "There is also Chin the Conqueror, your old friend."
"What are you saying?" Satchiko snapped, suspicious at the Judge for mentioning that tyrant. That man was never remembered fondly by the folks of Kyoshi island. He was a threat who tried to control the Earth Kingdom, including their home.
"I am simply stating, that people can be remembered differently. Your old enemy Chin was remembered as both the conqueror and the great."
Mayumi contemplated. "Different perspective create different people. We are from Kyoshi island, so we naturally remembered Chin as a cruel tyrant. But I have also visited Chin village before, and I know how much the people there respected their former leader. It's weird how a person in history can be remembered so differently, and how different our opinions can be."
"What are you doing?" Satchiko gave Mayumi a contemptuous look, she couldn't believe her sister is saying such things. Chin the Conqueror is their enemy, why is her sister discussing how Chin might have points of merits? "Mayumi, haven't you forgotten? He is evil, anyone who thinks over wise is an idiot. There is a reason why Kyoshi have to put him down!"
"Indeed," the judge interrupted her. "The Earth Kingdom back then was in chaos. Daofei bandits roamed freely across the lands, threatening the lives of people while incompetent governors saddled on the peasantry's back. If your beloved Avatar Kyoshi truly believe Chin to be evil, why can't she just defeat him at the start? Why wait until the conqueror reaches your home's doorsteps, when you can just kill him immediately? If I was her, I wouldn't hesitate to destroy him in the beginning, saving the nation from being ruled by a tyrant."
He then walked right up to Satchiko, and said it in her face. "Something stopped Kyoshi from doing so, you very expect me to believe she allowed Chin to amass power without reason? Think little girl, if your Avatar is so powerful, and Chin is so evil, why didn't Kyoshi end Chin the conqueror at the start?"
She couldn't find the words she wanted to defend their founder. She never even consider the question why Avayar Kyoshi waited until Chin reached the peninsula of Yokaya, and then kill him. Wouldn't it be better to stop him before he rise to power?
"People can call me whatever they want, but the only legacy I wish to leave to this world is someone who carries out justice and punish the wrongdoers. When I see something displeasing, I will judge it. If the problem needs to be addressed, I will destroy it." The Judge returned his attention to the wall with arts and weapon collections. "But for now, I will be continuing filling up these walls with my achievements. So, you can just call me the general."
Still, his personal name remains a mystery.
As Satchiko thought hard about the controversial topic of her favorite Avatar, her sister asked something that have caught her eye. Since the Judge's collection is about his paintings and weapons, there are two very special placements on their respective walls.
"I noticed that there is one weapon holder made of jade. And there is also an empty canvas, your biggest one." She said. "It seems that there is one weapon you desire the most, and another painting you are going to create."
The Judge affirmed her observation. "Every battle I fought, I would paint the location on it. And for every great opponent I defeat, I would take their weapon if it's valuable enough. While I restricted my paintings to only the military victories I have, the weapon I desire the deepest can only be obtained manually."
His voice felt determined. Underneath that heavy suit of mountain scales armor and Lion Turtle helmet, there is a deep thirst to realize his goals.
"That weapon worths more than any metal blade in this word. To me, it is one of my goals I wish to fulfill, and that weapon is the greatest treasure I desire. It was carried by a man who was feared even by the Earth King, it belonged to a great conqueror. That weapon, will be rightfully mind!"
Both sisters felt unsettling feeling as they picked up the last part.
"What-what weapon could you possibly be after?" She nervously asked, knowing whatever weapon this man is craving is beyond her knowledge. "You want a weapon so badly so that you can hang it on your wall, that's it?"
"Let him finish sister," Mayumi said.
"You would never understand, I have many endeavors, and having that weapon is only one of my ambitions." The Judge impatiently stated. "Just the thought of holding it in my hands is all it takes to drive me further. That sword, is none other then the Jian of Chin the conqueror!"
The Kyoshi warriors looked at each other, surprised. They didn't know Chin the conqueror uses a sword. Perhaps the Jian was used more to display status and power. Whatever reason this man wanted the sword, they will not judge him. At least he isn't a fierce follower of Chin, Satchiko thought to herself.
...
The Judge of Honghai read the university letter throughly. After confirming that it is real, he handed it back to Satchiko. "Forgive my earlier display of unprofessionalism. At the same time, I also hope that you are not people disguising as students."
"Trust me, we are not people who are pretending to be Kyoshi warriors." Satchiko wanted to clarify, hoping that they could avoid the same suspicion that they are some sort of spy sent to infiltrate the city.
The Judge of Honghai pulled out a book from the stools underneath his table.
The Great Book of Earth Kingdom Cultures by Shan the Book Dragon
He plowed through the pages like a busy bureaucrat. After reaching to the other side of the thick book, he closed it with a loud slam.
"Hmm, it seems that Kyoshi island was not included in the book of cultures." The Judge said. "Unsurprisingly, there are countless ethnicity, cultures, traditions and dialects on this land. Some dialects can even be considered their own languages. It's no wonder that Shan cannot even cover one tenth all the cultures in the Earth Kingdom."
He then placed the book back on the table. "I suppose there are no problems from here, since you are an exchange student at the University, you shouldn't have too much trouble living here. Go on then."
Mayumi bowed at the general. Right before they leave, Satchiko asked the general one last question. Something still needed to be addressed.
"Why did you allow a Fire bender into your army?"
The Judge simply stared at her, showing any expression is impossible underneath that Lion Turtle mask.
He walked towards the edge of the wall and looked down at his army camp below. She followed him, and noticed Jang and Sedna sitting besides a small campfire next to the lieutenant's red feathery ostrich horse.
"What is wrong with that?" The general said. "I don't see any reason to deny anyone the right to achieve their full potential. Even if they are from the Fire Nation. Jang may be from Fire Nation soil, but his sheer determination and will of a Fire bender made him my trusted second. He is my vanguard, my very own Lei Tai champion. I have seen no greater warrior, which is why I can ask for no other to be my lieutenant." The Judge paused for a bit, as if the flying birds around him are distracting him. "Jang, all he wanted was to become a general in his own nation. He simply wanted to be accepted. Even though he serves under me right now, I believe one day his dreams will be reached."
She and Mayumi then noticed Sedna is actually water bending, albeit sluggish due to the lack of fingers. The brown skinned woman levitated a small ball of water and threw it into a burning cauldron, it seems that she is preparing soup for all soldiers in the camp.
"Those two..." The Judge lamented deeply. "Fire and Water do not mix, either the water runs out and fails to put out the fire, or the fire gets extinguished first. Yet, those two managed to made it work."
"Are they a couple or something? Does this have anything to do with that water tribe lady having no fingers?" Satchiko asked, a bit creeped out by why the woman lost all her fingers.
"Trust me, it's better you do not know." The Judge simply responded, hoping Satchiko cease her persistence."
"We promise we will not pry into their private lives." Mayumi said, knowing well that certain topics are best to be left alone.
After the two of them bowed to the general, they used the elevator and descended the walls. The Judge was left standing there, not moving a single inch. He alone enjoyed the company of no one.
He used his left hand to pull in some additional clay from his desk. Using his own bending, the Judge created another small figure of an Earth Empire soldier and placed it on the table.
He then used a sharp knife, and curved some cracks onto the soldier's helmet goggles.
He laughed a little. It wasn't a pleasing sound, but instead, it was a heinous voice that not even the helmet can muffle it.
...
Hakaru woke up from his bed. He yawned loudly as his sleepy eyes slowly teared itself open. When he looked besides him, there was no one there. Usually, another person would be there with him when he awakes from deep slumber. So far, the whole house has been quiet and empty. The usually lively and warm wooden lodge has been now replaced with only loneliness, something he felt is more unbearable than physical pain.
He dragged himself out of the bed sheets and opened the closets. A green traditional tunic caught his attention. It was quite old, as it was the exact one he worn when he first arrived on the island. The clothing stood out from the usual blue clothes the villagers usually wore.
Once he put it on, he looked at himself through the large mirror that belongs to a special someone. She isn't here, but hopefully she will be back soon.
Through the reflection, he noticed that something dropped out of the closet. An old dusty sheathed sword wrapped inside bamboo paper have fallen to the wooden floor. How did that get out?
He picked it up and put it back in place, and proceeded to close the closet. Time to begin his work. Both as chief and a teacher.
Author's notes:
-Sedna is a Inuit Mythological Goddess.
-Jang is a Korean surname. Although I have definitely taken some inspiration from mythological Er Lang Shen(that war hound) and Lu Bu(his horse, which is red) from Romance of The Three Kingdoms.
-On Chin the conqueror or great. I find this phenomenon very interesting, as how a tyrant can remembered both as a hero and an enemy. This does go very well with Mayumi's belief that 'Different perspective create different people'. It doesn't justify the cruel acts of Chin, but simply observing that there can be those who are infatuated by this figure despite all the wrongs he have. I personally find it strange that Kyoshi have to wait until Chin reached her home Yokaya(Kyoshi island when it was still connected to mainland), as we clearly knew she would not hesitate to defeat evil people when she got the chance.
You don't need to read this section:
This is a good opportunity to discuss the question-what makes a good character? There obviously needs to be a goal, but at the same time, the audience must know what that goal is. In Liu's case, he wanted to avenge his family, but his ideals are being challenged when the Judge confronts him on what is specifically at stakes here. Liu's characters is wanting to avenge his family, it establishes his core and what he very is. He needs to be challenged as well as flaws that makes the journey more impactful, allowing us the incentives to invest in the character. But take that away, you also have a miserable man who lost everything. Now, unfortunately, some characters I have seen have questionable goals. For example, if a character's entire being is about achieving a romantic ending, it wouldn't very be interesting. Mayumi might have a romantic subplot in future, but that means nothing when compared to the important goal of protecting Satchiko and being a role model to her. If character A's SOLE goal in the story is to fell in love with character B, then there is a major problem. It makes character A a very shallow person(not always, depending on story context and how the situation is being handled. You can definitely create likes or characters whose entire being is to fell in love with another person, that sounds weird). But if a story is about Ninjas fighting in wars to save the world, then characters who are only invested in felling in love with a specific person looks a bit out of place. In worst case scenarios, you can even have character A blaming, crying and asking the main protagonist to save character B while they themselves are completely useless to the plot. To conclude, it's ok for character A to have a romantic subplot, but there should also be other defining characteristics, dreams and ideals that is unique to them. This allows character A's goals and dynamic to be more interesting.
I do want to apologize for this rambling. It is very unnecessary. I also don't want anyone to misunderstand, this isn't an attack on anyone or anything. It is simply my observation of audience reaction form certain media. :) Take care!