The cellars are dark, crammed and worst of all, almost unbreathable. One cough can be heard from one side of this massive room to the other. The heavy smell of human sweat permeates widely and disgruntle, and nervous noise of men only compounds their predicament. To live in such a condition is unfit for any humans.
For this unnamed compound located beneath the ground houses the faithful non-benders of the Master, who tries to preserve whatever valuable space they have. Their bodies may have been beaten, but spirits still remain strong, still devoted to the way of the Eternal Balance. While it is unfortunate that their pure bending brothers were taken out during their secret congregating, those brave martyrs defended the Master's name, giving their lives to the glory that is the Eternal Balance. Those pure benders showed them the true way on how to offer themselves to the master's glorious cause, even if it means losing their current lives.
In the hearts of every faithful acolyte, the Master hears and answers to the cry of his loyal children. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without him knowing, how can he not know that his devotees are being locked up, chained by these government dogs? For now, the full power of his reverence may be underestimated by the evil worldly powers. Today, they are confined by these iron bars. But soon, all knees shall bow to their master's overwhelming presence, and all enemies shall regret and repent dearly for their sinful ways!
The acolytes prayed, channeling the master's name in hope of a miracle. No word can describe his unrelenting love, for he knows their suffering right now and is likely on his way to save them. It is no surprise that they are being persecuted for believing in the righteous cause, which is exonerating the glorious belief in the one true Master and the Eternal Balance. They prepared their whole lives just to confront those who oppose the Master. If being temporally locked up is the price to fight for the forces of good against evil, then it is a trivial suffering!
If they are being persecuted for their righteous belief of purity, then they are definitely right!
"I don't think I can breathe properly," a young acolyte is exasperating. It felt like breathing the air that other people have exhaled, almost making him vomit. "It's as if the air inside this place is becoming scarcer." He a man who barely reached adulthood. Being crammed inside this cell along with dozens of others meant he has to inhale carefully to capture the most amount of fresh air. "Someone, please move a little bit!"
"Shut it!" a grumpy acolyte shouted back. "If this is the level of endurance you have, how are you even worthy to fight for the Master!" He pointed at the quiet elderly man sitting in the corner. Unfazed by the predicament, the elder is focused on calmly meditating. "Look at Jiao Tu over there, now that is what should be expected from a righteous servant of the glorious master!"
The old man is named Jiao Tu. With a very frail body, a long white beard to accompany it. Chest so thin that the ribcages are visible. Despite refusing the Dai Li's food rations in an act of defiance, it is revealed that he has always been like this. Before being caught, he only eats enough to survive, preferring to fast for many days as his mental devotion to the Master is more important. His fellow prisoners are in awe by this elder's act of faith to the point of giving up food, inspiring the other younger acolytes to follow this venerable example. In the face of great uncertainty, this elder is the calmest of them all. Since they are here, he has been meditating without cessation, fully committed to his faith in the Master's deliverance.
"Are you ok my son?" The old man asked the youngster with a very approachable manner. He adapted a soft and weak voice. But in his eyes lie boundless courage, which are all drawn from the power of the Master. "Here, I will move a little to see if it helps."
"Oh, there is no need for that," answered the adolescent acolyte. Caring for the elder's health more, he chose to endure this suffering and hope the senior may be more comfortable.
"What is your name?'' Jiao Tu asked.
"Call me Xi Nao."
"Xi Nao, don't give up hope." The old man advised in a meek tone, aiming to encourage his fellow acolyte. "I can sense you are rather new compared to the other faithful men here. But I implore you, it is in difficult times like this that you must remain strong. I believe in you, and the Master also believes in you. I can also sense that the Master will use you to achieve great things."
Xi Nao isn't sure how to respond. He simply replied with a simple 'thanks' and thought not much of it. The old man smiled, which did give some assurance to the nervous young man.
"Now my son, please, gather your fellow brothers, I wish to say something to them." Jiao Tu requested the young man.
Xi Nao did just that. He passed along the message until the other side of the room is aware of Jiao Tu's intentions.
"Gather around young ones," the elder said gently. The other prisoners in the cell huddled around him. Those that can't move chose to listen from the other side of the room, sensing that the old man can further inspire them.
After captivating everyone's attention, Jiao Tu sighed and spoke. "My brothers in the Master's light, I know we are in difficult times, being shackled by the forces of darkness and mistreated by the city's administration." He held up his chained arms for them all to see. "However, I must remind you all, since the day you chose to follow the Master and carry the weight of the Eternal Balance, you swore to defend the righteous cause at all costs. If this minor discomfort is all it takes to shake your conviction, then what are you going to do if the enemy comes at us with full force?" He allowed some moments for the crowd to contemplate, challenging them, hoping this experience can strengthen their faith in the Eternal Balance. "The Master is a loving father, as his children, we shall inherit this world by his perfect plan and design. What is there to fear I ask you all? For the Master is all powerful and all knowing. By his will, all walls will fell down and all iron chains will break. We, his loyal and faithful servants, have nothing to fear as our benevolent guide will shatter all those who confronts us. The only sin you can commit at this very moment is to doubt him, believing he cannot break the chain of oppression that binds us. Now let me ask again, why should any of you be afraid if you place your belief in an all-powerful man like our beloved Master? With conviction to him, all is made possible." He paused, gripping the silent reaction from the small crowd. "Do you know what is the most important thing for an acolyte other than spreading the Eternal Balance? Faith. It is in dire moments like this, faith is what will pull us through. It is faith in the Master where our true power lies, for without him we are nothing. Without faith, we are no more different to wild creatures, directionless and vulnerable. Which is why we must all aspire to be like the flock protected by the supreme shepherd. So, I ask you all, brothers of the Eternal Balance, to cast away the shackles of doubt and simply have faith in the Master! In Faith, we are invincible!"
After Jiao Tu finished, not a single man from the cells cheered or applause. The simple fact that they are right now imprisoned by the Dai Li is enough to damper their resolve. What further drowned Jiao Tu's inspiring speech are the horrific memories of what happened last night. After that Dai Li killed the powerful pure benders, the intruder pulled out a rusty blade and attacked the rest. That fiend slayed many faithful acolytes who fought valiantly to defend the Master's honor and the Eternal Balance. In an attempt to safeguard the sacred paper fan bestowed by the Master, countless brave men fell. But even if their bodies were cut through by the enemy, their entire existence will always be offered to the Eternal Balance, for it is a goal more important than this current life.
The survivors are few and heavily injured, but still holding on. Even when most of their numbers were culled down to the minimal, the cells in this room are still filled to the brim, squeezing the acolytes to the limits. It is the mere sight of one individual defeating their best warriors that destroyed their morale. The loss of many pure benders last night is still a grieving subject.
"Elder, I don't think your speech is working." Xi Nao noted.
"It is fine, your fellow brothers will eventually recover their faith in the Master's glory." Jiao Tu said. "Remember, all this suffering is only temporary. The Dai Li today may howl in their arrogance. But inevitably, they shall one day kneel in front of the Master, seeking forgiveness in persecuting his faithful servants. There is absolutely nothing to fear. The nefarious cultural guardians who dare take away our right to venerate the master and spread his ways are nothing more but a pack of lowly wolves, and that is a compliment to those dogs. Whereas we are different to the impure worldly people that inhabit the lands. We, the Acolytes of San Bao, are the precious flock of sheep guarded by the supreme shepherd. What separates us from the goats are our belief in the truth, which is the Master and the Eternal Balance. He is fully aware of our suffering and is devising a plan to rescue his faithful servants from the Dai Li's evil clutches. Nothing can be hidden from him."
"I hope so," Xi Nao answered with a slightly less enthusiastic tone. But the carnage from last night was still fresh in his mind. The cultural guardian disguised himself as the Master's messenger and managed to infiltrate the secret congregation. The overseer has planned for this gathering for an unimaginable lengthy time, all to ensure that none of the details would be leaked to the city's all-knowing enforcers.
It wasn't easy trying to relay information to every single group distributed in the Lower Ring. To ensure the Master's name and his tenets can proliferate in Ba Sing Se, they became decentralized, and it is said that only a few important members know how to contact every single group in hiding. Yet, despite achieving the difficult feat of gathering various flock representatives, they were still discovered. In an ironic twist, the Dai Li seems to have gotten himself the brown cloak of the messenger and fooled everyone until the very last moment. He showed no mercy to the pure Earthbenders. As for the non-bending acolytes, that man didn't even bother using bending, a great insult.
Mustering enough courage, Xi Nao approached Jiao Tu again, seeking the old acolyte's counsel. Each little group in the Lower Ring is known as a 'Flock' of acolytes. The one leading the faithful men and women of the Eternal Balance is known as a humble 'Shepherd', pure benders who were personally handpicked by the Overseer of Ba Sing Se. An ordinary acolyte would mostly receive wisdom and the master's teachings through their congregation's Shepherd. Since the role of Overseer is anointed by nonother than the Master himself, the Shepherds are therefore also chosen by the Master through the overseer. It is imperative that a non-bending acolyte like Xi Nao to seek a Shepherd for spiritual advise. But obviously they cannot do that right now, so he turns to the elderly Jiao Tu, who is the acolyte who venerates the Master longer than anyone here.
Yet, the young man is also hesitant to seek wisdom from a fellow Acolyte. One of the Master's many teachings stated very clear that humans must not lean on their own understanding of the world. Instead, the righteous ones would rely on the Master to dispense timeless wisdom that transcends beyond borders. Since the Shepherds and Overseers are exclusively composed of pure benders, they are naturally more capable in conveying the Master's important tenets than lowly men like them. It is vital for non-benders to listen to the pure benders just like how they would obey the Master himself.
Xi Nao gulped his throat. "Elder, how do you know? How can you be so certain that the Master is aware of our suffering? How can you be so confident that he is devising a plan?"
It was a very genuine question that was asked without any malice. Xi Nao is a young man who still lacks the spiritual experience and knowledge in the Master's teachings. Which is why Jiao Tu was not offended by the young man's doubt. It is natural for older members of the same caste to dispense their own testimonies.
"You are still too young to understand it all. The Master's powers are infinite. He can easily destroy all that stood against him and the Great Eternal Balance if he so wishes." Jiao Tu calmly lectured about the glory of the Master's grace towards these foolish Dai Li agents. "He heals the sick and nurtures the needy. His teachings aim to bring purity and peace to this infested world."
Xi Nao patiently listened. Jiao Tu continues to ramble about the Master's greatness and the Eternal Balance's profoundness. No effort was spared to describe how the world can only be saved through the Master's guidance.
"I used to believe in false teachings," Jiao Tu lamented with guilt, making a deep sigh as expected of an old man. "Time has not been kind to me. The wars outside destroyed my family. Warlord troops slaughtered them, not even sparing my children. I used to own many livestock and servants, quite wealthy in fact. But in one afternoon, I lost it all, especially my family. Since we are all non-benders, there is nothing we can do against Earthbenders destroying our lives." He sighed. "I was the only one that survived. When I arrived at Ba Sing Se, I have nothing. Nothing until the Master sent out his loyal servants. They gave me food, water, and a place to call home. But most importantly of all, they gave me a new family, one sent by the Master. It was at that moment that I realized something very important."
"W-what's that?" Xi Nao asked with slight eagerness, curious to learn more. His faith may not be as strong as this senior, but is open to the testimony of fellow acolytes, always willing to learn more.
Jiao Tu clasped his frail hands together, closing eyes, breathing deeply. There was a short silent moment before he spoke again.
"I realized the truth. Only the Master and the Eternal Balance is the only way." He stated without even a shred of doubt. "All those years before I surrendered myself to the Master, who is the Supreme Sheperd and True Father, I am just like most people. A fool. And like most fools, I too believed in false teachings that are unsightly in the Master's eye."
In accordance with the sacred tenets of the Eternal Balance, almost all acolytes are familiar with how they should view the rest of the world. All false teachings, whether it venerate spirits or deify humans are completely incompatible to the Master's teaching of the Eternal Balance. As the Shepards would often state in their congregations, those who seek the truth in other sources besides the Master are disgraceful beings who deluded themselves. For only the Master, who is the most powerful and righteous, deserves all recognition. To worship anything or anyone else besides the Master is to seek a punishment worse than death.
"In the past, there was a temple in my home village, a building dedicated in venerating Avatar Yang Chen. Like the other villagers, we would pray for safety and harvest in front of her statue." Jiao Tu admitted painfully. "I did not understand how wrong it was. To worship a false deity is not only foolish, but it is inherently evil in all aspects. Our prayers meant nothing when our village was destroyed by troops from another state. In one moment, I lost it all. Everything except for my pathetic little life that the Master chose to save. It was at that point I came to terms that venerating an Avatar is absolutely pointless. Yang Chan did not help me or answer my prayers. When I needed the Avatar the most, where were they?"
The room fell silent, even more than before. As more people chimed in to listen, Jiao Tu allowed them to reflect. This world has all sorts of beliefs that venerates the spirits or humans that were deemed worthy enough to become a folklore deity. Avatars, especially those as fondly remembered as Avatar Yang Chan, is beloved that even people in the Earth Kingdom pray to her. Many Temples and statues were built to honor her duty in offering relief to those who suffer. Historically, various dynasties even openly endorse Air Nomad philosophy, allowing the monks to establish temples on high mountains, attracting any pilgrims who wish to seek enlightenment.
But dedicated acolytes of the Eternal Balance know how abhorrent it is to venerate someone who is not the Master!
The world is wicked in their veneration of other beings who is not him. Therefore, anyone that seeks enlightenment without the Eternal Balance must be cleansed. The teachings of the Eternal Balance offer refuge to the poor and needy. By being a loyal servant to the Master, the majority non-bending acolytes are all promised that eventually they will cultivate into pure benders. But most would just be content of serving a compassionate and kind man, who deserves to be exalted above all these false deities who dare assert their own unfounded importance!
For every Acolytes of San Bao, the most important goal is not to benefit themselves. No, such selfish thinking has no place in the Master's flock! The highest priority is about proliferating the good news, which is the only true teachings that are the Eternal Balance. Only one man deserves to be venerated across the world. Which is why his name must be heard by all people, and all must bow before his almightiness!
But that does not mean their righteous cause are unopposed. Every acolyte knows that believing in the Master's teachings will result in persecution by these evil worldly people who rejects him. Authorities will put them in chains for preaching the truth. Members of false faiths and the statue worshipers will be openly hostile to the Master's faithful servants. Their resistance to the acolyte's goal of bringing more people to the Master's embrace is sheer ignorance, as there is nothing more joyous than prostrating oneself and submit to the most perfect entity.
The Master is benevolent, loving and kind. He is more powerful than the ever so absent Avatar who is never present when needed. When face with such greatness, who needs a fool that can bend all four elements? By the Master's will, these signs will follow those who believe:
In the Master's name:
They will cast out evil spirits that infests a mortal body!
They will speak with new tongues!
They will take up serpents and not be bitten!
They will drink anything deadly and not be harmed!
They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover!
Even if the world stands against the Master and the Eternal Balance, so long as the followers are armed with unshakable faith, the Acolytes of San Bao can accomplish all! It is inevitable that the Master's name will be heard by all people. Soon, all shall submit to his greatness!
"I learnt something very valuable," Jiao Tu said with a tired tone. "Only the Master's way is the real way. Which is why I only felt joy when serving him. After I arrived in Ba Sing Se, his faithful servants approached me at my most vulnerable moment. It struck me that all the suffering was a punishment for worshipping false idols. The Master was simply teaching me a valuable lesson through my tragedy. To a man who is the last of his kin, the Master saw my struggle. I repented and accepted the Eternal Balance. From that point on, the Master rewarded my submission by giving me a new family. The Master blessed the latter part of my life more than the former part. He gave me seven sons and three daughters, all of whom are much better than the previous. Although my daughters are more beautiful my previous ones, they are better not because of their qualities, but because my new children are loyal members of the Master's flock. They are blessings from the Master, a sign of his benevolence and willingness to forgive a fool like me." His eyes are filled with admiration, speech becoming emotional with tears flowing from the thought of the Master's greatness. He then looked at Xi Nao, who is still trying to focus. "You see? All things are possible by believing in the truth that is the Eternal Balance. Unforgivable non-bending creatures like us who are tainted with impurity can never repay the debt that is the Master's everlasting grace. This whole world must be prepared to accept the Master's truth and vision. From within the grandeur walls of Ba Sing Se to the remote desolated lands of the Southern Water Tribe, all must be shown about the glorious the Eternal Balance. The Master's way is the only way. Which is why we must serve as shining examples to the four bending nations, let the worldly people know the joy of giving their lives to the Master."
Jiao Tu's testimony gradually ushered hope into the prisoners' hearts. As loyal servants to the Master, they were told their whole lives by parents and congregation Shepherds that the world will hate them for believing in truth. They will be persecuted for learning the Master's teachings of purity, and their arms will be in chains for practicing their spirituality in the Eternal Balance. The evidence is right in front of them in the form of literal metal chains. That day has finally come. As people who are underserving of the Master's love, it is time for them to defend his name and fight for the Eternal Balance!
"This is a spiritual war," Jiao Tu growled, reminding the eager crowd of why this world hates them so much. "This world is infested with false beliefs that exalts evil spirits and delude arrogant humans. The fools of the Earth Kingdom are gullible enough to venerate people, putting their belief in worshipping ancestors and even deifying military generals who are far inferior to the Master in terms of strength. The Fire Nation built statues of false idols, putting them in towns and cities. Those prideful Firebending idiots are stupid enough to venerate something as weak as spirits. Despite being great builders and craftsmen, both of them are senile to think that their civilization is more glorious than the footprints made by the Master! No matter how good they are at creating cities, any settlements built by the unenlightened people are worth less than even a tiny straw hut that is wonderfully designed by the Master!" He did not stop there. Jiao Tu continued to lampoon the other two nations. After ridiculing the spiritual customs of ancestor worship and folk religion, he aims to discredit the other ones. "The Water Tribes places their unfounded belief in shamans and their uncultured ways of animism. So idiotic are they, those uncivilized creatures think their connection to nature is more valid than the real purpose of being dutiful servants to the Master! The Air Nomads are likely the biggest offenders of it all. While the rest if world tries to kill us and stifle our voices, the monks are the ones who aims to halt the Master's philosophy! Those charlatans erected temples dedicated to Avatars, spreading their incorrect philosophy across the world by infesting the Earth Kingdom with temples where that whore named Yang Chen is worshipped! But that is not even the worst part." He halted, and the other acolytes are waiting to hear what the old man wants to say. Jiao Tu's eyes bulged; blood vessels thickened with crimson. It seems that what he has to say about the Air Nomads almost enraged him.
"The worst offence by the Air Nomads is that they directly challenge the Master and the Eternal Balance to this day!" The elder screeched with hostility. Despite having a frail body with missing teeth, his mind has no shortage of fanatism. "Those heathens! All they ever did was sit comfortably in their pathetic temples and chant gibberish all day. They slandered the Eternal Balance! While we are showing the world our Master's glory, that foolish Tenzin dare label our noble cause as a corruption! He thinks that folks like us can never attain bending! Yet, it is their Airbenders who opposed the Master by not attaining bending through his way! Such hypocrisy! Let me remind everyone if you have foolishly forgotten! Only the Master can give us strength. Cultivating our spirituality and remaining faithful to the Master is the only way to become benders! Such divine transgression by those worshippers of evil spirits will not go unpunished!"
The reaction of the crowd was quick and explosive. Almost every man in the room erupted in anger. As non-benders, they do not have much power in a world like this one. They bled and struggled with this tainted blood, yet those new Airbenders who somehow managed to attain Airbending were given such gifts without doing anything. Which is why the existence of these so-called new Airbenders is enough to send any acolyte into rage. The sin of averting the Master's way and obtain bending is an unforgivable crime. They are telling the world that they don't need the Master and the Eternal Balance. Those monks are clearly issuing a direct challenge to the righteous cause of bringing everyone to the Master's flock.
"Those baldheads will never get away with this!" A middle-aged man shouted from the center of the room. He stood up, encouraging the others to express their fury. "The world is populated with beliefs that is not approved by the Master! After we get out of here, we will smash those temples and destroy the evil idols that have enslaved the people! Let's kill some of those evil monks here while we are at it. We are the Master's chosen servants! Let us free the people of Ba Sing Se and have them be envelope by the Master's loving embrace!"
"Desecrated the temples! Kill those monks!" Another acolyte yelled on top of his lungs. The rest of the crowd immediately chimed in, shouting their intentions on how they should handle the false believers of the world.
"Slaughter those who trust in lies! We will gather all the Air Nomad scriptures and relics, then burn them to ashes!"
"We shall one day raze the four main Air Temples until not a single stone remains!"
"The heads of Master Tenzin's tainted children shall be severed! The same goes to all the false Airbenders that is in this world!"
Xi Nao was hesitant to join them. Such is the righteousness espoused by the Acolytes of San Bao, a proliferating spiritual movement that aims to exalt the Master and spread his teachings to every inch of the world and to every single person. Since the Master is the source of all objective goodness, what is there for his followers to question?
"There is a small temple dedicated to Avatar Yang Chen in a village within the agrarian zone, and another ancient monastery which was revived by that fool named Xuan Zang. That old temple is located on one of those mountains in the same area." Jiao Tu reigned in. "After the Master freed us from the Dai Li's futile grasp, we shall demonstrate our conviction by destroying those monuments of Evil Spirits and dedicate the victory to him! Xuan Zang and the other monks in Ba Sing Se shall be punished for propagating Air Nomad teachings across the Earth Kingdom. We shall expel all that is linked to the monks that oppose our Master's glory. The battle between the Master and the great Evil Spirit shall inevitably be won by our side. Any minions sent by the Evil Spirit are nothing more but cannon fodders against us, who are the Master's faithful servants. By serving the right Master, we are blessed with a divine shield of protection against the Evil Spirit! By believing that the Master will deliver us, it will materialize into reality! Glory to the Master, glory to the Eternal Balance!"
The other acolytes followed Jiao Tu by example. They all yelled in unison, proclaiming their faith to the true Master and denouncing their struggle as nothing more but an evil ploy devised by the Evil Spirit to shake their convictions. The world is not what is seems. The truth the acolytes were taught has revealed that the Master is in constant battle against the great Evil Spirit, which is the root of all evil.
"All hail the Master! All hail the Master! All hail the Master!"
One of the doors to this room creped slightly open.
"Look!" One of the younger acolytes pointed. "The Master has heard our struggle! He reached out to us to shatter the chains that binds us! Praise the Master!"
Everyone's hopeful eyes glued to the door at the end of the hallway. There are only two doors in this room, the one that is likely the entrance have opened, just like how the master have opened their hearts to his truthful ways!
"You see children?" Jiao Tu said with a smile. "The deception and enslavement by the Evil Spirit can only last so lo-"
"The Evil Spirit, eh? I see how it is." A slightly casual voice of a young man remarked, pouring cold water on their moment. "It's sad to have an imaginary friend, but it's sadder to have an imaginary enemy! The only miracle here is how your animalistic noise can permeate even our soundproof walls."
The acolytes immediately dropped their hope, anticipation shattered and replaced with caution.
"It's the Da-"
"Everyone already knows that you oblivious imbecile." The Dai Li interjected the random acolyte. "Now listen up dregs. There is no such thing as a society that can functions on mass delusion. If there is, experts like us should be ones that control it. We can tolerate, and even harness the power of such delusions, but just not the one you all believe. You should remain grateful that we have yet to...reeducate you all on how to be upstanding citizens of the city. Enjoy your meal as if they are your last. Now, eat your chow, stupid lot."
A few men in the exact same uniform flowed in with equal motion. Long robes followed their slim bodies. They moved efficiently and smoothly pass each cell, putting down bowls of rice for the hungry acolytes. But there is a problem, an immediate one. Upon receiving a rice bowl in the cell, the prisoners would complain that each bowl contains two types of rice all mixed together. The white rice is stirred with brown ones. Although this means nothing to the common folk, a bowl of rice like this is too mentally challenging to an acolyte of the Master.
"We cannot eat this," Jiao Tu stated to the Dai Li. As newcomers here, this is the first time their 'hosts' are giving them rice. After being fed with stall bread on the first night here, a different staple that can fill their stomach easily is always welcomed. Yet, the teachings of the Eternal Balance warned against eating certain food and discourages preparing a meal in specific ways that does not conform with the Master.
"Eating rice like this is a great moral transgression, the Master taught us tha-"
"Silence old man," the Dai Li said without a shred of courtesy. "You think we don't know what dregs like you believe? Years of playing a game of cat and mouse is enough for us to understand at least some aspects of your superstitions." He picked up a rice bowl from a nearby cultural guardian and threw it into a random cell. Despite living in a crammed space, the cultists in that area bolted their bodies away in an attempt to avoid it.
They are desperately trying to prevent themselves from being hit by the bowl, even willing to cram and stampede their cellmates. It's about preventing their skin from contacting rice that are 'tainted by evil'.
"Hmph, this never gets old," the Dai Li smirked. Watching a bunch of adult men avoiding a harmless bowl of rice like a disease amuses him. The rest of the Dai Li continued to distribute the food, fully aware that this special kind of prisoners would not eat them.
A belief that preaches absolute purity will naturally demand its practitioners to alter their behavior, aiming to fit them into a dogma that would otherwise be completely idiotic to normal people. Unfortunately, many of these new behaviors would not benefit the acolytes themselves, but it is useful to keep them obedient. If it wasn't for the Acolytes of San Bao's overly destructive ways, to the point of justifying the killings of most people they deem 'impure', the Dai Li would have no qualm in exploiting their religiosity to maintain public order. This ambiguous 'Master' figure managed to maintain the loyalty of countless followers across the world, without even personally meeting them. A feat like that would understandably make the Dai Li jealous by all degree. It is unfortunate that their unwavering faith cannot be properly harnessed to benefit the city's social order, as it is easier to make a religious citizen content than a normal one who is wary of their materialistic environment.
But the Eternal Balance and the veneration of their Master caters to no one else. The only belief that is respected by these acolytes is only theirs. Any interference by the Dai Li would immediately warrant hostility. A faith like this one is incompatible to the carefully crafted social harmony established within these walls. Since the acolytes view all governments and authority as the enemy, and only the Master deserves to 'rule over all things', the cultural guardians would be fools to not suppress these wild weeds festering in their domain. Since it is well known that the acolytes have no respect to cultural heritage and would destroy old statues they see as idolatry, the Dai Li wouldn't be cordial with those seditionist behavior.
Xi Nao looked at the bowl of rice, stomach lying emptying at the same time. He very wanted to eat it but doing that may not be the wisest choice considering everyone else is upholding the teachings of the Eternal Balance.
''Do not be deceived by the enemy my child," Jiao Tu advised, sensing the younger acolyte's weakening resolve.
"I know," said Xi Nao with tired face. "I just wish they would just use one kind of rice."
"The tricks and lies of the enemy may seem like a good thing, but remember, only the Master holds the truth and can be fully trusted." Jiao Tu breathed deeply, filling his skinny stomach with some air. As a man who fasts regularly, hunger means nothing to him. "The world will tell you many lies. But the biggest one is that it will try to make you believe that you can survive without the Master. Whatever you are lacking, remember that only the Master can be your nourishment."
The young acolyte glanced at the elder's frail body. Jiao Tu's age is not compliant with the state of his body. The abdominal area is especially slim, considering that the old man seems to exalt his conviction to the Master to the point of neglecting food.
"I understand your words Jiao Tu, my parents often told me that when I was young," said Xi Nao. "They said that all the good things that happen in life is because of the Master's blessing to my family, and that remaining faithful his teachings of the Eternal Balance and upholding purity will one day make me a pure bender, obtaining bending in a lifetime after this one. They said that all things are possible by believing in the exalted one. So long as I have faith as small as a speck of rice, even mountains can move." His face slightly frowned, but it was not noticed by Jiao Tu, who is more focused on listening to the testimony.
Hearing the action of Xi Nao's parents brought delight onto the elderly man's wrinkle-stricken face, happy by the fact they have been diligent in cultivating their son's spirituality in the Master.
"Your parents taught you well!" Jiao Tu commented with a wide smile. "Such commendable action! They did an excellent job in raising a kid that is ready to serve the Master with all his heart and mind! After we broke out of this prison of darkness, I would love to meet the ones who prepared you for your great holy mission."
"I wish you can too," Xi Nao replied without any enthusiasm.
This time the elder finally noticed. The latter inquired about the young man's deteriorating mood, but later learnt that the parents are no longer alive.
"They became sick one day," Xi Nao began quietly. "They contracted a common cold which they did not paid much attention to it. But the symptoms only got worse. My parents asked that they shouldn't get a doctor, insisting that the Master will resolve everything. Jiao Tu, please help me understand, why didn't the Master heal my pa-"
"All things occur by the Master's will. But you must remember the truth, and that is the Master only wants the best of us. The Master is our true father, and no father would ever do anything to harm their children. You are a young man, such a simple logic should not be hard to understand." Jiao Tu calmly interrupted, aiming to heal the adolescent's wavering faith. "We are simply followers of his flock. The Master is all knowing and powerful, what might be a slight inconvenience to us is just another step in his perfect plan which the likes of us cannot even comprehend a single bit of it. As his loyal servants, our role is not to question his decisions. Like a flock that obediently follows the Supreme Sheperd, we must obey his teachings and not bother ourselves with pointless questions. Thinking too much in the wrong way would displease the Master. Your parents are loyal servants, which is why they are rewarded by him, probably reincarnated into a higher tier of purity. You see? Everything that happens, even if they appear terrible in your eyes, are actually all part of the Master's perfect plan to benefit us."
"But I..." Xi Nao couldn't say anything to disagree. All things are possible with faith even as small as a speck of rice, doesn't it? Is his suffering truly all part of the Master's greater plan that eventually works out at the very end? If his parents are indeed reincarnated into infants of a family of a purer bloodline, can he still find them? What would they even look like?
Feeling exasperated by such intrusive thoughts, he decided to shift them aside and focus on his starvation. Jiao Tu can feed on his conviction of the Master, but a young man like him probably need something more solid.
"I will try to ask for a bowl of rice that is not mixed," Xi Nao climbed up, but was gently pulled by another acolyte who stated that it is futile. Some of the prisoners here have experienced the Dai Li's treatment for months, years even. Until recent times, their meals were decent. The guards before even accepted their request to have their food prepared in accordance with the dietary restrictions. But the meaner attitude and frequent poor treatment recently implies that a new Dai Li is put in charge. The mixed bowl of rice that was just distributed was clearly intentional. It aims to exploit the acolyte's superstitious nature for the sake of breaking them, placing food right in front of them, yet none of their conscience allowed them to ingest.
It is simply torture for their mind.
"The Dai Li may foolishly believe that depraving us of food is enough to destroy our resolve, but we will never trade out faith to the Master for a bowl of rice!" Jiao Tu encouraged his fellow followers.
"Well, if that is what you want, then fine," the Dai Li leading this small group stated. "Don't mind me, I am also enjoying my meal here." In the hall's only available wooden table, a bowl of soup noodle was prepared. Due to Ba Sing Se's geographic positioning and massive farms, many ingredients for the city's most famous staples are commonly available. Which is why preparing a bowl of soup noodle with shrimps and some small Bok Choy cabbages is more than easy. It's as easy as breathing air.
The Dai Li picked up the bowl of noodle and paraded it around the hall, allowing the smell of food to permeate the room like a wave of fragrance devouring the acolyte's dull taste. As stated in their belief, all acolytes cannot have their bowls be filled with more than one type of food. To follow this dogma strictly, many of them would just roast their ingredients on a fire and eat them, without even applying salt or seasoning. In most cases, meat and vegetables are roasted directly above fire. Since applying oil is also not allowed, the daily consumption of the average acolyte involves a dangerous amount of charred food.
Having not tasted anything delicious in their lives, the smell of a soup noodle made from fresh ingredients is simply agonizing for the prisoners. To add insult upon injury, the Dai Li slurped the noodle as loud as possible, enjoying the attention from the starving acolytes. Despite these prisoners view most food cuisine as unclean, the smell nonetheless intensifies their starvation.
The entrance opened again. This time another Dai Li walked down the corridor, flanked by a figure cloaked in long dark veils. They both walked pass the imprisoned acolytes, garnering occasional curious glances but nothing more extraordinary. Having been starved, the men inside their crammed cells possess little interest on the newcomers, especially the person wearing a straw hat along with veils.
As the duo made their way to the other side, the Dai Li hastily finished his noodles and trailed after them.
As observed, the presence of the figure in veils did not warrant any obvious reaction that would indicate rising hostility.
...
The three of them walked for a long time, and it's becoming harder to memorize the route using her intuition alone. One condition of being here includes wearing an eye covering so that the Dai Li's secret base would remain hidden. There are simply too many turns and carefully performed stair climbing for her to recollect the details. It would be almost impossible to retrace her steps back to this place.
The sound of a door opening sharpened her hearing. They entered a room, a gentle warn heat enveloped her skin, likely from a nearby fire source.
As the two Dai Li guided her across a few more steps forward, they stopped.
"Inquisitor, she is here as you have requested," one of the Dai Li said. He tapped on her shoulders, indicating that her eye covering can be unequipped. After handing it over to the cultural guardian, her eyes peered through the veil to observe her surroundings. They are in a room dimly lit by glowing crystals, along with one fire lantern placed on a nearby wooden desk. The immediate sight of countless manuscripts pinned on the walls meant that whatever this room is, it must be dedicated to the collection of information.
"Good, you are both excused," ordered the cold and almost lifeless voice. His back is directly facing them. She can never forget the voice of the man who almost killed her. With one precise strike, a sharp pellet of earth can easily go through her skin and damage a vital organ. The fact that the lacquered armor saved her from that fatal attack is simply incredible. Without that additional piece of protection, she would have bled to death last night, blood oozing out from the wound and eventually lose consciousness.
"Leave us," the inquisitor said. "That includes you too." There is another Dai Li sitting near the desk who is also dismissed. From his action of organizing and writing down notes, he is likely analyzing a piece of information. The countless manuscripts pinned to the wall is perhaps this man's doing.
The three men left the room with only Mayumi and this other cultural guardian.
"Did you enjoy trying to memorize the route to here?" The Dai Li preemptively asked, correctly guessing what she was doing.
Before the situation can progress into awkward silence, the Dai Li proclaimed his intentions.
"I have accessed the situation. While incorporating your status as a potential target by those mindless peons, I have deemed your compliance would yield miniscule benefit to me."
It was all about them, their plans, what they can do to alter the situation to personal benefits. But ultimately the Dai Li, especially this one, possess tremendous power in this city. She knew that if somehow sacrificing her can yield an advantage, the likes of them would have no hesitation. With one word, both she can Satchiko can easily disappear without a trace.
"My compliance also demands your fulfillment on your end," Mayumi reminded. She pulled off the disguise, allowing him to fully confirm her identity. "It would be beneficial if we share what we both know about the enemy."
The Dai Li turned around, staring at Mayumi with an emotionless yet also eerie expression. She tries her best not to feel intimidated by that spine-chilling face paint, that black and white face design clearly inspired from Earth Kingdom style opera. If someone like a Kyoshi Warrior of herself also feels the fear inducing effect of such tactics, it would be even more terrifying for whoever that witness this creature before their inevitable deaths.
"Demands you say?" He arrived closer, walking around her with hands behind his back. "Perhaps I should rejuvenate your foggy memory. Your compliance with the state is to solidify your sister's safety and providing incentives for us not to...extradite criminals. At the end of the day, you are still only allowed to operate under our oversight. It wasn't a negotiation. It was a threat."
"So, it's a probation for me."
"Correct, I am impressed by how quickly you caught on," the Dai Li said. "Information, and the flow of it, can affect the society in ways we can never imagine. Dangerous thoughts that can harm our city's harmony are not to be freely shared by those we do not trust." It is clear that he meant herself, a Kyoshi Warrior and not one of their cultural guardians. "New information attained about the Acolytes of San Bao are mostly classified to protect our citizens. The last thing we need are fools that proliferate a sense of danger, creating panic and chaos amongst the masses."
"I understand your concerns," Mayumi agreed with his logic to a certain extent. "However, if you can't trust me with receiving sensitive information about our shared threat, then how can you trust anyone? I certainly cannot reciprocate with honesty if this is how you intend to treat me. I believe that it is imperative for any useful information to be readily available, so that I too can be more effective in combating those zealots."
The Dai Li still refuses to share what he knows about the Acolytes of San Bao. Surely these men of secrecy, who have spent years suppressing these fanatics, would know many about their behavior other than the obvious 'madmen' mentality and the fierce devotion to an ambiguous spiritual figure. Mayumi believe that with such a vast network of information, the secret police of Ba Sing Se would at the very least be able to provide insight into who exactly is this 'Master' that the acolytes are always talking about.
"Compared to the young novices who have been trained within the Inner Palaces, you are nothing more but an outsider." The Dai Li stated candidly. "We both may be outshoots of the same tree trunk, but trust me when I say this, you are a mere inconvenience."
Mayumi grasped her fists but chose to not outburst, in fear that any retribution could spell an even worse outcome.
"But I am useful am I not?" She replied tactfully, trying to outdance the Dai Li's ploy. "Our goals are similar, which both involve those crazed folks you all captured last night."
"Indeed," the Dai Li confirmed. "But before any information can be shared, I must deem it justified under specific circumstances."
Mayumi narrowed her eyes, staring at him. The Dai Li has no obligation to her other than to cooperate under necessity. She may have to find other ways for the Dai Li to feel more comfortable in giving her information on why the acolytes are targeting Kyoshi Island. If not, striking the iron while it's malleable is also a good opportunity.
Just like right now.
As the Dai Li circled around her while further explaining certain rules she must obey, Mayumi's eyes quickly dashed around the room whenever he is standing behind her. There are countless notes stuck to the room's wall that is demanding to be reviewed. But since she is positioned in the center of this unnamed space, the tiny words on those notes are too small without physically walking closer. There is a drawing of a Water Tribe Woman, likely from the North Pole. But without context, she does not what to make of it and how it relates to the Acolytes of San Bao.
"If you dare access any information without my permission, it would be considered as treason to the state," the Dai Li warned.
"I am fully aware, I assure you, no such thing would be committed under bad conscience," her eyes are looking straight at three items on the table. Her intentions would never derive from heinous reasons, but never promised that she won't stole a few glances at sensitive secrets.
The first object is a rolled-up scroll. The parchment is likely made from fine silk.
The object in the middle is a very thick book with a front cover laced with gold. The syllable of the word '天' is featured at the front, which means sky or heaven. The scribe officer who was sitting in the seat earlier was very invested in the book's contents, writing countless notes and copying verses from different chapters. Due to the valuable metal and fine paper quality of every single page, Mayumi can deduce that this must be a very important book to those zealots. She may not be a cultural guardian, but even the likes of her can guess that the object must be a source of information that dictates the Acolytes of San Bao, mostly conveyed by their leaders to the mass of loyal followers. Although this caught her attention, something else also warranted the Kyoshi Warrior's observations.
Right next to the heavy book is a comparably smaller, thinner and almost tattered journal. Its pages are open, with obvious signs that the paper was not very preservative. It did not receive much attention compared to the other two items on the desk, yet Mayumi knew this journal is likely the oldest object of the three. It could be even older than herself.
The Dai Li suddenly walked between the Kyoshi Warrior and the desk, likely noticed her staring.
"There is no use in procrastinating on evidence which you cannot read." He warned.
"Then may you perhaps enlighten me on the content of these objects, as they obviously belong to the ones we are dealing with," Mayumi requested formally, looking at him straight in the eyes. "Surely you did not demand my presence here just to exchange a few sentences. The least you can do is explain to the inner workings and how those cultists think."
"And I already stated clearly, any information I deem too sensitive would not escape these doors. Likewise, I expect you to remain silent. Perhaps you are already aware, anyone besides our own arrive here in chains." The Dai Li warned. "You are a rare exception, do not make me regret this decision."
The Dai Li have no interest in sharing much detail, but there is something in his words that perhaps may be contested.
"Sensitive information," Mayumi emphasized. The Dai Li looked at her, both knew what is being played here. "The reason why I asked you to share some information is so that you can read them for me." She pointed at the objects on the table, evidence of the cultist's belief which is the giant book in the center. "You can select what you would like to share just as how you would do for your brothers. Surely there is something you can divulge that does not require me to see the whole picture."
"I have no brothers," the Dai Li with face paint said bluntly.
"I meant your fellow Dai Li agents."
"They are not my brothers either," said the man again in a sombre tone. To him, it seems that the concept of brotherhood only exists in blood ties. "Before I can consider your request, I need you to follow me to see a very special prisoner."
Mayumi held her straw hat, beginning to put it on along with the veils.
"No," the Dai Li stopped her as he collected all evidence into a chest. "Without your disguise."
"What is the meaning of this?" Mayumi demanded. What is the Dai Li trying to do? Her simple disguise cloaks her identity as a Kyoshi Warrior, which can mitigate the risk of being identified by the Acolytes of San Bao. She is currently in full uniform, armor and war paint donned. But being seen like this can draw attention, especially by the cultists who have intentions of kidnapping her and Satchiko.
...
They exited the room, being greeted by two men guarding the entrance, the same ones that 'escorted' her to this whatever place this is. The effect of her Kyoshi Warrior appearance immediately warranted a reaction, thankfully calm and collected. Without the veil, they can clearly see the iconic white and red painted face.
"A Kyoshi Warrior?" Zhu Di is surprised. "This whole time?"
Mayumi internally cursed. This 'scholar' she met in the Jasmine Dragon teahouse and the 'cowherd' standing next to him is now fully aware of her real identity. If it wasn't for the accursed man who ordered her to do this, her veil disguise would have performed adequately. But there is a silver lining, it means that not all the Dai Li agents are aware of her and Satchiko's identity as Kyoshi Warriors. If there is only just a few, it's far better than their whole organization knowing this.
The gaze sent by the Dai Li with a grim face paint immediately reinstated order. He did not even allow the two to ask questions, as the presence of a Kyoshi Warrior in this place could imply many things. But the concerns of these lower ranked officers are not unfounded. The last time their predecessors allowed 'Kyoshi Warriors' into the city, it did not end well...
"She is a real one, I can attest," the inquisitor said plainly. "If it wasn't for her splendid swordsmanship, I would be holding her head in my hands now."
The two Dai Li grimaced at that statement, especially when the woman gave the inquisitor a furious glare.
"You have a strange way of complimenting my skills, you eunuch." Mayumi said briefly.
The other two almost gasp. But from the looks of their shocked eyes, defiance against the grim-faced Dai Li is similar to playing with death.
With extreme caution, the two other Dai Li accompanied Mayumi and their superior as they marched through the hall of jailed prisoners. The cultists paid them no heed, even ignoring the woman dressed in peculiar armor. But in return, the four cannot ignore the heavy smell of blood stench.
The inquisitor stopped. Even without saying anything, he made the other three to force themselves to halt with him.
The Dai Li with face paint glanced towards one of the cells. A man was killed, lying dead on the ground. A shard of broken clay bowl is imbedded into the throat. The victim has two types of rice in his mouth. Apparently, someone has been overwhelmed by hunger and chosen to eat the 'impure' rice, suffering the consequences.
"No need to remove the body for now," the inquisitor said. "These thralls have endured much worse than some simple foul odor."
Mayumi lamented on these cultists. It's obvious that the murderer is one of the men here. But it's rather distasteful by how easy it is for one of them to kill another.
They continued, and the inquisitor lead them all to another place in this underground compound she does not recognize.
"We will be meeting someone, your old acquaintance."
What the Dai Li said immediately put her on guard. Since she does not have a choice as a result of his blackmailing, the only path is to continue with their demands. His demands to be specific.
The long walk to their destination is suspenseful with every step, faint light by crystals only furthered her anxiety. After emerging out from a hallway, they arrive at an intersection leading to multiple rooms. She immediately noticed that the area is galvanized with a very stainless metal, likely a technique used to imprison benders, especially Earthbenders.
They arrive at a random room. The Dai Li opened the door, gesturing Mayumi to enter first.
"Are you sure it is a good idea?" Zhu Di asked the inquisitor. But a quick glare by the superior enforcer nullified all resemblance of insubordination.
She knew there is a great difference of power between them, a force that separates them from being equals. With a cautious attitude, the Kyoshi Warrior's hand instinctively moves near her katana, only to realize that it was already confiscated. None of them laughed, they all waited patiently as she finally stepped a foot in. There is someone inside.
"Curse you heathen!"
A woman lunged at Mayumi. The Kyoshi Warrior, who already sense that someone is in this dim room of metal. But was nonetheless surprised by this sudden display of restlessness. At first, she wanted to leap backwards to avoid an attack. But after recovering from the initial shock, she realized that the ambush did not succeed. The prisoners only attempted to leap out of her chair, but the metal chains that immobilized her has a different say. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Mayumi has met this individual. It seems that over the course of the journal, this woman keeps showing up.
"Release me from my bondage!" The prisoner demanded. After struggling again to free herself from the metal chair, the woman calmed down, recognizing the Kyoshi Warrior who is standing in the room. With wide eyes and mouth gawping, she temporary entered a trance before the uncontrollable outburst.
"You!" Huo screamed at Mayumi with utter indignation. From the Firebender's perspective, she has been unrightfully captured by Ba Sing Se's most infamous enforcers, the secret police that has no tolerance for seditionist behaviors like the Acolytes of San Bao. "You will pay dearly for the suffering inflicted upon my friends!"
Mayumi remained vigilant, whole body shifted to a defensive stance in case the Firebender manages to break free. She does not know what to make of this situation. While it is unpleasant to see the person who is trying to capture Akahana's daughters, this is actually a good opportunity to extract more information.
"Just as I thought," the inquisitor calmly entered the room. He held the wooden chest almost in a leisurely manner, absolutely confident that there is no need to be on guard against this volatile Firebender. "It seems that only this peon is interested in subjugating the folks of our founder."
"W-what?" The Dai Li named Cowherder is confused. Zhu Di is also in the dark. But both of them can only watch without knowing the full context.
Mayumi faced the inquisitor, who clearly possesses more access to information than the common Dai Li. She theorizes that due to his possibly higher rank, this man was given additional information on these cultists by whoever that controls the secret police now. Him ordering her to not wear a disguise is possibly to test the validity of her status as a target. Even though Huo is the only one trying to capture Mayumi, this alone proves the fact that the 'Master' figure this fanatic worship is at the very least interested in Kyoshi Island. Unfortunately, ridden with ill-intentions. Thus, Huo's reaction provided incentives for the Dai Li to protect the two warriors who are currently residing here.
The inquisitor placed the chest of evidence on the table. "The floor is yours," he said to Mayumi, prompting the Kyoshi Warrior to walk closer to the restrained prisoner. Only a small table separated the two women who is glaring down at each other. Being the one who is standing, Mayumi can look downward at Huo.
She took a deep breath in. This person in front of her has been a thorn ever since they departed from Kyoshi Island. Despite being mere strangers, something or someone has motivated this Firebending renegade to believe that her purpose is to kidnap two girls from a remote island. The Acolytes of San Bao, which produces these religious zealots are present across the world. They attacked towns, razing villages, and even Ba Sing Se is not safe. But the goal that is important right now is to understand why Kyoshi Island is targeted. She knew it would be very difficult, considering close-minded nature of these acolytes.
"Answer my questions, lowly bandit. Why are you people after me and my sister," Mayumi narrowed her eyes.
Huo met the Kyoshi Warrior with a fierce gaze. But have remained silent, as if both of them knew that revealing information will disadvantage this figure known as the 'Master'.
"Who sent you, what is the reason that folks like you are interested in my home? What are you people planning?" Mayumi asked again, this time with a more intimidating voice. But it was again met with Huo's angry silence. "If you do not answer my questions, I will feed you to the Unag-"
She stopped herself. Old habits compelled her to use the great eel near her village as a threat. Unless that serpent chooses to swim all the way to Ba Sing Se, this threat makes no sense in the context of interrogation.
"You are clearly new to this, being nice to these low lives will get you nowhere," the Dai Li named Cowherder remarked. "If you don't mind, I will let you borrow one of those finger crushers. Without a bit of pain, they would not budge."
"Finger crushers?" Mayumi asked. She is very against using such lowly ways. But before anyone can step out of the room to retrieve such torturous device, the man with horrifying face paint explained the futility of using leniency or pain.
"The religiously devoted do not fear such simple tricks," said the inquisitor. "How can pain or mercy be useful when the interrogated actually venerates their suffering for the cause? It would be fueling their delusions, and I don't want that."
Huo's eyes bolted at the grim-faced man. Her fierce expression shows sign of slight wavering, even she cannot help but agree. The inquisitor has clearly grown tired of Mayumi's inexperience, choosing to end her attempts early for the sake of efficiency.
"The key to reveal a peon's secret lies in their desires," the inquisitor explained. He retrieved the dusty journal from the wooden chest, and Huo's expression immediately turned to despair. "Use something they regard more important than their own lives as a leverage. Through understanding their thoughts, I can control them." He carelessly threw the book onto the table in front of Huo. Mayumi observed, the inconsiderate handling of the book made Huo recoil in fear of it being damaged. Apparently, this item means a lot to the Firebender.
Unlike seconds before, Huo's persistent and confrontational nature is nullified, replaced with anxiety that is linked to the old journal. Using the book, the Dai Li managed to calm her down for better interrogation, even more effective than physical torture. However, the sheer fanatism of these cultists meant conventional techniques are not always effective to fully extract information.
"Peon," the Dai Li soft tone still spooked Huo. "Heed my inquires, for I demand that you enlighten me on everything you know about your leader's intentions. Explain it to the smallest detail."
"I refuse!" Huo snapped, snarling at the interrogator. "You are all making a very big mistake! We are not your enemy! The Master aims to bring hope and healing to a broken world, your foul ways are in need of correction.
Mayumi narrowed her eyes upon hearing the word 'correction'.
Huo continued. "Why is it so hard for you people to unblind yourselves and accept the truth? Resisting the True Father's light is not only delaying the inevitable, but it also an extremely perverse act. Even so, the Master's grace also extend to the likes of you who persecute his loyal followers. If you repent and reinvent your ways to befit the teachings of the Eternal Balance, the Master will show you mercy."
Without saying anything, the man prepared a lit candle and put it in front of Huo. Mayumi watched, initially believing that this must be the infamous technique of which the Dai Li uses to rewire their victim's memories. But the Dai Li's next move disproves her preconception.
"N-no!" Huo cried in horror. What prompted her fearful reaction is the Dai Li holding the journal dangerously close to the fire. Based on this presentation, this cultist holds a significant attachment to the journal.
"Explain what you know about your puppeteer, and I will reconsider." the Dai Li warned. "Since you are a messenger from that man, and therefore have personally met him, I have high expectations to you."
The Acolytes of San Bao do nothing fear pain. On the contrary, suffering in the face of persecution is not only venerable, but also a very virtuous display of their strong faith in the Master.
"I can never betray the Master," Huo said firmly.
The journal inched closer to the candle fire. A drop of sweat quickly flowed down Huo's right temple.
"And my patience is not available for everyone," the inquisitor emphasized. He gripped the journal tighter, making Huo's heart wrench in agony by the book's condition.
Right before the Dai Li fully burns the personally precious book, Huo yelled to stop. The interrogator quickly moved it away from the lit candle.
"Reveal the true meaning behind the scroll, and I will spare your heirloom of your dear mother." The inquisitor stated. By threatening to destroy the last remaining piece of memory of another's maternal figure, this technique can easily coerce even the most stubborn people. To Mayumi, this tactic is indeed very dishonorable, but might unfortunately be necessary to make Huo cooperate. At least she would be reluctant to apply the same devious method, unlike these Dai Li.
The Dai Li extracted the scroll from the chest. Mayumi remembered that this was what the Firebender is trying to protect during yesterday's skirmish. It is a message, but to who? Her only concern is the safety of her sister and the wellbeing of her people. Yet it seems that the reach of these zealots is far and wide, even bold enough to permeate Ba Sing Se, the turf of the infamous Dai Li agents.
The lead enforcer cleared his throat and spoke the message out loud. The syllables were written poorly, likely by a writer who just began to learn how to hold an inkbrush. But the meaning behind it is very unclear, almost intentionally vague. If this is what the Master aims to convey, then it is difficult to interpret."
"Prepare the throne for me, my dear child. Like a swarm of locust, find the wheat. Watch the Yin turns to blood, Yang turns dark. Gather loyal children, harvest wheat. I am coming to you, my dear son."
The content of the scroll is clearly meant to be interpreted by someone specific. The only thing Mayumi can find solace is that the letter made no mention of capturing the two daughters of Akahana. However, the vague meaning of this undeciphered message have unsettled her, and she doesn't know why.
The Dai Li dropped the scroll on the table, allowing Huo to marvel at the appalling handwriting. "Amusing, so this is the figure you peons chose to worship. Instead of communicating in a clear and concise way, this revered buffoon's memorandum is more convoluted than his handwriting. If someone of my abilities can only barely read it, how can the recipient decipher this child's syllables?"
A light chuckle ranged from the background, likely from the Dai Li named 'Cowherd." But the inquisitor did not only spur a reaction from his underling. He also managed to incite an emotional outburst from the prisoner.
"Don't you dare slander him!" Huo roared loudly, lashing out at all of them. Mayumi's hand even involuntarily reached for the spot where her sword is normally placed, the fierce reaction slightly put the warrior on guard. "The Master is not someone who can be discredited by evildoers like you! You are not even worthy enough to be his slaves!" The Firebender yelled at the Dai Li with full rage. "Sure, you can make fun of how he behaves. But what is the true definition we use to measure wisdom? You worldly people only gratify yourselves in selfish desires, and chose to reject the Master's enlightening teaching. You mock him for behaving in an unexplainable way, but that is only because your meagre minds cannot even hope to comprehend a fraction of his almightiness."
"Oh very?" the enforcer said. "Then as a devotee, perhaps your personal encounter with this embellished padrone can help me better understand his supposed greatness. Why did he applied a writing style which is difficult to understand?"
His face paint emitted zero interest in actually accepting the Eternal Balance, it feels more like an executioner pushing the convicted off a cliff without remorse. Mayumi knew this is a trap set by the Dai Li agent. Similar to how he made her accidentally confirm her identity during last night's brawl, emotion is being exploited again in this interrogation. As expected, the rabbit voluntarily jumped into the hole dug by the farmer.
"The Master's greatness are not to be underestimated, foolish Dai Li." Huo began passionately. "People who are unyoked with the Master's light can never hope to understand his intentions. Even me, one of his humble servants, can only imagine the unscalable intelligence that is perfectly planned. You may think he is terrible at conveying his wisdom, but the fact is that this message is undecipherable to wild goats like you means that the Master have already foreseen this situation. I do not know how he did it, but there is no need to question. The True Father managed to prepare for my imprisonment, perhaps deliberately confused the writing so that the wrong people cannot analyze it. None of us can deny that it has indeed worked so far. If this isn't enough for you all to be in awe of my Master's genius, I don't know what will penetrate your thick skulls."
It was a long stretch. The Dai Li agents didn't react in any way that suggests confusion, they simply accepted this behavior, likely a part of their role that is commonly recurring in the religiously devoted. Mayumi on the other hand is also no stranger to the tendency of every one of these so-called 'acolytes'. The key defining trait to identity them is their strict practicing of the philosophy known as the 'Eternal Balance', which is tightly linked to their own convoluted concept of bending purity. But above it all lies in their sheer uncontrollable quirk of being fanatically devoted to this 'Master' figure.
Based on her interactions with these zealots, the 'Master' they claimed is the source of their strength, and the concentration of their unshakable faith. It is no doubt a spiritual movement that is vastly different to most beliefs of this world. The Acolytes of San Bao are destructive and expansive, even becoming dangerous enough to use their faith and belief as justifications for pillaging, committing annihilation upon certain groups of people. The Kheshig were almost wiped out due to the tribe's possession of many Airbenders, which is somehow considered to be an abomination in the eyes of those zealots. The town of Shang was raided severely, but it felt more like an army of bandits looting the wealth of a trading settlement. In that case, they are like a band of armed thieves, taking the gold while blatantly ignoring the group of people they wish to exterminate. Many of Batu's fellow villagers were massacred along with his parents.
But the worst part about this is that there is likely more tragedy committed by this group of nefarious zealots. It seems that the likes of them can justify almost anything abhorrent just by using their conviction to the 'Master'. To Mayumi personally, the dangerous aspect of these cultist's blind faith is the fact that Kyoshi Island is also in their line of sight. If the 'Master' is cruel enough to send his subordinates to forcefully abduct the daughters of an island's leading member, then this is clearly an act of aggression.
"So, you do not understand the letter?" The Dai Li remarked. "Wouldn't it be better if your padrone prevented you from being captured by us?"
Huo's stunned expression said it all. As much as the acolytes are eager to spout the glory of the Eternal Balance upon the masses, they are almost unprepared when confronted by learned people. The zealots are accustomed to proliferating the Master's teaching with loud and proud voices, and even anticipates being persecuted. But when faced with questions that stabs their belief into the core, their minds are stuck, unable to reconcile with factual contradictions. Only the most devoted acolytes can smoothly overcome this inconvenient roadblock.
"The Master's plan is perfect!" Huo bellowed, trying to fit her predicament into the narrative. "All that has occurred is due to the Master's will. But from our perspectives, not everything is truly clear. Just because I am captured, that still does not change the fact that the Master has a great plan for me. By his powers, everything is attainable, even empowering those who are born without bending."
"What type of person is your Master?" The inquisitor pressed on, waving Huo's journal closer to the fire again. "Let me reword it with more clarity, what is his name and what does he want to fulfill?"
Huo's eyes froze, locked into a trance by the prospect that her mother's journal might be destroyed. Knowing that revealing even a single word about her leader might compromise him, she chose to remain silent on the subject.
"I cannot betray the Master," Huo proclaimed quietly. Just like how a child would never hurt their parents, she too decided to valiantly defend the faith right in front of these enforcers. "Even if you kill torture me, kill me and slander me, I shall never do or speak a single thing that shall dishonor my True Father!"
"So, you don't care about your mother's journal at all?" The inquisitor said in a manner that anticipated Huo's devotion. "I find your behavior to be rather comedic, but not unexpected." To confirm his observations, the Dai Li teared out an empty page from the dusty book and lit it on fire.
Huo's expression is clearly saddened. But still chose not to betray the Master. All it takes to save her mother's journal is a description of what the Master is like. But knowing that doing so might reveal his weakness for the Dai Li, the Firebender renewed her loyalty for the 'Master' over her own mother.
"Maybe I should just put it all to fire," the inquisitor said. "But maybe it would be better if I burn every page slowly, giving you time to perhaps contemplate and regret this decision. You are a messenger who have personally been in the presence of the man who wields so much influence, which is why your compliance would be most appreciated. I am not unreasonable, if you reveal even the most trivial information about the leader of the flock, then this book, your mother's journal and heirloom of your family, will be returned to its rightful owner. Renounce your loyalty to the Acolytes of San Bao, and you may go free."
"I will never betray the Master," Huo repeated, trying to dull her emotions desperately. "My mother taught me that the sacred bond between us and the Master can never be severed. My mother is willing to die in the Master's name just so that his teachings can reach more of the world's unenlightened people." She looked at Mayumi and turned back to the interrogator. "If I turn my back on the Master, then my mother's sacrifice will be all in vain."
The Dai Li is silent, slowly tearing out another empty page from the journal just to torment Huo.
"Then your choice is clear, the last remaining vestiges of your mother will be gone forever." He torched another page much to Huo's horror. But the Firebender is fully committed to defending the Eternal Balance, it seems that sacrificing her mother's journal is just another step to walk with this 'Master' figure. "I will relish in your misery, foolish peon."
It is obvious that Huo will not give any information regarding to who this 'Master' is. But watching someone else slowly destroying an item given by a deceased parent is insidious beyond cruel. As the inquisitor attempts to burn another page to mentally torture his victim, the Kyoshi Warrior stopped him.
"Dai Li, cease this at once!" Mayumi interjected, reproaching his behavior. "What you are doing right now isn't even necessary. What good can come by inflicting such agony!"
There are pains that is worse than physical harm. Cut wounds can heal overtime, but a person whose spirit is scarred may never recover. Mayumi cannot explain why she is criticizing the Dai Li's mistreatment on the same woman who poses great danger to Satchiko. Perhaps it's their different outlook and beliefs. The Dai Li would not be mentally burdened by their prisoner's ill treatment. But for a warrior, especially the eldest daughter of Akahana, such lowly means of interrogation is rather dishonorable, and will put another stain to their founder's legacy. She is fully aware of how dangerous it is to oppose a Dai Li agent.
"I did not give you permission to talk," the man with face paint muttered darkly. The two other enforcers remained very silent as the Kyoshi Warrior interrupted this psychological torture. Mayumi argued that there may still be other methods, more lenient way to force Huo to reveal who is this elusive man known as the 'Master'.
Like most acolytes, Huo is just one of the many people who refuse to betray their spiritual leader. The man known simply as the 'Master' likely has never seen most of his disciples. Yet, his mere existence still holds unprecedented sway over these cultists' behavior. Even the simplest habit in life is dictated by the tenets of the Eternal Balance, which preaches an absolutist view of purity. The center core of every acolyte is their fanatical devotion to their ambiguous spiritual leader, being undoubtedly faithful and almost never question. If an acolyte chose to elevate something above their Master, then they cannot be considered as a true follower of the Eternal Balance. Which is why if a truly initiated zealot must choose between defending their family or the Master's honor, then they will always neglect their own flesh and bone just to savor in the most minuscule acknowledgement by the man at the top.
Ceasing on this opportunity, Huo dispensed her own thoughts while the Kyoshi Warrior and Dai Li are bickering. "I must make this clear, I actually do not hate you. You are all enslaved, trapped in iron chains, simply blinded by this world which celebrates evil." Huo's surprisedly cordial tone grasped the quarreling duo. In the face of both a Dai Li and Kyoshi Warrior, Huo proclaimed her plea, imploring them to choose the right path. "My mother taught me that anyone, no matter how cruel or unjust they may be, can be guided into the Master's light. The whole world hates us because they are deceived. But with the right circumstances and hearing the Master's wonderful teachings, they can easily accept the philosophy of the Eternal Balance. I believe you two will change your hearts once the Master's teachings heal whatever struggle you are facing in life. And I am ready to forgive you two for this transgression."
The five individuals in this room all fell silent. Huo, sensing that her words might have a positive effect on her captors, bravely smiled slightly.
Slap!
A gloved hand sped past the Firebender's face. A palm forcefully smacked the woman's right cheek.
"As if you are the one to talk!" Mayumi growled with intense fury. This sudden escalation surprised even two enforcers standing near the entrance. But the inquisitor calmly watched on.
Huo, who is hissing from the reddened flesh of her face, did not even have time to recover as Mayumi grasped her throat. The Firebender is overwhelmed with surprise as the Kyoshi Warrior unleash insults.
"You think I need your forgiveness?" Mayumi asked. "Who do you think you are? I don't even know you, yet you and your friends ambushed us, trying to subjugate me and my sister under no justifiable reason!"
Huo is breathing at rapid rate, afraid of Mayumi's tempered attitude.
"Y-you, you behave just like that monster. Just like the wretched Akahana." Huo whispered in fear.
Mayumi's eyes grew confused. But the unexplainable anger, likely fueled by her concern for Satchiko, spurred the woman to punch Huo right at the chest, sending the Firebender backwards while still restrained to the chair.
"Gah!" Huo coughed painfully. Luckily there is no blood rushing up the lungs, yet the Kyoshi Warrior would not mind if there were. If Mayumi truly wanted this cultists dead, it would be more obvious.
She tried to rush forward, aiming to punish the cultist for insulting her intelligence. The Firebender must be taught a lesson to never undermine another person's honor and insulting Akahana.
"Enough!" The inquisitor grabbed Mayumi's raised arm and hustled her away from Huo. "Do not forget that you are a just a guest of honor, it would not be cordial if you accidentally interrupt our operations, again. I must remind you, only I can decide when they breathe try their last breath. Should anyone else challenge my authority, do not blame the blade for being blind at those which it slays."
Mayumi shrugged off his hold but heeded the warning. After calming down, she realized that her mind was overtaken by a fierce protective instinct. The mere idea that her sister might be in mortal danger is enough to almost kill Huo. But it is still unclear why the Firebender called her own mother a 'monster', considering that the matron never met this renegade. It's even more strange that the bandit is even aware of her mother's name.
"I long for the day when you all bear witness to the greatness of my Master, for he is forgiving and wise. If only you all wo-"
"Perhaps burning your mother's journal is not the best idea," the inquisitor said. Huo's eye emitted a faint sign of hope but was utterly shattered when the Dai Li proposed a different fate. "Here, have this." He gave the journal to Mayumi, who is just as surprised as the Firebender.
"It seems that burning it will not be enough waver your faith. Since your lack of filial piety is replaced by with an asinine belief, then a more mellow way of punishment is more befitting." The Dai Li shoved the journal into Mayumi's reluctant hand, and Huo cannot help but gasp.
"What is the meaning of this?" Mayumi questioned. Behind every act, minor or significant, the Dai Li would always have an ulterior motive. Ignoring the fact that he is giving away an important heirloom of the Firebender, which is also a piece of evidence.
"Our scribe has already investigated this journal. But since the mindless peon did the writing is nothing more but another insignificant piece of Pai Sho, what is written here only parrots the same beliefs of the source itself. Which is why it offers no new information beneficial to me." The Dai Li held up the heavy book with golden cover, implying that such written texts like this is the provenance which most acolytes drew their convictions from. Since reading the canon can provide a much deeper insight into the cult's mindset, a worthless journal from one acolyte meant nothing to the greater picture. "We already made a copy of this Firebender's book, and still found nothing of worth in its content. Consider what I have given you as a token of cordiality."
Mayumi held the journal that belongs to Huo's deceased mother. She didn't look at the Firebender, unsure what reaction would be painted on that woman's face. Still unable to fully trust the Dai Li agents, she investigated further.
"I doubt you would be so kind," Mayumi remarked as the inquisitor guards the two remaining items that he considers to be more sensitive. "You would never easily allow an outsider to access this. You very think I wouldn't be suspicious? Giving away a book of potential evidence on a silver platter like this is hard to accept."
"Then don't," the inquisitor said flatly. "But I will say, what you read within this peon's journal may just be what you are looking for. It is inconsequential for Ba Sing Se anyway."
Judging by this reaction, Mayumi can sense the content within this journal may not be useful enough to be kept around. A copy was made anyway, so giving it away does not change a single thing for the Dai Li's interest. To these men in darkish robes, the interest of Ba Sing Se and their own goals are what truly matters. However, it is apparent why the inquisitor gave her Huo's belongings, for there are some tortures worse than physical pain.
"Give it back! Give it back now!" Huo's reaction is filled with emotional outburst. It seems that she would rather have her mother's memories burned rather than being examined by Akahana's daughter. Nevertheless, the inquisitor is pleased with the result, a visibly distraught Huo who is vulnerable to further interrogations.
"Tell me who your Master is, and I will give it back," the Dai Li said, leveraging Huo's journal.
To Mayumi, this uncomfortable interrogation feels more like pressuring a child to trying to give up her candy, using whatever means to break the prisoner including familial bond to the deceased. This is one of the many differences that makes the Dai Li different from her people. These enforcers would have no moral obstacles when it comes to obtaining the information they desire, at least not having a set of rules that their founder would approve.
"I can't," Huo said bitterly. For a single moment, she appeared to have almost cried. But since her conviction to the Master must triumph above all else, ownership of an important family heirloom is simply secondary. "My mother gave me a body, but it is my Master that have saved me from a wicked world. He is a benevolent man, me and my spiritual brothers and sisters can never repay the debt of his grace. It's already a big sacrifice for a great man like him to fed and cloth worthless people like us. We can rely on no one but the Master. Believe in no truth except for the ones espoused by him. If I must choose between my own mother and the Master, I am willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if that is what it takes to follow after him."
It was a choice Mayumi still couldn't reconcile with. Right before her is a type of people she thought would never exist, those that thought of their parents as less important than an outsider. Huo has made it very clear. For the cultists, the 'Master' is elevated above even their own family member. It is rather shocking for the Kyoshi Warrior to witness how the cult's faith outcompeted family bond.
She grasped the journal tighter. Perhaps examining it herself may reveal events in past that can better understand these zealots. For the Dai Li, a single acolyte's journal is meaningless in the greater picture. But since Huo is part of a group sent directly to kidnap her and Satchiko, understanding this book's content may yield the truth as to why Kyoshi Island is in their line of sight. If the Kheshig were almost wiped out because of the cult's asinine belief in bending purity, then it is important to safeguard her own people from the same harm.
But Kyoshi Island is a remote, sparsely populated and has no strategic value. The vast majority of her people are non-bending fishermen, most of the world probably don't even know they exist. What does Kyoshi Island have that these fanatics would want so badly that they can justify kidnapping the daughters of this generation's strongest Kyoshi Warrior?
"And that concludes this welcoming tour," the inquisitor said. "We do not want the Alchemist to know that our esteemed guest is spending a suspicious amount of time here."
"Who is the that?" Mayumi's question went unanswered. Under orders, the two Dai Li came over and blindfolded the Kyoshi Warrior to leads her towards the entrance.
The inquisitor, meanwhile, packed the golden book into the chest again. The thick pages composed the scriptural canon of this deranged religious movement, serving as a manual to their beliefs and ensuring that the dogmatic tenet of their leader is consistently enforced. Few are ever made, and even fewer are distributed to high-ranking acolytes such as a regional overseer. To get their hands on even one, especially taking it from the one man that 'oversees' the Ba Sing Se sects, it took them years beginning from the last generation. The capturing of even just one scripture book can provide a deeper insight for the Dai Li to maintain the carefully balanced harmony, thereby protecting the values from the subversive spirituel movement known as the Acolytes of San Bao.
"Wait, oh daughter of Akahana, there is something I want to ask!" Huo called out to Mayumi. It sounded desperate, but then again, the words of the religiously fanatical cannot be fully trusted.
The Kyoshi Warrior, now blindfolded, readied her eyes to the Firebender. "I am listening," she said in a solemn manner. To the woman who wishes to bring harm on her sister, even allowing the zealot to speak is already more than what the renegade deserves.
"In your heart, do you truly venerate Avatar Kyoshi as a role model?" Huo asked earnestly.
Mayumi thought about, still caution at the zealot's intentions. She does not understand the nature of this question.
"Me, my family, and all my people do. I am a Kyoshi Warrior, if I do not respect the one who created my island, the label of a lowly renegade would be more fitting." she responded accordingly. Just like many spirituel beliefs across the world, the Avatar is the one figure that commonly serves a religious purpose especially in Earth Kingdom folk religion. Most Avatars would have temples and shrines dedicated to them. Kyoshi Island, home to the famed Avatar Kyoshi, is no exception. That woman singlehandedly formed an elite order of fighters and created the island using the powers of the four elements. As someone who is born there, demonstrating some respect to the local deity is the least she can do as Avatar Kyoshi plays a fundamental role in the culture and lives of her people. It wouldn't be Kyoshi Island without venerating the one who created it.
After listening to the short response, Huo finally voiced her own thoughts, much to the ire of Mayumi.
"What if I can prove to you that Avatar Kyoshi is not worthy of your worship?" Huo asked, not knowing that Mayumi is seething with annoyance. "If Avatar Kyoshi is powerful, why would her following reincarnations be defeated many times? You are an Avatar devotee, right? Surely you heard of what happened to the last Avatar, who were defeated by a regular human. While our interests are in conflict with one another, the truth is that I am not your enemy. The Master is also not your enemy. If I somehow manage show you my benevolent Master's miracles, and they are all greater than Kyoshi, would you be willing to trust him and rely on the true savior for your struggles? I can sense that you are a great warrior who demonstrates virtues, such traits are naturally pleasing in the Master's eye and he would surely have great plans for you. But you must trust in him. Avatar Kyoshi has misled you onto a stray path, she is just a false idol used by the elders and your parents to enslave you. That woman named Akahana cannot be trusted. If you believe in the lies devised by your leaders, then you will only face destruction. However, there is hope. If you choose to abandon your people's false belief and give yourself to the Master, he will promise you a greater reward. As a non-bender, the Master's miracle can transform you into a bender. Do not trust your village elders, Kyoshi Warrior. The Master is right here, prepared to embrace you with open arms. He is kind, benevolent, loving, generous, forgiving, and most important of all, he is a man who is slow to anger. The worship and veneration of any Avatar is false and evil. However, the Master is a savior who has come to bring forth the truth, which is the Eternal Balance. Being devoted to Kyoshi is inherently evil, only the Master's teachings is the only way. You have to recognize that like many, you are simply blinded to the truth of this world."
"I am the one is blinded?" Mayumi challenged while still blindfolded.
Mayumi took a deep breath to simmer the rising frustration. She knew the Dai Li have been imprisoning these people at large quantity for many years. It's a surprise these men have not gone senile after listening to the wanton speeches of what could bluntly be described as idiotic.
"Your name is Huo right?" Mayumi held the journal tighter. "I trained myself in the arts of combat for many years, but I never took another person's life. However, if someone like you dare try to come after me or my sister again, don't blame me for not warning you."
Her footsteps picked up, almost storming to the door. As the three Dai Li escorted her out of the room, the chained-up prisoner is still relentless, trying her best to reach out to Mayumi.
"Daughter of Akahana, before you read my mother's journal, I want you to know that she has nothing but love towards you and your people." Huo emphasized quickly. "She is willing to risk her own life so that your people can be saved from a false belief! I believe your sense of reason will triumph over the lies of Kyoshi. If you are interested, I am here, ready to explain more about the Master's teac-"
The door slammed shut, sealing them off from the acolyte's speech. After that ordeal, silence is such a welcoming feature.
"Good riddance," remarked the Dai Li named Cowherd. "Next time, give me an earplug."
As Mayumi marched with obstructed vision, she questioned the inquisitor.
"Aren't you afraid that giving me this journal might threaten your ever so cherished harmony?" She asked. If this journal contains sensitive information that could harm Ba Sing Se, the Dai Li would not hand it over easily.
"As I said before, the insufferable peon who wrote this diary are shortsighted, just like the rest of them. Compared to the holy canon written by their leader, this insignificant journal reveals nothing we already know." The inquisitor held the golden book protectively to his chest. "Its contents serve no purpose to our city. However, someone like you would be more interested. I advise that you find someone who is cultured on your island and interpret the words for you."
Mayumi pondered. The Dai Li thinks she cannot read the journal herself. instead of correcting him, she believes that maintaining this perception of an illiterate person could play to her advantage. The less the enforcers know about her, the better it is for her.
"So, what is stopping me from just finding a local scholar and read this journal for me?" Mayumi said, testing the waters. She still has to abide by the agreement to limit the masses' knowledge of the cult imbedded into the city.
"I doubt you would," the inquisitor claimed. "Now, we have to make sure the White Scholar himself do not discover something obvious is missing."
"Something?" Mayumi was not impressed with the label. Despite blindfolded, she senses that the inquisitor has stepped away, walking to another cell made of wood. Upon him opening the door, she can clear someone using a whip, lashing at two prisoners.
Although it might be just a theory, she felt that the teashop owner could be one of those prisoners. He is an Earthbender, and wood would be one of the best materials to keep them in.
...
"There, that should be enough." Zhu Di removed the blindfolded, and they are once again inside Shan's siheyuan courtyard house. They even retrieved Mayumi's straw hat and veil disguise and put them in her room.
"It seems that someone has delivered some food." Cowherd noted the ceramic basket that was just next the entrance door. Because no one is home, the delivery boy can only leave the food outside until it was retrieved.
The two Dai Li turned around to leave, but Mayumi stopped them.
"Is there anything else you want to say?" Mayumi pressed Zhu Di, who seems to be the more reasonable one out of the two. It's obvious that they all know each other's real identity, and she still haven't received a response.
"Yes, there is," Zhu Di said while his back is still turned against her. "A word of advice could keep you breathing longer. The inquisitor is not someone you should be trifling with. If you aim to independently investigate and somehow violated the city's jurisdiction, I cannot guarantee your life would be intact."
He refused to elaborate more in fear that doing so may endanger his own life.
"Trust me, the inquisitor would have no qualm ending the lives of the people who grew up with him. Even those closest to him would be killed if they went against the law." Zhu Di stated.
"Then what do I call him?" Mayumi asked. "What is his name?"
"I cannot reveal his identity," Zhu Di said candidly. "But you may refer to the inquisitor as none other than the Khu Li."
"Khu Li?"
Mayumi recalled that inside various history books, the term Khu Li are often used by Earth Kingdom historians to describe various government officials who are excessively cruel and sadistic. Across many dynasties, these types of people exist inside the court of monarchs. Regardless of the state they serve, or the nation they are from, these infamous officials in the position of power are never fondly remembered.
The two Dai Li leaped onto the roof, disappearing in a mere few seconds.
"Not even a goodbye?" Mayumi wondered. She is grateful to even retain the privilege to complain about their rudeness.
Remembering that Shan could return at any moment, she headed for her room and unequipped the armor and face paint. Once again, she is Takeko, inconspicuous to any cultists who could be roaming around the Lower Ring. But then again, she would be a fool to fully believe this illusion of safety. The Dai Li knows more than she has expected. If the Khu Li is cunning enough to know her real name, what other secrets is he aware of?
As the sound of crickets gradually became louder, the sun is also setting. She didn't immediately lay out the food on the table. The ceramic basket allows the steam to preserve the food's heat. A valid question would be how often do the Dai Li monitor Shan the White Scholar? Maybe the two enforcers from before were assigned specifically to watch this man.
Sitting on a stone chair, she placed down the dusty old journal that belonged to Huo's mother. Although she is eager to know what is inside, there is also a fear that what she discovers may change everything she knew about her people.
The elders, which also includes her late great grandmother, of course knows many things about Kyoshi Island's past. Her own mother likely knew many safeguarded secrets, inconvenient truths that are shielded away from the younger generations. Sometimes it's better to just conceal parts of history and ensure a more stable future. But in this case, she forces herself to uncover the truth of the past.
But what is written in Huo's journal might puncture her preconceptions. Mayumi always had a feeling that the older generation tend to eradicate certain parts of Kyoshi Island history.
Her hand slowly reached for the book cover. This journal has likely weathered through many rains, the material emits an appearance of dryness after being dipped in water. She is afraid what might be uncovered but believe that knowing more about these zealots can help her tremendously.
Right before her finger can even touch the journal, the footsteps drew closer from outside the yard. She headed for the entrance and opened the door for Shan, who is holding a sack of belongings.
After emptying out some additional tools to repair his window frames, he presented a sword along with a license made of wood.
"I hope your name was written correctly," Shan said. He showed her the wooden license, a piece of round plate small enough to be put inside a pocket. There are also strings attached it to, so that it can be conveniently tied around a belt.
"Yes, it is." When Mayumi invented a false name to conceal her real identity, she never considered what syllable was used. On the wooden weapon license, the name 竹子 is written in ink. With the official stamp of a coin symbol, she can now carry any weapon around Ba Sing Se.
Shan then handed her a sheathed sword. She drew it out, revealing a curved dao blade that can be wielded with only one hand. The weight is lighter than her own sword, and the weapon's metal also feels less brittle.
"I appreciate this gift," Mayumi said. "Thank you."
"It's not a gift," Shan replied with a dull expression. He then noticed that the food remained untouched, aware that Mayumi waited for him. The scholar then personally extracted the plates from the basket, he soon noticed the dusty journal.
After Mayumi quickly reassuring him that it belongs to a friend, Shan wondered if she was going to read it.
"Well, you see." Mayumi cannot help but feel a wave of surveillance. Her back ran cold, giving the notion that someone is watching her. "I can't read. The words are...difficult."
Shan looked at the ragged journal. The ugly cover has bits and pieces peeling off. To a highly cultured scholar, and especially Zhuangyuan ranked man, such items are absolutely unappealing.
"Do you need me to interpret it?" Shan asked, but eyes unimpressed with the journal's tattered conditions.
"Oh, that would very-"
Mayumi quickly stopped herself. She realized that if Shan read what's inside the journal, there is high chance that her current identity will be exposed. Huo's journal would likely mention the Acolytes of San Bao and the Kyoshi Warriors, if he managed to open it, then it may jeopardize everything she worked so hard to conceal. A ripple effect will likely transpire.
"It's fine Shan, I know someone personally that can read it, no need for the trouble."
The Khu Li gave her this journal, fully aware that she wouldn't dare show its content to the locals. But he also believes she is not literate, and so Mayumi will also act out this part of the play just in case someone is secretly watching.
"Very well then," Shan paid no heed to this minor issue. "There are still other matters we must address."
He stated that the poem he used earlier to humiliate Jin Lian's lack of literacy skill is actually a very important commission in the Upper Ring.
"Where is it?" Shan asked. Remembering that he ordered Mayumi not to clean up the yard, the scholar strolled around the garden, searching for the scroll. Amongst the field of scattered pages, books and bamboo slips, he had a hard time locating the one. After forcing himself to dig through some random paper, he managed to obtain a scroll that was stomped on.
"Is it still salvageable?" Mayumi noted the condition of the poetry scroll. Jin Lian's bodyguards have no regard to the scholar's belongings, and it appears that this specially commissioned poem has also became part of the collateral.
Shan stared at it with a dull and emotionless expression. He is a serious minded individual, a perfectionist at all account. Yet, when facing an important commissioned poem being trampled on, the scholar is remarkably unfazed. The ink on the scroll has been completely disorientated by the inconsiderate stomp, disarraying the syllables and making it unreadable. If any other scholar is in this position, they would never be able to fully replicate it to the fullest detail. Inspiration comes and goes, if a poem or haiku is made during a special moment, then it would never be the same if it is reproduced afterwards.
"No matter," Shan gently let go of the scroll, allowing it to fall to the ground. "I will get another page. The details of this poetry are all within my recollection. It does no matter if the physical page is destroyed."
"You can remember what you wrote word by word?" Mayumi asked, unconvinced that the scholar can replicate it.
But then again, this is Shan the White Scholar, a prodigy that earnt the title of Zhuangyuan in the world's hardest exam. He likely never saw much value in an unfinished work anyway.
Mayumi's question was not answered directly, the scholar stated that the important request also includes painting a portrait. The very important client commissioned a painting that can complement a love poem, which aims directly at a noblewoman named Lady Qian Jin of a prominent military family.
"This commission can determine the fate of two very influential Upper Ring families," said Shan. "The client requested that my painting and poetry can be used to help secure this union, bolstering what is lacking in his son. Depending on the mood of Lady Qian Jin's family, a marriage union can form. But time is of the essence. The two sides are still in limbo on whether or not the arranged marriage should even take place. Lady Qian Jin's father has doubt in his potential son-in-law. Therefore, this commission holds a certain stake in Ba Sing Se's clan politics. It is vital for that suitor to impress Lady Qian Jin with his skill as a learned man. A love poem and painting will certainly be sufficient."
"But you are the one who will do the work," Mayumi said the obvious. It's rather pathetic that client needs someone else to compensate for his son's lack of talent. Perhaps this is one of the many reasons why Shan endorses a ruthless meritocratic school of thought. "I hope I am not stepping out of bounds, but how will you be able to produce a poem of such nature while painting a portrait of Qian Jin?" She doesn't know about Qian Jin enough to comment. Whoever this noblewoman is, it is likely she is a high-ranking member of the Upper Ring.
Shan snapped open his white fan, cooling himself.
"A productive question, Takeko." He answered in his usual stoic expression. "By morning I will recreate the original poem along with Lady Qian Jin's portrait."
He is overly confident. While she has no doubt that he is a very renown scholar, writing a sophisticated poem and creating a portrait is too much in one night. If it wasn't for Jin Lian's destructive intrusion, Shan may not need to rush it. Before the conversation can end, Shan stated that she has already met this son of the client. Someone who has a fierce penchant of cleanliness, just like the rest of his people.
"He is Gong Zi?" Mayumi recounted. When she first knocked on Shan's door, the presence of the Gan Jin brothers was not cordial. Just like any member of the Gan Jin tribe, the one named Gong Zi is also a perfectionist when it comes to sanitation.
According to Shan, who is an expert in Ganjinese culture, young master Gong Zi and his brother are children of the Gan Jin patriarch. Since the beginning of their history, the Ganjinese are always a highly refined and cultured people. As an ethnic group that prides itself on cleanliness and a precise way of living, almost every member of the Gan Jin can be considered high classed members of society. Although many of them are fixated on minor details, adhering to an inflexible lifestyle, none can doubt that their traditions allowed them to thrive in the Upper Ring's high culture, which they have no problem adapting. Due to the exceptionally clean and sanitary lifestyle, the current patriarch is still a healthy individual despite his advanced age. Although that man is a highly respected member by all citizens of the Upper Ring, his sons however, were not so bright...
"I see," Mayumi realized. "Young master Gong Zi failed to even pass the Keju. This brings into question about whether or not he is a qualified husband worthy of Lady Qian Jin." It is almost customary in the Earth Kingdom for a scholar to pass the exam to demonstrate their intellectual prowess. Gong Zi's inability to qualify casted a shadow on this arranged marriage proposal. If the Gan Jin patriarch cannot salvage this situation, then the whole ordeal could be canceled.
"I emphasize this strongly. Although I frown upon clan politics, the marriage between young master Gong Zi and lady Qian Jin can help stabilize rivalry between certain families. It can even serve as a counterweight to the powerful Ximen clan." Shan warned. "Takeko, I shared with you this secret, in return, I expect that you do not even allow one word of this to slip. To you, I am the one who is trying to impress Lady Qian Jin with poem and painting. But to the city, it is young master Gong Zi of the Gan Jin tribe. Understand?"
"You can trust me," Mayumi replied. She wondered why he is even worried. Why would a village girl like her even care about the mess that the aristocrats are playing? She already read too much historical documents of political intrigue to know that entering that kind of world is bound to be messy.
"I hope so Takeko," Shan stated. "Sometimes, it's better to keep a secret just to live normally. Even if the world is just a huge deception, at least make it a relatively comfortable one."
'Yeah...I guess." Mayumi is unsure. While she does acknowledge that keeping certain secrets away can be helpful, a small part of her is also hesitant. Just like the many elders of Kyoshi Island that came before her, she is also struggling with certain secrets that may be harmful if it's revealed to her people.
As Shan headed for the table and extracted what appears to be some simple rousong meat floss and congee, Mayumi stared at the journal that once belonged to Huo's mother. Everything that the Firebender said gave her many questions.
What does Kyoshi Island have to do with the Acolytes of San Bao's ultimate goal?
End of chapter message:
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