Chapter 3: His Paradise lost
Dong Zhuo had to get creative when the law hit the world. I mean, it was one of the stupidest, most outrageously crazy laws that they could have conceived but they still did it anyway. Even Dong Zhuo, in his rare moments of common sense and, if you can call it, 'sensibility', knew that he didn't attain power from being smart but he still felt that the law was ridiculous in the fact that it was almost impossible to implement. After all, it was a necessary evil in this world. But when the U.N. decided to ban guns, the entire world practically face palmed. Operation Ammunition was the most divided debate when it was announced.
Of course, no one expected it to happen. No one. Not Dong Zhuo, certainly. Nevertheless, it was implemented and the events that followed were surreal, to be put lightly. It started with the civilians: any people with no gun license (which is quite a big chunk of people) are to have their guns taken. Some were charged but most went off scot-free and, in Dong Zhuo's opinion, probably got new ones anyway. Of course, the disgustingly grand country called U.S.A was the one who started first and other countries followed suit, not including China in one of their rare astute moments, Dong Zhuo thought. This went on for but a few months, which was surprisingly fast considering how large the collective countries are.
Then they went to the criminals. They raided whatever weapons they could find, this time more forcefully. Of course they had gotten so much weapons by this time that there had to be storage facilities to store them. Rumors were that some military bases or unsuspecting house, depending on the source, had an underground basement that spread for miles and miles, where the extra weapons were kept, without their ammunition, waiting for someone to grab them. Again, these people got more weapons, albeit in smaller amounts due to the money lost or wasted from claiming new weapons. That was the first, albeit minor, success that the operation had. It was around this time that Dong Zhuo paid vastly more attention to the scenario.
Dong Zhuo easily predicted all of these past events, but what happened next was what aroused the attention of everybody. The first event happened when someone, possibly a member of some failing government, in a moment of what could only be described as genius, took charge over Operation Ammunition after the original leader in charge of the operation died, rather ironically, from a gunshot that was accidentally fired from one of the guns retrieved from the weapon raids. He ordered to stop production of guns from the source, and thus blacksmiths and armories all over the world were ordered to stop production of any modern weapons or risked being charged by international laws, which could put them under arrest. That, bewilderingly, worked more than anyone could have predicted, as production of guns, RPGs, rifles, even tanks reduced by 80%, at least that was the statistics in the newspapers.
The second one, however, was probably even more significant, even if it got less publicity. Another man, this time a lawyer specialising in firearm laws, reported in his private circle (of which Dong Zhuo was, and is still a member in) of a loop hole: while there were laws regarding the strict regulations of modern firearms, these new laws directly contradicted with previous weapon laws, so those older laws were secretly modified. Basically, any weapon not classified as being of modern make (whatever that was, Dong Zhuo thought) and/or as a firearm is technically legal. This included any premodern combat weapon like swords, bows, hidden blades and to Dong Zhuo's delight, certain explosives. Like bombs.
Dong Zhuo took great pleasure in the use of explosives, especially for his more…illegal activities. Many know that he is an individual to watch out for, including himself. That is what made him powerful: he was well aware of his own strengths and weaknesses, and made measures to heighten those strengths while diminishing those petty weaknesses. He is power hungry; he enjoys being in luxury and has the money to stay there while being surrounded by beautiful women doing his every whim and desire. But few knew of his two secrets, the two aspects of himself that he could not bear to lose.
The first was his desire to find paradise. Some knew of his owning of many properties in many exotic countries and many still think that this was for a tax dodge, or to hide what remains of his illegal stash of weapons or simply to invite some unsuspecting gold digger. No one knows that the real reason he bought those properties was that he wanted to find the place he called paradise. But none held that charm, that embracing hold that will make him lose all sense of worldly aspects, that place where he felt he truly belonged, where he was at peace.
The second, which even fewer know about, was his great, passionate love of explosives. The feeling he gets when that tortured soul was to experience the fires of hell while he fanned the flames, the screams of agony as they begged, pleaded for their life in return for anything they have, anything that they didn't have. He doesn't like to kill per se, but merely to injure, to torture. And one person today was about to find out.
At least, that was the plan, for fate had other ideas when he heard the door get scraped with the white of a person's knuckles.
Begrudgingly, he ordered one of the guards to torture the insurgent somewhere else through one of the hidden passages and, once both left, ordered the other guard to open the door. Who in the world would dare interrupt him when he specifically asked for privacy? Once the door opened, however, his expression softened as he saw the person in question. A woman.
She wore the standard uniform of a maid, but there's something quite different about her. For one, she wore certain accessories that seemed to make her glow almost in the light: long, hanging earrings; a glittering necklace; lips so red that you would think they were jewels; makeup that seemed to make her eyes all the more intoxicating. Dong Zhuo didn't think or even care that they were not manual labour friendly. Secondly, she did not have the ragged, worn, ugly faces of the maids for as beautiful as they might have been when he first hired them, they would always wilt somewhat, but this is the most spectacular flower he had ever seen—luxurious, seductive almost. It is as if she was preserved so beautifully that she will not wilt, not get ugly in his hands. Lastly, she has the face and body that suggested an exotic beauty. Chinese, certainly, was in the mix but she looks as though some other exotic race is in her blood, enhancing her beauty to new heights. Dong Zhuo didn't stop to think that she looked TOO beautiful, too enticing to be just a mere servant. He also conveniently forgot the fact that he doesn't even remember ordering for another maid.
All he knows that at this moment, she is the one who will lead to paradise. Nothing else mattered, not even the fact that he had forgotten to hide the miniature explosive he was going to 'experiment with' on the insurgent.
"Good morning, sir. I am the new maid."
Just as he thought, a voice smooth as silk. Yes, she would be the one to start my paradise, definitely. "My dear, what is your name?" He said in his most suave voice.
"Oh, I…do not think a mere servant needs to be referred to by name." She looked down towards the floor, embarrassment covering her face. It made her seem all the more beautiful.
"Nonsense. This is your first day. Now please, tell me what your name might be."
The woman was silent for a few seconds, thinking for a while as to how she should answer. Finally, she said, "My name is Diaochan. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Such an interesting nickname," he remarked. "I'm sure I can show you around, then." He says as he led this beautiful flower through the hallway, leaving behind the room with the chains, and the explosives, and the guard hiding the unconscious, desecrated body of the teenage Liu Bian: the ex-CEO of Han co, the man known in some circles as Emperor Shao.
Dong Zhuo spent the rest of that day hanging out with Diaochan, under the pretence of showing her the ropes and duties of the house (the fact that it was a large mansion helped to extend his time with her as much as possible). The only time he talked to someone else that day was to introduce the new maid to his adopted son, Lü Bu, and it was clear, at least to Dong Zhuo, that this new employee would be welcome. After all, even though Lü Bu was only there as a 'bodyguard' per se, his condemnation of certain staff members meant that he only allowed people he trust into Dong Zhuo's private circle. And his approval of Diaochan meant that there would be no problems if she were to, say, be seen frequently by his side. Or even exiting his bedroom if he was lucky. Dong Zhuo failed to see that the reason he approved of Diaochan might be because he too is charmed by her appearance.
And so, the rest of Dong Zhuo's days were spent in bliss for now he held a beauty beyond comparison. Of course she didn't accept all of his advances but he was sure she was playing shy. And it was quite good that she was spending some time with Lü Bu, well, actually a lot of time. But he is sure that his 'son' was just helping her with some of the harder labour. After all, whenever he imagined that rosy skin, that jasmine fragrance, there was no way that he would allow her to droop from the harder manual tasks. Dong Zhuo even managed to (with the promise of a significant pay rise) convince said lady to be an entertainer after he heard of her skills as a dancer. And what a dancer she was, for she twirled and spun with such grace you would not be able to tell her apart from a professional. Sometimes she would dance with Dong Zhuo but she maintained a professional distance away from others who might gaze a little too long at her beauty. Dong Zhuo didn't realise that Lü Bu was one of those gazers. Her most spectacular dance involved ribbons. The long flowing fabric seemed to obey her every command as she let it spin around her, fly around her, like a willowy extension of her hand, her being. It was entrancing. She was practically shining; this was the element she was meant to be in.
He did not see, however, the shine of a sectioned metal whip hiding in her dress, its magnificent lustre lost from the coat of red liquid.
He asked her to dance for him all the time, and it was an offer she couldn't refuse. So she did so, and after her duties as maid was done, if she wasn't tired, she would perform for Dong Zhuo and his men. But she did not perform for the fun of it, she did not work all her life to be an assassin just so she could do a little twirl in front of a man and then clean up the mess. She did it so she could get close to Dong Zhuo. She did it so she could get rid of him. But there was one other whom she could not help but notice: the bodyguard known as Lü Bu.
She was fascinated by him. A grown man, strong, manly, tough, acting as a bodyguard for some rich, pretentious megalomaniac. She did not understand it. It made her curious about her. She wished to know all about him. It helped that her father asked her to watch him as well.
"You must keep your eyes out for anyone who might be close to him. Especially that Lü Bu."
"But why, father? He is clearly only a pawn, a bodygaurd. No better than a servant." No better than I am she silently thought.
"But he is a powerful servant. If we can get Dong Zhuo enamoured with you, it will be easier to kill him. But if Lü Bu is also to fall for you…"
"Then we can make them fight between themselves?"
Wang Yun smiled. "It certainly is less likely to implicate you, my dear. Especially if the rumours of his temperament are true"
"I understand. Try to capture both of their hearts? As the waiguoren say…oh, what is it…two birds, one stone?" She smiled cheekily.
"Exactly, my dear." He said, as he patted his adopted daughter's head. "Exactly, my dear Ren Hongchang."
Diaochan smiled, for her real name, to be used by anyone, was a treat sweeter than candy itself.
She did as she was told, capturing both men's hearts, as well as the hearts of a few others, though they were of no interest to her. She did not, however, expect her own heart to be captured by the brute of the man known as Lü Bu as before she knew it, she had begun to spend as much time as possible with him, more than she would allow herself to do. She had to maintain a professional distance. After all, the men always seemed to love it when she played hard to get before she would ensnare them, letting their thoughts and desires be directed only to her. She shouldn't feel this way for such a brute of a man. He was strong, he was tough, he was brave, but he was also disloyal, ruthless, stubborn. Why does this man stay with such a pig, a dictator of luxury?
"Hmph, because I owe him."
"You…owe him?" Diaochan had queried one day, in the glow of the afternoon sun. He sat next to her on one of the benches in the garden. As it is spring, the petals were blooming, growing around them.
"He is puny, greedy, but he also lives in danger all the time. And I live for that danger. I owe him a chance to prove my might, for him to see just how strong I truly am, then I will be rid of him for good."
"But…what if he truly is as evil as they say? What if he were to…" she trailed off, but Lü Bu's curiosity had made the man turn towards her. His dark eyes, while menacing most of the time, seemed soft, almost protective as their gaze connected. This was another unusual trait she could not understand: his overwhelming trust for her. He was as disloyal as they come yet he so easily trusts those around him, no matter how bad or good they may be. No matter if they could easily kill him, right here, right now, Diaochan thought.
"There is no need to speak further." He huffed angrily, understanding the implications of her words. "He may be many things, most of them wrong and evil, but he is a man of appearance. He will not DARE to do such a thing." He paused, thinking a bit on his words. "But if he does, especially towards you, I will have no qualms over removing his existence from this world, if need be."
She smiled at him, genuinely, for the first time in a time too long to name. Definitely, it was the first time she had done so while on a job. This brighter smile did not go unnoticed by Lü Bu, who smiled gently in return.
"I especially will not allow you to come into harm. If need be, I…will be your bodyguard. Diaochan."
She turned to him in surprise. Not mock surprise, not fake surprise. Real surprise. She knew that she held his affection but she never expected him to say something like that to her, to risk himself like this. All she could do was sit there stiffly in surprise, as he put a comforting arm around her shoulders and together, they watched the sun set, the brilliant orange colours of the sky melting into the dark cool blue of the night.
She knew that she would have to part from him soon, that soon she will be nothing more than a long lost love, gone with the wind. A petite flower once in bloom now dead, not yet able to show the hidden thorns she held tightly to her body, constricting her.
Still, she would enjoy this while she can, she thought, as she lightly pecked Lü Bu's cheek. This simple kiss erupted into a whirlwind of kisses, of romance. And she, in the eye of the storm, enjoyed the chaos that surrounded her. No, she is the chaos, she thought, as she allowed her body to sink deeply into the strong body of the demonic bodyguard.
The day after, rumours sprung forth of the romance between Lü Bu and a maid. But no one was ever able to see which maid it was for the only indicator of the person's identity was the died brown hair, and the flower she seemed to have in her hair,its petals blooming into a prismatic pink. The flower was so hypnotic that no one was able to identify the person and thus, no one was able to verify the identity. But it was clear that the romance was real and thus the rumours bloomed among the staff and caretakers of the estate. Thus, Lü Bu's affair sprung forward to the world, as his passion seemed to seep into his very being with this sweet affair. And in those short, sweet weeks, Lü Bu: the 'Flying General'. The man of nightmares. The demon of chaos. Lü Bu was the happiest he had ever been in his short, bitter life.