Chapter three
The first thing that Mr. Ping heard was the sound of chains rattling softly against iron bars. He was laying belly down on a cold metal surface. He felt sore and could taste blood in his mouth. His right eye throbbed painfully and he recalled the beating he had received just before being knocked out. A slight, chilly breeze was blowing all around him and, if he was not mistaken, his was swaying back and forth. Cracking his eyelids, he surveyed all he could see while lying still. There was a dim light coming from somewhere close by, probably from a candle, Ping thought. Before him was a rough rock wall near the light source and he could hear what sounded like humming, a beast humming a tune. Though, what tune was being hummed, he could not tell.
Ping lay there for quite some time, totally motionless and waited with bated breath, listening intently. Drops of water could be heard falling, presumably from the unseen ceiling. Every once in a while the sound of light coughing could also be heard. Finally satisfied that he was in no immediate danger, he decided he would stand up and see what danger he had found himself in. Just as he was about to get up he heard new sounds that caused him to remain still.
At first, he was sure he heard the sound of a door opening and then snapping shut. The scraping on the floor and the whine produced from the movement told Mr. Ping that it was a metal door. The sound of foot paws, perhaps three or four sets, could then be heard coming closer, and now there was enough sound to make and echo, throwing off Ping's directional sense. After a moment, the sounds of steps halted, fairly close by and voices could be heard striking up conversation.
"Well, has he even moved?" questioned the first. His voice was smooth and dark like a bianzhong being struck on its lower toned bells. "Jing-Wei wants to know if he is ready to talk yet. I'm guessing that our first chat might have loosened his beak, eh?" At that, several voices of varied pitch could be heard laughing uproariously, their jeers turning Mr. Ping's stomach. Then spoke the second, his voice like that of a child in the beginnings of a tantrum; high pitched and upset.
"He has not moved! Not in the slightest! Maybe we should aim some arrows at the chains and see if we can get the cage to drop into the pit!" At that, he began to laugh wildly, the sound bouncing around so loudly that it was near deafening! Yet he was the only one to do so. Finally, it ended and there was an awkward moment of silence that was only broken shortly thereafter by a stern reply from the first voice.
"Careful Su-Yi, you border on treason," The first said coldly. "I'm certain our lord would not want him dead, yet."
"Yeah, well, I suppose you know everything don't you, Yong-Min!" snapped the second voice. "What's to say I don't drop him in just for fun after you've gone, eh?" He laughed again and for a moment, Mr. Ping thought these were his last moments on earth. Suddenly, the laughing turned to a sharp yelp, followed by a scream and then a loud and sickening thud far below him. Then Yong-Min Bellowed out to the others in the room.
"That is what will await you when you speak treason against the great Kung Fu master Jing-Wei, Lord of that which he takes and offspring of the mighty Tai-Lung! You will know suffering! You will know death! Serve, or be crushed! You have been warned! Now who will take his post?
One voice, much more mild than the other two quickly spoke. "I will, sir." His voice was ugly and evil, yet cool and almost charming. "Su-Yi was weak. I will not be disloyal." At that, a set of foot paws advanced and Yong Min spoke again.
"Ah, young Mu, I am pleased to see that one of you has initiative. Very well then, guard him, and when he wakes send the guard outside to fetch me." Again, were the sounds of movement, but now they were retreating in the direction in which they had come. When the steps had nearly faded away, Yong called out to Mu. "You have seen what happens to those who fail and are unworthy to serve his master well." Then the door opened and closed again.
By now, Ping was terrified and had broken out in a cold sweat. He wondered what horrors awaited him and just how long they would delay them. He did not have to wait long to hear some of the cruel ideas however, as Mu was more than happy to share.
"We are going to fry you, goose," said Mu in that icy tone. "We are going to pick the feathers from your flesh and then we are going to fry you." He chuckled darkly and Ping heard him start to move about the room. "I know you have awoken and I can sense your fear. I can taste it!" At this last statement, Mr. Ping could hear what sounded like pure and hideous joy in Mu's voice. "You may as well tell us where it is hidden! Maybe we will let you live, and serve as a slave in our ranks!" Again, he laughed cruelly. The sound was starting to chill Ping to his very soul. When he stopped he spat on the ground and shouted. "Go ahead and keep up the charade, goose! Sooner or later, my master will know everything and with the power that Shifu entrusted you with, he will lay waste to this entire valley… and every beast in it!" Throwing his head back, Mu laughed again, this time more madly than ever.
Ping shook and a tear fell from his eye on to the cold metal cage floor. He could not believe what he had heard! Tai-Lung's son had come here to destroy everyone, even his little Po! He continued to lie there quietly, terrible thoughts now riddling his mind. He didn't know how they knew, but his secret pact with Shifu was now out, and it was just a matter of time before he would be forced to tell this new foe all that he knew.
