The doors to Hong Xiuquan's teahouse swayed open again, in came a figure covered by a piece of brown hood, marching towards the counter as the disguise draped across the dusty carpet. The shopkeeper lifted his head anxiously, but then expression brightened with delight. He quickly crawled out of the countertop, jumping over and hastily arrived near the messenger.
"Thank the Master, glad you made it back safely!" The shopkeeper said in an almost pleading voice.
The middle-aged man even arrived with a tray of the finest tea this insignificant establishment have in possession. He prepared them on a nearby table, hoping the messenger would be relished. When another customer asked for a refill, he abruptly scoffed, focusing on serving the figure underneath the brown hood. The difference in attitude is clear, those born 'pure' are given preferential treatment.
"The audacious journey from Republic City must have been difficult. Here, these are prized some prized Tieguanyin, the finest tea I have in the collection." He poured a cup with upmost care. But the messenger secretly rolled his eyes, disdained at the beverage's untraditional methods. Even a mere servant knows how to better prepare hot drinks than this supposedly teashop owner.
The man presented the tea to the guest, which was outright refused. Not minding it too much, he then asked about the whereabouts of the reinforcements that was sent to intercept the assassin.
"Oh, esteemed messenger!" He praised in an exaggerated tone. "Your arrival is such a blessing from the Master. It is such an honor for my two sons to personally lead an expedition. They are some of the youngest members preparing themselves to ascend to a greater level of cultivation, to see them successfully completing their first mission that benefits the Eternal Balance bring me great joy! But mind I ask, where are my two children?" The shopkeeper stared at the doorway, hoping to see his two offspring marching into the vacant teahouse unscarred. There is only one other customer, a random non-bending acolyte who was refused service earlier.
"Your sons fulfilled their purpose," the messenger calmly assured, placing a hand on the shopkeeper's shoulder. This alone made the father change to more confused expression. "As the patriarch of a own family unit, you should be proud that they have served their uses to me."
"Y-yeah, but where are those two rascals?" The owner walked to the entrance, seeking any signs for his two only children. The messenger sighed, arriving next to the father. Sounds of rain intensified outside, perhaps the middle-aged acolyte is still in denial.
"Aren't you going to ask where the non-benders are? The same ones commanded by your sons?" The messenger inquired.
This was met with a questioning gaze, why would a pure bender be concerned about those insects? Anyone who is impure should be eternally grateful that they can be of use for a pure bender.
"Why do you care about your sons anyway?" The messenger asked as they both stare at the rainy streets. "Caring so deeply about the well-being of your children may become a distraction from your own devotion to the Master."
"B-but..." the shopkeeper appeared at a loss, perhaps slowly understanding the implications. "Why aren't my sons back? D-did something bad happened to them?" Once again, the tea maker made no mentions of the thralls who accompanied his sons. To these people, a single hair of a bender worths much more than even a hundred expendable underlings who would fight for the Eternal Balance. It's better to preserve valuable belongings than try to save majority of what is worthless.
The sound of the rain intensified, hitting the rooftop in a chaotic but natural symphony. The messenger motioned closer to the shopkeeper. "Do you love your sons more than the master?"
"W-what are you talking about? Where are my sons?"
"Answer my question," the cloaked figure asked with slight intimidation.
Reluctantly, the older man appeared vulnerable. Even when it comes to fellow family members, nothing must be placed above their love towards the Master. In an almost inaudible volume, he quietly answered, stating that he has already prepared his sons to die in the name of the master if the situation demands it. All members who are born into the Acolytes of San Bao would be taught to be ready to die for the righteous cause, and personal sacrifices are expected and should not trump over the goal to spread the Eternal Balance across the world. A parent should not be too fixated in the loss of their child, instead they should celebrate for successfully raising acolytes who are loyal to the master even at the very end. The shopkeeper's two sons are likely now reincarnated as pure benders on somewhere...
The shopkeeper lowered his head, accepting his sons' fate. Hopefully those pure benders would be venerated and be remembered as great examples for how members should conduct when fighting for the righteous cause. But there is also a hint of sadness no matter how hard the father seeks to hide it, even if the Master and the Eternal Balance is more important than family itself.
"Well then, now that this is settled, I supposed we can move on to subjects that are actually important to me." The messenger ordered the shopkeeper to guide them to the sect leader. The latter is in a depressed mood, but nonetheless fulfilled his duty in spite of sadness. Behind the counter is another door that leads to a backroom that most would consider as just a storage. But both of them knew that normal looking entrance is what will lead the messenger straight to the sect leader, the man who oversees all the cultish cells and chapters scattered around the city. Additionally, many of these decentralized groups have gathered their representatives in one place.
There might never be another golden opportunity like this one. Today's occasion is special, for all of them.
...
Despite the rundown appearance of the teahouse's underperforming decorations, underneath is a secret compound where local acolytes can gather in secret. Following the stairs leading downward, one can find themselves in a grand hall populated with people from all around the Lower Ring. There was no expense spared in furnishings. Beautiful and sacred objects are displayed on nearby shelves, such as cups or pieces of paper that is physically touched by the Master himself. There are also golden symbols of the four elements placed around the walls, allocating spaces for where the benders will sit. Of course, there is only Earthbenders here that can actually use it. Nevertheless, the acolytes sacrificed majority of their money and jewelry just to craft, dedicating their life to the Eternal Balance.
"Behold!" A man yelled charismatically on stage, captivating the full attention of the audience below. The crowd is made up of many representatives from various Lower Ring chapters, here to join Ba Sing Se's sect overseer to listen the master's very important message. Each one is prepared to advance the next step in bringing the Eternal Balance to the world's stage, and nothing can contain their excitement. "Be enveloped in the power of the Eternal Balance, feel the presence of the Master himself!" Using a handheld fan, the man waved, creating gentle currents of air that brushes through the people sitting at the front row. The men targeted are all pure benders, the most devoted and important members of the city's underground sect, which is why they were given the front seat privilege to savor this hedonistic sensation.
With one swift motion, the sect leader triggered a reaction that would appear bizarre to normal people. Those pure benders in the crowd are overwhelmed by the master's presence! They cannot handle the sheer magnitude even being slightly connected to his excellency's existence!
Most of them collapsed to the ground when they felt that gentle air current, spasming and shaking their bodies as if a divine force has passed through the flesh. Adults landed on the ground cried in joyful tears, yelling gibberish and chant the same slogans parroted by their respective leaders. They enjoy basking in the master's glory all at the same time demonstrating their gratefulness. What did they do to deserve such reward? The Master is simply so great!
The sect leader smiled contently at the wailing people lying on the ground. The sight of acolytes fully immersed themselves into the Eternal Balance is such a joy to witness. There is no shortage of tears overflowing, their knees have become weakened alone with spirits uplifted. Oh, such is the greatness of the master, able to bring forth happiness and meaning to these pure benders. These devoted acolytes set an example to how all their fellow acolytes should strive, all the unenlightened people in the world must learn and aspire to become just like them. In the ways of the Eternal Balance, loyalty to the master and adherence to preserving bending's purity is a great virtue that will be rewarded accordingly!
"Oh, esteemed overseer!" Someone cried from the back of the hall. "Please, I beg you, shower us too with some of the Master's essence!" He is not alone, all the acolytes around him jumped up and down, waving their hands rigorously just to get the sect leader's attention. They are almost like children wanting a parent's love desperately like it is the only worth to their lives.
Unlike the seats at the front row, the back of the crowd is nearly pitch dark. Which is why the man on stage cannot trace the voice's origin. But that isn't a problem since they are just a large blob of people, words are enough to convey a command.
The overseer raised his hand up, slowly calming the crowd of non-benders. "The Master cherishes loyalty, but only the most devoted and spirituality cultivated may receive this reward. When you all become righteous pure benders, naturally will receive the same privilege as your purer brethren. The Master not only is pleased but is joyful by your patience!"
"Long live the Master! Glory to the Eternal Balance!" The non-bending crowd chanted loudly. Following this, they all knelt to the ground. While they cannot be allowed to experience the master's overwhelming presence like those pure benders, each believes that as long as they become righteous and loyal to the Master by carrying out their duties as acolytes, they too will become pure benders. From now, they can only jealously marvel at those pure benders savoring the feeling of the spiritually induced air current.
The reason why many acolytes in Ba Sing Se are so desperate is because of how far away they are from the master. To overcome the problem of distance, the Master of the San Bao Acolytes chose some of the most spiritually pure benders and ordained them into regional sect leaders, sending them across the world. The sect leaders are responsible for overseeing the spread of the Eternal Balance, ensuring that every year there is more acolytes than the last. It is a paramount position that any members can hold, using the Master's name to propagate their great philosophy and bring more unenlightened people to the righteous cause. To support the sect leaders in their everlasting quest, the master granted them sacred objects considered spiritually imbued with his power. The fan wielded by the sect leader is also one of the many gifts bestowed.
Just before, those devotees at the front row collapsed merely from feeling the fan generated currents. Fainting and crying onto the floor. The non-benders desire the same privilege but can only wait until they too become pure benders. To even get there, they must be loyal to the Eternal Balance and carry out the Master's will. Only then can they reap the reward like these pure benders.
As all the non-benders prostrated and touched the floor with their foreheads, one of them have a different idea. A lone individual crawled out of his seat and ran towards the stage. There is a metal fence that separates the benders and non-benders, and the fellow intends to climb over so that he too may be fanned by a master's belonging.
"Get down servant!" An Earthbending guard shoots out a small disc, knocking the violator off the very important fence. The projectile precisely smashed the head, bruising the temporal. As the non-bender screamed in pain, the sect leader sighed, lecturing the other non-bending acolytes on why this behavior displeases the Master.
"The Master severely disapproves the objection to the natural order. To achieve Eternal Balance, we must demand that all things to coexist in harmony. How can we bring forth a calming effect upon this world if there is disobedience in our rank?"
The non-bending acolytes trembled fear, they haggled with the man on stage, proclaiming that they have nothing to do with that nameless idiot who violated the rules. What was done actually transgresses the hierarchy by attempting to invade the pure bender's personal space?
Some people started to curse and heckle at the one who broke rank, scathing their fellow non-bender for the act that displeased the sect leader.
"Good, good," the sect leader said to the non-benders. "Now, show us how loyal you are to the righteous goal! Show the others how to discipline those who do take the master's teachings at heart!"
In a split second, many non-benders jumped out their kneeling position and lunged at the nameless man. They started to abuse him physically with heavy punches and kicks. A few acolytes drew out small knives to maim, angrily punishing this acolyte for making the rest look bad in front of a Master's representative. This continued as the benders near the stage are still on the ground, rolling their bodies in reflection of their Master's comforting assurance. The painful cries of that non-bender stabbed by his fellow acolytes are accompanied with rounds after rounds of joyful shrieking by those pure benders.
"Behold!" The sect leader roared again. He pointed at the entrance with intense focus, fingers directed at the shopkeeper leading a hooded figure into the hall. "The messenger from the Master himself have arrived!"
Many acolytes are in awe as they marched in. As a dozen of acolytes continued to brutalize the rule breaker, the messenger headed for the stage. Earthbending guards opened the metal fence, allowing their highly valued guest through to meet their sect leader.
The pure benders somewhat recovered from their earlier trace-like state. They took their comfortable seats, preparing themselves to listen the master's next plan of action.
"Be silent, for the Master's messenger have graced us!" The sect leader warned, making the crowd almost mute. "Let us give our ears to the Master's representative! Now dear messenger, proceed, deliver the inspiring words from the Master himself! Enlighten us all with his inspiring words and reveal the glorious plans for Ba Sing Se!"
The messenger retrieved a piece of parchment from within the hood and passed it to the sect leader. As the latter opens for t to read, the hooded figure swiped a glance at the ground, ensuring that there is only adult inside this underground compound.
"Oh, great overseer!" One of the Earthbender guards asked. "Please, tell us about the grand plans of the Master, satisfying our unquenchable excitement to see the Eternal Balance take hold in Ba Sing Se!"
As the pure benders and the non-bending acolytes waited with anticipating smiles, the sect leader appeared slightly concerned. He looked back at the messenger, before anyone can comprehend, the latter pulled the hood backward, letting it drop to the ground. The more the brown garment reveals, the more obvious it became.
A young man with a metal conical helmet and an attire made of a darkish green robe stood in place near the sect leader. The room dropped silent, even more dead cold as if the spirits themselves have tarnished their existence. Some felt their knees weakened from the sight of that harrowing face paint.
"D-da-" One member of the audience trembled. Without warning, the 'messenger' swiped a sharp blade across the overseer's torso. His body fell down the stairs, rolling near the feet of a pure bender guard. The letter is also dropped to the floor.
The page is empty.
Those nearby quickly backed a few steps away. But they are also too afraid, unsure if the sect leader is still alive or not.
Most Acolytes are too overwhelmed in shock, horrified by this unforeseeable act. To plan for this secret meeting from all the hidden cells across the city was no easy task. Having so many representatives from various locations all in one place is a risky move itself. But none of the Acolytes can predict that this is how they would be compromised, by inviting a wolf right into the den.
"Do you peons know the cost of treason and betrayal?" The messenger asked them, interested in what kind of response these cultists will give. But none answered. Sensing the lack of initiative, he stomped onto the sacred fan bestowed by the Master, making the acolytes scream and hiss predictably. To these cultists, anything that came from their Master is considered spiritually important, valuing more than even their own lives.
"How dare you! This our sacred ground!" One of them yelled.
Enraged by the disrespectful act of desecration, many acolytes drew out their weapons, preparing to kill the one who dare to transgress. Such is the reaction the cultural guardian wanted. The Earthbenders near the stage used their bending to rip out the grounds and sent forth large chunks of earth, aiming to smash the imposter that dare to deceive them. It was swiftly nullified with a small wall shot up from the ground. The enforcer swiftly counterattacked using a hail of pellets pummeling into their fleshy bodies. Despite outnumbered and lacking in force, the enforcer utilized his precision in the attacks, pinpointing vital organs while outmaneuvering them all with swift and nimble movement. He exploited their sluggish fighting style, shooting smaller earth bullets in the gaps of their defenses from the pair of rocky gloves. It continued until all the 'pure' Earthbenders in this underground hall fells to the ground, barely alive.
The crowd of non-bending acolytes stood in horror. They gawked at the deaths of what they considered to be the most elite in their ranks. Without the pure benders as guidance, their confidence is destroyed. However, the urge to kill this intruder is still insatiable.
The enforcer noticed their glaring eyes filled with murderous intent. Despite the Acolytes of San Bao being a cult, they are nonetheless bound by their own culture and the family who also subscribes to it.
The enforcer looks down on them all.
"I will give you all one chance only, so please, heed my advice oh expendable pawns." He said to the non-bending acolytes in an almost speech-like manner. "Discard your tools of lawlessness and forsake thoughts in imprudent acts. If that is fulfilled, maybe I will be merciful and make an exception. For those who renounce this asinine game now, I will consider slightly more lenient punishments."
"We will never give up!" yelled a man holding a farming tool. "The Master have given us strength. We are invincible to your attacks!"
All other acolytes simultaneously erupted into a thunderous cheer. They charged through the metal fence, stepping over the bodies of their Earthbending brethren and faintly breathing sect leader. Despite having no bending at all, these followers have higher numbers that can swarm their target. In their minds, being a large mob for the Master will certainly yield victory despite the odds.
As they charged up the stage to where the enforcer is standing, the latter drew out a saber to meet their axes and knives. Instead of using bending, he wanted to level the playing fields, defeat them in a fairer manner.
"The blade is blind to whose blood it spills," he hinted darkly.
...
The shadow strolled out from the back entrance and returned to the dining hall. He headed for the main exit, treading onto the red carpet that did a great job to hide the blood-stained shoes. While his robe remained perfectly unsullied with crimson, he is nonetheless grateful that the shopkeeper decorated this place decent enough.
One of his earth gauntlets reached for the now cold tea. The enforcer drank it without concern, knowing that the one who prepared it would not administer poison. But if he was being honest, the quality of the taste certainly dropped significantly. The flavor runs stale in his mouth. There is a saying in the arts of Earth Kingdom tea making, an unpalatable infusion drink may either imply the brew master's utter incompetence or ill-intentions. Only when the tea is prepared with experience and earnest motivation can it even taste good.
"Come out," the enforcer suddenly said. "At least show some dignity."
Even without looking at the specific table in the remote corner of this empty room, the enforcer can already sense the trembling man hiding underneath it. It wasn't that random non-bender who was rudely refused service earlier, no, that man is also dead along with most of the other cultists. Only a selected few inside that meeting hall are still alive down there, albeit gravely injured, they would be useful to extract information.
He waited for brief moment, and the enforcer chose to make his gradual exit. The middle-aged shopkeeper emerged from below a dining table, confused why the shadow left him alone. Although he managed to save his own skin, he thought about how this imposter deceived him and most importantly killed multiple pure benders below his teahouse. The loyal acolyte stormed out of the building, seeking spiritual retribution upon that government lapdog.
Upon stepping into the rainy street and shoes landed on a puddle, he shouted at the enforcer to get his attention. "Halt your cowardly retreat, do not act so juvenile after committing heinous crimes upon the Master's most capable warriors!"
As the rain dropped down his conical helm, the enforcer slowly turned around, looking at the man with a cold and lifeless glare. He drew a breath from the surrounding freezing air, ashamed of this peon's lack of familial concern. "I may be a lapdog as you would describe, but even then, I am confident that a lowly servant like me will always be seen more favorable in the eyes of the spirits. You? A peon who cares less about his own two fledglings deserves nothing short of a renewed education. But don't worry, I will organize things on your behalf."
It's as if some deity or translucent being agreed with this firm statement, the sky suddenly flashed with a single lighting, screaming a shattering sound as it illuminated the street for a single second. But that is enough for the tea maker to discover just what is the hiding within the shadows right in front of the teahouse's entrance.
In the midst are dozens of tall figures standing like statue, waiting outside the building this whole time. They stood in organized rows, uniformly postured with their fear inducing appearance of an efficient enforcing unit. Each have their helmets slightly tilted forward, obscuring what would over wise be a humanizing face.
"Take him," the one with the grim face ordered. "Before fulfilling full usefulness, I would like to personally see him broken."
The shopkeeper assumed an Earthbending stance, confident in fighting against the odds. But his bending is useless against the metal chains thrown towards him, snatching the shopkeeper at all four limbs. He is dragged a bit across the ground before abruptly pulled somewhere on rooftops, where other enforcers will receive him.
Jiang Huan emerged from behind the inquisitor, reporting that they have captured the Firebender.
"Good," said the inquisitor formally. "You executed my orders correctly." The inquisitor then told the others to enter the teahouse basement. The task is to clean up the scene in order to not draw public attention. Escorting many surviving acolytes without being seen would be difficult, even for a group of notoriously efficient men like them.
"We prepared multiple ostrich-horse carriages, that should be able to help us conceal the prisoners." Jiang Huan commented.
The inquisitor inquired about this part of the plan. As a newly appointed task force leader by the director, he granted certain freedoms for subordinates to decide for themselves. But just before he can commemorate Jiang Huan for his quick thinking, the latter noted that it was Zhu Di who thought of the idea.
Hearing this, the inquisitor narrowed his eyes, unsure if this may threaten the new balance of power in the ranks. Zhu Di is temporarily relieved on Western Depot manager and is now a normal enforcer just like many others. Perhaps leaving him at the frontline may not be productive in the long term.
He suddenly turned to the left, eyeing a particular rooftop. Something was there.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Huan followed his superior's lead and shifted eyes to the same building. There is nothing out of the ordinary, just a regular building in distance standing amongst many that is all abandoned. No residents have been dwelling in these buildings following the assassination of Queen Dowager Hou Ting. The brief anarchy destroyed parts of the Lower Ring, making certain places like this unlivable.
"It's probably just a stray cat that caught your attention sir, besides, it's still raining, who knows what damage the water can do to aging clay tiles." Jiang Huan reassured, hoping it may sooth the inquisitor's overactive nature.
But the man with grim face paint did not broke attention from where he is looking. "The Lower Ring's overlapping glazed roof tiles do not leak easily Jiang Huan, this you do not know since you are not from here." He ordered the Eastern Depot leader to carry out the presenting task without missteps, and then soon head off somewhere else.
Jiang Huan did exactly as what he was told. Under his supervision, the surviving prisoners are taken to previously prepared carriages. Using metals chains, it can help mitigate the risk of Earthbenders breaking free. The deceptively wooden planks of the carriages also help guard against any potential escapees who wishes to alter the material. But the entire reason why they are even escorting prisoners in the first place is due to their connections to certain hideouts around the city. It is a goldmine of information they can use to further suppress the Acolytes of San Bao in Ba Sing Se. Furthermore, the apprehension of that Firebending messenger can provide further insights on the cult's innermost workings, as if they didn't already have plenty of it in the archives.
"So... uh, what do I do now?" an elderly voice sounded behind Jiang Huan. It's the old sweeper seeking a new order.
"Keep cleaning the street, old man!" Jiang Huan warned.
