Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm back again with another chapter, first of the month, whoo! Anyways, I'm going to quickly say that this is a pretty dark chapter, one that will probably make some of you guys uncomfortable. So if you can't handle it... well, I did warn ya. Let's get on with it!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN KFP (Yeah, stuff like this ain't happening in a Dreamworks film... except for Prince of Egypt funnily enough)

Enjoy... If you can.

The Emperor

Inside the forbidden city's trusted hospital, Yisheng sits within his office, head in paws, ears practically ringing. The screams. They wouldn't stop, with more and more piling onto the hospital's horrific soundscape. They pierce through his office walls, each horrific wail of terror dragging his heart down into a horrid abyss. He has to help these people. But how? How on earth could he help them when he has absolutely no clue what it even is they're suffering with? He puts his paws back on the desk, revealing dark circles under his eyes. Not a blink of sleep. Not in this madness.

To make matters worse, yesterday they had admitted around 70 or so patients. This morning, 30 more. All of them swinging away at an enemy that isn't even there. All of them screaming their lungs out. All of them starved, dehydrated and sleepless. How could the Gods conjure such a horrific plague? And if it isn't any sort of disease, then what kind of monster would subject someone to this? Before the rabbit doctor can finish up his thoughts, Xin enters into his office. As soon as she opens his door, the screams of over 100 patients blend together in a nightmarish cacophony of pure terror, crushing the eardrums of both medical professionals. She hurriedly slams the door shut, her lips trembling as her eyes barely hold her tears back. Yisheng's ears pressed tightly against his skull, he gazes at the nurse, eyes devoid of hope. "Is there any good news?" His voice desperately tries to haul itself along, fatigue embedded into his face as the poor sheep shakes her head.

"We've tried everything, but it's no use. None of our medicines work, none of the talismans work, nothing's working! And, and, and, and…" Her nervous babbles force several tears to break through her eyelids as she puts her hooves up to her mouth, trying to silence the sobs that will inevitably come.

Just as her muffled cries start, Yisheng wraps his arms around her, gently patting her back as some form of comfort. "Easy… easy…" He whispers into her ear. This proves fruitless however, as the primal wails of the patients overpowers his soft voice.

"It's horrible. Oh Gods it's horrible." Xin chokes on her tears, her voice cracking like glass threatening to shatter. She buries her head deep into Yisheng's shoulder, the rabbit's eyes staring at his door with a haunting emptiness.

"I know." This mutter is barely audible amongst the very manifestation of fear pounding away at the office walls. Amidst this daunting reminder, he snaps out of his hollow state, the safety of his patients making a new resolve punch life into his tired body. They can't just back down. They need to do something. But what? No, he can't let those thoughts break him down again. It is his duty to find a way to heal them. "But we can't just sit here and wallow in our despair. We need to think of something." Xin breaks away from his comforting embrace and nods at him in understanding, breathing heavily as her tears still cascade down her face.

Knock! Knock!

Both medical professionals dart their heads over to the office door, its knocks somehow managing to yell out over the never-ending screams emanating from each ward. "Come in." Yisheng calls out, curiosity and dread written all over his face.

A pig dressed in yellow robes hurries into the office before slamming the door behind him, visibly relaxing now that he has escaped the ear-piercing noise, even if that escape is miniscule. Another nurse desperately trying to help these petrified patients in whatever way he can. He adjusts his ragged robes slightly and clears his throat, "The other doctors are gathered near the front of the building, Yisheng." Confusion litters the rabbit's countenance as the pig shifts his eyes around the room awkwardly, "The emperor is going to arrive soon."

With that, Yisheng's eyes practically burst out of their sockets. They had received a message from the mandate of heaven this very morning, detailing of his visit in their desperate time. How could he forget something, no, someone so important? He barely even has time to think about this as he simply replies, "Of course, I'll be on my way." He nods his head to Xin before bolting out the door, facing the brunt of his patients' horrific cries.

"Help me!"

"That thing is gonna kill me! Please!"

"They're all over me, ah!"

"Get off me! Let me go!"

His ears clutching at his skull even tighter than before, Yisheng runs to the lower floors of the hospital complex, his heart riddled with guilt and sorrow at the petrified souls pleading for help. No wonder he could barely even remember the emperor's visit, the events of the past 24 hours remain restless within his mind. Reaching the ground floor, the doctor runs over to the building's double door entrance, with many of his colleagues standing at the ready for their illustrious visitor. Just as he makes it over to them, he notices the rest of the doctors grimacing at the horrific noise clawing at their ears, struggling to keep themselves calm. Who could blame them?

"There you are, Yisheng." A boisterous voice calls out from the crowd of doctors, revealing an ox dressed in light blue robes, a brilliant beard hanging from his face. "I was wondering when you'd arrive."

Utterly humiliated, Yisheng rubs his forehead with his paw, "Apologies about that, it becomes hard to remember when-

"Oh, don't you worry. I certainly don't envy your position, that's for sure." He gives the rabbit an amiable smile as he pats him on the shoulder with his hoof, slightly winding the already fatigued doctor. This ox is named Yukuai, a personal favourite for most patients that had come in due to his immaculate bedside manner and just overall positive attitude with things. Even now, the old ox still manages to retain a smile on his face though a clear sense of pity lingers within. "Maybe you need some black tea to get the energy back up? Hm?"

A deadpan expression forms on the rabbit's face, "I've already had four cups." Once again, his voice croaks from fatigue, illustrating his point further.

With widened eyes, the ox can only say, "Oh dear." Both colleagues look towards the door in anticipation of China's heavenly leader, a nervous air strangling not only them but the rest of the doctors too. Before this tension can truly weigh down on them, the front doors are opened by a goose servant, his lavish robes adorned with the flame patterns of the emperor's personal staff. He motions his wings up towards the door before walking away from its path.

This time the doors are opened with considerable force as four leopards, adorned in gold armour and equipped with spears or swords, enter in formation. They march in time as the doctors look on in awe not just at them, but at the people they are protecting. Standing in the centre of these guardians are five figures. Two sheep and a goat stand meekly, dressed in yellow imperial robes featuring immaculate flame patterns on their sides. Right beside them is a cobra, his scales a deep-sea green, a tattoo of the golden phoenix winding around his body. He grimaces the immediate second they enter the building, the horrific noises surrounding him bringing an unfathomable pain to his ears. The fifth and final figure moves in front of the four guards, gaining the attention of every single doctor.

A lion stands tall, his arms behind his back and posture perfect in every way. Golden irises stare at the crowd of medical professionals, an unyielding seriousness embedded deep within them. They are accentuated by his dark red robes, a pattern of a golden phoenix flying around each and every corner of the luxurious fabric. In spite of the horrific screams bursting from every single ward, his ears barely even twitch. His face is unmoving, as still as a stone. No one else in the room could be capable of showing such strength. No one but the emperor.

Within a split second of the son of heaven's appearance, all of the doctors bow in respect to their noble monarch. After a moment, they all ease up, allowing Yisheng to make his way to the front of the crowd of doctors. "It is an honour to have you visit, your grace. I am the head of the hospital, doctor Yisheng."

A curt nod is given back in response as the emperor's deep, powerful voice rumbles above the patients' constant shrieking, "Though the pleasantries are appreciated, doctor, they are wholly unnecessary. You can dismiss the rest of your staff." His eyes remain glued onto the rabbit, intimidating him until he notes the lack of hostility within them. Neither are they indifferent or uncaring. Instead, they are concerned. Not in an irritated or put on way either. It is purely sincere yet subdued, an overpowering strength still taking forefront in his golden eyes.

"Of course, your grace." Yisheng turns to his colleagues before bellowing out, "Back to work, people!" They all leave the emperor's presence without a fuss but not before bowing in respect to their great leader one last time. As the rabbit shifts his attention back to his esteemed visitor, the emperor motions forward as the procession behind him begins to walk forward with Yisheng following suit.

"It has come to my attention that our city is suffering what seems to be an epidemic of sorts." A dark tone accentuates the lion's already intense voice as he looks within each ward he passes by. Every single one holds a patient, violently thrashing about and babbling in hysterics whilst either a doctor or nurse tries desperately to calm them down. He notes their reddened eyes, with some poor souls' eyes having gone completely crimson from their involuntary cries.

"That's the best we can make of it, my lord." Yisheng explains, his brows furrowed in a helpless sense of pity.

"I assume you've concluded the lack of any demonic presence?" The emperor turns his head back towards the rabbit doctor who nods his head as if its weight trumps the very building, they are walking in. Though it isn't visible in his features, he simply can't help but to feel sorry for him, knowing that he has had to try his best to manage such a dire situation. "And this… disease… how infectious is it?" A bit of a selfish question, yes, but an important one, nonetheless.

To this however, the head doctor can only sigh in frustration, "I'm not even sure myself. It couldn't spread through the air otherwise we would already be infected, neither can it spread by touch from what our nurses have told us."

The lion's eyebrows rise in befuddlement, "If that is so, then how has it spread so qui-

"I don't know! That's the problem!" This exclamation catches the entire procession by surprise as Yisheng grits his teeth in anger, for that same question is what had been plaguing him for so long for the past night. Before long, his temper vanishes off his face as he realises just what he has done. He interrupted the emperor. How stupid is he? Or is he just exhausted? "I-I'm terribly sorry, my lord. I d-d-didn't mean to insult you."

His panic is soon extinguished as the emperor puts his paw on his shoulder, "Think nothing of it, doctor. These are troubling times, and it would be foolish of me to think anyone could remain proper under this pressure." Right as he retracts his paw, the rabbit feels his shoulder grow noticeably colder, as if a warm flame had been snuffed out right there. To be perfectly honest, he thought that the lion would be much more intimidating. Then again, he hasn't gotten on his bad side. Best to keep it that way. There is a brief moment of relative silence, allowing Yisheng to collect himself as they pass by more wards of hysteric patients, with the manic ramblings of a white goat, dressed in imperial colours.

"Crazy tiger! She's trying to kill me! Please help me! Ah! She's gonna kill me!"

A morbid sense of intrigue fills the lion's countenance as they pass the maddened goat, "The manic delusions these patients are suffering, is that the only symptom we have so far?"

"Surprisingly enough, yes. When they were admitted, they weren't suffering from any physical ailments. Any physical changes they have undergone are purely from these hallucinations they are having." The emperor stops in his tracks, forcing the rest of the procession to stop in his stead as he shifts his gaze back to the rabbit doctor, a severe question contained within his eyes. A question that Yisheng dreads to give the answer to. "They have been so lost in their delusions that they haven't eaten, drank or slept for the entire day. Their overwhelming fear has left them completely incapable of following basic functions." He opens his mouth to say more, but immediately seals it shut, not wanting to even utter those horrid words. Even so, the wordless message rings clear for the emperor as his gaze shifts focus to the rest of his procession, who can only mirror his look of pure horror. Without a cure or some way of banishing these thoughts from their minds, then they'll…

A sound pauses the emperor's thoughts, something quiet yet it pierces into his ears more than any of the screams that echo of the hospital's walls. A sound that brings a harrowing yet familiar ache to his heart. He looks over towards the next ward, number 17, and walks over to it at a hurried pace, forcing the rest of his procession to catch up. Just as he arrives by the ward, he sees the source of this heart-breaking sound.

A snow-leopard cub lying on the room's futon, covering his face with his paws as he quietly sobs into them. Right next to him is a female snow-leopard whose lip trembles as she tries desperately to hold back her tears. She cradles her crying child as the emperor can only watch on, his once unmoving face now emaciated with sorrow.

"*Sniffle* I want to go home… Please, don't hurt me… *hiccup* I want my mommy."

"Sweetie, I'm right here. Please, p-please open your eyes. I'm right here, my baby boy." He quivers as she tries to get through to him, gently stroking the fur on top of his head to comfort him. It is no use, as the poor cub continues to sob. "Sweetheart, please. Mommy's here. P-please… Come back to me… Please…" She pleads, her voice cracking into a broken whisper. He moves away a single paw from his face to look out until he yelps and quickly hides his face again, only making his mother break down further. In spite of seeing it for only a brief moment, the emperor had managed to see the cub's face. No, his eyes.

No irises, no pupils. Completely blank and reddened from endless tears. Just like the rest of the patients. That aching pain in his heart only clutches tighter, his eyes now glistening with tears threatening to escape. Yisheng leans over to see just who the emperor was looking at, only to wilt in sorrow himself. "He was brought in this morning. The mother has no idea how it had happened, that she had simply woken up and heard her son screaming in his room." This hollow whisper reaches the lion's ear, eradicating his tears immediately and replacing that pain in his heart with a nigh unstoppable determination.

Determination coming from a sudden realisation.

"I have seen enough." He announces darkly, his countenance returned to its formerly immovable state as he turns towards his procession. "It is clear that you will need far more help if we have any chance of breaking them out of their hysteria." A solemn expression fills Yisheng's face, still feeling ashamed over not being able to find a way to heal his patients. "With this in mind, I'd like to introduce you to my advisor for health, Jiankang*." He motions to the cobra, who bows his head in service to the head doctor. "He will aid you in whatever way he can alongside a few members of the palace's infirmary." The two sheep and goat nod are barely able to smile at the rabbit doctor, the hospital's howls still tearing away at their ears.

"I have already taken the liberty of sending out a message to the nearest villages, asking for their best doctors." A posh, light voice emanates from Jiankang who flashes Yisheng a kind, weathered smile.

Surprised by just how much help he's receiving, Yisheng can only manage a whisper, "I… I don't know what to say."

"You needn't say anything, doctor. For I will do whatever needs to be done to protect my people." The emperor puts his paws behind his back once more as his pledge manages to pierce through the veil of fear taking the hospital hostage, "I wish you all the best, and your patients have my blessing." With this curt statement, the lion begins to make his way out of the hospital, his four bodyguards and goose servant following suit. As they leave the hospital, the emperor motions towards the goose who leans his head close to his master. "Once we arrive back at the palace, gather the rest of my council within the tower. There is an urgent matter that needs to be discussed." Nodding his head frantically at the son of heaven's command, the goose quickens his pace slightly to keep up with the lion's determined walk.

After 20 minutes, the emperor arrives within his tower, bodyguards in tow, and heads towards two golden doors situated on the bottom floor, an empty scroll in paw. As one of his leopard guards holds one of the doors open for him, the lion quickly scans around the room in search for any of his council members. Four marble columns painted red hold up the room, the everlasting flame of the phoenix and the earth-splitting aura of the dragon etched into them. Its cream-coloured walls are accented with golden veins whilst the ceiling bleeds deep maroon, those patterns of the dragon and phoenix meeting together in the centre. They blend into a shining gold yin-yang symbol, providing a heavenly glow to the entire room. Directly underneath this magnificent symbol, lying in the centre of the room, is a round table made of mahogany. On the side towards the doors are four empty seats reserved for his council whilst the side near the back of the room consists of a single, regal chair adorned with the winding tail of the dragon.

Seeing that he still has a bit of time before his councilmen arrive, the emperor heads to his chair and opens the blank scroll flat on the table whilst his guards take their positions in the room. As if on command, a goose servant enters the room, placing a quill and some ink on the table before swiftly exiting. Immediately, the lion scribbles away on the parchment, pausing every few sentences or so to gauge his wording. Normally he would have a servant do this for him, but the urgency of this message is far too great to leave to someone else. Within a few minutes of writing his message, his ear twitches at the sound of the golden doors opening. Entering inside the meeting room is a brown owl dressed in yellow robes, the immaculate golden patterns of an eagle soaring through the skies sewn into the fabric. "Greetings, your grace." Her calming, sleepy voice whisps its way through the air as she bows her head to the emperor.

"Zhoudao*, please have a seat. We'll begin momentarily." As she sits down in her seat, the owl's orange irises can't help but to gaze at the scroll present on the table. Though curiosity does sprout in her mind, she knows better than to question the son of heaven. If it is any of her business, then she will be informed as such. After all, as his communications advisor it is her job to make sure whatever message he needs to be sent, will be done so with the best messengers China has to offer. As the two wait for the remaining advisors, the only sound that breaks their respectful silence is the lion's quill scratching on the parchment. That is until, the distant sounds of chatter echo from outside the meeting room, gaining both the emperor and Zhoudao's attention as it grows closer.

These two voices finish their conversation as they reach the door. One of the guards outside opens it to reveal Qipian dressed in his usual white imperial garb and a female moon bear adorned in orange robes, with a raging inferno etched onto the silk. Her name is Piqi, the emperor's advisor for criminal justice and the law. Often times she would cross paths with her reptilian colleague due to his position of advising the imperial armed forces. However, for once, she wishes that weren't the case. Unfortunately for her, the emperor notices the anxiety creasing her face. "Good afternoon, your grace." They bow in unison to the lion who only stares at them in concern.

"What seems to be the problem, Piqi?" He places his quill down on the table, clasping his paws together as he listens to the bear intently.

Piqi's anxiousness morphs into frustration, "An entire squadron of guards have gone missing." She practically has to wrench this reply from her throat, feeling humiliated that this has even happened. Both Zhoudao and the emperor stare at her with wide eyes as she continues, "They were sent out on patrol yesterday evening and have since not returned to their posts."

"Does anyone know what could've happened to them?" Zhoudao inquires coolly whilst the son of heaven looks down to the scroll still sprawled out in front of him.

Qipian shakes his head, seemingly at a loss on the situation, "Not a soul. It's as if they've vanished into thin air." He heaves a sigh as his owl colleague lowers her head in rumination, "Whoever is responsible for this clearly knows what they're doing." Piqi glares at the Komodo dragon as both council members head to their seats.

"Perhaps if our guards were trained properly, maybe they would've been able to fight off this threat." Her venomous tone draws Qipian's attention, who rolls his eyes at her infamous temper.

"Are you suggesting that our dear emperor has made a mistake in choosing his army?"

Piqi's nostrils flair at this demeaning accusation, "Of course not! I'm only saying that they need to be trained in Kung Fu, they have to be far more capable than this!"

Qipian scoffs at this suggestion, "You know exactly why we can't do that. Besides, their current training is adequate enough."

"Yeah, sure, if you want every one of their tasks to be a suicide mission!"

"Enough!" Both counsellors shut up at the emperor's might roar, paralysed by his wild golden eyes boring into them. "I will not have you bickering like children whilst a crisis is plaguing our city. Now, sit down!" They instantly follow this command with Piqi staring back at him in terror, whilst Qipian holds his gaze as if nothing had happened. Zhoudao shakes her head at the two before turning her head to the empty seat next to her. Before she can begin to ask, the emperor answers, "Jiankang will not be able to attend for today. He's currently at the hospital, aiding the rest of the doctors."

At this answer, the owl's eyes grow sombre, having read the message of the hospital's current predicament herself. Noting her comrade's wilting expression, Piqi inquires, "What's going on at the hospital?"

Picking up his quill once more, the emperor answers as he continues writing his message, "They had seen they're highest number of patients admitted within a single day, all with the same symptoms. Manic delusions that prevent them from performing basic functions." Piqi's yellow irises widen in horror whilst Qipian's fearful countenance is expertly faked. What isn't feigned however, is the shock present in his eyes. Of course, he had known about Zhongcheng's idea of putting these people into a fearful coma, but what hadn't come up in their conversations was just how intense it would be. "The head doctor believes it to be a fast-spreading disease."

Zhoudao is able to detect the doubt hidden in his voice fairly quickly, "But you don't." She narrows her eyes with scepticism, sharing the same sentiment as him.

"Exactly." He places his quill down once more before standing up, his paws flat on the table, "If it is capable of spreading so quickly, then why aren't the doctors infected? Why would a disease produce illusions that are so specific?" Golden irises shift between yellow and white eyes with a fiery intensity, "Why would several of our guards go missing just as this occurs?"

"You think they are linked?" Qipian asks already knowing just where the emperor's head is going with this.

"It only makes sense." To the Komodo dragon's surprise, Piqi replies instead, "Mess with many innocent peoples' minds to distract us and then lure away our only defending force!" She slams her fist onto the table, snarling at the very idea that someone could be so heartless.

After pondering for a moment or so, Zhoudao points out, "Let's not assume too much. Perhaps there's multiple forces at play, with one seeking to attack us directly whilst the other takes advantage of the chaos."

Golden eyes look down to the scroll in thought whilst Piqi bellows out, "I don't care how many people are involved! We have to crush them before they can truly overpower us."

"Hmph. For once I'd have to agree with you, Piqi." She darts her head over at the snide reptile, whose smirk shifts to a darker expression. "However, we'll also need to find a way to break these people free of these hallucinations." It might be the only time he hasn't faked an emotion his entire time here. If Zhongcheng's control over them is that severe, then surely, they would perish. Granted, the idea of killing someone doesn't unsettle him in the slightest. It is how needless it is, that is what truly concerns him. He doesn't bother looking at his comrade's softened expressions as he addresses the emperor directly, "What shall we do, your grace?"

His eyes still glued to the scroll before him, the emperor writes down one last sentence onto the parchment before rolling it up in his paws. "Qipian, send more patrols out into the city streets. Debrief them on everything that is going on."

"Of course, my lord."

"Piqi, I'll need you to check through the archives and find out any potential culprits for this. Any criminals with a history of psychology or the occult." His deep, booming voice echoes from the meeting room's walls, only amplifying his powerful presence further.

"It will be done, your grace."

As Zhoudao patiently awaits her orders, she notices the lion delicately placing his scroll in a red casing, embedded with the markings of a jade tail, and closing it with the seal of a jade dragon head. "Zhoudao, I'll be needing you to get your fastest messenger to send this," He presents the scroll outwards to her, prompting her to walk forward and take it in her talon, "to the Jade Palace."

Orange and white eyes widen in response to this, yet none of the imperial council notices Qipian's reaction. A serious expression takes hold of the owl's face as she bows to him, "I'll make sure of it, your grace."

With this, the three council members begin to exit the room whilst the emperor ruminates further on this horrid turn of events. Something far more insidious is going on, I can feel it. I just hope that the masters get my message in time. He is soon snapped out of his thoughts by the sight of a fifth member of his elite guards waiting outside. This leopard dressed in golden armour motions his head towards the stairs before heading there himself. An anxious glint in his eyes, the emperor follows, hoping that for once there will be some good news.

Unbeknownst to the two of them, Qipian notices their brief interaction. Though his curiosity has been piqued, the other four guards soon follow their lord upstairs, ruining any potential chance of finding out more. Now what would the emperor want to keep secret? Perhaps it is something trivial or family related. Maybe it could be something much more incriminating. Whatever the case may be, this information will certainly be useful.

As the council's meeting is adjourned, the very culprit they are looking for stands within his office once again looking over the plans on his desk. His eyes are particularly focused on a few crumpled pieces of paper with haphazard notes scrawled all across them. Waves upon waves of creases and folds make these notes hard to read but Zhongcheng manages with it just fine. As he continues on the first page, he scowls in disgust over those scribbled words before crumpling it back up and chucking it in the bin by his desk.

Yet another page of Fuhuo rambling about a 'beautiful tiger' and how 'he would worship her after the dragon warrior's demise.' How pathetic. He shifts his gaze towards the last page of the bunch, scanning through its garbled contents until he releases a sigh of mild frustration. Nothing. Granted, there had been some talk about her magical powers and her connection with Oogway, but other than that, there wasn't anything particularly useful. He had been hoping that maybe there would be something written about the mystical art of chi and the specifics behind it. How it works, how it can be weaponised.

How it can be countered.

It's not like he has any doubts about his plan or didn't trust this ancient art, but it is always better to be prepared for anything. He rotates his arms around his body until his palms meet his fingertips, sliding them across each other until his fingers lock together. A golden light flickers from his paws before rotting into a hideous shade of blue. When he had arrived at Fuhuo's almost destroyed cabin three months ago, he had managed to put together the connection between Nuba's horrifying powers and chi almost immediately. That she was able to stop people's hearts through the manipulation of chi. So naturally, the thought came to him, if the heart can be toyed with, then why not the mind? A wicked grin crawls onto his face as he admires his glowing paws. To think that this power had almost been lost to time. What a waste that would be.

"Enjoying your rest?"

This blue light evaporates from his paws as a soft yet cutting voice slices at his ears behind him, a manic edge coating every word. He doesn't turn around for he can already recognise who is speaking to him. He recognises the intermittent paranoia that plagues their every breath. How can he not recognise the voice of his former leader? The rightful ruler of Gongmen city, no, all of China.

Lord Shen.

"I'd consider this an interlude rather than a rest." Zhongcheng boldly remarks, not noticing the heinous glow of the crimson eyes high above his wall, "The small breath in between a storm."

"Hmph. You can call it whatever you like, you are still waiting when more can be done."

Befuddled, Zhongcheng raises his eyebrows, "More? You know more than anyone that it doesn't take much for fear to spread."

"Perhaps, but it will take more to bring that wretched panda."

A shiver crawls up the wolf commander's spine at the peacock's sudden growl, but he refuses to show that weakness, instead letting a cool smile appear on his face. "I wouldn't say so. If the emperor is as smart as I hope he is, then the dragon warri-

"Don't you dare call him that."

He silently sighs at his lord's hiss, "The panda will arrive very soon, and his friends will be alongside him." A brief silence takes hold of the room, with Zhongcheng only now feeling Shen's eyes burning into his body.

"And what do you intend to do with them?"

His grin soon turns smug, "I have my plans."

"Don't be a fool! I had taken my time in destroying that horrid creature and I had faced my demise! He must be slaughtered! I want his dead body paraded around China for what he had done to me!"

"Now, now my lord. That will be done, for certain. But not before he has served his purpose." Yet another silence takes hold of the room, though the wolf can tell that the peacock lord remains unhappy with his answer.

"I don't know what you're up to, but if you do want this plan of yours to work, then I'd suggest you keep the pressure up. After all, if you're given a second to breathe, then so are they. The less time they have to recover, the better."

Zhongcheng's smirk disappears from his face as he realises how right he is. If he lets up for long enough, then their fear will die down. Besides, he could use a few more soldiers. "Consider the city breathless, then."

"Good… And remember, once you have taken what you've needed from that… filth. I not only want you to kill him. Beat him within an inch of his life. Humiliate him. Crush his soul. And then when he begs for it. When he wishes for mercy… Let him bleed out. Let him wallow in his misery. Then, I will be happy."

As he feels lord Shen's presence dissipate, the glow of his symbol dies out before Zhongcheng can even notice it had ever been there. "Don't fret, my lord. Your will, will be done." He pledges to the fallen ruler of Gongmen, China's true emperor.

1* Yukuai = Cheerful in Chinese

2* Jiankang = Health in Chinese

3* Zhoudao = Wisdom in Chinese

4* Piqi = Temper in Chinese

Okay! A lot to take in, I know. The emperor is here and he is NOT messing around! I've injected yet another reference to 'the empress' somewhere in the chapter (If you don't get it, then don't worry) which was fun yet heart-wrenching to write too. As for the final bit, with Lord Shen, yeah... I'm not going to explain what's going on there, I'll leave you guys to speculate exactly what is going on there. Just to say, it isn't as straightforward as you would probably hope it is. Anyways, I hope you've enjoyed, or at least could stomach, this chapter and fear not! For next time we've got a lot more of a sweet-ish chapter instead. Until next time! :)