Chapter Thirty: Horizons Unending
The Mongolian invasion of China was underway at last.
The massive procession out from the numerous open gates of Khanbaliq was surely a sight to behold - an entire nation on the move. For the first time in a generation, the great horde of Mongolia was departing with the subjugation of all China as its sole aim. Near the front of the great surging sea of steppe warriors, dozens of servants carried forth a great covered platform of finely crafted woodwork, an abode that housed the royal family of the Khan; it was a mobile palace of sorts, and out from the back of the construction extended a balcony where Khasar now watched his capital city slowly disappear into the horizon.
"It is my hope that I will not see this place again for many years." the ruler said. "I shall become the next Emperor of China, and will have no need to return this far north."
"It shall be so, my lord." Tsagaan agreed deferentially, standing close to his ruler's side. "Surely, the hosts of China are no equal to an army such as ours."
The Khan and his jackal minister watched as Altan soared high above the advancing legions, inspecting for himself the vastness of their great force. The golden eagle swooped down to the great platform, landing before the two and giving a salute.
"The final preparations are now complete." he reported, the three of them heading deeper into the great wooden abode. "We shall advance first to Jǐnán, and then farther south to Zhèngzhōu and Xuchang."
The Mongol strategists now surrounded a great map of China, complete with an array of signifying tiles and markers representing armies and garrisons alike.
Altan pointed to the center of the map with his wing and continued, "Once these initial strongholds are secured, all of Henan will be ours. As such, we shall remain unopposed as we advance through Nanyang and finally - into the Fu of Xiangyang itself."
Khasar smiled with satisfaction when hearing the details of a plan he had meticulously rehearsed hundreds of times over with Ganbataar.
"Our enemies will be sure to concentrate the bulk of their forces in this critical prefecture." the Khan said with authority. "They know that if Xiangyang falls, we will control the rivers Han and Yangtze - and all of China will be ours for the taking."
Altan nodded and so did Tsagaan - despite the jackal's opinion on military strategy counting for almost nothing.
As the three continued discussing future plans, the occupants in the frontal section of the mobile headquarters - namely Nadya and Zhenjin, and their servants - had concerned themselves with less warlike matters.
"What kind of tea is this, mother?" Zhenjin asked, the servants pouring drinks for them as they reclined at a small table. "It smells strange."
"Hei Cha, from Yunnan province." the Siberian tigress answered. "I figured it was fitting to mark this undertaking with tea from the southernmost reaches of China - lands we shall rule over in due time."
Zhenjin considered the symbolic meaning of this for a moment, before raising his cup in a saluting gesture and drinking. Doing the same, Nadya smiled with a sense of pride.
"Very good, it seems you were paying attention when I taught you proper etiquette all those years ago." the Khatun complimented. "It befits a future Emperor of China to know such things."
Now the young tiger prince smiled, encouraged by her belief in his potential; it was a feeling he could rarely discern coming from his father. He took another sip of the strange tea, comforted by the warm drafts of heat flowing through the great moving platform. Several servants ensured the ideal temperature with pole fans as the two tigers conversed.
"What do you make of all this upheaval surrounding the artifact?" Zhenjin asked, almost absentmindedly.
Nadya shook her head, "I think it's all nonsense. I have always believed we need not resort to dangerous magical forces, mythic prophecies, and that ilk to achieve our goals."
"Father and Yue clearly think otherwise. Did you hear how much they spent on acquiring the thing?" the younger tiger postured in a more hushed tone, as to avoid those in the war room from overhearing. "The Khanate was nearly bankrupt for a time."
The Khatun exhaled in frustration, bringing a paw to the bridge of her nose.
"Zhen - your father and sister…" Nadya said more loudly than her son, knowing full well her husband wasn't listening, "They are completely insane."
Zhenjin grew wide-eyed, alarmed that she had voiced this accusation aloud with such ease.
"Don't worry." she assured. "They are far too busy playing with their little toys to pay us any mind."
To ascertain his mother's statement, the prince turned his gaze away from their tea and back towards the strategists around the table. They did in fact, seem very invested in their own discussion.
"And then we can move this division here - wait, no, that won't do at all..." Khasar droned on, moving the map tiles around with the others.
"See?" Nadya said with amusement. "Oblivious as always."
The prince knew she was right, and took a moment to consider how he might return to his initial inquiry.
"If Yue and father are in control of the army," Zhenjin started, "then how can we be assured of victory, when they continually bring such chaos upon the rest of us?"
Nadya reclined back somewhat, taking her time to sip her tea. She always found her son's naïve disposition to be rather humorous.
"You will see in time, Zhen, that insanity can be a form of useful idiocy. It is the violence of the mad which forges empires - empires that can one day be administered and further cultivated by the wise and the just."
The tiger prince said nothing, preferring to listen as he drank once more.
"The wise and the just seldom initiate conflict; so without the insane, nothing of substance would ever take place. We all have our parts to play." Nadya concluded.
"That is certainly a way to view things." Zhenjin said, setting his tea back upon the table. "But what if everything isn't just about the consolidation of power?"
Nadya grinned, "That's a poor question for the heir to the world's largest empire to be asking. When I was even younger than you are now, I learned that if you are not the conqueror, you are the conquered. That's all there is."
"That sounds like something Yue would say."
Nadya waved a paw dismissively, making the rich jewelry hanging over her garments jingle with emphasis.
"Yuelen thinks she understands, but she refuses to grasp the bigger picture." she corrected. "She cannot accept her role, and is instead consumed by her own selfish jealousy - she always has been. Do not let her - or anyone else - ever intimidate you."
Zhenjin nodded obediently, "I will try, mother. I will try."
A constant drizzle of rain fell upon the thick stonework walls and edifices of the ancient and prestigious city of Xiangyang. The muddied streets were crowded with the citizens going about their business, many of whom now wore cloaks and rice hats to protect themselves from the elements. Gradually weaving his way through the procession of denizens near the city gates was a figure who was much shorter than the vast majority of them, helped along by a trusty walking staff.
As they were passing by a drenched corsac fox playing a gentle tune on the dizi flute, the visitor dropped several coins into the street performer's offering bowl. A city guard took notice of the unusual outlander and stepped into his path.
"These are dangerous times, and we have little need of strangers." the guard interjected. "State your business here in Xiangyang, old man."
Shifu looked up, revealing a profoundly irritated expression that had been previously concealed under his hat. The debilitating stare made the antelope guard very uneasy, and he backed off immediately.
Continuing onwards as waves and waves of rain lashed the city streets, the red panda master pressed on as he was now nearing the end of a long journey from Hangzhou. In the distance he could see the resplendent palace of the Lord of Xiangyang; Shifu wondered what must have transpired here months before, when he had sent his students to retrieve an artifact - something that ought to have been the most menial of tasks.
"Live fights every night! Twenty-five wén minimum on all bets!" he heard a town herald cry from a nearby venue across the street.
Shifu studied the calligraphy upon the restaurant's signage.
The Vermilion Phoenix. Seems like quite the disreputable establishment.
Shaking his head and moving on, the grandmaster of the Jade Palace came upon the final stretch towards the sprawling palatial complex. A gust of wind overtook him just as he passed a pair of ornamental stone lions near the floral gardens, and Shifu was forced to hold down the brim of his hat to prevent it from flying away. In the distance, across the decorative plaza, he spotted a detachment of guards protecting the entrance to the lord's residence.
Walking up to them gradually, a large gorilla stepped forward - clearly the representative of the local security forces.
"The Lord of Xiangyang is not receiving visitors." he stated with resolute dominance. "No exceptions."
"You're going to make an exception for me." was all he got in reply from the short-statured visitor.
"Under what authority?" the great primate shot back.
The red panda withdrew from his cloak a golden seal bearing the imperial signet, holding it high for all of the guards to see.
"This one."
The group of soldiers immediately stepped back in awe, clearly making a path for Shifu to enter.
"Thank you." the aged kung fu master said with maximal annoyance in his tone, scurrying past them quickly to get out of the rain.
Now through the entryway, a servant pig came up to him and took his hat and cloak, but when reaching for his staff - an ancient branch of the revered Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom - Shifu denied him, preferring to keep walking with the aid of his final gift from Oogway. The pig just shrugged, and led him onward through several more gates as the promenade widened into a great hall. All the while, the red panda was still carefully studying his surroundings, knowing full well that this place had been the last known whereabouts of his missing students.
Coming to the end of the hall, the pig servant opened the final set of the massive gilded doorways for Shifu, and he at last entered the large throne room. At the far end of the space, he could now see the ibex himself, the Lord of Xiangyang. The bovid was surrounded on all sides by female attendants, being doted on constantly with fruit and wine.
Taking note of the approaching red panda, the ibex lord shooed the servants away at once, clearly bothered by the presence of an unexpected visitor to his residence.
"Zhang Wei!" the ruler shouted at the pig. "I was very clear - no visitors!"
The servant bowed before speaking, "I would not have disturbed you, lord, but he has come bearing the imperial seal - and he was not to be denied."
Shifu stepped forth now on his own accord, not having the patience to watch the other two debate the legitimacy of him standing there or not.
"I am Grandmaster Shifu of the Jade Palace." he announced. "I come bearing ill tidings, Lord of Xiangyang."
The ibex just looked over the red panda for a time, sizing him up. Collecting himself slightly, he motioned to his servants and stepped down from his elevated throne platform to greet the kung fu master properly.
"Unfortunate, then, that should we meet under such inauspicious circumstances, Master Shifu." he said with a patronizing bow. "Please, allow me to offer you something to drink - it's the finest tea in the province."
"That won't be necessary, thank you." Shifu cut him off. "I do not like tea."
Set off-guard by the grandmaster's denial, the lord waved the oncoming servants away.
"As you wish… What news do you bring, then?"
Shifu straightened himself slightly before answering, "As we speak, the great hordes of Mongolia make to invade all of China. Your city lies upon the decisive point of the coming struggle. I have come to inform you that the full might of the imperial army is headed here to mount a defensive effort."
The look on the ibex's face was a mix of surprise and contempt.
"This is disturbing news. What if open war may yet be avoided?"
"That time has long since passed." Shifu said sternly. "If you had been diligent in your oversight of your own lands, you would already know this."
There was a tense silence.
"Are you questioning my competency as the duly-appointed magistrate?" the lord asked with a threatening raised brow.
"Quite frankly, yes - I am. You seem to have made no preparations, and the enemy will be here in just a few months!"
The Lord of Xiangyang looked towards the ceiling in frustrated exasperation. He was badly wishing for an easy means to remove this red panda - who was quite the nuisance - from his throne room. These kung fu masters always seemed to get in the way of his underhanded deals with the Mongolians.
"I am sure your concerns are well-founded, Master Shifu, but I assure you - Xiangyang will be ready to repel any attack."
Shifu was not impressed.
Well, that was complete bullshit. Something's very wrong here.
"There is something else I must know." the red panda said, changing the subject despite the lord's obvious deceitfulness.
"Yes?"
"Some time ago, three of my best students came into your domain in order to inquire about a particular relic - the Dagger of Deng-Wa."
At the mention of the primeval weapon, the ibex lord flinched in discomfort. He had been deathly afraid that this subject might come up.
"Visitors come and go, I'm not sure I recall this particular matter." he deflected.
Shifu was persistent, "I think you wouldn't have forgotten them. A crane, a tiger, and a panda. The panda in particular is basically impossible to forget - I can personally guarantee that."
The lord folded his arms behind himself, tapping his leg nervously, "Ah yes… them."
"Remembering now?" Shifu questioned, more aggressively this time.
"Yes. I think I do recall sending them on their way - with the weapon, I might add."
The Jade Palace master tilted his head to the side slightly, "That's funny. Perhaps then, you may offer insight into why my students have been seen in Mongolia, then?"
"Mongolia? Well… I wouldn't know anything about that."
He lies once again.
Shifu no longer had the patience for this lord's constant aversion for the truth, and bowed to conclude the meeting.
"I humbly thank you for this audience, Lord of Xiangyang." the red panda said as he turned and left.
Once again, his inflection had not matched his words. Shifu's mind was already trying to discern some modicum of sense from the absurdity he had just been forced to deal with, and he was moving quickly through the halls to the exit. There being no useful insight into the whereabouts of his other students left him with very few options.
The Valley will have to look after itself for a time. I need the rest of the Five.
Leaving the front gates again, he didn't even allow the pig servant to return his hat and cloak to him; he darted directly across the courtyard and to the local imperial mail post. The duck sitting behind the counter seemed taken aback to see him approach so swiftly.
"May I… May I help you?" the bird asked with a stutter.
"I need a message sent at once - a summons, actually."
The duck observed the rain gradually soaking into the large ears of the red panda, making them wilt as they absorbed the weight of the water. There was no immediate response, and Shifu's eye twitched. The gaze of the elderly gentleman seemed to be burning holes straight through the bird's head.
"Um… right, yes." the worker continued, intimidated. "What is the destination for this?"
"Jade Palace, Valley of Peace, Guangxi Province." the kung fu master listed out with feverish haste. "Make it fast."
"I'm afraid I don't have any control over tha-"
"Make it fast."
Po woke from yet another nightmare.
First light had arrived, and looking about the small improvised camp of the masters, he realized he'd been the first to wake up. They hadn't bothered to construct a campfire, for while it was true they wouldn't have had the time, there was a greater concern. They could not afford to be seen.
The four masters were now several days into their constant evasion of the Mongolian elite party of Gan and Yuelen, who seemed to always be close upon their heels. There had yet to be a violent altercation, and yet many close calls had taken place already.
To Po, every day seemed to be a terrible and repetitive cycle. It was always the same: wake up, narrowly escape the Mongols, run as fast and hard and as far as possible all day, and finally collapse into an exhausted sleep. And then there were the dreams - the tormenting nightmares of horrifying crimson flames that came just the same every night.
With a grunt, the panda lifted himself from the dirt patch under a tree the masters had chosen to sleep upon. The steppe was gradually turning into a temperate lightly-forested terrain, but they were hardly fleeing in a straight line south. To confuse their pursuers, the masters routinely doubled back and turned this way and that, doing everything possible to deny the Dagger of Deng-Wa to the Mongols.
Having been the only one awake and noticing the pursuing force had yet to find them, Po thought it best to try and meditate. There was never any guarantee that there would be another chance to do so. Settling into a Tai Chi form and doing his best to relax, he at once found this to be impossible; he had been jolted back to his present surroundings by an instantaneous flash of red behind his eyelids.
His entire form winced from the concussive wave of energy that surged over him; his chi had remained completely unbalanced since that initial moment of contact with the mysterious and ancient weapon.
"I felt it too." came a whispered voice behind the Dragon Warrior.
Still disoriented, Po turned around to find that the second of the masters to wake was none other than Mei Ling. The golden cat now had a concerned - and undeniably guilty - look on her face.
"I'm sorry, Po. I don't know what is happening to you, but I do know that I'm the one who chose to give you that damned thing." she said, unable to look him straight on. "I studied it for many weeks, I knew it was a chi weapon of some kind… I figured you might be able to stop those monsters by using it. I had no idea that-"
"It's okay. There is nothing to apologize for." Po encouraged, doing his best to lighten her mood. "And it was the only thing we could do - I'm not sure we could have fought our way outta that one…"
"Still," Mei continued, looking him in the eyes now, "I've sensed your turmoil as of late - you hardly sleep. Whatever this is, it's clearly attacking you from within. I cannot help but feel responsible."
Po didn't know what to say to this at first; he just gave her a slight smile.
"You don't have to worry about me - I'm the Dragon Warrior." he said in a hilariously-exaggerated deep voice.
She smiled too now, looking down as she shook her head in amusement. The golden cat master could not help but respect the panda's fiercely determined optimism - even in times such as these.
"Well panda, it seems you still have a sense of humor at least."
The two of them were no longer alone. Tigress and Crane were awake and walking over to be with the others, but they seemed to not have much interest in saying anything. This had become a routine, after all. The tiger master in particular was just stretching her limbs, doing whatever she could to prepare for yet another day that was sure to be full of constant running. Walking out from under the shade of the large tree, she watched the hills in the distance carefully.
It's only a matter of time…
As if on cue, there they were. Coming over the furthest northern hill that was visible was the leopard princess herself. Slowing for a moment, Yuelen just stood there panting heavily as the two cats glared at one another from afar. Even from here, Tigress could see the delirious malice upon her facial features.
There you are.
"Time to go." the tiger master announced tersely, still staring at the far hillside.
The other masters did not hesitate to begin moving, and just as Tigress was turning around she saw the first several Mongolian elites start to crest the hill as well. They fanned out into a wide crescent, each of them coming forth at full speed.
The chase resumed yet again, and thus, the cycle had begun anew. Running. Always running. The four veteran kung fu masters were pursued endlessly by distant specks of black that remained behind them like a vengeful shadow. Together, they all chased the horizons unending, coursing through the depths of the passing season. Days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months. Ever onward, always eluding, always surging forward with renewed determination to escape the clutches of the manic princess and her seemingly-tireless bodyguards.
Still cursed by an unknown pestilence within, Po especially found himself getting lost in the flow of everything; time itself became a concept altogether removed from his cognizance. The hunters and the hunted alike knew that this could not go on this way forever - it was only a question of who would break first.
The wind no longer graced itself upon the land; oblivion was drawing nearer among the clouded, ever-darkening skies.
Author's Notes:
- And thus concludes "act two" of this story! For reference, I like to view the events of chapters 1-16 as "act one"
- Lots of big stuff coming soon, very happy that you took the time to keep reading!
- Big shoutouts to some of my friends on this one; TayForce and The Great Ying both helped with naming the chapter title, and Ying also did a bit of beta-reading which is also appreciated!
- Also helping out this time was Tydrags, who recently published their oneshot fic: "Disconnected Grievances" - be sure to check that out as well!
- Thanks again for any and all thoughts/reviews, and until next time!