Chapter Forty-Six: The City of Heaven
The Grand Canal carried the masters forth, a vast and steady artery of commerce and culture, guiding them toward the beating heart of the Song Dynasty's capital. Hangzhou, the "City of Heaven," loomed over them, its skyline a layered silhouette of towering pagodas, ornate bridges, and sloping rooftops with gilded edges that gleamed in the afternoon sun. Wooden mansions lined the avenues, their facades painted in deep reds and golds, lanterns swaying beneath their balconies. From a distance, it was a vision of grandeur, a testament to the might and refinement of the dynasty.
Shifu stood at the prow of their vessel, arms tucked within the sleeves of his robe. The sight of Hangzhou stirred something within him—a memory of another time, when he had walked its streets without the ever-present shadow of war encroaching. It had been a city of poets and scholars, of tea houses brimming with laughter, of calligraphers selling their art beneath the shade of willow trees. And yet now, beneath the surface, something had changed.
The air should have been filled with the cheerful calls of vendors and musicians, but instead, an eerie tension threaded through the city like a sickness. The people still moved about their daily routines—porters hoisting bundles of silk onto their backs, couriers darting through narrow alleys, traders weighing silver with careful paws—but their eyes, their posture, betrayed them.
"They're afraid," Viper murmured, perched along the boat's edge. Her gaze followed a group of nobles gathered at a riverside tea stall, their voices low, their expressions grim. One of them glanced toward the city's massive stone walls, then quickly looked away.
Mantis, ever restless, perched atop a crate near the ship's railing. "This place is enormous," he muttered. "Hard to believe an army could bring it down."
Monkey, arms crossed, gave a sigh. "That's the problem. It's too big. Too many people, not enough soldiers." He gestured subtly toward a gathering of imperial ministers standing beneath a pavilion, their flowing robes embroidered with the seal of the Song court. They were very lightly guarded.
As the boat glided beneath a stone bridge lined with intricate dragon carvings, Shifu exhaled softly. "The people already know what's coming," he said. "They've heard the news by now."
The vessel rocked gently as they reached the dockyard, a hive of activity despite the looming dread. Merchants displayed their wares, traders unloaded crates of porcelain and rare spices, couriers darted between ships carrying urgent messages. A group of dock workers argued over a shipment, their voices sharp with frustration—yet even their bickering had an anxious edge, as if they wanted to finish their business and skip town before nightfall.
Shifu stepped off the boat first, his weight light but his presence heavy. The pier beneath him was damp, its wooden planks weathered from centuries of regular use. He adjusted the folds of his robe as Monkey, Viper, and Mantis followed behind, each scanning the crowd with their own trained instincts.
Beyond the docks, Hangzhou unfolded before them in a sprawling maze of imperial avenues—towering buildings with crimson latticework, temples with sweeping golden eaves, narrow alleys winding between bustling markets, banners bearing the imperial sigil fluttering in the wind. The streets were alive, but the usual vibrancy felt muted, the undercurrent of uncertainty running deeper than even the Qiantang River itself.
A procession of scholars in dark blue robes passed them by, their heads bowed in hurried discussion, their paws clutching tightly to scrolls. Nearby, a group of young soldiers in ill-fitting armor marched in formation, their faces too youthful, their expressions too uncertain. This was not an army ready for war. The best and most veteran among them had already been expended at Xiangyang, no doubt.
The masters moved through Hangzhou's bustling avenues, each step carrying them closer towards the seat of power: the Deshou Palace. As they passed the Ministry of Literature, its grand doors were open just enough to reveal scribes hunched over scrolls, transcribing frantic orders. Further along, the Civil Examination Hall loomed, its courtyards once filled with aspiring officials—now repurposed to train fresh conscripts. Further ahead, another cluster of young soldiers stood in stiff ranks before the Prefecture Compound.
Monkey exhaled, low and uneasy. "They're not ready for what's coming."
"No one ever is," Shifu replied, his voice quiet but firm. "But readiness is a luxury. War doesn't wait for those who need more time."
As the masters continued onwards, the open market areas offered panoramic views of the great western lake. They turned off the main avenue and onto a bridge that arched over one of the city's many waterways, the reflections of lanterns rippling beneath their feet. From here, they could see Phoenix Mountain rising in the near distance, its slopes partially hidden by the afternoon haze. The Imperial Palace rested near the base of it, perched like a fortress above the city.
Viper kept her voice low as they moved. "How long do you think we have before the Khan's army arrives?"
Shifu didn't answer immediately. He had studied the reports. The Mongols moved with the swiftness of a storm, consuming miles in days.
"Two, maybe three days," he finally admitted. "Perhaps less."
Mantis shook his head as he kept pace with the others. "That's not gonna be enough time."
Monkey's jaw tightened. "Even if we could hold the walls, that's not even our biggest problem, is it?"
A weighted silence fell between them. None of them needed to say the name which lingered unspoken between them.
Po. The Dragon Warrior.
Mantis shifted uncomfortably. "So, uh… what happens when we have to face him?"
They all looked to Shifu.
He did not stop walking. "We do what must be done."
His voice was steady. But deep within, he felt the weight of the words.
Tigress would have understood.
She would have known what to say, how to move forward. And though Shifu carried the responsibility of leadership, the truth was, he had always felt stronger when she was beside him.
His grip tightened in his sleeves as they approached the Chaotian Gate, its towering frame casting a cool band of shade over the avenue. The Emperor's halls lay ahead.
At the gate's threshold, a regiment of imperial guards stood in formation, their armor polished to a ceremonial sheen. The sunlight caught on the sharp edges of their halberds, the tips gleaming as they were lowered in a practiced motion to bar the way.
Monkey let out a low whistle. "Well, that's a warm welcome."
Viper gave him an accusatory look. "Try not to cause any trouble before we even get inside."
Shifu stepped forward, his expression calm but commanding. A senior officer, clad in deep crimson robes with the sigil of the imperial court embroidered in gold, eyed the travelers warily.
"State your purpose," the officer intoned, his voice clipped and professional.
Shifu did not hesitate. "We request an audience with the Emperor's court. Urgent matters regarding the defense of the city."
The officer studied them for a long moment before glancing at another guard, who nodded and moved aside. "Follow me."
The masters moved forward, the weight of countless watchful eyes pressing upon them. The path to the palace was not a single gate, but a series of barriers—each more imposing than the last. Beyond the Chaotian Gate, they ascended a stone bridge that spanned over a vast lotus-filled moat, the still water reflecting the vibrant reds and golds of the structures above. The scent of incense drifted from nearby shrines, mingling with the faint sweetness of blooming peonies from the palace gardens.
They passed beneath another archway, accentuated on either side by lion statues hewn from white marble. Here, another detachment of guards awaited, their ornate helmets adorned with silk tassels that signified their rank. This time, their guide presented a small jade medallion, a symbol of authorization. Without a word, the soldiers allowed them through.
Upwards they climbed, through tiered courtyards where courtiers and attendants moved like streams of silk, their robes swishing softly as they glided across smooth stone pathways. The palace's outer halls stretched endlessly in all directions, a maze of red-painted corridors and golden filigree, where screens of delicately painted rice paper concealed chambers within. The somber harmony of a guqin and xiao flute playing in tandem drifted through the air. Calligraphy banners hung from lacquered columns, each bearing poetry in delicate brushstrokes, verses that spoke of prosperity, virtue, and the celestial mandate of the Emperor.
Monkey let his fingers brush against one of the banners as they passed.
"Poetry? This close to an invasion?" He shook his head. "Gotta love bureaucracy."
Viper's voice was quieter, almost admiring. "No… this is how the dynasty holds onto its soul, even in times of war."
Amongst themselves, it was often forgotten that the snake was different from the other masters—even Shifu—in that she was of noble birth, and appreciated these sorts of traditions in a more intimate way.
They crossed yet another courtyard and entered the headquarters of the Three Provinces and Six Departments, the administrative heart of the empire. Here, scribes and ministers sat at long wooden tables, poring over scrolls in ink-stained garments, their faces drawn with exhaustion.
Mantis eyed the scene and muttered, "You'd think they'd have bigger desks for all these scrolls."
"What they lack in space, they make up for in desperate efficiency." Shifu said, looking down at the insect master. "I once had a cousin who worked here—I did not envy him."
Beyond this, the inner sanctum of the Deshou Palace awaited. The walkway leading there was bordered by sizable glass cauldrons of tangerine-colored liquid which diffused a pleasant scent into the air. The last set of doors before the sanctum were flanked by the Emperor's elite guard, clouded leopards who held their resplendent weapons with ceremonial precision. The minister who stood before them was a macaque in his later years, his face lined with experience, his robes embroidered with the azure sigil of his high office. His eyes passed over the travelers with measured scrutiny.
Monkey crossed his arms. "Let me guess. Paperwork? Another gate? A riddle we have to solve first?"
Shifu and Viper both shot him a furious glance, and Monkey shrugged. Mantis was just barely able to suppress a chuckle.
The minister studied them for a moment, then looked past the red panda whom he recognized—taking in the sight of Monkey, Mantis, and Viper. Whatever calculations ran through his mind, he did not share them. Instead, he gave a slow nod.
"The court is in session," he said at last. "Follow me."
As the masters crossed the threshold into the innermost complex of the palace, the temperature seemed to shift; it was cooler, quieter, as if they had stepped beyond the noise of the world and into a sanctum untouched by time. They passed through a final corridor with rows of cinnabar wood pillars, making note of the opulence surrounding them. The walls were a masterpiece of craftsmanship, panel by panel depicting scenes of imperial triumph—great fleets sailing the Yangtze, scholars presenting their wisdom to past Emperors, warriors standing firm against northern invaders. Massive painted beams curved overhead, each one supporting flowing tapestries that nearly stretched all the way to the floor.
Finally, the macaque stopped in stride and signaled two muntjac deer to open the grand bronze doors to the throne room, which swung open with a subtle creak.
The Hall of Imperial Radiance was vast; it was larger than any structure the masters had ever set foot in. Its polished floor gleamed like a river of obsidian beneath their feet, and above them, silken banners embroidered with golden calligraphy dominated their peripheral vision. Lanterns of bronze and carved jade hung in perfect symmetry along the chamber's length, casting a soft, diffused glow that reflected off the varnished panels depicting the turning of the seasons. Matched rows of iron dragon sculptures rested upon the floor, narrowing in distance as they guided the eyes of the onlookers towards the Dragon Throne.
At the far end of the hall, upon a raised dais flanked by two towering bronze cranes, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty sat in solemn majesty. The tiger's robes of deep imperial gold were emblazoned with the sacred beasts of the four cardinal directions: the Azure Dragon, the Vermilion Bird, the White Tiger, and the Black Tortoise. Beside him, seated with equal poise but with an undeniable air of strength, was the Empress. Her own robes, dyed a rich crimson and lined with intricate silver embroidery, pooled gracefully around her seat. Her eyes lingered on each of the newcomers with quiet interest. The tigress was younger than the Emperor, but there was undoubtedly steel beneath her elegance; she was of a proud ancestry, a bloodline which had long ruled over Jiangdong.
The moment was overwhelming.
Monkey, despite all his carefree statements earlier, felt his throat tighten. He had stolen imperial grain once in his youth, never imagining he would stand before the one who ruled the land it came from. The masters began to slowly make their approach as other imperial officials and advisors cleared out of the way. Mantis fidgeted with nervous energy, while Viper lowered herself into a graceful—if a bit rushed—gesture.
Only Shifu remained utterly composed.
The red panda stepped forward, offering a deep bow with the ease of one who had done so before. "Your Imperial Majesty."
The Emperor regarded him for a long moment before speaking.
"We welcome the Grandmaster of the Jade Palace once more into Our court," he said, his tone calm but absolute. His gaze flicked to the others. "And these… are your disciples?"
Viper lifted her head first. "It is an honor, Your Majesty."
Monkey forced himself to bow again. "Yeah—er, I mean—yes, Your Majesty. An honor."
Mantis, uncharacteristically silent, just nodded in agreement.
The Emperor studied them, his gaze unreadable. Then, he turned back to Shifu. "You bring Us warriors in an age where ink no longer holds back steel. Tell Us, Grandmaster, do you believe they are enough?"
Shifu held his gaze. "The strength of a warrior is measured not by their number, but by their purpose, Your Majesty. Your people will need every warrior they can get."
A silence stretched between them.
It was the Empress who finally spoke. "The enemy approaches with furious haste. We have sent envoys, but the Khan does not seek peace—only submission."
Shifu inclined his head. "Then you already know what must be done."
The Emperor exhaled slowly. "We have known for some time. But We had hoped… that Our people might be spared."
"Please—I urge you, Majesties, you must withdraw from Hangzhou." Shifu implored. "With the Imperial Army destroyed, the city cannot be fully defended."
The Empress looked troubled. "And where would you have Us go?"
Shifu did not hesitate. "Gongmen City."
A murmur swept through the court, a ripple of unease passing through the gathered officials. Some turned to one another in hushed discussion, while others stiffened, their faces betraying their distaste. The Emperor remained still, but there was something heavier in the silence that followed.
The Emperor's gaze darkened. "You would have Us seek shelter behind the walls of Gongmen?" His voice carried no outrage, but there was an undeniable edge beneath it.
Shifu inclined his head. "It is the most defensible city still within reach, fortified by both the mountains and the sea. If the worst should come to pass, an escape by sea would still be possible."
The Emperor's paws tightened slightly around the armrests of his throne.
"Why should We flee to a city that has long defied Our rule? Accept shelter from those who would see Us humbled?"
Shifu held his ground. "Gongmen may have distanced itself from the imperial court, but they will not turn you away."
The Empress' expression became impassive. "You ask Us to disgrace Ourselves by kneeling before those who have spent years undermining Our sovereignty?"
Shifu's expression did not waver. "I ask you to endure."
Another beat of silence followed as the royals considered the red panda's words.
The Emperor exhaled slowly. "We will not go to Gongmen."
Shifu stiffened slightly, though he had anticipated the resistance. "Your Majesty—"
"Our people must see strength," the Emperor interrupted. "Not a ruler who abandons them in the face of war."
"The people already know what's coming," Monkey muttered under his breath.
The Emperor's eyes turned towards him, and Monkey quickly bowed his head in apology.
Shifu took a step forward, his voice firm. "Majesties, the capital is already lost. Even if you were to stay, there would be no victory here. If you fall, the empire falls with you. But if you live, the fight continues."
The Empress lifted her chin, her golden eyes unwavering. "We will not abandon Hangzhou."
The Emperor's voice followed, final and absolute. "This city is Our home. We will not forsake it."
Shifu held the Emperor's gaze for a long moment, then bowed deeply.
"Then it is our duty to defend the empire."
Monkey, Viper, and Mantis exchanged uneasy glances. None of them spoke, but the weight of what had been decided settled heavily upon them. They all knew what this meant.
Hangzhou would not be abandoned.
And when Khasar's armies arrived, they would be standing in the way.
The wind had picked up.
Shifu stood upon the ramparts of Hangzhou, his robe rustling as the first gusts rolled in from the distant plains. His students flanked him, each staring out beyond the city's fortified walls, where the horizon stretched in uneasy silence. The wetlands and winding rivers that once shimmered in sunlight were now shrouded in growing darkness, as storm clouds gathered like a heavy omen over the land.
Lightning split the sky.
The banners lining the battlements snapped and thrashed in the mounting gale, their imperial sigils illuminated in brief flashes of electric light. Around them, guards and sentinels stood with spears and halberds, their faces drawn, their eyes fixed on the horizon.
Mantis perched low upon the stonework, his frame tense. "That's a bad sign," he muttered, glancing at the sky.
"It's not just the storm." Viper added, her coils shifting beside him.
Another flash of lightning.
And then, the low, rolling growl of thunder.
Shifu exhaled slowly, eyes closing as his grip tightened around his staff. He had seen this before. This quiet. This stillness.
The moment before the storm truly arrived.
And as the winds howled through the City of Heaven, carrying the first droplets of rain, no one on the wall needed to speak.
They all knew it would not be long now.
Author's Notes:
- This chapter draws heavily from historical references to Hangzhou during the late Song Dynasty, so I had a lot of fun making note of as many little details as possible
- Once again, I acknowledge that the emperor uses the "royal we" when speaking, which can be a bit jarring
- Not a big chapter from a plot perspective, but it was nice to slow things down and catch a glimpse of the Song Dynasty capital amidst "the calm before the storm"
- Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed and feel free to leave your thoughts! Until next time...