Clash of Alliances

by Pierre Dimaculangan

  ​Later, Famin Jie found some difficulty in trying to pull Lu Guanying for a moment’s word, not because the Headmaster was much too occupied with affairs of state, but rather that the concerns he bore were too volatile to express in simplest terms.

  ​“Thank you, Headmaster for taking the time to speak with me,” said Famin Jie.

  ​“As an honorable member of the emperor’s court, you’ve right to speak with whomever you need. What seems to be on your mind?” said Lu Guanying with sincere concern.

  ​“The polymath of your order, Tian Qiu, how well do you know him?” asked Famin Jie.

  ​“Highly intelligent and skilled in many arts, and a bit eccentric if you ask me. I do admit that he has some issues to put to rest. Does he trouble you?”

  ​“No, it’s not me. I could not help but notice he seemed especially odd today. Something troubles him. I sense a dark disturbance within your colleague.”

  ​“Ah, you needn’t worry about him, comrade. He is most peculiar, and has been known to change moods as quickly as monkeys swing between trees. Tian Qiu may sometimes come off as brash or at times even rude, but I have learned to accept him for who he is. One can only guess his troublesome past.”

  ​“Ah, yes, I see. Well, I sincerely hope that he finds peace before his personal troubles grow larger than his intellect and ability can handle,” said Famin Jie.

  ​“So do I, comrade. So do I.”

  ​There was far more than mere peculiarity and eccentricity that he observed from Tian Qiu that afternoon, and Famin Jie felt great pain in his heart; he knew that sorrow was looming on the horizon.

  8 Behind Enemy Lines

  Sun Xin and his accompanying sibling Academicians maintained a steady pace as they proceeded into the very heart of the Shan Gui operation located deep within a secret location. Activity along the pass leading to the surface stronghold increased as they pushed closer toward the heart of the massive settlement. There were even children running about the small residential encampments leading toward the fortress grounds. Entire families from farms and villages across the empire claimed membership within the notoriously powerful organization, and had little trouble keeping their numbers in the tens of thousands as long as they continued their membership through their offspring. They worked in the camps forging and sharpening weapons and armors, stockpiling munitions, working the tanning racks, and gathering ingredients for various for medicines and potions unique to their skill set. Some even worked patches of land to plant and harvest staple crops to sustain them during their station in the secret stronghold.

  ​“Naught worse than a betrayal committed against one’s country,” said Sun Xin.

  ​The trio continued on through the broad way, and none paid them much attention, feeling secure in the belief that none other than their fellow Shan Gui would know of the place. The trio’s objectives were simple enough, free Fa Lien’s captain of the guard, eliminate the traitorous eunuchs heading the Underworld’s operations, and destroy any site manufacturing the Terukk’s unique elixir. The difficulty lay in the question of how. An area full of vegetation and rock formations sat ahead of the team of three and provided them with cover under the foliage to study the layout of the stronghold and the fortress grounds.

  ​The area encompassed by the dwarf mountains was very large indeed, and was perfectly suited for veiling the preparations and assembly of rebel armies of the uniting Underworld. It was far from the sight of the empire’s eyes and ears. Knolls, hills, and sparse trees dotted the landscape in the midst of erected structures both new and old, surrounded by thousands of tents and yurts. Xin pulled out the large folded map and blue prints provided by Fa Lien. Several large structures were erected around the fortress, temples, training grounds, storage space, and living quarters created a small city completely unknown to the rest of the world.

  ​“I find it difficult to believe that these anarchists pulled off such a massive installation without anyone else knowing. It seems impossible. And the Martial Scholars aren’t close to reaching their numbers. How do they obtain the funding?” commented Wen Ping.

  ​“They’re well-connected and they themselves donate their skills to the cause,” answered Sun Xin. “They’re from many walks of life… very much like our very own League. They have plenty of mental and physical strength at their disposal.”

  ​“They’re serious about all this.”

  ​“Fanatical,” answered Xin.

  ​“The government should have dealt with these rebel fools long ago. They waited too long, and now they’re a problem. We’ve a problem,” added Wen Xiao. She scratched her head and sighed.

  ​“Well, this is why the Martial Scholars exist, have you forgotten? Don’t expect too much from governments,” said Xin. They studied the map and blueprints for an extended period of time, figuring out the layout to plan their method of infiltration and attack.

  ​“The dungeons are located directly under the fortress grounds. This is where they’ll be holding the captain of White Wasp’s guard and anyone else still loyal to her,” said Xin. He turned over the map and studied the blueprints. The fortress was a complex compound, like a small palace with its own structures for armories, training grounds, and even prisons. “The very heart of the fortress is most probably where the eunuchs are staging the command of the operations here, using the White Wasp’s former officers and the other sects’ leadership as middlemen. We’ll have to split up and explore the entire stronghold and observe the fortress with our own eyes – see any possible openings in the guard or possible points of entry in the architecture, and become acquainted with their management and logistics.”

  ​“We are only three surrounded by enemies numbering in the tens of thousands,” said Wen Xiao. Her eyes gazed at Sun Xin and her brother worriedly.

  ​“Hiding in plain sight where it is least expected is a most solid defense,” said Wen Ping.

  ​“Stay alert and remain deep incognito. This is what you’ve trained for. Meet back here at sundown,” said Sun Xin.

  ​Sun Xin was once again alone for the first time in a while. He found solace in going solo; it was where he found the most focus and the deep state of mind that delivered him success. He lowered his broad-brimmed rattan hat over his eyes and tightened the thin sash around his waist to secure the black overcoat draped over his robes. Everywhere he turned, he saw great urgency in preparations for battle.

  ​Every warrior in the Shan Gui was preparing property, mind, and body for death. They had grown stronger and more numerous of late. He never believed that Fa Lien, despite her skills, could ever fulfill her inherited role as the Shan Gui’s high commander like her grandmother and father before her. She simply did not display the same capacities for mercilessness and brutality of her predecessors.

  ​He observed the service buildings and courtyards that made up the large rebel garrison. Some had to have been several hundred years old, well-kept or rebuilt. Some were even structured according to the styles of the previous dynasties, even strictly arranged according to the principles of Feng Shui. Countless tents large and small were planted all around the structures while squads of guards patrolled the pathways; many on horseback trotted along, while those of the highest ranks supervised and managed the preparations. They were easily identified due to their distinct heavy armor pieces and uniforms.

  ​A bird’s eye view was most appropriate to become acquainted with his surroundings. Sun Xin rounded a corner of a large building and walked briskly to the tallest structure in the whole installation adjacent to the elevated fortress. The pagoda had multiple tiers and an ornate architecture making it easy to scurry up and shimmy along. To Sun Xin, it was like vertical mountain-climbing, but far more predictable. He grabbed onto protrusions and ledges and planted his boots firmly onto the outcroppings and ledges. With precise rhythm and steady pace, he made it to the pagoda’s top tier and clung to its rounded and narrow vane.

  ​His eyes widened and he scanned the whole valley
and the fortress grounds’ troop formations, guard patrol patterns, and the defensive fortifications below, imprinting them onto his mind as if a painter to his canvas. For Sun Xin, such a method complemented the map and blueprint, and would make navigation in the area far easier. Several antiquated cannons and catapults were being outfitted and prepared for departure as well. Some lined the fortress walls in the rare event of an attempted siege from rivals or from perhaps Ming forces. What especially had caught his eye in the distance to the east was a facility that sported several chimney stacks and steam ventilations, and large stockpiles of barrels arranged in the courtyard. Large cauldrons boiled over large fire pits as brewers stirred the concoction in a mindless cycle.

  ​“That must be the elixir brewery. No doubt many more will dot the provinces. They need to be destroyed before the elixir becomes an epidemic. There’s more to all of this than meets the eye,” Xin said to himself.

  ​Several enclaves inside the valley did not escape Sun Xin’s sharp eye either. There gathered some of the largest and strongest factions of the current Underworld, all of which he recognized. The Crimson Moon sect, the Iron Dragon martial arts school, warlord Li Hong and his battalion of foreign mercenaries and disciples of the Serpent’s Eye society all made their encampments alongside the army of the Shan Gui. Together, they added another few thousand into the rebel army’s numbers. This was not even counting the number of bandits, gangs, and other outcasts running rampant and wreaking havoc across the empire whilst fueled by the Terukk elixir. Strangely enough, their numbers did not match that of what he had witnessed in the distance during his initial journey to Beijing. They could not possibly hope to win any battle against the government forces with their current numbers alone. Just what were they planning to do with all these preparations?

  ​It was not long until the cold wind became more aggressive, and it appeared to herald the arrival of heavy rain. Traversing downward always was more troublesome than climbing, and he had to make haste, lest the souring weather should cause his fatal fall. His descent was steady and time-consuming, and he had wished a large cart full of leaves and hay sat precisely below his position so he could have just let go. He reached out for the nearby tree and precision-jumped onto its large branches until he was back on the ground far from anyone’s notice.

  ​In similar circumstances, Sun Xin would often resort to stealthy eavesdropping. Most of the answers he sought in his previous operations had been found just from listening to conversations alone. Such a task was greatly more difficult with the Shan Gui, as their order’s unique culture made little way for open and idle conversation. He hoped that Wen Ping and Wen Xiao were faring better in their own investigation. He navigated his way through the encampment observing the warriors in their tasks whilst being sure to blend and not appear out of character.

  ​He was sure to find at least one of the eunuchs and Fa Lien’s captain of the guard within the heavily-guarded fortress at the heart of the stronghold. The wall that surrounded it was heavily guarded from within and from without. However, no structure was impervious, and he had always found a way to exploit a weakness. The warriors assigned to the fortress wore a unique uniform, and the armor set and short-sleeved overcoat he wore would not suffice to let him proceed without creating suspicion. One large gate and a detachment of warriors stood between the path and the fortress’s main entrance. A horse-drawn supply wagon approached the checkpoint and after a lengthy and thorough inspection, was granted access to into the main fortress grounds. Without a familiar face and a plaque or badge for identification, he would be attacked on sight. The only way in would be a stealth infiltration at the dead of night.

  ​By sundown and as the rains began to pour, Sun Xin reunited with Wen Ping and his sister Wen Xiao in a secluded area of the stronghold grounds.

  ​“There was not much to go on. I think we can all agree that they’re preparing to launch an attack against the Ming. We just don’t know where or when and for what specific strategic reasons,” said Xin.

  ​“It seems very much so, but I can’t imagine what they plan to accomplish against the Ming army. They’ve limited artillery and naught but swords and spears and their fighting antics to bring to battle,” said Wen Ping.

  ​“These aren’t your average cutthroats, however. I need not mention that they are furthermore strengthened with the elixir that they may endure more rigor and strain than the average man. The Shan Gui and the other groups assembled here can hold their own against the Ming troops, though I admit that their current numbers can sustain a prolonged battle. I count no more than twenty thousand in this valley,” Wen Xiao added.

  ​“Let’s focus on the tasks at hand so we can get the answers from White Wasp,” said Sun Xin. “For now we eat and rest and wait for the encampments to settle down for the night. We infiltrate the fortress at midnight to retrieve Jade Lotus and assassinate Liu Jin and all within his clique. Come, let’s station away from view.”

  - -

  ​Buff Baby, Zuo Shilong, Jirgal, and Big Bang sat around their campsite at the foot of the hill doing little more than create idle chit chat in the company of Fa Lien. She continued to clutch her abdomen, and she grunted with pain every time she shifted in her seat. She was also not very fond of being watched like a child, but there was no other choice considering the current state of her health.

  ​“You might want to have that checked out, lassie. Broken ribs are no trifling matter,” said Buff Baby.

  ​“I’m fine. I’ve been through worse,” she answered plainly, not even looking him in the eye.

  ​“Here, have some betel nut. It ought to help you forget,” said Buff Baby as he extended his hand to offer her the Areca nut wrapped in betel leaf. Fa Lien hesitated for a moment but accepted it nonetheless.

  ​Zuo Shilong observed their little exchange and snorted in response to it. “That is not good for your health,” he said.

  ​“See, that’s your problem, monk. You’re so concerned with being little goody-two-shoes that you’ve yet to learn to truly live. You’ve never even tasted the consoling embrace of good wine,” said Buff Baby, evidently irritated by Shilong’s remarks.

  ​“It is you that has the problem, you lowlife. Your heart is in such longing that you must seek fulfillment in a leaf-wrapped nut and a bottle that will only always leave you empty,” Zuo Shilong answered him.

  ​“Good one,” said Jirgal, butting in. “Well, I do like a good drink and some betel nut myself… Nevermind then.”

  ​Buff Baby stood to his feet and looked down upon Zuo Shilong who continued to sit cross-legged on the ground. “They be fightin’ words, monk. How much longer do you think I will tolerate the belligerence of your insolence?”

  ​“Do you even know what that means? Those are big words for a man who is greatly accustomed to resorting to violence to solve his problems like a savage,” he answered.

  ​“You’re right. Violence has served me to great satisfaction on many occasions. What say you, monk? Is your bark bigger than your bite?” taunted Buff Baby as he popped his knuckles.

  ​Without another word, Buff Baby grabbed Zuo Shilong by the throat and with one hand, lifted him up and slammed him against a tree. The Shaolin monk choked and gagged and struggled to pry off Buff Baby’s giant iron grip.

  ​“Oh wow, a show! Wait, I didn’t find my snack yet!” exclaimed Big Bang.

  ​“What’s the matter, monk? I thought you swore you could best me in combat. You’re naught but a stoneless eunuch compared to me, boy. Now that your basket-wearing man-crush isn’t here in your defense, I’m free to impart some discipline unto you.”

  ​Zuo Shilong tucked in his knees and kicked both of his heels into Buff Baby’ jaw. He escaped his grasp and followed up with a flying back kick into his abdomen. The impact was bone jarring as Buff Baby’s rock-hard frame absorbed the impact like a snowball crashing harmlessly against a brick wall. Buff Baby had managed to grab a hold of his foot and he swung Zuo Shilong around a full ro
tation before releasing his grasp. Zuo Shilong was cast away a distance of some twenty paces but managed to control his descent and fall onto a four-point landing. He rubbed his throat and coughed, still straining to breathe.

  ​“Your barbary is becoming tiresome, Buff Baby. Scum does not deserve to fight on the side of justice!” he exclaimed.

  ​“I warned you to tread carefully, goody-two-shoes,” Buff Baby answered as he reached for his Guan Dao glaive and unfastened the cloth coverings. The massive blade attached to the pole arm glimmered even in the dwindling sunlight. Zuo Shilong unslung the iron rod from his back and brought it at the ready. The two charged at each other full speed. One swung up while the other swung down and both weapons clashed with tremendous force. The ultra-heavy blade of the Guan Dao was stopped short by the staff’s adamantine upper shaft. However, the weight of Buff Baby’s weapon was too much for the smaller monk to bear; he sidestepped and spun around with a low kick into Buff Baby’s knee pit, and the giant dropped to his knee. In quick reflex however, he grabbed a hold of Zuo Shilong’s staff before it could come down upon his head.

  ​“You need to learn to respect the one who outweighs you triply, you bald-headed fool!” Buff Baby violently yanked the staff from Zuo Shilong’s grasp and threw a powerful uppercut into his abdomen. The force of the blow threw the Shaolin monk up and off his feet and landing onto the dusty ground in a heap. He lay there, gasping, wheezing, and writhing in pain. Buff Baby stood and took a breath. “Your kind should spend less time droning all day, reciting senseless prayers and shoving incense sticks into your foreheads,” he spat as he massaged his jaw.

  ​“Bravo, bravo,” Fa Lien applauded sarcastically. “T’was an amusing display.”

  ​“Ah, drat!” snorted Big Bang as he reached for a string of coins tucked in his sleeve. He tossed them to Jirgal begrudgingly. “Monks are overrated!”