Capítulo 98: The city of Shigatse
[Tai Lung's POV]
Fishing information about the city from the travelling merchants and traders I walked with, I came to learn that the city was Shigatse City. The second largest city of Tibet which was also a great trading city and a military superpower due to being located near the borders.
The morning sun was already high in the sky as it cast a golden hue on the city of Shigatse. As I got closer and closer to the city, the first thing I noticed was the giant castle located in an elevated hill right at the centre of the city.
The Tashilhunpo Monastery was the name of the great construction. It was a sprawling complex with golden rooftops, that dominated the skyline. Its majestic presence seemed to anchor the city to the heavens. The monastery's walls, built from stone and wood, stood firm and, their red and white surfaces glow softly under the morning sun.
As I reached the city gate, I marvelled at the giant walls that were treated around the city and the natural rocky hills which seemed to cradle the entire city. The walls had beautiful engravings in it.
The guards who stood guard at the gate also seemed to be quite competent observing their muscle structure and their chi, I could tell that they were warriors who had seen their fair share of battle.
There were three different entrances to the city. One of them was for the well-known traders who had an identification plate or scroll with them. Then there was a gate in the middle which looked more luxurious than the others, it was probably meant for Nobles or other important figures.
I went to the last gate which was also the most busy gate. It was for visitors who came to the city for the first time or peasants who came to buy things for the village.
Getting into the city was an easy process as they simply took my name, 'Lin Fan' and I had to give a small coin to enter the city. I was the ruler and Supreme General of Unified China so i did not lack the money. And to my convenience, Tibet and China shared the same currency.
As I entered the city and ventured deeper, I was greeted with a labyrinth of narrow winding streets. The houses were built from stone, wood and sun-dried mud bricks and they stood shoulder to shoulder, creating a sense of order in the busy streets
There were many carvings on the walls of the buildings and prayer flags of different colours fluttered in the wind, These flags seemed to be the main decoration of the Tibets.
I pulled down my hat as I continued walking through the streets. Merchants and Artisans filled the street and they set up all stalls at the side of the road. They sold textiles, handicrafts, jewellery, spices, and carpets and I even saw some goods from China.
The houses were mostly three to four stories high and they had flat roofs on which the people could dry their crops and hang their clothes. The houses had small windows from which I could peer into the cosy interior of each house.
Although it was not as grand as the great cities of China like Gongemn City or Meilin City, the Tibetans were not any worse in their wealth and living conditions it seems.
I might even go as far as saying I liked the city quite a bit just because of its low population and lack of fireworks.
My acute hearing and sense of smell guided me as I walked towards the bustling market of the city. When I reached the market square, I noticed the myriad of trade in the city and the many establishments there.
My eyes lingered on the elder people who were chatting and the children who were running around with joyous laughter. The atmosphere was harmonious and joyous.
It made me wonder, why the Tiebts wanted to invade China in the first place. They looked so happy here.
Then I realized that it was not the people, but the leaders in charge who were willing to destroy this peace for the sake of more power and land.
It affirmed in my mind how the civilians were not involved in wars and that i should always make sure to not hurt inncoents when I can.
At one corner of the market, there was a big stall which I assumed was where news or orders were given out throughout the city. There was a sober mood in that part of the market which was understandable.
Considering I wiped out thousands of their soldiers only a few days ago. In fact, it was surprising that he city was this loud and joyous after such a tragic event.
Was the Empire suppressing the news? Maybe but I didn't bother lingering on that line of thought. I just didn't care.
Then just as I was about to walk and take a step towards another part of the market square, an attractive smell caught my nose.
And the city saved itself.
Fish.
I turned around and immediately walked towards the smell of that wonderful dish. I saw a stall which was selling fish and the sign said they were fish from Yamdrok Lake.
I did not pay attention to the raw fish which was for sale. Instead, I was more focused on the restaurant which had many fish dishes on their menu.
I haven't eaten in five days, so I immediately walked into the restaurant.
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[3rd POV]
"Hey, you! What are you doing there!!" The commander of the military force in Shigatse City called out the Leopard who was sleeping naked in the forest beside the main road.
A dozen soldiers followed behind the commander as they investigated the scene of a naked Leopard sleeping alone in the forest. It was a scene they had not seen before.
The commander and his soldiers were just returning from the previous location of the Tibetan army which was wiped out by Tai Lung. They went there to investigate and to see if the rumours were really true.
And on their way back to the city, they saw the Leopard which Tai Lung robbed.
"He is not waking up." One soldier said as he tried to wake up the Leopard by shaking him a couple of times.
"Wait. let me see." The commander said he crouched before the Leopard to examine. The commander with his years of experience was able to find out what happened after only a few seconds.
"A nerve attack." He said in a grave tone. Nerve attacks were the pinnacle of Kung Fu so it means that such a figure was around the city. It made him extremely wary.
Not only that, he also saw the pouch of coins beside the leopard who had nothing but his underwear. It was an odd scene that tells him something more than just robbing happened.
"Let's see here." The commander said and hit a nerve of the Leopard. At first it did not but after a few tries, the unconscious leopard jolted awake.
"Whaa!!!! Who are you!!" The Leopard screamed but before he could struggle and go on a mindless attack, the commander immobilized him.
"Calm down now! You are saife."
The leopard took a moment to get his bearing. He looked around tat the sliders and heaved in a deep breath.
"I thought, I thought.."
"What happened here?" The commander asked as he slowly let go of the leopard.
The leopard seemed to be deep in thought or maybe stuck in a memory of what happened before he passed out. His eyes glazed over before they refocused back on the commander.
"Why did he attack me?"
"Who attacked you?" The commander asked. He had an inkling on who it was from the moment he realized the leopard suffered from nerve attacks.
It reminded him of a Snow Leopard who he had to fight against 20 or so years ago. He was a specialist in nerve attacks and utilized it to the limit as he stopped the Tiebtan Invasion by himself.
"Tell em who attacked you?"
The leopard stayed silent. making sure it was not a dream, confirming in his mind that what happened was not a dream but a reality
Because it was strange. Why would such a figure attack him?
"Tai Lung." He said and the commander held his breath as his PTSD acted up.
..
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..
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"Wait! Why am I naked!!"
[IMAGE]
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