บท 86: Interlude
[3rd POV]
China was experiencing the biggest change in all of its history.
Previously ruled by different tribes, kingdoms and empires, now it was going to be united under one banner, under one rule.
It was made possible by the alliance between the strongest warrior in the world, Tai Lung and the genius prince of Gongmen City, Shen.
They were a duo that would undoubtedly go down in history. For in the span of less than a year, they have achieved what their ancestors couldn't do for millennia.
But such achievement was to be expected from those who dared dream of conquering the whole world.
A new era had emerged in China. An era which was more peaceful and promising than the one before.
It would be a common deduction to think that China would be at its weakest and struggling to adapt to the change of this new era, but such assumptions would be wrong.
Instead of struggling to adapt, China and all its people were thriving in this new era. With Lord Shen's political genius and Tai Lung's god-like reputation, there was no trouble like most people would assume.
Shen was extremely intelligent and cunning in his schemes such that he was able to unite the kingdoms after their defeat without much trouble. Even the kingdoms which were at each other's throats the year before had accepted being together.
There was no revolt or internal conflicts. It was not that no one was opposed to the new rule but they knew they couldn't do anything. Their idea to revolt and resist the new rule diminished with each new achievements that Tai Lung made until they thought to themselves, 'Why bother?'
He was the strongest warrior. Their resistance was futile so they just accepted their situation. No one wants to die a meaningless death after all.
In return for this fear and respect for Tai Lung, Lord Shen's words - which were the same as Tai Lung's because of their alliance - were respected and taken with respect. They obeyed whatever orders they received.
And with such obedience, Shen was able to achieve his goal which was the prosperity of China. The six kingdoms which were already united were thriving like never before.
With the lack of constant wars and the need for vigilant soldiers at the borders, the roads and the cities were much safer. Most bandits dared not attack the merchants of the united China so trade thrived.
The economy of the kingdoms combined and morphed into something more than it ever was. The cities which were razed in Tai Lung's anger were also being slowly rebuilt and in a few years, would regain their prosperity.
And the military might was not at an all time low as the rulers outside of China might expect. Instead it was quite opposite because of Tai Lung.
The change happening in China seemed to be for good.
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In the tavern of one of the cities, a group of people were crowding near one specific table as they wanted to hear what the guy sitting there had to say.
It was a bear who was on the older side and he was retelling an event which happened 23 years ago with vivid detail.
"And on that day, no one believed Tai Lung was going to triumph over Master Lishou. He was known for his unstoppable strength and impenetrable defence. He was a behemoth, a giant which no one thought would fall to the likes of a young warrior like Tai Lung." He said and his audience listened well.
"At the centre of the city, the fight took place. All of the citizens gathered to watch the fight because seeing Master Lishou fight was a privilege, and no one wanted to miss it. We made bets on how many hits Tai Lung would be able to take before he fell. I prayed that Tai Lung lasted at least a few hits so that i would be able to admire Master Lishou's techniques." He said and paused.
Everyone could already guess what happened next but they wanted to hear it anyway.
"But we were all so wrong. Tai Lung was able to defeat the unstoppable force, the warrior who supposedly had never fell with but a single finger." The old bear said and showed off one finger. The audience oohed and ahhed.
"One touch, to make Master Lishou fall on his knees, peeing himself in fear. It was not a fight, it was public humiliation. He had boasted a title he should not have, he had claimed to be all-powerful when he shared the land with Tai Lung and he paid dearly for it. A few years later, Master Lishou took his own life, unable to live with the shame." He finished the story.
"Woah! So is that why his son, Master Wubao fought against Tai Lung after he broke out of prison? It was to take revenge." One of the audience said in realization as the crowd nodded, absorbing that small knowledge.
"So in the end, Wubao himself was the one causing the destruction of the city and not Tai Lung."
"Duh. You think the Mielin city will still stand today if he really went on a rampage? I am from Xiaguan so I can tell you, if he really went on a rampage, Mielin would have suffered the same fate as we did. Complete annihilation. Everything I owned, burned away in a single day."
"Tha's tough buddy. You must be angry at Tai Lung."
"Tai Lung? Ptff nah. I am angry at the stupid king who decided that it was a good idea to not only attempt to kill Tai Lung but also break the codes of war to piss him off."
The tavern bustles with discussions and activity. The tales of Tai Lung in his heydays which had died down after his imprisonment and almost seemed surpassed by fate began emerging again.
Shen, who had spread bad words about Tai Lung before they became allies did the opposite after their alliance and tired to give a boost to Tai Lung's already high reputation.
In the end, he also benefited when Tai Lung was feared and respected so he was also working on that.
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(The spirit realm)
A brilliant golden chi clashed with corrupted green in an explosion that destroyed the floating mass of lan. The great land flew away in broken fraents every where.
The spirit realm, meant to be the resting place of kung fu masters was opposite to what it was supposed to be. It was hell. It was a hunting ground where the kung fu masters were prey, cursed to run away from the villain clad in green light.
"You are getting weaker Oogway!!" Kai screamed and shot out like a missile towards Oogway.
Master Oogway struggled but managed to dodge Kai who whizzed past him and crashed into a flying mountain in the distance, destroying it.
Kai had gotten more and more powerful.
In the movies, he was not this strong while he was in the spirit realm. But due to Tai Lung's influence, more and more masters whose chi he was supposed to get only after escaping the spirit realm died and gave Kai the opportunity to obtain them earlier.
He was now as strong as he was when he faced Po in the movies.
"And I, am only getting stronger." Kai said as he emerged from the derbies with a smile on his face.
He had finally absorbed the Chi of all the King fu masters who died in the war of Gongmen city which included Master Croc and Ox who died instantly in Mighty Eagle's attack.
Alpha was also one of the chi he absorbed.
The spirit realm was not an afterlife where everyone can go. It was a place where mutated chi - which the universe could no longer recycle - went after they died. People with mutated chi were mostly kung fu masters who had done so by dedicating their lives to their kung fu.
"There is no alternative where you come out as the victor. It is only a matter of time." He said and tugged at his chain and caught his green blades.
"Maybe, maybe not." Oogway said with a small laugh that held no amusement. It was a mask to hide his worry.
"But at least I am not alone anymore, right dear nephew?" Oogway asked with a smile towards the turtle monk.
"Urgh, don't bring me into this." Turtle Monk said while scratching his head, floating beside Oogway.
He was not among the kung fu masters Kai absorbed because he was a monk, not a kung fu master. he could fight, but he rarely does.
"I don't see why we have to sacrifice our eternal peace to fight someone like him? Why not just send him directly to the final boss?" Turtle Monk asked with a lazy stretch to his words.
"Tai Lung?"
"Yeah, I'm sure he can deal with him, although it might take some effort. We are only making him stronger by keeping him here." Turtle Monk said.
Oogway hummed before closing his eyes. He sent his sense to the mortal realm where he saw the scene of Tai Lung and the furious five, along with Po enjoying their time in the Panda village,
Tai Lung was trying to teach them how to utilize their chi but the Pandas were very bad students. Or should he say Tai Lung was a bad teacher, he could only teach through hardcore training and was new to teaching soft civilians.
Tai Lung was also helping them grow their crops master which was a way for him to practice the restoration side of his chi and every day was a huge feast due to the generous harvest.
Oogway opened his eyes, "Let's give him some more time."
"How long is some more time?"Turtle monk asked.
"As long as we can."
It was true that Kai was getting stronger, but Tai Lung himself was getting stronger faster than Kai.
Oogway believed that given some more time, Tai Lung would be able to defeat Kai easily instead of with some effort.
There would be a higher chance of victory for Tai Lung who was not meant to defeat Kai.
At least as long as Kai remained the same strength he was in the movies.
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Author : For those who are saying Europe is not a country and how it's wrong info,
I know.
I just adjusted it so that it's easier to fit into the story.
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