Part 19

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Month after month flew by, and things were heating up in Liping. Divided into two unequal parts, the city was on the edge of discord. The new governor was imposing more and more rules, exalting the people who had arrived with him and pushing back Colonel Biao's protégés. The conflict coming from the top of the government began to spread to the common people as well. Soldiers and townspeople were divided into two camps. Once united by a single purpose, Liping was ready to explode at the slightest spark.

For six months everything was in a delicate balance until a duel took place between Viceroy Sun Jian and the Colonel. The entire city gathered for the Agni Kai of the two powerful mages. The improvised arena was filled to the brim. Soldiers and townspeople crowded the staircases and sat together in one place just to witness the end of the conflict.

Du Biao was a wiry and gaunt old man, his body covered with old wounds that the man had received in his turbulent younger years. Small in stature and slightly slouched, he stood motionless in the arena, waiting for his opponent. When the Fire Giant entered the ring, the whole world seemed to fall into silence. An aura of power and strength surrounded the Viceroy's majestic figure. Warming up as he walked, he stood up without any unnecessary words, suggesting not to make meaningless speeches and to solve all the issues at once.

Shaking his head in agreement, the colonel shook his thin arms, adopting an intricate stance.

Everything happened in an instant. The fight between the two maturing predators was over in a matter of seconds. The two fire magic masters clashed in a quick exchange of blows and the younger and stronger Sun Jian won. The flashes of flames had not yet had time to settle when a strong punch flew into Biao's chest, accompanied by a bright flash. Sliding across the sand that was scattered across the arena, he froze in one position, only to fall to his knees a second later. Spitting out a small clot of blood, the Colonel wrinkled his nose in pain and sorrow. The quick momentary loss had ruined all of his plans and life's achievements. Spitting in frustration, he struggled to his feet and bowed respectfully.

The Viceroy, who had been watching, responded with a nod of his head without moving out of his fighting stance. Only after a few heartbeats did the mighty man lower his arms and fold his hands in a gesture of acknowledgement of skill.

While the part of the arena where Sun Jian's followers sat cheered, most of the soldiers of the garrison sank into despondency. In complete silence, the crowd that believed in their leader's victory dispersed to the shouts of joy and delight of their opponents. Even the children sensed the general mood and silently departed after their parents.

Walking beside the elder, Guan Yu tried to remember the battle in great detail. He had come here from the beginning to see true mastery of fire magic and the boy was not disappointed. The quick measured movements of his arms and legs, which must have been honed by years of training, were impressive. His child's eye did not have time to fully see all the action, so quickly flashed the limbs of the fighters, but one thing he realised for sure. In the fights of real masters there are no pathos speeches and protracted skirmishes that last 'day and night'. The colonel made one mistake and lost immediately. Without pity or hesitation, the Viceroy hit him in the solar plexus, leaving a large bruise and burns on the elderly man's chest.

Moving through the streets of Lipin, he paid no attention to his surroundings. Ping's firm grip on his shoulder allowed him to delve into the dismantling of the battle fully, trusting the man to take their journey.

For several weeks, the aftermath of the battle had no effect on life in the city until Colonel Biao had taken most of his men away. As he gathered his belongings, Petty Officer Ping tried to look upbeat, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, but his fading gaze and occasionally clenched fists said otherwise. The man was nervous and angry. Trying to hide his true emotions, he was so immersed in his thoughts that he was packing his camping bag for the third time.

-Uncle, is everything alright?

Hearing his apprentice's voice, Ping took a few seconds to come to his senses. Holding the cursed bag in his hand, the elder sat down next to the boy, not knowing how to start the conversation. Anxious thoughts flashed through the guardian's mind, and the last words of his friend and the child's father were often heard in the back of his mind.

-Not really,' Ping decided that he couldn't properly explain what was happening without lying, so he told Yu the truth, 'I don't know how long I'm leaving Liping. All the people loyal to the colonel, along with him, are going to help Prince Airo, who will soon return to the northern province. We will hunt for the remnants of Cao Sun's troops and the savages who are still hiding in our land. It is a long and dangerous endeavour, and I don't know when we will see each other again.

Hugging the boy, Ping pressed his lips together, realising that he had acted foolishly. Telling the little orphan about his going off to war might have plunged the child into painful memories. Groaning and cursing himself, the petty officer felt the child's grip on his back grow tighter. Shaking his hand over the boy's head, he awkwardly averted his eyes, feeling guilty.

-Be careful, Uncle Ping.

Without tears or grief, Yu fake smiled, trying to instil confidence in his only loved one. Laughing warmly at this act, Ping crumpled the boy in a bear grip, eliciting an indignant squeak.

-Who do you think I am? It's all our enemies who need to be careful. If we do this in five years, I'll be in time for your graduation! Swear you won't tear it down in that time.

Resentfully breaking free from the steel embrace, Yu grasped his chest playfully, trying to breathe in more air. Shaking himself off and straightening his crumpled clothes, the child looked up at the cheerful man. Bending down, he placed his open left palm against his right fist, hiding his thumbs. Covering the tears he wanted to cry with his dishevelled hair, he silently held his hands out in front of his head.

The distraught petty officer stood before his pupil, paying his respects in return. The two loved ones said goodbye, wishing each other peace, harmony and success. They did not know if they would see each other again.

-Are you sure they won't do anything to us?

Chou's voice came from beneath the feet of Yu climbing the defence tower. He glanced down and saw his classmate puffing and panting with a sheepish stubbornness as he continued to climb, despite his fear of heights. Looking only forwards, Wen Chou was shaking with fear, but the strong arms did not let his master down, lifting him higher and higher.

-Yes, it's all right. Right now, everyone is seeing off the colonel's army. If we keep quiet, no one will notice us.

After overcoming the heavy section of the defence structure, Yu stayed where he was. The small, spacious corner was perfect for taking a break and gathering strength for the final push. Waiting for Chou to climb higher, he helped his classmate up to him. Sprawled out near the edge, the boys sat with their backs against the wall. Decorative dragons surrounded them on both sides, protecting them from the strong wind that occasionally blew against them as they crawled up.

-How much further is it?

Hearing no answer, Chou opened his eyes, hoping he wouldn't have to ask the question again. His classmate was silently pointing his hand at the nearest parapet above their heads. Putting his other hand to his lips, Yu tiredly covered his eyes, enjoying the rest. Five minutes of silence passed all too quickly and with grunts and groans of despair the two 'actors' continued their ascent. To their delight, the last metres of the path were dotted with decorations and statues. Chou had never been so pleased with the abundance of statues and tinsel that the architects had put on Lipin's watchtowers. After climbing up to the flat roof, the first thing Guan Yu did was to tie a rope to the head of one of the lords of heaven. After apologising to the majestic beast, the boy forgot how he had recently stepped on its kin to get up here. Checking the knot was secure, he left it on the edge of the parapet.

-And what next?

Wen Chou's impatient voice was lost in the sound of the wind and the cry of departing birds. Outraged animals circled above the tower, cursing loudly at the uninvited guests. Ignoring the question once again, Yu only pointed his hand in the right direction. Following his classmate, Chou made a decision for himself. After this stupid walk, he would beat the shit out of the arsehole in training. Gently stepping on the smooth part of the roof, they reached the other side. Hugging another statue, the two kids finally reached their goal.

The view of the city from the top was breathtaking. The smooth streets of Lipin and the water glistening in the sunlight looked amazing, but the two intruders were looking for something else, and when they found it they froze not knowing what to say.

The last detachments of soldiers were passing over the bridge. The colonel's army was leaving the city, leaving behind empty houses and weeping relatives. There were no joyous shouts or music. In mournful silence, men and women left the city to the sound of drums. Thousands of people saw them off with sad looks, trying to squeeze out a smile. Throwing flowers at the feet of the departing Fire warriors, family and friends prayed to Agni for protection and mercy.

Stretching along the shore, the long column marched forward without slowing down. Somewhere in the distance were Uncle Ping and Father Chou, who followed their commander to the end. Hearing the quiet sobs, Yu put his hand on his classmate's shoulder without turning around. Clenching his fingers tightly, he tried to hold back the tears, but he could feel his eyes stinging and his cheeks getting wet. From the top of the defence tower, they saw the army off until its end was lost on the horizon in the dusk.

Standing in silence, the two boys didn't know what to do next. The happy life had changed drastically, but one must continue to move on.

Viceroy Sun Jian had mixed feelings. The man stood on the gate that connected the two towers and looked after the defeated opponent. One part of his mind said that this was a crushing victory. His political rival had left the city in disgrace, heading off in a pointless search for saboteurs and bandits who had scattered over vast territories. His image of a dull-witted warrior who understands nothing about backstage games and intrigues played its role, once again. The Fire Nation's cult of power allowed this mask to be used hundreds of times already. Many aristocrats and military commanders did not even think about why such a lout was entrusted with such an honourable position, sincerely believing that he had earned it only due to his personal abilities.

-Idiots...

The other, more logical and pragmatic part of the mind assured that they had just lost a solid contribution to their elevation. Colonel Biao had connections and acquaintances not only in the colonies but in the metropolis as well, his defiant departure cutting a lot of strings and closing a lot of doors. Not to mention he had taken a solid portion of the city's garrison with him, gaining Prince Airo's full approval of his actions.

The old warrior would be a good subordinate, but also one of the most dangerous opponents. Sooner or later he was realised that a real snake was hiding behind the mask of an inconsiderate soldier. Not taking any chances, Sun Jian decided to choose the tit for tat. The departure of such a major player from the political arena would give him enough time to get fat and gain more useful acquaintances, not to mention loyal people.

-No need to think about missed opportunities, better to focus on what's available.....

With the satisfied face of a cat-eating lizard, the Viceroy looked round his possessions. It was now entirely his own. Nose inhaling the warm river air, he threw his head back, enjoying the view of the starry night sky. Turning his head, Sun Jian froze with his eyes wide open. His mouth opened in surprise, giving out a strange mooing sound.

-Mmmaaa...

Frozen on the rope in an awkward position, Guan Yu's whole body shook with fear. Looking into the viceroy's eyes, he was already calculating his punishment in his head when the dead man was able to come to his senses and examine the late visitors to the defences more closely.

Two boy students, dressed in the uniforms of the local school, were coming downstairs. While the taller one had spotted him and now sat like a kangaroo rat in front of a predator, the other one was slowly making his way down, muttering to himself. Looking up for fear of heights, Wen Chou scolded the foolish venture that had forced him to endure all this suffering. Listening to the child's words, the Viceroy smiled miserably and turned around in the other direction. Realising the reason why the two fools had climbed onto the forbidden object, he pretended not to see them. Walking away towards the exit, the man could hear the indignant hissing and clapping of punches. Snickering into his moustache, he could barely contain his bursting laughter.