An eye for an eye

[3rd POV]

In the Valley of Peace, the sound of the morning bell could be heard echoing through the mountains and the village. It was a sound that signifies the start of a new day, the beginning of tomorrow.

The sun had begun its ascent from the east and the peak of the mountains were already lit up in golden warmth. Yet the rest of the valley was still blanketed by shadows, patiently waiting for the sun to share its warmth.

"This will be goodbye for a while." Tai Lung said with his signature smirk as he stared down at the stairs leading down from the Jade Palace to the Village.

His duty of acting as a line of defence in the borders would take him quite a bit of his time, at least until China had fully united and ready to face the rest of the world.

Until then, he will act as a second Great Wall of China. His main priority would be stopping any invasion and protecting the whole of China while it undergoes its vulnerable transformation.

"I suppose it is," Shifu said, standing beside him while the rest of the disciples were at the back. They had gathered to bid farewell to Tai Lung as he would leave his home again.

"Will you be fine?" Shifu asked and gave a side eye at Tai Lung who scoffed.

"You are asking the wrong question. You should ask if they will be okay." Tai Lung said. And by they he meant anyone who would stand in his way, be it the Tibetan or the Guptas.

"I shall pray for the world then," Shifu said and earned a chuckle from Tai Lung.

"Try not to die of old age while I am away." Tai Lung said as Shifu acted offended.

"I will do no such thing until I see with my own eyes, little Tai Lungs," Shifu said with a laugh.

"Then you'll be alive for a while."

"Bah!! Why are you acting like a youngster? Know your age, my son. You are already past forty." Shifu said. Considering the many species which have shorter lifespans, 40 years could be said to be quite old.

Though Tai Lung was still physically 20. His years spent in prison could only considered being in a coma. But the joke still prevails, he was an old cat.

"That just means I will end up like you. Thats good no? Like father like son." Tai Lung said much to the Shifu's annoyance. Who was he to make fun of his son when he can't even have a girlfriend himself?

Maybe it's time he himself looks for such things.

"Go along your way now. We don't want to keep Emperor Shen waiting. Oh and say hello to that bird for me too and tell him to quickly make the road leading to the Jade Palace wider and better." Shifu said, bidding his final farewell to his son.

Well, considering what he caused after his first time leaving the Jade Palace, he was sure that this one would be full of events again. Shifu will keep an ear for it,

Tai Lung waved at the furious five and Po standing behind him and he shot towards the sky, flying West to Gongmen City.

The journey continues.

The tale of the Supreme General of China was just starting. His next conquest will carve his name not only in the history of China but the world.

Tai Lung will forever be remembered.

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[Tai Lung's POV]

I did not bother using the stairs as I flew directly above the Tower of Sacred Flames. And just like I did when I first had my talk with Shen, I directly fell on the roof of the tower.

My body with its momentum easily broke through the roof as I crashed into the Tower. Then I landed directly on the floor of the Throne room with a loud thud.

*BOOOOM!!!*

The soldiers stationed around the throne room immediately sprung into action but the moment the dust was cleared and my image was revealed, they put down their weapons and bowed to me.

"Can't you take the front door?" Shen asked me from his throne.

"Why would I do such things when I can fly?" I asked and dusted myself off of the derbies. Then I walked towards the throne with a confident stride.

"Now let me ask you, why did the person I thought to be the smartest animal in China lose three thousand soldiers and surrendered our secret arms to the enemy?" I asked and Shen got up from his throne to walk down.

So that we can be on an equal level.

The servants were quick to set up a table on which we could both sit and have our talk. We sat on the floor and we helped fix the table on which tea and other things were served.

"An overworked mind and arrogance would get you such results," Shen said, making no excuse on his monumental failure. "It's quite shameful honestly."

"More shameful than the fact that you are a bird yet you can't fly?" I asked as the servants served us tea.

"I can fly." Shen.

"Using a Kung Fu technique, yes," I added.

"Let us not indulge in useless chatter and focus on the important points here. We have much to discuss before you leave." Shen said.

"Oh, then let me start with a question." I said and looked at him, "Does your mistake mean we have to worry about cannons from the enemy?"

"Absolutely not. They stole twelve cannons from the Western walls and two dozen barrels of gunpowder. Yet they have no ability to recreate them, especially not gunpowder. That technology is still a hundred years away from their grasp." Shen said.

"Good to hear. Although I have no problem dealing with the cannons myself, it would be disastrous for our soldiers. That would mean we created a higher form of war causing more death and cold violence." I said while sipping my tea. China tea was always good.

"Speaking of soldiers, how much would you need with you?" Shen asked.

"None. They will just slow me down at that point. All of you just focus on unifying the last four kingdoms. The question is how long will it take you?"

"The majority of the Kingdom of Wu is already under us in the span of one month. I suppose it will take us another half a year to a full year to fully unite them without civil violence. But if we were to force our way and march towards their capital, it would take only a couple of months, The latter would leave much civil distress though."

"Which will cause us bothersome issues after the unification."

"Thats a long time considering how we untied the six kingdoms in such a short time," I said.

"They are cautious and careful now. And our momentum had slowed down. Plus this is considering we don't have you to lead the armies." Shen said.

I hummed as I processed his words.

Half a year huh?

'He' would have returned by then.

Kai

My last prophecy. It seems before I could even conquer the world, the destined battle will happen. Or else his presence alone will change everything for me and my plans.

Amongst the many enemies I had, he was the one I feared the most. Yes, I genuinely was afraid of him. Not because of cowardice but because I know full well what he was capable of.

If he was allowed room to grow after his escape, it could turn out bad for me. He has enough strength to fulfil the prophecy.

Speaking of prophecy.

"Where is Soothsayer? Has she looked into the future recently, didn't she foresee the situation with Tibet?" I asked and Shen sighed.

"I have asked her, of course. But she is having trouble looking into the future like she used to do in the past. She said the reason was because of us. We have already strayed from our future and destiny." Shen said, "I take it as our victory."

After that, a discussion followed and lasted until noon. We were the rulers of China and although I had more power over the military, and he the politics, Shen continued to inform me of the actions he was taking to reform China.

From his idea of appointing local administration in every village and creating new noble families and a new class of citizens, he shared everything with me.

He was also focusing more on the iron and ore industry of China for the upcoming war we were about to wage against the world.

By the end of the discussion, I have a final question to ask him.

"You said there were Tibetan armies stationed near the border." I asked, "Where are they exactly?"

Shen raised an eyebrow and scanned me for a few moments before he smiled and opened up a map.

"Here is our border." Shen said and pointed at the lines on the map, "And our scouts have found out that they are caping here..." He trailed, "....to way over here."

He stabbed his steel feather at the location of the place where the Tibetans were camping.

"They should be around a few thousand." He said with a smile that suggests that it would be easy work for me.

"I take it you know my intention."

"Yes, I am thinking exactly what you are thinking."

"Then consider the broder protected and the invasions interrupted. I will be leaving now." I said and stood up. I did not turn back as I made a beeline to the balcony of the tower.

"I have some debt to pay."

The next second I was gone.

To pay back the debt owed while I was away.

An eye for an eye.

Let's send them a message.

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[Image]

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