《BLACK TIGER GOD (黑虎神)》Chapter 5
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It's been only a few days. Dai Wen has eaten well, slept well. For someone who's incarcerated in the Shogun's family room, Dai Wen has been living lavishely.
Shogun enters the family room. He rests his hands on the bars of Dai Wen's cage. "Hey, uh... Dai Wen. I apologize for -- er, your eye. I really do." Dai Wen laughs to himself. "I've already told you Shogun, it's fine."
Shogun is confused, and this makes him angry. "Why are you being so nice to me?! So chill? I have you kidnapped and locked in my goddamn palace!--"
Dai Wen smiles, still being friendly. He interupts. "If you wanted me dead -- I would be dead. If you wanted me to suffer -- I would be suffering. I can ask the same question to you, Shogun. Even back to the first time I was in this cage... In this room... You always treated me with kindness and respect."
Shogun is astonished. "Correct."
Dai Wen responds. "Let me tell you a story, Shogun. About the takers. And the taken...
One day, far West of here, there was a simple shepphard. He was very normal. He did everything a normal shepphard does. He guarded. He fed. He was a great leader to the sheep. Powerful, smart, strong willed. He knew order, and he knew responsibility, but most of all... He knew beauracracy.
And there were wolves. The wolves were cunning and easy to manipulate. Wealthy with power. Strengthened by greed.
The Shepphard knew the greed of the wolves. He thought he knew all their tricks.
One day, the wolves followed the shepphard and his sheep. The shepphard, obviously, was on the defensive. Everyday, he killed one wolf. Two wolves. Three wolves. The wolves never attacked a sheep.
Finally, on the fourth day, the shepphard had a change of heart. "The wolves arne't trying to kill my sheep!! They're protecting!" Everyday, the wolves would follow the sheep and protect them from danger.
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Finally, on the tenth day, the wolves finally attacked. They killed one sheep. Two sheep. At the end of the day, all ten sheep were dead. The bloody bodies laying on the countryside..."
Shogun is flabbergasted. He looks at Dai Wen with an intense -- but still very lighthearded -- expression. "Elaborate".
Dai Wen follows instructions. "The message... Don't be manipulated by the wealthy, who act solely upon greed. Make decisions to better benefit the country as a whole."
Shogun's mind races. He is heavily conflicted. "Dai Wen..."
Hattori and a new small group of Wushi train in the Wushi Barracks. Some are sparring with one another, some are practicing martial arts and sword techniques. A Wushi of higher nobility runs to Hattori while Hattori is training.
"Sorry to interupt you, General Hattori. But through thorough investigation, me and my cohort found the name of Baizhao's killer." The Wushi announces.
"Alright. His name?" Hattori responds.
"Li Wei..." the Wushi reveals.
"Great, thanks. Destroy any records of this investigation." Hattori demands.
"But Hattori!! I can't do that!! This is a serious investigation -- this information is--" The Wushi argues.
"I told you to destroy the records, so you're going to destroy the fucking records. I'd like to remind you that I'm your GENERAL. I could have you dead at any time." Hattori scares the Wushi. "Y-y-yes sir!" The Wushi runs, following orders.
In the Shinobi Headquarters, Grandmaster Jin Liang and his aides meet to discuss their next mission. Present in the summit is Li Wei, Mei Lian, and Xue Lian.
Xue Lian presents her case. "Grandmaster Jin Liang... As you may already know -- Commander Dai Wen has been taken to Shogun's Palace in the capital, Shojing City. If we can somehow infiltrate the Palace without causing a major disturbance and rescue Commander Dai Wen, we could likely prevent further major conflict.
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Mei Lian presents her case. "That's bullshit. Commander Dai Wen is one of the few people Shogun loves. Rescueing him would cause a major conflict anyway."
Jin Liang elaborates. "That means Dai Wen, while in the vulnerable position he's in, could be the diplomat to bring peace to the nation. If we can just change Shogun's platform through negotions and communication--"
Mei Lian interupts. "Actually, Grandmaster Jin Liang, there's no way we can reason with Shogun. And even if we did, Shogun would be removed from power and another, even worse leader could potentially takeover the Wushi Party."
Li Wei contributes to the conversation. "Right now, Shogun represents the will of the Wushi. If he were to lose his respect, the Wushi's willpower would just live in the hands of his successor. But if Shogun dies while he's still greately respected, then the willpower would die with him."
Jin Liang's mindset changes. "Maybe you're right, Li Wei. Shogun is making a speech tomorrow. Mei Lian, Xue Lian... I am tasking you too with his assassination."
"What about me, Gramps?" Li Wei asks.
"Li Wei... Your training isn't over. You have a lot more to learn."
"Gramps, I need to go. Two people can't save the world all by theirself." Li Wei argues.
Gramps gives in. "Fine. You might be right. But remember, you are to follow Xue Lian and Mei Lian every order, got it?"
Li Wei nods his head. "Got it."
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