[Tai Lung's POV]
"What is it son?" Shifus's voice brought me out from the dark side of my thoughts.
"Three Kingdoms have united, Nanzhao, Dali and Tang. They have decided to launch an all-out attack on us." I said and put down the scroll.
"Thats...." Shifu drawls in shock. I could not blame him as it was truly astonishing that three kingdoms had formed an alliance which had not happened in a thousand years.
It was not rare for two kingdoms to team up against one kingdom in which case the enemy also allies with another to counter this force. That would make it a war in which four kingdoms participated and more than that would be a direct breach of the Codes of War.
That was why this situation was new and dangerous.
"Will you be okay?" Shifu disregarded all the other questions swirling in his mind and that was the first sentence he uttered after hearing the news. His voice laced with concern would've made me blush if anger was not boiling under my skin.
"I'll be fine." I said, "But will they?"
The scroll stated that a huge army which consisted of these three kingdoms was already making their way to Gongmen city and would reach there in less than three days.
For reference, I took five days to reach Gongmen City from Central China where Tang was located. I was already fast and with their army, they should've taken triple that time.
Yet Shen said he only found out a few days ago and was not even aware that they had formed an alliance so he just thought they were moving their army to the border of their territory to prepare for us.
So it was a sneak attack, something which directly goes against the Codes of War. An alliance of three kingdoms should've been announced immediately. Even the alliance between Shen and I was announced to the world the very next day.
Their action was not to the point that it could be called a serious war crime and they should face the consequences, but it was also not innocent. If I had to make a comparison, it was like dirty boxing which the referee did not notice.
So I was angry.
Which was not good for anyone.
Because then I will not fight to win but to hurt.
"I will be leaving now. It's unfortunate that our time had to be cut like this." I said.
But before I walked away, I discussed something extremely important with Shifu. The conversation was not long though as I left soon after.
"Messenger." I called the pigeon and he came to me with uncertain steps.
"Yes, my lord."
"Fly back to Shen and tell him to focus on defending Shu." I said, "Gongmen is safe."
Then I lept into the air and using Flashsteps, I made my way to the Metropolis City which once rejected me.
They want to take over Gongmen City?
They will do no such thing while I am breathing. Even if I have to bear the might of the three great powers, it will not happen.
*FWooSH!!*
My body sliced through the atmosphere as I used the intangible as a foothold. A snow leopard was not meant to fly, one warrior was never meant to face an army and a villain was never meant to protect.
But I did anyway.
I care not of what was or is meant to be. No physical trait, no logic or label would define me. I surpass all.
I am Tai Lung.
My legs stilled as I stopped using flash steps. But not only was I not falling but the speed at which I flew was faster.
I used Hing Kung to make myself weightless as I bent the air around me so that it pushed me forward.
I was unshackled and free.
I am a Master of Chi.
So I flew.
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[3rd POV]
"The army from Nanzhao is slowly marching and invading our territory. The soldiers stationed at the Bantong River were defeated." Boss Wolf reported to Shen.
"How are we going to proceed my lord? Should we continue playing defensive or should we launch an attack while disregarding Gongmen City?"
The attack from Nanzhao came from the furthest side of the West, which meant that if Lord Shen were to send his army to repel the invaders, it would be impossible to march back and reach Gongmen in time to save it.
So right now, Shen has not deployed his army yet and is waiting for the news from the messenger.
Splitting his army into two was a choice but that wouldmake his chance of victory plummet massively. Even if he were to match the invading force of Nanzhao with half his army, the enemy kingdom would just send more forces and doubled down, knowing the other half of Shen's army went to defend Gongmen City.
And the army he sent to Gongmen would only reach the City when the soldiers who remained there to protect the city were heavily weakened, making it almost impossible to take back the city.
It was a well-planned strategic attack which was crafted to make Shen completely helpless. Even the cunning bird would've actually been left helpless had he not allied with Tai Lung.
But he was, so there was hope.
"Send the Gorillas to create obstacles. Use the explosives to cause a landslide or collapse some mountains, I don't care. Just make sure to slow down their movements." Shen said, his voice would have been frustrated and angry a few months ago but he was eerily calm right now.
That was because what was happening was something within Shen's expectations. He was not frustrated and instead, be was actually pleased with the development.
Things were getting annoying as it was hard for the people of Shu to accept Shen and Tai Lung as their new rulers. But this attack gave them an opportunity to make it so that the people would accept.
If they were to come out victorious and successfully defend the land, it would cause the people of Shu to have a change of heart. After all, you can't hate your saviour.
And it will also instil loyalty to the army of Shu. What else would be better to cultivate their loyalty than leading them to victory against their main rival which was Nanzhao?
There was always a silver lining in every situation and Shen was experienced in finding that silver lining. Just look at how he took over Gongmen city after Tai Lung destroyed his.warehouse, or how he formed an alliance with him instead of making him an enemy when he captured his students.
But the silver lining in this situation will only happen if they somehow come out victorious in this conflict. Which Lord Shen was sure would be the case.
Because he was not alone anymore in his fight against the world.
"Tell me, have you gotten information on the forces that is currently heading towards my city?" Shen asked and Boss Wolf lowered his head in shame and hesitance.
"No..my Lord. We do not know the exact numbers as none of our scouts returned. But we suspect it to be massive and all of the three allied Kingdoms had sent their army." he said, "The fact that none of our bird scouts have returned also indicated that Mighty Eagle is amongst them, killing off every aerial animal."
'So their main focus is taking over Gongmen City huh, the attack from Nanzhao is likely meant to be a distraction.' Lord Shen thought to himself.
It was a great move from the enemy which was applaudable. If they take over Gongmen City, then the army would have an extremely easier time invading Shu as they would just have to follow Shen's previous path.
The walls and the defensive towers Shen felled in his quest to conquer Shu had still not been restored. So they must be planning to invade from the already cleared path.
"Have master Ox and Croc reached Gongmen City?" Shen inquired to which he got an affirmation.
As the guardian of the city, Master Ox and Croc were the first to run back to the city to protect it. They must be feeling extremely guilty and complicated which was exactly what Shen wanted.
They were the ones who provided the information that Tai Lung left Shu to the enemies, there was no other explanation for how well-timed the attack from the three kingdoms was.
As mentioned before, the Kung Fu Council was the ally of any enemy that Shen had.
They must feel betrayed as the Kung Fu Council was helping the kingdoms capture Gongmen City. Lord Shen was already pushing it but they could understand since he was the heir, but they would not allow the city to be used and owned by the other kingdoms.
After this, Shen hoped that they would be loyal to him. They were valuable warriors and although at first he kept them alive to control the flow of information the enemy received, it would be better if they completely became his.
Lord Shen and Boss Wolf continued discussing different matters. Shen went through reports after reports and quickly thought of a solution to any problem that arises.
But their talk was interrupted by the sound of flapping wings comingfrom the balcony. The messenger which Shen sent to Tai Lung has returned.
"Did you find him?" Shen asked the messenger immediately.
"Yes, my lord. And he have received your scroll."
"So?"
"General Tai Lung said to focus on defending Shu and that Gongmen is safe."
Shen started laughing madly when he heard that. He was expecting Tai Lung to request at least a few thousand soldiers but it seemed he was planning to do things alone again.
Tai Lung will only have the army stationed at Gongmen to repel off the invading forces of the three kingdoms.
The damned felinewas as crazy as him.
But fine, Lrod Shen will trust him.
"Did you hear what your Supreme General said? Stop worrying about Gongmen and gather up the army to face against the Nanzhao." Shen said to Boss Wolf.
"We are going to take over Nanzhao." Shen said with an evil smile.
Defend Shu. That was what Tai Lung had said.
But how can Shen not surpass his expectations when he had surpassed Shen's expectations multiple times?
They wanted to take his city from him. But instead, he will take over their kingdoms while they are busy fighting against Tai Lung.
But for that, he will need to bring out his new weapon. A weapon he had created with the idea Tai Lung had given him.
"Bring out the airships."
..
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..
..
The three kingdoms had made a move and launched an attack to destroy Tai Lung and Shen.
But now they will fight back.
The war begins.
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[IMAGE]
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