Khan Bei's Journey - The Jade Tiger

When Sun Jian and his army arrived at the coalition’s main camp, the men had moved with no orders being given, the tents were raised without question and the supplies were prepared with all expedience. Many of the Han officials that observed these soldiers in action were impressed by the diligence and precision in which the army of Changsha were moving.

What would’ve taken a regular army an entire day to complete, they had done it in half the time.

After Sun Jian made the necessary introductions and met with the leaders of the coalition, he returned to his war camp where his soldiers awaited. Followed by his trusted advisors Cheng Pu and Huang Gai, the Tiger of Jiandong moved with the certainty of a man who understood war and the true meaning of a soldier’s life.

“The camp was raised surprisingly fast, my lord.” Cheng Pu spoke low as he walked beside his lord.

“Indeed. I’ve never seen such discipline before in all my years. This is truly remarkable!” Huang Gai looked around their camp and saw only disciplined soldiers acting according to the order given.

“Let’s not forget why that is, my friends.” Sun Jian looked at the soldiers as he walked by. When he passed them, every soldier would salute him with the utmost respect. “This kind of discipline could only be achieved thanks to the good Doctor.”

“Heh… This Doctor of yours is far more than meets the eye, my lord.” Once again Cheng Pu voiced his opinion from the view of an experienced man who doesn’t like change. “I worry he may be hiding something from us beyond his abnormal abilities.”

“For one, I agree completely with Cheng Pu, my lord. No man should be able to do the things this Doctor can.” Huang Gai followed his lord into the main war tent. “I’m concerned that he might turn traitor one day and unleash all kinds of horrors upon us.”

Sun Jian sat down for a moment and sighed heavily. He couldn’t deny that he had thought of the same things they were when it concerned Khan Bei.

At the battle of Wan Castle, he walked through the entire field without fear or incurring any injuries. Then reaching the main gate and blasting through it with his sword like he was cutting through bales of hay. Even the strongest and sturdiest of battering rams take time to force a gate to open. Khan Bei had done it with a single swing. If he ever turned that fearsome power against them, they would likely end up being swallowed by the earth under their feet.

His mind told him that Khan Bei was extremely dangerous, but Sun Jian’s heart told him he would never turn traitor so long as he continued to walk a path of balance and justice. He would have to speak to the man himself and make inquiries. The Doctor had a penchant of being the one to test people. Perhaps it was time for him to test the Heavenly Sword of Balance.

“I will speak to the man myself. I want to know if his mind and heart are as balanced as his words claim him to be. Where is he?” Sun Jian stood up and stepped out of the tent leaving the other two alone.

Sun Jian was led to the grounds where the soldiers were doing combat drills.

The sound of a drum booming with a constant rhythm was followed by the precise movements of soldiers holding their spears, moving them into position and thrust in unison as one unit. The soldiers shouted as every spear was moving with near perfect coordination at the sound and the beat of the drums.

Walking with a slow pace and the demeanor of a drill commander, Khan Bei, the Doctor, observed the drill training with his usual calm demeanor and discerning gaze. If a soldier made a mistake, the Doctor would give immediate instructions, correct their stance or their footing and encourage them to try again. These minute adjustments had the immediate effect of correcting the previous misstep. They were following his instructions without question and with the same expediency as the other soldiers had when they raised the entire camp.

Sun Jian approached the grounds and observed for a moment until Khan Bei caught sight of him. The Doctor raised his hand suddenly which made the drumming stop and made the soldiers stand at attention for inspection.

“Welcome back, Lord Sun Jian.” Khan Bei said simply.

“Welcome back, Lord Sun Jian!” All the soldiers who were on the grounds greeted their lord in unison.

“Good work, men! Don’t let me interrupt you. Carry on!” Sun Jian waved his hand as he gave his command, which was immediately followed by the soldiers who returned to their drills.

Khan Bei approached Sun Jian and bowed his head respectfully.

“I trust the Imperial Officials have spoken to you, my lord?” Khan Bei inquired in his usual fashion - like a man who already knows the answer to his question.

“I have. It seems we’re just going to wait for a few more officials and generals to join us before we move north. Their scouts appear to have found the location of the Yellow Turbans’ hideout and they believe their leader, Zhang Jiao, will be there to rally their troops.” Sun Jian gestured to Khan Bei to walk with him away from the noise and ruckus of the training grounds. “What do you know about this supposed sorcerer, Zhang Jiao?”

Khan Bei closed his eyes for a moment. Still walking beside his lord, the Doctor was pondering this question with some degree of interest.

“From what the officials say and what the men tell, he is a sorcerer of great power. A man who claims he can work miracles, heal the wounded and command the earth to do his bidding.” Sensing Sun Jian’s concern, the Doctor spoke again. “He’s not a Heavenly Sword, like me, Lord Sun Jian. What he claims to do is nothing more than the ramblings of a charlatan. To wield the powers he claims to have, he would have to be truly gifted by the Heavens and blessed by Fate to never fail. Alas, he has neither the gift nor the blessing.”

“There are many amongst the Imperial army that believe you to be a sorcerer like Zhang Jiao, Khan Bei.” Sun Jian stopped which made the Heavenly Sword stop as well. “Those who were at Wan castle saw your abilities in action and compared you to a god. Some have even taken to calling you the Jade Tiger.”

“A quaint moniker.” Khan Bei opened his eyes and observed Sun Jian’s reactions. “I am as much a god as Zhang Jiao is a sorcerer.”

“But you cannot deny that your… abilities are not something an ordinary human can do.” Sun Jian continued to walk again followed by the Doctor, finally leading him to his personal tent where they could speak privately. “This makes many of the men nervous… even me.”

His Lord offered him a seat which Khan Bei accepted. Once both men were seated, the Doctor nodded at the words his Lord said and crossed his arms in thought.

“You’re wondering if I will one day become your enemy.”

“You are correct. This is a concern voiced by my other advisors.” Sun Jian poured them a drink and gave one to Khan Bei. “I would like to ask you a few questions. About the Heavenly Swords and how you obtained this power.”

For several heartbeats, Khan Bei remained silent. His hand held his chin in deep thought. After pondering for a few moments, the Doctor let out a deep breath and nodded.

“Very well, Sun Jian. I believe you’ve been pondering these questions for a long time. Ask, and I shall answer to the limits of my own understanding.”