Khan Bei’s Journey - Worry

Down in the south, in Changsha…

The contingent sent to defeat the Shan-yue uprising had just returned from the skirmish and the gates of the city welcomed the mighty warriors of the Sun Clan with cheers and respect. Leading his soldiers from the front, Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiangdong, rode as a mighty example of what a true warlord ought to be.

The soldiers marched with discipline and battle hardened expressions. Even the youngest of recruits had the look of a veteran of battle thanks to the rigorous training they had received from the trusted advisors and warriors under the banner of the Sun Clan.

There was one part of the army that looked even mightier and disciplined than the others… They looked to be in perfect condition, even after such a hard fought battle. They were the rearguard - a position often looked down upon due to their lack of action and fewer chances of glory. But these soldiers knew that theirs was perhaps the most important job of all - protecting their brothers-in-arms from attacks from behind. They had been taught by a man who had earned the trust and respect of every soldier and warrior that served under Sun Jian. Even the warlord himself had learned a thing or two from him.

Leading the rearguard soldiers was the Heavenly Sword of Balance - Khan Bei, the wise Doctor, or as the soldiers knew him: the Jade Tiger.

A man that, despite his youth, spoke with the wisdom of sages and scholars long gone. Many believed that every word he said should be considered a lesson - he could see things and sense things beyond the understanding of lesser people thanks to his studious nature, his skills as a doctor and esoteric knowledge of the energy of the body, mind and spirit. He stood taller than most men, but he wasn’t as intimidating. His long brown hair was usually tied up in a bun or an elegant ponytail whenever he wasn’t in battle. Despite his scholarly ways and studious mind, his body was in perfect combat shape, rivaling even the most dedicated practitioners of physical training. The most striking feature of his persona were the jade colored eyes of his that could easily calm or intimidate a person by the simple shift of his expression.

Upon arriving at their home, the soldiers were given their final orders and were aptly dismissed. The injured were instructed to be carried to the Doctor’s study for further treatment of the most serious injuries. Thankfully, the housekeepers had maintained the humble clinic in perfect condition and none of his medical herbs and concoctions were disturbed.

Khan Bei had to quickly discard his massive podao, setting the great weapon aside so he could remove his cumbersome armor and change to his doctor’s outfit. The first patient was a soldier whose leg had been badly injured to the point that he would have to provide much stronger medicines to save the limb.

“Place him on the table. I need to examine him immediately.” The Doctor gave the order to the soldiers that were there to help him with the injured. They moved diligently and helped their comrade lay down on the examination table.

Khan Bei clapped his hands together loudly, startling those present, but also forcing the entire place to suddenly fall silent… as if that simple gesture had silenced the whole world. For a few moments, the Doctor took several deep breaths and focused. He stepped out of his sandals and planted his feet onto the earth that surrounded the table, strengthening his connection to Mother Earth.

Slowly, his whole body began to glow in a soft pale-green light that seemed to emanate from the very spot the Doctor was standing on. “Thank you, Mother Earth…” He said silently and carefully placed his hands over the injured soldier’s leg. His hands were glowing with the same green energy as it began to flow into the soldier. The low sound of a groan could be heard from the young man as his leg was being healed from the inside out. It still hurt him though.

“Steel yourself, young one. In order to heal you, you will have to endure the pain of the blade that harmed you again.” The Doctor looked into the eyes of the soldier who looked scared and in pain. Then the Heavenly Sword smiled warmly. “You won’t endure it alone. Your comrades are here, and I won’t let you suffer alone.”

The soldier stared into the green eyes of the Doctor and nodded as his bravery grew. His fellow soldiers held him by the shoulder as if they were restraining him. In truth, they were there to support him. “Go ahead, Master Khan. I will be brave…”

A few seconds later, Sun Jian himself appeared in the clinic followed by Cheng Pu and Huang Gai, his most trusted advisors. When they noticed that Khan Bei was in the middle of treatment, they remained silent and observed with hushed respect.

The head of the Sun Clan always watched with amazement whenever he saw the Doctor healing others with his powers. Serving as a conduit of the very energy of the land had given Khan Bei powers beyond what a normal human should possess. His ability to mend almost any wound and broken body was perhaps the one he respected the most. The soldier now being treated had a very bad injury on his left after an enemy soldier almost cleaved the leg entire off - it was only half cut, both flesh and bone were not entirely separated, which only made the injury all that more difficult to treat.

“My Lord, you shouldn’t watch this. That boy’s leg is beyond repair. The Doctor will have to amputate to save the boy’s life.” Cheng Pu whispered softly into his Lord’s ear.

“I’m not so sure.” Whispered Huang Gai, “I’ve seen Master Khan perform miracles on injured people before. I say we wait and see the results.”

Sun Jian remained quiet as he observed the treatment. He had seen Khan Bei perform miraculous acts before with his god-like powers before - there was the time when he blasted open the main gate of a Yellow Turban stronghold with only his podao with the force of an earthquake. He’s seen him heal Sun Ce’s injuries with little effort, even after his son’s recklessness had caused his injuries to worsen.

Now, everyone was watching in awe as the bone fused together, muscles closed slowly, flesh restored itself slowly. The young man’s face showed that he was in pain, but his comrades and the firm grip of the Doctor stopped him from overreacting. Sun Jian smiled softly as he saw the young soldier grit his teeth and do his best to control himself as the wound continued to close at a slow pace - his bravery was commendable. Khan Bei’s face also showed that this required immense focus from the physician as perspiration began to form across his face and gathered on his finely trimmed goatee.

The audience couldn’t tell what was happening inside the focused mind of the Doctor…

Khan Bei was struggling immensely to try and heal the young man before him. It wasn’t just the need to be precise that made this more challenging or the seriousness of the injury that made his treatment take longer than usual.

It wasn’t the illness of the soldier before him that occupied much of his mind lately. It was a different disease that had taken hold - not of the soldier, but of the very Realm itself.

In the years after the fall of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Khan Bei had been sensing that the world had stabilized and regained some of its health. Although pockets of resistance were still appearing from time to time, the warlords in the North were quick to eliminate them. No major uprisings had appeared since.

And yet… The Heavenly Sword of Balance knew that this wasn’t the right medicine. An illness had taken over the very center of power in the Realm - in the Imperial Capital of Luoyang. He could feel it in his very core… it had spread too far… ruining the “patient’s” health terribly and making it impossible to recover completely… Even if they were to apply a proper “treatment” now, it would’ve been too late - the patient, the Han dynasty, was dying. The land could feel it too… he could sense it too.

During his meditations, Khan Bei had felt the very fabric of Fate trembling. He’d seen certain events unfolding and some that would come to pass very soon…

The “patient” would die soon…

A child, meant to rule over millions, will instead be ruled by a bloated monster, taking the seat of the Emperor as a Tyrant…

A storm was forming around two powerful figures - a Demon of Battle with a blazing red eye and a feral God of War riding its red horse, clashing in a battle that will reshape the very foundations of Destiny…

With all these changes happening in succession, Khan Bei feared that the world would never find peace and Balance. Only chaos lay ahead of them all.

“M-Master Khan! Look!” One of the soldiers called out to the Doctor who returned to the present and saw that the leg of the soldier he was treating had finally closed, leaving only a minor scar. “Y-You did it, Master!”

Khan removed his hands from the soldier’s leg and stepped back. His face was drenched in sweat. This treatment had taxed him greatly… his mind had been split in two for too long. He had to be more careful.

Sun Jian observed how the healed soldier was being aided by his comrades to stand. There was some discomfort and numbness, but his leg was saved. The Doctor had recommended that he rested a few days and to test his leg before returning to his normal duties. The head of the Sun Clan approached, which made the soldier bow respectfully towards their Lord.

“You’ve earned your rest, men. And you,” Sun Jian turned to the healed soldier, “be sure to rest up and recover completely. We need brave soldiers, yes. But we also want healthy people in our land.”

The soldiers thanked their Lord and left the clinic. Khan Bei finally sat down on a chair and let out a heavy sigh of exhaustion. One of his attendants handed him a towel to clean his face and then turned his attention to his Lord.

“Apologies for not greeting you properly, Lord Sun Jian.” Khan Bei bowed his head in apology.

“There is no need to worry about that, my friend.” Sun Jian approached and a chair was provided to him in order to sit by the Heavenly Sword. “You look more tired than usual. Are you sure you’re well?”

Sun Jian had become more observant. Good, Khan Bei thought. He even commended the soldiers for their bravery but more on their need to remain in good health. It seems his decision to watch over the Tiger of Jiangdong had been worth it, so far.

“I’ll be fine, my Lord. I’ve been tired from the march and battle, so I may have pushed myself more than usual. Worry not, I’ll be well by tomorrow morning.”

“Leave us.” Sun Jian spoke to his advisors and the attendants. They knew that when Sun Jian spoke with the Doctor, it was about matters of great importance to the Clan. Cheng Pu and Huang Gai took their leave along with the Doctor’s attendants, leaving Sun Jian and Khan Bei alone in the clinic.

“Be honest with me, my friend,” Sun Jian spoke earnestly towards Khan Bei, “what’s troubling you? I’ve noticed lately that you’re not as focused on the task before you as before. This injury you just treated wouldn’t have left you so drained. I’ve only seen you this tired since the day we besieged Wan Castle.”

Khan Bei sighed heavily. He usually kept his own council over matters regarding the Realm or his Heavenly duty. But he felt he could trust his Lord, as much as the Lord trusted him.

“The patient will die soon.”

“What? But he just walked out on his own two feet!” Sun Jian looked back as if wanting to chase after the soldier. But the Doctor stopped him.

“Not that boy. We’ve spoken about what’s happening in the North - in the Capital.”

“I recall our conversations about it. You spoke of a disease spreading inside it.” Sun Jian listened to what was being said with interest.

“Yes. This disease has rendered the patient irreversibly unable to survive any longer. I fear that a new conflict is upon us again, Sun Jian. And this will bring great turmoil to our land once more.”

“Surely this wouldn’t affect us here in Changsha. We’re too far away from the Capital to be troubled by these troubles.”

“No, Sun Jian. We will not be able to avoid it. This illness has seeped into every corner of the Realm and we will all be caught in its wake. You know what that means.”

Sun Jian felt troubled by the words spoken by the wise Doctor. They had discussed this a few times when he sought out his council - The Han was dying. And if Khan Bei, the Heavenly Sword of Balance claimed they couldn’t save the “patient”, then they would have to let it pass.

“We must prepare for the future, Khan Bei. Nothing else matters but the future.” Sun Jian had come to a decision. If the Han was going to die, then he would do everything in his power to avoid any harm to his family.

Perhaps it was time to finally prepare his children. And who better to teach them than the Heavenly Sword of Balance.