Sancta Sanctorum (with tea)
Tahani Marwan guided the vehicle steadily, her brown eyes scanning the path ahead. Clad in her blue uniform beneath a gray Lambda robe, she looked calm and composed. In truth, her thoughts churned like the blizzard outside. Beside her, Dam Hei-Su sat rigid, her pale hands resting on her lap. The green and orange accents of her pilot suit contrasted sharply with her ghostly complexion, giving her an almost spectral presence.
“Do you think he’ll welcome us?” Dam’s voice cut through the hum of the engine.
Tahani smirked, her gaze fixed ahead. “Xi always knows when someone’s coming. We’re not surprising him.”
Dam huffed, her breath fogging up the visor of her helmet. “Still, you’d think someone as important as him wouldn’t hide out here, of all places.”
“It’s not hiding,” Tahani replied. “It’s strategy. Besides, even Xi deserves time to reflect.”
As they approached, the monastery came into sharper focus. Its weathered walls bore carvings of lotus flowers, faded yet intricate, their symbolism a quiet reminder of enlightenment amid hardship. A lone Shaolin monk waited at the gate, his orange robes stark against the gray expanse of snow. He stood motionless, his hands clasped together, until the snowcat came to a halt.
He offered no words as Tahani and Dam climbed out, their boots crunching in the snow. Instead, he inclined his head slightly, gesturing for them to follow.
The interior of the monastery was a world away from the harsh landscape outside. Cold stone gave way to smooth floors and narrow corridors lit by flickering oil lamps. The scent of incense mingled with the earthy aroma of damp stone. Every step echoed faintly, amplified by the vast emptiness around them.
Their guide led them deeper into the monastery, navigating a labyrinth of wooden stairs, carved alcoves, and halls lined with statues of Buddha. Some were small, humble figures; others loomed over them, their serene faces illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. Time seemed to stretch in the stillness, each corridor blurring into the next.
Dam’s patience wore thin as the silence dragged on. “How much farther?” she muttered, though the monk gave no indication he had heard.
Tahani shot her a glance, shaking her head. “Patience, Dam. This is part of the journey.”
Finally, they arrived at a large chamber. Unlike the austere halls they had traversed, this room was a riot of color. Rich silken drapes in deep crimson and gold adorned the walls, and a low platform at the center held a simple table with porcelain teacups. Seated there was Diplomat Xi, his violet silk robe shimmering in the dim light.
“Welcome,” Xi said, his voice smooth and measured, carrying a warmth that belied his sharp eyes. “I’ve been expecting you. My calculations were, as usual, correct.”
Tahani and Dam bowed slightly, then took seats on the cushions arranged before him. Xi poured tea into three cups, the earthy aroma of pu’er wafting through the room.
Before they could speak, Tahani produced a datapad and slid it across the table. With a flicker, the screen illuminated, displaying a message from Maya’s StateEmpire channels:
Recon Platoon Detachment 42—known to many as the Task Force Tundra Wolves—faced charges of insubordination and treason during the tumultuous days of the Human Edge Crisis. Today, by decree of the StateEmpire, those charges are expunged. Their names, once tarnished, are restored to honor. Let it be known that their service was instrumental in safeguarding the borders of our Empire when others faltered!
During the chaos of the Human Edge Crisis, my comrades and I made decisions not out of disloyalty, but out of necessity—a necessity to protect lives and uphold the values of our great Empire.
Today, thanks to the wisdom of our leaders and the sacrifice of those who believed in our cause, we are vindicated. The Tundra Wolves never wavered in our loyalty. We fought not for recognition, but for the safety of every citizen.
To the families of those who did not return, I say this: Your sacrifices were not in vain. The StateEmpire stands stronger because of them, and their memory will be enshrined in our history.
His will be done
Long may he live
Hsien Peng Huizhong
Internal Affairs Investigation Committee"
As the message ended, Dam let out a sharp breath, her fingers tapping the rim of her cup. “I take it you had nothing to do with this?”
Xi smiled faintly, his expression unreadable. “Tang Shun. He has learned well. I had nothing to do with this… directly.”
Dam raised an eyebrow, her skepticism plain. “And why exactly are you here, of all places? Doesn’t seem like your style to sit in isolation.”
Xi leaned back slightly, cradling his cup in his hands. “For all of you,” he said, his tone contemplative. “So you could learn to manage without me. There comes a time when every apprentice, every soldier, must stand on their own.”
Tahani tilted her head, studying him. She knew Xi rarely offered insights into his motivations. This moment of vulnerability, however brief, was rare.
The three sipped their tea in silence for a while. The warmth of the pu’er was a welcome contrast to the cold they had braved to reach this place. Finally, Xi spoke again, his tone lighter.
“But now, the time has come to return. Recent developments—the Combined Army negotiations, the Human Edge crisis—they’re opportunities too valuable to ignore. The StateEmpire thrives not just on espionage and war but diplomacy as well.”
Dam let out a soft laugh, though her tone was skeptical. “How did you know we’d come?”
“Experience, reliable information,” Xi replied, his smile faintly mischievous. “And a bit of luck.”
Dam wasn’t satisfied. “No one else has come looking for you?”
Xi’s smile deepened, his tone almost playful. “Perhaps. But certain people watch over me. And these lands… they’re treacherous. Accidents happen daily.” His words were accompanied by a strange smile that made the hairs on Dam’s neck prickle.
Tahani leaned forward, changing the subject. “How long will you stay here?”
“Stay as long as you need,” Xi said, gesturing around the chamber. “I’ll remain a few more days before returning to Yutang. Tang Shun will likely join us soon. Try not to bother him too much—he comes here to rest, to meditate, and to spend time with his better half, far from prying eyes.”
Tahani chuckled softly. “Do you know who it is?”
Xi’s laughter was warm but evasive. “I can neither confirm nor deny. One thing I’ll say—you won’t hear it from me.” He winked conspiratorially, his expression a mix of mischief and wisdom.
Dam rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. Tahani relaxed, feeling a sense of ease she hadn’t known since they’d left on this journey.
For now, the winds of Huangdi could howl all they wanted. Here, within the sanctuary of the monastery, there was warmth, tea, and the quiet certainty that, whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them. Whatever they be.
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