Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
This path, however, required patience and faith in the possibility of change, in the capacity of hearts and minds to open.
Fuck.
It was a gamble, one that left the door open for rejection and pain.
I don’t know what to do.
In the end. . .I guess it mattered on what type of Mountain Master I would truly be. . .once my father was gone.
It’s time for a new direction in the East.
While there were good headlines, many sounded ignorant, too closed-minded, and drenched in the old beliefs of purity.
It’s time for a change and Moni could help me with that. She’ll be a set of new eyes and a fresh perspective.
But, to lead by example, to inspire change through understanding and respect, was infinitely more challenging.
The answers were not clear.
We stepped into the Palace gym. The atmosphere enveloped me like a familiar embrace, charged with an invigorating energy. The air carried a mix of scents—sweat, polished wood, and a faint hint of liniment.
I scanned the space, taking in the well-worn mats that lined the floor. Their surfaces marked by countless feet that have danced, shuffled, and stomped.
The walls were adorned with traditional murals along with weapons—swords, staffs, and nunchakus.
Alongside them, hanging scrolls displayed elegant calligraphy and offered guidance and inspiration to those who sought to understand not just the physical but also the spiritual dimensions of our practice.
In one corner of the gym, a group of students moved in unison, and their forms were a fluid expression of power and grace. The clack of wooden weapons and the thud of bodies rolling and falling resonated through the space.
A few of the students spotted me but did not bow or go to their knees.
In the gym, we were all equal.
Chen guided us to the other side where a large tv had been carried in.
Duck got on my right. “Don’t worry about this. We’ll figure it out.”
This is going to be bad.
Chen picked up the remote and clicked it on.
The screen flickered to life, showing the theme song to Good Morning Eastern Paradise.
I braced myself for the unknown.
The main female news anchor, Gao Yue, appeared on the screen with a somber expression. “Good morning, dear viewers. Today, we bring you a report that is both shocking and heart-wrenching. We advise viewer discretion as the footage and details we’re about to share could be disturbing for many.”
The space around me felt colder.
The screen then split into three, each pane showing the exterior of a different person’s home.
Gao Yue continued, “In a tragic turn of events, the vibrant lives of three of the East’s top influencers—Eastern Gossip, Royal Rumors, and The East 4 Life—have been brutally cut short.”
The muscles on my shoulders tightened.
As the cameras panned over the scenes, what was revealed was nothing short of a bloodbath. Each home, once a site of glamour, was now a clear display of cruelty.
The footage—though carefully edited—left little to the imagination. Splashes of red against the luxury and personal effects of each influencer painted a grim picture of their final moments.
My throat went dry. “He only killed the three influencers?”
Chen didn’t even look my way. “Two influencers had wives and children.”
I eyed him. “And?”
“They’re dead too.”
It felt as though someone had placed a heavy weight on my chest, pressing down on my lungs and making it difficult to breathe.
I forced myself to remain calm. “And the third influencer?”
Duck spoke, “His name was East 4 Life. He had a secret male lover that wasn’t even at his house. Uncle Leo paid him a visit too.”
“And now the lover’s dead?”
They nodded.
My pulse pounded.
I stared at the footage on the screen, still rolling—still showing the horrifying scenes of what my father had done. Each blood-soaked room exposed more of his brutality.
The news anchor’s voice echoed in the gym. “The Palace has yet to issue an official statement on this matter but unauthorized statements have been spreading that these brutal executions were ordered by none other than leaders from Rowe Street Mob which is why our Mountain Master has kept the gates closed for our safety and security.”
A tight knot formed in my stomach. “I shouldn’t be in the gym. I need to make a statement.”
“I understand, Lei,” Chen sighed. “But, training is more important than calming the masses right now. Everyone knows why those three truly died—”
“That’s the fucking problem. I need to let them know that I do not stand by this.”
Chen shook his head. “We have three days for you to handle the true problem. Forget about the media, and focus on the battle.”
I pursed my lips and put my attention back on the screen.
“The authorities are currently investigating these heinous acts, and while details are still emerging, it is clear that the impact of this tragedy reaches far beyond the immediate victims,” Gao Yue’s voice continued, steady but tinged with emotion. “These individuals were more than influencers; they were icons of the East, loved and admired by many. While I do not agree with recent comments that they made. . .I. . .well. . .their sudden departure leaves a void that will be hard to fill.”