Pangu’s Axe Part 2

The Chinese government has decided that it would rather spy on me than talk to me.

I cannot explain this sudden change of strategy.

They’ve sent two ‘reporters’ – Cui-Fen Tai and Dao Wen (I forget her name) to basically document my every move.    They even took pictures of the throne upon which I sat in the bathroom. 

Seriously, these are the worst ‘reporters’ I’ve ever seen in my life.   All they needed to do was ask me questions about why I am after the axe, and I’ll tell them.  So far I’ve only given them one blanket statement about the axe and its significance in the lore of Shang Simla.  Qin Shan Hu wrote extensively about the powers of the axe in the writings that I unearthed from the bottom of the Resolute Fist tomb.  He does caution against over-reliance on the weapon, however.  I cannot read much Mandarin – what I was able to decipher, I did so with the help of the classicist at the library. 

And yes, they still ask questions about my brother.  I have refused to comment on his personal life; it is truly not my concern.  As long as he is happy, then I am happy. 

They even managed to trail me while I visited the bookstore in town and spoke with the bookseller about acquiring a rare volume of ancient dragon tales.  I tend to pick up a lot of history tomes, anyway, when I’m shopping in these stores.  Each one of these places has its own special character.  I know it sounds hokey but it’s true. 

 

I do have my methods of eluding these stalkers, however.  One of the denizens sent me in a tomb to fetch some semi-precious stones.  I was all too glad to go, because sleeping in one provided some measure of protection from the paparazzi.

 

I also caught quite a few koi at the dig site, where there was a sunken ship. 

I was also sent to catch three red assassin bugs to place near the First Emperor’s tomb to protect it.  These are exceptionally rare and dangerous bugs found around Shang Simla.  I used to collect bugs as a little girl and my mom hated that I had bowls of bugs everywhere.

Pangu’s Axe Part 1

 

So, I’ve arrived in Shang Simla, China, going after the elusive Pangu’s Axe, which is a mystical weapon I’m told could smash boulders. 

 

But first, I had to go all over town to get permission to seek the renowned weapon. 

No sooner had I arrived in Shang Simla and the secluded Scholar’s Garden than I was chased by paparazzo.  And at my first news conference in Shang Simla, every single question – every damned question – was about my brother Sebastian’s rumored relationship with the pop superstar Lola Belle.  Not a single question about Pangu’s Axe.

It’s bad enough that the video of them dancing in some nightclub in Bridgeport went viral, posted and re-posted all over the internet, it’s even worse when what would be my crowning achievement as an explorer – finding this mystical weapon – is completely overshadowed by petty gossip about my kid brother’s love life. 

I answered every question about the rumors with a curt, “You’d have to ask him.”

I mean, he’s my kid brother and I love him to death, but I don’t understand why every question had to be about whether or not he was dating Lola.  I actually don’t care at the moment.  I don’t know her personally, but if she makes him happy, then I’m happy. 

So, I took out my frustrations on the poor martial-arts board at the Garden.  I didn’t care that I was watched by the pap.   The Scholars’ Garden is supposed to be a place of respite.  I found none here today.

Later,

Savannah