Pandaren martial arts emphasize gradual progress. The cultivation of Chi requires years of accumulation, plus a stroke of luck. Many people cultivate for a lifetime but never obtain even a trace of Chi.
Taran Zhu, who had once served as the leader of the Shado-Pan, knew that all of this was a lie; as long as one devoured the Sha Fragment, one could instantly gain Chi.
The Sha Fragment are incredibly precious; fortunately, Taran Zhu had secretly hidden quite a few.
Among the Pandaren in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, the one he trusts most is the Overseer.
According to Taran Zhu's estimation, Chen Stormstout's 5,000 men must have suffered heavy losses in defeating the New Lightforged Orcs.
Three thousand men selected from the overseers, plus twenty thousand farmers to cheer them on, should be enough.
Taran Zhu took out a few Sha Fragment and brewed a large pot of soup.
Fearing that a martial arts prodigy might emerge among the overseers and gain immense power after acquiring Chi, threatening his position, he mixed some poisonous herbs into the soup, drastically reducing the power of the Sha Fragment.
Under Taran Zhu's orders, the three thousand overseers received martial arts training, ate lunch as usual, and each drank a bowl of soup.
In the afternoon, most of the overseers gained Chi and were all beaming with joy.
After praising him, Taran Zhu taught him some basic martial arts moves. Feeling that he had learned enough, he intensified his training every day, waiting for Chen Stormstout to arrive.
In the dead of night, Chen Stormstout a force of five thousand men out in full force, marching rapidly toward the entrance to the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, the Gate of the Deity.
The Gate of the Deity, a pass built by the Mogu, firmly guards the entrance to the Vale of Vale of Eternal Blossoms.
The city wall was almost level with the steep cliffs on both sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
The New Lightforged Orcs numbers around ten thousand. They are supported by the Pandaren of the Jinxiu Palace, well-equipped, and heavily guarded.
Although the New Lightforged Orcs have weaknesses, Taran Zhu estimates that they can hold out for at least half a month with these impregnable walls alone.
However, Chen Stormstout took a different approach. The New Lightforged Orcs were incredibly loyal and brave in battle, but this was also their greatest weakness.
Without orders from their superiors, they were nothing more than a bunch of motionless puppets.
Chen Stormstout had previously sent out many Hozen to secretly figure out the patrol patterns, and then personally led several martial arts masters to sneak into the Lightforging Orcs camp under the cover of night.
Having evaded the patrolling soldiers, Chen Stormstout and daring, sneaked into the central tent and successfully killed the commander.
With their commander dead, Chen Stormstout set fire to the main tent, flames shooting into the sky. The New Lightforged Orcs emerged from their tents, standing in neat rows, awaiting their commander's orders.
"They're nothing but a bunch of brainless idiots," Chen Stormstout.
The invaders easily scaled the city walls; no one stopped them, and no one sounded the alarm. Thus, they captured the Gate of the Deity without bloodshed.
After resting for a day at the Gate of the Deity, Taran Zhu finally received the news.
"The Gate of the Deity has fallen."
Taran Zhu's mind was buzzing. Only then did she realize that she had made a grave mistake, seriously underestimating her opponent. She should have trained more Pandaren.
Unfortunately, it was too late. Chen Stormstout left a thousand Pandaren to guard the Gate of the Deity and led the remaining four thousand soldiers straight to the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.
Taran Zhu hastily prepared for battle, commanding three thousand well-trained overseers, along with twenty thousand farmers, to form ranks beneath two mountain-like Mogu statues at the crucial Emperor's Reach.
At noon, Chen Stormstout's team successfully arrived at the Emperor's Reach. Although the team was far outnumbered by their opponents, they were full of momentum, especially the two thousand Pandaren. Having witnessed the miserable lives of the Pandaren in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms along the way, they were all holding their breath and wished they could tear Taran Zhu to pieces.
After arranging their formations, Chen Stormstout, went to the front of the formation to challenge them.
"Taran Zhu Master Zhu Talan, would you please come out for a talk?"
Taran Zhu, unwilling to lose face or demoralize the troops, stepped forward with her head held high, and the two bowed to each other politely.
"Master Zhu, back then we adventured together, drank wine, composed poetry, and shared joys and sorrows. How regrettable it is that we have become enemies today. If you wanted to expel me from Vale of Eternal Blossoms, you should have just said so. I would have left without hesitation. Why did you have to resort to assassination?"
Taran Zhu retorted, "Chen Stormstout, do I need to recount all the evil deeds you've committed? You betrayed countless Pandaren, feeding them to the Orcs. Your hands are stained with Pandaren blood. You are the greatest traitor to the Pandaren, and every member of Pandaria deserves to kill you."
A few whispers arose within Chen Stormstout's ranks, and morale began to waver. Chen Stormstout frowned and rebuked them:
"This is blatant slander. Everything I've done is to save Azeroth. Enough said, Master Zhu. To avoid innocent bloodshed on both sides, do you dare fight me? The victor will become the leader of the Pandaren in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, and the loser will leave Pandaria and never set foot on this land again."
Taran Zhu's expression turned slightly serious.
In his early years, Taran Zhu was one of the five great martial arts masters of Pandaria, known as the "Master of the Central Region." Some people also compared him to Chen Stormstout, calling them "Chen in the South and Zhu in the North," seemingly evenly matched.
The two had fought several times, with neither gaining the upper hand. However, Taran Zhu knew that in a life-or-death struggle, he was no match for Chen Stormstout.
However, under these circumstances, how could Taran Zhu back down? She could only bite the bullet and say:
"That's exactly what I was thinking. We've had many matches before, all ending in a draw. Let's have another go and see who is the number one Pandaren fighter."
Chen Stormstout laughed heartily, his figure blurring as he transformed into a three-headed Pandaren, using his signature skill, Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning. He manifested as three elemental clones—storm, earth, and fire—each with different attack abilities, making them extremely difficult to deal with, and surrounded Taran Zhu from three directions.
Taran Zhu unleashed the Shado-Pan Fist, countless fist shadows Lightning like lightning, temporarily holding his own as they rolled and entangled.
Chen Stormstout, along with several martial arts masters, realized that he was waiting in comfort for the enemy to tire themselves out.
Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning consume Elemental Power, but Taran Zhu actually expends his Chi.
With his Elemental Power exhausted, Chen Stormstout, the three clones of Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning merged into one. His Chi, abundant with strong liquor, was fully unleashed, and he unleashed his self-created Thirty-Six Forms of Drunken Master Fist.
Conversely Taran Zhu had consumed more than half of her Chi and was at a disadvantage Chen Stormstout, was well-balanced in both offense and defense, and was not in a hurry, focusing on depleting Taran Zhu's Chi.
The two exchanged Chen Stormstout still had more than half of his Chi left, Taran Zhu was about to run out of Chi, yet he calmly said:
"Did you know that the Shado-Pan Fist has seven levels?"
Chen Stormstout grinned, "Of course I know. The Shado-Pan Fist is a closely guarded secret of the Shado-Pan Monastery, and I also know that you've only reached the third level."
Taran Zhu sighed, "Yes, if one could cultivate to the seventh level of the Unity of Unity of Heaven and Humanity realm, one's Chi would be inexhaustible and ever-renewing. Unfortunately, my aptitude is insufficient. Fortunately, I have found another way."
In the instant that his Chi was exhausted, a surge of power rose within Taran Zhu's body once more, and two golden wings sprouted from his back, enveloping his entire body in a bright light.
"So you've cultivated the Power of the Holy Light," Chen Stormstout exclaimed in surprise.
Taran Zhu said in a melodious and rhythmic tone:
"The wise follow the trend. The Age of Holy Light has arrived, and the Path of the Holy Light is the mainstream. Chen Stormstout, you have lost."
Taran Zhu's moves became more expansive and unrestrained, showing no concern for the consumption of Holy Light. In contrast, Chen Stormstout became hesitant and timid, his internal Chi being continuously depleted.