16. Time to Shake Up the East
Chapter sixteen
Time to Shake Up the East
Lei
It was my turn to fortify the ground Moni had claimed with her bold words.
To just simply rush her away wouldn’t truly show my support and respect for her.
Gazing out at everyone, I could feel the collective pulse of the crowd. This wasn’t just becoming another impromptu press conference; it was now a pivotal moment that could redefine the future of the East.
And I didn’t know if Moni had intended to give me a clear opening for publicly justifying killing my father, but I would take it.
I’d knew weeks ago that killing him over Romeo and Chanel would not be enough for the East. That would have caused an uprising and probably the very end of the Four Aces.
In those relentless weeks I spent hunting down my father, my heart was numb to the consequences. The East could have crumbled into cinders, the world set ablaze in an inferno, and there I would be, sitting next to Chanel's corpse and gazing into her lifeless face.
But then I met Moni, and in those beautiful eyes I not only found love. . .I found strength.
She became my anchor in the turbulent sea of vengeance and sorrow. Through her, the world’s colors returned, painting over the grayscale of grief.
Now I wanted the East to be a good place to live in.
Plus, her sisters would be moving to the East soon. They would all need to be protected. That meant the East could not be a volatile place for them to live after all they had gone through.
In conclusion, the East would need peace after my father’s death.
Clearing my throat, I scanned the growing crowd.
In the small time of Moni talking, more reporters had arrived. One of the news stations must have been showing this live on their channel. Even more, I was sure several of the people with their phones up, had this going live on their social media accounts.
Father, you see this too. Don’t you? Are you happy with what she said? Or are you mad?
I stared out into the forest of black and silver microphones extending towards us.
“Thank you, Monique.” I turned my gaze her way and smiled. “Thank you for your courage and honesty today.”
She lifted her view to me.
“This is one of the many reasons why I’m falling in love with you.”
The crowd gasped.
She parted her lips, and all I yearned to do was kiss her.
Concentrate. We were talking about what again? Oh yeah.
I turned back to the crowd. “I stand here not only as the Mountain Master for the East but as a man who believes in this beautiful woman’s vision of acceptance and respect.”
The cameras flashed, catching every nuance of my expressions.
“The events of last night,” I let out a long breath, “where lives were lost due to the expression of free speech, are not only tragic but entirely against the principles I wish to uphold. This is not the East that I want to lead. This is not the way. . .”
Several murmurs ran through the crowd as many absorbed the gravity of my words.
“This is the ways of the old , but I am the new Mountain Master, and although I have not. . .been focused as I should during my rule.” I gritted my teeth, thinking of all the times I dropped the ball, catering to Romeo and Chanel.
I cleared my throat. “I am now ready to truly serve you. To earn your respect too.”
I could tell several reporters in the front wanted to speak, but couldn’t even open their mouths, so shocked by this all.
“My vision for the East isn't one of violence and fear, but one of unity and prosperity.” I stilled my nerves. “Where freedom of speech is not punishable by death, but celebrated as our right. Is that not what my mother wanted?”
While a few women nodded with me, the rest of the crowd was silent, hanging on to my every word. But it was the movement of those women’s heads that told me, they saw in Moni what I also saw in her too—my mother’s compassion. And for those that didn’t, just bringing up my mother’s name would have them start to think about her, eventually Moni too.
You will see what I see one day.
I stared directly at one news camera. “I want to rule an East where everyone works together for the betterment of each other, rather than for their own individual benefit, for their hate, for their ignorance.”
My voice echoed through the silence, carrying my message to each person there. “I want to rule an East, where the lives of our children are valued more than the power they hold or the color of their skin.”
I could see that my words were having an effect on them—their faces softened, some even looked hopeful.
But in the end, it was all pretty words to delay the tragic ones, to give them hope and brightness before the utter darkness that I was about to confess.
Here we go.
“But these changes cannot happen overnight,” I hardened my expression. “Change is a process that requires unwavering dedication. And it is a process that will begin with me.”
I glanced at Moni who was watching me with wide loving eyes. “We must step out of the shadows of the past and embrace what lies ahead. We must learn from our mistakes and strive to make things right.”
Now new murmurs spread through the crowd again.
Was it skepticism?
Doubt?
Were some of them at least starting to see my vision?
“My partner is right.” It felt weird saying that. Already, I was more than willing to declare to all of them that Moni was in fact my Mountain Mistress.
But, she had to be ready to step into that position herself.
I looked back at the crowd. “Justice must come for those that were lost last night, even though what those influencers said was racist, disgusting, and beyond disappointing to me.”
Several of the reporters widened their eyes.
My heart began to pound violently. “I cannot forgive my father for the violence he committed last night, but I can understand the rage that consumed him when he read those racist statements.”
Be very fucking careful with your words, ignorant idiots. I will do worse than my father.
My eyes locked onto the closest camera, burning with intensity. “And while I will seek justice for the families who lost loved ones last night, I will not tolerate a single fucking word of disrespect towards Monique.”
Listen up. She is not the only one that will be cursing today.
“I intend for the East to be a place where everyone will feel safe and respected, regardless of race. If you disagree. . .” I pointed to the gates. “I have opened the East for you to leave. You have twenty-four hours.”
You don’t like who I chose to love? Then, get the fuck out!
To my surprise, Moni shivered against me.
Stunned, the reporters, typically buzzing with questions and skeptical interjections by now, were visibly taken aback. They shifted on their feet, glancing at each other, pens poised yet motionless over their notepads.
“Regardless. . .today is a day of mourning for those who lost their lives to my father’s brutality.” A fierce determination fueled my words and for the first time in a long time. . .I actually felt like. . .a leader.
Finally, I had now become the true Mountain Master that my father had been begging me to be. It was bittersweet to say the least.
I blinked and did my best to maintain my composure. “Today is also a day of promise for those who are still here after those twenty-four hours. It is a promise that things will change.”
The intensity of the moment seemed to suspend even the air around us.
“And so,” I paused, letting the weight of my next words gather force, “due to the actions taken by my father—the Grand Mountain Master—there will be a battle in three days.”
More gasps came as the statement hung in the air like a guillotine blade.
“This battle is not sought for power, but to ensure that the East is a place where every voice can be heard without fear of retribution.”
Even more gasps and whispers swirled through the crowd like a sudden wind.
Some faces blanched with fear, others nodded in grim resolve, understanding the necessity of confronting a tyranny that had cloaked itself in the guise of leadership.
I looked out over the sea of faces, each one a mirror reflecting the horror and hope of my words.
“This battle,” I pressed on, “is for the soul of the East. For too long, fear has dictated how we live our lives here. It's time to show that our strength doesn't come from silence, but from the bravery to speak out and to end it.”
Moni’s arm wrapped around my waist. Her grip was gentle, and I believed it was a silent message of solidarity.
I felt it deep in my bones.
We were in this together, come what may.
Now for the bullshit. Father, I hope you’re watching and enjoying the show.
“That’s right.” I nodded. “I love the East so much that I would shed my father’s blood to keep you all safe.”
Tears spilled from one woman’s eyes as she held up her hand in sorrow. “We don’t deserve you, Mountain Master.”
“You do, but regardless. . .I ask for your support in this horrific decision to battle my father.” I swept my gaze over them. “I ask for your support. . .not as your leader, but as someone who believes in a future where our loved ones can speak their minds without fear. A future that my partner and I will fight for, side by side.”
Once again, the reporters, usually so eager to jump with questions, continued to be stunned into silence, processing the promise of conflict against a figure as formidable as my father.
It was a disruption of the narrative they had known all their lives.
Because all knew that to battle my father was to watch one of us die.
There you go, Father. Whether you wanted it or not, now they know. Now. . .they will have time to prepare for your death.
“That is it.” I nodded and guided Moni away.
Not one question came.
It appeared the press had quite enough to ingest and was having a problem with swallowing it all down.
Together, we headed to the car, I felt a fierce pride in Moni and in the path she had chosen.
I hadn’t planned to even talk to the East today. I’d been too caught up in getting her back to me, and even preparing for the battle ahead.
But she forced me to focus on my true duties as Mountain Master. Little by little, she was making me a better ruler.
Yes. She’s my Mountain Mistress. We’ll have to discuss this topic again tonight.
Whatever the coming days brought, she had ignited a spark of hope within me—a hope for an East reborn from the ashes of my father’s brutal traditions.
And I knew it wouldn’t be easy in any way.
The battle with my father would be fierce, the risks immense, but the cause was just.
I want to live here with Moni, happy and at peace.
I let go of her waist and held the door open so she could climb in.
Silent, she got in.
What a fucking day?
I knew that whatever came next, Moni had not only held her own but had elevated herself in the eyes of all who watched. Whether the East now loved or loathed her, they could not deny her courage or her command over this moment.
And they damn sure noticed the change she has had on me.
Moni was proving not just to them, but to both of us, that she could handle this, that she was every bit the leader we needed.
Climbing in the SUV, I glanced at her.
Our eyes met. There was a spark there, a silent communication that spoke volumes.
And still the press was silent behind us, utterly taken aback by it all.
Hu, Duck, and Chen climbed in.
The door to the SUV closed with a definitive thud.
Next, the driver sped us away.
However, inside, the atmosphere was charged.
I watched Chen, knowing that he would explode soon, and this would be another test to see if Moni could hold her own against my Deputy Mountain Master.
But then, a weird group of people caught my attention on the left side of the SUV.
What the fuck?
They were marching toward the area where Moni and I had been speaking to the press.
No. What the hell is this?
It must have been thirty of them. Gray monkey masks covered their heads. The masks had been crudely made, with rough edges and uneven holes for the eyes and mouth.
Red paint dripped from the top of the masks probably to resemble blood.
Around their mouths were strips of blue tape as if someone had put it there to silence their screams.
Great. Now we have a rebel movement forming. Thanks, Father.
A chill ran down my spine.
As the SUV sped past the large group, I strained my eyes to catch a glimpse of the huge red and blue signs held by the masked group.
The signs were simple yet impactful.
One read, “No More Silence!”
Another declared, “Free Speech or Death!”
Yet another held a sign saying, “Down with the Mountain Master and the Grand!”
Chen looked out of his window. “Dear God! Can we get a damn break this week?!”
Their chanting, though muffled by the distance and the closed windows of the SUV, was just as potent.
They repeated a rhythmic, haunting chant that I could just make out:
“Mountains can crumble! Mountains can fall! Freedom is not just for you! Freedom is for all!”
A throbbing ache hit my temples.
Inside the SUV, the mood grew tense.
Chen was visibly shaken, his earlier anxiety now compounded by the sight of the protesters. He looked at me. “This is just the beginning, Lei.”
Tension gathered in my shoulders. “Maybe they will calm down after they hear about my battle with my father.”
Hu was more composed, but his forehead was lined with concentration. He understood the implications of this movement—this wasn't just a small group of dissenters; this was the potential beginning of a serious resistance. “Either way, we can’t just dismiss them. They're scared, angry, and worried about the future. The news about the battle may or may not help.”
Fuck.
The SUV carried us further away, while the chants became fainter, but their message echoed loudly in my mind.
I was now finally learning about the reality of true leadership—the shaky balance between making bold promises and the challenging work of fulfilling them.
Either way, all I knew was that I had to be different from my father.
I had to be better.
I checked Duck’s response to these monkey-masked rebels.
He was quiet, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, always the protector, ready to spring into action if needed. He didn't say anything, but his prepared stance spoke volumes about his readiness to defend Moni and me, to fight if that's what it came down to.
I love you, cousin.
Moni glanced at the red and blue signs as we drove past and let out a long breath.
“Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out too.” I wrapped my arm around Moni and held her closer to me. “Chen, find out who they are and let’s figure out what can be done next.”
He didn’t respond, so I turned his way.
Chen now glared at Moni as if she had spent the whole morning slapping his mother over and over.
Careful, cousin. I will hurt you if you yell at her.
Thankfully, Moni watched him with a neutral expression. She looked more than prepared to meet whatever challenge Chen wanted to give her.
Duck cleared his throat. “Brother. . .calm down.”
Chen continued to watch her and I knew. . .there would be no calming him down at all.
Moni raised her eyebrows. “Just go ahead and say it, Chen.”
His eyes went wild. “Just say it?”
“Yes.”
“Ohhhhh.” He shook his head over and over. “But I do not think you will be willing to listen to what I have to say.”
“Go ahead.” Moni sat up, leaving my hold and crossed her arms over her chest. “Say what you have to say, but be prepared for me to say what I have to say too.”