Chapter 8

The Elevator rode straight up to the 88th floor of the Bank - it only rung once and then the door opened to the left and right of the door appeared a male and a female assistant who bowed. Changpu looked around a large spacious room. It was the top floor of the bank - obviously a special place for the Chairman - and his most select clients. It appeared so elite that assistants around Changpu all wore cordial smiles and didn't appear to judge his dress or youth. Commander Wu, the Chairman addressed Changpu - please come take a seat and have some refreshments - and then while we relax you can tell me how we can meet your needs Commander Wu. He lead Changpu to a huge sofa where they both sat and the chairman smiled, his semi-dazed assistant with tablet had finally arrived at the penthouse and stood with her tablet and ear-piece. Waving her over to join the pair she took a seat to the chairman's left.

The chairman spoke to his assistant - It is time to include you in a secret of our institution, grand-daughter. Legend has it that the Guardian Bank was founded over two thousand years ago under a mandate from heaven to provide for the 8 guardians of the empire. Each of the eight founding guardians bear a medallion with an Elemental Guardian on it and their family name and the word commander - it is said they are able to interface with heavens for the protection of our world. Prior to seeing this boy today I have only ever seen three other medallions - but none of those people who wore them had ever approached our bank - even though they all have significant financial funds within our organisation - most untouched in Ancient Gold Pure Coin held here always increasing in value. The first is the grandfather of the vice-president. The head of the Airforce, The Grandfather of the head of our Most Prestigious Military Academy and various army generals. And finally the owner of our largest I.T. company, whose family appear to be all be leading scientists in various endeavours. Then finally today this roughly dressed village boy appears standing by the entrance to our bank as we arrived for work.

Four other know Commanders plus myself thought Changpu as he listened.

He was happy to hear their positions especially Military Academy Heads Grandfather - as that was probably a route he would choose to take on his journey to becoming true Commander. Wu Changpu he thought.

Then he spoke to the Chairman and his Assistant/Grand-daughter, pleased to meet you both. I finished my ninth year of education yesterday - I live with my grandmother and grandfather - the only other surviving descendant of the Wu Commander in the village of Nianzu. The interface said to come to the bank with my medallion to repay my grandparents and continue my education.

The mandate of heaven to provide for the eight commanders the chairman said.

The chairman asked, can you hear the interface now, Commander Wu?

"Yes." Changpu replied

"Can you ask it a few questions?" the chairman added.

"I guess." replied Changpu.

"Firstly who does it say I am?" asked the Chairman.

Changpu smiled and asked the interface - "Who is the he?"

Text appeared -

--Chairman Dingxiang Li aged 79 years old and

42 descendant Chairman of Guardian Bank and keyholder to the Phoenix Chamber.

Tasked with securing the prosperity of the 8 guardians for the eternal security of the empire under the mandate of heaven.---

"Phoenix Chamber - I have a key to a Phoenix Chamber questioned the chairman?"

"I never heard of this?? Arrgh... which ancestor of mine forgot to pass on this key...wtf.."

"Hee, hee" laughed Changpu, "its just some Phoenix chamber..."

The Chairman began kowtowing to Changpu who stopped laughing at and looked at the chairman's grand-daughter who had face-slapped herself..

"Please stop chairman I'll ask, Ill ask." Changpu promised - the chairman was in tears and mumbling to himself "we forgot the mandate of heavens instructions - only 42 descendants and one of us forgot... arrgh."

"Hee, hee hee" now the chairman's grand-daughter was also laughing.

Saving the day Changpu addressed the interface - Interface please help Chairman Dingxian Li and his ancestors the Phoenix Keyholders by telling them the current location of the Phoenix Chamber key.

Text began to form again over Changpu's eye -

Sir he said - to the Chairman - The interface say's the 13th descendant and ancestor of Dingxian Li Duyi Married Four times - his third wife was given a gift of a ring adorned with the image of a Phoenix - this ring is the key to the Phoenix Chamber. His third wife is buried wearing the Phoenix Chamber Key. And the interface gave me these numbers to pass to you -

The Interface says Beidou Coordinates -numbers - "xxxx-xxxx"

The chairman jumped to his feet kissed the hands of Changpu and ripped the piece of paper from Changpu's hands - thank-heavens, Heavens Mandate Commander Interface System has Beidou Coordinates .... thankyou God he said and ran from the room into the elevator and disappeared..

Wtf... Said Changpu...

Then both He and Grand-daughter assistant burst into laughter..