Extracting Peter from Panpan's impossibly soft fur proved more challenging than disarming a Dark Wizard—the boy had achieved what appeared to be a state of pure bliss, making contented humming sounds that suggested he might never voluntarily emerge.
"Come on, Peter," May coaxed gently. "You can pet Panpan more during the ride."
Once everyone had claimed their mandatory panda-petting privileges—even Steve couldn't resist running his fingers through the silky fur—they clambered aboard the bamboo cart with the enthusiasm of children on a field trip.
Peter and Gemini immediately claimed the front seats, closest to their adorable driver. Age hierarchy demanded respect, after all, and at fifteen and seventeen respectively, they held seniority over the adults in matters of panda proximity.
Tony attempted to negotiate for Gemini's coveted position. "I'm funding this entire expedition," he argued with mock seriousness. "Surely that earns me premium seating?"
Pepper solved the dispute by grabbing his ear with the precision of someone who'd clearly done this before. "Anthony Edward Stark, you will sit in the back and behave like the adult you theoretically are."
Gemini twisted around to wave smugly at the now-banished Tony. "Tony the Toddler! I can reach out and pet Panpan whenever I want! Can you?"
Tony started to rise in protest, but Pepper's warning glare could have frozen Fiendfyre. The rest of the group watched this domestic comedy with barely contained laughter.
"Honored passengers, please secure yourselves," Panpan announced in his perfectly modulated voice. "Panpan is beginning transport sequence!"
The reverence was immediate and universal—when a Giant Panda gives instructions, civilized beings comply without question.
The cart began moving with the smooth grace of floating on air, maintaining perfect stability despite carrying eight passengers of varying sizes and temperaments. Elegant bamboo railings emerged from each seat like living vines, creating safety barriers that somehow managed to be both functional and beautiful.
Tony, relegated to the rear, couldn't resist his engineer's curiosity. He leaned precariously over the side, trying to glimpse the cart's propulsion system.
"TONY!" Pepper's grip on his shirt was the only thing preventing a very undignified tumble. "What are you doing?"
"Investigating the drive mechanism," he replied, unrepentant. "There's no engine compartment, no visible power source, and the stability is impossible by conventional physics. I need to understand how this works."
Pepper retrieved a promotional brochure from the seat pocket and thrust it at him with exasperated affection. "Read. Don't fall. Try to act like the genius everyone claims you are."
Tony immediately became absorbed in the technical specifications, muttering appreciatively about "elegant magical engineering" and "revolutionary propulsion theory."
The marketplace materialized before them like something from an ancient emperor's dreams. Panpan brought them to a gentle stop beside a cluster of buildings that seemed to have been carved from precious stones and exotic woods.
"Destination achieved," Panpan announced. "Please disembark in orderly fashion. Panpan will maintain position for your return journey. May your exploration bring joy and wonder!"
The bamboo railings retracted with organic fluidity, and the group stepped onto cobblestones that seemed to shimmer with embedded enchantments.
"Sweet Merlin," Steve breathed, his enhanced vision taking in architectural details that defied everything he'd learned about construction.
The Central Land Daoist Sect had created a masterpiece of urban planning. Four-story buildings rose in perfect harmony, their red brick and green tile construction somehow transforming what should have been garish colors into something magnificent and timeless. Carved railings depicted dragons and phoenixes in intricate detail, while jade-green roof tiles caught the tropical sunlight like captured emeralds.
"This is older than Hogwarts," Gemini murmured in awe. "Some of these architectural techniques predate European wizarding by centuries."
Every building served a clear purpose, identifiable even without understanding Chinese characters. The tallest structure emanated the complex aromas of exotic spices and cooking oils—obviously the main restaurant. A two-story building draped in flowing silk scarves attracted a steady stream of female visitors—clearly the clothing emporium Qu Liangjun had mentioned.
Street vendors lined the pathways with portable stalls, their goods ranging from intricate jade carvings to mechanical toys that moved with impossible precision.
Peter was practically vibrating with excitement, his head swiveling to take in every impossible sight. "Can we see everything? Can we buy stuff? Can we try all the food?"
Gemini grabbed his arm before he could bolt into the crowd. "Strategy meeting first. We have guaranteed safety, so everyone can explore independently. Meet back at the main restaurant at 5 PM for dinner together."
She distributed Galleons to each team member, noting that most shoppers seemed to be using Chinese Yuan. "If you run out of magical currency, there's apparently a money exchange somewhere in here. Try not to cause any international incidents."
The group scattered with the enthusiasm of children released into the world's most fascinating toy store. Only Steve remained at Gemini's side, watching their friends disappear into various shops and food stalls.
"Aren't you going to explore?" Gemini asked, surprised by his restraint.
Steve smiled with the quiet contentment of someone who'd found his purpose. "I'm your Guardian Knight, remember? Besides, I've never been on vacation before—I wouldn't know where to start. I'd rather stay with you."
Gemini grinned with predatory delight. "Perfect. You can carry all my purchases."
The afternoon dissolved into a blur of sensory overload and retail therapy. Gemini led Steve through shops selling everything from enchanted silk scarves that changed color with the wearer's mood to mechanical dragons no larger than hummingbirds that performed aerial acrobatics.
They sampled street food that challenged every assumption about magical cuisine—dumplings that steamed themselves, noodles that danced in their bowls, tea that changed flavor with each sip. Steve proved surprisingly adventurous, trying everything Gemini recommended with the methodical determination of a soldier accepting field rations.
"This is incredible," he said, watching a vendor create sugar sculptures that moved and sang. "I never imagined magic could be so... joyful."
"Wait until you see Diagon Alley," Gemini replied, adding another carved jade pendant to their growing collection. "Though I have to admit, the Chinese approach to magical commerce is impressively sophisticated."
By the time they reached the luggage shop, Steve was indeed draped with various packages and bags. Gemini selected an elegant woven expandable trunk that compressed to briefcase size but could hold a small apartment's worth of belongings.
"Undetectable Extension Charms integrated into traditional craftsmanship," she explained, transferring their purchases into the deceptively small container. "The Central Land Daoist Sect really does think of everything."
The reunion at the restaurant was a symphony of excited chatter and comparative shopping. Everyone had acquired treasures—Tony clutched technical manuals he couldn't read but insisted contained "revolutionary magical engineering principles," Banner had found rare medicinal herbs that made him practically glow with scientific enthusiasm, and Peter had somehow acquired a small mechanical phoenix that perched on his shoulder and occasionally burst into miniature flames.
The restaurant's private dining room was a work of art in itself, with screens depicting animated landscapes and a table that seemed to be carved from a single enormous piece of jade. The server, dressed in elegant traditional robes, guided them through a menu that read like poetry.
"Jade Dragon Soup," Gemini translated, "Phoenix-Fire Dumplings, Celestial Noodles with Cloud Mushrooms... everything sounds like it belongs in a fairy tale."
The meal that followed was a revelation. Each dish was a masterpiece of both culinary art and magical enhancement—soups that warmed you from the inside out, vegetables that retained perfect crispness despite being cooked, meat so tender it seemed to dissolve on the tongue.
"I'm never eating McDonald's again," Peter declared solemnly, earning laughter from the adults.
By the time they emerged, bellies comfortably full and spirits high, the tropical sun was setting in a blaze of orange and gold. Panpan waited patiently where they'd left him, somehow managing to look pleased despite his artificial nature.
The ride back to camp was drowsy and content, everyone processing the day's experiences in comfortable silence.
The Next Morning
Nobody stirred until nearly noon, the previous day's adventures having left them all thoroughly exhausted. When they finally gathered in the tent's common area, the consensus was immediate—beach day.
"Swimming, sun, sand," Tony declared, already changed into swim trunks that probably cost more than most people's cars. "After yesterday's cultural immersion, I need some simple relaxation."
Panpan responded to their summons with his usual efficiency, but this time the journey ended unexpectedly early. The cart stopped in what appeared to be a parking area, with several other panda vehicles already waiting.
"Transport terminated per territorial agreement," Panpan announced, his usual warmth replaced by something approaching diplomatic neutrality. "Panpan will maintain position for return journey. Please enjoy your beach experience.**"
Tony climbed out, staring at the seaside marketplace still visible in the distance. "We're not there yet. What's with the early stop?"
Gemini consulted her enchanted map, her expression darkening as she read the fine print. "Political complications. The Central Land Daoist Sect controls the main island and campsite, but the Japanese Magical Ministry claimed jurisdiction over the beach resort area. They signed a non-interference agreement—Chinese transport can't enter Japanese territory."
"That's..." Steve began, his military experience recognizing petty territorial disputes when he saw them.
"Completely ridiculous," Tony finished, his vacation mood evaporating. "So we have to walk? In this heat? With no shuttle service from the Japanese side?"
The group stood in the blazing sun, looking at the distant beach facilities with growing irritation. What should have been a simple pleasure trip was turning into an exercise in international magical politics.
"Well," Gemini said with forced cheerfulness, "we came this far. Might as well see what all the fuss is about."
But privately, she was already wondering what other petty obstacles the Japanese organizers had prepared for international visitors. This level of territorial pettiness suggested deeper problems ahead.
The 422nd Quidditch World Cup was supposed to be a celebration of international magical cooperation. Instead, it was starting to feel like a diplomatic minefield disguised as a sporting event.
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