Yu Dynasty Yingdala (4338-4636)

[Wu Han]

The Kaizhou Inquirer
The Kaizhou Inquirer is northern Indrala's leading periodical, reporting on politics, culture and economics

26 June 4374
Sung Hyo-rin performs 25 kilometre '3 step, 1 bow' sacrifice to 'regain trust'
After three-day walk, Sung officially endorses Gao Yifen for Lotus Party Leader

Left: Sung bows after taking three steps forward; Right: Sung is visibly emotional as she walks through Tian'an

TIAN'AN, Han: For the past three days, Lotus Party President Sung Hyo-rin has been performing a three-step, one-bow walk across Tian'an. According to the Party's Spokesman, Sung wanted to express her sincerity to voters across the nation.

Speaking to reporters just before beginning her walk, Sung said: "Our party has been moving in the wrong direction for a long time. As Party President, I have to take responsibility, and you cannot take responsibility with words alone. I personally respect only those who are strong enough to sacrifice themselves for their convictions. I must become someone respectable."

During the 25 kilometre walk across metropolitan Tian'an, Sung did not eat or speak to anyone and slept in a tent. Often the route was met with Lotus Party caucus representatives, members and ordinary individuals moved by Sung's act who begged her to stop. At one point, Sung was forced to stop by medical professionals who were following behind her as it appeared that she might faint. With her blood pressure dropping below 60, they advised her to take a break for two hours before continuing.

Due to the delay, Sung arrived at her ending location at midnight. As she performed her final bow and stood up she fainted. After regaining conciousness, Sung was whisked away by Lotus Party security personnel. Flanked by aids, she wept and kept repeating, "elect Gao Yifen, protect the Emperor, protect our democracy!" as she stumbled to an ambulance. She was then transported to Tian'an National University Hospital.

Left: Sung bowing; Right: Sung is escorted from the end point

The next day, Sung was seen entering the Lotus Party headquarters in a pink pantsuit, requiring assistance from aids. Later in the day, in a yellow coat and wheelchair, Sung attended a rally in support of criminal prosecutor Gao Yifen's Lotus Party leadership campaign. It was reported by the Market that Sung had approached Gao to run for the leadership, though Sung had not yet endorsed him officially.

At the rally, Sung said that "the three-step, one-bow was symbolically important, but also profoundly insightful and meditative." After the walk, Sung says that she "is certain that Gao Yifen is the candidate" to lead the Lotus Party in the future, and to "protect Indralan democracy." According to Sung, this includes "protecting the Son of Heaven as a unifying symbol of Indrala's national dignity."

Left: Sung descends from a Lotus Party bus to enter the party's headquarters in downtown Tian'an; Right: Sung at Gao Yifen's rally after officially endorsing him

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 7 April 2018.