Chapter 529
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
Chapter 529
In the eyes of the Empire, Dastan Zhandos and his former retinue were souls doomed to serve out the rest of their lives as slaves, but while he couldnt speak for his comrades, Dastan saw his Oaths as less punishment and more an affirmation of faith.
For his master, his hero, his friend Falling Rain, was none other than the Mothers Chosen Son, Her appointed servant who would lead the Azure Empire to victory against the Fathers foul minions.
What better proof than what all of Sinuji just witnessed, for here and now on the cusp of battle, the Mother had finally seen fit to restore Her Champion to fighting form. The term miracle was often used far too casually for Dastans tastes, but how else could one describe tonights series of events? First, Falling Rain engineered an explosion of fiery death the likes of which the Empire had never before seen, so powerful it fooled an Enemy Divinity into taking action against them. Then, it was revealed that there were not one, not two, but three Imperial Divinities here in Sinuji to protect Her Chosen Son, an honour even the Emperor himself was only rarely afforded, though considering how His Imperial Majesty rarely left the safety of His Imperial Palace, His Imperial Dharma Protector was mostly there as a symbolic gesture rather than out of pressing need. And now, just as battle was about to be joined, Falling Rain revealed his recovery to all of Sinuji to raise their morale and remind everyone that no matter what calamity lay before them, the Mother always left a path to salvation.
While all of Sinuji chanted for Gens death, Dastan marvelled at the meticulous planning which had gone into this stunning reveal. The conflagration explained why Rain had been so unconcerned by the million-strong army of Defiled marching towards them, for hed long since set a trap for Gen and his ruinous ilk. As for the trio of Divinities, Dastan attributed it more to fortuitous happenstance than careful planning, though Rain certainly took advantage where he could. To think, the scruffy, unkempt leader of the Protectorate was actually an Ancestral Beast hidden in plain sight, no doubt a secret, staunch ally of the Bekhai considering Guan Suos oh-so-talented daughter Sumila was being raised by Lieutenant General Akanai herself. GangShus appearance came as no surprise to Dastan, as the Ascendants status was an open secret ever since he revealed himself some six or so months ago, when he stepped in to save them from a powerful, Water-Blessed Demon they encountered while out on patrol. As for the Abbot of the Penitent Brotherhood, Dastan assumed such a lofty figure would be a powerful Martial Warrior to be reckoned with, but he hadnt expected the humble monk to be a human Divinity, the match of any Imperial Dharma Protector or Ancestral Beast and only a half-step away from true mastery of Balance.
To think, this wrinkled, hairless, hunched-back monk could possibly become the first and only ever Ancestral Human in history, an all-powerful being capable of manipulating the raw Energy of the Heavens themselves.
After Rain agreed to become a hostage so the gathered Divinities would feel safe enough to leave, Dastan desperately wanted to tag along as a guard, but he knew his limits. Despite so many weeks of training with his new Domain, he was still a long ways off from matching the likes of Emissary Gen, so he stood back and watched as Rain rode out atop his loyal and ferocious quin Zabu to meet with the heinous, half-Demon villain.
Half-Demon. It sounded so strange to even think it, but such was the Emissary, an unholy amalgamation of flesh and Runic steel and formidable to the extreme, which made Rains courage all the more inspiring. Though frail and weak, the Mothers Chosen Son didnt flinch before his hated foe, and while there was no way to Listen in on their exchange, it was clear to anyone watching that Rain had gained the upper hand. What a sight to behold, the dangerous and daunting Emissary of Earths Fire balking before a gaunt and feeble cripple. Small wonder the coward Gen brought a million-strong army to Sinuji: he was worried anything less would result in failure, and in truth, it might very well have.
Best of all, now Rain was crippled no more. Though still gaunt and feeble in appearance, he exuded grace, poise, and grandeur as he sat atop his quin and narrated his poignant experiences with his hated foe, an emotional tale which filled all who heard it with vim and vigour, though the audiences reaction did seem a tad overdone. Dastan figured it was because the soldiers of Sinuji recognized that they needed a boost to morale and seized upon Rains heartfelt, but rather uninspired tale. It seemed strange to know that the public face of the Enemy, this Emissary Gen, had betrayed humanity so easily, a weak-willed craven cur whod grown into the fearsome Defiled Champion he was today.
Thankfully, the Empire had Falling Rain to depend upon once more, so all would be well.
Marching to Rains side, Dastan stood at full attention and saluted, while the rest of his comrades followed suit. It will be an honour to fight at your side again, he said, trembling with emotion and anticipation. Your presence on the battlefield has been sorely missed.
Expecting a quiet smile and a snarky quip, Dastans grin melted away as Rain raised an eyebrow and uttered, Say what now? Unsure how to proceed, Dastan simply repeated his statement verbatim and prayed this was all one of Rains strange jokes. Unfortunately, the eyebrow remained raised as he said, Uh... Sorry, but... not sure how you havent noticed, but Ive been crippled for many months now. Cant really fight by your side today. Leaning over to peer into Dastans eyes, he asked, Are you feeling okay, Dastan? Did... Did Gen work some sort of mind magic or something? Can you tell me todays date?
Leave him be boy. Though the gruff woman came to his defence, Dastan didnt appreciate Ghurdas tone or how roughly she handled Rain, all but dragging him back into an upright position. Be straight with me now, she said, peering suspiciously at the Mothers Chosen Son, still towering over his mounted form despite standing on two feet. How longve you been better and whyve you been keepin it secret?
What in the fu Clearing his throat over the sound of Ghurdas chest-shaking growl, Rain smoothed out his sleeves and said, I have no idea what youre talking about Ghurda. What do you mean better? I guess I get a little better every day, but its hardly worth reporting. Woo-hoo, I can walk around without feeling like Im gonna die. Id hardly call that a secret.
...Yer serious. It wasnt so much a question as it was a statement, though Ghurda herself barely sounded like she believed it. Mother in Heaven, yer dead serious. Ye didnt know. Ye still dont.
And Id be much obliged if youd clue me in.
Are ye daft, boy? As much as Dastan respected Rain, he couldnt help but wonder the same as Ghurda wildly gestured around them. Ye hear that? All of Sinuji be cheerin fer yer speech.
Yea... so? Still clueless and confused, Rain glanced at Dastan and raised his eyebrow ever so slightly to subtly ask if he was the only one who didnt understand, but Dastan was too shocked to respond.
This dont strike you as odd? Ghurda asked, her voice strained and frustration mounting. Howd they all hear you good enough to cheer fer ye?
Theyre soldiers, Ghurda, Rain replied, with all the patience of a man speaking with a beloved fool. If one starts cheering about killing Defiled, the rest will join in.
Oh Mother in Heaven, grant yer child the patience and restraint required not to smother this idiot before me. Taking a deep breath after her muttered prayer, Ghurda exhaled slowly before taking Rain by both shoulders and leaning over to look him straight in the eyes. You. Infuriating. Boy. Did ye not feel it? Yer story, soon as ye started telling it, ye began projecting it fer all of Sinuji to hear. It wasnt Speaking, but something different, like ye were Sending to every living being around you while speaking in a normal tone. Straightening up, the hulking half-bear added, Ye were using Chi, boy. In more ways than one.
Ever the skeptic, Rain glanced around again for confirmation and found every soldier in earshot nodding to corroborate Ghurdas explanation. Your words, Song said, chiming in to convince Rain. They were laced with... emotion, and I... I believe I felt what you felt as you told your tale. Your melancholy and disdain, your rage and sorrow... After a brief pause, she added, Your love and affection.
Reeling back as if physically struck, Rain blinked repeatedly and said nothing, which Lieutenant Masahige took as permission to say his piece. Fuck Watanabe, he said, quivering from head to toe with fear and excitement. If youve truly recovered, then you need to leave now before he acts. I dont know what hes planning, but I know it wont end well for you or yours, and I will no longer be a part of it. Spinning about on his heel, he drew his sword and held it to the neck of the man behind him, his arm shaking all the while. This one is Watanabes mouthpiece. I suggest we kill him before he Sends word.
Oh right... One with the Self was a part of Dastans personal Path, one unique to himself, Sahb, BoShui, and possibly Rain, though the latter never actually confirmed it. Still unconvinced, Rain shook his head and sighed. You might be on the right track, and I even theorized this might be possible, but... I dont think thats what happened here, for several reasons. Not just because Ghurda says she didnt sense a Domain, but also because theres a certain aspect regarding my Martial Path youre all unaware of, being that... well... I didnt Develop my Domain by becoming One with the World. I kinda... sorta... disassociated myself from the World, to put it politely.
What?
Faced with their incredulous stares, Rain deflated and reluctantly explained, The World was getting in my way, so I told it to fuck off and leave me alone. It worked. For a bit. Sorta. Maybe. I think. I dunno. I only had like a minute to play with my Domain after I was crippled, and I dont remember any of the more impressive parts.
Exchanging a helpless look with Ghurda and Nian Zu, Dastans spirits sank as they shook their heads, but at least he could feel better knowing these two Peak Expert were equally lost with regards to understanding Rains unique Path.
After a long, awkward pause, Song spoke for the first time this meeting. The gourd, she said, without further explanation.
And none was needed as Rains eyes lit up in comprehension. Of course! Why didnt I think of it sooner? Thank you Song, youre brilliant. Dont know what Id do without you.
Bristling with irrational jealousy, Dastan did his best not to glare at the half-cat or let his feelings show as he tried to follow along, but he wasnt the only one confused by their exchange. Well? Ghurda asked, while Nian Zu displayed a similar level of indignant impatience. Ye gonna explain or am I gonna need to wring it out of ye?
The gourd I drank, like a week or two ago. I dont remember. Obviously flustered, Rain rambled out an explanation which made little to no sense. See, I thought it was Chi-Water, like, water bound by Chi. Chi Tea, get it? But the Abbot has this whole thing about simplification and lack of labels and such, so he thought the Chi Tea was Heavenly Water by another name, and was convinced it would fix me if I drank it. I did and nothing happened, then I threw a tantrum about the waste, but now we know it did work, except it needed time, and now I owe him another apology. The Chi Tea must have cleansed all the Spectres inside me and left me a cache of Heavenly Energy to use, which is how I did the whole... Oration thing just now. The blood draining from his face, Rain grabbed his hair with both hands and whimpered quietly. Andddd not only did I just waste a metric shit-tonne of precious Heavenly Energy giving a speech, I also gave my last two gourds to GangShu and Guan Suo. Leaning over to bury his face in his mounts back, Rains incoherent screams were muffled by the beasts thick fur, but to Dastans ears, it sounded suspiciously like an endless repetition of, Fuck my life.
Longer and more drawn out of course, but given the circumstances, Dastan understood the sentiment.
...What Spectres? Nian Zu asked, and everyone looked away, Dastan included. Some secrets were not his to tell, and Rain was too immersed in self-pity to respond. What Heavenly Energy? Someone explain.
Luckily, Dastan was neither Oath-Sworn to the Living Legend or technically a soldier anymore, so he held his tongue and stared at his boots while Ghurda waved aside Nian Zus questions and watched Rain knock his head against Zabus back. After long seconds of awkward silence, Song moved to Rains side and offered him an awkward pat of the back before slipping a handkerchief between the quin and his face. Take care not to injure yourself, she said, and Rain froze in place, his lamentations falling silent in an instant.
...Holy shit, this doesnt hurt. Sitting up with a look of surprise, Rain patted his oily, but unmarked face and squinted at his hands. Theres no blood, he said. Am I bleeding?
Still staring at his boots, Dastan worried that the boss mightve snapped from this latest revelation. Dead pan as always, Song gave him a thorough inspection before stating, No, you are not bleeding.
Im not bleeding. Surprised by the delight in Rains voice, Dastan looked up to see him beaming from ear to ear. Im not bleeding, Rain repeated, before emitting a girlish squeal of glee and leaning back down to hug his quins torso. Im not bleeding, he said a third time, rubbing his cheek against his mounts dense fur while the creature squeaked in displeasure. Shaddup Zabu, I need this. Im not bleeding, Im not bleeding. The last was delivered in a sing-song voice, and after squeezing his quin one last time, Rain sat up and said, Okay. Lets get the battle over and done with so I can go back and hug the shit out of my pets.
Unsure how to respond, Dastan simply saluted and hurried back to his place on the wall while simultaneously trying to purge his memory of the last few minutes. Its not that he begrudged Falling Rain for his love of his animal, but there was something unsettling about the intense fervour he approached it with, almost with the same zealous passion the Shrike had for the Purge. Still, there were two facts no one could deny. One, Rains skin had toughened to the point where mere hair couldnt pierce it, and two, he was progressing towards a full recovery, perhaps much sooner than the many decades most expected.
Still... Even if his rehabilitation was slated for a matter of hours, Dastan wasnt sure if it would make a difference. Staring out at the massive Defiled army, he watched them move into formation to attack with a sinking stomach, for gathering directly across from him were no less than a dozen unnatural and formidable Demons led by none other than the giant, Water-Blessed behemoth which they met out on patrol.
Only this time, there was no Divinity to save them from the menacing Demon Rain had almost fondly dubbed, Pudge.
And with that thought, the Defiled let loose with an ear-shattering roar of challenge before setting the earth to shaking beneath their boots in their headlong charge towards Sinuji. Such was life, trials and tribulations without end, but the Mother always left a path to salvation, and Dastan was determined to find it today.
...In hindsight, perhaps his path to salvation wouldve been to swallow his pride and accept Ghurdas earlier orders to fall back.
Readers reactions
More reactions
Actual Chapter Meme
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 529
In the eyes of the Empire, Dastan Zhandos and his former retinue were souls doomed to serve out the rest of their lives as slaves, but while he couldnt speak for his comrades, Dastan saw his Oaths as less punishment and more an affirmation of faith.
For his master, his hero, his friend Falling Rain, was none other than the Mothers Chosen Son, Her appointed servant who would lead the Azure Empire to victory against the Fathers foul minions.
What better proof than what all of Sinuji just witnessed, for here and now on the cusp of battle, the Mother had finally seen fit to restore Her Champion to fighting form. The term miracle was often used far too casually for Dastans tastes, but how else could one describe tonights series of events? First, Falling Rain engineered an explosion of fiery death the likes of which the Empire had never before seen, so powerful it fooled an Enemy Divinity into taking action against them. Then, it was revealed that there were not one, not two, but three Imperial Divinities here in Sinuji to protect Her Chosen Son, an honour even the Emperor himself was only rarely afforded, though considering how His Imperial Majesty rarely left the safety of His Imperial Palace, His Imperial Dharma Protector was mostly there as a symbolic gesture rather than out of pressing need. And now, just as battle was about to be joined, Falling Rain revealed his recovery to all of Sinuji to raise their morale and remind everyone that no matter what calamity lay before them, the Mother always left a path to salvation.
While all of Sinuji chanted for Gens death, Dastan marvelled at the meticulous planning which had gone into this stunning reveal. The conflagration explained why Rain had been so unconcerned by the million-strong army of Defiled marching towards them, for hed long since set a trap for Gen and his ruinous ilk. As for the trio of Divinities, Dastan attributed it more to fortuitous happenstance than careful planning, though Rain certainly took advantage where he could. To think, the scruffy, unkempt leader of the Protectorate was actually an Ancestral Beast hidden in plain sight, no doubt a secret, staunch ally of the Bekhai considering Guan Suos oh-so-talented daughter Sumila was being raised by Lieutenant General Akanai herself. GangShus appearance came as no surprise to Dastan, as the Ascendants status was an open secret ever since he revealed himself some six or so months ago, when he stepped in to save them from a powerful, Water-Blessed Demon they encountered while out on patrol. As for the Abbot of the Penitent Brotherhood, Dastan assumed such a lofty figure would be a powerful Martial Warrior to be reckoned with, but he hadnt expected the humble monk to be a human Divinity, the match of any Imperial Dharma Protector or Ancestral Beast and only a half-step away from true mastery of Balance.
To think, this wrinkled, hairless, hunched-back monk could possibly become the first and only ever Ancestral Human in history, an all-powerful being capable of manipulating the raw Energy of the Heavens themselves.
After Rain agreed to become a hostage so the gathered Divinities would feel safe enough to leave, Dastan desperately wanted to tag along as a guard, but he knew his limits. Despite so many weeks of training with his new Domain, he was still a long ways off from matching the likes of Emissary Gen, so he stood back and watched as Rain rode out atop his loyal and ferocious quin Zabu to meet with the heinous, half-Demon villain.
Half-Demon. It sounded so strange to even think it, but such was the Emissary, an unholy amalgamation of flesh and Runic steel and formidable to the extreme, which made Rains courage all the more inspiring. Though frail and weak, the Mothers Chosen Son didnt flinch before his hated foe, and while there was no way to Listen in on their exchange, it was clear to anyone watching that Rain had gained the upper hand. What a sight to behold, the dangerous and daunting Emissary of Earths Fire balking before a gaunt and feeble cripple. Small wonder the coward Gen brought a million-strong army to Sinuji: he was worried anything less would result in failure, and in truth, it might very well have.
Best of all, now Rain was crippled no more. Though still gaunt and feeble in appearance, he exuded grace, poise, and grandeur as he sat atop his quin and narrated his poignant experiences with his hated foe, an emotional tale which filled all who heard it with vim and vigour, though the audiences reaction did seem a tad overdone. Dastan figured it was because the soldiers of Sinuji recognized that they needed a boost to morale and seized upon Rains heartfelt, but rather uninspired tale. It seemed strange to know that the public face of the Enemy, this Emissary Gen, had betrayed humanity so easily, a weak-willed craven cur whod grown into the fearsome Defiled Champion he was today.
Thankfully, the Empire had Falling Rain to depend upon once more, so all would be well.
Marching to Rains side, Dastan stood at full attention and saluted, while the rest of his comrades followed suit. It will be an honour to fight at your side again, he said, trembling with emotion and anticipation. Your presence on the battlefield has been sorely missed.
Expecting a quiet smile and a snarky quip, Dastans grin melted away as Rain raised an eyebrow and uttered, Say what now? Unsure how to proceed, Dastan simply repeated his statement verbatim and prayed this was all one of Rains strange jokes. Unfortunately, the eyebrow remained raised as he said, Uh... Sorry, but... not sure how you havent noticed, but Ive been crippled for many months now. Cant really fight by your side today. Leaning over to peer into Dastans eyes, he asked, Are you feeling okay, Dastan? Did... Did Gen work some sort of mind magic or something? Can you tell me todays date?
Leave him be boy. Though the gruff woman came to his defence, Dastan didnt appreciate Ghurdas tone or how roughly she handled Rain, all but dragging him back into an upright position. Be straight with me now, she said, peering suspiciously at the Mothers Chosen Son, still towering over his mounted form despite standing on two feet. How longve you been better and whyve you been keepin it secret?
What in the fu Clearing his throat over the sound of Ghurdas chest-shaking growl, Rain smoothed out his sleeves and said, I have no idea what youre talking about Ghurda. What do you mean better? I guess I get a little better every day, but its hardly worth reporting. Woo-hoo, I can walk around without feeling like Im gonna die. Id hardly call that a secret.
...Yer serious. It wasnt so much a question as it was a statement, though Ghurda herself barely sounded like she believed it. Mother in Heaven, yer dead serious. Ye didnt know. Ye still dont.
And Id be much obliged if youd clue me in.
Are ye daft, boy? As much as Dastan respected Rain, he couldnt help but wonder the same as Ghurda wildly gestured around them. Ye hear that? All of Sinuji be cheerin fer yer speech.
Yea... so? Still clueless and confused, Rain glanced at Dastan and raised his eyebrow ever so slightly to subtly ask if he was the only one who didnt understand, but Dastan was too shocked to respond.
This dont strike you as odd? Ghurda asked, her voice strained and frustration mounting. Howd they all hear you good enough to cheer fer ye?
Theyre soldiers, Ghurda, Rain replied, with all the patience of a man speaking with a beloved fool. If one starts cheering about killing Defiled, the rest will join in.
Oh Mother in Heaven, grant yer child the patience and restraint required not to smother this idiot before me. Taking a deep breath after her muttered prayer, Ghurda exhaled slowly before taking Rain by both shoulders and leaning over to look him straight in the eyes. You. Infuriating. Boy. Did ye not feel it? Yer story, soon as ye started telling it, ye began projecting it fer all of Sinuji to hear. It wasnt Speaking, but something different, like ye were Sending to every living being around you while speaking in a normal tone. Straightening up, the hulking half-bear added, Ye were using Chi, boy. In more ways than one.
Ever the skeptic, Rain glanced around again for confirmation and found every soldier in earshot nodding to corroborate Ghurdas explanation. Your words, Song said, chiming in to convince Rain. They were laced with... emotion, and I... I believe I felt what you felt as you told your tale. Your melancholy and disdain, your rage and sorrow... After a brief pause, she added, Your love and affection.
Reeling back as if physically struck, Rain blinked repeatedly and said nothing, which Lieutenant Masahige took as permission to say his piece. Fuck Watanabe, he said, quivering from head to toe with fear and excitement. If youve truly recovered, then you need to leave now before he acts. I dont know what hes planning, but I know it wont end well for you or yours, and I will no longer be a part of it. Spinning about on his heel, he drew his sword and held it to the neck of the man behind him, his arm shaking all the while. This one is Watanabes mouthpiece. I suggest we kill him before he Sends word.
Oh right... One with the Self was a part of Dastans personal Path, one unique to himself, Sahb, BoShui, and possibly Rain, though the latter never actually confirmed it. Still unconvinced, Rain shook his head and sighed. You might be on the right track, and I even theorized this might be possible, but... I dont think thats what happened here, for several reasons. Not just because Ghurda says she didnt sense a Domain, but also because theres a certain aspect regarding my Martial Path youre all unaware of, being that... well... I didnt Develop my Domain by becoming One with the World. I kinda... sorta... disassociated myself from the World, to put it politely.
What?
Faced with their incredulous stares, Rain deflated and reluctantly explained, The World was getting in my way, so I told it to fuck off and leave me alone. It worked. For a bit. Sorta. Maybe. I think. I dunno. I only had like a minute to play with my Domain after I was crippled, and I dont remember any of the more impressive parts.
Exchanging a helpless look with Ghurda and Nian Zu, Dastans spirits sank as they shook their heads, but at least he could feel better knowing these two Peak Expert were equally lost with regards to understanding Rains unique Path.
After a long, awkward pause, Song spoke for the first time this meeting. The gourd, she said, without further explanation.
And none was needed as Rains eyes lit up in comprehension. Of course! Why didnt I think of it sooner? Thank you Song, youre brilliant. Dont know what Id do without you.
Bristling with irrational jealousy, Dastan did his best not to glare at the half-cat or let his feelings show as he tried to follow along, but he wasnt the only one confused by their exchange. Well? Ghurda asked, while Nian Zu displayed a similar level of indignant impatience. Ye gonna explain or am I gonna need to wring it out of ye?
The gourd I drank, like a week or two ago. I dont remember. Obviously flustered, Rain rambled out an explanation which made little to no sense. See, I thought it was Chi-Water, like, water bound by Chi. Chi Tea, get it? But the Abbot has this whole thing about simplification and lack of labels and such, so he thought the Chi Tea was Heavenly Water by another name, and was convinced it would fix me if I drank it. I did and nothing happened, then I threw a tantrum about the waste, but now we know it did work, except it needed time, and now I owe him another apology. The Chi Tea must have cleansed all the Spectres inside me and left me a cache of Heavenly Energy to use, which is how I did the whole... Oration thing just now. The blood draining from his face, Rain grabbed his hair with both hands and whimpered quietly. Andddd not only did I just waste a metric shit-tonne of precious Heavenly Energy giving a speech, I also gave my last two gourds to GangShu and Guan Suo. Leaning over to bury his face in his mounts back, Rains incoherent screams were muffled by the beasts thick fur, but to Dastans ears, it sounded suspiciously like an endless repetition of, Fuck my life.
Longer and more drawn out of course, but given the circumstances, Dastan understood the sentiment.
...What Spectres? Nian Zu asked, and everyone looked away, Dastan included. Some secrets were not his to tell, and Rain was too immersed in self-pity to respond. What Heavenly Energy? Someone explain.
Luckily, Dastan was neither Oath-Sworn to the Living Legend or technically a soldier anymore, so he held his tongue and stared at his boots while Ghurda waved aside Nian Zus questions and watched Rain knock his head against Zabus back. After long seconds of awkward silence, Song moved to Rains side and offered him an awkward pat of the back before slipping a handkerchief between the quin and his face. Take care not to injure yourself, she said, and Rain froze in place, his lamentations falling silent in an instant.
...Holy shit, this doesnt hurt. Sitting up with a look of surprise, Rain patted his oily, but unmarked face and squinted at his hands. Theres no blood, he said. Am I bleeding?
Still staring at his boots, Dastan worried that the boss mightve snapped from this latest revelation. Dead pan as always, Song gave him a thorough inspection before stating, No, you are not bleeding.
Im not bleeding. Surprised by the delight in Rains voice, Dastan looked up to see him beaming from ear to ear. Im not bleeding, Rain repeated, before emitting a girlish squeal of glee and leaning back down to hug his quins torso. Im not bleeding, he said a third time, rubbing his cheek against his mounts dense fur while the creature squeaked in displeasure. Shaddup Zabu, I need this. Im not bleeding, Im not bleeding. The last was delivered in a sing-song voice, and after squeezing his quin one last time, Rain sat up and said, Okay. Lets get the battle over and done with so I can go back and hug the shit out of my pets.
Unsure how to respond, Dastan simply saluted and hurried back to his place on the wall while simultaneously trying to purge his memory of the last few minutes. Its not that he begrudged Falling Rain for his love of his animal, but there was something unsettling about the intense fervour he approached it with, almost with the same zealous passion the Shrike had for the Purge. Still, there were two facts no one could deny. One, Rains skin had toughened to the point where mere hair couldnt pierce it, and two, he was progressing towards a full recovery, perhaps much sooner than the many decades most expected.
Still... Even if his rehabilitation was slated for a matter of hours, Dastan wasnt sure if it would make a difference. Staring out at the massive Defiled army, he watched them move into formation to attack with a sinking stomach, for gathering directly across from him were no less than a dozen unnatural and formidable Demons led by none other than the giant, Water-Blessed behemoth which they met out on patrol.
Only this time, there was no Divinity to save them from the menacing Demon Rain had almost fondly dubbed, Pudge.
And with that thought, the Defiled let loose with an ear-shattering roar of challenge before setting the earth to shaking beneath their boots in their headlong charge towards Sinuji. Such was life, trials and tribulations without end, but the Mother always left a path to salvation, and Dastan was determined to find it today.
...In hindsight, perhaps his path to salvation wouldve been to swallow his pride and accept Ghurdas earlier orders to fall back.
Readers reactions
More reactions
Actual Chapter Meme
Chapter 529In the eyes of the Empire, Dastan Zhandos and his former retinue were souls doomed to serve out the rest of their lives as slaves, but while he couldnt speak for his comrades, Dastan saw his Oaths as less punishment and more an affirmation of faith.For his master, his hero, his friend Falling Rain, was none other than the Mothers Chosen Son, Her appointed servant who would lead the Azure Empire to victory against the Fathers foul minions.What better proof than what all of Sinuji just witnessed, for here and now on the cusp of battle, the Mother had finally seen fit to restore Her Champion to fighting form. The term miracle was often used far too casually for Dastans tastes, but how else could one describe tonights series of events? First, Falling Rain engineered an explosion of fiery death the likes of which the Empire had never before seen, so powerful it fooled an Enemy Divinity into taking action against them. Then, it was revealed that there were not one, not two, but three Imperial Divinities here in Sinuji to protect Her Chosen Son, an honour even the Emperor himself was only rarely afforded, though considering how His Imperial Majesty rarely left the safety of His Imperial Palace, His Imperial Dharma Protector was mostly there as a symbolic gesture rather than out of pressing need. And now, just as battle was about to be joined, Falling Rain revealed his recovery to all of Sinuji to raise their morale and remind everyone that no matter what calamity lay before them, the Mother always left a path to salvation.While all of Sinuji chanted for Gens death, Dastan marvelled at the meticulous planning which had gone into this stunning reveal. The conflagration explained why Rain had been so unconcerned by the million-strong army of Defiled marching towards them, for hed long since set a trap for Gen and his ruinous ilk. As for the trio of Divinities, Dastan attributed it more to fortuitous happenstance than careful planning, though Rain certainly took advantage where he could. To think, the scruffy, unkempt leader of the Protectorate was actually an Ancestral Beast hidden in plain sight, no doubt a secret, staunch ally of the Bekhai considering Guan Suos oh-so-talented daughter Sumila was being raised by Lieutenant General Akanai herself. GangShus appearance came as no surprise to Dastan, as the Ascendants status was an open secret ever since he revealed himself some six or so months ago, when he stepped in to save them from a powerful, Water-Blessed Demon they encountered while out on patrol. As for the Abbot of the Penitent Brotherhood, Dastan assumed such a lofty figure would be a powerful Martial Warrior to be reckoned with, but he hadnt expected the humble monk to be a human Divinity, the match of any Imperial Dharma Protector or Ancestral Beast and only a half-step away from true mastery of Balance.To think, this wrinkled, hairless, hunched-back monk could possibly become the first and only ever Ancestral Human in history, an all-powerful being capable of manipulating the raw Energy of the Heavens themselves.After Rain agreed to become a hostage so the gathered Divinities would feel safe enough to leave, Dastan desperately wanted to tag along as a guard, but he knew his limits. Despite so many weeks of training with his new Domain, he was still a long ways off from matching the likes of Emissary Gen, so he stood back and watched as Rain rode out atop his loyal and ferocious quin Zabu to meet with the heinous, half-Demon villain.Half-Demon. It sounded so strange to even think it, but such was the Emissary, an unholy amalgamation of flesh and Runic steel and formidable to the extreme, which made Rains courage all the more inspiring. Though frail and weak, the Mothers Chosen Son didnt flinch before his hated foe, and while there was no way to Listen in on their exchange, it was clear to anyone watching that Rain had gained the upper hand. What a sight to behold, the dangerous and daunting Emissary of Earths Fire balking before a gaunt and feeble cripple. Small wonder the coward Gen brought a million-strong army to Sinuji: he was worried anything less would result in failure, and in truth, it might very well have.Best of all, now Rain was crippled no more. Though still gaunt and feeble in appearance, he exuded grace, poise, and grandeur as he sat atop his quin and narrated his poignant experiences with his hated foe, an emotional tale which filled all who heard it with vim and vigour, though the audiences reaction did seem a tad overdone. Dastan figured it was because the soldiers of Sinuji recognized that they needed a boost to morale and seized upon Rains heartfelt, but rather uninspired tale. It seemed strange to know that the public face of the Enemy, this Emissary Gen, had betrayed humanity so easily, a weak-willed craven cur whod grown into the fearsome Defiled Champion he was today.Thankfully, the Empire had Falling Rain to depend upon once more, so all would be well.Marching to Rains side, Dastan stood at full attention and saluted, while the rest of his comrades followed suit. It will be an honour to fight at your side again, he said, trembling with emotion and anticipation. Your presence on the battlefield has been sorely missed.Expecting a quiet smile and a snarky quip, Dastans grin melted away as Rain raised an eyebrow and uttered, Say what now? Unsure how to proceed, Dastan simply repeated his statement verbatim and prayed this was all one of Rains strange jokes. Unfortunately, the eyebrow remained raised as he said, Uh... Sorry, but... not sure how you havent noticed, but Ive been crippled for many months now. Cant really fight by your side today. Leaning over to peer into Dastans eyes, he asked, Are you feeling okay, Dastan? Did... Did Gen work some sort of mind magic or something? Can you tell me todays date?Leave him be boy. Though the gruff woman came to his defence, Dastan didnt appreciate Ghurdas tone or how roughly she handled Rain, all but dragging him back into an upright position. Be straight with me now, she said, peering suspiciously at the Mothers Chosen Son, still towering over his mounted form despite standing on two feet. How longve you been better and whyve you been keepin it secret?What in the fu Clearing his throat over the sound of Ghurdas chest-shaking growl, Rain smoothed out his sleeves and said, I have no idea what youre talking about Ghurda. What do you mean better? I guess I get a little better every day, but its hardly worth reporting. Woo-hoo, I can walk around without feeling like Im gonna die. Id hardly call that a secret....Yer serious. It wasnt so much a question as it was a statement, though Ghurda herself barely sounded like she believed it. Mother in Heaven, yer dead serious. Ye didnt know. Ye still dont.And Id be much obliged if youd clue me in.Are ye daft, boy? As much as Dastan respected Rain, he couldnt help but wonder the same as Ghurda wildly gestured around them. Ye hear that? All of Sinuji be cheerin fer yer speech.Yea... so? Still clueless and confused, Rain glanced at Dastan and raised his eyebrow ever so slightly to subtly ask if he was the only one who didnt understand, but Dastan was too shocked to respond.This dont strike you as odd? Ghurda asked, her voice strained and frustration mounting. Howd they all hear you good enough to cheer fer ye?Theyre soldiers, Ghurda, Rain replied, with all the patience of a man speaking with a beloved fool. If one starts cheering about killing Defiled, the rest will join in.Oh Mother in Heaven, grant yer child the patience and restraint required not to smother this idiot before me. Taking a deep breath after her muttered prayer, Ghurda exhaled slowly before taking Rain by both shoulders and leaning over to look him straight in the eyes. You. Infuriating. Boy. Did ye not feel it? Yer story, soon as ye started telling it, ye began projecting it fer all of Sinuji to hear. It wasnt Speaking, but something different, like ye were Sending to every living being around you while speaking in a normal tone. Straightening up, the hulking half-bear added, Ye were using Chi, boy. In more ways than one.Ever the skeptic, Rain glanced around again for confirmation and found every soldier in earshot nodding to corroborate Ghurdas explanation. Your words, Song said, chiming in to convince Rain. They were laced with... emotion, and I... I believe I felt what you felt as you told your tale. Your melancholy and disdain, your rage and sorrow... After a brief pause, she added, Your love and affection.Reeling back as if physically struck, Rain blinked repeatedly and said nothing, which Lieutenant Masahige took as permission to say his piece. Fuck Watanabe, he said, quivering from head to toe with fear and excitement. If youve truly recovered, then you need to leave now before he acts. I dont know what hes planning, but I know it wont end well for you or yours, and I will no longer be a part of it. Spinning about on his heel, he drew his sword and held it to the neck of the man behind him, his arm shaking all the while. This one is Watanabes mouthpiece. I suggest we kill him before he Sends word.Oh right... One with the Self was a part of Dastans personal Path, one unique to himself, Sahb, BoShui, and possibly Rain, though the latter never actually confirmed it. Still unconvinced, Rain shook his head and sighed. You might be on the right track, and I even theorized this might be possible, but... I dont think thats what happened here, for several reasons. Not just because Ghurda says she didnt sense a Domain, but also because theres a certain aspect regarding my Martial Path youre all unaware of, being that... well... I didnt Develop my Domain by becoming One with the World. I kinda... sorta... disassociated myself from the World, to put it politely.What?Faced with their incredulous stares, Rain deflated and reluctantly explained, The World was getting in my way, so I told it to fuck off and leave me alone. It worked. For a bit. Sorta. Maybe. I think. I dunno. I only had like a minute to play with my Domain after I was crippled, and I dont remember any of the more impressive parts.Exchanging a helpless look with Ghurda and Nian Zu, Dastans spirits sank as they shook their heads, but at least he could feel better knowing these two Peak Expert were equally lost with regards to understanding Rains unique Path.After a long, awkward pause, Song spoke for the first time this meeting. The gourd, she said, without further explanation.And none was needed as Rains eyes lit up in comprehension. Of course! Why didnt I think of it sooner? Thank you Song, youre brilliant. Dont know what Id do without you.Bristling with irrational jealousy, Dastan did his best not to glare at the half-cat or let his feelings show as he tried to follow along, but he wasnt the only one confused by their exchange. Well? Ghurda asked, while Nian Zu displayed a similar level of indignant impatience. Ye gonna explain or am I gonna need to wring it out of ye?The gourd I drank, like a week or two ago. I dont remember. Obviously flustered, Rain rambled out an explanation which made little to no sense. See, I thought it was Chi-Water, like, water bound by Chi. Chi Tea, get it? But the Abbot has this whole thing about simplification and lack of labels and such, so he thought the Chi Tea was Heavenly Water by another name, and was convinced it would fix me if I drank it. I did and nothing happened, then I threw a tantrum about the waste, but now we know it did work, except it needed time, and now I owe him another apology. The Chi Tea must have cleansed all the Spectres inside me and left me a cache of Heavenly Energy to use, which is how I did the whole... Oration thing just now. The blood draining from his face, Rain grabbed his hair with both hands and whimpered quietly. Andddd not only did I just waste a metric shit-tonne of precious Heavenly Energy giving a speech, I also gave my last two gourds to GangShu and Guan Suo. Leaning over to bury his face in his mounts back, Rains incoherent screams were muffled by the beasts thick fur, but to Dastans ears, it sounded suspiciously like an endless repetition of, Fuck my life.Longer and more drawn out of course, but given the circumstances, Dastan understood the sentiment....What Spectres? Nian Zu asked, and everyone looked away, Dastan included. Some secrets were not his to tell, and Rain was too immersed in self-pity to respond. What Heavenly Energy? Someone explain.Luckily, Dastan was neither Oath-Sworn to the Living Legend or technically a soldier anymore, so he held his tongue and stared at his boots while Ghurda waved aside Nian Zus questions and watched Rain knock his head against Zabus back. After long seconds of awkward silence, Song moved to Rains side and offered him an awkward pat of the back before slipping a handkerchief between the quin and his face. Take care not to injure yourself, she said, and Rain froze in place, his lamentations falling silent in an instant....Holy shit, this doesnt hurt. Sitting up with a look of surprise, Rain patted his oily, but unmarked face and squinted at his hands. Theres no blood, he said. Am I bleeding?Still staring at his boots, Dastan worried that the boss mightve snapped from this latest revelation. Dead pan as always, Song gave him a thorough inspection before stating, No, you are not bleeding.Im not bleeding. Surprised by the delight in Rains voice, Dastan looked up to see him beaming from ear to ear. Im not bleeding, Rain repeated, before emitting a girlish squeal of glee and leaning back down to hug his quins torso. Im not bleeding, he said a third time, rubbing his cheek against his mounts dense fur while the creature squeaked in displeasure. Shaddup Zabu, I need this. Im not bleeding, Im not bleeding. The last was delivered in a sing-song voice, and after squeezing his quin one last time, Rain sat up and said, Okay. Lets get the battle over and done with so I can go back and hug the shit out of my pets.Unsure how to respond, Dastan simply saluted and hurried back to his place on the wall while simultaneously trying to purge his memory of the last few minutes. Its not that he begrudged Falling Rain for his love of his animal, but there was something unsettling about the intense fervour he approached it with, almost with the same zealous passion the Shrike had for the Purge. Still, there were two facts no one could deny. One, Rains skin had toughened to the point where mere hair couldnt pierce it, and two, he was progressing towards a full recovery, perhaps much sooner than the many decades most expected.Still... Even if his rehabilitation was slated for a matter of hours, Dastan wasnt sure if it would make a difference. Staring out at the massive Defiled army, he watched them move into formation to attack with a sinking stomach, for gathering directly across from him were no less than a dozen unnatural and formidable Demons led by none other than the giant, Water-Blessed behemoth which they met out on patrol.Only this time, there was no Divinity to save them from the menacing Demon Rain had almost fondly dubbed, Pudge.And with that thought, the Defiled let loose with an ear-shattering roar of challenge before setting the earth to shaking beneath their boots in their headlong charge towards Sinuji. Such was life, trials and tribulations without end, but the Mother always left a path to salvation, and Dastan was determined to find it today....In hindsight, perhaps his path to salvation wouldve been to swallow his pride and accept Ghurdas earlier orders to fall back.Readers reactionsMore reactionsActual Chapter Meme
