Chapter 668
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Chapter 668
Wraiths.
Why did it have to be Wraiths?
Of all the Fathers foul minions, Nian Zu hated Wraiths the most. Over his long years of service, hed come close to death more times than he cared to count, and most of those close shaves were made at the business end of a poisoned Wraith dagger. They were not the strongest foes one might face, nor were they particularly effective considering how often their attacks ended in failure, but their tactics were aggravating to defend against and occupied precious man-power that could be better utilized. They were cowards and opportunists, lurking in shadows to prey upon unsuspecting foes, and despite their low chance of success, they made up for this through volume of attacks. Hed lost many a friend and comrade to their contemptibly craven ways, and the aftermath was never pleasant to look upon. To date, the worst scene of carnage Nian Zu ever had the misfortune to walk into was a successful raid on a hospital tent, when the Enemy Wraith snuck into the Citadel during a long, drawn out battle and targeted a hospital tent hours after hostilities ceased.
Wounded soldiers and fatigued Healers, these were their targets of choice. Wraiths were no hunters or killers, but scavengers and opportunists. A pox on them all, and a pox on the Father for giving life to these foul miscreations.
Ordinarily, once the advantage of surprise was lost, the Wraiths made for easy targets, as few were capable of Concealing themselves from Domain. This bunch didnt even bother maintaining their Concealment, charging in as bold as could be once their presence was made known due to Yukuns last second warning, one Sent to bypass the Sound Barrier they had in place. Were it not for his timely message, the Wraiths might well have succeeded here today, but Nian Zu seized the initiative and launched an attack before the would-be assassins were in place. Still, caution prevailed above all else when dealing with these slippery assassins, so Nian Zu deployed his Domain to keep track of his foe despite seeing the Wraiths eyes widen in shock before him, a pale, pasty figure garbed in dark, satiny Western robes charging headlong into the fray.
A good thing too, for even as Nian Zus mace caved in his assailants skull, his Domain billowed out and uncovered nine more killers closing in around him.
Seven now, as Rang Min and Gerel took action, their longswords piercing through their chosen targets with startling speed. Though Nian Zu dispatched his foe first, this was due to the difference in weapon alone, for his mace hung freely upon his sash while their longswords were kept sheathed to one side, and thus required more time to draw and attack. Both men surpassed Nian Zu in terms of hand and foot speed however, so they had no issue responding to the second wave of attackers, while Nian Zu used the time he earned from his faster kill to raise the alarm and put his gift from Baatar to use for the very first time.nove(l)bi(n.)com
Wraiths in the Citadel! All stations on alert! Wraiths in the Citadel!
A blur of motion and a glint of light, these were the adversaries Nian Zu faced, stealthy creatures of air and shadow. Were it not for the chorus of chimes ringing off his new Runic shield, he might have wondered if his eyes were playing tricks on him, but no. The Enemy was here and intent on claiming his life, but Nian Zu would not sell it so cheaply. There was no need to speak or Send with his allies as they split the opponents between them, with Nian Zu charging forward to take three for himself while Rang Min and Gerel engaged two each on the flanks. Alas, given their relative starting positions, this meant crossing paths with his old nemesis and keeping Rang Min to his right, which gave the former Patriarch a tempting target if he should choose to take it. Thankfully, they were all too busy with their respective enemies to entertain thoughts of double dealing, and for all his flaws, Rang Min was not a man known for killing people in the dark.
No, when he had someone killed, he liked to make a public spectacle of things and rarely ever got his own hands dirty. That was simply his style, and it was an effective one at that, else he would not have survived as Situ Clan Patriarch for so long.
Putting aside his reservations, Nian Zu used his Runic shield to maximum effect and relied on honed intuition and innate Domain to track his foes positions. Having coveted one since seeing young Rain present four shields to Legate Shen ZhenWu, the long wait finally came to an end this past new years celebration when Baatar presented him with a gorgeous Runic Shield on behalf of his barely functioning son. Crafted by the multi-talented Medical Saint, these items were in extremely short supply, not only because of limited materials, but also because the Medical Saint could not be bothered to put much time into making them, unless it was for Falling Rains direct benefit. Though more than willing to outfit most of the boys elites with shields, the eccentric half-hare threw a fit when Baatar suggested they gift one to Nian Zu. It took an entire year to convince the Medical Saint otherwise, but it was well worth the wait. A rounded targe-style shield that measured a full meter in diameter, the massive Runic item covered more than a third of Nian Zus towering frame even without crouching and left precious few targets for opponents attacking from the left, allowing him to all but disregard them as he advanced upon his foes. Contrary to what most Warriors might think, the key to defeating Wraiths was to close in fast and kill them as quickly as possible, as their strength, speed, and skill left much to be desired. Surprise was their greatest weapon, with poison coming in next, but what few understood was that their third and fourth hidden weapons were patience and cunning.
The first few Wraiths had revealed themselves so as to distract Nian Zu from the second wave. Who knew if there was a third, fourth, or fifth wave of assassins already moving into place? Best to finish this quick and check on Yukun and the other guards outside, though he feared the worst considering they had yet to make an appearance.
Seizing the opportunity as it presented itself, Nian Zu broke formation and bull-rushed the two leftmost Wraiths with his shield while swinging his mace at the one on his right. Confident of killing his foe should the Wraith try to block, he tracked his ethereal foe with his Domain and readied to change course to follow his targets inevitable dodge, but then something inexplicable happened before his very eyes. The doomed Wraith split into two no, four separate forms, separate and distinct shadowy figures each in possession of their own Domains that scattered off in four directions, and for the life of him, Nian Zu could not pick one to follow. His mace swung through empty air as the four apparitions rallied for their counter, leaving him rushing to recover and come up with a move to protect him against all four.
How was this possible? Were there four Wraiths moving as one? Why would they even do such a thing?
These were the thoughts running through Nian Zus mind as he calmly picked out the best route of defence. Parry the rightmost Wraiths low attack and follow through with a block on the one to the left, then counterattack the middle two to force them away. His mace moved without conscious direction to execute his will, the actions ingrained in muscle memory from a long lifetime of diligent practice, yet nothing he ever encountered before prepared him for what came next. As his mace swept low to intercept the Wraiths blade, his weapon passed harmlessly through his foes as if it were made of mist and light. So unexpected, Nian Zu experienced a momentary flash of panic as he unconsciously dodged the incoming attack before registering what happened, thereby ruining his entire plan and allowing the other three attacks through.
A quick jerk of his shield kept him safe from harm, but to his surprise, he only registered one impact when there should have been three. The relief was momentary as he sensed the other initial two Wraiths split into eight and launch their attacks from a myriad of angles, and were it not for the shields coverage, Gerel advancing on the left, and the limited space inside Yuzhens office, Nian Zu might well have taken an injury from the Wraiths poisoned blades. Already having some sense of his cunning foes game, he kept track of the impacts registering against his shield and figured out their trick. There are only seven Wraiths, he shouted, blocking a flurry of attacks as all three of them were driven back. It is a trick of Concealment and Domain.
Those were all the words he could squeeze out before being forced to focus on his opponents once more, for even his impenetrable Runic shield was not immune to the effects of natural law. The flurry of attacks were not the strongest hed weathered, but they were not so insignificant as he would have expected from mere Wraiths. Though hed heard tales of Runic items capable of blunting the effects of direct impacts, these shields were the Medical Saints first foray into Runic Inscription and lacked anything besides the most basic effects. The shield would negate Amplifications to some extent and remain virtually indestructible so long as the wielder had enough Chi to supply it, but there was no innate Deflection or dampening effect against impacts, and none of the flashier effects a Runic Craftsman like OuYang Yuhuan could craft. Still an impressive offering for the Medical Saints first Runic Inscription, especially considering OuYang YuSheng, Patriarch of his Clan and Yuhuans beloved younger brother, was still working on small rings and basic helmets despite years of personal lessons from his talented older sister.
Growling in frustration, Nian Zu sought out an opening amidst the swarm of shadowy apparitions arrayed against him. Were it not for his allies and Yuzhen behind him, he might well have admitted defeat and fled to fight another day. It was almost embarrassing to be pushed this hard by mere Wraiths, who were rarely all that skilled in actual combat, but these foes were unlike any hed ever faced before. No, strike that, for hed seen something like this before, when facing off against the Confessor in Fort Sinuji. Concealment was generally used to direct attention away from a subject, but the Confessor had somehow almost used the skill in reverse, drawing Nian Zus attention to arm and hand movements that werent really there. These Wraiths were doing the same thing, only on a much larger scale, launching a dizzying array of illusory attacks to feint and disorient their targets. Nian Zu had been able to see through the Confessors movements with relative ease, as the torturer only Concealed his arm movements while leaving his bodys posture uncovered, but these Wraiths were masters of Concealment and created shadowy duplicates of themselves that moved in ways indistinguishable from the original. This left him unable to differentiate reality from illusion through Domain alone, for each illusory foe also possessed their own distinct Domain.
Now this was a trick worth learning, something even Warriors of the Empire could use to good effect. Though these damnable bastards were only of middling strength, their speed was respectable and their tricks infuriating to go against. Three foes were simple enough to keep track of, but twelve? His eyes were even less than useless, an actual hindrance in this battle as his body reacted to sight despite knowing what he saw wasnt real. Their flurry of movements overwhelmed his mind and left him helpless to act as he scrambled to block illusory attacks and make up for inadvertently exposed openings to the real Wraiths. At this rate, it would only be a matter of time before one of those poisoned daggers nicked flesh and set off a chain of events that would lead to his death.
Thankfully, they only had one blade each, else Nian Zu would be at a loss to block all their possible attacks, for even with his beloved Runic Shield, there was no way to guard high, low, left, and right all at the same time. Thankfully, his allies were a capable pair and helped guard his flanks, allowing him to press forward once more and in turn take pressure off them. By protecting his front and leaving his sides exposed, he wanted to draw the Wraiths in to attack and expose them to Gerel and Rang Mins longswords, both of which possessed enough range to engage their foes without too much risk, an advantage Nian Zus weapon lacked. A defensive centre and offensive flankers, this was a tried and true tactic that scaled well no matter the number of combatants involved, one which they all fell into without need for orders or conversation. It felt strange to rely on his oldest and most hated foe to keep him safe, but war and politics made for strange bedfellows, as Du Yi used to always say.
The incidental reminder of his lost love and the nostalgia of fighting in close quarters reminded Nian Zu of a different time, an earlier time when he was still several decades removed from becoming a Colonel General. When first signing on for a fifty year term with the Imperial Army, it seemed like a noble and glorious endeavour, but at thirty four years of age, he had long since regretted the decision. His age only hammered home how much longer he had to serve, for he would be sixty-eight when his term of service came to an end, and the realization that he would be twice his current age at retirement was a harsh one indeed. It came hot on the heels of his promotion to Major, one he believed was long overdue, and in truth, it was, because the Society had made it so. Having been betrayed by family, Clan, and Society, Nian Zu trusted nothing and no one, for even supposed friends could turn into deadly enemies once money and politics entered the mix. As such, Nian Zu had never taken a Mentor, not after uncovering two would-be prospects whod been sent by his enemies to ruin him, and thus could only rely upon himself to progress along the Martial Path.
Not a problem for Nian Zu, at least not until recently. Others called him a prodigious talent, but he never bought into it and worked harder than any three of his peers combined. For this, the Mother Above rewarded his efforts with Insights aplenty. Core Creation had come easily to him, like learning how to breathe in a different, yet wholly natural way, and after signing his life away to the Imperial Army, he quickly moved up the ranks thanks to his many high-profile duels against Society adherents and speedy progress through the Martial milestones. Aura Condensation and Natal Palace Formation were both easily achieved, to the point where he hardly even remembered how it happened anymore, for success had arrived as naturally as facial hair upon his chin or swelling muscles along his frame, just another facet of his life as a Martial Warrior.
And so, when he encountered his first bottleneck in Domain Development, a term he had never even heard of at the time, it left him at a loss on how to proceed.
While there were rumours aplenty regarding Auras and Natal Palaces, there wasnt much publicly known about the next milestone, so he suffered through two years without significant progress which sent him spiralling into depression. Hardly surprising considering the Martial Path was all he had, for he lived an empty, meaningless life devoid of joy and good company. By day, he served on the Wall and duelled when the occasion demanded it, and by night, he trained alone in a bastion occupied by half a million soldiers, admired by some, mocked by others, and shunned by all who were wary of the Societys long reach. He had peers and subordinates, but no friends, lovers, or even comrades in arms, a quiet, lonely existence in which he played his part and did nothing else. Not a problem so long as he lived in the moment, caring not where he was headed or what goals he hoped to achieve as he proceeded ever forward without aim or direction.
And then after two years of stagnation, he was finally promoted to Major alongside several of his peers, people he thought hed left far behind but were now hot on his heels and threats to be wary of.
Thus, the veil lifted on the Societys long con, for they left Nian Zu to run free and his reputation to grow while delaying his promotion so that his well-instructed peers would have more time to catch up. Now when they defeated him, they would prove the Societys superiority, for while Nian Zus talent allowed him to stand out as a youth, without the Society to nurture him, he was nothing more than a rose stuck in dog-shit. His promotion had been delayed because the Imperial Army only fostered Major-level talents, for junior officers were all too readily available. As a Major, however, he was finally given access to the information he needed to progress along the Martial Path, since increased Martial Strength was a requirement for further promotion. In the official paperwork that came along with his new rank, there was a caveat that he could only keep his rank if he was able to Develop a Domain, which was actually Nian Zus first time ever seeing these words used in reference to the Martial Path.
And thus the Society bought their sons and daughter time while delaying Nian Zus progress along the Martial Path.
Though he despaired over all the wasted time, he did not give up hope, for according to a helpful hint from his immediate commander, Feng Dao De, Nian Zu would have never been cleared for promotion if he hadnt already shown signs of a Developing Domain. Granted, the older Warrior had helped move things along, not because he wanted to help Nian Zu in particular, but because he believed a soldiers contributions merited reward, else it was bad for overall troop morale. Thus, on the older Warriors advice, Nian Zu made a trip to the Northern Walls library to borrow all manner of literature, most of which touched upon the subject of becoming One with the World. The library was well-frequented by many adherents of the Society and lackies hoping to curry favour by bothering Nian Zu, so he spent most of his time in a dingy, run-down bar known for watering down their drinks and keeping the dining room well-lit long into the night.
Thankfully, the Royal Guardians protecting the Imperial Scions were more than up to the task, else the Emperor might take umbrage at Nian Zus failure to protect them. They came under heavy attack as well, but theyd been playing Mah Jong together and thus were easily secured. Why all four were in the Northern Citadel, he did not know nor did they care to say, only that they had a meeting with Consort Zheng Luo that had been delayed by Falling Rains unexpected recovery.
Over the next half day, Nian Zus people clashed directly with the Wraiths on five more occasions, three of those attacks led by Akanai herself. Considering her formidable strength and ability to match the monstrous Bai Qi in single combat, Akanai was high on the list of assets to protect, but the woman refused to hide in a box and wait for death. Instead, she set out to hunt the Wraiths using herself as bait, with her elite Khishig guards proving themselves more than a match for their foes. These were not the leather-clad, bow wielding, quin-riding Khishigs Nian Zu was familiar with, but a small, elite group of veiled Warriors whose origins he was uncertain of. Gerel was no help there, simply shrugging when asked and saying nothing more, and even Yuzhen was of no help here. He wont even tell me, she Sent, and Nian Zu detected a hint of petulance in her voice. Du Yi had spoiled her rotten, and it would have been a miracle if she turned out even half as competent as she did, but somehow she managed to exceed all expectations. I believe theyre independent from the Bekhai, she continued, unwilling to let secrets lie, And only loosely associated with the Khishigs. I would look to the Medical Saint for answers, as I suspect he is their tie to the Bekhai, but this is only my personal conjecture.
Despite Akanais heroic efforts, Nian Zus tally of the dead grew as the hours passed by, and still the Enemy forces had yet to be caught. It wasnt until mid-afternoon that he finally felt confident enough to call off the search, but not before ordering his people to remain under heavy guard at all times. It was only then that he had time to consider the implications, sitting behind Yuzhens desk with Akanai across from him. This morning you claimed the boy came under attack from Wraiths, he began, drumming his fingers across the desk in barely concealed unease. Is it possible these attacks were carried out by the survivors?
Not only possible, I would say it is likely. Seeming utterly at ease and unperturbed by the attacks, Akanai looked none the worse for wear after a long days work. The woman was something else, and hed long since petitioned to have her raised to the rank of Colonel General, but the matter was out of his hands. The Emperors Seal was required in order to appoint anyone to the rank of General Officer, meaning Major Generals and higher, but the Imperial Clan cut off all communications after Legate Shen ZhenWus injury and Yang Jixings death. No doubt they were still discussing how to best discipline their barbarian subjects, but Nian Zu cared little for what the Imperial Clan thought about them so long as the promised coin kept coming. The Outer Provinces would have long since beggared themselves paying for the Western Wall and the soldiers to defend it, though according to Yuzhen, the future looked promising as these investments began paying dividends, especially after Falling Rain cut out so many middlemen by populating the border with millions of working class families.
Nian Zu was stalling for time, letting his mind wander because he did not want to have this difficult conversation, but there was nothing to be done about it. The words had to be said, and from the looks of things, Akanai knew it as well. If this is the case, he began, wishing hed asked Yuzhen for help choosing his words, just like he used to ask Du Yi, Then how is it Rain still draws breath?
Thankfully, Akanai was a frank and forthright woman who took no offence at his straightforward question. I asked myself the same question and can only hope it is because he was stronger than they were.
Stronger than twenty-six confirmed Wraiths?
At least forty, she corrected, looking both sickly and proud at the same time. We assumed he killed between seven to ten Wraiths out by the district, but that was before we knew these Wraiths carried only one blade each. Now we can assume he killed at least fourteen, as that is the number of unique shattered blades we uncovered, and we know there were more on scene to remove the bodies.
Fourteen of the elite Wraiths Nian Zu just fought... three were enough to give him trouble, so how could Rain, even a version of him capable of slipping past his guards unseen and unleashing the Mountain Collapsing Stomp, manage against fourteen, much less a combined forty? The boy had a proven knack for seeing through Concealment, but even this couldnt make up for a vast disparity in strength. At least now we know why they removed the bodies. These killers looked no different from a regular Imperial Warrior, and couldve simply strolled through the gates in plain view to avoid the patrols of Experts on high alert for Concealed individuals. Had Akanai warned them in advance, Nian Zu might have been able to keep these Wraiths from entering as easily as they did, since they had measures in place to prevent infiltration as well.
Enough of this dancing about, Akanai said, shaking Nian Zu from his thoughts. Speak your mind and be done with it.
It was easy to forget he was speaking to a senior, rather than a fresh faced girl only a little older than Yuzhen. Feng Dao De would have liked Akanai, though perhaps a little too much considering the old goat was survived by twelve wives and forty children. Are we certain, he Sent, resisting the urge to cradle his Runic Shield, The Wraiths Rain fought were there to kill him?
His injuries would support that theory, she Sent, not at all put off by what Nian Zu was suggesting, meaning she had already considered it herself. The boy took several near fatal wounds, and might well have died if he wasnt so proficient at Healing. Im told that hes been out of sorts all day, ambling about in a waking fugue and barely responding to commands, but hes acting with agency and ate quite the hearty breakfast and lunch as well, though that means little considering how healthy his appetite was yesterday.
So we have a recently recovered Rain who is strong enough to single-handedly see off a forty Wraith attack, only for the survivors to run rampant in the Citadel. Heaving a sigh mid-Sending, he shook his head and added, You understand how this looks?
Indeed. I too fear that the boy has turned or worse. Perhaps the Wraiths were sent there to collect him, much like the enemy has been collecting Demons and other Defiled talents.
How could anything be worse than turning Defiled? Stifling the urge to ask, Nian Zu stayed on point and Sent, You fear. Not feared. So you have yet to clear him? And still let him wander about free? Sometimes, he questioned the wisdom of the Bekhai and their ways, but it worked for them thus far and he could only pray it would continue working for the interim.
...I cannot say for certain, she began, her tone cautiously optimistic, But I believe it is still Rain in there, the same boy the pup brought home from the mines. What this means for us, I am not sure, but... I have faith in him, and believe he would never hurt the people he loves and cares about.
Then I hope your faith is well placed. For if Falling Rain had turned Defiled, then the Empire might well be on its last legs.
The office door opened and an Imperial Messenger entered, his chest heaving with exertion from the journey as he knelt and bowed his head. Though hed left orders not to be disturbed, the Imperial Messenger arrived bearing a scroll sealed with the emergency signet, which meant he carried news of the utmost importance. Dismissing the Sound Barrier around them, Nian Zu came to his feet and prompted the Messenger to speak. Suihua Harbour has come under heavy attack and Brigadier Zheng He requests reinforcements.
Damn it all to hell. The Wraiths were a precursor to an attack, one meant to knock him off guard. Send word to Major General Han BoHai, he commanded, even while Sending to the man himself. Lacking the necessary details, he frowned at the still kneeling Messenger and said, The scroll, if you will?
By your command, General.
That was all the warning he had, a single slip of the tongue, for Imperial Messengers spoke with the Emperors voice and would never lower His status by answering in so servile a manner. Leaping back as the blade slashed through empty air, Nian Zu drew his mace and flung it underhanded into his assailant's chest, an attack which landed just as the disguised Wraiths head toppled off his neck. Barely able to keep his jaws closed, he nodded at Akanai in thanks, for even if he hadnt noticed the slip, she had matters well in hand.
Two more debts hed incurred today, different from the ones laid at the Enemys feet, but just as important he pay them back.
Grimacing as he picked up the discarded scroll, he inspected the seal and read the contents with a scowl. The Messenger was a Wraith, but the armour, banner, and message are all real. The harbour has truly come under attack, and now I must wonder if any other Imperial Messengers bearing vital news were also intercepted.
After a short pause, Akanai responded to the rhetorical question. Unsure, but there are attacks being carried out all along the Western Border even as we speak, small Defiled raiding parties looking to slip through and cause chaos. In answer to the unasked question, she shrugged and Sent, I set up a Khishig Sending line as soon as I arrived last year. One can never be too careful when it comes to military intelligence.
Making the woman a Colonel General would be a disservice to her skills, not just her foresight, but the sheer loyalty she inspired in her Martial Warriors. Even Nian Zu himself would be hard pressed to find enough Sending capable Warriors willing to take a post as boring and unrewarding as relay Sender, but alas, the Empire had no higher rank to offer her. Your insight and advice would be appreciated in these troubling times, he said, acknowledging her as his intellectual superior for the first time ever. Pulling out a map of the Western Border, he held it out for Akanai to inspect and said, If you would be so kind as to mark down the locations of each attack?
Despite a long and stressful day spent hunting Wraiths, Nian Zus work was not yet done, for the Enemy was on the offensive once more. There would be bloody days ahead, but this meant there would be plenty of opportunities to collect on his debts and interest to boot. The mystery of Falling Rain would have to wait, but so long as the boy didnt try to seize control of the defences using his Office of Legate, Nian Zu supposed it would be fine to sit and wait.
After all, there were many reasons why he couldnt simply order the boy killed, the least of which was because he really didnt want it to come to this. Like Akanai, he also had faith in Falling Rain, for Nian Zu truly believed that boy was the Chosen Son of the Mother Above.
And if he had truly turned against them, then the Mother might well have forsaken them all...
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Chapter 668
Wraiths.
Why did it have to be Wraiths?
Of all the Fathers foul minions, Nian Zu hated Wraiths the most. Over his long years of service, hed come close to death more times than he cared to count, and most of those close shaves were made at the business end of a poisoned Wraith dagger. They were not the strongest foes one might face, nor were they particularly effective considering how often their attacks ended in failure, but their tactics were aggravating to defend against and occupied precious man-power that could be better utilized. They were cowards and opportunists, lurking in shadows to prey upon unsuspecting foes, and despite their low chance of success, they made up for this through volume of attacks. Hed lost many a friend and comrade to their contemptibly craven ways, and the aftermath was never pleasant to look upon. To date, the worst scene of carnage Nian Zu ever had the misfortune to walk into was a successful raid on a hospital tent, when the Enemy Wraith snuck into the Citadel during a long, drawn out battle and targeted a hospital tent hours after hostilities ceased.
Wounded soldiers and fatigued Healers, these were their targets of choice. Wraiths were no hunters or killers, but scavengers and opportunists. A pox on them all, and a pox on the Father for giving life to these foul miscreations.
Ordinarily, once the advantage of surprise was lost, the Wraiths made for easy targets, as few were capable of Concealing themselves from Domain. This bunch didnt even bother maintaining their Concealment, charging in as bold as could be once their presence was made known due to Yukuns last second warning, one Sent to bypass the Sound Barrier they had in place. Were it not for his timely message, the Wraiths might well have succeeded here today, but Nian Zu seized the initiative and launched an attack before the would-be assassins were in place. Still, caution prevailed above all else when dealing with these slippery assassins, so Nian Zu deployed his Domain to keep track of his foe despite seeing the Wraiths eyes widen in shock before him, a pale, pasty figure garbed in dark, satiny Western robes charging headlong into the fray.
A good thing too, for even as Nian Zus mace caved in his assailants skull, his Domain billowed out and uncovered nine more killers closing in around him.
Seven now, as Rang Min and Gerel took action, their longswords piercing through their chosen targets with startling speed. Though Nian Zu dispatched his foe first, this was due to the difference in weapon alone, for his mace hung freely upon his sash while their longswords were kept sheathed to one side, and thus required more time to draw and attack. Both men surpassed Nian Zu in terms of hand and foot speed however, so they had no issue responding to the second wave of attackers, while Nian Zu used the time he earned from his faster kill to raise the alarm and put his gift from Baatar to use for the very first time.nove(l)bi(n.)com
Wraiths in the Citadel! All stations on alert! Wraiths in the Citadel!
A blur of motion and a glint of light, these were the adversaries Nian Zu faced, stealthy creatures of air and shadow. Were it not for the chorus of chimes ringing off his new Runic shield, he might have wondered if his eyes were playing tricks on him, but no. The Enemy was here and intent on claiming his life, but Nian Zu would not sell it so cheaply. There was no need to speak or Send with his allies as they split the opponents between them, with Nian Zu charging forward to take three for himself while Rang Min and Gerel engaged two each on the flanks. Alas, given their relative starting positions, this meant crossing paths with his old nemesis and keeping Rang Min to his right, which gave the former Patriarch a tempting target if he should choose to take it. Thankfully, they were all too busy with their respective enemies to entertain thoughts of double dealing, and for all his flaws, Rang Min was not a man known for killing people in the dark.
No, when he had someone killed, he liked to make a public spectacle of things and rarely ever got his own hands dirty. That was simply his style, and it was an effective one at that, else he would not have survived as Situ Clan Patriarch for so long.
Putting aside his reservations, Nian Zu used his Runic shield to maximum effect and relied on honed intuition and innate Domain to track his foes positions. Having coveted one since seeing young Rain present four shields to Legate Shen ZhenWu, the long wait finally came to an end this past new years celebration when Baatar presented him with a gorgeous Runic Shield on behalf of his barely functioning son. Crafted by the multi-talented Medical Saint, these items were in extremely short supply, not only because of limited materials, but also because the Medical Saint could not be bothered to put much time into making them, unless it was for Falling Rains direct benefit. Though more than willing to outfit most of the boys elites with shields, the eccentric half-hare threw a fit when Baatar suggested they gift one to Nian Zu. It took an entire year to convince the Medical Saint otherwise, but it was well worth the wait. A rounded targe-style shield that measured a full meter in diameter, the massive Runic item covered more than a third of Nian Zus towering frame even without crouching and left precious few targets for opponents attacking from the left, allowing him to all but disregard them as he advanced upon his foes. Contrary to what most Warriors might think, the key to defeating Wraiths was to close in fast and kill them as quickly as possible, as their strength, speed, and skill left much to be desired. Surprise was their greatest weapon, with poison coming in next, but what few understood was that their third and fourth hidden weapons were patience and cunning.
The first few Wraiths had revealed themselves so as to distract Nian Zu from the second wave. Who knew if there was a third, fourth, or fifth wave of assassins already moving into place? Best to finish this quick and check on Yukun and the other guards outside, though he feared the worst considering they had yet to make an appearance.
Seizing the opportunity as it presented itself, Nian Zu broke formation and bull-rushed the two leftmost Wraiths with his shield while swinging his mace at the one on his right. Confident of killing his foe should the Wraith try to block, he tracked his ethereal foe with his Domain and readied to change course to follow his targets inevitable dodge, but then something inexplicable happened before his very eyes. The doomed Wraith split into two no, four separate forms, separate and distinct shadowy figures each in possession of their own Domains that scattered off in four directions, and for the life of him, Nian Zu could not pick one to follow. His mace swung through empty air as the four apparitions rallied for their counter, leaving him rushing to recover and come up with a move to protect him against all four.
How was this possible? Were there four Wraiths moving as one? Why would they even do such a thing?
These were the thoughts running through Nian Zus mind as he calmly picked out the best route of defence. Parry the rightmost Wraiths low attack and follow through with a block on the one to the left, then counterattack the middle two to force them away. His mace moved without conscious direction to execute his will, the actions ingrained in muscle memory from a long lifetime of diligent practice, yet nothing he ever encountered before prepared him for what came next. As his mace swept low to intercept the Wraiths blade, his weapon passed harmlessly through his foes as if it were made of mist and light. So unexpected, Nian Zu experienced a momentary flash of panic as he unconsciously dodged the incoming attack before registering what happened, thereby ruining his entire plan and allowing the other three attacks through.
A quick jerk of his shield kept him safe from harm, but to his surprise, he only registered one impact when there should have been three. The relief was momentary as he sensed the other initial two Wraiths split into eight and launch their attacks from a myriad of angles, and were it not for the shields coverage, Gerel advancing on the left, and the limited space inside Yuzhens office, Nian Zu might well have taken an injury from the Wraiths poisoned blades. Already having some sense of his cunning foes game, he kept track of the impacts registering against his shield and figured out their trick. There are only seven Wraiths, he shouted, blocking a flurry of attacks as all three of them were driven back. It is a trick of Concealment and Domain.
Those were all the words he could squeeze out before being forced to focus on his opponents once more, for even his impenetrable Runic shield was not immune to the effects of natural law. The flurry of attacks were not the strongest hed weathered, but they were not so insignificant as he would have expected from mere Wraiths. Though hed heard tales of Runic items capable of blunting the effects of direct impacts, these shields were the Medical Saints first foray into Runic Inscription and lacked anything besides the most basic effects. The shield would negate Amplifications to some extent and remain virtually indestructible so long as the wielder had enough Chi to supply it, but there was no innate Deflection or dampening effect against impacts, and none of the flashier effects a Runic Craftsman like OuYang Yuhuan could craft. Still an impressive offering for the Medical Saints first Runic Inscription, especially considering OuYang YuSheng, Patriarch of his Clan and Yuhuans beloved younger brother, was still working on small rings and basic helmets despite years of personal lessons from his talented older sister.
Growling in frustration, Nian Zu sought out an opening amidst the swarm of shadowy apparitions arrayed against him. Were it not for his allies and Yuzhen behind him, he might well have admitted defeat and fled to fight another day. It was almost embarrassing to be pushed this hard by mere Wraiths, who were rarely all that skilled in actual combat, but these foes were unlike any hed ever faced before. No, strike that, for hed seen something like this before, when facing off against the Confessor in Fort Sinuji. Concealment was generally used to direct attention away from a subject, but the Confessor had somehow almost used the skill in reverse, drawing Nian Zus attention to arm and hand movements that werent really there. These Wraiths were doing the same thing, only on a much larger scale, launching a dizzying array of illusory attacks to feint and disorient their targets. Nian Zu had been able to see through the Confessors movements with relative ease, as the torturer only Concealed his arm movements while leaving his bodys posture uncovered, but these Wraiths were masters of Concealment and created shadowy duplicates of themselves that moved in ways indistinguishable from the original. This left him unable to differentiate reality from illusion through Domain alone, for each illusory foe also possessed their own distinct Domain.
Now this was a trick worth learning, something even Warriors of the Empire could use to good effect. Though these damnable bastards were only of middling strength, their speed was respectable and their tricks infuriating to go against. Three foes were simple enough to keep track of, but twelve? His eyes were even less than useless, an actual hindrance in this battle as his body reacted to sight despite knowing what he saw wasnt real. Their flurry of movements overwhelmed his mind and left him helpless to act as he scrambled to block illusory attacks and make up for inadvertently exposed openings to the real Wraiths. At this rate, it would only be a matter of time before one of those poisoned daggers nicked flesh and set off a chain of events that would lead to his death.
Thankfully, they only had one blade each, else Nian Zu would be at a loss to block all their possible attacks, for even with his beloved Runic Shield, there was no way to guard high, low, left, and right all at the same time. Thankfully, his allies were a capable pair and helped guard his flanks, allowing him to press forward once more and in turn take pressure off them. By protecting his front and leaving his sides exposed, he wanted to draw the Wraiths in to attack and expose them to Gerel and Rang Mins longswords, both of which possessed enough range to engage their foes without too much risk, an advantage Nian Zus weapon lacked. A defensive centre and offensive flankers, this was a tried and true tactic that scaled well no matter the number of combatants involved, one which they all fell into without need for orders or conversation. It felt strange to rely on his oldest and most hated foe to keep him safe, but war and politics made for strange bedfellows, as Du Yi used to always say.
The incidental reminder of his lost love and the nostalgia of fighting in close quarters reminded Nian Zu of a different time, an earlier time when he was still several decades removed from becoming a Colonel General. When first signing on for a fifty year term with the Imperial Army, it seemed like a noble and glorious endeavour, but at thirty four years of age, he had long since regretted the decision. His age only hammered home how much longer he had to serve, for he would be sixty-eight when his term of service came to an end, and the realization that he would be twice his current age at retirement was a harsh one indeed. It came hot on the heels of his promotion to Major, one he believed was long overdue, and in truth, it was, because the Society had made it so. Having been betrayed by family, Clan, and Society, Nian Zu trusted nothing and no one, for even supposed friends could turn into deadly enemies once money and politics entered the mix. As such, Nian Zu had never taken a Mentor, not after uncovering two would-be prospects whod been sent by his enemies to ruin him, and thus could only rely upon himself to progress along the Martial Path.
Not a problem for Nian Zu, at least not until recently. Others called him a prodigious talent, but he never bought into it and worked harder than any three of his peers combined. For this, the Mother Above rewarded his efforts with Insights aplenty. Core Creation had come easily to him, like learning how to breathe in a different, yet wholly natural way, and after signing his life away to the Imperial Army, he quickly moved up the ranks thanks to his many high-profile duels against Society adherents and speedy progress through the Martial milestones. Aura Condensation and Natal Palace Formation were both easily achieved, to the point where he hardly even remembered how it happened anymore, for success had arrived as naturally as facial hair upon his chin or swelling muscles along his frame, just another facet of his life as a Martial Warrior.
And so, when he encountered his first bottleneck in Domain Development, a term he had never even heard of at the time, it left him at a loss on how to proceed.
While there were rumours aplenty regarding Auras and Natal Palaces, there wasnt much publicly known about the next milestone, so he suffered through two years without significant progress which sent him spiralling into depression. Hardly surprising considering the Martial Path was all he had, for he lived an empty, meaningless life devoid of joy and good company. By day, he served on the Wall and duelled when the occasion demanded it, and by night, he trained alone in a bastion occupied by half a million soldiers, admired by some, mocked by others, and shunned by all who were wary of the Societys long reach. He had peers and subordinates, but no friends, lovers, or even comrades in arms, a quiet, lonely existence in which he played his part and did nothing else. Not a problem so long as he lived in the moment, caring not where he was headed or what goals he hoped to achieve as he proceeded ever forward without aim or direction.
And then after two years of stagnation, he was finally promoted to Major alongside several of his peers, people he thought hed left far behind but were now hot on his heels and threats to be wary of.
Thus, the veil lifted on the Societys long con, for they left Nian Zu to run free and his reputation to grow while delaying his promotion so that his well-instructed peers would have more time to catch up. Now when they defeated him, they would prove the Societys superiority, for while Nian Zus talent allowed him to stand out as a youth, without the Society to nurture him, he was nothing more than a rose stuck in dog-shit. His promotion had been delayed because the Imperial Army only fostered Major-level talents, for junior officers were all too readily available. As a Major, however, he was finally given access to the information he needed to progress along the Martial Path, since increased Martial Strength was a requirement for further promotion. In the official paperwork that came along with his new rank, there was a caveat that he could only keep his rank if he was able to Develop a Domain, which was actually Nian Zus first time ever seeing these words used in reference to the Martial Path.
And thus the Society bought their sons and daughter time while delaying Nian Zus progress along the Martial Path.
Though he despaired over all the wasted time, he did not give up hope, for according to a helpful hint from his immediate commander, Feng Dao De, Nian Zu would have never been cleared for promotion if he hadnt already shown signs of a Developing Domain. Granted, the older Warrior had helped move things along, not because he wanted to help Nian Zu in particular, but because he believed a soldiers contributions merited reward, else it was bad for overall troop morale. Thus, on the older Warriors advice, Nian Zu made a trip to the Northern Walls library to borrow all manner of literature, most of which touched upon the subject of becoming One with the World. The library was well-frequented by many adherents of the Society and lackies hoping to curry favour by bothering Nian Zu, so he spent most of his time in a dingy, run-down bar known for watering down their drinks and keeping the dining room well-lit long into the night.
Thankfully, the Royal Guardians protecting the Imperial Scions were more than up to the task, else the Emperor might take umbrage at Nian Zus failure to protect them. They came under heavy attack as well, but theyd been playing Mah Jong together and thus were easily secured. Why all four were in the Northern Citadel, he did not know nor did they care to say, only that they had a meeting with Consort Zheng Luo that had been delayed by Falling Rains unexpected recovery.
Over the next half day, Nian Zus people clashed directly with the Wraiths on five more occasions, three of those attacks led by Akanai herself. Considering her formidable strength and ability to match the monstrous Bai Qi in single combat, Akanai was high on the list of assets to protect, but the woman refused to hide in a box and wait for death. Instead, she set out to hunt the Wraiths using herself as bait, with her elite Khishig guards proving themselves more than a match for their foes. These were not the leather-clad, bow wielding, quin-riding Khishigs Nian Zu was familiar with, but a small, elite group of veiled Warriors whose origins he was uncertain of. Gerel was no help there, simply shrugging when asked and saying nothing more, and even Yuzhen was of no help here. He wont even tell me, she Sent, and Nian Zu detected a hint of petulance in her voice. Du Yi had spoiled her rotten, and it would have been a miracle if she turned out even half as competent as she did, but somehow she managed to exceed all expectations. I believe theyre independent from the Bekhai, she continued, unwilling to let secrets lie, And only loosely associated with the Khishigs. I would look to the Medical Saint for answers, as I suspect he is their tie to the Bekhai, but this is only my personal conjecture.
Despite Akanais heroic efforts, Nian Zus tally of the dead grew as the hours passed by, and still the Enemy forces had yet to be caught. It wasnt until mid-afternoon that he finally felt confident enough to call off the search, but not before ordering his people to remain under heavy guard at all times. It was only then that he had time to consider the implications, sitting behind Yuzhens desk with Akanai across from him. This morning you claimed the boy came under attack from Wraiths, he began, drumming his fingers across the desk in barely concealed unease. Is it possible these attacks were carried out by the survivors?
Not only possible, I would say it is likely. Seeming utterly at ease and unperturbed by the attacks, Akanai looked none the worse for wear after a long days work. The woman was something else, and hed long since petitioned to have her raised to the rank of Colonel General, but the matter was out of his hands. The Emperors Seal was required in order to appoint anyone to the rank of General Officer, meaning Major Generals and higher, but the Imperial Clan cut off all communications after Legate Shen ZhenWus injury and Yang Jixings death. No doubt they were still discussing how to best discipline their barbarian subjects, but Nian Zu cared little for what the Imperial Clan thought about them so long as the promised coin kept coming. The Outer Provinces would have long since beggared themselves paying for the Western Wall and the soldiers to defend it, though according to Yuzhen, the future looked promising as these investments began paying dividends, especially after Falling Rain cut out so many middlemen by populating the border with millions of working class families.
Nian Zu was stalling for time, letting his mind wander because he did not want to have this difficult conversation, but there was nothing to be done about it. The words had to be said, and from the looks of things, Akanai knew it as well. If this is the case, he began, wishing hed asked Yuzhen for help choosing his words, just like he used to ask Du Yi, Then how is it Rain still draws breath?
Thankfully, Akanai was a frank and forthright woman who took no offence at his straightforward question. I asked myself the same question and can only hope it is because he was stronger than they were.
Stronger than twenty-six confirmed Wraiths?
At least forty, she corrected, looking both sickly and proud at the same time. We assumed he killed between seven to ten Wraiths out by the district, but that was before we knew these Wraiths carried only one blade each. Now we can assume he killed at least fourteen, as that is the number of unique shattered blades we uncovered, and we know there were more on scene to remove the bodies.
Fourteen of the elite Wraiths Nian Zu just fought... three were enough to give him trouble, so how could Rain, even a version of him capable of slipping past his guards unseen and unleashing the Mountain Collapsing Stomp, manage against fourteen, much less a combined forty? The boy had a proven knack for seeing through Concealment, but even this couldnt make up for a vast disparity in strength. At least now we know why they removed the bodies. These killers looked no different from a regular Imperial Warrior, and couldve simply strolled through the gates in plain view to avoid the patrols of Experts on high alert for Concealed individuals. Had Akanai warned them in advance, Nian Zu might have been able to keep these Wraiths from entering as easily as they did, since they had measures in place to prevent infiltration as well.
Enough of this dancing about, Akanai said, shaking Nian Zu from his thoughts. Speak your mind and be done with it.
It was easy to forget he was speaking to a senior, rather than a fresh faced girl only a little older than Yuzhen. Feng Dao De would have liked Akanai, though perhaps a little too much considering the old goat was survived by twelve wives and forty children. Are we certain, he Sent, resisting the urge to cradle his Runic Shield, The Wraiths Rain fought were there to kill him?
His injuries would support that theory, she Sent, not at all put off by what Nian Zu was suggesting, meaning she had already considered it herself. The boy took several near fatal wounds, and might well have died if he wasnt so proficient at Healing. Im told that hes been out of sorts all day, ambling about in a waking fugue and barely responding to commands, but hes acting with agency and ate quite the hearty breakfast and lunch as well, though that means little considering how healthy his appetite was yesterday.
So we have a recently recovered Rain who is strong enough to single-handedly see off a forty Wraith attack, only for the survivors to run rampant in the Citadel. Heaving a sigh mid-Sending, he shook his head and added, You understand how this looks?
Indeed. I too fear that the boy has turned or worse. Perhaps the Wraiths were sent there to collect him, much like the enemy has been collecting Demons and other Defiled talents.
How could anything be worse than turning Defiled? Stifling the urge to ask, Nian Zu stayed on point and Sent, You fear. Not feared. So you have yet to clear him? And still let him wander about free? Sometimes, he questioned the wisdom of the Bekhai and their ways, but it worked for them thus far and he could only pray it would continue working for the interim.
...I cannot say for certain, she began, her tone cautiously optimistic, But I believe it is still Rain in there, the same boy the pup brought home from the mines. What this means for us, I am not sure, but... I have faith in him, and believe he would never hurt the people he loves and cares about.
Then I hope your faith is well placed. For if Falling Rain had turned Defiled, then the Empire might well be on its last legs.
The office door opened and an Imperial Messenger entered, his chest heaving with exertion from the journey as he knelt and bowed his head. Though hed left orders not to be disturbed, the Imperial Messenger arrived bearing a scroll sealed with the emergency signet, which meant he carried news of the utmost importance. Dismissing the Sound Barrier around them, Nian Zu came to his feet and prompted the Messenger to speak. Suihua Harbour has come under heavy attack and Brigadier Zheng He requests reinforcements.
Damn it all to hell. The Wraiths were a precursor to an attack, one meant to knock him off guard. Send word to Major General Han BoHai, he commanded, even while Sending to the man himself. Lacking the necessary details, he frowned at the still kneeling Messenger and said, The scroll, if you will?
By your command, General.
That was all the warning he had, a single slip of the tongue, for Imperial Messengers spoke with the Emperors voice and would never lower His status by answering in so servile a manner. Leaping back as the blade slashed through empty air, Nian Zu drew his mace and flung it underhanded into his assailant's chest, an attack which landed just as the disguised Wraiths head toppled off his neck. Barely able to keep his jaws closed, he nodded at Akanai in thanks, for even if he hadnt noticed the slip, she had matters well in hand.
Two more debts hed incurred today, different from the ones laid at the Enemys feet, but just as important he pay them back.
Grimacing as he picked up the discarded scroll, he inspected the seal and read the contents with a scowl. The Messenger was a Wraith, but the armour, banner, and message are all real. The harbour has truly come under attack, and now I must wonder if any other Imperial Messengers bearing vital news were also intercepted.
After a short pause, Akanai responded to the rhetorical question. Unsure, but there are attacks being carried out all along the Western Border even as we speak, small Defiled raiding parties looking to slip through and cause chaos. In answer to the unasked question, she shrugged and Sent, I set up a Khishig Sending line as soon as I arrived last year. One can never be too careful when it comes to military intelligence.
Making the woman a Colonel General would be a disservice to her skills, not just her foresight, but the sheer loyalty she inspired in her Martial Warriors. Even Nian Zu himself would be hard pressed to find enough Sending capable Warriors willing to take a post as boring and unrewarding as relay Sender, but alas, the Empire had no higher rank to offer her. Your insight and advice would be appreciated in these troubling times, he said, acknowledging her as his intellectual superior for the first time ever. Pulling out a map of the Western Border, he held it out for Akanai to inspect and said, If you would be so kind as to mark down the locations of each attack?
Despite a long and stressful day spent hunting Wraiths, Nian Zus work was not yet done, for the Enemy was on the offensive once more. There would be bloody days ahead, but this meant there would be plenty of opportunities to collect on his debts and interest to boot. The mystery of Falling Rain would have to wait, but so long as the boy didnt try to seize control of the defences using his Office of Legate, Nian Zu supposed it would be fine to sit and wait.
After all, there were many reasons why he couldnt simply order the boy killed, the least of which was because he really didnt want it to come to this. Like Akanai, he also had faith in Falling Rain, for Nian Zu truly believed that boy was the Chosen Son of the Mother Above.
And if he had truly turned against them, then the Mother might well have forsaken them all...
Chapter Meme
Chapter 668Wraiths.Why did it have to be Wraiths?Of all the Fathers foul minions, Nian Zu hated Wraiths the most. Over his long years of service, hed come close to death more times than he cared to count, and most of those close shaves were made at the business end of a poisoned Wraith dagger. They were not the strongest foes one might face, nor were they particularly effective considering how often their attacks ended in failure, but their tactics were aggravating to defend against and occupied precious man-power that could be better utilized. They were cowards and opportunists, lurking in shadows to prey upon unsuspecting foes, and despite their low chance of success, they made up for this through volume of attacks. Hed lost many a friend and comrade to their contemptibly craven ways, and the aftermath was never pleasant to look upon. To date, the worst scene of carnage Nian Zu ever had the misfortune to walk into was a successful raid on a hospital tent, when the Enemy Wraith snuck into the Citadel during a long, drawn out battle and targeted a hospital tent hours after hostilities ceased.Wounded soldiers and fatigued Healers, these were their targets of choice. Wraiths were no hunters or killers, but scavengers and opportunists. A pox on them all, and a pox on the Father for giving life to these foul miscreations.Ordinarily, once the advantage of surprise was lost, the Wraiths made for easy targets, as few were capable of Concealing themselves from Domain. This bunch didnt even bother maintaining their Concealment, charging in as bold as could be once their presence was made known due to Yukuns last second warning, one Sent to bypass the Sound Barrier they had in place. Were it not for his timely message, the Wraiths might well have succeeded here today, but Nian Zu seized the initiative and launched an attack before the would-be assassins were in place. Still, caution prevailed above all else when dealing with these slippery assassins, so Nian Zu deployed his Domain to keep track of his foe despite seeing the Wraiths eyes widen in shock before him, a pale, pasty figure garbed in dark, satiny Western robes charging headlong into the fray.A good thing too, for even as Nian Zus mace caved in his assailants skull, his Domain billowed out and uncovered nine more killers closing in around him.Seven now, as Rang Min and Gerel took action, their longswords piercing through their chosen targets with startling speed. Though Nian Zu dispatched his foe first, this was due to the difference in weapon alone, for his mace hung freely upon his sash while their longswords were kept sheathed to one side, and thus required more time to draw and attack. Both men surpassed Nian Zu in terms of hand and foot speed however, so they had no issue responding to the second wave of attackers, while Nian Zu used the time he earned from his faster kill to raise the alarm and put his gift from Baatar to use for the very first time.novelbin.comWraiths in the Citadel! All stations on alert! Wraiths in the Citadel!A blur of motion and a glint of light, these were the adversaries Nian Zu faced, stealthy creatures of air and shadow. Were it not for the chorus of chimes ringing off his new Runic shield, he might have wondered if his eyes were playing tricks on him, but no. The Enemy was here and intent on claiming his life, but Nian Zu would not sell it so cheaply. There was no need to speak or Send with his allies as they split the opponents between them, with Nian Zu charging forward to take three for himself while Rang Min and Gerel engaged two each on the flanks. Alas, given their relative starting positions, this meant crossing paths with his old nemesis and keeping Rang Min to his right, which gave the former Patriarch a tempting target if he should choose to take it. Thankfully, they were all too busy with their respective enemies to entertain thoughts of double dealing, and for all his flaws, Rang Min was not a man known for killing people in the dark.No, when he had someone killed, he liked to make a public spectacle of things and rarely ever got his own hands dirty. That was simply his style, and it was an effective one at that, else he would not have survived as Situ Clan Patriarch for so long.Putting aside his reservations, Nian Zu used his Runic shield to maximum effect and relied on honed intuition and innate Domain to track his foes positions. Having coveted one since seeing young Rain present four shields to Legate Shen ZhenWu, the long wait finally came to an end this past new years celebration when Baatar presented him with a gorgeous Runic Shield on behalf of his barely functioning son. Crafted by the multi-talented Medical Saint, these items were in extremely short supply, not only because of limited materials, but also because the Medical Saint could not be bothered to put much time into making them, unless it was for Falling Rains direct benefit. Though more than willing to outfit most of the boys elites with shields, the eccentric half-hare threw a fit when Baatar suggested they gift one to Nian Zu. It took an entire year to convince the Medical Saint otherwise, but it was well worth the wait. A rounded targe-style shield that measured a full meter in diameter, the massive Runic item covered more than a third of Nian Zus towering frame even without crouching and left precious few targets for opponents attacking from the left, allowing him to all but disregard them as he advanced upon his foes. Contrary to what most Warriors might think, the key to defeating Wraiths was to close in fast and kill them as quickly as possible, as their strength, speed, and skill left much to be desired. Surprise was their greatest weapon, with poison coming in next, but what few understood was that their third and fourth hidden weapons were patience and cunning.The first few Wraiths had revealed themselves so as to distract Nian Zu from the second wave. Who knew if there was a third, fourth, or fifth wave of assassins already moving into place? Best to finish this quick and check on Yukun and the other guards outside, though he feared the worst considering they had yet to make an appearance.Seizing the opportunity as it presented itself, Nian Zu broke formation and bull-rushed the two leftmost Wraiths with his shield while swinging his mace at the one on his right. Confident of killing his foe should the Wraith try to block, he tracked his ethereal foe with his Domain and readied to change course to follow his targets inevitable dodge, but then something inexplicable happened before his very eyes. The doomed Wraith split into two no, four separate forms, separate and distinct shadowy figures each in possession of their own Domains that scattered off in four directions, and for the life of him, Nian Zu could not pick one to follow. His mace swung through empty air as the four apparitions rallied for their counter, leaving him rushing to recover and come up with a move to protect him against all four.How was this possible? Were there four Wraiths moving as one? Why would they even do such a thing?These were the thoughts running through Nian Zus mind as he calmly picked out the best route of defence. Parry the rightmost Wraiths low attack and follow through with a block on the one to the left, then counterattack the middle two to force them away. His mace moved without conscious direction to execute his will, the actions ingrained in muscle memory from a long lifetime of diligent practice, yet nothing he ever encountered before prepared him for what came next. As his mace swept low to intercept the Wraiths blade, his weapon passed harmlessly through his foes as if it were made of mist and light. So unexpected, Nian Zu experienced a momentary flash of panic as he unconsciously dodged the incoming attack before registering what happened, thereby ruining his entire plan and allowing the other three attacks through.A quick jerk of his shield kept him safe from harm, but to his surprise, he only registered one impact when there should have been three. The relief was momentary as he sensed the other initial two Wraiths split into eight and launch their attacks from a myriad of angles, and were it not for the shields coverage, Gerel advancing on the left, and the limited space inside Yuzhens office, Nian Zu might well have taken an injury from the Wraiths poisoned blades. Already having some sense of his cunning foes game, he kept track of the impacts registering against his shield and figured out their trick. There are only seven Wraiths, he shouted, blocking a flurry of attacks as all three of them were driven back. It is a trick of Concealment and Domain.Those were all the words he could squeeze out before being forced to focus on his opponents once more, for even his impenetrable Runic shield was not immune to the effects of natural law. The flurry of attacks were not the strongest hed weathered, but they were not so insignificant as he would have expected from mere Wraiths. Though hed heard tales of Runic items capable of blunting the effects of direct impacts, these shields were the Medical Saints first foray into Runic Inscription and lacked anything besides the most basic effects. The shield would negate Amplifications to some extent and remain virtually indestructible so long as the wielder had enough Chi to supply it, but there was no innate Deflection or dampening effect against impacts, and none of the flashier effects a Runic Craftsman like OuYang Yuhuan could craft. Still an impressive offering for the Medical Saints first Runic Inscription, especially considering OuYang YuSheng, Patriarch of his Clan and Yuhuans beloved younger brother, was still working on small rings and basic helmets despite years of personal lessons from his talented older sister.Growling in frustration, Nian Zu sought out an opening amidst the swarm of shadowy apparitions arrayed against him. Were it not for his allies and Yuzhen behind him, he might well have admitted defeat and fled to fight another day. It was almost embarrassing to be pushed this hard by mere Wraiths, who were rarely all that skilled in actual combat, but these foes were unlike any hed ever faced before. No, strike that, for hed seen something like this before, when facing off against the Confessor in Fort Sinuji. Concealment was generally used to direct attention away from a subject, but the Confessor had somehow almost used the skill in reverse, drawing Nian Zus attention to arm and hand movements that werent really there. These Wraiths were doing the same thing, only on a much larger scale, launching a dizzying array of illusory attacks to feint and disorient their targets. Nian Zu had been able to see through the Confessors movements with relative ease, as the torturer only Concealed his arm movements while leaving his bodys posture uncovered, but these Wraiths were masters of Concealment and created shadowy duplicates of themselves that moved in ways indistinguishable from the original. This left him unable to differentiate reality from illusion through Domain alone, for each illusory foe also possessed their own distinct Domain.Now this was a trick worth learning, something even Warriors of the Empire could use to good effect. Though these damnable bastards were only of middling strength, their speed was respectable and their tricks infuriating to go against. Three foes were simple enough to keep track of, but twelve? His eyes were even less than useless, an actual hindrance in this battle as his body reacted to sight despite knowing what he saw wasnt real. Their flurry of movements overwhelmed his mind and left him helpless to act as he scrambled to block illusory attacks and make up for inadvertently exposed openings to the real Wraiths. At this rate, it would only be a matter of time before one of those poisoned daggers nicked flesh and set off a chain of events that would lead to his death.Thankfully, they only had one blade each, else Nian Zu would be at a loss to block all their possible attacks, for even with his beloved Runic Shield, there was no way to guard high, low, left, and right all at the same time. Thankfully, his allies were a capable pair and helped guard his flanks, allowing him to press forward once more and in turn take pressure off them. By protecting his front and leaving his sides exposed, he wanted to draw the Wraiths in to attack and expose them to Gerel and Rang Mins longswords, both of which possessed enough range to engage their foes without too much risk, an advantage Nian Zus weapon lacked. A defensive centre and offensive flankers, this was a tried and true tactic that scaled well no matter the number of combatants involved, one which they all fell into without need for orders or conversation. It felt strange to rely on his oldest and most hated foe to keep him safe, but war and politics made for strange bedfellows, as Du Yi used to always say.The incidental reminder of his lost love and the nostalgia of fighting in close quarters reminded Nian Zu of a different time, an earlier time when he was still several decades removed from becoming a Colonel General. When first signing on for a fifty year term with the Imperial Army, it seemed like a noble and glorious endeavour, but at thirty four years of age, he had long since regretted the decision. His age only hammered home how much longer he had to serve, for he would be sixty-eight when his term of service came to an end, and the realization that he would be twice his current age at retirement was a harsh one indeed. It came hot on the heels of his promotion to Major, one he believed was long overdue, and in truth, it was, because the Society had made it so. Having been betrayed by family, Clan, and Society, Nian Zu trusted nothing and no one, for even supposed friends could turn into deadly enemies once money and politics entered the mix. As such, Nian Zu had never taken a Mentor, not after uncovering two would-be prospects whod been sent by his enemies to ruin him, and thus could only rely upon himself to progress along the Martial Path.Not a problem for Nian Zu, at least not until recently. Others called him a prodigious talent, but he never bought into it and worked harder than any three of his peers combined. For this, the Mother Above rewarded his efforts with Insights aplenty. Core Creation had come easily to him, like learning how to breathe in a different, yet wholly natural way, and after signing his life away to the Imperial Army, he quickly moved up the ranks thanks to his many high-profile duels against Society adherents and speedy progress through the Martial milestones. Aura Condensation and Natal Palace Formation were both easily achieved, to the point where he hardly even remembered how it happened anymore, for success had arrived as naturally as facial hair upon his chin or swelling muscles along his frame, just another facet of his life as a Martial Warrior.And so, when he encountered his first bottleneck in Domain Development, a term he had never even heard of at the time, it left him at a loss on how to proceed.While there were rumours aplenty regarding Auras and Natal Palaces, there wasnt much publicly known about the next milestone, so he suffered through two years without significant progress which sent him spiralling into depression. Hardly surprising considering the Martial Path was all he had, for he lived an empty, meaningless life devoid of joy and good company. By day, he served on the Wall and duelled when the occasion demanded it, and by night, he trained alone in a bastion occupied by half a million soldiers, admired by some, mocked by others, and shunned by all who were wary of the Societys long reach. He had peers and subordinates, but no friends, lovers, or even comrades in arms, a quiet, lonely existence in which he played his part and did nothing else. Not a problem so long as he lived in the moment, caring not where he was headed or what goals he hoped to achieve as he proceeded ever forward without aim or direction.And then after two years of stagnation, he was finally promoted to Major alongside several of his peers, people he thought hed left far behind but were now hot on his heels and threats to be wary of.Thus, the veil lifted on the Societys long con, for they left Nian Zu to run free and his reputation to grow while delaying his promotion so that his well-instructed peers would have more time to catch up. Now when they defeated him, they would prove the Societys superiority, for while Nian Zus talent allowed him to stand out as a youth, without the Society to nurture him, he was nothing more than a rose stuck in dog-shit. His promotion had been delayed because the Imperial Army only fostered Major-level talents, for junior officers were all too readily available. As a Major, however, he was finally given access to the information he needed to progress along the Martial Path, since increased Martial Strength was a requirement for further promotion. In the official paperwork that came along with his new rank, there was a caveat that he could only keep his rank if he was able to Develop a Domain, which was actually Nian Zus first time ever seeing these words used in reference to the Martial Path.And thus the Society bought their sons and daughter time while delaying Nian Zus progress along the Martial Path.Though he despaired over all the wasted time, he did not give up hope, for according to a helpful hint from his immediate commander, Feng Dao De, Nian Zu would have never been cleared for promotion if he hadnt already shown signs of a Developing Domain. Granted, the older Warrior had helped move things along, not because he wanted to help Nian Zu in particular, but because he believed a soldiers contributions merited reward, else it was bad for overall troop morale. Thus, on the older Warriors advice, Nian Zu made a trip to the Northern Walls library to borrow all manner of literature, most of which touched upon the subject of becoming One with the World. The library was well-frequented by many adherents of the Society and lackies hoping to curry favour by bothering Nian Zu, so he spent most of his time in a dingy, run-down bar known for watering down their drinks and keeping the dining room well-lit long into the night.Thankfully, the Royal Guardians protecting the Imperial Scions were more than up to the task, else the Emperor might take umbrage at Nian Zus failure to protect them. They came under heavy attack as well, but theyd been playing Mah Jong together and thus were easily secured. Why all four were in the Northern Citadel, he did not know nor did they care to say, only that they had a meeting with Consort Zheng Luo that had been delayed by Falling Rains unexpected recovery.Over the next half day, Nian Zus people clashed directly with the Wraiths on five more occasions, three of those attacks led by Akanai herself. Considering her formidable strength and ability to match the monstrous Bai Qi in single combat, Akanai was high on the list of assets to protect, but the woman refused to hide in a box and wait for death. Instead, she set out to hunt the Wraiths using herself as bait, with her elite Khishig guards proving themselves more than a match for their foes. These were not the leather-clad, bow wielding, quin-riding Khishigs Nian Zu was familiar with, but a small, elite group of veiled Warriors whose origins he was uncertain of. Gerel was no help there, simply shrugging when asked and saying nothing more, and even Yuzhen was of no help here. He wont even tell me, she Sent, and Nian Zu detected a hint of petulance in her voice. Du Yi had spoiled her rotten, and it would have been a miracle if she turned out even half as competent as she did, but somehow she managed to exceed all expectations. I believe theyre independent from the Bekhai, she continued, unwilling to let secrets lie, And only loosely associated with the Khishigs. I would look to the Medical Saint for answers, as I suspect he is their tie to the Bekhai, but this is only my personal conjecture.Despite Akanais heroic efforts, Nian Zus tally of the dead grew as the hours passed by, and still the Enemy forces had yet to be caught. It wasnt until mid-afternoon that he finally felt confident enough to call off the search, but not before ordering his people to remain under heavy guard at all times. It was only then that he had time to consider the implications, sitting behind Yuzhens desk with Akanai across from him. This morning you claimed the boy came under attack from Wraiths, he began, drumming his fingers across the desk in barely concealed unease. Is it possible these attacks were carried out by the survivors?Not only possible, I would say it is likely. Seeming utterly at ease and unperturbed by the attacks, Akanai looked none the worse for wear after a long days work. The woman was something else, and hed long since petitioned to have her raised to the rank of Colonel General, but the matter was out of his hands. The Emperors Seal was required in order to appoint anyone to the rank of General Officer, meaning Major Generals and higher, but the Imperial Clan cut off all communications after Legate Shen ZhenWus injury and Yang Jixings death. No doubt they were still discussing how to best discipline their barbarian subjects, but Nian Zu cared little for what the Imperial Clan thought about them so long as the promised coin kept coming. The Outer Provinces would have long since beggared themselves paying for the Western Wall and the soldiers to defend it, though according to Yuzhen, the future looked promising as these investments began paying dividends, especially after Falling Rain cut out so many middlemen by populating the border with millions of working class families.Nian Zu was stalling for time, letting his mind wander because he did not want to have this difficult conversation, but there was nothing to be done about it. The words had to be said, and from the looks of things, Akanai knew it as well. If this is the case, he began, wishing hed asked Yuzhen for help choosing his words, just like he used to ask Du Yi, Then how is it Rain still draws breath?Thankfully, Akanai was a frank and forthright woman who took no offence at his straightforward question. I asked myself the same question and can only hope it is because he was stronger than they were.Stronger than twenty-six confirmed Wraiths?At least forty, she corrected, looking both sickly and proud at the same time. We assumed he killed between seven to ten Wraiths out by the district, but that was before we knew these Wraiths carried only one blade each. Now we can assume he killed at least fourteen, as that is the number of unique shattered blades we uncovered, and we know there were more on scene to remove the bodies.Fourteen of the elite Wraiths Nian Zu just fought... three were enough to give him trouble, so how could Rain, even a version of him capable of slipping past his guards unseen and unleashing the Mountain Collapsing Stomp, manage against fourteen, much less a combined forty? The boy had a proven knack for seeing through Concealment, but even this couldnt make up for a vast disparity in strength. At least now we know why they removed the bodies. These killers looked no different from a regular Imperial Warrior, and couldve simply strolled through the gates in plain view to avoid the patrols of Experts on high alert for Concealed individuals. Had Akanai warned them in advance, Nian Zu might have been able to keep these Wraiths from entering as easily as they did, since they had measures in place to prevent infiltration as well.Enough of this dancing about, Akanai said, shaking Nian Zu from his thoughts. Speak your mind and be done with it.It was easy to forget he was speaking to a senior, rather than a fresh faced girl only a little older than Yuzhen. Feng Dao De would have liked Akanai, though perhaps a little too much considering the old goat was survived by twelve wives and forty children. Are we certain, he Sent, resisting the urge to cradle his Runic Shield, The Wraiths Rain fought were there to kill him?His injuries would support that theory, she Sent, not at all put off by what Nian Zu was suggesting, meaning she had already considered it herself. The boy took several near fatal wounds, and might well have died if he wasnt so proficient at Healing. Im told that hes been out of sorts all day, ambling about in a waking fugue and barely responding to commands, but hes acting with agency and ate quite the hearty breakfast and lunch as well, though that means little considering how healthy his appetite was yesterday.So we have a recently recovered Rain who is strong enough to single-handedly see off a forty Wraith attack, only for the survivors to run rampant in the Citadel. Heaving a sigh mid-Sending, he shook his head and added, You understand how this looks?Indeed. I too fear that the boy has turned or worse. Perhaps the Wraiths were sent there to collect him, much like the enemy has been collecting Demons and other Defiled talents.How could anything be worse than turning Defiled? Stifling the urge to ask, Nian Zu stayed on point and Sent, You fear. Not feared. So you have yet to clear him? And still let him wander about free? Sometimes, he questioned the wisdom of the Bekhai and their ways, but it worked for them thus far and he could only pray it would continue working for the interim....I cannot say for certain, she began, her tone cautiously optimistic, But I believe it is still Rain in there, the same boy the pup brought home from the mines. What this means for us, I am not sure, but... I have faith in him, and believe he would never hurt the people he loves and cares about.Then I hope your faith is well placed. For if Falling Rain had turned Defiled, then the Empire might well be on its last legs.The office door opened and an Imperial Messenger entered, his chest heaving with exertion from the journey as he knelt and bowed his head. Though hed left orders not to be disturbed, the Imperial Messenger arrived bearing a scroll sealed with the emergency signet, which meant he carried news of the utmost importance. Dismissing the Sound Barrier around them, Nian Zu came to his feet and prompted the Messenger to speak. Suihua Harbour has come under heavy attack and Brigadier Zheng He requests reinforcements.Damn it all to hell. The Wraiths were a precursor to an attack, one meant to knock him off guard. Send word to Major General Han BoHai, he commanded, even while Sending to the man himself. Lacking the necessary details, he frowned at the still kneeling Messenger and said, The scroll, if you will?By your command, General.That was all the warning he had, a single slip of the tongue, for Imperial Messengers spoke with the Emperors voice and would never lower His status by answering in so servile a manner. Leaping back as the blade slashed through empty air, Nian Zu drew his mace and flung it underhanded into his assailant's chest, an attack which landed just as the disguised Wraiths head toppled off his neck. Barely able to keep his jaws closed, he nodded at Akanai in thanks, for even if he hadnt noticed the slip, she had matters well in hand.Two more debts hed incurred today, different from the ones laid at the Enemys feet, but just as important he pay them back.Grimacing as he picked up the discarded scroll, he inspected the seal and read the contents with a scowl. The Messenger was a Wraith, but the armour, banner, and message are all real. The harbour has truly come under attack, and now I must wonder if any other Imperial Messengers bearing vital news were also intercepted.After a short pause, Akanai responded to the rhetorical question. Unsure, but there are attacks being carried out all along the Western Border even as we speak, small Defiled raiding parties looking to slip through and cause chaos. In answer to the unasked question, she shrugged and Sent, I set up a Khishig Sending line as soon as I arrived last year. One can never be too careful when it comes to military intelligence.Making the woman a Colonel General would be a disservice to her skills, not just her foresight, but the sheer loyalty she inspired in her Martial Warriors. Even Nian Zu himself would be hard pressed to find enough Sending capable Warriors willing to take a post as boring and unrewarding as relay Sender, but alas, the Empire had no higher rank to offer her. Your insight and advice would be appreciated in these troubling times, he said, acknowledging her as his intellectual superior for the first time ever. Pulling out a map of the Western Border, he held it out for Akanai to inspect and said, If you would be so kind as to mark down the locations of each attack?Despite a long and stressful day spent hunting Wraiths, Nian Zus work was not yet done, for the Enemy was on the offensive once more. There would be bloody days ahead, but this meant there would be plenty of opportunities to collect on his debts and interest to boot. The mystery of Falling Rain would have to wait, but so long as the boy didnt try to seize control of the defences using his Office of Legate, Nian Zu supposed it would be fine to sit and wait.After all, there were many reasons why he couldnt simply order the boy killed, the least of which was because he really didnt want it to come to this. Like Akanai, he also had faith in Falling Rain, for Nian Zu truly believed that boy was the Chosen Son of the Mother Above.And if he had truly turned against them, then the Mother might well have forsaken them all...Chapter Meme
