Chapter 709
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Chapter 709
Impartation of Heavenly Energy...
Despite having heard the term before, I have no idea what its supposed to mean or why Monk Happy seems so dumbfounded by his own statement. All I really know is that one of the Healers called it a myth when someone else brought the matter up, way back in Sinuji during a discussion that was supposed to be about helping Heal my shattered Core and somehow deviated to the topic of Spiritual Beast husbandry. How this relates to Milas laser beams and my newfangled ability to share my thoughts and perceptions is still a mystery, so I sit and wait for Monk Happy to gather his thoughts and put them into words Ill understand.
My beloved wifes spectacular light show brought all manner of concerned guests to our doorstep, for good reason considering they thought I might be under attack. Touched as I was by all their concern, dismissing guests is not as easy as waving a hand and saying, Nah, dont worry about it. Face must be given, and invited or not, it would be rude to send guests away without offering refreshment, an offer which must be accepted even if only to wet ones lips, because again, face. Many cups of tea and several toilet trips later, I finally had the opportunity to sit down with Mila and the rest of my family to recount everything that happened between us, minus the sordid details of course. Then again, given the fact that we were hanging out in the tiny bathroom together for so long, it doesnt take a genius to piece together what we were doing in there, which in turn led to what might well have been the most mortifying conversation I have ever had with my parents and in-laws about communal areas and general hygiene.
To be fair, they have a point, but for the first time ever, I regret asking my parents and in-laws to live with me. I like having family close, but neighbours is close enough, so Ill have to get working on buying more land and building separate manors for everyone to live in. Throughout the entire awkward discussion, Yans competitive nature most certainly doesnt help, nor does Lin-Lins constant giggles. Then I am forced to go over the events once more after asking Monk Happy to weigh in on the experience, only to receive a vague statement which doesnt really mean much after a good hour of marinating in shame and embarrassment.
The Impartation of Heavenly Energy, Monk Happy begins, stroking his ample, beardless chin as he studies me from across the dining room table, Is a term for the theoretical process through which one person shares their experience of the Dao with another. Not with words, diagrams, or any other form of physical communication, but through a process similar to Insight, only originating from another living being rather than the Heavens. Holding up a hand to forestall any questions, Monk Happy continues, This is only a theoretical ability, mind you, one posited by multiple different scholars over the course of history, but has never been proven theoretically feasible, much less empirically possible. Done covering his bases, the smiling monk still seems positively upbeat and overjoyed, for no reason in particular than to have a captive audience listening to what he has to say, though Lin-Lin seems ready to fall asleep beside me, despite having only just woken up from a day-long nap. While not quite snuggled down in my embrace, Mila is also showing signs of fatigue, her shoulders slumped and head nodding every now and then as she tries to stay awake, but Monk Happy is in no rush to explain. You have all experienced Insight, Inspirations, or Awakenings first hand, so you already know that such a concept of sharing information is already possible. The Mother, the Heavens, or Heavenly Energy itself imparts upon you the knowledge required to utilize Chi in some manner, whether it be to execute a Martial Skill, forge a Spiritual Weapon, or what have you, but have you ever stopped to wonder how this knowledge is passed on?
Yea, and Ive heard plenty of possibilities too. Shrugging ever so slightly so as not to disturb Lin-Lin or Mila, I tick off the half-baked theories Ive come across thus far. Some believe it to be simply what happens when one comprehends the Dao, the information put together by ones own perception in a moment of enlightenment. Others claim Insights are knowledge from past lives returning home to roost, while the most prevailing theory is as you said, that the Mother Herself offers us guidance from above, in preparation for trials and tribulations to come.
All possibilities, yes, but the monk was asking in a more... technical sense rather than opening the floor to theological debate.
No one ever wants to argue religion with me, and I really wish they would. Then again, maybe Im the asshole for trying to disprove their beliefs just because I lack faith. Rather than offer some vague tidbit I mightve read or heard some time ago, I take a moment to stop and think about Monk Happys question. How does Insight really work? In my personal experience, not all that well considering Im rarely ever able to quantify the Insights Ive received, so I might be the wrong person to ask. I think, I begin, stressing that I am not even remotely certain of anything at all, That an Insight is a form of personal understanding based on available facts and information, but in a way the individual involved has yet to wholly realize and perceive. Wishing I had a better way to explain it, I struggle to put my thoughts into words, because Insight has always been this enigmatic, unknowable concept to explain how I do the things I do without knowing how. Its like... learning from experience, in the way some quin handlers can tell when an animal is pregnant, or an old farmer can wake up, sniff the air, and know rain clouds are just over the horizon. If asked to describe how they know, its generally difficult to explain, because they are working on intuition and recognizing clues that their conscious mind has yet to realize, but the information is still there, just difficult to put into words because even they themselves are not aware of the myriad of details they perceive at any given moment. Only with Insight, we get to skip over the experience part and just glean the needed information without really wholly understanding how we arrive at the result.
So you believe Insights merely a matter of the mind alone? That this ability to skip over personal experience is the work of the unconscious mind working with information that is readily available to all, yet only perceived by a select few after a personal revelation?
...Well you can make anything sound stupid if you try hard enough. I suppose there could be more to it, I just... dont really know how to quantify it.
Then answer me this, Junior Brother. Pleased to have elicited an admission of ignorance from yours truly, Monk Happy asks, What is a soul?
The answer comes to me in the form of what I now believe was an earlier Insight, one which came to me just moments before I brought Buddy back into my life. I believe the soul is a vessel in which we carry all our emotions and experiences. Memories will come and go, but the soul remains eternal, the very core of our existence and the spark which sets sentient life apart from non-sentient beings.
Eyes wide with delight, Monk Happy claps his hands and laughs as everyone else looks at me like Ive sprouted a second head. Well put, Junior Brother, well put indeed. And what is sentience? Without giving anyone time to reply, Monk Happy answers his own question. Why, the ability to experience emotions, of course, thereby reinforcing the idea that the soul is a vessel of emotion. Though life is temporary, the soul is eternal, with each life experienced adding to the sum of the whole, leading many to believe that the soul is the key to comprehending the Dao, and emotion pivotal to this process. Knowledge and understanding most certainly have their place when it comes to Insight, and can certainly help matters along, but some truths are unknowable and can only be experienced by oneself, for it requires a unique perspective and therefore a unique soul to wholly comprehend. Hence the term cultivate, or otherwise read as nurture truth, with the truths being made plain through the Dao itself. Mom, Dad, and Akanai have nothing to add, though Grandpa Du mutters something about how study truth also fits, but the etymology and philosophy is largely lost on me, so Monk Happy continues, In short, Insight is a matter of the Soul perceiving the Heavenly Dao and translating that information into something the mind and body can understand, whereas Impartation of Heavenly Energy would be using ones Soul to share ones own unique perception so that others might benefit as well.
I understand the words being said, but how it applies to anything even remotely relevant escapes me entirely, because as Gerel once told me, I lack faith. Thus, the fact that most people believe the Mother is personally whispering secrets into the ears of Martial Warriors the world round just seems kinda ridiculous to me, as if the universe doesnt have anything better to do than teach mortals kung fu. Seeing and feeling my skepticism due to my inability to control my facial expressions and Aura both, Monk Happy just barely manages to keep from rolling his eyes and moves on to a more convincing argument. If this much is not enough to convince you of the mechanism behind Insight, then perhaps you should reflect upon what you have personally experienced with regards to your more atypical steps along your Path, and then you will understand why this monk and many others believe the soul is pivotal to the process of Insight, which can be shared using Heavenly Energy as the medium.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com
It takes a moment to understand what hes tiptoeing around, namely my brush with near-Defilement, the relevance of which is lost upon me until I cycle back to the topic of discussion, only to feel stupid for not realizing it sooner. Monk Happy is talking about Spectres, and how theyre fragments of souls capable of delivering Insight to their hosts, and thus supporting his statement that the soul is the key to comprehending the Dao. Now that I think about it, it doesnt even seem that far-fetched. I personally experienced how a soul is capable of processing information on a scale beyond what the human mind is capable of, when I somehow separated from my mortal shell and touched upon some form of limited omniscience during the withdrawal from Castle JiangHu.
So when you look at it that way, then it makes sense that this information can be shared.
The events of that fateful day bring to mind another fact that Id almost since forgotten. Er... I think I understand, and more than that, I believe youre right, that this is what happened with Mila and myself. I also think this isnt the first time Ive err... Imparted anything, though I think this was the first time I did so... directly? I havent had time to explain everything that happened during that particular withdrawal, so I quickly go over my experience of the event, though quickly is a matter of perspective. Between questions and clarifications, it takes the better part of three hours to go over what happened on that fateful day and how I spent the weeks thereafter sequestered away in my Natal Palace. I tell them about how I helped Rustram Develop his Domain and Heal Sai Chou, only to be ambushed inside my Natal Palace by Zhen Shi and tricked into leaving. I tell them all about how he tortured and tormented me for what felt like lifetimes without end as I toiled and suffered in the mines once more. Though I try my best to stick to the facts and avoid getting into the nitty, gritty details, I cannot help but recount how I gave in to his demands and severed my own fingers to avoid further pain, because this was pivotal to my understanding of what comes next.
Its not easy to bare my soul, even to my family and loved ones, but I finally share with them the embarassing reason for my latest coma. The depths of my shame and despair knows no bounds, for this was a secret which until now, only the Abbot was privy to, though I know Yan had picked up on my lingering presence, and I cannot bear to look anyone in the eyes for fear of what I might see hidden behind them. It helps that the animals all sense my melancholy and gather round to comfort me, with Ping Ping pressing against my leg and Mama Bun nuzzling in my embrace while the bears, wildcats, rabbits, and laughing birds gather in close around me. I love animals so freaking much, I wish I had more arms to hug them, and it warms my heart to see my family step up and accept the floofy snuggles in my place, with not a single lap left empty as people and animals alike seek comfort from one another while I regale them with tales of my weakness and stupidity.
Clearing my throat with a sip of long-cold tea, I succinctly summarize in full. So yea. Quick recap, I stepped into the Uniters waiting trap, then tried very hard to sever all emotions for fear of being hurt again, and while hiding like a coward, I somehow stumbled across some form of limited omniscience which I then used to help guide countless Martial Warriors on the battlefield with help from my severed Natal Souls. Truth be told, the whole experience is kinda muddled and I cant really remember who I helped or how, or really anything besides the fact that I did it, so its not all that useful right now. Im guessing I had something to do with the Stormguard, the widespread mastery of Panacea, and the Defiled tribesmen making their way to the Brotherhood, but while I know I probably helped others along, the details escape me. Somewhere along the way, I just... forgot what I did, the memories lost the same way I lost my limited omniscience. My brain was too smooth to store all the information contained in my thick, girthy soul, which is infuriating to the extreme. I know I did something amazing, I just have no idea how to go about doing it again with consistent success.
Trying to get past the topic of my stupidity and cowardice and how I hid away for many months because I was too afraid to live or die, I conclude, So I guess Ive already, you know... done the whole Impartation thing before, I just never had a name for it.
My most humble apologies, sweet wifey. Ill work hard and figure out Impartation so we can go Cloud-Stepping through the skies together.
Hubby really treats me best. Love you.
Love you more. All sugar and smiles once more, Lin-Lin hums a happy little tune and lets me get back to brushing her hair, when it occurs to me there is another matter I have yet to address. So... about our marriage...
Cutting me off without giving me a chance to speak, Lin-Lin says, I already asked Luo-Luo, and she says its best to wait a bit until things settle down, but we shouldnt wait too long since most of the guests wed invite are already here. Shes gonna organize everything, so you just need to show up, okay? Reverse headbutting my shoulder, my sweet wifey shoots me a glare and dares me to say something stupid, but I am wise enough to abandon my efforts. If she really wants to marry me, it doesnt matter what I say, because her answer will always be yes. I think even if I told her the whole truth about who I am, she wouldnt care, but Im not sure about everyone else. They love me too, but Lin-Lin will forgive me for anything I do, even lying to her about who I am for so many years.
Shes not one to concern herself with the nitty gritty details like that. All she cares about is how I treat her, and thats all the reason she needs to love me. Shes a lot like the floofs in that regard, her love contingent on my actions alone, rather than my character or achievements. Even if I was an incompetent, cowardly, good for nothing failure, Lin-Lin would still be my sweet wifey, because as she so loves to point out, I treat her the best.
Kissing her cheek as I squeeze her tight, I hold her in my arms and share just how much I love and adore her through Aura and action. Going on a hunch, I tap into my passion and reflect on my experiences of Cloud-Stepping through the skies, sharing with her the emotions I felt while carrying her on our journey to the Arid Wastes and back. Despite the fears and concerns I had to face, Lin-Lins sense of adventure and unmitigated delight were a treat to behold, her lighthearted gaiety and unconstrained joie de vivre just two of the many reasons why I love her so.
True to her Cloud Chaser Hare heritage, my sweet wifey is wholly suited for running through the skies, a free spirit unbound by custom or convention who marches to the beat of her own drum. Though some might think her simple and naive, her straightforward nature and guileless exterior conceals her resourceful intelligence well, a brilliant mind unburdened by doubt and indecision like my own. Guided by her unerring intuition, Lin-Lin floats through life doing whatever she pleases, and her charming nature ensures that everyone who meets her wants nothing more than to help her find joy and success through every step of her journey.
Though my efforts to Impart Cloud-Stepping to Lin-Lin bears no fruit, I intend to keep trying until we can soar through the skies side by side, perhaps even with Mila and Yan if Im feeling greedy, which I most certainly always am.
The next few days pass in relative peace as I settle into the routine of running the outer provinces, acclimating to my newfangled strength, and trying to figure out Impartation. There are a thousand and one things to oversee which have nothing to do with the coming counter-offensive, matters of business, politics, and general civility which I refuse to leave unchallenged. During my convalescence, Shuai Jiao took command and did a commendable job holding things together, but I cannot help but resent him for how he handled certain matters. Since withdrawing from the second line, the Enemy has been aggressively targeting our Elites and Peak Experts with non-stop Wraith attacks, and while casualties seem remarkably low, I cant help but notice a pattern when looking into the surviving families. While the majority of Peak Experts are backed by powerful clans or factions, there are still a significant number of first-generation powerhouses like the Ryo Family, and flagging households propped up by a single Peak Expert, like the Ru or Ishin Families. Having lost their pillar of support, these households are now facing significant pressure from their provincial rivals, and their plight is what led me to look into the matter further.
What I found was that when looking at Peak Experts alone, the bulk of the causalities were Warriors who fit into one of the two aforementioned categories. Being the suspicious soul that I am, I first suspected foul play was involved, but after looking into it, I discovered that matters were even worse than I feared. It wasnt intentional treason that led the Wraiths to prey on these isolated talents, but rather the ingrained competitive nature of Imperial factions that led to their demise. Instead of banding together to protect against Wraith attacks, the households scattered apart to defend themselves, which is what led to the demise of so many isolated Peak Experts. A wholly avoidable scenario, but one Shuai Jiao paid no mind to, because such is life. The strong thrive, and the weak die, that is the political mindset of not only Central, but the outer provinces as a whole, though I would be lying if I didnt say things were worse here in the heart of the Empire. Now, not only are the Ryo and Ishin families struggling beneath the machinations of their political rivals, the Ru family has been all but scattered to the winds, a former mercantile power ripped apart and devoured like a stag brought down by wolves.
Hardly a just reward for Ru Minsus life of service, one which culminated in a valiant death during the withdrawal from Castle JiangHu, to say nothing of Ishin Shigen and Ryo Dae Jung.
That is merely the fate of one family, and as I dug further into things, I found many stories just like it. While Ive been focused on fighting a war for survival, the families and factions of the Empire are playing games of politics and power, something I knew all along but never really paid too much mind to, at least not when it didnt involve me personally. Now, seeing the pressure being put on the Ryo and Ishin families, I cannot help but wonder why any Peak Expert would care enough to risk their lives for the Empire if this is the reward for their efforts, to have everything theyve worked for stolen away the moment their lives are lost.
Worst of all, since taking charge, Shuai Jiao has not only tacitly approved of such despicable tactics targeting the families of fallen heroes, hes even used them to his own personal advantage. Mitsue Juichis withdrawal benefited him the most, and now he stands to gain even more in the wake of Ryo Dae Jungs death, for now he has all of Central rallying to his cause. There are other signs to be wary of, like Luo-Luos inability to uncover the culprit behind a number of economical attacks, such as the real-estate takeover which has now fallen flat due to Liu Xuandes plan to excavate a massive harbour instead of rebuilding the Citadel as it was. I cannot help but suspect Shuai Jiaos influence in these sordid matters, leading me to wonder if this honourable and righteous Commander General is more of a snake than he lets on.
More things to be wary of and problems I have no solutions for, but being the master delegator that I am, I set Luo-Luo and Liu Xuande to task, and even enlist MuYang to take a closer look at our esteemed Commander General. Its not that I suspect he might betray the Empire, but I believe that if given the chance, he would gladly order my death if it wouldnt adversely affect the outer provinces too too much. Shen ZhenWu was grooming Shuai Jiaos Disciple Yong-Jin as my replacement, and I cant imagine that wouldve happened without the Commander Generals approval, meaning our priorities are not as aligned as I would like.
Unfortunately, there isnt too much I can do just yet except proceed with care and watch my back. On the plus side, the Brotherhoods assistance is much appreciated as they improve and streamline how the Districts are managed, as well as providing a much needed service with Spiritual guidance. Though I am not a religious man by any measure, I always found it odd that the Empire was so lax in their devotion to the Mother above, lacking any temples or traditions related to religion outside of personal piety and devotion. From the Abbots memories, I now know there was a time when the Brotherhood gave sermons to the public, and I also know that interference from the Imperial Clan is probably why they stopped. That being said, I can always feign ignorance in the Abbots absence, so while I never officially asked the monks to start up their sermons again, a few words with Monk Happy is all it takes to convince him that the world would benefit if the Brotherhood was more active with their efforts.
After five days of meetings and discussions with friends and comrades while keeping myself occupied with busywork, my headache finally subsides, at which point Dad and Akanai take a personal interest in my sparring matches. Thus far, Id mostly been sparring with Gerel, though I also traded blows with Kyung, Dain, Ishin Ken-Shibu, Tam Taewoong and several other stand out talents, mostly for political theatre. Having fought without using too much Chi for so many days, Ive been itching to try out my big moves again outside of my Natal Palace, but my Mentor and Grand-Mentor have different plans, and instead force me to continue sparring in the same manner so that I can shore up my shaky foundations. According to Dad, I have all the necessary tools to call myself a Peak Expert, but I lack the knowledge and experience needed to use said tools to their full potential. Its like I inherited a restaurant with a fully stocked kitchen and I have no idea how to cook, but rather than sit down to teach me the family recipes, Dad and Akanai believe Ill learn more from trial and error at the school of hard knocks. Though I am less than pleased, I trust them to know best and suffer a string of grievous defeats at their merciless hands, while also meeting with trusted friends and loyal soldiers to try and figure out Impartation, alongside my nocturnal efforts with Mila and Yan in pursuit of the same goal. Though I have yet to succeed again, I cannot give up, for this skill might well be the key to defeating the Enemy. If I can figure out how to replicate my success with the Stormguard and go on to raise commoners to Domain Capable Peak Experts in a short time frame, then I could gather an army to match anything the Enemy can throw at me.
Even in sleep, I do not rest, and instead train with Ping Ping, Pong Pong, Mama Bun, and Buddy every night in my Natal Palace, after an appropriate amount of playing of course. I love seeing them all get along, especially Buddy who is having a grand old time with all his new friends, and watching them run and play is a balm for the soul and a sight for sore eyes.
Two weeks later, Dad finds me late at night, fully armoured and ready for battle. It is time, he says, and I suppress the urge to sigh now that my relatively peaceful days have come to an end. The full out offensive isnt planned until a few months from now and still has a lot of kinks to work out, but theres a lot we need to do before then. Mostly, I need to gain influence to sway more factions to my cause and set myself up as a true contender against Shuai Jiao before I can truly unite the outer provinces, but in order to do so, I need to prove myself strong enough to stand above him and the other Colonel Generals and Marshals, so its time to pull out all the stops and show the world what I can really do.
After bidding my family and floofs farewell, I leave with Dad, Pong Pong, and Rakky to link up with Kuang Biao, a contingent of Royal Guardians, and the Azure Ascendants. Greeting them all with a nod, I try not to feel self-conscious in my golden, Legate armour and give them my best smile. Alright then, I say, projecting a confidence which is only half-faked and glad to finally have something to do. Whos ready to go badger hunting?
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Chapter 709
Impartation of Heavenly Energy...
Despite having heard the term before, I have no idea what its supposed to mean or why Monk Happy seems so dumbfounded by his own statement. All I really know is that one of the Healers called it a myth when someone else brought the matter up, way back in Sinuji during a discussion that was supposed to be about helping Heal my shattered Core and somehow deviated to the topic of Spiritual Beast husbandry. How this relates to Milas laser beams and my newfangled ability to share my thoughts and perceptions is still a mystery, so I sit and wait for Monk Happy to gather his thoughts and put them into words Ill understand.
My beloved wifes spectacular light show brought all manner of concerned guests to our doorstep, for good reason considering they thought I might be under attack. Touched as I was by all their concern, dismissing guests is not as easy as waving a hand and saying, Nah, dont worry about it. Face must be given, and invited or not, it would be rude to send guests away without offering refreshment, an offer which must be accepted even if only to wet ones lips, because again, face. Many cups of tea and several toilet trips later, I finally had the opportunity to sit down with Mila and the rest of my family to recount everything that happened between us, minus the sordid details of course. Then again, given the fact that we were hanging out in the tiny bathroom together for so long, it doesnt take a genius to piece together what we were doing in there, which in turn led to what might well have been the most mortifying conversation I have ever had with my parents and in-laws about communal areas and general hygiene.
To be fair, they have a point, but for the first time ever, I regret asking my parents and in-laws to live with me. I like having family close, but neighbours is close enough, so Ill have to get working on buying more land and building separate manors for everyone to live in. Throughout the entire awkward discussion, Yans competitive nature most certainly doesnt help, nor does Lin-Lins constant giggles. Then I am forced to go over the events once more after asking Monk Happy to weigh in on the experience, only to receive a vague statement which doesnt really mean much after a good hour of marinating in shame and embarrassment.
The Impartation of Heavenly Energy, Monk Happy begins, stroking his ample, beardless chin as he studies me from across the dining room table, Is a term for the theoretical process through which one person shares their experience of the Dao with another. Not with words, diagrams, or any other form of physical communication, but through a process similar to Insight, only originating from another living being rather than the Heavens. Holding up a hand to forestall any questions, Monk Happy continues, This is only a theoretical ability, mind you, one posited by multiple different scholars over the course of history, but has never been proven theoretically feasible, much less empirically possible. Done covering his bases, the smiling monk still seems positively upbeat and overjoyed, for no reason in particular than to have a captive audience listening to what he has to say, though Lin-Lin seems ready to fall asleep beside me, despite having only just woken up from a day-long nap. While not quite snuggled down in my embrace, Mila is also showing signs of fatigue, her shoulders slumped and head nodding every now and then as she tries to stay awake, but Monk Happy is in no rush to explain. You have all experienced Insight, Inspirations, or Awakenings first hand, so you already know that such a concept of sharing information is already possible. The Mother, the Heavens, or Heavenly Energy itself imparts upon you the knowledge required to utilize Chi in some manner, whether it be to execute a Martial Skill, forge a Spiritual Weapon, or what have you, but have you ever stopped to wonder how this knowledge is passed on?
Yea, and Ive heard plenty of possibilities too. Shrugging ever so slightly so as not to disturb Lin-Lin or Mila, I tick off the half-baked theories Ive come across thus far. Some believe it to be simply what happens when one comprehends the Dao, the information put together by ones own perception in a moment of enlightenment. Others claim Insights are knowledge from past lives returning home to roost, while the most prevailing theory is as you said, that the Mother Herself offers us guidance from above, in preparation for trials and tribulations to come.
All possibilities, yes, but the monk was asking in a more... technical sense rather than opening the floor to theological debate.
No one ever wants to argue religion with me, and I really wish they would. Then again, maybe Im the asshole for trying to disprove their beliefs just because I lack faith. Rather than offer some vague tidbit I mightve read or heard some time ago, I take a moment to stop and think about Monk Happys question. How does Insight really work? In my personal experience, not all that well considering Im rarely ever able to quantify the Insights Ive received, so I might be the wrong person to ask. I think, I begin, stressing that I am not even remotely certain of anything at all, That an Insight is a form of personal understanding based on available facts and information, but in a way the individual involved has yet to wholly realize and perceive. Wishing I had a better way to explain it, I struggle to put my thoughts into words, because Insight has always been this enigmatic, unknowable concept to explain how I do the things I do without knowing how. Its like... learning from experience, in the way some quin handlers can tell when an animal is pregnant, or an old farmer can wake up, sniff the air, and know rain clouds are just over the horizon. If asked to describe how they know, its generally difficult to explain, because they are working on intuition and recognizing clues that their conscious mind has yet to realize, but the information is still there, just difficult to put into words because even they themselves are not aware of the myriad of details they perceive at any given moment. Only with Insight, we get to skip over the experience part and just glean the needed information without really wholly understanding how we arrive at the result.
So you believe Insights merely a matter of the mind alone? That this ability to skip over personal experience is the work of the unconscious mind working with information that is readily available to all, yet only perceived by a select few after a personal revelation?
...Well you can make anything sound stupid if you try hard enough. I suppose there could be more to it, I just... dont really know how to quantify it.
Then answer me this, Junior Brother. Pleased to have elicited an admission of ignorance from yours truly, Monk Happy asks, What is a soul?
The answer comes to me in the form of what I now believe was an earlier Insight, one which came to me just moments before I brought Buddy back into my life. I believe the soul is a vessel in which we carry all our emotions and experiences. Memories will come and go, but the soul remains eternal, the very core of our existence and the spark which sets sentient life apart from non-sentient beings.
Eyes wide with delight, Monk Happy claps his hands and laughs as everyone else looks at me like Ive sprouted a second head. Well put, Junior Brother, well put indeed. And what is sentience? Without giving anyone time to reply, Monk Happy answers his own question. Why, the ability to experience emotions, of course, thereby reinforcing the idea that the soul is a vessel of emotion. Though life is temporary, the soul is eternal, with each life experienced adding to the sum of the whole, leading many to believe that the soul is the key to comprehending the Dao, and emotion pivotal to this process. Knowledge and understanding most certainly have their place when it comes to Insight, and can certainly help matters along, but some truths are unknowable and can only be experienced by oneself, for it requires a unique perspective and therefore a unique soul to wholly comprehend. Hence the term cultivate, or otherwise read as nurture truth, with the truths being made plain through the Dao itself. Mom, Dad, and Akanai have nothing to add, though Grandpa Du mutters something about how study truth also fits, but the etymology and philosophy is largely lost on me, so Monk Happy continues, In short, Insight is a matter of the Soul perceiving the Heavenly Dao and translating that information into something the mind and body can understand, whereas Impartation of Heavenly Energy would be using ones Soul to share ones own unique perception so that others might benefit as well.
I understand the words being said, but how it applies to anything even remotely relevant escapes me entirely, because as Gerel once told me, I lack faith. Thus, the fact that most people believe the Mother is personally whispering secrets into the ears of Martial Warriors the world round just seems kinda ridiculous to me, as if the universe doesnt have anything better to do than teach mortals kung fu. Seeing and feeling my skepticism due to my inability to control my facial expressions and Aura both, Monk Happy just barely manages to keep from rolling his eyes and moves on to a more convincing argument. If this much is not enough to convince you of the mechanism behind Insight, then perhaps you should reflect upon what you have personally experienced with regards to your more atypical steps along your Path, and then you will understand why this monk and many others believe the soul is pivotal to the process of Insight, which can be shared using Heavenly Energy as the medium.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com
It takes a moment to understand what hes tiptoeing around, namely my brush with near-Defilement, the relevance of which is lost upon me until I cycle back to the topic of discussion, only to feel stupid for not realizing it sooner. Monk Happy is talking about Spectres, and how theyre fragments of souls capable of delivering Insight to their hosts, and thus supporting his statement that the soul is the key to comprehending the Dao. Now that I think about it, it doesnt even seem that far-fetched. I personally experienced how a soul is capable of processing information on a scale beyond what the human mind is capable of, when I somehow separated from my mortal shell and touched upon some form of limited omniscience during the withdrawal from Castle JiangHu.
So when you look at it that way, then it makes sense that this information can be shared.
The events of that fateful day bring to mind another fact that Id almost since forgotten. Er... I think I understand, and more than that, I believe youre right, that this is what happened with Mila and myself. I also think this isnt the first time Ive err... Imparted anything, though I think this was the first time I did so... directly? I havent had time to explain everything that happened during that particular withdrawal, so I quickly go over my experience of the event, though quickly is a matter of perspective. Between questions and clarifications, it takes the better part of three hours to go over what happened on that fateful day and how I spent the weeks thereafter sequestered away in my Natal Palace. I tell them about how I helped Rustram Develop his Domain and Heal Sai Chou, only to be ambushed inside my Natal Palace by Zhen Shi and tricked into leaving. I tell them all about how he tortured and tormented me for what felt like lifetimes without end as I toiled and suffered in the mines once more. Though I try my best to stick to the facts and avoid getting into the nitty, gritty details, I cannot help but recount how I gave in to his demands and severed my own fingers to avoid further pain, because this was pivotal to my understanding of what comes next.
Its not easy to bare my soul, even to my family and loved ones, but I finally share with them the embarassing reason for my latest coma. The depths of my shame and despair knows no bounds, for this was a secret which until now, only the Abbot was privy to, though I know Yan had picked up on my lingering presence, and I cannot bear to look anyone in the eyes for fear of what I might see hidden behind them. It helps that the animals all sense my melancholy and gather round to comfort me, with Ping Ping pressing against my leg and Mama Bun nuzzling in my embrace while the bears, wildcats, rabbits, and laughing birds gather in close around me. I love animals so freaking much, I wish I had more arms to hug them, and it warms my heart to see my family step up and accept the floofy snuggles in my place, with not a single lap left empty as people and animals alike seek comfort from one another while I regale them with tales of my weakness and stupidity.
Clearing my throat with a sip of long-cold tea, I succinctly summarize in full. So yea. Quick recap, I stepped into the Uniters waiting trap, then tried very hard to sever all emotions for fear of being hurt again, and while hiding like a coward, I somehow stumbled across some form of limited omniscience which I then used to help guide countless Martial Warriors on the battlefield with help from my severed Natal Souls. Truth be told, the whole experience is kinda muddled and I cant really remember who I helped or how, or really anything besides the fact that I did it, so its not all that useful right now. Im guessing I had something to do with the Stormguard, the widespread mastery of Panacea, and the Defiled tribesmen making their way to the Brotherhood, but while I know I probably helped others along, the details escape me. Somewhere along the way, I just... forgot what I did, the memories lost the same way I lost my limited omniscience. My brain was too smooth to store all the information contained in my thick, girthy soul, which is infuriating to the extreme. I know I did something amazing, I just have no idea how to go about doing it again with consistent success.
Trying to get past the topic of my stupidity and cowardice and how I hid away for many months because I was too afraid to live or die, I conclude, So I guess Ive already, you know... done the whole Impartation thing before, I just never had a name for it.
My most humble apologies, sweet wifey. Ill work hard and figure out Impartation so we can go Cloud-Stepping through the skies together.
Hubby really treats me best. Love you.
Love you more. All sugar and smiles once more, Lin-Lin hums a happy little tune and lets me get back to brushing her hair, when it occurs to me there is another matter I have yet to address. So... about our marriage...
Cutting me off without giving me a chance to speak, Lin-Lin says, I already asked Luo-Luo, and she says its best to wait a bit until things settle down, but we shouldnt wait too long since most of the guests wed invite are already here. Shes gonna organize everything, so you just need to show up, okay? Reverse headbutting my shoulder, my sweet wifey shoots me a glare and dares me to say something stupid, but I am wise enough to abandon my efforts. If she really wants to marry me, it doesnt matter what I say, because her answer will always be yes. I think even if I told her the whole truth about who I am, she wouldnt care, but Im not sure about everyone else. They love me too, but Lin-Lin will forgive me for anything I do, even lying to her about who I am for so many years.
Shes not one to concern herself with the nitty gritty details like that. All she cares about is how I treat her, and thats all the reason she needs to love me. Shes a lot like the floofs in that regard, her love contingent on my actions alone, rather than my character or achievements. Even if I was an incompetent, cowardly, good for nothing failure, Lin-Lin would still be my sweet wifey, because as she so loves to point out, I treat her the best.
Kissing her cheek as I squeeze her tight, I hold her in my arms and share just how much I love and adore her through Aura and action. Going on a hunch, I tap into my passion and reflect on my experiences of Cloud-Stepping through the skies, sharing with her the emotions I felt while carrying her on our journey to the Arid Wastes and back. Despite the fears and concerns I had to face, Lin-Lins sense of adventure and unmitigated delight were a treat to behold, her lighthearted gaiety and unconstrained joie de vivre just two of the many reasons why I love her so.
True to her Cloud Chaser Hare heritage, my sweet wifey is wholly suited for running through the skies, a free spirit unbound by custom or convention who marches to the beat of her own drum. Though some might think her simple and naive, her straightforward nature and guileless exterior conceals her resourceful intelligence well, a brilliant mind unburdened by doubt and indecision like my own. Guided by her unerring intuition, Lin-Lin floats through life doing whatever she pleases, and her charming nature ensures that everyone who meets her wants nothing more than to help her find joy and success through every step of her journey.
Though my efforts to Impart Cloud-Stepping to Lin-Lin bears no fruit, I intend to keep trying until we can soar through the skies side by side, perhaps even with Mila and Yan if Im feeling greedy, which I most certainly always am.
The next few days pass in relative peace as I settle into the routine of running the outer provinces, acclimating to my newfangled strength, and trying to figure out Impartation. There are a thousand and one things to oversee which have nothing to do with the coming counter-offensive, matters of business, politics, and general civility which I refuse to leave unchallenged. During my convalescence, Shuai Jiao took command and did a commendable job holding things together, but I cannot help but resent him for how he handled certain matters. Since withdrawing from the second line, the Enemy has been aggressively targeting our Elites and Peak Experts with non-stop Wraith attacks, and while casualties seem remarkably low, I cant help but notice a pattern when looking into the surviving families. While the majority of Peak Experts are backed by powerful clans or factions, there are still a significant number of first-generation powerhouses like the Ryo Family, and flagging households propped up by a single Peak Expert, like the Ru or Ishin Families. Having lost their pillar of support, these households are now facing significant pressure from their provincial rivals, and their plight is what led me to look into the matter further.
What I found was that when looking at Peak Experts alone, the bulk of the causalities were Warriors who fit into one of the two aforementioned categories. Being the suspicious soul that I am, I first suspected foul play was involved, but after looking into it, I discovered that matters were even worse than I feared. It wasnt intentional treason that led the Wraiths to prey on these isolated talents, but rather the ingrained competitive nature of Imperial factions that led to their demise. Instead of banding together to protect against Wraith attacks, the households scattered apart to defend themselves, which is what led to the demise of so many isolated Peak Experts. A wholly avoidable scenario, but one Shuai Jiao paid no mind to, because such is life. The strong thrive, and the weak die, that is the political mindset of not only Central, but the outer provinces as a whole, though I would be lying if I didnt say things were worse here in the heart of the Empire. Now, not only are the Ryo and Ishin families struggling beneath the machinations of their political rivals, the Ru family has been all but scattered to the winds, a former mercantile power ripped apart and devoured like a stag brought down by wolves.
Hardly a just reward for Ru Minsus life of service, one which culminated in a valiant death during the withdrawal from Castle JiangHu, to say nothing of Ishin Shigen and Ryo Dae Jung.
That is merely the fate of one family, and as I dug further into things, I found many stories just like it. While Ive been focused on fighting a war for survival, the families and factions of the Empire are playing games of politics and power, something I knew all along but never really paid too much mind to, at least not when it didnt involve me personally. Now, seeing the pressure being put on the Ryo and Ishin families, I cannot help but wonder why any Peak Expert would care enough to risk their lives for the Empire if this is the reward for their efforts, to have everything theyve worked for stolen away the moment their lives are lost.
Worst of all, since taking charge, Shuai Jiao has not only tacitly approved of such despicable tactics targeting the families of fallen heroes, hes even used them to his own personal advantage. Mitsue Juichis withdrawal benefited him the most, and now he stands to gain even more in the wake of Ryo Dae Jungs death, for now he has all of Central rallying to his cause. There are other signs to be wary of, like Luo-Luos inability to uncover the culprit behind a number of economical attacks, such as the real-estate takeover which has now fallen flat due to Liu Xuandes plan to excavate a massive harbour instead of rebuilding the Citadel as it was. I cannot help but suspect Shuai Jiaos influence in these sordid matters, leading me to wonder if this honourable and righteous Commander General is more of a snake than he lets on.
More things to be wary of and problems I have no solutions for, but being the master delegator that I am, I set Luo-Luo and Liu Xuande to task, and even enlist MuYang to take a closer look at our esteemed Commander General. Its not that I suspect he might betray the Empire, but I believe that if given the chance, he would gladly order my death if it wouldnt adversely affect the outer provinces too too much. Shen ZhenWu was grooming Shuai Jiaos Disciple Yong-Jin as my replacement, and I cant imagine that wouldve happened without the Commander Generals approval, meaning our priorities are not as aligned as I would like.
Unfortunately, there isnt too much I can do just yet except proceed with care and watch my back. On the plus side, the Brotherhoods assistance is much appreciated as they improve and streamline how the Districts are managed, as well as providing a much needed service with Spiritual guidance. Though I am not a religious man by any measure, I always found it odd that the Empire was so lax in their devotion to the Mother above, lacking any temples or traditions related to religion outside of personal piety and devotion. From the Abbots memories, I now know there was a time when the Brotherhood gave sermons to the public, and I also know that interference from the Imperial Clan is probably why they stopped. That being said, I can always feign ignorance in the Abbots absence, so while I never officially asked the monks to start up their sermons again, a few words with Monk Happy is all it takes to convince him that the world would benefit if the Brotherhood was more active with their efforts.
After five days of meetings and discussions with friends and comrades while keeping myself occupied with busywork, my headache finally subsides, at which point Dad and Akanai take a personal interest in my sparring matches. Thus far, Id mostly been sparring with Gerel, though I also traded blows with Kyung, Dain, Ishin Ken-Shibu, Tam Taewoong and several other stand out talents, mostly for political theatre. Having fought without using too much Chi for so many days, Ive been itching to try out my big moves again outside of my Natal Palace, but my Mentor and Grand-Mentor have different plans, and instead force me to continue sparring in the same manner so that I can shore up my shaky foundations. According to Dad, I have all the necessary tools to call myself a Peak Expert, but I lack the knowledge and experience needed to use said tools to their full potential. Its like I inherited a restaurant with a fully stocked kitchen and I have no idea how to cook, but rather than sit down to teach me the family recipes, Dad and Akanai believe Ill learn more from trial and error at the school of hard knocks. Though I am less than pleased, I trust them to know best and suffer a string of grievous defeats at their merciless hands, while also meeting with trusted friends and loyal soldiers to try and figure out Impartation, alongside my nocturnal efforts with Mila and Yan in pursuit of the same goal. Though I have yet to succeed again, I cannot give up, for this skill might well be the key to defeating the Enemy. If I can figure out how to replicate my success with the Stormguard and go on to raise commoners to Domain Capable Peak Experts in a short time frame, then I could gather an army to match anything the Enemy can throw at me.
Even in sleep, I do not rest, and instead train with Ping Ping, Pong Pong, Mama Bun, and Buddy every night in my Natal Palace, after an appropriate amount of playing of course. I love seeing them all get along, especially Buddy who is having a grand old time with all his new friends, and watching them run and play is a balm for the soul and a sight for sore eyes.
Two weeks later, Dad finds me late at night, fully armoured and ready for battle. It is time, he says, and I suppress the urge to sigh now that my relatively peaceful days have come to an end. The full out offensive isnt planned until a few months from now and still has a lot of kinks to work out, but theres a lot we need to do before then. Mostly, I need to gain influence to sway more factions to my cause and set myself up as a true contender against Shuai Jiao before I can truly unite the outer provinces, but in order to do so, I need to prove myself strong enough to stand above him and the other Colonel Generals and Marshals, so its time to pull out all the stops and show the world what I can really do.
After bidding my family and floofs farewell, I leave with Dad, Pong Pong, and Rakky to link up with Kuang Biao, a contingent of Royal Guardians, and the Azure Ascendants. Greeting them all with a nod, I try not to feel self-conscious in my golden, Legate armour and give them my best smile. Alright then, I say, projecting a confidence which is only half-faked and glad to finally have something to do. Whos ready to go badger hunting?
Chapter Meme
Chapter 709Impartation of Heavenly Energy...Despite having heard the term before, I have no idea what its supposed to mean or why Monk Happy seems so dumbfounded by his own statement. All I really know is that one of the Healers called it a myth when someone else brought the matter up, way back in Sinuji during a discussion that was supposed to be about helping Heal my shattered Core and somehow deviated to the topic of Spiritual Beast husbandry. How this relates to Milas laser beams and my newfangled ability to share my thoughts and perceptions is still a mystery, so I sit and wait for Monk Happy to gather his thoughts and put them into words Ill understand.My beloved wifes spectacular light show brought all manner of concerned guests to our doorstep, for good reason considering they thought I might be under attack. Touched as I was by all their concern, dismissing guests is not as easy as waving a hand and saying, Nah, dont worry about it. Face must be given, and invited or not, it would be rude to send guests away without offering refreshment, an offer which must be accepted even if only to wet ones lips, because again, face. Many cups of tea and several toilet trips later, I finally had the opportunity to sit down with Mila and the rest of my family to recount everything that happened between us, minus the sordid details of course. Then again, given the fact that we were hanging out in the tiny bathroom together for so long, it doesnt take a genius to piece together what we were doing in there, which in turn led to what might well have been the most mortifying conversation I have ever had with my parents and in-laws about communal areas and general hygiene.To be fair, they have a point, but for the first time ever, I regret asking my parents and in-laws to live with me. I like having family close, but neighbours is close enough, so Ill have to get working on buying more land and building separate manors for everyone to live in. Throughout the entire awkward discussion, Yans competitive nature most certainly doesnt help, nor does Lin-Lins constant giggles. Then I am forced to go over the events once more after asking Monk Happy to weigh in on the experience, only to receive a vague statement which doesnt really mean much after a good hour of marinating in shame and embarrassment.The Impartation of Heavenly Energy, Monk Happy begins, stroking his ample, beardless chin as he studies me from across the dining room table, Is a term for the theoretical process through which one person shares their experience of the Dao with another. Not with words, diagrams, or any other form of physical communication, but through a process similar to Insight, only originating from another living being rather than the Heavens. Holding up a hand to forestall any questions, Monk Happy continues, This is only a theoretical ability, mind you, one posited by multiple different scholars over the course of history, but has never been proven theoretically feasible, much less empirically possible. Done covering his bases, the smiling monk still seems positively upbeat and overjoyed, for no reason in particular than to have a captive audience listening to what he has to say, though Lin-Lin seems ready to fall asleep beside me, despite having only just woken up from a day-long nap. While not quite snuggled down in my embrace, Mila is also showing signs of fatigue, her shoulders slumped and head nodding every now and then as she tries to stay awake, but Monk Happy is in no rush to explain. You have all experienced Insight, Inspirations, or Awakenings first hand, so you already know that such a concept of sharing information is already possible. The Mother, the Heavens, or Heavenly Energy itself imparts upon you the knowledge required to utilize Chi in some manner, whether it be to execute a Martial Skill, forge a Spiritual Weapon, or what have you, but have you ever stopped to wonder how this knowledge is passed on?Yea, and Ive heard plenty of possibilities too. Shrugging ever so slightly so as not to disturb Lin-Lin or Mila, I tick off the half-baked theories Ive come across thus far. Some believe it to be simply what happens when one comprehends the Dao, the information put together by ones own perception in a moment of enlightenment. Others claim Insights are knowledge from past lives returning home to roost, while the most prevailing theory is as you said, that the Mother Herself offers us guidance from above, in preparation for trials and tribulations to come.All possibilities, yes, but the monk was asking in a more... technical sense rather than opening the floor to theological debate.No one ever wants to argue religion with me, and I really wish they would. Then again, maybe Im the asshole for trying to disprove their beliefs just because I lack faith. Rather than offer some vague tidbit I mightve read or heard some time ago, I take a moment to stop and think about Monk Happys question. How does Insight really work? In my personal experience, not all that well considering Im rarely ever able to quantify the Insights Ive received, so I might be the wrong person to ask. I think, I begin, stressing that I am not even remotely certain of anything at all, That an Insight is a form of personal understanding based on available facts and information, but in a way the individual involved has yet to wholly realize and perceive. Wishing I had a better way to explain it, I struggle to put my thoughts into words, because Insight has always been this enigmatic, unknowable concept to explain how I do the things I do without knowing how. Its like... learning from experience, in the way some quin handlers can tell when an animal is pregnant, or an old farmer can wake up, sniff the air, and know rain clouds are just over the horizon. If asked to describe how they know, its generally difficult to explain, because they are working on intuition and recognizing clues that their conscious mind has yet to realize, but the information is still there, just difficult to put into words because even they themselves are not aware of the myriad of details they perceive at any given moment. Only with Insight, we get to skip over the experience part and just glean the needed information without really wholly understanding how we arrive at the result.So you believe Insights merely a matter of the mind alone? That this ability to skip over personal experience is the work of the unconscious mind working with information that is readily available to all, yet only perceived by a select few after a personal revelation?...Well you can make anything sound stupid if you try hard enough. I suppose there could be more to it, I just... dont really know how to quantify it.Then answer me this, Junior Brother. Pleased to have elicited an admission of ignorance from yours truly, Monk Happy asks, What is a soul?The answer comes to me in the form of what I now believe was an earlier Insight, one which came to me just moments before I brought Buddy back into my life. I believe the soul is a vessel in which we carry all our emotions and experiences. Memories will come and go, but the soul remains eternal, the very core of our existence and the spark which sets sentient life apart from non-sentient beings.Eyes wide with delight, Monk Happy claps his hands and laughs as everyone else looks at me like Ive sprouted a second head. Well put, Junior Brother, well put indeed. And what is sentience? Without giving anyone time to reply, Monk Happy answers his own question. Why, the ability to experience emotions, of course, thereby reinforcing the idea that the soul is a vessel of emotion. Though life is temporary, the soul is eternal, with each life experienced adding to the sum of the whole, leading many to believe that the soul is the key to comprehending the Dao, and emotion pivotal to this process. Knowledge and understanding most certainly have their place when it comes to Insight, and can certainly help matters along, but some truths are unknowable and can only be experienced by oneself, for it requires a unique perspective and therefore a unique soul to wholly comprehend. Hence the term cultivate, or otherwise read as nurture truth, with the truths being made plain through the Dao itself. Mom, Dad, and Akanai have nothing to add, though Grandpa Du mutters something about how study truth also fits, but the etymology and philosophy is largely lost on me, so Monk Happy continues, In short, Insight is a matter of the Soul perceiving the Heavenly Dao and translating that information into something the mind and body can understand, whereas Impartation of Heavenly Energy would be using ones Soul to share ones own unique perception so that others might benefit as well.I understand the words being said, but how it applies to anything even remotely relevant escapes me entirely, because as Gerel once told me, I lack faith. Thus, the fact that most people believe the Mother is personally whispering secrets into the ears of Martial Warriors the world round just seems kinda ridiculous to me, as if the universe doesnt have anything better to do than teach mortals kung fu. Seeing and feeling my skepticism due to my inability to control my facial expressions and Aura both, Monk Happy just barely manages to keep from rolling his eyes and moves on to a more convincing argument. If this much is not enough to convince you of the mechanism behind Insight, then perhaps you should reflect upon what you have personally experienced with regards to your more atypical steps along your Path, and then you will understand why this monk and many others believe the soul is pivotal to the process of Insight, which can be shared using Heavenly Energy as the medium.This chapter is updated by novelbiin.comIt takes a moment to understand what hes tiptoeing around, namely my brush with near-Defilement, the relevance of which is lost upon me until I cycle back to the topic of discussion, only to feel stupid for not realizing it sooner. Monk Happy is talking about Spectres, and how theyre fragments of souls capable of delivering Insight to their hosts, and thus supporting his statement that the soul is the key to comprehending the Dao. Now that I think about it, it doesnt even seem that far-fetched. I personally experienced how a soul is capable of processing information on a scale beyond what the human mind is capable of, when I somehow separated from my mortal shell and touched upon some form of limited omniscience during the withdrawal from Castle JiangHu.So when you look at it that way, then it makes sense that this information can be shared.The events of that fateful day bring to mind another fact that Id almost since forgotten. Er... I think I understand, and more than that, I believe youre right, that this is what happened with Mila and myself. I also think this isnt the first time Ive err... Imparted anything, though I think this was the first time I did so... directly? I havent had time to explain everything that happened during that particular withdrawal, so I quickly go over my experience of the event, though quickly is a matter of perspective. Between questions and clarifications, it takes the better part of three hours to go over what happened on that fateful day and how I spent the weeks thereafter sequestered away in my Natal Palace. I tell them about how I helped Rustram Develop his Domain and Heal Sai Chou, only to be ambushed inside my Natal Palace by Zhen Shi and tricked into leaving. I tell them all about how he tortured and tormented me for what felt like lifetimes without end as I toiled and suffered in the mines once more. Though I try my best to stick to the facts and avoid getting into the nitty, gritty details, I cannot help but recount how I gave in to his demands and severed my own fingers to avoid further pain, because this was pivotal to my understanding of what comes next.Its not easy to bare my soul, even to my family and loved ones, but I finally share with them the embarassing reason for my latest coma. The depths of my shame and despair knows no bounds, for this was a secret which until now, only the Abbot was privy to, though I know Yan had picked up on my lingering presence, and I cannot bear to look anyone in the eyes for fear of what I might see hidden behind them. It helps that the animals all sense my melancholy and gather round to comfort me, with Ping Ping pressing against my leg and Mama Bun nuzzling in my embrace while the bears, wildcats, rabbits, and laughing birds gather in close around me. I love animals so freaking much, I wish I had more arms to hug them, and it warms my heart to see my family step up and accept the floofy snuggles in my place, with not a single lap left empty as people and animals alike seek comfort from one another while I regale them with tales of my weakness and stupidity.Clearing my throat with a sip of long-cold tea, I succinctly summarize in full. So yea. Quick recap, I stepped into the Uniters waiting trap, then tried very hard to sever all emotions for fear of being hurt again, and while hiding like a coward, I somehow stumbled across some form of limited omniscience which I then used to help guide countless Martial Warriors on the battlefield with help from my severed Natal Souls. Truth be told, the whole experience is kinda muddled and I cant really remember who I helped or how, or really anything besides the fact that I did it, so its not all that useful right now. Im guessing I had something to do with the Stormguard, the widespread mastery of Panacea, and the Defiled tribesmen making their way to the Brotherhood, but while I know I probably helped others along, the details escape me. Somewhere along the way, I just... forgot what I did, the memories lost the same way I lost my limited omniscience. My brain was too smooth to store all the information contained in my thick, girthy soul, which is infuriating to the extreme. I know I did something amazing, I just have no idea how to go about doing it again with consistent success.Trying to get past the topic of my stupidity and cowardice and how I hid away for many months because I was too afraid to live or die, I conclude, So I guess Ive already, you know... done the whole Impartation thing before, I just never had a name for it.My most humble apologies, sweet wifey. Ill work hard and figure out Impartation so we can go Cloud-Stepping through the skies together.Hubby really treats me best. Love you.Love you more. All sugar and smiles once more, Lin-Lin hums a happy little tune and lets me get back to brushing her hair, when it occurs to me there is another matter I have yet to address. So... about our marriage...Cutting me off without giving me a chance to speak, Lin-Lin says, I already asked Luo-Luo, and she says its best to wait a bit until things settle down, but we shouldnt wait too long since most of the guests wed invite are already here. Shes gonna organize everything, so you just need to show up, okay? Reverse headbutting my shoulder, my sweet wifey shoots me a glare and dares me to say something stupid, but I am wise enough to abandon my efforts. If she really wants to marry me, it doesnt matter what I say, because her answer will always be yes. I think even if I told her the whole truth about who I am, she wouldnt care, but Im not sure about everyone else. They love me too, but Lin-Lin will forgive me for anything I do, even lying to her about who I am for so many years.Shes not one to concern herself with the nitty gritty details like that. All she cares about is how I treat her, and thats all the reason she needs to love me. Shes a lot like the floofs in that regard, her love contingent on my actions alone, rather than my character or achievements. Even if I was an incompetent, cowardly, good for nothing failure, Lin-Lin would still be my sweet wifey, because as she so loves to point out, I treat her the best.Kissing her cheek as I squeeze her tight, I hold her in my arms and share just how much I love and adore her through Aura and action. Going on a hunch, I tap into my passion and reflect on my experiences of Cloud-Stepping through the skies, sharing with her the emotions I felt while carrying her on our journey to the Arid Wastes and back. Despite the fears and concerns I had to face, Lin-Lins sense of adventure and unmitigated delight were a treat to behold, her lighthearted gaiety and unconstrained joie de vivre just two of the many reasons why I love her so.True to her Cloud Chaser Hare heritage, my sweet wifey is wholly suited for running through the skies, a free spirit unbound by custom or convention who marches to the beat of her own drum. Though some might think her simple and naive, her straightforward nature and guileless exterior conceals her resourceful intelligence well, a brilliant mind unburdened by doubt and indecision like my own. Guided by her unerring intuition, Lin-Lin floats through life doing whatever she pleases, and her charming nature ensures that everyone who meets her wants nothing more than to help her find joy and success through every step of her journey.Though my efforts to Impart Cloud-Stepping to Lin-Lin bears no fruit, I intend to keep trying until we can soar through the skies side by side, perhaps even with Mila and Yan if Im feeling greedy, which I most certainly always am.The next few days pass in relative peace as I settle into the routine of running the outer provinces, acclimating to my newfangled strength, and trying to figure out Impartation. There are a thousand and one things to oversee which have nothing to do with the coming counter-offensive, matters of business, politics, and general civility which I refuse to leave unchallenged. During my convalescence, Shuai Jiao took command and did a commendable job holding things together, but I cannot help but resent him for how he handled certain matters. Since withdrawing from the second line, the Enemy has been aggressively targeting our Elites and Peak Experts with non-stop Wraith attacks, and while casualties seem remarkably low, I cant help but notice a pattern when looking into the surviving families. While the majority of Peak Experts are backed by powerful clans or factions, there are still a significant number of first-generation powerhouses like the Ryo Family, and flagging households propped up by a single Peak Expert, like the Ru or Ishin Families. Having lost their pillar of support, these households are now facing significant pressure from their provincial rivals, and their plight is what led me to look into the matter further.What I found was that when looking at Peak Experts alone, the bulk of the causalities were Warriors who fit into one of the two aforementioned categories. Being the suspicious soul that I am, I first suspected foul play was involved, but after looking into it, I discovered that matters were even worse than I feared. It wasnt intentional treason that led the Wraiths to prey on these isolated talents, but rather the ingrained competitive nature of Imperial factions that led to their demise. Instead of banding together to protect against Wraith attacks, the households scattered apart to defend themselves, which is what led to the demise of so many isolated Peak Experts. A wholly avoidable scenario, but one Shuai Jiao paid no mind to, because such is life. The strong thrive, and the weak die, that is the political mindset of not only Central, but the outer provinces as a whole, though I would be lying if I didnt say things were worse here in the heart of the Empire. Now, not only are the Ryo and Ishin families struggling beneath the machinations of their political rivals, the Ru family has been all but scattered to the winds, a former mercantile power ripped apart and devoured like a stag brought down by wolves.Hardly a just reward for Ru Minsus life of service, one which culminated in a valiant death during the withdrawal from Castle JiangHu, to say nothing of Ishin Shigen and Ryo Dae Jung.That is merely the fate of one family, and as I dug further into things, I found many stories just like it. While Ive been focused on fighting a war for survival, the families and factions of the Empire are playing games of politics and power, something I knew all along but never really paid too much mind to, at least not when it didnt involve me personally. Now, seeing the pressure being put on the Ryo and Ishin families, I cannot help but wonder why any Peak Expert would care enough to risk their lives for the Empire if this is the reward for their efforts, to have everything theyve worked for stolen away the moment their lives are lost.Worst of all, since taking charge, Shuai Jiao has not only tacitly approved of such despicable tactics targeting the families of fallen heroes, hes even used them to his own personal advantage. Mitsue Juichis withdrawal benefited him the most, and now he stands to gain even more in the wake of Ryo Dae Jungs death, for now he has all of Central rallying to his cause. There are other signs to be wary of, like Luo-Luos inability to uncover the culprit behind a number of economical attacks, such as the real-estate takeover which has now fallen flat due to Liu Xuandes plan to excavate a massive harbour instead of rebuilding the Citadel as it was. I cannot help but suspect Shuai Jiaos influence in these sordid matters, leading me to wonder if this honourable and righteous Commander General is more of a snake than he lets on.More things to be wary of and problems I have no solutions for, but being the master delegator that I am, I set Luo-Luo and Liu Xuande to task, and even enlist MuYang to take a closer look at our esteemed Commander General. Its not that I suspect he might betray the Empire, but I believe that if given the chance, he would gladly order my death if it wouldnt adversely affect the outer provinces too too much. Shen ZhenWu was grooming Shuai Jiaos Disciple Yong-Jin as my replacement, and I cant imagine that wouldve happened without the Commander Generals approval, meaning our priorities are not as aligned as I would like.Unfortunately, there isnt too much I can do just yet except proceed with care and watch my back. On the plus side, the Brotherhoods assistance is much appreciated as they improve and streamline how the Districts are managed, as well as providing a much needed service with Spiritual guidance. Though I am not a religious man by any measure, I always found it odd that the Empire was so lax in their devotion to the Mother above, lacking any temples or traditions related to religion outside of personal piety and devotion. From the Abbots memories, I now know there was a time when the Brotherhood gave sermons to the public, and I also know that interference from the Imperial Clan is probably why they stopped. That being said, I can always feign ignorance in the Abbots absence, so while I never officially asked the monks to start up their sermons again, a few words with Monk Happy is all it takes to convince him that the world would benefit if the Brotherhood was more active with their efforts.After five days of meetings and discussions with friends and comrades while keeping myself occupied with busywork, my headache finally subsides, at which point Dad and Akanai take a personal interest in my sparring matches. Thus far, Id mostly been sparring with Gerel, though I also traded blows with Kyung, Dain, Ishin Ken-Shibu, Tam Taewoong and several other stand out talents, mostly for political theatre. Having fought without using too much Chi for so many days, Ive been itching to try out my big moves again outside of my Natal Palace, but my Mentor and Grand-Mentor have different plans, and instead force me to continue sparring in the same manner so that I can shore up my shaky foundations. According to Dad, I have all the necessary tools to call myself a Peak Expert, but I lack the knowledge and experience needed to use said tools to their full potential. Its like I inherited a restaurant with a fully stocked kitchen and I have no idea how to cook, but rather than sit down to teach me the family recipes, Dad and Akanai believe Ill learn more from trial and error at the school of hard knocks. Though I am less than pleased, I trust them to know best and suffer a string of grievous defeats at their merciless hands, while also meeting with trusted friends and loyal soldiers to try and figure out Impartation, alongside my nocturnal efforts with Mila and Yan in pursuit of the same goal. Though I have yet to succeed again, I cannot give up, for this skill might well be the key to defeating the Enemy. If I can figure out how to replicate my success with the Stormguard and go on to raise commoners to Domain Capable Peak Experts in a short time frame, then I could gather an army to match anything the Enemy can throw at me.Even in sleep, I do not rest, and instead train with Ping Ping, Pong Pong, Mama Bun, and Buddy every night in my Natal Palace, after an appropriate amount of playing of course. I love seeing them all get along, especially Buddy who is having a grand old time with all his new friends, and watching them run and play is a balm for the soul and a sight for sore eyes.Two weeks later, Dad finds me late at night, fully armoured and ready for battle. It is time, he says, and I suppress the urge to sigh now that my relatively peaceful days have come to an end. The full out offensive isnt planned until a few months from now and still has a lot of kinks to work out, but theres a lot we need to do before then. Mostly, I need to gain influence to sway more factions to my cause and set myself up as a true contender against Shuai Jiao before I can truly unite the outer provinces, but in order to do so, I need to prove myself strong enough to stand above him and the other Colonel Generals and Marshals, so its time to pull out all the stops and show the world what I can really do.After bidding my family and floofs farewell, I leave with Dad, Pong Pong, and Rakky to link up with Kuang Biao, a contingent of Royal Guardians, and the Azure Ascendants. Greeting them all with a nod, I try not to feel self-conscious in my golden, Legate armour and give them my best smile. Alright then, I say, projecting a confidence which is only half-faked and glad to finally have something to do. Whos ready to go badger hunting?Chapter Meme
