Chapter 741
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Chapter 741
At first glance, the steel bolt and crossbow in Akanais hands were utterly unremarkable, but she and everyone else present in this meeting understood the implications these two items represented.
Crossbows were a simple affair, but whoever crafted this one was a fool whod never used a ranged weapon in his or her life. The stock was too short for the limbs to pull back to their maximum tension, and the butt was edged, angled, and poorly shaped for firing from the shoulder or hip. There was no mechanism for quick loading bolts or to easily draw the string back, making it even slower to cock and reload than the weapon her husband had designed, which took half a minute for him to load and loose, and even longer for anyone lacking his powerful physique, meaning almost everyone else. The weapons flight groove was shallow and too wide for the bolt, the trigger unlatched and prone to slipping free when moving the weapon about, and the bowstring flimsy and liable to snap before loosing more than fifty bolts, to say nothing of how the riser blocked the line of sight to the target. Overall, a shoddy piece of work that had much room for improvement, a small blessing in disguise.
The bolt was in an even worse state, as if someone had been shown a picture of one and tried their best to recreate it. A real possibility all things considered, but that was a matter not worth considering just yet. The bolts head, shaft, and nock were all one piece, cast in a mould and honed to a point, a method that emphasized speed over quality and resulted in a substandard product. Even without laying it on a flat surface, one could see a slight curve in the shaft that would render it unstable in flight, an aspect made worse by the slapdash fashion in which the fletching was affixed at the end, one sparse feather approximately on either side, but running perpendicular to the nock instead of parallel to keep them from grinding against the bow itself. There were also a plethora of bumps and protrusions that needed grinding down, and it would be far deadlier with a broad or barbed arrowhead affixed to the end, one properly weighted to keep it from spinning end over end if the wind were blowing the wrong way.
And yet, for all their flaws, the crossbow and bolt was still a deadly weapon capable of killing even a Divinity if caught off-guard, a weapon the Enemy had adopted for their own use and almost claimed the life of her precious son.
Placing the bolt and crossbow on the table, Akanai carefully extracted the pieces of the shattered bolt the pup handed her and laid them out on the table as well, lining up the bloodied tip and broken base the pup pulled out of his chest and back with the intact one above it, showcasing how a good twenty centimetres of the steel shaft was missing from the picture. A clean shot straight through the heart, and the damage to his blood-stained armour corroborated his story to those who might otherwise disbelieve, armour which her old husband laid out on the table next to everything else. The crowd within the boys officers tent watched the proceedings without comment, their silence speaking volumes to their shock and alarm, for this heralded a change in the face of war, one Akanai had long seen coming ever since she finished her basic army training without ever touching a bow or arrow over three centuries ago..
Not four hours past, Akanai began, her voice hoarse from lack of use, Little Rain was ambushed in Huang Hai by Wraiths carrying weapons just like this one. Approaching under the cover of Concealment, approximately thirty Wraiths unleashed a single coordinated volley from under fifty meters away and peppered the Legates command tent in what appears to be a blind attempt to take his life. The Death Corps Guards stationed outside his tent emerged unscathed save for a few cracks and bruises, largely protected by their heavy armour which fended off the worst of the damage, but only because they were not the target of the attack. The crossbows are wildly inaccurate even at so close a range, but as you can see from my sons ruined armour and the six, unarmoured Aspirants and Imperial soldiers who died in the attack, even a single lucky hit can have devastating results against an opponent cloaked in Concealment. Glancing about the room at the fearsome Warriors gathered within, she hoped they would take this warning to heart as she added, Not just because of the physical damage done, but also because the bolts are tipped in a new and improved version of Wraith poison, one that paralyzes their target and interferes with attempts to Heal whilst under its effect.
That last part was of far more interest to her audience, as a good number of them were powerful enough to Heal anything short of instant death, like say a bolt through the heart. Glancing at the ruined armour once again, her throat tightened in fear and anxiety as she envisioned the pup wearing it once again, with the bolt protruding from his chest and his lifes blood pooling in the dirt around him. There was a time when she wouldve steeled her nerves and accepted his death as fate, just like the deaths of any other of her Sentinels, but things were different now that he was her son in name and in truth. Though she would not go so far as to say she raised him, shed watched him grow from a rambunctious pup into a fine, upstanding man, and she liked to think she had no small part in making it happen. Theyd only grown closer in recent years after she finally saw past her stubborn ways and accepted him into her heart and family, and her only regret was not doing so sooner, because even though theyd always been close as any mother and son, there was still a barrier between them that she never noticed until after she let it down.
A Mentor could take pride in her Disciples accomplishments, but a mother needed no reason to shower her son with love and affection, two things the pup had no lack of, but welcomed all the same from the people he saw as his parents in every way except name. An honour Akanai felt she did not deserve, for though she always strove to be the best Mentor to the pup, there were many times when she wouldve failed him as a parent. It showed in Milas training the most, for though Akanai was hard on the girl, shed been a hundred times harder on the pup, because at the end of the day, her job as a Mentor was to make him strong, while her job as a mother was to raise her children well.
Luckily, the pup figured out the second part all on his own, and Akanai could not be any prouder.
Thirty shots at close range and the pup still lives? Letting loose with a snort that set a fire in her belly, the Old Wolf curled his lip in a sneer and said, Hardly see what all the fuss is about then.
Shuffle closer and take a better look, old fool. Though hot-headed and foul-tempered, the Tigress Machalis tone held an uncharacteristic trace of gentle fondness, showing it was a term of endearment rather than scathing insult. Running her fingers across the ruined armour while studying the broken bits of bolt, she bit her lip and said, Someone skilled Healed young Baatar and kept him from deaths door. Your work, I presume?
The last was directed at Taduk, who was the most relaxed of them all, yawning as he sat slumped in his chair as if dead on his feet. Shaking his head with just a bit too much tired emphasis, he rubbed his eyes and replied, Not at all. I was fast asleep on the ship until word of this meeting arrived, so I suppose that charlatan of a Healer Tokta is finally earning his keep. His rivalry with Tokta was one of his mortal guilty pleasures, a senior unabashedly bullying a junior while hiding his status as an Ancestral Beast, but Taduks behaving was atypical of a Divinity. Most never cared to hide their status, not to anyone who was paying close attention, nor did they bother trying to blend in, but Taduks behaviour was so utterly flawless even the hyper-observant little Rain failed to notice anything amiss. To be fair, Akanai wasnt sure if the Ancestral Hares compassion, empathy, and generally eccentric demeanour was innate, learned, or feigned, but the way he relished life and cherished family and friends made her think he was younger than he cared to let on.
Possibly even younger than her, whod grown jaded in less than four-hundred years, so if Taduk was truly over a thousand years old as he claimed, without anyone being able to verify, then she admired and envied his wholesome mindset and lighthearted demeanour.
If only the others were even a quarter as humane, or a tenth as perceptive as the silly but brilliant Ancestral Hare, his eyes narrowing in thought as he took in the careful manner in which Akanai laid out the bolts, but he was interrupted before he could raise his next question. Mortals fighting with mortals, why should any of us care? Ling Lu asked, putting up a brave front while using Hua Lie to shield herself from every other Ancestral Beast in the room. We spend most of our time Concealed and hidden away even from one another, so these weapons prove little threat to us here. Though she was the youngest of the gathered Divinities by far, she was still almost twice Akanais age, which meant the Ancestral Gazelle had no excuse for having yet to master her temper. She was similar to the boy in this, allowing her fear to control her by channelling it into aggression, and it was in her nature to fear everything, even that which she could kill without blinking an eye. While this made her a formidable foe to be wary of, it also made her a dangerous, double-edged sword, for if she were to ever lash out in fear or anger, her enemies would not be the only ones to suffer.
Thankfully, cooler minds prevailed as Hua Lie fixed Ling Lu with a stare that set her back on her heels, and Akanai pretended not to notice the petulant Ancestral Gazelle pouting like a scolded child. They were a strange pair, Hua Lie and Ling Lu, with the latter idolizing the former while simultaneously yearning to surpass her, but the difference between them was like night and day, and not just in strength. Ling Lu loathed the world of mortals and only sought out companionship when she could no longer contain her urges, but while Hua Lie proclaimed she had desire to mingle in the world of mortals, she also had a habit of bringing home every handsome stray that crossed her path. History showed that this would inevitably lead to another half-rabbit son or daughter, though thus far, Gerel was the exception to the rule, likely the first human male Hua Lie interacted with for so long without having bedded, largely due to her decades long obsession with Taduk.
Touching as it was to see her efforts to win over her fated partner, Akanai still had an ongoing wager with her old husband whether or not Hua Lie would succumb to her urges before her Disciple turned forty, for her Husolt was an eternal romantic and secretly hoped his rival in chess would find love with Hua Lie, while Akanai wasnt so optimistic. In her eyes, it was not love which drove the Ancestral Rabbit to such great lengths, but simple lust, and her interest would fade fast once she got what she wanted, whether it be proof their pairing could not produce viable offspring, or a child of two Divinities that she could love with all her heart.
To make matters worse, Akanai wasnt certain if the Saints Tribulations Mountains could sustain a second pair of contentious Divine lovers like Machali and Da Hui, but that was a matter for another day. I bring this matter before you to all for two reasons, she began, ignoring the jealous wifes glare brought about by the adulterous husbands leer. If only Da Hui didnt look so much like Akanais beloved husband, with the same burly frame and kindly good looks, but the similarities between the sire and his offspring ended there, for never had there been a man as sweet and loving as Husolt, while the Ancestral Grizzly was anything but. First, as a warning, for the Enemy only need catch you off-guard for disaster to strike, and secondly, to request your aid. With these weapons in hand, our countermeasures against Wraiths are no longer enough, as our foes only need to draw close enough to loose their bolts rather than drive a dagger through their hearts. Only a watchful Divinity can warn us of approaching Spectres in time to guard against them now, a taxing and inglorious assignment I know, but you know I would not ask this of you if I had any other choice.
Glancing about the room, she met the eyes of every Divinity present as they reacted to the request, save for Wu Kong who was laid out in the corner and apparently sleeping, but Akanai knew better than to be taken in by the trickster. Though seemingly as mischievous as his twin sons Jochi and Argat, Wu Kong was perhaps the second best parent in the room, surpassing even Hua Lie in the affection he showed his children, though he behaved more like an older brother than father. This was perhaps due to the fact that he played the same role to the other Divinitys in the room, stepping in to shoulder the heavy responsibilities as the Old Wolf grew old and tired in body, mind, and soul. Touching as it was to see a Divinity treat his children so well, to be fair, Wu Kong only had the two sons at the moment, while Hua Lie had a total of fifty six children currently living in and around the Saints Tribulations Mountains, and more out in the world that Akanai had never met. The Ancestral Rabbits affection for her children was not innate and instead a sort of forced burden she took upon herself, something anyone with eyes could see. That being said, despite her tendency to take new lovers like others purchased new clothes, she had a good eye for partners and many of her husbands were more than happy to raise their half-rabbit children themselves, perhaps as a reminder of the whirlwind affair they shared with the aptly named Divine goddess of their dreams.
If the Imperials were half as flexible as Zhen Shi, then the Defiled would be no threat at all, because even as Legate, little Rain had been unable to force the Imperial Army to adopt his weapons and tactics and thus could only arm and train brave commoners in the use of his crossbows and catapults. Had the outer provinces thrown their support behind him from the start, Akanai believed that not only would the Central Citadel have thrown back Bai Qis army without support, she was certain that the war would not even have progressed so far. No, if Rain had had his way, then Sinuji would likely still stand as the front line of this war, or perhaps even serve as rear support for a more coordinated and multi-pronged effort at re-taking the West.
Such was life however, and Akanai could only assume Imperial stupidity was part and parcel of little Rains trials and tribulations. Now would come another, as the Divinities of the world would soon learn of a young boy who wielded the power of a Divinity without being one himself. Some would seek to safeguard and nurture him in hopes of establishing the first ever Ancestral Human, a human Divinity capable of truly Shattering the Void to reform his very being. Few knew what such a Path might entail, as none had ever come close, for though Human Divinities could match Ancestral Beasts in combat and experienced the same pitfalls when losing control, they fell woefully short in sheer destructive capability. A blessing and a curse both, as Human Divinities were far more flexible when it came to exerting their Divine strength without killing everyone around them, but it also meant that they needed to tread lightly lest their Ancestral Beast opponent do away with all restraint and kill them both in a moment of rage.
For long seconds after Taduks cheerful declaration, not a single gathered Divinity even blinked, all six of the others regarding the Ancestral Hare with mixed expressions. Horror, ridicule, and disbelief were chief among them, though the Old Wolf let none of it show as he twitched his nose in careful thought. Ye sure thats the case? Absolutely sure?
Of course not, Taduk replied, and the others visibly sagged with relief. Ive yet to speak with him as he is fast asleep in his bed, and Im not brave enough to intrude while my sweet Lin-Lin is there with him, so all I have is conjecture for now. There was more than a hint of melancholy in the mans voice, and Akanai commiserated with him fully, for little Rain had sunk his fangs deep into sweet Mila as well and done unspeakable things to Akanais precious daughter. It must be doubly as difficult for Taduk to bear, but he loved the boy and sweet Mei Lin both, so much so that he would sooner break his self-imposed oath to do no harm than see either of them hurt. That being said, he wasnt much of a protector as he loved his sleep too much, rising with the morning sun and sleeping soon after it set as if he himself were a plant reliant on the light for sustenance. Its entirely possible the boy dissolved the bolt through more mundane means, Taduk began, resting both hands on the table to lean in close enough to lick the poisoned bolt if he should so choose to. He could have broken down the steel and distributed it through Baatars bloodstream, to be filtered out in the kidneys later on, but that would introduce future complications the boy would never forget to mention, and Akanai said nothing of the sort. Tilting his head this way and that, he continued studying the bolt and rattling off medical theories that made just enough sense to be possible, yet not enough to conclusively prove little Rain had gone through with it, until he finally concluded with, But I dont think the boy bothered with any of that. I think that after seeing his father dying before his eyes, he called upon the Energy of the Heavens to Heal Baatar, and the Heavens obliged.
Whys that? Making his presence known for the first time in weeks, Wu Kong cracked a single eye open and let his attention slip for a moment from his arduous task of Concealing the presence of his peers and family. What makes you so certain the boy is so capable, ah? To do what even we cannot accomplish on a whim at so young an age?
Because, Taduk began, offering a sheepish shrug of apology to the boy who would not see it, Little Rain is... he is a brilliant child, but not in the traditional sense. A traditional genius would be a child who learns to count from one to ten, then without guidance, understands that after ten, comes ten and one, ten and two, ten and three, and so on and so forth. Little Rain is a child who grew tired of learning how to count and instead devised his own method to keep track of numbers, one which may or may not superior to our own. Which wasnt so far from the truth, as hed devised a number system to simplify how to represent large figures on paper after growing frustrated at having to write out so many characters in his accounting ledgers. The boy was barely thirteen when she first saw him scrawling his numbers into the dirt, trying to keep track of the number of times his lessons ended in a visit to the Healers, but the sheer scope of what he accomplished never occurred to her until after Zheng Luo took them up for her own use.
Whats that have to do with anything? This time it was Ling Lus turn to speak up, though her interest did not bode well for little Mila, as the Ancestral Gazelle was still young enough to find the notion of taking a human lover intriguing, and while little Rain was not as bad as Da Hui or Niu Mowang, one could not honestly claim that he did not have a prodigious appetite for beautiful women. Akanai had already lost one daughter to him and was fast mourning the second, for little Li-Li was firmly caught in his grasp but didnt know it yet. The girls Aura and actions declared as much, and though Akanai was pleased to see her poor daughter overcoming her trauma of men and find it in her heart to love another, she would be happier if Li-Li had fallen in love with almost anyone besides little Rain.
Taking a moment to consider how best to answer the question, Taduk looked up from the bolt and shook his head in shame. Its my fault really, he began, pacing about the room, and it was almost adorable how Hua Lie bounced in her steps as she followed him about like Mama Bun followed Rain, so infatuated with the man she simply wanted to be as close to him as possible at all times. When he was still young and new to the Dao, I inadvertently showed him too much while Healing him from a deadly injury, though to be fair, hes come closer to death more times than I can remember. This one was a particularly gruesome snake bite, one that grazed his heart and pierced his lung among other things, so I panicked and rushed the Healing more than I usually would, which offered him a glimpse of my full capabilities. After he regained consciousness, he likened my efforts to weaving a complex tapestry using ten-thousand needles at once, one of my favourite compliments to date Ill have you all know. Beaming foolishly as he made sure they all knew how pleased he truly was, he scratched his cheek and continued, The issue is that this display scared him off from properly learning how to control Chi because he thought it was too complex for him to ever master, and thus has since been dead set on simplifying the Dao. Thats been the driving force behind many of his steps along his Path, from Panacea to Keystones and more, and combined with the fact that he has not always been one to keep calm under pressure, I believe the only way he couldve saved Baatar from so grievous an injury is by utilizing the Energy of the Heavens. Not to say Im looking down on him, but while hes known for his ability to Heal injuries in combat and his knowledge of the medical field is indeed top notch, the truth is hes only above average for someone his age when it comes to his skills in traditional Healing, and Panacea does not work fast enough to Heal an injury of this magnitude. Its possible he had enough usable Heavenly Energy at his disposal from the Demons he killed, but I doubt it. Ive said it before, but the amount he harvests from a single Spectre is so minuscule it might as well be negligible, while Demons offer him barely more than a mouthful in the grand scheme of things. Healing a ruptured heart quickly enough to avoid brain damage and complications would require no small amount of Chi, and I would assume an equal amount of Heavenly Energy. Judging from past experience and discussions with the boy, I would say hed need close to fifteen Demons worth of Heavenly Energy to accomplish such a feat, which means...
The Ancestral Hare continued to natter on about specifics he couldnt possibly truly know for certain, but he laid it out in a manner that made perfect sense. This was another area in which Taduk differed from a traditional Ancestral Beast, for few were as inquisitive and discerning as he. Most took their strengths for granted and never delved too deeply into understanding the details of their respective Paths, but Taduks boundless curiosity drove him to study anything and everything that caught his fancy. That being said, his standards were even higher than Akanais own, as little Rains traditional Healing skills outstripped that of most Peak Experts, as it was a skill that few cared to learn considering the risks and effort involved.
Where is the boy now? Old Wolf asked, and Akanai was not sure if the hint of threat in his tone was imagined or real. An Ancestral Human would be a prized possession indeed, especially if the theories were true and that his coupling with an Ancestral Beast would result in a powerful demi-human worthy of a natural born scion of two Divinities, though there was little more than wistful thinking to support it. Either way, if the boy had the capability to ascend into such a never before seen Divinity, factions the Empire round would be fighting to claim him and his offspring to raise into their own personal Divinity slave army.
Meaning there might be some who thought it easier to remove temptation than defend the boy from so many foes...
There was no helping it though, for the Old Wolf would have his way regardless of whether or not Akanai stood in his way. He is resting in his ship after his trying ordeal, which should dock in LuZhuo soon enough. He woke briefly to ask about his father on the way back and share a few scant details with his wives, but he soon lapsed back into unconsciousness after complaining of a headache and Chi strain.
So hes not a Divinity just yet, the Old Wolf murmured, and the other Divinities aside from Taduk and Hua Lie nodded in agreement. Wouldnt feel the strain if he were, not after Healing just one pup.
Yes, he passed out for weeks the last time he pushed too hard, Machali added, the dutiful daughter supporting her adoptive father as always, and Akanai fought hard not to smile at how similar they were to the pup and his girl. So its possible hes simply acting as a medium for the Heavenly Tear and that none of this power is his own.
A difference without a distinction, as far as the Imperials will be concerned. Such a solemn expression was rarely seen on the golden-furred Wu Kongs face, reminding her and everyone else that he was second in seniority after the Old Wolf, though he was still a child in the latters eyes, the same as the rest of them. They will not care where his power comes from, so long as he can wield it, to say nothing of his latent potential. Perhaps it is time we abandon this farce and retreat to the mountains, where we will be better poised to defend him.
Annoying as it was to hear them try to make decisions for her, Akanai knew that was just the way they were. To Divinities, the lives of mortals came and went in the blink of an eye, even one as long-lived as herself, so how could they not see her as a child who needed their assistance? Much like she would not stop to ask an errant childs opinion while fleeing from Defiled, they would not think to ask what she intended to do, but they were in for a rude awakening if they believed they could order her around with impunity. At least there there was no talk of abandoning the boy just yet, but even if the others were willing, Taduk would never allow it, and Akanai suspected the female Divinities would be loathe to let this chance to slip through their fingers. The former loved the boy dearly as if he were his own son, while the latter all knew that an Ancestral Human represented their best chance to give birth to a child they would not instantly pity and wish death upon. A powerful impetus, the desire to raise the next generation to succeed them, one even a Divinity could not escape for long, and Akanai could only apologize to her daughters for allowing them both to become tied to a man whose future was so uncertain.
At least they had love aplenty to get them through these trying times, and Akanai could only pray it would be enough, for there was no way little Rain would allow himself to be brought away while so many suffered in the West, nor would Akanai condone it. If the Divinities decided otherwise, she would simply refuse to follow their lead and strike out on her own, a freedom still afforded to her as she was no child of theirs. It might well be suicide to stay without their support and rely only on Imperial Divinities to protect her, but she could not bring herself to flee just yet, because when all was said and done, she shared much in common with her grandson turned son-in-law. Despite the machinations of the Imperial Clan, they both loved the Empire and all its people too much to stand aside and watch them suffer, meaning for better or for worse, they would fight on to the bitter end.
Chapter Meme
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Chapter 741
At first glance, the steel bolt and crossbow in Akanais hands were utterly unremarkable, but she and everyone else present in this meeting understood the implications these two items represented.
Crossbows were a simple affair, but whoever crafted this one was a fool whod never used a ranged weapon in his or her life. The stock was too short for the limbs to pull back to their maximum tension, and the butt was edged, angled, and poorly shaped for firing from the shoulder or hip. There was no mechanism for quick loading bolts or to easily draw the string back, making it even slower to cock and reload than the weapon her husband had designed, which took half a minute for him to load and loose, and even longer for anyone lacking his powerful physique, meaning almost everyone else. The weapons flight groove was shallow and too wide for the bolt, the trigger unlatched and prone to slipping free when moving the weapon about, and the bowstring flimsy and liable to snap before loosing more than fifty bolts, to say nothing of how the riser blocked the line of sight to the target. Overall, a shoddy piece of work that had much room for improvement, a small blessing in disguise.
The bolt was in an even worse state, as if someone had been shown a picture of one and tried their best to recreate it. A real possibility all things considered, but that was a matter not worth considering just yet. The bolts head, shaft, and nock were all one piece, cast in a mould and honed to a point, a method that emphasized speed over quality and resulted in a substandard product. Even without laying it on a flat surface, one could see a slight curve in the shaft that would render it unstable in flight, an aspect made worse by the slapdash fashion in which the fletching was affixed at the end, one sparse feather approximately on either side, but running perpendicular to the nock instead of parallel to keep them from grinding against the bow itself. There were also a plethora of bumps and protrusions that needed grinding down, and it would be far deadlier with a broad or barbed arrowhead affixed to the end, one properly weighted to keep it from spinning end over end if the wind were blowing the wrong way.
And yet, for all their flaws, the crossbow and bolt was still a deadly weapon capable of killing even a Divinity if caught off-guard, a weapon the Enemy had adopted for their own use and almost claimed the life of her precious son.
Placing the bolt and crossbow on the table, Akanai carefully extracted the pieces of the shattered bolt the pup handed her and laid them out on the table as well, lining up the bloodied tip and broken base the pup pulled out of his chest and back with the intact one above it, showcasing how a good twenty centimetres of the steel shaft was missing from the picture. A clean shot straight through the heart, and the damage to his blood-stained armour corroborated his story to those who might otherwise disbelieve, armour which her old husband laid out on the table next to everything else. The crowd within the boys officers tent watched the proceedings without comment, their silence speaking volumes to their shock and alarm, for this heralded a change in the face of war, one Akanai had long seen coming ever since she finished her basic army training without ever touching a bow or arrow over three centuries ago..
Not four hours past, Akanai began, her voice hoarse from lack of use, Little Rain was ambushed in Huang Hai by Wraiths carrying weapons just like this one. Approaching under the cover of Concealment, approximately thirty Wraiths unleashed a single coordinated volley from under fifty meters away and peppered the Legates command tent in what appears to be a blind attempt to take his life. The Death Corps Guards stationed outside his tent emerged unscathed save for a few cracks and bruises, largely protected by their heavy armour which fended off the worst of the damage, but only because they were not the target of the attack. The crossbows are wildly inaccurate even at so close a range, but as you can see from my sons ruined armour and the six, unarmoured Aspirants and Imperial soldiers who died in the attack, even a single lucky hit can have devastating results against an opponent cloaked in Concealment. Glancing about the room at the fearsome Warriors gathered within, she hoped they would take this warning to heart as she added, Not just because of the physical damage done, but also because the bolts are tipped in a new and improved version of Wraith poison, one that paralyzes their target and interferes with attempts to Heal whilst under its effect.
That last part was of far more interest to her audience, as a good number of them were powerful enough to Heal anything short of instant death, like say a bolt through the heart. Glancing at the ruined armour once again, her throat tightened in fear and anxiety as she envisioned the pup wearing it once again, with the bolt protruding from his chest and his lifes blood pooling in the dirt around him. There was a time when she wouldve steeled her nerves and accepted his death as fate, just like the deaths of any other of her Sentinels, but things were different now that he was her son in name and in truth. Though she would not go so far as to say she raised him, shed watched him grow from a rambunctious pup into a fine, upstanding man, and she liked to think she had no small part in making it happen. Theyd only grown closer in recent years after she finally saw past her stubborn ways and accepted him into her heart and family, and her only regret was not doing so sooner, because even though theyd always been close as any mother and son, there was still a barrier between them that she never noticed until after she let it down.
A Mentor could take pride in her Disciples accomplishments, but a mother needed no reason to shower her son with love and affection, two things the pup had no lack of, but welcomed all the same from the people he saw as his parents in every way except name. An honour Akanai felt she did not deserve, for though she always strove to be the best Mentor to the pup, there were many times when she wouldve failed him as a parent. It showed in Milas training the most, for though Akanai was hard on the girl, shed been a hundred times harder on the pup, because at the end of the day, her job as a Mentor was to make him strong, while her job as a mother was to raise her children well.
Luckily, the pup figured out the second part all on his own, and Akanai could not be any prouder.
Thirty shots at close range and the pup still lives? Letting loose with a snort that set a fire in her belly, the Old Wolf curled his lip in a sneer and said, Hardly see what all the fuss is about then.
Shuffle closer and take a better look, old fool. Though hot-headed and foul-tempered, the Tigress Machalis tone held an uncharacteristic trace of gentle fondness, showing it was a term of endearment rather than scathing insult. Running her fingers across the ruined armour while studying the broken bits of bolt, she bit her lip and said, Someone skilled Healed young Baatar and kept him from deaths door. Your work, I presume?
The last was directed at Taduk, who was the most relaxed of them all, yawning as he sat slumped in his chair as if dead on his feet. Shaking his head with just a bit too much tired emphasis, he rubbed his eyes and replied, Not at all. I was fast asleep on the ship until word of this meeting arrived, so I suppose that charlatan of a Healer Tokta is finally earning his keep. His rivalry with Tokta was one of his mortal guilty pleasures, a senior unabashedly bullying a junior while hiding his status as an Ancestral Beast, but Taduks behaving was atypical of a Divinity. Most never cared to hide their status, not to anyone who was paying close attention, nor did they bother trying to blend in, but Taduks behaviour was so utterly flawless even the hyper-observant little Rain failed to notice anything amiss. To be fair, Akanai wasnt sure if the Ancestral Hares compassion, empathy, and generally eccentric demeanour was innate, learned, or feigned, but the way he relished life and cherished family and friends made her think he was younger than he cared to let on.
Possibly even younger than her, whod grown jaded in less than four-hundred years, so if Taduk was truly over a thousand years old as he claimed, without anyone being able to verify, then she admired and envied his wholesome mindset and lighthearted demeanour.
If only the others were even a quarter as humane, or a tenth as perceptive as the silly but brilliant Ancestral Hare, his eyes narrowing in thought as he took in the careful manner in which Akanai laid out the bolts, but he was interrupted before he could raise his next question. Mortals fighting with mortals, why should any of us care? Ling Lu asked, putting up a brave front while using Hua Lie to shield herself from every other Ancestral Beast in the room. We spend most of our time Concealed and hidden away even from one another, so these weapons prove little threat to us here. Though she was the youngest of the gathered Divinities by far, she was still almost twice Akanais age, which meant the Ancestral Gazelle had no excuse for having yet to master her temper. She was similar to the boy in this, allowing her fear to control her by channelling it into aggression, and it was in her nature to fear everything, even that which she could kill without blinking an eye. While this made her a formidable foe to be wary of, it also made her a dangerous, double-edged sword, for if she were to ever lash out in fear or anger, her enemies would not be the only ones to suffer.
Thankfully, cooler minds prevailed as Hua Lie fixed Ling Lu with a stare that set her back on her heels, and Akanai pretended not to notice the petulant Ancestral Gazelle pouting like a scolded child. They were a strange pair, Hua Lie and Ling Lu, with the latter idolizing the former while simultaneously yearning to surpass her, but the difference between them was like night and day, and not just in strength. Ling Lu loathed the world of mortals and only sought out companionship when she could no longer contain her urges, but while Hua Lie proclaimed she had desire to mingle in the world of mortals, she also had a habit of bringing home every handsome stray that crossed her path. History showed that this would inevitably lead to another half-rabbit son or daughter, though thus far, Gerel was the exception to the rule, likely the first human male Hua Lie interacted with for so long without having bedded, largely due to her decades long obsession with Taduk.
Touching as it was to see her efforts to win over her fated partner, Akanai still had an ongoing wager with her old husband whether or not Hua Lie would succumb to her urges before her Disciple turned forty, for her Husolt was an eternal romantic and secretly hoped his rival in chess would find love with Hua Lie, while Akanai wasnt so optimistic. In her eyes, it was not love which drove the Ancestral Rabbit to such great lengths, but simple lust, and her interest would fade fast once she got what she wanted, whether it be proof their pairing could not produce viable offspring, or a child of two Divinities that she could love with all her heart.
To make matters worse, Akanai wasnt certain if the Saints Tribulations Mountains could sustain a second pair of contentious Divine lovers like Machali and Da Hui, but that was a matter for another day. I bring this matter before you to all for two reasons, she began, ignoring the jealous wifes glare brought about by the adulterous husbands leer. If only Da Hui didnt look so much like Akanais beloved husband, with the same burly frame and kindly good looks, but the similarities between the sire and his offspring ended there, for never had there been a man as sweet and loving as Husolt, while the Ancestral Grizzly was anything but. First, as a warning, for the Enemy only need catch you off-guard for disaster to strike, and secondly, to request your aid. With these weapons in hand, our countermeasures against Wraiths are no longer enough, as our foes only need to draw close enough to loose their bolts rather than drive a dagger through their hearts. Only a watchful Divinity can warn us of approaching Spectres in time to guard against them now, a taxing and inglorious assignment I know, but you know I would not ask this of you if I had any other choice.
Glancing about the room, she met the eyes of every Divinity present as they reacted to the request, save for Wu Kong who was laid out in the corner and apparently sleeping, but Akanai knew better than to be taken in by the trickster. Though seemingly as mischievous as his twin sons Jochi and Argat, Wu Kong was perhaps the second best parent in the room, surpassing even Hua Lie in the affection he showed his children, though he behaved more like an older brother than father. This was perhaps due to the fact that he played the same role to the other Divinitys in the room, stepping in to shoulder the heavy responsibilities as the Old Wolf grew old and tired in body, mind, and soul. Touching as it was to see a Divinity treat his children so well, to be fair, Wu Kong only had the two sons at the moment, while Hua Lie had a total of fifty six children currently living in and around the Saints Tribulations Mountains, and more out in the world that Akanai had never met. The Ancestral Rabbits affection for her children was not innate and instead a sort of forced burden she took upon herself, something anyone with eyes could see. That being said, despite her tendency to take new lovers like others purchased new clothes, she had a good eye for partners and many of her husbands were more than happy to raise their half-rabbit children themselves, perhaps as a reminder of the whirlwind affair they shared with the aptly named Divine goddess of their dreams.
If the Imperials were half as flexible as Zhen Shi, then the Defiled would be no threat at all, because even as Legate, little Rain had been unable to force the Imperial Army to adopt his weapons and tactics and thus could only arm and train brave commoners in the use of his crossbows and catapults. Had the outer provinces thrown their support behind him from the start, Akanai believed that not only would the Central Citadel have thrown back Bai Qis army without support, she was certain that the war would not even have progressed so far. No, if Rain had had his way, then Sinuji would likely still stand as the front line of this war, or perhaps even serve as rear support for a more coordinated and multi-pronged effort at re-taking the West.
Such was life however, and Akanai could only assume Imperial stupidity was part and parcel of little Rains trials and tribulations. Now would come another, as the Divinities of the world would soon learn of a young boy who wielded the power of a Divinity without being one himself. Some would seek to safeguard and nurture him in hopes of establishing the first ever Ancestral Human, a human Divinity capable of truly Shattering the Void to reform his very being. Few knew what such a Path might entail, as none had ever come close, for though Human Divinities could match Ancestral Beasts in combat and experienced the same pitfalls when losing control, they fell woefully short in sheer destructive capability. A blessing and a curse both, as Human Divinities were far more flexible when it came to exerting their Divine strength without killing everyone around them, but it also meant that they needed to tread lightly lest their Ancestral Beast opponent do away with all restraint and kill them both in a moment of rage.
For long seconds after Taduks cheerful declaration, not a single gathered Divinity even blinked, all six of the others regarding the Ancestral Hare with mixed expressions. Horror, ridicule, and disbelief were chief among them, though the Old Wolf let none of it show as he twitched his nose in careful thought. Ye sure thats the case? Absolutely sure?
Of course not, Taduk replied, and the others visibly sagged with relief. Ive yet to speak with him as he is fast asleep in his bed, and Im not brave enough to intrude while my sweet Lin-Lin is there with him, so all I have is conjecture for now. There was more than a hint of melancholy in the mans voice, and Akanai commiserated with him fully, for little Rain had sunk his fangs deep into sweet Mila as well and done unspeakable things to Akanais precious daughter. It must be doubly as difficult for Taduk to bear, but he loved the boy and sweet Mei Lin both, so much so that he would sooner break his self-imposed oath to do no harm than see either of them hurt. That being said, he wasnt much of a protector as he loved his sleep too much, rising with the morning sun and sleeping soon after it set as if he himself were a plant reliant on the light for sustenance. Its entirely possible the boy dissolved the bolt through more mundane means, Taduk began, resting both hands on the table to lean in close enough to lick the poisoned bolt if he should so choose to. He could have broken down the steel and distributed it through Baatars bloodstream, to be filtered out in the kidneys later on, but that would introduce future complications the boy would never forget to mention, and Akanai said nothing of the sort. Tilting his head this way and that, he continued studying the bolt and rattling off medical theories that made just enough sense to be possible, yet not enough to conclusively prove little Rain had gone through with it, until he finally concluded with, But I dont think the boy bothered with any of that. I think that after seeing his father dying before his eyes, he called upon the Energy of the Heavens to Heal Baatar, and the Heavens obliged.
Whys that? Making his presence known for the first time in weeks, Wu Kong cracked a single eye open and let his attention slip for a moment from his arduous task of Concealing the presence of his peers and family. What makes you so certain the boy is so capable, ah? To do what even we cannot accomplish on a whim at so young an age?
Because, Taduk began, offering a sheepish shrug of apology to the boy who would not see it, Little Rain is... he is a brilliant child, but not in the traditional sense. A traditional genius would be a child who learns to count from one to ten, then without guidance, understands that after ten, comes ten and one, ten and two, ten and three, and so on and so forth. Little Rain is a child who grew tired of learning how to count and instead devised his own method to keep track of numbers, one which may or may not superior to our own. Which wasnt so far from the truth, as hed devised a number system to simplify how to represent large figures on paper after growing frustrated at having to write out so many characters in his accounting ledgers. The boy was barely thirteen when she first saw him scrawling his numbers into the dirt, trying to keep track of the number of times his lessons ended in a visit to the Healers, but the sheer scope of what he accomplished never occurred to her until after Zheng Luo took them up for her own use.
Whats that have to do with anything? This time it was Ling Lus turn to speak up, though her interest did not bode well for little Mila, as the Ancestral Gazelle was still young enough to find the notion of taking a human lover intriguing, and while little Rain was not as bad as Da Hui or Niu Mowang, one could not honestly claim that he did not have a prodigious appetite for beautiful women. Akanai had already lost one daughter to him and was fast mourning the second, for little Li-Li was firmly caught in his grasp but didnt know it yet. The girls Aura and actions declared as much, and though Akanai was pleased to see her poor daughter overcoming her trauma of men and find it in her heart to love another, she would be happier if Li-Li had fallen in love with almost anyone besides little Rain.
Taking a moment to consider how best to answer the question, Taduk looked up from the bolt and shook his head in shame. Its my fault really, he began, pacing about the room, and it was almost adorable how Hua Lie bounced in her steps as she followed him about like Mama Bun followed Rain, so infatuated with the man she simply wanted to be as close to him as possible at all times. When he was still young and new to the Dao, I inadvertently showed him too much while Healing him from a deadly injury, though to be fair, hes come closer to death more times than I can remember. This one was a particularly gruesome snake bite, one that grazed his heart and pierced his lung among other things, so I panicked and rushed the Healing more than I usually would, which offered him a glimpse of my full capabilities. After he regained consciousness, he likened my efforts to weaving a complex tapestry using ten-thousand needles at once, one of my favourite compliments to date Ill have you all know. Beaming foolishly as he made sure they all knew how pleased he truly was, he scratched his cheek and continued, The issue is that this display scared him off from properly learning how to control Chi because he thought it was too complex for him to ever master, and thus has since been dead set on simplifying the Dao. Thats been the driving force behind many of his steps along his Path, from Panacea to Keystones and more, and combined with the fact that he has not always been one to keep calm under pressure, I believe the only way he couldve saved Baatar from so grievous an injury is by utilizing the Energy of the Heavens. Not to say Im looking down on him, but while hes known for his ability to Heal injuries in combat and his knowledge of the medical field is indeed top notch, the truth is hes only above average for someone his age when it comes to his skills in traditional Healing, and Panacea does not work fast enough to Heal an injury of this magnitude. Its possible he had enough usable Heavenly Energy at his disposal from the Demons he killed, but I doubt it. Ive said it before, but the amount he harvests from a single Spectre is so minuscule it might as well be negligible, while Demons offer him barely more than a mouthful in the grand scheme of things. Healing a ruptured heart quickly enough to avoid brain damage and complications would require no small amount of Chi, and I would assume an equal amount of Heavenly Energy. Judging from past experience and discussions with the boy, I would say hed need close to fifteen Demons worth of Heavenly Energy to accomplish such a feat, which means...
The Ancestral Hare continued to natter on about specifics he couldnt possibly truly know for certain, but he laid it out in a manner that made perfect sense. This was another area in which Taduk differed from a traditional Ancestral Beast, for few were as inquisitive and discerning as he. Most took their strengths for granted and never delved too deeply into understanding the details of their respective Paths, but Taduks boundless curiosity drove him to study anything and everything that caught his fancy. That being said, his standards were even higher than Akanais own, as little Rains traditional Healing skills outstripped that of most Peak Experts, as it was a skill that few cared to learn considering the risks and effort involved.
Where is the boy now? Old Wolf asked, and Akanai was not sure if the hint of threat in his tone was imagined or real. An Ancestral Human would be a prized possession indeed, especially if the theories were true and that his coupling with an Ancestral Beast would result in a powerful demi-human worthy of a natural born scion of two Divinities, though there was little more than wistful thinking to support it. Either way, if the boy had the capability to ascend into such a never before seen Divinity, factions the Empire round would be fighting to claim him and his offspring to raise into their own personal Divinity slave army.
Meaning there might be some who thought it easier to remove temptation than defend the boy from so many foes...
There was no helping it though, for the Old Wolf would have his way regardless of whether or not Akanai stood in his way. He is resting in his ship after his trying ordeal, which should dock in LuZhuo soon enough. He woke briefly to ask about his father on the way back and share a few scant details with his wives, but he soon lapsed back into unconsciousness after complaining of a headache and Chi strain.
So hes not a Divinity just yet, the Old Wolf murmured, and the other Divinities aside from Taduk and Hua Lie nodded in agreement. Wouldnt feel the strain if he were, not after Healing just one pup.
Yes, he passed out for weeks the last time he pushed too hard, Machali added, the dutiful daughter supporting her adoptive father as always, and Akanai fought hard not to smile at how similar they were to the pup and his girl. So its possible hes simply acting as a medium for the Heavenly Tear and that none of this power is his own.
A difference without a distinction, as far as the Imperials will be concerned. Such a solemn expression was rarely seen on the golden-furred Wu Kongs face, reminding her and everyone else that he was second in seniority after the Old Wolf, though he was still a child in the latters eyes, the same as the rest of them. They will not care where his power comes from, so long as he can wield it, to say nothing of his latent potential. Perhaps it is time we abandon this farce and retreat to the mountains, where we will be better poised to defend him.
Annoying as it was to hear them try to make decisions for her, Akanai knew that was just the way they were. To Divinities, the lives of mortals came and went in the blink of an eye, even one as long-lived as herself, so how could they not see her as a child who needed their assistance? Much like she would not stop to ask an errant childs opinion while fleeing from Defiled, they would not think to ask what she intended to do, but they were in for a rude awakening if they believed they could order her around with impunity. At least there there was no talk of abandoning the boy just yet, but even if the others were willing, Taduk would never allow it, and Akanai suspected the female Divinities would be loathe to let this chance to slip through their fingers. The former loved the boy dearly as if he were his own son, while the latter all knew that an Ancestral Human represented their best chance to give birth to a child they would not instantly pity and wish death upon. A powerful impetus, the desire to raise the next generation to succeed them, one even a Divinity could not escape for long, and Akanai could only apologize to her daughters for allowing them both to become tied to a man whose future was so uncertain.
At least they had love aplenty to get them through these trying times, and Akanai could only pray it would be enough, for there was no way little Rain would allow himself to be brought away while so many suffered in the West, nor would Akanai condone it. If the Divinities decided otherwise, she would simply refuse to follow their lead and strike out on her own, a freedom still afforded to her as she was no child of theirs. It might well be suicide to stay without their support and rely only on Imperial Divinities to protect her, but she could not bring herself to flee just yet, because when all was said and done, she shared much in common with her grandson turned son-in-law. Despite the machinations of the Imperial Clan, they both loved the Empire and all its people too much to stand aside and watch them suffer, meaning for better or for worse, they would fight on to the bitter end.
Chapter Meme
Chapter 741At first glance, the steel bolt and crossbow in Akanais hands were utterly unremarkable, but she and everyone else present in this meeting understood the implications these two items represented.Crossbows were a simple affair, but whoever crafted this one was a fool whod never used a ranged weapon in his or her life. The stock was too short for the limbs to pull back to their maximum tension, and the butt was edged, angled, and poorly shaped for firing from the shoulder or hip. There was no mechanism for quick loading bolts or to easily draw the string back, making it even slower to cock and reload than the weapon her husband had designed, which took half a minute for him to load and loose, and even longer for anyone lacking his powerful physique, meaning almost everyone else. The weapons flight groove was shallow and too wide for the bolt, the trigger unlatched and prone to slipping free when moving the weapon about, and the bowstring flimsy and liable to snap before loosing more than fifty bolts, to say nothing of how the riser blocked the line of sight to the target. Overall, a shoddy piece of work that had much room for improvement, a small blessing in disguise.The bolt was in an even worse state, as if someone had been shown a picture of one and tried their best to recreate it. A real possibility all things considered, but that was a matter not worth considering just yet. The bolts head, shaft, and nock were all one piece, cast in a mould and honed to a point, a method that emphasized speed over quality and resulted in a substandard product. Even without laying it on a flat surface, one could see a slight curve in the shaft that would render it unstable in flight, an aspect made worse by the slapdash fashion in which the fletching was affixed at the end, one sparse feather approximately on either side, but running perpendicular to the nock instead of parallel to keep them from grinding against the bow itself. There were also a plethora of bumps and protrusions that needed grinding down, and it would be far deadlier with a broad or barbed arrowhead affixed to the end, one properly weighted to keep it from spinning end over end if the wind were blowing the wrong way.And yet, for all their flaws, the crossbow and bolt was still a deadly weapon capable of killing even a Divinity if caught off-guard, a weapon the Enemy had adopted for their own use and almost claimed the life of her precious son.Placing the bolt and crossbow on the table, Akanai carefully extracted the pieces of the shattered bolt the pup handed her and laid them out on the table as well, lining up the bloodied tip and broken base the pup pulled out of his chest and back with the intact one above it, showcasing how a good twenty centimetres of the steel shaft was missing from the picture. A clean shot straight through the heart, and the damage to his blood-stained armour corroborated his story to those who might otherwise disbelieve, armour which her old husband laid out on the table next to everything else. The crowd within the boys officers tent watched the proceedings without comment, their silence speaking volumes to their shock and alarm, for this heralded a change in the face of war, one Akanai had long seen coming ever since she finished her basic army training without ever touching a bow or arrow over three centuries ago..Not four hours past, Akanai began, her voice hoarse from lack of use, Little Rain was ambushed in Huang Hai by Wraiths carrying weapons just like this one. Approaching under the cover of Concealment, approximately thirty Wraiths unleashed a single coordinated volley from under fifty meters away and peppered the Legates command tent in what appears to be a blind attempt to take his life. The Death Corps Guards stationed outside his tent emerged unscathed save for a few cracks and bruises, largely protected by their heavy armour which fended off the worst of the damage, but only because they were not the target of the attack. The crossbows are wildly inaccurate even at so close a range, but as you can see from my sons ruined armour and the six, unarmoured Aspirants and Imperial soldiers who died in the attack, even a single lucky hit can have devastating results against an opponent cloaked in Concealment. Glancing about the room at the fearsome Warriors gathered within, she hoped they would take this warning to heart as she added, Not just because of the physical damage done, but also because the bolts are tipped in a new and improved version of Wraith poison, one that paralyzes their target and interferes with attempts to Heal whilst under its effect.That last part was of far more interest to her audience, as a good number of them were powerful enough to Heal anything short of instant death, like say a bolt through the heart. Glancing at the ruined armour once again, her throat tightened in fear and anxiety as she envisioned the pup wearing it once again, with the bolt protruding from his chest and his lifes blood pooling in the dirt around him. There was a time when she wouldve steeled her nerves and accepted his death as fate, just like the deaths of any other of her Sentinels, but things were different now that he was her son in name and in truth. Though she would not go so far as to say she raised him, shed watched him grow from a rambunctious pup into a fine, upstanding man, and she liked to think she had no small part in making it happen. Theyd only grown closer in recent years after she finally saw past her stubborn ways and accepted him into her heart and family, and her only regret was not doing so sooner, because even though theyd always been close as any mother and son, there was still a barrier between them that she never noticed until after she let it down.A Mentor could take pride in her Disciples accomplishments, but a mother needed no reason to shower her son with love and affection, two things the pup had no lack of, but welcomed all the same from the people he saw as his parents in every way except name. An honour Akanai felt she did not deserve, for though she always strove to be the best Mentor to the pup, there were many times when she wouldve failed him as a parent. It showed in Milas training the most, for though Akanai was hard on the girl, shed been a hundred times harder on the pup, because at the end of the day, her job as a Mentor was to make him strong, while her job as a mother was to raise her children well.Luckily, the pup figured out the second part all on his own, and Akanai could not be any prouder.Thirty shots at close range and the pup still lives? Letting loose with a snort that set a fire in her belly, the Old Wolf curled his lip in a sneer and said, Hardly see what all the fuss is about then.Shuffle closer and take a better look, old fool. Though hot-headed and foul-tempered, the Tigress Machalis tone held an uncharacteristic trace of gentle fondness, showing it was a term of endearment rather than scathing insult. Running her fingers across the ruined armour while studying the broken bits of bolt, she bit her lip and said, Someone skilled Healed young Baatar and kept him from deaths door. Your work, I presume?The last was directed at Taduk, who was the most relaxed of them all, yawning as he sat slumped in his chair as if dead on his feet. Shaking his head with just a bit too much tired emphasis, he rubbed his eyes and replied, Not at all. I was fast asleep on the ship until word of this meeting arrived, so I suppose that charlatan of a Healer Tokta is finally earning his keep. His rivalry with Tokta was one of his mortal guilty pleasures, a senior unabashedly bullying a junior while hiding his status as an Ancestral Beast, but Taduks behaving was atypical of a Divinity. Most never cared to hide their status, not to anyone who was paying close attention, nor did they bother trying to blend in, but Taduks behaviour was so utterly flawless even the hyper-observant little Rain failed to notice anything amiss. To be fair, Akanai wasnt sure if the Ancestral Hares compassion, empathy, and generally eccentric demeanour was innate, learned, or feigned, but the way he relished life and cherished family and friends made her think he was younger than he cared to let on.Possibly even younger than her, whod grown jaded in less than four-hundred years, so if Taduk was truly over a thousand years old as he claimed, without anyone being able to verify, then she admired and envied his wholesome mindset and lighthearted demeanour.If only the others were even a quarter as humane, or a tenth as perceptive as the silly but brilliant Ancestral Hare, his eyes narrowing in thought as he took in the careful manner in which Akanai laid out the bolts, but he was interrupted before he could raise his next question. Mortals fighting with mortals, why should any of us care? Ling Lu asked, putting up a brave front while using Hua Lie to shield herself from every other Ancestral Beast in the room. We spend most of our time Concealed and hidden away even from one another, so these weapons prove little threat to us here. Though she was the youngest of the gathered Divinities by far, she was still almost twice Akanais age, which meant the Ancestral Gazelle had no excuse for having yet to master her temper. She was similar to the boy in this, allowing her fear to control her by channelling it into aggression, and it was in her nature to fear everything, even that which she could kill without blinking an eye. While this made her a formidable foe to be wary of, it also made her a dangerous, double-edged sword, for if she were to ever lash out in fear or anger, her enemies would not be the only ones to suffer.Thankfully, cooler minds prevailed as Hua Lie fixed Ling Lu with a stare that set her back on her heels, and Akanai pretended not to notice the petulant Ancestral Gazelle pouting like a scolded child. They were a strange pair, Hua Lie and Ling Lu, with the latter idolizing the former while simultaneously yearning to surpass her, but the difference between them was like night and day, and not just in strength. Ling Lu loathed the world of mortals and only sought out companionship when she could no longer contain her urges, but while Hua Lie proclaimed she had desire to mingle in the world of mortals, she also had a habit of bringing home every handsome stray that crossed her path. History showed that this would inevitably lead to another half-rabbit son or daughter, though thus far, Gerel was the exception to the rule, likely the first human male Hua Lie interacted with for so long without having bedded, largely due to her decades long obsession with Taduk.Touching as it was to see her efforts to win over her fated partner, Akanai still had an ongoing wager with her old husband whether or not Hua Lie would succumb to her urges before her Disciple turned forty, for her Husolt was an eternal romantic and secretly hoped his rival in chess would find love with Hua Lie, while Akanai wasnt so optimistic. In her eyes, it was not love which drove the Ancestral Rabbit to such great lengths, but simple lust, and her interest would fade fast once she got what she wanted, whether it be proof their pairing could not produce viable offspring, or a child of two Divinities that she could love with all her heart.To make matters worse, Akanai wasnt certain if the Saints Tribulations Mountains could sustain a second pair of contentious Divine lovers like Machali and Da Hui, but that was a matter for another day. I bring this matter before you to all for two reasons, she began, ignoring the jealous wifes glare brought about by the adulterous husbands leer. If only Da Hui didnt look so much like Akanais beloved husband, with the same burly frame and kindly good looks, but the similarities between the sire and his offspring ended there, for never had there been a man as sweet and loving as Husolt, while the Ancestral Grizzly was anything but. First, as a warning, for the Enemy only need catch you off-guard for disaster to strike, and secondly, to request your aid. With these weapons in hand, our countermeasures against Wraiths are no longer enough, as our foes only need to draw close enough to loose their bolts rather than drive a dagger through their hearts. Only a watchful Divinity can warn us of approaching Spectres in time to guard against them now, a taxing and inglorious assignment I know, but you know I would not ask this of you if I had any other choice.Glancing about the room, she met the eyes of every Divinity present as they reacted to the request, save for Wu Kong who was laid out in the corner and apparently sleeping, but Akanai knew better than to be taken in by the trickster. Though seemingly as mischievous as his twin sons Jochi and Argat, Wu Kong was perhaps the second best parent in the room, surpassing even Hua Lie in the affection he showed his children, though he behaved more like an older brother than father. This was perhaps due to the fact that he played the same role to the other Divinitys in the room, stepping in to shoulder the heavy responsibilities as the Old Wolf grew old and tired in body, mind, and soul. Touching as it was to see a Divinity treat his children so well, to be fair, Wu Kong only had the two sons at the moment, while Hua Lie had a total of fifty six children currently living in and around the Saints Tribulations Mountains, and more out in the world that Akanai had never met. The Ancestral Rabbits affection for her children was not innate and instead a sort of forced burden she took upon herself, something anyone with eyes could see. That being said, despite her tendency to take new lovers like others purchased new clothes, she had a good eye for partners and many of her husbands were more than happy to raise their half-rabbit children themselves, perhaps as a reminder of the whirlwind affair they shared with the aptly named Divine goddess of their dreams.If the Imperials were half as flexible as Zhen Shi, then the Defiled would be no threat at all, because even as Legate, little Rain had been unable to force the Imperial Army to adopt his weapons and tactics and thus could only arm and train brave commoners in the use of his crossbows and catapults. Had the outer provinces thrown their support behind him from the start, Akanai believed that not only would the Central Citadel have thrown back Bai Qis army without support, she was certain that the war would not even have progressed so far. No, if Rain had had his way, then Sinuji would likely still stand as the front line of this war, or perhaps even serve as rear support for a more coordinated and multi-pronged effort at re-taking the West.Such was life however, and Akanai could only assume Imperial stupidity was part and parcel of little Rains trials and tribulations. Now would come another, as the Divinities of the world would soon learn of a young boy who wielded the power of a Divinity without being one himself. Some would seek to safeguard and nurture him in hopes of establishing the first ever Ancestral Human, a human Divinity capable of truly Shattering the Void to reform his very being. Few knew what such a Path might entail, as none had ever come close, for though Human Divinities could match Ancestral Beasts in combat and experienced the same pitfalls when losing control, they fell woefully short in sheer destructive capability. A blessing and a curse both, as Human Divinities were far more flexible when it came to exerting their Divine strength without killing everyone around them, but it also meant that they needed to tread lightly lest their Ancestral Beast opponent do away with all restraint and kill them both in a moment of rage.For long seconds after Taduks cheerful declaration, not a single gathered Divinity even blinked, all six of the others regarding the Ancestral Hare with mixed expressions. Horror, ridicule, and disbelief were chief among them, though the Old Wolf let none of it show as he twitched his nose in careful thought. Ye sure thats the case? Absolutely sure?Of course not, Taduk replied, and the others visibly sagged with relief. Ive yet to speak with him as he is fast asleep in his bed, and Im not brave enough to intrude while my sweet Lin-Lin is there with him, so all I have is conjecture for now. There was more than a hint of melancholy in the mans voice, and Akanai commiserated with him fully, for little Rain had sunk his fangs deep into sweet Mila as well and done unspeakable things to Akanais precious daughter. It must be doubly as difficult for Taduk to bear, but he loved the boy and sweet Mei Lin both, so much so that he would sooner break his self-imposed oath to do no harm than see either of them hurt. That being said, he wasnt much of a protector as he loved his sleep too much, rising with the morning sun and sleeping soon after it set as if he himself were a plant reliant on the light for sustenance. Its entirely possible the boy dissolved the bolt through more mundane means, Taduk began, resting both hands on the table to lean in close enough to lick the poisoned bolt if he should so choose to. He could have broken down the steel and distributed it through Baatars bloodstream, to be filtered out in the kidneys later on, but that would introduce future complications the boy would never forget to mention, and Akanai said nothing of the sort. Tilting his head this way and that, he continued studying the bolt and rattling off medical theories that made just enough sense to be possible, yet not enough to conclusively prove little Rain had gone through with it, until he finally concluded with, But I dont think the boy bothered with any of that. I think that after seeing his father dying before his eyes, he called upon the Energy of the Heavens to Heal Baatar, and the Heavens obliged.Whys that? Making his presence known for the first time in weeks, Wu Kong cracked a single eye open and let his attention slip for a moment from his arduous task of Concealing the presence of his peers and family. What makes you so certain the boy is so capable, ah? To do what even we cannot accomplish on a whim at so young an age?Because, Taduk began, offering a sheepish shrug of apology to the boy who would not see it, Little Rain is... he is a brilliant child, but not in the traditional sense. A traditional genius would be a child who learns to count from one to ten, then without guidance, understands that after ten, comes ten and one, ten and two, ten and three, and so on and so forth. Little Rain is a child who grew tired of learning how to count and instead devised his own method to keep track of numbers, one which may or may not superior to our own. Which wasnt so far from the truth, as hed devised a number system to simplify how to represent large figures on paper after growing frustrated at having to write out so many characters in his accounting ledgers. The boy was barely thirteen when she first saw him scrawling his numbers into the dirt, trying to keep track of the number of times his lessons ended in a visit to the Healers, but the sheer scope of what he accomplished never occurred to her until after Zheng Luo took them up for her own use.Whats that have to do with anything? This time it was Ling Lus turn to speak up, though her interest did not bode well for little Mila, as the Ancestral Gazelle was still young enough to find the notion of taking a human lover intriguing, and while little Rain was not as bad as Da Hui or Niu Mowang, one could not honestly claim that he did not have a prodigious appetite for beautiful women. Akanai had already lost one daughter to him and was fast mourning the second, for little Li-Li was firmly caught in his grasp but didnt know it yet. The girls Aura and actions declared as much, and though Akanai was pleased to see her poor daughter overcoming her trauma of men and find it in her heart to love another, she would be happier if Li-Li had fallen in love with almost anyone besides little Rain.Taking a moment to consider how best to answer the question, Taduk looked up from the bolt and shook his head in shame. Its my fault really, he began, pacing about the room, and it was almost adorable how Hua Lie bounced in her steps as she followed him about like Mama Bun followed Rain, so infatuated with the man she simply wanted to be as close to him as possible at all times. When he was still young and new to the Dao, I inadvertently showed him too much while Healing him from a deadly injury, though to be fair, hes come closer to death more times than I can remember. This one was a particularly gruesome snake bite, one that grazed his heart and pierced his lung among other things, so I panicked and rushed the Healing more than I usually would, which offered him a glimpse of my full capabilities. After he regained consciousness, he likened my efforts to weaving a complex tapestry using ten-thousand needles at once, one of my favourite compliments to date Ill have you all know. Beaming foolishly as he made sure they all knew how pleased he truly was, he scratched his cheek and continued, The issue is that this display scared him off from properly learning how to control Chi because he thought it was too complex for him to ever master, and thus has since been dead set on simplifying the Dao. Thats been the driving force behind many of his steps along his Path, from Panacea to Keystones and more, and combined with the fact that he has not always been one to keep calm under pressure, I believe the only way he couldve saved Baatar from so grievous an injury is by utilizing the Energy of the Heavens. Not to say Im looking down on him, but while hes known for his ability to Heal injuries in combat and his knowledge of the medical field is indeed top notch, the truth is hes only above average for someone his age when it comes to his skills in traditional Healing, and Panacea does not work fast enough to Heal an injury of this magnitude. Its possible he had enough usable Heavenly Energy at his disposal from the Demons he killed, but I doubt it. Ive said it before, but the amount he harvests from a single Spectre is so minuscule it might as well be negligible, while Demons offer him barely more than a mouthful in the grand scheme of things. Healing a ruptured heart quickly enough to avoid brain damage and complications would require no small amount of Chi, and I would assume an equal amount of Heavenly Energy. Judging from past experience and discussions with the boy, I would say hed need close to fifteen Demons worth of Heavenly Energy to accomplish such a feat, which means...The Ancestral Hare continued to natter on about specifics he couldnt possibly truly know for certain, but he laid it out in a manner that made perfect sense. This was another area in which Taduk differed from a traditional Ancestral Beast, for few were as inquisitive and discerning as he. Most took their strengths for granted and never delved too deeply into understanding the details of their respective Paths, but Taduks boundless curiosity drove him to study anything and everything that caught his fancy. That being said, his standards were even higher than Akanais own, as little Rains traditional Healing skills outstripped that of most Peak Experts, as it was a skill that few cared to learn considering the risks and effort involved.Where is the boy now? Old Wolf asked, and Akanai was not sure if the hint of threat in his tone was imagined or real. An Ancestral Human would be a prized possession indeed, especially if the theories were true and that his coupling with an Ancestral Beast would result in a powerful demi-human worthy of a natural born scion of two Divinities, though there was little more than wistful thinking to support it. Either way, if the boy had the capability to ascend into such a never before seen Divinity, factions the Empire round would be fighting to claim him and his offspring to raise into their own personal Divinity slave army.Meaning there might be some who thought it easier to remove temptation than defend the boy from so many foes...There was no helping it though, for the Old Wolf would have his way regardless of whether or not Akanai stood in his way. He is resting in his ship after his trying ordeal, which should dock in LuZhuo soon enough. He woke briefly to ask about his father on the way back and share a few scant details with his wives, but he soon lapsed back into unconsciousness after complaining of a headache and Chi strain.So hes not a Divinity just yet, the Old Wolf murmured, and the other Divinities aside from Taduk and Hua Lie nodded in agreement. Wouldnt feel the strain if he were, not after Healing just one pup.Yes, he passed out for weeks the last time he pushed too hard, Machali added, the dutiful daughter supporting her adoptive father as always, and Akanai fought hard not to smile at how similar they were to the pup and his girl. So its possible hes simply acting as a medium for the Heavenly Tear and that none of this power is his own.A difference without a distinction, as far as the Imperials will be concerned. Such a solemn expression was rarely seen on the golden-furred Wu Kongs face, reminding her and everyone else that he was second in seniority after the Old Wolf, though he was still a child in the latters eyes, the same as the rest of them. They will not care where his power comes from, so long as he can wield it, to say nothing of his latent potential. Perhaps it is time we abandon this farce and retreat to the mountains, where we will be better poised to defend him.Annoying as it was to hear them try to make decisions for her, Akanai knew that was just the way they were. To Divinities, the lives of mortals came and went in the blink of an eye, even one as long-lived as herself, so how could they not see her as a child who needed their assistance? Much like she would not stop to ask an errant childs opinion while fleeing from Defiled, they would not think to ask what she intended to do, but they were in for a rude awakening if they believed they could order her around with impunity. At least there there was no talk of abandoning the boy just yet, but even if the others were willing, Taduk would never allow it, and Akanai suspected the female Divinities would be loathe to let this chance to slip through their fingers. The former loved the boy dearly as if he were his own son, while the latter all knew that an Ancestral Human represented their best chance to give birth to a child they would not instantly pity and wish death upon. A powerful impetus, the desire to raise the next generation to succeed them, one even a Divinity could not escape for long, and Akanai could only apologize to her daughters for allowing them both to become tied to a man whose future was so uncertain.At least they had love aplenty to get them through these trying times, and Akanai could only pray it would be enough, for there was no way little Rain would allow himself to be brought away while so many suffered in the West, nor would Akanai condone it. If the Divinities decided otherwise, she would simply refuse to follow their lead and strike out on her own, a freedom still afforded to her as she was no child of theirs. It might well be suicide to stay without their support and rely only on Imperial Divinities to protect her, but she could not bring herself to flee just yet, because when all was said and done, she shared much in common with her grandson turned son-in-law. Despite the machinations of the Imperial Clan, they both loved the Empire and all its people too much to stand aside and watch them suffer, meaning for better or for worse, they would fight on to the bitter end.Chapter Meme
