Chapter 745
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Chapter 745
The last vestiges of sweet slumber slipped away as Mila stirred awake to the sounds and sensations of disgruntled grumblings and gentle ministrations.
Blinking away the blurriness of a long nights sleep, the world came alive to reveal the source of said disturbances, a sight which warmed her heart indeed. Looming overhead on two furry feet was none other than little Guai-Guai himself, scowling up a storm with arms raised high in a most adorably threatening manner. Uttering the softest of grunts, he struck with the speed of a slug and the strength of a fly as he slammed his paws on her shoulder without lifting his feet off the cot. Though intended as a strike, his monumental efforts resulted in little more than a light pat rather than the rude awakening he no doubt intended, disgruntled that she was still in bed instead of feeding him lunch as she was supposed to. Judging by how hard he was huffing his little chest, hed clearly been at this for at least a minute, though thankfully Mila woke before he resorted to striking her face instead. This was their daily routine now, one in which Li-Li employed this most adorable of accomplices to help rouse Mila from slumber each and every morning. Though his efforts seemed wholly unsuited for this most arduous of tasks, Guai-Guai struck the perfect balance between gentle efforts and steadfast persistence which enabled him to not only succeed where so many others failed, but also avoid Milas inadvertently violent responses in the process.
A good thing too, for Guai-Guais efforts were a pleasant alternative to having Mama or Papa pull her out of bed, an indignity she would much rather avoid now that she was a married woman, but before Li-Li accidentally discovered Guai-Guais talents, only two others were capable of waking Mila so gently. Unfortunately for her, both said individuals were fast asleep beside her, her husbands faint yet steady breathing wholly covered by Lin-Lins dainty snores, sounds so familiar they threatened to lull Mila back to sleep. Resisting the urge to sink back into a blissful stupor, she pulled little Guai-Guai close into a warm embrace and giggled as he grumbled and accepted her affections with indignant pique, though that didnt stop him from nuzzling into her arms. Small wonder red pandas were called bear-cats, for Guai-Guai possessed the gruff disposition of a disgruntled bear and the ambivalent disregard for others that many cats seemed to share, an attitude that seemed entirely out of place in a creature so small and weak. This sort of personality would have been more suited to the massive red-panda Rain described seeing in Ping Pings Natal Palace, but this little tantrum only made Guai-Guai that much cuter.
Shifting closer to her comatose husband, Mila nuzzled his shoulder and luxuriated in his presence. Though bedridden for the better part of a month now, Rain still smelled fresh as a daisy and possessed velvety smooth skin to boot, a far cry from how it was during his last comatose stint. Back then, the lack of a Core meant having to deal with mild unpleasantness like body odour, acne, and other basic hygiene issues, on top of the more serious concerns like bed sores and muscle atrophy. As a Martial Warrior however, Rain still benefited from the cleansing properties of Heavenly Energy which made him much more pleasant to snuggle with, and Mila took it all in like a heady, addictive drug which she could no longer live without. Uttering a silent prayer to the Mother in Heaven, Mila implored Her to look after Rain and bring him back as soon as possible, and hoped against all hope that today would be the day when he woke again. She wanted nothing more than to see him open his beautiful eyes and flash his captivating smile, but when she raised her head to take him in once again, he continued to lay there in bed, asleep and unresponsive as ever.
No matter, she told herself, swallowing back her disappointment and clinging fast to hope. He would wake eventually, just not soon enough for her tastes, but she would stay strong and patient until he was able to rejoin the waking world. Kissing his shoulder ever so chastely, she couldnt help but run her fingers over his chest and marvel at how soft and smooth his skin was, his body hair so sparse and thin it might as well not exist. A good thing too, for there was enough fur in Milas life that it was nice not to have a shaggy beast for a husband as well. She loved the sensation of his bare skin against her cheek and couldnt imagine life any other way, because even though her husband was far from perfect, he was absolutely perfect for her.
A soft giggle interrupted Milas visceral appreciation of Rains physical attributes, and she opened her eyes to find Lin-Lin peering at her from the other side. There was a time when Milas cheeks would have erupted into flames at the mere thought of anyone bearing witness to so intimate a moment, but sharing this with her sister-wife was nothing to be ashamed of, for Lin-Lin loved Rain every bit as much as she did. Morning, Mila said, and Lin-Lin responded in kind, grinning as she pressed her pliable cheek against Rains chest and indulged in his presence with a similar lack of shame. There was no competition in her actions, no rivalry between them, just a mutual appreciation of their husbands best traits, of which they both agreed there were many. They also agreed that waking to find him still beside them was one of the few benefits of their husbands comatose state, as it was rare for him to stay in bed so late. Much as he liked to complain about having too much to do, Rain was never one to sit idle, for his curious and anxious nature would never allow it. Since the day he arrived in the village, he sought to make progress in every facet of life, harbouring an ambition to improve and advance in a way few could ever match. A large part of this was driven by fear, but recently, Mila had come to realize that her husband was a man of grand aspirations, and she loved him all the more for it. It wasnt that he sought to become a great man, but rather that his nature demanded he become one, for only then could accomplish his hearts desire and lead humanity into a new era of progress and prosperity.
As such, he was far too driven to lay around in bed until mid-day, though admittedly he had been sleeping in a bit more of late. Or at least he had until stupid Shuai Jiaos political machinations drew Rain away from home and hearth, but for a few weeks, Mila, Lin-Lin, and Yan had enjoyed a blissful marital life with their amorous and insatiable husband, a teasing glimpse into what their lives would be like once they returned home to the North after all this unpleasantness. Of course, there was a chance this would never happen, as great men could rarely afford the luxury of a simple, quiet life, but Mila could still dream. No longer did she care to be a great hero and Warrior, for shed seen how the Empire treated its own and found it a lacking reception indeed. All she wanted now was a quiet life back home with her husband and sister-wives, however many there might be.
With children to come when they were ready of course, though Mila felt far from it. Ready that was, because while Mama and Papa taught her everything she needed to know about the Martial Path and blacksmithing, Mila knew next to nothing regarding domestic affairs. It wasnt their fault since she resisted learning anything outside of her two chosen disciplines and her parents were more than happy to spoil her in their own way, but her flaws were sorely felt now that she was a married woman. While Rain had no intention of adhering to traditional gender roles, which were admittedly outdated and chauvinistic, Mila still wanted to do something nice for her husband every once in awhile, not to mention take on her fair share of the household chores, but she lacked the skills to do so. She could barely steep a pot of decent tea, much less cook a meal or launder clothes, so how would she fare when raising a child of her own? Not well, and not just because she lacked the necessary skills, but also the patience and understanding a child would demand from her. She could barely keep her temper when discussing the Dao with Rain, as she always grew frustrated by her lack of answers, so how could she be expected to teach a child everything they needed to know about life?
She wasnt like Lin-Lin, who would be an amazing mother when the time came, as evidenced by how patient and gentle she was while caring for comatose Rain, the very picture of a motherly saint as she hummed a cheery little tune while dutifully washing his face and checking his body for bed sores. She even knew how to brew medicine, which meant she could easily pick up the art of cooking if she cared to, not to mention how her natural aptitude at wrangling animals and getting them to heed her commands would translate to raising children. Then there was Luo-Luo, who probably knew a thousand different ways to swaddle a baby and could list out the circumstances in which each variation should be used, which would barely be scratching the depths of the knowledge she possessed. The trained Imperial Servant was no doubt well prepped to raise a child, not to mention so fortuitously equipped with the functioning organs needed to give birth to a child of her own, one that would be blood of her blood and more importantly, Rains as well.
Therein lay the crux of most of Milas fears, her inability to bear her husbands children. What if he ended up loving his real children more than his adopted ones? He wouldnt do so with malicious intent, but even with his pets, it was obvious he favoured some over the others. Though he went out of his way to play with each and every one of them as much as he could, Aurie and Mama Bun were quite clearly the most spoiled of the lot, to the point where even diffident Jimjam could tell and harboured some resentment. Granted, the independent wildcat didnt seem to mind too much, as he was content with only a bare modicum of affection from Rain and much preferred playing with his bear siblings instead, but Mila worried a human or demi-human child would not be so understanding.
Worse, what if she couldnt love her child, the same way Guan Suo couldnt find it in his heart to love her? Mother knows hed tried, an indisputable fact Mila had come to accept in the months since his death, which was more than what most Ancestral Beasts could claim. While her circumstances were completely different, Mila wasnt like Yan who cooed at babies and made faces at toddlers in passing, a woman clearly gripped by baby fever and unashamed to show it. Having a child always just seemed like an eventuality to Mila, a milestone in life the same way a Natal Palace was a milestone along the Martial Dao, but she wasnt sure if she had it in her to love the child of a stranger the same way Mama and Papa loved her. While one neednt look far to find heartwarming stories of adoption among the People, but Mila knew all too well that the less inspiring tales of failure and heartbreak were quickly swept under the rug and hidden from plain sight. If not, how could someone like Yan go so many years without finding a family for herself? She wasnt the only one either, for there were far more orphans among the People than there were couples willing to adopt them, a harsh truth few cared to face.
All this and more weighed heavily on Milas mind as she wheeled her husband out of their yurt with Guai-Guai sprawled across his lap and a procession of laughing birds taking turns to fly down and greet him. A ring of other yurts formed a little courtyard of sorts, one under heavy Concealment to hide the fact that Rain was stationed out in the field among the Sentinels rather than ensconced inside the newly raised fort at Meng Sha. Security through obscurity, as Rain would say, though Heavens knew why he smiled every time he did, as if hed said something particularly clever or witty. Still, it wasnt the worst idea hed ever had and staying out here meant they could bring him about in a wheelchair and take him for walks without having to worry too much about being seen, for the People looked after their own. Though likely crafted in one of his factories, this wheelchair in particular had been borrowed from the stocks of the Army Healers, whod been quick to adopt Rains ingenious little contraption and were thus far his biggest customers. Healers knew better than most that injuries taken in the line of duty were not to the body alone, but also the mind and spirit as well. Many a recovering soldier could benefit greatly from fresh air and sunlight, and these chairs allowed them to partake in the outdoors without having to suffer the indignity of being carried around like a sack of rice, yet another manner in which Milas husband had reshaped the world around them.
A shame Rains mind and spirit was unable to revel in the fresh air and sunlight, or at least not in any discernible way. The animals were more than happy with the arrangements however, with free access to the beach and dutiful Li-Li to bring them over to play each and every morning before returning to wake Mila and Lin-Lin for lunch. Still sopping wet and indifferent to everyones desire to avoid the same, the bears bunny-hopped over in gleeful greeting, one Mila intercepted on behalf of her husband since Baloo had a habit of resting his head on Rains lap. Comatose or otherwise, even the People would whisper if it looked like the Legate of the Outer Provinces had wet his pants, though Rain himself would probably get a good laugh out of it. Forced to settle with resting his soggy chin on Milas hand instead, Baloo gingerly settled back on his haunches like an ungainly dog sitting with legs splayed out in different directions, chortling all the while as he enjoyed his vigorous head-rubbing.
Grinning like a fool and unable to hide it, Mila looked away from Baloos half-lidded gaze for fear of melting into a puddle and greeted her sister instead, who was strolling over with Mama Bun coddled in her arms. Morning Li-Li.
Morning.
It wasnt much, but knowing Li-Li was finally able to casually greet her in a less than formal manner made Milas heart swell with joy. You have fun at the beach?
Yes. Though still somewhat stony-faced, there was a slackness to her brows and a faint, almost imperceptible curve to her lips that told Mila her sister was inwardly smiling, a message even her Aura of love and contentment could not wholly convey. Banjo and Baloo are a sight to behold as they splash around in the water, and Rakky is becoming more confident with each passing day. If there was one thing the warhorse-sized tiger didnt need, it was more confidence, but Mila let it slide as she watched her sister bask in her joy. Cat-ears fluttering with delight, Li-Li hugged Mama Bun even tighter and nuzzled her softly, but the rabbit was having none of it, wiggling this way and that in an effort to escape so that she might go greet Rain as well. Mama Bun spent a good hour trying to fill the sea with sand though. She wanted to join in on the fun, but still hasnt learned how to swim.
Rain had told them all about the rabbits adventures in his Natal Palace, where he conjured up a magic raft that kept her afloat no matter where she hopped. Alas, poor Mama Bun didnt understand the difference between the real world and Rains Natal Palace, so she suffered through several self-inflicted dunkings before she finally accepted that the raft would not appear. Giving up on keeping the rabbit to herself, Li-Li gently placed Mama Bun in Rains lap beside Guai-Guai and sighed as the forlorn floof stared into his eyes, a ritual she repeated several times a day ever since he lapsed into a coma. Patient as ever, Li-Li knelt beside Rains wheelchair and stroked the inconsolable rabbits ears, a testament to her compassion and understanding. She too would make for an outstanding mother, a tender and empathetic soul who just had so much love to give, but had yet to learn how to properly express it without Aura.
So what if Mila was lacking direction? So long as she continued to strive to improve, then she would sooner or later find the right Path forward. All this time, shed been too afraid to move for fear of making a mistake, when instead she could have been more like Rain and looked forward to learning from her mistakes instead. Was that not how she formed her Natal Palace in the first place? She had no direction or plan when she set out to accomplish what she did, just a general idea of what she wanted and the knowledge that whatever she created had to adhere to Balance. Though she lacked a clear image of what she wanted and the words to describe her inner vision, she still strove to create her Natal Palace through a process of trial and error, painstakingly setting every blade of grass and pebble of stone in their optimal place until the myriad of cascading, interacting forces holding her Natal Palace together matched with what she knew to be true in the real world. While the end result was far from perfect, it was still more than suitable for her needs and far more complex than most Natal Palaces needed to be, so why was she so afraid to take this same approach with the Martial Path? Sure, she might take longer than otherwise necessary, but so what? With Rain around, Mila could only ever strive for second best, so why did it matter if others should overtake her for now? Everyone must forge their own Path to the Peak, and while some routes might prove longer than others, the important thing was that Mila had the confidence to see her own Path to the Peak.
The mere act of acknowledging this single thought was enough to relieve Mila of her hefty burdens of fear, doubt, and frustration, a welcome relief after suffering under them for so long. Regardless of the trials and tribulations before her, she would tackle them as they came, and while some planning and preparation would still be needed, she didnt have to go at it all alone. She had her supportive family, two sister-wives, and a devoted husband to help her, and between them all, there was no calamity they could not overcome together.
A lesson Li-Li would do well to also learn, and one Papa was too enthusiastic about delivering. Arriving in a flurry soon after lunch, he pulled Li-Li aside for a secretive meeting Mila couldnt help but join for the sake of her curiosity. Dont neither of ye tell yer mother about what I say next, ye hear? Papa began, kissing Mila and Li-Li on the temple to take away the sting of his demand. Most times, she knows best, especially when it comes to the Martial Path, but she also dont rightly know how to admit she might be... wrong. Looking left and right with wide, conspiratorial eyes, he gently took Li-Li by the shoulders as he knelt to look her in the eyes. A comical sight it was, this massive, scarred Warrior bending his knee before a slender girl half his size, but Mila was warmed by the sight of it, and Li-Li seemed to be as well. Listen here lass, he rumbled, hunching his back and slumping his shoulders to look both non-threatening and serious at the same time. Were fighting a war here, and action is soon coming, so there aint anymore time fer dawdlin. No way Ill let me girlie go into battle with naught but cold steel to fight with. Fer heavens sake, ye dont even have a bow to keep ye safe and away from the fightin. Reaching into his robes, his hand emerged with a bundle of wrapped leather which he unfurled to reveal a varied selection of swords, though contrary to his words, they were all mundane in nature. Now I made these so ye can get a feel fer how the end result will handle, though there might be some minor differences in the end product when it comes to weight distribution and balance. Cant be helped, as ye never fully know how Spiritual Hearts will take to steel, especially not with something as rare and unique as the Spiritual ore I got me eye on. Its light as a feather it is, but tougher than steel even before its been refined, and I cant think of a better material to make yer weapon out of, but I need ye to pick a design before I start.
Urged on by Papas demands, Song cautiously pulled out the first sword to test out, but Mila had already written it off in her mind. Though similar to the sabre Li-Li had lost, it was too long and sharply curved for her to comfortably quick-draw. Papa knew that of course, but he didnt want to limit Li-Li in any way whatsoever, so he included various examples which didnt suit her current style in case she should want to switch. A sweet thought, but hardly necessary as everyone knew Li-Li was a creature of habit.
The next few swords were similarly unsuited for Li-Li, but try as she might, Mila could not find a weapon wholly compatible with her sisters style, not even the perfect replica of her old sabre which Papa had forged. Though undoubtedly familiar to Li-Li, one must not forget that Grandpa Du had not put much thought into what weapon to bestow upon his slave, if hed thought about it at all, so now was a perfect chance to rectify past mistakes. Though modelled after Grandpa Dus style, anyone with eyes could see that Li-Li had taken what she learned and modified it to suit her own needs, which meant using the same style of thin, long sabre was not entirely optimal. While Grandpa Du focused on grand, sweeping two-handed attacks delivered with explosive speed and power, Li-Lis style put more emphasis on one-handed fencing with more reliance on grace and finesse. Though capable of delivering the same overbearing attacks, she was also capable of defeating her foes with little more than good timing and proper footwork, a true duellist in contrast to Grandpa Dus overbearing battlefield prowess.
In combat, Milas style was akin to a rhino, powerful, unstoppable, but lacking in flexibility. She could attack, she could defend, and she could run roughshod over her foes, but the moment she encountered someone she could not catch or overpower, then she had no moves left to play. Li-Li on the other hand was far less domineering, but no less deadly or dangerous, for despite being weaker and less durable than Mila, she was more capable of taking on foes who were stronger than she. One only needed to look back at their time in Sanshu to understand, for while Mila had been helpless against the teleporting Demon Bei, Li-Li adapted to the circumstances and dealt the monster a fearsome blow during their first exchange. The long and short of it was that Li-Li encapsulated her wildcat nature almost perfectly. She wasnt the most dangerous predator roaming the lands, neither the strongest, fastest, or most durable, yet under the right circumstances, there was no prey she wasnt capable of taking down on her own, which meant she needed a weapon flexible enough to allow her access to the full range of her innate talents.
Yet another example of a Concept, but one that applied to fighting style rather than Martial Dao. Another curious thought to explore later, when there was more time to get into it.
Sister, Li-Li began, tugging on Milas sleeve and putting an end to her inner tirade. What are your thoughts?
This is your decision to make, Mila replied, the answer leaving her lips on reflex, for Mama had stressed the importance of letting Li-Li find her own way. Though they would always be there to support her, Li-Li needed to learn how to take charge of her own life and make decisions for herself, a fact which Mila wholeheartedly agreed with.
Bah. Flicking her all-too-gently with his massive finger, Papa snorted and said, One look at yer scrunched nose and pinched face is enough to know ye got words to say, so say it. Yer an accomplished enough blacksmith now, and only a fool would dismiss yer advice, so if ye see somethin I missed, then be quick to point it out. No need to spare my feelings girlie, Ive made more mistakes smithin than you have total hours lived, so it wont be anything new to me.
Alternating between her sister and father, Mila wrung her hands and tried not to look or sound too afraid as she replied, But Mama said Li-Li needed to decide for herself. It was ridiculous, as Mila was a woman grown with a husband of her own now, so there was no need to fear her mother so, but there were some constants she worried would never change.
I have decided, Li-Li declared, much to Papa and Milas surprise. I have decided to seek advice from my father and sister who are both Divine Blacksmiths of note. Papa has said his piece, so now I would like to hear what you think.
While probably not entirely what Mama had intended, it seemed like Li-Li had found her confidence after all, the confidence to admit her own ignorance and seek help from experts who knew more. A lesson Mama could use as well, but Mila would never have the courage to say so out loud, and she pitied the poor fool who dared do so. Well, I have given it some thought, she began, beaming as she squeezed Li-Lis hand and wrapped her other arm around Papas. See Li-Li, your greatest strength isnt speed or power, but rather your ability to adjust how much power or speed you use at any given time. Most Warriors fall into a rhythm, but you dance to your own tune as you please. That isnt to say you dont favour certain habits, but your ability to switch things up at the drop of a hat can easily catch an opponent off-guard, so I think you need a weapon that will play to those strengths. A familiar and welcome sensation came over Mila as she spoke, and recognizing it for what it was, she released her hold on Li-Li and Papa and took up one of the discarded swords to use as a pen. Scrawling pictures and characters in the dirt for fear of forgetting any of the information coursing through her head, Mila let the words flow out of her as she gave herself over to the throes of Divine Inspiration. Nothing too unfamiliar of course, but with a few adjustments...
The world blurred around her as everything faded out of focus save for what she needed to work, the sword, the dirt, and sometimes Li-Li and Papa offering their own input to the mix. Soon enough, Mila had her plans all laid out, a welcome relief after committing to a haphazard approach to the Martial Path, but then Papa showed her the Spiritual ore he intended to use, and all of her best laid plans went awry. If she proceeded as is, her work would only end in failure as she produced a sub-par product lacking the proper balance, for she failed to factor in the unique density of this ore. As such, Mila took up brush and parchment to make the necessary calculations once again to ensure her sisters weapon would be perfect for her and her alone.
This was Milas Path, she understood this now, something shed known all along yet resisted because she had different aspirations. She wanted to be a great leader and commander like Mama, but also a talented craftsman like Papa, yet she never took the effort to bring her two chosen Disciplines together into one, singular Path. It was always her dream to be a Warrior first and Divine Blacksmith second, but what need was there for differentiation? This was her Path, one unique to her and her alone, and one bound for inevitable failure if she tried to follow in anothers footsteps. A simple truth, merely a different way of saying one must forge their own Path, but now Mila finally had the courage to move forward once again and see her current Path through to the end.
And when she took up her hammer, ready to forge the weapon itself, Mila felt the Divine Hand of the Mother reach down to guide her actions from on high. A sign from the Heavens that Mila was on the right Path, but a sign she did not need, for she now knew why she sought strength. Not for the sake of strength itself, or even to emulate her parents, husband, or anyone else. No, Mila desired strength so that she could support the people she loved most, her parents, her husband, her sister-wives, and everyone else she cared for. That was her ambition, above all else, to see her loved ones succeed, and her first course of action now was to forge a weapon for Li-Li that would aid her in combating the Defiled threat.
One step at a time, walk before you can run, and yet as Mila fell into the rhythm of the hammer and bellows, she felt herself progressing by leaps and bounds as the Heavenly Dao unveiled itself before her. All Paths lead to the Peak, yet another truth she knew but failed to comprehend until now, and with this, she hoped to soon stand alongside her husband once again at the forefront of their generation. Not to overtake him, but to better support him just like Mama and Papa supported one another, which turned out, was the greatest lesson Milas parents had ever imparted upon her, and one she would do well to never forget.
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Chapter 745
The last vestiges of sweet slumber slipped away as Mila stirred awake to the sounds and sensations of disgruntled grumblings and gentle ministrations.
Blinking away the blurriness of a long nights sleep, the world came alive to reveal the source of said disturbances, a sight which warmed her heart indeed. Looming overhead on two furry feet was none other than little Guai-Guai himself, scowling up a storm with arms raised high in a most adorably threatening manner. Uttering the softest of grunts, he struck with the speed of a slug and the strength of a fly as he slammed his paws on her shoulder without lifting his feet off the cot. Though intended as a strike, his monumental efforts resulted in little more than a light pat rather than the rude awakening he no doubt intended, disgruntled that she was still in bed instead of feeding him lunch as she was supposed to. Judging by how hard he was huffing his little chest, hed clearly been at this for at least a minute, though thankfully Mila woke before he resorted to striking her face instead. This was their daily routine now, one in which Li-Li employed this most adorable of accomplices to help rouse Mila from slumber each and every morning. Though his efforts seemed wholly unsuited for this most arduous of tasks, Guai-Guai struck the perfect balance between gentle efforts and steadfast persistence which enabled him to not only succeed where so many others failed, but also avoid Milas inadvertently violent responses in the process.
A good thing too, for Guai-Guais efforts were a pleasant alternative to having Mama or Papa pull her out of bed, an indignity she would much rather avoid now that she was a married woman, but before Li-Li accidentally discovered Guai-Guais talents, only two others were capable of waking Mila so gently. Unfortunately for her, both said individuals were fast asleep beside her, her husbands faint yet steady breathing wholly covered by Lin-Lins dainty snores, sounds so familiar they threatened to lull Mila back to sleep. Resisting the urge to sink back into a blissful stupor, she pulled little Guai-Guai close into a warm embrace and giggled as he grumbled and accepted her affections with indignant pique, though that didnt stop him from nuzzling into her arms. Small wonder red pandas were called bear-cats, for Guai-Guai possessed the gruff disposition of a disgruntled bear and the ambivalent disregard for others that many cats seemed to share, an attitude that seemed entirely out of place in a creature so small and weak. This sort of personality would have been more suited to the massive red-panda Rain described seeing in Ping Pings Natal Palace, but this little tantrum only made Guai-Guai that much cuter.
Shifting closer to her comatose husband, Mila nuzzled his shoulder and luxuriated in his presence. Though bedridden for the better part of a month now, Rain still smelled fresh as a daisy and possessed velvety smooth skin to boot, a far cry from how it was during his last comatose stint. Back then, the lack of a Core meant having to deal with mild unpleasantness like body odour, acne, and other basic hygiene issues, on top of the more serious concerns like bed sores and muscle atrophy. As a Martial Warrior however, Rain still benefited from the cleansing properties of Heavenly Energy which made him much more pleasant to snuggle with, and Mila took it all in like a heady, addictive drug which she could no longer live without. Uttering a silent prayer to the Mother in Heaven, Mila implored Her to look after Rain and bring him back as soon as possible, and hoped against all hope that today would be the day when he woke again. She wanted nothing more than to see him open his beautiful eyes and flash his captivating smile, but when she raised her head to take him in once again, he continued to lay there in bed, asleep and unresponsive as ever.
No matter, she told herself, swallowing back her disappointment and clinging fast to hope. He would wake eventually, just not soon enough for her tastes, but she would stay strong and patient until he was able to rejoin the waking world. Kissing his shoulder ever so chastely, she couldnt help but run her fingers over his chest and marvel at how soft and smooth his skin was, his body hair so sparse and thin it might as well not exist. A good thing too, for there was enough fur in Milas life that it was nice not to have a shaggy beast for a husband as well. She loved the sensation of his bare skin against her cheek and couldnt imagine life any other way, because even though her husband was far from perfect, he was absolutely perfect for her.
A soft giggle interrupted Milas visceral appreciation of Rains physical attributes, and she opened her eyes to find Lin-Lin peering at her from the other side. There was a time when Milas cheeks would have erupted into flames at the mere thought of anyone bearing witness to so intimate a moment, but sharing this with her sister-wife was nothing to be ashamed of, for Lin-Lin loved Rain every bit as much as she did. Morning, Mila said, and Lin-Lin responded in kind, grinning as she pressed her pliable cheek against Rains chest and indulged in his presence with a similar lack of shame. There was no competition in her actions, no rivalry between them, just a mutual appreciation of their husbands best traits, of which they both agreed there were many. They also agreed that waking to find him still beside them was one of the few benefits of their husbands comatose state, as it was rare for him to stay in bed so late. Much as he liked to complain about having too much to do, Rain was never one to sit idle, for his curious and anxious nature would never allow it. Since the day he arrived in the village, he sought to make progress in every facet of life, harbouring an ambition to improve and advance in a way few could ever match. A large part of this was driven by fear, but recently, Mila had come to realize that her husband was a man of grand aspirations, and she loved him all the more for it. It wasnt that he sought to become a great man, but rather that his nature demanded he become one, for only then could accomplish his hearts desire and lead humanity into a new era of progress and prosperity.
As such, he was far too driven to lay around in bed until mid-day, though admittedly he had been sleeping in a bit more of late. Or at least he had until stupid Shuai Jiaos political machinations drew Rain away from home and hearth, but for a few weeks, Mila, Lin-Lin, and Yan had enjoyed a blissful marital life with their amorous and insatiable husband, a teasing glimpse into what their lives would be like once they returned home to the North after all this unpleasantness. Of course, there was a chance this would never happen, as great men could rarely afford the luxury of a simple, quiet life, but Mila could still dream. No longer did she care to be a great hero and Warrior, for shed seen how the Empire treated its own and found it a lacking reception indeed. All she wanted now was a quiet life back home with her husband and sister-wives, however many there might be.
With children to come when they were ready of course, though Mila felt far from it. Ready that was, because while Mama and Papa taught her everything she needed to know about the Martial Path and blacksmithing, Mila knew next to nothing regarding domestic affairs. It wasnt their fault since she resisted learning anything outside of her two chosen disciplines and her parents were more than happy to spoil her in their own way, but her flaws were sorely felt now that she was a married woman. While Rain had no intention of adhering to traditional gender roles, which were admittedly outdated and chauvinistic, Mila still wanted to do something nice for her husband every once in awhile, not to mention take on her fair share of the household chores, but she lacked the skills to do so. She could barely steep a pot of decent tea, much less cook a meal or launder clothes, so how would she fare when raising a child of her own? Not well, and not just because she lacked the necessary skills, but also the patience and understanding a child would demand from her. She could barely keep her temper when discussing the Dao with Rain, as she always grew frustrated by her lack of answers, so how could she be expected to teach a child everything they needed to know about life?
She wasnt like Lin-Lin, who would be an amazing mother when the time came, as evidenced by how patient and gentle she was while caring for comatose Rain, the very picture of a motherly saint as she hummed a cheery little tune while dutifully washing his face and checking his body for bed sores. She even knew how to brew medicine, which meant she could easily pick up the art of cooking if she cared to, not to mention how her natural aptitude at wrangling animals and getting them to heed her commands would translate to raising children. Then there was Luo-Luo, who probably knew a thousand different ways to swaddle a baby and could list out the circumstances in which each variation should be used, which would barely be scratching the depths of the knowledge she possessed. The trained Imperial Servant was no doubt well prepped to raise a child, not to mention so fortuitously equipped with the functioning organs needed to give birth to a child of her own, one that would be blood of her blood and more importantly, Rains as well.
Therein lay the crux of most of Milas fears, her inability to bear her husbands children. What if he ended up loving his real children more than his adopted ones? He wouldnt do so with malicious intent, but even with his pets, it was obvious he favoured some over the others. Though he went out of his way to play with each and every one of them as much as he could, Aurie and Mama Bun were quite clearly the most spoiled of the lot, to the point where even diffident Jimjam could tell and harboured some resentment. Granted, the independent wildcat didnt seem to mind too much, as he was content with only a bare modicum of affection from Rain and much preferred playing with his bear siblings instead, but Mila worried a human or demi-human child would not be so understanding.
Worse, what if she couldnt love her child, the same way Guan Suo couldnt find it in his heart to love her? Mother knows hed tried, an indisputable fact Mila had come to accept in the months since his death, which was more than what most Ancestral Beasts could claim. While her circumstances were completely different, Mila wasnt like Yan who cooed at babies and made faces at toddlers in passing, a woman clearly gripped by baby fever and unashamed to show it. Having a child always just seemed like an eventuality to Mila, a milestone in life the same way a Natal Palace was a milestone along the Martial Dao, but she wasnt sure if she had it in her to love the child of a stranger the same way Mama and Papa loved her. While one neednt look far to find heartwarming stories of adoption among the People, but Mila knew all too well that the less inspiring tales of failure and heartbreak were quickly swept under the rug and hidden from plain sight. If not, how could someone like Yan go so many years without finding a family for herself? She wasnt the only one either, for there were far more orphans among the People than there were couples willing to adopt them, a harsh truth few cared to face.
All this and more weighed heavily on Milas mind as she wheeled her husband out of their yurt with Guai-Guai sprawled across his lap and a procession of laughing birds taking turns to fly down and greet him. A ring of other yurts formed a little courtyard of sorts, one under heavy Concealment to hide the fact that Rain was stationed out in the field among the Sentinels rather than ensconced inside the newly raised fort at Meng Sha. Security through obscurity, as Rain would say, though Heavens knew why he smiled every time he did, as if hed said something particularly clever or witty. Still, it wasnt the worst idea hed ever had and staying out here meant they could bring him about in a wheelchair and take him for walks without having to worry too much about being seen, for the People looked after their own. Though likely crafted in one of his factories, this wheelchair in particular had been borrowed from the stocks of the Army Healers, whod been quick to adopt Rains ingenious little contraption and were thus far his biggest customers. Healers knew better than most that injuries taken in the line of duty were not to the body alone, but also the mind and spirit as well. Many a recovering soldier could benefit greatly from fresh air and sunlight, and these chairs allowed them to partake in the outdoors without having to suffer the indignity of being carried around like a sack of rice, yet another manner in which Milas husband had reshaped the world around them.
A shame Rains mind and spirit was unable to revel in the fresh air and sunlight, or at least not in any discernible way. The animals were more than happy with the arrangements however, with free access to the beach and dutiful Li-Li to bring them over to play each and every morning before returning to wake Mila and Lin-Lin for lunch. Still sopping wet and indifferent to everyones desire to avoid the same, the bears bunny-hopped over in gleeful greeting, one Mila intercepted on behalf of her husband since Baloo had a habit of resting his head on Rains lap. Comatose or otherwise, even the People would whisper if it looked like the Legate of the Outer Provinces had wet his pants, though Rain himself would probably get a good laugh out of it. Forced to settle with resting his soggy chin on Milas hand instead, Baloo gingerly settled back on his haunches like an ungainly dog sitting with legs splayed out in different directions, chortling all the while as he enjoyed his vigorous head-rubbing.
Grinning like a fool and unable to hide it, Mila looked away from Baloos half-lidded gaze for fear of melting into a puddle and greeted her sister instead, who was strolling over with Mama Bun coddled in her arms. Morning Li-Li.
Morning.
It wasnt much, but knowing Li-Li was finally able to casually greet her in a less than formal manner made Milas heart swell with joy. You have fun at the beach?
Yes. Though still somewhat stony-faced, there was a slackness to her brows and a faint, almost imperceptible curve to her lips that told Mila her sister was inwardly smiling, a message even her Aura of love and contentment could not wholly convey. Banjo and Baloo are a sight to behold as they splash around in the water, and Rakky is becoming more confident with each passing day. If there was one thing the warhorse-sized tiger didnt need, it was more confidence, but Mila let it slide as she watched her sister bask in her joy. Cat-ears fluttering with delight, Li-Li hugged Mama Bun even tighter and nuzzled her softly, but the rabbit was having none of it, wiggling this way and that in an effort to escape so that she might go greet Rain as well. Mama Bun spent a good hour trying to fill the sea with sand though. She wanted to join in on the fun, but still hasnt learned how to swim.
Rain had told them all about the rabbits adventures in his Natal Palace, where he conjured up a magic raft that kept her afloat no matter where she hopped. Alas, poor Mama Bun didnt understand the difference between the real world and Rains Natal Palace, so she suffered through several self-inflicted dunkings before she finally accepted that the raft would not appear. Giving up on keeping the rabbit to herself, Li-Li gently placed Mama Bun in Rains lap beside Guai-Guai and sighed as the forlorn floof stared into his eyes, a ritual she repeated several times a day ever since he lapsed into a coma. Patient as ever, Li-Li knelt beside Rains wheelchair and stroked the inconsolable rabbits ears, a testament to her compassion and understanding. She too would make for an outstanding mother, a tender and empathetic soul who just had so much love to give, but had yet to learn how to properly express it without Aura.
So what if Mila was lacking direction? So long as she continued to strive to improve, then she would sooner or later find the right Path forward. All this time, shed been too afraid to move for fear of making a mistake, when instead she could have been more like Rain and looked forward to learning from her mistakes instead. Was that not how she formed her Natal Palace in the first place? She had no direction or plan when she set out to accomplish what she did, just a general idea of what she wanted and the knowledge that whatever she created had to adhere to Balance. Though she lacked a clear image of what she wanted and the words to describe her inner vision, she still strove to create her Natal Palace through a process of trial and error, painstakingly setting every blade of grass and pebble of stone in their optimal place until the myriad of cascading, interacting forces holding her Natal Palace together matched with what she knew to be true in the real world. While the end result was far from perfect, it was still more than suitable for her needs and far more complex than most Natal Palaces needed to be, so why was she so afraid to take this same approach with the Martial Path? Sure, she might take longer than otherwise necessary, but so what? With Rain around, Mila could only ever strive for second best, so why did it matter if others should overtake her for now? Everyone must forge their own Path to the Peak, and while some routes might prove longer than others, the important thing was that Mila had the confidence to see her own Path to the Peak.
The mere act of acknowledging this single thought was enough to relieve Mila of her hefty burdens of fear, doubt, and frustration, a welcome relief after suffering under them for so long. Regardless of the trials and tribulations before her, she would tackle them as they came, and while some planning and preparation would still be needed, she didnt have to go at it all alone. She had her supportive family, two sister-wives, and a devoted husband to help her, and between them all, there was no calamity they could not overcome together.
A lesson Li-Li would do well to also learn, and one Papa was too enthusiastic about delivering. Arriving in a flurry soon after lunch, he pulled Li-Li aside for a secretive meeting Mila couldnt help but join for the sake of her curiosity. Dont neither of ye tell yer mother about what I say next, ye hear? Papa began, kissing Mila and Li-Li on the temple to take away the sting of his demand. Most times, she knows best, especially when it comes to the Martial Path, but she also dont rightly know how to admit she might be... wrong. Looking left and right with wide, conspiratorial eyes, he gently took Li-Li by the shoulders as he knelt to look her in the eyes. A comical sight it was, this massive, scarred Warrior bending his knee before a slender girl half his size, but Mila was warmed by the sight of it, and Li-Li seemed to be as well. Listen here lass, he rumbled, hunching his back and slumping his shoulders to look both non-threatening and serious at the same time. Were fighting a war here, and action is soon coming, so there aint anymore time fer dawdlin. No way Ill let me girlie go into battle with naught but cold steel to fight with. Fer heavens sake, ye dont even have a bow to keep ye safe and away from the fightin. Reaching into his robes, his hand emerged with a bundle of wrapped leather which he unfurled to reveal a varied selection of swords, though contrary to his words, they were all mundane in nature. Now I made these so ye can get a feel fer how the end result will handle, though there might be some minor differences in the end product when it comes to weight distribution and balance. Cant be helped, as ye never fully know how Spiritual Hearts will take to steel, especially not with something as rare and unique as the Spiritual ore I got me eye on. Its light as a feather it is, but tougher than steel even before its been refined, and I cant think of a better material to make yer weapon out of, but I need ye to pick a design before I start.
Urged on by Papas demands, Song cautiously pulled out the first sword to test out, but Mila had already written it off in her mind. Though similar to the sabre Li-Li had lost, it was too long and sharply curved for her to comfortably quick-draw. Papa knew that of course, but he didnt want to limit Li-Li in any way whatsoever, so he included various examples which didnt suit her current style in case she should want to switch. A sweet thought, but hardly necessary as everyone knew Li-Li was a creature of habit.
The next few swords were similarly unsuited for Li-Li, but try as she might, Mila could not find a weapon wholly compatible with her sisters style, not even the perfect replica of her old sabre which Papa had forged. Though undoubtedly familiar to Li-Li, one must not forget that Grandpa Du had not put much thought into what weapon to bestow upon his slave, if hed thought about it at all, so now was a perfect chance to rectify past mistakes. Though modelled after Grandpa Dus style, anyone with eyes could see that Li-Li had taken what she learned and modified it to suit her own needs, which meant using the same style of thin, long sabre was not entirely optimal. While Grandpa Du focused on grand, sweeping two-handed attacks delivered with explosive speed and power, Li-Lis style put more emphasis on one-handed fencing with more reliance on grace and finesse. Though capable of delivering the same overbearing attacks, she was also capable of defeating her foes with little more than good timing and proper footwork, a true duellist in contrast to Grandpa Dus overbearing battlefield prowess.
In combat, Milas style was akin to a rhino, powerful, unstoppable, but lacking in flexibility. She could attack, she could defend, and she could run roughshod over her foes, but the moment she encountered someone she could not catch or overpower, then she had no moves left to play. Li-Li on the other hand was far less domineering, but no less deadly or dangerous, for despite being weaker and less durable than Mila, she was more capable of taking on foes who were stronger than she. One only needed to look back at their time in Sanshu to understand, for while Mila had been helpless against the teleporting Demon Bei, Li-Li adapted to the circumstances and dealt the monster a fearsome blow during their first exchange. The long and short of it was that Li-Li encapsulated her wildcat nature almost perfectly. She wasnt the most dangerous predator roaming the lands, neither the strongest, fastest, or most durable, yet under the right circumstances, there was no prey she wasnt capable of taking down on her own, which meant she needed a weapon flexible enough to allow her access to the full range of her innate talents.
Yet another example of a Concept, but one that applied to fighting style rather than Martial Dao. Another curious thought to explore later, when there was more time to get into it.
Sister, Li-Li began, tugging on Milas sleeve and putting an end to her inner tirade. What are your thoughts?
This is your decision to make, Mila replied, the answer leaving her lips on reflex, for Mama had stressed the importance of letting Li-Li find her own way. Though they would always be there to support her, Li-Li needed to learn how to take charge of her own life and make decisions for herself, a fact which Mila wholeheartedly agreed with.
Bah. Flicking her all-too-gently with his massive finger, Papa snorted and said, One look at yer scrunched nose and pinched face is enough to know ye got words to say, so say it. Yer an accomplished enough blacksmith now, and only a fool would dismiss yer advice, so if ye see somethin I missed, then be quick to point it out. No need to spare my feelings girlie, Ive made more mistakes smithin than you have total hours lived, so it wont be anything new to me.
Alternating between her sister and father, Mila wrung her hands and tried not to look or sound too afraid as she replied, But Mama said Li-Li needed to decide for herself. It was ridiculous, as Mila was a woman grown with a husband of her own now, so there was no need to fear her mother so, but there were some constants she worried would never change.
I have decided, Li-Li declared, much to Papa and Milas surprise. I have decided to seek advice from my father and sister who are both Divine Blacksmiths of note. Papa has said his piece, so now I would like to hear what you think.
While probably not entirely what Mama had intended, it seemed like Li-Li had found her confidence after all, the confidence to admit her own ignorance and seek help from experts who knew more. A lesson Mama could use as well, but Mila would never have the courage to say so out loud, and she pitied the poor fool who dared do so. Well, I have given it some thought, she began, beaming as she squeezed Li-Lis hand and wrapped her other arm around Papas. See Li-Li, your greatest strength isnt speed or power, but rather your ability to adjust how much power or speed you use at any given time. Most Warriors fall into a rhythm, but you dance to your own tune as you please. That isnt to say you dont favour certain habits, but your ability to switch things up at the drop of a hat can easily catch an opponent off-guard, so I think you need a weapon that will play to those strengths. A familiar and welcome sensation came over Mila as she spoke, and recognizing it for what it was, she released her hold on Li-Li and Papa and took up one of the discarded swords to use as a pen. Scrawling pictures and characters in the dirt for fear of forgetting any of the information coursing through her head, Mila let the words flow out of her as she gave herself over to the throes of Divine Inspiration. Nothing too unfamiliar of course, but with a few adjustments...
The world blurred around her as everything faded out of focus save for what she needed to work, the sword, the dirt, and sometimes Li-Li and Papa offering their own input to the mix. Soon enough, Mila had her plans all laid out, a welcome relief after committing to a haphazard approach to the Martial Path, but then Papa showed her the Spiritual ore he intended to use, and all of her best laid plans went awry. If she proceeded as is, her work would only end in failure as she produced a sub-par product lacking the proper balance, for she failed to factor in the unique density of this ore. As such, Mila took up brush and parchment to make the necessary calculations once again to ensure her sisters weapon would be perfect for her and her alone.
This was Milas Path, she understood this now, something shed known all along yet resisted because she had different aspirations. She wanted to be a great leader and commander like Mama, but also a talented craftsman like Papa, yet she never took the effort to bring her two chosen Disciplines together into one, singular Path. It was always her dream to be a Warrior first and Divine Blacksmith second, but what need was there for differentiation? This was her Path, one unique to her and her alone, and one bound for inevitable failure if she tried to follow in anothers footsteps. A simple truth, merely a different way of saying one must forge their own Path, but now Mila finally had the courage to move forward once again and see her current Path through to the end.
And when she took up her hammer, ready to forge the weapon itself, Mila felt the Divine Hand of the Mother reach down to guide her actions from on high. A sign from the Heavens that Mila was on the right Path, but a sign she did not need, for she now knew why she sought strength. Not for the sake of strength itself, or even to emulate her parents, husband, or anyone else. No, Mila desired strength so that she could support the people she loved most, her parents, her husband, her sister-wives, and everyone else she cared for. That was her ambition, above all else, to see her loved ones succeed, and her first course of action now was to forge a weapon for Li-Li that would aid her in combating the Defiled threat.
One step at a time, walk before you can run, and yet as Mila fell into the rhythm of the hammer and bellows, she felt herself progressing by leaps and bounds as the Heavenly Dao unveiled itself before her. All Paths lead to the Peak, yet another truth she knew but failed to comprehend until now, and with this, she hoped to soon stand alongside her husband once again at the forefront of their generation. Not to overtake him, but to better support him just like Mama and Papa supported one another, which turned out, was the greatest lesson Milas parents had ever imparted upon her, and one she would do well to never forget.
Chapter Meme
Chapter 745The last vestiges of sweet slumber slipped away as Mila stirred awake to the sounds and sensations of disgruntled grumblings and gentle ministrations.Blinking away the blurriness of a long nights sleep, the world came alive to reveal the source of said disturbances, a sight which warmed her heart indeed. Looming overhead on two furry feet was none other than little Guai-Guai himself, scowling up a storm with arms raised high in a most adorably threatening manner. Uttering the softest of grunts, he struck with the speed of a slug and the strength of a fly as he slammed his paws on her shoulder without lifting his feet off the cot. Though intended as a strike, his monumental efforts resulted in little more than a light pat rather than the rude awakening he no doubt intended, disgruntled that she was still in bed instead of feeding him lunch as she was supposed to. Judging by how hard he was huffing his little chest, hed clearly been at this for at least a minute, though thankfully Mila woke before he resorted to striking her face instead. This was their daily routine now, one in which Li-Li employed this most adorable of accomplices to help rouse Mila from slumber each and every morning. Though his efforts seemed wholly unsuited for this most arduous of tasks, Guai-Guai struck the perfect balance between gentle efforts and steadfast persistence which enabled him to not only succeed where so many others failed, but also avoid Milas inadvertently violent responses in the process.A good thing too, for Guai-Guais efforts were a pleasant alternative to having Mama or Papa pull her out of bed, an indignity she would much rather avoid now that she was a married woman, but before Li-Li accidentally discovered Guai-Guais talents, only two others were capable of waking Mila so gently. Unfortunately for her, both said individuals were fast asleep beside her, her husbands faint yet steady breathing wholly covered by Lin-Lins dainty snores, sounds so familiar they threatened to lull Mila back to sleep. Resisting the urge to sink back into a blissful stupor, she pulled little Guai-Guai close into a warm embrace and giggled as he grumbled and accepted her affections with indignant pique, though that didnt stop him from nuzzling into her arms. Small wonder red pandas were called bear-cats, for Guai-Guai possessed the gruff disposition of a disgruntled bear and the ambivalent disregard for others that many cats seemed to share, an attitude that seemed entirely out of place in a creature so small and weak. This sort of personality would have been more suited to the massive red-panda Rain described seeing in Ping Pings Natal Palace, but this little tantrum only made Guai-Guai that much cuter.Shifting closer to her comatose husband, Mila nuzzled his shoulder and luxuriated in his presence. Though bedridden for the better part of a month now, Rain still smelled fresh as a daisy and possessed velvety smooth skin to boot, a far cry from how it was during his last comatose stint. Back then, the lack of a Core meant having to deal with mild unpleasantness like body odour, acne, and other basic hygiene issues, on top of the more serious concerns like bed sores and muscle atrophy. As a Martial Warrior however, Rain still benefited from the cleansing properties of Heavenly Energy which made him much more pleasant to snuggle with, and Mila took it all in like a heady, addictive drug which she could no longer live without. Uttering a silent prayer to the Mother in Heaven, Mila implored Her to look after Rain and bring him back as soon as possible, and hoped against all hope that today would be the day when he woke again. She wanted nothing more than to see him open his beautiful eyes and flash his captivating smile, but when she raised her head to take him in once again, he continued to lay there in bed, asleep and unresponsive as ever.No matter, she told herself, swallowing back her disappointment and clinging fast to hope. He would wake eventually, just not soon enough for her tastes, but she would stay strong and patient until he was able to rejoin the waking world. Kissing his shoulder ever so chastely, she couldnt help but run her fingers over his chest and marvel at how soft and smooth his skin was, his body hair so sparse and thin it might as well not exist. A good thing too, for there was enough fur in Milas life that it was nice not to have a shaggy beast for a husband as well. She loved the sensation of his bare skin against her cheek and couldnt imagine life any other way, because even though her husband was far from perfect, he was absolutely perfect for her.A soft giggle interrupted Milas visceral appreciation of Rains physical attributes, and she opened her eyes to find Lin-Lin peering at her from the other side. There was a time when Milas cheeks would have erupted into flames at the mere thought of anyone bearing witness to so intimate a moment, but sharing this with her sister-wife was nothing to be ashamed of, for Lin-Lin loved Rain every bit as much as she did. Morning, Mila said, and Lin-Lin responded in kind, grinning as she pressed her pliable cheek against Rains chest and indulged in his presence with a similar lack of shame. There was no competition in her actions, no rivalry between them, just a mutual appreciation of their husbands best traits, of which they both agreed there were many. They also agreed that waking to find him still beside them was one of the few benefits of their husbands comatose state, as it was rare for him to stay in bed so late. Much as he liked to complain about having too much to do, Rain was never one to sit idle, for his curious and anxious nature would never allow it. Since the day he arrived in the village, he sought to make progress in every facet of life, harbouring an ambition to improve and advance in a way few could ever match. A large part of this was driven by fear, but recently, Mila had come to realize that her husband was a man of grand aspirations, and she loved him all the more for it. It wasnt that he sought to become a great man, but rather that his nature demanded he become one, for only then could accomplish his hearts desire and lead humanity into a new era of progress and prosperity.As such, he was far too driven to lay around in bed until mid-day, though admittedly he had been sleeping in a bit more of late. Or at least he had until stupid Shuai Jiaos political machinations drew Rain away from home and hearth, but for a few weeks, Mila, Lin-Lin, and Yan had enjoyed a blissful marital life with their amorous and insatiable husband, a teasing glimpse into what their lives would be like once they returned home to the North after all this unpleasantness. Of course, there was a chance this would never happen, as great men could rarely afford the luxury of a simple, quiet life, but Mila could still dream. No longer did she care to be a great hero and Warrior, for shed seen how the Empire treated its own and found it a lacking reception indeed. All she wanted now was a quiet life back home with her husband and sister-wives, however many there might be.With children to come when they were ready of course, though Mila felt far from it. Ready that was, because while Mama and Papa taught her everything she needed to know about the Martial Path and blacksmithing, Mila knew next to nothing regarding domestic affairs. It wasnt their fault since she resisted learning anything outside of her two chosen disciplines and her parents were more than happy to spoil her in their own way, but her flaws were sorely felt now that she was a married woman. While Rain had no intention of adhering to traditional gender roles, which were admittedly outdated and chauvinistic, Mila still wanted to do something nice for her husband every once in awhile, not to mention take on her fair share of the household chores, but she lacked the skills to do so. She could barely steep a pot of decent tea, much less cook a meal or launder clothes, so how would she fare when raising a child of her own? Not well, and not just because she lacked the necessary skills, but also the patience and understanding a child would demand from her. She could barely keep her temper when discussing the Dao with Rain, as she always grew frustrated by her lack of answers, so how could she be expected to teach a child everything they needed to know about life?She wasnt like Lin-Lin, who would be an amazing mother when the time came, as evidenced by how patient and gentle she was while caring for comatose Rain, the very picture of a motherly saint as she hummed a cheery little tune while dutifully washing his face and checking his body for bed sores. She even knew how to brew medicine, which meant she could easily pick up the art of cooking if she cared to, not to mention how her natural aptitude at wrangling animals and getting them to heed her commands would translate to raising children. Then there was Luo-Luo, who probably knew a thousand different ways to swaddle a baby and could list out the circumstances in which each variation should be used, which would barely be scratching the depths of the knowledge she possessed. The trained Imperial Servant was no doubt well prepped to raise a child, not to mention so fortuitously equipped with the functioning organs needed to give birth to a child of her own, one that would be blood of her blood and more importantly, Rains as well.Therein lay the crux of most of Milas fears, her inability to bear her husbands children. What if he ended up loving his real children more than his adopted ones? He wouldnt do so with malicious intent, but even with his pets, it was obvious he favoured some over the others. Though he went out of his way to play with each and every one of them as much as he could, Aurie and Mama Bun were quite clearly the most spoiled of the lot, to the point where even diffident Jimjam could tell and harboured some resentment. Granted, the independent wildcat didnt seem to mind too much, as he was content with only a bare modicum of affection from Rain and much preferred playing with his bear siblings instead, but Mila worried a human or demi-human child would not be so understanding.Worse, what if she couldnt love her child, the same way Guan Suo couldnt find it in his heart to love her? Mother knows hed tried, an indisputable fact Mila had come to accept in the months since his death, which was more than what most Ancestral Beasts could claim. While her circumstances were completely different, Mila wasnt like Yan who cooed at babies and made faces at toddlers in passing, a woman clearly gripped by baby fever and unashamed to show it. Having a child always just seemed like an eventuality to Mila, a milestone in life the same way a Natal Palace was a milestone along the Martial Dao, but she wasnt sure if she had it in her to love the child of a stranger the same way Mama and Papa loved her. While one neednt look far to find heartwarming stories of adoption among the People, but Mila knew all too well that the less inspiring tales of failure and heartbreak were quickly swept under the rug and hidden from plain sight. If not, how could someone like Yan go so many years without finding a family for herself? She wasnt the only one either, for there were far more orphans among the People than there were couples willing to adopt them, a harsh truth few cared to face.All this and more weighed heavily on Milas mind as she wheeled her husband out of their yurt with Guai-Guai sprawled across his lap and a procession of laughing birds taking turns to fly down and greet him. A ring of other yurts formed a little courtyard of sorts, one under heavy Concealment to hide the fact that Rain was stationed out in the field among the Sentinels rather than ensconced inside the newly raised fort at Meng Sha. Security through obscurity, as Rain would say, though Heavens knew why he smiled every time he did, as if hed said something particularly clever or witty. Still, it wasnt the worst idea hed ever had and staying out here meant they could bring him about in a wheelchair and take him for walks without having to worry too much about being seen, for the People looked after their own. Though likely crafted in one of his factories, this wheelchair in particular had been borrowed from the stocks of the Army Healers, whod been quick to adopt Rains ingenious little contraption and were thus far his biggest customers. Healers knew better than most that injuries taken in the line of duty were not to the body alone, but also the mind and spirit as well. Many a recovering soldier could benefit greatly from fresh air and sunlight, and these chairs allowed them to partake in the outdoors without having to suffer the indignity of being carried around like a sack of rice, yet another manner in which Milas husband had reshaped the world around them.A shame Rains mind and spirit was unable to revel in the fresh air and sunlight, or at least not in any discernible way. The animals were more than happy with the arrangements however, with free access to the beach and dutiful Li-Li to bring them over to play each and every morning before returning to wake Mila and Lin-Lin for lunch. Still sopping wet and indifferent to everyones desire to avoid the same, the bears bunny-hopped over in gleeful greeting, one Mila intercepted on behalf of her husband since Baloo had a habit of resting his head on Rains lap. Comatose or otherwise, even the People would whisper if it looked like the Legate of the Outer Provinces had wet his pants, though Rain himself would probably get a good laugh out of it. Forced to settle with resting his soggy chin on Milas hand instead, Baloo gingerly settled back on his haunches like an ungainly dog sitting with legs splayed out in different directions, chortling all the while as he enjoyed his vigorous head-rubbing.Grinning like a fool and unable to hide it, Mila looked away from Baloos half-lidded gaze for fear of melting into a puddle and greeted her sister instead, who was strolling over with Mama Bun coddled in her arms. Morning Li-Li.Morning.It wasnt much, but knowing Li-Li was finally able to casually greet her in a less than formal manner made Milas heart swell with joy. You have fun at the beach?Yes. Though still somewhat stony-faced, there was a slackness to her brows and a faint, almost imperceptible curve to her lips that told Mila her sister was inwardly smiling, a message even her Aura of love and contentment could not wholly convey. Banjo and Baloo are a sight to behold as they splash around in the water, and Rakky is becoming more confident with each passing day. If there was one thing the warhorse-sized tiger didnt need, it was more confidence, but Mila let it slide as she watched her sister bask in her joy. Cat-ears fluttering with delight, Li-Li hugged Mama Bun even tighter and nuzzled her softly, but the rabbit was having none of it, wiggling this way and that in an effort to escape so that she might go greet Rain as well. Mama Bun spent a good hour trying to fill the sea with sand though. She wanted to join in on the fun, but still hasnt learned how to swim.Rain had told them all about the rabbits adventures in his Natal Palace, where he conjured up a magic raft that kept her afloat no matter where she hopped. Alas, poor Mama Bun didnt understand the difference between the real world and Rains Natal Palace, so she suffered through several self-inflicted dunkings before she finally accepted that the raft would not appear. Giving up on keeping the rabbit to herself, Li-Li gently placed Mama Bun in Rains lap beside Guai-Guai and sighed as the forlorn floof stared into his eyes, a ritual she repeated several times a day ever since he lapsed into a coma. Patient as ever, Li-Li knelt beside Rains wheelchair and stroked the inconsolable rabbits ears, a testament to her compassion and understanding. She too would make for an outstanding mother, a tender and empathetic soul who just had so much love to give, but had yet to learn how to properly express it without Aura.So what if Mila was lacking direction? So long as she continued to strive to improve, then she would sooner or later find the right Path forward. All this time, shed been too afraid to move for fear of making a mistake, when instead she could have been more like Rain and looked forward to learning from her mistakes instead. Was that not how she formed her Natal Palace in the first place? She had no direction or plan when she set out to accomplish what she did, just a general idea of what she wanted and the knowledge that whatever she created had to adhere to Balance. Though she lacked a clear image of what she wanted and the words to describe her inner vision, she still strove to create her Natal Palace through a process of trial and error, painstakingly setting every blade of grass and pebble of stone in their optimal place until the myriad of cascading, interacting forces holding her Natal Palace together matched with what she knew to be true in the real world. While the end result was far from perfect, it was still more than suitable for her needs and far more complex than most Natal Palaces needed to be, so why was she so afraid to take this same approach with the Martial Path? Sure, she might take longer than otherwise necessary, but so what? With Rain around, Mila could only ever strive for second best, so why did it matter if others should overtake her for now? Everyone must forge their own Path to the Peak, and while some routes might prove longer than others, the important thing was that Mila had the confidence to see her own Path to the Peak.The mere act of acknowledging this single thought was enough to relieve Mila of her hefty burdens of fear, doubt, and frustration, a welcome relief after suffering under them for so long. Regardless of the trials and tribulations before her, she would tackle them as they came, and while some planning and preparation would still be needed, she didnt have to go at it all alone. She had her supportive family, two sister-wives, and a devoted husband to help her, and between them all, there was no calamity they could not overcome together.A lesson Li-Li would do well to also learn, and one Papa was too enthusiastic about delivering. Arriving in a flurry soon after lunch, he pulled Li-Li aside for a secretive meeting Mila couldnt help but join for the sake of her curiosity. Dont neither of ye tell yer mother about what I say next, ye hear? Papa began, kissing Mila and Li-Li on the temple to take away the sting of his demand. Most times, she knows best, especially when it comes to the Martial Path, but she also dont rightly know how to admit she might be... wrong. Looking left and right with wide, conspiratorial eyes, he gently took Li-Li by the shoulders as he knelt to look her in the eyes. A comical sight it was, this massive, scarred Warrior bending his knee before a slender girl half his size, but Mila was warmed by the sight of it, and Li-Li seemed to be as well. Listen here lass, he rumbled, hunching his back and slumping his shoulders to look both non-threatening and serious at the same time. Were fighting a war here, and action is soon coming, so there aint anymore time fer dawdlin. No way Ill let me girlie go into battle with naught but cold steel to fight with. Fer heavens sake, ye dont even have a bow to keep ye safe and away from the fightin. Reaching into his robes, his hand emerged with a bundle of wrapped leather which he unfurled to reveal a varied selection of swords, though contrary to his words, they were all mundane in nature. Now I made these so ye can get a feel fer how the end result will handle, though there might be some minor differences in the end product when it comes to weight distribution and balance. Cant be helped, as ye never fully know how Spiritual Hearts will take to steel, especially not with something as rare and unique as the Spiritual ore I got me eye on. Its light as a feather it is, but tougher than steel even before its been refined, and I cant think of a better material to make yer weapon out of, but I need ye to pick a design before I start.Urged on by Papas demands, Song cautiously pulled out the first sword to test out, but Mila had already written it off in her mind. Though similar to the sabre Li-Li had lost, it was too long and sharply curved for her to comfortably quick-draw. Papa knew that of course, but he didnt want to limit Li-Li in any way whatsoever, so he included various examples which didnt suit her current style in case she should want to switch. A sweet thought, but hardly necessary as everyone knew Li-Li was a creature of habit.The next few swords were similarly unsuited for Li-Li, but try as she might, Mila could not find a weapon wholly compatible with her sisters style, not even the perfect replica of her old sabre which Papa had forged. Though undoubtedly familiar to Li-Li, one must not forget that Grandpa Du had not put much thought into what weapon to bestow upon his slave, if hed thought about it at all, so now was a perfect chance to rectify past mistakes. Though modelled after Grandpa Dus style, anyone with eyes could see that Li-Li had taken what she learned and modified it to suit her own needs, which meant using the same style of thin, long sabre was not entirely optimal. While Grandpa Du focused on grand, sweeping two-handed attacks delivered with explosive speed and power, Li-Lis style put more emphasis on one-handed fencing with more reliance on grace and finesse. Though capable of delivering the same overbearing attacks, she was also capable of defeating her foes with little more than good timing and proper footwork, a true duellist in contrast to Grandpa Dus overbearing battlefield prowess.In combat, Milas style was akin to a rhino, powerful, unstoppable, but lacking in flexibility. She could attack, she could defend, and she could run roughshod over her foes, but the moment she encountered someone she could not catch or overpower, then she had no moves left to play. Li-Li on the other hand was far less domineering, but no less deadly or dangerous, for despite being weaker and less durable than Mila, she was more capable of taking on foes who were stronger than she. One only needed to look back at their time in Sanshu to understand, for while Mila had been helpless against the teleporting Demon Bei, Li-Li adapted to the circumstances and dealt the monster a fearsome blow during their first exchange. The long and short of it was that Li-Li encapsulated her wildcat nature almost perfectly. She wasnt the most dangerous predator roaming the lands, neither the strongest, fastest, or most durable, yet under the right circumstances, there was no prey she wasnt capable of taking down on her own, which meant she needed a weapon flexible enough to allow her access to the full range of her innate talents.Yet another example of a Concept, but one that applied to fighting style rather than Martial Dao. Another curious thought to explore later, when there was more time to get into it.Sister, Li-Li began, tugging on Milas sleeve and putting an end to her inner tirade. What are your thoughts?This is your decision to make, Mila replied, the answer leaving her lips on reflex, for Mama had stressed the importance of letting Li-Li find her own way. Though they would always be there to support her, Li-Li needed to learn how to take charge of her own life and make decisions for herself, a fact which Mila wholeheartedly agreed with.Bah. Flicking her all-too-gently with his massive finger, Papa snorted and said, One look at yer scrunched nose and pinched face is enough to know ye got words to say, so say it. Yer an accomplished enough blacksmith now, and only a fool would dismiss yer advice, so if ye see somethin I missed, then be quick to point it out. No need to spare my feelings girlie, Ive made more mistakes smithin than you have total hours lived, so it wont be anything new to me.Alternating between her sister and father, Mila wrung her hands and tried not to look or sound too afraid as she replied, But Mama said Li-Li needed to decide for herself. It was ridiculous, as Mila was a woman grown with a husband of her own now, so there was no need to fear her mother so, but there were some constants she worried would never change.I have decided, Li-Li declared, much to Papa and Milas surprise. I have decided to seek advice from my father and sister who are both Divine Blacksmiths of note. Papa has said his piece, so now I would like to hear what you think.While probably not entirely what Mama had intended, it seemed like Li-Li had found her confidence after all, the confidence to admit her own ignorance and seek help from experts who knew more. A lesson Mama could use as well, but Mila would never have the courage to say so out loud, and she pitied the poor fool who dared do so. Well, I have given it some thought, she began, beaming as she squeezed Li-Lis hand and wrapped her other arm around Papas. See Li-Li, your greatest strength isnt speed or power, but rather your ability to adjust how much power or speed you use at any given time. Most Warriors fall into a rhythm, but you dance to your own tune as you please. That isnt to say you dont favour certain habits, but your ability to switch things up at the drop of a hat can easily catch an opponent off-guard, so I think you need a weapon that will play to those strengths. A familiar and welcome sensation came over Mila as she spoke, and recognizing it for what it was, she released her hold on Li-Li and Papa and took up one of the discarded swords to use as a pen. Scrawling pictures and characters in the dirt for fear of forgetting any of the information coursing through her head, Mila let the words flow out of her as she gave herself over to the throes of Divine Inspiration. Nothing too unfamiliar of course, but with a few adjustments...The world blurred around her as everything faded out of focus save for what she needed to work, the sword, the dirt, and sometimes Li-Li and Papa offering their own input to the mix. Soon enough, Mila had her plans all laid out, a welcome relief after committing to a haphazard approach to the Martial Path, but then Papa showed her the Spiritual ore he intended to use, and all of her best laid plans went awry. If she proceeded as is, her work would only end in failure as she produced a sub-par product lacking the proper balance, for she failed to factor in the unique density of this ore. As such, Mila took up brush and parchment to make the necessary calculations once again to ensure her sisters weapon would be perfect for her and her alone.This was Milas Path, she understood this now, something shed known all along yet resisted because she had different aspirations. She wanted to be a great leader and commander like Mama, but also a talented craftsman like Papa, yet she never took the effort to bring her two chosen Disciplines together into one, singular Path. It was always her dream to be a Warrior first and Divine Blacksmith second, but what need was there for differentiation? This was her Path, one unique to her and her alone, and one bound for inevitable failure if she tried to follow in anothers footsteps. A simple truth, merely a different way of saying one must forge their own Path, but now Mila finally had the courage to move forward once again and see her current Path through to the end.And when she took up her hammer, ready to forge the weapon itself, Mila felt the Divine Hand of the Mother reach down to guide her actions from on high. A sign from the Heavens that Mila was on the right Path, but a sign she did not need, for she now knew why she sought strength. Not for the sake of strength itself, or even to emulate her parents, husband, or anyone else. No, Mila desired strength so that she could support the people she loved most, her parents, her husband, her sister-wives, and everyone else she cared for. That was her ambition, above all else, to see her loved ones succeed, and her first course of action now was to forge a weapon for Li-Li that would aid her in combating the Defiled threat.One step at a time, walk before you can run, and yet as Mila fell into the rhythm of the hammer and bellows, she felt herself progressing by leaps and bounds as the Heavenly Dao unveiled itself before her. All Paths lead to the Peak, yet another truth she knew but failed to comprehend until now, and with this, she hoped to soon stand alongside her husband once again at the forefront of their generation. Not to overtake him, but to better support him just like Mama and Papa supported one another, which turned out, was the greatest lesson Milas parents had ever imparted upon her, and one she would do well to never forget.Chapter Meme
