Chapter 819
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Chapter 819
Outnumbered and exhausted as I am, the smart move here would be to keep quiet and rest for as long as possible while formulating a plan of action.
Unfortunately for me, I am not a smart man.
So, I begin, if only to break the unnerving silence while studying the faces in the crowd, Been here long? See any of the sights? Ive been told a Western oasis is especially beautiful after a summer storm, but Ive yet to see it for myself. Been kinda busy with the whole re-taking the province thing. Which I probably shouldnt have mentioned, given how this whole offensive is technically illegal since the big kahuna declared the Western Province lost and the borders closed, but in my defense, I forgot that tiny but very significant detail until just now. Lots of blooming flowers and greenery that doesnt last long, but I suppose the transience is part of the beauty.
The Emperor shows no sign of having heard the question as he continues to stare at me in his superior, holier-than-thou, and almost dismissive fashion, the same way I would stare at a weird, non-hostile animal Ive never seen before. No one else says anything either, as even the Divinities are standing with hands clasped and heads bowed, like contrite students who are late for class and waiting to be punished. The Emperor runs a tight ship though, Ill give him that, though he looks much younger than expected, a forty-something year old in prime middle-age rather than the lofty senior approaching retirement I envisioned. Theres an ineffable aspect about him that lends him an air of authority, something that has nothing to do with his fancy golden robes or silly hair ornament hat, which even I have to admit looks good on him. The way he holds himself lends weight to his domineering demeanour, one which doesnt demand respect so much as expect it, and there is not a single Scion who dares to glance in my direction as they stand stock still in five distinct groups.
The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife, though I suppose the longer this silence drags on, the better it is for me. Or it wouldve been if I didnt open my stupid mouth, but I couldnt help it. I hate being the centre of attention, whether its the Emperor studying me outright or everyone else studying me out the corner of their eyes.
Wrenching my attention away from the Emperors commanding presence, I take a moment to study his entourage instead. According to the family seals emblazoned on their respective outfits, the Five Supreme Families are all present and accounted for, but not in equal numbers. The Yangs and Liangs make up the bulk of the entourage, positioned closest to me on the Emperors right and left, with five and six people respectively. All men, except one overdressed woman hidden behind the armoured Shen ZhenWu, who is the only person kneeling instead of standing with head bowed. Whats more, she has her head pressed right against the sand, which seems kinda sexist, especially given how shes fitted for a ball while everyone else is armed and armoured for bear. The Seneschal is nowhere to be seen, which is surprising to me, as Ive come to associate him with ZhenWu seeing how the two were all but inseparable. I suppose a mere servant doesnt deserve the dubious honour of attending a face-to-face meeting with the Emperor, so lucky me, I guess. Whoo.
The Xings make up the next largest group, with three individuals present, soldiers and Warriors one and all who appear to be about the same age as ZhenWu. Each one is clad in golden armour, similar in style to my former bosss but nowhere near as ostentatious, though still dazzling to behold in the hot desert sun. Armed with spear and shield in hand, they each also bear a sheathed sword upon their hip as they stand directly behind the Emperor, but one step closer than the other four groups and one step further than the Divinities. Makes sense, seeing how the Xings are supposedly his military family, but their posture is every bit as submissive as the rest. As for the Tian and Di families, they only have one representative each standing in between the Xings and the Yangs and Liangs to form a big circle, though unlike the other three families who are all rife with tension, these two men in their thirties appear bored and unhappy to be here. The Tian representative is the least well dressed of the bunch, wearing a drab, form-fitting suit of light armour which favours mobility and flexibility over durability and thickness, though Im guessing its probably Runic in nature. Difficult to say, as its all black and tailored to melt into his slim figure, with tight, black silk clothes underneath which lack any and all markings whatsoever. Altogether, it makes him look more professional and less ostentatious than anyone else in the crowd, he has haughtiness enough for any three Imperial Scions, which is really saying something given the present company. As for the man from the Di Family, hes not even wearing armour, though hes got enough layers of robes on to brave the frozen north. A hefty, heavy-set sort, his comparatively shorter height makes him look fatter than he actually is, though I suspect he can fight as well as any Martial Warrior, even if his poofy layered robes make him look like an eye sore.
Aside from that, all of the Imperial Scions are just too damned handsome, while none seem all too pleased to be here, which I totally understand. I dont want to be here either. Scorching heat, low humidity, and coarse sand as far as the eye can see isnt really my idea of paradise, but to each their own, right?
Seeing my attempt at small talk has failed to elicit any response, I wrack my brain for another topic. I would rather risk pissing the Emperor off than sit here in awkward silence another moment longer, as this is akin to my own personal hell. With the Emperors thousand-yard stare boring right into the depths of my very soul, Im liable to start spiralling out of control due to sheer social anxiety. Like maybe the reason no one is engaging me in conversation is because Im already dead, and Im just the ghost of me going through the same motions as if I was still alive. At least I have Buddy and Mama Bun here to keep me sane, and my sweet rabbit is just full of affection as I slowly bob her about on the raft, if only to give my subconscious mind something to do besides fret. As for my dog, hes much more social than I am and wouldve gone over to say hi if I wasnt holding him in place, because in his eyes, a stranger is just a friend he hasnt met.
Also, Im pretty sure he wants to eat Zhen Shis corpse, a prospect which has his tail wagging, butt wiggling and mouth drooling as I weigh the pros and cons of feeding my doggo the flesh of my enemies. On the one hand, its just going to rot if I leave it there, and hey, free food. On the other hand, gross, and what if all the dead flesh gives him an upset tummy? Or worse, if he chokes on a bone or something? Id have to prepare the corpse for him, chop and grind it up or something, because knowing Buddy, hell eat everything including the robes and give himself a bowel obstruction. Or worse, have it all go right through him until the home stretch, at which point it comes down to me having to pull a bunch of poopy rags out of his clogged-up ass.
Thats an experience which will haunt you for the rest of your life, and presumably the next life too, apparently. Dogs are mans best friend, theres no denying that, but its not all roses and rainbows, Ill tell you what.
Buddy, stay, I mutter, trying to be as quiet as I can, but my doggo is having none of it as he tries to squirm out of my embrace. Cmon man, dont embarrass me in front of the Emperor, okay? Ill feed you in a bit. Be patient. Emanating a soothing Aura to keep him calm, I offer the Emperor an awkward smile and say, Dogs, am I right? Youd think his mouth wasnt connected with his stomach with how often he begs for food. Ha.
No response, which I wasnt expecting one either way, but theres also no indication of the Emperors anger or amusement. Hes interested, but not overly so, as if hes here to go through the motions and nothing else, a very dull and blas attitude to take given all the turmoil his Empire has endured in the last two years. Then again, I doubt he even cares about the suffering of his people given how he tried to stop me from killing Zhen Shi, probably because he wanted to study all his secrets. I cant see a world in which the Emperor wouldnt be interested in Zhen Shis Half-Demon production capabilities, to say nothing of his mass-manufactured Runic Armour and Spiritual Weapons equivalents. In related news, that might well be why I still draw breath, because the Emperor is taking the time to determine if I can be of any use.
Which I suppose I can, given my ability to guide commoners to success in Core Creation and raise veteran Warriors into Demon Slayers at the very least, but Im not entirely eager to work for the Imperial Clan given our history together. Then again, I doubt I have much of a choice in the matter, but a man can dream, right?
What unnerves me the most is not the silence, or even the Emperors piercing stare, but the fact that Pong Pong has gone radio silent and might well have legged it off without me noticing. The little guy stuck with me throughout the entire battle against Zhen Shi and would often reassure me with his Aura, but he hasnt made a peep since the Emperor stopped my sword, which is something I only now just noticed. Unwilling to give away Pong Pongs possible presence by physically checking my hair, I make no attempt to directly contact him with my Emotional Aura and radiate it around me instead, giving off a general vibe of calm and control which I most certainly do not feel, nor am I able to sense the little turtles presence. Doesnt mean much when you take into account the fact that he is the sneakiest of ninja turtles, but its all I can do to not squirm with panic at the thought of standing here without backup.
Despite my efforts to keep the effect contained to maybe an inch in all directions however, the centremost Xing representative is offended by my actions and demonstrates his discontent by stomping me into the sands and plunging his spear through my neck.
Or at least he wouldve, if not for the Emperors command given just before impact. Hold.
Staring up at my looming assailant in bewildered shock while struggling to draw breath, I belatedly piece together the sequence of events. One moment he was behind the Emperor, and the next, this Xing Warrior had his boot on my chest and his spear in my face, with no visible transition between the two states. Even now, Im unable to fathom how any man could move so quickly, especially one that is not yet a Divinity. At least, I dont think hes a Divinity, because he doesnt have the distinctive, overbearing presence palpable to my Spiritual Senses the baldie Divinities share. That only makes his attainments all that more impressive, seeing how this golden armoured behemoth of a Warrior was able to move faster than Zhen Shi and shatter my Domain Plated armour with little more than a nudge. A staggering amount of power for a Peak Expert to exert, but even more remarkable is his control, able to withdraw his strength and control his movements well enough to hold back at a moments notice. He struck to kill, and only the Emperors command kept him from following through, meaning this isnt even his top speed but its already too fast for me to keep up.New novel chapters are published on
Scowling darkly through his golden, open-faced helmet, the ruggedly handsome Warrior offers me a silent warning while resting his spear against my neck, almost daring me to do something, anything to piss him off. Me being me, I accept the challenge and offer him a toothy smile while patting Buddy on the head to soothe his nerves. Good dog, I proclaim, without taking my eyes off the Warrior standing atop me and making it clear in no uncertain terms that I fully understand the duality of my statement.
In hindsight, probably not the smartest course of action, but again, I am not a smart man.
The Xing Warriors anger is evident to behold as his cheeks take on a reddish hue, one which I suspect has nothing to do with prolonged exposure to the sun, but just as Im about to suggest he find some aloe cream for the burn, the Emperor pre-empts my quip with a sigh before turning aside to study Zhen Shis corpse lying at his feet. You may proceed as discussed, he declares, already giving the body his thousand-yard stare, But this Sovereign suspects the time and effort will be wasted.
This Prince thanks Imperial Sovereign for the opportunity. ZhenWus lofty pronoun is news to me, and he takes pride in its use, but I dont care much for the implications. After a ninety degree bow at the waist, ZhenWu turns towards me without letting the Emperor out of his sight. A show of respect I suppose, but his wary actions bring to mind my own during those early weeks after welcoming Princess into our floof family. But Imperial Sovereign was the one who taught this servant that there is no reward without sacrifice. Moving closer to my side so we dont have to shout while conversing, ZhenWu offers me a warm smile and an approving nod as I lay still in the sand, but thats not enough to charm me anymore, even if he is a handsome and heroic Prince of the Empire. Big whoop. The Emperor doesnt look old enough to be ZhenWus father, more like an older brother at best, but considering the guy has a whole forbidden city to house his harem, I doubt ZhenWu is the only Imperial Prince running around.
No, I dont envy the Emperor for his massive harem. Well, maybe a little, but its mostly wistful thinking, an unrealistic fantasy which falls apart the moment I consider the details. Hardly realistic to love and cherish over a thousand women, no matter how exciting it might seem, and I doubt the Emperor cares for his women the way I care for my wives, or vice versa.
Meaning the battle in Shi Bei which I am eager to get back to, though Im not entirely sure how much of a difference I can make. Rather than say something and risk shoving my foot in my mouth, I glance around at the Emperors paltry retinue of less than twenty individuals, without a single Royal Guardian or Death Corps Guard in sight. Catching on all-too quickly, ZhenWu produces a mirror from his belt-pouch and gestures for me to come stand by his side, which I do while being careful not to turn away from the Emperor. As dumb as it feels to move sideways across the sand, I err on the side of caution because I dont want to give Xing Ao Tian any more reason to hate me. Honestly though, much as I respect Xing Yong Wei for his advice, I cant help but resent him for abandoning me so soon into my term as Legate, and the bald Liang Divinity is high on my shit list for trying to have Dad killed. The Yang Divinity might well have been the most respectable of the bunch, though it could just be because of our limited interaction. I didnt know he was a Yang at the time, but the fact that he spoke in my favour and told ZhenWu that I was telling the truth regarding my Dao tells me he was a man of principle, because he couldve kept silent and let ZhenWu resent me. That wouldve driven a wedge between me and the Legate, which wouldve suited ZhenWus Imperial Protector fine, seeing how the old baldy was a member of the Yang Family who is at odds with the Liangs.
And how did ZhenWu repay the man? By setting him up to be killed, no doubt, further strengthening my suspicions that my benevolent patron has been working with Zhen Shi all this time, or at the minimum using a dire threat to the outer provinces as a tool in his games of politics.
Placing his arm around my shoulder in a much-too-friendly gesture, ZhenWu holds the mirror up to my face and shows me my reflection. Not sure what I was expecting, but at least Mama Bun and Buddy are cute as can be, though I see no sign of Pong Pong hidden within my hair. I still cant confirm if hes actually gone or just hiding from everything, but if he did leave, then I can hardly blame him for it. I never wouldve made it this far without him, and he stuck around much longer than he had to, so if he is gone, then I wish him well and pray he finds safety and happiness in spades. That being said, Pong Pong was outright dismissive of the Demonic Divinity and Zhen Shi both, as if he wasnt afraid of either one in the slightest, so I feel like I should be more worried about the fact that he ran as soon as the Emperor made his presence known.
Not like it matters. Even if he doesnt lift a finger, I doubt I could beat Ao Tian who stomped me flat, much less the other two beside him, or my prospective Father-in-Law, the Divine True Warrior, to say nothing of the two Divinities looming about. I am in way over my head, so I suppose selling my ass in marriage to Miss Rou isnt the worst thing in the world. Not literally selling my ass, though it wouldnt surprise me to learn she leans that way. Beautiful though she might be, Ive seen nothing tender or gentle about the formidable woman, a temperamental firebrand if there ever were one. Im not ashamed to admit she scares me, in a, Im going to cut your dick off and feed it to the fishes, sort of way.
It's her eyes, beautiful yes, but burning with wilful threat and malevolent rage. She blames me for her circumstances, hates me for being used in so humiliating a manner, and promises no peace or comfort will be found within the walls of our home. In other words, even though shes a perfect ten in beauty, shes cranked crazy up to eleven and no longer falls within the safe zone of the crazy/hot scale, and you know what they say about crazy.
Before I can ask what all this is about, my image in the mirror begins to blur only to focus and reveal a different scene reflected within, one of death and chaos aplenty. Covered in blood and heaving with exertion, Akanai wields her Crescent Moon Halberd in a defensive pattern to fend off her formidable foes, three monstrous and unfamiliar Demonic Divinities assaulting her from all sides. Each and every one of their attacks threatens to bring the Wrath of Heaven down upon them, but they care not for the Treaty or the consequences of their actions, only for the blood and flesh of my Grand-Mentor they so desperately crave. Though this is merely a glimpse of her plight, I can already tell that Akanai is in dire straits and will not hold out for long without assistance, but I suspect there will be none forthcoming.
For there are even more Demonic Divinities besieging Grandpa Wolf, who is desperately fighting to keep everyone alive. The Demonic Divinities themselves are only a minor threat, one he could tear through with relative ease so long as hes willing to suffer a few injuries for it, but keeping the Wrath of Heavens from destroying all of Shi Bei has stretched the poor old Divinity to the limits. The Demonic Divinities sense his weakness and converge around him like vultures awaiting the death of their prey, and the combined efforts of the remaining Imperial Divinities led by the newly ascended Nian Zu arent enough to keep them all at bay, for they are grossly outnumbered by these near mindless abominations unleashed by Zhen Shi in his rage.
The image in the mirror shifts, flickering faster than the human eye can follow, but my mind pieces it all together with help from the State of Enlightenment. Mila stands before Lin-Lin and defends her from the Half-Demon Defiled, but my fiery wife is almost an arrow spent, her body fatigued and her Spiritual System overworked after unleashing not one burst of dazzling radiance, but two with help from me and Lin-Lin both. Li-Li stands close by with sabre a whirling, but while she has touched upon the precipice of Peak Expert, she has yet to move over the threshold to become one in truth. Even if she had, she alone is not enough to turn the tides of battle, as evidenced by Husolt, Grandpa Du, Kyung, and so many others who are desperately fighting to make their way over to save them. Yan is still safe for now, but no longer able to sustain her massive wind wall of blades, and instead fights with fan, shield, and horns in bloody close combat with the odd Wind Blade to make up for the disparity in strength, speed, reaction, and so much more. All the while, Luo-Luo continues to play her heart out while Guard Leaders veiled subordinates defend her and the floofs both, but its clear theyre all on their last legs as the Enemy closes in from all sides.
Dad, Naaran, and Gerel trade blows with Ankhbayar and Mao Jianghong within a rare pocket of calm, but my grandfather is wounded and unable to fight with his full strength. A wound taken to protect Gerel I would wager, considering how close my brother has come to losing it entirely. Even then, they still outnumber their foes, but the traitor Guard Captains Blessing of Ice does much to make up for the difference. A shield of ice moves in accordance with Jianghongs left hand, affixed to him by bonds of invisible Domain, and he sweeps it before him to slam Dad and Gerel away before raising it high to stop the plummeting Bloody Fang from piercing through the crown of Ankhbayars head. As for my failure of a sire, he is a disappointment as a man, but a Warrior few can match, especially with Jianghong to make up for his shortcomings. Giving himself over to the attack, he wields his spear with speed and precision unlike anything Ive ever seen, delivering pinpoint attacks at every opening presented by his foes and bleeding them more often than not. At this rate, it wont be long before someone slips up and suffers what might well be a mortal wound, but there are no other available Warriors capable of interfering in an exchange of this calibre.
Down in the courtyard, Kharuul and Balor yearn to join their riders for this fight, but powerful as the two Spiritual Quins might be, they are vulnerable in a battle between Peak Experts, to say nothing of an exchange at this high a calibre, and the beasts know it. All they can do is gnash their teeth and stomp their feet, a frustration I share with them, as well as with sweet Mafu and furious Zabu who have been left out of the fight. Not all the quins sit idle however, as many Sentinels sallied out alongside the Imperial cavalry in pursuit of the fleeing Defiled army, except now theyre frantically fighting to make their way back to Shi Bei. Despite being given a clean opportunity to charge the Half-Demons in the back, it was far from enough to break the fearsome Enemy combatants. To make matters worse, the Imperial Cavalry have been unable to withdraw after the initial charge and are stuck fighting in close combat, a poor trade even if they were battling base Chosen instead of Half-Demon Peak Experts. The casualties are staggering to behold, largely due to the fact that the Enemy has a force of cavalry all their own, a small but elite force of mounted Half-Demons commanded by a hulking beast of a Chieftain running rampant through the Imperial forces. This does nothing to deter Huu however, who recognizes the Chieftain underneath his Demonic Armour as the Defiled who killed his uncle Kalil. Though sorely outmatched by his foe, my foolhardy friend brings his quin around on a collision course with the Half-Demon Chieftain in an effort to kill the man or die trying, but in his rage, Huu doesnt notice his wives and mother following close behind. None of them are strong enough to defeat the Half-Demon Chieftain, and all three of the women know it, but they will not let Huushal die on his own and are ready to sell their lives dearly.
Back on the battlements, Mister Rustram fights with rapier in one hand and my banner in the other, having pried it from Yazhus lifeless hands. A cobblers son turned Stormguard Banner Bearer, Yazhu was the first man to sound the rallying cry in JiangHu, among the first to answer Akanais call to serve, and now he lies dead upon the walls of Shi Bei alongside so many others. Fung and Seoyoon fight shoulder to shoulder, while Dain struggles to make her way over and link up, but there are too many Half-Demons to allow it. The Sword Princess gives it her all in a desperate bid to save her sister, for she has already seen her brother Geom-Chi fall to a Half-Demon, and refuses to lose Seoyoon too. Similarly, Exarch Gam has made his way over to Wu Gams side, bleeding profusely from more wounds than I can count but still a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. The sands shift and collapse inwards, burying an entire group of armoured Half-Demons who have yet to make their way onto the wall, but there are still more to replace them as they charge headlong at the formidable, but exhausted Half-Fox Warrior. His mother stands guard over them, but she too is caught up in the siege of Demonic Divinities and unable to spare much attention for them. Shes making ready to cut and run, like so many other Imperial Divinities, and only the encirclement of Enemy Divinities is keeping her in place. Zhu Chanzui, Mataram YuKon, and seven other Human Divinities and Ancestral Beasts stand ready and waiting, the remnants of the non-Demon Divinities freed up once Zhen Shi unleashed his mindless miscreations. Theyre just waiting for their foes to weaken, to break apart and present an opening, at which point they will strike to kill and possibly even bring Heavens Wrath down upon all of Shi Bei, because the Treaty isnt worth shit any longer.
Tam Taewoon. Situ Jia Yang and Situ Jia Zian. Chen Hongji. Han BoHai and Han BoShui. Broken Blade Pichai. Marshal Quyen Huong and Dienne Huong. Situ Rang Min. These faces and more flash before my eyes, but its the faces I dont see that pain me so, the ones not reflected within Shen ZhenWus mirror because theyre already dead. Somehow, I can just tell that this is no illusion, not something Zhen Shi would craft to trick me, but a true representation of reality, one which I suspect is happening in real time, and my patron confirms it with his next words. The situation in Shi Bei is dire indeed, and growing more desperate by the second, but agree to my terms, and I will save those you hold dear. Your family of course, and your wives, and even your pets, so you need not fear for their fate.
But everyone else is shit out of luck. Though I suspected as much, the confirmation sends a pang through my chest which empties it of all sensation, leaving only pain and nothingness behind. Have to die. As in he could save them all, but he wont, because then he cant control the narrative of what happened here in the West. What about my mother?
I already suspected they have her in custody, because nothing else wouldve kept her from riding to reinforce Dad, but ZhenWu confirms as much with a grunt before showing me her worried expression in the mirror. We intercepted her forces seven days ago and sent them back to the Northern Citadel. Your mother holds no rank you see, and thus no right to command a force of soldiers so large. She was treated well, he adds, no doubt sensing my growing anger and understandably worried Ill do something rash, Unharmed and in good health. The implication being that this might not hold true should I refuse his offer, and I dont have it in me to ask about Charok and the twins. Rather than outright threaten me however, ZhenWu shows me my mothers surroundings, and I spot Shuai Jiao standing close by her. His rugged, weather-worn features are unreadably neutral, though somehow I can sense his inner turmoil just as clearly as moms fear and heartbreak. Theyre both Scrying on Shi Bei, meaning theyre not far away at all, and I catch a glimpse of Royal Guardians and Death Corps Guards around them. No Imperial soldiers though, none save for Yong-Jin, who lacks his Mentors calm faade and wears his inner conflict openly on his sleeve, for he is a good man and cannot bear the thought of sacrificing so many lives, even if it is for the supposed greater good.
But the Emperor, Shen ZhenWu, and everyone else present wouldnt blink twice about it, and have long since decided the fate of the heroes of Shi Bei.
You have an army standing outside the city, I begin, my knuckles turning white as I hold Unity tight and resist the urge to cut my smiling patron down, And you intend to let the soldiers of Shi Bei all die?
Its your army, in truth, ZhenWu replies, and the pieces fall into place even as he explains it. The Royal Guardians and Death Corps Guards you brought along with you on this ill-fated crusade. Even if I should lead them into battle, this paltry force is hardly enough to turn the tides of battle, especially with so many uncontrolled Demonic Divinities involved. You would have led them to their deaths, and I saved their lives, while those who die in Shi Bei will die because of your decisions.
I could have won with their help.
Perhaps, but unlikely, and even then only due to a series of unlikely events which not even you could have foreseen. Shrugging as if none of this concerns him, he continues, Their deaths, though unfortunate, is the price you pay for your hubris, a lesson you should learn from moving forward from here. His Imperial Sovereign decreed the Western Province lost and its borders closed, yet you took it upon yourself to ignore His Imperial Mandate and lead these soldiers to their deaths. You only have yourself to blame. His Imperial Sovereign has shown mercy enough in not having you killed for disobedience, will even overlook the ruinous outcome of your crusade and allow you to marry into the Imperial Clan, truly a fortune found in disaster. Accept, and you will soar high into the Heavens to become a dragon among men; refuse, and you will be prosecuted for your crimes, with your name cursed as the sinner of the outer provinces for centuries to come and your supporters executed as accessories after the fact.
It's not much of a choice. I would be stupid to refuse. Its not like hes even asking that much of me. Marriage to an Imperial Princess and sharing my view on the Dao, though I suspect more demands will come in time. I might as well just bite the bullet and accept the offer, because its not like I have a viable alternative, but throughout ZhenWus entire sales pitch, there was one question just eating away at me from inside, something I cannot for the life of me figure out, and the words slip out in spite of all my efforts to keep quiet.
But why?
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Chapter 819
Outnumbered and exhausted as I am, the smart move here would be to keep quiet and rest for as long as possible while formulating a plan of action.
Unfortunately for me, I am not a smart man.
So, I begin, if only to break the unnerving silence while studying the faces in the crowd, Been here long? See any of the sights? Ive been told a Western oasis is especially beautiful after a summer storm, but Ive yet to see it for myself. Been kinda busy with the whole re-taking the province thing. Which I probably shouldnt have mentioned, given how this whole offensive is technically illegal since the big kahuna declared the Western Province lost and the borders closed, but in my defense, I forgot that tiny but very significant detail until just now. Lots of blooming flowers and greenery that doesnt last long, but I suppose the transience is part of the beauty.
The Emperor shows no sign of having heard the question as he continues to stare at me in his superior, holier-than-thou, and almost dismissive fashion, the same way I would stare at a weird, non-hostile animal Ive never seen before. No one else says anything either, as even the Divinities are standing with hands clasped and heads bowed, like contrite students who are late for class and waiting to be punished. The Emperor runs a tight ship though, Ill give him that, though he looks much younger than expected, a forty-something year old in prime middle-age rather than the lofty senior approaching retirement I envisioned. Theres an ineffable aspect about him that lends him an air of authority, something that has nothing to do with his fancy golden robes or silly hair ornament hat, which even I have to admit looks good on him. The way he holds himself lends weight to his domineering demeanour, one which doesnt demand respect so much as expect it, and there is not a single Scion who dares to glance in my direction as they stand stock still in five distinct groups.
The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife, though I suppose the longer this silence drags on, the better it is for me. Or it wouldve been if I didnt open my stupid mouth, but I couldnt help it. I hate being the centre of attention, whether its the Emperor studying me outright or everyone else studying me out the corner of their eyes.
Wrenching my attention away from the Emperors commanding presence, I take a moment to study his entourage instead. According to the family seals emblazoned on their respective outfits, the Five Supreme Families are all present and accounted for, but not in equal numbers. The Yangs and Liangs make up the bulk of the entourage, positioned closest to me on the Emperors right and left, with five and six people respectively. All men, except one overdressed woman hidden behind the armoured Shen ZhenWu, who is the only person kneeling instead of standing with head bowed. Whats more, she has her head pressed right against the sand, which seems kinda sexist, especially given how shes fitted for a ball while everyone else is armed and armoured for bear. The Seneschal is nowhere to be seen, which is surprising to me, as Ive come to associate him with ZhenWu seeing how the two were all but inseparable. I suppose a mere servant doesnt deserve the dubious honour of attending a face-to-face meeting with the Emperor, so lucky me, I guess. Whoo.
The Xings make up the next largest group, with three individuals present, soldiers and Warriors one and all who appear to be about the same age as ZhenWu. Each one is clad in golden armour, similar in style to my former bosss but nowhere near as ostentatious, though still dazzling to behold in the hot desert sun. Armed with spear and shield in hand, they each also bear a sheathed sword upon their hip as they stand directly behind the Emperor, but one step closer than the other four groups and one step further than the Divinities. Makes sense, seeing how the Xings are supposedly his military family, but their posture is every bit as submissive as the rest. As for the Tian and Di families, they only have one representative each standing in between the Xings and the Yangs and Liangs to form a big circle, though unlike the other three families who are all rife with tension, these two men in their thirties appear bored and unhappy to be here. The Tian representative is the least well dressed of the bunch, wearing a drab, form-fitting suit of light armour which favours mobility and flexibility over durability and thickness, though Im guessing its probably Runic in nature. Difficult to say, as its all black and tailored to melt into his slim figure, with tight, black silk clothes underneath which lack any and all markings whatsoever. Altogether, it makes him look more professional and less ostentatious than anyone else in the crowd, he has haughtiness enough for any three Imperial Scions, which is really saying something given the present company. As for the man from the Di Family, hes not even wearing armour, though hes got enough layers of robes on to brave the frozen north. A hefty, heavy-set sort, his comparatively shorter height makes him look fatter than he actually is, though I suspect he can fight as well as any Martial Warrior, even if his poofy layered robes make him look like an eye sore.
Aside from that, all of the Imperial Scions are just too damned handsome, while none seem all too pleased to be here, which I totally understand. I dont want to be here either. Scorching heat, low humidity, and coarse sand as far as the eye can see isnt really my idea of paradise, but to each their own, right?
Seeing my attempt at small talk has failed to elicit any response, I wrack my brain for another topic. I would rather risk pissing the Emperor off than sit here in awkward silence another moment longer, as this is akin to my own personal hell. With the Emperors thousand-yard stare boring right into the depths of my very soul, Im liable to start spiralling out of control due to sheer social anxiety. Like maybe the reason no one is engaging me in conversation is because Im already dead, and Im just the ghost of me going through the same motions as if I was still alive. At least I have Buddy and Mama Bun here to keep me sane, and my sweet rabbit is just full of affection as I slowly bob her about on the raft, if only to give my subconscious mind something to do besides fret. As for my dog, hes much more social than I am and wouldve gone over to say hi if I wasnt holding him in place, because in his eyes, a stranger is just a friend he hasnt met.
Also, Im pretty sure he wants to eat Zhen Shis corpse, a prospect which has his tail wagging, butt wiggling and mouth drooling as I weigh the pros and cons of feeding my doggo the flesh of my enemies. On the one hand, its just going to rot if I leave it there, and hey, free food. On the other hand, gross, and what if all the dead flesh gives him an upset tummy? Or worse, if he chokes on a bone or something? Id have to prepare the corpse for him, chop and grind it up or something, because knowing Buddy, hell eat everything including the robes and give himself a bowel obstruction. Or worse, have it all go right through him until the home stretch, at which point it comes down to me having to pull a bunch of poopy rags out of his clogged-up ass.
Thats an experience which will haunt you for the rest of your life, and presumably the next life too, apparently. Dogs are mans best friend, theres no denying that, but its not all roses and rainbows, Ill tell you what.
Buddy, stay, I mutter, trying to be as quiet as I can, but my doggo is having none of it as he tries to squirm out of my embrace. Cmon man, dont embarrass me in front of the Emperor, okay? Ill feed you in a bit. Be patient. Emanating a soothing Aura to keep him calm, I offer the Emperor an awkward smile and say, Dogs, am I right? Youd think his mouth wasnt connected with his stomach with how often he begs for food. Ha.
No response, which I wasnt expecting one either way, but theres also no indication of the Emperors anger or amusement. Hes interested, but not overly so, as if hes here to go through the motions and nothing else, a very dull and blas attitude to take given all the turmoil his Empire has endured in the last two years. Then again, I doubt he even cares about the suffering of his people given how he tried to stop me from killing Zhen Shi, probably because he wanted to study all his secrets. I cant see a world in which the Emperor wouldnt be interested in Zhen Shis Half-Demon production capabilities, to say nothing of his mass-manufactured Runic Armour and Spiritual Weapons equivalents. In related news, that might well be why I still draw breath, because the Emperor is taking the time to determine if I can be of any use.
Which I suppose I can, given my ability to guide commoners to success in Core Creation and raise veteran Warriors into Demon Slayers at the very least, but Im not entirely eager to work for the Imperial Clan given our history together. Then again, I doubt I have much of a choice in the matter, but a man can dream, right?
What unnerves me the most is not the silence, or even the Emperors piercing stare, but the fact that Pong Pong has gone radio silent and might well have legged it off without me noticing. The little guy stuck with me throughout the entire battle against Zhen Shi and would often reassure me with his Aura, but he hasnt made a peep since the Emperor stopped my sword, which is something I only now just noticed. Unwilling to give away Pong Pongs possible presence by physically checking my hair, I make no attempt to directly contact him with my Emotional Aura and radiate it around me instead, giving off a general vibe of calm and control which I most certainly do not feel, nor am I able to sense the little turtles presence. Doesnt mean much when you take into account the fact that he is the sneakiest of ninja turtles, but its all I can do to not squirm with panic at the thought of standing here without backup.
Despite my efforts to keep the effect contained to maybe an inch in all directions however, the centremost Xing representative is offended by my actions and demonstrates his discontent by stomping me into the sands and plunging his spear through my neck.
Or at least he wouldve, if not for the Emperors command given just before impact. Hold.
Staring up at my looming assailant in bewildered shock while struggling to draw breath, I belatedly piece together the sequence of events. One moment he was behind the Emperor, and the next, this Xing Warrior had his boot on my chest and his spear in my face, with no visible transition between the two states. Even now, Im unable to fathom how any man could move so quickly, especially one that is not yet a Divinity. At least, I dont think hes a Divinity, because he doesnt have the distinctive, overbearing presence palpable to my Spiritual Senses the baldie Divinities share. That only makes his attainments all that more impressive, seeing how this golden armoured behemoth of a Warrior was able to move faster than Zhen Shi and shatter my Domain Plated armour with little more than a nudge. A staggering amount of power for a Peak Expert to exert, but even more remarkable is his control, able to withdraw his strength and control his movements well enough to hold back at a moments notice. He struck to kill, and only the Emperors command kept him from following through, meaning this isnt even his top speed but its already too fast for me to keep up.New novel chapters are published on
Scowling darkly through his golden, open-faced helmet, the ruggedly handsome Warrior offers me a silent warning while resting his spear against my neck, almost daring me to do something, anything to piss him off. Me being me, I accept the challenge and offer him a toothy smile while patting Buddy on the head to soothe his nerves. Good dog, I proclaim, without taking my eyes off the Warrior standing atop me and making it clear in no uncertain terms that I fully understand the duality of my statement.
In hindsight, probably not the smartest course of action, but again, I am not a smart man.
The Xing Warriors anger is evident to behold as his cheeks take on a reddish hue, one which I suspect has nothing to do with prolonged exposure to the sun, but just as Im about to suggest he find some aloe cream for the burn, the Emperor pre-empts my quip with a sigh before turning aside to study Zhen Shis corpse lying at his feet. You may proceed as discussed, he declares, already giving the body his thousand-yard stare, But this Sovereign suspects the time and effort will be wasted.
This Prince thanks Imperial Sovereign for the opportunity. ZhenWus lofty pronoun is news to me, and he takes pride in its use, but I dont care much for the implications. After a ninety degree bow at the waist, ZhenWu turns towards me without letting the Emperor out of his sight. A show of respect I suppose, but his wary actions bring to mind my own during those early weeks after welcoming Princess into our floof family. But Imperial Sovereign was the one who taught this servant that there is no reward without sacrifice. Moving closer to my side so we dont have to shout while conversing, ZhenWu offers me a warm smile and an approving nod as I lay still in the sand, but thats not enough to charm me anymore, even if he is a handsome and heroic Prince of the Empire. Big whoop. The Emperor doesnt look old enough to be ZhenWus father, more like an older brother at best, but considering the guy has a whole forbidden city to house his harem, I doubt ZhenWu is the only Imperial Prince running around.
No, I dont envy the Emperor for his massive harem. Well, maybe a little, but its mostly wistful thinking, an unrealistic fantasy which falls apart the moment I consider the details. Hardly realistic to love and cherish over a thousand women, no matter how exciting it might seem, and I doubt the Emperor cares for his women the way I care for my wives, or vice versa.
Meaning the battle in Shi Bei which I am eager to get back to, though Im not entirely sure how much of a difference I can make. Rather than say something and risk shoving my foot in my mouth, I glance around at the Emperors paltry retinue of less than twenty individuals, without a single Royal Guardian or Death Corps Guard in sight. Catching on all-too quickly, ZhenWu produces a mirror from his belt-pouch and gestures for me to come stand by his side, which I do while being careful not to turn away from the Emperor. As dumb as it feels to move sideways across the sand, I err on the side of caution because I dont want to give Xing Ao Tian any more reason to hate me. Honestly though, much as I respect Xing Yong Wei for his advice, I cant help but resent him for abandoning me so soon into my term as Legate, and the bald Liang Divinity is high on my shit list for trying to have Dad killed. The Yang Divinity might well have been the most respectable of the bunch, though it could just be because of our limited interaction. I didnt know he was a Yang at the time, but the fact that he spoke in my favour and told ZhenWu that I was telling the truth regarding my Dao tells me he was a man of principle, because he couldve kept silent and let ZhenWu resent me. That wouldve driven a wedge between me and the Legate, which wouldve suited ZhenWus Imperial Protector fine, seeing how the old baldy was a member of the Yang Family who is at odds with the Liangs.
And how did ZhenWu repay the man? By setting him up to be killed, no doubt, further strengthening my suspicions that my benevolent patron has been working with Zhen Shi all this time, or at the minimum using a dire threat to the outer provinces as a tool in his games of politics.
Placing his arm around my shoulder in a much-too-friendly gesture, ZhenWu holds the mirror up to my face and shows me my reflection. Not sure what I was expecting, but at least Mama Bun and Buddy are cute as can be, though I see no sign of Pong Pong hidden within my hair. I still cant confirm if hes actually gone or just hiding from everything, but if he did leave, then I can hardly blame him for it. I never wouldve made it this far without him, and he stuck around much longer than he had to, so if he is gone, then I wish him well and pray he finds safety and happiness in spades. That being said, Pong Pong was outright dismissive of the Demonic Divinity and Zhen Shi both, as if he wasnt afraid of either one in the slightest, so I feel like I should be more worried about the fact that he ran as soon as the Emperor made his presence known.
Not like it matters. Even if he doesnt lift a finger, I doubt I could beat Ao Tian who stomped me flat, much less the other two beside him, or my prospective Father-in-Law, the Divine True Warrior, to say nothing of the two Divinities looming about. I am in way over my head, so I suppose selling my ass in marriage to Miss Rou isnt the worst thing in the world. Not literally selling my ass, though it wouldnt surprise me to learn she leans that way. Beautiful though she might be, Ive seen nothing tender or gentle about the formidable woman, a temperamental firebrand if there ever were one. Im not ashamed to admit she scares me, in a, Im going to cut your dick off and feed it to the fishes, sort of way.
It's her eyes, beautiful yes, but burning with wilful threat and malevolent rage. She blames me for her circumstances, hates me for being used in so humiliating a manner, and promises no peace or comfort will be found within the walls of our home. In other words, even though shes a perfect ten in beauty, shes cranked crazy up to eleven and no longer falls within the safe zone of the crazy/hot scale, and you know what they say about crazy.
Before I can ask what all this is about, my image in the mirror begins to blur only to focus and reveal a different scene reflected within, one of death and chaos aplenty. Covered in blood and heaving with exertion, Akanai wields her Crescent Moon Halberd in a defensive pattern to fend off her formidable foes, three monstrous and unfamiliar Demonic Divinities assaulting her from all sides. Each and every one of their attacks threatens to bring the Wrath of Heaven down upon them, but they care not for the Treaty or the consequences of their actions, only for the blood and flesh of my Grand-Mentor they so desperately crave. Though this is merely a glimpse of her plight, I can already tell that Akanai is in dire straits and will not hold out for long without assistance, but I suspect there will be none forthcoming.
For there are even more Demonic Divinities besieging Grandpa Wolf, who is desperately fighting to keep everyone alive. The Demonic Divinities themselves are only a minor threat, one he could tear through with relative ease so long as hes willing to suffer a few injuries for it, but keeping the Wrath of Heavens from destroying all of Shi Bei has stretched the poor old Divinity to the limits. The Demonic Divinities sense his weakness and converge around him like vultures awaiting the death of their prey, and the combined efforts of the remaining Imperial Divinities led by the newly ascended Nian Zu arent enough to keep them all at bay, for they are grossly outnumbered by these near mindless abominations unleashed by Zhen Shi in his rage.
The image in the mirror shifts, flickering faster than the human eye can follow, but my mind pieces it all together with help from the State of Enlightenment. Mila stands before Lin-Lin and defends her from the Half-Demon Defiled, but my fiery wife is almost an arrow spent, her body fatigued and her Spiritual System overworked after unleashing not one burst of dazzling radiance, but two with help from me and Lin-Lin both. Li-Li stands close by with sabre a whirling, but while she has touched upon the precipice of Peak Expert, she has yet to move over the threshold to become one in truth. Even if she had, she alone is not enough to turn the tides of battle, as evidenced by Husolt, Grandpa Du, Kyung, and so many others who are desperately fighting to make their way over to save them. Yan is still safe for now, but no longer able to sustain her massive wind wall of blades, and instead fights with fan, shield, and horns in bloody close combat with the odd Wind Blade to make up for the disparity in strength, speed, reaction, and so much more. All the while, Luo-Luo continues to play her heart out while Guard Leaders veiled subordinates defend her and the floofs both, but its clear theyre all on their last legs as the Enemy closes in from all sides.
Dad, Naaran, and Gerel trade blows with Ankhbayar and Mao Jianghong within a rare pocket of calm, but my grandfather is wounded and unable to fight with his full strength. A wound taken to protect Gerel I would wager, considering how close my brother has come to losing it entirely. Even then, they still outnumber their foes, but the traitor Guard Captains Blessing of Ice does much to make up for the difference. A shield of ice moves in accordance with Jianghongs left hand, affixed to him by bonds of invisible Domain, and he sweeps it before him to slam Dad and Gerel away before raising it high to stop the plummeting Bloody Fang from piercing through the crown of Ankhbayars head. As for my failure of a sire, he is a disappointment as a man, but a Warrior few can match, especially with Jianghong to make up for his shortcomings. Giving himself over to the attack, he wields his spear with speed and precision unlike anything Ive ever seen, delivering pinpoint attacks at every opening presented by his foes and bleeding them more often than not. At this rate, it wont be long before someone slips up and suffers what might well be a mortal wound, but there are no other available Warriors capable of interfering in an exchange of this calibre.
Down in the courtyard, Kharuul and Balor yearn to join their riders for this fight, but powerful as the two Spiritual Quins might be, they are vulnerable in a battle between Peak Experts, to say nothing of an exchange at this high a calibre, and the beasts know it. All they can do is gnash their teeth and stomp their feet, a frustration I share with them, as well as with sweet Mafu and furious Zabu who have been left out of the fight. Not all the quins sit idle however, as many Sentinels sallied out alongside the Imperial cavalry in pursuit of the fleeing Defiled army, except now theyre frantically fighting to make their way back to Shi Bei. Despite being given a clean opportunity to charge the Half-Demons in the back, it was far from enough to break the fearsome Enemy combatants. To make matters worse, the Imperial Cavalry have been unable to withdraw after the initial charge and are stuck fighting in close combat, a poor trade even if they were battling base Chosen instead of Half-Demon Peak Experts. The casualties are staggering to behold, largely due to the fact that the Enemy has a force of cavalry all their own, a small but elite force of mounted Half-Demons commanded by a hulking beast of a Chieftain running rampant through the Imperial forces. This does nothing to deter Huu however, who recognizes the Chieftain underneath his Demonic Armour as the Defiled who killed his uncle Kalil. Though sorely outmatched by his foe, my foolhardy friend brings his quin around on a collision course with the Half-Demon Chieftain in an effort to kill the man or die trying, but in his rage, Huu doesnt notice his wives and mother following close behind. None of them are strong enough to defeat the Half-Demon Chieftain, and all three of the women know it, but they will not let Huushal die on his own and are ready to sell their lives dearly.
Back on the battlements, Mister Rustram fights with rapier in one hand and my banner in the other, having pried it from Yazhus lifeless hands. A cobblers son turned Stormguard Banner Bearer, Yazhu was the first man to sound the rallying cry in JiangHu, among the first to answer Akanais call to serve, and now he lies dead upon the walls of Shi Bei alongside so many others. Fung and Seoyoon fight shoulder to shoulder, while Dain struggles to make her way over and link up, but there are too many Half-Demons to allow it. The Sword Princess gives it her all in a desperate bid to save her sister, for she has already seen her brother Geom-Chi fall to a Half-Demon, and refuses to lose Seoyoon too. Similarly, Exarch Gam has made his way over to Wu Gams side, bleeding profusely from more wounds than I can count but still a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. The sands shift and collapse inwards, burying an entire group of armoured Half-Demons who have yet to make their way onto the wall, but there are still more to replace them as they charge headlong at the formidable, but exhausted Half-Fox Warrior. His mother stands guard over them, but she too is caught up in the siege of Demonic Divinities and unable to spare much attention for them. Shes making ready to cut and run, like so many other Imperial Divinities, and only the encirclement of Enemy Divinities is keeping her in place. Zhu Chanzui, Mataram YuKon, and seven other Human Divinities and Ancestral Beasts stand ready and waiting, the remnants of the non-Demon Divinities freed up once Zhen Shi unleashed his mindless miscreations. Theyre just waiting for their foes to weaken, to break apart and present an opening, at which point they will strike to kill and possibly even bring Heavens Wrath down upon all of Shi Bei, because the Treaty isnt worth shit any longer.
Tam Taewoon. Situ Jia Yang and Situ Jia Zian. Chen Hongji. Han BoHai and Han BoShui. Broken Blade Pichai. Marshal Quyen Huong and Dienne Huong. Situ Rang Min. These faces and more flash before my eyes, but its the faces I dont see that pain me so, the ones not reflected within Shen ZhenWus mirror because theyre already dead. Somehow, I can just tell that this is no illusion, not something Zhen Shi would craft to trick me, but a true representation of reality, one which I suspect is happening in real time, and my patron confirms it with his next words. The situation in Shi Bei is dire indeed, and growing more desperate by the second, but agree to my terms, and I will save those you hold dear. Your family of course, and your wives, and even your pets, so you need not fear for their fate.
But everyone else is shit out of luck. Though I suspected as much, the confirmation sends a pang through my chest which empties it of all sensation, leaving only pain and nothingness behind. Have to die. As in he could save them all, but he wont, because then he cant control the narrative of what happened here in the West. What about my mother?
I already suspected they have her in custody, because nothing else wouldve kept her from riding to reinforce Dad, but ZhenWu confirms as much with a grunt before showing me her worried expression in the mirror. We intercepted her forces seven days ago and sent them back to the Northern Citadel. Your mother holds no rank you see, and thus no right to command a force of soldiers so large. She was treated well, he adds, no doubt sensing my growing anger and understandably worried Ill do something rash, Unharmed and in good health. The implication being that this might not hold true should I refuse his offer, and I dont have it in me to ask about Charok and the twins. Rather than outright threaten me however, ZhenWu shows me my mothers surroundings, and I spot Shuai Jiao standing close by her. His rugged, weather-worn features are unreadably neutral, though somehow I can sense his inner turmoil just as clearly as moms fear and heartbreak. Theyre both Scrying on Shi Bei, meaning theyre not far away at all, and I catch a glimpse of Royal Guardians and Death Corps Guards around them. No Imperial soldiers though, none save for Yong-Jin, who lacks his Mentors calm faade and wears his inner conflict openly on his sleeve, for he is a good man and cannot bear the thought of sacrificing so many lives, even if it is for the supposed greater good.
But the Emperor, Shen ZhenWu, and everyone else present wouldnt blink twice about it, and have long since decided the fate of the heroes of Shi Bei.
You have an army standing outside the city, I begin, my knuckles turning white as I hold Unity tight and resist the urge to cut my smiling patron down, And you intend to let the soldiers of Shi Bei all die?
Its your army, in truth, ZhenWu replies, and the pieces fall into place even as he explains it. The Royal Guardians and Death Corps Guards you brought along with you on this ill-fated crusade. Even if I should lead them into battle, this paltry force is hardly enough to turn the tides of battle, especially with so many uncontrolled Demonic Divinities involved. You would have led them to their deaths, and I saved their lives, while those who die in Shi Bei will die because of your decisions.
I could have won with their help.
Perhaps, but unlikely, and even then only due to a series of unlikely events which not even you could have foreseen. Shrugging as if none of this concerns him, he continues, Their deaths, though unfortunate, is the price you pay for your hubris, a lesson you should learn from moving forward from here. His Imperial Sovereign decreed the Western Province lost and its borders closed, yet you took it upon yourself to ignore His Imperial Mandate and lead these soldiers to their deaths. You only have yourself to blame. His Imperial Sovereign has shown mercy enough in not having you killed for disobedience, will even overlook the ruinous outcome of your crusade and allow you to marry into the Imperial Clan, truly a fortune found in disaster. Accept, and you will soar high into the Heavens to become a dragon among men; refuse, and you will be prosecuted for your crimes, with your name cursed as the sinner of the outer provinces for centuries to come and your supporters executed as accessories after the fact.
It's not much of a choice. I would be stupid to refuse. Its not like hes even asking that much of me. Marriage to an Imperial Princess and sharing my view on the Dao, though I suspect more demands will come in time. I might as well just bite the bullet and accept the offer, because its not like I have a viable alternative, but throughout ZhenWus entire sales pitch, there was one question just eating away at me from inside, something I cannot for the life of me figure out, and the words slip out in spite of all my efforts to keep quiet.
But why?
Chapter Meme 1
Chapter Meme 2
Chapter Meme 3
Chapter 819Outnumbered and exhausted as I am, the smart move here would be to keep quiet and rest for as long as possible while formulating a plan of action.Unfortunately for me, I am not a smart man.So, I begin, if only to break the unnerving silence while studying the faces in the crowd, Been here long? See any of the sights? Ive been told a Western oasis is especially beautiful after a summer storm, but Ive yet to see it for myself. Been kinda busy with the whole re-taking the province thing. Which I probably shouldnt have mentioned, given how this whole offensive is technically illegal since the big kahuna declared the Western Province lost and the borders closed, but in my defense, I forgot that tiny but very significant detail until just now. Lots of blooming flowers and greenery that doesnt last long, but I suppose the transience is part of the beauty.The Emperor shows no sign of having heard the question as he continues to stare at me in his superior, holier-than-thou, and almost dismissive fashion, the same way I would stare at a weird, non-hostile animal Ive never seen before. No one else says anything either, as even the Divinities are standing with hands clasped and heads bowed, like contrite students who are late for class and waiting to be punished. The Emperor runs a tight ship though, Ill give him that, though he looks much younger than expected, a forty-something year old in prime middle-age rather than the lofty senior approaching retirement I envisioned. Theres an ineffable aspect about him that lends him an air of authority, something that has nothing to do with his fancy golden robes or silly hair ornament hat, which even I have to admit looks good on him. The way he holds himself lends weight to his domineering demeanour, one which doesnt demand respect so much as expect it, and there is not a single Scion who dares to glance in my direction as they stand stock still in five distinct groups.The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife, though I suppose the longer this silence drags on, the better it is for me. Or it wouldve been if I didnt open my stupid mouth, but I couldnt help it. I hate being the centre of attention, whether its the Emperor studying me outright or everyone else studying me out the corner of their eyes.Wrenching my attention away from the Emperors commanding presence, I take a moment to study his entourage instead. According to the family seals emblazoned on their respective outfits, the Five Supreme Families are all present and accounted for, but not in equal numbers. The Yangs and Liangs make up the bulk of the entourage, positioned closest to me on the Emperors right and left, with five and six people respectively. All men, except one overdressed woman hidden behind the armoured Shen ZhenWu, who is the only person kneeling instead of standing with head bowed. Whats more, she has her head pressed right against the sand, which seems kinda sexist, especially given how shes fitted for a ball while everyone else is armed and armoured for bear. The Seneschal is nowhere to be seen, which is surprising to me, as Ive come to associate him with ZhenWu seeing how the two were all but inseparable. I suppose a mere servant doesnt deserve the dubious honour of attending a face-to-face meeting with the Emperor, so lucky me, I guess. Whoo.The Xings make up the next largest group, with three individuals present, soldiers and Warriors one and all who appear to be about the same age as ZhenWu. Each one is clad in golden armour, similar in style to my former bosss but nowhere near as ostentatious, though still dazzling to behold in the hot desert sun. Armed with spear and shield in hand, they each also bear a sheathed sword upon their hip as they stand directly behind the Emperor, but one step closer than the other four groups and one step further than the Divinities. Makes sense, seeing how the Xings are supposedly his military family, but their posture is every bit as submissive as the rest. As for the Tian and Di families, they only have one representative each standing in between the Xings and the Yangs and Liangs to form a big circle, though unlike the other three families who are all rife with tension, these two men in their thirties appear bored and unhappy to be here. The Tian representative is the least well dressed of the bunch, wearing a drab, form-fitting suit of light armour which favours mobility and flexibility over durability and thickness, though Im guessing its probably Runic in nature. Difficult to say, as its all black and tailored to melt into his slim figure, with tight, black silk clothes underneath which lack any and all markings whatsoever. Altogether, it makes him look more professional and less ostentatious than anyone else in the crowd, he has haughtiness enough for any three Imperial Scions, which is really saying something given the present company. As for the man from the Di Family, hes not even wearing armour, though hes got enough layers of robes on to brave the frozen north. A hefty, heavy-set sort, his comparatively shorter height makes him look fatter than he actually is, though I suspect he can fight as well as any Martial Warrior, even if his poofy layered robes make him look like an eye sore.Aside from that, all of the Imperial Scions are just too damned handsome, while none seem all too pleased to be here, which I totally understand. I dont want to be here either. Scorching heat, low humidity, and coarse sand as far as the eye can see isnt really my idea of paradise, but to each their own, right?Seeing my attempt at small talk has failed to elicit any response, I wrack my brain for another topic. I would rather risk pissing the Emperor off than sit here in awkward silence another moment longer, as this is akin to my own personal hell. With the Emperors thousand-yard stare boring right into the depths of my very soul, Im liable to start spiralling out of control due to sheer social anxiety. Like maybe the reason no one is engaging me in conversation is because Im already dead, and Im just the ghost of me going through the same motions as if I was still alive. At least I have Buddy and Mama Bun here to keep me sane, and my sweet rabbit is just full of affection as I slowly bob her about on the raft, if only to give my subconscious mind something to do besides fret. As for my dog, hes much more social than I am and wouldve gone over to say hi if I wasnt holding him in place, because in his eyes, a stranger is just a friend he hasnt met.Also, Im pretty sure he wants to eat Zhen Shis corpse, a prospect which has his tail wagging, butt wiggling and mouth drooling as I weigh the pros and cons of feeding my doggo the flesh of my enemies. On the one hand, its just going to rot if I leave it there, and hey, free food. On the other hand, gross, and what if all the dead flesh gives him an upset tummy? Or worse, if he chokes on a bone or something? Id have to prepare the corpse for him, chop and grind it up or something, because knowing Buddy, hell eat everything including the robes and give himself a bowel obstruction. Or worse, have it all go right through him until the home stretch, at which point it comes down to me having to pull a bunch of poopy rags out of his clogged-up ass.Thats an experience which will haunt you for the rest of your life, and presumably the next life too, apparently. Dogs are mans best friend, theres no denying that, but its not all roses and rainbows, Ill tell you what.Buddy, stay, I mutter, trying to be as quiet as I can, but my doggo is having none of it as he tries to squirm out of my embrace. Cmon man, dont embarrass me in front of the Emperor, okay? Ill feed you in a bit. Be patient. Emanating a soothing Aura to keep him calm, I offer the Emperor an awkward smile and say, Dogs, am I right? Youd think his mouth wasnt connected with his stomach with how often he begs for food. Ha.No response, which I wasnt expecting one either way, but theres also no indication of the Emperors anger or amusement. Hes interested, but not overly so, as if hes here to go through the motions and nothing else, a very dull and blas attitude to take given all the turmoil his Empire has endured in the last two years. Then again, I doubt he even cares about the suffering of his people given how he tried to stop me from killing Zhen Shi, probably because he wanted to study all his secrets. I cant see a world in which the Emperor wouldnt be interested in Zhen Shis Half-Demon production capabilities, to say nothing of his mass-manufactured Runic Armour and Spiritual Weapons equivalents. In related news, that might well be why I still draw breath, because the Emperor is taking the time to determine if I can be of any use.Which I suppose I can, given my ability to guide commoners to success in Core Creation and raise veteran Warriors into Demon Slayers at the very least, but Im not entirely eager to work for the Imperial Clan given our history together. Then again, I doubt I have much of a choice in the matter, but a man can dream, right?What unnerves me the most is not the silence, or even the Emperors piercing stare, but the fact that Pong Pong has gone radio silent and might well have legged it off without me noticing. The little guy stuck with me throughout the entire battle against Zhen Shi and would often reassure me with his Aura, but he hasnt made a peep since the Emperor stopped my sword, which is something I only now just noticed. Unwilling to give away Pong Pongs possible presence by physically checking my hair, I make no attempt to directly contact him with my Emotional Aura and radiate it around me instead, giving off a general vibe of calm and control which I most certainly do not feel, nor am I able to sense the little turtles presence. Doesnt mean much when you take into account the fact that he is the sneakiest of ninja turtles, but its all I can do to not squirm with panic at the thought of standing here without backup.Despite my efforts to keep the effect contained to maybe an inch in all directions however, the centremost Xing representative is offended by my actions and demonstrates his discontent by stomping me into the sands and plunging his spear through my neck.Or at least he wouldve, if not for the Emperors command given just before impact. Hold.Staring up at my looming assailant in bewildered shock while struggling to draw breath, I belatedly piece together the sequence of events. One moment he was behind the Emperor, and the next, this Xing Warrior had his boot on my chest and his spear in my face, with no visible transition between the two states. Even now, Im unable to fathom how any man could move so quickly, especially one that is not yet a Divinity. At least, I dont think hes a Divinity, because he doesnt have the distinctive, overbearing presence palpable to my Spiritual Senses the baldie Divinities share. That only makes his attainments all that more impressive, seeing how this golden armoured behemoth of a Warrior was able to move faster than Zhen Shi and shatter my Domain Plated armour with little more than a nudge. A staggering amount of power for a Peak Expert to exert, but even more remarkable is his control, able to withdraw his strength and control his movements well enough to hold back at a moments notice. He struck to kill, and only the Emperors command kept him from following through, meaning this isnt even his top speed but its already too fast for me to keep up.New novel chapters are published onScowling darkly through his golden, open-faced helmet, the ruggedly handsome Warrior offers me a silent warning while resting his spear against my neck, almost daring me to do something, anything to piss him off. Me being me, I accept the challenge and offer him a toothy smile while patting Buddy on the head to soothe his nerves. Good dog, I proclaim, without taking my eyes off the Warrior standing atop me and making it clear in no uncertain terms that I fully understand the duality of my statement.In hindsight, probably not the smartest course of action, but again, I am not a smart man.The Xing Warriors anger is evident to behold as his cheeks take on a reddish hue, one which I suspect has nothing to do with prolonged exposure to the sun, but just as Im about to suggest he find some aloe cream for the burn, the Emperor pre-empts my quip with a sigh before turning aside to study Zhen Shis corpse lying at his feet. You may proceed as discussed, he declares, already giving the body his thousand-yard stare, But this Sovereign suspects the time and effort will be wasted.This Prince thanks Imperial Sovereign for the opportunity. ZhenWus lofty pronoun is news to me, and he takes pride in its use, but I dont care much for the implications. After a ninety degree bow at the waist, ZhenWu turns towards me without letting the Emperor out of his sight. A show of respect I suppose, but his wary actions bring to mind my own during those early weeks after welcoming Princess into our floof family. But Imperial Sovereign was the one who taught this servant that there is no reward without sacrifice. Moving closer to my side so we dont have to shout while conversing, ZhenWu offers me a warm smile and an approving nod as I lay still in the sand, but thats not enough to charm me anymore, even if he is a handsome and heroic Prince of the Empire. Big whoop. The Emperor doesnt look old enough to be ZhenWus father, more like an older brother at best, but considering the guy has a whole forbidden city to house his harem, I doubt ZhenWu is the only Imperial Prince running around.No, I dont envy the Emperor for his massive harem. Well, maybe a little, but its mostly wistful thinking, an unrealistic fantasy which falls apart the moment I consider the details. Hardly realistic to love and cherish over a thousand women, no matter how exciting it might seem, and I doubt the Emperor cares for his women the way I care for my wives, or vice versa.Meaning the battle in Shi Bei which I am eager to get back to, though Im not entirely sure how much of a difference I can make. Rather than say something and risk shoving my foot in my mouth, I glance around at the Emperors paltry retinue of less than twenty individuals, without a single Royal Guardian or Death Corps Guard in sight. Catching on all-too quickly, ZhenWu produces a mirror from his belt-pouch and gestures for me to come stand by his side, which I do while being careful not to turn away from the Emperor. As dumb as it feels to move sideways across the sand, I err on the side of caution because I dont want to give Xing Ao Tian any more reason to hate me. Honestly though, much as I respect Xing Yong Wei for his advice, I cant help but resent him for abandoning me so soon into my term as Legate, and the bald Liang Divinity is high on my shit list for trying to have Dad killed. The Yang Divinity might well have been the most respectable of the bunch, though it could just be because of our limited interaction. I didnt know he was a Yang at the time, but the fact that he spoke in my favour and told ZhenWu that I was telling the truth regarding my Dao tells me he was a man of principle, because he couldve kept silent and let ZhenWu resent me. That wouldve driven a wedge between me and the Legate, which wouldve suited ZhenWus Imperial Protector fine, seeing how the old baldy was a member of the Yang Family who is at odds with the Liangs.And how did ZhenWu repay the man? By setting him up to be killed, no doubt, further strengthening my suspicions that my benevolent patron has been working with Zhen Shi all this time, or at the minimum using a dire threat to the outer provinces as a tool in his games of politics.Placing his arm around my shoulder in a much-too-friendly gesture, ZhenWu holds the mirror up to my face and shows me my reflection. Not sure what I was expecting, but at least Mama Bun and Buddy are cute as can be, though I see no sign of Pong Pong hidden within my hair. I still cant confirm if hes actually gone or just hiding from everything, but if he did leave, then I can hardly blame him for it. I never wouldve made it this far without him, and he stuck around much longer than he had to, so if he is gone, then I wish him well and pray he finds safety and happiness in spades. That being said, Pong Pong was outright dismissive of the Demonic Divinity and Zhen Shi both, as if he wasnt afraid of either one in the slightest, so I feel like I should be more worried about the fact that he ran as soon as the Emperor made his presence known.Not like it matters. Even if he doesnt lift a finger, I doubt I could beat Ao Tian who stomped me flat, much less the other two beside him, or my prospective Father-in-Law, the Divine True Warrior, to say nothing of the two Divinities looming about. I am in way over my head, so I suppose selling my ass in marriage to Miss Rou isnt the worst thing in the world. Not literally selling my ass, though it wouldnt surprise me to learn she leans that way. Beautiful though she might be, Ive seen nothing tender or gentle about the formidable woman, a temperamental firebrand if there ever were one. Im not ashamed to admit she scares me, in a, Im going to cut your dick off and feed it to the fishes, sort of way.It's her eyes, beautiful yes, but burning with wilful threat and malevolent rage. She blames me for her circumstances, hates me for being used in so humiliating a manner, and promises no peace or comfort will be found within the walls of our home. In other words, even though shes a perfect ten in beauty, shes cranked crazy up to eleven and no longer falls within the safe zone of the crazy/hot scale, and you know what they say about crazy.Before I can ask what all this is about, my image in the mirror begins to blur only to focus and reveal a different scene reflected within, one of death and chaos aplenty. Covered in blood and heaving with exertion, Akanai wields her Crescent Moon Halberd in a defensive pattern to fend off her formidable foes, three monstrous and unfamiliar Demonic Divinities assaulting her from all sides. Each and every one of their attacks threatens to bring the Wrath of Heaven down upon them, but they care not for the Treaty or the consequences of their actions, only for the blood and flesh of my Grand-Mentor they so desperately crave. Though this is merely a glimpse of her plight, I can already tell that Akanai is in dire straits and will not hold out for long without assistance, but I suspect there will be none forthcoming.For there are even more Demonic Divinities besieging Grandpa Wolf, who is desperately fighting to keep everyone alive. The Demonic Divinities themselves are only a minor threat, one he could tear through with relative ease so long as hes willing to suffer a few injuries for it, but keeping the Wrath of Heavens from destroying all of Shi Bei has stretched the poor old Divinity to the limits. The Demonic Divinities sense his weakness and converge around him like vultures awaiting the death of their prey, and the combined efforts of the remaining Imperial Divinities led by the newly ascended Nian Zu arent enough to keep them all at bay, for they are grossly outnumbered by these near mindless abominations unleashed by Zhen Shi in his rage.The image in the mirror shifts, flickering faster than the human eye can follow, but my mind pieces it all together with help from the State of Enlightenment. Mila stands before Lin-Lin and defends her from the Half-Demon Defiled, but my fiery wife is almost an arrow spent, her body fatigued and her Spiritual System overworked after unleashing not one burst of dazzling radiance, but two with help from me and Lin-Lin both. Li-Li stands close by with sabre a whirling, but while she has touched upon the precipice of Peak Expert, she has yet to move over the threshold to become one in truth. Even if she had, she alone is not enough to turn the tides of battle, as evidenced by Husolt, Grandpa Du, Kyung, and so many others who are desperately fighting to make their way over to save them. Yan is still safe for now, but no longer able to sustain her massive wind wall of blades, and instead fights with fan, shield, and horns in bloody close combat with the odd Wind Blade to make up for the disparity in strength, speed, reaction, and so much more. All the while, Luo-Luo continues to play her heart out while Guard Leaders veiled subordinates defend her and the floofs both, but its clear theyre all on their last legs as the Enemy closes in from all sides.Dad, Naaran, and Gerel trade blows with Ankhbayar and Mao Jianghong within a rare pocket of calm, but my grandfather is wounded and unable to fight with his full strength. A wound taken to protect Gerel I would wager, considering how close my brother has come to losing it entirely. Even then, they still outnumber their foes, but the traitor Guard Captains Blessing of Ice does much to make up for the difference. A shield of ice moves in accordance with Jianghongs left hand, affixed to him by bonds of invisible Domain, and he sweeps it before him to slam Dad and Gerel away before raising it high to stop the plummeting Bloody Fang from piercing through the crown of Ankhbayars head. As for my failure of a sire, he is a disappointment as a man, but a Warrior few can match, especially with Jianghong to make up for his shortcomings. Giving himself over to the attack, he wields his spear with speed and precision unlike anything Ive ever seen, delivering pinpoint attacks at every opening presented by his foes and bleeding them more often than not. At this rate, it wont be long before someone slips up and suffers what might well be a mortal wound, but there are no other available Warriors capable of interfering in an exchange of this calibre.Down in the courtyard, Kharuul and Balor yearn to join their riders for this fight, but powerful as the two Spiritual Quins might be, they are vulnerable in a battle between Peak Experts, to say nothing of an exchange at this high a calibre, and the beasts know it. All they can do is gnash their teeth and stomp their feet, a frustration I share with them, as well as with sweet Mafu and furious Zabu who have been left out of the fight. Not all the quins sit idle however, as many Sentinels sallied out alongside the Imperial cavalry in pursuit of the fleeing Defiled army, except now theyre frantically fighting to make their way back to Shi Bei. Despite being given a clean opportunity to charge the Half-Demons in the back, it was far from enough to break the fearsome Enemy combatants. To make matters worse, the Imperial Cavalry have been unable to withdraw after the initial charge and are stuck fighting in close combat, a poor trade even if they were battling base Chosen instead of Half-Demon Peak Experts. The casualties are staggering to behold, largely due to the fact that the Enemy has a force of cavalry all their own, a small but elite force of mounted Half-Demons commanded by a hulking beast of a Chieftain running rampant through the Imperial forces. This does nothing to deter Huu however, who recognizes the Chieftain underneath his Demonic Armour as the Defiled who killed his uncle Kalil. Though sorely outmatched by his foe, my foolhardy friend brings his quin around on a collision course with the Half-Demon Chieftain in an effort to kill the man or die trying, but in his rage, Huu doesnt notice his wives and mother following close behind. None of them are strong enough to defeat the Half-Demon Chieftain, and all three of the women know it, but they will not let Huushal die on his own and are ready to sell their lives dearly.Back on the battlements, Mister Rustram fights with rapier in one hand and my banner in the other, having pried it from Yazhus lifeless hands. A cobblers son turned Stormguard Banner Bearer, Yazhu was the first man to sound the rallying cry in JiangHu, among the first to answer Akanais call to serve, and now he lies dead upon the walls of Shi Bei alongside so many others. Fung and Seoyoon fight shoulder to shoulder, while Dain struggles to make her way over and link up, but there are too many Half-Demons to allow it. The Sword Princess gives it her all in a desperate bid to save her sister, for she has already seen her brother Geom-Chi fall to a Half-Demon, and refuses to lose Seoyoon too. Similarly, Exarch Gam has made his way over to Wu Gams side, bleeding profusely from more wounds than I can count but still a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. The sands shift and collapse inwards, burying an entire group of armoured Half-Demons who have yet to make their way onto the wall, but there are still more to replace them as they charge headlong at the formidable, but exhausted Half-Fox Warrior. His mother stands guard over them, but she too is caught up in the siege of Demonic Divinities and unable to spare much attention for them. Shes making ready to cut and run, like so many other Imperial Divinities, and only the encirclement of Enemy Divinities is keeping her in place. Zhu Chanzui, Mataram YuKon, and seven other Human Divinities and Ancestral Beasts stand ready and waiting, the remnants of the non-Demon Divinities freed up once Zhen Shi unleashed his mindless miscreations. Theyre just waiting for their foes to weaken, to break apart and present an opening, at which point they will strike to kill and possibly even bring Heavens Wrath down upon all of Shi Bei, because the Treaty isnt worth shit any longer.Tam Taewoon. Situ Jia Yang and Situ Jia Zian. Chen Hongji. Han BoHai and Han BoShui. Broken Blade Pichai. Marshal Quyen Huong and Dienne Huong. Situ Rang Min. These faces and more flash before my eyes, but its the faces I dont see that pain me so, the ones not reflected within Shen ZhenWus mirror because theyre already dead. Somehow, I can just tell that this is no illusion, not something Zhen Shi would craft to trick me, but a true representation of reality, one which I suspect is happening in real time, and my patron confirms it with his next words. The situation in Shi Bei is dire indeed, and growing more desperate by the second, but agree to my terms, and I will save those you hold dear. Your family of course, and your wives, and even your pets, so you need not fear for their fate.But everyone else is shit out of luck. Though I suspected as much, the confirmation sends a pang through my chest which empties it of all sensation, leaving only pain and nothingness behind. Have to die. As in he could save them all, but he wont, because then he cant control the narrative of what happened here in the West. What about my mother?I already suspected they have her in custody, because nothing else wouldve kept her from riding to reinforce Dad, but ZhenWu confirms as much with a grunt before showing me her worried expression in the mirror. We intercepted her forces seven days ago and sent them back to the Northern Citadel. Your mother holds no rank you see, and thus no right to command a force of soldiers so large. She was treated well, he adds, no doubt sensing my growing anger and understandably worried Ill do something rash, Unharmed and in good health. The implication being that this might not hold true should I refuse his offer, and I dont have it in me to ask about Charok and the twins. Rather than outright threaten me however, ZhenWu shows me my mothers surroundings, and I spot Shuai Jiao standing close by her. His rugged, weather-worn features are unreadably neutral, though somehow I can sense his inner turmoil just as clearly as moms fear and heartbreak. Theyre both Scrying on Shi Bei, meaning theyre not far away at all, and I catch a glimpse of Royal Guardians and Death Corps Guards around them. No Imperial soldiers though, none save for Yong-Jin, who lacks his Mentors calm faade and wears his inner conflict openly on his sleeve, for he is a good man and cannot bear the thought of sacrificing so many lives, even if it is for the supposed greater good.But the Emperor, Shen ZhenWu, and everyone else present wouldnt blink twice about it, and have long since decided the fate of the heroes of Shi Bei.You have an army standing outside the city, I begin, my knuckles turning white as I hold Unity tight and resist the urge to cut my smiling patron down, And you intend to let the soldiers of Shi Bei all die?Its your army, in truth, ZhenWu replies, and the pieces fall into place even as he explains it. The Royal Guardians and Death Corps Guards you brought along with you on this ill-fated crusade. Even if I should lead them into battle, this paltry force is hardly enough to turn the tides of battle, especially with so many uncontrolled Demonic Divinities involved. You would have led them to their deaths, and I saved their lives, while those who die in Shi Bei will die because of your decisions.I could have won with their help.Perhaps, but unlikely, and even then only due to a series of unlikely events which not even you could have foreseen. Shrugging as if none of this concerns him, he continues, Their deaths, though unfortunate, is the price you pay for your hubris, a lesson you should learn from moving forward from here. His Imperial Sovereign decreed the Western Province lost and its borders closed, yet you took it upon yourself to ignore His Imperial Mandate and lead these soldiers to their deaths. You only have yourself to blame. His Imperial Sovereign has shown mercy enough in not having you killed for disobedience, will even overlook the ruinous outcome of your crusade and allow you to marry into the Imperial Clan, truly a fortune found in disaster. Accept, and you will soar high into the Heavens to become a dragon among men; refuse, and you will be prosecuted for your crimes, with your name cursed as the sinner of the outer provinces for centuries to come and your supporters executed as accessories after the fact.It's not much of a choice. I would be stupid to refuse. Its not like hes even asking that much of me. Marriage to an Imperial Princess and sharing my view on the Dao, though I suspect more demands will come in time. I might as well just bite the bullet and accept the offer, because its not like I have a viable alternative, but throughout ZhenWus entire sales pitch, there was one question just eating away at me from inside, something I cannot for the life of me figure out, and the words slip out in spite of all my efforts to keep quiet.But why?Chapter Meme 1Chapter Meme 2Chapter Meme 3
