Chapter 820
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Chapter 820
Ive never been shy about admitting I have paranoid tendencies, but after taking our history into account, I feel as if my cynical reluctance to accept Shen ZhenWus offer would be more accurately labelled as heightened situational awareness.
When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, which means something is rotten in the Azure Empire. I didnt even have time to teabag Zhen Shis corpse before discovering ZhenWu has me by the figurative balls out here, yet hes willing to make too many concessions just to win me over to his side. Granted, a generous offer to allow me to swear an Oath of honesty instead of a generic Oath of service seems benevolent and magnanimous at first glance, but it means absolutely nothing if he already knows I can free myself of Oaths. The question is, was this offer made in good faith, or did he already know no Oath could constrain me, so he might as well loosen the restrictions hell demand of me?
Another thing to note is how eager he appears to make me his son-in-law, even against the wishes of his daughter who he seemingly dotes upon. How else to explain her willful behaviour? Not only did she try to kill me, but she refuses to give her father face in front of the Emperor himself, which Ive been told is kinda a big deal. Despite her obvious reluctance, ZhenWu is still pushing ahead with this marriage and even offering to settle me and my loved ones back to the Eastern Province. Probably because he knows Ill balk at living in the East if I cant bring my family with me, but this is an unprecedented offer. Overly generous considering the circumstances, which I could write off as an olive branch meant to take away the sting of entering into his service, though I noticed he made no effort to show me what Taddy was up to and mentioned nothing about offering protection to the only Ancestral Cloud Chaser Hares in existence. It doesnt matter though, because ZhenWu knows I have no choice, so why not appear magnanimous and win me over with more favourable terms?
If that was the case though, hed start praising me right now and saying Im well worth the cost, but he merely stands there with a smug smile etched across his all-too handsome face. Is it answers you desire? he asks, speaking with a deliberate lack of haste, Or do you wish to save your loved ones instead. Make no mistake, I have pledged to save them, but I cannot be held responsible if they should die before youve made your decision.
The fact that he refuses to engage speaks volumes to his intentions. He believes I have no choice in the matter, that I will concede and accept defeat, but hes also trying to rush things along before I find reason to refuse. Again, I have to ask why? You didnt want me to go forward with this crusade at first, I begin, thinking out loud and praying my family can hold on for a few minutes longer while I sort this shit out. Thats why you tried to set me up during that meeting between Shuai Jiao and Jeong Hyo-Lynn. One where they were supposedly discussing Seoyoons marriage to Yong-Jin, but if that was the case, why were you in attendance? You needed a reasonable excuse to strip me of my titles and offices so that the north wouldnt rebel, but I didnt give you one.
The giveaway is subtle, a minor tightening around the eyes, so insignificant I even wonder if Id imagined it, but luckily for me, Beardy Yang chimes in with a chuckle to confirm my suspicions. Head still bowed before the Emperor, the Yang representatives tone is as arrogant as before, even when speaking to my Patron. Played like a fool by a tribal child, and what does the unrivalled Shen ZhenWu do? Offer up his most precious daughter in marriage. Liang Wu Di, you have really lost face for the Liang Family.
Huh. So ZhenWus real name is Wu Di. Invincible. How pretentious. Ill stick with ZhenWu, because even though True Warrior is equally grandiose, at least its a title he earned. That being said, his reaction to the Yang representative is far more telling, a piercing glare that speaks volumes to the enmity between them. Rather than speak out however, its ZhenWus uncle who responds, who I now know is Liang Bao Zheng, Grand Marshal of the Empire and the man who consigned Kuang Biao to a life of slavery. Yang Pang Ji, the stately Grand Marshal begins, somehow appearing bold and confident with his head bowed towards the Emperor, This marks the second time you have spoken without invitation. Best keep quiet before you are reprimanded again, or worse, make even more of a fool of yourself. Just because your son was unable to see value in Falling Rain does not mean there is none to be had.
Son. The only Yang Ive interacted with is Jixing, who literally lost his head in the Central Citadel. Judging by Pang Jis ugly expression, my gut is right on the money, which makes him the Prime Minister of the Empire, assuming Jixing wasnt lying about being the Prime Ministers son. Well fuck-a-doodle-doo. Im deep in it now. Or I supposed Ive always been deep in it, and Im only just realizing it. No matter though, because this political infighting is above my paygrade, so I should stick to the relevant bits. Now that I have confirmation that ZhenWu was present at Shuai Jiaos meeting with Jeong Hyo-Lynn, I also know he was working against me at the time, except I neatly sidestepped his little trap and didnt give him a good reason to strip me of my title as Legate or Minister of Finance. That wouldnt have been enough to stop him from acting against me, but I mustve said or done something during the meeting to change his mind, because once all was said and done, ZhenWu had Shuai Jiao stop obstructing my forces from gathering in Sui Hua and even lend a hand in the preparations. Thats not all either, since Miss Rou tried to murder me soon after, which tells me that this marriage between us wasnt something her father recently came up with on a whim, but rather a decision he made before I set out to re-take the West. That doesnt make any sense though. Why would he want me as a son-in-law before seeing my current level of strength?
Because during the meeting, Jorani convinced me to trust Shuai Jiao and tell him about my ability to Devour and Cleanse Spectres, and ZhenWu was sitting right there and heard it all. Knowing what I know now, that was a huge mistake, because I thought Id learned how to Cleanse on my own and thus could keep Blobbys existence a secret, except Blobby was linked with me all along and simply Cleansing from afar. Thus, ZhenWu probably put two and two together and figured out I have an Elemental Spirit, information I doubt he shared with anyone present, save maybe his uncle the Grand Marshal. Thats why this offer seems too good to be true, because he values my ability to Devour and Cleanse and is worried that a slave Oath, even an unenforceable one, might well drive me to the brink of despair and result in my soul being Devoured by Blobby.
Being the open book that I am, everyone present notices that Ive arrived at an answer, and ZhenWu ever so subtly nods to confirm my suspicions and keep me from saying anything more. He wants my ability to Devour and Cleanse kept secret, but would I benefit more from making it known? Again, ZhenWu is able to read my intentions, but he responds in a manner I was not expecting, an all-too-obvious widening of his eyes in what I can only describe as panic. After cautioning me to keep silent with the harshest of glares, he unknowingly glances towards the source of his concern, the Emperor himself.
Interesting. Did the peanut gallery not see Buddy Devour a whole host of Spectres? I always just assumed Imperial Scions would be able to see them, on account of how they followed a different Path, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe they cant sense Spectres and no one understands why Zhen Shi started chasing Buddy around. This begs the question though, why would ZhenWu want my ability to Devour kept secret from the Emperor? Because ZhenWu wants Blobby for himself and the Emperor would claim him? Makes sense I guess, though Im sure theres more to it, as Im reminded of an exchange between ZhenWu and his uncle just before I was appointed as Minister of Finance. You always were a clever boy, the Grand Marshal began with a heavy sigh, one which made his praise sound more like a condemnation. Too clever for your own good. Better if you never learned...
But I did, Uncle, Zhen Wu replied, his soft, brown eyes burning with intensity as he crushes a coin within his clenched fist. And I will not go quietly without a fight. This will work. Giving Falling Rain a title seals him to our side, and leaves his allies poised to take over their respective factions or in commanding position over their rivals. Through him, we unite North and Central and bind them to our cause, which in turn puts an end to the political infighting and reassures the Southern Marshal enough to stop threatening to withdraw. With three provinces united behind us, he will have no choice but to agree, or...
Thats about as far as ZhenWu got before he remembered I was still listening, but it is only now that I have enough context to piece it all together. I almost feel stupid for not seeing it soon, because how many individuals are powerful enough to compel ZhenWu to unite the outer provinces behind him? I never gave it much thought because again, I considered these matters way above my paygrade, but now that I think about it, the list of suspects is woefully short; one which starts and ends with the Emperor himself.
So heres what Ive got so far. ZhenWu and the Liang Family have been planning to overthrow the Emperor. ZhenWu secures the job of Legate in order to seek an alliance with the outer provinces, and eventually sets me up as Minister of Finance. This is not just to win me and my allies over, but also to enable the Liang Family to sell the highly lucrative War Bonds, except the other Supreme Families must have seen the power of War Bonds and intervened. Thats why ZhenWu suggested a system of checks and balances to prevent fraud, but in reality was merely the Yang Family making a move to ensure the Liangs werent in sole control of this lucrative economic tool. That being said, ZhenWu made these concessions knowing that War Bonds were merely a stepping stone, an investment tool and more palatable form of notarized debt to pave the way for the true prize, paper currency, or Treasure Notes. The problem was, how would the Liang Family make the transition from War Bonds to Treasure Notes without those same checks and balances coming into play?
Quite the dilemma, but ZhenWu is nothing if not determined. He reaches out to Zhen Shi, or maybe was working with him all along. Maybe it goes even deeper, and the Emperor was in on it as well, which could explain why he wanted Zhen Shi captured alive. Whether it was to save an ally, get the names of his co-conspirators, or some other reason Ive overlooked, I fucked everything up by killing Zhen Shi, which in hindsight, was probably not the best move. Either way, ZhenWu and Zhen Shi joined hands at one point in history to put on a show, faking a botched assassination attempt so the former can withdraw from the outer provinces, one I was fortunate enough to witness and escape from unscathed, a streak of luck which really shouldve set off all sorts of alarms in my head. At the same time, ZhenWu sets up his Imperial Dharma Protector, the bald Yang Divinity who was called away to defend the border where he was subsequently ambushed and killed. With no ZhenWu around, I became next in line to take up the office of Legate, which Jixing contests by taking on the role himself. Why, I have no idea, but this move is akin to slipping the noose around his own neck, because in the chaos that follows, the Liang Divinity protecting him looks the other way while a Wraith separates his head from his shoulders, leaving the outer provinces in the hands of a crippled boy who is firmly in ZhenWus hands.
Textbook Imperial machinations, using your cats-paws to take out your rivals to keep your own hands clean of blood.
From here, my patron cut off all contact with the outer provinces, leaving me free to act as I please without any oversight whatsoever save for the incompetent Administrator Liang Yin Hang, the person sent to oversee my actions as Minister of Finance who was drunk more often than not and spent more time in the brothels than the office. Thus, I predictably introduced Treasure Notes to pay for all the shit that I could no longer afford, since the Eastern Province stopped sending shipments of coin every week, Treasure Notes which bore no seal from the Minister of Coin, Grand Marshal, and Chief Justicar of Fraud to legitimize their value. No, I made it so that my Turtle Seal was all that was the only stamp required, setting the precedent of the Minister of Finance being the sole authority in matters of printing Treasure Notes, an office which sat well within the purview of the Grand Marshal, and the Grand Marshal alone.
Thereby giving the Liang Family the ability to print money to use in their conflict against the Emperor.
My role fulfilled, I suspect ZhenWu was eager to be rid of me and make his way back into the limelight, which is why Zhen Shi went hard on Castle JiangHu when he did. Had I died as planned, ZhenWu could then reappear at the opportune moment and claim credit for all my work without damaging his relationship with the North. Heres where shit went wrong though, because I didnt die, which was bad for ZhenWu because he knew I was unwilling to bend the knee and he couldnt directly act against me without alienating my allies, supporters, and admirers amongst the people of the Empire. Instead of a martyr, he had a still-breathing cripple to contend with, which was why he had Shuai Jiao step up and declare himself Commander General of the Empire while simultaneously convincing Zhen Shi to send some sixty-odd Wraiths to assassinate me after I came back from the monastery. Without Commander General Shuai Jiao to hold things together, the outer provinces might well have fallen apart in the wake of my death, but I ruined ZhenWus plans once more by surviving and making a full recovery soon after.
Man, talking about failing upwards. I guess there must be someone looking out for me up there after all, though theyre kinda shit at their job, if Im being honest. Probably stupid to tempt fate like that, but what are the Heavens gonna do? Kill me? Psh. As if they havent already been trying.
Anyway, where was I? So I survive the assassination attempt, which leaves ZhenWu no choice but to break things off publicly by setting me up with Shuai Jiao and Jeong Hyo-Lynn. Except then I ruin those plans and change his mind by sharing my ability to Devour, which he keeps to himself as he settles in to watch the show. Though I find more success in the West than he anticipated, the end result is still the same. Soon enough, my strongest supporters will fall in Shi Bei alongside what remains of almost a million-strong army of Imperial Warriors. Once word of my failure returns home, I will then become infamous as the interim Legate who cost the outer provinces dearly, setting the stage for ZhenWu to swoop in and save the day. Easy enough now that Zhen Shi is dead, as theres no longer any threat of the United Defiled to save the outer provinces from, but I dont think ZhenWu planned for that, meaning I made his job much easier than he expected. No good deed goes unpunished however, and now I have no choice but to accept his gracious offer and become his son-in-law in order to save what few people I can, binding me firmly to his side, and more importantly, the Liang Family as well.
A part of me wants to blow this whole scheme up and tell everyone present that the Liang Family intends to rebel, but I have no reason to do so except spite. Theres no guarantee that my testimony is enough to turn the Emperor against one of his Supreme Families, especially in light of how scheming seems to be the favoured past-time of the Eastern Province, and I doubt anyone present would care to shelter me from the Liang Familys wrath once all is said and done. Or offer to save my loved ones in Shi Bei, to say nothing of how Mom is still being held captive by Shuai Jiao and the Royal Guardians. `
Which means no matter how you slice it, my options are limited to one; to accept these offered chains of silk which might as well be steel.
This Sovereign told you, did he not? Slowly making his way over towards us with hands clasped behind his back, the Emperor leaves Zhen Shis corpse behind while regarding us all with a bored expression. This one would sooner break than bend. Meaning me, though Im not sure how I feel about having the Emperors understanding. That implies I once had his attention, and I dont like that much, because I would much rather fly under his radar for as long as we both should live. That ship has long since sailed however, meaning I need to make peace with my current situation, but despite knowing there is nothing I can do to get away from this mess, Im still hoping theres a way to make my way back to Shi Bei and lend a hand to the war effort. Not that I expect theres much I can do, but if I can save my loved ones and even one person more, then it will be a net gain in the end, right?
Ah fuck me. Ive made a huge mistake, havent I?
As the Emperor comes to a halt before me, I cant help but resent the staggering difference in our heights. Its not that hes particularly tall either, as Xing Ao Tian is taller, but the Emperor has this gravitas about him that makes him seem larger than life. He doesnt look too much older than Wu Di, like a healthy man in his late thirties, or maybe early forties at most, but there is a staggering difference in presence between them. Its subtle, yet evident all the same, not overbearing like the Demonic Divinity or Zhen Shi, but weighty and substantial in a more palpable sense. Its difficult to describe, but if I had to put it in terms of weight, Zhen Shi was a mountain with all the weight that went with it, while the Emperor is merely a man with the weight of a thousand mountains hidden within.
That being said, Wu Di and the Emperor look very much alike, but if Im being honest, Xing Ao Tian and the representatives from the Tian and Di families also kinda look similar to the Emperor as well. Like theyre all brothers or something, but I suppose with a harem large enough to fill a city, the Emperor would have plenty of sons to go around. Unlike the amicable good humour of Wu Di, the barely restrained violence of Xing Ao Tian, the neutral indifference of the Di representative, or the empty nothingness of the Tian representative, the Emperor emanates a sense of perfection, and not merely in form or function. His movements seem in tune with the world around him, as if the sands were shifting beneath our feet to bring us closer to him, rather than he drawing closer to us. The air comes alive around him and the heat gives way before his presence, and theres an impression of completion all around him, a oneness that I cannot wholly perceive much less describe, yet can sense under the surface all the same.
Without so much as a word, the Emperor retrieves my arms from the Tian representative behind me, but not with his hands. No, the Emperors Domain is all that he needs to line my severed limbs up next to my shoulders with a deft and delicate touch that is every bit as precise and adept as a master surgeons fingers. The Healing is instant, carried out with such gentle skill that it takes me several moments to realize its already finished, all without ever laying a finger on my flesh. This is a mastery which might even exceed Taddys, which I wouldve thought was impossible, but from this one act alone, I can see that the Emperor is on a whole other level from anyone Ive ever seen before.
Which is just not even remotely fair. Like, come on!
So stubborn and intractable, the Emperor declares, his full attention weighing heavily upon me and making me feel underdressed in my newly sleeveless shirt, But such is your Dao. Were you any less determined, domineering, steadfast, and obstinate, then you would never have reached the heights you arrived at today. Turning ever so slightly to address Wu Di behind him, he asks, Do you remember the story our Imperial Father told us, as he laid upon his death bed?
Wait what? I thought the Emperor was Wu Dis father? Or is Imperial Prince just a title, one only the heir apparent is allowed to use? It would appear Wu Di and this Emperor are both sons of the former Emperor, but why would the current Emperor appoint Wu Di as his successor instead of one of his own sons? Shits confusing, but surprised as I am by this glimpse into the Royal familys complexities, I am even more surprised by Wu Dis answer. The tale of Akanais rise to prominence and the bloodshed she wrought in Central.
Indeed. What do you think was the lesson he intended us to learn?
That the Empire is rotten to the core, and we, his sons, must fix it.
Incorrect. Shaking his head with a sigh, the Emperor continues, If you are to succeed this Sovereigns throne, then you must learn to see beyond the surface. Our Imperial Father should have known better than to grant an audience to a half-beast woman, for in doing so, he set into motion a conflict between this powerful heroine and the conservative elements of Central. Any fool could have seen that they would feel threatened by so accomplished a woman and half-beast, so the Empire would have been better served if our Imperial Father rewarded her in private and avoided all the unnecessary bloodshed, bloodshed which ultimately benefitted neither side and made the Empire weaker for it. Meeting my eyes and peering deep into my soul, the Emperor explains, Even an Emperor cannot change the hearts of man, that is the lesson our Imperial Father hoped to teach, one you have failed to discern.
This Prince understands.
Do you? This Sovereign thinks not, for even he has yet to wholly understand the complexities of the human heart. Moving aside so Wu Di can see me, the Emperor sets his subjects to scrambling so none are standing directly behind him, which would be amusing if I wasnt the centre of attention again. This boy here is a promising young seedling the likes of which this Empire has not seen since before it was founded, a Warrior whose future holds no limits. He is a dragon, yet you sought to break him like one would break a wild horse, truly a foolish endeavour. Even though everything the Emperor says is pleasing to my ears, theres no sense of approval or support, because dragon though I might be, I wholeheartedly believe that the Emperor intends to break me all the same.
You could have won him over to your side with sincerity and nothing else, yet you were unable to do even this. Such is your scheming nature, Liang Wu Di, but your schemes have borne some fruit today. A lesson to keep in mind however, to temper your ambition, lest you overreach and suffer for it. Moving his gaze to take in every representative one at a time, none of them meet his eyes, and the Emperor shakes his head at this sorry sight before settling on my former patron. Liang Wu Di, you have united our brothers against this Sovereign, won over the Prime Minister and Grand Marshal both, a feat most worthy of consideration. Should this Sovereign choose to fight, then victory is all but assured, yet there is no benefit to be gained from our conflict, for our clash would destroy the very prize we seek to contest.
Excuse me? What in the flying fuck is going on? Is this a rebellion?
A question asked and answered by the Emperors next statement, as he turns his full attention back to me once more. Very well then, he continues, without any reluctance or remorse to be seen, as if declaring how he would like his eggs while tossing over a rectangular jade seal which I assume is probably important. Long has this Sovereign safeguarded the Empire, yet now your actions would see me destroy it, so better to abandon it in full. For the sake of stability, this Sovereign will officially cede the throne to Liang Wu Di once this term is complete, but from this moment forth, you are Emperor in all but name. No longer will this Sovereign meddle in the affairs of the Supreme Families, so long as they pay no mind to him and his. Agreed?
Agreed.
Every Imperial Scion present voices their compliance, and I can feel the Energy of the Heavens settle around them, like some sort of group Oath made without blood or effort. Weird, but I dont really care so long as I can leave to save Shi Bei, except life has never been so kind to me before, and sees no reason why it should start now. A manifested Domain wraps around me and all but drives my Natal Sea away, though it leaves enough for Mama Bun and Buddy to continue floating alongside me. Make any effort to escape, and this Sovereign will teach you the true meaning of regret, the Emperor declares, leaving no uncertain terms regarding the sincerity of his threat, and in spite of his distant, almost indifferent tone, I whole-heartedly believe him. Rather than Cloud-Step away however, we stand and wait while the others departs, with Wu Di being the last to leave. Not with a smug smile or pompous sneer, nor is there any regret or enmity in his eyes, only a knowing look as my former patrons holds my gaze for a long second with an ineffable expression before deliberately glancing at Buddy before he disappears.
And once we are well alone, the Emperor wraps us both in a staggering sphere of Domain larger than any Ive ever seen before, at least a kilometre in diameter if not more. Do not struggle, he demands, which of course sets me to struggling with all my might, but it does nothing to stop him from dragging my consciousness into the Void with an uncompromising, unyielding, unrelenting effort of Will, a tidal wave to my raindrop if I were to make a comparison.
And there in the grim darkness of the Void, I discover that we are not alone.
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Chapter 820
Ive never been shy about admitting I have paranoid tendencies, but after taking our history into account, I feel as if my cynical reluctance to accept Shen ZhenWus offer would be more accurately labelled as heightened situational awareness.
When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, which means something is rotten in the Azure Empire. I didnt even have time to teabag Zhen Shis corpse before discovering ZhenWu has me by the figurative balls out here, yet hes willing to make too many concessions just to win me over to his side. Granted, a generous offer to allow me to swear an Oath of honesty instead of a generic Oath of service seems benevolent and magnanimous at first glance, but it means absolutely nothing if he already knows I can free myself of Oaths. The question is, was this offer made in good faith, or did he already know no Oath could constrain me, so he might as well loosen the restrictions hell demand of me?
Another thing to note is how eager he appears to make me his son-in-law, even against the wishes of his daughter who he seemingly dotes upon. How else to explain her willful behaviour? Not only did she try to kill me, but she refuses to give her father face in front of the Emperor himself, which Ive been told is kinda a big deal. Despite her obvious reluctance, ZhenWu is still pushing ahead with this marriage and even offering to settle me and my loved ones back to the Eastern Province. Probably because he knows Ill balk at living in the East if I cant bring my family with me, but this is an unprecedented offer. Overly generous considering the circumstances, which I could write off as an olive branch meant to take away the sting of entering into his service, though I noticed he made no effort to show me what Taddy was up to and mentioned nothing about offering protection to the only Ancestral Cloud Chaser Hares in existence. It doesnt matter though, because ZhenWu knows I have no choice, so why not appear magnanimous and win me over with more favourable terms?
If that was the case though, hed start praising me right now and saying Im well worth the cost, but he merely stands there with a smug smile etched across his all-too handsome face. Is it answers you desire? he asks, speaking with a deliberate lack of haste, Or do you wish to save your loved ones instead. Make no mistake, I have pledged to save them, but I cannot be held responsible if they should die before youve made your decision.
The fact that he refuses to engage speaks volumes to his intentions. He believes I have no choice in the matter, that I will concede and accept defeat, but hes also trying to rush things along before I find reason to refuse. Again, I have to ask why? You didnt want me to go forward with this crusade at first, I begin, thinking out loud and praying my family can hold on for a few minutes longer while I sort this shit out. Thats why you tried to set me up during that meeting between Shuai Jiao and Jeong Hyo-Lynn. One where they were supposedly discussing Seoyoons marriage to Yong-Jin, but if that was the case, why were you in attendance? You needed a reasonable excuse to strip me of my titles and offices so that the north wouldnt rebel, but I didnt give you one.
The giveaway is subtle, a minor tightening around the eyes, so insignificant I even wonder if Id imagined it, but luckily for me, Beardy Yang chimes in with a chuckle to confirm my suspicions. Head still bowed before the Emperor, the Yang representatives tone is as arrogant as before, even when speaking to my Patron. Played like a fool by a tribal child, and what does the unrivalled Shen ZhenWu do? Offer up his most precious daughter in marriage. Liang Wu Di, you have really lost face for the Liang Family.
Huh. So ZhenWus real name is Wu Di. Invincible. How pretentious. Ill stick with ZhenWu, because even though True Warrior is equally grandiose, at least its a title he earned. That being said, his reaction to the Yang representative is far more telling, a piercing glare that speaks volumes to the enmity between them. Rather than speak out however, its ZhenWus uncle who responds, who I now know is Liang Bao Zheng, Grand Marshal of the Empire and the man who consigned Kuang Biao to a life of slavery. Yang Pang Ji, the stately Grand Marshal begins, somehow appearing bold and confident with his head bowed towards the Emperor, This marks the second time you have spoken without invitation. Best keep quiet before you are reprimanded again, or worse, make even more of a fool of yourself. Just because your son was unable to see value in Falling Rain does not mean there is none to be had.
Son. The only Yang Ive interacted with is Jixing, who literally lost his head in the Central Citadel. Judging by Pang Jis ugly expression, my gut is right on the money, which makes him the Prime Minister of the Empire, assuming Jixing wasnt lying about being the Prime Ministers son. Well fuck-a-doodle-doo. Im deep in it now. Or I supposed Ive always been deep in it, and Im only just realizing it. No matter though, because this political infighting is above my paygrade, so I should stick to the relevant bits. Now that I have confirmation that ZhenWu was present at Shuai Jiaos meeting with Jeong Hyo-Lynn, I also know he was working against me at the time, except I neatly sidestepped his little trap and didnt give him a good reason to strip me of my title as Legate or Minister of Finance. That wouldnt have been enough to stop him from acting against me, but I mustve said or done something during the meeting to change his mind, because once all was said and done, ZhenWu had Shuai Jiao stop obstructing my forces from gathering in Sui Hua and even lend a hand in the preparations. Thats not all either, since Miss Rou tried to murder me soon after, which tells me that this marriage between us wasnt something her father recently came up with on a whim, but rather a decision he made before I set out to re-take the West. That doesnt make any sense though. Why would he want me as a son-in-law before seeing my current level of strength?
Because during the meeting, Jorani convinced me to trust Shuai Jiao and tell him about my ability to Devour and Cleanse Spectres, and ZhenWu was sitting right there and heard it all. Knowing what I know now, that was a huge mistake, because I thought Id learned how to Cleanse on my own and thus could keep Blobbys existence a secret, except Blobby was linked with me all along and simply Cleansing from afar. Thus, ZhenWu probably put two and two together and figured out I have an Elemental Spirit, information I doubt he shared with anyone present, save maybe his uncle the Grand Marshal. Thats why this offer seems too good to be true, because he values my ability to Devour and Cleanse and is worried that a slave Oath, even an unenforceable one, might well drive me to the brink of despair and result in my soul being Devoured by Blobby.
Being the open book that I am, everyone present notices that Ive arrived at an answer, and ZhenWu ever so subtly nods to confirm my suspicions and keep me from saying anything more. He wants my ability to Devour and Cleanse kept secret, but would I benefit more from making it known? Again, ZhenWu is able to read my intentions, but he responds in a manner I was not expecting, an all-too-obvious widening of his eyes in what I can only describe as panic. After cautioning me to keep silent with the harshest of glares, he unknowingly glances towards the source of his concern, the Emperor himself.
Interesting. Did the peanut gallery not see Buddy Devour a whole host of Spectres? I always just assumed Imperial Scions would be able to see them, on account of how they followed a different Path, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe they cant sense Spectres and no one understands why Zhen Shi started chasing Buddy around. This begs the question though, why would ZhenWu want my ability to Devour kept secret from the Emperor? Because ZhenWu wants Blobby for himself and the Emperor would claim him? Makes sense I guess, though Im sure theres more to it, as Im reminded of an exchange between ZhenWu and his uncle just before I was appointed as Minister of Finance. You always were a clever boy, the Grand Marshal began with a heavy sigh, one which made his praise sound more like a condemnation. Too clever for your own good. Better if you never learned...
But I did, Uncle, Zhen Wu replied, his soft, brown eyes burning with intensity as he crushes a coin within his clenched fist. And I will not go quietly without a fight. This will work. Giving Falling Rain a title seals him to our side, and leaves his allies poised to take over their respective factions or in commanding position over their rivals. Through him, we unite North and Central and bind them to our cause, which in turn puts an end to the political infighting and reassures the Southern Marshal enough to stop threatening to withdraw. With three provinces united behind us, he will have no choice but to agree, or...
Thats about as far as ZhenWu got before he remembered I was still listening, but it is only now that I have enough context to piece it all together. I almost feel stupid for not seeing it soon, because how many individuals are powerful enough to compel ZhenWu to unite the outer provinces behind him? I never gave it much thought because again, I considered these matters way above my paygrade, but now that I think about it, the list of suspects is woefully short; one which starts and ends with the Emperor himself.
So heres what Ive got so far. ZhenWu and the Liang Family have been planning to overthrow the Emperor. ZhenWu secures the job of Legate in order to seek an alliance with the outer provinces, and eventually sets me up as Minister of Finance. This is not just to win me and my allies over, but also to enable the Liang Family to sell the highly lucrative War Bonds, except the other Supreme Families must have seen the power of War Bonds and intervened. Thats why ZhenWu suggested a system of checks and balances to prevent fraud, but in reality was merely the Yang Family making a move to ensure the Liangs werent in sole control of this lucrative economic tool. That being said, ZhenWu made these concessions knowing that War Bonds were merely a stepping stone, an investment tool and more palatable form of notarized debt to pave the way for the true prize, paper currency, or Treasure Notes. The problem was, how would the Liang Family make the transition from War Bonds to Treasure Notes without those same checks and balances coming into play?
Quite the dilemma, but ZhenWu is nothing if not determined. He reaches out to Zhen Shi, or maybe was working with him all along. Maybe it goes even deeper, and the Emperor was in on it as well, which could explain why he wanted Zhen Shi captured alive. Whether it was to save an ally, get the names of his co-conspirators, or some other reason Ive overlooked, I fucked everything up by killing Zhen Shi, which in hindsight, was probably not the best move. Either way, ZhenWu and Zhen Shi joined hands at one point in history to put on a show, faking a botched assassination attempt so the former can withdraw from the outer provinces, one I was fortunate enough to witness and escape from unscathed, a streak of luck which really shouldve set off all sorts of alarms in my head. At the same time, ZhenWu sets up his Imperial Dharma Protector, the bald Yang Divinity who was called away to defend the border where he was subsequently ambushed and killed. With no ZhenWu around, I became next in line to take up the office of Legate, which Jixing contests by taking on the role himself. Why, I have no idea, but this move is akin to slipping the noose around his own neck, because in the chaos that follows, the Liang Divinity protecting him looks the other way while a Wraith separates his head from his shoulders, leaving the outer provinces in the hands of a crippled boy who is firmly in ZhenWus hands.
Textbook Imperial machinations, using your cats-paws to take out your rivals to keep your own hands clean of blood.
From here, my patron cut off all contact with the outer provinces, leaving me free to act as I please without any oversight whatsoever save for the incompetent Administrator Liang Yin Hang, the person sent to oversee my actions as Minister of Finance who was drunk more often than not and spent more time in the brothels than the office. Thus, I predictably introduced Treasure Notes to pay for all the shit that I could no longer afford, since the Eastern Province stopped sending shipments of coin every week, Treasure Notes which bore no seal from the Minister of Coin, Grand Marshal, and Chief Justicar of Fraud to legitimize their value. No, I made it so that my Turtle Seal was all that was the only stamp required, setting the precedent of the Minister of Finance being the sole authority in matters of printing Treasure Notes, an office which sat well within the purview of the Grand Marshal, and the Grand Marshal alone.
Thereby giving the Liang Family the ability to print money to use in their conflict against the Emperor.
My role fulfilled, I suspect ZhenWu was eager to be rid of me and make his way back into the limelight, which is why Zhen Shi went hard on Castle JiangHu when he did. Had I died as planned, ZhenWu could then reappear at the opportune moment and claim credit for all my work without damaging his relationship with the North. Heres where shit went wrong though, because I didnt die, which was bad for ZhenWu because he knew I was unwilling to bend the knee and he couldnt directly act against me without alienating my allies, supporters, and admirers amongst the people of the Empire. Instead of a martyr, he had a still-breathing cripple to contend with, which was why he had Shuai Jiao step up and declare himself Commander General of the Empire while simultaneously convincing Zhen Shi to send some sixty-odd Wraiths to assassinate me after I came back from the monastery. Without Commander General Shuai Jiao to hold things together, the outer provinces might well have fallen apart in the wake of my death, but I ruined ZhenWus plans once more by surviving and making a full recovery soon after.
Man, talking about failing upwards. I guess there must be someone looking out for me up there after all, though theyre kinda shit at their job, if Im being honest. Probably stupid to tempt fate like that, but what are the Heavens gonna do? Kill me? Psh. As if they havent already been trying.
Anyway, where was I? So I survive the assassination attempt, which leaves ZhenWu no choice but to break things off publicly by setting me up with Shuai Jiao and Jeong Hyo-Lynn. Except then I ruin those plans and change his mind by sharing my ability to Devour, which he keeps to himself as he settles in to watch the show. Though I find more success in the West than he anticipated, the end result is still the same. Soon enough, my strongest supporters will fall in Shi Bei alongside what remains of almost a million-strong army of Imperial Warriors. Once word of my failure returns home, I will then become infamous as the interim Legate who cost the outer provinces dearly, setting the stage for ZhenWu to swoop in and save the day. Easy enough now that Zhen Shi is dead, as theres no longer any threat of the United Defiled to save the outer provinces from, but I dont think ZhenWu planned for that, meaning I made his job much easier than he expected. No good deed goes unpunished however, and now I have no choice but to accept his gracious offer and become his son-in-law in order to save what few people I can, binding me firmly to his side, and more importantly, the Liang Family as well.
A part of me wants to blow this whole scheme up and tell everyone present that the Liang Family intends to rebel, but I have no reason to do so except spite. Theres no guarantee that my testimony is enough to turn the Emperor against one of his Supreme Families, especially in light of how scheming seems to be the favoured past-time of the Eastern Province, and I doubt anyone present would care to shelter me from the Liang Familys wrath once all is said and done. Or offer to save my loved ones in Shi Bei, to say nothing of how Mom is still being held captive by Shuai Jiao and the Royal Guardians. `
Which means no matter how you slice it, my options are limited to one; to accept these offered chains of silk which might as well be steel.
This Sovereign told you, did he not? Slowly making his way over towards us with hands clasped behind his back, the Emperor leaves Zhen Shis corpse behind while regarding us all with a bored expression. This one would sooner break than bend. Meaning me, though Im not sure how I feel about having the Emperors understanding. That implies I once had his attention, and I dont like that much, because I would much rather fly under his radar for as long as we both should live. That ship has long since sailed however, meaning I need to make peace with my current situation, but despite knowing there is nothing I can do to get away from this mess, Im still hoping theres a way to make my way back to Shi Bei and lend a hand to the war effort. Not that I expect theres much I can do, but if I can save my loved ones and even one person more, then it will be a net gain in the end, right?
Ah fuck me. Ive made a huge mistake, havent I?
As the Emperor comes to a halt before me, I cant help but resent the staggering difference in our heights. Its not that hes particularly tall either, as Xing Ao Tian is taller, but the Emperor has this gravitas about him that makes him seem larger than life. He doesnt look too much older than Wu Di, like a healthy man in his late thirties, or maybe early forties at most, but there is a staggering difference in presence between them. Its subtle, yet evident all the same, not overbearing like the Demonic Divinity or Zhen Shi, but weighty and substantial in a more palpable sense. Its difficult to describe, but if I had to put it in terms of weight, Zhen Shi was a mountain with all the weight that went with it, while the Emperor is merely a man with the weight of a thousand mountains hidden within.
That being said, Wu Di and the Emperor look very much alike, but if Im being honest, Xing Ao Tian and the representatives from the Tian and Di families also kinda look similar to the Emperor as well. Like theyre all brothers or something, but I suppose with a harem large enough to fill a city, the Emperor would have plenty of sons to go around. Unlike the amicable good humour of Wu Di, the barely restrained violence of Xing Ao Tian, the neutral indifference of the Di representative, or the empty nothingness of the Tian representative, the Emperor emanates a sense of perfection, and not merely in form or function. His movements seem in tune with the world around him, as if the sands were shifting beneath our feet to bring us closer to him, rather than he drawing closer to us. The air comes alive around him and the heat gives way before his presence, and theres an impression of completion all around him, a oneness that I cannot wholly perceive much less describe, yet can sense under the surface all the same.
Without so much as a word, the Emperor retrieves my arms from the Tian representative behind me, but not with his hands. No, the Emperors Domain is all that he needs to line my severed limbs up next to my shoulders with a deft and delicate touch that is every bit as precise and adept as a master surgeons fingers. The Healing is instant, carried out with such gentle skill that it takes me several moments to realize its already finished, all without ever laying a finger on my flesh. This is a mastery which might even exceed Taddys, which I wouldve thought was impossible, but from this one act alone, I can see that the Emperor is on a whole other level from anyone Ive ever seen before.
Which is just not even remotely fair. Like, come on!
So stubborn and intractable, the Emperor declares, his full attention weighing heavily upon me and making me feel underdressed in my newly sleeveless shirt, But such is your Dao. Were you any less determined, domineering, steadfast, and obstinate, then you would never have reached the heights you arrived at today. Turning ever so slightly to address Wu Di behind him, he asks, Do you remember the story our Imperial Father told us, as he laid upon his death bed?
Wait what? I thought the Emperor was Wu Dis father? Or is Imperial Prince just a title, one only the heir apparent is allowed to use? It would appear Wu Di and this Emperor are both sons of the former Emperor, but why would the current Emperor appoint Wu Di as his successor instead of one of his own sons? Shits confusing, but surprised as I am by this glimpse into the Royal familys complexities, I am even more surprised by Wu Dis answer. The tale of Akanais rise to prominence and the bloodshed she wrought in Central.
Indeed. What do you think was the lesson he intended us to learn?
That the Empire is rotten to the core, and we, his sons, must fix it.
Incorrect. Shaking his head with a sigh, the Emperor continues, If you are to succeed this Sovereigns throne, then you must learn to see beyond the surface. Our Imperial Father should have known better than to grant an audience to a half-beast woman, for in doing so, he set into motion a conflict between this powerful heroine and the conservative elements of Central. Any fool could have seen that they would feel threatened by so accomplished a woman and half-beast, so the Empire would have been better served if our Imperial Father rewarded her in private and avoided all the unnecessary bloodshed, bloodshed which ultimately benefitted neither side and made the Empire weaker for it. Meeting my eyes and peering deep into my soul, the Emperor explains, Even an Emperor cannot change the hearts of man, that is the lesson our Imperial Father hoped to teach, one you have failed to discern.
This Prince understands.
Do you? This Sovereign thinks not, for even he has yet to wholly understand the complexities of the human heart. Moving aside so Wu Di can see me, the Emperor sets his subjects to scrambling so none are standing directly behind him, which would be amusing if I wasnt the centre of attention again. This boy here is a promising young seedling the likes of which this Empire has not seen since before it was founded, a Warrior whose future holds no limits. He is a dragon, yet you sought to break him like one would break a wild horse, truly a foolish endeavour. Even though everything the Emperor says is pleasing to my ears, theres no sense of approval or support, because dragon though I might be, I wholeheartedly believe that the Emperor intends to break me all the same.
You could have won him over to your side with sincerity and nothing else, yet you were unable to do even this. Such is your scheming nature, Liang Wu Di, but your schemes have borne some fruit today. A lesson to keep in mind however, to temper your ambition, lest you overreach and suffer for it. Moving his gaze to take in every representative one at a time, none of them meet his eyes, and the Emperor shakes his head at this sorry sight before settling on my former patron. Liang Wu Di, you have united our brothers against this Sovereign, won over the Prime Minister and Grand Marshal both, a feat most worthy of consideration. Should this Sovereign choose to fight, then victory is all but assured, yet there is no benefit to be gained from our conflict, for our clash would destroy the very prize we seek to contest.
Excuse me? What in the flying fuck is going on? Is this a rebellion?
A question asked and answered by the Emperors next statement, as he turns his full attention back to me once more. Very well then, he continues, without any reluctance or remorse to be seen, as if declaring how he would like his eggs while tossing over a rectangular jade seal which I assume is probably important. Long has this Sovereign safeguarded the Empire, yet now your actions would see me destroy it, so better to abandon it in full. For the sake of stability, this Sovereign will officially cede the throne to Liang Wu Di once this term is complete, but from this moment forth, you are Emperor in all but name. No longer will this Sovereign meddle in the affairs of the Supreme Families, so long as they pay no mind to him and his. Agreed?
Agreed.
Every Imperial Scion present voices their compliance, and I can feel the Energy of the Heavens settle around them, like some sort of group Oath made without blood or effort. Weird, but I dont really care so long as I can leave to save Shi Bei, except life has never been so kind to me before, and sees no reason why it should start now. A manifested Domain wraps around me and all but drives my Natal Sea away, though it leaves enough for Mama Bun and Buddy to continue floating alongside me. Make any effort to escape, and this Sovereign will teach you the true meaning of regret, the Emperor declares, leaving no uncertain terms regarding the sincerity of his threat, and in spite of his distant, almost indifferent tone, I whole-heartedly believe him. Rather than Cloud-Step away however, we stand and wait while the others departs, with Wu Di being the last to leave. Not with a smug smile or pompous sneer, nor is there any regret or enmity in his eyes, only a knowing look as my former patrons holds my gaze for a long second with an ineffable expression before deliberately glancing at Buddy before he disappears.
And once we are well alone, the Emperor wraps us both in a staggering sphere of Domain larger than any Ive ever seen before, at least a kilometre in diameter if not more. Do not struggle, he demands, which of course sets me to struggling with all my might, but it does nothing to stop him from dragging my consciousness into the Void with an uncompromising, unyielding, unrelenting effort of Will, a tidal wave to my raindrop if I were to make a comparison.
And there in the grim darkness of the Void, I discover that we are not alone.
Chapter Meme 1
Chapter Meme 2
Chapter Meme 3
Chapter 820Ive never been shy about admitting I have paranoid tendencies, but after taking our history into account, I feel as if my cynical reluctance to accept Shen ZhenWus offer would be more accurately labelled as heightened situational awareness.When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, which means something is rotten in the Azure Empire. I didnt even have time to teabag Zhen Shis corpse before discovering ZhenWu has me by the figurative balls out here, yet hes willing to make too many concessions just to win me over to his side. Granted, a generous offer to allow me to swear an Oath of honesty instead of a generic Oath of service seems benevolent and magnanimous at first glance, but it means absolutely nothing if he already knows I can free myself of Oaths. The question is, was this offer made in good faith, or did he already know no Oath could constrain me, so he might as well loosen the restrictions hell demand of me?Another thing to note is how eager he appears to make me his son-in-law, even against the wishes of his daughter who he seemingly dotes upon. How else to explain her willful behaviour? Not only did she try to kill me, but she refuses to give her father face in front of the Emperor himself, which Ive been told is kinda a big deal. Despite her obvious reluctance, ZhenWu is still pushing ahead with this marriage and even offering to settle me and my loved ones back to the Eastern Province. Probably because he knows Ill balk at living in the East if I cant bring my family with me, but this is an unprecedented offer. Overly generous considering the circumstances, which I could write off as an olive branch meant to take away the sting of entering into his service, though I noticed he made no effort to show me what Taddy was up to and mentioned nothing about offering protection to the only Ancestral Cloud Chaser Hares in existence. It doesnt matter though, because ZhenWu knows I have no choice, so why not appear magnanimous and win me over with more favourable terms?If that was the case though, hed start praising me right now and saying Im well worth the cost, but he merely stands there with a smug smile etched across his all-too handsome face. Is it answers you desire? he asks, speaking with a deliberate lack of haste, Or do you wish to save your loved ones instead. Make no mistake, I have pledged to save them, but I cannot be held responsible if they should die before youve made your decision.The fact that he refuses to engage speaks volumes to his intentions. He believes I have no choice in the matter, that I will concede and accept defeat, but hes also trying to rush things along before I find reason to refuse. Again, I have to ask why? You didnt want me to go forward with this crusade at first, I begin, thinking out loud and praying my family can hold on for a few minutes longer while I sort this shit out. Thats why you tried to set me up during that meeting between Shuai Jiao and Jeong Hyo-Lynn. One where they were supposedly discussing Seoyoons marriage to Yong-Jin, but if that was the case, why were you in attendance? You needed a reasonable excuse to strip me of my titles and offices so that the north wouldnt rebel, but I didnt give you one.The giveaway is subtle, a minor tightening around the eyes, so insignificant I even wonder if Id imagined it, but luckily for me, Beardy Yang chimes in with a chuckle to confirm my suspicions. Head still bowed before the Emperor, the Yang representatives tone is as arrogant as before, even when speaking to my Patron. Played like a fool by a tribal child, and what does the unrivalled Shen ZhenWu do? Offer up his most precious daughter in marriage. Liang Wu Di, you have really lost face for the Liang Family.Huh. So ZhenWus real name is Wu Di. Invincible. How pretentious. Ill stick with ZhenWu, because even though True Warrior is equally grandiose, at least its a title he earned. That being said, his reaction to the Yang representative is far more telling, a piercing glare that speaks volumes to the enmity between them. Rather than speak out however, its ZhenWus uncle who responds, who I now know is Liang Bao Zheng, Grand Marshal of the Empire and the man who consigned Kuang Biao to a life of slavery. Yang Pang Ji, the stately Grand Marshal begins, somehow appearing bold and confident with his head bowed towards the Emperor, This marks the second time you have spoken without invitation. Best keep quiet before you are reprimanded again, or worse, make even more of a fool of yourself. Just because your son was unable to see value in Falling Rain does not mean there is none to be had.Son. The only Yang Ive interacted with is Jixing, who literally lost his head in the Central Citadel. Judging by Pang Jis ugly expression, my gut is right on the money, which makes him the Prime Minister of the Empire, assuming Jixing wasnt lying about being the Prime Ministers son. Well fuck-a-doodle-doo. Im deep in it now. Or I supposed Ive always been deep in it, and Im only just realizing it. No matter though, because this political infighting is above my paygrade, so I should stick to the relevant bits. Now that I have confirmation that ZhenWu was present at Shuai Jiaos meeting with Jeong Hyo-Lynn, I also know he was working against me at the time, except I neatly sidestepped his little trap and didnt give him a good reason to strip me of my title as Legate or Minister of Finance. That wouldnt have been enough to stop him from acting against me, but I mustve said or done something during the meeting to change his mind, because once all was said and done, ZhenWu had Shuai Jiao stop obstructing my forces from gathering in Sui Hua and even lend a hand in the preparations. Thats not all either, since Miss Rou tried to murder me soon after, which tells me that this marriage between us wasnt something her father recently came up with on a whim, but rather a decision he made before I set out to re-take the West. That doesnt make any sense though. Why would he want me as a son-in-law before seeing my current level of strength?Because during the meeting, Jorani convinced me to trust Shuai Jiao and tell him about my ability to Devour and Cleanse Spectres, and ZhenWu was sitting right there and heard it all. Knowing what I know now, that was a huge mistake, because I thought Id learned how to Cleanse on my own and thus could keep Blobbys existence a secret, except Blobby was linked with me all along and simply Cleansing from afar. Thus, ZhenWu probably put two and two together and figured out I have an Elemental Spirit, information I doubt he shared with anyone present, save maybe his uncle the Grand Marshal. Thats why this offer seems too good to be true, because he values my ability to Devour and Cleanse and is worried that a slave Oath, even an unenforceable one, might well drive me to the brink of despair and result in my soul being Devoured by Blobby.Being the open book that I am, everyone present notices that Ive arrived at an answer, and ZhenWu ever so subtly nods to confirm my suspicions and keep me from saying anything more. He wants my ability to Devour and Cleanse kept secret, but would I benefit more from making it known? Again, ZhenWu is able to read my intentions, but he responds in a manner I was not expecting, an all-too-obvious widening of his eyes in what I can only describe as panic. After cautioning me to keep silent with the harshest of glares, he unknowingly glances towards the source of his concern, the Emperor himself.Interesting. Did the peanut gallery not see Buddy Devour a whole host of Spectres? I always just assumed Imperial Scions would be able to see them, on account of how they followed a different Path, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe they cant sense Spectres and no one understands why Zhen Shi started chasing Buddy around. This begs the question though, why would ZhenWu want my ability to Devour kept secret from the Emperor? Because ZhenWu wants Blobby for himself and the Emperor would claim him? Makes sense I guess, though Im sure theres more to it, as Im reminded of an exchange between ZhenWu and his uncle just before I was appointed as Minister of Finance. You always were a clever boy, the Grand Marshal began with a heavy sigh, one which made his praise sound more like a condemnation. Too clever for your own good. Better if you never learned...But I did, Uncle, Zhen Wu replied, his soft, brown eyes burning with intensity as he crushes a coin within his clenched fist. And I will not go quietly without a fight. This will work. Giving Falling Rain a title seals him to our side, and leaves his allies poised to take over their respective factions or in commanding position over their rivals. Through him, we unite North and Central and bind them to our cause, which in turn puts an end to the political infighting and reassures the Southern Marshal enough to stop threatening to withdraw. With three provinces united behind us, he will have no choice but to agree, or...Thats about as far as ZhenWu got before he remembered I was still listening, but it is only now that I have enough context to piece it all together. I almost feel stupid for not seeing it soon, because how many individuals are powerful enough to compel ZhenWu to unite the outer provinces behind him? I never gave it much thought because again, I considered these matters way above my paygrade, but now that I think about it, the list of suspects is woefully short; one which starts and ends with the Emperor himself.So heres what Ive got so far. ZhenWu and the Liang Family have been planning to overthrow the Emperor. ZhenWu secures the job of Legate in order to seek an alliance with the outer provinces, and eventually sets me up as Minister of Finance. This is not just to win me and my allies over, but also to enable the Liang Family to sell the highly lucrative War Bonds, except the other Supreme Families must have seen the power of War Bonds and intervened. Thats why ZhenWu suggested a system of checks and balances to prevent fraud, but in reality was merely the Yang Family making a move to ensure the Liangs werent in sole control of this lucrative economic tool. That being said, ZhenWu made these concessions knowing that War Bonds were merely a stepping stone, an investment tool and more palatable form of notarized debt to pave the way for the true prize, paper currency, or Treasure Notes. The problem was, how would the Liang Family make the transition from War Bonds to Treasure Notes without those same checks and balances coming into play?Quite the dilemma, but ZhenWu is nothing if not determined. He reaches out to Zhen Shi, or maybe was working with him all along. Maybe it goes even deeper, and the Emperor was in on it as well, which could explain why he wanted Zhen Shi captured alive. Whether it was to save an ally, get the names of his co-conspirators, or some other reason Ive overlooked, I fucked everything up by killing Zhen Shi, which in hindsight, was probably not the best move. Either way, ZhenWu and Zhen Shi joined hands at one point in history to put on a show, faking a botched assassination attempt so the former can withdraw from the outer provinces, one I was fortunate enough to witness and escape from unscathed, a streak of luck which really shouldve set off all sorts of alarms in my head. At the same time, ZhenWu sets up his Imperial Dharma Protector, the bald Yang Divinity who was called away to defend the border where he was subsequently ambushed and killed. With no ZhenWu around, I became next in line to take up the office of Legate, which Jixing contests by taking on the role himself. Why, I have no idea, but this move is akin to slipping the noose around his own neck, because in the chaos that follows, the Liang Divinity protecting him looks the other way while a Wraith separates his head from his shoulders, leaving the outer provinces in the hands of a crippled boy who is firmly in ZhenWus hands.Textbook Imperial machinations, using your cats-paws to take out your rivals to keep your own hands clean of blood.From here, my patron cut off all contact with the outer provinces, leaving me free to act as I please without any oversight whatsoever save for the incompetent Administrator Liang Yin Hang, the person sent to oversee my actions as Minister of Finance who was drunk more often than not and spent more time in the brothels than the office. Thus, I predictably introduced Treasure Notes to pay for all the shit that I could no longer afford, since the Eastern Province stopped sending shipments of coin every week, Treasure Notes which bore no seal from the Minister of Coin, Grand Marshal, and Chief Justicar of Fraud to legitimize their value. No, I made it so that my Turtle Seal was all that was the only stamp required, setting the precedent of the Minister of Finance being the sole authority in matters of printing Treasure Notes, an office which sat well within the purview of the Grand Marshal, and the Grand Marshal alone.Thereby giving the Liang Family the ability to print money to use in their conflict against the Emperor.My role fulfilled, I suspect ZhenWu was eager to be rid of me and make his way back into the limelight, which is why Zhen Shi went hard on Castle JiangHu when he did. Had I died as planned, ZhenWu could then reappear at the opportune moment and claim credit for all my work without damaging his relationship with the North. Heres where shit went wrong though, because I didnt die, which was bad for ZhenWu because he knew I was unwilling to bend the knee and he couldnt directly act against me without alienating my allies, supporters, and admirers amongst the people of the Empire. Instead of a martyr, he had a still-breathing cripple to contend with, which was why he had Shuai Jiao step up and declare himself Commander General of the Empire while simultaneously convincing Zhen Shi to send some sixty-odd Wraiths to assassinate me after I came back from the monastery. Without Commander General Shuai Jiao to hold things together, the outer provinces might well have fallen apart in the wake of my death, but I ruined ZhenWus plans once more by surviving and making a full recovery soon after.Man, talking about failing upwards. I guess there must be someone looking out for me up there after all, though theyre kinda shit at their job, if Im being honest. Probably stupid to tempt fate like that, but what are the Heavens gonna do? Kill me? Psh. As if they havent already been trying.Anyway, where was I? So I survive the assassination attempt, which leaves ZhenWu no choice but to break things off publicly by setting me up with Shuai Jiao and Jeong Hyo-Lynn. Except then I ruin those plans and change his mind by sharing my ability to Devour, which he keeps to himself as he settles in to watch the show. Though I find more success in the West than he anticipated, the end result is still the same. Soon enough, my strongest supporters will fall in Shi Bei alongside what remains of almost a million-strong army of Imperial Warriors. Once word of my failure returns home, I will then become infamous as the interim Legate who cost the outer provinces dearly, setting the stage for ZhenWu to swoop in and save the day. Easy enough now that Zhen Shi is dead, as theres no longer any threat of the United Defiled to save the outer provinces from, but I dont think ZhenWu planned for that, meaning I made his job much easier than he expected. No good deed goes unpunished however, and now I have no choice but to accept his gracious offer and become his son-in-law in order to save what few people I can, binding me firmly to his side, and more importantly, the Liang Family as well.A part of me wants to blow this whole scheme up and tell everyone present that the Liang Family intends to rebel, but I have no reason to do so except spite. Theres no guarantee that my testimony is enough to turn the Emperor against one of his Supreme Families, especially in light of how scheming seems to be the favoured past-time of the Eastern Province, and I doubt anyone present would care to shelter me from the Liang Familys wrath once all is said and done. Or offer to save my loved ones in Shi Bei, to say nothing of how Mom is still being held captive by Shuai Jiao and the Royal Guardians. `Which means no matter how you slice it, my options are limited to one; to accept these offered chains of silk which might as well be steel.This Sovereign told you, did he not? Slowly making his way over towards us with hands clasped behind his back, the Emperor leaves Zhen Shis corpse behind while regarding us all with a bored expression. This one would sooner break than bend. Meaning me, though Im not sure how I feel about having the Emperors understanding. That implies I once had his attention, and I dont like that much, because I would much rather fly under his radar for as long as we both should live. That ship has long since sailed however, meaning I need to make peace with my current situation, but despite knowing there is nothing I can do to get away from this mess, Im still hoping theres a way to make my way back to Shi Bei and lend a hand to the war effort. Not that I expect theres much I can do, but if I can save my loved ones and even one person more, then it will be a net gain in the end, right?Ah fuck me. Ive made a huge mistake, havent I?As the Emperor comes to a halt before me, I cant help but resent the staggering difference in our heights. Its not that hes particularly tall either, as Xing Ao Tian is taller, but the Emperor has this gravitas about him that makes him seem larger than life. He doesnt look too much older than Wu Di, like a healthy man in his late thirties, or maybe early forties at most, but there is a staggering difference in presence between them. Its subtle, yet evident all the same, not overbearing like the Demonic Divinity or Zhen Shi, but weighty and substantial in a more palpable sense. Its difficult to describe, but if I had to put it in terms of weight, Zhen Shi was a mountain with all the weight that went with it, while the Emperor is merely a man with the weight of a thousand mountains hidden within.That being said, Wu Di and the Emperor look very much alike, but if Im being honest, Xing Ao Tian and the representatives from the Tian and Di families also kinda look similar to the Emperor as well. Like theyre all brothers or something, but I suppose with a harem large enough to fill a city, the Emperor would have plenty of sons to go around. Unlike the amicable good humour of Wu Di, the barely restrained violence of Xing Ao Tian, the neutral indifference of the Di representative, or the empty nothingness of the Tian representative, the Emperor emanates a sense of perfection, and not merely in form or function. His movements seem in tune with the world around him, as if the sands were shifting beneath our feet to bring us closer to him, rather than he drawing closer to us. The air comes alive around him and the heat gives way before his presence, and theres an impression of completion all around him, a oneness that I cannot wholly perceive much less describe, yet can sense under the surface all the same.Without so much as a word, the Emperor retrieves my arms from the Tian representative behind me, but not with his hands. No, the Emperors Domain is all that he needs to line my severed limbs up next to my shoulders with a deft and delicate touch that is every bit as precise and adept as a master surgeons fingers. The Healing is instant, carried out with such gentle skill that it takes me several moments to realize its already finished, all without ever laying a finger on my flesh. This is a mastery which might even exceed Taddys, which I wouldve thought was impossible, but from this one act alone, I can see that the Emperor is on a whole other level from anyone Ive ever seen before.Which is just not even remotely fair. Like, come on!So stubborn and intractable, the Emperor declares, his full attention weighing heavily upon me and making me feel underdressed in my newly sleeveless shirt, But such is your Dao. Were you any less determined, domineering, steadfast, and obstinate, then you would never have reached the heights you arrived at today. Turning ever so slightly to address Wu Di behind him, he asks, Do you remember the story our Imperial Father told us, as he laid upon his death bed?Wait what? I thought the Emperor was Wu Dis father? Or is Imperial Prince just a title, one only the heir apparent is allowed to use? It would appear Wu Di and this Emperor are both sons of the former Emperor, but why would the current Emperor appoint Wu Di as his successor instead of one of his own sons? Shits confusing, but surprised as I am by this glimpse into the Royal familys complexities, I am even more surprised by Wu Dis answer. The tale of Akanais rise to prominence and the bloodshed she wrought in Central.Indeed. What do you think was the lesson he intended us to learn?That the Empire is rotten to the core, and we, his sons, must fix it.Incorrect. Shaking his head with a sigh, the Emperor continues, If you are to succeed this Sovereigns throne, then you must learn to see beyond the surface. Our Imperial Father should have known better than to grant an audience to a half-beast woman, for in doing so, he set into motion a conflict between this powerful heroine and the conservative elements of Central. Any fool could have seen that they would feel threatened by so accomplished a woman and half-beast, so the Empire would have been better served if our Imperial Father rewarded her in private and avoided all the unnecessary bloodshed, bloodshed which ultimately benefitted neither side and made the Empire weaker for it. Meeting my eyes and peering deep into my soul, the Emperor explains, Even an Emperor cannot change the hearts of man, that is the lesson our Imperial Father hoped to teach, one you have failed to discern.This Prince understands.Do you? This Sovereign thinks not, for even he has yet to wholly understand the complexities of the human heart. Moving aside so Wu Di can see me, the Emperor sets his subjects to scrambling so none are standing directly behind him, which would be amusing if I wasnt the centre of attention again. This boy here is a promising young seedling the likes of which this Empire has not seen since before it was founded, a Warrior whose future holds no limits. He is a dragon, yet you sought to break him like one would break a wild horse, truly a foolish endeavour. Even though everything the Emperor says is pleasing to my ears, theres no sense of approval or support, because dragon though I might be, I wholeheartedly believe that the Emperor intends to break me all the same.You could have won him over to your side with sincerity and nothing else, yet you were unable to do even this. Such is your scheming nature, Liang Wu Di, but your schemes have borne some fruit today. A lesson to keep in mind however, to temper your ambition, lest you overreach and suffer for it. Moving his gaze to take in every representative one at a time, none of them meet his eyes, and the Emperor shakes his head at this sorry sight before settling on my former patron. Liang Wu Di, you have united our brothers against this Sovereign, won over the Prime Minister and Grand Marshal both, a feat most worthy of consideration. Should this Sovereign choose to fight, then victory is all but assured, yet there is no benefit to be gained from our conflict, for our clash would destroy the very prize we seek to contest.Excuse me? What in the flying fuck is going on? Is this a rebellion?A question asked and answered by the Emperors next statement, as he turns his full attention back to me once more. Very well then, he continues, without any reluctance or remorse to be seen, as if declaring how he would like his eggs while tossing over a rectangular jade seal which I assume is probably important. Long has this Sovereign safeguarded the Empire, yet now your actions would see me destroy it, so better to abandon it in full. For the sake of stability, this Sovereign will officially cede the throne to Liang Wu Di once this term is complete, but from this moment forth, you are Emperor in all but name. No longer will this Sovereign meddle in the affairs of the Supreme Families, so long as they pay no mind to him and his. Agreed?Agreed.Every Imperial Scion present voices their compliance, and I can feel the Energy of the Heavens settle around them, like some sort of group Oath made without blood or effort. Weird, but I dont really care so long as I can leave to save Shi Bei, except life has never been so kind to me before, and sees no reason why it should start now. A manifested Domain wraps around me and all but drives my Natal Sea away, though it leaves enough for Mama Bun and Buddy to continue floating alongside me. Make any effort to escape, and this Sovereign will teach you the true meaning of regret, the Emperor declares, leaving no uncertain terms regarding the sincerity of his threat, and in spite of his distant, almost indifferent tone, I whole-heartedly believe him. Rather than Cloud-Step away however, we stand and wait while the others departs, with Wu Di being the last to leave. Not with a smug smile or pompous sneer, nor is there any regret or enmity in his eyes, only a knowing look as my former patrons holds my gaze for a long second with an ineffable expression before deliberately glancing at Buddy before he disappears.And once we are well alone, the Emperor wraps us both in a staggering sphere of Domain larger than any Ive ever seen before, at least a kilometre in diameter if not more. Do not struggle, he demands, which of course sets me to struggling with all my might, but it does nothing to stop him from dragging my consciousness into the Void with an uncompromising, unyielding, unrelenting effort of Will, a tidal wave to my raindrop if I were to make a comparison.And there in the grim darkness of the Void, I discover that we are not alone.Chapter Meme 1Chapter Meme 2Chapter Meme 3
