Chapter 209

Slouching in his chair, Yo Ling ran his fingers throughout the windowsill, absent-mindedly rubbing the carved wooden whereas staring out the window. A heady bouquet of rice wine wafted via the air, his cup held midway to his lips as he contemplated over an errant thought. This was to be his crowning achievement, making his mark in historical past as the person who began the revolution. Right here he sat after years of planning, a powerful warrior and chief, a harbinger of change on the cusp of victory, but all of it felt so… empty. He had no wives to fill his cup or heat his nights, no sons to coach and keep it up his mantle, and no pals with which to share his wine and victories.

Surrounded by slaves, subordinates, and allies, but he stood wholly aside, this a lot was clear to him after final nights dinner. Again on the island, this estrangement escaped his discover, all his consideration and efforts invested on this enterprise 12 months after 12 months. Maybe loneliness was the worth of greatness, and a heavy one at that. The cup wavered in his hand as he puzzled what to do, unwilling to choke down so superb a classic previous the lump in his throat, but pouring it again into the jug was each bit as undesirable. An odd customized of the wealthy, hed solely been joking when he first talked about it so a few years in the past, a flimsy purpose to maintain consuming. Who knew one of many junior officers would chortle in marvel, stunned by the brutish Yo Lings etiquette. A noble-born ponce, however a adequate child with solely a small stick caught up his ass. What was his identify once more? A homonym for a weapon, however not the weapon he used…

Nicely?

Gens voice shocked Yo Ling from his reverie, having forgotten the boy was there. Nonetheless searching the window, he combed via latest reminiscence for a clue. Ah proper, Gens worries and insecurities, inexperienced within the methods of battle. Waving for him to strategy, Yo Ling patted the boys again and handed him the cup. No want to stress, Gen my boy, no want to stress. Every little thing will work itself out. Have a drink, calm down.

The boy sipped the wine and grimaced on the style. How totally sudden, a peasant with out style. So youll do nothing? Gen requested, placing the cup apart. Your Butchers are being slaughtered, ineffective although they could be.

I’m doing one thing. Im main. Feigning a smile, he winked, enjoying to his want for a father determine. After years of practise, the function got here naturally to Yo Ling, noticing way back how the military and bandit life attracted the identical varieties, orphans or misfits wanting to slot in. Hed realized the way to finest take benefit, first as an Officer, after which as Boss of the Butcher Bay Bandits. Pay attention rigorously my boy, this will probably be helpful to know when youre in cost. Archers keep the most secure, cavalry hits the toughest, and heroes such as you and I shine the brightest, however in the long run, victory relies upon wholly on commonplace infantry.

His alternative of phrases lit a fireplace within the boys eyes, straightening with confidence on the reward. Not even two weeks collectively and the boy already craved his approval, this was nearly too straightforward. His brows furrowed, Gen requested, However after Gao Qiu killed Viper Pang, the Corsairs tore via our infantry like paper. Its been hours now and our folks do nothing however stand and stare, too scared to strategy the bridge. Does this imply had been dropping?

For the second, however solely on the one location. Had been faring nicely on the different two bridges. Yo Ling selected his phrases rigorously, so to not spoil the boys romantic notions of camaraderie and heroism. Life would do this for him, given time. Theres greater than the destiny of some warriors to contemplate. At the moment, we struggle to regulate Sanshu, however what occurs after we’re victorious? The Empire is not going to stand idle, nor can we wholly depend on our ‘buddy’ within the North to maintain us secure. The Uniter makes guarantees to tear down the Wall, however phrases are empty air until backed by motion.

Gesturing on the metropolis, Yo Ling continued his lesson. Now, I may go on a rampage and slaughter Gao Qiu, Jariad, the fats Justice of the Peace, and even Liu Shi or that damned Azure Asshole in the event that they dare present their faces, however what good will it do? If all I needed was to bask in loss of life and destruction, Id have by no means bothered coming to Sanshu. Simpler to ship Butchers in all instructions with orders to kill, pillage, rape, and plunder throughout the province with impunity. However you and I imply to begin a revolution, which requires large assets and a base of operations. The place higher to begin than Sanshu, the center of trade within the north?

His eyes lighting up, Gen rummaged via his pockets and pulled out a severed hand, biting into it with relish whereas Yo Ling defined issues additional. A horrible behavior, the boy had a lot to study concerning controlling his urges. Along with his present of Oration, he introduced True Enlightenment to a lot of Yo Lings wayward Butchers, however these had been women and men whod been groomed for years, if not many years. In time, Sanshus defenders could be swayed, however the boys efficiency as a insurgent hero lacked conviction, given his open, and albeit, extreme consumption of human flesh. Nonetheless, the town would fall finally with or with out the boys present, so Yo Ling was blissful to depart issues be. Although rising extra highly effective by the day, the boy solely discovered True Enlightenment a number of weeks prior, his thoughts nonetheless fragile from his unfettered impulses. An unstable type, however maybe thats why the Spirits cherished him so. No level aggravating him unnecessarily, let the boy eat to his hearts content material. Apart from, being so new, he doubtless burned via his reservoir of Power in seconds throughout battle, consuming fats and muscle to gasoline his fires.

So that you see my boy, Yo Ling concluded, If I need to management the area and all it incorporates, I want skills at my aspect to match these of the enemy, heroes to rise to the event. I’m however one man, and one man can’t guard all of the mines, farms, factories, and fisheries we require to help and provide our military. Sanshu is my crucible, its defenders my anvil, and I’ll use them to forge troops worthy of Butcher Bay’s Banner. They’ll grow to be my core of elites, stationed on this bastion from which we are going to overthrow the Mongrel Emperor.

It was principally hogwash, however the boy craved function much more than human flesh. Absently swallowing, Gen requested, So why not ship certainly one of your Captains to cope with Gao Qiu? Hes been working rampant for hours now.

Chuckling, he answered, As a result of its poor management to provide an order you already know will probably be refused. Even previous and poisoned as he’s, if Gao Qiu declared himself the weakest of my captains, the others would piss themselves in terror whereas hurrying to resign, in order to not offend him. The Purple Satan is my finest warrior, an unrivalled power of nature, and dont you neglect it boy.

Was, Gen corrected. He was certainly one of your finest. He fights for Sanshu now.

The phrases stuffed Yo Ling with melancholy. Proper you’re, Gen my boy, proper you’re. Irrespective of, the poison will type him out quickly sufficient. Viper Pangs little concoction wont kill him, however the ache solely will get worse with time. A tiny shifting shadow caught his eye and he scowled in annoyance, mentally ordering his new Wraith captain to cope with the annoyance. Fucking Pang, letting his ego overcome purpose and dashing out to die, leaving Yo Ling caught with some no-name grunt main his Wraith guards. Then once more, Pang wasnt too efficient at his job, unable to cope with a number of paltry assassins, maybe new blood was precisely what he wanted. Casually guiding the boy away from the window, he eliminated them from hazard with out the boy noticing something amiss.

Ye deny it? Gao Qiu was incredulous, his fury constructing with each phrase. After bringing Demons and Defiled into Sanshu, ye deny yer guilt?

Guilt is subjective. Have I damaged the regulation? After all, Ive carried out so on daily basis since deserting fifty years in the past. That is merely an escalation, however to name me Defiled is to consider the lies of the Emperor. I’m the identical man who lead you to battle, the identical man you adopted into a lifetime of banditry. Doubt flashed via Gao Qius eyes and Yo Ling pressed the problem. My buddy, youve danced alongside the sting of reality for thus lengthy, why are you able to not settle for it? Throw away your preconceived notions and assume for your self. For many years, we took no matter we needed whether or not or not it’s lives or loot, pleasure or plunder. When have you ever ever felt extra alive?

I make no apologies for the life Ive lived. Stubbornly refusing to assume, Gao Qiu stood agency. Aye, Ive killed, raped, and worse, however what of it? The legal guidelines are fer the weak and the poor, and I’m neither. The sturdy thrive and the weak endure, such is the lifestyle. However you, he sneered, You’re an abomination of nature.

In line with who? Yo Ling held his arms out in query. I’m sturdy. I’m rich. Why ought to I obey the legal guidelines of man? May as nicely ask a tiger to vary his stripes and grow to be a vegetarian. Sure, I draw power from the Spirits, very similar to these savages north of the Wall. Aye, I get pleasure from killing and torture, however so do you my buddy, do not deceive your self. You experience it, chosen by the Spirits themselves, drawing on their energy to gasoline your legendary battle prowess. this to be true. Assume, when was the final time you meditated? Years goes by with out it, but you proceed rising in power. Stability is a lie my buddy, true energy comes from the Spirits. The blood drained from Gao Qius face as he acknowledged the Fact, and Yo Ling prolonged an empty hand. Come my buddy, my brother. Return to my aspect and all is forgiven. Energy is energy, irrespective of its origins, the Father and Mom a fairy story meant for kids and idiots. Defiled or Enlightened, its all a matter of notion.

For a single, heart-stopping minute, Gao Qiu stood frozen in place, his inside turmoil on open show. Denial, anger, horror, melancholy, the feelings flit throughout his face in fast succession, struggling to just accept the bare Fact. It was the identical course of Yo Ling went via so a few years in the past, a single second of readability wherein all revealed itself, and he prayed his previous buddy would attain the best conclusion.

The ragged Purple Satan took a single step ahead, and Yo Lings coronary heart leapt with pleasure. A second step adopted, then a 3rd, his tempo gradual and regular as Gao Qiu approached, his axe grating because it dragged throughout the stone. Twenty paces separated them, then ten, then 5, and Yo Ling waited patiently, hoping past all hope to be reunited with this misplaced brother.

No such luck.

The axe scythed via the air and Yo Ling blocked, the influence shaking him to the bone. Backing away, he snapped, Why?! Why forsake me? the reality now!

Eyes stuffed with blood and the Spirits swirling round him, Gao Qiu cackled in his customary method, the sound sending chills via Yo Ling whilst he guarded in opposition to it. A second slash despatched him reeling again, Gao Qiu howling with rage as he pressed the assault. Their Auras clashed in a battle each bit as violent as their bodily trade, two consultants buying and selling earth shaking blows as stones cracked beneath their toes, Gao Qius devilish grin burned into Yo Lings reminiscence.

After minutes of backwards and forwards, Gao Qiu rapidly drained. Sidestepping a lazy slash, Yo Ling struck a decisive blow, the crack of bone audible to everybody watching. Ignoring the ache of his damaged shoulder, the Purple Satan wielded his axe one-handed and nearly took Yo Lings head clear off in response, Butcher Bays boss decreased to tumbling over corpses to flee. Overcome with rage, he screamed in equal elements fury and distress as he batted the axe apart, bringing his mace again for a crushing, two-handed thrust to Gao Qius chest. The physique flew via the air and landed with a sickening squelch, cheers breaking out among the many Butchers as they charged into the Corsair traces.

Ignoring the noise, Yo Ling approached his oldest buddy as his Butchers streamed round them, giving each a large berth. Shrouded in Purity as he channelled his Chi, the sunshine slowly light from Gao Qius eyes. His mouth moved with out sound, however his voice rang clear in Yo Lings thoughts. I do know my sins and forsake the Father and all his evils, ready to just accept Her judgment. Ailing beg for mercy in your behalf previous buddy, although I concern you past Her assist.

Eyes large open and lips unfold in a smile, the Purple Satan of Sanshu died defending the town he terrorized for many years.

Alone within the crowd and and not using a buddy on the earth, Yo Ling stood and contemplated a single query, over and over.

Why?

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