Chapter 219

Pink is an fascinating color. First on the rainbow, it suffers from one thing of an identification disaster, symbolizing ardour, infatuation, love, and celebration, whereas additionally representing aggression, anger, ache, and frustration. Some would say its a robust, masculine color denoting energy and authority, whereas others may declare crimson is exceedingly female, alluding to seduction and arousal. Neither aspect is improper precisely, which is strangest of all. Secure to say, no different color holds the identical significance for people, and theres a easy purpose why.

Pink is the color of blood.

This singular truth pervades my thoughts as I wash Chams blood from my palms, periodically glancing across the plaza. A scenic view of hell on earth, with corpses laid out so far as the attention can see, ready to be sorted and organized with little ceremony or solemnity. The complete space is dyed in numerous shades of crimson because the blood of hundreds swimming pools and dries on the tiled stone flooring. It doesnt appear proper, women and men who gave their lives defending Sanshu, solely to be dragged by their wrists or ankles and thrown right into a pile of their comrades. The Defiled arent even on condition that a lot respect, their our bodies stripped bare and thrown into the canal, the flowing waters frothing pink as hordes of toothy fish devour flesh and bone.

A lot for going again in for an additional swim.

Closing my eyes to the abhorrent scene earlier than me, I attain for Steadiness to high off my reserves and heal my accidents. Entering into my psychological aircraft to examine on Baledagh, my new liquid celestial good friend greets me cordially, basking in my Chi and sweeping me off my toes to point out me the brand new adjustments. Not a void of darkish nothingness, the Heavenly Waters have remodeled my psychological aircraft right into a luminous, clear blue ocean. Unusual how floating in darkness could be so disconcerting however doing the identical in fake water is nice and comfy. I imply, both means, have been nonetheless inside my thoughts, so the nice and cozy currents and effervescent sensations are all imagined, however after I shut my eyes, the darkness is now not uncomfortable and suffocating, however slightly extra soothing and enjoyable, my physique and thoughts each weightless and free, drifting in a sea of calm.

I like this. With out the stench of demise turning my abdomen and the carnage occupying my ideas, Im free to grieve for my misplaced Sentinels, beset on each side by my outdated pals crippling doubt and crushing despair. Cham was a drunk and a ruffian, however he was a cheery kind, all the time with a smile on his face. He had a comfortable spot for orphans, spending many a free hour making kites, leather-based balls and different toys, however he all the time donated them anonymously, although that doesnt work in a ninja village. The whole lot I learn about him could be summed up in two sentences. This was a person who adopted me into battle, who misplaced his life due to my orders, and I cant even correctly memorialize him. Theres been too many deaths previously few days, Chams solely the most recent in an extended litany of casualties.

The survivors guilt is actual. I escaped unscathed from so many shut brushes with demise, but Cham dies to an ambush from a Defiled hiding in a pile of corpses. Its not truthful, and I really feel even worse as a result of I might have saved him if I knew the right way to management the Heavenly Waters. They’ve therapeutic properties, Im positive of it. I imply, its water, thats what it does, magically, proper? Apart from, how else do I clarify surviving ten days submerged within the lake?

My celestial visitor doesnt hassle weighing in on my ideas, displaying no indicators of getting heard or understood me. Its presence is alien, but comforting, nearly consoling me as I wallow in guilt and recrimination. Its tough to get a full-on self-pity get together began underneath these situations, the atmosphere washing over my thoughts and serving to me unwind. The ideas are nonetheless there, however the ache is muted and distant, not sufficient to energy via, however sufficient to proceed performing at a suitable degree of self-loathing. All I can do is apologize to Cham, say a prayer for him, and preserve him in my ideas. What extra is there? That is warfare. Individuals die.

In poor health by no means perceive why individuals glorify warfare. I imply, yea, I get a bit caught up within the adrenaline rush generally, however the aftermath is unspeakably abhorrent. All these individuals lifeless and for what? Nothing so far as I can inform. I dont get what Yo Ling stands to achieve from this. Hes been round for many years, raiding and pillaging as he pleases, so maybe that is the subsequent logical step, attempting to turn into the true boss of the area, a king of types. Drawback is, Yo Ling cant be silly, he has to know he doesnt have sufficient manpower to take Sanshu, a lot much less maintain it. The Empire will ship a military finally, so whats his lengthy sport? If demise and slaughter is all he cares about, then theres no level attempting to grasp him, but when so, why is he right here? If all he wish to do is murder-hobo it up, why march his military into town and threat getting trapped in? Why not run across the province and kill helpless civilians? A want for problem or glory? I assume I might chalk all of it as much as Defiled shenanigans and madness, however in some way, I really feel like have been all ignoring some primary questions, Joranis mysterious benefactor apart.

For instance, the place the fuck did Yo Ling discover so many units of matching armour? I get having the ability to disguise his bandits on his island, and I can settle for the weapons being the product of Defiled witchery like Gens palms, however how did he disguise dozens of blacksmiths working day and night time for years? Have been speaking about 15,000 hand-crafted fits of armour, its not like there are factories stamping out armour by the handfuls for buy on the open market, and Im positive somebody would have observed smoke billowing out from a number of smithies. The armour is normal iron, which means its pretty ineffective towards somebody wielding a Religious Weapon, however the majority of troopers dont have one, one in ten at finest. In keeping with XinYue, the ratio solely will get worse once you have a look at the bandits and metropolis guards, and full-plate does wonders towards normal swords and spears. Hell, if it werent for the Crossbone Corsairs, the Defiled would have already overwhelmed the defenders, largely on account of their armour. Nonetheless, it begs the query, why is Yo Ling throwing lives away whereas figuring out his military is as giant as itll ever get, however ours will continue to grow as time passes?

One other factor thats been bothering me is the place is all of the oil Yo Lings individuals collected? The very first thing I did was have Tenjin inform Gerel about it via Sending, however apparently, there hasnt been a lot as a whiff of oil. Gens been lighting town up however the giant fires are principally fuelled by wooden and fabric, with a superb half of the buildings nonetheless standing. I doubt they despatched bands of Defiled out scrounging for oil simply to not use it, however to date, thats been the case. An remoted incident maybe? I hope so. A couple of pots might kill hundreds of defenders with out reprisal if used appropriately, slicing off avenues of retreat and whatnot.

Then theres Mao Jianghong, the previous fucking Guard Captain of Sanshu turned traitor. Are we to consider a person in his place flipped sides on a whim? Who is aware of how lengthy this has been within the works, how a lot preparation has gone into his betrayal, but apparently nobody has bothered trying into what hes performed. Hopefully they’ve and simply arent telling me, however its nonetheless regarding. One way or the other, Mao Mao has stored Tongzu from recalling the troopers outdoors Sanshu, which implies both he has allies amongst them, or theres a military of Wraiths outdoors searching down messengers. Contemplating the entire panic relating to Defiled infections, Id guess its the previous, so why havent some other traitors made themselves recognized? Possibly as a result of theyre extra helpful hidden, retaining reinforcements from mobilizing and different clandestine stuffs, however I cant assist however fear have been all lacking the larger image.

With all these worries, my psychological aircraft now not appears so enjoyable, although the Heavenly Water appears content material to laze about, each nonetheless and shifting on the similar time. I select to consider its hanging out in my soul and solely materializes in the true world when wanted. A lot much less disagreeable in comparison with the choice, worrying over how my private, inner house is consistently being violated by an aqueous invader. Who is aware of what it would do whereas hanging round my organs and blood stream, siphoning off my Chi and vitamins. Possibly its in an embryonic stage, rising in dimension and power solely to finally burst from my chest and skitter away, in the hunt for new hosts to contaminate.

No, thats dumb. Its water and its serving to me, plus it saved Li Songs face. Possibly I ought to title it, however I dunno. Im fantastic with anthropomorphizing cute animals, however water is kinda pushing it. I imply, I cant assume its gender, so do I give it a male or feminine title? Apart from, it wont reply even when I gave it a reputation, doing no matter it pleases. I must know extra, so hopefully somebody can make clear the scenario.

Discovering no change in Baledagh, I go away my psychological aircraft and see Bulat standing guard over me, whereas additionally taking cost of the clear up. Thanks, I say, clapping him on the shoulder. Youre doing a fantastic job, a born chief.

Grunting, he shrugs in reply. Received within the behavior of taking cost whereas working with the Militia. Bunch of lazy slackers throughout, needed to preserve me eye on em. Cant slip nothing previous Previous Bulat, I’ve run each scheme and ploy there may be. Had Mister Rustram tearing his hair out by the roots again in our military days.

Nicely, till Mister Rustram will get again, youve acquired his job, Mister Bulat.

… No. Its both hearth, or it isnt, proper? You should utilize it to gentle one thing on hearth, so for all intents and functions, its hearth.

One other sigh. Watch. Staring on the flame on his palm, Tenjin falls silent whereas I wait, nonetheless puzzling over his phrases. So, is the Heavenly Water not likely water? Or is it water, however not wholly infused with my Chi? Or is it simply consuming my Chi, which is why I cant management it?

That is complicated.

Tenjins flame leaps into the air and steals away my consideration. Hanging within the air, it bounces and weaves about in hypnotic patterns, leaving trails of flame behind that fade away in seconds. Flaring and subsiding in a pulsing rhythm, I understand its doing so in tandem with Tenjins heartbeat. The efficiency continues with the flames twirling and weaving about, forming tiny shapes earlier than my eyes, a sword, a ship, then a wolf, the extent of element rising with every transformation. The wolf lifts its head to the sky in a soundless howl, and I can nearly hear its triumphant name, the actions so lifelike and actual.

Then, with out warning, the flames blink out of existence. Smiling triumphantly, Tenjin asks, Can hearth try this?

…Nicely no, however I nonetheless dont get it. How do I make my Chi try this?

Frowning, he tilts his head and asks, How do you make your Chi do something?

Stopping to consider it, I understand I dont have a single reply. Nicely, for Honing and Therapeutic, I visualize what must occur. Different instances, it is a visceral response, like Amplification, letting the vitality construct up the place I want it. For Guiding… I dont even understand how that basically works, I throw my sword and it hits issues, not like after I use a bow.

Upon listening to my reply, Tenjin puffs up with pleasure. Now do you perceive why nobody can clarify Chi utilization to you? We will counsel you and direct your efforts, however the how should come from you. For many, an Awakening permits them to make use of their Blessing such as you use Guiding, however you might be clearly an exception. Attempt all of the completely different strategies you listed, after which strive them once more in the event that they fail. Attempt different strategies, no matter you may provide you with, the data lies buried deep inside you.

Nodding as I let go of his hand, I absently go over Tenjins phrases whereas he returns to his spouse. Not completely useful. Persevere and finally In poor health get it proper. It doesnt assist in the short-term, however lets proceed with my earlier optimism and assume In poor health survive this. Ive acquired time, no must rush. Even when I did, theres no assure my blessing will likely be helpful in fight, so I’d as effectively cease fretting.

Turning my gaze to the south-west district, I seek for indicators of motion, nonetheless anxious about Yo Ling. Hopefully Im improper and hes nothing greater than a glory hungry Defiled bandit who overstepped, however I doubt it. Swallowing my apprehension, I flip to depart when a flash of motion catches my eye. Approaching from the north, I spot a number of waving flags and after a moments focus, hear the distant sounds of drumming. The flags dip out and in of view, and after a couple of seconds, I lastly select the phrases: Golden Highlands.

Dastans individuals, if I recall appropriately. Now that I give it some thought, for a metropolis supposedly run by the Council, theres been an alarming lack of assist from them. Possibly theyre lastly prepared to select up the slack and assist out. After a fast seek the advice of with Tenjin who Sends a question to XinYue, Im ecstatic to study that 15,000 mercenaries are right here to assist, with 5,000 on their means right here to shore up our defences. Buzzing a cheery tune, I head out to satisfy with XinYue, nearly skipping with delight.

That is the facility of optimistic considering. A little bit optimism, and bam, 5,000 mooks seem to face between me and the Defiled.

Excellent.

…

Nearly too excellent…

Chapter Meme