Chapter 232

Introduced away by Jianghongs guardsmen, Gen sat on the window staring out into the market at Beis corpse. Her crystalline pores and skin glimmered within the daylight, illuminating her empty, ruined husk. Her damaged jaw hung half-open as unseeing eyes returned his stare, and Gen felt… Nothing. Solely a hole, vacancy remained inside, a void left by her absence and accompanied by a definite, uncomfortable sense of loneliness. He by no means seen it earlier than however Bei was part of him, linked by unseen fetters, a bond which transcended time and house.

The Spirits remained curiously muted as he shut himself away. There have been no tears to be shed, no ache to embrace, no distress or anguish to be discovered inside, not even the Spirits whispers to immediate him to motion. In utter stillness, he sat within the vacant vacuum of his soul, asking questions and discovering no solutions, looking for one thing he couldnt title. It was lacking, however what it was he couldnt say, solely that it needed to do with Bei’s absence.

With the void closing in on him, he pushed again upon it, reminiscing of higher instances. His pretty Bei, laid out upon their marriage mattress, her tear-stained eyes silently pleading for mercy because the red-hot poker descended, such a wonderful reminiscence engraved inside his thoughts. The foolish woman thrashed and cried, inciting his lust for extra. After a single, wondrous day of ardour, she belonged to him in thoughts, physique, and soul, her compliance given, her will sure, their lives inextricably linked as husband and spouse. Guardian, servant, and spouse, hed moulded her into his preferrred girl, lovely and robust, obedient and dutiful.

And now she was gone, with solely his recollections to maintain him.

One other girl stolen away by Falling Rain.

The assertion echoed by the void and shattered his apathy, his each thought consumed by vengeance and retribution. Returning to actuality, he searched by the group, hoping to identify his most hated foe. As an alternative, he was greeted by a scene of utter chaos and confusion. Butchers fled in droves because the defenders of Sanshu reduce them down, Yo Ling nowhere to be seen. The Transcendents corpses sat within the streets, simply seen from his perch above because the tide of warriors streamed round them. Raging at Heavens injustice, he cursed the Emperor, the Bekhai, Sanshus defenders, however most of all, Gen cursed Yo Ling. For all his speeches of grandeur and victory, the outdated bastard was nothing however a fraud, a liar and a failure like Gens father had been.

The Spirits voices rose in a clamour, demanding give up and resignation, and for a short second, Gen thought-about succumbing to their will. Why not? What else was left for him? With Yo Ling defeated and Bei lifeless, how was Gen to flee? Even when he one way or the other averted all of the troopers, navigated by the sprawling maze of streets, and made it out the gates, what then? He refused to return to the woods, scavenging for scraps whereas fleeing from the Mongrel Emperors attain. Higher to present into the spirits and style true energy earlier than he died. The world shrank round him and Gen noticed Bei as soon as extra, ready for him in his goals.

And solely in his goals.

Ignoring the Spirits calls for, Gen snarled and gathered the Worlds Power, revelling within the energy inside. He was now not the nugatory, snivelling hunter who would have lengthy since given up. He was a warrior, and if he died, then he would die preventing. Transferring away from the window, Gen opened the door to search out Jianghong and a handful of guards about to enter. His jaw damaged and cheek all however gone, Jianghong studied Gens eyes earlier than giving him the briefest of nods. Good, he Despatched, striding away with function. Youve not succumbed to despair. Come alongside Gen. Sanshu is misplaced.

Becoming a member of Jianghongs social gathering, he adopted them downstairs the place the raging battle had but to spill in, the doorways and home windows lined and barricaded. Kicking apart a stone statue, Jianghong revealed a hidden cellar hatch, gesturing round earlier than dropping down. Burn all of it, he ordered. With a wave of his hand, Gen despatched a gout of flame round him, setting fireplace to the constructing. The rising blaze stuffed him with hope and aspiration, defeated however unbroken. He was merely an ember, however even then hed survived by the storm of Sanshu, injuring two elite warriors by himself. With time and observe, he would solely develop stronger.

Sturdy sufficient to have his vengeance.

Closing the hatch behind him, Gen descended into the darkness and lit a small flame. A smuggler’s passage, Jianghong Despatched, already nicely away with lantern in hand. Ive discovered quite a few them throughout my time as Guard Captain. A helpful escape. Following them by the twists and turns of the stony passage, Gen moved in direction of freedom and his future. Although Yo Lings story ended right here, Gen wouldn’t die with him nor would he give in to the Spirits.

Their underground journey continued for hours earlier than they emerged beneath the evening sky. Snuffing out his flame to keep away from detection, he glanced across the darkened forest to collect his bearings. The partitions of Sanshu have been barely in sight, kilometers to the east. The place to now?

North.

The booming phrase quieted the Spirits chattering, their voices falling silent earlier than the suggestion. No, this was an order, a command given by one who not solely demanded subservience, however anticipated it. Glancing at Jianghong, Gen realized he wasnt the one one who heard it, the older warrior already transferring out, his eyes narrowed in warning but unwilling to disobey. Missing any higher choices, Gen adopted alongside, staring up on the evening sky.

So lovely. This was however the first chapter of his new life, a bump within the path in direction of final supremacy. So what if Bei was gone? Then he would discover one other spouse, a stronger spouse, a harem of wives. He would collect whole armies to comply with him, Enlightening the lots to the reality. Those that refused to open their eyes can be gas for the hearth, turning this tiny ember right into a blazing conflagration, consuming all earlier than it. Although Sanshu stood victorious at the present time, he would return quickly sufficient, and when he did, Falling Rain, Sumila, the Justice of the Peace, and even the Mongrel Emperor himself would kneel earlier than him.

For he was Gen, the Emissary of Flame, Chosen of the Heavens.

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Nonetheless but to recuperate from his accidents, Vithar sat again and watched the battle unfold. His southern allies have been worse than ineffective, unskilled within the methods of battle. Charging forward with out thought, they bumped into the enemys traps and schemes, their tidy ranks defeated by twigs and dirt. A superb factor hed ordered his tribesmen to maintain to the flanks and keep away from all-out battle. The plan had been to let this rabble put on away on the enemy first, however they fell so shortly it hardly even mattered. After pretending to battle for the higher a part of an hour, he gave the order to withdraw and led his riders away, unwilling to throw his warriors away on the whims of an incompetent aged thief.

Solely… Now what? Missing a Demon to talk for him, the Uniter was unvoiced and Vithar with out route. Although this was a land of wealth and abundance, theirs was a tribe of warriors, battle their solely function. There was no honour in hiding away, and he feared such an existence would render him weak and feeble just like the southerners. Higher to die preventing, however the place was he to discover a worthy foe?

North.

The Commemorated Ones order echoed by his thoughts, and Vithar turned with out hesitation, main his riders north whereas effervescent with anticipation. Although this seemingly meant a return to hiding as soon as extra, not less than he was linked to the Uniter. Now there was a commander worthy of respect, a chieftain above all chieftains. An period of bloodshed and prosperity, these have been his phrases, and Vithar was assured the Uniter would ship.

If not, then Vithar would reduce him down and eat his flesh, taking his place because the Uniter.

So its brother now, is it? What occurred to martial nephew?

This one wouldnt dare. Rolling his eyes, Fung places on a pensive frown. About Dastan… Im not satisfied hes Defiled. I imagine he was duped and it sits poorly with me realizing his destiny.

Torture till dying. Enjoyable instances in Sanshu.

After promising to again him up with the Justice of the Peace, I depart to examine on the remainder of my retinue and the opposite Sentinels. Bedridden and motionless, many sport recent amputations and blood-soaked bandages, sweating with fever as their our bodies battle off an infection. My ache capsules put to good use, Vichears loud snores shake the air round him, his damaged ribs and collapsed lung leaving him in dangerous form, however in no rapid hazard. Beside him are Argot and Jochi, lined head to toe in bandages, however in no hazard of dying. A lot of the wounded already know my Panacea therapeutic methodology, and the others are being taught by Sending, however even then, its not simple. For a lot of, the highway to restoration might be lengthy and arduous, stuffed with ache and struggling earlier than theyre again to full energy.

And to suppose, theyre the fortunate ones.

Preventing again the tears, I swallow the lump in my throat and transfer on. Leaving the principle space, I slip into a personal room and sigh, staring on the battered types of Tenjin and Tursinai. I want Id seen their epic battle in opposition to Yo Ling, or higher but, been in a position to assist. Yea, I might barely scratch his Aura, however issues may need gone otherwise if I wasnt busy napping. I allow them to each down and it hurts, even when nobody else thinks so.

Oh my, has little Rain come to peek? Tursinais playful query interrupts my pity social gathering, shrinking again in mock worry. Nicely right here I’m, injured and helpless to withstand earlier than the mighty Falling Rain. Do as you please, however I encourage you, spare our lives.

Quiet you. Rolling my eyes, I examine on Tenjin first, his respiration regular and pores and skin cool. Hes paralyzed, however alive. Id name it a miracle, nevertheless it wasnt. The Guard Chief stored him from dying immediately, although she didnt hassle to heal him or take out Yo Ling. Whats the purpose of getting a lot energy if she wont take motion? I dont get how she might be so callous to face by and watch good women and men die.

Is one thing fallacious? Tursinais anxious tone brings me again to actuality, and I understand Ive been frowning over her grievously-wounded husband.

I can see how she would possibly get the fallacious impression. No, sorry, I used to be misplaced in thought. Hes nice, no change.

Sighing with aid, Tursinai pouts. How merciless, and to suppose, I used to be about to go to sleep and overlook your wandering arms. Ignoring her, I elevate her blanket apart and take away the poultice on her shoulder, grimacing on the mangled mess beneath, a fist-sized chunk of meat lacking. Impolite. That’s not the face one makes when gazing upon the bare flesh of a young younger maiden. Strive once more.

Chuckling, I lay my hand throughout her brow, her pores and skin sizzling to the contact. Cease joking round and let me focus. Infections set in and youre feverish. Ailing combine up a tincture for you, but when it will get worse, name for a healer. Rummaging by my pack for herbs, I grumble whereas working. I cant imagine the guard chief let issues get to this point. You each might have died and he or she stood there and watched. I do know shes sturdy, stronger than each of you and stronger than Yo Ling, but she did nothing. Of all of the conceited, spiteful folks Ive met, she tops the listing.

Dont blame her, little Rain. She has legitimate cause to cover and Ailing not have you ever malign my hubbys savior. Capturing me a smile, she provides, Im all sweaty and sticky from fever. Wipe me down?

Ailing ship for a serving woman.

Pei. Save the serving ladies for hubby, Id slightly have a strapping younger man.

With the odd couple taken care of, I proceed serving to with the injured. It doesnt take lengthy, there arent many left to take care of. With the ultimate tally in, lower than thirty of my authentic retinue stay. Rustram, Bulat, and Ravil made it by with no scratch, whereas Pran and Saluk each took grave accidents, preventing just like the possessed to guard Mila from Yo Ling. Moreover these 5, solely Silva, Viyan, and Birca stay from my authentic cripples, a grand complete of eight out of the sixty-seven I began with. They didnt even final a yr with me, and I cant assist however marvel if theyd have lived longer as cripples. Huus retinue isnt in significantly better form and Gerels elites took a mauling alongside together with his delight. Exterior his personal room, Yuzhens guards stand prepared, which suggests shes nonetheless inside.

The fortunate bastard.

Okay, yea, Yuzhen put politics over human life, however when it comes proper all the way down to it, she didnt actually have a alternative. Is it truthful responsible her? Most likely not, however Im nonetheless having a tough time accepting it. Shes a form individual, however she accepts the Purge as a essential evil, unwilling to battle in opposition to it. Why? Its a horrific act, slaughtering 1000’s on the off-chance they may be Defiled, and I shudder to suppose what the Empire will do once they catch wind of what went down right here.

Fortunately, I wont be round when the hammer falls, and the Mom have mercy on anybody who’s. Fuck being a Warrant Officer or Sentinel, Im gonna give up and go research therapeutic with Taduk. It will be superior, spending my free time looking for an answer to my complete two-souls-one-body kerfuffle and perhaps even experiment with bear arms. Certain, it lacks the fun and pleasure of soldiering round, and yea, generally I crave a little bit motion, however Ive had greater than sufficient to final me a lifetime. Moreover, with Baatar and Akanai defending the province, that is the right time for a nicely deserved break. From right here on out, Im gonna be Falling Rain, Herbalist and Scholar of the Folks.

Who is aware of, perhaps Ailing even go a full yr with no close to dying expertise.

The dream is alive.

Chapter Meme

– Finish of Quantity 12 –