The Sage, the Swordsman and the Scholars

by Pierre Dimaculangan

  The company, Tian Qiu, He Feishen, and He Jin stood around him with their hats and helmets in hand and with heads bowed. “Do not waste your breaths in lamentation for my loss, dear friends. Rejoice instead knowing that I have finished my mission in obedience to the will of Heaven. Xin, my son, do not pursue a campaign without acknowledging Heaven before all things. Only then will success follow in your wake. Do not forget about dear Meiling. After your task is complete return home, Xin. You are now the only loved one that remains for her.” He turned his gaze to his beloved friend Famin Jie. “My dear brother in spirit, you have been tasked with a tremendous calling. Keep fighting the fight. Your battle is far from over. The next time we meet will be in victory.” Famin Jie bowed his head and wept at his side.

  Finally, in the tent of General He Jin, surrounded by friends and allies, Master Lo breathed his last breath. The departure of his spirit was felt by Xin and Famin Jie; like a veil that had been lifted, so too did they feel Master Lo depart from their midst. His body was wrapped in many cloths and readied to return to his home where proper funeral rites and ceremonies would be observed. Famin Jie wandered into the woods to briefly mourn in solitude and there he meditated and played his zither.

  Though he greatly lamented the loss of his only master and adoptive father, Xin did not have the luxury to properly mourn. He swallowed his tears as he fastened Master Lo’s sword right beside his own. There was a tremendous task at hand and Master Lo would have instructed him to remain focused on the mission. He meditated upon the highest hill on the field overlooking the battlefield to clear his mind. It was strange, however. He had expected anguish to dictate his emotions at this point, but instead he was finding a small measure of peace. Now, he felt more ready than he ever had in the face of a mountainous trial and this time, a victorious outcome was more visible and more assured. He was going to claim it.

  15 THE START OF A NEW CAMPAIGN

  NIGHT HAD FALLEN OVER THE camp. Imperial Commander Feishen and the troops directly under his command were making preparations to return to the capital in the next day. Xin, Tian Qiu, Admiral Han and other Scholars surveyed the battlefield to record the activities taking place when the mutants and their Terukk overlords had occupied it.

  “The Terukk appeared to have had some great plans in their campaigns against us. Much of what we see here were preparations for large-scale industries. This is but a first step in their plans for a militaristic colonization,” said Tian Qiu.

  “They have greatly underestimated our resolve and did not anticipate the ferocity of our forces,” said Captain Liu Quan as he approached them. His armor was again spotted with blood and sported battle damage.

  “Did they seriously think they could get away with settling on our land? They were fools.”

  “Our battle here today was nothing,” emphasized Sun Xin. “The strength of the mutants, these projects they undertook, and the struggle we faced on this day were but a very small taste of what is to come. The mutant beasts were mere pawns, a means to test our forces, for the Terukk seek to know their enemy. This battle was just a ruse to discover our strengths, our weaknesses, and the true extent of the capabilities of our military. Our tactics and strategies are now being studied. The Terukk themselves will be arriving on our shores by the hundreds of thousands for what has transpired today is but the first step in their grander plan. Our woes have yet to begin and I’m afeared that the true power of the real Terukk army will be far more terrifying than what we have faced today.” He then looked east to the open sea. “Their ships were not even constructed for war. Mere transport vessels with light armaments were all they were and yet they nearly devastated our own fleet. Everything we faced on this day barely qualified as an appetizer.”

  “I also need not mention that there are yet armies of the Underworld in the forests so that they may strike against us. Perhaps it is a grand strategy to destabilize the nation. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Terukk are the primary organizers, supplying and arming them as well,” added Tian Qiu.

  “Sun Xin is correct. We cannot afford to relax for one moment. Even celebration for our victory this day is a luxury. As we speak, many nations in the South have already been subjugated by the Terukk. There may be pockets of resistance scattered in the wilderness but of that we cannot be so sure. As far as we know, the Ming Empire is the only stronghold where resistance still thrives,” said Lu Guanying.

  “We cannot rely on our strength alone,” Famin Jie interjected. “It must be in the Menggu horsemen and the Ashikaga warriors where we must find our aid.” The rest of the group looked at him in disbelief.

  “If we honestly think we can win this war on our own, we are already defeated,” he added.

  “The teacher certainly has a point. We now share a common enemy with the Menggu and the Ashikaga. An alliance is in order, for the Menggu still hold tremendous influence over the territories of their former empire in the western regions, though they have been in decline in recent times. I’m certain the Terukk have yet to influence the armies of Dayan Khan. The warrior class of the Ashikaga is extreme, but has proven to be highly skilled in the art of war and knowledgeable in the profound teachings of our great philosopher Kongzi,” said General Jin. “Our sister nation of Joseon lies just beyond the peninsulas. If we are to obtain their aid as well they must first be liberated, but with the coming invasions, our resources would be spread thin.”

  “It certainly seems to be the logical course of action, though the alliance should be forged with meekness and humility on our part. Though it may seem unthinkable in the moment, the Ming must be willing to cooperate in unison with the Menggu and the Ashikaga,” said Tian Qiu.

  The counsel of Famin Jie was taken into deep consideration by the group and they decided that the plan be presented before the emperor and the rest of the Scholars. If the plan was to succeed, Famin Jie would personally make the journey to speak with the chieftains of the Menggu and the reigning military ruler of the Ashikaga regime. Little by little it seemed that their war against the Terukk would not have to be fought alone.

  After the group had finished discussing the broad strategies for the war, Tian Qiu and Xin approached the large mechanisms Big Bang had destroyed a week before. It stood at the northern edge of the clearing where the battle took place and had remained untouched during the fighting. Tian Qiu surveyed the workings of the processing plant after Xin described how he had observed its use. The plant had many gears, chambers, and pipes leading in different directions in order to process and brew the liquid drug. It eventually led to overhead exhaust openings from which the liquid was converted to gas. Despite being severely damaged, the machine as a whole was still fairly recognizable and the mutants had apparently attempted to make repairs to it in the past several days. Tian Qiu walked to the rear and unlocked a large canister directly attached to the body of the device. In it contained a purplish-blue powdery substance. He analyzed its texture and sniffed it. It was foul.

  “This substance is very similar to the drugs used to bribe many of the palace’s officials and eunuchs when the Foreigners were in the process of puppeteering our government. This device processes this substance to create the gas you saw. Prolonged exposure to it creates the mutants we battled today, obviously, although this particular machine seems to be a mere unrefined prototype. It’s an inefficient method of administering,” concluded Tian Qiu. “It is very devilish, indeed. Imagine what a perfected mechanism or formula could do to enemy forces.”

  “I have seen very large devices very similar to this one in the forests where the rebel sects were gathering. I too saw the gasses spread over their armies. At the foot of Wudang Mountain, the sect I combated had it in liquid form to be readily ingested. It seems that there is more than one way of administering it,” said Xin.

  In a tent inside the army’s camp, Tian Qiu examined the body of one of the mutants. He observed that the creature retained the fundamental form of a man though had greater muscle and bone density than the av
erage soldier. The skin was rough, leathery, and a pale blue and its facial features had been distorted to more closely resemble the features of the Terukk. It was just as Xin had observed beneath the slopes of Wudang Mountain. It was undoubtedly clear that the devices were used to create an army incapable of independent thought and was yet stronger and faster than the average man. Such a soldier was dangerous. One that is incapable of experiencing fear or suffering in pain. It reminded Tian Qiu that their victory was due largely to effective tactics and planning. It was also terrifying for Tian Qiu to imagine all the terrorist groups and sects receiving this unnatural potion with all of its advantages. He did not yet even know what the fullest extent of exposure to the potion would result. At what point would exposure to the potion achieve the Terukk’s “optimal” results for the mutants? At dawn, Tian Qiu summoned the Ming commanders, Famin Jie, Sun Xin, and the company to a meeting to discuss with them the matters concerning the assembly of the dark armies in the provinces, how to defend the people, and to locate and destroy the machines. What was most important was finding the enemy leadership and destroying it. Sun Xin volunteered to head the task.

  “It is absolutely imperative that these machines be destroyed for every time our enemy makes use of it, they are gaining a significant physical edge over our troops no matter how well trained and disciplined they may be,” insisted Tian Qiu.

  “I will locate the machines and destroy them so the bulk of the Imperial Army can focus on the defense of the Empire from an invasion from the sea,” said Xin. “We must anticipate the arrival of a Terukk Armada. I have many contacts and allies scattered across the provinces. The company and I will lead the Academicians for the campaign. If General He Jin be willing to provide us with a detachment of his elite commandos, my part in the campaign to defend the empire will succeed.” General Jin agreed to help Xin in a heartbeat and already had in mind to dedicate some of the best of his personal commando units for future objectives.

  “We must report to the capital immediately to present before the emperor our plans,” said Feishen. “I must coordinate with the rest of army scattered throughout the provinces. I fear that Guangzhou may be the one of the first targets for the Terukk should their ‘armada’ arrive. I will immediately summon a considerable defense force for the protection of the city for it is of great strategic significance,” he said.

  “I agree,” said Tian Qiu. “If the invasion comes from the south, Guangzhou would be caught right in the middle.”

  The Ming Imperial Army under Feishen proceeded to return to the capital, and the navy including the Phoenix Spirit, set sail for the harbor near Tianjin. Captain Liu Quan and several thousand troops, in coordination with the Great Wall’s border garrison, stayed behind to fortify their recaptured territory on the Liaodong Peninsula, installing a large garrison there. They had also built a makeshift shipyard for the loading, unloading, and repair of ships. Famin Jie and company sat in the bowels of the Phoenix Spirit with General He Jin and some Academicians.

  Xin stood in the corner looking out of the window lost in deep thought and still mourning the loss of his master. Famin Jie as well could not fully accept the loss of his close friend. It would be a very long time before the wounds could begin to heal.

  “I did not get the chance to personally express my gratitude for what you did on the battlefield. I saw what you did; I sincerely believe it was crucial for our hard-won victory,” said General He Jin to Famin Jie.

  “Ah, yes. I really did not do much of anything. All I did was cry out to Heaven. Any of you would have done the same. All glory belongs to Heaven,” he said.

  “Indeed. Nevertheless, I am very pleased to have you on board and on our side, comrade,” said General Jin. “The Scholars in the court may not understand nor accept it, but having personally experienced the supernatural unfold in the battlefield, your, er… Heaven’s intervention is more important than ever. Even my brother knows this well.”

  Famin Jie and company sat quietly in the belly of the Phoenix Spirit, unsure of the coming future. The fleet slowly sailed through the shimmering waters as Commander Feishen marched his troops back through the plains to return to the capital. Sun Xin grasped his master’s sword in his hand feeling tremendous regret that he could not save him. He did not realize it until now, that he had all along, felt secure knowing that his master was still alive and that he could still seek his counsel. Now that he was gone, Sun Xin felt as a warrior who had been stripped of his armor. He promised in his heart that Master Lo’s death would not be in vain and that through him, his memory would live to continue the mighty legacy of his ancestors. The best way he could honor his master’s memory was to take to heart his teachings and apply them fully. Yet he felt conflicted.

  His thoughts immediately returned to his second duel with Kurr. No matter how many times he recalled the battle, Sun Xin could not fully decipher the chain of events that allowed him to cause the Terukk warrior to flee. Was that what his Master Lo been trying to tell him? Was that the Wu Wei or effortless action of the swordsman? Was that the state of peace and clarity that could only be the reverse of the Swordsman’s Curse? It was completely alien to him, but he still well remembered the brief experience. He had to overcome the curse and apply the Wu Wei of the swordsman to defeat Kurr.

  Zuo Shilong stood alone at the stern of the ship overlooking the blue horizon pondering whether he would be able to find an opportunity to valiantly fight alongside his temple brethren for the defense of their homeland.

  As Buff Baby sharpened the broad, heavy blade of his weapon, he remembered his band of men as they were massacred by a dark horde. He had command of them for many years and forged a powerful bond with them as brothers. Since that fateful day he has not had the chance to grieve. He swore in that moment to honor their memories by exacting his revenge. For every one of my dead comrades, slay a thousand of the sect devils, he thought to himself.

  Jirgal laid down onto a bunk and rested his head upon his arm. He was full of doubt and great worry wondering how he managed to get involved with the affairs of empire. He felt like he was just a “nobody” who was worthy of no one’s attention. He was not even anything like his brave Menggu kin nor was he as wise as the sages of old. He gazed into the palms of his hands wondering if they would ever be capable of performing great deeds or if he himself would be any use to his newfound friends. The old scars on his hands acquired from his past life were already fading away.

  In a private quarter of the vessel, Big Bang worked furiously on new designs and improvements to the military’s weapons. He wanted more than anything to defeat the enemy with the ingenuity of his engineering. He laughed to himself as he fiddled with instruments of geometry and measurement while regularly consulting a copy of the Book of Changes… though he could never really grasp the logic behind the mysticism of divination or the ironies of metaphysics. Behind the seeming insanity and incoherence of Big Bang, whose real name has yet to have been revealed to the company, was perhaps the heart of a true patriot, and a man who honored his word. These six individuals were but the first of many more to be chosen by Heaven. They, through obedience and righteousness, would be able to bring light to extinguish a raging darkness consuming the nations.

  EPILOGUE

  AT THE HEART OF THE bottom of the world, a winged messenger soared over frigid, desolate mountain ranges to reach the capital of the united Terukk nations. With great speed, he navigated the treacherous winds and jagged mountain slopes until the gargantuan castle fortress of the Terukk Overlord came into view in the valley below. Out of the darkness its lights flickered and radiated through the fog and snow. An army of five hundred thousand amassed upon the frozen plain under the shadow of the castle fortress. Many more were on their way. The winged Terukk messenger dove down to its very gates, and ordered the towering guards to immediately allow him passage. The howling winds suddenly became silent as the massive castle doors slammed shut behind him so the only thing that could be heard were the echoes of h
is light-booted footsteps resounding across the marble halls of dark stones. Through the endless hallways and corridors, the winged messenger navigated his way to the highest level of the castle fortress where a large council of Terukk leaders had assembled before their Overlord.

  “Come, Hadrukk, my reliable messenger. What news do you deliver from the world of men?” the Overlord asked with the large and reverberating voice of a giant.

  “My lord,” said Hadrukk. “I bring word from your warrior stationed upon the great Eastern civilization its people call The Middle Kingdom which is currently governed by a native empire called ‘Ming’.” The members of the council remained silent in anticipation of the news he bore. “Our experimentation with the mutant armies has… performed far below our expectations,” Hadrukk gulped as a lump formed in his throat.

  “However do you mean? Speak!” commanded the Overlord with a thunderous voice.

  “Great battles have been fought against them and the mages in command over the field however have been assassinated,” Hadrukk answered. “Our mutant armies have been overrun and defeated. Our prey’s forces have also assembled far faster than we have anticipated. A powerful force works in their favor.”

  “Impossible! The mage priests wield the powers of the ancients! How were they defeated?” he questioned as he stood from his throne. His towering bulk cast a long shadow along the floor.