by Mark Swaine
“Kamui Li, silence yourself... say no more,” says the Emperor.
Say nothing thinks Chung Denshi, rubbing his eyebrows.
“Name the one who has bestowed upon you, that of which we have been denied during all our years of servitude,” groans Minister Dewei, an elderly shaking Priest.
“Emperor Kazuko,” says Yu-Huang.
“You stain the legacy of the Brotherhood with your deceit, and shame these very halls with your undying presence,” says Peng Shi trembling with fury.
“They did not ask of this, this is not of their doing,” says Yu-Huang, amazed at their lack of understanding.
That will not matter to the Brotherhood muses Chung Denshi, rubbing his temples tightly.
“Remove it, remove the spell at once, or we shall do it for you,” demands Minister Pān
“The spell is locked, without the personal incantation that follows the passage encasing the soul within its vessel, I can do nothing. Only he who cast it has the ability to undo it,” replies Yu-Huang.
“Emperor Kazuko, how convenient that he met his demise shortly after bestowing upon the Samurai the spell of immortality,” sneers Minister Jīn
“If you have something to say Priest, say it!” says Kamui Li, tempted to reach for his Katana.
“What difference would it make, you are clearly held in ‘our’ Emperor’s favour above all else, above all who have served him long before you savages arrived! We served him long you arrived here whilst… bringing this Darkness with you,” replies the angry Priest.
“We did not bring the Darkness! We came here to save you from it!” bellows Kamui Li.
“Well done,” replies Peng Shi.
“You shut up!” shouts Kamui Li.
“You speak words that hold no truth; I favour no man above any other. Every mortal in this Empire has a vital role to play. From the men working down in the mountain sewers, to every skilled soldier in the Jade Army,” assures the Emperor. “Chung Denshi, considering the inquisitive nature of your earlier questions, you have hardly said a word since I broke this news. Have you nothing to say regarding this matter?” asks Yu-Huang calmly.
Chung Denshi looks around the table, at each of the faces waiting expectantly for him to race to their cause. His silence and distraught expression provide him genuine empathy from his fellow Priests, and they mistake his reaction for one of disappointment in Emperor Yu-Huang.
“I am not in the least bit surprised Brother Denshi cannot bring himself to speak, for this man has always supported each and every decision you have ever made,” says an old Priest feeling sorry for Brother Denshi. “Brother Denshi, I feel your pain,” says Minister Dewei, rising from his chair to console him.
The elderly Priest takes a long time to shuffle around the table to a secretly cringing Chung Denshi. Minister Dewei pats the grimacing man on the shoulder, and Brother Denshi pats his hand in return with a convincing expression of sorrow, and the old Priest then shuffles for what seems like an eon back to his chair. The group of debaters wait patiently for the course sound of iron on stone to cease as he drags the legs of his chair closer to the table. As the old Priest finally settles in, the innuendo and sly offhand remarks continue.
“Yes Chung Denshi, I too feel your pain,” adds Peng Shi, slyly.
Chung Denshi accepts the unified pity from the various reps of the Brotherhood, for it will do him justice when he is included in their private congregation later this night. As for Peng Shi seeing through his performance, Peng Shi has only been a Minister for three seasons and has not the authority to discredit him. Peng Shi is a minor problem compared to his task at hand, his being 'restoring their faith in their Emperor'. But Chung Denshi has spent enough time with his brothers to know that they will no longer care for the Emperor's ‘hollow words’, not this time, not with Peng Shi stoking the flames. Jealousy and arrogance has already replaced their sacred virtues and taken a firm hold of their delicate pride, and he needs Peng Shi around like an arrow through the head.
The Ministers have already silently branded their Emperor a charlatan, a conniving two faced sneak thief whose words of honour mean as little as the innocent cries from a fox caught red handed in a bloody tattered chicken coop. As for the Samurai, their presence is now an obstacle blocking the way to their birthright, a birthright already endowed upon the savages. But what could they do, the Brotherhood, what could they do, what are they willing to do, just how far are they willing to go… In the name of the Emperor. These are the answers Chung Denshi seeks to discover; and the answers will surely be kept from the Emperor, ‘for his own protection’. Chung Denshi knows he must move swiftly, he only hopes he has created enough evidence to put distance between himself and the Emperor in the eyes of all before him. If his tactics have proved successful, then he will surely be included in any conspiracies against his Emperor and the Samurai. His brothers are all too aware of how much he values his code of morality, and they know exactly where his priorities and loyalties lay, but what they don't know is that Chung Denshi can be just as conniving as they. Chung Denshi loves his misguided brothers, and despises having to spy on them, but due to the severity of some of their grander statements regarding the Emperor’s rule, his efforts to sway them into an alternative course of action is vital. Chung Denshi is as clever and manipulative as his brothers; after all he’d lived his life with the craftiest of individuals. Only he has his own motives, and his motives remain pure. Chung Denshi has always kept his duties simple, service, devotion, loyalty, and would proudly give his life for the Emperor.
He cared not for the luxuries and secrets that would grant him further power; his power is in his reason. And his reason is derived from knowledge of the present, and now it was in his power to forgive, as he has also much desired the gift of unnatural long life. Tis the dream of all men who truly serve the Emperor to stand by his side and guide him when necessary till the end of his existence. Through all the hate and anger he feels at the cast iron table, Yu-Huang begins to sense a compassion emanating from one of the Ministers, like soothing waves in the form of warm light. A gentle light aura shining from within Chung Denshi, just as the Emperor had hoped. Yu-Huang feels the surge of divine energy filling his soul and shuts out the sounds of the yelling Priests whilst processing the divine radiance emanating from his loyal subject. He accepts the good vibrations and identifies the raw power as the very same force contained within his first guardians from when he was a child. Could it be that one of them was actually ready to enter the Tower of Guang and begin their advanced training muses Yu-Huang. There was no hiding his true loyalty from the Emperor now, regardless of the traps Chung Denshi is preparing for any potential traitors. Yu-Huang feels proud that a Minister of the Brotherhood has finally passed the test, the test of loyalty, nobility, sacrifice and forgiveness. Even if Chung Denshi is only one who has passed the test, it gives Yu-Huang hope that more will follow in his footsteps. He can sense the warming sensation of peace within Chung Denshi as the others still struggle to process the devastating and ‘unfair’ news. Being the youngest of the High Priests often made Chung Denshi stick out like a sore thumb, and he rarely ever speaks or behaves like a Minister of the Brotherhood. He has a suave way with words that enables him to interact with commoners in a way his brothers never could. The Minister in his early thirties has a certain charm that allowed him to convey his thoughts in a tranquil yet firm manner appeasing the ears of those who listened. This gift is often wasted in his many attempts to open his brother’s eyes and see the world as the Emperor does, to feel as their fellow mortal men feel. Sometimes he is successful in getting through to the younger members who are initiated into the clergy, but his fellow Ministers undo his good work with their bad influences. Chung Denshi is all too aware that his Emperor would need his loyalty now more than ever, for this ‘latest insult’ has pushed the Ministers of the Brotherhood over the edge. He can already sense in their devious little minds they will attempt something drastic, and he can read their very though
ts, ‘their Emperor continues to deny them their birth right, while these savages, these outsiders flaunt it before their very noses’. The Emperor orders silence once again as the Priests continue their onslaught of degradations at the silent, defenceless and tolerant Samurai, Kamui Li.
They hesitantly stay their tongues and face Yu-Huang, yet dare not look on in anger or voice their true contempt for their Golden Ruler. They had grown sick of his weakness for the people, for his overbearing virtues of patience and humility, for his favourite new pets the honourable Samurai, and now the waning of his divine power and the hypocrisy of his ways.
“Who among you has anything productive to add before I adjourn this congregation? Does any among us have any intelligent questions?” says Yu-Huang, sternly.
There is a numb silence throughout the hall that not even the whistling wind and the groan of wooden rafters dare not break.
“I have a question,” says Peng Shi sternly.
“The Tower of Guang...”
“...ultimately aided in our victory,” says the General cutting in.
“...and continues to be not of your business,” adds the Emperor.
“You have been harbouring this weapon your entire life, a weapon masquerading as a mere tower intended to incite light and peace to those who look upon it from afar,” says Peng Shi.
Peng Shi's words finally ring true to the General, and he can find no fault in his gentle and constructed statement. The Emperor senses the General's anxiety, curiosity, awaiting his reply.
“The Tower of Guang is not a weapon, but a sanctuary, but more than that...‘tis a symbol of peace, a beacon of hope intended to incite light and peace to those who look upon it from afar,” replies Yu-Huang overpoweringly.
“That is all regarding the Tower of Guang,” says the General, accepting the Emperor's reply.
“What will you do now?” asks Chung Denshi, almost afraid to ask.
“I will go to the Liumang prison and seek the counsel of the Black Dragon, then I will journey to the Pits of Guàiwù. If any harm has come to Yeman Ren and the Jade soldier, you will spend the rest of your life in the darkest hole in guided meditation with Wei Li and Ning Tao,” warns Emperor Yu-Huang.
The Ministers gulp at the thought, for their fellow Ministers have not been seen since the day the Samurai first entered the city over two years ago.
"A storm draws close, we must rest here this night, show Master Li and the General to their bed chambers,” commands Yu-Huang.
“With respect, I request leave to tend to my soldiers,” says Kamui Li.
“No, a storm front is moving in, upon sunrise you may see to your duties,” says Yu-Huang dismissively.
All rise from the table and formally bow to one another, and with a flick of their wrists the Ministers crudely gesture to the servants to escort the guests away. Chung Denshi prepares himself for a long night, for he knows his brothers will not go to rest anytime soon, not while there is food and wine galore and much more to discuss in the Emperor’s absence. Kamui Li did not feel comfortable under their keep and would have much preferred to have braved the coming storm and join his brothers in the search for survivors, both Samurai and Jade soldier alike. Kamui Li notices one of his Samurai standing by the entrance of the hall and he gestures him forward to be debriefed.
“The threat of the Undead is over, many Jade soldiers, Samurai, and civilians have died by our own hand, but the infected survivors appear to be making a full recovery from the Undead plague,” says Kamui Li sternly and shakily. “Those not so fortunate to have completely processed the infection, have been released from their suffering. The infected dragons too, have been cleansed of the undead illness, but their wounds require the attention of animal Healers. Many Raiders have been captured, and many of my people, infected Samurai, have been returned to me,” says Kamui Li, formally.
“More Samurai: how well your plan is coming into effect,” snaps Peng Shi.
“I give you all of this information and this is all you care to speak of,” says Kamui Li in disgusted confused tone. “My soldiers, for the sins they have committed against their will, will no longer brand themselves as warriors or men, and no longer care to live,” says Kamui Li, concealing his sorrow for his lost brothers.
“Finally, an encouraging thought,” says Peng Shi, turning away.
“My soldiers...” says Kamui Li in a furiously shaky voice, “my soldiers are being held... in the Liumang prison, in LIUMANG PRISON! ” shouts Kamui Li.
“Master Yu-Huang, calm yourself, I am sure there is a rational explanation. I will see to this matter immediately,” assures the General.
“There is no need, they... their minds could not withstand the torture, they... for you, we did this for you, they gave their lives for you people!?” says Kamui Li, walking adamantly around the table to Peng Shi.
Peng Shi runs behind General Arachie as he stands between the upset Samurai and the cowardly young Minister. With Peng Shi evidently gloating over the General’s shoulder, he keeps a short distance in case the angered Samurai makes it past the barrier of broad shoulders. Kamui Li knows what he must do in order to get past the General, and he looks defiantly at the General before storming from the hall.
“Shall I retrieve him?” asks the General,
“No, allow him to calm,” replies Yu-Huang,
Peng Shi smirks whilst sniggering and General Arachie backhands him hard across the cheek. Peng Shi clutches his burning face and looks stunned at the General.
“Why did you do that?” asks Peng Shi.
“Misconduct,” replies the General plainly.
Peng Shi looks to Yu-Huang, expecting him to intervene on his behalf.
“Are you going to let him do that, he struck me, you saw it with your own eyes,” says Peng Shi with a wobbly chin.
“I am blind, remember,” replies Yu-Huang.
The Emperor nods to General Arachie in approval of his means of discipline and dismisses the Ministers from the hall.
“Not you Minister Denshi, I will have words,” says Yu-Huang, firmly.
“Do not worry my brother, we will await your presence in the in the West Wing, there is much we need to discuss,” says a Minister quietly whilst brushing by him.
“I said leave. General, wait outside there is another matter I wish to discuss with Minister Denshi, then I have another matter to discuss with you,” says Yu-Huang.
The doors slam behind Chung Denshi and the Emperor, containing the tense atmospheric aftermath of the lengthy meeting within the hall. The Ministers give Kamui Li the hard shoulder as they cross paths on the groaning stairwell, and the unwelcome guest is guided up a labyrinth of narrow staircases by Anming. The repetition of creaking wooden steps with nothing but the wall mounted torches to guide his sight almost makes him shudder as he experiences an unpleasant feeling of déjà vu. Eventually he is shown to a domicile at the end of a corridor and is bid goodnight by the friendly maid. Kamui Li drops his sack of belongings onto the wooden floor and looks around. The room is minute and neat with a tilted roof leading to a tiny terrace overlooking the moors. Kamui Li fills a tankard with a pot of wine left on a bedside table and fills his pipe with shredded tobacco. He moves aside the heavy cow hide flap covering the entrance and steps onto the triangular balcony. Looking out to the blustery night, the dried leaves in his pipe fizzle and glow to illuminate his face of deep thoughts. The heavy clouds move in, containing rumbling and dim flashes of light. Emperor Yu-Huang was right, a storm is near, and will in fact reach them this very night. Outside the castle where the Jade soldiers stand guard, General Arachie storms down the steps and marches to his horse. Liu Chan bows to his Uncle the General as he brings him his horse. The General pushes Liu Chan to one side and adamantly mounts his horse. Liu Chan looks puzzled as he looks at the General's furious expression.
“Out of my way, ‘Captain’,” says the General crossly.
“Oh good, the Emperor has informed you of our arrangement. We begin training at fir
st light,” says Liu Chan suddenly understanding his rage. “I'll expect you bright and early in the training ground at sunrise,” commands Captain Liu Chan.
“I am still your General boy, never will you go above my authority again,” growls the General before furiously racing off.
“Do not be late...and bring lemon slices, I like lemon slices,” shouts Liu Chan with a cocky smile.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Earlier, in the Huīsè de Cǎo (Grey Grass) village.
As dark clouds roll over the mountainous grey peaks, drops of rain begin to fall on the groups of Jade soldiers hauling the cleaved and decapitated bodies onto large burning heaps by the side of the village pass. Inside the ruined healing hut, the wounded moan and flail in their beds as the thatched floor runs red with blood. Xiaojian, the only experienced healer left alive, manages her attendees as they treat the endless surge of wounded all while trying to keep her patient alive.
“Where have they taken Yeman Ren and Shaozu?” groans Akio as he wakes on a bloody table stripped of his upper armour.
