Clash of Alliances

by Pierre Dimaculangan

  ​Master Lo’s sword was slung across his lower back, hanging right above his own. He unsheathed it from its deep red scabbard and observed its form. It was old but well-balanced and had been visibly handled with great care. The sword was rather plain. It sported no ornate designs or engravings save for a flower on the guard, and a nicely molded pommel for good balance. The blade had even lost some its luster but he could still feel the smoothness of its craftsmanship as he ran two fingers across its length. Despite its ordinary appearance, there was no sign of damage. Not even a chip could be found after so many years. He lightly tapped the blade and it cut the tip of his finger. “You were humble in every way, Master, right down to your very tools,” Xin whispered as he sucked the blood droplet from his fingertip. “Perhaps too humble.”

  ​Sun Xin gripped the sword and returned it to its scabbard. He swallowed his sadness, buried his grief, and channeled it into useful hatred like he had always done. “I will avenge you, Master. Your name will be the last thing he hears over the sound of his dying breath.”

  ​The distant memories of his family’s death still flashed behind his closed eyes. Some nights he would awaken with great rage, reliving the events of that fateful day.

  ​ “Revenge” was a funny word but it was easily justified by calling it “justice” or “punishment”, but the only person he was really hurting in the end was himself. His targets and victims were all dead but he only continued to struggle with his thoughts and feelings. Of course, he was in denial about that as well. He hated that Pale Foreigner Kurr, and his hatred would make killing him tremendously more satisfying… he could not care less about the cost. He will deal with the damning consequences of the Swordsman’s Curse later.

  ​That other metaphysical phenomenon that had found its way into his very being was profoundly different from the Swordsman’s Curse. It did not surge through his body as raw energy but instead flowed through him like water seeking the lowest possible point. Inexplicable as it was, Sun Xin could not deny that its profundity was far more powerful than the ever-so-familiar Curse, albeit in an unexpected way.

  ​Whatever it was that had caused Kurr to flee, it left the Pale Foreigner unable to provide an answer for the effortlessness of his attack. The mysterious sage Famin Jie had attributed it to the “enabling of Heaven” and called it effortless action. It had succeeded where the Swordsman’s Curse had nearly cost him his life. Only time will reveal its secrets and he would have discover them sooner or later. He hoped to learn how to summon the ability whenever he chose.

  ​Sun Xin unsheathed his own trusted sword for a good polish and closely examined its glimmering texture. A hairline crack and two miniscule nicks along the blade had already appeared where there was once only a frosty edge. He had used Martial Scholar Zhen Shu’s renowned steel to break many weapons, including other legendary swords, but with Kurr’s enchanted black blade, it had taken its first noticeable damage. He tilted his head trying to recall his battles with the snow-skinned foreigner. The warrior was vastly different and far more powerful than all the others he had faced over the years, but his hatred for him far outweighed his curiosity. Xin’s eyes narrowed and he smiled under his scarf as he imagined the killing blow landing into his opponent’s body. He was highly anticipating the moment. There was so much that had learned much from their previous encounters. Kurr had proven to be the strongest opponent he had ever faced and was in fact, his first true archenemy.

  ​Such thoughts occupied his mind in the early morning hours in the vast capital city where he observed the rising sun from the rooftops. But even there he could no longer find rest for his weary mind. Maybe, just maybe, that sage Famin Jie was on to something—something he knew to be much higher than himself, the Martial Scholars, and the emperor. He leapt to the ground to patrol the winding city streets where he pushed through the thickening crowds of people preparing to go about their day. Every passing city block, he could hear the citizens anxiously discussing their fears about the Terukk and what they could possibly be planning next.

  ​“It’s the end of the world. There’s nowhere to run!” they cried from the upper balconies.

  ​Others were more confident about the situation.

  ​“The Ming Army is the greatest in the world. No barbarian foreigners are a match. If we can oust the Menggu, we can oust anyone!” the men at the nearby shop exclaimed. Sun Xin was himself unsure of the future. He could only hope that he could do his part in preventing the deaths of countless innocents. The war would allow him to both save and take more lives than he ever had as a drifter or as an agent for the Martial Scholars. Sun Xin wandered about the city’s endless streets to take in the sights, sounds, and the smells to ease his mind, but an atmosphere of anxiety and apprehension had already spread throughout the city streets and the people had lost a skip in their step…

  ​Later that day, the core members of the League of Martial Scholars convened with Sun Xin to discuss the seemingly impossible operation. The glare of focus was stronger than ever in Sun Xin’s eyes; whenever he spoke, his steely tone earned him the respect of even the highest of society’s gentry. It was evident that he was already mentally prepared more than anything else.

  ​“The congregation of rebels from the Underworld which I had seen converged in the forest valley between the Wudang and Shaoshi mountains—less than a week away on foot. A small army should not be hard to locate… but I doubt they will remain stationary, and I will not find answers there. At this point they would have moved on. I have a ‘friend’ who frequents the remote regions of the Central and Northern provinces.” Xin pointed to a location further West on the map. “The man is a master tracker, survivalist, and man-hunter. Nothing happens in the wilds without his knowing. I am the only one to whom he has passed his secrets so… I trust him and he trusts me. His familiarity with the happenings of the Underworld would be invaluable, but he never stays in one place for more than a week. If I can track him down, he can provide invaluable information and perhaps identify the army I beheld.”

  ​ “Do this swiftly and be certain about it. There is very little time for preparation as it is and our resources are already spread thin. The sooner we know what the enemy is planning, the faster we can respond appropriately. The people must be preserved,” said Lu Guanying to the rest of the Martial Scholar council.

  ​Sun Xin was no stranger to quests and ‘adventures’. He had spent much of the last ten years fulfilling the multiple roles of assassin, spy, saboteur, and even as an honorary prefect. There was not much he had not already seen and even less that would be cause for surprise. This campaign was different, however. Xin knew it and it nagged at him like a restless anxiety. After all, there had never been such a time in the history such as this.

  ​It was in such a circumstance that Xin most remembered his Master Lo and is reminded of his profound teachings. He greatly missed him and he felt extremely guilty and regretful for having treated him the way he did. He swore to honor his Master’s memory by avenging his death. There was no time for reminiscing. Sun Xin proceeded to make preparations for his departure.

  ​“I need a five-man strike team of your best Academicians, Headmaster. I don’t usually ask for company, but given the uniqueness of our situation, some reliable support could be most helpful. Extra sets of eyes and ears couldn’t hurt,” Sun Xin said to the Lu Guanying.

  ​“I know the utmost importance of your mission, comrade, but regrettably all the Academicians present in this city are tasked with guard duty and are now spread thin. Even with the arrival of reinforcements, we barely have enough to securely guard and patrol the palace. I have already made contact with our West Academician Bureau to reinforce us with a company of one hundred twelve, but they have yet to arrive. Our other Academician stations have squads already occupied with the usual operations in the other cities.” He paused for a moment. “The best I can do for you is two agents.” He winced, regretting that he could not provide him with a full team. “I can promise
that they are some of the most skilled and experienced within the Academician brotherhood.”

  ​“They will have to do.” Sun Xin was willing to accept any help he could get until Famin Jie approached them and offered his salutations.

  ​“Good to see you are well, Headmaster. I came to extend my best wishes to the Wanderer. My prayers go with you,” he said as he redirected his gaze to Xin. “A great responsibility has been laid upon your shoulders and it seems that victory on the home front depends on your success. How do you feel about this?” Famin Jie asked.

  ​“This is what I was born to do, Sage. It’s destiny that I now embark on this quest. I think only of the mission and what needs to be done in the time I have been given. The greater repercussions can worry for themselves after the deed has been done,” replied Xin.

  ​“An interesting policy,” said Famin Jie. “A spiritual battle must be fought in spirit. This conflict we now face is as much as a spiritual battle as it is a physical one.”

  ​“So… how do I succeed in the spiritual fight?” Xin asked.

  ​“Deal with the darkness within yourself just as your master had instructed. Remember what he told you before he passed,” Famin answered. “You cannot do this on your own. You must call upon Heaven and live in the Way.” Sun Xin merely glanced at him wishing he could agree with the sage’s spiritual rhetoric.

  ​Lu Guanying casually cleared his throat, trying not to react to his old-fashioned religious dispositions.

  ​“I sincerely hope I can understand mysterious wisdom one day, friend. For now, it is cunning and some cold, hard steel that will grant us the victory we seek,” Xin replied tersely.

  ​“I pray that you understand this truth before dire circumstances force it upon you… Anyhow, I have also overheard that you are in need of some companions. Since only two are available, I was wondering if you were willing to include three others on your journey,” smiled Famin Jie. As if on cue, Jirgal, Buff Baby and Zuo Shilong approached them from the stairs. They walked to Famin Jie and wore curious looks on their faces.

  ​“It is very good to see you again, comrades,” Xin said as he nodded and saluted them with fist in hand. He redirected his gaze at Famin Jie. “I am not accustomed to having much company when I go abroad, but they are good fighters. I will be glad to accommodate them on the journey.”

  ​“Don’t worry. I promise they will be more of a blessing than a burden on this most important mission,” Famin Jie assured him. He placed unusual faith in the trio despite not having known them for long… and despite the fact one of them was an outlaw.

  ​“As long as they can keep up, I am sure we will have no issues.”

  ​“Ha! I’ve lived my life on the move for years. I did not accumulate a large following for no reason. I will follow you and honor my fallen comrades through this mission,” Buff Baby declared. Even as his head hung low remembering his fallen gang, he still towered over everyone present.

  ​“I’m happy to go with you as long as I can get going. I’m becoming very bored in this palace. There’s always a restriction on what I can and cannot do and where I can go. Very tiresome,” Jirgal expressed.

  ​“I would like to second that,” said Zuo Shilong.

  ​Preparations for departure were underway as the two Martial Academicians approached Sun Xin. They wore the trademark Academician robes of light gray and white, lightly armored with spaulders, bracers, and studded cuirasses of thick hardened leather. Each one carried a bow slung across their backs and a quiver full of arrows strapped their hips. Bladed weapons encased in ornate scabbards dangled from their waist straps. They approached Sun Xin to salute him.

  ​“It’s an honor to accompany you, Sword Master,” said Wen Xiao as she saluted him. “I was with you in the battle on Liaodong Peninsula. It’s a privilege to fight alongside you again.”

  ​Sun Xin nodded and returned the salute.

  ​To Buff Baby and Zuo Shilong, Lu Guanying presented to them the cuirass piece of the Martial Scholars’ armor. It covered the torso and sported tassets that covered their upper legs.

  ​“On behalf of the League of Martial Scholars, I would like to thank you for your invaluable contributions to the battle. Accept these as gifts to express our gratitude. They may be light but they will do well to protect you in close quarters. They will also not slow your movements,” said Lu Guanying.

  ​“There’s not much breathing room in this thing,” said Buff Baby as he attempted to slip into the cuirass. His massive pectorals bulged out from underneath the armor, stretching the cordage that wove the armor pieces together.

  ​“I’m afraid that is the largest size we have in stock,” said Lu Guanying as he shrugged.

  ​“Hey, you are right. It is light. I like it very much!” said Zuo Shilong excitedly as he walked around while flexing and stretching in the armor. He grinned from ear to ear, no longer concerned that the armor would slow his movements. “I wish I had this when that knife-wielding maniac tried to mug me several weeks ago. Who on earth tries to mug a poor monk carrying one small satchel??” he questioned aloud.

  ​“A knife-wielding maniac, obviously, pffft,” Jirgal quipped as he gingerly adjusted the armor’s fitting.

  ​“You, Jirgal, are a cheeky little grunt,” the Shaolin monk said pointing two fingers at him. Jirgal returned the gesture with a sarcastic grin. Xin shook his head.

  ​I am taking children with me on the most important mission of my career, he thought. He could not complain that they were not all Martial Academicians. He knew that an assignment such as the one before him was unique. The additional eyes and ears could prove more useful than detrimental. They have, after all, proven themselves useful on the battlefield. Times were different now as well. Multiple bounties from the Underworld had been placed upon his head.

  ​“There is one other thing. Our ally Big Bang has expressed his desire to join you on your trip,” said Lu Guanying hesitantly. “You may see him on your way out… or hear him coming from afar. Well, I bid you good fortune and ample luck. Be careful, comrade. I will look forward to your return.”

  ​“Farewell, Headmaster. There is no such thing as luck. Only skill, some steel, and all the right choices win battles.”

  ​Before they departed, Famin Jie imparted some words of wisdom to the company but not before hearing the team’s complaints.

  ​“Mentor, I am not so sure it would be a good idea for me to be traveling with him!” exclaimed Zuo Shilong as he pointed at Buff Baby with two fingers. Buff Baby laughed in mockery.

  ​“Don’t worry, monk. I’ll restrain myself from wringing your neck if you get on my nerves,” he said as he wiped his nose.

  ​Zuo Shilong merely face-palmed and massaged his forehead. “See, that is what I mean.”

  ​“This experience would be very good for the both of you. You will enter this mission as bitter rivals but you will come out of it as brothers. Stay out of trouble, follow closely, and listen carefully to instruction. I also beseech you to not act foolishly in search of heroism,” Famin Jie instructed to them.

  ​“Mentor, I have become greatly accustomed to your presence while on the road. To be honest, I feel, well, afraid to venture without your calm and reassuring presence,” expressed Zuo Shilong.

  ​Famin Jie pulled him away from the group for a private word. “Let me tell you, my friend. Having you and the others for company was a great blessing, but this journey is something you all must undertake together. My being with you makes no difference. I am but a man. I fail, I make mistakes, get anxious, angry and even fearful just like everyone else. You mustn’t put your trust in men, but the One above the earth and all the spirits.”

  ​To Jirgal the lowly Menggu tradesman, he imparted some words. “You, my friend are more precious than gold. You have a good heart and great things are in store for you. Keep your head up. You are worth more than you know. Do not mind that you are not a great warrior for it is the meek and the humble that are lifted up and
exalted above all others.”

  ​“Thanks… I think. I do wish you could come with us. If one of those big monsters attacks us again, you won’t be there to tell it to sod off,” said Jirgal.

  ​“The beast fled not because of anything I did, but because of that for which I stood. With faith, even you could be enabled to perform such feats. For now, my place is in the court with the emperor, the good scholars and the civil servants. There is a battle being waged here, though we do not see it. Besides, I have yet to recover from our epic journey from the South. The swelling in my feet has yet to subside,” Famin Jie chuckled and winked. He turned to face Sun Xin and he looked at him with a sort of pride that Xin had only ever received from Master Lo many years ago.

  ​“This task that has been placed on your shoulders is a very heavy one, my friend. Your own strength can fail you, but Heaven never fails,” he said. “You mustn’t find your strength from within for I am quite certain you will encounter much more than you will expect.” He leaned closer to whisper in his ear. “The supernatural is emerging and you will notice a sharp increase in its frequency. There is more to this conflict than meets the eye.”

  ​“I can’t say that I doubt that. I have seen a thing or two these past couple of weeks – things that have surprised even me,” Sun Xin commented.

  ​Famin Jie provided the team with a generous supply of herbs for any injury or ailment. “You may encounter many unexpected troubles in the journey ahead. These medicines are the least I can give. Take good care of each other, friends.”