Chapter 228

Chapter 228

Watching the battle unfold, Yo Ling was filled with bitter disappointment. Pushed back by riffraff and guardsmen, his Butchers lacked the skills and determination required to become an all-conquering army. Jianghong was an utter failure, unable to hold back his opponents for even a handful of minutes, the enemy now pressing in from the rear. Even his Transcendents were a disappointment, still unable to dispatch their outnumbered foes. A half hour of combat might not seem like much, but he knew how exhausting it could be, but still the enemy clung to life. Lei Gong continued firing bolts of lightning, seemingly a bottomless pit of Chi as the battle wore on, a formidable opponent. The other Azure Ascendants were only marginally less impressive, each one holding their own, battered but unbroken. After careful study, Yo Ling marked the woman as the most dangerous opponent, holding her own against his most powerful Transcendent.

Elemental bolts from jewelled rings, disruptive arrays from jade tablets, exploding talismans engraved in discs of gold, the Tyrant Ouyang Yuhuan carried enough Runic items to beggar even the richest of noble families. He knew a little of the craft, sharing similarities to the armour hed crafted for Gen and his Captains. Many of her tools were one-use items, cherished by the world at large as live-saving measures, yet she tossed them about like grains of rice at a wedding. A runic craftsman, how exceptionally rare, whoever the Azure Ascendant was, his pockets ran deeper than expected, able to not only tempt her to work at his side, but supply all the precious materials she needed to work. Worst of all, the Tyrant had yet to go all out, clutching an unremarkable iron rod in hand that screamed of danger.New novel chapters are published on

That little prize was reserved for Yo Ling, this much he could tell. Wary of her tricks, he stood and watched the battle unfold, giving orders when necessary but taking no other actions. There was no need for him to act, victory was within his grasp no matter how they struggled. The Ascendants and Transcendents were deadlocked for now, but these were mere mortals fighting against power given form. Tireless and eternal, the Transcendents chipped away at their opponents bit by bit, every passing minute bringing them closer to victory. Once the five Ascendants were taken care of, preferably captured and subjected to Gens gifts, Yo Ling would be free to act.

Hed start by killing the damnable Jorani and his two companions. Two mutts and a rat, such a prickly thorn in his side. Their skills were mediocre at best, though the large dogs strength was to be commended and the rat showed promise. The issue was their Runic Armour, rendering them all but invulnerable to any but the strongest of foes. One such warrior alone might not matter, but three working in tandem? Much easier to kill than to defend, doubly so when your opponent holds nothing back. A disgrace, if hed not lost so many Captains to sheer stupidity and happenstance, these three pawns would have long since been dealt with.

Danger Approaches.

The messaged echoed in Yo Lings skull, sending pain lancing through is body. Hiding it well, he answered, What danger? The rod? Ive marked it.

Not You.

That caught him off guard, his confident visage slipping. What could threaten you? He regretted the question even as he asked it. The Venerated Ones made his Transcendents seem like harmless puppies in comparison. He shuddered at the thought of facing anything they deemed dangerous.

The Devourer. Kill Him.

How could Falling Rain pose a danger to them? Hes but a child, easily dealt with. Was it possible for the boy to devour the Venerated Ones? If so, then the boy could not be allowed to grow.

Other Threats. Territory Lord Returned, Others Hidden, Watching.

Panic set in, Yo Lings dreams of victory slipping away. Of all the cursed luck... They wont act, will they? Can you hold against them?

Possible. Will Not Lose. Difficult To Win. Our Presence Exposed, Treaty In Play. Victory Or Defeat Rests In Your Hands. Waited Too Long.

Their piece said, their presence faded from Yo Lings mind, leaving him reeling in their absence. He'd lost his final trump card, but they were always a last resort. He wanted to rule over a working city, not ruins like Shen Mu. Still, the Territory Lords presence was disturbing. If he or she broke the treaty and acted, then all of Yo Lings carefully laid plans were for naught. Small consolation the Venerated Ones would be free to respond, if the Territory Lord acted first, Yo Ling would undoubtedly already be dead.

Calming his nerves, he sent the Spirits searching for Falling Rain while contacting his allies and commanding them to act. No more theatrics, it was time to put an end to this farce. Nightfall was only a few hours away, and by then Yo Ling would either have control of the entire city or be dead in a pile of rubble.

Either way, after tonight, Sanshu would forever be changed.

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Hello Darkness, my old friend...

Suppressing the maudlin little tune which springs to mind, I study my surroundings before making a move. Nothing but bleak desolation lies before me, the void encompassing the world around. Though it seems likes an unending emptiness as far as I can see, I notice jagged peaks and uneven valleys forming and breaking away in the corner my eyes, the land itself in constant flux yet perpetually still when focused upon. An uneasy thrum pulses through the air and the shifting shadows fill me with nauseating apprehension, this world somehow both alien and familiar, but wholly uninviting. Though exhaustion weighs heavily upon my shoulders, the thought of rest never crosses my mind, instinctively recognizing the inherent danger permeating my situation.

Is this inside my mind or Beis? It cant be mine, Blobby took care of my Spectre problem and I dont see Baledagh anywhere. The thrill of battle draining away, I find myself lucid and calm, though far from unconcerned. I wholeheartedly regret coming here on impulse. What was I thinking? How am I supposed to save Bei's soul from eternal torment at the hands of Spectres? How do I keep getting myself into situations like this?

Relax. Youve done this before, way back when I pulled Dagen out of his mental prison, and again to save Baledagh. No idea how I'm doing it, but I guess there's something about my Demon-adjacent existence which lets me hop into minds.

Sensing a dark presence, I leap between Bei and the door as it explodes open, showering me with debris. A twisted abomination tackles me but despite its hulking form, It has no substance, no mass, light as a feather and thrown back without effort. A mishmash of bestial limbs and bulging muscles, the creature snarls with Gens face, covered in chains and wounds as it tries to pierce through my Aura. Its voice chimes with the discordant harmony of a thousand tongues as it screams, No! You cannot have her! We have claimed her for our own! Thief! Usurper!

I reject you, comes Beis voice from behind, filled with conviction and purpose. I accept my sins for what they are and face my punishment with head held high. Her voice cracks every so slightly as she adds, I killed my papa, my hands held the knife. I know this and accept whatever will come of it, all the guilt and pain I deserve. Ill not be your puppet any longer.

The Spectres wail and screech at her dismissal, no longer speaking in harmony. A thousand tongues speak a thousand different things, screaming of punishment and promises, salvation and suffering, but not for long. Bursting through the void, a torrent of water streams in and washes over the abomination, its face twisting in fear as it dissolves beneath Blobbys merciless onslaught, the malevolent spirits purified into a mass of clean, untainted energy.

The hut fades away and Im left in the void, turning to watch as Bei floats in the waters, dissolving away with a wistful smile on her face. Wait, Blobby, leave her alone!

Ignoring my command, it continues rendering Bei into nothingness. Thank you for freeing me, she says, even as her body breaks apart, her eyes no longer pleading and pained, but relaxed and accepting. Without another word, she leans back into the water and fades away into nothingness.

And like that, Bei is gone.

Settling in around me, Blobby radiates lazy satisfaction and a sensation of comfort and safety. Pleased with the meal, its ready for a nap back home, gluttony and sloth personified. The void shudders as it crumbles around me, darkness falling away to reveal oblivion, visually the same yet markedly different in a way I cant explain, yet shakes me to the core.

Lot of that going around lately. What the fuck just happened? How do I get home?

This time, the answer comes from Peace, not Blobby, the steps needed to return home appearing in my mind. It seems Ive become a magnet for quasi-sentient inanimate objects, but this is no time to complain. Taking the purified Spectres in hand, I channel my Chi and swing Peace, piercing the void. Stepping through the gaping wound, I appear next to Baledagh, safe and sound inside my personal mental plane. Drained and exhausted, I take a portion of the purified Spectres for myself before giving the rest to Baledagh, watching as its absorbed through his skin like water in the desert.

Seeing no reaction from him, I will myself back to consciousness. Coming to with a pained gasp, my body feels as if it's on fire, and I instinctively channel my newly acquired energy to heal, falling back on old tricks to block out the pain. Ignore it, accept it, its a part of you now. Breath in, and out. The world comes into focus and I see Mila leaning over me, her tearful smile a sight to behold with the clear blue sky behind her, clasping my surprisingly healthy-looking left hand with both her own. Idiot, she says, sobbing with relief. What were you thinking, taking on a Demon like that?

Wasnt, I answer, my voice raw. Sorry.

Kissing my fingers, she watches me with eyes filled with pride. You saved Tursinai, you know? She would have died if it wasnt for you. The Demon came out of nowhere, striking in tandem with a bolt of fire. You killed it, Rain, you killed a Demon!

Good, good. Quickly checking my injuries, I tally the cost of saving Bei. My right hand is still there, but only barely, while my legs and torso are slightly better off. Horrendous burns cover over half my body, but thanks to a healer, theres no immediate risk of dying. The pain might soon make me wish otherwise, but I cant heal myself while sleeping, so Ive no choice but to endure.

Worth it.

Mila continues rambling on, explaining everything I missed. You've been out of it for some time now. We drove back Mao Jianghongs traitors and pushed into the marketplace. The Magistrates forces arrived shortly after, pinning the Defiled in from three sides. They have nowhere to go, so victory is all but assured. Flashing me a bright smile, Mila adds, You rest and heal up love, leave the clean up to others to deal with.

Will do. Even as I speak the words, a loud whistling grabs my attention. Arcing overhead, a greyish projectile soars through the air, followed by a massive explosion, the ground shaking beneath me.

Holy shit, is the Coalition using oil? That's fucking insane.

Wait...

Oh no...

Turning to Li Song, Mila hisses, Bring the quins. Were leaving. Bustling about, Mila hurriedly prepares me for transport, her jaw set and eyes burning with anger and determination. No wonder Yo Ling dared attack Sanshu with so few soldiers, it was all a distraction so the Coalition could deal with its rivals. Sanshu is finished. Lifting me in her arms, my body is wracked with agony and I pass out from the pain.

I knew having random mercenaries show up out of nowhere was too good to be true.

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