Chapter 249

Chapter 249

After finishing the ceremony without a hitch, I hurry out the cavern to escape everyones reverent gazes. Thanks and praises follow me as I leave the former slaves to rest their overtaxed bodies and recover from their horrific ordeals. Though theyll remain hidden for now, after we leave theyll be given free reign of the island, albeit under the watchful eyes of Gerels hand-picked Sentinels. Grateful as Yo Lings workforce might seem, I cant risk them getting loose and spreading word of our newfound wealth. Still, seeing their joyous expressions filled with hope and serenity made it all worthwhile. Its nice saving lives without killing anyone. There's been too much fighting lately, Ive almost grown indifferent to the bloodshed. Im a little surprised everyone survived the cleansing process. Seeing their gaunt frames and sickly appearances, I was worried theyd crash and die the second I removed the Spectres influence, but it seems the citizens of Sanshu are made of hardy stock.

Either way, theyre all alive and well, eighty-seven souls saved from a life of slavery followed by eternal torment in the afterlife. Good feelings aside, the reward was well worth it. After absorbing a quarter of the Spectral remains, Baledagh claimed he couldnt absorb anymore and returned to his room in the void, leaving the rest for me. Im not gonna be polite and decline, but in a rare moment of foresight, I left my experiments for another time, just in case something unexpected happens. The energy isnt going anywhere and even though Baledagh hasnt had any adverse effects, Ive only taken in a small portion of Spectral remains when I was drained and exhausted. Im not sure how well my... soul, for lack of a better word, will handle the large influx of energy, so caution seems appropriate. Id hate to slip onto the dark side or explode or something.

Not far from from the cavern entrance, I find Lin fast asleep on the stony floor. Lifting my sweet little wifey into my arms, she comes awake with a cute yawn and nuzzles against my chest. Hi hubby, she murmurs, her eyes still closed. Howd everything go? While filling her in on all the relevant details, BoShui and Dastan catch up, jostling at my elbows like a pair of overeager dogs. Having my personal space invaded by two sweaty, muscular men is not my idea of fun, the whole matter made worse by the burning adoration in their eyes. Thankfully, theyre content to bask in my presence without a word, silently listening as I chat with Lin and smile at her adorable responses.

You showed Blobby to BoShui?! No fair, show me, show me!

Whered it go hubby? I wasnt gonna drink it, I just wanna know what it tastes like. Bring it back out, ya?

Yay! Were rich! Dont give it all to Nai-Nai either, give some gifts to Daddy and Baa-Baa too.

Weve been over this before Rainy, youre too kind, always helping strangers. Are you gonna support them for the rest of their lives? Enough adventures, stay home where its nice and safe, ya?

Okay, so not everything she says is adorable and heartwarming. Though she means well, Lin is a product of her environment, capable of being... pragmatic when the situation demands it. Knowing Im only placating her, she puffs her cheeks and pouts while BoShui leaps in to join the conversation. Its not possible, Lady Mei Lin, he says, panting to keep up with our pace. How can your betrothed live such a simple life? Falling Rain is a man destined for greatness. With the Mother's blessings, he will cleanse the Empire of corruption in one fell swoop. Turning and bowing while we walk, he adds, Please, accept this lowly one as your retainer, I will serve you with all my heart.

Dastan snorts in contempt and answers in my place. You think too highly of yourself. As a mere Han successor, what qualifications do you have to stand at my Masters side? He is a phoenix among chickens and a dragon among men. Once he reveals his prowess, all devout warriors of the Empire will flock to his side and pledge their lives in service to his cause.

Stop. They've got a strange, childish rivalry going on, and I don't like it. Ill do what I can provided my secret remains hidden, but I have no intention of cleansing the Empire or revealing my gifts. Im gonna go home, open a school slash orphanage, study healing, raise my pets, and wait for all this newfangled fame to die down before doing absolutely nothing.

Putting aside their new-born rivalry, Dastan and BoShui join voices to ask, What?! Why?

Stifling a laugh at their mutual exchanged glares of annoyance, I answer, Because treasuring a jade is a crime. Blobby is the source of all my purifying powers and I, merely its vessel. I'm starting to regret giving it such a silly name but its too late to change it now. Itd be naive to think no one will try and steal it from me. Jokes on them if they do try, Baledaghs doing all the work. Then again, wed probably be dead before they find out, so maybe the jokes on us. Forestalling Dastan and BoShuis arguments, I continue over their protests. Its possible the Emperor or devout warriors will come protect me, but its more likely theyll decide Blobby would be better off in someone elses hands. Like their own. Its not worth the hassle.

But you must reveal your abilities for the betterment of the world! You are blessed by the Mother, the people will flock to your side to take a stand against tyranny.

I will lead the Han Clan to be your sword and shield. If one assassin comes, then one assassin will die. If two come, then two die. Even if the Emperor himself comes to take your life, then we will overthrow him in bloody revolution!

Youre both idiots, I retort. Stand against tyranny? Bloody revolution? You know not the heights of heaven or the depths of hell. Im one person, easily killed or controlled, and then what? Everything goes back to the way things are, while we become a footnote in the annals of history or worse.

Praise the Mother, Gerel chimes in from the back. Youre not a complete moron after all.

Hmph. The Guard Leader snorts. The idle fancies of fools and children.

I snort back, having learned from the best. We do all sorts of weird and unbelievable things that only seem normal only because someone took a fancy to something thousands of years ago. Think about it, we cook food because someone took a fancy to fire. We ride horses because someone fancied the animals. We wear silk because someone saw a cocoon and thought I should make a dress out of that. Dreams are what separate humans from beasts.

Pausing in my rant, I realize everyone is staring as if Ive grown a second head. Lin is the first to speak up, examining her silk sleeves. Hubby... is that really where silk comes from?

Yea. Are things different here?

Yucky. What kinda cocoons?

I shrug. Silkworms, I guess? I dunno, theyre like caterpillars or something. After they turn into cocoons but before they become butterflies or moths or whatever, you boil them and harvest the threads. Isn't this common knowledge?

Lin giggles. Silly Rainy, only descendants of the Royal Family know how silk is made, its one of the best kept secrets in the Empire. If youre right and we produce our own silk, well either be rich or branded as thieves and traitors.

... Oh. Oops. See, that proves my point, theres too much wealth and power concentrated in the hands of the nobles. Shutting my mouth, I hasten my steps, hurrying towards the surface. Thankfully, no one asks how I know what I know, since my customary excuse of read it in a book probably wont work this time.

Whatever. Its not important. During my rant, I came to an epiphany. I arrived in this world a slave and was lucky enough to escape my fate. Since then, all Ive done is survive, going with the flow while trying not to make waves. Thats obviously not working so I might as well try something new, while paying it forward. Ive always wondered why Im here. Maybe it was divine intervention to save Baledagh or maybe just a random twist of fate. Hell, maybe Im crazy and my memories are the product of a ravaged mind, but either way, its time I did something with them. I want to contribute to the world, not for fame or glory, but to make a difference in people's lives, even if only a select few.

Things won't change too much for me, personally. I cant give up on the Martial Path, because strength of arms is all but required to live in this era. The world is too fixated on martial prowess, as even Magistrates need strength to hold their positions. Its ass backwards, what does managing a city have in common with swinging a sword? Whatever, I won't give up on learning Healing either, because Im terrified of dying or losing loved ones. This means Ill be relying on Diyakos brain trust and spending my newfound wealth to figure out how to make my half-baked ideas a reality. If theyre successful, others will try and copy me by gathering their own academics and scholars to research new, innovative ideas. Once I get the ball rolling, I can leave the rest to greed and fate.

The school/orphanage is another way for me to make a difference without working too hard. Its won't just be giving food and shelter to kids, but educating them and giving them the skills necessary to survive. If I instill an academic mindset into a mere handful of young minds, then that's a bonus. Maybe theyll go on to do great things, or maybe theyll live a life of mediocrity, but either way, I'll have done my part. Better yet, I should talk to Yuzhen about opening state schools in every city of the North. I can paint it as a way for the Empire to nurture young talents beholden to the Empire itself, using the People's system as an example. Shes a smart woman, shell see the benefits, Im sure of it.

It all sounds easy, but it take years, maybe even lifetimes before progress is made, not to mention some out of the box thinking and a metric shit-tonne of luck. Still, I might as well give it a shot. At worst, I spend my fortune for nothing, but easy come easy go. I can always earn more money. Maybe Ill die along the way and nothing changes in the long run, but if I dont even try, Ill always be wondering what if?. Thats no way to live a second life.

Besides, Im tired of shitting into buckets and emptying them in the forest. Id love it if indoor toilets became a thing, but maybe Im setting the bar too high.

You never cherish what you have until its too late.

Chapter Meme

- End of Volume 13 -