Chapter 288

Chapter 288

Trapped in the confines of her borrowed carriage, Sarnai passed the time in deep meditation, immersed within her Natal Palace to practice her skills. Initially, she shied away from the void after having spent months lost in the darkness. She worried she might slip back into another period of unresponsive unconsciousness, but after a week of suffering inside this abominable, bouncing box of death, she longed for the sweet relief of peaceful oblivion.

Sensing enough time had passed, Sarnai opened her eyes to a stationary carriage and listened to the bustle of soldiers and servants carrying on around her. Gingerly stretching her aching limbs, she sighed at the sight of her wrinkled hands and pouted as she donned her veil and gloves. In recent times, shed come to dread going out in public with her husband. She loved him more than life itself, but it pained her to see people's reactions once they learned she wasnt Baatars mother, but his wife. It ran the gamut from morbid curiosity to open disgust, but those were easily ignored. What hurt the most was seeing their sympathy, their pity for the poor, aged woman, growing old and ugly while her lover remained handsome and virile.

Hence, the veil and gloves. Better to be seen as eccentric rather than old, but how would she hide the other signs of her infirmity?

Truth be told, she didnt spend all her free time meditating just to escape discomfort. Hiding inside her Natal Palace was a different sort of escapism, a denial of reality since she could be as young and energetic as she wished. Unhindered by her weakened physique, she ran through imaginary fields and scaled illusory mountains, reliving the vigour and vitality of her youth. What's more, ever since she woke from her vegetative state, she felt more in tune with her Chi, able to shape and wield it in ways shed only heard of before the accident. Removing her left glove, she picked at her too-long nails, measuring almost four centimetres long from base to tip after six months of growth. While she appreciated her husbands efforts to care for her without the aid of servants, she found his overall attention to detail somewhat lacking.

No matter, this served her purposes well enough. With a tired flick of her wrist, Sarnai cast a Honed shard of Chi from the tips of her index and middle fingers. Guiding it towards her Spiritual Weapon sitting on the seat across from her, it struck with a forceful clang, her spear bouncing in place as it absorbed the brunt of the impact while the cushion underneath split apart. Cursing beneath her breath, Sarnai winced with guilt as she surveyed the damage, both pleased and dissatisfied with the results. It wouldnt take much effort to scale the force of her strike, but the area of focus wasnt as concentrated as shed like. She wanted a pin-point strike, surgical and precise, a thrusting needle as opposed to striking hammer. Range was also an issue, but further testing would have to wait.

This would be her hidden weapon, her dagger in the dark. The less people who knew about it the better. As Nian Zus second, her husbands star was on the rise, but she knew from bitter experience that success breeds jealousy. Countless nobles of the Empire would work against him because of his heritage alone, unhappy to have a half-beast cur standing above them. As successor to the highest military position in the North, her husband stood higher than most, so his enemies were numerous as the stars in the sky. As his frail and elderly wife, Sarnai knew shed become his greatest weakness, a target to be captured and used against him, but if their enemies thought her a defenceless old woman, then she would prove them wrong. She was Sarnai, Speaker of the People, and with her spear the Piercing Star in hand, she would sweep aside all who stood before her.

And should the worst come to pass, her new ability could be used to take her own life before she brought harm to her family.

A soft knock on the door signalled her beloveds arrival and she eagerly called him inside. The carriage door swung open to reveal her handsome husband, his teeth bared in a ferocious grin full of hunger and yearning. Even after so many years together, his smile filled her with the fire of a younger woman, her arms opening to welcome him with an embrace. Closing the door behind him, he took a seat beside her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his lap to nuzzle as if theyd been separated for long months instead of mere hours. Such a shame to hide your beauty so my love, he Sent with a wistful sigh. The world is a darker place without it.

Sarnai giggled as his hot breath tickled her skin before snuggling deeper into his embrace. Enough of your lies you honey-tongued devil.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Hmph. Were I not a magnanimous soul, Id put you across my knee for impugning my honour. I, Baatar of the People, would never lie to you, my rose. Moving her veil aside, he snuck in a kiss and smiled, gazing deep into her eyes for untold minutes before turning to glance at the ruined cushion opposite them. Practising your new skills?

Mhm. Feeling bad for damaging Nian Zus personal coach, she hurriedly changed the subject. It was easy enough to fix, probably. What time is it? Have Alsantset and Rain arrived yet? Military law was so bothersome, keeping her from seeing her precious family for an entire week now. Ten days without pinching Tates adorably chubby cheeks was enough to drive a woman mad.

They are on their way and my pavilion awaits. Shall we?

Nodding in meek compliance, Sarnai melted in her husbands embrace as he lifted her in his arms and carried her out of the carriage. Closing her eyes to shut out any stray gazes, she smiled and indulged in her husbands affection. Though her body had yet to recover enough to walk unaided, shed still been forced to suffer through this long, arduous journey to Nan Ping. One does not ignore a personalized summons from the Emperor, no matter how unwell or unwilling one might be.

Even if it was to be the Emperors hostage.

Why else specifically name Sarnai and her family in the Imperial Missive? Theyd even mentioned little Tali and Tate in the summons. With their families nearby and in danger from both Defiled and Empire, this made certain Baatar and other experts of the Empire would have no choice but to go along with whatever mad scheme the Emperors mouthpiece concocted. Were it up to her, Sarnai would have burnt the Missive and burnt the Imperial Messenger as a message of her own. Hell, she could've burnt everything in sight before retreating to the safety of the village, leaving it all for the Mother to sort out. Nothing would come of her actions, the Emperor could spare no soldiers to invade the Saints Tribulation Mountain during this time of upheaval. Should He weather the Defiled invasion and emerge victorious, itd still be decades before His armies strength recovered enough to threaten the People, assuming He was willing to break treaty and invade.

Good, but not enough. Arriving on cue as if theyd rehearsed this, Jochi and Argot marched in leading a band of unfamiliar scruffy ruffians. I sent someone ahead to collect them. Safer you all travel as a group from the start.

Raising a single eyebrow, Rain glanced over the new arrivals, confusion etched into his face. Jochi, Argat, nice to see you both again but uhh... Wheres Wang Bao and who are these people?

The scuffy ruffians collectively fell to their knees and kowtowed towards Rain, surprising almost everyone in the room. Great One, the lead ruffian said, face still pressed to the ground. We lowly slaves had the fortune to be rescued by your benediction.

Oh... OH! Youre the miners from the island. Please stand, please. Eyes wide with disbelief, Rain studied the former slaves one by one. Wow, what a difference half a year makes. I dont recognize any of you, all healthy and fit. Could use a tan though.

We owe it all to Great Ones benevolence, providing food and care through it all. The leader spoke up and bowed again, while the others followed his example. This lowly one hopes to repay Great Ones generosity with his life, bearing spear and shield at Great Ones side. The others echoed the leaders sentiments, their eyes burning with adoration as they gazed upon Rain.

And it was only right they should. Even after hearing what Rain did, Sarnai still had trouble believing it was true.

Hearing how these former slaves wanted to fight at Rains side filled her with a mix of pride and sorrow. These strangers treasured her son more than her own people did. It disgusted her to know none of the Peoples Sentinels had joined his ranks, leaving the safety of their greatest talent in the hands of former cripples, bandits, and slaves. All her life, Sarnai had taken pride in being one of the People, but lately, she felt nothing but disappointment for them.

If only they knew about Falling Rains miracles, how he pioneered the healing technique their greatest warriors were learning, or how he formed his Natal Palace at the tender age of seventeen without anyone noticing, or that he bonded with a drop of Heavenly Water and used it to cleanse the Fathers Taint from countless victims, then they too would look at Rain with fervent zeal. Instead, this sweet, talented young man lived his life as an outcast to his own people all because they feared what might happen should the truth escape.

It wasnt right.

She was too weak, thats what this all boiled down to. If she and the People possessed enough strength to oppose the Emperor, then life would be so much simpler. Her family wouldnt be travelling south to become imperial hostages and thered be no need to hide Rains incredible accomplishments. They could release his healing technique for all to learn, as hed first intended. Then, with the Heavenly Water at his beck and call, Rain could travel across the Empire and cleanse away the Fathers touch, making the world a safer place without fire or steel.

She was so proud of him. After all hed been through, Rain never turned to hatred or despair, only wanting nothing more than to make the world a better place, yet the world itself worked against him.

Strength. Thats what she needed. If Mentor refused to give it her all to protect Rain, than Sarnai would step up and do so instead. She still had forty odd years of life in her yet, plenty of time to reach the pinnacle of strength. After Rain reluctantly accepted the former slaves into his retinue, she bade him goodnight with a tearful goodbye. Fixating on Mentors back, Sarnai Sent Make sure he survives the coming turmoil. Even if you must leave everyone else behind, bring my son home.

Mentors footsteps paused ever so slightly before nodding once. Reaching over to take her husbands hand, she squeezed it with all her might. Given ten or twenty more years, Rain would play an integral part in the war against the Defiled, but this was too soon. Even with all his skill and talent, he was still little stronger than an ant, easily crushed underfoot, but such is life. There was no sending him home, those with great talents must endure great hardships. She could only pray for his safety, for the Empire faced the greatest threat it had ever known.

The Enemy was here and they would need every bit of fighting strength the Empire had to offer in order to survive.

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