Chapter 295

Chapter 295

Dressed in warm robes and a heavy, wool cloak, Nian Zu knew he looked the part of a doddering old fool but he was enjoying himself too much to care. Standing firm at the ships prow, he watched the coastline surge by as the swaying deck and cold, buffeting winds fuelled his zeal for the oncoming conflict. Despite his outward elderly trappings, Nian Zu was filled with the fervour of youth, ready to wield his Shooting Star in defence of the Central Plains and redeem himself after barely escaping death at his adversarys brilliant ambush.

Everyone told him hed been brought back from the brink of death, but he hadn't felt this good in more than half a century. The Medical Saint deserved his title and more, returning Nian Zu to peak physical condition in a matter of weeks. The aches and pains of age were gone now, replaced by the vim and vigour of a younger man. His sense of sight and smell sharper than ever before, and he even felt his face held fewer wrinkles than before, not to mention no longer needing to wake each night to use the chamber pot, a blessing in and of itself. The best part was, after decades of slow decline, his sense of taste was back in full force, bringing not only a renewed appetite but also returning his refined palate, allowing him to enjoy good wine and savoury delicacies once again.

This alone made the near-death experience worth it, and were the Empire not in such dire need of his skills and expertise, he would have long since retired and pledged his loyalty to the Medical Saint. The distinguished Healer deserved no less for restoring him to the peak of health, but instead, the eccentric half-hare refused any form of payment aside from an Oath to keep silent about his heaven-defying prowess, an Oath Nian Zu made without hesitation. Afterwards, he silently pledged to offer his saviour any assistance he might need, no matter the cost.

It was a pleasant surprise to find so much strength hidden in the Saints Tribulation Mountains, where experts seemed as common as clouds. Were it not for the Bekhai, the North would have fallen months ago and suffered the same end as the now defunct Western Province, may the Mother have mercy on their souls. A damn shame about their leader, as Akanais ruthless disposition made her unpopular with most military men, which Nian Zu found amusing. Were she a human male, Akanai would have fit right in with the rest of the veteran officers but because of her gender and ancestry, they felt threatened by her existence. No able politician, the vicious Bekhai commander stepped on Jia Yangs face at every given opportunity, which dissuaded would-be allies from reaching out. No one wanted a harridan for an ally, and Akanai's unyielding attitude and headstrong nature was detrimental to the Bekhai cause, but she could hardly be faulted for it. A bold and gallant warrior, Akanai was powerful enough to shake heaven and earth even without the full might of the Bekhai behind her.

However, were it only her, Nian Zu wouldnt place so much importance on the Bekhai. No matter how strong they might be individually, Akanai could only call upon twenty-five thousand Khishigs in total, and only the quality of their experts allowed them to stand as a top-tier power of the North. Thats what made the Bekhai so valuable, their wealth of natural talent. Medical Saint Taduk, Herald of the Storms Akanai, the Bloody-Fanged Wolf Baatar, Demon Reaper Gerel, these names were known to every faction in the North, but few people understood how deeply the Bekhai had hidden their strength. Before appointing the man as his successor, Nian Zu counted no less than thirty-five other unknown experts in Baatars retinue worthy of a title of their own. Not so impressive a number until one realized Baatars retinue numbered thirty-seven in total. The missing two were Gerel and Baatar who already had titles of their own, which meant this unknown Iron Banner Company could almost rival Nian Zus personal guard, a fifty-strong unit of the greatest unaffiliated talents in the North.

He, the great Colonel General Nian Zu, Hero of the Wall and Defender of the province, used eighty years of distinguished service to gather fifty top-tier experts to his banner and kept them close as his weapon of last resort, while the Bekhai casually sent thirty-seven similar warriors out to fulfill their contractual military obligations each year. Ridiculous.

That wasnt all. Akanai herself was a force to contend with and he assumed her retinue contained an equal if not greater number of unnamed experts. Then there was the abundance of young talent, most visibly the Undying Savage Falling Rain and the Ravenous Wolf, Huushal. Knowing there were others, Nian Zu dug a little deeper and found two more young talents, Akanais own daughter Sumila, an exceptional duellist and preternatural divine blacksmith whose skills would shock the Empire, and the now-famous adopted grand-daughter and disciple of the Sanguine Tempest, Du Min Yan, a close contender for number one talent in the Central Province.

Though few in number, the Bekhai did not lack for resources either, as seen by the plethora of Spiritual Weapons bestowed upon the younger generation. Akanai and her husband, a Divine Blacksmith and powerful warrior in his own right, only had one Spiritual Weapon each, while Baatar and the others of his generation had one or two. In the younger generation, Sumila, Du Min Yan, and now Huushal had two each, and if Nian Zus spies were correct, the titular number one talent Falling Rain would soon receive a third. Such waste, better to outfit three Martial Warriors than to arm one youth so lavishly, especially one so prone to offending others. Though he played the part of meek, obedient child well, Nian Zu knew the boy harboured tremendous arrogance and disdain for others. Openly provoking a Brigadier in front of civilians, tormenting and extorting his opponents in the Contest, threatening to rape and impregnate a Magistrate while duelling her son, Falling Rain was like a newborn calf who did not fear the tiger.

Ah, if only the boy had agreed to join the army, Nian Zu would have loved to set the boy straight. A talent seen once every ten-thousand years, he feared the boys foul tongue and fiery temperament would see him to an early grave.

Then again, even with all his foresight, Nian Zu never would have guessed the boy would play such a pivotal role in Sanshus defence. From uncovering a band of Defiled and forcing the Enemys hand early to wiping out a superior force of Defiled meant to delay reinforcements and distracting Yo Ling for the killing blow, Falling Rain proved himself worthy of his arrogance and more. Alas, genius and talent were secondary. Perhaps the boy or one of the other youths might surprise him, but the Empires fate would not hinge on these heroes of tomorrow. With the Defiled rampaging through the Western Province and encroaching on Central, it was down to the warriors of today to hold the line and possibly even wipe out the Defiled threat once and for all.

Assuming blasted Imperial oversight didnt muck everything up.

Nian Zus many years of experience left him less than optimistic, but regardless of the circumstances, he was a soldier and a soldiers duty is to fight while politicking was best left to others. If the old bastard DuYi were present, Nian Zu would rest easier but his old friend had gone kicking and screaming to the Mother. If only the Medical Saint could have worked his magic and made DuYi fit and healthy once more, then perhaps the paranoid codger would have thought twice before doing what he did, making an example of his own clansmen to keep little Yuzhen safe.

Arrogant old fool. Why couldnt he swallow his pride and ask for help? You could never take his words at face value and always had to watch for falsified reports, but the old bastard meant the world to Nian Zu. With a single word, he would have called the winds and summoned the rains, overturning Heaven and Earth to keep DuYi and Yuzhen safe, but the old bastard would have never forgiven him for swooping in to save the day. A conniving, calculating trickster, DuYis every action was meant to tip the scales towards him and owing someone, even Nian Zu, a favour would have been like a bone lodged in his throat.

Holding back his sorrow and melancholy, Nian Zu stared up at the Heavens and said a small prayer. Hold him close for me, Mother. The rice is cooked, but I have some choice words for that thick-skulled bastard. He didnt even bother to say goodbye...Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Taking a deep breath, Nian Zu cleared his throat and blinked away his tears. Whats done is done. Yuzhen is Marshal of the North now, and though still lacking in comparison to her old man, she was a worthy successor to his office. Nian Zu still remembered taking the little fox-ear brat aside and teaching her a few forms, their time together lasting only three days before he gave up in a fit of rage. Following her old mans cue, the teen-aged Yuzhen showed him minimal respect during their time together, even muttering about how a mace-wielding muscle-head wasnt suited to teach her the intricacies of swordsmanship.

Thatd been the last straw, but after so many years, Nian Zu regretted not taking her as his disciple. At the time, he had yet to realize how much DuYi loved the little half-fox girl, treating her as a daughter in everything but name. Nian Zus refusal drove a wedge between them which took years to mend. Now, instead of being a second father to the girl, Nian Zu was nothing more than a distant friend of her old man, and she was too wary to accept his help without reservations.

Having accounted for everyone else, he realized Falling Rain had yet to show his face. Were it anyone else, Nian Zu would set out and leave him behind, but the boy was too dangerous to be given free rein in the city. Stakes were too high and tempers too hot, with every fop and popinjay in the Empire looking to make a name for themselves. Left to his own devices, Falling Rain might start a riot or murder a dozen noble scions, so Nian Zu sat and waited for the truant problem child.

Another ten minutes passed before he snapped, directing his ire to Baatar. Whats taking your brat so long? Did he stop to pick up another damned pet?

In the face of his anger, Baatar still had the gall to smile. Apologies, commander. The boy was forced to take a detour, but he will arrive momentarily. You can even track his progress yourself.

Glancing back, Nian Zus snarl fell from his face and after a moments pause, he closed his eyes and sighed. While the boy couldnt be seen, it was hard to miss the Guardian Turtle of Ping Yao rushing towards their position as it circled around the sea of soldiers and tents. At least the creature had yet to crush any bystanders, but it still left chaos in its wake as it left soldiers, citizens, and beasts alike terrorized by its frenzied passing.

In light of this, Nian Zu was willing to forgive Falling Rain's tardiness.

Riding up with a sheepish, hang-dog look, Falling Rain made his presence known with a flustered apology. Sorry Colonel General Situ Nian Zu... err.. commander... sir...?

Sighing once more, he ignored the muted snickers from the surrounding onlookers, while staring at the flock of strange birds circling overhead. Were they also a part of Rains menagerie or was their presence mere coincidence? At least the boy didnt bring his cats, bears, and rabbits. Address me as Colonel General, or Colonel General Nian Zu. Only warriors who fall under my command call me commander. An arrangement he wasnt entirely unhappy with. This boy could be more trouble than he was worth. Although most northerners revered the Divine Turtle, nobles from the other provinces would only see a living, breathing, Spiritual Heart. Leave the turtle behind, were going to pay our respects, not amuse the Imperial Legate.

Shrinking back, Falling Rain offered a helpless shrug. With all due respect Colonel General, if I knew how to leave her behind, shed still be in Ping Yao. Youre welcome to try convincing her otherwise, but I should warn you: she spits when threatened.

Not for the first time, Nian Zu regretted giving the boy his own command. No wonder Akanai and Baatar had been so hesitant when he suggested it. Carefully weighing his options, Nian Zu realized he couldnt risk being spit on by a turtle in front of his soldiers, divine or otherwise. Sighing, he glanced over the boy's chosen attendants and almost fell off his horse. One was a Bekhai warrior of little consequence, a veiled woman covered head to toe in black, while the other was someone Nian Zu recognized and feared. Hurriedly dismounting from his horse, Nian Zu clasped his hands and bowed while the soldiers under his command followed his cue and dropped to their knees.

What Nian Zu found most vexing was how Rain lacked the common courtesy to dismount and kneel, or at least move out of the way so Nian Zu wasnt forced to salute a child eighty years younger and seven ranks junior. Tossing his irritation aside, he greeted the shabbily dressed Divinity riding at Rains side. Venerable Guan Suo, this one apologizes for not greeting you earlier.

Without giving permission to Nian Zu to raise his head, the Divinity asked, Have we met before?

We have not Venerable One, but this one has seen drawings of your likeness. And read the after-action reports regarding the destruction you wrought. Nian Zu didnt expect Falling Rain to bring an Ancestral Beast to Nan Ping, especially not one as temperamental as Guan Suo. When did he join the Bekhai? Why didnt Akanai warn him? The Treaty be damned, bringing an Ancestral Beast to meet an imperial Clan member without warning could be construed as intent to rebel or treason, so Nian Zu quickly Sent messengers to explain his dilemma.

Refuse a Divinity? Forget spitting, hed sooner let the turtle shit in his mouth.

Then why apologize? Its fine, its fine. Im part of the kids retinue but you can pretend Im not here. Come, lets get this over with. Indifferent to the problems his presence brought up, the Divinity prodded Rain to move out. Worried the boy might obey and carelessly take the lead, Nian Zu hurried back onto his horse and set out, moving slowly as he dared to give the Legate as much time as possible.

Mother in Heaven, have mercy on your poor servant. Whats a man to do?

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