Chapter 311

Chapter 311

... so while Jorani and Chey meet up with Wang Bao and Ulfsaar to check out the Piggies holdings, theres not much else for us to do in the interim. Sorry for getting us kicked out of the city before you got a chance to try the food, but youre always too deep in meditation to hear me. Oh, about that, the Conference starts soon and when it does, I could use your help uncovering any possible Tainted or Defiled. Ill remind you again closer to the date, but...

Mentally exhausted from his intense, non-stop training regimen, Baledagh laid in bed and listened to Brothers voice permeating through the Natal Palace. The report marked yet another days passing which meant Brother would soon demand they switch places so he could train. Not that they couldnt both use the Natal Palace together; Brother rarely intruded into Baledaghs personal space, instead choosing to spend his training sessions out in the void.

No, they had to take turns because Brother was obsessed with efficiency.

Mother forbid he let time be wasted, which meant Baledagh had to cover for him while he trained. A thinly veiled excuse to get Baledagh out into the world, and while he appreciated Brothers sentiments, hed much rather be left to his own devices unless it was to spar, duel, or fight.

Oh how he ached for war to break out so he could slaughter his way through the Enemy...

While there was something to be said about how Baledagh only felt alive when his life was at risk, he wasnt one for introspection or self-examination, nor would he bring it up again. Hed caused Brother enough trouble to last a dozen lifetimes and had no intentions of adding to those burdens. It was his fault theyd almost been exiled from the village and while Brother liked to pretend it didnt bother him, he was a lousy liar at best.

Why else would Brother take the effort to recreate the village inside their Natal Palace then do everything in his power to avoid looking at it? Though he refused to admit it openly, Brother was hurt by their rejection, so hurt he even started speaking in Common all the time and removed all the not-people inhabiting their Natal Palace. Truth be told, Baledagh was relieved by their absence. There was something unsettling about the almost-but-not-quite-lifelike inhabitants of their mental plane and seeing them at work elicited feelings of loathing and revulsion. Brother called it the uncanny valley, where empathy for a humanoid object soured once the observer realized the object wasnt human, but Baledagh just called it creepy. They werent real people, just figments of Brothers imagination made to populate his ideal, peaceful home, a childs fantasy turned into an adults escape.

Not exactly a healthy mental attitude to adopt, but Baledagh wasnt in any position to criticize.

...Anyways, that was my day. How about yours? Anything new to share? Thoughts, problems, questions, aspirations?

Baledagh smiled. Brother asked the same question every day, always trying to get him to open up and talk. Not the worst thing in the world to have someone concerned about your well-being, and doubly so when the consideration was undeserved. Ive nothing to say regarding the Canston Trading Group, he answered, but I do have something to share. Theres something strange happening. Lately, when Im deep in meditation, it feels like Im close to... something. Insight or Enlightenment, or something... Its like theres a wall in front of me and a voice speaking on the other side. I can make out the faintest sounds and feel the vibrations from their voice but nothing more. The words, the content, and the significance are all hazy and unclear but so close to being realized it frustrates me to no end. Thats why Ive been so engrossed of late, because Ive been trying to... find a door, I guess.

I know what you mean. I feel the same way while trying to breathe underwater and watch Ping Ping play. Taduk says I need to forget about it and let nature take its course, but Im not sure I should take advice from a guy who meditates in his sleep. Hearing his wry chuckle, Baledagh could easily picture Brothers self-deprecating smile, always belittling his own talents even while encouraging others. Dont worry about it, Brother continued. Youll figure things out, I know you will. You know what I find helps?

Rolling his eyes, Baledagh replied in a monotonous tone. Taking a step back to enjoy life.

Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner. Appearing in the void, Brother beamed as he shooed Baledagh away. Dont train too much, even if no one is watching, we should at least pretend we were lashed. And dont worry, I didnt set up a date for you. Everyones busy playing in the water so all you have to do is look after the fur babies. Wiping away an imaginary tear, Brother added, Alas, we must wait for another day to see sweet Lin in her swimsuit. I figured Li Song could use a little fun in the sun and would be more comfortable if I wasnt around to ogle. Shes been more quiet than usual, probably cause shes freaking out over being back in Central. Besides, I doubt shes thrilled about her old teacher adopting a half-beast, I know I wouldnt be, especially after everything shes been through. Life just hasnt been fair to poor Li Song.

How Brother found the time or energy to worry about others was a mystery. Responding with a noncommittal grunt as he made his escape, Baledagh stepped out of the void and took control of their body, stretching as he re-acclimated to his unfamiliar sensations and surroundings. It was too flat in the Central Plains and he found it a little unnerving. It was better inside the city with tall buildings and towering walls to block his view, but here in camp, sometimes all he could see was endless grass, water, or sky spreading out in every direction. He hated the reminder of how small and inconsequential he was, a harsh and bitter truth to someone who possessed less than half a life. Though appreciative of Brothers efforts to share everything and make him feel included, sometimes Baledagh wished he could fall dormant and unresponsive until a more permanent solution was found.

Until he came across Falling Rain.

His pieces all in place and waiting for his command, Goujian was ready to unmask the Defiled pretender, but for the first time in decades, he felt the cold, uncertain grip of doubt clenched around his heart, throwing his mind into chaos and disorder. Initially, he intended to injure the Divine turtle and have Falling Rain lashed for his crimes, exposing his foul nature, but fate conspired to carry out Goujians plan without the need to lift a finger. Allowing his temper get the best of him, the boy commanded his turtle to destroy a bristleboar merchant house inside Nan Ping and earned himself fifty lashes from the Legate, a significant punishment considering there had been no loss of life. Though his spies could not enter the inner palace or even report on the aftermath, Goujian had two separate confirmations of a Bekhai Healer rushing towards the inner palace to tend to Falling Rains injuries, not to mention the official report of the punishment hanging outside the Magistrates Palace, signed and stamped with the Imperial Seal. Surely not even the Legate would dare falsify the Emperors judgment, would he? No, there was no doubt about it, the boy was lashed and sought healing after meeting the Legate. Though he looked none the worse for wear when Goujian spied on him in camp, it wasnt too implausible considering Falling Rains reputation was built on his ability to endure grievous wounds and continue fighting. Most telling of all was that after half a day and a full night, there was still no Decree condemning the boy as Defiled.

How could this be? While a mere pittance compared to the Mothers Mercy, he had trouble believing a nineteen-year-old Defiled could hide his true nature after fifty lashes, no matter how sturdy and resilient he might be. Whats more, for years Goujian yearned to investigate the bristleboar clan over rumours of their ruthless and inhumane treatment of slaves, but since they were protected by the Ancestral Beast Zhu Chanzui, hed been denied at every turn. He had people documenting their crimes and keeping careful watch on their properties in and around Central, but thus far, hed found no conclusive proof of Defiled among the bristleboar. The lack of proof did nothing to mitigate his suspicions, but now Falling Rain was at direct odds with them, which raised a whole slew of other questions.

Could Goujian be wrong? Was this a sign from the Mother instructing him to stay his hand and turn his attentions elsewhere? Could Falling Rain sense the Defiled like he claimed to, and brought the Canston Trading Group to the Empires attention? Was he truly the Mothers Chosen Son? If so, then why was his Aura so heinous and unholy?

Perhaps this was all a ruse, a ploy by the Enemy to cloud his judgment. There was nothing surprising about Defiled infighting, their tribal squabbles kept them apart for tens of thousands of years. Now that theyd united, the Empire was in dire straits, but dealing with the Enemy army was a concern for military men and Goujian had precious little to offer. His path delved into matters of the soul, of cleansing and redemption, a path which left little room for other pursuits. Even if the Empire fell, the Mothers children would survive and one day rise again, of this, he had no doubt.

No, Goujians doubts could all be summed up in a single question: Is Falling Rain Defiled? If so, then the corruption ran even deeper than he thought and no person above suspicion, not even the Legate.

Especially the Legate.

Mind in turmoil, he focused his Chi to Watch as Falling Rain floated in the bay, just like he did every morning since Goujian arrived. A large portion of the boys retinue had been sent away presumably to hunt, but that wasnt enough to convict him. If Falling Rain was worried about being exposed, he certainly wasnt showing it, relaxed and carefree as he submerged himself beneath the waters of the Azure Sea. He was getting better at water-breathing, staying under for a quarter-hour or longer before resurfacing for air, a marked improvement considering hed only been at this for three or four days.

Give the order Master. The world will see the truth soon enough. Goujians second-youngest disciple... no, youngest now that BoLao is gone... spoke up, eager to begin the bloodshed. At thirty years old, patience was a lesson Yuanyin still had yet to learn, too keen on dispensing justice before proper cause could be found. No, he would make a poor successor, just like the rest of Goujians Disciples, each one lacking in some vital manner.

Except sweet, lovely BoLao, so talented and studious. Hed placed all his hopes on that girl and now she was dead and gone while Falling Rain, the scum responsible for her death, was enjoying a leisurely morning swim.

Why was the boys innocence even an issue?

His mind made up, Goujian gave the order. Commence the operation, with one small change. No need to hold back. Use everything we have. Best if the boy and his Tainted turtle dies before they cause irreparable damage to the Empire.

Better to kill a hundred innocents than let one Defiled walk free. Such was the conviction required to guard against the Fathers corruption.

Chapter Meme