Chapter 374: Revelation

Chapter 374: Revelation

For as long as he could remember, Goujian lived the life of an ascetic. Early on, the choice had not been his, for poverty meant he had no coin or time to spare for luxuries or hedonism. Every waking moment was dedicated to finding enough food to fill his belly, and he failed more often than not. As time wore on and he grew in wealth and power, he clung to his humble lifestyle because even though hed fallen out with the Penitent Brotherhood over a difference in beliefs, he still respected their Precepts and found wisdom in their teachings. Extravagant luxuries and decadent comforts were but one step removed from losing ones self to base desires, and left one vulnerable to the Fathers whispered temptations.

A lie so laughable, Goujian could scarcely believe he hadnt seen it sooner.

Thus, for the first time ever, Goujian frittered away his morning in idle relaxation. Waking with the rising sun, he smiled, rolled over, and fell asleep once more, luxuriating in the warmth of his satin bed sheets and goose down mattress. Hours later, he opened his eyes when a servant entered to ask if he would like breakfast served in bed, and it seemed like such a novel idea, he couldnt bear to say no. Swaddled in his blanket, he sat in bed and feasted on a sumptuous meal of the finest dishes of Central, all the while wondering why hed waited so long to enjoy such simple pleasures.

Since opening his eyes to the Truth, not only had Goujians aches and pains subsided, his mind and senses were sharper than ever. Whether it be the feel of silk on his skin or the taste of tea on his tongue, experiencing the pleasures and joys of life made Goujians intestines turn green from regret, cursing his stubborn foolishness and hard-headed beliefs. It wasnt entirely his fault, for Imperial propaganda was cunningly designed to make him believe their lies, perfected through centuries of deception and misinformation. Through self-denial and deprivation, Goujian had closed himself off from the Truth and the proper Martial Dao, not a path of control and moderation, but a path of freedom and self-discovery.

How could one be a part of the Heavens while denying so much of what it offers?

Following his base instincts and desires, Goujian enjoyed himself to his heart's content. After breakfast in bed, he availed himself to the in-house hot spring, a marvel hed read about but never experienced first-hand. Before entering the spring, the servants scrubbed him clean from head to toe, their warm washcloths tarnished black by weeks of sweat and grime accrued whilst posing as a common shepherd. His hair and beard were even worse, tangled and matted from his time spent hidden in a smugglers hidey hole, but the servants were well equipped to deal with it, using an assortment of mild soaps and scented oils to unravel the mess. As he sat on the stone bench and watched the filth cleansed from his body drain out of the room, he wondered what it would take to do the same to his soul, to cleanse his mind and free him from the burden of the sins hed committed in the name of a noble cause.

After one final rinse to remove the last of his physical impurities, Goujian took his long-awaited step into the hot spring and made himself comfortable in the smoothed-stone depression. Carved into the rock and designed to support his frame, he found he didnt need a single muscle to keep himself upright and allowed himself to relax. Uttering a groan of relief, the tension melted from his body as he soaked in the near scalding waters, but there was still more to be had. A pair of strong yet delicate fingers ran across his scalp before digging into the meat of his neck, and he discovered a pleasure unlike any hed ever felt before. More hands joined them and he lost himself in pure bliss, availing himself to the pleasures of the flesh and the joining between man and woman for the first time.

Well, man and women. Goujians new hosts were not stingy with his accommodations, and he had many decades of celibacy to make up for.

Hours later, he sat in loose silk robes and enjoyed the morning breeze on skin, sitting idle upon a balcony while the inhabitants of Sinuji toiled away in the streets below. Unlike the North, there was no natural geographic barrier to differentiate between provinces, and Sinuji was just one dozens of so-called border towns straddling the divide between Central, West, and South. What made it unique was its middling location, equidistant from the Azure Sea to the North and the Arid Wastelands to the South, which was why Sinuji had been chosen as the headquarters on the front lines.

Fools and buffoons, picking a location which had already been compromised by the Enemy.

No, Goujian corrected, not The Enemy. The Empires Enemy, but not his own. Though enlightened to the Truth, he still fell back into old habits and only hard work and time would correct them. A part of him understood why his Disciples had refused to follow him down this path, but it had to be done. It was his fault things ended as they did, but perhaps their fates had been set in stone from the day theyd met. Goujian had saved them, but in doing so doomed them to a fate worse than death. Hed raised them on Imperial lies, lies he embraced because it was easier than pursuing the Truth. In service of those lies, he and his Disciples sinned against Heaven and blackened their souls in devotion to the Empire, and when Goujian told them the severity of their sins, his frail Disciples were too weak to accept the Truth.

Oh his poor, ill-fated sons. How he wished they still stood at his side so they might fix this broken world together, but he had no choice. He had to kill them, for they knew too much regarding his plans, foolishly shared in his time of weakness because he believed they could be trusted, but alas, it was not so. Only Yuanyin was strong enough to follow him down the right path, the others too cowardly and set in their ways to see what needed to be done. Even though he loved them as a father loves his sons, Goujian could not trade their lives for the lives of every citizen in the Empire. Hundreds of millions, if not billions of people, all living under Imperial yoke, how could he let this travesty stand?

It was his fault his sons were dead, and he accepted his sins wholeheartedly. Hed been too eager to return to contemplating the Truth and left his poor sons to flounder on their own, coming to grips with harsh reality bereft of his guidance and support. Had he not immersed himself in Heavens Impartation for nine straight days, then he would have seen the warning signs of his Disciples errant thoughts and convinced them his actions were just. For new seeds to be sown, the field must first be cleared. How could anyone argue against such basic reasoning?

Alas, there was no cure for regret, but at least Goujian still had one son left to him. Having learned his lesson, Goujian was not yet ready to leave Yuanyin unsupervised, so he gathered his Chi to look in on his sole remaining Disciple. Like his Master, Yuanyin had lived a life of abstinence but was young enough to still feel constrained by it. No longer required to represses his urges, the young man wasted no time indulging his lust, but now sat in quiet meditation as he parsed through the mysteries of the Truth with more dedication than ever. This was the true Dao of Balance, not the one peddled by Imperial lies, one which made more sense with each passing day.

Nodding in approval, Goujians curiosity got the better of him and he turned his Watch to the other young man in the manor. According to the reports, this Gen was a common village boy who turned Defiled after an encounter with Falling Rain, but if so, then someone had taught Gen well. The very picture of a young noble, Gens handsome features and strong jaw lent an air of honesty and integrity to his words, a warrior brimming with confidence and tenacity. Sitting cross-legged with impeccable posture, he meditated with an intense focus rarely found in one so young, his metallic hands hidden within his wide-brimmed sleeves. Goujian expected much from this former denizen of Sanshu, a startling talent by any measure. Chosen by Heaven was the only way to describe it, a common boy who Awakened to a Divine Blessing mere days after discovering the Truth. How strong would he be after almost a year of practice? What about ten years, or twenty?

Gen was an example of what the Imperial Clan feared most, an informed and enlightened populace with strength enough to challenge them. Small wonder they hoarded their knowledge so jealously, but Heavens secrets would not remain hidden forever, especially not if Goujian had his way.

Moving on, Goujian turned his Watch to Mao Jianghong, the so-called traitor of Sanshu. The former Guard Captain sat in his office, scowling darkly as he conversed with hidden allies, allies Goujian had yet to uncover. Granted, he had yet to put any effort into the search, merely a cursory sweep of their surroundings before retiring for the night, but he figured introductions would come in due time. Trust would be difficult, but they were both enlightened beings Chosen by Heaven, though Goujian viewed himself as undoubtedly superior. Jianghong stumbled across the Truth after succumbing to dark powers, a man who willingly surrendered his soul in return for vengeance, and only luck saved him from eternal damnation. A petulant, weak-willed child of luxury, wholly different from Goujians life of dedicated service. Even though every death darkened his soul, Goujians faith never faltered, not until the Monks actions revealed the Imperial lies for what they were, and now, he was more resolute than ever and willing to sacrificing everything to set things right.

Everything.

Oh? Stroking his jet-black beard, Jianghong scowled in displeasure before conceding to Goujians expertise. Then I shall have to impose on Senior to point out the flaws in our guise. If you can find us, then others can too. In fact, we are preparing to leave even as we speak.

Good. It was always better to work with competent allies, though Goujian often had little choice in the matter. Embroiled in discussion, they traded ideas on how to escape detection until it was time for lunch, at which point Jianghong invited him to the dining room. Since Gen would also be there, Goujian Sent for Yuanyin to join them. Once they were all seated, Goujian raised his cup in a toast and said, To old enemies and new allies.

Hear Hear.

Eh-Mi-Tuo-Fuo.

Jumping in his seat at the familiar dharmic greeting, Goujian drew his sword and pointed it at the Monk standing at the head of their table. Yuanyin and the others joined him in their surprise, and Jianghong roared, Who the hell are you?

Such Sin, the Monk muttered and sighed, Such Regret.

Mustering his courage, Goujian sneered and declared, I have no regrets monk, only that I didnt see the Truth sooner.

Raising an eyebrow, the Monk asked, And this truth led you to slaughter your Disciples? This truth led you to ally with the Enemy? Holding a hand up to forestall Guojians answer, the Monk continued, Speak not and spare this one from your lies. You have lost your path and altered your Dharma, but the decision was yours to make. This one speaks not of your regret, but of mine. Closing his eyes, the Monk pressed his hands together and bowed his head in supplication. How much longer must this one suffer in the cycle of Samsara, forever unable to change his wicked ways?

A bolt of fire spattered harmlessly across the Monks body, thrown by the talented young Gen. Barely even noticing the attack, the Monk opened his eyes and shook his head, so filled with anguish and remorse Guojian almost empathized with him. Perhaps the Abbot would plead to save your souls, the Monk said, taking hold of his spade, But this one is a sinner through and through, and now, he must sin once more. May you find peace in the afterlife, and enlightenment in the next. Eh-Mi-Tuo-Fuo.

The Monk moved faster than Goujians eyes could follow, disappearing from the head of the table and reappearing beside him, the crescent blade of his spade resting lightly against Goujians throat. Were it not for a portly stranger holding the spade at bay, Goujian feared the Monk would have already taken his head, unbelievably fast for a man so large.

So what did that say about this stranger, who was not only faster, but also larger?

Now, the stranger drawled, his accent curious to the ear, Correct me ifn Im wrong, but Ah dont remember invitin no Dharma Protector in ta mah estate. Seems murderin my guestsd violate the Treaty.

Hmph. The Monk, who apparently was an existence on par with Ancestral Beasts, glared at Goujians mysterious saviour with such vehemence he seemed like a man changed, so at odds with the kind but stern lecturer who taught Goujian about the Four Noble Truths. Zhu Chanzui, you finally dare reveal your true self and claim dominion over these Defiled?

That I do, the Ancestral Boar replied, snickering beneath his breath. What are yew gonna do about it?

Visibly struggling with his anger, the Monk took a deep breath to calm himself. Then, he took another, and another, all to no effect. After an eternity of waiting during which the spade trembled against Goujians throat, the Monk finally retracted his weapon with a grimace. Then so be it. Slamming the butt of his spade against the floor, the Monk infused his voice with Chi and announced, The Defiled traitor Mao Jianghong is currently residing in the Canston Trading Groups estate. Conspiring with him is the Confessor Guojian. Loyal warriors of the Empire, seize these traitors and execute them for their crimes.

Sucking his teeth with a long, protracting inhale, Zhu Chanzui shook his head and sighed. Really wish ye didnt do that, he said, lips pursed in a frown. Well, guess there aint no choice anymore, is there Mao Mao? We wanted fear and chaos, so this gonna be the way it gotta be. Breaking into a grin, the Ancestral Beast added, Besides, ah been itchin fer a good fight fer ages now.

And then the room exploded into chaos and destruction.

Chapter Meme