Chapter 430

Chapter 430

Hammer meets anvil as Spiritual Weapon collides with Defiled club, and the results are predictable.

Amplified by my Keystone, a simple wave of my arm is enough to overpower my opponent. Though his weapon is nigh indestructible, his arms prove much less durable and break. Bone and muscle give way to steel and Chi as my Honed glaive smashes the club aside and lops my opponents head off at the neck, quick and neat like plucking a ripe peach from a branch. Ignoring the spray of blood, I follow through with the swing and score a second, messier kill, Unity biting deep into the shoulder of a second Defiled and emerging from his chest. Gaping in shock and disbelief, his surprise fades alongside the light from his unseeing eyes, but I dont stick around to watch his corpse fall and instead urge Zabu towards to my next target.

Yawn.

Its getting kinda boring and repetitive out here on the front lines. A terrible thing to say considering all the carnage and killing, but its the truth. Hack, slash, stab, and maybe block sometimes, theres no real skill to 99% of what I do here. Most opponents die in a single hit, so I might as well be chopping firewood, assuming the firewood tried to chop back. Oh, and there were super strong pieces of firewood who looked no different from regular firewood who might take you by surprise. Err, and said firewood could mutate into a giant, face-eating monster at a moments notice. So really, nothing like chopping firewood at all, but still boring.

Then again, Id rather be bored than dead, so theres that.

After so much killing, I can hardly bring myself to care about taking faceless Defiled lives anymore. I probably should considering Mahakala said they could be saved, but he also said they have to want to be cured, and these murder-hobos dont seem too keen on redemption. They may be sick and not entirely in control of their actions, but they also present a dire threat to me, my soldiers, my family, and the people of the Empire, a threat I cannot ignore. If the outer Walls still stood, then perhaps I could spare the time to give redemption a shot, but the Enemy has sown the seeds of conflict and now I must reap the harvest before we are overrun. Its not heroic or grandiose, but the Defiled are a plague upon humanity, one well past the point of contain and control. Maybe the Abbot can offer an alternative solution, but until he deigns to poke his bald head out from where hes hiding, then bloodshed is the only answer Ive got.

Rather than sympathize with their plight, I kinda wish I had a more efficient way to kill the seemingly endless hordes of Defiled wandering the plains of Sinuji. Chariots and crossbows are a start, but they arent flashy or effective enough to overcome local stigma. Regardless, I asked Luo-Luo to continue production in hopes public opinion would shift, but thus far, the whole venture has been a black pit of coin and despair, to say nothing of newer, bigger, and unwieldier triple crossbows I had developed and left behind in SuiHua. One thing the Empire isnt against is catapults, though I have yet to figure out why a rock lobber is acceptable while a bolt thrower is not. A few full-sized behemoths are already in place along the new Wall and there are still more to come, but Marshal Yuzhen has also been manufacturing a whole slew of miniature catapults, ones developed by Diyako and used by the traitorous Golden Highlands Coalition in their failed bid for Sanshu. Theyre fairly complicated pieces of work which pack a hefty punch, especially considering their diminutive size, but they need four dedicated Martial Warriors to carry around, must be staked or held down when fired, and can be out-ranged by a great archer carrying a shockingly expensive bow like Sai Chou or Gansun. The mini-catapults still have two to three times the range of my crossbows, but theyre too unwieldy for use while out on patrol, much like the newer triple crossbows.

In other news, my bell-founder crafted and delivered three small-scale prototype cannons, but progress has stalled until my people can develop a non-flammable explosive. Then again, considering I dont really know how gunpowder is made, even if I didnt have to guard against fire-flinging Demons and Defiled, I wouldnt have working cannons regardless. Apparently, not any old flammable propellant will do when trying to launch balls of iron a kilometre away, a lesson I learned at the cost of a butt-tonne of gold and one cannon prototype. Luckily, Im rich and was prudent enough to set a long wick. Luo-Luo and our business partner Sung-Hoon had everything in place before cast iron soared in popularity, allowing us to reap enormous profits while our would-be rivals were still scrambling to get their infrastructure in place.

The profits are shrinking by the day as we fulfill our existing contracts and renegotiate new ones, but Ive got a nice, fat nest egg to sit on, even after setting a big chunk aside to pay for death benefits.

While Luo-Luo also had a head start on manufacturing scented soaps, strap buckles, farming implements, and a few other choice items from my book, paper is easily the most popular new product outlined within, most likely because the Legate called it a lucrative business industry in front of everyone in Nan Ping. Its not even remotely lucrative, because its dirt cheap to get started and there are too many competitors, but paper is being used everywhere now, albeit not entirely in the ways Id expected. Sure, paper permits and vouchers are seeing more use in the military, but the illiterate citizens of the Empire seem to be hard at work discovering new and inventive ways to use paper for anything besides its intended use. Theyre wrapping food, covering windows, decorating walls, lighting pipes, and a billion other stupid things besides reading or writing. I suppose its because ink is still expensive, but everyone has charcoal which works almost as well, so I dont get it. Its like they dont want to educate themselves and would rather they and their children remain ignorant until the end of time.

Maybe Im being too judgmental. Its only been a few months and change takes time, but Im impatient and want things to change now. At least they arent using it to wipe their asses yet...Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Parrying a reckless thrust which almost rips my face off, I inwardly sigh at my distraction while bashing the offenders head in. A woman, judging by her desiccated and misshapen breasts, but there can be no chivalry when dealing with the Defiled. Besides, Im an equal opportunity slaughterer. You try to kill me, then Ill kill you first, regardless of age, gender, or race.

Unless youre cute and floofy. Then I try and make friends before doing the choppy chop.

...Am I a terrible person for being more lenient to animals than I am to people?

...Nah. People suck.

Enough distraction. Even though youve split your focus and have half a brain on the battle, its a bad habit to get into. You kill in one hit, but you can also be killed the same way, so pay attention. You rode out with your heavy cavalry and quins to save... some guy whose name you forgot, so get to work.

Paying no heed to the fact that theyre pinned between my quins and XinYues cavalry, the Defiled continue to inflict heavy losses on our Imperial allies, who for some reason are all clumped up in the most inefficient group huddle ever instead of any semblance of a proper formation. Maybe its victim blaming or maybe the Defiled did something tricky, but I cant help but feel like our allied commander doesnt know what hes doing.

Its fine. At least Ill know. I should send someone to inform whoever is north of us too. If you hurry, you can make it back to Sinuji before nightfall, but Ill keep a screen of scouts to guard your rear and see you safely there. It wont do much if the Defiled return in force, but at least theyll have advanced warning before they die.

This lowly one is grateful for Imperial Consorts aid. Studying me as if Id suddenly sprouted wings, Ji Yeon continues, If this lowly one may be so bold as to say, but... Imperial Consort has changed in the years since our paths first crossed. With a wry smile, she adds, This time, Imperial Consort didnt charge for his services. It may not mean much, but you have my, Situ Ji Yeons heartfelt gratitude.

Cheeks heating at the reminder, I look away to hide my shame. No need for thanks or gratitude. The Enemy seeks to destroy the Empire, so we must stand united, or fall divided. Hoping I dont offend her, I add, I know little about Ji Jing or Gulong, but Situ Jia Zian is a man Im proud to fight alongside.

Im not the only one whos changed. No longer the mousy little coward I remember, Ji Yeons dark eyes are filled with promised vengeance as she glances eastward. Imperial Consorts advice is... appreciated, but some things are out of this lowly ones hands. Ji Jing is this lowly ones older brother and Gulong her betrothed, so her future is tied to both, for now.

My condolences. Dont offer to help, this is family politics and that shit is messed up. Besides, I cant imagine her brother and betrothed would leave her to die for no reason, which means I should butt out.

Heeding my own advice, I keep the conversation light until its time for them to leave, tasking Jorani to escort the Society forces away and Orgaal to inform whoevers patrolling to the north before we head back to our assigned route. The rest of the day passes by without incident, and after a dinner of dried fish and preserved vegetables, I lounge beside Ping Ping and watch Song playing with Mama Bun and Blackjack. Not watching in a creepy, perverted way, mind you, but she has first watch and I have the night off, so this is the only time she can play with them and I have nothing better to do. It goes against all my instincts, but I try my best not to lewd the sexy cat-girl, no matter how kind, loving, or gorgeous she might be. I have three beautiful betrotheds and a concubine which should be more than enough for any man. Granted, Ive only slept with Yan, but sex isnt all there is to love and intimacy. Also, Luo-Luo has been kinda cold and distant lately, though Im probably at fault for giving her too much work. I mean, she hasnt even had time to play music for the cattle, which I was looking forward to, but all in good time.

Her head resting in the dirt, Ping Pings eyes shine with amusement as I sing her silly songs, relaxed as can be while Rocs flock settles in atop her shell. Back in SuiHua, on those rare nights when Yan wasnt in the mood for canoodling, Id sleep out in the courtyard nestled in Ping Pings embrace, her cool, supple skin great comfort on the hottest summer nights. Shes a big sweetheart and I wish she were small enough to cuddle, but I suppose Ill have to wait until she reaches Divinity and turns into a tiny turtle like Pong Pong, assuming it happens in my lifetime. Shes been around Ping Yao for hundreds if not thousands of years, but it seems like shes stuck on that last step. I considered speeding things along by sharing my Heavenly Energy with the big girl, but Taduk convinced me not to. Being given Heavenly Energy is not the same as learning to manipulate raw Heavenly Energy, so if Ping Ping starts transforming and I dont have enough to fuel the process, then she might get stuck halfway and die or worse.

Then again, things might work out. Who knows. Its difficult to quantify something without substance, so even though the wooden goblet sitting atop Baledaghs nightstand is still the same size, it now holds many times more Heavenly Energy than it did when I crafted it. Two months in Sinuji netted me tens of thousands of Spectres and a month in SuiHua saw plenty of hitchhikers attached to soldiers coming back from the front lines. Whos to say how much is needed to turn Ping Ping into a pocket monster? Either way, experimentation will have to wait until after Taduk Heals Mom back to the peak of health.

I can hardly wait to see her walking around again. She tries not to let it show, but Mom is super self-conscious about her current condition, especially around Dad. Will I feel the same way when Im eighty and hunch-backed while Lin, Mila, and Yan are all still in their prime?

Still, aside from those first Spectres after she woke from her coma, Moms shown no signs of depression, supernatural or otherwise. One strange thing I noticed was that the labourers and slaves working on the Wall didnt have many Spectres hanging about them either. Whats more, throughout the entire month, I didnt see a single newborn ghostie spawn from them or anyone else passing through SuiHua. I only have Jorani and Awdar to go by, but both were near suicidal when they birthed their Spectres, so it probably means it takes more than suffering to attract or produce them. It lends credence to my theory that the Canston Trading Group was purposely trying to produce Spectres among their slaves, because plain old misery and adversity is not enough; they needed slaves who were hopeless and suicidal, hence all the torment and hardship.

Question is: why? I thought their Spectre farming might have something to do with the production of Anathema, but theres nothing distinguishing about a newborn Spectre. From what Ive seen, the other Spectres dont treat newborn ones any differently. They all lie, scheme and melt in Spiritual Water all the same, so why go to so much trouble? Maybe the Legate discovered something from all the merchants he captured, but from what little Yuzhen knows, the higher ups from the Canston Trading Group either escaped beforehand, died fighting, or committed suicide. Mysteries upon mysteries, but Im in no position to investigate. Ask one wrong question and I could tip the Legate off to my indiscretions or worse, about my one-time possession of an Elemental Spirit.

I miss Blobby... things were so much easier when he was around. For starters, he was an infinite source of Spiritual Water and could wipe out Spectres as I gathered them. Now Ive gotta deal with their tricksy temptations while out on patrol and spend an hour meditating in a cold bath every day Im in camp just to deal with the Spectre backlog. I have a fair bit of Spiritual Water saved up in my Natal Palace, but Im keeping it for practice and emergencies, like if a Demon bleeds all over one of my Experts or the Defiled start carrying Anathema. Hell, Im not even sure my Spiritual Water can even counter either of those things, but if it does, I should come up with an excuse beforehand. I cant imagine all Water Blessed individuals are the bane of Demon Ichor, and while it wasnt a big deal before when it was just people I could trust, with XinYue and Junior Yimu hanging around, I need to be more careful with my secrets.

So how to explain my need to vomit water all over an Ichor-covered warrior?

...

It occurs to me that my life may be the butt of some phenomenal, cosmic joke. Why else would my greatest Talents be Succ and Spew?

Its so funny, I could almost cry.

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