Chapter 505

Chapter 505

Brush in hand, Hideo stepped back from the scroll to appraise his work while the ink was still wet. There, written in his own hand was his family name Mitsue, which came about from an amalgamation of Shining and Guardian, words hed practised thousands upon thousands of times. Rather than being centred on the scroll, hed inscribed the two characters on the upper half, leaving the bottom portion utterly blank which ruined the overall balance of the composition and left it incomplete, because it was. Most would think he intended to write his own name on the scroll, but he already had such a scroll hanging on the wall of his room and had no need or desire for a second.

Mitsue Hideo, written Shining Guardian Chivalrous Person, or as Father had intended it be interpreted, Heroic Heavenly Guardian. A grandiose and ambitious name to bestow upon a baby only a hundred days old, but Father idolized his uncle, the famed Obsidian Shadow Mitsue Juichi, a man who rose to fame through military brilliance and exemplary personal Martial Strength. Considering his heros name was interpreted as Immortal Heavenly Guardian, one could see why Father had such high aspirations when choosing his own sons name.

If he liked flamboyant names so much, then why didnt Father change his own? Mitsue Hiroshi, Shining Guardian of Generosity was hardly fitting for a man with such high aspirations.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Luckily, Hideo proved deserving of Fathers pretension, unlike so many of his siblings and cousins whose names became the butt of a lifelong joke. So many of his underwhelming relatives cursed their pompous names when they failed to live up to expectations, for it opened the floodgates for others to speculate how to better interpret their names and what professions they were more suited for, besides following in the footsteps of the great Mitsue Juichi. Bright Fortune the accountant, Wise Guardian the doorman, Vigorous Hunter the gigolo, Hideo had heard countless jokes like these and laughed at the expense of his less talented relatives, but only now did he realize what a curse these overbearing names truly were.

Mitsue Hideo, the Heroic Heavenly Guardian whod fallen to Earthly Desires. Truly a joke for the ages, but this time, Hideo wasnt laughing.

Even though he knew it would never come to be, the missing characters on the scroll werent intended for his name, but anothers. Zheng Luo, the greatest beauty of a generation and the woman he yearned to take as his wife, but alas, he wasnt sure how to write her name. Hed only ever heard her name spoken, never written, except by Falling Rain who used the character for Zither to represent Zheng and a nonsense character without meaning for Luo, but such a base and undignified name was hardly fitting for an empyrean beauty like Zheng Luo. An uneducated barbarian, Falling Rain likely picked two words which fit phonetically instead of asking Zheng Luo how to properly write her name, and as the lowly consort to a savage tribesman, she likely had no choice but to obey since correcting her idiot husband would only earn her a beating or worse. Oh how Hideo yearned to slaughter Falling Rain and save Zheng Luo from his clutches, but he was less than a stranger to her, and utterly unqualified to interfere in her life.

He dreamed of being her hero, but he didnt even know how to write her name. Zheng from zither was quite fitting since word of her phenomenal musical performances had taken the Empire by storm over the past few days, but which Luo was suitable for a woman of her talents? Falling Rains meaningless interpretation was utterly unfit, nor did the Luo from mule, for obvious reasons, but that only left whorl, patrol, and arrange out of words which already existed. None were fitting for a Heavenly Fairy like herself, so all that was left was to create a character by himself, but nothing was ever good enough for the woman of his dreams. In the end, all he could do was stare at the blank space on his scroll for hours while imagining her perfect name written upon it, just as he imagined taking her from the crippled savage and bringing her home as his wife.

It wasnt until a girlish titter shook him from his thoughts that he realized he wasnt alone, and he turned to see the sweet little Eri standing beside him, her twin hair-buns embedded with leafy debris and dress dishevelled from climbing over the courtyard wall. Mit sue, she read, enunciating each character as they were new to her, despite seeing these same two words over the gate every time she came to visit. Big Brother Hideo, your cursive script is getting more and more beautiful, but why did you leave the scroll unfinished? Giggling, she added, Are you too shy to add this Eri-Himes name on it? If so, I can finish the scroll for you and make our marriage official...

Leaping away from the fourteen-year-old girl as if she were a burning fire, Hideo pointed and whispered, Wh-what are you doing here? I told you to go away and stop sneaking in to see me! Ill be lashed if they learn Ive been having visitors, regardless if I asked you to come or not.

Mean. Plucking a stray leaf from her hair, Eri put her fists on her hips and bristled with indignation, speaking far too loudly for Hideos liking. And whose fault do you think it is Eri-Hime has to sneak in like this? Four months youve been back in the city and not once did you come visit your betrothed. Do you ever think of your poor wife-to-be?

Nonsense. Circling around to keep his calligraphy stand between them, Hideo said, Our fathers were drunk when they made that pledge, and I wasnt even born yet. Neither of them even had wives yet, so they had no business pledging their first-born children to be wed or become bosom friends. Your father had the pledge annulled the day you were born, and my father gladly allowed it because were more than a decade apart in age, so Ill hear no more of this betrothed business.

Having been born late in his life after a string of failed pregnancies, Eri was the little princess of the Ishida family and doted heavily upon by her entire family, hence the moniker Eri-Hime. Somehow, the girl learned of their supposed betrothal a few years ago and became utterly infatuated with her big brother Hideo, who not only doted and treasured this charming little sister, but had also just emerged as a budding young Martial talent to match the likes of Tam Taewoong and Ryo Geom-Chi.

To call yourself a match is too generous, for in the two years you served as a member of the Hwarang, not once did you defeat either of your seniors. What Heroic Heavenly Guardian?

I dont care, Eri declared, undeterred by Hideos reluctance. Eri-Hime is gonna marry Big Brother Hideo and no one else. Beaming with confidence, she patted her lacklustre chest and said, Dont worry. When Eri-Hime grows up, shell be a beautiful princess worthy of Big Brother Hideo, just you wait and see.

Having seen her plain, flat-chested mother, Hideo doubted Eri would suit his tastes even if given ten more years to mature, but he knew better than to argue the matter. The girl was wilful and headstrong, unwilling to ever step back or see reason since her father could never bear to scold her, but Hideos patience was wearing thin. You cant be here, he said, wishing he had the courage to drag her away, but he didnt dare reach out and touch her. Im being punished. You need to leave. Please go.

Then well keep it our little secret. No one will ever know I was here. Picking up Hideos discarded brush, Eri dipped it in the inkwell and used it to fill her name in on the scroll, her practised brushwork flowing beautifully as she completed his work. Two years ago, shed run away from her calligraphy teacher and came to the Mitsue Manor to find him, crying about how she hated practising calligraphy and didnt understand why she had to learn. It was only after he showed her his personal collection that she took an interest in the art, but only so she could insist on having him teach her, which was likely her scheme from the start. Hideo didnt hate it, for what man would loathe the attentions of a darling young woman, but he never thought of taking sweet Eri as his wife and considered her affections as nothing more than a childish flight of fancy, one she would grow out of in a few more years.

Which is why I came in without giving a name, so nothing will be traced back to me if Im forced to take your life. After letting the gravity of his unspoken threat sink in, Father sighed and asked, Why do you still insist on setting yourself against him? Even your father doesnt approve of you meddling in Imperial affairs, but hes naive enough to believe he still has enough influence to save you, which is why Im here instead of him.

Oh? So the golden child no longer idolizes his hero? Disloyal snake. Spitting on the ground, Uncle Watanabe sneered and said, Father treated you like his own son, taught you everything you know and put you in charge of the family, and this is how you repay him?

In the last six decades, theres not a single person who dared refuse him anything, Father replied, staring Uncle Watanabe down. Except me. If you go through with this foolishness, there will be a second, because even a Living Legend like Mitsue Juichi is worth less than Imperial face. The Legate will have you drawn and quartered if were lucky, and if not, then the entire Mitsue family will pay for your folly.

I told you already cousin, there will be no face lost. I have assurances from a high ranking Imperial Noble that no true Scion sees Falling Rain as one of their own. The name shocked Hideo to the core, since the last he heard, the hateful savage had been crippled and would soon be dead or forgotten, so why was he still important enough to force Father to come to Sinuji just to argue with Uncle Watanabe? Waving at stack of reports, Uncle said, Just read and youll see for yourself. Hes a doomed man, his title worth less than dog-shit. He keeps company with eunuchs, sleeps in a soldiers tent, eats a soldiers meals, begs for meetings with other officers, and spends hours ingratiating himself to the common soldiers in hopes theyll take sympathy on his plight should he find trouble on the walls. A disgrace is what he is, and removing this blight on their honour would be a favour to the Imperial Clan, one theyll reward us richly for doing.

Youre right, Father replied, catching Uncle off-guard. No self-respecting Imperial Scion would ever privately acknowledge Falling Rains title, even before he was crippled, but this is a public affair and the Imperial Clan must keep up appearances. Shen ZhenWu granted Falling Rain the title of Imperial Consort as reward for his accomplishments to boost public morale, but if it becomes known this title is worth less than dog-shit, then not only will the Legate lose face, but the Imperial Clan will as well, for it will be seen as forgetting favours and violating justice. Thus, even though you have assurances from his foes that you will not be charged for the murder of an Imperial Scion if you should kill Falling Rain, the Legate will have no choice but to insist on treating the savages death as the death of an Imperial Scion, because to do otherwise is to admit he rewarded the Number One talent in the Empire with an empty title. So tell me cousin, Father asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. What is the penalty for killing an Imperial Scion, even one as lowly and disgraceful as Falling Rain?

Nine Familial Extermination. It didnt need to be said, because everyone and their mother knew the blood price demanded, nine generations of family all wiped out of existence. Being Mitsue Juichis son, Watanabes crime would implicate even Hideos legendary Mentor, and if Father was right, then the Legate wouldnt blink twice about killing a Colonel General just to save face.

Finally understanding the gravity of the situation, Uncle Watanabe staggered back and slumped into his chair, his powdered face unable to hide the sickly pallor of his skin. Relief and horror intermingling as he considered how close he came to death, and Hideo had nothing but sympathy for his uncle and wished him all the best. Hed experienced much of the same a few hours into his first day of secluded meditation, when it became apparent how far gone hed become, but he didnt dare open his mouth to console uncle Watanabe while Father was in such a dark mood.

His point made, Fathers tone softened as he said, Its good that you listened and didnt act directly. The savage brats humble demeanour almost had me fooled as well. Hes still an Imperial Scion, but he wants his enemies to forget so theyll step out of line, which will afford his Patron an excuse to step in and set things right. The Disciplinary Corps accuse him of nepotism, so he fights back by affecting humility and allowing himself to be unfairly treated all so he can accuse his enemies of the same crimes he was convicted of and expose his plight for what it is: unjust discrimination. Do what you must to placate your Imperial Patron and let those slave soldiers fight and die, but you cannot give Falling Rain or the Legate reason to accuse you of misconduct. Remember cousin, in a battle between Imperials, its best to smile at both sides and do as little as possible, lest you find yourself eating shit and thanking someone for the opportunity.

Stating that theyd be staying in Sinuji until Falling Rain left, Father brought Hideo away before Uncle even noticed his presence. Once inside their borrowed quarters, Father pointed at the innermost cot and claimed the outermost one for himself, leaving his four guards between them just to be safe. Lamenting the loss of his fathers trust, Hideo Sent, Must you treat me so coldly, Father? Have you lost all affection for your son?

Slumping at the accusation, Father silently studied Hideo for long, silent seconds, his eyes tearing up as if he were staring at his sons cold, dead corpse. If I didnt still love my son , Father Sent, his voice laden with pain and regret, Would I have gone to such great lengths to protect you? Would I have hidden all trace of your crimes? Would I have kept silent while my oldest friend slowly went mad with grief as the search for his missing daughter stretched on?

The truth hit Hideo like a hammer to the gut and the world closed in around him as he came face to face with reality. The calligraphy scroll had been written by his hand, the conflict and detachment in his mind clear as day now that Father would no longer let him lie to himself. Eri-Hime was gone, slain by his own hand when she snuck in to see him after he returned from the front lines, and this was not even the worst of his crimes. No, the worst came after, in the form of unspeakable acts committed using her cold, dead corpse, and when Father finally found them, there was barely anything of her left. Sweet, smiling Eri, with only her head still intact, because Hideo had wanted her to see her dreams come true as the two of them were united as one.

She never should have come. Hed been living in isolation for an entire month, and the moment he laid eyes upon her, he could no longer resist. No, he didnt want to resist, because she looked so beautiful beneath the moonlight as she ran into his arms, smelling of dirt, flowers, and perfume. A budding innocent ready to blossom into a lovely young woman, and he still remembered his first taste of her flesh, so sweet and delectable as she shrieked and struggled...

A Sound Barrier closed in around Hideo moments before a scream erupted from his throat, and he continued screaming as Fathers Sending echoed in his mind. You are my son, and I would go to the ends of the earth to keep you safe, but I worry the man I see before me is no longer the Hideo I know and merely a monster wearing his flesh. Prove to me my son still lives, not with words or contrition, but with your actions, and only then will we be father and son once more.

Mired in horror and insanity, a small part of Hideo wanted to tell Father he was too far gone and to end things now, but the voices wouldnt allow it. Seek calm, they said, and walk the razors edge, for you still have a part to play. Indulgence will come later, when you hold the reins of the Mitsue family firmly in hand, but until then, you must be patient.

Help was on the way, they told him, and Hideo only had to wait a week or two, for then he would have the freedom he so feared and desired...

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