Chapter 510

Chapter 510

Great news, Madam Luo! Master Rain suffered internal injuries!

So thrilled by the revelation, it took Junior Yimu a long second to figure out why the Madam reacted to his good news with such dismay, all but fainting on her feet and requiring the support of her handmaidens to keep her statuesque frame upright. Cursing himself for his poor choice of words, he bowed several times and explained, Apologies Madam, this servant chose his words poorly. The Masters life is in no danger. Glancing around at the nearby Death Corps, he hesitated before asking, Could... could someone put up a sound barrier, so this servants message wont be overheard?

Already up, a veiled guard answered, one of several women who always stuck close to Madam Mei Lins side. Only a Medical Saint could gather so many Peak Experts to guard an idle little girl like the first Madam as she followed her beloved betrothed off to war, but such was life.

Averting his eyes from the glaring half-hare, Junior covered his mouth so his lips could not be read and explained, Master Rain suffered some minor bruising while serving atop the wall, or at least thats what the returning soldiers claim. Word is, he slew one Defiled to save a soldier and injured himself dragging another back to safety, all at no small risk to himself. A brilliant ploy, if it was one, and truth be told, Junior didnt think anyone besides Falling Rain knew the truth. Even after spending months as Madam Luos clerk, he still wasnt sure what to make of his reluctant master, but he was glad for the chance to right the wrongs hed committed against Falling Rain and the Bekhai.

Realizing his thoughts were drifting, Junior focused on the task at hand and explained, Having taken injury in the line of duty, Master Rain now has the right to be seen by an Imperial Healer. So long as they fear no retribution, any Healer with eyes would rule him unfit to serve on account of his shattered Core and frail physique, which is legal grounds for medical discharge from service. Having studied Army service regulations backwards and forwards hoping to discover a way out, Junior was well aware of all the ways one could be free of service, but he never had the courage to go through with any of his plans. Purposely taking a debilitating injury in battle was out of question, and getting caught stealing rations was a frightening prospect, since he had to make sure he stole in small enough quantities so it would be ruled as minor thievery instead of the greater crimes of larceny or misappropriation with intent to profit, both of which held the penalty of death. It would be fine if he was caught after he stole something, but if Junior was caught on the way in, then the Justicars might well have him killed as an example to dissuade other would-be thieves and profiteers.

Having recovered from her brief fainting spell, Madam Luo didnt react with praise and jubilation as Junior expected, but instead smoothed her skirts and pursed her lips in thought, only minor movements but telling considering her political acumen. Rarely did Madam Luo let her thoughts show so clearly, for even an amateur like Junior could read the conflict in her expression, pleased by the news but worried regarding the consequences. If only it were so easy, she murmured, absently massaging a bears head as it pressed against her for comfort, its eyes so expressive Junior wondered if it was a human in beast form.

Beside them, Madam Mei Lin huffed and hugged a second bear tight, its head buried in her lap as she sat and fought to stay awake while the battle wound down. The rabbits aside, all the other animals were out here with them, a choice Junior didnt wholly approve of considering how much could go wrong. Well trained though they might be, they were still wild animals, so the clamour of battle and the screams of the dying had thoroughly unnerved the gentle bears and wildcats so. While the bears clung fast to two delicate women they could easily crush into meat paste, the wildcats paced about in nervous agitation with eyes wide and hackles raised. All it would take was one good scare and the animals might run away in terror without caring about anything in their way. Should they injure a soldier or Officer in their fright, then Master Rain could be held responsible and the animals killed out of hand, for none were protected like the Divine Turtle whose destructive antics were seen as Divine Judgment.

If only all the animals could be like the golden wildcat Aurie, sitting utterly still while gazing at the forward walls and awaiting his Masters return...

Hubby wont leave, Lady Mei Lin said, jolting Junior out of his thoughts. If he didnt want to be here, then he wouldnt have come, and not even the stinky Legate couldve forced him to do it.

Terrified by her casual disregard for Imperial authority, Junior motioned for Lady Mei Lin to keep her voice down and glanced around for suspicious figures even though they were encased in a Sound Barrier. If Junior learned anything these past few months, it was that one could never be too careful, and while always a sweet and proper young lady when Master Rain was in earshot, Madam Mei Lin had a habit of verbally venting her frustrations whenever he wasnt around. She had little respect for any authority besides the Bekhai, and even her veiled guards werent exempt from her fits of pique, though her insults rarely escalated beyond juvenile taunts like stinky or stupid. Seeing no one of note watching them with untoward interest, Junior explained, Perhaps, but is it possible Master Rain came here of his own volition because he lacked legal alternatives? Now that he has a legitimate reason to dispute the Justicars ruling, he could be back in the citadel by weeks end.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Without having to rebel against the Empire to do so, which was a solid plus in Juniors books.

Where is he now? Madam Luo asked, butting in before Madam Mei Lin let loose with another blasphemous round of curses against the Imperial Clan.

Master Rain is still on the outer wall, although from what I gather, he and his soldiers have been ordered to stand down. Albeit after holding a considerable section of the wall on their own for the better part of four hours. While they werent the only soldiers to fight for so long without reprieve, those were the exception rather than the norm, but it didnt surprise Junior to learn Master Rains soldiers were being mistreated and overworked.

Very well. Having come to a decision, Madam Luo sent Junior out to ascertain which Healer would be best to approach should Master Rain be amicable to the idea, as well as find out more about his situation on the outer wall. This was Juniors job now, running errands as Madam Luos clerk on the surface while covertly playing the role of spymaster for their enemies to target. In truth, he was merely there so others would focus on his actions while MuYang worked in the background, which was the least Junior could do considering he almost got Master Rain killed. Where another man would have used Juniors mistakes against him to blackmail the Chun family or worse, Master Rain merely returned the Oath-sworn Experts to MuYang and had Junior removed from the retinue, which was exactly what hed been after from the start.

Within the hour, they welcomed a bloodied and exhausted Master Rain back to the camp with open arms, or rather, Madam Luo and Madam Mei Lin did so while Junior stood off to one side. Master Rain looked far worse than Junior expected, though not quite as dire as Madam Luos gasps would convey, a weary man covered in blood that mostly wasnt his save for his fingertips which were torn to shreds, no doubt from dragging himself and another man across the battlements. In addition to his customary shaky gait, he now also walked with a limp, favouring his right leg while his left arm hung limply at his side. Worst of all was the formative bruises revealed around his chest and shoulder as Madam Mei Lin helped him remove his armour, a dark, reddish-purple patch visibly spreading as the blood pooled beneath his skin.

So not quite unharmed, but at least Master Rain escaped with minimal injury, which meant Junior had sizable winnings to collect from several bookies, all of which hed hand over to Mister Rustram to help pay for pensions. Junior got out from the retinue and would no longer be called upon to fight, but others were not so lucky.

Despite having been pardoned for his past crimes, he found it best not to parade himself before people hed tried to have assassinated, so he stood to one side and kept his mouth shut. Unfortunately, Madam Luo had different ideas in mind and tasked Junior with explaining his idea to go to the Healers, which he did with great reluctance and the utmost speed. ... giving you legal medical reason to return to the Citadel in safety.

But Dastan and the others would be left behind. Forget it.

As Madam Mei Lin predicted, Master Rain refused to use Juniors ploy to escape without a second thought, but Madam Luo was prepared. Gently scrubbing dried blood from his cheek with a cold towel, Madam Luo all but whimpered, But Lord Husband, Luo-Luo worries for you so. A single battle and you return to us bloodied and bruised, how are we to sleep knowing you suffer so? As if the idea just came to her, Madam Luo added, There can be no harm in asking, and if they refuse, then why not instead ask the Healers to have you classified as a recovering soldier? It would afford you the luxury of hot meals and heated baths. You eat so little these days and will need your strength for the battles ahead, so it couldnt hurt to take a few liberties, right?

Many saw Falling Rain as an uneducated fool, but Junior now knew the depths of his Masters intelligence. Madam Luo was trying to manipulate Master Rain into accepting her course of action by having Junior detail a plan she knew hed reject before offering a more suitable alternative, but he wasnt fooled for a second. Master Rain even seemed somewhat disgruntled by the innocent deception, but perhaps that was the way of the Bekhai, where women were strong and direct instead of cunning and manipulative. No, Master Rain said, shaking his head. No hot food, hot baths, bigger tents, or anything which might be construed as preferential treatment. I am a soldier without rank, and I will live like one, lest the Disciplinary Corps find issue with my behaviour.

But

No buts. My decision is final.

Though Madam Luo pouted and fell silent, Junior felt compelled to say his piece. With all due respect, Master Rain, you may not be looking at this correctly. While we are all familiar with the details of your health, the Empire is largely ignorant. Gaining confidence as he spoke, Junior explained, Although most understand that the loss of a Spiritual Weapon is crippling for Martial Warriors, few truly understand what you are currently going through. All they know is that youve been weakened and can no longer use Chi, but the Legate provided you with an elixir to bolster your health, so they think youre no worse off than a regular citizen. With proper documentation from a Healer, we can spread word of your plight to the public and garner sympathy for your cause. In your circumstances, showing weakness will not be fatal, because you are weak, weaker than most commoners even, which paints the Disciplinary Corps as overzealous bullies seeking to torment an ailing hero of the Empire.

...Plus, Ill get to have hot meals. Chuckling beneath his breath, Master Rain shook his head and said, Its tempting.

Seizing the opportunity before him, Junior said, Well do everything by the rules. No bribes or promises, just an official appointment with a Healer tomorrow, after the worst have been treated and the Healers have had time to rest. All we need is an official statement from a Healer which describes your state of health, and by this time next week, the people of the Empire will be asking what gives the Disciplinary Corps the right to treat a hero so unjustly.

...Okay, Master Rain said, and Junior rushed away to obey, happy to finally be of help once more.

Honestly, he figured this was the least he could do after trying to have the man killed.

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