Chapter 596: Ascension

Chapter 596: Ascension

Swallowing a mouthful of tepid tea, Luo-Luo felt it seep around the lump in her throat as she sat and stared at the papers neatly arranged across the table. Shed personally gone through all of them to check and double-check the information contained within, and they painted a disturbing and downright terrifying portrait of the world around her. Now, as she watched Lord Husband go through those same papers, she prayed he would come up with a different, less terrifying explanation to soothe her unsettled nerves.

At first glance, the information seemed innocuous enough. A report on Shen Mus lumber industry, including a detailed estimate of what the citys warehouses held prior to its destruction. Bills of sale from skilled tradesmen leaving the doomed city months in advance, bringing their entire families away to disappear into the wilderness. Copies of Shen Jins comprehensive tax records, recounting every copper collected from goods and travellers moving through the sole trade route between West and North in the year prior to the Defiled invasion. Conflicting harbormaster logs from ports all around the Azure Sea which were evidence of smuggled goods on ships whose captains brought their cargo and crew west, only to never return and leave their homes, families, and profitable trade-routes behind.

Luo-Luo stumbled across all of this information and more whilst working with MuYang to verify Rang Mins claims regarding the widespread theft and fraud plaguing the Imperial supply lines, and every time she found a single loose thread, she followed it to the same, unpleasant conclusion. Individually, these facts were meaningless and unimportant, but put together, they hinted at a concentrated effort to move products and people into the West in a clandestine matter, an effort which had been going on for months, if not years before the Defiled invasion. In fact, had Shen Mu not been put to the sword, the City would have soon discovered a serious shortage in skilled tradesmen, and Luo-Luo suspected their warehouses had been pilfered as well, holding perhaps as little as half of what the reports indicated. And this was assuming someone had set up an unregistered logging company somewhere north of Shen Jin, yet south and west of any other Northern City, because there was far more lumber moving into the West than Luo-Luo could legally account for.

It wasnt just lumber either. In the year prior to the Defiled invasion, the North sold record amounts of provisions, cloth, stone, leather, and weapons to the West, averaging close to four times the quantity sold in previous years. Knowing this, Luo-Luo supposed the stolen goods were being moved West as well, though she had yet to uncover any definitive proof. She was thankful to even know this much, because none of this would have come to light if not for MuYangs tireless dedication and Imperial Scion Jian Xianhes canny insight, so she was all but certain of it now. Whatever shadowy mastermind was behind all the theft and fraud plaguing Imperial supply lines was working for or with the Defiled and had done so for months, which meant there were Enemy agents lurking within their ranks.

A fact Lord Husband apparently suspected from the moment he heard Rang Mins report, and didnt share so as not to frighten Luo-Luo or colour her judgment. Even now, as he went through her notes and verified her information, he didnt look upset or surprised, but resigned, as if all of this was merely confirming what he already knew.

Logically, Luo-Luo had always known that the Enemy was crafty and insidious to the extreme, but the thought that she might well have brokered a deal or corresponded with a Defiled agent or sympathizer left her trembling in fright. Worst of all, the evidence pointed to a conspiracy taken on by dozens, if not hundreds of individuals working in concert, yet done in a compartmentalized manner which left them unaware of who their insidious allies might be. Of course, not all of those people had to be Defiled, because looking the other way for Nobles and Merchants was almost ingrained in Imperial culture, but it was mind-boggling that no one had come forth to shine a light on these issues yet.

No, that wasnt true, for also on Luo-Luos desk were reports of missing husbands, wives, sons, and daughters, men and women who disappeared without a trace and whose whereabouts were still unknown to this day. Some might have just gone into hiding to avoid the Imperial Decree mandating they take up Imperial contracts, and others might have just abandoned their lives and families for other reasons, but there were too many missing tradesmen for Luo-Luo to simply ignore like so many city guardsmen and Imperial Adjudicators already had.

Welp, Lord Husband said, sitting back with a sigh. Looks like there are Defiled sympathizers in the North working secretly to supply the West. Guess were all fucked.

That was certainly less optimistic than what Luo-Luo had hoped for, and the lump in her throat grew three sizes larger. Reaching for her cup of tea with shaky hands, she carefully brought it to her lips while MuYang oozed disgruntled disapproval. Mind your words, he chided, as grim and cheerless as always. An errant comment can give hope to the hopeless, or render a killing blow to wavering courage.

Fair enough. Accepting the criticism without blinking, Lord Husband sighed and said, Still... Things are looking grim.

Why? With elbows propped on the table and head resting in his hands, the irreverent Jian Xianhe presented an image at odds with the ideal Imperial Scion, impeccably dressed and exquisitely groomed yet coarse and boorish in behaviour. Never once did the man stand when Luo-Luo or Lord Husband entered the room, and were it not for her loud objections, the lout would likely have his bare feet resting on the table instead of his clothed elbows. So the Enemy made plans to build homes and feed the populace before invading, Xianhe said, offering the barest hint of a shrug. Hardly a dire threat, all things considered, and its more than what the Imperial Clan would do if the situation were reversed.

Words which would be considered blasphemous anywhere outside this room, but MuYang and Lord Husband shared the ill-mannered Scions low opinion of the Empire and took things in stride, as did Luo-Luo now that shed grown used to their impertinence. The food is not for feeding commoners, Lord Husband said, absently staring at the documents as if waiting for the answers to jump out at him. The food is for their enslaved workforce who must remain sane and healthy to do their jobs, as well as potential new soldiers, the so-called Chosen of Heaven who are a different breed of Defiled. More in control, less irrational, and all the more dangerous for it, they combine the rapid Martial progress of Defiled tribesmen with the training, discipline, and equipment of Imperial soldiers. With Gens Oration bringing more recruits to their side, soon, they will outnumber the Imperial Army even without the tribesmen to bolster their numbers. Whats more, I believe at least some of the materials will be used in building siege weapons for when they finally march on Central. Its not enough to win by relying on the Defiled, because this isnt about vengeance or revolution. Hes an arrogant man who feels he was wronged, so he means to use the Chosen to show the world he was right all this time...

Luo-Luo exchanged glances with MuYang and Xianhe, all of them unsure what Lord Husband was talking about. Who are you speaking of? Xianhe asked, stroking his meticulously groomed beard with an atrociously filthy hand. And what is he right about?

Noticing hed said too much, Lord Husbands brief moment of panic was quickly hidden by a knowing grin. Above your pay grade, Im afraid, he quipped, eliciting a chuckle from the unpaid Scion, one who was more than happy to take advantage of the fine tea and alcohol Lord Husband kept in the office. Looks like Ill need to set a meeting with Shen ZhenWu.

After an entire year of Luo-Luos careful use of the correct title, Lord Husband finally caught on to proper decorum. Divine True Warrior was a loftier form of address than mere Legate of the Empire, and so Lord Husbands Patron should be addressed as such, but for a time, Luo-Luo feared Lord Husband was purposely using the lesser title as a snub. To think, it took four other Imperial Scions using his Patrons proper title before he thought to ask why, at which point Liu Xuande explained things exactly as Luo-Luo had, yet somehow, Lord Husband finally understood. Maddening is what it was, to know Lord Husband was so smart, yet so hard-headed it took multiple people telling him the same thing before he would even consider believing it. Of course, it didnt help that everyone else in the outer provinces thought Shen ZhenWu was his true name and referred to him only as Imperial Legate, but the publicly favoured contender for heir to the throne seemed to take great delight in the misconception. To make matters worse, the Royal Guardians and Imperial Scions under Lord Husbands command had all been ordered to keep quiet about Shen ZhenWus true identity, much like Luo-Luo herself. If Lord Husband knew who he was dealing with, perhaps he would better remember his manners and stop attending meetings in his casual outfits...

Then again, Lord Husband would balk at changing clothes for a meeting with the Emperor Himself. At least she was able to steer him away from wearing sandals all the time, lest he complete his transformation into a lowly street thug and lose the respect of his peers.

Upon learning his Patron was not in the Northern Citadel, Lord Husband gave orders to MuYang and Xianhe to prepare for a journey south, which would leave first thing tomorrow morning. Though he put great effort into appearing calm and unconcerned, Luo-Luo could sense the tension bubbling over inside him as she took his arm and accompanied him out of the office. Any other business you need to attend to before we leave for Central? Lord Husband asked, and upon seeing her surprise, he patted her hand and smiled. Id very much appreciate it if you explained your findings to Shen ZhenWu before I share my conclusions. In the meantime, would you care to join me on a trip to the district? I figured Id pay my sister a visit to let her know Ill be gone and invite her here for dinner, then ride back with Mila, Yan, and Lin-Lin when theyre ready.

That sounds delightful, Lord Husband. Luo-Luo is happy to accompany you on both accounts. Heart racing in excitement and embarrassment from his amused smile, she cursed herself for her past foolishness as they collected the Guardian Turtle and headed back to the manor to retrieve their carriage. Oh how her cheeks had burned at the memory of when she quietly suggested Lord Husband behave more appropriately around his brothers wife, only for him to immediately laugh and share the tale with the rest of the family. It was a minor misunderstanding which could have happened to anyone, assuming Brother-in-law Charok and Lord Husband were brothers by blood, but no. Sister-in-Law Alsantset was Lord Husbands sister by adoption, and now they both took great delight in teasing Luo-Luo about her mistake by commenting on how they shouldnt behave inappropriately around each other every time she was in earshot.

Still, even this teasing was a marked improvement from the detached apathy and indifference which preceded it. In the weeks following his marriages to Mila and Yan, Lord Husband was more compassionate and amicable towards Luo-Luo, though he had yet to invite her into his bed. No, that honour belonged solely to his two amorous wives, who kept him so busy Luo-Luo wondered how he even had the energy to stay awake during the day, much less stroll about with a skip in his step. Insatiable and indefatigable were terms which came to mind, but Luo-Luos only hope of experiencing this first-hand was to wait until Mila and Yan were not around to monopolize him.

Their stroll also brought them to the neighbouring district to the south, which was not quite as beautifully crafted as the Bekhai district, but still had a homey sense of comfort about it. Here, potted plants were popular decor, as were small gardens and fields of grass lining the smooth cement roads which facilitated the ease of travel. Even on foot, it took less than two hours to cover the distance from district to district, and it didnt even take half that for Lord Husbands cattle wagon to bring them back. Yet another venture of his, putting his many cattle to work hauling people and goods along the districts for a small fee. Thus far, his wagons only covered a dozen or so districts since he had yet to find enough people he trusted to care for his precious pets, but the sweet bull pulling their wagon seemed happy enough, and even greeted Luo-Luo with an affectionate nuzzle.

So much had changed in only a few short weeks. Rubber, glass, concrete, War Bonds, the world was changing around them at a breakneck pace, but even then, Luo-Luo worried things were not changing fast enough, not in her personal life at least. Days before Milas wedding, Lord Husband proposed to marry Luo-Luo on the Winter Solstice, and she turned him down, but now it was all she could do not to break down in tears with each passing day. Their relationship had improved to the point where they were less than lovers and more than friends, but it just wasnt enough. They took strolls together at night and sometimes sat together for meals, but never alone and only rarely outside the company of his wives. Mila and Yan were utterly intoxicated by Lord Husband, and he with them, which meant even though almost a month had passed since his wedding with Yan, Luo-Luo was still an outsider looking in.

Oh, if only she hadnt rejected his proposal like a moon-eyed fool... At this rate, she would be well into her thirties before he was ready to marry her, and that was assuming there were no other women besides Li-Li and Lin-Lin in his life. What if that fox Dain succeeded in winning his affections, or the hordes of other women who sought to bear the child of an Imperial Scion. Liu Xuande and his fellow Imperial Scions were also bombarded with proposals and the like, but thus far, theyd resisted the urge to sow their seeds amongst the outer provinces and only kept company with the Imperial slaves they brought with them from the East. None of them seemed thrilled by the prospect of giving their children over to Imperial Service, and Luo-Luo could not fault them, for if Lord Husbands children were also fated to... be given...

Oh no... no, no, no...

Assumptions... Luo-Luo was guilty of them more often than not, for she often felt like the answer was so obvious it didnt bear further study, but what if this were like the misunderstanding with Lord Husband and Brother-in-Law Charok? Luo-Luo assumed they were related, because it appeared as if they were, just as she assumed Lord Husbands children would be Imperial Scions themselves, but what if she was mistaken? The tenth generation of Nobility was always given over to Imperial Service, but while she assumed Lord Husband would be considered a first generation Noble, generation was usually determined by relation to the Emperor Himself.

And Lord Husband had no relationship to this Emperor, or the next, or any Emperor whatsoever, which meant that while logically he was a first generation Scion, it could easily be argued he was more than ten generations removed from any Emperor, meaning...

Meaning any child of his must be given over to Imperial Service.

Hey? You seem distracted. Is everything alright? So distraught by her unexpected discovery, Luo-Luo had no recollection of returning home to their manor. Around her, Lord Husbands loving family sat about the courtyard in their couch swings and along the veranda to enjoy the cool autumn night after a sumptuous family banquet. Before her sat Lord Husbands concerned expression, cuddling Mama Bun once more while Banjo and Baloo begged for his attention. Grinning as he embraced each bear in turn, he sat down beside her and laughed as the bears settled into their laps. Nudging her ever so gently with his elbow, he stroked Baloos head and said, Im here if you want to talk, or if you just want some company. If you just want to be alone, feel free to let me know and Ill leave you to your thoughts, no offence taken.

Its nothing, she lied, too terrified to even consider the implications, for Lord Husband was not one to easily give up his child. Even securing jobs for his cattle was proving next to impossible, and he had trained Martial Warriors spying on village cart drivers to ensure his precious floofs were not harmed. Luo-Luo herself was not much better, for she always dreamed that her Patron would be kind enough to let her keep her children and powerful enough that it wouldnt be an issue. Hell, she even privately hoped this cattle wagon venture failed so she could bring them back to live on the ranch and appreciate her music, for she noticed some of the cattle seemed upset by the loss of their friends. How was she supposed to live knowing her child might go through the same pains she had, or worse?

Doesnt seem like nothing, Lord Husband said, keeping his tone carefully neutral. But its fine if you dont want to talk about it. Just know, Im here if you do, and so are Yan, Mila, Lin-Lin, and everyone else.

It was almost enough to make her cry, and she wanted to blurt out her suspicions for him to hear, but there was too much hinging on his good relationship with Shen ZhenWu, and this revelation was sure to stress it, whether her suspicions were true or not. Thank you, Lord Husband, she said, grateful shed found such a kind and caring Patron. But its nothing.

Her actions betrayed her words as she wrapped her arms around his and leaned heavily against him, seeking comfort from his warm and sturdy presence. There they sat with the bears heads in their laps, stroking their fur and giggling at their silly expressions as if secluded in their own private world. They traded stories about the animals and shared tricks on keeping them contented, and their conversation was so soothing and peaceful, Luo-Luo didnt even notice that the others had left them alone, not until Lord Husband cleared his throat and said, Well, its getting late. We should head off to bed.

Gently lowering Baloos snoring head down into the grass, Lord Husband straightened up and brushed the dust from his pants. Then, he hesitated ever so slightly before offering her his hand with a shy, almost expectant smile and asked, Would you mind if I walked you to your room?

A question shed been waiting to hear for agonizing months, an implication only barely hinted at to leave her ample room to refuse, because he didnt want her to feel forced into this. Luo-Luo knew she should refuse, at least until she made certain of his Imperial Status, but shed been waiting for this moment for so long, had ached for it, dreamed of it, and now it was finally here...

Yes, she said, the word coming out hot and heavy. Yes, that would be

Trouble approaches, Junior Brother. Appearing before them out of thin air, the Abbot gently lowered two heavy, stained sacks to his feet before collapsing into the grass. Raising a blood-covered hand in supplication, the aged Abbot intoned, Eh-Mi-Tuo-Fuo, such pride, such sin. Our foes return home with tales of victory and triumph, while our presence provides proof of a shameful defeat.

It was only then that Luo-Luo realized the sacks were not sacks at all, but the crumpled forms of Ancestral Beasts, namely Guan Suo and GangShu themselves. Blood, dirt, and injuries covered them from head to toe, and the Abbot did not look much better. They will bring violence and bloodshed, Junior Brother, the Abbot said, his voice calm and eyes pained. And this one is helpless to stop them.

With that, the Abbot collapsed in the grass and Lord Husband ran over to help him, leaving Luo-Luo to consider if this latest tribulation was too much for her poor heart to bear.

Chapter Meme