Chapter 762

Chapter 762

Hesitant. Careless. Arrogant.

Words which described Hideo all too well, and he yearned to be rid of these flaws, but making changes to ones temperament was easier said than done. Following his humiliating defeat at the hands of Tong Da Fung atop the walls of the Central Citadel, Hideo immediately withdrew from his military duties and monastic studies to look inward towards his own Path. Neither Monk Eyebrows nor Wisdom Vyakhya voiced any dissatisfaction with Hideos decision to distance himself from the Brotherhoods teachings, but he keenly felt their unspoken disappointment regarding his many recent failures. Even after all the time they spent offering him Healing, guidance, and encouragement, he still had almost nothing to show for it, merely a few minor strides along the Martial Path that paled in comparison to the progress of his peers and rivals.

Even though the Brotherhood possessed a great deal of wisdom and insight regarding the Dao, Hideo needed time to process what hed learned and experienced this last year so that he could better understand his personal perspective. Hence his decision to step away from lessons and combat for a period of personal introspection, one which opened up a wealth of unwelcome truths. Others thought him discouraged and disheartened enough to give up on the Dao and the cause, but sometimes, one had to take a step back in order to better see the Path moving forward. This advice came from neither Monk Eyebrows nor the Wisdom, but from the Uniter whod taken an interest in Hideo after Gen failed to adhere to the Razors edge and lost himself to madness during the assault on the traitor Abbot.

An interesting man, the Uniter, a mysterious entity who stood at the pinnacle of the Dao. Their meeting, if one could call it that, had taken place within Hideos Natal Palace, and the Uniters ability to forcefully appear in what should have been an inviolable space spoke volumes to his strength and courage. There within the heart of his Natal Palace, Hideo could have crushed any invaders with little more than a thought, yet still the Uniter had the courage to come meet him without warning. Wutai Mountain, the scholarly elder declared, a statement to announce his presence and shake Hideo out of his meditative trance, for never in his wildest imagination did he think a stranger could appear in his Natal Palace to wander about and take in the sights. A beautiful sight, but how... uninspired.

So surprised to see and hear someone inside his Natal Palace, Hideo almost attacked the elder on reflex, but a pointed look from the perfectly groomed grandfather was all it took to still his hand, a gaze filled with warning and reassurance both. On the surface, there was nothing particularly intimidating about the genteel and dignified old man, a slim, bony fellow who moved with the care and deliberation of a man afflicted with arthritis. Despite his aged appearance and feeble movements however, Hideo recognized this man for what he truly was. This was a Dragon who stood above all others, one who demanded reverence and respect through virtue of his mere existence alone.

It wasnt anything he said or did, nor was it some gut feeling or hidden intuition warning Hideo to be wary. No, the evidence was right here before his very eyes, and not solely due to their location. The telltale clues lay in the mans golden robes bearing flowing embroidery depicting all manner of atrocities, and the grotesque jewellery he wore to accentuate it. A corpse themed ring sat upon every finger and multiple bone bangles encircled his wrists, like the cold, grasping fingers of a grudge-bearing corpse refusing to let go even in death. Everything the elder wore radiated unholy menace and macabre power, even here at the seat of Hideos power where he should rightly reign supreme. A single look was all it took for him to know he was sorely outmatched, and he adjusted his attitude accordingly. Greetings, honoured Elder, he began, offering a clasped fist rather than a bow because he didnt dare take his eyes off the stranger, nor did he have the courage to get up off the stone dais he sat on to meditate, one modelled after the same dais that sat upon the mountain in reality. How might this one be of service?

Hmm. Uttering an approving grunt, the elder studied Hideo while nodding ever so slightly. Good, good. Perceptive and adaptable, though perhaps too much so considering... all this. Waving a hand about him to gesture at the surroundings, the elder shook his head and sighed. Your Grand Uncle warned you against following in his footsteps, but you did not take his warnings to heart and continued to chase after his heels. Better if you had walked your own path and showed the world the Heroic Heavenly Guardian your father named you for, rather than the shadow of a shadow youve become.

The shadow of the Obsidian Shadow, Mitsue Juichi. How... apt. An ugly truth, but one Hideo could no longer afford to ignore, for it was clear this was the reason his progress along the Martial Path had slowed in recent times, because he had long since forsaken his own Path to follow in the footsteps of his Grand Uncle Juichi. That and his inability to rein in his earthly desires, among other things, but his lack of Martial Progress lay firmly in his refusal to return to his roots. The elder made that clear with little more than a gesture, for Wutai Mountain held great significance for Uncle Juichi, being the place where he found Insight for the Mountain Collapsing Stomp, yet to Hideo, it was merely a popular attraction located in his familys backyard. How many times did he make the trip to this very peak in real life, hoping to chance upon the same Insight as his hero and idol? How many times did he read the stories of the Obsidian Shadows rise to prominence, scouring each page for clues on how to progress? How many times did he sit upon this stone dais and look out at the surroundings, trying to see what Grand Uncle Juichi saw when sitting in this same spot?

Once would have been too many, for each must forge their own path, a lesson every Martial Warrior was taught from the very first step, but one Hideo was only learning just now.New novel chapters are published on

Good, good. Stroking his long, luxurious snowy beard, the elders gaze softened as he took in Hideos reaction. The Mitsue Hideo of yesteryear would not have welcomed this Sovereigns advice, but your recent trials and tribulations have dulled the edge of your undeserving hubris. Pride is the domain of the worthy, and you as you stand are far from it.

Though Hideo always thought Gen a fool for calling himself a Sovereign, it seemed so fitting a sobriquet for this formidable elder, one whose name was now evident. This one greets the Uniter, and begs leniency for any offence given in ignorance.

The Uniter waved a hand in dismissal, neither accepting nor rejecting Hideos apology. You have seen the limits of your chosen path and experienced the flaws firsthand. Will you persist in your efforts to become the second coming of Mitsue Juichi in spite of the shortcomings youve uncovered, or will you seek out your own Path no matter the cost, even if it means forsaking all your progress thus far?

Two choices lay before Hideo, a fork in the road that would decide his future, but he knew neither path would be as simple as it seemed. Success was all but guaranteed regardless of his decision, for he was a dragon among men destined for greatness, but while any Peak Expert was considered a lofty, peerless existence by the masses, he knew better than most how vast the disparity could be between the average Peak Expert and a Living Legend like the Obsidian Shadow.

Or Mitsue Hiroshi, the hidden dragon of the Mitsue family who died in obscurity before ever soaring high up into the Heavens where he belonged.

The disservice to his father was what pushed Hideo to his decision, for Mitsue Juichi was not a man worth idolizing. A weak-willed and indulgent old man who doted upon his worthless sons and daughters while expecting his talented nephew to sacrifice glory and acclaim to shield those leeches from the consequences of their own actions. Uncle Watanabe claimed Juichi had treated Hiroshi like a son, but if that was true, then Hideos father would have been a worthless middle-aged fop trading on his fathers reputation instead of a formidable Peak Expert and Living Legend in the making. Then there was the fact that even though Juichi knew Hideo was walking a dead end path by following in his footsteps, the old man never truly raised an objection, because it appealed to his ego to raise a successor in his own image.

Is that how you see things, Mitsue Hideo? Cultivation is written Xiu Zhen (), which among other things means to pursue the truth. Altering your perspective to twist the truth to your liking is the same as lying to yourself, an escape for a man unwilling to bear the weight of his sins.

Quashing the doubting voice in his head warning him against taking the Wrong View, Hideo steeled his nerves and offered the Uniter a full bow this time, though he still refrained from stepping down off his stone dais. Why that was, he could not say, for a bow from an elevated position was only slightly better than spitting at the Uniters feet, but his instincts warned him against leaving the stone unoccupied. Whats more, the Uniter had come here in full regalia, offering guidance with one hand and threats with the other, so Hideo felt it only right to remain guarded against this powerful and mysterious patron of the Defiled. I choose to seek out my own path, and beg elder for any guidance he might spare. Hesitating for all of a moment, Hideo added, However, this one feels unworthy of becoming elders Disciple, so would ask for a lowly place as your student instead.

This wasnt humility, but self-preservation, for it was clear the relationship between the Uniter and the Wisdom were strained, to say the least. Hideo himself had not noticed until after he stepped away, but the Wisdom had all but poached the most suitable talents away from the Uniter, and the latter was clearly looking to replace the now Demonified Gen. Hideo had no desire to place himself in between these two formidable groups, nor did he have any intentions of abandoning the Brotherhoods camp in favour of the Uniters. All he wanted was to progress along his Path, and he felt that both sides could offer him the much needed guidance to do so.

Hmph. There was no anger in the old mans huff, only contempt and indifference to Hideos equivocations. Student or Disciple, what you call yourself matters not, for the conflict you perceive between this Sovereign and Vyakhya is a but one-sided affair. Wise though he claims to be, the old eunuch has spent so long fixated on his goal that he has allowed his obsession to blind him to good sense. The conflict with the outer provinces is merely the beginning, yet he wrongly believes the war is all but won, and thus, in his arrogance, has succumbed to the height of foolishness by setting the table before securing the bird in hand. A rather low-brow idiom from a man of his scholarly nature, but Hideo believed it was an intentional choice to further discredit the Wisdoms actions, an understanding which did not escape the Uniters discerning gaze. This Sovereign finds it refreshing to speak with an educated youth, especially after struggling to transform mud into gold for so long.

A noble endeavour, Hideo replied, unable to keep the sneer off his face at being compared to lowly Gen, But while a snake might one day transform into a dragon, it is too much for a lowly worm to dream of reaching such heights.

The Uniters smile spoke volumes to his satisfaction at finding a kindred spirit, but it would be too crude of him to agree out loud. The first lesson then, he began, gesturing at the surroundings once more. Gaze upon what you have wrought, and tell me what you see missing.

Try as he might, Hideo saw nothing of note, for hes spent many a day and week ensuring every last detail was correct, right down to the position of the tree branches and birds nests nestled within them. His Natal Palace was a perfect recreation of Wutai mountain, with not a single stone or weed out of place, so after much deliberation, Hideo turned back to the Uniter whod stood patiently by for what might well have been several hours without uttering a peep. This one is ignorant and unable to discover what Teacher finds lacking.

Admission of ignorance is but the first step to seeking assistance, the Uniter replied, sparing Hideo the shame of his failings. The answer lies not in the mountain itself, but in how you have chosen to depict it. Raising a hand to point at the sun shining down from overhead, the Uniter asked, Since this Sovereigns arrival, the sun has not moved even a single millimetre, nor have the clouds shifted in any way. The wind does not stir, the humidity remains constant, the mountain static and unchanging. This is not Wutai Mountain, but merely an image of it painted upon the canvas of your mind. An impressive feat considering the scale of detail, but lacking in depth and acuity, for an image is static and unchanging. A Natal Palace should instead be alive and dynamic, analogous to the reality it seeks to replicate.

Hideos eyes widened as he took in the Uniters words, for they hinted at a purpose of the Natal Palace which he never even considered. The Natal Palace seeks to replicate reality, he repeated, following the thread laid out for him to pursue. So upon successful completion, there should be no difference between the Natal Palace and reality itself... Natal Palace Manifestation?

Your Grand-Uncle loves you too much to ever give up on you, the voice said, and just like before, Hideo hated hearing the ring of truth in its words. If you do not believe in yourself, then believe in Mitsue Juichi who still believes in his Grand-Nephew and Disciple, even after all youve done.

The words brought to mind the last time Hideo saw his Grand-Uncle in person, from across the battlefield in JiangHu after Bai Qi revealed that hed learned all of Mitsue Juichis weaknesses from someone who knew him well. Hidden far back in the crowd, Hideo expected he would see the old man break, but instead, he was greeted with an expression of hope and desperation unlike anything hed ever seen from the Living Legend, his eyes darting this way and that whilst locked in combat with the formidable Lord of Martial Peace. Hideo! The shriek shook him to his core as he watched Grand-Uncle Juichi discard his aloof public persona at the mere prospect of saving him. Hiroshi! Do not despair! These Defiled will pay for what theyve done! I will bring you home and do whatever it takes to make you both whole again, this I swear!

When Bai Qi announced that Hiroshi had died, Hideo watched as Grand Uncle Juichi fell to his knees and wailed in lamentation, the grief and anguish etched so deeply into the old mans bloodied expression that it seemed like he would never be the same again. Then... a revival or strength and renewal of purpose, because there was still hope yet. Then what of little Hideo? Grand Uncle Juichi asked, struggling to get back on his feet to finish what he started and kill Bai Qi for good. Return my grand-nephew at once!

And fool that he was, Hideo had chosen this moment to step out, believing it the best time to destroy the man he so loved and loathed. There, before an entire army filled with the Empires greatest elites, Hideo renounced his Mentor and family for all to hear and denounced Mitsue Juichi for added measure. He blamed the old man for his worthless sons and for ruining a rising dragon, called him a failure of a father, failure of a Mentor, and failure of a Patriarch to boot.

And when he asked the old fool how it felt to see his lifes pursuits amount to nothing, Grand Uncle Juichi finished sobbing before straightening up and stretching his hand out in supplication. Come back to me, little Hideo. Return to my side, and I will do whatever it takes to bring you back into the light. Then he admitted all his failures, admitted his mistakes led Hideo down this dark path, and pleaded him not to let an old fools mistakes be his doom. When even this wasnt enough, Grand Uncle Juichi assured him that no one would take Hideo away from him, and then slapped himself for being at fault, not once, not twice, but three times hard enough to draw blood.

He loved you both dearly, as much as any son or grandson, the devil said, and in his weakness, Hideos will wavered with indecision.

Only for him to look upon the scrolls hed written and reaffirm his convictions.

Confidence.

Diligence.

Humility.

It was too late for regrets, too late to go back, no matter how much he wished he could. Hideo had made the right decisions, or the best ones he could given his unfortunate circumstances. He would not allow himself to wallow in weakness again. And though he would soon rise up stronger than ever before, he would show no mercy to his enemies or himself, for even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. Seizing the devil of his heart with naught but his iron will, he ground away at its voice until it had nothing left to say, leaving only pure, untainted power behind. This was the greatest gift the Uniter bestowed upon him, a portion of raw Energy of the Heavens for him to use as he pleased. Bai Qi and Mao Jianghong used their gifts to force an Awakening, because they both believed theyd reached the pinnacle of the Martial Path and could go no further without additional tools at their disposal, but Hideo was young and full of potential, so he would not limit his future so. Instead, he seized the Energy of the Heavens bestowed upon him and turned his eyes to the Void, finally ready to take what others believed to be the first step along the Dao, yet for him, it merely marked a new beginning.

There in the darkness, he Created his Core, not separate from the Void, but a part of it, while simultaneously existing in his physical body. Oh how the Heavens howled as it sought to reject his burgeoning dominion, but with the Energy of Creation and Destruction firmly in hand, there was nothing the Heavens could do to stop him. As his Core billowed into existence, he rejected the Heavens and rejected their authority to seize control of his own fate. The jealous Heavens sought to manipulate events to keep humanity from ascending, narrowing down the choices to a select few that inevitably led to a dead end Path, but Hideo held fast to his convictions and would walk his own Path from here on out.

And so he formed his Core, one unlike any other in existence, a source of radiating golden light in the darkness of the Void that would soon become a beacon of hope for all humanity. This was Hideos Golden Core, utterly incomparable to the false Cores Martial Warriors relied on, for while they used their Cores as a medium to control the Energy of the Heavens, Hideos Core offered him dominance over the same. There were many benefits to his new Path, but weaknesses as well. With the Creation of his Golden Core, hed given himself an immortal body, one which could Heal from any damage so long as his mind and Core remained intact. If someone were to cut him open, they would find nothing physically different until they gazed upon him with more than their physical eyes. Only then would they see his Golden Core, sitting just above his navel, and a discerning observer might even see how it connected to his twelve meridians which passed through every last millimetre of his body in the same ethereal fashion. Though he was more powerful than ever before and able to use Chi in ways others could only imagine, he would lose everything if his Core was shattered, but it would take more than mundane steel to do so. An acceptable weakness, one he would eventually overcome with more progress, and the benefits were significant indeed.

So with this first step along the true Dao, Hideo was no longer a Martial Warrior, but a cultivator, one who pursued the truth in defiance of the Heavens.

There was still much to be done, but the rest came easily with minimal effort. His Natal Palace reformed, not in the image of Wutai mountain, but rather the isolated courtyard in which this all began, where he consumed Eri-Hime and set himself down the path of True Divinity. The grass, the flowers, the wall scrolls, and even Eri-Himes bloodied hair and glassy eyes, all of it was a real and alive as anything one might find in nature, the means and knowledge needed to accomplish this nigh-impossible feat seized from the Heavens themselves. Knowing without knowing, understanding without comprehension, this information was stolen and did not truly belong to him just yet, but soon that would change with practice and familiarity, for life was a journey of learning, and Hideos Mentor was now the Heavens themselves, whether it wanted to guide him or not. In similar vein, his Domain naturally Developed the moment he sought to exert his Authority, one granted by his Will and divorced from the Heavens. As for Aura, he left that milestone untouched as instructed by the Uniter, for his Golden Core was protection enough from opposing Auras of any variety.

Opening his eyes for the first time in weeks, Hideo emerged from the pit a changed man. When he entered, he could barely reach the lip when standing on his toes, but now, it sat level with his eyes. Lacking the room needed to stretch his arms and legs, he leapt out of the pit with little more than a hop, and utilized his Chi to clear away the brittle black gunk adhered to his flawless, porcelain skin. Taking a moment to appreciate the formidable changes to his physique, his self-admiration was interrupted by an unwelcome presence, and Hideo turned to gaze upon the melted face of his former rival. Good, Good, The Uniter exclaimed, speaking through the Demonized Gen whose black and glowing red skin bubbled and flowed like molten lava. Before, hearing the Uniters voice relayed in this manner left Hideo reeling in pain and anguish, but now it was no different from hearing anyone else Send, a grand testament to his improvement. The end of your seclusion has come at a fortuitous time, for this Sovereign has need of your newfangled abilities.

Who would you have me kill? Eager to test himself in battle, Hideo clenched his fists and flashed a grin that would have women fighting to enjoy his embrace, but mere mortals were of no interest to him anymore. No, only a heavenly fairy like Zheng Luo could ignite his desire, or perhaps a Peak Expert like that bitch Akanai or Jeong Hyo Lynn. How wonderful it would be to take out his frustrations on Geom-Chis sisters and mother while he watched, so he prayed for good fortune to the Ryo Family in hopes they would survive these coming conflicts.

Shi Bei has fallen, came the Uniters reply, surprising Hideo to no end. As planned. For two weeks now, the Imperials have stretched themselves thin in an effort to hold it, leaving so very many of their Peak Experts gathered in one place. A tempting military target, but this Sovereign cares not for lines drawn on a map. No, to seize victory, we must first deal with our greatest threat. The Demonic Gen was no larger than he had been as a man, and it pleased Hideo to watch it crane its neck up to look him in the eye. The Demon possessed amber eyes, he noted, but not the warm, living amber of the Bekhai, but rather the glowing embers of a burning hot forge filled with hatred and suffering. So you, Hideo, First Champion of the Chosen, will proceed to Meng Sha and kill Falling Rain before he wakes. His guardians are formidable, but so too are your allies, for success must be seized here before it becomes far more difficult to achieve.

As Hideo emerged from the cave with the Demonic Gen at his side, he took in the sight of his allies waiting beneath the blazing midday sun, and noted how the once stifling heat no longer affected him. True to his word, the Uniter held nothing back to ensure Hideos success, but he was confident he alone would be enough. There was no need for so many Demons and Divinities, or the formidable Monks of the Brotherhood and their prized pupil Yuanyin, but where Mitsue Hideo would have once balked at the idea of sharing his glory, Hideo, the Heroic Heavenly Guardian, accepted the aid without comment. Better to quash the enemys hope and remove any and all chance of failure, negligible though it might be.

Clasping his fist in a military salute, Hideo offered the Uniter his respects. Falling Rain will die, he declared, And not even the Heavens can save him.

Striding off with his allies at his side, Hideo set out to seize victory and win the war. Only then could he indulge his darkest desires before setting them aside in order to pursue the Dao and unravel the mysteries of Heaven and beyond. That was his ultimate goal now, and every step he took from here on in would be in pursuit of this ambition, for only then could he repay the Heavens for the pain and misery it inflicted upon him.

Trials and tribulations without end, but that would change once Hideo rose up to become a calamity to the Heavens themselves and ascended to the next plane of existence. Once there, he would conquer that world as well, and his journey in this world would be naught but a footnote, beginning with the death of the worthless and insignificant savage, Falling Rain.

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