Chapter 783

Chapter 783

The earth shook and the Heavens raged as the Demonic Divinity clawed its way into existence, a most fascinating and novel experience worth studying, but Taduk absently took it all in for later perusal while wistfully reflecting on how quickly the years flew by.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

These days, sweet Lin-Lin and Rainy boy were everything to him, but less than thirty-odd years ago, Taduk was but a vagrant bachelor who spent his days and nights immersed in whatever subject caught his fancy. At the time, it was Spiritual Beasts and Plants and the methods they employed to become more than their mundane counterparts, the latest branch in his wide-spread efforts to better understand how one became a Divinity so as to shed new light on his own Path. The Saints Tribulations mountains had plenty of specimens to study and Akanai had been more than happy to accommodate his eccentric and reclusive ways without too many requests or demands, so life was good for an indeterminant number of years, or at least more than he cared to keep track of.

Then things changed, and Taduk never did like change much. It all started when Akanai took in a wolf-pup for a Disciple, and that rabbit-brained blockhead Hua Lie thought Mentoring looked fun, so she took a Disciple too. This led to both women making more demands of him, because neither one knew how to treat a Disciple gently, and they even dragged him off to do battle with the Defiled at one point, but this much he could tolerate. Mostly because little Hai understood gratitude and gifted Taduk with a manor in Shen Huo once he became Magistrate, but also because he was rather fond of Baatar and Sarnai. The real disaster was not the distraction they all posed, but rather something far worse, for the wolf pup and mountain rose went and fell madly in love and kicked off what might well be the greatest calamity of the century.

Not for them, as Baatar and Sarnai were a heartwarming couple who suited each other well, but a calamity for Taduk which he was ill-equipped to endure. It all started when those two love-struck darlings invited Hua Lie to their wedding, where their vows put all sorts of silly ideas into that wooden head of hers. From the day they met, that floppy-eared temptress had been making bold advances upon him, which in turn spurred Ling Lu to do the same out of a sense of friendship and rivalry. Not the worst thing in the world, for no man was immune to the attentions of beautiful women, and there was no denying that they were both very lovely indeed. Under different circumstances, he might have considered a dalliance with one or the other, but he rejected them both because neither one truly held his best interests in mind. Hua Lie only desired him because she mistakenly believed their pairing would result in a viable child, one who would naturally grow into a Divinity as he or she came of age, but he knew full well she would leave him once she realized no pregnancy was forthcoming, as well it should be between a rabbit and a hare. As for Ling Lu, her motives were even less pure than Hua Lies, for the Ancestral Gazelles interests were driven solely by her desire to one-up Hua Lie, and Taduk was no prize to be mounted and stuffed.

Nor did he have any desire to risk Hua Lies ire, for somehow, the stupid, flea-bitten, ancestor of a rodent had learned how to utilize a limited amount of Heavenly Energy without killing everyone and everything within a dozen kilometres.

It wasnt that she was necessarily stronger than Taduk, but that she could beat him silly without breaking the Treaty, while he was unable to retaliate or even effectively defend himself without risking it all. Should their relationship turn hostile, the only thing he could do was run, and while he was the faster of the two, she possessed a dainty little nose which could track him to the ends of the Empire and back again without missing a single step. Among the Divinities of the Saints Tribulations Mountains, Hua Lie was second in terms of usable strength, inferior only to Lao Lang, an Ancestral Wolf so old hed likely known the Saint who gave the mountains their namesake, assuming it wasnt him in the first place. In contrast, Hua Lie was close enough to Taduks age that they were unsure who was older, a coincidence which only further reinforced her belief that they were a fated pair. That being said, deflecting her advances was simple enough because in spite of her many insistent proposals, there was no real love between them, as demonstrated by how every few decades she would become enamoured with some mortal or another and bear yet another child which she so desperately tried to love.

Say one thing about her, but Hua Lie was a determined woman, one who treated all her half-rabbit children well despite her instincts screaming at her to kill them for being too weak. Not an experience Taduk wanted to share in, for he feared the guilt and pain would be too much for him to bear.

Hua Lies determination would soon prove to be Taduks downfall however, for after witnessing Sarnais trials and tribulations of love result in a resounding success, Hua Lie approached Taduk and told him in no uncertain terms that she intended to marry him and be his wife regardless if she could bear his child or not. Before, her interest lay solely in the realm of mating and propagation, which was easy to reject because he knew it was a partnership destined to fail, and he had no desire to subject himself to that particular brand of misery without good reason. A marriage however, that was a different story, for hed long since envied Machali and Da Huis partnership, tumultuous as it might be. Though they were always arguing about this or that, they were also always together and supportive of one another, and as wonderful as it was to watch Baatar and Sarnais romance bud and blossom into something beautiful, Taduk had lived long enough to know it was destined to end in heartache and distress once the mountain rose withered away and left the wolf pup to mourn alone.

Which was why Taduk mostly kept to himself. It was just easier that way, but a marriage with another Divinity, one that would last into the ages that was something entirely different, a possibility wholly worthy of consideration.

A decision of this magnitude could not be made lightly, especially since he had next to nothing in common with Hua Lie save for the fact that she was rabbit and he a hare, which was only a similarity to an idiot like her. Despite all their differences however, he was still tempted to at least try, because among other reasons, it was rare to find new ground to explore and navigate. To give himself time to think, he escaped to his manor in Shen Huo for a time, but little Hais incessant requests made it all but impossible to focus on his dilemma. How was anyone supposed to get anything done with him dropping in every few weeks to see if Taduk could treat this persons boring, mundane sickness or attend that persons insipid banquet? You would think that short-lived mortals would be more prudent with their limited time, but they frittered away whole decades doing nothing of note, and they thought him the mad one.

Then one morning, Taduk woke up and decided hed had enough of everyones antics, so he set out from Shen Huo without leaving word of his departure. It wasnt the first time hed set off on a journey by himself, since he often went wandering to search for Spiritual Beasts and Plants alike, but it was the first time he left without telling anyone since he settled down in the Saints Tribulations Mountains. Akanai was rather particular about that, keeping track of his comings and goings, a good friend and hard woman who wasnt afraid to lambaste him for accompanying Husolt out at all hours of the night, as if her husband wasnt the one to drag Taduk out and about to begin with. More than once, shed put him on an involuntary vegetarian diet in reprisal, and there wasnt a thing he could do about her cruel and immoral punishment. There was not a single denizen of the mountain range who would dare cross their hero and Chief Provost, not even for a Healer. Even if Taduk were willing to publicly reveal himself as a Divinity, he wagered theyd still all take her side regardless, for Divinities were abundant as cabbages at the marketplace compared to the unique and extraordinary Akanai of the Bekhai.

Still, despite knowing the horrors that would await him should he ever return, Taduk felt a weight lift off his shoulders the moment he took to the open skies. He was never any good at making important decisions or interacting with other people, as he preferred to focus on his studies instead. Lately, things had gotten too complicated for him, what with Baatar and Sarnai and all their friends, as well as little Hai spreading word of Taduks work and calling him a Medical Saint. That title never sat right with him, because even though the world praised him for his generosity and kindness, it had always merely been a means to an end. In order to study medicine, it was best to see it in action, so he went out in the world to treat as many people as he could. Gold was meaningless to a Divinity like himself, but others saw his indifference to wealth as altruism and benevolence, even though he felt that the information gleaned from Healing so many was more than worth the effort. Then there was the wide array of test subjects for medicines, which he was always careful to ensure was safe, but even he made mistakes every now and then. Yet even when his errors resulted in someones death, no one ever blamed him for his failures, they only thanked him for his efforts even though he might well have made things worse.

Curious creatures, humans were, so full of hate and anger, but also empathy and compassion. Now there was a mystery even he couldnt solve, not that he was doing any better with his chosen studies.

Itd been decades since he made any real progress with his research, for no matter how many Spiritual Beasts or Plants he came across, he had yet to find a singular thread to link them all, and nothing to explain how a mundane beast or plant might elevate themselves to become more. There was a time when he tried to study the Martial Path instead, but he was not suited for it, because too much of his Dao came naturally to him, which left him unable to fathom the hardships others encountered along theirs. Just finding Balance was a struggle for some, which was as incomprehensible to Taduk as a healthy human struggling to breathe, which was why hed switched focus to beasts and plants instead. Beasts because at one point, hed been one, and plants because they were easier to understand than people or animals, but alas, his success was limited at best.

Which was why as soon as he realized he was simply taking his normal route around the province, checking in on previously discovered Spiritual specimens, he quickly grew bored and wanted to do something new. Itd been less than a century since his last trip, so surely there wasnt much of interest to find, though years later, he learned that a garden snake living at one of those sites had successfully Refined its Spiritual Heart, but only after it put its tail through Rainy boys chest. That would come later however, as Taduk picked a new heading on a whim and soon arrived in the forest of his birth, the isolated heart of a lush and verdant jungle in the Southern Province many kilometres away from civilized life. Once, thered been a giant Kapok tree overlooking the waterfall nearby, and hed lived out his earliest days inside the nooks and crannies of that towering giant, but the original one had long since withered and died with new trees sprouting in its place. There were still fruits and tubers aplenty scattered throughout the familiar jungle, and plenty of stagnant pools where fish stopped to spawn, both of which provided him with ample, albeit unappetizing sustenance. Those were his earliest memories of this place, when he was already an established resident of the jungle living comfortably on his own, a child younger than even Tali and Tate were now, yet wholly capable of surviving without any help.

But only just. Divinity though he might be, back then, hed only been marginally stronger than a mortal, and wholly ignorant to boot. Even now, the memory of gnawing away at tough roots and chomping down raw fish made his stomach turn, and he cringed to think of what a fool hed made of himself when he finally found the courage to leave the jungle to seek out others like him. That had been a long and arduous journey he did not care to revisit, filled with trials and tribulations aplenty, but being in the jungle again reminded him of simpler times, when all he cared about was filling his belly and avoiding the fierce predators of the night.

As if on cue, he heard the tell-tale cry of a minokawa and an involuntary shudder coursed down his spine, reminding him of all the close brushes with death hed had in this life and the last. This fear was something ingrained into his heart and soul, for the minokawa was the Cloud Chaser Hares one and only competitor for the title of King of the skies, a massive avian predator capable of hunting even jaguars and anacondas, to say nothing of a young boy or Cloud Chaser Hares. To feel such fear irked Taduk greatly, for he was a Divinity now, one powerful enough to dominate everything under the Heavens, and he refused to be cowed by a fat flying turkey. In a fit of pique, he Cloud-Stepped over to where he heard the minokawa cry and unleashed the strongest attack he could conceivably let loose without breaking the world, an Amplified slap that could shatter stone from inside and out.

Admittedly it wasnt much to be proud of, but he was surprised when his blow merely dazed the minokawa for a moment, though a moment was all its prey needed to turn the tables around.

That was the first time Taduk laid eyes on his sweet, precious daughter, though she looked very different at the time. A tiny, rounded thing, even for a Cloud Chaser Hare, able to fit comfortably in the palm of his hand, yet so full of fury and voraciousness as it tore through the minokawas throat and set it plummeting from the skies. So intent on devouring her catch, the little hare almost crashed into the ground before catching up to the corpse, but she caught it at the last moment and Cloud-Stepped from mere centimetres above the ground to arrest its momentum and keep its catch from being pulped into the dirt. Settling down on a nearby tree, Taduk watched the little beast partake of its meal from afar and noticed a deep and vicious puncture wound in its side, one which would likely prove fatal if left untreated. Seeing how she might well be one of his descendants from his past life, he Healed the hare on a whim only to discover that it was no mere beast, but a Spiritual Beast brimming with power and potential.

Usually, he could sense a creature was a Spiritual Beast so long as he could see it, though it was only recently that he understood how. Back then however, he was fascinated to find a Spiritual Beast capable of evading his superlative perceptions, and more importantly, able to find him despite his cloak of Concealment and offer a bared tooth threat warning him to stay back. Seeing him heed her warning, the little hare continued to stuff its cheeks while Taduk Healed her considerable injuries, and he was amazed by how quickly she devoured the minokawa which was almost twenty times her size. Once her meal was finished, she hopped once in Taduks direction, then thought better of it and took to the skies, whereupon she disappeared into the clouds and evaded all of his attempts to track and follow her away.

Back then, he thought it merely a missed opportunity to study a powerful Spiritual Beast and didnt give it a second thought, but then two months later, he came across the same hare almost two-hundred kilometres away from where they first met. It was injured again, ripped open from shoulder to hip along one flank, and it hopped out in front of him as bold as could be while watching his reaction as if asking him to Heal her again. He did, because this level of intelligence was beyond anything hed ever seen before, to not only realize that hed Healed her earlier, but also track him down from so far away after so many weeks which he spent under a cloak of Concealment.

This happened several more times over the course of a year, and each time, he could tell that the little hare was growing bolder thanks to his care. Not just with the targets she hunted, coming back with more grievous injuries each and every time, but also with how comfortable she was in his presence. One time, after he finished Healing her missing paw, the little hare hopped over to his shoulder and planted herself there as if too tired to go searching for a safe place to rest, and he was touched by the level of trust she showed. While it might not seem like much, he knew how difficult it was for a creature that was both predator and prey to sleep in the presence of another, but she was all too happy to curl up against his neck and snore fitfully without a care in the world. After a few days, she left once more only to return an indeterminate amount of time later bearing fresh injuries, but eventually as the months turned into years, she started staying with him longer and longer until she was rarely away from his side.

It was a novel experience to be sure, for she wasnt so much a pet as she was a companion, and Taduk had been starved of companionship for too long since leaving the mountains. As such, he was all too happy to keep her close and spoil her rotten while also studying her behaviour and mannerisms, only to be blown away by the sheer level of intelligence the little darling demonstrated. She learned her name quickly enough, as well as a dozen simple commands like no, eat, wait, and sleep. She also loved to perch in his pocket or in between his ears with her face sticking out in order to study the strange world of humans around her, tilting her head this way and that as if struggling to comprehend what lay before her eyes. She even knew how to communicate in a primitive sort of way, leading him out of the city and away from civilization before showing him how she loved to play, by soaring high into the clouds then letting gravity bring her back down to earth in a rush of pure, unadulterated glee, which he experienced first-hand as he played alongside her and spent many a day chasing her about through the clouds, or being chased in a joyous game of tag.

Though he didnt realize it at the time, it soon became clear that the little hare had chosen him as her protector, for one fateful night after more than a decade together, she brought him back to the jungle where they first met and stomped her feet every time he tried to leave while refusing to let him catch her. Figuring hed humour the sweet hare, he found a comfortable spot in the treetops and laid down to rest, while the little hare nestled up under his chin and snuggled in for the night. A few hours later, Taduks beauty sleep was rudely interrupted by a monumental convergence of Heavenly Energy, one unlike anything hed ever felt before, and he opened his eyes to see the darling little hare awash in the power of Creation and Destruction both as she took her first step towards True Divinity.

In that one, singular moment, the secrets of the universe were laid bare before him and Taduk learned more about controlling the Energy of the Heavens than hed learned in all his years of studies combined. Even now, he still could not find the words to describe it, except to say that it was a form of Balance far beyond his meagre comprehension, a mellow, undemanding method that only required he stay true to himself, but even the tiny morsel he understood was enough to catapult him along his personal Path to stand shoulder to shoulder with Hua Lie and the Old Wolf in terms of usable strength. This was significant, because a Divinity without usable strength might as well be a fish upon the chopping block, for the Treaty would not protect them if they lacked the strength to protect themselves, and bearing witness to this Cloud Chaser Hares ascension provided Taduk with usable strength aplenty.

Then, reality shifted and in the blink of an eye, the little hare was no more and a toddler sat in her place, a brown-eyed, honey-skinned child who looked to be no older than two, with a full head of sable hair and two floppy little hare ears dropping down from her crown. Those large, limpid eyes filled with tears as she tried to make sense of her strange surroundings and circumstances, but even as she took her first breath to let loose a terrified wail, she caught Taduks gaze and suddenly all was right in the world. The tears spilled out, but her chubby cheeks stretched into a smile of pure love and joy as she reached out towards him with a laugh, and there was no force in the world strong enough to keep him away.

From that day forward, Taduk was a father in every sense of the word, for though she was not the blood of his blood, Lin-Lin was his daughter in every way that mattered. As he swaddled her in a white-silk scarf and cooed at her adorable expressions, he knew the world would not treat them kindly, for the temptation of a breeding pair of Divinities was too strong for most to resist. An army of Divinities to raise and mould as you wish, even the Emperor himself would be tempted by such a prospect, but Taduk had only just met his darling daughter and would sooner tear the world asunder than let her come to harm. Knowing their future might well be one filled with bloodshed and calamity, he decided then and there to never harm another living creature again, not unless it was to protect his precious Mei Lin. The day he killed again would be the day he broke the Treaty, and now almost twenty years later, it appeared as if that day had finally come.

Not solely because of the Demonic Divinity mind you, which was rather fascinating now that he thought about it. Even accounting for the danger this miscreation represented, itd been a good many centuries since hed encountered something so unique. Well, that wasnt entirely true, as Rainy boy always had some peculiar notion worth exploring tumbling around the back of his head, but this anomaly might well prove to be a watershed moment for every Divinity present. Demons were, at the core of it all, a deviation from the Dao, or at the very least an irregularity worth studying, but Taduk never had the time or inclination to make contact with the Defiled. Putting aside their murderous tendencies and hideous concept of home decor, the Defiled were an unpleasant bunch who resided in inhospitable lands, to say nothing of their lacking manners, hygiene, and culinary skills.

There was a time when Taduk wouldve hardly cared about what he ate, but hed long since grown spoiled living with the Bekhai, especially once Rainy boy learned how to cook. Another oddity that, the fact that everything the boy made tasted so much better than anything bought or paid for, even though he wasnt anywhere near as skilled as Charok or even Alsantset. An extra pinch of love, that was the answer Rainy boy gave when asked why his food tasted so good, and though he was being tongue-in-cheek, Taduk suspected it might well be the truth.

Something worth looking into if and when he had the time, like after he navigated through this calamity alive and puzzled out all this Runic Inscription nonsense, but for now, it would be best to focus on the matter at hand. While a Demonic birth wasnt anything too out of the ordinary, as Taduk had seen more than his fair share in recent years, a Demonic Divinity was another thing altogether. Demons were fundamentally the result of a massive imbalance, but the Path to Divinity was achieved through Balance, so how would the creation of a Demonic Divinity differ from that of a regular Divinity or Ancestral Beast? How fortuitous a happenstance to see this happen so soon after Rainy boys recent unfathomable progress, because now Taduk could compare and contrast the two events while they were both fresh in his mind. Not that he understood much about what Rainy boy did, nor would it help if the boy explained it, for he was always going about things in his own unique manner. No matter though, because Taduk did so love to solve puzzles and mysteries, and todays events would provide both in spades.

A shame about all the lives which would soon be lost, but between Hua Lie, Rainy boy, and himself, Taduk was certain they could at least save the lives of little Lin-Lin and her friends, while the Abbot and his gaunt Divinity friend would undoubtedly save a few more. Only a handful out of hundreds of thousands, a true tragedy to be sure, but Taduk just didnt have it in him to mourn for strangers anymore. Not like Rainy boy, a kind soul who would undoubtedly blame himself for all these deaths, and the Empire would likely blame him too. Not because he was at least partially responsible for taunting the mad monk in his moment of death, but because only then would the Empire have justification to rally Divinities to attack the Saints Tribulations Mountains. Regardless of how matters unfolded moving forward from here, Lin-Lins status was no longer a secret and the world would soon come a-hunting for Taduk and his daughter both.

Something to deal with tomorrow, as he had more important matters to focus on today, but he never was any good at keeping his mind on task. The gravity of the situation finally dawned upon him as he calculated how quickly theyd all have to move to leave safely, and as much as he would love to witness the Demonic Divinitys birth in full, preparations needed to be made. Cloud-Stepping over to Yans side, he uttered, Pardon my hands, and carried her over to stand with sweet Lin-Lin, well within reach of Rainy boy so they could all make their escape together. Bless Yans heart, for she didnt so much as blink in surprise, taking the speedy movement in stride and reaching out to clasp Lin-Lins hand like the supportive sister wives they were. A tough girl, little Yan, so full of pluck and spirit, and he wished thered been something he couldve done to help her find her Path, or at the very least guide her during her Awakening. Akanai had asked if he could help, but Taduk wouldnt have known where to start, for using his Blessing of Air and Water was more a matter of instinct and intuition than actual intellect. Everything he knew about utilizing it, hed learned in his past life, when he soared through the skies as the king of all hares and chased the clouds wherever they went. His precious Lin-Lin was the same, though the subject matter differed greatly between them and she learned at a much faster pace. Whether this was because of her inborn talent or sheltered upbringing was difficult to say, but Taduk had hoped to give her many, many, many more decades to learn and laugh before her carefree days came to an end.

A quality he kept all these years and would soon help him change the world, assuming he survived this calamity today.

Against his insistent instincts and better judgement, Taduk directed Li-Li, Luo-Luo, and Yan to go stand with Hua Lie while he took his place with Lin-Lin behind Rainy boy. Since he seemed confident that it was safe enough to stay, Taduk would trust him, or in the worst-case scenario, give his life buying time for Hua Lie to get everyone out safely. At least then Lin-Lin would no longer be hunted, or at least not hunted by all without the temptation of two Ancestral Cloud Chaser Hares around. Besides, despite all his talents and accomplishments, Rainy boy was rarely this assertive when other lives were at stake, so surely he knew something everyone else didnt. Standing there with his Spiritual Rifle resting on his shoulder, he was the very picture of calm and undaunted while watching the Demonic Divinity take form. With the actual metaphysical process over and done with, Taduk had no interest in watching the grotesque metamorphosis play out, and instead hummed a cheery little tune while covering sweet Lin-Lins eyes to spare her the sight. It didnt sound pleasant at all, with all the bones cracking, flesh squelching, tendons snapping and more, but at least it was mercifully short.

When the Demonic Divinity let loose an inhuman screech, Taduk finally turned to study it and found a hulking humanoid aberration towering over them with spade in hand, in what he assumed was a debased image of Vyakhya during his younger years. Clad in flowing robes of bloody entrails hanging down to its bare feet, the muscular, monk-like Demon held a string of blackened skulls in one hand, a grotesque mockery of the wooden beads that Mahakala held during Rainy boys banquet, and a weapon similar to the spade Vyakhya held in life, only with a massive bladed head that would look comically oversized if it wasnt clearly a weapon of death and destruction. Howling in defiance to the Heavens above, the Demonic Divinity lowered its eyes to gaze upon Rainy boy down by its hips, and only then did Taduk see its empty eyes and vacant expression fixed in a ghoulish, fanged smile, one which almost seemed kind and merciful if you didnt look closely enough.

Not to Taduk though, for he knew that was not a smile of joy or compassion, but one of a predator looking down at its prey.

Ha. Ha. Ha, the Demonic Divinity intoned, neither features nor lips moving as it spoke with Zhen Shis booming voice. So it would

A dull, hollow thunk echoed all across Meng Sha as Rainy boys bullet of Chi smashed harmlessly into the Demonic Divinitys Domain defenses. The impact wasnt enough to shift the aberration, but clearly it felt something as the empty sockets of its eyes glowed with naked black hatred and barely restrained violence. Looking at his Spiritual Rifle in mock surprise, Rainy boy exclaimed, Oh gods, Im sorry. Finger slipped. Taduk might almost have been convinced had he not felt the stirring of Heavenly Energy gathering in the rifle once more as Rainy boy continued, I really need to see about putting a safety on this thing, but I swear this never happens. Even as he said it, he pulled the trigger and fired a second shot, this one powerful enough to rock the Demonic Divinity back on its heels with an impact that sent air and sand flying in all directions. Oh, geez, I cant believe I did it again, but in my defense, its been so long since I handled my polearm, so you understand, right? Even now, Rainy boy was able to make jokes, but then he threw away all pretense and said, Ah fuck it. SUP-PRES-SING FIREEEEEEEE!

Bullet after bullet hammered home into the Demonic Divinity, but without taking the time to gather his power, these shots were far too weak to move it, much less cause it any harm. After a good ten seconds of non-stop firing, Rainy boy sighed and shook his head. Alright then. Clearly this isnt working, so I guess Ill let you go on with your monologue then.

In spite of the gravity of the situation, Taduk found it difficult not to laugh at the boys pluck and courage, and many a soldier in Meng Sha managed a nervous chuckle, but Zhen Shi was not amused. Try as many times as you care to, little worm, he hissed, and Rainy boy took that as an invitation to begin gathering power into his rifle once more, a turn of events even Zhen Shi hadnt expected. Ignoring it for now, the crazed torturer brought the Demonic Divinitys ghoulish face down to loom mere centimetres from Rainy boys, but he matched its vacant stare with a smirk. Your futile efforts will change nothing. This Transcendent being is beyond your pitiful comprehension, one which has surpassed all others.

A weapon to surpass Metal Gear, the boy intoned, though Taduk had no earthly idea what he was saying.

Neither did Zhen Shi, but he paid it no mind and continued, Little worm, this Sovereign offers his thanks for providing him with so potent a puppet. You have succeeded where so many others have failed and helped create a being which surpasses Divinity, one unbound by the restrictions of feeble human Will and emotion.

Youre welcome, Rainy boy replied, sounding wholly unimpressed and unintimidated. Honestly? Wasnt even trying. Anyone who spent centuries failing to accomplish this should probably take a good long look in the mirror and ask themselves why theyre so fucking useless.

A snicker slipped past Taduks lips, but only because sweet Lin-Lin buried her face in his robes to muffle her laughter and squeezed his stomach too tight. Playing it off as a cough, he mumbled something about sand in his throat and pretended to look for his waterskin while gesturing for Zhen Shi to continue, because so long as he was talking, he wasnt killing, which meant Meng Sha could still be saved.

Mock all you want, little worm, he hissed, his tone concealing a mountain of barely restrained anger. It will not change your fate. Know that this Sovereign now holds the unlimited power of the Heavens in the palm of his hands, and could kill everyone you hold dear with little more than a thought.

For someone so old and powerful, you sure are a terrible liar. Still gathering power into his rifle, Rainy boy scoffed at Zhen Shis declaration. If you could kill us all, you would, and we wouldnt be having this conversation. Its probably not easy controlling a Demonic Divinity, is it? Yea, didnt think so. Rainy boy sounded mighty pleased, but somehow, Taduk wasnt sure it was a good thing that the Demonic Divinity was not so easily controlled, since it would wreak havoc upon the Empire should it be set loose. Whatever. My time and patience are limited, so say your piece and be done with it. Some of us have things to do and places to be.

For long seconds, Zhen Shi said nothing, but the Demonic Divinity drew a long, slow breath into its lungs before deliberately stretching out its exhalation. All for effect, since it hardly needed to breathe, or perhaps it was being affected by Zhen Shis efforts to rein in his anger, Taduk wasnt sure which. Either way, there was a long silence before he spoke again, and when he did, his tone was tense and terse. This Sovereign will make this offer but once. Order your forces to withdraw from the West and surrender yourself to my care. This Sovereign will then leave the outer provinces untouched for a period of ten years, and swear to never use this Transcendent Divinity in battle so long as the Treaty remains intact. Holding out a hand to forestall Rainy boys instant retort, Zhen Shi added, Think before you answer, little worm. Ask your honoured teacher to gauge this Transcendents strength, for it is no empty boast to say it is utterly unmatched.

I can sense how strong it is myself, Rainy boy replied, faking a reluctant sigh. Very powerful. Unimaginably so.

The boy paused, yet still continued gathering power into his rifle, so much so that even Zhen Shi could no longer stand idle. And? he demanded, drawing the Demonic Divinity back to ready its defense. What say you, little worm?

What say I? Even the surrounding soldiers could see what Rainy boys answer would be, and their grim acceptance spoke volumes to their courage. I say, Parry this, you filthy casual.

The explosion of power set the earth to shaking as Rainy boy unleashed another Chi bullet, one which smashed into the Demonic Divinitys defenses and drove it back a full three metres before finally fading out of existence. The resulting shockwave knocked many a soldier off their feet and even made Taduk reel back a bit as he felt the blowback wash over his Domain and shower him in sand and dust. None of it actually landed on his robes, thank the Heavens, for sand was notoriously difficult to get out of clothes, and he would rather not spend his last few moments alive being tormented by sandy grit pouring into every crevice of his skin.

Though his efforts ended in failure, it was good to see Rainy boy back in high spirits, spewing nonsense and giving no face as he was wont to do. A shame they would have to part here, but Taduk would sooner die a thousand times than let his sweet Lin-Lin and Rainy boy come to harm. Leave now, he said, moving to stand in front of them both. I will hold the Demon here.

No need. Stepping in front of him with an almost indifferent wave of his hand, Rainy boy approached the Demonic Divinity with casual disregard for his safety and the safety of everyone around him. Dont worry Taddy. I can tell he doesnt really want to fight us here, because then hell lose his new toy. Isnt that right, you decrepit, eight-hundred-year-old fuck? Youre so full of anger and regret, I can taste it on your fetid breath. Enough of your games now. Fight or fuck off, but know that I will be coming for you soon enough.

Why must you force this Sovereigns hand?

Typical abusers mentality. Why are you making me hurt you? Stop struggling and this will be easier. Get the fuck out of here with that shit. Sneering in outright contempt, Rainy boy advanced upon the Demonic Divinity and jabbed it with a finger, though he could only reach its belly given the vast disparity in height. You think your fancy new puppet will hold all the answers you seek, but I already know youll fuck it up, just like you fucked everything else up. Know how I know? Because youre worthless, and you know it. Youve spent so much time studying and getting all your ducks in a row, but I barely even knew what I was doing and still ruined all your best laid plans. The only difference now is that I finally figured some things out, so enjoy your reprieve while it still lasts, because Ill be coming for your head soon enough.

Good, good. The naked anger set Taduks hairs to standing as Zhen Shi growled using the Demonic Divinitys throat, a low, rumbling vibration reminiscent of a steel plate scraping against jagged stones. You think yourself clever, little worm, that you hold all the answers and know how the future unfolds, but you are mistaken in more ways than one, and this Sovereign will magnanimously explain. Leaning over once more so that the Demonic Divinitys face was eye to eye with Rainy boy, Zhen Shi continued, You see, this Sovereign already has the answers he needs, and has no need to study this Transcendent. Alas, little worm was correct in assuming it is also not easy to control, and this Sovereign has wasted too much strength on discourse and is wholly spent, so he must now abandon his efforts to bring it away. The Demonic Divinitys smile seemed to stretch without shifting even a single millimetre, as Zhen Shis voice oozed with smug satisfaction. Do not say this Sovereign did not try warn you, little worm, but now you will reap that which you have sown.

Silence hung like funerary drapes over all of Meng Sha as Zhen Shi withdrew from the Demonic Divinity, but as the aberrations oppressive Aura burst out to shower them all in unmitigated rage and hatred, Taduk heard Rainy boy mutter, Well... Shit.

Chapter Meme 1

Chapter Meme 2

Chapter Meme 3

Chapter Meme 4

Chapter Meme 5