Chapter 746
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
Chapter 746
There was a time when Jorani was more than happy to idle his days away, doing nothing until circumstances demanded otherwise, because he loved just doing nothing. There were those who liked dicing or drinking, boasting or brawling, and even the rare quirky coot who enjoyed their work, but there was nothing Jorani loved more than sitting back and doing nothing except taking in the sights, sounds, scents, and whatever might else catch his fancy.
These days however, he had precious little time for idling. As a Field Officer in command of five-thousand troops, there was always more work to do than hours a day to do it, especially while out on campaign. It wasnt so bad though, as after the first day or two of hectic activity in which the Peak Experts overran four Western harbours and left the cleanup to the grunts, there wasnt much else for the army to do except dig in and fortify, but it was rare for soldiers to be as easy going as Jorani, and bored soldiers were troublesome soldiers. While the bossman brought in plenty of professionals to do all the constructing, Lieutenant General Akanai was not a woman to let her soldiers sit idle, and Jorani wholeheartedly approved. For the last month, the soldiers of this conquering army toiled in the dust, digging ditches, hauling blocks, patrolling the area, and more, with each and every Warrior expected to put in a solid eight hours of work each and every day.
That being said, most soldiers werent all too accustomed to a life of hard labour, on account of them being either nobles, bandits, or just plain spoiled by circumstance. Even the poorest, most incompetent Martial Warrior was better off than most, since there was always someone willing to pay decent wages just to have them stand around and look intimidating, so this last month proved a rude awakening to the majority of soldiers here in Meng Sha, but a much needed one in Joranis eyes. A bit of sweat never hurt no one, and Jorani even kinda enjoyed it, as it reminded him of the weeks he spent in the Arid Wastes helping Asmanis tribe build their new village. It was nice to do something that mattered, aside from just wasting his time doing nothing, and much as he enjoyed the latter, the former was starting to grow on him too.
For the last thirty days, Jorani fell into a routine of taking his breakfast outside while taking in the sights, and it was almost inspiring to see the fort walls and towers shoot up and up and up before his eyes. He wasnt the only one to appreciate the fruits of their labours in this way either, with many a soldier stopping to take in the sights whenever they had a moment to spare, and he imagined the awe, pride, and satisfaction he saw there was mirrored in his own eyes every morning. The walls, the towers, the gates, the traps, every soldier here had a part in building the defences that would keep them safe, and knowing this gave them all a grand sense of accomplishment. There was magic in creation, of taking something that was there and turning it into something else altogether, and though hed seen this sort of magic at work with Asmanis tribe, Jorani hadnt wholly recognized it until now.
Ye know, he began, turning towards Monk Happy without taking his eyes off the landscape, I think I understand why ye all like making things so much. The smiling monk sipped at his breakfast congee without uttering a word, but Jorani knew the man was listening, because that was what the monks did best. Feels good seeing what me own two hands have built, to be able to point at that tower and know me sweat is mixed into the mortar or that gate and remember how I bled gettin them hinges on straight.
That is a part of it yes, Monk Happy replied, after taking a second to swallow the last of his breakfast. Gratification from seeing the fruits of ones labour is undeniably enjoyable, a lesson Junior Brother would have learned much earlier if not for your...indolent tendencies. There is more to it than personal fulfillment however, and you must not forget to be wary of indulging the desire for existence.
The second of the Three Desires, the craving for existence, which Jorani didnt entirely understand. The gist of it was that one should do good things because it was right to do so, rather than out of any innate desire to be known as a good person. A fine line to walk, and truth be told, he didnt see the harm in letting someone hold their head held high if they were doing good things, but to the Monks of the Brotherhood, intent was every bit as important as the action itself. The right action with the wrong intent could be just as damaging as being wrong both ways, or so they claimed. Monk Bones gave many examples, but the one that stuck with Jorani was the parable of a landowner who subsidized his farmers by giving them oxen free of charge so they could take responsibility for more farmland. The oxen enabled the farmers to till larger fields and harvest more crops, thereby increasing the landowners profits, but the farmers soon discovered that their oxen were old with not many years left to them. Whats more, when they went to the landowner to seek out a replacement, he charged them an exorbitant amount which the farmers had no choice but to pay because there was no way to work their large fields without one.
The Empire was filled with schemers looking to squeeze every possible copper out of their workforce, but that one was a particularly devious ploy that made Jorani sick to his stomach. It wasnt a tall tale made up to prove the Brotherhoods point either, but something that had actually happened, and for all Jorani knew, was still happening somewhere in the world today.
So whats the rest of it? Jorani asked, always curious to learn more. The reasoning to why ye monks put so much effort into craftin and paintin and whatnot?
While he didnt wholly agree with all of the Brotherhoods viewpoints or even most of them, they always had at least a few good points in their favour and helped him see the world in a new light, and Monk Happy did not disappoint. We of the Brotherhood value not the end result of our labours, but the act of creation itself. As someone whose livelihood is steeped in violence and destruction, you already know that such ordeals demand a hefty price, a butchers bill paid not in coin or lives but rather an individuals mental well-being. Something in the monks voice made Jorani finally turn to face him, and what he saw was a man whod paid that price many times over and was still burdened by the loss. You know as well as any that it takes something from a person to kill another living being, to look into someones eyes and watch the life fade away, even someone who meant you harm. Though most struggle to manage this debt at first, it becomes easier and easier to ignore the cost as you grow numb to the effort, until there comes a time when you no longer notice the burden or even stop caring altogether. To create something is almost the complete opposite, a soothing balm for the mind and soul that serves as an act of balance not in the metaphysical sense, but mentally and morally.
Having said his piece, Monk Happy fell silent once again to reflect on his inner turmoil, some memories of the past which still haunted him so, and Jorani stared at his hands to give the man what little privacy he could. He knew the struggle well enough, as hed never come to love this life of combat and bloodshed, not the way the bossman and so many others did. There was nothing quite like the thrill of combat, but while the heady highs were good and all, it never lasted long and in no way made up for the steep fall after, and he knew he wasnt the only one who felt this way. Most never cared to admit their woes because to do so would be unbecoming, but hed seen many a soldier turn to drink, drugs, or pleasurable company just so they could rest easy at night, a different sort of coping system from the Brotherhoods, but a solution nonetheless. Hell, Jorani himself had gotten to the point where hed almost forgotten the burdens of war weighing down on his conscience, a dilemma made doubly difficult after meeting Asmani and her tribesmen. What if there were more Defiled tribesmen like them, ones who fought and killed only because they knew no other way to live? If one tribe could change, surely so could others, which made the Imperial policy of taking no prisoners a prickly prospect, conscientiously speaking. It was an issue hed been ignoring for the last few weeks, mostly because he had no idea what to do about it. There was a time when he couldve just kept his mouth shut and followed orders, but now hed be the one issuing those orders, which made things just all that much worse.
...
Maybe he could try his hand at pottery. That looked like fun, playing with mud and all. Ral would probably enjoy it too, so maybe they could learn together. They had precious little time to spend with one another in recent days, mostly because Jorani was too busy learning the ins and outs of command, so it wouldnt hurt to set an hour or twos aside to spend with his best friend.
Making a mental note to ask Ral about it, Jorani bade Monk Happy farewell and headed off to start his day. Unlike previous days, the camp was abuzz with anticipation because everyone and their mother knew orders were soon to come down from above. They were about to make some big moves from the looks of it, a difficult thing to hide considering the preparations an army in the field needed, so it wouldnt be long before they resumed their campaign to retake the West. Jorani had hoped the bossman would be back on his feet before things got underway, but that wasnt looking likely, especially when he arrived at his Officers tent and found Old Bulat already puttering about. The man was clever and all, but most of his efforts were spent trying to come up with new and inventive ways to be lazy, so for him to be ready and waiting before Jorani arrived was a portent of trouble ahead. Rather than say anything, Jorani simply raised an eyebrow to greet the man, who pursed his lips and held up a scroll sealed in wax stamped with the character Herald, indicating this came from the desk of Lieutenant General Akanai herself.
Marching orders then, which explained why Old Bulat was here bright and early. Jorani pitched his yurt closer to where the Brotherhood were encamped, mostly so he could spend his nights deep in discussion and not have to trek back to bed in the dark. While it kept him safe from Wraiths and from having to deal with overzealous sentries, it also meant that any official messengers would be unable to find him unless they were told exactly where he slept. That was why he had Old Bulat for, his somewhat dependable second-in-command, though there was plenty of room for improvement to be made. Well, no time like the present, Jorani began, trying not to appear too worried or distraught. Read it out fer me, will ye?
It took an effort of will not to smile at the brief flash of panic which crossed the mans face, but Jorani didnt want to shame them man or discourage him from trying his best. Settling into his chair, he leaned back and waited as the burly man unfurled the scroll and slowly parsed the words together before finally finding the courage to start, but Mother knows the man needed the practice. Thus far, hed gotten away by relying on Silva to do all his reading, but there were some orders which should only be read by the commander in charge, and there might come a day when that burden fell to Old Bulat.nove(l)bi(n.)com
Hopefully that day wouldnt be soon, as it would only happen if Jorani was out of the picture, but like the bossman liked to say, Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
Though Old Bulat struggled to get through it without stumbling, hed improved a fair bit since Jorani took over for Mister Rustram. Even better was the fact that for once, the dice had come out in their favour as the scroll held nothing but good news. Soldiers were to deploy in the morning, with Colonel General Nian Zu leading the charge to retake the border city of Shi Bei, while Lieutenant General Akanai set out with a second army to guard his flank from Defiled reinforcements. The best part was that Jorani and his boys werent joining either of them however, as theyd been placed under Lieutenant General Baatar who was still recovering from injuries sustained in Huang Hai during that first, hectic night of the offensive, and thus would be stationed right here in Meng Sha to cover everyones collective asses.
Guard duty. Not the most glorious work, but it meant they would be safely away from the fighting for now. Course the downside was that there would be some bloody work ahead once the war reached their walls, which it inevitably would. Meng Sha was the only harbour theyd fortified thus far, at least to the point where theyd have an advantage against the Enemys overwhelming numbers. The construction workers were already fortifying Dong Jiang, while LuZhuo to the south would come next, but progress would be slower at both locations since the workers would only have a token defence division to ensure their safety rather than the full force of the crusading army sitting idle in the wings. This left Meng Sha as a pivotal point to hold and a tempting target for the Defiled, since capturing the harbour meant the Imperial army would no longer have a fortified base to resupply from. This was even more important here in the West than elsewhere due to the scarcity of food and water out in the sandy desert dunes which comprised most of the province, so any fighting here would be bitter indeed. That being said, it should be at least another week before the Enemy could safely besiege the harbour, since moving out any sooner risked their forces getting pinched between the harbour fort and the two Imperial armies moving out into the field, which meant Jorani and his people could sit pretty until then.
A good move from a brilliant commander, and Jorani breathed easy knowing that this battle-plan would put to rest all the muttered comments about the bossmans decision to leave his fearsome Mother-in-Law in charge.
Never for a moment did Jorani dare doubt the womans competence or prowess. There were few Warriors capable of matching Lieutenant General Akanais strength, as many had seen her trading blows with Bai Qi first in JiangHu and later in the Central Citadel. A feat not even the famed Shuai Jiao could match mind you, but while commoners and Martial Warriors the Empire around venerated her for her personal strength, soldiers knew that the best commander wasnt always the strongest Warrior around. Brigadier Hongji was the perfect example, as his personal strength was admittedly lacking, yet he held the front lines for longer than anyone believed possible thanks to his devious tactics and staggering foresight, abilities which had soldiers the Empire round praying to work under him. Then there was Nian Zu, who was the complete package, powerful duellist, formidable force on the battlefield, and a cunning tactician who held the Northern Wall for decades without incident, a tried and true commander that any soldier would be proud to serve. There were also many other weather-worn commanders lurking about, so a good number of soldiers were less than pleased when word spread that the bossman had appointed his gorgeous Grand Mentor as his second in command, meaning she now held the ultimate authority over the Armys next move. Many a whinging Warrior was heard questioning her ability to lead soldiers in war, because to hear them talk, every other Officer in the Imperial Army had earned their rank through merit alone, as opposed to having the right connections or just being strong enough to deserve it. Other, more reasonable voices made no effort to disparage the Bekkie Commander, but they did wonder why the Legate chose her over a more... palatable choice like Nian Zu who outranked her or Liu Xuande, the Imperial Scion turned brilliant strategist who was fast becoming a household name when it came to battlefield tactics.
In truth, the best choice would have been to hand control over to Nian Zu, as not only was it the most obvious choice, it was also the most politically correct option, but the bossman never was one to care much about what others thought of his decisions. Then again, if the rest of the Empire knew what Jorani knew about Lieutenant General Akanai, then maybe they wouldnt be so fussed about handing her command. There was no disputing her qualifications as not only had she united the Saints Tribulations Mountains and safeguarded it for hundreds of years, she also had a hand in raising many of the Khishig Peak Experts alive today. Then there was the fact that she raised the Bloody-Fanged Wolf himself, who in turn raised the fearsome and miraculous Falling Rain, which meant only a blind fool would dare claim she wasnt qualified to lead, for as the nobles of the Empire were always quick to point out, a sparrow could never beget a hawk.
Course, this didnt mean Jorani didnt have any doubts at all, for he knew how fierce and vengeful the Bekkies could be, a spirit embodied by their beloved Commander, Akanai. Seeing how the Enemy had almost killed her son and put her grand-disciple/grandson/son-in-law into a coma, Jorani spent the last few weeks terrified that she would immediately launch an all-out counter-offensive against the Enemy in reprisal for their crimes, but thankfully, she seemed content to wait until all her pieces were in place before making a move. These new orders proved that shed been the right person for the job, and while Jorani had faith in both the bossmans decision and the Lieutenant Generals abilities, it was always best when faith was backed by cold hard facts.
To think, hed read fierce and icy Akanai so wrong, having pegged her as a dormant volcano of righteous retribution just waiting for an excuse to erupt in violence and fury, when in fact she was a doting mother who wanted to make sure her boy was safe and sound after his close run in with death. It was almost adorable when you stopped to think about it, that even a Warrior as old and accomplished as Baatar was naught but a pup in his mothers eye. A thought which filled Jorani with a longing to see his Ma again, if only to tell her he loved her so, for he knew she wouldve felt the same way as Akanai. To say hed been an ungrateful son would be a massive understatement, and it wasnt until after he lost her that he realized how much she did to keep him safe, fed, and happy. Alas, there was no pill for regret and no way to go back and tell her how much she meant to him, so all he could do was cherish the few happy memories he still had. There was a time when he only felt anger when thinking about her abhorrent end, even after he avenged her by hanging the damnable noble who had her caned to death, but vengeance alone wasnt enough to quell his rage, and not without reason. While Councilman Chao Ban was the man responsible for her death, that was just the last on a long list of grievances Jorani held fast in his mothers stead, and he lay most of the blame for her rough and wretched life at the feet of none other than his absentee sire, Gang Shu.
A grievance for another day though, as Jorani had more pressing matters to attend to, namely a meeting with the bossmans father to get everyone up to speed. Thatd been at the end of the missive and Old Bulat had almost missed it in his relief, which left Jorani precious little time to make his way across the damned fortress with his barely literate and somewhat out of shape second in tow. As a commander of five-thousand soldiers, he couldnt be seen running around like a chicken with its head cut off without setting off a panic, but seeing as he was the Officer in charge of the Legates retinue, he could hardly afford to show up late either, so he power-walked as quickly as he dared without breaking into a full on sprint. Even then, he was among the last to arrive at the towering canvas command tent, one ringed by so many guards that it set off warning bells in Joranis mind as he slowed to catch his breath. Why did a customary Officers meeting need so much security? This wasnt an honour guard sort of situation either, since the majority of guards were Bekkies rather than the Imperial soldiers one would normally expect. Then again, maybe the Lieutenant General was just being overprotective of her son, which would be understandable considering hed almost died taking Huang Hai.
Course, that theory went right out the window once Jorani made his way into the command tent and saw the company he was in, a gathering of Northern heroes who he knew all too well. There at the front was the Bloody Fanged Wolf himself, looking healthy as an ox while clad in Bekkie leathers with his Officers token on full display. There he stood with his massive honking pole-axe in hand, one which was aptly named the Crescent Moon for the shape of its wickedly curved blade. With his snow-silver hair and piercing blue eyes, he looked every bit the part of blessed Son of the Mother Above, a Divine Agent here to dispatch the Enemy in Her name. Though his achievements had thus far been overshadowed by others, there was no doubt in anyones mind that Baatar of the Bekhai was a Warrior to be reckoned with, a rising Dragon who stood well above his peers. A rare, apolitical military Officer, it was almost comical to think hed been but a lowly Captain only a few years prior to today, a grand hero of the Empire whose talents and accomplishments had largely gone unnoticed. Thus far, he was mostly known for his connections, as Akanais son and Disciple, Nian Zus protege and successor, and the bossmans father and Mentor, but it was only a matter of time before his actions would speak for themselves.
A shame to sideline so great a man, but Jorani had a sinking suspicion that all was not as it seemed.
One reason was that next to the Bloody Fanged Wolf stood none other than Situ Jia Yang, which by itself wasnt worthy of note. Though once fierce enemies, the Situ Clan and the Bekkies were now the staunchest of allies, mostly thanks to the bond of friendship between the bossman and Situ Jia Zian, but Jia Yang was still the same relentless political animal and would not be so pleased to have been sidelined during such an important offensive. Even more suspicious was the fact that Brigadier Chen Hongji was also present at the front of the tent, humbly positioned a half-step back so as not to overshadow anyone else and wholly comfortable in the arrangement. Hell, knowing Baatar, Hongji had probably moved himself back without the half-wolf noticing, though Jia Yang no doubt saw and appreciated the gesture and would repay it in private.
Or there is nothing left of yourself to give. Giving it a moment of thought, Jorani simply nodded in agreement, to which Monk Bones responded, And how do you reconcile this killing with your conscience? You have seen firsthand that the Defiled are not monsters in human flesh as the Empire would have you believe, yet now you embark upon a journey to slaughter them wholesale.
Aye, yer right there, but I aint got an answer to share. Theres killing to be done, and Ill not take any joy from it, but even if there are Defiled out there who could be convinced to change their ways, I would sooner kill them to save the innocent civilians suffering under their rule instead.
And if you save someone who should not be saved? Someone who later goes on to commit some heinous atrocity?
I can only take responsibility fer my own actions, Jorani replied, shaking his head at how ridiculous the question was. I see a person in need, then Ill save em. Aint my fault if he sets a town on fire later on. Then again, knowing the bossman, he probably would feel responsible and blame himself for not seeing through a strangers moral fibre before saving them. The idiot.
So is this why you fight, Jorani of Sanshu? To save others? How many have you saved with your spears and swords? Throwing his hands up in the air, Monk Bones snarled and said, If you wish to save people, then you would be better served pursuing a different Path instead, but still you insist on this one. You have no love for this soldiers life youve embarked on, no lust for glory and bloodshed, yet you resist all attempts to sway you from it. You are a man in love with life itself, still yet to experience all it has to offer, and yet you run headlong down this Path which even you yourself know you are unsuited for. Why put yourself through this pain? Why pursue this Path to its inevitable end when you could instead seek out a new Path and purpose?
This time, Jorani was at a loss for words, because never before had the monks put him on the spot like this. It was always, Why do you seek strength, an almost rhetorical question meant to make him think about his motivations, but now, Monk Bones was all but demanding an answer. Justice? No, he wasnt that good a person, driven by a need to help others. Duty? Ha. If the Mother Above wanted him to fight the Defiled, then She should have made him stronger and braver to begin with. Obligation?
...
Yea... that was pretty much it.
I walk this Path because the bossman needs me, Jorani said, marvelling at how the answer had been right before his eyes all this time and still somehow escaped his notice. He has his Path, and it just so happens, I want to help him along it.
We all must walk our own Path, Monk Bones intoned, and Jorani nodded in agreement.
True enough. Since he didnt know where the bossman was at the moment, Jorani leaned back and looked up at the night sky, feeling a sense of relief and contentment he hadnt even known he needed before sharing his driving motivation to the Brotherhood. But that dont mean we cant all use a helping hand every once in a while. The bossman would probably laugh if he heard this, and hed be the first to tell me Im a fool for tryin to follow him. Ye know he offered to let me out of my contract? Said hed be happy to set me up fer a cushy life away from soldierin if thats what I wanted, and damned if he didnt mean it. Chuckling under his breath, Jorani reminisced about those dark days with a smile, because now he could wholly appreciate what the bossman had done for him, and the faith the man still had even after all that.
So why did you refuse? Monk Happy asked.
Because like I said, the bossman needs me. Shrugging, Jorani continued, Hes the type to shoulder the worlds burdens on his own without so much as a peep, then complain about how difficult it was once the danger passes. Hes a strange sort ye know, real similar to you lot, except where you all work to elevate yerselves above the red dust of the lowly mortal world, he strives to improve the world itself as a whole. Thats why I respect him so much, because his grand vision aint just focused on him.
You think our Path selfish?
Monk Bones asked the question without heat or accusation, but the other monks stiffened in defensive silence. That didnt dissuade Jorani one bit though, because he felt it truly needed to be said. Aint it? Yeve cut yerselves off from the rest of the world in order to pursue the Noble Eight-fold Path, because ye think living around other mortals makes it too difficult to succeed. The former Wisdom even went so far as to believe the world would be better off if everythin was rendered into nihility, because either wed all be freed from this mortal prison or hed be left undisturbed to pursue his Path. Holding up a hand to forestall Monk Bones argument, Jorani added, I know, I know, none of ye here agree with his take, else yed have run off to join him, but none of ye are doin anything to stop him either. Casting his gaze across the crowd in his best imitation of the bossmans father, Jorani chose his next words carefully. Ye all go on and on about the Right View, Right Intent, Right Speech, and whatnot, but aint none of you stopped to consider whats right. The former Wisdom has joined hands with a monster in an effort to eradicate all life. The way I see it, the right thing to do would be stand up and stop him, and I only know one way how.
If our aid is needed, then the Heavens will guide us there.
Maybe Im wrong and yer right. Shrugging, Jorani scratched his chin and said, But what if the Heavens have been tryin to do just that, but you lot are just refusing to move? I mean, yer all here because the Enemy came to yer doorstep in an attempt to kill the Abbot. Yeve seen the death and sufferin the Enemy is dealin out firsthand, but all ye do is beat yer drums and say yer prayers. Dont know about you, but Id say them poor souls in LuZhou needed a damn sight more than just prayers. A hurtful statement Jorani never intended to make, but it slipped out amidst his frustrations. Still, he didnt want to hurt the monks or guilt them to action, so he lowered his head in shame and continued, I dunno. It aint yer fault, but Im just a simple bandit turned soldier, ye know? Someone draws a blade on me or mine, well, I only know how to draw a blade to match. Thats me, but the bossman, at least he draws his blade with purpose. The rest of the province turned a blind eye to the West, but the bossman, he aint one to rest on his laurels and only do whats good fer him. Its mostly a matter of motivation, ye know? You all see the world fer what it is, and ask why?. The bossman sees what could be, and asks, why not?. Hes more than a little in love with bloodshed, but knowin him, hed happily hang his weapons on the wall and do good instead if there werent any need for conflict. Thats why I follow him, because he means to change the world for the better, and I think I can help get him just a little bit closer to his goal, even if it costs me somethin I can never get back.
And what will you do when he fails or succeeds? Monk Bones asked, ignoring the silent exchange going on around him to focus solely on Jorani alone. Should you both survive to the ends of your lives, chances are you will outlive him by four centuries at the least.
Dunno. Shrugging, Jorani said, Ill figure it out when I get there, ye know? One step at a time, ye know?
And there was the answer to the question he had yet to ask, of what he would do when he arrived in Pan Si Xing and saw all those people suffering under Defiled rule. It was still a hypothetical for now, so hed answer that question if it came up later and just do as his conscience demanded. Thats what the bossman would do, so if it was good enough for him, then it sure as hell was good enough for Jorani. Alright, he said, after a few minutes passed without any questions from the Brotherhood. Dusting his hands off as he came to his feet, he knelt down to look Monk Bones in the eyes. I know I said some things that might ruffle some feathers, but thats just the way I see em. You have your right view, and Ive settled on mine, because even though I aint cut out fer the soldierin life, a soldier is what I am. Thats the plain and simple truth it is, and sos this. I respect ye all and what yer tryin to do, but yer Path just aint fer me, not now, ye know? I cant just walk away from the people who depend on me, especially not now. Without Jorani around, the retinue would have to rely on Old Bulat to get them home in one piece, and Jorani shuddered to think of the disaster just waiting to happen. Plus, Ral wouldnt go, he was born to soldier, no rising dragon but a fierce guard dog at the very least, a Warrior Jorani was proud to call friend. Taking Monk Bones hand, Jorani clasped it in both of his own and said, Welp... guess this is goodbye. If I make it back from this alive and outlive the bossman, then maybe Ill come find ye and give the monk life a real try. Id like that, I think, and itd be nice if it fit, but who knows, ye know?
Jorani was rambling now, but only because he didnt know how to say what he truly wanted to say, to thank Monk Bones and the other monks of the Brotherhood for showing him so much care. That he so desperately wanted to want to be a monk, but even putting castration aside, it didnt make sense for him to try. That if not for the war and the bossmans needs, Jorani would still give it a shot anyways, because the monks were like a second family to him, one he was loath to part with under such strained terms. So instead, he bowed over the monks hands as a show of contrition, and then quickly walked away before his emotions got the better of him. Sleep was what he needed now, restful, peaceful sleep in his officers tent, because Heavens knows thered be precious little of it in the days to come.
Come morning, Jorani woke with the rising sun and emerged from his tent to find Monk Bones and most of the other monks waiting outside. Ye here to see me off? he asked, touched by the gesture and choking back a sob. Well, ye shouldnt. My leavin is supposed to be a secret and all, so yell get me in trouble if ye give the game away.
No, Monk Bones replied, and Joranis stomach flip-flopped in nervous anxiety, worried they were here to denounce him instead. You are a most promising initiate of the Brotherhood, so how can we let you march into danger unassisted?
What?
We cannot and will not fight unless forced to, Monk Bones continued, ignoring Joranis dumbstruck expression. But we will not slow the army down and can assist with Healing and scouting if need be, so do not hesitate to make use of us in such a manner. Smiling as he patted Jorani on the shoulder, Monk Bones switched to Sending and said, You did well, convincing the Brotherhood to revise our views. We sought to elevate ourselves above the red dust of the mortal world, but while our goal most certainly sits high overhead, we ourselves are still mortal yet, and thus undeniably have a stake in the world below. Recent events have shown us as much, but we have been too stubborn to see it, much less respond to the call to act, but you are right. While conducting funeral rites is a hallowed duty, I do believe we can be of more use in other ways, and our brothers agree.
Leaving Jorani no room to dispute, Monk Bones stepped aside and disappeared into Concealment, bringing with him the rest of the monks as well save for Happy, who was standing slightly askew because Kukky was pressed up against him with eyes wide in concern. Glancing up at the smiling, rotund man, Jorani opened his mouth to say something, closed it, then opened it again before finally opting to keep his mouth shut. Whatever. If the monks were willing to help, then who was he to reject them? Cmon, he said, trudging over to where Old Bulat and Daxian were already hard at work getting the retinue ready to set out. Got a long trip ahead of us, so dont say I didnt warn ye.
At the very least, Jorani could rest easy knowing thered be a second Divinity looking out for him, one far more reliable than his sire. Amazing that, Jorani of Sanshu, a half-rat Warrior of no renown having not one, but two Divinities to guard him. Such was life. He wasnt sure where this Path would lead him, but he intended to follow it through, not just for the bossmans sake, but for his own too, because hopefully, at the end of it all, he would find that he had become a better man.
Chapter Meme
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 746
There was a time when Jorani was more than happy to idle his days away, doing nothing until circumstances demanded otherwise, because he loved just doing nothing. There were those who liked dicing or drinking, boasting or brawling, and even the rare quirky coot who enjoyed their work, but there was nothing Jorani loved more than sitting back and doing nothing except taking in the sights, sounds, scents, and whatever might else catch his fancy.
These days however, he had precious little time for idling. As a Field Officer in command of five-thousand troops, there was always more work to do than hours a day to do it, especially while out on campaign. It wasnt so bad though, as after the first day or two of hectic activity in which the Peak Experts overran four Western harbours and left the cleanup to the grunts, there wasnt much else for the army to do except dig in and fortify, but it was rare for soldiers to be as easy going as Jorani, and bored soldiers were troublesome soldiers. While the bossman brought in plenty of professionals to do all the constructing, Lieutenant General Akanai was not a woman to let her soldiers sit idle, and Jorani wholeheartedly approved. For the last month, the soldiers of this conquering army toiled in the dust, digging ditches, hauling blocks, patrolling the area, and more, with each and every Warrior expected to put in a solid eight hours of work each and every day.
That being said, most soldiers werent all too accustomed to a life of hard labour, on account of them being either nobles, bandits, or just plain spoiled by circumstance. Even the poorest, most incompetent Martial Warrior was better off than most, since there was always someone willing to pay decent wages just to have them stand around and look intimidating, so this last month proved a rude awakening to the majority of soldiers here in Meng Sha, but a much needed one in Joranis eyes. A bit of sweat never hurt no one, and Jorani even kinda enjoyed it, as it reminded him of the weeks he spent in the Arid Wastes helping Asmanis tribe build their new village. It was nice to do something that mattered, aside from just wasting his time doing nothing, and much as he enjoyed the latter, the former was starting to grow on him too.
For the last thirty days, Jorani fell into a routine of taking his breakfast outside while taking in the sights, and it was almost inspiring to see the fort walls and towers shoot up and up and up before his eyes. He wasnt the only one to appreciate the fruits of their labours in this way either, with many a soldier stopping to take in the sights whenever they had a moment to spare, and he imagined the awe, pride, and satisfaction he saw there was mirrored in his own eyes every morning. The walls, the towers, the gates, the traps, every soldier here had a part in building the defences that would keep them safe, and knowing this gave them all a grand sense of accomplishment. There was magic in creation, of taking something that was there and turning it into something else altogether, and though hed seen this sort of magic at work with Asmanis tribe, Jorani hadnt wholly recognized it until now.
Ye know, he began, turning towards Monk Happy without taking his eyes off the landscape, I think I understand why ye all like making things so much. The smiling monk sipped at his breakfast congee without uttering a word, but Jorani knew the man was listening, because that was what the monks did best. Feels good seeing what me own two hands have built, to be able to point at that tower and know me sweat is mixed into the mortar or that gate and remember how I bled gettin them hinges on straight.
That is a part of it yes, Monk Happy replied, after taking a second to swallow the last of his breakfast. Gratification from seeing the fruits of ones labour is undeniably enjoyable, a lesson Junior Brother would have learned much earlier if not for your...indolent tendencies. There is more to it than personal fulfillment however, and you must not forget to be wary of indulging the desire for existence.
The second of the Three Desires, the craving for existence, which Jorani didnt entirely understand. The gist of it was that one should do good things because it was right to do so, rather than out of any innate desire to be known as a good person. A fine line to walk, and truth be told, he didnt see the harm in letting someone hold their head held high if they were doing good things, but to the Monks of the Brotherhood, intent was every bit as important as the action itself. The right action with the wrong intent could be just as damaging as being wrong both ways, or so they claimed. Monk Bones gave many examples, but the one that stuck with Jorani was the parable of a landowner who subsidized his farmers by giving them oxen free of charge so they could take responsibility for more farmland. The oxen enabled the farmers to till larger fields and harvest more crops, thereby increasing the landowners profits, but the farmers soon discovered that their oxen were old with not many years left to them. Whats more, when they went to the landowner to seek out a replacement, he charged them an exorbitant amount which the farmers had no choice but to pay because there was no way to work their large fields without one.
The Empire was filled with schemers looking to squeeze every possible copper out of their workforce, but that one was a particularly devious ploy that made Jorani sick to his stomach. It wasnt a tall tale made up to prove the Brotherhoods point either, but something that had actually happened, and for all Jorani knew, was still happening somewhere in the world today.
So whats the rest of it? Jorani asked, always curious to learn more. The reasoning to why ye monks put so much effort into craftin and paintin and whatnot?
While he didnt wholly agree with all of the Brotherhoods viewpoints or even most of them, they always had at least a few good points in their favour and helped him see the world in a new light, and Monk Happy did not disappoint. We of the Brotherhood value not the end result of our labours, but the act of creation itself. As someone whose livelihood is steeped in violence and destruction, you already know that such ordeals demand a hefty price, a butchers bill paid not in coin or lives but rather an individuals mental well-being. Something in the monks voice made Jorani finally turn to face him, and what he saw was a man whod paid that price many times over and was still burdened by the loss. You know as well as any that it takes something from a person to kill another living being, to look into someones eyes and watch the life fade away, even someone who meant you harm. Though most struggle to manage this debt at first, it becomes easier and easier to ignore the cost as you grow numb to the effort, until there comes a time when you no longer notice the burden or even stop caring altogether. To create something is almost the complete opposite, a soothing balm for the mind and soul that serves as an act of balance not in the metaphysical sense, but mentally and morally.
Having said his piece, Monk Happy fell silent once again to reflect on his inner turmoil, some memories of the past which still haunted him so, and Jorani stared at his hands to give the man what little privacy he could. He knew the struggle well enough, as hed never come to love this life of combat and bloodshed, not the way the bossman and so many others did. There was nothing quite like the thrill of combat, but while the heady highs were good and all, it never lasted long and in no way made up for the steep fall after, and he knew he wasnt the only one who felt this way. Most never cared to admit their woes because to do so would be unbecoming, but hed seen many a soldier turn to drink, drugs, or pleasurable company just so they could rest easy at night, a different sort of coping system from the Brotherhoods, but a solution nonetheless. Hell, Jorani himself had gotten to the point where hed almost forgotten the burdens of war weighing down on his conscience, a dilemma made doubly difficult after meeting Asmani and her tribesmen. What if there were more Defiled tribesmen like them, ones who fought and killed only because they knew no other way to live? If one tribe could change, surely so could others, which made the Imperial policy of taking no prisoners a prickly prospect, conscientiously speaking. It was an issue hed been ignoring for the last few weeks, mostly because he had no idea what to do about it. There was a time when he couldve just kept his mouth shut and followed orders, but now hed be the one issuing those orders, which made things just all that much worse.
...
Maybe he could try his hand at pottery. That looked like fun, playing with mud and all. Ral would probably enjoy it too, so maybe they could learn together. They had precious little time to spend with one another in recent days, mostly because Jorani was too busy learning the ins and outs of command, so it wouldnt hurt to set an hour or twos aside to spend with his best friend.
Making a mental note to ask Ral about it, Jorani bade Monk Happy farewell and headed off to start his day. Unlike previous days, the camp was abuzz with anticipation because everyone and their mother knew orders were soon to come down from above. They were about to make some big moves from the looks of it, a difficult thing to hide considering the preparations an army in the field needed, so it wouldnt be long before they resumed their campaign to retake the West. Jorani had hoped the bossman would be back on his feet before things got underway, but that wasnt looking likely, especially when he arrived at his Officers tent and found Old Bulat already puttering about. The man was clever and all, but most of his efforts were spent trying to come up with new and inventive ways to be lazy, so for him to be ready and waiting before Jorani arrived was a portent of trouble ahead. Rather than say anything, Jorani simply raised an eyebrow to greet the man, who pursed his lips and held up a scroll sealed in wax stamped with the character Herald, indicating this came from the desk of Lieutenant General Akanai herself.
Marching orders then, which explained why Old Bulat was here bright and early. Jorani pitched his yurt closer to where the Brotherhood were encamped, mostly so he could spend his nights deep in discussion and not have to trek back to bed in the dark. While it kept him safe from Wraiths and from having to deal with overzealous sentries, it also meant that any official messengers would be unable to find him unless they were told exactly where he slept. That was why he had Old Bulat for, his somewhat dependable second-in-command, though there was plenty of room for improvement to be made. Well, no time like the present, Jorani began, trying not to appear too worried or distraught. Read it out fer me, will ye?
It took an effort of will not to smile at the brief flash of panic which crossed the mans face, but Jorani didnt want to shame them man or discourage him from trying his best. Settling into his chair, he leaned back and waited as the burly man unfurled the scroll and slowly parsed the words together before finally finding the courage to start, but Mother knows the man needed the practice. Thus far, hed gotten away by relying on Silva to do all his reading, but there were some orders which should only be read by the commander in charge, and there might come a day when that burden fell to Old Bulat.nove(l)bi(n.)com
Hopefully that day wouldnt be soon, as it would only happen if Jorani was out of the picture, but like the bossman liked to say, Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
Though Old Bulat struggled to get through it without stumbling, hed improved a fair bit since Jorani took over for Mister Rustram. Even better was the fact that for once, the dice had come out in their favour as the scroll held nothing but good news. Soldiers were to deploy in the morning, with Colonel General Nian Zu leading the charge to retake the border city of Shi Bei, while Lieutenant General Akanai set out with a second army to guard his flank from Defiled reinforcements. The best part was that Jorani and his boys werent joining either of them however, as theyd been placed under Lieutenant General Baatar who was still recovering from injuries sustained in Huang Hai during that first, hectic night of the offensive, and thus would be stationed right here in Meng Sha to cover everyones collective asses.
Guard duty. Not the most glorious work, but it meant they would be safely away from the fighting for now. Course the downside was that there would be some bloody work ahead once the war reached their walls, which it inevitably would. Meng Sha was the only harbour theyd fortified thus far, at least to the point where theyd have an advantage against the Enemys overwhelming numbers. The construction workers were already fortifying Dong Jiang, while LuZhuo to the south would come next, but progress would be slower at both locations since the workers would only have a token defence division to ensure their safety rather than the full force of the crusading army sitting idle in the wings. This left Meng Sha as a pivotal point to hold and a tempting target for the Defiled, since capturing the harbour meant the Imperial army would no longer have a fortified base to resupply from. This was even more important here in the West than elsewhere due to the scarcity of food and water out in the sandy desert dunes which comprised most of the province, so any fighting here would be bitter indeed. That being said, it should be at least another week before the Enemy could safely besiege the harbour, since moving out any sooner risked their forces getting pinched between the harbour fort and the two Imperial armies moving out into the field, which meant Jorani and his people could sit pretty until then.
A good move from a brilliant commander, and Jorani breathed easy knowing that this battle-plan would put to rest all the muttered comments about the bossmans decision to leave his fearsome Mother-in-Law in charge.
Never for a moment did Jorani dare doubt the womans competence or prowess. There were few Warriors capable of matching Lieutenant General Akanais strength, as many had seen her trading blows with Bai Qi first in JiangHu and later in the Central Citadel. A feat not even the famed Shuai Jiao could match mind you, but while commoners and Martial Warriors the Empire around venerated her for her personal strength, soldiers knew that the best commander wasnt always the strongest Warrior around. Brigadier Hongji was the perfect example, as his personal strength was admittedly lacking, yet he held the front lines for longer than anyone believed possible thanks to his devious tactics and staggering foresight, abilities which had soldiers the Empire round praying to work under him. Then there was Nian Zu, who was the complete package, powerful duellist, formidable force on the battlefield, and a cunning tactician who held the Northern Wall for decades without incident, a tried and true commander that any soldier would be proud to serve. There were also many other weather-worn commanders lurking about, so a good number of soldiers were less than pleased when word spread that the bossman had appointed his gorgeous Grand Mentor as his second in command, meaning she now held the ultimate authority over the Armys next move. Many a whinging Warrior was heard questioning her ability to lead soldiers in war, because to hear them talk, every other Officer in the Imperial Army had earned their rank through merit alone, as opposed to having the right connections or just being strong enough to deserve it. Other, more reasonable voices made no effort to disparage the Bekkie Commander, but they did wonder why the Legate chose her over a more... palatable choice like Nian Zu who outranked her or Liu Xuande, the Imperial Scion turned brilliant strategist who was fast becoming a household name when it came to battlefield tactics.
In truth, the best choice would have been to hand control over to Nian Zu, as not only was it the most obvious choice, it was also the most politically correct option, but the bossman never was one to care much about what others thought of his decisions. Then again, if the rest of the Empire knew what Jorani knew about Lieutenant General Akanai, then maybe they wouldnt be so fussed about handing her command. There was no disputing her qualifications as not only had she united the Saints Tribulations Mountains and safeguarded it for hundreds of years, she also had a hand in raising many of the Khishig Peak Experts alive today. Then there was the fact that she raised the Bloody-Fanged Wolf himself, who in turn raised the fearsome and miraculous Falling Rain, which meant only a blind fool would dare claim she wasnt qualified to lead, for as the nobles of the Empire were always quick to point out, a sparrow could never beget a hawk.
Course, this didnt mean Jorani didnt have any doubts at all, for he knew how fierce and vengeful the Bekkies could be, a spirit embodied by their beloved Commander, Akanai. Seeing how the Enemy had almost killed her son and put her grand-disciple/grandson/son-in-law into a coma, Jorani spent the last few weeks terrified that she would immediately launch an all-out counter-offensive against the Enemy in reprisal for their crimes, but thankfully, she seemed content to wait until all her pieces were in place before making a move. These new orders proved that shed been the right person for the job, and while Jorani had faith in both the bossmans decision and the Lieutenant Generals abilities, it was always best when faith was backed by cold hard facts.
To think, hed read fierce and icy Akanai so wrong, having pegged her as a dormant volcano of righteous retribution just waiting for an excuse to erupt in violence and fury, when in fact she was a doting mother who wanted to make sure her boy was safe and sound after his close run in with death. It was almost adorable when you stopped to think about it, that even a Warrior as old and accomplished as Baatar was naught but a pup in his mothers eye. A thought which filled Jorani with a longing to see his Ma again, if only to tell her he loved her so, for he knew she wouldve felt the same way as Akanai. To say hed been an ungrateful son would be a massive understatement, and it wasnt until after he lost her that he realized how much she did to keep him safe, fed, and happy. Alas, there was no pill for regret and no way to go back and tell her how much she meant to him, so all he could do was cherish the few happy memories he still had. There was a time when he only felt anger when thinking about her abhorrent end, even after he avenged her by hanging the damnable noble who had her caned to death, but vengeance alone wasnt enough to quell his rage, and not without reason. While Councilman Chao Ban was the man responsible for her death, that was just the last on a long list of grievances Jorani held fast in his mothers stead, and he lay most of the blame for her rough and wretched life at the feet of none other than his absentee sire, Gang Shu.
A grievance for another day though, as Jorani had more pressing matters to attend to, namely a meeting with the bossmans father to get everyone up to speed. Thatd been at the end of the missive and Old Bulat had almost missed it in his relief, which left Jorani precious little time to make his way across the damned fortress with his barely literate and somewhat out of shape second in tow. As a commander of five-thousand soldiers, he couldnt be seen running around like a chicken with its head cut off without setting off a panic, but seeing as he was the Officer in charge of the Legates retinue, he could hardly afford to show up late either, so he power-walked as quickly as he dared without breaking into a full on sprint. Even then, he was among the last to arrive at the towering canvas command tent, one ringed by so many guards that it set off warning bells in Joranis mind as he slowed to catch his breath. Why did a customary Officers meeting need so much security? This wasnt an honour guard sort of situation either, since the majority of guards were Bekkies rather than the Imperial soldiers one would normally expect. Then again, maybe the Lieutenant General was just being overprotective of her son, which would be understandable considering hed almost died taking Huang Hai.
Course, that theory went right out the window once Jorani made his way into the command tent and saw the company he was in, a gathering of Northern heroes who he knew all too well. There at the front was the Bloody Fanged Wolf himself, looking healthy as an ox while clad in Bekkie leathers with his Officers token on full display. There he stood with his massive honking pole-axe in hand, one which was aptly named the Crescent Moon for the shape of its wickedly curved blade. With his snow-silver hair and piercing blue eyes, he looked every bit the part of blessed Son of the Mother Above, a Divine Agent here to dispatch the Enemy in Her name. Though his achievements had thus far been overshadowed by others, there was no doubt in anyones mind that Baatar of the Bekhai was a Warrior to be reckoned with, a rising Dragon who stood well above his peers. A rare, apolitical military Officer, it was almost comical to think hed been but a lowly Captain only a few years prior to today, a grand hero of the Empire whose talents and accomplishments had largely gone unnoticed. Thus far, he was mostly known for his connections, as Akanais son and Disciple, Nian Zus protege and successor, and the bossmans father and Mentor, but it was only a matter of time before his actions would speak for themselves.
A shame to sideline so great a man, but Jorani had a sinking suspicion that all was not as it seemed.
One reason was that next to the Bloody Fanged Wolf stood none other than Situ Jia Yang, which by itself wasnt worthy of note. Though once fierce enemies, the Situ Clan and the Bekkies were now the staunchest of allies, mostly thanks to the bond of friendship between the bossman and Situ Jia Zian, but Jia Yang was still the same relentless political animal and would not be so pleased to have been sidelined during such an important offensive. Even more suspicious was the fact that Brigadier Chen Hongji was also present at the front of the tent, humbly positioned a half-step back so as not to overshadow anyone else and wholly comfortable in the arrangement. Hell, knowing Baatar, Hongji had probably moved himself back without the half-wolf noticing, though Jia Yang no doubt saw and appreciated the gesture and would repay it in private.
Or there is nothing left of yourself to give. Giving it a moment of thought, Jorani simply nodded in agreement, to which Monk Bones responded, And how do you reconcile this killing with your conscience? You have seen firsthand that the Defiled are not monsters in human flesh as the Empire would have you believe, yet now you embark upon a journey to slaughter them wholesale.
Aye, yer right there, but I aint got an answer to share. Theres killing to be done, and Ill not take any joy from it, but even if there are Defiled out there who could be convinced to change their ways, I would sooner kill them to save the innocent civilians suffering under their rule instead.
And if you save someone who should not be saved? Someone who later goes on to commit some heinous atrocity?
I can only take responsibility fer my own actions, Jorani replied, shaking his head at how ridiculous the question was. I see a person in need, then Ill save em. Aint my fault if he sets a town on fire later on. Then again, knowing the bossman, he probably would feel responsible and blame himself for not seeing through a strangers moral fibre before saving them. The idiot.
So is this why you fight, Jorani of Sanshu? To save others? How many have you saved with your spears and swords? Throwing his hands up in the air, Monk Bones snarled and said, If you wish to save people, then you would be better served pursuing a different Path instead, but still you insist on this one. You have no love for this soldiers life youve embarked on, no lust for glory and bloodshed, yet you resist all attempts to sway you from it. You are a man in love with life itself, still yet to experience all it has to offer, and yet you run headlong down this Path which even you yourself know you are unsuited for. Why put yourself through this pain? Why pursue this Path to its inevitable end when you could instead seek out a new Path and purpose?
This time, Jorani was at a loss for words, because never before had the monks put him on the spot like this. It was always, Why do you seek strength, an almost rhetorical question meant to make him think about his motivations, but now, Monk Bones was all but demanding an answer. Justice? No, he wasnt that good a person, driven by a need to help others. Duty? Ha. If the Mother Above wanted him to fight the Defiled, then She should have made him stronger and braver to begin with. Obligation?
...
Yea... that was pretty much it.
I walk this Path because the bossman needs me, Jorani said, marvelling at how the answer had been right before his eyes all this time and still somehow escaped his notice. He has his Path, and it just so happens, I want to help him along it.
We all must walk our own Path, Monk Bones intoned, and Jorani nodded in agreement.
True enough. Since he didnt know where the bossman was at the moment, Jorani leaned back and looked up at the night sky, feeling a sense of relief and contentment he hadnt even known he needed before sharing his driving motivation to the Brotherhood. But that dont mean we cant all use a helping hand every once in a while. The bossman would probably laugh if he heard this, and hed be the first to tell me Im a fool for tryin to follow him. Ye know he offered to let me out of my contract? Said hed be happy to set me up fer a cushy life away from soldierin if thats what I wanted, and damned if he didnt mean it. Chuckling under his breath, Jorani reminisced about those dark days with a smile, because now he could wholly appreciate what the bossman had done for him, and the faith the man still had even after all that.
So why did you refuse? Monk Happy asked.
Because like I said, the bossman needs me. Shrugging, Jorani continued, Hes the type to shoulder the worlds burdens on his own without so much as a peep, then complain about how difficult it was once the danger passes. Hes a strange sort ye know, real similar to you lot, except where you all work to elevate yerselves above the red dust of the lowly mortal world, he strives to improve the world itself as a whole. Thats why I respect him so much, because his grand vision aint just focused on him.
You think our Path selfish?
Monk Bones asked the question without heat or accusation, but the other monks stiffened in defensive silence. That didnt dissuade Jorani one bit though, because he felt it truly needed to be said. Aint it? Yeve cut yerselves off from the rest of the world in order to pursue the Noble Eight-fold Path, because ye think living around other mortals makes it too difficult to succeed. The former Wisdom even went so far as to believe the world would be better off if everythin was rendered into nihility, because either wed all be freed from this mortal prison or hed be left undisturbed to pursue his Path. Holding up a hand to forestall Monk Bones argument, Jorani added, I know, I know, none of ye here agree with his take, else yed have run off to join him, but none of ye are doin anything to stop him either. Casting his gaze across the crowd in his best imitation of the bossmans father, Jorani chose his next words carefully. Ye all go on and on about the Right View, Right Intent, Right Speech, and whatnot, but aint none of you stopped to consider whats right. The former Wisdom has joined hands with a monster in an effort to eradicate all life. The way I see it, the right thing to do would be stand up and stop him, and I only know one way how.
If our aid is needed, then the Heavens will guide us there.
Maybe Im wrong and yer right. Shrugging, Jorani scratched his chin and said, But what if the Heavens have been tryin to do just that, but you lot are just refusing to move? I mean, yer all here because the Enemy came to yer doorstep in an attempt to kill the Abbot. Yeve seen the death and sufferin the Enemy is dealin out firsthand, but all ye do is beat yer drums and say yer prayers. Dont know about you, but Id say them poor souls in LuZhou needed a damn sight more than just prayers. A hurtful statement Jorani never intended to make, but it slipped out amidst his frustrations. Still, he didnt want to hurt the monks or guilt them to action, so he lowered his head in shame and continued, I dunno. It aint yer fault, but Im just a simple bandit turned soldier, ye know? Someone draws a blade on me or mine, well, I only know how to draw a blade to match. Thats me, but the bossman, at least he draws his blade with purpose. The rest of the province turned a blind eye to the West, but the bossman, he aint one to rest on his laurels and only do whats good fer him. Its mostly a matter of motivation, ye know? You all see the world fer what it is, and ask why?. The bossman sees what could be, and asks, why not?. Hes more than a little in love with bloodshed, but knowin him, hed happily hang his weapons on the wall and do good instead if there werent any need for conflict. Thats why I follow him, because he means to change the world for the better, and I think I can help get him just a little bit closer to his goal, even if it costs me somethin I can never get back.
And what will you do when he fails or succeeds? Monk Bones asked, ignoring the silent exchange going on around him to focus solely on Jorani alone. Should you both survive to the ends of your lives, chances are you will outlive him by four centuries at the least.
Dunno. Shrugging, Jorani said, Ill figure it out when I get there, ye know? One step at a time, ye know?
And there was the answer to the question he had yet to ask, of what he would do when he arrived in Pan Si Xing and saw all those people suffering under Defiled rule. It was still a hypothetical for now, so hed answer that question if it came up later and just do as his conscience demanded. Thats what the bossman would do, so if it was good enough for him, then it sure as hell was good enough for Jorani. Alright, he said, after a few minutes passed without any questions from the Brotherhood. Dusting his hands off as he came to his feet, he knelt down to look Monk Bones in the eyes. I know I said some things that might ruffle some feathers, but thats just the way I see em. You have your right view, and Ive settled on mine, because even though I aint cut out fer the soldierin life, a soldier is what I am. Thats the plain and simple truth it is, and sos this. I respect ye all and what yer tryin to do, but yer Path just aint fer me, not now, ye know? I cant just walk away from the people who depend on me, especially not now. Without Jorani around, the retinue would have to rely on Old Bulat to get them home in one piece, and Jorani shuddered to think of the disaster just waiting to happen. Plus, Ral wouldnt go, he was born to soldier, no rising dragon but a fierce guard dog at the very least, a Warrior Jorani was proud to call friend. Taking Monk Bones hand, Jorani clasped it in both of his own and said, Welp... guess this is goodbye. If I make it back from this alive and outlive the bossman, then maybe Ill come find ye and give the monk life a real try. Id like that, I think, and itd be nice if it fit, but who knows, ye know?
Jorani was rambling now, but only because he didnt know how to say what he truly wanted to say, to thank Monk Bones and the other monks of the Brotherhood for showing him so much care. That he so desperately wanted to want to be a monk, but even putting castration aside, it didnt make sense for him to try. That if not for the war and the bossmans needs, Jorani would still give it a shot anyways, because the monks were like a second family to him, one he was loath to part with under such strained terms. So instead, he bowed over the monks hands as a show of contrition, and then quickly walked away before his emotions got the better of him. Sleep was what he needed now, restful, peaceful sleep in his officers tent, because Heavens knows thered be precious little of it in the days to come.
Come morning, Jorani woke with the rising sun and emerged from his tent to find Monk Bones and most of the other monks waiting outside. Ye here to see me off? he asked, touched by the gesture and choking back a sob. Well, ye shouldnt. My leavin is supposed to be a secret and all, so yell get me in trouble if ye give the game away.
No, Monk Bones replied, and Joranis stomach flip-flopped in nervous anxiety, worried they were here to denounce him instead. You are a most promising initiate of the Brotherhood, so how can we let you march into danger unassisted?
What?
We cannot and will not fight unless forced to, Monk Bones continued, ignoring Joranis dumbstruck expression. But we will not slow the army down and can assist with Healing and scouting if need be, so do not hesitate to make use of us in such a manner. Smiling as he patted Jorani on the shoulder, Monk Bones switched to Sending and said, You did well, convincing the Brotherhood to revise our views. We sought to elevate ourselves above the red dust of the mortal world, but while our goal most certainly sits high overhead, we ourselves are still mortal yet, and thus undeniably have a stake in the world below. Recent events have shown us as much, but we have been too stubborn to see it, much less respond to the call to act, but you are right. While conducting funeral rites is a hallowed duty, I do believe we can be of more use in other ways, and our brothers agree.
Leaving Jorani no room to dispute, Monk Bones stepped aside and disappeared into Concealment, bringing with him the rest of the monks as well save for Happy, who was standing slightly askew because Kukky was pressed up against him with eyes wide in concern. Glancing up at the smiling, rotund man, Jorani opened his mouth to say something, closed it, then opened it again before finally opting to keep his mouth shut. Whatever. If the monks were willing to help, then who was he to reject them? Cmon, he said, trudging over to where Old Bulat and Daxian were already hard at work getting the retinue ready to set out. Got a long trip ahead of us, so dont say I didnt warn ye.
At the very least, Jorani could rest easy knowing thered be a second Divinity looking out for him, one far more reliable than his sire. Amazing that, Jorani of Sanshu, a half-rat Warrior of no renown having not one, but two Divinities to guard him. Such was life. He wasnt sure where this Path would lead him, but he intended to follow it through, not just for the bossmans sake, but for his own too, because hopefully, at the end of it all, he would find that he had become a better man.
Chapter Meme
Chapter 746There was a time when Jorani was more than happy to idle his days away, doing nothing until circumstances demanded otherwise, because he loved just doing nothing. There were those who liked dicing or drinking, boasting or brawling, and even the rare quirky coot who enjoyed their work, but there was nothing Jorani loved more than sitting back and doing nothing except taking in the sights, sounds, scents, and whatever might else catch his fancy.These days however, he had precious little time for idling. As a Field Officer in command of five-thousand troops, there was always more work to do than hours a day to do it, especially while out on campaign. It wasnt so bad though, as after the first day or two of hectic activity in which the Peak Experts overran four Western harbours and left the cleanup to the grunts, there wasnt much else for the army to do except dig in and fortify, but it was rare for soldiers to be as easy going as Jorani, and bored soldiers were troublesome soldiers. While the bossman brought in plenty of professionals to do all the constructing, Lieutenant General Akanai was not a woman to let her soldiers sit idle, and Jorani wholeheartedly approved. For the last month, the soldiers of this conquering army toiled in the dust, digging ditches, hauling blocks, patrolling the area, and more, with each and every Warrior expected to put in a solid eight hours of work each and every day.That being said, most soldiers werent all too accustomed to a life of hard labour, on account of them being either nobles, bandits, or just plain spoiled by circumstance. Even the poorest, most incompetent Martial Warrior was better off than most, since there was always someone willing to pay decent wages just to have them stand around and look intimidating, so this last month proved a rude awakening to the majority of soldiers here in Meng Sha, but a much needed one in Joranis eyes. A bit of sweat never hurt no one, and Jorani even kinda enjoyed it, as it reminded him of the weeks he spent in the Arid Wastes helping Asmanis tribe build their new village. It was nice to do something that mattered, aside from just wasting his time doing nothing, and much as he enjoyed the latter, the former was starting to grow on him too.For the last thirty days, Jorani fell into a routine of taking his breakfast outside while taking in the sights, and it was almost inspiring to see the fort walls and towers shoot up and up and up before his eyes. He wasnt the only one to appreciate the fruits of their labours in this way either, with many a soldier stopping to take in the sights whenever they had a moment to spare, and he imagined the awe, pride, and satisfaction he saw there was mirrored in his own eyes every morning. The walls, the towers, the gates, the traps, every soldier here had a part in building the defences that would keep them safe, and knowing this gave them all a grand sense of accomplishment. There was magic in creation, of taking something that was there and turning it into something else altogether, and though hed seen this sort of magic at work with Asmanis tribe, Jorani hadnt wholly recognized it until now.Ye know, he began, turning towards Monk Happy without taking his eyes off the landscape, I think I understand why ye all like making things so much. The smiling monk sipped at his breakfast congee without uttering a word, but Jorani knew the man was listening, because that was what the monks did best. Feels good seeing what me own two hands have built, to be able to point at that tower and know me sweat is mixed into the mortar or that gate and remember how I bled gettin them hinges on straight.That is a part of it yes, Monk Happy replied, after taking a second to swallow the last of his breakfast. Gratification from seeing the fruits of ones labour is undeniably enjoyable, a lesson Junior Brother would have learned much earlier if not for your...indolent tendencies. There is more to it than personal fulfillment however, and you must not forget to be wary of indulging the desire for existence.The second of the Three Desires, the craving for existence, which Jorani didnt entirely understand. The gist of it was that one should do good things because it was right to do so, rather than out of any innate desire to be known as a good person. A fine line to walk, and truth be told, he didnt see the harm in letting someone hold their head held high if they were doing good things, but to the Monks of the Brotherhood, intent was every bit as important as the action itself. The right action with the wrong intent could be just as damaging as being wrong both ways, or so they claimed. Monk Bones gave many examples, but the one that stuck with Jorani was the parable of a landowner who subsidized his farmers by giving them oxen free of charge so they could take responsibility for more farmland. The oxen enabled the farmers to till larger fields and harvest more crops, thereby increasing the landowners profits, but the farmers soon discovered that their oxen were old with not many years left to them. Whats more, when they went to the landowner to seek out a replacement, he charged them an exorbitant amount which the farmers had no choice but to pay because there was no way to work their large fields without one.The Empire was filled with schemers looking to squeeze every possible copper out of their workforce, but that one was a particularly devious ploy that made Jorani sick to his stomach. It wasnt a tall tale made up to prove the Brotherhoods point either, but something that had actually happened, and for all Jorani knew, was still happening somewhere in the world today.So whats the rest of it? Jorani asked, always curious to learn more. The reasoning to why ye monks put so much effort into craftin and paintin and whatnot?While he didnt wholly agree with all of the Brotherhoods viewpoints or even most of them, they always had at least a few good points in their favour and helped him see the world in a new light, and Monk Happy did not disappoint. We of the Brotherhood value not the end result of our labours, but the act of creation itself. As someone whose livelihood is steeped in violence and destruction, you already know that such ordeals demand a hefty price, a butchers bill paid not in coin or lives but rather an individuals mental well-being. Something in the monks voice made Jorani finally turn to face him, and what he saw was a man whod paid that price many times over and was still burdened by the loss. You know as well as any that it takes something from a person to kill another living being, to look into someones eyes and watch the life fade away, even someone who meant you harm. Though most struggle to manage this debt at first, it becomes easier and easier to ignore the cost as you grow numb to the effort, until there comes a time when you no longer notice the burden or even stop caring altogether. To create something is almost the complete opposite, a soothing balm for the mind and soul that serves as an act of balance not in the metaphysical sense, but mentally and morally.Having said his piece, Monk Happy fell silent once again to reflect on his inner turmoil, some memories of the past which still haunted him so, and Jorani stared at his hands to give the man what little privacy he could. He knew the struggle well enough, as hed never come to love this life of combat and bloodshed, not the way the bossman and so many others did. There was nothing quite like the thrill of combat, but while the heady highs were good and all, it never lasted long and in no way made up for the steep fall after, and he knew he wasnt the only one who felt this way. Most never cared to admit their woes because to do so would be unbecoming, but hed seen many a soldier turn to drink, drugs, or pleasurable company just so they could rest easy at night, a different sort of coping system from the Brotherhoods, but a solution nonetheless. Hell, Jorani himself had gotten to the point where hed almost forgotten the burdens of war weighing down on his conscience, a dilemma made doubly difficult after meeting Asmani and her tribesmen. What if there were more Defiled tribesmen like them, ones who fought and killed only because they knew no other way to live? If one tribe could change, surely so could others, which made the Imperial policy of taking no prisoners a prickly prospect, conscientiously speaking. It was an issue hed been ignoring for the last few weeks, mostly because he had no idea what to do about it. There was a time when he couldve just kept his mouth shut and followed orders, but now hed be the one issuing those orders, which made things just all that much worse....Maybe he could try his hand at pottery. That looked like fun, playing with mud and all. Ral would probably enjoy it too, so maybe they could learn together. They had precious little time to spend with one another in recent days, mostly because Jorani was too busy learning the ins and outs of command, so it wouldnt hurt to set an hour or twos aside to spend with his best friend.Making a mental note to ask Ral about it, Jorani bade Monk Happy farewell and headed off to start his day. Unlike previous days, the camp was abuzz with anticipation because everyone and their mother knew orders were soon to come down from above. They were about to make some big moves from the looks of it, a difficult thing to hide considering the preparations an army in the field needed, so it wouldnt be long before they resumed their campaign to retake the West. Jorani had hoped the bossman would be back on his feet before things got underway, but that wasnt looking likely, especially when he arrived at his Officers tent and found Old Bulat already puttering about. The man was clever and all, but most of his efforts were spent trying to come up with new and inventive ways to be lazy, so for him to be ready and waiting before Jorani arrived was a portent of trouble ahead. Rather than say anything, Jorani simply raised an eyebrow to greet the man, who pursed his lips and held up a scroll sealed in wax stamped with the character Herald, indicating this came from the desk of Lieutenant General Akanai herself.Marching orders then, which explained why Old Bulat was here bright and early. Jorani pitched his yurt closer to where the Brotherhood were encamped, mostly so he could spend his nights deep in discussion and not have to trek back to bed in the dark. While it kept him safe from Wraiths and from having to deal with overzealous sentries, it also meant that any official messengers would be unable to find him unless they were told exactly where he slept. That was why he had Old Bulat for, his somewhat dependable second-in-command, though there was plenty of room for improvement to be made. Well, no time like the present, Jorani began, trying not to appear too worried or distraught. Read it out fer me, will ye?It took an effort of will not to smile at the brief flash of panic which crossed the mans face, but Jorani didnt want to shame them man or discourage him from trying his best. Settling into his chair, he leaned back and waited as the burly man unfurled the scroll and slowly parsed the words together before finally finding the courage to start, but Mother knows the man needed the practice. Thus far, hed gotten away by relying on Silva to do all his reading, but there were some orders which should only be read by the commander in charge, and there might come a day when that burden fell to Old Bulat.novelbin.comHopefully that day wouldnt be soon, as it would only happen if Jorani was out of the picture, but like the bossman liked to say, Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.Though Old Bulat struggled to get through it without stumbling, hed improved a fair bit since Jorani took over for Mister Rustram. Even better was the fact that for once, the dice had come out in their favour as the scroll held nothing but good news. Soldiers were to deploy in the morning, with Colonel General Nian Zu leading the charge to retake the border city of Shi Bei, while Lieutenant General Akanai set out with a second army to guard his flank from Defiled reinforcements. The best part was that Jorani and his boys werent joining either of them however, as theyd been placed under Lieutenant General Baatar who was still recovering from injuries sustained in Huang Hai during that first, hectic night of the offensive, and thus would be stationed right here in Meng Sha to cover everyones collective asses.Guard duty. Not the most glorious work, but it meant they would be safely away from the fighting for now. Course the downside was that there would be some bloody work ahead once the war reached their walls, which it inevitably would. Meng Sha was the only harbour theyd fortified thus far, at least to the point where theyd have an advantage against the Enemys overwhelming numbers. The construction workers were already fortifying Dong Jiang, while LuZhuo to the south would come next, but progress would be slower at both locations since the workers would only have a token defence division to ensure their safety rather than the full force of the crusading army sitting idle in the wings. This left Meng Sha as a pivotal point to hold and a tempting target for the Defiled, since capturing the harbour meant the Imperial army would no longer have a fortified base to resupply from. This was even more important here in the West than elsewhere due to the scarcity of food and water out in the sandy desert dunes which comprised most of the province, so any fighting here would be bitter indeed. That being said, it should be at least another week before the Enemy could safely besiege the harbour, since moving out any sooner risked their forces getting pinched between the harbour fort and the two Imperial armies moving out into the field, which meant Jorani and his people could sit pretty until then.A good move from a brilliant commander, and Jorani breathed easy knowing that this battle-plan would put to rest all the muttered comments about the bossmans decision to leave his fearsome Mother-in-Law in charge.Never for a moment did Jorani dare doubt the womans competence or prowess. There were few Warriors capable of matching Lieutenant General Akanais strength, as many had seen her trading blows with Bai Qi first in JiangHu and later in the Central Citadel. A feat not even the famed Shuai Jiao could match mind you, but while commoners and Martial Warriors the Empire around venerated her for her personal strength, soldiers knew that the best commander wasnt always the strongest Warrior around. Brigadier Hongji was the perfect example, as his personal strength was admittedly lacking, yet he held the front lines for longer than anyone believed possible thanks to his devious tactics and staggering foresight, abilities which had soldiers the Empire round praying to work under him. Then there was Nian Zu, who was the complete package, powerful duellist, formidable force on the battlefield, and a cunning tactician who held the Northern Wall for decades without incident, a tried and true commander that any soldier would be proud to serve. There were also many other weather-worn commanders lurking about, so a good number of soldiers were less than pleased when word spread that the bossman had appointed his gorgeous Grand Mentor as his second in command, meaning she now held the ultimate authority over the Armys next move. Many a whinging Warrior was heard questioning her ability to lead soldiers in war, because to hear them talk, every other Officer in the Imperial Army had earned their rank through merit alone, as opposed to having the right connections or just being strong enough to deserve it. Other, more reasonable voices made no effort to disparage the Bekkie Commander, but they did wonder why the Legate chose her over a more... palatable choice like Nian Zu who outranked her or Liu Xuande, the Imperial Scion turned brilliant strategist who was fast becoming a household name when it came to battlefield tactics.In truth, the best choice would have been to hand control over to Nian Zu, as not only was it the most obvious choice, it was also the most politically correct option, but the bossman never was one to care much about what others thought of his decisions. Then again, if the rest of the Empire knew what Jorani knew about Lieutenant General Akanai, then maybe they wouldnt be so fussed about handing her command. There was no disputing her qualifications as not only had she united the Saints Tribulations Mountains and safeguarded it for hundreds of years, she also had a hand in raising many of the Khishig Peak Experts alive today. Then there was the fact that she raised the Bloody-Fanged Wolf himself, who in turn raised the fearsome and miraculous Falling Rain, which meant only a blind fool would dare claim she wasnt qualified to lead, for as the nobles of the Empire were always quick to point out, a sparrow could never beget a hawk.Course, this didnt mean Jorani didnt have any doubts at all, for he knew how fierce and vengeful the Bekkies could be, a spirit embodied by their beloved Commander, Akanai. Seeing how the Enemy had almost killed her son and put her grand-disciple/grandson/son-in-law into a coma, Jorani spent the last few weeks terrified that she would immediately launch an all-out counter-offensive against the Enemy in reprisal for their crimes, but thankfully, she seemed content to wait until all her pieces were in place before making a move. These new orders proved that shed been the right person for the job, and while Jorani had faith in both the bossmans decision and the Lieutenant Generals abilities, it was always best when faith was backed by cold hard facts.To think, hed read fierce and icy Akanai so wrong, having pegged her as a dormant volcano of righteous retribution just waiting for an excuse to erupt in violence and fury, when in fact she was a doting mother who wanted to make sure her boy was safe and sound after his close run in with death. It was almost adorable when you stopped to think about it, that even a Warrior as old and accomplished as Baatar was naught but a pup in his mothers eye. A thought which filled Jorani with a longing to see his Ma again, if only to tell her he loved her so, for he knew she wouldve felt the same way as Akanai. To say hed been an ungrateful son would be a massive understatement, and it wasnt until after he lost her that he realized how much she did to keep him safe, fed, and happy. Alas, there was no pill for regret and no way to go back and tell her how much she meant to him, so all he could do was cherish the few happy memories he still had. There was a time when he only felt anger when thinking about her abhorrent end, even after he avenged her by hanging the damnable noble who had her caned to death, but vengeance alone wasnt enough to quell his rage, and not without reason. While Councilman Chao Ban was the man responsible for her death, that was just the last on a long list of grievances Jorani held fast in his mothers stead, and he lay most of the blame for her rough and wretched life at the feet of none other than his absentee sire, Gang Shu.A grievance for another day though, as Jorani had more pressing matters to attend to, namely a meeting with the bossmans father to get everyone up to speed. Thatd been at the end of the missive and Old Bulat had almost missed it in his relief, which left Jorani precious little time to make his way across the damned fortress with his barely literate and somewhat out of shape second in tow. As a commander of five-thousand soldiers, he couldnt be seen running around like a chicken with its head cut off without setting off a panic, but seeing as he was the Officer in charge of the Legates retinue, he could hardly afford to show up late either, so he power-walked as quickly as he dared without breaking into a full on sprint. Even then, he was among the last to arrive at the towering canvas command tent, one ringed by so many guards that it set off warning bells in Joranis mind as he slowed to catch his breath. Why did a customary Officers meeting need so much security? This wasnt an honour guard sort of situation either, since the majority of guards were Bekkies rather than the Imperial soldiers one would normally expect. Then again, maybe the Lieutenant General was just being overprotective of her son, which would be understandable considering hed almost died taking Huang Hai.Course, that theory went right out the window once Jorani made his way into the command tent and saw the company he was in, a gathering of Northern heroes who he knew all too well. There at the front was the Bloody Fanged Wolf himself, looking healthy as an ox while clad in Bekkie leathers with his Officers token on full display. There he stood with his massive honking pole-axe in hand, one which was aptly named the Crescent Moon for the shape of its wickedly curved blade. With his snow-silver hair and piercing blue eyes, he looked every bit the part of blessed Son of the Mother Above, a Divine Agent here to dispatch the Enemy in Her name. Though his achievements had thus far been overshadowed by others, there was no doubt in anyones mind that Baatar of the Bekhai was a Warrior to be reckoned with, a rising Dragon who stood well above his peers. A rare, apolitical military Officer, it was almost comical to think hed been but a lowly Captain only a few years prior to today, a grand hero of the Empire whose talents and accomplishments had largely gone unnoticed. Thus far, he was mostly known for his connections, as Akanais son and Disciple, Nian Zus protege and successor, and the bossmans father and Mentor, but it was only a matter of time before his actions would speak for themselves.A shame to sideline so great a man, but Jorani had a sinking suspicion that all was not as it seemed.One reason was that next to the Bloody Fanged Wolf stood none other than Situ Jia Yang, which by itself wasnt worthy of note. Though once fierce enemies, the Situ Clan and the Bekkies were now the staunchest of allies, mostly thanks to the bond of friendship between the bossman and Situ Jia Zian, but Jia Yang was still the same relentless political animal and would not be so pleased to have been sidelined during such an important offensive. Even more suspicious was the fact that Brigadier Chen Hongji was also present at the front of the tent, humbly positioned a half-step back so as not to overshadow anyone else and wholly comfortable in the arrangement. Hell, knowing Baatar, Hongji had probably moved himself back without the half-wolf noticing, though Jia Yang no doubt saw and appreciated the gesture and would repay it in private.Or there is nothing left of yourself to give. Giving it a moment of thought, Jorani simply nodded in agreement, to which Monk Bones responded, And how do you reconcile this killing with your conscience? You have seen firsthand that the Defiled are not monsters in human flesh as the Empire would have you believe, yet now you embark upon a journey to slaughter them wholesale.Aye, yer right there, but I aint got an answer to share. Theres killing to be done, and Ill not take any joy from it, but even if there are Defiled out there who could be convinced to change their ways, I would sooner kill them to save the innocent civilians suffering under their rule instead.And if you save someone who should not be saved? Someone who later goes on to commit some heinous atrocity?I can only take responsibility fer my own actions, Jorani replied, shaking his head at how ridiculous the question was. I see a person in need, then Ill save em. Aint my fault if he sets a town on fire later on. Then again, knowing the bossman, he probably would feel responsible and blame himself for not seeing through a strangers moral fibre before saving them. The idiot.So is this why you fight, Jorani of Sanshu? To save others? How many have you saved with your spears and swords? Throwing his hands up in the air, Monk Bones snarled and said, If you wish to save people, then you would be better served pursuing a different Path instead, but still you insist on this one. You have no love for this soldiers life youve embarked on, no lust for glory and bloodshed, yet you resist all attempts to sway you from it. You are a man in love with life itself, still yet to experience all it has to offer, and yet you run headlong down this Path which even you yourself know you are unsuited for. Why put yourself through this pain? Why pursue this Path to its inevitable end when you could instead seek out a new Path and purpose?This time, Jorani was at a loss for words, because never before had the monks put him on the spot like this. It was always, Why do you seek strength, an almost rhetorical question meant to make him think about his motivations, but now, Monk Bones was all but demanding an answer. Justice? No, he wasnt that good a person, driven by a need to help others. Duty? Ha. If the Mother Above wanted him to fight the Defiled, then She should have made him stronger and braver to begin with. Obligation?...Yea... that was pretty much it.I walk this Path because the bossman needs me, Jorani said, marvelling at how the answer had been right before his eyes all this time and still somehow escaped his notice. He has his Path, and it just so happens, I want to help him along it.We all must walk our own Path, Monk Bones intoned, and Jorani nodded in agreement.True enough. Since he didnt know where the bossman was at the moment, Jorani leaned back and looked up at the night sky, feeling a sense of relief and contentment he hadnt even known he needed before sharing his driving motivation to the Brotherhood. But that dont mean we cant all use a helping hand every once in a while. The bossman would probably laugh if he heard this, and hed be the first to tell me Im a fool for tryin to follow him. Ye know he offered to let me out of my contract? Said hed be happy to set me up fer a cushy life away from soldierin if thats what I wanted, and damned if he didnt mean it. Chuckling under his breath, Jorani reminisced about those dark days with a smile, because now he could wholly appreciate what the bossman had done for him, and the faith the man still had even after all that.So why did you refuse? Monk Happy asked.Because like I said, the bossman needs me. Shrugging, Jorani continued, Hes the type to shoulder the worlds burdens on his own without so much as a peep, then complain about how difficult it was once the danger passes. Hes a strange sort ye know, real similar to you lot, except where you all work to elevate yerselves above the red dust of the lowly mortal world, he strives to improve the world itself as a whole. Thats why I respect him so much, because his grand vision aint just focused on him.You think our Path selfish?Monk Bones asked the question without heat or accusation, but the other monks stiffened in defensive silence. That didnt dissuade Jorani one bit though, because he felt it truly needed to be said. Aint it? Yeve cut yerselves off from the rest of the world in order to pursue the Noble Eight-fold Path, because ye think living around other mortals makes it too difficult to succeed. The former Wisdom even went so far as to believe the world would be better off if everythin was rendered into nihility, because either wed all be freed from this mortal prison or hed be left undisturbed to pursue his Path. Holding up a hand to forestall Monk Bones argument, Jorani added, I know, I know, none of ye here agree with his take, else yed have run off to join him, but none of ye are doin anything to stop him either. Casting his gaze across the crowd in his best imitation of the bossmans father, Jorani chose his next words carefully. Ye all go on and on about the Right View, Right Intent, Right Speech, and whatnot, but aint none of you stopped to consider whats right. The former Wisdom has joined hands with a monster in an effort to eradicate all life. The way I see it, the right thing to do would be stand up and stop him, and I only know one way how.If our aid is needed, then the Heavens will guide us there.Maybe Im wrong and yer right. Shrugging, Jorani scratched his chin and said, But what if the Heavens have been tryin to do just that, but you lot are just refusing to move? I mean, yer all here because the Enemy came to yer doorstep in an attempt to kill the Abbot. Yeve seen the death and sufferin the Enemy is dealin out firsthand, but all ye do is beat yer drums and say yer prayers. Dont know about you, but Id say them poor souls in LuZhou needed a damn sight more than just prayers. A hurtful statement Jorani never intended to make, but it slipped out amidst his frustrations. Still, he didnt want to hurt the monks or guilt them to action, so he lowered his head in shame and continued, I dunno. It aint yer fault, but Im just a simple bandit turned soldier, ye know? Someone draws a blade on me or mine, well, I only know how to draw a blade to match. Thats me, but the bossman, at least he draws his blade with purpose. The rest of the province turned a blind eye to the West, but the bossman, he aint one to rest on his laurels and only do whats good fer him. Its mostly a matter of motivation, ye know? You all see the world fer what it is, and ask why?. The bossman sees what could be, and asks, why not?. Hes more than a little in love with bloodshed, but knowin him, hed happily hang his weapons on the wall and do good instead if there werent any need for conflict. Thats why I follow him, because he means to change the world for the better, and I think I can help get him just a little bit closer to his goal, even if it costs me somethin I can never get back.And what will you do when he fails or succeeds? Monk Bones asked, ignoring the silent exchange going on around him to focus solely on Jorani alone. Should you both survive to the ends of your lives, chances are you will outlive him by four centuries at the least.Dunno. Shrugging, Jorani said, Ill figure it out when I get there, ye know? One step at a time, ye know?And there was the answer to the question he had yet to ask, of what he would do when he arrived in Pan Si Xing and saw all those people suffering under Defiled rule. It was still a hypothetical for now, so hed answer that question if it came up later and just do as his conscience demanded. Thats what the bossman would do, so if it was good enough for him, then it sure as hell was good enough for Jorani. Alright, he said, after a few minutes passed without any questions from the Brotherhood. Dusting his hands off as he came to his feet, he knelt down to look Monk Bones in the eyes. I know I said some things that might ruffle some feathers, but thats just the way I see em. You have your right view, and Ive settled on mine, because even though I aint cut out fer the soldierin life, a soldier is what I am. Thats the plain and simple truth it is, and sos this. I respect ye all and what yer tryin to do, but yer Path just aint fer me, not now, ye know? I cant just walk away from the people who depend on me, especially not now. Without Jorani around, the retinue would have to rely on Old Bulat to get them home in one piece, and Jorani shuddered to think of the disaster just waiting to happen. Plus, Ral wouldnt go, he was born to soldier, no rising dragon but a fierce guard dog at the very least, a Warrior Jorani was proud to call friend. Taking Monk Bones hand, Jorani clasped it in both of his own and said, Welp... guess this is goodbye. If I make it back from this alive and outlive the bossman, then maybe Ill come find ye and give the monk life a real try. Id like that, I think, and itd be nice if it fit, but who knows, ye know?Jorani was rambling now, but only because he didnt know how to say what he truly wanted to say, to thank Monk Bones and the other monks of the Brotherhood for showing him so much care. That he so desperately wanted to want to be a monk, but even putting castration aside, it didnt make sense for him to try. That if not for the war and the bossmans needs, Jorani would still give it a shot anyways, because the monks were like a second family to him, one he was loath to part with under such strained terms. So instead, he bowed over the monks hands as a show of contrition, and then quickly walked away before his emotions got the better of him. Sleep was what he needed now, restful, peaceful sleep in his officers tent, because Heavens knows thered be precious little of it in the days to come.Come morning, Jorani woke with the rising sun and emerged from his tent to find Monk Bones and most of the other monks waiting outside. Ye here to see me off? he asked, touched by the gesture and choking back a sob. Well, ye shouldnt. My leavin is supposed to be a secret and all, so yell get me in trouble if ye give the game away.No, Monk Bones replied, and Joranis stomach flip-flopped in nervous anxiety, worried they were here to denounce him instead. You are a most promising initiate of the Brotherhood, so how can we let you march into danger unassisted?What?We cannot and will not fight unless forced to, Monk Bones continued, ignoring Joranis dumbstruck expression. But we will not slow the army down and can assist with Healing and scouting if need be, so do not hesitate to make use of us in such a manner. Smiling as he patted Jorani on the shoulder, Monk Bones switched to Sending and said, You did well, convincing the Brotherhood to revise our views. We sought to elevate ourselves above the red dust of the mortal world, but while our goal most certainly sits high overhead, we ourselves are still mortal yet, and thus undeniably have a stake in the world below. Recent events have shown us as much, but we have been too stubborn to see it, much less respond to the call to act, but you are right. While conducting funeral rites is a hallowed duty, I do believe we can be of more use in other ways, and our brothers agree.Leaving Jorani no room to dispute, Monk Bones stepped aside and disappeared into Concealment, bringing with him the rest of the monks as well save for Happy, who was standing slightly askew because Kukky was pressed up against him with eyes wide in concern. Glancing up at the smiling, rotund man, Jorani opened his mouth to say something, closed it, then opened it again before finally opting to keep his mouth shut. Whatever. If the monks were willing to help, then who was he to reject them? Cmon, he said, trudging over to where Old Bulat and Daxian were already hard at work getting the retinue ready to set out. Got a long trip ahead of us, so dont say I didnt warn ye.At the very least, Jorani could rest easy knowing thered be a second Divinity looking out for him, one far more reliable than his sire. Amazing that, Jorani of Sanshu, a half-rat Warrior of no renown having not one, but two Divinities to guard him. Such was life. He wasnt sure where this Path would lead him, but he intended to follow it through, not just for the bossmans sake, but for his own too, because hopefully, at the end of it all, he would find that he had become a better man.Chapter Meme
