Chapter 757
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Chapter 757
Fame, fortune, honour, and glory.
For as long as he could remember, those were Jia Yangs motives for seeking strength. The Martial Peak was merely a stepping stone on the way to his real goal, to stand at the pinnacle of high society where he truly belonged. While no one would ever accuse him of being a bleeding heart saint, no one could denounce him for not doing his fair part either, for he was a career soldier who never shied from battle over the course of his career, a Warrior who led from the front and took on every challenge that presented itself.
Not out of love of duty or the people, nor was his enthusiasm solely for the sake of advancement in his career or Martial Path. This was simply how he was raised, to do his part as a Warrior of Heaven and a Noble of the Empire. Other families with power and influence looked the other way when their spoiled, silk-pants scions threw their weight around using their family name, but Yangs grandfather on his fathers side wouldve had him publicly flogged if he tried to do the same. Grandfathers own grandfather had been Clan Patriarch and was largely responsible for their branch familys rise to prominence in Clan and Society. Thanks to his efforts, five generations now, the Situ Clan held the reins of the Society, and while other leading parties had come and gone, Yangs grandfather was unwilling to see the Situ Clan fall from grace in his time, to say nothing of his dream of seeing another Patriarch emerge from the family.
Because even though they all shared the family name Situ, not all Situs were equal, and Situ Jia Yangs pedigree was unmatched, making him a true dragon among men.
Or at least thats what Grandfather said when he told Yang about his dream, a dream that young boy took to heart and dedicated his life in pursuit of. The possibility of failure never entered Yangs mind over the years as he made steady progress in his career and Martial Path both, but his sister was another story. While he was groomed as a Warrior and Officer, she was taught how to dance and recite poetry. When their parents dispatched him to join the Army and chase down bandits and rebels in Central, they sent her out into the Northern province to hunt for a husband who could help raise their familys status. When he became a Major, his parents spared no expense celebrating the occasion, yet when Ying became Magistrate of Shen Yun, theyd already died believing theyd raised an unfilial failure of a daughter who brought home a largely useless son-in-law for them to support, rather than the other way around.
All his life, Yang had stood by his sisters side, because in truth, he himself thought it was unfair how much his parents focused on him at her expense. He lived a blessed life in which he was given anything he ever asked for, while she had to kick and scream before their parents would even consider one of her requests. It never seemed fair really, because she was older, wiser, and always there to help him whenever he needed it, but Grandfather was a traditional man who believed Yings greatest asset was her womb. Thats why Yang tried his best to stand up for her in whatever way he could, but as much as he loved her, he loved his parents and Grandparents too, so he could never bring himself to take a stand and defend her to the last. Instead, he became the mediator who repeatedly convinced his big sister to take a step back and surrender just a bit more of the limited freedom she had, a role he wholeheartedly regretted once he realized the part he played in his sisters misery.
She never blamed him for it, never resented him for how their parents favoured him, and even did everything she could to help him along. The only time he ever stood firmly on her side was regarding her marriage to Lu An Jing, and only because hed thought the rice was cooked so he might as well secure a little happiness for her. He never liked Lu An Jing, because he was a pompous, arrogant ass who lacked social grace and tact, but he made Ying laugh like no one else ever could, so he defended her actions to their parents and tolerated the man as best he could even after Yings lie became apparent. Then the idiot went and died, right after actually getting his wife pregnant to boot, a truly unfortunate turn of events, for their parents had passed away less than a year prior, meaning Ying never even had a chance to really enjoy her free and happy married life.
Oh how surprised Yang had been when he showed up for An Jings funeral and saw his sisters bulging belly for the first time, something she failed to mention it in any of her letters. Truly an unfortunate woman, Situ Jia Ying, for shed sacrificed so much and burned so many bridges in pursuit of her happiness, and all she had to show for it was a widows veil and a child yet to be born. There were even rumours abound of how she was a black star that cursed anyone and everyone she came in contact with, with whispers of how shed driven her parents to death with her intolerable actions. Not true at all since Mother died of an aneurysm that could have happened to anyone, while Father fell into a depression and followed her to the grave soon after, as if his spirit had just given up and his body took a few months to catch on. When he first heard of these rumours, Yang flew into a rage and fought no less than seven duels to uphold his sisters honour, because he knew that in spite of all their arguments and differences, his parents loved their daughter, and the same was true in reverse.
So, in order to prove the rumours wrong and look after his sister, Yang put his career on hold and stayed with her to ensure she was safe and well cared for. It wasnt all that difficult considering hed inherited almost everything from his parents, not because they loved him more than her, but because they were worried Ying would give everything to her husbands greedy merchant family, their words, not his. In fact, father had spoken very sternly to Yang about ensuring his sister did not want for anything, mostly because she was still a Situ princess and could not be left to wallow in poverty, as they assumed she would without his aide. Of course, Yang always knew that his sister was far more clever than their parents believed, which was why hed given her complete control of his finances the day after he inherited everything, because he trusted her more than anyone else. It didnt matter how much coin he spent on fine wine, rich foods, priceless art, or pleasurable company, for he would always find more in his purse the next day thanks to Yings brilliant investments, so him sticking around to ensure she was well cared for really only meant guarding her from any assassination attempts.
Of which there were none, since back then, there was really no reason to fear Situ Jia Ying just yet.
For the better part of two years, Yang played the part of a domestic, and much as he loved his sister and nephew both, those long, arduous months had been enough to convince him to remain unmarried and childless for life. Ying had always been temperamental, but pregnancy made it so much worse, as one minute she would be all laughter and smiles, and the next, a seething mess of anger and tears. As for Zian, he was quite possibly the most beautiful baby ever born to the Empire, but only when his mother held him in her arms. The rest of the time, he was a screaming terror of snot and tears with a wail that could wake the dead and a stubborn will to keep it up for hours without end. No one else could keep baby Zian calm, not his wet-nurse, nanny, or beloved uncle who was trying so hard to be fatherly but just didnt know what he was doing wrong. A nightmare to be sure, so as soon as he felt theyd weathered the storm and emerged unscathed, Yang ran back to Central to resume his career and continue on his quest to become Clan Patriarch.
The years passed quickly, and though it took longer and more work than he ever imagined, Yang eventually became a Peak Expert and Lieutenant General. This meant he was the highest ranking Situ Clansman aside from Nian Zu, an accomplishment he took great pride in. While he never admitted it out loud, he always assumed his nephews appointment as young Patriarch was done to appease him. It only made sense after all, for Yang was now a close contender for the title of Patriarch, so Rang Min wanted to bind their families together by making Zian his successor. It was clear now that this wasnt the case, for Ying was far more of a threat than he ever was, for she used the family fortune to buy herself a Magisterial Office, an investment that paid out hand over fist. Even having heard the entire story from start to finish, Yang still wasnt entirely sure how his sister managed to depose Rang Min and take his place. Somehow, she won over the elders, including the fearsome Elder Chi Gan whod served as the enforcer and executioner for Patriarch Shi Min and transferred his loyalty over to young Rang Min, and with their support, became Matriarch. Ying made it sound so simple, claiming she didnt even want the title and tried to give it to him, but the Elders refused because of his recent fall from grace and newfangled ties to the Bekhai.
Truth be told, he might have resented his sisters talents if he didnt admire her so much. Even though he was the only son of the family and given all the resources and assistance his parents could spare, in the end, all of that effort would have been better spent on Ying, because then she might have become Matriarch a few decades earlier. Grandfather wouldve been proud of Ying, because despite their differences in opinion, he trained her to fight all the same and was often heard praising her skills and lamenting over how she hadnt been born a man. As for Yang, even though hed suddenly had his lifelong dream stolen away, he wasnt even the slightest bit upset about his circumstances because his talented older sister was finally recognized for the dragon she truly was.
Such an odd turn of events, especially considering the sinking sensation Yang had experienced when he thought his career was over and done with in the wake of his disastrous actions during the defence of the Northern Wall. Hed countermanded his Commanding Officers orders in the midst of battle, a grave offence he could easily be court-martialed for, then foolishly called for a full retreat from the Wall mere seconds before the Enemy fled. If that wasnt a blunder, then Yang didnt know what was, and at the time, he had no idea what to do with himself now that his dreams of becoming Patriarch were over and done with. For days, he sat in his office waiting for the hammer to drop, for all his years of meritorious service would amount to nothing once the higher-ups of Central read the Bekhai reports. Theyd strip his rank for sure, and order him to pay a fortune in fines, at which point all the enemies hed made would come for his head. To ensure his sister and nephew werent caught in the fighting, he intended to be well away from them when he died, but even though hed come to terms with his inevitable death, the knowledge that he, Situ Jia Yang, had failed so convincingly had eaten away at him until there was almost nothing left.
Nothing came of his blunder in the end because the Bekhai reports made no mention of it. They even commended him for his service, which was a strange stance to take considering their adversarial relationship thus far, but it won them his gratitude and more. Though there was still a price to be paid since his actions didnt go entirely unnoticed, Yang was still the second highest ranking Officer of the Clan and on track to become Patriarch one day, so it was all more or less swept under the rug. Now that Ying was Matriarch, Yang had still failed to live up to expectations, but it didnt matter because his failure was not really through any fault of his own, but rather because his older sister fulfilled his obligations first. How could he be blamed for being born too late? The true talent of the family had been his sister all along, and no one was less surprised than he, for hed sparred with her far too many times and seen how much she loved the Martial Path to ever believe she would ever stop pursuing the Peak. Though others might think differently, he was not ashamed to admit he was inferior to his sister, and in truth, was rather happy to scream and shout it for the world to hear. It was high time she was afforded the respect she deserved, the respect she should have been given from the start. Their parents, grandparents, Elders, and friends, everyone overlooked Yings prospects simply because she was a woman destined to be married out, but now, they would know the error of their ways.
After the initial shock passed, Yang discovered he was quite pleased with this unexpected turn of events, because he only ever wanted to be Patriarch for the fame, fortune, honour, and glory, as well as fulfilling his grandfather and fathers ambitions. Now that his sister had accomplished everything in his stead, Yang still had everything his heart desired while also retaining his freedom to do whatever he pleased. The only difference was that he relied on his sisters backing to throw his weight around and look down on his peers, so matters really couldnt have gone better. He was the Matriarchs brother, an Elder on the Council, uncle to a genius young talent, grand-uncle to two screaming little babies who were somehow even more vocal than their father, and a blissful bachelor to boot. When he met his fellow Clansmen and Society adherents now, he was reminded of the time when he was six years old and got to hold his head up high for an entire week after his sister pummelled their cousins for daring to bully him during their games. Others whispered of how Situ Jia Yang was a failure riding on the coat-tails of a woman, but they were just jealous they couldnt do the same, for their sisters were nowhere near as impressive as his. Most importantly of all, now that Yangs dream of becoming Patriarch could no longer be fulfilled, he felt like a giant weight had been lifted from his shoulders and he was free to be himself again, rather than the person his grandfather and parents had always wanted him to be. Who that was, Yang wasnt entirely sure just yet, but he found that he enjoyed military service far more when he wasnt endlessly chasing advancement for the sake of clout and reputation. Now, he served because it was what hed been born to do, to fight the Enemy and drive them back from the Empires borders once and for all.
Which was why he found it so irksome to sit around doing nothing while citizens and Warriors fought and died in the streets of Pan Si Xing.
Matters were all going according to plan, a fact he had to remind himself every time he saw an Imperial citizen fall before the blades of the Enemy. It wasnt that he wasnt willing to fight, but rather that his strength would be needed in the conflict to come, so others would have to shoulder the burden of battle for now. No one above the rank of Lieutenant Colonel had taken the field just yet, for aside from Brigadier Hongji giving orders from the safety of the mines, the rest of the Field and General Officers were lurking in wait for the true target of this attack. That was the important thing to focus on, not the liberation of the city and the people inhabiting it, but rather their goal to take Bai Qis head and deny the Enemy a pivotal piece on the board. A bold move, but a necessary one, for as fearsome as the Enemy might be, they were far more dangerous with a man like Bai Qi in command. Since the fall of the Western province, Yang had watched as the Enemy tactics improved with each passing day, going from disjointed waves of tribal aggressors rushing headlong towards their death, to whole armies of Defiled marching in cohesive fashion and engaging in strategic warfare.
To lay this all at Bai Qis footsteps would be overestimating his value, but to say he had no part in it would be disingenuous at best. Whats more, if the Enemy were truly to come together as a disciplined fighting force comparable to the Imperial Army, then the Empire was doomed. Killing Bai Qi, Mataram YuGan, and Mao Jianghong would hopefully buy the Empire some time, but they still had to deal with the mysterious Uniter who brought this plague to their doorstep in the first place. A matter for another day however, and for craftier minds than his, as Yang focused his efforts on ignoring the death and suffering taking place all around him.
Baatar nodded. It is the only way he can regain control of the situation, by showing himself to assume direct control. Giving orders through Sending does not have the same effect, and doubly so when commanding Defiled, I imagine. Huffing a small sigh of regret, Baatar added, Whoever spurred the people of Pan Si Xing to action was right to do so, for without them, we might well have long since been overrun by a more cautious and coordinated foe. Imperial forces in the city must be respected, but rebel slaves? They see no reason to fear the people theyve whipped and terrorized for two years, and now, the Enemy is paying a steep price for their hubris. Glancing at Yang, Baatar stopped to consider something before nodding sagely as if someone had said something brilliant. But perhaps you are right. Perhaps we should add fuel to the fire and give our quarry more reason to come out. Signal the first group to action. Hongji will know what to do.
Even as he said it, Gao Liang was delivering a message using a polished silver hand mirror, a Western trick similar to the smoke signals used up North. Glancing to the east, Yang spotted four former Society Adherents step out of Concealment and Cloud-Step their way over to join the conflict. Sang Hyoon, First Elder of the Seven Star Sect, Enforcer Teng Hong Chuan of the Baiji Sect, and Ng Yue Fei, Head Nun of the White Lotus Sect, all following in the wake of their defacto leader, former Patriarch of the Situ Clan, Rang Min. Even without the Clans support, those three factions followed Rang Min into exile, which meant he either had some devastating blackmail forcing them to obey, or he had more charisma than Yang gave him credit. Likely the former, which meant Ying was hard at work trying to uncover what Rang Min had on those three faction leaders of the Society, because then she could use it against them as well. For now, Yang had a chance to watch his lifelong foe in action, for few had ever seen Rang Min fight. Not many people even know he was a Peak Expert, but while most assumed as much, that wasnt the same as knowing.
And as soon as Rang Min drew his longsword, Yang could tell his foe was not just a mere Peak Expert, but one standing head and shoulders above his peers.
Though his movements did not appear fast at first, Rang Mins sword carved through an armoured Half-Demon before it even noticed his arrival. Yang didnt even see how it died, only that it collapsed as Rang Min glided past with his sword in hand. He wasnt even swinging the weapon, merely holding it out like a child dragging his stick through the sand, yet the results spoke for themselves. Defiled died with his every step as he glided towards his next target, his stride light and easy as if prancing on stage to the sound of a slow and steady beat. A Defiled Chieftain roared in challenge, only to die as easily as his kin, and Rang Min hardly seemed to notice the dead Peak Expert as he dispatched a second Half-Demon as easily as the first.
All this happened in the blink of an eye, and despite watching it from start to finish, Yang never once saw Rang Min swing his sword. Defiled attacked him from all sides, yet they died without even touching the corner of his robes, seemingly carved apart by an invisible barrier of blades that cut down anyone who approached him. There was a time when Yang thought himself the match of anyone in the Clan save for Nian Zu and Chi Gan, but Rang Min was showing how he held onto the role of Patriarch for so long despite so many Clansmen expressing their discontent.
Much as it pained him to admit it, Rang Min was far more dangerous than Yang ever gave him credit for. Even after watching for several minutes longer, he still could not figure out Rang Mins trick, though the former Patriarch resorted to fighting normally soon after. His conventional sword skills were far less impressive, but still at a level where Yang was not entirely confident he could overcome. Without that ineffable skill of killing without swinging, Rang Min would have difficulty winning against Yang, but he wasnt so naive as to believe the snake had shown everything he could do. Right now, it appeared as if they were evenly matched, but that might well be because Rang Min wanted him to believe as much and was still hiding the true depths of his skill.
At Baatars urging, two more groups of Peak Experts revealed themselves, one group of Bekhai and one comprised of Central Warriors including Won Gwang, the Lawgiver. Now that Yang knew what to look for, he saw the scales of balance tipping in favour of the Imperials as the Enemy came at them piecemeal only to die a dogs death, and he felt a glimmer of hope for the people of Pan Si Xing. Perhaps a miracle would happen here today, and the Imperials could snatch victory -
One moment Yang stood atop the silo watching the battle unfold, and the next he found himself hurtling through the air to safety as the stone granary exploded in a cloud of stone, sand, and dust. There was no wheat in the granary, since the West had no ability to grow grain themselves, but even empty, for a Warrior to destroy it in one blow was no simple feat. Not so difficult for the Lord of Martial Peace however, who stood high in the sky with his nine-ringed Green Dragon Crescent Blade in hand like a living god standing in judgment over a group of ants. It be good to see a familiar face after all this time, Bai Qi drawled, speaking in that slow, lyrical intonation that he was well known for. Gao Changgong. How many years has it been since we last spoke like this?
Not long enough, traitor. Ripping the headscarf covering his face, Gao Liang no, Siegebreaker Gao Changgong, Major General of the West, threw himself at Bai Qi and traded blows with the man in mid-air, but it was clear Changgong was outmatched. Though no blood had been drawn, the Siegebreakers attacks were wild and erratic as he flung himself this way and that in an attempt to strike the traitor down, but Bai Qi never moved from his perch in the air. A frightening display of control and precision, to Cloud-Step without moving, and to do so while fighting another Peak Expert was almost unheard of.
It was so easy for Bai Qi to defend himself, he even had time to spare to study the rest. You two must be the Wedded Exarches of the North. Turning to eye Yang, he continued, And you... of no consequence. That burned something fierce, but Yang knew he was sorely outmatched and could only swallow the insult as Bai Qi turned to study Baatar, all the while fending off Gao Changgongs wild attacks. You however... Be you Major General Baatar, son of Lieutenant General Akanai?
Lieutenant General Baatar now, the half wolf replied, his icy focus burning red hot as he grinned in what could only be described as bloody anticipation. Here to claim your head.
I thought as much. Nodding sagely as he locked eyes with Baatar, he countered Gao Changgong with an almost casual sweep of his glaive and sent the Siegebreaker crashing to the ground, beaten but not bloodied as he regained his footing. Though I suspected I be mistaken, since you stood idle for so long.
With no longer a need for stealth, Yang contacted his aide in Hongjis command cadre for an update on the situation, and as far as he could tell, Bai Qi had fended off Gao Changgong and carried out this conversation while simultaneously taking control of his forces in the city and creating an impromptu lull in the fighting as both sides separated to sort themselves out. Not a good sign for the Imperials, as now their momentum was stalled and their advantage of surprise lost, meaning the fighting would be bloody once hostilities resumed. Hongji was using this time to get as many slaves into the tunnels as possible, but even if they had an entire day, there was no way to evacuate everyone.
Which meant that if they wanted any chance of success, they had to kill Bai Qi here and now.
A shot rang out, but Bai Qi disappeared from sight, only to reappear and swing at MuYangs hidden location. The spymasters fate was sealed, or so Yang thought, only for Bai Qi to abandon his attack mid-swing to retreat with all haste. A clap of thunder echoed across the city as Baatars short sword smashed through the roof MuYang had taken cover on and into the sand and stone below, and it wouldnt have surprised Yang to learn the sword had embedded itself deep underground before stopping. Then, Baatar appeared next to Bai Qi with a feral grin of childish glee. Glaive met pole-axe with a second resounding crash, and for once, it was Bai Qi on the losing end as he was sent sliding back over fifteen metres to crash back first into a stone wall.
Silence settled over the city as the audience watched on in disbelief, for though Bai Qi was unharmed when he emerged from the cloud of dust, he no longer looked so striking or remarkable. His air of indomitable invulnerability had been broken by a single swing of Baatars pole-axe, and from the looks of things, the fierce half-wolf wasnt even warmed up yet. Good, good, good, Bai Qi declared, his lips curled in a smile but his eyes smouldering with fury. Finally, a true challenge. Come, half-beast, show this prince your best so that you can die without regrets.
The world shook as their weapons clashed again and again, but Yang turned away from the spectacle to carry out his duty. The battle for Pan Si Xing sat firmly in Baatars hands now, so Yang only needed to ensure no one interfered with his duel. Taking up his Howling Dragon Sabre, he threw himself at the closest Wraiths and slaughtered them without mercy before engaging Demons and Half-Demons alike, for though he lacked the qualifications to stand at the very peak of the Martial Path, he was still Situ Jia Yang, a Dragon among men.
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Chapter 757
Fame, fortune, honour, and glory.
For as long as he could remember, those were Jia Yangs motives for seeking strength. The Martial Peak was merely a stepping stone on the way to his real goal, to stand at the pinnacle of high society where he truly belonged. While no one would ever accuse him of being a bleeding heart saint, no one could denounce him for not doing his fair part either, for he was a career soldier who never shied from battle over the course of his career, a Warrior who led from the front and took on every challenge that presented itself.
Not out of love of duty or the people, nor was his enthusiasm solely for the sake of advancement in his career or Martial Path. This was simply how he was raised, to do his part as a Warrior of Heaven and a Noble of the Empire. Other families with power and influence looked the other way when their spoiled, silk-pants scions threw their weight around using their family name, but Yangs grandfather on his fathers side wouldve had him publicly flogged if he tried to do the same. Grandfathers own grandfather had been Clan Patriarch and was largely responsible for their branch familys rise to prominence in Clan and Society. Thanks to his efforts, five generations now, the Situ Clan held the reins of the Society, and while other leading parties had come and gone, Yangs grandfather was unwilling to see the Situ Clan fall from grace in his time, to say nothing of his dream of seeing another Patriarch emerge from the family.
Because even though they all shared the family name Situ, not all Situs were equal, and Situ Jia Yangs pedigree was unmatched, making him a true dragon among men.
Or at least thats what Grandfather said when he told Yang about his dream, a dream that young boy took to heart and dedicated his life in pursuit of. The possibility of failure never entered Yangs mind over the years as he made steady progress in his career and Martial Path both, but his sister was another story. While he was groomed as a Warrior and Officer, she was taught how to dance and recite poetry. When their parents dispatched him to join the Army and chase down bandits and rebels in Central, they sent her out into the Northern province to hunt for a husband who could help raise their familys status. When he became a Major, his parents spared no expense celebrating the occasion, yet when Ying became Magistrate of Shen Yun, theyd already died believing theyd raised an unfilial failure of a daughter who brought home a largely useless son-in-law for them to support, rather than the other way around.
All his life, Yang had stood by his sisters side, because in truth, he himself thought it was unfair how much his parents focused on him at her expense. He lived a blessed life in which he was given anything he ever asked for, while she had to kick and scream before their parents would even consider one of her requests. It never seemed fair really, because she was older, wiser, and always there to help him whenever he needed it, but Grandfather was a traditional man who believed Yings greatest asset was her womb. Thats why Yang tried his best to stand up for her in whatever way he could, but as much as he loved her, he loved his parents and Grandparents too, so he could never bring himself to take a stand and defend her to the last. Instead, he became the mediator who repeatedly convinced his big sister to take a step back and surrender just a bit more of the limited freedom she had, a role he wholeheartedly regretted once he realized the part he played in his sisters misery.
She never blamed him for it, never resented him for how their parents favoured him, and even did everything she could to help him along. The only time he ever stood firmly on her side was regarding her marriage to Lu An Jing, and only because hed thought the rice was cooked so he might as well secure a little happiness for her. He never liked Lu An Jing, because he was a pompous, arrogant ass who lacked social grace and tact, but he made Ying laugh like no one else ever could, so he defended her actions to their parents and tolerated the man as best he could even after Yings lie became apparent. Then the idiot went and died, right after actually getting his wife pregnant to boot, a truly unfortunate turn of events, for their parents had passed away less than a year prior, meaning Ying never even had a chance to really enjoy her free and happy married life.
Oh how surprised Yang had been when he showed up for An Jings funeral and saw his sisters bulging belly for the first time, something she failed to mention it in any of her letters. Truly an unfortunate woman, Situ Jia Ying, for shed sacrificed so much and burned so many bridges in pursuit of her happiness, and all she had to show for it was a widows veil and a child yet to be born. There were even rumours abound of how she was a black star that cursed anyone and everyone she came in contact with, with whispers of how shed driven her parents to death with her intolerable actions. Not true at all since Mother died of an aneurysm that could have happened to anyone, while Father fell into a depression and followed her to the grave soon after, as if his spirit had just given up and his body took a few months to catch on. When he first heard of these rumours, Yang flew into a rage and fought no less than seven duels to uphold his sisters honour, because he knew that in spite of all their arguments and differences, his parents loved their daughter, and the same was true in reverse.
So, in order to prove the rumours wrong and look after his sister, Yang put his career on hold and stayed with her to ensure she was safe and well cared for. It wasnt all that difficult considering hed inherited almost everything from his parents, not because they loved him more than her, but because they were worried Ying would give everything to her husbands greedy merchant family, their words, not his. In fact, father had spoken very sternly to Yang about ensuring his sister did not want for anything, mostly because she was still a Situ princess and could not be left to wallow in poverty, as they assumed she would without his aide. Of course, Yang always knew that his sister was far more clever than their parents believed, which was why hed given her complete control of his finances the day after he inherited everything, because he trusted her more than anyone else. It didnt matter how much coin he spent on fine wine, rich foods, priceless art, or pleasurable company, for he would always find more in his purse the next day thanks to Yings brilliant investments, so him sticking around to ensure she was well cared for really only meant guarding her from any assassination attempts.
Of which there were none, since back then, there was really no reason to fear Situ Jia Ying just yet.
For the better part of two years, Yang played the part of a domestic, and much as he loved his sister and nephew both, those long, arduous months had been enough to convince him to remain unmarried and childless for life. Ying had always been temperamental, but pregnancy made it so much worse, as one minute she would be all laughter and smiles, and the next, a seething mess of anger and tears. As for Zian, he was quite possibly the most beautiful baby ever born to the Empire, but only when his mother held him in her arms. The rest of the time, he was a screaming terror of snot and tears with a wail that could wake the dead and a stubborn will to keep it up for hours without end. No one else could keep baby Zian calm, not his wet-nurse, nanny, or beloved uncle who was trying so hard to be fatherly but just didnt know what he was doing wrong. A nightmare to be sure, so as soon as he felt theyd weathered the storm and emerged unscathed, Yang ran back to Central to resume his career and continue on his quest to become Clan Patriarch.
The years passed quickly, and though it took longer and more work than he ever imagined, Yang eventually became a Peak Expert and Lieutenant General. This meant he was the highest ranking Situ Clansman aside from Nian Zu, an accomplishment he took great pride in. While he never admitted it out loud, he always assumed his nephews appointment as young Patriarch was done to appease him. It only made sense after all, for Yang was now a close contender for the title of Patriarch, so Rang Min wanted to bind their families together by making Zian his successor. It was clear now that this wasnt the case, for Ying was far more of a threat than he ever was, for she used the family fortune to buy herself a Magisterial Office, an investment that paid out hand over fist. Even having heard the entire story from start to finish, Yang still wasnt entirely sure how his sister managed to depose Rang Min and take his place. Somehow, she won over the elders, including the fearsome Elder Chi Gan whod served as the enforcer and executioner for Patriarch Shi Min and transferred his loyalty over to young Rang Min, and with their support, became Matriarch. Ying made it sound so simple, claiming she didnt even want the title and tried to give it to him, but the Elders refused because of his recent fall from grace and newfangled ties to the Bekhai.
Truth be told, he might have resented his sisters talents if he didnt admire her so much. Even though he was the only son of the family and given all the resources and assistance his parents could spare, in the end, all of that effort would have been better spent on Ying, because then she might have become Matriarch a few decades earlier. Grandfather wouldve been proud of Ying, because despite their differences in opinion, he trained her to fight all the same and was often heard praising her skills and lamenting over how she hadnt been born a man. As for Yang, even though hed suddenly had his lifelong dream stolen away, he wasnt even the slightest bit upset about his circumstances because his talented older sister was finally recognized for the dragon she truly was.
Such an odd turn of events, especially considering the sinking sensation Yang had experienced when he thought his career was over and done with in the wake of his disastrous actions during the defence of the Northern Wall. Hed countermanded his Commanding Officers orders in the midst of battle, a grave offence he could easily be court-martialed for, then foolishly called for a full retreat from the Wall mere seconds before the Enemy fled. If that wasnt a blunder, then Yang didnt know what was, and at the time, he had no idea what to do with himself now that his dreams of becoming Patriarch were over and done with. For days, he sat in his office waiting for the hammer to drop, for all his years of meritorious service would amount to nothing once the higher-ups of Central read the Bekhai reports. Theyd strip his rank for sure, and order him to pay a fortune in fines, at which point all the enemies hed made would come for his head. To ensure his sister and nephew werent caught in the fighting, he intended to be well away from them when he died, but even though hed come to terms with his inevitable death, the knowledge that he, Situ Jia Yang, had failed so convincingly had eaten away at him until there was almost nothing left.
Nothing came of his blunder in the end because the Bekhai reports made no mention of it. They even commended him for his service, which was a strange stance to take considering their adversarial relationship thus far, but it won them his gratitude and more. Though there was still a price to be paid since his actions didnt go entirely unnoticed, Yang was still the second highest ranking Officer of the Clan and on track to become Patriarch one day, so it was all more or less swept under the rug. Now that Ying was Matriarch, Yang had still failed to live up to expectations, but it didnt matter because his failure was not really through any fault of his own, but rather because his older sister fulfilled his obligations first. How could he be blamed for being born too late? The true talent of the family had been his sister all along, and no one was less surprised than he, for hed sparred with her far too many times and seen how much she loved the Martial Path to ever believe she would ever stop pursuing the Peak. Though others might think differently, he was not ashamed to admit he was inferior to his sister, and in truth, was rather happy to scream and shout it for the world to hear. It was high time she was afforded the respect she deserved, the respect she should have been given from the start. Their parents, grandparents, Elders, and friends, everyone overlooked Yings prospects simply because she was a woman destined to be married out, but now, they would know the error of their ways.
After the initial shock passed, Yang discovered he was quite pleased with this unexpected turn of events, because he only ever wanted to be Patriarch for the fame, fortune, honour, and glory, as well as fulfilling his grandfather and fathers ambitions. Now that his sister had accomplished everything in his stead, Yang still had everything his heart desired while also retaining his freedom to do whatever he pleased. The only difference was that he relied on his sisters backing to throw his weight around and look down on his peers, so matters really couldnt have gone better. He was the Matriarchs brother, an Elder on the Council, uncle to a genius young talent, grand-uncle to two screaming little babies who were somehow even more vocal than their father, and a blissful bachelor to boot. When he met his fellow Clansmen and Society adherents now, he was reminded of the time when he was six years old and got to hold his head up high for an entire week after his sister pummelled their cousins for daring to bully him during their games. Others whispered of how Situ Jia Yang was a failure riding on the coat-tails of a woman, but they were just jealous they couldnt do the same, for their sisters were nowhere near as impressive as his. Most importantly of all, now that Yangs dream of becoming Patriarch could no longer be fulfilled, he felt like a giant weight had been lifted from his shoulders and he was free to be himself again, rather than the person his grandfather and parents had always wanted him to be. Who that was, Yang wasnt entirely sure just yet, but he found that he enjoyed military service far more when he wasnt endlessly chasing advancement for the sake of clout and reputation. Now, he served because it was what hed been born to do, to fight the Enemy and drive them back from the Empires borders once and for all.
Which was why he found it so irksome to sit around doing nothing while citizens and Warriors fought and died in the streets of Pan Si Xing.
Matters were all going according to plan, a fact he had to remind himself every time he saw an Imperial citizen fall before the blades of the Enemy. It wasnt that he wasnt willing to fight, but rather that his strength would be needed in the conflict to come, so others would have to shoulder the burden of battle for now. No one above the rank of Lieutenant Colonel had taken the field just yet, for aside from Brigadier Hongji giving orders from the safety of the mines, the rest of the Field and General Officers were lurking in wait for the true target of this attack. That was the important thing to focus on, not the liberation of the city and the people inhabiting it, but rather their goal to take Bai Qis head and deny the Enemy a pivotal piece on the board. A bold move, but a necessary one, for as fearsome as the Enemy might be, they were far more dangerous with a man like Bai Qi in command. Since the fall of the Western province, Yang had watched as the Enemy tactics improved with each passing day, going from disjointed waves of tribal aggressors rushing headlong towards their death, to whole armies of Defiled marching in cohesive fashion and engaging in strategic warfare.
To lay this all at Bai Qis footsteps would be overestimating his value, but to say he had no part in it would be disingenuous at best. Whats more, if the Enemy were truly to come together as a disciplined fighting force comparable to the Imperial Army, then the Empire was doomed. Killing Bai Qi, Mataram YuGan, and Mao Jianghong would hopefully buy the Empire some time, but they still had to deal with the mysterious Uniter who brought this plague to their doorstep in the first place. A matter for another day however, and for craftier minds than his, as Yang focused his efforts on ignoring the death and suffering taking place all around him.
Baatar nodded. It is the only way he can regain control of the situation, by showing himself to assume direct control. Giving orders through Sending does not have the same effect, and doubly so when commanding Defiled, I imagine. Huffing a small sigh of regret, Baatar added, Whoever spurred the people of Pan Si Xing to action was right to do so, for without them, we might well have long since been overrun by a more cautious and coordinated foe. Imperial forces in the city must be respected, but rebel slaves? They see no reason to fear the people theyve whipped and terrorized for two years, and now, the Enemy is paying a steep price for their hubris. Glancing at Yang, Baatar stopped to consider something before nodding sagely as if someone had said something brilliant. But perhaps you are right. Perhaps we should add fuel to the fire and give our quarry more reason to come out. Signal the first group to action. Hongji will know what to do.
Even as he said it, Gao Liang was delivering a message using a polished silver hand mirror, a Western trick similar to the smoke signals used up North. Glancing to the east, Yang spotted four former Society Adherents step out of Concealment and Cloud-Step their way over to join the conflict. Sang Hyoon, First Elder of the Seven Star Sect, Enforcer Teng Hong Chuan of the Baiji Sect, and Ng Yue Fei, Head Nun of the White Lotus Sect, all following in the wake of their defacto leader, former Patriarch of the Situ Clan, Rang Min. Even without the Clans support, those three factions followed Rang Min into exile, which meant he either had some devastating blackmail forcing them to obey, or he had more charisma than Yang gave him credit. Likely the former, which meant Ying was hard at work trying to uncover what Rang Min had on those three faction leaders of the Society, because then she could use it against them as well. For now, Yang had a chance to watch his lifelong foe in action, for few had ever seen Rang Min fight. Not many people even know he was a Peak Expert, but while most assumed as much, that wasnt the same as knowing.
And as soon as Rang Min drew his longsword, Yang could tell his foe was not just a mere Peak Expert, but one standing head and shoulders above his peers.
Though his movements did not appear fast at first, Rang Mins sword carved through an armoured Half-Demon before it even noticed his arrival. Yang didnt even see how it died, only that it collapsed as Rang Min glided past with his sword in hand. He wasnt even swinging the weapon, merely holding it out like a child dragging his stick through the sand, yet the results spoke for themselves. Defiled died with his every step as he glided towards his next target, his stride light and easy as if prancing on stage to the sound of a slow and steady beat. A Defiled Chieftain roared in challenge, only to die as easily as his kin, and Rang Min hardly seemed to notice the dead Peak Expert as he dispatched a second Half-Demon as easily as the first.
All this happened in the blink of an eye, and despite watching it from start to finish, Yang never once saw Rang Min swing his sword. Defiled attacked him from all sides, yet they died without even touching the corner of his robes, seemingly carved apart by an invisible barrier of blades that cut down anyone who approached him. There was a time when Yang thought himself the match of anyone in the Clan save for Nian Zu and Chi Gan, but Rang Min was showing how he held onto the role of Patriarch for so long despite so many Clansmen expressing their discontent.
Much as it pained him to admit it, Rang Min was far more dangerous than Yang ever gave him credit for. Even after watching for several minutes longer, he still could not figure out Rang Mins trick, though the former Patriarch resorted to fighting normally soon after. His conventional sword skills were far less impressive, but still at a level where Yang was not entirely confident he could overcome. Without that ineffable skill of killing without swinging, Rang Min would have difficulty winning against Yang, but he wasnt so naive as to believe the snake had shown everything he could do. Right now, it appeared as if they were evenly matched, but that might well be because Rang Min wanted him to believe as much and was still hiding the true depths of his skill.
At Baatars urging, two more groups of Peak Experts revealed themselves, one group of Bekhai and one comprised of Central Warriors including Won Gwang, the Lawgiver. Now that Yang knew what to look for, he saw the scales of balance tipping in favour of the Imperials as the Enemy came at them piecemeal only to die a dogs death, and he felt a glimmer of hope for the people of Pan Si Xing. Perhaps a miracle would happen here today, and the Imperials could snatch victory -
One moment Yang stood atop the silo watching the battle unfold, and the next he found himself hurtling through the air to safety as the stone granary exploded in a cloud of stone, sand, and dust. There was no wheat in the granary, since the West had no ability to grow grain themselves, but even empty, for a Warrior to destroy it in one blow was no simple feat. Not so difficult for the Lord of Martial Peace however, who stood high in the sky with his nine-ringed Green Dragon Crescent Blade in hand like a living god standing in judgment over a group of ants. It be good to see a familiar face after all this time, Bai Qi drawled, speaking in that slow, lyrical intonation that he was well known for. Gao Changgong. How many years has it been since we last spoke like this?
Not long enough, traitor. Ripping the headscarf covering his face, Gao Liang no, Siegebreaker Gao Changgong, Major General of the West, threw himself at Bai Qi and traded blows with the man in mid-air, but it was clear Changgong was outmatched. Though no blood had been drawn, the Siegebreakers attacks were wild and erratic as he flung himself this way and that in an attempt to strike the traitor down, but Bai Qi never moved from his perch in the air. A frightening display of control and precision, to Cloud-Step without moving, and to do so while fighting another Peak Expert was almost unheard of.
It was so easy for Bai Qi to defend himself, he even had time to spare to study the rest. You two must be the Wedded Exarches of the North. Turning to eye Yang, he continued, And you... of no consequence. That burned something fierce, but Yang knew he was sorely outmatched and could only swallow the insult as Bai Qi turned to study Baatar, all the while fending off Gao Changgongs wild attacks. You however... Be you Major General Baatar, son of Lieutenant General Akanai?
Lieutenant General Baatar now, the half wolf replied, his icy focus burning red hot as he grinned in what could only be described as bloody anticipation. Here to claim your head.
I thought as much. Nodding sagely as he locked eyes with Baatar, he countered Gao Changgong with an almost casual sweep of his glaive and sent the Siegebreaker crashing to the ground, beaten but not bloodied as he regained his footing. Though I suspected I be mistaken, since you stood idle for so long.
With no longer a need for stealth, Yang contacted his aide in Hongjis command cadre for an update on the situation, and as far as he could tell, Bai Qi had fended off Gao Changgong and carried out this conversation while simultaneously taking control of his forces in the city and creating an impromptu lull in the fighting as both sides separated to sort themselves out. Not a good sign for the Imperials, as now their momentum was stalled and their advantage of surprise lost, meaning the fighting would be bloody once hostilities resumed. Hongji was using this time to get as many slaves into the tunnels as possible, but even if they had an entire day, there was no way to evacuate everyone.
Which meant that if they wanted any chance of success, they had to kill Bai Qi here and now.
A shot rang out, but Bai Qi disappeared from sight, only to reappear and swing at MuYangs hidden location. The spymasters fate was sealed, or so Yang thought, only for Bai Qi to abandon his attack mid-swing to retreat with all haste. A clap of thunder echoed across the city as Baatars short sword smashed through the roof MuYang had taken cover on and into the sand and stone below, and it wouldnt have surprised Yang to learn the sword had embedded itself deep underground before stopping. Then, Baatar appeared next to Bai Qi with a feral grin of childish glee. Glaive met pole-axe with a second resounding crash, and for once, it was Bai Qi on the losing end as he was sent sliding back over fifteen metres to crash back first into a stone wall.
Silence settled over the city as the audience watched on in disbelief, for though Bai Qi was unharmed when he emerged from the cloud of dust, he no longer looked so striking or remarkable. His air of indomitable invulnerability had been broken by a single swing of Baatars pole-axe, and from the looks of things, the fierce half-wolf wasnt even warmed up yet. Good, good, good, Bai Qi declared, his lips curled in a smile but his eyes smouldering with fury. Finally, a true challenge. Come, half-beast, show this prince your best so that you can die without regrets.
The world shook as their weapons clashed again and again, but Yang turned away from the spectacle to carry out his duty. The battle for Pan Si Xing sat firmly in Baatars hands now, so Yang only needed to ensure no one interfered with his duel. Taking up his Howling Dragon Sabre, he threw himself at the closest Wraiths and slaughtered them without mercy before engaging Demons and Half-Demons alike, for though he lacked the qualifications to stand at the very peak of the Martial Path, he was still Situ Jia Yang, a Dragon among men.
Chapter Meme 1
Chapter Meme 2
Chapter 757Fame, fortune, honour, and glory.For as long as he could remember, those were Jia Yangs motives for seeking strength. The Martial Peak was merely a stepping stone on the way to his real goal, to stand at the pinnacle of high society where he truly belonged. While no one would ever accuse him of being a bleeding heart saint, no one could denounce him for not doing his fair part either, for he was a career soldier who never shied from battle over the course of his career, a Warrior who led from the front and took on every challenge that presented itself.Not out of love of duty or the people, nor was his enthusiasm solely for the sake of advancement in his career or Martial Path. This was simply how he was raised, to do his part as a Warrior of Heaven and a Noble of the Empire. Other families with power and influence looked the other way when their spoiled, silk-pants scions threw their weight around using their family name, but Yangs grandfather on his fathers side wouldve had him publicly flogged if he tried to do the same. Grandfathers own grandfather had been Clan Patriarch and was largely responsible for their branch familys rise to prominence in Clan and Society. Thanks to his efforts, five generations now, the Situ Clan held the reins of the Society, and while other leading parties had come and gone, Yangs grandfather was unwilling to see the Situ Clan fall from grace in his time, to say nothing of his dream of seeing another Patriarch emerge from the family.Because even though they all shared the family name Situ, not all Situs were equal, and Situ Jia Yangs pedigree was unmatched, making him a true dragon among men.Or at least thats what Grandfather said when he told Yang about his dream, a dream that young boy took to heart and dedicated his life in pursuit of. The possibility of failure never entered Yangs mind over the years as he made steady progress in his career and Martial Path both, but his sister was another story. While he was groomed as a Warrior and Officer, she was taught how to dance and recite poetry. When their parents dispatched him to join the Army and chase down bandits and rebels in Central, they sent her out into the Northern province to hunt for a husband who could help raise their familys status. When he became a Major, his parents spared no expense celebrating the occasion, yet when Ying became Magistrate of Shen Yun, theyd already died believing theyd raised an unfilial failure of a daughter who brought home a largely useless son-in-law for them to support, rather than the other way around.All his life, Yang had stood by his sisters side, because in truth, he himself thought it was unfair how much his parents focused on him at her expense. He lived a blessed life in which he was given anything he ever asked for, while she had to kick and scream before their parents would even consider one of her requests. It never seemed fair really, because she was older, wiser, and always there to help him whenever he needed it, but Grandfather was a traditional man who believed Yings greatest asset was her womb. Thats why Yang tried his best to stand up for her in whatever way he could, but as much as he loved her, he loved his parents and Grandparents too, so he could never bring himself to take a stand and defend her to the last. Instead, he became the mediator who repeatedly convinced his big sister to take a step back and surrender just a bit more of the limited freedom she had, a role he wholeheartedly regretted once he realized the part he played in his sisters misery.She never blamed him for it, never resented him for how their parents favoured him, and even did everything she could to help him along. The only time he ever stood firmly on her side was regarding her marriage to Lu An Jing, and only because hed thought the rice was cooked so he might as well secure a little happiness for her. He never liked Lu An Jing, because he was a pompous, arrogant ass who lacked social grace and tact, but he made Ying laugh like no one else ever could, so he defended her actions to their parents and tolerated the man as best he could even after Yings lie became apparent. Then the idiot went and died, right after actually getting his wife pregnant to boot, a truly unfortunate turn of events, for their parents had passed away less than a year prior, meaning Ying never even had a chance to really enjoy her free and happy married life.Oh how surprised Yang had been when he showed up for An Jings funeral and saw his sisters bulging belly for the first time, something she failed to mention it in any of her letters. Truly an unfortunate woman, Situ Jia Ying, for shed sacrificed so much and burned so many bridges in pursuit of her happiness, and all she had to show for it was a widows veil and a child yet to be born. There were even rumours abound of how she was a black star that cursed anyone and everyone she came in contact with, with whispers of how shed driven her parents to death with her intolerable actions. Not true at all since Mother died of an aneurysm that could have happened to anyone, while Father fell into a depression and followed her to the grave soon after, as if his spirit had just given up and his body took a few months to catch on. When he first heard of these rumours, Yang flew into a rage and fought no less than seven duels to uphold his sisters honour, because he knew that in spite of all their arguments and differences, his parents loved their daughter, and the same was true in reverse.So, in order to prove the rumours wrong and look after his sister, Yang put his career on hold and stayed with her to ensure she was safe and well cared for. It wasnt all that difficult considering hed inherited almost everything from his parents, not because they loved him more than her, but because they were worried Ying would give everything to her husbands greedy merchant family, their words, not his. In fact, father had spoken very sternly to Yang about ensuring his sister did not want for anything, mostly because she was still a Situ princess and could not be left to wallow in poverty, as they assumed she would without his aide. Of course, Yang always knew that his sister was far more clever than their parents believed, which was why hed given her complete control of his finances the day after he inherited everything, because he trusted her more than anyone else. It didnt matter how much coin he spent on fine wine, rich foods, priceless art, or pleasurable company, for he would always find more in his purse the next day thanks to Yings brilliant investments, so him sticking around to ensure she was well cared for really only meant guarding her from any assassination attempts.Of which there were none, since back then, there was really no reason to fear Situ Jia Ying just yet.For the better part of two years, Yang played the part of a domestic, and much as he loved his sister and nephew both, those long, arduous months had been enough to convince him to remain unmarried and childless for life. Ying had always been temperamental, but pregnancy made it so much worse, as one minute she would be all laughter and smiles, and the next, a seething mess of anger and tears. As for Zian, he was quite possibly the most beautiful baby ever born to the Empire, but only when his mother held him in her arms. The rest of the time, he was a screaming terror of snot and tears with a wail that could wake the dead and a stubborn will to keep it up for hours without end. No one else could keep baby Zian calm, not his wet-nurse, nanny, or beloved uncle who was trying so hard to be fatherly but just didnt know what he was doing wrong. A nightmare to be sure, so as soon as he felt theyd weathered the storm and emerged unscathed, Yang ran back to Central to resume his career and continue on his quest to become Clan Patriarch.The years passed quickly, and though it took longer and more work than he ever imagined, Yang eventually became a Peak Expert and Lieutenant General. This meant he was the highest ranking Situ Clansman aside from Nian Zu, an accomplishment he took great pride in. While he never admitted it out loud, he always assumed his nephews appointment as young Patriarch was done to appease him. It only made sense after all, for Yang was now a close contender for the title of Patriarch, so Rang Min wanted to bind their families together by making Zian his successor. It was clear now that this wasnt the case, for Ying was far more of a threat than he ever was, for she used the family fortune to buy herself a Magisterial Office, an investment that paid out hand over fist. Even having heard the entire story from start to finish, Yang still wasnt entirely sure how his sister managed to depose Rang Min and take his place. Somehow, she won over the elders, including the fearsome Elder Chi Gan whod served as the enforcer and executioner for Patriarch Shi Min and transferred his loyalty over to young Rang Min, and with their support, became Matriarch. Ying made it sound so simple, claiming she didnt even want the title and tried to give it to him, but the Elders refused because of his recent fall from grace and newfangled ties to the Bekhai.Truth be told, he might have resented his sisters talents if he didnt admire her so much. Even though he was the only son of the family and given all the resources and assistance his parents could spare, in the end, all of that effort would have been better spent on Ying, because then she might have become Matriarch a few decades earlier. Grandfather wouldve been proud of Ying, because despite their differences in opinion, he trained her to fight all the same and was often heard praising her skills and lamenting over how she hadnt been born a man. As for Yang, even though hed suddenly had his lifelong dream stolen away, he wasnt even the slightest bit upset about his circumstances because his talented older sister was finally recognized for the dragon she truly was.Such an odd turn of events, especially considering the sinking sensation Yang had experienced when he thought his career was over and done with in the wake of his disastrous actions during the defence of the Northern Wall. Hed countermanded his Commanding Officers orders in the midst of battle, a grave offence he could easily be court-martialed for, then foolishly called for a full retreat from the Wall mere seconds before the Enemy fled. If that wasnt a blunder, then Yang didnt know what was, and at the time, he had no idea what to do with himself now that his dreams of becoming Patriarch were over and done with. For days, he sat in his office waiting for the hammer to drop, for all his years of meritorious service would amount to nothing once the higher-ups of Central read the Bekhai reports. Theyd strip his rank for sure, and order him to pay a fortune in fines, at which point all the enemies hed made would come for his head. To ensure his sister and nephew werent caught in the fighting, he intended to be well away from them when he died, but even though hed come to terms with his inevitable death, the knowledge that he, Situ Jia Yang, had failed so convincingly had eaten away at him until there was almost nothing left.Nothing came of his blunder in the end because the Bekhai reports made no mention of it. They even commended him for his service, which was a strange stance to take considering their adversarial relationship thus far, but it won them his gratitude and more. Though there was still a price to be paid since his actions didnt go entirely unnoticed, Yang was still the second highest ranking Officer of the Clan and on track to become Patriarch one day, so it was all more or less swept under the rug. Now that Ying was Matriarch, Yang had still failed to live up to expectations, but it didnt matter because his failure was not really through any fault of his own, but rather because his older sister fulfilled his obligations first. How could he be blamed for being born too late? The true talent of the family had been his sister all along, and no one was less surprised than he, for hed sparred with her far too many times and seen how much she loved the Martial Path to ever believe she would ever stop pursuing the Peak. Though others might think differently, he was not ashamed to admit he was inferior to his sister, and in truth, was rather happy to scream and shout it for the world to hear. It was high time she was afforded the respect she deserved, the respect she should have been given from the start. Their parents, grandparents, Elders, and friends, everyone overlooked Yings prospects simply because she was a woman destined to be married out, but now, they would know the error of their ways.After the initial shock passed, Yang discovered he was quite pleased with this unexpected turn of events, because he only ever wanted to be Patriarch for the fame, fortune, honour, and glory, as well as fulfilling his grandfather and fathers ambitions. Now that his sister had accomplished everything in his stead, Yang still had everything his heart desired while also retaining his freedom to do whatever he pleased. The only difference was that he relied on his sisters backing to throw his weight around and look down on his peers, so matters really couldnt have gone better. He was the Matriarchs brother, an Elder on the Council, uncle to a genius young talent, grand-uncle to two screaming little babies who were somehow even more vocal than their father, and a blissful bachelor to boot. When he met his fellow Clansmen and Society adherents now, he was reminded of the time when he was six years old and got to hold his head up high for an entire week after his sister pummelled their cousins for daring to bully him during their games. Others whispered of how Situ Jia Yang was a failure riding on the coat-tails of a woman, but they were just jealous they couldnt do the same, for their sisters were nowhere near as impressive as his. Most importantly of all, now that Yangs dream of becoming Patriarch could no longer be fulfilled, he felt like a giant weight had been lifted from his shoulders and he was free to be himself again, rather than the person his grandfather and parents had always wanted him to be. Who that was, Yang wasnt entirely sure just yet, but he found that he enjoyed military service far more when he wasnt endlessly chasing advancement for the sake of clout and reputation. Now, he served because it was what hed been born to do, to fight the Enemy and drive them back from the Empires borders once and for all.Which was why he found it so irksome to sit around doing nothing while citizens and Warriors fought and died in the streets of Pan Si Xing.Matters were all going according to plan, a fact he had to remind himself every time he saw an Imperial citizen fall before the blades of the Enemy. It wasnt that he wasnt willing to fight, but rather that his strength would be needed in the conflict to come, so others would have to shoulder the burden of battle for now. No one above the rank of Lieutenant Colonel had taken the field just yet, for aside from Brigadier Hongji giving orders from the safety of the mines, the rest of the Field and General Officers were lurking in wait for the true target of this attack. That was the important thing to focus on, not the liberation of the city and the people inhabiting it, but rather their goal to take Bai Qis head and deny the Enemy a pivotal piece on the board. A bold move, but a necessary one, for as fearsome as the Enemy might be, they were far more dangerous with a man like Bai Qi in command. Since the fall of the Western province, Yang had watched as the Enemy tactics improved with each passing day, going from disjointed waves of tribal aggressors rushing headlong towards their death, to whole armies of Defiled marching in cohesive fashion and engaging in strategic warfare.To lay this all at Bai Qis footsteps would be overestimating his value, but to say he had no part in it would be disingenuous at best. Whats more, if the Enemy were truly to come together as a disciplined fighting force comparable to the Imperial Army, then the Empire was doomed. Killing Bai Qi, Mataram YuGan, and Mao Jianghong would hopefully buy the Empire some time, but they still had to deal with the mysterious Uniter who brought this plague to their doorstep in the first place. A matter for another day however, and for craftier minds than his, as Yang focused his efforts on ignoring the death and suffering taking place all around him.Baatar nodded. It is the only way he can regain control of the situation, by showing himself to assume direct control. Giving orders through Sending does not have the same effect, and doubly so when commanding Defiled, I imagine. Huffing a small sigh of regret, Baatar added, Whoever spurred the people of Pan Si Xing to action was right to do so, for without them, we might well have long since been overrun by a more cautious and coordinated foe. Imperial forces in the city must be respected, but rebel slaves? They see no reason to fear the people theyve whipped and terrorized for two years, and now, the Enemy is paying a steep price for their hubris. Glancing at Yang, Baatar stopped to consider something before nodding sagely as if someone had said something brilliant. But perhaps you are right. Perhaps we should add fuel to the fire and give our quarry more reason to come out. Signal the first group to action. Hongji will know what to do.Even as he said it, Gao Liang was delivering a message using a polished silver hand mirror, a Western trick similar to the smoke signals used up North. Glancing to the east, Yang spotted four former Society Adherents step out of Concealment and Cloud-Step their way over to join the conflict. Sang Hyoon, First Elder of the Seven Star Sect, Enforcer Teng Hong Chuan of the Baiji Sect, and Ng Yue Fei, Head Nun of the White Lotus Sect, all following in the wake of their defacto leader, former Patriarch of the Situ Clan, Rang Min. Even without the Clans support, those three factions followed Rang Min into exile, which meant he either had some devastating blackmail forcing them to obey, or he had more charisma than Yang gave him credit. Likely the former, which meant Ying was hard at work trying to uncover what Rang Min had on those three faction leaders of the Society, because then she could use it against them as well. For now, Yang had a chance to watch his lifelong foe in action, for few had ever seen Rang Min fight. Not many people even know he was a Peak Expert, but while most assumed as much, that wasnt the same as knowing.And as soon as Rang Min drew his longsword, Yang could tell his foe was not just a mere Peak Expert, but one standing head and shoulders above his peers.Though his movements did not appear fast at first, Rang Mins sword carved through an armoured Half-Demon before it even noticed his arrival. Yang didnt even see how it died, only that it collapsed as Rang Min glided past with his sword in hand. He wasnt even swinging the weapon, merely holding it out like a child dragging his stick through the sand, yet the results spoke for themselves. Defiled died with his every step as he glided towards his next target, his stride light and easy as if prancing on stage to the sound of a slow and steady beat. A Defiled Chieftain roared in challenge, only to die as easily as his kin, and Rang Min hardly seemed to notice the dead Peak Expert as he dispatched a second Half-Demon as easily as the first.All this happened in the blink of an eye, and despite watching it from start to finish, Yang never once saw Rang Min swing his sword. Defiled attacked him from all sides, yet they died without even touching the corner of his robes, seemingly carved apart by an invisible barrier of blades that cut down anyone who approached him. There was a time when Yang thought himself the match of anyone in the Clan save for Nian Zu and Chi Gan, but Rang Min was showing how he held onto the role of Patriarch for so long despite so many Clansmen expressing their discontent.Much as it pained him to admit it, Rang Min was far more dangerous than Yang ever gave him credit for. Even after watching for several minutes longer, he still could not figure out Rang Mins trick, though the former Patriarch resorted to fighting normally soon after. His conventional sword skills were far less impressive, but still at a level where Yang was not entirely confident he could overcome. Without that ineffable skill of killing without swinging, Rang Min would have difficulty winning against Yang, but he wasnt so naive as to believe the snake had shown everything he could do. Right now, it appeared as if they were evenly matched, but that might well be because Rang Min wanted him to believe as much and was still hiding the true depths of his skill.At Baatars urging, two more groups of Peak Experts revealed themselves, one group of Bekhai and one comprised of Central Warriors including Won Gwang, the Lawgiver. Now that Yang knew what to look for, he saw the scales of balance tipping in favour of the Imperials as the Enemy came at them piecemeal only to die a dogs death, and he felt a glimmer of hope for the people of Pan Si Xing. Perhaps a miracle would happen here today, and the Imperials could snatch victory -One moment Yang stood atop the silo watching the battle unfold, and the next he found himself hurtling through the air to safety as the stone granary exploded in a cloud of stone, sand, and dust. There was no wheat in the granary, since the West had no ability to grow grain themselves, but even empty, for a Warrior to destroy it in one blow was no simple feat. Not so difficult for the Lord of Martial Peace however, who stood high in the sky with his nine-ringed Green Dragon Crescent Blade in hand like a living god standing in judgment over a group of ants. It be good to see a familiar face after all this time, Bai Qi drawled, speaking in that slow, lyrical intonation that he was well known for. Gao Changgong. How many years has it been since we last spoke like this?Not long enough, traitor. Ripping the headscarf covering his face, Gao Liang no, Siegebreaker Gao Changgong, Major General of the West, threw himself at Bai Qi and traded blows with the man in mid-air, but it was clear Changgong was outmatched. Though no blood had been drawn, the Siegebreakers attacks were wild and erratic as he flung himself this way and that in an attempt to strike the traitor down, but Bai Qi never moved from his perch in the air. A frightening display of control and precision, to Cloud-Step without moving, and to do so while fighting another Peak Expert was almost unheard of.It was so easy for Bai Qi to defend himself, he even had time to spare to study the rest. You two must be the Wedded Exarches of the North. Turning to eye Yang, he continued, And you... of no consequence. That burned something fierce, but Yang knew he was sorely outmatched and could only swallow the insult as Bai Qi turned to study Baatar, all the while fending off Gao Changgongs wild attacks. You however... Be you Major General Baatar, son of Lieutenant General Akanai?Lieutenant General Baatar now, the half wolf replied, his icy focus burning red hot as he grinned in what could only be described as bloody anticipation. Here to claim your head.I thought as much. Nodding sagely as he locked eyes with Baatar, he countered Gao Changgong with an almost casual sweep of his glaive and sent the Siegebreaker crashing to the ground, beaten but not bloodied as he regained his footing. Though I suspected I be mistaken, since you stood idle for so long.With no longer a need for stealth, Yang contacted his aide in Hongjis command cadre for an update on the situation, and as far as he could tell, Bai Qi had fended off Gao Changgong and carried out this conversation while simultaneously taking control of his forces in the city and creating an impromptu lull in the fighting as both sides separated to sort themselves out. Not a good sign for the Imperials, as now their momentum was stalled and their advantage of surprise lost, meaning the fighting would be bloody once hostilities resumed. Hongji was using this time to get as many slaves into the tunnels as possible, but even if they had an entire day, there was no way to evacuate everyone.Which meant that if they wanted any chance of success, they had to kill Bai Qi here and now.A shot rang out, but Bai Qi disappeared from sight, only to reappear and swing at MuYangs hidden location. The spymasters fate was sealed, or so Yang thought, only for Bai Qi to abandon his attack mid-swing to retreat with all haste. A clap of thunder echoed across the city as Baatars short sword smashed through the roof MuYang had taken cover on and into the sand and stone below, and it wouldnt have surprised Yang to learn the sword had embedded itself deep underground before stopping. Then, Baatar appeared next to Bai Qi with a feral grin of childish glee. Glaive met pole-axe with a second resounding crash, and for once, it was Bai Qi on the losing end as he was sent sliding back over fifteen metres to crash back first into a stone wall.Silence settled over the city as the audience watched on in disbelief, for though Bai Qi was unharmed when he emerged from the cloud of dust, he no longer looked so striking or remarkable. His air of indomitable invulnerability had been broken by a single swing of Baatars pole-axe, and from the looks of things, the fierce half-wolf wasnt even warmed up yet. Good, good, good, Bai Qi declared, his lips curled in a smile but his eyes smouldering with fury. Finally, a true challenge. Come, half-beast, show this prince your best so that you can die without regrets.The world shook as their weapons clashed again and again, but Yang turned away from the spectacle to carry out his duty. The battle for Pan Si Xing sat firmly in Baatars hands now, so Yang only needed to ensure no one interfered with his duel. Taking up his Howling Dragon Sabre, he threw himself at the closest Wraiths and slaughtered them without mercy before engaging Demons and Half-Demons alike, for though he lacked the qualifications to stand at the very peak of the Martial Path, he was still Situ Jia Yang, a Dragon among men.Chapter Meme 1Chapter Meme 2
