by Mark Swaine
“I believe the presence of a more rationally minded Priest will aid me in attaining the answers that I seek,” says the General.
“You are the coward for not handling this matter four seasons ago,” retorts Jian-Heng.
“Their arms in watch face the horizon you arrogant dog, not inwards to the city,” says the General loudly.
“I do not care General!” shouts Jian-Heng.
General Arachie, having tolerated Jian-Heng's presence long enough, holds him firmly by the bicep and guides him in long forcible strides toward the main entrance.
Jian-Heng attempts to remove the Generals grip from his solid muscle and silk gown as he is thrust into the direction of the soldier guarded doors.
“Send word to Chung Denshi that I have requested his presence on the bridge tomorrow. Now leave, and take your chanting fools with you,” says the General, irately.
Jian-Heng thinks twice before yelling some kind of insult at the General, and then leaves the courtyard quickly with his scowling apprentice in tow. General Arachie then turns and double takes at the remaining gawking Priests who are too intrigued and intimidated to move.
“I SAID LEAVE!” booms the General, causing them to jump and skitter to the exit.
On the isolated Niújiǎo (Cowhorn) moorlands, a lone young bald headed man stands poised in a defensive stance. A chilly wind flattens the long verdant grass to one side as the blustery gale thrusts his light silk slacks in violent rippling waves. The barefooted Priest allows the comfort of the soft thick grass to take his weight as he welcomes the sound of thudding hooves pounding toward him. The herd of bulls and bison charge toward him, lowering their horns at the half naked intruder. Snorts of steam, walls of horns and muscle of greasy flowing short tight fur charges directly toward him in wailing snarling bellows. Chung Denshi bends his knees and breathes steadily before backflipping far and wide into the air. The High Minister nick named Niu Shou on account of his dangerous and preferred style of training, lands atop two bulls running shoulder to shoulder. His two slender feet grip the strong gyrating spines of the enraged bulls, as his bent legs curve and shift to adjust to their varying speeds and erratic movements. Niu Shou finds himself being carried across the humped hills by the raging herd and he uses their shifting spines to leap and bound across the gaps. Timing his steps carefully he races to the edge of the greasy moving backs and barrel rolls back onto the green shimmering grass. Niu Shou gives the last grunting and snarling bison a friendly tap on its hind before running to the side to attract the attraction of those leading the charge. Only the alpha male leading the pack takes the bait, and it separates from its roving charge to meet with its challenger. The massive body of muscle gallops toward the slow moving man, and slows to a tranquil trot as it nears him. Chung Denshi smiles at the familiar snorting face, ‘twas the same face during every test of character. The bull inches closer whilst circling Niu Shou, studying him. Niu Shou smiles and bows whistling paying heed to those massive, dirty and worn horns. The bison chews up a mound of turf and shakes its head wildly as it charges toward him, and Niu Shou uses its flat snout to catapult himself over its body as he lands behind it. The bison turns to face him and grunts in a high pitched frustrated wail.
The Bison lowers its head toward him and so does Niu Shou as it bounds toward him. Chung Denshi's muscles flex he takes the bulky head of hairy beast by the horns. The Bison throws and rolls its head from side to side with ferocity in its attempts to rid of the pest, and Niu Shou is flung into the air in all directions as the Bison strafes around tearing up clumps of earth. Chung Denshi forces his weight down and drives his feet firmly into the ground. Pushing with all of its might with Chung Denshi pushing its head down, the animal takes powerful steps forward. Niu Shou stares the beautiful beast in its dark wet eyes surrounded by mucus and matted thick hair. But the eyes are more alive than any combatant he had ever fought as the beast pushes him to grunt with all of his might. The beast stares back, refusing to back down, pushing and twisting violently to prove itself the superior being. Turning the bulls own strength against it, Niu Shou pushes back using reverse force on the horns in his grasp, forcing the Bison into a backward trot. The Bison quickly retreats backwards a few steps whilst attempting to shake the strong hands free of its horns. The Bison finally retires, unharmed, yet ready to fight another day. In its reluctant exit the animal stops briefly and looks back at him before snorting quietly and moving on. As rain begins to patter down, Niu Shou looks lovingly at the gentle animals as they lie down on their belly's to ensure a dry sleeping spot. The Priest gathers his sack of belongings, and begins the long journey back to the Mid-West temple. The Twelve temples of the Brotherhood house the various delegates of the Ministry, Monks, Ministers and High Ministers. Each temple is named after an animal belonging to the zodiac, Minister Denshi's belongs to the House of Ox, naturally. Chung Denshi had arrived to his bed chamber not long ago and decided to close his eyes and soak up the morning sun light as he rests on his bamboo rack. The Priest smiles as listens to the sound of lightly creaking floorboards and gentle clattering of pottery carefully and tactfully being set down on the sideboard. Chung Denshi opens his eyes to the sight of a beautiful maiden quietly preparing him a basin of fresh water.
“You have been training on the Niújiǎo moorlands?” says Anming, sensing his eyes on her back.
Chung Denshi winces in trepidation as he notices the soil trail of foot prints leading to his bed.
“Yes, forgive my ignorance I did not notice,” says Chung Denshi apologetically.
“Tis not the mess that concerns me, you left your armour and weapons behind,” says Anming sternly.
“I need not such things to train with the Bison, for I intend them no harm and they hold no vendetta against me upon my return, aside for one,” smirks the Priest.
Chung Denshi rises from his creaking bed and thanks the maid graciously for her concern, hiding as best he can his desire for that which cannot be. Anming turns to lay down a tray of bread and tea, and Chung Denshi tries his ultimate best to ignore the many curves of the slender woman outlined by her comfortable fitting dress. Sensing his eyes upon her once again, she turns with a questioning smile and he looks away sheepishly.
“You look nice today,” says Chung Denshi assertively, “not that you did not appear just as beautiful the day before, or the day before that,” says Chung Denshi. flirtatiously.
“You should not say such things Master Denshi,” says the maiden, setting her eyes upon his.
“I know,” replies Chung Denshi with a quaint smile.
“Then why do you say them?” replies Anming smiling in return.
“How can I not?” says Chung Denshi, admiring Anming's beautiful face.
Anming walks provocatively closer to Chung Denshi and brushes her slender arm by his waist, then moves in a little closer. The smitten Priest finds himself immersed in a forbidden paradise as she looks closer into his eyes. Chung Denshi's punishment for toying with his vows of celibacy are severe and freezing as Anming tips the basin of cold water over his head from behind. As Chung Denshi closes his eyes tight and smiles in humility, and a lesson well-deserved, Anming smirks cheekily before returning to her duties, leaving Chung Denshi standing on the spot. Anming returns a moment later and hands the Priest a pair of fresh robes and a clean rag to dry himself with. Chung Denshi takes the rag, and she holds onto it with a strong grip.
“You are a great man Niu Shou, I would be shamed if you were to break your sacred vows for me. Besides, what of the hundreds of Noble women that would seek your hand in courtship,” says Anming, letting loose of the rag.
“I care not for the advances of other women, I care about you, you are a Noble woman. What if...what if I was to leave the Brotherhood, for you, for us?” proposes Chung Denshi.
“I would say you risk much to sate the curiosity of living a normal life. The Brotherhood needs you Chung, you are the strongest, wisest, and just of the Ministers, and without you they would be lost. Th
e people of the city look to you for you are the wisest of Priests. They need you, and more importantly, our Great Emperor needs you,” says Anming.
“What of you?” says Chung Denshi, begging the question.
“I am not so selfish to ask of you such commitment, nor am I worthy of it,” says Anming, without an ounce of self-pity.
“Yes you are my beautiful spring flower, and you are strong, we deserve one another. We have known one another for some time now, I would leave the Brotherhood if you would but ask it of me,” says the Priest sincerely.
“And the Emperor?” asks Anming,
“He is not my type,” replies Chung Denshi, amusingly.
“Chung do not toy with me,” replies Anming sternly and coyly.
“My devotion to Emperor Yu-Huang remains, but were it not for these...green shackles I would...” says Chung Denshi, passionately.
“Do not say it, not here, not within these walls,” says Anming, pleading caution.
“They are just walls Anming, they mean nothing; true faith hails from within. I do not need the Brotherhood to maintain my faith in the divine,” says Chung Denshi.
“By Raijin's gaze, you are serious. You are seriously considering leaving the Brotherhood? It has been your whole life,” says Anming in awe and sadness.
“I have given the issue much thought. I have been dissatisfied for some time now. I cannot advance any further, even the eldest of the High Priests know they will never be an Elder-Priest. The Gift of Immortality is forbidden, I have given all I can to give to this cause,” says Chung Denshi in discontent.
“These are dark times Chung, these tales of death sweeping the lands frighten me, the people are scared. And now with the threat of the foreign savages at the city walls, the Empire needs you now, now more than ever,” says Anming, urgently.
“Pay no heed to the ramblings of the other Ministers, the Samurai mean us no harm. These tales you speak of, if the Japanese have suffered the same horrors spoken of late, then they surely possess knowledge useful to us. General Arachie knows this too, all I need do is convince the other Houses, something of which I have still been unable to do,” says Chung Denshi. “Speaking of my stubborn brothers, why the silence, where is everybody?” says Chung Denshi, suddenly aware of the absence of loud ranting, chanting and footsteps.
“Have you not heard? The Ministers have gone to the Samurai,” says Anming.
“What! On whose command?!” exclaims Chung Denshi, urgently.
“Jian-Heng, I overheard them last night and saw them leave at first light before you returned from your training,” says Anming.
“Anming, who are among the Priests were there?” asks Chung Denshi.
“High Ministers Wei Shi, and Ning Tao led the group. They rode out this morning to meet with High Minister Jian-Heng at the South Gates,” says Anming.
“No, they are going to ruin everything! I must leave immediately!” says Chung Denshi, frenziedly.
Chung Denshi, rapidly straps on his dark green and brown leather bullhide trimmed armour. The frantic Minister sprints from the temple and storms into the stables and throws a saddle over his steed. Chung Denshi mounts the steed, a rare, special breed of long legged bull, known as a Sàichē (Racing) bull. The red coated, horse bodied Bull snorts whilst rising on its back legs as its rider strongly flicks the reigns. The hulking scarlet bull tears a clopping trail of dust through the courtyard and into the back streets of the city until clearing into the countryside. Chung Denshi rides hard, over hills and mountain and ravines to reach the South Gates, hoping to make it before his brothers cause irreversible harm to his cause.
CHAPTER THREE
That morning on the first day of spring, General Arachie waits by the entrance of the gates with an army of Jade soldiers at his back. The General appears vexed as he watches a horse pulled carriage stop to a halt, for Minister Denshi is nowhere to be seen.
“Where is High Priest Chung Denshi?, I specifically asked for Niu Shou, where is he!” shouts General Arachie.
“Niu Shou is...indisposed,” says Ning Tao, deviously.
“Yes, unavailable he is,” says Wei Shi, struggling to squeeze and lower his wide body from the carriage.
“I was not addressing you! Jian-Heng, what is the meaning of this treachery!” snaps the General.
“Not treachery, a simple misunderstanding. Chung Denshi was at training when we left, perhaps the crane that was carrying your message flew to the wrong coop,” muses Jian-Heng,
“Or you had one of these ‘Priests’ remove it from the coop before Chung Denshi even knew it was there. You take me for a fool. I request the presence of Chung Denshi and instead you bring me a pair of rear end romancers who seek only to weighten their pockets by robbing farmers of their lands,” barks General Arachie. “Yes Ning Tao, Wei Li, I know who you are,” sneers the General.
“Calm yourself General: you requested a Priest of the House of Ox. Ning Tao and Wei Shi also hail from the House of Ox. Ning Tao and Wei Shi are far more capable of negotiating with the Samurai than some bull sparring negotiator. Ning and Wei will ensure you receive the information you desire so badly,” says Jian-Heng, reassuringly.
General Arachie has an extremely bad feeling regarding how this event is going to play out. The General knows that unless the Samurai are able to verify their mission with some support of proof, or at the very least lay down their arms, the Brotherhood will gain the upper hand and assume control of the situation. Tolerating the mere presence and questionable demands from the Ministers is but one of many duties he must endure as General of the Jade Army. For as much as he loves his stature within the regime of the Huanghua city, even his prestigious title of General has its downside. Tolerating the pride, greed and insolence of the Ministry, is always the downside. To the General they are nothing but obstacles, great burdens standing in the way of true progression, a constant hindrance and a thorn in his side, and an unfortunate necessity if Emperor Yu-Huang's successor is to be found.
“Enough talk, we go now,” growls General Arachie in annoyance.
As the drawbridge lowers over the wild and expansive Yellow River, the Samurai stand in formation by the lofty river's edge. Flanked by rows of Jade soldiers, groups of green and red robed High Ministers and Monks in training march fearlessly forward.
Lead by General Arachie, the High Priests and their entourage arrogantly storm across the bridge with their hands concealed within their sleeves in a crossed arm position. The General hails Kamui Li forward and the Samurai kneels at the sight of the Emperor's holy men. Kamui Li introduces himself, but the Priests fail to return the gesture, all the while keeping their facial identities a mystery with their faces concealed within the shadows of their draping hoods. The Ministers walk casually between the rows of kneeling 'savages' and the General studies the Priests pondering upon their intentions. General Arachie notices a familiar face, and so walks over to the foolish teen. The General is surprised by Akio's continued obedience, and decides to put it to the test as he kneels beside him.
“
What became of my bucket, Master Akio?” asks the General.
“I know not, I filled it with drinking water for the camp that very same day. That was the last I laid eyes upon it,” says Akio, earnestly whilst keeping his eyes forward.
“You used the same bucket you pissed in to collect drinking water?” says the General, curiously. “Was your camp aware of this?” asks the General,
“That is a different question, General,” replies Akio in realisation.
General Arachie snorts a short unexpected laugh and attracts the attention of a few Priests. The General straightens his face and walks away from the undisciplined youngster to meet with Ning Tao. The tall Priest Ning Tao stands front and centre of the formation of Samurai and addresses them.
“In the name of the Emperor I command you to leave these grounds,” screams Ning Tao.
General Arachie appears unfazed by Ning Tao's unwarranted outburst, and General curious
ly awaits Kamui's reply, certain of what it will be. Kamui Li keeps his head down and reverts back to his native Japanese tongue to speak one single word.
“No,” replies the defiant Samurai.
“How dare you defy the will of the Emperor,” sneers Ning Tao,
“I defy not the Emperor, nor his will,” replies Kamui Li,
“Leave this place at once, or pay with your lives,” says Ning Tao, standing above Kamui Li.
“Should the honourable and great Emperor Yu-Huang require my death, he has only but to ask of it,” says Kamui Li, looking at the High Priest under the shadow of his hood.
Minister Ning Tao spits in Kamui Li's face in disgust and slaps him hard across the cheek.
“Filthy peasant, you son of a rabid starving dog, do you really believe his Excellency would share words with a dirty savage like you?” says Ning Tao disdainfully.