by Mark Swaine
“Are you okay father? It was not my intention to harm you,” says Yu-Huang, worriedly.
“I am unharmed my boy. I am not as young as I used to be,” groans Yuang-Shi whilst nursing his back. “Your powers are growing stronger, and you will soon become a man. Yu-Huang you must learn to control your powers if you are to exist amongst the mortals, ‘tis why we raised you here in the quiet of this village. You must always be aware of your surroundings, be mindful of those around you,” says Yuang-Shi, sternly.
“Yes father, I understand,” says Yu-Huang, ashamedly.
“This vessel grows older by the day. I cannot watch over you forever,” says Yuang-Shi.
“I know,” says Yu-Huang, staring solemnly into the river.
The old, stubble faced man with long grey hair and draping moustache observes the sad expression on Yu-Huang's face and pats the ground beside him, gesturing Yu-Huang to sit.
“What troubles you?” asks Yuang-Shi.
“Everyone has gone; mother, Chen Yuan, Sien Tsan, Yen Ti. Only you and I remain, and soon you shall be gone too,” says Yu-Huang sadly.
“‘Tis the way of life son, you know this,” says Yuang Shi, “I have no regrets, nor should you. I loved your mother, all of my children, and I have treated every man like my friend, and the Gods saw fit to bless me with a Child of the Divine Light. When I go…” says Yuang-Shi embracing his son as his eyes begin to fill, “...listen to me, when… this vessel of flesh and blood is no longer able to contain the life-force within, I will go as the happiest man in this world,” continues Yuang-Shi wiping his son’s tears away from his cheeks, “but that day will not come to pass for some time, there is life still in these old bones yet. But when that day comes, you will not be alone. The Priests will remain with you, to guide and protect you," says Yuang-Shi.
“But that is their duty, they are not my family,” says Yu-Huang apathetically.
“The Priests are everlasting, you must trust in their ways. They sacrifice their day of final peace in your honour, they will never die, and they will never betray you,” assures Yuang-Shi.
“Why can't you be everlasting?” asks Yu-Huang.
“My path lies elsewhere,” says Yuang-Shi vaguely, “until then, I pass what wisdom I possess onto you,” says Yuang-Shi.
“My treatment by the gods is unjust, why have they done this to me. I bear witness to the deaths of those I hold dear to me,” says Yu-Huang, irately. “It is not just,” growls Yu-Huang with his eyes glowing viciously.
“Death is not the end Yu-Huang, ‘tis a great journey to a higher plane of existence. What each individual discovers upon crossing the veil depends entirely on their deeds in this life. One day, many many years from now, you will also embark upon this journey, where you will find me, your mother and your brothers and sister, waiting for you,” says Yuang -Shi calmly.
“Why have I been so cursed, did I do something wrong? Why do I possess these powers father?” asks Yu-Huang.
“You have not been cursed, you have been blessed. Do not forget Yu-Huang you have family waiting for you back at the palace,” says Yuang-Shi encouragingly,
“Family estranged to me, their children will raise children and they too shall outlive me. My powers grant me everything but what I desire, and I only desire to live a normal life like you,” says Yu-Huang.
“My life has been anything but normal,” chuckles Yuang-Shi, “but fear not, for one day you will discover the true purpose of your gifts and powers. Until then, you must always remember that your powers are too great to be used among the mortals, so use them wisely, and use them for the will of good,” says Yuang-Shi.
“I did not ask of these powers or responsibilities,” replies Yu-Huang.
“Yu-Huang Shangdi, you must find the strength to embrace your divinity for the sake of every living creature in this great blue realm. Mortal man needs you much more than you know, and only you can save them,” says Yuang-Shi.
“Save them from what father?” asks Yu-Huang.
“From themselves,” replies Yuang-Shi sternly. “They forget, everything you see before you is purely designed to see what you are made of,” says Yuangshi punching Yu-Huang’s arm lightly.
That very same night, Yuang-Shi left the Red Sun village for reasons that still remain a mystery. The Priests would later claim they knew nothing of his reasons, and his reasons for leaving were between he and Raijin the Lord god of thunder and lightning. Yu-Huang remembers that night clearly, from the raised voices coming from the dining room to the smell of tobacco wafting through the open screen to his bed chamber. Yu-Huang recalls the last time he would ever hear his father's footsteps as he remembers him quietly entering his bed chamber. Yuang-Shi was unaware Yu-Huang was wide awake and only pretending to sleep to avoid the heartache of saying goodbye. With a leather travelling sack slung over his shoulder, he sits by his bed. Yuang-Shi's bandaged and bleeding fingers shake as he pulls the quilt up to his sleeping son's neck. Yu-Huang feels a few tears drop on his face as his father lightly kisses him on the forehead before quietly saying goodbye. The following morning Yu-Huang sits by the river, wondering what urgent matter had driven his father away. Greeted by his five eternal guardians, they stand at his back as a show of support whilst granting him space. Yu-Huang turns to observe the kind and understanding expressions of the Elder Ministers entrusted to integrate him into society. A society that needed a pure leader and a symbol of hope. It was the Priests that crowned him as Emperor before the people, and the people cheered on his reign as their young Emperor breathed much needed life into the great country. Yu-Huang came to know his guardians well, for they were no longer spectators watching him from a distance. They were like Uncles to him, and he came to love each one of them. Ching-Ti, whom Yu-Huang was closer to since his foster brother was Yen-Ti, chose the way of wisdom. Chongkun, the Elder of the brothers, emphasised his teachings by way of discipline and often enforced his authority by use of his cane. Chongkun would lightly tap the palm of Yu-Huang's hand if his posture was lazy or slouched. Aiguo-Rachie, a wise King and great-grandfather of General Arachie, was much like his grandson and focused primarily on his teachings of Wushu, and the virtues of nobility and honour.
Chanming was a blind man whose heightened senses made him more aware than any of the other four combined. It was Chanming who had taught him the way of the dragons, and the nature of deities. He also taught him about the various breeds of demon that are able to cross the threshold of the netherealm and exist within the physical plane. His knowledge of creatures, deadly and harmless was extensive, and he always managed captivated Yu-Huang's curious mind. Yama, a tall brutish man with a moustache that reached the floor at both ends, always pushed Yu-Huang's magical potential to the limits. Yama thrived in his duties to Yu-Huang, but over time Yu-Huang realised the Elder-Priest was more interested in basking in his lasting mortality, instead of contributing to the development of order. When the various houses of the Brotherhood were formed, Yu-Huang noticed that Yama's order were not following the code adhered to by his own faith. With the exception of Yama, the Priests rose upon first light to dedicate every ounce of their energy, every second they had to spare and every drop of wisdom to their Emperor. And they had much wisdom, for they were eternal. The Spell of Eternal Life was cast for a reason. By their predecessors and the ones before them, it was cast for a reason.
Only believers in the divine would be selected to serve the Emperor as a High Priest, and upon their 200th year they had built strong houses worthy of any believer in the divine. The five Priests had done well, and although they never showed it, all but Elder-Priest Yama were in pain. Yu-Huang could sense it, but their pain was not physical. Deep in their souls they were tired of this life and had no means of release from it.
Their souls endured the torment on a daily basis as the spell of immortality kept them walking, talking and seeing. They were tired; it was as if some higher force was pushing them daily against their will, but not once did they bring their true feelings t
o his attention. Young Yu-Huang would look on in pity sometimes and wonder "is this what hell feels like for my beloved guardians? if so, why must they endure this daily torment if he cares for them so”. On the year of Yu-Huang's 200th birthdate, yet appearing no older than a ten year old, he came of age to study in the Tower of Guang unsupervised; as to study the darker side of magic without supervision. It was there he found the Spell of Eternal Life tucked away in the furthest depths of the archive catacombs. Yu-Huang, feeling guilt ridden, often looked into the eyes of his guardians when asking of their welfare in their immortal state and regardless of their kind assurances, their souls were saying something different entirely. Their souls begged to be released from their mortal cages, their spirits screamed out for peace. One night, above the Tower of Guang, Yu-Huang made the highly controversial decision to repay his surrogate family for their love the only way he knew how. To allow them to continue living a life of torture and endless servitude was not in keeping with the kindness and love they'd always shown him. He felt like a dishonourable hypocrite by denying their peace, and decreed from that day forth the curse of immortal life would be forbidden under his rule, they just did not know it. Young Yu-Huang waited until they were deep into their slumber and gently lifted the spell from the grasp of the bodies of his Elders. Poised upon his clouds atop the Tower of Guang, Yu-Huang listened to five different whispers originating from the five crooked wings of the Shinnen palace. In their final moments, the Elder Priests knew that Yu-Huang had released them and each of them had something to say. Each of their last words contain just as much benevolence as Yu-Huang's merciful gesture, all but one appreciated the gesture.
“Thank you, my wise and merciful Emperor,” says Aiguo-Rachie.
“No more pain, thank you my son,” says Ching-Ti.
“You honour me, farewell my kind and wonderful child of the light,” says Chongkun.
“The Three Pure Ones smile upon you, at long last, peeeeaace,” says Chanming.
“Trrrraitorrrrrr,” croaks Yama, hanging onto life with his final bitter word.
Elder Priest Yama had clearly forgotten himself, and the reason why he was selected to live forever. Only those who are just, noble and merciful were to be selected to live beside Yu-Huang, lest they turn against him or the mortals upon the Emperor's eventual demise. Only a blade through their hearts would end their unnatural long lives, and since the Priests are forbidden to take their own lives they had no choice but to exist. But this last, hate-filled brand from Elder Priest Yama was hurtful and confusing, for even though his bond with Priest Yama was formal, Yu-Huang possessed nothing but love for the man who had taught him so much. Though his other four guardians were finally at peace, Yu-Huang felt he had made the right choice, and was confident in his decision to remove the Spell of Immortality indefinitely. The High Priests next in line for Yu-Huang's service frowned greatly upon this decision, as the condition of immortality was considered sacred to their title and vows. Eternal service to the Emperor and sacrosanct secrets of the unknown has always been considered as a perk of stature for a High Priest. But from that day forth the spell for unnatural long life has remained safely guarded from their practices of study. There would be a costly price for lifting the spell; Yu-Huang simply didn't know it yet. The Ministers had theories, but only mere pointless ramblings as to why he continues to enforce his decision regarding the forbidding of the eternal curse. This generation of Priests refuse to believe their Emperor cares too much for their order, and what they symbolise, and the older their vessels become, the more impatient and desperate they grow. Yu-Huang, forever choosing to see the best in everything and everyone, fails to recognise that 300 years of wanting what they cannot have has made some of them desperate. The Royal Ministers know, as sure as the day becomes night their mortal vessels will succumb to age, and will suffer the same fate as Yu-Huang's original guardians. Yu-Huang can sense the anger passed on from generation to generation and feels their wearing sense of envy stirring in their hearts. The Ministers know all too well the spell resides within Yu-Huang's grasp. The spell that Yu-Huang considers to be a curse and a cruelty due to his bitter experiences. It was the very first Ministers that cared for him as a child. It was the Elders that raised him as their own. A child could not have been given more love, care and attention, and he would continue to honour, cherish and respect their memories till his dying day. The question Yu-Huang has not even contemplated to ask himself, how far would some of them be willing to go to protect the Emperor from himself in these dire times, what reasons would they be willing to make, what excuses would they be willing to conjure.
“Master Yu-Huang, Master Yu-Huang, Master Yu-Huang!” yells Xunsu a third time.
Yu-Huang snaps out of his daydream to see Xunsu snapping her fingers before his face.
“Look at the view, you can see everything from up here,” says Xunsu, excitedly.
Yu-Huang smiles, grateful to be pulled from his deep thoughts, and even more appreciative to awake in Xunsu's loud and energetic company. The two wade in the stream, braving the current that could very well force the most sure footed over the edge. The two look out beyond the range of mountains, admiring the Huanghua city and surrounding districts kept safe behind the wall merging into the mountains below. Looking at the distant city so quiet and still, blinking amber in the dark of night is relaxing for Yu-Huang. He, and the people, had worked hard to make well their thriving society, and he realises just how far they had come.
“Look at it Xunsu, centuries of war and feuding kings. Were it not for our descendants we would not have a place to call home, were it not for their sacrifices, were it not for their hope,” says Yu-Huang, reflecting.
“What sacrifices Master Yu-Huang?” asks Xunsu.
“The loss of lives and innocence during the warring states. The struggle to prosper during the spring and autumn periods. Centuries of power struggles in the name of land and title. Elder Priest Aiguo-Rachie was the first King to relinquish his throne in favour of my leadership. Soon after, the other lords of the divided kingdoms followed his example, placing their trust in me alone. For peace, prosperity and the promise of a future free from tyranny,” says Yu-Huang.
“Why are we really here master? I may be a child but I am not a fool,” says Xunsu, sensing the severity in Yu-Huang's voice.
“I know you are not a fool Xunsu, you have not only ventured with me to learn the ways of Wushu.I wanted to show you how sacred life can be. Something bad happened to you my friend, you may never wish to speak of the wrong you have witnessed, but you are not alone in life, I will always be here for you,” says Yu-Huang.
“Even if I fail my training,” says Xunsu hopefully.
“Even if you fail your training,” assures Yu-Huang, smiling. “Let us make sure you do not,” adds Yu-Huang, sternly.
“I have learned much this past four seasons Master. I will no longer dishonour myself by stealing from others. What you have taught me, I will use for the will of good and those less fortunate,” says Xunsu, respectfully.
“Then let us begin,” says Yu-Huang, turning his back on the landscape.
“Now? I'm hungry and tired,” groans Xunsu.
“Then I suggest you pay close attention,” replies Yu-Huang,
Every so often Yu-Huang is required to remind himself that he isn't training a Jade soldier recruit, who surely would have been disciplined for such back chat.
“Xunsu, I refuse to explain every single detail every time I present you with a simple task. This disobedience and constant questioning ends now,” says Yu-Huang, lowering his face to hers.
“Yes Master Yu-Huang,” replies Xunsu.
Yu-Huang presents Xunsu with a scenario he never imagined he would have to depict to an apprentice in training.
“Should you find yourself in the midst of a battle, do you imagine your opponent staying his blade and granting you the courtesy of allowing you to eat a bowl of rice?” asks Yu-Huang, rhetorically.
Xunsu chuckles at
the image and at Yu-Huang's ability to create an amusing scenario out of the most serious.
“This is not a laughing matter child. For your insolence, you will catch enough fish from the stream to fill this basket, with your bare hands. Then you will prepare them for my supper. You will train hungry, thirsty, tired and wounded. Begin!” shouts Yu-Huang.
Xunsu resists the urge to scowl and begins her punishment. Ordinarily, it wouldn't take her very long to catch flying carp fish, but under the veil of darkness it takes her all night. Yu-Huang wakes to a grumpy Xunsu frying his supper and she passes him an iron plate of fish with a wide patronising smile, and Yu-Huang returns the gesture. Xunsu goes to sleep with her tummy rumbling that night, and Xunsu realises she'd best be more obedient, lest she go without food the following day. Xunsu wakes in the morning to the crackling and popping of eggs, and mushrooms and bacon frying on the campfire. Usually a penalised soldier would not be granted such a feast so soon after being disciplined, but Yu-Huang didn't have the heart to see her go hungry, and she will need her energy this day. Xunsu and Yu-Huang finish eating their food, and she rushes to wash the pots and plates without question. Upon returning, Yu-Huang stands before her wearing short slacks and a tunic of bands.