by Mark Swaine
“I think I owe you some form of nothing Priest,” replies Kamui Li sternly.
“Show some respect Priest, were it not for Kamui Li you would be feasting on live flesh and tripping over your own robe at this very minute,” says an Onna-Bugeisha named Chikako.
With Chung Denshi being put in his place by a woman no less, Chung Densi's fellow Ministers take the bait and gather around him as a show of force, supporting his request for an explanation with wicked judgement and conviction. Kamui Li remains silent looks to the Emperor to intervene on their line of questioning. The Ministers notice this exchange of unspoken words and demand of Yu-Huang an immediate gathering in the Gāo Fēng Temple, or House of Niu (Ox), where the Samurai will be 'guests' in their abode.
“This meeting must wait,” says Yu-Huang tiredly. “I must help my people, there is much to do, I must heal these lands, I must...” says Yu-Huang holding his head as he experiences a sudden bout of dizziness.
“The only thing you must do is rest my Emperor,” says the General, holding him up. “You are in no state to go wandering off,” adds the General.
“Master Yu-Huang, you must gather your strength, come to the House of Niu. Upon our arrival we discuss where our resources will be best dispatched throughout the territories, ‘tis the course of action the entire Ministry will be undertaking as soon as we arrive,” assures Chung Denshi.
“Emperor Yu-Huang, you reign victorious this day,” states the General.
“At the cost of thousands of innocent lives,” replies the Emperor.
“That is war, war is tragic ‘tis always the way,” says the General sternly. “Fear not, upon sunrise your forces will begin rebuilding the city,” assures the General.
“The fires still rage,” says the Emperor, smelling the smoky air.
“Come now,” says the General, aiding him to a horse.
General Arachie and Kamui Li command their soldiers to make haste throughout the city and eradicate any more infected before they rise. As Kamui Li is led away by armed escort on horseback, he is joined by an entourage of Ministers, the General and the Emperor. The journey to the Gāo Fēng temple is long, and the autumn season is clearly upon them as they ride through five chilly sunrises across the burning baron countryside. Dusks falls upon them on the sixth day and Kamui Li feels uneasy being so far from his people, he didn't even have a body count of his own deceased. For all he knows, Xan Li, Shun-Shiro and Akio are dead, or undead. There is so much work to be done, and he isn't looking forward to the Brotherhood's hospitality, and he hates the idea of having to explain himself to them. Kamui Li secretly frets how the Ministers will react to these revelations regarding his good friend Emperor Kazuko.
But above all else, he knows must be careful to not only hide the spell of Immortality from them, but the truth regarding his family tree. Kamui Li looks beside to Emperor Yu-Huang, solemn and quiet whilst looking upon the smoky smouldering hillside of burning crops and black charred cabins. As hard as he continues to try, Kamui Li can still not understand his devotion and loyalty to a clergy of cowards. Yu-Huang knows he must place his faith in the Ministers, for if he can't, their presence and purpose will spread a lie as far back as he can remember, and everything his five noble surrogate fathers had built will have been for nothing.
Yu-Huang knows they must be trusted with the truth if they are to not only maintain their faith in him, but the divine energy he shares with all living things. Would they accept these revelations regarding the Samurai as a test of wisdom, could they rise above their self important ideals to find a deeper meaning within their disappointment in order to feel enlightened, or would he be subjected to another night of bickering and pointless rants he wonders. General Arachie can also think of other places he'd rather be, checking in with the Jade captains around the cities, making surprise inspections, training in the Dojo and teaching his students the ways of Wushu, or going home to his wife who he hasn't set eyes upon in two seasons. The General does not know what to expect from this congregation, though given the friction between the Ministers and the Samurai, he isn't expecting a positive outcome from this gathering, but nor had he ever from any meeting previous to this day. The General tolerates these meetings, and the days he must reluctantly stay as their guest. The General already knows how this gathering will proceed, with constant griping and frequent whinging. Their matters are trivial to the General, and nothing more than an inconvenient chore distracting him from his real duties. The General knows he has not the luxury of admitting this aloud, but did not need to; his blank expressions and lack of words are always loud enough for all to heed when the meetings begin. General Arachie has always refused to waste time on those who care not to listen to the views of others, and they have always been self centred on the sound of their own voices, so why even bother contributing to an irrelevant debate. This attitude works in the favour of the Ministers who care not for his thoughts and opinions of a soldier. As long as he maintained the standard of the Royal Guard, they mostly stay well out of his way. For as little as cares for this gathering, he does hope Kamui Li possesses the intellect to defend himself from the intense and detailed questioning that he is sure to receive. The Ministers will take great delight in this occasion, and will revel in watching this leader of the Samurai squirm. They will cross examine, scrutinize and dissect every word he speaks until backing him into corner; the General only hopes he has nothing to hide. Huddling in groups at the front of the line of slow paced clopping horses, they conspire to shame the Samurai before Yu-Huang, great Master of the Divine. Beyond the horizon of the Niújiǎo (Cowhorn) moorlands, a wide hexagonal high rise structure based on a shallow grey cliff breaks into view. A formation of red circular pillars surround the wooden mezzanine ground floor atop the wide flight of steps visible beyond the large stables, and a winding river flows across the uneven verge of the craggy cliff. Kamui Li observes the imposing structure of the Gao Feng temple whilst admiring the red segmented roofing ascending up and outwards and curling in the corners. Separate wings extend outwards like ever reaching branches while various tiered monasteries occupied by meditating monks incite a sense of peace with their consistent gentle humming. Chung Denshi races ahead past Kamui Li to hail their arrival, and discreetly gives Kamui Li a simple piece of advice.
“Keep your answers short my friend,” says Chung Denshi before galloping onward.
Kamui Li is late to react to the Priest as he races down a steep hill leaving the tail of his green cape blowing in the wind. Kamui Li struggles to understand the unpredictable Priest.
“General, who is that Priest?” asks Kamui Li, discreetly,
“Minister Denshi, I chose him as an emissary to assist me on the bridge in an attempt to negotiate with you,” replies the General.
“I recall no such Priest on that cursed day. Minister Denshi failed to make his presence known on that occasion,”
“‘Twas not of his doing, my efforts to secure his attendance were sabotaged by Minister Jian-Heng,” says the General. “The fault is mine Samurai, I should have
addressed him directly,”
“Do you trust him?” asks Kamui Li.
“I trust in order, discipline and resolve,” replies the General frankly.
“Is that your way of saying you trust no one?” asks Kamui Li.
“My words hold no cryptic meaning, nor do I provide counsel regarding who may or may not hold worth of character,” replies the General.
“What of the merits of advice?” asks Kamui Li.
“Are you asking for advice?” asks the General.
“Yes, to better defend myself in a situation I am walking into blind,” replies Kamui Li.
“Leave your cryptic mind at the gates and not engage them in their mind games,” replies the General simply.
Kamui Li ponders more on Minister Denshi, whose life he saved not long before he began his public inquisition in the stadium. Only Peng Shi had noticed Chung Denshi's private proposal of guidance, and he sneers a small s
mile as the tail of his flapping cloak disappears down the hill. Even though Peng Shi was too far away to hear exactly what Chung Denshi said to the Samurai, it’s obvious to the sly Minister where Chung Denshi's allegiance lies. While the Ministers ponder on the Samurai's cross-examination, Peng Shi secretly vows to work on exposing Chung Denshi for what he is, a weak, disloyal, traitor. Upon their arrival, the large group of people dismount their horses and are escorted through the massive doorway of the Gāo Fēng temple, otherwise known as the House of Niu. Inside the enormous structure, Kamui Li appears surprised as he looks around the impressive interior. Spiral staircases intertwine in a labyrinth of narrow, lamp lit wooden steps leading to various studies and domiciles. This is home to the Royal Ministry, and this is their temple, and Kamui Li senses he is standing in enemy territory. Night falls upon the city and the wind howls upon the moors whilst whistling through the soldier guarded corridors leading to the hall chamber. The beam mounted torches flicker in the warm hall and the moonlight casts a well needed glow through the large shuttered openings in the high walls. The pale beam lights up a black octagonal iron cast table. Every man wishing to be heard takes a seat in the tall back rests of the wide and cushioned iron chairs.
Yu-Huang feels the dead cold of the table surface against his palms and feels the cold stares icing over Kamui Li's face as he takes a seat. Yu-Huang finds it difficult to focus on the problems at hand, for his mind is dealing with far more pressing dilemmas, questions he dare not even raise with the Ministry of High Priests. Not the riddle of the clumsy weaver girl, not the matter of the empty feeling inside his chest in the absence of the woman he can't get out of his mind, but the question of his fading powers and self doubt. The ultimate question as to whether or not he is destined to lose his divinity and fate his people to a life of undead slavery. Even though his divine essence yet remains, with every passing minute he feels his celestial spirit slipping away. One question need not an answer; did he want to be here to reassure these Ministers, these impatient ramblers that they face no threat of attack in the coming years? No, Yu-Huang had not the patience to hold their hands and indulge in their fears this night, especially after witnessing their spineless reactions to Hisako-Hisa's bribe earlier this day in the blood drenched stadium. These 'Loyal' Priests had shown their true colours, and it’s perfectly clear they would have offered up the lives of the very people who came to their aid in a time of need. The Samurai had served him well, but Yu-Huang is also concerned as to what secrets they or Kamui Li have been harbouring, for even though his ability to look into the past is sketchy at best, he senses a deep connection between him, Wing Shin and Hisako-Hisa. But whatever else Kamui Li is hiding, he need not question his loyalty; besides, the Black Dragon will tell him all he needs to know. As the maids bring a banquet of food to the table, the Ministers barely wait for the salvers to be laid before they begin stuffing their faces. Chung Denshi smiles discreetly at the maid Anming as she grazes his arm and smiles.
Yu-Huang looks at Chung Denshi in perturbed and surprised manner, and Chung Denshi's face returns to a formal and embarrassed expression as he pretends the moment never happened. Yu-Huang bares no grievance for any Priest wishing to leave the Brotherhood to create a life of greater meaning, providing they are true to their heart and not toying with the idea, and their vows. What the Ministers do not realise is Yu-Huang has never been able to understand the stigma of the mere mention of leaving the Brotherhood, he only assumes one would need to be a Priest to understand. Yu-Huang feels disappointed that Chung Denshi feels he must hide his love for this servant girl. If his feelings for this woman are half as strong as his for the woman in the orchard, then he is truly blessed and has all the faith he will ever need, and his blessing. But Chung Denshi is valuable to the Brotherhood, and his house has long remained the moral core for many young men aspiring to join the brotherhood. If only the others felt as strongly as Minister Denshi regarding the virtues of righteousness and honour, for if there is a Priest deemed worthy of the Curse of Eternal life, it is him. Yu-Huang now understands why the Great Emperor of Japan felt the need to bestow the curse of immortality upon certain members of the Samurai. 'Certain' now being the key word, for it is clear now that Emperor Kazuko chose which Samurai to turn immortal, Hisako-Hisa merely confirmed his original suspicions. Whoever trained Tatsu Kazuko in such magic had trained him well, and Kazuko had chosen his subjects even better. Perhaps, wonders Emperor Yu-Huang, it is time to reinstitute an old tradition, temporarily at least. The Samurai may be vulnerable to the undead curse, but they would never age, and in the absence of his power they have proved themselves a most formidable ally. Just as Minister Denshi, General Arachie and Liu Chan displayed great courage and skill in battle, perhaps there are more out there deserved of the opportunity to prove their worth. Perhaps if he'd reinstituted this old custom sooner, various other people who did not deserve to die in such a horrible, violent, and unnatural fashion, would be alive at this very moment.
Chung Denshi now faces a difficult choice, remain within the Brotherhood and be granted the cursed gift of immortality, or leave the Brotherhood forever to be with his secret beloved Anming. If these Ministers knew what Yu-Huang was thinking at this very moment, there would be anarchy and turmoil through the Houses of the Brotherhood, for he could not find one other amongst their ranks who possess the qualities required to live with the affliction of immortal life. This realisation makes Yu-Huang cross as he sees firsthand how far they had fallen; surely there are few who still possessed faith in him and their fellow man. Yu-Huang watches them doubtfully as they stuff their faces and slurp greedily on their wine. Smacking their mouths together and wiping their wrists on their mouths whilst tonguing tiny pieces of food stuck in the deep crevices of the teeth.With every chew he hears, he imagines lifting them by their collars and driving his head straight through their noses and breaking through the other side of their heads. The angering feeling wells inside Yu-Huang like an angry dog, and he feels this sensation manifest itself within his hand as it slowly forms a fist. For the first time in his life he felt pure anger; anger towards the Ministry; anger at himself and for no particular reason, anger at the world. Yu-Huang suddenly realises the impurity of his thoughts and loosens his shaking fist to lay it flat on the table. Chung Denshi observes the Emperor's strange behaviour and ignores it, hopeful that his brothers affinity for surveillance remains docile long enough for the Emperor's anxiety to pass. General Arachie tucks into his plate of food, the only consolation prize for attending this meeting, for if the Ministers had one quality, it’s how to lay a feast. Being the only guest who hadn't lost his appetite, he digs into a giant braised spicy turkey leg. Eating like a soldier whose mess time was of the essence, he hardly even looks up and the food barely touches the sides of his mouth. The Emperor grimaces at the over bearing banquet before him, having not the stomach or the appetite to eat, knowing that many of his people are without food, water and shelter.
Kamui Li pacifies the Priests by indulging in their currently warm hospitality and indulging in their offerings as to show respect. The Emperor knows what they are doing, just as he knows that Chung Denshi's apparent contempt for Kamui Li is nothing but a ruse. Bored by their theatrics and simply concerned for his people, Yu-Huang sits silently whilst flicking a blackberry around the bowl of his bronze platter. How would the people trust him after this attack he wonders, how will he defend his people from another, if not stronger attack if he failed this one so horribly. It was only by sheer luck he caused the phenomena his soldiers spoke of, a work of magic unconsciously cast in a moment of desperation. For the first true time in his life he needs counsel; words of sense that will place him on the path to answers. The words of the Ministry had not the wisdom to aid him any longer, not any more. Only the Black Dragon beheld such wisdom and infinite patience, only the dragon can reveal the nature of this green phenomenon that he apparently cast upon the city. The Black Dragon will not be pleased to see him, but then, the dragon is never plea
sed to see anybody. Nevertheless, answers are needed and the dragon is wise, and the black scaled beast has an answer for everything. This thought alone already puts Yu-Huang a little more at ease, so he turns to the attention of the High Ministers now sat in silence staring through him. He looks at each one of their patronising smiles and decides to listen to them from the Spell of the Tongue, for he would prefer not to hear them lie in his native dialect. Chung Denshi appeals to his brothers' sense of self-importance by sneering at Kamui Li, then gestures to the variety of blades sheathed in his Obi.
“May I take your weapons Master Samurai?" asks Chung Denshi, pompously.
“My weapons never leave my side, Priest,” replies Kamui Li with furrowed brows.
Kamui Li observes the ostentatious tone in Chung Denshi's voice and watches him smirk behind his goblet as he raises it to his mouth. Chung Denshi accepts the approval of his fellow Priests as they smirk at his attempt to belittle the Samurai, only Peng Shi's smile was one of cunning as he sees through Chung Denshi's tricks. With the Ministers fed and content, Chung Denshi addresses the first and most important act of business.
“My friends, fellow Ministers, before we address the matter of the Samurai let us turn our attention to a matter that demands our attention here and now. Upon sunrise the bird coops will be filled with requests for aid, materials, food and grain. Let us not fail in our duties to the people and have supplies ready to dispatch,” says Minister Denshi.