Jiang Kui turned to look at Xie Wuyan.
He shook his head. “I didn’t know about this.”
Master Du placed the spear and sword on the table, resting them lightly together. As the blade and spearhead made faint contact, both weapons began vibrating imperceptibly, giving off a low thrumming resonance. The sound echoed between aged walls, as if conveying some long-buried lament spoken only for them…carrying their thoughts adrift into distant realms of memory.
Sitting at the table on a weathered wooden chair, Master Du unsheathed a vintage pipe tucked in his waistband. Striking up tinder, he lit the tobacco with slow patience. Curls of smoke unfurled lazily through the musty air while he gazed deeply into their hypnotic eddies, sinking gradually into old recollections.
Amidst the pungent fragrance both disciples held respectful silence, waiting dutifully for their master to speak first.
“Blades forged from the same crucible will hum in sympathy when they meet,” he rasped at last.
“This spear and sword – crafted by master weaponsmiths of the conquered Southern dynasty from eons past… Over a hundred years now, since its fall to our current empire.”
His hoarse voice seemed almost to echo from someplace far away. “Once belonging to a pair of martial brothers who walked the martial world together during that regime’s glorious peak, rising to the pinnacle of renown before eventually establishing their respective schools that dominate to this day.”
More tobacco smoke curled ponderously through the dim interior. “Then several years later as the old dynasty declined and our empire swept north in conquest, for the first time differences arose between the sworn brothers… One was determined to defend while the other chose to rebel. The brother who wielded sword remained loyal unto death, yet the spear-bearer cast his lot early with our founding emperor instead.”
Master Du exhaled heavily. “With the dynasty’s collapse the split turned irrevocable – their schools becoming implacable enemies thereafter.”
His piercing gaze lowered. “So the legacy has continued down these hundred years since… The Sword sect activity confined mainly toward the south, ever seeking to revive the fallen regime. While the Spear throw their full support behind our throne, dispatching disciples to Chang’an that we may continue expanding imperial territory.”
“Over twenty years ago now…” He looked toward the girl standing silently beside the table, as if seeing someone else from ephemera long turned to smoke and memory. “I brought your mother here, our Spears in hand.”
Something unreadable seemed to flicker briefly in those dark pupils ringed by thick lashes.
“I never told you my surname,” he confessed heavily. “It’s Murong.”
“My mother’s surname was also Murong…” Jiang Kui echoed very softly.
He gave a short nod, relighting his pipe almost agitatedly. “Our names were conferred upon joining the school.” A brief pause, and even softer— “A’Lian was my senior martial sister.”
Rough voice cracking subtly over the final words. Master Du gazed sightlessly at wisping smoke, the wistful air carrying lingering notes now vanished forevermore.
A sudden vivid memory overtook the girl of the quiet rainy morning she had first become his disciple…
The General’s estate had been oddly empty then, father and brothers all away reviewing troops at border encampments. Venturing into the ancestral shrine she had snuck out her favorite possession, a handsome pearwood spear, standing beneath sheltering eaves silently watching sheets of rain transform courtyards into tranquil pools, alone but for trusted companion in hand providing solid comfort.
Something about the lustrous hue and satiny smooth shaft always filled her equally with warmth and courage. During such rare moments of solitude she would indulge in snuggling close to beloved treasure, fancying the stout length an intimate confidante.
That day a solitary wayfarer approached through the downpour — face obscured by rain hat and nondescript bundles strapped to his back marking a wandering martial artist passing by chance, one indifferent glance spared the young girl clutching a spear nearly her own height.
She thought his steps paused briefly in surprise, before a low inscrutable chuckle.
“You think me funny?” the little maiden immediately demanded, puffing both cheeks up in affront.
Halting before her, the stranger subjected the petite speaker to lengthy wordless scrutiny instead.
“What striking eyes on one so young, girl,” he finally spoke, gravelly voice kind. “Might you consider taking this old man as your master that I may teach you spear?”
All she comprehended of his murmur was the offer of companionship in the art she cherished most. Gazing warily up at this sudden benefactor through translucent sheets of rain, limpid pupils glowed as bright as dawn’s first light…
Thereafter for over a decade she had walked the martial world with spear in hand and conical hat atop her head, just as another female warrior named A’Lian traversing landscapes wide under the same tutelage long ago.
In the seat of shared silence Master Du watched smoke plumes diffuse into nothingness. “You always used to come here pilfering my wine stash… That old clay flask you favor so much was originally A’Lian’s.”
Another heavy sigh emerged. “I was right by her side on battlefield slopes near Shu over a decade ago.”
Jiang Kui whispered almost inaudibly, “Father said…she died in combat.”
“This old disability of mine also stems from the same campaign,” he grunted bitterly. “Blocking a lethal palm strike aimed for her back — the notorious Luo Sha technique which vanished shortly after. I later caught wind it was the work of someone highly placed, who arranged the ambush out of jealousy toward your household’s military influence.”
“It has to have been Elder Gong’s Northern Faction,” deduced Xie Wuyan grimly. “The current Supervisory Eunuch over palace bodyguards happens to be Luo Sha’s sole surviving practitioner.”
Master Du nodded gravely toward him. “Since you’re bound for Huainan, consider this related in warning.”
“I know precisely what needs to be done.” Icy resolve infused Xie Wuyan’s accents. “Huainan itself holds my purpose for this trip.”
With another approving dip of his chin Master Du set aside the pipe and rose to stand before both disciples. “Jiang Xiaoman!”
“Sir!” The girl by the table immediately straightened in alert attention.
“Every day before departing the capital, you will train vigorously with me here on spear forms.” His stare bored into her. “The chaos of war bears no semblance to arena bouts. You must learn authentic battle instinct.”
“Understood.” She nodded quickly.
“And you…” The stern gaze shifted onto his other pupil. “Get yourself upstairs and onto that cot, it’s time I examined your injuries again.”
Meek as a lamb, the compliant disciple gathered up a jug of medicinal brew before sweeping aside a beaded curtain divider, heading toward the second-floor chamber.
Twilight slowly enrobed the city by the time both disciples finally left their old haunt. Pausing atop towering palace ramparts under soft vernal winds, they lingered a while silently shoulder-to-shoulder absorbing endless skies awash in streams of molten fire.
“I heard about mother’s past for the first time today,” said Jiang Kui.
Wordless, he gathered the pensive girl into his arms, inviting her to rest against him. “You must miss her deeply,” he murmured.
“Mm-hmm.” She sighed softly. “Still so little when she passed. Can barely remember anything of her anymore.”
Nuzzling closer after a spell, she peered up to ask: “Regarding your lady mother…you already knew of her ties to the southern Sword sect, yes?”
He tensed subtly. “I’ve spent years investigating the truth.”
“My guess is she was originally dispatched on some covert assassination mission or the like,” he theorized quietly. “Though who knows how it came about that she crossed paths with my father instead… He was merely an unfavored prince at the time. I presume some affection developed between them, otherwise I likely wouldn’t exist…”
Bitterness tinged his distant gaze toward crimson horizon lines. “By all rights of enmity they should have stood squarely opposed. Her Sword brethren wishing the destruction of my father’s realm which she had infiltrated, yet she somehow bore the empire’s child and paid with her life in consequence…”
Haunted eyes seemed to reflect dying embers through pupils ringed in shadowed soot. “In her final moments I imagine only hatred filled her heart, thinking my father complicit in the poisoning — or at minimum turned willfully blind toward her plight.”
“After she perished he seemed…obsessed with preserving her remains.” The whispered confession was nearly inaudible amidst their hair stirring in the soft winds. “That coffin of mystic ice from the farthest northern wastes, encasing her perpetually on the cusp of expiring…”
Jiang Kui blinked. “It was for protecting her…corpse?” She spoke the last word tentatively.
He confirmed bleakly, “I’ve glimpsed her lying inside before. A sword pinning her heart in place – father said it was a key stabilizing anchor that must never be removed, else she would truly die.”
With a mirthless headshake he demurred, “Ten years of magical stasis promised by that legendary Kunlun Mountain casket, just pretty falsehoods in the end. About a decade ago I watched mother’s remains collapse into fine dust before my very eyes.”
“The same year…” Memory sparked within her as well. “…When imperial decree ordered the destruction of your maternal Starfrost Sect.”
“Indeed.” He gave a listless nod. “In father’s eyes the verdict no doubt enacted petty vengeance against everything she represented. Toward the woman herself however I believe he genuinely grieved. Still refusing to accept her loss after so long, thus creating an elaborate fantasy where she might open her eyes again one day…”
Faint exhalations misted from his lips to dissipate like extinguished hopes. “Yet despite every extreme attempt otherwise, the dead cannot awaken. She had slipped irrevocably beyond his desperate grasp.”
Eyelids drifted shut, veiling infinite sorrow. “For those of us still drawing breath…death always exacts far too steep a price.”
Wordlessly she tightened both arms, feeling the strange numb ache of his soul – silently churning currents bleeding into darker depths.
So much relentless grief lately, with scarcely opportunity permitted them for mourning amidst endless pressing demands. He seemed bowed beneath the tremendous invisible weight, anguish threatening to buckle his proud frame completely as she supported him tenderly, refusing to let him fall.
Gently she transitioned topics in hope of distraction: “I was just thinking…your lady mother resided in Flourishing Fortune Borough too. My own mother traveled there as well during her youth. Perhaps at chance they even became acquainted?”
These fanciful musings brought a flicker of life, kindling wistful imagination. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful had they instead turned the closest of companions! Roaming the realm arm-in-arm much like those legendary sworn brothers of old… Then none of the cruel twists of fate might have transpired.”
Her voice grew soft yet fervently sincere. “Just picture if we had met when very small. Growing into the most formidable warriors together, slaying all the villains and tyrants responsible for such senseless tragedy! Thus ushering in an era of lasting peace and harmony for all…”
These beautifully innocent dreams teased his lips into a melancholy smile.
“We could have voyaged the breadth of the land with no duties to constrain our steps.” Her vision carried them further into idyllic realms. “Seeing the world transformed into a paradise kept safe by our own hands.”
“That does sound a fine dream indeed,” he conceded gently.
Yet their stolen moments had measured brief as the transient sunset subsiding swiftly into nightfall, like the fleeting days of high summer escaping too soon. Side by side atop palace heights they made many hopeful wishes toward the departing sun. Some already granted, others destined to remain mere fanciful conjecture…
For the dead can never walk again.
When autumn winds stirred the flowing Wei, the Crown Prince marched on Huainan at the head of thirty thousand men.
Down the snaking Yellow River their armada plunged through rapids, air thick with bellowing warhorns piercing the heavy mists while mounted troops faced stolid east toward a slowly kindling dawn.
Arriving at the Huainan border camp, soldiers lined up in orderly rows all turned to hail their commander striding tall and indomitable before seas of waving crimson banners. His measured words echoed command absolute:
“Where hides the loose-lipped viper commissioned as Regional Overseer?”
Emerging swiftly from the rear vanguard, the officious Superintendent eunuch approached with authority, swaying ox-tail standard glinting ruthless as spear tips under brilliant sunlight. Despite oozing obsequiousness he dared counter the frigid addressing: “To what does Your Highness refer? I carry the Son of Heaven’s golden tablet and act solely on holy decree…”
Deigning no response, the Crown Prince inclined his head almost lazily. On cue two guards stepped forth, brutally seizing the sputtering official by both arms and forcibly confiscating his badge of office along with other visible symbols denoting rank and privilege.
“Your Highness! What is the meaning of this unauthorized treatment!” Shrill cries of outrage resounded from the captive held immobile between two expressionless men. “I am here under holy decree, bearing the emperor’s golden tablet – !”
“By supreme command you are hereby stripped of all authority over military affairs, pending interrogation on charges of suspected treason through interfering communications and tactical planning.” Xie Wuyan pronounced remote judgment over whining protestations. “Escort him under guard to the capital this instant.”
The disgraced officer disappeared under heavy escort without another glance spared him. After watching the shifting array seamlessly reform ranks Xie Wuyan turned toward the main command tent, General Jiang emerging to exchange brief bows before following him inside.
No sooner had formalities completed when a veritable explosion of green darted through ranks of armored soldiers, grabbing Jiang Kui’s hands in unrestrained delight. “Elder sister! We meet again after so long!”
Despite herself Jiang Kui smiled indulgently, giving the overenthusiastic girl a fond pat. “Still your irrepressible self I see, Little Qing.” Glancing briefly past messy bangs, she inquired more seriously: “Father and brothers faring well?”
“All in prime spirits!” the ever-ebullient Xiaoqing assured brightly. “Second brother Jiang Feng just took his cavalry contingent out on patrol so he’s not in camp presently. Our lord father ran himself rather ragged earlier but has cheered up considerably upon this happy reunion.”
Her blithe chattering took on sympathetic notes then. “He still worries for m’lady’s safety on the front lines of course…it is wartime after all, and fierce fighting inevitable.”
Jiang Kui gave an unladylike snort. “As if he knows the slightest about my intervening years conquering the martial realm!”
Xiaoqing stuck out her tongue while trying unsuccessfully to smother more giggles. “We’re all tremendously grateful to His Highness for ousting that vexatious Superintendent by the way! Consecutive losses recently stemmed from his undermining authority and blocking communications. With soldiers divided it was impossible mustering sufficient force for unified offensives…thus defeat after crushing defeat.”
“His impropriety constituted exactly why the Crown Prince personally joined this expedition,” Jiang Kui affirmed grimly. “To nip treachery and enforce rightful command.”
Hefting her tall spear meaningfully, she declared: “Presently I hold deputy general’s rank, thus will take the field beside everyone else during battle.”
Xiaoqing immediately sprang into a smart salute. “I shall guard m’lady’s noble back with my worthless life!”
Just then clarion warhorns pealed through the wakening dawn, accompanied by deafening drums.
“Second brother returns!” Xiaoqing whooped ecstatically.
One by one the main gates swung open at the fanfare admitting a mounted force led by Jiang Feng astride a massive destrier. Springing down he marched toward them, baritone hailing like physical force. “Dearest sister! A joyful reunion!”
Wincing, Jiang Kui grumbled aside, “As loud as ever…”
Behind her the command tent entrance swept aside, admitting Xie Wuyan swathed in a luxurious fox-fur mantle. Stepping forth he offered Jiang Feng formal bow of kinship. “Brother-in-law. Might you escort me on an inspection of the forward camps?”
Impeccable cultured tones belying the polite request. Hurriedly Jiang Feng whipped back a textbook salute then led over an imposing charger. “Mount here, Your Highness.”
The trio trotted abreast on horseback through endless military encampment while soldiers uniformly swiveled to bow respectfully toward Xie Wuyan smiling and nodding in return, vivid scarlet robes fluttering proudly under brisk winds.
At the farthest perimeter countless vibrant standards lashed aggressively as roiling breakers amidst the tumult, ranks beyond ranks bristling with spears stretching boundless toward the horizon. Directly opposite, only enemy tents lay similarly arrayed – though parchment-thin barriers seemed solely erected as sparse defense against scrutiny behind them…
Abruptly deafening war-drums exploded from opposing lines as all at once endless streams of riders poured forth, banners brandishing wildly amidst roiling dust clouds from legions of marching iron-shod boots. High atop a tower their forces raised blood-red ensign marked by ancient runes — long abolished symbol utilized solely by those declaring open rebellion against the throne!
A blatant challenge flung back defiant toward greater numbers and doubtless superior arms.
Leave a Reply