Chapter 04 Part 01 - b.l.o.o.d.y
Chapter 04 Part 01 - b.l.o.o.d.y
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“This is incredible!” Luo Jie was amazed by the impressiveness and solemnity of the Conference Hall. As a Banner Master, Luo Jie was attending House ZiChuan"s High Ranking Military Conference for the first time. The place was simply magnificent, and was designed to accomodate over a thousand high ranking officers. Superior red carpet and walls covered with hundreds of lively sculptures; the high roof, with countless crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling like stars in the night sky, was a sight to behold.
“How big is this place?” Bai Chuan asked Stirling, who was seated next to her at the table.
Stirling smiled back: “I have no idea. But there is a legend, telling of a Banner Master who once came here with his entire infantry division. The Banner Master was late, and by the time he arrived, he couldn’t find anyone. So he left. The next day, his subordinates told him that his entire division, over three thousand men, had been waiting for him in the left corridor of the hall…
“Yo!” Chang Chuan called: “The banner in the middle… the handsome looking one… Who is that long-haired idiot in the large portrait?!”
“Watch your mouth! That is the founder of the house, His Excellency ZiChuan Yun!”
“Huh? Where did Master Xiu go?”
“Master Xiu, why are you cowering in the corner?”
“Oh, I thought I would pry some of the decorative gold off the wall, but it is surprisingly well-fitted…”
……
ZiChuan Xiu looked around. The conference had yet to start; over a thousand high ranking officers were spread about the hall, chatting or strolling. He turned to Stirling: “Isn’t your Imperial Guard on security duty today?”
Stirling smiled: “You really think Yang Ming Hua would leave the security of this place to me? The constables from the Ministry of Supervision are the ones in charge of the security.”
ZiChuan Xiu nodded. Inspector General – Xiao Long had always maintained neutrality. He was the only one if being in charge of security both parties would be able to accept.
……
An officer greeted ZiChuan Xiu as he approached: “Long time no see, Xiu!”
ZiChuan Xiu turned around: “Sir De Lei, it has been a long time indeed.”
De Lei was the Deputy Commander of the Black Banner Army. They had fought side by side six years ago during the counter attack against House Liu Feng. Smiling, De Lei introduced his son, Banner Master De Ke to ZiChuan Xiu: “This is my kid, De Ke. It’s his first time being invited to a place like this. He still has much to learn from Sir Xiu and Sir Stirling.”
De Ke was pretty much still in his teens, with barely any beard growth around his lips. He seemed a little bit shy and introverted. He quickly gave ZiChuan Xiu and Stirling a military salute, but didn’t quite know the right words for the occasion, so he cracked a simple, but honest smile instead.
Stirling commended: “Such a spirited lad, I’m sure he has a great future ahead of him!”
ZiChuan Xiu gave an evil grin: “He is quite a handsome devil, isn’t he; almost as good looking as I am. Sir De Lei, are you sure he is yours? I have my doubts!”
De Lei laughed: “When we remove that silver tongue of yours, we will have rid ourselves of most of the wickedness in this place!”
“Most? Where is the rest?”
“Well, you will have to ask our most honourable Supreme Commander for that!”
They each gave the other a knowing smile, before De Lei excused himself to talk to the other high ranking officers.
……
The bell rang and the conference began. On the podium sat the six commanders: Luo Ming Hai, Ge Ying Xing, Lei Xun, Fang Jin, Ming Hui and Pi Gu. But the seats of Supreme Commander and Headmaster remained empty. It had been a long time since Headmaster ZiChuan Shen Xing last attended a major conference, therefore no one really expected him to be here this time either.
On top of the podium, Yang Ming Hua appeared on time, but what startled both ZiChuan Xiu and Stirling was that he showed up together with Di Lin who sat down somewhere in the middle. Di Lin had returned, but he had yet to make contact… Their eyes met, and they both could sense the worry brewing in the other’s eyes.
Yang Ming Hua went and took his seat under the great portrait of ZiChuan Yun, the one reserved only for the Headmaster of the House. He was smiling, as if that was the most natural thing in the world.
A wave of uneasiness spread across the hall. Many high ranking officers stared at Yang Ming Hua in disbelief as the same thought surged through their mind: Has he gone mad?
ZiChuan Xiu whispered to Stirling: “He is paving the path for his coup!”
“Yep!” Stirling said: “At the same time, he wants to find out if anyone dares to oppose him!”
Suddenly, the door at the main entrance opened wide and Headmaster ZiChuan Shen Xing’s shadow appeared behind it.
The air in the conference hall was immediately replaced by a cloud of uneasiness as all the officers saw ZiChuan Shen Xing’s body quivering at the sight of the open provocation. Yang Ming Hua on the other hand, was very calm and had no intention whatsoever of standing up… The awkward silence seemed like it would last for an eternity.
A kick against the floor later, ZiChuan Shen Xing turned around and went back out of the door.
Almost everyone let out a sigh in relief, counting themselves lucky that no conflict arose on the spot, that the hollow peace could continue its course and that they weren’t forced to pick a side then and there…
Stirling’s tightly clenched fist shook violently… “He should be ashamed if his master had to worry, and he should die if his master was put to shame.”[[1]] He would not stand for the humiliating insult directed at his Master; he would die if it meant the death of Yang Ming Hua… But a firm hand was placed in time on his shoulder, keeping him at bay. ZiChuan Xiu’s spoke with a calming voice: “Stay alive, you have much to do still!”
……
Yang Ming Hua began his speech: “Fellow officers, let’s begin the annual High Ranking Military Conference…” As if nothing had happened, he announced the opening statement.
“Sir Supreme commander, I’m sorry, but I think you are sitting on the wrong seat…”
Everyone instantly turned their head towards the source of the disturbance – it was a shy young Banner Master still in his teens. Both ZiChuan Xiu and Stirling were shocked… It was De Lei’s kid, De Ke.
“Oh.” Yang Ming Hua gave him a frown: “I don’t think we have met; I’m sitting on the wrong chair, you say?”
It was De Ke’s first time speaking in front of such audience, and criticising a figure of authority no less… His anxiety made his words come out in a stutter: “I’m De Ke, Banner Master from the Black Banner Army… I’m not trying to criticize you Sir; I meant nothing by it… I’m sure it was just an honest mistake… But in my humble opinion, you should make way for the Headmaster, Sir. In the end, rules are rules…”
His father, De Lei got on his feet almost instantly and scowled at him: “De Ke, are you mad? What are you even saying?! Apologize to the Supreme Commander and sit back down!”
“It is fine. Banner Master – De Ke, I know you mean well, but please do not interrupt the proceedings again. This is a very serious occasion!” With that, Yang Ming Hua gave Di Lin a look; his intention was clear and terrifying at the same time.
“Of course! I would like to apologize for my intrusion earlier…” De Ke apologized hurriedly with his reddened cheeks… He didn’t even know why he had to apologize…
He was not allowed to finish, as a narrow long blade pierced his youthful, warm and broad chest with lightning precision, and it was retracted just as fast, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. He watched dumbfounded at the mark of blood slowly expanding across his chest. When he looked back up at Di Lin, who slowly wiped away the blood staining his blade, De Ke’s eyes widened in disbelief of what he just saw… and then, from where he stood, he fell… even then his dilated pupils were still so full of youthfulness and yearning…
His Father, Deputy Commander – De Lei roared in anger as he leaped towards Di Lin, but before he could even take a single step, a heavy palm landed on his back, sending blood gushing from his lungs. “Bam.” He dropped to the floor; he probably wouldn’t be alive for much longer. Lei Xun had somehow made his way next to him, and thanks to his Storm Technique, the blow was fatal.
Shouts exploded throughout the hall; officers couldn’t believe what they just witnessed. Yang Ming Hua’s men openly executed two of their fellow officers, De Lei and De Ke, two high ranking officers of House ZiChuan!
A few Officers from the Black Banner Army instantly rose to their feet…
“Boom!” Thunder boomed across the Conference hall, temporarily stunning everyone caught up in the blast. Lei Xun stood proudly in the center, his body acting like the eye of the storm as air swirled around him, spinning faster and faster. Those who stood near him couldn’t even keep their eyes open, much less remain on their feet. Not even the locks could bear the terrifying pressure, “Bang!” and the entrance doors were blown wide open. Yet, even more shocking, it made him float in midair. Looking down from above, his intense killing intent quickly engulfed the entire hall, and that was the peak form of his powerful Storm Technique.
……
Stirling murmured to himself: “Not bad for the number one warrior of House ZiChuan!”
ZiChuan Xiu twitched his mouth to one side: “Yeah, he is more like a fan. The way he hangs in midair, let’s call him a ceiling fan from now on!”
Every officer present was overwhelmed by Lei Xun’s display of force, and unable to retaliate.
Yang Ming Hua stood high up on the podium, scanning the faces in front of him with his imposing gaze, as if he was trying to find out if there was another idiot who would step up and oppose him… But no one dared to look into his threatening eyes, not even ZiChuan Xiu or Stirling, as they averted their eyes unconsciously…
“So when brutality reaches a certain peak, it could become a form of authority.” Stirling’s mind was in pain, the look of that young lad’s widened eyes the moment he died kept reappearing before him. He would not rest in peace. “Di Lin, how could you?!”
……
“Good, let’s proceed.” Yang Ming Hua declared.
And there was silence.
Yang Ming Hua smiled in satisfaction, thinking: Bunch of degenerates, if I don’t scare them a little, they just might forget their place!”
“Next…”
“I object!” A feminine voice interrupted his speech.
“I accuse Far Eastern Army Deputy Commander – Di Lin of premeditated murder against Black Banner Army Banner Master – De Ke!”
“I accuse Central Army Commander – Lei Xun of premeditated murder against Black Banner Army Deputy Commander – De Lei!”
“I accuse Supreme Commander Yang Ming Hua of being the mastermind behind both of these cold-blooded murders. He must be held responsible!”
“I, Banner Master – Bai Chuan and a.s.sistant at the Administrative Office, bring my accusation to the Inspector General – Xiao Long. I will take full responsibility for all my actions!”
Bai Chuan’s clear and, due to her nervousness, slightly trembling feminine voice echoed in the silent conference hall.
Over a thousand brave men were gathered at the Annual High Ranking Military Conference of House ZiChuan, and all of them were to put shame by the courage and integrity of a young woman.
……
The conference took place on March 26th, Year 779 of the Imperial Calender. That day would forever be known as the “b.l.o.o.d.y Night of Di Du”. The river of blood flowing in the Conference hall would soon rejoin the great sea later that night, drowning everyone who stood in its way…
House ZiChuan’s hundred years of heroism and anguish, would begin its first chapter that crimson night.
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[[1]] It is a famous saying describing the proper conduct of a King’s subject. “臣闻之，为人臣者，君忧臣劳，君辱臣死”