Chapter 12: THE FIRST STRIKE

"A THOUSAND BLESSINGS AND MANY THOUSAND more be poured upon thee, thou who art the reigning Son of Heaven," began Famin Jie along with other honorifics addressed to the young ruler of the Middle Kingdom.

"The loyal subjects of this court have told me you deliver a message of divine importance, one that would determine the fate of my empire and its entire people. Take great care with the words that would roll from your mouth for the time that slips away moment by moment is precious and I have not the pleasure of engaging in meaningless conversation," said the emperor with utmost seriousness. Famin Jie bowed once more and began to speak the message.

"Your Imperial Majesty, what I am to tell you is not of my own thought, but was entrusted to me by that which is infinitely higher. A time of great trials has come to the Middle Kingdom; it was perceived by those who came long before me. What has unfolded upon your shores and upon your land is but the beginning of our great sorrows. Should this chain of events be left to continue, it would be the end of the Middle Kingdom and the end of all nations of this world. The time for the return of the Way to govern the hearts of men has come, for as the sages of old once lamented its great loss, from this day forth we shall rejoice in the beginning of the path to its restoration. Our newfound enemies are but a worldly manifestation of a great evil that roars in a realm unseen by the eyes of man. In that unseen realm burns a great battle in spirit. Hear this, O great emperor; Heaven had once favored our mighty nation in the days of old, but woe unto us who have forgotten the infinite expanse of the sovereignty of Shang Di! The people most go back to the ways of old, when Heaven's wisdom guided the Sage Kings and when the great Way nourished the people. For in this alone does our hope lie and it must begin with you, Emperor of the mighty Ming Dynasty. The Middle Kingdom must become right with Heaven."

The Emperor rose from his seat and carefully examined Famin Jie who had kept his head bowed throughout the message's delivery. Emperor Zhu Youcheng looked puzzled and somewhat irritated as he massaged his forehead. He descended from his throne and approached the old hermit. "What are you even saying? By what authority can you make such outlandish claims? You claim that Heaven has sent you this to warn me of what is and what is to come. Prove it to me or you will be punished for wasting my time," he scolded.

So it was for Famin Jie who was burdened with the revelation of truth to the Hongzhi Emperor. Having no power of his own, he did the only thing he could do. He closed his eyes and under his breath whispered a prayer of petition. He whispered it inaudibly.

"Great and mighty Heaven, open the eyes of the man whom You have ordained to serve," Famin Jie prayed. The dark clouds rolled in the following moments, as if brought forth by a mighty rushing wind. Thunder and rain set over the capital and a powerful supernatural vision came to the emperor, and it brought him to his knees as he began to weep. What he saw was of a great mystery to everyone who stood in his court as they watched in shock of the Emperor's dramatic response. The vision shook the emperor to the very core of his being. His face shifted drastically from one expression to another, changing swiftly from astonishment and awe, to fear and trembling. The final expressions to come across his face however, were peace, assurance, and great relief. What he had seen was beyond what could be written with words, but Famin Jie knew that what the emperor beheld was a majestic revelation of truth granted to his eyes- a divine response to the sincerity of his heart to seek the truth.

It was a supernatural occurrence that Scholars present in the court could not understand. They were rather alarmed at the emperor's unexpected reaction to the hermit's words. Shang Jian looked concernedly at Lu Guanying and was eager to arrest Famin Jie for the disturbance. The Capital Guards turned their heads in unison to the commotion and even lowered the stance of their weapons. They were hesitant to take action without a command from the emperor.

The emperor could not even begin to open his eyes for they have been saturated with the supernatural revelation as it passed over them. Full expression with mere words is vain, but although his experience took place within court, he was taken as it were, to the beginning and the end of things, the outcomes of righteousness and evil, and to the infinite expanse of the cosmos and dominions in the planes that could not be seen by human eyes alone.

"I am Zhu Youcheng!" he cried as he tore the golden robes upon his chest, "the emperor who has undeservedly called his reign Hongzhi, the Good Government! I am overwhelmed with such unimaginable awe for I have seen that which man has not the capacity to behold with mortal eyes! I am but a flake of dust in the presence of a mighty mountain. Let me be an instrument for the obedience to the transcendent will of Heaven for there is no greater purpose for man to pursue." He continued to weep, utterly humbled by the vision that was granted upon him, though he could not completely comprehend it. "The whole empire must know of this truth: Darkness has descended upon the world, and Heaven is our only hope for deliverance. The devils that lie in wait for us must be destroyed through our obedience to Heaven."

The Scholars were dumbstruck at the emperor's proclamation and were most curious with had just taken place. They rushed to his side to help him off his feet while he was yet able to see. Shang Jian ordered the guards to arrest Famin Jie.

"Guards, arrest the intruder for acts of sorcery against the emperor!" Shang Jian cried.

"No, leave him, for he has committed no crime. His coming is not an accident. I have seen the truth of our crisis and now the truth alone. From this point forward, this man shall have a place by my side in the court," declared Emperor Zhu Youcheng.

Though concerns among the Scholars grew, they were satisfied at the moment to know that their emperor was bent on destroying the Terukk once and for all. With Famin Jie however, they have become greatly suspicious.

"I want that Famin guy under strict surveillance. From this point forward I demand a record of all his comings and goings. Assign a Senior Academician to keep eyes on him at all times. Tell him, it's a personal guard," ordered Lu Guanying. Lu Guanying and Wu Chan were greatly distrusting of Famin Jie for they did not understand what he had "done" to the emperor to invoke such a dramatic reaction. They had no choice but to honor the emperor's wishes and were compelled to comply with the developments happening in the court.

Of all the ceremonies an emperor performed, there was none more sacred, profound, elaborate and magnificent than the Border Sacrifice. It first began during the Xia Dynasty where the kings of old presented forth lavish offerings and a sacrificial beast as a display of penance, praise, and petition towards Shang Di whom they later called 'Heaven'. The ceremony was essentially a physical outward representation of what occurred in the hearts of the people. On behalf of all the realm, kings and emperors performed this ceremony to redeem the nation before Heaven so that favor and blessing would remain upon them. Just as the Way had been lost, however, so too did the meaning of the Border Sacrifice. For almost one thousand five hundred years, long lines of emperors have conducted the ceremony with improper meaning, largely deviating from the way it had been done in ancient times. It was not until the rise of the great Ming Dynasty, that the Border Sacrifice was returned to its rightful form where the supremacy and exclusivity of Shang Di as the Most High over all beings physical and metaphysical had been reinstated. After the Hongzhi Emperor had been granted his vision he became greatly convicted in his heart and thus commanded the immediate conducting of the ancient ceremony of the Border Sacrifice. He summoned loyal government officials of every level and warriors of the highest ranks to the complex known as the Altar of Heaven in preparation of the grand ceremony. There were those amongst the Scholars such as Lu Guanying and Wu Chan who protested to its arduous undertaking for the enemy was assembling at their doorstep and the forces of the Ming have yet to fully assemble.

"We do not have the luxury for a glamorous day-long procession while the enemy moves to strike us down, your Majesty," said the Scholars to the emperor.

"If there is one thing of greatest importance that we must do to prepare the defense and security of the empire, it would be this. For of all the great ceremonies performed in the Middle Kingdom, there is none more important than the Great Sacrifice," the emperor answered. The Scholars looked upon Famin Jie with a hint of disdain for causing what they had considered was a distraction. Famin Jie nonetheless remained silent in humility.

"The offerings of jewels and silks and the beasts prepared for sacrifice were merely symbols," said Famin Jie to the emperor. "When you proceed with the ceremony, and present the jewels, silks, and beasts, present most especially your heart, for Heaven's desire does not lie in materials, but in the hearts of the servants."

And so it was that at the wake of war where enemies grew stronger and drew ever closer to the capital's doorstep, that the emperor began his processions for the Border Sacrifice, and it would be the ceremony of ceremonies in all of the Middle Kingdom's history. As in accordance to the Statutes of the Ming Dynasty, he fasted and practiced abstinence for three days, denying the needs of the body to symbolize cleanliness when he approached the altar on the day when the sacrifice was to be performed. When the day had arrived, there was not one person in the capital's streets. All citizens of Beijing were to cease all activity and close themselves inside their homes on that most sacred day. The emperor began the ceremony with his proclamation before the vast spiritual hosts on earth and in the sky, alerting them to bear witness to the honoring of the great name of Shang Di who dwelt in sovereignty in the heavens.

"Bear witness spirits of the lights, spirits of both the day and the night, spirits of the skies and earth, ye who have dominion over the mountains, the seas, and the rivers, bear witness, for this you must know that I shall lead my people in honoring the name of Almighty Shang Di," he proclaimed. The long procession continued throughout the complex of the Altar of Heaven where many songs of praise were sung with the highest reverence and praise to Heaven and proclaiming the goodness and power of Shang Di. The songs were sung with the court musicians singing,

"By the decree of Almighty Shang Di, heaven, earth, and man were called into existence... You, O Lord are the Ancestor of all things... Di has promised to hear us like a Father to His child... Your love is abundant. How great is Your name..."

When the time came for the offering of the burnt sacrifice a perfect, spotless bull was slain and offered to Shang Di and the emperor made a new proclamation on behalf the officials and civil servants, the warriors, and all the people. In accordance with the Statutes of the Ming Dynasty, the emperor recites:

"Unworthy and insignificant as we are, by Your grace and mercy O Di, You still care for us. Though the people have departed from Your ways and Your mandates, thy blessings have continued to shower over all the lands. How boundless is Your Love, Almighty Heaven, the source and standard for all goodness and righteousness. We come before you now Lord, with our spirits broken and our hearts contrite. We give all our essence to your Spirit so that we may stand against the enemy that converges around us. With my utmost sincerity, though petty as it may be, respectfully beseech you, Heaven, restore us as Your children, and let the Truth and Light renew this land for Your glory!"

The ground shook, more than it had before, and the clouds beneath the heavens stirred in a mighty way, and with a loud crack and tear, the clouds parted over the altar. All present beheld a winged beast, a large raptor likened to a phoenix plunged through the parting clouds and soared over the altar, the shadow of its massive wings passing over the entire procession and onto the armies that stood in wait near the capital.

It seemed, at least to the emperor and Famin Jie, that Heaven has heard the emperor's woes and has answered his petitions on behalf of all the people. To them, the "phoenix" signified the dawn of a new age and the people's hope of deliverance from a great enemy.

It was in that moment that the emperor was bestowed with the heavenly favor once gifted to the Sage Kings of old. This phenomenal occurrence was of great shock and mystery to the Scholars, officials, and military personnel present in the ceremony. Those who were not terrified of the supernatural signs were left in great awe or curiosity.

"What on earth was that?" Tian Qiu asked with skepticism.

"A large bird flew overhead. Looked like a phoenix to the rest. Perhaps it was merely an oversized golden eagle that swooped in from the Menggu steppe," Lu Guanying answered him.

"Strange that a golden eagle rarely sighted in these parts would appear here of all times," Zhen Shu stated.

"Rare, but not impossible," said Tian Qiu.

"Is no one going to mention how the clouds rolled in with the thunder and rain just as the ceremony began?" said Shang Jian.

"We've not the time to discuss these trivialities. There is far more important work to be done," said Lu Guanying as he proceeded to exit the premises.

In their minds they somehow knew that the things they could not see were as true and existent as the world with which they interact. Now it may seem that the people of the Middle Kingdom would no longer be alone in their conflict with the Pale Foreigners. The Scholars of the League and of the Hanlin Academy, being men of reason, logic, and science, could not seem rationalize what had just taken place in the Altar of Heaven complex. They had attempted to dismiss the event as the work of natural causes occurring coincidentally concurrently with the ceremony. However, they could not deny the profundity and the deep religious symbolism the ceremony held for the Middle Kingdom. They felt that perhaps there was more to the ceremony than met the eye, and maybe had accomplished a higher purpose they could not yet see that would eventually define the outcome of their woes.

War was brewing on the gulf of Beizhili and on the peninsula. Now, renewed with hope and divine assurance, the emperor would make the first offensive move against the Terukk. After the troops from the neighboring garrisons had assembled at the foot of the capital, the Scholars coordinated with the emperor for a preemptive first strike against the enemy who has established an unlawful occupation of the shores in the Shandong and Liaodong Peninsulas. Scouts have further reported recent activity concerning enemy movements. The fallen Jinyiwei and foreign tribes allied with them, it may seem, were beginning to assemble their divisions from the east and the south in preparation for an immediate invasion and takeover of the capital city.

"Though they are numerous in number and wear a new armor unlike anything we have seen, there is strangely no visible evidence of artillery or any form of cavalry. They are preparing to march on foot. All highly unlike the Nuzhen and Menggu method of conducting warfare," the imperial scouts said. "There is one other element of concern we must mention. Plumes of ominous blue clouds encircle the encampments of the former Jinyiwei and emulates from unknown mechanisms or vessels from inside their camps. We are not certain what is causing them nor can we guess the purpose of this occurrence." The scouts' reports immediately caught the attention of Sun Xin.

"I have seen the very same clouds of blue dust deep within the forest of Huguang where the dark armies have begun to assemble," Xin said.

"Clearly, the pale devils are planning to use the traitors and the barbarians as grunts to weaken our defenses and exhaust our resources. Or perhaps test us. Evidently, this is but the first stage of their larger strategy," Shang Jian said. "We should utilize superior weapons range against them to minimize the loss to our forces in close combat."

"It is vital that we do not underestimate the Terukk's recruited forces for we know close to nothing of their capabilities and tactics on the battlefield," advised Lu Guanying.

Imperial Commander He Feishen was to lead his army of twenty thousand strong to meet the enemy at the valley under the slopes of Tai Shan. The other officers present at the capital proceeded towards the eastern most border garrison Liaodong along the Great Wall near to the north to repel invaders that may march around the Beizhili Gulf to attempt a siege on the capital. The remaining forces stood guard along the passes and roads leading to Beijing in the neighboring provinces to the south and west. The first fleet of thirty warships of the Imperial Ming Navy from the south had anchored at the tip of the Hai River near the evacuated city of Tianjin at the western edge of the Beizhili Gulf.

Sun Xin together with Big Bang and a team of Academicians were chosen to infiltrate enemy lines for a reconnaissance mission to discover the enemy's activities and current status, and to investigate the blue smoke seen to have been rising from their camps. They were to proceed as soon as Imperial Commander Feishen would lead his forces against the Pale Foreigner's newfound army. The garrisons scattered throughout the empire as well have been set on high alert and maneuvered to secure the towns and villages under their jurisdictions. The pieces were set for the Ming forces to go on the offensive. They presented these plans to the emperor and he granted them permission to strike. The Hongzhi Emperor addressed the army that was to depart southeast to meet the incoming enemy troops. He had about him an aura assurance and wisdom not had prior to his experience of revelation and enlightenment. He imparted these words to them.

"We will make these demons know that we are not so easily treaded upon. Though we have been defeated and overtaken by barbarians before, this time Heaven goes before us." Famin Jie personally had a word with Imperial Commander Feishen.

"We will be victorious against our demonic foes as long as we are sure to not claim any glory and honor that rightfully belongs to Heaven. Beseech Heaven and give praise to Shang Di alone and you will find abundant power and grace in your midst!"

He Feishen took Famin Jie's words to heart though he himself did not fully understand.

"Thanks for the advice, but I've seen my fair share of battles. Been on many campaigns as well. This ought to be interesting," the Imperial Commander said. A great eagerness oozed from his countenance. His walked with an imposing presence that commanded respect from all men; especially those who were not even soldiers. The Imperial Commander was not only the highest ranking officer in the army, but was perhaps the Middle Kingdom's most capable leader and warrior since Yue Fei of the Song dynasty. Thousands had perished under his sword and all the soldiers within the Ming army knew it well.

An army of roughly ten thousand of the fallen former Jinyiwei officers, slaves, and steppe 'barbarian's marched northwest towards Beijing from Shandong Peninsula as Imperial Commander He Feishen led an army double the number to meet them. Confident in his superior numbers, he refused to bring heavy artillery that would otherwise slow his advance. He had made an exception for a few cannons that would serve to protect his strategic position upon the battlefield. As his army drew closer to the valley, scores of fleeing refugees made their way to the safety of Feishen's troops. Many empty villages in the path of the fallen guards were burned to the ground. "Unstoppable, tireless, demonic," the refugees called them. Hearing the plight of the villagers greatly angered Feishen and his officers as they quickened their pace towards the field where their imminent battle would take place. In the vast open plains under the shadow and clouds of the colossal Mount Tai, the two armies met face to face with nearly two li of flat land laid between them. The plain geography provided very little tactical options for the soldiers, but commander Feishen was confident in his superior numbers. The enemy, it may seem, had not anticipated the astonishingly expedient assembly of Ming forces around the capital.

They stood before Ming forces completely motionless, silent, and encased in angular metallic armor mass-manufactured and cheaply made. They were it seemed, noticeably larger and heavier than their former selves. Upon the hill, adjacent to the enemy army, stood a tall figure clad in long robes of black and red. The army of the fallen looked to the figure to await their next order. In one swift unified motion, the pawn army of the Terukk readied their spears and assumed the stance for a charge. Imperial Commander Feishen ordered his combined force of 6,720 archers and gunners front to answer the incoming initial assault. With a thunderous roar, the enemy initiated and the battle began with a ground-shaking charge. Little by little, they came within range rapidly approaching the arrow marker on the ground. The instant the enemy crossed the marker, a swarm of 6,720 armor-piercing arrows arched high over the battlefield like a dark cloud. With the sound of a great wind, the arrows rained down mercilessly upon the charging enemy. Few fell to the first salvo while the rest merely regained their momentum and continued to charge though their armors had been riddled with protruding arrow shafts. A second salvo fell like a hailstorm upon the enemy this time accumulating the damage done by the first volley. To the troops' dismay, the arrow volleys achieved little of their desired effect and were not sufficient to hurt their numbers. The archers withdrew behind the spearmen as 2,240 gunners brought their three-barrel hand cannons to bear and fired at the incoming army. With bright flashes and the sound of powerful thunder, the balls of heavy lead launched out from the barrels with great velocity, slamming into the incoming enemy. The second and third hand cannon barrels were ignited in sequence and many hundreds fell to the hailstorm of bullets. Unfazed by the effect of the projectiles, the remaining enemy troops maintained their charge as the gunners withdrew with the rest of the archers to reload their weapons while the Spear and Sword and Shield divisions marched front to confront the enemy in hand to hand combat.

Commander Feishen grimaced at the resilience of the enemy to withstand the arrows and bullets. He sat erectly on his mount, surrounded by officers and personal guard, while overlooking the battlefield. The ground rumbled, and the sound of reverberating armor and pounding boots filled the air. With a loud crash of steel, the enemy juggernaut army slammed into Feishen's forces and engaged in full hand to hand combat. The fighting was ferocious and violent as the fallen soldiers, resembling very little of their former selves, clashed with the Ming troops with beastly ferocity. They were powerful and tireless as the refugees had warned. Shouts, cries, and the sound of steel grinding steel by the tens of thousands echoed across the valley and dissipated over the plains.

"Fire at will, aim through their helmets!" shouted one of the field commanders. Squads of archers and gunners assembled in various formations on the edges of the battlefield firing and shooting in directions wherever the enemy would cluster. The Terukk pawn army nevertheless pushed forward against the tides of Ming soldiers fighting to repel them. Many of the injured or disarmed among the Ming began to retreat. After all ammunitions were exhausted, the archers and the gunners drew their broadswords and were ordered to charge onto the flanks of the enemy formation, but the enemy hordes proved their flanks to be nearly impenetrable. The fighting prolonged as the Ming's superior numbers were proving ineffective against the enemy's tireless onslaught. The longer the battle raged the more of his men were being slaughtered. The enemy troops were simply too ferocious and maddeningly violent despite the Ming troops admirable and courageous efforts to forge on. It did not help that the enemy was most resilient to attack and were surprisingly impervious to stabs, slashes, and piercings that should have been lethal. It took the effort of an entire squad of Ming soldiers to effectively cut down one or two. Feishen grew increasingly frustrated at the battle's progression and decided to jump into the chaos himself.

His high ranking officers followed close behind to support the troops. He charged through their thinning front ranks trampling over several of them and severing a few heads with his longsword before getting dismounted. He stood and readied his primary weapon –the spear. Feishen wielded his spear with great skill honed through years of training, battlefield experience, and martial examinations. It was like an oversized steel dagger attached to an extended wooden shaft the height of a tall man. He continuously thrust and stabbed his spear into the charging enemy cutting through their cheap, mass-produced armor. He was sure to aim for the heart, neck, and head to ensure his kills, especially after knocking some to the ground with aerial kicks. His men fought with renewed vigor after seeing their Commander pushing back the enemy next to them. He swung his spear left and right slashing, cutting, and impaling all who would run into it. Glancing blows from their crude weapons scraped against his heavy mountain scale armor leaving only dents and jagged scratches. His officers fought nearby effectively cutting down the Terukk's pawns one after another. The strength of the enemy became apparent as one of them lunged itself at Feishen, knocking him off his feet and crashing to the ground. They grappled for a dominant position as Feishen experienced the raw brute strength of his monstrous attacker. The Terukk pawn grabbed his chest plate and threw him to the ground again like an adult could to a child. It charged again at Feishen, who then swiftly ducked low, grabbed him by the legs, lifted him above his head, and slammed him to a part of the ground riddled with protruding stones. Its armor bent and buckled and the bones underneath it cracked and crunched. It did little to stop the monstrosity from continuing to fight. It quickly rolled back onto its feet and swung a gauntleted fist at Feishen's head. He blocked the blow and countered it with a powerful straight right punch into the opening of its helmet. The enemy soldier staggered with nose crushed and front teeth missing. The mutant was hardly able to stand and was completely disoriented from Feishen's concussive blow. As the soldier finally fell to the ground, Feishen unsheathed his longsword and thrust the blade into the creature's disfigured face. The chaos of the battle continued all around him as he witnessed his men falling to the enemy's tireless onslaught.

Something had to be done to turn the tide of the battle. In the distance, Feishen observed the black-robed figure upon the hill. It now stood arched forward with hands raised towards the armies. Accursed incantations rolled forth from its mouth and a dark life force emulated from its body and it oppressed Feishen. It no doubt also oppressed his troops in the field, weakening them whilst strengthening the mutants. He ordered his three cannons to bear and aimed it at the figure's position. With deafening explosions, the mighty cannons fired onto the hill where the figure stood. Chunks of dirt flew into the air as the bombs landed upon the figure and nearly flattened the hill. When the dust had settled, the figure remained standing completely untouched by the bombardment.

"Impossible!" spat Feishen. He retrieved his spear, mounted, and kicked his horse to full gallop. He was determined to win this battle and he knew slaying that dark figure would do much to grant him that victory. He rapidly charged towards the figure as he could feel the oppression grow stronger the more he closed the distance. With a war cry, he readied his spear and skewered the heavily robed figure right through its chest. As it attempted to stand, Feishen dismounted, drew two-handed his longsword and beheaded it with one downward stroke. The burden of the oppression was immediately lifted as he removed the spear from the headless body and spat. He looked to the ongoing battle and immediately, his men had already begun to push the enemy back to a stalemate, although this time, the former Jinyiwei had lost their previous ferocity and were becoming tired... but so were his men. Something else however, caught the ears of the Imperial Commander.

From the south, a thousand thundering hooves rapidly approached the battle. Dust rose from the incoming force- unexpected reinforcements were making their entrance. A commando cavalry formation of one thousand led by Feishen's younger brother General He Jin decimated the enemy lines. Mounted lancers and archers shot down, impaled, and trampled what remained of the enemy forces.

Some of the commandos dismounted and finished them off close quarters, with blows that guaranteed a kill.

Feishen and several of his commanding officers grouped together to join the assault. None were allowed to retreat and those that had tried were swiftly cut down. The battle lasted for another several minutes as the numerically superior Ming soldiers pushed forward through the pawns finishing off whatever remained of them. The victorious survivors cheered and cried in relief at the unexpected turn of events. The high-ranking military brothers greeted each other with a tight embrace.

"We probably would have suffered greater losses had you not arrived, little brother," said Feishen to Jin.

"I was marching a respectable force to the capital to join you as the emperor had ordered. When I had heard a battle was being fought here, I immediately lead my cavalry to your aid," said Jin. As the soldiers searched for survivors and scavenged the dead, General He Jin removed the helmet of one of the fallen Jinyiwei. Its face was mutated, resembling almost none of his former self. The skin was rough and a pale blue and purple. Its teeth were sharp and his body significantly more muscular than average.

"Sorcery has turned the traitors into brutes," observed Feishen. "Though they retain none of their former martial skill, they fight with unsurpassed ferocity, and massive strength. It's truly a savage transformation."

"This very same sorcery has been inflicted upon the terrorists of the Underworld amassing in the provinces as I've heard. A small contingent of them ambushed me and my men not long after our departure. Their bodies have been morphed the same way," said General Jin. They approached the headless body of the figure that had led the army to the battlefield. Upon unmasking the head, they discovered it to be one of the Pale Foreigners.

"He is likened to a priest," said Feishen. "I had felt him chanting in a foreign tongue with evil so great, it weighed heavily upon my spirit."

"Foul alchemy created these mutant armies. Black magic fuels them," Jin added.

"Heaven has orchestrated our victory today, brother," said Feishen. Jin nodded in agreement although did not expect his brother to make such a statement. Together, they began the long march back to Beijing to report all that had transpired at the battle.

****

Before Feishen's battle at Tai Shan or Mount Tai began, Sun Xin, Big Bang, and a light company of Academicians ferried in secret over to the northeastern coast of Liaodong Peninsula where a substantially large number of Terukk mutant forces were amassed. They had arrived to investigate the enemy's positions and to learn of their current activities. They set up base camp some distance away from sight and proceeded on horseback to the outer perimeter of the enemy encampment. Big Bang left with a pack full of various devices, supplies and materials for the mission as he was quite vocal about bringing explosives to the mission insisting in his words, "the savages need to be blown up to hell." Stealth and reconnaissance was of utmost importance for the mission and the clanking of Big Bang's gear was a risk Xin did not want to take so he instructed him to wait until a path to their destination had been cleared.

At the outer edge of the encampment not far from the Gulf, watchtowers had been erected ready to sound alarms for any signs of a siege or to eliminate intruders. In the bush, Xin and the Academicians silently took up positions near the guard towers' blind spots with crossbows at the ready. Upon the signal of a faint whistle, Xin and crew eliminated the guards with perfectly-placed head shots- some passing clean through their helmets. The team then proceeded deeper into enemy territory as Big Bang clanked closely behind mumbling to himself. Patrols made loosely knit patrols around the camp and with synchronized maneuvering, were completely eliminated with crossbow bolts and silent takedowns. From a concealed position hugging the face of a grassy hill, Xin beheld a sea of the armies of defected imperial officers and steppe barbarians from various tribes spread out before him, their torches littered the plain like the stars in the night sky. They were vastly numerous, easily 100,000 strong and just like the army he saw in the forests of the South, they too were being led by figures clad in long robes of black and red, fully masked, and dark.

"How could we have allowed them to have amassed in such large numbers?" said one Academician.

"It seems that the machinations of the enemy were a long time in the making. This would not have been possible without masterful planning. The Terukk have outlined their strategy for conquest of the Middle Kingdom a long time ago. What we're seeing now, this army is the result," Xin answered.

The masked and hooded figures addressed the mutant soldiers in a speech that again cast oppression upon Sun Xin. The language was foul and heavy and did much to fire up the troops who roared like animals. It was incomprehensible, riddled with short screeches, groans, and guttural stops.

"Kkenkdit ogekt triklut gatempt lekturr gatempt" The speech was beginning to become unbearable, for the spell it was casting began to weigh heavily upon Xin and his companions.

"Let us proceed with the mission and be done with it," they said to Xin. In the distance not far behind the encampment and concealed between the hills and the trees stood heavily guarded structures the shape of towers of many spires had been erected just as he had seen in the forest at the province of Henan, and he saw multitudes of them standing in the presence of the structures slowly becoming enveloped by a fog of misty blue as its gears and cranks began to turn and grind. The fog spread as far as one li and continued no further after which slowly it ascended into the sky. The fumes that were the fog dissipated after many minutes and them that stood within it were revived, strengthened, and changed more grievously than they were before the process began.

Xin and the team waited for the cover of night before they were to proceed with the mission. Together with the Academicians, he drew a map of the enemy encampment and the positions and placements of troops, storehouses, and amassment of weapons. They were to take the war to the enemy by severely crippling them before they could cause damage to the capital.

"Now we see why the savages have delayed their attack upon us. They needed time to prepare turning themselves into these beasts," said Big Bang in one of his rare moments of clarity. He then promptly resumed staring blankly into the distance.

After the sun had set and the enemy troops had for the most part vacated the premises of the structures, Sun Xin and the team proceeded to eliminate the guards. It was not an easy task. The "mutants", as they were, had a special resilience against lethal strikes. Anything less than a killing blow to the head or neck did not suffice to kill them. Still, with limited effort Sun Xin made good use of his dagger and crossbow and moved through the darkness like a shadow in the night, as if an assassin on rampage. After he had hidden the bodies, he blazed a trail towards the machines of mutation as Big Bang grew excited in anticipation of finally being able to exercise his role in the mission: demolition. Throughout the night, Xin and the crew assisted Big Bang in the construction of powerful bombs which he had assembled from his oversized back pack and tool belt.

They stealthily proceeded through the exterior of the massive camp attaching the bombs in hidden places against storehouses, depots, and their makeshift harbor, and at one point nearly having been spotted by guard patrols. One guard had nearly alerted the entire encampment were it not for the fact that an Academician loosed an arrow into his head. It was nearly dawn by the time they had finished.

After the slow-burning fuses had been lit, Xin and the team regrouped to the edge of the encampment only to discover a new set of patrols were hastily circling the outer edges of the camp.

"We are about to be discovered," said one Academician. "They have found the bodies."

A blaring horn resounded from the camp alerting all the troops stationed within two li of their position.

"We got to move, and quickly!" commanded Xin. "How much time remains before the bombs blow?"

"Any glorious second now!" said Big Bang. By the time they had reached the horses along the shore, the bombs that were dispersed throughout the camp erupted in quick succession, lighting up the early evening sky. Horns blared for many li throughout the occupied coastlines of the peninsula as the team made a mad dash towards their boat which waited for them at the shore. Big Bang laughed maniacally at hearing the success of his bombs. The enemy had never anticipated such an infiltration and unlikely breach of their security. Sun Xin hoped it would suffice to buy the emperor and the Scholars more time to prepare the Ming military.

Their path however, was blocked by yet another tall figure under the cover of a broad deep red hood that extended to a cape. He stood confidently alone blocking their access to the boat pulled to the shore in the distance. With a gauntleted hand, the mysterious figure unsheathed a long slender blade of dark metallic texture that reflected the moonlight. Sun Xin recognized the figure. It was the Terukk swordsman he had seen entering the government headquarters back at Guangzhou.

The six Academicians unslung their crossbows and shot simultaneously, but every bolt was slashed out of the air in one stroke. Sharp bolt heads and splintered shafts littered the ground as the Terukk swordsman lifted his blade and pointed it at Sun Xin. He was challenging him to a duel. Xin signaled for Big Bang and the Academicians to return directly to the boat and start heading towards the anchored ferry near the shore. The Terukk swordsman removed his hood and cloak to reveal his pale unblemished face and long hair as white as snow. His deep-set eyes shone bright red as it reflected the unusually clear moonlight which cast dark shadows around his high arched cheek bones. Sun Xin loosened the strap on his wide brimmed hat and let it hang behind his upper back. His long blue scarf danced in the breeze together with the tall grass around them.

"You are a cunning one, sword master," the Terukk warrior said with a heavy accent. "I remember your spying on me from the rooftops of one of your great cities... a city which will soon belong to the Terukk along with the rest of your empire. The nations to the South and across the sea already belong to us. It will be just a matter of time before yours will fall as well." Sun Xin remained silent and unsheathed his blade and assumed a low reverse-grip sword stance. The Terukk warrior simply smirked. "Your skills are admirable. I have heard many a great folktale about you, but do not mistake me as merely another one of your pathetic opponents. My name is Kurr, and I am here to slay the slayer," the Terukk warrior said arrogantly as he bared his sharpened teeth and spread his arms.

With a blur of motion, Xin initiated the duel with a bursting charge and attacked Kurr with circular strokes and slashes with his reverse grip. The Terukk ducked, leaned, and side-stepped each strike effortlessly. In a swift continuous motion, Xin altered his sword grip and lunged at Kurr with a thrust. Kurr grabbed the blade with his armored hand and yanked it towards himself. He threw a bone crunching uppercut into Xin's abdomen as he stumbled forward. Xin fell to his knees, coughing, hacking, and spitting blood. The pain blared in his body; however, he felt the surge of another powerful force rising into his spirit. The Swordsman's Curse was once again upon him and the fury it brought to Xin was... sinisterly reassuring.

"I can sense darkness within you, sword master . Why would you not welcome it? It might just make our little game more entertaining... for me, at least," Kurr laughed. The sound of it infuriated Sun Xin. Without even looking up, he burst into motion furiously slashing at Kurr from every height and every angle pushing the limits of the speed for which he had grown infamous. Xin's newfound dark strength however, was to no avail. With his every attempt to strike him down, Kurr became more untouchable and impervious, and he continued to laugh in mockery.

"Go on, feed that darkness. It betrays you and will only prove to be in my benefit," Kurr said. He brought his own sword to bear and began to strike back with his black metallic blade. Every parry, every block, and every deflection rocked Xin to the bone; the very force of the swords' impact blurred his vision and numbed his hand. Kurr grabbed Xin's wrist, wrenched it, and twisted his arm causing Xin to flip backwards and collapsing onto the ground. Sun Xin rolled back onto his feet and switched to the offensive. The furious duel had eventually led them to the edge of a steep cliff near the shore.

"I am the incarnation of the very darkness that breathes within your soul. The harder you fight, the stronger I will grow," Kurr proclaimed. He raised his sword for a killing blow.

Unbeknownst to Kurr, Big Bang sneaked behind him with a lit grenade in his hand. He signaled for Xin to create some distance quickly. Xin rolled backwards onto his feet and dove away from Kurr. In the same instant, Big Bang tossed the short-fused grenade right at Kurr's feet. It detonated upon impact, sending chunks of shrapnel, dirt, and dust in every direction, and with Kurr seemingly falling off the cliff. After the dust and smoke had settled, Sun Xin rose to his feet and peered over the edge searching for Kurr's body, but saw only jagged rocks and foamy water. He turned to give his thanks to Big Bang for the bailout but collapsed at his feet before he had the chance. He drifted in and out of consciousness as the Academicians carried him back to the ferry returning to the capital a few days' journey away. At the shore under the shadow of the cliff, Kurr stood watching his opponent sail on the ferry. He smirked with satisfaction as he removed the scorched and torn plates of his armor before making his way back to the camp.