baofengyu
The Mandate Pt 9
"Know that much may happen here, but above all, do not forget this—you may trust in me. We cradle each other's lives, and what threatens one of us, threatens us both. And if you find you cannot trust me, trust in your training. Trust in yourself. Never doubt what you have done. All your decisions have brought you to this point. And now, perhaps, they shall see what you have become."
PLAN Naval Base, Zhan Jiang
Admiral Li sweated as the chanting reached a crescendo. The improvised summoning chamber was dark, lit with damaged and flickering electrical lights, surrounding a hastily dug pit filled with brackish water. The locals avoided the base, many of the peasants claiming bad 'Feng Shui' or other superstitious nonsense. The base was hastily rebuilt after the events of Blood Week, and the locals claimed many innocents were massacred here by the Abyssals. He did not care when he ordered the base restored, the land bulldozed and refilled. His few remaining assets were either salvaged or hastily repaired after those dark days. Materials that were required for the summoning were added to the fetid water as the spell reached it the apex. Oil. Gunpowder. Steel. Offerings to the spirits to answer their call.
And yet two other offerings were made as well, unbeknownst to the few remaining PLAN officers.
Blood.
And hate.
Blood dripped into the pool from injured hands that dug it, filled it, sacrificed to it.
Hate from the tone and atmosphere of the summoning.
Li raised his voice, entreating the fallen to return once again, spurred by rumors of a destroyer in the west returning many times from battle. Summoned again and again.
But this was not what answered.
The water boiled.
The lights flickered and shorted out.
A hand breached the pool.
A white hand.
A banshee's scream deafened those present and the water exploded.
Red eyes full of hate.
Muffled screams echoed from the improvised summoning chamber as the few remaining soldiers fled before what was within burst out, carving a bloody trail that led to the docks.
Full of rage.
Full of hate.
Desiring nothing less than the deaths of
ALL that wronged her.
But she needed to shed her birthing caul, and her eyes picked out the lone island to the south.
It would do for now.
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, Shenyang
"Generals," an aide rushed up to the two Generals. "There has been an incident in Hong Kong."
The two Generals turned from the flight line where they were discussing the procurement of J-8s and J-11s. The aide handed over the printouts and the two read grimly.
"It's started," Chi huffed.
"We need more information," Zu replied.
"Indeed," Chi agreed. "What do you command?"
Zu felt the weight of the sword and all that it represented, not only physically but mentally as well.
"We go to Beijing."
The rest of Zu's party stood by his aircraft as it was readied and the two Generals approached. Chi stepped to the side and spoke to one of his aides, who bobbed his head several times before running to Chi's staff car. He returned moments later with a pair of cases and followed the group onto the plane as it prepared for takeoff. Zu glanced once at the young woman from the tomb as she sat quietly in the back, then turned to sit in his chair.
"General Zu, we are getting reports of a major storm in Beijing's airspace," the pilot reported.
"Contact Beijing Shahezhen and get a status update," Zu replied.
"Yes sir."
Chi's aide picked up a secure phone. "Sir, I cannot get through to Central Command. All communications are offline."
Xue's phone buzzed. She absently picked it up as Zu and Chi looked at each other with a worried expression on their faces.
What she saw on her phone caused her to drop it.
"What?" Zu turned to her as Xue forced her way to the main computer monitor. She brought a video feed up for everyone to see.
"This is no time for a wux-" Zu trailed off. He watched a fox demon with nine tails grab a falling sign and fling it towards a man in a straw hat.
"This is streaming live," Xue whispered, her eyes fixed on the unmistakable form of Su Daji.
Hidden Ministry Safehouse, Beijing
Ying stared at the teacup.
No more than an arm's length away sat perhaps the most feared female in Chinese History, who did not even bother hiding who she was anymore, sipping her own tea. The room was very traditional in layout and appearance, with simple wood paneling along the walls and simple chairs with a small table between them in which the two sat. Apart from the tea pot and two cups lay the reports of the surviving Hidden Ministry staff had quickly compiled on the state of the city and affects of the attack by Xiao's minions. The initial attack hit both the Hidden Ministry and the Great Hall of the People, which nearly decapitated the leadership of China. They were still searching for survivors.
"Your tea is getting cold," Daji observed.
Ying blinked. An ancient being who could conceivably be the most powerful magical alive and the first thing out of her mouth was not wisdom, or an explanation, but concern over tea.
A dozen emotions fought within her. And yet, she was a guest.
Hospitality. An ancient law and custom that had roots in many cultures, many traditions. It was to be respected and feared.
The tea was excellent.
Daji's actions were both confusing and familiar, but in also spoke volumes to Ying. Daji accepted the role of the Host, with all that it entailed.
"You planned this," Ying stated. "Everything that has happened."
"Not so much planned dear child," Daji sipped her tea. "I believe the saying goes, 'no plan survives contact with the enemy'. I manipulate. I watch the people, the environment, the hidden. There are a thousand things happening all around us at all times, and in time, you will be able to see those signs and be able to use them to your advantage."
"Manipulate."
"Yes. I manipulate as easily as a fish swims, or as the birds fly."
"You could have beaten those three at any time."
"Yes," Another sip. "I am old enough and powerful enough to face down gods and immortals, I could have laid waste to those fools and the entire city in our battle, but I did not. I controlled the battle until you arrived."
"You used me."
"Of course I did child," Daji smiled. "I wanted to take your measure Wei Ying. I wanted to see if the chosen of Guan Yu could hold up against Xiao's minions. I wanted to see your spirit, because what happens next will not be as easy or simple."
"I don't trust you."
"As you will," Daji fluffed a tail. "There is a rather interesting story coming out of Nanjing."
Ying braced herself. Daji had not lied about anything, but she wielded the truth like a razor-edged sword.
"Xiao Chaogui held a rally where he revealed his Treasure to his followers. He also claimed to have the Writing Set as well."
Ying hid her shock as best she could. There was no way that the Writing Set was in China, and it was very safe, and very far away. However, there was truth behind her words.
"You think he had something that was…associated with the Writing Set?" Ying's investigating skills pinged.
"Witnesses spoke of a brush." Daji fluffed another tail. "A rather fine brush."
Her mind raced.
Daji had just provided the clues, and Ying watched the fox spirit intently.
Daji watched the sword spirit intently as the younger one thought over the clues provided.
Ying slowly puzzled the clues out internally.
Her mother was always meticulous in her grooming. All foxes were as shown by Daji's attention to her tails. Her mother Mei Yuying....
Ying remembered her mother's tale of how Yuying had fled China with her father Colombe's help one step ahead of the Taipingists.
The loss of her mother's family in the Rebellion. Her Mother's Family!
The Mei Family.
Guardians of the Writing Set for generations.
No.
There was a sympathetic look in Daji's eyes.
"When one is deathless nothing else matters but one's own desires. Of no flesh, all appetite. No custom, no honor, no respect, nothing is beyond his desires." Daji crossed the space between them and knelt down before Ying.
"When Xiao Chaogui returned in failure to restart with the Taipingists, China was set on a course towards Civil War. This war will be like nothing fought in the past, and this war will be fought with both mundane and magical means. Whomever wins in this will control China, but before it is over we may all be swimming in blood."
"Then why am I here? You seem to have all the answers and everything well in hand," Ying frowned. "Am I nothing more than a convenient pawn?"
"You have never been a pawn Wei Ying," Daji replied. "Your presence is not just to judge the fitness of the candidate to take the throne."
Daji returned to her seat and looked over the rim of her teacup.
"You are here to judge me as well." The words hung in the air like an executioner's blade.
En Route to Beijing
"How widespread is this?" Zu frowned.
"It's all over the internal networks," His aide reported. "The internal firewalls and security routers in Beijing are not responding."
"Any news worldwide?" Chi opened one of his cases to pull out a set of folders.
"Most of the international news companies are focused on Hong Kong," the aide replied, checking his computer. "The damage to the external firewalls is minimal, and the battle in Beijing is getting out sporadically. Only a few sites have the video, and it seems someone is attempting to kill the video every time it pops up."
"I would say the ICW is putting their hand in," Xue replied. "But I would suspect that the various world governments and militaries will be examining both videos extensively."
"And the storm over Beijing?"
"It seems to be breaking up sir."
"Something else that will probably make everyone more aware," Xue spoke. "An unnatural typhoon level storm forming over Beijing and not moving?"
Zu grunted. "Any word from Central Command?"
"No sir. I have managed to contact the airbase and they are on full alert and awaiting our arrival."
Zu leaned back. Things were accelerating, almost exponentially. Without Central Command responding and issuing orders, the various Theater Commanders will be attempting to leverage their own forces to their benefit. It was something that was all to familiar in China's history. Another civil war was on the horizon, if not already begun.
"Here are the command protocols in the event of loss of contact with Central Command," Chi handed the folders to Zu. "As senior most General Officer I transfer overall command to you."
Zu looked at the older man before accepting the folders.
"I accept command," He replied formally. He did have copies of the Command Protocols in his HQ safe and wondered a bit as to why Chi carried the documents with him wherever he traveled. In retrospect it was a rather smart thing to do.
Two of the screens of the airborne command center showed two different scenes. One showed a feed from BBC World News, primarily the video feed from Hong Kong. The other was taken from Baidu showing the battle in Beijing. The fighting was pretty much over in both places, and while he did not like or respect Admiral Li, he did give the man praise for holding his ground and rebuilding the shattered PLAN by salvaging everything he could. The four shipgirls that were summoned back were fanatically loyal to the Party, and honestly he had never heard of them participating in any of the International Operations that sometimes took place in the South China Sea or the neighboring Philippine Sea. Even the Allied strike against the Paracel Islands drew no help from PLAN.
"You realize we are going to meet one of the most infamous people in China's history?" Xue remarked. "Are you sure that Beijing's military command can be trusted?"
"I don't think that is going to be an issue," Zu replied, holding up a hand to forestall discussion. "And I understand that this is new territory for some of us, but we cannot worry about what may or may not happen. Once we get to Beijing we can get some accurate information as to what is happening on the ground."
He looked at the group, then picked up his secure phone.
"But that does not mean we do not take the appropriate precautions."
Hidden Ministry Safehouse, Beijing
"Ma'am, General Zu's aircraft is approaching Beijing Shahezhen Airbase," A young woman leaned over by the fox demon's chair.
Daji set her teacup down. "Very good." Then to Ying. "We should meet the General at Tiananmen Square so he may observe the battlefield for himself."
"No disguise?" Ying was startled.
"No. I am not going to hide anymore. By now the video of our battle has spread across the Middle Kingdom, if not the world thanks to the attack. With most of China's Aurors dead in the Storm's attack, and the magical defenses of the city disabled, the people who are enlightened will notice immediately, and the ones who are sensitive will begin to see."
"The ICW will attempt to quell this."
"The Floo Network is disabled, and the Barrier's full defenses have been activated with the death of the President. The ICW will try to intervene, but if they are smart, they will focus on containing any videos that might leak out of the country."
"You expect the videos to spread."
"Yes," Daji stood. "The good General will be confused as to your presence here but say nothing for now. Once we are alone be honest with him."
The two left the safehouse and entered an awaiting car. It would not be a long drive to the square, but it gave the two a chance to observe the efforts of the emergency services crews work on searching for survivors and clearing debris.
"It is amazing that there were not more civilians harmed," Ying commented. "I take it the spells emplaced around the city were responsible?"
"Correct," Daji adjusted her seating. The back of the car was a bit cramped, and almost comical due to the fluffiness of Daji's tails. "A storm of that power would have leveled the Forbidden City were the ancient magical defenses not in place, However the additional wards around the city helped bleed off that energy."
Ying sneezed as one of Daji's tails brushed her nose.
She glared at the ancient being.
Daji laughed. "I apologize. Did your mother ever tease you with her tails?"
"Maybe when I was a child," Ying frowned. Daji's actions confused her. She almost expected an unearthly, regal, and imperial attitude from the Fox. The fact that she was a true nine-tail further made her actions out of character.
Who was Su Daji? Who was she really? Was this an effect of such a long lifespan?
Both the Military and the Police were out in force as well, keeping the curious away as the car pulled in front of Tiananmen Square. Daji stepped out, unafraid as she allowed everyone to see her as she truly was. Ying followed her, albeit nervously. She kept her true self in her hand as she stepped out and looked around.
Yes, there were a lot of people there at the square, many of whom were focused on the cleanup, but many others were staring. They had no idea what was going on, but instinctively they knew. Even with the Party's control for the past sixty plus years, the ancient ways and legends of China were never truly forgotten. Some dismissed Daji as an actress, a stunt meant to distract and misdirect. Others held prayer beads and bowed their heads as she passed. Those that did were the elderly, the ones who lived through the civil war and subsequent pogroms. Those that
remembered. A quick survey of the area using her magically enhanced senses revealed that a forgotten shrine at the Forbidden City was seeing a renewed interest and use. A Fox Shrine.
Ying watched Daji as she observed the repairs being made to the Forbidden City. Her attention was drawn the PLA trucks that were pulling up. Soldiers began to disembark from the trucks and took up position around the square. Ying cocked her head as she heard other vehicles approaching once the square was secure. Heavy vehicles.
"It appears General Zu is about to arrive," Daji commented.
A pair of Type 86 IFVs appeared along with a pair of Type 96 MBTs. In the midst of it all was a CSK-131 armored personnel carrier. It came to a stop as a pair of soldiers approached and stood guard, one of them finally opening the doors.
The first one to step out was a woman, but everything about her screamed that she was not what she appeared. The weight of her spiritual power was like standing in the desert sun. Ying's eyes darted to the next to emerge. An older general who had seen much but carried the weight with a stoic grace. Another general, this one with an ancient sword in his hand. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the sword.
She stared at it, then the man wielding it.
Daji coughed lightly, but loud enough to get Ying to pay attention.
Daji bowed her head slightly, her hands crossing in front of each other, palms towards her.
Ying brough her hand up, still wrapped around her sheath, and covered her fist in greeting.
The general stood for a moment before turning and extending his hand to the young woman who stepped out.
There was much untapped potential in her.
Zu stared at Daji, as did everyone else in his party. He had not expected her to be so brazen to be in her true form in public, but this was no normal day. The young woman behind him was an unknown, but there was something about her, something that reminded him of his encounter with the Jianghu Masters. He nodded once.
"You are Su Daji," He spoke.
The fox spirit raised her head and lowered her arms to fold them into her robes.
"I am, General Zu Li Shang," She replied, turning her head. "I have prepared a room for you General and your party. If you would care to follow me I would be happy to escort you there."
"Very well," He replied.
He followed the pair as they walked into the Forbidden City, through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, to the left through the Tower of Enhanced Righteousness, and finally through a pair of open doors into the Hall of Military Might. They were shown into a prepared meeting room with a desk and chair on a dais and Daji bowed formally. On each side in front of the desk were chairs for everyone.
"The chair is yours General," She spoke. "I have prepared a complete listing and report of all current activities of the surviving Party Ministers and Officers of the Military as well as all agents and assets remaining to the Hidden Ministry. This includes the actions that transpired this morning in Hong Kong."
Zu stared at the chair and desk for the longest time before stepping forward. True, he chose this path, but the actions that led to this moment were not of his choosing. It was yet another step forward for his claim to the throne, and there was no turning back.
He sat down and started reading.
It was a butcher's bill.
Zu tossed the papers down on the desk in disgust, a part of him horrified at what had transpired, but another part understood it all too well. Even Chi did not appear to be comfortable over the battle in Hong Kong, but it was something he had experience with from years past.
"How did this happen?"
He turned on the two women sitting in the office, one of them very not human, and the other one a in a modest Hanfu and armed with a Dao.
"The…esteemed…Admiral Li saw himself as a claimant that would restore the Party to rule of China, and had received information from the Minister of Culture here in Beijing who possibly received information from Xiao Chaogui, the leader of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and holder of the First Treasure. You have claimed the Second Treasure in play to show your candidacy. I hold the Third Treasure as Arbiter. Ying here embodies the Hidden Fourth Treasure. Now Lady Green Snake on Taiwan possesses the Fifth."
"And that does not explain what happened in Hong Kong, or what happened here in Beijing for that matter."
"The Imperial Fleet in Hong Kong were under orders to make sure that the Republicans get the Coins from Hong Kong Island. If Abyssals showed up they would have engaged them as easily as they had the PLAN. The fact that Li moved all his assets to Hong Kong indicated that the good Minister was making his play. The attack here in Beijing was to force me into the open and to chastise Minister Cai for his bringing Admiral Li into contention."
"And why bring the rebels into this?" Chi asked.
Daji raised an eyebrow. "Apart from the fact that Taiwan has one of the largest shipgirl fleets in Asia outside of the Americans and Japanese? Blood Week demonstrated that we shall need this naval strength to cover our coasts until the Abyssals are defeated and perhaps afterward so we match Japan, England, and America. And you are far too canny to keep buying into the Taiwanese being rebels Chi. The PLAN shipgirls never ventured far from the coast and the only operation they participated in was in the Senkaku/Daioyu Islands assault, and that was a…less than stellar debut of the reborn PLAN. Not to mention they were more concerned with maintaining the internal order of the Party than acting in the interests of others. The Imperial spirits that responded did so as they knew the Mandate was in transition. If it is called for they will lay down their lives for the Mandate."
"Hmpf," Chi snorted. The Senkaku/Daioyu Operation was a joint mission between Japan, Taiwan, and China to eliminate the threat of an Abyssal Princess who had fortified the islands and was turning it into a major base when the Japanese and Taiwanese Shipgirls launched their assault. Then the PLAN shipgirls showed up near the end of the battle, then demanded the islands be turned over to China. That Kongou did not add four more DDs to her tally surprised the old General.
"China must be unified," Daji replied. "All of it."
"And right now we are at the start of another Civil War," Zu shook his head.
"You knew this was going to happen," Daji stated. "Beijing's theater is fractured, but they are under your control. The Eastern theater is contested, and the South is firmly in Xiao's camp."
"I would have preferred a path that did not involve killing my way to the top."
"China does not need a deathless immortal sorcerer as Emperor," Daji sighed. "To this day I don't know if Qin Shi Huang was a fool or a genius for cursing him in such a fashion. A magical cannot sit on the throne. Too many times in the past have such people ruled, and on the rare occasion it worked well, but humans fear what they do not understand. And what humans fear, they destroy."
She closed her eyes.
"The road to the Throne has always been paved in blood, and I have witnessed the rise and fall of countless Dynasties. This will be no different. Do not let those outside of China dictate your path or your choices." Daji finally said in the quiet voice of a teacher to her pupils.
"You could take the throne just as easily as I can," Zu admitted.
"Yes, I could," Daji admitted, opening her fox-pupiled eyes. "But none would recognize the Middle Kingdom or respect us."
For a brief moment, all saw the weight of history that she bore.
"My name is one drenched in blood, some in truth, some in lies. I have been known by many names throughout history. I have traveled the world and walked with murderers and holy men. I have fragmented my soul to achieve my goals and have paid the price for a thousand years. For good or ill a human must be the Emperor, with all that it entails."
"And what do you have to do with this?" Zu turned to Ying.
"Nothing," Ying replied. "I am here on behalf of myself, and no other."
"And your role in this?"
Ying drew her true body and placed her Dao upon her palms for examination. The characters written during her consecration by her mother and
Guānyǔ with the Writing Set blazed on her steel,
on her very soul.
"I am a sworn servant of
Guānyǔ, and the firstborn child of the Guardian of the Writing Set. It will be through me that the claimant I support shall gain access to my family's Treasure to petition for the Mandate of Heaven." Ying spoke formally and precisely. As she did, Mei Ying felt the long unbroken line of the Mei Family speak
through her as they had done so many times to so many Emperors as long as there had been a China.
Chi leaned forward. "An Oath-sworn. I have heard of them, particularly amongst the Jianghu, but never met one."
"Speaking of the Masters," Daji tapped her arm rest. "They will need to do their part when the time comes. There are a few of the Southern Clans that have thrown in with the Taipingists, particularly the Elementalists and the most fanatical Taoists."
"There is one thing you mentioned," Chi took a deep breath. "Lady Green Snake. I take it part of that legend is true?"
"All legends have a kernel of truth General Chi," Daji replied. "Lady Green Snake controls Taiwan's magical community and can influence their government. However, her true goals have always been to be reunited with her sister."
"And you know where she is," Ying sighed. "I think you do this on purpose."
"Lady White Snake resides in the North, amongst the Jianghu of Harbin. Out of respect for her privacy I have not looked into her reasoning for remaining among the Northern Clans."
Zu did not have to be a sorcerer to tell Ying wasn't convinced in the least.
"And what does the Hidden Ministry have to do in all of this?"
"The Hidden Ministry, as you have read, was formed from the remains of the Court of Enlightened Mandarins at the end of the Qing Dynasty at the behest of Sun Yat-sen after the Xinhai Revolution. It has remained intact since that period, with Mao only making changes to the organization to fully hide China's magical past and unwittingly copied the magical government of the United States in its strict separation of the magical and mundane worlds. For the most part this was rather successful in that too many forgot the old ways and the old tales. This was also the time when Mao feared that both the exiled Republicans and the Japanese would take advantage of China's weaknesses and he ordered the creation of the Barrier."
"The Barrier?"
"The barrier was put in place on the orders of Mao," Daji pointed to the map. "The borders, as you can see, were mainly placed along the eastern borders facing Japan and Taiwan as they feared an invasion from Japan, Taiwan, or the United States. The Western, Northern, and Southern borders had similar barriers in place, but were not reinforced as much as the east. Tibet was newly conquered at the time but it was not included in the barrier as Tibet's magicals were still fighting a shadow war with the peasant sorcerers under the command of Mao.
"That, however, was only part of what the Maoists did." Daji explained. "Mao ordered them to find a way to…ensure the loyalty of the people to the Party. The barrier keeps the people contained, while another set of spells would be used to erase dissension amongst the people."
"I had heard…rumors of this," Chi spoke. "The time after the Civil War was both a joyous and terrifying time. Mao had won, but there were many enemies that remained, and the Soviets were of little help."
"I am curious as to how you know so much of the Party's secrets Madam Daji," Zu replied.
"I can read," Daji leveled Zu with a look. "Especially what is not written. Despite the Maoist's paranoia, the Hidden Ministry kept extremely accurate records of what they had been commanded to do. The Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution were attempts to enact and anchor their spells of obedience. They were in many ways, attempting a mass
Imperius Curse."
Ying's breath caught in her throat. Such an act would have turned the entire ICW against China.
"There's more to this, is there not?" Zu rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"The spell was designed to affect all Chinese, no matter where they were in the world," Daji folded her hands into her robe. "It was quite ambitious, and something that even the greatest sorcerers of the Ancient World would never have attempted but the Maoists were true believers in their narrow vision of the future. Where wisdom balked, fanaticism found a path forward to attempt such an enchantment. As usual, the ones in charge overpromised, and underdelivered when Mao attempted to activate the spell in 1976. Those responsible however…"
"The Gang of Four," Chi grunted. "That was the true reason, was it not?"
Daji nodded. "Indeed."
"Is this spell still in place?" Zu asked.
"Parts of it," Daji's tails fluttered. "Now imagine that spell under the control of an undead sorcerer, and I am not talking about that nose-less incompetent in the West." Daji snorted. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named indeed!"
"Who?"
"A sorcerer of the West, very similar to our dear friend Xiao Chaogui, but with less ambition and power."
"Explain," Zu leaned forward, his hands folded in front of his face.
"The other claimant for the throne is a Fleshless Sorcerer who was cursed by the first Qin Emperor. His name has been lost to history, but his current disguise is that of Xiao Chaogui, leader of the resurgent Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. He is served by many followers among the most fanatical Taoists and Jianghu that reside in the Southern Kingdom. However, his most powerful servants are known as the Three Storms, the Elementalists of great power that Ying and I fought as you saw. By now he has suborned the entirety of the Southern Military Command and will seek to add the Eastern Military Command to his sphere of influence."
Daji tapped her fingernail against the wood.
"What happens next is up to you General. I am but the arbiter of the Mandate."
Temple of Heaven, Nanjing
Bones rattled.
Xiao Chaogui leaned forward on his throne, his eyes emitting an unholy light as some of his most disposable followers watched.
And died.
All around him was failure.
The fool Cai failed.
The idiot Li met his end on a fool's quest.
And his storms.
HIS storms.
Their failure was most taxing, but it revealed that the Writing Set was in play as well.
His mouth opened to draw in the souls that lingered, the light bathing the chamber in a gentle glow that belied its sinister purpose. He was taking more and more souls lately, as the power of the Treasure he possessed waned as the other Treasures exerted their own power and influence.
But yet he was not without power and resources of his own.
With the newly gained souls he stepped to the ritual altar that was assembled facing the northwest. He picked up a simple piece of terracotta. The first stage of the ritual was the gathering of the souls. Next he raised a pair of fingers to his lips and began uttering his spell. It was a complete inversion of all Taoist and Buddhist thought and prayers, a summoning using the blackest of magic.
The piece of terracotta steamed.
Far to the west-northwest in Xi'an, the earth trembled.
He released the terracotta and it floated in the air, a foul, pungent odor permeated the air as the fragment began turning black. Ichor dripped and hissed as it hit the floor.
He turned to another altar and picked up the piece of bone. Again he raised his fingers to his lips and uttered the spell. Across the various mountain ranges the earth trembled. The bone vibrated, as if fighting him. An unholy word passed his lips.
And in the distance he could hear the Dragons raging.
The third altar had little but a fragment of cloth and scroll. With the fragment he executed the last spell. The spirits trapped in the Barrier were many, but they were only a fragment of what existed in the shadows of the Middle Kingdom.
He called them forth to roam the earth once again.
Exhausted both mentally and magically, he retired to collapse on his throne. Things were accelerating, perhaps more than he had planned for, but it was nothing he could not adapt to. He could feel the Celestial Court watching. But he knew they would not violate the strictures that kept the peace among the Celestial Realms. The other deities would not allow it.
Things that remained hidden began to emerge from the darkness, and he felt that a trip to the underworld will need to be done to take the Blood of the Earth for further rituals and bindings. It would not take long for the peasants to see what was coming, and the chosen of the Fox will see that he was not to be taken lightly.
This war will be one not seen since the time of the Qin. But while martial valor will play out, spiritual valor will have its place as well on the field. There will be no neutral sides in this. He knew that he needed to even the odds, even if it drew the ire of the ones above. If this puppet of the fox based his strength in the spirit-blind mundanes then he would have to raise even greater magical power to counteract that force.
Xiao rested for a moment to regain his spiritual strength. Summoning and binding was always a drain on his magical reserves, even using foci and talismans. He had one last thing to do before taking his Storms to task.
"My lord, the Generals are awaiting you," one of the peasants spoke timidly from the doorway.
"Thank you my child," he feigned gratitude. Give them crumbs and they will follow you around like a lost dog.
He rose and gathered his power once again. The Generals from the Southern Command and parts of the Eastern Command stood waiting nervously, muttering to each other as he grandly swept into the room.
"Ah, I am pleased to see you all my friends. I hope these unsettling times are not discouraging you all from acting in the manner that benefits our great nation."
"The witch in Beijing has gone too far in helping the traitors in Taipei," their leader spat.
"Indeed!" Xiao clasped his hands together. "Now my friends, did you bring me what I asked?"
They looked to each other.
"We have," the leader spoke. "This will ensure the loyalty of our troops?"
"Of course!" He boomed. He accepted the bundle from the leader and peeked inside.
It was full of human hair.
Not exactly the best of foci to use for a spell, but it was from fresh. He held the pouch up and uttered his spell as the Generals looked on. He suddenly pointed the group.
"
TINGCÓNG!"
They stiffened as the obedience spell crushed their wills. First the commanders, then the troops. He drew a weave of power, pulling the millions of hairs out of the pouch and setting them into the air in a ritualistic pattern. The pattern complete, he set his will against it, muttering the spells that crushed wills and instilled complete obedience. He was not a fool, and knew this spell was only a fragment of what it could truly be. The Maoists were onto something. Something unique.
Something he could exploit.
Yet he had to take care, for such a spell was very taxing, even with the Seal, and could easily kill the caster just to power it or leave their golden core shattered. Such was the fate of many of the Maoists when they tried it the first time and failed miserably.
"Your orders," He commanded the enthralled officers. "Find the Fox Cults and Shrines. Destroy them."
USN-JMSDF Joint Kanmusu Base, Sasebo
Cmdr. New Jersey leaned against the wall of the Operations Center as she watched the Drone feeds with one eye while the various talking heads were flapping their gums on another feed. The initial shock of battle had worn off, with the news crew evacuating the area as thick columns of black smoke rose from the battlefield. True she never liked the Commies, but she respected their sacrifice during Blood Week. The actual reports of the returned PLAN shipgirls operations were surprisingly sparse, with only one operation in the South China sea which ended in a win for the Allies, but proved that there were indeed strained relations with Taiwan and Japan as the instant the Abyssals were sunk the three sides entered into an extended shouting match of insults, demands, and recrimination. There was no love lost between the three sides, and the PLAN shipgirls rarely ventured beyond their territorial waters afterward.
"Admiral, we have a report coming in from Goya just east of Hainan Island. She spotted an Abyssal…coming out of Zhan Jiang."
"Just one?" Richardson frowned.
"Yes sir. She has a floatplane in the air and spotted the smoke."
"Does she have a visual?"
"The Abyssal is a light cruiser, Arethusa class, making a beeline for Hainan Island."
"A light cruiser?" Jersey blinked. "The commies had a light cruiser?"
One of the intel officers flipped through a book. "Yes ma'am. Started out as the HMS Aurora, pennant number 12. Entered service with the ROCN in 1948, crew defected to the PRC in 1949 and sunk in harbor by the Nationalists."
"Goya reports she's giving sounds like a Demon or Princess," one of the techs reported.
"Is there anyone on Hainan?"
"Unknown sir," The intel officer replied. "The PRC has been very tight lipped about their population numbers and locations since the war began."
"If she gets dug in we could have another Paracel situation on our hands," Jersey commented.
"Pass the intel to our ROCN liaison. Hainan is in their back yard," Richardson took a mug of coffee from a yeoman. "And let Goto know as well."
A/N- Thanks to
Yellowhammer and
Harry Leferts for corrections and suggestions
