The people who had feared for their lives, just hours earlier.
You imperials stayed in your valleys, and left the ranges and the ravines to us. Before, it was only the occasional bad seed that I would have to deal with. “Things… things didn’t used to be this bad. “An imperial, callin me noble?! Hah!” The tribesman burst out laughing, drawing the attention of the people below, before he trailed off, sighing. “A noble goal.” Xiaoshi said, and the other man startled. He would follow this lonely path until the end. He would shoulder everything, so his little village would never have to worry again. It was, after a fashion, what Xiaoshi was doing.
Xiaoshi could feel his Qi and his intent pouring off him like a wave, and bowed his head in acknowledgement.
#Imperial glory crack full#
I would die a thousand deaths, and shoulder every dishonour, before I let them be hurt.” Guo Daxian’s words were full of conviction. I would have no name to lead me back to my kin. “If I'm an outlaw even to my own people, they can’t ever accuse them of horbouring me.” He said. After a moment mulling it over, he answered. The man with the bandana turned to him in surprise at his question. “Why do you name yourself bandit?” Xiaoshi asked the other man, at Tianlan’s prodding. No true savage bandit would look people over with such concern. But Xiaoshi was beginning to get the feeling that he preyed less on people than the tales would tell. Guo Daxian, legendary bandit, scourge of this area, who preyed on all under his eyes.Īt least that's what the Emperor's criers declared. He had used it to great effect, spiriting away the people, and tying up soldiers. Sharp eyes peered out from beneath it, and a blade attached to a rope was his weapon. He had a bandanna that covered his hair and the top of his forehead. He had, with his new companion, rescued them from bondage, and spirited them safely away, back to lands where the emperor held less sway. He kept an eye on the men and women below from the rock he was seated on. In the end, they were little different from his own people. To have tattoos was the mark of gang members and criminals, but even old aunties had them here. Honestly, that was the thing that was the most different, as far as Xiaoshi could tell. Xiaoshi agreed that it looked quite fetching. “I really like that lady’s tattoos.” Tianlan said, directing his eyes to a woman, who had an interesting design that looked like beautiful rings around her fingers, and a flower-shaped design on the back of her hand.
Their expressions had been the same as people in the Empire’s, when he had torn off their shackles. Slightly darker in complexion with clothing of differing styles and cuts and thick accents. Of course, that information was spread by the criers of the Emperor… Xiaoshi had resolved himself to disregard everything that they had said. He had been conflicted, at first, in intervening on their behalf, when he had found them taken by Imperial soldiers. Others said that they were cannibals and rapists one and all. Stories told that they had tusks and horns, or other animal parts. The first time Xiaoshi laid eyes upon a “vicious tribal” he had to confess that he was quite disappointed. Together, an Earth Spirit who knew little, and a man who had spent most of his life in a little village ventured out into the world, and learned of the land and its people.Īnd that the Emperor's cruelty affected everyone. They were curious about the world the Emperor ruled… the world that they hoped to save. They grew in strength, day by day, as more places were found where golden roads could be pulled to the surface.īut despite the grim nature of their task, and the determination with which they set about it… both still held a small sense of wonder. They were wholly focused upon their goal. and it seemed that Xiaoshi and Tianlan didn’t care. What would drive the Emperor to such excess? Bi De could not comprehend why the Emperor had allowed such things.
They fought against the wicked excesses of the Azure Emperor. He kept the changes in mind, as he observed their path, and their actions.īi De approved of those, at least. They all had pointy peaks, even Cloudrest Peak, that was nearly a third taller than Bi De remembered it being. It was most strange to see the differences in the landscape. Xiaoshi made a rough circuit of the interior of the Empire, with its grand mountains jutting proudly to the heavens. They would not bring the Emperor’s men to their home’s doorstep. The pair briefly considered returning to their village, but in the end, decided against it. Bit by bit, together, they brought Tianlan’s Dragon Veins to the surface. He watched as Xiaoshi and Tianlan traveled the Azure Empire’s furthest reaches bringing Xiaoshi’s plans to fruition. And so Bi De dove into the glimmering memories within the crystal.
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