Demonic Tribulations - Chapter 24 preview (Patreon)

Chapter 24 - Tou He

Tou He sat, unfazed as his friends shouted at him. He was used to such outbursts. Not that it was common that he was lambasted for his actions, at least not recently. It was not even as though all of them were raising their voices, though Biamin looked to be close to that act, whereas Minsci was just frustrated and Jian angry in both heads, adding to the uproar.

“You promised, promised to let us do this!” Jian said, the word promised echoing from the second head. “Why lie, when you could have just have refused, refused.”

“I did not lie,” Tou He said, mildly. “I but let you make your own assumptions.”

“Lies in another way,” Minsci snapped. The rouliguo was a one-armed, snake like demon creature who made up for his infirmity in the traditional ways of his people, by building himself a mechanical arm that took up the other side of his body. “Why are you even here? I understand you’ve been here for days already!”

“I wished to bid goodbye to you all and ensure that you are able to acquire the goods necessary for the city,” Tou He said. “Also, to smooth out what matters I may, beforehand.”

“Smooth out?” Biamin snorted, the white haired demon’s four eyes blinked and she raised elegant pale hands to the sky. “The human seeks to simplify matters for us poor demons. Our savior.”

“You can lighten on the sarcasm,” Tou He said, mildly. “I do understand it.”

“Then you understand the irony of a human attempting to simplify matters in a demonic city in demon lands, all while being a declared invader of our realm!” Biamin’s voice grew chillier with each word, such that by the time she was done, ice had formed on the rim of Tou He’s teacup and little flakes of snow had begun to fall.

“I can see you are angry, but there is no need to take it out on the tea,” Tou He gestured to the table he had set before him for this meeting. “The tea blends they have here are quite unique, using a variety of dessert flowers. I have acquired a small sample for my own use, in the future.” He gestured again, repeating his earliest invitation to them, before they had started shouting at him in the inn. “Sit, let us talk. It seems you have done well, at least?”

“Well enough,” Biamin eventually settled into a chair, taking one of the cups. It frosted over immediately, but she still tilted the cup back, breaking the light ice covering to drink the tea cold. “We have acquired most of what we need, most especially the seeds necessary for the next season. Further agreements for sale are tentative.”

“Yes. Most aren’t wiling to settle into long-term arrangements, not with a new settlement,” Minsci sniffed. “Though they are quick to buy my people’s goods.”

“The craftsmanship of the rouliguo is well known. Well earned,” Jian answered, clapping one hand on the other leader’s arm. “We have purchased much metal and cloth and leather on consignment, so that the rouliguo might work without impediment. Even a single caravan has been arranged, to come by to collect their wares. We shall, hopefully, have much more to sell too.”

Tou He smiled, grateful to hear that things had gone well. His experience in this city had shown that it likely would have, all their fears aside. The leaders of this city were smart and level headed, not prone to jumping into hasty action. In such an environ, deals could be made.

“What have you been up to, while we are here?”

“What else? I have been praying, meditating and preaching when asked.” He poured the tea all around, noting that the cups were empty before continuing. “What small aid I could offer, I have.”

His casually spoken last sentence was not missed by his company. Minsci was the first to speak. “What, exactly, did you do?”

“Some burial ceremonies and a blessing on their graveyard. I had to deal with the risen, of course, but that was a simple matter.”

“You had to deal with the risen…” Biamin sighed. “And you didn’t ask them for payment for any of that, did you?”

“Of course not. While I am not an ordained priest, I know the rites well enough and belief is all that is truly necessary,” Tou He said. “The soul has already moved on, so it is the comfort of the survivors that is of greatest import.”

“Did they at least gift you something?”

“Some small favors that I was willing to accept.”

“And the magistrate? What of the cleansing?” Jian asked.

“What of him?”

“He is in charge of the cemetery! He should have paid you for your work,” Biamin said, wearily. “But he doesn’t care. He’ll say it was easy enough work to do, and it required little from him, so why should he charge? He’s not even wrong. What would be a difficult job for any other would be simple for our human, with his purifying flame of the heavens.”

“If we only help one another when there is some form of gain in it, what a terrible world we would live in,” Tou He said. “An existence of calculated transactions for even the smallest gift or action. A world where community must be purchased, rather than gifted to one and all.”

“Yet, you should know your value too,” Minsci said. “What I create, what my people create, cannot be gifted. Metal and leather and, yes, my time is all important. It has value, and if I were to gift what we produce, we would soon be impoverished.”

“True enough, but what value is my time or my flames? One I have centuries of, and undertaking acts that aid another is of value – to me. As for my flames, that was gifted to me by the heavens themselves, pressed into my hands whether I willed it or not. Why should I not spread it around – with some more care.”

“Give up,” Biamin said. “It is exhausting trying to argue with this one. He will never learn.” Pointing a long, manicured finger at Tou He, she continued. “More importantly, what is it that you intend next? And don’t say dinner.”

“Why, to complete my journey, of course.” Tou He smiled, serenely at the trio.

“We’ve already told you, it’s impossible. You’re just journeying to your death!” Minsci snarled, slamming his metal hand on the table. The table tilted upwards, and only Tou He’s gentle adjustment of it ensured it did not flip. “Can you not value your life as greatly as we do?”

“I surely do,” Tou He said. “All life is sacred. It is because I understand that, that I must act. The susanoo cannot be allowed to be completed. Not in the way he is undertaking it, at least. The niuquhue will destroy this land and all the people that live in it, in their attempts to achieve their goals. In good conscience, I cannot look away.”

“Even if that means your death death?” Jian said.

“If not me, then who?” Tou He touched his chest. “I cannot believe that my gift of the flames nor my presence in this realm is anything but fate.”

“So you believe- foolish - that you have no choice in taking action - action?” Jian said.

“I am making a choice now, am I not? But I am not blinded to the flow of history and the actions of the past that have shaped me and this situation.”

“So we are all fated to do whatever it is that we do?” Biamin said, coldly.

“Of course not. You chose to save your people and separate from the niuquhue. You chose to stand up for what was right, even at great risk. I choose now, to take another stand.” Tou He shrugged. “The heavens may offer opportunities, but it is up to us make use of them.”

“Complicated – difficult – beliefs.” Jian said.

“Yes, but better to believe in both, rather than either. The first makes us but puppets to destiny. The second would be too crushing, too tragic. For if we are entirely the master’s of our own destinies, than every action, every tragedy and every failure we have ever encountered is our own doing. That kind of burden would crush even the strongest man.”

“Then, what is there left for us - me?” Jian asked.

“Choices. As always, we have choices to be made.” Tou He’s eyes crinkled, as he leaned forward and dropped his voice. “Most importantly, what are we having for dinner?”