Demonic Tribulations - Chapter 68 preview (Patreon)

Chapter 68 – Tou He

Hiding his face, passing through the crowds as a pedestrian was simpler for the cultivator than he expected. Even as carriages and wagon were stuck, forced to wait; the mortal traffic flowed. Rickshaws pushed through, utilizing smaller side streets or finding gaps where they could, while palanquins and their carriers bullied normal passengers aside.

Biamin’s wolf squeezed their way through, shouldering aside those who might not notice – or cared not to – with casual ease. Not that she had to do that too often, as they passed through the outer layer of the city where commerce was conducted into the quieter, inner portions of the settlement.

Here, merchants and traders were more respectful, the modes of dress more luxurious and of better quality. Biamin led them, immediately, to an inn; paying generously for a private suite at the top of the towering, almost pagoda-like structure. He followed after her, noting the curious gazes thrown in his direction, the frank exchange of interest, concern and appreciation amongst serving girls and nobles alike. There were many demons here, though few enough of the niuquhue. Those creatures, he sensed only near their barracks, the bubbles of controlled water they utilized to keep their scaly skin hydrated a dead giveaway.

That he had a well proportioned, muscular form was not unknown to him. That he was short for a cultivator meant little in this realm, where demons came in a variety of shapes and sizes. Tou He knew he moved well – years training martial arts had gifted him with an unconscious grace that showed in his movements. Yet their lust…

Their lust bothered him only in that it was directed at him. Once, he might have battled such thoughts himself. However, as he had aged, as his cultivation level had grown, he found himself less interested in the physical form. Impulses had slowed, grown near non-existent.

He could appreciate beauty in another, much like one might appreciate a well made vase or a well-tended garden. In that sense, other appreciating him should not matter – and yet, it bothered him. A little. So he ignored it, at least for the moment. He knew part of it was the expectation that such consideration often included, but there were more aspects to it.

Some consideration for another time, perhaps.

Inside the rooms, Tou He checked over the surroundings, noted the bath tub. He closed the doors on the bathing area, knowing that servants would arrive soon to begin filling them as Biamin had requested. Cleaning the dirt and wear from his clothing and body would be good, though utilization of his dao and flame kept him presentable, if not clean feeling.

“What do we do now?” Tou He asked, softly.

“We do nothing.” Stressing the first word, Biamin glared at Tou He. “I shall go out and find the maps we require. I’m going to listen to the gossip, and ascertain if there are issues with our route. And look into methods to get there faster.”

“Isn’t Minsci doing that?” Tou He said.

“He’s getting what we need to move faster ourselves. I’m looking at touring groups or merchants or other conveyances that might be moving faster.”

“Can I not help?” he asked, quietly. “Surely I can be more use than just hiding in this room. There is so much that I could be doing, in general.”

“You said you wanted to make it to complete your vow. This is the way.”

“I could give myself up. They’ll likely take me there on their own volition.”

“And doom us?” Biamin said. “You have a use for them. Minsci and I, less so. In any case, how will you end the Emperor if you are captured?”

Tou He sighed. That was a very god point. He intended, of course, to try to reason the man out of his position. Even, now that he was understanding the scope of their activities, understand why the empire kept expanding. Why he had not ascended already, and why they kept sacrificing so many. Perhaps he could reason them away from this conflict, come to a peaceful solution.

He hoped, but Tou He was a realist enough to know that was unlikely. If that became the case, doing battle with the emperor was necessary. However, three against the entire city would be too much. If that was the case…

“We need allies,” Tou He said, abruptly.

“To kill the Emperor?” Biamin’s lips twitched upwards in a wry smile. “A lot of them. Or a few generals.”

“Tell me more about how the empire is set-up. I know of the Generals. They’re sent out, to conquer and send back slaves. Force clans that are subjucated to empower a single individual, who are then captured and sent back for sacrifice. But what if a solider rises too far?”

“They are promoted, of course.”

“Not sacrificed too? Power takes in power, that’s the way of this realm, is it not?”

“It is. But no empire could last, if everyone is afraid of doing too well.”

“It doesn’t have to last long.”

“Well, Jura wasn’t recalled. And I never heard of any others being recalled either. Within the army, those who grew in strength were promoted, not sacrificed. If there was other dealings, I did not hear of it.”

“You were not trusted though,” Tou He pointed out.

“Auxillary forces, yes.” Biamin’s lips thinned. “I’ll keep an ear out, if I hear anything. But if we want to make any progress, I should go.”

Tou He nodded, looked around and sighed. “I can listen, from here. At least down in the tavern below, and the ones nearby. My friend would be better though – the wind would bring with it all the gossip.”

“Good.” She hesitated, reached out and gave his arm a squeeze. “I know this is frustrating. That you see a lot that needs to change, that you can help. But what good you can do now, it will be overshadowed by the good you can do in the future.”

“Making promises of future virtuous deeds when cruelty abounds in the present seems like a poor tradeoff.” Tou He sighed. “We never know what the future might bring. Like the child who was nearly run over by a cart, their future ended before it had begun.”

Lips compressed, but Biamin decided to take his initial agreement to just listen as sufficient. She left, without adding anything further, leaving him to open the balcony doors and lean against the wall on the inside. Out of sight of all, but able to listen.

To the gossip and conversations of the mundane, to see if perhaps, he could grasp the workings of those high above; in the words bandied by those far below and far away the central axis of power. That it might be futile annoyed him, but it was the most his companions would let him do.