Demonic Tribulations - Chapter 92 preview (Patreon)

Chapter 92 – Yin Xue

He was halfway through the day, having skipped lunch and only snacking on the tea and finger foods that had been provided to him while he worked in silence. His understanding of the kingdom had expanded through the reading he had been doing, though it still felt lacking in large parts. He had some uncommon grasp of the underhanded dealings of some of the nobility – the upper caste of this society – but he still lacked context and understanding of all the players.

Worst, ransacking the building had not given him what he needed to accomplish any of the favors owed to the dragon. He had no idea how to reinforce a dimensional seal. No idea where the one who came with him might have gone.

So he read, and pondered.

The remaining documents that lay ready for translation might provide him further clarity about the political situation, but Yin Xue found himself unwilling to delve into it at the moment. Instead, he summoned Wase to the second floor study, one that overlooked the peaceful lake that the guest house had been built alongside. It was no more than a pond in Yin Xue’s own estimation, having come from a land of water and rivers galore, but in this land; it was a marvel.

“My lord?” Wase spoke, slipping in as Yin Xue stood staring at the gently lapping water. How peaceful it seemed, with the bobbing vegetation in the distance. “You have further questions?”

“Assumptions that need confirmation.” Wase shifted a little, just a small tightening in his torso and straightening in his back, so Yin Xue added to clarify. “To the best of your ability. I understand you were a servant. Trusted, but still a servant nonetheless.”

“I shall do my best.

“There are over a thirteen castes in this society, with some like the untouchables – the baheej - at the bottom of the pile. The baheej are outcasts and lower than all the other castes but make only a small percentage of the population. For the most part, there are four major groupings that we have to worry about who make up the majority. The ghalzri – the commoner class, which have other specific additional designations on them, the fankar who are the artist class, again often with added notations to their specific works, the muraa'aat who are your average upper class and the ones we see most commonly and at the top, the visal. The radiant ones, the highest group.”

“That is… simplistic. But in generalities, correct, sir.”

Yin Xue waved the man’s objections away. He knew there was more to learn, the intricacies of an entire society could take him years to work out. However, he did not need the intricacies right now. Just an overall understanding.

“It’s believed that you are all reborn in the caste that you deserve to be within, that ascending from caste is impossible. So cultivation is generally withheld to those of the lower caste, and restricted to even those of the higher end. What resources there are, are pushed upwards to ensure that those at the highest caste may further themselves.”

“Yes. And the visal are, all without fail, stronger than us. Showcasing their indisputable right to rule.” The sarcasm in Wase’s voice was light, though impossible to ignore.

“We can debate such beliefs later, if you wish.” Yin Xue waved his hand, dismissing the topic. “However, I would advance that cultivation is for everyone.” Lips tightened, as he checked on the group training in the courtyard on the opposite side of the building. At first, he had believed the sudden increase in cultivation levels had been due to starvation of resources becoming replete. However, in the time since, when the refugees had continued to expand on their training and consumed the spirit stones they had brought without fail, their progress had not slowed. He had a hypothesis about this, from his understanding of the dao he had consumed, the cultivation methods and this species; but he chose to keep silent for now.

After all, if he was right, the implications was staggering. Potentially realm ending. This and others.

“Of course. Is that all?”

“No. That was but the general understanding. It seems to me that there are multiple contending groups, within the muraa’aat and visal. Mostly, surrounding groups of visal who have coordinated themselves and joined together, though there is a singular muraa’aat lead group from the army that has grown in strength too.”

“The Crimson Skies.” Wase nodded. “My – the – rahnuma was concerned about them. Too many wars in the far edges of the empire had seen them grow in strength and loyalty. Now, they refuse to return to where the visal might have control. Some believe that they will break away soon and form a new nation.”

“And you?”

Wase shrugged.

“Do not do that. You have a right to your opinion.”

“Even if it is wrong?”

“Most especially then. How are you ever going to be right, if you’re not wrong?” Yin Xue said. “Anyway, it’s not as though your guess could be worse than mine.”

Wase hesitated, then added. “I think the visal’s fears lean in the wrong direction. The lands at the edges of the empire are poor, the resources few. Building a new nation takes significant effort. Easier to conquer one that is already present, where ghalzri work the fields and the mantezm will run the country for you.”

“In the meantime, the visal fight one another, trying to vie to be the new sorj ka beta.”

“Yes. My rahnuma was attempting to build up his own forces, by tying your people to him. He wished to utilize their armies to fight his war for him, since it would give him an army that was obviously linked to him.”

“Surprise human-demonic army.” Yin Xue snorted, understanding now where the Cai king lay in this. Though, he wondered how well that might have worked out if the Cai king had ever been truly tasked with sending his armies over. Did Wase’s rahnuma truly understand the man he had tied himself to, the degree of consumption his dao demanded?

A question to ask them, perhaps. If they ever met.

“I cannot tell how many groups there are, among the visal. Three? Four?” A snort. “Eight?”

“It depends on how serious one considers each party. The current sorj ka beta has four wives, eight children but only three of the children are considered proper contenders because of their current strength.” Wase shrugged. “Of course, the second wife is considered a power in her own right and her daughter a woman of great strength; but…”

“But?”

“Women do not rule. The sorj is always a male.”

Yin Xue rolled his eyes. Of course they would restrict women too. While there was some degree of that in the Middle Kingdom, especially among royalty, cultivators generally offered greater paths to advancement for women.

The Dao did not have favorites.

“With good reason.” The look he received made Wase add. “The last daughter of the sun was a terrible tyrant that ruled for near a millennia. It took the celestial kingdom itself to bring her down. She crushed all opposition, destroyed multiple kingdoms, left many crippled and dead.”

“So a single mistake was enough? A single individual tarred all women forever?” He shook his head and continued. “What then about people like me – the huma falak – and the way your people view us?”

 “Weapons. Tools. Disruptors. Those who come are often like you.”

“Like me?”

“Powerful. Your dao’s are specialized, often martial. The rulers draw you to them to wield you against others,” Wase said. “You are resources and tools in a fight that is not yours, but the moment you arrive, wielding your swords and spears, you are drawn into it.”

“So, if there was another… they would likely be taken to court? Or utilized by one of the competing parties.” A clue, then, of where the other interloper might be.

“Yes.”

“If I had played along when I first came, that would be my future then.” Yin Xue grimaced, mentally, over his choices. Too late now to make another. Not unless he intended to kill all his witnesses.

“Perhaps some groups might not embrace you as directly, but they all will want to use you for their ends. Your ignorance makes you a useful too.”

“I see. Then, let us talk specifics.” Yin Xue lips thinned. “I do not think return to the Middle Kingdom is an option. Not for me. I know not what other options there might be in other realms, or how to find them. And I have matters that I need to attend to, here.” Amongst them, feeding a hungry dragon. “Carving out a place here, for myself, seems the best option.”

“Of course, my lord.” Wase bowed. “And we will aid you as best we can. In hopes that you will remember us, when the time comes.”

A nice sentiment, but Yin Xue did not forget how quickly the man betrayed his former enslaver. He would use him, but he would also watch him.