Ever since the seventeen day deadline was announced, everyone tried to make the most of it, treating the remaining time as their last days on the planet.
Beussent’s flute songs were sometimes audible at the mountain peak, sometimes in places light couldn’t reach, sometimes where nobody was around and sometimes where a group was present. Nobody had any criticism of his skills in spite of them being ordinary to the point that the somewhat gloomy and familiar melody was unrecognisable. Perhaps the nostalgic sentiments he aroused gave it value.
Beussent set down his flute and took out a banana from his shirt. Gaze on the clouds, he began to peel the banana at his own leisure. “Since you are looking for me, why not be upfront about it? You create the impression we have shady dealings.”
“If you want to be so upfront about it, why choose a place without anyone around?” Ming Feizhen ambled out from behind a rock to Beussent’s side. Mayhap he was there before Beussent began playing, mayhap after. “I’ve read the ancient records at Shaman Faith. Mount Wanyu is called Shaman Faith’s Mount Ling because it’s where a phoenix’s traces are found, yet Shaman Monarch’s palace was never built here. Great Spirit Shaman chose to build it on the tallest mountain in Xiacang Anxi to be as conspicuous as possible, making sure everyone knew of Shaman Faith. Ever since the first Shaman Monarch, this place has been Moyan Clan’s territory, where they train the faith’s soldiers and forge weapons. Perhaps this place could be considered Shaman Faith’s sheath. Even if I didn’t depose of that scumbag, he would’ve lost his head in a matter of time.”
“… What do you want to speak to me about?”
“There’s something special in your eyes.”
Beussent touched his face. “Sorry about the sleep crust. I didn’t wash my face this morning.”
“It’s anger.” Ming Feizhen trained his gaze on the figurative mask Beussent wore. “What are you fervently pursuing? What are you bent on achieving? You’re angry you can’t achieve your goal and bashing yourself for being unable to achieve it. Your actions are unchecked and extreme. Declaring mutiny from Nieyao, opposing a powerful state with your measly army, swooping past the border on your own and sending people to search for A-Lan don’t dovetail the personality you show. Without some serious anger, I struggle to imagine what would disconcert attitude and actions.”
Beussent looked to Ming Feizhen. “I recall barely having spoken to you.”
“What do two ding dongs have to say to each other? We’re straight.” Ming Feizhen sat down on a big rock, where the wind blew hard against. “Never considered becoming Shaman Monarch?”
“No.”
Shaman Monarch wasn’t chosen from a decree of the previous Shaman Monarch – not to say that there had never been such precedence. According to the faith’s regulations, Shaman Monarch’s descendants didn’t have the right to succeed them. The true successor was on who possessed exceptional gifts.
According to the tales, Shaman Monarch passed on their gifts to an infant, enthroning the infant as the next Shaman Monarch. As Shaman Monarch, the inheritor naturally possessed the ability to converse with animals and tame them. Effectively, they ruled over all sentient life forms in Xiacang Anxi. The tale wasn’t fiction because the man beside Ming Feizhen was empowered with the ability.
“… How do you know?”
“In Shaman Faith’s history, there have been plenty of contests for power, and the impact of every single competition’s trickled down. All of the havoc ceases the moment Shaman Monarch shows up. You are Uncle Feng Xue’s disciple. I’m not convinced he couldn’t tell, neither am I convinced he wouldn’t tell you about your destiny.”
“That doesn’t explain how you know.”
“You probably aren’t aware, but,” Ming Feizhen pointed to a boulder nearby, “there’s always been someone following behind you.”
Beussent didn’t bother following Ming Feizhen’s finger/ “So it’s Patriarch Moyan.”
“Ever since you arrived on the mountain, Moyan Luohou has shadowed you. At first, I didn’t understand why he let me run rampant when Shaman Faith is supposed to be the most important thing to him. Now I know that, if he didn’t believe his real master was already alive, he couldn’t care less about my show. If he wasn’t aware of your existence, he’d probably be impossible to find, just like fengqi shenmu.”
Beussent bobbed his head. “That certainly was something worth noting.”
Ming Feizhen gestured it was no big deal with his hand. “I just wanted to ask, what do you want from Nieyao?”
“My ancestors were labelled traitors. Heisina Tribe was once the guards of Beussent’s royal family, yet they have been charged with killing the King they were supposed to be protect. I could never feel my ancestors’ sentiments until I saw my King die before my eyes. Being repined is nothing compared to that pain. Now I understand why he lived on ignobly regardless of the agony in order to find the truth. I don’t believe he wanted to clear his name but to find out what was truly to blame for his King’s death. I believe that was all he sought.”
“Just like you? Your ancestors chose to bear with the slander, while you chose to retaliate. In reality, your goal is the same as theirs: you all want to find out what happened in Nieyao back then.”
“… Was the same.” Beussent cast his gaze up at the clouds. “Do you know how many Heisina Tribe members die annually? They don’t die because of war or bandits; they die due to illness and starvation… Twenty years ago, winter would wipe out almost everyone. Even now, winters are challenging. At the start of each year, I have to estimate how many people would die in the year. It’s one of the worst jobs I have. I want to know why my tribesmen have to suffer this immutable torment. I want to know if we truly went rogue. I don’t just want the truth. I want the truth and glory.”
“That’s enough for me.” Ming Feizhen meandered off. “Without your support, this battle would only be mass suicide. By you, I don’t mean Shaman Monarch Heisina Chiyu. I mean Dragon Guardian Beussent. I take it you understand what I mean.”
“You also have something in your eyes.”
Ming Feizhen stopped. “I washed my face.”
“It’s the resolve to die if necessary. It appears that you also know the truth behind Nieyao.”
Ming Feizhen looked over his shoulders, eyes piercing. “The people on Mount Wanyu who are informed is probably limited to just you and I. You know what to do.”
Beussent wiped the sweat on his head. “I won’t mention a word.”
Ming Feizhen tugged up the corners of his lip and waved around a banana. “Thanks for the banana. I’ll treat you to pears when we have time.”
Once Ming Feizhen was gone, Beussent shook his head. “I’m afraid I won’t have the chance to taste it.”
