The Reincarnation of Shen Mu

The Reincarnation of Shen Mu   The Flames of War

Conflict is an eternal constant in the history of humanity. In every culture, in every age, and for every culture, fighting has always been an escape for humanity. A way to prove their convictions, to stop tyranny, or to create better opportunities. Conflict lives inside the very roots of the human spirit, as is their goodness, charity, and hopes for a better future.Countless wars have been fought in the name of every single value and ambition. For good and for bad, war has ingrained itself in the very essence of what makes one human.Whether it is a war against slavery and oppression, or a war to increase one’s own wealth, it is and will always be a proving ground for the convictions of men, their strengths and courage.In ancient times, in what one day would grow to be the great nation of China, two forces clashed with one another. One seeking to protect what they held dear, anchored on the honor of their ways and ancestors, believing that

The Reincarnation of Shen Mu   The Imperial Capital

As expected, the imperial army waited for us at the doors to the city. There were around five hundred soldiers on this side, almost double of the army behind me. In a straight-out campaign, we would surely be overwhelmed and killed before long, fortunately for us, Carbon and Khashi were as shrewd as they were experienced and in our previous talk, we had planned plenty of strategies to deal with a mightier force.Everything would depend on the presence of the demon and where and when it decided to appear.The experienced Mongolian scouts had gone over the defenses with their chieftains before riding out to check the strength and position of the enemy forces before our attack. All of them had come back with news of a massive army taking care of each of the doors, but most of it was stationed at the northern entrance, the very same I had always used when coming and going to my family house in Yan.If all went well, we would be bringing t

The Reincarnation of Shen Mu   Strategy meeting

The men on horses were wary of me now.No surprises there, I would be too after my last performance as Smaug, and the three celestial beings following me everywhere like puppies.We were half a day away from the fortified walls of the imperial capital and the forbidden city. I could almost smell the end of my journey and the uncertainty of my future. I did not doubt I would win, but what would happen after that….?When the uncertainty began to consume my heart I, once again, heard Marduk’s words like an echo from happier times ‘Worry not about things you have no control about. Think of the present, and what you can do to change it to your advantage.’He had been silent this whole while, probably thinking I had gone insane or giving me time to mourn in my own, destructive way.The chieftains Carbon and Mutugen were ecstatic with the developments, but Khashi was not, and h

The Reincarnation of Shen Mu   I See Fire

Since my Dragons were now separate entities from me, they produced and regenerated their own chi at a higher rate than I did, which, in turn, gave me back a small amount; therefore, by the time I joined the warrior by the Ji river, my Chi was practically full again.When my Wind Dragon landed gently on the ground before the mounted army, the day after I buried my family, I noticed that the warriors that had once been just under a hundred were now over three hundred.“Lord Tngri.” Carbon bowed as I stepped down from the back of the dragon. “We heard what happened from the rider you sent back, and we rode to your side.”Beside him were Khashi and Mutugen, the latter cracked his knuckles and declared: “we will not let the death of Chief Urus go unpunished.”“Follow me then. I will guide us to the capital… we will finish this war there.”The two who had spoken walked back to their horses, but Khash

The Reincarnation of Shen Mu   On the Wings of Legend

I returned to myself before moving back to Khutulun who had yet to regain her senses. Habibi had, unfortunately, passed away from her wounds, and I took a moment to mourn the animal that had stuck to me through thick and thin.“I hope your next life will be a peaceful one.” I caressed her blood-covered mane tenderly before turning to the riders that approached from the north. I supposed that I had to thank my stars that Fei had decided to attack by surprise, otherwise more lives would have been lost.“Chief!” shouted one of the surprises that I had found within the hundred warriors following me, it was Oriana, the same girl who hung a prayer over my shoulder not too long ago. She dismounted and approached Khutulun, checking her wounds.“She will be fine, I healed her, but it’ll be a while before she wakes up.” The riders stopped before me as I addressed them “The empire has failed us! I ask you to return Khutulun t

The Reincarnation of Shen Mu   The Rage of the Dragon

(From the General’s perspective)Fei Hong picked himself from where he had fallen, while his men were only just stirring on the ground around the traitor and the enemies of the empire.It had been quite a shock to find out that the man he had respected and honored had conspired to bring the end of the empire, and for what? Ambition? The prince had been given everything, had been accepted to the palace as a member of the royal family, the late emperor had even proposed he marry his only daughter. Was this the way he paid for the care the emperor had offered him? Did his wickedness know no bounds?It had been a hard pill to swallow, but everything was as the first prince had said. The poison, the motive… the treachery.He had even hinted that he should get in contact with the third prince in case he needed ‘help’ to convince the emperor… To think he would have sent him toward his accomplice… truly he h

The Reincarnation of Shen Mu   Conferring with the enemy

The Reincarnation of Shen Mu   The way back Home

As much as I wanted to rush back to the empire, solving things would take time. The Xiongnu didn’t have only one governing body, and despite having the majority with me, there were still four more tribes that would need to be convinced before we could put an end to the conflict. Word was sent to the battlefield to stop any more attacks, and for the remaining warriors to come back to our position to be introduced to me and my ideas. In the meantime, I spent my time healing the wounded and sick and building up my strength for the tribulation. Whatever free time I had, was otherwise spent with Khutulun on one side, and the rest of the chieftains on the other. Khutulun simply wanted to spend time with me, getting to know the man that had pronounced the words that would join our futures just as I got to know her better. Badai wanted to introduce me to every single one of the members of his tribe, all of which still prayed to Tngri for various things, from food to feed their children, to