Blades of Change

[Chief Huo Lian]

After the execution of the Luo family, I was put in charge of all their affairs. As I sat through that very meal, Huo Long ordered me to bring all the Luo people under me before the day was over. I was surprised that my father spoke to me so openly, as if he had not ignored my very existence for the past 18 years. His actions felt shameful; he ignored me until I became useful. Would being a boy have made any difference? I doubted it. I guess this man's personality uses everyone and everything to his own benefit. Such a disgusting man.

The moment my father opened his mouth to speak to me, I realized I hated him more than when he didn't speak. He transformed from being the father I hated to the man I hated, and now, after receiving his first order, he had become the ruler I hated. I even considered leaving. But then, I thought back to the promise I made to myself. I had worked too hard for the seat I now sat upon. 

I tried to probe for his strength with my perception, and again I felt that he was a mountain above mountains. Too formidable, I have heard that he entered the end of core formation ten years ago. I can give it some time. Once I am stronger than him, I will dethrone this shameless man myself. My goal is not to be chief; it is to be empress. I reminded myself.

"Congrats, new chief. Congratulations, new chief," many other members of the council praised me for becoming chief at such a young age. But with every congratulations, their eyes remained on the two heads on the table, their gestures of congratulations empty and their words less than empty. I smiled thinking of their foolishness and gutlessness.

All members left, including Huo Long. I stayed in. I ordered the guards, "Go call the head butler and head maid at the Luo estate. You go to the Luo military camp and call all the officers. Say it's urgent, and if not followed, they will be executed for treason." Treason was not as simple as killing the traitor. Each member of the family would be killed, including women and children, to prevent any upheaval in the future.

The two guards were terrified of me .I saw them staring at the blood stains on my armor as I spoke. They rushed to follow my orders. Moments later, five officers, the head butler. and the head maid arrived at the council room. I noticed earlier that only the chiefs and Huo Long were sitting at the council. Everyone else was standing. Since I was not asked to leave from the council room it meant that any member is allowed to use the council room; however, they cannot sit in anyone else's seat, and non-council members are not allowed to sit. Knowing this was likely Huo Long's order, either act must be considered treasonous. However I do not care. I would not have the people in front of me sit even if they were allowed to. Nor would I sit in a seat I did not carve out with my own sword. 

The seven members of the House of Luo entered, and immediately their eyes darted towards the heads of their previous leaders. They did not show grief, nor did they show shock. The entire capital knew about what I had done. I wanted it that way. By the time my meal was over, the corpses at the Luo estate should have been thrown out, without a burial preferably. No, to carry favor with me they probably threw their corpses by the trash to show me their new found loyalty. The staff worried about retribution and treatment under me, their new lord. Loyalty was indeed a great thing, but living is much greater.

I looked at each member, gauging their expressions. I am not used to dealing with people, having spent most of my life rigorously training. I only know how to slice a tongue, not use it for eloquent speech. But I did catch the essence of the eyes and faces, their silent tales whispering volumes of one's hidden intentions.As I narrowed my eyes, watching their every move, I slowly said, "I am your lord and your military commander. I am the seventh chief of the Huo Dynasty. Do you have any objections?"

Seven heads bowed, and seven loud voices recited, "No objection, Lord Huo." I scrunched my face; I hated my name. It meant I was attached to that man. But saying anything to these likely traitors was a bad thing.

"I will now be moving into the estate, the Lian estate," I emphasized. "I want all the furniture, all the floors, all the curtains, even the walls to be exchanged. Use whatever gold is available within the estate. I am sure the vault is still full, right?"

The old butler swallowed and said, "Of course, my Lord. Besides throwing the trash, we haven't touched anything since your last welcome."

"Good," I looked at the five officers and said, "Take me to the military grounds. Until the renovations are complete, I will be resting at the camp. I hope to have a new tent with all the new facilities."

"Yes, my Lord!" yelled the five officers.

My gaze locked onto the head maid's quivering shoulders, her stance rigid, her eyes flickering with unease. She appeared like a cornered animal, teetering on the edge of fear and desperation.

"Everyone outside except you," I asserted, my voice commanding obedience. The soldiers saluted, and the butler bowed, exiting the council room and leaving us in a tense silence.

"What is your name?" I softened my tone, inching closer, though her flinch was evident. "Li Na", she said. Her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to be heard.

Approaching her cautiously, I noticed the subtle traces of abuse etched around her neck, concealed beneath her uniform. Despite the bruises, her beauty shone through, a cruel contradiction to the torment she endured. My heart constricted with empathy, a reminder of the injustices rampant in our kingdom.

Her trembling intensified with my proximity. Was it my presence that instilled such fear? I slowed my pace, tempering my aura to alleviate her distress.

"Why are you trembling?" I inquired gently, barely audible. Li Na's legs buckled beneath her, tears cascading down her cheeks as she sought solace in my embrace. Her anguish weighed heavily upon me, a burden I had never borne.

"I apologize, my lord," she sobbed, her words heavy with anguish. "The maids have suffered at the hands of those men for so long."

As I comforted her, a surge of fury ignited within me. Hatred for the perpetrators and for the apathy of our kingdom engulfed me in a blazing inferno. Li Na's suffering mirrored the silent agony endured by countless women, a stark reminder of the pervasive cruelty lurking within our society. She appeared to be around thirty years old. My mother would be her age. This is the first time I have ever thought about her. My mind, filled with a single goal, now feels as if it has opened up. I was a frog in a well thinking of only my suffering, while the rest of the world had it so much worse than me. 

After her tears abated, Li Na straightened, resolving glimmering in her eyes. "I will prepare the estate for you, my lord," she pledged, her voice steadier now. "I will erase every trace of their vile presence." Her strength amazed me, a testament to her resilience.

With a nod of affirmation, she departed, leaving me to ponder the depth of her fortitude. I, too, exited the council room, my mind consumed by thoughts of justice and reform.

Releasing my aura, I observed as my officers staggered back, startled by the abrupt shift in energy. "Lead the way," I commanded, my voice resonating with authority tinged with righteous anger.

As we journeyed to the military camp, Li Na's tear-stained visage haunted my thoughts, fueling my determination to eradicate such atrocities. I vowed to shield the women under my command from harm, to ensure that their voices were heard and their suffering acknowledged.

Arriving at the camp, I unleashed my full aura, the very air crackling with power. My officers paled, but pressed on. They know better than to complain. Good. 

Approaching the front lines, I addressed the soldiers with unwavering resolve. "I am Huo Lian," I declared, my voice echoing like thunder. "Each time I appear, you will show the utmost respect and discipline. You may refer to me as commander or Chief Huo Lian, and nothing else. Understood?"

"YES COMMANDER!" they bellowed in unison

"Each one of you will follow discipline and not conduct a single atrocity on another. If you are found doing so that very moment you will be executed. Understood?" 

"YES COMMANDER"

"Continue training."

With pride swelling in my chest, I commanded them to resume their training. This is my army. I will command them to be people worth leading. 

As I gazed up at the full moon, a surge of determination washed over me. Today, I felt anger for another's suffering, a vow to right the wrongs and pave the way for a better tomorrow. With unwavering resolve, I pledged to lead my comrades to victory, united in our quest to vanquish the darkness that threatened to consume us.