Even as he raised a hand to his throat, he did not feel hesitancy, only thought on whether it was worth crushing his own throat now.
He was not afraid, and did not feel he had to do anything.
Only that he wanted to.
He was not driven by duty nor oaths.
In a way, he envied those who could be so single minded, as he did not have the same luxury.
Solemnly shaking his head, his eyes then trembled as warmth wrapped around him in the form of arms.
A moment seemed like an eternity.
"Don't worry," Came the voice which seemed to stretch warmth into time, each moment spent a lifetime he did not wish to end, this person who warmed him when the world sought to make a monster of him, "Yan or Feng. Exiled Court or Wildlands. Endless Dao or Great Path. Demons or Deities. I will be here, with you, forever."
Raising his trembling hand, he touched the warm arms wrapped around him, and tears began to fall.
Yet, his bloodline robbed him of the relief and the emotions which should have stood behind it.
He felt only one thing.
Emptiness.
—
Days passed.
With news of the war between Shou and Yan, a great stir arose within Shouai City.
The people were, naturally, up in arms within their hearts, but terrified in reality, staying in their homes despite their rage. They did not want to lose their lives even though the Shou Clan had helped them greatly.
Guo Long quickly took the chance to reassure the people while reminding them of his own involvement in the creation of the new Shouai, causing them to listen to him, especially when he told them of how it was better to leave the Shou alone, lest they get in the way.
The support of the External Affairs Ministry was, as expected, only reaching to the Shouai Cities residents and the position of City Lord. The Shou Clan would not be defended.
Elder Yu had long left without a trace.
—
Within the large courtyard in the main residence of the Shou Clan at the center of the Baikan Forest, hundreds of clansmen gathered, their number almost a thousand in total from the lowest of staff to the high brass.
Standing in neat order, they waited, today was called as a gathering, many naturally could guess what the high brass had called them for.
A call to war.
A call for them to fulfill their oaths.
Wiiing!
Just as they finished gathering, a sharp light flashed above, and a familiar young man appeared on the back of a sword flying high above them.
"Listen well, clansmen!" Patriarch Xin's voice was like a thunder crack through the clear evening sky, "By my command, all of you who are not willing to die, will disperse! You will be given fair compensation and will not be harmed nor looked down upon! The Yan are strong, and ruthless, I will not hold it over any person who holds their own life dear!"
The crowds did not move.
Commander Liu and Treasurer Yui stood beneath Patriarch Xin, flanking him on their sides.
"To those who have trained, should you leave, you will not be breaking your oath! You swore to give your lives to defend the clan, not die in vain! Holding it in your hearts and keeping that place secure, is an oath well kept!" Commander Liu shouted with a rough and ragged tone which seemed used to yelling.
"You, who have seen the numbers, know the truth." Treasurer Yui said solemnly, "Do as you will, I will not fret."
Once more, no one moved.
It was not because they thought it would look bad, but because they felt incredulous and confused at the words they'd heard as though the most ridiculous thing in the world.
Suddenly, one person turned their back catching the eyes of many of this around them. Their back which carried the symbol of the Shou Clan.
The Sword and Platform.
A solemn oath.
No one clansmen is above another.
But also an oath to oneself, that rain or shine, by the blade or bow, by old age or in youth, they would not abandon their duties even if the sword may fall and take their heads.
There was no retreat for the Shou.
Frowning solemnly, that single clansmen caused a wave, the others understanding the fastest way to show their determination.
They turned their backs, but not to run.
Rather to show the oath they swore, and allow it to speak for them.
The Shou stand united.
—
Shou Xin watched in disbelief.
Was this the clan of killers? Was this the clan which would stab a dagger into one another for a small gain? Was this the Shou of old?
No.
This was the clan he built from the ground up! These were the values he had instilled and shown from the moment he began, till this very moment.
This was the oath he swore in his heart when he took up the mantel as patriarch!
In his heart, an emotion which his bloodline could never hope to restrain arose!
Love.
His heart warmed.
He could not trample their resolve and so spoke.
"...I am blessed, to have such clansmen at my side. And so, heed this order!" The clansmen turned back, razor focused their eyes alight, "None of you shall die! Not a single life will be lost! No matter if you must slog through the mud, nor eat tree bark to survive! No matter the atrocity nor evil! None of you will die! It is forbidden, and any who do will not be remembered!"
Shou Xin turned his back, unable to look at their reactions, instead revealing the symbol on his back, the oath carved by blades into his very flesh.
"And if you ever feel hopeless, remember this!" His sword aura soared like a flood dragon shooting into the sky!
Wings spread and a terrifying roar shook the clouds!
"I am with you."
He took to the sky unable to bear the countless eyes boring holes into his back, following his movements.
His words were like bells in their ears, and his absence like a thunderclap.
The Shou clansmen began to move.
War was on the horizon.
—
"Master."
"Disciple."
The youth whose face was torn by time, hair a loose bludgeoned silver.
The young man, hair as dark as night like raven feathers and eyes like an empty abyss.
"Uphold your end of the contract."
"What an arrogant way to ask for help."
They did not break eye contact with each other, neither one interested in talking too much with the other as it would end in a fight neither could truly win either because of strength or oaths.
"I defend against opponents that are interesting. Not trash. Build a defensive formation or something."
"Help with it. You live here too. From what I know, you're also taking an interest."
"Ridiculous."
The young man looked down at the youth with disdain.
"Go away. Disciple. If your sand castle falls, it's because of you."
"I will set a single day as worship day."
"Now we're talking. I'll transfer the knowledge of large-scale formations."
The Tilu began, and ended just as fast.
"Won't help till the very end. I really despise you, Master."
"The river runs both ways, Disciple."
The young man raised a finger, touching the youth's forehead to both of their great disgusts.
Within the youth's inner sea, a small galaxy seemed to appear revealing many intricacies of Formations and Array's to him directly, leaving no room for learning as though one stuffing everything directly.
The youth hated this form of brute force learning the most, but he didn't have time to properly decipher it. Those runes and understandings which the galaxy left behind directly flew onto his Sword Mount, covering it in curious symbols which when arranged could create different phenomena.
As the youth turned away, the young man vanished back into his shrine. It was clear that neither of them wanted anything to do with the other, but had no other choice.
They were bound by something stronger than fate.
Soul Oath.
His pupils shrank as he thought of the formations, his mind twisting and turning those runes in countless patterns, small explosions going off in his inner sea every few seconds, shaking his internal organs but not destroying them.
Calling upon his Sword Field, he began testing that alongside the runes and some interesting things began to appear.
Infusing his Qi directly into a large defensive formation before it formed by infusing it into the materials used for it, could allow him to control it with greater ease.
He checked his storage ring.
From the many two visits to the Demon Realm, he had gathered many hundreds of blood stones from the Bull Demons, many of them being high quality ones above Fifth Stage.
Using them, he began setting them up everywhere around the Baikan, his forceful knowledge of Arrays and Formations not deep at all, but capable enough though he had to use up absolutely every last blood stone due to his own inadequacies, instead choosing to compensate by giving more power.
Having infused each of those with his Qi when he killed their original owners, it happening when his qi would cut through them and run rampant, it was a simple thing to link them back.
The runes around his Sword Mound shone brightly and then directly burned themselves into the Sanguine Sword Law, taking a shape of their own!
"Sanguine Sword Array."
The runes devoured by the Sanguine Sword Law dripped out, drenched in a crimson color that was not unlike dried up blood.
Looking at the new, grim addition to his inner sea, the youth sent massive amount of Qi into the runes! Having fused the runes to his Law, it was more capable of controlling the blood stones which were infused with his qi, resonating with them in a way no one else could.
In that moment, everyone looked at the sky.
A massive field with countless mysterious and strange formations appeared, covering up the sky and land in a translucent crimson fog!
The shadow of hundreds of swords hanging in the sky like that on their own backs were easily seen through the heavy fog.
The entire Baikan, in all of it's glory had been turned into a foggy mess.
Those on the outside could not see the fog as it did not go far above the treeline, and was thin around the edges, but those within the center knew the hidden truth.
Those grounds of the Shou was left empty of fog, but just outside the perimeter wall, there was a thick, oozing fog feeling like a thousand swords pointing at you, the coldness of the blade ring against you.
Though, to those of the Shou clan this was not terribly fearful.
Under Vienna, they had suffered worse.
Standing at the top of the Heart Mind Pagoda, the youth felt his inner sea directly drained, however, the formation could only grow stronger. As it stood, it could easily handle hundreds of Fifth Chain Experts, however, a single Seventh or Eighth Chain could get through, though not break it.
It would take a Ninth Chain Expert to break the Great Sanguine Sword Array completely. Such was the strength provided by hundreds upon hundreds of blood stones.
Until it was used, the formation would continue indefinitely.
The more Qi was infused into the runes, the stronger it became, as well.
At this point, unless he said otherwise, it would attack anyone who got too deep, and mislead anyone who was just at the edge, stopping them from getting too close.
There was only one path through the Baikan now, and that was the single, untouched path straight through the center.
The youth was sure that word would spread to not enter the Baikan anymore swiftly due to the powers within Shouai understanding his intentions.
"A great formation."
(Author's Note: Formation is made up of Arrays, the name of this is the Great Sanguine Sword Formation, not array. I made a mistake :).)
—
Daylight, nighttime, the morning sun and setting moon. Destruction and Rebirth.
As days collected countless causes and effects within, the night birthed their reactions as though it's very mission to do so.
In the night, before the moon rose and the sun already fallen, a moment of complete darkness blankets the world save for the starlit sky beaming it's light down upon the lands.
Amid it, shadows roamed swiftly.
A large mountain with countless little burrows in the side of it, and many more houses at it's base from where workers lived.
Fukkatsu Kiru.
Yanhu Kai.
These techniques clashed fiercely causing sparks to splash everywhere as the light of swords shone only breifly, the battle dragging on!
A painted river appeared to follow the tip of the sword creating a raging path of destructive force behind it.
Guooo!!!
The roar of an ancient beast rang out! Illusory flood dragons circled the sword and tearing through the sky like monsters!
Clang!
Bang!
"Kuh-!"
Yanhu Kai!
Countless swords strokes fell from the river as the force of it's raging emotion slammed into the youth, his sword breaking into two moves.
Yanhu!
His eyes shade like flood lights as he caught the full impact of the raging river head on with his own! Catching it's flow directly, he grit his teeth and his eyes went bloodshot despite it all he smiled calmly!
Kai.
As he brought the river full circle, his pupils shrank as they glinted, a full moon slash directly releasing the raging torrent of Qi back!
"Yanhu!" The man screamed as he tried to catch the attack, but had grown to heavy and sharp! It was no longer a rampaging river by the time it reached him, but rather a sharp single stroke!
Sword Steps.
As he raised his sword to try and catch it, the youth appeared behind him causing his attention to lap for the crucial second instead being blown back and almost killed immediately.
The man's eyes reflected fear and a will to live. He tried to beg between laboured breaths. He didn't want to die.
Crying, he begged.
"My wife and child," He fumbled reaching for the picture in his breast pocket, however, the youth's gaze was terribly cold as he raised the sword, the flood dragons leaking bloodthirst.
"Stop it!" Just as the sword was about to cut the begging man down, a hand came and got in the way, the sword stopping just a millimeter from her skin.
"That's dangerous." The youth returned the sword to it's sheath, the flood dragons evaporating like a mirage, "How did it go?"
"They're all Weapon Slaves."
Weapon Slave.
A mortal with no cultivation, infused with some special forms of weapon auras which force compliance to the wielders will. In essence, slaves with no hope. Being's used and discarded.
A bitter taste was left in his mouth as he watched the fleeing back of the man he had just defeated.
"Six thousand have been saved from this Sword Stone mine alone," The beautiful woman in red said with a frigid glint in her eye, "The two others we attacked, combining them, it's nearly twenty thousand weapon slaves. Xin… it's bigger now. The entire Yangu State hegemony is likely involved to keep such a secret as that."
"The Yan control Yangu then, completely." Xin calmly turned his head up towards the sky, "The External Affairs Ministry will also be in on this. It is clear that they are also profiting and so aren't saying a word. Wuqing."
"I got it."
Shou Xin, who wielded the starlit sword, Fukkatsu, turned to the cliff of the mountain before him which was still being evacuated where upon several powerful presences had appeared.
In a moment, he melted away alongside Feng Wuqing, whose red dress became like a red mist, vanishing between the tree's, carried by the breeze.
"You dare to escape?!" A thunderous voice clashed with the sky, clearing the clouds!
In response, Shou Xin and Feng Wuqing who were escaping, did not turn around as waves of Sword Aura began to fire in all directions at the escaping slaves.
It was not because they were uncaring that they did not help save them, but because it was impossible.
"I can hardly sense his cultivation." Shou Xin said lightly, his pupils shrinking, "The Yan have finally begun to move."
"Their information network caught wind of our movements and laid a trap." Feng Wuqing growled, "It seems we've stepped on the External Affairs Ministries toes this time."
To fully understand what was happening however, one would need to go back a ways in time.
Right after the defensive formation was put in place around the Baikan, plans began to get set into motion for huge amounts of resources to be transported underground, beneath the Baikan itself and into the hidden chambers which lead to the Demon Realm.
To coverup the huge movement of resources, the formation was not enough, and so Feng Wuqing and Shou Xin chose to go with a plan they had thought of together a while before, and begin guerilla warfare.
Attacking the Sword Stone mines of the Yan Clan which were on the outskirts of the Yangu Wild State, they created confusion.
Using some small tip offs from a mysterious source, they were able to easily find several locations for the Sword Stones Mines, and attacked them domineeringly.
Strong guards were not posted with the highest being a Seventh Stage Protector, however, without training and a weak Sword Aura, they were no match for Shou Xin whose movements were lacking in uselessness and mistakes compared to there own.
Having also grown accustomed to the moves of the Yan Clan, he was easily able to counter them, and fight one small realm above his true strength.
Feng Wuqing on the other hand, with enough combat experience, could easily battle against people two chains above her in strength if they lacked in combat strength since her fist was enough to collapse an untrained physique with ease.
A month was all they had managed to buy at the outskirts of the Yangu State where the Yan Clan roamed freely.
Rushing back, they had no choice but to let those weapon slaves die or be captured again.
"...Help! Please, help! My child, at least my child!"
Shou Xin froze as he caught sight of a man carrying a child, a boy not much older than five, his leg had been ran through by a sword wave and his body was like a pincushion yet he pushed on, pale and dying but unyielding.