Chapter 16
The Budding Moon
After the bitter moon's fate, poppy flowers fade. The holiday moon takes over, and plum blossoms become a friend of winter. When the budding moon shines and hails, the breath of spring promises peach blossoms, bringing joy and life's bliss in the moment.
Yuwen Yue grew up in the lap of his great-grandmother's aristocratic nature. His fine-grained character was balanced by his surrogate servant mother's reverential but crafty attitude. He became one of the most desired children in the Yuwen household, equal to Yuwen Huai.
He also learned quickly, as his mother was not only crafty but also practiced Cloud Hands (Tai Chi), her own martial talent.
It was the first fighting art Yuwen Yue learned, where he mastered the body's vital energy, harmonizing it with the wind. Listening to its passing presence was a conscious effort.
Every day, his surrogate mother and Yuwen Yue traveled to the highest peak of the Green Hills courtyard, practicing with the wind. Through Cloud Hands, he perfected his posture, breathing, and consciousness, whether in motion or stillness.
Tai Chi
"Yue'er, always remember the five principles of Cloud Hands: sink in (which means to relax), our bodies belong to the earth (which means the body is upright), balance on your legs (which means separate your weight), align your eyes, nose, and navel (which means maintain a flexible waist), and a beautiful woman's hand (which means the wrist is the first of the 'nine gates')," said the woman, facing the cloudy horizon at the top of the cliff, standing on one leg with her hands pointing downward, her eyes closed, as the wind swayed her hair, a sight Yuwen Yue found exquisite.
Like a mirror, Yuwen Yue followed her instructions, finding peace in the wind. They stood there for an hour before the woman changed her stance to another posture.
Yuwen Yue never forgot these principles, nor the concept of Yin-Yang, the perfect balance, where the woman always drew a circle with a wave-like form in the middle and small rings on both sides.
She explained that this ancient symbol represents the self, divided into light (Yang) and dark (Yin). She taught him about casting light and shadow, which she said could one day help him trace his past and his followers if he were to become the master of the Eyes of God in the future.
The woman gazed at the small jade stone pendant she had bought at the jeweler, the day they met the maidservant of Yuwen Hao. She had been about to leave her six sons at the orphanage to search for their father, but fate had changed their lives.
Their father had gone abroad almost five years earlier and had not returned. She had seven sons, but her husband had taken their two-year-old seventh son, Zuo Shan, with him. She often thought of Zuo Shan and had included him when she bought seven jade pendants.
She had also bought a similar carved jade stone for their father and given it to him before he left, as a promise that they would see each other again.
The six sons had already mastered Tai Chi, as their mother had been teaching them daily before they entered the Yuwen household.
Yuwen Hao renamed the six sons as follows: Yue Xian (1st Yue), Yue Di (2nd Yue), Yue Sa (3rd Yue), Yue Si (4th Yue), Yue Wu (5th Yue), and Yue Lui (6th Yue). They were then trained at the Yuwen swordsmanship center, a university-like institution controlled by Yuwen Xi, though overseen by Yuwen Gao, the head sword master, who trained the empire's greatest sword masters.
Yuwen Gao taught the basic cuts and related skills, refining the students to master the ancient lineage and style of Chinese Jian swordsmanship.
Yuwen Yue's first taste of swordsmanship didn't come until he was seven, when his father, Yuwen Hao, crafted a wooden sword resembling the Po Yue Jian, fit for the Yuwen heir.
Yuwen Hao became Yuwen Yue's personal sword master. The hardest part was horseback riding, mastering the art of swordsmanship on horseback. Yuwen Yue always delighted in observing his father.
After precise and tactful training, Yuwen Hao decided it was time.
"Yue'er, my son, I know it's been a while since I taught you about Jian swordsmanship, and it's about time you received the blade that was always meant to be yours. Hand me the wooden sword."
"Here it is, Father," Yuwen Yue said with manners and courtesy, kneeling on one knee. With both hands open, he respectfully offered the wooden sword to his father.
Yuwen Hao took the wooden sword and handed him thePo Yue Jiansword, preparing to be honest about where the sword had come from.
Yuwen Yue's past was not hidden from him, but what he knew was a distorted version of the truth.
Yuwen Hao had worked hard to build his son's reputation, ensuring that other Yuwen families and households believed he was truly his own son and he had succeeded in making them believe it.
"This sword was never unsheathed. Your mother gave it to me and asked me to give it to you when the time was right."
Yuwen Yue, filled with surprise and joy, could not hide the gladness in his eyes. Still on one knee, he was speechless, overwhelmed with emotion.
Yuwen Hao had long recognized his son's agility and talents in swordsmanship. When Yuwen Yue was ten years old, Yuwen Hao presented him with thePo Yue Jiansword, and for the first time in Yuwen Yue's life, he had never felt so happy and fulfilled by what his father had given him.
Though Yuwen Hao was cold and distant, he never failed to surprise his son with things he knew Yuwen Yue would appreciate. Yuwen Hao had groomed him to be a master, capable of one day handling the affairs of the Eyes of God, having already set this as his destiny, waiting to unfold.
In addition to swordsmanship, Yuwen Yue had personal access to learning diverse types of martial arts like Wushu and Gongfu. One of his favorite subjects was Chi Kung, which became a lifetime combat skill with and without the use of weapons.
Yuwen Hao possessed all sorts of unimaginable armaments, used in many of his assassinations and demolition jobs, stored in the weaponry of the Eyes of God. Yuwen Yue had the opportunity to study these weapons, touch them, and occasionally, use them in training with his father as his master contender.
The extensive collection of martial arts weapons housed in the Eyes of God included:
Bo and Staff: Straight Staffs, Tapered Staffs, Toothpick Bo, Long Poles, Three Section Staff, Two Section StaffBroadswords: Wushu Broadswords, Traditional Broadswords, Wood Broadswords, Combat Steel Broadswords, Double Broadswords, Double Butterfly Swords, Miao Dao, Tai Chi BroadswordsCases and Racks: Staff carriers, Tai Chi swordsWushu Weapons: Wushu Swords, Whip Chains, Wushu Staffs, Spears, Wushu Daggers, Lightweight WeaponsCustom Fitted Spears: Custom Fitted Spears, Long Spears, Combat SpearsDouble Weapons: Double Butterfly Swords, Double Broadswords, Deer Horn Knives, Double Daggers, Sun & Moon RingsDragon Long Poles: Teak Long PolesEscrima Sticks & Batons: Rattan Sticks, Waxwood Sticks, Graphite Sticks, Nightsticks, Police Batons, Hardwood Escrima Sticks, Oak Long Poles, Waxwood Long PolesFantasy Knives and Daggers: Replica Weapons, Master Cutlery WeaponsFlexible Weapons: Chain Whips, Sectional Staffs, Rope Darts, Meteor Hammers, NunchakuHidden Weapons: Telescopic Batons, Push Daggers, Telescopic Nunchaku, Hidden KnivesOther Martial Arts Weapons: Kama, Sai, Tonfa, Ninjutsu Equipment, Japanese SwordsKendo Weapons & Equipment: Shinai, Bokken, Shoto, Tatami MatsLong Weapons: Spears, including Wushu Spears, Traditional Spears, Combat Steel WeaponsThrowing Weapons: Shuriken, Ninja Stars, Throwing Knives, Steel Cards, Rope DartsTraditional Weapons: Traditional Swords, Traditional Long WeaponsMaster Kits: Weapon Master Kits, Sword Kits, Spear Kits, Double Weapon KitsCustom and Exotic Weapons: Damascus Swords, Custom Butterfly Swords, Cutting Swords, Custom-made SwordsWeapon Accessories: Weapon Flags, Rope Dart Flags, Broadsword Flags, Sword Tassels, Spear Tassels, Sword Cleaning Kits, Three Section Staff SwivelsKung Fu Fans: Tai Chi Fans, Steel FansAntique Weapons: Antique Swords, Antique Kwan DaoChin Na Training Tools: Chin Na Bags, Chin Na Training Stones, Dragon Claw Rings, Brass Forearm Rings, Chinese Exercise Baoding BallsMiscellaneous: Wooden dummies (compact and space-saving, wall-mounted), sparring gear (arm, leg, head, chest, gloves, and mitts), weapon apparel and accessories such as belts, shoes, headbands, Gongfu patches, training pants, and uniforms.
Suddenly, Yuwen Hao brought his son to a large storeroom and opened the firelights by activating a switch mechanism. On the walls, as high as a three-story building, Yuwen Yue's eyes widened as he saw a vast range of cold weapons, including bows and arrows.
Yuwen Hao, a lover of cold armaments, had earned the title of Grand Master Archer of the Wei Empire.
Here, he kept his most treasured classic bows, including theYuan Mongol bow,Qianlong Manchu Hunting bows,Qing Conquest bow,Ming Chinese bows,Scorpius Bamboo bows,LiaoQiangs spearman bows,Mariner bows,takedown bows,Ming Moonbows,Han Wing bows,Qing dragon bows,Cinnabar bows, and his personal favorite, theKai Yuan bow(Chinese: 开元弓). He also possessed a collection of crossbows, such asRepeating crossbows,Hunting crossbows,Trigger crossbows, andArtillery crossbows, and arrows likefire arrowsandlight arrows.
At the center of the room was a block-shaped trapezoidal bar as tall as his waist, on top of which lay a shiny rectangular wooden box engraved with 宇文浩 (Yuwen Hao). Inside the box was an arrow called the "bing arrow" (ice arrow), which Yuwen Hao finally introduced to Yuwen Yue.
"This is the most powerful weapon in the entire empire," Yuwen Hao explained, "a cruel, cold weapon that only a Master of the Eyes of God has the knowledge and authority to use."
"Yue'er, this arrow is specially made to freeze its target, infused with snow ice and delicately processed. We only produce three arrows each year during the winter months of the bitter moon, the holiday moon, and the budding moon."
Yuwen Hao opened the lid of the wooden box, revealing a half-shaft arrow. Its shaft was made of clear, glass-like material, and the arrowhead was literally composed of snow ice.
"Three bing arrows per year? Father, that's too few if you have hundreds of enemies," Yuwen Yue remarked as he carefully touched the snow ice arrow.
"Yes, it is the coldest of all cold weapons. It can only be stored during the winter months, losing its efficacy from summer to autumn. These arrows can only be used in specific circumstances, and at a given point in time, they only last in the air under certain conditions."
Yuwen Hao continued, "This is the Arrow of Bitter Moon created from snow ice and infused under the bitter moonlight. It freezes its victim and kills slowly over time, gaining a reputation for its bitter, soul-crushing pain. The victim may survive, but the effect is deeply painful and unforgettable, casting bitterness into the heart. The arrow creates an invisible scar when it melts, making it difficult for others to trace the wound."
"It is believed that this was the type of arrow used to capture and freeze Yan Xun when he attempted to escape Changan City with Chu Qiao. Yuwen Gao ordered it, doubting that Yuwen Yue would obey the chain of command to capture Yan Xun for the Wei Empire's Shen Jin Gong. Though Yuwen Yue was the interim master of the Eyes of God at that time, its full power had not yet been ordered, as they awaited the seal from the Shen Jin Emperor."
"This was the moment when Yan Xun began to harbor bitterness toward Yuwen Yue, never expecting him to harm him. Afterward, Yan Xun struggled to trust others and succumbed to his darker emotions. Who revealed this truth to Yan Xun? None other than the former spy, Xinger."
Yuwen Hao then moved on to another powerful weapon: the Arrows of Holiday Moon. "Created from snow ice and infused under the holiday moonlight, these arrows freeze the enemy and destroy the entire perimeter. When released, the hunting wind joins the arrow, and as it melts, the enemy's camp is demolished before they can react. The arrow earned its reputation by making it seem as though the enemy's camp needed a holiday to rebuild after such a perfect demolition."
"And last, but not least, is the softest yet coldest weapon, the Arrows of Budding Moon. Created from snow ice and infused under the budding moonlight, these arrows aim to forestall the enemy's future. Though the softest of the cold weapons, it is the most powerful. It shatters the enemy's dreams and frustrates their plans. This small arrow contains only the arrowhead and an almost invisible shaft, yet its power surpasses that of destroying an entire camp. It is believed that Yuwen Yue used this type of arrow to counter Yuwen Huai's classic arrow. The needle-thin arrow landed unnoticed in Chu Qiao's hair, ending the royal hunt and leaving only one maid alive, Xinger."
Yuwen Hao concluded, "Never forget what I've told you. One day, you may need these weapons to protect the Eyes of God and yourself if danger arises."
"Father, what happens to an enemy caught by the Arrows of Budding Moon?" Yuwen Yue asked.
"It's said that they can recover, but it's difficult. Often, they set themselves up for failure in the future." Yuwen Hao was pleased with his son's curiosity, knowing the third arrow was the hardest to create, as finding the perfect budding moon in winter was a rare occurrence.
"Thank you, Father, for such wisdom," Yuwen Yue said, bowing his head respectfully as he was dismissed.
Night had already fallen when Yuwen Yue returned to his Xuan hall. He bowed as he saw a familiar figure seated in his chair.
"Grandmother, you waited for me all day in my hall?" Yuwen Yue asked, his eyes heavy with exhaustion.
"No, I just arrived and thought I'd wait for you a little while. I came to give you this book. It's the last copy, and I hope you'll enjoy reading it."
"Thank you, Grandmother. I'll definitely read it."
The beautiful lady put on her red silk hood and gracefully exited the hall, meeting her servants outside.
Recaps:
The Three Bing Arrows
Yuwen Hao explained the purpose of each arrow:
Arrow of the Bitter Moon: Forged under the light of the bitter moon, this arrow freezes the target slowly, killing them with excruciating pain over time. It leaves behind an invisible wound, making it difficult for others to find. This arrow was used to captureYan Xunwhen he first attempted to escape Chang'an withChu Qiao. Its slow, bitter effect caused Yan Xun to grow cold and distrustful, sowing the seeds of bitterness that would shape his future.
Arrow of the Holiday Moon: Infused with the power of the holiday moon, this arrow is destructive, capable of wiping out an entire enemy camp in one strike. Once the arrowhead melts, it unleashes a force that obliterates everything in its path, leaving nothing but ruins. It gained its name because the enemy's camp would need an extended "holiday" to rebuild.
Arrow of the Budding Moon: The softest yet most powerful of the three arrows, this weapon is designed to shatter dreams and future plans. A small, almost invisible arrowhead, it destroys the target's future endeavors. This arrow is said to have been used by Yuwen Yue himself during a royal hunting event, causingXingerto win by default when it disrupted the arrows of her competitors.
No comments:
Post a Comment