Liang

3,437 years since initial death
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Even with the power of immortality at your side, there are times when you experience extreme levels of fear and anxiety.

Ming always acts accordingly to keep his true identity a secret. But this was one encounter he wasn't prepared for. As death lingered in the air around them, so died the sounds of war. The only thing to hear was the beating of one's own heart. Several eyes watched the Immortal's expressions as he thought of a response to these allegations. 

His next words may deliver his next death sooner. Worrisome caused him to stutter over his own thoughts as he desperately tried to ponder the perfect speech. However, his dangerous mind cracked, and he sighed before letting out a chuckle in response. 

Just as his curious allies awaited his answer, Ming reached a conclusion. He hasn't lived this long just to succumb to the pressure. Everyone anticipated a speech, and a speech is exactly what they shall receive from him.

"Please, you enlighten me, commander." Ming started, keeping calm. "History is the key behind it all. See, you focus on your Kingdom and the path ahead, while I focus on the path that was left behind for me. I study my ancestors, I study the land I strive in and I study the path that a million generations walked on. Gunpowder is an elixir of immortality, one that I dedicated my time into researching. For a man of your wisdom, it surprises me how quickly you would launch an allegation without taking a mere moment of your precious time to read the dozens of parchments and literature that exist for a reason, you utter fool."

A few gasps were audible from the crew as Chuanguan himself raised an eyebrow to Ming's unexpected venting. Even his voice was beginning to grow louder and sound more ferocious. He was willing to let his wrath speak on his behalf as he fights another battle, only with vocabulary rather than a blade.

"There is a world outside this Kingdom that can change your perspective on reality! Once upon a time, there was a Roman Empire unlike anything you have seen. Their culture spread and I learned of it as I proudly adopted it. It is because of a Silk Road that I stand here today, to have traveled to parts of this world you can only dream of. Have you heard of Baghdad? Of course not! Why would you know the name of the grandest city in the world, one that holds more wisdom than any God damn Emperor or King that ever lived in your nation's history?!"

He had to catch his breath, noticing the angered expressions that looked back at him. His last line seemed to have struck a nerve in some of the crew.

"I have lived my thirty year life to its extent, yet I still find a reason to broaden my horizon. I learned to wield a weapon and defend my life from those who wish to take it from me. It's because I live with passion. Everything I do comes from the heart and soul, and forgive me for showing sympathy to the enemy that we blinded with ash, humiliated with beans, set ablaze with fire and drowned in the river or struck with arrows to their brains! It's inhuman! Call me a God! Call me a Devil! Hell, call me an Immortal for all I care, but try to understand the fact that I have spent my life learning and adapting to the world we live in before our inevitable deaths."

All this time, Chuanguan stood in complete silence without ever changing his expressions. It seemed as if he was ready to execute Ming on the spot.

"And just for your information, my name isn't Ming-Xu. It's a lie! You want to know who I am? I am Maalik Seti of the Fourth Egyptian Dynasty, and I don't stand here at your service. I'm not here to fight for what is right or wrong. I don't care to determine who the hell controls all the power in the world. I'm here because I crave exploration. I'm a spectator within the evolution of time and history, and I just so happened to be on your side today. You might as well kill me now and add me to the pile of corpses because my goals have been achieved. I've seen and heard enough, and I'd rather die with whatever dignity I still hold. Think of that the next time you question someone else's wisdom, you malum. Want to know what malum means where I'm from? It means you're a cock, you pig-ignorant, dull-brained, shit-eating skamelar! You just brutally killed so many people and you're suspicious of me just because I'm smart enough to read a book for once in my life?! You can go to hell and stick your head up a panda's rear, you dense, fucking malum!"

Tension struck the air harder than the conveniently timed wooden mast of a nearby Wu ship crash into the river after enduring so much fire. Ming stood satisfied, glaring at all the wide-eyed faces surrounding him. No words could possibly describe how insulted and offended most of the crew were, and he felt happy about it. Some of them even reached for their weapons just in case, but Chuanguan didn't move a muscle.

Ming had other ways to unleash his wrath, and this was one of them.

Now, all the attention turned towards Chuanguan. It was his turn to deliver Ming's fate. The look in his eyes remained glared and his expression has always been dark and sinister enough to scare a lion. This is the look he has had for as long as Ming has known him. Sometimes, the Immortal even wonders if Chuanguan appeared the same way during his birth. The thought of an angry, grumpy and silent baby emerging from a mother's womb should make him laugh, but it had the opposite effect.

The commander turned to face his crew, observing the rants coming from the deck. The Wuyue were outraged at the foreigner's offensive remarks, and they looked towards their leader for the signal to deal with this insolence. Finally, he looked back at Ming and nodded his head. Then, he stepped away and entered his quarters.

Ming stood still, wondering just what would happen next. Though, the expressions of his allies told him to remain cautious. They weren't happy with his insults. Many of them were still calling him names, some of which he couldn't understand due to their fluent skills in this difficult language.

His hands gripped his staff in preparation of a fight, keeping track of how many men were beginning to slowly approach him from all sides. One of them touched his shoulder, forcing Ming to flinch and push him away.

Just as more of them harassed him and were about to strike him, the doors to the commander's quarters opened. Chuanguan slowly entered the helm with a dao in hand, a straight-edged and long elegant sword.

"If anyone lays a finger on that man, I will personally see to it that your hand is beaten, then severed." He spoke his words with confidence just loud enough for all of them to hear it. It was effective at drawing back a few of them, giving Ming the space he needed to stand comfortably.

Chuanguan quietly looked over everyone, keeping his blade sheathed. After a few short seconds, he turned to face Ming. "Luoma, walk forward silently, and stop at the bow."

Ming could already foresee what would happen, and he obeyed anyway. He stepped down onto the deck and slowly made his way to the front at the bow. A hundred eyes glared at him throughout his march. He focused on ignoring them, keeping his chin raised and staring directly ahead.

Upon reaching the front of the ship, he turned around and watched his commander approach him. Everybody gathered behind their leader.

"Maalik Seti." That was a name he never thought Chuanguan would ever state, yet it finally happened. "You are sentenced to death for treason against Qian Lui, the King Taizu of Wuyue. Your lies and deceit hold no position within our ranks any longer."

Chuanguan unsheathed his dao, revealing its clean and beautiful shine. The blade smoothly exited from its sheath and glistened in the face of its victim. The commander continued. "I must say, I am quite proud of your tenacity and courage to speak with honesty. Though many of your words cut deep into our flesh, and because of it, I cannot allow it to go unpunished. However, I do not wish to be your executioner."

Upon finishing that last sentence, the commander extended his arms forward, offering his sword to Ming. He hesitated briefly before accepting it, carefully grabbing a hold of it and looking back at him. Chuanguan wasn't finished.

"I offer you the chance to die with your honor intact. I find no satisfaction in taking the life of a man I consider a friend and an ally. So I ask you to be your own executioner. I trust you won't turn the sword against me, as that would be unwise."

Ming sighed. He traced his fingers across the blade, admiring it and briefly catching his faint reflection. "I've been at your side for the length of a year, commander. You taught me everything there is to know about these lands and your people. Is this really how you want it to end? To sacrifice myself over a mere articulation?"

A brief moment of silence befell them, causing Chuanguan to look up at the sky. "I was fifteen years of age when I made my first sacrifice. Tian Jun, a warlord at the time, threatened my father and demanded a hostage. When my father chose my younger brother, I stepped forward and volunteered, knowing the risk I was taking. Lady Wu, though not my mother, treated me as if I was her son and she wept at the news. I proudly held her hands and looked into her eyes without fear or cowardice and said; in order to save the state from disaster, how can I spare my own body?"

Ming listened to the story. He's never heard his commander speak of his own past in this much detail. "When I was of no further use to Tian, he tried to have me killed. His attempts led to failure, and his own death. My sacrifice not only saved my kingdom; it shielded me with honor."

"I don't see how this is relevant. You survived, but my sacrifice is suicide. What will shield me in death?"

"You have no reason to lie to me, Seti." Chuanguan answered immediately. "I have studied you well enough to know that everything you have said was a fabrication you prepared for this very occasion. You are hiding a secret, and I intend to uncover it with a test."

The wind rippled against the commander's robes, setting the tense atmosphere that Ming would have to face. Chuanguan paced in front of him, walking back and forth in a straight line. The commander continued. "You do not belong here. Not with this crew, not in this kingdom. My history is mine to pursue, not yours. You, however, have the opportunity to pursue your origins and leave me with mine. We both know how this can be accomplished from here."

The way Chuanguan spoke hinted at something deeper than what meets the eye. Ming could only think of one way to pursue his origins. It was only natural for him, but it should be impossible for others. How could he possibly know, or even have the slightest idea of his power?

In the temporary silence between them, Ming listened to the calm breeze that continued to flow by them. It's fascinating how this river that saw so much death and destruction could feel so serene and become a place of tranquility when war comes to an end. But now that he held the sword in his hands, he knew there was no other way out. One more body needed to fall.

"What will happen to my corpse?" He questioned the consequence of following this order.

Chuanguan replied instantly, as if he was waiting for this question. "You will be taken back to Qiantang for a proper burial. There will be no shrine to dedicate your honor and all you have done for our kingdom. Rather, I'll see to it your name is immortalized in our scrolls. Though the world will know you died a traitor, I'll ensure your name lives on to speak of your upbringing, your cause for our kingdom, and your work that helped in our victory today. If you wish otherwise, I can grant any alternative you seek in your death."

He didn't want any of that. No matter how positively they write of him and his deeds, it was never his goal to begin with. Ming took a step backwards, nearing as close as possible to the edge of the ship's rails. There's only one outcome he will accept.

"Leave my body to rot in the river alongside the others. I do not wish to be remembered, nor immortalized by any means. Overtime, my body will disappear, and I'd prefer it if nobody finds it. Whether I am endlessly swept by the current, or an animal sees me fit for a meal; I want no one to speak my name or know of my influence."

In a twisted and surprising turn of events, Ming felt a horrible sense of unease when he saw his commander form a smile. It was the first time in his life he's seen this man convey any joyful emotions, and it scared him. Chuanguan nodded. "That tells me everything I needed to know."

Just as his commander turned his back and walked away, Ming couldn't resist the pressure any longer. He gritted his teeth in return and yelled. "What are you?"

Chuanguan stopped but never faced him. "I am not whatever you are. But I too have learned and adapted to the world we live in. Think about it next time before you question another man's wisdom, Luoma."

His head finally turned, and Ming saw the furious and simultaneously confident eyes of his commander again. Chuanguan spoke his final words. "Have a pleasant death."

There was a brief moment of hesitation. Ming needed more time to understand what was said to him, but he didn't have that luxury. With so many people awaiting his own execution, he had no other choice.

The sword was plunged directly into his heart. He calculated it perfectly and swiftly ended his own life as abrupt and quickly as he could. His vision, before fading away instantaneously, viewed upon his commander's back, and the faces of over a dozen men with mixed emotions. Did they forgive him as he showed honor in his final moment? Or were they still outraged at his speech?

However they felt; he didn't worry about it. It was over. The next time Ming opened his eyes, he was washed ashore on the mud. His surroundings were dark and gloomy, without any sunlight to recover his path. Water rushed against his legs, and he turned himself over. A slight groan escaped his lips, and so did a yawn. Just as he was getting ready to recover enough stamina to stand, his eyes settled on a headless corpse laying mere inches away from him.

He screamed frightfully, shoving the body aside as he rose to his feet in no time. Looking carefully around him, he saw countless casualties spread across the land. These couldn't have belonged to the river massacre. There were only a few floating in the river behind him, but the arrows that scattered the ground told him a different story.

This was a recent battle. Ming recognized many of the fallen corpses, noticing they belonged to the Wuyue. Most were shot, none were stabbed by the looks of it. But some were charred and burnt. There were small craters around, ones that could have only been caused by explosives. He easily put two and two together. They were not the only ones armed with gunpowder.

It was hard to make out any faces in the dark, but he couldn't spot Chuanguan amongst the dead. Without wasting more time in a hostile territory, Ming turned back and left the scene before anyone might spot him. 

It took him days of endless journeying on foot through fields, forests and farmlands before he reached civilization that was larger than a mere hut or two overlooking a river. Luckily enough, it was the kingdom's main capital city, Qiantang. He may have starved to death during that time, but he couldn't even remember if he actually died or not. The whole experience had him exhausted, and at this point he just wanted a soft bed and some warm food. 

He learned Chuanguan was still alive, and he was here in the city. A few thoughts came to mind, and despite having no intentions of seeing him again, curiosity got the better of him. He approached a few guards standing outside a palace. When he spoke his local name, nobody believed him.

A recently written parchment was brought over. On it, the name Ming-Xu was crossed out, stating this person doesn't exist. Beside it was another name, reading Maalik Seti. He was labeled dead, defeated in battle and left to burn with the others.

Ming felt it was time to leave. But as he looked up at the building in front of him, he noticed a window was opened slightly ajar at the highest level. A man was standing there, looking down at him. Although too far to make out any appearances, Ming knew who he was staring at. He immediately turned and departed. His time here had run out. Maalik is dead, and he needs this nation to believe it. All except for one man here knows his secret through cunning wisdom and careful analysis.

Over the years, his name changed again. His former identity was erased. New and old nations alike welcomed him back. Warfare crept into his inner life. Allies and enemies left remarkable impacts. It was all the same, everywhere he went.

Whether it be battling the Byzantine Empire in the Middle East or going on Viking expeditions in the northern seas between Norway and England; he experienced all of it. 

But one change occurred. Since the beginning of his immortality, he's searched for a quiet, peaceful life. Upon entering Ireland and forming a new alliance, he made the decision to settle there permanently. 

Overlooking the grand Atlantic Ocean atop the majestic Cliffs of Moher, the lone Immortal built a shelter for himself. It was rich with vegetation and barnyard animals, surrounded by the greenest grass he's seen in his life. It was his own settlement to live in away from the chaos of Earth's inhabitants. This was his home now.

Throughout this whole time, he had never forgotten Chuanguan, nor his advice. For the short time he had known him, he learned so much from him. But there was still one lesson he was ready to follow, and it involves adventuring once more.

Ming's story ended, but Maalik's story was still ongoing when his desire for exploration returned. Upon embarking out of Ireland to face the next trial of life, he made a grand decision. 

Just as his commander once told him, it's time he pursues his origins.

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Historical Notes:

Shortly after the battle, Xu-Wen, the Wu major general, would attempt to negotiate peace between the Wuyue and Wu states. Surprisingly, it worked and there were no major conflicts between the states for over twenty years. Meanwhile, Qian Liu died in 932 AD. His son, Qian Chuanguan was crowned the new leader of the kingdom. He would later change his name to Qian Yuanguan due to unknown reasons.

Qian Chuanguan's (Or Yuanguan at the time) palace was burned down along with the treasury in 941 CE. Chuanguan lost his mental wellness and became vulnerable to attacks as he was the king of the entire state. His enemies in Southern Tang demanded an attack to conquer Wuyue and kill King Chuanguan. However, the Tang Emperor instead sent emissaries to wish him well, a proper recovery and to offer him gifts.

Qian Chuanguan died on September 17, 941 CE. He was 53 years old. 

Qian Chuanguan (Yuanguan)

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