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Winter, Seventeenth Year of the Xin Zhuo Emperor
A demonstration by the Shence Guard was being presented at the Ever Victorious Square of the capital city. Nearly all 50,000 troops of the Emperor’s best arrayed themselves in two equal rectangles of 1000 individuals 25 rows deep. Of those rows, 42 were made up of handpicked human troops, larger than conventional warriors and armed primarily with a ji, qiang or fire lance. They were further equipped with a dao and composite bow, crossbow or handcannon, and switched between them with ease while also performing feats of great physical skill.
Another 4 rows were made up of onis equipped with chuis, bians and swordbreakers. Looming over their human counterparts, the giants swung their clubs with such force that Imperial banners fluttered in response from every side of the Square. Though the forces buffeting around them must have been enough for troops to be blown over, every single rank of the Shence Guard remained still.
Two more rows of troops were of growling guardian lions, with metal sheaths equipped over their teeth and claws. Of the final two rows, one was mixed, made up of qilins-who had the ends of polearms fitted atop their horns as well as their own control of the elements- as well as phoenixes, armed only with their skill in manipulating fire. The final row was made up of dragons. Each long was similarly handpicked to be large and imposing, equipped with a fearsome guandao and likewise skilled in the arts of manipulating wind and water.
The ornately decorated and polished turquoise and gold-colored cord and plaque armor worn by every member of the guard glistened in the sunlight as they practiced their martial skills before the Emperor. Thousands of boots and paws stepped with mechanical precision, blades and staffs moving in unison, sheet-like volleys of arrows, bolts, balls, fire and water balls cutting down targets like threshing wheat, wooden dummies smashed to splinters with blows and charges. Everything was done smoothly, neatly, almost artistically. In spite of herself Morha was impressed.
The mušḫuššu sat on her haunches with Sima, some rocs, nagas and quillins one platform level below Lord Buzhong and two platform levels below the Emperor on the Imperial platform nearby. All around were the other members of the court, the Chancellor and ministers and administrators and servants and guards, watching another grand ceremony. In the far distance, barely visible were the citizens of Anping also watching the display of military might from towers and city walls and the streets all around. Qing herself stood watch beside Morha.
It had been five years since the purple dragon had been captured and brought to Jiangshan, and as much as she hated to admit it, Morha was getting used to her captivity. The mušḫuššu’s role as a pet was becoming comfortable, even if any reminder of her status continued to rankle her, she still honored her promise to Qing to not try to escape before the time was right. That led to more freedom; Morha’s shackles and muzzles disappeared, with only a small gilded collar denoting her bound status to the world. The blue long also seemed to pay more attention and kindness to the purple dragon, treating her to meals and steam baths, gifting her cushions and lamp oil and explaining the arcane rules of the capital. Every week the captain would pay the purple dragon a visit and teach her something, from how to communicate in Tanghua, to descriptions of the folks of the North to the routes of the rivers to the weapons of the land. It was to educate her on how to properly be a servant to the Emperor, Qing said. Morha just nodded and eagerly absorbed as much as she could.
The captain of the guard was currently facing her, explaining what the two of them were observing right now.
*The Shence Guard is a direct extension of the Emperor’s will. They are the strongest, best trained and best equipped army in Jiangshan, and they are charged with protecting the Imperial family itself and the dynasty to a lesser extent.* Qing spoke as she kept one eye on Morha while also scanning the area for threats. *They are based within eight barracks immediately surrounding the Imperial Palace and can be summoned by drums and gongs to man the walls of the outer grounds of the inner city with a moment's notice. Besides guarding him, the Shence Army could accompany the Emperor in his personal campaigns against nomads and rebels.*
The entire court watched as the oni troops threw their bians into the air. The steel weapons twirled synchronously, clearly carried by manipulated air currents, then appeared to glow red hot before tearing cleanly through a massive iron pillar a whole li away like it was tofu. In the distance, the city folk cheered.
*They have a fearsome reputation of being powerful, dangerous and merciless, and it is claimed that one unit of the guard could defeat and slaughter ten equivalent conventional army units and a hundred equivalent peasant units.* The blue dragon continued to explain.
*Yeesh.* Morha muttered in reply. *What should I do then if I come across a member of the Shence Guard?*
*Be polite, firm, don’t do anything that can be seen as threatening, and if you can avoid them. Dragon, guardian lion, oni, human-it doesn’t matter. Run or hide if you must.* Qing replied.
The purple dragon frowned and went silent. After a long pause though, Morha turned and asked her companion a new question.
*How do you know so much about the Guard anyway?*
The captain shrugged. *Everyone knows these stories.*
Morha snorted. *You weren't a member were you? Your stuck up ways sound like they'd fit right in with them.*
Qing turned pale and looked away. *They are not folks to be so casually joked about.* She finally replied.
Morha cocked her head sideways and looked back in confusion at the blue dragon, but the latter turned back to face the ceremony. Nothing further happened, so the purple dragon simply shrugged. Despite all her education, Morha felt no closer to understanding this land, or for that matter her companion.
In the distance, the crowds cheered again.
James Wong - Master Wong battles Master Yim
From
Chickenzaur!
Original: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/58366988/
A demonstration by the Shence Guard was being presented at the Ever Victorious Square of the capital city. Nearly all 50,000 troops of the Emperor’s best arrayed themselves in two equal rectangles of 1000 individuals 25 rows deep. Of those rows, 42 were made up of handpicked human troops, larger than conventional warriors and armed primarily with a ji, qiang or fire lance. They were further equipped with a dao and composite bow, crossbow or handcannon, and switched between them with ease while also performing feats of great physical skill.
Another 4 rows were made up of onis equipped with chuis, bians and swordbreakers. Looming over their human counterparts, the giants swung their clubs with such force that Imperial banners fluttered in response from every side of the Square. Though the forces buffeting around them must have been enough for troops to be blown over, every single rank of the Shence Guard remained still.
Two more rows of troops were of growling guardian lions, with metal sheaths equipped over their teeth and claws. Of the final two rows, one was mixed, made up of qilins-who had the ends of polearms fitted atop their horns as well as their own control of the elements- as well as phoenixes, armed only with their skill in manipulating fire. The final row was made up of dragons. Each long was similarly handpicked to be large and imposing, equipped with a fearsome guandao and likewise skilled in the arts of manipulating wind and water.
The ornately decorated and polished turquoise and gold-colored cord and plaque armor worn by every member of the guard glistened in the sunlight as they practiced their martial skills before the Emperor. Thousands of boots and paws stepped with mechanical precision, blades and staffs moving in unison, sheet-like volleys of arrows, bolts, balls, fire and water balls cutting down targets like threshing wheat, wooden dummies smashed to splinters with blows and charges. Everything was done smoothly, neatly, almost artistically. In spite of herself Morha was impressed.
The mušḫuššu sat on her haunches with Sima, some rocs, nagas and quillins one platform level below Lord Buzhong and two platform levels below the Emperor on the Imperial platform nearby. All around were the other members of the court, the Chancellor and ministers and administrators and servants and guards, watching another grand ceremony. In the far distance, barely visible were the citizens of Anping also watching the display of military might from towers and city walls and the streets all around. Qing herself stood watch beside Morha.
It had been five years since the purple dragon had been captured and brought to Jiangshan, and as much as she hated to admit it, Morha was getting used to her captivity. The mušḫuššu’s role as a pet was becoming comfortable, even if any reminder of her status continued to rankle her, she still honored her promise to Qing to not try to escape before the time was right. That led to more freedom; Morha’s shackles and muzzles disappeared, with only a small gilded collar denoting her bound status to the world. The blue long also seemed to pay more attention and kindness to the purple dragon, treating her to meals and steam baths, gifting her cushions and lamp oil and explaining the arcane rules of the capital. Every week the captain would pay the purple dragon a visit and teach her something, from how to communicate in Tanghua, to descriptions of the folks of the North to the routes of the rivers to the weapons of the land. It was to educate her on how to properly be a servant to the Emperor, Qing said. Morha just nodded and eagerly absorbed as much as she could.
The captain of the guard was currently facing her, explaining what the two of them were observing right now.
*The Shence Guard is a direct extension of the Emperor’s will. They are the strongest, best trained and best equipped army in Jiangshan, and they are charged with protecting the Imperial family itself and the dynasty to a lesser extent.* Qing spoke as she kept one eye on Morha while also scanning the area for threats. *They are based within eight barracks immediately surrounding the Imperial Palace and can be summoned by drums and gongs to man the walls of the outer grounds of the inner city with a moment's notice. Besides guarding him, the Shence Army could accompany the Emperor in his personal campaigns against nomads and rebels.*
The entire court watched as the oni troops threw their bians into the air. The steel weapons twirled synchronously, clearly carried by manipulated air currents, then appeared to glow red hot before tearing cleanly through a massive iron pillar a whole li away like it was tofu. In the distance, the city folk cheered.
*They have a fearsome reputation of being powerful, dangerous and merciless, and it is claimed that one unit of the guard could defeat and slaughter ten equivalent conventional army units and a hundred equivalent peasant units.* The blue dragon continued to explain.
*Yeesh.* Morha muttered in reply. *What should I do then if I come across a member of the Shence Guard?*
*Be polite, firm, don’t do anything that can be seen as threatening, and if you can avoid them. Dragon, guardian lion, oni, human-it doesn’t matter. Run or hide if you must.* Qing replied.
The purple dragon frowned and went silent. After a long pause though, Morha turned and asked her companion a new question.
*How do you know so much about the Guard anyway?*
The captain shrugged. *Everyone knows these stories.*
Morha snorted. *You weren't a member were you? Your stuck up ways sound like they'd fit right in with them.*
Qing turned pale and looked away. *They are not folks to be so casually joked about.* She finally replied.
Morha cocked her head sideways and looked back in confusion at the blue dragon, but the latter turned back to face the ceremony. Nothing further happened, so the purple dragon simply shrugged. Despite all her education, Morha felt no closer to understanding this land, or for that matter her companion.
In the distance, the crowds cheered again.
James Wong - Master Wong battles Master Yim
From
Chickenzaur! Original: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/58366988/
Category Artwork (Traditional) / Fantasy
Species Eastern Dragon
Size 2391 x 3459px
File Size 3.03 MB
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