Chapter Text
All warfare is based on deception.
He knows this world’s cruelty better than anyone, really, but the lies still sting. Much more painful than any Qi Deviation.
When able to attack, we must seem unable.
“Hm?” A trembling, yet somehow untouched by any sort of worldly emotion, voice calls out. “Is there someone here?”
A pause, and a heavy intake of breath, “But how?”
When using our forces, we must seem inactive.
A pale face shines in the ethereal, pink moonlight. Though undeniably beautiful, those eyes seem to have been open for the past ten years, unaware and hollow. Devoid of any living soul.
Yet, suddenly, after decades of inaction, there is a infinitesimally small motion, a half millimeter flutter of an eyelash, an almost invisible rush of fresh blood through stagnant veins.
A cracked and impossibly chilling laugh spills jaggedly from those once statuesque lips, “It is time.”
Pretend to be weak, so the enemy may grow arrogant.
“How have you become like this, ah? Do you not remember the way you used to act? Do you not recall the way you used to treat me? Hmmm, Shizun?”
A hitched half-sob, no more a cry than a chuckle. His figure, brought low for what seems to be the first time, shakes with immortal aches. No more than a second passes before a trailing, whispered response finds its way between the two opposing forces, “Do not try and hurt me like this, not when we both know the truth.”
If they are taking their ease, give them no rest.
Before he can appreciate even a moment of reprieve, a feminine figure is stepping out from the incensed crowd, “A-Jiu? Shen Jiu, is that you?”
Attack when they are unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
“You aren’t supposed to be here! You’re supposed to be dead!”
“Aiya, stop cursing me. Just accept my delightful presence.”
These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
“You are lying to me! I know you’re lying, but why? What are you hiding from me?”
“I’m sorry,” the apology hangs in the air, unaccepted. They both know it’s not enough, and yet, it’s all that’s offered.
If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
“Get. Out.”
Forestall your opponent by seizing what they hold dear.
An unyielding squeeze bruises more than the neck’s fragile skin, it also bruises the fragile hearts of everyone watching. They are unable to step in, too afraid of the dangerous response any action from them may provoke.
A beautiful, terribly familiar voice sing-songs lightly, “The moon is silver, the sky is blue, the grass is green, and blood… is red.”
Walk in the path defined by rule, wait until you can fight a decisive battle.
She pauses, tears in her eyes, “I do not know.”
A flinch.
“They just disappeared?”
“No, someone took them.”
Will you be too late to put up a fight? Or will the enemy be too late to oppose you?
Shen Yuan doesn’t know what to do, there are no paths forward. There’s no way to back track.
He has no time to think anymore, all he can do is push through the crowd.
“Stop! Stop, he’s not what you think!”
-/-
All warfare is based on deception.
“But I believe you.”