Post by Zhou Yu on Oct 1, 2010 14:47:56 GMT
The lands of Nan Hai were barley a part of China the locals still ruled over by tribal chieftains even if they swore allegiance to the Emperor of Han. In the opinion of Zhou Yu they were primitive or at best backwards as a society. Yet they had some things he found to be valuable, human resources like people and natural ones like timber and metal ores. This meant it was still profitable to deal with such men even if it was a strain on his patience and nostrils. They could be good allies for the growing state of Wu or so he hoped. To this end on he was on his way to the regional capital when his journey was interrupted by something barbaric and totally intolerable to him.
“Nooooooooo please, someone help me.” A desperate plea for aid reached the ears of Zhou yu cutting threw the mountain air like a knife. Although he was busy he found he could not ignore a plea for help so he turned his horse away from the path through the mountains. He kicked his mount into a canter toward where he thought the cry for help had come from. Soon enough he could hear more this time a chant of some kind although he could not make out the words. Putting these two facts together he got a sinking feeling that he would not like what he was about to find.
“Savages!” Zhou Yu exclaimed loudly as he saw something that turned his veins ice cold with a seething anger. A crowd of people on the hillside below him stopped chanting to turn and look his way. In the middle of this group was one man stripped nearly naked and bound to a large boulder. Before him stood another man in the dark robes of a priest holding a serrated sacrificial knife. Zhou Yu found it hard to contain his wrath and not pull his sword right now. He held himself in check knowing only there were too many for him to fight alone. Human sacrifice had once been common but no longer was it looked on as a very low depravity of the insane and barbaric cultures. The robed man turned to stare at Zhou Yu holding his gaze with one of his own.
“Leave this place now slave of the Han. Our ritual must be complete to sanctify this land in the name of our god.” The priest stated as he held his knife high. The people bowed down low before it like it was a religious icon. Zhou Yu felt sick not only at the site but worse. By the man’s accent he was Chinese from the Han Empire he was not of this land. He was leading this people to commit crimes against nature and he wasn’t even from this backwards land.
“How dare you, Heaven does not condone the sacrifice of innocents.” Zhou Yu replied as he dismounted walking towards the worshipers. He showed no sign of fear even as they blocked his way toward the priest.
“You know nothing. Human souls are far richer in spiritual energy it is these that appease heaven the most. Your ignorance shall be your undoing unbeliever. ”The priest said chuckling to himself. He was even mad or a very evil man.
“You know nothing of god that much is clear. I am Zhou Yu of lu Jiang I have read the classics and works of the Taoist masters and i know your words to be false religion. In fact by your accent i mark you as a Taoist not of this land.” Zhou Yu accused the priest, it was clear his word had finally struck a chord with the people. Some of them now looked at him with no longer hostile eyes.
“Blasphemy. I was a Taoist by the name of Sima Li student of the master Guo Jin. But now i have found the way to our true god. The only way these people can be saved is by sacrifice. Now silence or you shall be next.” The priest said turning back and raising his blade to strike. Zhou Yu tensed knowing his next words had to strike deeply.
“I know of your master. He was a fraud that pretended to practise magic to extort gold from the people. He was executed not long ago by Sun Ce for his foul practises. You are even worse you would take these people’s lives as well as their wealth. If you are so pious you would sacrifice yourself instead of this man.” Zhou Yu yelled drawing his sword. He figured if he did not act now the man would be dead. If he had not convinced enough of the people by now it would be too late. Beside he had to try something drastic of the priest would kill the man.
“Lies, disarm him, he shall be next.” The black robed priest yelled gesturing at Zhou Yu with his knife. However many of the people backed away looking at him with suspicion now. Perhaps it had not been so wise of him to extort gold from them for his new religions first shrine. However two men holding spears still moved to disarm Zhou Yu. It was to turn out to be a foolish act. He stepped in towards them closing the distance. Close up there spears could not be used as well as his cutting sword. He slashed twice to his left and right disembowelling both un armoured foes. Such was his speed he was past them before they screamed and stepping up to the priest. None of the others had a chance to intercept him.
“Now you will go to your god and see how he rewards you.” Zhou Yu said raising his sword over his head to strike. The priest recoiled raising his knife to try and block. Zhou Yu strike took his arm of instead at the elbow; he held his final blow for a moment. He let the priest suffer for a moment in agony as his own blood soaked the sacrificial stone. Then he separated the man’s head from his shoulder with one blow. He turned then to face the crowd.
“Your false prophet is dead, know he was lying to and never practise these rites again. Now free this man and go back to your homes.” Zhou Yu said staring at them until they began to disperse back to whatever place they had come from. Although he liked to think this could never happen in his home Zhang Jiao had proven otherwise. It seemed people everywhere were susceptible to lies. Faith it seemed made a man weak or perhaps it was just the need to believe in something better.
Once the people were gone Zhou Yu searched the dead priest’s body and found a purse filled with gold. As he suspected the man had been extorting the people or just taking what was owned by those he sacrificed. Either way Zhou Yu felt he could put it to better use.
“Nooooooooo please, someone help me.” A desperate plea for aid reached the ears of Zhou yu cutting threw the mountain air like a knife. Although he was busy he found he could not ignore a plea for help so he turned his horse away from the path through the mountains. He kicked his mount into a canter toward where he thought the cry for help had come from. Soon enough he could hear more this time a chant of some kind although he could not make out the words. Putting these two facts together he got a sinking feeling that he would not like what he was about to find.
“Savages!” Zhou Yu exclaimed loudly as he saw something that turned his veins ice cold with a seething anger. A crowd of people on the hillside below him stopped chanting to turn and look his way. In the middle of this group was one man stripped nearly naked and bound to a large boulder. Before him stood another man in the dark robes of a priest holding a serrated sacrificial knife. Zhou Yu found it hard to contain his wrath and not pull his sword right now. He held himself in check knowing only there were too many for him to fight alone. Human sacrifice had once been common but no longer was it looked on as a very low depravity of the insane and barbaric cultures. The robed man turned to stare at Zhou Yu holding his gaze with one of his own.
“Leave this place now slave of the Han. Our ritual must be complete to sanctify this land in the name of our god.” The priest stated as he held his knife high. The people bowed down low before it like it was a religious icon. Zhou Yu felt sick not only at the site but worse. By the man’s accent he was Chinese from the Han Empire he was not of this land. He was leading this people to commit crimes against nature and he wasn’t even from this backwards land.
“How dare you, Heaven does not condone the sacrifice of innocents.” Zhou Yu replied as he dismounted walking towards the worshipers. He showed no sign of fear even as they blocked his way toward the priest.
“You know nothing. Human souls are far richer in spiritual energy it is these that appease heaven the most. Your ignorance shall be your undoing unbeliever. ”The priest said chuckling to himself. He was even mad or a very evil man.
“You know nothing of god that much is clear. I am Zhou Yu of lu Jiang I have read the classics and works of the Taoist masters and i know your words to be false religion. In fact by your accent i mark you as a Taoist not of this land.” Zhou Yu accused the priest, it was clear his word had finally struck a chord with the people. Some of them now looked at him with no longer hostile eyes.
“Blasphemy. I was a Taoist by the name of Sima Li student of the master Guo Jin. But now i have found the way to our true god. The only way these people can be saved is by sacrifice. Now silence or you shall be next.” The priest said turning back and raising his blade to strike. Zhou Yu tensed knowing his next words had to strike deeply.
“I know of your master. He was a fraud that pretended to practise magic to extort gold from the people. He was executed not long ago by Sun Ce for his foul practises. You are even worse you would take these people’s lives as well as their wealth. If you are so pious you would sacrifice yourself instead of this man.” Zhou Yu yelled drawing his sword. He figured if he did not act now the man would be dead. If he had not convinced enough of the people by now it would be too late. Beside he had to try something drastic of the priest would kill the man.
“Lies, disarm him, he shall be next.” The black robed priest yelled gesturing at Zhou Yu with his knife. However many of the people backed away looking at him with suspicion now. Perhaps it had not been so wise of him to extort gold from them for his new religions first shrine. However two men holding spears still moved to disarm Zhou Yu. It was to turn out to be a foolish act. He stepped in towards them closing the distance. Close up there spears could not be used as well as his cutting sword. He slashed twice to his left and right disembowelling both un armoured foes. Such was his speed he was past them before they screamed and stepping up to the priest. None of the others had a chance to intercept him.
“Now you will go to your god and see how he rewards you.” Zhou Yu said raising his sword over his head to strike. The priest recoiled raising his knife to try and block. Zhou Yu strike took his arm of instead at the elbow; he held his final blow for a moment. He let the priest suffer for a moment in agony as his own blood soaked the sacrificial stone. Then he separated the man’s head from his shoulder with one blow. He turned then to face the crowd.
“Your false prophet is dead, know he was lying to and never practise these rites again. Now free this man and go back to your homes.” Zhou Yu said staring at them until they began to disperse back to whatever place they had come from. Although he liked to think this could never happen in his home Zhang Jiao had proven otherwise. It seemed people everywhere were susceptible to lies. Faith it seemed made a man weak or perhaps it was just the need to believe in something better.
Once the people were gone Zhou Yu searched the dead priest’s body and found a purse filled with gold. As he suspected the man had been extorting the people or just taking what was owned by those he sacrificed. Either way Zhou Yu felt he could put it to better use.
