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Part XV: Of Battle’s Call and the Shadow Hunt

…And thus did Yǎn-sui  accompany the maiden of the river to entreat the people of the valley to lend him their strength, as one, and give battle to the demons who plagued them.

The demon general called upon the people to gather the Council of their elders by which they would decide their fate: to abandon home and unburied dead to give battle, or to remain divided and vulnerable to serve as so much prey.

“Your enemy is strong, cunning, and with unending hunger for your flesh and bones,” said he, “Fight, and I will fight with you.  My master the goddess speaks thus.”

The people thus attended to the call to battle, for we of the Flame do not flee when our enemy is before us...

And so upon an island in the midst of the river, the people built a fortress to would provide sanctuary for all.  The demon general brought together the warriors in one place there and told them to prepare for battle…

…At that time, having thus darkened the name of Yǎn-sui  before the Heavenly Court with whispers, cunning Pī lì in the shadows of secrecy sought those whose hatred and envy of Yǎn-sui  outweighed their fear of him.  Among the ranks of glorious Agni’s demon army, there were few such warriors to be found, for the Blue Spirit was known by all as an implacable foe.  And yet cunning Pī lì found there four such demons: Xiǎng mǎ, demon of wind of a thousand-slaying arrows; Shān dū, demon of earth of the blighting hand; Dōng bù and Dié, demons of fire of the great flame blades of gold.  From these demons, cunning Pī lì extracted an oath, to seek out the Blue Spirit and destroy him.

“For this service, you shall be well rewarded,” promised he, “I shall soon be the leader of my glorious father’s armies, and I shall make you my generals.”

The demons bowed to their master and departed to the cardinal directions, to hunt and to slay from the shadows…

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Part XVI: Of Voices and Memories - read on!

Description
Part XV: Of Battle’s Call and the Shadow Hunt

…And thus did Yǎn-sui  accompany the maiden of the river to entreat the people of the valley to lend him their strength, as one, and give battle to the demons who plagued them.

The demon general called upon the people to gather the Council of their elders by which they would decide their fate: to abandon home and unburied dead to give battle, or to remain divided and vulnerable to serve as so much prey.

“Your enemy is strong, cunning, and with unending hunger for your flesh and bones,” said he, “Fight, and I will fight with you.  My master the goddess speaks thus.”

The people thus attended to the call to battle, for we of the Flame do not flee when our enemy is before us...

And so upon an island in the midst of the river, the people built a fortress to would provide sanctuary for all.  The demon general brought together the warriors in one place there and told them to prepare for battle…

…At that time, having thus darkened the name of Yǎn-sui  before the Heavenly Court with whispers, cunning Pī lì in the shadows of secrecy sought those whose hatred and envy of Yǎn-sui  outweighed their fear of him.  Among the ranks of glorious Agni’s demon army, there were few such warriors to be found, for the Blue Spirit was known by all as an implacable foe.  And yet cunning Pī lì found there four such demons: Xiǎng mǎ, demon of wind of a thousand-slaying arrows; Shān dū, demon of earth of the blighting hand; Dōng bù and Dié, demons of fire of the great flame blades of gold.  From these demons, cunning Pī lì extracted an oath, to seek out the Blue Spirit and destroy him.

“For this service, you shall be well rewarded,” promised he, “I shall soon be the leader of my glorious father’s armies, and I shall make you my generals.”

The demons bowed to their master and departed to the cardinal directions, to hunt and to slay from the shadows…

---

Part XVI: Of Voices and Memories - read on!