Jackal Among Snakes

It was a new day for Emperor Ji Meng. Rest didn’t come easy for the victorious army as hellfire continued to rain down from the sky, but their armies took shelter in a formidable fortress. What little remained of the Blue Emperor’s support fell under their banner without any struggle whatsoever. Within this fortress, the emperor kneeled in the spot the lord of the castle generally occupied, while two people sat at a table they’d dragged into the room, enjoying a large breakfast. Ji Meng wasn’t the lord, in this scenario. These two were.

Emperor Ji Meng looked upon King Argrave and Queen Anneliese. In the past days, he’d seen the king willingly have his heart ripped out by a gargantuan, inhuman demon, only for him to keep talking and delivering orders to his underlings like nothing was amiss. The queen, meanwhile, dropped down in the center of a battlefield, stood her ground against dozens of S-rank spellcasters alone, then fought the champion of an ancient god that ripped a crater into the earth the size of a city. And she’d won that battle.

Ji Meng was rather contented he’d made the right decision, submitting to the duo.

“Are you going to gather errant forces before heading to the capital?” Argrave asked him expectantly, cleaning his hands of crumbs.

Ji Meng shifted where he kneeled, drawn from his thoughts. “No. I’m going to head right for the imperial court, gather what remains of the palace guard, and then regain control over the city. All things stem from Ji—it’ll make the task easier.” He pointed at a body that bore his visage, propped up against the wall—another unnerving thing. “We’ll display that body in a public place. It’s doubly helpful that you slayed him, Queen Anneliese.”

“Because you couldn’t have?” Argrave said with a smile, pushing aside his empty plate.

“That, and it gives me more legitimacy. ‘The emperor didn’t deign to fight the lowly pretender. Instead, the demon was slain by his faithful Grand Commandant’s second-in-command.’” Ji Meng gestured toward them. “I’ve no doubt they’ll be telling legends about you throughout the whole continent. My men ask me endless questions about the white-haired woman.”

As Anneliese smiled without much enthusiasm, Argrave put his hand atop her own. “And you tell anyone that asks, I’m sure, that she’s my wife.”

Ji Meng dipped his head. “Of course. I do have something to advise about, however.”

“Go ahead,” Anneliese encouraged him.

“Governor Zen will hear about me leading armies, my vital force rejuvenated. He’ll be fully aware that this is far beyond the plan that you discussed with him. And with the prospect of me heading to the imperial court—and by extension, the imperial harem, where his power is densest—his distrust of you will reach its apex,” Ji Meng declared clearly and with urgency.

at Ji Meng. “I know what you’re trying to do—secure your position by isolating us from Zen. The fact is, though, we have an information leak. We need to stay close to Zen temporarily for a total victory both within and without. You want to purge the

from Zen; such an outcome would give me security I lack. But… if you allow me, I can help you regain the governor’s trust. I can help you pull him

contemplated this silently, while Anneliese urged, “Go

questioning if he was pushing the boundaries. He lifted his head boldly and said outright, “I’d like to know

put his elbow on the table and leaned against his hand. “Once everything’s settled, you’re going to name

said a joke, but Ji Meng was uncertain

uncertainly, “I’m not

title will delegate all administrative, civil, judicial, and military authority to me.” Argrave put his hand to his chest. “You’re to retain the title of emperor, and you’ll continue to be known as the son of heaven. But rather than having genuine political power, you’ll be a ceremonial figure; effectively, the head of the faith,

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that humbly confirmed rulership over the Great Chu to a military dictator than one who fought valiantly to maintain it. The title of ‘son of heaven’ would become both a protection and a binding trap. He and all his successors would maintain their position so long as they obeyed. And if they

in many decades. From where he kneeled, he lowered his head until it touched the ground in a kowtow. He lowered his head to people more than half a century younger than him. He didn’t expect Argrave to understand the cultural significance—perhaps in time the king would learn—but for now, the gesture was to humble

thank you for your grace,” Ji Meng said, his mouth facing

It’s practicality,” Argrave dismissed. “Now—what were

weakness as opportunity. If we can couch my present position not as your newfound strength, but a weakness… it’s far easier to assume incompetence before excellence.” He

at his cheek. “No harm

#####

stood with Governor Zen. In wake of the terrible war, the governor had abandoned his peaceful pavilion for a fortified compound loaded with arrays of defensive weaponry designed to resist thousands of invaders. Now they stood in the heart of this fortified

the false emperor,” Stain conveyed just as Elenore told him, sitting at the foot of the table as the guest of honor. “Now,

his fingers. “The Palace of Heaven,

role was to reveal the leak in their ranks by steering the