This thread may contain mature scenes.
Da Migong
Xungong
Xuan
Akai
Xungong
Xuan
Akai
HULANG
As he opened his eyes, the Ditu became witness to the magnitude of the palace around him. Ink-black walls towered as high as skyscrapers above the soil, emerging from the lush dark earth. This was Jieke’s magnum opus, a design so vast and great in scale that it stretched across the sky. It felt truly awe-inspiring in its anachronistic combination of the various old styles which were typical across Akai palaces which blurred into neoclassical totalitarian testaments of grandeur. The complex was simply leviathan, being thirteen times larger than the forbidden city in Shengjing, it was a vast complex for sure. It was built clearly to intimidate all who were set before it. It from the eyes of God looked awfully similar to the Kabbalistic tree of life, with several vast complexes being connected to one another by vast walls covered in huge monuments to occult Gods and Lazin sovereigns.
Hulang himself lay in the seventh complex’s bedroom. It was a vast circular room with various appendages reaching out to provide various facilities. In the centre, the bed he rested upon was equally circular and was surrounded with elaborately patterned blinds in brilliant shades of gold and red. On the floor, the monolith-eye symbol - which was the ever present insignia of Clan Lazin - was formed from glass and black basalt being carefully used to realise its vibrancy. This was the room I went to after the coronation wasn’t it. he thought, reflecting on the three years which had since passed.
He held his hands together as he lay in silver silks, looking out towering windows of tremendous splendour, the glass inside of them allowing the setting sun to illuminate this creation. His head rested on pillows which made him feel like he was weightless. Next to him lay a book, one written in Baran - it was a terrible book to be sure, a nothing more than a cheap novel with a classical plot. It was by one of Count Lalery’s relatives, Olivia Lalery interesting enough. He used it as a test of his comprehension of the tongue of the Edomites, one he felt increasingly comfortable with. He left it open at this bed size, halfway through it. It focused on the tale of two hedge knights, heroically trying to save the kingdom from a tyrannical unchristian monarch - a fairly standard plot as Hulang knew. Yet in this sea of utter trite which Hulang was reading, there was one thought provoking section which seemed it was from a completely different text. They walked through a scene of true desperation and poverty, in which they tried to help out and make difference and yet could not make a mark until a noble explained the futility of their actions until. Whether it was simply a change in the mood of the whole text or just the relevance of it to what he had been doing for the past few days left him in going down a rabbit hole to find the answers to his questions.
He arose with haste, reaching to open through the elaborately patterned veil around his bed as he arose from his rest. What greeted him was the the jade, cold and deathly mask of the The Lord of the Eunuchs and the Master of the Stewards of His Holy and Most Exalted Perfection's Estates and Holdings Li Hi awaiting him as if he were a statue, “Excellent your perfection, it is a pleasure as always to witness to yourself,” he began in his boyish shivering voice. Most eunuchs sounded still if they were children due to their often very young castrations but none sounded as snakish as Li. His green robes seemed scaled and to move as one as he curtseyed before the Ditu, dressed in his white silks.
“Lord Hi, before we embark with the agenda, what has happened since I, the solitary one was last awakened,” the Ditu asked engaging in the needless formality necessary for interactions with the eunuchs of the court.
“You, the Holy and Exalted, I wish to inform you that the Secretariat of Truth and Revelations has managed to conclude their footage of your perfection’s visit to the Nankai Academy in Liangqiao as well as your perfection’s tour of the area's industry,” the eunuch replied slowly and with the pretence of warmth that he always wore. “This subject may comment that it will enter circulation soon.”
“Good, my subject,” Hulang thought as he reflected on his tour of Zhaoze. He recalled the heat of it all, for someone like himself it was even more unbearable than usual. His flesh felt like it wanted to sear. And then his thoughts went to the children he saw in the school, studious and hardworking like himself and presumably on the verge of being pushed into their specialisations as was determined by the state. For many Akai, it was often their best chance to escape poverty and establish their family. When the older clans monopolised positions of power in the government, they often ended up making them de facto hereditary. Before Jieke often the official heads of ministries rarely exercised their power with their deputies either being their children to continue their line’s prosperity and very infrequently they were the people actually running the operation.
As he grabbed his jian which was held in its case at his side by a statue and walked forwards. Before him were a selection of possible clothes. Each was a military uniform of some kind, one was a naval uniform, composed of a brilliant white double breasted overcoat with a mandarin colour with the ranks on the side. It had in silver silk, the nagas of Akai mythology embroidered into the clothing, adorned with sapphire eyes. This was paired with a set of trousers which were almost like tights, as Hulang knew sticking to the legs with ease. The second uniform was that of the Riyeskonsu, which in reality looked more like a hybrid of full dress army uniform and the ancient knightly jueshi warriors of past. Lazinatoese plate styles were always weird hybrids of western steel plate and the more Asiatic styles which were unique to Akai. It meshed well with the masks which the Akai wore, which in reality often were as heavy as helmets. The final piece was the uniform of the Generalissimus, only created for the Ditu. It was created from thick layers of black silk and cotton combined with one another. The patterns which were embodied onto it were intricate as always, twisting as if they were part of a piece of renaissance dress. The thing was double breasted, its buttons were solid gold and the various aspects of trimmings was also gold. On his collar, the Lazin’s infamous crest appeared once more, one on each side. His pauldrons contained the five diamonds of his rank, cast out of solid gold like the rest of it. And a White armband surrounded the back of it. This was the uniform he wore for his portrait and would be the one he’d select. “The Generalissimus uniform will be appreciated thank you, eunuchs,” Hulang ordered with his voice in command.
“As your wish, Lord of Ten Thousand Years,” Li Hi relatively informally replied as a small swarm of masked eunuchs began to prepare the Ditu to be clothed. “This subject also wishes to humbly inform the His Perfection that all preparations for the gala are completed without fault. The guests are accounted for as well, a few notable people around the globe.”
“And who may these be?” Hulang inquired as he was slowly moved into his clothes by a variety of tentacle-like hands fitting every piece of the uniform with care. His silk robes were removed with haste, revealing the carefully refined form underneath - covered in faint scars.
“You are in fine form, your perfection,” Li observed, using his old knowledge as a court physician in the past to rather uncomfortably study the Ditu's physique.
Hulang always appreciated the irony of a charity gala being done purely for the pleasure of the rich, it was part of the reason why he created it. Now whether people would notice the fact he also profits from the whole affair with improved PR and more than a few people who may be intrigued by Akai. It was a part of one of Hulang’s great ambitions, to render himself a great statesman. And nothing looked better than helping the poor and those who are ill-fortuned. Yet for his all cynical reasons, he did appreciate his own actions here and hoped to ensure that they’d have an effect in order to improve the lives of the people the funds will be going to. He saw the benefits of education with his own eyes, any chance to allow those capable of getting out of misery and contributing more to the world was of interest to the Ditu.
“We, of course, have a few Edomites, including Princess Jocasta much to your pleasure." Jocasta was one of the Ditu's closest friends and confidants, one who he held a great admiration for. And yet there always was a sense of covertness which bloomed whenever she was mentioned, and a contemplation on how things could have been. He himself did wish to speak with her on the matter of the alliance they formed together between New Edom and Akai, mostly to ensure that it retains its mutually beneficial nature. "We have Prince Teren Ebed-Melech, currently Director-General for International Development - he I imagine would know quite a lot about the field. I can keep him preoccupied to that end I do imagine,” the eunuch explained. “A very cultured man, with an interest in various humanities and dramatics. He is the very model of a modern director-general.”
“Yes, I recall his invite, he was not the Edomite was he not,” Hulang inquired as the undergarments were fitted on, made of an uncomfortable yet still fairly bizarre silk like material, supposedly reinforced with some modified kevlar.
“Yes, you Son of heaven are correct there is the relatively minor Miss Naomi Urban also attending. She is distantly related to the Count, Theodore Urban who serves as the ambassador to the Romans. She is a musician, of the sort that would appeal to the New Edomites,” snidely remarked, with Hulang recalling the sort of music played at the King’s birthday.
“There’s also the Empress of Aethia, isn’t there,” Hulang continued as he watched his white undergarments be fastened especially closely to his form. “She ended up talking to mother… I mean the Dowager Dihei. Her proposition is an interesting opportunity for sure. I imagine it would be more than prudent to seize upon it.” That poor man, having do deal with Tingzi Hulang thought to himself, as he recalled the conversation recording.
“Yes, your perfection…” the eunuch contemplated with a cautious demeanour as his words slivered like aways in that boyish voice of his. “Publicise it and advertise it in such a manner that it appeals to a positive conception of oneself. That could utilise such a thing for further prestige fairly easily should His Perfection do such a thing.”
“She situation is an interesting one for sure, she seems to actually value the powers of her position and wishes do good with them. She’s also very well educated it seems, possessing a PHD in history as well as other degrees in politics and the like,” Hulang continued. “She seems rather precarious in her own position.”
“Precisely, it’d be prudent to keep that in mind when dealing with her,” the eunuch noted rather cautiously, his green eyes looking lifeless underneath that mask of his. Hulang did not necessarily trust this eunuch of his, he seemed almost slavishly obedient at times to himself and Jieke. Yet people still feared him and people rarely fear slaves. They hate them for enacting the will of their masters, rarely if ever fear them.
“We also have the House of Villeneuve-Lugarneor sending at least two members of the core family and one reformed degenerate,” Li also added as he watched with studious eyes the work of his pupils. Now the trousers were in place, tighter than Hulang would desire but the flexibility of them was not compromised.
“His Imperial Majesty, Samuel Philippe Alexandre of Lyncanestria, by the Grace of God Emperor of Lyncanestria, Defender of the Faith” Hulang recalled with ease with the hints of Lynonic pronunciation. He was more than capable of recalling the profiles of regional leaders. “An unexpected monarch, possibly sentimental over his brother’s early demise or following tradition.”Now the jacket was slowly beginning to be fitted onto the Ditu, the hands of the eunuchs gliding each sleeve onto it. ”Went to a state school, the poor bastard,” Hulang jested, as he wondered once more about what if he was thrown into his father's educational system. “And he is bringing his daughter also, Her Imperial Highness Sophie Victoire Gisèle. Intelligence suggests that he has some,” Hulang said concluding with an intended pun. “Regardless any such conversations could be quite a lot of fun.”
“Your perfection, the reformed socialite is also a possibly intriguing fellow,” Li commented with suspicion present in his child-like tone.
“Commandant Laurent Baudelaire, not a pleasant fellow originally yet his service seems to have reformed him,” Hulang spoke as he tried to recall his profile. “If only it could have done the same to some of my relatives, none, of course, I shall name.” Hong could do well to spend more time in the forces, away from the ceremonial corps.
“There’s also a rather interesting set of arrivals coming also, from Allumunnika of all places and very high profile ones,” the Lord of the Eunuchs Spoke as he continued to list of the guests. Hulang at this point was nearly fully clothed, with the jacket now fitted. He tugged in areas in order to increase his comfort, something Li seemed displeased at. “There is His Highness Prince Junn Ferdnynd Izaaksunn, from Molxue’s reports a lecher and a lout. I imagine Prince Yanfeng would be more than entertained by such a man for sure, maybe some entertainment with his concubines might be to his liking.”
“I’d prefer not to discuss such detail,” Hulang thought as he now saw the few medals and ribbons slowly being placed on the uniform. The majority were due to Hulang’s position as the head of many orders - Jieke and himself did not fall into the trap that most autocrats do with tastelessly decorating their chiefs to the point that they could easily be magnetised. There was one medal from the Lyncanestrians which was the Order of the Golden scepter, an interesting gift for sure. The Lyncanestrians in general for a nation so closely tied to the Gentrys confused Hulang in lacking their intense hatred and dislike of the Akai. He himself held no harsh feelings for them himself. “There is anyway a much more interesting individual coming - Former Director of Internal Security Junn Wyllem Durkheim IV. Why the hell a presidential candidate whose approach to us was rather critical, to say the least.” Less his anti-Akai stance came from an anti-Rietumish sentiment of course which would be an interesting possibility.
“The Nationalists would have been a disaster for us had they succeeded,” Lord Hi commented as he moved feel the clothing of the Ditu, testing it so it met his ever impervious standards.
“Agreed, I… we spent weeks on ensuring that mess didn’t blow up. The worst thing that could happen would have been the Allamunnic imitating the bastard Starl. We cannot afford a war in Bergoria. Regardless, any option should be exploited whenever possible, if I cannot attend to him send Molxue. He always has the right mind for such men. But I’d be intrigued to meet him myself also if I get the chance.” Never waste a bizarre opportunity Hulang thought to himself as he nearly finished putting on his clothes, all but awaiting the shoes as the black stockings were placed over his legs.
“Lady Palina Foelyr is also an interesting girl, that’s quite certain,” the eunuch continued as he began to slowly circle the Ditu, his soft soled shoes making not a sound as he did so. “The swallow of the Great Allamunnika Party, whose songs you have heard in the past. May I suggest that Celestial Princess Lilisi, the two I imagine might be able to converse rather easily.”
“Your suggestion is heard, subject of mine,” Hulang replied as he slipped on his boots, elaborate dark looking which easily added another three or four inches to the Ditu’s already imposing height.
He then looked to his side and saw the Baltkalns arming sword waiting in the corner, a gift from the Rietumish to himself nearly a year ago now: "And then there is the Shrailleen - quite a bizarre and pleasant folk. These two, however, should be thought of cautiously, Queen Chessiya Resyanna fe Shrailleen, Queen of Thessit'kan and Tennat and her daughter Princess Chella Resyanna fe Shrailleen should they not."
"Yes you would be quite astute there, peharps the Prince-Regent may attend to them well," Li Hi suggested as he and the Ditu watched the old sword come to his side, fitted onto himself.
“And then there is the barbarian Shaikan from Ahara, General Angar Crow. Certainly a pleasant-sounding fellow, with the massacre of Erbili under his belt. Maybe if we needed more unscrupulous individuals we could hire him.” Hulang now began to approach the final piece he’d needed - his mask.
He then looked to his side and saw the Baltkalns arming sword waiting in the corner, a gift from the Rietumish to himself nearly a year ago now: "And then there is the Shrailleen - quite a bizarre and pleasant folk. These two however should be thought of cautiously, Queen Chessiya Resyanna fe Shrailleen, Queen of Thessit'kan and Tennat and her daughter Princess Chella Resyanna fe Shrailleen should they not."
Hulang always loved his design that he helped realise, for it was a fusion of old and new on a much more intimate. He chose the design of his ancestor Tiao-Li to base it upon, his bizarre mask which he had worn before to his visits to Ghant as well as his father’s own. It was a mixture of materials such as platinum which made up the silver mouth and jaw chin area, with dark metallic substances making up the main bulk of the whole thing. It could on certain occasions be fitted with a neck protector which was very useful in both duels and other such situations. However, Hulang rarely added that unless he were to duel. The three horns however which was the unique touch of his. It gave testament to the demonic yet kingly appeal to the whole piece. All the eunuchs moved away as he approached the mask and lifted it over his head. It was deliberately designed to be light enough to be worn in most instances, yet it still remained rather heavy.
“Wantiai, Ditu Hulang!” the eunuchs declared in unison at the masked Ditu, his crimson eyes glaring out. He watched them kowtow before him, their masks touching the floor with ease. With this, the doors of the room opened and what felt like and an endless yet regimented swarm of Riyeskonsu entered, with their rifles, swords and shields clearly visible. They were escorting the then stone-faced Dowager Dihei, her glare ever uncomfortable.
“Her Celestial Highness, Dowager Dihei Tingzi,” the Anyinguan who was leading the Riyeskonsu Lord-Shi Zemin Qi announced, as he escorted the she-dragon down to meet the Ditu.
She was wearing her mask, an elegant thing of course with a smooth art deco feel to the contraption. It covered merely her upper face, as was the as with most female masks although as Hulang knew she possessed a far more ornate one which the Ditu was more than familiar with. “My son, I see you have chosen your clothes most wonderfully,” she began with her lips covered in a crimson red lipstick, in stark contrast to her pale skin. She wore a large white evening dress with gold and crimson embroidery, giving it a flair of the complex Cornellian designs of the renaissance. It curved around her voluptuous figure, accentuating her endowed bust and her generously luscious derriere.
“This child and subject is could only return such praises,” the Ditu responded in his formal manner, with a sense of warmth and contradictory bitterness. Like always he was confused when trying to deal with Tingzi. He extended a hand to her, “shall we make our way down then?”
“Of course, my lovely child,” Tingzi responded upon taking Hulang’s hand, her smile seeming for once not to hiding some veiled mockery. As they began to walk together, down the vast halls of the palace. The eunuch followed them as they did, clearly whispering to various attendants with the quiet songs of intrigue in hidden in his words.
The Ditu felt awkward and unresponsive, unable to speak as he continued to walk while his mother seemed more the eager to appreciate it. “So Hulang, how much have you been keeping tabs on our guests?”
“Of course the foreign ones are rather interesting, but I imagine the usual are coming,” he explained in a rather vacuous manner.
“Yes, however you are aware of the last time you have met with anyone them, are you?” Tingzi questioned with the patronising zeal only a mother could provide. But before he could respond she continued, “They get rather impatient when their whims are not entertained you know. Their daughters feel like they are neglected, and family patriarchs become dissatisfied.”
“So you have noticed my refusal to deal with them then,” Hulang replied as he tugged Tingzi’s arm slightly. I do need to stop underestimating her. “I really should deal with them more, but they are often fickle. It is better to time yourself and pounce on them when they are vulnerable. Anyways, I have some of the finest men in the realm in my court anyways, Molxue, Qiaozhi, Qiang, Li, Liqin to name a few.”
“And notice how many of those are family,” replied the Dowager.
Three of them for me, four for you. There still was a hesitance to Hulang regardless, he himself preferred lacking attachments, being free from the webs of internal politics. He much preferred pushing those around distantly and working from afar. Less trouble for him that way. He walked past the dining halls. “This being said, I can understand the rationale of at least entertaining their courtly wishes.” Make them feel like they are being heard. And furthermore, I do feel I need to at least appear like I am considering courtship now. I’d rather avoid my father’s old reputation if I could.
“Of course you need to refill the Harem, pick the mesdames and eventually the Dihei and the Dibai. Shijin would make a good Madame, may even a Dihei,” Tingzi suggested with great enthusiasm in her voice. What game is she playing at now. “I’d be more than envious of them.”
“Of course you would,” Hulang responded with bitter melancholy as memories of midsummer a few years ago came back. The Ditu had a few people who he’d wish to spend the rest of his days with, yet for some reason or another, he was unable to do so. Amelia was kept under the pale Gentry wings, Jocasta under the watchful purple eye of the Dakmarans, and now Lilisi was moving ever distantly away. Fate seemed to want him either miserable or celibate so far - probably both. “Are they any Akai suitors worth considering?”
“Well there is Lilisi, but she is expected to be yours,” Tingzi explained with a sense of disdain quite familiar in her voice. “Qiang’s daughters are an option, although Aorta seems to take a fancy for Gylars, Shijin found Michael fun and Housheng us far too much like her namesake for someone like yourself.” The sense of distaste continued. “There's Lady Maila Mala Zichin Azula Jieke Baermali, a dangerous woman for sure but an interesting one. She is likely to be heiress to the Baermali fortunes...”
“I’d rather not be in-laws with Lord Zigao Baermali. That shit is the most arrogant bastard I’ve ever met,” Hulang commented recalling on his encounters with the boy during his rite of passage. He was slightly older than Hulang and in many ways they seemed similar. Both quite capable men who are already rapidly becoming famed members of their clans. Yet Zigao held himself in just the most intolerable of manners. He lacked any restraint and let his passions drive him without care for any who may happen to disagree with them. He was wild, far too wild to be worthy of his lands in the Ditu’s judgemental eyes.
They were approaching one of the many entrances to the vast complex now as they expected, night was beginning to fall but now the sun remained on the horizon. And underneath a sky of crimson red he oversaw the vast endless gardens, whose statues stood taller than most houses. He saw the vast roads which dwarfed the square columns of Riyeskonsu marching down and the tiny constricting and weaving paths which were always so unpleasant to walk through. Hulang would have his guests arrive at the island's airport and then they’d be escorted here before the many steps of Xungong and before the dragons and lions to meet the Ditu. Then the rest of this whole affair could begin.
