Kai Jin's Journey - Bringing Order to the Land

Cao Cao was hard at work over the last few weeks. The Yellow Turban Rebellion had caused far more damage than he had anticipated. He had spoken to his strategists, historians and even his generals and most of them had a similar concern regarding this uprising: The Han Dynasty was dying.

The Yellow Turbans claimed this was punishment for the corruption that plagued the Capital; a belief Cao Cao shared in his private thoughts. But their methods and the unrest they had provoked were not making things any better. They had only tipped the scale to the downfall of the realm.

While he mused on the matter, he remembered the conversations he had with government lords and officials who had been sent to subjugate the rebellion. They had agreed to form a coalition of various lords, warlords and volunteers to send a massive army against the Yellow Turban’s main base, kill Zhang Jiao and quell the rebellion before it got any stronger.

The ambitious Lord took to writing his thoughts and plans for after the rebellion, and would eventually discuss this with his inner circle. As he wrote those lines, one of his soldiers appeared and mentioned that Master Kai Jin wanted to speak with him.

Another variable he needed to consider for future plans…

The Heavenly Sword of Order had become a most valuable and effective asset to his plans. Too effective, some argued with him. His skills with the sword, his cold and calculating method of killing his enemies was both impressive and terrifying. Kai Jin could inspire fear in everyone he met just by standing there. Cao Cao had grown accustomed to the sword master’s presence, but every now and then he felt that glowing red eye looking at him, like he was trying to read his mind. He gestured to the soldier to allow Kai Jin to enter.

The sword master walked in with his usual cold demeanor and direct courtesy. Cao Cao noticed something different in the Heavenly Sword. The red eye wasn’t as scrutinizing, his face seemed less rigid and his posture seemed a bit more relaxed. His informants had mentioned to him that Kai Jin had been frequenting a tea house in Puyang to meet with a woman artist. Judging by this information and the subtle changes in Kai Jin, Cao Cao guessed these meetings had an effect on his “Sword”.

“Welcome, Kai Jin. Would you like something to drink?” With his usual courtesy, Cao Cao acted as the graceful host for his men. He knew that Kai Jin wasn’t a man that cared much for such courtesy.

“Tea. Jasmine.” Was the laconic answer the Heavenly Sword gave.

Cao Cao raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Kai Jin never asked for any refreshments or simply refused any offers. The fact that he had requested tea for the first time since he’d been in his service was quite puzzling. The servant was quick to answer Kai Jin’s request and brought the beverage to him. When he took it and had a sip, a look of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

“...Not the same…”

While Kai Jin was studying his tea and taking sips from it, the Lord inspected the reactions and gestures of the Heavenly Sword. This had been the first time he’d voiced any kind of disapproval or shown anything other than cold acceptance of how things were. He would have to figure out what had happened to Kai Jin later. “You wanted to speak to me, Kai Jin?”

“I have heard that the coalition is gathering soon.” This wasn’t a question. Cao Cao realized that Kai Jin paid attention to everything that had been said during all the meetings he had attended with him as well as the hushed voices of the soldiers and officials he’d come across.

“Indeed. The orders came not too long ago that we will gather in the outskirts of their known location and strike at the Yellow Turban leadership with everything we’ve got.” Cao Cao observed the reactions of the Heavenly Sword. As expected, he saw Kai Jin’s posture tightening again. His eyes sharper, his face was made of steel again and nothing else seemed to matter.

“I will need your strength in the following battle,” Cao Cao remarked as Kai Jin’s eyes turned to look at him. His red eye once again flaring up with anticipation, “the Yellow Turbans will fight like cornered rats. This will make them desperate and unpredictable. They will cling to their faith and fight savagely.”

“Fear will be our weapon against their ‘faith’.” Kai Jin’s eyes were focused on the distance. As if he were seeing the battle unfolding before him already.

“How would you do that?” Cao Cao always took a note to listen when Kai Jin spoke. He wasn’t the most eloquent of speakers, but his words carried a deeper understanding of what was and what might be.

“Send me to the front. Your forces behind me. The rebels believe numbers equal strength. That their ‘faith’ will protect them.” Kai Jin began explaining as he kept his eyes focused, “If they see that only one of your men can decimate hundreds of them, they will wonder just how strong ALL of your men really are and start to fear not just the man in front of them, but also the men they haven’t seen yet.”

“Fear against faith.” Cao Cao paraphrased, “I see you’ve come up with an interesting strategy. But what if one of them manages to incapacitate you?”

Kai Jin’s eyes turned to look into Cao Cao’s abruptly. The steel gaze of the Heavenly Sword startled Cao Cao for a moment.

“There are none within the Yellow Turbans that could hope to end my life. Not even their leader, this sorcerer, Zhang Jiao would be able to satisfy my interest. If anything, he might be… amusing.”

Cao Cao, now feeling a creeping uncertainty, nodded at Kai Jin. He had believed that only Zhang Jiao might be an interesting challenge for the Heavenly Sword of Order. But hearing Kai Jin speak so dismissively of the leader of the Yellow Turbans worried him.

“If Zhang Jiao is no match for Kai Jin, then who is? I had heard rumors that other warlords have come in contact with others who claimed to be a Heavenly Sword. If Kai Jin hears of this, he might leave my service and seek them out, creating further conflicts between the lords and my own powerbase. Kai Jin’s association with me is already known.” Cao Cao mused with worry, trying to devise a possible plan for an eventual departure of Kai Jin.

“Do not worry, Lord Cao Cao.” Kai Jin spoke low, his voice rumbling quietly in the study. “I will remain in your service even after defeating the Yellow Turbans. I have… reasons to remain here.”

Cao Cao observed the changes in Kai Jin’s posture and expressions for any sign of treachery or deceit. As always, all he saw was the stoic face of the most dangerous man in his service. But the way he said those words gave him pause. He claimed he had reason to remain in his service. Was it a future challenge? Did he know something he didn’t know about what might happen in the future? Or… maybe… the artist girl…?

“In any case,” Kai Jin continued as he stood up, “I will be ready to ride into battle at your command, Lord Cao Cao. Order must be restored to the land. Blood must be paid by the rebels who defied the Heavens.”