Ming Yue's Song - A Dull Blade

It had been several weeks since the attempted murder of Cao Cao at the hands of assassins sent by the Ten Attendants, and the warlord was growing increasingly concerned by the hostility being directed towards him. Normally he would have dealt with these events with his usual cold reasoning, but the fact that it had happened in his own residence in Luoyang - the Imperial Capital, was enough to even give him pause.

Cao Cao knew he needed to use his opponents’ awareness to his advantage. Therefore, after the cleanup of his home, he made an announcement to the Imperial Court that he would be returning to his headquarters in Puyang to “rest” after he had entertained some “unexpected visitors”. The message had been clear - he lived and was plotting his next move.

Now that he and his men had returned home, he had to take action against another possible adversary…

For years, Cao Cao had kept Kai Jin’s artist friend under surveillance. The fact that the Heavenly Sword of Order - his strongest warrior, often visited this young lady made him question if she could be considered a threat.

Lately, he had noticed that Kai Jin was more distracted and didn’t seem that focused on eliminating his enemies. Xiahou Dun had reported that whenever he wasn’t training or on duty, he spent all his time sitting in the most remote area of the mansion’s garden, drinking jasmine tea and occasionally muttering the words “…Not the same…”. His other subordinates mentioned that he also spent his nights staring at the Moon in silence - his red eye seemed to dull its sinister glow as his stone face seemed to reflect a deep longing.

The warlord has sent his spies to keep an eye on the girl, he had learned that Ming Yue, the daughter of a minor noble had exiled her from her own home due to some dubious pretenses and sent away. Having found employment in the teahouse within Puyang had been an act of generosity of the owner who took pity on the young girl after hearing her playing her music.

Then by some strange twist of fate she happened to meet the Heavenly Sword of Order…

Cao Cao knew that the girl, Ming Yue, had been influencing Kai Jin in some way that had made him look so distracted and unfocused lately. Could it be that she was trying to pull him away from the battlefield? Or was she turning him against everything Cao Cao had built?

He would have to find out soon… he needed a Blade from Hell sharp and ready to strike at his enemies. Not a dull blade moved by pedestrian feelings.

In Puyang, Lady Ming Yue was indulging in a warm cup of jasmine tea after finishing a song in her guqin. Every time she caught the soft scent of the beverage, she was reminded of her strange companion; the Heavenly Sword, Lord Kai Jin.

In the years since he walked into the tea house for the first time and listened to her playing music, he had been frequenting the establishment regularly. They would strike up a conversation, she would play some music, he would listen, they would share some thoughts or offer comments about a passing memory. She felt safe in his presence and knew that he also gained something from spending time with her… what that was, however, was still a mystery to her. But she wasn’t in a hurry to find out. Even when all patrons of the teahouse avoided him and that ethereal red eye of his, she knew he was just being himself.

For all the frightening things they said Lord Kai Jin did, he never once showed that side to her. As if the “monster” people claimed he was were nothing more than an illusion. He didn’t seek out battle for the enjoyment of it. For him, it is a part of his very being - the very fire that moves him into existence. But her eyes could also see the struggle hiding behind the cold ice of his heart and soul - in the pursuit of his goal, Kai Jin had forgotten to be a human.

Her attention was broken for a moment when she heard the owner rushing to meet a guest. The young artist was hoping it would be her strange friend and felt her heart skip a beat gently. This was happening more often these days; especially when Kai Jin came to visit.

To her astonishment, the visitor that made the owner’s face grow pale was none other than Lord Cao Cao, the man who had been given governorship of Puyang after his crucial role in defeating the Yellow Turban rebels.

Ming Yue remembered that Lord Kai Jin was in the service of Lord Cao Cao. During some of their conversations, he had mentioned that Cao Cao grew wary of her. No doubt Lord Cao Cao wanted something from her. Or perhaps he wanted to know more about her relationship with Kai Jin.

The owner was leading Cao Cao to where Ming Yue rested. The girl maintained her usual air of courtesy and perfect manners. Standing up, she bowed gracefully at the approaching Lord.

“Y-Yue… L-Lord Cao Cao has g-graced us with his presence. H-He w-would like to s-speak with you.” The owner was growing increasingly more nervous as the severe look in Cao Cao’s face made him think he’d done something wrong and deserved punishment.

“You honor our humble establishment with your presence, Lord Cao Cao.” The young artist once again bowed respectfully in the manner of proper nobility.

Cao Cao observed the young woman with a scrutinizing gaze. Her manners were perfect. She showed respect in every movement and every word she said. Cao Cao had heard that this girl was a fallen noblewoman; a disinherited child who had been discarded by her foolish family members and was banished. Despite all her hardships, she found employment as a simple musician in a tea house.

And now, she was starting to influence his “Sword”. He needed to know if she would become a liability to his plans. If she was planting the seeds of treachery in the Heavenly Sword of Order, she might turn his sword against him.

“I would like to speak with you, Lady Ming. Regarding our mutual acquaintance.” Cao Cao immediately went on the offensive. Depending on her response and reactions, he might take actions against her or find how to use her in his plans to keep Kai Jin in place.

“Of course, Lord Cao Cao. I’m at your service.” Ming Yue sat on her usual chair while Cao Cao sat opposite her… where Kai Jin usually sat. “Lord Kai Jin speaks highly of you, Lord Cao Cao.”

Cao Cao’s eye twitched with surprise. The girl was actually smiling and calm. That she mentioned that Kai Jin spoke about him to her, meant she was aware of his intentions or that she was wary of him. No doubt she was well versed in courtly intrigue and understood its implications. He felt some degree of respect for the young woman.

“Hopefully he speaks of the good things only. There are some who might not be too flattering in their opinions towards me.” Cao Cao needed to know what Kai Jin was telling her. Was he giving her important information about him and his ambitions?

“Lord Kai Jin speaks with honesty, Lord Cao Cao,” she answered softly as she took to her guqin and began to play it softly so as not to drown the sound of their voices. “He understands your intentions and your drive to do what is necessary. He is the same as Lord Cao Cao in that regard.”

While the girl played, Cao Cao continued to study her. She played the instrument with mastery and grace. Even if he wasn’t interested in this girl, he could see the appeal of her musical talents.

“Lady Ming, I’ve taken notice of your connection with my subordinate, Kai Jin.” Cao Cao said those words clearly enough to establish their positions. To his growing respect for the girl, she didn’t seem phased by it. Her fingers continue to move gracefully on her guqin. “It has raised some concerns amongst my inner circle and I as to the nature of this connection.”

The girl’s hands continued to move even as she spoke. Displaying her skill without letting the seriousness of the conversation cause her any distress.

“I assure you, Lord Cao Cao. Your concern, while expected, is unnecessary.” Her lips showed a soft smile as her eyes gazed at the strings of her guqin. “Lord Kai Jin finds respite in my humble skill. He finds solace in my music, Lord Cao Cao. It speaks to him in a way that words cannot.”

The cunning Lord couldn’t help but agree that music did have a certain power to convey more than words ever could. The owner had returned briefly to offer his finest tea set for Lord Cao Cao and poured his best jasmine tea. The Lord nodded in appreciation and urged the owner to leave them. Taking a small sip, he found the tea to be of good quality, but nothing to be considered extraordinary. What did Kai Jin see in this place?

“Would you mind elaborating, Lady Ming? How does your music speak to such a man?”

“Certainly, Lord Cao Cao.” Closing her eyes, the girl seemed to redouble her efforts in her musical performance. The sudden change of rhythm and sound became an orchestra of flowing emotions. Cao Cao had only seen this level of mastery in the Imperial court.

“We are both artists, Lord Cao Cao. We express ourselves through different mediums, but the emotions, the passions, our single minded approach… they are the same, even if we practice a different art.”

The more the girl spoke, the more he found her interesting. This musician seemed to understand the Heavenly Sword of Order better than he could.

“I speak through the music that my humble instruments allow me to play. I can evoke the many hardships I have endured. I may uplift the spirit of an injured soul. If fortunate, it may even help a frozen lake breakthrough and allow the water to flow.”

Ming Yue continued to play her guqin before Cao Cao who continued to listen to both the song and the words of the young woman.

“Lord Kai Jin speaks through his actions, his devotion to his mastery of the blade, his unwavering focus in the pursuit of his artform. And I… I understand that language, my lord.”

For a moment, Cao Cao noticed that the calm expression of the musician bore a sad look.

“Intriguing. This child is able to look into the mind and soul of Kai Jin, interpret it and understand it. She is wise beyond her years and her insights are quite deep. I can see why Kai Jin would visit this place often. Let us see if she can put my concerns to rest.”

Ming Yue had finished her song, which brought a nod of approval from Lord Cao Cao and the praise of the other patrons.

“Allow me to speak of my concerns regarding our mutual friend.” Lord Cao Cao adopted a more serious tone and observed Ming Yue as she set her guqin down and listened intently. “Kai Jin is a weapon, a sword forged for battle sent by the Heavens. My concern is that these attachments may dull his edge.”

Ming Yue looked straight at his eyes and held a steady gaze, even as her lips curled into a soft smile.

“A Sword is only as sharp as the hand that wields it, Lord Cao Cao.”

“A wise saying,” Cao Cao nodded, intrigued by the young woman’s insights. “Where did you hear this axiom?”

A gentle chuckle escaped her lips as she looked at the governor with a kind gaze.

“From Lord Cao Cao’s ‘Sword’, of course.”

A surprised laugh passed through Cao Cao’s mouth as he reminded himself that he had heard the young swordsman say those words constantly to him.

“You are absolutely right, Lady Ming. I do recall him saying these things.” Cao Cao nodded thoughtfully and continued to ponder on the depths of this conversation. “So, he does speak to others. In his own fashion.”

“How does the rain show its purpose? How does the sun brighten the realm? How does the sword perform its task?” Ming Yue bowed her head respectfully towards Lord Cao Cao and said, “By simply following their own nature.”

Her poetic tones and philosophical insights intrigued the cunning warlord. It would be unlikely that she would try to influence Kai Jin’s decisions or his loyalty towards him, Cao Cao thought. This girl could actually be a key element in understanding who Kai Jin truly is, his purpose and the source of his strength. But this couldn’t be done with clever strategies and cunning. It required the expert hands and soft voice of a musician to unravel the mystery that was Kai Jin, the Heavenly Sword of Order.

“You intrigue me, Lady Ming. Your understanding of Kai Jin is profound to say the least. How did you become such a wise young lady?”

“Wisdom comes from pain, Lord Cao Cao,” the young woman said as she held her hand to her chest, as if the mention of this truth caused her true physical pain, “and my hardships have made me wiser than some…”

“Hmmm… perhaps I may count on your insight at another time, Lady Ming. Your wisdom regarding our mutual friend is certain to be a boon to me.” Cao Cao had finished his tea and stood up to leave. “May I count on your counsel in the future regarding Kai Jin?”

The young woman stood up slowly and bowed gracefully towards Lord Cao Cao.

“Trust in your sword, Lord Cao Cao,” Ming Yue said with a soft voice, “And trust in those who understand its song.”

As soon as Lord Cao Cao left, Ming Yue sat back down on her chair and breathed a sigh of relief. When she reached out to pour herself some tea, she realized that her hands were shaking…

Cao Cao returned to his home with thousands of thoughts running through his mind. The cunning strategist was already planning possible situations where the musician’s insight could help him retain Kai Jin’s loyalty. He also began to weigh the challenges this might create. What could happen if Ming Yue simply disappeared one day? What if Kai Jin simply decided to leave everything behind for her sake? What if the Blade from Hell blamed him for any harm that could fall upon the artist girl?

Too many variables to consider. But at least he knew the nature of the relationship between Ming Yue and Kai Jin: She played music, he listened. He spoke to her, she interpreted. Her wisdom could help Kai Jin become even sharper. The rest would depend on his grip over his “Sword”.

A servant arrived while Cao Cao was writing his thoughts regarding the artist and the swordsman. Some jasmine tea had been brought to the Lord who nodded for the refreshment. He took a sip from it and realized something about the beverage… Cao Cao then muttered:

“...Not the same…”

A few minutes after Cao Cao had left the tea house, Kai Jin had just arrived.

The owner was more nervous than usual. There was great fear clinging to him. It wasn’t him the owner was afraid of. Someone had frightened him.

When his red eye turned to look at Ming Yue, he saw it as well…

Fear. She was trembling and weak. Someone had tried to harm her!

For a second… he felt something as well…

Hate…