Revolution (Reversal), Part Two

(This chapter has quite a bit of mock-classical Chinese. Feel free to skim it.)

"DIO!" Dai Mubai called out his name, then fell into thought. Why had he come here? To explain his resolve to Jodio? Or to wag his tail like a puppy that had found a bone, barking good news to its master? Maybe he was like a student who had finally solved a math problem and rushed to tell his teacher, only to be criticized without mercy. No. His Dominion Drive would not allow that!

"I think I understand what you told me about what makes someone strong," Dai Mubai said earnestly.

"Yes. Strength has no other labels. It isn't tainted by emotion or allegiance; every emotion and allegiance must seek it, must crave it. I saw a lot today. Some good, some bad. Some things I agreed with, some I didn't. Anyway, I think I understand what you meant," Dai Mubai continued.

"Hmph." Jodio could barely keep the grin off his face, but he managed a cool little chuckle.

"So what did you come to me for?" Jodio asked.

"But I want to know which path suits me. Jodio, you've seen far more of the world than I have. You must know where my path lies. I'm asking you as a friend: give me some advice!" Dai Mubai said solemnly, pressing one hand to his chest.

"You little monkey—no, you little tiger. You've got some insight after all." Jodio tucked a scallion into his flatbread, stripped the meat off two lamb skewers and added that too. He also swatted away Ma Hongjun's hand when it tried to pass him a devilishly hot meat skewer. Only after he had assembled the perfect barbecue wrap did he speak.

"I know quite a few ways of cultivating the mind. Eleven schools in all. Would you learn one?" Jodio asked with the air of an old sage.

"I would, brother." Dai Mubai cupped his fist and listened intently. Then he plucked a drumstick from the roast chicken on Oscar's plate, held it between his teeth, and asked:

"There is the Evil Lord Way and the Desire for Life Way. The Evil Lord Way means carrying evil through to the end. Nothing is too wicked to embrace or to do. Follow it, and you become lord of your own dark dungeon—and, inevitably, lord of all evildoers. Learn it, and you will understand yourself and all the evil under heaven, until you become its greatest evil."

"The Desire for Life Way means finding truth in the ordinary and living an ordinary life. You seek pleasure in calm and indulgence in calm. It suits only those who harbor wicked desires yet long for peace. Learn it, and you may pursue life and desire, and understand your true self," Jodio said.

"Can either path make me strong?" Dai Mubai asked, spitting the bone onto his plate.

"They can. But when a righteous enemy comes for you, your whole world will crumble, and you'll struggle to protect yourself. One walks in the light, the other in darkness, yet their pursuit of evil and desire makes both as conspicuous as the Twin Towers on 9/11. A pillar hidden in a wall will rot in time," Jodio explained.

"Neither will do. One is no ruler of men. The other is either steeped in evil or timid as a mouse. I won't learn them." Dai Mubai shook his head.

"Then how about the Divine Witness Way or the Nation Reverence Way?" Jodio thought Dai Mubai's judgment was a bit much. Timid as a mouse? They can fight like hell, you know.

"The Divine Witness Way means devoting your life to a god and your whole heart to the divine. Where your god stands, you stand; what your god desires, you desire. Learn it, and you will know your own heart. Idle words will no longer sway you. You will have one true purpose and a heart as firm as iron."

"The Nation Reverence Way means devoting yourself to your country. You seek its prosperity and the happiness of its people. You would sacrifice anything for it, commit wrongs and perpetrate evil in its name. Everything is for the country, and all you do becomes its justice. Learn it, and you will have somewhere you belong, with no regrets when all is done."

"Can those paths make me strong?" Dai Mubai asked, biting into a scallion.

"They can. But you would stop at nothing for an aim beyond measure, bound in heart and deed to your chosen cause rather than another's will. When the enemy fate has set against you appears, heaven is sure to punish you. You may achieve much of what you seek, but you will fall. Even if you defy fate and succeed, you will not come away unscathed," Jodio said.

"Such hollow dreams don't suit my heart! I won't learn the ways of people who stop at nothing!" Dai Mubai declared proudly, hands on his hips.

"Then would you learn the Resolve Way, the Good News Way, the Wealth Clarity Way, or the Self Way?" Jodio asked with a smile.

"One holds fast to goodness, willing to sacrifice oneself and resolve to overcome evil. Another cherishes family and friends, willing to do anything to keep peace at home. Another pursues wealth, willing to snatch food from a tiger's jaws and never yield to hardship. The last understands what one truly wants, good or evil, and follows that clear desire, doing good or evil to attain it," Jodio went on.

"Could those make me strong?"

"They could. But is that really what you want?"

"I'll pass. They fit what I want, but something still seems to be missing," Dai Mubai said, puzzled.

"You stubborn tiger. You won't learn this, and you won't learn that. What do you want to learn? The Second Son Way? The Hell Way?" Jodio asked helplessly.

"Then that leaves only the Emperor Way, the Martial Combat Way, and the Sage King Way," Jodio said after a moment's thought.

"The Sage King Way is the path I'm teaching Oscar. You take goodness as your heart's desire and do good because your heart tells you to. You walk among people, feel their suffering, and ease their worries. Do that, and you will become a Sage King. Steadfast of heart, wise and brave—you will be strong!" Jodio said.

"That sounds good," Dai Mubai said wistfully.

"The Martial Combat Way is what I'm teaching Little Ma. It means proving your strength through martial arts and breaking force with skill. Perfect your art, and nothing in this world can harm you. As your martial skill grows stronger, so does your heart; as your skill grows firmer, so do your actions. Unless your faith in martial arts collapses, nothing can shake your mind. You will be strong!" Jodio said.

"Not strong enough!"

Dai Mubai's wild thoughts, wicked thoughts, and Dominion Drive surged. All at once, he understood what kind of man he wanted to be!

"I want to be an emperor! I want to learn from you, Senior Jodio!" Dai Mubai said fervently.

"You're still seeing only the surface. I'm far more than an emperor!" Jodio burst out laughing. Joy welled up from his heart. An emperor? Yes, he certainly was one. But that was far from all he was!

"Order more food! Don't hold back—eat!" Jodio said, lifting his wrap. Seven to three. Heh-heh~ Considering Zhuqing's romantic prospects, that made it seven to four.

"But what about Ning Rongrong?" Jodio fell into thought again. Thinking made him feel alive, made him feel life flowing through him. He loved thought and wisdom. Well, his ideas were rather shocking sometimes.

Forget it. Things have come this far; I'll eat first.

Jodio had ten-out-of-ten confidence in his personal charm—nine at the very least. He wasn't the sort to deceive people with pretty words. He was confident he could persuade them with reason alone, just like the famous Brother Kong.

Hmm. But when the time comes, I might have to use pretty words on one particular woman. No, two. I won't need them for anyone else. But so what? For the sake of the Pincer Attack, everything is justified!

"Little Dai, have you thought about writing to your girlfriend and asking her to come?" Jodio suddenly asked.

"Huh? Boss, what earth-shattering insight have you come up with now?" Dai Mubai asked, eyes wide.

"Lovers quarrel at one end of the bed and make up at the other. Write her a few letters when you get the chance. Tell her what's been going on with you," Jodio replied, stretching.

"An emperor needs a good empress, too."

To be continued.