The Rise of the White Lotus

"Taiga-dono, the emperor had summoned you to the court today." The man stiffly bowed his head as he saluted with his fist on his chest. He was tall and his physique was quite petite, yet all warriors under him respected him as the general's right-hand man, which he gained through his impeccable combat skills.

The woman before him smiled. Her plain yukata was unlike any other nobilities had worn. It was already worn out yet, it gracefully flowed along with the soft breeze of the wind — making it look elegant in a way. The tip of her black hair that was tied in an up-do, tangled in the air while her samurai clung on her waist.

Regardless of the plain geta she wore, with her position and status, one would anticipate a noblewoman. However, Tora Chisaka wasn't as noble as the nation thought. She would usually wear something plain, just like a normal civilian whenever she would wander around the capital. Thus, they wouldn't even know that the person they would casually converse with or share a drink was the general of the kingdom.

"The emperor…" Tora nodded her head before she turned to look at the plains she was initially gazing at. "Saionji, if this is about marriage, relay my word to the emperor that if he won't be my bride, forget about it." The corner of her lips curled into a smirk. 

In this era, a shogun or also known as the general, a true military ruler and powerful regional families ruled. It just so happened that Tora was the most powerful person in the kingdom, as she was the General, controlling seventy-five percent of the kingdom's military and she came from one of the powerful families in the capital.

In simple terms, the General held more power than the Emperor. One could say that the emperor was a mere figurehead, cowering in fear just the thought of her existence. Therefore, the Emperor had been trying to arrange her in marriage to one of his kins — to get her under control.

Still, despite having so much power on her hands, Tora Chisaka didn't want the throne or any of the sort just like what the emperor had feared. What she wanted was the peace of this nation she dearly loved — nothing more, nothing less. 

Despite her pure intention, that wouldn't ease the emperor's worry that she might someday snatch the crown away from him because she has all the capabilities. The reason Tora had been taunting him that he marries her instead.

But, the emperor wouldn't see the good side of it. Instead of thinking that he would have gained all her powers, he thought that Tora would devour the remaining influence he has and have her full control over the kingdom.

Nevertheless, this delay of Tora's marriage was nothing but a nuisance to the emperor but worked well on her side.

"General, "

"Saionji, I will be away from the capital to visit the northern border. If the emperor insists on pressing on this mundane matter, he must prepare himself for our marriage." Tora raised her hand and said. She interrupted her right-hand man that specifically resembled Nico Zhuang, with the only difference that Saionji has a deep scar near his left eye. 

"General, what a pleasant way of proposing." Just then, they heard a meek voice from behind. 

When Tora heard the familiar voice of the emperor, the king of this kingdom, her brow arched before she turned her body to face him. There, Sumeragi wore casual noble clothing instead of his blinding imperial suit. A black veil that clung on his straw hat covered his face. 

Slowly, he took off his hat that revealed his face — resembling Morris Liu. None other than a few officials had seen the king's face. The only time Tora saw his face was when she pressured him: how can she trust a faceless emperor that she would serve if he could not trust her in return. Hence, Tora had already seen him.

Surely, the emperor was surprisingly good-looking, just like what the rumors said. His flawless facial feature and alluring demeanor of a natural aristocrat were top-notched. However, that wasn't enough to attract Tora as he sees him as a child despite that he was older a few years.

"Greetings to the emperor." In unison, Tora and Saionji knelt down as they greeted the emperor. Well, regardless of what everyone thought, Tora still abided on manners and proper etiquette before the king.

"Rise," Sumeragi said, "General, I presumed your Daimyo hasn't reported about our marriage." Holding his hands on his back, Sumeragi took slow strides towards her as he brushed past Saionji.

"Your grace," Leaving the dust that clung on her yukata when she knelt down, Tora subtly smiled. "What an honor to be summoned by you." Referring that she was being summoned but the king himself bothered to go to her instead, Tora deliberately poked some nerves that might hit this stone-cold dummy of an emperor.

"I yearned to see my future bride." Ignoring the usual annoying statement that usually escaped this unladylike woman's mouth, Sumeragi notably humored as he looked at her insincere smile.

"Is that so, my king?" Taking a step forward, Tora smirked. "Alas, even if his grace yearned for me, this filthy hand wouldn't dare touch him." She raised her hand that was filled with dirt as she deliberately touched the ground for this kind of purpose — repelling the emperor.

"That's alright. Seeing my loyal general is enough to fill my yearnings." Glancing at her hand, Sumeragi, the emperor subtly smiled as he took a step back. He then turned his back against her and began taking his leave.

"General, I'll let you know when's the wedding date is set. I wish you good favors on your journey." Sumeragi noted as he walked away and returned the hat that had a veil to cover his face.

Tora and Saionji bowed their heads until they could no longer see the emperor. 

"What kind of trick does he have on his sleeve?" Tora scoffed as she shook her head sideways. "Alas, whatever it is, it doesn't pose a threat to me." With that said note, she began dusting off her hands and then on her clothes that left a little stain on it. 

"Saionji, I'll be traveling to the north. Keep an eye on him." Glancing at her subordinate on the side, Tora instructed before she took strides without waiting for her right-hand man to respond.

****

Meanwhile, in the heavenly realm, a child that appeared around the age of a ten-year-old child was staring down a well. She was watching Tora from the surface of the water with a smile on her thin lips. 

She might appear as a child, but she had lived for more than a thousand years. And now, she was Tora's guardian angel: the first human she would ever guide. Her pair of silver eyes gleamed, innocence was plastered on her child-like face.

"She had grown to a beautiful woman." Churu, her child version proudly said while staring at the undeniable beauty and strong demeanor of Tora. "I wonder if I can meet her one day…" She murmured before a large grin slowly formed on her lips.

She had been watching Tora from this well ever since Tora was born. Lately, because of the conversation, she accidentally overheard that ignited her curiosity. Churu had been very curious if she could do what her father does — descend to the human world. 

Well, perhaps she could find out herself if she tried. Little did she know, her mere curiosity and eagerness to meet the human she was blessing would lead the two of them to their tragic ending.