Chapter 91
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Rest a Bit
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It was a barren plain far outside Dunhuang, and with the sun set, only starlight twinkled faintly.
Ahead of Seonwoyong on horseback, the warriors of the Gale Wind Division were lined up in neat formation, also mounted.
“Everyone, dismount and come over here.”
When Seonwoyong beckoned with his hand, they slowly got down from their horses and approached.
Seonwoyong dismounted as well and walked toward them.
Temukan stepped forward from among them, and Seonwoyong spoke to him first.
“Wasn’t it different back when you were with Kuluy? Treat me the same as you did him.”
Temukan shook his head as he replied.
“Do you think that’s something we can just decide?”
“That’s true enough. I get it.”
Seonwoyong nodded, then took a small wooden box from the back of Gyunroa, the horse he had ridden.
“Will this do for now?”
Seonwoyong handed the wooden box to Temukan.
Temukan immediately opened it to check the contents and was startled.
The box was filled to the brim with yellowish gold ingots.
Having confirmed the contents, Temukan turned and showed it to his fellow Gale Wind warriors standing around.
Once they had all verified it, he turned back, bowed his head to Seonwoyong, and greeted him.
“It’s more than enough. We’re just grateful.”
“Enough of that. I said I’d take responsibility for your upkeep from now on, so it’s only right.”
With that, he reached into his bosom and pulled something out, holding it forth.
“And take this.”
It was a rolled-up sheet of parchment.
“What is this?”
Temukan handed the wooden box to one of his comrades and took the parchment scroll.
“It’s something I put together and wrote down myself, so practice it as soon as you arrive. It won’t be boring.”
It was a kind of military manual that supplemented the strengths and weaknesses Seonwoyong had felt from the Gale Wind Division’s cavalry during real combat against Wu Cheonso.
But as Temukan unrolled it, he spotted a separate title written at the very end and asked in surprise.
“Sun-Moon Divine Art? What’s this?”
The Sun-Moon Divine Art (日月神功) was a profound technique composed of just a few short verses of incantations.
Originally, it had been created for the warriors of the Great Cloud Bright Religion, of course.
The statuses and origins of the followers who had defected to the Great Cloud Bright Religion from all corners of the Central Plains had always been exceedingly complex and varied.
From rural farmers and blacksmiths to merchants, and even those versed in family martial arts—not to mention they didn’t distinguish between righteous or evil sects—their ages were all sorts too.
Moreover, since the Great Cloud Bright Religion hadn’t originally been a martial sect, it couldn’t impart systematic internal arts requiring long periods of cultivation.
As a result, a profound method was desperately needed that could rapidly develop internal energy to a certain level, regardless of each individual’s age, prior internal cultivation, foundation, or achievements.
That was how the Sun-Moon Divine Art had been born.
Its principle was exceedingly simple: one merely breathed energy according to the incantations while gazing at the night and day, the moon in the sky and the sun.
The energies of the sun and moon naturally aligned with the principles of yin and yang, being the purest and most primordial forces of heaven and earth.
Thus, it became the representative profound art of the Great Cloud Bright Religion, also known as the Sun-Moon Divine Cult.
However, as simple as its principles were, its limitations were equally clear—there was never any possibility of reaching the pinnacle through this art alone, making it suitable only for ordinary followers.
Yet handing the Sun-Moon Divine Art to the Gale Wind warriors was no simple matter.
It was something that should naturally be transmitted only to those who had defected to the Great Cloud Bright Religion, amounting to a demand for the Gale Wind group to join the religion now.
But Temukan and his comrades had no way of knowing that.
“I’ve long been deeply impressed by your martial prowess, but it’s always saddened me that your internal energy and foundation couldn’t match it. If you cultivate this diligently, you’ll soon see great gains.”
Indeed. Though each individual of the Gale Wind warriors was an extraordinary warrior, none had properly learned a correct internal profound method, which was their limitation.
“Then you’re saying we should cultivate this to train our internal energy?”
Seonwoyong nodded.
“Each of you already possesses considerable skill, so you’ll grasp its principles swiftly and achieve results at a rapid pace. It’s something normally taught only after joining our Ming Cult, but I won’t force that on you.”
At Seonwoyong’s words, the Gale Wind warriors were moved.
They knew better than anyone what they needed, and how desperately they needed it.
There was no internal profound method in the world that could be obtained without cost.
Moreover, for them, who were already quite advanced in age, suitable ones were exceedingly rare.
Temukan and the Gale Wind warriors were at a loss for what to do.
Grateful as they were, they didn’t know how to express it.
They were men who had lived for long years traversing the great grasslands and vast deserts, surviving solely by shooting arrows and swinging spears and swords.
“So what should we do now?”
They had already received gold ingots equivalent to two thousand taels, and now obtained a profound method that would dramatically elevate their martial prowess.
They were curious what Seonwoyong would demand of them in return.
“Didn’t I say earlier? Go to Sakran Nokju and rest for a while. I might seek you out someday, or perhaps we’ll never cross paths again, but for now, let’s set a two-year deadline.”
At Seonwoyong’s words, Temukan asked again, his eyes full of suspicion.
“So you’re saying we should just go there and live idly without any repayment?”
Seonwoyong nodded.
“I saw your state back then and decided on that. What we do together, we’ll decide later. You’re exhausted. Not just your bodies, but your hearts too. Am I wrong?”
Not one of the Gale Wind warriors contradicted Seonwoyong’s words.
They truly were exhausted.
For nigh on decades, they had lived killing and being killed amid the desert sands, unable to meet people, fall in love, or raise children.
The depths of their eyes were soaked in an fathomless, bitter fatigue.
It was the gaze of those who had lost the meaning of living.
To them, who could say no more, Seonwoyong added one final word.
“I hear there are a few peaceful settlements nearby. If possible, find good women and start families. This money should be enough to buy plenty of livestock and grain.”
With that, he swiftly mounted his horse.
Seonwoyong spurred Gyunroa’s flank and galloped into the night’s darkness, but the Gale Wind warriors showed no reaction.
No farewell as he left, no promise to meet again, not even a goodbye.
But they no longer needed words.
No need for greetings when coming or going, no need for promises to meet—their bond was beyond that now.
Even after Seonwoyong’s figure vanished completely into the darkness, they stood motionless for a long while. Not one moved.
Only much later did Temukan mount his horse first.
Then he bellowed.
“You lot! What are you doing? Let’s go! Time to buy sheep, cattle, goats, and find some women!”
And so the Gale Wind warriors departed, a sparkle in their eyes.
It was hope.
* * *
Noduk was currently in a brothel in Dunhuang, meeting someone in one of the madam’s rooms.
It looked like a dilapidated old house on the verge of collapse from the outside, but the interior was surprisingly neat and tidy, even carrying a faint fragrance.
Seated before Noduk in the room was a middle-aged man who appeared to be his contemporary, stroking his beard.
“So, everything’s over and done with?”
A table laden with liquor and snacks sat between them, but neither had touched it.
“I’ve already explained plenty. That man was a master from beyond the heavens.”
Noduk spoke, glaring at the middle-aged man with bloodshot eyes.
The middle-aged man was, of course, one of the branch heads dispatched from the Prosperous Prosperity Merchant Association.
He possessed no martial arts himself, but as a man who had spent his life in trade, his boldness and cunning were the finest among the association’s members.
“Fine, I’ll accept that. Anyone who could beat the Gale Wind leader to death with a mere fist would be unbeatable. I concede that point. But...”
“But what?”
As Noduk glared with his red, bloodshot eyes, the middle-aged man met his gaze with an equally unyielding stare.
“We can’t just let the thousand taels of gold you took slide without accountability.”
“What are you talking about? Neither I nor the late Somyeongcho touched a single coin for personal use. It was all spent as originally intended, so I can’t take responsibility for it.”
“I don’t care about that. Tell me how you plan to make it right. Branch Head Yang won’t let it go lightly.”
Noduk could only sigh.
At that moment, the middle-aged man spoke again.
“Very well. I’ll give you some advice on that front now. You wouldn’t know, but the Shenzhou Merchant Association’s caravan is apparently heading back toward Turpan. The good news is that the fearsome Great Prosperity Caravan he led has already sold off all its goods and disbanded.”
At those words, Noduk’s expression changed.
Noduk had no way of knowing what was happening in Dunhuang’s markets.
“Is that true? Then I’ll come up with a separate plan. Maybe we can still achieve the original goal.”
Though Noduk spoke with renewed optimism, the middle-aged man began pressing him with even sharper eyes.
“We can’t leave it entirely to you anymore. Lay out your plan in detail first and carry it out under my command.”
At the man’s response, Noduk’s face twisted.
Back in Xi’an, this man had fawned over him to avoid offending the caravan’s escort warrior.
As Noduk unwittingly exuded killing intent, his innate internal energy reacted, filling the room with chill in an instant.
“Hah. Are you threatening me now?”
The middle-aged man sneered and clapped his hands twice, sharply.
Suddenly, the sliding door connecting to the next room opened, and two men appeared.
The moment Noduk saw them, his face hardened.
“How are you two...”
“Heh heh... Long time no see. Heard you made a killing with some money. Let us have a taste too.”