Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Meeting of Filial Sons
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The chieftain's ger was filled with alcohol, meat, and boisterous laughter.
After I had knocked out every last warrior of the tribe in the drinking contest earlier, the chieftain's gaze toward me had completely changed.
The chieftain slapped my back while speaking through Ma Teng's interpretation and shouted,
"Kahaha! As expected of a hero! You fight well and drink even better! I shall follow your will! When spring comes, our tribe's warriors will become your comrades and strike North Palace White Jade!"
"Your oath rings true, Chieftain. I won't disappoint you either."
With another alliance forged, Advisor Jeon Pung's plan was proceeding smoothly.
As the feast reached its peak, the chieftain suddenly gave me a meaningful look and said,
"Why not rest here tonight? I've prepared the finest spot for you."
No sooner had the chieftain finished speaking than several young, beautiful women entered the ger.
They kept their heads bowed shyly but stole glances at me, flashing coquettish smiles.
'...I've stepped in it now.'
From the chieftain's eyes, his intentions were obvious.
He planned to shove these women into my bed and somehow bind me to his tribe for the night.
Accept that hospitality, and I'd have a ring through my nose courtesy of this tribe. I swallowed a curse inwardly and glanced at Ma Teng.
I quietly sidled up to Ma Teng—my one lifeline in this mess—and whispered,
"This is awkward. Mind if I crash at your place just for tonight?"
Ma Teng caught my drift and looked back and forth between the chieftain and the women with a troubled expression.
"...Lord Cavalry Commander. Refusing the chieftain's hospitality would be a grave insult to them. It might even come across as an affront to the entire tribe."
"So you're saying I should spend the night with those women and tie myself to this tribe? I've got no intention of doing that."
Seeing my firm expression, Ma Teng finally let out a deep sigh.
"...Understood. I'll try to talk my way out of it somehow. If my humble ger is acceptable..."
Ma Teng approached the chieftain and explained at length in fluent barbarian tongue. The chieftain looked greatly disappointed but eventually nodded.
A moment later, Ma Teng returned to me with a weary face.
"Please follow me, Lord Cavalry Commander."
I breathed a silent sigh of relief and followed Ma Teng out of the ger.
I followed Ma Teng to a small ger a short distance from the tribe's center.
The moment we opened the door and stepped inside, children came rushing over with excited chatter.
"Ahahaha!"
"Appa! Appa!"
The two youngest ran up to me with wide-eyed wonder and clung to my legs.
But the oldest-looking one among them was different.
This boy, who seemed about eight years old, stared straight at me without a hint of fear and said,
"Big bro! You look super strong. Teach me some martial arts?"
Ma Teng freaked out at the boy's boldness and yelled,
"Chao! Rest! Tie! What rudeness toward our guest! Get away this instant!"
'Chao? Ma Teng of the Ma clan... Wait, Ma Chao?'
Hearing the name, I wondered if such a coincidence was possible and took another look at the boy.
Snow-white skin, sharp features. And eyes far too bold for a child. I was half-convinced.
'These kinds are different from the start, huh.'
I waved it off and said,
"It's fine. No worries."
"B-but..."
"Looks like the kids stayed up late waiting for their father. True filial sons, aren't they? Come here! I'll play with you!"
"Kyahaha!"
"More! More!"
I took turns picking up Ma Xiu and Ma Tie, and they squealed with delight, showing off.
But even then, Ma Chao stuck stubbornly by my side, begging to learn martial arts.
"Bro! Bro! I wanna learn martial arts more than play! Teach me!"
Ma Teng finally intervened with, "Chao! Enough!" But I just chuckled at Ma Chao's persistence.
I rummaged in my bosom and pulled out a heavy pouch.
"This kid's bound to be a pillar of the realm someday. Teaching him martial arts wouldn't be a bad idea."
"Pardon? Lord Cavalry Commander. But Chao's too young."
"Haha, think I don't know that?"
—Thud!
I set the pouch down lightly, but it hit the ground with a heavy thump, denting the floor slightly.
Ma Teng's eyes went wide, and Ma Chao stared at the pouch intently.
"Alright, kid. If you can hold this pouch in one hand for one shichen (two hours), I'll teach you martial arts."
Ma Chao eyed me suspiciously.
"But bro, you're not staying here forever. Even if I lift it, you'll be gone. Who do I learn from then?"
"My name is Lu Bu. By the time you can lift that pouch, everyone under heaven will know my name. Finding me will be easy. No need to worry."
"Hm... Got it, bro."
"Chao, rest, Tie! It's late—off to bed. You, take the children."
Ma Teng handed the kids off to his wife for bedtime, then sat down across from me alone.
He fetched fermented mare's milk and two cups from beside the hearth and poured.
"All I have to offer is kumis."
"Grr, this taste sticks with you no matter where you go."
"Haha, most Han folk hate the smell. But you're from Bing Province, Lord Cavalry Commander, so it suits your palate."
Sensing some worry as Ma Teng emptied his cup and changed the subject, I spoke first.
"If you've got something to say, out with it. After all you've done for me, how could I refuse?"
Ma Teng hesitated, then knelt.
"Lord Cavalry Commander. I'm a descendant of General Who Pacified the Di, Ma Yuan, but our house has fallen on hard times, and I live mingled among the barbarians. I'm afraid my sons' generation might forget the Han tongue. All I have is this sturdy body and martial skill. Please... take me into your service so my children can live as Han!"
I looked down at the kneeling Ma Teng for a moment, then tossed out a single line.
"Not just anyone can become my subordinate."
I stood and said,
"The kumis has warmed me up nicely. Shall we step outside and loosen up a bit?"
Ma Teng's face lit up as he grasped my meaning.
"Yes, sir! As you command!"
A clearing blanketed in deep snow.
The cold night air cooled my body, heated from the kumis.
"Draw."
"Then I won't hold back, Lord Cavalry Commander."
Ma Teng drew his sword without hesitation and charged straight at me.
Ma Teng's style was swift swordplay.
Not flashy, but concise, rapid strikes honed purely for survival in battle poured forth endlessly.
—Clang clang clang!
I parried Ma Teng's sword with my spear, gauging his skill.
'Hm, definitely above Wei Sok, but a notch below Zhang Liao.'
"Hup! Hup!"
But Ma Teng had a peculiar habit.
Just before a combo, he held his breath for a split second. And in that instant, his sword became too fast to track with the naked eye.
—Clang! Clang! Clang clang!
'Holding his breath to boost speed? Not bad.'
Dozens of exchanges passed.
I only blocked Ma Teng's attacks, holding back on counters. Sweat beaded on Ma Teng's forehead, his breaths growing ragged.
"Hrngh!"
The moment Ma Teng held his breath and lunged again, I moved as if I'd been waiting.
Instead of parrying, I smacked his wrist hard with the spear shaft.
—Thwack!
"Ugh!"
Ma Teng's sword flew from his hand, and my spear tip halted right before his throat.
"Had enough?"
"...Hah, hah... I'd heard of your prowess, Lord Cavalry Commander, but not to this extent."
Ma Teng panted heavily, admitting defeat.
He looked up at me, awaiting judgment.
For a moment, I mischievously thought about dropping him here and seeing his face, but the faces of his sleeping children in the ger stopped me.
"You pass."
Joy exploded across Ma Teng's face.
"Being my subordinate means leaping into battlefields where you dance with death often. Why so thrilled at the prospect of maybe dying?"
Ma Teng met my question with burning eyes, unlike before.
"My ancestor, General Who Pacified the Di Ma Yuan, left these words: 'A true man with ambition must grow even stronger in dire straits!'"
Ma Teng knelt once more.
"Even I, living among Liang Province's barbarians, have heard your famed name, Lord Cavalry Commander. You're destined to shake the world and rise to high office. If I can stand by your side, won't I, like my ancestor, make my name resound through the realm?"
Ma Teng's bold reply drew an involuntary chuckle from me.
'This guy's ambitions are way too big.'
Something told me to handle Ma Teng with care.
I led the army back to Jincheng with my new subordinate Ma Teng in tow.
Before long, Ma Teng had naturally claimed the spot right beside me. Seeing this, Wei Sok came charging up, grumbling.
"Hey, bro! Why's the newbie right next to you? That's my spot!"
"Ahem ahem..."
Ma Teng looked awkward and apologetic at Wei Sok's complaint. I shot Wei Sok a pitiful glance.
"Then beat Ma Teng once. Win, and it's yours again."
"There's a saying: 'He who is near ink turns black!' I've eaten sword-meals by your side for over a decade—can't I beat one newbie?"
What? Wei Sok? This brute using 'he who is near ink turns black'?
It was an earth-shattering event. Even Red Hare paused at Wei Sok's words.
"Since when do you spout proverbs you never used before? Where'd you pick that up?"
"Hey! A gentleman changes daily, right?"
I clocked the culprit from his tone.
"Guan Yu taught you, huh. Careful—that guy's got a gambler's stink. Don't eavesdrop too close."
"Forget that, bro! Gimme one shot—I'll crush this punk!"
I inwardly tsked and eyed Wei Sok growling at Ma Teng.
"Wei Sok. You can't even gauge your opponent's strength properly. Make it 200 paces from now on, not 300."
"Bro! How do you know without a fight?!"
I silently nodded to Ma Teng.
"Ahem..."
Ma Teng cleared his throat and drew his sword. Wei Sok shouted,
"Fine! But if I win, cancel all these punishments!"
"Sure, sure. Win, and I'll buy you drinks to boot."
"You promised!"
Wei Sok's grin stretched ear to ear.
A short while later, Wei Sok's face was all crumpled, while Ma Teng sheepishly looked away.
"200 paces from now on. Got it?"
"...Yes."
Wei Sok slunk behind Ma Teng without protest. That settled the new pecking order in our unit perfectly.
'Ugh, this guy's gonna rot my guts out.'