The Qi Arts Master - Chapter 84 (84/200)
Perhaps thanks to the countless blood sacrifices, the fierce snowstorm of the North Sea had finally ceased. The North Sea Ice Palace, the Heavenly Center Moyong Corps, and Zhu Yuan Zhang's soldiers all nursed the wounds of war as they tended to their casualties.
Of the North Sea Ice Palace's roughly three hundred warriors, more than a hundred had fallen. Among Elder Go and Hwawun's elite force of over six thousand from Zhu Yuan Zhang, more than four hundred had died. The Heavenly Center Moyong Corps of the Moyong family, totaling two hundred, had lost over a hundred. And the Demonic Cult's cavalry, including the Black Wind Corps, had suffered around three thousand dead.
The Demonic Cult cavalry, fierce as evil spirits, had fought to the bitter end, leaving no prisoners—every last one met their death. From the perspective of the Ice Palace and the relief forces, inflicting just over six hundred casualties while annihilating nearly three thousand Demonic Cult riders was a resounding victory among victories. True, the injured swelled the toll far higher, but facing foes hailed as the martial world's strongest—the Black Wind Corps and their cavalry—made this an unforgettable triumph.
Yet for the Moyong family, who had shared in the joy of victory, the devastating losses brought bitter sorrow as well. Half their finest relief troops lay dead, many more wounded, so Moyong Dan's expression wasn't one of pure elation.
The North Sea Ice Palace Lord, Seol Eom, offered words of comfort. "You of the Moyong family truly faced the Black Wind Corps head-on, so that glory belongs to you. And I offer my deepest gratitude for your aid."
In the Ice Palace's inner sanctum, the palace lord's chambers hosted the leaders of each faction. A simple spread of drinks and dishes adorned the table, where Seol Eom and Seolhwa, Elder Go and Hwawun, Moyong Dan, and Tian Ailang took their seats.
At Seol Eom's words, Moyong Dan gave a wry smile and tossed back his drink. The liquor washed down the day's exhaustion through his throat, sending shivers through him as it cleansed away the fatigue.
"My thanks. But the one who truly annihilated the Black Wind Corps is the Tian clan head here. That glory is too heavy for Moyong to claim alone."
Tian Ailang lightly shook his head as he listened to Moyong Dan. He'd felt it before, but martial artists truly loved their empty formalities and honors.
"If that honor offers some solace to our fallen comrades, I don't mind. Leave it to Danhwa Daehyeop to decide. Any objections?"
As Tian Ailang scanned the room, taking in Elder Go, Hwawun, and the others, they all shook their heads. Moyong Dan responded with a deep clasped-hands salute of gratitude.
"Thank you, Tian clan head. It eases my heart greatly. I'll make a name alongside you."
News of the battle at the North Sea Ice Palace would soon spread across the entire martial world. And given the Black Wind Corps' legendary might, the Moyong family's fame for facing them would pierce the heavens.
On a small scale, nearby minor and medium sects supporting the Moyong family, along with the common folk, would rally even more firmly. On a grander one, merchant guilds from Inner Mongolia to Beijing, Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang—regions close to the Moyong family and familiar with the Black Wind Corps' renown—would line up to trade with them.
That would let the Moyong family expand not just profits from merchants but trade routes all the way to Goryeo, amassing greater wealth and power.
Despite the sacrifices, the battle's rewards in results and prestige far outweighed them, especially against such a foe as the Black Wind Corps. Tian Ailang had yielded that to them, and out of conscience, Moyong Dan planned to announce they'd crushed the Black Wind Corps together with him.
Even so, the world would naturally assume the Moyong family's cavalry had outshone the lone Tian Ailang. With no one here the type to nitpick gains and losses, the conversation flowed freely and boldly.
"That said, I never expected Commander Zhu to commit so heavily to the relief effort. I only heard that Pavilion Lord Hao of the Hao Clan had secured his support."
Tian Ailang turned his gaze to Elder Go, who sat calmly sipping his drink. Even Hwawun, exhausted from the day, drank quietly beside him.
Their efforts had kept Zhu Yuan Zhang's soldiers' sacrifices low. "The Commander has carried a burden in his heart for you since that day. The southern matters resolved favorably just in time, freeing up resources to come here. Oh, and I volunteered myself."
In Elder Go's gaze, Tian Ailang sensed the thread of their unfinished conversation from before. He nodded lightly. "When time allows."
Understanding, Elder Go set aside his impatience and replied with a gentle smile. "Thank you. I'll wait."
Seol Eom watched the exchange circle once around, then rose from his seat. He clasped his hands deeply in formal thanks, the sake in his cup sloshing lightly.
"To all the heroes here, the Seol family of the North Sea offers profound gratitude once more. When our North Sea teetered on the brink of ruin, you risked your lives to aid us without hesitation—we'll never forget. Just as the North Sea's ice is unyielding, so is our people's faith. Stay comfortably during your time here, and speak freely if you need anything. We'll give whatever the North Sea has to offer."
At those last words, Seol Eom's eyes turned to Tian Ailang. He met the gaze steadily and nodded readily. No reason to refuse what's offered; refusing would sour things.
Seol Eom grinned broadly and downed the sake in his hand with a flourish. "Hah! Let sorrows be sorrows—this rare gathering of fates calls for sake to draw us closer! Today, I'll gladly open my treasured Ice Flower Wine stores."
Under Seol Eom's lead, the room quickly turned into a lively drinking party. After a few rounds of the Ice Flower Wine, Moyong Dan and Elder Go heaped praise, prompting Seol Eom's booming laughter as he poured for them like lifelong friends, sticking close on either side. Even Hwawun, pleased with the wine's taste, shed some of his reticence, chiming in now and then.
Tian Ailang savored his drink. Watching them, he reflected.
These martial artists—or warriors in the broader sense—seem to live by celebrating or forgetting battles, blood, sorrow, and all else with a single cup of sake.
In a way, it feels like they drink to keep going.
The warriors outside were likely doing the same right now, drawing strength from the Ice Palace Lord's sake to carry on.
That's how they can live amid the blood.
Considering how they endured sights and ordeals that would shatter ordinary minds while pursuing their path, Tian Ailang had to admit warriors were remarkable.
Not that I should talk.
He glanced at his hands. Since descending Baekdu Mountain, they'd been stained with much blood. Yet he felt no particular emotion. Only that he'd efficiently slain those who needed slaying. If anything, regret for those that got away.
Is this right?
The long-absent sake stirred vague disquiet in his mind, but he accepted it calmly. What did it matter?
The dead might deserve apology, but for Tian Ailang, today was a good day.
Finally, I've gathered all the ingredients for Sogui's medicine.
It had been a grueling journey: the Great Returning Pill from Shaolin, the Fire Dragon Pill from the Eight Trigrams Temple, and now the Ice Jade Pill from the North Sea Ice Palace.
From the Central Plains' east, to the southern tip, the northern extreme—so many events along the way. Now, rest here a few days, head to the Medical Pavilion, and craft the medicine with the divine physicians.
Finally.
The thought of curing Sogui filled him with vigor despite his weary body. But soon a throbbing headache pulsed—aftermath of overtaxing his upper dantian.
Opening and using the upper dantian to its limit with the Sky-Supporting Fist always brought severe backlash.
But it yielded results.
To mitigate such aftershocks, Tian Ailang had trained diligently whenever possible. From Shaolin to Sichuan, crisscrossing Sichuan and Yunnan, up to the North Sea Ice Palace—barring emergencies, he'd steadfastly honed his upper dantian.
Of course, he hadn't pushed to the brink outside real combat, preparing for contingencies. But today, against the Black Wind Corps leader, he'd verified his progress.
If I can expand the Sky-Supporting Fist's domain while maintaining this density...
A sudden chill prickled his skin. For a moment, the next wall loomed visible.
He glimpsed the clue to the sixth stage of qi arts that even his father, Cheon Seoksan, hadn't perfected. Beyond perfectly mastering oneself, it meant perfectly mastering the foe—the essence of the sixth stage began to dawn.
Grandfather said Father could crush the heart of a living being across distances with his Sky-Supporting Fist.
Tian Ailang smiled faintly. He'd agonized over his martial path's direction, but today the fog lifted a bit.
He didn't yet know the training or time required, but crossing this wall meant no more letting Demonic Cult foes slip away like today's Black Wind leader.
I'll kill them all.
With an anticipatory smile, he steeled his resolve.
"Tian clan head. What has you lost in such deep thought?"
Tian Ailang snapped from his reverie at the voice and glanced aside. Seolhwa had sidled up beside him, smiling.
"Oh. Nothing much."
He replied with a pleased smile of his own. Seolhwa beamed broadly in response.
"Haha! I knew you'd catch my eye."
"...?"
"Your smile suits me perfectly."
Seolhwa declared boldly while refilling Tian Ailang's empty cup. Then, her expression turned serious.
"Thanks to you today, countless lives were saved."
Tian Ailang blinked blankly at her shift from light to grave, her unpredictable words and face.
"It's not just my merit. As you might guess, I helped expecting specific rewards."
"Hahaha! No lechery, just this refreshing candor! Even more to my taste."
Like Seol Eom, Seolhwa laughed heartily and downed her drink—from Tian Ailang's cup.
"Kya! Delicious!"
"...What?"
Tian Ailang stared in bewilderment at Seolhwa offering the empty cup, utterly perplexed. He had no idea what she was getting at. She burst into laughter again.
"You've got a cute side too! Perfect!"
In her one-sided banter, Tian Ailang unwittingly accepted the cup she thrust at him. Gulp, gulp. He eyed the sake that had filled it in an instant.
Do they share cups like this in the North Sea?
The palace lord and others weren't, but Tian Ailang shrugged it off and drank deeply.
"Hah~."
The Ice Flower Wine shared earlier was exquisite, but this carried an added crisp chill. No—actually colder.
Ah! Cooled with ice arts?
As he looked at Seolhwa, she leaned in with a smiling face.
"Tasty, right?"
Tian Ailang nodded honestly. Still grinning, she took the cup from his hand and nudged her empty one at him.
"What're you waiting for? Pour me one."
With a chuckle, Tian Ailang decided to play along. It was a good day, after all.
"Here."
He took the cup back, poured, and warmed the sake with inner heat before handing it over. Seolhwa snatched it up and drank.
"Kyaa~! Warm sake's exquisite too?! Love it. Love it!"
Exclaiming in delight, she suddenly bam! slapped the table and shot to her feet. The revelers—Seol Eom, Moyong Dan, Elder Go, and Hwawun—turned puzzled gazes her way.
Seolhwa laughed heartily toward Tian Ailang and boomed.
"Tian clan head! Marry me!"