novelSusiti Chapter 46 Soaring Ambition, the Golden Roc Challenges the Warrior
Chapter 46 Soaring Ambition, the Golden Roc Challenges the Warrior
Looking at the three people drinking and laughing heartily in front of him, Mu Yun Lingyuan thought of Tai Chu Cangye, who might be hiding somewhere outside the tent, Wang Meng, who had drawn up a blueprint for him last night, and Mandala, who was in the golden tent but whose heart was with him... A warm current surged in his chest, almost overflowing.
Twelve years of hardship in the northern lands have shown him the fickleness of human nature and the coldness of human relationships. He has tasted the bitterness of isolation and helplessness and the loneliness of walking alone through the long night.
Now, as his journey home begins, he is no longer alone.
He has strategists to devise plans in the command tent, loyal soldiers to protect him by his side, fierce generals willing to die on the battlefield, and a beautiful woman to care for in his heart.
This path to the throne, destined to be fraught with thorns and bloodshed, suddenly seemed less cold and lonely.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, picked up the full wine bowl in front of him with both hands, slowly stood up, and his gaze swept over Jinpeng, Qingshi, and Baixiang in turn. His eyes were clear and firm, and his voice was not loud, but it carried a metallic resonance and burning sincerity:
"Brother Jinpeng, Brother Qingshi, Brother Baixiang! How fortunate Lingyuan is to have three heroes who are loyal to each other and willing to entrust their lives to each other in this snowy northern frontier!"
This bond of affection is heavier than Kunlun Mountain and deeper than the North Sea! Today, Ling Yuan swears this oath with this cup of wine—"
He raised his wine bowl high and said loudly:
"If one day I am blessed by the heavens and Ling Yuan is able to overcome all obstacles and seize power, I will certainly live up to the kindness and loyalty of the three of you who have helped me today and followed me through thick and thin!"
I will share honor and glory with my three brothers, and weather storms together! Let the totems of the roc, the lion, and the elephant fly together with my Muyun battle flag at the highest point of this grassland!
Let our names be etched side by side in the annals of the northern frontier! If we break this oath, may this bowl be our witness!
After saying this, he tilted his head back and drank the strong liquor in the bowl in one gulp. Then he flipped his wrist so that the bowl was upside down and not a drop of liquor was left.
"Good! That's exhilarating!" Jin Peng's tiger-like eyes gleamed, his blood boiling. He was the first to respond, leaping to his feet and raising his wine bowl high. "By the Eternal Heaven above! I, Jin Peng, hereby swear that I will follow my brothers Mu Yun and Ling Yuan for life, through thick and thin, never betraying them! Cheers!"
"Let's do it!" The blue lion and the white elephant responded with a thunderous roar, rising to their feet simultaneously. The blue lion's voice boomed like thunder, while the white elephant's was deep and powerful.
Four large, rough earthenware bowls filled with strong liquor collided heavily in mid-air, producing a crisp and resounding clang. The amber-colored liquor splashed out, resembling scattered golden vows illuminated by the charcoal fire inside the tent.
Outside the tent, the wind and snow had completely stopped at some point. Under the clear blue sky, the sunlight poured down on the snow-covered grassland without reservation, creating a bright and clear scene.
There are two days left before we set off for our return journey south.
The echoes of clinking wine bowls still lingered in the tent, and the spilled wine droplets had not yet hit the ground when Jinpeng suddenly slapped his thigh with a sharp "smack," causing the bone ornaments hanging from his waist and the magnificent gilded feather ornaments behind him to tremble.
His sharp, hawk-like eyes blazed with undisguised competitiveness and fervor, his tone excited, carrying the straightforwardness and stubbornness unique to men of the grasslands:
"No, no! If I don't witness Brother Cangye's true skills today, I'll feel like I have ten cat claws scratching at my heart, and I won't be able to enjoy my wine! Ling Yuan, quickly send someone to summon him! I want to spar with him! Wait!"
His tone abruptly changed, his gaze slyly sweeping over the two imposing figures of the blue lion and white elephant beside him, a malicious yet incredibly excited smile spreading across his lips.
"It would be too monotonous for me to spar with him alone. Since my brothers, Azure Lion and White Elephant, are here today, why don't the three of us join forces and challenge Tai Chu Cangye's superior skills? Let's see if he can withstand the combined might of the three of us!"
Upon hearing this, the tent fell silent instantly, with only the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire remaining.
Immediately, an even louder and more hearty laugh erupted, almost lifting the felt roof off.
Upon hearing this, the green lion's thick mane seemed to bristle slightly with its rising fighting spirit, its tiger eyes, like copper bells, blazed with a sharp light, and its voice boomed like muffled thunder, causing the bowls and plates on the table to tremble slightly.
"Excellent! Brother Jinpeng, you've hit the nail on the head! I've heard you mention many times that there's a hidden master by the prince's side who is rarely matched in one-on-one combat!"
My bones are itching for a fight, and today I'm determined to see for myself whether my cleaver is sharper or his methods are superior!
Although he had never fought against Tai Chu Cangye, his martial arts intuition and competitive spirit had already made his blood boil.
Bai Xiang also slowly nodded. His voice was deep and resonant, and although he spoke slowly, it carried an unwavering firmness.
"I would also like to join you two brothers in learning from Brother Cangye. Only by sparring with masters can one truly understand the vastness of the world."
Even if one loses, if one can glimpse the true meaning of even a single move or two of the Cangye brothers' techniques, it would still be a rare opportunity.
Looking at the three fierce warriors before him, their eyes burning with the rage of battle, Mu Yun Ling Yuan couldn't help but put his hand to his forehead and shake his head helplessly, yet a warm and indulgent feeling welled up deep in his eyes.
He knew Taichu Cangye all too well. That young man, who seemed to be carved from the black ice of the northern frontier, was cold and taciturn, always preferring quiet to noise, and especially intolerant of pointless fighting and clamor.
For nine years, Tai Chu Cangye has been like the most silent shadow, always protecting him and shielding him from countless open and hidden attacks, but rarely showing his true strength and sharpness in front of others.
Apart from a very few close confidants, very few people on the grasslands knew just how terrifying this "cold-faced guard" by the prince's side truly was.
In the past, Jinpeng's entanglement alone had already annoyed the quiet Cangye to no end, but now he had to fight three against one... Mu Yun Lingyuan could almost imagine the appearance of Tai Chu Cangye at this moment, with veins throbbing on his forehead and his body exuding an even stronger chill.
"Cang Ye... is aloof and has never liked this kind of protracted fighting, let alone fighting against many opponents." Mu Yun Ling Yuan softened his tone, attempting to mediate.
"Why don't we wait until we return south, then find a spacious and safe training ground in the Muyun tribe, prepare some wine and meat, and let you all spar to your heart's content? Wouldn't that be safer and more enjoyable?"
"No, no! We absolutely can't wait!" Jin Peng shook his head vigorously, his face filled with the determination to finish today's work today.
"Once we return to the Muyun tribe, he will surely be sent by you to train troops, deploy defenses, and patrol key locations. He will be so busy that he won't have time to pay attention to a martial arts fanatic like me."
Today, with our brothers Green Lion and White Elephant also present, it's a golden opportunity! No matter what, we have to make him show himself today! The three of us brothers must personally assess just how much his name truly carries!
Having said that, without waiting for Mu Yunlingyuan to dissuade him further, he abruptly stood up, flung open the heavy felt curtain, and strode into the still chilly morning light and lingering snow outside the tent.
He took a deep breath of the crisp air, then gathered his strength and shouted loudly in all directions of the snow-covered camp, his voice booming and penetrating:
"Primordial Azure Night—! You piece of Black Profound Ice! Stop hiding! Show yourself at once! Today, I, Golden Roc, along with the Azure Lion of the Mad Lion Tribe and the White Elephant of the Savage Elephant Tribe, two heroes of our time, jointly challenge you to a duel!"
"If you're a real man, don't back down! Let's settle this with our fists! If you avoid a fight, you're admitting defeat, and from now on, you'd better steer clear of us brothers!"