Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Fifth lunar month. It was just summer and this was when the grass on the Gulang Plains was most luscious.
Midday of the 14th day of the fifth lunar month, a huge battalion was crossing the plain. There were about 20,000 people in this group and unlike the nomads of the plain, this army was completely made up of young cavalry. They marched forward on the strong rhinodrake steeds.
The pass was filled with water grass that was as half as tall as a human. The scattered lakes decorated the boundless green sea like gems. Around the lakes were vibrant wild lilies and all sorts of purple and red flowers.
Large groups of wild rhinodrake steeds were playing around the water. When a light breeze passed by and the grass flowed in waves, wild goats and bison could be seen everywhere. Amongst the grass were all sorts of herbs, sweet grass, Milkvetch, skullcap, scarlet peonies, Ephedra, Siler, Anemarrhena , ginseng, Gentian, thorowax…
These herbs that could be sold for money in the Han Empire were just ordinary things that could be seen everywhere.
The Gulang Plains were like a natural treasure cove, unimaginably wealthy.
This team wasn’t surprised by what they saw on the way anymore. The army didn’t seem to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the plains. Instead, many people pressed forward with serious and careful faces. Along the path, they had sent out more than ten cavalry squads and scouts, fearing that they would be ambushed. Not only that, but there were also two eagles circling around in the air watching their every move.
This army belonged to the Dark Wood Tribe. The leader of this army was the head of the Dark Wood Tribe, Wugusa.
Wugusa rode a tall and strong black rhinodrake steed. He was in the middle of the army.
During this year or so, Wugusa seemed a lot older. The loss of his son plus this year’s battle with the Dark Razor Tribe added more wrinkles to his forehead. His originally dense dark beard also had a few slivers of silver-white hair.
Wugusa bit his lips and had a deep frown. His eyes were bleak and mysterious. He stared at the horizon as though he were lost in his thoughts. Occasionally, there would be a sliver of ferocity in his eyes. Ever since this army passed the Ximu River in the morning, Wugusa didn’t say a thing.
Because of this, the few important figures of the Dark Wood Tribe next to Wugusa fell silent too. In this silence, only those few sons who were most favored by Wugusa stayed lively. They ran around the army. Ever since Morbeto died, Wugusa took his other sons more seriously and they seemed to like to show off themselves more in front of Wugusa.
Morbeto’s death was a huge blow to Wugusa. Everyone in the tribe knew that Wugusa was preparing Morbeto to be his successor.
The Dark Wood Tribe conquering those small tribes in the Mount Jade Dragon was part of their great plan. Wugusa let Morbeto enact this great plan. Originally, Wugusa wanted Morbeto to make huge accomplishments on Mount Jade Dragon so that it would set the foundation for him as a successor, gaining the recognition of his brothers and shutting the mouths of the Dark Wood Tribe elders and royals. However, no one expected Mount Jade Dragon to be Morbeto’s burial ground. The intervention of the Dark Razor Tribe instantly shattered the Dark Wood Tribe’s plan and also made them lose a few thousand warriors for no reason. Wugusa lost his most favored son.
This was an unresolvable enmity!
If the Shatu Alliance hadn’t suddenly sent people, the war between Dark Wood Tribe and Dark Razor Tribe would’ve still not known when it would end. But this time, the Shatu Alliance suddenly sent people wanting to resolve the conflict between the two tribes. Wugusa could show no respect to anyone on the Gulang Plains but he had to show his respect towards the special ambassador of the Shatu Alliance. During this recent month, he stopped the mobilization of the Dark Wood Tribe soldiers gradually and agreed to meet up with the Dark Razor Tribe people for negotiations.
Of course, Wugusa agreed to the negotiation but no one in the entire Dark Wood Tribe knew what he was thinking.
“Is Father worried about the negotiations with the Dark Razor Tribe tomorrow, fearing that they might play some tricks?” Wugusa’s youngest son Gedan asked. Although he was the youngest, Gedan was already in his 20’s. Since he looked like Wugusa and seemed robust on the outside while smart on the inside, he was greatly favored by his father.
“Gedan, remember, unless one day all the wolves on the plain use two legs to walk, no enemy’s promise is trustworthy!” Wugusa shook his head as he glanced at his son.
“But the two ambassadors from Shatu Alliance are both with us. One is in our army and one is in the Dark Wood Tribe. These two are our hostages and Father’s security measure in attending this meeting. If the Dark Razor Tribe dares to play any tricks, they wouldn’t be able to face Shatu Alliance.”
Wugusa narrowed his eyes and looked ahead. Just a few hundred meters away, one Shatu Alliance ambassador was riding the rhinodrake steed amongst the heralds. Looking from here, that ambassador seemed to be chatting with a general of his. He was acting composed and was also making connections.
“All those years ago, if the Shatu Seven Tribes didn’t run, we would’ve long been killed by the Shatu Alliance. Ever since the ancient times, the Shatu have died to other Shatu tens times more than other races. Do you think the Shatu Alliance ambassadors would be worth more than all the heads of the Dark Wood Tribe?”
Gedan’s eyes spun, “Then why did Father agree to this resolution of conflict and come to negotiate with the Dark Razor Tribe?”
“You don’t understand?”
“A bit… I don’t understand!”
“In the eyes of the shepherd, wolves and leopards are the same! The Han inside White Stone Pass are the shepherds, understand?”
“I… understand a bit!”
“After I see Sultan this time, whether it’s war or peace with the Dark Razor Tribe, you need to prepare to follow the merchant convoy. I’m going to send you to the Han area for two years. Have a good look at what these Han people are doing and learn what you can!”
Gedan dazed for a long while before reacting. He asked with a sliver of contempt and confusion, “Why am I going to the Han people’s area?”
Wugusa’s wrinkles immediately became a deep ravine. He glanced east and said, “During this year, a lot of new changes occurred with the northwestern Han people. A lot of new things came out. We’re going to be in contact with Han, so it’s best to understand what they think. You’re young and the Han have never seen you before, so you’re the most suitable for this. In the future of the Dark Wood Tribe, there must be someone who knows a lot about the Han!”
“Okay, since Father has given the order, then I will go!”
“Mhm!” Wugusa nodded silently but the wrinkles on his forehead didn’t ease. He didn’t tell his youngest son that this half year, he had a fright every time he heard about news from the northwest, especially when he heard that the Han could use wool to create exquisite wools. The royals and elders in the tribe felt this was good news and their eyes shined golden as they imagined doing woolen business with the Han people or selling the most exquisite woollen cloth to the Han. Only Wugusa felt uneasiness when he heard this. He even had a nightmare that night. He dreamt of the ancestors of the Dark Wood Tribe all appearing in his dream and crying. They said nothing and just looked at him. No matter how he yelled, those ancestors said nothing and just kept tearing. Eventually, the faces of his ancestor crippled in the tears and faded into the darkness.
Wugusa was covered in cold sweat after waking up from that dream…