Chapter 180 – 17. The Taoist of the Far North (Complete)
Early morning.
Twelve tribes gathered in a settlement under the snowy mountains of the limit line formed a large community. Away from the past, where only a traditional tent called a ger and a wooden fence were all, it has achieved a wonderful home. While cherishing the nomadic nature of the environment of the far north, they overcame it and took a step forward.
“It is rare. The weather, which was so capricious, is very fine again today.”
Edward, sitting in the driver’s seat in the lead carriage, said with a friendly smile. While the two straightforward-looking warriors thoroughly protected him, there seemed to be no corner for a mere thief to attack. Just as his wife, Ayla Dean, was guarded by two strong female warriors.
“It’s something that the ancestors and spirits look down on.”
The sun did not rise at the entrance outside the residence built with a round fence, so many people attended the send-off despite the cold weather. This is because the clever merchant couple from Britannia showed off their abilities well within a few days and provided a lot of help.
“Hehe, it must be cold, but I’m thankful that so many people came out.”
“Benevolence is what it is. It is one of the greatest virtues of our society.”
Temur held out his thick hand and asked for a handshake. Edward happily complied and exchanged a few words of thanks. Perhaps thanks to the end of the conflict in the great snowfield with the integration of the 12 tribes, the warchief in plain clothes was unexpectedly benevolent and contemplative.
“It’s good to see that your expression is brightening up.”
“Exactly? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of such a thing in my life.”
“It would be nice if you could stay like that in the future.”
The long beard and bulging muscles still gave off a formidable atmosphere. However, as can be seen by looking at his age of only nineteen, the warchief was truly a genius after straightening his wrinkled forehead between his narrowed eyebrows.
“Let’s try. Here with my dear wife.”
He said holding onto Hoelun’s hand as they stood side by side. Temur, who did not consider the troublesome issues such as treason and dowry, was manly and dependable. It was not a waste to be called the truly unbreakable.
“If the union’s financial situation improves, you will be able to hold a wedding too, right?”
“It’s for the harmony of my wife and the 12 tribes, and there’s nothing I can’t do. It is our festival different from the ceremony to announce to our ancestors that we have become husband and wife.”
“When the time comes, please let me attend.”
“Of course, it’s something I’ll beg for on my side.”
Edward nodded and looked a little to the side. He also exchanged a few words with Hoelun, who wore the handle of his mace in his belt and stood proudly. The tribe that suffered the most damage in the last war was Mukhali, so it would have been difficult to overcome the war if it weren’t for the supplies and assistance of the Trade Corps.
“Edward of the Dean clan, Mukhali, has been greatly taken care of over the past few days. As chieftain, I salute and thank you. I wish the pioneers you lead the best of luck on their journey.”
“Oh, thank you. I wish Chief Hoelun that only a smooth and happy future awaits. Even if I can’t, I’ll be back within half a year. At that time, I also bring toys that the tribal children will like .”
Edward finished his greeting, bowing with a restrained gesture befitting a son of a high-ranking aristocratic family, albeit in a foreign country. She showed confidence to Hoelun, who took the position of mother of the 12 tribes, saying that pioneering this trade route would take care of her young children.
“I look forward to it.”
The woman chasing the moon had a warm smile. She inherited her godmother’s will and overcame her hatred, and looked very at ease. It was good to see not only Hoelun, but also the chieftains of the other ten tribes with brighter faces than before.
“Dean, nice to meet you. I am giving you an arrow and feather used by my late father, so please use it as a talisman.”
The guide Sorgal, the chieftain of the Kasar tribe and a warrior who assisted the Unbreakable, stepped forward and handed over the feather attached to the end of the arrow. It was a keepsake inherited from the ancestors, and it was presented as a present by tying it with a string so that it could be worn on a belt.
“Isn’t it a gift with the meaning of wishing well on your trip in the great snowfield?”
“Yes, I hope you have days as light and gentle as a feather.”
“I will cherish it.”
The next one was Sechen of the Oronar tribe. As a shaman called a wise man, he handed over two woolen coats containing the spirit’s blessing, just as Temur had given them to the Lemoang family in the past.
“My hostess made a coat of musk ox wool. The outside was embroidered with a pattern meaning that the spirit would take care of it, so that evil spirits would not be involved. Bring the small ones to your wife and wear the large ones for yourself.”
“Wow, it’s warm like freshly baked bread.”
“I heard that Britannia’s winter is not as cold as here. Dress warmly and be careful not to catch a cold. A person who will do great things should not be sick with horns.”
“I’ll be fine, old man.”
Sechen, holding a black cane with a satisfied face, stepped back. He looked like he was taking care of his young grandson his, more like a friendly grandfather in a private house than a chieftain who leads all shamans.
“Thank you, friend, for liking our cuisine during your stay.”
“Yeke Chief!”
“The Bonsi Arlat tribe has a very rich food culture, starting with salting. However, during the war, there were few opportunities to save such organs. However, I hope it will be different now. It’s nothing special. It’s pickled dried jerky for my daughter as a gift. She says that she took care to ensure that the seasoning that stimulates her appetite her is well absorbed, so she eats it all the time.”
“Thank you, I will eat. Her wife loved this so much.”
Yeke, the young chieftain called the mountain ridge, grinned. He married his wife quite early, even by local standards, and brought her ten-year-old daughter her a sack full of beef jerky, which she had worked with just like her mother her.
“Edward Dean, I will give you one of my falcons as a gift. My brother participated in the trading corps as a livestock manager, so if there is anything you don’t know, ask him.”
What followed was the falconry of the Khevtul tribe.
“Chief Durben, isn’t this the hawk you said you particularly cherished?”
“He is a bright-eyed child. Being a well-trained female, she will give a quick signal if a group approaches with nefarious intentions. If you’re not going to mobilize them for hunting, you don’t really have to starve, so feed them a few pieces of raw meat every morning.”
“I will not forget the feelings of Khevtul.”
A hawk in a cage made of trimmed twigs flapped its wings in frustration. Durben took out a new tissue to put on his forearm and put it on Edward’s left arm.
“This child’s name is Tasagan.”
Then he opened the doorknob of the cage and winked as if to call his name.
“Tea company, come here!”
Then, observing the surroundings, Tasagan, who came out, spread his huge wings. He left the seduced people behind and snatched a sack of delicious-smelling beef jerky at will. Surprised, Edward fluttered up above the clouds, threw his sack into the hold, and returned.
“I’m sorry. Because he’s a bit playful.”
“Oh, you’re so smart.”
“It is. Still, he’s a pampered guy, so I hope you treat him kindly.”
“Haha, is there a question?”
In addition, many chieftains treated foreign merchants kindly. It was a part where I could personally feel how warm the public sentiment of those who had regained peace was.
“I, to Edward, present, traveler’s essentials, shoes.”
Mungur, who leads the Tarkut tribe, presented leather shoes.
“I’ll give you one of my obituaries. Write it carefully.”
Urwood, who leads the Vesud tribe, presented a dagger.
“It is a comb made by my deceased master. Give it to Miss Ayla. It’s going to be a long trip, so it’s going to be difficult to take care of your hair, but if you comb it well, at least it won’t damage your hair.”
Ejay, the leader of the Uscal tribe, presented a comb.
“Before Mother Turgenene disappeared again, she came and left us with these words.”
“Originally, I was going to present a bag made of high-quality leather…”
“I’m giving it because I think I need to show my sincerity, so ride well.”
The three brothers of the Keshikten tribe presented a handsome, one-blooded horse.
“Everyone, thank you in many ways.”
It was finally time to depart. Edward, who bowed his head with sincerity deep in his heart his, received enthusiastic support and joined the ranks of the horses. And Temur and Hoelun shook hands with the chiefs of other tribes.
“Come on, let’s go before it’s too late. If this happens, I won’t be able to start even if the sun rises in the middle of the sky.”
“Ejay is right.”
“Friend, come back in a few months and let’s have a glass of mayuju!”
“Everything cycles. Nothing lasts forever in heaven and earth, so those who leave will surely return.”
“Let’s all promise that day together and live hard.”
It was the first day of the hwazo month. It was a hopeful day for flowers and birds that arrived after the Sabbath. The sun rising brightly from the dark blue horizon brought back warm colors to a world full of pure white. After carrying the dreams of many people, he blessed a certain target and publicized it widely.
“Then let’s go!”
“Well!”
“Take care of yourself!”
“Take care of your health!”
That the morality of the Far North is not far away.
“… Leave!”
A word of kindness from those who are full of generosity and the heart that a small gift points to is truly the moral path we all must pursue.
* * *
In a war, almost all women and children worry that their husbands and fathers who have gone to the battlefield will not return. This was especially true of Oriane Lemoang, who always stayed up all night worried about the departure of Gerard Lemoang, who was a little unfamiliar to use the word love.
“Madam, nothing will happen.”
“Why don’t you trust the West a little more?”
“Even so, I can’t help feeling that fear remains in a corner of my heart…”
Romuald, Baron of Ardennes is invincible. Even Lady Baek, who knew the truth, could not stop worrying about her husband and her. She is, of course, she is. She neglects her food and drink like a woman from a gypsy house.
“You know the skill of the owner.”
“If it’s a mystery that’s in my husband’s body, he’s going to deal with the legion alone and remain.”
“My daughter, don’t secretly try to monopolize her as my husband.”
“Sheesh.”
Several days have passed since the unexpected expedition. The happiness of the sabbatical, which could not have been more precious, also flowed into memories. And the wife, young lady, and maid gathered at the winter mansion silently waited, regretting the days when they could not get wet with the sweet dreams of the newlyweds.
“Mistress, are you okay for a second?”
“Marion? What’s up?”
“An important guest has arrived outside, but I think you need to come out for a while.”
“A guest, no one will come anymore?”
“Françoise, too, take Miss Lucienne and come with me.”
May the man who has become the biggest part of my life return.
“I’m back, everyone.”
“… !”
So come back and smile as if you left like this.
“Welcome… !”
Earnestly and affectionately.
