189 Looking Towards the Wes (2/2)

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The summer had almost passed in the wilderness. The field was carpeted in luscious greenery that was slowly fading and the temperature fell gradually. Unlike the loneliness in the wild, the central plains north of it was bustling with life. Hundreds of tents filled the ground like clouds and people were barbecuing lamb while singing and dancing.

After several bloody battles, the Huangs had finally moved southwards to the warm south after a thousand years in the extreme cold of the north, successfully defeating the barbarians of the Central Plains. The left and right tent had sacrificed thousands of elite soldiers but were still unable to stop the Huangs from moving forward. They had no choice but to move their troops in the north towards the fields of the Central Plains in the south, leaving the fertile land in the north of the plains to the Huangs.

The brave Huang soldiers have gained victory and a piece of land to build their homes anew. To those from the Central Plains, the climate and conditions were harsh. But to those who had worked hard in extreme cold in the north year round, it was practically heaven.

Not long ago, the last of the Huangs consisting of the women, elderly and children had finally arrived at their new home. The number of those who had managed to arrive far surpassed their expectations when they first decided to migrate South. This surprised all them.

Between the tents on the central plains, families reunited, and everyone settled down into a wonderful but foreign new life. The scent of lamb stew wafted in the air. The burning dung was a little odd, but it smelt like utter bliss to them when all the scents in the air came together.

The celebrations lasted all night and day and only ended on the second evening. The Huang soldiers celebrated with alcohol plundered from the royal family of the central plains, rewarding themselves and their families who have made it thus far and in remembrance of those who have died on the road to the central plains. There was no need for oil lamps to be lit as everyone eventually fell asleep deeply as the sun rose.

The light was lit brightly in a tent on the west of the field. It might look simple but was obviously larger than any other tent. The ten torches lighting it were hung high, coming up to a person's waist, lighting up the tent like it was day.

The elders and strongest leaders of the soldiers celebrated their victory for an entire day. However, they have all descended into deep thoughts and silence while ruminating about a problem raised by a certain elder.

”What's so scary about the Tangs?”

A burly general answered in a low voice. His face was filled with puzzlement. ”We are all born warriors. We can defeat the royal family of the Central Plains with ease even if we were tired after our long travels to the south. Who can defeat us after we rest on this land for half a year?”

An elder sitting in the deepest part of the tent looked at him calmly. He spoke up after a short pause, ”Pride will weaken even the strongest warrior eventually. ”

The soldier who had spoken up previously looked incredibly nervous after being criticized by the highly respected elder. He lowered his head in repentance. However, you could see from his eyes that he did not understand the elder's fears.

”This land used to belong to us. We were once the strongest empire. Why were our ancestors forced from this beautiful fertile land and away to suffer in the cold north?”

The elder looked at everyone in the tent. His face was devoid of any expression when he said, ”That's because we were defeated by the Tangs.”

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There was a pregnant pause. The elder said, ”We want you to remember why our ancestors were forced to leave the grassland not because we want to encourage revenge. But it is to remind you how strong the Tang empire is.”

”A thousand years ago, no one could defeat us as we fought on the plains. The West Hill Divine Kingdom had only wanted to spread their teachings and had no intentions of going against us. It wasn't until Lee Tang established his empire when we started losing and were almost annihilated. We eventually signed an agreement to retreat into the north and swore to never return south to save our descendants. ”

The tent was deathly silent as the old man told the story passed down from fathers to sons.

”Back in those days, our ancestors had lands a hundred times larger than what we do now. We had a population a hundred times more than today. We had more strong men than the number of stars in the universe and they all died in the Tang's hands. Today, we have suffered for a thousand years, and yet, we only have a population of a hundred thousand. How can we compare with our ancestors? How can we look down on the Tangs?”

”The issue that we should concern ourselves with, is how we should deal with any issues arising from our contact with the Tangs.”

The response was resounding. ”We don't want the land that belongs to those on the Central Plains. We only take back the lands that belonged to us. Even if the barbarians were banished to the south, and begin a conflict with those on the Central Plains, it has nothing to do with us.”

Someone spoke up worriedly,”Moving south is indeed in violation of the agreement we signed a thousand years ago. If the Tangs use this to create trouble for us, what should we do?”

The old man lowered his gaze. He said, ”We are surrounded by enemies. The only ones who remain on the grasslands are barbarians after a thousand years. We, the true descendants of Heavenly Khagan have been forced to lead a difficult life by the Hot Sea. It would be fine if we could survive, but we can't. Moving south was a necessity. Darkness lays before us and death behind. No agreement holds any meaning now.”

He raised his head, looked at the most important people of the Huang tribe and said in a low voice. ”If we can avoid war with the Tang empire, we must. If they send an envoy, we should be on our best manners.”

His statement was met with a resounding agreement.

Suddenly, the elder sensed the absence of a certain someone. His white brows furrowed. Even though the person would never speak up on his opinion at the elder meeting, he was the strongest warrior they had. His absence at such an important meeting was a little odd.

”Where did he go?”

”I don't know.”

The elder was about to speak up when he felt a subtle shift in the Qi from the west. This Qi was not strong, but the uniqueness of it touched his elderly heart.

His body suddenly stiffened and an expression of fear and respect crossed his face. He moved his body quickly and kneeled towards the west, stretching his arms out before him in a strange show of respect.

The elders around him have also sensed the Qi from the west. Their expressions changed as they kneeled quickly and kowtowed respectfully.

The young leaders of each camp did not sense the strange Qi. They were startled and puzzled by the actions of the elders. However, they kneeled subconsciously towards the west and kowtowed as well.