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Translator: uly
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Three Reasons Not to Get Close
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The desert was flatland that wasn't really flat. It looked level like the horizon from afar, but up close, it was made of dunes and sand hills.
Climb one hill, and another appeared. Climb that, and yet another followed.
That was why they called it a sea of sand.
And it wasn't just hills, either.
Sand dunes a hundred feet high could form or vanish overnight. That was why people got lost in the desert—due to these very features. In the desert, they navigated not by landmarks, but by the stars.
Whoooosh! Whoooosh! Whooo!
As the sun set, the wind began to howl fiercely.
Hundreds of people pressed through it in a long line. They were martial artists from the Border Wastelands, far from the Central Plains. Leading the way were warriors from the Divine Steel Hell Heaven Sect.
"Halt."
Hell Lion King Yagul Jeoksun bellowed.
It meant they were stopping here to rest. A massive dune loomed before the group, towering a full hundred and fifty feet high.
Each faction claimed spots on the sheltered side of the wind and lit campfires.
"Little Wind!"
Black Wind called to Little Wind.
It was an order to climb up and scout for sleeping spots.
"Got it. Big Wind, let's go."
The two dashed toward the dune and scrambled up. Little Wind and Big Wind dug into the surface with their hooks up to about twenty feet. When only sand kept coming, they moved lower. They found hard ground at ten feet high. Digging two feet into the sand revealed solid earth.
Little Wind raised both arms and drew a circle in the air.
"Go dig it out."
Black Wind ordered the group.
"Where are you off to?"
Tarli turned and asked Black Wind.
"A night's shelter."
"Oh! Like that time..."
Tarli nodded. The first time they'd met, Black Wind's group had emerged from a burrow. They were probably digging one here, too.
"What about you, old timer?"
"Should I dig a burrow, too?"
"The desert's a place where everyone fends for themselves. I can lend you a hook."
"You're too kind for a young pup."
Grumbling, the old man still headed for the dune.
"Who is he?"
Tarli kept his eyes fixed on the old man's back as he asked. In all his time roaming the Border Wastelands martial world, he'd rarely felt unease around anyone. But the moment their eyes met, it was like being stripped bare. That meant the old man was on his level—or stronger.
"I know his face, but not his name. Met him just once, five years ago."
"You treat even one-time acquaintances like friends?"
"We bathed together."
"Bathed?"
"The old codger who raised me—no, exploited me—said you can trust anyone you've bathed with."
"..."
"I bathed with those guys, too."
"With Yora, too?"
"Yora? ...Wait, is Yo Wind's real name Yora?"
"You don't even know your own crew's names?"
"If I learn names, I might learn their pasts. Learn their pasts, and I get close."
"Can't get close?"
"Getting close has upsides, but more downsides."
"Like what?"
"If they're in danger, you have to save them. Might get myself killed. If I can't save them, it hurts. But if you know nothing? Even if they die, no need to care. Best kindness is letting them go."
"You lot are a weird bunch."
"We all are. So, where are we headed?"
"Just follow along. But hey, you grilled and ate a Transparent Thread Snake, right?"
"Transparent Thread Snake?"
Black Wind played dumb.
"That's the name of the snake you grilled."
"That water snake had a name?"
"Water snake?"
"We caught it in the lake. As you know, all we've eaten is blood wolf jerky."
"..."
"I love snake meat, too."
"Anyway, that Transparent Thread Snake might bring you trouble."
"You'll handle it."
"I'm not your wet nurse."
"Guess I'll have to stick close. See you tomorrow."
Black Wind climbed the dune. The crew had dug about halfway through. Black Wind swept away sand and started digging his own pit. He dug fast. As he hollowed it out, Yo Wind used his halberd to shape the sides and ceiling.
"I'll help, too."
The old man approached.
"I'll handle it. Sit and rest."
Yo Wind said.
"That okay?"
"Yes."
Yo Wind worked the halberd busily. With internal energy behind it, the pit finished quickly. Narrow entrance, wide inside.
They swept the loose dirt from the floor and spread windbreaker cloaks. The old man went in first and settled.
Then Yo Wind and Black Wind followed.
The old man took the inner right, Black Wind the center, Yo Wind the left.
"Nice."
The old man grinned wide.
"Sleep."
Black Wind closed his eyes. Soon, even breaths came from his nose.
"Falls asleep fast."
The old man clicked his tongue.
"Sleep ties straight to survival."
"Means you can't survive without keeping your body in top shape?"
"Yes."
"You don't seem fully Central Plains-born. Why join Wind Squadron?"
"My father was from the Central Plains."
" Must've been tough."
"Life's like that."
"True. Can't do nothing if you're despairing. Even with disappointment and despair, you gotta keep moving. That's living."
"By the way, what's your name?"
"Call me Mok Ya."
"Got it. Time for me to sleep, too."
"Sleep well."
The two soon dozed off.
Next morning, the group rose early, ate breakfast, and set off. They started in the cool, but the heat rose fast. Black Wind donned the hat around his neck and wrapped fully in his windbreaker cloak.
He followed the man ahead in silence.
"Captain!"
Little Wind called Black Wind.
"What."
"Mad Blade looks in a lot of pain."
"Because of his arm?"
"Yeah."
Black Wind went to Mad Blade. Mad Blade was sweating coldly. The day was brutally hot, but this wasn't heat sweat. It was cold sweat.
"I can bear it."
Mad Blade said as their eyes met.
"Show me."
"I can bear..."
"War's over. Gotta live to get back, right?"
"..."
Mad Blade unwrapped the cloth around his wound.
The flesh was rotting, pus dripping steadily. The pus stank of decay.
"Disinfect your blade."
Black Wind said.
"Cut it off?"
Mad Blade asked.
"Won't cut it, you'll die."
"Gonna hurt like hell."
"Get ready."
Black Wind chased after Tarli, who was walking ahead.
"Got any golden sore salve?"
"Why should I give you that?"
"I don't ask favors lightly, but without it, that guy's done for."
"Didn't you say you avoid closeness, even names?"
"War's over. I can go or stay as I please, but he's got family."
"How do you know he has family?"
"He's a thousand-man commander."
"So thousand-man commanders are supposed to have families?"
"Yeah."
"Orders from above?"
"Nah."
"Then how?"
"Always keep ears open. Listen to their chatter, and it sticks naturally."
"You're a weird one, anyway."
"Got it?"
"Answer one question, and it's yours."
"Won't tell my name. Won't get chummy with you."
"...I have standards."
"What do you want to know?"
"Little Wind says in battle, you always charged enemy lines first. Why?"
"'Cause I'm the fastest."
"..."
"Told you, I'm the tallest."
"So no grand, noble reason?"
"Wouldn't be me. But there's one thing."
"What?"
"Strong ones are always in the back—for friend or foe."
"Strong in the rear?"
"I arrange my lines that way. Put strong upfront, and if they fall, we're wiped."
"So..."
"Simple. Charge first, tangle with the weak. Later chargers fight the strong."
"Pfft!"
Tarli chuckled. Never thought of it that way, but it made sense.
"But you're no weakling."
"That's why I'm covered in scars. Now, the salve!"
"Fine."
Tarli pulled out the golden sore salve and handed it over.
"Works well, right?"
"Won't kill him from infection."
"Thanks. Won't need to, but if chance comes, I'll repay."
Black Wind went back.
"Still not cut?"
"You're the expert at cutting."
"Give me your sword."
Black Wind held out his hand.
Yo Wind handed over the sword. Black Wind grabbed Mad Blade's upper arm and lifted.
"How old's your son now?"
Black Wind asked Mad Blade.
"How'd you know I have a son?"
"Fifteen?"
"...?"
"Fight to live, see his face. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Scream, and you won't get back to your son."
"Cut!"
"No screaming..."
"Cut, you bastard!"
Slash!
"Huh..."
Mad Blade's mouth gaped.
"Son!"
Mad Blade clamped it shut.
"Give me that."
Black Wind held out his hand, and Little Wind offered the blade heated in the fire. Black Wind pressed the flat to the cut. Mad Blade didn't scream this time. He fainted instead.
Black Wind applied the salve from Tarli, then tore windbreaker cloth to bind it.
Then he hoisted Mad Blade on his back and walked.
"You carrying me now?"
Mad Blade asked, coming to.
"Not for you."
"Then?"
"For your son."
"How'd you know about my son?"
"You told me."
"When?"
"Six years ago, to Little Wind."
"You remember that?"
"Good memory."
"...Thanks."
"You're cultivating, right?"
"Yeah."
"Circulate your energy like mad. Salve's decent, but wound's bad—has limits. Only circulation breaks them."
"Got it."
Mad Blade nodded.
Night fell again. The group dug into a dune where earth lay, like before.
Next day.
Little Wind approached with a grim face.
"Dead?"
Black Wind asked.
"Yeah."
"Treatment too late, huh."
"Seems so."
"Sword and hook?"
"Got 'em."
"Double-check."
"Got it."
Little Wind entered the burrow. Moments later, he emerged.
"Cold Wave, check."
Cold Wave went in next. The group took turns confirming Mad Blade's death.
Finally, Black Wind entered and came out.
"Collapse it."
Black Wind said to Yo Wind.
Yo Wind leaped, stomping the burrow hard.
Boom!
With a dull thud, it caved in.
"Fifteen's grown. No need to worry for your son."
Black Wind murmured low, then planted Mad Blade's halberd and hook before the grave.
"Move out."
The group walked on.