Chapter 20: Beginning my Journey, For Real this Time*
After we had returned back to Langye I parted ways with everyone to return home and tell Father along with Cai Yan what I have been doing for the past week and what I plan on doing next.
"Well although I'm glad your safe and that you have already begun to make a name for yourself, are you sure you wish to Travel to Shofang? Even on horse back and no delays it will take you nearly half a month to reach from here." After all Shofang was the exact opposite side of the country and close to the southern Mongolian border of China just on the south side of the Yellow River that acts as the border between China and Mongolia at the northwestern portion of the country.
"Well, I made a promise to my steed to bring her back to her home as it was the only way I was able to convince her to become mine and I think she is as great as Red Hare because I believe they are related as they are both originally from that region after all." I went onto explain to Cai Wang and Cai Yan.
"You made…. A promise to your horse….?" He seemed confused hearing that but I shook my head.
"It's not only that, I hear after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Dong Zhuo burned down those those lands as he made his way south before creating what would be his now old territory where the young emperor resides in the hands of his former followers." There was also chaos slowly beginning to brew in the capital of Chang'an.
"And since you are a Noble's Son by Han Dynasty Standards you could gain territory and I will be recognized by the emperor for any territory you claim and reoccupy, and if you do all this with the support of the Mercenary Guild and set up the territory as the Mercenary Capital of China you would sooner or later have a real city on your hands." Father said to me making me realize that it's a perfect place to start my journey t become a major player in the world of the Three Kingdoms.
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[Quest: A Land to Call Your Own]
[Description: Their are many territories of China that no one is currently ruling over with most to the far south and the Northwest, so now is your chance to take these unclaimed lands as your own]
[Objective: Travel either to Shofang's former Capital of Heyin or South and Claim the Island of Yizhou(Taiwan) for Yourself as your starting base]
[Additional Discription: This Quest is available in all timelines you begin with different locations to choose from]
[Rewards: A Noble Title, +10pts to Authority]
[Failure: None]
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*Save Made*
I decided to make a save here just in case I felt like returning to this point if things don't work out with the choice I'm about to make.
"Then I shall do that, with Shofang being deserted I think that territory will be the best choice for me to make my stand." I say to which Cai Yan looks towards me and back towards her father.
"Father, I wish to go along with him! I know I have the strength and power to defend myself, especially now that I have Mothers Lyre close at hand." She said as she held her silver Lyre close.
As this world was influenced by Dynasty Warriors, her Lyre was in fact a weapon that she uses in combat compared to traditional weapons, same goes for several other people in this world as well though besides a few outliers most use the weapons that exist in this era of time such as swords, axes and halberds of varying shapes and sizes.
Father seemed conflicted about this, on one hand Cai Yan was nearly an adult now and she would have to leave the nest eventually, not only that but she does also know how to fight and would be protected by me, but he doesn't want to see his daughter be in danger either.
"Father, if she wishes to come along with me then I can protect her, you have already heard of my exploits for yourself, and while I'm on this Journey to Shofang, any mercenary work will be put on hold as I make my way to Heyin and re-establish control over the region, and when things are safe and secure if you so wish it you may move to my lands, and if it doesn't work out then I promise you that we shall return back here." I say to Father as Cai Yan really wanted to go as she desperately wanted to go out and see the world for herself instead of staying here in Langye for another two years before our marriage is set in place.
Father rapt his fingers on the table that we all were sitting at before he slowly sighed, "Alright, Yan'er you have my blessing to follow Xuan'er on his journey to Shofang and claim the territory as his own, but please be careful, I don't know what I would do if I lost you…." He said sadly to which Cai Yan went around the table and hugged her father tightly.
"Don't worry father, I promise I will stay safe while I follow Xuan's Journey to Shofang." She said as she held her father tightly to which he reciprocated before pulling away.
We gave each other our heartfelt goodbyes before I took the rest of the 1500 gold coins that Father had rewarded me before we departed on our journey.
We stocked up enough supplies and rations for the two of us to last the next week or so before we would need to resupply and get more food, we could have gotten more but I didn't think it was the right time to talk about my inventory with Cai Yan until I felt the time was right to tell her everything, or at least most of the truth about everything about me.
"So, you are heading for Shofang?" The Guildmaster asked as I had to at least tell him of my departure for that art of China.
"Yes, I have heard that land is where my Horse Kali originates from, it's where she was born and not only that but after Dong Zhuo Deserted those territories the land itself has been left uninhabited." I went onto tell him as we sat in his office with Cai Yan in tow as I didn't want her being harassed by the others downstairs, after all she's a rather beautiful woman.
"I see, well normally I would be completely fine with you traveling their and giving you my blessing, however things have changed in that region in the recent months, The Xianbei Confederation has moved south and claimed those lands as their own." He said with a grave tone of voice making me stand up in surprise.
"The Mon- I mean Xianbei would dare invade China?!" The Xianbei Confederation, or what they would later be known as the Mongols a few hundred years from now, but at this moment were just a group of the five largest Tribes towards the northwestern Portion of China proper.
"Yes, they have traveled across the mountains and over the Yellow River to reach Han Dynasty Territory, with the land both undefended and uninhabited, the Regnets of Dong Min who you know as Dong Zhou's Brother along with Li Jue and Yang Fang are currently dealing with many different opposing forces and thus cannot send men towards the North Western Front, That's Where the Mercenary Guild has come in." He says before pulling out a scroll with the royal seal stamped on the back of it meaning that what was written was approved by the regent and the young Emperor Xian as well.
'By Decree of The Emperor, The Mercenary Guild is hereby Ordered to send 50,000 men along with their strongest generals towards the providences of Anding and Shorfang to push back the Xianbei Confederation from our lands, Rewards will be given accordingly to all who do this meritorious deed with the best Mercenary Generals of Prior Noble Status to be given Administrative overview of Shofang and Anding under their purview along with various other rewards for all who become apart of this unified front to protect the lands of China from Foreign invaders, it is left to your discretion on how this ends whether it be through diplomacy or through the raising of swords.' Is what the scroll said.
"This is completely optional mind you, however this is a chance for you to gain land for yourself, as of right now you are one of the only Six Noble Born Mercenary Generals that has the right to make this claim, the Sun brothers of Sun Ce and Sun Quan already have territory and are vassals under Yuan Shu, There's Lu Bu, but with him killing Dong Zhuo he can't head towards the west without being hunted down, Ling Cai is serving under Shie Xie to the south as his personal Guard and Mao Bai is currently involved in the northern conflicts on Yuan Shao's side, so you are the only one who can go there and make this claim for yourself, but it is all for you to decide." He said laying out for me making me ponder about it.
I looked towards Yan'er to which she nodded back with a resolute look in her eyes before I turned back to the Guild Master.
"Well then, if the Emperor Demands it be done, then so be it, I shall head there and gather any able man to join me on this trip." I said to which he nodded.
"Good, and don't worry, you will have some familiar faces join you on this mission to the northwest as well." He said with a smirk.
Looks like the beginning in my story is full of bumps along the way, but it makes it all the more fun.
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"Hmmm, so the Legendary Dragon Mercenary is heading towards the Northwest, Maybe I should give Master Lu Bu a push to meet this young talented man, and maybe I should go that way myself." A man in his mid twenties said as he stroked his chin as he threw the message he had received on another man he was interested in possibly serving.
"Hmmm, why not both? Whoever I feel truly is the better leader I, Chen Gong, shall follow to the end." He said as he began to make his preparations to head Northwestward.
And not just him but many others were preparing for the great battle to come, including none other than China's Greatest Warrior Himself.
"Hmph, I will claim this land for myself then and get back at all those who have wronged me." Lu Bu said before he also began his journey towards the Northwest with Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Diaochan and his Daughters in tow.
"A Storm is coming." The daughter of one of the 5 Chieftains of the Xianbei confederation, Chakha Khan, muttered as she stared up at the stars above.
Whether her and her people will be able to whether the storm, only time will tell.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
-- Power
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