Временные трудности / Temporary hardships: Глава 21

Chapter 21, in which the hero threatens the heavens with his loins.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 16:20

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Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 16:20

The fall was terrifying. Unfortunately, Xing had used up almost all of his qi to save Almirah both during the labor and while trying to protect her from the huge wave. Therefore, all he had to do was just prepare for the impact and strengthen his body. To his genuine surprise, the speed of the fall only increased to a certain not-so-large limit, so when he collapsed like a sack of rice onto the ground and kicked up a cloud of sand, he wasn't even hurt.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 16:30

The bitterness and resentment was something else entirely. Xing was weak. Not only was he unable to do anything about the sorcerer's technique that had sent him nowhere, but he had left Almirah alone with him. Understandably, the beatings, broken artifacts, and raging ocean made Sharif not care about the mermaid, but only this time. Xing needed to become much stronger, not only to increase his qi, not only to further refine his control but also to make his body stronger.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 16:31

He lay on the hot sand and thought, going over the details of such a recent fight, and he was venomous with anger. If he had any idea of how to get back to the island, he would have rushed without a moment's hesitation. But now, in addition to his lack of ideas, he lacked everything else, even his clothes. All that was left was his trusty flail and a bracelet made of a strange metal hidden under a layer of ordinary copper.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 16:32

Xing closed his eyes and increased the circulation of qi in his upper dantian, thinking back to the brief fight. It wasn't to say he had done so badly, but he couldn't call it good either. He'd been lucky. It was lucky the sorcerer had been a weakling, that he hadn't struck while Xing was saving the girl's life, and that his rings had been so fragile and so easily broken. Yes, Xing had certainly inadvertently ruined the coveted spatial vault as well, but, at the same time, he had surely deprived the villain of a bunch of artifacts, or what did he call them? Musavars? And without that, the outcome of the battle could have gone either way.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 17:52

He thought about spatial rings once more. Suddenly, the fight showed that a ring was not the best thing for creating this very, ha ha ha, musavar. Xing could fight with a flail, of course. He could fight with all the weapons he knew, but he also liked to swing his fists. Hands and feet are what a man always has with him, which means he will never be unarmed. And no matter how strong a ring was, it could be damaged by hitting, say, a rock, so something else was needed. Xing raised his hand and examined his bracelet thoughtfully. No matter how useless it was, it could easily survive a battle full of qi and hand-to-hand combat. Of course, unlike the spatial ring, the spatial bracelet sounded like nonsense, but Xing was still not strong enough to prevent the ring from breaking in the middle of a heated battle.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 17:54

There was another problem that Xing felt literally with his ass right now. Clothing, or rather, the lack of it. All of his normal outfits, unlike the heroes' outfits, would quickly fall into disrepair in battle again. In the past, he had the skins of various demonic beasts and clothes held up much better. But alas, Xing had long since grown out of those clothes. The quiet life near Mogao had relaxed him too much, and on the island with Almirakh, he was doing anything but searching for strong beasts. The problem had to be solved urgently, and until Xing could gain real strength, he should only walk around in sturdy clothes.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 17:57

The flames of qi that separated from the large cluster in the distance were getting closer. Xing knew that they were three men who didn't possess internal energy, they were riding on animals whose qi was similar to horse qi, but not all the way through

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 17:57

He didn't get up to meet them; he was lying down quite well. He absorbed the energy around him and ran it through his three dantians, quickly regenerating what he'd used up in the fight and rescue of Almirakh.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 17:59

Only when someone's shadow covered the sun he reluctantly raise his head.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 17:59

In front of him sat three riders on strange, humpbacked horses with thin legs, long crooked necks, and mock lips, all in plain white robes. On their heads, they wore motley shawls that fell over their shoulders and half covered their faces. The middle rider rode closer, dismounted, and revealed a bearded, tanned face.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:01

"Who are you, oh great warrior, who threatens the heavens with your loins?" he asked

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:01

"A great warrior?" Xing was surprised.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:02

"We saw you fall out of the sky!" explained the bearded man. "And a pampered brat of a desert gopher cannot survive a fall from such a height."

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:03

"My name is Xing Duo," Xing introduced himself, getting to his feet. "But Xing is better."

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:03

"Peace be upon you, Kasim! My name is Tariq Rahman Qadir ibn Nasim. To meet a traveler in the desert is a gift from the heavens. And it was the heavens from which you fell that determined our meeting. Welcome to my home."

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:04

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Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:01

"Akhribad!" Tariq said the word as hatefully as if he were spitting poison. "The city of the despicable sons of Shaitan, the vile sorcerers, and their lowly minions! Don't go there, Kasim. You are a great warrior: as strong as a spiky desert lizard and as strong as a black camel. But sorcerers never fight fair. These Marid and Ifrit brats only cast vile and despicable spells! Do not go to Ahribad, Kasim, I beg you in the name of Shadur!"

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:05

Xing, sprawled on the cushions and sipping tart desert herb tea, replied:

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:06

"But I'm a sorcerer too! I have the qi... I mean, I have the shihir!"

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:06

Tariq threw back his head and laughed loudly. The other guests in his tent laughed, even his wives and daughters chuckled softly.

Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:06

"You have a good sense of humor, Kasim," Tariq said with a laugh, wiping away his tears. "Where have you seen a sorcerer who has done something good for the people of the desert? Where have you seen a sorcerer or a mage or any other creature of the noonday sun who didn't talk to others as if they were thorns under his camel's feet?"

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:39

"You gave us water!" added Yasir, one of the two riders who had been with Tariq when they first met. "You got it right out from under the sands. If you are a sorcerer, I am ready to call such a sorcerer my brother!"

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:40

It was easy to get water. Xing could not only sense it underground, but he could also see the spirits of water where it was closer to the surface. The only thing left to do was to create a well by combining Earth and Sand, transforming them into stone and glass. It took just over a hundred dozen heartbeats, and they thanked him as if he were one of the Twelve Gods.

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:41

"You gave me clothes," Xing objected. "You took me in, a suspicious naked stranger, a stranger and foreigner. You fed me and gave me shelter. How could I not thank you with such a trifle?"

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:42

"A trifle? Did you say trifle? - Tariq chuckled again. "Your jokes are as funny and good as ever! Kasim, for the people of the desert, water is more precious than gold and diamonds. It is life not only for men and women but also for camels and sheep! Clothes? Food? Shelter? You are a guest! May the stars and moons turn away from us, replaced by the scorching sun, if we ever fail to show proper hospitality."

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:44

"I would like to see a sorcerer," added Khalid, the third and youngest of the horsemen, "who not only knows how to fight like you but also how to make weapons like you! Not even the Emir has such a sword and dagger as you forged for me!"

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:45

Xing shrugged his shoulders, feeling like he was a cheater. Among the Badawi, few people possessed qi, so the result of the fun battle he had taken part in was predetermined in advance. No, Xing hadn't cheated: he hadn't strengthened his body or used his internal energy, but even without that, his years of training had paid off. He was simply faster, more skillful, and, of course, stronger. He'd even asked to use the forge partly because he wanted to make amends, even if these hospitable people saw no fault.

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:48

"But girls and women..." he began.

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:48

"Oh yes! You are mighty not only in battle, oh Kasim!" Tariq stroked his beard with satisfaction. "At night, they howled like a pack of hungry hyenas! And now, I hope they will bear healthy and strong children!"

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:50

"Children?" Xing interjected, blushing.

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:50

The endless nightly visits of the beauties, including both Tariq's daughters and wives, made Xing angry at first. For to share a bed with the wife or daughter of his host and to repay his hospitality with such blackest ingratitude would not have been dared by a complete scoundrel! But, as it turned out, the Badawi had their own customs. They valued new blood, especially the blood of strong warriors.

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:52

"Yes, children!" Tariq affirmed. "When my daughters are pregnant, and the suitors come running to them like camels to an oasis, I will demand a huge mehir, the biggest in the whole desert! And believe me, they'll pay for it! Too bad, I wish I could give all my daughters for you!"

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:53

"I..." Xing hesitated, choosing his words.

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:54

"Leave it, Kasim! I realize how impossible this dream is. You're a warrior on your way to your goal. And no woman should stand in your way! You have honored our tribe and done us great honor, and I would be a despicable scorpion if I tried to bind you! But still, please don't go to Akhribad! No matter how great a warrior you are, all your skill is irrelevant. Sorcerers don't fight fair. They fight with black charms, poison, or a poisoned dagger behind their backs."

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:55

"I'm sorry, Tariq," Xing shook his head. "You're right. I'm going after my goal. My goal is far, high, and perhaps even unrealizable."

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:58

"As a real man should!" Yasir exclaimed. "Close goals and small pleasures are the lot of women and cowards!"

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 22:59

"Hardships and adversity only harden the body and will," Xing quoted.

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 23:03

"Ahhh! How well said!" Khalid shrieked. "Who is the wise man who uttered these great words?"

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 23:04

"His name was Han, son of Guang Nao," Xing replied honestly, beaming with smugness.

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 23:04

"A great man, this Khan al-Naw ibn Guang!" agreed Tariq. "Neither I, nor my tribe, nor these women will prevent you from achieving what you want! On the contrary! Eat and drink, Kasim. As soon as the sun sets, we will give you the best camel and lead you to the Black Sands. And beyond that, I'm sorry, no one knows the way! None of the bravest and strongest warriors have returned from there!"

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 23:06

Sobs, lamentations, and quiet weeping were heard from the women's side of the tent.

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 23:07

"Hush, you silly women!" Tariq was angry. "Death is a man's eternal companion! And only he who is as fearless as a desert storm can repel its scorching embrace! But you know what, Kasim? We'd better go to the Black Sands tomorrow!"

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 23:25

The crying stopped instantly, and a playful giggle erupted from the women's side.

Camrad_RIP 29.01.24 в 23:26

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Camrad_RIP 28.01.24 в 18:10

The next night, they never went, nor did they go the night after. It took a dozen days, at the end of which Xing set out, accompanied by five horsemen. There was not a woman in the Tariqa tribe young enough not to visit him at night. Pretty and ugly, slim and full, short and tall. Xing did not refuse any of them as a guest. During the day, he occasionally used the traveling forge to forge weapons, but the rest of the time, he talked. He told the Badawi men and women about qi, about the ways of cultivation and development, about what he had learned over the years, comprehended through pain and sweat. And in Badawi, he found very diligent disciples. None of them had yet discovered the qi that was called ruh here, but Xing knew it was only a matter of time.

Camrad_RIP 30.01.24 в 00:08

The Black Desert was not black at all. The dark gray sand was permeated by bright scarlet streams of something Xing scooped up with his palm and identified as very small, opaque crystals. Anyone would have distinguished the Black Sands from an ordinary desert, not by color. The already great desert heat was increasing here to the point where even the air was melting. What struck Xing the most was the emptiness. The bright patches of fire spirits, so abundant in the desert, were almost completely gone here, where the best place for them to dwell seemed to be, and only sparse flames were showing on the surface.

Camrad_RIP 30.01.24 в 00:13

After bidding farewell to his companions and refusing to take his camel with him, Xing put his bags and burdens on his back, adjusted his flail and saber, and then set off.

Camrad_RIP 30.01.24 в 00:13

It was very easy to walk across the desert, no matter how dreary it might be for an animal or a man. The sand, of course, tried to move out from under his feet, but Xing, who could walk even on water, had no trouble at all.

Camrad_RIP 30.01.24 в 00:14