Warhammer 40k: Shattered Steel Soul

It was midday, and the sun was hanging directly above the big tent. It passed through the round window in the middle and shone brightly into the tent.

I saw hundreds of people sitting around the big tent, speaking the Horqin dialect of their respective tribes and drinking from large bowls. A group of people each had weapons on them, some with empty gloves pointed at tigers, some with curved bows and arrows, and some with long sticks covered with gold at both ends, but most of them still had a scimitar that looked like a crescent moon, with sword marks all over it. In the black sheath, another three points of heroism are added.

Two wooden tables covered in maroon and covered with blue carpets were lined up at the main table, and two people, one tall and one short, were seated behind them. The taller one was extremely tall, and the wine bowls he held in his hands were also huge, and they could only hold one. Two mortal heads. Although the shorter one is not extremely short, when compared with the taller one, he is still like a small piece of black mist floating on the ground. There is nothing on the hands wrapped in black belts. Take it, tapping the side of the wine bowl.

Although it is a wine bowl, what is contained in that bowl is clearly a bowl of sweet and sour sand fruits. Each one is 120% orange-red, and it is stained with ice dew that will not fall off. It makes people salivate when they see it. .

In the field surrounded by hundreds of people, there was a fight that was about to start. Each of the two warriors wore a battle robe with rolled-up sleeves, holding an unedged blunt knife and staring intently at the opponent's shoulder. One had a straight single braid on the top of his head, and the other had messy short hair that was half burned by a fire, but was simply shaved off. It was easy to tell the difference.

The knife in the single-braided warrior's hand slowly moved forward, suddenly trembled, and with all his strength, he stabbed the bald warrior in the waist and abdomen. The latter's movement was three minutes slower, but he had already thought of a countermeasure. Using moves and moves, the sword can protect him. Like a prophet, he blocked all the swords of the single-braided warrior. Just listen to the constant clash of gold and iron, and dozens of moves are passed in an instant. The attack and defense are unpredictable, and the victory or defeat is difficult to determine.

"Although there are moves, there is no way to cope with the situation," the man in black laughed, leaning forward to pick up a piece of fruit from the wine bowl, and then leaned back on the soft fur seat. "So you have to risk attacking first."

The two swordsmen were going back and forth faster and faster. The single-braided long sword swung, and it slid diagonally two steps. He lowered his body and slashed with the long sword again, with a sudden attack. The bald-headed warrior responded to the situation, and although there were differences between slow and tight attacks, generally speaking, the attacks were getting faster and faster. The changes were complicated, forcing the single-braided warrior to be overwhelmed, left and right, and also dazzled the surrounding people.

Everyone was shouting noisily. Everyone who could get into the competition in the Khan's tent today was all the heroes from all the tribes. Those who could catch each other on the stage and wield weapons and draw swords in front of the Khan, and even more. Everyone has their own special skills, so everyone shouted loudly and applauded.

The Khan took a sip of wine, and Hasik on the side called someone to take the wine bowl and fill it up again for the Khan.

The Khan said: "How do you compare with the Terran people?"

Chagatai's tone was quite casual and friendly. The man in black ignored others, biting the fruit, and answered vaguely with what he meant on the surface: "Extraordinary spirit and superb martial arts."

"How about compared to the Olympians?" Khan said with his eyes focused on the competition.

"If you want to compare it with the mortals of Olympia, the warriors of Chogoris are considered to be unparalleled in bravery, but compared to the Astartes, huh..."

He laughed, and suddenly said "Oh" softly, and saw a flash of white light in the field, and the sword was spitting out from under his single-braided hand. The blade was as cold as a rainbow, and his speed increased to a higher level. If he hadn't made a breakthrough on the spot, then Even the initial move left three points of leeway, but this unexpected move suddenly broke the bald head's sword power, the blade turned diagonally, and the back of the knife hit the bald head's left chest with a bang.

The latter retreated, his lower body was in chaos, and the single-braided one immediately caught up. In the blink of an eye, he forced the blunt knife up, and struck the right shoulder with a blow. If a real knife had been used, the entire arm would have been removed in the blink of an eye. Even if it is a dull knife, it will take several days to swell before the blood stains disappear.

The audience immediately burst into breathless cheers, everyone clapped the table in celebration, and everyone admired him. The soldiers shook each other's wrists with the Chogorian etiquette, sweating like raindrops and panting again and again, and then each walked to the nearby table and drank strong wine to cheer up.

"——Uncut jade." The man in black changed the subject and said with a leisurely smile.

Khan laughed loudly and said: "But who else is here to compete in martial arts?"

The competition lasted from noon to evening. Except for the two non-humans on the main seat, everyone in the audience all raised their swords or fought with bare hands, each performing their own unique skills and fighting endlessly.

If it is said that all tribes in the grassland are really immersed in martial arts competitions, that is not the case. It was with the intention of showing off their fighting skills in front of the Great Khan that they went up one after another to start a fight.

After a barbecue in the evening, everyone dispersed, and the remaining few wanted to stay alone to talk to the Khan about various ministry affairs. Morse had no intention of surrounding them in front of them to listen to the important affairs of the tribe, so he went outside the tent, took a few steps, and reached an open space dozens of miles away.

Now the cold season when the snow melts has just passed, and the weather is getting warmer in Chogolis. The green and yellow background of the meadow is slowly coming out again. When the grass grows longer, the horse no longer has to work hard to chew the dry grass.

The atmosphere here has not been polluted by the empire's planetary transformation. The cold wind sweeps away the thin clouds, and the stars are shining brightly. Unfortunately, compared to Olympia, there is no orbital arc across the sky, which is really hard to get used to.

With nothing to do, Morse took the long letter out of the air. He couldn't bring himself to use real paper or pen, so he let the words with ink float on the empty letter paper.

"The cultural differences between some primordial planets and Terra are not big, and there are only obvious branches in the expression of civilization, such as Chemos, Corsonia and other places. Your Olympia should also be included in this category. In these places, it will be easier for the Terran legionnaires to achieve harmony with the soldiers who arrive later.”

"There are some places that are quite different from the culture of Terra. The typical example is undoubtedly Fenris. Leman Russ used an almost tough method to change the Sixth Legion into the Space Wolves of Fenris. You are in the current There is no trace of Terra in the Sixth Legion, unless you want to expand the definition of Terra.”

"As for the Fifth Legion, the Chogoris culture is not so much exclusive as it is assimilation. My experience and intuition tell me that the transformation of the Star Hunters in the future may even be gentle but rapid and spontaneous. Very strong."

——

"How can the Iron Warriors lack quick attack troops? Although they may not be as capable as the troops who specialize in this way, considering the organization of the army, they are indispensable after all. I think you have the intention to order the Fifth Legion If you have the opportunity to fight against the enemy together in the future, I will thank you in advance."

The Khan cast a sidelong glance, accompanied the man in black as he wandered aimlessly on the grassland, and said, "I don't have a reason to refuse."

One of them was riding a horse and the other was on foot. It should have been an unnatural sight, but considering that the horseman, including the man and the horse, was not as majestic as the Khan alone, the former did not want to leave. If you don't step, it's understandable.

"Then I have to ask further."

Morse smiled, jumped off his black horse, and caressed two handfuls of the shiny black horse's mane.

When he first came, he easily led the black horse that matched his clothes. The Chogorians thought that this strange man from outside the world had good skills in training horses, and they were very impressed. After a while, everyone realized something was wrong. The black horse had never obeyed the control, but was so frightened that he dared not move. This is also a strange thing.

"But it doesn't matter, Morse." Khan said, pronouncing the name of the man in black in a strange tone, looking towards the far edge. The sunlight filtered through the clouds and reflected on the long scar on his face, reminding people of the flash of a sword when it was thrust out.

Morse said leisurely: "The Astartes have always had the habit of adding talents to each other's legions. In the past, the Iron Warriors have cooperated with the Phoenix of the Emperor's Sons, the warriors of the Thirteenth Legion, and the psychics of the Fifteenth Legion. The scholars have had a lot of contacts, and they have gradually made up for the shortcomings in their respective fighting habits. However, the Fourth Legion still lacks the ability to attack quickly. If the Lord of Iron wants to send a small team to you, he will learn more. "What do you think?"

The Khan smiled: "Why not? But according to you, Chogoris will not be able to complete the transformation of new recruits in a few years. Even if I want to send people to you Iron Warriors, I can't select available candidates on hand." ”

"The apprentices I want to send here to steal the masters will not be able to pass the training of new recruits in a year and a half. I will record your words today and discuss them again in a few years. It is not too late. The Great Expedition has already begun. The conquest has lasted for about half a century, and I am afraid it will take more and more days before we can sweep across the world and unify the universe. "

The Khan felt slightly strange, "From what you said, how come you are paving the way for that little soldier before he even joins the legion?"

"Three years ago, Olympia held an event, one of which was equestrian. Perturabo saw that the winner of the equestrian competition, a child named Gebu, was of the right age and was willing, so he allowed him to be an alternate. Now, it’s almost time to go to the battlefield to practice.”

"Equestrian competition?" Dahan tasted the meaning of the words, with a look of regret on his face.

Khan cleared up his doubts and still felt that the Iron Warrior was somewhat different from what he thought. This army, which sounds solemn as the name sounds, actually plays some tricks with the people. I am afraid that even among the Astartes legions, it is rare, if not unique.

"In your story, you mentioned some kind of spiritual power, but I don't know what it is yet. I just mentioned that the 15th Legion also used this set of techniques. But it is similar to our weather magic. ?”

"That's true. They are all extraordinary techniques."

Khan inquired: "I heard that the imperial truth you spoke of does not seem to allow this principle of worshiping the nature of heaven and earth?"

Morse laughed: "Just listen to what the Emperor said. Once you know why he used those words, you will have your own answer as to whether the truth of the empire should be followed."

The Khan nodded and pressed the cross-shaped blade of the White Tiger Sword with his fingertips.

It sounds like from these words, whether it is the governance of the Primarch's home planet or the customs and habits of life, most of them are still based on the self-determination of the Primarch. This is of extraordinary significance to Chogoris.

Chogoris is the homeland of the Chogoris people. Since it bears the responsibility of the Great Khan, it must not be allowed to be interfered with by others, not even the human empire. Especially the Human Empire.

He was about to add a few more insinuations to explore the throne's attitude towards controlling the world under its jurisdiction, when he suddenly heard five or six horses galloping on the grassland. The sound of horse hooves made them approach in the blink of an eye.

"Great Khan!" the leader of the soldiers shouted.

Khan glanced at them: "Where are you going, should you?"

"Go prepare to attack Paladin's capital." The warrior said.

"How are you going there?"

The soldier smiled cheerfully: "Get ready first and practice equestrian skills with the brothers."

Khan sneered: "Go!"

Several soldiers saluted the Khan who happened to bump into them one by one, and then galloped away.

The wind suddenly rose and then went away, and the sky suddenly fell into a narrow slit in the distant mountains, illuminating the high mountain ridges on the edge of the Artak Plain. That is the back of the world, holding up the dome of the falling sky.

At this time, the snow season has passed, and a trace of deep green dyes the mountains, depicting the dark eyebrows of all things returning to spring. The sky is silent, but the four seasons are moving, the light has not turned, and everything is alive.