The festivities continued surrounding the Altar, and no one missed the presence of Lord Batu or Noyan. The princes of the Ulaan Tribe entered the ring one by one, taking on the brave warriors of the Tribe and showing off their prowess.
The Eldest Son, of course, did not partake in this as he was too strong for a normal person. The others, however, saw it as an opportunity to show off and build their influence.
Many wondered why Noyan would pass on such an opportunity, but then they would laugh it off immediately, thinking that the dainty little boy wouldn't be able to do anything even if he was there.
Lord Batu, however, wouldn't think so, as he was already somewhat aware of his son's abilities. However, even he hadn't expected how extraordinary Noyan was.
The elders, princes and the nobles of the Tribe also wouldn't dare to look down on Noyan if they knew what he was up to when everyone was enjoying happily without any worries. Unfortunately, no one bothered to check where he was. It was as though Noyan was invisible to them.
The night was filled with laughter, the clinking of cups, and the rhythmic dance of the flames licking the air. Songs of old battles and the bravery of ancestors filled the night sky, creating an atmosphere where the ordinary could feel like heroes.
***
In the quiet outskirts of the settlement, Lord Batu entered the enclosed arena, his expression unreadable. The fabric walls fluttered in the cold night breeze, leaving the ceiling open to the luminous gaze of the moon. His sharp eyes immediately landed on Noyan, who sat on a large rock, his posture calm, his eyes closed in meditation.
The arena was a stark contrast to the festivity at the Altar; the air was colder here, the silence almost palpable, only broken by the occasional howl of the wind.
As Noyan opened his eyes calmly, Lord Batu narrowed his eyes slightly, "At first glance, he looks fragile and weak, but the muscles beneath his clothes are clearly sturdy and well built." He thought inwardly in amusement. The moonlight cast long shadows, giving Noyan's silhouette an almost ethereal quality.
The arena, with its fabric walls fluttering in the chilly breeze, was like a secluded world where the only sounds were the soft whisper of the wind and the crackling of distant fires from the feast. It was here, in this isolated space, that father and son would interact closely as Lord Batu would begin teaching Noyan the secret Ancestral Technique of the Clan.
Seeing his father, Noyan immediately stood up and bowed respectfully with a smile. Inwardly, he was very excited to learn the special technique of the Tribe, his heart beating with a mixture of anticipation and respect for what was to come.
"Your mother told me that you managed to kill an Irregular Direwolf, not bad!" Lord Batu placed his hand on Noyan's shoulder and said laughingly.
Noyan's eyes brightened as he replied, "Thank you, father! I just got lucky…"
Lord Batu laughed, "Haha, don't be so modest!" Then, he walked towards a boulder and sat down, gesturing for Noyan to sit as well.
Noyan obeyed and sat beside his father, his expression expectant and his eyes brimming with anticipation. Seeing this, Lord Batu grinned, "You brat seem to be really excited to learn Today!"
Noyan nodded without any embarrassment, somewhat stunning his father on the spot.
"Do you know what kind of technique our Clan is most proficient at?" Lord Batu asked.
Noyan thought for a moment, his eyes flickering. Then looking into Lord Batu's eyes he replied, "I'm not fully aware, but I know that the Ulaan Clan's movement technique is the best in the entire Plains!"
"Exactly!" Lord Batu nodded, a glint of pride in his eyes. "Our Mirage Steps have been handed down since the era of the Northern Emperor. It's not just speed or agility—it's about creating illusions, making your enemy doubt what's real and what's not."
Hearing this, Noyan leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Father, does that mean our ancestor served the Northern Emperor?"
For a moment, Lord Batu was silent, his gaze distant as though recalling something long buried. "Yes," he said finally, his voice low and reverent. "The first patriarch of the Ulaan Tribe was a general of the Great Northern Emperor. His loyalty and talent earned him nobility, land, and even the Emperor's daughter as his wife."
Saying this, Lord Batu fell silent as if he was reminiscing about something. Noyan did not disturb him as he was also captivated by this revelation.
Lord Batu looked at Noyan deeply, then, as if he knew what Noyan was thinking, he said, "You understand what this means?"
Noyan's eyes widened with wonder. "Does this mean the blood of the Great Khan flows in us?"
"Indeed," Lord Batu affirmed, his tone heavy with pride. "We carry a noble bloodline. This is why we must never disgrace it. We can be killed, but we must never bow!"
Noyan was startled by the murderous aura that suddenly leaked from his father. Immediately, he felt goosebumps rising all over his body as sweat soaked his back. Suddenly, his body was suppressed as though he was having a sudden urge to kneel and grovel.
Noyan felt his scalp tingle from fear but did not want to show any weakness to his father. With great difficulty, he raised his head with dignity, resisting the urge to run away, and looked into his father's eyes.
Just as Noyan's knees began shaking, the pressure suddenly disappeared, and Noyan couldn't help but stumble back. After a while, he calmed his nerves and heaved a sigh of relief. Then he prudently looked at his father who was smiling softly.
"Good! You have courage! Now that you know the truth about our bloodline, always know that you must never disgrace it!" Lord Batu said as he tapped Noyan's shoulder.
Noyan nodded seriously and said, "Yes! I understand!"
"Good, now, let's begin!" Lord Batu said plainly, his expression solemn. The air around them seemed to grow denser, the weight of tradition and expectation hanging over them like the stars in the sky.