Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 634 - 633: The Intent of the Officers and Soldiers

Anyway, the army rations are suited to the taste of most soldiers, heavy on salt and oil. Soldiers expend a lot of physical energy, so they need this kind of food to get through the day’s energy requirements.

"By the way, General Zhu, that nuts candy you brought us yesterday, it was really delicious, and just like you said, very satisfying. I ate just a small piece yesterday, and I wasn’t cold at all when I slept last night," Deputy Commandant Zhang said.

Tribune Zhao chimed in, "It’s true, when I first ate it, I thought, ’Isn’t it just candy? That’s for kids and women, how could men like us heading into battle get a taste of this stuff?’ But it turned out to be just like Tribune Zhao said; I didn’t feel hungry all night after eating it."

Tian Peng originally had no idea that the nuts candy could be so powerful. Hearing what Tribune Zhao and Deputy Commandant Zhang said, he kept it in mind. If this item was so good, then when time allowed, he would speak with the Shopkeeper to see if they could make this nuts candy. It was filling and preserved well; it would definitely be useful in the future.

"Then I really did buy the right thing," Tian Peng said with a smile, "I just listened to that Tibetan tell me how good his product was. At first, I just thought it was tasty and didn’t see any other use for it, but it seems it really is quite useful."

After finishing their meal and resting for a while, the morning training began.

These trainings were systematic and not much to look at, similar to exercises for strengthening the body. The interesting stuff was the competitions and the combat in the fighting arenas, but those didn’t happen every day, so the morning just passed like that.

The atmosphere was certainly good, albeit lacking in fun. But Tian Peng wasn’t looking for fun; he was planning to cultivate while waiting for the chance to become an Immortal.

During the midday break, Tian Peng saw that he had some time, so he hurried back to his tent to begin cultivating.

Tian Peng was a latecomer to cultivation; he really didn’t know how to do it, but at least he had gained some experience back when he was among the Immortals, and he knew the basics of breathing exercises.

Cultivation seemed to also be about breathing, absorbing the Spiritual Energy from all things into one’s body to circulate. That’s why most sects in the cultivation world were located in deep mountains.

Sitting inside the tent, Tian Peng felt the Spiritual Power circulating within him, and although it wasn’t much, it was better than nothing.

The Spiritual Energy slowly entered his body as it circulated, and Tian Peng felt a warm sensation at his Dantian.

That warmth was quickly absorbed from the Dantian, and he felt much refreshed all over, as if he had slept for three days and nights and woken up full of energy.

After circulating the Spiritual Power, it was already afternoon and time for training to start. Tian Peng got dressed and stepped down from the bed, walking outside to be greeted by the cold air rushing towards him, sweeping away any lingering drowsiness.

"What are we training this afternoon?"

At the training ground, Tian Peng asked Deputy General Chen. Since yesterday, he felt an inexplicable affinity towards Deputy General Chen; the saying ’no fight, no kinship’ must be this kind of feeling.

"The Great General said that this afternoon he plans to take you to patrol near the Boundary Monument," said Deputy General Chen.

"The Great General should be ready now, General Zhu, I’ll get you a thicker cloak later. It’s going to be twice as cold tonight as it is now. If you wear the cloak and ride on a horse, it won’t be as cold."

"Patrol?" When Tian Peng heard these two words, his eyes lit up instantly. He wanted to see what the border of the Great Tang was really like.

He had planned to go by himself when there was time off, but to his surprise, on the very first day, the Great General was going to take him on patrol. This was good too; it saved him from taking wrong turns on an unfamiliar path.

"Yes, you wait, I’ll have someone fetch the cloak for you," Deputy General Chen said.

"I don’t need a cloak; I’m not afraid of the cold. Wearing one might actually make me uncomfortable." The cloaks here must be the thick and heavy kind.

He saw the Great General’s cloak yesterday, and it was exactly like that, as thick as wearing a quilt, not comfortable at all. It’s much more refreshing without one.

When Deputy General Chen heard Tian Peng refuse, he immediately said, "That won’t do, General Zhu. You don’t feel it as much in the camp, but it’s truly bitter cold by the Boundary Monument. The wind cuts to the bone."

"You can’t imagine it from your time in the Central Plains and Chang’an. Once you actually experience it, you’ll know just how fierce the winds of the northwest can be. This cloak has been prepared especially for you. We received your measurements in the letter and had it made for you after we received them."

Tian Peng was going to refuse again, but hearing the item was made specifically for him and was already prepared, he felt he must accept it and didn’t protest further, "Then thank you for your troubles."

"What troubles? You’re a general; there’s no need for such words with your subordinates," Deputy General Chen said as he waved his hand to signal a soldier to fetch the cloak and continued speaking with Tian Peng.

"Is that so? But how come I didn’t feel your subordinate attitude towards me yesterday?" Tian Peng joked.

Deputy General Chen’s face stiffened, he sighed, "General Zhu, can we not put this matter to rest? Must you keep dwelling on it?"

Tian Peng chuckled twice, "Well, I am simply stating the truth. How is it that you can commit such acts but I’m not allowed to make a few remarks?"

"Alright, alright, you’re right," Deputy General Chen conceded with a gesture of respect. "We were guilty of underestimating you, and it’s our fault for giving you reason to reproach us. Please, speak your mind. I’m listening, however you wish to express yourself."

"Hey, if you want me to speak, then I will!" Tian Peng responded loudly, just as a subordinate came over with the cloak, which he took with ease, "Now I suddenly don’t want to talk about it, I’m leaving!"

Deputy General Chen watched Tian Peng’s retreating figure with a smile. This young general had the face of a boy, but in all other respects, he was not at all like a normal young man should be.

But then again, with his abilities, how could he truly be just a normal young man.

Carrying the cloak, Tian Peng went to find the Great General. On the way, he worried about the cloak in his hands; it was so heavy and thick that wearing it would feel like carrying a mountain on his back.

But it was also a token of the soldiers’ regard for him; not to wear it, once given, would be to disappoint the expectations of his men. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

While he was agonizing over this, the Great General came out from his tent.

"Oh, General Zhu, you’ve received the cloak the soldiers prepared for you?"

Tian Peng looked up, draped the cloak over his shoulders, and saluted the Great General, "Great General."

The Great General nodded and said while looking at the cloak in Tian Peng’s hands, "It is indeed cold here, a chill that Chang’an could never imagine. The letter said you travel light, and your armor won’t be ready until a month after your arrival. One of the soldiers, very thoughtful, noticed the cold here, saying it’s impossible to manage without a cloak, so they saved sheepskins specifically to make this cloak for you."

"The soldiers are considerate," Tian Peng said with a smile.

"Why are you holding the cloak and not wearing it?" the Great General asked. "It’s even colder outside the camp. Put it on quickly; we’re about to set off for the boundary."

At this point, it really would be impolite not to wear it.