Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 541 The Legacy of the Dragon Kingdom: Ninglu Constructs Four Lines of Defense Against Chaos

The Shadow of Reigns, Primarch Office.

Nimrod pushed the data crystal that Hathor Matt had given him in front of Alsena Dunn and began to speak.

"I think you'll be interested in the content about the Dragon Kingdom."

“My lord, I am very interested in this ancient kingdom.” Arsena, who spent his free time engrossed in the mysteries of books and data boards, had a gleam in his eyes.

"Order that plazas be built in all the legion's territories as a public welfare, and require them to practice the Dragon Kingdom's 'Tai Chi'."

Ninglu recalled that the Thousand Sons would supervise the public's practice of "Tai Chi" in the squares of Tizika.

People find peace in gentle and precise movements, allowing the recurring cycles and graceful harmony to soothe their troubled minds.

The Tizka have a large number of mutants and psionics, and the Thousand Sons control potential dangers in this way.

Tizka remained unaffected until his death in Prospero.

After Ninglu accompanied Huang Laohan to Tizka, he did not find any promotion or use of "Tai Chi Chuan," which was obviously a secret that the "Thousand Sons" had obtained from the "Dawn Star Rescue" operation.

After examining it, he found that the "Tai Chi" was significantly different from the simplified version he knew.

The biggest difference is that there are many repetitive movements, and each movement needs to be repeated at least five times to achieve inner peace.

Ninglu speculated that it was possible that during the "psychic awakening" of the colony ship en route to Dawn Star, the crew of the Dragon Kingdom modified the "Tai Chi" style of martial arts.

Although "Tai Chi" cannot achieve the same effect as Untouchables and Holy Word-type psionicists, it is not even as effective as protective runes.

However, the biggest advantage is that it can be mastered at a low cost through learning.

The only resource that needs to be invested is time.

This is the defense line against chaos that Nimrod built for ordinary people; he built three lines of defense against the "shadow of order."

The outermost line of defense is the Delilah mindset, forged with unwavering willpower.

Willpower is the greatest weapon against chaos, and the Astartes hone their willpower through daily ascetic training.

Nimrod created the Thelma state of mind specifically for his offspring to enhance willpower and suppress the drawbacks of heightened perception.

The core defense line consists of the "Daydreamer" priests who examine Legion members, followed by purification through the "Sun" pathway.

The last line of defense is the "Land of Chaos," where the core members of the Legion can pray to the Black Emperor when they are unable to resist corruption.

At the same time, once someone is corrupted without being noticed and is pulled into the source matter, they will be discovered as an invading force and the corrupting force will be expelled.

"After you have reviewed it, hand it over to the Master of the Forge and the Curator of the Think Tank, and have them study the Demon Puppet together."

"Study the craftsmanship of the structures and learn from the wisdom behind them."

"Try to create psionic constructs, but never do so by summoning warp creatures," Ninglu solemnly warned.

In Ninglu's memory, the "Thousand Sons" during the Great Birthday Celebration did not possess the skills to create demon puppets; they only encountered them while searching for the fragments of Magnus.

Unable to find a suitable body, Tzeentch's chief archduke, Carlos the Weaver of Fates, temporarily resided in it and instigated Hathor, who had suffered a flesh mutation, to tamper with the Book of Magnus.

Subsequently, he made a deal with Ahriman to obtain Hathor's body, thus allowing him to descend into the real world.

Hathor used the abilities and clues he was given to discover a colony ship that should have been destroyed, and from it he learned the secret of the Dragon Kingdom's creation of demon puppets.

The silver-haired Primarch servant dared not be negligent and carefully took notes.

As Alsena walked out of the Primarch's office, Lucius stood at the door of Akulduna's cabin.

He raised his hand and tapped the rune, taking longer than expected. Six seconds later, the hatch opened.

Lucius entered the cabin, where the Primarch's attendant had prepared a dormitory for the Second Company Commander, which was much larger than his own as a new recruit.

The cabin was spacious enough to accommodate Lord Akulduna's easel.

After opening the door, he immediately returned to the support frame.

Lucius frowned slightly; in order to improve his swordsmanship, he requested to join the task force.

He wanted to seize every opportunity to spar with the First Court Swordsman and perfect his swordsmanship.

But he felt that he wouldn't get that opportunity today.

Lord Akulduna, though not as arrogant as other commanders, is warm and welcoming, except when he is painting.

"grown ups."

Seeing that the enthusiastic Achurduna did not turn his head, Lucius lifted his brush from the parchment and asked a question.

"Lucius, what is it?" "My lord, I wish to practice swordsmanship with you."

“I’m sorry,” Akulduna said apologetically, looking away from the canvas. “I have more important things to do now.”

"Your painting?" Lucius frowned, unable to comprehend that there was something more important than swordsmanship.

“That’s right.” Akulduna noticed Lucius’s disappointment and patiently explained to the promising young man he had his eye on.

"Inspiration is fleeting, and I must seize it in time."

"Can I take a look?" Lucius wanted to know what Akulduna was drawing, and more importantly, how long it would take.

Akulduna pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Although unfinished paintings should not be viewed by others, especially considering that the subject I painted is perfect."

“But Lucius, I’ll make an exception for you this time.”

Lucius walked up to the easel and stared intently at it.

He glanced at it and was disappointed; the painting only outlined the lines and was far from finished.

The next instant, he caught sight of a pair of wings.

wing!

Lucius knew of only two Primarchs who possessed wings—Nimrod and Sangilius.

Considering that they are on the Shadow of the Throne, the person drawn by Lord Akulduna is almost palpable.

"Lord Ninglu, the painting you made depicts Lord Ninglu."

“Yes, this is a challenge, so I can’t afford to be distracted or interrupted.” Akulduna’s gaze returned to the canvas.

“I understand,” Lucius said, and walked out of the dormitory.

In his mind, based on rumors, he sketched out an image of Nimrod: black armor, golden wings, a spear on his back, powered gauntlets, and...

A power sword that gleams with blue and white light.

Lucius's eyes lit up.

[Only Your Majesty can rival my father's swordsmanship; even the Lion King cannot match it.]
He walked toward the training deck, his gaze lingering on the waists and shoulder armor of the orderly shadows.

Both the Seventh and Eighth Battle Groups are renowned for their swordsmanship, especially the Eighth Battle Group...
After examining the area for a moment and failing to find a suitable target, he walked onto the training deck.

Lucius picked up a practice sword from the weapon rack. The emperor's sons would take turns training in weapons in order to perfect themselves in every aspect.

Of the entire legion, only he and Akulduna focused on honing their swordsmanship.

He tapped on the panel in the weapons training room, and the training cage opened.

[Hopefully, the training cage for "Shadow of Order" will be more useful.]
Lucius thought proudly that he had personally ruined one of his legion's training cages.

As the target dummy descended, Lucius flicked his wrist, and his blade stabbed out.

Lucius toiled on the training deck, but after a standard voyage, Lord Akulduna still hadn't arrived.

Frustrated, he once again entered the captain's quarters in Akulduna.

Akulduna put down his paintbrush and was about to speak to Lucius when his communicator suddenly rang.

After the call was connected, his adjutant, Solomon Demeter, spoke.

"Company Commander, the fleet has jumped to the real world."

“I will serve Lord Nimrod, and you will command the fleet,” Akulduna said confidently. All the emperor’s sons knew that he did not have the command abilities of Edoron and Vespasian.

His command abilities were only half that of Demeter; his unparalleled swordsmanship, unmatched in the legion, was the reason he was called the eldest son of Fugen by the emperor's sons.

"Yes, sir. I will share the tactical images to your tactical network."

“Lucius.” Lucius met Lord Akulduna’s eyes and felt as if he were facing two sharp blades; his heart pounded with excitement.

“Come with me to the bridge.” Lucius’s heart pounded. He had never met the Father of Genesis, but he was fortunate enough to witness the prowess of another Primarch, and a top-tier swordsman at that.

　PS: The Dragon Kingdom plot is in chapters 357-363.

　　The reference to Tai Chi, originating from page 250 of the official novel *The Thousand Sons*, reads: "Two exceptionally solemn statues guarded the entrance to a garden. Lemuel (note: one of the four founders of the Inquisition) stopped to watch a group of Tizika residents practice Tai Chi, with a Thousand Son warrior supervising. He found peace in the gentle, precise movements, letting the repetitive cycles and graceful harmony soothe his troubled soul." Since it was useful even to the founders of the Inquisition, its usefulness is left to the reader's imagination.

　　The term "demons" originates from the official novel *Crimson King*, first appearing on page five. (Ariman) states: "They are demons."

　　
　
(End of this chapter)