Summoning from Another World: A Grand Ambition

For twelve years he lived under the roof of others, nominally a prince, but in reality a prisoner.

Out of consideration for the alliance and his reputation, the Great Khan of the Hu tribe never lacked for his living expenses, and even allowed him to learn riding and archery and the Hu language with the sons of the Hu nobles. On the surface, he treated him with great courtesy.

But Mu Yunlingyuan knew perfectly well that the scrutiny beneath that gentle smile, the calculations behind the generous gifts, and the indifference shown by Hu Ting towards the "guests" all constantly reminded him of his true situation.

He was never truly considered "one of our own".

He suppressed all the turbulent waves belonging to adult souls under the innocent appearance of a three-year-old child.

He eagerly learned everything about the Hu people: their language, customs, horsemanship, swordsmanship, and even the subtle relationships between the tribes and the undercurrents of power in the Hu court.

Meanwhile, in countless quiet nights, by the dim light of the butter lamp in the tent, he repeatedly studied the Central Plains classics that his mother had given him, which were later sent by his uncle through various means.

The words of the various schools of thought, the essentials of historical records and military strategy, quietly nourished his otherworldly soul and taught him to examine the rules of this continent with a more detached perspective.

He also kept a close eye on news from the distant Muyun tribe.

I heard that my father, Muyun Lie, with the help of the elite cavalry of the Hu tribe, formed alliances and made steady progress. Over the course of several years, he finally defeated, drove out, or subjugated the five major tribes, and once again planted the banner of the Muyun tribe across the former territory.

I have also heard that, in order to consolidate the newly acquired territory and forge alliances with powerful allies, my father married the princess of the Xiutu tribe, who was known for her beauty and decisiveness, as his concubine.

Not long after the new concubine entered the palace, she gave birth to two princes in succession. She was deeply loved by her father, and the power of the Xiutu tribe behind her quietly took root and spread within the Muyun tribe.

His mother, who lived far away in his hometown, was protected by his maternal uncle, Tai Chujing, but he was inevitably isolated and powerless, and news of her became increasingly scarce.

These messages, whether overt or covert, were like the fiercest white winds of the northern frontier, repeatedly penetrating Hu Ting's warm tent and cooling his already cautious and warm heart.

Many nights, he stood alone outside his tent, gazing south and lost in thought. He gradually realized that he, the eldest son, might have long since become an awkward old symbol in his father's new family and new hegemony, a useless pawn forgotten in the corner of the magnificent cage of the Hu tribe's royal court.

The turning point came about two weeks ago.

His mother's cousin, his maternal uncle Tai Chujing, took advantage of Mu Yunlie's grand banquet for all the tribes to display his martial prowess, and in front of everyone, resolutely stepped forward, kowtowed to the ground, and tearfully delivered a speech.

Tai Chu Jing spoke with great passion and fervor, citing ancient rites and systems, and vehemently argued that "the distinction between嫡子 (legitimate sons) and 庶子 (illegitimate sons) concerns the foundation of the state; covenants and agreements must not be lightly broken."

He went further, saying bluntly, "How can the eldest son be left to wander outside while the youngest son is brought to his knees? How can this possibly bring peace of mind to the people?"

His words were powerful and resounding, moving many of his former subordinates and veteran officials in the tent to agree with him.

Perhaps it was Tai Chu Jing's grief and open questioning that stirred up the remaining fatherly instincts within him, or perhaps it was out of concern that forcibly suppressing the issue would alienate his old subordinates and damage his authority.

Perhaps still harboring some apprehension towards the Hu tribe and unwilling to completely sever ties, Mu Yunlie finally relented after a long silence and under the watchful eyes of the tribal leaders.

This is why Huyan Zhuo came to welcome him back, braving wind and snow on the king's orders. "Your Highness, your subordinate Cangye has come as summoned."

The tent flap was gently pushed open again, and a young man in black stepped in silently.

His physique was similar to Mu Yunlingyuan's, slightly slender, yet exuding the agility and pent-up power of a cheetah.

His face had the typical stern features of a grassland warrior, and his eyes were strikingly bright, sharp as a hawk constantly searching for its prey.

He carried a plain, black dagger at his waist, its sheath worn, as if it were an extension of his body.

He simply stood there quietly, exuding a silent and chilling killing intent tempered by blood.

He is Tai Chu Cangye. In the third year after Mu Yun Lingyuan entered the Hu court, on a snowy winter night, he was sent by Tai Chu Jing to keep him company.

For nine years, Mu Yun Ling Yuan not only saved his life, but also secretly taught him literature and martial arts, guided his mind, and cultivated him into the sharpest and most secretive blade in his hands.

He was the only person Mu Yun Ling Yuan could completely entrust his back to in this foreign royal court.

Mu Yun Lingyuan slowly opened his eyes. The slight ripples and melancholy that had arisen in his eyes due to memories had completely faded away, leaving only a deep pool of clarity and an unshakable determination.

He looked at Cang Ye, needing no superfluous words, his voice calm yet containing immense power:

"Cangye, twelve years have passed. The snowstorm is about to end. It's time... to go home."

Upon hearing this, Cang Ye's body trembled almost imperceptibly. Immediately, he knelt on one knee in the most standard posture, his forehead deeply touching the ground. His voice, hoarse and low due to the suppressed emotions, was incredibly clear:

"My life was bestowed by the prince; this body and soul belong to him. Through mountains of knives and seas of fire, through the deepest hells and the most desolate springs, I, Taichu Cangye, swear to follow you to the death, without a second thought!"

Mu Yun Lingyuan nodded slightly, his gaze passing over Cang Ye's bowed back and landing once more on the tightly closed tent door, as if he could see through the thick felt blanket to the still turbulent chaotic world outside.

The wind and snow continued to rage, and the sky remained dark. But in the endless depths of the intertwined yellow and gray, he seemed to truly see a sliver of light, struggling and persistently piercing through layers of wind, sand, and snow, clearly pointing south.

That was the direction of the Muyun tribe, the direction of home, and the direction from which his destiny began to beat anew.

He knew all too well that the road home would not be a smooth one for enjoying the snowy scenery.

The new queen's maternal clan's apprehension and scheming, the potential ambitions of her two young brothers, the wavering and probing of the tribe's observers, her father's complex and unspoken attitude, and even other tribes on the grasslands that are eyeing her covetously and unwilling to see the Muyun tribe's direct line return to power smoothly...

Countless open and covert attacks are already laid in wait on the other side of the snowstorm.

But he, Mu Yun Lingyuan, is no longer the three-year-old child who could only passively accept his fate and leave home in his mother's tearful eyes twelve years ago.

Twelve years of solitude served as a whetstone to sharpen one's will; twelve years of forbearance became a deep pool to accumulate strength; and twelve years of observation and learning gave one the eye to understand the rules.

The former hostage has quietly embodied the hardships of the Hu court, the wisdom of the Central Plains, and the bravery of the grasslands.

Today, Mu Yun Ling Yuan is like a sharp sword sheathed in a simple leather case, silent yet already sharpened, its sword energy hidden.

This time, he not only wants to return safely to the Muyun tribe, but also to reclaim the power and glory that rightfully belong to the eldest son, and protect his mother and the Taichu clan.

He wanted those who had forgotten him, despised him, or wished to eliminate him to see clearly and remember firmly:

Mu Yun Ling Yuan is the most legitimate heir of the Mu Yun tribe's bloodline, and is destined to stir up trouble and etch his name in the northern border of the Xuanxu Continent.

Inside the tent, the fire in the stove suddenly flickered, bursting into a few tiny sparks that cast a half-light and half-shadow on Mu Yun Lingyuan's young yet already angular and resolute face, as if carved from stone.

His straight back was elongated and projected onto the tent wall behind him, calm and majestic, as if he had incorporated all the known and unknown turbulent waves ahead into this tall and imposing body that was growing rapidly and poised to unleash its power.

"Come with me for a walk!"

"promise!"