Warhammer Cultivation: Cultivating the Tao Te Ching in the 40K Universe

Chapter 29 Departure from Ulanno

The message comes from Makado.

The message was simple: the Ulanor Expedition had been a resounding success, and the Emperor would hold an unprecedented triumphant celebration in the Ulanor system, accompanied by a momentous announcement. All Primarchs not stationed in key war zones were required to attend. Hector, as his "walker," was obliged to accompany him.

“Ulano…”

When Hector saw the name, his heart was instantly filled with turmoil.

Ulanor! This word, representing the pinnacle of glory in the official histories of the Warhammer Empire in another world, was synonymous with another word in the mind of this 'Thief of Secrets' from the future—the prologue to tragedy. He certainly knew Ulanor. It was more than just a celebration. It was the beginning of Horus Lupecal's ascension to the pinnacle of power, bestowed the title of 'Warmaster' by the Emperor. It was also his first step towards his downfall… The gears of history had finally turned to this crucial juncture.

Although the Nicaea meeting, which was supposed to take place later, had already concluded, Ulano still arrived, and it seemed to be unaffected by the order of the "nodes".

“I must go,” Hector said to Loka. “It is the Regent’s order.”

“Go.” Luo Jia nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Go see your ‘past,’ and see the ‘future’ of the empire. But remember, no matter how fierce the storms outside may be, hold onto the ‘stillness’ within your heart.”

Before leaving, Hector knew he had to prepare a "gift" for the warlord who was about to stand at the crossroads of fate. A gift... that might change everything.

He found the Sage Alcan in the laboratory, who was reverse engineering the "Qingxin Dan" (a traditional Chinese medicine).

“Sage,” Hector said bluntly, “I need your help. I need to create a… ‘magical artifact’.”

"'Magic artifact'?" Alkan's electronic voice was filled with confusion. "A new esoteric term that cannot be defined by logic?"

“You can think of it as a ‘passive silence field generator’,” Hector said, switching to a language he could understand. “I need a material that is pure and can stably support my ‘true essence’. At the same time, it needs a miniature, self-recharging energy core inside, and a… logical circuit that can react to specific mental fluctuations.”

Alcan's compound eyes began to flash at an extremely high frequency. He instantly understood Hector's intention.

“…The volcanic obsidian from Nocturne has the most stable crystal structure and the best energy conductivity.” Alkan’s logic engine began to operate at high speed. “The energy core can be powered by a miniature plasma battery. As for the mental wave sensing… we can implant a modified pineal gland chip from a psionicist’s skull and connect it to a miniature stasis field generator.”

“When it senses a high-intensity mental impact with malicious and chaotic characteristics,” Alkan’s electronic voice carried a hint of excitement belonging to the “creator,” “the stasis field will instantly activate, forming an absolute time-stop zone of 0.001 seconds around the wearer! Enough to… withstand any form of first fatal sneak attack!”

“Perfect.” Hector’s eyes also gleamed with approval.

In the following days, Hector and Alcan once again embarked on a collaboration that transcended civilizations.

With his exquisite skills, Alkan hollowed out a palm-sized, smooth volcanic obsidian and implanted all the micro-machinery he described.

Hector, holding his breath and focusing his mind, meticulously inscribed his purest "Taiqing True Essence," refined through countless trials by the Tao Te Ching, onto the inside and outside of the jade talisman, like embroidery. What he inscribed were not offensive runes, but rather protective talismans representing "tranquility," "non-action," and "guarding the One."

As the last stroke was made, the originally jet-black jade talisman shimmered with a warm, moonlit glow. It looked like an ordinary, exquisitely crafted jade pendant, devoid of any energy fluctuations, simple and unadorned.

But Hector knew that this small jade talisman had become the ultimate creation in the universe, a unique fusion of "Tao" and "Qi".

He named it "Tranquil Jade Talisman".

In addition, there was a very important person whom Hector was destined to meet at the celebration, for whom he also planned to present a grand gift, or rather, to secure some future support for himself. Of course, this "gift" could not be given in any direct way.

“We need to take a detour,” Hector muttered to himself, his gaze falling on a blank scroll made of silk unique to Prospero.

When Hector, along with his thirty cold-faced and resolute "Dao Guards," and the sage Alcan who had decided to accompany him due to his keen interest in "Dao of Alchemy" and "Talisman Artifacts," boarded the black escort ship that had come to greet him, Loka personally came to see him off.

“The road ahead will be fraught with difficulties.” Loka looked at Hector, his eyes, which had regained their luster, still held a hint of genuine worry. “Horus… he’s too much like our father. Proud, confident, and never doubting himself. Such a person is most easily blinded by victory.”

“I will be careful,” Hector nodded.

“Take this ship with you.” Luo Jia pointed to a medium-sized, dark red Word Bearer assault cruiser next to him. “The ‘Guardians of the Way’ need a home. Sage Alkan also needs a laboratory to continue his research. Consider it… my thank you for your ‘preaching’.”

Hector looked at the warship, then at Loga, and finally did not refuse.

“Take care, my friend.” Loka reached out and gently patted Hector’s shoulder. The gesture was no longer a Primarch’s bestowal of favor upon a mortal, but more like a farewell between equals. “Remember, no matter what, ‘Words of Loyalty’ will always be your support. And…” He paused, a complex light flashing in his eyes, “See him for me, Hector. See if behind Horus’s supreme glory lies the same… shadow of obsession that I once harbored.”

This instruction already carries the meaning of mutual verification among fellow practitioners.

Hector looked at this tragic Primarch, the first to fall into chaos in the original timeline, who now sincerely said "Take care" to him. He was filled with mixed emotions.

He knew that the seed he had planted had... truly sprouted.

“You too, my Primarch.” Hector bowed deeply. “Please… guard that little bit of 'stillness' within you.”

After saying that, he turned around and led his followers onto his own warship.

As the warship slowly sailed away from the "Words of Loyalty," preparing for a warp jump, Hector stood at the bridge window, taking one last look at the massive fleet that was quietly undergoing a transformation.

There was no joy in his heart.

Because he knew that he had only temporarily created a small tributary from a river that was flowing into the abyss.

But the true main channel, named "Destiny," continues to surge forward with unstoppable force.

His next stop, Ulanno, was precisely the most turbulent and dangerous section of the main river...

Chapter 30 War General Horus (Bonus Chapter 1)

For mortals, warp travel is a purgatory of the soul. But for Hector Kane at this moment, that ocean filled with madness and chaos became his perfect training ground. The assault cruiser he was aboard, named "Seeker," a gift from Lorca, sailed like a black boat amidst the roaring waves composed of pure emotion.

The ship's Geller force field trembled slightly under the corrosive influence of the subspace, emitting a low hum. But deep within the bridge, Heck sat cross-legged, his "silent domain" acting like an invisible, absolutely smooth mirror, completely isolating and smoothing away all malicious whispers and mad illusions that attempted to intrude upon the ship.

His guards, like thirty silent statues, stood around him, their cold will forged in hatred finding a long-lost peace in this area.

The sage Alkan of the Mechanicus connected himself to the ship's main logic engine. His countless optical sensors were recording every frame of data about the "Silent Realm's" resistance against the warp invasion with an almost greedy frenzy. He attempted to decipher the mysteries of "Tao" using the language of binary, but the result was only a series of contradictory and paradoxical error codes pointing to "the unknowable."

As the warship's engines emitted a roar that transitioned from tearing to smoothing, escaping subspace and returning to the real universe, everyone was deeply awestruck by the sight outside the portholes.

This is the Ulanno Galaxy.

Or rather, it was the heart of the entire empire, having just experienced one of the most glorious and greatest victories in the history of the galaxy.

Tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of warships, like an endless galaxy of steel and glory, floated silently in the void. They came from every legion and every expeditionary fleet under the Empire's command. The ferocious wolf head of the Moon Wolf, the Blood Angel's Blood-Dripping Grail, the Ultramar symbol of the Ultramarines... all the insignia shone brightly under the light of the green star of Ulanor, together forming a magnificent and awe-inspiring picture symbolizing the pinnacle of human military power.

In the heart of that steel galaxy, a colossal war planet, once belonging to orc warlords, has been utterly transformed. Mountains have been leveled, canyons filled, and in their place rises a magnificent city of gold and white marble, large enough to hold millions of Space Marines at once… Triumph City.

The Seeker, in the vast fleet, was as insignificant as a speck of dust. It slowly sailed toward the anchorage designated by Macado, located in the very heart of the fleet.

When Hector and his followers set foot on the grounds of the triumphant city via teleportation, a wave of frenzied excitement, a mixture of victory, pride, alcohol, and the smell of roasted meat, washed over them.

This is a hall of heroes, a carnival for demigods.

Thousands upon thousands of Space Marines removed their cold helmets, revealing battle-worn faces brimming with joy and pride. They raised golden goblets, chanting the Legion's war song, toasting this great victory with the names of their brothers. The air echoed with the heavy clanging of power armor, rough laughter, and praise for their Gene Father and their soon-to-be-crowned greatest brother.

In this golden ocean ignited by glory and alcohol, Hector and his party appeared like a drop of cold ink abruptly dripping into scalding gold. The guards behind him, clad in simple grey monk robes, wore faces devoid of the joy of victory, only a deathly stillness forged by the ashes of Monakia, like ancient ice. Their gazes were incongruous with the surrounding revelry; their 'silence,' born of extreme pain, even caused some of the drunken Space Marines who were too close to feel a chill, their intoxication dispelled by a third.

They were like a group of messengers from the dead of winter who had stumbled into a summer celebration.

“Mr. Kane.” A guard in dark gold power armor appeared silently before him. “The Marksman awaits you at the Sky Tower.”

The Sky-Piercing Platform was the highest viewing platform in this triumphant city. When Hector arrived, he saw the Imperial Regent, Macado, standing alone by the railing, overlooking the sea of ​​revelry below. His back was still thin, yet it carried a weight that seemed to bear the weight of the entire starry sky.

“You’ve come, child.” Macado didn’t turn around. “How does it feel? This is the pinnacle of the empire. An unprecedented victory, an unprecedented glory.”

“Yes, sir,” Hector replied calmly. “I saw flames, I saw… flames burning to their fullest extent.”

“Flame?” Macado slowly turned around, a knowing glint in his ancient eyes. “Flame can bring light and warmth, but it can also burn everything to ashes.”

He didn't seem to share the joy of victory with the soldiers below. Instead, his eyes held a deeper worry.

“The ceremony will officially begin in an hour,” Macado said. “His Majesty the Emperor will preside over it personally. At that time, he will announce an appointment that will change the future of the entire empire. And you will stand behind me as my attendant. Use your eyes, use your ‘Tao,’ to see, to hear, to feel. I need to know whether what you see is the same as what I see.”

Hector bowed slightly: "Yes, sir."

An hour later, as the green star of Ulano rose to the very center of the sky, a distant and majestic horn sounded throughout the entire city of triumph.

The sea of ​​revelry below fell silent instantly. Millions of Space Marines, as if controlled by an invisible hand, turned in perfect unison to face the coronation platform, the tallest and most imposing structure in the city's center, comparable to a mountain peak.

Then, he arrived.

There were no guards, no ceremonial processions. The Emperor's figure appeared out of thin air atop the high platform. He still wore that simple golden robe, which seemed to contain all the mysteries of the universe. He simply stood there quietly, but his very presence was enough to dim the stars and freeze time itself.

At this moment, all Primarchs and all Space Marines knelt on one knee and lowered their proud heads.

"The Battle of Ulanor is over." The Emperor's voice, though not loud, resonated clearly in the depths of everyone's soul. "An orcish empire that lasted for thousands of years, filled with savagery and ignorance, has turned to dust in the face of human reason and glory. This is a victory for all of us, a victory for the great human race."

"But the Great Crusade is far from over. Countless darknesses still await us to dispel in the galaxy, and countless lost brethren await our rescue. I cannot remain on the front lines of the Crusade forever. Terra, the heart of humanity's revival, needs me."

His gaze slowly swept over the forest of steel and genes kneeling on the ground below.

"Therefore, I need someone to take command of this invincible fleet in my place. I need someone to wield this sword that will conquer the universe in my place. I need a... War Master."

The whole world held its breath.

The Emperor's gaze finally settled on his most handsome and perfect son, who was kneeling at the forefront of all the Primarchs, clad in pure white power armor.

Horus Lupecal.

Chapter 31 The Jade Talisman of Tranquility (Bonus Chapter 2)

The emperor's voice carried a touch of paternal warmth and pride.

“My chief son, my ‘Morning Star’. Come forward.”

Horus slowly rose, and with steady steps, ascended the high platform. He stood before the Emperor and knelt on one knee once more.

"From this day forward," the Emperor's voice resounded throughout the galaxy, "you will be the War General of the Empire. My will will be manifested through you. My armies will obey your commands. In my stead, end the chaos in this galaxy. In my stead, bring unified peace to humanity."

Having said that, the emperor reached out and gently placed his hand on Horus's head.

A pure golden radiance, visible to the naked eye and brimming with authority and power, surged from the Emperor's palm and poured into Horus's body.

"For the Emperor! For the War General!"

It's unclear who was the first to utter such a fervent cry.

Immediately afterwards, a deafening roar of cheers, like a chain reaction that had been triggered, engulfed the entire planet!

"For the Emperor! For Warlord Horus!"

Millions of Space Marines roared and cheered with all their might, wildly raising their bombardiers towards the sky. They unleashed their unwavering loyalty to the Emperor, their joy at victory, and their adoration for the new Warmaster without reservation.

Hector stood in the shadows of the Sky Tower, silently watching everything.

There was not a trace of joy in his eyes.

Because, from his unique perspective of the "way of silence," he sees a completely different picture, full of ominousness and danger... of "fortune."

He saw that at the moment the Emperor crowned Horus, an immense, pure golden aura of glory, large enough to obscure the stars, converged madly upon Horus from all directions. That aura was so magnificent, so intense, as if it were about to elevate him directly to the altar of gods.

However, it was precisely at the heart of this destiny, beneath the most dazzling light, that Hector saw a… extremely subtle, yet utterly fatal… crack.

It was a wisp of... grayish-black, filled with "fiery" and "excited"... "fire".

This anger did not originate from the outside, but rather grew from the depths of Horus's own heart. It was the ambition that could not be effectively restrained after the rapid expansion of power; it was the pride that could no longer maintain humility under the admiration of the masses; it was the obsessive and fanatical obsession of being the "most perfect son" and not allowing himself to have any flaws.

This "fiery spirit" was still very weak at the moment, suppressed by the immense aura of glory. But in Hector's eyes, refined through countless trials using the I Ching, this spark was just a tiny fire that would eventually burn the entire grassland to the ground!

"Dry and hot metal will inevitably break and break."

An ancient pronouncement from Eastern epigraphy came to mind.

He finally understood that the tragedy of Horus did not begin with the demonic sword of Davenstar. Rather, it began... here and now. It began with this... most glorious victory that had elevated him to godhood.

The atmosphere became even more lively as the celebration moved into the dinner segment.

For the first time, the Primarchs, like true brothers, sat around a massive round table, drinking heartily. Even the usually somber Mortarion, for the first time ever, drank a cup of poisonous spirit from his homeworld. Saint Gilles and Horus sat side by side, their brotherly bond appearing so genuine and beautiful in this moment. But for some reason, this perfect angel unconsciously cast a pitying glance at Hector, who stood in the shadows. He seemed to sense from this mortal a profound stillness, utterly out of place in this frenzied atmosphere.

Hector, following Macado, stood silently in the shadows.

“What did you see, child?” Makado’s voice whispered in his ear.

“I see… a crack,” Hector replied in the same deep voice, “at the center of the brightest sunspot.”

Makado's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. But he didn't ask any further questions. He simply sighed softly.

“Go,” he said. “Horus is at his most elated and least alert right now. I need you to deliver a ‘gift.’ A… small ‘gift’ from me.”

He handed a data panel to Hector.

Hector knew that Macardo was creating an opportunity for him.

He held the data tablet, took a deep breath, and felt the cold, metallic texture as if it were his only anchor. He knew he was about to face the most charismatic mortal in the universe, a demigod at the pinnacle of his life. What he was about to do was akin to trying to throw a tiny ice crystal next to a volcano about to erupt. This was not merely an adventure; it was a transgression against 'destiny' itself.

But he was not afraid. He slowly circulated the mental cultivation technique of "Attaining Utmost Emptiness, Holding Firm Stillness," sinking all his inner fear, excitement, and heavy premonitions about the future into his dantian, transforming them into a still, undisturbed state. He was no longer Lin Chen, nor Hector; he was simply a practitioner of the Dao, a variable in history. Then, he emerged from the shadows…

Every step he takes seems to be stepping on a pivotal moment in history.

"Lord Warmaster."

When he walked to the round table, his calm voice, though not loud, was clear and pierced through all the noise.

Horus, who was clinking glasses with Saint Gilles, turned around at the sound. His handsome, godlike face bore a hint of intoxication and a genuine, warm smile, like the sun.

“Oh? It’s the Sealholder’s little messenger.” He recognized Hector. “What can I do for you, child?”