Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System-Chapter 43: Holy Scripture Sect and Primordial Sect
Knights or their followers typically only brought grooms along under specific circumstances, such as patrol missions that required several days of long-distance travel, or inspections of remote outposts.
On these kinds of journeys, their warhorses needed professional care to ensure they remained in peak condition.
In contrast, for short patrols that could be completed in a single day, or for raids like the one Lawson had participated in on the Northern Trade Route, followers usually wouldn’t bring grooms along, as they would only be a burden.
When Murphy quickly grabbed his ever-ready travel pack and went to the stables, he found that this was no small-scale expedition.
Besides Arthur, three other followers and their grooms were also making preparations.
The three grooms were Old John, Allen, and Duan.
Arthur carefully sized up Red Leaf, a look of approval in his eyes. "His coat is glossy, his muscles are full, and he’s been kept in excellent condition. It seems Lord Kelvin was wise to make you Red Leaf’s sole caretaker."
This follower, who had been promoted beyond the usual ranks nine years ago for his merits on the border battlefield, had always been known for treating his subordinates well.
Murphy bowed respectfully. "Thank you for the praise, my lord."
Arthur said, "Go prepare the pack horses. Bring five days’ worth of fodder. We’re heading to the Black Wood Forest Outpost this time."
On long journeys, the followers would usually ride pack horses to conserve their warhorses’ stamina, only switching to their warhorses when necessary.
In front of the public stables, Murphy, Old John, and the others selected the pack horses. They not only chose mounts for the followers but also, as usual, picked another pack horse to carry the supplies.
Seeing Murphy, Hank asked while grooming a pack horse’s mane, "Heading out on a long trip again?"
Murphy nodded. "Lord Arthur is going out on patrol. It’ll probably take a few days."
Bart leaned in and lowered his voice. "To the Black Wood Forest Outpost? Things have been tense over there lately. You’d better be careful."
Murphy skillfully fitted a saddle onto a horse. "Don’t worry, it’s just a routine inspection. There won’t be any danger."
Hank helped him check the reins. "Lord Arthur is an easygoing man. As long as you do your job, you won’t have to worry about being punished."
After their brief chat, Murphy led the saddled pack horse back to the main stable.
Arthur was already geared up and ready to go. He glanced at the gear Murphy had prepared, nodded in satisfaction, and said, "Let’s move out."
As Arthur and the other followers deftly mounted their pack horses, Murphy led Red Leaf and followed behind them along with Old John and the others.
...
Along the way, the four followers rode side-by-side at the front, discussing idle gossip, domain affairs, and combat techniques.
The grooms, meanwhile, followed silently behind, communicating only with glances and simple hand gestures, never disturbing the followers’ conversation.
After traveling like this for two days, the group finally arrived at the Black Wood Forest Outpost.
This outpost, located at the northernmost tip of the Duval Baron’s Domain, was a border sentry post between the Vilt Kingdom and the northern Rosenia Kingdom.
Although both kingdoms believed in the God of Stars and Truth, their interpretations of the doctrine were divided into two major sects.
The Vilt Kingdom, like other western nations, followed the "Holy Scripture Sect" of the Western Church Court, which emphasized orthodox interpretation of the scriptures and a hierarchical clergy.
Rosenia, on the other hand, adhered to the "Primordial Sect," which advocated a return to the Faith Origin and rejected the authority of the Western Church Court.
For three centuries, these two sects had argued over the interpretation of the same passages in the Star Truth Book.
It was this doctrinal schism that led the Vilt People to view the Rosenia People as a "Heretic Barbarian Race," and the Black Wood Forest Outpost had consequently become a vital stronghold on this frontline of faith.
In Murphy’s understanding, this standoff was, to some extent, like the geopolitical situation between NATO and Russia in his previous world. The respective positions of the Vilt Kingdom and the Rosenia Kingdom were also similar to the relationship between Ukraine and Russia.
The border war from nine years ago was just one of over a dozen major border conflicts in the last three centuries.
The outpost was built from rough-hewn logs and surrounded by sharpened wooden stakes. A flag bearing the Duval Clan’s crest of mountains and rivers fluttered from the watchtower.
Murphy led Red Leaf toward the stables. Just as he was about to tie the warhorse to a trough, he saw a familiar figure leading a pack horse from the other side.
It was Lawson.
This once-young Knight’s Attendant, Murphy’s old master and Red Leaf’s former owner, now wore a gloomy expression.
When he saw Murphy, he snorted coldly, a flash of displeasure in his eyes.
Even though Murphy had visited the Black Wood Forest Outpost with Arthur several times, Lawson had never once given him a pleasant look.
But Murphy still respectfully called out, "Lord Lawson," and then continued to tend to Red Leaf.
In reality, however, the current Murphy wasn’t afraid of him.
Having spent so long in the Baron’s Castle, he had long since figured out the strength levels of a Knight’s Attendant.
Lifting one hundred kilograms with a single arm was not difficult for a follower; it could usually be achieved after a year of training. But increasing one’s strength beyond that became progressively harder, like a bodybuilder approaching their physiological limit.
Depending on individual physique, a follower’s strength limit was typically between one hundred fifty and one hundred eighty kilograms with a single arm.
And after two years of relentless Cultivation, Murphy had now expanded the larger, perceptible twenty percent of his body’s Floating Meridians to their limit, allowing him to lift one hundred thirty kilograms with a single arm.
In contrast, ever since Lawson had been expelled from the Baron’s Castle and stationed at this remote outpost, he had lost access to the Special Medicines and the "Knight’s Breathing Technique" that aided Cultivation. It was a struggle for him to even maintain his previous strength of one hundred kilograms with a single arm. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
Of course, Murphy wouldn’t provoke Lawson for no reason.
He just wanted to raise horses peacefully in the rear, quietly complete the task for Option Two, and wait for his reward.
Therefore, after his respectful greeting, he continued to focus on caring for Red Leaf, grooming its coat and adding fodder, as if Lawson were just an irrelevant stranger.
Seeing this, Lawson’s expression grew even darker.
In the past, he could have disciplined any groom he pleased, even one not under his command, and no one would have dared to say a word.
But now, his position in the Baron’s Domain was awkward, and Murphy was with Arthur. If a conflict really broke out, he would definitely be the one to suffer the consequences.
In the end, he just shot Murphy a vicious glare and turned to leave.
Old John and the others were used to this. No one made any gossipy remarks, nor did they whisper to each other after Lawson left. They each just continued with their work.
Once Lawson was gone, Murphy found a relatively clean spot in a corner of the stables.
This outpost was very cramped. The grooms didn’t have their own quarters and had to sleep on haystacks in the stables at night.
He lay down casually and silently began to circulate his [Breathing and Guiding].
With only one month left in the five-year period for Option Two, he had to seize every moment to increase his strength and prepare for any crisis that might arise.
...
Late at night, a sudden, inexplicable palpitation jolted Murphy from a deep sleep.
Almost at the same instant, the hoarse, desperate shouts of a Guard came from the watchtower.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"We’re under attack!"
