Chapter 6: Inseparable as a Shadow

Gao Wen understood that the "holy war that will be eternally recorded in history" spoken of by this hermit refers to the Crusades, which spanned over three hundred years.

Who knows, perhaps it was this person who offended the zealous followers of the Sufi sect. I have also heard that a terrifying assassination cult has recently emerged in Persia, and perhaps it was these individuals who are responsible. Of course, as you, Brother Gawain, have suggested, it could also be the work of Malik Shah, who feared the power and prestige of the Grand Vizier. However, Malik Shah himself fell ill and died two months after the Grand Vizier's death. Now, having lost both a noble leader and a wise minister, the empire of the infidels is once again fragmented. Meanwhile, that Jalal al-Din Arslan has seized the opportunity to escape from his life as a hostage, returning to Anatolia, gathering the tribal warriors loyal to him, and confronting the Emir of Nicaea appointed by Malik Shah, whom I previously mentioned as Zahak, in an attempt to restore the legacy left by his father, Suleiman, and preparing to ally with the Emperor of Constantinople, who shares a common enemy.

Could it be that the revelation of Ajehe is telling me to remain in the Roman Empire where Constantinople is?" Gawain pondered, as he and Peter had walked out of the snowfield, traversing along the high ridge. To his right, the setting sun pierced through the clouds, bathing the entire slope in brilliant gold, while to his left, the dark night, devoid of sunlight, rushed towards him, turning the entire slope into an endless ink color. As they walked, it felt as if they were traversing two different worlds, a thin line between heaven and hell. To his right, the setting sun pierced through the clouds, bathing the entire slope in brilliant gold, while to his left, the dark night, devoid of sunlight, rushed towards him, turning the entire slope into an endless ink color. As they walked, it felt as if they were traversing two different worlds, a thin line between heaven and hell.

However, the territory we currently find ourselves in is under the rule of the Seljuk Sultan, specifically the Emir of Nicaea named Zahas. He is a vanguard of anti-Christian sentiment and the architect of this massacre. We can head southeast, taking the route through the city of Prusa, and then proceed to Ephesus, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Roman Sultan's court. It is said that the newly appointed Sultan is engaged in peace negotiations with the Emperor of Constantinople to form an alliance against the Normans, the Pechenegs, and Zahas. As he spoke, Peter leaned on his jujube wood cane, donned his prayer beads, and shouldered a small bundle of belongings, heading in the direction he had just mentioned. The old man appeared quite robust, speaking and acting with clarity, as if the corpses strewn about held no significance to him.

So, how exactly does the statement made by Ajehe, "the key to unlocking the endless wealth and power of the two oceans," manifest in this seemingly fanatical and mad Peter? He wanted to inquire, but then recalled another saying of that woman, "Too many words lead to loss, and one's fate is not long-lasting," and thus held back. Yet Peter continued to chatter incessantly, requesting Gavin to accompany him as his armed attendant with sword and armor, to escort him safely back to his homeland. However, "on the way, I must pay my respects to the emperor in Constantinople." He wanted to inquire, but then recalled another saying of that woman, "Too many words lead to loss, and one's fate is not long-lasting," and thus held back. Yet Peter continued to chatter incessantly, requesting Gavin to accompany him as his armed attendant with sword and armor, to escort him safely back to his homeland. However, "on the way, I must pay my respects to the emperor in Constantinople."

Peter's eloquence is indeed remarkable; he spoke at length, clearly articulating the current situation in the East: the Seljuk Empire, which once dominated the world and spanned the Caspian and Red Seas, has fragmented. The Sultanate of Rum in Anatolia is embroiled in internal strife between Cilicia and Zahas, and the Roman Empire in Constantinople is in a weakened state after significant losses. As Peter himself stated, this is indeed the best opportunity to unite all Christian kingdoms and knights, under the guidance of Saint Peter of the Catholic Church, to advance eastward and reclaim the Holy Land.

Gawain took a bite of bread, nearly breaking his teeth, and, wincing in pain while covering his mouth, continued to ask—It seems that this old man named Peter is no simple character; he has undoubtedly immersed himself in Asia Minor for many years and is well-versed in the local political situation

Stephen Gawan. Gawan intended to conceal his Chinese name, not for any other reason, but simply to avoid arousing any suspicion in Peter. However, this old man seems to possess a warm and trusting nature, much like his religious beliefs, once he becomes acquainted with someone.

Peter laughed heartily and said that this was a proverb spoken by a monk who went to Constantinople in search of ancient manuscripts. It means that Constantinople, this proud and wealthy metropolis known as the "Queen of the Seas," is the corridor and key that opens the two oceans of the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea, as well as the two continents of Asia Minor and Europe. As long as one masters this city, one can obtain inexhaustible wealth

But... the Sultan of the Seljuk Turks that you mentioned, has his influence already extended to this place? Does that mean our journey could be threatened by the pursuit of Turkish cavalry

Is this what Maliksha instructed someone to do

You may find it strange why the newly appointed Sultan of Rum would form an alliance with his arch-enemy, the Roman Emperor, regarding the Treaty of Zahas. Perhaps you have been captured by the Turks for too long and are not particularly aware of the situation outside—after the most formidable Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan achieved a great victory over the Roman Emperor at Manzikert, he unexpectedly died shortly thereafter. Following his death, his empire immediately fell into disarray, and his distant cousin Suleiman, who had been entrusted with the management of Anatolia, seized the opportunity to annex the Seljuk legacy in Asia Minor, rallying the various Turkish tribes entering Asia Minor and declaring himself the Sultan of Rum—'Rum' is the Persian pronunciation of 'Rome.' However, the Sultanate of Rum still nominally remained a vassal of Alp Arslan's son, Malik Shah. As he spoke, Peter retrieved a frozen, hard piece of bread from a corpse, brushed off the ash on top, broke it in half, stuffed one half into his pack, and handed the other half to the man behind him, Gao Wen. Malik Shah, with the assistance of the capable Grand Vizier, known as Nizam al-Mulk, revived his father's empire and sent his brother Tutush to defeat the Sultan of Rum established by Suleiman, that restless vassal, who killed the unfortunate Suleiman and reclaimed the territories east of the Taurus Mountains, while Suleiman's son, Kilij Arslan, was sent to Malik Shah's court as a hostage.

Indeed, what Ajiehe said was not wrong at all. With this thought, Gaowen's mind became active. He felt that achieving success in such an era was indeed a very interesting and meaningful undertaking. He couldn't help but recall Ajiehe's "key to opening two oceans" and continued to ask Peter, what is the "key to the two oceans"?

Gao Wen also carried the luggage and curved sword of the deceased Gurum slave soldier on his back, equipped with a fire starter and a fire stick, and with the "Sword of Phosphorescence" hanging from his belt, which could not be sheathed. Following the guidance of Ajehe, he trailed behind Peter. The two of them moved along the cold, dark river and the blood-stained snowfield, amidst burning branches and corpses, collecting military rations from the various bodies to sustain themselves for the next three to five days. "What is your name? I have yet to ask for your name, my fellow townsman, my brother."

In this season, the only fearless eagles and vultures circling above their heads, "Perhaps, along this journey, I truly must shadow this old man named Peter!"

Peter nodded and said that ever since the unprecedented defeat in the wilderness of Asia Minor twenty years ago, when Constantinople fell, the emperor was captured, and the imperial guard was completely annihilated, the entire Asia Minor has been swept away by the wild hooves of the pagans. The current emperor in the new capital of Rome is struggling to hold on, even hoping to seek assistance from the Church of Saint Peter and the Frankish knights of Western countries to help him restore Anatolia up to the territory of Bithynia. The entire Asia Minor has been swept away by the wild hooves of the pagans. The current emperor in the new capital of Rome is struggling to hold on, even hoping to seek assistance from the Church of Saint Peter and the Frankish knights of Western countries to help him restore Anatolia up to the territory of Bithynia.

Well, it means 'Sword of the Lion'. Let me continue, just last year, the Seljuk Grand Vizier Nizam al-Mulk was assassinated in his tent by a renowned Sufi.