The candle flame flickered gently. Su Dan Gu's figure remained motionless, his lines sharp and cold, his gaze clear and detached. His hand, clad in a black glove, gripped the long blade, the back of his hand taut with restrained power. A long, dark shadow fell before the couch.
Yaoying stared into his eyes and noticed a faint, unusual glimmer in their deep jade-green depths, like a shimmering radiance.
It resembled the dazzling river of stars spanning the boundless night sky over the desert—overlooking the mortal world, profound, distant, vast, cold, and unattainably lofty.
Even the murderous aura swirling around him was icy and indifferent.
This solemn stillness, devoid of sorrow or joy, desire or want, was something Yaoying had seen in another person.
A peculiar feeling welled up in her heart. Unconsciously, she straightened up and leaned close to Su Dan Gu, scrutinizing his eyes closely.
They were clearly two entirely different individuals...
Su Dan Gu remained still, watching Yaoying calmly with an expression of detachment.
Yaoying quickly retreated to her original position and smiled at him. Driven by intuition, knowing he wouldn’t be angered, her smile unconsciously revealed a touch of confident, charming innocence.
True to her intuition, Su Dan Gu showed no anger. His face expressionless, he lowered his gaze. "Every time the Northern Rong conquer a tribe, the Khan immediately divides it into military districts for governance, appointing commanders. The strong young men of the tribe may become the commander’s private soldiers, while the rest become his servants, required to pay taxes to him. The commander not only leads the army but also manages all tribal affairs. Officers at the levels of hundred-household, thousand-household, and ten-thousand-household leaders are drawn from the Northern Rong nobility. Under the nobles, the entire populace serves as soldiers, ready to charge into battle when needed. All commoners are strictly categorized into several ranks by the authorities. Ordinary people can only advance through military achievements, which is why they fight bravely and fearlessly. Through this, the commanders firmly control all regions."
Yaoying frowned slightly.
Both the Northern Rong and the various states of the Western Regions still retained systems where nobles kept slaves, with the slaves’ livestock, tents, and all acquired belongings belonging entirely to the nobles. She had assumed that the Northern Rong, busy with conquests in recent years, neglected the management of occupied lands, merely plundering commoners for the nobles’ use. But hearing Su Dan Gu’s words, she realized that while the Northern Rong’s methods were barbaric, their rough management approach was indeed simple and effective. It not only suppressed rebellions in the tribes, rendering them powerless to resist, but also encouraged the young and strong to compete in pledging loyalty to the Northern Rong, expanding their territories.
Under such conditions, small tribes with few members would completely vanish within a year or two, and larger tribes would quickly disintegrate.
Under such strict hierarchical divisions, all commoners remained docile and submissive. Each person belonged to a specific commander or tribe, and traveling beyond a few dozen li required reporting to the nobles. In this situation, commoners dared not shelter or hide strangers and might even compete to report them. Sentinels and garrison troops could easily distinguish who were not subjects under Northern Rong rule.
Su Dan Gu continued, "The Northern Rong have a complete range of military units, including not only cavalry but also a large number of infantry. Among the cavalry, heavy cavalry go on campaigns, while light cavalry patrol. The Northern Rong’s light cavalry come from various tribes, familiar with the terrain and fluent in different tribal languages. They interact closely with the locals and interrogate the identities of any strangers passing through."
The Northern Rong strictly forbade commoners from traveling eastward. Any passerby who failed to answer the interrogations, whether of Hu or Han ethnicity, was executed on the spot.
Yaoying thought of the guards who had escorted her out of the frontier for her marriage alliance, her fingers trembling slightly.
Could the loyal guards who died under the blades of the Northern Rong light cavalry ever return to their homeland in spirit?
"In addition, the Northern Rong have trained a scout unit.""Scout troops?"
Yaoying murmured under her breath.
That's right—Haidu Aling nearly provoked wars among the Central Plains kingdoms precisely because he was deeply familiar with each country's situation and maintained an extensive intelligence network spanning the entire region.
So the Northern Rong had specialized scout troops dedicated to gathering intelligence and monitoring the movements of various kingdoms—and their scale must far exceed what she had imagined.
She sighed, her heart heavy.
The physical barriers—hundreds of miles of desolate wilderness, hunger, hardship, and illness—were nothing compared to the challenge of passing through layers of checkpoints and blockades.
Yaoying frowned slightly, sitting in deep contemplation.
Su Dan Gu remained silent, not disturbing her thoughts. The room was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
Suddenly, the candle flame flickered and dimmed. Yaoying snapped out of her reverie, unsure how long she had been lost in thought, and rose to take her leave: "Thank you, General, for resolving my doubts. It's late, and you've been exhausted from continuous travels—you should rest early."
Su Dan Gu made no response.
Yaoying studied him for a moment. Whether it was her imagination or not, he seemed colder than usual. Though he always carried this aura of lethal intent, she could perceive subtle differences now.
Like a killing blade freshly sharpened—glinting with cold light, sinister and razor-sharp.
All traces of his original self seemed erased.
What could have happened in the mere few hours since she last saw him? Why such a dramatic change?
Full of suspicion, Yaoying left the room. Her eyes shifted thoughtfully as she quietly asked Yuanjue: "Who has the Regent met since returning?"
Yuanjue asked warily: "Why does Princess ask this?"
Yaoying looked at him, her gaze fluid and meaningful.
Yuanjue straightened his posture, his face an unyielding mask of refusal to comment.
Yaoying smiled lightly: "It's nothing, just casual curiosity. The Regent staying up so late—even iron men need rest. You should persuade him to take better care of himself."
Yuanjue's expression softened as he acknowledged her words. He watched her figure disappear around the corridor corner, then paced back and forth, repeatedly pondering her earlier question.
Since returning, Su Dan Gu had remained alone in his room—not eating, not issuing orders, only exchanging a few words with the Princess. Yuanjue hadn't dared disturb him.
After about the time needed to drink tea, Yuanjue gritted his teeth and pushed the door open. The moment his long boots crossed the threshold, he was forced back a step by an overwhelming surge of fierce, murderous energy.
His heart sank as he looked up.
Su Dan Gu sat before the couch, eyes slightly lowered, brow tightly furrowed. A faint crimson glow seemed to emerge between his eyebrows. Every muscle in his body bulged with tension, his black robes stretched taut almost to tearing, while killing intent radiated from his entire being.
Yuanjue's face drastically changed. He wanted to approach, but his legs refused to move.
The room filled with oppressive, lethal atmosphere as the red between Su Dan Gu's eyebrows deepened.
An invisible pressure crashed toward Yuanjue, the immense force overwhelming him until he collapsed weakly to the floor. Biting his tongue to maintain consciousness, he crawled desperately out of the room using hands and feet, face pale, sweat soaking through layers of clothing. The cold night air hit his face as he gasped rapidly, a metallic taste rising in his throat. With a choked cry, he vomited a mouthful of blood.
Light footsteps approached through the quiet night.
Yuanjue immediately scrambled up, wiping blood from his lips, and waved away the guards who had come investigating the noise, signaling that all was well.
The guards withdrew.
Yuanjue's heart raced wildly as he turned back inside, closing the door behind him. Not daring to approach too closely, he knelt by the doorway, forehead pressed against the back of his hands, and tremblingly said: "My King, you should take your medicine now."The oppressive aura suddenly intensified.
Yuanjue dared not lift his head, trembling like a sieve, drenched in cold sweat.
After a long while, the murderous intent gradually receded.
Like clouds dispersing after rain or ice melting away, the terrifying killing aura that had frightened Yuanjue vanished without a trace.
He discreetly wiped his sweat and raised his head.
In the dim lamplight, Su Dan Gu, who had been sitting in meditation, seemed physically weakened, leaning back against the armrest with a slight tremble in his broad shoulders.
Yuanjue quickly scrambled to his feet, rushed to the couch, took out a medicine bottle, poured a pill, and fed it to him.
After taking the medicine, Su Dan Gu closed his eyes, pressed his palms together in prayer, his brow crimson and forehead beaded with sweat.
Not daring to linger, Yuanjue respectfully withdrew from the room, closed the door, and let out a long sigh.
They needed to hurry back to the Royal Court.
After some thought, Yuanjue summoned the soldier caring for the falcon and quietly gave a few instructions.
Less than half an hour later, the falcon flapped its wings and soared into the dark night sky.
...
Just before the Royal Court guards released the falcon, several soldiers in tight-fitting military attire slipped out of the courtyard and vanished into the vast darkness. Among them were Yang Qian's attendants, familiar with the city's layout, who led the others effortlessly through the shadows, avoiding patrols as they navigated streets and alleys to reach one of Yang Qian's private residences.
One of them entered the house and shook the soundly sleeping Yang Qian awake, saying, "The princess has ordered the plan to be moved up."
Startled from his dreams, Yang Qian asked in confusion, "Why the change?"
The messenger was Xie Chong, who explained, "The princess said she must return to the Royal Court immediately and has no time to delay."
Being bold by nature, Yang Qian pondered for a moment and nodded. "Moving it up is fine. I'll inform the king."
After discussing a few details, Xie Chong noted the time and location, took the bronze tally, and returned to the courtyard to report.
Yaoying listened to his report and nodded.
Xie Chong asked, "Princess, why move the plan forward? Isn't it too rushed?"
Ever since the princess returned from Su Dan Gu earlier that night and suddenly announced the change, sending him to relay the message to Yang Qian, he had been just as puzzled as Yang Qian about the reason.
Sitting before the lamp, Yaoying tapped the table lightly with her slender fingers, lost in thought for a moment before saying, "I've already caused the Buddha Prince too much trouble. It's better to return to the Royal Court as soon as possible."
Su Dan Gu was acting strangely. She couldn't pinpoint exactly how, but she had a strong intuition that they should return to the Royal Court.
...
The following evening, at the palace.
Lady Yina, generous and lavish, hosted grand banquets every night. The palace was brilliantly lit, filled with the melodies of reed pipes and music.
A burst of laughter echoed through the corridor as several golden-haired, blue-eyed Hu women in trailing long dresses emerged from Yuchi Damo's tent, swaggering past a lavishly dressed noblewoman surrounded by a crowd of attendants.
The noblewoman was none other than Lady Yina, the king's consort.
As the Hu women passed by, they deliberately loosened their collars, revealing their fair chests.
Lady Yina's face turned ashen as she asked the guards at the corridor, "Has the king received any ministers?"
The guard replied respectfully, "My lady, these past few days the king has only received... some beauties and singing girls. Yang Qian has also visited a few times to drink and gamble with the king."
Lady Yina narrowed her eyes.
That good-for-nothing from the Yang family? A wandering knight who only knew how to drink, gamble, and indulge in pleasures? Not a threat.
The guard cautiously asked, "My lady, should we stop those singing girls?"Lady Yina sneered, "Why stop them? The ruler is distressed from parting with his heir. Those slave girls can ease his loneliness—this suits my intentions perfectly. Don't interfere. Let him summon as many as he desires."
After all, Yuchi Damo was still the King of Gaochang. Though she had forcibly sent away his children, she couldn't push him too far. If he raised a banner of rebellion in fury, she would struggle to explain herself to Wahan Khan.
At any rate, she had already killed his son and daughter. Gaochang would inevitably belong to her own son henceforth.
Did he think favoring singing girls would provoke her? She was a princess of the Northern Rong—with her here, these entertainers were nothing but lowly slaves.
Wretches! How dare they flaunt themselves before her! Sooner or later, she would flay their skins...
Suppressing her rage, Lady Yina swept her sleeves and departed.
The banquet hall buzzed with laughter and clamor.
An hour later, a figure emerged from the boisterous hall.
Guards stepped forward, scrutinizing the newcomer—a woman draped in pearls, wearing a flowing gauze dress and a divine maiden mask. Exchanging glances, they retreated to their posts.
Since their lady had ordered no interference, there was no need to meddle.
The woman swayed her hips into the felt tent, her demeanor abruptly shifting. She removed the mask, revealing a handsome face with a prominent nose, deep-set eyes, and sharp, hawk-like yellow pupils.
"Has the King reached a decision?"
Sprawled on the couch with disheveled red hair and an open collar, Yuchi Damo snorted coldly. "That viper Yi Na imprisoned me and murdered my children! I, Yuchi Damo, swear undying enmity against her!"
He sat up abruptly, his expression venomous.
"If you, Prince, aid me in avenging this and killing that poisonous woman, Gaochang pledges loyalty to you. We will support your claim to the Khan's throne!"
A faint smile touched Haidu Aling's lips as he sat cross-legged, ignoring the latter part of Yuchi Damo's declaration. "You exaggerate, King. My own circumstances are precarious—I seek only to preserve my life."
Yuchi Damo's pupils contracted.
Haidu Aling remained too composed. Even now, he carefully avoided any mention of supplanting Wahan Khan, leaving no opening for accusation.
Maintaining his composure, Yuchi Damo widened his bloodshot eyes, feigning anguish. "You are the Northern Rong's foremost warrior, destined to soar like an eagle, revered by all! Yet your narrow-minded brothers envy your prowess and repeatedly plot against you. If you don't act soon, you'll end up like me—facing calamity!"
Haidu Aling chuckled softly. "My visit to you, King, is part of my planning."
In the dim tent, the two men locked gazes, each calculating silently.
Suddenly, rapid footsteps pounded outside the tent. Shadows flickered across the entrance as countless guards wielding torches surged from the darkness, converging on the felt structure.
The once-quiet corridor instantly swarmed with figures. Shouts, cries, and alarms merged into a deafening uproar that shook the very roof tiles.
"Assassins! Capture them!"
"By the Lady's command: take no prisoners! A hundred gold coins to whoever severs an assassin's head!"
Haidu Aling's face darkened as he glared at Yuchi Damo. "You set a trap?"
Yuchi Damo paled in panic, scrambling from his couch. "I didn't! Did you reveal your tracks on the way here?"
The terrifying whistle of arrows split the air—one after another, weaving a deadly net aimed directly at the tent.Haidu Aling drew the dagger hidden at his waist and rushed out of the felt tent. While dodging left and right and deflecting several arrows, he calmly scanned his surroundings.
The corridors and halls were densely packed with guards. Banquet guests fled in panic with their heads covered. Archers were ambushed at all four corners and on the rooftops, their arrowheads glinting coldly, coated with poison.
Outside the courtyard walls, shouts shook the sky as more people closed in.
Haidu Aling gritted his teeth.
How did Yi Na know he had come to Gaochang? Why had she set this ambush to kill him? Did she know that Jin Bo had died at the hands of his subordinates?
Yuchi Damo, pale-faced, grabbed Haidu Aling's arm: "Your Highness, you can use me as a hostage! Yi Na wouldn't dare kill me!"
Haidu Aling glanced at him sideways, his eyes narrowing slightly. Without hesitation, he seized Yuchi Damo by the throat, gripping his shoulder, and charged straight toward the guards.
Regardless of who had betrayed him, escaping the palace was the priority.
...
In the adjacent corridor separated by a wall, Yaoying, wearing a mask, climbed onto the wall under Yang Qian's protection. Hiding in the shadows, she gazed down at the courtyard below.
Haidu Aling was heavily surrounded. Arrows fell like locusts in a downpour, weaving an impenetrable net that trapped his tall figure.
She held her breath.
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