The candlelight flickered gently. Su Dangu’s silhouette remained motionless, his features hard and cold, his gaze distant. His black-gloved hand gripped the long sword, tendons standing out with contained power, casting a long dark shadow before the couch.
Yao Ying gazed into his eyes, noticing a strange gleam rippling in the depths of his deep jade pupils.
Like the brilliant river of stars in the boundless desert night sky, looking down upon the mortal world—profound, distant, vast, cold, and unreachable.
Even the killing intent flowing around him was icy and detached.
This emotionless, desireless serenity—Yao Ying had seen it in another person before.
A strange feeling welled up in her heart, and she unconsciously straightened up, leaning closer to Su Dangu to examine his eyes carefully.
They were two completely different people…
Su Dangu remained motionless, calmly watching Yao Ying, his expression indifferent.
Yao Ying quickly retreated to her original position, smiling at him. Instinctively knowing he wouldn’t be angry, her smile unconsciously revealed a hint of righteous childlike charm.
Sure enough, Su Dangu wasn’t angry. His face remained expressionless as he lowered his gaze and said, “When Northern Rong absorbs a tribe, the Khan immediately establishes military control, appointing officers. Young men from the tribe can become officers’ private soldiers, while the rest become servants, required to pay taxes to the officers. Officers not only command troops but also manage civil affairs. The hundred-household, thousand-household, and ten-thousand-household chiefs are all Northern Rong nobles. All people under noble houses can be soldiers, able to charge into battle on horseback during wartime. All commoners are strictly classified into several ranks by the government. Ordinary people can only advance through military achievements, so they fight bravely without fear of death. Officers thus maintain tight control over all regions.”
Yao Ying’s brows furrowed slightly.
Northern Rong and Western Regions still maintained the system of nobles keeping slaves—the slaves’ cattle, sheep, tents, and possessions all belonged to the nobles. She had thought Northern Rong was too busy with conquest these years to properly manage occupied territories, only knowing how to plunder commoners for nobles to exploit. Hearing Su Dangu’s explanation, while Northern Rong was indeed barbaric, their brutal management method was simple and effective, not only suppressing tribal rebellions and rendering tribes powerless to resist but also making young tribesmen compete to serve Northern Rong, expanding their territory.
This way, small tribes would completely disappear within just a year or two, while large tribes would quickly fragment.
Under such strict class divisions, all commoners became docile and obedient. Everyone belonged to some officer or tribe, and traveling beyond dozens of li required reporting to nobles. In this situation, commoners wouldn’t dare harbor strangers, and would even compete to report them. Checkpoint guards could easily identify who belonged under Northern Rong rule.
Su Dangu continued: “Northern Rong has complete military branches, not just cavalry but also large infantry forces. Among the cavalry, heavy cavalry campaigns while light cavalry patrols. The light cavalry comes from various tribes, knowing the terrain and tribal languages, and maintaining close contact with locals. They question the identity of any strangers passing through.”
Northern Rong strictly forbade commoners from traveling east. Those who couldn’t answer the patrols’ questions, whether Hu or Han, were killed without exception.
Yao Ying’s fingers trembled slightly as she thought of the guards who had escorted her out of the passes for her diplomatic marriage.
Could those loyal guards who died under Northern Rong cavalry swords return to their homeland in spirit?
“Additionally, Northern Rong has trained a scout force.”
“A scouting force?”
Yao Ying murmured.
Right—Haidu Aling had nearly provoked war among Central Plains countries because he knew their situations well, having an intelligence network throughout the Central Plains.
So Northern Rong had a dedicated force for spying and monitoring other countries’ movements, and its scale surely exceeded her imagination.
She sighed, her mood heavy.
East-west separation, hundreds of li of uninhabited desert, hunger, hardship, and illness were nothing compared to passing through layers of blockades and checkpoints.
Yao Ying sat lost in thought, her brows slightly furrowed.
Su Dangu didn’t disturb her. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The candle suddenly flickered, the light dimming. Yao Ying snapped back to awareness, not knowing how long she had been thinking. She rose to take her leave: “Thank you, General, for enlightening me. It’s late, and the General has been working hard these days. Please rest early.”
Su Dangu remained silent.
Yao Ying stared at him for a while, wondering if it was her imagination, but she felt he was colder than usual. Though he always carried this killing intent, she could sense subtle differences.
Like a killing blade newly sharpened, gleaming cold, and deadly.
Everything that had been uniquely his seemed erased.
In just a few hours apart, what had happened to him? Why such a big change?
Full of doubts, Yao Ying left the room. Her eyes darted as she quietly asked Yuanjue: “Has the Regent met anyone since returning?”
Yuanjue asked warily: “Why does the Princess ask?”
Yao Ying looked at him, her eyes flickering.
Yuanjue straightened his chest, wearing an expression that said he couldn’t divulge anything.
Yao Ying smiled: “It’s nothing, I was just asking. The Regent still hasn’t rested so late—even someone made of iron couldn’t stand it. Please urge him more.”
Yuanjue’s expression softened. He made an acknowledging sound, watching her silhouette disappear around the corridor. He paced back and forth, repeatedly pondering her question.
Since returning, Su Dangu had stayed alone in his room, not eating or giving any orders, only speaking briefly with the Princess. He hadn’t dared disturb him.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Yuanjue gritted his teeth and pushed open the door. His boots had barely crossed the threshold when he was forced back a step by the fierce killing intent that struck him.
His heart dropped as he raised his head.
Su Dangu sat before the couch, eyes lowered, brows tightly knitted, a faint crimson seemingly rising at his brow. His muscles were swollen and full, his dark robes stretched tight, almost bursting. Killing intent surged around him.
Yuanjue’s face changed drastically. He wanted to step forward but his legs wouldn’t move.
The room was filled with murderous intent, the crimson at Su Dangu’s brow growing deeper.
Invisible pressure crashed into Yuanjue, the overwhelming force bringing him to his knees. He bit his tongue to stay conscious, crawling out of the room on all fours, his face deathly pale, cold sweat soaking through his layers of clothes. The cold night wind hit his face as he gasped desperately, tasting blood in his throat before violently coughing up a mouthful.
Light footsteps sounded in the quiet night.
Yuanjue immediately stood up, wiping blood from his mouth corners, waving off the guards who had come to investigate the noise, indicating nothing was wrong.
The guards withdrew.
Yuanjue’s heart pounded wildly as he turned back into the room, closing the door. Not daring to get too close, he knelt by the door, bowing his head with his forehead pressed against his hands, voice trembling: “My Lord, it’s time for your medicine.”
The pressure suddenly surged.
Yuanjue dared not raise his head, shaking like sifting chaff, drenched in sweat.
After a long while, the killing intent gradually receded.
Like clouds dispersing after rain or ice and snow melting, the terrifying murderous intent that had Yuanjue trembling in fear vanished like smoke.
He quietly wiped away his sweat and raised his head.
In the dim lamplight, Su Dangu seemed to lose strength, leaning back against the armrest, his broad shoulders trembling slightly.
Yuanjue quickly scrambled up, rushing to the couch to pull out a medicine bottle and feed him a pill.
After taking the medicine, Su Dangu closed his eyes, pressing his palms together as crimson spread across his brow, beads of sweat covering his forehead.
Yuanjue dared not linger, respectfully retreating from the room and closing the door before letting out a long breath.
They needed to hurry back to the Royal Court.
Yuanjue thought for a moment, then called over the guard who tended the falcon and gave him quiet instructions.
Less than half an hour later, the falcon beat its wings and flew into the pitch-black night sky.
…
Just before the Royal Court guard released the falcon, several guards in tight-fitting frontier clothes left the courtyard, plunging into the vast darkness. Some were Yang Qian’s servants who knew the city’s layout well, leading the others unhindered through the darkness, successfully avoiding patrol soldiers and threading through streets and alleys to reach one of Yang Qian’s private residences.
One entered to shake awake the soundly sleeping Yang Qian, saying: “The Princess orders the plan moved forward.”
Yang Qian awoke startled from his dream, confused: “Why move it up?”
The messenger was Xie Chong, who explained: “The Princess says she must return to the Royal Court immediately, there’s no time to delay.”
Yang Qian was bold. After thinking for a moment, he nodded: “Moving it up is fine, I’ll tell the State Lord.”
They discussed briefly, and then Xie Chong noted the time and place, took a bronze token, and returned to the courtyard to report.
Yao Ying nodded after hearing his report.
Xie Chong asked: “Princess, why move the plan forward? Isn’t it too rushed?”
After returning from Su Dangu’s quarters tonight, the Princess suddenly announced the plan change, sending him to relay the message to Yang Qian. When Yang Qian asked him why, he was just as confused.
Yao Ying sat before the lampstand, her slender fingers lightly tapping the table. After a moment’s abstraction, she said: “I’ve already caused the Buddhist Prince too much trouble. It’s better to return to the Royal Court sooner.”
Something was strange about Su Dangu. She couldn’t say exactly what, but she had a strong intuition they should return to the Royal Court.
…
The following evening, at the palace.
Lady Yina was generous and magnanimous, hosting grand banquets every night. The palace blazed with lights and resounded with music.
Laughter echoed in the corridor as several Hu women with golden hair and blue eyes, wearing trailing gowns, emerged from Yuchi Datmo’s felt tent, swaggering past a richly adorned woman surrounded by noble servants.
The woman was the State Lord’s wife, Princess Yina.
As they passed before her, the Hu women deliberately loosened their collars, exposing snow-white bosoms.
Lady Yina’s face darkened as she questioned the guard on duty: “Has the State Lord received any officials?”
The guard respectfully replied: “My Lady, these days the State Lord has only received… received some beauties and songstresses, and Young Master Yang of the Yang family has visited several times to drink and gamble with him.”
Lady Yina narrowed her eyes.
That Yang family wastrel? A wandering knight who only knew how to drink, gamble, and chase women? Not worth worrying about.
The guard carefully asked: “My Lady, should we stop those songstresses?”
Lady Yina laughed coldly: “Why stop them? The State Lord misses his son and is troubled. Those slave girls can help dispel his loneliness—that suits me perfectly. Don’t stop them. Let him see as many as he wants.”
After all, Yuchi Datmo was still Gaochang’s State Lord. She had forcibly sent away his children; she couldn’t push too far. If he raised the banner of rebellion in anger, she would have trouble explaining to the Wahan Khan.
Besides, she had already killed his son and daughter. Gaochang would belong to her son in the future.
Did he think favoring songstresses would anger her? She was a Northern Rong princess—with her here, these songstresses were nothing but lowly slaves.
Those worthless creatures! Daring to bare their fangs before her! Sooner or later she would skin them alive…
Lady Yina suppressed her anger and swept it away.
The banquet continued its noisy revelry.
An hour later, a figure approached from the clamorous hall.
The guards stepped forward to examine the newcomer. Seeing it was a woman wearing a goddess mask, dressed in a flowing gauze gown with pearls in her hair, they exchanged glances and returned to their posts.
The Lady had said not to interfere—no need to meddle.
The woman swayed into the felt tent, her bearing suddenly changing as she removed her mask to reveal a handsome face with a high nose, deep-set eyes, and pale yellow pupils sharp as a hawk’s.
“Has the State Lord considered?”
Yuchi Datmo sprawled on the couch, red hair loose, collar open, letting out a cold snort: “Yina has a snake’s heart, imprisoning me and killing my children. I, Yuchi Datmo, cannot coexist with her!”
He sat up excitedly, his gaze sinister.
“If the Prince can help me take revenge, kill that poisonous woman Yina, my Gaochang will pledge loyalty to the Prince and help you claim the Khan’s position!”
A smile touched Haidu Aling’s lips as he sat cross-legged, ignoring Yuchi Datmo’s latter statement: “The State Lord speaks too strongly. I’m in a difficult position myself now, only hoping to preserve my life.”
Yuchi Datmo’s pupils contracted.
Haidu Aling was too calm, refusing to mention replacing the Wahan Khan even at this point, leaving no handle to grab.
He maintained his composure, eyes bloodshot, saying painfully: “The Prince is Northern Rong’s greatest warrior, meant to soar like an eagle, admired by all. The other princes are narrow-minded, jealous of the Prince’s wisdom and valor, repeatedly trying to harm you. If you don’t plan for yourself soon, I fear you’ll face a great disaster like me!”
Haidu Aling smiled. “I came to see the State Lord precisely to plan for myself.”
The tent was dimly lit as the two men faced each other, each calculating.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the tent as shadows moved across it. Countless torch-bearing guards emerged from the corners, rushing toward the tent.
The previously quiet corridor instantly filled with people, shouts and cries merging into one as the roof tiles shook.
“An assassin! Catch him!”
“Lady’s orders—take no prisoners! Whoever takes the assassin’s head gets a hundred gold!”
Haidu Aling’s face changed as he glared at Yuchi Datmo: “You set a trap?”
Yuchi Datmo also looked shocked, scrambling up from the couch, stammering: “I didn’t! Did your movements get exposed when you came?”
Several chilling whistles split the air as arrows flew, forming a net over the tent.
Haidu Aling drew the dagger hidden at his waist and burst from the tent, dodging left and right while deflecting arrows, calmly scanning his surroundings.
The corridors and halls were packed with guards, while banquet guests fled in panic. Archers were hidden in every corner and on the roofs, their poison-tipped arrows glinting coldly.
Outside the courtyard walls, shouts thundered as more and more people gathered.
Haidu Aling clenched his teeth.
How did Yina know he was in Gaochang? Why set up an ambush to kill him? Did she know Jin Bo died at his subordinates’ hands?
Yuchi Datmo’s face was pale as he grabbed Haidu Aling’s arm: “Prince, you can use me as a hostage! Yina won’t dare kill me!”
Haidu Aling’s eyes slanted as he looked at him, then without hesitation seized his throat and shoulder, charging toward the guards.
Whoever had informed him, escape from the palace came first.
…
In a corridor separated by a wall, the masked Yao Ying climbed to the wall top under Yang Qian’s protection, hiding in the shadows to watch the courtyard below.
Haidu Aling was heavily surrounded, arrows falling like locusts, weaving an impenetrable net around his tall frame.
She held her breath.