The night sky was woven with countless stars, and the grassland stretched endlessly. If one held their breath and gazed upward at the sky, this moment felt as tranquil and beautiful as the ancient poetry described by village elders in childhood—utterly impossible to imagine that this place had just experienced a fierce slaughter, a bloody battle that lasted from dawn’s first light until the moon reached its zenith.

Elder Yu withdrew his thoughts, and what met his eyes were corpses extending to the horizon. Faint wails and the neighing of warhorses could be heard in the distance, broken battle flags swaying slightly with the smoke from burning remains. Silent and weary soldiers moved about in orderly fashion—some searching for their fallen comrades, others ensuring no enemy chieftains were feigning death.

The air was thick with the heavy stench of blood and the acrid smell of burning human and animal corpses, but the night wind slowly swept across the grassland, continuously diluting the intense murderous aura left by this great battle.

Elder Yu knew that no matter how many died, no matter how many tears were shed, the sun would not cease rising and setting, the night wind would not stop its moaning, and the next day would arrive just as always—just as when news of his last remaining brother’s death arrived, his elderly mother cried herself blind, yet the following day was a bright sunny day auspicious for weddings and groundbreaking.

Elder Yu straightened his shoulders and continued forward, carrying two buckets of hot water. Behind him followed two orderlies similarly bearing large buckets of hot water. The three of them turned into the largest golden-topped tent in the military camp. Inside, generals wearing various colored armor sat or stood, some deep in thought, others laughing heartily, pointing at an enormous sand table spread on the ground. Elderly and middle-aged local scholars stood nearby, chattering about something. At the center of it all stood a tall, fair-skinned, handsome young general.

One refined-looking deputy general turned to see Elder Yu and laughed, “Elder Yu has finally arrived! Let’s quickly wash up—this smell is truly unbearable!”

Zhang Shan said with a playful grin, “Our young Madam Li is so particular…”

Li Si said angrily, “Which beast dumped three bottles of scented powder on himself last time! Next time you steal my new clothes, I’ll geld you!”

The generals all laughed heartily.

Elder Yu and the two orderlies poured the hot water into several basins in the corner of the golden tent, mixing it with cold water. Elder Yu alone attended to Huo Buyi’s washing, while the other orderlies and attendants served the other blood-covered generals.

Removing armor and loosening the blood-matted hair, Elder Yu looked at the gradually clouding water, then at the wound-covered tiger’s mouth of the handsome young man beside him, and said quietly, “If the Marquis knew, he would surely be pained that you don’t take better care of yourself.”

Huo Buyi said, “On the battlefield, blades and arrows have no eyes. Uncle Cui understands this.”

Elder Yu sighed without speaking. In his heart, someone of Huo Buyi’s golden and precious status should be an elegant young nobleman in the prosperous capital, surrounded by fragrant carriages, beautiful women, fine horses, and carved saddles—how could he be licking blood from blade’s edge in this desolate, cold frontier garrison?

A middle-aged general said, “Lord Huo charged too fiercely today—I couldn’t even stop you. You nearly got swept into the left vanguard. Especially at noon, when you launched that flank attack on that old thief Gan Xie’s central command tent, I turned my head and couldn’t find you—scared me half to death. Zhang Shan, you bastard, when you charged out with him, you didn’t even call to me—are you dead?! Elder Yu, when you return, report this severely to Marquis Cui!”

Another pot-bellied old general also laughed, “What use is reporting to Marquis Cui? The Marquis indulges everything the Lord does anyway. I say we need to have Marquis Cui report severely to His Majesty!”

Li Si frowned, “Two generals at your age, always wanting to tattle.”

Zhang Shan laughed, “When you get old, you love to tattle. When the two generals were young, they would have pinned the Lord down themselves—why tattle?!”

Everyone laughed again.

Elder Yu lowered his head and smiled quietly. Actually, Elder Yu wasn’t old—he was about the same age as Cui You, and had even served as Cui You’s attendant in childhood.

The Yu family had worked as clerks in Cui family shops for two or three generations. Because the Cui family treated servants generously, even during years of war and chaos, Elder Yu’s parents were able to safely raise eight healthy sons.

Later, when the Cui family followed the current Emperor in his uprising, Elder Yu’s parents listened to storytellers for several days and, filled with heroic spirit, felt that the Yu family’s time to rise had come. They requested that Cui You allow the Yu family sons to enlist, to earn some merit.

However, even though Cui You personally made arrangements so that the Yu family sons didn’t need to start as common soldiers, within less than ten years, all seven of Elder Yu’s older brothers had perished. Two were killed outright on the battlefield, two died from stray arrows, two succumbed to severe wounds, and one drowned in a raging river during a retreat, unable to remove his armor in time.

Elder Yu’s parents cried their tears dry and finally understood the saying “one general’s success is built on ten thousand bones.” Those who could fight their way to wealth and fame were exceptional among men, and those who could battle to the very top were descended from stars—not only did they need outstanding ability, they needed ancestral blessings and invincible luck, or they absolutely couldn’t endure to the end.

So Elder Yu’s parents once again sought Cui You’s help, asking that Elder Yu simply stay by Cui You’s side as an orderly. Merit didn’t matter—what was most important was that the family live peacefully and remain together. Cui You agreed. Thereafter, Elder Yu carefully attended to Cui You inside and out, working tirelessly before horse and saddle, eventually becoming someone Cui You could trust.

Later, the realm gradually came under the Emperor’s control, and Cui You no longer needed to wage frequent campaigns. Elder Yu became a contented head steward in the Cui residence. Five years ago, when Huo Buyi had his incident and was exiled to the Northwest, Elder Yu again followed the tearfully wailing Cui You to this desolate frontier land.

What exactly had happened to Huo Buyi, Elder Yu didn’t really know. However, he did know one thing—regarding this exile, inside and outside the court, from the capital to the Northwest, no one except Huo Buyi himself took it seriously.

Never mind that this “exile convict” of golden hall and jade horse status was personally accompanied and protected on his “escort” to exile by Marquis Cui, a first-rank minister of the current dynasty. On the day Huo Buyi arrived, the two Regional Commanders of the Northwest rushed to express their concern and care, thoroughly reminiscing about the magnificent bearing of General Huo Chong in bygone days—though these two men should never have actually met Huo Chong. Furthermore, the foremost prominent family in the region gifted a newly built magnificent estate to serve as Huo Buyi’s lodging, and a noble young woman, Madam Luo, frequently came to offer warmth.

At first, Cui You was deeply moved, feeling that these two frontier officials were so enthusiastic. Later he learned that the Emperor and the Third Prince had sent letters one after another, hinting either subtly or explicitly. Who knew that Huo Buyi was determined to live in some horse-raising grounds in the wilderness? At that time his injuries hadn’t healed, so Cui You could only cry and make a scene, saying he had failed the late Madam Huo and didn’t want to live either. In the end, Huo Buyi compromised and moved into a quiet, old mansion.

The year after exile, Imperial Commissioner Yu arrived in the border city with luxurious supplies—clothing, food, and necessities that would make all the bandits north and south of the Tianshan Mountains drool. Of course, officially he came to deliver an imperial edict—the Emperor was having Huo Buyi “atone for crimes through merit,” promoting him to Border Commandery Commander.

Everyone thought: The first part is unnecessary—we all understand. Your Majesty, you’re really not subtle at all.

The third year of exile, the Second Prince Consort also came with large and small packages and substantial military funds to visit Marquis Cui (stop pretending), and incidentally deliver an edict—having Huo Buyi continue to “atone for crimes through merit,” promoted to Vice Regional Commander of the Northwest Campaign Headquarters, with authority to independently recruit troops, establish his headquarters, and manage the various Northwest tribes.

Everyone thought: When will they remove that “Vice” character? By the way, who’s the “Chief” anyway?

The fourth year of exile…

Everyone thought: So exhausting.

Yet Elder Yu felt the Emperor was a truly benevolent gentleman. For this wounded land to have such a kind and good-hearted sovereign was a blessing.

The years on the Northwest frontier were both lonely and busy. Elder Yu was charged with attending to Huo Buyi, so he knew some things others didn’t.

When the Liang Qiu brothers were still arguing about whether to tell Madam Luo about Huo Buyi’s injuries, Elder Yu had already very sternly commanded the servants inside and outside the residence that regardless of how angry Madam Luo became, she absolutely could not enter the study, bedchamber, or council hall even one step.

When Li Si and Zhang Shan were still betting on whether Huo Buyi actually liked Madam Luo, Elder Yu had already secretly informed Marquis Cui that in the deep of night, Huo Buyi often caressed that ring of zither strings on his wrist, and begged Marquis Cui to absolutely not join in the matchmaking attempts for Huo Buyi.

Elder Yu also knew in his heart that Huo Buyi genuinely wanted to receive punishment, but the Son of Heaven refused to allow it.

After washing was complete, the generals and three scholars sat down again. Elder Yu lifted the tent flap and ordered the attendants to file in with food boxes and wine. They served everyone their meal. When wine and food were finished, a messenger outside the tent came to report. Huo Buyi wiped his hands and said to let them in. Then Liang Qiu Qi entered the tent, cupped his hands, and said, “Tu Hun Ha and Wulü Chan Bu have been brought.”

An elderly scholar with years-old scars on his face revealed a fierce look in his eyes. He cupped his hands and said, “Lord Huo, these barbarians have the nature of tigers and wolves, cruel and vicious dispositions. Better to kill them all…”

Huo Buyi waved his hand to stop him, “Don’t be hasty. Let me finish questioning them first… A Qi, bring in Tu Hun Ha first.”

The tent immediately quieted.

Liang Qiu Fei led several soldiers in pressing a tightly bound person into the tent. The man had a tangled beard and loose braids, his face covered in blood. Even pressed to kneel on the ground, he continued roaring, his Chinese clumsy and unpracticed: “…Huo Buyi, you cursed treacherous Han! If you want to kill, then kill—you cannot humiliate me!”

Huo Buyi said oddly, “But you weren’t captured in direct combat with our military commanders. You were fleeing when you fell into General Wang’s ambush—weren’t you already humiliated then?”

The generals burst into laughter. Tu Hun Ha struggled to catch his breath, “In any case, you’re all treacherous thieves. You killed so many of our tribe’s people—I’ll definitely never let this go with you…”

Before he finished speaking, Zhang Shan said softly, “This man actually speaks Chinese, and quite well too—he even knows ‘let this go.'”

Huo Buyi smiled, “Don’t judge by our Right Wise King’s rough appearance—he’s actually a studious person. Several years ago he began learning Chinese from captured Han slaves.”

Light laughter rang through the tent. Tu Hun Ha’s ears turned red as pig’s blood.

The middle-aged scholar frowned, “That this man painstakingly learned Chinese shows his ambitions are not small.”

Huo Buyi said, “Scholar Jia speaks well. According to our informants’ reports, from his youth this man has loved things from our Central Plains—be it pottery, incense, silk, even poetry and beautiful women… he loves it all dearly.”

Tu Hun Ha said angrily in shame, “Huo Buyi, you treacherous thief! You killed my brother—I cannot share the sky with you…”

Huo Buyi seemed very surprised, “Eh? Haven’t you and your brother, the Quan Qu Khan, always been at odds?”

Tu Hun Ha froze.

“Ever since your father passed away five years ago and he inherited your tribe’s khanate, he’s repeatedly suppressed you.”

“Four years ago he took away the female slave you loved, then tortured her to death.”

“Three years ago he took away half your men and population. You broke into his tent in the night, and each of you stabbed the other.”

“After that you two brothers maintained separate tents. This battle, if Gan Xie Khan hadn’t forcibly pressured you to make peace and taken your children hostage, you wouldn’t have agreed to come no matter what…”

As Huo Buyi exposed his secrets one after another, Tu Hun Ha nearly choked with rage, as if stripped naked. He shouted, “Enough! Stop this nonsense! Matters of the grasslands will be settled by grassland heroes ourselves—we don’t need you sowing discord! The matter between me and my brother is the same—no matter how deep the enmity, it’s a matter between our own people! But this time you deliberately provoked conflict, forcing us into a corner with no way out, only able to combine forces and battle you—that is truly genuine deep hatred!”

Huo Buyi patiently explained, as if teaching a child, “We Han people gather in settlements, farming and laboring daily, living peacefully. But you people, whenever you see good weather, bring your men to raid, killing and burning with all manner of evil. The fields we painstakingly cultivated—who knows how many lie abandoned now. Villages we finally built become empty ruins. But there’s no such thing as guarding against thieves for a thousand years. Having no choice, I could only devise some methods to gather you tribes who refuse to live peacefully in one place, then eliminate you all at once. Since you’ve read Han books, you’re somewhat more reasonable than other khans and wise kings—you should know my words are true.”

Tu Hun Ha knew this was the truth and gave a low grunt.

Huo Buyi continued, “You’ve taken in so many Han slaves—you should know what the current situation in the Central Plains is. Do you think you can still burn, kill, and plunder then leave as you did before? I might as well tell you—in today’s battle, your brother was completely annihilated. Now those men of yours who were captured are all that remain of your tribe’s males. Have you thought about how to face the elderly, weak, women, and children waiting on the other side of the grassland? They believed your brother’s words—they’re waiting for you brothers to lead them to better days.”

Tu Hun Ha’s eyes showed regret. He said quietly, “Actually, I also advised my brother and Gan Xie Khan. Previous years were fine, but now that your Central Plains has gradually stabilized, you’ll certainly free up your hands to deal with us. Several hundred years ago, Khan Modu was so powerful, unified the entire grassland, raised cattle and sheep extending to the horizon, had more warriors than stars—yet even he couldn’t defeat the Central Plains Emperor. He was beaten until his family was destroyed, even his ancestral holy ground was destroyed, and he died on the road fleeing. We… we need to stop…”

Huo Buyi stood up, hands behind his back, and walked over, “When you passed through many tents just now, did you see my soldiers digging a large pit to the west?”

Tu Hun Ha suddenly became alert, “You—what do you want to do?!”

Huo Buyi smiled, “In the Han books you’ve read, did they mention a general named Bai Qi?”

Tu Hun Ha’s entire body stiffened, “You—you want to—to bury us alive…” Bai Qi was a demon incarnate—he buried alive five hundred thousand people. How many people did his own tribe have?

Huo Buyi turned to ask Li Si, “How many total did we capture today?”

Li Si pretended to think, “Later on, more and more surrendered. Especially after they saw Gan Xie Khan’s royal banner fall—they surrendered even faster… Well, at least seventy to eighty thousand. Counted separately, this Right Wise King’s forces surrendered the most—accounting for one-third.”

General Wang added, “Including the wounded, it definitely exceeds one hundred thousand.”

Zhang Shan said, “What use are the wounded? Heal them so they can fight us again? Better to push them into the pit—done and settled.”

Tu Hun Ha trembled, “I—I heard your current Emperor is famously benevolent, which is why I quickly ordered my men to surrender, telling my warriors not to resist stubbornly. Otherwise, with the valor under my command, even caught in an ambush, if we’d fought to the death, you might not have so easily captured me alive.”

General Wang pondered, “That’s not wrong. Speaking of which, thanks to him, my troops avoided much casualties.”

“Begging for mercy should look like begging for mercy,” Li Si said coldly.

Tu Hun Ha’s eyes filled with hesitation, torn in two directions.

Huo Buyi stared at him steadily, “…Go down first and tend your wounds. Later I’ll have a well-read scholar explain reason to you properly. Whether the remaining men, women, elderly, and children of your tribe live or die—you decide yourself.”

The soldiers on either side stepped forward to escort Tu Hun Ha out of the tent. The Liang Qiu brothers then brought in a barbarian bound only at the arms behind his back. This person appeared somewhat younger, with a light brown complexion and a pair of golden-gleaming eyes that were exceptionally alert.

Seeing Huo Buyi, he automatically knelt on one knee.

Huo Buyi said, “Wulü Chan Bu, regarding the matter of allegiance I discussed with you last time—what do you say now?”

Wulü Chan Bu hesitated, “I know the Lord means well, but we grassland men are accustomed to riding horses and herding, moving with water and grass. Now having us settle in one place, this I fear…”

Huo Buyi sneered, “Accustomed? Hmph! If we speak of ‘accustomed,’ it should be that whenever you lack something, you come raid our towns and cities, and our common people should be like livestock for you to drive and enslave!”

Wulü Chan Bu looked troubled, “What the Lord says is correct, but… but though my grandfather was the former Great Khan, he has already passed. Even if I inherit grandfather’s banner, I may not command universal response. Even if I’m willing, many elders and wise kings may not agree.”

Huo Buyi said, “Don’t speak so well of yourselves. Your several tribes combined forces, but your hearts weren’t united. Among you are quite a few like yourself who don’t wish to be enemies of the court, and many more who want to preserve strength and pick up scraps. If you continue being obstinate, next battle I won’t show mercy. In my view, rather than die by my hand, better you clean house yourself, Little Khan. Then you can not only enforce orders, but also receive the court’s rewards. What say you?”

Wulü Chan Bu gritted his teeth, “Fine! I’ll return and deal with those who won’t listen. However, you must lend me the crossbow unit you promised last time for a few days, in case of need!”

Huo Buyi nodded and had someone untie Wulü Chan Bu and take him away.

A young scholar turned his head, “This is the only remaining grandson of the late Hu Nu Great Khan? I’ve heard he’s brave and skilled in battle, and though young, has considerable prestige.”

Scholar Jia said, “Correct. Observing the battle today, I found something odd. The forces this man commanded had several opportunities to charge through but pretended and withdrew halfway. I originally thought this man was greedy for life and feared death, but later when General Li led troops to pursue, I found his subordinates very difficult to handle…”

The elderly scholar frowned, “I heard that after Hu Nu Great Khan passed, the many tribes he’d gathered were in chaos for a while. Several sons and grandsons fought among themselves, and other tribal khans took advantage to annex much of their water, grass, cattle, sheep, and population.”

Scholar Jia smiled, “Lord Huo has chosen well. At first when I saw this man captured, fighting hard to sell his life, I thought he had a stubborn temper. Turns out he’d long harbored intentions to submit.”

The young scholar said puzzled, “Then are we supporting Tu Hun Ha or this Wulü Chan Bu?”

Several military officers and Scholar Jia all laughed. Zhang Shan patted the young scholar’s shoulder, “In doing business, what’s most taboo is having only one buyer—you must guard against them demanding exorbitant prices. You need to find several sellers—that’s how business is done properly.”

The elderly scholar said with a cold face, “This old man thinks these barbarians are all ungrateful wretches—better to kill them cleanly!”

Scholar Jia sighed and advised, “Ah, I deeply understand your feelings, sir. We families settled in the Northwest—which haven’t suffered harm from these barbarian tribes? Just ten years ago, two of my clan brothers died at their hands. However, His Majesty does not wish to wage great warfare causing widespread suffering—we cannot fail to understand His Majesty’s intentions. Moreover, the seven or eight tribes that participated in this battle, and the many tribes that didn’t participate—they’re all watching us. The key to control and conciliation is combining kindness with authority, mutual restraint—making them both fear and giving them benefits.”

Huo Buyi smiled, “Scholar Jia can understand His Majesty’s intentions—I must report this to His Majesty to comfort the imperial heart.”

Scholar Jia’s eyes flashed with light.

Huo Buyi continued, “Since it’s so, later please have Scholar Jia explain reason properly to Tu Hun Ha—poetry, romance, morality, and propriety. Supporting Wulü Chan Bu alone isn’t enough. If Tu Hun Ha is willing to bow his head, that would be best.”

Scholar Jia accepted the command.

The tent was full of laughter when suddenly a messenger entered and whispered low numbers in Huo Buyi’s ear. Huo Buyi’s expression immediately changed. He smiled slightly and said, “There’s urgent business. Please, generals and scholars, drink a few more cups. I’ll take my leave first.”

Everyone naturally agreed. Zhang Shan even laughingly indicated that with Huo Buyi gone, they could drink more freely.

Huo Buyi smiled and hurried away. Those remaining in the tent discussed among themselves—

“We just won a great battle—what urgent military matter could General Huo have?”

“Now that the realm is settled and all within the four seas is peaceful, where else isn’t pacified? Isn’t this obvious?”

“You mean the Gongsun clan in Shu? Don’t just guess wildly.”

“General Qian is right. Didn’t you see the bamboo water container the Shu people favor at that messenger’s waist? I think it’s Shu affairs.”

“General Wang has keen eyes! I heard long ago that General Huo would depart soon to enter Shu from Long and coordinate front and back with the court’s grand army against the Gongsun clan. Now it seems true. No wonder General Huo didn’t want to entangle further with the barbarians.”

“Nonsense! These days Marquis Cui has continuously been organizing troops and preparing for war, gathering provisions far exceeding what we used in today’s battle—that must be for another purpose! Zhang Shan, don’t just drink—say something!”

“Say what?! With wine to drink, still can’t shut your mouth? If I speak wrongly, it shows my intelligence is lacking. If I speak correctly, I’m leaking military secrets—you want to kill me?!”

“Hahahahaha! Fair point. Forget it—drink, drink!”

“Drink! But the Shu expedition preparations are nearly ready, aren’t they? What news did General Huo hear to leave so hurriedly…”

“Speaking of Shu’s dangers, they’re truly dangerous. Just heard that General Chen who led the grand army was assassinated by death warriors raised by the Gongsun family. His Majesty immediately replaced him with Lord Weng Junshu. Aiya, wonder how things are now.”

…

In another golden-topped tent, Huo Buyi looked gravely at the urgent military report delivered by swift horse and cried out, “Lord Weng was also assassinated? Didn’t they say strict precautions had been taken?!”

This messenger was actually one of Huo Buyi’s trusted confidants who did covert work. With no one else around, he explained in detail, “With General Chen’s precedent, how could Lord Weng not take strict precautions? He guarded with layer upon layer! Alas, who knows where the Gongsun clan found such a peerless master—truly possessed of valor that none can withstand. His bare palms have the power to split stone monuments, and he forcibly carved out a bloody path. The Gongsun family’s death warriors following behind him took advantage of the chaos to shoot Lord Weng with crossbows concealed on their arms.”

Huo Buyi pondered for a long time, “…Looks like I must lead troops and depart next month, first entering Long, then attacking Shu.”

The messenger’s expression suddenly became strange. Huo Buyi caught it with one glance and asked, “What else do you have to say? Speak quickly.”

The messenger cupped his hands, “It’s not really anything major, just… just that you previously had this subordinate inquire about the Yuan family…”

He felt somewhat embarrassed—these past years, his master had inexplicably had him investigate whether Young Master Yuan’s words and deeds from birth to present showed any impropriety, plus whether the Yuan family’s eight generations of ancestors had any terrible household customs. No matter how foolish he was, he could guess something.

Huo Buyi’s expression sharpened, “Has something happened to Yuan Shen? No, that’s not right. Yuan Shen should currently be in the capital. Then it must be his father, Regional Inspector Yuan. What’s happened to him?”

The messenger secretly sighed at Huo Buyi’s quick mind and reported, “Regional Inspector Yuan was originally ordered to gather provisions in eastern Jing Province and help the front army manage wounded soldiers and military equipment. But just as this subordinate was investigating everywhere to discover who that master assassin who killed Lord Weng was, I saw Regional Inspector Yuan leading Yuan family warriors and guards hurrying toward Shu, saying he wanted to help General Wu avenge Lord Weng’s blood debt together.”

Huo Buyi tapped his fingers on the desk and said quietly, “This… doesn’t seem like the usually cautious and careful Regional Inspector Yuan’s way of doing things.”

The messenger said, “Exactly! Previously you had this subordinate inquire about the Yuan family’s entire household, so I know Regional Inspector Yuan’s character somewhat. I always felt something was wrong. Later, I heard that this Regional Inspector Yuan wasn’t busy with anything else daily but busy hunting down Gongsun family death warriors. When I was about to depart to return and report, several of the Gongsun clan’s secret guard hideouts around Shu had been destroyed and slaughtered by Regional Inspector Yuan. Everyone said Regional Inspector Yuan was heartbroken over his colleague’s death and wanted to avenge Lord Weng. But, but…”

“But we know Regional Inspector Yuan and Weng Junshu had no friendship,” Huo Buyi calmly concluded. “Regional Inspector Yuan is also not some impulsive enthusiast.”

The messenger lowered his head in silent agreement.

Huo Buyi had the messenger go rest, then walked back and forth alone in the tent. After a long while he summoned Elder Yu in and instructed, “I’m not returning to the city. Now that Shu’s military situation is urgent, I plan to lead the vanguard and depart in the next few days.”

Elder Yu opened his mouth wide, about to object, when Huo Buyi continued, “Go back and tell Uncle Cui that Lord Weng Junshu has also been assassinated. I estimate His Majesty will dispatch General Wu to replace him. I must leave first. Please have Uncle follow afterward and have Zhang Shan and Li Si bring troops to rendezvous with me.”

Elder Yu didn’t understand military matters, but as Cui You’s trusted confidant, he knew this was a matter of great importance and could only silently agree.

Before leaving the tent, he looked back once. He saw only that young general with clear, cold brows and eyes, like a beautiful youth formed of northern ice and snow, yet those eyes were exceptionally bright and spirited, as if about to attend to some extremely urgent matter—even more fervent than when preparing to campaign against the grassland tribes.

Elder Yu walked out and sighed softly.