After two more days, it was finally the 15th of the twelfth month—the day the Khanate prince would come for the wedding. Everyone was bustling about, but Xue Nu’er still hadn’t arrived. Logically, coming from Yumen Pass, he should have arrived several days before the convoy, but now at this critical juncture, the Deputy Director was still nowhere to be seen.
Qin Zhonghai and Lu Yun discussed but couldn’t guess where Xue Nu’er had gone. Qin Zhonghai cursed: “That old eunuch rarely gets out of the palace—finally having this good opportunity to show off, he must have gone off to play!”
Though lacking Xue Nu’er made things less convenient, it also meant less nagging. Everyone busied themselves inside and out—palace maids rushed to help the Princess with makeup and dress changes, eunuchs counted gifts and treasures inside and outside. They were truly busy beyond measure. Qin Zhonghai led people patrolling and inspecting all around. This day the weather suddenly cleared with bright sunshine, creating a joyful atmosphere everywhere. Eunuchs covered the jade carriage with bright red silk, enhancing the new bride’s splendor.
Watching everyone bustle inside and out, Lu Yun thought: “The Princess will be married today, yet not one of her relatives is here to accompany her. It seems even imperial daughters have sufferings outsiders don’t know.”
Seeing him deep in thought, Qin Zhonghai walked over and smiled: “An imperial wedding is no ordinary sight—Brother Lu is fortunate to witness this and broaden his horizons.”
Lu Yun gazed at the Princess’s carriage and sighed: “The Princess is about to marry far away in a foreign land, never to return to the Central Plains—I wonder what her state of mind is now?”
Qin Zhonghai shook his head: “That’s not something you and I can know. Since ancient times, nothing is more pitiful than political marriages—Zhaojun departing beyond the frontiers, Wencheng entering Tibet—all these women suffered the same hardships. Their joys and sorrows of separation, I suppose only they themselves understand, no one else.”
Censor He nearby approached and, hearing their conversation, coughed heavily: “Today is the Princess’s joyful day—why are you speaking of such things?”
Qin Zhonghai chuckled: “Isn’t what I said the truth? Censor He has spent so many years in court—how could you not know these principles?”
Censor He shook his head and sighed: “You’re right—the Princess’s state of mind is certainly pitiable. But since we ministers can’t help, we shouldn’t gossip anymore. If she heard this, she’d be so heartbroken.”
Qin Zhonghai chuckled: “Censor He, this time you’re serving as envoy for the political marriage—you must understand the situation best. How will our Princess’s circumstances be after marrying?”
Hearing this, Censor He’s expression changed. He pulled Qin and Lu aside and said quietly: “Speaking of this matter gives me headaches and worries.”
Qin Zhonghai was curious: “After the Princess marries, at worst she’d be coldly treated by the foreign king. Such boudoir matters are most common—what’s there for you to worry about?”
Censor He sighed: “Cold treatment would be a small matter. You must know our Princess Yinchuan is no ordinary woman! She’s learned and refined, beautiful beyond compare—the foremost beauty among the current imperial family. She’s always held herself in high regard. Sigh! But the man she’s marrying this time is a crude, ruffian character. When I think of this, my heart troubles.”
Qin and Lu both made sounds of surprise, quite curious.
Censor He said: “The man the Princess is marrying is named Dabaierhan, the current Khan’s eldest son, titled Prince Karachi. Though this person is noble as heir apparent, he has no cultivation, is lustful and rude—definitely not a good man.”
Qin and Lu exchanged glances, both feeling the Princess’s future circumstances would be very bad.
Censor He said: “Think about it—such a noble, beautiful young woman having to marry a foreigner whose height, weight, or appearance she doesn’t even know, and having to spend her life with this person. She must be very resistant. I fear when the young couple meet, if they don’t like each other, this marriage will collapse. Then when the Emperor looks at our heads, he might find them somewhat displeasing!”
Hearing this, Qin and Lu both cried out “Ah!” in alarm.
Censor He said: “You young people must think of a good solution—don’t let this marriage collapse. The Princess has never traveled far, and I fear she’ll suffer from climate change and find it hard to adapt to local customs. These few days, say more good things to her and don’t let her get homesick.”
Qin Zhonghai nodded slightly: “Naturally. The Princess’s mission is crucial. Currently our dynasty’s military preparation is weak, far inferior to Han and Tang times. The safety of the western frontier depends entirely on her alone. Though this political marriage will certainly destroy her happiness, it can save the lives of countless soldiers. It’s a worthwhile trade.”
Censor He sighed: “Yes! Marriage between two countries isn’t about love and affection—we only hope that after the Princess marries, the Timurid Khanate will consider the in-law relationship and not ally with Oirat anymore.”
Qin Zhonghai, having guarded the northern frontier for years, knew Oirat’s power and immediately said loudly: “Exactly so. If the northwestern barbarians unite, great disaster would be imminent. Then with interconnected troubles, who knows how many battles we’d have to fight!”
As the three were talking, they suddenly heard thunderous hoofbeats from below the hill—rumbling like thunder. Hearing such sounds of a great army charging, Qin and Lu’s faces changed, knowing the Timurid Khanate’s army had come for the wedding.
Forward scouts quickly climbed the hill to report: “Reporting to the General, about one hundred thousand troops are rushing toward us!”
Qin Zhonghai nodded and climbed high to look. Indeed, over ten li away was a black sea of people surging like a tide—truly numbering one hundred thousand. The army’s momentum was overwhelming. Under the sunlight reflecting off countless spears and blades, the dazzling reflections were extremely blinding.
Qin Zhonghai frowned: “Why bring so many weapons for a wedding? Could they be trying to intimidate us?”
A barbarian king rode at the front, his face covered with thick beard, expression fierce, constantly shouting—this must be the Khan’s son titled “Prince Karachi,” Dabaierhan.
Seeing the barbarian king’s rudeness, Qin Zhonghai sneered coldly, waved his hand and shouted: “All troops form a line—arrange the Long Snake Formation!” Five thousand troops roared, and soldiers waved blades and raised flags, men running and horses galloping, immediately arranging a great formation on the hilltop.
Censor He said anxiously: “They’re here for the wedding! What do you need this formation for?”
Qin Zhonghai shook his head: “As long as visitors carry weapons, we who guard the procession have the duty to respond with weapons.”
Censor He stammered: “Right… right…” Fearing both sides would lose control and cause trouble, he quickly said: “Who will deliver my name card asking the prince and them to remain calm?” He said this twice, but the eunuchs had all been frightened weak-kneed and panicked by the Khanate’s mighty military display—how could they carry the visiting tray? Not one person volunteered.
Lu Yun stepped forward and cupped his hands to Censor He: “Lu Yun requests orders to go for you!”
Since leaving the capital, Lu Yun had continued studying for two months, day and night learning the Timurid Khanate’s language and writing. The Khanate’s language belonged to the Islamic system, not very difficult to learn. Combined with Lu Yun’s extremely diligent efforts and the Taichang Temple music instructors’ excellent guidance, he could already speak the Islamic language fluently.
Seeing no one else dared step forward to deliver the card, he volunteered to go.
Knowing Lu Yun was resourceful and intelligent, and also fluent in the Islamic language, Censor He was delighted: “Thank you, Staff Officer Lu!”
Lu Yun donned armor, hung his waist blade, mounted his Snow Mud precious horse, held his Crescent Moon great blade, gave a great shout from the hilltop, and galloped away. Seeing his magnificent bearing, everyone secretly praised: “Only such a person is worthy of representing the Celestial Empire’s national prestige.”
Lu Yun rode forward to see one hundred thousand troops thundering toward them. Dust flew everywhere, earth-shaking. The rumbling hoofbeats like muffled thunder were mixed with the barbarians’ wild shouts, enough to steal one’s spirit and courage. But Lu Yun had faced countless hardships and difficulties in his life. Seeing the Khanate army’s arrogant display, he only smiled slightly, unmoved. He pulled the reins to stop his horse and proudly gazed at the one hundred thousand barbarian troops before him.
Suddenly he heard barbarian generals roaring in the distance: “You Chinese barbarian, get out of the way quickly! Otherwise the great army will trample you to pulp and you’ll regret it!” The barbarian army deliberately intimidated, purposely charging wildly with undiminished momentum—extremely arrogant.
Lu Yun saw countless troops had charged to his front. If he didn’t dodge now, he’d certainly be trampled to death by the chaos, but if he moved aside, he’d appear flustered and panicked, making the barbarians look down on him. He sneered coldly, gathered energy in his dantian, and suddenly roared: “Princess Yinchuan of the Celestial Dynasty has arrived!” He shouted this in the Islamic language, his voice carrying for several li, actually suppressing the sound of countless hoofbeats. The tremendous sound went out like thunder and lightning. In an instant, men were startled and horses neighed. Over ten leading generals fell from their horses. The front army stopped, and the rear immediately collided, with cries of distress continuing endlessly. One hundred thousand troops actually fell into chaos.
Standing on the hilltop, Qin Zhonghai looked around at everyone, raised his whip and laughed: “Excellent, Lu Yun! Such mountain-moving spirit probably matches Zhang Yide at Changban Slope!”
Hearing Lu Yun’s earth-shaking roar, the Princess quickly lifted her tent flap to look down the mountain: “Who is this person?”
A nearby palace maid said: “This person is the staff officer beside General Qin, seems to be called Lu Yun.”
The Princess had spoken with him before, originally thinking he was a weak scholar with no strength to bind a chicken. She never expected him to have such bearing. She softly exclaimed: “This person has both literary and martial talents—truly rare!”
The barbarian king was thoroughly embarrassed. Though not knocked off his horse, he still had headaches and ringing ears. He shouted: “You Chinese barbarian, why do you speak so loudly! Damn you!”
Though Lu Yun hadn’t been learning the Islamic language long, he could tell this person spoke crudely. He thought: “How can this barbarian king have no breeding at all? The Princess is like a fairy—how could she tolerate such a person in the future?” Though thinking this, since the other party was the Khanate’s heir apparent, he couldn’t be rude and dared not show dissatisfaction on his face. He dismounted and knelt on the ground: “This official, by order of our dynasty’s Censor He, specially delivers this card to the Prince.” He raised both palms high over his head with the card flat on his palms.
The barbarian king didn’t dismount either, just chuckling and raising his riding whip to roll up the name card from Lu Yun’s hands—his manner quite rude. Since ancient times, envoys represented their countries. Even if the Khan came personally, how could he not dismount to receive them? What of this mere prince? This barbarian king truly didn’t take China seriously.
Lu Yun was furious and thought: “I’m here on Censor He’s orders to deliver this card, representing our dynasty in negotiations—how can I let him insult and toy with me?” He circulated his “Absolute Heart Method,” creating great adhesive force in his palm to firmly hold the name card. The barbarian king was quite skilled with the whip and tried several times to roll it up, but the card stayed perfectly still on Lu Yun’s palm, completely unmoved. He gave a great shout: “Strange!” Then he dismounted and walked toward Lu Yun to take it by hand.
The barbarian king had failed several times to roll up this thin name card with his whip. Others thought his whip technique was clumsy, unable even to roll up a card, making him lose face with nowhere to hide. He strode toward Lu Yun wanting to regain some dignity, reached out with his right hand to firmly grasp the name card and pulled backward forcefully. But the card still stuck firmly to Lu Yun’s palm.
The barbarian king cursed: “Damn it! How unreasonable!” He then used all his strength, grasping the card with both hands and pulling back forcefully. Lu Yun increased the force in his palm—how could someone with only brute strength move it even slightly? He panted heavily, his face flushed red, cursing continuously.
The barbarian generals saw their prince shouting and didn’t know what he was doing so frantically, but none knew Lu Yun was playing tricks. For a moment, everyone was discussing among themselves.
Seeing the barbarian king’s frustrated anger, Lu Yun withdrew the internal force from his palm. The barbarian king was pulling backward with all his might when suddenly the opposing force in the other’s palm disappeared, and he immediately fell backward, landing on his back. The generals were greatly alarmed and quickly dismounted to help.
The barbarian king stood up holding the name card, his expression furious: “What sorcery did you use?”
Lu Yun kept his head down and didn’t move: “This official is an envoy of the Celestial Dynasty—how would I use evil arts to harm the Great King?”
The barbarian king waved the name card angrily: “Then why was this small card so heavy?”
Lu Yun said: “This is Heaven’s way of testing the Great King. If the Great King’s journey to fetch the bride were too smooth, how could it display the Great King’s heroic style?”
The barbarian king was delighted: “Well said! Without stumbling, how can there be glory! You speak very well!” He then mounted his horse to lead the army out.
Lu Yun blocked his horse’s path: “Her Highness the Princess naturally loves tranquility. Please have the Great King’s one hundred thousand troops wait here, otherwise disturbing the Princess would be unforgivable for this official.”
The barbarian king laughed: “If I don’t show the barbarian princess my mighty army, how will she obediently listen to me later?” He chuckled lecherously.
Lu Yun shook his head: “The Princess has a very strong temperament. If the Great King tries to frighten her with the great army, she definitely won’t comply.”
Dabaierhan laughed: “This princess is quite spicy—very good, very good! This king loves little hot peppers—they’re more exciting to eat. Heh heh! Heh heh!”
Seeing his crude and boring speech, truly unlike the heir of the Western Region’s strongest nation, Lu Yun frowned: “Could the Great King come alone and follow this humble person to fetch the bride?”
Dabaierhan was a crude, lustful person without an ounce of learning. He laughed lecherously: “With a beauty ahead, anything goes.” He turned back and shouted: “Listen well—all of you wait here!” He was about to leave with Lu Yun.
Suddenly someone said: “Wait!” Lu Yun turned to see a dark, robust man about forty years old with a capable and shrewd expression riding forward.
The man said: “How can our dynasty’s prince, so noble, go alone to fetch the bride? If there’s any dangerous situation, how do we explain to the Khan?” This person spoke very appropriately and steadily—presumably an important Khanate figure.
Lu Yun assumed the Celestial Empire’s dignity and said sternly: “This is Chinese custom. Since you’ve come to fetch the bride, you should naturally follow Chinese rules.”
Seeing Lu Yun’s high and mighty attitude, the minister wanted to intimidate him. He gave a signal, and a large man jumped out shouting: “According to our country’s custom, envoys must first take a good beating before they can speak!”
How could Lu Yun not know the other party intended to oppress him? He smiled slightly: “What a wonderful custom—who would have thought such things existed in the world? However, this humble person will follow local customs. Since your country’s custom is thus, I should naturally give you convenience. Please proceed!” He stuck out his chest and belly with a mocking expression.
Seeing his arrogant manner with apparent contempt for himself, the large man thought: “You pale-faced scholar, what use are you? Wait until I beat you begging for mercy, then see how arrogant you can be!” He immediately roared and threw a forceful punch, hitting Lu Yun squarely in the lower abdomen.
Lu Yun remained unmoved, secretly circulating internal energy and using his “Absolute Heart Method” to immediately dissolve the punch force. Then he contracted his lower abdomen to suction the man’s fist. The man wanted to pull out his fist but couldn’t move. Lu Yun transmitted internal energy through the man’s body acupoints. The man immediately felt unbearable itching, wanting to kneel and beg for mercy but unable to lose face, wanting to endure and persist but unable to bear it. His face was completely red and he looked wretched.
Lu Yun smiled faintly: “I’ll let you go!” He then released the adhesive force. The man was pulling hard when he suddenly felt the opposing force relax and tumbled backward, rolling over ten somersaults.
Lu Yun cupped his hands: “Your country’s custom has always been to beat envoys. This humble person just followed local customs and dared not violate them, allowing your general to beat me for a while. The saying goes ‘courtesy demands reciprocity’—only then can host and guest both be satisfied. When our country receives brides, the groom alone always goes. Please also respect our country’s protocol and let the Prince alone accompany this official to meet the Princess. I would be extremely grateful.”
Seeing his subordinate couldn’t handle Lu Yun, the minister could only laugh heartily: “I am Left Prime Minister Abu Qihan of the Timurid Khanate. May I ask your honored name and official position?”
Lu Yun bowed: “This official is Staff Officer Lu Yun of the Northern Pacification Roving Forces, meeting the Prime Minister.”
Abu Qihan originally thought this person must be at least sixth rank or above, never expecting just a small staff officer. He couldn’t help being stunned, then nodded: “They say the Celestial Dynasty has abundant talent—indeed so. To think you, a mere staff officer, actually have such martial arts and insight. Remarkable! Remarkable!”
Lu Yun said: “Thank you for the Prime Minister’s excessive praise.”
Abu Qihan said: “How about this—neither of our families will pressure the other. You have five thousand troops, and I’ll also bring exactly five thousand troops to accompany Prince Karachi to fetch the bride. The remaining great army will wait here. What do you say?”
Lu Yun’s heart tensed: “This Prime Minister is indeed formidable. We have five thousand troops accompanying us, and he actually knows this. This person is very difficult to deal with.” Abu Qihan’s mention of the five thousand number served two purposes: first, to reassure Lu Yun by showing he had no intention of strong-arming China; second, with both sides having equal troop numbers, it implied equal treatment.
Lu Yun gestured respectfully: “The Prime Minister’s words are excellent—please proceed!”
Qin Zhonghai watched from afar and saw the barbarian king’s one hundred thousand troops stop moving, then a small group separated and slowly left the formation, led by Lu Yun toward the small hill. Qin Zhonghai thought: “This Brother Lu is truly remarkable—actually able to persuade the great army to stop. He really has his methods.” He shouted loudly: “Withdraw the Long Snake Formation!” The soldiers obeyed and immediately returned to their units.
The barbarian king’s five thousand troops came very quickly, soon surging up the small hill. Lu Yun saw Censor He had already brought interpreters to stand on the road to receive them, so he stepped aside to let both leaders speak.
Seeing the barbarian king arrive, Censor He quickly smiled apologetically: “The Prince’s arrival brings us great honor…” But before he finished one sentence, the barbarian king began shouting loudly in strange barbarian language, charging straight up the hill and leaving him coldly aside.
Censor He turned to chase after him in alarm: “Prince, wait! I haven’t finished speaking…”
The barbarian king laughed loudly: “Where is my bride? Your husband has come to see you!” He then wandered around the convoy, and whenever he met a palace maid, he would touch her face and pinch her bottom, laughing lecherously: “Are you my bride?” Speaking entirely in barbarian language that no one could understand, the palace maids panicked and scattered in all directions. Seeing the barbarian king about to charge toward the Princess’s tent, several eunuchs quickly rushed up to block him, but the barbarian king kicked them one by one, sending them rolling away.
The barbarian king strode toward the tent with a lecherous smile, seeking Princess Yinchuan. Qin Zhonghai cursed silently: “If Xue Nu’er were here, how satisfying it would be! This barbarian king would definitely be beaten bloody! But that old demon has slipped away without a trace.”
He sighed and was about to spur his horse to rescue when he saw someone shout loudly: “Insolent!” The barbarian king’s fat body flew up and was thrown out by that person.
Qin Zhonghai’s heart jumped in shock. He saw the man had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, tall and large—it was Lu Yun. He secretly groaned: “Brother Lu struck too heavily this time—there will definitely be trouble.”
Indeed, the Timurid Khan’s five thousand troops immediately roared, all drawing their blades, about to attack. Seeing the opponent’s violence, Qin Zhonghai immediately gave a tiger’s roar: “All officers nock arrows! Anyone who dares move recklessly dies without mercy!” Five thousand troops immediately raised their bows and arrows, pointing at the Khan’s great army. Both sides drew swords and strung bows—the situation was extremely dangerous.
Prime Minister Abu Qihan was quite astute. Seeing both armies refusing to yield, he quickly stepped forward to mediate: “Our own people! Our own people! Everyone, don’t act rashly!” Nearby interpreters quickly translated, and Censor He also smiled apologetically: “Yes! Yes! Indeed our own people!” He then ordered Qin Zhonghai to withdraw the bows and arrows.
Qin Zhonghai said resentfully: “Withdraw the formation!” The officers shouted and withdrew their bows and arrows, the unified sound carrying far. Abu Qihan stared at Qin Zhonghai and thought: “This person seems very good at using troops—he’ll be a great adversary in the future.”
The barbarian king stood up cursing: “Damn it! Who’s making trouble here? I want to see the bride—why won’t you let me see her?” He then pointed accusingly at Censor He: “Old barbarian official! If you don’t let me see the Princess, I don’t want this marriage anymore! I’ll go home and hold my concubines—don’t I have plenty of women at home?”
Seeing his fury and not knowing why he was angry, Censor He quickly had the music instructors translate. Hearing the barbarian king wanted to break off the engagement, Censor He was scared out of his wits: “Great King, please don’t do this! If you want to see the Princess, you can see her tonight in the bridal chamber—don’t be impatient!” These words were quite crude, and the music instructors looked embarrassed, not knowing how to translate properly.
Lu Yun coughed and said in the Islamic language: “Censor He just said that once the Princess and the Great King complete their wedding, both parties will certainly be able to meet. The Great King needn’t be impatient for the moment.”
The barbarian king snorted and cursed: “I have thousands and thousands of women at home—if she’s not a beauty, I won’t even want her!”
Censor He didn’t know what to do and looked at Qin and Lu, wondering if they had any way to resolve this.
Then they heard a gentle voice: “If he wants to see me, what’s so difficult about that?” The Princess’s tent flap suddenly lifted, and a beautiful woman walked out gracefully. Seeing her appearance, everyone couldn’t help crying out “Ah!” Everyone thought: “What a beautiful woman!”
Under the warm winter sun, Princess Yinchuan appeared gentle, elegant, and beautiful, with bright eyes that turned charmingly. Within her gorgeousness was natural dignity. Her small cherry mouth trembled red, arousing infinite pity yet not daring to harbor improper thoughts. Though Lu Yun had feelings for someone else, he was still amazed by her noble beauty and thought: “She’s called the capital’s foremost imperial beauty—truly living up to her reputation.”
Qin Zhonghai sneered coldly and thought: “Such a beautiful woman is being sent to a pigsty—what a damn waste.”
Seeing her red lips, white teeth, and charming peach-and-plum appearance, the barbarian king cried “Ah!” even louder and opened his mouth wide. He stared stupidly: “Beautiful! Beautiful! Barbarian princess, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life!” He then gave a great shout and lustfully rushed forward to embrace her in his arms for a good bout of tender affection.
Seeing the barbarian king charge toward the Princess, Lu Yun didn’t know whether to stop him or not. After all, these two would be husband and wife in the future—how could he manage such domestic affairs? He looked at Qin Zhonghai, not knowing what to do, but saw Qin Zhonghai spread his hands, also at a loss.
As both hesitated, they suddenly heard the Princess say gently: “Tell him through translation that I will be his person tonight—then he can do as he wishes and I will comply.”
The music instructors translated this, and Dabaierhan chuckled continuously, rubbing his hands and laughing: “Let’s have the bridal chamber now—don’t wait until evening.”
Seeing his lecherous expression, the Princess didn’t need to guess to know his filthy thoughts. Her pretty face darkened and her voice suddenly rose, becoming cold as ice: “Please tell His Highness that if he disregards propriety and education and wants to violate me here, Yinchuan would rather die than be dishonored and can only commit suicide to apologize to my Emperor.”
These words were spoken with neither servility nor arrogance. Everyone secretly praised that Princess Yinchuan was indeed a model of the Celestial Dynasty’s imperial family.
The nearby music instructors quickly translated. Hearing this, Dabaierhan said in alarm: “Beauty, don’t be angry! How would I dare bully you? You absolutely mustn’t seek death!” The music instructors quickly conveyed this.
After hearing this, Princess Yinchuan nodded lightly, her expression already gentle. She immediately walked forward and curtsied lightly to the barbarian king: “This humble consort greets the Prince.”
Dabaierhan looked at her incomparably beautiful face, smelled the elegant and pleasant fragrance from her body, felt his whole body go numb with comfort, and his entire large face suddenly flushed red. He stood there speechless.
Prime Minister Abu Qihan secretly praised: “This woman is intelligent, quick-witted, and understands the big picture—truly worthy of being an imperial princess. The children she bears after marrying into our dynasty will certainly be outstanding.” But seeing the Prince’s lustful urgency, he couldn’t help sighing that though both the Prince and Princess Yinchuan were of imperial birth, their behavior and bearing were vastly different—completely incomparable.
Then the important ministers of both countries, following protocol, invited Princess Yinchuan into the sedan chair, carried down the mountain by eight eunuchs. Censor He had people carry up the prepared gifts and present them to Dabaierhan: “Our Emperor and Princess Yinchuan are deeply devoted as father and daughter. He sympathizes with the Princess marrying in a distant foreign land, separated by vast distances, and specially sends ten chests of dowry for the Princess’s daily use. Additionally, ten carts of precious gifts are prepared for the Prince to forward to your country’s sovereign.”
A nearby ceremonial official announced the detailed list of gifts—pearls, agates, corals, precious stones, deer antler, ginseng—all rare treasures that ordinary families might never see in a lifetime. When had the soldiers ever seen such grandeur? Under the dazzling jewels and treasures, they could barely keep their eyes open.
Dabaierhan, noble as Prince Karachi, had seen all kinds of treasures. Though the ceremonial official spoke until his mouth was dry, he didn’t hear a single word. His eyes only followed Princess Yinchuan’s sedan chair all the way from hilltop to hillside, his throat constantly moving—presumably drooling straight into his stomach. He kept muttering: “Damn it, why doesn’t the sun set faster! What the hell!” He was impatient for the bridal chamber to taste her sweetness.
Seeing his wide-eyed, muttering appearance, everyone found it amusing. Qin Zhonghai cursed silently: “As the saying goes: a fragrant fresh flower stuck in stinking cow dung. Looking at this prince’s shameless appearance, it’s truly phoenix paired with crow, peony accompanied by weeds.”
Censor He also sighed inwardly: “Poor Princess Yinchuan, so young and beautiful, yet having to suffer this beast’s torment in the future. They say this person is extremely lustful—seeing his perverted appearance, the rumors are apparently true.”
They saw the Princess’s flower sedan carried down the mountain. After Dabaierhan inspected the gifts and dowry, he led his army away. Qin Zhonghai and the others, seeing their great achievement accomplished, all breathed sighs of relief. Standing beside Censor He, Qin Zhonghai smiled: “Your Excellency has achieved complete success this time—truly cause for congratulation.”
Censor He shook his head: “It’s still too early to say this. Until the Princess reaches the Khanate capital to marry and is formally invested as Crown Princess, I cannot rest easy for a single day.”
The Timurid Khanate’s customs were quite different from China’s—the Crown Prince could have four queens, following Mongol customs from Genghis Khan’s era. Logically, Princess Yinchuan should be invested as Crown Princess after marriage, but until the imperial decree was issued, no one dared be certain. Especially now that the court’s power was weak with no national prestige in the Western Regions, the Princess lacked her homeland’s protection and would inevitably suffer some slights. Whether there would be other complications then, no one could know.
Qin Zhonghai then led five thousand troops protecting Censor He toward the Timurid Khanate capital, planning to return home only after observing the ceremonies in the Khanate. This Censor He, nearly sixty years old, had endured months of traveling on horseback and his body could no longer support it. Qin Zhonghai ordered his subordinates to prepare a carriage for him to rest in—anyway, the Princess’s safety had been handed over to the Khanate, so he no longer needed to worry himself.
Everyone led their horses and walked on foot, following far behind the hundred thousand troops. The Princess’s flower sedan was nestled among countless cavalry, looking like a small boat in a vast ocean. Palace maids and eunuchs hung their heads dejectedly like prisoners following beside the flower sedan, seeming to epitomize China’s situation in the Western Regions.
Looking from his carriage, Censor He sighed inwardly: “Our dynasty’s power in the western frontier has weakened to this extent. Without relying on political marriage, we have virtually no foothold here. The Emperor’s indulgence of petty men these past years has not only harmed the people but also his own daughter.”
After traveling over ten li, the sun had already moved west. Lu Yun looked at the map and said: “Ahead is the Khanate’s border fortress called Laerke Pass. There must be Khanate forces coming out to welcome us. We should stay closer to avoid disputes when entering the pass.”
Qin Zhonghai nodded: “Brother, your words are very true.” He then called loudly: “All officers listen to orders—the whole army mount up!” Five thousand troops simultaneously mounted their saddles, awaiting orders.
Qin Zhonghai shouted: “The whole army advances west to Laerke Pass!” All generals roared and charged with full force. Now without the burden of palace maids and eunuchs, the army was like wild horses breaking free, galloping westward with earth-shaking momentum. The deafening hoofbeats mixed with Censor He’s alarmed cries as they raced west.
With the troops galloping at full speed, they soon approached the barbarian king’s forces, separated by only half a li. Fearing the barbarian king might misunderstand and think they intended a rear attack, Qin Zhonghai ordered someone to inform them.
The messenger was about to depart when suddenly the barbarian king’s hundred thousand troops stopped. Qin Zhonghai was puzzled, not knowing why the barbarian king had suddenly halted. As he and Lu Yun were about to discuss it, suddenly battle cries arose ahead—the barbarian king’s great army actually turned around and charged back toward them. In an instant, a hundred thousand troops rushed before their eyes, with dust filling the air and countless cavalry bearing down.
Qin Zhonghai was greatly shocked, unable to understand what had happened. Could the barbarian king have suddenly raised troops to attack? Seeing a small hill to the south suitable for defense, he quickly ordered: “There’s trouble ahead—all officers quickly head south!” Lu Yun was also startled: “How could this happen? Could the barbarian king have misunderstood our intentions and think we mean to attack them from behind?”
Qin Zhonghai didn’t know either and quickly led his troops rushing toward a southern hill to first avoid the barbarian army’s assault.
Just as the army reached the small hill, Lu Yun saw the Princess’s sedan caught in the chaotic army and was extremely worried: “The Princess’s safety cannot be ignored—I must go see.” He immediately pulled his reins, and his horse’s hooves galloped. In moments he had charged down the small hill.
Seeing him suddenly leave the hill, Qin Zhonghai couldn’t help being alarmed and called: “Brother Lu! What are you doing?”
Lu Yun answered from afar: “The Princess is still in the barbarian army’s hands—I’m going to support her. Please arrange your battle formation to resist the enemy yourself!” How could Qin Zhonghai let him risk danger alone? He immediately shouted loudly: “Brother Lu, quickly come back! It’s too dangerous ahead—don’t be rash!” Hearing this, Lu Yun only raised his hand overhead and waved repeatedly, signaling Qin Zhonghai not to worry about him. In moments he had left the small hill by over a li, galloping toward the barbarian army.
Seeing the continuous emergencies, Censor He quickly poked his head out of the carriage in panic: “What’s happening? Are there bandits and robbers?”
Qin Zhonghai shook his head: “It’s not bandits or robbers causing trouble. Just now, somehow the barbarian king’s great army suddenly turned to attack us—the situation seems very strange.”
Censor He said in alarm: “How could this be? We’ve finally become in-laws—how could the Prince do such an absurd thing?”
Qin Zhonghai frowned tightly but didn’t answer. He only saw Lu Yun alone galloping across the rolling desert while countless troops charged from the distance—truly not knowing fortune or misfortune.
Riding his horse and seeing the barbarian army charging toward him with continuous killing shouts, Lu Yun wondered: “If this barbarian king intends to harm us with evil intentions, why didn’t he act during the wedding reception? Could there be some other hidden circumstances?” Seeing a small mountain nearby suitable for observation, he spurred his horse toward the hill.
Soon reaching the mountaintop, Lu Yun quickly dismounted and looked down the mountain. With this look, his heart was immediately greatly shaken.
He saw the hundred thousand troops scattered in flight, dispersed everywhere in complete collapse. Lu Yun’s heart was greatly alarmed, not knowing why this was so. Looking again urgently, he saw in the distant desert a black-armored army madly attacking and slaughtering the barbarian king’s forces.
The black-armored army wasn’t numerous—only half the barbarian king’s forces—but they killed with practiced skill and incomparable bravery. The barbarian king’s great army, fighting them, was immediately routed. When the opposing generals engaged, none under the barbarian king could withstand even half a move—all were killed within ten exchanges. Several black-armored generals raised their blades in wild slaughter, their waists hung with human heads, their expressions extremely fierce. The barbarian king protected the Princess’s flower sedan and fled urgently.
Lu Yun was greatly alarmed: “What’s happening? Could the Timurid Khanate suddenly be under attack? But this is their fortress location—how could anyone ambush here?”
He saw over ten thousand of the barbarian king’s troops fighting unyieldingly, protecting the Princess’s sedan, but the black-armored army was truly fierce. When the two armies first clashed, the barbarian king’s soldiers had almost no power to resist and were immediately killed on the ground. After several continuous charges by the black-armored army, they finally broke through a gap. Lu Yun was deeply worried—if the Princess fell into villains’ hands, the consequences would be unthinkable. But now with war and chaos everywhere, even self-preservation was difficult—how could he save anyone? His heart ached with helplessness.
After the two armies fought for a while, seeing he couldn’t win, barbarian king Dabaierhan fled with a small contingent. Prime Minister Abu Qihan, seeing the commander flee and deeply fearing the army’s morale would waver, quickly called: “Prince, don’t leave! The Princess still needs your protection!”
Dabaierhan, cowardly and afraid of death, how would he dare return to fight? Hearing the Prime Minister’s call, he fled even more frantically like a rat.
A man stood out from the black-armored army and called loudly: “Whoever captures Prince Karachi alive will be rewarded with a city and a hundred beauties!”
The black-armored army cheered loudly and immediately abandoned the Princess to pursue the barbarian king. Dabaierhan was so frightened he nearly fainted, continuously whipping his horse, wishing he could grow wings and fly. Behind him, tens of thousands of black-armored troops pursued relentlessly, countless arrows continuously shooting, turning the desert into a sea of arrows.
In the chaotic battle, an elite force rushed out from the black-armored army, shouting: “Make way! We’re going to capture Prince Karachi alive!” This elite force appeared to have martial arts far superior to the others, and in no time had reached nearby, leaving the black-armored main army behind.
Seeing the enemy about to catch up, the hundred Imperial Guards beside the barbarian king saw the dire situation and quickly turned to resist. But the elite force was too fierce—galloping wildly, thousands of long spears thrust forward simultaneously, immediately spearing hundreds of Imperial Guards to death on the spot.
Dabaierhan was so frightened his face was colorless and he actually fell from his horse. The elite general laughed heartily: “Such a useless thing! You still want to inherit the throne!” He then reached out his large hand to capture him alive.
Prime Minister Abu Qihan sighed, knowing the general situation was lost. He turned his head, unwilling to watch anymore. Seeing their Crown Prince about to be captured, both armies stopped fighting and all looked toward the barbarian king.
In an instant, only the whistling wind remained between heaven and earth. The tens of thousands of people on the ground seemed frozen, all silent without sound.
Just as the elite general reached out to capture the barbarian king, suddenly a ball of fire flashed by, followed by a bloody head flying skyward. The elite general screamed and his body separated from his head, falling from his horse. Everyone rubbed their eyes, not knowing what had happened, when they saw a broad-shouldered, bear-like man holding a large blade in one hand and carrying the barbarian king under his other arm, flying away. The man had thick eyebrows and eagle eyes, imposing and martial—it was “Fire-Greedy Single Blade” Qin Zhonghai.
Seeing their captain killed, the remaining elite troops quickly surrounded Qin Zhonghai to avenge their leader. Qin Zhonghai gave a wild roar, and with one slash of his great blade, he instantly killed dozens of men. In the wildly spurting blood, he appeared like a fierce beast or mad dragon, incomparably brave.
Qin Zhonghai gave a great shout: “All troops, advance with full force! Charge!” From the hill, five thousand troops raised a great battle cry and rolled down from the small hill, directly attacking that fierce elite force. When the two armies met, it was like wind sweeping away clouds or autumn wind scattering leaves—in moments they had killed every one of that elite force.
Seeing this, Prime Minister Abu Qihan was greatly pleased and shouted: “All troops return to defense! Protect Prince Karachi!”
Standing on the small mountain observing, Lu Yun heard this and secretly felt anxious. This elite force wasn’t numerous—only about a thousand men—so killing them all wasn’t significant. But the black-armored main force behind had over fifty thousand men. Qin Zhonghai had finally made their momentum falter slightly, but the Prime Minister’s return to defense at this critical moment violated military taboos. He immediately shouted: “Don’t return to defense! Take advantage and charge through!”
But they were too far apart. The Prime Minister had already led the great army in retreat. The black-armored army, originally with slightly dampened momentum, quickly took advantage of the Prime Minister’s retreat to reorganize their formation and steady their military morale. It seemed the Prime Minister, not understanding military strategy, had already missed the opportunity to turn defeat into victory.
Seeing Prince Karachi had escaped danger and they probably couldn’t catch him, and seeing Qin Zhonghai’s five thousand troops were fierce and difficult to handle, the black-armored army immediately turned toward the second important figure on the battlefield to attack—that was China’s Princess Yinchuan.
Seeing the Princess in danger, Censor He was greatly alarmed and called: “Who will protect the Princess!”
At this time, Qin Zhonghai’s troops were very far from the Princess, with the Prime Minister’s forces still between them. Unless they could fly, how could they rescue her? The Prime Minister, barely able to protect himself, how could he divide his forces to save her? Watching the black-armored army charge with full force, surrounding the Princess’s sedan, attacking fiercely, in moments countless soldiers lay dead on the ground. Palace maids and eunuchs beside the Princess’s sedan were captured one by one, with some fleeing in all directions—for a time people and horses tumbled in complete chaos.
Black-armored soldiers spurred their horses charging straight toward the Princess’s sedan. The leading general’s face showed a sinister smile, his expression lecherous and ill-intentioned.
Seeing the Princess about to be captured and violated by thieves, Lu Yun was greatly alarmed: “The Princess is about to be kidnapped—what should I do?”
The situation was urgent—if delayed even slightly, the Princess’s chastity might not be preserved. In his panic, he thought: “There’s no choice—I can only take this dangerous path!”
At this moment, Lu Yun was on the mountaintop, positioned directly above the enemy army. He quickly untied his traveling pack from his horse’s back, took out rope, firmly tied it around his waist, and bound the other end to a large tree. With a great shout, he actually jumped from the hundred-zhang-high mountaintop like a heavenly general pouncing toward the black-armored army.
Falling halfway, the rope reached its limit, and suddenly his waist felt severe pain, stopping his downward momentum. Lu Yun looked down—his body was still about fifty zhang from the ground. Seeing the distance was still far and not knowing how to descend, he hesitated when the black-armored army continued shouting and charging toward the Princess’s flower sedan one after another.
Lu Yun gritted his teeth: “No good! I accepted Marquis Liu’s trust—even if I lose my life, I cannot let the Princess be humiliated!” Knowing he couldn’t delay further, he took out his dagger and cut the rope. His body relaxed and immediately plummeted down.
The black-armored army heard a shout from overhead. Everyone was puzzled and suddenly looked up to see Lu Yun descending from heaven, plummeting rapidly toward them. For a moment they were all scared silly, not knowing how to resist or block.
Seeing the black-armored crowd below his feet, Lu Yun gave a “hey” sound, bent his knees, relaxed his ankles, and lightly touched the head of a general. Hundreds of jin of force poured down—the general’s skull immediately cracked and brain matter splattered out, dying horribly. Lu Yun used the momentum to turn. At this time his body’s downward force had lessened considerably. He kicked a soldier in the stomach—the man screamed as his belly burst and intestines flowed out, dying. Using this kick’s force, Lu Yun had already steadily landed dozens of steps from the flower sedan.
After catching his breath, Lu Yun looked up at the mountaintop and thought: “Good thing I had rope, otherwise I’d definitely have been killed by the fall.” As he was thinking, a black-armored general called: “Shoot arrows! Quickly shoot arrows!” The troops bent their bows and nocked arrows—with a series of “chi chi chi” sounds, ten thousand arrows simultaneously shot toward Lu Yun.
Lu Yun panicked and flew toward a nearby horse’s belly for cover. He heard the horse’s mournful cry as it was shot full of arrows like a porcupine. Lu Yun summoned his divine strength and lifted the dead horse like a shield, pushing toward the flower sedan.
Advancing to several zhang before the flower sedan, Lu Yun shouted loudly: “Your Highness Princess! Lu Yun has come to rescue you!”
Just then, a black-armored general spurred his horse charging forward. Seeing arrows couldn’t handle this strange visitor, he personally raised his blade to fight. With a wild roar, he raised his blade and chopped fiercely toward Lu Yun’s back. Lu Yun called: “Well done!” With both feet pushing off, he immediately leaped high, dodging the chopping blade, then kicked the man in the chest, sending him tumbling from his horse.
Lu Yun sat on the horse and charged to three chi before the Princess’s sedan. By now all the eunuchs had fled completely, leaving only a lonely sedan in the chaotic army. Lu Yun pushed off the saddle and pounced directly toward the flower sedan. Just then the horse, struck by hundreds of arrows, was shot to death like mud on the spot.
Lu Yun suddenly dove into the sedan when a dagger thrust toward his face. He caught it with his hand and was about to strike out with a palm when he heard a woman’s delicate cry. Lu Yun held back his palm and looked—it was the Princess herself.
Lu Yun quickly released the Princess’s wrist and said quietly: “There are countless villains outside—we must find a way to break through!” He saw Princess Yinchuan opening a pair of clear phoenix eyes looking at him, her gaze quite surprised—apparently she hadn’t expected someone would suddenly come to rescue her.
Lu Yun lifted the curtain to look outside and saw the sedan surrounded by soldiers—densely packed human heads all holding bows aimed at the flower sedan.
Lu Yun said anxiously: “The great army has completely surrounded us—what can we do?” Now with ten thousand troops surrounding them, stepping out of the flower sedan meant being shot by chaotic arrows. Despite all his wisdom and intelligence, he had no solution at this moment.
Suddenly the Princess said: “Don’t be afraid—they only want me alone and won’t kill us.” Lu Yun heard her speech calm and completely unalarmed, and thought with shock: “This Princess is remarkable—actually so composed.”
It seemed these barbarian soldiers came to kidnap people simply for Princess Yinchuan’s extraordinary beauty, or else they wanted to hold the Princess hostage to threaten the court for gold and treasures. They certainly wouldn’t kill her for the moment.
After thinking for a moment and understanding this logic, Lu Yun thought: “If this is true, these people will have many concerns when acting, being cautious about collateral damage—we might have a chance to break through.” Not caring that the flower sedan was only a few chi square, he suddenly knelt down: “Lu Yun will presently offend Your Highness—ten thousand deaths cannot atone for this offense. Please forgive me.”
The Princess was startled, not knowing why he spoke thus, but in an instant she saw Lu Yun extend his right arm around the Princess’s slender waist, then charged rapidly outward.
The Princess had originally been quite calm—even when surrounded by chaotic armies with her life hanging by a thread, she showed no panic or loss of composure. But now being embraced by Lu Yun, her heart was immediately greatly embarrassed and she couldn’t help crying out delicately in alarm.
In Princess Yinchuan’s entire life, she had only seen a few men. Apart from her father the Emperor and several brothers, she had only seen palace eunuchs. It wasn’t until this journey west with the army that she encountered the world’s myriad strange men of all kinds, but she had always been separated by curtains. Except for just now meeting the barbarian king, she had never directly faced a man. How could she not be embarrassed and anxious now being held in Lu Yun’s arms?
The Princess called: “Quickly release me!” Lu Yun had no time to pay attention to her. At this moment he continuously kicked away surging soldiers and deflected suddenly arriving long spears—any slight carelessness would mean immediate death. Despite the Princess’s continuous screaming, he had no leisure to respond.
But the Princess couldn’t manage these things—she only knew her body absolutely couldn’t be pressed so tightly against a man’s, as this violated the great laws of propriety. She continuously punched Lu Yun’s chest and screamed: “Put me down!”
Just then something hot splashed onto her face. She quickly looked up to see Lu Yun’s back bloody—he had been shot by an arrow, with the arrow’s feathers still quivering.
The Princess was startled: “You’re bleeding!” Lu Yun didn’t answer. Sweat mixed with blood continuously dripped down. The Princess looked up to see his eyes bright and focused, gazing toward the distance. The Princess was frightened and followed his gaze to see over ten tall, robust barbarian monks with fierce expressions, holding curved blades and walking toward them.
The black-armored army’s commander was quite clever—knowing that shooting arrows to kill Lu Yun might also kill the Princess, he sent martial arts masters to strike and kill.
Lu Yun thought: “These barbarian monks seem to have considerable martial arts—I must be careful in dealing with them.” He looked up and far away, seeing the barbarian king’s forces continuously retreating, not knowing where Qin Zhonghai’s troops had gone. Now he could only rely on himself to break through the encirclement and rescue the Princess.
The dozen or so barbarian monks approached and suddenly raised their blades to chop down at Lu Yun. These monks all held curved blades—weapons used by Arabian warriors. The blade edges were extremely curved like arcs. When striking, the attack and defense distance was extremely short, and when the blade light danced, one could hear the enemy’s breathing. Lu Yun saw the barbarian monks’ blade momentum was fierce, chopping straight toward his crown—they attacked with killing moves from the start. He quickly raised his palm to block. With a “whoosh,” the blade edge flashed and immediately cut off Lu Yun’s sleeve. Lu Yun quickly retreated, but the barbarian monks had already surrounded him completely. Now with his right hand holding the Princess and only his left hand free to resist enemies, his skills were greatly reduced and the situation even worse.
The Princess, naturally kind-hearted, saw Lu Yun was outmatched and feared this person would be killed because of this. She whispered in his ear: “If you can’t defeat them, just leave by yourself. These barbarians want to capture me as a hostage and definitely won’t harm me.”
Lu Yun shook his head: “I received Lord Liu’s solemn trust—how can I abandon the Princess?” Suddenly hearing a barbarian monk roar and charge with raised blade, Lu Yun extended his foot and kicked, striking the monk’s cheek. With a shout, he used force and in an instant sent the man flying. The monk fell to the ground with his neck bone broken—clearly dead.
Just then a monk swung his blade charging forward—three strikes above, three below—his blade momentum wide open with extremely fierce technique. But this person’s striking posture was too large—every time he swung the blade over his shoulder, his chest showed a large opening. Lu Yun held up the Princess and whispered: “Please close your eyes, Your Highness.”
The Princess didn’t understand his meaning: “What?”
Lu Yun covered her eyes with his hand, gathered strength in his shoulder, and taking advantage of the monk’s blade-swinging gap, he gave a great “hey” shout and pushed hard with both feet on the ground, ramming toward the monk. The monk couldn’t dodge and was struck full-on. Though his curved blade was still raised in mid-air, his chest ribs had already broken and he died spitting blood.
The Princess, with her eyes covered by Lu Yun, said urgently: “Don’t cover my eyes!” She then pushed away Lu Yun’s hand. In an instant she saw the monk’s eyes rolled back, dying while spitting blood—such a horrible sight that she couldn’t help crying out in alarm.
Lu Yun, now urgently fleeing for his life, had no time to care whether the Princess was afraid or not. He charged outward but saw pursuing cavalry everywhere—for a moment he didn’t know which direction to escape.
As he was troubled, several barbarian monks had already rushed forward, wanting to take advantage of his hesitation to kill him. The monks raised their blades and chopped down toward his back. The Princess, lying on Lu Yun’s shoulder, saw the critical situation and cried in alarm: “Watch out!”
Lu Yun was startled and forcefully leaped forward, bounding far away and thus dodging the several blade strikes from behind.
Several barbarian monks, seeing him escape, quickly gave chase. Lu Yun snatched weapons from the corpses’ hands, turned to face the monks, and with a “hey” sound rolled on the ground. Screams continued endlessly as several monks’ feet were all cut off and they fell to the ground. Though the Princess was held in his arms and protected by his sleeves covering her head and face, she still saw the cruel scene before her through gaps and quickly closed her eyes amid her screams.
Lu Yun heard continuous killing sounds from behind, not knowing how many more troops were arriving. He thought: “If I don’t think of a strategy, I’ll surely die here today.” Looking around, he suddenly saw several carts stopped beside the Princess’s sedan, knowing they contained gold, silver, and jewels originally meant for the Khan. But now with eunuchs and palace maids having fled without a trace, the several carts sat unattended.
Lu Yun had a flash of inspiration and immediately embraced the Princess, charging toward those carts. The barbarian monks quickly pursued, but saw Lu Yun kick over the carts and slash open the wooden boxes with his blade. Instantly the ground gleamed with gold light and dazzling jewels—thousands of taels of gold rolled on the ground, with countless jade artifacts and antiques continuously tumbling from the boxes. Seeing the countless treasures, the barbarian monks were greatly pleased and immediately bent down to grab them.
Lu Yun gathered his energy and shouted: “The Great King has ordered these jewels to be distributed among all soldiers—don’t let one person take everything!” He deliberately incited the rebel army. These words carried far, and rebel soldiers didn’t know who was speaking. Hearing there were gold, silver, and jewels to be distributed, they all pressed forward. Seeing gold and silver actually scattered on the ground, they were all greatly pleased and quickly rushed forward to snatch them.
Seeing everyone’s eyes red with greed, Lu Yun took advantage to shout even louder: “There are plenty of gold and treasures—everyone don’t fight, everyone will get a share!” Hearing this, the soldiers behind became even more eager, competing to grab and snatch, with no one coming to pursue Lu Yun.
Just as chaos reigned, an elite force rode forward with strict discipline and perfectly ordered formation—clearly extraordinary. The leading captain shouted: “Focus on the enemy! No one is allowed to randomly pick up things from the ground!” But how could the soldiers listen to persuasion? For a moment they continued snatching and grabbing. The captain was furious and shouted: “Beat them!” About a hundred soldiers took out horse whips and struck the crowd’s heads to drive them away.
Lu Yun knew the rebel army’s elite had arrived. He snorted, picked up a long spear from the ground, and suddenly threw it—the spear flew toward the captain.
The captain was cursing when suddenly the spear flew toward him. Unable to dodge in time, he was immediately speared off his horse. A nearby deputy general was furiously angry, thinking these soldiers had murdered their officer. He couldn’t help angrily saying: “How bold! Are you rebelling?” He quickly ordered his subordinates to take out weapons and kill those soldiers picking up jewels.
These soldiers had long suspected the newcomers were jealous of the jewels. Seeing them draw weapons, they were even more enraged and raised their blades to fight back. Instantly both sides fought, and the great army fell into chaos.
Lu Yun took advantage of the confusion to quickly embrace the Princess and rush out from the crowd. Seeing several isolated soldiers on horseback, he immediately raised his blade and charged to seize horses for escape. The small soldier called: “Chinese barbarian!” Before finishing his words, he was already killed with one slash. Lu Yun embraced the Princess, mounted the horse, and fled toward their own camp.
After galloping about a hundred zhang, he suddenly heard great killing sounds behind. Looking back, Lu Yun saw a vast black mass of cavalry charging toward him. It seemed the black-armored army maintained strict discipline—though disrupted for a while, it was difficult to sustain. Looking far ahead, Lu Yun saw an elite force blocking the forward path—if he wanted to meet up with Qin Zhonghai, it was absolutely impossible.
Seeing enemy forces converging from three directions like a horseshoe surrounding this single rider at the center, Lu Yun panicked: “Terrible—where should I go now?” Seeing the north was not yet surrounded, in his haste without time to think carefully, he could only spur his horse urgently and flee toward the unoccupied area.
After galloping several li, Lu Yun looked ahead and suddenly saw there was no more road—only a bare mountain peak.
Lu Yun pulled his horse and looked up to see the rock wall soaring into the clouds, a full hundred zhang high. He couldn’t help sighing in frustration: “No way forward, pursuers behind—what can be done?”
The Princess looked back to see the pursuers continuously approaching. Now they could no longer wait. She immediately said: “Life and death are fated—let’s climb up!”
Lu Yun was delighted: “Exactly right!” The two dismounted. The Princess looked at the cloud-piercing rock wall—with her lack of strength, she didn’t know how to climb up. As she was thinking, suddenly someone turned her shoulder and then embraced her in his arms. The Princess was greatly shocked and was about to scold when she suddenly saw it was Lu Yun. She cried out delicately and stepped back: “You… what are you going to do?”
Lu Yun said: “This subject needs to climb the peak and asks the Princess to endure for a moment.”
Princess Yinchuan was startled, not knowing his intentions and about to reproach him, when suddenly she saw Lu Yun untie the cloth belt from his waist and spread his arms: “Please step forward, Your Highness. This subject will bind the Princess to his chest and can certainly climb the cliff.”
The Princess’s face reddened, knowing he wanted to embrace her. She stammered: “Is there… is there no other way?”
Lu Yun saw the enemy army had already pursued them. At this critical moment, there really couldn’t be any delay. He reached out and gently pulled the Princess before him, then bent down and embraced her. The Princess struggled forcefully and screamed: “How dare you! Quickly release me!”
Lu Yun said: “Please don’t move, Your Highness.” Ignoring the Princess’s continuous pounding, he used the waist belt to tightly bind them together.
Lu Yun firmly bound the Princess to his front, then stood up. With his tall stature and long arms, he had completely protected the Princess’s delicate small body. When climbing the cliff shortly, even if struck by arrows, at most it would only injure his flesh but definitely couldn’t harm the Princess.
Lu Yun said quietly: “Please endure for a moment, Your Highness. When we reach safety, this subject will naturally untie the belt.”
The Princess leaned in Lu Yun’s arms with her cheek pressed against his chest, feeling Lu Yun’s body indescribably warm. Though now in dangerous circumstances, her face was still flushed red with embarrassment. She wanted to struggle but had no strength left.
Lu Yun saw the enemy army had already approached. At this life-and-death moment, he had no time to consider the Princess’s maiden heart. With a great shout, he suddenly pounced toward the cliff, then climbed with hands and feet flying like the wind—in an instant ascending over ten zhang.
Seeing him escape, the rebel army all called: “Shoot arrows! Shoot arrows!” Countless arrows flew—some striking the distant cliff wall, others landing beside Lu Yun—extremely dangerous. Lu Yun thought: “If I can climb another ten zhang, they won’t be able to shoot me! I must work harder!” His internal energy was abundant—normally galloping ten li wouldn’t tire him, but now climbing cliff faces, his fingernails were flesh and blood. Lu Yun hadn’t practiced external hard martial arts, so his fingers immediately became bruised. The higher he climbed, the more unbearable the pain became.
As he was climbing, an arrow suddenly shot toward him. Lu Yun couldn’t help groaning softly. The Princess said in alarm: “What’s wrong? Were you hit by an arrow?”
Lu Yun shook his head: “I’m fine!” He gritted his teeth and climbed upward with all his strength, but beads of sweat fell from his forehead onto the Princess’s face.
Splashed by Lu Yun’s sweat, the Princess couldn’t help giving a soft cry. Fearing she had also been struck by arrows, Lu Yun quickly looked down. The Princess also looked up at him, and for an instant their eyes met.
At this moment, with their gazes locked and their breath audible to each other, the Princess saw Lu Yun’s handsome eyes looking at her. She was suddenly embarrassed and quickly lowered her head. Lu Yun felt somewhat puzzled, but with the situation so critical and seeing she was unharmed, he didn’t ask further and continued climbing upward.
Seeing him concentrate on climbing the cliff, the Princess raised her head again. She gazed at Lu Yun’s face and thought: “This man loyally protects his lord. When we’re safe, I must reward him well.” Seeing Lu Yun sweating profusely, she felt some pity and wanted to take out her handkerchief to wipe it for him. But as soon as this thought arose, she was shocked and thought: “Being so intimate with this man already greatly violates propriety and goes against my upbringing. How can I do such intimate things for him?” She forcibly restrained herself.
After the two climbed for a while, arrows still shot like raindrops, but when they flew near, their force was spent and they only fell diagonally to the side. It seemed they had climbed high enough to be out of mortal danger. After climbing a bit more, they suddenly saw a small flat platform above that could accommodate both for a brief rest. Lu Yun made a final effort, rolling and crawling up, then untied the binding and set the Princess down.
Lu Yun panted heavily and knelt on one knee: “Subject Lu Yun has offended the Princess’s majesty—deserving ten thousand deaths. Please punish severely!”
Thinking of their intimate posture just now, the Princess’s face reddened as she thought: “Good thing Mother Empress didn’t come along, otherwise seeing me so close to this man, she would definitely have him beheaded.” She nodded and said gently: “Staff Officer Lu has merit in rescuing the throne. Your earlier expedient measures—this palace naturally won’t blame you.”
Lu Yun knelt on the ground: “Subject thanks the Princess.” He then kowtowed.
The Princess smiled and nodded, about to tell him to rise, when she suddenly saw two arrows embedded in Lu Yun’s back. She couldn’t help crying out in alarm: “You… how did you get so badly injured!” It turned out Lu Yun had been wounded by arrows during the fierce battle earlier, then struck repeatedly while climbing. The arrows had penetrated deeply with only half the shafts visible. If not removed, the wounds would become inflamed and fester, potentially threatening his life.
Lu Yun regulated his breathing and said slowly: “Subject is strong as an ox—a few arrows can’t take my life. Please don’t worry, Princess.” He reached behind himself to break off the arrow shafts and casually threw them on the ground, but the extremely sharp arrowheads remained embedded in his flesh.
The Princess was horrified and quickly said: “This won’t do—quickly turn around and let me see!” She was about to approach.
Knowing she wanted to treat his wounds, Lu Yun quickly stepped back: “The Princess is of noble imperial blood—how can you do such lowly work for a subject?” If the arrows were to be removed, it would definitely require touching his skin—highly improper.
Hearing his remonstrance, the Princess suddenly awakened and thought: “He’s right—I’m a pure maiden and noble imperial daughter. I really can’t do such things for him, otherwise if it spreads later, it would be bad for both him and me.” She was about to ignore it, but then thought: “This man risked life and death to save me and was even wounded by arrows. How can I repay him like this?”
This Princess was naturally compassionate and had always considered others since childhood. Seeing Lu Yun wounded for her sake, asking her to turn a blind eye would be extremely difficult. She turned over several thoughts, not knowing what to do for a moment. Earlier when surrounded by chaotic armies and suspended above a ten-thousand-zhang cliff, she hadn’t been as flustered as now.
Seeing her alternately worried and concerned, Lu Yun immediately said: “Princess, please sit and rest briefly. We still need to climb to the cliff top later—save some strength.”
The Princess made an “mm” sound and finally sat down, but her expression remained very hesitant.
Lu Yun paid no attention to her thoughts. He stood at the platform’s edge and looked down, seeing clouds and mist swirling below with the rebel army’s faces no longer visible. It seemed his climb had reached a hundred zhang high—for the moment no one could attack up here.
Lu Yun felt somewhat relieved and also sat down to rest with closed eyes.
Now for Qin Zhonghai—he had stepped forward to rescue, saving Prince Karachi back to the army. But the Prime Minister, not understanding military affairs, had suddenly ordered retreat just when there was an excellent opportunity for counterattack, withdrawing toward their own side instead. Qin Zhonghai called: “Prime Minister, don’t give the thieves a chance to catch their breath! Quickly attack forward!”
How could the Prime Minister understand his words? He still urgently retreated. Qin Zhonghai was secretly anxious but helpless. As he feared, the enemy army reorganized briefly then rallied again like a tide, attacking the Prime Minister’s side. Now that the Princess had been rescued by Lu Yun, the black-armored army, having failed repeatedly, felt extremely embarrassed and attacked even more fiercely. Under the black-armored army’s continuous assaults, the Prime Minister’s formation was already unstable. Seeing an opportunity, the black-armored army intensified their offensive, wanting to break through the Prime Minister’s formation in one stroke. Seeing the Prime Minister’s panicked behavior, Qin Zhonghai feared he would be defeated momentarily and would have to rely on himself. He immediately shouted: “All troops listen to orders! Form Crane Wing formation!”
Five thousand troops responded and immediately arranged the Crane Wing formation on the small hill, waiting for the enemy army to come kill.
Soon enough, the Prime Minister proved incompetent at warfare, making repeated mistakes until his formation was instantly broken through. Though Qin Zhonghai wanted to send troops to help, the distance was too great and with only five thousand men, he was powerless to assist.
Seeing his formation broken, the Prime Minister panicked and cried: “Everyone flee!” He was skilled in political affairs but unfamiliar with military strategy. In leading the retreat, he failed to assign rear guards, leaving the rear completely empty.
Standing on the small hill, Qin Zhonghai was greatly anxious and called: “Don’t just focus on fleeing—quickly send someone to guard the rear!”
But separated by several li with different languages, how could the Prime Minister hear clearly? He fled even faster. Seeing victory near, the black-armored army attacked with full force, wave after wave. With no one commanding the rear, the great army was immediately broken through by enemy forces. The situation became chaotic as defeated troops surged forward, colliding with the front forces. Instantly both armies pushed and trampled each other—countless died.
Qin Zhonghai’s face was ashen as he sighed continuously, but was powerless. Seeing this situation, Censor He had long since hidden behind the small hill, continuously chanting Buddha’s name in prayer. As Qin Zhonghai was leading his men to observe the battle situation, the Prime Minister suddenly spotted them. Like grasping driftwood in the sea, he urgently rode over calling: “Help! Save us!”
Countless defeated troops saw the Prime Minister fleeing toward the small hill and also cried out, following his figure as they all retreated toward the hill. Seeing this batch of defeated troops with panicked expressions surging like a tide, Qin Zhonghai was extremely annoyed. If this group in such panic charged up the small hill, they would inevitably scatter his carefully arranged Crane Wing formation, and when enemy troops took advantage to attack, the entire army would be annihilated.
Deputy Officer Li, who had followed Qin Zhonghai for long, also saw the dire situation and quickly asked: “General Qin, if they keep retreating this way, our formation might be broken through. What can we do?”
Qin Zhonghai frowned and thought: “Brother Lu can speak the barbarian language—if he were here, he could order these barbarian soldiers to disperse. But what can I do now?” As he worried, he saw a music instructor hurrying to escape—the very one who had taught him the Islamic language. Qin Zhonghai was delighted and grabbed him: “Quickly translate—tell these defeated troops to scatter to both sides!”
The music instructor had originally been scared witless by the enemy army, fleeing with rolling and crawling. Seeing the roving general here, his heart settled somewhat. He immediately translated these words and called them out loudly. At this moment with war and chaos everywhere, filled with crying and killing sounds, the music instructor had no internal energy and though he shouted himself hoarse, these words couldn’t carry far. The defeated troops still looked panicked and continued charging forward without a single one scattering aside.
Seeing the chaotic army about to reach the hill, Qin Zhonghai cursed angrily: “Damn it! Quickly translate this phrase ‘scatter! scatter!’ for me—I’ll shout it myself!”
With the noise so chaotic, the music instructor didn’t hear clearly and couldn’t help being stunned: “What? What does the General want me to translate?”
Qin Zhonghai angrily said: “Damn it! Quickly translate for me!”
The music instructor was greatly alarmed and quickly said several words in gibberish. Qin Zhonghai cursed: “What’s this jabbering nonsense—so ugly!”
The music instructor’s face looked awful as he repeated the words. Qin Zhonghai raised both hands signaling them to cover their ears, then roared skyward: “Curry la wai wai er!” This sound was like thunder, carrying far and wide. War horses hearing this tremendous roar were so frightened they reared up. Qin Zhonghai’s internal energy was somewhat superior to Lu Yun’s—when both roared and whistled, they had heaven-like authority. This shout indeed carried several li, drowning out countless killing sounds.
The barbarian troops, originally in flight, suddenly heard this “Curry la wai wai er” and only stood dumbly, not knowing what to do. Qin Zhonghai was puzzled and asked the nearby music instructor: “Did I get the pronunciation wrong? Otherwise why aren’t they moving?”
The music instructor smiled bitterly: “The General cursed at them—of course they’re standing dumbly.”
Qin Zhonghai angrily said: “Didn’t I tell them to scatter? How did I curse at them?”
The music instructor cried “Ah!” apologetically: “Just now the General kept saying ‘damn it,’ so I thought… thought…”
Qin Zhonghai’s face reddened as he chuckled: “Good boy, so you thought I wanted you to translate ‘damn your grandmother,’ right?”
Seeing the music instructor twist and nod slightly, Qin Zhonghai couldn’t help roaring with laughter: “Good! Good! What a ‘damn your grandmother’! What a ‘Curry la wai wai er’!” He gave a wild roar and shouted: “All troops listen to orders! Follow this general down to kill the enemy!” He then raised his blade and charged down, calling loudly: “Curry la wai wai er!”
The Prime Minister’s defeated troops had originally surged up the hill like a tide. Seeing him continuously shouting “damn your grandmother” with a fierce expression, they were immediately so frightened they rolled aside, achieving this effect without needing to order them to scatter.
Seeing “Curry la wai wai er” could serve multiple purposes, Qin Zhonghai was even more pleased and shouted: “Everyone follow me in calling! Curry la wai wai er!”
Five thousand troops charged down shouting together: “Curry la wai wai er!” and swept toward the enemy army. The enemy army had originally had high morale and achieved great victory, but suddenly a group of barbarians came killing while loudly shouting “damn your grandmother.” The front troops were immediately shocked. When the two armies engaged, their morale had already weakened. Heads flew and war horses neighed mournfully as the front ranks showed signs of loosening. Qin Zhonghai looked back at the small hill and roared at Prince Karachi: “Curry la wai wai er!” while continuously gesturing forward. The barbarian king was quite angry and cursed: “Why is this man cursing me!”
At this time Prime Minister Abu Qihan had already reached the small hill and stood beside the barbarian king. Seeing Qin Zhonghai had broken through the enemy’s front ranks while continuously shouting at them and gesturing forward, he suddenly understood: “Please order the three armies to attack forward together!”
Dabaierhan cried “Ah!” and also awakened, immediately shouting: “All troops charge forward!” The two armies then combined into one force. Everyone followed Qin Zhonghai in wildly shouting “Curry la wai wai er” as they all charged forward. Seeing their fierce momentum was hard to resist, the rebel army quickly retreated. How could Qin Zhonghai let them go? He led his army in pursuit for several li, killing thousands of enemy soldiers and finally venting his pent-up frustration.
Dabaierhan and others, seeing the enemy army retreat over ten li and the battle situation reversed, returned to the hill to rest. Soon Qin Zhonghai also returned with his army. Prime Minister Abu Qihan quickly came forward and bowed: “Thank you for the General’s martial prowess in saving our lives.”
Qin Zhonghai had someone translate and smiled: “The Prime Minister need not be so formal. Our two countries are friendly allies—how could we stand by and watch you die? But how severe are the army’s casualties?”
The Prime Minister counted the troops—of the hundred thousand army, after this battle the vitality was greatly damaged with barely twenty thousand remaining. At this time a person emerged from behind the small hill with a panicked expression, saying tremblingly: “Has the enemy army retreated?” It was Censor He. He had earlier been so frightened he hid, but seeing the situation slightly stabilized, he came out to speak again. Hearing of the heavy casualties, his legs couldn’t help shaking again.
Hearing that the hundred thousand army suffered such severe casualties—only one-fifth remaining out of five—Qin Zhonghai sighed: “The enemy is fierce and cunning—can’t blame these soldiers. But what exactly happened in your country? How did such an arrogant, fierce group of barbarians come, even daring to pursue the Crown Prince?”
The Prime Minister was about to respond when they heard horn sounds in the distance. The rebel army scattered to both sides, then hundreds of yellow flags emerged from the center. In the middle was a giant yellow banner over a zhang long with several curved characters written on it—clearly some important figure was coming. Qin Zhonghai didn’t recognize the barbarian writing and was about to ask when he saw the Prime Minister’s face full of terror, saying tremblingly: “The Fourth Prince has rebelled—this is terrible!”
Barbarian King Dabaierhan also trembled, muttering while staring fixedly at the central yellow banner. Qin Zhonghai called over the music instructor to ask in detail, thinking: “From this appearance, this Fourth Prince must be an extremely formidable figure—otherwise this barbarian king and Prime Minister wouldn’t be so frightened.”
Everyone on the hill saw the enemy army arrive and all looked up. Under the yellow banner, a man rode out—tall with a broad frame, yellow beard and blue eyes, imposing appearance far superior to Prince Karachi. He must indeed be an important figure. The Fourth Prince rode forward, and rebels all around knelt down shouting loudly: “Prince Boerchi—may you live a thousand, thousand years!” Tens of thousands of rebels calling together truly carried for several li, startling all four directions. Seeing the Fourth Prince’s excellent military leadership, the Prime Minister’s expression became even graver and he remained silent for a long time. Censor He, seeing this spectacle, felt his heart jump with terror. His face was ashen as he said tremblingly: “It seems the enemy army hasn’t retreated yet. I’ll withdraw for a while!” He slipped away again, hiding behind the small hill. Last time when praying he recited the Lotus Sutra—apparently the magic power wasn’t enough to repel the enemy army. This time he changed to reciting the Surangama Sutra, thinking the effect would surely be greater.
In rolling yellow sand, the Fourth Prince strode forward, proudly gazing at the vast firmament. His martial bearing was truly extraordinary. Surveying his surroundings, he suddenly raised his arms and called: “Brothers of Timur, listen! Is our Khanate’s national prestige first under heaven?”
The rebel troops loudly replied: “Yes!”
The Fourth Prince shouted again: “Is our country the current Celestial Empire?”
The rebel troops loudly answered: “Yes!”
The Fourth Prince rode forward a few steps and declared loudly: “Since our country is the world’s foremost empire, brothers! Why must we submit to China’s authority and become despicable, shameless slaves? Why must we offer our land to Beijing’s emperor to win his favor alone? Why! Why!”
Across the mountains and plains, only the whistling wind could be heard. Tens of thousands of troops remained motionless, quietly listening to him speak alone. The Fourth Prince pointed at Dabaierhan and shouted: “Only because Prince Karachi Dabaierhan is greedy for wealth and lustful, loving the gold, silver, and jewels sent by China’s emperor, loving to embrace China’s beautiful women—thus he disregards our national prestige! Warriors, you tell me! Prince Karachi sacrifices our land to China’s emperor for his personal treasures alone! Just to embrace Chinese beauties, he abandons our wives and children’s lives! Tell me—is he detestable?”
The rebel troops roared: “Detestable! Detestable!” The human voices were so loud that some immediately wanted to charge forward and kill. Hearing this incitement, Dabaierhan only stammered: “No… I didn’t…”
At this time the music instructor continuously translated in Qin Zhonghai’s ear so he understood the situation. After hearing a few sentences, Qin Zhonghai knew this Fourth Prince was extremely formidable—his talent probably far exceeded Prince Karachi’s. This person’s eloquence and clear understanding of soldiers’ feelings—just a few words stirred the great army to fury. He was indeed a formidable enemy.
The Fourth Prince shouted again: “With China’s current national weakness, we should occupy China and push our Khanate’s borders to the seaside, plant our military flags on China’s capital! Everyone! Don’t you agree?”
The rebel troops’ blood boiled as they roared: “Yes!”
The Fourth Prince called: “Prince Karachi, greedy for beauty, only knows to hold foreign beauties in the palace drinking and making merry every day. Can such a prince be our Khanate’s master?”
The rebel troops wildly shouted: “No! No!”
The Fourth Prince rode to the front line, raised his whip pointing at Prince Karachi and shouted: “What do you have to say!”
Dabaierhan said tremblingly: “What you say isn’t true… isn’t true…” His voice was weak like a prisoner guilty of serious crimes. Qin Zhonghai, without waiting for translation, was already secretly shaking his head.
The Fourth Prince roared: “You traitorous villain who sells out the Khanate! What else do you have to say! What dare you say!”
He knew Prince Karachi’s eloquence was poor—even if given a chance to speak, he wouldn’t dare say much. Indeed, Dabaierhan looked panicked, glancing at the Prime Minister, not knowing what to do.
Seeing his cowardice, the Fourth Prince immediately laughed loudly: “If you know you’re wrong, quickly commit suicide! For old times’ sake as brothers, I’ll naturally leave you a whole corpse!” He then looked up and laughed with incomparable arrogance.
But they heard someone on the small hill also laughing heartily, then shouting loudly: “Curry la wai wai er!” It was Qin Zhonghai cursing. The tens of thousands of troops on the hill burst into laughter, killing much of the Fourth Prince’s sharp momentum.
The Fourth Prince was furious beyond measure and angrily said: “What mongrel dog dares!” He personally led the three armies directly attacking the hill. In the thundering of ten thousand horses, he wielded a long spear and charged first—clearly a veteran of many battles.
Seeing the enemy’s arrogant flames, Qin Zhonghai immediately stood on the hill and shouted: “Archers prepare!” A thousand archers immediately appeared below the earth mound, all hidden in trenches. Hearing thundering hoofbeats and flying dust as countless enemy troops charged forward, the thousand archers showed no fear—clearly well-trained.
When the vanguard troops approached, Qin Zhonghai shouted: “Shoot arrows!” Continuous whooshing sounds filled the air. The Fourth Prince’s vanguard cavalry were instantly shot down by nearly half, but the remaining troops, relying on superior numbers far exceeding the Chinese army, continued charging up the hill.
Qin Zhonghai remained calm and suddenly shouted: “Archers down! Spearmen prepare!” A thousand spearmen immediately crawled out from the trenches, holding spears about one zhang long. When the enemy cavalry pressed close, Qin Zhonghai shouted: “Thrust!”
A thousand spearmen thrust forward with all their strength. The cold gleam of spears instantly pierced over a thousand horses’ bellies. The horses neighed mournfully and tumbled to the ground.
Seeing the rebel vanguard more than half destroyed, Qin Zhonghai shouted: “All troops prepare!”
Five thousand soldiers simultaneously drew their weapons and answered in unison. Qin Zhonghai looked up and roared: “Charge!”
He charged down first, leading the way with raised blade in wild slaughter. Five thousand troops, seeing their general advance, followed with great roars: “Kill!” raising blades and thrusting spears as they all charged down from the hill.
In flowing blood and rolling heads, Qin Zhonghai was like a tiger among sheep, cutting down anyone he saw without mercy, his expression extremely fierce, half his armor dyed blood-red. Seeing his martial arts were truly too high with no one daring to block, the rebel army actually cleared a large space. Qin Zhonghai gave a tiger’s roar, charging toward the Fourth Prince like a fire dragon. Seeing this, the Fourth Prince was greatly alarmed and quickly called: “Retreat! Retreat!” The vanguard troops fled in defeat, colliding with the rear endless reinforcements following behind. The two forces crashed together, throwing the formation into great chaos.
Qin Zhonghai shouted: “Take your life!” and spurred his horse pursuing the Fourth Prince. Though panicked, the Fourth Prince was after all a battlefield veteran. He turned to nock an arrow and shot fiercely at Qin Zhonghai. Qin Zhonghai raised his blade to deflect it, but this delay allowed the Imperial Guards to come forward and escort him back to the formation.
The Fourth Prince, still shaken, now knew Qin Zhonghai’s power. He only dared hide behind the formation cursing but didn’t dare advance to fight or challenge. Fifty thousand rebels surrounded the small hill, relying on superior numbers to attack several times, but were all repelled by Qin Zhonghai. Both armies immediately fell into stalemate.
As the sky gradually darkened and a new moon slowly rose, the two armies still faced off motionlessly.
Prime Minister Abu Qihan, seeing this situation, shook his head: “This Fourth Prince was usually on good terms with the Prince—the two brothers had deep affection. Who knew he would attack while the Prince was fetching his bride? Truly wolf-hearted and dog-lunged, too vicious.”
The Timurid Khanate inherited Mongol traditions—crown princes were always chosen by election, never according to age or rank. But this method was crude, and whenever an emperor died, it caused endless internal strife. The Khan wanted to eliminate this bad custom entirely and imitate Chinese law by making his eldest son “Prince Karachi” Dabaierhan the crown prince, hoping the country could enjoy eternal peace thereafter. But this move deeply wounded the Fourth Prince. This Fourth Prince was Prince Boerchi named Moerhan, who had previously established great military achievements, commanded fifty thousand elite troops, and was deeply loved by the three armies. Seeing the throne about to go to his mediocre elder brother, how could he swallow this? He took advantage of Prince Karachi’s wedding journey to come kill him, wanting to stage a coup in one stroke.
Qin Zhonghai had the translator music instructor come over: “Prime Minister, does your country’s Khan know of the Fourth Prince’s rebellion?”
Abu Qihan said: “I don’t know this either. If the Great Khan knows of this matter, he absolutely cannot allow the Fourth Prince to bully us and will certainly lead troops to rescue.”
Seeing the night was deep and this was a good opportunity to send for reinforcements, Qin Zhonghai said: “While both armies are resting now, why doesn’t the Prime Minister quickly send people back to seek rescue?”
Abu Qihan nodded repeatedly in agreement and immediately selected ten brave warriors, ordering them to circle around the back of the small hill and return to the country to report the current situation to the Khan.
Seeing the battle situation somewhat stabilized, Censor He finally emerged from behind the hill and joined the conversation. But whenever there was any disturbance, he was scared witless and couldn’t settle down for a long time. Qin Zhonghai quickly had someone bring wine for Censor He to calm his nerves.
After drinking a few sips, Censor He said tremblingly: “How did such a good wedding turn into this mess?”
Qin Zhonghai shook his head: “By sheer coincidence we encountered their internal strife—truly unexpected.”
Censor He held his head in his hands: “Then… where is the Princess now? Has she fallen into barbarian hands?”
Seeing his worry, Qin Zhonghai consoled gently: “Don’t worry, Censor He. Staff Officer Lu has already gone to rescue—presumably he’s already saved the Princess by now. We just don’t know where they’re hiding.”
Though Qin Zhonghai spoke to appease Censor He, his heart was very worried, not knowing Lu Yun and the Princess’s circumstances or whether they had fallen into rebel hands.
In the deep night, Lu Yun stood at the platform’s edge, watching the two armies battle from afar. Knowing Qin Zhonghai was skilled at leading troops and wouldn’t be defeated for the moment, he felt relieved. The Princess, seeing him standing motionless, asked: “What exactly are those people fighting us for?”
Lu Yun’s internal energy was deep—though separated by a great distance, he still heard the Fourth Prince’s speech clearly. He relayed: “This Fourth Prince resents Prince Karachi’s marriage alliance with our country and uses this to raise troops in rebellion, wanting to replace him.”
The Princess showed pity and shook her head: “Why must these people kill each other, not even sparing brothers and blood relatives? Sigh… what’s so good about being emperor?” She sighed endlessly.
Seeing her very tired, Lu Yun said: “Please rest briefly, Princess. Later we’ll climb to the peak.”
The Princess was indeed exhausted. She had risen at dawn this day and endured hardships all along the way. Hearing Lu Yun’s words, she immediately leaned against the rock wall and fell into deep sleep. Seeing her sleeping sweetly, Lu Yun immediately removed his outer robe to cover her, then stood guard nearby with drawn blade.
Under the starlight illuminating the earth, Lu Yun looked at the sleeping Princess and couldn’t help feeling moved. Who would have thought such sudden changes would occur in one day? He didn’t know how this marriage alliance would ultimately end. Fearing midnight sneak attacks, he sat upright at the cliff edge with drawn blade, eyes wide and constantly vigilant.
Around dawn, with the first rays of sunrise shining from afar, Lu Yun squinted his tired eyes and was about to rest briefly when he heard chaotic voices below. Several barbarian monks were climbing and leaping, scaling up the cliff.
Lu Yun’s heart jumped in alarm: “These barbarian monks came so quickly—we must leave soon.” He bent down and called: “Princess, wake up! The barbarians are attacking again!”
Last night with troubled heart, the Princess had only closed her eyes late at night. Now in sweet dreams, she was awakened by Lu Yun. With sleepy eyes, she looked down to see several fierce-faced barbarian monks climbing up with extremely swift movements, ascending over ten zhang in the blink of an eye. She couldn’t help saying in alarm: “They’re coming again!”
Taking advantage of the dawn light, Lu Yun saw the cliff top was not far away. Calculating silently, he figured that without obstruction, he should be able to climb up in one attempt. He said: “Please step forward, Princess.” He then untied his waist belt, about to bind her to his chest.
The Princess’s face was completely red as she hesitated. Lu Yun looked back to see the barbarian monks had already climbed near and quickly said: “Princess, the barbarians are close by—please come quickly.”
The Princess, both shy and afraid, reluctantly stepped forward one or two steps. Seeing the dire situation, Lu Yun quickly embraced her and firmly tied them together with the cloth belt.
The Princess gave a soft moan, her cheeks burning red with embarrassment. This was the second time being held in Lu Yun’s arms—her maidenly shyness didn’t decrease but increased. Instantly she felt her whole body burning and her heartbeat quickening.
She looked up at Lu Yun and saw his eyes like fire and torch as he peered downward. In the sunlight, his face showed a very resolute expression. The Princess’s heart stirred—she suddenly wanted to speak with him but didn’t know what to say, hesitating with words unspoken.
Lu Yun looked down and saw the Princess’s face flushed red, seeming somewhat uncomfortable. He quickly asked: “Did this subject bind too tightly, causing Your Highness discomfort?” He was about to loosen the waist belt when the Princess quickly shook her head: “It’s fine—let’s go up quickly! Don’t let the thieves catch up!”
Lu Yun exerted his hands and feet, urgently climbing up the cliff. Whenever he encountered loose stones, he would circulate his “Absolute Heart Method,” using the adhesive force in his palms to stick to the rocks like a gecko, climbing upward.
The Princess looked down—having climbed so high, objects below the cliff could no longer be seen clearly. If Lu Yun’s hands and feet slipped even slightly and they fell, both would be smashed to pulp and die horribly. Though this was extremely dangerous, looking at Lu Yun’s face, she somehow felt peaceful and calm in her heart, as if being very safe in this person’s arms.
Perhaps because she hadn’t slept well earlier, she now pillowed on Lu Yun’s shoulder and fell into deep sleep.