Chapter 1361 - 1037: Yes, My Father...

This glance made Lei Yu’s heart tremble, instinctively sensing something.

Then she heard the soldier say, "The battle in Luoyang is tense. After Yu Wenye took Da Gu and Huanxuan Pass, the soldiers of the other city passes were thrown into chaos. Just a few days ago, the soldiers at Xiaopingjin Pass killed the commander and surrendered to Dasheng."

"...!"

This sentence was like a thunderbolt from the sky, striking Lei Yu’s head directly.

She felt completely empty, standing there dazed and speechless.

On the other hand, Shang Ruyi’s guards were overjoyed at hearing this news. Before setting out, they had already heard of King Qin’s military success in Luoyang, capturing several passes within the Eight Passes, which were commendable achievements. It was unexpected that the important Xiaopingjin Pass would surrender without him personally attacking, succumbing to his overwhelming reputation.

Is this not divine aid for Dasheng?

The young men Li Miao and Gao Chen exchanged glances and even excitedly whispered, "Yes!"

Even as excitement brewed on one side, elation reigned on the other, yet Shang Ruyi remained silent.

At this moment, she felt an indescribable unease, like a giant net suddenly casting down from the sky, enveloping her entirely, making her breathing and heartbeat difficult. She took a deep breath, still feeling constrained in her chest, unable to free herself, only being able to squeeze out a slight sound from her throat, asking the soldier, "Who is the commander of Xiaopingjin Pass?"

"It’s my father..."

A raspy, low voice rose, and Lei Yu slowly turned her head, her face pale, lifeless, her eyes devoid of light, her dark pupils glancing at Shang Ruyi.

In that one glance, Shang Ruyi felt as though she had fallen into an ice cave, her limbs instantly cold.

Wo Xue, who was protecting Shang Ruyi, also gasped in shock at this moment.

The commander of Xiaopingjin Pass was actually Lei Yu’s father, Lei Yi?!

Shang Ruyi clenched her fists tightly, but at this moment, looking at Lei Yu’s void-like eyes, she felt as though she were empty, unable to feel her fingers or her own body, only an indescribable pain rising from all directions.

She took another deep breath but did not know where that breath went.

She said, "Lei Yu..."

After calling her name, Shang Ruyi’s throat clogged up, though she had much to say—Was all this false? Could it all be false? If Yu Wenye knew the commander of Xiaopingjin Pass was Lei Yi, he might not have attacked outright, he should have devised a foolproof strategy to capture it.

But thinking this made her heart completely cold.

Indeed, whether considering the battle situation or their past acquaintance with the Lei Family’s father and daughter, or considering Liang Shide’s probable dispatch of reinforcements from Luoyang if Xiaopingjin Pass were to be attacked after losing the first few passes like Da Gu and Huanxuan, it’s unlikely Yu Wenye would attack Xiaopingjin Pass using earlier methods.

The most likely course for him would be to utilize the fact that he and Lei Yi were acquaintances and leverage the capture of the other three passes within Eight Passes to entice the surrender of Xiaopingjin Pass’s commander.

But, Lei Yi, what would he do?

Under normal circumstances, he might defect, as this would also be a chance for him.

But now, Lei Yu is in Western Turks, having been forcibly taken after Ashina Zhuxie killed Shali Khan and Yiasu. Meanwhile, Liang Shide has sent Wang Shaoqiu to Western Turks for aid, unaware that Wang Shaoqiu has already died at Skytop Mountain. For his daughter’s safety, Lei Yi certainly dared not act rashly.

The only thing he could do for his daughter’s safety was to hold firm.

But his subordinates, the other officers at Xiaopingjin Pass, needn’t consider this. They only needed to consider their allegiance and maintaining their positions. In this situation, defecting to the overwhelmingly victorious Yu Wenye was their choice!

And the only obstacle to their choice was Lei Yi...

So...

It’s all true!

Shang Ruyi’s eyes were seared red by a surge of heat within, nearly becoming tearful, forcefully choking, her throat emitting struggling, hoarse sounds, wanting to say more but only managing a powerless, "Lei Yu..."

Lei Yu slowly turned her head.

Her eyes were already without light, at this point seeming about to be swallowed by the night despite the soldiers and guards around her raising torches, failing to illuminate her path. Only Ashina Zhuxie stepped forward, firmly grabbing her arm.

Until then, Lei Yu suddenly realized she was swaying, nearly falling.

Ashina Zhuxie’s grip held and steadied her.

In the urgency, he hadn’t controlled his strength, and Lei Yu felt painful pinching on her arm, but this pain was like a fine thread pulling her back from the deep abyss.

Lei Yu looked up, seeing the wounds on his neck and jaw, now seeming like burns, tears instantly streaming down.

"I, I—"

She wanted to say something but couldn’t utter a single word. Her silent crying filled the moment’s silence.

Ashina Zhuxie pulled her into his arms, then looked up at Shang Ruyi, his wolf eyes merciless, voiced harshly, "Kill them for me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Turkic soldiers behind him, unable to suppress their raging anger, rushed forward, their steel blades cutting through the night, shining brilliantly as they struck toward Shang Ruyi and the others.

"Princess, watch out!"

Wo Xue cried out, promptly pulling Shang Ruyi behind him, while Li Miao, Gao Chen, and others reacted swiftly, leading those behind them to confront the Turkic soldiers, all at once screams and shouts broke the desolate silence of the plain, the chilly night quickly engulfed in a thick scent of blood.

"Princess, let’s go!"

Wo Xue quickly kicked aside a Turkic soldier charging through the crowd aiming to stab Shang Ruyi, turned to grasp Shang Ruyi’s wrist with the intent to return to the camp—they had selected the guards with care, but these few were far inferior to the Turkic soldiers Ashina Zhuxie brought. In combat, victory was impossible, and if Shang Ruyi got hurt, it’d be disastrous!

As Wo Xue attempted to lead Shang Ruyi away, she felt weight on her wrist, turning to see Shang Ruyi’s hand placed over hers.

She looked up at Shang Ruyi and saw a flicker in her gaze, seemingly calm or waiting for something.

Shang Ruyi spoke, "Don’t panic."