Chapter 1363 - 1039: You Are Harmless, So I Will Not Harm You

The appearance of this Heavy Cavalry unit, though no blades had left their scabbards and no one had yet raised a hand, already decided victory and defeat, life and death.

Or perhaps, not yet decided.

Neither Jiang Kesong nor Gao Feng dismounted before or after saluting Shang Ruyi; even as they raised their hands in salute, they remained on guard throughout, as if merely waiting for Shang Ruyi to speak, so they could give the order at once.

Outside Xiazhou, this group had displayed overwhelming might, breaking through the Western Turks’ encirclement of the city of several months with almost no effort, then joining the Xiazhou garrison to defeat them; now they arrived bearing the momentum of that victory. Although Ashina Zhuxie had also brought a band of picked soldiers, their numbers were small. This was the same principle as when they had constantly suppressed Shang Ruyi’s guards—if they wished to wipe them out, it would be almost as easy as lifting a hand.

So long as Shang Ruyi gave the word.

In the quiet of this moment of waiting, Ashina Zhuxie sensed it as well. His face sank; one hand shielded Lei Yu behind him, while the other had already reached for the curved blade at his waist.

But just as his fingertips were about to touch the hilt, Shang Ruyi said coldly, "If I were you, I would certainly not move rashly right now."

"..."

Ashina Zhuxie’s brows knitted tightly, yet he did not continue.

Shang Ruyi gave a slight nod. "That is the right choice."

Half-squinting, Ashina Zhuxie looked around. Though the night was deep and the firelight flickering made it hard for him to see how many men this unit had, to be able to surround both encampments they must number at least two hundred. If battle truly broke out under such circumstances, his men had almost no chance of victory.

So he said coldly, "I won’t move rashly—does that mean you won’t move either?"

"..."

"You led these men out of Chang An just to lift the siege of Xiazhou?"

At these words, the surrounding Turkic soldiers grew even more tense, their breathing turning anxious and harsh.

Aside from the earlier clash at Taiyuan, the Western Turks and the Dasheng Dynasty had not formally gone to war, but they had just now already come to blows—kill or be killed. Under such circumstances, how could Shang Ruyi possibly spare them? Moreover, with the Khan of the Western Turks present, if Ashina Zhuxie were truly killed, the Western Turks would fall into chaos, which would be advantageous to the Eastern Turks, who were closer to the Dasheng Dynasty.

Whichever way one looked at it, Shang Ruyi could not possibly let such a golden opportunity slip.

In truth—precisely so.

Shang Ruyi did not immediately speak, yet she also did not order Jiang Kesong and Gao Feng to dismount and disperse these Western Turkic soldiers, because she herself was hesitating.

Indeed, she ought to kill Ashina Zhuxie here.

Not only because that journey across the grassland had let her see how deep his scheming ran and how ruthless his methods were, but also because she knew well that the Western Turks had always been a blade hanging above the head of the Central Plains. If she truly could kill Ashina Zhuxie and once and for all resolve the Turkic threat, it would indeed be an immense boon to the Dasheng Dynasty.

Yet... in this world, is there truly such a thing as "once and for all"?

Ashina Zhuxie already had a Prince, He Du, at his knee. The child had only just begun to speak, yet a Prince was still a Prince. If the Khan truly died, the boy would immediately inherit the Khan’s position and continue to lead the Western Turks.

The child was young while the mother was in her prime, and with Lei Yu’s political skill, she would certainly take up that scepter of authority.

The crux lay here: they had just received news that Lei Yi had been driven to his death. Though Shang Ruyi could firmly judge that Yu Wenye had never intended such an outcome, it was nevertheless because he advanced his troops to Xiaopingjin Pass that this result was brought about. Whatever the truth, Lei Yu would unquestionably settle this score on him—on them.

She would never return to the Central Plains.

The Dasheng Dynasty was long since no longer her home, but the very place she hated!

She would surely lead the Western Turks and continue to stand as their enemy.

Unless—

Unless!

The mere thought made Shang Ruyi’s whole body tremble; a bone-deep chill rose from the depths of her heart, spreading in an instant to her limbs and trunk, as though it were freezing the very blood in her veins. She shuddered, instinctively shaking her head.

Impossible. She absolutely could not do such a thing.

Though by now she had also concealed things from the other side and schemed against them, all of it was premised on not harming Lei Yu. No matter what happened, she could not allow anyone to hurt Lei Yu.

Even if that person... was herself!

At this thought, Shang Ruyi drew in a sharp breath, then, as though afraid she might go back on her resolve, immediately lifted her head to look at Lei Yu behind Ashina Zhuxie. In the leaping firelight, Lei Yu’s deathly pale face was like a sheet of paper, upon which were drawn emotionless features, icy eyes, a high nose that symbolized her stubborn character, and lips pressed into a line, as if there were many words to be said, but at this moment had none left to utter.

Once a bright and striking face, now as cold as a sheet of paper devoid of feeling.

Shang Ruyi said, "What I intend to do is not important. What matters is that the Khan must at once order your people to put away their weapons and withdraw."

"..."

"Only after your people have withdrawn can mine dismount."

The meaning of these words was also very clear—only if you show no harmful intent will I refrain from harm.

Ashina Zhuxie did not react at once. Half-squinting, he studied the flicker in her eyes. After a long moment, he seemed finally to understand and, moreover, to convince himself. He raised his hand and gave a slight wave.

The Turkic soldiers behind him instantly sheathed their blades and withdrew in neat order to his rear.

At once, the men and horses on both sides withdrew into their own encampments, distinct as clear and muddy waters.

Only then did Shang Ruyi raise her hand and give a light wave.

There came a crisp, unified sound as the surrounding cavalry swung down from their horses in unison. The heavy thud of their landing made the ground tremble once more, sending a tingling numbness up through the soles of their feet. To Lei Yu, it was as though she had been struck by an earthquake; her whole body swayed.

Ashina Zhuxie immediately reached out to steady her.

He said in a low voice, "We’re leaving."

"..."

Lei Yu raised her head. In that pallid face, her pair of black, hollow eyes held not a trace of warmth, as if she were merely looking at him. "Where to?"

"Back first."

"Back where?"

"Xiazhou. The rout over there will certainly cause some disorder; we must return at once to stabilize the situation."

"..."

"He Du is still there."

"...!"

At the sound of He Du’s name, it was as if something had struck Lei Yu’s chest hard, and that nearly frozen heart finally began to beat again. Even the light returned to her gaze, once more flickering and bright. He Du—he was perhaps the only thing in this world she could still cling to, or rather, the only thing that could still cling to her.

She nodded in haste. "Yes, He Du. I must hurry back. I must find my He Du."

Ashina Zhuxie nodded and at once moved to order the men around him to break camp and set out.

But after only a few steps, Lei Yu stopped again, slowly turning to look at Shang Ruyi, who still stood at the edge of her encampment, motionless, watching her.