Chapter 282 - Wolf Hawk

By dawn, the fighting within the city had ceased. The air was clear of dust due to the recent rain. Most of the palace was in ruins, and Shen Zechuan stepped over the debris, only able to see remnants of walls and collapsed structures.

"Someone set fire to the palace," Fei Sheng said, following closely beside Shen Zechuan. "…The Mingli Hall is nothing but ashes now."

"The Empress refused to surrender and chose to die for her country," Shen Zechuan commented. "Dazhou's history will undoubtedly record Emperor Shengyin's chapter."

Fei Sheng had yearned to return to Qidu, but now that he was back, everything he saw was unfamiliar, making him miss Zhongbo more. He held his sword, clearing the rubble ahead for Shen Zechuan, and said, "She was a strong-willed woman."

"Summon You Jing, Min Shen, and Cheng Feng to await my orders." Shen Zechuan paused in his stride. "Has Songyue not returned yet?"

Fei Sheng glanced in the direction of Mingli Hall, hesitated for a moment, and said, "He's returned."

* * *

Qiao Tianya was washing his hands, his ten fingers submerged in a bronze basin, tinting the water with delicate red threads. The sword remained at his waist, but its hilt had turned a deep crimson, obscuring its original hue.

"All venomous scorpions have been eradicated, totalling one hundred and forty-seven individuals, primarily eunuchs," Ge Qingqing perused the waist plaques of the palace officials, "Their ringleader was named Feng Quan, who arrived after the Xian De eighth year to fill the vacancy left by Pan Rugui."

Zhou Gui exclaimed in shock, "So many."

Ge Qingqing, noticing Zhou Gui's change in expression, couldn't help comforting him, "Now that Qidu is surrounded by us, there's no need for you to worry, Your Excellency."

While they conversed, Qiao Tianya had already washed his hands. He lifted the curtain and, taking advantage of the dawn not yet fully breaking, descended the steps.

"If Feng Quan could be captured alive..."

Kong Ling silently waved his hand, and Yu Xiaozai refrained from continuing. Kong Ling gazed at the still-moving curtain and whispered, "Report the situation truthfully to the Marquis."

Before Qiao Tianya reached the tent, he heard Yao Wenyu's coughing. Standing at the entrance, he raised his hand but didn't lift the curtain.

Yao Wenyu folded the handkerchief and placed it back in his sleeve, saying softly, "The Marquis has yet to return. Come in."

Qiao Tianya bowed and entered.

The brazier had gone out, leaving the tent slightly chilly. Yao Wenyu, draped in an overcoat, sat on the bed with a pen still clutched in his hand. Upon Qiao Tianya's arrival, he pushed aside the small table.

Qiao Tianya, against the faint morning light, removed his boots by the bedside. He fell silent and squeezed into the narrow space between the bed and the table, resting his head on Yao Wenyu's knees. The scent of medicine emanating from Yao Wenyu enveloped Qiao Tianya, and he closed his eyes, as if he were sleeping in a distant past.

Yao Wenyu covered the sword hilt with one hand and held Qiao Tianya with the other. His wide sleeves spread across the bed, as he gazed down at Qiao Tianya in the soft morning light.

The scent of incense on the table masked the smell of blood, both Yao Wenyu's and Qiao Tianya's.

"I have a courtyard on Bodhi Mountain," Yao Wenyu stroked Qiao Tianya's hair gently, "where in the morning you can witness the dawn's glow, and after dusk, the lights of Qidu City resemble a galaxy of stars."

Qiao Tianya seemed to see it all.

Yao Wenyu turned his head slightly, looking at the thin paper window. "The snow is coming," he said.

Outside, ethereal flowers danced lightly in the air like snowflakes.

* * *

Amur wore a stone bead on his forehead and an antique curved knife at his waist. With his towering figure, he bent down to pick up the crimson tibetan silk flower that had fallen for Duo Erlan. He opened his palm, revealing the silk flower that resembled a real blossom – a gift Hason had brought back from Qidong's border.

Amur spoke, "Dear girl, follow your father back to the oasis."

Duo Erlan took the silk flower with both hands and shook her head. "I am Hason's wife, I must protect my husband's father like an eagle."

"His father is not yet old," A'muer straightened himself up, bellowing out a hearty laugh amidst the lingering glow of the setting sun. "Warfare is the domain of men. You have granted me the bear warriors of the Suheba Beast tribe; you've already done much for the Han Shei Clan. Good girl, silly lass, you are not only Hason's wife but also the mother of his children. The pearl of the grasslands should be galloping by the shores of Chi Ti Lake—this sandy terrain here does not suit you. Return home."

Duo Erlan's shoulders quivered as she fought back her tears, yet they still wetted her cheeks. Clutching the silk flower, she sobbed, "I heard the wolf king's horn, I smelled his butchering blade..."

A'muer lowered his large palm, covering Duo Erlan's hairline, saying, "From the moment Xiao Fangxu and I were born within the embrace of Mount Hongyan, it was fated that the fierce snakes and Li Bei would inevitably determine a victor. Over decades of warfare, we have lost our respective brothers and sent forth our own sons."

His weathered countenance was bathed in golden light, the remaining glow so brilliant that it seemed to rival the rising sun in splendor.

The lack of news from Qudu signifies that A'muer no longer holds the upper hand within the Great Zhou. He has missed too many opportunities. Without Hason and the supply lines from Zhongbo, the prospects for the Han She tribe are clear as day.

"My eagle soars over the snow-capped peaks of the North, and his father would not flinch before the blade of a new Wolf King. We are a mighty clan among the Twelve Tribes, a clan of strength, with the sun and the moon in our grasp. Among us, there are only heroes who fall in battle, never cowards who retreat."

Outside the golden tent, Ba Yin stood alongside the Wise Elder. The elder's palms were wrinkled with age, as he rubbed the withered yellow grass leaves in his hands, gazing at the setting sun in the distance.

Ba Yin clutched his cherished book and inquired, "Master, do you think we will emerge victorious?"

The old sage remained silent. When Hason left, he had also knelt by the Tea Stone River and asked, "Will I emerge victorious?" The blade of grass in his palm was whisked away by the wind, drifting into the distance. The old sage's snow-white beard and hair swayed gently in the breeze as he gazed silently at the setting sun until the sky darkened.

"The wolf has arrived."

The old sage spoke thus.

Gusts of wind swept across the undulating hills, sand brushing against iron armor. The young Wolf King rose slowly, his hand on his sword, capturing everyone's attention. As the sun set behind him, it was replaced by an endless sea of iron steeds. Fierce perched atop Xiao Chiye's shoulder, his sharp gaze piercing through the fierce winds, fixed ahead in unison with his master.

Langtaoxue rushed up from behind but did not stop. Xiao Chiye mounted his horse and Fierce spread its wings, flying alongside Xiao Chiye. Xiao Chiye led a horde of iron-clad soldiers, trampling through the sand like boundless dark clouds, swooping down into the night.

* * *

Ba Yin bade Duo Erlan farewell, standing by the carriage as he presented her with a book he had treasured.

Duo Erlan said, "I can't read the Great Zhou script. You should keep it."

Ba Yin insisted on placing the book on Duo Erlan's lap. "It's for Little Eagle."

Duo Erlan covered her belly, the sheep bleating loudly from behind the carriage. She leaned on the carriage, gazing at the clusters of tents. "…The moon tonight is too bright."

Assuming that Duo Erlan was worried about the journey back, Ba Yin smiled reassuringly. "Oso and Re have already greeted the tribes along the way. With the Youxiong Clan warriors accompanying you, no one would dare to harm you."

There was no trace of a smile on Duo Erlan's face; she seemed like a flower wilting away. Ba Yin could not fathom her thoughts, even though he had become a sage, he was still just a foolish boy.

Ba Yin fumbled in his empty pocket and pulled out an old, worn-out writing brush. He placed it beside Duo Erlan on her lap, maintaining a smile on his dark face as he said, "By next year, when you safely give birth to our child, Oso and Ritu will come to fetch you. Then, you'll be the most esteemed woman in the desert."

One of the six tribes had betrayed Xiao Chiye, and the dominance of the Viper Tribe as the ruler of the desert was now nominal at best. Ba Yin's clumsy attempts at comforting Duo Erlan could not conceal this fact.

But this time, Duo Erlan forced a smile, as if she truly believed Ba Yin's words. "If it's a boy, I'll leave his upbringing to you. I'll return this book to you then."

Ba Yin scratched the back of his head rather awkwardly. "If it's a boy, he'll surely be as excellent as an eagle, the finest lad in the desert. It'd be best to let Teacher, Oso, and Ritu instruct him." He smiled again. "Duo Erlan, let's go. Your father is still waiting for you."

The Huluke Tribe herded their sheep, the only ones they had left, to send them back to the oasis before the weather worsened. The Youxiong Tribe did not have many warriors, but their bear horses stood out among the short-statured breeds, appearing particularly formidable with their swords at their waists.

The Huluke Tribe was familiar with the sand routes, and the man leading the way spurred his horse forward, the bronze bells hanging high on the flagpole ringing. Amidst the jolting carriage, Duo Erlan waved at Ba Yin.

Ba Yin took a few steps after her, mustering the courage to call out, "Duo Erlan!"

Duo Erlan lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked at him.

Ba Yin stopped in his tracks, standing where he was, waving once more without saying a word.

The dark sky enveloped the desert, and a falcon circled above the rainbow eagle flag, the wind whistling past the fluttering banner. The sound of the bronze bells grew fainter and fainter. Ba Yin took a few steps back, his empty hands clenched into fists as he silently prayed for victory, his gaze fixed on her.

The moonlight was delicate, laying at their feet as if it could be shattered with a single step. The hoofbeats sank into the ground and then suddenly lifted away.

The old sage discarded the withered branch used for divination on his lap, folded his hands together, bowed his head, and silently invoked the divine name of Chiti, the Heavenly God.

Ba Yin finally turned around and ran towards the direction of the old sage, shouting, "Old..."

The falcon perched atop the rainbow eagle banner had no chance to react before it was suddenly torn apart by the swiftly diving sea eagle. Gripping the remains of the falcon in mid-air, it flapped its wings wildly, plucking out the falcon's feathers.

The turn of events was so swift that Ba Yin couldn't regain his composure. The clamor of drinking and dining in the tents had yet to subside.

"Wolves!" The vigilant Huns on their steeds dashed across the sandy terrain, yelling at the top of their lungs in the frontier dialect, "Ambush! ——"

The long swords slashed out with a hiss, and the heavy iron armor plowed right through the cavalry from behind. The short-statured horses were powerless against the onslaught of steel and were swallowed up in an instant.

Ba Yin stood frozen in his tracks.

The Northern Iron Riders should have just passed through Mo San Chuan. News had it that Xiao Chiye intended to block off the exit at Mo San Chuan, and the main force had yet to arrive. However, this sudden turn of events indicated that Xiao Chiye not only came but chose the most direct method of attack.

"Xiao, Xiao Chiye…" Ba Yin spun around and roared, "The Iron Riders have launched a surprise attack!"

The outermost fence was trampled under the thunderous gallop of ironclad hooves, and the warriors who had just emerged from their tents were caught off guard, clashing with the iron riders while wielding their curved blades.

Xiao Chiye's ferocious saber was heavy in his grip, and his extraordinary arm strength made him virtually unbeatable in a swing. As he charged into the Han She Department's tents, he left trails of splattered blood in his wake.

A severed head rolled at Ba Yin's feet, and he choked on his fear. Amidst the flashing blades, he saw a pair of ravenous wolf eyes.

An eye for an eye.

Ba Yin stumbled backward in panic, almost falling.

Xiao Chiye panted softly, lifting his saber-wielding arm and wiping the blood from his cheek with the back of his hand. The smile that gradually spread across his face was dangerously alluring. After months of arduous travel, they had finally reached their destination.

"Amur—" Xiao Chiye raised his neck amidst the spattering of gore and dancing flames, his voice as cold as ice, "Where are you?"

The curtains of the golden tent were pushed aside, and an aged curved blade flashed with a chilling glint in the moonlight as Amur emerged. His towering figure shielded the sand beneath his feet, like a stabilizing anchor for the Han She Department.

As the lone predator found himself surrounded by falcons, Xiao Chiye flicked the blood off his blade and heard the war drums.