Chapter Forty-Nine: The Alliance (Part Three)

More than a thousand tents of the Qianyue Tribe were clustered against the mountains, forming a settlement of some six or seven hundred people. Among the seventy or eighty tents, new and old, the royal tent bearing the Qianyue banner was guarded at the center.

For the Qianyue Tribe, it would have been unthinkable to push so deep into the heartlands of the major Turkic tribes, let alone approach the grand tent of the Great Khan Shibi. Yet setting up their royal camp near Yunzhong City posed little real risk.

The reason was simple: the Heng’an Eagle Command, stationed at Yunzhong City, was now the weakest force, caught precariously between Wang Rengong and the Turks. They barely clung to power with a handful of veteran generals, battle-hardened from campaigns in Koguryo, and a core of elite troops. They could hardly afford to make an enemy of the Nine Surnames Tribes as well.

Moreover, the arrival of the Nine Surnames Tribes at Yunzhong was partly for the great autumn gathering, partly for a league to resist the Turks. No matter the reason, these events were greatly to the advantage of Liu Wuzhou’s forces. In last year’s great battle, nearly two thousand wolf cavalry of the Turkic Zhibi Tribe had fallen to the weapons of the Heng’an Eagles, and the hatred between the two sides now ran deep. At this juncture, it was impossible for Liu Wuzhou to make a move against the Nine Surnames Tribes.

When the Qianyue Tribe arrived and set up their camp by the mountains, Liu Wuzhou even sent gifts of sheep and wine in welcome. He raised no objections to their refusal to reside within the secure zone between the low-hill military encampment and the city walls of Yunzhong. Nor did he send troops to search their camp.

However, the Qianyue Tribe could not dig deep trenches or build strong fortifications. They managed only a shallow ditch and a thin wooden palisade, with no other defenses such as deer barricades. Nevertheless, a battalion of Heng’an cavalry continued to patrol nearby, tacitly keeping an eye on them—a silent understanding between both sides.

But now, Liu Wuzhou had even withdrawn these sentries, signaling a hands-off approach to the league among the Nine Surnames Tribes.

With the withdrawal of the Eagle Command, the Qianyue Tribe’s own mounted scouts were dispatched, a hundred strong, fanning out in groups of three to five. Clad in furs—many with armor hidden beneath—they rode their swift steppe horses two or three miles beyond the camp, keeping vigilant watch and waiting for the arrival of the tribal nobles.

Within the camp itself, warriors of the Qianyue Tribe moved everywhere, their shadows flickering among the tents. The royal tent was most heavily guarded, not a gap left unsealed.

As the nobles of various tribes arrived in squads, they were greeted and led within by familiar faces from the Qianyue. All but a few trusted attendants were required to wait outside the royal tent, making the encampment busier than ever.

Luo Dun and his party wound their way toward the cluster of Qianyue tents. By his side rode Buli, following closely. The girl, mounted on a tall horse, seemed even more frail and petite, her unbound hair swaying like black silk with the horse’s motion.

She kept her ears pricked and her body tense, wary of everything. Anyone wishing to harm Luo Dun would first have to contend with her.

Meanwhile, Lie Lie led two or three dozen riders, flanking Luo Dun protectively. These guards had been handpicked from the Lianghait Special Tribe, each one weathered and battle-hardened, looking every bit as reliable as their reputation.

As the Axianset of the Lianghait Special Tribe, Lie Lie rode ceaselessly up and down the column, sharp eyes scanning like a hawk for any threat to Luo Dun. His broad shoulders and powerful build practically shouted loyalty and dependability.

Hidden among the party were Xu Le, Han Yue, Song Bao, and others. Xu Le couldn’t help but glance repeatedly at Lie Lie, a growing sense of unease gnawing at him. Everything seemed normal, yet nothing felt right.

The Qianyue camp lay just twenty-odd miles from the Lianghait camp—a short ride for their swift horses. Soon, the banners of the Qianyue could be seen in the distance, their riders signaling toward the royal tent upon spotting the approaching Lianghait standards.

At the sound of the horns, Luo Dun, who had been silent all along, turned to beckon Xu Le forward with a smile. “A-le, you can see me off here. Wait for the old man’s return.”

Xu Le paused, meeting Luo Dun’s gaze. “Elder, let me come with you. The league of the Nine Surnames is such a grand affair—it would be a shame not to witness it.”

Luo Dun snorted, “Nonsense! If you come, it’ll only cause trouble. Others will think I brought the famous Xu Le to wrest the leadership of the league! Who told you to make such a name for yourself in Yunzhong? Too many know your face.”

Xu Le could only shrug. Fame, he thought, is not always a blessing…

Lie Lie drew near as well, lacking Luo Dun’s patience. He sneered, “The league of the Nine Surnames is our tribe’s business. What business does a Han like you have meddling here? Don’t make trouble and delay our important matters!”

This time, Xu Le did not yield. His sword-like brows arched as he shot back, “I call the chief ‘Elder’—he is my family. By reason and by feeling, I must look after my own kin!”

A flash of irritation crossed Lie Lie’s face, his expression darkening. His hand went instinctively to the weapon at his waist. Before Xu Le could react, Han Yue’s eyes locked on Lie Lie’s hand, his own hand gripping the small shield slung from his saddle.

Should Lie Lie dare make a move, Han Yue was ready to drive the shield’s twin steel spikes clean through him.

Song Bao, quick to respond, stood akimbo and shouted, “What do you think you’re doing? If Young Master Xu calls the chief ‘Elder,’ then he’s half a young chief himself! You’d raise your hand against him?”

Lie Lie’s own loyal followers gathered close, faces grim and threatening, clearly ready to start a fight.

Only Buli remained at Luo Dun’s side, indifferent to bloodshed as long as Luo Dun was unharmed.

Lie Lie shot Xu Le a venomous glare, then turned to Luo Dun. “Chief, we must not delay the affairs of the league.”

Luo Dun nodded, saying to Xu Le, “A-le, this is family business. No need for you to follow. I don’t seek power in the league, and I’ve long been on good terms with the old king of Qianyue. Nothing will happen—wait here for me.”

Xu Le bowed his head in thought, then looked up and smiled brightly. “I’ll wait here for you, Elder.”

He glanced at Buli, but knew there was no point in speaking to her—she wouldn’t understand. So he turned to Lie Lie with another wide smile. “Brother Lie Lie, I’ll trouble you to protect my Elder. Should anything happen to him, you’ll answer to me.”

Lie Lie snorted, unwilling to waste further words, fixing his gaze on Luo Dun.

Luo Dun gave no further farewell. With a call, Lie Lie barked a command, and the group spurred their mounts toward the Qianyue camp in a flurry of dust.

Xu Le watched the dust cloud fade, then waved his hand. “Find a spot nearby—we’ll wait for their return here.”

Ahead, Qianyue riders met Luo Dun’s party and led them straight toward the camp.

Before the settlement, several dozen riders already waited impatiently for the Lianghait group. As the dust rose, they rode out to meet them. The leader was a noble of Qianyue, a confidant of the young prince, who called out from afar, “Chief Luo Dun, we’ve been waiting long for you!”

Luo Dun scanned the group, reined in his horse, and called back, “Where is the old king? After so many years of friendship, I came all this way to support him at the league of the nine tribes—why does he not come to greet me?”

At these words, Buli’s cat-like eyes widened, her hands going straight to the dagger at her waist.