The boundless ice and snow dressed the world in white; in this vast territory, when would spring ever come?
The blizzard raged for a whole night. When dawn broke the next day, the entire northern realm was cloaked in white, with half a foot of snow covering the ground.
Not far away, the rolling and frigid waves of the Ji River were still putting up a final fight against the bone - chilling winter.
Hu Yelv led his troops back to Zhu City. Qin Huaiqiu didn't know that this was the main base of the allied forces, a fortified city where they were stationed, and also the decisive battleground from which Hu Yelv planned to launch his war.
The heavy city gates swung open, and Hu Yelv rode in on his horse through the snow.
The cold iron hooves trampled on the soft snow, leaving a trail of hoof prints on the long, white street.
Qin Huailian had drunk a bit too much the previous day and was still sound asleep in her room. Hu Yelv looked at Yazebu, who was forcing a smile, and Kozel, who always wore a cold expression, frowned, and asked, "Where's that woman?"
"She's sleeping," Yazebu replied. "She hasn't woken up yet."
"Humph," Hu Yelv sneered. "Just because you've captured Qin Feng, you're already so slack? This is only the first step of the plan."
What did he mean by "just" capturing Qin Feng?
Yazebu sneered inwardly.
Did this little King of the Golden Tribe not know what kind of figure Qin Feng was? He was really so full of himself that he had no common sense.
Yazebu didn't show his feelings on his face but despised Hu Yelv deeply in his heart. He didn't say anything else. Instead, he stepped aside reluctantly to make way for Hu Yelv.
Hu Yelv dismounted, snatched off his helmet, and tossed it to Yazebu, sneering, "Hold this for me."
Yazebu was stunned for a moment, and his face instantly darkened. But he didn't move, and the knuckles of his fingers holding the helmet turned white.
Without even giving Yazebu a look, Hu Yelv lifted his clothes and walked straight towards Qin Huailian's bedroom.
"… She's sleeping," Yazebu repeated, his voice a bit hoarse.
"I'm not deaf," Hu Yelv snorted and kept walking.
Yazebu opened his mouth but didn't say anything else. However, his look towards Hu Yelv became even more disgusted, with a hint of curiosity and doubt.
Hu Yelv stopped in front of Qin Huailian's door. He curled his lips into a smile, slowly raised his arm. Just as he was about to push the door open, it suddenly swung open from the inside. Qin Huailian was only wearing a single - layer robe. She stood in front of the door, looking cold and glaring at him sharply.
Hu Yelv was a bit stunned. He shrugged to ease the awkwardness on his face and took an almost imperceptible step back. "You're awake?"
"If I weren't awake, were you going to just barge in?" Qin Huailian's voice was cold and commanding. "Get out!"
Hu Yelv wasn't angry. He curled his lips into a smile, crossed his arms over his chest, and said, "I was just eager to come back and discuss a new strategy with you. Do you think just capturing Qin Feng will satisfy me?"
"I don't need your reminder, nor do I need your approval," Qin Huailian said in a deep voice. "I have my own plan."
"Tell me," Hu Yelv looked down at her condescendingly, his eyes showing a hint of threat.
Qin Huailian stared at him, her lips pressed into a straight line. Standing in the snow in just a single - layer robe, her facial features seemed as cold and hard as ice. She didn't say a word.
"Didn't you understand?" Hu Yelv stepped forward and got closer to her. "Or do you want to see Qin Feng's dead body?"
"How dare you touch my father?" Qin Huailian wasn't afraid of him. She raised her eyes and stared fearlessly at Hu Yelv, sneering contemptuously. "The little King of the Golden Tribe is truly extremely arrogant. We've only just started the plan, and you're already so eager to cut off your own retreat?"
Hu Yelv's facial muscles twitched. He gritted his teeth, showing a blood - thirsty look. "You'd better pray that your military arrangements are better than your brother's. After the Ji River freezes, I'll only give you one chance. If you can't capture Qin Huaiqiu alive, I won't give you any more leeway."
"Humph…" Qin Huailian gave him a sidelong glance. "Do you want to attack the Protector - General's Mansion directly again?"
"How would we know if we don't try? Right, Saintess?" Hu Yelv whispered into Qin Huailian's ear menacingly.
Qin Huailian remained calm. She slightly closed her eyes, held onto the door frame with one hand, and when Hu Yelv hadn't moved away yet, she slammed the door shut with a "bang".
Hu Yelv was startled. He instinctively covered his nose, which was only an inch away from the door, and cursed loudly.
"Crazy woman!" He angrily kicked the door and turned to leave. But just as he turned around, he saw Yazebu standing not far behind him.
Yazebu was dressed in a black robe. The unique Loulan tattoos were engraved on his robe, stretching from his chest all the way to the hem, like a blazing flame in the darkness, standing out sharply against the white snowscape.
Yazebu stared at him with his dark eyes, showing an emotion that Hu Yelv couldn't understand.
Since the start of their cooperation, Hu Yelv had never taken Yazebu seriously. But this time, for some reason, Yazebu's stare made him feel like a prey being targeted by a wild beast - which really annoyed him.
So he drew out his short dagger from his waist and, in a flash, threw it at Yazebu.
Yazebu stood still. The dagger whistled past his cheek and stabbed straight into the snow - covered stone lion behind him.
Hu Yelv walked up to Yazebu and ordered, "Pick it up for me."
Hearing this, Yazebu looked up at him with a cold expression in his eyes, as if it was Yazebu who was giving the order and waiting for Hu Yelv to obey.
The veins on Hu Yelv's forehead bulged. His jaw tightened several times, and he growled menacingly, "I said, pick. it. up."
Yazebu suddenly averted his gaze, as if the previous look had never come from him. He turned around, bent down, pulled out the dagger, and presented it to Hu Yelv with both hands.
"Slap!" Hu Yelv snatched the dagger back. His eyes were fierce, as if he might kill Yazebu at any moment.
Yazebu, on the other hand, stared at his nose and said nothing with his head down.
"Humph, Loulan barbarian," Hu Yelv pointed his finger at Yazebu's chest. "Your small Loulan country had better understand your situation. Since you've become a vassal of my Great Xiongnu, you'd better do your duty. Otherwise, I won't mind destroying your Loulan before I destroy the Great Sheng."
Yazebu's eyes flickered. He tried to hide the emotions in his eyes and said stiffly and emotionlessly, "Your subordinate understands."
Hu Yelv glared at him fiercely and turned away.
Yazebu stood alone in the snow and let out a long sigh.
He opened his mouth and cursed in a low voice, "What a goddamn bastard…"