Chapter 1039 If you're harmless, I won't harm you.
The appearance of this heavily armored cavalry, though their swords were not drawn and their men had not yet made a move, already determined the outcome and their fates.
Or perhaps, it's not decided yet.
Neither Jiang Kesheng nor Gao Feng dismounted before or after bowing to Shang Ruyi. Even when they raised their hands in greeting, they remained vigilant, as if they were just waiting for Shang Ruyi to speak before giving an order.
This group of people displayed great prowess outside Xiazhou City, breaking through the encirclement of the Western Turks that had surrounded the city for months with almost no effort, and joined forces with the Xiazhou garrison to defeat them. Now, they arrived with their remaining power. Although Ashina Zhuxie also brought a team of elite soldiers, their numbers were small. This was the same reason why they had been suppressing Shang Ruyi's guards before. To wipe them out would be an easy task.
As long as Shang Ruyi speaks.
In the quiet of their waiting moment, Ashina Zhuxie also noticed this. His face darkened, and he used one hand to protect Lei Yu behind his back while reaching for the curved sword at his waist with the other.
Just as his fingertips were about to touch the hilt of the knife, Shang Ruyi said coldly, "If I were you, I certainly wouldn't move now."
"..."
Ashina Zhuxie frowned, but did not continue to make a move.
Shang Ruyi nodded: "That's right."
Ashina Zhuxie squinted as he looked around. Although the night was deep and the firelight made it impossible for him to see exactly how many people were in the group, there must have been at least two hundred to surround both camps. If he were to make a move under these circumstances, his men would have almost no chance of winning.
So he said coldly, "If I don't move around, do you think you can't move around too?"
"..."
"You took this group of people away from Chang'an just to relieve the siege of Xia Prefecture?"
Hearing this, the surrounding Turkic soldiers became even more nervous, their breathing becoming labored.
Apart from the previous conflict in Taiyuan, the Western Turks and the Dasheng Dynasty have not officially gone to war, but they have just started fighting each other to the death. Under such circumstances, how could Shang Ruyi possibly spare them? Moreover, the Khan of the Western Turks is here. If Ashina Zhuye is really killed, the Western Turks will be thrown into chaos, which would also benefit the Eastern Turks, who are closer to the Dasheng Dynasty.
No matter how you look at it, Shang Ruyi would never let go of such a great opportunity.
In fact—that is exactly the case.
Shang Ruyi did not speak immediately, nor did she ask Jiang Kesheng and Gao Feng to dismount and disperse the Western Turkic soldiers, because she was hesitant.
She should indeed have killed Ashina Zhuxie here.
Not only had her previous trip to the grasslands shown her this person's deep scheming and ruthless methods, but she also knew very well that the Western Turks had always been a sword hanging over the Central Plains. If Ashina Zhuxie could be killed and the Turkic threat resolved once and for all, it would indeed be a great thing for the Great Sheng Dynasty.
But... is there anything in this world that can be solved once and for all?
Ashina Zhuye already had a son named Hedu, who was barely able to speak. But a prince is a prince, and if the Khan were to die, he could immediately inherit the Khan's position and continue to lead the Western Turks.
With a young son and a strong mother, and given Lei Yu's skill, she will surely take over this scepter.
The problem lies here. They have just received news that Lei Yi was forced to commit suicide. Although Shang Ruyi is certain that it was not Yuwen Ye's intention, it was because of his advance into Xiaopingjin Pass that this result occurred. In any case, Lei Yu will definitely hold him and them accountable for this.
She will never return to the Central Plains.
The Great Sheng Dynasty was no longer her home, but a place she hated!
She will definitely lead the Western Turks and continue to be their enemy.
unless--
unless!
Just thinking about it sent a shiver down Shang Ruyi's spine. A bone-chilling cold rose from the depths of her heart and instantly spread to her limbs, almost freezing the blood in her body. She shivered and subconsciously shook her head.
Impossible, she would never do that.
Although she had concealed the truth from the other party and schemed against them at this point, all of this was done on the premise of not harming Lei Yu. No matter what happened, she could not allow anyone to harm Lei Yu.
Even if that person is yourself!
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi gasped, as if afraid she would change her mind. She immediately looked up at Lei Yu behind Ashina Zhuxie. In the flashing firelight, her pale face was like a piece of paper, with ruthless features, cold eyes, and a high nose that symbolized her stubborn personality. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, as if she had a lot to say, but at this moment, she had nothing to say.
Her once bright and beautiful face now looked as cold as a blank canvas.
Shang Ruyi said, "What I do is not important. What is important is that the Khan should immediately order your men to put away their weapons and retreat."
"..."
"Once your men retreat, my men can dismount."
This statement makes it very clear—if you act harmless, I will not harm you.
Ashina Zhuxie did not react immediately, but squinted and studied her flickering gaze. After a long time, he seemed to finally understand this point and convinced himself. So he raised his hand and waved it gently.
The Turkic soldiers behind him immediately sheathed their swords and retreated in unison behind him.
Immediately, the two sides retreated to their respective camps, clearly separating into two distinct groups.
Shang Ruyi then raised her hand and waved it gently.
A series of orderly sounds were heard, and the surrounding cavalrymen all dismounted in unison. The heavy thud once again made the ground tremble slightly, and even the soles of their feet felt a little numb. Lei Yu felt as if he had experienced an earthquake, and his whole body swayed.
Ashina Zhuxie immediately reached out and helped her up.
He whispered, "Let's go."
"..."
Lei Yu raised his head, his pale face and dark, empty eyes devoid of any warmth, as if he were simply looking at him: "Where to?"
"Let's go back first."
"Go back where?"
"Xiazhou. The defeat there will definitely cause some chaos. We must go back immediately to stabilize the situation."
"..."
"He Du is still over there."
"...!"
Upon hearing He Du's name, Lei Yu felt as if something had struck her chest hard. Her almost frozen heart finally began to beat again, and even her eyes regained their sparkle and brightness. He Du—it seemed to be the only thing she could hold onto in this world, or perhaps, the only thing she could truly grasp.
She nodded hurriedly: "Yes, He Du, I need to go back right away, I need to find my He Du."
Ashina Zhuxie nodded and immediately ordered his men to break camp and set off.
But after taking only two steps, Lei Yu stopped again, slowly turned around, and looked at Shang Ruyi, who was still standing at the edge of the camp, staring at him without moving.
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