Chapter Forty-One: Discussion (I)

The moment Xu Le stepped inside the tent, he couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath. Among the Nine Tartar Tribes, the Lianghait Special Division was counted among the wealthier clans. The tent where Luo Dun resided was spacious—almost a small courtyard in itself—and the outer chamber was adorned with the clan’s famed fox pelts and tails.

The men of the Lianghait clan, patrolling outside, were equipped with superb Hedong straight blades, and Xu Le even glimpsed the glint of armor beneath their fur robes. Their bows and arrows were all of excellent make. Though the tribe barely counted a thousand tents, it held considerable importance among the Nine Tartars. Xu Le found it odd how his own grandfather had built such a close bond with Luo Dun, almost as if they were lifelong confidants.

Yet, within the tent, all was in utter disarray. Furs of every kind were heaped together without order, tables were strewn haphazardly, objects tossed everywhere, and half-eaten foods of all sorts lay scattered about.

In one corner sat the girl, Bu Li. Her long black hair spilled down, gleaming under the lamplight. With her small, thin figure, she appeared pitiful in the extreme—a picture of forlorn delicacy.

But her behavior shattered that impression completely. The girl was wrestling with a half-cooked leg of lamb, devouring it with both hands, her face slick with grease, never once bothering to look up. She even let out little hums of satisfaction as she ate.

Luo Dun had said that Xu Le and his companions could be trusted, and Bu Li had accepted this without question, not sparing them a single glance.

In the lamplight, Xu Le could see the girl more clearly. Her hair had a faint golden sheen, and her skin was far paler than most—evidence of Tartar ancestry from the Western Steppes.

Luo Dun seemed embarrassed by the mess, stroking his beard with a sigh. “You have no idea how troublesome this child is—never tidies up, eats enough for two grown men yet never gains weight, and people keep assuming I, the clan chief, am starving her… Sleeps all day, then crouches by your bedside at night. Sometimes when she opens her eyes, it’s enough to scare the life out of you…”

After a few more grumbling complaints, Luo Dun barked, “Go put some medicine on, now!”

Bu Li immediately dropped the lamb and darted into the inner tent with a swish. If earlier she’d pounced like a little wolf, now she resembled nothing more than a timid mouse.

Xu Le had been the one to kick her, so he could only offer Luo Dun a respectful bow. “My actions were too harsh—please forgive me, Grandfather.”

Luo Dun waved a hand, smiling. “I was lost in thought and forgot about Bu Li’s nature—the fault is mine. If you didn’t have such quick reflexes and ended up hurt by her, how would I explain that to your grandfather? Besides, with the friendship I share with your grandfather, you should treat Bu Li as a little sister. If you get a scrape or two while playing, is there any need for apologies?”

Xu Le could only nod in acceptance, though he couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

Was that what he called playing? Two flashing daggers aimed straight at his throat—if he’d been a hair slower, Han Yue would be carrying his body home by now…

While Luo Dun rambled on about Bu Li and insisted Xu Le was as close as a brother to her, the Lianghait warrior who had delivered the message stood by, eyes fixed intently on Xu Le.

Sensing the man’s gaze, Xu Le looked back. The young warrior gave him a broad, friendly smile, revealing eight gleaming teeth no less dazzling than Xu Le’s own. Xu Le returned the smile in kind. The exchange of sixteen white teeth was so blinding that Han Yue and Song Bao behind them were nearly dazzled.

The warrior was just over twenty, half a head taller than Xu Le, with broad brows and honest features. His build spoke of strength and skill, and his fur robe was clean and well-kept. Through his open collar, Xu Le could see a suit of fine Sui army lamellar armor beneath—how he’d come by it, Xu Le could not guess.

Luo Dun introduced them. “This is Lianghait Lielie, one of the outstanding young men of our clan and the Axianset of the Lianghait.”

He turned to Xu Le. “This is Xu Le, grandson of my old friend Xu Gan—the very one who fought Yuan Junwei and Yuchi Gong in the city today. Xu Le, the grandson of my dear friend Xu Gan, is like my own grandson. You two should get to know each other.”

Axianset was the title for the clan’s military leader. The Lianghait could field five or six hundred fighting men, and for Lielie to hold such a position at his age spoke volumes of his ability.

As for Xu Le, after today’s battle in Cloud City, his name would be on everyone’s lips—at least in this region, perhaps even reaching Wang Ren Gong or the lands of Hedong and Guanzhong.

Lielie hadn’t expected Xu Le to still be here after causing such a stir in the city—let alone that his grandfather was the clan chief’s friend!

Introductions made, Xu Le and Lielie exchanged salutes. But before either could utter a pleasantry, Luo Dun impatiently cut in, “What business brings the Qianyuyue tribe here?”

Lielie glanced at Xu Le and his companions. Xu Le, quick to respond, smiled at Luo Dun. “Grandfather, we are truly exhausted today. Would you be so kind as to arrange a place for us to rest?”

Luo Dun snorted. “So young and already tired after a single day? It’s not as if you went without food! Lielie and Ah Le, you two stay. The rest of you, outside on guard. The three of us will talk.”

The old chief truly treated Xu Le as one of his own, issuing orders without the slightest hesitation. Xu Le’s group, weary to the bone, all protested inwardly—tired after one day? They’d spent over ten days living rough, fleeing for their lives, fought a pitched battle with the Eagle Soldiers, and frankly wanted nothing to do with Lianghait affairs. All they craved was a place to sleep.

Only Xu Le kept his back straight and replied with a smile, “I dare not disobey, Grandfather.”

Lielie’s eyes flickered, but he only bowed in acceptance.

Once only the three of them remained, Luo Dun kicked aside the clutter, finally clearing a space to sit cross-legged. Xu Le and Lielie followed suit.

Luo Dun’s gaze was sharp as he turned to Lielie. “Speak. What brings the Qianyuyue tribe here?”

Lielie’s voice was grave. “The chieftain commands: tomorrow, the Nine Tribes will gather in council to decide our future—whether to side with the Turks or the Sui.”

Xu Le’s heart stirred. Earlier, from Luo Dun, he’d heard that the tribal council would not be held until after the autumn fair. The Nine Tribes did not wish to let politics disrupt the market—apart from wealthy clans like the Lianghait, many depended on the fair to survive the winter.

Moreover, the choice between the Sui and the Turks was no small matter. Both sides needed to be carefully weighed. For the Nine Tribes to suddenly convene and change their plans, what could have prompted this?

Could something have happened in the Qianyuyue tribe?

The Qianyuyue, led by Gaida, could muster seven or eight thousand tents and field four or five thousand warriors—making them the strongest of the Nine Tartar Tribes. If something had befallen them, the Tartars could forget about breaking from the Turks; they would simply have to endure Turkish oppression as before.

Luo Dun clearly thought the same, his tone grave. “Has something happened to the Qianyuyue tribe?”