Chapter 55: The Alliance (Part Nine)

On a low mountain four or five miles away from the main encampment of the Qianyu Yue tribe, Xu Le stood atop a massive boulder, squinting into the distance at the cluster of tents. Han Yue, Song Bao, and the others stood scattered among the rocks, idly awaiting Luo Dun and his group's return.

The autumn wind swept past, causing Xu Le’s coarse robe to flutter. From any angle, his figure was as straight as a drawn sword, exuding a sharp and commanding presence.

Han Yue stood just below him, the divine Shentu iron shield strapped to his back, the Yu Lei small shield on his right arm. His figure was as immovable as a mountain, standing guard with unwavering loyalty.

Song Bao lounged against the stone wall, arms crossed, eyes resting on Xu Le. His mind was no longer troubled by restless thoughts—now, he simply wondered if tonight would bring good wine and a feast of mutton. The recent days of exhaustion had sapped his vitality, and he badly needed replenishment.

Below the mountain, a few servants tended to the horses. The steeds, though somewhat lean, grazed intently, occasionally letting out low whinnies.

Although today was the grand day of the Nine Surnames Alliance, everything appeared tranquil and undisturbed. Only Xu Le felt an indistinct sense of unease gnawing at him. He could not say where this feeling stemmed from, but he chose to trust his intuition.

Perhaps something truly would happen today.

Despite the persistent sense of danger, the peaceful scene before him seemed to suggest he was simply being overly nervous—nothing would occur. The alliance would go smoothly, Luo Dun would return safely, and perhaps tonight, he would once again lead everyone to feast in Cloud City.

In the not-so-far distance, the Qianyu Yue cavalry lounged through their patrols, most holding their reins loosely or with hands tucked into their sleeves, swaying along in no hurry.

Within the encampment, people from various tribes moved freely among the tents, betraying no sign of tension. The royal tent, site of the alliance, was especially quiet and undisturbed, with no one entering or leaving. It seemed as if, in the next moment, these noble leaders—including Luo Dun—would emerge laughing, bid each other farewell, and return to their tribes to await the lively autumn market in Cloud City.

Perhaps he truly was overthinking…

Xu Le shrugged, resolving not to be so jumpy.

But just then, he saw the flap of the royal tent suddenly fly open and a petite figure dart out, causing a commotion among the Qianyu Yue guards stationed outside.

Even from this distance, where figures appeared as small as ants, Xu Le instantly recognized the small, wolfish girl at Luo Dun's side—Bu Li.

Xu Le shouted sharply, “Mount up! We ride to rescue Chief Luo Dun!”

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Within the royal tent, the shouts of Luo Dun and Zhi Bi Luoluo reverberated, startling the assembled nobles, who looked up in alarm.

Bu Li, already tense and ready, seized Luo Dun’s hand at his command, intent on fighting their way out.

The Qianyu Yue warriors at Wutou Heiguo’s side all drew their blades and surged forward. The Turkic Blue Wolf Riders behind Zhi Bi Luoluo and Zhi Bi Sili also unsheathed their swords with a metallic chorus, several of them wordlessly charging ahead.

Bu Li showed not a hint of fear—her large blue-tinged eyes filled with ferocity, she gripped her dagger tightly, throat rumbling with a low growl, prepared to risk everything.

But at that moment, Luo Dun wrenched his hand free, and as Bu Li turned in surprise, he bellowed, “Go! Find Xu Le!”

Bu Li tried to grab him again, but Luo Dun already had his hands raised, retreating, his stern gaze fixed on her.

The Qianyu Yue guards and Blue Wolf Riders swarmed forward, engulfing Luo Dun. Gaida Wutou and several of the Nine Surnames nobles shouted, “Don’t harm Luo Dun!”

Zhi Bi Luoluo barked orders, and one of the Blue Wolf Riders struck Luo Dun’s back with a sword hilt, forcing him to his knees with a muffled grunt, blades flashing to rest against his neck.

Bu Li stared in shock at the unfolding scene, then suddenly let out a piercing scream that cut through the tent like needles.

In that instant, she shot forward like lightning. At the tent’s entrance, Lie Lie blocked her, sword raised, slicing downward. Qianyu Yue warriors crowded the exit, their blades forming a deadly barrier—if she tried to force her way through, she would be hacked to pieces.

The Blue Wolf Riders pressed in from behind, blades flashing without mercy.

At the very last moment, Bu Li planted a foot on one of the tent’s pillars and spun past the warriors, slipping through an impossibly narrow gap.

Lie Lie’s sword missed, and he roared, “Stop her!”

Bu Li, already outside, faced another guard blocking her path. Without hesitation, she flung her left-hand dagger. The guard reacted quickly, using his sword to deflect it with a metallic clang and a shower of sparks.

But Bu Li needed only that brief opening; in a blink, she flashed past him, slashing a long gash in the leather tent with her right-hand dagger.

Lie Lie, the one most familiar with Bu Li’s speed, charged after her, sword swinging down again. At Luo Dun’s explosive shout of “Lie Lie!” Lie Lie’s wrist faltered involuntarily—the blade passed so close to Bu Li that a lock of her black hair was severed, drifting away in the wind.

Bu Li, agile as if boneless, slipped through the opening and out of the tent.

A Qianyu Yue guard tried to follow, but got stuck in the gap, unable to move forward or back.

Lie Lie turned and dove for the opening, voice thundering, “Bring her back!”

Zhi Bi Sili, watching Bu Li escape and the guard wedged in the slit, clapped and laughed heartily, near tears. “What an amusing girl! I want her alive!”

Zhi Bi Luoluo shot him a fierce glare, then shouted, “Capture her—dead or alive!”

A large force of Qianyu Yue warriors and Blue Wolf Riders rushed out after her, with Heiguo hurrying to take charge outside.

Among the Nine Surnames nobles, some had already struck deals with the Qianyu Yue, some—like Lie Lie—had long been won over by Heiguo, but others were still in the dark. The plan had been to detain all the tribal leaders in the tent, securing everyone without a ripple of trouble. Now, with Bu Li escaped, the camp was sure to erupt in chaos—they had to seize control immediately.

Outside, shouts and chaos erupted—cries and neighs intermingled, the ring of weapons being drawn filled the air. The Qianyu Yue warriors’ commands echoed across the encampment; indeed, turmoil had broken out at once.

Luo Dun sat on the ground, cold steel pressed to his neck, but he seemed oblivious. He looked at the haggard Gaida Wutou and laughed heartily. “So I’ve fallen into your hands, Wutou. You’d better feed me—you know my tastes!”