Chapter Nine: We Are No Ordinary Kind

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Ashina Wenfu was momentarily taken aback; he had not expected his father to speak so bluntly, and for a moment, he was at a loss for how to respond.

“Because we carry the blood of the Ashina clan within us! We are born royalty! They themselves, or their fathers and ancestors, have all been favored by our Ashina lineage! They inherently understand that the purpose of our existence is to lead them to survive on this barren land.” Ashina Yehe fixed a stern gaze on Ashina Wenfu and said sharply, “You are the natural future leader. You only need to earn their respect; you do not need to prove that you are better than others in every way! You must be just in rewards and punishments, and wise in employing people! Whether it is Shuerhan or the strategist, they are your brothers, serving you. If you think about competing with them for favor instead of placing them in the most suitable positions, whose favor are you trying to win? Your own?”

“I…” Ashina Wenfu’s face flushed red. After a long moment, he begrudgingly said, “Father, I understand your reasoning, but my warriors and I all have a burning anger pent up inside that we cannot release.”

“To be a leader, you must learn from the Tang people. Keep a broader vision and be more patient.” Ashina Yehe’s gaze softened slightly, but his tone remained stern. “Fifty years ago, the Tang still had to watch our faces. But now? Think carefully. We Turks once fought endless civil wars over seating arrangements at a banquet, leading to our downfall. If you never change your temper and fail to improve, then you will never deserve to wear this black armor!”

“Father, I understand.” Ashina Wenfu lowered his head in shame.

“Hahaha…” The black-armored knights laughed heartily at his awkward expression without any restraint.

Their laughter was bold and carefree. The death of Ashina Gulu seemed of little consequence to them; even their own lives and deaths mattered little.

“Father, the Tang people are cunning. Even if the strategist negotiates well with them, will they truly keep their promises?” Ashina Wenfu, calmed by the laughter, asked quietly.

Ashina Yehe replied, “The strategist said the others are untrustworthy, but the corpse-burial man from Mingbaipo can be trusted; otherwise, he would not have bothered negotiating.”

Ashina Wenfu thought for a moment, realizing he had never heard that name before.

At that moment, a black-armored attendant carrying a longbow beside Ashina Yehe said, “Last winter, a shipment belonging to Gexianweng was robbed. In the end, it was he who helped recover it.”

Ashina Wenfu quickly realized, “The black-clad Dashi couldn’t retrieve their own goods and had to ask for his help?”

Ashina Yehe laughed self-mockingly, “Even the Han Mountain group often specially sends him a lead sheep. Such a man is best kept as a friend, not an enemy.”

“Even the Han Mountain group tries to curry favor with him?” Ashina Wenfu frowned deeply, beginning to think his father’s initial scolding was justified.

Along the trade route north of the Pass, known to the Tang as the Northern Border Road, there were many formidable horse bandits. Some of these bandits pledged loyalty to no kingdom but managed to survive amid the struggles of various powers. The Loulan Ghost Riders, led by Han Mountain, were one such group.

Ashina Wenfu now understood how extraordinary it was to lead hundreds or thousands of people and survive without relying on any faction.

He was sure he could never do the same.

Figures like these regularly maintained contact with that so-called corpse-burial man from Mingbaipo, who must be far more powerful than Ashina Wenfu himself.

…

As the morning light revealed two flickering flames in his sight, Chen Tu took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat beading on his forehead.

Yin Shiniang approached from a path beside the Spring Breeze Inn.

“Is that boy still asleep?”

Seeing Yin Shiniang nod, Chen Tu, somewhat frustrated, asked, “Is he really asleep?”

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Yin Shiniang said, “Even if he’s pretending, he’s been still for three hours, so he must be asleep.”

“Is he really a pig?” Chen Tu couldn’t help but curse.

Although Gu Liubai seemed quite familiar with those Turks, none of them could read their minds. This was a matter of life and death. Plus, three groups came through during the night, with the sounds of wind, carriages, and people all around, yet Gu Liubai had eaten all the lamb meat and then actually fallen into a deep sleep.

“Even a pig couldn’t eat that much!”

After cursing, Chen Tu was still not satisfied.

That plate piled high with lamb meat was more than three or four strong men could finish, yet Gu Liubai ate it all by himself.

“The inner martial experts in the army have an appetite like that, too,” Yin Shiniang said quietly.

“I understand that, but those famous generals are older and have won countless battles to reach that strength. How old is he? Someone like Luo Qing probably isn’t his match. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to meet Luo Qing alone on a hunch. Even the smartest people fear the brutal and unreasonable. Who knows if Luo Qing would draw his blade and attack? If he isn’t afraid, it means Luo Qing can’t beat him.”

“I’ve never seen anyone like this in my life…”

Chen Tu’s frustrated voice abruptly stopped.

At that moment, the door of the Spring Breeze Inn opened, and Gu Liubai stepped out.

He rubbed his nose, seemingly unaccustomed to the cold outside air, and sneezed loudly.

“Who’s there?”

After sneezing, Gu Liubai smiled warmly at Chen Tu and said, “Who’s talking so early in the morning?”

“Just as you said last night, these Turks may be called mad dogs, but if they didn’t know how to weigh pros and cons, they wouldn’t have survived this long.” Chen Tu’s face returned to its usual smile, but he couldn’t help rolling his eyes. He pointed toward the two flickering flames, “Only two people came.”

By the time Shuerhan and Liu Muyu entered the Spring Breeze Inn, the entire camp of Mingbaipo had become extremely strange. No caravan had left; some who had stepped outside the tents hurried back as soon as they saw the black armor on Shuerhan and Liu Muyu.

The whole Mingbaipo was deathly quiet, even the horses and mules were muzzled into silence.

A shaft of sunlight streamed through the window, falling on Chen Tu.

After a night’s toil, Chen Tu’s forehead was dry and free of sweat. He sat quietly on the straw mat. His clean robes gave him an added dignity in this place. Both Shuerhan and the strategist immediately sensed a solemn aura emanating from him.

Yet their attention soon turned sharply to Gu Liubai.

“Gu Fifteen?” Liu Muyu did not remove his mask, his voice noticeably restrained.

“Apologies.” Gu Liubai nodded in greeting and invited them to sit opposite him. Then he said frankly, “We did not know that there were Ashina clan members among the group receiving Luo Qing. Had we known in advance, we certainly would not have let them take action.”

Chen Tu exhaled softly.

Previously, among the chaotic group at Yin Mountain, he had been the one who needed to think the most. But now, with Gu Liubai present, it seemed he did not have to think so much. Just from the way others looked at Gu Liubai, he understood the reputation the corpse-burial man from Mingbaipo held in secret. What reassured him more was that Gu Liubai used “we,” indicating his fate was now tied to the Yin Mountain group.

Liu Muyu did not rush to speak. After a moment’s thought, he looked into Gu Liubai’s eyes and slowly said, “So you work for the Tang army?”

“I do not belong to the Tang border army,” Gu Liubai replied calmly. “Taking money to do work is business. If you offer the price, and the tasks are feasible, I can work for you too.”

Liu Muyu nodded, then fell silent again for a moment before saying, “We do not care whether you knew in advance that Ashina clan members were among that group. What has happened has happened; there’s no need to dwell on it.”

“I heard that White-Browed Khan listens intently to a man named Liu Muyu.” Gu Liubai looked at him calmly. “You must be Liu Muyu?”

“Yes, I am,” Liu Muyu replied.

“Since White-Browed Khan sent you, you should have the authority to make decisions on his behalf?”

“I have full authority,” Liu Muyu said.

Gu Liubai said, “I can tell you first—I know one of your secrets.”

“Please, go on,” Liu Muyu said.

Gu Liubai said, “What you truly care about is not the goods Luo Qing’s gang robbed but some mares in that caravan.”

The black-armored Turk named Shuerhan beside Liu Muyu had remained extremely quiet, seemingly indifferent to everything. After sitting down, he narrowed his eyes as if to nap, but upon hearing Gu Liubai’s words, his body trembled slightly, and a fierce light filled his eyes instantly.

Liu Muyu took a deep breath, straightened himself, and said, “Does the Tang border army know?”

Gu Liubai shook his head, “I have told no one.”

Liu Muyu was silent for a moment, then said, “That is not enough to calm the Khan’s anger.”

Gu Liubai said, “I know where those horses are now. Of course, you can try to kill us, but we can also try to kill those horses. Moreover, spreading such news is easy for me. Everyone will soon know that your Fire Flying Dragons are nearing retirement and replacement, and you have no suitable mares to breed with the Fire Flying Dragons.”

Liu Muyu looked at Gu Liubai steadily and said, “Can you guarantee we can take those mares away?”

Gu Liubai said seriously, “Not only can I keep the secret and ensure you get the mares you want, but if you can help me with a favor, I can tell you an even more important secret.”

Chen Tu stared at Gu Liubai as if seeing a ghost.

Not only is he ensuring their lives, but he’s actually thinking of dispatching these Turks on a mission?