Chapter 207: Great Khan Batu Mongke of the Northern Yuan

Behind Ba Ya'er closely followed the thousand‑household commander who was masquerading as Jia Jing's personal guard.

At this moment Jia Jing rode a Black Horse; a beast‑faced, head‑swallowing linked armor was hidden beneath a wide fur robe, and the triple‑pronged hair‑binding purple‑gold crown was replaced with a Northern Yuan soldier's fur cap.

The imposing, solemn aura now became plain and unremarkable, and a few specks of dust on his face concealed his naturally striking looks and complexion.

Only his pair of eyes were calm as an abyss, occasionally flashing with brilliance, like two faintly burning cold flames.

In Jia Jing's hand was a bone bud commonly used by Northern Yuan soldiers, and the bright silver Longdan spear hanging on his horse was also partially concealed.

He did not bring the Overlord Bow because it would be too conspicuous.

Further behind were three hundred elite cavalry of the Han Army disguised as Ba Ya'er's personal guards.

Everyone remained silent, and only the occasional white spray from the warhorses vanished in an instant in the cold night.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince! Weren't you fighting at Yu Lin Cheng? Why are you back now?"

Just as the party approached Wolf Mountain, a thousand‑household commander of the Northern Yuan army quickly emerged from the camp of the frontier outpost at the foot of the mountain, his face showing a mix of surprise and puzzlement as he asked.

He knew Ba Ya'er and had heard that the front line was progressing smoothly; seeing Ba Ya'er return now, he wondered if the front had already claimed victory.

Ba Ya'er looked at the newcomer, his complexion slightly shifting, his lips moving, but a dryness in his throat prevented him from speaking.

Nearby, Jia Jing brushed the bone bud in his hand lightly across Ba Ya'er's waist as if unintentionally, and the sudden invisible killing aura made Ba Ya'er's expression stiffen.

Ba Ya'er knew that the Han general known as the Killing God was watching him; if he dared speak out of turn, his head might explode in the next instant.

A trace of bitterness and fear flashed in Ba Ya'er's eyes.

Earlier he had surrendered to the Han Army and begged for mercy, but only because the Han general had frightened him; his instinct was merely to preserve his life.

He never imagined the Han Army would use him, a crown prince, as an inside agent to deceive the defenses of Wolf Mountain.

He knew clearly that if he brought this Han Killing God into the royal court today, the Great Yuan would be completely doomed!

But he also understood that even if he didn't lead them inside, with this Han Killing God present, the royal court would still face disaster today.

The only difference was how many casualties the Han Army would suffer to capture the royal court!

He had personally witnessed the Han general single‑handedly breaking through fifty thousand Great Yuan troops with divine might, a destructive, unstoppable force beyond human comprehension.

He knew that once the Han Army reached Wolf Mountain, the royal court's fate had already been sealed.

Even if he refused to cooperate, it would amount to nothing more than a wasted life, with no other effect.

Thus, it seemed better to stay alive and useful, hoping for the future!

The heavens do not favor the Great Yuan; it's not that I am cowardly for defecting! It's that the Han Army truly cannot be overcome!

"The battle at Yu Lin Cheng has already ended; I have returned to report the good news to my father, the Khan! Where is the father‑Khan?"

After giving himself some mental preparation, Ba Ya'er let out a sigh, steadied himself, forced a smile, and replied in a deep voice.

"The Great Khan is in the golden tent at the mountain's mid‑slope! This morning the messenger you sent delivered the victory report; the Great Khan is very pleased and is now drinking and celebrating in the golden tent!"

"This time you and Tuo Tuo Bu Hua, the chief of staff, achieved a great feat; the brothers all regret that they could not follow you into this battle!"

"If such a good opportunity arises again, Crown Prince, don't forget your brothers!"

The thousand‑household commander had no doubt about him; instead, he wore a forced smile.

He knew that the Da Han Empire was a prosperous land, unlike the barren steppe, and that those who went on this expedition would surely reap great rewards; he also hoped to partake in such good fortune in the future.

Ba Ya'er's mouth twitched, his complexion stiff, and he forced out a thin smile, saying:

"There will be a chance!"

"Crown Prince, please proceed!"

The thousand‑household commander, understanding the situation, stepped aside, though he sensed Ba Ya'er's spirit was not particularly high.

He simply thought it was due to the fatigue of continuous battles or perhaps age, and did not think further.

Ba Ya'er nodded, leading the three hundred elite cavalry behind him up the mountain.

Meanwhile, the thousand‑man commander watched his departure from behind, his demeanor exceedingly respectful.

With the Crown Prince returning from this great victory, the next succession to the Khanate is now unshakable.

With such a person leading, the Great Yuan will surely become ever more prosperous!

A Northern Yuan soldier beside the thousand‑man commander suddenly said with a hint of envy:

"The Crown Prince's personal guard formation is orderly and fierce; truly worthy of battlefield experience."

"Look at how their packs are bulging; we have no idea how many spoils they have taken this time."

The thousand‑household commander laughed:

"Yu Lin Cheng is a key frontier garrison of the Han Dynasty; this time their gains cannot be small."

"Not to mention gold and silver jewels, even the Han women are each more enchanting; they must have gotten a great bargain this time!"

"Alas! It has been decades since my Great Yuan last captured a Han border town; this time the Crown Prince managed to take Yu Lin Cheng—truly unexpected!"

"Had I known, I would have gone with my brothers!"

The thousand‑household commander's expression held a hint of regret, as if he had missed an excellent life opportunity.

The other Northern Yuan soldiers, upon hearing this, also showed envy and silently resolved to seize any future chance to invade the Han.

From the foothill to the mid‑slope defenses, under Ba Ya'er's leadership, Jia Jing and the three hundred elite cavalry moved unimpeded; no one suspected the Crown Prince Ba Ya'er would betray.

The Northern Yuan garrison troops along the way saluted respectfully, their eyes filled with reverence for the victorious Ba Ya'er and envy of his personal guards.

No one noticed that the last few warhorses in the column were carrying, not loot, but dozens of bundles of oil‑soaked arrows.

In just two short hours, Jia Jing and his party had already arrived before the Northern Yuan main camp at the mid‑slope.

At this moment, at the center of the mid‑slope camp, stood a tent noticeably larger than the others—a felt tent, which was the golden tent of Great Khan Batu Mongke of the Northern Yuan.

Although it was already the third watch of the night, the golden tent remained brightly lit, warm as spring.

In a corner of the golden tent, a copper basin held a vigorous charcoal fire, dispelling the night's chill.

Beast skins covered the floor, golden cups held wine, and a dozen Northern Yuan ministers sat around the sides of the golden tent, their drinks half‑filled, while a few personal guards stood at the edges.

Great Khan Batu Mongke of the Northern Yuan sat high upon a tiger‑skin chair; he was over sixty, his beard and hair white with age, yet his eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's.

He is a direct descendant of Dayanhan, the legitimate heir of the Golden Clan, has ruled the Northern Yuan court for over forty years, is ruthless and ambitious.

Seated in his tent were the Northern Yuan's Right Chancellor Alu Tai, Left Chancellor Tuo Huan, Wanhu Commander and Deputy Chief of the Privy Council Huo Shai, and General Yebulala, among others.

At this moment they were exchanging cups, feeling pleased with themselves, faces flushed with joy.

"I suppose Tuo Tuo Bu Hua and Ba Ya'er are already rampaging through Han Dynasty Yu Lin Cheng at this moment."

"According to the victory report sent by Ba Ya'er yesterday, the Han Dynasty Yu Lin Cheng defender Ji An Marquis abandoned the city and fled; our Great Yuan warriors have already breached the south gate of Yu Lin Cheng, and the city will fall imminently."

"With the capture of Yu Lin Cheng, the Han Dynasty's Yan sui garrison's gate is flung wide open, and the Da Han Empire's northwestern border defense will henceforth be meaningless."

The Great Khan Batu Mongke raised his wine cup and spoke loudly in high spirits.

"The Great Khan is wise! We congratulate the Great Khan!" the people inside the tent shouted in unison.