Chapter 186: Killing Intent

Across the vast Grassland, a gale whipped snowflakes through the air like coiling dragons and snakes.

The withered yellow pasture grass was bent low by the weight of the snow, until it completely vanished into a field of glistening white.

Enke stood before the gate of the royal tent, his gaze fixed on the far side of Yanshan, letting the snowflakes settle all over his fur coat.

"Enke, after this snow, I fear the mountain paths of Yanshan will be impassable. Once winter is over, I worry the Fortress being built by Yan Wang will be complete," Kutu appeared beside Enke.

After returning to the Grassland, the Khan refused to see him and sent him directly back to the Black Iron Royal Tent.

He knew this was because he had lost face for the Northern Di, and the Khan felt ashamed.

And after he returned to the royal tent, apart from his wife, no one welcomed him as they had before, including his son, Enke.

Tamu and Charha had even been tied to wooden poles by Enke and left to bake in the scorching sun for ten days.

During that time, there was no water and no food, and they were only untied once they were on the verge of death.

"If a mere Fortress could stop us Northern Di, the Great Song would not have lost the Ningjin Dusi. For every Northern Di, the most important thing is the courage to not fear death; this is the foundation of why our Northern Di army is invincible," Enke said coldly.

Hearing this, Kutu opened his mouth.

Enke still harbored resentment over his own capture.

This had made the Black Iron Royal Tent a laughingstock on the Grassland.

Yes, when he was captured, he should have committed suicide, but when facing death, he had chosen to shrink back.

"Enke, the moment I returned to the Grassland, I swore that my life no longer belonged to myself. The Khan has recognized you and made you the new Nine Kings. I am very happy, but please give me one chance. I, Charha, and Tamu will use our lives to wash away our shame," Kutu said, word by word.

Hearing this, Enke looked at his father, "Soon, you will have that chance. I hope you still remember these words then; otherwise, even if you are my father, I will surely kill you with my own hands."

No longer being the Great King, Kutu had lost almost all news from the Wangting.

But what Enke said made him realize something, "Is it finally time to head south?"

Enke did not speak, but the ambition flashing in his eyes allowed Kutu to understand.

He felt a surge of wild joy; every Northern Di was weary of the long and deathly silent winter.

Throughout this entire season, the cattle and sheep grew thinner and thinner, food became scarcer, and every year many people did not survive.

Whenever this time came, they would yearn to head to the warm south.

However, the Great Song people had built mountain passes and stationed mighty troops to prevent them from obtaining everything in that land.

By what right?

To every Northern Di, the Great Song people were not worthy of occupying that fertile land, just as weak tribes on the Grassland had no right to occupy the lush pastures.

A strong wind swept by, and snowflakes flew toward the father and son.

Enke looked toward Yanshan once more.

He did not care about the heavy snow sealing the mountains; in fact, he cared even less about the few things Yan Wang was building.

Sending scouts to harass them was merely to ensure Yan Wang had no peace.

Once Yanguan was broken, the things Yan Wang was building would be nothing but waste.

"Yuan Li, do not let me down." Turning to enter the royal tent, Enke's lips curled upward.

From the moment the Yuan Family handed over their pledge of allegiance, the Yuan Family had fallen into his trap.

This time.

He would turn Yanzhou upside down.

Yancheng.

The swirling snow had continued for an entire night.

The next day, the entire Prince's Mansion looked as if it had been covered in a thick layer of cotton.

When Zhao Xu woke up, the snow had not yet stopped, and he could only hear the laughter of Feng'er and Luan'er outside the window.

The two were in the courtyard chasing each other and having a snowball fight with the maidservants.

Both had grown up in Jinling City and had seen snow, but they had never seen snow as heavy as this in Yanzhou, so they were naturally exceptionally excited.

"Your Highness." Seeing Zhao Xu at the door of the bedchamber.

Luan'er dropped the snowball in her hand and ran over, stepping through the accumulated snow; the two blushes on her pretty face were adorable.

"Go on and play, do not lose your fun because of me," Zhao Xu waved his hand, sat down on a rattan chair, and leaned against the charcoal brazier to warm himself, looking quite languid.

In the modern era, there were televisions and mobile phones.

Even if one curled up in a quilt for a day in winter, one would not feel bored.

But in a place like the ancient times, which severely lacked entertainment, it was different.

Fortunately, he was Yan Wang, and watching a group of beauties having a snowball fight seemed quite nice.

After lying lazily for a while, Feng'er, who had been chasing Luan'er, suddenly turned and went to the courtyard gate.

A servant said something to her.

The servant left, and Feng'er trotted over to him, the faint, elegant scent of Perfume drifting from her body; she was slightly out of breath as she said, "Your Highness, General Mo Yu requests an audience."

Zhao Xu nodded; Liu Fu had said yesterday that Mo Yu had departed later than him and had also returned to Yan Commandery.

However, Mo Yu had not returned this time for the sake of recruiting soldiers, but to request permission to go to Yanguan to reunite with his father and return to Jingshi together.

He had not seen his mother for a year, and it seemed his grandmother had fallen ill.

Arriving at the front courtyard, Zhao Xu saw Mo Yu.

After performing a salute, Mo Yu hesitated, opened his mouth, but stopped himself.

Zhao Xu smiled, "Liu Fu has told me. I grant you permission to return, but remember, do not say what should not be said."

Hearing this, Mo Yu felt a wave of gratitude, "Thank you for your immense grace, Your Highness. This subordinate also received a letter from my father; I was originally going to depart in twenty days, but a letter from Jingshi said my grandmother is ill."

Pausing for a moment, he said, "At present, the recruitment of soldiers in Shanggu Commandery is complete; I only need to let General Chang take over and manage things for a while. However, please rest assured, Your Highness, this subordinate's mouth is very tight and I will never speak recklessly."

Zhao Xu nodded, "Give my regards to the old General Mo and the old Matriarch on my behalf."

Then he called over a servant and gave a few instructions.

Before long, the servant returned, carrying a small chest.

"Inside is one thousand taels of Silver, along with mountain ginseng, deer antler, and the like. Use the Silver for travel expenses, and take the rest back for the Old Matriarch to nourish herself," Zhao Xu said.

These things like mountain ginseng were all confiscated from the homes of the Rich Clan.

"Your Highness, this... this subordinate dare not accept it," Mo Yu said, feeling grateful in his heart but repeatedly declining.

In his view, being able to sit in the position of Vice General now was already Yan Wang holding him in high regard.

How could he dare to take these valuable items from Yan Wang as well?

"I treat you as one of my own, so say no more. Even if it were the business of other generals, I would do the same," Zhao Xu glared at Mo Yu.

If it were rough fellows like Chang Wei, they would have happily accepted it long ago.

This Mo Yu had read some books, so he was a bit pedantic and stuffy, lacking straightforwardness.

"Yes, Your Highness," seeing Zhao Xu's tone was firm, Mo Yu said.

At this moment, a slight warmth welled up in his heart.

In the Imperial Guard, what he experienced was cold-blooded ruthlessness and deceit.

Only under the command of Yan Wang did he not need to worry about being stabbed in the back.

Yan Wang's care for every general was truly like a refreshing spring breeze.

He cupped his hands again and said, "Your Highness, this subordinate will go. Once I have visited my grandmother, this subordinate will return."