One

The child still stands quietly without moving

Thank you for the guidance, Hesa. The Ninth Prince appeared somewhat taken aback, bowed his head in salute, and when he raised it again, he could only see the old man's back. The old man had taken the treasures he had fished out and slipped into a corner of the crowd. Amoche knew he was talking nonsense again

In the distance, the sound of the deer horn echoed, as the herders blew their whistles while galloping across the grasslands on both sides. They drove herds of cattle and sheep, the flocks as white as clouds, and each black yak stood as tall as a horse. A flock of 10,000 sheep and 3,000 yaks moved slowly. The herders driving them rode on 20 magnificent horses, all of them a uniform fiery red, indistinguishable in height and color. Under the herders' guidance, they raised their heads and dug their hooves, their dragon-like roars resounding endlessly.

The lord clapped his hands and extended his arms, "Come, Asule, come to your father."

The son fears nothing! He is willing to fight for Qingyang and become a warrior who commands the grasslands like his uncle.

Only in the stillness of the deep night does he resemble a true Hesa. At this time, he would sit on the vast grassland, gazing at the stars, sometimes for a whole day and night. However, there are moments when Amoc cautiously sits beside him, wanting to know which star he is observing, only to discover that Hesa has actually fallen asleep while sitting there.

The sovereign waved his hand, and the city gates swung open. Women clad in brocade approached in formation, carrying vessels and silks, presenting them one by one around. The vibrant textiles from the Eastern Lands and exquisite porcelain and gold were displayed side by side, casting a luxurious glow across the grass. The barbarians were not skilled in craftsmanship or weaving; these expensive silks and vessels had to be exchanged for furs and horses from the greedy merchants of the Eastern Lands, a wealth that even the nobles envied.

Suddenly, someone shouted, and the crowd erupted

Anyone can see the expression of disappointment on the Grand Duke's face

"Asule, Asule, it is Hesa!" The old man pinched the child's face, "Even if you forget the great lord, you still recognize Hesa, right?"

Amoc had been hungry all morning, grabbing a naan and devouring it, hurriedly applying ice to his face. However, Dagesa did not touch any food. The old man's behavior was somewhat peculiar, as he kept sipping from a wine jar, his gaze fixed solely on the rear of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry's formation

The esteemed heir did not become angry; when he raised his head to look at He Sa, a glimmer seemed to flash in his clear eyes, only to fade away shortly after. The old man joyfully embraced him, while A Mo Chi curiously gazed into the heir's eyes. Those tranquil eyes, as he looked on, gradually evoked a sense of melancholy.

The great lord grows older year by year, and there will always be a prince who will become the new great lord. Hasn't Dahe Sa ever thought about his own future?

The crowd fell into an unusual silence for a moment, and Amochi took a deep breath, knowing what that thing signified. The title of prince in the Qingyang tribe is not hereditary. When a prince dies, his son can only inherit livestock and people, but loses his status. Only one type of prince can pass on his status to his descendants, which is the title of Great Khan. To obtain the title of Great Khan, one must either be a unique warrior or have saved the Qingyang tribe at a critical moment of survival. They can wear a white leopard tail around their wrist like a great lord.

"You little brat! What do you want?" Tie pointed directly at the young man.

"Brother, the younger brother did not expect..." the Ninth Prince looked at the Grand Prince

The crowd continued to buzz with discussion, with the most fervent voices being those of the young noble warriors

Most of the collateral relatives have committed suicide out of fear of punishment, and the remaining three or five who wish to resist had to be killed. Long Ge Zhen Huang himself has no sons, and his brother has captured his two daughters, yet he does not dare to act without permission.

Father, it is almost noon, and the Ninth Prince has not yet returned. Let us first return to the tent and have some food. The Iron Prince Tie You urged his horse closer to his father, "The Iron Line River is over nine hundred miles away from here. The Ninth Prince is leading thirty thousand elite troops of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry on a swift journey, and it is uncertain whether he will return today. It would be better for me to send scouts to meet him on the road, and I will report back to you as soon as there is any news. Several of the Great Khans are not in good health; let them bask in the sun... It would be better for me to send scouts to meet him on the road, and I will report back to you as soon as there is any news. Several of the Great Khans are not in good health; let them bask in the sun..."

The young man on the black horse is Prince Guimu, the Fourth Prince. The First Prince, Bimogan, and the Second Prince, Tieyou, share the same mother, while Xudahan and Guimu are born of the Second Great Khan. There is fundamentally no harmony among the four brothers. Both Bimogan and Xudahan assist their father in governance, managing state affairs, yet they do not enter and exit together, each having their own faction of nobles supporting them

The sovereign smiled faintly as he suddenly unveiled the deep crimson brocade covering the tray. A low gasp of astonishment escaped someone, and the surroundings fell silent. On the tray lay a snow-white fur, each strand glistening like snow in the sunlight. The sovereign grasped the right wrist of the Ninth Prince, who flinched as if to resist, but the iron grip of the sovereign's hand rendered him unable to break free. The sovereign said nothing, only smiled, carefully wrapping the fur around the Ninth Prince's wrist.

The Great Lord Qingyang, Lu Song, the master of the Lü family of Pasur, was nicknamed "White-eyed Eagle" in his youth, due to the white haze in his eyes, which always gave people the impression that his gaze was particularly cold and fierce

In the city of Beidu, the nobles must either align themselves with the Grand Prince or the Third Prince; otherwise, they stand alone and vulnerable. Although Beidu is large, it may not necessarily provide a place for them to take refuge. Only the Dagesa remains an enigma, as no one knows what he truly thinks. His status may be even more esteemed than that of the Khans, and many seek to win him over. The Grand Prince, Bi Mogan, invited him to a hunting expedition with fine horses, and he gladly accepted. After the hunt, they roasted deer meat and indulged in fine wine, watching the women dance gracefully in front of the tent. Bi Mogan cautiously suggested inviting Dagesa to his tent to discuss state affairs. Dagesa, with wine dripping from his beard, silently gazed at the alluring women, holding a deer leg, and took a long time to come to his senses, saying, "I just want to go hunting with the Grand Prince, eat deer meat, and drink the fine wine brought by the Grand Prince. Next time, let the Grand Prince bring a few more beautiful women to dance!"

Amoc placed his ink crystal lens on and once again raised his head to observe the sun's trajectory. Indeed, as the old man said, the trajectory was somewhat strange; relying solely on the main star and the slowly rising North Star from the horizon, it was always difficult to explain the changes within. The war with the Zhenyan faction had already ended, yet the sun's path had not returned to its normal position.

Is there anything else to say? The lord heavily patted the Ninth Prince's shoulder, his gaze fervent. When we were young, we played together, and you told me that one day you would become a khan whom the entire grassland would look up to. Now you are the divine bow of Qingyang, having slain the lion of the Zhenyan tribe. In the future, you will follow your brother to establish achievements like those of Khan Tieqin. Why can't you become a khan?

His teacher, Dagesali Changchuan, is a figure revered throughout the entire grassland. "Dagesa" is a noble title, meaning "the messenger of the Pan-Tian deity," the leader of the barbarian shamans, and the unparalleled Grand Master. In each generation, there is only one Grand Master, and only he is permitted to study the most profound ancient scrolls of the stars, revealing the will of the gods. Major affairs of the tribe, from military expeditions to sacrifices, must be determined by his observation of the stars, and both the herdsmen and the nobility regard his words as divine oracles.

Eru, having returned victorious, you have truly not disappointed my expectations of you

Prince Xudahan of the Three Princes is much more reserved and rarely visits the tent of Hesa in person. However, every few months, Xudahan always sends gifts flowing in from the Eastern Lands. Sometimes it is a celestial jade mirror for observing the heavens, and other times it is a scroll of astrological texts. In the grand tent of Hesa, there is still a silver plate engraved with a celestial map, which Xudahan purchased at a high price from merchants of the Eastern Lands. It is said to be an artifact from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the Yinchao dynasty, dating back hundreds of years. Hesa clearly appreciates the gifts sent by Xudahan, accepting them each time without fail. However, for three consecutive years, he has not once returned the visit to the tent of the Prince.

Before the expedition, the fool already knew that the Ninth King would surely return victorious. The Ninth King is a warrior favored by the celestial deity of the Pan Da, and the North Star rises for the Ninth King from the Tongyun Mountain.

Bahang took a step back, still closely following behind the Great Lord Ma. With a faint sound of "ka-la," he gripped the hilt of his sword. He was not particularly clever, but he felt a sense of unease instinctively

Amos heard the low murmurs of admiration from the crowd

These, the sovereign waved his hand, are all yours

The saber-toothed tiger is the totem of Qingyang. According to legend, this divine beast has two fangs like sharp swords. It roamed the desolate grasslands and encountered the defeated and dying ancestor of the Lü clan, Lü Qingyang. It broke off its two fangs as weapons and gifted them to the progenitor before dying. With the two saber-toothed tiger fangs as swords, Lü Qingyang established the great Qingyang tribe. The true identity of the saber-toothed tiger is that of the incarnated Pan Da Tian Shen, who came to save his child in the most perilous times.

In this expedition, there were a total of twelve major battles. Our forces suffered over 47,600 casualties, while we killed more than 259,000 rebels from the Zhenyan tribe, captured over 54,000 warhorses and more than 73,000 large carts. The cattle and sheep have not yet been thoroughly counted, and most of the tents were old and inconvenient to carry, so they were burned on the spot. Not a single noble general from the Zhenyan tribe below Longge Zhenhuang escaped, and Gu You, He Liji, and La Mu Du were all executed on the battlefield. The Ninth Prince reported the results of the battle.

Bimo Gan observed his father's expression, hoping to find some surprise within it. However, the emperor merely smiled faintly and nodded slightly.

Suddenly, the surroundings fell silent, with no one whispering to one another, and all eyes were focused on the sovereign and that warrior

It was unclear whether it was due to having drunk too much or the heat, but his face was flushed, and he had opened his bony chest, constantly fanning himself with his clothing. As he fanned, the old man suddenly slid off the horse like a pile of mud. Amochi was startled and circled around the old man's sturdy white horse before realizing that the old man was sitting in the shadow beneath the horse's belly to escape the sun

The student's name is Amoc, and like other nobles from the Northern Lands, he also has an elegant Eastern name, Yan Jinglong, which means "the tranquil dragon." His full name is Yan Jinglong Amoc. However, everyone in the capital city refers to him as "Eyeglass Dragon" because he has emulated the techniques of Heluo to craft a pair of dark crystal lenses that allow one to view the sun during the day.

Elder brother once said that this battle must completely pacify the southern grasslands, so the younger brother thought for a long time and still followed the ancestral custom: men who have grown beyond the riding whip shall be executed, while women and children shall not be killed but punished to become slaves, sent to the north for herding.

That is the third son of the great lord, Xu Dahuan

At that moment, Amok sat to the side, witnessing the smile of the prince freeze on his face, taking a long time to recover, and then awkwardly chuckled a few times.

"The mighty one shakes the grasslands?" The great lord laughed and said, "If you can possess even half of your uncle's courage, that will be sufficient"

"Great Hasa." The Ninth King bowed deeply, placing his hand on his chest in a gesture of respect

A knight emerged from the ranks of the retinue of warriors, approaching the sovereign's side, "Your Majesty, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry has arrived too swiftly; perhaps Bahang should go to greet them first"

As the smoke settled, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry had all dismounted, kneeling half-heartedly while holding onto their reins. The warrior on the blue horse swung his leg over and dismounted, his crimson heavy brocade battle robe fluttering urgently in the wind. He had galloped for an unknown duration, his scarf already soaked, yet he showed no signs of fatigue. He stepped forward slowly, standing before the sovereign's horse. The sovereign remained impassive, and the two exchanged a glance.

The Ninth King was momentarily taken aback. Longge Zhenhuang · Boluha, this is the full name of the true leader of the Zhenyan tribe. Among the northern nobility, only close relatives and intimate friends would address each other by their barbarian names. Given Longge Zhenhuang's status, there should be very few who would call him Boluha, yet the Grand Duke was still familiar with this name

"Amoche, what did you see?"

The lord laughed heartily, "It is your uncle who wishes to bestow this great merit upon you! However, good son, to have such courage on your first expedition, you truly are worthy of being the eldest son of our Lü family of Pasur"

He suddenly raised his hand high and shouted loudly: "The Ninth King has returned! The Ninth King has triumphed!"

On the contrary, it has become increasingly chaotic

The younger brother does not know, but what the elder brother bestows must certainly be something good

Finally back..." he murmured softly

"Thank you for your generous gift, but..." The Ninth Prince knelt down and then raised his head, "I wish to distribute my wealth to the warriors of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry"

"Your Highness, let the fool take care of the Crown Prince first." The old man finally squeezed his way out from the crowd, his hood knocked off and his robe askew. The dignified Grand Chancellor appeared before everyone in such a disheveled state that even Amoc couldn't help but feel embarrassed for him. However, the old man was completely unconcerned about this; he approached and grasped the child's hand, as if he had stumbled upon some treasure.

The maid, emboldened, gave a tug, and the young master knelt down in response, silently bowing his head, though his movements were somewhat sluggish

The sovereign fell silent for a moment, and then suddenly asked: "Is Long Ge Zhen Huang dead?"

The people seemed to come to their senses, and a more fervent cheer erupted. Led by the retinue of warriors, followed by the soldiers of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, each person raised their arms and shouted: "Khan, Khan, Khan, Great Khan!"

The attendant hurriedly pressed down on the hand of the iron-clad prince, lowering his voice, "Second Prince, this is not the time to be angry. The Fourth Prince is deliberately provoking you; do not fall into his trap in front of the Sovereign."

The child did not move

"I saw nothing! So many stars, all jumbled together. In many of my previous grand assemblies, I wished to perceive the changes in the starry sky, but none succeeded." The old man leaned sideways on the horse's back, took a sip from the white bronze wine flask at his waist, and with bleary, drunken eyes said, "Now they are all dead; otherwise, I would not have become the grand assembly leader!"

Except for the Great Lord and the Great Khan, everyone bowed their heads and saluted with their hands on their chests. A quiet stillness enveloped the scene as white figures slowly approached along the main road. Two rows of female servants in white flanked an elderly maid, who was supporting a child with his head lowered. The maid trembled as she stopped in front of the Great Lord, allowing the crowd to finally see the child clearly. He was as tall as a horse's neck, dressed in moon-white satin garments, with even his small boots made of white leather, and a white leopard's tail wrapped around his wrist.

The deafening roar of thousands of people echoed, and the fierce and simple barbarian warriors were filled with fervor, their eyes reflecting a near-religious devotion. Amoci was also infected by this atmosphere, joining them in waving his arms and shouting loudly.

The attendant cast a glance, and Tie followed his gaze to see a young warrior sitting proudly on horseback beside his father, both gazing into the distance. Clad in a heavy brocade battle robe and adorned with silver-embedded bright armor, he appeared imposing, yet such hot weather was certainly uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the warrior stood tall like a spear, his gaze fixed on the horizon, utterly motionless

The sound of drums ceased, and the female slaves and maidservants knelt down to bow their heads. The maidservant released the child's hand. The child merely stood quietly with their head lowered, staring at the tips of their boots

The lord silently turned his head to survey the people behind him. The elderly princes could no longer withstand the sun's glare; some were slumped over on their saddles, while others had dismounted and taken refuge under the felt umbrellas. Slaves had brought ice blocks from the cellars in the city, using gauze to wipe the faces of the nobles. A group of people appeared as if they were withered grass scorched by the sunlight, looking utterly dispirited

Amoche was somewhat surprised. The bronze horns and yak drums were the music of the barbarians; the troops on the march responded to the sound of the cowhorns as commands, and only on grand occasions would the drums and music resound together. The orderly formation of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry suddenly parted, leaving a straight path two zhang wide. A magnificent white warhorse stepped forward slowly, followed by two rows of red-clad slaves holding bronze basins to sprinkle clean water, and then there was a long silence as someone slowly approached from the far end of the path. The orderly formation of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry suddenly parted, leaving a straight path two zhang wide. A magnificent white warhorse stepped forward slowly, followed by two rows of red-clad slaves holding bronze basins to sprinkle clean water, and then there was a long silence as someone slowly approached from the far end of the path.

The lord released his hand, his expression calm, "The divine bow of Qingyang has returned."

"Whoever complains will be scolded." The young man on the black horse cast a sidelong glance, wearing a provocative expression

He turned to look at the crowd, took a deep breath, and raised the hand of the Ninth King high, declaring, "The Ninth King is the great khan of our Qingyang tribe! A great khan who will be passed down through the generations for thousands and tens of thousands of years!"

Amoc watched the scene between the princes, shook his head, and felt a bit of concern in his heart

The old man suddenly became invigorated, wanting to break through the crowd, but everyone was craning their necks to look, creating an impenetrable barrier. He could only anxiously pace in circles.

Just as we used to say in our childhood, whatever my elder brother asks me to do, my younger brother will certainly do it well

"Asule, raise your head, do you not recognize your father anymore?"

The sovereign slowly began to smile, "I anticipated that such a day would come."

He lifted his son with both hands, "Your uncle wrote back, praising your bravery. Did you lead the troops to charge into the grand formation of Longge Zhenhuang by yourself?"

He stepped forward on his horse, intending to block the way of the great lord, but felt a large hand tightly grip his wrist. Ba Hang, confident in his strength, found that the person slowly exerted force, unexpectedly pressing his knife back into its sheath.

Amoc also anticipated that such a grand ceremony was to welcome the Young Master of Qingyang, the future great lord of the barbarian tribes. Three full years later, the Young Master returned to the Northern Capital. According to the ancestral customs of the barbarian tribes, the elder sons are stationed in various regions, while the youngest son inherits his father's tent and slaves, becoming the new head of the family. The first and third sons vie for power both openly and covertly, yet no one can deny that the legitimate heir is Lü Song's youngest son, Lü Guichen, who has a barbarian nickname, Asule, meaning "Longevity"

The Grand Duke and the Ninth Prince held hands and spoke softly, seemingly reminiscing about their childhood. The smile at the corner of the Grand Duke's lips grew increasingly pronounced. The vigilant Bahang let out a sigh of relief as the slaves presented baked flatbreads, sheep's milk, and ice together. He hurriedly brought his horse over to grab a few pieces of ice and stuffed them into his armor. The generals preparing for the expedition also rode over to collect ice, while discussing the thrills and great victories of the southern campaign with the nobles.

The retinue of warriors hoisted the heavy bronze horns, and the massive drum covered with yak leather was struck by the large mallet, sending the sound of drums soaring into the sky. The nobles followed the great lord as they lifted the reins, and the fine steeds reared up, their front hooves powerfully pounding the ground. The scene became fervent, with everyone following the great lord in shouting: "Nine Kings! Nine Kings! Nine Kings!"

Amoche knew that under such circumstances, it was futile to expect him to be called up, so he anxiously gazed at the white flag ahead

However... Teacher, you are our Qingyang's Dagesa!

"Who are you cursing?" Tie roared.

Behind him, hundreds of cavalry were lined up, each adorned in splendid attire and riding horses as magnificent as dragons. All the noblemen of status from the northern capital were present here. The day before, scouts had sent urgent reports that the ninth prince, Lu Bao, would return victorious today, and the lord had been waiting at the city gate with the nobles.

Amoc turned his head to wake up Hesa, who was curled up napping under the horse's belly, only to suddenly find that the old man was already sitting quietly on the horse's back, gazing into the distance with eyes that were not clouded by intoxication, but rather bright and alert

The Duke shook his head, "The Ninth Prince is the divine archer of our Qingyang, with arrows that never miss their mark. He has commanded troops for over ten years and has never once delayed in seizing an opportunity."

The teacher has been a Grand Shaman for thirty-six years, yet I have never heard the Pan Da Tian Shen speak a single word to me. Perhaps the Pan Da Tian Shen has forgotten the barbarians, or perhaps he is simply napping. The previous Grand Shaman said that the deity sleeps for a thousand years each time, during which it only opens its eyes three times. Although I believe my body is still relatively strong, I estimate that I will not last until that day.

The teacher and the student, both dressed in long white linen garments, were astride two fine steeds, standing side by side in the fields outside the capital city of Beidu. The young student, with great concentration, gazed up at the sky, his eyes obscured by two oddly shaped obsidian lenses. It was precisely because of this that he could observe the path of the sun traversing the heavens under the blazing sunlight

Before Amoc followed him to learn astrology, he regarded Hesa as a demigod. However, during the first annual sacrificial ceremony of the Lamb Festival that he attended with Hesa, Hesa revealed his true nature. The ceremony took place on a distant high slope, surrounded by bonfires, where even the great lord could only watch from afar alongside the herdsmen. On the high slope, Hesa sang ancient hymns, adorned with silver ornaments, wearing a massive rhinoceros horn on his head, and wielding a battle knife as he danced. It seemed as if he summoned the attention of the celestial deities to the mortal realm, prompting everyone to prostrate themselves in worship.

The prince's health was poor, and at the age of six, he was sent to a warm place in the south for recuperation. At that time, there was no war between the Zhenyan and Qingyang tribes, and the ruler of the Zhenyan tribe, Longge Zhenhuang, was still considered the nephew of the great lord.

Only Amok, who was beside Hesa, knew that at that time Hesa's face was flushed, his eyes were dazed from drunkenness, a wine jar was clutched in his mouth, one hand held a knife, while the other scratched his armpit, perhaps due to not bathing for several days, resulting in lice. The sacred hymn originally had four stanzas, but he secretly cut off one and a half stanzas, claiming he had forgotten how to sing that portion. The poor and devout people of Qingyang would no longer hear the complete hymn, as this sacred song had no written form and was passed down orally. The sacred hymn originally had four stanzas, but he secretly cut off one and a half stanzas, claiming he had forgotten how to sing that portion. The poor and devout people of Qingyang would no longer hear the complete hymn, as this sacred song had no written form and was passed down orally

The sovereign nodded silently

Tie Yi · Ba Hang, a renowned warrior of Qingyang, was also a companion of the young sovereign. He wore a pair of iron fangs, forged from cast iron, suspended from his chest by leather cords, earning him the fearsome title of "Iron Fang Warrior." In the entire Qingyang tribe, there were only twelve "Iron Fangs."

The sovereign nodded and said, "Have the descendants of the Longge family also perished?"

Beruha has three daughters ... ... '' The Grand Duke suddenly came to a halt

As the Ninth King turned, a warrior from the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry presented a crimson wooden box, bending at the waist to hold it aloft in offering to the Great Lord, "This is the head of Long Ge Zhen Huang."

Well done! The lord nodded in approval, "What do these treasures amount to? Our Qingyang tribe can roam freely across this grassland, all thanks to our loyal warriors. What is there that cannot be rewarded to them? However, I have something else for you, brother.

Amoche removed the pair of dark crystal lenses and turned to look at the teacher slumped on the saddle. The old man was yawning while downing strong liquor, his bald head flushed red from the drink. Amoche had thought countless times that it was a complete mistake for the teacher to become the Grand Sacrifice of Qingyang. If he truly was the chosen messenger of the Pan Da Tian God, then the Pan Da Tian God certainly drank no less than the teacher.

At the grand celebration welcoming the triumphant return of the Ninth Prince, the nobles were dressed in extremely formal attire, their sweat trapped beneath their armor. Tie, clad in heavy armor and draped in a brocade cloak, now grimaced in discomfort, wishing he could shed his skin.

Amoc looked out towards the southern grasslands, which were originally covered with lush pastures stretching as far as the eye could see. At this moment, however, a faint yellow hue began to emerge. In an instant, it transformed into a rising cloud of dust, and people could feel the earth trembling, as if a furious tide was approaching. The massive cavalry finally revealed themselves through the dust, with soldiers clad in black armor riding black horses, holding high over a thousand pure white banners of the Leopard Cloud. The banners obscured the sky and the sun, and for a moment, the southern grasslands were filled with white.

Many years later, Amoche was referred to as the greatest Hesa of the barbarians in five hundred years, excelling in astrology across the grasslands, to the extent that even the renowned astrologers of the Eastern Continent bowed before him. However, Amoche always calmly stated that his teacher was the one who truly understood the secrets of the stars; he had actually known everything long ago, but he was unwilling to reveal that harsh truth.

Bimo Gan waved to him from a distance, and the two brothers excitedly gathered together. However, Xuda Han and Guimu only huddled close to Dajun, not even glancing at each other.

The sun has passed through the center of the heavens and entered the Scorpion Palace. The rotation of the celestial sphere has quickened by one fifth and five tenths compared to before. The trajectory of the main star remains unchanged, but at night, we should see the North Star rising from the mountaintop. Such a celestial phenomenon has only occurred three times in five hundred years. The North Star is the star of war. Teacher, will the God of the Panshan protect us from the punishment of the North Star?

A triumphant expression flashed across Bimogan's face, "I heard that when my father was young, he also broke through the encirclement of the northern region with just one hundred cavalry. When I think about it, charging against a formation of several thousand people seems like a trivial matter. My uncle asked me if I dared, so I led the troops and charged in."

"Has Bimogan returned as well?" The Duke patted his head, "This time, following your uncle into battle, you must have learned quite a bit, right? Do you dare to lead a large army on your own next year?"

The sound of neighing horses came from behind the formation of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, followed by the resounding blast of bronze horns, and the thunderous beat of the yak drums once again echoed, capturing the attention of the people

"It is a small object," the Great Lord glanced at the Ninth Prince, "Doesn't Erlu want to guess what it is?"

The Ninth Prince suddenly knelt down, heavily knocking his head to the ground, "I am willing to follow my elder brother, to fight for Qingyang, and I will never regret it until death!"

"It's so hot, it's unbearable!" Hasa murmured softly

The old man simply turned over and fell asleep on the grass

They have arrived! They have arrived! It is the great army of the Ninth Prince! The Ninth Prince has returned!

The sovereign nodded his head

"Our young master from Qingyang has returned," said the Ninth Prince, bowing to the Grand Duke. "It is the large escort team that is accompanying the heir. I believe my brother must be worried about the heir's safety, so he specially had a large carriage made for the heir to follow behind the army. May the heavenly deities of the Pan Da bless the heir with safety and well-being; I have not let my brother's trust down."

The old man raised a common lemming found on the grasslands. Whenever noble families came to inquire about the auspiciousness of marriage or funerals, he would run back to his tent, take the lemming out of its bamboo cage, and feed it oat and black millet. If the lemming chose the oat, it was considered auspicious; if it chose the black millet, it was deemed inauspicious

"The weather is terrible; even the dogs are getting sunburned. How dare the Ninth Prince keep his father waiting like this? His audacity is truly excessive." Tie muttered softly.

Amoc stretched his neck to look at the warrior, unable to suppress the excitement in his heart. That was the Ninth Prince, known as the "Bow of Qingyang," the prince with the highest military achievements in the Qingyang tribe, and the most dazzling hero in the eyes of the youth. Before following Hesa to study astrology, Amoc, like other noble youths, dreamed of wielding swords and galloping across the grasslands

Under the great banner, a formidable barbarian warrior, gripping the hilt of his sword, stands at the forefront, quietly gazing at the southern horizon. His eyes are slender and sharp, with a glaring white spot in the pupil of his right eye

The lord held the wooden box but did not open it; he merely touched it and remained silent for a long time

How did the members of the Zhenyan tribe handle it

"Brother," the Ninth Prince knelt down on both knees, prostrating himself, his braids sweeping the ground, "You have returned, little brother!"

So... what did you see from astrology, teacher?

The snow-white steed galloped forward from the rear of the formation, and the young noble warrior dismounted, kneeling at the feet of the sovereign, "May father be in good health, and may the celestial deity Pan Da bless our great Qingyang"

After the horse, a companion approached, saying, "The great lord and the khans are waiting there. The second prince should not complain, lest someone hears it..."

A cold snort came from the side, "Waste should not talk too much, be careful not to get your skin sunburned!"

The sovereign waved his hand and did not speak

"Hesa, Hesa," Amoc called out urgently, "The lord is still watching over there!"

You ask me, but who should I ask? Am I really supposed to ask the God of the Panshi?

"Enduring!" The iron coldly laughed, "Isn't it still to please the father? No matter how much one tries to please, they are still a lowly offspring of the northern blood. Eldest brother has already followed the Ninth Prince to battle, achieving military merit! Still wanting to compete for position with eldest brother, what a delusion!"

Is that so? It is a suicide after defeat..." The Grand Duke pondered.

The cavalry had suddenly charged to the forefront. The leading horse let out a long neigh, and the rider raised his whip high, prompting someone to blow the horn. The well-trained warhorses halted their iron hooves amidst the yellow dust, and the entire unit came to a swift stop without any disorder. The dust kicked up by the horsemen swept towards the wind, causing the lords and nobles to pull up their cloaks to shield themselves. However, Bahang did not dare to block it; he could see nothing in the dust, his heart raced, and his grip tightened around the hilt of his knife, causing the half-exposed, gleaming blade to slip out of its sheath.

The nobles and warriors following the sovereign hurriedly dismounted and knelt down together. The Ninth Prince performed a grand bow to the sovereign, and they did not dare to sit upright on their horses.

The large white flag occasionally flutters in the gentle breeze, adorned with a design of a mythical beast resembling a leopard soaring through the clouds

When the younger brother arrived late, during the assault on the main stronghold of the True Face faction, he found that the second daughter, Long Ge Min, had been rescued first by someone else. He only managed to find the eldest daughter, Long Ge Qin, who was disguised as a commoner and fleeing, along with the youngest daughter, Long Ge Ning.

The child finally lifted his head, yet remained silent. This was the first time Amoche had seen the young prince, a child so delicate and refined. While children from the barbarian tribes typically grew up riding horses and drawing bows, often robust like young colts, the young prince was an exception. His complexion appeared somewhat pale, and his eyes were as clear as the sky after rain, giving him an almost girlish appearance at first glance

The lord is already fifty years old, yet he remains as vigorous as ever, sitting upright on his warhorse. The heavy sword, slung diagonally on the saddle, is the weapon he wielded in his youth. He is a veritable warrior, having personally beheaded countless enemies with this very sword.

At noon in July, the sunlight is somewhat scorching

The pride of the Qingyang Division, the "Tiger and Leopard Cavalry." Since the fall of the "Iron Floating Tower," this cavalry has undoubtedly become the strongest force on the grasslands, and one can feel the intensity of its approach, as if even the wind is cutting against the face.

He waved his hand, and a retainer warrior dismounted swiftly, bowing his head as he hurried to the lord's horse, holding a tray of pure gold.

"Tiger and Leopard Cavalry!" Someone sighed softly, though it is unclear who.

Tie retreated quietly, no longer daring to say anything

Indeed. Long Ge Zhenhuang was surrounded by troops led by his younger brother, ultimately resulting in the loss of both his legs, which could not be saved. He then took his own life with his saber.

Amoc was young, yet he understood the intention behind it, cautiously reminding the teacher that the Third Prince had certain expectations of him. At that time, Dagasana was sitting amidst a pile of exquisite items sent by Xudahan, wiping this and touching that with a piece of lambskin, and then, with a serious expression, raised his head and said: "These are all things he wants to give me; I never agreed to anything."

Amochel paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over. The three elder brothers of the Great Lord and the old princes of Qingyang exchanged glances, standing stiffly amidst the thronging crowd, their expressions appearing so out of place. This wrist guard made of leopard tail fur proclaimed that the Ninth Prince would now stand on equal footing with them. Now, in the Northern Capital, there are four Great Khans.

"Brother, brother!" Tie squeezed through the crowd.

"Your Highness, this is the Great Lord!" The maidservant anxiously whispered, "Quickly pay your respects to the Great Lord!"

The Ninth Prince hesitated slightly, lowering his voice, "When rescuing the Crown Prince, it was amidst the chaotic army, and he was a bit frightened."

"Only just returned victorious, how can one speak of death?" The sovereign waved his hand, "It is truly inauspicious. Do not speak of it."

"It seems that the old princes are not happy," Da Hesha muttered in a nonchalant manner

The youth was merely fifteen or sixteen years old, fierce like a young leopard. Although his scarf was soaked with sweat, he did not utter a word; he simply opened half of his garment to bare his right arm for ventilation. The exposed arm was muscular and exceptionally strong, with fingers gripping a heavy sword sheathed in saddle leather. As he pulled and released, the dazzling light reflected from the blade shot directly onto Tie You's face.