"Greetings, Senior Yan!" Qiao Riyan entered the tent and bowed respectfully to Yan Xiangxue.
"Is your master in good health?" Yan Xiangxue asked.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior. My master is doing very well," Qiao Riyan replied. "He still reminisces about his meeting with you a decade ago, and often speaks of your grace and poise. When the two Qiang branches reunite, he will surely come in person to offer his congratulations."
Yan Xiangxue replied placidly, "Whether he will be able to come remains to be seen."
Qiao Riyan glanced at Wang Yu before continuing, "My master knows you share cordial ties with the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor. The reunification of the two Qiang branches is by no means aimed at the three northwestern prefectures."
Qiao Riyan was well aware that Yan Xiangxue had stood guard over the White Qiang for more than fifty years. Highly respected and venerated, her approval was an absolute prerequisite if the two branches were ever to merge.
It was widely known that she harbored goodwill toward the Han lands and maintained close ties with the Tianshan Sect. Securing her consent would never be easy.
Yet they were not entirely without hope of persuading her.
For Yan Xiangxue had grown old.
The Black Qiang were already stronger than the White Qiang, with Shi Mo in the prime of his life and even Qubi Amu proving superior to Gulanrena.
The moment Yan Xiangxue breathed her last, the imperial court—swamped with its own troubles—would do nothing. Zhao Zheng of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor was dead as well, and the manor's troops, cowering behind the passes and refusing to step beyond the frontier, lacked any strength to support the White Qiang. The White Qiang would inevitably be swallowed by the Black Qiang.
When that day came, the White Qiang would suffer far worse losses, countless more deaths, and the royal lineage itself might well be wiped out to the last soul.
Under such circumstances, seizing the opportunity while the Xiongnu mediated a peaceful reunification was undeniably the superior strategy.
Thus, the Xiongnu had dispatched envoys: Huyan Chi's chief disciple, Yuwen Haojie, had journeyed to the Black Qiang, while Qiulin Ji's head disciple, Qiao Riyan, had come to the White Qiang—an arrangement that accorded ample respect to both tribes.
It was precisely because this overarching trend was plain to see that Asuli could not help but waver.
Over the past forty years, the Central Plains dynasty had steadily declined while the steppe Xiongnu had grown ever more powerful. Had Zhao Zheng still lived, he might have been able to intervene, but Wang Yu had only just taken charge of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor. Heaven alone knew how much strength the manor could muster.
Therefore, even though Qiao Riyan offered nothing more than a hollow promise not to make an enemy of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor, Asuli had still been shaken. In truth, he could see no path to victory.
Yan Xiangxue, however, remained unmoved. She knew that during the year since Wang Yu took charge, the manor's power had not dwindled in the least—it had grown!
Furthermore, with Wang Yu, a martial genius, leading the way and Li Yunxiu, the brilliant female top scholar, assisting him, they had uncovered a real chance to bring about the downfall of the Black Qiang—an achievement that had eluded even Zhao Zheng in his lifetime.
In Yan Xiangxue's eyes, the odds of this plan succeeding were exceptionally high.
At this point, not even Qiulin Ji's personal arrival, let alone Qiao Riyan's, could stop the plan from moving forward.
"Regardless of whether it is aimed at the three northwestern prefectures, the White Qiang will not merge with the Black Qiang," Yan Xiangxue said, her gaze steady and subdued. "The White Qiang only wish to herd their livestock in peace upon the grasslands. We have no desire to send our young men to the battlefield."
Qiao Riyan narrowed his eyes slightly. He did not believe for a second that Yan Xiangxue failed to grasp the eventual outcome of stalling. Yet she had spoken so firmly nonetheless. One reason was her longstanding fondness for the Han lands, but the other, surely, was this Prince of Zhenxi.
He had certainly not missed Ardai's attitude toward Wang Yu.
"I see." Qiao Riyan nodded in comprehension. If the White Qiang King's daughter shared an intimacy with the Prince of Zhenxi, matters would indeed become considerably more complicated—all the more so given that the princess was also Yan Xiangxue's disciple.
Qiao Riyan cast another look at Wang Yu, clasped his fists, and took his leave.
***
"Envoy Qiao, that old crone refused?"
Upon his return to their tent, a Xiongnu warrior stepped forward to ask. He was a man loyal to the Xiongnu King, named Liu Hanyong.
Qiao Riyan shook his head. "It was within expectations."
"Is it because of that Prince of Zhenxi?" A chilling glint flickered in Liu Hanyong's eyes.
"What, do you intend to kill him?" Qiao Riyan asked with a faint, mocking smile.
"Why shouldn't we?" Liu Hanyong countered. "As long as we take his life and fling his head before Asuli, the king will have no choice but to agree to our terms and send his men to wipe out those three thousand Chengyuan soldiers."
Qiao Riyan said coolly, "How do you propose to kill him? Word has it that he retreats to his military encampment every night to sleep."
Wang Yu was surrounded by three thousand troops of the Chengyuan Army, whereas Qiao Riyan had only a hundred Xiongnu warriors at his back. In an open frontal assault, they would be swallowed whole in an instant.
Liu Hanyong fell silent. Among their diplomatic envoy, the only person capable of infiltrating the military camp unnoticed, slaying a target, and making a clean getaway was Qiao Riyan himself.
Yet Qiao Riyan would not strike—certainly not so rashly—because he could not see through Wang Yu.
Nor had he anticipated encountering Wang Yu among the White Qiang. By all logic, Wang Yu should never have put himself in such grave danger; if the Black Qiang mobilized to cut off the route between the White Qiang Royal Court and Lingwu Pass, he might genuinely find himself unable to return!
Unable to fathom how Wang Yu had dared to venture beyond the pass in person, Qiao Riyan suspected that Zhao Rong was concealed somewhere among those three thousand Chengyuan soldiers.
Though Zhao Rong did not have an illustrious reputation, discerning figures knew him well. While he had not attained the rank of Grandmaster, he surpassed ordinary Xiantian experts. Qiao Riyan had no confidence that he could best him.
And once bogged down by Zhao Rong, with other guards and soldiers swarming in, Qiao Riyan would find himself in dire straits.
Turning to Liu Hanyong, Qiao Riyan asked, "It is said that Yan Xiangxue returned alongside the Prince of Zhenxi. Did you find out what happened there?"
Liu Hanyong nodded. "Word has it that the old crone once traveled to the Western Regions, and rumors say she was injured by Shi Mo."
Qiao Riyan frowned, carefully recalling the scene he had just witnessed. He had seen no indication whatsoever that Yan Xiangxue was carrying an injury.
Of course, she was a Xiantian Grandmaster; if she truly wanted to conceal it, he would never be able to tell.
"Then, apparently, the Prince of Zhenxi happened to be in the Western Regions at the same time, and the old crone followed him back to the Central Plains," Liu Hanyong continued. "They only returned here a few days ago."
"Oh, right. They came back because an attempt was made on the White Qiang King's life not long ago. Gulanrena went to the Central Plains in person to plead for aid and brought them back together," Liu Hanyong added.
"An assassination attempt on the White Qiang King? By whom? Shi Mo?"
Qiao Riyan was startled by the revelation, but upon further reflection, Asuli's conduct did not fit. After all, had Shi Mo tried to assassinate him, Asuli would never have wavered—he would have rejected the proposal outright.
"No," Liu Hanyong said, shaking his head. "It was the Twin Stars of the Xingxiu Sea. I hear many among the White Qiang are disgruntled because rumors claim the Prince of Zhenxi was the one who drew those two killers here."
"The Twin Stars of the Xingxiu Sea? Those two cripples?" Qiao Riyan raised an eyebrow. "How could they—Shi Mo must have hired them!"
Qiao Riyan understood at once. "No wonder he brought three thousand Chengyuan soldiers with him. Aside from the Black Qiang and Shi Mo, other experts want him dead as well."
"In that case, he will be even harder to kill."
Qiao Riyan shook his head. He was now almost certain that Zhao Rong had to be hidden among the ranks.
"We cannot make a move—at least, not by sneaking into their camp!"
Qiao Riyan's eyes flickered, but the prospect of eliminating Wang Yu had firmly lodged itself in his mind, for it truly offered a brilliant way to break the deadlock.
*If Asuli agrees to the reunification, all is well. But if he refuses...*
Qiao Riyan's gaze sharpened. *I must find the right opportunity...*
After a moment's thought, he instructed Liu Hanyong, "Keep probing the tribe. See if anyone harbors resentment toward Zhao Yu and wants him dead. We might be able to turn them to our advantage."
Liu Hanyong nodded at once. "Understood!"
***
Meanwhile, in another part of the settlement, Asuli remained mired in indecision.
"Father, what is there to hesitate about?" Atuke asked, utterly perplexed. "How could we possibly merge with the Black Qiang and march together against the Han lands?"
"Even the Xiongnu and Xianbei failed to achieve that. How could we?" Atuke chuckled in bitter disbelief. "If another great war erupts, our Qiang people won't merely split apart again—we will be driven to total extinction!"
Huona spoke up as well. "Only by maintaining a balance among all parties can we survive."
"I know your words make sense, but the problem now is that the balance has already been broken," Asuli said.
Asuli naturally felt closer to the Han lands; given a choice, he would never agree to reunite with the Black Qiang.
Yet Qiao Riyan's veiled threats still rang in his ears, and they had indeed carried undeniable truth.
Zhao Zheng was dead, and Zhao Yu had only just succeeded him. With the manor still reorganizing its territory, the Prince of Zhenxi's forces could not possibly mount a large-scale military campaign beyond the pass anytime soon.
Moreover, the Black Qiang had always been stronger than the White Qiang, and Asuli knew Yan Xiangxue had been gravely injured by Shi Mo. If the Black Qiang attacked the White Qiang under these conditions, backed by even a secondary Xiongnu force, the White Qiang would have no hope of holding out.
Asuli laid out these hard truths to Atuke and Huona.
Atuke's heart sank, yet he still argued, "But Ardai has already given her heart to Zhao Yu, and Zhao Yu showed great kindness to Master Yan. How could we betray him?"
Asuli said with forced conviction, "Qiao Riyan promised me that even if the two Qiang branches merge, they will not target the three northwestern prefectures."
Huona sneered. "How could that be possible? The Black Qiang and the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor are sworn enemies. Given half a chance, they will certainly march upon the northwest."
At that moment, another elder in the tent chimed in. "The Xiongnu possess great strength today. They intend to strike the far wealthier Hexi Circuit and advance from there into the Jingji Circuit. If all goes smoothly, they might even seize the Central Plains."
Huona was so exasperated that he laughed. "Seize the Central Plains? The Han people outnumber us a hundredfold! The moment they recover their footing and muster their armies, the Xiongnu will scarcely manage to return alive!"
The elder was a nobleman of the White Qiang tribe, and by blood, an uncle to Huona. Displeased by Huona's blunt tone, he snapped, "Even if they cannot hold the Central Plains, they can still plunder them."
Atuke cut in, "Are our lives not good as they are? We plunder once, only for the imperial court to shut down the border markets, leaving us to endure bitter poverty thereafter?"
The elder had no reply to that.
Huona pondered for a moment before addressing Asuli: "Great King, I know the present situation is precarious, but we are not entirely defenseless. Even if the Xiongnu dispatch a detachment here, we can pull up our camp and move south to form a mutual defense with Lingwu Pass.
"The Xiongnu cannot afford to waste time and troops in the northwest; their true target lies in the prosperous heart of the Central Plains. As long as we hold out for a while, they are bound to withdraw.
"Let the Xiongnu and the imperial court slaughter each other. We maintain good relations with the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor, and there is no need to sever our ties with the Central Plains for the sake of fleeting gains."
Huona continued, "I know you wish to avoid war, Great King, and that you do not want our people to die. But things have come to this; war will arrive regardless, and White Qiang lives will certainly be lost. We must choose the path that costs the fewest lives and secures our future."
Asuli looked around. Seeing that no one else spoke, he fixed a deep gaze upon Huona and let out a long breath. "Huona, your analysis is sound. In the days ahead, you must assist Atuke well."
Without waiting for Huona to reply, Asuli made his decision: "Politely decline Qiao Riyan. The Black and White Qiang have been divided for over two hundred years. There is no need to reunite now!"
Chapter 113