Chapter 62: Shattering the Blade (1)

The sun set and the moon rose, alternating in rhythm. On the meadow by the New Moon Lake, two young women who had just finished bathing stayed up all night talking.
“Zhuoer, I actually think that Tuoguhun’s Taku is quite good—skilled in riding and archery, with a strong build…”
Before Aina could finish, Zhuoer interrupted, “Sister Aina, stop talking. I’ve made up my mind, and no one can change it. Who is that Tusi? He’s been a simple-minded, strong-armed brute since childhood. How could he be suitable for me?”
Aina sighed softly and said with a bitter smile, “Zhuoer, you’re not so young anymore. How can you not understand the reasoning behind this? This marriage is related to the relationship between the Najie tribe and Tuoguhun. If our White Wolf tribe forms this alliance with Tuoguhun, we can stand tall in this snowy plateau…”
“Sister!”
Cutting off Aina’s words sharply, Zhuoer said coldly, “I thought of you as a real sister, but it turns out you treat me like a bargaining chip, wanting to give me away to someone else.”
At these words, Zhuoer burst into tears out of anger. Her tear-streaked face looked pitiful, evoking sympathy.
Sighing gently, Aina walked slowly over to Zhuoer, who had turned away and was crying, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “Zhuoer, I know how painful this is for you. But which of us women can escape this fate? Having children and continuing the lineage is our duty. Since we can’t avoid it, let’s face it bravely. That Tusi really loves you. Maybe you two can develop feelings over time?”
Hearing this, Zhuoer gave her a cold look. “Oh? Feelings can be cultivated? Then go marry that brute Taku yourself. Why do you keep asking the chief to get General Li for you?”
Her words were sharp. Aina was stunned for a moment before smiling bitterly. “Zhuoer, there are things you don’t understand.”
Seeing Aina still trying to hide things, Zhuoer lost control in anger.
She stood up angrily, raised her arm, and struck Aina’s cheek with all her force.
A sharp sound was heard, and Aina’s left cheek turned red.
“Zhuoer?” Staring in disbelief at her childhood friend, Aina was completely confused and at a loss.
The night sky was silent. After a long while, Zhuoer pointed angrily at Aina, breaking the silence. “I hate you! You not only took my Brother Li from me but also want to send me to Tuoguhun. I hate you! I’ll hate you forever!”

Shoving Eina aside, the tear-streaked Drow ran wildly before disappearing into the night. Eina stared blankly at the dark silhouette in the distance, lost in confusion. Suddenly, ripples appeared on the mirror-like surface of the lake, growing larger until they formed a two-foot-long crack from which a figure just barely emerged. “Huh!” Li Kuo surfaced, taking a deep breath as overwhelming fatigue washed over him. He had come to Crescent Lake at night hoping to shock his senses with cold water and sort out the events that had happened recently. Yet sometimes, no matter how good your intentions are, things aren’t always possible to accomplish. As he swam in the lake, the scenes of last night flooded his mind vividly—he could even see the tears in Suyas’s eyes. Who was he? Why had he come to kill me? In frustration, he punched the lake surface, sending splashes everywhere. Every time he thought about it, the scene would suddenly vanish, as if heaven was playing a joke on him. The dark lake surface acted like a curtain, pulling back mercilessly just as he was about to uncover the truth. Impatiently, he pulled himself out of the still lake, changed into a washed rough-cotton shirt, and looked back at the calm Crescent Lake. In the center of the lake, a faint figure seemed to appear—like a grinning ghost face. Feeling a chill, he sighed and walked toward the gentle slope on the shore. The nights in Dafeichuan were slightly cold. Li Kuo tied up his long hair and lightly mounted his horse, waving the whip as the wind carried him across the open fields. The sincere welcome from the enthusiastic White Wolf warriors, the nighttime assassination by the kind-hearted Suyas, and the solemn gift of a knife from the dignified Chief Suta—what secrets lay behind these contradictory actions? The wind howled past, drying the water droplets at his temples. Under the dim moonlight, a rider galloped across the vast grasslands… After about half an hour, the youth saw the camp of the Naji tribe. The scene was rather strange—thousands of torches illuminated the dark night sky like daylight. The usually peaceful White Wolf camp exuded an eerie atmosphere of solemnity. Getting off his horse and putting away the whip, he walked to the guard post inside the wooden fence. Without a word, a group of Naji warriors stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Commander, why have you returned so late? Please come with us to the chief.” Though he didn’t know the reason, the youth sensed it was serious and nodded, following them.

He followed the warriors at a slow pace, yet his thoughts never ceased. Had an accident occurred just three hours after he left the camp? In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the central tent of the Naji tribe. After a routine inspection, Li Kuo entered this place, where the highest authority of the White Wolf tribe was exercised. As soon as he entered the tent, he felt a solemn and subdued atmosphere. More than twenty warriors armed with curved swords stood guard around the tent, showing no signs of laxity. Looking around, he saw Tang Army commander Gao Xiuyan, his third brother Li Zigu, Dou Qing, Zhang Yanji, and others sitting cross-legged on cashmere carpets. Looking upward, he saw Chief Suta sitting upright on a Hu-style chair, his expression serious. On the carpet beneath his right hand lay Isotak! Upon seeing Li Kuo enter, Chief Suta stretched out his right arm and said calmly, “Lieutenant Li has arrived. Please sit.” Although he sensed Chief Suta’s indifference in his tone and words, Li Kuo remained composed and sat casually beside Zhang Yanji. Chief Suta cleared his throat slightly and said, “Since everyone is here, let’s begin.” Glancing around at everyone, he continued, “Although our White Wolf tribe is not a large clan with tens of thousands of archers, we are not lambs to be bullied at will.” He paused and added, “Yet who would have thought that a traitor would emerge within our tribe? Isotak was humble and low-key, but somehow angered someone, resulting in his death.” At this point, the usually gentle and calm Chief Suta’s voice was filled with anger. Note 1: Tak: prince.