Chapter 27: Slaying the Dragon (III)

The White Wolf Tribe was to the Tang Dynasty what fish are to the ocean, flowers are to the soil, and birds are to the sky.
Without the ocean’s protection, fish can no longer swim freely; without the soil’s nourishment, flowers will never bloom in vibrant colors; without the sky as a backdrop, birds can no longer enjoy the joy of soaring.
Similarly, without the protection of the Tang Dynasty, the White Wolf Tribe became worthless.
Suta once thought that the Tang Dynasty’s aid was merely an opportunity, and once he seized it, the White Wolf Tribe would become powerful enough to no longer rely on others.
But he was wrong—completely and utterly wrong.
Although the White Wolf Tribe acquired vast lands like the Dafei River Basin and the Nine-Bend Region, they lacked the military strength to rule them. Though the Tubo people hesitated to break treaties under the Tang Dynasty’s dominance, Suta could clearly sense the hatred in their eyes.
Now that the Tang Dynasty’s border troops had withdrawn from Longyou, the Tubo people dared to advance aggressively into these grasslands.
What should he do?
Since being granted a title by the Tang court, he had become arrogant. Not only did the surrounding smaller tribes no longer impress him, but even powerful tribes like the Tuyuhun and Qiang, who held significant influence in the Dafei River Basin, were ignored by him.
Now, with the Tubo army approaching, not a single tribe was willing to ally with him to resist them.
If the Tubo people only wanted to reclaim the grasslands of the Dafei River Basin and the Nine-Bend Region, it would be fine—he could simply lead his tribe back to the grasslands near the Battle of Shibao City. But the Tubo people wanted to settle accounts later.
They knew full well about his secret assistance to the Tang people. If they brought up those old grievances…
Hiss!
Suta gasped in shock, his fur standing on end.
He knew too well the nature of the Tubo people—they were a vengeful race. If they attacked, they would kill all the men in his tribe and capture all the women and livestock. If that happened, the White Wolf Tribe would be wiped out!
He couldn’t let that happen—under no circumstances!
“Ye Hu, Ainetak has arrived!”
The young maid Zhuoma lifted the curtain and warned him carefully.
Suta was momentarily stunned before regaining his usual majestic demeanor.
“Hmm, let her in.”
Aina… Perhaps this was the White Wolf Tribe’s last chance. …

Silence reigned in the felt tent; Aina and Suta sat facing each other, neither willing to speak first. Half an hour passed in this way before Suta finally broke the silence. “Have you been doing well lately?”
“What does Ye Hu want to know? If I’ve been doing well?”
Aina sneered. “Of course I’ve been fine! Fed lamb and barley wine day after day, just waiting to be sold at a good price. How could I not be fine?”
Seeing her daughter had become as estranged from her as a stranger, Suta sighed deeply. “I’m sorry for you, but you must also think of our people.”
Hearing this, Aina flew into anger. “Think of our people? Has anyone ever thought about my feelings? Li Kuo is the love of my life. I’ve always said I will only marry him!”
Suta shook her head. “But he won’t be coming. Six or seven years have passed, and not a single word from him…”
“I’m not afraid. I can wait. Even if it’s six or seven years, or even sixty or seventy, I’ll wait!”
Aina puffed out her chest, her voice tinged with tears.
Suta’s lips twitched slightly. “Why go to such lengths? He’s just a Tang general. How can he compare to a Tubo prince? If you marry him, you’ll become a queen, then a Khutuktu, enjoying endless wealth and glory for life…”
“Do you think I’m doing this for money?”
Aina was both angry and amused. “If it were for money, I would have married that Tuoguhun man, Ta Ke, years ago. Why wait until now? Does Ye Hu see me as mere merchandise to be bid on?”
Hearing Aina speak so bitterly, Suta felt embarrassed and waved her hand. “Stop talking nonsense! This matters to the fate of our tribe. You can’t act recklessly!”
“I’m acting recklessly? Why is it reckless for me to choose the person I love? Oh Eternal Heaven, where is your mercy?”
Aina shook her head. “Is it only by marrying a Tubo prince that it’s not reckless and in line with fate?”
Suta sighed deeply. “It’s all fate… If there hadn’t been chaos in the Tang Dynasty, your father wouldn’t have forced you to marry.”
“So, I have no choice?”
Aina raised an eyebrow in challenge.
“You could say that.”
Suta cleared her throat, her voice growing hoarser and more weathered.
“Then you must agree to one condition of mine!”
Aina bit her lip tightly and said slowly, “Give this to him!”…
The sun was setting, and darkness was deepening. The blood-red sunset burned the clouds in the sky red, and a gentle breeze stirred the grass up to knee height.

Outside a snow-white tent lay 300 cavalrymen and a finely crafted carriage adorned with intricate carvings.
Aina took a deep breath and glanced one last time at the grassland she knew so well. She was familiar with every patch of grass, every animal, and every cloud here, but it was time to say goodbye.
“Tark, Tark!”
Despite her hesitation, the young maid Zhuoma rushed over and hugged her tightly.
“Silly girl, what’s wrong now?”
Aina forced a smile and said, “Today is my happiest day. Why are you crying?”
“Tark, will I never see you again from now on?”
Sobbing, the maid said, “You’re going to Luoshe City. I heard the men there are very barbaric. Tark, please take care of yourself.”
“You’re so silly!”
Aina tickled Zhuoma’s nose and said, “Even the most barbaric people wouldn’t dare bully me. Otherwise, I’ll make them pay! As for you, find someone to marry soon—don’t end up like me…”
With that, Aina turned and walked toward the carriage.
“Tark!”
Aina stopped, waiting for the maid to say her final goodbye.
“What if General Li Kuo finally catches all those fireflies?”
Aina froze for a moment but didn’t turn back. “Then… tell him to set them free. Tell him not to wait for me anymore. We’re meant for different paths after all.”
Aina jumped into the carriage—decisive and calm.
Life is sometimes like a dream. When you wake up, you find years have passed, and those who came before can no longer be pursued.
The coachman whipped the reins sharply, and the wooden carriage slowly set off.
“Creak!” “Creak!”
There were mountains beyond the curtain, rivers beyond the mountains, but no one by the river. This scenery was ultimately incomplete.
The sunset colored the sky red, and the mountains, rivers, and cavalry formed a quiet scene in the painting.