Heaven is the shore of mortal dust

Chapter 66

Wei Zijun grew to love the horse more and more as she looked at it, and couldn't help but kiss its cheek.

She looked up and met He Lu's eyes, which were fixed on her with a hint of confusion and surprise.

"I can't believe it didn't kick you! I can't believe even a stallion likes you! Hahahaha..." He Lu let out a string of mocking laughs. His dark hair danced wildly, making his handsome face appear alluring and seductive.

The five men in black robes beside him understood the deeper meaning in those words and burst into disdainful laughter.

Wei Zijun was furious and snorted coldly: "Even beasts know how to understand and communicate, but some people are even worse than beasts." She glanced at He Lu and said: "Shaboluo Yehu, even beasts know not to snatch food from other people's bowls, but why are there always some people who snatch not only food, but everything? Why don't you, Yehu, learn from beasts?"

He Lu's face flushed red and then turned pale, but he wasn't angry. Instead, he laughed and said, "Haven't seen you for half a year, and your tongue has gotten even sharper. But being quick-witted for a moment doesn't prove you're a hero. Save your energy for the battlefield!"

After saying that, he thought for a moment, then smiled and asked Wei Zijun, "Do you like that horse?"

Wei Zijun was taken aback by his words, unable to discern whether his eyes held goodwill or malice, so she retorted, "So what if I like it? So what if I don't?"

He Lu laughed and said, "If you like it, I'll give it to you!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zijun was delighted, but upon closer inspection of the smile before him, which clearly carried a mocking tone, he calmly replied, "I cannot accept rewards without merit. I am different from some people; I do not enjoy taking what belongs to others."

"Oh, that's a pity!" He Lu said with feigned regret. "Actually, the reason I wanted to give you this horse is because I think it's like you. Look at this horse, it's vigorous and spirited, but it's slender. Although it's incredibly fast, it can't carry heavy loads. It's also rare and valuable, so it's not suitable for the battlefield. The weight of heavy armor and soldiers would crush it to death. Everyone says it's a divine steed, but I think it's useless."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zijun knew that he was taking the opportunity to ridicule her again, but she was no longer as angry as before. She calmly said, "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. There is no one in the world who is completely useless, nor is there anyone who is perfect. Besides, since everyone says it is a divine steed, then it must be a divine steed. Your words, Ye Hu, are probably just cynical and slanderous."

He Lu stared at Wei Zijun for a while, then chuckled and said, "You win! Although I am known as the number one talent of the Turks, I am still no match for you in words. I admit defeat. However, you may not be my match in martial arts. Let's have another match in a few days and see if you have made any progress in the past six months."

"Ye Hu is joking. I have lost all my skills, so what can I use to compete with you?" Wei Zijun said coldly.

"Once you figure out who you are, I will return you to you!" With that, he turned and walked into the restaurant. He had just stepped one foot across the threshold when he stopped and said without turning his head, "You'd better think it over quickly. After you finish eating, you will be going to the palace. Our Khan knows you are back and has come all the way from the royal court. He has been waiting for you in the palace for a long time."

The Western Turkic Khan! He's here!? But which Khan could it be? Is it Yibi Dulu Khan or Yibi Shekui Khan? Or is it someone else entirely?

[Volume 2, Turkic Chapter: Chapter 58, Old Ties]

Throughout the journey, Wei Zijun was filled with anxiety, unsure of what awaited her.

Upon entering the inner city, one can see the Gaochang Palace in the distance. The magnificent palaces stand tall, the tallest of which has about four stories. To the north is a mud-brick square tower that is more than ten meters high. That is the Gaochang Palace!

She recalled visiting this place in modern times, when it was just a desolate wasteland. Now, who could have imagined it would be such a magnificent and splendid sight? She felt a surge of emotion and wonder.

As the group slowly ascended the stone steps of the palace, they saw a group of people rushing out of the palace gate.

Wei Zijun stepped onto the platform and stopped, quietly waiting for those people to arrive.

Leading the way was a middle-aged man with long, flowing hair, tall and robust, wearing a royal blue satin cotton robe with frayed edges, but with a cross-collar and left-fastening.

The man ran up to Wei Zijun and stopped. Only then did she see his face clearly. It was a haggard face with a sickly appearance, but it was now shining with excitement. Beneath his handsome, thick eyebrows, a pair of deep eyes were now filled with tears, which fell in a cascade and slid into his thick, bushy beard.

"Feng—" the man called out affectionately, pulling Wei Zijun into his arms and bursting into tears, "Feng, you're back, you're back, it's so good, you're not dead, it's so good, it's so good!"

The sudden scene stunned Wei Zijun, who forgot to react. She only came to her senses when the thick beard poked her face and tried to push away the crying man.

The man was clearly heartbroken, his body trembling as he cried, yet he refused to let her go. "Feng—I miss you, I miss you, I miss you every day—" The man's voice was hoarse from crying, and he began to sob uncontrollably.

Wei Zijun was suddenly moved to tears by his crying. Seeing a grown man crying like a helpless child, her maternal instincts were awakened. She gently patted the man's back to help him catch his sobs, saying, "It's alright, don't cry! Don't cry!"

The gentle words of comfort clearly had an effect. The man, sobbing, raised his head, his glistening eyes fixed on Wei Zijun's face. He looked at her face for a long time, then gently stroked the face he had longed for, and couldn't help but cry again. "Don't leave me again, promise me, don't leave me again!"

When she didn't respond, the man stroked her shoulders and sobbed, "Tell me! Tell me!"

Seeing his persistent attitude, Wei Zijun asked, confused, "What are you saying?"

"Say you'll never leave me, never leave me!"

Seeing this grown man crying so hard, Wei Zijun's heart softened instantly. Out of pity, she replied perfunctorily, "Mm!"

"What does 'hmm' mean? Tell me! I want you to tell me! Tell me you won't leave me, tell me!" The man shook Wei Zijun's shoulders and pulled her into his arms again. She murmured, "Tell me...tell me..."

Seeing this situation, Wei Zijun sighed, "Fine! I won't leave you, so stop crying!"

Upon receiving the answer, the man stopped crying with delight. "Say it again!"

"I won't leave you as long as you stop crying." Wei Zijun repeated helplessly, on the condition that he stop crying; the man's crying was driving her crazy.

Seeing that the crying had finally brought an end to the situation, the guards behind him dared to whisper, "Khan! It's getting cold, let's go inside and talk!" Then they draped a fur robe over the man's shoulders.

He was the Turkic Khan?! So this was the man she'd imagined—far removed from the imposing and majestic figure she'd envisioned. What complicated relationship did she have with him?

While Wei Zijun was pondering, the Turkic Khan draped a fur robe over her shoulders. "It's windy outside, cold. Let's go inside and talk."

This overly intimate form of address gave Wei Zijun goosebumps. Just as she was about to head towards the palace, a suppressed sob rang out beside her: "Your Majesty—"

She turned around at the sound of his voice and saw Geshufa, the man who had recognized her at Juyun Tower that day. He was now looking at her with teary eyes. Several other people nearby were also looking at her with the same expression.

He should be blamed; without his recognition, there would be no trouble. But seeing those longing and joyful eyes, she couldn't bear it. What was the use of complaining now? So she nodded to him and the others beside him.

When Geshufa saw that she had finally acknowledged him, he sobbed with emotion. Wei Zijun ignored him and walked straight into the palace; her feet were almost frozen in the cold weather.

Upon entering the inner palace, the Turkic Khan dismissed his attendants and led Wei Zijun to a warm pavilion within the inner palace, where he never let go of her hand.

His burning eyes gazed at the face before him, unwilling to look away for even a moment. His large hands gently cupped the face he had longed for, as if afraid of accidentally damaging that smooth, delicate skin.

Wei Zijun's eyes flickered, avoiding that burning gaze, and she cleared her throat twice, "Khan..."

Noticing her embarrassment, the Turkic Khan withdrew his blatant gaze, stroked Wei Zijun's hand, and said reproachfully, "You! You're still so stubborn, you just won't speak Turkic."

Yes, if he hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have noticed that they had been speaking to her in Turkic, and she could understand it. Turkic should belong to the Altaic language family, which she hadn't studied. She could speak Korean, though. This was really strange.