Heaven is the shore of mortal dust

Chapter 93

Wei Zijun glanced at Geshufa, who was standing beside her, and gestured for him to step back. Ba'erke then placed the rice noodle soup on the table.

"Khan, eat quickly. Your entourage has already been tested for poison." Ba'erke still seemed to be bothered by Geshufa's actions.

“There’s no need for Ba’erke to take it to heart. It’s just that I have been assassinated many times, which has made them cautious.” Wei Zijun took a sip of soup and praised, “Ba’erke has excellent cooking skills.”

Ba'erke smiled shyly, sat down in front of the bronze mirror, picked up a wooden comb, and began to comb her long hair. She lightly applied lead powder, touched up her rouge, and held a snail-shell eyebrow pencil, calling out, "Khan, would you please help me draw my eyebrows?"

Wei Zijun was taken aback. "It's getting late. Why isn't Ba'erke resting? What's he doing drawing these?"

Ba'erke smiled charmingly: "Khan, you don't know yet, you are sleeping in my room. Where do you want me to rest? Tonight, may I sleep here?"

Wei Zijun smiled lightly, "I really don't care, but what about Ba'erke's reputation? Ba'erke, you should leave."

Ba'erke picked up the eyebrow pencil and walked towards Wei Zijun. "After the Khan finished drawing Ba'erke's eyebrows, Ba'erke returned."

Wei Zijun smiled and said, "Okay, but don't cry if it's ugly." She took the snail-shaped ink and began to draw seriously.

After a moment, he laughed and said, "It's finished!"

Ba'erke looked up at Wei Zijun, leaned forward, and nestled in her arms.

"Didn't Ba'erke say he'd come back once the painting was finished?" Wei Zijun asked softly.

“Khan, I’ll be back after a short rest,” Ba’erke replied.

Wei Zijun laughed out loud, "Ba'erke, go back, I'm really tired."

It was all because of this Ba'erke that Wei Zijun was truly exhausted and fell into a deep sleep. The next morning, she got up and the first thing she did was rush up the city wall and look into the river. When she saw the additional corpses in the river, she breathed a sigh of relief, but the pain in her eyes deepened.

This night raid resulted in another 20,000 casualties for the Dayu army, which retreated further to the sand dunes. Meanwhile, the troops that had besieged Gaochang also quickly withdrew, heading along the border to the sand dunes to join up with the remaining Dayu forces.

Seeing this, Wei Zijun knew that they were about to launch a large-scale siege.

On a late autumn night, the moon was bright and the stars were few, autumn frost covered the ground, and a chill suddenly descended.

Wei Zijun changed into a black silk shirt and quietly walked out of the room.

"Where are you going?" He Lu asked, seeing her attire, knowing she must be going out.

"Burn the grain and fodder!" The moonlight made her face transparent, and her black silk dress blended into the moonlight, with only her unusually white skin shining in the moonlight.

"Alone?" He Lu asked incredulously.

"Okay!" Wei Zijun nodded and said softly, "Don't alert anyone. I can't guarantee there aren't any enemy spies here."

"Why not send them?" He Lu worried. Although he knew that the grain supplies were in a secluded forest twenty miles from the military camp, they were guarded by five thousand elite soldiers. What if something happened to them? He Lu dared not think any further.

"Do you think I'm stupid enough to sneak into the enemy camp at night? I was just shooting arrows, but their range wasn't far enough. I didn't want them to go and die, so I went alone." Wei Zijun didn't want to explain and pushed him away. "Remember, don't tell anyone."

"Wait," He Lu called softly, "I'll go with you."

Wei Zijun said impatiently, "Don't cause me any trouble. If you're discovered, you'll become a burden and it will be difficult for you to escape." She ignored him and flipped over, floating down from the city wall.

They crossed the river strewn with corpses and darted into the distant woods.

They hadn't gone far when they heard voices following behind. He sighed; he was indeed persistent.

Around midnight, they arrived at the secluded spot. The ground was flat, with sand dunes behind them and woods to their left. Patrol soldiers carrying torches walked by in groups.

However, they found no supplies, so the most likely explanation is that the supplies had been moved into the forest. This secluded forest is located in a treacherous area, and few people know about it. Presumably, the Dayu army had Western Turks as guides.

Without supplies, she couldn't fire arrows, and venturing deeper into the forest risked being discovered by the enemy. Fortunately, she had made preparations.

The slow wait continued until around 4 a.m., when the body is most tired and exhausted.

He opened the bundle, revealing a set of Dayu army uniforms. He took it out and was about to put it on when He Lu grabbed his hand. "I'll put it on!"

Wei Zijun forcefully shook him off, quickly put on her clothes, and said, "Stay here and don't cause me any trouble. No matter what happens, don't move." With that, she leaped into the shadows of the trees.

She lightly touched the ground with her toes, gliding over the trees. After about half an incense stick's time, she finally discovered the place where the grain and fodder were stored. To her surprise, although the perimeter of the woods was full of soldiers, only a few were guarding the grain and fodder. What pleased her even more was that these fools, thinking that the location was secluded and unknown to anyone, had been lax in their precautions and had actually piled up horse feed and a large amount of military supplies together.

With a graceful movement, she descended slowly from the tree and swaggered up. A soldier approached, and Wei Zijun walked over, seemingly intimately putting her arm around his shoulder. Before the soldier could react, she had already struck his pressure points. She couldn't bear to kill him.

In less than half an incense stick's time, more than a dozen guards had quietly gone to bed.

Soon, a fire broke out, starting as a small cluster of flames and gradually spreading. Outside the forest, the patrolling guards continued to pace back and forth.

The fire, coated with the poured oil, burned ever brighter, the flames leaping straight up to the treetops.

To intensify the fire, Wei Zijun picked up the guard's longsword and soared into the sky, leaping and twirling above the raging flames. Her robes fluttered, their silver light like water, and countless dry branches fell to the ground, burning fiercely in the flames.

The autumn wind swept across the land, carrying withered branches from the woods. The branches caught fire, the trunks caught fire, and thick smoke billowed into the sky. This fire was beyond saving; in this dry autumn, tomorrow, this place would be a barren wasteland.

Finally, someone discovered the fire and shouted, and several thousand soldiers rushed into the forest. At the same time, Wei Zijun also heard the sounds of fighting outside the forest; it must be that fool He Lu.

Wei Zijun leaped out and rushed towards the fighting area outside the forest. He saw He Lu charging into the forest while fighting, with countless arrows following him. He Lu turned around and blocked them one by one, but unexpectedly, several more sharp arrows suddenly flew out from the forest behind him, piercing straight towards his back.

Even Wei Zijun failed to notice the sneak attack in time; he couldn't dodge that arrow.

"He Lu—" Wei Zijun cried out, leaping forward like lightning, tearing through the sky, grabbing He Lu before the arrow could reach him. But it was too late; a sudden chill ran down her shoulder. Without looking back, she plunged into the forest, leaping onto a branch with He Lu in her arms and speeding away.

Arrows kept coming from behind, but none were as fast as her; several of them had already gone more than a mile away.

"You're injured?" He Lu, who was in her arms, saw the blood seeping from her shoulder. "Put me down!"

"It's a minor injury, we'll talk about it when we get back." Wei Zijun ignored He Lu's request.

"Put me down quickly—" He Lu shouted.

Helpless, Wei Zijun put He Lu down in a secluded woodland.

"Let me see." As soon as she landed, He Lu stepped forward and removed Wei Zijun's military uniform, revealing a thin black shirt underneath. Her shoulders were soaked with blood.

With a "rip", He Lu tore open her clothes at the shoulder, revealing her blood-stained shoulder. Wei Zijun dodged backward, but He Lu grabbed her.

"It's just a scratch, there wasn't even an arrow on it." Wei Zijun tightened her grip on her clothes, afraid that the hem would slip down.

“It is indeed a scratch.” He Lu took out a silk handkerchief and wiped away the bloodstains. “How could there be so much blood?”

A warmth touched her shoulder as He Lu's burning lips pressed against hers. Wei Zijun was startled. "He Lu, what... what are you doing?"

He Lu did not answer, his lips still covering hers.

"He Lu, let go quickly," Wei Zijun whispered.

"Don't make a sound." He Lu bit her near her wound.

Wei Zijun was furious, "Bite me!"

"Don't make noise...don't make noise..." He Lu murmured.

Wei Zijun's body stiffened as He Lu's arms wrapped around her from behind.

"He Lu!" Wei Zijun whispered, "...you..."

"You're so noisy... Stop it... Stop it..."

"Don't make a sound..."

Volume Two, Chapter Eighty-Three: Destroying the Enemy

A massive fire in the sand dunes burned for a day and a night, until the woodland was reduced to ashes. The surrounding sand was filled with smoke and ash, a scene of utter devastation.

Deprived of supplies, the Dayu army was in disarray and morale was low. In a fit of anger, Cai Liangao killed the general guarding the supplies. He hastily procured a small amount of provisions from Shanshan County, enough for only a few days. The main army remained in place, not daring to move rashly, waiting for Dayu to send more supplies.

Inside Yanqi City, morale was high, and the streets and alleys were filled with talk of the great fire. The story of Wei Zijun burning the enemy's food supplies single-handedly was even circulated as a miracle.

The autumn morning was cool and refreshing, with a light frost still clinging to the ground. The government office in Yanqi had long been converted into a temporary meeting place for the Western Turkic Khan.

Dressed in a snow-white casual outfit, Wei Zijun leaned back in her chair. The faint rays of the morning sun shone through the window and fell upon her, spreading like a thin mist, outlining her fair skin and beautiful features with a gentle breeze, serene and timeless.

"Geshufa, how is Cai Liangao in commanding troops?" She gracefully raised her hand, and with a slight movement, her hand unconsciously touched her left shoulder, and she smiled slightly.

"Khan, this man is vicious by nature and ruthless in his military tactics. Any soldier who deserts in battle will be beheaded by him like a wiping sweat. He never cares about the lives of his soldiers. Therefore, his army is as fierce as tigers when they fight." Geshufa knew Cai Liangao quite well.

"Hmm. After two failed sneak attacks, he must be furious and determined to attack the city." He shifted his body slightly, finding a more comfortable position to avoid aggravating his shoulder injury.

"The Khan is right, he is ordering the construction of nesting vehicles."

"They've already built nesting vehicles? It seems their determination to attack is set." Wei Zijun narrowed his eyes slightly. "When will Dayu's supplies arrive?"

"The Khan will arrive in five days," a scout replied.

"Five days from now... barring any unforeseen circumstances, once the supplies arrive and the troops have rested and regrouped, he will launch a full-scale attack. In that case, we should probably go ahead first." Her clear eyes swept over everyone, her delicate brows furrowing as she pondered deeply.

"Khan, we should make some preparations for defending the city. Prepare more arrows, logs, and stones to resist the enemy's attack," Turgenez said, stepping forward.

“Defense is not as good as offense. This siege will last for a month or two. Fighting every day is so annoying. The river water is so polluted that it can't be drunk anymore,” Wei Zijun said quietly. It seemed like she was talking to herself, but it also seemed like she was answering the question from the Tuqizhi.

The Turkic leader was confused and asked anxiously, "Khan, should we defend the city or not?"

"Defend? I don't want to waste time, let's attack instead." The answer was casual, as if he were talking about something trivial.

"Khan, the Great Yu army of 150,000 is extraordinary. If we attack, we will suffer heavy casualties," Asijieni Shusijin warned.

"But haven't they run out of food? People always get hungry, and when they're hungry, they have no strength." Wei Zijun's eyes were clear, and she didn't look at the person who asked the question. She seemed to be thinking, even as she spoke.

“But Khan, their provisions are almost here.” Geshu Que Sijin couldn’t understand her meaning. He Lu, standing to the side, already looked relieved.

"It's only valid if we can get it." As if she had made up her mind, Wei Zijun withdrew her gaze and glanced at Geshu Que Sijin.

"What does the Khan mean? Does he intend to seize our grain?" Asijieni Shusijin asked tentatively.

Wei Zijun picked up her teacup and slowly said, "To say we're robbing grain supplies is too superficial; we're planning an ambush." Setting down the teacup, her face was now cold and aloof, her bright eyes fixed on the assembled officials, radiating an aura that seemed to seize the very essence of heaven and earth. "Geshu Fa," she said, "take these five golden arrows and send them to the five divisions of the Left Wing to quickly gather 50,000 Ghost-Faced Cavalry. They must reach Yanqi within three days." Wei Zijun drew five golden arrows, sealed them with wax, and handed them to Geshu Fa.

The Ghost-Faced Cavalry was a cavalry unit personally trained by Wei Zijun. During the battle against the Tibetans, she witnessed a handsome subordinate being fatally wounded by a Tibetan arrow to the face, and was deeply saddened. She then ordered the forging of armor for the face, armor shaped like demons, ferocious and terrifying; its mere sight would surely instill fear in the enemy.

After giving instructions to Geshufa, Wei Zijun said, "Helu, Geshu Quesijin and Asijieni Shusijin, stay here. The rest of you may leave."

After everyone had left, he continued, "Axijie Nishusijin, tomorrow night, you will take 10,000 cavalry, change into the uniforms of the Dayu army, and circle around from Shanshan County to the rear of the Dayu army. There, you will intercept the Dayu army's supplies, and then pretend to be the Dayu army escorting the supplies to infiltrate the enemy camp. Do not let anyone else know about this. I will tell you the details later."

"Yes." Asijieni Shusijin respectfully accepted the order.

"He Lu, take 50,000 Ghost-Faced Cavalry and wait for the Dayu army to be hungry and exhausted. Then, cooperate with Asijie Nishu Sijin to attack the camp. Geshu Quesijin should prepare an ambush behind the sand dunes and forests. This time, we must defeat the enemy in one fell swoop."

"Yes." Geshu Quesijin and Asijieni Shusijin accepted the order and left.

He Lu didn't move and remained standing there.

Wei Zijun glanced at He Lu, then reached up to rub her forehead and sighed softly, "I need to wipe them out once and for all, to secure a year or two of peace." Her slender fingers lightly rubbed her forehead. "I don't like it, I really don't like it. I don't like war. Hurry up, let it end."

He Lu stared straight at her, got up and walked behind her. "Let me massage you." He reached out and took her hand, gently put it down, and then gently massaged her temples.