Love Lock

Chapter 106 His mind is wandering again.

The "whistling arrow" was not only Boru's symbol, but also the signal he used to direct the children's actions.

Whenever that sharp and long whistle rang out, the children responded to his call swiftly and accurately, like a pack of wolves on the grassland.

"Yes!"

Aibar and his friends answered in unison. Boru's praise made them feel that they were already qualified warriors on the grassland.

They gripped their bows and arrows tightly, their eyes gleaming, as if ready to face the next challenge.

"Okay! Let's do it again."

Seeing this, Bolu's lips curled into a satisfied smile. He mounted his horse with agile and swift movements, his body seemingly becoming one with the steed.

He raised his bow and arrow again, this time aiming directly at the eagle soaring in the sky.

It was a majestic eagle, with wings as hard as iron and sharp eyes.

The eagle is one of the rulers of the grasslands. But at this moment, in Bolu's eyes, it is nothing more than a target waiting to be conquered.

“Whoosh—whoosh—”

Another sharp whistle rang out, and Bolu's whistling arrow pierced the sky like lightning, heading straight for the eagle.

The children followed closely behind, their arrows whistling like a dense rain of pear blossom needles as they chased after the eagle.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and the air was filled with the children's tension and anticipation.

Finally, the eagle fell from the sky, its body pierced by countless arrows, like a giant hedgehog.

Bolu smiled faintly, a hint of sinister glint flashing in his eyes.

He leaped off his horse, walked slowly forward, picked up the lifeless eagle, and showed no pity in his eyes.

"Very well, you have once again proven your courage and archery skills. You have also proven that you are sensitive enough to my whistling arrows. This eagle is yours as well!"

Boru's voice rang out again, and he tossed the eagle he had shot into the children, which immediately drew cheers.

The children immediately started a fire and began grilling their spoils.

At this moment, Princess Yujia walked by with several guards and warriors.

"Bolu. Why are you making a fire to roast sheep again? If Father Khan finds out, he'll scold you again."

Princess Yujia frowned as she looked at the sheepskin that had been peeled off the grass.

After a winter, the grasslands are already short of food and clothing, and resources are scarce. Cattle and sheep are the hope for the people's livelihood.

In addition, the tribespeople are currently recuperating and actively preparing for war, and cattle and sheep are the primary resources for the army's expedition. However, Bolu often leads these little brats to secretly roast mutton for food.

Bolu rolled his eyes dismissively.

He reached out and grabbed a piece of half-cooked mutton from the wooden rack and stuffed it into his mouth. With one bite, bright red mutton blood slid down Bolu's lips, making him look incredibly wild.

Princess Yujia sighed inwardly, but did not blame him further. Instead, she said as she walked, "Father Khan sent someone to summon us, saying that a scout has brought back news from the Great Jing North Pass, and that we should all hurry over to discuss matters."

"Are you telling the truth?"

Upon hearing this, Boru's eyes lit up. Had his father finally agreed to let him participate in the council?
In his father's eyes, he had grown up and was considered a warrior.
"Brother Bolu, hurry up! The Khan has finally agreed to let you join the discussion."

"Congratulations, Brother Bolu, you can definitely do it."

"Go quickly! We're waiting for your good news."

A group of teenagers nearby were also overjoyed to hear the news.

Normally, the Khan never allowed Boru to participate in anything related to war, always saying that he wasn't old enough yet. Now, the Khan had finally remembered Boru.

Bolu dropped the mutton in his hand, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and amidst the cheers of the children, he took his bow and arrow and followed Princess Yujia to Ashina Khan's tent...

Night slowly falls on the grassland, stars dotting the sky. A gentle breeze caresses the grass, bringing the coolness of the night. Sheep return to their pens, pastoral songs fade, leaving only the soft chirping of crickets.

Inside Ashina Khan's tent, the candlelight flickered, illuminating the various expressions on the faces of the people present.

Ashina Khan sat at the head of the table, with the beautiful and gentle Princess Yujia on his left and his youngest son Bolu on his right. Below them were the grassland warrior General Albu and the leaders of various tribes.

"Our scouts have reported two pieces of information about Beiguan that we need to discuss."

Ashina Khan's deep and powerful voice broke the silence in the room.

Upon hearing this, Princess Yujia immediately sat up straight, her eyes fixed on her father. She prayed silently that the news brought back by the scouts would be related to Zhao Zun.

"The first piece of news is that Zhao Zun, the former marshal of the garrison at Beiguan, has been enfeoffed as a prince by the emperor of the Great Jing Dynasty and has returned to Cangzhou to assume his fief."

Ashina Khan spoke slowly, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the crowd, observing their reactions.

"Oh? Zhao Zun?"

Bolu raised an eyebrow; the name was familiar to him. Zhao Zun had been a nightmare for the Turks, repeatedly defeating their armies and striking fear into the hearts of their warriors. But now, he had actually returned to Cangzhou?

Albu also looked surprised and asked in a low voice, "How is Zhao Zun now?"

Ashina gloated: "Hehe, the war god of Beiguan has fallen. According to the scouts, after he was stripped of his military power, he lost faith in the Great Jing Dynasty and became despondent, only caring about having fun. As soon as he arrived in Qingshui County, he asked the prefect of Cangzhou to choose a place for him to build a hunting ground so he could hunt and have fun."

Upon hearing this, Princess Yujia, who was standing to the side, had her resolve to keep quiet rekindled.

She had met Zhao Zun countless times in her dreams. The brave and resourceful marshal had now become a playboy who only knew how to have fun? But then she thought, this might be a good opportunity for her to get closer to him and persuade him.

“Father Khan, I believe this is an opportunity.” Princess Yujia mustered her courage and said, “Zhao Zun has lost faith in the Great Jing Dynasty. Perhaps we can take this opportunity to win him over and recruit him into our Turkic forces. The Great Jing Emperor does not value Zhao Zun, but we Turks do.”

Ashina's face darkened, and he looked sternly at Princess Yujia.

“Yujia, do you know what you’re saying? Zhao Zun was once a major threat to the Turks. If he truly submits, the Turks might gain another valiant general; but if he’s only feigning surrender, then the Turks will be doomed!”

Princess Yujia lowered her head after being scolded by her father, but she was not convinced.

She believed that with her beauty and talent, Zhao Zun would definitely fall for her; this was her bargaining chip. As long as she could get close to him, she was sure she could persuade him.

“Father, your daughter is willing to go to Cangzhou in person to persuade Zhao Zun.”

Princess Yujia raised her head and looked at Ashina Khan with a firm gaze.

"Nonsense!" Ashina Khan roared. "How could you, a Turkic princess, so easily take such a risk? This matter is not to be mentioned again!"

I'm asking for a complete service: comments, favorites, likes, and to keep reading. I guess I'm asking for too much!
(End of this chapter)