Deposed? I couldn't be happier! I wouldn't even be a dog to the crown prince.

Huo Qubing did not stay at the Turkic royal court for long.

For him, destroying Jieli's stronghold was just a small episode in this grand hunt.

The real target is further north.

In that place, which was regarded as a sacred site by all nomadic peoples of the grasslands, Han Chinese generals inscribed their immortal achievements.

"His Highness has given the order."

Huo Qubing stood on the ruins of the golden tent he had pierced with his spear, and gave a bright smile to the group of terrified Turkic nobles and Jieli's beautiful wives and concubines.

"Don't just sit there, everyone."

"Pack your things, and take your golden crowns and cattle and sheep with you."

"Come on...go on a trip with me."

……

Three days later.

Northern desert, Langjuxu Mountain.

The mountain range, which would later be known as the Kent Mountains, was now being bathed in the biting autumn winds.

The mountain peaks are steep and the rocks are jagged, like an ancient beast lying on the earth, exuding a desolate and sacred aura.

This is the birthplace of the Turks, the abode of their "Eternal Heaven".

But today, a group of uninvited guests have arrived here.

At the top of the mountain, a temporary platform made of stones and mud has risen from the ground.

Huo Qubing took off his bright silver armor, wearing only a thin white battle robe. His long hair danced in the wind, like a banished immortal about to ascend to heaven.

He climbed the steps one by one.

Each step was taken with extreme steadiness and weight.

Behind him stood eight hundred Snow Dragon Riders, who had also disarmed themselves, each with a solemn and fervent expression on their face.

"rise--!"

With Huo Qu-

The illness was declared with a single command.

Eight hundred strong men roared in unison and placed the prepared offerings—three kinds of sacrificial animals and six kinds of livestock—onto the altar.

Finally, Huo Qubing personally carried a wooden box to the very center of the altar.

He opened the wooden box.

It didn't contain any gold or silver jewelry.

Instead, it was the wolf-headed golden crown worn by Jieli Khan, which symbolized the highest power on the grasslands!

"Heaven above, earth below!"

Huo Qu-

The illness raised its golden crown high, its voice clear yet like thunder, echoing through the mountains.

"General Huo Qubing of the Han Dynasty, bearing the majesty of His Highness the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, once again offers sacrifices to Heaven and Earth here!"

"Those who offend China, no matter how far away, will be punished!"

"This oath is witnessed by the sun and moon, and by heaven and earth!"

After saying that, he slammed the golden crown in his hand onto the altar.

"when--!"

A loud bang.

The golden crown, made of pure gold and incredibly hard, was deformed by his forceful smashing. The majestic wolf head on it was dented, resembling a dead dog with its spine broken.

"Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!"

The eight hundred Snow Dragon Riders roared in unison, their voices shaking the surrounding wilderness and startling the birds and beasts in the mountains and forests into scattering and fleeing.

at the foot of the mountain.

Thousands of captured Turkic nobles and their families knelt on the ground, looking at the godlike white figure on the mountaintop. Their faces were ashen, and their eyes were filled with despair and fear.

To seal the wolf's lair and dwell in the wilderness.

This legend, sealed away for hundreds of years, represents the highest honor for a Han Chinese military general.

Today, a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy has brought this back to life before their eyes in such an arrogant and domineering manner.

Has the Eternal Heaven truly abandoned us?

Just when these Turks were questioning the meaning of life.

A rumbling sound of wheels rolling, accompanied by a few adorable whimpers, broke the somber atmosphere.

A luxurious convoy pulled by eight black and white rolling cars was slowly approaching from a distance.

Even before the car arrived, a rich aroma of meat and cumin wafted over on the wind.

Li Chengqian, dressed in a mink cloak, wearing a fluffy hat, and holding a hand warmer, jumped down from the lead carriage.

He glanced at Huo Qubing, who was showing off on the mountaintop, then at the group of "trophies" kneeling neatly at the foot of the mountain, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad, not bad, the scene is quite grand, and the atmosphere is just right."

He rubbed his hands together and called out to Xu Xiao behind him:

"Old Xu, stop standing there!"

"Find a sheltered spot and set up all your equipment!"

"On such a cold day, how can we not have a hot meal?"

"Let's have a huge open-air barbecue party right here at the foot of Langjuxu Mountain today!"

……

Half an hour later.

At the foot of Langjuxu Mountain, the style of painting suddenly changes.

The solemnity of the sacrificial ceremony was replaced by the revelry of barbecue.

Dozens of huge grills were lined up, with whole, fat sheep roasted to a golden brown, dripping with oil and emitting a deadly aroma.

The soldiers of the Great Snow Dragon Riders gathered around the campfire, eating meat heartily, drinking wine from large bowls, and singing unknown ditties, having a wonderful time.

Li Chengqian and Huo Qubing each occupied a prime spot.

"Come, Marquis Champion, try the chicken wings that I personally roasted."

Li Chengqian handed a skewer of chicken wings, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, to Huo Qubing, saying, "This is called Orleans style, a unique secret recipe."

Huo Qubing didn't stand on ceremony, taking the meat and starting to eat. His mouth was covered in oil as he nodded repeatedly, "Delicious! Much better than the Xiongnu's roasted meat!"

Just as the two generals were enjoying their meal...

A slightly disheveled figure walked over, surrounded by a group of Xuanjia soldiers.

It was Li Shimin.

The Tang emperor, though travel-worn, was in good spirits. He gazed at the bustling barbecue scene, then at the distant platform where the sacrificial ceremony had just taken place, his feelings a complex mix.

Am I... too late again?

I also wish to seal the wolf's lair!

How come all the good things get to this unfilial son?

"Father, you've arrived?"

When Li Chengqian saw Li Shimin, he didn't even raise his eyelids, and pointed to a whole roasted lamb that was still dripping oil next to him.

"It's freshly roasted, the hind leg meat is the most tender, you can tear it yourself."

"snort."

Li Shimin gave a haughty snort, but his body betrayed him as he walked over and tore off a large piece of browned lamb leg meat.

As he ate, he glanced at the Turkic prisoners kneeling in the cold wind in the distance, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Chengqian".

Li Shimin walked over and sat down next to Li Chengqian, lowering his voice, "What... what should we do with this prisoner?"

"There are over 100,000 people; we can't possibly bring them all back to Chang'an, can we? Eating, drinking, and relieving ourselves on the road would be a huge problem."

He glanced at Bai Qi, who was wiping his long spear not far away, and added a sentence.

"Well... we can't just kill them all, can we?"