Demon Lord Tang Dynasty

Golden wolf head banner.

Many ethnic groups and tribes of the Turkic people used the wolf as their tribal flag and totem.

But only the Ashina royal family could openly depict the golden wolf.

Only one person could wield the golden wolf-head banner; even the Martial Venerable Bi Xuan, revered as a god by countless Turks, did not have this qualification.

Although Bi Xuan was the strongest Turk and came from the Ashina royal family, he was not the true king of the grasslands.

The southward march of the golden wolf-head banner proves only one thing.

That was the Great Khan of the Turks, the king of the grasslands, Shibi, who led his army south.

The White Protector was instantly covered in sweat, and his whole body began to tremble involuntarily.

Everyone knows how daring the White Protector is.

If Yang Lin could frighten him so much that he couldn't sit still, then Shi Bi would naturally be even more so.

After all, they were now on the grasslands, and strictly speaking, they were all begging for food under Shibi's command.

Moreover, when Shibi's Golden Tent heads south, Bi Xuan, as the Turkic national teacher, will certainly accompany him.

That was a truly formidable figure, feared by everyone on the grasslands, and Protector Bai was no exception.

"Finally here. Any later and it would have been too late to even be served hot," Gao Yi chuckled softly.

Although Luo Fang and his group were aggressive, they were still just children and not enough to alarm Shi Bi and Bi Xuan.

But now Yang Lin is heading north, and every move he makes is earth-shattering.

Of course, it's impossible for them to remain indifferent from the beginning to the end.

"World...World Honored One, what should we do?"

The White Protector spoke, his voice trembling.

Although Bai Yue'er didn't say anything, her eyes were also fixed on Gao Yi.

Shi Bi's southward journey was clearly aimed at Yang Lin.

If these two giants were to clash, it would be a cataclysmic event that would shake the entire grassland.

If a tribe like theirs gets involved, they will be torn to pieces without even a chance to make a sound.

Gao Yi didn't care about his subordinate's loss of composure, after all, he already knew what the other party was capable of.

Moreover, in the face of such a grand occasion, there are really not many people in the world who can remain calm.

"Don't worry, a fight won't break out."

Gao Yi chuckled softly.

If Luo Fang and others were still in command, a battle would be inevitable.

For those in high positions, these local battles among lower-ranking generals are merely a contest to determine who is superior; it's a game of defining boundaries.

But Yang Lin and Shi Bi's actions were different.

That represents a clash between two powerful dynasties, the Sui and the Turks.

Once contact occurs, it will surely cause catastrophe.

But precisely because of this, the leader will be even more restrained.

Neither Yang Lin nor Shi Bi would start a war lightly.

No matter how high Yang Lin's status was, he was not the emperor of the Sui Dynasty after all, and he was neither qualified nor dared to initiate a national war of this level.

The powerful figures who were able to develop the Turkic people to their current level were never reckless or impulsive.

"That's good, that's good." Protector Bai breathed a sigh of relief.

Bai Yue'er glanced at Protector Bai with disdain before turning to Gao Yi: "World Honored One, should we send someone to pay our respects?"

The Turkic peoples were vast in territory and possessed formidable and terrifying power.

However, in terms of cohesion and centripetal force, they are actually inferior to their predecessors, the Xiongnu.

Although the Xiongnu were also tribal, both the core royal court and the peripheral tribes identified themselves as Xiongnu.

The Turks were different; they were more like a union of multiple races and tribes.

Once these tribes and races unite, their power and influence will naturally be overwhelming.

In normal times, however, they mostly act independently. Powerful races can have dozens or even hundreds of tribes, while weak ones may only have one.

The internal situation is complex, with numerous factions.

While the skillful tactics of figures like Changsun Sheng were certainly a factor in the event that the Turkic Khaganate split into East and West, the unique political system of the Turks was also a significant contributing factor.

Of course, the Turkic royal family is now very powerful, and Bi Xuan's power is overwhelming, with all the surrounding foreign tribes submitting to him.

Wherever the golden wolf-head banner goes, all races and tribes must pay homage and worship.

"Of course we have to go, and we have to go quickly, the sooner the better," Gao Yi said decisively.

He certainly had no intention of submitting to the Turks.

But this time, we have to send someone.

In the Battle of Wuchuan, Yang Lin's royal flag fell into his hands.

It's highly likely that Yang Lin and the Sui Dynasty have also figured out that he wasn't acting on orders from Shi Bi.

Yang Lin couldn't possibly be indifferent to this banner, let alone the generals under his command, who probably wished they could tear him apart and drink his blood.

But given Yang Lin's status and personality, it's impossible for him to be diverting troops to search for his location.

That would only make Yang Lin lose face even more.

Yang Lin could tolerate losing the flag, but he would never go to great lengths to search for it.

Given Yang Lin's status, he would only aim for Shi Bi.

At that point, a problem will arise.

Yang Lin's loss of his flag in the Turkic territory was undoubtedly a huge loss of face.

Although the southern steppe belonged to the Turks, it was not one of Shibi's core subordinates.

Moreover, Gao Yi's tribe could only be considered the outermost periphery of the Turkic territory.

If things continue like this, then the attention of both giants will turn to him.

Gao Yi didn't care about other people's attention. After all, the truth would eventually come out.

What he cares about is the future direction of the situation.

"Yes, yes, they should pay their respects." Protector Bai nodded repeatedly.

"Our army has inflicted a great defeat on Yang Lin, and after we have reported this to the Great Khan, it will be an immense achievement. At that time, the prestige of our Maitreya sect will surely shake the grasslands."

Gao Yi squinted and shook his head.

"No, seeing the beginning is not enough; we also need to send something else over."

"What is it?"

"The King's Banner of the Mountain".

"What?" the two people below exclaimed simultaneously.

Yang Lin's flag was captured on the battlefield, which is an immense honor, and its value is beyond words.

The two of them couldn't understand why Gao Yi would give away something like that.

Gao Yi offered no explanation.

A flag, though somewhat symbolic, served no purpose for him.

On the contrary, giving it away would bring him enough benefit.

In fact, trading with the Sui Dynasty using this flag might bring more benefits, since the Sui Dynasty is the one that needs this flag the most.

But given the current situation, Gao Yi felt that sending him to Shi Bi might be better.

After Yang Lin and Shi Bi meet, it is highly likely that they will not go to war, but will sit down and negotiate.

But the two sides will never be friends. The Turks wanted to destroy the Sui Dynasty, and the Sui Dynasty also wanted to destroy the Turks.

It's just that the situation doesn't allow it.

The Sui Dynasty was planning to attack Goguryeo.

The Turks' crushing defeat of the Sui Dynasty remains unforgettable.

Even now, on the surface, the Turks are still considered subjects of the Sui Dynasty.

However, despite his lofty ambitions, he has been accumulating strength.

In fact, when the Sui Dynasty declined, Shi Bi also brazenly tore up the agreement.

At this moment, if Gao Yi sends over the banner of the Prince of Kao Shan, he can not only temporarily extricate himself, but may also add fuel to the fire and extinguish the flames in his heart.

Of course, he didn't expect that a single flag could start a war between the two sides, but the negotiations would definitely take longer and the situation would become more chaotic.

Chaos breeds opportunity.

Thinking of this, Gao Yi turned his gaze to the two of them.

"Which of you two will go on this trip for me?"

Gao Yi certainly wouldn't go himself.

As soon as he finished speaking, Protector Bai immediately shrank his head and hunched over. If there had been a hole in the ground, he probably would have crawled into it by now.

Gao Yi shook his head and glanced at Bai Yue'er again; she didn't seem quite suitable either.

"Then send someone down there. Find someone quick-witted. By the way, what's the name of your strategist, Left Protector?"

Upon hearing this, Protector Bai instantly regained his energy and spirit.

"Bai San'er"

"Your Majesty is wise. Bai San is my most outstanding disciple, far superior to that rebellious brat," Protector Bai said, glancing at Bai Yue'er.

"I'll go and fetch that boy right away."

……

A moment later, a commotion was heard outside the tent.

"Third son, you'd better be quick-witted later. This is a golden opportunity that others would beg for. Luckily, I have your influence."

"Master, Master, could you please stop coming to see me? I've been assigned to work under the Right Protector, and I'm afraid she'll misunderstand if you keep coming..."