Although from an early age she had heard about the ferocity and well-trained nature of the Turkic Cavalry, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but be surprised when she walked through the long straight path with Prince Ashina Zhuxie and Yiasu, exiting the Yatai, and took in the sight of the orderly cavalry formations ahead.

Before her, the flags fluttered violently, with men shouting and horses neighing, while drums beat ominously, and a murderous aura filled the sky.

These people, who tended to their herds during peacetime and became warriors during war, could gather into a military force so swiftly that Shang Ruyi even saw a team of mere twelve or thirteen-year-old youths, already donned in leather armor, mounted on warhorses, wielding swords, with a fervor ready for battle.

This was likely the reason the Turkic could threaten the Central Plains Dynasty for nearly a century.

She took a deep breath, slowly walking forward against the cold wind. At the very front of those orderly cavalry was a few colorful flags embroidered with wolf heads fluttering violently in the wind. Below the flags was a team exuding a formidable aura, clad in heavy armor, each like an iron tower.

It was the Heavy Cavalry!

This was the troop whose allegiance was finally assigned to Yiasu today inside the King’s Tent.

Standing at the forefront of this Heavy Cavalry was a familiar figure, Shali Khan himself. His towering figure was clad in a heavy beast-hide cloak that not only kept him warm but made him appear more imposing. Though his demeanor remained fierce, as he slowly walked to his tall warhorse intending to mount, he faltered. His steps were weak, and his breath short, causing him to fail at mounting the horse twice.

Until a soldier ran over, crouching down to act as a stepping stone for him.

A flush of anger surfaced on Ashina Shali’s face, which had only one blood-red eye, further revealed by the sunlight, making him appear aged. He angrily kicked that soldier away, snarling, "Do you think I’m too old to mount a horse?"

Then, he stepped on the stirrup again, gripping the reins tightly, and finally exerted himself to mount the horse.

The surrounding ministers, initially moving forward to extend a hand to prevent him from falling again, sighed with relief upon seeing him sitting steadily in the saddle and quickly retreated a few steps. Just then, Ashina Shali exhaled heavily and said, "I haven’t aged to that extent. Today, I can still go into battle and avenge the arrow shot in Yanmen County!"

Everyone responded in succession, "Yes, yes!"

But while speaking, they glanced at each other, their eyes silently conveying some obscure emotions.

At this moment, Ashina Zhuxie and Yiasu stepped forward.

"Father Khan."

Upon seeing them approach, the anger on Ashina Shali’s face subsided slightly, but then his blood-red eye fell on Shang Ruyi, immediately revealing a cold gleam.

And that gaze, like an invisible blade, instantly pierced through Shang Ruyi’s body, making her suddenly feel cold.

Ashina Shali sneered, "Do you know why you are here?"

"..."

Knowing that his words held no good intentions, and having already realized the dangerous twists and turns she would face, Shang Ruyi forced herself to calm down amidst the bone-chilling cold, even looking around before saying calmly, "If I’m not mistaken, it is to conduct a flag ceremony."

"..."

"However, conducting the flag ceremony now seems a bit premature, considering—" she said, looking up at Ashina Shali, "you haven’t brought me before Yu Wenye yet."

Ashina Shali sneered, "You’re quite perceptive."

Shang Ruyi said, "Though I haven’t experienced many battles from childhood to adulthood, my father told me a lot, so I know quite a bit. Knowing this, it’s hard not to be perceptive."

"Oh?"

At the mention of Shang Ruohong, Ashina Shali’s eyes turned cold again, "What did he tell you?"

Shang Ruyi said, "My father told me the Turkic people have a tradition of killing fierce wolves and even tigers or leopards before setting out, using their blood for the flag ritual."

"..."

"However, these are very ancient customs. Now, it seems they don’t kill fierce beasts anymore." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Ashina Shali’s brow immediately furrowed.

Indeed, he had considered using this woman for the flag ritual because she was not only an enemy of the Western Turks’ ancestral generations, the daughter of Shang Ruohong, but also the wife of Yu Wenye, who had shot one of his eyes blind in Yanmen County. Killing his woman before engaging Yu Wenye would undoubtedly boost their own morale while weakening the enemy’s.

But Shang Ruyi deliberately mentioned—ancient customs.

Indeed, his ancestors conducted flag rituals before their expeditions, killing fierce beasts, and later, enemy captives were also used for such ceremonies.