Falling into that embrace with a familiar aura, a familiar warmth, even the familiar rhythm of the chest pressed against her back, Shang Ruyi felt her heart beating like thunder, unable to move, almost slipping out of his embrace.

That strong arm firmly encircled her slender waist.

"...!"

This time, Shang Ruyi couldn’t even breathe.

And the person holding her didn’t say much either, just seemingly lowered his head for a glance, as the hot, heavy breath brushed past Shang Ruyi’s ear, making her shiver slightly. He let out a deep sigh, tightened the reins with his other hand, turned the horse’s head, and prepared to ride away.

Though her heart was pounding, and her breath nearly escaped control, Shang Ruyi still managed to catch a shred of reason and whispered: "Wait a moment!"

That hand immediately paused: "Hmm?"

"Lei Yu..."

"What?"

"Lei Yu is still at the Turkic Yatai."

"Do you want me to take her along too?"

"I—"

"You should understand, if I insist on taking her, you’ll have to take a risk. Moreover, the result of that risk could be that neither of us makes it out."

"..."

"This time, I came only for you."

"..."

"And Lei Yu married into the Turks as part of the alliance with Liang Shide, regardless of whether Ashina Zhuxie succeeds today or not. He won’t dare to tarnish this alliance with Liang Shide as soon as he ascends to the Turkic Khan position."

"..."

"Lei Yu is not in danger."

"...!"

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi froze.

Not only because Yu Wenye said, due to the alliance with Liang Shide, Lei Yu was safe, but also because she thought of Ashina Zhuxie’s thoughts toward Lei Yu.

And today, the words she didn’t finish saying.

Lei Guo had already submitted to the Dasheng Dynasty, she had never mentioned this in the Western Turks from start to finish, but besides her, there was another person who knew of this matter, who also never mentioned it—Ashina Zhuxie.

He didn’t report to Ashina Shali, just to protect Lei Yu, because even if Yiasu were there, Shali Khan wouldn’t kill Lei Yu, but would impose some punishment for example.

Ashina Zhuxie couldn’t bear for even a bit of harm to fall upon her.

Moreover, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but think, today he was willing to let her leave, apart from the direct threat of Yu Wenye arriving at Cangtou River, was there also a bit of reason because when parting today, the last words Lei Yu said to Yiasu—

"Either you send her away safely, or you bring her back safely."

Ashina Zhuxie heard those words as well.

So, before Yu Wenye appeared, he had sent people to protect her; once Yu Wenye arrived, he let her leave.

His persistence towards Lei Yu was undeniable. With such a person by Lei Yu’s side, whether it’s a blessing or a curse, happiness or disaster, was indeed difficult to say.

"So,"

As Shang Ruyi’s thoughts were entangled, that heavy and profound voice sounded again by her ear, and this time, it seemed to crash directly into her heart: "This time, I will only take you."

After he spoke, he said no more, turned the horse’s head, and galloped away in the direction from which they came.

Shang Ruyi’s mind was a mess, but one thing was clear to her, everything was already determined, from the day Lei Yu married Yiasu, at this moment, she could only turn her head, gaze beyond those tall, broad shoulders—amid the thick blood mist, some were still sacrificing themselves, charging towards Ashina Zhuxie, but even fury and persistence eventually turned into sighs in the wind before absolute power.

...

The horse and rider gradually wandered farther away.

When the silhouettes of the two nestled figures were no longer visible, Ashina Zhuxie finally withdrew his gaze, and around him, the thick blood mist slowly dispersed, the last general who refused to surrender was pressed down before his horse.

Ashina Zhuxie simply waved his hand lightly, instantly, a flash of blade, the head fell.

Everyone around lowered their heads, no longer dared to look.

He offered no explanations or comfort, only swept his icy gaze over every frightened face and said: "Follow me back to the Yatai to inherit the Khan position. You are all my heroes!"

The heavily armored cavalry instantly raised their swords and yelled: "Yes!"

Following their voices, the other soldiers also raised their weapons and echoed: "Yes!"