Consequently, Ashina Zhuxie immediately turned his horse around, abandoning the blood-soaked hills strewn with bodies, leaving only a few soldiers to guard the corpses of Ashina Shali and Prince Yiasu, now riddled with hundreds of arrows like hedgehogs. With a wave of his hand, he led his men and horses racing towards the Yatai.

Although he sealed off the information, the distance from Yatai to the Cangtou River wasn’t that far away.

The people here gradually sensed something was amiss, especially seeing this army, originally meant to repel the Dasheng Dynasty’s troops, suddenly turn back towards Yatai so quickly. Immediately, a group of men emerged from near the King’s Tent, walking along the straight path to Yatai’s entrance—Shi Shu An Yi, who had greeted them when they brought back Shang Ruyi previously.

Upon seeing this bloodied group, clearly having undergone a fierce battle, he hurriedly glanced around but did not spot Ashina Shali’s figure, immediately asking, "Where is the Khan?"

As soon as he spoke, Ashina Zhuxie dismounted and walked up to him.

Shi Shu An Yi frowned slightly, about to say something, when Ashina Zhuxie suddenly swung his hand towards him.

A flash of cold light swept across his eyes.

The words Shi Shu An Yi intended to speak were abruptly cut off by a chill wind. With his eyes wide open, he stared straight at Ashina Zhuxie, and the next moment, a spray of blood burst from his throat, staining half of Ashina Zhuxie’s face.

Shi Shu An Yi fell straight down like that.

The soldiers behind him were terrified, just about to speak, when the people behind Ashina Zhuxie swarmed up, and in a matter of moments, there was no sound.

That kill was clean and swift!

Even though there was almost no warning sound, the troops returned to the tent, and the people inside Yatai instinctively came out. Witnessing this scene, they were all taken aback, speechless, while Ashina Zhuxie’s men swiftly rushed to various camps and units to announce—

"The Khan has died in battle, Prince Yiasu has died in battle!"

"Prince Zhuxie inherits the position of Khan!"

"Everyone, do not make any rash moves. Serve the new Khan, and you will be heavily rewarded!"

With just a few words, it seemed everything that happened outside was explained clearly, yet some still couldn’t believe it. Particularly startled by the news, a graceful figure from the King’s Tent rushed out hastily—Lady Jiayuan nearly stumbled, her beautiful face suddenly as pale as paper. She steadied herself on the tent’s door, her eyes bloodshot, gazing ahead: "Impossible!"

At this moment, Ashina Zhuxie already reached the end of the straight path, beneath the King’s Tent.

He raised his head for a glance and then turned, signaling with his eyes to the two soldiers behind him. Those two immediately took the lead, storming up with a squad, dragging Lady Jiayuan directly into the King’s Tent. There was a scream, and soon, the strong smell of blood wafted from inside the tent.

More screams followed.

These were the ministers left in Yatai before Ashina Shali’s expedition. They were in the King’s Tent, conversing with Lady Jiayuan, enthusiastically discussing the day of victory when Prince Yiasu would inherit the Heavy Cavalry command, awaiting military success—and didn’t even need to achieve success, given Shali Khan’s favoritism, Prince Yiasu’s ascension to Khan’s position was imminent.

And these ministers, having already sided, would naturally continue to be heavily utilized, enjoying wealth and prosperity.

But now, the beautiful dream shattered.

Ashina Zhuxie cast a single glance at the gigantic King’s Tent but didn’t linger, instead turning to walk towards another smaller tent that had occupied his thoughts these past days.

This was Lei Yu’s tent.

At the entrance, he stopped, then waved a hand to those behind him. The personal soldiers following him immediately stepped back a few paces but didn’t completely disperse. They halted several yards from the tent, waiting for Ashina Zhuxie’s orders.

Ashina Zhuxie raised his hand, first using his sleeve to wipe his face, cleaning the blood stains sprayed by Shi Shu An Yi—only then did he deeply inhale.

Then reached out, lifting the curtain.

This tent was indeed much smaller than the King’s Tent, yet it was significantly larger than his own, as it was formerly Prince Yiasu’s residence. Given Yiasu’s consistent favor, even as a second son, the love and rewards he received, even the accommodations’ luxury, surpassed Ashina Zhuxie’s significantly.