Chapter 145

It had been six years since Huyan Mu left Yan Chi for the Xiongnu, and on an unremarkable afternoon, the old Xiongnu Chanyu finally breathed his last, worn down by the years under Huyan Mu's watch.

The moment the old Chanyu passed, the Xiongnu, already torn by constant internal strife, descended into total chaos.

First, Huyan Su immediately gathered his troops to declare himself the new Chanyu of the Xiongnu, claiming that the old Chanyu had been murdered by the Yan Chi hostage. He insisted that anyone who grew up outside the Xiongnu could never have the tribe's best interests at heart, and even issued a harsh vow to hunt down and execute the Yan Chi hostage to avenge the old Chanyu.

Shortly after, the old Xiongnu Chanyu's own younger brother, King Aotu — who had once backed Huyan Su — also raised his own forces to claim the title of Chanyu.

He publicly declared that he had been deceived by Huyan Su, and that a personal letter left by the old Chanyu before his death had exposed that Huyan Su was not even of the Chanyu's bloodline.

He then went on to assert that Huyan Mu, the old Chanyu's trusted and designated heir, was nothing more than a treasonous hostage from Yan Chi who had personally murdered the old Chanyu and faked his death as a natural passing. The details he laid out were so meticulously crafted, it was as if he had been hiding under the old Chanyu's bed the whole time to witness the act.

In his telling, neither of the two men had any right to claim the Chanyu's throne, and only he, King Aotu, was the most legitimate candidate to be the new Chanyu of the Xiongnu.

In the wake of long-running internal unrest and battles between multiple factions, the emergence of three self-proclaimed Chanyus became the final breaking point, and the vast Xiongnu territory was split cleanly into three separate regions.

The territory Huyan Mu controlled was the Southern Xiongnu, which bordered the edges of the Yan Chi frontier.

That very same night, a strange omen appeared over the Southern Xiongnu: a band of seven-colored rainbow light hung across the sky, followed by streaks of falling fire that startled both humans and beasts across the land.

The next day, people across the Southern Xiongnu found flocks of birds and herds of beasts lying dead on the ground, roasted thoroughly by fire. Every single one of their hooves or claws was pointed in the exact same direction — due south.

Shaman Yuekun immediately performed a divination, and his face paled with shock as he spoke: "The old king has passed, the heavens are enraged, and a great disaster is upon us! But all the beasts point south, and there is a single sliver of hope — it lies in the south."

When the common people of the Southern Xiongnu learned of Shaman Yuekun's divination, they were thrown into a panic, yet their hearts were tangled with conflicting emotions.

That sliver of hope lay to the south, and the only land south of the Southern Xiongnu was Yan Chi.

Was the heavens' sign telling the Southern Xiongnu to forge ties, open trade, or even surrender to Yan Chi?

Six years prior, the Xiongnu people would never have accepted such a sign, not for a moment.

But times had changed. The Xiongnu royal family was mired in endless infighting, while Yan Chi's national power had grown and flourished rapidly, becoming a force that commanded universal awe and dread.

In particular, Yan Chi's trade agreements with neighboring foreign states had lifted the livelihoods of people in countless surrounding tribes. The Xiongnu alone had stagnated, even regressed, and the people had long grown envious of that prosperity.

Thinking it through, they decided the heavens' guidance was nothing short of wise. Only by heading south could they find a new path to survival.

So while the Northern Xiongnu was still greedily watching for a chance to expand their territory, the Southern Xiongnu had already voluntarily lowered their once-arrogant heads to their old sworn enemy Yan Chi, extending formal requests for peace and trade.

Yan Chi reluctantly agreed. After rounds of negotiations, the Southern Xiongnu secured a mutual non-aggression pact that respected each other's territorial integrity, as well as full trade cooperation, at a cost they could accept.

After that, the Chanyu of the Southern Xiongnu — the undercover former hostage Huyan Mu, who bore the great mission of reviving his people — Shaman Yuekun — the master of public disinformation and fellow undercover agent Fang Yao'er — and their large entourage of followers, the Dragon Shadow Guard who had spent six years blending in among the Xiongnu, set off on a grand journey heading back to Yan Chi.

After traveling nonstop for a day and a night, as the sun rose over the horizon and the first soft rays of light spilled across the land, the group finally arrived at the capital city.

Fang Yao'er and the Dragon Shadow Guard looked up at the towering, majestic city walls, and tears welled up unbidden in their eyes.

Six years away from the capital, they had finally fulfilled their mission, and returned in triumph.

Huyan Mu's gaze, however, was fixed on the two statues standing tall on the distant Northern Altar. The male statue was solemn and awe-inspiring, the female statue graceful and regal, the two looking perfectly matched side by side.

The corners of his eyes lifted, his gaze drifting slowly over the two statues, and he spoke three names aloud in a bright, pleased tone: "Yun, Yao, Yao."

The moment they stepped inside the capital, every one of them felt a surreal sense of disorientation, as if they had walked through a lifetime away.

Six short years had passed, and the capital had undergone earth-shaking changes.

Tall ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍buildings lined the streets, crowds of women in fine clothing wandered through the bustling crowds, the long avenues were packed with surging people, and ornate red-wheeled carriages vied to move along the roads. Every sight they laid eyes on was dazzlingly prosperous, breathtaking beyond words.

Fang Yao'er's eyes darted everywhere, and exclamations of wonder spilled from her lips one after another: "There are so many people with foreign faces on the streets! Are they all here for trade?"

"There are so many new libraries and literacy halls! There are even schools built just for girls!"

"The windows on that tall restaurant — that must be the famous glass everyone talks about!"

"The golden age of Yan Chi truly lives up to its reputation!"

The Dragon Shadow Guard also broke out in a string of awed praises, and a deep surge of pride swelled in their chests. This was their homeland.

This was a land of real, unmatched prosperity, standing tall and proud with all nations coming to pay tribute, where glory rippled through every corner and bright light shone over the world for all to see.

After finishing their tour of the capital, the entourage was led into the imperial palace by a junior official from the Ministry of Rites.

The emperor was still holding the morning court session in the Xuanzheng Hall, so the junior official from the Ministry of Rites led Huyan Mu and his group to wander around the palace grounds for a while.

As they walked, they found themselves near the Xiwan Palace.

Huyan Mu stopped in his tracks, his eyes settling on the familiar palace gate.

The soft, full corners of his lips curled up into a smile. "I'm going to go take a look."

"Jianchi Chanyu, this area is off limits!" the junior official from the Ministry of Rites rushed forward to stop him.

Just then, the palace gate swung open, and a noble, elegantly dressed figure stepped out slowly, supported by a palace maid.

The noble woman seemed to sense his presence, turned her gaze over, stopped in her tracks, and tilted her head in confusion. "Jin... Jin'er?"

Huyan Mu nodded. "It's me, Mother Empress."

"Jin'er, it's only been a few days since I last saw you, how come you look so different now?" The Empress Dowager hurried over to him excitedly, lifting her hand on instinct to pinch his cheek, but then she seemed to remember something and froze, stopping her hand mid-air.

Huyan Mu did not answer her question. He only smiled gently and said, "It has been six years since we last met. A few strands of gray hair have appeared in Your Majesty's hair, yet you still glow with the same radiance. I can tell the palace staff, His Majesty, and the Empress have all taken very good care of you."

"Jin'er, what nonsense are you talking about?" The Empress Dowager looked confused. Her outstretched hand hovered uncertainly in the air for a moment, before she finally let it fall, and instead tugged gently at the cuff of his robe. "Wangqiu says the night-blooming cereus will bloom tonight. You must come stay with me to watch the flowers then."

"Of course," Huyan Mu replied warmly. "I can tell Your Majesty has let go of the past, and is willing to enjoy the beauty of the days ahead. As your son, I could not be more pleased."

After the Empress Dowager left, completely satisfied, the junior official from the Ministry of Rites wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, his eyes full of utter confusion.

He had heard the Empress Dowager's long-standing madness had gotten much better in recent years. How could she suddenly act so delusional the moment she laid eyes on Jianchi Chanyu? And Jianchi Chanyu did not seem surprised by her behavior at all.

Could it be that Jianchi Chanyu had met the Empress Dowager back when he was still a hostage in the Yan Chi palace?

There were so many hidden secrets deep within the palace walls, the junior official from the Ministry of Rites thought to himself, and he quickly dropped the thought, leading the group to continue their tour.

Soon, they ran straight into the Empress, along with the imperial princes and princesses. The junior official from the Ministry of Rites immediately bowed respectfully in greeting.

But to his shock, the Jianchi Chanyu beside him stood perfectly still, a soft, tender smile playing on his lips, his gaze suddenly warm and lingering, as if he was looking at an old, dear friend.

"Long time no see."

The junior official from the Ministry of Rites shuddered, his inner gossip radar blaring nonstop. This former hostage actually knew the Empress? And he was speaking to her with such a familiar, intimate tone?!

"Father," Huyan Mu added with a bright smile.

The junior official from the Ministry of Rites: Huh??? Father????

Jianchi Chanyu just called the Empress "Father"?

Was it his own ears that had failed him, or had the entire world turned upside down?

Right, it must be his bad ears that were playing tricks on him. He must have misheard it.

After so many years, hearing this bizarre nickname again, even Yun Yaoyao, who had long considered herself half a freak, nearly lost her composure.

She waved away the palace attendants and the Yuanwailang of the Rites Ministry, then turned to look at this old acquaintance, putting on a gentle, kind smile. "What a good son you are. It's been years, and you're still as seriously 'unwell' as ever."

Hu Yanmu met her gaze and replied politely, "If I weren't still this unwell, how could I have lived up to my father's last wish, dragging the entire Xiongnu along to rot and go to ruin together?"

"Fair point," Yun Yaoyao laughed. "This time you're a real hero. Go on, name whatever reward you want."

Hu Yanmu pondered the question seriously.

Yun Yaoyao had expected him to put forward some nearly impossible demand, but his answer caught her completely off guard.

"Six years ago, when I was still staying in the Xiwan Palace, you promised to grant me five meetings with you, so I went to the Xiongnu lands for you."

Hu Yanmu's tone was soft, laced with quiet delight. "This time, I'll be staying in Xiwan Palace again. You bring these two children along, and fulfill those five meetings for me."

Tushan Suiren and Tushan Shihe, who had been listening intently off to the side, froze: "??"

What a strangely niche request, wait, why are they involved in this too?

Yun Yaoyao couldn't help but laugh. Seeing the two little ones beside her looking completely bewildered, she reached out and pinched their soft, chubby cheeks.

This sicko's thought process really is out of the ordinary.

But if he were normal, how could she have stabbed him with that fake "affectionate" line back then?

"Sure, no problem," Yun Yaoyao nodded, raising an eyebrow.

Just then, a figure marched quickly over to them.

Tu Shanjin had just stepped out of the morning court when he got word that the Xiongnu Chanyu had met his empress first, and the two of them were chatting away merrily.

Tu Shanjin still remembered Hu Yanmu. Back then, he had been jealous that the man received so many gifts from Yaoyao, and had even harbored a dark urge to confiscate every single one of Hu Yanmu's gifts.

And now, that old jealousy was flaring up again. Tu Shanjin wrapped an arm around Yun Yaoyao's waist to stake his claim, just about to speak.

But she beat him to it, grinning brightly. "Oh right, we're bringing him along too."

"Your Majesties, the whole family of four, will all come along to fulfill those five meetings for me."

Tu Shanjin: "?"

What is this? He's making demands now? Is he provoking me?

Yun Yaoyao laced her fingers through Tu Shanjin's hand, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Let me introduce you. This is Hu Yanmu, your new son, conceived with none of your genes and with a brain circuit that doesn't quite work like everyone else's."

Tu Shanjin: "??"

He recognized every single word she said, but put them all together and he couldn't make heads or tails of what she meant.

Wait a minute, this guy is here to join their little family?!