She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Zhao Zun, clad in armor, led his men to Beiguan Yong’an City. Meanwhile, the Turkic royal court was immersed in a celebration.

In April on the Turkic Grassland, the spring breeze swept through, causing the grass waves to roll, as if the earth itself was rejoicing for the forthcoming grand event.

The pastures were lush, cattle and sheep were abundant, and the Turkic warriors gathered in front of the Sacrificial Wine Platform, whispering and discussing among themselves.

Their gazes frequently swept towards the center of the Sacrificial Wine Platform, where three plump white sheep were tied to a wooden frame, filled with anticipation and nervousness.

”Have you heard? Lord Mudu has made something called ’peanuts’!”

A young warrior whispered to his companion beside him, eyes sparkling with excitement.

”Of course I’ve heard!” the companion responded, his voice tinged with awe, ”Lord Mudu is the greatest blacksmith on our grassland. With the ’peanuts’ he forged, the fame of us Turkic warriors will surely spread far and wide!”

”Indeed, with ’peanuts’, we can raid Da Jing’s food and beauties!” another warrior interjected, a greedy smile on his face.

Ashina Khan paced back and forth on the Sacrificial Wine Platform, and when the crowd gathered, he cast his gaze over the dense congregation of Turkic people below.

His expression was solemn and grave, as if contemplating some major decision.

A moment later, he took a deep breath and loudly announced: ”My people, Lord Mudu, after many days, has finally forged the most formidable weapon in the world — ’peanuts’!”

Immediate cheers erupted from below, and the warriors waved their weapons, expressing their respect for Lord Mudu and their longing for the future.

However, Ashina Khan’s voice suddenly became somber: ”Yet, due to this, we Turkic have lost the bravest General Alpi.”

His gaze gradually dimmed, as if plunged into deep sorrow. The cheers below also diminished, with the warriors bowing their heads in mourning for the fallen hero.

A moment later, Ashina Khan composed his emotions, and using his middle and index fingers, held up a ’peanut’ high.

”We have the most formidable weapon in the world, but we still need the bravest general to lead us in attacking Da Jing. Now, I have decided, no matter the means, whoever can ride a horse and shoot dead these sheep from a hundred paces with a ’peanut’, that person shall be Turkic’s bravest general, and will command all our Turkic warriors!”

Upon hearing this, the crowd roared again. The warriors were eager to try, rubbing their hands together, ready to showcase their talents.

Ashina Khan went to the table by the Sacrificial Wine Platform and opened a book-sized piece of sheepskin, revealing dozens of ’peanuts’ wrapped inside.

These ’peanuts’, whether in shape, craftsmanship, or size, looked almost identical to the pistol bullets acquired by the Turkic, clearly a masterpiece carefully mimicked by Mudu.

However, although the ’peanuts’ were forged, Ashina Khan did not know how to use them.

So, he decided to use the selection of a new general as a way to let all the warriors brainstorm and explore the power of the ’peanuts’ together.

Princess Yujia and Prince Bo Lu, along with Mudu and the leaders of various tribes, sat on the Sacrificial Wine Platform watching.

Their eyes were fixated on the warriors below, eager to witness an extraordinary contest.

The warriors lined up in a long queue, each going to the table to collect ’peanuts’, then riding a horse to shoot the sheep from a hundred paces away.

Due to the difficulty in crafting ’peanuts’, each shot fired was promptly retrieved and collected by Ashina Khan’s guards.

The contest began, and for a time, the Turkic warriors demonstrated a variety of methods.

Some threw the ’peanuts’ as if they were darts, waving their arms directly.

Some used slingshots; others tied the ’peanuts’ to arrowheads and shot them with bows.

However, no matter how they tried, they could not achieve the legendary power.

Prince Bo Lu watched as the warriors below failed one after another, his deep eyes narrowing slightly, seemingly contemplating something.

A moment later, a slight smile appeared at the corner of Bo Lu’s mouth, and he turned to Ashina Khan and said: ”Father Khan, let me try too!”

Ashina Khan glanced at Bo Lu, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

But soon, he nodded.

”Go! Anyway, it’s not a real battlefield fight now, there’s no danger. You might even come up with a good idea.”