bullyxtreme Chapter 2 Yongming Chanyu
Chapter 2 Yongming Chanyu
The cold wind whipped up shards of ice that pelted my face like fine, sharp knives, making my cheeks sting.
Surrounded by dozens of Xiongnu knights in the middle of the riverbank, Gao Zidan slumped on the cold, hard pebbles. The overwhelming killing intent pressing down from all sides was like an impenetrable net, making it almost impossible for him to breathe. "Liu Yao, the Chanyu of the Yongming Tribe of the Xiongnu," these words exploded in his mind like a thunderclap, making his fingertips tremble uncontrollably and even his breathing become erratic.
For Gao Zidan, there was only one crucial thing etched in her mind regarding Liu Yao: this man was fierce and fond of drinking, and his bravery was unparalleled. However, in the final battle that would determine the fate of the nation, he got drunk, his warhorse stumbled, and he was captured by the enemy. His life's ambition was ruined by the drink.
The man on horseback slowly began to move. Liu Yao reined in his horse, which pawed restlessly at the frozen ground, the sharp crack of its iron paws striking the stone particularly menacing in the deathly silence of the riverbank. His features were like those of a hawk, his gaze cold and sharp as a knife, his superior gaze sweeping over the rider with the innate wildness and imposing authority of a steppe overlord.
"Gao Zidan, of the Shanggu branch of the Gao family of Bohai," Liu Yao began, his voice hoarse and rough, as if worn down by the harsh winds of the northern frontier. Each word was enunciated heavily and fiercely, carrying the innate drive of a grassland man. "Your entire family was wiped out by Xiang Yu, the governor of Youzhou! That damned Song Dynasty, constantly waging war and imposing exorbitant taxes that leave the common people with nothing but bones. The people are living in misery! Liu Bang, the Duke of Liao, was the first hero in the world to raise the banner of rebellion against the Zhao family. Your family were Liu Bang's trusted brothers, determined to follow him in great endeavors, which is why that scoundrel Xiang Yu killed you and ransacked your entire family!"
He lightly tapped the saddle with his whip, making the leather straps clatter, exuding an air of familiarity that even sharing a pair of trousers with Liu Bang wouldn't be enough. He spoke with unwavering confidence: "The Duke of Liao and I have a blood-and-death bond from our early days! This time, entrusted with his mission, I've traveled thousands of miles to this den of wolves in Youzhou, risking my life to rescue your Gao family's only heir! To run into me in this godforsaken place is your good fortune, and it shows your loyalty hasn't been broken!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Zidan froze on the spot, her mind went blank, and she was completely dumbfounded.
Liu Bang? Xiang Yu? The Song Dynasty?
What is all this nonsense?!
First came a surge of ecstasy—thankfully, this wasn't the chaotic Sixteen Kingdoms period, where human life was cheap and people frequently perished under the swords of soldiers; at least he wouldn't die in this desolate wasteland without knowing why. But after the ecstasy, an overwhelming sense of bewilderment and sorrow instantly washed over him, enveloping him completely.
He had no idea what kind of weird place he had transmigrated to!
Liu Bang and Xiang Yu were clearly the two heroes of the Chu-Han Contention at the end of the Qin Dynasty, so how did they end up associated with the Song Dynasty centuries later? One became the Duke of Liao, the first to rebel against the Song, and the other became a powerful regional official stationed in Youzhou? Liu Yao, who should have been active during the Jin Dynasty and single-handedly ended the Western Jin, became the Chanyu of the Yongming tribe of the Xiongnu, and even became a sworn brother of Liu Bang? The historical records he knew by heart and the dynastic changes he had memorized countless times all became worthless at this moment. He knew nothing about this world, and all his predictions about the future collapsed.
A jumble of thoughts choked his chest, half fear of the unknown world, half an irrepressible urge to explore. He steeled himself, guessing Liu Yao's preferences, and disregarding all formalities, straightened his back, met Liu Yao's gaze, and forced out a youthful boldness, proclaiming, "Forget about righteousness, forget about old subordinates! Since the Chanyu is a hero, is there any wine? Give me some to calm this pounding stomach!"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding Xiongnu knights were all stunned. No one expected that this young nobleman, who had just been distraught and disheveled, would dare to speak to the Chanyu in public like this.
Liu Yao was taken aback at first, then burst into loud laughter. His laughter was so rough and loud that it seemed to pause the surrounding cold wind. The scrutiny and wariness in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by undisguised admiration. He was a lifelong drinker who despised the affected and pretentious manner of aristocratic scions and preferred those who were straightforward, loved wine, and valued loyalty. Gao Zidan's direct request for a drink perfectly suited his taste.
"Good! Good lad! That's straightforward, just like my style!" Liu Yao reached out and untied the sheepskin wine flask hanging beside his saddle, tossing it steadily several steps away to Gao Zidan. The flask landed with a few crisp sounds as the wine sloshed around. "This is my three-year-old Xiongnu mare's milk liquor, very strong, perfect for calming your nerves and boosting your courage! Only someone as straightforward as you deserves to drink my wine!"
Gao Zidan was secretly relieved, thinking that this was indeed the Liu Yao she remembered. On the surface, he still appeared bold and unrestrained. He bent down to pick up the heavy wine flask, and the moment he uncorked it, a strong aroma of wine mixed with a rich milky fragrance wafted out, so strong it was choking. He tilted his head back and took a big gulp. The strong liquor felt like a scalding line of fire going down his throat, burning all the way into his stomach. He coughed repeatedly, and tears almost welled up in his eyes, but he also used the force of the gulp to suppress most of his fear and confusion.
Liu Yao was even happier to see that he drank without any hesitation. He urged his horse forward a few steps, bent down to take the wine bag back from Gao Zidan's hand, and also tilted his head back and took a big gulp. The wine slid down his jawline and into his collar, but he didn't care at all. He was just like a wild man from the north, without the slightest affectation.
After a few gulps of strong liquor, the chill dissipated, and her mind cleared somewhat. Gao Zidan glanced at Liu Yao, who was drinking heartily, narrowed her eyes, suppressed her probing, deliberately softened her tone, and asked lightly with a hint of doubt, "The Chanyu just said... he had a life-or-death bond with the Liao Duke?"
These words, as light as a breeze, were like a precise awl, instantly shattering Liu Yao's composure and arrogance.
Liu Yao abruptly stopped holding the wine flask, his smile freezing instantly. The domineering aura he had exuded vanished in an instant. He quickly glanced at his guards, then subconsciously took a half-step closer to Gao Zidan, as if afraid of being overheard. He stared intently into Gao Zidan's eyes, trying to discern something from his expression, hesitating several times before finally speaking.
Seeing his expression, Gao Zidan suddenly guessed what was going on, and muttered in a voice the other person could definitely hear, "Why has my father never mentioned this before?"
Upon hearing these words, Liu Yao took a sip of wine, hesitated for a moment, and finally deflated. The air of a Chanyu that he had been maintaining for so long suddenly collapsed.
He dismounted, moved closer to Gao Zidan, deliberately lowered his gruff voice, and spoke with barely concealed timidity and embarrassment, all traces of his previous arrogance gone: "To tell you the truth, kid... I... I've long heard about Liu Bang's rebellion against the Song Dynasty. You can be my introduction."