"What!?"

Ashina Shali’s gaze suddenly turned sharp again upon hearing this, and those around who were still laughing and dancing also stopped, leaving the entire riverbank in silence for a moment. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

When Shang Ruyi heard "Taiyuan," her spirit instantly tightened.

Although she didn’t know who this General Pasha was, since he had returned from Taiyuan, it was clear that he was part of the garrison Ashina Shali sent to Taiyuan to collude with Wang Shaoji and his brothers.

Now, since Taiyuan had fallen, these people were naturally defeated, yet unexpectedly, they had returned?

The Turkic people around also displayed various expressions upon hearing these words, and when Shang Ruyi looked up, she saw Ashina Shali’s face turning angry, and Lady Jiayuan behind him, her expression seemed to change with the flickering firelight.

Also, Ashina Zhuxie, who had been sitting silently with them from the start of the bonfire, not drinking much, occasionally looking at Lei Yu and in Shang Ruyi’s direction, his face suddenly darkened, but he didn’t show much emotion, just narrowed his eyes slightly.

At this point, a loud "bang" was heard!

Ashina Shali had forcefully slammed his cup on the table, instantly denting the iron cup, spilling the wine, and he said with a grim look, "They dare to come back!"

Upon seeing his demeanor, all the nobles fell silent, glancing at each other, hardly daring to breathe.

Ashina Shali commanded, "Tie them up and bring them to me!"

"Yes!"

The soldier received the order and immediately rushed away.

The bonfire was now only silent except for the sound of the wind and occasional neighing of warhorses from afar. Before long, a burly man with bound hands staggered over, coming to Ashina Shali’s front, where he fell to his knees.

"Khan!"

This man was the Turkic General Pasha, part of the Taiyuan garrison.

Shang Ruyi scrutinized him, but didn’t recognize him since he was partly facing away, managing to barely see his sturdy figure, full beard, and the leather armor on him with a few slash marks, stained with blood, apparently having escaped from a fierce battle in Taiyuan to return here.

Seeing him, Ashina Shali didn’t respond with anger but with a laugh, saying, "Pasha, you’re still alive..."

Upon hearing these words, General Pasha shivered, instantly dropping his head to the ground while exclaiming, "I deserve to die!"

"You do deserve to die!"

Ashina Shali, gritting his teeth, looking vicious like a bloodthirsty wolf, said fiercely, "Taiyuan was entrusted to you, yet you lost it? If you don’t deserve to die, who does?"

After speaking, he waved his hand, "Cut him down for me!"

At his command, several samurai with large swords stepped forward, surrounding General Pasha, ready to act.

"Khan, wait!"

General Pasha, with his hands bound, fell headfirst to the ground in his panic, unable to speak properly, instead, Lady Jiayuan behind Ashina Shali spoke gently, "Khan, General Pasha lost Taiyuan, resulting in a significant defeat, indeed he deserves death, but Khan must figure out the reason why he didn’t hold on to Taiyuan."

After speaking, her eyes full of allure shifted slightly to the side.

"Don’t wrong an innocent person."

Following her gaze, Ashina Zhuxie’s eyes slightly narrowed, his face turning cold, dangerous.

And upon hearing her words, as if enlightened, General Pasha suddenly raised his head from the grass, his forehead covered in mud and rain, appearing pitiful, but he struggled to say, "I indeed deserve death, but if the reinforcements sent by the Khan to Taiyuan had arrived on time, Taiyuan could not have been lost!"

Upon hearing this, Ashina Shali’s eyes bulged wide.

The next moment, he turned his head, glaring at his eldest son.

After that whip yesterday, he regretted it, and afterward, conflicted between remorse and anger, he had Ashina Zhuxie step down, but hearing that the reason Taiyuan was lost was because his reinforcements hadn’t arrived on time, the anger once again surged like flames, destroying his reason and the little remaining regret and affection.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Zhuxie, what do you have to say!"