The fire, which had raged for half the night, was finally extinguished.
Only as the morning star rose and the shadows of the moon began to fade did the world open its bleary eyes to gaze coldly upon the grassland, once lush and verdant, now reduced to a scorched expanse. The firmament tore itself away from the heavy dark, outlining the distant mountains, while the opposing sides watched each other from afar, waiting in the west wind for the dawn. Blade and wolf-fang alike awaited the final command of their masters.
Just as Linghu Xinglang assumed that the little heir apparent, having shed his mask, was about to utter the words "refuse to obey the imperial decree," Yuwen Junan suddenly raised his hand. He stroked the ears of the large wolf, which were drooping in submission, and asked in a tone that was almost coquettish, "To the Heavenly Prison—may I bring him with me?"
Chapter 124