Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 334 Convergence
Ah!
If we're talking about the biggest variable in all of this, isn't it Ying Jiuque, who previously showed up to kill the princes of the grasslands with a single arrow?
“That woman is truly bizarre. Since her arrival, the Northern Frontier Army has been miraculously aided. According to Father Khan's original plan, the entire Northern Frontier Army should be infected with smallpox by now. But they are not only healthy, but also well-fed and energetic, showing no signs of having suffered a major blow. And those strange yet powerful weapons... We must tell Father Khan about all this. We can't just let the Central Plains people rise up like this. If they become powerful, won't we be trampled underfoot?”

"Aren't you usually the smartest? Your tongue is the best at spreading rumors, so why aren't you saying anything now? Hurry up and think of a way for me."

"...What's the rush? We'll talk about everything after we see Father Khan."

"...Do you think Father Khan is feeling very sad right now?"

"What you need to think about now isn't whether he's suffering, but whether he's still alive. According to the descriptions of those fleeing soldiers, he was seriously injured and not far from death. Even if he is alive, how good of a treatment could he have received during the escape? Besides, you know the abilities of those great shamans around Father Khan. What else can they do besides concocting dark, smelly elixirs for people to drink? The people of the Central Plains must have already found a way to cure smallpox, while we're still performing shamanistic rituals!"

"Well, it wouldn't be good if Father Khan heard you say that. It's fine to say it in front of me, but when you see Father Khan, don't say such discouraging things. Alright, you're not feeling well and you're injured, so don't talk too much and conserve your energy. What can't we talk about when you're better?"

"..."

That bastard! Wasn't it him who led me into talking just now? Now he's blaming him.

Touching the wound on his chest, perhaps due to excessive blood loss, it had turned white and was no longer bleeding. This was not a good sign, as it only meant that Namtso's blood was almost completely drained. The arrow had been too fast, piercing the two brothers before they could react, turning them into gourds. The person behind him had always been physically strong. From childhood, he had often heard people praise Murdon as a born warrior. Although Namtso always openly or subtly belittled him as a brainless fool with only muscles, he had secretly envied him, just like now.

A physically strong person will indeed be stronger than someone who has suffered the same injury.

A blur of white blurred his vision, and Namtso almost thought he was going blind. But he desperately suppressed the surging terror, frantically rehearsing their next move in his mind. If they couldn't find their father, they would have to retreat quickly deeper into the grasslands. If they did find him, given his precarious condition, they would have to proceed with extreme caution. Worse still, if they found him already dead, the entire grasslands would inevitably crumble. But if the brothers who remained with their father seized the opportunity to usurp power, the situation would certainly be even worse.

Hearing the occasional complaints and strong voices behind him, Namtso felt truly miserable. Oh well, it's not like he'd never known about his bear-like physique before…

Just then, they encountered more and more remnants of defeated soldiers along the way. The two realized that they were about to catch up with their father, the Khan.

Just as they caught up with the main force, the two keenly sensed something was amiss. The army, originally from the grasslands, was now showing signs of wariness towards them. This…

Sure enough, a moment later, one of their brothers, who usually didn't get along with them, stepped out from the crowd. With a look that was both wary and mocking, he carefully examined them from top to bottom and left to right several times before letting out a sneer.

"Hey, brother and brother, weren't you two all high and mighty as you raided the Northern Frontier Pass? How come you're in such a sorry state now? Don't tell me you couldn't even complete such a small task. Oh dear, Father Khan usually praises you both highly. If you can't even complete this little mission, how are you going to face Father Khan in the future?"

To be honest, hearing this actually made Namtso feel a little relieved. At least the other party saying this meant that her father, the Khan, was still alive. As long as her father was alive, the grasslands would not fall apart. The old wolf king's reputation over the years was a living testament to his virtue. After suffering defeat after defeat, they simply couldn't withstand the shock and harm brought about by the death of their ruler.

At this point, Murdoch became very angry.

"Why are you spouting so much nonsense? Get out of my way, I need to see Father Khan. Besides," Murdon looked him up and down, speaking arrogantly in a utterly irritating tone, "even if we failed, at least we fought back. And you? Why do you look so clean? Not even a drop of blood on you? When Father Khan launched his attack, you weren't hiding behind your mother crying, were you?"

A murmur of mockery drifted from the surrounding crowd. Everyone had witnessed the Fourth Prince's performance. Although they dared not openly ridicule him because of his status, now that the First Prince had taken the lead, they could finally express their discontent. Why was everyone else fighting and striving so hard while he could hide in a safe place?

On the grasslands, strength has always been paramount, and both princes earned their current positions through their own hard work. Although it's obvious they've also suffered significant setbacks, this fourth prince has no right to criticize them, does he?

"you?!"

The fourth prince glared at them coldly. Knowing he couldn't win an argument, he pointed forward with one hand.

"Father Khan is right there. He just woke up and said he wants to see you. Hurry up and go, you can't leave your father's little ones."

"...If I remember correctly, I should be older than you. I'm the little brat, so who are you? The good-for-nothing brother of this little brat?"

"What good are sharp tongues now? We've lost, and it's been a crushing defeat like never before. How are we going to explain this to everyone when we get back?"

Upon hearing this, Murden fell silent for a moment, then spurred his warhorse, carrying the heavily wounded Namtso, toward the center of the crowd, with his personal guards following closely behind.

At this moment, although they have joined up with their own army, they must remain vigilant. Who knows if the fourth brother is giving false orders?

However, when they actually saw the dying Sachi Khan a moment later, both the still vigorous Murden and the weak Naruko were filled with fear.

Father Khan, how did you get injured like this? They could hardly believe their eyes. Was the person in front of them, covered in dirt and blood, and unable to even open his eyes, really the majestic wolf king of the grasslands?

(End of this chapter)