The appearance of this Heavy Cavalry unit, though no blades had left their scabbards and no one had yet raised a hand, already decided victory and defeat, life and death.
Or perhaps, not yet decided.
Neither Jiang Kesong nor Gao Feng dismounted before or after saluting Shang Ruyi; even as they raised their hands in salute, they remained on guard throughout, as if merely waiting for Shang Ruyi to speak, so they could give the order at once.
Outside Xiazhou, this group had displayed overwhelming might, breaking through the Western Turks' encirclement of the city of several months with almost no effort, then joining the Xiazhou garrison to defeat them; now they arrived bearing the momentum of that victory. Although Ashina Zhuxie had also brought a band of picked soldiers, their numbers were small. This was the same principle as when they had constantly suppressed Shang Ruyi's guards—if they wished to wipe them out, it would be almost as easy as lifting a hand.
