Did the gods exist in heaven?
The Xiongnu would say they did, but if you asked what the gods looked like, most of them probably couldn't answer.
But now, the Xiongnu had an answer to that question.
Were gods supposed to look like this—dressed in white gauze, adorned with jewels, with skin fairer than sheep's milk and hair purer than black water...?
Yes, she certainly looked like a god. But why wasn't she helping them?
The Xiongnu soldiers didn't understand.
All they knew was that the Sky Wolf beneath the moon had blocked their advance. Its thunderous howl had sent the horses beneath them galloping away in terror, beyond the control of even the strongest men on the grasslands. Their entire cavalry formation had fallen into chaos!
With the cavalry in disarray, the auxiliary infantry the Xiongnu had gathered were trampled, suffering countless casualties.
Beneath the moonlight, the battlefield was a scene of chaos and panic.
Verdant Green Maiden carried Chunyu Tiying in one arm and landed atop the city wall.
The hazy moonlight seemed to drape Verdant Green Maiden in an even softer, more ethereal veil, leaving the Wusun soldiers guarding the city rooted to the spot.
She set Chunyu Tiying down, and the latter immediately began treating the wounded.
Gradually, people began to shout.
"The Heavenly Maiden... Is that the Heavenly Maiden?"
"Heavenly Maiden!"
"The Saintess of Heavenly Mountain has descended! She saved us!"
All the shouts blended into a single cry of "Heavenly Maiden." One after another, the Wusun soldiers knelt, gazing reverently at Verdant Green Maiden.
Her skirts fluttering, Verdant Green Maiden watched the Xiongnu flee in disarray through the night.
Only after they had vanished into the wilderness did Verdant Green Maiden turn to the Wusun soldiers and ask, "Where is Chigu City?"
Chigu City