"But no matter how I looked at it, it seemed Kublai Khan was the one behind Ariq Böke's death." After giving it some thought, Song Qingshu concluded that Kublai Khan stood to gain the most from Ariq Böke's death.
Originally, Kublai Khan and Ariq Böke had been evenly matched in their struggle. Kublai Khan had more talented people under him, but because of the Mongol custom of the youngest son inheriting the family estate, Ariq Böke commanded the Mongol Empire's most elite core troops. That was why, after fighting for so many years, neither side had been able to claim victory.
Who would have thought that Ariq Böke would suddenly die in Goryeo this time? The scales of victory immediately tipped toward Kublai Khan.
Yet what worried Song Qingshu most was something else. Previously, he had assassinated Temujin under the identity of the Water Moon Great Sect Master, successfully provoking the Mongol Empire's eastern campaign. A major reason was that Kublai Khan and Ariq Böke, both vying for the khanate, had wanted to seize the initiative by avenging Temujin first.
But now that Ariq Böke was dead, the khanate was already Kublai Khan's for the taking. Would he still launch an eastern campaign against Japan?
"Yes, the Fu sisters once said that no one from the Yi Jian Pavilion had gone to assassinate Ariq Böke. Unfortunately, no one listened to their explanation. The enraged Mongols slaughtered everyone they saw." Even Xiaolongnü, normally as calm as an ancient well, frowned slightly when she recalled the brutality of those Mongol warriors.
"We need to find a way off this deserted island. Only by reaching Goryeo can we help them." Song Qingshu rose to his feet. "When the storm carried you here, was your ship still intact?"
When Xiaolongnü shook her head slightly,