Chapter 540
Chapter 540 Caught in a Snare
After deciding on the route of the march, Hu Bugui conveyed the orders down the ranks. The troops were already accustomed to General Lin's unconventional tactics. Whether returning to the Helan Mountain Gorge through a blockade of three hundred thousand Turks or advancing into the great plains while facing encirclement by nomadic tribes, the dangers were equivalent. Either way, it was a life-and-death situation. Instead of meaninglessly being annihilated by sixty thousand Turks, they'd rather plunge into the vast grasslands and fight a glorious battle.
Five thousand cavalry silently changed direction, opting for a route diametrically opposed to their original path. Moving from east to west, they traversed deep into the boundless grasslands under the cover of darkness.
Lin Wanrong looked back from his horse. Amidst the dark sky, there was only the vast emptiness. He could neither see where the grasslands met the desert nor catch a glimpse of the haunting Helan Mountain Gorge. With each step, he was getting farther from his homeland—Qingxuan, Qiaoqiao, Eldest Miss, Ning'er, Fairy Ning, Vixen An… He wasn't sure if he would ever live to see them again. A sense of melancholy surged within him, and his eyes grew moist.
Gao Qiu rode alongside him, sensing his emotional state. "Don't worry, Brother Lin," he comforted. "We will return. Even if it costs me my life, I will ensure your safety."
Lin Wanrong simply nodded, not uttering a word. His eyes caught sight of the lavish carriage in the middle of the formation. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "Brother Gao, keep a close eye on this Yueya’er. She is not someone to be underestimated. I have a strange premonition that our journey is intricately tied to her."
Gao Qiu chuckled. "Even if she's extraordinary, she's still a woman. With your knack for dealing with women, she'll probably be begging for your favor soon. What's there to fear about her?"
Lin Wanrong shook his head, amused. "Brother Gao, you're mistaken. The thoughts of this Turkic woman are far from simple. Do you remember the situation when treating Little Li on the carriage?"
Gao Qiu couldn't forget; Lin Wanrong's exceptional skills were awe-inspiring. "I remember," Gao Qiu smirked lasciviously. "That Turkic girl couldn't handle your teasing and nearly fled. You really know your stuff."