Finest Servant

Chapter 562 Journey to a Mysterious Place

The allure of the Turkic maiden was truly extraordinary. The moment her golden blade appeared, the entire tribes of Ejina and Ha'er Helin had mobilized. Yujia's appeal exceeded everyone's expectations.

Recalling what he had seen the previous night, Lin Wanrong inquired seriously, "Brother Hu, you're worldly and wise. Tell me, what does it signify if a Turkic person has a golden wolf tattooed on them?"

"A golden wolf tattoo?" Hu Bugui pondered for a moment, furrowing his brows before shaking his head. "As far as I know, the leaders and esteemed warriors among the various Turkic tribes like to get tattoos of wolves. These can be on their chests, backs, wrists, and even foreheads, representing ferocity and supremacy. I've seen tattoos of blue, gray, and black wolves in my years of battling the Turkic tribes. I've never seen a golden one, though."

The golden wolf on Yujia's chest naturally signified a status far superior to those with blue or gray wolves. This was almost identical to Lin Wanrong's speculation. However, Yujia's true identity remained a mystery. Fortunately, they were en route to the Turkic royal court—a long journey that would give him ample time to uncover the secrets of the Turkic maiden.

Lowering his voice, Old Gao said, "Who cares if it's a black wolf or a golden wolf? Let's just take them all down. Brother Lin, all the fighting men from Ejina and Ha'er Helin tribes have left their villages and are headed towards where we camped last night. Their villages are vulnerable. Shall we take action now?"

"No rush," Lin Wanrong waved his hand dismissively. "Let's wait until their forces have moved far away and our scouts bring back reports. Then we can act. Brother Hu, give the order for our troops to continue advancing into the grasslands lightly armed. Nobody stops without my command."

"Understood!" Hu Bugui nodded and hurried off to make arrangements.

Only after covering up all the traces of their previous night's encampment—burning fires, cooking meals, and pitching tents—did Lin Wanrong signal for the army of five thousand to mount their horses and head deeper into the grasslands.

The further they went, the more they felt the vastness and grandeur of the grasslands. Blue skies, white clouds, and fragrant flowers filled the view, lifting one's spirits and providing a sense of peace and awe. Among such grand landscapes, one felt remarkably insignificant, like a grain of sand in the ocean.

As he gazed into the distant horizon where earth and sky blended together, he suddenly recalled what Sister An had said last night, "These grasslands are our paradise." Her words still echoed in his ears, but she was already nowhere to be found. He couldn't help but feel his eyes moisten, wondering when he would next wander these heavenly grasslands with Sister An.

Though they were on the march, scouts were continually dispatched to report on the movements of the Ejina and Ha'er Helin tribes. Every hour, messengers arrived on horseback. Turkic scouts were also expanding their search area, looking for traces of their adversaries. Unfortunately for them, Lin Wanrong had skirted around Ha'er Helin, advancing directly into the depths of the grasslands. They had taken an unexpected route, diverging significantly from the Turkic tribes, a possibility the Turkic people had never considered.

"Brother Hu, how far are we from Ha'er Helin?" After a grueling three-hour ride, they finally took a break. It was midday in early spring, and the sun's rays warmed the grasslands. Sweat poured from the soldiers, their faces flushed from the exertion. Lin Wanrong, on the other hand, appeared unphased. The clothes Sister An had made for him were extraordinarily breathable and cool. Even after hours of travel, not a drop of sweat was visible on him.

Old Hu wiped his brow, shaking off beads of sweat that had turned dark from the dust. "We're about sixty miles away. If we consider the pace of the nomads, they should be over ninety miles away from Ha'er Helin at the moment."

"Very well," Lin Wanrong nodded. "Brother Hu, give the order for everyone to stop and rest. Take note that we are deep within the grasslands. Chita is only around a hundred and twenty miles away. It's highly likely that nomad scouts are operating in the area. We need to be extra vigilant. No one is allowed to make noise, and absolutely no cooking fires. We'll make do with drinking water and eating dry rations for now."

Gao Qiu looked around, puzzled. The terrain was flat and open, making it difficult to set up hidden outposts but ideal for cavalry charges. "Brother Lin, there's still some time until nightfall. Why are we setting up camp so early? Are we spending the night here?"

Lin Wanrong shook his head, remaining silent. He looked toward the direction of Ha'er Helin. Hu Bugui caught on and softly asked, "General, are we planning a detour attack tonight?"

Lin Wanrong sighed. "Time is not on our side. We can't wait for Miss Xu's message any longer. Regardless of what's happening in Helan Mountain, we must go to the Turkic royal court. Even if we only leave behind a footprint, it will be the indelible mark of our people. A resounding message to the nomads not to underestimate us. Brother Hu, this might be a perilous journey with no return. Are you afraid?"

Old Hu paused, then burst into hearty laughter. "Afraid? What's there to be afraid of? Raiding the nomads' lair is the dream of every patriot in our Empire. If I die, I'll die laughing!"

Lin Wanrong glanced at Gao Qiu. "What about you, Brother Gao?"

"Do you even have to ask?" Gao Qiu chuckled. "Ever since I followed you, Brother Lin, I've fought joyously and killed exhilaratingly. Where else could I find such thrills? Going to the Turkic royal court sounds exciting. Maybe we can even abduct a couple of women—Old Hu takes one, and I take one! If I die, I'd rather die in the arms of a Turkic beauty!"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, his eyes distant. "Brother Hu, Brother Gao, let's not talk so lightly about life and death. We still have many things to enjoy. I have several wives waiting for me at home—Qingxuan, Qiaoqiao, and Xian'er. There's the lonely Fairy Ning on Thousand-Forsake Peak, and the fox-like Sister An in Miao Village. I promised her a return to the idyllic grasslands. So, we cannot die; we must not die! We all have to make it back alive."

He clenched his fists tightly, taking a deep breath, as if mustering courage for everyone around him. His tone was as steadfast as a rock. Influenced by his aura, Gao Qiu and Hu Bugui gripped their hands tightly together and declared, "We will return alive!"

Lin Wanrong burst into hearty laughter and said, "Excellent. Relay the orders—let the whole army rest, water the war horses, check the weapons, prepare water and dry rations. We'll set out when the sun sets."

The decision silently rippled through the crowd, immediately casting a solemn hush over them. Every soldier understood that tonight's battle was a new beginning, and a far more brutal campaign awaited them. No one shrank back in fear. In fact, there was a subtle sense of excitement and anticipation. Ever since they ventured deep into the grasslands, the issue of life and death had ceased to be a concern.

Lin Wanrong patrolled the ranks, meticulously inspecting each soldier's equipment and supplies. He could not afford the slightest negligence. Tonight's battle would deplete their reserves, and it was unclear when the next resupply would come. The more they prepared, the more hope they had.

When he returned to his war horse, he noticed that on it, a Turkic girl was tightly bound. Her long, flowing black hair obscured her beautiful face. She lay quietly, motionless, her bosom heaving gently, drawing tantalizing waves.

"Miss Yujia, did you sleep well last night?" Lin Wanrong said, untying her ropes with an indifferent smile as he helped her off the horse.

Having been bound for a long time, her blood circulation was poor. The moment her feet touched the ground, her legs trembled uncontrollably, and she collapsed.

As Lin Wanrong reached to help her up, the Turkic girl fiercely slapped his hand away. Grinding her teeth, Yujia forcefully steadied herself against the horse's back and slowly regained her footing. She lifted her head, her eyes flickering with an indomitable flame.

Lin Wanrong looked at her and was instantly shocked. Just overnight, she seemed to have lost considerable weight, her vibrant lips now a shade paler. Her flawless face bore no smile, but the fire in her light-blue eyes confirmed that this was still the living, breathing Yujia.

Despite being enemies, from a character standpoint, this resilient woman was truly admirable. Lin Wanrong sighed inwardly.

Yujia glared at him coldly. "What do you want to say, Great Hua man? Isn't the insult I've endured from you enough?"

Her clothes had been torn by An Biru, and what she was wearing now was an old garment previously worn by Lin Wanrong. The oversized, loose-fitting clothing enveloped her graceful figure but bore an oddly distinctive charm.

"Miss Yujia, perhaps you've never come to terms with being a captive," Lin Wanrong said calmly. "Consider what would happen if one of my kinsmen fell into Turkic hands. Then look at your current state—perhaps you should be thanking the god of the grasslands that you remain unscathed."

The bandit's eyes were cold as icy stones, and a disdainful sneer spread across his dark face, radiating an air of superiority and invincibility. Startled, Yujia quickly shook her head and retorted, "Don't flatter yourself. You've kept me here only to exploit me. You think I don't know that?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Little sister, you're incredibly clever, no wonder Sister An sings your praises!"

Upon hearing the mention of that fox-like and cunning woman, a deep pain flashed across Yujia's face. She clenched her fists, as if giving herself a pep talk, murmuring, "I'm not afraid of her; I must defeat her!"

Lin Wanrong laughed, ‘It seems Sister An's methods are effective not just on me, but also on this Yueya’er.’

Hearing his laughter, Yujia shot him an annoyed glare. Two bright lipstick marks on his dusky face were conspicuously eye-catching, like two blooming flowers. She gritted her teeth and turned her head away, scoffing, "Where's your Master Sister? Gone missing? Weren't you overjoyed just last night? To still be so cheerful after being dumped—you're a rare spineless man indeed!"

"Keep poking at my sore spots, and I might just rip your clothes!" Lin Wanrong cackled and feigned a move to grab her.

Startled, Yujia clutched her chest and paled, as if reliving the events of the previous night. She and Lin Wanrong both had experienced Sister An's brutal methods firsthand.

Lin Wanrong sighed, "True love is long-lasting; it's not about spending every waking moment together or constantly touching each other. My feelings for Sister An are like drinking water; only I know its warmth or coldness. How could an outsider like you ever understand?—Nevermind, let's not discuss these inappropriate matters. Little sister Yueya’er, I have some great news for you—"

He grinned slyly, making an exaggerated circle with his hands. Yujia watched in trepidation, "Wha-what great news?!"

Lin Wanrong smirked, "I've already chosen a group of strong and able warriors for you—from Ejina and also from Ha'er Helin. They are robust and vigorous, and will soon come to meet you—"

The clever Yujia, hearing this, was both anxious and alarmed, "You used my golden blade?! You despicable man! Wo Lao Gong, I hate you! Just kill me!"

Unable to contain her tears, Yujia broke down, weeping as if the golden blade was her lifeblood.

‘Isn’t it just an old blade? Only you Turkic people would consider it a treasure,’ Lin Wanrong sneered dismissively.

A sliver of the setting sun bloodied the sky, casting a melancholy red hue over the blue prairie. Hu Bugui quickly rode over and whispered, "General, it's about time."

Lin Wanrong responded calmly, "Order everyone to discard all their baggage and miscellaneous items. Only bring weapons and supplies. Our destination is Ha'er Helin. Move out!"

"Move out!" Hu Bugui swung his arm, and five thousand men cracked their whips in unison. The crisp sound of horse hooves rose like spring thunder, stirring up a cloud of dust that glowed in the vivid sunset before slowly disappearing into the horizon.

"Where are you going?!" Yujia was hoisted onto a horseback and asked amid her tears.

Mounting his horse, Lin Wanrong smiled slightly, "To a mysterious place, perhaps one you've long yearned for."

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