Chapter 588 I Will Not Lose to You
The soldiers approaching were clad in voluminous nomadic robes, their horses galloping as if flying. They bypassed the vanguard and headed straight for Lin Wanrong and the others. Lin Wanrong could clearly see that these were the scouts who had accompanied Xu Zhen to monitor the movents of the enemy. To ensure their safety, these twenty or thirty n were all disguised as Turkic people.
Arriving before Lin Wanrong, the scout hastily dismounted. Without even bothering to wipe the dust from his face, he respectfully saluted, "General, there is urgent news from the front."
"Speak," Lin Wanrong commanded with a wave of his hand.
"General Xu has sent to report. Early this morning, the Turkic troops stationed on the outskirts of Kyzil began to move out. They number one hundred thousand elite soldiers and have countless supply wagons. The campaign is personally led by the Turkic National Tutor, Lu Dongzan, and they are quickly advancing southward."
Lu Dongzan had learned his lesson and was not repeating the mistakes of Bayanhot. These supplies were being escorted by one hundred thousand elite soldiers; there was no room for error. Lin Wanrong nodded, "Where have these one hundred thousand Turks reached as of now?"
The scout hurriedly answered, "When General Xu ordered to return and report, the Turkic army had already advanced over thirty miles."
Taking into account the ti it would take for the scout to return, Lin Wanrong calculated that the Turkic cavalry should be almost sixty miles away from Kyzil by now. Lu Dongzan was indeed advancing at a rapid pace.
"How many cavalry has Lu Dongzan left behind in Kyzil?" Lin Wanrong asked, his voice laden with gravity. This was what he cared about the most and what he had repeatedly instructed Xu Zhen to ascertain.
The scout nodded, "According to our reconnaissance, Lu Dongzan has left more than ten thousand elite cavalry in Kyzil. Plus the city's original defenses, there are at least twenty thousand."
So it was as Lin Wanrong had suspected. Lu Dongzan had indeed left twenty thousand troops behind. "What do you think, Brother Hu?" Lin Wanrong looked at Old Hu for his opinion.
After a mont of contemplation, Old Hu nodded slowly, "Twenty thousand elite troops are sufficient to guard Kyzil. To storm this Turkic stronghold, we would need at least forty to fifty thousand n. And who on the plains could muster such a powerful force? Lu Dongzan is truly cunning!"
The craftiness of the Turkic National Tutor was evident. From the looks of it, capturing Kyzil would require wit rather than brute force.
"Thank goodness we have the sheep-snatching festival to count on; we arrived just in ti," Gao Qiu chuckled from the side.
"Yes, we still have the sheep-snatching festival," Lin Wanrong sighed. "Regardless, we will adapt to changes without changing our plan. Based on the Turks' current marching speed, by tomorrow noon, they should be at least ninety miles away from Kyzil. By tomorrow morning, Xu Zhen should report back. If there are no surprises, we can then quicken our pace and head straight for Kyzil."
"Good!" The n cheered in unison, their morale surging. Learning that Lu Dongzan had already led his troops southward, a weight lifted from their hearts. They had traversed deserts and crossed snow-capped mountains, traveling thousands of miles, all for this mont.
"General, there's sothing else I must report." After the others had dispersed, Hu Bugui pulled Lin Wanrong aside and whispered.
Seeing Hu Bugui's secretive deanor, Lin Wanrong chuckled. "Brother Hu, just speak your mind. Why all the mystery?"
Hu Bugui let out a small laugh. "It concerns Yujia."
"Yujia? What happened to her?" Lin Wanrong asked, puzzled.
Hu Bugui sighed. "General, ever since your conversation with her yesterday, she's been like a different person—unresponsive and refusing even water and food. It's been twelve hours!"
"Hunger strike?!" A flash of concern crossed Lin Wanrong's eyes. He rembered Yujia's haggard face from the previous night and felt a pang of guilt. "If she wants to starve herself, let her. I don't have ti to cater to her whims."
Treading carefully, Hu Bugui continued, "This woman is our captive and also our enemy. Normally, I wouldn't care for her well-being. However, we'll need her to successfully conquer the court of the Turkic Khan. Don't forget, the sheep-snatching festival is in three days, and Yujia will play a pivotal role. If she's on the brink of death by then, wouldn't all our efforts be wasted?"
Lin Wanrong couldn't deny Hu Bugui's reasoning. Yujia was crucial to their invasion plans, and any mishap at this juncture could be disastrous.
"Brother Hu, what do you want to do?" Lin Wanrong asked, his expression serious.
Suppressing a grin, Hu Bugui lowered his voice. "General, at this crucial mont, I ask you to make a small sacrifice. It seems Yujia listens to you, so please talk to her. Even if she wishes to fast, let her do it after we've conquered the enemy."
Lin Wanrong's eyes widened. "A small sacrifice? You make it sound so trivial. You're asking to compromise my integrity, aren't you?"
"Ah, Brother Lin," Old Gao, who seed to have been in on Hu Bugui's idea, chid in. "We all know you're a man of principle, but in this dire situation—for the sake of the Empire, for Advisor Xu, for our countless brothers—please think of the bigger picture and appease Yujia. After these three days, everything is negotiable. Trust , only Hu Bugui and I know about this. I swear on my honor, we won't speak of it to anyone."
"Yes, yes, we won't say anything," Hu Bugui hastily added, his face grave.
‘These scoundrels!’ Lin Wanrong silently fud. ‘When it cos to crucial monts, they think nothing of sacrificing my integrity. Do they think I'm that easily swayed? But Yujia's hunger strike is indeed problematic. I wonder how the Turkic Right Prince Tursun would react to a dying Yujia—a delighted participant in the sheep-snatching or a furious contender in a duel with ? A real dilemma!’
Old Gao blinked, leaning in. "Brother Lin, what's your decision? The fate of our holand and our comrades lies with you."
"Enough talk," Lin Wanrong gave him a swift kick, chuckling. "You want to do sothing so disgraceful? You must have lost your consciences!"
Gao Qiu shook his head solemnly. "Yujia enjoys talking to you, Brother Lin. You're going to console her, save her. How can that be immoral? Should we just stand by and watch her starve herself to death? Would that be virtuous? Old Hu, wouldn't you agree?"
Lin Wanrong was at a loss for words, his companions exchanging knowing glances. But there was no doubt in his mind—Yujia couldn't die now. Frustrated, he waved his hand. "Where is she?"
"Right here, right here, General. Please, follow !" Hu Bugui eagerly led the way, hurrying ahead.
To be honest, Lin Wanrong was taken aback when he saw Yujia. Was this the sa young Turkic woman with sparkling eyes and teeth, radiant as a crescent moon?
Yujia was tightly bound by ropes, her loose robe wrinkled and cutting into her flesh. Her once-pure white arms now bore bloody marks. Her lips were dry and pale, void of any color. Her beautiful face was ashen, and she lay helplessly on the ground. Her delicate body resembled a lifeless tree trunk, seemingly ready to wither at any mont.
"What has happened?!" Lin Wanrong was shocked. Even in the harshest of environnts, Yujia had always been vibrant and charming. Her every frown and smile were like the beautiful crescent moon in the sky. How could such a lively young tree wither so suddenly, overnight?
"Who tied her up like this?" Lin Wanrong asked, his expression stone-cold, his face dark as coal.
Hu Bugui hesitated for a while before finally whispering, "General, I believe you tied her up yourself yesterday. You even said that without your orders, no one should untie her."
Realization dawned on Lin Wanrong, and he touched his nose in chagrin. In his anger the day before, he had tied Yujia up tightly, showing no rcy despite her being a woman. The ropes had cut deeply into her flesh, making it impossible for her to move. Forced to maintain the sa position for a long ti, her blood circulation had been hindered. Combined with the rigors of their long journey and her already weakened state, even the liveliest of trees would wither under such conditions.
Old Hu and his companion were right to be concerned. Judging by Yujia's current state, she might not survive another three days.
"General, should we untie her?" Hu Bugui cautiously asked.
"No need!" Lin Wanrong waved his hand, grumbling. "She tried to manipulate . This is what she deserves."
Hu Bugui didn't dare to speak further. Old Gao shot him a look, and both n quietly retreated.
Yujia lay still on the ground, her eyes closed. Her long, soft eyelashes looked like tender willow threads, and her lips were pale and dry. She wore a warm robe, hand-woven by Qiaoqiao, but it was torn in places, revealing her delicate, jade-like skin.
Standing next to this Turkic young woman, Lin Wanrong couldn't feel a hint of life from her. Yujia, so vibrant just yesterday, now felt like a cold stone, devoid of warmth.
In the Sea of Death, atop the Tianshan Mountains, all mories flickered before him like scenes in a movie. Lin Wanrong's brow furrowed deeply, his expression solemn. For a long while, he couldn't find the words to speak.
"Could it be that General Lin is also at a loss?" Old Hu and Gao Qiu, hiding far away in the bushes, surreptitiously observed him. Seeing Lin Wanrong's silence, Old Hu was alard. "What can we do now? Yujia cannot die at this mont; she must at least live until we conquer Kyzil!"
Gao Qiu chuckled, "Put your heart back in your stomach. How much do you know about Brother Lin's capabilities? When has he ever failed? He may be silent, but that gaze of his is more powerful than ten thousand sweet words. Old Hu, you have much to learn."
"Is he really that incredible?" Old Hu marveled, sticking out his tongue in awe.
After an indeterminate period of silence, Lin Wanrong shook his head quietly. Slowly, he reached for Yujia's waist.
"What are you doing—" The rustling sound woke Yujia from her sleep. She let out a feeble cry, hastily opening her eyes, only to find Lin Wanrong's face close to hers.
"Why is it you?!" She was stunned for a mont, but her eyes quickly sharpened.
"Have so water," Lin Wanrong smiled, taking the water pouch from her waist and bringing it to her lips.
The Turkic girl stubbornly turned her head away. "I won't drink it! What are you doing here?!"
The water pouch had originally been torn by a sharp stone, but Yujia had found so coarse thread sowhere and tightly sewed the tear. The stitches were neat, but the hastily chosen thread was a different color from the pouch. From afar, it looked as if a patch had been added.
"So, I heard you're fasting?" Lin Wanrong ignored her question and countered with his own.
Yujia snorted coldly, "That's none of your business. Why are you here?"
Lin Wanrong sighed and smiled, "Actually, I ca to deceive you!"
He never said anything unless it was shocking. Even the talented Turkic girl was taken aback. "Deceive ? About what?" Her icy deanor disappeared in her urgency.
"My brothers told you were fasting, and they're all quite concerned about you. They thought you might listen to . So, they sent to sweet-talk you into drinking so water and eating so food. That's all there is to it. I hope you won't hold it against them; they an well," Lin Wanrong spread his hands in a sincere-looking smile.
"Nonsense!" Yujia angrily retorted, "Who would listen to you?"
Lin Wanrong shook his head with a smile, "You won't listen to ? It seems they were mistaken. But I can't bla my brothers; perhaps it's the things you've done along our journey that led them astray. To be honest, even I almost misunderstood."
The Turkic girl's expression was icy, "Really, even you misunderstood? Don't you think lying is a despicable thing?"
"Alright, I admit, it's quite despicable," Lin Wanrong nodded, "But everyone knows this about ; I'm sure Miss Yujia has heard as well. So, there's no need for you to be so surprised—oh, are you going to drink the water? I'm getting a bit thirsty."
He waved the water pouch in front of Yujia, the Turkic girl. She clenched her teeth in silence. Lin Wanrong had no qualms either; he lifted the pouch to his lips and gulped down half of the clear water within.
‘Why can't this man be more restrained?’ Yujia stared, uncertain whether to laugh or cry.
With a few satisfied sighs, Lin Wanrong said, "Miss Yujia, there's sothing I've been wanting to ask you. You don't have to answer, but if you do, I hope you won't be as shaless as , alright?" A mysterious grin danced in his eyes, leaving Yujia puzzled about his forthcoming query. She pondered for a mont before nodding slightly, uttering a soft "Mm."
"Miss Yujia, have you ever heard my na before? I an, before I ca to the Helan Mountains?" Lin Wanrong stared at her, smiling.
Yujia's eyes flickered. "Wo Lao Gong? A aningless na, a nobody. Why would I have heard of you before?"
"Oh, so you've heard of my other na then? I see, I see," Lin Wanrong nodded, chuckling.
"What do you see?" Yujia glared at him in annoyance.
"I see how much you know about ," Lin Wanrong laughed, speaking leisurely.
His words sounded like tongue-twisters, leaving Yujia stunned. She inadvertently lowered her head.
"Miss Yujia, are you well-acquainted with Lu Dongzan?"
The Turkic girl nodded slightly. "What of it?"
Lin Wanrong let out a sigh, "Well, it doesn't really matter. I just wanted to know, when did you start taking an interest in and planning to act against ?"
"You—what are you talking about?" Yujia exclaid.
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Miss Yujia, don't you find lying utterly shaless?"
It was the sa phrase Yujia had used earlier, and now it was thrown back at her. She gritted her teeth, "I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Look into my eyes," Lin Wanrong said in a languid tone, an icy smirk hanging from his lips that bore an undeniable authority.
Yujia glanced at him, seeing the disdain and coldness in his eyes. She lowered her head without a word, snorting, "What's so good about them—you didn't even clean the corners of your eyes!"
"Don't change the subject!" Lin Wanrong roared, then unconsciously wiped his eyes with his sleeve. "Miss Yujia, it seems you're still no match for . I can shalessly admit to my faults in front of the world. What about you?"
"What about ?" Yujia glanced at him, her face tinged with anger.
Lin Wanrong spoke coldly, "Do I need to spell it out? Miss Yujia, can you honestly say you've never seen in Xingqing? Look into my eyes!"
"White-eyed fool. I won't look." Frustrated, Yujia lowered her head, refusing to answer his question.
Lin Wanrong let out a long laugh, then abruptly silenced himself, his rage soaring. "It doesn't matter if you look or not. That day in Xingqing, I know who was trying to assassinate and Grand Marshal Li. Who conveniently showed up in Bayanhot? Who arrived just when I desperately needed a doctor? Who was easily captured by ? Who sched against my personality, setting up a series of plots? Who has been acting in front of over and over? Who enjoys playing gas of conquest? A long series of events are tied together by a single tight rope, with soone pulling the strings from behind—Miss Yujia, am I guessing correctly?"
He snorted in exasperation, the corner of his mouth lifting in a cold smile, as icy as the snows of the Tianshan Mountains.
Yujia stared at him, a complex swirl of emotions in her deep, dark eyes—astonishnt, hatred, irritation, but also a trace of faint delight.
"You can choose not to answer," Lin Wanrong sighed. "I won't press you. After all, sotis, there are things one simply can't fake. However, I'd advise you to quit this fasting charade; I'm afraid you won't be able to withstand it."
"Pfft." Yujia unexpectedly burst into a radiant smile, her face blooming like a flower. "How do you know my fasting is fake?"
"Could it be real?" Lin Wanrong beca irritated, tossing a water pouch in front of her. "A lipstick mark as vivid as this could only last an hour at most. I've been wondering, can you drink water without using your hands? Are you so sort of deity?"
"I'm no deity," Yujia said, smiling as she bit the stopper of the water pouch and deftly twisted it open. Crystal clear lake water slowly poured out. "We Turks grew up on horseback; even if both hands and feet are tied, we have our ways. I have a mouth, which can do many things!"
"Do many things?!" Lin Wanrong's mouth hung open. Was she trying to tease him again?
Yujia suddenly let out a long sigh, her expression turning sowhat wistful. "Can you tell how you discovered my deception?"
"Well, it's not that valuable," Lin Wanrong chuckled. "You see, my nature is quite straightforward. To avoid being taken advantage of, I always stay a few steps ahead. It's a simple precaution against deceit."
"I see," Yujia nodded. "You deceive others so much that you've developed a keen sense of awareness to avoid being deceived in return. It serves right for trying to trick a bigger trickster."
‘Why put it so bluntly, little trickster ets bigger trickster?’ Lin Wanrong chuckled again. "As for exposing your act, aside from what I've already ntioned, it's also because you seed too eager. You should know that I am known for my resilience and ability to resist temptation. How could I fall for your ploy so easily?"
Yujia's cheeks flushed slightly as she sighed softly, "People often say you're frivolous, lustful, and ignorant, but they're all wrong. They only see the surface, just like my act of fasting. Your attention to detail and thoughtful analysis—how many possess such perceptiveness? Your accomplishnts today are not rely the result of your audacity, but of your intelligence and wisdom. Lu Dongzan was right; Lin San, you really are a very smart man. Yujia admires you a lot."
Yujia's expression softened. It was the first ti she had called him by the na that had made him famous in Great Hua. But sohow, it didn't feel right to him; a strange sense of loss tugged at his heart.
"Let's say we're even," Lin Wanrong raised his fists in a playful salute. "To dare to aim to conquer the world's highest peaks—Miss Yujia, I truly admire your character and integrity. Of course, your acting skills are far better than I'd imagined. Many tis, I thought you were telling the truth."
This man truly had an extraordinarily thick skin. Yujia nodded slightly, "You are quite sothing yourself. You always know how to deflect what cos your way. Even when it's all an act, you make people believe it's real. Lin San, do you treat every woman this way? No wonder you can deceive so many won in Great Hua, and they're all devoted to you. Even your deceit feels genuine!"
Lin Wanrong chuckled awkwardly. ‘Ahem, ahem, don't speak nonsense. Fairy Sister is listening nearby.’ Though they had stopped deceiving each other, their verbal duels had beco sharper than before.
After a long silence, Yujia softly sighed, "Lin San, can you be honest for once? Tell , how many days does Yujia have left to live?"
"What?!" Lin Wanrong exclaid, blinking rapidly. "What are you talking about? I don't understand."
The Turkic young woman shot him an angry glance. "I've stopped lying to you. Why are you still deceiving ? Have you forgotten? I am a doctor. From the mont you brought that bewitching, fox-like woman who attacked , I've known."
He understood that the 'fox-like woman' she referred to was Sister An. So, Yujia knew everything, while he was still in the dark. This girl's wit and cunning were truly unfathomable.
"Ah, that matter. I don't really know," Lin Wanrong laughed awkwardly. "I can't interfere in Sister An's affairs. But you're a miraculous healer I greatly admire. Can't you cure this?"
She neither nodded nor shook her head, only sighing softly after giving him a few glances. "You clearly know everything but act like you know nothing. You truly are shaless. You ask if I can cure it? Let ask you first: would you prefer that I can or cannot?"
Such a difficult question. How could he answer? Lin Wanrong opened his mouth, but no words ca out.
"Never mind, I know you're conflicted," Yujia smiled warmly. "After all this, I've finally understood. What Lu Dongzan said is true: you have as many virtues as you have faults, but you are more genuine than anyone. If everyone in Great Hua were like you, there'd be no need for war."
‘Everyone in Great Hua like ? Impossible. Where would we find so many beauties to distribute to them?’ Lin Wanrong thought, only then sensing the straightforward and heroic aspect of this Turkic woman.
Yujia glanced at him and sighed, "There's one more thing. I want to thank you for taking along the Silk Road. Those were the happiest and most intriguing days of my life. Although I don't know why you know so much, you've made realize that the world is vast."
"Yes, yes, the world is indeed vast, so you shouldn't limit your perspective to just one place—like Great Hua, for example," Lin Wanrong hurriedly advised.
Yujia's face turned cold. "You've already laid siege to our city. What's the point of saying all this now?"
"Siege or not, you Turks pushed us to it. Don't you think I'd rather be ho doing push-ups with my wife?" Lin Wanrong's expression also turned cold.
As they spoke, the irreconcilable differences stemming from their belonging to enemy nations once again ca to the surface.
"Forget it, forget it. Let's not talk about these pointless matters," Lin Wanrong waved his hand and sighed. "To be honest, you are one of the smartest girls I've ever t. If you weren't a Turkic, we could have been good friends. I have plenty of money, plenty of beauties, and plenty of wives in this world, but what I lack are friends."
"Why? Just because I'm Turkic, I can't be friends with you? What kind of logic is that?" Yujia huffed, her stubbornness rising again.
"Don't ask for logic," Lin Wanrong chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "The logic is in the hands of you Turkic people!"
"You—" Yujia stared at him, her eyes wide, caught between indignation and embarrassnt, unable to find the words to retort.
Strangely enough, veering the conversation away from sensitive topics with this Turkic girl had lightened his mood. Lin Wanrong chuckled and playfully patted Yujia's cheeks. "Alright, enough of this. I'll be busy these next few days. Behave yourself, or else I'll have to gag you too."
"Busy with what? Busy conquering my royal court?" A cold light flashed in Yujia's eyes.
Lin Wanrong helped her sit up, loosening the ropes around her arms but keeping her still bound. He gave her a slight smile, "So what if I am? Do you think I'm here for a vacation? Get so rest."
Humming a tune, he started to leave, his mood inexplicably light. Yujia clenched her teeth and softly called out, "Wait—"
"Huh?" Lin Wanrong turned his head, surprised.
With a calm expression, the Turkic girl nodded, "Co here, I have sothing to say to you."
Lin Wanrong moved closer, full of questions. Before he could react, he felt her soft, jade-like lips gently brush across his face. As quickly as she ca, she pulled away.
Yujia's face was flushed, but her expression remained steadfast, "—Rember this, Yujia won't be so easily defeated by you!"
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