Chapter 591 Forgetfulness
As the annual sheep snatching competition drew near, the outer periter of Kyzil for miles was heavily guarded, making a discreet approach to the Turkic royal court practically impossible.
Standing atop a high hill, Lin Wanrong averted his gaze from the lively Turkic people before him and peered into the distance. Through the dim light of nightfall, he saw an imposing fortress sprawled across the grasslands.
Square and expansive, the fortress looked as if it were a stone citadel sprouting right from the green prairie. Its walls rose to a staggering height of forty to fifty feet, assembled from irregularly shaped boulders. Every corner of the wall emanated a rugged grandiosity. Battlents dotted the fortifications at regular intervals, where the wind unfurled the banners of the Turkic wolf. The glistening blades of the guards on duty shimred in the twilight.
Kyzil, the heart of the Turkic royal court, was far more magnificent than he had ever imagined. Not only were the watchtowers grand, but the city itself seed to glimr with a faint golden hue—emanating from the angles of the royal palace. Smoke rising from cooking fires and the distant murmur of bustling voices bore testimony to the court's prosperity.
The Turkic Khanate had withstood centuries of trials and tribulations. They had united the grasslands and erected this solid fortress on the lush adow. Each boulder in the structure was a testant to a century of hard work by the Turkic people.
"Is this Kyzil?" Gao Qiu finally broke the silence, asking his companion, Hu Bugui.
Hu Bugui nodded solemnly. "It must be. You won't find another fortress as grand as this on the grasslands."
Gao Qiu clicked his tongue but remained silent. Clearly, the scale and grandeur of the Turkic court had surpassed his expectations.
Lin Wanrong sighed, realizing he had severely underestimated the Turkic people. Their century-long standing on the prairie wasn't rely due to their valor; they were equally wise. Just constructing this formidable city alone was a monuntal feat unmatched in the long history of the Alxa prairie. Imagining the siege of such a robust fortress with just 5,000 cavalry seed ludicrous.
"Given our current strength, a direct assault on Kyzil is likely unfeasible. We should rely on wit," Hu Bugui whispered.
Lin Wanrong understood the implied ssage all too well. The only chance for them to infiltrate the city was during the upcoming sheep snatching competition. Yet, participating in the festival was akin to walking into the lion's den; the risks were colossal. One slip, and their identities could be exposed, plunging them into a trap set by the Turks. He could already visualize the ensuing calamity.
"Brother Lin, what should we do?" All eyes were on him, awaiting his decision.
Gazing at the Turks who were lost in song and dance in the distance, Lin Wanrong was silent for a long while. Abruptly turning, he slapped his horse's hindquarters forcefully. "Let's talk about it when we get back. Go!"
A dozen steeds wheeled around and sped back the way they had co, leaving clouds of dust trailing in their wake.
...
"Where's Yujia?!" As soon as he returned to the hidden camp, even before dismounting, Lin Wanrong inquired Li Wuling anxiously, who had co to greet him.
Seeing Lin Wanrong's furrowed brows and solemn expression, Little Li hesitated for a mont, then quickly said, "She's hiding in that grove. Several of our brothers are guarding her. Brother Lin, what's the matter?"
Lin Wanrong shook his head without answering Li Wuling's question and strode into the woods.
The young Turkic girl leaned against the trunk of a tree, her back to him, picking a vivid little flower from the ground with her bound hands. Her expression was calm and serene, her face glowing with a sweet smile, and charming dimples occasionally visible on her radiant cheeks.
"Lin San," hearing the hurried footsteps behind her, Yueya'er turned her head. Seeing Lin Wanrong approaching, she laughed lightly, "Have you co to see ?"
Hearing her call him 'Lin San,' he felt sowhat uneasy. Lin Wanrong nodded and walked over with a playful smile, "Yes, I ca to see you. Little sister, did you sleep well last night? Ah, don't play with these flowers anymore."
"Once bitten, twice shy," he said, swiftly grabbing the small flower from her hands when she wasn't paying attention, and throwing it far away, depriving her of any chance to alert her Turkic people.
Yueya'er shook her head helplessly, "You're really foolish. Do you think I'd use the sa trick twice?"
Lin Wanrong nodded, "The sa trick in your hands could work ten tis over. It's better to be safe than sorry."
Yueya'er shook her head, gave a faint smile, and fell silent.
Lin Wanrong pondered for a mont, looked at Yueya'er a few tis, then abruptly turned around and hurriedly walked away. He ca quickly, and he left just as fast, barely speaking two sentences, his deanor oddly unsettling—sothing that had never happened before. Yueya'er was slightly taken aback and quickly said, "Lin San, are you leaving?"
"Yes, I have sothing very important to do." Lin Wanrong stopped but did not turn back. He remained silent for a long ti before finally letting out a deep sigh, "Miss Yueya'er, do you ever regret the decisions you've made?"
"Regret?" Yueya'er laughed proudly, "In our Turkic language, this word has never existed."
Arrogant Turkic woman! Lin Wanrong waved his hand dismissively, said nothing more, and strode away.
Outside the woods, two chieftains paced back and forth. Seeing him erge, they rushed over ecstatically, "Brother Lin, have you made a decision?"
Lin Wanrong nodded, not saying a word. Hu Bugui frowned, "Just us going won't suffice. The highlight of this sheep snatching event is Yueya'er. We have to figure out a way to have her appear by the Right Prince's side in ti, and most importantly, she cannot reveal our whereabouts."
"What if we poison her to turn her into an idiot?" Gao Qiu said nacingly.
Hu Bugui jumped, startled. Old Gao was indeed a bit wicked, but if there were no other options, this idea could be worth trying. It all depended on whether General Lin was willing to go that far.
"Poison her? Do you think you could actually poison Yueya'er?" Lin Wanrong chuckled and patted Old Gao's shoulder. His words were spot-on; with Yueya'er's dical skills, who could possibly poison her?
Gao Qiu was taken aback for a mont, regretfully saying, "What do we do now? We can't just hand her over to Tursun for nothing."
"There will be a way; let think," Lin Wanrong shook his head. This was a matter for which he had to seek the help of the Fairy. She had said she had a way.
Disappointed, Gao Qiu and Hu Bugui left. Lin Wanrong closed his eyes in contemplation, feeling sowhat depressed. Even though he had brought Yujia along all this way, it was for the day he would need her. Yet when the mont truly arrived, the feeling was indescribable in re words.
"Have you really made up your mind?" At so point, Ning Yuxi had quietly stood beside him, her voice gentle and even, like celestial music.
Lin Wanrong took her hand and smiled, "Hasn't this decision already been made? Why are you asking again, Sister?"
"It's different," Ning the Fairy gravely shook her head. "I have never told you the risks of this matter. I hope you consider the pros and cons before making your decision."
Ning Yuxi looked serious. Lin Wanrong, puzzled, asked, "What risks? Could you please be more specific, Sister?"
The Fairy slowly paced a few steps and spoke softly, "Your goal in participating in this sheep snatching competition is to use Yujia to attract the Right Prince of the Turks and other nobles. That way, the Turkic cavalry will shift their defensive focus to the outskirts, and the city's defenses will slacken. If Tursun attends the competition, it's highly likely that the Khagan of the Turks will co to watch. If there's a chance to directly capture the Khagan and other important ministers, that's excellent. However, if the defense outside the city is too tight to act, you can take advantage of the chaotic, weak city defenses to sneak into Kyzil city along with various tribes. Once you're in the Turkic royal court, the job of capturing the city is half done. Am I right?"
"Correct, you really do understand ," Lin Wanrong nodded approvingly.
Ning Yuxi smiled, "The tribes that are eligible to enter the city are all exceptional participants in the sheep snatching competition. If you want a chance to infiltrate, you must also win several rounds. Although this thod is risky, it's not impossible. The key lies with Yujia; she has to appear before the tribes without revealing our whereabouts."
This was precisely what Lin Wanrong was worried about. He hurriedly said, "Sister, didn't you say you have a way?"
The Fairy sighed, "I do have a way, but I'm afraid you won't be able to go through with it. The best way to prevent Yujia from revealing our whereabouts is to make her forget everything."
"Forget everything?" Lin Wanrong was shocked, "How could she forget?"
Ning Yuxi gently held his hand and smiled, "Little thief, do you rember our first eting? "
"Of course, I shot you a few tis, and you shot a few needles. Thinking back, those shots and needles were fate," he laughed heartily but felt confused. They were talking about Yujia, why had the Fairy shifted to their first eting?
"'I have never known you before. Treating you this way today is out of necessity. Your fate with Qingxuan is like the moon in the water or a flower in the mirror, an impossibility. This needle won't hurt you, but it will make you forget about Qingxuan. Don't bla '—"
The Fairy's words hinted at a solution, one that filled the space between them with a solemn atmosphere, layering further complexity onto their already intricate plans.
Fairy Ning spoke in a lancholy tone, her silver needle shimring in her hand. It was as if they were back in the birch forest outside the city, the setting of their first encounter. Certain mories were indelible, and these words were spoken by Fairy herself.
Lin Wanrong understood Ning Yuxi's intent as soon as he heard the last sentence. ‘If she has a way to make forget Qingxuan, then she can also make Yujia forget . Both cups of the world's 'Forgetful Water' have been drunk by !’ He licked his chapped lips and sighed deeply, a swirl of emotions he could not articulate flooding his mind. "Sister, are you going to inject Yujia so that she forgets ?"
Ning Yuxi replied in a helpless tone, "It's not about making her forget you. I want her to forget everything that has happened since she entered the grassland from Helan Mountain. Whether it's the Sea of Death or the peak of Tianshan, even in her dreams, she won't be able to recall any of it."
‘Is it that easy to erase all mories?’ Lin Wanrong stood dumbfounded, unable to speak for a long while.
He had no doubt about Ning Yuxi's words. In fact, he himself had almost suffered a similar fate to Yujia. Unexpectedly, so much ti had passed, and now the sa fate threatened a beautiful woman from another nation. How ironic that he had beco the one orchestrating this fate. The god had a twisted sense of humor indeed.
Standing quietly, Lin Wanrong said nothing, his complex emotions surging like waves. Only Ning Yuxi, who had witnessed all this, could truly understand him.
"Little thief—" The Fairy gently tugged at his sleeve, her eyes revealing deep concern.
Lin Wanrong exhaled deeply and gave her a slight smile. "I'm fine. As the victor, I have the right to deal with prisoners of war, no matter their gender or appearance. Isn't that why I brought her here? Fairy Sister, when are you planning to do it?"
"Little thief, are you sure—" Ning Yuxi looked at him, biting her red lips, her words stuck in her throat.
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "A Great Hua person and a Turk, two opposing nations—forgetting might be the best outco for her. She only has a few months to live; let her spend the rest of her ti carefree."
Fairy Ning stared at him in disbelief, "She can forget, but what about you? Living with mories takes more courage than forgetting!"
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily and shook his head, "Sister, why are you speaking in such complex terms? I'm a simple man; I don't have as many complicated thoughts as you do."
Ning Yuxi looked at him for a long mont. For the first ti, she found it hard to read his innermost feelings. This oscillation between closeness and distance intrigued her. She sighed softly, "Given Yujia's stubborn nature, erasing her mories won't be as simple as just using a needle. It will consu a lot of my energy. This thod is heinous and goes against the heavens; I'm sure I'll be punished for it."
Lin Wanrong held both her hands tightly and smiled gently, "Don't worry, I'll bear any punishnt. I swear to challenge the heavens to the end!"
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