Finest Servant

Chapter 570 The Storm

The shout seemed to grow wings, swiftly spreading from the rear to the front of the formation. The entire troop was instantly electrified, their enthusiasm blazing like wildfire. Soldiers hugged each other in excitement, their cheers interweaving into a cacophony that filled the air. Joy and exhilaration filled their hearts, and even the cruel Sea of Death they found themselves in seemed a little less intimidating.

"General, the porridge is ready!" Xu Zhen hurriedly jogged over, his face flushed with excitement. He held a wooden bowl in his hands, filled with steaming-hot porridge—a clear broth with a few grains of rice and mixed grains settled at the bottom.

The food had been carefully preserved, designated specifically for the injured Li Wuling. Cooking porridge in a desert where even a drop of water was worth its weight in gold was an extraordinary luxury. Yet, for Li Wuling's sake, the five thousand soldiers willingly offered the precious water from their canteens without a word of complaint.

A Turkic young woman sat atop a carriage, witnessing this scene. Her brows furrowed slightly, her expression perplexed. Such acts of mutual aid and love were unimaginable among the Turkic people, who revered the law of the jungle.

Lin Wanrong and Old Gao together propped up Li Wuling. Xu Zhen blew on the scalding porridge to cool it down before carefully spooning it into Li Wuling’s mouth.

The warm porridge slid down his throat, infusing Li Wuling with a trace of strength. After chewing and swallowing a few mouthfuls, he took a long, deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.

"Little Li, how are you feeling?" Seeing Li Wuling awaken once more, Hu Bugui couldn’t help but wipe a tear from his eye, asking with palpable relief.

Li Wuling’s lips were pale, but his waxen face broke into a long-absent smile. "Brother Hu, Brother Gao, I’m still alive, aren’t I?"

Li Wuling nodded softly, "I'm good. How are all of you—Brother Lin, Brother Gao, Brother Hu?"

"We're all fine," Lin Wanrong assured him, patting him on the head with a smile. "We’re all eating and sleeping well. In a few days, when you’re fully recovered, we’ll take you horseback riding, explore the Lop Nur, and traverse the Tianshan Mountains to do something earth-shattering. How does that sound?"

"Sounds great," Li Wuling’s face lit up with excitement. "I love being part of big ventures with Brother Lin. Whether or not we gain an advantage, I don’t know. But I’m sure we won’t be at a loss—that’s what Aunt Xu told me!"

‘Aunt Xu said that? Why is she discussing these things with Li? Is she trying to ruin my reputation?’ Lin Wanrong broke into a cold sweat. Everyone exchanged glances, then burst into unrestrained laughter, the jubilant atmosphere spreading among them.

With Li Wuling awake, a massive weight was lifted from Lin Wanrong's heart. The melancholy that had gripped the soldiers due to their continuous marching and facing the Sea of Death was gone. Now everyone was uplifted, their morale soaring. Li Wuling’s awakening at this crucial juncture was like a shot of adrenaline for them all, boosting their confidence to an unprecedented level. They were now filled with the belief that they would emerge from this Sea of Death unscathed.

Little Li had been in a deep sleep for several days, his body frail. After sipping a few mouthfuls of porridge and uttering a few words, his eyelids grew heavy and he soon fell back asleep. This deep slumber was a self-regulatory response of his body, a sign of gradual improvement. Though he had not yet fully recovered, it was now only a matter of time.

Lin Wanrong and Old Hu carefully lifted him onto the cart. Gao Qiu meticulously examined his wounds and listened to his heartbeat. Finally, his face lit up with a smile and he exclaimed, "As long as he is properly taken care of, Little Li should be able to walk on his own in three or four days. I may not like the Turks, but I must admit, this Yueya'er girl has some skills. First, she pulled Little Li back from the brink of death, which was already miraculous. And now she said he would wake up in three days, and he actually did. I can't help but be impressed!"

Old Gao, though not much of a physician, was still a martial arts expert. If he said that Li Wuling could walk in three or four days, he was likely right.

Hu Bugui nodded in agreement, "In terms of medical skills alone, this Turkic girl has quite the ability. Moreover, she saved Little Li's life, for which I hold great respect."

Hearing them mention the girl, Lin Wanrong suddenly realized that since Li Wuling had awakened, everyone's attention had focused on him, completely overlooking the Turkic girl. She had been in the cart just before the rescue, but now she was nowhere to be found. Luckily, they were in the vast desert of the Sea of Death, so no one worried she might escape.

After settling Li Wuling, they all disembarked from the cart. The setting sun dipped below the horizon, casting its golden rays over the Lop Nur. For once, the treacherous terrain showed a gentle face. The wind lightly caressed their cheeks, as if touched by the soft hands of a young girl.

Taking advantage of the momentary respite, Lin Wanrong checked their provisions. If nothing went wrong, they could manage for another four or five days.

As he walked from the front of the line to the rear and was about to return, he suddenly heard the distant, haunting melody of music. It seemed mournful and bitter, leaving a lasting impression on him.

Far away, on a sand dune, the sun sank slowly, forming a perfect red circle. A graceful figure stood still, her silhouette casting a faint shadow in the crimson sunset, like a watercolor painting come to life.

Her flowing dress flapped in the gusts of sandy wind as she gazed silently into the distance, as still as a speck of dust in the vast desert.

"A dead tree shrouded in crows, a small bridge over flowing water, an ancient road in the western wind with a gaunt horse. The setting sun in the west, leaving the broken-hearted at the end of the world—what a poem, what a poem indeed!"

A chattering voice came from behind her, accompanied by a few light claps. The Turkic girl set down her jade flute, a faint smile appearing on her lips as she softly hummed, "Indeed, 'shrouded in crows.' You certainly know yourself well." R̃аＮȯᛒЁs

Lin Wanrong chuckled awkwardly, then climbed the sand dune to stand beside her. "You truly are in high spirits, Divine Physician. In this boundless desert, you still find the time to watch the sunset and play your jade flute. I must say, I, this rough guy, admire you greatly."

"Rough guy? Wo Lao Gong, you're quite modest for once," the Turkic girl sneered coldly.

"Being a rough guy equates to being modest?" Lin Wanrong looked genuinely shocked. "If so, you have terrible judgment. I've been a rough guy for quite some time; even if I wanted to be refined, I can't!"

The corner of his mouth twitched into a barely perceptible smile. Having observed him for some time, Yujia understood his disposition well enough. Whenever he wore that grin, he was hardly up to any good. The young lady gave a soft 'tch' and put away the small jade flute she'd been holding.

"Here, this is for you," Lin Wanrong said, handing a golden blade to Yujia.

It was unusual for a bandit like him to be so generous. Gazing at the glimmering blade, the Turkic girl hesitated for a moment.

"You're actually giving this back to me?" Doubt and suspicion filled her face.

"Of course. Do you think my reputation as an 'honest young man' is undeserved?" Lin Wanrong looked at her, a little displeased. "This little blade isn't of much use to me, apart from maybe clipping my nails. If I said I'd give it back, I meant it. Don't get too moved; it's your rightful possession."

"Moved? By what?" Yujia glared at him. The sincerity in his earlier words was completely negated by his insufferably smug attitude that followed.

She hesitated for a moment before finally extending her hand to grasp the golden blade firmly. She pulled lightly a couple of times but, inexplicably, the blade remained stuck. She tried again, and still, it didn't budge.

"Why are you holding so tight—let go!" Yujia exclaimed, her face flushing red.

"Oh, I thought you didn't want it anymore!" Lin Wanrong chuckled and naturally loosened his grip. "You seem to care a lot about this little blade. Does it hold some secret?"

Frustrated, Yujia thrust the blade back into his hands. "What secret? Just keep it!"

"So, are you giving me this blade?" Lin Wanrong burst into laughter, reaching for it once more. "I must say, I'm not a big fan of small blades."

"Who's giving it to you? Give it back!" Yujia snatched the blade back, her eyes tinged with a flush, her expression one of pure irritation.

Lin Wanrong watched her, smiling faintly, "Fair is fair; I've returned your blade. But I am very grateful for your kindness, Miss Yujia."

Yujia's expression chilled, her lovely face turning frosty. "Why are you thanking me? Don't forget, the people who wounded your comrade were also Turkic. You killed my people; we Turkic have also killed yours. Our two nations are naturally incompatible. If you hadn't offered something in exchange, do you think I would save an enemy of my people?"

"Enemy? Well said, Miss Yujia," Lin Wanrong chuckled, speaking calmly. "Given your extensive knowledge, I'd like to ask: What exactly is the grudge between my Great Hua and your Turkic people? Who turned us into irreconcilable enemies?"

The scornful sneer on his lips was a slap to Yujia's face; she couldn't answer his question. The truth was evident: her ancestors were the ones who first invaded Great Hua. Gritting her teeth, she avoided his gaze. "Don't ask me; I don't know."

Lin Wanrong sneered coldly, "Miss Yujia, one should always speak the truth. Don't you know what your people, what your ancestors have done? Seems to me you've selectively forgotten."

"And what business is it of yours?!" Yujia hissed through clenched teeth, like a provoked lioness.

Arguing with a woman was as challenging as reaching for the stars. Lin Wanrong sighed, "Human beings are insignificant, caught in the webs of history. All we see are life-or-death struggles and irreconcilable conflicts. But who knows? Centuries from now, two nations that once crossed swords might live in harmony and prosper together. Compared to the long river of history, we, who think ourselves so great, are but specks of dust. No matter how much you prance around, thinking you're important, history will eventually bury you. The same goes for me, Miss Yujia."

His tone was uncharacteristically solemn, every word heartfelt. Even Yujia could sense the sincerity and resignation in the bandit's heart.

It was a rare side of him. The Turkic maiden paused, whispering, "Harmony and mutual prosperity? Is that even possible?"

"Ethnic integration is the natural course of history. Take, for example, the countless skeletons and star-crossed lovers we see along the Silk Road. Does it matter who is from Great Hua and who is Turkic? Don't they all help one another through hardships?"

Yujia pondered his words and, surprisingly, offered no rebuttal.

"Centuries from now, there will be no boundaries like the Helan Mountains. Within the plains, all ethnic groups will live in peace; you'll find a bit of me in you and a bit of you in me. We won't even be able to differentiate between us."

Yujia blushed furiously and scoffed, "What do you mean 'a bit of me in you and a bit of you in me'? You bandit, how shameless!"

Lin Wanrong was dumbstruck. ‘Shameless? Heaven have mercy; you're the one with the dirty mind! I'm an innocent man with no such intentions! This Turkic woman really dares to think anything.’

"Why are you staring at me? How would you know what happens centuries from now?" The girl snorted, her cheeks still flushed, seemingly a little embarrassed.

‘You little temptress, if I'm not staring at you, who should I stare at?’ Lin Wanrong winked and said with a smile, “Don't forget, I can read the stars and palms. I know what will happen five hundred years before and after—it's a great secret that I've only told you. Don't share it with anyone, okay?"

Seeing his mischievous expression, Yujia wanted to laugh but held back. "You've said so much about ethnic integration and peaceful coexistence. Don't forget, our nations are at war right now. If I ask you to cease attacks on my people, would you agree?"@@novelbin@@

Yujia was indeed a thoughtful woman; her question caught Lin Wanrong off guard. After pondering for a moment, he silently shook his head. Peaceful coexistence was a future tense; the present war still had to be fought. Only when both sides were sufficiently pained and scared would they quiet down and seriously consider the future.

Yujia could read Lin Wanrong's thoughts just by looking at his face. She couldn't help but snort, "You're all talk, but deep down, you're no different, are you? Despicable!"

"Being caught in the webs of history does make one feel trapped," Lin Wanrong sighed helplessly, untying the water pouch from his waist and handing it to Yujia. "Thinking about all this gives me a headache. Let's just forget it. Here's your water pouch back."

"What are you doing?" Yujia was furious, and she waved her hand dismissively. "I don't want anything you've tainted!"

Lin Wanrong responded earnestly, "I swear on my honor that I haven't touched a drop of this water!"

"Why didn't you?" Yujia clenched her teeth defiantly. "We, the Turkic people, never take back what we've given. This is me returning it to you; it belongs to you. If you don't like it, go ahead and pour it into the desert."

Only a fool would pour water into the desert. Seeing Yujia turn her head away in stubbornness, Lin Wanrong didn't know what to say. Despite being enemies, they were now oddly fussing over a water pouch. The thought made him feel strange.

They debated and argued, neither convincing the other, until both fell silent.

Amidst golden sands and under a sky tinged with the hues of a setting sun, the scenery was peculiarly beautiful. Yujia gazed into the distance, suddenly letting out a cry of astonishment, "What—what is that?"

Lin Wanrong hummed in acknowledgment and looked up. Far in the distance, above the horizon, misty clouds revealed the slow emergence of a green forest. High above the forest soared a majestic castle, its flags flapping in the wind. Countless pavilions, city walls, carriages, and officials were visible, all in vivid detail. Surrounding the city, a clear river flowed gently, with herds of horses, cattle, and sheep grazing at ease. Joyous young men and women ran freely, singing as they rode their horses.

The castle that had suddenly appeared on the horizon seemed like a market in the sky, so vivid that it felt within reach. The gurgling river was especially enticing for those stranded in the desert. Not only were Lin Wanrong and Yujia spellbound, but all the soldiers were also stunned.

"Where is this, Heaven?" Yujia murmured, utterly captivated.

"Heaven?" A lightbulb went off in Lin Wanrong's mind. He jumped up, exclaiming, "I know what it is—it's a mirage!"

"A mirage?" Yujia frowned slightly, looking at him with eager eyes. "What's a mirage?"

‘The girl who grew up on the grasslands has never seen a mirage? That's a pity,’ Lin Wanrong chuckled. "An ancient poem says, 'By the sea, vapors form into towers; across the fields, they take the shape of palaces.' A mirage is caused by the refraction of sunlight, layering images upon the distant sky. That's why we see markets, castles, rivers, and people, all vivid and moving. In our ancient Great Hua myths, Mirage is a type of mythical sea creature capable of forming such illusions; hence the term 'mirage.'"

Mirages typically appear over the sea. It was rare to encounter one in the desert, so it was understandable that Yujia had never seen one.

Yujia let out a sigh and softly said, "Mirage. What an intriguing name, doesn't seem like something someone would just make up. Bandit, you've never been to the desert before, so how could you know the origin of Mirage?"

"Because I'm diligent and studious. Well-read, you see," Lin Wanrong replied, not blinking an eye as he spun his tale.

"I don't believe you!" Yujia chuckled, her eyes brightening as they gazed at the distant landscape. "Imagine a marketplace in the sky, called a Mirage! How wonderful it would be if I could see it!"

‘See what? The actual Mirage is at least a thousand miles away. How would you find it?’ Lin Wanrong said with a smile. "Who knows, maybe our situation here is being reflected in the sky as well, turning into a Mirage in the eyes of people far away."

"Really? Are we also a Mirage?" Yujia turned towards him, her eyes filled with joy and longing.

‘Women are truly the easiest creatures to please in the world,’ Lin Wanrong chuckled. "It's probably true. You look at the scenery from the bridge, and those looking at the scenery are viewing you from the tower. Isn't that the same idea?"

Yujia glanced at him and lowered her head. "Wo Lao Gong, you don't seem like someone who has read many books. How can you speak so eloquently?"

‘Me, not read books? Which eye of yours saw that? I flip through the picture album given to me by Gao Qiu every day!’ Lin Wanrong snorted with a forced smile. "'An educated rogue scares the women.' Be careful, Miss Yujia!"

Yujia paused for a moment, then burst into delicate laughter. "If all rogues were as enlightened as you, we women would have nothing to fear!"

‘This is contempt, naked contempt.’ Lin Wanrong gritted his teeth in annoyance. Yujia shook her head softly, "I never thought that in the Sea of Death, there would be such peculiar scenes. Others are our Mirage, and we are theirs. Wo Lao Gong, you've quite summed up the myriad phenomena of the human world."

‘Do I really have such profound insight?’ Lin Wanrong himself was surprised and laughed.

The spectacle of Mirage caught the eyes of the soldiers as well, who marveled and speculated about omens of good fortune for their military campaign.

After a short while, the sky market gradually dissipated. The Mirage turned into a wisp of ethereal smoke and was gone. Yujia stared, muttering, "Mirage, it was just a dream, all fake."

As the smoke cleared and the winds picked up, the sand felt like it was stinging their faces. The Sea of Death seemed to suddenly grow furious, and a wild wind began to howl. Where Mirage had vanished, a deep yellow cloud was approaching rapidly, and its angry roar was already audible.

"What is this?" Lin Wanrong wondered.

After a closer look, Yujia's face turned pale. "It's a desert storm!"

Before she could finish speaking, the once-calm Sea of Death changed its countenance in an instant. Sand and rocks flew in the air, and the winds raged. The fast-approaching yellow cloud, with its howling noise, charged towards them. The world turned a murky yellow, and faces were barely discernible from a few yards away.

"The storm is coming, the storm is coming! All men and horses, get down immediately, tighten your grip, lean on each other—" The desert-hardened Hu Bugui roared at the top of his lungs against the howling wind. Nearby, Gao Qiu and Xu Zhen had already helped Li Wuling off the cart and shielded him with their bodies.

They had weathered a few desert storms in the preceding days, but the scale and ferocity of this one were incomparable to the others.

The furious winds roared past their ears. A menacing yellow cloud approached rapidly, revealing a hideous face. An endless expanse of yellow sand filled the sky, swirling like a massive, fast-spinning top. It lunged forward with a fierce howl, spinning as it went, kicking up dust and gravel as if they were sharp blades.

The sand dunes beneath their feet seemed restless, as if wanting to take flight. It was impossible to stand; the windblown sand choked their mouths and noses, making breathing nearly impossible.

"Run!" Lin Wanrong yelled, grabbing Yujia and sprinting down a sand dune. The wind howled behind them, as if a great weight pressed against their backs. They ran as fast as they could. With each step, the ground beneath them felt lighter, as if they would be lifted off the ground any moment.

Before they had gone far, the dune behind them erupted, lifted entirely by the sandstorm. It joined the whirling sands in the air to form a larger, more ferocious storm that hurtled toward them.

"Get down, get down now!" Lin Wanrong screamed, but the wind was so loud that he couldn't even hear his own voice. Every time he opened his mouth, large amounts of sand poured in, causing him to cough and gasp for air. He held onto Yujia's hand as tightly as he could and yelled with all his might.

The Turkic girl seemed to hear him. She suddenly bent her knees, tightened her grip on his hand, and they both crouched down.

The windswept sand circled them, howling, pulling with a force that threatened to lift them off the ground. Lin Wanrong felt as if his body, weighing over a hundred and fifty pounds, was about to ascend into the sky like a grain of sand in the desert.

Biting his teeth together, Lin Wanrong knew that being swept into the sky would be like jumping into a blender—death by dismemberment awaited. He let out a furious roar and dug his feet into the sand, increasing the friction to prevent himself from being lifted into the air.

A muted groan came from the wind, soft but clear to Lin Wanrong's ears.

It was Yujia!

He tightened his grip on the girl's hand and struggled to open his eyes amidst the blinding sand. He saw the Turkic girl's body swaying in the wind, like a willow tree about to be uprooted. Her face was stubborn, and she seemed resolved not to cry out for help even at the brink of death.

‘Stubborn woman!’ Infuriated, Lin Wanrong roared as he lunged forward, scooping her up into his arms.

Yujia's body trembled. Unyielding even in the face of death, she struggled violently in his arms.

"What are you doing? Do you want to die?" Lin Wanrong shouted into her ear with all his strength. Amidst the harsh winds and flying sand, he seemed like a fearsome wolf.

Yujia's body tensed, her eyes straining to meet his gaze. The bandit's roaring expression resembled that of an enraged deity. A myriad of colors flickered in the Turkic girl's eyes, infinitely complex and ever-changing.

Seeing her struggle no more, Lin Wanrong finally let out a sigh of relief. ‘This Turkic woman is wilder than a leopard. I wouldn't be able to control her without getting a bit tough.’

A violent wind swept around them, the two clinging to each other amidst the howling. Their bodies swayed like a small boat tossed on ocean waves.

With a tearing sound, Lin Wanrong's robe was ripped apart by a sharp rock behind him. The wind blew the tattered cloth skyward.

"The water pouch!" Yujia screamed, arms outstretched. Curling within Lin Wanrong's arms, she had a clear view of the water pouch hanging from his waist. It twirled in the wind along with the torn robe, finally landing several feet away.

‘Water is life!’ Thought Lin Wanrong, his heart aching, but he couldn't dwell on it. Losing water was one thing; losing her would be losing everything.

Before he could finish the thought, he felt a sudden lightness in his arms. Yujia had darted out like a nimble leopardess, running straight for the water pouch.

The howling wind circled her, threatening to lift her off the ground. With a swift dive, she fell to the ground and reached out her hand. Her body faced the wind, and though her fingers were mere inches from the water pouch, she couldn't quite grasp it. Her lips bled from biting them, her legs propelling her body forward. Despite her efforts, the wind lifted her slowly, her fingers always a hair's breadth away from the pouch.

Just when it seemed the wind would carry her away, Yujia closed her eyes, two tears rolling down her cheeks. She was about to let go when she felt herself being pulled back.

A voice almost roaring in her ear exclaimed, "Foolish woman, do you have a death wish?"

Tears instantly flowed from the Turkic girl's eyes. In a swift move, she grasped the water pouch and held it tightly to her chest.

Lin Wanrong's face was covered in dust, his feet buried in the sand, crouching as he held onto Yujia. It was he who had risked his life to come to her aid, yet he couldn't suppress the anger within him. "What on Earth are you doing? If you don't want to live, I do! You're going to drive me mad!"

"I'm not doing anything," the girl retorted, her voice several times louder than his, like an angry young leopard. "The water I gave you mustn't be wasted, not a single drop! Do you understand? That's it!"

Having said that, she clung to the water pouch and darted back into Lin Wanrong's embrace, burying her head into his chest and refusing to move.

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