Finest Servant

Chapter 580 Unfamiliar Roads

The Altai Mountains, known in the Turkic language as "Golden Peaks," stood majestic and extensive, lying between the Tianshan mountain range and the Alxa Grasslands. They served as a natural barrier shielding the desert and snow-capped mountains. The renowned Irtysh River originated here, flowing gently from south to north, its final destination being Uvs Nuur (Uvs Lake, the largest lake in Mongolia) in the Alxa Grasslands.

Crossing the towering and rugged ranges of the Altai, the first sight that met the eye was an endless green carpet that meandered toward the horizon. Countless vibrant flowers were strewn across it, colorful and charming. A broad and crystal-clear river tumbled down from the hills, making its way slowly into the distance. In the warmth of the spring sun, the surface of the water sparkled, shimmering with golden light.

"We've made it! We've really made it!" After months of travel, crossing snowy mountains and vast deserts, enduring life-or-death hardships, the sight of the verdant plains elicited jubilant cheers and tears of joy from the soldiers.

From the Helan Mountains to the Altai, they had taken a path never before traversed by anyone, successfully bypassing the numerous tribes scattered across the grasslands. They'd silently entered the heartland of the Turkic people. It was their first time crossing the Helan Mountains, their first time setting foot in the Alxa Grasslands, and their first time standing before the Turkic Royal Court. The dreams of countless frontier soldiers were realized one by one; this was destined to be a glorious and great expedition that would be recorded in the annals of the Great Hua Empire.

Along the riverbank, countless cattle and sheep grazed leisurely on lush grass, like movable chess pieces on a board. Herds of fine horses galloped and neighed, their flying manes resembling rolling waves. From afar, the clear and resonant singing of herding tribespeople wafted over, lingering in the air.

Green grass, clear water, and blue skies—the beautiful Alxa Grasslands were peaceful and tranquil, like a secluded paradise detached from the worldly realm.

Overwhelmed by the breathtaking scenery, even a calm person like Hu Bugui found himself misty-eyed. "We've really arrived. This is Khovd. Crossing this point will bring us face-to-face with the Turkic Royal Court. It's like a dream. Old Gao, pinch me, quick!"

Gao Qiu chuckled and said solemnly, "What dream? This is reality! I always believed that as long as Brother Lin led us, no matter what difficulties lay ahead, we would reach the Royal Court. Wasn't my prediction spot-on?"

"Brother Lin, what's our next move? Do we go charging ahead?" Li Wuling's eyes glinted as he looked at the herds of cattle and sheep along the riverbanks. His injuries had long since healed, and he was eager to get into action.

"What's the rush?" Lin Wanrong chuckled and surveyed his surroundings. "This Khovd is a treasure trove, hiding many precious things. I want to find something special here."

"Treasure?!" At the mention of the word, Gao Qiu's eyes practically glowed green. "What kind of treasure? Gold, silver, or pearls and agate? Brother Lin, rest assured, I, Old Gao, am an expert in finding treasures. Even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I'll find it for you."@@novelbin@@

Li Wuling waved his hand disdainfully. "Gold and silver treasures? The Turks can't even forge a decent blade. Where would they get such treasures? You're more likely to dig up some sheep bones."

It was true. The Turks' metallurgical skills were far inferior to those of the Great Hua Empire. The weapons they forged were exceedingly crude, so Li Wuling's contempt wasn't entirely unfounded.

Lin Wanrong chuckled. "You'll find out what treasures we're after soon enough. Brother Hu, have the scouts been dispatched?"

Hu Bugui nodded hastily. "Yes, more than twenty men have been sent out. We're nearing the heart of the Turkic kingdom, so to avoid alarming the enemy, I've instructed them to scout within a hundred-mile radius and report back immediately. They've been warned against reckless advances."

"Good," Lin Wanrong waved a grand hand, then his tone grew serious. "Order the troops to set up camp here tonight. As we are close to the enemy's stronghold, be prepared for sudden changes. No tents, no campfires. Sleep on the ground in your armor. Violators will face military law!"

Hu Bugui nodded urgently, about to turn and execute the order when Lin Wanrong called out again, "Come back—"

Hu Bugui turned to face him. Lin Wanrong looked pensive for a moment before he sighed lightly, "Keep a close eye on Yujia!"

This reminder was timely. Ever since they entered the Sea of Death from Yiwu, Yujia had shared both joys and sorrows with everyone, changing the opinions of higher-ups like Hu Bugui and Li Wuling. The lines of enmity were blurring. They had been in the desert and the snowy mountains, but now they were deep in the grasslands, near Kyzil—essentially Yujia's territory. If she were to make a secret move, allowing the Turks to detect them early, everything could be ruined.

"I understand," Hu Bugui responded solemnly, and then hurried off.

Li Wuling blinked, whispering, "Brother Lin, have you seen Yujia these past few days?"

Lin Wanrong shook his head. Ever since they descended the snowy mountain, Yujia had been avoiding him, her expression as placid as water. Gone were the days of icy glares; now they were like strangers.

Li Wuling sighed and made a sad face. "What a pity. If only she wasn't a Turk!"

‘If she wasn't a Turk, we might never have met her in the first place!’ Lin Wanrong laughed briefly, his feelings mixed. What would it be like if he met Yujia on the battlefield? The transition from sharing life and death to a fight to the death was indeed a curious facet of life.

The army had re-entered the grasslands and was enjoying a rare moment of respite. Situated at the heart of the Turkic territory, they were on the brink of war, yet the soldiers were surprisingly content. After crossing the deserts and mountains, they had already faced life and death; what did it matter if they were near the Turkic court? Fear was behind them.

Lin Wanrong roamed near the base of the mountain, his eyes scanning in all directions as if looking for something. Despite spending nearly an hour wandering, he found nothing. Just as he was about to head towards a small hill in the distance, Gao Qiu beside him exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, isn't that Yujia?" ℝАＮΟ฿Еṥ

"Yujia?" Lin Wanrong looked up and saw a graceful figure sitting on a distant slope, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her gaze seemed to wander, as if lost in thought.

It was indeed Yujia! She was still wearing that oversized robe, which tightly enveloped her delicate frame, creating an enticing silhouette. This robe was something he'd bartered for amidst the snows of the Tianshan Mountains; it was now hers. Lin Wanrong hesitated for a moment before striding toward her.

The rustling of footsteps stirred Yujia from her reverie. She glanced over with an inexplicably indifferent expression.

As Lin Wanrong approached the slope, a unique scent filled the air—somewhere between a fragrance and a bitterness. He sniffed deeply, feeling invigorated. Picking up the pace, he reached the top of the slope and greeted her with a faint smile, "Hello, little sister. Enjoying the view?"

Without uttering a word, Yujia stood and walked past him, heading down the hill.

Unfazed, Lin Wanrong smiled and looked ahead. The scenery on either side of the slope was strikingly different. On one side, lush green grass; on the other, a vast expanse of barren land dotted with small, leafy trees, their leaves shaped like bananas. Some of the larger trees were already in bloom, showing off pink, purple, and white flowers in a captivating display.

"I know this plant too well." Lin Wanrong beamed with delight, taking a deep breath and exclaiming, "What beautiful Nose-piercing Grass!"

Yujia, who had walked a few yards away, suddenly paused. She turned back with a glint of coldness in her eyes. "How do you know this is Nose-piercing Grass?"

‘How could I not?’ Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Little sister, are you asking me?"

Yujia clenched her teeth and nodded slightly.

Lin Wanrong blinked and said, "Didn't you use this Nose-piercing Grass to treat Little Li? I saw it that day. What's so strange about it?"

"You're lying!" Yujia shot him a cold stare, piercing through his lie. "When I was treating him, I used dried and shredded Nose-piercing Grass, thin as silk. This immature Nose-piercing Grass growing on the trees here has to be dried, baked, and cut to reach that form. When did you ever see this immature Nose-piercing Grass?"

Yujia was indeed clever, catching him in the act. Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Little sister, don't forget, I'm an extraordinary man who has traveled through various countries. It's not surprising for me to know about Nose-piercing Grass. Not only do I recognize it, but I can also use it in many ways. Believe it or not!"

The claim that he had traveled various countries was hardly credible to begin with. But she had no way of challenging it now. Yujia glanced at him, snorted dismissively, and turned her head away.

"It's not strange for me to recognize Nose-piercing Grass, given that I've wandered from south to north," Lin Wanrong casually bragged, scrutinizing her at ease. "But for you, little sister, knowing about this is quite mysterious. As far as I know, even in your Turkic lands, knowledge of Nose-piercing Grass is a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few. So how did you, so young, come to know of it?"

"I read it in a book!" Yujia replied coldly.

"Learned from books?!" Lin Wanrong widened his eyes in bewilderment. "I've also read many strange books, such as 'The 36 Scattered Hands of Dongxuanzi,' 'The Heart Sutra of the Nun and the Lustful Woman,' and the teachings of old monks in 'The Carnal Prayer Mat.' I've flipped through these ancient and extraordinary books many times, so why haven't I come across these records?"

"You certainly read some unusual books!" Yueya'er blushed and turned her head away, choosing to ignore him.

"Brother Lin, is this what you've been looking for—just a few trees?" Gao Qiu expressed his disappointment, sighing deeply.

Lin Wanrong patted him on the shoulder and smiled faintly, "True, they're just trees, but these trees can grow gold. If we use this to swindle the Westerners, we'd be almost certain to succeed! This place is called Khovd, right? Remember it well, Brother Gao, hehe."

Gao Qiu seemed confused, not quite catching what Lin Wanrong was talking about. However, Yujia heard him loud and clear. Her face paled, and she exclaimed in a startled and angry voice, "Wo Lao Gong, what are you planning?"

Lin Wanrong casually waved his hand, "I haven't decided what to do yet. I'll think about it tonight. When I have time in the future, I'll let Miss Yujia know."

The bandit truly was skilled, even knowing about this. Yujia looked at him in amazement, only to see Lin Wanrong appearing calm and composed, grinning as if he were harmless.

"If you dare to plunder Khovd, I will never forgive you!" Terrified, the Turkic girl suddenly looked up, her eyes emitting a glimmer of cold light as she stared at him.

"You won't forgive me?" Lin Wanrong sighed, "Miss Yujia, we have an old saying in Great Hua, 'Only the governor is allowed to light a fire, but the common people can't even light a lamp.' I take one Khovd from you, and you won't forgive me. But have you ever considered how much land your Turkic people have taken from my Great Hua, how many of my people have been harmed? Will they forgive you?"

Yujia fell silent. It was an inextricable deadlock, a dilemma so complex that even the smartest person in the world would feel helpless before it.

"Miss Yujia, your home is in Kyzil, right?" Lin Wanrong suddenly glanced at her and asked with a smile.

When Great Hua cavalry miraculously appeared on the peak of the Altai Mountains, Yujia already knew what he intended. Upon hearing this, she turned her head defiantly and gritted her teeth, "Why are you asking this? What does it matter if it's true or not?"

Lin Wanrong quietly shook his head. As he stood on the hill, the darkening night sky gradually descended, and the cold wind of the grassland continued to swirl, making a whistling sound in his ears.

"It's getting dark, and the wind is about to rise," he sighed softly, but it struck Yujia's heart like a heavy hammer.

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