Finest Servant

Chapter 582 The Handsome Turkic Man

"Is there movement on the Helan Mountain front?!" Hu Bugui was the quickest to react. After some thought, he urgently said, "General, do you mean that Advisor Xu might have intentionally staged some actions against the Turks near Helan Mountain to force the Turkic people to send reinforcements to the frontlines? If that's the case, then these one hundred thousand men aren't targeting us?!"

Gao Qiu made a surprised noise, then joyfully said, "If these one hundred thousand nomads are meant to reinforce Helan Mountain, wouldn't Kyzil become a deserted city once they leave? This could be excellent news!"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, "If we're going to make optimistic assumptions, there's no harm in being a little bold. Ever since we set Bayanhot on fire, the Turkic forces have been unable to capture Helan Mountain and have had to withdraw due to lack of supplies. That gave Lu Dongzan the opportunity to meet with me here in Yiwu. Miss Xu is fully aware of our goals. Since the nomads have pulled back, she would likely try to draw their attention to relieve pressure on us. She might be facing off with the nomads at the border between the grasslands and the desert right now. The first wave failed to capture Helan Mountain, so the Turkic forces had no choice but to send reinforcements to the front. Timing-wise, the appearance of these one hundred thousand men fits this hypothesis."

It seemed to make sense. Everyone nodded silently, listening as he continued.

"Another crucial point is that we've burned Bayanhot to the ground; not a single grain of food is left. The over two hundred thousand nomads who have retreated need a large amount of supplies. From Bayanhot to Yiwu, we have not discovered any supply stations for the nomads. This indicates that their supplies must be transported from deep within the Alxa Grasslands. This also aligns well with the mountains of supplies piled up outside Kyzil."

"Even if we step back and assume the Turkic forces have realized our intentions, Lu Dongzan, being smart as he is, has absolutely no reason to gather one hundred thousand men outside Kyzil. Isn't that just inviting us to flee? The best strategy would be to hide their numbers and ambush us, waiting for us to walk into a trap. Why would he openly show his hand?"

Upon hearing his analysis, everyone initially looked puzzled but then seemed to understand. They felt that this was a highly probable scenario.

"Of course, these are just my hopeful speculations. The true state of affairs is known only to the nomads themselves," Lin Wanrong sighed, his face becoming serious. "The road ahead is perilous; everyone must remain highly vigilant. While we must not act recklessly, we should also not lose courage before the battle even begins, scaring ourselves. Regardless of the Turkic forces' intentions, we have no way out. Since we've come this far, we must hit them hard. Otherwise, we would not only let down our brothers fighting valiantly below Helan Mountain but also fail ourselves. Do you all understand?"

After consulting with everyone, it was clear that the presence of the one hundred thousand nomads at Kyzil was an unchangeable reality. The most prudent course of action at the moment was to stick with the planned route while expanding the scope of reconnaissance, keeping a close eye on the movements of the nomads to see what they were up to.

The meeting had concluded, and it was now the middle of the night. A crescent moon hung high in the clear sky, its ethereal light sprinkling across the grass below. A chill, tinged with serenity, filled the air. Looking out, Lin Wanrong saw his soldiers lying on the grass, their snores barely audible. They were deep in peaceful slumber, their faces graced by faint smiles. Were they dreaming of their loved ones back home? Kyzil was near, but how many of these brothers would live to return?

"Fine wine in glowing cups, urged on by music as we ride. Do not mock those who lie drunk on the battlefield; how many come back from wars of old?" Standing on the quiet hillside, Lin Wanrong took a deep sigh, looking at his men's youthful faces covered in beards, feeling an indescribable weight in his heart.

"What's the matter?" A soft hand tightened around his palm as a gentle and melodious voice spoke softly beside him.

He turned slightly to see Ning Yuxi, her lips as red as rubies, her complexion like radiant jade, her eyes shimmering like pools of soft water. In the silver moonlight, her stunning face glowed with a faint iridescence. Her skirt floated in the breeze, and she seemed like a celestial being banished from the moon palace—pure, lofty, untouched by earthly concerns.

Lin Wanrong stared, entranced, for a moment before finally grasping her hands. "You are so beautiful," he murmured.

Ning Yuxi smiled gently. With a wave of her delicate hand, she brushed off a few stray blades of grass from his clothing. "Beauty and ugliness are but fleeting shells granted by Heaven. We come into this world empty-handed and leave the same way. Only you would care so much about these things."

"How can one be so indifferent? Admiring beauty is human nature," Lin Wanrong chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Facing someone as heavenly as you and remaining indifferent—forgive my directness, but that would be asking too much!"

Ning Yuxi blushed, lowering her head and saying softly, "Who is being harsh with you? I can't win against you in an argument. If you want to look, then look. I have lost all my spiritual cultivation anyway; what's left for you to take advantage of?"

Her cheeks seemed touched by a light rouge, blushing softly. The way she looked, so shy and slightly annoyed, was soul-stirring. Lin Wanrong was captivated. Holding her hand, he sighed softly, "How could I walk this perilous path of life and death without you, Fairy Sister, accompanying me?"

This was no exaggeration. From Xingqing to Helan Mountain, from Bayanhot to Khovd, he had faced countless perils and brushes with death. Without the protection of his Sister An and Ning Yuxi, he would have died many times over.

Seeing his somewhat melancholy expression, and recalling his earlier sigh, Ning Yuxi tightened her grip on his hand and gently asked, "Are you homesick, thief?"

"A little," Lin Wanrong nodded, letting out a soft sigh. Ning Yuxi was the epitome of grace and serenity. It was only in front of her that he could be so candid.

Thinking back to their first encounter when she had wanted to take his life, how brash and strong-willed he had been, recklessly firing muskets and deploying hidden weapons. She never thought he could be so lonely and vulnerable as well.

As thoughts of bygone days filled her mind, Ning Yuxi's eyes softened, shimmering like water. Gently, she smoothed out Lin Wanrong's disheveled hair and said softly, "Don't worry. With me by your side, even an army of thousands couldn't harm a single hair on your head. Once this battle is over, I'll go back with you, and you can live those happy days you long for."

Lin Wanrong shook his head slightly, a grateful smile on his lips. "I think of happy days every moment. But my concerns are not for myself."

"Then for whom?" Ning Yuxi asked, puzzled.

His gaze swept over the numerous young, resolute faces lying on the grass, their expressions peaceful even in sleep. Lin Wanrong sighed softly, "For these brothers in arms who share life and death with me. I brought them here alive, but how many can I take back in the same state?"

Fairy Ning had no words, only a soft sigh. She could save Lin Wanrong, but what about these five thousand soldiers?

"In truth, I really don't want to go to war," Lin Wanrong muttered, as if speaking to her and himself at the same time.

Seeing the vacant look in his eyes, a pang of sorrow struck her heart. She hurriedly grabbed his hand. "I know."

Suddenly, Lin Wanrong turned his face toward her, grinning. "Sister, I want to sing a song. Have you ever heard me sing?"

His mood changed so swiftly that Ning Yuxi, tears not yet dry in her eyes, was taken aback.

Before she could react, Lin Wanrong swung his arm and started belting out a tune,

"—I want to go from south to north

I want to go from white to black

I want everybody to watch me

But not know who I am—"

[TL: The lyric is from the song "假行僧" ("Jia Xing Seng" or "Fake Monk") by Cui Jian, who is often considered the father of Chinese rock music. This song is part of his 1989 album "Rock 'n' Roll on the New Long March."

The melody was indescribably strange, but the voice was robust and hearty. It echoed in the night sky, reaching far and wide. The blending of many echoes created a peculiar sense of melancholy that surged through the heart. Even after his voice had faded away, a warmth still lingered.

"Ah, General Lin is singing again?" Hu Bugui pricked up his ears, frowning. "It doesn’t sound like 'Eighteen Touches.' Is there a new 'Nineteen Touches'?"

"What kind of ears do you have?" Old Gao sneered, "That's clearly 'Missing My Man.' It's the trendiest in the Eight Great Hutongs this year!"

Meanwhile, Yueya’er, who had been pretending to sleep, sat up. Her eyes shimmered with various colors. When her gaze fell upon the silhouettes of the two closely nestled figures on the hill, she clenched her teeth and let out a heavy hum.

…

Starting from Khovd, they had covered nearly twenty five miles and arrived at Uvs Nuur (Uvs Lake).

"Uvs Nuur" in Turkic meant 'peaceful lake in heaven.'

True to its name, even before they approached the lake, a faint mist filled the air, tinged with the fresh scent of aquatic plants. The lake was crystal clear, its ripples shimmering in the light. From a distance, it looked like a vast, luminous mirror embedded in the Alxa Prairie.

The lake was just over ninety miles away from the Turkic Royal Court in Kyzil. They were virtually at the doorstep of the Turks. Due to the unknown movements of Kyzil's hundred thousand Turkic troops, Lin Wanrong slowed down the march. Loitering for an entire day, they intentionally arrived at Uvs Nuur as dusk fell.

The sky had already darkened. Soldiers and officers were leisurely tending to their horses and polishing their battle blades by the lakeside. A great battle was on the horizon, yet the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed.

Yujia seemed intimately familiar with the surroundings of the lake. Being here felt like being home for her. Her previous aloofness swept away, she laughed softly to herself and foraged for all sorts of wildflowers in the bushes by the shore. She gathered large bunches and each time she assembled a bouquet, she would bring it close to her nose and give it a gentle kiss, her face glowing with a sweet smile.

Tired of playing, she sat down by the shore, took off her boots, and revealed a pair of feet as clear as jade. She happily kicked around in the crystal-clear lake water. She even crushed the thick bunches of wildflowers beside her to squeeze out some juice and threw it continuously into the lake. Her expression was indescribable—relaxed, carefree, and utterly at ease.

‘Damn it, she's supposed to be a captive. How is she more relaxed than me?’ Watching the carefree young woman named Yujia, Lin Wanrong's eyes flared with both helplessness and jealousy.

As if sensing his gaze, Yujia turned slightly and looked at him. Upon seeing his grim face, she broke into an inexplicably enchanting smile.

Lin Wanrong was stunned. ‘Did she just smile at me? That hasn’t happened in a long time. Could the sun have risen from the west today?’

Lost in thought, Lin Wanrong heard Yujia hum lightly. She turned her head away and threw handfuls of flowers into the lake. Her eyes had taken on an abstract, dreamy quality, rippling like the lake before her.

"Brother Hu, have our scouts reported back with any new information?" Lin Wanrong seized Hu Bugui as soon as they had set up camp, asking anxiously. By noon, the first wave of scouts had reported back. Indeed, tens of thousands of Turkic cavalry had gathered around Kyzil. Mountains of supplies were piled high, confirming the intelligence provided by the Fairy.

Tens of thousands of Turkic troops were stationed on the road to Kyzil. Their purpose was still unknown, and with Kyzil just within reach, Lin Wanrong's anxiety was palpable.

Old Hu shook his head gravely, "No reports yet. With such a large enemy force nearby, our scouts can't even get close, let alone understand their intentions. It's difficult."

The unknowns were what made it terrible. Lin Wanrong shook his head in frustration. He was in the dark about the enemy’s intentions, there was no news from Helan Mountain, and he had no idea whether Xu Zhiqing had taken any actions. A slight miscalculation, and his 5,000 elite Great Hua soldiers could be torn to pieces by the tens of thousands of Turkic cavalry. At such a critical moment, the lack of actionable intelligence was infuriating. This was the downside of operating deep in enemy territory.

"General, General!" Just as he was fretting, Xu Zhen burst in frantically.

"What?" Lin Wanrong's face changed, "Turkish cavalry? How many? Where are they coming from? Where are they going?"

Xu Zhen shook his head, "Around a hundred. We can't confirm their identity yet. But judging from the condition of their horses, they haven't been on the move for more than a day. They probably came from the Turkic Royal Court."

The closest grassland fortress to Uvs Nuur was the Turkic Royal Court in Kyzil. Without asking, Lin Wanrong knew that these Turkic riders had come from there. The arrival of this small contingent of about a hundred riders, so inconspicuous amidst the large forces, was why no scout had reported them—it was to be expected.

‘A hundred cavalrymen? Heading straight for Uvs Nuur? Who exactly are these people? What do they intend to do?’ Lin Wanrong paced back and forth, his mind racing.

After listening to Xu Zhen's report, Gao Qiu snorted disdainfully, "What's the big deal? Just a hundred or so nomads, right? Why not just kill them off quickly?"

"That won't do," Hu Bugui immediately shook his head. "We still don't know the intentions of these hundred horsemen. If they turn out to be Turkic scouts, won't we expose ourselves to those following them by taking action?"

When it came to military strategy, Gao Qiu indeed was not up to par. He reluctantly stuck out his tongue and refrained from speaking.

A glint appeared in Lin Wanrong's eyes. "No matter who is coming, we don't have to fear them. Brother Hu, lead your men six miles back. Xu Zhen, take a hundred of our men and stay with me. We'll find out what these horsemen are up to."

"Absolutely not," Hu Bugui vehemently objected as soon as Lin Wanrong finished speaking. "As the commander of an army, you can't take risks so lightly. General, please lead your troops to hide, and let me take men to investigate."

Hu Bugui's reasoning was meticulous and his experience spoke volumes. As soon as he spoke, everyone nodded in agreement. Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Brother Hu, you're overthinking. It's a hundred against a hundred, and we have the advantage of darkness on our side. At worst, we can simply finish off these Turkic men. Why take unnecessary risks? I've been quite restless these past few days; I won't be satisfied unless I personally investigate. Besides, who is more comfortable with water than me here by Uvs Nuur? I can come and go as I please. What can a mere hundred Turkic men do to me?"

His confidence was infectious, and before anyone else could try to persuade him further, he had already dismissed their concerns. Hu Bugui had no choice but to reluctantly give Xu Zhen a few detailed instructions before leading his troops to retreat.

Lin Wanrong and Xu Zhen led their hundred-plus men to hide in the bushes. Time passed minute by minute, the sky turned completely dark, and a chill crept into their hearts. Yet, the hundred or so nomads had yet to arrive.

Growing somewhat impatient, Lin Wanrong had just slightly shifted his position when he heard the soft clatter of hooves. He recognized that sound—it was unique to the large Turkic horses.

"They're coming," Xu Zhen whispered. Everyone quickly lay flat in the bushes, holding their breath.

In the twilight, wisps of fog began to rise. Hundreds of galloping dark spots swiftly approached, heading straight for Uvs Nuur. The way they rode and their speed left no doubt; these were skilled Turkic horsemen. The night was dark; they neither displayed any banners nor carried any torches. They raced toward the lake, eerily silent and swift.

As the Turkic men got closer and closer, Lin Wanrong quickly pulled his head deeper into the bushes. A gust of wind flew by, several fast Turkic horses raced past like a wild storm, whipping up grass and leaves that struck his face painfully.

‘Damned it!’ Lin Wanrong spat out some grass that had flown into his mouth and cursed quietly.

Uvs Nuur was situated right next to the Turkic Royal Court, and these charging Turkic men seemed exceedingly careless. They didn't even glance at the surrounding bushes, evidently feeling very secure on their own turf.

"Look, they've stopped!" Xu Zhen's soft exclamation jolted Lin Wanrong awake. He quickly cast his gaze toward the group he'd been observing. The hundred-odd Turks, who had been galloping wildly just moments before, had reached the edge of Uvs Nuur. Gradually, they slowed their horses; the few who had been leading earlier had already dismounted and were leading their horses forward.

‘Could they be camping here?’ The thought flashed through Lin Wanrong's mind. Old Hu and his thousands of brothers were only about six miles away. They could encounter each other soon, which made him feel increasingly anxious. Dealing with this small group wasn't the issue; the worry was who might be behind them, potentially alerting their enemy to their presence. After pondering for a moment, he managed to suppress his rising anxiety.

All the Turkic men dismounted, and their tents were already being unloaded. They were walking around Uvs Nuur, seemingly scouting for a good spot to set up camp. Clearly, they intended to stay the night.

Moving forward would bring them to Khovd. If they were camping here tonight, did they plan to rush to Khovd in the morning? But the distance was so short that a swift ride would quickly close it. Was there really a need to camp here? Lin Wanrong pondered but could not come to a conclusion.

The Turks wandered for a while, finally settling on a location to pitch their tents and start a campfire. They had chosen well: surrounded by grasslands on three sides and adjacent to the clear lake waters on the other. The sentries they had placed were quite close to the tents, suggesting they felt relatively secure, probably due to the natural fortress formed by the Altai Mountains more than sixty miles away.

Lin Wanrong surveyed the scene, then gestured toward a distant clump of grass. Xu Zhen nodded in understanding and waved slightly. The warriors by his side immediately dispersed into several small groups, quickly and silently moving toward the targeted grassy area. Each one of these men was an elite among elites, capable of taking on ten foes alone, and they reached their hiding spots in the blink of an eye.

As Lin Wanrong crept into position, laughter from the Turks reached his ears. He risked a peek and saw that he was only about thirty yards away from the Turkic tents. A large campfire had been started by the lake, above which hung a succulent roast lamb. The aroma filled the air, and drops of golden lamb fat sizzled as they fell onto the flames, sparking flickers of light.

Several Turks were seated around the campfire, chatting loudly. The distance was too great to make out their faces or hear their conversation. Among them, Lin Wanrong noticed one individual who seemed younger and was dressed distinctively, his robe unusually elaborate—a likely leader of the group.

"Damn it, are they here for a bonfire party? I can't see clearly or hear what they're saying!" Lin Wanrong muttered to himself, feeling immensely frustrated.

"General, why not go into the lake?" Xu Zhen whispered into his ear.

"Ah, that's right," Lin Wanrong's eyes lit up. "These Turks are chatting by the shore. With my skills on land and in the water, dealing with them should be a piece of cake."

Just as he nodded approvingly at Xu Zhen, ready to move, a scout suddenly appeared: "General, more people are coming!"

"What?!" Even before the cry of surprise could fully subside, Lin Wanrong heard the distant sound of hooves approaching. The group was considerably smaller than the hundred or so men from earlier, numbering only around ten.

Could it be that both groups were meeting here? Lin Wanrong wondered, quickly lowering his body to hide again.

The faint sound of hooves had clearly alerted the Turks on the other side. A bearded man whispered a few words into the ear of a young leader amongst them. The young Turk nodded subtly and stood up, walking slowly towards the entrance of the encampment.

As torches began to light up the area, Lin Wanrong finally got a clear look at this young bearded man. He appeared to be in his twenties, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a high nose. He was even half a head taller than Lin Wanrong, with a sturdy build that seemed ready to burst with energy at any moment. Unlike the Labuli and other Turks Lin Wanrong had seen, this man had a dignified and energetic appearance.

‘He's quite the looker,’ Lin Wanrong mused silently. Probably enough to catch the eye of many a Turkic maiden.

The handsome Turk was dressed in a light yellow robe, the fabric of which was visibly of superior quality compared to those worn by common Turks. As someone knowledgeable about textiles, Lin Wanrong was taken aback; this was undoubtedly high-quality Great Hua silk, affordable only to the wealthy. Just who was this man?

The Turk stopped a good distance away from the entrance of the camp, his hand resting on the hilt of a curved blade. His eyes were sharp as a hawk's, his gaze cold and discerning, revealing a demeanor far removed from that of ordinary Turks. The men around him were similarly formidable, their muscular hands gripping curved blades, veins bulging—clearly veterans of numerous battles.

For a moment, Lin Wanrong sobered up, his earlier dismissiveness evaporating. If it came down to a fight between his hundred men and these Turks, the outcome was far from certain.

In that moment of hesitation, the sound of galloping hooves shattered the silence of the plains. The handsome Turk spared them a brief glance, nodded, and stood still, making no move to welcome them.

The group of riders came closer, all dressed in Turkic robes, their faces unclear. When they reached a point several yards from the entrance, they dismounted in unison and one of them quickly entered the gate, offering a deep bow to the well-dressed Turk and loudly saying something.

Though the words were carried away by the wind and hard to discern, the voice had a strangely familiar tone. Lin Wanrong chuckled to himself. Could it be that he also have acquaintances among the Turks?

Straining his eyes in the dim light of the torches, his eyes widened and his mouth opened as if he'd swallowed an entire egg. He couldn't close it again.

"It's Zhao Kangning!" Xu Zhen almost jumped in surprise, but Lin Wanrong quickly covered his mouth to silence him.

The figure dressed in nomadic garb who strode into the nomadic camp was none other than Zhao Kangning, the Prince Cheng's son who had once fled! It was no wonder that Lin Wanrong failed to recognize him. Zhao Kangning was clad in a nomadic outfit, a few whiskers clinging to his upper lip, and his complexion darkened considerably by the sun. He was a far cry from the dashing and elegant son of Prince Cheng who had once sported a feathered fan and scholar's kerchief. If one did not look into his eyes, one could easily mistake him for a Turkic man.

The former son of Prince Cheng repeatedly bowed and saluted a man in the camp, his demeanor exceedingly respectful and devout. The handsome Turkic man, whose status was unknown, merely gave a slight nod in response to Zhao Kangning's deep bows. His expression was arrogant, and the contempt in his eyes was plain for all to see.

"Who would have thought that this young prince has actually gone over to the Turkic side? The world really is small," Lin Wanrong mused, a cold sneer forming on his lips and a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"What kind of spineless wretch dares to call himself a subject of our Great Hua?" Xu Zhen was so infuriated that his teeth clenched audibly, wishing he could cleave Zhao Kangning in two with a single stroke.

Competing with Zhao Kangning was pointless; he was nothing more than a stray dog. What really concerned Lin Wanrong was the identity of that handsome Turkic man.

As he watched Zhao Kangning follow the man deeper into the camp, Lin Wanrong slapped Xu Zhen's shoulder and said, "Little Xu, follow me to the lake."

Today's venture had proven quite worthwhile. Not only had he spotted the traitorous Zhao Kangning, but there might be other gains as well. Selecting a few soldiers adept in swimming, they chose a spot far from the camp tents on the shore, quietly submerging into the water and stealthily approaching the tents.

Ever since Zhao Kangning's arrival, the Turkic sentries had noticeably tightened their security. On three sides, over a dozen men were continuously patrolling. Only the side by the lake remained exceptionally quiet. This was due to the Turkic people's upbringing; raised on horseback, nearly all were poor swimmers. Moreover, who would dare provoke them under the watchful eye of their Royal Court?

Lin Wanrong dived underwater, covering a great distance in one breath. As soon as he resurfaced, he heard Zhao Kangning's menacing howl: "Lin San must be killed!"

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