Finest Servant

Chapter 608 Conditions

The sound of blades rang sharply, and a blaze of crimson filled the sky. Galloping fire horses and rockets that flew like locusts were everywhere. Wooden houses and tents by the roadside were ignited in an instant, burning ferociously in the wind. Countless Turks were knocked down and trampled, their hair and clothing set ablaze by the leaping flames. Blood-curdling screams echoed incessantly. Crowds fleeing in all directions became live targets for the charging Great Hua cavalry. An endless rain of arrows, accompanied by a sky full of fire, transformed Kyzil from a paradise into a living hell.

In this sea of fire, the blood-soaked Great Hua cavalry rode high, brandishing their blood-dripping blades, rushing into the Turkic royal palace like a surging torrent. The vast palace was suddenly packed with people—Turks, Great Hua soldiers, bloody blade tips, and countless war horses, all intertwined. The closest distance between the two sides was merely a few yards, close enough to smell each other's sweat. Everywhere one looked, there were bloodshot eyes and frenzied faces—both among the Turks and even more so among the Great Hua.

"Old Gao, you finally made it!" Hu Bugui's eyes welled up with emotional tears upon seeing Gao Qiu's dark visage. He hugged Gao Qiu's arm tightly and laughed out loud.

"I'm ashamed. I was having so much fun killing outside that I almost forgot about here. My apologies," Gao Qiu replied with hearty laughter. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction as they swept across the captured Salmu and various Turkic nobles.

Great Hua soldiers rushed forward to tightly bind them. Extra care was given to the Young Khan.

Yujia gripped her golden blade, her red lips tinged with dots of fresh blood. She yearned to rush forward but hesitated as a Great Hua blade was pressed tightly against Salmu's neck. One move, and a head would roll.

Li Wuling looked at the fierce Turkic cavalry scattered on the ground, wiping off the blood splatter on his face, "So many Turks? Brother Lin, we have enough to kill today. We'll make a fortune!"

"Yes, indeed," Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "We've hit the jackpot!"

His deliberately repeated words exploded like dynamite, and the crowd instantly boiled over. This moment of reclaiming honor was something the people of Great Hua had been waiting for a century. Tears filled the eyes of countless passionate young men. They cheered wildly, brandishing their blood-stained blades and surged toward the Turks.

Under this tremendous emotional uplift, the momentum of the Great Hua soldiers was unstoppable. Even though the Turks had an absolute numerical advantage, their formation was pushed back several yards.

"Shing!" Yujia's scimitar was unsheathed. With a cold wave of her small hand, the surrounding Turks instantly pushed forward.

"Clang!" Countless blades and spears clashed. Both sides were tightly packed, each Great Hua soldier's face flushed, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of ferocity and excitement. They'd rather die than take a single step back.

In this standoff, although there was no direct confrontation, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was almost suffocating. Aside from the sound of heavy breathing, not a word was spoken.

Yujia's eyes flashed rapidly, her golden blade swinging once more. The Turkic warriors let out a low growl, their formation surging forward, steadily constricting their opponent's limited space.

"No one is to retreat!" Lin Wanrong's gaze was icy as he swallowed hard, pointing his broadsword forward.

"Kill!" The soldiers of Great Hua roared in unison, their eyes bloodshot. A burst of immense energy erupted within them. With their gleaming white blades, they held off the Turkic warriors, forcing them back.

There was no sight of fresh blood, yet the tension was even more heart-pounding than the slaughter on a battlefield. It was a contest of resilience and will between two nations. Every face among the people of Great Hua bore an indescribable mix of excitement and solemnity. From Lin San down to the common soldier, all felt as though they could never lose.

Golden Blade Great Khan, the Turkic leader, slightly lifted her head to study the mute. Her eyes gradually turned icy, her curved blade gripped tightly, and the back of her translucent hand subtly showed tensed veins. The mute stared back unyieldingly, his expression as dark as looming storm clouds.

In this terrifying silence, it felt as if everyone's hearts were strung on an unseen, tightly stretched string. No one knew when it might snap, or what would happen if it did.

"Sister, don't worry about me, kill them!" shouted the Young Turkic Khan, who was under Great Hua's control. His trembling and youthful roar echoed through every corner of the palace.

Old Gao slapped the Young Khan on the head, snarling, "Speak again, and I'll cut off your tongue!"

To have the chance to slap a Turkic Khan—a thing he had never even dreamt of—had actually befallen him? Old Gao stared at his palm for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter. Hu Bugui understood what he meant and chuckled, "You beat me to it!"

"Salmu—" Yujia let out a mournful cry. Her eyes were wide open, her teeth clenched, and it seemed like she would crush the golden blade in her hands.

Lin Wanrong shook his head slightly, sighing, "Old Gao, don't be too crude. We, the people of Great Hua, are a civilized society. Only when kindness fails should we resort to force."

"Yes, yes, I'll definitely change next time!" Old Gao grinned and nodded.

"Stop being like a mouse crying for a cat, all fake compassion!" Salmu yelled angrily, though his accent was stiff, he spoke in perfect Great Hua language. Lin Wanrong looked at him in surprise and then glanced at Yujia. The Turkic Khan's expression was icy, her eyes filled with deep hatred.

Lin Wanrong amusingly shakes his head and says, “Salmu, a cat crying for a mouse is just fake compassion, but a mouse crying for a cat, that's true compassion. When your sister was teaching you our language, you definitely were not paying attention.”

The Young Khan stared wide-eyed at him, "I don't care if you're a mouse or a cat. What's certain is you've wronged my sister, and Salmu will never let you go!"

"I didn't wrong her—" He wanted to argue, but after catching a glance of Yujia, his voice involuntarily softened. Saying this didn't give him much confidence.

Yujia, the Great Khan, sighed deeply, her beautiful face glowing faintly golden. She lifted her head, her eyes sharp, fixing them on him, "People of Great Hua, let's talk terms. As long as you release Salmu and my people, I assure you on the honor of Golden Blade Great Khan of the Turkic Khanate, I will not pursue the matter of you raiding the royal court. You, and your warriors, can leave the grasslands unscathed and return to your homeland with honor."

The words "with honor" were well-deserved. This isolated army had fought for months, penetrating thousands of miles into enemy territory. They had crossed the perilous Helan Mountains, set fire to Bayanhot, and staged a surprise attack on Dalanzha. They had traversed the Sea of Death and the icy caves of the Tianshan Mountains, storming the royal court of the Turkic Khanate, and spreading the fires of war throughout Kyzil. They were true heroes, striking terror into the hearts of their enemies and breaking all resistance. Even if they couldn't take Salmu back with them, as long as they returned alive, they would undoubtedly be heroes.

Lin Wanrong shook his head slightly and said softly, "Great Khan, don't you think the terms you're offering insult your own intelligence?"

Yujia's expression was ice-cold. "Your hands are soaked in the blood of my people. You release Salmu, and I'll let bygones be bygones. Isn't this generous enough?"

Dumbfounded, Lin Wanrong looked at her and then burst into uproarious laughter. The contempt on his face was like a needle piercing into Yujia's heart.

"What are you laughing at?" the Great Khan roared in fury, as if ready to throttle him. Her angry shout was so powerful it seemed to shake even the dust off the crossbeams of the great hall.

Lin Wanrong's eyebrows twitched in anger, "I laugh at your pretense of ignorance! Speaking of bloodshed, Great Khan, why don't you ask your father and your people what they've done to my compatriots? Even if I killed ten times as many Turks, could I compare to those butchers?"

"How dare you question my father!" Yujia gritted her teeth, her eyes wide, fixed intently on him as she shouted in rage.

Lin Wanrong's face darkened, "He's your father, not mine! What's wrong with questioning a man whose hands are drenched in blood?"

This heated argument felt eerily familiar. It had happened countless times when she was still the innocent and beautiful captive named Yujia. But times had changed; although the objects remained, the people had altered. Could she still remember those not-so-distant memories? Lin Wanrong kept a straight face, bitter laughter in his heart.

Old Hu and Gao Qiu exchanged puzzled glances, their faces full of astonishment. These two clearly had become strangers, yet why were they bickering again? Their tone, expressions, and even inflections hadn't changed!

"You dare insult my father?" Salmu, already furious, rushed over, ready to risk his life fighting Lin Wanrong. Gao Qiu chuckled and stopped him. The Young Khan, small but aggressive, immediately tried to bite Gao Qiu's hand. Hu Bugui swiftly reached out and gripped Salmu's neck tightly, letting his tiny body flail in the air.

"Stop!" Seeing Salmu tormented, Yujia, overcome with rage and distress, brandished her golden blade, her eyes slightly moist.

Hu Bugui chuckled and scratched his head awkwardly, then gently lowered the Young Khan.

The Great Khan took a few deep breaths, a faint sadness appearing on her face. She looked silently at Lin Wanrong for a moment, then slowly walked over to him. Her steps were so light, like a feather floating in the air, giving a surreal feeling.

Stopping just a few yards away from him, Yujia looked at him expressionlessly: "Take me in exchange for my brother! Release him, and take me with you!"

"Sister—" The Young Khan cried out in shock.

Yujia's beautiful eyes widened in anger. "Salmu, you are the son of Bilge Khan, the soaring eagle of the prairie. You may shed blood, but you must never shed tears! Have I not taught you this?"

Hu Bugui shook his head slightly. Yujia was not only intelligent and wise but also passionate and responsible. It was unfortunate that she happened to be a Turk. Now it seemed as though they were the truly villainous ones.

Old Gao sighed and lowered his voice, "Brother Lin, you're a man of strategy. You should find a way to have Yueya’er warm your bed. She's not a bad person, and neither are we! It would be a real waste to let a woman like her slip through your fingers!"

Lin Wanrong was speechless. Armies were clashing, blood was spilling, and deep grudges filled the air like an ocean. Given Yujia's prestigious status among the nomadic tribes, even if he were to pursue her, putting his life on the line, would the Turkic people agree?

"What, no answer? Are all of you from Great Hua so cowardly?" The Great Khan stared at him, the corners of her mouth curling into a cold, mocking smile.

It seemed as though fate was playing games. What goes around comes around. If Yujia were to become his captive again, where would the wheel of destiny point next?

"It's not that I'm afraid to answer; it's that I'm afraid my answer would disappoint you," he said, shaking his head and smiling wistfully. "Great Khan, times change. You are not the one I'm looking for anymore."

"You—" Yujia's cheeks flushed in anger, a misty layer clouding her eyes. The next moment, her eyes flashed fiercely, gripping her golden blade tightly, as if ready to unsheathe it at any moment.

Pretending not to see her gaze, he said softly, "Am I wrong? You are now the Golden Blade Great Khan, shining brightly. But you will not be the master of the prairie in the future. Why should I give up the future for the present? Just because you're pretty? I must say, the maids in my home are a hundred times more beautiful than you and are entirely at my disposal. Can you compare to that?"

"Vulgar!" The Great Khan gritted her teeth, her chest heaving, her eyes icy as she glared at him. "So, what do you want? Name your terms!"

He sighed deeply and shook his head. "Terms? Sure, we can talk. But the timing you've chosen today isn't great."

Hearing his willingness to negotiate, a glimmer of hope flashed in Yujia's eyes. Her tone softened, "Not today? Then, tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow isn't an auspicious day either."

"So when do you choose?"

Lin Wanrong nodded, "When we return to the Helan Mountains, that should be about the right time. By then, both our nations can set up a long tent between Wuyuan and Bayanhot, straddling the borders. We can set up dozens of tables, have some tea, eat some fruits, and sit down for a long talk. I won't lie, Great Khan; I'm really looking forward to that moment."

The Great Khan realized she had been played and immediately became furious, her face turning red, "Mute, you dare to make a fool of me?"

"This is not a game. It's the reality you must face!" Lin San turned fearlessly and smiled at Salmu. "Young Khan, welcome to our Great Hua. Rest assured, as long as you mention my name, Lin San, no one will dare to bully you. Guaranteed!"

"How dare you?!" Yujia's eyes narrowed sharply, and with a loud crash, she cleaved the table next to her in two. Her eyes were aflame, and she glared at him, her red lips oozing traces of fresh blood. "Lin San, you think I really wouldn't dare to kill you?!"

"Try and kill me, then you'll know!" Lin San shook off his sleeves and patted the shoulder of Hu Bugui. "Brother Hu, tell the men to get ready. We're going home!"

"Home?" The word seemed both distant and unfamiliar to Hu Bugui. For a moment, he was stunned; then his eyes filled with tears as he muttered tremblingly, "General, did you say we're going home?"

"Yes, home! What a beautiful day today is." He gazed at the newly risen morning glow on the horizon, as red as a baby's face. His voice caught slightly as he took a step forward and walked out head held high. Yujia's eyes followed him, her gaze ever-changing.

"Sister—" Salmu was lifted by Hu Bugui and followed directly behind Lin San. The child's cry was heartbreaking. The captured twenty or so Turkic men had their hands and feet bound, mouths gagged with rags, and were being shoved out.

Tears silently fell from Yujia's eyes. With a grit of her teeth, she swung her golden blade and yelled, "Warriors, listen! Do not let a single person from Great Hua escape!"

Whoosh, whoosh! The Turkic people rushed forward. Numerous cold arrows, emanating a faint glow, were aimed at them.

"Golden bow, ink arrows, where are they?!" The voice of the Great Khan, Yujia, was crisp and resolute, devoid of emotion.

Two beautiful Turkic girls presented a golden curved bow, which Yujia took in her hands. With a slight pull, the bowstring hummed, filling the hall with a continuous echo. Two other girls respectfully attached a quiver to her, filled with dozens of heavy ink arrows—crafted from pure black gold, precious and more robust than stone or metal.

Yujia's eyes were icy cold. She notched an arrow to her bow, and with her jade-like hand slightly raised, aimed at Lin San's retreating figure.

Lin San seemed to sense something and hesitated slightly but did not turn around. "Great Khan, although I disagree with some of your views, in my heart, you are the most worthy opponent! Even if you're not as beautiful as my maidservant, you shoot arrows well. If I die at your hands today, I will have no regrets!"

Yueya’er's eyes misted, her hand holding the bow trembling. "Lin San, I can't discern which of your words are true and which are false. May I ask, can you make it all clear yourself?"

Lin San, back to her, waved lightly and laughed, "If one could easily distinguish between truth and falsehood, that wouldn't be life but a performance—let's go, Gao Qiu!"

"Go!" Gao Qiu roared, swinging his blade forcefully. With a resounding "clang," the Turkic people in front of them retreated several steps. All the soldiers followed them, slowly inching their way towards the palace gate.

The Turks closely followed them, hemming the Great Hua tightly in the middle, but they dared not make a move. With the Young Khan and numerous nobles in their grasp and the Great Khan yet to issue any orders, who would dare to act rashly?

Old Gao wore a menacing look, striding forward. With each swing of his sword, his might seemed like a force of thunder, making the Turks unwilling to confront him directly and forcing them to retreat step by step.

Just as they reached the entrance to the royal palace and set foot on the staircase, a piercing shriek whizzed past Lin Wanrong's ear, lifting a few strands of his hair. The powerful gust that followed was as sharp as a blade, painfully grazing his ear.

With a crisp "chirp," metal clashed against stone and sparks briefly flickered. A pitch-black ink arrow narrowly skimmed past Lin Wanrong's cheek, embedding itself deeply into the thick stone wall of the palace. The humming echo of the arrow still lingered around him.

Hu Bugui was agape with astonishment. With such a strong bow and Yujia's extraordinary archery, who in the world could withstand it?

"Such poor aim," Lin Wanrong lamented, shaking his head. He chuckled, wiped his stinging cheek, and stepped out of the palace gate.

As he stepped out, a burning heat engulfed him. Fires still blazed all around, their crackling sounds incessant. A glance down the streets showed scorched earth and debris everywhere; the once jubilant town was now in ruins. Half of the town of Kyzil had been submerged in a massive fire.

Numerous Turkic cavalry surrounded them on both sides of the streets. Though their killing intent was palpable, not a single arrow was released; they obviously had not yet received any orders from Yujia. The Great Hua cautiously pushed forward toward the city gate, and the Turkic people orderly retreated, seemingly leaving a path specifically for them.

"What's going on? Has Yujia decided to let us go?" Xu Zhen said cautiously, brandishing his blades and looking around.

The Turkic men encircled but did not attack. No blades were unsheathed, and an eerie silence enveloped all of Kyzil. Amidst this silence, a faint scent of blood was discernible. An intangible pressure weighed on their hearts, causing not just Xu Zhen and Li Wuling, but even battle-hardened veterans like Hu Bugui and Gao Qiu to break out in a sweat.

"Look, that's Yueya'er's palanquin!" Li Wuling exclaimed.

Protected by numerous Turkic people, a golden palanquin followed them slowly but steadily. Though the fluttering veils were silent and Yujia's figure was nowhere to be seen, they could still sense her calm breathing. The Turkic Great Khan was terrifyingly silent, and no one knew what she was planning to do.

The ruined city gate was within sight. Bodies of nomads and fallen Great Hua soldiers were strewn about haphazardly; none of them breathed anymore. The traces of last night's battle—fire, blood, dismembered limbs—were vividly apparent.

Lin Wanrong walked alone at the front, staring at the faces of the young, passionate Great Hua soldiers he had once spent day and night with. Many of them had died with their eyes wide open, unable to find closure even in death.

This was not Great Hua. Countless loyal souls would rest eternally in this foreign land, never to return to their homeland.

He fell into a silent, tearful contemplation.

"Thief, I'm sorry—" A warm, moist hand tightly gripped his own, as if resonating with the beat of his heart, feeling his sorrow and pain. Fairy Ning stood silently beside him, gently patting his wrist. The deep affection in her eyes was as if she were caring for a helpless child.

"Sister, what's wrong? Why are you apologizing?" The thief was suddenly startled and looked up to see a faint trace of fatigue in Fairy Ning's eyes. Small beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, shimmering in the gradually rising morning light.

For someone like Fairy Ning, who had dedicated her life to rigorous martial arts training, how could she be affected by something as mundane as the weather? Those small beads of sweat were a sign that something was amiss.

In alarm, Lin Wanrong quickly lifted her veil, only to find that Ning Yuxi's usually radiant cheeks were ashen and pale. This revelation was no small matter. Terrified, he tightly embraced her. "Fairy Sister, what happened to you? Where do you feel unwell? Don't scare me!"

Ning Yuxi softly stroked his disheveled hair and sighed, "I know you're hurting inside. I gave everything I had in last night's battle, but I couldn't save many lives. Even though I'm a martial artist capable of killing with a single strike, individual prowess can't change the course of a war. Don't blame yourself."

Fairy Ning was a highly skilled martial artist, but even the most formidable skills were limited in the face of an overwhelming army. In a battlefield filled with thousands of soldiers, individual strength could only go so far.

Seeing Fairy Ning's self-reproachful gaze, Lin Wanrong felt a pang of pain in his heart. He quickly grasped her hand, "Sister, how could this be your fault? Soldiers die in battle; that's just the way it is. Tell me, where do you feel unwell?"

"Don't worry," Ning Yuxi said softly, "I used some energy performing techniques on Yujia the day before, and last night I broke open the city gate. I'm just a bit tired, and a day's rest should be sufficient."

Although she spoke lightly, Lin Wanrong instantly understood the gravity of the situation. Erasing memories, breaking city gates—either task alone would be monumental. Coupled with an overnight battle, even Fairy Ning with her incredible martial prowess could hardly withstand such strain.

"Sister, you're not allowed to move now!" Lin Wanrong sternly ordered. With a swoosh, he swept her off her feet and placed her on the horse. Fairy Ning's face flushed crimson as she softly exclaimed, "What are you doing? Put me down, don't let anyone see!"

"Let them look if they want!" He grumbled, irritated, and climbed onto the horse. He kissed her cheek and took her hand. The two rode side by side. "From now on, just close your eyes. I won't allow you to wake up."

This domineering man—Fairy Ning chuckled. Seeing countless gazes shot their way, she felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly tightened her veil, playfully scolding, "Thief, you're ruining my cultivation."

"Then, Sister, feel free to ruin my cultivation too. I don't mind!" the thief said with a chuckle.

"What cultivation do you have to ruin," Fairy Ning said, looking at him reproachfully. Suddenly, she sighed softly, "My commitment to my path is weak, and I've broken many rules and restrictions. I even manipulated Yujia; I deserve to be punished."

Lin Wanrong felt a sudden tightness in his heart, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably. He quickly pulled Fairy Ning closer, snapping angrily, "Nonsense. If anyone is to be punished by the heavens, it should be me for all the wrong I've done. It has nothing to do with you!"

"Punish you? Isn't that punishing me too?" Fairy Ning said softly.

In the golden palanquin, the beautiful Golden Blade Great Khan watched closely at Fairy Ning's face. Her eyes shimmered sharply, and the ink-colored arrow quivered slightly.

Just as they had crossed the city gate and the nomads showed no signs of obstructing them, Lin Wanrong found it odd. Ning Yuxi then looked up: "Thief, there's something I forgot to tell you. I'm afraid we can't go any further!"

"Why?!" Lin Wanrong exclaimed.

Fairy Ning let out a slight sigh. "You'll see once you look."

He quickly rode his horse across the city gate, and a quick glance made him inhale sharply. Turks, as far as the eye could see! There were elite Turkic cavalry, Kyzil city's defense troops, and countless fierce Turkic warriors—easily numbering thirty thousand or more. Coupled with the Turkic elites around Yujia, Kyzil had at least forty to fifty thousand men waiting to encircle them. The thousands of gleaming blades and dark arrows all pointed their way.

Lin Wanrong suddenly understood. At this crucial moment of life and death, Fairy Ning chose to stand by his side, sharing his fate. Overwhelmed with emotion and no longer caring about the onlookers, he leaned over and gently kissed her veiled cheek.

"What are you doing!" Ning Yuxi exclaimed softly, her face flushed.

No wonder Yujia was not in a hurry; she had planned to push them out of the city. The Turks could maximize their cavalry advantage here. A fifty-thousand strong charge would be earth-shattering, enough to flatten the fragile Great Hua cavalry.

Dismounting his horse, Lin Wanrong grinned, "So many people! This is going to be exhilarating! If I die today, not only will Great Hua remember me, but even Turkic history will give me a prominent mention."

Hu Bugui chuckled, "I really don't understand. Is Yujia truly staking everything on this? Is she even willing to risk the life of the Young Khan?"

"I don't know," Lin Wanrong shook his head slightly, "That girl is a hundred times more formidable than I imagined. Every one of her moves has surprised us. Perhaps, this is our final battle."

The final battle? Gao Qiu and his men gazed at the newly risen morning sun, its radiant light masking an underlying layer of thick gloom.

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