novelden Chapter 170 Bait
Chapter 170 Bait
"Thanks to the prince's kindness and righteousness for making this trip possible!"
The person who responded had gratitude in his voice and bowed deeply, showing his admiration.
The night was like thick ink, covering the sky heavily. The stars were hidden, and everything was silent, leaving only the low hum of the wind across the desert.
That night, the ancient heavy door of Changhe Pass opened a crack quietly and silently under the cover of night. A black shadow flashed by, and a group of elite teams rushed through the darkness like ghosts, stepping into the vast desert world full of unknowns and dangers.
"Go in two groups and be careful. If you find any enemy or clues, leave marks along the way so that you can inform each other."
Under the moonlight, Fu Yansheng sat on his handsome horse. The silver moonlight sprinkled on his armor, reflecting a cold luster. His words were calm and firm. He and Wei Ruoming in the distance looked at each other from afar, and their eyes conveyed silent trust and tacit understanding.
"Very good, our troops will take action immediately."
Wei Ruoming answered calmly, then turned his horse around, led a part of his men ahead, and embarked on a journey of exploring the unknown.
After a whole night of arduous march, everyone looked exhausted. Finally, they found a relatively safe place and sat in a circle to rest for a while. The campfire swayed in the wind, illuminating the tired but tough faces of the soldiers.
"Alas, this vast expanse of yellow sand has no end in sight. We have been walking for so long, but have not even seen the shadow of the enemy. If we continue to search blindly like this, I am afraid we will end up in danger."
A lieutenant general grumbled in a low voice beside the campfire, his tone revealing his worry that was difficult to conceal.
Wei Ruoming looked into the distance. The outline of the desert looked even more vast and desolate in the night. He spoke in a steady tone without a trace of fluctuation: "We will cross this sand dune and go forward another 500 miles. If there is still no clue, we will turn back immediately and meet up with Master Fu. At this moment, staying alert and efficient is the key to our survival."
Upon hearing this, everyone present nodded silently, knowing that they were now deep in enemy territory, like standing on the edge of an abyss. They had to be extremely cautious with every step, as any misstep would lead to disastrous consequences.
In the corner, Ling Mohui sat quietly, chewing dry food in her hands and occasionally drinking a sip of precious water. When she raised her eyes, she saw Wei Ruoming's steady steps approaching.
"Can you still hold on? If you feel unwell, I will immediately arrange for someone to escort you back."
Wei Ruoming's voice was gentle and caring, and his eyes showed genuine concern.
Ling Mohui straightened his back and patted his chest to show that he was fine: "No problem, this little bit of hardship is not a problem for me."
There was an unyielding light in his eyes, and he was determined to fight to the end alongside everyone else.
Wei Ruoming nodded slightly and said nothing more.
In this desert where water resources are extremely scarce, everyone is trying to save as much energy as possible, because every drop of water and every bit of strength may be the difference between life and death.
After adjusting the team, everyone set out on the journey again. As they walked down the slope of the sand dunes, a lonely dead tree came into view. The area surrounding the dead tree was desolate and extremely eye-catching.
What was even more shocking was that there were several people tied up on the tree with rough ropes. They were none other than the long-lost members of the diplomatic mission!
When everyone saw this scene, they were all stunned, and then they drew the swords at their waists and stood ready. The air was filled with tension and vigilance.
"Isn't that the missing delegation?"
Someone exclaimed, his tone full of disbelief.
But Wei Ruoming quickly waved his hand to stop the knight who wanted to go forward to investigate: "Such an obvious trap must be set up by the enemy on purpose to lure us into the trap. Do not act rashly to avoid falling into the trap."
His words were calm and wise, reminding everyone not to be misled by the scene before them.
"Immediately send someone to take a detour and deliver a letter to Lord Fu, telling him that we have found traces of the envoys."
Wei Ruoming made quick arrangements, and a strong soldier immediately turned his horse around and galloped away like an arrow to convey this important news to another team where Fu Yansheng was.
Everyone waited in place, and time seemed to stand still. From early morning to dusk, anxiety and uneasiness gradually rose up like heat waves in the desert.
"We can't delay any longer like this. If the envoys don't get any help, they will die of thirst even if they are not killed by the enemy!"
Voices of anxiety and dissatisfaction began to emerge in the team, and the emotions were like boiling water, waiting to be released urgently.
Ling Mo looked back at Wei Ruoming, her words earnestly: "If we really have to wait until Master Fu and the others arrive, I'm afraid that by then all we'll bring back will be cold corpses."
Although his voice was soft, it was powerful and directly pointed out the urgency of the problem.
Wei Ruoming nodded, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes: "Little brother, what you said makes sense. We can't delay any longer. While the night is thick, we will launch a surprise attack to rescue the members of the envoys, and then evacuate quickly under the cover of darkness. If everything goes well, perhaps we can meet up with Master Fu and the others tomorrow morning, and in this way, our chances of winning will be greatly improved."
His words were decisive and showed his courage and determination as a leader.
"That's the only way. Let's prepare immediately without further delay!"
Wei Ruoming's decision was unanimously recognized.
"Under the current circumstances, the diplomatic mission must be surrounded by enemy spies, waiting for us to fall into their trap. We cannot easily expose our whereabouts. The best strategy is to force the enemy to take action first and reveal their flaws."
As soon as Wei Ruoming finished speaking, a passionate soldier stood up and volunteered to act as bait, his tone full of determination to sacrifice himself.
However, before Wei Ruoming could answer, Ling Mohui interrupted him and said, "Let me go! I can do it."
There was a determined fire burning in his eyes, as if he had an inexplicable confidence in this mission.
"No! You have no experience. This is too dangerous. I won't let you take the risk."
Wei Ruoming's voice was full of resolute opposition. He knew very well that such a mission required not only courage but also experience and wisdom. Although Ling Mohui's bravery was worthy of praise, it was not the best choice under the current circumstances.
Ling Mohui's voice was steady and calm, like calm autumn water. Her answer was filled with unquestionable determination: "Among this group of brave warriors, the only role I can play seems to be that seemingly helpless bait. In this case, I naturally have to pick the weakest link, so that every decision on the battlefield can push the interests of the team to the extreme and ensure that every comrade can return home safely."
As soon as the voice fell, without waiting for Wei Ruoming to respond, Ling Mohui moved and stood up lightly. Her determined eyes swept across everyone, as if they could penetrate the barriers of their hearts and give them strength: "I entrust my safety to you, with no fear or worry in my heart. Please trust me as well, and believe in my judgment and sacrifice."