eurekapd Chapter 771 Black Wind Ridge (Page 12)
Chapter 771 Black Wind Ridge (Page 12)
First, the expedition
Watching her younger sister calmly direct the troops and quell the unrest with just a few words, Lin Ping felt a surge of satisfaction and pride. Shu'er has truly grown up; she's now capable of handling things on her own.
The bugle call to battle sounded mournfully in the morning light. The sound pierced the morning mist, echoing with an undeniable resolve above the well-trained ranks. The soldiers' faces were grim, their eyes resolute, and their weapons gleamed coldly in the rising sun. This was a battle-hardened force; though not large in number, each soldier was like a drawn sword, ready to strike the enemy's heart at any moment.
Lin Ping took a deep breath. The air was thick with dust and a faint smell of blood—the unique scent of the battlefield. She reined in her horse, "Ta Xue," which seemed to sense its master's resolve, pawing nervously and snorting. Lin Ping approached Lin Shu. The two sisters locked eyes, a thousand words stuck in their throats, ultimately condensing into a single glance. In that glance lay worry, reluctance, trust, and a heavy entrustment.
"Sister, take care on your journey." Lin Shu's voice was clear and bright, typical of a young girl, yet it couldn't hide her genuine worry. She stepped forward and lowered her voice, "Black Wind Ridge is a treacherous place, known for its strongmen. That One-Eyed Dragon is said to be exceptionally fierce, and his men are a group of desperados. Sister, you must be careful and not underestimate him or act rashly."
Lin Ping reached out and gently patted her younger sister's shoulder, her hand touching the girl's slightly thin but straight spine. She smiled slightly, a smile that carried the composure of someone who had been through many battles and reassurance for her sister: "Don't worry, Shu'er. I've been through far more dangerous battles than this. You stay back and hold the fort, reassure the soldiers and civilians, and wait for my triumphant return."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over her sister's slightly pale face, and added, "Remember, no matter what news comes from the front, you must remain calm and protect our foundation. While I'm away, you are our pillar of strength."
"Yes!" Lin Shu nodded heavily, forcing back the tears welling up in her eyes, and sniffed hard. "Sister, you must promise me you'll come back safely!"
"Alright, I promise you." Lin Ping mounted her horse with swift and decisive movements. She gave Lin Shu one last look, her gaze as resolute as a rock. "All troops, march!"
At a command, the procession, like a long black dragon, snaked its way towards the distant mountains. Treading Snow reared up, letting out a long neigh, and carrying Lin Ping, joined the torrent of the procession. Lin Shu stood there, watching her sister's departing figure until it disappeared at the end of the road, swallowed by the rising dust. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh, silently praying in her heart, "Sister, please be safe..."
**Chapter Two: Beneath Black Wind Ridge**
The army marched for three days, and the journey was relatively peaceful. Lin Ping was extremely strict in disciplining his troops, and his orders were strictly obeyed, so the soldiers' morale was high. That afternoon, the rolling mountains came into view in the distance, marking the territory of Black Wind Ridge.
Black Wind Ridge, as its name suggests, is perpetually windy, especially at dusk and dawn. The mountain winds, howling through the jagged rocks and dense pine forests, create a chilling, eerie sound, like the wailing of ghosts and wolves. The ridge is treacherous, with its main peak, Black Wind Peak, soaring into the clouds, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. One-Eyed Dragon has ruled the mountain for several years, and the government has repeatedly sent troops to suppress him, but each time they have suffered heavy losses due to the unfavorable terrain. Over time, he has become a major threat to the surrounding area. Lin Ping volunteered for the mission, firstly to eliminate this bandit and ensure peace in the region; secondly, to seize the grain and supplies stockpiled in the mountain stronghold to alleviate their immediate crisis.
As they approached Black Wind Ridge, the road became increasingly rugged and difficult to traverse. The mountain walls on both sides were steep, and the trees grew tall and dense, blocking out the sky and casting large swaths of shadow. The humidity in the air increased noticeably, carrying a mixed smell of decaying leaves and earth.
Lin Ping reined in her horse and gestured for the group to stop. She squinted, carefully observing the terrain ahead. The entrance to Black Wind Ridge was a narrow valley, barely wide enough for two riders to pass side by side. Steep cliffs lined both sides of the valley, covered with thorns and bushes, making it easy to conceal an ambush.
"Pass down the order," Lin Ping said in a deep voice to her deputy general Zhao Yong beside her, "The troops shall halt their advance. Send out scout teams to scout ahead and carefully search both sides of the valley and the path ahead, making sure there are no ambushes. Tell them to proceed with caution, and to report immediately if they find anything unusual, and not to act rashly."
"Yes!" Zhao Yong clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, immediately selected ten elite scouts, and whispered a few instructions. The ten scouts were as nimble as cats, quickly disappearing into the dense forest.
The troops remained in place, the atmosphere heavy. The soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, vigilantly surveying their surroundings. Lin Ping sat upright on her horse, her gaze sharp as an eagle, scanning every blade of grass and tree. She knew that the One-Eyed Dragon, who had managed to establish himself here for so many years, was no ordinary opponent. This Black Wind Ridge would likely not be so easily traversed.
Time passed slowly, a quarter of an hour, then another quarter of an hour... The scouts sent out disappeared without a trace, as if they had sunk into the sea.
Lin Ping's brows furrowed. Normally, even without detecting enemy activity, scouts should return and report within the allotted time. Such a long period without news was itself unusual.
“Zhao Yong,” Lin Ping’s voice was somewhat cold, “send another team of scouts to continue investigating along the trail of the vanguard. Tell them that if they discover the vanguard has been attacked, report back immediately and do not linger in battle.”
"Yes!" A sense of unease rose in Zhao Yong's heart, and he quickly selected another team to go deeper into the valley.
Another incense stick's time passed, and the second group of scouts still hadn't returned.
The valley was deathly silent, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind and the occasional cries of unknown birds and beasts, which made it seem even more eerie and unsettling.
Lin Ping's heart sank. She was almost certain there was an ambush ahead, and the scouts she had sent out had probably met with misfortune. The one-eyed man was indeed cunning; he had given her a rude awakening right from the start, effectively eliminating her eyes and ears.
"General," Zhao Yong stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Our scouts have lost contact and their situation is unknown. Black Wind Ridge is a treacherous place, and the enemy has probably laid a trap. Should we halt our advance and find another route?"
Lin Ping remained silent. Should they seek another route? Black Wind Ridge stretched for hundreds of miles, its peaks towering high. Besides this valley, other paths were either far more treacherous and difficult to traverse, hindering the army's deployment, or involved long detours that would significantly delay them. Moreover, since the enemy had laid an ambush, they wouldn't be guarding only this one route. A hasty change of course might lead them into an even more unfavorable situation.
More importantly, she bore a heavy responsibility, with Lin Shu and tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians on her side. She could not back down, nor could she afford to.
Lin Ping looked up at the deep valley, as if she could see countless eyes hidden in the shadows. She took a deep breath, and her gaze became firm again.
“No,” she said slowly, her voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority, “Things have come to this point, there is no turning back. The enemy wants to lure us in, but we are determined to brave this den of dragons and tigers!”
She turned to Zhao Yong and ordered, "Zhao Yong, you lead the main force and remain in place, on high alert, ready to provide support at any time. I will personally lead three hundred elite troops to scout ahead into the valley. If there is indeed an ambush in the valley, I will try to break through or send a signal, and you will then lead your troops to provide support. If I pass through successfully, I will send someone back to report."
"General! No!" Zhao Yong exclaimed in alarm, quickly trying to dissuade him. "You are the commander-in-chief of the entire army. How can you risk your life yourself? Let me go!"
"No need for further words!" Lin Ping interrupted him, her tone resolute. "The enemy situation is unclear, and we've lost all our scouts. Only I can get the fastest and most accurate information by going there myself. You staying outside is better suited to stabilizing morale and coordinating the overall situation. This is an order!"
She knew Zhao Yong's concerns, but at this moment, she had to lead from the front. As the commander-in-chief, her safety was important, but breaking the current stalemate was even more crucial. Three hundred elite troops, though few in number, were highly mobile and could break through even if ambushed. If the main force were allowed to rush in, the consequences of being trapped in the narrow valley by the enemy would be unimaginable.
Seeing Lin Ping's resolute attitude, Zhao Yong knew that further words would be futile, so he could only grit his teeth and clasp his hands in a fist salute: "This subordinate obeys! General, please take care! This subordinate is outside the valley, ready to provide support at any time!"
"Alright." Lin Ping nodded, her gaze sweeping over the soldiers under her command. "Select three hundred elite soldiers to follow me!"
Soon, three hundred well-equipped and fierce-looking soldiers assembled. They were all veterans who had followed Lin Ping for many years and were extremely loyal to her. Even knowing the dangers ahead, they showed no fear.
Lin Ping drew her sword from her waist, the blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight. "Brothers, there may be an ambush ahead; this journey is extremely dangerous. But our homes and families are behind us; we have no way to retreat! Follow me, charge in!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!" Three hundred soldiers shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the valley, instantly igniting morale.
"Let's go!" Lin Ping took the lead, charging into the deep valley leading to the heart of Black Wind Ridge. Three hundred elite soldiers followed closely behind, forming a tight battle formation and cautiously advancing.
Chapter Three: A Thick Fog
Upon entering the valley, the light suddenly dimmed. The mountain walls on both sides stretched upwards as if carved by a knife and axe, almost closing in on each other, leaving only a sliver of sky visible. The path became narrower and more slippery, covered with gravel and vines.
Lin Ping reined in her horse and slowed her pace, her attention highly focused as she carefully observed her surroundings. The path beneath her feet became increasingly difficult to traverse, the air growing increasingly damp and filled with a faint, sweet, fishy smell—like blood, or perhaps the stench of some wild beast.
The group had traveled about three miles without finding any trace of the enemy or any clues left by the scouts. It was as if the two groups of scouts had truly vanished into thin air.
This eerie calm intensified Lin Ping's unease. Since the one-eyed man had set up an ambush, he couldn't remain hidden indefinitely. What was he waiting for?
Suddenly, without warning, wisps of white mist rose from the valley ahead. The mist was initially very thin, like a veil, but it spread extremely quickly, enveloping the entire valley in the blink of an eye.
"Not good! It's a bewitching fog!" Lin Ping exclaimed in alarm, shouting sharply, "All troops on alert! Cover your mouths and noses with damp cloths!"
She had heard that some bandits would use special local plants or minerals to create a mind-controlling mist. This mist was colorless and odorless, or had only a faint, exotic fragrance. If inhaled in excess, it would cause dizziness, weakness in the limbs, and loss of fighting ability.
The soldiers reacted quickly, taking water from their water bags, soaking the cloths they carried, and covering their mouths and noses.
However, this fog seemed to be more than just ordinary bewitching fog. It was so thick that visibility rapidly decreased to less than three feet. The surrounding scenery became blurred, and only the indistinct figures of the soldiers around them could be seen. The sounds of horses' hooves and footsteps seemed to be absorbed by the thick fog, becoming muffled and distant.
Even more strangely, the fog seemed to contain some kind of peculiar sound waves, or rather, a low-frequency hum. Although it was hard to hear clearly, it could directly affect a person's mind, making them feel restless and unable to concentrate.
"Maintain formation! Don't scatter!" Lin Ping shouted, trying to calm the troops and let them know each other's positions.
But the dense fog's isolating effect was beyond imagination; her voice quickly became faint and barely audible. Chaos began to break out in the ranks; the soldiers instinctively huddled together in the center, their formation becoming increasingly cramped.
"General! What should we do now?" A personal guard approached Lin Ping and asked loudly, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic.
Lin Ping forced herself to calm down. Especially in situations like this, she, as the commander, couldn't afford to lose her composure. She knew the enemy was definitely nearby, waiting for the perfect moment to attack, waiting for the fog to reach its maximum effect.