Chapter 1114: Chapter 1113: An Opportunity to Exploit Chapter 1114: Chapter 1113: An Opportunity to Exploit “Who is this…?”

Surprise filled Fan Ying’s eyes.

A stunningly beautiful woman! With a face like a peach blossom, as delicate as a lotus flower emerging from the water… He never expected she would suddenly appear before him, catching him completely off guard.

Fan Baor glared at him, “Brother, this is a new friend I met. She is going to Linhe to find someone. Look… do you have a way to help?”

“Going to Linhe? It’s really chaotic there, even if it’s to find someone, now is not a good time! Miss, what made you think of going there?”

Niuniu’s face was adorned with a light, tranquil smile, “I must go. It’s for a very important person.”

Her own father, naturally, was a very important person!

But it made Fan Ying’s face darken, an important person. It must be his lover, right?

Traveling from Dengkou to Linhe, following the river all the way, even if one rides a horse, it’s enough to exhaust anyone.

Fan Ying wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at Niuniu beside him who still looked calm and composed, he sincerely admired, “Miss Di truly stands out from the ordinary people. After traveling such a long distance, you show not the slightest hint of fatigue, I am impressed.”

His words made Niuniu laugh, “Young Master Fan flatters me too much. At a critical time like this, how can one easily reveal any sign of fatigue, giving those enemies hiding in the dark a chance, right?”

“Exactly. With the two countries at constant war, this place is hardly a good spot for an outing.”

Fan Ying remarked with emotion.

Ah-Niu was originally accompanying the general to the capital, but on the way, he was reassigned to Linhe. According to the information he received, it seemed the State Councillor had a sudden clash with the ethnic group soldiers, which prompted the redeployment of troops to support the effort. As for exactly how many ethnic group soldiers there were, and what the odds were for the troops led by the State Councillor, they were truly beyond the knowledge of a mere Chiliarch like him.

“Isn’t it strange? Instead of staying in the capital doing his job as the State Councillor, he ran off to this desolate place. Could he be sick in the head?”

Niuniu was surveying the surroundings.

Upon hearing this, she nodded slightly, “Indeed! He must be bored and looking for trouble.”

Otherwise, why would anyone take on such a thankless and exhausting task?

Fan Baor, who was beside them, couldn’t listen anymore and quickly pulled Niuniu away, “Don’t listen to him! All he does is talk nonsense all day. The State Councillor must have a reason for coming here.”

Niuniu smoothly took a few steps to the side and sped up her horse, smiling faintly without speaking further.

“Sister, are you intentionally giving your brother a hard time?”

Fan Ying initially had no intention of paying attention to his sister but seeing Fan Baor going too far, he finally scolded her. He glanced at Niuniu’s expression while persistently signaling Fan Baor with his eyes.

“Sister, you don’t understand the matters of the army. However, later, no matter which side’s forces we encounter, don’t panic. Just hide and take good care of yourself, leave the rest to your brother to handle, understand?”

Here, one might encounter not only their own Great Xia troops but also the ethnic group and Zhao Country soldiers, as well as sand bandits. The personnel were too complex for a brief explanation.

“Thank you for the warning, Young Master Fan.”

Niuniu didn’t utter another word and continued to spur her horse forward.

As they crossed the mountain hollow, a stretch of plains appeared before everyone’s eyes. Meanwhile, they could also see the chaos unfolding below.

That was a battlefield!

The combatants’ attire was particularly jumbled, making it dizzying to observe.

Before Niuniu could get a clear look, Fan Ying raised his hand to pull her aside, immediately hiding, “Be careful! Those are the ethnic group and Zhao Country’s troops. We are not familiar with them. Let’s go around quietly from the other side.”

Niuniu and Fan Baor exchanged a glance and silently nodded.

They stealthily withdrew, then detoured to the other side to continue their journey.

After that, they circumvented several entangled troops one after another. However, their group chose to detour and leave, without encountering anyone.

It was only after they arrived at Linhe that they learned the general and Ah-Niu’s group had broken camp last night, following the State Councillor to the Capital of Xia.

The group had no choice but to turn around and pursue them toward the Capital of Xia.

While they were frantically chasing, the retinue of the State Councillor, none other than Nan Tianzong himself, was also traveling at speed. Ever since his arrival in Xixia Country, he had always assisted Lin Xiner at her side, until the incident involving Di Yelei prompted him to set out in search of help. Recently, word had come from the Capital of Xia that the ruler and his cohort had taken advantage of the fact that Princess Lin Xiner had no highly skilled martial guards around her, rising knife in hand against the Princess Manor on a night dark and windy.

Nan Tianzong, upon receiving the news, had been hurrying to the Capital of Xia, but was constantly hindered by many blocking forces along the way, which nearly exhausted Tianzong’s men. That prompted him to call upon nearby troops for reinforcement.

Having finally concluded the affairs at hand, he hurried on, making his way straight to the capital.

“Your Honor the State Councillor, the general outside requests an audience,” someone said.

Nan Tianzong’s eyebrows twitched slightly, “Which general?”

“It’s General Yilv who was previously guarding near the Mo River, Your Honor. What would you like…?”

“Let him in.”

Nan Tianzong casually tossed aside the documents in his hand, wearily massaging his temples.

Suddenly, a man dressed as a general lifted the curtain and entered, “Chiliarch Yilv Zheng Cai greets the State Councillor.”

“Spare me the formalities. You’ve asked to see I the Official. Is there something you need? Have a seat.”

“Yes! I have come to seek Your Honor for a matter,” the general said.

General Yilv gave Nan Tianzong a fist greeting before sitting down. “Your Honor grants a seat. I have come to you today as I wish to recommend a talent to you.”

“Oh? What kind of talent?”

Nan Tianzong raised an eyebrow. With the situation as it was, he feared that no matter how many talented individuals they had, it wouldn’t reverse the decline of Great Xia. Unless… they could find Di Yelei. But all that was impossible now!

“This talent is indeed quite exceptional! Your Honor may not be aware, but his strategic capabilities are formidable. A few days ago…”

Unable to contain his enthusiasm, General Yilv eagerly proceeded to tell Nan Tianzong about Ah-Niu’s various deeds.

Nan Tianzong meanwhile let the words go in one ear and out the other, his thoughts drifting far away.

Thinking of his own fruitless search, of Sisi who was still desperately scouring everywhere, of the ruler in the imperial court closing in on his mother, of all his plans falling apart due to Di Yelei’s disappearance…

He sighed heavily.

How could he put an end to this losing streak?

Perhaps, he should deploy some more forces, focusing purely on the Palace, following the example set initially by the Great Zhao…

His mind churned with possibilities, as he let General Yilv continue to prattle on about this remarkable talent, with the creaking sounds that wheels pressing against the worn earth made, stretching into the distance…

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Last night’s chapter was accidentally copied twice during copying. However, even after deleting the repeated content, there were still 2065 characters. I apologize sincerely for any inconvenience this may have caused to readers here.

Thank you for your understanding.