Chapter Nine, the road ahead is uncertain

Dragon Eagle Path: "Then it is settled. I have devised a plan to achieve multiple objectives with a single action. You will rest here for a while, during which time you will establish defensive fortifications at the oasis to withstand attacks from any direction of the desert. After that, we will set out northward, and I will meet you at the edge of the desert, at which time it will still be the depths of winter"

A deep and resonant voice spoke in Turkic: "I may have a way to find a secretive person."

The Nadas Fortress is certainly not built on the sandy ground that resembles a beehive as seen in front.

It is hard to believe: "Aren't you living by hunting in the forest area? How could you know about such matters?"

Long Ying pondered that this was equivalent to the extermination of the three clans or the nine clans in Middle-earth. At this time, when the Turks were particularly arrogant, even powerful entities like the Uighurs and the Khazars did not dare to act recklessly. As for the other weaker tribes, who would dare to take the risk of annihilation to provoke a tiger's whiskers

Dada smiled and said: "How could I dare! How could I dare! In fact, these people do not constitute a tribe; they are those who fled from the Turkic region. Their ancestors have Han blood, and they reside in the area around the Black Water, with over a hundred households. They produce fireworks and sell them to Gaochang and Yanqi, fetching a high price.

This may perhaps be a deliberate illusion presented to outsiders; in other words, no one knows their whereabouts

Ding Fumin expressed his confusion, saying: "How can one stone kill several birds?"

Long Ying pondered for a moment and said to Le Zhuan Peng, "If we set off from the eastern grasslands and travel day and night, how many days will it take to reach Xiajiasi?"

The wind passed through the courtyard and said in a low voice: "Speak immediately!"

"Is it possible to use deception? Nadas is a transit station for grain and supplies, capable of continuously supporting military operations to the west without fear of being cut off. On the other hand, it can suppress the Huigu and Xiajiasi. However, there are always cargo caravans traveling back and forth. As long as we employ the same tactics as before, dealing with the Xueyantuo people, we could target one of these caravans, disguise ourselves, and approach the fortress. At the right moment, we could launch a surprise attack, and perhaps we could capture one of the fortresses in a single blow"

The morale and fighting spirit of the entire elite brigade are built upon a strong confidence in the Dragon Eagle's power

Dada Dao: "Whoever comes to Tianshan to fool around, the wise ones should greet us first, at least to avoid stepping into traps and leaving with half a life. Sometimes, when injured by venomous snakes or fierce beasts, they will still need our rescue"

Dragon Eagle strikes the leg and says: "I just thought of it!"

The desert serves as the best natural barrier; if they did not have hiding places akin to sun wells, they would not be able to enjoy the most enchanting paradise of the desert as they do at this moment

Long Eagle Dao: "You have expressed my innermost thoughts. We have underestimated the Turks. Yesterday's complete victory was composed of numerous complex conditions favorable to us. Had we engaged on the plains, even if we had achieved victory, we would certainly have had to sacrifice half of those on www.hetushu.com. We have underestimated the border wanderers even more, and we have underestimated the Turks."

Everyone cast their gaze filled with anticipation

As they spoke, those who were late gradually arrived, with over one hundred or two hundred people either sitting or standing, encircling them, discussing future plans as if they were family.

Again, I will take responsibility for this. As long as there are sufficient materials, once I invoke the name of Lord Eagle, I can guarantee their cooperation. After all, we share blood relations!

Long Ying lamented, "This is too uncertain; time is of the essence. If we wait until next spring when the flowers bloom and the secret finally appears, we will have already missed the prime opportunity"

The wasteland dancer lamented: "They will not help us, for fear of retribution from the Turks"

Long Ying Mu Ran said: "I am very afraid"

Le Zhuangpeng exclaimed, "Does Lord Eagle actually know him? He is a highly respected individual, and this is the first time I have heard someone refer to him as 'kid.' The title of Master Smith is a prestigious one, personally conferred by the king. It is said that the previous generation's Master Smith, after seeing a sword forged by the current Master Smith, felt inferior and passed on the title to him."

The wind passed through the courtyard, and with a sigh, I found myself powerless to help. I knew that Long Ying was troubled, contemplating whether to make a decision and return to the army early.

The wasteland dancer gazed up at the gray, overcast sky and pondered: "Who is familiar with the desert and does not fear the retribution of the Turks?"

As the wind passed through the courtyard, a thought stirred within, and I inquired, "What is the esteemed name of your current master craftsman?"

The wind passed through the courtyard and sat down beside Long Ying, exclaiming: "Why not join in the excitement? The camels and horses, upon seeing the lush grass by the lake and river, seem to go wild; I too share in their joy and excitement."

The attention of the crowd turned to Long Ying, not only regarding the matter of finding a new generation of master blacksmiths in Xijia, but also concerning the safety of the entire journey

The dragon eagle emerged from the tent, and the oasis was a picture of tranquility. The vast majority of people remained inside the tent, resting, much like the Turks before they launched their attack the morning before last, with no sense of vigilance.

At least a month's journey is required, but it is only possible to be this fast if one changes horses multiple times along the way

Then there is hope

The Wind Through the Courtyard Path: "Do you still remember the dry riverbed we passed on our way here? If the Danluo troops were stationed there, a swift horse could reach this oasis in a day. Your concerns are indeed justified. Fortunately, if enemies were to approach, it would be impossible to keep it from you."

Long Ying first felt that the wind passing through the courtyard also had a sense of retreat, understanding his feelings, as he himself was no longer carefree and unburdened

Long Ying sighed, saying: "If we cannot find someone familiar with the local area to clarify the situation, we will have no choice but to abandon our journey and return to Yumen Pass. Although the return journey is fraught with difficulties, it still offers a glimmer of hope, which is better than heading to Shatuo Gobi to meet our demise, leaving our bodies to be pecked at by the vultures.

Upon arriving to join their master Shule, he sat down by a large rock on the shore and exclaimed in astonishment, "Master Eagle actually knows how to make firearms?"

The dragon eagle remained staring blankly at the indistinguishable boundary of the sandy sea, as the sun transformed into a large red sphere, hanging low near the horizon, casting a blood-red hue over the oasis.

Long Ying and Feng Guo Ting exchanged a glance, simultaneously recalling that although the atrocities committed by the Turks were beyond description, they nonetheless facilitated a different form of cultural exchange between the Central Plains and the regions beyond, bringing firearms technology to the outer territories

On the evening of the third day after the fierce battle, Long Ying went alone to a gentle slope on the eastern edge of the oasis, distancing himself from others to reflect deeply. The crowd dared not disturb him, and ultimately, it was Feng Guo Ting who came to see what was on his mind.

Dada made an exaggerated gesture of admitting guilt, which amused the crowd. Then, with a leisurely demeanor, he said: "Because a certain group of people often goes to the Tianshan Mountains to collect mining materials, which they claim are used to make gunpowder for fireworks and artillery. Hey!" He then turned to Long Ying and said: "It was Master Eagle who taught me this; by taking a few twists and turns first, it leaves a deeper impression and makes your words seem particularly weighty."

The dragon eagle sat down beside the dance on the wasteland, receiving green tea made from locally sourced materials in his right hand, while in his left hand he held a half-dried leg of lamb, a trophy left behind by the Turks. After eating and drinking, he proposed two matters he wished to accomplish to the crowd

The wind passed through the courtyard, and a voice was lost: "Could it be that the dragon eagle is afraid?"

The path ahead is certainly fraught with difficulty. At present, it can be said that the enemy is hidden while we are exposed, as we must leave the desert, and the enemy is aware that we will head north, making it easy for them to track our movements

The dragon eagle's eyes gleamed, proclaiming: "Secret Clan!"

Le Zhuanpeng, nearing fifty years of age, possesses the typical robust physique of a Kyrgyz person. He is beginning to show signs of baldness, yet carries the confidence and nonchalance characteristic of his people. His broad chin and wide face are adorned with a friendly expression, exuding an air of tranquility and contentment.

As everyone's gaze turned towards him, Le Zhuan Peng said leisurely: "The secretive people have some dealings with us, the Qiaojiasi. Every once in a while, they come to our country to exchange rare and precious medicinal materials from the desert for weapons made of heavenly stone. However, the process of trading is kept confidential, and only our master craftsman is aware of it"

Everyone stared in silence, including Feng Guo Ting.

At dawn the next day, Long Ying awoke to a world of complete silence. Still in a half-asleep, half-awake daze, he initially believed that the little witch and Ren Ya were by his side. After a while, he realized he was in another world, a thousand miles away from them, and his body ached all over. The exhaustion from the past ten days had taken its toll after a deep sleep. Although his magical essence was inexhaustible, his physical body remained mortal, and his true energy could be depleted, leading to physical exhaustion. His constitution was already beyond that of ordinary people, and one could imagine the condition of others. Therefore, a good rest of seven to eight days was of utmost importance

Dada, who came with him, sat down beside Quan Shi and said: "We excel at setting traps, yet we do not understand fireworks and rockets. Oh! I know which group is skilled in this area."

Long Ying said with a bitter smile: "I am both afraid and worried. I worry that I will never be able to leave this terrifying place, and I fear that I will never reach Tianshan. As for Gongyue City, it seems to be far away in the heavens, not to mention the Nadas Fortress."

Except for Feng Guoting and Mi Nantian, who are clear about the whole story, the others are left in confusion. However, it is evident that Long Ying appears so confident because he knows certain things that they do not.

He continued after a slight pause: "I have a strange feeling that only this moment belongs to us; the past and the future are entirely in the hands of the heavens. The reason we are still alive is that the heavens are still willing to show us favor."

Although Hu Yi was born in the Great Desert Sea, he spent most of his time living in the region of the Huighur, and he was not very familiar with the situation to the north. He shook his head and smiled bitterly, saying: "In the past ten years, no one has dared to venture into the territory of the Turks, unless they are willing to pay tribute to them and obtain their approval. Everyone fears offending the Turks, as it could bring disaster to the entire clan; no one acts alone in this matter."

Feng Guo Ting exclaimed in surprise, "Have you studied this?"

Long Ying casually said: "I will take the route through the eastern grasslands, first launching a surprise attack on the Turks to lure them into pursuing me. Then, I will reach Xiajiasi in fifteen days, contact the secret agents through Shengdu, and return to ascertain the enemy's arrangements in the Great Desert. At that time, knowing both ourselves and the enemy, breaking through the encirclement to head north will no longer be a difficult task"

Long Ying said: "I thought they had specific desert areas, wouldn't that mean the Taklamakan Desert is also one of their territories"

The wind stirred the curtains, and with a nod, I said: "I understand your concerns. Like you, I have a fear of the desert. Just think of its unpredictability, the sandstorms and tornadoes that arise from nothing; it is not only humans who are unafraid."

The sound of water is the most enchanting sound in the desert

Everyone immediately fell from the peak of excitement, feeling bewildered and lost

While talking, he sat down opposite Long Ying

The desolate figure lamented in despair: "If the secret clan does not come to oppose us, we can still restore our spirits and bring blessings. How could they possibly be enemies of the Turks?"

I can convey a message to him on behalf of Master Eagle

The wasteland dancer chuckled silently and said, "This little brat is asking for a beating!"

He is called Sheng Du

The Dragon Eagle Path: "It is forced out, whether in desert or semi-desert areas, it is completely empty, with no means of concealment, which is equivalent to delivering it to the enemy as a target for practice. We might also have to face powerful catapults and crossbow machines, while we only have the strength for a single strong assault. Failing to capture it would mean a complete defeat. How can one not think more thoroughly about this?"

Long Eagle Path: "I am once again worried that Danluo might come in to deal with us. Although the likelihood is small and it would be very unwise, the world is unpredictable, and no one can be certain."

Everyone looked at the speaker with great surprise, and it turned out to be a clever Koryak man, a renowned shaman of the country, skilled in traditional healing methods

The wind passing through the courtyard has prompted me to consider this issue for the first time, and I agree: "Without a solid foundation, it is impossible to build fortress-like structures on shifting sands; fortifications must inevitably be situated in hilly areas, oases, or gravelly locations, yet no one knows where they are located"

The dragon eagle headed towards the Zhen Nv River, where Nan Tian, Feng Guo Ting, Huang Yuan Wu, and Lin Zhuang were enjoying a hearty breakfast by the riverbank. Additionally, more than ten travelers were taking advantage of the warm sunlight to joyfully bathe in the cold river water.

Finding the secretive individuals is not an easy task; one can only roughly understand their areas of activity, which extend north to the Altai Mountains, east to the Helan Mountains, south to the Qilian Mountains, and west to the desert north of Suiye. This vast region, collectively referred to as the 'Great Desert,' includes both semi-arid and desert areas, all of which are regarded as their territory.

At this moment, circumstances differ. Mo Che's betrayal of the oath is tantamount to betraying the secret clan, and it has also led to the deaths of numerous secret members. The secret members have always believed in repaying kindness, but they also seek vengeance. Although the two sides have not formally severed ties, their relationship is currently at a low point. By now, the secret members should understand that Mo Che is not only using them but also has intentions of using them as a tool to eliminate them. Damn it, if you won't help me, who will help?

In the heart of the Dragon Eagle, the work "Manual of All Poisons" by Master Wei Lianxiang, the plump elder, emerged. He said in a deep voice: "I have only read it. The materials can be gathered along the way, but we still need a group of skilled craftsmen familiar with the processes. The Wildlands Dance should have a way to address this."

The wind passes through the courtyard path: "Although we are well aware that it is feasible, it remains difficult to accomplish. Firstly, we need another Guan Yifu to clearly understand the opponent's route; even if we succeed, due to our lack of knowledge about the strength of the Turks, infiltrating the fortress will inevitably lead to a bloody battle. If the other two fortresses come to aid upon hearing the alarm, we fear that the odds will be against us. Only by decisively overcoming all three fortresses in one go, while preserving sufficient strength, can we hold onto the three fortresses until reinforcements arrive from various directions"

Everyone wants to laugh, yet they cannot.

The mood in the courtyard became as heavy as his, understanding why Long Ying came here alone to sit in solitude. In the background, smoke curled up, rising gently into the gray-blue sky before sunset, while the brothers were busy starting a fire to cook. Here, they would have to stay for at least seven to eight more days, until the severely injured had fully recovered, before they could set out. In this place, no one could withdraw midway, except for death.

Hu Yidao: "Although I grew up in the desert, I have never seen their shadows. However, according to what Eagle Master said, it seems that he has some connections with them. The secretive individuals appear to be solitary and reclusive by nature, yet they are actually very loyal and value relationships. Perhaps they are aware of Eagle Master's arrival in the desert and will appear to offer assistance."

Lin Zhuang's expression changed as he said: "In this case, the Turks are well-acquainted with the Shatuo Desert, while we know nothing about it"

Laughter echoed from behind, as the elite troops remained immersed in the joy of their overwhelming victory

There is another consideration: if one truly understands the Shatuo Desert, one would be more aware than anyone else of how impossible it is to advance into the desert to attack the fortified strongholds heavily guarded by Turkic troops. To act knowingly against the odds, there is no other fool besides oneself.

Dada Dao: "I believe it is worth a try. They fear the Turks the most and also hate them the most. If we succeed in our victory, they can continue to live peacefully by the Black Water; otherwise, they will have to continue their westward migration, or even return to their ancestral homeland in the Central Plains. They will never allow themselves to live under the tyranny of the Turks again. Who knows when the Turks might suddenly break in and violate their women?"

Long Eagle Path: "In addition to someone familiar with that desert, we also need a person who can quickly produce a batch of toxic smoke weapons. If we cannot find such a person, we will have to rely on my younger brother to take the stage bare-chested."

Long Ying said: "As for the matter of firearms, I did not expect it to be resolved so easily, and since we are close to the Shatuo Desert, there is no need to travel a long distance to Kucha for reinforcements. What about the other matter? How do we find someone who is well-acquainted with the Shatuo Desert?"

The voice of Hu Yi sounded from behind him: "The Shatuo Gobi has always been regarded by the Turks as their sphere of influence, not allowing outsiders to interfere. The more than ten small ethnic groups living in the Shatuo Gobi have either been slaughtered without leaving a single sheep or cow, or forced to surrender and submit. The most powerful Shatuo tribe has already become a lackey of the Turks. The fact that Mo Chuo can establish the Nadas Fortress certainly indicates that there are people from the Shatuo tribe assisting them." The most powerful Shatuo tribe has already become a lackey of the Turks. The fact that Mo Chuo can establish the Nadas Fortress certainly indicates that there are people from the Shatuo tribe assisting them.

Dada stuck out his tongue and said: "Truly another Kou Zhong, even this seemingly impossible matter was actually thought of by Eagle Master."

The wind passes through the courtyard path: "You have thought this through very thoroughly"

Long Ying said dejectedly: "Because what we are facing is a desert that never understands jokes. My brothers have entrusted their lives to me, and I must consider their parents and wives and children. Just think of Yue Ling and Xiao Wan, and you will understand what I mean. How can I let them suffer the loss of their beloved?"

Long Yingxi said: "It really is that kid Sheng Du, isn't the name of the Master Smith his master?"

The wasteland dancer said: "You don't seem to grasp good things so quickly, yet you have learned to speak evasively like Master Ying. Just tell me directly."

The wind swept through the courtyard, drawing a sharp breath and exclaiming: "How severe it is!"