Chapter 5: Return to the Desert
Long Ying exclaimed: "This time, Bian Ao is in trouble. As long as we can seize the oasis first and give them a good beating along the way, the horse bandits, who are usually accustomed to being hunters, will instead become the prey."
Will they chase into the desert?
Long Ying asked, "How old were you when you left the bandits?"
Long Ying casually remarked: "No problem, as long as you can stay by my side."
The Shule people expressed their deep honor, stating: "It turns out that Lord Eagle has also taken notice of us. Our queen is indeed the sister of the king of Khotan, and we hold her in great affection"
Long Ying recalled the little witch, and then thought of Fu Zhen and Qiang Chi from the Great River Alliance, while he was currently dealing with their kin, a surge of indescribable feelings welled up in his heart. He nodded and said: "I have a way to cultivate him, first let him gain practical experience"
Yue Ling, Ji Gan, and others all accompanied the team to the plateau to avoid the political storm brewing in the Central Plains
The wind passes through the courtyard path: "If they were riding camels, they would surely pursue into the desert, but now they can only pretend to do so"
The prophecy of the Dragon Eagle's snowstorm has finally begun
In the battlefield of honeycomb-like sandy terrain, we gain little advantage.
Xue'er let out a soft hiss, as if she understood his words, which left everyone in awe.
Dada smiled broadly and said: "It's not just fun, it's extremely fun. In order to follow Master Eagle, this past year I have diligently practiced my Chinese and martial arts. Hey! I want to participate in this operation."
First, there was a slight vibration, followed by the sound of camels' footsteps on the ground, resembling thunder
Long Eagle Road: "This is by no means foolish talk, but rather a crucial statement. From whether the Turks would expend effort to pursue into the desert, one can infer the intelligence of the commander, who is very likely to be Danluodu himself"
With the sound of three arrows, the dragon eagle shot three arrows at lightning speed from the folded bow, disappearing into the high flurry of snowflakes. Then, with a tug on Xue'er, she led everyone down the slope to the west like a whirlwind, plunging into the vast wind and snow.
Long Ying walked back to the camp with him, preparing to summon the various leaders to reassess their plans. He casually asked, "I do not understand Brother Guan's last remark."
No one displayed signs of tension, such as rapid breathing; on the contrary, the atmosphere intensified sharply
More than 200 tents and 2,000 warhorses should have created an imposing spectacle, yet in the ocean of sand, they appeared small and pitiful
Mi Nantian, Lin Zhuang, and Ding Fumin approached them, and Mi Nantian said: "The time has come"
Xie Qingzhuang received the order and departed; he is the deputy general of Ding Fumin and is known for his steadiness
As Long Ying emerged from the tent, Dada approached and said, "Report, boss, we have found the best ambush location and are currently setting it up. The most important thing is to extend the ventilation pipe to the sandy area; otherwise, we would suffocate before the enemy even makes a move."
At the beginning, a fierce wind arose, causing the trees to sway and leaves to fall, as if a storm were approaching. Initially, it was a light flurry of snowflakes as soft as cotton, which then transformed into larger flakes, eventually rolling into snowballs the size of a child's fist. The entire grassland turned into a vast expanse of white, with snow weighing down the trees and covering the grass. After two hours of preparation, the elite troops, buoyed by the fulfillment of their commander's prophecy, set off in high spirits towards the Great Desert Sea. The warhorses were fitted with specially designed boots and protected by sheepskin, unafraid of the snow's harm or the sand's damage. After two hours of preparation, the elite troops, buoyed by the fulfillment of their commander's prophecy, set off in high spirits towards the Great Desert Sea. The warhorses were fitted with specially designed boots and protected by sheepskin, unafraid of the snow's harm or the sand's damage
Xue Yantuo, the bandit, employs brutal methods and has long been in an abnormal state of mind, filled with evil deeds, making it difficult to regard him as human. Long Ying said: "Rest assured, Brother Guan, as long as I draw breath, I will never allow them to continue their rampage and commit evil acts."
Lin Zhuangdao: "The enemy still has the capability to escape to the Hu'er Oasis, which is fifty miles away."
Jun Huaipiao laughed heartily and said: "I am indeed speaking foolishly. I am very happy, because the tone in which you speak to me is just like speaking to Lord Eagle."
Guan Yifu sincerely expressed: "I, Guan Yifu, have never submitted to anyone, but after witnessing Lord Eagle's extraordinary prowess as he navigated through the bandit ranks with unparalleled skill, I have come to believe even in things I previously doubted."
Guan Yi was confident as he said: "I know the route they take into the Great Sand Sea, and now I am also clear that they intend to reach the nearest Virgin Oasis ahead of us. Therefore, we can only proceed in a straight line, which will allow us to roughly grasp their direction and route. As long as we ambush them midway, it will be very satisfying"
The Dragon Eagles and other cavalry units arrived, and over a hundred team members responsible for the arrangements were each leading their horses, preparing to depart and regroup
Under the leadership of Guan Yi, the team members continued to weave large baskets for hiding people using the materials they brought. Those responsible for dealing with the bandits all took refuge inside the tent to rest. A heat-resistant cloth painted white was set up on the top of the tent to reflect sunlight and reduce heat. However, within less than two hours, the inside of the tent had become nearly as hot as a steamer.
Long Ying expressed: "To me, the desert looks the same everywhere; how can there be any routes to speak of?"
Do you miss home
Long Ying sighed: "Indeed, it is an impressive design. Old Huang, you are currently standing on one of the 'sand tombs'. There are a total of forty-one 'sand tombs', arranged in four rows from east to west, covered with six inches of sand. Due to the elasticity of the rattan cover, one cannot feel any difference when stepping on it."
He could not help but recall the voice and smile of the mysterious woman. She must have returned to her homeland in the desert with her people. He wondered in what year and month they might have the opportunity to reunite again
More than a hundred people stared blankly together
Long Eagle Path: "No matter how many horse bandits are lost, as long as half of them can survive, our military strength will be three times that of the enemy. When we cannot capture Huer, we will surely die. This group of bandits, accustomed to fighting in the desert, will fight desperately. Even if we divide half of our forces to march long distances to defend Huer, without sufficient rest, the enemy will come at us with a vengeance, and their numbers will be six times ours, making it impossible to hold the position. Before we reach the Nadas Fortress, we can only do what is within our capabilities. Do you understand?"
Long Ying said to Lin Zhuang and Ding Fumin: "Cooperate closely with Hu Yi; his opinion is the best opinion. After reaching the Oasis of the Virtuous Maiden, holding your ground is the complete victory. Do not pursue; it is crucial to preserve strength."
Dada joyfully went.
At dawn, the Dragon Eagle faction formed a strike team to ambush the bandits, moving northwest along a dry riverbed. As the sun dispelled the cold night, the oppressive heat ruled the land. The flat, stone-like ground stretched infinitely in all directions, accompanied only by the blinding sunlight, while the world before them faded from its rightful colors
Long Ying thought to himself that the Tianshan people were simple and honest, and would not speak insincerely to achieve a certain goal. He felt a sense of joy in his heart and patted him on the shoulder, saying: "I will take care of you!"
Everyone worked together to carefully remove the cover, revealing a concealed space beneath the ground that was 2 feet deep, 3 feet wide, and 6 feet long. Due to the limited space, only light weapons such as swords and knives could be carried.
No matter how strong and brave a person may be, they have exhausted all their courage by the time they reach this point. They advance steadily at a constant pace into the vast and boundless desert, until they catch up with their teammates who have already set up camp to rest and erected tents to shield themselves from the relentless sun. Only then do the horses and men have the opportunity to rest and replenish their food and water supplies
Long Ying's face flushed with embarrassment as he said, "You still think things through more thoroughly, my friend. I was still contemplating a major slaughter, ideally to eliminate Bian Ao. It seems the Turks are fortunate this time, as we will temporarily spare them and instead deal with the Xue Yantuo bandits."
When everyone lay down in the "sand tomb," only Long Ying lay down as well. The lid was closed, trapping him in complete darkness, feeling as if he were buried alive
In the end, one must come to a realization: "The enemy is indeed advancing from the due east, northeast, and southeast, and it is impossible not to be convinced by Eagle Master."
Where is the "Deserted Land" located?
Half of the people seem to understand, yet do not truly comprehend
Long Ying slid down from Xue Er's back, wrapping his arms around the horse's neck and saying: "Xue Er, be good, you must listen to your uncles and elders. Your father will come to coax you later"
The master of Shule, Qian Shizuo, said: "The Turks must have bandaged their horses' hooves, hence they can tread the ground silently. Young master is truly remarkable, possessing skills akin to that of an eagle."
The dragon eagle awakened and felt a large group of people passing by from approximately half a mile to the left.
Everyone thought he was joking, except for Long Ying, who cast a knowing glance at him.
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter
Long Ying casually asked: "Is the queen of your country a person from Khotan?"
The dragon eagle's gaze is fixed on the blazing sun sinking into the sandy plains of the west, while the cold wind, forever inseparable from the desert night, begins to assert its power, yet my heart feels differently
Someone whispered: "What martial arts does Master Eagle understand?"
Long Ying instructed the Han military leader in charge: "After you securely close the lid, check once more to ensure there are no issues with the ventilation of the pipe, and leave immediately."
Long Ying and a group of forty riders remained at the camp on a hill in the middle of the desert area. Apart from Hu Yi, who was responsible for leading the way, all the skilled experts were included. Long Ying also imparted to them the secret technique of controlling horses with qi. At this moment, everyone was filled with high spirits and abundant confidence
Ding Fumin said: "Can we send half of the people to occupy Huer first?"
Seeing their satisfied expressions, it was clear that everything had been arranged properly. However, the place where they gathered, illuminated by the torchlight, appeared completely ordinary, leaving one perplexed
He listened to his own team's departure; unlike others, he did not breathe through the tube leading to the ground, nor did he employ the technique of fetal breathing to enter a deep state that lay between wakefulness and sleep
Guan Yifu said: "I am familiar with their tactics and know their routes in the Great Sand Sea. Please allow me to stay, Master Eagle, to pass on the extraordinary secret technique of 'Unity of Man and Horse.' I have a way to make them take a great fall"
The wind passed through the courtyard and came to his side, saying: "Ultimately, he must be allowed to see the world; right now, he is equivalent to a half-disciple of the wilderness dance. I have tested him, and he possesses great talent and limitless potential"
It is unknown how much time has passed
Once again, I find myself in the boundless desert. There is no place in the world more devoid of life than the arid, barren desert. In such a terrifying world, no matter how far you may distance yourself from it, it still lingers secretly in the depths of your heart. Only there do you have no doubt that you are still alive, and you come to understand how precious it is to take a breath; the sensation of being relentlessly pursued by death will never be erased.
Guan Yifu said: "Regarding the matter of Eagle Master at https://www.hetushu.com, the most widely circulated story in the Taklamakan region is that Eagle Master, relying solely on his own strength, was able to calmly break through the siege of over ten thousand people, including Zhenu and Bian'ao, and even repelled the infamous Master Chan of the Army."
Guan Yifu said: "Although bandits do not possess the ability to hide in the sand like secret agents, they can create a concealed space beneath the sand using specially made large baskets. When I was twelve years old, I learned how to make these large square baskets. As long as someone assists me, I can gather materials on-site and produce seven or eight of them within an hour."
Long Ying had never thought that Guan Yifu could speak so much at once. At the same time, he realized that Guan Yifu was the child of Xue Yantuo's bandit and a woman he had captured. The beasts he referred to were most likely his father, though he would never admit it in his heart or out loud. Long Ying did not intend to inquire further into the details, nor could he bear to listen.
The two exchanged a glance and burst into laughter simultaneously
Long Ying shouted: "Open the lid!"
Guan Yifu stated: "They do not have any surplus personnel; even with their current strengthened capabilities, they will not send anyone to guard the oasis. This is not only due to the isolation of transportation but also because a large number of people stationed there would consume all the wildlife and aquatic resources of the oasis, which is not a long-term solution."
Looking up at the sky, I caught a snowflake in my mouth and said: "Old Huang, you underestimate our Eagle Lord's ability to anticipate the enemy! What I feel most deeply now is myself. At that time on the plateau, we were in the position of the Turks. Although we were numerous, we were unable to do anything to him. I truly feel fortunate to stand on his side and fight alongside him.
The wind passed through the courtyard, and he said: "I am not like you, easily distracted by two things at once; therefore, I have become accustomed to facing formidable foes without thinking of anything else"
The dragon eagle patiently waited, counting silently. After the last team passed, it gripped a heavy sword, exerted strength to move the lid, and sprang out from its hiding place.
Guan Yiufu mournfully said: "I am already fifteen years old, and I am sturdier than most children. In terms of martial skills, none of my peers can match my prowess. At that time, I had already taken on the responsibilities of transporting grain and water, and I had entered the Great Desert many times, secretly noting everything. When they asked me to participate in the war, I fled under the cover of night. Although I grew up among those beasts, I have never forgotten a single word my mother said. Master Eagle... Master Eagle..."
Dada showed a look of difficulty and said, "How can I keep up with Eagle, who moves in and out of the enemy ranks with such stealth?"
Long Eagle said: "There are indeed exaggerations; Lao Huang and I broke through one after the other. Why don't you ask him?"
Long Eagle Road: "Do you think it's fun?"
Guan Yifu said: "I do not dare to ask, for fear of hearing things that do not align with the rumors, and thus losing hope"
The two individuals responded in unison.
Wind https : / / m.hetushucomcom Courtyard Path : `` They have arrived! About two miles away, their speed continues to increase. The skills of the Turks in horseback archery are indeed remarkable. ''
Guan Yifu spoke as if recounting events that had no relation to himself: "I witnessed my mother being brutally killed by that beast. At that time, I was only seven years old. From that moment on, I understood one thing: not only must I protect my own life, but I must also become stronger than him. Therefore, I endured more hardships than other children. The tragedy occurred every day, and I witnessed the plight of women who were brought back like my mother, most of which were too unspeakable to mention. One day, I seized a rare opportunity to escape, but I knew that only by plunging a knife into that beast's belly could I truly honor my mother. For ten years, I focused on martial arts, and my resolve never wavered. When I saw the Turks supporting those even more despicable than the beasts, I cried for the second time, the first being after my mother's death. Later, I learned that the horse bandits had a feud with Eagle Master and the Prairie Dance, so I went to find Prairie Dance, as Eagle Master was my last hope.
Huang Yuan Wu Xiao said: "If the Turks do not come, should we immediately recall our brothers?"
When the time comes, there is truly no human power that can alter the will of heaven. The phrase "It is time" uttered by the corpulent eunuch triggers a force akin to a torrent that can sweep away any obstacle, creating an irreversible momentum
Dragon Eagle's Great Adventure: "In the desert, one can see everything at a glance; how could one possibly employ ambush tactics? Oh! No! Indeed, there are those who can accomplish this, namely the secretive individuals. I, too, have once ambushed them."
More than a hundred people laughed together with delight, creating a lively atmosphere
The dragon eagle took out the folding bow, unfolded it, and placed it on the arrow rest.
Long Ying reminded, "There is no need to take the bow and arrows; I will shoot one arrow in each direction and then leave"
Clang!
Long Ying wrapped his thick shoulders and said in a deep voice: "Everything is as you wish, Brother Guan. Are there any stationed troops among the bandits in the oasis?"
Guan Yi admired the statement: "Eagle Master is indeed a remarkable hero, unafraid of being outnumbered, facing several thousand with just a few. However, I am well aware of their marching tactics; they will never march in a large group of thousands, but rather in dispersed units of hundreds advancing towards their destination. As long as we launch our attack from the rear, targeting their supply caravans carrying food and water, and with our ambush positioned in the middle of the route, the bandits will find themselves in a dilemma, lacking both food and water."
Guan Yi sighed, "Therefore, the horse bandit's signature skill has no effect on Master Eagle whatsoever"
The breeze passed through the courtyard lightly, saying: "It is my sword that tells me, which is somewhat different from Lord Eagle."
The wind passes through the courtyard path: "You and I let go to fight the enemy, and let the wilderness dance to take care of him"