Chapter 372 Lin Zhongyun’s alertness, Hu Yanhuan
The smoke of war was everywhere. Lin Zhongyun lowered his head, looking at everything around him, his heart gradually sinking.

Although he could understand that Yuan Jingxin did this for his own good, the fact that he made a decision without consulting him made him extremely angry.

He, Lin Zhongyun, never liked having his fate decided by others, especially in a matter of life and death like this.

At this moment, a burst of dense horse hoof sounds suddenly came from the grassland in the distance, the sound was rapid and heavy.

The sound echoed in the silent night sky, penetrating the coldness and tension all around, like a heavy hammer hitting Lin Zhongyun’s heart, making him instantly alert.

He paused slightly, frowned, pricked up his ears, and listened attentively to the approaching sound.

The sound of horse hooves increased in number, and the dense footsteps, with a deterrent force, quickly filled the entire grassland.

Obviously, it was a large-scale northern barbarian army that was rapidly gathering or transferring, and its movements seemed very urgent.

“What is going on?” He was confused and realized that things were not that simple.

At this time, the sudden large-scale deployment of troops by the Northern Barbarians from the front line must have indicated that something major had happened.

He knew in his heart that no matter what the matter was, it had undoubtedly disrupted the current deployment of the Northern Barbarians, and it might be an opportunity for them.

At this time, the sentry in front also saw the situation clearly and shouted anxiously: “Your Highness, the Northern Barbarians seem to be making a big move.”

Hearing this, he no longer cared about Yuan Jingxin’s affairs. He immediately turned around and walked towards the spy who was on the lookout.

The spy’s eyes flashed with panic, and he knelt down and reported: “Your Highness, on the grassland ahead, the northern barbarian army is moving quickly!
Judging from the size of the troops, it seems that Hailanhak’s main force is undergoing a large-scale mobilization. The situation is not good!”

Lin Zhongyun stared at the spy and asked in a cold voice, “Are you sure they are the main force of Hailanhak? Do you have more detailed information?”

The spy lowered his head and answered cautiously, “Yes, Your Highness, based on what we observed from a distance, the Northern Barbarians’ cavalry is very elite and has a neat formation. They should be the main force under Hailanhak.

Moreover, their movements seem somewhat chaotic, with a larger group of troops moving westwards, while another group is gathering eastwards, apparently preparing for some large-scale action.”

“Preparing for a large-scale operation?”

This news made Lin Zhongyun frown even more tightly, and the darkness between his brows became deeper.

The doubts and vigilance in his heart became stronger. Although such a thing was almost impossible, he could not help but believe it after seeing what he saw.

The actions of the Northern Barbarians were definitely not simple. They were obviously making some large-scale deployment, and the timing was too coincidental. It seemed that they were preparing for a key battle that was about to happen.

“Could it be that the Northern Barbarians have already noticed our actions?

No, since they haven’t launched an attack yet, it means that they are not completely sure of our position, or they are preparing for a possible situation. “

Lin Zhongyun muttered to himself, one guess after another emerged in his mind, but then he denied them one by one.

But the guard beside him was not as calm as him, with anxiety and worry flashing in his eyes, “Your Highness, how should we deal with this?”

His duty was to escort Lin Zhongyun to join the army safely. Although he didn’t know why the northern barbarian army was transferred from the front line.

However, whatever the reason, there is no doubt that such a change would add unnecessary complications to their plans.

You have to know that if you delay, something unexpected will happen. If the Northern Barbarian army reacts, it will be extremely difficult for them to escape at that time.

Thinking of this, his eyes became resolute, and he pointed to the vague exit of the ranch in front of him and whispered: “Your Highness, we can’t drag it on any longer.

If the Northern Barbarians react, all of General Yuan’s efforts will be wasted.”

Lin Zhongyun took a deep breath and made a quick decision: “Immediately adjust the team and try to move in secret to avoid direct contact with the Northern Barbarians.

We cannot let them discover our location, especially not by alerting them. Continue to be vigilant and be prepared to respond at any time.”

The guards and other accompanying soldiers quickly carried out the order, knowing that any negligence at this time could put them in fatal danger.

Lin Zhongyun raised his head again, his eyes penetrating the thick night fog, staring fixedly at the battlefield ahead filled with thick smoke.

At this moment, he had an ominous premonition in his heart – the mobilization of the Northern Barbarians seemed to be in preparation for a more violent counterattack, and the fate of him and the rebel army might be about to face a life-and-death test.

“If this is really Hailanhak’s main force, then isn’t he preparing for a bigger operation?”

Lin Zhongyun muttered in his heart, his expression gradually becoming serious, “No matter what, we must first find out the movements of the Northern Barbarians before we can respond.”

It was quiet all around, with only the occasional sound of wind and the faint chirping of insects on the grassland at night.

Behind him were his personal guards and several elite soldiers, but at this moment everyone was silent, as if they could sense the tense atmosphere.

“It really doesn’t seem like the routine transfer of the Northern Barbarians.” Lin Zhongyun whispered to himself, with a hint of hesitation and alertness in his eyes.

His eyes were focused on the Northern Barbarian Army in the distance, and he sensed something strange.

Although the Northern Barbarians’ army’s transfer in the middle of the night did not cause any large-scale noise, it was too rapid and could even be said to be deliberate.

He knew that the Northern Barbarians’ conventional tactics were to quickly mobilize troops to create an overwhelming advantage and force the enemy to act according to the route they set.

However, today’s transfer was really too strange.

Now, what else is happening in the entire Hailan Ranch that could make Hailan Hake make such a big fuss?

At this time, the spy came to him and reported in a low voice: “Your Highness, the vanguard of the Northern Barbarians has been transferred. We just observed that their forces seem to be rapidly gathering in the north, and that direction is…”

“Highland Ranch?”

After hearing this, Lin Zhongyun frowned slightly. The spy’s words reminded him.

This group of northern barbarian troops was moving in a completely opposite direction to their direction and it was obvious that they were not coming for them.

If that is the case, the only person who can cause Hailanhak to make such a big fuss inside Hailan Ranch is Chagan Uli.

In the battle of Hailan Jiabo, Chagan Ulichai launched a surprise attack, causing Hailan Jiabo to suffer heavy losses.

The rift between Hailanhaq and Chagan Uli had been growing due to their instigation.

Now, after being attacked by Chagan Wuli, how could he swallow his anger so easily? If so, then everything would make sense.

After the disastrous defeat at Hailanjabo, Hailanhaq felt deeply threatened and even transferred troops from the front line.

Such behavior is consistent with Hailanhak’s character, so it is not directed at them at all.

“Turns out it was just a false alarm!” Thinking of this, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The wind blew, causing his robe to flutter slightly, but at this moment his whole aura was unusually calm.

The soldiers around were silent, and no one dared to disturb His Highness who had led them through countless difficulties.

The reason why they still choose to follow Lin Zhongyun is because they believe that His Highness will be able to lead them out of the desperate situation.

“If my guess is true, then there are only two paths before us!” Lin Zhongyun said to himself. His voice was low and calm, as if he was talking to himself, and as if he was deeply reflecting on the upcoming decision.

He knew that the Northern Barbarians had begun to mobilize troops. Although this meant that Hailanhak had set a trap for him, if he made the right choice at this time, he might be able to reverse the situation.

He looked down at the grass at his feet, as if wondering whether each step he took would determine the life or death of the rebels.

“The passage Yuan Jingxin found earlier is indeed the only chance for us to avoid the heavy blockade of the Northern Barbarians.” Lin Zhongyun analyzed silently in his heart, “If we choose to continue moving forward, infiltrate the rear of the Northern Barbarians, and join forces with the army outside, we should be able to take advantage of the Northern Barbarians’ troop transfer and break their encirclement.”

But he immediately thought of another way, which seemed to be a dead end.

He didn’t want to admit it, but his mind told him that this dead end was also a realistic option: “However, turning back and retreating is a complete dead end.”

He took a deep breath, and the information previously reported by Yuan Jingxin flashed through his mind.

There was almost no hope of retreating. If they chose to retreat, they would only be surrounded by the Northern Barbarians and might not even have a chance of survival.

By then, not only would he be unable to rescue Li Zhongwu, but even his own team would die.

He couldn’t imagine that kind of ending, but the reality was so cruel.

He raised his head unconsciously and looked into the darkness in the distance, as if staring at the movements of the Northern Barbarian Army.

Although he felt a little uneasy, his reason told him that continuing to move forward and joining the army outside might be the only hope.

“Since the frontline defense of the Northern Barbarians has begun to show gaps, we should take advantage of this gap.” Lin Zhongyun murmured to himself, “As long as we can break through the front line of the Northern Barbarians, squeeze into the hinterland of the army, and merge with the army outside, we will be able to regain control of the situation.”

He already had a rough plan in mind.

But at the same time, Lin Zhongyun’s heart was full of contradictions.

He knew very well that no matter which path he chose, the risks would be huge.

The Northern Barbarians’ defense line ahead should not be underestimated, and their military strength is only a few hundred people. It is almost impossible to break through the Northern Barbarians’ blockade.

However, his reason told him: If they didn’t even dare to seize this chance, they would forever lose hope of counterattack.

Lin Zhongyun made a decision silently in his heart. He tightly grasped the command knife in his hand, with a determined light flashing in his eyes: “We must move forward. The only way out is to move forward. We can’t look back.”

Lin Zhongyun turned around and glanced at the soldiers behind him who were waiting for orders. His tone was steady and firm, with an unquestionable power: “Keep moving forward! Everyone, get ready. Tonight we will break through the Beiman’s defense line and try to join up with the army outside.”

The guards and several elite soldiers moved in response, the atmosphere was tense but full of expectation. Lin Zhongyun’s decision did not leave them room for hesitation. Everyone knew that now was not the time to discuss plans, but the time to act immediately.

“Your Highness, what should we do if we encounter the enemy ahead?” One of the guards asked tremblingly, obviously still a little worried.

Lin Zhongyun took a deep breath, his eyes flashing: “No matter how dangerous the front is, we must cross it quickly.

Go all out! Anyone who dares to give up halfway will not be forgiven!”

This order was like the sound of a war drum. Everyone was inspired by the momentum, and no one dared to doubt in the tense atmosphere.

The entire team began to move quickly, following Lin Zhongyun’s orders, preparing to advance along the secret passage under the cover of night.

Lin Zhongyun turned around and glanced at the backs of his guards and soldiers, and his heart was slightly moved.

Although this decision was fraught with danger, he knew very well that only in this way could the rebels find a glimmer of hope in desperate situations.

A strong obsession emerged in his heart, that is, “Don’t give up any opportunity to fight back!”

“The hope of the rebel army lies ahead.” Lin Zhongyun whispered, his eyes becoming more determined, “No matter what, I will not let this road become our dead end!”

……

As night fell, Hailanhake’s tent was still brightly lit.

The air in the tent was filled with a depressing atmosphere. Battle reports were piled up like a mountain. Hu Yanhuan, who was sitting at the table, was frowning and concentrating on reading the intelligence in his hands.

The handwriting on each piece of paper seemed to remind him that Lin Zhongyun’s actions were getting closer and closer, but he never made a move.

Hu Yanhuan put down the documents in his hand, leaned back in his chair, and sighed deeply.

Although he had long anticipated that Lin Zhongyun might choose to rescue the prisoners, Lin Zhongyun’s calmness and patience now made him somewhat unsure of what he was thinking.

Logically speaking, Lin Zhongyun should have acted early when he knew he had the opportunity to rescue the prisoner. However, he was extremely calm in the face of this opportunity and did not even make any rash moves.

“Lin Zhongyun, Lin Zhongyun, aren’t you afraid of missing the opportunity?” Hu Yanhuan whispered to himself, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and a trace of helplessness and complex emotions flashed in his eyes.

He originally thought that Lin Zhongyun would rush into the trap regardless of everything in his eagerness to rescue Li Zhongwu, but now it seems that Lin Zhongyun seems to be waiting for something – a more appropriate time.

He couldn’t help but fall into deep thought about Lin Zhongyun’s decision. In the past few days, Hailanhak’s mobilization, especially the retreat of the front line, were all deliberately created opportunities for Lin Zhongyun.

In this situation, even if Lin Zhongyun knew that this might be a trap, he should have acted immediately. After all, Lin Zhongyun no longer had any trump cards to delay.

However, Lin Zhongyun did not act as expected, which made Hu Yanhuan feel a little uneasy.

“He is more patient than I thought. Perhaps that is why he can get out of difficult situations time and time again.” Hu Yanhuan smiled bitterly…

(End of this chapter)