Chapter 1714: The Gap Under the Boulder
"Master Ying Shao, are we just a few of us?"
A hesitant voice was heard along the deep and winding mountain road, and it seemed as uncertain as a flickering candle flame that would be extinguished in the wind at any moment.
It’s Li Lai.
He was leading Ying Shao and a group of people behind Ying Shao, walking along the winding mountain road.
Although his leg injury had healed a lot, he still had some difficulty walking in such a steep and uneven valley after riding for half a day.
Ying Shao held the torch high in one hand and supported him with the other.
The flickering firelight could only illuminate a small distance ahead. Originally, the people behind them could all hold up torches to illuminate the way here, but in order to avoid being discovered by the sand bandits in the hot moon, they could only light this one torch. The flickering firelight cast their shadows on the towering stone walls beside them.
The shadows are vague, like a giant beast that can devour people.
Walking inside is like walking in a hell with swaying ghost shadows.
The more this happens, the more uneasy I feel.
Li Lai looked back again. Although Ying Shao had quite a few subordinates, for a team that was going to launch a surprise attack on Hot Moon Bay, the number of people here was really small. There were even fewer people than the troops led by Ye Zheng who rushed into the first garrison point in Hot Moon Bay and rescued them.
He said, "I'm afraid this won't work."
"Why not?"
"There are a large number of sand bandits in the Thermidor Crescent. Even if you want to launch a surprise attack, this number of people is definitely not enough."
“…”
"Before, when Lord Ye Zheng broke into the Hot Moon Bay, he led at least four to five hundred people."
“…”
"But later on, they didn't get any advantage."
"Then you also know that he was not successful in the end."
"I have no doubts about Master Yingshao's ability. I am just concerned about your safety. Besides—"
He said this and looked back again.
Then he said, "Your Majesty, is it true that you will not come?"
Ying Shao gave him a cold look.
This sight made Li Lai feel a little nervous. He was distracted and tripped over a stone.
"ah!"
He let out a low cry, but fortunately, Ying Shao was quick to support him.
When Li Lai stood firm, Ying Shao said coldly: "It is not your business to ask where the emperor is going and when he is going."
Li Lai's back was covered in cold sweat, and he whispered, "Yes..."
"We know how many people we need. All you have to do is lead the way."
"yes."
Li Lai didn't dare to say anything else. Ying Shao turned around and called his deputy general, asking him to follow Li Lai closely. He also handed the torch to him and took a few steps back, walking behind.
The group continued to move forward slowly.
A deputy general, Qiu Jiang, stepped forward immediately and said softly, "Sir."
Ying Shao lowered his voice so that only the two of them could hear, "How is it? Did you remember the way here?"
Qiu Jiang said, "Don't worry, sir. I have already had people mark the route along the way, and someone has been drawing a road map based on the route he led."
"Be careful not to let him find out."
"certainly."
Qiu Jiang said, and then said softly: "But... Sir, I have some doubts."
"What are you wondering about?"
"Since the emperor doesn't trust him at all, this trip is to..." Having said that, he still looked forward cautiously. Li Lai was still walking forward slowly. When he reached an intersection, he seemed to hesitate for a moment and chose to turn left.
So, the group turned left again.
He whispered, "Why do we need to mark the route and draw a map of the route?"
"What do you know?"
Ying Shao said, "Although the emperor doesn't believe him, the terrain in the Thermidor Crescent is indeed very complex. Until now, no one has been able to lead us in."
“…”
"Now, this trip is also adding content to the map."
“…”
"Even if we fail tonight, the value this journey will bring us in the future is still unknown."
"oh……"
Qiu Jiang suddenly understood.
I couldn't help but sigh: "The emperor is far-sighted."
Ying Shao glanced at him coldly, then looked ahead. Li Lai reported cautiously that the further in he went, the more complicated the road became. According to Master Gu and Master Tong, this terrain was created by floods in the early years. It was indeed a natural maze, a work of nature.
Although Ying Shao has an extraordinary memory, if he goes any further, he will probably find it difficult to find the way back.
Fortunately, someone was assigned to mark the route and draw a map of the road.
He whispered, "Let everyone be careful. We've been walking for so long, I'm afraid we're almost—"
Qiu Jiang immediately said, "I understand."
So he retreated carefully and notified all the soldiers following him to be on high alert.
Everyone became nervous at this moment. As they walked in the dark valley, they put their hands on the hilts of the swords at their waists.
Always ready to fight.
Gradually, the further they walked in, the wetter the ground felt. Some places were even muddy. Although the light was dim and they couldn't see anything, they could still clearly feel their feet stepping into the mud.
At this moment, Li Lai suddenly said: "Wait a minute."
Everyone stopped immediately.
In the narrow valley, everyone's breathing can be heard, and even the heartbeats of everyone can be heard. Although his voice is very low, it is clearly heard by everyone.
Ying Shao asked, "What's the matter?"
Li Lai said, "Sir, we have to put out the fire."
"oh?"
"In front of me is where I walked before, where the huge rock blocked the road. There should be bandits guarding the other side of there."
“…”
"The road is under the huge rocks. If we go over there with torches, the light will expose us."
“…”
Everyone looked at each other, no one said anything.
Originally there was only this one torch, and the flame was already very weak.
If this goes out, I'm afraid——
However, Ying Shao said, "Okay."
After saying that, he nodded to the deputy general. Without saying a word, the deputy general threw the torch in his hand to the ground and stepped on it. There was a crackling sound and the flames went out immediately.
Suddenly, the entire valley was plunged into pitch-black darkness.
There seemed to be some nervousness and a hint of excitement in Li Lai's voice.
With a slightly trembling voice, he said, "Okay, then we can move on."
"good."
Ying Shao's voice was cold and steady.
He just said, "You lead the way."
As he spoke, he grabbed the sword at his waist with one hand and pressed it hard against the opening of the scabbard.
Always ready to draw your sword.
They continued to move forward and turned a corner. Suddenly, although it was already pitch black in front of them, everyone felt a huge shadow in front of them, as if a monster was covering them.
It was a huge rock stuck in a narrow valley.
And there is a faint gap under the boulder.
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