Chapter 1048

This war, triggered by Li Qichen, has actually left Chen Wuji feeling a bit dazed even after fighting until now.

It happened too fast, so fast that recalling it feels unreal.

Chen Li used the plainest blade, full of confidence, sharpening his knife with a hiss, ready to fiercely slaughter the Uyghurs of Da Yu, giving them a good lesson, telling them what 'victory favors speed' means.

At most half a day, they defeated a force of fifty thousand with fewer troops, causing the enemy commander to flee in panic, barely managing to save his life.

How could such a battle not be satisfying?

"Is the elder sir still at Yǐnmǎchuān?" Chen Wuji asked, withdrawing his thoughts.

Old Master Lu Three grunted, "That Uyghur Qili Tribe seems not simple; there are many experts. I've told the eldest to stay temporarily to help Chen Eleven, just in case the Qili Tribe has any ulterior motives."

"If anything really happens, the eldest's legs are always faster than an ordinary scout's."

Chen Wuji laughed, "This matter was only something you, Master Lu Three, yourself brought up; otherwise I wouldn't dare to use you lot as scouts."

But having experts of this level as scouts, the efficiency is also truly high!

Having Grandmaster-level experts as scout chiefs and Masters as scouts makes Chen Wuji feel as if he has radar troops; unfortunately, such a luxurious configuration is unthinkable.

It's only used like this occasionally when things are urgent.

"Marquis, you really wear out these old bones of mine." Old Master Lu Three said, "If the Marquis has any orders, this little old man dare not shirk them; moreover, I actually quite like being a scout. When I gather useful information, I feel as if the crops in the fields have had a bountiful harvest—very reassuring."

"Even if you truly like it, I wouldn't really let you lead scouts."

"Marquis, you give too much face to these old bones of mine." Old Master Lu Three waved his hands repeatedly.

Chen Wuji laughed, "Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure; it's only right that you be given more face. I still rely on you and the elder sir to help teach my children in the future; if we push you too hard, and one day you lose your temper and just walk away, I won't even have a place to cry."

Old Master Lu Three's expression suddenly stiffened, "The Marquis just said...... bring the children?"

Yes

"Marquis, if you assign me this task, I really will have to run." Old Master Lu Three said, "The kids of Lu Jia Village, most of them were raised by me and the eldest; now that I think about it, bringing children gives me a headache, especially Wanwan...... the most headache-inducing."

"……"

This matter left Chen Wuji somewhat surprised.

I didn't expect this old man to actually be afraid of this.

"This matter is still early; we'll talk about it later, later." Chen Wuji decisively changed the subject, "Shi Yi Shu's side is temporarily fine, and I'm not in a rush to go meet him; this gives me a good chance to have a proper talk with that cavalry that fled."

That bunch of bastards chased him madly for eighty li; now it's his turn.

"Marquis, are you planning to take the Jīnwèi yíng to chase the enemy's ten thousand cavalry?" Old Master Lu Three's face suddenly turned solemn.

Chen Wuji waved his hand, "It's not ten thousand anymore; now there's probably only half left, and they're all exhausted men and horses, otherwise they wouldn't be able to run this fast."

"A force of comparable strength, fleeing in panic, is just right to drill the Jīnwèi yíng."

Since taking command, Chen Wuji has very much wanted to build an Eagle Cavalry like that under the Champion Marquis.

Not mentioning the mythic feat of traveling over a thousand li in six days without any luggage and supplies; if he can achieve half that, managing to muster even a shadow of the most basic Lightning Cavalry, he thinks that would be enough.

He knows this is difficult.

But as long as he keeps making progress in this direction, there is hope for this.

Old Master Lu Three heard that the Uyghur pursuit forces have only about half their strength left, and they're exhausted men and horses; the solemnity on his face finally faded a little, but he still said uneasily, "Old man wants to add a word of advice: the Marquis should inform Chen Eleven and also mobilize one Lìng of troops to come over as support."

"Yǐnmǎchuān still needs to guard against the Qili Tribe; no need to toss and turn anymore. The Jīnwèi yíng is no mere decoration; these are the brothers who followed me east and west in campaign, each having already undergone the test of life and death." Chen Wuji said.

"I'll just let Shi Yi Shu know; there's no need for anything else. I still cherish my own little life, and I won't do anything I have no certainty about."

Having reached this position, the people below care more about his life and death than Chen Wuji himself does.

Even the slightest risky matter requires considerable discussion.

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Chen Wuji, Old Master Lu Three nodded helplessly and muttered in a low voice, "Had I known the Marquis would personally lead the troops into battle, I should have brought those few kids along."

Chen Wuji paid no heed, ordering the army to quicken its march.

Nightfall had just begun.

Today's weather isn't great; there's been a feeling that rain is imminent, yet not a single drop has fallen so far.

Such weather is quite cool in the daytime, but for Chen Wuji preparing to march at night it's not so pleasant; the light of the stars and moon is blocked, and the land quickly falls into darkness.

The sky is black, the land is black as well; only faintly can one distinguish the boundary between sky and land, and the outline of the mountains; everything else seems to cloak itself in a camouflage that makes it hard to tell friend from foe.

Chen Wuji, who hadn't prepared torches, had to take them out and slow his march.

Already approaching a pitch‑black night where you can't see your hand in front of your face; without torches, even the road beneath one's feet is indistinct.

A squad of scouts, torches in hand, rushed up to Chen Wuji and said, "My lord, we have spotted the enemy's trail to the northwest, about five li away; they are eating dinner and seem to intend to spend the night there."

"Wushuang, did you hear that? Sneak up and give them a little surprise!" Chen Wuji shouted, "I give you two hours to finish them!"

Yes sir!

Chen Wushuang accepted the order, leaving two hundred to protect Chen Wuji while leading the rest of the troops forward stealthily.

A mere five li distance is practically right under our eyelids.

Seeing that Chen Wuji had no intention of personally charging forward, Old Master Lu Three quietly let out a sigh, lit a pipe for himself, squatted on the ground and began puffing away, the firelight flickering in the darkness, illuminating that face as stern and dignified as a door god's, merely a bit gaunt.

Chen Wuji lay down on the ground beside Old Master Lu Three, took a pinch of his tobacco, and also lit one for himself, saying, "When I have free time I'll make one of these too; the taste of rolling paper is too strong, it makes people's heads a bit dizzy, but the tobacco's flavor completely masks it."

Upon hearing that, Old Master Lu Three produced a short pipe from his pocket as if by magic, "Marquis, you couldn't have just happened to see that, could you? I only just made this a couple of days ago."

"Really not." Chen Wuji looked amused.

"This must be a case of tacit understanding; I happen to want it, and Master Lu Three happens to have it."