218: Chapter 0218 Test

An unfathomable pressure enveloped the room!

Zhao Yunting's hands trembled, his throat swallowing hard. Having experienced countless brutal battlefields, he was actually feeling a trace of instinctive human fear!

"You... you really are a Great Grandmaster!?"

Lin Xiao nodded. This was the first time he had spoken of this matter to an outsider.

"Heh... hehe... That makes sense. Why would you tell such a lie to a dying man like me?"

Zhao Yunting's expression eased. "No wonder. It all makes sense now. The rapid rise of the Zhenbei Army—so that's how it was."

"I have heard that Great Grandmasters do not cling to worldly power, but it seems... that is not entirely true."

Lin Xiao did not answer. He did not know the situation of others, but for himself, he did not want to let down those who trusted him.

Perhaps one day in the future, he would take his confidantes away from worldly troubles and live freely in the world, but that time was definitely not now.

Besides, having transmigrated, he had to do something, or else what would be the point?

Suddenly, Zhao Yunting summoned his remaining strength, crawled off the bed, and tried to kneel before Lin Xiao!

Lin Xiao hurriedly held him steady with both hands. "General Zhao, I do not blame you, why must you do this?"

Zhao Yunting shook his head with a bitter smile.

"This kowtow is not for me, nor for the Zhao family. I only beg Lin Xiao not to abandon the military families still in the Yan Region!"

Lin Xiao suddenly understood. So that was it.

Come to think of it, although both the White Kings Army and the Yan Kings Army had surrendered, there was a difference.

The White Kings Army were basically from around E Prefecture, so their families were relatively safe.

But the families of the Yan Kings Army, including those military households of the Cold Iron Guard, were all in the Three Prefectures of Yan.

According to the customs and laws of the Great Gan, if soldiers defected, the military households would be held collectively responsible, ranging from exile to execution.

However, the surrender of the Yan Kings Army this time was actually more like "submitting to the imperial court." Legally speaking, it did not count as defecting to the enemy.

The Yan King himself was also rebelling. If he took action against the military families, he might be playing with fire and burning himself.

Therefore, the army did not hesitate too much during the day. With blood rushing to their heads, they simply surrendered.

"I know the Yan King does not dare to directly slaughter these families on a large scale, but the Yan King is arrogant and will never let this go!"

"Once he is pushed to a dead end, there is no guarantee what crazy things the Yan King might do!"

Zhao Yunting looked worried and earnest. "I beg Lin Xiao to take the opportunity to recover the Three Prefectures of Yan to stabilize the morale of the army!"

"What?"

Lin Xiao doubted he had heard correctly. "You want me to... directly attack the Three Prefectures of Yan?"

"Lin Xiao may not know, but ever since the internal chaos of the Great Gan, the Khitan King Yelü Dachuan has been eyeing the Three Prefectures of Yan."

"If not for our Cold Iron Guard, the Khitan White Wolf Cavalry would have already broken through the pass!"

"Now the Yan King only has seventy thousand elite troops and less than forty thousand of the Prefectural Army. Once the Khitan King Yelü Dachuan launches an all-out attack, the Yan Region will surely fall within half a month!!"

Lin Xiao found it strange. "It is still winter, and the Yan Region is bitterly cold. Would the Khitan people choose to attack at this time?"

"You do not know this, but the Khitan people are more cold-resistant than the Yan people. For generations, they have fished under glaciers and relied on fish oil and animal skins to survive the winter."

"In winter warfare, except for our Cold Iron Guard, ordinary armies are no match for them."

Zhao Yunting frowned. "And, although the strength of both sides is similar, their greatest warrior, General Yelu Chuku, possesses natural divine strength and superb martial arts!"

"He studied under the former Grand Shaman of the Khitan and has forged a body of steel and iron, invulnerable to blades and spears!"

"With him there, the remaining generals of the Yan Kings Army simply cannot survive on the battlefield!!"

"For these years, I have stayed behind closed doors and rarely acted, forcing the Cold Iron Guard to practice formations, just to keep him in check and prevent him from acting rashly!"

Lin Xiao frowned. "Is that General Yelu Chuku the guy who seriously injured you?"

Zhao Yunting nodded bitterly. "I underestimated him back then. I thought a spear thrown from hundreds of feet away wouldn't have much power, but who knew... sigh!"

There was more regret and disappointment in the old man's tone, but not a hint of resentment.

He respected the strong; if he lost, he lost.

Lin Xiao could not help but feel a trace of admiration in his heart. He was truly a famous general of his generation.

"General Zhao, in your heart, you still hope that I can save the Yan King, right?"

Lin Xiao smiled. "If I do not go to recover the Yan Region, once it is conquered by the Khitan, or if the Yan King commits some heinous acts, he will surely die."

Zhao Yunting did not deny it. "Even if His Highness the Yan King hates me to the bone, I promised the late Empress that I would protect him."

Lin Xiao thought for a moment, stood up, and said, "I know about this matter, but I cannot promise you immediately."

"Why?"

Zhao Yunting asked anxiously. "Does Lin Xiao not want to take the Three Prefectures of Yan? This is an unprecedented achievement!!"

"It sounds wonderful, but the situation in E Prefecture is still unclear, and I have not yet been able to rendezvous with my own Zhenbei Army."

"If the pressure from Sha Prefecture is too great and Prince Bai invades Cang Province on a large scale, I must prioritize the northern border."

Lin Xiao said solemnly. "General Zhao, you want to protect the Yan King and the people of the Yan Region, but I also have people I need to protect, so... I hope you understand."

Zhao Yunting sighed deeply and smiled self-deprecatingly.

"I almost forgot. Lin Xiao is a Great Grandmaster; how could his calm state of mind and firm will be easily influenced by me."

Lin Xiao said, "General Zhao need not be too disappointed. If everything goes smoothly in E Prefecture, I will consider your suggestion."

The Yan Region was full of fertile black soil, vast fields, and rich mineral resources!

And there was an outlet to the sea, sea salt, and seafood!

Lin Xiao was actually very covetous of these things.

"In that case, I have only one last wish, I beg Lin Xiao to grant it!"

"Please speak, General Zhao!"

Lin Xiao did not promise anything yet.

Zhao Yunting reached out to the candle and covered the light three times.

As the light and shadow in the room changed three times, Zhao Cailing outside received the signal and walked in.

Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow, finding it novel. There was such a secret code?

"Father, why are you out of bed? Lie down quickly!"

Zhao Cailing hurried to help the old man back up.

But Zhao Yunting's spirit was quite good at this moment. He smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It's fine, I feel very comfortable now."

As he said this, Zhao Cailing was about to cry.

She was a healer and had seen too many partings and deaths, knowing it was the final flash of vitality...

Zhao Yunting asked, "Your sister, is she ready?"

"Um..." Zhao Cailing pouted. "She is waiting outside..."

Zhao Yunting looked expectant. "Caiwei, come in."

Lin Xiao was a bit confused, not knowing what the old man meant. What did he want Zhao Caiwei to prepare?

But when he turned his head and saw the woman slowly walking in from the courtyard gate in the distance, his gaze was instantly captivated.

A woman in an indigo-colored long dress, embroidered with silver Luan bird patterns, with a slender waist and an elegant gait.

The woman had black hair hanging down to her waist, tied up at the back with enamel hairpins, with no other decorations, elegant and transcendent.

Her originally cold and exquisite features were even more breathtaking and soul-stirring after changing into women's clothing!

Damn it! The old man knows how to play! Using this to test this General!?

"Father..."

Zhao Caiwei bowed gracefully, without any military feeling, more like a refined young lady.

"Beautiful... My Caiwei, you look so beautiful in women's clothing."

Zhao Yunting's eyes welled up with tears. "It's been a long time since I've seen you dressed like this... It is Father's fault for wronging you."

Zhao Caiwei's eyes filled with crystals, and she shook her head. "It is not a wrong for a daughter to be able to accompany her father."

"It's a pity... Father can no longer watch over you."

Zhao Yunting turned his head, looked at the thoughtful Lin Xiao, and said, "Lin Xiao... can you take care of this daughter for me?"