Bab 64: Chapter 63
"Oh?"
Hearing Strategist Wang's suggestion, Commander Shao took a serious look at General Lin and noticed her unusual behavior. She seemed shy and uncharacteristically hesitant, a stark contrast to her usual spirited demeanor.
Commander Shao was slightly surprised. Although he was also a straightforward man, he had lived long enough and was wise enough to recognize that General Lin had developed feelings for Chen Ye.
General Lin was essentially like a daughter to Commander Shao, as he had personally trained her. To him, she was not just a subordinate but his heir and legacy. It suddenly dawned on him that his "daughter" had grown up and blossomed into a beautiful woman.
If she had been the daughter of a wealthy family in Bianliang City, she would have already settled down and started a family by this age. In Commander Shao's original plan, General Lin was to be his successor.
(In the original story, Commander Shao was wounded by the Taotie, and before he died, he appointed General Lin as the next commander.)
Now, he wondered if the path he had set for her was the right one.
He gave General Lin a thoughtful look and asked, "General Lin, do you think we should keep Mr. Chen here?"
Of course, she wanted Chen Ye to stay.
"Commander, I believe Mr. Chen is a rare talent. If the Shadowless Imperial Guard can enlist him, it would be like adding wings to a tiger!"
Commander Shao smiled meaningfully, understanding her intentions. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: daughters truly grow up and can't be kept close forever.
"Very well, after this battle, the task of inviting Mr. Chen to join us will be yours."
"Yes, Commander!" Lin Mei responded with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She worried, what if Mr. Chen refused?
At that moment, Strategist Wang announced, "Commander, Mr. Chen is here."
Chen Ye was quickly approaching the command tower. Knowing the storyline, he understood that the Taotie Beast King's attack was a diversion for another plan. While appearing to assault the Great Wall defenders, the Beast King had dispatched numerous Taotie soldiers to dig under the wall, aiming to create a breach.
The Taotie Beast King's intelligence rivaled that of humans, and according to the plot, it wouldn't be long before the Beast King would retreat to regroup for another attack. Chen Ye decided to finish the Beast King today. If killing Taotie soldiers continuously yielded points, he would gladly keep fighting, but since there was a limit, he saw no reason to delay.
Now, with the Taotie army heavily wounded, it was the perfect opportunity to strike a fatal blow.
"Mr. Chen!"
As Chen Ye reached the command tower, Strategist Wang greeted him first.
Commander Shao smiled and said, "Mr. Chen, you have worked hard today. With the Taotie's imminent defeat, you deserve the highest honors!"
General Lin Mei said nothing, but her eyes were full of concern as she looked at Chen Ye, only relaxing when she confirmed he was uninjured.
"The soldiers have made great sacrifices. I dare not take all the credit," Chen Ye responded modestly. He then quickly added, "Commander, do you have any lodestones?"
Commander Shao was puzzled, "Mr. Chen, what do you need lodestones for?"
Chen Ye raised his sword and said, "This sword contains lodestones. During the battle, I noticed they might have a restraining effect on the Taotie. I want to verify this theory."
This was, of course, a lie. Knowing the plot, Chen Ye was aware that lodestones interfered with the Taotie. In the original story, the Beast King was ultimately killed with the help of lodestones.
However, Chen Ye's skill in deception was so good that his lie seemed entirely plausible.
Commander Shao's eyes lit up, "Strategist, do we have any lodestones in the camp?"
Strategist Wang replied, "There should be some in the forge!"
The forge, where weapons were made, had various minerals and materials.
"Strategist, please go and fetch the lodestones," Commander Shao ordered.
"Yes, Commander!" Strategist Wang bowed and quickly left.
Commander Shao looked at Chen Ye with intense interest and asked, "Mr. Chen, if the lodestones prove effective, what then?"
"Of course, we should use them to eliminate the Beast King once and for all!" Chen Ye declared.
"And how do you propose we do that?"
"You provide cover for me, and I will go kill the Beast King!"
In Chen Ye's mind, the Beast King represented a huge bounty of points, a prize he couldn't pass up.
Before Commander Shao could respond, General Lin Mei exclaimed, "No... Mr. Chen, the Beast King is far more dangerous than ordinary Taotie, and it is protected by powerful guards. Killing it is nearly impossible. Please reconsider."
Commander Shao sighed inwardly, confirming his suspicions. General Lin had indeed developed feelings for Chen Ye.
Chen Ye smiled at General Lin, "Don't worry, General Lin. I won't do anything reckless!"
Seeing that she still wanted to persuade him, Chen Ye added seriously, "As long as the Taotie exist, the world will never be at peace. If killing the Beast King means sacrificing my life, so be it."
Chen Ye's righteous declaration moved everyone around him, who now looked at him with admiration. They viewed him as a noble hero willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good.
Lin Mei finally fell silent, her gaze fixed deeply on Chen Ye. Such courage and resolve were truly admirable.
Even Commander Shao looked at Chen Ye with newfound respect.
Soon, Strategist Wang returned with two lodestones.
Chen Ye immediately strapped the lodestones to himself and said to Commander Shao, "Commander, if the lodestones work, I will head straight for the Beast King. Please cover me."
Commander Shao patted Chen Ye's shoulder and said solemnly, "Mr. Chen, be very careful. If it becomes too dangerous, return immediately! We await your victorious return."
Having addressed him as "Mr. Chen" earlier, Commander Shao now simply called him "Mr.," showing his deep respect.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone