Chapter 179: Endgame 2 (2/2)

”It is Yu Tao, my lord. The soldiers are ready*

Lu Yaozhu glanced down at her, ” I will be there soon”.

”Yes”.

Su Liya stepped back as best as she could, with him holding on to her hands. She ran her eyes down his full-length checking if she got everything right with the armour. Lu Yaozhu pull her into a hug and whispered into her ear, ”while I am gone, watch out for anyone or anything strange. I don't think the governor of Duanyue is the only traitor we have in our means”.

”I will be careful, don't worry, be careful out there. I will be waiting for you to return” she replied softly. she stood on her tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek.

”I will be back” he smiled and rubbed her He rubbed his thumb on the top of her plan and slowly stepped back, put on his sword and walked out of the tent.

Su Liya wrapped her hands around her chest for a few seconds before running out of the tent. She stood in front of the tent and watch Lu Yaozhu leave. She stood there until he was completely out of sight before returning to the medical tent.

*****

Meanwhile, at Lu Yaozhu's end.

Lu Yaozhu quickly came alert as he heard a faint sound of a dry tree branch getting crushed from the thick grass to his right. He skillfully moved his hands closer to his swords, while maintaining a calm expression. Yu Tao who was riding closer to him noticed his movement. He tensed up and looked around but didn't notice anything odd.

Yu Tao pulled his horse reins and rode closer to his master, ”General are we being followed?”

”Yes,” Lu Yaozhu replied with a straight face.

”Should I alert the men? It might be a sneak attack”

”Don't, whoever it is following us has no intention to attack us. Someone went exacted a lot of effort to get me to leave the camp and head to Ningzhuo, they won't attack us yet”

”Whoever is behind this, is going through a lot of effort. If you were the target, my lord, why cause all this mess?”

”Why indeed, if not as a cover-up. He cares so much for public opinion and would not want to receive criticism for using the Imperial army for his personal Vindata. That is why he staged this attack as a front to get to me, sometimes people don't know when to give up”

Yu Tao titled his head a little bit, ”you already know who is behind this attack”.

”Yes, doesn't his military tactics seem familiar?”

After some seconds of silence, Yu Tao face brightened. ”It is the Crown Prince of Chu state isn't it?”

”Yes, this is his attempt at avenging his previous defeat. ”

”So he is as bad as the rumours said” Yu Tai shook his head, ”this isn't going to be easy, General”.

Lu Yaozhu Chuckled, ”whoever said that it would be easy, I am abiding by the family rule which is to attempt the impossible. Inform the men to be on guard, we are getting closer to Ningzhuo. An attack is imminent”

”Yes” Yu Tao nodded and pulling on his horse's reins, he went back to deliver the news to the men.

As Lu Yaozhu predicted, they were surrounded a few miles away from Ningzhuo. The Crown Prince of Chu stares at high on black stead, dressed in a silver full armour he came forward with his left and right-wing generals following him behind.

”We meet again, General.” Crown Prince Chu Xiaosi said smirking