108: Chapter 97: Killing Two Birds with One Stone, Exposing Suo Hanyi!_2 108: Chapter 97: Killing Two Birds with One Stone, Exposing Suo Hanyi!_2 To successfully break through and enter Linhai City, relying on force was not an option; only intelligence could assure success.
And so, the moment of peak intellectual battle with Zhi Ning was upon him again!
Suo Lun gazed at the map, pondering where along these two hundred li of the official road would Zhi Ning choose to ambush and assassinate him?
First and foremost, she definitely would not take action personally but would use the guise of rebels to encircle and ambush him.
Moreover, and most importantly, he was certain she would have Suo Hanyi kill him.
Yes, she definitely would want Suo Hanyi to kill him, so that Suo Hanyi would have no way back and would have to become a dog for Zhi Li.
And that was exactly Suo Lun’s one chance at life.
By using this, Suo Lun could deduce the location of the ambush.
By using this, Suo Lun could turn a desperate situation into a chance for survival.
Eventually, Suo Lun’s pen rested on a mountain.
This mountain was called Lingjiang Peak, standing at the end of the official road to the north, rising on the south bank of the Nu River.
Suo Lun firmly circled the mountain.
That’s right, the final location of the ambush had to be here, it absolutely was here.
Suo Ningbing was right; as long as he disguised himself and left the main army, he would be able to enter Linhai City smoothly.
But, he was not willing to do so.
In the upcoming pinnacle contest against Zhi Ning, not only did he want to escape smoothly, but he also aimed to expose the true face of Suo Hanyi.
The latter was especially important because Suo Hanyi held a higher status in the hearts of the family Samurai than even himself.
Only by risking his life as bait could he strike two birds with one arrow.
Suo Lun could distinctly feel that, whether it was Suo Ningbing, Ye Jingyu, or other family Samurai, there was a strong urge to enter Tian Shui City Territory and join with Suo Hanyi.
That feeling of apprehension as one drew closer to home, that urgent desire to go home and see for oneself, Suo Lun could fully empathize with.
He could feel even more the trust in and the reliance on Suo Hanyi.
“Master, your subordinate has something to say,” called out the voice of Suo Mu, the leader of the family Samurai, from outside.
“Come in and speak,” Suo Lun said.
Suo Mu entered, knelt on one knee, and said, “Master, do you intend to lead us into Linhai City to seek assistance from your fiancée’s family?”
Since Baiyun County was very close to Linhai City, this was not hard to guess, and Suo Lun nodded.
Suo Mu continued, “Your subordinates do not understand why we are not entering Tian Shui City Territory to join Lord Suo Hanyi?
Although Lord Gui Xingfu is your father-in-law, after all, he is an outsider.
Lord Suo Hanyi, he is your brother, your support.”
His words prompted both Suo Ningbing and Ye Jingyu to look his way.
Although both obeyed Suo Lun unconditionally, deep down, they too wondered why Suo Lun did not join with Suo Hanyi.
Suo Mu went on, “I know you and Lord Suo Hanyi do not get along well.
But his earlier discontent with you was only because you lacked competitiveness, but now that you have transformed, he would definitely be very pleased.
I think we should not hold onto personal grievances when facing the larger welfare of the family.
As the saying goes, ‘When brothers are united, their strength can cut through metal.’ Your subordinates really do not understand why you would seek an outsider instead of your brother.”
“You might not need to understand, but you do need to follow orders,” Suo Lun replied.
No sooner had he spoken than Suo Mu’s face twitched, his eyes dimming with resignation.
Although Master Suo Lun had created a miracle in the graduation examination, his character remained arrogant, so…
impulsive, so ignorant.
Suo Lun added, “If you truly cannot understand, you can leave me.”
Suo Mu’s expression trembled, and he kowtowed deeply, “I have served the Suo family generation after generation, even my surname has been changed, where else could I go?
If all else fails, I will lose my life.”
Then, he turned and left, his heart filled with sorrow and disappointment.
After he left, several other family Samurai leaders immediately approached, asking, “How did it go?
Did our lord agree to join Lord Suo Hanyi?”
With a wry smile, Suo Mu said, “Let’s just…
A lord who holds personal grudges above the fate of the family is truly disheartening…”
Inside the house, Suo Ningbing hesitated but finally asked softly, “Little brother, your sister obeys and trusts you unconditionally.
But can you tell your sister what you’re truly thinking?”
Circling a spot on the map, Suo Lun said, “We are still two hundred li from Linhai City.
In this final stretch, Zhi Ning will have laid at least ten thousand troops in wait for us.”
This statement made Suo Ningbing and Ye Jingyu’s expressions change.
“What I intend to do,” Suo Lun continued, “is to lead you through her deadliest trap and then, when she’s most proud, escape to live another day and enter Linhai City.
Jingyu, the preparations I instructed you to make, are you sure everything is ready?”
“Without a doubt,” Ye Jingyu answered, though she had no idea of the purpose of these preparations that had cost hundreds of Gold Coins.
Afterward, Ye Jingyu asked, “Then, why not join Lord Suo Hanyi?”
Suo Ningbing’s beautiful eyes also widened, looking at Suo Lun.
“Suo Hanyi has betrayed us; he’s ahead, waiting to kill me,” Suo Lun said.
“But, precisely because of this, I now have the chance to turn defeat into victory.”
Suo Ningbing remained silent, but her eyes revealed immense shock and disbelief.
Suo Hanyi’s loyalty to the family was ingrained deep into his bones; for her, the idea of his betrayal was utterly unthinkable.