novelhk Chapter 262 Elder Lin is missing
Chapter 262 Elder Lin is missing
Gao Xingchen felt his eyes go dark, and the dizziness from excessive blood loss made it almost impossible for him to stand. Nan Li's situation was not much better. Although she had subdued Elder Lin, her previous injuries were far more serious than they appeared. The two supported each other and stumbled out of the cave.
"We have to leave here as soon as possible." Nan Li's voice was a little weak, but her tone was still firm.
Gao Xingchen gritted his teeth. He knew Nan Li was right. Although Elder Lin was subdued, no one could guarantee that he had a backup plan. Moreover, the purpose of their trip had not been achieved, and the family crisis had not been resolved.
After a difficult journey, the two finally returned to the Gao family's territory a few days later. However, what greeted them was not the expected cheers and condolences, but a gloomy and bleak atmosphere.
When the head of the Gao family saw his son and Nan Li's wounded appearance, his heart suddenly sank. Before he could ask, Strategist Sun hurried forward and said in a heavy tone: "Head, the situation is not good! Our family's reserve supplies are almost exhausted."
Gao Xingchen and Nan Li were both shocked when they heard this. They had not been away from the family for a long time, so how could there be a shortage of supplies?
"What's going on?" Gao Xingchen asked, suppressing the discomfort in his body.
General Li sighed and explained, "During this period, the Zhao family has been harassing us constantly and cutting off our contact with the outside world, making it impossible for us to obtain supplies. In order to defend against the Zhao family's attacks, the family has consumed a lot of resources..."
Gao Xingchen finally understood that during the time he and Nan Li were away, the family had actually gone through such a severe test. He suddenly felt a deep sense of self-blame and worry.
"Is there no other way?" Nanli asked, her brows slightly furrowed.
Everyone was silent, no one could think of a solution. The Gao family's territory was remote, and resources were scarce. Now that the Zhao family had cut off contact with the outside world, they were in a desperate situation.
The head of the Gao family looked at the people in front of him with sad faces, and felt helpless. He knew that the future of the family was now on his shoulders, but he could not find any way out.
At this moment, a guard rushed in, knelt on the ground, and said in a trembling voice: "Master, Elder Lin... Elder Lin..."
"What happened to Elder Lin?" Gao Xingchen had an ominous premonition in his heart.
"Elder Lin... is missing!"
The guard's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in everyone's ears. Elder Lin is missing?
The face of the head of the Gao family turned livid in an instant. He stood up suddenly, and the teacup in his hand slipped to the ground and broke into pieces. The tea splashed everywhere, but no one cared. Everyone's eyes were focused on the guard, waiting for his explanation.
"Tell me clearly what you mean by missing?" Gao Xingchen stepped forward and asked sternly.
The guard was so frightened that his whole body trembled, and he quickly explained: "Reporting to the young master, we were ordered to guard Elder Lin, but this morning we found that he had disappeared, and there was only a letter left in the room..."
Gao Xingchen snatched the letter from the guard, unfolded it, and his face suddenly darkened. The letter was left by Elder Lin, and the handwriting was sloppy, and it was obvious that he was in a panic when he wrote it. In the letter, Elder Lin admitted that he had betrayed his family and claimed that he had surrendered to the Zhao family. He would take all the secrets of the Gao family in exchange for wealth and glory.
"Damn it!" Gao Xingchen slammed the letter on the table fiercely, anger almost bursting out of his eyes. He never thought that Elder Lin would be so despicable and shameless, betraying the family and betraying trust.
Nan Li reached out and held Gao Xingchen's hand, squeezing it gently, signaling him to calm down. Although she didn't say anything, the coldness in her eyes showed her mood at the moment.
The head of the Gao family slumped in his chair, as if he had aged ten years in an instant. He had never thought that Elder Lin, whom he had always trusted, would be a traitor to the family. This news was such a huge blow to him that he could hardly bear it.
"Master, now is not the time to be sad. We must find a way to resolve the crisis as soon as possible." The voice of Strategist Sun brought the head of the Gao family back from his grief.
The head of the Gao family took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He raised his head, looked at Advisor Sun, and asked, "Mr. Sun, what suggestions do you have?"
Advisor Sun pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Master, the dilemma we are facing now is a shortage of supplies, while the Zhao family has hoarded a large amount of supplies. I suggest that we send an elite team to sneak into the Zhao family's warehouse and seize their supplies."
"This is too risky!" General Li was the first to stand up and object. "The Zhao family's warehouse is well guarded. There is no way we can succeed."
"No risk, no gain." Advisor Sun looked determined. "As long as we plan carefully, there is a chance of success."
Everyone's eyes were focused on Gao Xingchen and Nan Li. They all knew that the key to the success of this plan lay in these two people.
Gao Xingchen and Nan Li looked at each other, their eyes were full of fatigue, but at the same time burning with determination. They knew that the fate of the family was now in their hands.
"Okay, let's go!"
Gao Xingchen and Nan Li took on this almost impossible task. Exhaustion came like a tide, but they dared not slack off. The fate of the family was now on their young shoulders.
"We need a thorough plan." Nan Li's voice was as calm as ever, as if no difficulties could stir up any waves in her heart. Her slender fingers slid across the map, outlining the route to the Zhao family warehouse and the various obstacles that might be encountered.
Gao Xingchen was in charge of recruiting people and selecting elites. However, what made him feel chilled was that the family was not united. Some people doubted his leadership ability and their words were full of doubts and dissatisfaction.
"Xingchen, are you sure you want to do this? It's too risky!" The speaker was Gao Xingchen's uncle, the younger brother of the Gao family patriarch. He was always cautious and conservative, and was full of worries about Gao Xingchen's bold plan.
"Uncle, I know what you are worried about," Gao Xingchen took a deep breath and said firmly, "but we have no way out. If we can't seize the Zhao family's supplies, we will not be able to get through the difficulties we are facing."
"But……"
"No buts!" Gao Xingchen interrupted his uncle, "I believe we can succeed!"
Gao Xingchen's words were full of confidence and determination, but this could not completely dispel everyone's doubts. The atmosphere in the room became depressing and heavy, and everyone's face was full of worry and uneasiness.
At this moment, a guard ran in in a panic, breaking the silence in the room. "Master, something bad has happened! The Zhao family... the Zhao family has sent a declaration of war!"
"What?!" Gao Xingchen snatched the letter of challenge, unfolded it, and his face turned pale. The content of the letter of challenge was very simple. The Zhao family required Gao Xingchen and Nan Li to fight a decisive battle in the valley where the two families met in three days, otherwise they would destroy the Gao family!
"This is too much!" The head of the Gao family was so angry that he was shaking all over, and the letter of challenge in his hand was crumpled into a ball.
"They are forcing us!" General Li gritted his teeth, "Master, let's fight them!"
"Fight? What can we fight?" Advisor Sun smiled bitterly and shook his head. "We are short of troops and food supplies. We are no match for the Zhao family."
The room fell silent again, and everyone's heart was filled with despair and powerlessness.
"Xingchen, what are your plans?" Nanli walked to Gao Xingchen and asked softly.
Gao Xingchen didn't say anything, but clenched his fists tightly, staring at the location of the Zhao family warehouse on the map. He knew that this was a gamble, and the fate of the entire family was at stake.
"Nanli," Gao Xingchen raised his head, his eyes gleaming with determination, "You lead a team of elite soldiers to sneak into the Zhao family's territory secretly and look for opportunities to seize supplies. I will go to the appointment and hold back the Zhao family!"
"You're going alone?" Nan Li frowned, "This is too dangerous!"
"Don't worry, I will be careful." Gao Xingchen patted Nan Li's shoulder and said firmly, "Trust me, we will definitely get through this difficult time!"
Nan Li looked at Gao Xingchen's determined eyes and finally nodded. She knew that now was not the time to hesitate, they had to race against time to win a glimmer of hope.
Can Gao Xingchen and Nan Li successfully seize the supplies? How will they deal with the upcoming decisive battle?