Chapter 445 - 444: Armor

Chapter 445: Chapter 444: Armor

The September at Shanyu Pass was incredibly refreshing.

Du Yunluo entrusted Brother Yan to Zhuang Ke’s care and took a carriage to Shanyu Pass.

This was what Mu Lianxiao had promised her, making use of these relatively free days to show her the city walls of the pass and a distant view of the yellow sands of the Great Desert.

Shuying had driven her carriage and delivered her outside Mu Lianxiao’s residence.

Ming Liu came out to greet her and opened the door for her.

Mu Lianxiao was not there at the time, and when Du Yunluo entered, she noticed the room was even smaller than their home in the town.

The kang built against the wall was no deeper than half her height.

Du Yunluo pressed her lips and smiled; with it being so shallow, it was no wonder that Mu Lianxiao was so overjoyed that he bumped his head when he heard she was pregnant.

The room was tidily arranged, with writing implements on the large desk and a map hanging on the wall.

Based on the previous guidance from Mu Lianxiao, Du Yunluo found Xuancheng, Shanyu Pass, and Ancient Meili on the map.

From Shanyu Pass to Ancient Meili, though not an unreachable distance, the intervening desert barrier had become an insurmountable gap, like the moon in the sky.

Now, with Mu Liankang leading the way, they were sure to cross this vast desert, becoming a surprise force falling from the sky, taking Ancient Meili off guard.

Footsteps resounded outside the courtyard, and Du Yunluo quickly walked over, thrusting open the window and leaning her head out.

Mu Lianxiao stood there in full silver armor, holding a long spear, speaking with Shuying.

Under the sunshine, the silver gleam was dazzling. Mu Lianxiao’s form appeared even taller and more slender, his helmet’s red tassel fluttering in the breeze, his handsome face brimming with heroic spirit.

Du Yunluo was momentarily dazed.

Suddenly, she recalled what Jiuxi had told her about how Mu Lianxiao looked in silver armor.

Hmm, he truly looked good; Jiuxi was right, she couldn’t bear to look away.

Hearing the noise, Mu Lianxiao turned towards it, locking eyes with Du Yunluo, and curved his lips into a smile.

Du Yunluo smiled shyly.

Mu Lianxiao took a few steps inside and was about to remove his armor when Du Yunluo stopped him.

"Let me take a look," Du Yunluo said.

Mu Lianxiao assumed she wanted to see what it looked like, so he stood still, explaining every part to her.

This is the Bright Armor, this the shoulder guard, this the robe...

Du Yunluo listened attentively, moving around to Mu Lianxiao’s back, her palm covering the spot where he had been struck by an arrow in his past life.

Though protected by silver armor, the armor consisted of countless plates, not a single seamless piece, with gaps where the armor body connects to the skirt.

A well-aimed arrow could knock Mu Lianxiao off balance, even if it didn’t immediately take his life...

That’s exactly how it happened in the past life.

Du Yunluo examined this silver armor, realizing the connecting areas weren’t as solid as the densely packed plates; to pierce them with an arrow required not only great strength but also close distance.

From further away, it wouldn’t be easy to hit, and the force would dissipate, unable to penetrate.

Moreover, with Mu Lianxiao on horseback, fighting with his spear, the connecting areas would be in constant motion.

Only up close could such an outcome occur.

Du Yunluo lowered her gaze, involuntarily sighing.

Mu Lianxiao heard and turned around, asking, "What’s wrong?"

Taking a deep breath, Du Yunluo clenched her fists, steadying her voice as much as possible: "I was thinking about Uncle’s matter. If Uncle’s disappearance truly was Second Uncle’s doing, with Uncle returned now, what might Second Uncle be thinking?"

Mu Lianxiao furrowed his brow, his eyes darkening, and wrapped Du Yunluo in an embrace, his voice deep, "Are you worried something might happen to me?"

Du Yunluo bit her lip and softly replied, "I once thought with this silver armor, you’d be impervious to swords, guns, arrows, and crossbows; it would be strong enough to protect you.

The last time you wore it, I was too agitated by that villain to have a proper look.

Now that I see, it’s not as sturdy as I had imagined."

Mu Lianxiao couldn’t help but laugh, "Listen to what you’re saying. If it truly were impenetrable, wouldn’t our soldiers, all clad in armor, be invincible, leaving no casualties?

This merely shields one from injury. Remember the wound on my arm? Even with armor, when a blow is struck, it can still cause harm."

As he finished talking, observing Du Yunluo’s brows knitting tightly, Mu Lianxiao realized she’d been scared and hurried to console her: "Yunluo, don’t worry. Once we conquer Ancient Meili and weaken the Dazi, the border will be peaceful for decades. Then I won’t need to don armor to fight."

Du Yunluo uttered a vague response and pondered a while before asking, "In battle, is there accidental injury?"

"There is." Mu Lianxiao released Du Yunluo while removing his silver armor, "When two armies clash, tangled together, with people everywhere, it’s easy to accidentally harm someone if you’re momentarily distracted. Amongst thousands or tens of thousands of people, there’s bound to be accidents."

Seated behind the large desk, Du Yunluo rested her chin in her hands, watching him: "I understand. Before, when you were at the Northern Border, you and Uncle served as the vanguard, charging ahead. But what about the back?"

Mu Lianxiao chuckled.

He had initially intended not to discuss battlefield matters with Du Yunluo.

Such blood-soaked scenes were not for someone like Du Yunluo to know; she only needed to know he was safe.

He didn’t want to frighten her with terrifying words.

Nevertheless, since Du Yunluo’s questions were about minor details, not gruesome and terrifying, Mu Lianxiao considered and answered, "The back? You can’t always worry about your back. If I’m charging forward and keep looking back, the enemy’s blades ahead won’t hesitate.

Yunluo, in battle, you must press forward courageously and not cower at the rear."

Du Yunluo pouted and retorted, "I didn’t say you should hide in the back."

The battlefield was entirely unfamiliar to Du Yunluo, yet the mere thought of thousands fighting to the death was enough to send shivers down her spine.

She didn’t wish for Mu Lianxiao to be overly cautious; when fighting for one’s life, there’s no time for hesitation.

Previously, she had been too willful, burdening him with a heart full of concern; she didn’t want to be like that again.

Nobody knew where the sudden attack might come from. If mentioning it could prevent Mu Lianxiao from getting ambushed again by a hidden arrow, she’d have brought it up, but that was impossible.

There was no need to speak words that would only cause distraction.

Having changed into regular clothing, Mu Lianxiao fondly pinched Du Yunluo’s nose, "Don’t think about it. What were you up to before I came back?"

Du Yunluo gently swatted away Mu Lianxiao’s hand, cast him a sidelong glance, then walked to the map, "I was looking at this. The Princely Heir once taught me; this is Shanyu Pass, and this is Ancient Meili."

Her fair fingertips traced the map, Mu Lianxiao’s gaze following her hand.

"Princely Heir, given that Jia De’s surprise attack is no longer a secret, might Ancient Meili be on guard?" Du Yunluo tilted her head and asked.

From behind, Mu Lianxiao encircled Du Yunluo’s waist with one arm, holding her hand with the other, "That Wuna Li is exceedingly arrogant and has known our intent since we garrisoned at Shanyu Pass."