novelraw Chapter 207 : War of Attrition
Chapter 207 : War of Attrition
After passing through a muddy area that reached their calves, Shen Han and the others arrived at a riverbank.
Dazzling sunlight shone down, making the river shimmer.
It was as if someone had scattered countless diamonds across the water's surface, refracting extraordinarily brilliant light.
Hearing the gentle flow of water ahead, Shen Han couldn't help but lick her cracked, parched lips.
Since being captured yesterday evening, she hadn't been able to drink a single sip of clean water.
The Yin Country soldiers naturally wouldn't show her any preferential treatment.
They knew this Alpha before them was S-class and could endure hardship.
So, during the journey, they replenished their own water and energy, ignoring her entirely.
Shen Han relied solely on collecting dewdrops to quench her thirst.
But the team's pace was not slow, and often after much effort, she could only achieve a drop in the bucket effect.
Better than nothing.
Those dust-tainted droplets of water couldn't save her throat that felt like it was about to smoke.
Now, being able to pass by a riverbank was as precious to Shen Han as finding a lifeline.
Just as she was pondering how to react if these Yin Country people prevented her from approaching the river,
Her eyes narrowed slightly as two long, blood-colored scratches appeared in her field of vision.
Following the trail, she saw that with each step taken by the middle-aged man carrying Takeda Tatsuya, fresh blood dripped from his feet.
They hadn't noticed when trudging through the swampy ground earlier, but now it was clear that the injury to his feet must be significant.
Watching the bloody mud scraped onto the rocks, Shen Han couldn't help but be secretly alarmed.
'Is that man's pain nerves insensitive? Or has he completely lost his sense of pain?'
'Could he also be an Awakened? This person's endurance is simply terrifying. He's been walking all night carrying a burden without once asking for rest.'
As these thoughts crossed her mind, the soldier walking behind Shen Han suddenly exclaimed, "Stone Elephant, what happened to your feet!"
The "Stone Elephant" the soldier referred to was the middle-aged man's code name.
All of Takeda Tatsuya's disciples used animal names as part of their aliases.
Like Red Fox, Black Rat, and White Ant.
The important natural characteristics of these animals corresponded to the disciples' different temperaments and abilities.
Stone Elephant represented stubbornness and clumsiness.
Upon hearing the soldier's cry, the team immediately stopped in place.
Two people quickly helped Takeda Tatsuya down, while another took out a field first-aid kit, intending to treat the middle-aged man's wounds.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to her for the moment, Shen Han seized the opportunity to move to the riverbank.
She first washed the dirt off her hands, then began to drink water slowly and in moderation.
A few meters away, Takeda Tatsuya's clearly displeased voice sounded low, "Stone Elephant, why didn't you say anything when your foot injury was so severe?"
Stone Elephant hung his head, carefully saying, "I'm sorry, teacher. I was afraid stopping midway would delay your journey."
Hearing this answer, Takeda Tatsuya fell silent for a moment.
Nearby, Shen Han thought to herself: This student taught by the old fox is truly simple-minded!
Doesn't he know that letting a minor injury that could have been treated in 5 minutes become a major one not only wastes more time but also adds an extra burden to those around him?
Of course, while she thought this, she didn't show any related emotions on her face.
The more the enemy's side faltered, the better it was for her!
The silence continued for quite a while, until the soldier crouching on the ground finished treating Stone Elephant's foot injury and told everyone the problem wasn't as serious as it looked. Only then did Takeda Tatsuya speak again.
"Don't do this again in the future. When it's time to sacrifice, don't shrink back; when it's time to preserve yourself, don't stick your neck out. This is the mission and responsibility the younger generation should have."
Stone Elephant nodded like a pecking chicken: "I understand, teacher. I'll definitely remember."
The others also stood at attention and gave Takeda Tatsuya a military salute.
Shen Han drank water inconspicuously, trying to minimize her presence as much as possible.
She had always known Takeda Tatsuya was a very hypocritical person, and now she was witnessing it firsthand.
As far as what he just said, one couldn't really find fault with it.
A bowl of chicken soup poured down, immediately boosting morale.
However, when combined with his actions before and after, problems were easily noticeable.
If Takeda Tatsuya truly cared about his disciple, he wouldn't have remained silent all night while lying on his back.
Moreover, when the soldier was examining Stone Elephant's feet earlier, he never once inquired about the injury.
These behaviors could, of course, be explained by his calm personality.
But as an observer, Shen Han could clearly see that Takeda Tatsuya truly didn't care about anyone but himself.
After resting for 5 minutes, the team set off again.
Takeda Tatsuya refused Stone Elephant's offer to carry him again.
He looked back at the path they had come from and ordered, "Everyone enter the river and walk downstream along the shallow water path."
As he spoke, he pointed out two soldiers: "You two use a stretcher to carry Stone Elephant."
Hearing this arrangement, the slight notion that had just flashed through Shen Han's mind immediately dissipated.
They were now wading through the river, and any traces or scents left behind would be washed away by the flowing water.
Reinforcements following their trail could only find this spot; any further search would become scattered and inefficient.
The hope of secretly leaving marks for her own people was extinguished, but Shen Han didn't feel particularly disappointed.
After all, the enemy before her was a formidable opponent. If he couldn't consider such details, he wouldn't be qualified to face off against Gu Junwan.
Thinking of her wife, Shen Han's heart immediately surged with endless longing.
Since coming to the ancient kingdom of Solan, the two had been separated.
Although they video called each other every night, their mutual yearning grew with each passing day.
They had finally overcome obstacles to reach where they were today, only to encounter this unexpected turn of events.
Shen Han didn't regret her decision to cover for her teammates' escape.
She only worried that Gu Junwan would be afraid and heartbroken if she couldn't find her.
So, no matter what, she would find a way to persevere.
She knew Takeda Tatsuya wouldn't kill her for now.
Because only by keeping her alive could he satisfy his profit-seeking nature!
Just as Shen Han was silently contemplating how to escape her current predicament, Takeda Tatsuya made another move against her.
Their current position was not close to the camp.
Even if they traveled non-stop, it would take two days to reach it.
Now, because of the addition of an important prisoner, Takeda Tatsuya very cautiously took a detour.
This detour would extend the time to six days, perfectly aligning with the conditions for his next use of his ability.
Along the way, the soldiers didn't provide Shen Han with any food or drinking water.
This problem wasn't actually too big, as there were many things in the wilderness that could be used to stave off hunger, just of poor quality.
What really made Shen Han feel unbearable was that the enemy wouldn't allow her to rest.
After leaving the border of the ancient kingdom of Solan, the Yin Country team no longer rushed day and night without stopping.
They would rest every few hours, and the soldiers would use this time to nap, eat, or treat any injuries sustained along the way.
They reached another temporary rest stop.
Shen Han was very tired and was about to sit down when her back was violently struck with a rifle butt.
"No sitting down! No leaning!"
The intense pain and the soldier's shout came simultaneously from behind, forcing Shen Han to remain standing.
Her wrists were bound by metal handcuffs, preventing her from fighting back against the surrounding enemies.
"Captain Shen, how about we chat about your Empress's daily routines?"
"Even trivial matters will do."
"Just say something, and I can give you food and let you lie down to rest for half an hour."
Takeda Tatsuya's voice came from nearby.
That steady tone could give people a sense of reliability.
Shen Han raised her eyelids to glance at him but didn't respond.
She stood in place, swaying, her usually straight-as-bamboo back now showing signs of bending.
Shen Han knew exactly what Takeda Tatsuya was up to.
Casually mentioning a few words indeed carried no risk of leaking intelligence.
Even if she made up lies, he wouldn't be able to distinguish truth from falsehood.
But once she did so, she would step by step fall into the mental trap designed by the enemy.
By comparison, it was like the process of a circus taming animals.
At first, the animal only needs to respond to very simple commands to get food.
The brain remembers that feeling of comfort and then subconsciously influences the next choice.
The vast majority of people always think they can pull back from the brink.
Little do they know, when they take that first step forward, they've already fallen into an abyss.
Moreover, just hearing the words "Empress" from Takeda Tatsuya's mouth felt like a desecration to Shen Han.
How could she possibly engage in further discussion with him?
She believed her wife must already be meticulously planning.
As long as she could endure these few days, things would surely take a turn!
Just as she was thinking this, waves of deep fatigue suddenly washed over her like a tide.
The sunlight and greenery before her eyes seemed to have a gray filter cast over them, instantly losing their original colors.
The world suddenly returned to chaos, and Shen Han collapsed to the ground, falling unconscious.
The soldier guarding her cursed as he walked over and kicked her.
After finding no response, he then called out to Takeda Tatsuya, "Sir, she's fainted."
Takeda Tatsuya sat cross-legged on a flat mat made of grass, while his disciple Stone Elephant was fitting a portable blood pressure monitor to his wrist.
Hearing this, he closed his eyes and said casually, "She probably won't die. No need to bother."
The soldier nodded and asked, "Should we wake her up then?"
Takeda Tatsuya thought for a moment, then replied, "Do that in half an hour."
"Remember, this person is a bargaining chip in our strategic game. She can be injured, she can be maimed, but she cannot be allowed to truly die."