Great Wilderness Demon Lord

"We can't force it," Xiao Yunlan said in a low voice. "We need more precise information. We need to know the exact time, route, and escort configuration for their next transport."

We might even need to create an opportunity that forces them to take a route we can predict and ambush.

He raised his head, his eyes gleaming: "Continue to observe, don't alert them. There are two key points: First, find a way to confirm what they are transporting—is it mainly grain, or something else?"

Second, look for any fixed communication signals or rendezvous points between the Wugu camp and the transport convoy. Also…”

He paused, then turned his gaze to another direction on the map: "Any new information about the battle in the south, towards Zhenhuang Pass? Even just rumors?"

Tieshan shook his head: "The blockade is too tight; the cavalry can't get through at all. Lately, we haven't even seen any smoke signals in the southern sky. I don't know if it's because the distance is too far, or..."

Or has Zhenhuang Pass already fallen? He didn't say the rest.

Xiao Yunlan was silent for a moment, then waved his hand: "Go. Tell the brothers to be patient. What we're waiting for is a chance to survive; we can't rush it."

Tieshan accepted the order and withdrew.

Silence returned to the tent, broken only by the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire. Xiao Yunlan sat alone, staring at the map, lost in deep thought.

The supply lines of the Langrong have begun to emerge, but they are like a mirage, difficult to grasp. Food supplies within the city are dwindling daily, and morale is precarious. There is no news from the south, and the future looks bleak.

All the pressure fell on the shoulders of this young defender.

Deep within his dantian, the throbbing of demonic thoughts seemed to grow clearer, tempting him to take more radical, more direct, and perhaps more effective measures—for example, to try using the power of demonic thoughts to sneak out at night and personally investigate or even sabotage...

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the restless urge.

To rely on demonic thoughts is like drinking poison to quench thirst.

We are far from reaching the end of our rope.

He must rely on his own wisdom and the strength of his soldiers to find a way out of this desperate situation.

"The supply line... the rendezvous point... the route..." he muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tracing patterns on the table.

A vague idea gradually took shape. Perhaps, we shouldn't just focus on the transport team itself.

The Langrong's transportation system includes the starting point (rear camp), the route, the destination (Wugu camp), and the communication links in between.

Where is the easiest link to break through?

The finish line is heavily guarded. The route is unpredictable. The starting point is impossibly far away.

So... what about communication? When the transport convoy departs and arrives, is it necessary to communicate with the Wugu camp in advance?

During the long journey, were there any fixed transit points or rest stops? Did the guards, the Wolf Warriors, also experience moments of fatigue, relaxation, or having to leave their posts?

More pieces are needed to piece together the complete picture.

Xiao Yunlan opened his eyes, his gaze hardening once more. He summoned his personal guard: "Go and fetch Shi Biao."

Since what the eyes can see is not enough, perhaps we can send out our hands to get a closer look at this artery hidden in the snow and wind. Shi Biao and his chamber of commerce guards travel in the north year-round, are familiar with the snowy environment, and are most adept at operating in this gray area.

It's very risky, but worth a try.

The ice city remained silent, but behind those thick ice walls, a silent hunt targeting the enemy's lifeline had quietly begun.

-----------------

When Shi Biao was summoned to the main tent, he still carried the chill from his patrol of the city walls.

The slick, worldly air that usually clung to the face of the guild's guard leader had been worn away by the harshness of the northern lands, replaced by a deep, composed look forged in the crucible of war.

"Young master, you wanted to see me?" He bowed and looked at the unfolded map.

Xiao Yunlan didn't waste any words and pointed directly to the area near "Luan Shi Gorge": "Our people have discovered traces of the Wolf Rong supply line, which is roughly in this location, along a dry riverbed."

They travel back and forth every seven to ten days, with unpredictable routes and tight security.

Shi Biao leaned closer for a closer look, his brow furrowing slightly: "Luan Shi Gorge... I know that place. It's a river in the summer, but it dries up in the winter. The banks are lined with jagged rocks, which is indeed a good hiding place, but it's also easy to set up an ambush."

"Did the Wolf Rong come here because they thought we couldn't get out, so they're only guarding against potential scouts?"

He tapped a few points on the riverbed upstream and downstream with his finger. "I also have some impression of these forks. To the north, they lead to several old nomadic settlements of the Wolf Rong, and to the east, they can circle around to an abandoned wintering valley of the Black Claw tribe."

"It's right that the route isn't fixed. If I were transporting grain, I wouldn't always take the same route."

"If I were to lead a small team to get close to this transport line without alerting the Wolf Rong patrol, and even try to track them down and figure out some of their patterns, would that be possible?" Xiao Yunlan asked directly.

Shi Biao did not answer immediately. He stared at the map, then looked up at the gloomy sky outside the tent, and quickly calculated in his mind.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke: "It's difficult, but not entirely impossible. First, we have to get out. That secret passage is usable now, but the exit is not far from the Wolf Rong's patrol range, so it's definitely not possible during the day. We can only sneak out during the coldest part of the night, when the Wolf Rong's patrols are at their most relaxed."

Once outside, you have to take a huge detour, avoiding all high ground that might be visible, crawling through snowdrifts and rocky gullies the entire way. Forty miles like that will take at least twice as long in those conditions, and you still have to pray you don't get caught in a blizzard.

He paused, then continued, "Even if we manage to get close to the riverbed, how do we keep watch? The Wolf Rong aren't stupid; they've definitely sent out scouts before and after the transport team. We can't have many people, at most three or five, and they have to be spread out and hidden. If they're discovered, they're dead."

To track them down... you'd have to be able to predict their approximate travel time in advance, set up ambushes near the intersections of several possible routes, and gamble on which one they take.

But this requires time to stake out, and in the freezing cold, one can't lie in wait for long.

Besides, even if they saw it, how would they send the message back? Would they have to climb back the same way? By then, it would be too late.

Every question hit the nail on the head.

The city of Harbin was trapped, cut off from information, and actively conducting reconnaissance was accompanied by enormous risks and uncertainties at every step.

Xiao Yunlan listened quietly, and only after Shi Biao finished speaking did she ask, "What if you don't need to follow the entire journey, nor do you need to send back messages immediately?"

Shi Biao was taken aback: "What does the young master mean?"

"I need you to do two things." Xiao Yunlan pointed to several key locations on the map. "First, confirm the approximate composition of the transport team. The key points are the ratio of pack animals to vehicles, the number of guards (wolves), and, if possible, determine whether they are transporting food or other supplies."

For example, observe the tire tracks left in the snow, the swaying motion of vehicles, and even... if possible, approach an abandoned makeshift campsite to examine the ashes from the campfire and discarded items.

"Second," he gestured to the northern end of the riverbed, near the edge of the Black Claw's territory, "to find possible rendezvous points or transit stations. The Wolf Barbarians cannot transport goods over long distances in a single trip."

Midway along this route, especially towards their stronghold, there might be fixed locations for rest, resupply, or rendezvous. These places would typically have simple shelter, water, and even a small number of remaining personnel. Finding them, or confirming their absence, is equally important.