In the afternoon, it began to snow. The north wind whipped snowflakes against their faces, stinging like knives.

Thousands upon thousands of troops emerged from the blizzard, figures densely packed, gleaming blades flashing with sharp brilliance in the night. War horses galloped at astonishing speed. Chu Qiao’s face was frozen numb by the wind, her entire body wrapped in a large fur coat. Nine hours of continuous marching had left everyone’s limbs stiff with cold. The biting wind cut to the bone, reddening their eye sockets. In the howling gale, these seven thousand troops stood on the open plain like a house without a main beam, at risk of being swallowed by any sudden disaster.

A scout raced back urgently. The warrior was very young, with clear eyes, looking no more than eighteen. His horse moved extremely fast, swiftly arriving before Chu Qiao. He pointed toward the Helan Mountains in the east, but his lips trembled from the cold, unable to speak.

“Are the Xia troops closer?”

The scout didn’t speak, just silently nodded. His neck was already stiff, making his nodding gesture appear strange, like a puppet pulled by strings.

“How far? Fifty li?”

When he didn’t nod, Chu Qiao continued asking: “Thirty li?”

Still no response. The young woman’s heart sank, her voice growing deeper and more fatigued as she asked solemnly: “Twenty li?”

The scout nodded silently. Chu Qiao removed her hood and bowed deeply to him from her horse: “Thank you for your hard work.”

With a “thud,” the warrior fell from his horse. Nearby soldiers quickly jumped down to help him, but when they touched him, he was already ice cold, his breathing gone, his life extinguished. The weather was bitterly cold; scouts had to bury themselves in deep snow to gather enemy intelligence, then take shortcuts back. That he had managed to return at all was already the last flicker of a dying lamp.

Twenty li of road, though narrow mountain paths, could be covered in just half a quarter-hour by Xia’s cavalry. Could they reach Chidu City at that time?

Chu Qiao’s gaze was like a sharp knife as she looked deeply toward the front. Not far ahead stood Chidu City, guarding the Chiyuan crossing. She had already sent two groups to negotiate at the city gates, and an incense stick’s time had passed, but there was still no news from the other side.

Cold sweat dampened her palms, her sword-gripping hand completely chilled. Hope was slim. They had neither Yan Xun’s written orders nor commands from headquarters, no warrants issued by the Great Unity Council, and no credentials proving she was from the Military Advisory Department. In other words, they had no way to make the other side believe they were also members of the Yan Bei army, coming to protect Chidu City’s safety.

If the Yan Bei forces in Chidu City didn’t trust their identities and refused to let them enter, once the Great Xia forces arrived, seven thousand light cavalry facing tens of thousands of enemy troops on the open plain would leave them with only one path—death!

Chu Qiao understood this better than anyone!

“My lady,” said Ge Qi, He Xiao’s deputy commander, a young leader in his twenties. Like most officers and soldiers of the Southwestern Garrison, his father had once been a member of the Yan Bei army who surrendered to the empire. He had grown up in this land and now returned with dreams of washing away his ancestors’ shame, possessing unyielding determination and courage.

“My lady, the Xia troops are close.”

Chu Qiao remained silent. The deputy continued: “Chidu City won’t open. We should leave.”

Chu Qiao’s expression remained unchanged, her gaze fixed on Chidu’s gates, not even moving her eyes as she said calmly: “Let’s wait a little longer.”

Time ticked away. The wind howled like a crazed beast, eardrums filled with its sound. The world was so silent yet so clamorous. Eagles circled fiercely overhead, their snow-white wings spread wide enough to cover half the sky.

Ge Qi frowned deeply. He could already hear the hoofbeats of the Great Xia army. He stepped forward once more: “My lady, we can still leave now.”

“Wait a little longer.”

“My lady, Xia’s forces are too strong. Meeting them head-on in the plains, we cannot resist.”

“Wait a little longer.”

Chu Qiao said coolly, the long wind lifting her hood, revealing her beautiful face beneath. Hooves moved uneasily, making crisp sounds. The wait seemed endless. The cutting wind swept across the land, lifting the broken grass beneath the snow. Her heart was hot, her blood pulsing fiercely—once, twice, three times…

“My lady!”

A sudden shout came through. A scout in tawny clothes raced back, running and shouting: “The Xia troops have crossed the Helan Mountains and are speeding toward the Chiyuan crossing! Twenty thousand light cavalry form the vanguard, followed by masses of heavily armored cavalry and infantry battalions—countless men. My lady, they killed dozens of Yan Bei soldiers guarding One Line Gorge at Chidu, discovered our scouts, and have now increased their speed. They’ve already passed One Line Gorge!”

A wave of panic swept through the troops. Could the enemy move so quickly? Twenty thousand light cavalry, countless heavy cavalry, and nearly a hundred thousand infantry—such a terrifying military force. If they collided here, the Southwestern Garrison might not even have time to scream before their throats were cut.

“My lady,” Ge Qi frowned and said: “It’s better to keep the mountain intact…”

“My lady! Look!” a small squad leader suddenly exclaimed, pointing at Chidu’s city tower with a shocked expression. Everyone turned to look and saw a white flag with red clouds fluttering atop the high tower. The heavy, ancient gates of Chidu City were slowly lowering before their astonished eyes.

Chidu City had opened!

“Oh!”

The warriors rejoiced, cheering in unison. Chu Qiao immediately let out a long breath of relief. She swung her whip fiercely, urging her horse forward, and called out loudly: “Enter the city!”

Almost at the moment, the city gates closed, a black line suddenly appeared on the plain. At the distant horizon, across the snow-white Chishui River, came a sound like muffled thunder, gradually reaching their ears.

“Who are you people? Cough cough! I am the governor of Chidu City in Yan Bei, personally, cough cough, personally appointed by His Highness the Crown Prince’s decree as a third-rank official. I am a first-class Guanglu Scholar of 748, honored before the throne. How dare you be so brazen, so disrespectful in broad daylight! Cough cough cough…”

An old man in his sixties or seventies shouted wildly, gesticulating while coughing. His official robes were wrinkled from being twisted by the soldiers, his hat askew, one boot on and the other dragging beneath his foot. Two Southwestern Garrison soldiers held him down, preventing him from moving freely. To Chu Qiao’s disappointment, although dozens of city guard soldiers surrounded him, they hadn’t moved at all since the beginning. They cowered together, seemingly eager to remove their uniforms, clearly without any fighting capacity.

Entrusting a city of such strategic importance to this group of useless officials made Chu Qiao feel a surge of anger. However, she also knew that otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to enter Chidu City at all.

“My lady, mission accomplished!”

He Xiao stepped forward, kneeling on one knee before Chu Qiao with a resonant tone. The man’s dark blue uniform was stained with blood, showing they hadn’t entered without resistance.

Chu Qiao’s throat felt tight. She reached out to help He Xiao up, slowly saying in a deep voice: “Commander He, if Yan Bei survives this disaster, you will be first in merit.”

“I—I am the forty-eighth seat of the Elder Council of the Great Unity Association, cough cough, I am a pillar of Yan Bei with over thirty years of experience. Many current military leaders were my students, cough cough, treating me this way will surely…”

“Silence!”

A cold female voice suddenly rang out. Chu Qiao stepped forward slowly, looking coldly at this Chidu City governor. Though she was still so young, her gaze was full of authority and ferocity. Under her stare, the elderly governor’s voice gradually diminished. Feeling his lack of courage was embarrassing, he quickly muttered with feigned bravery: “The Great Unity Association will judge you, you traitors!”

Seven thousand fierce soldiers entering the city alarmed the small city. Men, women, old and young came out of their homes, standing in the deep snow, gazing from afar.

Chu Qiao gave a cold laugh, grabbing the old man’s collar and turning toward the city tower.

“Ah! What are you doing?” The elderly governor stumbled, nearly falling to the ground, screaming like a slaughtered pig: “Insolent rebel! How dare you treat me with such disrespect! I am the forty-eighth seat of the Elder Council, with thirty-three years of membership. Military leaders are my students… cough cough… I am a first-class Guanglu Scholar with twelve votes in the Great Unity Tribunal. You command troops for your ends, deceiving colleagues. I will judge you on behalf of the Great Unity Association. I will sentence you to exile, strip you of your military authority, I will confiscate your property, I will…”

The clamorous voice suddenly ceased, like a silenced suona horn that had lost its air.

Atop the high city tower, the young woman’s straight figure and the old man’s slightly hunched back looked utterly incongruous. The strong wind blew, lifting the hems of their identical Yan Bei military uniforms, and the strands of their black, or once-black, hair. Neither spoke, but stood together on the high tower, gazing into the distance.

The Chidu soldiers and civilians found this strange. Some ventured bravely up the tower, but their expressions immediately froze, losing the ability to speak. Gradually, more and more people climbed up—one, two, three, ten, a hundred, a thousand. The tower was packed with people, their expressions blank with shock and horror. An atmosphere of despair passed through the crowd, the scent of death never having been so close as at this moment.

The sunset blazed like fire, casting a blood-red light on everyone’s heads. Those mottled shadows, like fire cloud flowers on Fire Thunder Plain, covered the entire snow-covered field. With a gust of wind, the heavy snow scattered in all directions. Through the confusing white mist, the iron-gray army covered the snowfield like a silent flood, overwhelming in scale. Tall spears, gleaming swords, blackheads everywhere, vigorous horses everywhere, banners flying, stretching beyond sight. It was like suddenly falling into an endless nightmare. Everywhere the eye could see were flashing, blood-thirsty arrowheads, extending ten or more li in all directions. Nimble cavalry troops, majestic heavy armor divisions, forests of archers, sturdy shield bearers, and countless infantry battalions, reserve forces, logistics units, cart teams…

Like a grand military exercise, almost all of Great Xia’s elite troops had gathered here. Chidu’s officers were stunned, the civilians were dumbfounded, and even the Southwestern Garrison, who had mental preparation, was shocked. Only now did they truly realize what a terrifying enemy stood before them. Great Xia had dominated the Red River Continent for three hundred years, intimidated Western Mongolia for three hundred years, and suppressed Biantang, Huaisong, and the Eastern Sea Southern Hills for three hundred years. How could their accumulated power be shaken by a mere Zhenhuang Rebellion?

Now, they had recovered, freed their hands, moved their legs, and finally, they were going to eliminate those who had once questioned their authority!

“After this battle, if you are still alive,” Chu Qiao turned calmly to look at the elderly man, her tone steady and unruffled: “Then I will accept your judgment.”

With a “thud,” the old man collapsed to the ground. Chu Qiao didn’t even glance at him, turning immediately toward the central square, walking with her head held high. All along the way, people instinctively made way for her. The strong wind lifted her long hair and fur coat, like a fierce, spreading hawk. The young woman stood tall, exuding heroic spirit. She walked proudly to the center of the square, her gaze shooting like arrows toward the dense crowd below.

Their eyes were anxious, like nervous rabbits, looking around bewildered, not knowing where to go. This kind of gaze, Chu Qiao had seen too many times before—in the Middle East, in Africa, in the chaotic Golden Triangle, in those war-torn countries. She had seen too many people displaced by war. Now, standing here, she didn’t know how to define herself—a sacred liberator? Or a bringer of disaster? But she had no retreat. The only option now was to fight!

“Soldiers, people of Chidu City, I am Chu Qiao, a subordinate of His Highness Yan Xun, a combat advisor from the Northern Camp Military Advisory Department. Now, it is I who address you!”

The young woman’s voice was loud and her tone firm. She stood tall in the square, facing everyone with a resonant speech. People were startled, raising their heads to look at her. At such times, what people needed most was a firm leader to rely on, and Chu Qiao was currently the most suitable person for this role.

“Warriors, citizens, as you have seen, Xia’s army has circumvented the Helan Mountains and launched an attack on us from Chiyuan crossing. Now, at our gates, there are at least two hundred thousand Xia soldiers. They are strong and well-equipped—Xia’s most elite field troops. They have come thousands of li, obeying Xia’s royal decree with only one purpose: to kill us all!”

“Boom!” Like a bomb thrown into the crowd, chaos erupted immediately. People looked around in panic. Women’s cries rang out clearly. Children didn’t understand what was happening, but their keen senses made them afraid. Everywhere were worried cries, everywhere was an atmosphere of despair. The sky was overcast, even the fiery sunset hidden by clouds. The bone-chilling cold wind howled as if to blow out people’s last hope for survival. Warriors lit torches, but these torches could not dispel the fog of death, and could not light up people’s hearts.

“But! We are not alone!”

The sharp voice suddenly rose high and clear. All the noise ceased for a moment as people looked up blankly at the straight-backed young woman. She wore a black military uniform with a large fur coat, appearing sharp and full of wisdom. She held her head high, saying solemnly: “A hundred li away is our strongest Yan Bei fortress, Northern Camp Pass, where we have nearly a million Yan Bei troops, the most advanced weapons, and warhorses. Behind us is the Blue City Fortress, where Miss Yu leads an army of one hundred thousand, ready to support us at any time. And our king, His Highness Yan Xun, currently leads three hundred thousand troops from Meilin Pass toward us. Difficulties are only temporary. If we persist stubbornly, victory will surely be ours!”

Silence fell over the entire gathering. No one responded, but neither did anyone object. The wind blew across Chu Qiao’s features, snowflakes drifting before her, making her entire being look ethereal and blurred. She firmly raised her fist, shouting: “Eight years ago, Xia’s horses trampled our homeland, burned our houses, violated our wives and daughters, cut off our fathers’ and brothers’ heads. In the Battle of Fire Thunder Plain, Yan Bei’s elite forces were decimated, and since then, the people of Yan Bei have been enslaved for eight years. Nobles could kill us at will, could seize our horses and food at will. We worked ourselves to death and still couldn’t save a single copper coin! Now, His Highness has restored Yan Bei so that the poor might have clothes to wear, houses to live in, and food to eat. But Great Xia will not agree. They cannot bear to see their dignity trampled. So they have sent troops to enslave us once more, to make us submit with blood. Citizens! We are not rebels; we just want to live! Do we stand and live? Or kneel and die? Do we bow and lick others’ toes, or take up weapons to defend our homeland?”

“We want to live!”

From the crowd, a voice suddenly rang out. Then, like a raging fire sweeping across a dry prairie, thousands of voices merged into a mighty torrent.

“We want to live! Kill the Xia dogs!”

“I represent the Northern Camp Headquarters coming to rescue you. Now, I will officially take command of Chidu’s forces. All Chidu officers and soldiers must follow my deployment. Women and children leave immediately through the west gate, quickly heading to Blue City. Men between fifteen and fifty stay with me to defend Chidu, to defend Yan Bei!”

“Defend Chidu! Defend Yan Bei!”

Roars shook the air, piercing eardrums. Chu Qiao stood in the square, her small fist seeming to possess immense power. Her gaze was clear and resolute, but at the corner of her mouth, a faint trace of sadness slowly appeared.

She knew that after tomorrow, countless tragedies would unfold here, countless families would be shattered, and countless loved ones would never meet again. Yet, she had no other choice. She slowly raised her head, unwilling to look again at those faces full of confidence and hope.

Yan Xun, where are you? When will you return? To the ends of the earth, I fight alongside you!

Using two hundred thousand troops to seize a small city garrisoned by only three thousand soldiers seemed a sure victory to Great Xia. However, upon reaching Chidu City, Zhao Ying did not immediately order an attack. Seeing Chidu City adopt a stance of firm defense, he smiled contemptuously but secretly felt pleased. Since Chidu’s garrison wanted to stand firm, he had reason to delay longer. The later he arrived for the rear encirclement of Northern Camp, the more beneficial for him. Let Zhao Qi lead Batuha’s fool to engage in hard combat with Yan Bei first.

So Zhao Ying immediately ordered his troops to dig trenches, build fortifications, set up horse traps, and insert caltrops, also making a show of entrenched defense.

Military officers representing the Third Prince Zhao Qi’s forces came several times to Zhao Ying’s tent, urging him to immediately confront the enemy and encircle Northern Camp from the rear. But Zhao Ying always looked at them with a strange expression, asking in surprise: “Am I not attacking now?”

“What your subordinate means is—means a more aggressive form of attack.” Facing the newly prominent Fourteenth Prince of Great Xia, the supervisor’s face turned red, his forehead dripping with cold sweat as he stammered: “The Third Prince’s forces have already engaged the Yan Bei army. The sooner the Fourteenth Prince reaches Northern Camp, the lower the Southwestern Army’s casualties.”

“What about the Northwestern Army’s casualties?”

Zhao Ying’s expression turned cold, his sword-like eyebrows raised as he declared righteously: “As the commander of an army corps, my greatest responsibility is to achieve maximum victory with minimum cost. I must cherish the life of each soldier under my command. Therefore, I believe our current military strategy is very suitable for the current situation. If I were to advance rashly and fall into an enemy ambush, causing heavy casualties for the Northwestern Army and jeopardizing the overall strategic goal’s failure, who could bear that responsibility? Supervisor, is it you?”

The supervisor nearly burst into tears. With snot and tears, he mounted his horse and galloped back to report to Zhao Qi.

Zhao Ying laughed coldly, leaning back in his chair. Before him on the military strategic map were several fine lines. The young prince lowered his eyes slightly, slowly reciting: “Northern Camp, Chidu, Blue City, Chunyu Domain, Yao Water, Meilin Pass…”

Though unaware of Zhao Ying’s reasons for delaying the attack, every minute was a heaven-sent gift for Chu Qiao. She moved actively, busy organizing defense tools and systems, arranging civilian evacuation, integrating recruits, and coordinating relationships between various armies, working tirelessly.

After night fell completely, the crying in the city gradually diminished. Chu Qiao walked along the empty streets, feeling suddenly cold as the wind blew. Ge Qi hurried forward to drape a large fur coat over her shoulders. The thick garment blocked the cold wind, and Chu Qiao nodded, thanking him quietly. With a creaking sound, the shops on both sides of the street stood with doors wide open. A wooden basin in front of a door was blown up by the wind, spinning on the ground with a gurgling sound.

Desolation everywhere, melancholy everywhere, and a cold and miserable atmosphere permeated all.

“My lady, we won’t win, will we?”

Chu Qiao was startled and turned around to see Ge Qi’s young eyes looking at her, smiling calmly: “If you were truly confident, you wouldn’t have evacuated all the civilians.”

Chu Qiao didn’t speak, just quietly turned her head away. No one had such arrogant courage. She was a high-level commander who had received a modern military education and clearly understood the true meaning of war. Transforming rot into a miracle wasn’t impossible, but it required at least some capital. Even without requiring equal strength, there needed to be at least some fighting capacity.

With less than ten thousand troops defending a low, dilapidated small city against two hundred thousand elite imperial soldiers, whose numbers would continue to increase—in such a war, no one would have the determination to win.

But she couldn’t reveal these emotions. She was their leader, the hope of everyone here. If even she had no confidence, how could others persist? When they were discouraged and despondent, they could rely on her—but who could she rely on?

Chu Qiao let out a soft sigh. Suddenly, a small black shadow appeared ahead. Chu Qiao frowned, and Ge Qi behind her had already stepped forward cautiously, blocking her, saying sternly: “Who goes there?”

Light flickered as soldiers approached, revealing a twelve or thirteen-year-old child wearing a small padded jacket, carrying a small bundle, with a face reddened by the cold. The child had clear features, held his neck stiffly, looking very stubborn.

Chu Qiao frowned and asked: “Whose child are you? Why didn’t you leave with the others?”

The child didn’t speak, just lowered his head. Seeing his manner, Chu Qiao guessed he had just run back from the west gate. She didn’t speak either, ignoring him completely and turning to leave.

“Hey! You’re abandoning me?”

Seeing Chu Qiao ignore him, the child quickly caught up, asking puzzledly: “You’re not forcing me out of the city?”

Chu Qiao said flatly: “Whether you live or die has nothing to do with me. I have enough problems and no time for you.”

The child was stunned, as if insulted, then shouted: “I’m fifteen this year! I can stay and be a soldier!”

Chu Qiao looked him up and down, her expression indifferent. The child knew his lie was absurd but still insisted stubbornly: “Don’t judge me by my small size—I’m strong.”

Chu Qiao still ignored him. The child anxiously tried to run over but was blocked by Ge Qi. The child could only jump up and down outside, even rolling up his sleeves to show Chu Qiao his supposedly robust arm muscles.

“Why didn’t you leave?”

Chu Qiao suddenly asked in a deep voice. The child froze, standing still. After a long thought, he murmured: “My sister is sick and couldn’t travel.”

Chu Qiao’s heart immediately tightened. Over the years, along this journey, she had seen such things too many times. She thought, perhaps even all the killing committed now might be worthwhile. Destruction must precede construction. For a nation to achieve independence requires sacrifice. Perhaps many years later, the world would change because of her recent actions. Children then might not have to be displaced as they are now. People then might not have to fear for their lives as they do now. That would be enough.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m called Du Gouzi.”

Chu Qiao frowned. How could such a good-looking child have such a name?

“That name doesn’t sound good. Let me give you a new one.”

The child thought for a moment and said: “Alright, but I must still be surnamed Du.”

Chu Qiao stood up, her eyes looking into the distance: “Let’s call you Ping’an.”

Du Ping’an, Du Ping’an. Hope that the Yan Bei land will truly have a day of peace.

Half an hour later, at a small military square in the western city, all officers and soldiers of the Southwestern Garrison gathered. Bright torches illuminated the night sky. Chu Qiao, in full military uniform, stood on a temporarily constructed wooden platform, looking deeply at these soldiers who had sworn to follow her to the death. In a low tone, she said: “Everyone, thank you for your trust in me. In the ancient capital of Zhenhuang in the Great Xia Dynasty, on the northwestern land of the Red River Plain, outside the west gate of Northern Camp, we fought side by side, sharing weal and woe. Thank you for always believing in me, following me, and today, for following me into this desperate situation. For this, I am very sorry.”

Chu Qiao slowly bowed, then straightened up and continued: “I don’t want to deceive you, so before the decisive battle, I must tell you that I lied earlier. We will have no reinforcements. Chidu City will receive no support. We fight alone, with no one to help us.”

A rush of confused murmurs immediately arose from the ranks but quickly came under control. They stared fixedly at Chu Qiao, speechless.

“Great Xia has divided its forces into two routes. A frontal attack on Northern Camp’s east gate with their main force of over four hundred thousand, not counting reserve troops and logistics civilians. The other route, the two hundred thousand elite troops beneath our city, crossed the Helan Mountains to surprise attack Chidu City. Their purpose is to break through the Chiyuan crossing, insert into Yan Bei’s interior, attack Northern Camp from both east and west, and create chaos in Yan Bei’s rear to strike at the frontline’s morale. Once Chidu City falls, Northern Camp’s million military and civilian personnel will have no escape route. They will inevitably fall victim to the Xia army’s slaughter. Yan Bei’s elite forces will be greatly damaged, and the eastern half of the realm will fall into Great Xia’s hands! As for Blue City behind us, as Yan Bei’s second defense line in the interior, it cannot possibly send us reinforcements. They have less than a hundred thousand garrison troops guarding the long Fire-Wind Line of the Sunset Mountains, with no strength to look eastward. And the Second Corps led by His Highness is currently at the distant Meilin Pass and cannot return to aid us within five days.”

The firelight illuminated the young woman’s small face. Her back was straight, her figure tall, her legs long, her eyes bright as stars. She said solemnly: “So, this is a difficult battle. The enemy you face is twenty times your number and will increase in the future. But we cannot retreat. Once we retreat, Northern Camp’s military and civilians will have their retreat path sealed. Even if they try to escape, they will have nowhere to go. Behind us are the civilians of the Sunset Mountain region. Without us, Xia’s iron hooves will mercilessly trample their heads. Civilians, women, children—all will face disaster, and none able to escape. Yan Bei will face a life-or-death catastrophe!”

Chu Qiao’s eyes reddened. Her face showed some excitement as she said in a heavy tone: “Warriors of the Southwestern Garrison! You have always been called rebels. Your fathers once betrayed Yan Bei, betrayed their blood and homeland. For eight years, no one on the entire continent respected you. You endured countless insults and contempt. Even though you helped Crown Prince Yan Xun escape from Zhenhuang, even though you created the world-shaking Zhenhuang Revolution, even though you once stubbornly repelled the Northwestern Army Corps that outnumbered you dozens of times! But the name ‘traitor’ has always been pinned on your heads. No one trusts you; no one is willing to accept you. But today, everything will be different. An opportunity stands before you—just endure, and you will be Yan Bei’s meritorious officials, heroes revered by all!”

The warriors’ eyes began to grow fervent. The strong wind blew fiercely, heavy snow fluttered down. Under the dark sky, the young woman’s figure was like a hard battle spear. Her voice rose passionately: “Warriors! Take up your weapons, follow me, defend Yan Bei, and protect those unarmed women, children, and elders! Wash away past shame with blood, defend our military flag, and burnish the glorious name of the Southwestern Garrison! Of course, some will die, and some will not see next winter’s snow, but the people will be grateful to you, Yan Bei will remember you, and your names will be engraved on Yan Bei’s military merit register, respected and worshiped for generations to come! Warriors, I will be with you, sharing life and death. We shall never abandon each other!”

“Share life and death! Never abandon each other!”

The warriors suddenly let out fierce roars. They raised their hands high, eyes red, some even moved to tears. Years of humiliation poured out like magma as they shouted: “Defend Yan Bei!” “Long live our lady!”

Their voices shook the heavens, rolling up to the sky with the howling gale!

That sound was so loud it reached the snowy fields outside the city. Zhao Ying, wearing a snow-white fox fur coat, turned slightly and gave a contemptuous cold laugh.

The time was about right. Any further delay and Zhao Qi might turn against him.

He cast his cold gaze toward the low city wall, lightly brushing the snowflakes on his fur coat. In his eyes, it wasn’t even a city anymore. He merely glanced at Chidu in the darkness, casually instructing the commanders beside him: “Go, knock down that eyesore of a wall for me.”

“Yes, sir!”

The commanders responded in unison, turning and striding away. The warriors, receiving battle orders, immediately brandished their weapons and formed ranks to advance.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The ground trembled slowly beneath their feet as soldiers raised thunderous cries: “Kill the enemy!”

The resounding charge immediately sounded, startling the battle eagles flying in the high sky. The world turned murderous, plants and trees broke, and a great snowfall descended. Darkness, welcome!