The wind and snow ceased the next day. After breakfast, the sun emerged, and this clear weather brought some peace to Yan Chi and his people’s hearts. Past noon, a swift horseman entered the main camp at Luori Ridge. The soldier on horseback carried Chu Feisheng’s handwritten letter and entered the council tent without hindrance.
“Your Highness, this is General Chu’s letter. Lin Xugui began mobilizing his troops last night – it seems he took the bait. When I left, the two sides had not yet engaged in battle, but General Chu was quite certain that Lin Xugui would not allow him to lead troops away from the main camp. Furthermore, Lin Xugui seems to know that you have returned to Suoxi, though he doesn’t know when you’ll appear. General Chu says you should deploy troops according to the original plan, and victory will be certain!”
Upon reading Chu Feisheng’s letter, Yan Chi narrowed his eyes and said, “Understood. Go collect your reward!”
The soldier acknowledged and left. Yan Chi immediately summoned Yu Qi and others to the council tent, showed them Chu Feisheng’s letter, and then ordered, “You have two hours to muster the troops. We depart at dusk and must be in position before the first watch.”
The three commanders acted immediately, each departing to gather their troops. Soon, the sound of footsteps coming and going filled the main camp.
On the temporary parade ground, Yu Qi and the others each selected Two Thousand troops, while Yan Chi sat for a while before heading to the central command tent.
Qin Wan had also received news of Chu Feisheng’s message. Seeing the troops being gathered, she knew they were about to depart and asked when Yan Chi returned, “Will you go as well?”
Yan Chi nodded, “I must go, but victory is certain. You need not worry.”
Qin Wan naturally wouldn’t interfere with Yan Chi’s military decisions. She merely nodded and went to prepare his armor. Seeing her worried expression, Yan Chi suddenly asked, “Would you like to come along?”
Qin Wan had never imagined Yan Chi would let her onto the battlefield, and was surprised, “You truly want me to go?”
Yan Chi walked over and took her hand, saying, “War is extremely cruel. I never wanted you to see any of it, but… but you’ll eventually see the wounded, see the prisoners. Even in our camp, cruel things happen all the time. So, I changed my mind – do you want to see it yourself?”
Qin Wan felt a stirring in her heart. She was not one to harbor killing intent, and human life was especially precious in her eyes. But such things didn’t count on the battlefield. After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded, “I want to see.”
Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly, “Good, I’ll have armor prepared for you now.”
Qin Wan didn’t refuse this time. Soon after Yan Chi gave the order, someone brought a set of armor suitable for a slender frame. Qin Wan had never worn armor before and was quite excited at the prospect. Yan Chi, however, watched her with concern. Though the Suoxi army was elite, many new soldiers would be so frightened during the first battle that they couldn’t even hold their swords. After returning from battle, they would be plagued by nightmares. Even worse, some would die by enemy blades out of fear.
Though Qin Wan wouldn’t need to fight, she was still a young lady, and Yan Chi didn’t want her to suffer from nightmares because of this.
Seeming to sense Yan Chi’s worry, Qin Wan became even more careful. Before departure, she put on the armor properly. Bai Ying, who accompanied her, also wore armor. Both women were tall and slender, and even Qin Wan showed a hint of martial bearing in her armor.
By sunset, a force of over Six Thousand troops set out toward their destination!
When Qin Wan emerged from the tent, she saw a pure white horse at the camp gate!
The horse’s coat gleamed like snow, and Qin Wan liked it immediately. When she approached, the horse showed no fear of strangers and whinnied. Qin Wan smiled and turned to see Yan Chi walking over from the direction of the council tent. When he reached her, he asked, “Do you like her? Her name is Hao Yue.”
Qin Wan’s eyes brightened, “Of course I like her! Hao Yue… what a beautiful name!”
Yan Chi said, “I chose her, especially for you. She has an excellent temperament. From now on, she’s yours.”
Since they were heading to battle with Yan Chi today, they couldn’t ride together, and Yan Chi had considered this. Qin Wan truly loved this horse, and thinking that she now had her mount, she smiled, “Then thank you, Your Highness!”
After speaking, Qin Wan mounted smoothly. Though her armor was heavy, her mounting technique was clean and efficient. Her control of the reins and whip showed considerable skill. Seeing this, Yan Chi’s worry decreased somewhat. He mounted his horse nearby and said softly, “Today, just stay close to me.”
Qin Wan solemnly agreed and followed Yan Chi as they rode out of the main camp.
From Luori Ridge, they traveled northeast, crossing two ridges to reach their designated location. The valley had no name. When Qin Wan followed Yan Chi up the eastern side of the mountain to the peak, Yu Qi also led his men to the top of the opposite ridge. By now night had fallen heavily. Yan Chi led Qin Wan along the mountain ridge, away from the planned ambush site, to the highest point of the ridge. This spot was half a Li from the ambush location but offered a complete view of both ridges and the valley – the perfect vantage point for observing the battle while remaining relatively safe. Qin Wan and Yan Chi were accompanied by only a few dozen guards, with Bai Ying staying by Qin Wan’s side. Seeing how secure this position was, Qin Wan finally understood why Yan Chi had brought her…
Upon arriving, all torches were extinguished. Not even a glimmer of light remained around Qin Wan and Yan Chi. The mountaintop wind grew increasingly bitter, seeming to pierce through Qin Wan’s armor and the cotton robes beneath to reach her bones. Her whole body was cold, but her heart burned hot. Standing at such heights in the wind beside Yan Chi, knowing battle would soon commence – for someone who had never experienced war, it made her nervous yet set her blood boiling.
Yan Chi pressed his horse’s flanks, and his mount immediately stepped forward, blocking the cold wind from Qin Wan’s position. Though it was nearly the second watch, a bright moon hung in the sky. Qin Wan stroked her mount’s mane, thinking how fitting the name Yan Chi had chosen was.
The heavy snow had sealed the mountains, covering the entire ridge and valley in pristine white. Moonlight fell upon the snowy wilderness, improving visibility for those standing at height. If Lin Xugui’s men were standing here now, they would see how many killing forces lay in ambush on both ridges. Qin Wan’s heart tightened slightly.
“Are you afraid?” Yan Chi suddenly asked softly.
Qin Wan came back to herself and shook her head, “Not afraid. I’m standing beside Zhou’s greatest war god – how could I be afraid?”
The corners of Yan Chi’s lips curved upward. He leaned over and grabbed Qin Wan’s hand, squeezing it firmly before letting go.
And with that, Qin Wan’s heart truly settled completely.
The bright moon hung overhead, and though the cold was bitter, their elevated position gave Qin Wan a sense of looking down upon all mountains. Especially with Yan Chi beside her, this feeling of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him while surveying all the mountains was truly extraordinary. If she hadn’t come tonight, such an opportunity would have been rare indeed.
Qin Wan suddenly recalled words Yan Chi had spoken before – he had said he would let her stand beside him as his equal, that whatever heights he reached, she would share the same honor.
A thousand thoughts rushed through Qin Wan’s mind, and gradually her nervousness faded completely. However, the peace didn’t last long, because after only two cups of tea’s worth of time, the sound of earth-shaking hoofbeats suddenly came from the eastern end of the valley. Qin Wan turned sharply to look and saw only a dense mass of moving shadows, with occasional torches providing inadequate illumination…
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed as her gaze grew serious.
“It’s Chu Feisheng,” Yan Chi said softly, and at the same moment, Qin Wan saw the wolf banner of the Suoxi army!
The approaching force was indeed Chu Feisheng’s troops. As they drew closer, Qin Wan could sense their apparent panic. Though the entire force was rushing forward, their formation had already broken down. The commanders at the front rode recklessly, while the soldiers behind frantically whipped their horses, each refusing to let others pass… This scene made Qin Wan think only of “fleeing for their lives,” though she knew this was all part of Yan Chi and Chu Feisheng’s strategy!
The force of several thousand entered the valley in this chaotic rush. Soon they were directly below Qin Wan, and at this close distance, she could finally see the order in the chaos. Though the formation appeared loose and disorganized, there was a standard-bearer every few hundred men. These standard-bearers waved their battle flags, and when their movements changed, the troops behind them would shift accordingly. Though everyone appeared to be pushing and rushing, it was all clearly orchestrated by prior military orders. Qin Wan narrowed her eyes, her heart beginning to pound with the earth-shaking hoofbeats.
Layered snow covered the valley. The sudden arrival of troops caused snow to fall rapidly from the slopes. Before Chu Feisheng’s forces could exit the valley, more troops appeared at the eastern entrance. The new force’s approach was even louder than Chu Feisheng’s had been. The hoofbeats transmitted through the mountain ridge made Qin Wan feel the very ground beneath her feet trembling, indicating that these pursuing forces far outnumbered Chu Feisheng’s troops. Looking over, Qin Wan saw even more shadows, brighter torches, and more magnificent battle flags.
They were the “Yan” banners with golden dragon patterns, representing imperial authority – these were Lin Xugui’s pursuing forces.
The two armies were less than a Li apart. The most aggressive of the pursuing forces were already close enough to lose cold arrows at Chu Feisheng’s rear guard. Qin Wan watched helplessly as several soldiers at the back of the formation were struck by arrows and fell from their horses. Though she couldn’t hear their cries of pain or smell the blood, watching the soldiers fall still made her heart clench uncontrollably.
She knew that what was about to unfold was what Yan Chi wanted her to witness.
Even as their comrades fell from their horses, the “fleeing” troops ahead dared not turn back to help. Meanwhile, the mountain ridges remained deathly quiet, as if truly uninhabited. Qin Wan sat straight-backed on her horse, suppressing the sympathy threatening to overflow in her heart.
No one went to aid the fallen soldiers. Instead, their falls sparked waves of panicked cries from within the formation. Chu Feisheng’s troops appeared even more terrified, while the pursuing forces, hearing these sounds, grew even more bloodthirsty. As they entered the valley, they didn’t slow at all, and the ridges remained silent except for the wind!
Chu Feisheng’s vanguard had already left the valley, while the pursuing force’s advance units had fully entered it. Gradually, more and more pursuers entered the valley. Just as the formation grew longer and the forward units were about to leave the valley, Qin Wan, from her high vantage point, saw a faint light appear on the opposite ridge. At the same moment, Chu Feisheng turned back to attack at the valley’s exit—
Battle cries erupted with the appearance of the light, startling the galloping forces in the valley into suddenly slowing. Many war horses were spooked, running wild through the formation. With this sudden change, chaos erupted below as Chu Feisheng turned back to block the pursuers’ advance!
“Ambush! It’s an ambush—”
“General! General Lin! We’ve fallen into a trap—”
As soldiers began to realize what was happening and shout warnings, a rain of arrows like locusts descended upon the chaotic masses below. The soldiers on the ridges, taking advantage of their superior position, first targeted those carrying torches and command flags. Soon, the valley grew darker by a third, and agonized screams multiplied. The scent of blood finally became strong enough to reach Qin Wan’s position on the mountaintop. Her brows furrowed as she finally understood why Yan Chi could so calmly bring her to watch the battle.
Lin Xugui had been too careless, and so had Lin Xie. Before entering the valley, they hadn’t shown even a moment’s hesitation. Their long stay in the capital had made them forget that this was Suoxi – Suoxi Military territory. They thought their superior numbers gave them an absolute advantage, never considering that the snowy night could conceal deadly ambushes everywhere.
After the arrow rain came more arrow rain. The people below couldn’t even distinguish between tree shadows and human shadows on the ridge. Some turned to flee, some shot arrows randomly, and some dismounted to try charging up the ridge, but none made it more than two steps before being shot down.
The battle was almost entirely one-sided. Lin Xugui, commanding the troops, finally realized this and called for retreat!
Lin Xie, at his side, occasionally deflected stray arrows with his sword while saying, “General! Why retreat? We outnumber them two to one!”
Lin Xugui replied irritably, “What does that matter when they have every advantage of weather and terrain? If we don’t leave now, we’ll be annihilated!”
Lin Xie dared not argue further. Looking up, he truly couldn’t see where the enemy was or how many they numbered. Looking around himself, he saw fewer and fewer mounted soldiers remaining unharmed. Lin Xie’s sword hand trembled as overwhelming fear swept over him!
“General Lin! The road behind is blocked too! They have forces cutting off our retreat!”
“General Lin! Chu Feisheng has turned back to attack from the front!”
“General Lin, our casualties are mounting – where can we retreat to?”
Protected by his guard, Lin Xugui had retreated to a position close to the mountain ridge. This spot was temporarily a blind spot that offered shelter from the arrow rain, but he knew that once half their forces had been shot down, the forces on the ridge would descend to attack. With enemies before and behind, they had nowhere to retreat!
“Re… retreat through the rear! Cut open a bloody path! Did you hear me? Retreat through the rear! Everyone, kill those blocking our retreat! We’ll go back the way we came! Don’t think of escape – there’s nowhere to escape to anyway! Did you understand? Kill! Fight your way out—”
Lin Xugui was panicked and desperate, his voice trembling. However, as everyone began retreating backward, Chu Feisheng’s forces charged into the valley like gods of death. Soon, a large portion of the forward-purping forces had fallen. Lin Xugui’s heart pounded wildly as he shouted randomly, but no matter how many times he yelled “Kill!” he couldn’t rally the collapsing morale. More and more soldiers couldn’t even hold their swords or dodge visible arrows. Casualties mounted rapidly, blood flowing like rivers. Lin Xugui’s cold sweat poured down like rain – in all his days in Suoxi, he had never felt such despair—
Just as Lin Xugui was trembling in terror with his spirit broken, the locust-like rain of arrows suddenly ceased.
Lin Xugui froze, as did those around him. They all held their swords, looking around in panic. At this moment, Yu Qi suddenly laughed loudly from the ridge.
“Minister Lin! General Lin! Well? Are you satisfied with our Suoxi soldiers’ performance?”
Yu Qi’s voice rang like a bell, carrying a hint of wild disdain. His voice echoed far through the valley, and Lin Xugui’s face quickly reddened!
Yu Qi continued, “For half a year, Minister Lin, you’ve been squatting in our main camp like a cuckoo in another bird’s nest. You probably never imagined you’d lead your brothers to their deaths today. Does Minister Lin wish to leave his life here?”
Trembling behind a protruding rock wall, Lin Xugui shouted in response, “Who are you?! Is the traitor Yan Chi here too?! You… you bunch of rebellious traitors! Sur… surrender now!”
“Hahahahaha—”
Yu Qi suddenly burst into laughter, “Minister Lin, if you’re so brave, why hide behind the mountain wall watching your soldiers die? Come out and let us see Minister Lin’s fearlessness—”
Lin Xugui’s heart pounded wildly, not daring to expose even the slightest part of himself. Seeing this, Yu Qi sneered, “You worthless child, you dare speak our Prince’s name! The old Prince spent his whole life in Suoxi! Our Prince has been nothing but loyal in protecting our country! But your emperor master is an old fool with no virtue! He killed our old Prince, and now he expects us to continue serving as his oxen and horses, guarding the borders for him?! Truly worthy of being emperor – what are our lives worth in his eyes?”
Lin Xugui was so angered by these words he couldn’t speak a single word. Seeing this, Yu Qi snorted coldly, “The old emperor doesn’t care about soldiers’ lives – I wonder if you, Minister Lin, are even human? Now our Prince is merciful and generous and isn’t denying you a chance. Let me ask you one thing – will you surrender? If you forget your old emperor master and pledge loyalty to our Prince, serving him with absolute devotion, today, we Suoxi soldiers will spare your dog’s life!”