The Southern Dynasty army and Northern Dynasty army faced each other in a standoff – one inside Yang Pass, one outside.

Following Hua Zhuyu’s strategy, Ji Fengli sent an elite squad to cut off Yang Pass’s underground river, severing the city’s only water source. Three days later, Xiao Yin’s army withdrew from Yang Pass.

The Southern Dynasty reclaimed Yang Pass without losing a single soldier, greatly boosting their troops’ morale. However, Hua Zhuyu felt a hint of hidden worry, vaguely sensing that given Xiao Yin’s character, he would absolutely not give up so easily.

The Southern Dynasty army occupied Yang Pass and made camp ten li north of the city.

Ji Fengli’s injuries had improved considerably and he could leave his tent to move around. These past days, Hua Zhuyu had completely become his personal guard, taking care of his medicine and bandages.

But the peaceful days didn’t last long before they received secret reports from scouts saying Western Liang was making unusual movements.

Instantly, a murderous and tense atmosphere descended like dark clouds over the military camp.

Hua Zhuyu had long known that Xiao Yin would never give up so easily. Indeed, he had been waiting for Western Liang. Previously, she had led the army to a great victory over Western Liang, severely damaging their military strength. Western Liang had been forced to sign a submission treaty with the Southern Dynasty, and being suppressed like this, they were certainly resentful.

Perhaps Western Liang had long harbored thoughts of cooperating with the Northern Dynasty. When she was still in the Northern Dynasty under Zhuo Ya’s identity, Western Liang’s new ruler had once come seeking marriage, though at that time she had chosen Eastern Yan’s Dou Qianjin. Now Western Liang and the Northern Dynasty had finally cooperated, putting the Southern Dynasty in a difficult position.

Though Liang Prefecture in the western frontier also had garrison troops, they lacked the strength of the Hua Family Army. Moreover, since Western Liang was subject to the Southern Dynasty, Liang Prefecture’s current garrison was only twenty thousand – probably insufficient to withstand Western Liang’s offensive. The capital Yu had one hundred thousand troops, but distant water could not quench immediate thirst – they couldn’t provide aid.

The northern frontier was closest to Liang Prefecture, but if they led their main force to provide aid, Yang Pass would surely be breached by the Northern Dynasty, leaving the central plains’ gateway wide open. Similarly, if they didn’t aid Liang Prefecture and it fell to Western Liang, the Southern Dynasty’s western gate would be open and the dynasty would be equally endangered. Then the realm would fall into chaos, with major battles fought within Southern Dynasty territory, and the Southern Dynasty people would inevitably suffer the hardships of war.

Ji Fengli could no longer concern himself with his injuries and summoned all officers of thousand-household rank and above to the central command tent for council. Hua Zhuyu was merely a guard, but Ji Fengli specially permitted her to attend the central tent as well.

Inside the tent, Ji Fengli and Wang Yu sat in large chairs while numerous officers debated heatedly.

“We must provide aid, or Western Liang will surely breach Liang Prefecture!”

“But our forces here are evenly matched with the Northern Dynasty. Once we withdraw troops, this side will immediately fall!”

“We could engage the Northern Army here first, defeat them, then go aid Liang Prefecture.”

“You make it sound easy. If we could defeat the Northern Army so easily, we wouldn’t need to discuss it here!”

“This time, I fear we cannot preserve both Liang Prefecture and Yang Pass!”

Whether those advocating aid or those opposing it, all lacked confidence because they had insufficient troops. Finally, the discussion concluded with providing aid, but they began arguing again over how many troops to dispatch.

The Southern Dynasty had two hundred thousand soldiers, the Northern Dynasty two hundred thousand, and Western Liang one hundred thousand.

To successfully defeat Western Liang’s army, they would need to withdraw one hundred thousand troops to the western frontier. This would leave only one hundred thousand troops at Yang Pass to face Xiao Yin’s two hundred thousand – whether Yang Pass could be held was questionable. But if they withdrew fewer troops, the western frontier would also be in danger.

This was truly a difficult problem.

Facing the heated debates, Ji Fengli sat motionless in his chair. Supporting his chin with one hand, his expression was lazy. At such a critical moment when one wrong decision could mean total defeat for the Southern Dynasty or even its destruction, Ji Fengli remained so relaxed and calm – this puzzled Hua Zhuyu.

Could he already have a good strategy?

Hua Zhuyu’s heart tightened slightly, suddenly feeling something strange about this situation.

Did Western Liang really have one hundred thousand troops? Based on her years of experience guarding the western frontier, Western Liang had suffered enormous losses fighting the Hua Family Army, especially in the battle before the new year when they lost nearly half their forces. In such a short time, they couldn’t have assembled such a massive army of one hundred thousand soldiers. Even if they had that number, most would be new recruits who had never seen battle – no matter how numerous, they would just be a flock of sheep that had never seen blood.

In that case, Western Liang wasn’t formidable, and Liang Prefecture’s garrison could hold out for a while without urgent reinforcement. But why was Western Liang spreading word that one hundred thousand troops would attack Liang Prefecture?

Could it be? Hua Zhuyu’s heart suddenly grew cold as a thought flashed through her mind. On battlefields, strategy was paramount. Based on her years of commanding wars, she judged that the Northern Dynasty was using this opportunity to weaken the Southern Dynasty’s strength.

“All of you withdraw. General Wang, remain!” Ji Fengli suddenly said casually.

The officers withdrew upon hearing this. Seeing this, Hua Zhuyu also quickly walked toward the exit.

“Yuan Bao, you stay too!” Ji Fengli’s gaze quietly settled on Hua Zhuyu as he spoke leisurely.

Hua Zhuyu had to stop and slowly walk back.

Wang Yu was slightly surprised to see Ji Fengli keeping this young guard. Ji Fengli nonchalantly raised an eyebrow and said: “General Wang, how many troops do you think would be appropriate to withdraw to the western frontier?”

“Prime Minister, this is truly difficult. I fear we cannot preserve both Liang Prefecture and Yang Pass. I think we should withdraw eighty thousand troops – this way neither Liang Prefecture nor Yang Pass would fall immediately and could hold out for a while. I’ll send an urgent message by carrier pigeon to petition His Majesty to send reinforcements from Yu Capital.” Wang Yu spoke with conviction.

Ji Fengli narrowed his phoenix eyes and said casually: “His Majesty won’t send more troops – the capital cannot be compromised. Even if troops were sent, by the time they reached the northern frontier, it would be a month later. We cannot pin our hopes on reinforcements.”

“Yuan Bao, how many troops do you think should be withdrawn?” His gaze shifted as Ji Fengli looked at Hua Zhuyu, a faint smile playing at his lips.

Hua Zhuyu frowned slightly, pondering for a moment before saying: “Since the Prime Minister asks this subordinate, I’ll share my view. I believe we should withdraw one hundred eighty thousand troops to aid Liang Prefecture.”

Wang Yu’s laughter immediately rang out in the tent. “You little guard, you’re simply talking nonsense! Liang Prefecture currently has twenty thousand troops. Withdrawing one hundred eighty thousand would make two hundred thousand total – using two hundred thousand troops to resist Western Liang’s one hundred thousand is wasteful. Meanwhile, Yang Pass would have only twenty thousand troops facing the Northern Dynasty’s two hundred thousand – wouldn’t that be opening our dynasty’s northern gate and inviting the Northern Army in? Are you perhaps a Northern Dynasty person?”

Facing Wang Yu’s mockery and sarcasm, Hua Zhuyu merely raised an eyebrow impassively, a faint smile still playing at her lips.

But Ji Fengli didn’t laugh. His gaze toward Hua Zhuyu immediately grew deep and profound, his lips curving into an intoxicating smile. “Yuan Bao, explain why you would withdraw one hundred eighty thousand troops.”

Hua Zhuyu had originally expected Ji Fengli to mock her too and was completely unprepared for such a reaction. She steadied herself and said slowly: “Northern Dynasty officers and soldiers excel at field battles but are somewhat lacking in siege warfare – that’s why they couldn’t take our cities for so long. This time, the Northern Dynasty clearly wants to leverage their field battle advantages. Consider this: if our army withdraws one hundred thousand troops to aid Liang Prefecture, but Xiao Yin only needs to send his army to ambush this hundred thousand on the inevitable route from Yang Pass to Liang Prefecture, lying in wait to attack when they’re exhausted. General, please tell me – with our troops weary from travel while the enemy waits fresh, what would happen if we encountered such an ambush?”

Wang Yu’s expression immediately grew grave upon hearing this. After a long pause, he slowly answered: “Our entire army would be annihilated!”

Hua Zhuyu raised an eyebrow and said coldly: “If the entire army were annihilated, how could we aid Liang Prefecture?”

Wang Yu was immediately speechless. He nodded, then shook his head, saying: “But if we dispatch one hundred eighty thousand troops and the Northern Army attacks Yang Pass, what then?”

“General still doesn’t understand – the Northern Army has no intention of besieging cities at all. Western Liang’s strength absolutely doesn’t reach one hundred thousand troops. The Northern Army’s target is our two hundred thousand soldiers – they want to weaken our military strength.” Hua Zhuyu spoke casually, her voice clear as water but carrying a hint of dominance.

After brief contemplation, Wang Yu struck the table in amazement: “Who would have thought that you, a small guard, would have such insight and strategy! This general is truly ashamed. I was offensive earlier – please don’t take it to heart.”

Ji Fengli sat in his chair with a relaxed demeanor, a smile playing at his lips, as if even Mount Tai collapsing before him couldn’t change that lazy smile.

Wang Yu, being a general after all, understood immediately and developed immediate respect for Hua Zhuyu.

“Prime Minister, I’ll immediately organize one hundred eighty thousand troops.” He turned to Ji Fengli. Though Wang Yu was a general, he had been stationed at Yu Capital for years and was indeed somewhat aggressive in military matters.

“General Wang, don’t rush. We must dispatch one hundred eighty thousand troops, but absolutely not all at once. Otherwise, if the Northern Army sends out two hundred thousand troops to ambush, we’ll still be defeated.” Hua Zhuyu raised an eyebrow and spoke casually.

Ji Fengli’s long eyes fixed on Hua Zhuyu, admiring light shining in their depths. “Yuan Bao speaks truly. However, if you were to lead eighty thousand troops as the advance force, would you be willing?”

“Me?” Hua Zhuyu was stunned for a moment, completely unprepared for Ji Fengli to entrust her with command of eighty thousand troops. “Prime Minister, you jest. Though Yuan Bao desperately wishes to serve the country, I’m merely a small soldier – how could I command eighty thousand troops?”

Ji Fengli glanced at Wang Yu, who understood and smiled: “Generals all rise from small soldiers step by step. I’ll give you the position of battalion commander – let you command one battalion first. How about that?”

The Southern Dynasty army’s organization had eight lieutenants per battalion, each commanding about twelve hundred men. Adding logistics and central command, one battalion had over ten thousand men.

She would skip the lieutenant position and go straight to battalion commander, leading about ten thousand troops – this was acceptable.

“Yuan Bao, haven’t you always wanted to serve your country? Now the Southern Dynasty faces critical danger – it’s time for you to contribute. Your talents shouldn’t be buried!” Ji Fengli said leisurely.

After brief consideration, Hua Zhuyu heard Wang Yu say sternly: “Yuan Bao, receive your orders! This general appoints you commander of Tiger Roar Battalion. I command you to lead your battalion troops with seven other battalions to depart tonight, advancing fifty li under cover of darkness. If you encounter enemies head-on, don’t engage directly – avoid the Northern Army’s sharp edge and only fight with strategy, maneuvering with them. Do you understand clearly?”

“Yuan Bao receives the order!” With military orders given, she had nothing more to say.

That day, Hua Zhuyu went to Tiger Roar Battalion and summoned the eight lieutenants for council. The eight lieutenants clearly didn’t take her seriously – Hua Zhuyu knew this was inevitable. When a small soldier suddenly jumped ranks to become their commander, anyone would be resentful.

She smiled faintly: “This commander would very much like to spar with you lieutenants. What do you think?”

“Excellent! We were just thinking of sparring with Commander Bao too,” the eight lieutenants said eagerly.

In the afternoon sunlight, on the open ground by the small river, many Tiger Roar Battalion soldiers gathered to watch the duel between their new commander and the lieutenants.

Hua Zhuyu stood by the river holding a silver spear, squinting as she surveyed the eight lieutenants before her, saying lazily: “All eight of you, come at once!”

The eight lieutenants had originally been competing to go first, fearing they’d fall behind and someone else would defeat Hua Zhuyu. Hearing her words, the eight immediately stopped arguing. Having them all attack together – could this Commander Bao really have skills? The eight exchanged glances and charged forward together.

Eight people with eight different weapons attacked Hua Zhuyu from eight angles with extremely fierce strikes.

Hua Zhuyu watched quietly as they approached, then suddenly spun up, her silver spear creating circles of silver light as she turned, the force making the lieutenants nearly retreat. The silver spear danced in the air with crackling sounds as it caught all eight weapons.

Hua Zhuyu then kicked up, and amid rising exclamations, all eight lieutenants were knocked down one by one.

Hua Zhuyu stood proudly holding her spear, her lips curved in a brilliant smile: “Anyone else who refuses to submit?”

The eight lieutenants weren’t ordinary people – they wouldn’t have reached lieutenant rank otherwise. Now, with eight attacking together and being defeated in less than one move, who dared refuse to submit? They staggered up from the ground and cheered in unison: “We submit! We submit! Who would have thought Commander Bao truly had such skills!”

Before the army’s departure, Ji Fengli gave pre-battle encouragement to the eighty thousand soldiers from the command platform. Having been a general herself, she understood how important army morale was on the battlefield. She had stood many times in Ji Fengli’s position, speaking words of encouragement to her own soldiers. Such words had long become routine for her, yet today, hearing Ji Fengli’s words, her heart surged with excitement.

She squinted at Ji Fengli’s figure in flowing white robes on the high slope, feeling admiration for this man for the first time.

After the oath ceremony, the army departed.

Hua Zhuyu led Tiger Roar Battalion’s ten thousand soldiers along with seven other battalions. Suddenly, hoofbeats sounded from the left as Ji Fengli rode over, turning his horse sideways to block her path, a faint smile on his lips.

“Does the Prime Minister have further instructions?” Seeing Ji Fengli’s horse blocking hers, Hua Zhuyu asked with a frown.

Ji Fengli leaned down from his horse, stroking the horse’s mane and whispering quietly in Zhu Yang’s ear. Then he dismounted and said to Hua Zhuyu: “Commander Bao, I’m lending you my horse. Remember to return it intact when you come back. If my horse suffers even the slightest injury, I’ll hold you responsible.”

Hua Zhuyu naturally knew how valuable a good horse was on the battlefield, but why would Ji Fengli lend her his horse?

“What’s wrong? My Zhu Yang has a fierce temperament – are you afraid you can’t tame it?” Ji Fengli raised an eyebrow coldly, his lips curved in a brilliant smile.

Hua Zhuyu smiled coldly. Her former Zhui Dian had also been famously fierce, yet she had tamed it. With a good horse available, Hua Zhuyu naturally wouldn’t refuse. She had ridden Zhu Yang once and knew this horse was magnificent – it would help her greatly on the battlefield. She was about to face the Northern Army’s elite forces skilled in field combat, and a moment’s carelessness could cost her life.

Hua Zhuyu leaped onto Zhu Yang’s back: “Thank you, Prime Minister!” She wasn’t ungrateful and knew Ji Fengli meant well.

She pulled the reins, and Zhu Yang carried her forward at a gallop.

It was already late autumn, and the nights were extremely cold. The night wind cut across their faces like knives. Previously, Hua Zhuyu had always worn a silver mask, so after years of warfare, the skin on her face remained smooth and delicate. If she weren’t disguised as a eunuch, it would be hard to convince anyone she was male. Now it was different – these days of campaigning with the army had tanned her face, especially after being blown by the northern winds and sand. Combined with her years of masculine behavior and carefree manner, she now looked like a proper man.

The army rode forward with eighty thousand elite troops carrying only four days’ rations, wearing light armor and mounted on fast horses for night marching. But to preserve strength for unexpected attacks, the column didn’t move quickly.

Hua Zhuyu galloped at the front of Tiger Roar Battalion. She had never imagined that in her lifetime, she would don armor and enter battle again. Her father had spent his life in military service only to die with grievances, and she had led the Orphan Army in battles for the country only to be expelled from the military.

She had once sworn never again to serve the Southern Dynasty’s incompetent ruler. But no matter what, she couldn’t bear to watch the Northern Dynasty’s iron cavalry advance south, couldn’t imagine civilians being slaughtered and brutalized. This had been her belief during years of battlefield command – protecting home and country. Though her family was gone, countless common people’s families remained, and the nation wasn’t just the Southern Dynasty royal family’s possession.

She was clear about this distinction in her heart.

That night, the army traveled fifty li, then made camp to rest during the day. Since Northern Dynasty surprise attacks would certainly come at night, the army marched at night and rested during the day to preserve strength. Continuing this way, by the third night they had advanced over two hundred li westward.

This night, the army encountered enemy troops on a narrow path. Hua Zhuyu surveyed the surroundings – this was open plains with no usable terrain.

The night was pitch black with a crescent moon hanging in the sky. Cold winds raged, bringing heavy murderous intent.

Hua Zhuyu couldn’t help leaning down from her horse to reach for the wine pouch at the horse’s side. Before every battle, she would drink several mouthfuls of strong liquor to suppress the compassion in her heart with its burning intensity. Her first time on a battlefield, seeing the nauseating carnage, she had vomited for days and could only use strong liquor to steady her nerves. Though she could now face it calmly, drinking had become habit.

Previously, she never had to worry about such things – she only needed to reach out and Ping would hand her the wine pouch. But now, Ping, An, Kang, and Tai weren’t at her side. An was in the deep palace, Tai was in Yu Capital impersonating Ying Shuxie, and Ping and Kang were also in Yu Capital gathering intelligence for her.

Just as she reached out, an elegant hand extended before her, holding an opened wine pouch. The rich, spicy wine fragrance drifted over with the night wind.

Hua Zhuyu was quite surprised – how could someone in Tiger Roar Battalion know her needs so well? She looked up with a slight smile, following the arm holding the wine pouch upward.

Thin lips pressed into a line, slender willow-leaf eyes flashing with wise, calm, deep light, slightly furrowed sword-like brows – this familiar face made Hua Zhuyu’s eyes grow warm. She reached out to take the wine pouch and tilted her head back to drink several mouthfuls.

It was still the burning knife liquor she always drank, still the same spicy intensity that seemed to scorch her throat. She drank several mouthfuls in succession, shook it to find plenty remained, and was about to drink more when that elegant hand reached over and snatched the pouch away.

“Five mouthfuls! No more!” came a deep, serious voice.

Ping still spoke little but was uncompromising – even she, as general, had to obey his management.

Hua Zhuyu curved her lips and asked in a low frown: “Ping, how did you come here? Where’s Kang?” Fortunately, the valley was full of voices and no one could hear their conversation – everyone’s attention was on the valley.

Ping’s slender eyes held surging emotions as he stared at Hua Zhuyu’s face for a long time without speaking.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart jumped as she suddenly realized – Ping had never seen her face after removing the mask. Perhaps seeing her appearance now was quite shocking. But she knew Ping would never mock her like An did. However, if he’d never seen her, how did he recognize her?

“I’ve been hidden in the army all along. Kang is still in Yu Capital – I didn’t let him come.” Ping steadied himself, his gaze reluctantly moving away from Hua Zhuyu’s face as his sword-like brows raised, speaking slowly.

“How did you recognize me?” Hua Zhuyu lowered her voice and asked puzzledly.

Before coming to the northern frontier, she had sent word to An, though she hadn’t intended for them to come. She hadn’t expected Ping to follow. He really could hide well – Kang probably couldn’t manage it. That fellow had a hot temper and was used to commanding respect at her side. If he hid in the army as a common soldier like Ping, he probably couldn’t endure it and would expose his identity sooner or later.

“An told me!” Ping slowly moved his gaze from Hua Zhuyu’s face.

Among Ping, An, Kang, and Tai, only An knew she had entered the palace as a eunuch and only he had seen her true appearance. She had asked him not to tell the others, so Hua Zhuyu had always communicated with them through An.

“Don’t blame An – we’re all worried about your safety. Actually, An didn’t tell me your specific appearance. I just guessed.” Ping said casually.

He still remembered when An described the general’s appearance, he had only said one sentence: “The most beautiful one – if you see her once, you can’t help wanting to fall in love – that’s the general.”

Ping had always known An had a sharp tongue, but was still stunned by his description of the general’s appearance. However, when he followed a lieutenant up Yang Pass’s city tower and saw the man fighting Northern Emperor Xiao Yin, he knew from the fighting techniques that it was undoubtedly the general. At the same time, he agreed with An’s sharp tongue for the first time. What An said was absolutely correct.

Hua Zhuyu nodded – she naturally wouldn’t blame them.

The rumbling in the valley continued for a long time before finally falling silent.

Moments later, the Northern Army realized they’d been tricked. They had originally planned to ambush the Southern Dynasty army when they were trapped in the valley, attacking in the chaos to catch them off guard. Unexpectedly, this plan failed and instead exposed their hiding place, but they weren’t too concerned since Southern Dynasty soldiers couldn’t match them in field battles.

At the Northern Dynasty commander’s order, dense masses of Northern Dynasty soldiers charged down the mountainside wielding maces, engaging the Southern Dynasty soldiers in a great battle on the open field.

Northern Dynasty soldiers were stronger and accustomed to heavy weapons like maces. In army confrontations, Southern Dynasty soldiers often suffered from the maces. But this time, the Northern Dynasty soldiers gained little advantage and instead suffered many casualties.

The Southern Dynasty’s front-line soldiers all used eighteen-foot long spears this time. Northern Dynasty soldiers wielding maces couldn’t reach them before being toppled by the spears. Behind the spear-wielding soldiers, two soldiers immediately flashed out wielding great swords, cutting them down so they could never rise again.

The first wave attack saw Northern Dynasty soldiers suffer crushing defeat. Following behind were Xiao Yin’s Left Commander Zhang Xi and Right Commander Da Qi. Da Qi’s tiger eyes glared as veins bulged on his forehead – what kind of fighting style was this? Southern Dynasty soldiers were truly cunning.

Zhang Xi studied the battle situation and suddenly squinted: “Da Qi, this is the fighting style of soldiers who have long guarded the western and northern frontiers. I didn’t expect soldiers from the capital to know it too. Change tactics!”

This fighting style was exactly what Hua Zhuyu had discussed with several commanders during rest after learning the Northern Dynasty habitually used maces.

Just as Northern Dynasty infantry retreated, thousands of cavalry had already charged through the valley with fierce momentum carrying wind and thunder.

Hua Zhuyu’s clear eyes narrowed. If Southern Dynasty soldiers fought head-on now, they would suffer. They needed to find a way to break the Northern Dynasty soldiers’ momentum and sharp edge. After brief hesitation, Hua Zhuyu ordered the bugler beside her to sound three horn blasts. When the horn stopped, her voice carried out: “Tiger Roar Battalion’s front five cavalry ranks, quickly dismount, stab your horses’ rumps, and drive them toward the northerners’ main force – hurry!” She used internal energy, instantly transmitting her words to the front-line soldiers’ ears.

The thousand Tiger Roar Battalion soldiers in the front ranks immediately obeyed, dismounting and striking their horses’ rumps with knives. These were the soldiers’ beloved mounts, but despite reluctance, they had to be ruthless.

The wounded horses neighed and charged toward the oncoming Northern Dynasty army. Frightened and injured, the horses ran wildly among the Northern Dynasty soldiers, immediately throwing the cavalry into chaos with men and horses tumbling. Taking advantage of this momentary confusion, Southern Dynasty soldiers charged forward wielding spears and great swords.

Hua Zhuyu rode at the front, her long spear dancing and creating brilliant arcs of light in the air. Where her spear swept, it was like waves parting, forcing ranks of Northern Dynasty soldiers to fall from their horses.

This battle was fierce. Northern Dynasty soldiers had originally thought ambushing here would allow them to annihilate the Southern Dynasty soldiers in one strike, but unexpectedly found victory elusive.

Hua Zhuyu and the other commanders knew that prolonged fighting would exhaust them against Northern Dynasty soldiers, especially with the numerical disadvantage – eighty thousand soldiers were no match for the Northern Army. They hadn’t planned to fight the Northern Army head-on, so Southern Dynasty soldiers didn’t linger in battle. After fighting for a while, they retreated along their return route.

The Northern Dynasty soldiers wouldn’t let them go and pursued relentlessly.

Hua Zhuyu led the army charging toward the northern towering mountains. In open field battles, Southern Dynasty soldiers couldn’t match the Northern Army – only by reaching the mountains and using favorable terrain could they possibly maneuver against the Northern Army. By the fifth watch, the army had fought and retreated to the foot of Lianyun Mountain, looking up at endless mountain ridges.

Before them lay a narrow valley. Hua Zhuyu’s Tiger Roar Battalion and Nangong Jue’s Tiger Wing Battalion – twenty thousand troops – stayed behind to cover the rear. Tang Yu hadn’t led troops but also remained. They blocked the charging Northern Army while other soldiers passed through the valley to retreat into the mountains.

The crescent moon on the horizon had long since hidden, and the cold stars had disappeared somewhere. The night was pitch black – the darkest moment before dawn.

Hua Zhuyu reined her horse on a high slope with Ping closely following at her side.

Torchlight in the distance illuminated her figure. Under the thick night, her silver armor gleamed with cold light. Black hair flew in the night wind like satin behind her. A slight smile played at her lips as she gripped her silver spear, looking down from her elevated position at the gradually approaching Northern Army.

Zhang Xi couldn’t help ordering the troops to halt and begin shooting arrows.

Arrows fell like rain as Hua Zhuyu spurred her horse and led soldiers charging down, joining Nangong Jue and Tang Yu in attacking the enemy formation from three directions. The three were like tigers entering a wolf pack, spears dancing as they fought through the Northern Army.

Da Qi spurred his horse and charged out diagonally, his long halberd striking fiercely against Hua Zhuyu’s spear.

Hua Zhuyu knew Da Qi was a fierce Northern Dynasty general with tremendous strength who wielded his halberd with terrifying force – any Southern Dynasty soldier struck by it would fall from their horse and die. So Hua Zhuyu didn’t fight Da Qi head-on but used spear techniques to maneuver skillfully around him.

After fierce fighting, Hua Zhuyu finally defeated Da Qi. Her spear thrust powerfully as she broke out of the Northern Army’s encirclement and joined Nangong Jue and Tang Yu. Seeing the advance troops had passed through the valley into the mountains, the three led Tiger Roar Battalion and Tiger Wing Battalion retreating into the valley.

The Northern Army, with bloodshot eyes, pursued relentlessly. Especially seeing Hua Zhuyu wound one of their commanders Da Qi and their imminent retreat into the mountains, they finally flew into a rage. Over a hundred cavalry charged toward the valley entrance like lightning.

Southern Dynasty soldiers at the rear included some wounded from the recent fighting and others walking after losing their horses.

With these hundred Northern cavalry charging rapidly, these men would instantly die under the hooves. Death’s shadow already hung over them, and some had resignedly closed their eyes.

Just then, Hua Zhuyu spurred her horse forward, charging toward the hundred approaching cavalry. Ping was extremely worried but couldn’t stop her in time, so he spurred his horse to follow.

Hua Zhuyu’s horse charged in front of the cavalry. Her silver spear spun and danced, and the dozen Northern cavalry in front screamed as they fell with their horses under the tremendous force.

With one person and one spear, Hua Zhuyu blocked dozens of attackers. Though Zhu Yang was magnificent, under such tremendous force it staggered backward several steps. Hua Zhuyu, mounted on Zhu Yang, felt her internal energy surge tumultuously, her whole body weakening as she swayed precariously on the horse. Sweetness rose in her throat and she spat out blood, knowing she had suffered internal injuries.

But she still maintained a calm expression, forcing herself to sit straight on the horse and wiping the blood from her lips with her sleeve. Her lips curved as her cold, beautiful eyes swept over the cavalry before her, her entire being radiating intimidating coldness.

The Northern Dynasty cavalry behind, seeing her single-handedly block dozens of riders, momentarily dared not charge forward.

“Commander Bao!” cried a Southern Dynasty soldier lying on the ground, his voice tragic and pained.

Just then, Nangong Jue and Tang Yu had charged over with cavalry, blocking these Northern Dynasty horsemen. Several Tiger Roar Battalion soldiers ran tearfully toward Hua Zhuyu. Ping charged to the front, leaning down to lift Hua Zhuyu onto his horse. The two rode one mount, quickly retreating into the valley. Zhu Yang was led by a soldier, walking slowly behind – even Zhu Yang seemed to have suffered internal injuries.

“Foolish! Do you think they’re still our Orphan Army, worth risking your life to save them?” Ping’s usually gentle face surged with annoyed coldness.

Hua Zhuyu said palely: “They’re my subordinates now!”

The reason young general Ying Shuxie had such high prestige was because on battlefields, she would desperately protect her subordinates, minimizing their casualties.

Southern Dynasty soldiers retreated into the mountains. Though the valley entrance was blocked, the Northern Army circled around from elsewhere and still pursued into the mountains. This time, Xiao Yin had apparently given strict orders to eliminate these eighty thousand Southern Dynasty soldiers, so the Northern Army pursued relentlessly.

Fish-belly white appeared in the east as dawn approached. Conditions in the mountains and forests became faintly visible. In daylight, it would be easier for the Northern Army to discover their tracks.

Hua Zhuyu sat under a tree, leaning against the trunk. A crowd of Tiger Roar Battalion soldiers eagerly crowded before her, earnestly asking about her injuries. Looking at the concerned eyes before her, she thought of her Orphan Army. The Orphan Army had been disbanded – she wondered how they were now, perhaps they had become common civilians. Though Ping was beside her, he dared not get too close and had hidden among other soldiers, afraid of being recognized.

“I’m fine, don’t worry!” Hua Zhuyu smiled.

“Really?” The soldiers still didn’t believe her.

“Really, go quickly and prepare to meet the enemy!” Hua Zhuyu said with forced cheer.

After the soldiers left, she spat out more blood. Hua Zhuyu knew she would need to recover for some time. She closed her eyes and began circulating internal energy to heal.

After daybreak, the Northern Army launched a general attack. Southern Dynasty soldiers fought desperately, holding out until the chen hour when commotion arose behind the Northern Army. A red flare shot skyward – the hundred thousand reinforcements had finally arrived.

Nangong Jue organized his troops and led soldiers charging down to attack the Northern Army from front and rear in coordination with the hundred thousand troops.

“How are you? Want to go together or rest here?” Tang Yu asked.

“I’ll sit here and wait until you finish fighting. Now there are troops everywhere – this place is safe.”

Tang Yu squinted: “You’re right, then wait here!”

“Why aren’t you joining the battle?” Hua Zhuyu asked in surprise.

Tang Yu glanced at Hua Zhuyu without speaking. Of course he wanted to fight, but he had to stay to look after this person. This was the Prime Minister’s special instruction.

The battle continued all morning until the Northern Army was finally defeated. Da Qi and Zhang Xi led the surviving twenty thousand troops to break through and escape. Originally intending to annihilate the Southern Dynasty soldiers, they unexpectedly lost many of their own troops.

Hearing the battle below gradually subside, Hua Zhuyu felt greatly relieved. This internal injury was more serious than external wounds – she would really need to recover properly for a while.

Hua Zhuyu looked up at the treetop where sunlight filtered through branches, casting scattered brilliant points of light. Suddenly, light, measured footsteps sounded in her ears. A presence carrying the scent of blood approached, instantly reaching her front.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart jumped in alarm as she abruptly opened her eyes and squinted ahead.

Ten paces away, a man stood tall and imposing.