Yellow sand stretched for thousands of miles as dark clouds hung low in the sky. Wind and sand whirled up dust as two armies clashed, their battle cries shaking the heavens.

After the Great Wei army had camped outside Jiuchuan City for five days, the Wutuo people inside the city finally became restless. Their military provisions were decreasing daily, and the female Marquise from Great Wei never engaged them directly. Even when they sent scouts to skirmish with Wei soldiers, the Wei troops would not pursue them once they got near the city gates. Pride was deeply ingrained in the Wutuo people’s bones, and gradually, the messages that Maka and Huyate had sent back were dismissed as mere excuses for their incompetence.

The Wutuo leader firmly believed that the Wei soldiers were afraid to fight, convinced that a woman who gained fame merely through her renowned general husband was not to be feared, especially since she couldn’t even control her own subordinates – look how half of them had deserted within just five days. That night, he ordered his elite forces to pursue the remaining Wei army with light equipment.

When the Wutuo soldiers reached the outskirts and ventured onto the Gobi Desert, they suddenly heard battle cries ahead. Wei soldiers ambushed them from both sides, releasing thousands of arrows like a fierce storm, catching them completely off guard. At that moment, cavalry charged forth with long sabers, led by a young woman in crimson armor. Her eyes were fierce and proud as she wielded a gray sword that seemed to cut through the sky itself, advancing like an unstoppable force.

The two armies clashed amid thunderous drums and gongs.

The Fuyu Army, once under Flying Swan General’s command, had been invincible. Since the real Flying Swan General’s departure, they had never shown such spirit as today. Though He Yan appeared delicate, she contained immense power within her small frame. The Fuyu Army became her perfect weapon, with flawless formations and ambush tactics. He Yan lay low on horseback, her sword an extension of her arm as she charged into enemy ranks without a trace of fear. Where her sword danced, blood sprayed and enemy heads fell beneath her horse. Her lips curved in a brilliant smile that lit up the gloomy night on the desert plain.

The Wutuo forces were routed, abandoning their armor and weapons.

After wiping the final traces of blood from the long blade, this fierce battle came to an end. Some Wutuo soldiers died while others were captured. Though the city gates remained unbreached, this first battle was decidedly a victory.

The deputy commander excitedly found the young woman who was heading back, running over despite his exhaustion: “My Lord, this battle was brilliantly won! Your strategy was masterful!”

He Yan smiled: “It wasn’t my achievement alone.”

Her armor was covered in blood, her face stained with gore – perhaps not just from the Wutuo soldiers – but her posture remained straight and proud, showing no signs of fatigue. Instead, her eyes were bright and spirited, giving the Fuyu soldiers a sense of security just by looking at her.

It seemed that as long as she was there, they would surely emerge victorious in this contest with the Wutuo people.

In the military, respect was earned through strength and capability. If there had been doubts before about He Yan’s leadership and her decision to reduce daily rations, this battle had truly won the army’s heart. Everyone could see the effectiveness of her ambush tactics and formations. Her valor on the battlefield, charging at the forefront with her formidable sword, was undeniable.

Perhaps this was exactly how the real Flying Swan General would have appeared.

He Yan ordered: “Have the medics tend to the wounded brothers first. Those with minor injuries or unharmed should help clean up the battlefield.” After a pause, she added: “At dawn, we attack the city again.”

“Attack the city? After just one night, the men might…”

He Yan smiled: “Not a real attack – just harassment.”

Though they had won this battle beautifully, it hadn’t been easy. The deployed force was Wutuo’s elite unit, and the Fuyu Army had struggled even with the advantage of surprise. This was merely the first step.

Someone came running from behind, panting: “Lord He!”

He Yan turned to see Jiang Jiao, and asked: “What’s wrong?”

“Brother Hong…” Jiang Jiao’s face was grim. “You should come see.”

Hong Shan had been run through the chest by a Wutuo soldier’s blade. With his armor removed, his clothes were completely soaked in blood. Wang Ba and others surrounded him as the military doctor shook his head upon seeing He Yan approach.

He Yan walked over to the man who had always smiled while patting her shoulder and calling her “A-He.” Now he would never wake again.

Among their group, Hong Shan’s martial skills weren’t the best, but he had always strived to keep pace with everyone else. He Yan remembered him as the first person she met when joining the army. This man had treated her like his own younger brother, always looking out for her. He once said, “Being a cook isn’t so bad – at least you stay alive,” but now he himself had fallen on the battlefield.

He had no tokens to take with him, nothing to carry away.

Wang Ba, who usually always had something to say, was now silent with reddened eyes.

They were brothers who had been through so much together, their bonds deeper than most. The cruelty of war lay in never knowing who would be the next to leave forever.

And she had no time or energy to grieve here.

“Bury him,” she said softly, standing up to walk away.

Wang Ba burst out angrily: “Hey, is that all?”

“Get ready,” the young woman’s voice was firm and clear, without a trace of excess emotion, “We attack at dawn.”

…

The city gates opened wide as thousands of troops lined the imperial road amid thundering war drums.

The young general in silver armor moved like an agile silver dragon in the night, his blade carrying fierce coldness.

The Commander of Returning Virtue was known for his direct and fierce fighting style, always pressing forward, and his Yan Family Army fought the same way. When the two armies met, it seemed there was no retreat.

Though Ji Prefecture had suffered from the plague, Lin Shuanghe had managed to control it. After several initial probing battles, the Yan Family Army had won several consecutive victories. Today, with the city gates broken, it was time for a true head-on confrontation.

Perhaps because the Wutuo people feared General Feng Yun more than Yan He, most of their forces had been sent to reinforce Yunzi, leaving fewer troops in Ji Prefecture than the Yan Family Army. Great Wei currently held the advantage.

Victory in battle best-raised morale. The Yan Family Army’s spirits were high as soldiers shouted: “Kill the Wutuo people! Drive them out of Great Wei!”

“Get out of Great Wei!”

Some laughed and called out: “If we win this battle, we might be the first army to return to Shuojing!”

This was something everyone loved to hear. Everyone knew their General Yan loved to compete with General Feng Yun. If they achieved victory first and returned to Shuojing ahead of the others, wouldn’t that prove their general was more formidable than Commander Xiao?

Yan He heard this and felt pleased.

Just then, he noticed a familiar face among the Wei soldiers fighting the Wutuo forces – it was the man who had spoken to him days ago about his young child. Yan He remembered the man had a three-year-old daughter. He was desperately fighting a Wutuo soldier, unaware of the cold arrows flying toward his back.

Yan He’s brows furrowed. He couldn’t afford to be distracted on the battlefield, but perhaps it was that man’s longing to reunite with his family that had left such a deep impression. Or perhaps the thought of his little daughter waiting for her father to bring home candy made Yan He think of his unborn child in Xia Chengxiu’s womb.

Whatever the reason, he leaped over and pushed the man aside with his palm.

The arrows grazed past their hair, and Yan He breathed a sigh of relief.

At that moment, he heard the panicked cry from beside him: “General—”

…

Yunzi was by the sea, in the opposite direction from Ji Prefecture and Jiuchuan.

In the ink-black night, waves could be heard crashing against rocks on the shore. The wind carried the moist scent of seawater. Looking from the shore, the sea and sky merged into one – it seemed as if sailing forward would take one straight to the ninth heaven.

If not for the war, the scenery here would have been extremely beautiful. But once the war began, the vast openness became desolate and cold.

Torches lit the tent where a young man in black armor studied the terrain on the sand table thoughtfully.

Someone entered from outside: “Young Master, the rice carriers you ordered to pass before the city gates have been arranged.”

Xiao Jue nodded: “Good.”

Of Great Wei’s two famous generals, in the eyes of the Wutuo people, Flying Swan General was gone, leaving only General Feng Yun as a formidable opponent. Therefore, Yunzi had the most Wutuo troops. However, since Xiao Jue had led the Southern Prefecture Army to Yunzi, the Wutuo people had never engaged them directly.

Perhaps it was because the Wutuo people had suffered significant losses at Xiao Jue’s hands in past years. Or perhaps they attributed Great Wei’s victories at Rundu and Jiyang entirely to Xiao Jue. Whatever the reason, they refused to act rashly this time, keeping the city gates tightly closed and refusing to emerge.

Fei Nu looked at the young man sitting at the table and said, “Young Master, these Wutuo people refuse to engage because they want to wear down the Southern Prefecture Army’s will. Though our men and the Nine Banners Camp won’t be intimidated, we may run short on provisions if this continues too long.”

This was indeed the real concern.

“That’s exactly their strategy,” Xiao Jue said. “However,” his lips curved as his gaze turned cold, “the Wutuo forces arrived in Yunzi before the Southern Prefecture Army. Even with provisions in the city, they have many mouths to feed. Their supplies won’t last long. They want to wear us down?” The young man’s smile turned mocking, “They’ll wear themselves down too.”

The Wutuo people planned to wait until the Southern Prefecture Army was hungry and demoralized before attacking, but over time, they would face the same predicament.

“So Young Master had the rice carriers pass by the city gates deliberately for the Wutuo people to see?”

“Let’s see how long they can hold out once they believe Great Wei has abundant provisions.”

Fei Nu bowed his head: “Young Master is brilliant.”

Xiao Jue put down the pointer he’d been using on the map and walked out of the tent.

Outside, there was no moon. Patrolling soldiers moved about with torches, while others sat together eating dry rations. Upon seeing Xiao Jue, they respectfully greeted him.

The Southern Prefecture Army and Nine Banners Camp were led by Xiao Jue. Unlike the Liangzhou Guard and Fuyu Army, particularly in the Nine Banners Camp, soldiers maintained a formal distance from their superiors. This wasn’t due to cold relations, but because the Right Army Commander had a cool personality and strictly enforced military discipline.

While ladies only saw the “Jade-faced Commander’s” handsome features, those in the military knew the iron heart beneath that beautiful exterior.

Thus, one never heard even a joke in the Southern Prefecture Army camp.

As Xiao Jue walked past the tents, a soldier nudged Chi Wu beside him and whispered: “Chi Wu, what’s that hanging at the Commander’s waist? Is it a sachet? Why would he wear something so ugly?”

Chi Wu: “…”

Though Xiao Jue was one of Great Wei’s most handsome men who could make even armor look elegant, this time he wore a peculiar sachet at his waist. The embroidery was messy and unclear, but it was so conspicuous that it was impossible to ignore. The soldiers didn’t dare ask directly, but this bold one finally couldn’t resist asking Chi Wu, Xiao Jue’s attendant.

“Yes, Chi Wu, what is it?” another asked. “I see the Commander carries it every day and treasures it greatly. What’s the story?”

Chi Wu waved his hand: “It was embroidered by the Young Madam for Young Master. What would you know about it?”

“Young Madam?”

The gathered soldiers looked at each other. The first one who spoke gave an awkward smile, “Young Madam’s needlework is… unique.”

“It is unique,” someone nodded. “The Commander wears such a unique sachet every day. Chi Wu, I’ve heard the Commander dotes extremely on Young Madam, is that true?”

“That can’t be possible, when have you ever seen the Commander dote on anyone? Can you imagine it?”

“I can’t.”

Annoyed by the questions, Chi Wu stood up and pointed at them: “Focus on your night duty! What are you all thinking about? Worried about others when you don’t even have wives yourselves? Be careful the Young Master doesn’t hear and have you beaten!”

When he stood up, someone noticed his boots and exclaimed: “Hey, Chi Wu, your boots are quite special too. Is that a flower embroidered on them?”

“What? Where’s the flower? Oh wow, there is one!”

“This must be from a lady. Chi Wu, when did you get a sweetheart? Not telling your brothers about it, how unrighteous!”

“What sweetheart?” Chi Wu’s face turned red as he snapped, “Don’t talk nonsense!” He turned and walked away.

Xiao Jue walked to the shore.

Torches illuminated the water’s rippling surface. Without moonlight, the night felt somewhat cold and desolate.

He reached down and untied the sachet at his waist. On it, a crooked “moon” seemed to look back at him, as if he could see through the clumsy needlework to the bright smile of its maker.

The young man stared at the sachet in his hand, his lips curving slightly.

Jiuchuan and Yunzi were too far apart. News took a long time to travel between them. He didn’t know how she was faring, but… she should be managing well.

He raised his eyes to the horizon. The endless sea stretched before him, with only the gentle surge of waves, like a lover’s sleep-talk, scattered in the night of war.

…

Shuojing.

The wind rose at night, blowing open an unlatched window. The breeze made papers rustle on the table. The person on the bed opened her eyes, lit a lamp, and got up to walk to the window, gazing at the night sky.

The capital was peaceful, showing no signs of impending war. It was hard to imagine what the soldiers might be doing right now on distant battlefields.

Behind her came the drowsy voice of a maid: “Madam, why are you up?”

Xia Chengxiu smiled: “It’s nothing, I just couldn’t sleep.”

The little maid walked to her side, closed the window, and helped her walk back inside, saying: “Please be careful, Madam. Now that you’re with a child, the spring wind is quite chilling. You mustn’t catch a cold. If the General asks about it, this servant will be in trouble.”

Everyone in the Yan household knew that while General Yan was proud and domineering by nature, he rarely punished servants. However, when it came to Xia Chengxiu, he was extremely particular. When Xia Chengxiu first arrived, the beautiful daughter of the household manager had shown hostility and secretly provoked her. When General Yan found out, he drove out the entire family without regard for past loyalty.

Before departing for war, Yan He had specifically instructed the entire household that if anything happened to Xia Chengxiu or the child in her belly, everyone would suffer the consequences.

General Yan always kept his word, so the servants were constantly concerned for Xia Chengxiu, afraid of any accidents.

Thinking of Yan He’s meticulous care, Xia Chengxiu couldn’t help but smile: “It’s not that dramatic. I’m well looked after in the household, with the doctor checking on me daily. I’m not that delicate.”

The maid smiled sweetly: “The General just worries about Madam.”

Xia Chengxiu looked down at her belly, placing her hand on it. Though she couldn’t feel anything, mysteriously, it was as if she could sense the little one’s joy through their blood connection.

Seeing her gesture, the maid asked with a smile: “It would be wonderful if the General could be here for the young master’s or young miss’s birth. The General loves Madam so much, he would surely be the best father in Shuojing.”

“If that happens,” Xia Chengxiu smiled, “he’s probably already planned how to teach this child.”

Though the child wasn’t born yet, a name was already chosen. Xia Chengxiu could only laugh. Before leaving, he had seriously apologized to “Mu Xia,” explaining that urgent military matters prevented him from staying by her side, but promised to make it up doubly upon his return, asking the child not to be angry with father.

Who knew if it would be “Mu Xia” or “Liang Jiang”?

But… Xia Chengxiu found herself strangely looking forward to seeing what kind of father Yan He would be. Before marrying him, she had seen this young man’s fierce, confrontational nature, never imagining he would become her husband. Nor did she expect the commanding General of Returning Virtue, who challenged everything outside, would be so indulgent with her at home.

As a father, whether to “Mu Xia” or “Liang Jiang,” he would surely love and guide them wholeheartedly. Watch them grow day by day into excellent people.

Just like himself.

“Madam… you miss the General, don’t you?” the maid beside her asked, observing her expression.

Xia Chengxiu smiled. In the lamplight, her naturally gentle features looked incredibly tender.

After a long moment, she answered with a soft “Mm,” and said sincerely: “I miss him.”