On the first day of the sixth month, the tightly sealed gates of Ji Prefecture finally opened.

Two thousand Wei soldiers were the first to enter the city to accept the surrender of the Wutuo troops. After Commander Yan He’s death, the remaining Yan army fell apart like scattered sand, unable to withstand several attacks launched by the Wutuo people. Now, with their forces defeated and no external support, surrender was inevitable. The Wutuo people harbored no suspicions; their soldiers stood on both sides of the city gate with swords drawn, mocking and ridiculing the Wei soldiers’ supposed weakness.

Among the Wei troops, He Yan concealed herself. Her face was smeared with dirt, making her unrecognizable as she blended in with the advancing forces.

These two thousand soldiers were personally selected by He Yan, most of them from the Fu Yue Army. This wasn’t without reason. The Yan army hadn’t yet coordinated with her, while the Fu Yue Army had fought alongside her for some time, developing mutual understanding. This entry into the city was extremely dangerous – they couldn’t afford even the slightest mistake.

After Yan He’s death, only his deputy commander Chen Cheng retained any authority in the Yan army. At the end of the road, the Wutuo commander Shajite watched Chen Cheng approach and burst into laughter, saying, “Wei cowards, just as expected!”

Chen Cheng lowered his head and asked, “If our entire army surrenders to Wutuo, will you spare our soldiers’ lives?”

“Of course, of course,” Shajite, a burly man, replied mockingly. “Once you surrender to Wutuo, you’ll become Wutuo people. We won’t harm our own!”

“Then please, Commander Shajite, open the gates and accept the surrendering Wei army,” Chen Cheng responded.

A glint flashed in Shajite’s eyes. “Opening the gates is simple, but those surrendering troops must be like you,” he pointed at the military formation, “disarmed and bound. Only then will it work.”

He still didn’t trust Wei.

Chen Cheng said, “That’s not a problem. Please allow me to send someone back to relay these terms.”

Shajite replied, “Fine!”

Chen Cheng walked to a soldier’s side and whispered something in his ear. The soldier nodded and turned toward the city gate. Halfway there, suddenly, a Wutuo soldier standing nearby drew his bow and shot an arrow, piercing the messenger’s chest.

The young soldier didn’t even have time to cry out before falling motionless to the ground. Chen Cheng erupted in anger, “What’s the meaning of this? Wasn’t he supposed to deliver the message?”

“You’re prisoners now. How dare you make demands?” The Wutuo archer sneered, “Keep talking, and you’ll join him!”

Shajite spoke with a smile, “Why get angry? He was just a common soldier. Simply send another one.”

Their attitude was meant to provoke the Wei soldiers. He Yan inwardly realized the danger, but before she could warn them, a Yan army soldier suddenly lunged at the Wutuo men, shouting, “A warrior can be killed but not humiliated – let’s fight them to the death!”

He Yan silently sighed.

A commander’s style influences their entire unit’s behavior. Yan He had been direct and fierce, and his men followed suit, easily provoked. Now, with this outburst, all their previous preparations were wasted.

But what of it?

The soldiers had already engaged with the Wutuo forces. Having discarded their weapons before entering the city, they could only fight to seize blades from their opponents’ hands.

The battle turned brutal and dangerous.

He Yan kicked away a Wutuo soldier charging at her, snatched his sword, and shouted, “Men, follow me!”

On the battlefield outside Yunzi City, weapons clashed and blood flowed like rivers.

The Wutuo soldiers outside the city fled in disarray, utterly defeated. The “Kill General,” the “Nine Banner Camp,” and the “Southern Prefecture Army” earned their names because most who faced them died on the battlefield. Others only heard of their invincibility from survivors’ tales, but only those who faced them directly knew that the rumors captured less than a tenth of their true might.

Among the thousands of troops, a black-armored youth with a long sword moved like a harbinger of death risen from hell. His sword’s edge matched his gaze – cold and indifferent. His jade-like features brought endless killing intent.

But he wasn’t fighting alone.

The cavalry behind him served as both his shield and spear, making the army appear invincible and terrifying.

One man’s army moved like wolves and tigers, like wind and rain, like thunder and lightning, shaking the heavens and earth, shocking the world.

This was the crucial battle, the final siege. Once victorious, they would reclaim Yunzi, with only cleanup remaining afterward.

But for this battle, Xiao Jue and the Southern Prefecture Army had waited long.

The Wutuo forces in Yunzi refused to open the gates to face the Southern Prefecture Army, fearing their reputation and that of the Nine Banner Camp. They hoped to wear them down first. Inside Yunzi, they had supplies, while the Wei forces camped outside would eventually run out of provisions.

Daily, Xiao Jue had men carry grain supplies past the walls, deliberately showing them to Wutuo spies. While this might work for a day or two, over time, the Wutuo forces grew suspicious. Seeing Wei’s apparent abundance of supplies and high morale, they became fearful and their morale declined.

But there was more to the strategy.

Before arriving at Yunzi, Xiao Jue had arranged for skilled craftsmen to accompany the Southern Prefecture Army. After arrival, he had them secretly dig tunnels into Yunzi City. He also ordered daily harassment with stone arrows shot from powerful crossbows into the city. After extended periods of this, the Wutuo forces lived in constant anxiety, and despite their commander’s orders to stay within the city, their military resolve began to waver.

The battle between commanders sometimes comes down to who can remain more patient – whoever loses composure first, loses the battle.

The Wutuo forces occupying Yunzi ultimately fell for Xiao Jue’s psychological warfare, choosing to emerge and face the Southern Prefecture Army head-on this morning.

The long preparation made this victory seem natural.

Tens of thousands of enemy soldiers were captured, with countless horses and weapons seized. The small portion of Wutuo forces that fled in panic posed no further threat.

With this, Yunzi was secured.

The Southern Prefecture Army rarely celebrated in the city, but from spring to nearly autumn, almost half a year had passed. Though it appeared easy, only they knew how difficult those days had been. Yunzi’s coastal location meant humid nights, causing many soldiers to develop red rashes that itched terribly in the darkness. As for provisions, they had long run short – the daily display of rice seen by the Wutuo forces had always been the same batch.

“Finally, we can go home!” a younger Southern Prefecture soldier grinned. “I’ve had enough of Yunzi, back to the capital!”

Chi Wu passed by him and initially wanted to reprimand him, but the words died on his lips, replaced by a smile.

Being able to return home alive was indeed something to be happy about.

In the tent, the military doctor was treating the commander’s wounds.

The youth’s inner garment was pulled to his shoulders, thick bandages wrapped around his chest. As Right Army Commander, he had been the focus of all Wutuo attacks, both direct and indirect, and had sustained injuries. But his black armor had concealed his wounds, and no one had seen him bleed. Thus, others always thought General Feng Yun was invincible.

“Commander, please avoid strenuous movements for the next few days,” the white-bearded military doctor advised. “Though the arrow didn’t hit any vital points, the wound is deep. It’s best to rest more to prevent future complications.”

Xiao Jue pulled up his outer robe, covering the wound, and nodded, “Thank you.”

The old doctor had barely left when someone else entered – it was Fei Nu, holding a letter and approaching with unusual urgency. “Young Master, news has arrived from Ji Prefecture.”

Ji Prefecture was far from Yunzi, so the letter had taken some time to arrive. The last letter from Ji Prefecture had brought news of Yan He’s death. Nine Chuan had received reports of victory, and with Ji Prefecture lacking a commander, He Yan had led the Fu Yue Army to provide support.

This letter must contain news of what happened after He Yan reached Ji Prefecture.

Fei Nu handed the letter to Xiao Jue with a grim expression. Though he hadn’t opened it, he had already learned the news from the messenger.

It wasn’t good news at all.

Ji Prefecture was easy to defend but difficult to attack. With the Yan army now without its commander and their morale unstable, if the war couldn’t be ended quickly, a prolonged conflict would only disadvantage Wei. He Yan had led two thousand troops in a feigned surrender to enter the city, planning to break the Wutuo forces’ formation from within. When chaos erupted inside, they seized the opportunity to open the city gates, allowing the Fu Yue Army and the remaining Yan forces to coordinate an attack from both inside and out, catching the Wutuo forces off guard.

The plan was sound, but unfortunately, during its execution, a Yan soldier couldn’t withstand the Wutuo forces’ provocations and acted impulsively, disrupting everything. He Yan led the Wei soldiers in battle against the Wutuo forces within the city. Although they eventually opened the gates and won the battle, He Yan was severely wounded, and her condition was critical.

Xiao Jue stared at the letter before him.

The letter was from Lin Shuanghe, written in a hasty scrawl, indicating the urgency of the situation. Though it didn’t explicitly state how “critical” the situation was, it wasn’t hard to imagine.

Two thousand men entering the city, forced to act prematurely, were like sheep walking into a tiger’s den. Without weapons, they were already at a disadvantage, and one couldn’t fight multiple opponents with bare hands…

More seriously, although they had won the battle, once the Wutuo forces learned of their commander’s injury, they would surely launch a counterattack. Lin Shuanghe didn’t understand military strategy, and his letter was unclear about how dire the situation had become.

Fei Nu studied Xiao Jue’s expression.

Honestly, this letter couldn’t have come at a worse time. The battle at Yunzi only needed to be concluded, but this news would surely disturb Xiao Jue’s focus. However, Yunzi and Ji Prefecture weren’t even in the same direction – even if they turned back now to provide support, they wouldn’t make it in time.

Being able only to watch helplessly was unbearable.

“Young Master, should we head to Ji Prefecture…”

“No need,” Xiao Jue cut him off.

Fei Nu fell silent.

Xiao Jue stood and walked out of the tent.

Outside, the western wind struck his face. Autumn was approaching, and the night had shed all its summer heat, leaving only a whistling chill.

In the distance, the vast sea stretched endlessly, its waves roaring, while the clear moon in the clouds turned the waters into silvery silk.

The frontier nights were always like this – short grass in the cold days, bitter moon in the frost. But what difference was there between the desert moonlight and the seaside moonlight?

A dull pain emerged in his chest, though whether from his wound or something else was unclear. He raised his eyes to gaze quietly at the cold moon above, and in his ears echoed a woman’s bright voice:

“I want you to promise me that no matter what news comes, do what needs to be done. Don’t let it affect the bigger picture, don’t linger, just keep moving forward.”

Keep moving forward.

A moment later, he withdrew his gaze and turned back toward the tent.

His deputy commander approached hesitantly and asked, “Commander, what next…”

“At dawn, we move north to deal with the remaining forces,” he said.

The summer heat in Jiyang had finally been dispersed by an autumn night’s wind and rain.

In the early morning, beneath the phoenix trees outside the palace, thick layers of golden leaves had accumulated. A few fell into the pond, where occasional fish would surface to gently nudge them before quickly swimming away, leaving only ripples from their tail fins.

Mu Honjin walked into the courtyard.

A servant girl announced, “Your Highness, Official Cui has arrived.”

Cui Yuezhi entered from outside. He had lost weight these days, appearing more spirited than before. When the Wutuo forces invaded Wei territory, Jiyang City’s military was weak. Previously, thanks to Xiao Jue and He Yan’s efforts, they had turned defeat into victory despite being outnumbered. Now both had gone to their respective battlefields. Though Jiyang was currently safe, the previous incident had been a lesson. After the New Year, Cui Yuezhi spent every day at the training grounds, drilling the Jiyang City Army, ensuring they would have the strength to face any future invaders.

He bowed to Mu Honjin and presented a scroll, “Your Highness, these are the battle reports from Ji Prefecture and Yunzi.”

Mu Honjin reached out to accept it.

She too had aged somewhat, but now she no longer had her servants pluck the new white hairs from her head daily. Thus, among her pinned-up hair, one could see spots of gray. However, she didn’t mind – Mu Xiaolou was gradually growing up, and Jiyang City would eventually pass to the new princess.

Everyone ages, and growing old shouldn’t be something to fear.

She opened the scroll, her gaze falling on the characters within. After reading for a long while, she closed it and sighed.

“Nine Chuan and Yunzi have been reclaimed, Bingjiang is well, and good news has come from Ji Prefecture. Your Highness, are you worried about Lady He?” Cui Yuezhi asked.

He Yan’s fate remained uncertain, which was indeed cause for concern. Cui Yuezhi still remembered the last time he saw He Yan – when not wielding weapons, she was like any ordinary young woman, bright and cheerful. But when she took up arms, she seemed born for the battlefield. Even though they had all known then that He Yan was no ordinary woman, they were still shocked to learn she had led the Fu Yue Army alone to Nine Chuan.

Years ago, that young Flying Swan General had also been a woman, but that one-in-a-million warrior was no longer in this world. How fortunate they were to witness another such woman in their lifetime.

But now, would this female general, like the Flying Swan General, fall too early?

The woman in flowing red robes shook her head slightly at his words, her gaze somewhat melancholic. “I just don’t want…”

She didn’t want to see lovers end up like she had, unable to achieve a happy ending.

Perfect endings were too rare in this world. Having experienced it herself, she truly didn’t want to see her beloved disciple walk the same path of eternal separation as she had.

In a Buddhist temple within Rundou City, the golden Buddha gazed down benevolently at all beings, while women knelt on straw mats in the hall, eyes closed, praying for those far away.

These were the female captives He Yan had rescued from the Wutuo forces during the battle of Rundou. If not for He Yan’s intervention then, they would likely be nothing but white bones now, with no future to speak of. After He Yan left Rundou, County Magistrate Zhao Shiming, at her request, helped look after these women. Most were no longer accepted by their families, and some had lost their entire families to the Wutuo forces. Zhao Shiming found them to work at an embroidery workshop in the city, allowing them to earn their living.

For these women, this was already an unexpected blessing. Though they hadn’t fully emerged from their sense of shame, they had at least found the courage to face the future again.

When news reached Rundou that He Yan had been gravely wounded while supporting Ji Prefecture, these women were beside themselves with anxiety, wishing they were men who could join that female hero on the battlefield. Now, all they could do was pray earnestly in the Buddhist hall for that young, brave lady to recover soon and return safely.

Outside the hall, the robed County Magistrate remarked with feeling, “Look how devout they are. In their hearts, they truly revere Lady He.”

Beside him, Li Kuang watched the women in the hall without speaking.

It had been almost a year since Qiluo’s death. Even so, he would sometimes unconsciously look for that graceful figure while going about his daily business. Countless nights, he would wake from dreams remembering her gaze from that day.

There had been no hatred in it, only confusion and incomprehension.

He Yan had been right – he had indeed been wrong. So afterward, and even now, he devoted more time to training the Rundou City Army. Unable to make amends for past mistakes, all he could do was prevent such errors from happening again.

“Lord Li can see now, they survived, and they’re living well,” Zhao Shiming said.

When He Yan first rescued these women, everyone thought she was wasting her effort, believing that women who had been violated by enemy forces, even if they survived, could never withstand society’s judgment. The pointing fingers and mockery behind their backs would be the final straw that broke them, and leaving this world would be their eventual choice.

It was He Yan who, before leaving, told Zhao Shiming how to settle these women, even leaving behind money for them. She had genuinely cared for these women’s welfare. And now, these women hadn’t let her down.

Li Kuang lowered his head with a self-deprecating smile. “I’m not her equal.”

“How many in this world could compare to someone like Lady He?” Zhao Shiming stroked his beard. “Let’s hope Lady He can turn misfortune into blessing in Ji Prefecture. While she lives, these women will have someone to look up to.”

Zhao Shiming gazed at the distant sky where a line of autumn geese flew past. After watching for a while, he said softly, “Let us hope so.”

[Historical note: The fake grain transport and tunnel-digging strategies were inspired by Li Guangbi’s tactics.]