In the main camp at Mount Lingqiu in the north, Ye Li sat calmly in her tent reviewing battle reports and memorials from various regions. After suffering several minor setbacks at their hands recently, He Lian Peng had stopped coming to challenge them. While both armies maintained an uneasy peace, Mo Xiuyao’s forces fought two significant battles, thoroughly suppressing the Northern Rong army’s momentum. This had left the soldiers under both Ye Li and Lu Jin Xian restless.

Lu Jin Xian’s situation was manageable, but Ye Li’s forces still had to guard against Lei Zhen Ting’s troops in the rear and couldn’t move rashly. This made the officers and soldiers increasingly agitated as they heard daily intelligence reports from other regions.

“Your Highness, General Zhou, General Sun, General He, and others request an audience,” Qin Feng reported with a smile. Ye Li set down the battle report and smiled, “Here to request battle again?” Qin Feng nodded and said, “These days we’ve been strictly maintaining our defensive position. They must be feeling quite stifled.” After some thought, Ye Li said, “Let them in.”

“At your command.” Even Qin Feng’s eyes lit up at Ye Li’s words. Though he couldn’t personally charge into battle anymore, he could still get a taste of the action when others fought. The generals weren’t the only ones feeling restless.

Soon after, He Su, Zhou Min, and others filed in, bowing to Ye Li in unison, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Ye Li smiled, “No need for formalities. Why have you generals left your posts to come see me?” Sun Yao Wu rushed to speak first, “Your Highness, I request permission to engage in battle!”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, looking at him with an amused expression but remaining silent. Sun Yao Wei felt somewhat intimidated by this young princess consort. Under her gaze, he grew uncomfortable and said awkwardly, “Your Highness, we’ve been stationed here just watching others fight. It’s quite frustrating. It’s also affecting the soldiers’ morale, isn’t it?”

Ye Li nodded, “You make a fair point. What are your thoughts?”

At these words, all the generals’ eyes brightened. Sun Yao Wu smiled, “I volunteer to lead the vanguard and capture Luo Zhou city while they’re unprepared!” Having spent time with him recently, He Su and Zhou Min knew losing Luo Zhou was a personal regret for him, so they didn’t compete for the opportunity. He Su said solemnly, “I volunteer to support General Sun’s rear guard.”

Zhou Min also smiled, “I volunteer to guard Mount Lingqiu.” Mount Lingqiu needed someone to guard it, and Zhou Min wasn’t in a hurry – once fighting broke out, there would be plenty of opportunities for battle.

“You’re all quite unified in purpose.”

The three exchanged smiles and looked at Ye Li together. Ye Li tapped her index finger on the table a few times, then after some contemplation said, “First, bring me your plans for review.”

The three were overjoyed and replied in unison, “Yes, Your Highness! We take our leave!” Without waiting for Ye Li’s signal, they rushed out to prepare and mobilize their troops. Watching their figures disappear through the tent entrance, Ye Li shook her head with an amused smile and instructed Qin Feng behind her, “Have Qilin prepare. Since we’re taking Luo Zhou City, we can’t afford any mistakes. That He Lian Peng won’t be easy to deal with.”

Qin Feng responded, “Understood, Your Highness.”

Luo Zhou city wasn’t particularly notable in the greater Chu empire – it was neither a border fortress nor a famous major city. However, it had one rather unfortunate characteristic: while most cities were easy to defend but difficult to attack, Luo Zhou was easy to attack but difficult to defend. Being far from the border, although the Northern Rong had repeatedly invaded, they had never truly broken through the border defenses. As a result, while cities near the border were built to be impregnable fortresses, this unremarkable Luo Zhou city had barely adequate walls that might as well not have existed.

Since the Northern Rong army could breach even the border cities, this mere Luo Zhou city naturally posed no challenge. Therefore, the initial fall of Luo Zhou truly couldn’t be blamed on Sun Yao Wu’s poor defense. Without any advantages in timing, terrain, or manpower, even if Sun Wu were reborn or Bai Qi reincarnated, defeat would have been inevitable.

After the Mo Family Army deployed, although Luo Zhou city was close to Mount Lingqiu, they lacked sufficient troops, and for a place like Luo Zhou, that was easy to capture but difficult to hold, taking it wouldn’t be hard, but maintaining control would be extremely challenging. In the end, it would likely just result in a meaningless tug-of-war with the Northern Rong army. So the Mo Family Army had left it alone. The reason Ye Li now agreed to Sun Yao Wu and others requested that Mo Xiuyao’s central forces push back the Northern Rong army’s main force through several battles. Their side naturally needed to coordinate in driving out He Lian Peng’s army. As for defending Luo Zhou after capturing it, the Mo Family Army wasn’t the same as the former Chu army – even if He Lian Peng wanted to fight for it, he’d have to consider whether it was worth the effort.

Since Luo Zhou wasn’t a good place to station troops, He Lian Peng’s army naturally hadn’t garrisoned the city, only leaving a portion of forces to guard it. Under cover of night, the entire city was silent, with only occasional glimpses of lamplight. In these past two years, the northern regions’ civilians had either died or fled, with barely one in ten remaining. Though it wasn’t particularly late, Luo Zhou City was already shrouded in darkness.

Under cover of night, a group of black-clad figures swiftly scaled the practically non-existent city walls and quickly vanished into the darkness. In a hidden location not far from Luo Zhou City, Sun Yao Wu paced back and forth anxiously as he watched the distant city wrapped in darkness. Qin Feng, leaning lazily against a tree trunk beside him, smiled and said, “General Sun, what are you doing?”

Sun Yao Wu frowned and said, “We’re hiding here, but what if they alert Luo Zhou’s garrison and draw Northern Rong reinforcements? Wouldn’t all our efforts be wasted?”

Qin Feng smiled, “General Sun needn’t worry. If this were Li City, Yu Capital, or a place where Lei Zhen Ting is stationed, we might need to be more careful. But in a place like Luo Zhou city, if they managed to alert the garrison, they wouldn’t be worth keeping around.”

Although Sun Yao Wu had long heard of Qilin’s reputation, he had never personally witnessed their capabilities. Somewhat doubtfully, he asked, “Commander Qin is so confident?” Qin Feng raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Of course. If I couldn’t have confidence in my subordinates, who could? Doesn’t General Sun also trust his soldiers?”

Sun Yao Wu smiled slightly and said, “That’s true. I’d like to see just how formidable the Mo Family Army’s Qilin is.”

Qin Feng smiled, “General Sun need only wait and see.”

In less than a quarter-hour, green signal flares rose from within Luo Zhou City. Sun Yao Wu was stunned, “It’s done already?” Qin Feng smiled, “After you, General.” When Sun Yao Wu led his troops to Luo Zhou City, they found the city gates open and chaos reigning within. However, there were very few Northern Rong soldiers able to mount any resistance on the walls. In less than half an hour, they had taken Luo Zhou city. When Sun Yao Wu finally stood again on the city walls, he was still somewhat dazed.

If Luo Zhou City could be taken so easily, what had he been agonizing over these past two years?

Seeing his complex expression, both joy and sorrow, Qin Feng smiled and said, “General Sun needn’t take it to heart. Her Highness mentioned before that Luo Zhou is easy to attack but difficult to defend, having no strategic value from a military perspective. Anyone could easily take it. Therefore, the previous loss of Luo Zhou wasn’t the general’s fault.”

Sun Yao Wu leaned against the city tower and, hearing Qin Feng’s words, suddenly burst into loud sobs. He had always known that losing Luo Zhou was inevitable, but as a commander, his failure had led to countless civilian deaths. Sun Yao Wu didn’t know what others thought, but he couldn’t forgive himself. If he hadn’t met the Mo Family Army and Princess Consort Ding, Sun Yao Wu would have either died in dejection with lifelong regret or simply given up and turned to banditry. This was precisely why Sun Yao Wu particularly respected and trusted Ye Li. Not only because she gave him trust, but because she gave him new hope and purpose in life.

Qin Feng calmly watched Sun Yao Wu without trying to console him. Her Highness was right – although Sun Yao Wu could be somewhat careless in minor matters, he was a rare commander with a conscience.

After Sun Yao Wu had released his pent-up emotions, Qin Feng stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and smiled, “Alright, if you’re done crying, let’s get up. The real battle is just beginning.”

Having lost composure and cried so openly before others, Sun Yao Wu felt somewhat embarrassed. Roughly wiping away his tears, Sun Yao Wu forced himself to ignore Qin Feng’s knowing smile and said, “I thought I was quite bold, but isn’t Her Highness’s plan a bit too risky? What if He Lian Peng doesn’t take the bait and doesn’t come to save Luo Zhou City? Then Her Highness’s side could be in trouble.”

Qin Feng stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, “Her Highness says He Lian Peng will come.”

“Why? Her Highness said this place has no strategic value,” Sun Yao Wu said.

Qin Feng smiled, “Even so, our taking Luo Zhou City is like driving a nail into He Lian Peng’s back. Moreover… Her Highness says he can’t afford to lose face. So, he’ll come.” From how He Lian Peng had repeatedly provoked Princess Consort Ding from the beginning, it was clear he was an extremely proud person. Moreover, he couldn’t tolerate his failure, so he absolutely wouldn’t allow such a place in his controlled territory to be occupied by the Mo Family Army. Especially since it was recaptured from his hands.

Sun Yao Wu scratched his head and nodded, “That makes some sense.”

Qin Feng smiled, “General Sun should prepare for defense. When the Northern Rong reinforcements arrive, things won’t be easy here.” Sun Yao Wu nodded solemnly, “Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t let the Northern Rong take Luo Zhou city from my hands again.”

News of the Mo Family Army capturing Luo Zhou naturally reached He Lian Peng’s main camp quickly, and his subordinate commanders all urged immediate action to retake Luo Zhou city. These Northern Rong soldiers had been virtually unstoppable since entering the Central Plains, and even though they hadn’t advanced much since encountering the Mo Family Army last year, overall they hadn’t suffered any major losses. Especially the troops stationed near Mount Lingqiu who had never encountered the Mo Family Army’s main force had gradually developed a sense that the Mo Family Army wasn’t all that formidable. Now hearing that Luo Zhou city, which they had already occupied, had been quietly recaptured by the Mo Family Army, how could they tolerate it? Naturally, they all clamored to retake Luo Zhou City.

He Lian Peng didn’t rush to action. Although the Mo Family Army’s sudden attack on Luo Zhou City did surprise him somewhat, his encounters with them in recent days had made him more cautious.

“We can retake Luo Zhou City anytime we want. But why has Ye Li taken Luo Zhou now? Luo Zhou City is still some distance from Mount Lingqiu, and even if she captures it, she can’t connect it with her defended territory. Instead, she’ll have to deploy more people to garrison it,” He Lian Peng said solemnly. “By all reasoning, Ye Li wouldn’t make such an unwise decision.”

A vice commander below curled his lip in disdain and said, “That Princess Consort Ding is just a woman, what would she know about warfare? Regardless, we can’t let the Mo Family Army look down on us Northern Rong warriors.”

A cold gleam flashed in He Lian Peng’s eyes as his lips curled into a detached smile, “In that case, why don’t Vice Commander You lead troops to retake Luo Zhou city?”

The vice commander immediately accepted the order, “This subordinate guarantees to retake Luo Zhou city before tomorrow morning.”

He Lian Peng remained noncommittal, saying coolly, “We’ll discuss it after you retake it. Then I’ll request merit recognition from the Seventh Prince for you.” Although the vice commander was rough in temperament, he still detected He Lian Peng’s skepticism, and after a brief pause, accepted the order and left.

After the vice commander departed, He Lian Peng swept his gaze across his subordinates and said coldly, “Find out immediately where Ye Li is!” The others were startled, and one stepped forward to ask, “General, do you suspect Princess Consort Ding’s attack on Luo Zhou City has another scheme behind it?” Although He Lian Peng had arrived recently and was directly appointed by Ye Lu Ye to take command of the troops at Mount Lingqiu, his iron-handed methods had earned considerable respect from many commanders, and no one dared look down on him despite his youth and lack of prior military command experience.

He Lian Peng nodded, “Correct. Rashly attacking a place of little significance doesn’t match Ye Li’s usual style.”

The other commanders were somewhat skeptical – how would they know Princess Consort Ding’s usual style? However, He Lian Peng’s orders couldn’t be discounted, so everyone hurriedly went to carry them out.

“A scheme? This is an open strategy,” Outside Mount Lingqiu, Ye Li smiled as she looked down at the distant mountains and rivers. Behind her stood Zhuo Jing, Lin Han, and Zhou Min, who were guarding Mount Lingqiu.

Zhou Min curiously asked, “Your Highness, will He Lian Peng fall for it?”

Ye Li smiled lightly, “This isn’t a question of whether He Lian Peng will fall for it or not. Even if he knows there’s a problem… he can only follow the path we’ve designed, otherwise, he might as well be prepared to give us all three cities near Mount Lingqiu.”

Zhou Min pondered for a moment, then frowned and said, “Your Highness had General Sun capture Luo Zhou City, and sent General He to take Hui Yun City. Even if He Lian Peng is willing to give up Luo Zhou, he certainly can’t abandon Hui city and must send reinforcements. But… if so, He Lian Peng will surely know our forces are spread thin. What if he…”

Ye Li turned to look at Zhou Min, sighing somewhat helplessly, “If that happens, we can only rely on General Zhou.” The Mo Family Army’s limited manpower was a real weakness. Counting up, though the Mount Lingqiu camp had around thirty thousand troops, less than ten thousand were true Mo Family Army elites, with the rest being remnants of the Great Chu army and He Su’s forces. Although He Su’s troops were better than other Great Chu commanders’, they still couldn’t compare to the Northern Rong in one-on-one combat. But this couldn’t be blamed on He Su.

Zhou Min hesitated, then asked quietly, “Your Highness, why doesn’t His Highness recruit more troops from the Northwest?” The Northwest’s military service system differed somewhat from other states, so their ability to recruit new soldiers was much stronger than in other states. If Mo Xiuyao wished, he could recruit another million new soldiers at any time, and these recruits would be different from ordinary recruits, as they would have received some training. This was somewhat similar to the Northern Rong, though the Northern Rong’s situation was due to their customs, with everyone practicing martial arts. The Northwest’s case was due to their military service system, where every male must serve two years in the military between ages sixteen and coming of age.

Ye Li smiled and shook her head, “Although the Northern Rong are fierce, they’re not worth the Prince’s Estate expending all its strength to resist. In the coming years, I fear the realm won’t be peaceful. If we exhaust all our human and material resources at once, what will we do later?”

“I see.” Zhou Min knew he didn’t consider as many things as the Prince and Princess Consort; he only needed to fight the enemy head-on. Since Princess Consort Ding had explained it thus, he naturally didn’t ask further.

“Your Highness, He Lian Peng just dispatched a hundred thousand troops toward Hui city,” a black-clad man came to report.

Ye Li nodded, “I understand, you may withdraw.” After dismissing the messenger, she pondered while saying, “He Lian Peng should have over four hundred thousand troops. After sending reinforcements to Luo Zhou and Hui city, he should still have at least two hundred thousand troops.”

Zhou Min’s expression grew serious as he said solemnly, “Your Highness, we now have less than one hundred and fifty thousand troops.”

Ye Li waved her hand, “No matter. Abandon the other two camps and only defend the central army. Mount Lingqiu’s paths are treacherous, and easy to defend but difficult to attack. As long as we can hold for half a month, it will be enough for He Su to take Hui city. Even if we can’t… I will notify General Yuan Pei. If Mount Lingqiu falls, he will immediately lead troops from Flying Swan Pass to block the Northern Rong army’s retreat.” Although this was somewhat risky, if successful, He Su would occupy Hui City, Sun Yao Wu would hold Luo Zhou, forming a triangle with Mount Lingqiu to surround He Lian Peng’s army in the middle. When that time came, He Lian Peng would have no choice but to retreat.

“This subordinate understands. I swear to defend Mount Lingqiu to the death. However… should Your Highness first move to Flying Swan Pass?” After some thought, Zhou Min still asked. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe the Princess Consort would share the soldiers’ fate, but rather that someone of her status shouldn’t need to take such risks.

Ye Li shook her head, “No need, I trust General Zhou can hold Mount Lingqiu.”

With Ye Li saying this, Zhou Min couldn’t persuade her further. He could only secretly resolve that he absolutely wouldn’t let He Lian Peng gain even half a step into Mount Lingqiu. If, in the worst case, they couldn’t hold out, he would use force if necessary to send the Princess Consort to Flying Swan Pass.

Soon, the area around Mount Lingqiu fell into chaos. As Ye Li and Zhou Min had predicted, He Lian Peng didn’t personally go to rescue Hui City and Luo Zhou but instead concentrated his remaining two hundred thousand troops to attack Mount Lingqiu full force. The troops fighting Lu Jin Xian in the east had been deadlocked for a long time without a breakthrough, and in the central route, even though Ye Lu Ye and He Lian Zhen jointly led over eight hundred thousand troops, they still couldn’t defeat Mo Xiuyao’s less than five hundred thousand troops. After half a month of battle with more defeats than victories, they had no choice but to retreat. If He Lian Peng could open a path through Mount Lingqiu, it would naturally resolve the Northern Rong army’s current predicament. More importantly, winter came early in the north, and winter was approaching. By then, the Northern Rong army’s military supplies and provisions would be even more stretched than now. Therefore, although He Lian Peng knew Ye Li’s arrangement might be disadvantageous to him, he had no choice but to stake everything on attacking Mount Lingqiu with full force.

At the front of Mount Lingqiu, both sides had fought for five days with countless casualties. Yet neither showed any sign of retreat. Comparatively, this time the Mo Family Army had truly suffered losses. At this time, the Mo Family Army’s combat strength was already inferior to the Northern Rong army, and they couldn’t match the Northern Rong in numbers either. If not for Mount Lingqiu being easy to defend but difficult to attack, the Mo Family Army would likely have been defeated already.

But even so, He Lian Peng wasn’t faring better than Ye Li and Zhou Min. Although his casualties were somewhat fewer than the Mo Family Army’s, he originally only had about two hundred thousand troops, and the forces sent to reinforce Luo Zhou and Hui City still hadn’t sent back any news. If casualties continued like this, even if he annihilated Mount Lingqiu’s forces, his remaining troops wouldn’t be enough to face the Mo Family Army at Flying Swan Pass after crossing Mount Lingqiu. By then, it would truly be a pyrrhic victory. Worst of all, Ye Li could afford the losses – she had Yuan Pei and Flying Swan Pass’s garrison behind her. But He Lian Peng couldn’t afford losses. Once Luo Zhou and Hui city were completely lost, even if he took Mount Lingqiu, he wouldn’t dare cross it. Crossing would truly turn his force into an isolated army.

“Ye… Li!” Standing at the army’s front, looking at the exhausted soldiers covered in wounds everywhere, He Lian Peng couldn’t help but grind his teeth, his eyes showing a fanatical look. “As expected of Princess Consort Ding, this general has still been outmaneuvered by you. However… did you include your own life in your calculations this time?”

Looking at the black Mo Family Army flags waving in the wind atop Mount Lingqiu ahead, He Lian Peng smiled coldly, “Since things have come to this, if this general doesn’t take your Mount Lingqiu, wouldn’t people laugh at this general’s incompetence?”

“Come!”

“General?!” A commander hurriedly came to receive orders. He Lian Peng raised his eyes, staring at the nearby hillside, and said solemnly, “Continue attacking Mount Lingqiu. Don’t stop until we take it!” That commander was stunned and said somewhat helplessly, “General, Mount Lingqiu is easy to defend but difficult to attack, I fear…” He Lian Peng’s cold gaze swept over, making the man swallow his words. He Lian Peng stared at him and said solemnly, “Anyone who dares retreat will be executed!”

“Yes!”

On Mount Lingqiu, they were similarly on high alert, filled with an atmosphere of blood and tension. Lin Han followed behind Ye Li as she inspected the front lines outside the camp. Seeing soldiers resting in groups of three or five, including many wounded who hadn’t been treated yet, Lin Han couldn’t help but frown. He looked worriedly at Ye Li walking ahead, wanting to persuade her to leave early but unable to speak the words.

Seeing Ye Li approach, the soldiers resting on the ground all tried to stand and salute. Ye Li waved her hand indicating they needn’t move, and walked to a soldier resting against a hay pile with his left arm covered in blood, asking softly, “What happened? Why haven’t you bandaged your wound?”

The soldier was only seventeen or eighteen years old, and became nervous and red-faced when Ye Li addressed him, shaking his head repeatedly, “Re-reporting to Your Highness, my injury isn’t serious, just a scratch, no need for bandaging.” Ye Li crouched down and lifted his sleeve – the wound indeed wasn’t too serious. It hadn’t hit any vital spots but had bled quite a bit. Usually, it would be fine, but in the current situation, the wound would likely tear worse with any exertion. Ye Li frowned slightly, took out some medicine, and sprinkled it on his wound, while Lin Han behind her handed over a cloth strip. Ye Li took it and efficiently bandaged the wound.

Looking at the white-robed woman bandaging his wound, the young soldier was stunned. The Princess seemed quite practiced, finishing the treatment and bandaging in moments, doing it better than the army doctors he’d seen. Seeing the dazed young soldier, Ye Li smiled faintly and asked, “How old are you? Are you afraid?”

The youth shook his head firmly and said, “Not afraid.” He was a bit scared, but if the Princess, a woman, wasn’t afraid, how could he, a man, be afraid?

Ye Li patted his shoulder and said, “Rest well, there are still tough battles ahead.” Standing up, Ye Li turned to Lin Han and said, “The camp doesn’t lack medicine. Have the army doctors distribute some to the soldiers. For lighter wounds, let everyone help each other with treatment and bandaging.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Lin Han nodded, grabbed a passing soldier to relay the order, and then followed behind Ye Li again. Seeing this, Ye Li said somewhat helplessly, “I won’t be in any danger in the military camp. You don’t need to follow me everywhere.”

Lin Han shook his head, “His Highness ordered that someone must protect Your Highness at all times.”

Ye Li knew she couldn’t persuade him and had to let him be. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard groans of pain from nearby. Ye Li frowned and turned toward the source. It was a simple shelter for the seriously wounded, where two doctors were discussing something around a young soldier. The groans were coming from that soldier.

Ancient battlefields with cold weapons were far more cruel than those in her previous life. The battlefield naturally didn’t have professional combat medics, battlefield nurses, or emergency treatment for the wounded. Generally, those seriously wounded couldn’t escape dying in the chaos of war. Occasionally, some lucky ones who were still alive and hadn’t been killed by the enemy after the battle would be dragged back by their side. But even so, the mortality rate for the seriously wounded who were rescued was frighteningly high. For this very reason, there weren’t many who survived with disabilities from the battlefield.

“How serious is the injury?” Ye Li asked softly.

The two doctors turned around and reported somewhat helplessly, “The arrowhead is stuck in the bone, I’m afraid…” With the arrowhead unable to be removed, although the wound was in the leg, the person would eventually die from complications like infection.

Ye Li looked down at the young man lying on the grass. The wound had turned bluish and showed signs of infection, his young eyes filled with despair and pain. Ye Li’s heart darkened, and after some thought, she asked, “Can we amputate?”

“Amputate?” The two doctors were stunned but quickly understood Ye Li’s meaning. They said hesitantly, “If we cut off this leg… there might be a slim chance of survival. As long as the wound doesn’t get infected afterward, there shouldn’t be any problems. But, but…” Not everyone could perform such a procedure. Although they were doctors, they had never done anything like this. The camp’s experienced old military doctor who had such expertise had fallen seriously ill from exhaustion some days ago and been sent back to Flying Swan Pass.

Ye Li pondered briefly, then said calmly, “I’ll do it.”

“Your Highness?!” Not just the two doctors, but even Lin Han was shocked.

Ye Li said composedly, “Don’t worry, I can do this.” In her previous life as a special forces soldier, Ye Li had naturally learned battlefield medicine, not just simple treatment of external wounds, but even common battlefield surgeries. Amputation was one of the most common procedures.

The two doctors still hesitated. Though they couldn’t save this wounded soldier, they couldn’t watch the Princess Consort operate. The wounded soldier might still live a few more days now, but if the Princess Consort did it, he might die immediately.

Ye Li walked to the young man and said softly, “I need to amputate your leg where the arrow struck. Don’t be afraid.”

Fear rose in the young man’s eyes, and he tried to shake his head, but the pain in his leg prevented him from speaking. Ye Li looked at him and said solemnly, “Life is more important than a leg. Things have come to this point – are you unwilling to even take a chance rather than give up your life? At home… is there anyone waiting for you to return?”

The young man’s gaze grew distant as if remembering something. Slowly, a glimmer of hope and life returned to his eyes. Ye Li said softly, “As long as you want to live, you must try your hardest, even if just to hold on until the very end.”

The young man finally nodded. Though fear remained in his eyes, he was no longer so panicked. Only then did Ye Li stand and instruct the two doctors beside her, “Prepare painkillers, hemostatic medicine, clean hot water, strong alcohol, clean clothes, and fire.” The doctors had no choice but to follow Ye Li’s instructions and prepare the items.

When everything was ready, Ye Li took out an unused thin-bladed short knife, wiped it with alcohol, and heated it over the fire before standing beside the young man. She located a spot on his leg and made the first cut. The two doctors assisting her watched her movements with wide eyes. Her cuts were swift yet precise – perhaps slightly unpracticed at first, but after two or three strokes, she seemed to find her rhythm. She appeared even more efficient than an experienced old military doctor.

While Ye Li was busy, suddenly war drums thundered outside. In the distance came the distinctive horns of the Northern Rong – they were attacking again. Lin Han said worriedly, “Your Highness…”

Without looking up or pausing her movements, Ye Li instructed, “Go tell Zhou Min he has full command, I’ll be out shortly.” Lin Han looked at the semi-conscious wounded soldier, then finally turned and left.

Ye Li soon stopped her knife work. She deftly picked up the thread that had been boiled in hot water to suture the wound, then bandaged it. After finishing everything, Ye Li finally raised her head and let out a light sigh. The two doctors standing beside her had been watching in a daze, and only came back to themselves when they saw Ye Li looking at them, saying, “Your Highness…”

Ye Li put down her implements and washed her hands in a basin of water, saying, “Please look after him. You two surely know more than I do about medicines for reducing fever, detoxifying, and preventing infection. His wound can’t get wet. If nothing goes wrong in the next few days, he should be fine. I need to go now.”

“Yes, farewell Your Highness. Your Highness need not worry, we will certainly take good care of him.” The two doctors were somewhat abashed and repeatedly assured her. Ye Li had no time for more and turned to leave the shelter for the battlefield.

On the battlefield, He Lian Peng didn’t see Ye Li from afar and frowned. He called out, “What’s this? Has Princess Consort Ding finally grown afraid and left early?” As he said this, He Lian Peng’s feelings were mixed, unsure whether he hoped Ye Li had left or not.

Zhou Min coldly snorted and said sternly, “Since when does a Northern Rong barbarian like you have any right to know where our Princess is?”

He Lian Peng’s face darkened as he sneered, “This general thought the world-renowned Princess Consort Ding was some kind of exceptional heroine, but it seems she’s just a cowardly woman who flees from battle.”

“This general won’t waste words with a Northern Rong barbarian like you. If you want to fight, then fight!” Zhou Min pointed his spear at He Lian Peng.

He Lian Peng also smiled, “Perfect, this general will kill you first and then go find your Princess Consort Ding! Charge!” Without waiting for the war drums, He Lian Peng led the charge up the slope. The soldiers behind him, seeing their general leading from the front, naturally didn’t hesitate to follow, charging toward the Mo Family Army’s lines.

Zhou Min didn’t retreat, letting out a light snort, “Kill them!”

The Mo Family Army roared as – archers released arrows, and others hurled logs and stones, showing no mercy as they attacked the Northern Rong army. After five or six days of continuous attacks, the Northern Rong army had learned some lessons. This time, many managed to avoid the rolling stones, logs, and rain of arrows coming from above, charging upward. The Mo Family Army’s soldiers unhesitatingly charged down to meet them, and the two armies immediately clashed in close combat.

He Lian Peng, relying on his profound martial arts, leaped toward Zhou Min’s position. The archers in front unhesitatingly shifted their aim to shoot at He Lian Peng in mid-air. The Mo Family Army’s Black Cloud Riders were renowned for their archery, and even He Lian Peng didn’t dare directly face over a dozen simultaneously arriving arrows. He flipped in mid-air to avoid the arrow rain, swept his long sword to deflect many of them, and then landed.

He Lian Peng laughed heartily and said, “Excellent archery. This general would like to experience the Mo Family Army’s archery skills.”

Before his words finished, he dove toward Zhou Min again. His lightness skill was excellent and his speed fast – in moments he was just several zhang away from Zhou Min. He swept his long sword toward the archers, sending a fierce blade qi their way. The archers reacted quickly, all flipping away, but two were still wounded. He Lian Peng ignored them and turned to attack Zhou Min.

Arrows were long-range weapons, of little use in close combat. Zhou Min showed no fear, thrusting his spear toward He Lian Peng. He Lian Peng smiled, “General Zhou, you command troops well, but unfortunately your martial arts are somewhat lacking.”

Zhou Min said coldly, “General He Lian talks too much.”

He Lian Peng smiled, “Is that so? In that case, let this general experience General Zhou’s skills.”

Zhou Min was a general who commanded armies, not a martial arts expert who fought solo duels. His martial arts naturally fell short compared to He Lian Peng. With Ye Li, He Su, and Sun Yao Wu all absent, and Zhou Min alone commanding the front-line operations, he couldn’t focus fully on fighting. After just a few exchanges, he began showing signs of defeat.

He Lian Peng was greatly pleased. While wielding his long sword, he smiled, “General Zhou, is Princess Consort Ding not here? If she’s truly gone, you’re certainly dead today.”

Zhou Min snorted lightly, ignoring the blood drawn on his arm, and thrust his spear forward again. He Lian Peng leaped up, “If that’s the case, what a pity… We Northern Rong don’t have many commanders like General Zhou.” His long sword flashed a dark red gleam in the sunlight as it swept toward Zhou Min’s neck.

“Clang!” A black shadow flashed as Lin Han, face stern, raised his sword to block He Lian Peng’s blade. He said coldly, “If General He Lian wants to experience the Mo Family Army’s archery, why such haste?”

He Lian Peng was startled, feeling a sharp wind at the back of his head. He quickly flipped away as a black arrow just grazed past him. This arrow’s power was completely different from the previous archers’ – even though it only brushed past his face without hitting him, he still felt a slight sting on his cheek.

“General He Lian is quite impatient. Such eagerness to lead from the front truly surprises me.” Ye Li stood not far away, looking at He Lian Peng with a calm expression. He Lian Peng laughed heartily, looking at Ye Li, “So Princess Consort is still in camp – this general wrongly doubted you.”

Ye Li said calmly, “No matter. Since the general is here, why not stay a while longer? General Zhou, you may return to your duties.” Zhou Min glanced at Ye Li and He Lian Peng, knew he couldn’t help here, nodded and left.

He Lian Peng raised an eyebrow and smiled, “If Princess Consort wishes to detain this general, it would be this general’s utmost honor.”

Ye Li wasn’t in a good mood and didn’t joke with He Lian Peng, saying coolly, “That’s best.” With a wave of her slender hand, several arrows shot toward He Lian Peng from different directions. He Lian Peng hurriedly leaped away, swinging his sword to cut down the incoming arrows. But as soon as he cut down those in front, more sharp winds attacked from behind. Even though He Lian Peng’s profound internal energy prevented him from being hit, he was quite flustered for a time.

“How formidable!” Earlier, even a dozen archers shooting arrows like rain hadn’t posed much threat to He Lian Peng. But now these less dense arrows instead had him scrambling.

“General can now appreciate the difference between Qilin and Xiezi,” Ye Li said coolly.

By the time He Lian Peng finally broke through Qilin’s arrow rain, he had been forced several dozen zhang away from the Mo Family Army camp. He Lian Peng looked from afar at the white-robed woman standing in front of several black-clad men and sighed somewhat reluctantly, “This one sincerely invites Princess Consort to visit the Northern Rong – why must you be so ungracious?”