Wei Shuye raised his head, the fiery sun entering his vision. The newly risen red glow resembled fresh blood, with withered grass swaying in the desolate wind. Thunderous war drums roared beside his ears as thousands upon thousands of soldiers surged toward him. The iron-gray shadows resembled an all-encompassing tide, gradually covering the entire battlefield.

He was bathed in blood, his handsome face completely covered in gore, his hair tangled and soaked with foul-smelling blood. His battle blade was chipped, and his exhausted warhorse trembled on its legs, unable to bear any more burden.

A powerful enemy had invaded, the southwestern territories had fallen, and the Great Xia’s mortal enemy had pried open the national gates, bringing a wolfish army to rampage across the empire’s lands. Yet, besides the few southwestern garrisons, throughout the entire Great Xia border, among all the noble clans and aristocratic families, only he had led troops southward to resist the enemy forces.

Along the way, he had seen too many noble families leading their clan armies fleeing northward, a seemingly endless stream of people flowing like a long dragon, continuously surging northward. They drove carriages, wore luxurious clothes, and carried vast amounts of gold, silver, jewels, and personal guard units. Even some local provincial officials fled toward Zhenhuang with local guards in panic, wielding whips and spears to drive away commoners blocking their path, their faces showing pure terror with no trace of their usual nobility.

Wei Shuye had also tried to organize these troops. He even ordered his subordinates to block roads and confronted those fleeing officials and nobles with drawn weapons. However, those people all gave him ample reasons: defending the imperial capital, strategic retreat, rushing to the capital to stop the civil war, preserving the empire’s elite forces to fight the enemy later, and so on. In short, they would rather fight him than turn back to battle the Yan Bei army.

Someone cursed loudly, shouting that no regular southwestern garrison troops remained as they had all been recalled by the princes for the civil war. If the royal family members no longer cared about the country, why should they go to war?

Faced with these chaotic voices, Wei Shuye was speechless.

In just two short days, over 200,000 displaced people had gathered on the Songjiang plank road. Among them were nobles, aristocrats, soldiers, and commoners. The southwest had fallen, and they had fled thousands of miles to reach here, travel-worn and weary, like a pack of starving wolves, glaring vigilantly at the soldiers blocking their way.

The roadblocks were dismantled; a mere 20,000 troops could not stop such a tide. A lieutenant stood before the formation, shouting with a hoarse voice, mobilizing people to turn back and continue fighting, but no one paid him any attention. Wei Shuye sat on his horse, watching those wooden-faced people passing by him one by one, like a group of lifeless straw men.

After everyone had left, only a dozen or so children still stood in place. Some were fourteen or fifteen, others eleven or twelve, all boys. They timidly approached the hoarse-voiced lieutenant, raising their hands saying they wished to enlist. The lieutenant was greatly moved, thinking his speech had finally had an effect, and quickly asked the youngsters why they wanted to join the army—was it to sacrifice themselves for the country in this time of crisis? But the child replied that their rations had been stolen by fleeing soldiers, and they would die if they continued forward, so they might as well become soldiers.

The 20,000 soldiers collectively fell silent before these dozen skinny youths. Wei Shuye instructed the quartermaster to distribute rations and clean water to them, then watched them leave happily. The sunset shone on these seeds of the empire, like stalks of artemisia pulled from the soil.

After entering the southwestern territory, the situation became even more chaotic. When passing through a small town, the entire settlement was devoid of human presence. The troops moved as if through a dead city, hearing only their footsteps, so heavy, one after another. However, when they reached the town’s small square, they collectively froze in place. It was truly a scene from hell, with various bizarre forms of torture evident. A tall elm tree had dozens of naked male corpses hanging from it, and on the ground was a pile of remains over two men high, already burned to charcoal. There were also many naked female bodies, clearly victims of unimaginably cruel methods.

The entire formation was deathly silent. These were all battle-hardened veterans who had tasted blood on blade tips and killed countless people in their lives.

Yet at this moment, some were silently weeping, shedding tears as men.

Born as soldiers, unable to defend their country, unable to protect their people—what value remained in their existence?

Homes were destroyed, houses leveled, fertile fields turned to scorched earth, and prosperity transformed into ruins. Once flourishing and prosperous towns had become uninhabited dead cities. Once vibrant lives had become unfeeling rotting flesh, the stench overwhelming, surrounded by vultures—this was a terrible disaster, also a nightmare from which there was no awakening.

Wei Shuye could not imagine why the Yan Bei army would be so brutal. Great grief and anger surged through his chest; he gripped his blade tightly, his young spine straight as a battle spear.

However, the battles encountered immediately afterward, with their exaggerated tactics and chaotic troop deployments, gave him some understanding.

It turned out that the first wave entering Great Xia’s borders was not the Yan Bei army. Yan Xun had opened the Baizhi Pass, eliminated several military camps along the way, and then withdrew from Great Xia, occupying the pass without sending a single soldier into Great Xia territory. Instead, he issued proclamations inviting bandits and horse thieves active in the Yan Bei plateau, southern wilderness, Helan mountain range, and northwestern deserts to share in Great Xia’s spoils.

Wave after wave of mounted bandits surged into Great Xia’s territory. They were fierce, coming and going like the wind. They had no attachment to the land; they were only passionate about slaughter and plunder. Everywhere they passed was devastated—burning, killing, looting, and raping women—doing things soldiers could not bring themselves to do without blinking an eye. The cruel bloodshed stimulated those soldiers and nobles who had initially wanted to resist. Rumors about the enemy’s ferocity spread throughout the southwest, and panic about the war spread across the entire Longxi region within days. So, soldiers abandoned resistance, nobles abandoned their posts, and even commoners began to flee. Thus, in just a few short days, the entire southwest fell to the enemy, and the Yan Bei army’s subsequent forces didn’t encounter a single regular defense!

He’s a madman!

In the night, Wei Shuye smelled the pungent stench and said silently.

He had opened Great Xia’s gates, paving the way for those demons, turning all living beings into a hunting ground.

He hadn’t come to occupy, only to destroy, making the countless souls of this mighty Great Xia into sacrifices for his Yan Bei lineage.

The grief-stricken 20,000 Xia troops encountered the first regular Yan Bei army at Moon City—20,000 cavalry against 30,000 heavy infantry, truly a bloody hard battle. Wei Shuye’s army, driven by the spirit of a mourning force, defeated the Yan Bei army in one powerful charge. The enraged Xia soldiers cruelly killed all the wounded and prisoners; Wei Shuye did not stop them, because, in his own heart, he desired the same.

He hated the invaders, hated Yan Bei, hated Yan Xun, hated those ferocious mounted bandits.

But he hated the royal family even more, hated those arrogant nobles, hated those soldiers who enjoyed provisions yet fled in crisis, hated Zhao Yang who withdrew all southwestern troops for civil war, hated the aristocratic clans, hated the noble families, and even hated himself.

He tore up his uncle’s letters one by one. Family elders scolded him furiously, saying he was mad to lead the family’s troops into the southwest at such a time, calling him a sinner to the family, a rebel against the Wei clan.

However, this time, no matter how severe the reproaches, they could not make him turn back.

The enemy was attacking, the empire was trembling, the country was in civil war, the nobles were fleeing, and the common people were wailing.

He was a warrior of the empire; he could not retreat.

After the battle at Moon City, this deeply penetrating lone force caught Yan Bei’s attention. Within two days, nearly 70,000 troops had surrounded them. After a day and night of fighting, they finally were exhausted.

Arrows depleted, medicine exhausted, and supplies nearly gone, blades and spears all dulled. The warriors hadn’t slept properly for a long time; many times, they even dozed off during battle, occasionally awakened by pain, only to suddenly realize where they were.

The morning sunlight shone once more. Wei Shuye looked up at the sun in the sky, slightly squinting his eyes, telling himself that this might be the last sunrise he would see in his life.

A lieutenant rushed forward, with a long, deep sword scar across his cheek, looking grim and terrifying. His voice was hoarse beyond recognition, but he still shouted: “General! We can’t hold out! The enemy has sent three more reinforced battalions. Let’s retreat quickly!”

Wei Shuye said nothing, just looking at this man who was somewhat older than himself. He was a comrade who had followed him campaigning north and south, fought more battles than himself, was more skilled in military tactics, and more ferocious on the battlefield, also more beloved by the men. But just because he was of common birth, no matter how many military achievements he had, he could not be promoted. If not under his command, he might still be just a small squad leader.

But just because he had shown him a little favor, he was utterly loyal, always charging at the front in battle, taking arrows and blades for him. But how could he know that many times, he also looked down on these commoner soldiers? Rightfully enjoying their merit, standing behind them waiting for the battle’s outcome—how was he any different from those nobles who fled in the face of battle? They fled to save their own lives, while he would destroy others’ lives for the sake of his reputation.

All at once, countless thoughts flooded his mind.

Wei Shuye knew that today was the final battle. There would be no reinforcements, no turning point. Zhao Yang was still fighting Zhuge Yue and could not come to save him. And he also knew that even if he wasn’t fighting, he wouldn’t come in this situation. They were destined to be an abandoned force, resting eternally in the fires of this chaotic era.

Wei Shuye drew his battle blade, his face showing a trace of determination. He spurred his horse forward, moving to the front of his scarred soldiers.

“Warriors, today will be our final battle.”

The deep voice echoed across the battlefield, and thousands of blood-covered faces looked up toward their commander.

“Soldiers, the enemy has invaded, our territories have fallen, everyone is retreating, only you have bravely advanced. In just ten days, you have fought thirteen blocking actions, eleven field battles, two major engagements, and marched across half our nation’s territory. You are worthy of the title of soldier, worthy of the uniform you wear. Future generations of Great Xia’s people for thousands of years will be proud of what you have done today!”

“Today, perhaps we will rest eternally here, perhaps we will fail, but we must use the blades in our hands to tell those invaders, to tell them that Great Xia will not surrender our hot blood will not congeal, and all who trample on our dignity will pay a heavy price!”

The usually gentle general suddenly shouted fiercely, pointing at the dark mass of enemy forces charging toward them, roaring in anger: “Long live the Empire!”

“Long live Great Xia!!!”

Thousands of broken blades pointed toward the sky as the soldiers’ blood boiled. Wei Shuye spurred his horse out of the formation, shouting wildly as he charged toward the enemy, followed by thousands of roaring warriors, like a herd of frenzied wild bulls.

The fierce wind blew past his ears, making Wei Shuye’s eyes sting. His warhorse galloped, and he could not see anything around him, only instinctively swinging his increasingly heavy battle blade time after time.

Life became vivid in this moment. He recalled many things: growing up cautiously within the aristocratic clan, repeatedly working and fighting for the family under his uncle’s guidance, and gradually acquiring clouded eyes amid opulent wealth.

“I do not wish to be such a coward, growing according to the empire’s iron-like order, gradually aging, gradually dying. Someday, I will break through the cage, cast aside everything the aristocracy has given me, and use my only life to accomplish one heroic deed. Even if it seems so insignificant to others, I can tell myself before death that I was finally brave once.”

He smiled coldly at the corner of his mouth, swinging his blade to chop and kill, leading his troops in reckless slaughter, raising blood-red waves in a sea of iron-gray.

Near the Heng River embankment, a cloud of dust rose with a howl. A commander in ink-black armor coldly observed the battle situation, then suddenly ordered: “All troops prepare.”

“Your Highness!”

An adviser frowned and said: “That is Wei Shuye’s army, the Wei clan’s private forces. They are troops loyal to the Fourteenth Prince.”

The general raised an eyebrow, turned his head, his gaze profound, his tone low, saying each word slowly and distinctly: “I care nothing for aristocratic clans. I only know that those people are our compatriots and comrades, defending my country.”

The adviser was stunned, then immediately replied: “Subordinate understands.”

The general drew his battle blade in one motion, raising it high: “All troops, heed my command! Charge with me!”

“Kill the enemy!!!”

A tremendous charge instantly sounded, like earth-shaking muffled thunder, rolling forth!

“Large cavalry forces to the north!”

“Extremely fast! Charging toward us!”

“Friend or foe unclear! Their numbers are great, looks like over a hundred thousand cavalry!”

No one knew who shouted first, but soon everyone noticed the anomaly to the northeast.

The newcomers wore identical dark blue cloaks. Their warhorses galloped at full speed, and amid the vast yellow dust, one could not even see their numbers. Countless hoofbeats were like surging seawater, wave after wave magnificently rolling, the world filled with dust color. Dust rose high, extending beyond the towering embankment, looking like a majestic mountain range.

“Look at that banner! It’s the Eastern Hu army!”

A suddenly joyful cheer rang out, and in an instant, everyone was shocked. They looked in amazement, their faces red with excitement.

“It’s the Eastern Hu army! It’s the Eastern Hu army!”

“It’s the Seventh Prince’s army! It’s our people!”

“Long live! Long live the Seventh Prince! Long live Great Xia!”

…

Wei Shuye sat stunned on horseback. He never imagined that at this moment, Zhao Che, who should have been attacking Zhenhuang City, would suddenly appear here.

After he had betrayed their friendship, following family arrangements to support Zhao Yang’s ascension, in this time of crisis, his family abandoned him, Zhao Yang forsook him, the empire discarded him—yet it was the one he had betrayed who, from thousands of miles away, rescued him from certain death.

He clenched his teeth, roared wildly, and with one stroke, shattered an enemy’s skull.

“Kill the enemy!”

The charge sounded again, accompanied by boiling blood, together watering the warriors’ fighting spirit.

On the devastated battlefield at dusk, the killing cries suddenly stopped. The desolate wind blew, carrying a bloody stench.

Zhao Che, fully armored, stood far away on the river embankment, gazing at the devastated battlefield.

Wei Shuye stood not far behind him, looking at his silhouette from a distance. Vaguely, it seemed like returning to many years ago, when the defeated prince returned to the country in disgrace, kneeling in Purple Wisteria Square to beg forgiveness. He had also stood far away then, watching his straight back and forever clenched fist.

So many years had passed, through life and death, through ups and downs, through twists and obstacles, through loyalty and betrayal, everyone’s eyes and hearts had grown old and weathered. Zhao Yang had become ambitious, Zhao Song had become disheartened, Zhao Qi had died on the Yan Bei lands, Yan Xun had become cold and decisive, and Zhuge Yue had also opened his eyes from obsession. Yet only he, from beginning to end, still maintained that tenacious and resolute appearance, never changing, never weakening, not even showing a hint of hesitation.

This man was a born soldier, a born guardian.

He slowly walked over, stood behind him, and said: “Thank you for saving me.”

Zhao Che did not turn around, as if he had long known he was standing behind him. His calm voice came over: “I just didn’t want to dishonor my surname.”

Yes, he was the descendant of Emperor Peiluo, with noble golden blood flowing through his veins. He was simply defending his territory and people, regardless of standpoint, with no intent of bestowing favor.

“Look, how beautiful.”

Zhao Che suddenly extended his hand, using his scabbard to point at the vast plain below. The setting sun cast thousands of red rays over the barren wild grass, rising and falling with the wind, like blood flowing through gold, appearing magnificent.

“People have never seen the truly vast world, because it hasn’t been created yet. Someday, from the Shang Shen plateau of Yan Bei to the eastern cliff seas of Huai Song, from the Adu wasteland of the Western Desert to the Nine Wai mountains of the Southern Border, all will submit under the empire’s feet, and all this will begin with my battle blade.”

He turned around, looking at Wei Shuye with bright eyes, smiled confidently, then raised a fist firmly saying: “Great Xia will not perish.”

Wei Shuye looked at him, silent for a long while. Finally, he too revealed a slight smile, which gradually expanded, merging into his vibrant eyes.

“Great Xia will not perish!”

He raised his fist, forcefully bumping it against Zhao Che’s.

In the northwestern sky, a brilliant setting sun slowly descended.

The army that had marched rapidly for a day received temporary rest. The entire force began making fires to cook, then hurried to sleep, as they only had two hours before they would continue toward the southwest.

After inspecting the entire army, Zhuge Yue had just returned to his tent when he saw Chu Qiao had already prepared her belongings, appearing as if she had been waiting for his arrival.

Zhuge Yue stood at the entrance, silently watching her, without speaking for a long time.

The spring wind was strong, causing the tent curtains to sway. The crimson light shone in, falling upon them like a thin film of blood mist.

“You’ve decided?”

The deep voice slowly sounded, with no discernible emotion, just asking very calmly.

Chu Qiao nodded, saying very seriously: “Yes, I’ve decided.”

Zhuge Yue turned to leave, saying: “I’ll prepare a warhorse for you.”

“Zhuge Yue!”

Chu Qiao immediately ran forward and grabbed his hand, calling out somewhat distressed.

The atmosphere in the tent was very low. Chu Qiao lowered her head, her brows tightly knit, her palms ice-cold, like a block of solid ice.

Finally, the frontman turned around, looking at her gravely. After a long while, he sighed helplessly, removed the sword from her waist, hung his battle blade on her, and then crouched down to tie a sharp dagger to her leggings. He went into the inner tent, took out a sturdy inner soft armor, removed her cloak, and put it on her. He never spoke, just quietly busied himself, sharpening her blade, checking her pack, preparing her medicine…

Chu Qiao’s eyes stung with tears. She pressed her lips tightly, lowering her head as he worked.

“Done.”

The man finished everything, stood before her, and said: “Prepare to eat. In another hour we part ways. I can only send you off this far.”

Chu Qiao nodded, feeling somewhat sad, somewhat helpless, somewhat guilty, and even somewhat afraid.

She hadn’t been afraid like this for a long time. Indeed, people shouldn’t possess too much; once you feel happy, you become fearful of loss.

“Xing’er, promise me, you must return to me safe and sound.”

Chu Qiao quickly nodded, raising her head to look at him, asking: “Are you no longer angry with me?”

Zhuge Yue smiled bitterly: “If I’m angry, will you not go?”

Chu Qiao immediately lowered her head. They had argued about this matter several times already. Now with separation imminent, she didn’t want to continue this dangerous topic.

“Since I cannot stop you no matter what, I might as well send you off properly.”

Zhuge Yue suddenly opened his arms and embraced her, his chin resting against her forehead, saying softly: “Xing’er, Zhao Che has led troops into the southwest, the situation is critical, I must go to assist. Now the entire southwestern route is occupied by the Yan Bei army, and the road between Bian Tang and Great Xia is blocked. From now on, if anything happens, I cannot help you in time. The situation within Bian Tang is unknown to both of us; you must act according to your capability. Once you find the situation unworkable, you must turn back immediately, never take unnecessary risks.”

Chu Qiao lay against his chest, nodding repeatedly, but not speaking.

Zhuge Yue sighed, continuing: “If Bian Tang is in critical danger and the situation cannot be reversed, lead your troops to Qinghai. I’ve ordered Yue Qi to return to Cuiwei Pass; he will arrange for people to be ready to assist you at any time.”

Chu Qiao’s eyes showed a slight trace of moisture. She sniffled, only nodding.

“Alright, since you’ve decided to go, don’t maintain such an attitude. When leading troops into battle, momentum is most important. With you leaving like this, how can I be at ease?”

Chu Qiao raised her head, smiled at him, her voice slightly choked as she said: “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

Zhuge Yue cupped her face, gently kissed her lips, then smiled saying: “This is the spirit worthy of Zhuge Yue’s woman.”

Chu Qiao laughed at his teasing, tilting her head saying: “You must also be careful. This situation is critical, not only with the Yan Bei army, but also with Zhao Yang and various nobles—you must guard against them all. Great Xia’s mountains and rivers are broken, foreign enemies have invaded our gates, and the world is in turmoil, you must proceed with great caution.”

“I understand.” Zhuge Yue nodded: “I’ve been campaigning for so many years and rarely suffered major losses. You should trust your husband.”

Chu Qiao, fully armored, looking lovely and clear, blushed at his words, laughing and scolding: “Whose husband are you? Have I ever knelt with you before heaven and earth?”

Zhuge Yue disdainfully snorted: “You’ve long entered my household, yet your little mouth refuses to admit it.”

After speaking, his gaze suddenly softened, saying: “Xing’er, I still owe you a grand wedding.”

Chu Qiao’s eyes rippled with emotion, saying softly: “I don’t want any wedding, as long as I have you, it’s enough.”

Suddenly, loud military horns sounded outside the tent, penetrating the vast wilderness, echoing between heaven and earth. The surroundings suddenly became spacious. Chu Qiao closed her eyes, stood on tiptoe, kissed Zhuge Yue’s lips, passing sweetness, as tender as water.

“Zhuge Yue, neither of us can come to harm.”

“Mm.” Zhuge Yue tightly embraced her waist.

“I’m still waiting for you to gloriously welcome me into your home.”

…

The desolate plank road extended on, Chu Qiao and He Xiao sat mounted on horseback, gazing at the tall figure under the Qinghai banner, staring for a long time.

“Zhuge Yue! I’m leaving!”

The wind rose, raising a ground of dust. Chu Qiao’s cloak was lifted high, revealing the pure white sturdy inner armor beneath.

Zhuge Yue’s gaze was like lightning, his expression calm, calling loudly: “Success in battle!”

Chu Qiao raised the whip in her hand, also calling loudly in response: “Success in battle!”

The thunderous war drums and military horns immediately sounded. Chu Qiao whipped her horse’s flank, turned her mount, and shouted: “Hya!”

Hooves flew, the woman wearing a silver helmet, the bright red tassel like a jumping flame, so eye-catching in the vast world.

Parting was imminent, before the two formations, there were no comforting instructions, no womanly coyness. “Success in battle,” just these four words, that was all.

They both knew what the other wanted. In chaotic times, life was like duckweed, only belief never extinguished.

“Young Master,”

Yue Liu frowned, persistently asking: “Just letting the lady leave like this, Bian Tang is so dangerous, how could the Master not stop her?”

Zhuge Yue turned around, raising an eyebrow and smiling lightly: “If she didn’t go, would she still be herself?”

The hoofbeats grew distant, disappearing in the dust. Zhuge Yue gazed into the distance, in his heart was an unspoken phrase.

Isn’t this exactly the kind of woman I love? How could I cage her after obtaining her, and then destroy her?

He laughed heartily, turning to his troops who were ready to depart, saying: “Set out!”

In early April of the year 882, Yan Bei launched a full-scale attack against Great Xia. They joined forces with Bian Tang’s Jingan Princess Consort, Lady Qiu, entering Bian Tang through the Tanghu Pass which the Princess Consort had opened. With lightning speed, they crushed the Bian Tang garrison west of Meishan, paving the way for the Jingan Prince’s army. Then, before the civil war in Bian Tang fully erupted, they quickly withdrew their forces, circling to surround Great Xia’s Baizhi Pass.

Due to the outbreak of Great Xia’s civil war, the Fourteenth Prince Zhao Yang withdrew eighty percent of the southwestern troops to counter the Qinghai and Eastern Hu armies led by Zhuge Yue and Zhao Che. Moreover, since Baizhi Pass had seen no military action for many years, the garrison there was virtually non-existent, with only a few hundred old soldiers guarding the huge pass. Thus, facing Yan Bei’s fierce army, Baizhi Pass was as fragile as a paper window.

Subsequently, after eliminating some resistant troops, Yan Xun opened the pass, letting in the bandits and robbers that had been eyeing it from outside. With this, he brought a nightmarish wave of slaughter to the southwestern people.

Xi Meng had vast territories with many national factions, numerous uninhabited areas at the borders, and rampant bandits in significant numbers, fierce and brutal. Many renowned bandits could even confront small-scale national armies.

Relying on these people’s brutal methods and spine-chilling reputation, the noble families of the southwestern region retreated, civilians fled in disaster, and the army had no heart to fight. Over a hundred thousand local garrison troops fled in defeat without a single battle, handing over the vast southwestern territory to those iron-blooded soldiers from the Yan Bei continent. Thus, Yan Xun achieved the greatest benefit at the smallest cost.

In mid-April, Zhao Che led his army into the southwest, joining Wei Shuye who had first entered the southwestern heartland. This was the first large group resistance army since the war erupted, including fifty thousand cavalry, sixty thousand infantry, eighty thousand heavy armor troops, plus Wei Shuye’s ten thousand light cavalry, making an army of exactly two hundred thousand. Three days later, a logistics supply line stretching directly from the inland to the southwest was established under Zhuge Yue’s coordination. Meanwhile, Zhuge Yue also brought troops to Sheng City, personally overseeing the southwestern Sheng City camp. From there, he could support Zhao Che in the south, watch Zhao Yang in the north, monitor Yanming Pass in the west, and coordinate national grain transport in the center, instantly becoming the national political hub.

On April 15th, the Yan Bei army finally completed their first assembly at the lower reaches of the Heng River. Present were the Yan Bei Second Army, Sixth Army, Ninth Army, Thirteenth Army, and Black Hawk Army, with Cheng Yuan as the supreme commander. The Yan Bei troops assembled rapidly, with subsequent forces continuously arriving, totaling as many as two hundred thousand.

However, Yan Bei did not directly confront Great Xia. Just as Zhao Che was gathering all his strength, preparing to fight Yan Bei to the death, Yan Xun suddenly sent military orders from the rear, commanding the army corps to disperse and advance toward Great Xia’s northern heartland following the bandits’ footsteps.

In an instant, intelligence flowed like a tide from the front lines. Yan Bei divided into ten routes, attacking in all directions. Military advisers were confused by the scout reports: “under attack,” “heavy casualties,” “fallen,” “surrounded,” “unable to contact”—all kinds of bad news fell like snowflakes.

Zhuge Yue’s capable general Meng Feng returned from the Qinghai interior to her homeland, seeing warfare everywhere. The young female general was dumbfounded. Finally, she asked in surprise: “Has Yan Xun gone mad? Does he want mutual destruction with us?”

Zhuge Yue looked at the map marked with various colors, pondering for a long time. Finally, he went to the military advisory department, pressed the map on the table, and said softly: “I think I know what he wants to do.”

“I think I’ve guessed what he’s trying to do.”

In a dense forest at the Xia-Tang border, Chu Qiao and He Xiao had just reunited with Bian Tang’s bridal escort team. Fortunately, they had been blocked by the war and hadn’t returned to Bian Tang yet, enabling them to preserve their strength in such chaotic circumstances.

It’s worth noting that there were twenty thousand elite Wolf troops here. Adding Chu Qiao’s twenty thousand Xiuli troops, her current force was forty thousand.

Forty thousand, all elite troops. With this army, as long as she commanded properly, Chu Qiao was confident she could face an enemy three times her size.

Under the candlelight in the small tent, Chu Qiao wore soft armor, holding her helmet in one hand while pointing at the map on the table with the other: “He’s going to attack Yanming Pass.”

“Attack Yanming Pass?”

He Xiao’s brother, He Qi, frowned and asked: “My lord, they’ve already occupied Baizhi Pass, why bother attacking Yanming Pass?”

“You don’t understand him.”

Chu Qiao shook her head: “How could Yan Xun allow himself to be controlled by others? Right now he’s borrowing the route through Bian Tang, with his rear entirely in the hands of the Jingan Princess Consort. Once the Princess Consort turns on him, or if the Bian Tang royal family counterattacks, the Yan Bei army will certainly face attacks from both front and rear. Moreover, once the retreat route is blocked, it creates great psychological pressure on the troops. Therefore, Yan Xun must capture Yanming Pass within the set time, opening the northern gateway. Only then will it be time for the decisive battle between Yan Bei and Great Xia.”

Chu Qiao’s brows were tightly knitted. She took a deep breath, sitting cross-legged on the ground. She should have thought of this earlier. Yan Xun had been restraining himself, deliberately showing weakness several times, making the Great Xia court complacent. Later, he risked everything to attack Bian Tang’s grain convoy—plundering grain was just a pretense; capturing the Tanghu Pass commander was the true aim. Through this person, he contacted the Jingan Princess Consort who already harbored rebellious intentions, then took advantage of Great Xia’s civil war to quietly infiltrate the southwest. He had been planning this scheme for a long time.

“Yan Bei’s strength is not just what appears on the surface. What’s hidden outside Yanming Pass is Yan Bei’s true power.”

“My lord, should we inform Grand Marshal Zhuge about this?”

Chu Qiao shook her head: “What I can think of, how could he not?”

She rolled up the map and spread out the Bian Tang map, saying gravely: “The battle between Yan Bei and Great Xia is inevitable, and we cannot prevent it. Our current mission is to quickly return to Bian Tang, obtain firsthand information about Bian Tang’s battle situation, and see how we can aid His Majesty.”

The Wolf army’s vice commander, Guan Song, hurriedly nodded: “My lord, our scouts have been dispatched for two days already; they should return by tomorrow morning at the latest.”

Just as Chu Qiao was about to speak, she suddenly heard a soldier report from outside: “My lord, the scouts have returned.”

He Xiao at the doorway immediately lifted the curtain upon hearing this. Three dust and blood-covered soldiers staggered down from their horses. One of them said: “Report to my lord, Bian Tang’s military situation is critical. Rebel forces have broken through Hanshui Pass. Vice Commander Fang Huaihai of the Shennan Jizhi Camp and General Tian Rujia of the Dianxi Western Army have been captured. General Xu Su was betrayed by traitors and died in battle at Cang Muling. The Hanshui army has been completely defeated. The rebel forces grow stronger daily, numbering as many as two hundred thousand, and have now surrounded the capital.”

In an instant, everyone was shocked. Chu Qiao sat on the ground, her brows tightly knit, her fist slowly clenching, then gradually relaxing.

“Who is the enemy commander?”

“The Jingan Princess Consort.”

“Have you identified this person’s background?”

“Yes. This person entered the Jingan Prince’s residence four years ago, initially just a dancing girl sold by slavers. But later she was favored by the Jingan Prince a few times and became pregnant, successfully giving birth to a son. The Jingan Prince was delighted to have a son in his old age, favored her greatly, and took her as a concubine. Unexpectedly, a year later, she gave birth to another son, and the Jingan Prince was so pleased that he made her his principal wife.”

He Xiao asked: “Can a slave become a principal wife?”

“This subordinate doesn’t know, but later the Jingan Prince’s residence became unstable, with several incidents occurring. The old Princess Consort and two crown princes passed away one after another. From then on, she became the mistress of the residence. After the Jingan Prince’s rebellion failed, when the entire household was executed, she escaped under the protection of a group of people loyal to the Jingan Prince. Unexpectedly, she infiltrated Tanghu Pass, surviving under the protection of the pass commander. It’s said this Princess Consort had an affair with the Jingan Prince’s adopted son.”

Chu Qiao’s expression darkened as she asked: “What is her name?”

“This subordinate doesn’t know, only that her maiden surname is Qiu.”

“Surname Qiu?”

Chu Qiao murmured.

Guan Song, anxious about the capital’s siege, said: “My lord, the Tang capital is surrounded, we must return to save His Majesty!”

Chu Qiao’s gaze was profound as she looked distantly at Baizhi Pass, firmly occupied by Yan Bei. Beyond that pass lay the territory of Bian Tang.

She nodded, saying calmly: “Yes, we should return.”