"What?!"
After the victory at Tiger Hill Mountain where eight hundred men slaughtered ten thousand, Cao Huan had thought he was already used to Chen Sanshi's terrifying way of command—
but it turned out, no one could ever truly get used to it.
Disobedience.
This was outright disobedience!
And not just against any order—
it was defiance of an imperial decree!
How could he dare?!
"Cough, cough…"
Second Senior Brother Cheng Wei spoke up carefully. "Your Highness, please don't be too agitated. My junior brother only acts for the sake of saving Liangzhou, and His Majesty as well. He definitely didn't mean to defy orders—and he hasn't taken too many men with him."
"This prince also understands a bit of military strategy."
Cao Huan's face tightened in anxiety. "Let's put aside the matter of disobedience for now—did you not see what he's trying to do? He's marching north, deep into the desert, directly toward Wolf Juxu Mountain!"
The barbarian capital!
Over ten thousand li away!
With no supply line!
Across the vast desert, there were still at least two hundred thousand barbarian troops scattered, and along the Agate River, one confirmed Martial Saint guarded the area. Inside the capital itself, the higher-ups of the Witch God Sect were stationed—perhaps even immortals remained there.
Under such utterly unfavorable conditions—
he was leading fifteen thousand men to attack the barbarian capital ten thousand li away!
That wasn't bravery anymore—it was madness.
A death march!
Even if—
even if he could somehow succeed—
how long would that take?
How could it possibly be faster than striking Youzhou?!
"Quick!"
Cao Huan barked the order. "Bring the gold command token! Stop him immediately!"
"Too late, Your Highness!"
A messenger rushed in, voice shaking. "General Lü's army dared not delay and has already marched for Youzhou overnight. As for General Chen—he and his men must have already gone several hundred li north by now…"
"What are we supposed to do now?!"
Cao Huan slammed his hands together, pacing in frustration. "General Fang, tell me—what should we do?! How can we risk the lives of millions of people in Liangzhou on such a gamble?!"
"It's precisely because there are millions of lives at stake that the risk is worth taking."
From his wheelchair, Fang Qingyun coughed twice before speaking. "Your Highness, what's done is done. No amount of worrying will change it now. And truthfully, the situation isn't as hopeless as you think."
"First, General Chen is not a reckless brute. He must have his reasoning. None of us here doubt that, right?"
Cao Huan's breath gradually calmed.
The other veteran generals nodded silently.
They all remembered the string of victories that Chen Sanshi had led. His record spoke for itself.
"But judged solely by this action," one of them muttered, "General Chen is still too young."
"Yes. When it comes to siege warfare, General Lü Ji is the true expert. Following him to Youzhou would have been the soundest plan."
"Even if Chen has his reasoning, there's no denying it smacks of arrogance."
"Indeed. Too young—too impatient."
"Fine," Fang Qingyun said with a calm smile. "Perhaps you're all right. But Youzhou still has General Lü Ji, doesn't it? With Xu Wencai's two battalions already there, and more reinforcements en route, whether the Hongze Battalion goes or not won't make much difference."
"In that case—why not let fate decide?"
"Why not leave one more battalion out there to hold another chance of survival? Why must we stake everything on Youzhou alone?"
His reasoning silenced them.
Cao Huan exhaled deeply and waved his sleeve. "So be it. What's done can't be undone. Let him go. If this ends in disaster, he'll answer for it. My only fear is that when the blood sacrifice consumes the millions in Liangzhou, he too will perish in the desert, with no way out."
——
Luotian Mountain Range.
Inside the military tent.
Emperor Longqing had just finished reading the latest war report.
Outside Tiger Hill, the forces had split in two.
The Hongze Battalion had gone north.
Cao Kai voiced his disapproval at such a reckless move—
but what angered him even more…
was defiance.
Chen Sanshi had defied his imperial decree.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
Eunuch Hou Bao quickly knelt. "General Chen is acting for the sake of all those countless lives."
"I ordered him to go to Youzhou."
Emperor Longqing's expression was unreadable, voice cold.
Eunuch Hou trembled on his knees.
"Report!"
"An urgent letter from General Chen!"
"Bring it here."
Longqing took the sealed message personally, tore it open, and read it. His expression did not change.
"Hou Bao," he said evenly, "you read it too."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The eunuch received the letter with both hands, studied it closely, then smiled faintly. "Your Majesty, look—General Chen made himself quite clear. He says he acts only out of loyalty and devotion to protect Your Majesty. He's willing to resign from all ranks once the war ends."
"He even praises Your Majesty as a 'sovereign of the ages, a wise ruler of ten thousand generations,' and acknowledges that on the battlefield, 'when a general is in the field, certain orders must not be followed.' He even writes that if Your Majesty were at Tiger Hill Mountain yourself, you might personally lead the army to Wolf Juxu Mountain!"
"Your Majesty, his words are sincere. Every line speaks from the heart. You can tell—this disobedience wasn't out of arrogance but necessity. The situation has simply become far too dire."
"He's placing Me on a pedestal," Longqing said softly, "so that I have no way to punish him."
His voice was calm and still as deep water. "Hou Bao, tell Me—what do you think of Chen Sanshi's plan of attack?"
"This…" Hou Bao hesitated before answering honestly, "I fear the odds are grim, Your Majesty."
"If he dies out there in the northern desert," Longqing said lightly, "I can forgive his defiance—and posthumously grant him honors."
Then his gaze turned east, toward Youzhou. "Send word to Lü Ji. Order him to capture Zhu Tuo Pass at any cost."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When the eunuch departed, the Emperor rose slowly from his meditation cushion and walked to the tent entrance.
Outside, Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong was sitting cross-legged, recovering his qi. Longqing tossed the intelligence report and the letter in front of him.
"Take a look—your fine disciple."
Sun Xiangzong opened his eyes briefly, glanced at the contents, then closed them again, saying nothing.
"What courage," Longqing said with faint mockery. "He boasted to Me that he'd capture the four tribal Khans alive and end the barbarian threat in the north forever. Now he's leading the Hongze Battalion straight into the desert.
"He probably doesn't even know that there are cultivators on Wolf Juxu Mountain. What does a man at Profound Manifestation · Major Achievement plan to use against that?
"I'm about to lose a general," Longqing said quietly. "And you… are about to lose a beloved disciple."
——
Youzhou.
"How much longer until the reinforcements arrive?!"
Standing atop the city wall, Fan Hailing paced back and forth, dragging his long saber along the stone, producing a harsh metallic rasp.
"General Fan," Pei Tiannan sighed, his voice weary, "could you be still for a moment?"
"How am I supposed to be still?" Fan Hailing roared.
Fan Hailing pointed toward the Luotian Mountain Range, his voice filled with frustration. "Just look! The barbarian army's already moving in by the thousands. If they finish refining Liangzhou, aren't we next? Those freaks flying in the sky said they'd refine us all into pills!"
Those who aided the barbarians—
they weren't real "immortals."
Even from afar, one could feel the stench of blood and killing intent coming off them, heavier than any veteran who had fought on the battlefield for decades.
And under those black robes that called themselves "immortals," their faces were veined with red and purple tendrils—like writhing blood vines.
They were no immortals.
They were monsters.
"Getting worked up won't help."
Pei Tiannan said evenly. "Besides, judging by the days, the reinforcements from Tiger Hill should've already set out. Look—"
He raised a hand and pointed. A gyrfalcon appeared in the distance, wings slicing through the storm.
Fan Hailing let out a sharp whistle, calling the bird down. It landed heavily on his arm, and he tore open the message tied to its leg, reading it fast.
"How is it, General Fan?" Pei Tiannan asked. "Didn't I tell you not to worry too much? Once the three battalions reach Youzhou, and with our two battalions here, we'll have nearly eighty thousand troops in total. With both General Lü Ji and General Chen Sanshi together, if we unite our strength, we can still fight for a sliver of survival."
"They're gone—General Chen is gone!"
Fan Hailing realized how that sounded and quickly corrected himself. "The Hongze Battalion isn't coming!"
"Not coming?"
Pei Tiannan stood up in alarm. "If they're not coming to Youzhou, where the hell are they going?"
"The Northern Desert!"
Fan Hailing's hand trembled slightly as he held up the letter. "General Chen led the Hongze Battalion and split from the main force. They're heading straight north—he said he's going directly for the barbarian capital, to destroy Wolf Juxu Mountain itself!"
Behind them, the city tower loomed tall.
Inside, Xu Wencai—who had been resting—could no longer sit still. He stepped out holding a feather fan, saying nothing at first, only taking the letter to read it himself.
"The barbarian capital…" he muttered. "If I remember correctly, that's at least ten thousand li from Tiger Hill Mountain, right? While Liangzhou to Youzhou is only four thousand li. Why march an extra six thousand li farther? Isn't that wasting even more time? And attacking the capital will only be harder!"
Pei Tiannan's voice stuttered with disbelief. "Th-this… this kind of strategy—Mister Xu, what do you make of it?"
"The map!"
Xu Wencai ordered sharply. "Bring me the map. General Fan, repeat exactly what was written about their marching route."
A soldier rushed in with a large scroll.
Fan Hailing repeated every detail carefully.
"Mister Xu, based on their current location," he said, "they'll soon reach one of the barbarian checkpoints. A few hundred li ahead at most. It's impossible to pass through quickly."
Following the route marked in the message, Xu Wencai's feather fan finally stopped at a point along a great river.
"The Agate River," he said quietly.
"This is where General Chen will face his first major obstacle."
Pei Tiannan frowned deeply. "The Agate River plain—rich in grass and pasture—is a major strategic area of the Yu Wen tribe. If I remember right, there are at least forty to fifty thousand troops stationed there.
"The Fourth Prince of the Yu Wen clan, Yu Wen Jingwen, guards that area himself. And he's a Martial Saint.
"Both in numbers and strength, they vastly outmatch General Chen. His only option is to avoid them—but if he delays even a little, he'll be surrounded on all sides and… the whole army wiped out!"
"General Chen has always liked danger," Fan Hailing muttered, shaking his head. "This time, he's going to pay for it."
"Mister Xu," Pei Tiannan said, "what's your opinion?"
Xu Wencai arched an eyebrow. "That man is arrogant. If he suffers defeat, he deserves it."
But inwardly, a faint steadiness returned to his heart.
For Chen Sanshi to act like this meant only one thing—
There was still hope.
Liangzhou could still be saved.
——
Agate River.
The main encampment of the Yu Wen tribe.
"Fourth Uncle!"
The Ninth Prince, Yu Wenxin, entered the grand tent, brushing snow from his shoulders. His sword hung at his waist. "News has arrived from the front!"
"Hmm."
Yu Wen Jingwen sat upright, his expression calm. "I assume they're all marching toward Youzhou?"
"Yes… but not all of them."
Yu Wenxin spread open the message. "Our scouts stationed east of Tiger Hill report that a large force is indeed heading for the Youzhou front—but it's only about two battalions. The one leading is Lü Ji. That damned Chen Sanshi and his Hongze Battalion—they've disappeared."
"Disappeared?"
Yu Wen Jingwen's eyes narrowed. He stood and moved closer to the sand table in the center of the tent.
"Fourth Uncle," Yu Wenxin said, puzzled, "they only have two possible routes after leaving Tiger Hill.
"Either they go west toward Yan Prefecture, which hasn't been sealed by the Blood Sacrifice Formation—that'd mean they're retreating. But from what I know of Chen's character, he's not the type to run away.
"Or… the only other way is north.
"But they don't have enough troops, they don't have a Martial Saint, they don't have supplies, and they don't have time! Why would they possibly go that way?"
"Your analysis is sound," Yu Wen Jingwen said thoughtfully. "Still, we mustn't be careless. Assume he's marching north. Send orders to all tribes—stay on guard and monitor the Hongze Battalion's every move. Any sign of them, report immediately."
——
The Great Desert.
Howling wind.
Blinding snow.
A single cavalry column cut through the storm, banners snapping under the weight of frost.
"Big Brother!"
Cao Zhi rode beside Chen Sanshi, his face crusted with ice. "I've got a question for you."
"Ask," Chen said evenly.
Wrapped in a heavy fur cloak, Cao Zhi rode a massive war steed of rare bloodline. "You never answered General Lü's Four Questions back then. Care to enlighten your little brother?"
The Four Questions:
Too far a march.
Too many barbarians.
Immortal masters in the capital.
No supply lines.
With the long, silent march pressing down on them, Chen Sanshi didn't refuse to answer.
He spoke slowly, voice steady against the wind.
"First—yes, it's ten thousand li, but we don't need to capture cities or break through fortresses. It only seems long on the map. If you compare it to the time needed to fight through every stronghold in Youzhou, it's about the same."
"Second—the barbarians may be numerous, but they're scattered across the desert. Coordination takes time. As long as we don't stop, they'll never have a chance to surround us."
"Third—whether it's the Witch God Sect or those so-called immortal monsters, they're not only on Wolf Juxu Mountain. Youzhou has plenty of them too. No matter which side we fight, it's all the same."
"Big Brother really has it all figured out."
Cao Zhi nodded but then frowned. "But there's one last, most important issue—our supplies.
"Liangzhou is trapped, the snow outside has blocked every route. Even if food and fodder were sent from Yan Prefecture, it's impossible to keep up with how fast we're advancing deep into enemy territory. We… are a completely isolated force.
"When the Black Turtle Battalion split earlier, they only carried enough rations and horse feed for ten days. Now it's nearly gone. If this keeps up, we'll be eating snow before long."
Though he had only followed the Hongze Battalion for a few days, he could already tell—
this was a true army of tigers and wolves.
Even in such brutal weather, they never faltered, not even a little.
But even tigers and wolves needed food in their bellies to fight.
"Good question!"
A deep hum rang through the air—
"Weng—!"
Chen Sanshi's Liquan Spear appeared in his hand, and he pointed it toward the swirling blizzard ahead, where the faint outline of a stronghold could be seen. "Your Highness, tell me—what do you see there?"
"A barbarian fortress," Cao Zhi replied, chewing on a strip of dried meat. "Fifteen thousand troops, two commanding officers. Don't underestimate me, Big Brother—I memorized every scrap of intel before we left, just so I wouldn't slow you down."
"No."
Chen Sanshi's voice cracked like thunder. "Wherever the enemy stands—that's our granary!"
——
Fengshuang City.
They called it a city, but in truth, it had no walls. It was more like a large market town—
a trade hub where the surrounding barbarian tribes within a thousand li came to exchange goods.
A garrison of fifteen thousand soldiers was stationed there, jointly managed by the Duan and Murong clans.
The chief commander was a member of the Duan royal line—Duan Zhe, a cultivator at the Profound Manifestation · Major Achievement realm.
His rank within the clan wasn't high, but not low either. Unable to compete for power at the core, he had voluntarily chosen this posting—far from politics but rich in profit.
"What a pity," he sighed to himself. "Soon, our Heavenly Tribe will take over the Central Plains. When that happens, Fengshuang City won't be worth much anymore."
As he spoke, a soldier rushed in with a sealed letter.
"General!"
"A message from the Fourth Prince of Yu Wen!"
"Him?"
Duan Zhe scoffed. "Nothing better to do, that one. What does he want now? The front line doesn't need me. What, are the Sheng people attacking already?"
He tore open the letter—and as his eyes scanned the contents, his expression changed instantly.
"General?"
His deputy, Murong Chao, looked concerned. "What's happened?"
"That famous white-robed commander of the Sheng people—Chen Sanshi—you've heard of him, haven't you?"
Duan Zhe tossed the letter into the brazier, letting it burn to ash. "He's heading north toward the Northern Desert. The Fourth Prince says he may pass near here. We're to stay alert and prepare for anything."
"What?!"
Murong Chao froze. "With Liangzhou under the Blood Sacrifice Formation and the snow blocking all paths, he still dares come north?"
"Report—!"
A messenger burst in, panting. "Enemy sighted! Twenty li outside the city! Unknown numbers—unknown commander!"
"He really came?"
Murong Chao wasn't afraid. In fact, excitement sparked in his eyes. "It must be Chen Sanshi! He's got fifteen thousand men in his Hongze Battalion, same as us. We've got two commanders at Profound Manifestation · Major Achievement too—what's there to fear?! All we need to do is hold him for a few days, and reinforcements from nearby tribes will arrive. This is our chance for great merit!"
Unlike Duan Zhe, Murong Chao hadn't come here by choice—he'd been sent away, sidelined. Deep down, he'd longed for a chance to prove himself.
"Transmit my orders!"
He raised his saber high. "All soldiers of the Murong Tribe, gather! Form ranks outside the city! Prepare to fight the Sheng army to the death!"
Though he and Duan Zhe were technically superior and subordinate, each commanded half the city's forces—and neither obeyed the other.
"General Duan!" Murong Chao shouted. "What are you waiting for? Gather your men too! Don't waste the chance—if that bastard Chen dared march alone into our lands, he's courting death!"
"Well said—he's truly seeking death!"
Duan Zhe nodded quickly. "You head out first and form up. I'll fetch my weapons and ready my troops. I'll join you soon—we'll live and die together!"
"Good!"
Murong Chao brandished his saber and charged out into the storm.
——
The wind howled. The snow howled.
Murong Chao sat astride his horse, seven thousand men arrayed behind him in tight formation.
Before them, through the blizzard, a dark shape began to appear.
It grew—larger, heavier, black as iron, swallowing the horizon.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The thunder of war drums shook the air, joined by the pounding rhythm of hooves. Through the storm, the shadows took shape—a disciplined, unstoppable army.
Even in this freezing wasteland, their formation was perfect, their pace unbroken.
Murong's soldiers shuddered. Though the world was already cold as death, a deeper chill ran through their bones.
It felt like staring at an iron beast—a steel tide advancing across the earth.
At its heart, a crimson banner whipped violently in the wind, a single bold word blazing on it—"Chen."
The White-Robed General's banner.
Every barbarian soldier in Fengshuang City had heard of him—his name, his legend.
And now, none could understand why such a terrifying army had appeared here, so deep in the northern desert.
A strange unease crept over them.
"Brothers, don't be afraid!" Murong Chao bellowed. "Kill him, and glory and wealth will be ours!"
He turned back toward the city. "Where's General Duan?! Why hasn't he brought his men yet?!"
"Report—!"
A scout rushed forward, face pale. "General! It's bad! General Duan—"
"He what?"
"He's… he's fled, sir! He took the Duan clan troops and all the treasure—and ran!"
"What did you say?!"
Five li away, Duan Zhe rode at the head of his men, wagons piled high with gold and silver, galloping south without looking back.
He spat to the side. "They say Chen Sanshi's looking for death? Looks to me like you're the one looking for it!"
He sneered, shaking his head. "Murong Chao… that idiot really doesn't know what he's dealing with."
Not long ago—
That Chen bastard and his eight hundred light cavalry had torn straight through the Yu Wen Prime Minister's tribe at Tiger Hill Mountain—and that tribe had three Profound Manifestation · Major Achievement cultivators! Those two idiots here couldn't even hold their own ground. Staying meant only one thing—dying for nothing.
And really, what was the point of throwing their lives away now?
The Blood Sacrifice would be completed soon anyway. Let Chen Sanshi rampage however he pleased—once the ritual ended, their Heavenly Tribe's glorious days were still to come. To die now would just be a waste. Better to conserve strength and find another nearby tribe to join. That was the only way to stay alive.
"Damn that coward Duan Zhe!"
Murong Chao roared in fury.
"General!"
One of his men, voice trembling, asked, "What do we do now? Without the Duan tribe, we've only got seven thousand men left…"
"Chen Sanshi killed ten thousand with eight hundred! You think I, Murong Chao, can't kill ten thousand with seven thousand?!"
He raised his saber high. "Brothers, kill—"
"Weng——"
Before the last word left his lips, the snow ahead—one li away—suddenly split open.
From within the storm, a Vermilion Bird erupted, melting snow and twisting the air itself, the Gang Qi rolling off it like a crashing sea.
Murong Chao let out a furious roar. His breathing method flared to its limit, meridians blazing as he pushed every ounce of his strength. The battle blade in his hand turned into a wild lion as he charged straight toward the Vermilion Bird's oncoming blaze, refusing to dodge.
"Boom——!"
The explosion that followed was like a tidal wave. The shockwave blasted outward with Murong Chao at its center, hurling more than ten soldiers into the air. Within a radius of several zhang, everything was nothing but blinding white.
When the snow mist cleared—
The soldiers saw their general lying in the snow, bleeding from all seven orifices, gasping weakly. His breath came out but did not return in. He was as good as dead.
One arrow.
Just one arrow—had nearly taken their commander's life!
And that arrow…
Had been loosed from over one li away!
"Hongze Battalion!"
"Charge——!"
The shout shook the heavens.
From afar, the tiger-and-wolf army surged forward, speed bursting like thunder. Their killing intent was so fierce it seemed to melt the ice and snow itself as they advanced in perfect formation, unstoppable, flawless.
"Retreat! Retreat!"
Panic tore through the Murong Tribe's soldiers. Their will to fight shattered instantly. Chaos erupted—men trampling over one another, screaming as they fell. More died from panic than from enemy blades.
Then the Hongze Battalion crashed into their ranks.
The slaughter began.
It was pure carnage. Blood dyed the snow red.
Half an hour later, Fengshuang City was theirs.
"Slaughter the cattle!"
"Kill the sheep!"
"Brothers, eat and drink your fill!"
"Once you're full, open the warehouses—take all the grain and dried meat!"
"If your horse's injured or dead, pick the best ones from their herds!"
After such long marches, many horses had already reached their limits.
But the barbarians? They were never short on warhorses.
Every tribe had hundreds—thousands—of well-trained steeds.
And with Qianxun's guidance, those horses could be tamed and ridden almost instantly.
Supplies?
The enemy was the supply.
From here to the barbarian capital, over ten thousand li, there were countless scattered tribes.
How many Martial Saints could there be?
How many could stand in his way?
The grassland's mutton was a delicacy unmatched.
In the Great Sheng Dynasty, there were chicken, pork, even beef—but lamb was rare, costing more than twice as much as pork.
For the soldiers, it was a feast beyond dreams. On the march, all they'd eaten was dry rations—no warm meals, let alone meat.
Now, the smell of roasted lamb filled the air.
——
Inside a wooden cabin, Chen Sanshi sat by the campfire with several officers, discussing their next move.
"My Lord," said Xia Cong, pointing at the map. "Here's where we are now. According to your strategy, if we want to strike the barbarian capital fast, we'll have to cross the Agate River. But…"
"The Agate River has a great fortress," Chu Shixiong cut in. "Just in that fortress alone, there are forty to fifty thousand troops. Once we cross, they'll block us immediately. Nearby tribes will converge here—within a few days, they could gather a hundred thousand men. General Chen, what do we do then?"
"That's simple."
Chen Sanshi's tone was calm. "Before they surround us, we take Yu Wen Jingwen's fortress."
"That Yu Wen Jingwen is a Martial Saint—and not a new one, either," Chu Shixiong warned. "He's been at that level for years. I fear none among us could match him! And those fifty thousand soldiers inside are all elite Yu Wen troops. How can we possibly seize the fortress quickly enough to escape before we're surrounded?"
"General Chen, I don't doubt your courage," Cao Zhi added. "But you know what this means—we'll have to build floating bridges to cross the Agate River first. Once we cross, there's no turning back. It'll be a battle with no retreat."
The saying goes, ice three feet thick doesn't form in a day.
This blizzard had come suddenly, but not long enough to freeze the Agate River solid. The current was too fierce; it couldn't bear even a man's weight, much less horses and arms.
"You don't have to worry about that," Chen Sanshi said. "I've made arrangements. Tell everyone to rest well tonight. At the hour of Mao tomorrow, we march again."
——
Agate River Fortress.
"Pa!"
"Useless trash!"
The Ninth Prince, Yu Wenxin, slammed his palm on the table, shattering it as he read the report from Fengshuang City. "Fengshuang City was one of our tribe's key trading hubs—and it's gone?!
"That Murong Chao had fifteen thousand men, same number as that Chen bastard! How could he not even hold for a single day?! Just one day, damn it!
"Murong Chao was useless enough—but Duan Zhe actually fled with his men?!
"What, not a shred of backbone among them?!"
A cold voice replied, almost mocking.
"With Chen Sanshi's ferocity, that wine-sack Murong Chao couldn't have stopped him anyway. It's no surprise what happened."
Yu Wen Jingwen only smiled, as though none of this surprised him. "Good nephew," he said mildly, "don't waste your energy being angry. Think carefully—where do you think the Hongze Battalion will go next?"
"This…"
The Ninth Prince, Yu Wenxin, frowned at the sand table, clearly troubled. "With Liangzhou sealed off, that Chen fellow has no way home. He's like a headless fly, charging aimlessly through the grasslands just to vent his rage."
"No, no."
Yu Wen Jingwen's voice remained patient. "Think again. You know he's not one to act without purpose. Put yourself in his shoes. What move would benefit Liangzhou the most?"
"Could it be…"
Yu Wenxin suddenly froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. "That Chen… plans to go straight for the barbarian capital, to destroy the main formation node atop Wolf Juxu Mountain?!"
"Exactly."
Yu Wen Jingwen's tone grew heavy. "That's precisely his plan."
"Ridiculous!"
Yu Wenxin gave a cold laugh. "He's like a cornered rat, desperate enough to bite the cat. To try something like that—he's truly gone mad!"
"A desperate beast will fight even harder," Yu Wen Jingwen explained. "He must have realized that Youzhou can't be taken, so he's gambling everything on this one reckless strike."
He leaned slightly forward. "Now that we understand his intent, look again at the Hongze Battalion's route. Where's the next place they'll appear?"
"The Agate River! Right here with us?!"
Yu Wenxin's eyes lit up as realization struck. "The fastest way to reach Wolf Juxu Mountain is to cross the Agate River—he has no choice but to pass our position. Perfect! He's marching straight to his death!
"We have fifty thousand elite soldiers stationed in this fortress."
He began analyzing rapidly, excitement lacing his voice. "The enemy only has fifteen thousand. Our fortress also has you, Fourth Uncle, a Martial Saint, while they have none. Once battle starts, reinforcements from all sides will quickly converge here.
"Add to that the fact that the enemy's been marching day and night, exhausted and stretched thin, while our troops have been resting in the fortress, conserving strength. In military strategy, that's called 'using ease to counter exhaustion.'
"With both advantages combined, how could Chen Sanshi not lose?
"It's just as the old generals say—when a man's in a hurry, he always makes mistakes. Whether in cultivation or in warfare, it's all the same. Chen Sanshi's no exception!"
"Don't underestimate him."
Yu Wen Jingwen's face was calm as still water. "Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit. And Chen Sanshi isn't a rabbit—he's a tiger. Send word immediately: order every nearby tribe to rally their troops here ahead of time. Also, dispatch scouts to monitor the Agate River area closely. I want the enemy's every movement reported without delay."
"Yes, I'll arrange it right away!"
Yu Wenxin turned to leave, but—
"Wait!"
Yu Wen Jingwen stopped him. "Xin'er, this battle is your chance to redeem yourself—to prove your worth. Do you understand?"
For as long as he could remember, Yu Wenxin had been the most favored prince of the Yu Wen clan.
His Fifth Brother was capable and influential but had never won their father's affection.
Until—
The Battle of Poyang.
There, Yu Wenxin had been captured alive by Chen Sanshi amidst ten thousand troops. He'd been taken to the Great Sheng Dynasty and held prisoner for a full two years.
During that time, his Fifth Brother began to rise in power.
For the first time in his life, Yu Wenxin had felt the weight of crisis pressing down on him.
"Rest assured, Fourth Uncle!"
He gripped the sword at his waist, eyes burning with determination. "They say one learns after tasting defeat. I, Yu Wenxin, am no longer the same man I once was. I will not disappoint Father—or you!"
"Good. Go, then."
——
Fengshuang City.
The snow continued to fall—sometimes heavy, sometimes light.
Dawn had not yet broken.
After eating and resting well, the soldiers of the Hongze Battalion were already preparing to depart. Many changed to fresh, powerful warhorses; any that resisted were quickly subdued under Qianxun's expert handling, obedient within minutes.
Outside the city, behind a low hill, Chen Sanshi planted his Liquan Spear into the snow and exhaled a long, steaming breath.
[Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Martial Saint
Progress: 40/100]
Still far from completion.
"Junior Brother!"
Wang Zhi approached alone. "You called for me—what do you need done?"
"Yes."
Chen Sanshi asked, "How's your cultivation recovery coming along?"
"Me?" Wang Zhi grinned. "See for yourself—watch the blade!"
As his shout rang out, a heavy wave of Gang Qi erupted from his body. The armor on his frame clattered like steel, snowflakes whirling toward him as if pulled by unseen force, forming a swirling vortex around him. The massive saber in his hands came crashing down, transforming into a colossal Black Tortoise.
Gang Qi Manifestation—Black Tortoise Heavenly Gang!
"Boom——!"
Chen Sanshi raised his spear to meet it. The collision sent shockwaves bursting outward, cracking the ice beneath their feet and shaking the ground itself. It took several moments before the air finally stilled.
"Well done," Chen Sanshi said, lowering his weapon. "Congratulations, Senior Brother—you've regained the Profound Manifestation · Perfection realm."
"Heh heh!"
Wang Zhi laughed heartily. "All thanks to that spiritual grain you gave me, and the precious elixirs that came with it. The results have been incredible—my strength grows by the day. Not to mention the spiritual wine Master gave us that time…"
At the mention of their master, his laughter faded. "Forget that. Tell me, Junior Brother—what is it you need from me?"
"Shua——"
Chen Sanshi unfurled a large map over the snow behind the hill. "Senior Brother, I'm assigning you two thousand men. You'll march separately, silently, across the river. No banners, no noise.
"Once across, lie in wait here—inside Lanling Mountain. When the Bluebird sends you the signal, strike directly into the enemy fortress."
He handed Wang Zhi a silk pouch. "I've written the full details inside. Remember—stealth is the key. I'll create enough noise to draw all eyes to me. The fate of millions of lives in Liangzhou now rests on you, Senior Brother."
Earlier, Chen Sanshi had been worried—worried that Wang Zhi's cultivation hadn't recovered enough. But now, seeing the man's restored strength, he realized his concerns had been unnecessary.
"I understand."
Wang Zhi took the silk pouch and felt a sense of calm settle over him. "So you really had it all planned out, Junior Brother. After fighting beside you through so many battles, I finally get to make a difference this time.
"Don't worry, I won't let you down.
"When we win this fight, I'll be there drinking at your wedding banquet with Junior Sister!
"I'm off!"
He saluted and departed swiftly.
Chen Sanshi didn't hurry to follow the main force. Instead, he unpacked his pill furnace and materials on the spot, preparing to attempt refining a True Martial Pill (Zhenwu Dan).
If he wanted to increase his odds in the final battle at Wolf Juxu Mountain, he had to break through to the Martial Saint realm before then.
The wind howled, snow swirling.
A crimson fire dragon rose into the air and was instantly drawn into the formation under the furnace.
Chen Sanshi had already added snow to the furnace—it melted into water, steam hissing upward. Then came the spiritual grain, followed by several rare heavenly treasures and earth-born materials.
The True Martial Pill cost around 200 spirit stones per batch—100 of that just for ingredients.
He had only five sets of materials.
He had to be careful—every step mattered.
If he could save even one or two portions, he could sell them later at Daze Market for spirit stones, or keep them for emergencies. Either way, they'd be priceless.
When the preliminary stages were complete, he pressed both hands to the pill furnace and began infusing spiritual power.
The True Martial Pill required 49 major transformations and 64 minor ones—far more complex than the Meridian-Nourishing Pill. At first, Chen Sanshi managed to maintain full control, but by the 20th transformation, his spiritual flow began to fluctuate. By the 30th, he could no longer stabilize it. The rare materials rapidly decayed under the fierce flame.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion shook the air.
The furnace burst open, waves of spiritual energy rippling outward.
Chen Sanshi immediately formed a Thick Earth Seal to shield himself.
Fortunately, this was only a first-grade pill—no serious damage done.
He glanced into the furnace and saw nothing but scorched black ash. His heart ached from the loss.
But failure was part of the craft. Each attempt brought more experience. With the remaining four sets of ingredients, he was certain he could successfully refine one True Martial Pill.
And one was all he needed.
After cleaning up, Chen Sanshi estimated that four or five days had already passed.
He had to catch up with the main army.
"Qianxun!"
He whistled, summoning his white Crane Horse. From his pouch, he took out an inferior Fasting Pill and held it to the horse's mouth. "Cold and harsh weather—this should help. Eat up."
Qianxun sniffed it disdainfully, clearly aware of its low quality, but eventually swallowed it. Almost immediately, its body glowed faintly with warmth, energy surging.
Together, they galloped north and soon caught up with the Hongze Battalion.
"My Lord, you're finally back," Xia Cong reported. "We've received seven urgent letters from Liangzhou, all written personally by His Highness the Sixth Prince. He even sent a golden command token via the divine eagle. They're begging us to turn back. If we do now, we could still reach Youzhou in time for the next battle. But if we continue forward, it'll be certain destruction."
"No need to respond," Chen Sanshi said after a pause. "I'll personally send a message explaining our route and reasoning."
If they could understand, good.
Especially the court officials—sometimes attitude mattered more than action.
The Hongze Battalion continued northward.
Along the way, they crushed several small tribes, cutting down nearly ten thousand enemies. Several tens of thousands more fled in terror.
But this time, Chen Sanshi didn't pursue.
The goal had changed.
Every campaign had its purpose.
At Tiger Hill Mountain, the goal had been to annihilate enemy forces.
Now, it was to reach Wolf Juxu Mountain as fast as possible—to destroy the formation's core and break the Blood Sacrifice Array.
"General!"
"The Agate River lies ahead!"
"The surface ice is thin—neither men nor horses can cross. We'll need to build floating bridges!"
"Do I need to say it?"
Chen Sanshi ordered, "Build the bridge immediately. Cross as soon as possible."
"But, my Lord…"
Xia Cong handed him a letter. "Another message from Liangzhou. His Highness says our spies hidden across the northern tribes have reported that the barbarians already know our movements. Yu Wen Jingwen has mobilized his army to surround us—over 100,000 troops. Once we cross the river, there'll be no retreat."
In war, spies existed on both sides. They might not uncover top secrets, but troop movements rarely stayed hidden for long.
Even so, Chen Sanshi remained unmoved.
Seeing this, Chu Shixiong stepped forward urgently. "My Lord, that's 100,000 troops—and a Martial Saint among them! Yu Wen Jingwen isn't like that fool Murong Chao. He's one of the Yu Wen clan's most feared generals. Once we cross the river, retreat truly won't be an option!"
"No retreat?" Chen Sanshi said calmly. "Then we won't retreat."
He knew further arguing was pointless, so he didn't explain.
"Write back to Liangzhou," he commanded. "Tell them—I will cross the river. I will fight…
"A battle with no retreat!"