With a crisp sound, Vice-General Cheng’s palm landed on Sun He’s face. He grabbed him by the collar and coldly bellowed, “Are you an idiot? Do you not know her relationship with His Highness? If we have already reached this stage, if she did not die, we can only wait for his highness to come back and sacrifice us to the nation!”

　　Since it had already escalated to such a state, if they wanted to survive, they could only carry through with the initial plan. Since they had already identified her as the fake, they could only stick through with that judgment!

　　With his heart set, Cheng Yuan coldly declared, “The western garrison troops, assemble!”

　　Xue Zhiyuan had been rudely awakened by the war drums that had sounded throughout the entire city. Bearing the intense pain that spread throughout his body, he walked up to the city wall and was utterly confused. His eyes wide with surprise, he heard the familiar voice beyond the walls, and the moment he saw the formations that were in place below the city, he instantly understood what was going on. He quickly went down, and pushing aside the guards, he asked, “What are you doing? Quickly, open the gates! That is Master Chu from Military Staff Office!”

　　Cheng Yuan coldly walked up and pressed on Xue Zhiyuan’s mouth. In his grievous injury, Xue Zhiyuan could not struggle at all, as Cheng Yuan bellowed at his ears, “If this were to be informed to the entire world, you would be the first to die! Bringing back the wrong intel, and creating panic within the armies, do you think His Highness will forgive you? If you want to live, quickly shut up! If not, I can send you to your maker now!”

　　Cheng Yuan’s eyes froze up, as he strode off with murderous intent while dishing out further instructions, “Listen to my orders later. We will pretend to be friendly at first. Sun He will flank them, and Li Lu will attack them from the back. We will surround them and destroy them under the city, and we must not allow even a single one of them to leave!”

　　Xue Zhiyuan was stunned as he stood rooted to the ground. His boiling blood froze up as he entered a daze. He was suddenly reminded of how many years ago, he had such passion and excitement when he was starving and was first educated about the mindset of Da Tong. All along, he had faced such pain and difficulties, yet he refused to yield to his weakness and fatigue. But at this moment, his faith, his dreams, and his world collapsed upon him! His face turned pale, as he suddenly stumbled back. He turned and raced to the city walls. His agile figure quickly scaled the stairs like a beast!

　　Cheng Yuan was quick to respond as he shouted, “Stop him!”

　　Yet, that split second was all Xue Zhiyuan needed to reach the top of the city wall, as he shouted down, “Chu Qiao, run!”

　　With a few sharp whooshes, a rain of arrows pierced through that man’s figure, as the arrow revealed themselves on the other side of the man, poking out from his body. The blood spilled all over the city wall, as his hot blood dripped down like seeds, landing on the ground from the majestic city walls, creating crimson little holes in the snow below!

　　Everyone who witnessed that was utterly shocked. The cold wind blew past his robes and brushed against his young figure that once harbored great ambitions. His eyes were still crystal clear, full of awe-inspiring indomitability. His pledge many years ago echoed by his ears, “I am willing to sacrifice my entire life to Yan Bei Da Tong. There is no self, no personal gains, and I would fight my entire life for freedom!” All noise ceased, as his figure swayed slightly in the wind, before falling with the wind onto the frigid land of Yan Bei! The civilians shrieked in fear as they fell into chaos and quickly evacuated the vicinity of the city gates.

　　Chu Qiao sat on her horse, her eyes completely red. She steeled her gaze and rekindled the passion and rage within her heart. Finally, she lifted her palm up, and sent out a short and simple order, “Retreat!”

　　Before leaving, Chu Qiao turned back to look at the Yan Bei flag that was still floating in the air, the soldiers crowded on the walls, the bodies that littered the battlefield, and the young soldier that she had once slapped twice. She heaved a sigh, and her heart felt heavier than ever.

　　“I will make sure this revenge will be carried out. I swear! On my life!”

　　The sun finally emerged from the horizon, painting the entire landscape golden. It was as though even the gods would like to bless the Earth on that particular day. With such speed of retreat, even if he were to be in full pursuit, he would have lost all chances of complete annihilation. Cheng Yuan’s heart had sunk completely, as Sun He stared at the disappearing cavalries, asking, “Master, what should we do?”

　　Taking a glance at Sun He, Cheng Yuan’s gaze was cold and frigid, as he turned around, and without speaking a single word, he left.

　　“What should I do?” Cheng Yuan asked himself the same question. He will find a way out. Surely! Definitely!

　　With the sun blazing in the sky, a new day had arrived! But merely two hours later, a huge patch of clouds floated over from the North, as deep rumbling sounds could be heard rolling from afar. Before one even finished their breakfast, one could see that in the horizons, a sea of grey rose in the East. It was seemed endless as it covered the entire land. Thousands and thousands of horses galloped over the snowy plains, with the wind sending their clothes fluttering like a swarm of flying eagles!

　　The Yan Bei soldiers of the second army, who had only fought with local garrisons, had never seen such majestic formations before. Armed with excellent horses, durable armor, polished blades, and neat columns, the incoming formations had sent even some of the veteran soldiers fumbling, while mumbling in despair, “The devils have come!”

　　With huge banners waving in the winds like waves in the sea, and blades lined up like forests, the entire horizon was dominated by a metallic grey. Gradually, the color filled up the entire plains as their formations were tightly packed and orderly. The middle formation looked solid and firm, with the flanks stretching out like wings of an eagle. In the rear, one could see their reserves getting ready to fill any gaps. The entire formation spanned over five miles, and apparently, there were still more formations that had yet to enter the Huo Lei Plains.

　　Those who had not personally experienced this would never understand the majesty of that scene, as the men of Yan Bei seemed to have been overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. In the past hundred years, the Xia Empire had never really reacted seriously to the repeated taunting that Da Tong had sent. Even when the Xia Empire sieged Yan Shicheng, they had merely sent out Meng Family’s army symbolically. But this time around, there were four regular armies that numbered over a hundred thousand each, not counting the reinforcements that had yet to enter formation.

　　The Xia Empire had really been enraged this time. Facing the first attempt of rebellion that challenged the Empire’s authority, the Xia Army had decided to fight back with all they’ve got to defend the empire’s dignity!

　　The strong wind blew across the heavens above Yan Bei. Just when Beishuo trembled in front of the might of the Empire, no far away at the foot of the Luori Mountains, the flag of Southwest Emissary’s Garrison fluttered under the dark looming clouds. Sitting on a horse, Chu Qiao faced the seven thousand pairs of eyes that stared straight back at her, while giving the following orders:

　　“Beishuo will fall. The only choice we have left is to snatch the Chiyuan Crossings and occupy Chidu City. With that, we can fortify the second line of defense! This is an order and will take effect now. All troops, move out!”

　　Just as the Southwest Emissary’s Garrison started to act and rush toward the Chiyuan Crossings, within the main tent of the Xia army encampment, Zhao Qi frowned while making a mark on the map and mumbling, “Fourteenth Brother should have reached.”

　　At the destination, three tributaries convened into one. The Li River, the Zan Xi River, and the Wu River combined there to form the Chi Shui River that flow through the entire West Meng Continent. A small city was located at that point and was named Chidu City.

　　The shrieking of the eagles in the sky marked the beginning of the first Northern Campaign. The footsteps of the reaper were about to visit this frigid land. As the water had already frozen, with the river covered in a blanket of snow, the two opposing forces raced toward the small city, wanting to occupy the strategic location.

　　Two famous commanders were about to meet each other on the battlefield, culminating into what would later be known as the Battle for Chidu. The bugles of war resonated in the cold winds, as the tides of history roared. Cao Mengtong stood in front of the Yan Bei army, and with a swing of his holy flag indicating the beginning of the war, he roared in a volume that was surprisingly loud for his old age, “May the heaven protect Yan Bei! Protect that we could win in this battle! Warriors! Fight! For Yan Bei! For freedom!”

　　In the afternoon, the snow started yet again. With the strong winds blowing the snowflakes onto the skin, it felt like knife cuts. A massive army appeared from within the storm, as the tightly packed formations sparkled with an occasional glint of the blades. With the horses galloping at top speed, Chu Qiao’s face was already numbed by the freezing wind that was blowing at her face. After nine hours of continuous battering by the wind, everyone was already frozen stiff, their eyes bloodshot from the dryness. This 7,000 strong force stood on the empty plains like a building that did not have a main pillar, as though it could get embroiled and devoured by the approaching storms of war any time.

　　A scout rushed back. The rider on the horse looked really young, with his face looking as though he was at most 18-years-old. His horse was extremely fast, as he approached Chu Qiao, with his hands pointing towards Helan Mountains in the East. His lips trembling, he did not speak.

　　“Did the Xia Army approach even closer?”

　　The scout did not reply and merely nodded his head. Rigid from the cold, the way he nodded was rather strange, much like a puppet with broken strings.

　　“How far are they? Twenty-five kilometers?”

　　The scout did not respond, as Chu Qiao continued, “Fifteen?”

　　Still no response, Chu Qiao’s heart sank, as her voice was tainted with a tinge of worry before she asked again, “Ten km?”

　　The scout silently nodded. Chu Qiao took off her hood and bowed to him on her horse. “Thank you.”

　　With a flop, that warrior fell off the horse after hearing Chu Qiao’s acknowledgment. The soldiers around immediately got off to help him. But upon touching them, they could only feel coldness, with his breath already stopped. In this freezing weather, the scouts need to camouflage themselves within snow to recce the enemy intel before returning. By the time he returned, he would be on his last legs. Although the ten kilometers would be narrow mountainous paths, considering the quality of the Xia soldiers, it would probably take them less than ten minutes to reach. Yet, within that time, can she enter Chidu City?

　　Chu Qiao’s gaze was like a sharp blade. Staring into the distance, she observed the city that was not far away. She had already sent two waves of men to negotiate with the guards, and a few minutes had already passed since then with no news.

　　Cold sweat started to form on her palms, as the hand grasping her sword was freezing to touch. There was not much hope in them being let into the city. They did not have Yan Xun’s letters, and did not have any documents from the main headquarters. And due to the rush in leaving the city, she had not brought anything that could prove her identity. That was to say, they had no way to gain the city’s trust to convince them that they were part of the Yan Bei army to strengthen the defense of this city.

　　If the Chidu City Garrison did not believe them and refused to let them into the city, any open skirmish between her tiny force of 7,000 light cavalries against the tens of thousands of Xia soldiers would only mean certain death! This point was something that Chu Qiao was clearer about, more so than anyone!