“Which army are you from? Report your identity and the name of your general!” A strong voice pierced through the frigid winds, resounding in everyone’s eardrums. In the massacre, Chu Qiao slashed down a Xia soldier before lifting her head up. That voice sounded really familiar.

　　The approaching group was at least 5,000 strong, and just by observing the formation, one could tell that they were well trained. The Xia soldiers had no choice but to stop their massacre of the civilians and respond. An officer shouted back, “We are the Xia Garrison in Yan Bei Area 18, 21st Detachment. Who are you?”

　　They were the Xia Garrison within Yan Bei? In that one moment, Chu Qiao had already understood everything. The independence of Yan Bei was something that was declared overnight. Within only half a month, the original garrisons had been decimated from within the Yan Bei territory. However, due to the short duration of independence, and considering how the Xia Empire had already mustered troops to conquer Yan Bei, they had no time to completely search and destroy all remaining troops within the borders. As a result, there would still be small groups of leftover Xia troops within the borders.

　　These men were probably the Xia Army that had been routed during the rebellion but had yet to be hunted down. As they caught wind of the Xia invasion, they banded together in hopes of aiding the invading force. Yet they had encountered the civilians who were responding to the conscription order along the way. To prevent the Yan Bei forces from being notified of their existence, they began a massacre. Since these people’s origins were known, what about the approaching group of people?

　　Hearing how the Xia troops reported their origins, the approaching troops sank into a deadly silence. With the wind raging between them, the snow that was on the ground was blown up into the air, creating an illusion that it was snowing again.

　　“Attack!” A loud and clear charge call was blown by the military bugle. It was a bugle call exactly the same as the standard used in the Xia military. It was precisely the same as the one that had just been used by the Xia troops just now. Yet, flashing their bright swords, the unknown force had revealed nothing other than hostility. The soldiers of the Xia empire panicked. The commander dashed up and shouted, “We are imperial troops that were stationed in Yan Bei! Who are you? Are you imperial forces as well? Please stop your attack! Please stop!”

　　With a whoosh, a strong arrow flew over, piercing that man’s chest. With a crimson trail of blood flying through the sky, he fell to the ground.

　　“Brace! Brace!” The Xia troops came to their senses and hurriedly changed their formation to brace themselves against the incoming charge. But it was too late. Given this short distance, such ferocity of the charge, and the huge disparity in strength, the Xia troops had sunk into a complete disadvantage. The vengeance came quick and hard, as the massacre just now was once again resumed, only that the victim had changed. The sounds of blades clashing resounded throughout the entire battleground. Although the attacker was dressed in all kinds of clothes, their skills with the blade were exceptional. Well equipped, obviously experienced, and well trained, every swing of the blade was targeted at the vitals of their enemies.

　　In the flurry of slashes, the Xia troops fell like leaves in the powerful assault. In mere minutes, they had been divided into small pockets without any sense of order or formation remaining.

　　The wind grew stronger and brushed against everybody’s skin like blades. Under the cover of the darkness, the snow seemed to start yet again, as the seemingly messy attacking force tore through the remnants of the Xia troops. The sounds of fighting could be heard everywhere. On the snowy plains that were not even 50 miles away from Beishuo City, such intense fighting occurred.

　　“Report!” a soldier reported in. In the small tent that was hurriedly pitched up, a general was pacing up and down, as though he was waiting for someone.

　　The messenger walked in and loudly informed, “Reporting in. There is an enemy that surrendered and wishes to see you.”

　　The man was still young and looked rather handsome. He had long eyes, and his lips were thin. With just one glance, one could tell he was a courageous man who would not hesitate, even in danger. Yet, that man seemed to be rather irritated. He frowned. “A Xia captive? What matter does he have? Has that Yan Bei soldier returned?”

　　“Not yet, Master. As for that captive, she refuses to say anything apart from firmly requesting to see you, Master.”

　　The commander casually waved his hand. “Bring her in.”

　　As Chu Qiao just entered the tent, she saw that the General was speaking to the few Yan Bei soldiers whom he had captured earlier. “How is the Lady? Is she still healthy?”

　　“She is pretty healthy, though the same could not be said for her luck. By accident, she has become a captive.”

　　With that, the big figure of the man trembled, and he twisted his head back with all his strength. The man who was nearly 30 was speechless as he ran over, his mouth left agape, unable to form any sentence.

　　“Xiao He, did you call me out here just to stand together for a while?”

　　“Lady! How could it be you?” Xiao He’s face was full of grime and dust, but he could not conceal his happiness.

　　Removing her hood, Chu Qiao smiled. “I also have questions for you. What happened to you? Why did you stop being a soldier, and brought your men to become bandits instead? If I had not seen this, I would not have believed it myself.”

　　“Lady, if you are not around, how could we return with peace of mind?” Xiao He sighed. Chu Qiao knew that the issue about Yan Xun abandoning the Southwest Emissary’s Garrison back in Zhen Huang City was still bothering this man. She did not mind. Patting his back, she reassured him, “Now, I am back. Are you feeling better?”

　　“Yes, indeed. Else we would not have chosen such an indirect method to find you. We dared not approach Beishuo City as we were scared to create a misunderstanding. I could only use this method to meet you, Lady. Please pardon us,” Xiao He explained in deference.

　　Chu Qiao laughed. “Xiao He, since when were you so formal with me? We were comrades in arms that fought in the same trenches before. You coming back right now is something that I am really thankful for.”

　　Xiao He laughed heartily. “If that is the case, Lady, you need not thank us either.”

　　Chu Qiao stretched out her hand and fist bumped Xiao He, as they both smiled in the joyous reunion.

　　By midnight, under the leadership of Chu Qiao, this army that consisted of entirely light cavalry set off from the snow plains toward Beishuo City, into the area that would soon turn into a battlefield. Around nine pm, the city gates of Beishuo suddenly sounded off in a flurry of war drums, as the entire meeting room sank into silence. The officers of all the armies were all speechless. The scouts had just reported in that the Xia army had arrived and would soon begin an assault on Beishuo. A middle-aged man who had just been promoted from a farmer claimed to have seen the enemy with over 20 rallying flags, along with countless heavy infantry. Their torches stretched for over ten miles, and their vanguards were already before their city gates, with the subsequent reinforcement trailing about ten miles behind on the Huolei Plains. If Chu Qiao were there, she would immediately see the inconsistencies with this intel. If Xue Zhiyuan was here, he would daringly point out the fallacies in the information. But unfortunately, both of them were not present. Cao Mengtong rubbed his chin as he looked at Xia An from the corner of his eyes, and asked, “General Xia, what do you think?”

　　With his eyes half closed, Xia An looked as though he had dementia. He muttered, “General, you are so wise and brilliant. Your wish is my wish. I am willing to rally behind you and follow your orders.”

　　Cao Mengtong’s eyes twitched as he swore under his breath, “This cunning old fox” before smirking. They were finally here. That was even better!

　　Cao Mengtong was no longer young. Given his abilities and family background, being able to rise to the position of a general was not mere coincidence. Those who were familiar with him would know that in the past ten years, he was the only undefeated general in the Yan Bei Highlands, and in his service history of over a hundred battles, he had not tasted defeat. From that point alone, even Wu Daoya would pale in comparison. But being undefeated was a different matter from being victorious. On the contrary, their victories were few and rare. In Lady Yu’s words, the second army was the best at reasonable strategic relocation. As their entire lives revolved around such a concept, it would be a joke to order them to fight head-on with the enemies. The great Marshal Cao wanted to preserve the essence of Yan Bei army.

　　If this was still in the past, and Cao Mengtong was tasked with guarding Beishuo city from a Xia incursion of over a million strong, Cao Mengtong would have probably started his escape long ago. But right now he could afford to take it easy. Ultimately, no one would want to bear the reputation of being the master of retreating for his entire life. In the past, the Yan Bei army was a group of beggars, as they had neither strength nor resources. But now, financed by Yan Xun, the army was how issued with top quality weapons and strong armor, along with countless horses and near a million soldiers. In addition, that lady who always followed behind Yan Xun had made a bunch of contraptions that were meant for castle defense. Although he had not figured out how to use many of them, those that he already learned to use were already powerful enough. Under her guidance, the castle had been strengthened, and the surroundings were full of ice. This was truly an impregnable fortress.

　　This incursion by the Xia army would leave them open on the battlefield. Having come thousands of miles to here, General Cao merely needed to wait and harvest an astounding achievement. With a million troops, strengthened defense, quality weapons, and adequate supply, how else would the result of the war be apart from a victory? The blood in Cao Mengtong started boiling. With this victory, his reputation in Yan Bei would truly be groundbreaking. Those noisy old men in the Da Tong would bow to him, and that small kid Yan Xun would no longer dare to comment anything about him. As the Yan Bei government strengthen from this battle, the Xia Empire would be exhausted. At the end of the campaign, even invading into the Xia Empire and sieging the Zhen Huang City would not be a dream. The imagery repeating 300 years ago when the Peiluo Family had overrun Hongchuan and redrawn maps to create their own empire surfaced in his mind. For him, a common civilian who had eventually walked onto the apex of the path of victory and power, that would be such a fascinating future. This battle of Beishuo would be the first step for his rise!

　　Chao Mengtong was excited by those thoughts, as his eyes turned bloodshot and his veins throbbed on his temples. Finally, he stood up, and facing the dozens of Yan Bei generals, he solemnly declared, “The Xia empire has been selfish and cruel in their rule. This battle of Beishuo will be a holy war of self-defense for Yan Bei. The survival of Yan Bei lies in this one battle. This battle cannot be avoided. I implore everyone here to lend me your assistance!”

　　“We fight for freedom!” The cheer resounded in the meeting room in unison. When the guards at the door turned around to see what was going on, he could only see a see fists that had been punched into the air! see fists of Beishuo had finally opened the curtains to the opening scene!

　　The signal indicating that war was approaching quickly spread out throughout Beishuo City. The sounds of the war drums resounded through the entire encampment. At this very moment, the Vice-general of the vanguard forces of the Second army, Xue Zhiyuan charged into the city gates and informed about the several thousand strong Xia army that was in hiding beyond the city gates. With that, the west gate that was initially completely open was shut, preventing anyone from coming through. Xue Zhiyuan was gravely wounded and fainted right after briefly explaining the situation. But after his arrival, large batches of civilians who had fled from the massacre arrived. Despite their calls that they were responding to the conscription order, the heavy gates would no longer open for them.