The next day, the wind and snow had ceased. After breakfast, the sun emerged, and such clear weather brought a sense of brightness and reassurance to Yan Chi and the others. By midday, a fast horse galloped into the Sunset Ridge camp. The soldier on horseback carried a handwritten letter from Chu Fei Sheng and entered the strategy tent unimpeded.
"Your Highness, this is General Chu's letter. Lin Xugui began mobilizing his troops last night, so it seems he has taken the bait. When I left, the two sides had not yet engaged, but General Chu was absolutely certain that Lin Xugui would not allow him to lead his forces outside the main camp. Additionally, Lin Xugui appears to already know of your return to the Northwest Frontier Army, though he is unaware of when you will appear. General Chu advises you to proceed with the original plan and deploy the troops—victory in this battle is assured!"
After reading Chu Fei Sheng's letter, Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. "Understood. Go and receive your reward."
The soldier nodded and withdrew. Yan Chi immediately summoned Yu Qi and the others to the strategy tent, showed them Chu Fei Sheng's letter, and then instructed, "You have two hours to muster the troops. We depart at dusk and must be in position before the first watch."
The three commanders acknowledged the order and went out to assemble their soldiers. Soon, the camp echoed with the sound of hurried footsteps.
On the temporarily cleared training ground, Yu Qi and the others each selected two thousand troops. Yan Chi sat for a while longer before heading to the central command tent.
Qin Guan had also learned that news had arrived from Chu Fei Sheng. Seeing the troops being mustered, she knew they were about to set out. When Yan Chi returned, she quickly asked, "Will you be going with them?"
Yan Chi nodded. "Yes, I will. But this battle is certain to be won, so there's no need to worry."
Naturally, Qin Guan would not interfere with Yan Chi's military decisions. She simply nodded in response and went to prepare his armor. Noticing her anxious expression, Yan Chi suddenly asked, "Would you like to come along?"
Qin Guan had never expected Yan Chi to allow her on the battlefield and was taken aback. "You’re really letting me go?"
Yan Chi walked over and took her hand. "War is brutal. I never wanted you to witness even a fraction of it. But... you will inevitably see wounded soldiers and prisoners. Even within our own camp, cruel things happen all the time. So, I changed my mind. Do you want to see it for yourself?"
Qin Guan felt a stir of curiosity. She was not one to harbor thoughts of killing; to her, human life was exceedingly precious. But on the battlefield, such considerations held no weight. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded. "I would like to see it."
A faint smile touched Yan Chi's lips. "Good. I’ll have someone prepare armor for you."
This time, Qin Guan did not refuse. Soon after Yan Chi gave the order, a set of armor suited for a slender frame was brought to her. Qin Guan, who had never worn armor before, felt a thrill of excitement. Yet Yan Chi watched her with concern. Though the Northwest Frontier Army was composed of elite soldiers, many new recruits trembled so much on their first battlefield that they could barely hold their swords. After returning from battle, they were often plagued by nightmares. Worse still, some died under enemy blades out of sheer terror.
Though Qin Guan would not be fighting, she was still a young woman. Yan Chi did not want her to suffer nightmares because of this experience.Qin Guan seemed aware of Yan Chi's concerns and grew even more cautious. Before departure, she meticulously donned her armor, while her companion Baiying also suited up in full battle gear. Both women possessed tall, slender figures, and now clad in armor, even Qin Guan exuded a touch of martial valor.
As sunset approached, the entire contingent of over six thousand troops set out toward their destination!
Emerging from the main tent, Qin Guan spotted a snow-white horse by the camp gate at first glance.
The horse's coat gleamed brilliantly, and Qin Guan felt an immediate fondness for it. As she approached, the horse snorted fearlessly. Qin Guan smiled, then noticed Yan Chi walking over from the direction of the strategy tent. When he reached her, he asked, "Do you like it? Her name is Haoyue."
A sparkle lit Qin Guan's eyes. "Of course I do! Haoyue... such a lovely name!"
Yan Chi explained, "I picked her especially for you. She has an excellent temperament and will be yours from now on."
Since they were heading to the battlefield with Yan Chi today, sharing a mount would be impractical—a detail Yan Chi had clearly considered. Genuinely delighted by the horse and the thought of having her own steed, Qin Guan beamed. "Thank you, Your Highness!"
With that, she swung onto the horse's back. Though her armor was heavy, her mounting motion was crisp and agile, and she handled the reins and whip with practiced ease. Watching her, Yan Chi felt his worries ease slightly. He mounted his own horse nearby and murmured, "Just stay close to me today."
Qin Guan nodded solemnly and followed Yan Chi out of the camp at a gallop.
They traveled northeast from Sunset Ridge, crossing two ridges to reach the designated location—an unnamed valley. By the time Qin Guan and Yan Chi ascended the eastern ridge to the summit, Yu Qi had also led his troops to the top of the opposite ridge. Night had fallen deeply. Yan Chi guided Qin Guan along the ridge, moving away from the planned ambush site to the highest point of the mountain spine. This spot, half a mile from the ambush location, offered a sweeping view of both ridges and the valley below—the perfect vantage point for observing the battle with minimal danger. Only a few dozen guards accompanied Qin Guan and Yan Chi, with Baiying remaining at Qin Guan's side. Seeing how secure the position was, Qin Guan finally understood why Yan Chi had brought her along...
Upon arrival, all torches were extinguished, leaving Qin Guan and Yan Chi in complete darkness. The mountaintop wind grew bitingly cold, its chill piercing through Qin Guan's armor and the padded robe beneath, seeping into her bones. Though her body shivered, her heart burned with fervor. Standing tall in the wind beside Yan Chi, knowing battle was imminent, filled her—someone who had never experienced war—with both tension and thrilling excitement.
Yan Chi nudged his horse forward a couple of steps, positioning himself to block the wind from Qin Guan's direction. Though the second watch was nearly past, a bright moon hung in the sky. Stroking her mount's mane, Qin Guan thought how fittingly Yan Chi had named the horse Haoyue.The heavy snow sealed the mountains, rendering the entire range and valleys a vast expanse of pure white. The bright moonlight cast its clear glow upon the snowy wilderness, sharpening the vision of those standing at higher elevations. Had Lin Xugui’s men been positioned here now, they would have clearly discerned the ambushes lurking on both ridges. Qin Guan’s heart tightened slightly.
“Are you afraid?” Yan Chi suddenly asked in a low voice.
Qin Guan snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. “No. Standing beside the greatest war god of Great Zhou, how could I be afraid?”
A faint smile tugged at Yan Chi’s lips. He leaned in, grasped her hand firmly, and gave it a tight squeeze before releasing it.
At that, Qin Guan’s heart truly settled into complete calm.
Under the brilliant moon, though the cold was biting, the high vantage point gave Qin Guan a sense of overlooking all mountains. Standing beside Yan Chi, sharing this commanding view of the peaks with him, felt extraordinarily sublime. Had she not followed him tonight, such an opportunity might never have come.
She suddenly recalled Yan Chi’s past words: he had vowed she would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him, sharing the same heights and honors he attained.
Lost in thought, the tension in her heart gradually melted away. Yet, the tranquility was short-lived. Within the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, a thunderous rumble of hoofbeats erupted from the eastern end of the valley, shaking the very earth. Qin Guan’s eyes snapped toward the sound, catching sight of dense, shadowy figures moving swiftly. Scattered torches flickered among them, but details remained indistinct…
Qin Guan frowned, her expression growing grave.
“It’s Chu Fei Sheng,” Yan Chi murmured softly. Simultaneously, Qin Guan spotted the wolf-emblazoned battle standards of the Northwest Frontier Army!
The approaching troops were indeed Chu Fei Sheng’s. The closer they came, the more Qin Guan sensed their frantic haste. Though the entire force galloped at full speed, their formation had disintegrated into chaos. Officers at the forefront raced ahead heedlessly, while soldiers behind whipped their horses frantically, each vying to overtake the others… The scene evoked only one phrase in Qin Guan’s mind: “fleeing for their lives.” Yet she knew this was all part of Yan Chi and Chu Fei Sheng’s stratagem.
Thousands of troops poured into the valley in disarray, soon passing directly below Qin Guan. Up close, she discerned order within the chaos: though the formation appeared loose and disordered, every few hundred soldiers followed a standard-bearer. As these flag-wavers shifted their signals, the troops behind adjusted accordingly. What seemed like a frantic scramble was, in truth, a meticulously orchestrated maneuver. Qin Guan narrowed her eyes, her heart pounding in rhythm with the earth-shaking hoofbeats.
Layers of pristine snow blanketed the valley slopes, now cascading down in avalanches startled by the sudden arrival of the troops. Before Chu Fei Sheng’s forces could exit the valley, another wave of soldiers and horses emerged at the eastern entrance. This new contingent’s clamor dwarfed that of Chu Fei Sheng’s arrival; the thunder of their hooves reverberated through the mountains, causing the ridge where Qin Guan stood to tremble faintly—a testament to their far greater numbers. Qin Guan’s gaze swept over them: more shadowy figures, brighter torches, and resplendent battle flags.
These were large banners emblazoned with the character “Yan,” adorned with golden dragon patterns symbolizing the emperor’s supreme authority. They were the pursuing troops led by Lin Xugui.The two forces were less than a mile apart. The most aggressive pursuers were even close enough to cling to Chu Fei Sheng's troops while firing cold arrows. Qin Guan watched helplessly as several soldiers at the rear were struck by arrows and fell from their horses. Though she couldn't hear their cries of pain or smell the blood, witnessing their fall made her heart clench uncontrollably.
She knew this was the scene Yan Chi had intended for her to see.
Even as they watched their comrades fall, the "fleeing" troops ahead dared not turn back to rescue them. Meanwhile, the mountain ridge remained eerily silent, as if truly deserted. Sitting upright on her horse, Qin Guan felt a surge of pity welling inside her, but she forcibly suppressed it.
No one attended to the fallen soldiers. Instead, their downfall provoked panicked shouts from the ranks. Chu Fei Sheng's troops seemed to grow more terrified, while their pursuers, hearing the commotion, intensified their bloodlust. As they approached the mountain pass, they didn't slow their pace at all. The ridge remained silent except for the howling wind!
Chu Fei Sheng had already exited the pass ahead, while the vanguard of the pursuing troops had fully entered it. Gradually, more and more pursuers streamed into the pass. Just as the column stretched longer and the vanguard seemed about to exit the far end, Qin Guan—from her elevated position—spotted a faint flicker of torchlight on the opposite ridge. Simultaneously, Chu Fei Sheng wheeled back to counterattack from the pass exit—
War cries erupted with the torchlight, startling the charging troops in the pass into sudden deceleration. Many warhorses spooked, rampaging through the ranks. Chaos erupted below as Chu Fei Sheng's reversal blocked the pursuers' advance!
"Ambush! It's an ambush—"
"General! General Lin! We've been tricked—"
Realization dawned on the soldiers, who began shouting warnings. But at that moment, arrow showers fell like locusts upon the disordered crowd. Archers on the ridge exploited their vantage to first target torchbearers and standard-bearers. Soon, the pass darkened by a third as screams multiplied. The metallic scent of blood finally grew thick enough to reach Qin Guan's position on the summit. Frowning, she finally understood why Yan Chi could calmly bring her to observe the battle.
Lin Xugui had been too careless, and Lin Xie too. They hadn't hesitated before entering the pass. Having long been stationed in the capital, they forgot this was the Northwest Frontier—the Northwest Frontier Army's territory. They assumed numerical superiority guaranteed victory, never considering how a snowy night could conceal deadly traps.
Arrow volleys followed arrow volleys, yet those below couldn't distinguish shadows of trees from soldiers on the ridge. Some turned to flee, others fired arrows wildly, while others dismounted to charge uphill—only to be struck down within steps.
The battle became a one-sided rout. Commanding officer Lin Xugui finally recognized this and bellowed, "Retreat!"
Beside him, Lin Xie deflected stray arrows with his blade while protesting, "General! Why retreat? We outnumber them two to one!"Lin Xugui said irritably, "What if it's twice as many? Do they hold all the advantages of timing and terrain? If we don't leave now, we'll be completely annihilated!"
Lin Xie dared not speak carelessly. He lifted his gaze but truly couldn't discern the enemy's position or numbers. Scanning his surroundings, he noticed fewer and fewer men remaining unscathed on their steeds. His hand gripping the long sword trembled as overwhelming fear surged through him!
"General Lin! The retreat path behind us is blocked! They've left troops to cut off our escape!"
"General Lin! Chu Fei Sheng is charging back from the front!"
"General Lin, our casualties are mounting—where should we retreat?"
Protected by his personal guards, Lin Xugui had also withdrawn to a spot nestled against the ridge. This temporary blind spot offered shelter from the arrow barrage, but he knew once half their forces fell, the ridge-top attackers would descend. With enemies ahead and behind, retreat was impossible!
"From... from the rear! Cut a bloody path through!"
Lin Xugui brandished his sword, "Did you hear me? Retreat from the rear! Everyone, attack the rearguard! We're going back the way we came! Don't think of fleeing—there's nowhere to run! Understood? Kill! Fight your way out—"
His voice shook with panic and urgency. Yet as the troops turned backward, Chu Fei Sheng's men swept into the valley like gods of slaughter. Within moments, the vanguard pursuers fell in waves. Lin Xugui's heart hammered wildly as he shouted indiscriminately, but no amount of roared "Kill!" commands could rally their collapsing morale. More soldiers lost grip on their swords, failed to dodge visible arrows—casualties multiplied, blood flowed like rivers. Cold sweat poured down Lin Xugui's face; never in his days at the Northwest Frontier had he felt such despair.
Just as Lin Xugui's courage shattered and his spirit broke, the locust-swarm arrow barrage abruptly ceased.
Lin Xugui froze. So did the surrounding soldiers, all raising swords while scanning the terrain with terrified expressions. Then, from the ridge, Yu Qi's clear laughter rang out.
"Minister Lin! General Lin! Well? Are our Northwest Frontier Army lads to your satisfaction?"
Yu Qi's voice boomed with arrogant contempt, carrying far across the valley. Lin Xugui's face flushed crimson.
Yu Qi continued, "For half a year you've been squatting in our main camp like a cuckoo, Minister Lin. Did you ever imagine you'd lead your men to their deaths here? Do you intend to leave your life in this place?"
Trembling behind a protruding rock ledge, Lin Xugui shouted, "Who are you?! Is that rebel Yan Chi here too?! You... you pack of treasonous rebels! Surrender now!"
"Hahahaha—"
Yu Qi burst into roaring laughter. "Minister Lin, since you're so brave, stop hiding under the cliff watching your soldiers die. How about showing us your fearless valor?"Lin Xugui's heart pounded wildly, not daring to reveal the slightest hint of his fear. Seeing this, Yu Qi sneered coldly, "You worthless brat, how dare you address our prince by his name directly! The Old Prince dedicated his entire life to the Northwest Frontier Army! Our prince has been utterly loyal in defending our homeland! Yet that old fool of an emperor you serve is nothing but a muddle-headed tyrant! He caused the death of our Old Prince, and now he still expects us to toil like oxen and horses, guarding the borders for him?! Truly befitting of an emperor—what do the lives of people like us mean in his eyes?"
Lin Xugui was so enraged by these words that he couldn't utter a single syllable. Yu Qi snorted disdainfully at the sight. "If the old emperor cares nothing for the lives of his soldiers and officers, I wonder if you, Minister Lin, are even human? Our prince is benevolent and generous—he is not without mercy. I ask you now: Will you surrender? If you forsake that old emperor master of yours, pledge allegiance to our prince, and remain loyal to him from this day forth, our Northwest Frontier Army brothers will spare your wretched life today!"
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