Rebirth (Bing Hu Chong Sheng)

In the afternoon, snow began to fall. The north wind whipped the snowflakes against their faces, stinging like knives.

A vast army emerged from the blizzard, their figures densely packed, gleaming blades flashing sharply in the dark night. Warhorses galloped at astonishing speeds. Chu Qiao’s face was numb from the cold wind, her heavy fur cloak wrapped tightly around her. After nine hours of continuous riding, everyone’s hands and feet had frozen stiff. The biting wind reddened their eyes. Amid the gale, these seven thousand troops stood in the wilderness like a house without its main beam, ready to be swallowed by any sudden disaster at any moment.

A scout raced back at top speed. The soldier was very young, with clear, bright features—he couldn’t have been older than eighteen. Riding swiftly, he reached Chu Qiao and pointed toward the Helan Mountains in the east, but his lips trembled too much from the cold to speak.

“Has the Daxia Army drawn closer again?”

The scout remained silent, only nodding grimly. His neck had stiffened, making the nod appear unnatural, like a puppet pulled by strings.

“How far? Fifty li?”

No response. Chu Qiao pressed on, “Thirty li?”

Still no answer. A chill gripped the young woman’s heart. Her voice grew lower, tinged with exhaustion, as she asked gravely, “Twenty li?”

The scout nodded silently. Chu Qiao removed her hood and bowed deeply to him from her horse. “You’ve endured much.”

With a soft thud, the soldier fell from his horse. Nearby soldiers quickly dismounted to help him up, but their hands met icy cold flesh—no breath, no pulse. He had already perished. In the extreme cold, scouts had to bury themselves in the snow to gather intelligence before taking shortcuts back. That he had held on until now meant he had exhausted his last ounce of strength.

Twenty li. Even on narrow mountain paths, given the Daxia cavalry’s prowess, they could cover that distance in just half a ke. And in that same half ke, could her forces break into Chidu City?

Chu Qiao’s gaze sharpened like a blade. She stared intently ahead. Not far in front lay Chidu City, guardian of the Chiyuan Ferry. She had already dispatched two groups to negotiate at the city gates, but after the time it takes an incense stick to burn, there was still no word from the other side.

Her palms were damp with cold sweat, her sword hand icy. The odds were slim. They carried no written orders from Yan Xun, no documents from headquarters, no directives from the Great Alliance Society. In their haste to depart the city, she hadn’t even brought any proof of her origins in the staff office. In other words, they had no way to convince the defenders that they, too, were part of the Yanbei Army, there to protect the safety of Chidu City.

And if the Yanbei troops in Chidu City didn’t believe their identity and refused them entry, then once the Daxia forces arrived, their seven thousand light cavalry would face tens of thousands on the open plains—a certain path to annihilation.

This truth, Chu Qiao understood better than anyone."My lord," He Xiao's deputy commander Ge Qi was a young officer in his twenties. Like most officers and soldiers of the Southwest Garrison, his father had once been a Yanbei Army soldier who defected to the empire. He grew up on this land as a child, and now he returned with the dream of washing away the shame of his father's generation, possessing unwavering perseverance and courage.

"My lord, the Daxia Army is approaching."

Chu Qiao remained silent. The deputy continued, "Chidu City won't open its gates. Let's go."

Chu Qiao's expression remained unchanged. Her gaze remained fixed on the gates of Chidu City, not even blinking as she calmly said, "Wait a little longer."

Time passed slowly. The wind howled like a mad beast, filling their eardrums with its roar. The world seemed both eerily silent and unbearably noisy. Eagles circled fiercely in the sky, their snow-white wings spread so wide they could almost cover half the sky.

Ge Qi frowned deeply. He could even hear the hoofbeats of the Daxia Army now. He stepped forward again, "My lord, there's still time to leave."

"Wait a little longer."

"My lord, the Daxia forces are too powerful. If we encounter them on the plains, we won't be able to resist."

"Wait a little longer."

Chu Qiao spoke calmly as the strong wind blew back her hood, revealing her delicate face beneath. Horses shifted restlessly, their hooves making crisp sounds. The wait felt interminable. The fierce wind swept across the land, lifting broken grass from beneath the snow. Their hearts were warm, blood vessels pulsing fiercely - once, twice, thrice...

"My lord!"

A shout suddenly came as a scout in brown clothing rushed back, calling out while running, "The Daxia Army has crossed Helan Mountain and is heading toward Chiyuan Ferry at full speed! Twenty thousand light cavalry lead the vanguard, followed by numerous heavy armored cavalry and infantry troops - too many to count! My lord, they've killed dozens of Yanbei soldiers guarding Yixian Gorge near Chidu City, discovered our scouts, and are now accelerating. They've already passed Yixian Gorge!"

Panicked voices immediately rose among the troops. Could the enemy really be this fast? Twenty thousand light cavalry, countless heavy armored cavalry, nearly a hundred thousand infantry - such terrifying military might. If they clashed here, the Southwest Garrison might not even have time to scream.

"My lord," Ge Qi said with a furrowed brow, "While there's life, there's hope..."

"My lord! Look!"

A young squad leader suddenly exclaimed in shock, pointing at the Chidu City wall. Everyone turned to see a white flag with red clouds flying from the high city tower, while the heavy, ancient gates of Chidu City were slowly descending before their astonished eyes.

Chidu City was opening!

"Oh!"

The soldiers cheered loudly in unison. Chu Qiao finally let out a long sigh of relief. She suddenly whipped her horse forward and clearly announced, "Into the city!"

Almost the moment the city gates closed, a dark line appeared on the plains. From the distant horizon, across the snow-white Chishui River, came a low rumble like muffled thunder, slowly reaching their ears."Who are you people? cough I am the city guard of Yanbei's Chidu City, a third-rank official personally appointed by His Highness the Crown Prince of Yan through his own handwritten decree. cough I am a first-class Scholar of Imperial Entertainment from year 748, personally honored before the imperial court. How dare you act so arrogantly in broad daylight, so disgraceful to scholarly dignity? cough cough cough..."

A man in his sixties or seventies was shouting wildly while waving his arms, his neck straining with each yell between coughs. His official robe had been twisted into wrinkles by the soldiers, his hat sat askew, and he wore only one boot while dragging the other underfoot. Two officers from the Southwest Garrison held him firmly, preventing any rash movements. What disappointed Chu Qiao most was that despite being surrounded by dozens of city gate guards, these men hadn't moved an inch from beginning to end. They huddled together fearfully, practically wishing they could tear off their military uniforms, clearly possessing no combat capability whatsoever.

Entrusting such a strategically important city to these good-for-nothing drunkards made Chu Qiao feel waves of anger rising in her chest. Though she also knew that if it weren't for this situation, she wouldn't have been able to enter Chidu City at all right now.

"Commander, mission accomplished!"

He Xiao stepped forward, speaking in resolute tones as he knelt on one knee before Chu Qiao. The man's deep blue military uniform was stained with large patches of blood, evidence that they hadn't encountered zero resistance.

Chu Qiao felt a lump in her throat. She reached out to help He Xiao up, saying slowly in a deep voice, "Commander He, if Yanbei manages to survive this disaster, you will be credited with the foremost merit."

"I... I am the forty-eighth seat on the Great Alliance Society's council of elders, cough I am a core member of Yanbei with over thirty years of seniority. Many current military generals are my students, cough If you treat me like this, you will certainly..."

"Silence!"

A cold female voice cut through abruptly. Chu Qiao stepped forward slowly, fixing a cold gaze on this Chidu City guard. Though she was still young, her eyes brimmed with authority and ferocity. Under her stare, the elderly city guard's voice gradually faded. Feeling his lack of conviction was rather embarrassing, he mustered his courage and muttered, "The Great Alliance Society will judge you, you rebels!"

The entry of seven thousand fierce, wolf-like soldiers had stirred this small city. Men and women, old and young, emerged from their homes to stand in the gleaming snow, watching from afar.

Chu Qiao let out a cold laugh, grabbed the old man by his collar, and turned to drag him toward the city wall tower.

"Ah! What are you doing?" The elderly city guard stumbled, nearly falling to the ground, and screamed like a stuck pig: "Audacious madman! How dare you treat me with such disrespect! I hold the forty-eighth seat on the council of elders, I've been in the society for thirty-three years, military generals are all my students... cough... I am a first-class Scholar of Imperial Entertainment, I hold twelve voting rights in the Great Alliance Tribunal! You maintain private troops and deceive your colleagues! I will judge you on behalf of the Great Alliance Society! I'll sentence you to exile, strip you of military authority! I'll order the confiscation of your family property! I'll..."

The noisy voice suddenly cut off, like a muted suona that had abruptly lost its air.High upon the city tower, the girl’s upright figure and the old man’s slightly stooped posture appeared strikingly out of place. The strong wind swept by, lifting the hems of their identical Yanbei Army uniforms and stirring the strands of their dark—or once-dark—hair at their temples. Neither spoke; they simply stood together atop the high gate tower, gazing into the distance.

The soldiers and civilians of Chidu City found this strange. Some, gathering courage, climbed the tower, only to freeze in astonishment, rendered speechless. Gradually, more and more people ascended—one, two, three, ten, a hundred, a thousand—until the tower was densely packed with figures. Their eyes were vacant, their expressions filled with terror. A sense of despair circulated among them, and the scent of death had never felt so palpable.

The setting sun blazed like fire, casting a blood-red glow over their heads. The mottled light and shadows scattered across the pristine snowfield like fire cloud flowers on Huolei Plain. As the wind howled, a thick flurry of snow swirled through the air. Within the hazy white mist, an iron-gray army surged like a silent flood, blanketing the entire snowfield. Towering spears and gleaming war blades were everywhere, alongside dark masses of soldiers and the nimble hooves of warhorses. Flags fluttered as far as the eye could see, as if they had abruptly plunged into an endless nightmare. Everywhere they looked, the cold glint of arrows thirsting for blood shimmered. Stretching over ten li, there were agile cavalry regiments, formidable heavy armor units, dense ranks of archers, sturdy shield-bearing soldiers, and countless infantry, reserve, logistics, and transport troops in the rear…

It resembled a grand military exercise, with nearly all of Daxia’s elite forces gathered here. The soldiers of Chidu City were stunned, the civilians were stunned, and even the Southwest Garrison Commander, who had mentally prepared himself, was stunned. Only now did they realize the terrifying enemy they faced. Daxia had entrenched itself in the Hongchuan continent for three hundred years, intimidating Ximeng for three centuries and suppressing Biantang, Huai Song, and the East Sea for just as long. How could a mere upheaval in Zhenhuang shake such deeply entrenched power?

Now, having regained their footing, freed their hands, and mobilized their forces, they were finally ready to eradicate all who had ever questioned their authority!

“If you survive this battle,” Chu Qiao said calmly, turning her head slightly to look at the elderly man, her tone steady and unruffled, “then I will submit to your judgment.”

With a thud, the old man slumped to the ground. Without so much as a glance in his direction, Chu Qiao turned and strode toward the city square. Along the way, the crowd instinctively parted to make way for her. The wind lifted her long hair and heavy fur cloak, making her resemble a sharp, soaring War Eagle. Her posture was erect, her aura formidable. With her head held high, she marched to the center of the square, her gaze piercing like arrows as she scanned the dense crowd below.Their eyes were filled with anxiety, like uneasy rabbits, glancing around in confusion, unsure of where to go. Chu Qiao had seen this kind of look far too many times before—in the Middle East, in Africa, in the chaotic Golden Triangle, in war-torn nations. She had witnessed countless displaced people amidst the flames of war. Now, standing here, she didn’t know how to define herself: a liberator with a sacred mission, or a destroyer who brought disaster? But she had no way to retreat. The only option now was to fight!

"Soldiers, citizens of Chidu City, I am Chu Qiao, a subordinate of His Highness Yan Xun, a combat staff officer of the military command at the Beishuo headquarters. Right now, it is I who am speaking to you!"

The young woman’s voice was loud and resolute, her tone firm. Standing tall and straight in the square, she addressed everyone clearly. The crowd was startled, lifting their heads in unison to look at her. At times like these, what people needed most was a steadfast leader to rely on, and Chu Qiao was precisely the person who fit that role.

"Soldiers, citizens, as you can see before your eyes, the Daxia army has bypassed the Helan Mountains and launched an attack on us from Chiyuan Ferry. Now, at our gates, there are at least two hundred thousand Daxia troops. They are strong and well-equipped—the most elite field forces of Daxia. They have traveled thousands of miles under the king’s orders with only one goal: to slaughter every last one of us!"

A "boom" seemed to explode through the crowd as noise erupted. People panicked, looking around in alarm. The cries of women rang out loudly. The children didn’t understand what was happening, but their keen senses made them afraid. Worried sobs and despair filled the air. Dark clouds gathered in the sky, obscuring the fiery sunset. A bitingly cold wind howled, as if trying to extinguish the last flicker of hope for survival. The soldiers lit torches, but the flames could not dispel the thick fog of death or illuminate the darkness in people’s hearts.

"But! We are not alone!"

A sharp, commanding voice suddenly rose, cutting through the clamor. Everyone looked up in confusion at the tall, straight-backed young woman. Dressed in a black military uniform with a heavy cloak draped over her shoulders, she appeared sharp and intelligent. Lifting her head, she declared firmly, "A hundred miles away stands our Yanbei’s strongest fortress, Beishuo Pass, where nearly a million Yanbei troops are stationed, equipped with the finest weapons and warhorses. To our rear is the Blue City fortress, where Miss Yu commands a hundred thousand soldiers, ready to reinforce us at any moment. And our king, His Highness Yan Xun, is leading three hundred thousand troops from Meilin Pass to aid us. These hardships are only temporary. As long as we endure with resilience, victory will surely be ours!"A deathly silence fell over the crowd. No one responded, yet no one opposed either. The fierce wind whipped against Chu Qiao’s face, snowflakes swirling before her, making her appear ethereal and indistinct. She resolutely raised her fist and declared loudly, "Eight years ago, the hooves of Daxia’s warhorses trampled our homeland, burned our homes, violated our wives and daughters, and severed the heads of our fathers and brothers. In the Battle of Huolei Plain, Yanbei’s elite forces were utterly destroyed. Since then, the people of Yanbei have been enslaved for eight years. The nobles could kill us at will, seize our horses and grain as they pleased. We toiled our entire lives, yet couldn’t save a single copper coin! Now, His Highness has restored Yanbei, all so that the poor may have clothes to wear, houses to live in, and food to eat. But Daxia will not allow it—they cannot stand by and watch their dignity trampled. So, they have dispatched their army to enslave us once more, to force our submission with bloodshed. People of Yanbei! We are not rebels—we merely wish to live! Shall we stand and live? Or kneel and die? Shall we grovel and lick the boots of others, or take up arms to defend our homeland?"

"We want to live!"

A voice suddenly rose from the crowd, and then, like a wildfire sweeping across a dry prairie, thousands of voices merged into a mighty torrent.

"We want to live! Kill all the Daxia dogs!"

"I have come on behalf of the Beishuo headquarters to rescue you. From this moment, I will officially take command of Chidu’s military authority. All Chidu officers and soldiers must follow my orders. Women and children are to evacuate immediately through the west gate and head swiftly to Blue City. All men between the ages of fifteen and fifty shall remain here with me to defend Chidu, to defend Yanbei!"

"Defend Chidu! Defend Yanbei!"

The roars reverberated, piercing through eardrums. Chu Qiao stood in the square, her small fist seeming to wield immense power. Her eyes were clear and resolute, yet a faint trace of sorrow slowly tugged at the corners of her lips.

She knew that after tomorrow, countless tragedies would unfold here—countless families shattered, countless loved ones never to meet again. Yet, she had no other choice. She slowly raised her head, unwilling to look any longer at those faces filled with confidence and hope.

Yan Xun, where are you? When will you return? To the ends of the earth, I will fight by your side!

In the eyes of Daxia, sending two hundred thousand troops to seize a small city garrisoned by no more than three thousand soldiers seemed like a sure victory. Yet, upon arriving at Chidu City, Zhao Yang did not immediately issue the order to attack. Seeing that Chidu’s defenders had adopted a defensive stance, he smirked contemptuously, though inwardly he felt a flicker of delight. If Chidu’s garrison intended to hold out, he had all the more reason to delay. The later he arrived to encircle Beishuo’s rear, the more advantageous it would be for him. Let Zhao Qi lead the fools of the Batuha family to clash head-on with Yanbei first.

Thus, Zhao Yang promptly ordered his troops to begin digging trenches, constructing fortifications, setting up tripwires, and installing caltrops—putting on a show of defense as well.

Officers sent by the Third Prince Zhao Qi’s forces repeatedly visited Zhao Yang’s command tent, urging him to engage the enemy immediately and cut off Beishuo’s retreat. But Zhao Yang always regarded them with a strange expression and asked in feigned surprise, "Am I not attacking right now?""What I meant was a more proactive offensive approach." Facing the newly risen Fourteenth Prince of Daxia, the supervising officer stammered with a flushed face and sweat beading on his forehead: "The Third Prince's forces have already engaged the Yanbei Army. The sooner Your Highness reaches Beishuo, the fewer casualties the Southern Army will suffer."

"And what of the Northwestern Army's casualties?"

Zhao Yang's expression turned cold, his sword-like eyebrows rising as he declared righteously: "As the supreme commander of an army corps, my greatest responsibility is to achieve maximum victory at minimal cost. I must treasure the life of every soldier under my command. Therefore, I believe our current strategic plan is perfectly suited to the present situation. If I were to advance recklessly and fall into an enemy ambush, causing heavy casualties to the Northwestern Army and jeopardizing our overall strategic objectives, who would bear that responsibility? Supervisor, would that be you?"

The supervisor nearly broke down in tears. Sniffling and weeping, he climbed onto his warhorse and whipped it into a gallop to report back to Zhao Qi.

Zhao Yang sneered coldly, leaning back in his chair. His eyes fell upon the military strategy map before him, where several thin lines were drawn. The young prince narrowed his eyes slightly, murmuring slowly: "Beishuo, Chidu, Blue City, Chunyu Region, Yaoshui, Meilin Pass..."

Though unaware of Zhao Yang's reasons for delaying the attack, every minute now seemed like a heaven-sent gift to Chu Qiao. She bustled about actively, occupied with reorganizing city defense tools and systems, arranging civilian evacuations, integrating new recruits, and coordinating the advance and retreat relations between various army units - so busy her feet barely touched the ground.

After night had completely fallen, the weeping in the city gradually faded to a faint murmur. Chu Qiao walked along the empty streets, and as the cold wind blew past, she suddenly felt a chill. Ge Qi hurried forward and draped a heavy fur cloak over her shoulders. The thick garment blocked out the biting wind, and Chu Qiao nodded slightly, offering a quiet word of thanks. With a creaking sound, the shops on both sides of the street stood wide open, their doors unbarred. A wooden basin, swept up by the wind, spun on the ground, emitting a rattling noise.

All around was desolation and solitude, a bleak and dreary atmosphere pervading everything.

"Commander, we won't win, will we?"

Chu Qiao froze for a moment, then turned to see Ge Qi's youthful eyes fixed on her, a calm smile on his face. "If you truly had confidence, Commander, you wouldn't have ordered all the civilians to evacuate."

Chu Qiao said nothing. She simply turned her head back quietly. No one possessed such audacious courage. As a highly trained modern military commander, she understood the true meaning of war. Turning the impossible into reality wasn't unheard of, but it required at least some basic resources. Even if one didn't demand parity or equal strength, there still had to be the capacity to fight.

With less than ten thousand troops, defending a low, dilapidated town against two hundred thousand elite imperial soldiers—and with enemy reinforcements continuously pouring in—no one could harbor any conviction of victory.

But she couldn't show these emotions. She was their leader, the hope of everyone here. If even she lacked confidence, how could the others persevere? When they felt disheartened and lost, they could still look to her. But whom could she turn to?

Chu Qiao sighed softly. Suddenly, a small dark figure appeared ahead. Her brow furrowed, and Ge Qi, standing behind her, cautiously stepped forward to shield her, his voice low and stern as he demanded, "Who's there?"

The flickering light revealed the soldiers stepping forward, only to find that the approaching figure was a child of about twelve or thirteen. Dressed in a small padded jacket and clutching a little bundle, the child's face was flushed red from the cold. With delicate features and a stubbornly raised chin, the child exuded defiance.

Chu Qiao frowned and asked, "Whose child are you? Why didn't you leave with the others?"

The child remained silent, head bowed. Judging by the child's appearance, Chu Qiao guessed they had likely just slipped back through the west gate. Without another word, she paid no further attention and turned to leave.

"Hey! Aren't you going to do anything about me?"

Seeing that Chu Qiao was ignoring them, the child quickly caught up, asking in confusion, "Aren't you going to chase me out of the city?"

Chu Qiao replied indifferently, "Whether you live or die is none of my concern. I have enough to deal with; I don't have time for you."

The child was taken aback, as if insulted, then declared loudly, "I'm fifteen years old! I can stay and join the army!"

Chu Qiao looked the child up and down, her expression unmoved. The child knew the lie was far-fetched but stubbornly insisted, "Don't judge me by my size—I'm strong."

Chu Qiao still paid no heed. The child grew anxious and tried to rush over, but Ge Qi blocked the way. Left with no choice, the child jumped up and down outside, even rolling up a sleeve to show off what they claimed were well-developed arm muscles.

"Why didn't you leave?"Chu Qiao suddenly asked in a low voice. The child froze, standing still in a daze. After thinking for a long while, he murmured, "My little sister is sick and can't walk."

Chu Qiao’s heart tightened instantly. Over the years and along this journey, she had witnessed far too many such tragedies. She thought, perhaps even if she had to commit countless atrocities now, it might still be worth it. To build anew, one must first tear down the old. A nation striving for independence must pay a price. Maybe many years from now, the world would change because of her actions today. Perhaps children then would no longer have to wander homeless as they did now, and the common people would no longer live in constant uncertainty. If that could be achieved, it would be enough.

"What is your name?"

"My name is Du Gouzi."

Chu Qiao frowned. How could such a delicate-looking child be given such a name?

"That name doesn’t sound pleasant. Let me give you a new one."

The child thought for a moment and said, "Alright, but it still has to have the surname Du."

Chu Qiao stood up, her gaze drifting into the distance. "Let it be Ping An."

Du Ping An, Du Ping An—may the land of Yanbei truly know peace one day.

Half an hour later, in a small military square in the western part of the city, all the officers and soldiers of the Southwest Garrison Commander had gathered. Bright torches illuminated the night sky. Chu Qiao, clad in military attire, stood on a makeshift wooden platform, her eyes solemn as she looked at the soldiers who had pledged to follow her unto death. In a low tone, she said, "Everyone, I thank you for your trust in me. In the ancient capital of Zhenhuang in the Great Xia Dynasty, on the northwestern plains of Hongchuan, and outside the western gate of Beishuo City, we have fought side by side, sharing both fortune and adversity. I am grateful that you have continued to believe in me, followed me, and even now, stepped into this desperate situation with me. For this, I am deeply sorry."

Chu Qiao bowed slowly, then straightened up and continued, "I do not wish to deceive you. Therefore, before the final battle, I must tell you the truth: I lied earlier. We will have no reinforcements. Chidu City will receive no support. We are fighting alone, with no one to aid us."

A wave of panicked murmurs swept through the ranks, but it was quickly suppressed. They stared intently at Chu Qiao, silent.

"The Daxia Army has divided into two forces. The main force, numbering over 400,000, not including reserves and logistical support, is attacking the eastern gate of Beishuo head-on. The other force, the 200,000 elite troops now at our city walls, crossed the Helan Mountains to launch a surprise attack on Chidu City. Their goal is to breach the Chiyuan Ferry, penetrate deep into Yanbei’s heartland, and encircle Beishuo City from both east and west, while sowing chaos in the rear and demoralizing our frontline troops. Once Chidu City falls, the million civilians and soldiers in Beishuo will have nowhere to escape. They will inevitably fall victim to the Daxia Army’s slaughter. Yanbei’s elite forces will suffer devastating losses, and the eastern half of our territory will fall into Daxia’s hands! As for Blue City in the rear, serving as Yanbei’s second line of defense inland, it is impossible for them to send reinforcements. They have fewer than 100,000 troops guarding the long defensive line along the Sunset Mountains and are in no position to assist us from the east. Meanwhile, the Second Army led by His Highness is still far away at Meilin Pass and cannot return to reinforce us within five days."The firelight illuminated the young woman's delicate face. Her back was straight, her posture tall and graceful, with long slender legs, and eyes as bright as stars. She spoke solemnly: "So, this is a difficult battle. The enemies you will face outnumber you twentyfold, and their numbers will only grow in the coming days. But we cannot retreat. If we fall back, the retreat route for the soldiers and civilians of Beishuo will be cut off—even escape will become impossible. Behind us are the common people of the Sunset Mountain region. Without us, the iron hooves of Daxia will mercilessly trample them. Civilians, women, and children will all face imminent disaster—no one will be spared. Yanbei will confront a catastrophic struggle for survival!"

Chu Qiao's eyes reddened, her expression stirred with emotion as she continued in a grave tone: "Soldiers of the Southwest Garrison! You have long been branded as rebels. Your fathers once betrayed Yanbei, betrayed their own bloodline and homeland. For eight years, no one across the continent has regarded you with respect. You have endured endless scorn and contemptuous glares—even after helping Crown Prince Yan Xun escape Zhenhuang, even after orchestrating the world-shocking Zhenhuang Incident, even after stubbornly repelling the Northwestern Army that outnumbered you dozens of times! Yet the label 'traitors' has remained fastened upon you. No one trusted you, no one was willing to accept you. But today, everything will be different. An opportunity lies before you. If you persevere, you will become the heroes of Yanbei, revered by all!"

The soldiers' eyes began to burn with fervor. A fierce wind howled, and heavy snow swirled through the air. Beneath the dark canopy of night, the young woman stood like an unyielding spear, her voice ringing with passion: "Warriors! Raise your blades and follow me! Defend Yanbei, protect those unarmed women, children, and elders! Wash away past shame with blood, defend our military banner, and restore the glorious name of the Southwest Garrison! Yes, some will die—some will not live to see next winter's snow. But the people will be grateful to you, Yanbei will remember you! Your names will be engraved upon Yanbei's roll of military honors, revered and worshipped for generations to come! Warriors, I will stand with you—through life and death, we will never abandon each other!"

"Through life and death! Never abandon each other!"

The soldiers erupted in a fierce roar, raising their hands high, their eyes bloodshot. Some were so moved they shed tears, years of humiliation pouring out like molten lava. They shouted fervently: "Defend Yanbei!" "Long live our commander!"

Their voices shook the heavens, merging with the roaring wind as they soared into the sky!

The sound was so loud it carried across the snowy plains outside the city. Zhao Yang, clad in a snow-white fox fur coat, tilted his head slightly and let out a disdainful sneer.

Time was almost up. Any further delay, and Zhao Qi might lose his temper.

His cold gaze fell upon the low city wall. He flicked the snow from his coat with a finger—in his eyes, it wasn't even a city anymore. With a mere glance toward Chidu in the darkness, he casually ordered the officers beside him: "Go, tear down that unsightly wall."

"As you command!"The generals responded in unison, then turned and strode away. The soldiers, having received the battle orders, immediately brandished their swords and spears, forming ranks and advancing forward.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The earth trembled slowly beneath their feet as the soldiers let out earth-shaking cries: "Slay the enemy!"

A resounding charge bugle blared forth, startling the War Eagles soaring high in the sky. The world turned grim and desolate, vegetation snapped and broke, and a heavy snow began to fall thickly. Night had arrived—welcome its descent!

————Dividing Line————

Can't write up to thirteen thousand anymore; if I keep going, I won't be able to post it by eleven o'clock.