Shadow Love (Yu Jin Chang An)

After a night of chaos and turmoil, Li Zhangyi, the city guard of Lucheng, was pierced through the heart by a mysterious black-armored figure from a hundred zhang away, dying on the spot. Li Shuang naturally led the Changfeng Battalion soldiers to take over Lucheng.

Although the battle had ended, Li Shuang's work was far from over.

The people of Lucheng were in a state of panic, and the death of the city guard left the city's bureaucracy leaderless. Li Shuang promptly appointed a civil official under Li Zhangyi's command as the interim city guard.

With the Changfeng Battalion now stationed in Lucheng, their military strength was formidable. No matter who became the city guard, they would have no choice but to obey Li Shuang's orders. However, Li Shuang's focus was not on power struggles.

After spending the day handling city affairs, Li Shuang ascended the city walls of Lucheng at night and gazed into the distance. The Xirong army, stationed dozens of miles away, had not withdrawn despite the sudden death of their general, Ashina Du. Across the vast northern plains, the faint smoke from the densely packed Xirong camps could still be seen rising into the air.

Li Shuang's expression darkened as she silently patted the rough stone of the city tower before her.

Luo Teng, standing beside her, clicked his tongue in frustration. "Damn it, General! Looks like the Xirong aren't planning to retreat after all!"

Qin Lan pondered for a moment before speaking gravely. "This winter is harsh, and food is scarce. The Xirong have already gathered a large army to pressure our borders at Lucheng, determined to plunder our supplies. As for Ashina Du..." He paused, recalling the image of the black-armored figure holding Ashina Du's severed head the previous night. Qin Lan admitted he harbored hostility toward that figure, but he couldn't deny that the act had been deeply unsettling.

"Though Ashina Du died suddenly, and the Xirong temporarily retreated to regroup, they won't withdraw so easily. I fear that within two days, they'll appoint another general to lead their forces."

Luo Teng snorted. "Damn it all. In the end, we'll have to fight this battle head-on."

"Not necessarily." Qin Lan's gaze shifted toward the distant camps. "I have a plan."

Li Shuang turned to look at Qin Lan. Having served by her side for years, she was well acquainted with his way of thinking. "I know what you're going to say," she remarked. "You want to take advantage of the Xirong's temporary lack of leadership to evacuate the citizens of Lucheng and our Changfeng Battalion forces, leaving behind only a small garrison and some provisions for the Xirong as a delaying tactic. This would buy time for reinforcements from other cities to arrive, allowing us to confront the Xirong army properly."

Li Shuang articulated his thoughts perfectly. Qin Lan lowered his eyelids, his gaze softening subtly. "My thoughts align exactly with the General's."

Li Shuang fell silent.

Seeing that she was seriously considering the plan, Luo Teng bristled with anger. "That's unacceptable! Are we just going to hand over the city we just defended to the Xirong? No way! Our Great Jin's land cannot be surrendered to these wolves!"

Qin Lan pointed into the distance. "Look for yourself. The Xirong's main forces have already begun arriving, far exceeding our initial estimates. Our only option is to delay them until our reinforcements arrive. Only then can we mount a proper counterattack."

Luo Teng wanted to argue further, but after glancing at the countless Xirong campfires in the distance, he clenched his teeth.

After all... he couldn't bear the thought of sacrificing every soldier of the Changfeng Battalion and every citizen of Lucheng just to hold this city.

He let out a heavy sigh.Li Shuang's hand on the city wall suddenly tightened. "I'll figure it out. No matter what, we must evacuate the citizens of Lucheng tonight." She turned to descend the wall, but Qin Lan stopped her. "General, I will handle matters here properly. You... should go rest and take care of your health."

Li Shuang knew she couldn't afford to collapse.

She nodded and walked toward the temporary tent below the wall. Just as she was about to enter, she felt a shadow pass overhead. When she looked up, the high city wall showed nothing unusual—the guards stood rigidly at attention, their gaze fixed unwaveringly into the distance.

Rubbing her eyes, Li Shuang thought she must truly be exhausted.

That night, however, brought her no peace. The weight of the nation and its people pressed upon her. Every word she spoke, every decision she made, would shape the fate of Great Jin. She could only hope her choices would lead to a better future for the empire.

At dawn, Li Shuang awoke to two unexpected reports. First, a scout rushed in: "General, last night the Western Rong indeed appointed a new commander!"

Before her heart could sink, the scout added, "But that commander is already dead."

"What?" Li Shuang struggled to process this. "Explain."

Dead again? How?

"Shortly after the Western Rong named their new leader, at daybreak, a long pole was erected midway between their camp and Lucheng. The commander's severed head hung from it. Now their army is in chaos..."

Li Shuang fell silent, momentarily stunned. "I'll see for myself."

"General, their soldiers have already retrieved the head. Only the pole and the rope remain, swaying in the wind."

Bewildered, Li Shuang donned her armor while walking out. "Who did this?" Even as she asked, the image of the black-armored warrior surfaced in her mind.

Her steps faltered slightly as Qin Lan and Luo Teng approached. Qin Lan's expression remained composed, while Luo Teng grinned triumphantly. "General! Another Western Rong commander slain! Hah! Heaven has eyes—those jackals got what they deserved!"

"General," Qin Lan greeted solemnly. Li Shuang acknowledged him with a nod before asking abruptly, "Where's Jin An?"

Only then did Qin Lan recall their initial intention upon returning from the forest that night—to question the boy about the black-armored figure. But the Western Rong invasion had consumed all their attention. Now, with this new commander's mysterious death, the connection to the warrior—and by extension, to Jin An—was undeniable.

Qin Lan frowned. "I'll investigate immediately."

Ascending the watchtower, Li Shuang gazed into the distance. Against the vast horizon, a lone pole stood on the desolate plains, its rope fluttering in the bleak northern wind. Though merely a simple sight, to her it resembled a banner etched with a dire warning: "Cross this line, and perish"—standing sentinel over Lucheng.In no time at all, Qin Lan brought Jin An over.

The small child's gaze was clear and bright, staring straight at Li Shuang as usual.

Li Shuang crouched down to meet his eyes. "Jin An, you know I mean you no harm. You possess extraordinary abilities, and I wish to keep you by my side. In the future, whether it’s me or the imperial court, we will entrust you with great responsibilities."

When Li Shuang mentioned keeping him by her side, Jin An's eyes brightened. But then she patted his shoulder, her gaze earnest and intense as she stared at him. "So, I want you to be completely honest with me. Can you do that?"

Jin An nodded. "Everything I have is yours."

Hmm... Though the words sounded a little odd, never mind—this child often said strange things anyway.

"Today, I only have one question for you. Do you have any connection to that person wearing the black faceplate?"