The sun's scorching rays baked the earth. For five days straight, the weather had been like this—autumn had arrived, yet the heat surpassed even summer's, the climate disturbingly unnatural.
Few had ever seen such weather. In these five days, the Wynn Domain's army launched three assaults, all futile. Under the sun, even a few minutes left soldiers drenched in sweat, their spirits crushed.
Now, in the Wynn Domain camp, countless soldiers sat motionless among the trees, faces twisted in anger. Lydia Lien stood before them, her frustration barely contained.
"Commander, in this kind of weather, sending the soldiers into the mountains is suicide."
Some of the generals tried to persuade her. For the past three days, not a single soldier had been willing to enter the mountains.
"If you don't want to die, then get moving."
Lydia Lien spoke, her anger flaring as she drew the sword at her waist. A horse thundered up behind her, and Bella Liang quickly dismounted, grabbing Lydia's arm to stop her.
"That's enough, Lydia. They're people too. If you're so eager to die, go yourself."
In recent days, the soldiers had grown bitter over Lydia Lien's methods. Many had already died in the mountain forests—once inside, none returned. Yet every day, Lydia threatened and coaxed them to go in and set fires, never relenting for a moment.
Lydia Lien gave a cold, sinister smile, then turned to glare at Bella Liang.
"My life isn't the same as theirs!" Lydia Lien snapped.
In an instant, the seated soldiers sprang to their feet, furious. The heat frayed their nerves, and Lydia Lien's attitude pushed them past the edge.
More and more soldiers crowded around, muttering that Lydia Lien treated them as expendable, that they couldn't take it anymore. Their voices grew louder, finally erupting into shouts demanding Bella Liang and the others strip Lydia of her command.
The scene devolved into chaos. Lydia Lien gripped her sword, held back only by Bella Liang's firm grasp. Gus Bull arrived, drawn by the commotion, and Cyrus Sage followed close behind.
"Everyone, quiet down."
A loud shout cut through the uproar, slowly calming the crowd. Gus Bull, still astride his horse, swept his gaze over the angry, distrustful faces of the soldiers.
No soldier would willingly serve a commander who treated their lives as worthless. Lydia Lien only sneered, then released her grip on the sword.
"Commander Lien, how about this? Let's wait until the weather cools down a bit before sending the soldiers into the mountains. Right now, the heat is unbearable." Gus Bull suggested.
Cyrus Sage smiled, offering conciliatory words. He raised his hand to block the sunlight piercing through the leaves, feeling its searing heat on his skin.
With weather like this, forget about fighting—many soldiers had fallen ill and could only retreat north to the cooler mountain forests.
The air shimmered with heat, visible even to the naked eye. Distant mountains seemed to boil like water, the view wavering in the haze.
A general stepped forward, glaring angrily at Lydia Lien.
"Commander Lien, we will no longer obey your orders—from today onward."
Other generals quickly joined, fed up with Lydia Lien's hopeless plan. More and more opposed her, refusing to accept such treatment.
"Fine, do as you please." Lydia Lien sneered.
Lydia Lien gave a wicked smile, then turned and pointed at a messenger behind her.
"You. Go north right now and summon my troops."
Bella Liang's eyes widened instantly, while Cyrus Sage watched her and Gus Bull with suspicion.
"What are you trying to do?"
Bella Liang shouted, Lydia Lien stared coldly at her, then glanced at Gus Bull, who had just dismounted.
"If your army won't follow my orders, then I have no choice but to call in my own troops, don't you think?" Lydia Lien replied.
"What exactly are you planning? If you bring in 150,000 men, supplies will become a huge problem. You..." Gus Bull protested.
Cyrus Sage approached with a gentle smile.
"How about this, Commander Lien? I can lend you some soldiers, but in this weather, it's impossible to deploy them. Let's wait until it cools off..."
"No need." Lydia Lien cut him off.
Lydia Lien turned and strode away, her smile full of contempt. Bella Liang and Gus Bull's faces were grim.
"I'm disappointed in all of you. You promised to handle this, said the war would end soon. If winter comes, we're powerless to attack the Sage Domain next year—you know this better than anyone. Fine, just watch. I'll end this war myself." Lydia Lien declared.
As dusk approached, the temperature remained high. Gus Bull and Bella Liang sat beneath a tree, silent for a long time.
"She wants to win this war more than any of us."
Gus Bull muttered, and Bella Liang nodded.
"As much as I hate to admit it, that woman is formidable. Like she said, we've lost sight of how little time remains. If winter comes, we'll be forced into a desperate retreat. In this heat, battle is impossible—her impractical plan may be our only hope."
The sun was setting, but the sky above the camp was empty of clouds and color—a sunset that felt unnatural. Lydia Lien's mood was dark; her empty eyes stared into a basin of water, reflecting the sinking sun.
"If we don't break through the Mountain Pass soon, it will be too late," Lydia Lien murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
For an instant, sorrow and dread flickered across Lydia Lien's face.
A heavy, urgent knocking rattled the door.
"Forgive me, Commander Lien—I didn't expect you to be bathing."
Cyrus Sage stood at the door, smiling. Lydia Lien regained her cold composure and glared at him.
"It doesn't matter. Just say what you need to say."
Almost immediately, about five hundred soldiers carrying tools for clearing paths lined up outside the door.
"These are the best woodsmen from our tribe—men who know the forests better than anyone. They're yours to command, Commander Lien. I want this war over as much as you do, so we can seize the pastures and granaries of the Sage Domain." Cyrus Sage said, his tone urgent and ambitious.
Lydia Lien rose abruptly. Cyrus Sage quickly averted his eyes as she threw a rough animal pelt around her shoulders and strode out barefoot, her defiance palpable.
"Listen carefully—search day and night for spots that will burn easily. Set them ablaze. Go now!" Lydia Lien commanded, her voice cold and unyielding.
The soldiers dashed into the forest, driven by her command. Cyrus Sage let out a tense breath and glanced warily at Lydia Lien.
"This war is far more brutal than it appears. The Grant Domain may already be making their move," Cyrus Sage said, a trace of anxiety in his voice.
As soon as Cyrus Sage finished speaking, Lydia Lien's face hardened, her eyes cold and calculating.
"I truly admire you, Commander Lien. They say you once blocked the river upstream, starving out the northern tribes when you were only a teenager. Five years later, the Sage Domain turned traitor out of hunger. Now, it's the same—can you see it? The fire of victory in your eyes." Cyrus Sage said, his admiration tinged with fear.
Lydia Lien let out a harsh, bitter laugh.
"The Grant Domain won't rush into attack. Their decision hinges on whether we can hold the Mountain Pass. If we do, and winter comes, defeat is certain. Half a month—that's all the time we've got left," Lydia Lien said, her voice heavy with foreboding.
Cyrus Sage nodded, his face tense with anticipation.
"I feel the same. Let's work together, Commander Lien." Cyrus Sage said, extending his hand, his gaze filled with both admiration and calculation.
Cyrus Sage offered his hand, his eyes lingering on Lydia Lien with a mix of respect and wariness. He understood her—she would do anything for victory. Most people hesitate, held back by ideals or morality, but in war, only ruthless resolve can break the enemy.
Joseph Qiao's health had deteriorated. The relentless heat left him feverish and drenched in sweat, but his greatest fear was the enemy setting fire to the mountains. At least, for now, no smoke rose—no one could survive fighting in such suffocating forests, not even the enemy.
Suddenly, the door slammed open. Phoenix Yu stumbled in, his face pale with panic as he locked eyes with Joseph Qiao.
"Yusheng, there are fires burning in the forests on both sides of the Mountain Pass!" Phoenix Yu shouted, voice trembling.
Joseph Qiao jerked out of bed. With Phoenix Yu supporting him, he staggered outside and struggled up the watchtower. He watched the fires flare, one after another, his heart sinking. But dizziness overwhelmed him, and his eyes closed against the oppressive heat.
"Fire..." Joseph Qiao gasped, his voice barely audible.
As soon as Joseph Qiao opened his eyes, he cried out in alarm. Lucille Xing gripped his hand tightly, her concern clear.
"It's alright, Yusheng. The flames from last night have already burned out," Lucille Xing said softly, trying to reassure him.
But Joseph Qiao soon realized he was being moved. He stared at the roads around him, confusion and anxiety rising.
"Lucille, what's happening?" Joseph Qiao asked, anxiety tightening his voice.
"Yusheng, you're seriously ill. If this heat keeps up, it could be dangerous. Let's go to the Central District where the climate is cooler—you need to recover," Lucille Xing insisted, her concern evident.
"No, not now! If the fires spread, the Mountain Pass will be lost," Joseph Qiao protested, desperation in his voice.
Lucille Xing shook her head, her expression resolute.
"Just focus on recovering, Yusheng. Worrying won't help. Once you're better, we'll return. Phoenix Yu is handling things for now!" Lucille Xing said, trying to reassure him.
"The enemy is relentless. When will this cursed weather finally break?" Joseph Qiao muttered, frustration and exhaustion etched on his face.
Edward Grant grumbled, watching more thick smoke coil up from the woods—the enemy was still trying to burn the forest.
"Maybe we should abandon the Mountain Pass," Phoenix Yu suggested quietly. Edward Grant's glare was sharp and unforgiving.
"What did you just say?" Edward Grant snapped, his voice harsh.
Phoenix Yu forced a smile, uneasy in the heat. He'd noticed the fires lasted longer each day. What used to burn out quickly now raged for hours.
Every day, the smoke lingered longer. What used to be a brief blaze now smoldered for hours before finally dying out. Phoenix Yu's unease grew with each passing day.