As the sky turned a pale gray, the three of us led our respective armies of a thousand soldiers out of the ravine, beginning our march according to the established plan.
Crimson Plume Fortress is close to the Styx River, separated by just over ten kilometers. The river is filled with Styx River Fiends—bone monsters whose existence is meant to guard the Netherhell Citadel. Although we haven’t been attacked by these creatures before, we have to stay vigilant.
General Frostbite recognized our strength and assigned us a number of archers to station near the Styx River, observing its movements for a day, while the rest of the troops would attack Crimson Plume Fortress from three directions.
By now, Crimson Plume Fortress is likely in chaos—the news of General Crimson Plume’s capture should have been relayed back yesterday.
Without its commander, the fortress’s current situation is unknown, but it’s easy to imagine—under Yuna Ji’s command, a general’s strength rivals that of an entire army.
“Is it really necessary to go? If your bone monsters joined the fight, it would be over in an instant.”
Yuna Ji smiled. The three of us rode at the front, with our troops—seasoned veterans—marching behind us. There was no idle chatter; discipline was strict.
It seems General Frostbite trusts us deeply, entrusting us with these veterans who could each take on ten enemies.
"I’m not entirely sure myself."
I let out a surprised sound and looked at Yuna Ji in astonishment.
"Anyway, those monsters were born before I even came here. The first time I saw the Styx River Fiend, I thought I was going to die!"
I recalled—it was that enormous skeletal creature. Yuna Ji had once summoned it from Netherhell into the world of the living.
Back then, Yuna Ji was weak. After her death, for her country and people, she dug out the Styx River with her bare hands. When she was exhausted, monsters appeared in the river. The first time she saw the Styx River Fiend, it charged at her fiercely, but suddenly knelt before her and called her 'Master.'
After that, more and more monsters emerged from the Styx River, and they all called Yuna Ji their master.
"The only explanation is that before you died, War's End may have already been residing in your body. When you arrived here, War's End's will took control of them."
Zhuang Bo said this, and Yuna Ji nodded.
"Those creatures' bones are completely different from these skeletons."
Yuna Ji said. When I came here before, I did hear Luban mention that even now, no one understands how those creatures were born.
But what Frostbite said last night was unbelievable—the monsters in the Styx River launched a massive attack on the southern army a few months ago. In an instant, the entire force was wiped out. Only three generals from the Rebel Legion, who could fight the Ninefold Abyss Ghost Generals, managed to drive the two monsters back into the river.
Frostbite instructed that if monsters appeared in the Styx River, we should find a way to delay them. He would have the army stop attacking and retreat, then come over himself.
"I don't know why those creatures came out and attacked them without my orders."
"Maybe they couldn't stand seeing your nine generals unable to deal with the Rebel Legion."
Zhuang Bo joked.
We stopped at that moment. Ahead stood a black pole planted in the ground; we’d reached the marked spot. From here, another ten kilometers south was the Styx River. We began directing the troops to spread out, advancing toward the river in groups of ten.
Although it was far away, we could see clearly. On this vast plain, the air was thick with a blackish-green mist.
Gradually, a green river—like a ribbon—came into view.
Watching Yuna Ji lost in thought, I realized she probably wasn’t unwilling or unable to rule her country—she simply chose not to interfere. Inside, she must be suffering. Killing enemies again and again, even if she’s numb to it, something deep down still remains.
Now, the Ninefold Abyss Ghost Generals and the nine fortresses along three lines were each fighting their own battles, seemingly competing for merit. That was decided during the years Yuna Ji was locked in Putian Temple. The nine generals were always equals, but after losing Yuna Ji’s restraint for a century, their natures began to change.
Everything was for war—building achievements to maintain Yuna Ji’s empire became crucial. In their bones, they were absolutely loyal to Yuna Ji, but among themselves, they’d become rivals, all vying to be her first general.
Yuna Ji’s army was scattered like sand. No matter how strong they were individually, facing the disciplined Rebel Legion, they were locked in a bitter struggle.
Now that Yuna Ji no longer empowered those nine generals, they could still halt the Rebel Legion’s advance. But now, they were starting to coordinate. From General Crimson Plume’s use of the skeletal giant eagles from Violet Plume Fortress, they might be planning joint operations.
At this moment, Zhuang Bo stopped and gave brief instructions. The three thousand men we brought began to split up. We marched quickly and were now only a few kilometers from the Styx River, able to observe its situation clearly.
By orders, the soldiers advanced in groups of ten, spaced about two hundred meters apart, moving forward to scout the Styx River. Any trouble, and they were to report back immediately.
Last night’s tactical arrangements made Yuna Ji very displeased. The area was an open plain, so visibility was good, while Crimson Plume Fortress was surrounded by a dark forest. Frostbite decided to send a raiding party to the left to burn the woods and create chaos, while the main force camped outside Crimson Plume Fortress.
The right flank would circle behind to build defensive positions, cutting off any possible reinforcements. The plan was detailed, and included an assessment of Crimson Plume Fortress’s strength. The biggest threat, General Crimson Plume, had been removed, but her capable officers and strategists remained, so we couldn’t attack rashly.
We had to wear down the enemy bit by bit, force them to fight on our terms, and cut off their reinforcements. Once their strength waned, our main force would launch a siege. These next few days were critical, since our follow-up troops couldn’t be mobilized quickly.
In this Netherhell where everyone is a soldier, war is the only color.
Yuna Ji sat atop a pile of bones. I looked around—bones everywhere. The sight was unsettling. The first time I came to Netherhell, I saw mountains of piled white bones.
"Don’t worry. As long as the Rebel Legion gains the upper hand and tips the scales of war, once balance is reached, the fighting will stop. Then, if you can speak with War's End, you might find a way to suppress it."
Zhuang Bo said.
"Let’s hope so."
We waited in silence. The desolate scenery stretched before us. With nothing to do, I started thinking about how to fully use the power inside me.
Just then, all three of us noticed a group of riders galloping toward us in the distance.
"Report to the three generals: General Frostbite orders you to return to camp immediately."
My heart skipped a beat.
"What’s going on?"
"It’s the enemy. No one knows where they came from. General White Plume’s troops have already broken into our recruitment point."
I was startled. Yuna Ji burst out laughing. She mounted her horse and sped off, with us following close behind.
The troops behind us broke into a run. If the enemy had really cut off our base, any units outside would be surrounded and destroyed.
From the messenger, we learned that General White Plume’s force numbered just under two thousand.
"That guy is clever, all right."
Yuna Ji said. I felt uneasy. General Crimson Plume was likely already freed and recovering. If she regained her strength, things would get worse.
But seeing Zhuang Bo’s smile, I felt reassured. With Zhuang Bo and two generals on our side, we still had the advantage.
After a while of rushing, it grew silent. At the recruitment point, there were no sounds of fighting. We stopped. On the high tower, we saw a flag—white, with a slender sword on it. A skeleton, looking much like me, sat atop it.
But what shocked me even more was a cage hanging from the tower, with General Crimson Plume inside. She hadn’t been freed—just suspended from the tower.
"Bastard! You bastard! Let me out! If I get out, I’ll kill you!"
General White Plume’s jaw moved as he laughed.
"Serves you right. Look at you—what a mess. If you’re so brainless, you should just go home and farm. The new emperor—well, acting emperor—has ordered a full assault. The army will crush the Rebel Legion."
I blinked, glancing at Zhuang Bo, then Yuna Ji.
"What is that girl doing?"
Suddenly, General White Plume noticed us. In an instant, he leapt down, landing dozens of meters away and raising his sword.
"You’re the ones who let that single-celled idiot capture you yesterday, right? You’ve disgraced our emperor. I’ll wipe you out. Crimson Plume, watch closely—the emperor’s authority must never be compromised."
Yuna Ji covered her face, embarrassed. I stared at her, dumbfounded.
"Emperor, your subordinates are coming for you."