With a thunderous boom, I broke into a run. Behind me, Yuna Ji and General Crimson Plume had begun their duel. It was the spear—Yuna Ji's familiar weapon. I'd always wondered why she used daggers before; it never seemed to suit her. Now I realized that when she wielded those daggers, her movements were stiff and unnatural, relying entirely on accumulated experience to fight.
Another vehicle was destroyed. I glanced over—General Crimson Plume retreated, her twin swords stabbing into the ground with a metallic clang to halt her movement. Yuna Ji pressed her attack, her spear thrusting straight at her.
General Crimson Plume immediately angled her body, trying to close in on Yuna Ji's inner attack range. But just as she dodged the spear, Yuna Ji suddenly pressed the weapon downward. With a sharp clang, I crouched atop a ruined catapult, staring in disbelief at the scene.
General Crimson Plume dropped to one knee, forcibly blocking Yuna Ji’s sudden downward strike. But then Yuna Ji yanked the spear back with a crack, the butt catching on Crimson Plume’s sword. She let go, and in an instant was right in front of Crimson Plume, the short spear from her back already in hand. With a swish, Crimson Plume jerked her head aside, a grinding sound echoing as Yuna Ji’s short spear scraped across her skull, sending sparks flying.
Suddenly, Yuna Ji gripped the middle of her spear and swept it sideways. With a loud bang, General Crimson Plume was sent flying, crashing through several catapults before coming to a stop. She staggered to her feet, a large chunk missing from her cheek.
“This is payback for that day.”
You remind me of someone I used to know.
General Crimson Plume spoke in a low voice. Yuna Ji burst out laughing and charged in again.
I didn’t stop, continuing to destroy catapults. I noticed something odd—General White Plume was moving this way. I grew worried; with two generals attacking her, Yuna Ji might be in danger. I decided to go help her.
“Don’t you understand what I’m saying? That’s an order.”
For a moment, I froze in place. Yuna Ji turned her head and shouted at me, her voice brimming with authority. I quickly spun around and continued destroying the catapults.
Yuna Ji roared, gripping her spear with both hands. With a metallic clang, she deflected General Crimson Plume’s full-force strike, then swept sideways. A sharp crack echoed as she blocked both generals’ attacks in one fluid motion. Her spear bent under the tremendous force.
Confronted with a completely transformed Yuna Ji, the two generals paused, staring at her in astonishment.
There were only a few catapults left. The rebel forces inside Crimson Plume Fortress charged out, launching a full-scale assault. Though reinforcements hadn’t arrived, everyone on the city walls could see clearly—both imperial generals were being suppressed.
Crimson Plume and White Plume attacked Yuna Ji again. Crimson Plume, already wounded, seemed to be weakening. Yuna Ji deftly wielded both her long and short spears, maneuvering between the two generals.
With two sharp clangs, Yuna Ji blocked General White Plume’s overhead attack with her short spear, then swept her long spear sideways. With a crash, General Crimson Plume was sent flying. Yuna Ji followed up, flicking her long spear upward—another crack, and she struck General White Plume with tremendous force, sending him flying as well.
With a snap, the entire spear shattered. As General White Plume hit the ground, Yuna Ji leapt high, gripping the broken spear in reverse. The jagged tip stabbed straight into White Plume’s shoulder blade, shattering it completely.
With a tearing sound, Yuna Ji thrust her short spear at General Crimson Plume, piercing straight through her skull. With a bang, the short spear exploded in her hand.
In an instant, the air was filled with wild cheers, each wave louder than the last. The tide of battle shifted in a heartbeat as the rebels launched their final charge.
General Crimson Plume tried to move, but Yuna Ji suddenly snatched a sword from the ground and, with a swift motion, decapitated her. Just as General White Plume got to his feet, Yuna Ji stomped his other arm into the ground, gripped his neck, and with a sickening crunch, tore off General White Plume’s head.
Suddenly, a piercing cry rang out from the sky—a massive skeletal giant eagle swooped down toward us.
Atop the giant eagle was General Violetwing, his longsword already swinging at Yuna Ji. In a flash, Yuna Ji grabbed the two generals and hurled them at Violetwing, then twisted aside to avoid his attack. With a sickening crunch, she stomped General Crimson Plume’s head, turning it to ash.
Yuna Ji stood quietly atop a mound of bones, surrounded by shouts and cheers. The war was won—I could feel the reverent gazes from every direction, all fixed on Yuna Ji.
"Clean up the battlefield. Take any usable catapults back. You, come here."
Yuna Ji pointed at a general, and the skeleton immediately hurried over.
"Take three thousand troops and camp near the woods. Keep an eye on White Plume Fortress at all times."
Yuna Ji immediately began giving orders. I was stunned—was this really Yuna Ji? The same Yuna Ji who was always joking around, the one Yin Chou used to insult as a wretch?
Yuna Ji was completely different now. Her commands were precise, and the generals here obeyed her without hesitation, carrying out her orders seriously. There was an aura about her—a sense of absolute authority. No one but us could imagine that beneath this bone-chilling exterior was a fragile young woman.
Night fell, and only then did reinforcements finally arrive. I spotted a familiar figure—General Frostbite had revived. He’d been killed by a monster before, but somehow returned in less than a day. He looked exhausted; some soldiers said that after reviving, he’d rushed straight here without rest.
We gathered with the remaining generals, studying a map as Yuna Ji laid out tactics. General Frostbite approached, quietly watching without interrupting her.
"Listen up! The enemy has suffered heavy losses today, but Red Plume Fortress is still here. Our forces are thin, so starting tomorrow, set traps outside the city and in the forest. By the Styx River—Zhang Qingyuan, take five hundred men and camp there. Go at first light."
I responded with an 'okay.' Yuna Ji looked at me, and the generals beside her did too.
"Well? Answer!"
"Yes, ma’am."
I shouted back. Yuna Ji really seemed like a different person now. After finishing the tactical arrangements, she looked at General Frostbite, who suddenly burst out laughing.
"The command of the front lines is yours, Xiao Jiu."
General Frostbite extended a hand, his voice sounding relieved. Yuna Ji slapped it with a loud smack.
"You can now concentrate your forces from the north and west to attack the center. This spot is close to the recruitment point. I’ll find a way to hold off White Plume Fortress and Red Plume Fortress."
General Frostbite nodded and turned away, laughing heartily.
"Thank you, Xiao Jiu, for coming here at such a critical moment. Thank you..."
General Frostbite started running, his voice thick with emotion—a mix of relief and exhaustion. I understood well—the feeling of finally seeing hope after a thousand years of war.
Night had fully fallen. Mr. Brown stood silently beside me. Yuna Ji rested her chin in her hand, deep in thought. I hadn’t mentioned what happened by the Styx River today.
"I want to end all this myself."
After a long silence, Yuna Ji spoke. I nodded—she looked truly resolved. As for what I’d learned today, I wasn’t planning to tell her yet. I’d investigate in secret, trying to uncover which rebel generals were in contact with outside forces—the three main rebel generals were the most likely.
Just then, Yuna Ji looked at me. I knew what she wanted to say.
"Don’t worry. The moment your fighting spirit falters, I’ll find a way to let you speak with Zhan Jue. My instincts coexist—I can do it."
Yuna Ji nodded and lay down, looking tired. I shot a glance at Mr. Brown, who got up and followed me.
In a secluded tower, I told Mr. Brown what had happened by the Styx River. He listened thoughtfully and nodded.
"You did the right thing, Qingyuan. It’s best not to say anything for now. And that woman is clever—she knew you wouldn’t tell Yuna Ji right away, so she only revealed part of the truth, and even that’s unconfirmed and without evidence."
I nodded. What Hao Hong said—about their side supporting the rebels from behind—was just hearsay. If I told Yuna Ji, she’d learn there was a third force involved. Maybe then she wouldn’t be so determined to end the war, and her resolve would waver.
"Let’s just quietly support Yuna Ji from behind, Qingyuan."
"Yeah, I understand, Mr. Brown. I’ll never allow a third party to interfere and prevent this war from ending."
As dawn began to break, I led five hundred men toward the southern Styx River. My mission: if any monsters appeared in the river, I’d immediately send someone to report to Crimson Plume Fortress.
Mr. Brown was assigned a task too. He’d take a few skilled men and camp on the mountains near White Plume Outpost. It really looked like Yuna Ji meant to end the war soon—her planning was meticulous every step of the way.
"Qingyuan, be careful!"
"I know, Mr. Brown. Please keep a close eye on Yuna Ji for me."