"Are you heading back, Yuna?"
Phoenix Yu gazed quietly at Yuna Ji, who was already mounted on her horse. She nodded and gave a gentle smile.
"There's still much to do. Even though I'll be leaving this place next year, there's always something I can help with. Please, look after my brother and father for me."
Terry Mao nodded seriously.
"When you reach the central region, tell Xiao Xing for me—make sure he behaves himself."
Lily Mao grabbed Phoenix Yu's ear and dragged him aside.
"What strange ideas did you fill Yuna's head with yesterday?"
Phoenix Yu chuckled and shook his head.
This morning, Yuna Ji's eyes were different—brighter. The tangled emotions she once carried had vanished without a trace.
"Yuna."
Lona Long called out. Yuna Ji shook her head.
"You should stay here, Lona. I'm counting on you—especially with Joseph Qiao. Honestly, I wish I could be with all of you, but Father won't allow it."
"Of course he won't allow it. If anything happens to you, how will you marry into the Jiang Territory next year? Yuna, once you're back, you should learn what it means to be a woman. Stop messing around with weapons all the time."
While Lily Mao spoke, Yuna Ji shook her head and gripped the short gun at her waist.
"Joseph Qiao said long ago—no matter the adversity, never let go. Isn't that true for all of you as well?"
Yuna Ji left. Only then did Sebastian Zhao arrive, panting heavily.
"Why are you only just getting here? Yuna's already gone."
Phoenix Yu spoke as Sebastian Zhao watched the dust settling on the road. He gave a small 'oh' and smiled.
"Maybe this is farewell. We may never see Yuna again."
Terry Mao straightened his back and looked up, smiling.
"Let's get to work. I'll take some people out to inspect places that could serve as enemy encampments."
Terry Mao spoke and pulled Lily Mao with him, turning into the pass. Lona Long stared motionlessly at the place where Yuna Ji had left.
"When Yuna gets married, will you go with her?"
Phoenix Yu asked, and Lona Long slowly shook her head.
"Yuna wouldn't let me go. She's the type who, even when suffering inside, keeps it to herself and doesn't want others to share her burden. Maybe... this is the last farewell."
By noon, the weather changed suddenly. Torrential rain poured down, turning the area in front of the Central Pass into a muddy field. The soldiers who had been cleaning the battlefield in the rain returned.
Yesterday, the enemy spent the whole day filling in three trap ditches. Joseph Qiao stood on the watchtower, smiling, while Edward Grant beside him looked on in frustration at the increasing rain.
"What are you so happy about, Joseph?"
"Luckily, this heavy rain will buy us another day. As long as we can hold out for more than a month, the enemy's offensive will collapse on its own."
Streams of crimson blood flowed into the forest with the rain, and under the downpour, the stench in the air faded considerably.
"Joseph, King Grant wants you to come down."
Leonard Lei called from below. Joseph Qiao nodded and started climbing down, while Edward Grant remained on the watchtower, quietly gazing at the distant, moving enemies through the mist.
"Joseph, this rain is well-timed. What do you plan to do next?"
King Grant gazed quietly at Joseph Qiao. Joseph took a map and pointed to the central region.
"King Grant, the Central Pass isn't as easy to defend as you might think. The rain will only delay the enemy two or three days at most—they'll attack again. Now the three trap ditches are just mud pits, so the enemy won't rush in, but that's not a long-term solution. That's why the left-side pass is crucial."
"A few days ago, Sophie Grant encountered fierce resistance from the enemy. Flanking them will be difficult."
Joseph Qiao smiled.
"True, with such a large force, it's nearly impossible to flank the enemy. But there aren't just three roads to the central region—some forests can be crossed. So, with this rain, we'll send out small units to harass their supply lines in the rear."
King Grant nodded immediately and smiled.
"We must do everything possible to pressure the enemy. The key to victory in this war is who can endure—if you can't, you lose."
"It truly seems the heavens favor the Grant Family. Who knows how long this rain will last?"
Bella Liang stood at the doorway of the shelter. The generals inside were all visibly frustrated; today's planned offensive was interrupted by the heavy rain.
"Don't worry, Commander. Spring rain like this will stop by afternoon."
"Someone, send a team to closely monitor the left-side pass. If anything unusual happens, report immediately."
Bella Liang said, looking toward the gloomy western sky.
"Sophie, the rain is so heavy. Come inside."
Lucille Xing watched the serious-looking Sophie Grant. Rain was splashing inside, and Sophie's pale legs were covered in mud.
"Yuna is at the right-side pass now, isn't she?"
Sophie Grant said, and Lucille Xing nodded.
"I think so."