The sun's rays had just pierced the line where the mountains met the sky, sending blinding light across the battlefield.
A bloodcurdling scream rang out as a soldier collapsed to the ground. He reached out, desperate to rise, but a blade plunged into his body, and blood gushed forth instantly.
Everyone knew this battle was crucial—the victor would determine the course of the war, while the loser would be forced onto the defensive. For Grant Domain, defeat here would mean losing the entire war.
"Get out of my way."
James Grant roared, brandishing his spear. The bone tip was already shattered. The man blocking his path was skilled, and enemy cavalry kept harassing from the flanks. Though James Grant was burning with urgency, he handled attacks from both sides with ease. Henry Lien was deliberately stalling him, convinced that James Grant was the commander of Jiang Territory. If he could kill him, Jiang Territory’s troops would surely falter. Yet, in the short term, that seemed impossible.
"This is war. You think I’ll just step aside because you say so? Heh. Let’s see what you’ve got."
Henry Lien sneered, tugged his reins, and steered his horse away from James Grant. In a flash, two cavalrymen who came to support were struck down. Henry Lien looked at James Grant in surprise. Most would be slowed after such a charge, but James Grant was different—his strength and attack trajectory never wavered, his timing perfect and his force precise. Achieving such consistency was nearly impossible.
Quickly assessing the strength of both sides, Henry Lien ordered his infantry and cavalry to take turns attacking James Grant. But by now, the cavalry behind James Grant had arrived, and the tide of battle began to shift, splitting into three major fronts.
The elite forces pressing forward had already penetrated deep into the Grant Army’s ranks, like a dagger thrust into their heart. Meanwhile, Jiang Territory’s troops from the north had cut into the Wynn Domain’s center, reaching the heart of the battlefield. On the southern edge near the east, Grant Domain’s cavalry was threatening the reinforcements arriving from the rear.
Bella Liang understood the situation perfectly. Her troops were the main assault force. No matter what happened at the rear, the plain was vast, with many routes for reinforcements. Soldiers kept pouring in. As long as the paths weren’t blocked, she would lead her troops forward until the enemy’s entire force was torn apart.
The tactics had been set from the start—Henry Lien was responsible for containing Yuna Ji and her strongest generals. Whenever he spotted them, he used cavalry and infantry to split them from the main force.
It was the right approach. Troops without their leaders and generals quickly lost formation. Though some commanders on the left front shouted and led desperate counterattacks, Bella Liang could see at a glance—it was just a woman and a child.
"What do we do, Sis? I can’t see Yuna or the others anymore."
Lily Mao swung her staff, striking an enemy’s neck, then quickly turned her head.
"Keep fighting, Mason. Don’t think about anything else—this is war."
"What’s wrong, Joseph Qiao? Afraid to face me head-on?"
Gus Bull roared, charging forward on horseback. As enemies closed in on both sides, he swung his spear, clearing the way and kept up the pursuit. His eyes were locked on Joseph Qiao, and after their recent clash, Gus Bull knew Joseph Qiao wasn’t his match. If he could kill Joseph Qiao, even if the battle ended in a draw, their side would be the winners.
Phoenix Yu kept urging the soldiers to charge at Gus Bull. His left arm still couldn’t be raised after the last clash; if he hadn’t intervened, Joseph Qiao would have been cut down. The situation was dire.
"Where the hell did that bastard run off to at a time like this?"
Phoenix Yu looked around. All he saw were soldiers locked in brutal combat—there was no sign of Sebastian Zhao anywhere.
At this moment, Sebastian Zhao led a small squad along the mountain’s edge, his mind racing with anxiety. He couldn’t break through to join Jiang Territory’s forces, and enemy reinforcements from the rear kept pouring in. He wanted to halt their advance, at least for a little while.
The enemy was determined to drag them all to hell, even if it meant sacrificing every last soldier—today, it would end.
Facing enemy blockades along the way, Sebastian Zhao slashed a foe’s throat in passing. He had few cavalry left; most had fallen trying to break through to the enemy’s rear.
Suddenly, hoofbeats thundered. Sebastian Zhao looked over, alert—dozens of cavalry charged toward him. He could see the enemy’s rear now, and they had spotted him too. They were Sage Domain’s generals and cavalry; Sebastian Zhao recognized several who had hunted him in the mountains days before.
"Don’t charge head-on—surround him!"
A general immediately shouted. After seeing Sebastian Zhao’s prowess days ago, the Sage Domain generals knew—even four against one, he was no easy target.
Horses screamed. Sebastian Zhao yanked his reins, wheeled his mount, and broke into a wild gallop. He meant to rejoin his own troops—if surrounded now, he’d be finished. He saw the generals in hot pursuit.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Sebastian Zhao spotted an enemy sweeping a spear at him. He twisted in the saddle, riding backward, flattened himself, dodged the attack, then sprang up, nocked an arrow, and with a twang, sent a nearby general tumbling from his horse.
Three arrows flew in quick succession—one missed, but two Sage Domain generals were shot down.
Clang! Joseph Qiao’s hands went numb from the shock. Gus Bull had caught up to him, and enemy cavalry were closing in. He was now the prime target. Though his soldiers rushed to help, it only led to more casualties.
(This chapter is not finished yet~.~ Please click next page to continue reading the rest!)
"Today, this is where you die, Joseph Qiao."
Gus Bull roared, thrusting his spear at Joseph Qiao again and again. Joseph dodged nimbly on horseback, parrying each strike with his sword. He was starting to tire, and now he was surrounded—things couldn’t be worse.
Phoenix Yu hastily nocked an arrow, but the battlefield was chaos. He fired a few probing shots, but Gus Bull’s nearby generals deflected them all.
Even now, Joseph Qiao showed no panic. The enemy was stronger; he absolutely couldn’t let himself be surrounded. Riding hard, sword flashing, Joseph broke through again and again. His own soldiers rallied around, but only one man—Gus Bull—quickly broke through the chaos and kept up the chase. The enemy commander was dead set on killing him.
A cold smile appeared on Joseph Qiao’s lips. He leaned low in the saddle, and his horse began to slow.
"Die!"
At that moment, a general charged from the flank, spear poised to strike. Joseph Qiao suddenly straightened, dodged the thrust at the last instant, then slashed his sword at the enemy’s neck.
Blood sprayed instantly. Gus Bull roared and charged. Joseph Qiao leaned forward on horseback—a gust of wind swept past his back, and he spun, slashing with his sword.
Clang! Gus Bull’s spear dropped to the ground. He stared at his mangled, trembling left hand, then, even angrier, drew his bone sword. With two sharp clangs, the sword snapped in his grip.
Joseph Qiao stared coldly at Gus Bull, sword raised without hesitation. But he stopped short—a volley of arrows came flying. After batting aside a few, Joseph whipped his horse, putting distance between himself and Gus Bull.
The enemy’s skills weren’t as sharp as his, but their combat experience far surpassed his own. In a duel, Joseph Qiao would’ve won long ago—but this was war.
"You sneaky bastard."
Gus Bull snarled, quickly wrapping his left hand in burlap. Ignoring the other generals’ warnings, he grabbed another spear and charged after Joseph.
Just now, Joseph Qiao had feigned weakness, waiting for a moment when he’d be alone—his tactic worked. Gus Bull’s left hand had lost a chunk of flesh. Joseph regretted not killing the enemy commander outright, but a wounded foe was even more furious.
Sebastian Zhao cut down a side path. The pursuing generals readied their bows, but Sebastian suddenly wheeled his horse and charged at them, leaping into the air—his dagger slashed a general’s throat with deadly precision.
Landing on the ground, Sebastian Zhao now held an arrow. Seeing an enemy swinging a spear from horseback, Sebastian stabbed the arrow into the horse’s neck. The off-balance general fell with his mount, staring in terror as Sebastian, crouched low, drove his dagger home.
Blood splattered. Sebastian Zhao calmly eyed the generals at the path’s entrance—they retreated, unwilling to chase him further.
Sebastian Zhao’s hands trembled—he was at his limit. He’d lost count of how many enemies he’d killed. Gasping for breath, he forced himself to recover. He had to get back to the battlefield.
Yuna Ji came to a halt—she could barely lift her spear. The ground around her was littered with fallen foes; some enemies didn’t dare approach anymore. Thunderfire pressed on, slowly moving toward Jiang Territory’s troops.
"We’ll be safe once we break through."
Terry Mao panted. Yuna Ji glanced coldly around, then straightened and raised her spear.
"Yuna..."
Lucille Xing called out, but Yuna Ji only laughed.
"Let’s keep going, haha..."