The rhythmic pounding of hooves echoed through the lush, green forest path as the cavalry sped past. At the front, Sebastian Zhao stared solemnly ahead, one hand resting on his dagger.
Behind him were only a few hundred cavalry—these were soldiers who had recently returned from reconnaissance missions to the central grasslands. Their report was clear: the enemy was already advancing and should now be in the western forests. Sebastian Zhao had to quickly determine the enemy’s position and send word back to Grant City, all while closely monitoring enemy movements.
The enemy’s swift maneuvers had caught them completely off guard. He, Sebastian Zhao, and Mao Tian split into three groups, marching toward the grasslands with nearly a thousand cavalry. The rest of the forces were only just beginning to mobilize.
In the western region, aside from three main roads leading directly to Grant City, there were many smaller paths winding through the mountains. Some could barely be called roads, mere gaps between the hills, but they were just wide enough for men and horses to pass.
Sebastian Zhao was now traveling along one such path, close to the main road in the center. It didn’t take long to cross, and this trail could lead north, south, or straight into the grasslands. The road was narrow, flanked by dense woods and mountains, with some places even accessible on foot.
It had been two days. Sebastian Zhao often watched the sky; if flocks of birds were suddenly disturbed somewhere, it meant the enemy was near. There was still less than half the journey to the grasslands left.
"The whole army, rest on that mountain ridge for a while."
Sebastian Zhao shouted, slowing the pace. After dismounting, the soldiers tied their horses to nearby trees. Sebastian Zhao had already climbed the ridge—it wasn’t very high, only about thirty meters, but the view was poor, surrounded by much taller mountains.
Sitting beneath a tree, Sebastian Zhao let out a long sigh. Joseph Qiao had warned earlier that the greatest danger was if the enemy’s main force took the central road and encamped in the western middle section. There, the low-lying mountains and sparse woods made for a perfect campsite. Once the follow-up troops arrived, they would push forward, forcing them into a passive position.
Fortunately, there was still no sign of the enemy. It seemed they were unfamiliar with the terrain and wouldn’t attack recklessly. If they did, only a large force could advance—and before the enemy could gather, they had to be dealt a heavy blow.
Suddenly, Sebastian Zhao stood up, spotting a flock of birds taking flight in the distance.
"All units on alert! Mount up and follow me!"
The troops had barely rested for a few minutes before Sebastian Zhao led them onward. Judging by the earlier position, they were beneath a large mountain ridge near the main road. It looked close from here, but taking the trail around would still take time. Sebastian Zhao ordered the soldiers to advance at a steady pace.
After a week of nonstop operations, Cyrus Sage sat on a boulder at the mountain’s edge, gazing at a patch of overgrown grass between the ridges. Three or four people could pass side by side there. It was Cyrus Sage’s main concern, as well as that of the other three Grand Commanders—the western terrain was a labyrinth.
Aside from the three main roads, the mountain paths connecting the ridges were dense and tangled. He’d already confirmed this on the way here. Leading five thousand cavalry ahead seemed the right move; with such numbers, even if they encountered the enemy’s main force, they could break through.
"Send word: have the soldiers take up positions on higher ground nearby. If there’s any unusual movement, set off smoke signals immediately."
Cyrus Sage checked the map again. The southern main road led to the wetlands below Grant City, an area riddled with streams and small lakes—hard to traverse. There was some wild food there, but after discussion, everyone agreed to abandon the southern route toward Grant City.
Suddenly, Cyrus Sage heard laughter. Looking over, he saw some soldiers climbing up the nearby ridge, while those coming down carried bird eggs in their hands.
"Looks like we’ve found some unexpected food."
Cyrus Sage smiled and stood up as a general approached carrying a handful of eggs.
"Commander Cyrus Sage, if you roast these, they taste pretty good."
Looking at the white bird eggs in the general’s hand, Cyrus Sage noticed the sky was filled with birdsong—soldiers had gone into the woods to gather eggs.
Suddenly, Cyrus Sage’s expression changed dramatically. He stared at the eggs in terror.
"We’ve been exposed."
Cyrus Sage spoke coldly. There was no way there weren’t enemy scouts nearby, and now with so many birds taking flight, it was clear something was happening—the only thing that could disturb them was people.
"Send out cavalry along the main road to search. If you spot the enemy, report back immediately."
The sounds grew closer, birds still calling from the nearby ridges. Sebastian Zhao ordered his soldiers to halt and led a hundred archers up the mountain. Just as they reached the top, he saw them—on the opposite ridge, enemy figures everywhere, gathering bird eggs.
Using the trees for cover, Sebastian Zhao and a few soldiers climbed the ridge, stealthily advancing. It was definitely the enemy—he could see them clearly now. Several ridges nearby were occupied, and the main road opposite was already noisy with activity.
"What should we do, General Sebastian Zhao?"
"Quickly send someone back to Grant City with the news. The cavalry must arrive before sunset. I’ll find a way to hold the enemy off."
Sebastian Zhao picked up his bow and nocked an arrow. He ordered his soldiers to guard the narrow passes leading to their ridge—each passage had thirty or forty archers stationed halfway up, while the remaining two hundred archers moved onto the ridge.
The horses were kept on the trail behind them, separated by two ridges. If the enemy attacked, they could retreat at any time.
[Irrelevant system message, skip translation.]
The enemy, delighted by their discovery of bird eggs, kept climbing trees. The ridge was only about twenty meters from the nearest opposing ridge—close enough that an archer could shoot across.
Sebastian Zhao lay on the ground, waiting quietly. As long as the enemy didn’t spot them, he planned to wait for the main force to arrive and then launch a coordinated surprise attack.
"Have the soldiers spread out onto the nearby ridges and expand the reconnaissance net."
Cyrus Sage continued directing his troops, watching the western road with anxiety. Nearly three hundred cavalry had already been sent out—if the enemy was discovered, some cavalry would survive to report back.
But Cyrus Sage couldn’t shake his unease. He even considered retreating. He quickly ordered the soldiers, who had planned to set up camp, to pack up. Many didn’t understand, but the generals immediately told the troops to obey.
Most of Cyrus Sage’s trusted generals knew how meticulous he was, which is why the Sage Army hadn’t suffered heavy losses in this war.
Voices echoed nearby. Sebastian Zhao tensed, one hand on his dagger at his waist. Judging by the sounds, the enemy was coming from the ridge ahead. He closed his eyes, listening carefully.
"There are four of them."
Sebastian Zhao stared quietly ahead as his soldiers prepared to attack. He quickly shook his head.
"I’ll go myself. We can’t risk exposure yet."
Sebastian Zhao crawled forward, inching closer. He heard footsteps, and the soldiers’ complaints. Rising, he crouched beside a tree, only four or five meters from the opposite ridge.
He was right—four enemy soldiers climbed up. Suddenly, one drew his sword, but Sebastian Zhao’s arrow was already buried in his skull. As the other three drew their swords, Sebastian Zhao closed in—two daggers plunged into their throats. In an instant, he struck the last soldier’s jaw with the heel of his right hand. As the soldier tried to shout, blood filled his mouth; he bit off part of his own tongue.
A few generals, drenched in cold sweat, quickly dragged the bodies away. Sebastian Zhao didn’t release the soldier in front of him, using the man’s large frame as cover.
"Hey, how’s it going over there?"
From the opposite ridge, an enemy called out. Sebastian Zhao replied in a low voice, and the soldier darted back into the woods.
"Yeah, just like that, don’t move."
Sebastian Zhao stared coldly at the soldier before him. He stood, pulling the man back step by step. The enemy began to cry, looking at Sebastian Zhao with pleading eyes.
By a tree, Sebastian Zhao suddenly reached out, drew an arrow from behind, and drove it into the soldier’s throat without hesitation. The man collapsed, unable to make a sound. Sebastian Zhao propped him up, seating him cross-legged with his back to the opposite ridge.
The soldiers smiled in relief—what they’d just witnessed had left them shaken. Rumors in the Sage Army claimed Sebastian Zhao was the strongest warrior in Grant City, and now many had seen it for themselves.
The four enemy soldiers were dispatched in an instant, without any wasted movement.
"Eat quickly, Commander Cyrus Sage, or it’ll get cold and hard."
A general handed Cyrus Sage a handful of roasted eggs, but he had no appetite.
The returning soldiers all reported nothing unusual. Just then, one soldier muttered in confusion that his comrade hadn’t come back.
Cyrus Sage immediately stood up.
"What’s going on? Didn’t I say to report back regularly, even if there’s no enemy activity?"
After learning which ridge the missing soldiers had gone to, Cyrus Sage mounted his horse and rode a trail to reach them directly.