A wild wind swept through the Central Pass beneath the setting sun, stirring up waves of blood-red sand and stone. Wisps of dust scattered in the breeze, and the earth, already soaked with blood, was stained crimson as corpses piled up.
Some collapsed wooden bridges revealed rows of sharpened stakes in the traps below. Both sides remained locked in confrontation. The Wynn Domain's army still held position behind the fifth trench, already beginning to set up defensive fortifications.
On the earthen walls, soldiers descended one by one on ropes, removing the wooden bridges laid across the trenches. The ambush troops hidden in the dense forest on both flanks had already withdrawn.
Inside the pass, the atmosphere was jubilant. Today's defense of the pass was a resounding victory—the attacking enemy was completely annihilated, losing at least 5,000 men.
The sound of flapping echoed as the Grant Banner atop the watchtower fluttered in the wind. Joseph Qiao silently watched the distant enemy.
This was far from what he had originally expected. He had planned to use the trenches to wipe out at least 10,000 enemies today, coordinating with his surprise attack. But all that was disrupted by the enemy's meticulous assault.
The army from the Wynn Domain was nothing like the northern tribal rabble—they were well-trained. Even in retreat, though flustered, Joseph Qiao saw many shield-bearing soldiers quickly shift to defend against arrows from both flanks.
Originally, he had intended to remove the wooden bridges as soon as the enemy retreated. However, the enemy did not leave, remaining behind the fifth trench.
The soldiers sent out could reach at most the second trench. If they tried for the third, the enemy would surely react. He had planned to circle through the woods under cover of night, launch a surprise attack to disrupt the enemy's formation, and then assign men to dismantle the bridges.
Torches blazed, their numbers steadily growing. The enemy had prepared a vast supply of torches; even in the darkness, they would give no opportunity.
As for the casualties on the racks today, though the count was still ongoing, Joseph Qiao had a rough idea—perhaps nearly 2,000 men.
"Yusheng, the count is in—almost 2,000 casualties today," Leonard Lei reported.
With a bang, Joseph Qiao struck the wooden railing. Leonard Lei watched him with concern as Joseph muttered to himself.
"We must revise our tactics."
"We must revise our tactics."
Meanwhile, Bella Liang addressed her generals. Though many soldiers had fallen today, several generals were clearly pleased.
"Thankfully, the commanders keep their training orderly, so casualties were minimal. We still have three siege rams available. The enemy won't last long—after just one day, they've lost at least 1,500 men."
One general spoke at length, his face beaming, but Bella Liang stared gloomily at the chatting officers. Deep down, unease began to stir. Though casualties were few and the results clear, the enemy archers hidden in the forests on both flanks were a major problem—there were at least 500 of them.
The trees on both sides were tall and the forest stretched deep. To rush in recklessly would only make them easy targets for the enemy, who knew the terrain well.
If too many defenders joined the attack, it would slow the assault. The arrow storms from both flanks and the racks would surely hinder their advance.
"Report: The Zou Clan in the east was defeated early this morning—the entire force has retreated."
With a chorus of shouts, the discussion stopped as everyone turned to the messenger. Once they learned the news, the debate resumed—just one morning, and the Zou Clan lost nearly thirty thousand men. Much of their food and equipment was left behind in the rush to escape.
The enemy deployed every soldier from the right-side pass—over sixty thousand men.
Stanley Tang couldn't help but laugh, covering his mouth.
"Uncle, that guy really can't cut it. Zou Mu is just a fool—how could he lose so badly on the very first day?"
Leonard Tang glared at Stanley Tang and sighed helplessly.
"Everyone, don't panic. Take my orders to the Zou Clan chief: after regrouping, remain stationed at the Rocky Plain. Only defend—do not attack."
Bella Liang called out, but Leonard Tang seemed to sense something, sneering as he watched her.
Night fell and the generals dispersed. Bella Liang was still deep in thought; tomorrow at dawn, the attack must continue. If they gave the enemy time to breathe, food shortages would force them to retreat north.
Having witnessed many wars, Bella Liang knew well that the early stage of a war was crucial. Once it became a stalemate, victory would depend on supplies. As attackers, supply was their fatal weakness.
"Commander Bella Liang, bad news—the enemy to the west has begun their assault."
A messenger hurried in, and Bella Liang stood up with a smile.
"Tell the generals over there: hold the line—do not pursue recklessly. Guard the three roads leading to the central region."
The twenty thousand troops Bella Liang had sent were already in position. The enemy emerging from the left pass had to use one of three routes to attack the central flank: one main road, one winding through the mountains, and one close to the northern range.
The enemy-held foothill faced only the mountain path and the main road below. Defensive works had already been set up before the battle, making a breakthrough impossible in the short term.
"Old Tang, why haven't you gone to rest yet?"
Bella Liang noticed someone still outside—Leonard Tang remained out in the yard.
"By the way, about what you asked us to do—we've already found several suitable women. Three have been sent over."
Leonard Tang nodded, sneering as he looked at Bella Liang.
"Commander, you people really are ruthless in your methods."
The smile vanished from Bella Liang's face.
"The Zou family in the east is just throwing eggs at a rock. Aside from their numbers, their tribe can't match the Grant army head-on. I just didn't expect those incompetents to lose on the first day—or maybe it's the enemy's brilliant command."
"The commander should be Joseph Qiao, son of Qiao Da from the northern Qiao Tribe."
Bella Liang chuckled, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"So it's Joseph Qiao! He seems like a tough opponent, but the conquest of the Grant Domain was decided long ago. The process will just be more complicated."
"You all seem so confident. Why say this in front of me? And the northern tribes are just bait, aren't they? They'll all become stepping stones for your victory."
Bella Liang suddenly stood up, laughing heartily.
"They are stepping stones indeed. I tell you this, Old Tang, because you care nothing for power, wealth, or women. Though I don't know your true aim, at least you're not our enemy."
Leonard Tang chuckled, turned, and left the room. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.
"The Grant Family isn't as fragile as you think!"
"Of course. We've never underestimated our enemies. This tough bone—we're determined to gnaw it through. Once we do, the central pastures and southern grain fields will supply both the Wynn and Sage Domains. This war is for all the tribes of both lands."
"Chief, what should we do with these prisoners?"
Night had fallen. At the right pass, on the Rocky Plain, fires still flickered as soldiers cleaned the battlefield.
In the towering piles of rocks, a mass of prisoners huddled together, sitting or lying down, shivering in the cold wind. Edward Grant glanced at them.
"Kill them all."
"Nonsense, Edward."
King Grant called out from the side. Edward Grant burst out laughing—the battle today had been exhilarating. They had won a great victory, annihilated tens of thousands of enemies, and captured over ten thousand.
At that moment, Sebastian Zhao approached.
"King Grant, I've ordered the soldiers to sort them. Those with skills will be sent to the central pastures; the rest to the southern grain fields."
King Grant nodded, a smile on his face. After today's battle, the Zou family would not be able to regroup any time soon.
There are only sixty thousand men at the right-side pass. Supplies are plentiful, since the pass is the smallest, and just now, news arrived that the central pass’s defenses achieved a sweeping victory, annihilating over five thousand enemies.
"It won’t be long before we drive them back. Heh."
Ji Chang spoke with confidence, but at this moment, Zhao Peng’s face was somber. Before the battle, Qiao Yusheng had gathered the generals and said that if they failed to defend the three passes at the outset, the war would be lost. It would have to become a war of attrition—otherwise, there was no hope of victory.
"Yuna, it’s about time you rest. How long do you plan to stand here?"
In the cold wind, Yuna Ji gazed quietly at the distant fires. She hadn’t fought today, but for the first time, she witnessed war. Her heart was still gripped by fear. Lona Long gently tugged Yuna Ji’s arm.
"Lona, do you think our Grant Family will win this war?"
Faced with Yuna Ji’s question, Lona Long didn’t know how to answer.
"I don’t know, Yuna. War feels so distant from us... It’s alright, I’ll stay by your side."
As she spoke, Lona Long wrapped her arms around Yuna Ji’s neck and led her back into the cave behind them.
"Sophie, let’s retreat. There’s no point in staying out here; we’re only wasting time and soldiers."
Lucille Xing spoke up. The battle had ended only recently, and Sophie Grant, leading her troops, had failed to break through the enemy’s defenses, suffering heavy casualties.
"Sophie, now is not the time for rashness."
Lucille Xing shouted again. Finally, Sophie Grant nodded, her face dark as she ordered the generals behind her to regroup the troops and return to the left-side pass.