Wisps of smoke and fire rose into the air; most of the trees in the forest had been burned down. Groans echoed everywhere. Stanley Tang clenched his fists, surveying everything around him.
Wynn Domain had entrusted the construction of the northern left-side fortifications to Stanley Tang, but just last night, they were attacked. Many were killed or wounded, and, most crucially, the defensive works that had almost been completed were burned to ashes overnight.
It wasn’t just here—over the past few days, teams responsible for clearing forests and building a series of defensive works had all been attacked. Reports indicated that the Grant Family’s troops weren’t numerous, only a few hundred, but they were all mounted cavalry who struck quickly and left just as fast.
Faced with this devastation, Stanley Tang burned with rage. Although Wynn Domain’s army had already arrived, the scorched forest on the northern left side made it extremely difficult to rebuild the defensive fortifications.
“Bad news, Chief! Several defensive positions in the central area have been attacked!”
A shout rang out. Stanley Tang’s eyes widened. As he was organizing the troops salvaging burned supplies, the army began to assemble. Leading them was a general in his twenties, one of three commanders dispatched by Wynn Domain.
The well-trained soldiers of Wynn Domain quickly assembled, and all those gathered were cavalry capable of rapid movement. They left the main force behind and charged toward the central area, with members of the Tang Clan leading the way.
The only real weakness of Wynn Domain’s army was their unfamiliarity with the northern terrain. Most of the defensive works were built near the central lands to guard against raids by the Grant Family’s Bull Cavalry, taking advantage of the mountainous terrain. If they moved farther, the land would flatten, making them easy targets for the charging cavalry.
“Uncle Tang is back.”
Just when Stanley Tang was at a loss, his eyes widened—his uncle, who had gone into the mountains to gather medicine nearly two months ago, had returned. Stanley deeply respected his uncle, who had advised him on many matters, including smoothing over the conflict between him and his father. Back then, their relationship had been like fire and water.
"Uncle, your health..." Stanley Tang began, but trailed off in astonishment.
Stanley Tang was stunned. He stared at Leonard Tang, who now looked healthy, his complexion rosy and his steps brisk—completely different from his former sickly state.
"It's thanks to Wraithshade. He led me into the snowy mountains and found medicine for me. That's how I recovered. Sigh, Stanley, I heard things aren't going well here." Leonard Tang said.
As Leonard Tang spoke, Stanley Tang lowered his head and sighed.
After learning a bit more, Leonard Tang seemed to understand: soldiers from Wynn Domain and Yao Domain had arrived at these northern outposts, while tribespeople and slaves were building fortifications in some places. The Grant Family's cavalry targeted these weak spots—six locations had been attacked in just ten days.
Wynn Domain’s troops rushed everywhere, but always lagged behind the Grant Family’s forces. They were being led around by the nose, and the Grant Family’s main army watched hungrily. If Wynn Domain split its forces, the Grant Family could strike and annihilate them.
At that moment, Leonard Tang stared silently at Stanley Tang’s shoulder, his eyes filled with doubt. Wisps of black mist curled up from both sides.
"Stanley, we’re close to the Grant Family’s pass here, and our supply lines are long. The terrain is flatter than the north, so horses can get through easily. We should retreat, or the Grant Family’s main force could eat us alive." Leonard Tang advised.
Stanley Tang immediately agreed with Leonard Tang’s assessment, but the main commander from Wynn Domain was absent, and with tens of thousands of troops here, he had no authority to order a retreat.
"Stanley, we can’t wait too long. Hurry and catch up with them." Leonard Tang urged.
Stanley Tang nodded, ordered the horses to be prepared, and led a detachment of cavalry away at once.
Leonard Tang and Wraithshade found a deserted clearing. The forest around them was silent, the air carrying the chill of approaching winter.
"What happened just now? That black mist? I've seen it on myself before—could it be..." Stanley Tang asked, troubled.
"That boy won’t live much longer," Wraithshade said ominously.
Leonard Tang looked at Wraithshade in shock.
"That’s called Death Miasma. Once it appears on someone, they’re doomed to die in three to five days—no exceptions. If you hadn’t relied on ghosts to consume the Death Miasma before, you’d already be dead," Wraithshade explained.
"Is there any way to save him? If Stanley dies now, it’ll be a disaster for us," Leonard Tang asked anxiously.
Wraithshade nodded.
"I’ll try to prolong his life. But anyone tainted by Death Miasma, even if the extension works, is doomed eventually. If nothing external kills him, sickness will," Wraithshade said.
"Then there’s no time to waste. Let’s get ready," Leonard Tang urged.
Leonard Tang said anxiously. Wraithshade nodded and took a thumb-sized stone from his pocket.
"I’ll get everything ready. When you find Stanley, bring him back to the Tang Clan’s residence. Remember, this stone seals a ghost inside. Only use it as a last resort—otherwise, it could kill him. You know how to use it, right?" Wraithshade warned.
Leonard Tang nodded.
"Why didn’t you act just now? I think that guy might be the enemy leader. If we could take him out…" Leonard Tang said.
In a secluded forest, Lucille Xing complained. Joseph Qiao quickly covered her mouth. This was a narrow path in the northern mountains; earlier that morning, they’d attacked a central outpost and hidden their horses in the woods, waiting in ambush near the crossroads.
Many troops were passing along this road, all flying the Wynn Domain banners. Lucille’s group numbered less than two hundred. If they attacked with bows here, they’d quickly be surrounded by enemies. So Joseph Qiao waited, hoping for a smaller group to strike.
Lucille Xing pursed her lips and quickly nocked another arrow. In an instant, a hundred arrows flew from the forest.
Lucille Xing leaned against a tree, clutching her bow. She hated Joseph Qiao’s cautious approach—always so timid.
"It’s only midday. Stop complaining. There will be smaller enemy groups passing through. Every successful ambush counts. Sophie Grant told us not to fight head-on—the whole plan is to disrupt their movements. When the time is right, the main force will attack, and we’ll win big. For now, tell everyone to eat some rations and rest," Joseph Qiao explained.
People kept passing along the road, but soon their numbers dwindled. Only some laborers hauling grain trudged along. Joseph Qiao immediately ordered everyone to prepare for attack.
Just then, the sound of hoofbeats rang out. At the bend in the road, a lone rider appeared, and Joseph Qiao’s expression instantly hardened.
"Joseph, that’s Stanley Tang!" Lucille Xing whispered.
Lucille Xing fell silent. Joseph Qiao’s face twisted with rage as he stared at Stanley Tang. Lucille nocked an arrow.
"Hey, clear the way! I need to report to the commander immediately!" Stanley Tang shouted.
Stanley Tang yelled as the long supply convoy moved toward the edge of the forest. He rode slowly through the narrow path, but suddenly, with a sharp whistling sound, an arrow shot out from the woods.
A horse screamed. Stanley Tang’s mount took an arrow in the neck and collapsed to the ground.
Lucille Xing pursed her lips and quickly nocked another arrow. In an instant, a hundred arrows flew from the forest.
Screams erupted. Joseph Qiao charged down with dozens of men, bone blades in hand.
After the third volley, the road was littered with bodies—men and beasts alike. Stanley Tang lay pinned beneath his dead horse, one leg immobile. He shouted for help; of the soldiers he’d brought, more than half were already dead.
"Help me! Please, help!" Stanley Tang screamed.
Stanley Tang cried out in terror. At that moment, several figures charged down from the forest above. Stanley scrambled to his feet and rolled off the roadside into the woods, grabbing thorny plants in a frantic, reckless crawl.
"Stanley Tang, you won’t get away!" someone shouted.
Stanley looked back, as if he'd seen a ghost, and screamed. The laborers on the road scattered, abandoning their loads and fleeing in terror.
"Burn it all!" Lucille Xing ordered as Joseph Qiao led the pursuit.
Lucille Xing gave the order, and the attacking soldiers began to set the grain ablaze. Joseph Qiao was nowhere to be seen; Lucille glanced around and saw him chasing into the forest. Worried, she hurried after him.
"Joseph, stop! The enemy troops could arrive any moment—we need to move!" Lucille Xing shouted, but Joseph Qiao was too enraged to listen.
Driven by fury, Joseph Qiao chased Stanley Tang, deaf to Lucille Xing's calls.
"Die, Stanley Tang!" Joseph Qiao roared, closing in and nocking an arrow.
He loosed the arrow—a scream rang out. Stanley Tang clutched his bleeding arm and slumped against a tree, unable to run. Joseph Qiao was just twenty or thirty meters away, closing in.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed Joseph Qiao.
"Who just told me to stop? Joseph, hurry up and go!" someone urged.
"No. If we kill him, the northern tribes will fall into chaos—leaderless. I'm not just settling a personal grudge," Joseph Qiao insisted, still moving toward Stanley Tang.
Joseph Qiao pressed on. Stanley Tang could no longer crawl; his leg was useless, and his body was covered in bloody cuts.
"Bad news—the enemy is doubling back, they'll be here any second!" a soldier shouted from the road above.
The terrain was rough. Joseph Qiao nocked another arrow, aimed at Stanley Tang, and let it fly with a sharp whistle.
The arrow struck Stanley Tang square in the forehead. His eyes widened, staring at Joseph Qiao as blood dripped from his mouth. He went still.
Back on the road, the grain was burning fiercely. Joseph Qiao ordered a retreat, and everyone fled into the forest. Hoofbeats thundered on the road ahead. Joseph glanced back at the woods below and allowed himself a grim smile.