The first rays of sunlight had just broken over the horizon as Bella Liang descended from the mountains. Before her lay a stretch of level grassland, a sea of green as far as the eye could see, and the early spring air carried a faint, fresh fragrance.
Bella Liang sniffed the air, then stepped onto the grassland. Instantly, soldiers began to emerge from the forest, marching out in neat formation.
"Commander, the front line reports that the enemy has begun their preparations."
Bella Liang nodded as a soldier led a horse over. She mounted it swiftly.
"Within three months, we must take Grant Domain. The entire army will march at full speed to the central pass."
At Bella Liang's command, more soldiers emerged from the woods, lining up in perfect order. Stanley Tang was among them, watching Bella Liang direct the troops with clear dissatisfaction.
"Stop staring. You're simply not as good as the others."
Leonard Tang muttered quietly from the side.
"Uncle, is that guy really up to it? Last time, he abandoned our troops for his own sake and got us badly hurt."
"Only those who can look to the future and preserve their strength are fit to command. That's what you lack. Now, just follow along and observe."
The central pass was broad, with a hundred-meter-long earthen wall connecting the dense forests on either side. The forest flanking both sides was impassable, filled with venomous insects and scorpions. Behind the wall lay the central pass itself, and rows of wooden scaffolds for the soldiers stood just beyond the wall.
The cleared forest behind was fenced off with wooden barriers, the woods sloping downward into the depths. The road before the pass sat at the center of the mountains, a relatively flat stretch of land.
Joseph Qiao stood atop the wooden scaffolds at the pass, while outside, soldiers busily prepared traps. Time was tight beyond the wall; they had managed to dig five rows of deep trenches, each filled with sharpened stakes.
Soldiers were busy covering the pits with leaves and sand—a laborious task that had taken a full year to complete. Back when Simon Grant was here, he said the central pass was only fit for defense, not attack; only the passes on the flanks were suitable for assault. Joseph Qiao agreed with this view.
With the disparity in troop numbers, the path here led down a gentle slope to a large grazing plain below.
"Move faster! The enemy will reach the foot of the slope today—we must finish before sunset!"
Joseph Qiao shouted repeatedly. Beside him, Lucille Xing gripped the two bone blades at her waist in silence.
"Yusheng, war is coming. You have to survive!"
Lucille Xing said, smiling at the stern-faced Joseph Qiao.
"Yeah, I will survive. I promise."
Inside the pass, many soldiers worked under the direction of craftsmen, constantly building scaffolds. Each row could hold at most two hundred soldiers, making defense a challenge.
A second row of scaffolds was necessary. In Joseph Qiao's plan, three rows would be enough to withstand the enemy's fierce assault. The five trenches just dug could only slow the enemy, and might even become their shelter.
Bundles of arrows were constantly brought up, and supplies kept arriving from the rear. Everywhere, soldiers hurried about their tasks.
Below the mountain, soldiers from various tribes had begun to arrive, awaiting orders. The central Lin Clan worked day and night to forge weapons, while the southern Yu Clan kept sending food and medicine to the three passes.
Now, more than two hundred thousand soldiers were gathered at the central pass. Looking back, all one could see was a sea of heads.
Once war broke out, things would get ugly. Joseph Qiao's face was grim as he pondered countermeasures.
"Yusheng, the enemy may be numerous, but if they fight a long war, their supplies will run out. Why are you covering your face?"
Joseph Qiao shook his head, looking at the trenches now almost covered with leaves and sand.
"If the war drags on, these will lose their effectiveness."
"Yusheng, Sophie Grant just arrived. She wants to see you."
Under the scaffolds, Leonard Lei called out. Joseph Qiao glanced at him and nodded, then instructed Lucille Xing to take command. Leaving the scaffolds, Joseph Qiao made his way through the bustling pass, mounted a horse, and rode down the mountainside. At the edge of the sparse woods below, he found Sophie Grant.
Though several days had passed, Sophie Grant's face was still clouded with gloom.
"Yusheng, how are things?"
"The enemy may reach the foot of the slope by dusk today and start setting up camp."
A shadow lingered on Sophie Grant's face as she gazed silently up at the mountains.
"A last stand won't hold."
Joseph Qiao nodded.
"Sophie, I have a plan. When the enemy attacks, we can slip out from the left pass and strike their flank."
Sophie Grant nodded.
"I was thinking the same. But the enemy won't let us pull it off so easily."
Joseph Qiao looked at Sophie Grant, his expression grave.
"We have to move before the enemy does, or we won't be able to get out through the left pass. Sophie, do you remember the mountain slope opposite the left pass?"
In that instant, Sophie Grant understood Joseph Qiao's plan.
"Deploy thirty thousand men and seize that slope first."
Joseph Qiao spoke, and Sophie Grant nodded before mounting her horse.
"Sophie..."
Joseph Qiao called out in concern, but Sophie Grant just smiled and shook her head.
"I'll go myself. Yusheng, I leave things here to you. Big Brother has stabilized his side, and Father has decided to come in person. As long as we hold the right pass for three months, the enemy is sure to retreat."
Just then, a fast horse approached from afar, and Lucille Xing called out cheerfully.
"Sophie, you're leaving already? The battle's about to start!"
After learning the situation, Lucille Xing decided to go into battle with Sophie Grant. Joseph Qiao looked at her with concern.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Don't forget, Yusheng, I'm stronger than you."
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The sun was setting, painting the sky in gold and crimson. Joseph Qiao stood atop the scaffolds, a vague unease in his heart. He had heard of the enemy: three chief commanders from Wynn Domain, all trusted generals of King Wynn. They had helped King Wynn subdue the outlying tribes and managed the domain with great skill. Joseph had heard of minor skirmishes before, but over the years, even during the Grant Family's wars, Wynn Domain had remained stable.
The only exception was the war with Sage Domain. Wynn Domain had won a crushing victory, but somehow, the two domains ceased hostilities and became allies. Now Joseph understood why—they wanted a share of Grant Domain.
Outside the earthen wall, the deep trench traps were ready. Soldiers carefully skirted the forest edge, returning to the pass one by one.
"Let's hope the rains aren't too heavy this year."
Joseph Qiao said, tilting his head to glance at the sky.
"Yuna, why are you here?"
At the right pass, General Chang Grant was commanding the soldiers when he looked in surprise at Yuna Ji and his father, who, supported by Huang, had arrived at the pass.
The right-side pass was a cave with a straight distance of less than fifty meters, and the cave itself was less than thirty meters deep. Outside lay a vast, low rocky plain.
Several layers of wooden spikes had been set up outside the cave. The area was narrow, making it easy to defend, but if the enemy charged, only a counterattack could succeed.
Father.
Edward Grant called out, bowing his head to the aged King Grant.
Edward, Lana is much better now. Don't worry. Once we win this war, we'll drag that swine before Lana and let him taste the same suffering.
King Grant's face darkened as he spoke, then he began to cough violently. Phoenix Yu hurriedly patted his back.
Sebastian Zhao silently watched the distant rocky plain, which was already growing dark. The Zou Clan was camped in a basin to the east of the plain.
Suddenly, Sebastian Zhao stood up. The soldiers with bows at the cave entrance cried out in alarm. At the far end of the rocky plain, a dark mass of troops appeared. Sebastian Zhao dashed out of the cave, the soldiers making way for him.
The enemy is coming.
At Sebastian Zhao's shout, Edward Grant instantly turned in anger toward the cave behind him.
Perfect timing.
Edward, what are you doing?
King Grant called out as Edward Grant hurried over. Sebastian Zhao smiled.
Don't worry, King Grant. If Edward Grant acts recklessly, I'll stop him at once.
Sebastian Zhao followed after him. At that moment, Yuna Ji was pale and trembling. King Grant grasped her hand.
You are a child of the Grant Family. Do not be afraid.
Yuna Ji nodded, but she couldn't stop trembling. Fear was creeping into her heart.
On the broad, sloping rocky plain, the Zou Clan's army had stopped opposite them and began setting up camp among the piled stones.
Edward Grant trembled with excitement.
Someone, prepare the horses for me.
Sebastian Zhao stared at him in disbelief.
What are you planning?
Isn't it obvious? We'll greet them while they're still fresh.
The nearby soldiers looked at Edward Grant in astonishment. Even with five thousand cavalry, charging down like that would be suicide. Edward Grant, fists clenched, ordered the horses prepared.
Father, if we don't attack now, once they've fortified their position and begin their assault, we'll lose our chance to strike.
King Grant vetoed Edward Grant's proposal, and Sebastian Zhao did the same. Edward Grant's face was furious.
Take advantage of the night to launch a surprise attack. At least we can...
War is no child's play.