"What?"
Gus Bull stared in shock at the messenger before him, unable to believe the news that had just arrived: the enemy had launched a surprise attack on the stronghold yesterday at noon, causing heavy casualties. Bella Liang and Lydia Lien had both fled to the central mountain forests.
By noon today, they would reach the basin where the Zou Clan resided. Gus Bull had already begun planning his attack strategies, but this sudden disaster left him deeply shaken.
"Impossible. The enemy shouldn't be able to move that fast. According to our calculations, it should take at least two more days to reach the stronghold."
But the facts were right in front of him. Gus Bull knew the situation all too well, and his face changed dramatically.
"The situation in the south is dire."
The enemy was very likely to launch a pursuit. This would be even more brutal than a direct confrontation. After enduring three months of harsh cold due to the weather anomaly, their bodies and minds were already strained, leaving them unfit for battle. If they fought now, casualties would be inevitable.
"Send someone to the south immediately to inform Commander Cyrus Sage."
Gus Bull shouted.
"Report to Supreme Commander Gus Bull: Commander Lydia Lien has already sent people rushing to the south."
Gus Bull's face was grim as he looked at the nearby mountains—the territory of the Zou Clan. Just a little further, and the assault could begin.
"Supreme Commander Gus Bull, let's deal with the Zou Clan first to prevent the enemy from coming to their aid."
A general spoke. Gus Bull nodded and shouted loudly.
"Order the whole army to march quickly and reach the entrance to the Basin before noon."
"Move faster! Leave behind anything you can't carry—head south immediately!"
On the forest road leading south, a long column of troops moved slowly. Many soldiers gripped their weapons, eyes filled with terror as they glanced behind them. They already knew the situation at the stronghold—everyone felt endangered, deeply afraid the enemy would suddenly appear from the rear.
Along the way, many burlap sacks and grass-bound wooden stakes had been abandoned on the ground. The journey south would take at least two days, and most of those traveling were reserve forces and weaker soldiers. After the harsh winter, their bodies were in poor condition, unable to move for long stretches—they could only walk a bit, rest, then continue, making for a slow pace.
The generals commanding the rear columns looked pale. They knew all too well that if the enemy launched a pursuit, their casualties would be catastrophic. The attack on the stronghold had happened just yesterday, and the enemy was all cavalry—moving several times faster than them. Catching up would be no problem.
"Enemy attack! Grab your weapons!"
A general shouted. The last line of guards stared in terror at the distant road, where a cloud of dust was rising—the enemy cavalry was charging toward them.
"Spread out to both sides—archers, prepare!"
In an instant, thousands of rear-guard soldiers scattered into the woods on both sides. The archers quickly nocked their arrows, but the enemy ahead seemed only a small group, and their speed began to slow.
"What's going on?"
A general looked at the distant enemy in confusion, then suddenly turned pale as he glanced at the forests on both sides.
"Report! Enemy spotted in the forest!"
A soldier shouted, and the general's face instantly filled with terror.
Lona Long and Lucille Xing led the cavalry, swiftly weaving through the sparse woods on the right. The main force on the road did not charge directly. Leonard Lei followed behind Yuna Ji, leading the cavalry slowly toward the nearby enemy.
The air filled with the sound of arrows flying. Enemies who had just entered the woods fell in droves before they could react, while the archers on the main road aimed at the forest. But with trees blocking their line of sight, their arrows couldn't hit the enemy accurately.
"Damn it! Retreat!"
A general shouted, but Yuna Ji was already charging forward with the cavalry.
With a sharp hiss, a general stared blankly as a Malachite Spear sliced across his throat. He slowly fell from his horse.
The soldiers broke and fled, unable to resist. On the wide road, shouts and screams erupted. Lona Long led the archers around through the woods. Their advance was slow, but arrows loosed from the forest edge rained down on the dense crowd, causing immediate carnage.
There was no mercy left in the minds of the soldiers—they simply killed every enemy they saw, as quickly as possible.
Yuna Ji had made it clear to every soldier: with each enemy they killed, they drew closer to victory. Only by killing every last enemy would this war end.
Yesterday, the new recruits were shaken and uneasy from the slaughter. Today, it was as if they had become different people, loyally carrying out Yuna Ji's orders.
Among the enemy were elderly, women, and wounded soldiers. Unable to move quickly, they became living targets—falling even as they tried to escape, cut down by blades from behind.
Horses whinnied. Lucille Xing leapt from her mount and plunged into the crowd, her Crimson Twinblades flashing. Enemy soldiers whimpered and fell in pools of blood, while she seemed utterly intoxicated by the thrill of killing, laughing excitedly, her body already drenched in blood.
"Too late! All troops, attack with full force!"
Cyrus Sage shouted, having seen the carnage on the distant road. His own men were falling one by one, with reserves and soldiers fleeing, and the enemy charging relentlessly.
"Follow me!"
Cyrus Sage raised his sword and led the cavalry, charging down both sides of the road.
The enemy numbered only around ten thousand—not many. Cyrus Sage brought a full twenty thousand cavalry, rushing over as soon as the stronghold gave the order to attack.
"Annihilate the enemy!"
Cyrus Sage shouted, now able to see the enemy leaders. He froze for a moment.
"What are you doing, Yuna Ji?"
A furious roar burst from Cyrus Sage as he charged forward. In that instant, he saw Yuna Ji using her spear to kill kneeling, surrendering enemies one by one—while laughing. That crazed, twisted smile filled him with rage.
With a clang, Cyrus Sage swung his sword at Yuna Ji, but she blocked it with her spear. Two nearby generals seized the moment to close in, but with a whistle, an arrow from the woods struck one of them in the forehead.
Yuna Ji quickly parried Cyrus Sage's sword, twisting in her saddle to dodge a spear from the left. Her Malachite Spear immediately pierced an enemy's throat.
"What exactly do you want to do to Yuna?"
With a shout, Lucille Xing charged on horseback, Crimson Twinblades flashing, toward Cyrus Sage. The cavalry on both sides clashed with the Grant Family's riders, plunging the battlefield into chaos.