The gale howled through the forest, sweeping up dead leaves. Caws echoed in waves as the treetops were crowded with pitch-black crows, and the sky swarmed with carnivorous birds.
A nauseating stench of blood permeated the woods. The sky was overcast, and on the ground throughout the mountains and forests, patches of dark red bloodstains were everywhere. In some places, the blood hadn't dried, bright crimson seeping slowly into the earth.
Soldiers of the Wynn Domain and Sage Domain cleaned the battlefield. They had started at dawn and continued until dusk, when fires were lit. Corpses were thrown into freshly dug pits for cremation, and at once the air filled with waves of burnt stench.
Logistics personnel began to set up camp at the border between the prairie and the forest. Lydia Lien sat astride her horse, gazing at the distant grasslands with a look of excitement on her face.
Soldiers were still heading south. Now that the grain problem was solved, there was more than a month before winter set in—plenty of time. This annihilation campaign had been a complete success, with the enemy largely wiped out. Even the Grant Family's patriarch, Edward Grant, was dead. The outcome was decided.
Suddenly, the smile vanished from Lydia Lien's face. She stared at the distant grasslands, her expression turning terrifying.
"Commander Lydia, what's wrong? Why that look? The war is already won."
Cyrus Sage rode over, his face relaxed and smiling.
Lydia Lien let out a sound, but her expression didn't relax. In her mind echoed the clash before dawn, and her shoulder wound still faintly ached—the woman who had stabbed her.
"So familiar!"
Si Chen looked at Lian Shui with confusion, then smiled contentedly and shook his head.
"Your worries are unnecessary, Commander Lian Shui. The enemy can barely muster 100,000 soldiers, while we have over 600,000. They cannot possibly compete with us."
"Let’s hope so."
On the southern highway, the long convoy stretched on, oxen and horses hauling grain as they moved slowly. The line of people was endless, many carrying heavy loads on their backs.
"Move faster! We need to reach the Lin Family’s stronghold as soon as possible."
Mao Li rode her horse, shouting repeatedly. Every so often, she glanced toward the central and northern fronts, uncertain of the situation there. After coming south with her brother, they had been busy gathering grain and organizing people to carry away all the supplies they could salvage.
Zhao Peng and Mao Tian were still organizing soldiers in the south to cover the retreat.
"Big brother, you have to come back soon."
Mao Li felt restless. Ever since Ji Yuna arrived at Ji Territory, she never imagined life could be like this. Even without worrying about tomorrow’s food, every day was filled with joy, and no one went hungry the next day.
As everyone spent time together day after day, Mao Li was happier than she’d ever been. From childhood to now, she’d never known such joy. But now, with the enemy’s invasion, it had all come to an end. Ji Yuna’s smile had long since disappeared.
"Maybe that life is gone for good."
"No, not yet. Let’s wait a little longer."
A general suggested they could retreat now, but Zhao Peng shook his head. They were holding the road to the central grasslands. The supply team had already left, and the enemy had taken over all southern facilities. From a distance, the shadows of enemy troops could be seen gathering.
Mao Tian stood by a tree, staring at the enemy in the distance. They had only five thousand men left on this road to the central grasslands. If the enemy launched a full attack, things could turn dire.
What worried Mao Tian even more was the situation at the center—his younger brother Mao Xing was there too.
"I wonder if Ji Chang and Yu Sheng made it safely to the stronghold."
Mao Tian muttered to himself. At that moment, Zhao Peng walked over.
"My eyelids have been twitching all day."
"We haven’t had a proper rest in nearly two days. You’re exhausted. Go get some sleep, I’ll keep watch."
Zhao Peng shook his head.