The lone eagle circled the mountaintop, the world beneath engulfed in the desolation of war.
Compared to the earlier small probing attacks, this assault was extraordinarily fierce.
Archers, cavalry, infantry, shieldn—all forming ranks and surging toward Suo Yue Ridge like an unstoppable tide. Armor shimred coldly under the half-lted snow, and the dense crowd of soldiers, bathed in the evening glow, bristled with bloodlust...
"Children of Qi Country, surrender swiftly!"
"Co out and face death—"
The loudspeaker bood at the front of the formation, shaking snow loose from the trees.
Almost simultaneously with the Yong Army’s assault, a lone rider galloped into camp at full speed.
"Report!"
"The Yunchuan Army has split into two forces and is heading along the Lian River toward Bingzhou..."
A storm brews as the winds fill the pavilion.
Since Chunyu Yan chose to ally with Da Yong and stationed troops by the Lian River, Xiao Cheng had already received the news.
However...
Chunyu Yan is a man of duality, difficult to predict. Over the years, Xiao Cheng not only avoided conflict with him but also maintained cordial relations and diplomatic exchanges.
For Chunyu Yan to choose to sever ties with Nanqi, ally with Da Yong, and reveal his ambition and blade at this mont took everyone by surprise.
"Yunchuan has indeed made its move."
"Chunyu the Traitor truly adds insult to injury; he is the pinnacle of shalessness."
Initially, many regarded Chunyu Yan’s involvent with optimism and viewed him as rely an observer.
After all, Yunchuan was neutral, having profited from wars for years without instigating them.
Now that hope is gone, only hatred remains.
"Who would have thought Chunyu Yan would personally enter the fray and even willingly act as the vanguard..."
"Hmph! This man killed his father to seize the throne, his thods are insidious; now he rushes forth as the vanguard, entirely spurning morality—surely led astray by desire. Such shortsightedness will lead to nowhere."
"Fortunately, His Majesty is wise—troops have long been stationed in Bingzhou to await them. Hmph, Chunyu the Traitor will surely reap what he sows."
Inside the Qi Army Camp, a group of furious generals cursed, petitioned, and argued, creating a cacophony like a chaotic market stall.
"Your Majesty, should Bingzhou receive reinforcents?"
"I request permission to join the battle."
"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops forward!"
"I too am eager to fight..."
Xiao Cheng pressed his lips tightly together as he gazed at the sand table before him.
For a long while, he reached out with his finger, his movents precise and deliberate as he pointed to a concealed, deep gorge amid the steep mountain ridges of Suo Yue Ridge.
This gorge was a natural fissure, winding and treacherous, and it led directly to the North Mountain.
"How long would it take to reach the enemy camp via this route?"
Yan Buxi stroked his beard and pondered for a mont, then replied, "If we cut straight through, half an hour would suffice to strike at their heart. However, the gorge’s concealnt could also be its downfall—the enemy will surely fortify it heavily with traps. Forcing our way through would be as good as walking into a death trap."
Xiao Cheng looked at him.
"As a commander, would you dare to traverse this path at such risk?"
Yan Buxi shook his head, "I would not."
Xiao Cheng turned to the other generals, "And you all?"
One by one, the generals shook their heads, "Such action is perilous and yields more harm than good. I would not take the risk."
"Unthinkable, unthinkable," the generals echoed in consensus.
Xiao Cheng, however, smiled.
"Since everyone believes it impossible, wouldn’t it surprise them greatly if I were to proceed? Without entering the tiger’s den, how will we seize the tiger’s cub? I believe it’s worth attempting."
The generals froze in astonishnt.
Xiao Cheng’s gaze swept across their faces, and he said flatly, "That day, Pei Jue sent a ssenger specifically to deliver roasted at. What do you suppose their intention was?"
Yan Buxi scoffed, "Siege warfare is secondary; psychological warfare takes precedence. Clearly, that fox was trying to unsettle our morale."
"That’s only on the surface." Xiao Cheng shared Daman’s insights with the group.
The generals were stunned, breaking out into a cold sweat.
"If that’s truly the case, Bingzhou is in grave danger."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. Bingzhou has natural defensive advantages; even against Chunyu the Traitor’s army of a hundred thousand, we stand a chance. But if Pei Jue truly employs a diversionary tactic, causing Bingzhou to fall, Hengqu Pass will essentially be wide open..."
"Your Majesty, I volunteer to lead troops to intercept them at Zhu River..."
Xiao Cheng raised his hand, halting their argunts.
"I suspect deception."
The generals looked at him, "Your Majesty, do you an..."
Xiao Cheng replied, "Given intelligence handed to us so conveniently, how is it different from bait? What they aim to catch is not Bingzhou—it’s ."
The generals were baffled, "Your Majesty, are you suggesting that Lady Hua Man’s words are part of an enemy plot?"
Xiao Cheng affird, "True masquerades false, false hides truth. We must remain vigilant."
Xie Congguang asked, "Then, Your Majesty, how should our forces respond?"
Xiao Cheng pointed to the sand table, stating calmly, "The best defense is offense. Whether the Yong Army dares to cross Zhu River and take Bingzhou, or however many troops they might commit to Suo Yue Ridge—whether their attack is genuine or feigned... right now, the North Mountain Camp must be unguarded."
The generals’ eyes lit up.
Yan Buxi said, "Your Majesty, are you suggesting we risk traversing the Xiaoyue Ridge gorge to strike directly at their camp in the north?"
Xiao Cheng: "Precisely."
A brief silence perated the air.
For a mont, no one spoke.
The strategy sounded ingenious, but there was a critical flaw: if they left, wouldn’t it grant Yong Army an imdiate opportunity to strike?
Both sides would end up breaching each other’s camps, exchanging positions—a re stalemate. What would they gain from such a maneuver? Was it even worth the risk?
Thus, the focus shifted to Xiao Cheng’s intent—why avoid the main Yong forces and aim directly for their camp? What was the true purpose?
And what was to be gained?
Yan Buxi narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling upon Xiao Cheng’s calm expression, while his mind churned with stormy speculations.
Pei Jue leading the troops into battle would not have her Empress accompany her.
At this mont, the breathtakingly beautiful Da Yong Empress must be staying behind in camp—
So many years had passed, and Xiao Cheng had never brought up the matter of the Forr Empress again, leading everyone to believe he had moved on.
But he hadn’t.
He had never given up.
Fox of a woman, oh fox of a woman.
Indeed, a beauty destined for disaster—
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