In the evening, a crescent moon hung in the sky, and the northwest wind howled with the ferocity of a warrior embarking on a journey from which there would be no return. Many felt their spirits falter, but dared not show it on their faces. For tonight's operation involved the Empress Consort and the Crown Princess, joined by the Fifth Princess. With so many cheering them on, what was there to fear?
More importantly, their troop strength had increased from seventy to eighty thousand to one hundred and fifty thousand. This time, they were determined to reclaim Chen Tang Pass.
One hundred and fifty thousand troops silently approached the outskirts of Chen Tang Pass. Under the hazy moonlight, the pass seemed to slumber, exceptionally quiet, not a sound to be heard.
Yu Jiao, leading the contingent, glanced at Ji Meng and Ji Xue behind her, feeling an unsettling unease. She spoke cautiously.
"Crown Princess, I fear there might be something amiss within Chen Tang Pass. Perhaps we should retreat."
Ji Xue gazed up at the towering city walls of Chen Tang Pass. Upon them fluttered crescent moon banners, their vibrant, eye-catching flags stinging her eyes. She let out a cold snort and spoke in a low voice.
"Since the Empress Consort has given the order, there is no reason to retreat. Let us advance."
With Ji Xue's command, soldiers immediately set up ladders, and many began to climb. A swarm of soldiers appeared on the dark city walls. Just as the crowd secretly rejoiced, countless heads suddenly emerged from the previously silent walls.
Each person held a large jug of wine and poured it directly onto the soldiers on the ladders. In an instant, the air was filled with a pungent smell of alcohol. At that moment, someone on the wall lit a tinder and threw it down. More and more followed. The wine ignited upon contact with the flame.
Tonight, the north wind blew, fanning the flames outwards. The fire did not touch the city walls at all, but instead swept towards the mass of soldiers. Many soldiers' clothes were doused with wine and then ignited, burning with crackling intensity.
Screams and cries of panic erupted.
The troops of the Dan Feng Kingdom fell into chaos. At this moment, the city gates of Chen Tang Pass opened, the sound of hooves echoed, and amidst the soaring flames, cheers rose higher and higher. Spears flickered and rolled. The soldiers trapped in the sea of fire, already in disarray, could not withstand these attacks.
Qing Yao's fifty thousand troops advanced as if through an empty land. The ground was strewn with corpses, flesh and blood scattered everywhere. In the darkness, the thick scent of blood spread, and the suffocating aura of death enveloped the night.
Meanwhile, another two thousand elite soldiers, carried by large, winged kites, entered the South City Gate. It was surprisingly quiet, with only a few veteran soldiers guarding it, who were easily subdued. They immediately opened the South City Gate, allowing the people of Shi Cheng outside to enter. However, these newcomers killed everyone they saw, not targeting the people of Chen Tang Pass, but their own ranks. Over ten thousand troops quickly surrounded the two thousand elite soldiers, and an hour passed.
Not a single one of the two thousand soldiers remained. All perished...
In the main hall of the Chen Tang Pass military camp, Qing Yao sat at the head of the table, listening to the reports from the generals below. She nodded with satisfaction, believing they had achieved another great victory and would break through Hua City tomorrow.
Just then, Mo Chou rushed into the military command post, her face grim.
"Master, something's wrong. Xiao Yu'er is gone."
"What?" This time, not only Qing Yao cried out, but An Dingfeng also exclaimed. Among these one hundred thousand troops, others might not know, but he did. Xiao Yu'er was a princess of the imperial court. To think the princess had disappeared! Where had she gone?
"How could this happen?"
Qing Yao quickly descended from her high seat and hurried out. An Dingfeng, leading his men, followed closely behind their master. At this moment, Yin Xuan entered from outside. Seeing Qing Yao's anxious expression, he raised an eyebrow slightly. "What's wrong?"
"Xiao Yu'er is gone."
As Qing Yao spoke, Yin Xuan's expression froze. His thin lips tightened, and a murderous aura enveloped him. Without a word, he followed behind Qing Yao and said in a low voice, "Could someone have interfered?"
As the group exited the great doors, they saw someone rushing towards them rapidly in the darkness. With a thud, the person knelt and reported, "Marshal. Something has happened. Someone has kidnapped Xiao Yu'er and is standing on the city wall, demanding that the Marshal go there immediately, otherwise... otherwise..."
The soldier dared not continue. Qing Yao had already flashed away, with Yin Xuan following closely behind. An Dingfeng and the others also hurried, not falling behind, all running towards the city wall. Someone must have kidnapped Xiao Yu'er. But who could it be? To have entered Chen Tang Pass undetected meant someone familiar with the routes. Could it be that man?
On the high city wall, a man in black robes stood. His black hair was like clouds, and his face was as beautiful as a night-blooming cereus. However, the ferocity and cruelty marred his beauty. He gazed with extreme malevolence at the city walls beyond the night. In the distance, the ground was littered with corpses, and the walls were stained with blood...
In this battle, he had been defeated again, losing over one hundred thousand troops. He, who had been clever his entire life, finally tasted the bitter fruit of his own making. He never dreamed that Shi Cheng would join forces with this woman to execute a counterattack, killing his soldiers.
Was Heaven destined to destroy him? Had he committed too many sins?
Hua Wenbo looked up at the sky. The Chen Tang Pass soldiers standing opposite him dared not move, fearing they might provoke the man. In his hand, he held a small child – the Marshal's daughter.
Xiao Yu'er dangled in the air, her little face pale with fright. She couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Hua Wenbo, you despicable man, this grandmother has a fear of heights! Kill me if you want, but don't torment me! Thinking this, she opened her eyes and looked down from the city wall. The shocking sight of red and the layers of intertwined corpses made her tremble even more. However, if this man fell into her hands, she would surely not fare well. What if this man used her to threaten her mother?
As Xiao Yu'er mulled over her thoughts, a group of people walked over from the other end of the grand city wall. Leading them was Qing Yao, the marshal of Xian Yue. Although her expression was unclear, the coldness radiating from her, her rapid breathing, and the unfathomable depth of her gaze made it obvious to anyone that she was very anxious. Upon seeing Hua Wenbo's actions, she cried out involuntarily.
"Hua Wenbo, you, a grown man, dare to harm a child?"
Hua Wenbo turned to look at Qing Yao, revealing a mouthful of white teeth with a sinister grin. He let out a cold, mocking snort. "You should know I have always been unscrupulous. There's no point in saying this to me. Now, I give you two choices: one, your daughter dies, or two, you die."
As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers behind Qing Yao cried out simultaneously, "Marshal, no!"
They were unwilling to see any harm come to their Marshal, but they also could not bear to watch Xiao Yu'er die. In that moment, every thought raced through their minds, but not a single one offered a solution that would satisfy both sides.