June 18.
...
Blizzards raged, and the northern forest sea had become a sea of blood.
In the early morning, nearly 300,000 armored soldiers from Ningzhou and Yanzhou appeared on the right flank of the Yunzhou cavalry positions. They took out spears, deer antlers, and other defenses to block the attack of the demon cavalry.
Amidst the thunder of hooves, as the human infantry looked up, wisps of faint purple light appeared in the night. These purple lights connected into a vast expanse. It wasn't until they were close that everyone realized they were the glowing eyes of the demon cavalry. In an instant, tens of thousands of demon cavalry were upon them.
"Fire arrows, volley!"
Someone shouted, and a volley of flaming arrows coated in oil hissed through the quiet night sky. As the flames illuminated the snow-covered forest, the dense ranks of demon cavalry were revealed.
"Hmph..."
A demon cavalry captain slowly drew his saber, let out a low growl towards the front, and commanded, "Kill them all!"
The iron cavalry surged like a tide, charging towards the armored positions.
For a time, the sounds of spears piercing warhorses, the clanging of demon cavalry sabers against shields and flesh, the thudding of hooves on snow, and various other noises mingled together. In the midst of the fierce battle, the hands of many young human soldiers trembled. This was the first time they had ever seen real demons, and perhaps, it would be their last.
In the blink of an eye, the demon cavalry repeatedly broke through the human infantry formations. The infantry's arrows were of little effect against demon cavalry clad head to toe in armor. Nearly 300,000 human armored soldiers could not withstand the million-strong demon cavalry, perhaps not even a hundred thousand. Defeat was merely a matter of time.
"Hold them!"
A general charged forward with his battle-axe, continuously cutting down demon cavalry.
"Charge!"
Someone thrust forward with a spear. When their spear broke, they immediately drew a javelin from their back and hurled it, until their body was cut into pieces by the demon cavalry.
Ningzhou and Yanzhou were both harsh, cold lands in the north of the human dynasties, known for their ferocity. The Ningzhou armor was said to be peerless, having once repelled the cavalry of the Great Shang Dynasty. Yanzhou was the former territory of the Great Chen Dynasty, which was renowned for its cavalry and infantry that dominated the land. Now, facing a tide of demon cavalry, these Yanzhou armored soldiers and Yanzhou cavalry, though inwardly shocked and trembling, did not retreat a single step, fighting to the death!
...
Dawn.
The entire central camp of the demon army's tents was pierced by twenty thousand human cavalry. After Lin Zhao led the cavalry through the enemy, he immediately advanced north, crossing the Chìsōng forest sea.
"Lin Zhao!"
A female commander of the Vermillion Bird Battalion galloped alongside him, frowning. "Aren't we retreating? If we keep going north, there's another demon army camp over there!"
"Yes..."
Lin Zhao, holding a demon's blood-stained saber, replied, "We're going to attack that demon army camp!"
"Ah?!"
The female commander looked horrified. "We... we've been fighting for nearly a day and night. Everyone is exhausted. If we continue to attack another camp, we're likely to suffer heavy losses."
"Don't worry."
Lin Zhao glanced back at the people behind him. "The demon cavalry from the first camp are pursuing us. We're on horseback, they're on foot. They're the ones who will suffer. Besides, everyone still has a bit of energy left; it's not time to rest. Don't worry, I have a plan."
"Alright, that's good then!"
...
In the demon army camp.
The great demon Yu Zhi, dressed in a fiery red general's robe, repeatedly examined the terrain on the sand table. She extended a slender jade finger and traced a path on the sand table. "Lin Zhao's twenty thousand cavalry have passed through the Chìsōng forest sea heading north from here?"
"Yes."
A demon commander said in a deep voice, "What do they intend to do? Are they crazy, heading straight for our other camp? That camp hasn't moved at all, maintaining a full force of two hundred thousand. With their mere twenty thousand, are they seeking death?"
"What do you know?"
Yu Zhi glanced at him with unconcealed disdain. She clenched her five fingers into a fist and said, "Lin Zhao's twenty thousand cavalry have always stayed together, like this fist. Our camp locations are scattered. Therefore, no matter where this fist strikes, they will not be at a disadvantage."
"Yes, my lord..."
The demon commander humbly asked, "What should we do now?"
"Disperse and reform."
Yu Zhi's jade-like fingers relaxed, and a fierce glint flashed across her exquisite face. "Divide the current forces of over three hundred thousand from the two camps into six units. Each unit will carry a 'flying fish message.' I will use these six units to set a perfect trap, leaving Lin Zhao nowhere to go, so that he and his twenty thousand cavalry will perish in the snow sea!"
"Yes!"
...
Noon.
After a surprise attack and slaughter, Lin Zhao led his troops to loot a demon vanguard camp of as many as thirty thousand men. After the fight, they left, heading southeast.
"That's not right!"
Chen Yu, galloping on his horse, said, "We're... heading into the demon army camps? The direction is wrong..."
"It's right."
Lin Zhao frowned. "We need to rest now. After another ten li, order everyone to dismount and rest, feed the horses, have something warm to eat, and even sleep a little leaning against your horses."
"Why is that?"
Shu Zhi frowned. "If we rest here, aren't we just waiting to be surrounded by the demons?"
"We won't be."
Lin Zhao shook his head directly. "Throughout this morning, the reports from scouts about the movements of over a dozen demon camps have all hinted at one possibility."
"What possibility?"
"Great Demon Yu Zhi is directing the command."
Lin Zhao pointed westward and said, "At this very moment, there must be a demon army waiting in ambush to our west. If we retreat westward, we will undoubtedly be ambushed. Yu Zhi is planning and weaving a net, intending to break up her forces and encircle us from multiple directions, ultimately annihilating us."
"Ah?!"
Chen Yu's expression turned grave. "Then what do we do? Are we really just going to rest here and wait for death?"
"Of course not."
Lin Zhao smiled. "I've already sent scouts in all directions to probe their movements. As long as we grasp Yu Zhi's deployment, we can counter her moves. With combined action and flexibility, Yu Zhi may not be able to track our whereabouts. Meanwhile, we can continuously attack her scattered forces and tie down the strength of both demon army camps here."
"Yes!"
Just then, a accompanying cultivator rode over, holding a lively golden fin flying fish. The fish spat out a bubble, which contained a piece of paper. Upon opening it, it was a message from the Marquis Wu Yue Hao. After Chen Yu finished reading it, he handed it to Lin Zhao, his expression slightly excited. "Lin Zhao... Yue Hao knows we're reinforcing..."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded and said to the accompanying cultivator, "Reply to Marquis Wu Yue Hao. Tell him we will try our best to hold down the troops of the two camps here and urge them not to give up. Continue to fight. Even if it's a sure defeat... fight to kill more demon and devil armies!"
"Yes!"
The accompanying cultivator rode off to reply. Chen Yu, however, frowned. "Can Marquis Yue Hao's Yunzhou cavalry really break through and survive?"
"No."
Lin Zhao said calmly.
"Ah?"
Chen Yu frowned. "Really?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao said softly, "Yu Zhi has already arranged for four or more demon army camps to encircle us from three sides. To the east are hundreds of thousands of demon cavalry. More importantly, the Yunzhou cavalry have been fighting continuously for four days and nights. Their combat power is long exhausted. If they continue to fight, they may not even be able to defeat one camp, let alone hundreds of thousands of demon cavalry?"
Mu Zha gritted his teeth. "If that's the case, why are we here?"
"Here?"
Lin Zhao gave a wry smile. "We're here, perhaps, to send off the Marquis Wu..."
Chen Yu frowned slightly, a mist gathering in her eyes.
Marquis Wu Yue Hao, the leader of the war faction of the entire Great Shang Dynasty. If it weren't for Marquis Wu Yue Hao's strong advocacy, the Vermillion Bird Battalion would not have dared to leave Shanhaiguan to reinforce Xueyu Tianchi. In fact, Yue Hao had benefited the entire human realm.
...
June 19, early morning.
Li Ji and Luo Chong, leading the Yunzhou cavalry, had been locked in fierce battle for many days and nights. They were now exhausted, having lost more than half their forces resisting the demon cavalry. They were now only about thirty thousand cavalry left, and they were weary and injured, yet they dared not retreat. For if they retreated, the demon forces to the north and the devil forces to the east would pour in, tearing apart the thirty thousand northern armored soldiers.
"Old Luo!"
Li Ji sat beneath a pine tree, letting his warhorse rest for a moment. He took out a pot of wine, took a sip, and handed it to Luo Chong. He smiled and said, "You know... for the many years we brothers have governed the six prefectures of Yunzhou, we've had our share of friction. There was a time you almost drew your sword on me. Of all the six prefectural governors in Yunzhou, you were the one I looked down on the most, yet now... we're going to die together."
"Hahahaha~~~~"
Luo Chong took the wine pot and drank deeply, laughing. "What kind of talk is that? You, Li Ji, look down on me, Luo Chong, but do you think I, Luo Chong, look up to you, Li Ji?"
"At least my wine is still good, right?" Li Ji asked with a smile.
Luo Chong laughed heartily. "It's mellow and fragrant. With this drink, I have no regrets going on my way."
Just then, a messenger galloped up, an arrow sticking in his back. He fell from his horse and said with his last breath, "The demons... the demons are coming from the north..."
"It's time."
Luo Chong swung himself onto his horse, drew his saber, and pulled on the reins. He cast a faraway glance to the south, a hint of lingering affection in his eyes, and smiled. "The past is the past. We should forget it all. From now on, I'll have no more part in battles, riches, or beautiful women. Li Ji, shall we brothers face death together?"
"Li Ji is honored!"
Li Ji mounted his horse, drew his somewhat damaged saber, and smiled. "Together!"
The two prefectural governors, leading thirty thousand swaying Yunzhou cavalry, faced the thirty thousand elite demon cavalry head-on!