Dynasty Calendar Year 234, June 17th.
Predawn, Northern Frontier.
A blizzard swept across the land, but it wasn't just wind and snow that ravaged the earth. It was also the fifty-three thousand Yunzhou iron cavalry. In a single day and night, led by the Yunzhou Seven Towns Military Governor, the fifty-three thousand Yunzhou iron cavalry launched relentless assaults. Fourteen main demon army camps had already seen five fall, with hundreds of thousands of demon soldiers perishing under the blades of the human cavalry.
Martial Marquis Yue Hao personally supervised the battle. The Yunzhou iron cavalry, divided into three shifts, continuously charged the demon army camps like a relentless tide.
...
Meanwhile, within a demon army camp.
Dozens of great demons at the Star River and True Origin realms remained silent, at a loss in the face of the current situation.
"Lord Yu Zhi has arrived!"
Outside the army tent, several figures appeared. One was Yu Zhi, known as the demon beauty and strategist. The other was an old ape with white hair and beard, carrying two swords. A scar, as if from sword energy, marred his forehead. His aura was profound, and a mere glance from his eyes sent a chill like an ice floe through the other demons, silencing any boisterous talk.
Bai Lan, a thirteen-realm sword cultivator, was one of the demon leaders.
"Greetings, Lord Yu Zhi! Greetings, Lord Bai Lan!"
Everyone bowed.
"Hmph!"
Yu Zhi, clad in a red dress, walked ahead of Bai Lan and took the main seat. Bai Lan sat to the side, his expression calm, seemingly unfazed. He was skilled at wielding his sword and engaging in combat, but when it came to strategy and tactics, he had to admit that ten Bai Lans combined were no match for one Yu Zhi.
"What is the current situation?"
Yu Zhi looked at the sand table and frowned. "How could you have had no awareness of the fifty thousand human cavalry marching north?"
A demon general quickly stood up and cupped his fists. "The Mohists interfered. They deployed thousands of their Master Craftsmen, concealing all traces of the human army. Otherwise, our spies and informants would have surely detected them earlier."
"The Mohists?"
Yu Zhi sneered. "The Mohists, clinging to survival, dare to aid the humans? Once this is over, it will be time to pay a visit to the Mohist ancestral home."
Bai Lan gently picked up his teacup. "I will visit the Mohist ancestral home later. For now, you should manage the battlefield situation."
"Mmm."
Yu Zhi narrowed her beautiful eyes. "Yue Hao's deep thrust without reinforcements was an unexpected surprise. It was effective, crashing through several of our camps. However, the drawbacks of such a deep thrust will gradually be exposed as time goes on. For hundreds of thousands of cavalry, supply is the biggest problem. Therefore, we cannot attack aggressively; we must proceed cautiously."
A military officer spoke gravely. "How do we proceed cautiously?"
Yu Zhi's lips curved upwards. "Issue an order. Disperse the forces in the two central camps and deploy more spearmen to impede the speed of the enemy cavalry. Simultaneously, divide forces to harass them from the flanks. Furthermore, dispatch three army corps to circle around from the southwest and strike directly behind the Yunzhou iron cavalry, cutting off their supplies."
She smiled slightly, a sinister glint in her eyes. "I want them to die as they come!"
"Yes!"
"Wait."
Yu Zhi stood up. "This is not enough. Take my warrant immediately and go to the Eastern Demon camp. Demand that they dispatch elite iron cavalry to strike the eastern flank of the Yunzhou iron cavalry. It's not right for them to just eat and not work. It's time we saw if the demon cavalry has declined over the years."
"Yes, I will attend to it at once!"
...
White Emperor City, Prime Minister's Manor.
Ministers stood to the sides, while Wen Shuo Yang, the Marquis of Wen who managed the Prime Minister's Manor, sat on the steps.
"Reporting to the Marquis!"
A general knelt on one knee and said gravely, "We have just received a flying fish dispatch from the front. The Martial Marquis led fifty-three thousand Yunzhou iron cavalry in a successful surprise attack, breaking through five demon army camps and killing over six hundred thousand. The Yunzhou iron cavalry suffered no more than twenty percent losses and still possesses the strength to continue fighting!"
The ministers showed expressions of joy. The world had suffered under the demons for too long, and this battle by Martial Marquis Yue Hao was truly a triumphant moment!
"The Martial Marquis is valiant!"
A senior general exclaimed joyfully. "Killing over six hundred thousand demons! This is an unprecedented feat in our human history. It would not be an exaggeration to call it timeless!"
"Indeed!"
A scholar in purple robes chuckled. "The Martial Marquis is brave and decisive, truly a model for all the armies!"
As the ministers were celebrating, the Marquis of Wen frowned. "I understand. Are there any other military reports? The fifty-three thousand Yunzhou iron cavalry went ahead; what about the remaining forces? Where are the four hundred thousand armors from Yan Prefecture and Ning Prefecture?"
"Reporting to the Marquis!"
Another general said sternly, "The four hundred thousand armors have marched north from Gu Xiao Pass, only a day's journey from the battlefield. In another day, our infantry and cavalry will rendezvous, and then it will be the death knell for the fourteen demon army camps!"
"..."
The Marquis of Wen remained silent.
"Marquis?"
A minister frowned. "Does the Marquis perhaps feel something is amiss?"
"Naturally."
The Marquis of Wen sighed. "Underestimating the enemy and advancing rashly is already a grave military taboo. Now, they are engaging hundreds of thousands of cavalry in a battle of attrition with the demons. Furthermore, the four hundred thousand armors are still some distance away. What if the infantry and cavalry are divided and surrounded? Can cavalry, lacking infantry support, withstand the demons' powerful bows and crossbows? Moreover, the north is not only inhabited by demons, but also by millions of demon iron cavalry who are watching intently!"
The ministers' faces changed, their smiles gradually fading. Wen Shuo Yang's words instantly dispelled their joy.
"How about this..."
The Marquis of Wen waved his hand gently. "Immediately issue an order to the Ministry of Revenue. Send flying fish dispatches to the prefectures and counties of the northern regions. Immediately gather stonemasons and laborers. They must proceed to Gu Xiao Pass as quickly as possible to carve stones from the mountains and seal the gaps in the old site of Gu Xiao Pass within a few days!"
"Ah?"
A senior general's expression was one of horror as he stammered, "Marquis... sealing Gu Xiao Pass? If that's the case, then those fifty thousand Yunzhou iron cavalry, and the four hundred thousand northern armors... they won't be able to return either..."
"Do you still think they can return?"
The Marquis of Wen said calmly, "Carry out the order immediately. We cannot afford to regret it when the demons come rolling south!"
"Yes!"
For a moment, the ministers' expressions were filled with suspicion, and they began to murmur amongst themselves, falling into disarray.
Wen Shuo Yang sighed and rubbed his forehead, sitting by the desk. The hats of powerful minister, sycophant minister, and treacherous minister – he, Wen Shuo Yang, would probably never be able to shed them in this lifetime, would he?
...
Early morning, Lin Zhao arrived at the Heavenly Pool Army camp.
A centurion named Wu Zhi, clad in women's armor, held a set of battle armor. The armor had already been delivered to the command tent of the Decisive Death Camp; it was the battle armor of the commander of the Decisive Death Camp. Additionally, there was a steel-forged sword, extremely tough and sharp. As Lin Zhao donned the armor, he instantly became imposing and upright. Coupled with the ancient sword on his back and his resolute face with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, Wu Zhi was momentarily stunned. How could a mere fifteen-year-old boy be so handsome?
"Wu Zhi."
Lin Zhao glanced at her and asked, "What's wrong?"
Wu Zhi quickly shook her head, her pretty face blushing slightly. "Nothing, sir. Will you be training with us in cavalry formations this morning?"
"Mmm."
Just then, a messenger stepped into the tent and said gravely, "Marshal Chu orders that Lin Zhao, commander of the Decisive Death Camp, proceed immediately to Marshal Chu's tent for a discussion!"
"Oh?"
Wu Zhi waved the messenger away and frowned. "A meeting so early in the morning? Could something have happened?"
Lin Zhao's heart tightened. "Yes, I fear something truly has happened."
...
Central Army, Command Tent.
As the commanders of the eight camps arrived one by one, Chu Huaixi took a deep breath. "Not long ago, we received a flying fish dispatch from the Great Shang Dynasty."
"What is it, Marshal Chu?" asked Liu Ping, commander of the Formation Breaking Camp.
"It's somewhat good news."
Chu Huaixi smiled slightly. "On the fifteenth of this month, two days ago, Yue Hao, the Martial Marquis of the Great Shang Dynasty, led fifty thousand Yunzhou iron cavalry, along with forty thousand armors from Yan Prefecture and Ning Prefecture, north of Gu Xiao Pass. On the sixteenth, hundreds of thousands of Yunzhou iron cavalry launched a surprise attack on the demon army camps. It is said that they have already broken through five camps, killing five to six hundred thousand. Currently, the Yunzhou iron cavalry are still engaged in fierce combat."
"That is indeed good news!"
Ma Feiyu, commander of the Surprise Attack Camp, chuckled. "I didn't expect there to be people with backbone in the Shang Dynasty court. This Yue Hao, worthy of the title of Martial Marquis, truly possesses courage."
Zhang Han, commander of the Broken Sword Camp, remarked, "However, this is a matter for the Great Shang Dynasty; it doesn't seem to have much to do with us, the Heavenly Pool Army?"
"It has no relation, yet it does."
Chu Huaixi frowned. "I am simply a little worried."
"What is Marshal Chu worried about?" asked Wang Jiang, commander of the Valiant Might Camp.
"Lin Zhao."
Chu Huaixi looked at the sole young commander. "Can you guess what my concern is?"
"Deep thrust without reinforcements, a desperate situation."
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment. "Fifty thousand Yunzhou iron cavalry cannot break through all fourteen demon army camps. Furthermore, the northern frontier has demons and ghosts who will offer support. If the fifty thousand cavalry are surrounded, divided, or their supplies are cut off, it would be fatal. They cannot possibly carry too much provisions. Humans can last at most three days. What about the horses? With the heavy snow sealing the mountains, the warhorses will have no fodder. Once their strength is depleted, they can only await death."
"Exactly!"
Chen Yu frowned. "What Lin Zhao said makes some sense."
Chu Huaixi nodded. "This is precisely what I am worried about... The four northern tribes are stirring, about to march south. Yue Hao has indeed seen the situation clearly, but he is merely a martial man who wishes to fight desperately. Although the surprise attack was successful in killing many demon soldiers, it ultimately cannot change the overall trend. On the contrary, it may lead to the demise of so many Yunzhou iron cavalry."
Lin Zhao stepped forward, looked at the map on the sand table, measured it with his finger, and said, "We are about three hundred li from the demon army camps. At cavalry speed, it would take half a day to arrive. If we depart at dawn, we might reach the battlefield before sunset. The Yunzhou iron cavalry are fighting fiercely in the northern frontier; perhaps... we can offer some assistance?"
"Assistance is possible, but..."
Chu Huaixi said, "The help we can offer is very limited. The cavalry of the Decisive Death Camp, Vanguard Camp, and Wind Riding Camp combined are less than three thousand, which cannot influence the situation at all."
"There is the Vermilion Bird Camp."
Lin Zhao said, "Marshal Chu, there is no time to lose. Persuade the Young Marshal Imperial Guard commander immediately. If the Vermilion Bird Camp can also dispatch ten to twenty thousand cavalry to attack with us, perhaps we can reduce some pressure on the Yunzhou iron cavalry. Currently, the demon's fourteen army camps are focused on the Yunzhou iron cavalry and cannot guard against us. If we launch a surprise attack from the rear, it will surely succeed. We will adopt a hit-and-run tactic. We will distract the demons as much as possible, which will serve as a degree of support for the Yunzhou iron cavalry."
"Good, you and I will go see the Young Marshal Imperial Guard commander now!"
"No need..."
A woman's voice echoed from outside. The Young Marshal Yu, clad in fiery red armor, stepped into the tent. She cupped her fists and said, "There are not many cavalry in the Vermilion Bird Camp of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool at the moment. I am willing to provide seventeen thousand cavalry, bringing the total for the Heavenly Pool Army to twenty thousand cavalry. I hope you will bring them back alive."