Jizi Lin, a complex terrain of mountains and forests, was carved by an ancient flood into a flat valley with dense forests on both sides. Peaks and ravines crisscrossed, and thorns were thick. It was not only impossible for cavalry to pass, but even local hunters were reluctant to hunt there, as the rewards rarely outweighed the effort.
Thus, Jizi Lin was the only passage for nearly a hundred miles leading to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, its flat terrain acting like a corridor, making it a strategic choke point.
Lin Zhao often traveled through this area between Fusu Great Wall and Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, as it was a shortcut. He knew it like the back of his hand. Ahead of Jizi Lin lay a vast valley nestled among the mountains, famous for its wild pheasants and known as Wild Pheasant Valley.
Wild Pheasant Valley was expansive, suitable for hunting, storing troops, and farming. If one avoided the main road, the only way to travel north was through this valley. After passing Wild Pheasant Valley, the path remained singular, leading back to Jizi Lin. Lin Zhao was thoroughly familiar with both terrains, which was why he dared to play the seasoned general in front of Yu Feng, a demon general well-versed in military strategy.
As they entered Jizi Lin, birds took flight in alarm.
Lin Zhao’s Snow Rock warhorse snorted. He reached out to soothe it and said, "Order the deployment of all 400 Divine Dragon Crossbows on both sides, one every ten paces, forming a four-mile-long barrage line. Following that, use cannons and crossbows to continue repelling the demon cavalry. Additionally..."
He pointed to a large patch of dense bushes behind them, "Behind these bushes, dig many horse traps. Remember to leave a few escape routes for our cavalry. After the traps, plant all our anti-cavalry stakes. Then, deploy 2,000 skilled crossbowmen to eliminate the remaining demon forces."
Mu Ya nodded, "Yes, your subordinate will lead the men to carry it out!"
Wu Zhi smiled slightly. She enjoyed listening to Lin Zhao devise battle plans; his tactical arrangements flowed like water.
Chu Yu, however, frowned slightly. "My lord, we've set up so much in Jizi Lin. What if the demons take the main road? Wouldn't all our efforts be in vain? And Snow Domain Heavenly Pool is an empty city. If the demons decide to ascend, we'll have nothing but a group of unskilled artisans."
"Therefore, we must make the demons enter Jizi Lin."
Lin Zhao furrowed his brow. "Yu Feng, with only tens of thousands of demon cavalry, defeated the human Northern Marshal Li Chunyang's Lin Lu Legion. Moreover, Yu Feng is young and arrogant, and he will surely look down on everyone. Chu Yu, I order you to lead three thousand Snow Domain cavalry to intercept the demons on the main road. If the demons pursue, retreat towards Snow Domain Heavenly Pool along the main road. You need not return here."
"Ah?!"
Chu Yu was taken aback. "Why? If we do that... won't they not come to Jizi Lin?"
"Not necessarily."
Lin Zhao’s gaze swept into the distance. Though tinged with worry, his eyes remained clear. "Because Yu Feng has studied military strategy extensively and is a strategist, he will surely understand the principles of deception. When they expect strength, show weakness; when they expect weakness, show strength. You retreat towards the main road, and they will assume our ambush is on the main road, thus falling into our trap in Jizi Lin. After leading your 3,000 men back twenty li, immediately head south and blockade the southern exit of Jizi Lin. Remember not to engage in close combat; use concentrated ranged volleys, aiming to kill as many demon cavalrymen as possible. Make sure everyone aims at the riders, not the warhorses. The demon warhorses are too precious; they are treasures to us."
Chu Yu understood. She smiled willingly, "I understand, my lord. Your command is indeed as brilliant as the gods."
"Don't praise me yet..."
Lin Zhao waved his hand and smiled, "In truth, it's just a gamble on Yu Feng's thoughts. If we win, it's brilliant command; if we lose, it's nothing."
Wu Zhi covered her mouth and chuckled, "What about me? What is my assignment?"
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment and smiled, "Take a hundred men into Wild Pheasant Valley. Once Chu Yu's troops engage the demons, light a few bonfires in Wild Pheasant Valley to make Yu Feng even more suspicious and further disrupt his judgment."
"Mhm!"
Wu Zhi beamed.
Lin Zhao watched the retreating figures of Wu Zhi and Chu Yu leading their troops and sighed. In truth, warfare was about deception, and he couldn't be entirely sure. He was indeed predicting Yu Feng's prediction, but if Yu Feng were truly a master strategist, he might reverse his prediction and lead his 20,000+ demon cavalry straight to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool with Chu Yu. What then?
There was no choice but to bet that Yu Feng was currently on the second level of strategic thinking and not the third.
...
Northwest of Copper Mirror Lake, hundreds of li away.
The clatter of hooves was disordered. Yu Feng led his 25,000+ demon cavalry northwards, moving slowly along the main road. The warhorses needed to conserve their strength, and the demon warriors could not endure much more jostling. Soon, a flock of birds suddenly erupted from the dense forest ahead. Yu Feng’s expression sharpened, and he grunted, "Beware of ambush!"
The next second, countless arrows flew from the woods ahead. The demon cavalry reacted quickly, raising their shields. Combined with their armor and the horses' barding, the enemy's two volleys had not caused significant losses. After the two rounds of shooting, Chu Yu led a group of Snow Domain cavalry charging out of the jungle and fleeing along the main road.
"Pursue them!"
Yu Feng gave the order, and the 20,000+ cavalry thundered after them, kicking up dust.
After chasing for ten li, Chu Yu's 3,000 Snow Domain cavalry were still desperately speeding towards Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. Yu Feng's brow furrowed, a sense of unease stirring within him. Last time they clashed with Lin Zhao and Chu Yu north of Dongwu Kingdom, his force of ten thousand had lost nearly half its strength. These Snow Domain cavalry were cunning. As they ran, some even threw down their banners, appearing utterly defeated. It was too obvious.
It smelled like bait.
"Hmph!"
Yu Feng let out a cold laugh. Did the white-robed general truly think he was a foolish, colossal whale to be easily lured?
"Halt the pursuit!"
Yu Feng suddenly raised his hand, his command echoing across the army. He said gravely, "There must be an ambush ahead. Immediately turn west, and we will take the road that crosses Wild Pheasant Valley to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Several thousand-strong commanders nodded in unison. They had followed their prince on campaigns for years and had never lost. In the days since their descent to Guxiao Pass, though arduous, when had the demon cavalry ever suffered a setback? Despite losing over 20,000 men, their achievements were glorious: nearly 60,000 of the Border Garrison Legion annihilated, over 70,000 of the Lingnan Legion slain, and then another 70,000 of the Lin Lu Legion. Exchanging over 20,000 demon cavalry for 200,000 human troops was a brilliant record that would be passed down through generations in their clan.
How could the prince's wisdom and military prowess not inspire their utmost devotion?!
...
Not long after, a large contingent of demon cavalry galloped into Wild Pheasant Valley. Not far ahead, several bonfires burned in the roadside woods, smoke swirling and rising from the jungle.
"An ambush?!"
A thousand-strong commander gnashed his teeth.
"Hmph!"
Yu Feng narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Are they trying to play mind games with me? This white-robed general indeed has some skill, no wonder Shi Jungang lost to him. But this is too obvious. Send a few brave warriors over immediately. I dare guarantee that those bonfires are just bonfires, and no one will even be guarding them after they are lit."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
A short while later, several cavalrymen rushed back with reports. Indeed, there were only a few simple bonfires in the woods. The people who lit them had long since fled on horseback, vanishing without a trace.
"As I expected."
Yu Feng sneered, "The more he tries to conceal his intentions, the more it shows his guilt. I have seen through all the plans of the white-robed general. Order the entire army to break out of Wild Pheasant Valley and Jizi Lin at full speed. Beyond this point lies the vast plain south of Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. Once we reach there, it will be the domain of our divine cavalry!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The sound of hooves quickened. The smoke and dust in Wild Pheasant Valley billowed towards the sky. The 25,000+ demon cavalry, like a torrent of steel, surged out of Wild Pheasant Valley and directly into the corridor of Jizi Lin. The towering mountains on either side made Yu Feng feel a pang of unease. The terrain was too suitable for ambushes. Now, he could only pray to the heavens that he had guessed the white-robed general's intentions correctly!
...
Jizi Lin. Lin Zhao rode his warhorse, with Wu Zhi and Mu Ya by his side and over 2,000 vividly armored Snow Domain cavalry behind him.
Watching the distant rolling smoke, Lin Zhao smiled. The gamble had paid off, and he could finally relax. The undefeated legend of Yu Feng, the Divine Cavalry Lieutenant, was about to end.
"Mu Ya."
"At your service, my lord. Please command!"
"Order you to lead your contingent to engage the demon cavalry. Do not close in; only engage in ranged attacks. Lure all the demon cavalry into our trap. Furthermore, your sole objective is to contain Yu Feng, do not let this eleventh-realm demon kill any more of our men. I do not require you to kill him, only to keep him occupied."
"Yes, my lord!"
Beside him, Wu Zhi frowned. "My lord, we are not killing Yu Feng? He is one of the top ten Divine Cavalry Lieutenants of the demon race! If we kill him, it will be a warning to the demons. And my lord, you are so greedy. Yu Feng's head alone is worth at least several hundred Golden Mullets!"
Lin Zhao said indifferently, "If you were still at the eleventh realm, I would have ordered you and Mu Ya to kill Yu Feng at all costs. But you are not. Therefore, to me, whether Yu Feng lives or dies is irrelevant. Wu Zhi of our Snow Domain must not suffer the slightest harm."
"Yes, my lord."
Wu Zhi's lips curved into a sweet smile.
...
"Hmm?"
When Mu Ya led 2,000 Snow Domain cavalry into the corridor of Jizi Lin, Yu Feng already felt that something was amiss. But since the demon cavalry had already entered Jizi Lin, there was no turning back. Turning back would inevitably lead to an ambush. He still looked towards the mountains on either side; they were perfect for a surprise arrow attack. His brows furrowed, and he sent a mental message, "Lord Yu Shi?"
"I am here."
In the wind, a man in a dark green python robe smiled, "Your Highness, what are your instructions?"
"Immediately cause a heavy snow to fall in Jizi Lin. 200 Golden Mullets!"
"No."
Yu Shi Yue Ling smiled, "A timely snow is not worth that price. If Your Highness is willing to pay 400 Golden Mullets, a blizzard will be upon us."
"Deal!"