Now, inside Liangzhou City, almost all troops were trapped within the barrier.
Outside, there were only three battalions of soldiers remaining!
Those three battalions existed only because Chen Sanshi had insisted on sending them out beforehand.
If they had followed Prince Cao Huan's plan, not even a single soldier would have been stationed outside. All over one hundred thousand troops would have been completely sealed inside the Great Wall.
"General Fang!"
Cao Huan sighed deeply. "It's all thanks to your insistence. Without that, we'd have no choice but to sit here and wait for death."
"Even so," said Zhao Wuji, "the situation isn't optimistic."
Even with three battalions still free outside, they needed a way to make contact.
With the heavens themselves sealed under that vast red formation, not even a Gyrfalcon could fly through the sky to deliver messages.
"Boss!"
Second Senior Brother Cheng Wei took a few leaps and reached the mist wall. Gathering his blood energy, he shouted toward the outside, "Lü Ji! Can you still hear us from out there?!"
Outside the barrier, Lü Ji and Nie Yuan had only just led their troops about twenty li away from the Great Wall when disaster struck.
They saw it with their own eyes—
Above the Luotian Mountains, the sky suddenly tore open. From the gaping hole, a torrent of crimson blood mist gushed forth, spreading across the heavens and forming a barrier that fell over the land.
Liangzhou City was sealed.
No man, no beast, could escape.
"Boss…"
Nie Yuan pulled the reins, halting his horse. "What… what's happening?!"
"Luotian Mountains."
Lü Ji quickly pieced it together. "No wonder Master stayed out of this campaign. The core of the mountain range must have gone wrong."
"Related to the poison beasts?" Nie Yuan asked. "What do we do now?"
"We're going back to check."
Lü Ji ordered the troops to halt their march. Then he rode his Flame Horse straight to the edge of the barrier. With a shout, his Fangtian halberd crashed down, carrying immense true energy. But instead of meeting resistance—it passed right through the crimson fog as if it were ordinary mist, slamming hard into the ground.
The impact sent waves of air rippling outward, stirring the blood mist into motion. It surged back toward him in a suffocating wave.
He quickly retreated, pulling away from the fog.
"What a strange barrier…"
Before their eyes, a sparrow flew into the mist—and instantly melted into blood.
Just then, from inside the barrier, came Cheng Wei's muffled shout.
"Boss, can you hear us out there?!"
"Second Brother?!"
Nie Yuan yelled back. "We can hear you!"
Both sides breathed a sigh of relief.
The formation's nature was to refine flesh and blood, not to sever sound completely. If even communication had been cut off, there would truly have been no hope left.
"General Lü!"
Cao Huan's voice boomed from within the barrier. "Disaster has struck! We must resolve this before the time runs out—otherwise, the blood mist will refine every soldier and civilian in Liangzhou into nothing!"
"You must head to Tiger Hill Mountain at once. Join forces with General Chen, then go straight to Youzhou. Find the formation's core hidden in the mountain and destroy it!"
"Youzhou…"
Lü Ji nodded firmly. "Understood."
"And afterward?"
Zhao Wuji asked, "How do we maintain contact?"
On the battlefield, situations shifted in moments. Even with messenger falcons, it wasn't guaranteed they'd get reports in time. Shouting across the fog forever wasn't an option—it was far too slow.
Lü Ji glanced at his Fangtian halberd, which had passed through the blood mist unharmed, and quickly grasped the pattern of the array. He took up an iron-limbed bow, drew it to full, and loosed an arrow straight into the mist wall.
"Whizz—!"
Inside the barrier, the arrow appeared before Cao Huan and the others' eyes.
"This works," Lü Ji said. "We'll use the Gyrfalcon to write our messages, then tie the letters to arrows. Leave people stationed on both sides of the mist wall to send and receive through the fog."
After confirming the method of communication, Cao Huan immediately sent out the emperor's personal letter through the blood mist.
"His Majesty?"
Lü Ji looked at the letter, his expression darkening. "So His Majesty is trapped in Liangzhou City too?"
That made the matter even more urgent. Without wasting a breath, Lü Ji ordered the army to march straight toward Tiger Hill Mountain.
——
At Wolf Juxu Mountain, the heart of the barbarian lands.
"The grand formation is complete."
Atop a vast altar, the High Priest of the Witch God Sect spoke softly. "We only need to wait now. Soon, every man and beast in Liangzhou will perish. Once the Foul Vein fully awakens, the ancient demon immortals will pour forth. Not only Liangzhou, not only the Great Sheng Dynasty—this entire Eastern Divine Continent will belong to us!"
For now, they had only managed to summon a handful of ancient demon immortals.
But once the fiendish energy revived, the heavenly seals of the world would shatter automatically. When that happened, this land would become a paradise for the ancient demons.
How could mere mortals ever hope to defy gods and devils?
"Excellent."
The Great Khan of the Yu Wen tribe turned to the others. "Gentlemen, perhaps it's time we discuss how to divide our new lands."
"Agreed."
The Great Khan of the Tuoba tribe pulled out a detailed map he'd prepared long ago.
This war had been almost effortless for them.
All they needed to do was guard the formation's core. Everything else was handled by the demon immortals.
Afterward, they wouldn't just rule the mortal world—they would gain access to the demonic cultivation arts themselves, stepping onto the path of immortality.
——
At the Maniao River, Yu Wen Jingwen stood atop a snowy ridge at dawn, gazing southward. When the crimson vortex bloomed in the distant sky, he smiled coldly. "It's begun. Nephew, do you see it? The millions of people in Liangzhou, along with countless livestock, are all becoming fuel for the furnace."
"Fourth Uncle, that's not quite right," said Yu Wen Xin quietly. "Don't forget Chen Sanshi's eight hundred light cavalry. After they took Tiger Hill Mountain, they must have stationed troops there. There might be two full battalions by now."
"Good. You're learning."
Yu Wen Jingwen, broad as an ox, clapped his nephew's shoulder. "I've already sent scouts to check."
"Report—!"
Through the blowing snow, a messenger galloped up fast.
"Delivering intelligence, my lord!"
Yu Wen Jingwen's voice rumbled. "Speak. How many men escaped Liangzhou's barrier?"
"At Tiger Hill Mountain, there are fifteen thousand soldiers from the Liangzhou Hongze Battalion."
The scout knelt in the snow. "At the Great Wall's edge, roughly twenty to thirty thousand more troops are gathered, led by Lü Ji. We estimate he's taking two battalions to join the Hongze Battalion at Tiger Hill Mountain."
"So, in the desert right now…"
Yu Wen Jingwen grinned, his crimson eyes flashing with killing intent. "There are exactly three battalions of soldiers."
Yu Wen Jingwen muttered to himself, "In this kind of blizzard, they still dare to move troops and even ignore supply logistics… whose idea was that? It must be Chen Sanshi's."
He answered his own question with a cold chuckle.
Yu Wen Xin began calculating aloud. "Three battalions—based on their standard organization—that's around forty-five thousand men. That's no small number. Fourth Uncle, if they march toward Youzhou, won't that cause trouble?"
"Not much."
Yu Wen Jingwen patiently explained the situation to his nephew. "At the corner of Youzhou, the barrier's likely already torn open, but the Zhu Tuo Pass is heavily guarded. And remember—our four tribes together command one hundred fifty thousand troops, including several Martial Saints and even immortal cultivators aiding us. Even if those three battalions make it, they'll only have one Martial Saint among them. It won't make any difference."
He paused, then said slowly, "The key point, nephew, is this—don't forget, we don't actually need to win this battle. All we need to do is protect the array's core and buy time. Once the blood sacrifice formation finishes refining and the Foul Vein fully awakens, the ancient demon immortals will handle everything else for us."
"So what you're saying…"
The Ninth Prince, Yu Wen Xin, looked half puzzled. "We just ignore them?"
"Let them go."
Yu Wen Jingwen waved dismissively. "Even if they reach Youzhou, those three battalions are nothing but a drop in the ocean."
——
Tiger Hill Mountain.
Inside the Hongze Battalion's main camp.
"My lord!"
"Look toward Liangzhou!"
"The barrier—it's spreading!"
Chen Sanshi climbed to the top of the observation tower and saw it with his own eyes—the crimson mist swallowing the sky over Liangzhou.
Things were getting worse.
As expected, the real problem lay deep within the Luotian Mountain Range.
The Hongze soldiers exchanged uneasy glances. Their wives and children were still trapped inside Liangzhou City. How could they not panic?
"Big Brother!"
Cao Zhi ran up to the tower beside him. "What do we do now?"
Chen Sanshi didn't answer immediately.
He was waiting.
At last, through the snow and wind, a bluebird messenger arrived, carrying a letter.
The handwriting was familiar—it was from Fourth Senior Brother Fang Qingyun himself.
The letter detailed the situation within the Luotian Mountains, based on information Fang had received directly from their master.
"My Sixth Brother is in the city—and Father Emperor too!"
Cao Zhi's face paled as he read, his voice trembling. "So once the blood sacrifice array completes… won't they both die?"
"Prince of Yan, read the whole letter."
Chen Sanshi reminded him. "Once the Foul Vein awakens, cultivators from the ancient demon clan will roam freely through heaven and earth. When that happens, it won't just be Liangzhou that's doomed."
"Yes, yes, I understand."
Within the span of two breaths, Cao Zhi's face went through a series of rapid changes—shock, excitement, agitation, despair, and finally grim resolve. "Big Brother, what do we do next? I've got the map."
He unrolled it and pointed. "Once we link up with General Lü, we head straight to Youzhou, right?"
"Not necessarily in time."
Chen Sanshi motioned for him to put the map away.
"Not in time?"
Cao Zhi frowned. "Then what's your plan?"
"We'll decide once General Lü arrives."
Chen Sanshi estimated that in half a day at most, the Black Turtle Battalion and White Tiger Battalion would both arrive.
He told Cao Zhi to oversee the troops' reorganization, then found a quiet place to train with his spear.
Martial Saint.
The situation was worsening by the hour. Before the final battle, he had to break through to the Martial Saint Realm. Only then would they stand a fighting chance.
This time, he might face immortals head-on.
At the Martial Saint level, one must transform Profound Manifestation gang qi into true internal qi, reaching the peak of the Mortal Shedding Realm. Beyond that lay true sainthood.
But that step was anything but easy.
Even with Chen Sanshi's unmatched talent and spiritual grain aiding him, this breakthrough wasn't something that could happen overnight.
Normally, it would take over half a year—just in time for his third year since arriving in Liangzhou.
Exactly the timeframe his master had foreseen.
Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Martial Saint
Progress: 20 / 100
Even while marching with the army, he carved out time each day to train. Combat experience refined his spearwork, but even so, his progress barely reached one-fifth.
He clenched his jaw. 'I need the True Martial Pill.'
If he wanted to accelerate further, that was the only way.
He had both the furnace and materials, but not the time.
He'd have to seize the right opportunity later.
Aside from spear techniques, there were also spells.
After learning that his master had granted him a spiritual vein, Chen Sanshi had thrown himself into improving his cultivation arts.
Compared to the Five Elemental Formula, spell progress was much faster.
Spell: Thick Earth Art (Beginner)
Progress: 200 / 500
Technique: Ten Thousand Swords Descend · Tier 1
Progress: 258 / 1000
His original Sword Qi Technique, after breaking its limit, had evolved into Ten Thousand Swords Descend.
Not just spells.
He also possessed a few spoils from The Edge of the World—a Golden Flying Dagger, a Tier-1 lower-grade magical weapon, and two hundred Ghost Vein Arrows. That was the sum of his personal armory.
Spells and magic tools alike—he never used them unless absolutely necessary.
But now, the situation was on the verge of "absolutely necessary."
After calculating the time, Chen Sanshi returned to camp.
Before half a cup of tea passed, his subordinates came to report: the Black Turtle Battalion and White Tiger Battalion had arrived.
——
Youzhou.
Li City Prefecture.
This place was the gateway to Youzhou.
When war suddenly broke out, Xu Wencai had rushed there to oversee defenses.
Outside the walls stood the barbarian army, one hundred fifty thousand strong, with four Martial Saints among them.
Inside, they had only two battalions, totaling just over thirty thousand men.
Fortunately, two additional Martial Saints had been urgently dispatched to aid them.
One was Fan Hailing, Xu Wencai's old partner from the Wei Kingdom campaign.
The other was Pei Tiannan, former governor of Liangzhou—a familiar face.
Two Martial Saints. Thirty thousand soldiers.
And before long, they would be the last defense between the barbarian horde and the Zhu Tuo Pass.
The difference in military strength was enormous.
And with the blizzard raging endlessly, though Li City Prefecture had sturdy walls, it could only barely hold on at first.
Until that day—
Amid the chaos of battle, a figure riding a sword appeared in the distant sky.
At that moment, the defenders realized—this war could no longer be fought.
No matter how brilliant Xu Wencai's strategies were, he was still just a mortal scholar. Against such overwhelming power, what more could he do?
Fortunately, he discovered that Martial Saints weren't entirely powerless before the so-called "immortals." They could still resist, though barely, keeping the situation from turning into total annihilation.
"Lord Xu, what do we do?!"
The ever-smiling Pei Tiannan, now pale and grim, spoke in a strained voice.
"They're insane!"
Fan Hailing slammed his palm on the table. "Attacking Youzhou—what's their goal?!"
"Exactly."
Pei Tiannan nodded sharply. "Even if they take Li City Prefecture, we still have Green Lake Prefecture and Ji'an Prefecture to the east. There's no way they can conquer all of Youzhou in a short time. We should retreat now!"
"Retreat."
Xu Wencai snapped open his feather fan. The decision was made.
He knew the saying well—'When things seem strange, there's always something hidden.' The barbarian army's sudden shift in deployment had to conceal a deeper plot. But continuing to defend here would only lead to total destruction once the city fell.
The only option was to abandon Li City Prefecture, fortify the other two prefectures, and wait for reinforcements.
He left two thousand soldiers behind as decoys, while the rest withdrew overnight toward Green Lake Prefecture.
That very same day, the phenomenon over the Luotian Mountains shook the entire northern frontier.
"What kind of demonic spell is this?!"
"It's like a monstrous beast devouring all of Liangzhou!"
The first reports came in soon after—it was the Blood Sacrifice Formation, a ritual meant to refine all living beings in Liangzhou City into pure blood essence.
Once the barbarian army crossed into Youzhou, as expected, they didn't press the attack further. Instead, they marched to Zhu Tuo Pass, guarding the auxiliary formation node—the one and only Life Gate that could save Liangzhou.
"The barbarians are working with immortals?!"
Fan Hailing's face twitched, his aura unsteady. "This… this is an attempt to devour the entire Great Sheng Dynasty!"
"And our reinforcements are gone," Pei Tiannan said grimly, reading the incoming intelligence. "Only three battalions remain outside the desert."
"Three battalions—that's around forty-five thousand men, and just one Martial Saint."
Fan Hailing sighed heavily. "The barbarians, meanwhile, have four Martial Saints and two immortal cultivators helping them. The difference is still massive."
"Quickly, which battalions?" Xu Wencai demanded.
"Black Turtle and White Tiger," Pei Tiannan answered, then hesitated. "And Hongze."
"Hongze…"
Xu Wencai's expression remained calm, but deep down, a spark of hope flickered to life.
"Then we wait," Pei Tiannan said. "No other garrison can reach us in time. Our only chance is for General Lü and his troops to arrive."
——
Luotian Mountain Range.
Sun Xiangzong and Emperor Longqing stood opposite the Witch God Sect's leaders, preventing them from escaping or causing more chaos.
Inside the barrier, Immortal Master Deng held a black talisman in his hand—
a Transmitting Talisman, capable of sending messages across vast distances. Even in the world of cultivators, such items were exceedingly rare.
After exchanging words with the High Priest of the Witch God Sect, Immortal Deng's lips curled into a dark smile.
"Sun Xiangzong, how about a deal? You let the two of us leave Liangzhou, and I'll spare your descendants. I can even rescue your son and daughter from this place."
"Don't be so hasty to refuse. The Blood Sacrifice of Liangzhou is already irreversible. Originally, if you could destroy the auxiliary array and open the Life Gate in the east, a small number of people might survive. But now that Zhu Tuo Pass in Youzhou has fallen, you have no escape left."
Across from them stood officers from Liangzhou City, having built tents for Emperor Longqing and the Grand Commander. Among them was Eunuch Hou, the imperial supervisor—an old palace attendant and one of the emperor's most trusted men.
"Don't even think about it!"
Eunuch Hou shouted on the emperor's behalf. "You're not going anywhere!"
Beside him stood Shao Yuqing and Wen Zhi, their eyes blazing with fury.
"Witch God Sect fiends!"
Wen Zhi's eyes were bloodshot as he gripped his twin blades. "Even if every soul in Liangzhou dies, I'll drag you down with me! I'll avenge my son and my disciples!"
He had been forced, under control, to slaughter his own beloved students and his own child. That kind of pain would have driven any man mad. The fact he still stood sane was a miracle.
"You bastards haven't won yet!"
Eunuch Hou tossed a war report in their faces. "Our Great Sheng still has three battalions outside Liangzhou! The Life Gate isn't closed yet!"
The Witch God Sect's leader sneered, ignoring him.
Inside the command tent, Emperor Longqing sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. "So, Youzhou's been breached that quickly…"
He exhaled softly. "Send another letter to Tiger Hill Mountain. Tell Lü Ji and Chen Sanshi to immediately plan their strike on Youzhou. They must not fail."
——
Tiger Hill Mountain.
"Senior Brother! Third Brother!"
Chen Sanshi rode out two li from camp to greet them personally.
"Junior Brother."
Lü Ji wasted no time. "The situation's dire. I just received an urgent report from Youzhou. Let's go to the main tent to discuss our next move."
Inside the command tent, maps and sand tables were already laid out.
Lü Ji quickly explained the current situation. "Youzhou has fallen. The barbarian army is gathering at Li City Prefecture and advancing toward Zhu Tuo Pass. They're guarding the only Life Gate left in Liangzhou."
He looked straight at Chen Sanshi. "In my view, the two of us should move immediately. Three battalions, forty-five thousand men. I'll take the main assault—you'll lead the support. Together, we might just destroy the outer formation of Luotian Mountain and break the array!"
"Yes, Junior Brother," Nie Yuan added eagerly. "Let's not waste any time. We move now!"
But seeing Chen Sanshi's calm silence, his excitement faded. "What's wrong, Junior Brother? Do you have another plan?"
"Senior Brothers," Chen Sanshi said firmly, "we can't act like this."
"Oh?" Lü Ji slightly nodded. "Then tell us your thoughts."
"If Youzhou hadn't fallen yet, Senior Brother's plan would've been right. We should've marched there immediately. But now that the barbarian army has fully taken it, we absolutely cannot do that."
Chen Sanshi's tone was respectful but steady as he continued, "Both of you, Li City Prefecture is easy to defend but hard to attack. Zhu Tuo Pass itself isn't vital, but its terrain is so treacherous that even one man could hold off ten thousand. Now that it's already occupied, storming it head-on would take too much time and effort."
Lü Ji's voice rumbled low. "Then I'll break it by force."
"Your strength and courage are unmatched, Senior Brother. I believe that given time, you could indeed take Zhu Tuo Pass—but don't forget, time is exactly what we don't have."
Lifting the tent flap, Chen Sanshi looked out at the blood-red mist swirling in the sky. "That blood sacrifice formation is still running day and night. No one knows when it'll finish refining. The barbarians at Zhu Tuo Pass don't need to defeat us—they only need to delay us."
"What Junior Brother says makes some sense," Lü Ji admitted calmly. "But you understand as well as I do, aside from attacking Zhu Tuo Pass, we have no better choice right now. Liangzhou's crisis is already a dead end. The only way to break a dead end is through sheer force. In plain terms—we gamble. We gamble our lives."
"Well said, Senior Brother," Chen Sanshi replied. "But if we're going to gamble, why not make it a bigger one?"
"Bigger?"
Nie Yuan frowned. "Junior Brother, what do you mean?"
Chen Sanshi's expression hardened. He pulled the Liquan Spear from where it was planted in the ground. Its cold edge glimmered as he thrust the spear tip toward the edge of the sand table—pointing to the Yin Mountain Range, the barbarian capital, Wolf Juxu Mountain!
"Both of you, don't forget one thing. Zhu Tuo Pass is only the secondary formation core of the Blood Sacrifice Array. Even if we destroy it and open a Life Gate, that gate lies deep in the mountains. Liangzhou is vast, and its population counts in the millions. How many could possibly reach it in time to escape?"
"On the other hand—if we destroy the main formation core atop Wolf Juxu Mountain, the Blood Sacrifice Formation will collapse instantly."
The entire tent fell silent.
Even Chu Shixiong, Cao Zhi, and the other generals froze, stunned.
This was like what Chen Sanshi had done in the Mingzhou Campaign—a direct strike to the enemy's heart.
But that was then.
Now was different.
This time, the target was the barbarian capital itself!
The distance alone was staggering. The path was treacherous, filled with dangers and unknowns.
And most of all—
They were just one army.
A single isolated force trying to strike the enemy's imperial city—it sounded impossible.
"You're saying we attack the barbarian capital directly?" Nie Yuan stared in disbelief. "Junior Brother, that's beyond bold—are you sure you're not being delusional?"
The others shared the same thought.
"Junior Brother," Lü Ji said evenly, "it's not that I reject your idea, but do you even realize? That place is over ten thousand li away. The four barbarian tribes together have more than four hundred thousand troops. The ones in Youzhou are just part of their forces. Another two hundred thousand are still stationed across the desert."
He pressed on, voice deep and stern. "And we only have forty thousand men, with no supply line. If we don't reach Youzhou soon, our provisions will run out. Not to mention, there might also be immortals guarding the capital. Considering all that, wouldn't attacking their capital waste even more time?"
But Chen Sanshi still said, without hesitation, "No. It'll be faster."
The two men locked eyes.
Silence filled the command tent.
From the side, Cao Zhi paused mid-bite, eyes lighting with interest.
"Senior Brother, Junior Brother," Nie Yuan quickly stepped in to defuse the tension. "We're just discussing strategy—no need to turn this into a quarrel."
After a long moment, Lü Ji and Chen Sanshi both smiled faintly.
"Ah, Junior Brother," Lü Ji said in a low voice, "it seems neither of us can convince the other."
"Don't blame me, Senior Brother," Chen Sanshi replied. "But I truly believe this is the only way."
"You and I hold equal rank now," Lü Ji said. "Neither of us can give the other orders. So, let's prepare the army first. I expect His Majesty's decree will arrive soon. When it does, we'll follow it. Agreed?"
Chen Sanshi couldn't refuse.
The three battalions, more than forty thousand strong, lined up neatly near Tiger Hill Mountain, waiting for the command from Liangzhou City.
About two hours later—
"Chirp—!"
A piercing eagle cry split the wind. A golden divine eagle soared through the snowstorm, circling once before descending above the camp.
That eagle—
It was the Emperor's own pet.
It landed beside Lü Ji, who quickly retrieved the jade box tied to its leg, opened it, and took out the imperial decree. He handed it to Chen Sanshi.
"See for yourself," Lü Ji said. "His Majesty orders us to march for Youzhou immediately—no delays permitted."
Chen Sanshi stared at the decree in silence, saying nothing for a long time.
"We can't waste any more time," Lü Ji said firmly. "Move out!"
At his command, the army began to mobilize, heading toward Youzhou.
The Hongze Battalion soldiers looked back at their unmoving general—but in the end, they followed the others forward.
At that exact moment—
The heavens trembled.
From the direction of Liangzhou, the Blood Sacrifice Formation suddenly accelerated, blood mist gushing upward and flooding across the entire sky until it turned completely crimson.
At that moment, Chen Sanshi, clad in white robes and astride a white horse, raised his long spear high. His deep, commanding voice rolled through the storm like thunder from the heavens.
"Hongze Battalion, hear my order! Turn the formation—follow me! We march straight for the barbarian capital!"
That single command—
Pierced through the howling wind and snow.
It resounded in the minds of all forty-five thousand soldiers gathered at Tiger Hill Mountain.
The first to react was Xu Bin, who drew his blade and shouted in support.
Then came the others—his brothers from Poyang.
To them, there was only one truth: the general's word is the law.
Wherever the general led, they followed without question.
And besides…
Every battle under General Chen's command had seemed impossible in the eyes of others.
From Poyang to the Battle of Hulao Pass—
Every fight had defied reason.
And yet, in every single one, they had prevailed.
So this time would be no different.
If their general said they could take the barbarian capital, then they could.
Under the surge of faith and discipline, most soldiers followed suit, voices rising together in support.
Unlike the staff officers and strategists, these rank-and-file soldiers—drawn from all corners of Beiliang and assigned to the Hongze Battalion—had little contact with the higher command. The one they obeyed was the man they saw every day—their general.
And their general wasn't leading them into folly.
He was leading them to save Liangzhou, to rescue millions of innocent lives.
To save the emperor himself, and perhaps even their own families trapped within the crimson barrier.
All the victories before this moment had forged Chen Sanshi's reputation—turning it into authority strong enough to steady the army and command absolute loyalty.
And this authority was not born of words or rumor—it was born of proof.
They had seen it.
Right here, at Tiger Hill Mountain.
In this very barbarian stronghold, once overflowing with enemies—
Eight hundred men.
In a single night, they had slain ten thousand.
Even now, the corpses of those enemies lay frozen beneath the snow, their bodies turned to ice sculptures—a silent monument to his power.
If anyone doubted, they only had to look.
How could they question such a man?
When General Chen gave an order, you followed it. That was all.
Among those rallying behind him were veteran officers like Xiao Zheng and Xia Cong, who had followed Chen Sanshi since the campaign in Laizhou.
They had witnessed firsthand the day three thousand armored soldiers broke through one hundred thousand enemies at the gates of Hulao.
Their faith was absolute.
In the swelling wave of fervor, they too pledged their loyalty.
"You… you're all insane!"
Vice General Chu Shixiong stood frozen, staring at the men's blazing eyes.
"Junior Brother?!"
Even Lü Ji was caught off guard. He rode forward on his fiery stallion, disbelief on his face. "What are you doing? The imperial decree has already arrived!"
"Senior Brother, it's not that I refuse to obey—it's that I cannot obey!"
Chen Sanshi cupped his fists and pointed toward the blood-stained sky in the distance. "Look toward Liangzhou! None of us knows when the Blood Sacrifice Formation will finish its refinement. Even if you and I manage to breach Zhu Tuo Pass and open the Life Gate right before it completes, we'll only buy a few moments for people to escape. How many will survive in that little time?!"
"And what of it?"
Lü Ji's tone was resolute. "Junior Brother, you must understand—His Majesty is still within Liangzhou City. So is Master, and nearly one hundred thousand soldiers. As long as we open the Life Gate, at least His Majesty, Master, Junior Sister Sun Li, and Junior Brother Sun Buqi can be saved. Whatever number of soldiers or civilians escape beyond that—every life counts. Isn't that the surest course?"
"Senior Brother, believe me—I'm not being reckless!" Chen Sanshi's voice rang clear and firm. "If we attack Zhu Tuo Pass, I'm only fifty percent confident. But if we strike the barbarian capital, I have over seventy percent certainty. If you join me, that rises to eighty percent."
His eyes gleamed with unwavering determination. "Would I risk everything if I wasn't sure?"
Seeing Lü Ji's silence, Chen Sanshi knew his brother's heart differed from his own. So he stopped trying to persuade him.
"Move out!"
His shout cut through the storm.
In unison, fifteen thousand soldiers of the Hongze Battalion roared, their voices shaking the sky and stirring the snow beneath their boots.
Then, with disciplined precision, the horses surged forward—armor gleaming under the crimson sky—as the army plunged northward into the boundless desert.
"General Chu! Don't hesitate!"
Xia Cong called out urgently. "Join us! The army's moving!"
"This is disobedience!"
Chu Shixiong shouted back. "Are you all mad?! The decree clearly says we're to march for Youzhou—not north, and certainly not to some capital ten thousand li away!"
The soldiers might escape punishment by sheer numbers.
But he—he was the vice general!
His very duty was to restrain the commander if needed, ensuring obedience to imperial orders and preventing chaos.
If this went wrong, he'd be held accountable for treason.
"General Chu," Xia Cong said gravely, "is there anyone in this world more loyal than General Chen?!"
He spoke with conviction. "Remember—General Chen was personally promoted by His Majesty himself! Every war he fought, he did it for the court, for the emperor's peace of mind!"
"And don't forget—on Mount Ziwei, when the assassins struck, it was General Chen who shielded His Majesty with his own body!
"That night of chaos, he led three thousand black-armored guards into the palace to protect the throne!
"On the battlefield, I've never seen him take a wound.
"But that night—he bled from countless cuts, his body covered in gashes from knives and swords, yet he still stood between His Majesty and death!"
"These are things I saw with my own eyes. How could they be false?"
"Vice Commander Xia is right."
Xiao Zheng followed up immediately. "General Chen didn't disobey on purpose. It's clear he believes this is the best way to save His Majesty from the crisis in Liangzhou!"
"Didn't the General just say so himself?" You Jike added. "If we follow him, there's an eighty percent chance to save His Majesty. If we follow General Lü, there's only fifty percent."
"I choose to believe the General."
"Fine!"
Chu Shixiong had never been at odds with Chen Sanshi. In fact, he deeply respected the White-Robed General. Now, realizing that Chen's actions came from a genuine desire to protect the emperor, he found no reason to refuse. He gave a short nod and ordered his men to follow.
"Junior Brother!"
Nie Yuan galloped forward on his warhorse, catching up. "This is an imperial command! You're defying His Majesty himself—think carefully!"
He raised his voice, his tone a mix of warning and worry. "And besides, attacking the barbarian capital is far more dangerous than going for Zhu Tuo Pass! One mistake, and it's eternal damnation!
"Also… Junior Sister.
"Yes, Sun Li is still waiting for you to return and marry her! I'm still waiting to drink at your wedding banquet!"
"Senior Brother, I'll say it again."
Chen Sanshi spoke slowly, each word deliberate. "I'm no fool or glory-seeker. Based on everything I've analyzed, this path truly has a higher chance of success. As a commander, isn't it my duty to follow the path that offers the best chance of victory?"
He straightened, his tone unwavering. "As for disobeying orders—'When a general is in the field, some commands must not be followed.' His Majesty is trapped inside Liangzhou City. There are things he cannot see clearly from there."
He clasped his fists firmly. "When it's over, I'll personally write to His Majesty and explain everything. His Majesty is a wise ruler—he'll understand."
"I'll help explain too," came another voice.
From the rear of the column, Cao Zhi rode up with a grin. He tilted his head toward Chen Sanshi, raised an eyebrow, and said under his breath, "Big Brother, my life's in your hands now!"
Seeing that no words could sway him, Nie Yuan finally gave up. He could only watch as the Hongze Battalion disappeared into the white blur of snow and sand.
"Forget it," Lü Ji said quietly from atop his horse. "He's not a Martial Saint, and the Hongze Battalion's numbers aren't large. Taking Zhu Tuo Pass doesn't hinge on him. Let him go."
"Yes, General."
One of the sub-commanders from the Black Tortoise Battalion stepped forward. "This battle is your moment to truly make a name for yourself. If you lead our two battalions and resolve Liangzhou's crisis, combined with your years of prestige, you'll earn the loyalty of the entire Beiliang Army. You'd naturally inherit the Grand Marshal's mantle afterward!
"That Chen Sanshi—he may be the Grand Marshal's last disciple, but over these two years his fame has grown far too quickly. Some of the old generals have been whispering, wondering who'll inherit the Marshal's command. Some even put him before you."
He smirked. "This battle will show them who truly deserves that place."
Chen Sanshi wasn't the only one with loyal followers.
Lü Ji had fought across countless campaigns—his own loyal veterans were no fewer.
He exhaled slowly and said just two words: "Enough talk."
"Your subordinate deserves death!"
The officer immediately slapped himself across the face and stepped back in shame.
"Still, he's not wrong."
Nie Yuan spoke quietly. "Some things can't be decided by Master alone. Just because he wants to pass his mantle to someone doesn't mean everyone will accept it. You're the eldest disciple. Most still follow your lead.
"If you win this battle and save Liangzhou, His Majesty will surely make you the next Grand Marshal—it's practically guaranteed."
He paused and sighed. "As for our youngest brother… he's never lost a single battle since joining the army. Maybe it's time he takes a fall and learns to humble himself a bit.
"I just hope… he doesn't die out there in the desert."
"No more," Lü Ji said, tightening his reins. "We move out."
He spurred his horse, and the army followed, banners flapping in the storm.
——
Liangzhou City.
Ever since the barrier appeared, the Sixth Prince Cao Huan had been living in a tent near the Great Wall, risking himself to stay close to the front for information.
He paced restlessly, eyes fixed on the shimmering red barrier in the distance.
"Youzhou…" he muttered. "Let's hope General Lü's army reaches Youzhou soon."
"Master Xu did well not to defend blindly. Preserving strength was the right call."
"When their forces combine, they'll face the barbarians' one hundred fifty thousand troops head-on. They should still have a chance to fight."
"The court's also mobilizing reinforcements from all over."
"I just hope they can destroy the formation node before it's too late."
Around him stood Fang Qingyun, Cheng Wei, and Zhao Wuji.
"Yes," Zhao Wuji said tensely. "But who knows how far they've gotten by now?"
"Whizz—"
As they spoke, an arrow whistled through the air and struck the edge of the barrier. A messenger rushed forward to retrieve it.
"It's from the field—let's see."
Cao Huan took the message, steadied his breath, and broke the seal.
But the moment his eyes scanned the page, his face went pale, body frozen stiff.
"Your Highness?"
Cheng Wei frowned. "What happened? Did another tribe attack near Tiger Hill? Or were they ambushed en route?"
"Neither…" Cao Huan's voice trembled. "It's Chen Sanshi. Chen Sanshi defied orders!
"He didn't go to Youzhou.
"He led the entire Hongze Battalion north—straight toward the barbarian capital, ten thousand li away!"