Inside the Right Army’s tent, a trace of warmth still lingered in the air.
Xia Lanshi wore a thin, plain white cotton undergarment, its light fabric revealing the faint color of his skin beneath.
Xiao stood before him with a complicated expression on his face. Looking at those slender shoulders, he sighed helplessly. “Do you really have to do this?”
The corners of Xia Lanshi’s lips lifted into a faint smile, as though trying to soothe his worries.
“Hurry up. Otherwise, once people arrive, we won’t have time.”
In the end, Xiao could only shake his head helplessly. He picked up the specially made black protective combat vest beside them and carefully helped Xia Lanshi put it on. His fingertips ran along the edges of the vest as he meticulously checked that every part fit properly.
“This belongs to the Gatekeeper.” As he adjusted the straps at the shoulders, his voice carried a faint, barely perceptible tension. “It can absorb some of the impact and reduce abrasions, but it doesn’t make you invulnerable to blades and bullets. If a sharp weapon really comes at you head-on, don’t think that wearing this will let you hold out even a moment longer.”
Xia Lanshi lowered his head to look at it. Unlike ordinary heavy armor, the vest was thin and lightweight. It fitted snugly over his undergarment, and unless someone touched it at close range, they would hardly notice it was there. The material felt cool and supple beneath his fingertips, its composition unusual.
Xiao then helped him put on a thin leather cuirass, carefully adjusting the straps at the shoulders and waist to ensure they would not interfere with raising his arms or turning his body.
Next, he fastened the breastplate, making sure there were no loose gaps and that the most vital part of his body, his heart, was protected.
Immediately afterward, he carefully secured thin leather arm guards around Xia Lanshi’s arms, tightening each strap inch by inch.
Xia Lanshi was not skilled in close-quarters combat. However, if stray arrows or blades grazed him on the battlefield, these pieces of armor could at least protect him from impacts, scrapes, and some weapon strikes when necessary.
Xiao took out a sturdy leather arm guard, wider and longer than the pair he had just fastened. It extended from the wrist to above the elbow.
“Hold out your left arm.”
Xia Lanshi did as instructed.
Xiao’s gaze lingered for a moment on the ring on the middle finger of Xia Lanshi’s left hand. Then he slipped the arm guard onto his left arm, adjusted its position, and tightened it with leather straps. His movements were slow, and he checked each strap to ensure it was secure without being too tight or too loose.
Xia Lanshi lowered his head to look at his left arm. The arm guard was noticeably thicker than the protective guard on his right arm. He tried moving his wrist. It felt slightly heavy, but it did not hinder his movements.
Seeing that Xiao’s brows had remained furrowed the entire time, Xia Lanshi’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“The Vanguard Camp stores most of our siege equipment. If the enemy gets their hands on it, we’ll have to expend a great deal more effort when we attack Baishui Pass. I cannot simply sit in the main tent and wait for news during this battle.”
“You can issue orders without going to the front.”
“I’ll remain at the command position. I won’t charge into the ranks. Besides, you know very well that I’m not someone who only talks about warfare on paper while sitting inside a tent. This isn’t my first time, either. If I don’t even dare personally oversee the defense of a military camp, how can I expect others to trust my command in the future?”
Xiao did not answer immediately.
He knew Xia Lanshi was not acting out of a momentary impulse to prove himself. Over the years, Xia Lanshi had accompanied the army on its campaigns, witnessed numerous battles, and even personally stepped onto the battlefield. He also had his own judgment when it came to directing troops and assessing the enemy.
It was just that his constitution was weak. If an unexpected situation arose on the battlefield, he might not be able to endure for as long as others.
Xiao picked up a plain white robe. It was loose-fitting, secured at the waist with a simple cloth belt. The sleeves narrowed at the cuffs, and the hem was shorter than usual, making it convenient for riding horses and using a bow without anything getting in the way.
Xiao carefully smoothed the front of the robe, concealing all the protective gear underneath.
Then he stepped back half a pace and examined Xia Lanshi from head to toe.
At that moment, Xia Lanshi still looked like the same slender scholar as always. No one would have guessed that beneath his seemingly thin robes lay layer upon layer of tightly fitted protective equipment.
“All done,” Xiao said quietly, though his brows remained deeply furrowed.
Xia Lanshi lowered his head to look at himself, then suddenly laughed. “You’ve wrapped me up like a zongzi.”
“A zongzi is fine.” Xiao stepped forward and draped the final piece, a snow-white cloak, over his shoulders. His fingertips paused briefly at Xia Lanshi’s collar. “A zongzi is still better than a blade. At least it won’t throw itself onto the edge of a knife.”
Xiao carefully inspected every strap again, ensuring nothing would interfere with his movements.
“When have I ever thrown myself onto the edge of a knife?”
“You just said you wanted to go to the Vanguard Camp in person.”
“That’s to command the troops, not to throw my life away.”
Xiao gave him a look that clearly showed he did not agree with that explanation, but he did not argue further.
Seeing that he was still so worried, Xia Lanshi took the initiative and gently wrapped his arms around Xiao. He rested his forehead lightly against Xiao’s chest and spoke in a softer voice.
“Don’t worry. I don’t need to crush the enemy completely. I only need to hold the Vanguard Camp and protect the siege equipment. I won’t charge to the front lines. Besides… you’ll be following me, won’t you?”
“I’ll follow you. But you have to promise me that if anything seems wrong, you’ll retreat. Don’t trap yourself somewhere you can’t escape just to prove that you’re capable of commanding troops.”
Xiao lowered his head to look at him, the worry in his eyes still undiminished.
Xia Lanshi fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.
“All right.”
The corners of Xiao’s mouth lifted slightly. “Anyone who wants to hurt my esteemed Chief Administrative Officer will have to step over my dead body first.”
He casually picked up the hair tie he usually used to bind his hair and held it between his lips. Then he gently turned Xia Lanshi around, gathered up his long hair, as pure as tufts of white jade silk, and took the hair tie back into his hand. With practiced movements, he tied the hair into a high ponytail.
They were finally ready.
Xiao was just about to lower his head and claim a reward when an urgent announcement suddenly came from outside the tent.
“—Lord Chief Administrative Officer Xia! There is new activity in the direction of Baishui Pass!”
Xia Lanshi answered, “Understood. I’ll be there immediately.”
He had only just straightened up when a pair of warm, thin lips suddenly pressed fiercely against his own.
The kiss carried a hint of possessiveness and reluctance, stealing all the air from his lungs. Only when Xia Lanshi began breathing unevenly and pushed against Xiao’s chest was he finally released, albeit reluctantly.
“What are you doing…?” Xia Lanshi gasped, the tips of his ears turning red as he spoke with a hint of reproach. “The enemy is about to attack!”
A mischievous glint flashed through Xiao’s eyes. “If Tuoba Lie learned that the Prince of Su’s Chief Administrative Officer was flirting with a guest advisor right before a battle, he might suspect a trap and become too afraid to attack.”
Xia Lanshi was speechless. “You dare suggest such a strategy, but I wouldn’t dare use it. Stop fooling around.”
Xiao’s eyes held a smile. Then he composed himself and said in a deep voice, “Go ahead first. I’ll finish getting ready and join you immediately.”
“All right.”
Xia Lanshi lifted the tent flap and left.
After he was gone, Xiao turned around to finish preparing himself.
When he raised his hand, a glimmer of light caught his attention.
His fingertips gently brushed over the cold ring on the middle finger of his left hand.
Looking down at it, he felt a deep, sweet warmth rise in his heart.
If Xia Lanshi wanted to win this battle, then no matter what it took, Xiao would become the sharpest blade and fight for him.
Xiao took a deep breath, suppressing every trace of affection in his eyes. He picked up the spear beside him and strode out of the tent.
◇◆◇◆◇
Inside Baishui Pass.
Tuoba Lie stood on the inner side of the pass tower, listening as the scout commander reported the latest intelligence one piece at a time.
“General, Pei Yi personally led three thousand cavalry out of camp a short while ago, heading southwest. From what we observed along the way, the troops were not merely a small patrol pretending to be a larger force. They appear to have departed as an organized unit.”
Tuoba Lie frowned.
Why would Pei Yi suddenly leave?
Southwest?
What was Pei Yi planning by heading in the direction of Yanguai Plains?
…Could this be another trap designed to make him lower his guard?
“Are you certain it was Pei Yi himself?” he asked.
“Absolutely. Not only was he carrying the Pei banner, but we also personally saw his spear, Pojun.”
Tuoba Lie pondered for a moment.
With Duanyun Fortress having fallen, the situation had already changed. Perhaps something had happened that forced Pei Yi to leave.
He had not yet received any other military reports, so it was difficult to make a judgment.
However, it was highly likely that this had something to do with Prince Su. Yanguai Plains was precisely where Prince Su was stationed.
In that case… if Pei Yi really was going to rendezvous with Xiao Yuan, then the camp he had left behind would now be at its weakest.
He had two choices: remain where he was and take no action, or launch a surprise attack on Pei Yi’s camp.
If he did nothing and Pei Yi returned here together with Prince Su, the situation at Baishui Pass would become even more dangerous. Duanyun Fortress, which they had originally believed would be difficult to capture and capable of holding out for at least another month, had already fallen just like that.
If he launched an attack, there were two possible outcomes.
First, this might be a trap set by Pei Yi to lure him out of the pass. Pei Yi had taken the cavalry with him, and if Tuoba Lie led his troops out in pursuit, Pei Yi might suddenly turn back and attack. In that case, Baishui Pass itself would be in danger.
Second, Pei Yi might indeed have left troops behind to guard the camp. Even so, taking three thousand cavalry away would still have a considerable impact on the original military structure.
Tuoba Lie lowered his gaze to the military map on the table.
Pei Yi had originally commanded around eight thousand men. After the three thousand cavalry departed, there should theoretically still be approximately five thousand troops remaining in the camp.
However, these were figures from earlier military records. They did not necessarily mean that every unit was still in its original position.
“What about the Vanguard Camp?”
“It remains in its original position. The barricades and wooden palisades outside the Vanguard Camp are still in place, and there are men stationed in the watchtowers. We can see the outlines of siege equipment inside the camp. Our men observed another force entering the main camp. The actual troop numbers have now changed, but we cannot yet determine how many men are stationed farther inside.”
The scout commander reported the situation.
They had already expended quite a few men trying to determine Pei Yi’s troop strength. Now that Pei Yi had only just left and another force had entered the camp, they needed more time to investigate.
Tuoba Lie said, “What you saw was the Vanguard Camp, not the entire military encampment. Do not mistake what you cannot see for a place where no one is stationed.”
The scout commander lowered his head and acknowledged the order.
Tuoba Lie asked again, “Did you identify the commander of the force that entered?”
The scout commander immediately answered, “It was Xia Lanshi.”
This man was also quite famous in the north, though not for his martial prowess on the battlefield like Prince Su or Pei Yi. Rather, he was known for his sharp mind and strategies.
They had suffered at this man’s hands more than once in the past.
Within their army, they had given Xia Lanshi a nickname: White Calamity.
Wherever he appeared, nothing good ever came of it for them.
Tuoba Lie continued, “What about the defenses at the Vanguard Camp?”
“The camp is still guarded by soldiers. Based on the banners, patrols, and movement through the camp gates, we estimate that the Vanguard Camp has at least a thousand men. The actual number remains uncertain.”
Tuoba Lie tapped his fingers against the military map twice.
He knew that Great Sheng had concentrated most of its siege equipment in the Vanguard Camp. If he could destroy those machines or seize some of their provisions and weapons, then even if he could not breach Great Sheng’s main encampment, he would still be able to slow down their preparations for the next attack on Baishui Pass.
Duanyun Fortress had already fallen, and its provisions and equipment had fallen into enemy hands. If they merely guarded Baishui Pass without taking action, allowing Great Sheng to prepare for the siege at its own pace, their situation would only become increasingly unfavorable.
However, Pei Yi’s decision to take three thousand cavalry away might also be intended to lure him into making a move.
Tuoba Lie had not overlooked that possibility.
“Send men to investigate again. After Pei Yi’s departure, check whether there are any signs of troop movements at the Vanguard Camp and whether additional cavalry have been traveling along the nearby roads. Remember, observe only. Do not approach closely enough to reveal your positions.”
“Yes, General.”
After the scout commander withdrew, Tuoba Lie summoned several officers to review Baishui Pass’s defenses and the number of troops available for an offensive.
Baishui Pass could not be left undefended.
If he led all fifteen thousand men out, even if the Vanguard Camp really was weakly defended, Great Sheng might seize the opportunity to exert pressure from another direction.
In the end, he decided to send only six thousand men, led by the commander of the vanguard, to launch a surprise attack on the Vanguard Camp before the enemy could fully adjust its deployment.
The remaining troops would stay behind to guard Baishui Pass, with enough mobile forces kept in reserve to respond if Pei Yi returned unexpectedly or Great Sheng had made other arrangements.
Tuoba Lie’s gaze remained fixed on the military map.
Six thousand men were insufficient for a reckless assault on Great Sheng’s entire encampment, but they were enough to concentrate their strength against a Vanguard Camp whose defenses remained unclear.
He was not seeking a great victory.
As long as he could destroy some of the siege equipment or force Great Sheng to divert troops from its main camp to provide reinforcements, he would be able to delay their preparations to attack Baishui Pass.
If Great Sheng reacted too quickly or the Vanguard Camp’s defenses proved far stronger than expected, he would immediately withdraw his troops rather than allow a single raid to turn into another war of attrition.
“Send the order to the vanguard. The siege equipment is our first target.”
Tuoba Lie addressed the vanguard commander. “If you can destroy the equipment, then seize their provisions and weapons. If Great Sheng’s main forces appear, or if the attack is obstructed to the point that we cannot achieve our objectives within the allotted time, do not push any farther. Do not get bogged down in a desperate battle over a single camp. We are going out to seize the initiative, not to help Great Sheng wear down its own troops.”
The vanguard commander accepted the order.
Tuoba Lie watched him leave, then turned his gaze back to the military map.
“Xia Lanshi…”
He remembered that name.
This man had served at Xiao Yuan’s side for many years. He was physically frail, but by no means incompetent.
Nevertheless, a dispersed force would inevitably leave gaps in its defenses.
Ever since the fall of Duanyun Fortress and the growing threat to the supply routes behind them, the morale at Baishui Pass had remained shrouded in gloom.
Tuoba Lie understood very well that relying solely on passive defense would only allow fear to gradually erode the army’s morale.
What he needed to do was secure the results he wanted before the enemy could close those gaps.
◇◆◇◆◇
Inside the Right Army’s main tent, the atmosphere was heavy.
Apart from Xia Lanshi, Pei Yi’s deputy general, who had remained behind, was also present.
Xia Lanshi asked, “Approximately how many troops does the enemy have?”
The scout reported, “Our current estimate is around six thousand.”
The scout had already finished describing the situation observed at the front lines.
Xia Lanshi did not rush to issue orders. Instead, he raised his hand and repositioned the Vanguard Camp and the main encampment on the sand table.
He turned to Pei Yi’s deputy general.
“How many combat-ready soldiers are currently stationed at the Vanguard Camp?”
The deputy general replied, “The Vanguard Camp originally had fifteen hundred men responsible for defense and guarding the siege equipment, in addition to rotating personnel and craftsmen. The main camp still has troops available for deployment, but if we withdraw everyone, gaps will appear in the provisions, wounded personnel, and rear defenses.”
After Pei Yi’s departure, approximately five thousand of the original troops remained. However, this number included personnel responsible for camp security, transporting provisions, caring for the wounded, and maintaining the siege equipment. Not everyone could immediately be deployed in battle.
The reinforcements Xia Lanshi had brought were subject to the same limitations. Although the numbers on paper appeared sufficient, the troops that could actually be transferred to the Vanguard Camp at short notice had to be calculated after deducting the manpower needed to guard the main camp, maintain logistics, and protect the wounded.
The fact that Tuoba Lie had dispatched six thousand men did not mean Great Sheng could only oppose them with the Vanguard Camp’s original fifteen hundred soldiers.
However, Xia Lanshi could not commit every available man to the front line, either.
His task was to protect the main camp while positioning their limited combat strength where it was most needed.
Under ordinary circumstances, they would have had enough strength to handle a field battle. But Pei Yi had taken the main cavalry force to rendezvous with Xiao Yuan. Judging by the time required to travel between their locations, the two men would not return in time to provide reinforcements.
Tuoba Lie had already detected an opening in the Right Army’s defenses and would certainly not let this opportunity slip away.
“The enemy force is estimated at six thousand. That is the number they intend to commit to this raid, not the total strength of Baishui Pass,” Xia Lanshi said. “Tuoba Lie will not bring out the entire garrison of the pass. If he really did that, we would have even more reason to worry about what he had left behind.”
Xiao also lifted the tent flap and entered the main tent.
“How are things?”
Xia Lanshi replied unhurriedly, “Tuoba Lie has indeed seized the opportunity and is preparing to attack. He has around six thousand men. He has calculated that number carefully: enough to break through the Right Army’s camp within the allotted time and plunder our provisions and military equipment in the process.”
Xiao lowered his gaze to the enormous sand table in the center of the tent.
“The Vanguard Camp is only three li from Baishui Pass, and most of our siege equipment is stationed there. General Pei has been ‘setting the shields’ day after day. Now that Duanyun Fortress has fallen, Tuoba Lie will certainly try to destroy our equipment if he wants to prevent us from continuing the siege. I can hardly imagine a reason for him not to attack.”
“After destroying the siege equipment, he will also try to seize our provisions and weapons,” Xia Lanshi said. “But he cannot remain at a single camp for too long. If the garrison at Baishui Pass waits too long for his return, or if another one of our forces approaches from the flank, he will have to reconsider the cost of the attack.”
Xia Lanshi’s fingertip stopped at a narrow passage on the right wing of the sand table.
“This is the easiest place to break through, and also the place most likely to make the enemy believe they have already succeeded.”
The deputy general looked at that position.
“If the wooden palisade is dismantled, they can enter the outer camp directly.”
“Then we don’t need to defend the outer layer to the death,” Xia Lanshi said. “Let them see an opening, but don’t allow them to rush straight through it. Leave enough room to retreat on the inner side, and conceal the reserve troops somewhere they cannot see. Once the enemy’s front ranks enter while the rear ranks are still bottlenecked outside, we close in from both sides.”
Xia Lanshi spoke in a steady voice.
“They have more men than we do, so we cannot allow them to bring all their troops to bear on us at the same time.”
Pei Yi’s deputy general studied the sand table, still somewhat worried.
“If the enemy concentrates all six thousand men on the Vanguard Camp, I’m afraid the original fifteen hundred defenders alone will have difficulty holding it.”
“That is why we cannot rely solely on the Vanguard Camp’s original forces.”
Xia Lanshi picked up a command token and began assigning tasks.
The original Vanguard Camp defenders would remain in their familiar defensive positions, using the wooden palisades, barricades, and existing obstacles to delay the enemy. They were not to engage the enemy cavalry in a head-on fight on open ground.
The archers and crossbowmen would be stationed at their designated firing positions. The infantry would defend the camp gates and the areas behind the obstacles. Another reserve unit would be held back and not committed to battle prematurely.
“The main camp must not be left empty. Keep enough men to guard the provisions, the wounded, and the supply routes. Military Adviser Su will remain at the main camp to coordinate the medical officers, medicinal supplies, and treatment of the wounded.”
He handed the command token to the deputy general who would remain behind.
“The remaining combat-ready troops will accompany me to reinforce the Vanguard Camp.”
The deputy general hesitated.
“But, Lord Chief Administrative Officer, your health… you shouldn’t be fighting for too long.”
“I know,” Xia Lanshi replied calmly. “That is why I won’t charge into the enemy ranks. I’m going there so I can observe the battlefield from a fixed position and direct our forces in time.”
He knew that the enemy’s true objective was not simply to kill people. They wanted to inflict enough damage within a limited period to affect the next battle.
As long as he could prevent the Vanguard Camp from being overrun too quickly, the enemy would have to reconsider the balance between time, casualties, and the results they hoped to achieve.
“I will personally oversee the Vanguard Camp.”
He handed the command token to the deputy general.
“Maintain the main camp according to the original deployment. No matter what news comes back from the front, no one is to withdraw troops responsible for guarding the provisions or caring for the wounded without authorization.”
The deputy general accepted the token, acknowledged the order, and left the tent.
Xia Lanshi turned to Xiao and flashed him a sly smile.
“Let’s go. It’s time to show the Northern Di people how the White Calamity will wreak havoc on them this time.”
Xiao frowned slightly at the nickname but did not object. He simply lifted his spear and followed Xia Lanshi.
◇◆◇◆◇
Outside the Vanguard Camp near Baishui Pass, the wind blew from the direction of the pass, carrying sand and gravel and driving the murderous atmosphere to its peak.
The soldiers guarding the camp had already received the news and returned to their assigned positions. Narrow passages had been left between the barricades for their own men to move through, while firing positions for the archers and crossbowmen had been prepared behind the wooden palisades.
The siege equipment was guarded in separate sections rather than being crowded together in one place merely because an enemy attack was imminent.
Xia Lanshi personally climbed onto the command platform inside the camp.
He did not stand at the highest point with the wind blowing directly against him. Instead, he chose a position from which he could clearly see the camp gates, both wings, and the roads to the rear.
His cloak fluttered in the wind. He handed the command flags to the messenger beside him, then picked up a light crossbow and checked that both the mechanism and the bolt case were functioning properly before placing it within easy reach.
He knew very well that his strength did not lie in close-quarters combat, but he was still capable of using a bow and crossbow.
This was not because he intended to charge into the enemy ranks himself, but because he wanted to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
If an enemy broke through the defenses and approached the command platform, he could at least buy himself a little time until his personal guards arrived.
He had to remain in a position where he could see the entire battlefield, ensuring that every order reached his troops before the enemy could make its next move.
Not far from him stood a specially made wooden perch.
A horizontal bar wrapped in soft leather rested atop the frame. A copper ring was nailed to each end of the bar, with thin leather cords attached to the rings.
The snow owl, Xueye, was perched on it.
Today, it had not been locked inside a cage.
Its round eyes gleamed with an amber-gold light beneath the sunlight. The wind ruffled its snow-white feathers, making it look like a ball of snow resting on the wooden perch.
It tilted its head, looking first at Xia Lanshi and then at Xiao, who stood not far away.
Xueye had been raised and trained personally by Xia Lanshi.
A battlefield was not an ideal place for flying.
However, Xia Lanshi had some tasks to entrust to it today.
Xiao stood a short distance away, his long spear angled toward the ground.
Over his usual crimson round-collared robe, he now wore leather armor. His ink-black hair was tied high, making him as striking as ever.
The soldiers in the army knew little about the true abilities of this guest advisor, Mr. Liuchu. However, the stories about the Su Guards had spread in vivid detail, giving them a certain degree of confidence in him.
His mount, Huiye, was equally eye-catching. The powerful horse seemed to have already caught the scent of the battlefield, yet it showed no signs of unease. It stood quietly in place, ready to spring into action at any moment.
“You don’t look like someone who’s about to go to war,” Xiao said quietly.
“I was never planning to engage anyone in close combat.”
Xiao looked toward the area outside the camp.
“Then remember what you just said.”
Xia Lanshi did not answer. He simply turned his gaze toward the distant horizon.
A moment later, a moving cloud of dust appeared on the horizon.
The first thing to return from the outposts was the enemy’s banner signal.
—The enemy had arrived.
◇◆◇◆◇
The vanguard of the Cangyuan Khanate’s army did not immediately charge at full speed toward the wooden palisades.
The vanguard commander sat astride his warhorse, holding a curved saber as he coldly watched the Great Sheng Vanguard Camp ahead.
Following Tuoba Lie’s orders, he first dispatched small groups of cavalry to move along the camp’s perimeter, testing the Great Sheng defenders’ reactions while observing whether there were any obvious signs of troop movements at the camp gates or along either flank.
These cavalrymen did not approach too closely. They knew that the Vanguard Camp had archers and crossbowmen. Losing a group of cavalry just to get a better look would not be worth it.
However, after several rounds of probing, they still failed to find an opening that could be breached quickly.
The Great Sheng defenders did not pursue the cavalry when they rode past, nor did they redeploy all their archers and crossbowmen to one side simply because the enemy was moving around the perimeter.
The vanguard commander frowned. “Their defenses weren’t hastily thrown together.”
The deputy general beside him said, “Perhaps they anticipated our arrival long ago.”
“It’s also possible that the White Calamity hasn’t concentrated all his troops in one place.” The vanguard commander did not immediately draw a conclusion. “Watch for another round. If they still refuse to leave the camp, concentrate our forces and attack the perimeter first. Force them to redeploy.”
He raised his hand and issued the order.
The sound of horns rang out, and the Cangyuan Khanate’s vanguard began advancing.
The sound of hooves gradually grew denser. Infantry followed behind the cavalry, ready to widen the breach as soon as the barricades were knocked aside.
Inside the camp, Xia Lanshi lowered the binoculars in his hands.
“The enemy vanguard’s cavalry is probing our defenses, not launching the main attack,” he told the deputy general. “The archers and crossbowmen must not waste their arrows prematurely. Wait until they truly approach the obstacles before firing from the designated positions.”
The deputy general acknowledged the order and relayed it.
Only when the first group of cavalry approached the barricades did the archers and crossbowmen rise from behind their cover and release their arrows as instructed. The arrows flew into the gaps between the cavalrymen and their horses, forcing the front ranks to slow down and change direction.
A warhorse was startled and veered away from its original path, crashing into the troops behind it. The cavalryman had to tighten his reins, causing the attack to stall briefly.
It was not a devastating blow, but it prevented the following troops from advancing without obstruction.
The Northern Di army did not retreat because of this.
The vanguard commander quickly ordered the infantry forward to dismantle the barricades, while the cavalry searched for new breakthroughs along both flanks.
The outer defenses of the Vanguard Camp began to come under genuine pressure.
The wood groaned under the impact of repeated blows. Arrows embedded themselves in the palisades, and several defenders were forced to withdraw from their original positions.
Xia Lanshi watched the reports coming from both flanks without hastily ordering a counterattack.
What he was waiting for was not the enemy to grow tired, but to see how they would choose their next move after their attack was obstructed.
Soon, the main body of the Northern Di army began concentrating on the right flank.
The outer wooden palisades there had sustained more damage, and the terrain was also more favorable for an advance. The vanguard commander decided to commit more troops to this position, attempting to open a breach wide enough for the infantry to enter before Great Sheng could adjust its deployment.
Xia Lanshi noticed the change.
“The enemy is concentrating its attack on the right wing.”
The deputy general immediately asked, “Should we send the reserve troops to reinforce it?”
“Have the right wing withdraw according to the original plan. Do not let the defenders scatter. Move the reserve troops closer to the center, but do not commit them yet.”
He paused before adding, “Send word to the archers and crossbowmen to hold their firing positions. Do not follow the enemy’s front ranks as they advance.”
The command flags were quickly relayed.
The Great Sheng army’s flags waved, and the defenders on the right wing began withdrawing in alternating groups. They retreated section by section to their designated defensive positions farther inside. It looked like a rout, but even if the enemy breached the first layer of palisades, they would still be unable to rush straight to the siege equipment.
The Northern Di vanguard consequently advanced some distance.
Believing that he had found a breakthrough, the vanguard commander immediately ordered the following troops to catch up.
However, the distance between the front and rear ranks also increased as a result.
Xia Lanshi had been waiting for precisely this development.
“Now,” he said.
Following his orders, the reserve troops moved in from the side of the central formation. Rather than charging directly at the densest part of the enemy force, they first seized a passage the enemy had overlooked, cutting off the vanguard’s route for further penetration.
At the same time, the archers and crossbowmen who had remained behind cover fired again, forcing the Northern Di infantrymen who were dismantling the barricades to stop what they were doing.
The sudden change caught the enemy off guard, and the momentum of their assault immediately faltered. For the first time, their advance was visibly obstructed.
The vanguard commander realized that Great Sheng was not merely relying on the wooden palisades to hold its ground. Instead, it was using layered defenses to slow his advance.
He did not allow his troops to continue blindly pushing forward. Instead, he ordered them to reorganize their formation and prepare to concentrate their forces again.
Just then, a snow-white figure swept across the sky above the battlefield.
It was a snow owl.
It flew over the camp, its enormous white wings particularly conspicuous against the gloomy sky as it circled above the blood-soaked battlefield.
As it changed direction, it let out a brief cry, its hoarse, urgent call quickly drowned out by the shouts of soldiers and the pounding of hooves.
Nevertheless, some of the Northern Di soldiers saw it.
One of them glanced upward. Upon seeing the snow owl, which seemed to radiate an almost sacred aura, his movements involuntarily slowed for half a beat.
“A snow owl…”
His companion immediately shouted, “Watch the front!”
The soldier turned his attention back to the battle and tightened his grip on his weapon, yet he could not help glancing at the sky once more.
For the Cangyuan Khanate, whose people had lived for generations amid endless ice and snow, the color white represented something sacred or worthy of reverence.
In the ancient legends of the grasslands, the snow owl was a divine bird that connected heaven and earth and delivered heavenly revelations. It was said to be the eyes through which their ancestors watched over the mortal world.
Not everyone believed in these legends, and not everyone would stop fighting because of them. But at a time when the fall of Duanyun Fortress and concerns over food supplies had yet to fade, the white figure still stirred a certain unease.
The vanguard commander of the Cangyuan Khanate also saw the snow owl. He merely furrowed his brows slightly before turning his attention back to the battlefield.
“Continue reorganizing the formation!”
Legends might inspire fear and hesitation, but they could not change the battle unfolding before his eyes.
◇◆◇◆◇
After the Northern Di army reorganized its attack, its offensive became more methodical than before.
The vanguard commander ordered the infantry to dismantle the obstacles first, with archers providing cover from behind. The cavalry would wait until a breach had been created before joining the assault.
This time, the pressure on the Great Sheng defenders grew even greater.
At last, a section of the wooden palisade on the right wing was dismantled.
The Northern Di infantry surged through the opening, and the front ranks clashed with the defenders in the narrow passage.
This time, Great Sheng was no longer merely using obstacles to buy time. Several defenders were forced to retreat behind the second defensive line, and the outer defenses developed a breach that could not be immediately repaired.
Neither side could easily spread out into formation. The clashing of weapons mingled with the shouts of battle, and casualties gradually increased.
The deputy general hurriedly reported, “The breach on the right wing has opened! The enemy is pushing inward!”
Xia Lanshi did not look at the collapsed section of palisade. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the area behind the breach.
Although the vanguard had broken through the palisade, the troops behind them were still constrained by the narrow passage and surrounding obstacles. They could not all pour through at once.
The enemy had opened a breach, but they had not yet assembled enough force to overwhelm the entire defensive line.
“How many of their following troops have caught up?” he asked.
“The front ranks have entered, but the rear ranks are still bottlenecked outside.”
“Then hold the inner defenses. There is no need to retake the palisade,” Xia Lanshi said. “Order the reserve troops to seal both sides of the breach. Have the archers and crossbowmen target the following troops trying to enter. Do not waste arrows on those who have already passed the obstacles. Keep the enemy vanguard from advancing beyond the second defensive line.”
What he wanted was not to preserve every inch of the wooden palisade intact. He wanted to ensure that even if the enemy breached the outer defenses, they could not widen the opening into a passage through which a large body of troops could advance.
The Northern Di soldiers had already entered.
But they still had not opened a path to the siege equipment.
The deputy general was momentarily taken aback before understanding what Xia Lanshi meant.
“Yes, sir!”
After the orders were relayed, the defenders on the right wing stopped desperately trying to reclaim the dismantled palisade and instead focused on defending the inner positions.
Although the Northern Di army had entered the outer perimeter, it had gained no additional room to maneuver.
The wind around the command platform never ceased.
When Xia Lanshi handed the command flag to the messenger, his fingertips had already grown somewhat cold.
He adjusted his stance, steadied his center of gravity, and looked toward the area outside the camp. Inwardly, he calmly calculated how much longer his body could endure and what contingency arrangements would be needed if the battle dragged on.
His gaze shifted slightly toward Xiao, who was standing not far away, guarding him.
He knew that even if he collapsed, Xiao would take over.
But today, he had a reason he could not afford to fall.
It was not yet time for him to withdraw. At least until the defensive line stabilized, he could not leave his command position.
The vanguard commander soon realized that his troops were being forced into several narrow passages.
He had originally intended to use his numerical superiority to overwhelm the Vanguard Camp quickly. Instead, he discovered that every step forward cost time and casualties.
He raised his head and looked into the camp.
The White Calamity still stood on the command platform, directing the battle.
That man had not panicked when the breach on the right wing opened, nor had he hastily committed his entire army to a counterattack.
Great Sheng’s banners continued to move, and messengers hurried back and forth between different positions. Although the defenders were under pressure, there was no sign of a general collapse.
A sense of displeasure rose in the vanguard commander’s heart.
This raid should have achieved its objectives before Great Sheng had time to respond fully.
Yet now, time was slipping away.
“Send another unit forward! We must break through the inner defensive line!” he ordered.
The deputy general hesitated. “If we commit more troops, the distance between the vanguard and the rear ranks will grow even greater.”
“I know,” the vanguard commander replied. “But if we cannot open a breach before Great Sheng finishes adjusting its reinforcements, there will be no reason for us to remain here.”
He was not blind to the risks. He simply believed that one more attempt was still necessary.
The Northern Di army advanced again.
This time, Xia Lanshi waited until the enemy’s following troops began entering the narrow passage before issuing another order.
“Move the central reserve troops to the rear flank of the right wing and block their path deeper into the camp. The left wing does not need to pursue them. It only needs to tie down the enemy forces on the outer perimeter.”
He looked at the deputy general, his tone still calm.
“Our objective is to protect the siege equipment, not to kill every enemy soldier here. As long as they cannot advance any farther inward, we will have successfully stopped this assault.”
The reserve troops began moving.
The vanguard of the Cangyuan Khanate soon discovered that although they had broken through the first obstacle, they still could not approach the area where the siege equipment was stored.
The troops attempting to follow them were coming under pressure from the flank and had no choice but to reorganize their formation.
The offensive stalled once again.
Xia Lanshi did not relax because of this.
He knew that the enemy still had troops available and still had choices to make. Since Tuoba Lie had sent only part of his forces to launch the raid, the vanguard commander would not easily exhaust his entire force at a camp where he was making no progress.
The true outcome of the battle depended on what happened next.
◇◆◇◆◇
Near the command platform.
The fighting near the breach on the right wing had not yet completely subsided when a Northern Di cavalryman took advantage of the chaos of close combat between the two armies and circled around the first obstacle along an outer passage.
He had originally intended to exploit the defenders’ troop movements to strike directly at the commander on the platform, but Xia Lanshi’s personal guards spotted him.
“Stop him!” one of the guards shouted.
Before the shout had even faded, the cavalryman was already charging forward with his saber raised.
Xiao moved first, sweeping his long spear across the path of the warhorse and blocking its advance.
The enemy swung his saber downward. Xiao sidestepped the blade, then immediately thrust the shaft of his spear against the side of the horse’s head, forcing the animal to turn.
The cavalryman lost his momentum. Before he could regain control and adjust his position, the guards who had rushed over joined forces to intercept him.
It was merely a single assault that had slipped in from the outer perimeter. It had not torn open the entire defensive line.
Nevertheless, it reminded Xia Lanshi that the enemy had begun searching for ways to break through beyond the established defensive arrangements.
Xiao returned to Xia Lanshi’s side, still gripping his long spear while keeping watch over their surroundings.
Xia Lanshi did not even furrow his brows. He did not leave his position, and his gaze remained firmly fixed on the overall course of the battle.
He watched the fighting on the right wing and confirmed that the second defensive line remained intact before issuing another order to the messenger.
“Relay the signal to all units to tighten the defensive line according to the original plan. If the enemy attacks again, no one is to pursue them without authorization. Wait for the next order.”
The messenger quickly departed.
Xia Lanshi looked toward the area outside the camp once more.
The Northern Di army had already suffered a certain number of casualties, yet it still had not reached the siege equipment.
If the vanguard commander continued the attack, he would have to commit more troops. But the more men he committed, the fewer reserves he would have left on the outer perimeter, increasing the risk to Baishui Pass’s defenses.
Xia Lanshi understood that the enemy was calculating the same thing.
His task was to make them realize that even if they committed another wave of troops, they might not achieve results substantial enough to justify their losses.
Thus, he did not rush to launch an all-out counterattack. Instead, he kept the defensive line stable and ordered the archers and crossbowmen to put pressure on the enemy’s front ranks whenever they attempted to reorganize their formation.
This forced the Northern Di army to interrupt its attempts to regroup again and again.
Every interruption consumed time.
Every renewed advance meant having to endure Great Sheng’s arrows, crossbow bolts, and defensive obstacles once more.
The deputy general of the Cangyuan Khanate hurriedly reported, “The inner defensive line remains unbroken. We cannot clearly see the area where the siege equipment is located, but Great Sheng has not transferred all its defenders to the right wing. There is also no obvious disorder in the direction of the main camp.”
The vanguard commander’s expression darkened.
He had originally believed that once the outer palisade was dismantled, the following troops would quickly pour in, allowing them to destroy the siege equipment before Great Sheng could respond in time.
But now, the front ranks were trapped in the narrow passage, and the rear ranks could not catch up smoothly.
Even if he committed another unit, they might still fail to achieve a worthwhile result.
The vanguard commander finally understood that this was not a camp that could be captured in a short time.
Great Sheng’s resistance was far stronger than expected. Its defensive line had contracted in an orderly and deliberate manner, nothing like what one would expect from a camp supposedly short of troops.
He raised his head and looked toward Baishui Pass.
He had already been away from the pass for some time.
Tuoba Lie had instructed him that if Great Sheng’s defenses proved far stronger than expected, he was to reassess the results and must not drag his troops into a desperate battle simply to save face.
Now, the siege equipment remained in Great Sheng’s hands, and the provisions had not fallen under their control either.
If they continued the frontal assault, their casualties would only increase.
At last, he could no longer resist looking up at the snow owl still circling overhead.
Then he glanced again at the young Chief Administrative Officer standing on the command platform at the front, where smoke and dust intertwined. The man wore a plain white cloak and had hair as white as snow.
His face was pale as ice and snow, and his light red eyes were terrifyingly calm.
That extraordinary whiteness, seemingly untouched by the blood and flames around him, formed a striking contrast with the brutal fighting. He looked like a divine judge of the battlefield who had stepped out of a myth.
Finally, the vanguard commander gritted his teeth and gave the order.
“Regroup the vanguard. Prepare to withdraw.”
The deputy general was stunned. “Now?”
“If we continue fighting, we will only waste more men here,” the vanguard commander said in a deep voice. “Maintain formation during the retreat. Take the wounded and equipment we can carry, and do not turn back to pick up supplies.”
The deputy general accepted the order and quickly relayed the signal to withdraw.
The Northern Di army began withdrawing from the battlefield in an orderly manner.
The Great Sheng defenders did not immediately pursue them along the entire front.
The smoke of battle gradually dispersed.
Xia Lanshi watched as the enemy troops gradually moved out of range. He first checked the defensive lines at every position, then ordered small units to monitor the direction of the enemy’s retreat.
Only after confirming that the enemy had not left another force behind to launch a counterattack did he order the pursuit to stop and the troops to return to the camp.
In this battle, Great Sheng had successfully defended the Vanguard Camp.
Most of the siege equipment remained intact, and the provisions and major military supplies were still secure.
But Xia Lanshi’s goal had been more than simply holding the camp.
Xia Lanshi reached out, placed the bone whistle between his lips, and blew a long, piercing note.
Hearing the whistle, Xueye circled the command platform once before landing steadily on the protective arm guard covering Xia Lanshi’s extended left arm.
Its snow-white wings folded slightly, and its amber-gold eyes fixed on Xia Lanshi.
“You’ve worked hard,” Xia Lanshi said softly.
He took a piece of dried meat from the small pouch at his waist and offered it to Xueye’s beak.
Xueye lowered its head, seized the meat, and swallowed it in one bite.
Xiao had reminded him earlier that he must not allow Xueye to remain for too long at an altitude where enemy archers could aim at it. That was why he had only allowed it to fly over the camp without lingering in any one spot.
Xueye was not a tool for determining the outcome of the battle. It was Xia Lanshi’s companion, fighting shoulder to shoulder with him.
Xiao and Huiye.
He and Xueye.
At that moment, Xiao dismounted and walked over, glancing at Xueye before looking at Xia Lanshi.
“Where’s my reward?”
Xia Lanshi took another piece of dried meat from the small pouch and offered it to him.
“You want some too?”
Xiao looked at the strip of meat with disdain.
His expression made Xia Lanshi chuckle.
It seemed that this owl was quite a picky eater after all.
The snow owl tilted its head and stared at the piece of meat.
Xia Lanshi offered the meat in his hand to its beak once more, then gently stroked the feathers along its back.
He knew that some people would remember certain things about this day.
But he understood even more clearly that if the Great Sheng army had not held the camp, and if they had not made the right decisions despite their limited manpower and time, Xueye would have been nothing more than a snow owl flying over a battlefield.
A snow owl alone could not win a war for anyone.
What people would truly remember was what happened after it appeared.
Xiao raised his hand and gently brushed aside the stray strands of hair that the wind had blown across Xia Lanshi’s cheek with his slender fingers.
He said softly, “Today, the Northern Di people will remember your name even more clearly, Xia Lanshi. They’ll know that you’re not someone who can only sit inside a tent.”
“They’ll remember,” Xia Lanshi said, looking toward Baishui Pass. “They’ll learn that Great Sheng is not a force to be trifled with. That way… before they attempt to invade our borders again in the future, they’ll have to think carefully each time about whether it’s worth sacrificing lives for such an undertaking.”
In the hearts of the Northern Di soldiers, the snow owl that had swept across the battlefield, the white figure standing amid the blood and flames, and the failed raid would become intertwined in their memories.
Together, they would leave a crack in their confidence, a lingering unease in the hearts of every man who had witnessed the battle.
Suddenly, Xia Lanshi’s body swayed.
A powerful wave of exhaustion and the feeling of his body being pushed beyond its limits surged through him like a tide.
Xueye was startled and immediately spread its wings, flying back to the nearby perch.
A warm, strong hand reached around from behind and caught Xia Lanshi firmly by the waist.
Xiao’s eyes were filled with concern.
“Are you all right?”
He raised a hand to feel Xia Lanshi’s forehead. His temperature was slightly higher than usual.
They had traveled all the way from Yanguai Plains, handled the affairs of the Light Network and the military camp one after another, and then faced the Northern Di army’s attack. Xia Lanshi had also stood in the wind on the command platform for so long.
His body was already close to its limit.
Xia Lanshi gently shook his head and reached back to grasp Xiao’s arm.
“I’m fine.”
Xiao raised his brows slightly, clearly unconvinced by that claim.
However, there was still a battlefield to clean up.
◇◆◇◆◇
The sounds of battle gradually subsided, but what remained was far from silence.
The groans of wounded soldiers, the shouts of medical officers, and the hammering of workers repairing the wooden palisades continued to rise and fall throughout the camp.
Xia Lanshi did not immediately return to his tent.
He first ordered his men to confirm the direction of the enemy’s retreat, then went through the casualties and equipment damage at each position one by one.
Only after learning that the Vanguard Camp’s main siege equipment remained operational and that the provisions had not suffered any large-scale destruction did he finally release a quiet breath of relief.
Xiao stood beside him and never left his side.
“It’s time to go back,” Xiao said.
Xia Lanshi continued looking toward the area outside the camp for a moment before finally agreeing to return to the main encampment.
At the main camp, Su Muchen had already begun sorting the wounded into different groups with the military physicians and medical assistants.
Those seriously wounded were treated first, while the lightly wounded received care according to the severity of their injuries. Medicinal supplies and clean bandages were also redistributed.
The camp did not descend into chaos simply because the fighting had ended. Everyone knew what they needed to do next.
The orderly post-battle arrangements helped secure the gains from the battle and ensure they would not be lost through negligence.
When Su Muchen saw Xia Lanshi approaching, he first checked his complexion and the protective equipment he was wearing before asking, “Did the Vanguard Camp hold?”
“It did. Most of the siege equipment remains intact.”
Su Muchen seemed to finally set down a heavy burden in his heart, but he did not forget the wounded before him.
“That’s good. Sit down first. I’ll have someone check whether you’re injured. We can discuss everything else after I’ve finished settling this batch of wounded soldiers.”
Xia Lanshi did not refuse.
He entrusted Xueye to Xiao’s temporary care, then sat down nearby and allowed a medical officer to check for injuries beneath his protective equipment and assess his current physical condition.
Baishui Pass still lay ahead of them.
The defenses of the double-walled fortress would not collapse on their own simply because of a single defensive battle at a military camp.
Nor would Tuoba Lie abandon his defense of the pass after one defeat.
But after today, the defenders of Baishui Pass would remember that the Vanguard Camp had not collapsed simply because Pei Yi had taken the main cavalry force away.
The siege equipment remained in Great Sheng’s hands.
Tuoba Lie had hoped to delay Great Sheng’s advance by launching this attack, yet in the end, he had failed to achieve results substantial enough to justify the casualties.
Some would also remember how they had personally witnessed a snow owl flying over the battlefield, while the seemingly frail scholar remained calm and composed, directing his troops even when the enemy’s assault was at its fiercest, ultimately forcing them to retreat.
Legends might cast a shadow over people’s hearts, but what truly changed the course of a battle were the correct military orders and every soldier who held his assigned position.
Rumors alone could not force a city to surrender.
As concerns over food supplies, the loss of Duanyun Fortress, and the failure of today’s raid gradually accumulated, the defenders of Baishui Pass could no longer rely solely on the strength of their walls and their numerical superiority to believe that they would certainly hold their final line of defense.
Xia Lanshi raised his head and looked toward Baishui Pass.
He did not proclaim victory, nor did he promise anyone what the next battle would bring.
He simply knew that what they had defended today was more than just the Vanguard Camp.
They had also preserved Great Sheng’s opportunity to attack Baishui Pass in the days to come.