The night wind on the prairie was already chilly. In September, the Huhar Kingdom was entering early winter, and by October, snow would begin to fall heavily. Confident in their victory, Huhar declared war on Yan after the autumn harvest in August. Based on past experiences, Yan would struggle and suffer in this war. Even if Huhar couldn’t penetrate deep into Yan territory, they would loot plenty. Yan’s grain, women, and treasures would greatly enrich Huhar. Both Yan’s capital and the northern Huhar would face severe snowstorms, but Huhar’s would be worse. Thus, even without an excuse, Huhar desperately needed this war to fulfill their needs.

But the frontline battles were far beyond Huhar Khan’s expectations. The war was completely one-sided. Yan not only did not struggle but decisively defeated Huhar’s troops. The proud Huhar warriors were easily cut down like straw. In the main city of Huhar, Khan Tuzemu, receiving urgent war reports daily, could hardly contain his anger and fear.

What kind of weapon could blow people and horses to pieces instantly? What could shoot faster than arrows? What giant weapon could crush a thousand troops in one strike? Where did Yan get such powerful tools?

In Huhar’s capital, Lan City, panic was setting in among the officials. To ransom Khan Keqin, they had paid a great price. If they couldn’t invade Yan, the coming winter would be disastrous. Many would starve or freeze to death. Thus, Khan Keqin, instead of being welcomed back, was resented.

For Huhar, there was no turning back. Surrender meant facing Yan’s fierce retribution and immense loss, as they started the war. Defeat would mean handing over more than they paid for Khan Keqin’s ransom. So, despite the grim outlook, Huhar had to press on.

Lan City wasn’t large. Huhar’s harsh environment and smaller population compared to Yan made maintaining a big capital difficult. The city housed the Huhar elite. Although the frontline was dire, their lives remained unchanged, except for Khan Keqin.

Huhar people lived nomadically, with few cities. The capital did not enforce curfews or close its gates at night.

A ragged Huhar caravan entered Lan City at night. They looked exhausted, their clothes in tatters. The men were unkempt, and the lone woman, covered in dirt, drew no attention from the guards.

“Who are you? Where are you from? Why come to Lan City?” The sleepy guards dutifully questioned the newcomers.

The woman on the ox cart remained motionless. A tall man with an eye patch and a rough voice, got down and replied hoarsely: “We’re refugees from Tiger Pass.”

“Tiger Pass?!”

The guards perked up. The man nodded bitterly: “We went to Yan seeking the medicine for the Great Khan. When Khan Keqin’s negotiation failed, Yan imprisoned us. We barely escaped and, after robbing a lone Yan caravan, made it back.”

The search for the elixir was well-known, and many Huhar caravans fled back since the war started. Shao Yunan’s order to kill Huhar people in Yan had spread, affecting their safety. Although the kill order wasn’t officially posted, its content was known

The common people in the hinterland were still fine, but the border people, who had suffered greatly at the hands of the Huhar people, were stirred into a frenzy after hearing this news. Even without any monetary reward, just hearing the content made their blood boil. The border people, who used to instinctively fear the Huhar people, started to actively attack them, with Huhar merchants being the first targets. The Huhar people suffered, and Yan officials applauded, they had no time to intervene. After the two countries went to war, the Huhar people in Yan were like rats crossing the street. So when these people claimed to be a fleeing merchant caravan, the guards didn’t find anything suspicious. The main thing was that the person spoke fluent Huhar official language and presented travel documents and identity papers, so the guards let them into the city.

Perhaps it was because they had returned to the capital; the one-eyed man leading the group finally smiled when he said they could enter the city. The guards watched them approach Louran Street, enviously murmuring: “So destitute, yet still wealthy.” The residents of Louran Street were either rich or powerful, so it’s no wonder the guards were envious.

Late at night on Louran Street, a few households were still singing and laughing, but most were already resting, not noticing the long-abandoned house with its doors wide open. In the following days, three more large merchant caravans fled back from Yan, bringing some goods and causing a brief stir in Lan City before going unnoticed as they settled on Louran Street. The war was not looking optimistic, and the nobles were no longer drinking and reveling daily, as they were summoned to the palace by the Khan to discuss strategies. More refugees fled into Lan City, spreading rumors that Yan’s army had already invaded Huhar territory, causing panic. The Huhar Khan ordered no more refugees to enter Lan City, soon gathering many Huhar people outside the city unable to get in.
In a deep mansion on Louran Street, if any Huhar people sneaked in, they would be terrified. Three large tigers were basking in the sun in the courtyard. Nearly a hundred men dressed in short attire quietly polished their weapons. Inside the house, Wang Shijing, Dai Zhanxiao, and Princess Wu Uzhen were confirming the battle plan for tonight.

“At the third watch of midnight, once the signal flare appears, my cousin will lead an attack on Lan City, so we need to plant the explosives before midnight and ignite them at the third watch. The Loyal and Brave Duke and I will enter the palace to kill Khan Tuzemu, and Princess Wu Uzhen will support us.”
Princess Wu Uzhen said sternly: “It’s too dangerous for just the two of you. Even with Brother Tiger and Golds following, don’t forget, the palace has seven thousand guards.”

Wang Shijing replied: “We won’t confront them head-on. In the chaos, with the palace walls destroyed, Khan Tuzemu will surely hide. We just need to find the most crowded place to locate him. Throwing a bomb there, even if he survives, will scare him to death. With Brother Tiger and Golds, they won’t catch us. Once we’re out of the city, they can’t do anything to us.”

Princess Wu Uzhen insisted: “It’s still too dangerous. I’ll go with you.”

Dai Zhanxiao said: “No, you will support us from outside.”

Dai Zhanxiao was the overall commander of this operation, so Princess Wu Uzhen had to obey him.

Outside the city, a group of ragged refugees whispered among themselves. One man quietly asked the person next to him: “Young Master, won’t the two young masters be in danger?”

The man addressed as Young Master lowered his head, looking lazy but actually conserving energy for the night’s action. He opened his eyes, revealing a sharp gaze before calming down.

“Every battle has its risks. Do your job well.”

“Yes.”

The man closed his eyes again. Who would know that the famous General Dai Zhanli, on par with Dai Zhanxiao of Yan, was among these refugees?

At Tiger Pass, Shao Yunan was restless. Since Wang Shijing and Dai Zhanxiao led the special forces to an unknown destination, Shao Yunan hadn’t slept well.

Watching others fight, he could barely stay calm, but he couldn’t when it involved his own people. The Dai brothers decided to take advantage of Yan’s might to cripple and terrify the Huhar people, not only driving them out but also ensuring they never dared attack Yan again. This decision led to Dai Zhanxiao and Dai Zhanli leading two special forces units, totaling two thousand soldiers, deep into enemy territory to strike Lan City. Dai Mingrong didn’t hide this from Wang Shijing, who insisted on going along, and so did Princess Wu Uzhen. Being a woman, she had the advantage of deception in infiltrating the Huhar capital.

Shao Yunan didn’t stop them because Wang Shijing wanted to participate in the war. Previously, in battle, Wang Shijing had awakened his long-suppressed passion.

Everyone thought Wang Shijing was just benefiting from being Shao Yunan’s husband, but this time, Shao Yunan realized Wang Shijing also wanted to earn his own glory. As a man, the Loyal and Brave Duke, and the true head of his family, Wang Shijing desired his own honor. So, Shao Yunan didn’t stop him and even gave him the only two pistols and all the bullets they had. He didn’t care about the trouble this might bring, he just wanted Wang Shijing to live.

Wang Shijing knew his decision would worry his wife and child, but he wanted to prove he was worthy of his wife. After kissing his wife and child, he resolutely followed the special forces into Huhar territory. They were not only accompanied by two thousand special forces soldiers but also five hundred warriors from Princess Wu Uzhen’s mountain tribe. After Wang Shijing left, Shao Yunan had insomnia for the first time since coming to this world, realizing how important Wang Shijing was to him.

Wang Qing didn’t know where his father had gone but had an inkling of his mission. He had grown up quickly during this time, and even Nizi had matured a lot. Jiang Moxi had been in the crafting camp for two months, and Nizi hadn’t seen him, but she wasn’t angry, instead, she was proud, knowing her big brother was doing something significant. Wang Qing also understood that the terrifying “things” being transported to the front lines from the crafting camp were made under his brother’s supervision.

Shao Yunan waited at home for Wang Shijing, his brothers, and Princess Wu Uzhen to return safely. The wind grew stronger in the night of Lan City.

Edited by: Jaisland

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