The troops had fully completed their rest and reorganization.

It was now the twelfth lunar month.

The northern wind blew ever fiercer, and sleet began to fall from the sky. Every drop that landed on a man’s body turned into a splash of mud.

This sleet had continued for four straight days, and even today, the skies showed no sign of clearing.

Though he had used Soul Inquiry, Tuoba Bao did not possess any proper method for forging corpse puppets. Such crude skills were beneath Tu Shanjun’s interest. However, the soul he offered had at least managed to step into the ranks, and that was of some use.

Over these past days, Wen Yue had been cultivating steadily and methodically.

Thanks to the numerous ghost souls he had absorbed, he had managed to condense over a hundred Yin Soul Pills.

He could now consume three, even four, such pills in a single day.

After all, Wen Yue was at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, far stronger than Li Qingfeng had been when he consumed the pills at the second layer.

His body and spiritual power could now support the absorption of Yin Soul Pills far more efficiently.

However, his inherently poor aptitude still remained a significant hindrance, even worse than Li Qingfeng’s five-roots.

Thus, his rate of spiritual power conversion remained sluggish.

Though Wen Yue could visibly see improvements with each pill, the overall pace still felt frustratingly slow.

The effects of a dozen pills weren’t particularly outstanding, but they had at least forced his cultivation forward by a fair distance.

This was the burden of poor natural aptitude. Without the Yin Soul Pills, Wen Yue might have cultivated for a lifetime and still never advanced beyond the fourth layer of Qi Refining.

“Esteemed father-in-law, what of the proposal I mentioned last time?”

Fearing the risk of leaks, Wen Yue had shared the intelligence he had extracted from Tuoba Bao regarding the Northern Wei army, only with the Annan Marquis.

He had also put forth a daring plan.

The Marquis kept his hands tucked in his sleeves and said, “My good son-in-law, Heaven favors us. But such a matter might bring calamity upon the world’s harmony. If you’ll permit it, let this old man take the lead instead.”

His gaze was sincere, entirely for Wen Yue’s sake.

Wen Yue understood. His father-in-law wasn't trying to steal merit; he genuinely wished to protect him.

But this mission, he wanted to carry it out himself.

He had a premonition: if he could weather this ordeal, it would be his finest tempering.

“Esteemed father-in-law, I want to go.” Wen Yue’s eyes were resolute.

Within them blazed an unquenchable desire for victory.

Suddenly, the Marquis saw in Wen Yue a reflection of his younger self, back when he quelled uprisings in the south, and the one thing he desired above all was victory. Wen Yue now mirrored him perfectly.

If asked whether he regretted that campaign,

The Marquis had pondered that question before. But as for whether he truly regretted it, only he knew the answer.

“Very well!”

Wen Yue said after a moment’s thought, “Shall we request an official order from the commanding general?”

“Geng Lie is a man of fierce temper, but also fickle in critical moments. If he hears of this plan, it may not end well.”

After working alongside him for some time, the Marquis had come to understand this man’s nature.

Geng Lie, like many scholar-officials in the court, was one of those hot-headed fools who called for war on a whim without understanding battle.

Then, just as suddenly he would regret it, indecisive and hesitant.

Still, Geng Lie was the commanding general, so they would need to inform him. And if it failed… well, there were other ways.

…

“What if the intel’s wrong and we walk into an ambush?”

“There is no room for discussion.”

As expected, whatever Geng Lie was thinking, he flatly rejected the Marquis’ proposal.

Perhaps ever since that day atop the city walls when he lost face, he had harbored a grudge against Wen Yue.

And by extension, against the Annan Marquis as well.

Perhaps even earlier. Back in the court, when they stood on opposing sides, civil and military, he had already despised martial men.

Seeing Wen Yue win merit made him feel worse than being reprimanded and punished himself.

Wen Yue’s expression turned grim. This golden opportunity, once missed, would not come again. If they could succeed, the Northern Wei’s entire border strategy would be undone.

“This subordinate requests to lead the assault!”

“Denied!” Geng Lie bellowed, slamming his sleeve and rising in fury.

“As vanguard officer, I hold command over three thousand troops. I may redeploy without waiting for orders from the commanding general.”

Geng Lie’s eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Wen Yue. “Just try and move even one man!”

“Hmph.”

Wen Yue snorted coldly and turned to leave.

This battle, he would win it. No one could stop him.

He had only informed Geng Lie out of courtesy, respecting his position as commander.

But ever since Wen Yue’s triumphant return with Tuoba Bao’s severed head, Geng Lie had treated him with nothing but disdain.

Though the old generals said little, they too had begun to keep their distance.

Why?

Was he supposed to cower behind these walls for three years, never stepping foot beyond them?

He refused to be shut in for three years and then return to Liang City in defeat.

Geng Lie stood fuming, pointing at Wen Yue’s departing figure, speechless with rage. With a violent sweep, he sent the porcelain on his table crashing to the ground.

Then kicked over a chair and roared, “Rebellion!”

The Annan Marquis sat calmly. He had anticipated this outcome, and now remained only to stabilize Geng Lie while buying Wen Yue precious time.

If Wen Yue was right, this battle had the potential to change everything.

Three thousand light cavalry clad in cotton armor, armed with horse-lances and iron shovels charged out from Tong Pass’s gates.

“There’s no official order, is there?”

“Don’t worry. That’s General Wen, the vanguard.” The gate guard watched with reverent eyes.

So many generals had suffered defeat, but only General Wen had slain the enemy commander and crushed a light cavalry unit. That was a true victory. How could the gate guards of Tong Pass not be pleased?

And not just them, the people of Tong Pass rejoiced even more.

At last, a general who could fight!

Traveling through sleet-laden roads was no easy task for light cavalry.

Thankfully, all the horses had their hooves wrapped in rough cloth to reduce slipping.

They had to cover two hundred li before dawn.

Originally, each soldier had two mounts. After capturing Tuoba Bao’s unit, Wen Yue’s cavalry now had enough for three per man.

For a light-speed raid, two mounts were sufficient. They would alternate mounts en route.

Feihong Stream lay near the Luo River.

Though the flood season had passed, days of sleet had caused the river level to rise once more.

This was Heaven’s will.

Had it been June or July, Feihong Stream would’ve been impassable. But by the twelfth month, the water had receded, exposing wide floodplains perfect for setting camp.

And it was precisely at Feihong Stream that the Northern Wei’s main army was encamped.

Wen Yue let out a long breath.

Along the way, he had dispatched many Northern Wei scouts, most with a single strike. Their information blockade had been thorough.

Just as expected, Tuoba Hong had stationed soldiers near the Luo River. But his forces were limited.

They never expected anyone to launch a cavalry raid in such weather.

After a fierce battle, they slew over a thousand enemies.

“Divert the river!”

At Wen Yue’s command, the remaining two thousand cavalry took up their shovels and began digging at the riverbanks.

The eastern sky was beginning to lighten.

Two thousand men dug for a full two hours.

By now, the riverbank needed only the slightest push to completely collapse.

…

A blood-soaked soldier collapsed before the command tent, gasping, “I must see the commander!”

The guards didn’t dare delay and quickly carried him inside.

Tuoba Hong, inside the tent, was studying the sand table.

Judging by the current sleet, the river would rise further in seven days. Then, they could sail down the Luo River, bypass Tong Pass, and cut off its supply line.

No matter how strong the city walls, without food, it would fall without a fight.

He had prepared for this battle for a long time and was just waiting for weather like this to swell the river.

The Grand Diviner had said this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

And so, he had chosen Feihong Stream.

The plan was top secret.

“Report-!”

“Commander.”

“What is it?” Tuoba Hong frowned at the exhausted soldier being brought in.

“Luo River… is lost…”

The soldier was barely breathing.

Tuoba Hong’s eyes flew open, pupils shrinking. He rushed outside the tent and looked toward the mountain valley of Feihong Stream.

Thunder rolled from three thousand men.

Like a raging beast, like a roaring dragon.

“…It’s over.”

Tuoba Hong was plunged into despair.

The moment the words left his lips…

The flood was already upon them.

(Chapter End)