The main battlefield outside Tong Pass City.

Corpses lay scattered across the fields.

Blood mingled with the pristine white snow, turning into frozen slush.

The earth itself had taken on a darker shade of crimson.

Mangled limbs were buried by the wind and snow, only to reappear when the army passed through.

On the leafless withered trees, several corpses hung upside down, their internal organs spilling out and freezing into icicles.

Because of the distance and the winter season, the army inside Tong Pass had not yet had time to collect the bodies of their own.

Geng Lie did not seem like a person who would sympathize with soldiers; he was even worse than the Northern Wei.

Those corpses, strung up, impaled, and propped up with long spears, were meant as a display of power.

Wen Yue's expression was solemn. He was still twenty li from Jiangyun Valley, his mind occupied with few other thoughts than how to use ten thousand troops to break through the Wei army's blockade and rescue his father-in-law from Jiangyun Valley.

Only ten li remained until Jiangyun Valley.

The road grew narrower, and steeper stone cliffs began to appear more frequently.

"Wen Chong, you lead three thousand men and ambush yourselves here. If you hear the sounds of battle, act according to the signal," Wen Yue said to the personal guard beside him.

"Young Master, rest assured."

The tall Wen Chong clasped his hands, his voice resounding with firm resolve.

Leaving Wen Chong to provide support, they advanced another five li.

They were essentially on the verge of reaching Jiangyun Valley.

Wen Yue left more troops behind.

"Wen Guang, you lead four thousand troops and ambush yourselves here."

"All the army's great banners will be given to you. At that time, act according to the front army's command flag."

Wen Guang grabbed Wen Yue's arm and looked at him, saying, "Young Master, let me go instead."

Wen Yue shook his head.

On this journey, only he could lead the charge and decisively defeat the enemy.

There was no other way.

"Sanhu, listen to this man."

Wen Yue pulled Sanhu, pointed at Wen Guang, and spoke with a resolute expression.

"No!"

Sanhu shook his head, determined to stay by Wen Yue's side.

"Sanhu, be good, be good. When your brother-in-law returns, he'll buy you candied hawthorn."

Sanhu hesitated slightly upon hearing this, then mumbled, "Brother-in-law, candied hawthorn."

"Yes, when we return, your brother-in-law will treat you to candied hawthorn, as much as you want."

"Wen Guang, I leave Sanhu to you."

"Young Master, rest assured. This humble one will protect young master Sanhu even if it costs my life," Wen Guang clasped his hands and solemnly accepted.

Wen Yue smiled. Sanhu didn't need protection.

When Sanhu was was at first rate Organ-Refining state, his innate divine strength allowed him to contend with innate Grandmasters. Now, with the addition of Ghost Hand, if he fully unleashed his strength, he should be able to match an early-stage Qi Refiner.

Wen Yue only brought five hundred light cavalry and twenty-five hundred infantry.

One thousand cavalry were left with Wen Guang, and another fifteen hundred cavalry were left with Wen Chong. With mobile cavalry holding the line behind them, they would largely avoid being trapped by the Wei army.

Wen Yue led three thousand troops to the front of Jiangyun Valley.

There was an excellent ambush location in front of Jiangyun Valley.

If the Northern Wei army trapped them at the valley entrance, they would eventually be forced into the valley. They would either have to fight their way out of Jiangyun Valley or be trapped and die inside.

Jiangyun Valley was shaped like a cloud, winding and irregular.

Some areas were wide, others narrow, suitable for a small number of soldiers to engage in guerrilla warfare, but not for large-scale army operations.

Of course, it was also one of the terrains that were easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Both strategic passes were relatively narrow, allowing only a few horses to pass abreast.

But no matter how easy it was to defend and difficult to attack, if the enemy didn't attack, the Liang army in Jiangyun Valley would be trapped and perish inside.

Their provisions were exhausted, and they lacked water.

If it weren't for the snow, which allowed them to melt it and drink snow water, they probably wouldn't have been able to hold out for so long.

Before them lay the final valley floor.

The strategic pass was guarded by Wei soldiers.

Upon seeing the "Wen" banner fluttering, those Wei soldiers showed no fear. Instead, they even looked over.

"Kill!"

Wen Yue charged at the forefront, with five hundred light cavalry following him.

Two thousand five hundred infantry quickly filled the gap.

"Kill them all!"

Shouts of battle shook the heavens. Suddenly, a surging army appeared and blocked the path behind the three thousand troops led by Wen Yue.

"Young Master, there's an ambush!"

A personal guard beside him roared.

Wen Yue had long anticipated an ambush from behind and showed no surprise.

He turned back to glance at the banner, which bore the character "Yuwen."

It seemed that the two battlefield defeats of the Tuoba family had directly led to the commander of the Tong Pass campaign being replaced by someone from the Yuwen family.

There was no helping it. Tuoba Bao had been slain by Wen Yue and Tuoba Hong had been submerged by water. It was unknown if he was dead or had escaped back; even if he wasn't dead, he would likely be severely debilitated.

If Wen Yue's suspicions were correct, the person who had come was likely the Northern Wei's famous general, Yuwen Xing.

"Enter the valley."

Wen Yue did not wish to get entangled with him and directly led his army into Jiangyun Valley.

The Wei army pressed relentlessly, as if their sole purpose was to trap Wen Yue inside Jiangyun Valley.

Outside Jiangyun Valley, within the Wei army's central command tent.

A tall, middle-aged man in full armor was manipulating a sand table of Jiangyun Valley.

He had only brought thirty thousand troops this time.

The terrain was too rugged for large-scale maneuvers, but this was enough, as his intelligence indicated that Wen Yue had only brought five thousand troops.

Thirty thousand against five thousand; they had a complete numerical advantage.

"General, you've besieged Song Hao for twenty days. Is it truly for this person?"

"A mere three thousand troops, a large army of cavalry can sweep them away. Why engage in guerrilla warfare with them?" The deputy general saw that his commander was not in a hurry at all, and was even leisurely deploying troops, immediately filling his heart with doubt.

He truly didn't understand why such a large amount of manpower and resources were being expended. It would be better to use the Luo River as a pivot point to cross Tong Pass and cut off the Liang army's supply lines.

Trapping a few thousand or even ten thousand men was nothing compared to trapping the great city of Tong Pass.

Now, it seemed General Tuoba's strategy was also correct.

However, he had not waited for the opportune moment, instead allowing Wen Yue to find an opening and directly drown Tuoba Hong, who was garrisoned at Feihong Stream, with the Heavenly Flood of the Luo River.

Yuwen Xing turned around, pursed his lips, and looked at the large sand table before him: "This matter is not within this commander's control."

As he spoke, Yuwen Xing pointed upwards.

The deputy general's eyes widened, but he grew even more perplexed.

The commander pointed upwards, did that mean His Majesty wanted this done?

But that didn't seem right either; His Majesty had long ago issued an edict to breach the great city of Tong Pass.

If it weren't for General Tuoba's proposal, which received approval, he would not have been allowed to command a hundred and fifty thousand troops alone outside.

Though called a hundred and fifty thousand troops, the actual fighting force was only a little less than fifty thousand, with the rest being supplies, logistics, auxiliary troops, various irregulars, and farmers used to pull equipment.

Tuoba Hong himself had never intended to engage in direct combat; he had planned to cross the river and cut off supply routes.

Seeing that the deputy general did not understand, Yuwen Xing explained.

"Heh, this matter is a scheme laid out by the immortal masters above."

As he spoke, he looked outside the command tent.

Outside the tent, only fluttering snowflakes were visible, the land a vast, boundless expanse of white.

But it was as if he could already see the scene in Jiangyun Valley.

"Kill!"

Wen Yue led three hundred cavalry alone, charging forward, the cavalry beside him growing fewer and fewer.

The Wei soldiers obstructing his path were also rapidly diminishing.

Until he crossed the narrow path, he finally saw an open area.

There were no Wei soldiers here at all, only four figures standing.

The moment he entered this place, Wen Yue's expression suddenly changed.

All four of these individuals possessed spiritual radiance, and all of them shone more brilliantly than he did.

Within the banner, Tu Shanjun's expression was solemn. This battle was even more perilous than the one against Li Qingfeng. Before him were four individuals.

One was at Qi Refining seventh layer, two were at Qi Refining sixth layer.

One was at Qi Refining fifth layer.

"Senior Brother, is this the one?" The sword-wielding youth spat out the wild grass in his mouth and looked at Wen Yue, who had charged in on horseback.

Another person took out a bloody compass, its needle pointing directly at Wen Yue.

"The compass's indication cannot be wrong. He is the one who killed Junior Brother Zhu."

"However, this person doesn't seem to have any cultivation. Could it be that his cultivation is higher than ours?"

"I think he must have used a Breath Concealment technique."

The three spoke amongst themselves, seemingly not placing Wen Yue in their regard. Only the leading Qi Refining seventh layer cultivator looked directly at Wen Yue: "Do not be careless. This person's cultivation must be at least in the late stage."

Wen Yue dismounted.

He knew that if he tried to leave today, he likely wouldn't succeed.

Perhaps even his own corpse would have to remain here.

Wen Yue narrowed his eyes, and sharply demanded, "Who are you?"

(Chapter End)