Chapter 204

Mei Yi, as the spearhead of the charge cavalry, sought to give these guard youths a little extra protection, but instead she acted more like a guard for the surrounding youths, actually leading the surrounding guard cavalry by half a horse length.

Interpretation: Mei Yi, as the vanguard of the charge cavalry, to give these guard youths a bit more protection, acted instead more like a guard of the surrounding youths, actually leading the surrounding guard cavalry by half a horse length.

We need to produce natural English: "As the spearhead of the charge cavalry, Mei Yi acted more like a guard for the surrounding youths in order to give these young guards a little extra protection, actually leading the surrounding guard cavalry by half a horse length."

Mei Yi, as the vanguard of the charge cavalry, sought to give these guard youths a bit more protection, but instead she acted more like a guard for the surrounding youths, actually leading the surrounding guard cavalry by half a horse length.

We'll produce: "As the vanguard of the charge cavalry, Mei Yi acted more like a guard for the surrounding youths in order to give these young guards a little extra protection, actually leading the surrounding guard cavalry by half a horse length."

Make sure it's one line.

To stay agile, she discarded all metal armor, while the young guards were each fully armored, with their mounts' cheeks and fronts fitted with hardened cowhide studded light armor—this was the best-equipped group in her light cavalry unit.

Translation: "To stay mobile, she discarded all metal armor, while the young guards each wore full helmets and armor, with their mounts' cheeks and chests fitted with hardened cowhide studded light armor—this was the best-equipped batch in her light cavalry unit."

The mounts' cheeks and front chest were fitted with hardened cowhide studded light armor, making this the best-equipped batch in her light cavalry unit.

We'll produce: "To stay mobile, she discarded all metal armor, while the young guards each wore full helmets and armor, with their mounts' cheeks and chests fitted with hardened cowhide studded light armor—this was the best-equipped batch in her light cavalry unit."

Charging ahead is undoubtedly dangerous, and they lack sufficient strength, but as long as they stay behind her, these issues cease to be a problem.

Translation: "Charging ahead was undoubtedly dangerous, and they lacked sufficient strength, but as long as they followed behind her, these were not problems."

We'll produce: "Charging ahead was undoubtedly dangerous, and they lacked sufficient strength, but as long as they followed behind her, these were not problems."

She intended to let these youths experience the battlefield firsthand—its dangers and the rare thrill of formation combat—so she could quickly discern who had potential and who was better suited elsewhere. Those who emerged from the battle recognized by all could swiftly become her mainstay, capable of commanding a region, leading an army forward, or guarding the homeland and protecting the people when retreating.

Translation: "She intended to lead these youths to directly experience everything on the battlefield: danger and the rare experience of battle formations; perhaps soon she could tell which were promising and which were suited for other tasks. Those who walked out of the battlefield recognized by all could quickly become her pillars, able to command a region, lead an army, or retreat to guard the territory and protect the people."

We'll produce: "She intended to lead these youths to directly experience everything on the battlefield: danger and the rare experience of battle formations; perhaps soon she could tell which were promising and which were suited for other tasks. Those who walked out of the battlefield recognized by all could quickly become her pillars, able to command a region, lead an army, or retreat to guard the territory and protect the people."

That is all for the future.

Translation: "That was all for the future."

We'll produce: "That was all for the future."

She held the Ice Wolf banner high with her left hand, drawing the enemy's chaotic arrows and bolts, while her right hand lifted a faintly glowing passion, pointing the way for the following cavalry's advance.

Translation: "She held the Ice Plains Wolf banner high with her left hand, drawing the chaotic arrows and bolts from the enemy formation, while her right hand held aloft the faintly glowing passion, indicating the direction for the following cavalry's advance."

Her right hand lifted a faintly glowing passion, indicating the direction for the following cavalry's advance.

We'll produce: "She held the Ice Plains Wolf banner high with her left hand, drawing the chaotic arrows and bolts from the enemy formation, while her right hand held aloft the faintly glowing passion, indicating the direction for the following cavalry's advance."

She was confident that she herself was the sharpest spear and the bloodiest sword.

Translation: "She was confident that she herself was the sharpest spear, the bloodiest sword."

We'll produce: "She was confident that she herself was the sharpest spear, the bloodiest sword."

Without reins, her warhorse still obeyed her direction, galloping across the barren hills, carrying Mei Yi to charge against the oncoming cavalry.

Translation: "Without reins, her warhorse still firmly under her direction, it galloped across the wild hill, carrying Mei Yi, to charge the oncoming cavalry."

We'll produce: "Without reins, her warhorse still firmly under her direction, it galloped across the wild hill, carrying Mei Yi, to charge the oncoming cavalry."

The enemy cavalry drew nearer, yet under her gaze their expressions grew ever more panicked.

Translation: "The enemy cavalry drew nearer, but under her gaze, their expressions grew ever more panicked."

We'll produce: "The enemy cavalry drew nearer, but under her gaze, their expressions grew ever more panicked."

She was certain she could break through the enemy cavalry's first line of defense and utterly shatter their central forces, guaranteeing a total victory.

Translation: "She was certain she could break through the enemy cavalry's first line of defense and utterly crush their central forces, guaranteeing a total victory in this battle."

We'll produce: "She was certain she could break through the enemy cavalry's first line of defense and utterly crush their central forces, guaranteeing a total victory in this battle."

The enemy's thundering hooves grew closer, then suddenly fell silent.

Translation: "The enemy's thundering hooves grew ever closer, then suddenly stopped."

We'll produce: "The enemy's thundering hooves grew ever closer, then suddenly stopped."

Without the expected fierce clash of warhorses, at thirty feet the enemy cavalry panicked, turned their reins, and fled, only to be slammed head‑on by the cavalry behind them, sending men and horses flying in panicked cries and terrified neighs.

Translation: "Without the expected fierce clash of warhorses, at thirty feet the enemy cavalry panicked, turned their reins, and fled, only to be slammed head‑on by the cavalry behind them, sending men and horses flying in panicked cries and terrified neighs."

Without the expected fierce clash of warhorses, at thirty feet the enemy cavalry panicked, turned their reins, and fled, only to be slammed head‑on by the cavalry behind them, sending men and horses flying in panicked cries and terrified neighs.

The enemy cavalry further behind immediately cleared the path she pointed to, fleeing far from the battlefield.

Translation: "The enemy cavalry farther back immediately cleared the way forward where her blade pointed, scattering far from the battlefield."

We'll produce: "The enemy cavalry farther back immediately cleared the way forward where her blade pointed, scattering far from the battlefield."

This was a slippery cavalry unit, which she promptly labeled: the Kerris family of King's Landing, bearing the king's skull banner, a clan that prided itself on having taken the head of a former king.

Translation: "This was a slippery cavalry unit; she immediately labeled them. The Keris family of King's Village, bearing the King's Skull flag, a family that took pride in having hunted the head of a former king."

We'll produce: "This was a slippery cavalry unit; she immediately labeled them. The Keris family of King's Village, bearing the King's Skull flag, a family that took pride in having hunted the head of a former king."

She did not reduce speed, nor could she direct other cavalry to pursue or encircle; she rode her warhorse, leaping over fallen horses and soldiers, continuing her rearward charge, with the cavalry behind her likewise trampling over them.

Translation: "She did not slow down, nor could she direct other cavalry to pursue or encircle; she rode her horse, leaping over the fallen horses and soldiers, continuing to press forward. The cavalry behind her likewise swept over them in her wake."

We'll produce: "She did not slow down, nor could she direct other cavalry to pursue or encircle; she rode her horse, leaping over the fallen horses and soldiers, continuing to press forward. The cavalry behind her likewise swept over them in her wake."

Panicked screams came from behind her.

Translation: "Panicked screams came from behind her."

We'll produce: "Panicked screams came from behind her."

Under the crushing onslaught of the massed cavalry, the remaining enemy horsemen of this small unit were completely swallowed by her torrent of warhorses.

Translation: "Under the crushing charge of the main cavalry, the remaining enemy horsemen of this small unit were completely swallowed by her torrent of warhorses."

We'll produce: "Under the crushing charge of the main cavalry, the remaining enemy horsemen of this small unit were completely swallowed by her torrent of warhorses."

She clamped her legs tight around the horse's belly, leaned forward, and at high speed the unfurled Ice Wolf banner began to snap loudly in the wind.

Translation: "She clamped her legs tight around the horse's belly, leaned forward, and at high speed the unfurled Ice Plains Wolf banner began to snap loudly in the wind, whooshing."

We'll produce: "She clamped her legs tight around the horse's belly, leaned forward, and at high speed the unfurled Ice Plains Wolf banner began to snap loudly in the wind, whooshing."

"Hoo..." the enemy blew the horn.

Translation: "'Woo…' the enemy sounded the horn."

We'll produce: ""Woo…" the enemy sounded the horn."

Mei Yi stared fixedly at the middle troops withdrawing to the right wing, and at Lady Dustin, who was surrounded in the center.

Translation: "Mei Yi stared fixedly at the central forces withdrawing to the right wing, at Lady Dustin surrounded in the center."

We'll produce: "Mei Yi stared fixedly at the central forces withdrawing to the right wing, at Lady Dustin surrounded in the center."

The cavalry clashed again; Mei Yi slipped past, her mount gaining a sudden burst of speed with her aid, as the Valyrian steel blade sliced through the extended lance in an instant, then swept along the enemy's arms and neck, together with their armor and equipment, spraying blood.

Translation: "The cavalry clashed again; Mei Yi slipped past, her horse, with her aid, briefly gaining an extra burst of speed, the Valyrian steel blade instantly severing the extended spear, then sweeping past the enemy's arms and neck together with their armor and equipment, spraying blood."

We'll produce: "The cavalry clashed again; Mei Yi slipped past, her horse, with her aid, briefly gaining an extra burst of speed, the Valyrian steel blade instantly severing the extended spear, then sweeping past the enemy's arms and neck together with their armor and equipment, spraying blood."

The young guards rushed past from the side, while Beorntao Ha stared in shock at the scene before him.

Translation: "The young guards rushed past from the side, while Beorntaha stared in shock at the scene before him."

The young guards rushed past from the side, while Bei Lun Tao Ha stared in shock at the scene before him.

In a clash of enemy cavalry, three on the left were swept from their mounts by her, while four on the right each fell, bisected by her passion‑ed blade.

Translation: "In a clash of enemy cavalry, three on the left were all swept from their mounts by her, while four on the right each fell, bisected by her passion‑ed blade."

passion‑ed blade

Mei Yi waved the Ice Wolf banner again with one hand, and the cavalry behind her began to cheer loudly.

Translation: "Mei Yi again waved the Ice Plains Wolf banner with one hand, and the cavalry behind began to cheer loudly."

We'll produce: "Mei Yi again waved the Ice Plains Wolf banner with one hand, and the cavalry behind began to cheer loudly."

After several hundred cavalry collided in a flimsy melee, breaking through the lead horseman and a few following riders, Mei Yi reduced her speed and glanced back at the advancing White Harbor cavalry.

Translation: "After several hundred cavalry collided in such a thin line, breaking through the leading horseman and a few following riders, Mei Yi slowed, glancing back at the pursuing White Harbor cavalry."

We'll produce: "After several hundred cavalry collided in such a thin line, breaking through the leading horseman and a few following riders, Mei Yi slowed, glancing back at the pursuing White Harbor cavalry."

After Mei Yi shifted direction, the archers of the Barrowtown quickly moved to the left flank and loosed volley after volley of arrows at the advancing cavalry.

Translation: "After Mei Yi shifted direction, the archers of Barren Mound Village quickly moved to the left wing and loosed arrow after arrow at the advancing cavalry."

We'll produce: "After Mei Yi shifted direction, the archers of Barren Mound Village quickly moved to the left wing and loosed arrow after arrow at the advancing cavalry."

At that moment the White Harbor cavalry had just entered their attack range, yet they suffered the heaviest losses.

Translation: "At that moment the White Harbor cavalry had just entered their attack range, yet they suffered the heaviest losses."

We'll produce: "At that moment the White Harbor cavalry had just entered their attack range, yet they suffered the heaviest losses."

The left‑wing infantry also fell back, formed up, and pressed forward against the advancing cavalry, prompting Mei Yi to glance at the banners of the archer and infantry units.

Translation: "The left‑wing infantry also fell back, formed up, and pressed forward against the advancing cavalry; Mei Yi couldn't help glancing at the banners of the archer and infantry units."

We'll produce: "The left‑wing infantry also fell back, formed up, and pressed forward against the advancing cavalry; Mei Yi couldn't help glancing at the banners of the archer and infantry units."

The infantry bore a black warrior‑standard belonging to the Pride family of the Valiant Hold, their commander a broad‑shouldered, thick‑bearded man; the archers carried a yellow lightning‑bolt banner, which she could not recall but sensed belonged to a viscount family living nearer to the Stark and Glover lands.

Translation: "The infantry bore a black banner of the Warrior Battle Armor, belonging to the Pred family of Warrior Village; their leading commander was a burly man with a full‑length beard; the archers raised a yellow lightning‑patterned long‑arrow banner, which she couldn't quite recall, but felt must belong to a viscount family dwelling near the Stark and Glover lands."

We'll produce: "The infantry bore a black banner of the Warrior Battle Armor, belonging to the Pred family of Warrior Village; their leading commander was a burly man with a full‑length beard; the archers raised a yellow lightning‑patterned long‑arrow banner, which she couldn't quite recall, but felt must belong to a viscount family dwelling near the Stark and Glover lands."

Had Mei Yi been in Ser Marlon's position, she might have seized the moment to exploit the gaps appearing as the infantry and archers moved, breaking through without hesitation—but she could not send word to Ser Marlon, nor could she order the White Harbor cavalry to fight to the death for victory.

Translation: "If Mei Yi were in Sir Marlon's position, she might have seized the opening in the infantry and archers' movement and broken through without hesitation, but at this moment she could not send word to Sir Marlon, nor could she order the White Harbor cavalry to fight to the death for victory."

We'll produce: "If Mei Yi were in Sir Marlon's position, she might have seized the opening in the infantry and archers' movement and broken through without hesitation, but at this moment she could not send word to Sir Marlon, nor could she order the White Harbor cavalry to fight to the death for victory."

Only those who are her Stark subjects or other landless folk ready to become Stark vassals can ever follow her bravely into the deadly fray.

Translation: "Only those who could follow her bravely into the death ground were forever her Stark territory's subjects and other unprepared folk ready to become Stark subjects."

We'll produce: "Only those who could follow her bravely into the death ground were forever her Stark territory's subjects and other unprepared folk ready to become Stark subjects."

With time pressing, her best course is to lead the whole army in a single thrust to smash the enemy cavalry of the central battle, utterly paralyze their command, and then gradually wear down the remaining archers and infantry.

Translation: "Time was pressing; her best course was to lead the whole army in a single strike to smash the enemy central cavalry, completely paralyze their command system, then gradually wear down the remaining archers and infantry."

We'll produce: "Time was pressing; her best course was to lead the whole army in a single strike to smash the enemy central cavalry, completely paralyze their command system, then gradually wear down the remaining archers and infantry."

But if everyone were like the Pride family's commander, she could only hope to slay Lady Dustin in battle, then withdraw, waiting for the three heirs to divide the Barrowtown's power.

Translation: "But if everyone were like that Pred family commander, she could only hope to slay Lady Dustin in battle, then withdraw, waiting for the three heirs to divide the power of Barren Mound Village."

We'll produce: "But if everyone were like that Pred family commander, she could only hope to slay Lady Dustin in battle, then withdraw, waiting for the three heirs to divide the power of Barren Mound Village."

"Hoo..." the enemy blew the war horn again.

Translation: ""Woo…" the enemy sounded the battle horn again."

We'll produce: ""Woo…" the enemy sounded the battle horn again."

The rear and left‑wing cavalry launched another pincer attack, one from above and one from below, converging on her force.

Translation: "The rear cavalry and left‑wing cavalry launched another interception, one above and one below, forming a pincer that lunged at her cavalry."

We'll produce: "The rear cavalry and left‑wing cavalry launched another interception, one above and one below, forming a pincer that lunged at her cavalry."

The upper contingent numbered about three hundred, the lower about two hundred.

Translation: "The upper force numbered about three hundred, the lower about two hundred."

We'll produce: "The upper force numbered about three hundred, the lower about two hundred."

At this point the shaggy dog began to surge toward the cavalry's edge, slightly slowing the lower unit's charge; then, when the enemy had to dismount to calm their horses and take up bows, the dog could only retreat.

Translation: "At this point the fluffy dog began to surge toward the cavalry's edge, slightly delaying the lower unit's charge; then, when the enemy had to dismount to calm their horses and ready their bows, it could only retreat."

We'll produce: "At this point the fluffy dog began to surge toward the cavalry's edge, slightly delaying the lower unit's charge; then, when the enemy had to dismount to calm their horses and ready their bows, it could only retreat."

Mei Yi had no time to attend to it.

Translation: "Mei Yi had no time to attend to it."

We'll produce: "Mei Yi had no time to attend to it."

Once the rear guard had roughly caught up to her pace, she accelerated again; Lady Dustin was only a few hundred feet away, surrounded by layers of cavalry, looking at her with a grim expression.

Translation: "After the rear guard finally caught up to her pace, she spurred her horse faster; Lady Dustin was only a few hundred feet away, surrounded by layers of cavalry, looking at her with a solemn expression."

We'll produce: "After the rear guard finally caught up to her pace, she spurred her horse faster; Lady Dustin was only a few hundred feet away, surrounded by layers of cavalry, looking at her with a solemn expression."

She wanted to smile at the lady, but blood had spattered her face, and she felt she could not project her confidence of victory.

Translation: "She wanted to smile at the lady, but blood had already splashed onto her face, and she felt she could not project the feeling of certain victory."

We'll produce: "She wanted to smile at the lady, but blood had already splashed onto her face, and she felt she could not project the feeling of certain victory."

Lady Dustin was then shouting angry orders to left and right, nearly hysterical.

Translation: "Lady Dustin was then shouting orders to left and right, nearly hysterical."

We'll produce: "Lady Dustin was then shouting orders to left and right, nearly hysterical."

A volley of arrows flew toward her; she shook the battle standard with her left hand, deflecting arrows that might have struck her nearby guards.

Translation: "A volley of arrows flew at her; she swept her left hand across the banner, blocking arrows that might have struck her nearby guards."

We'll produce: "A volley of arrows flew at her; she swept her left hand across the banner, blocking arrows that might have struck her nearby guards."

"Fire!" she heard the front cavalry command.

Translation: ""Fire!" she heard the front cavalry command."

We'll produce: ""Fire!" she heard the front cavalry command."

Another volley of arrows rained down.

Translation: "Another volley of arrows."

We'll produce: "Another volley of arrows."

One hundred feet.

Translation: "One hundred feet."

We'll produce: "One hundred feet."

"Speed up!" she called; only three youths remained beside her—George on the left, Bei Lun Tao and the lakeside island newcomer Bu Lan Deng Xue Nuo on the right, while the other two youths had somehow fallen behind.

Translation: ""Speed up!" she called; only three youths remained beside her—George on the left, Beorntao and the lakeside island newcomer Brandon Snow on the right, while the other two youths had somehow fallen behind."

"Speed up!" she called; only three youths remained beside her—George on the left, Bei Lun Tao and the small resident from Lake Center Island, Bu Lan Deng Xue Nuo, on the right, while the other two youths had somehow fallen behind.

Lord Roffe held the far left edge, controlling the cavalry's width, while Ser Conan Kent followed closely in the second rank on the right.

Translation: "Lord Luo Fu held the far left edge, controlling the cavalry's width, while Kong Qi Kong Dun followed closely in the second rank on the right."

We'll produce: "Lord Luo Fu held the far left edge, controlling the cavalry's width, while Kong Qi Kong Dun followed closely in the second rank on the right."

At that moment her warhorse reached its top speed.

Translation: "At this point the warhorse had reached its top speed."

We'll produce: "At this point the warhorse had reached its top speed."

At thirty feet she could clearly see Lady Dustin's expression and that of each of her guards.

Translation: "Thirty feet. She could now clearly see Lady Dustin's expression and that of each of her guards."

We'll produce: "Thirty feet. She could now clearly see Lady Dustin's expression and that of each of her guards."

The lady's guards wore grim faces but showed no fear; Lady Dustin's eyes were locked on hers, yet she sensed the lady trembling.

Translation: "The lady's guards wore solemn faces, yet showed no fear; Lady Dustin's eyes were locked on hers, but she sensed the lady was trembling."

We'll produce: "The lady's guards wore solemn faces, yet showed no fear; Lady Dustin's eyes were locked on hers, but she sensed the lady was trembling."

Ten Chinese feet.

"Raise the spear!" At that moment, the five dismounted cavalrymen behind the warhorse lowered their bodies, raised the spears prepared on the ground, and faced the charging Mei Yi.

Only five! Since the lady refused to retreat, she could only think of this method to block the charge at the last moment.

Mei Yi assisted the warhorse, again increased its speed, began to lead the surrounding ambush cavalry by almost two horse lengths, and then fearlessly charged straight into the forest of spears.

Three spears diagonally pierced her warhorse; the warhorse instantly lost speed, and its tremendous kinetic energy directly scattered the rows of soldiers blocking its front.

A lump of horse flesh violently slammed into the blocking formation.

Just as the spear that had pierced the warhorse barely reached her, Mei Yi leapt from the warhorse, kicked down the cavalryman before her, stepped on the horse's back, leapt again, and cut the cavalryman behind her in two.

Qiao Zhì Kǎisuǒ took the lead in rushing through the gap she had broken, followed by Kai Nan, Da Suo, Bu La Er…… Mei Yi, heedless of everything, thrust left and right, efficiently harvesting the lives of the surrounding soldiers.

When she again had the chance to look ahead, Da Si Ting madam had already retreated further left under the escort of the cavalry.

"Your Highness, mount up!" she heard Qiao Zhì shout at her.

She casually threw the ice plains wolf banner from her left hand to George, then grabbed a riderless warhorse that had started running nearby.

At that moment, the following cavalry had already broken through the last batch of intercepting cavalry in succession.

She leapt onto the warhorse in one step, turned to those behind, and shouted, "Follow me in pursuit!"

The enemy cavalry that crossed paths could only be left to the Southern Cavalry and the subsequently arriving White Harbor Cavalry.

She briefly scanned the battlefield.

The troops that charged into the enemy army with her, having broken the guard of the enemy central cavalry, were still mopping up resisting enemy cavalry; the southern cavalry unit, under Bolon's leadership, had begun orderly slaughter of isolated enemy soldiers; the creekland cavalry were now pursuing the scattered enemy cavalry across a wider plain, looking more like they were playing than killing; a Mandalay cavalry unit, after breaking an infantry squad, was circling within the archers' range, while another unit followed behind the southern cavalry, slashing at the cavalry that had crossed over.

Mei Yi waved Passion, flourished a sword flower, flung off the remaining blood, then leaned against the warhorse's neck and sped up.

She would sever the lady's head, come heaven or earth; once accomplished, the major affair of Barren Grave Hamlet would be settled in one battle!

The guard cavalry behind her shook off the remaining scattered enemies, drove their weary warhorses to follow, but the distance to her kept growing.

She closely followed Dustin and her entourage, occasionally dodging volleys of arrows.

The warhorse's hoofbeats grew frequent, the distance continually closing.

Two cavalrymen turned their horses to intercept, one on each side, charging at her from left and right.

One, beard filled with armor, the other pursing his lips, glared at her fiercely.

She smirked, extended Passion, and as the warhorses crossed, she clamped her legs on her horse; the blade passed, dodging the right cavalryman's lunge, and she casually cut off the left cavalryman's hind leg, causing him to fall with a cry.

The distance slightly widened, and then two more cavalrymen turned to intercept.

This time she lost her horse, but still managed to dispatch another cavalryman nearby; after seizing a horse, she immediately resumed the pursuit.

When she had again disposed of the intercepting cavalry, she realized she had completely left the battlefield, maintaining a moderate distance from Dustin and her entourage.

"You can't escape, lady!" she shouted behind her, but her condensed spirit momentarily failed to infuse into the warhorse ahead that was a Mercedes-Benz.

Dustin leaned against her horse, surrounded by the guard of nearby cavalry, cradling the horse's neck, ignoring her.

As she rushed out of the Stone Wasteland, turned her gaze, and saw the low-lying flat wasteland, a tornado shooting straight to the sky surged toward her.

The sour taste of magic.

The cavalry unit she was pursuing then passed straight through the dust kicked up by the tornado, vanishing in an instant into the sky‑filled dust raised by the vortex.

The air pressure dropped further.

As she wondered whether to continue the pursuit, a giant tornado swiftly swept toward her; she had no choice but to retreat angrily, returning to the battlefield where fighting still continued.