Chapter 72

Various fluttering Iron Islands flags were stuck on the top of the dilapidated warehouse. Along the river channel beside the warehouse, huge timbers drifted slowly.

This is indeed a disheartening job. Among the iron people, whoever takes on this work undoubtedly shows that they have been looked down upon by King Yōulún.

They are few in number, but in the warehouse they must exert all their strength to take each heavy timber down from the racks, then with difficulty push it onto the water channel in front of the warehouse. Many others dazedly follow the timber, and when its direction slightly deviates, they punt with a pole to let it go smoothly downstream with the current.

Some iron people dazedly watch as they are swept by the current to a river several li away, then watch as they drift one by one down the river to the sea. At sea, another group of iron people is responsible for salvaging the timber, then fixing each salvaged piece to the stern of the boat and pulling it out to deep water.

Sea Border City

Ha'erwen

Count Jiésēn Méilìsītè warmly received her, his eyes fixed intently on her, and Mei Yi felt a strange sensation.

"Respected Lady Mei Yi, I really didn't expect you to be able to come here, this is wonderful!" The old count, wearing armor, went out to greet her. His armor was still the same set she had seen before. Two silver wings spread high above his forehead, making him look tall and formidable.

Compared to the first time she came with a large army, the count's attitude has improved tremendously.

Sir

Young Wolf Lord

"Lord Mei Yi, seeing that you came with only one person, I feel a little disappointed; please forgive me. But now, I feel that your willingness to come here is already my fortune."

Weiketalang

After hearing of your several victories in the south, we all believe you are the second Young Wolf Lord. Your willingness to set aside your army and come here first moves me deeply; this is my honor.

Calin Bay

Hā'ěrwēn's Stark soldier attire had become utterly ragged; if not for Mei Yi's teasing, he might really think he was just a beggar.

Ha'erluo

"Haha, it's clear your warrior has endured quite a bit of hardship!" the count laughed.

After exchanging pleasantries, Mei Yi felt she had to steer the conversation to the main topic; she didn't have much time.

Blood Wolf Lady

Inside my castle, there are still locals from near and far; protecting them is my primary goal, and that timber means nothing to us now—we must first survive this winter!

Really? Those are timber air-dried for decades, right?

That timber was prepared since my father's time. Ah, I still haven't turned it into ships here—what a shame, this is my failure!" The old earl began to sigh.

How long have they been looting? Haven't you tried to sortie?" Mei Yi asked.

They've been here ten days, we've only sortied twice—both at night, with little gain. Even if we exchange one for two, we're still the losers. They have several hundred troops stationed on the shore. To guard against surprise attacks, they've built watchtowers in their camp; we find no opening." The old earl answered seriously.

Who's the leader of these bandits? He seems quite cautious!" Mei Yi asked.

Youlun's brother, Weiketaliang. He didn't want to bring his own people to loot the Shield Islands, so Youlun ordered him to oversee warship construction; he, to build the ship, has been looting timber everywhere. This is the situation we learned from the intercepted crow." He spoke clearly, explaining concisely.

Mei Yi likes dealing with people like this.

Weiketaliang. Haha, he used to run fast in Kalinyin Wan, but this time he has no chance." Mei Yi clapped, "Old earl, not letting your fifty cavalry follow me south was probably the rightest thing I've done. Please let them ride out with me to crush them!"

Mei Yi felt her eyes light up, she stared fixedly at the old earl, fearing he would refuse.

"You want to lead the charge yourself?" he asked.

"Of course. Don't underestimate me because I'm a woman. In every campaign to the south, I've led the charge. I've never lost!" The eagle still circled in the sky; their deployment lay plain before them.

"How confident are you?" the earl asked.

"Against this rabble, I have at least full confidence." She had already seen from above his entire deployment, his total strength, his possible escape routes; using cavalry against these infantry, she could not fail.

"Old earl, where is Weiketaliang? If he's aboard a ship, capturing him would be hard. He's my only remaining problem!" Capture him, and this battle will be a true victory; also, I hope this statement further bolsters the earl's confidence.

"Sir Mei Yi, don't call me old earl—I may have white hair, but I don't feel old." He said elegantly, "Weiketaliang has been staying in the camp before the warehouse; he occasionally comes to curse the city, his defenses look just like that—I merely lack troops, so I haven't bothered to provoke him."

"Haha, his defenses are worthless!" Mei Yi laughed, "My lord earl, please lend me your cavalry. I'll personally break through for you!"

"Miss, you?" Ha'erwen hurriedly said.

"Ha'erwen, do you dare to come with me? Your brother Ha'erluo always leads the charge—you won't be afraid, will you?"

"What do I have to fear!" He slapped his chest.

"My lord earl, may I borrow a suit of armor for this subordinate? His father went south with Lord Ade and was beheaded by the queen; perhaps he's the last scion left." Whether to lend or not is trivial—if he refuses to let Mei Yi sortie, he naturally won't lend; if...

"I have plenty of armor, just lacking fierce warriors—are you that?" The earl laughed heartily, saying to Ha'erwen.

Perfect!

Ha'erwen straightened his chest.

"As for you, sir, don't you need a set? Though I have no female armor, and the male ones aren't this slim."

Ha'erwen laughed.

"No flying axe capable of hitting me has been made yet." Mei Yi said, "After I go down, I'll return soon. My lord earl, watch from the city wall; please warm a pot of hot wine for me now—I'll drink it when I return."

She desperately needed a pot of wine.

"What's the problem?" he said, "I'd like to see what manner the famed Blood Wolf Lady presents."

"I'm not the Blood Wolf Lady; I'm the Octopus Terminator." Mei Yi said, then led the way down; the earl's attendants followed her into the castle to muster troops.

Once Ha'erwen had donned his armor, Mei Yi was already waiting in the walled city to open the gate and lower the drawbridge.

"Stay by my side." Mei Yi said to Ha'erwen, who had already changed into armor engraved with a spreading-wing eagle.

"Certainly. I am now your personal guard." He laughed heartily.

With a clang, Mei Yi led the charge out of the gate.

There was no special strategy.

Mei Yi led the cavalry upstream along the river, gathering the scattered ironfolk, shooting any who fled the range; she paid no heed to the camp where Weiketaliang garrisoned.

After shooting the ironfolk along the shore, they stormed the warehouse, driving out the laborers unloading goods one by one, herding them back and forth toward the plain.

The slow ones were beheaded by Mei Yi's left and right cavalry.

"Kill." As the driven crowd neared Weiketaliang's camp, she then led the cavalry in an assault.

At that moment, Weiketaliang walked out of the main camp, fully armored and wielding an axe.

"Haha," Mei Yi felt assured upon seeing the people, "Sir Jerlo, lead your cavalry east to prevent them from fleeing to the sea. Sir Marwel, have your cavalry patrol toward the warehouse; anyone who dares to charge there shall be killed without mercy!"

She drew out the radiant heat, letting it shed a gentle light, "The rest, follow me in the charge!"

Axes rained down like rain toward her alone; she deflected them left and right with her sword, dodging each. After just a couple of breaths she had already clashed with the soldiers.

"Viktalyon! Come over and die!" she shouted, seeing the cavalry beside her already swiftly cutting into the Iron Folk crowd.

Wearing heavy armor, he drew a long-handled axe and swung at her.

She blocked the strike with her sword and, taking advantage of the moment, jumped down from her warhorse.

"Stinking woman!" he shouted.

"Rotten octopus!" she replied.

He raised the heavy axe and chopped down fiercely.

Mei Yi didn't need to clash head-on with him. Given his speed, even if he swung his whole life, he could never touch even a corner of her robe.

She turned and maneuvered to his back, stabbing his calf; he winced, turned, and swung his great axe again.

She simply chopped the iron shaft of the long axe with her sword, instantly breaking it.

If a divine weapon isn't used, isn't it just scrap iron?

He casually thrust the remaining handle in his hand at her.

The sword's light blazed intensely; she felt him close his eyes for an instant.

She struck his helmet with a sword; the helmet flew off, revealing his disheveled hair, making him look like a madman.

"Come on!" he shouted.

Mei Yi kicked his injured shin; he winced and knelt, then Mei Yi elbowed his huge head.

He fainted.

After the battle, they bound him with ropes and dragged him back to the castle by horse.

He wore heavy armor, so there was no need to worry about being dragged to death by the horse. When she had finished tidying up and ascended the city wall again, the count had already placed the wine on the table atop the tower.

"Old Count, how is it?" Mei Yi asked the count triumphantly.

"The wine is already warmed," the count said, "but it's just unfortunate; the scholar just received a raven, saying he's never seen such an urgent raven. Some things you need to see for yourself."

"What?" Mei Yi asked.

"News from Winterfell City. Sir Mei Yi, please mourn."