Chapter 913: with translation of chapter title

The war indeed came much faster than Chen Wuji had estimated; after finding the Xùhòu yíng marker point, the main army again marched east for less than ten li before meeting with the people of Xùhòu yíng.

And Liu Yan's main army was just three li ahead.

At such a close distance, it was only a bit longer than hand-to-hand combat.

But how to fight this battle had become something that gave Chen Wuji a huge headache.

The terrain ahead was very steep, and Liu Yan's main army was entirely searching for a path among cliffs that people could barely climb; if they charged up, Liu Yan's current extreme disadvantage would turn into an advantage.

Even if they were exhausted, being able to attack from a high position would leave them utterly unable to fight back.

Storming the cliffs is no different from storming a city.

After a brief discussion, Chen Wuji ordered the Xùhòu yíng to continue following, and he led the troops to rest again in place, letting Liu Yan run ahead a bit more, then they would make plans once the terrain eased a little.

Chen Wuji waited like that until the next day.

And the news sent by the Xùhòu yíng was that the road ahead was still steep, and Liu Yan's people were still climbing.

Last night, Liu Yan's troops rested for less than two hours, then they continued on with torches, fully exerting a desperate effort to march.

After hearing the scout's report, Chen Li let out such a sigh, his expression somewhat solemn.

Chen Wuji was holding a wild chicken leg, frantically replenishing his strength; he glanced at Chen Li, surprised, and asked: 'Shi Yi Shu, are you still worried Liu Yan will pull off a last-ditch comeback? Don't worry—we've come this far, he won't have any chance left.'

This person really is no useless good-for-nothing; he hasn't rested much for three straight nights, yet his troops still retain such energy—showing his training methods are effective. But we've pretty much reached the limit; unless he truly has divine aid, I can't think of any way he could still turn the tables.

No, I'm just worried about how to fight this battle; this battlefield… is too tricky." Chen Li said, "Family Head must not let down his guard; on such a battlefield, and with the enemy's forces possibly superior to ours. The enemy may be exhausted, but our side isn't much better off.

I rarely have blind confidence, but this time I have absolute confidence in my troops!" Chen Wuji said with a ringing, powerful voice.

His sense of conviction this time was extremely strong.

When he used to hunt in the mountains, he could sometimes clearly sense whether there would be any gain today.

His feeling now is exactly the same as back then!

Chen Li saw this and said nothing more, but the worry in his expression did not fade because of Chen Wuji's remark; every crease at the corners of his eyes was filled with emotion.

After the soldiers had finished their early meal, Chen Wuji led the troops out.

We can't let Liu Yan keep running ahead to his death; we must find a way to shorten this distance.

In the afternoon, the scout ahead finally brought back good news.

The terrain ahead began to ease.

Chen Wuji hesitated not, made a swift decision, and ordered an attack.

……

Dense and tangled, in a jungle rarely trodden by humans, Liu Yan vigorously waved the knife in his hand.

To steady morale and boost spirits, starting yesterday he personally led people to clear the path ahead.

Your Highness, where can we turn onto the Gu He Dao? If we keep going like this, my troops' morale will collapse completely; the soldiers can't endure any longer." Liu Yan wiped a handful of sweat from his face.

After three consecutive days of forced marches, even a stout, long‑pampered man like him could not hold up. In just a few days he seemed to have become a different person—his face darkened by who knows how many degrees, his heavy black eye circles looking as if painted on, sweat on his face building up layer after layer, soon to form a mask.

Everyone carried very limited water, fearing they might not find a water source, so they dared not use it to wash their faces.

Liu Yan, as the commander, was no different.

By his side, Yu Xiumi looked much more relaxed—her complexion rosy, not a drop of sweat on her face, walking without flushing or panting.

Compared to Liu Yan and the other soldiers, she seemed entirely like she was out for a leisurely mountain trek.

There's still about a day's journey left, which would allow the troops to ease their pace a little!" Yu Xiumi said. She had originally intended to leave directly, but she couldn't withstand Liu Yan's repeated kneeling and pleading, so she temporarily believed in his loyalty and personally led the way.

About thirty-odd li ahead there is a river; going downstream along it, although it doesn't reach Yunan County directly, it's very close. If General Liu has the resolve, he could completely chop wood to make a raft and float downstream, which should save a lot of time.

It's not that I'm urging you; you should also realize that once Chen Wuji reacts, our side will have no chance. He will march along the Gu He Dao at forced speed, needing only half our time to cut off the Geng Xin Gu Dao and block us ahead.

Liu Yan leaned on his knife, his eyes finally brightening a bit, and said, 'Can I tell the troops about this without issue?'

No problem, you can say whatever you like now." Yu Xiumi said coldly.

Good!

Liu Yan was about to summon someone to deliver orders when a soldier came running up in a hurry.

Report! General, it's bad—the enemy troops are coming!

Just as his words fell, a deafening roar suddenly echoed through the mountains and wilderness.

That violent, shocking commotion made it seem as if the whole mountain were shaking.

Liu Yan's expression suddenly turned ferocious; he lunged forward and grabbed a soldier's armor, shouting, 'What's going on?'

The soldier's face was full of panic: 'I don't know either—they just came charging up, all clad in Black Armor, each with a crossbow, shooting anyone they caught. The troops hadn't even realized what was happening before many were struck down.'

Then what's the cause of this commotion?" Liu Yan roared angrily.

The soldier shook his head repeatedly: 'General, I don't know, I didn't see it either.'

What's there to ask? It must be that your whereabouts were leaked—Chen Wuji has been tailing us!" Yu Xiumi shouted coldly, "We can't fight this battle—withdraw! Withdraw immediately!"

Liu Yan lifted his gaze to the endless, pathless wilderness ahead and said, 'Your Highness, how can we withdraw? There isn't even a road!'

Where does all this nonsense come from? At a time like this, still worrying about clearing a path? In this forest there's always someone who can slip through a gap—hurry up!" Yu Xiumi said in a low voice, "Chen Wuji holds Shocking Heaven Thunder; even if they have only a few thousand, we stand no chance."

Liu Yan resentfully stamped his foot and shouted the order: 'Withdraw! Withdraw!'

Having said that, he picked up his knife again and led the charge into the forest.

The low thickets scraped the face like a blade, easily tearing skin, but at this point no one paid any heed.

The rumbling roar behind was truly terrifying, shaking the very ground and shattering Liu Yan's already wavering morale into pieces.