The atmosphere inside the main tent was heavy with concern and worry. Zenki, Qingyi, and their children, Zhen Yi, Yu Mei, Mingliang and Mengting, stood at the center of the room, surrounded by their loyal allies Zhang Yitian, Lianhua, Liu Wei, Zhang Wei, and Chen Jing. Everyone's eyes were focused on Mengting, Liu Wei, and Zhang Yitian as they delivered their report about Liu Yong's capture by the Kingdom of Frosthold.
Mengting's voice quivered as she recollected the sequence of events. "Just as we were preparing to withdraw, an unexpected arrival disrupted our plans. Bishuang Han Wang stormed into the encampment, joining forces with Liu Feng, and together they overpowered Liu Yong. The sheer might they possessed proved overwhelming for him."
Liu Wei clenched his fists, his young face etched with determination. "Grandfather fought valiantly, but he was outnumbered. He ordered us to retreat and leave him behind."
Zhang Yitian's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and frustration. "It was a difficult decision, but we had no choice. We couldn't face two opponents of their caliber and risk losing more lives."
Zhen Yi, usually composed and stoic, struggled to hide the worry in his voice. "What do we do now? We can't leave Master Liu in their hands."
Yu Mei stepped forward, her expression resolute. "We need a plan. We must rescue Master Liu and bring him back safely. We cannot allow the Kingdom of Frosthold to hold him captive."
Lianhua's grip tightened around her blacksmith's hammer as she concurred. "Speed and strategy are of the essence. We must procure every piece of information available regarding where Liu Yong might be held at the Kingdom of Frosthold and devise a method to infiltrate it. Additionally, we need to formulate a plan to confront both Bishuang Han Wang and Liu Feng, considering our current lack of a capable cultivator to match their strength."
Zhang Wei's face furrowed with intense concentration as he offered his suggestion, his eyes reflecting the weight of the situation. "Perhaps it would be wise to seek the counsel of Lian Yaoshi. He may possess valuable insights or resources to improve our current predicament."
Zenki's expression grew resolute, his features displaying a steely resolve. "Agreed. We must urgently summon Lian Yaoshi and harness his wisdom to devise a concrete plan to confront Bishuang Han Wang and Liu Feng. In the meantime, we shall mobilize our scouts and spies to gather any intelligence on the possible whereabouts of Liu Yong."
Liu Wei's face betrayed a mixture of concern and trust as he observed Zenki's determination. Though worry gnawed at his heart for his grandfather's safety, he found solace in the knowledge that His Majesty Zenki would spare no effort to ensure Liu Yong's safe return.
The Glacial Citadel loomed before them, a formidable structure built with imposing gray stone walls that rose high into the sky. The air around it was thick with an eerie coldness, as if the very atmosphere was under the stronghold's oppressive control. Guard towers stood at regular intervals along the perimeter, their sharp edges and arrow slits serving as a warning to any would-be intruders.
The entrance to the stronghold was a massive iron gate, adorned with intricate engravings depicting scenes of conquest and domination. It creaked ominously as it opened, revealing a vast courtyard surrounded by various buildings and structures. The courtyard itself was sparsely populated, with Frosthold soldiers patrolling its grounds with unwavering vigilance.
Inside the stronghold, the corridors were dimly lit, their stone walls lined with torches that cast flickering shadows across the cold, damp floors. The air was heavy with the scent of metal and dampness, a testament to the stronghold's impenetrable nature. Prison cells lined the walls, their iron bars standing as a stark reminder of the captivity that awaited those who dared to oppose the Kingdom of Frosthold.
Liu Yong was confined to a small, damp cell within the stronghold, its stone walls providing no solace from the biting chill. The cell was bare and devoid of comfort, a stark representation of his dire situation. The only sounds that echoed through the cold, desolate chamber were the occasional drips of water and the distant echoes of guards' footsteps.
Liu Yong's body convulsed with pain as Bishuang Han Wang applied unimaginable pressure on his weakened form. Gasping for breath, he managed to rasp out through clenched teeth, "You will gain nothing from me, Bishuang Han Wang. My loyalty lies with the Kingdom of Avaloria, and I will not betray it." Bishuang Han Wang's eyes blazed with fury, his grip tightening around the implements of torture. "You are a fool, Liu Yong! Your loyalty will be your downfall. I have methods that can break even the strongest will. It is only a matter of time before you succumb." Liu Yong's eyes flashed with defiance as he summoned every ounce of strength within him. "You underestimate the resolve of a warrior fighting for a just cause. No matter what you do to me, I will never betray my comrades or the Kingdom of Avaloria." Bishuang Han Wang's face twisted into a twisted grin. "We shall see, Liu Yong. We have all the time in the world. Eventually, even the strongest will break. And when that time comes, you will beg for mercy." Liu Yong's eyes narrowed, a flicker of determination burning brightly within them. "You may torture me, Bishuang Han Wang, but you will never break my spirit. I will endure, and the day will come when justice prevails and you face the consequences of your actions." As the torment continued, Liu Yong's strength waned, but his spirit remained unbroken. The struggle between his unwavering loyalty and the excruciating pain waged on, painting a vivid portrait of resilience and defiance amidst the darkness of the stronghold's confines.
The room echoed with agonizing cries as Liu Yong's body convulsed in pain. But even in his weakened state, he maintained a defiant glimmer in his eyes, refusing to betray his comrades. The torture continued relentlessly until finally, exhaustion overcame Liu Yong, and he lost consciousness, his body limp and battered.
Bishuang Han Wang's eyes narrowed, his disappointment seeping through his anger. He reluctantly gestured to his subordinates, signaling them to halt the torture. "Enough," he spat, his voice laced with frustration. "Leave him be for now. We have other ways to make him talk." The subordinates hesitated, casting wary glances at the unconscious form of Liu Yong. One of them dared to speak up, his voice tinged with caution. "But Lord Bishuang, he has proven to be resilient. Perhaps it is time to consider alternative methods?" Bishuang Han Wang's jaw clenched, his gaze fixed on Liu Yong's motionless body. "No," he growled. "We will not resort to such measures just yet. I want him broken, but I also want him to understand the consequences of his defiance." As the subordinates reluctantly obeyed Bishuang Han Wang's command, they gingerly withdrew from the cell, leaving Liu Yong alone in the dimly lit room. The silence that settled upon the stronghold's confines was palpable, a heavy cloak of tension and uncertainty. Meanwhile, Bishuang Han Wang turned on his heel and strode toward the exit, his mind racing with thoughts of alternative methods to extract the desired information from Liu Yong. The frustration gnawed at him, fueling his determination to break the indomitable spirit that resided within the captured warrior.
Through their extensive network of scouts and spies, combined with the information shared by Chen Jing's connections in the Kingdom of Frosthold, Zenki and his allies pieced together a vital clue. Bishuang Han Wang, the relentless tormentor of Liu Yong, was frequently spotted within the walls of the Famous Glacial Citadel stronghold, a formidable fortress that stood as a symbol of Frosthold's power.
With this information in hand, the group gathered in the war room, their expressions tense but resolute. Zenki, his voice commanding, laid out the plan. "We have reason to believe that Liu Yong is being held captive in the Famous Glacial Citadel. We cannot afford to let him suffer any longer. It is time for a rescue operation."
Zhang Wei, his eyes burning with determination, interjected, "I will lead the assault on the stronghold. With my tactical expertise and the skills of our comrades, we have a chance to succeed."
Mengting, her gaze fierce, stepped forward. "I will accompany Zhang Wei, utilizing my elemental energies to create chaos and confusion among the enemy ranks."
Liu Wei, his young face determined, clenched his fists. "Grandfather saved us countless times. It's our turn to save him now. I'm ready to fight!"
Yu Mei, her presence steady and calm, nodded in agreement. "We have Lian Yaoshi by our side, a powerful ally who can aid us in dealing with both Liu Feng and Bishuang Han Wang. Together, we can overcome any obstacle."
Zhang Yitian, his Thunderbolt Spear gleaming in his hand, spoke with conviction. "Let us strike with lightning speed, overwhelming our enemies and securing Liu Yong's freedom."
Chen Jing, his expression both determined and apprehensive, stepped forward, holding a rolled parchment in his hands. His friends from the Kingdom of Frosthold had provided him with a detailed map of the Famous Glacial Citadel. Carefully unfurling it, he laid it out on the war room table for all to see.
"This map," Chen Jing began, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of caution, "was obtained through the assistance of my contacts in Frosthold. It provides us with crucial insights into the layout and defenses of the Famous Glacial Citadel."
The map depicted the imposing stronghold in meticulous detail, revealing its towering walls, guarded entrances, and intricate network of corridors. Symbols and annotations indicated potential trap locations, sentry posts, and strategic vantage points.
Zhang Wei, his eyes scanning the map with a keen tactical eye, nodded approvingly. "This information will be invaluable to our operation. With a clear understanding of the citadel's layout, we can devise a more precise and effective plan of attack."
Mengting, her gloved hand tracing the path of a narrow corridor on the map, added, "We need to identify the most vulnerable entry points and exploit any weaknesses in their defenses. Our goal is to move swiftly and discreetly, minimizing the chances of alerting the enemy to our presence."
Liu Wei, his gaze fixated on the map, his young mind absorbing every detail, spoke up with determination. "We must be prepared for any eventuality. If there are hidden chambers or secret passages within the citadel, they could prove vital in our quest to reach Liu Yong."
Zhang Yitian, his Thunderbolt Spear resting against his shoulder, leaned in closer to examine the map. "We should also take note of possible escape routes once we've secured Liu Yong's release. A swift and well-executed retreat is as important as the rescue itself."
Zenki, his gaze focused and commanding, addressed the group. "Study this map closely and familiarize yourselves with its contents. Our success depends on meticulous planning and precise execution. Together, we will infiltrate the Famous Glacial Citadel and bring Liu Yong back safely."
As the plan took shape, each member of the group assumed their designated roles, preparing themselves for the arduous task ahead. The weight of the rescue mission pressed upon them, but their determination burned brighter than ever. The warfront would be entrusted to Zenki, Qingyi, Zhen Yi, Mingliang, Lianhua, and Zhang Yitian, who would hold the line and create a diversion to draw attention away from the rescue team.
With a final exchange of resolute gazes, the group departed, their hearts filled with hope and their minds focused on the task at hand. The time had come to face the icy walls of the Famous Glacial Citadel, to rescue their comrade-in-arms, and to strike a blow against the forces that threatened the Kingdom of Avaloria.