Iron Peak . . .
The westward battle had taken a devastating toll on the Kingdom of Chen. General Wu Gonglie, the commander responsible for the west, displayed unyielding resolve to the very end. His unwavering efforts had managed to slow down the advancing forces of the Kingdom of Lan-Feng, extending the conflict towards the vital location of Iron Peak. If Iron Peak were to fall, the Kingdom of Lan-Feng would have a direct route to penetrate deep into the heart of the Kingdom of Chen, an outcome that no one wished to envision.
Iron Peak now found itself in a dire predicament, with soldiers on the brink of panic. They were well aware of the grave situation and the imminent threat.
However, just when things seemed most precarious, a ray of hope emerged. An army from Chen-Xing City, led by Cha Eun Xiao, arrived at Iron Peak in a mere five days after Cha assumed command.
In times of war, every moment counted, and the prompt arrival of reinforcements was a welcome sight.
As the newly arrived forces swept in like a whirlwind, the soldiers stationed atop Iron Peak watched in awe and relief. These troops had been through grueling battles and bore the scars of their ordeals, yet their unwavering resolve and unrelenting spirit remained intact. Despite their battle-worn appearances, their eyes burned with a fierce determination and a sense of solemnity.
These were the brave soldiers who had served under the command of Great Western General Wu Gonglie. Their unity, determination, and unwavering loyalty to their fallen leader were apparent.
They gazed upon the approaching army with a mix of emotions, including gratitude, inspiration, and a touch of sorrow. Observing the speed at which these reinforcements had arrived, they couldn't help but marvel at the kingdom's rapid response.
"The kingdom has dispatched this army in such a short time! It's a blessing from the heavens!"
"Their swiftness is truly impressive!"
"Listen to the thunderous sound of their footsteps!"
"Look at the dust they raise to the sky!"
"What an exceptional army!"
"They are not just exceptional; they're beyond extraordinary! I can hardly believe we possess such a powerful force in our kingdom. I doubt even the Northern Army under General Cha Nantian is superior."
"But who could be leading this army?"
The vice-general expressed his exhilaration and curiosity, sharing the sentiments of his comrades. However, none of them could venture a guess. Prince Hua-Yang was engaged in the east, contending with Zhan Qianshan, and General Lan held the southern front. Neither of them was capable of commanding a force of this caliber. Cha Nantian possessed the necessary skill, but his Northern Army was situated hundreds of thousands of miles away. It was inconceivable that they could have arrived so swiftly. Therefore, none of the three great generals seemed a likely candidate for leading this formidable army.
The soldiers on Iron Peak strained to identify the individual responsible for transforming this army into an ironclad force. They couldn't even fathom a guess but were certain that he must be an extraordinary leader.
As the army drew nearer, they spotted a colossal flag waving high, nearly touching the clouds in the sky.
They squinted at the flag, puzzled and somewhat dismayed. "Why on earth is that a white flag? What's the meaning of this?"
One of the generals frowned, his frustration evident. "Who is the imbecile responsible for leading these troops? Are they preparing to surrender by brandishing a white flag in the midst of battle?"
"Those words on the white flag... Originally, they were red words, but they've turned black. What does it even say?" voiced another.
After careful scrutiny, one of the vice-generals said, "The words... 'Lord Xiao... Kingdom of... Chen?'"
Turning to his comrades with a bewildered expression, he inquired, "Who is this Lord Xiao in the Kingdom of Chen? Have any of you heard of him?"
However, none of them possessed any knowledge about Lord Xiao, and his identity remained shrouded in mystery.
"Regardless of who he is, he has come to our aid. That is a formidable army, and they have brought us hope. The Kingdom of Chen now has a chance!" the general declared emphatically. "We must go out to greet them with open arms, displaying no hint of neglect."
The soldiers expressed their agreement, grateful for the prompt arrival of this newfound hope. "Indeed, their swift arrival has arrived just in time. If they had come a few days later, we might not have survived. They've breathed new life into our fight!"
With renewed optimism, they prepared to welcome the incoming forces, understanding that their brethren on Iron Peak could not hold out for much longer.
"I wonder how General Sa feels now?" a somber voice murmured among the soldiers stationed on the wall.
A second voice replied, equally grave, "General Sa lost both his legs. When he woke up yesterday, the first thing he wanted to do was to get on the wall and defend against the attack. But when he realized both his legs were gone, he exclaimed and spat out blood. He passed out again and is still in a coma. The medic said he was stricken both physically and mentally. I'm afraid..."
The conversation trailed off in a heavy silence.
Meanwhile, at the gate, an urgent shout reached the ears of the soldiers on the wall. "Commander Cha leads the great army here to support. Soldiers on the wall, open the gate right now!"
The gate swung open even before the messenger could finish his sentence. Emerging from within were soldiers and generals who bore the unmistakable marks of their harrowing experiences on the battlefield. Bandages wrapped around their heads and arms, and their clothes stained with blood, they were nevertheless a sight to behold – a courageous and fierce force.
Their presence, standing resolute beside the wall, was a moving tableau of both valor and tragedy.
It was evident that the western battle had taken an immense toll on these soldiers.
Song Jue, despite being away from the frontlines for several years due to illness, remained well-versed in the experiences of the Kingdom of Chen's soldiers. When the western army had initially set off for battle, it had been a formidable force of six hundred thousand capable individuals. He could recognize over a hundred names among them and had encountered numerous soldiers from time to time. Song Jue was personally acquainted with at least a thousand generals from the western army. In addition to the generals, there were vice-generals with whom he had fought side by side – a formidable group of ten thousand men, comprising both generals and vice-generals.
However, now, standing before him, were fewer than three hundred soldiers and vice-generals, some of them identifiable by their attire. These individuals represented the leaders of the remaining troops. It was a painful revelation – there were not many generals left in the western army.
Filled with grief, Song Jue cried out to the heavens, his voice echoing through the air. The entire army came to a standstill upon hearing his shout, and he rode toward the gate with grim determination.
"Why are there so few people? Where are the others?" Song Jue inquired, almost dreading the answer he anticipated.
A middle-aged man with a square face met Song Jue's gaze, his eyes welling up with tears. He fought to contain his emotions as he spoke, "They are gone. All gone. Our brothers... they perished in the battle..."
The words hit Song Jue like a devastating blow, leaving him shocked and despondent.