The light of dawn painted the sky in soft hues of orange and pink as Li Yuhua and her troops moved silently through the narrow gorge. The air was thick with tension, and every soldier knew that their escape hinged on speed and stealth. The walls of the gorge loomed high above them, casting deep shadows that provided some cover, but also a sense of entrapment.
Li Yuhua kept her eyes fixed on the path ahead, her mind focused on each step. The ground beneath their feet was uneven, and the narrow passage made it difficult to maneuver quickly. She knew that if Fang Wei's forces discovered their route, they would be at a severe disadvantage in such tight quarters.
Beside her, Lady Zhen moved with the same silent precision, her face unreadable. Though they had a plan, they were walking a tightrope, and one wrong move could spell disaster.
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As the column of soldiers made their way deeper into the gorge, the sounds of the outside world faded. The walls of the gorge seemed to swallow everything—the wind, the rustling of trees, even the distant calls of birds. It was as if they were descending into another world, one where time and space bent under the weight of their circumstances.
Suddenly, a soft whistle echoed through the gorge.
Li Yuhua froze, her hand instinctively going to the hilt of her sword. The soldiers behind her halted as well, their eyes scanning the cliffs above. A shadow moved along the ridge, barely visible against the early morning sky.
"Scouts," Lady Zhen whispered, her eyes narrowing. "Fang Wei's men are close."
Li Yuhua cursed under her breath. Fang Wei was moving faster than she had anticipated. If his scouts had already reached the gorge, the main force wouldn't be far behind.
"We need to move, now," she said sharply, signaling for the soldiers to quicken their pace.
The column began to move faster, but the narrow path made it difficult to maintain any real speed. The walls of the gorge, which had once offered protection, now felt like a prison. Li Yuhua could feel the weight of the enemy closing in around them.
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The next few minutes passed in tense silence. Every step felt heavier, every breath tighter. Li Yuhua's mind raced, calculating the distance they had covered and how much further they had to go. If they could just make it through the gorge, they would reach the forest on the other side. The trees would offer cover, and the terrain would be more favorable for their smaller, more agile force.
But as they rounded a bend in the path, the sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears. Li Yuhua's heart sank. Fang Wei's men were closing in—faster than she had hoped.
"Prepare for battle," she commanded in a low voice, her hand gripping her sword tightly. There was no more time for subtlety. They would have to fight their way out.
The soldiers formed up quickly, their movements precise despite their exhaustion. They had been in this position before, and they knew what was at stake.
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The first wave of Fang Wei's scouts appeared on the ridge above them, their dark silhouettes outlined against the sky. Arrows rained down from the cliffs, and Li Yuhua's soldiers raised their shields, deflecting the barrage with practiced ease.
"Hold the line!" Li Yuhua shouted, her voice carrying through the narrow gorge.
Lady Zhen, standing beside her, drew her sword and gestured to the cliffs. "We'll need to take those ridges, or we'll be sitting ducks."
Li Yuhua nodded. "Take a squad and secure the high ground. I'll hold them here."
Lady Zhen didn't hesitate. She quickly gathered a group of the best climbers and began scaling the cliffs, moving with the grace and precision of a seasoned warrior. Li Yuhua watched her go, her heart pounding. The outcome of this battle would depend on how quickly they could gain control of the high ground.
As the fighting intensified, Li Yuhua led her soldiers in holding the narrow passage. The enemy's scouts were relentless, but Li Yuhua's men fought with the desperation of those who had nothing left to lose. The walls of the gorge echoed with the clash of steel and the cries of battle.
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Above them, Lady Zhen's squad reached the top of the ridge. From her vantage point, she could see the full extent of Fang Wei's forces—dozens of scouts had already surrounded them, and the main army wasn't far behind. But Lady Zhen was nothing if not resourceful. She quickly assessed the terrain and positioned her squad to launch a surprise attack.
With a swift motion, she signaled her archers. Arrows flew through the air, catching the enemy off guard. The scouts on the ridge faltered, momentarily thrown into chaos.
"Push forward!" Lady Zhen commanded, leading the charge as her squad engaged the enemy atop the cliffs.
Down below, Li Yuhua saw the tide of battle shift. With the high ground secured, her soldiers were no longer at the mercy of the enemy's archers. She seized the opportunity and ordered her troops to press forward, cutting through the remaining scouts in the gorge.
The battle was fierce, but Fang Wei's men had underestimated the resolve of Li Yuhua's forces. Within minutes, the enemy scouts were either dead or retreating, and the path through the gorge was clear once more.
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As the last of the enemy fled, Li Yuhua took a moment to catch her breath. The fighting had been intense, but they had won this skirmish. For now, they had bought themselves time.
Lady Zhen descended from the ridge, her face flushed with victory. "The scouts have been routed, but Fang Wei's main force is still closing in."
Li Yuhua nodded grimly. "Then we keep moving. We need to reach the forest before they can regroup."
Without another word, she signaled her troops to continue the march. The forest was close now—just beyond the next rise. If they could make it there, they would have a chance to lose Fang Wei's forces in the dense woods.
But as they moved deeper into the gorge, Li Yuhua couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Something about the ease of their victory didn't sit right with her. Fang Wei wasn't the type to make mistakes, and this ambush had felt too easy.
"Lady Zhen," Li Yuhua said quietly, falling into step beside her. "What if this was all a diversion?"
Lady Zhen's eyes widened. "You think he's leading us into a trap?"
Li Yuhua's jaw tightened. "It's possible. Fang Wei is too clever to waste his men like this without a larger plan in mind."
As they reached the edge of the forest, Li Yuhua's unease grew. The trees stretched out before them like a dark, endless sea. It was their best chance at survival, but it could also be where Fang Wei planned to strike.
"We have no choice," Li Yuhua murmured. "We move forward—but stay alert. Fang Wei isn't finished yet."
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End of Chapter 20
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