The dense forest loomed ahead like a vast and impenetrable wall. The trees were ancient and towering, their thick canopies casting long shadows across the land, even in the bright light of day. The air within the forest was cool and damp, a stark contrast to the arid winds of the mountains. For Li Yuhua and her troops, the forest offered both hope and danger. It was their best chance to escape Fang Wei's encroaching forces, but it was also a place where they could easily become lost or ambushed.
As the last of her soldiers entered the forest, Li Yuhua cast one final glance back at the gorge. The enemy scouts had been driven off, but she knew Fang Wei was not far behind. Time was slipping through her fingers, and every moment spent navigating the unfamiliar terrain brought them closer to a potential disaster.
Lady Zhen walked beside her, her eyes scanning the trees. "This place... it feels unnatural," she muttered.
Li Yuhua nodded in agreement. There was something oppressive about the forest, something that gnawed at her instincts. The deeper they ventured, the more the trees seemed to close in around them, their branches forming a twisted lattice above. The light grew dimmer, the air heavier.
"It's an old forest," Li Yuhua said quietly. "These lands were once part of an ancient kingdom. Many battles were fought here long ago, and it is said that the spirits of the fallen still linger."
Lady Zhen's expression darkened, but she remained silent. Though neither of them believed in ghosts, there was no denying the eerie atmosphere of the place.
---
Hours passed, and the forest showed no signs of thinning. The path was uneven and overgrown, making it difficult for the troops to maintain their pace. Li Yuhua led the way, her eyes constantly scanning for any sign of movement. She trusted her instincts, but the forest was an unknown variable—one that could hide both friend and foe.
Suddenly, the sound of rustling leaves caught her attention. She raised a hand, signaling the column to halt. Her soldiers immediately stopped, their senses on high alert. Lady Zhen moved to her side, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
"What is it?" Lady Zhen whispered.
Li Yuhua narrowed her eyes, listening intently. The sound had been faint, barely noticeable, but it was enough to set her on edge. She scanned the treeline, searching for the source. The forest was still, but that only made her more suspicious. Nature never stopped entirely—not unless something was wrong.
"Spread out," Li Yuhua commanded in a low voice. "Stay close to the trees, and be ready for anything."
Her soldiers fanned out, their movements quiet and deliberate. Li Yuhua's heart pounded in her chest as she stepped forward, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. The rustling had stopped, but the tension in the air was palpable.
And then, without warning, the silence shattered.
---
A volley of arrows rained down from the trees, slicing through the air with deadly precision. Li Yuhua reacted instantly, drawing her sword and raising it to deflect the incoming projectiles. Her soldiers did the same, shields raised to protect themselves from the surprise attack.
"Ambush!" Li Yuhua shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Fang Wei's forces had found them. The enemy had hidden among the trees, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. From the shadows, soldiers emerged, their faces painted with the same ruthless determination that Li Yuhua had come to expect from Fang Wei's men.
"Form up!" Li Yuhua commanded, her voice firm despite the surprise. Her soldiers quickly regrouped, forming a tight defensive line as the enemy closed in.
Lady Zhen fought beside her, her movements swift and lethal as she cut down the first wave of attackers. "They were waiting for us," she muttered between strikes.
Li Yuhua gritted her teeth, parrying an incoming blow before delivering a counterstrike that felled her opponent. "Fang Wei knew we would head for the forest. He's planned this."
The battle was fierce, the confined space of the forest making it difficult to maneuver. The trees provided both cover and obstacles, forcing the soldiers to adapt quickly to the ever-shifting battlefield. Li Yuhua's troops fought valiantly, but the enemy's numbers were overwhelming.
---
As the fighting intensified, Li Yuhua's eyes darted around the battlefield. The enemy was relentless, but there was something strange about the way they fought. They weren't pressing their advantage—they were holding back, as if waiting for something.
And then, she saw it.
At the edge of the battlefield, just beyond the treeline, a figure stood watching. Clad in dark armor and a crimson cloak, Fang Wei himself observed the battle from a distance, his cold gaze fixed on Li Yuhua. His presence was a silent declaration—he was toying with them.
Li Yuhua's blood boiled. Fang Wei was testing her, probing her defenses to see how far he could push her. He had no intention of finishing the battle here. No, he wanted to draw it out, to wear her down until she had no choice but to surrender.
But Li Yuhua would not give him the satisfaction.
"We need to retreat," Lady Zhen said urgently, her voice breaking through Li Yuhua's thoughts. "We can't hold them off much longer."
Li Yuhua nodded, her mind racing. They were outnumbered, and the forest offered little in the way of escape routes. But there was one option left—an old, forgotten path that led deeper into the heart of the forest. It was risky, but it was their best chance.
"Fall back!" Li Yuhua shouted, signaling her troops to retreat. "To the eastern path!"
Her soldiers obeyed without hesitation, pulling back from the front lines as they moved toward the eastern edge of the forest. The enemy pursued, but Li Yuhua's forces fought a disciplined retreat, holding their ground long enough to prevent the enemy from overwhelming them.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the sounds of battle faded, replaced by the eerie stillness of the woods. The eastern path was narrow and overgrown, but it was their only hope of escaping Fang Wei's trap.
---
By the time they reached the heart of the forest, the enemy had fallen back, unwilling to pursue them further into the unknown. Li Yuhua and her soldiers came to a halt, their breaths heavy with exhaustion. The forest was darker here, the trees thicker, and the air felt heavier, almost suffocating.
Li Yuhua surveyed her troops. They were battered and weary, but alive. For now, they had bought themselves time.
Lady Zhen stepped forward, her expression grim. "What now?"
Li Yuhua glanced around, her mind working furiously. They had escaped Fang Wei's immediate grasp, but they were far from safe. The forest was a maze of hidden dangers, and they couldn't afford to linger for long.
"We need to find shelter," Li Yuhua said finally. "There are caves deeper in the forest. We'll rest there and plan our next move."
Lady Zhen nodded, but her eyes were filled with worry. "Fang Wei won't give up so easily."
Li Yuhua knew she was right. Fang Wei was relentless, and he would continue to pursue them until they had nowhere left to run. But for now, they had survived—and that was enough.
"We'll be ready for him," Li Yuhua said, her voice steady. "No matter what comes next."
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End of Chapter 21
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