Chapter 211: Frost's Severity

Heavy clouds rolled in, devouring the daylight. Flocks of eagles from the North flew across vast stretches of desolation, diving downward with a piercing cry, spreading their wings to dispel the thin mist as they overlooked the pristine snow below. Hawks flew from the south like a barrage of arrows, heading straight for the eagles. They let out a fierce cry, swirling past the military banners beneath them, and the sound of war drums echoed through the heavens.

The cavalry charged like waves from the south.

The ironclad horsemen stood firm, awaiting a clear view of the enemy's curved sabers. Yin Chang drew his old blade with a clang and shouted to the sky, "Dig the trench!"

The imperial guards lying in the snow immediately released their grip. With the ropes loosened, the freshly dug trench was revealed. The renowned rapid Sand Border cavalry rode headlong into it, unable to stop. Their horses fell into the trench, and a sickening crack echoed as their front knees snapped.

The vanguard cavalry tumbled into the trench, disrupting their formation. The imperial guards instantly drew their swords, pouncing like wolves to engage in combat with these frontliners. The cavalry behind them maintained their speed, leaping over the trench and pressing on.

Yin Chang felled a cavalryman while dodging the galloping hooves overhead, risking a bloody injury if he were not careful. Crouching low, he yelled, "Tiger, what's wrong with you? You dug it too narrow!"

Tan Taihu's palms were drenched in sweat as he stared at the charging cavalry. Hearing Yin Chang's call, he dared not divert his attention to respond. Gripping his two blades, he muttered Tan Tailong's name to himself.

As the short horses neared, the cavalry's curved sabers swung down. Tan Taihu somersaulted forward, and Xiao Chiye lunged forward with his wolfish blade, using the momentum of the charging horseman to pierce him through. Blood splattered, and Tan Taihu, with the garrison soldiers, crouched and slashed horizontally, severing the horse's legs.

The warhorse let out a pitiful whinny, like a wingless goose falling to the ground with its neck arched. The cavalrymen tumbled off their horses. Wiping the blood from his face, Tan Taihu snatched up his blades and roared, "Revenge!"

The repeated setbacks of the cavalry had dampened their momentum, and they were unwilling to charge forward recklessly. However, the distance between them had shortened, and as they attempted to retreat, Xiao Chiye advanced.

Xiao Chiye lightly tapped his horse's flank with the back of his blade, and Langtao Xue rushed forward. The heavy hoofbeats of the Northern Iron Cavalry sounded like rolling thunder, urging the wind and snow as they shattered the cavalry formation. The "chariots" did not allow the cavalry any respite; once they were knocked down by the heavy armor, the iron-shod hooves would trample on flesh and blood, crushing the riders beneath them.

A falcon attempted to escape eastward, but Fierce Snow dove down, seized it, tearing off one of its wings as it passed by the Northern Wolf Flag, then threw the falcon away.

The cavalry tide receded, with a young commander urging his horse forward amidst the retreat, dismissing ordinary cavalry and using Border Sands dialect to urge the Scorpions forward. Their curved swords were sheathed, watching as the Northern Iron Cavalry retreated.

Xiao Chiye returned to the formation at a leisurely pace, and the protruding columns from all directions merged swiftly. The Scorpions took the place of the vanguard, their iron hammers now facing not a single iron cavalryman, but a horde of them.

Xiao Chiye led the charge, suddenly sheathing his Wolf Fierce Blade as he galloped. The iron cavalry behind him followed suit, drawing out their terrifying new blades with a swish. Xiao Chiye leaned slightly forward, and they seemed like flashes of cold light in the night, ruthlessly piercing through the ranks of the Scorpions.

With both hands on the longer handle, Xiao Chiye slashed as he rode past, taking the heads of the Scorpions. The long blade, thinned for lighter weight, could sever a throat in the blink of an eye. Blood spurted onto the heavy armor, splattering across the iron arms and onto the snow.

The iron hammers could not keep up with the speed of the long blades, nor could they reach the iron cavalry themselves. They could only watch helplessly as the Northern Iron Cavalry charged into their ranks, slicing their formation in two.

Langtao Xue burst through the cavalry's encirclement, puffing and panting as it turned around. Xiao Chiye tilted his long blade, shaking off the sticky blood on the edge.

The Scorpions on either side caught their breath, witnessing the entire vanguard fall from their horses. Wherever Xiao Chiye passed, a trail of blood formed, and his long blade almost severed the heads of all who stood in his way.

The scorpion tugged on the reins, muttering in the Border Sands dialect, "Chidaki..."

The Northern Reaches cavalry spurred their horses forward once more. The scorpions turned their mounts around at the rumble of thunder, unwilling to continue fighting. The young cavalry officers behind them frantically brandished their swords and shouted, but to no avail. Fear had already taken root in the scorpions; without their leader, they had become sacrifices on this battlefield.

Waves of snow billowed as Langtaoxue dashed out, with the Northern Reaches cavalry hot on his heels.

The cavalry on the southern side of the sinkhole were powerless to resist. Their curved swords could not pierce through the heavy armor. The cavalrymen, now dismounted, raced through the snow in a frenzied rush, panting heavily like a flood breaking its banks. The Northern Reaches cavalry shook the snow beneath them, trampling those who lagged behind. A fallen soldier's sword flew out of his grasp as he reached for it, only to be swallowed by the hooves of the iron steeds.

Xiao Chiye broke through the ranks, pursuing the cavalry just as Xiao Fangxu had done thirty years prior—there was no mercy under the iron hooves. The Northern Reaches cavalry charged forward relentlessly, their heavy armor slicing through the battlefield like a massive blade unsheathed before Tan Taihu's eyes.

"Chidaki!" the scorpion yelled amidst the galloping horses.

Wolves!

Seven years ago, Xiao Jiming had led his troops south, known as the Iron Horses and Icy River. That night, Xiao Chiye chased the Border Sands cavalry for twenty miles, leaving echoes in his wake.

"This damn..." Yin Chang's voice rumbled in his throat as he wiped the blood from his face, silently repeating to himself.

Harsh frost swept across the land, leaving no grass alive.

* * *

Shen Zechuan was brewing tea within the tent. The Lord of the manor was not skilled in this art; he simply stuffed unrefined tea leaves into the teapot and poured water over them, leaving it to simmer on the fire. A folding fan rested on his knee, with piles of official documents beside him, yet his gaze was fixed on the tea, observing as it gradually came to a boil, bubbles rising to the surface with a gentle "gurgle."

Hyrigu crouched by the entrance of the tent, stealthily peering through the gap, and said to Fei Sheng, "Is it drinkable when cooked this way?"

Fei Sheng held no affection for this scorpion, crossing his arms as he gazed ahead, listening to the rhythmic drumbeats. He said, "You won't be the one drinking, so why bother worrying about it?"

Shen Zechuan stood in a daze for a while. When he regained his senses, the tea was almost boiled dry. He took it down and added more water before continuing to brew it. The sound of boiling water could somewhat drown out the drumbeats, and he was so entranced by the rhythm that he accomplished nothing that night.

Fei Sheng, noticing the late hour, entered the room by lifting the curtain and whispered to Shen Zechuan, "Would Your Excellency like to take a brief rest? The moment I receive any news, I shall awaken you immediately."

Shen Zechuan lowered his gaze, not offering a response.

Fei Sheng understood that Lord Feng was unwilling to change his mind. He dared not persist in his persuasion and retreated to the entrance of the tent to wait. The water for tea had been boiling all night within the military tent. As dawn approached, Shen Zechuan heard the war drums fall silent.

Shen Zechuan rose from his seat and swept aside the curtains. Fei Sheng hastened to drape him in his cloak, accompanying Shen Zechuan as they exited the tent and ventured out. In the dim, snowy mist, Shen Zechuan paused for a moment. The early morning was bitterly cold; standing for too long would leave one's nose-tip tinged with an icy redness, while the biting northern winds lashed against their faces like blades.

Fei Sheng let out a sigh of relief, his burden lifted, and promptly congratulated Shen Zechuan: "Master, it's done!"

With a sudden swirl, it aimed to land on Shen Zechuan's arm. Shen Zechuan was not wearing an arm guard that day; he raised his arm, and a whistle sounded from afar.

Xiao Chiye pushed through the dense fog, galloping without pause. As he charged into the encampment, he scooped up Shen Zechuan. Langtao Xuejin slowed its pace, turned around with a jolt, and carried the two of them back into the snowy mist. The predator missed its target and landed on the military flag, watching them run away with narrowed eyes before cleaning its claws.

Yin Chang held his spoils, wanting to say something, but Fei Sheng silenced him, preventing him from opening his mouth. The others had different expressions on their faces. Tan Taihu spat into his palm, rubbed his hands together to warm them, and said, "...Let's head into the tent first. We can report the military affairs later; there's no need to rush."

After he finished speaking, he unnecessarily repeated himself.

"There's no need to rush."

"Why not?" Yin Chang craned his neck to look, perplexed. "We have to return to the city at dawn, and Lord Governor is anxious!"