The Great Yu Dynasty and the Great Qian Dynasty had been stationing troops at the border for quite some time.
The two nations were evenly matched in strength, turning the border into a meat grinder where countless lives were lost, leaving behind piles of bleached bones.
The blood on Li Yuanhu's face had dried as he looked up at the sky, gazing at the graceful immortal floating in the air - that was Sun Yu, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Great Qian Dynasty.
Sun Yu stood before the army formation in snow-white robes, a jade flute pressed to his lips. The melodious flute music pierced through the wind and snow, resounding across the heavens.
The sorrowful tune, filled with lament and longing, made many soldiers in the Great Yu army think of their wives and children back home, draining their fighting spirit and bringing tears to their eyes.
"Such petty illusions dare to show off before this general!?"
From the commander's tent, Zhao Kuo roared angrily as he stepped forward.
Though arrogant, he was a genuine Foundation Establishment cultivator who couldn't tolerate such insolence from his opponent.
Blood energy surged from his body as overwhelming murderous aura materialized into sound waves, crashing toward Sun Yu with tremendous force!
A flicker of surprise crossed Sun Yu's eyes as he hastily retreated, his jade flute dancing to create layers of sound barriers that barely blocked the attack, leaving him somewhat disheveled.Seeing his advantage, Zhao Kuo couldn't help but show contempt.
"Hmph, just some lowly trick to confuse minds!" His attacks grew fiercer. "Today I'll make your pretty face bleed right here!"
Though Sun Yu's techniques were profound, they were ultimately no match for raw power.
As Zhao Kuo pressed forward relentlessly, Sun Yu showed no panic. While defending with his flute, he subtly changed the melody.
The aggressive battle music gradually faded, replaced by a sacred yet sorrowful strange tune.
"Hmm?"
Zhao Kuo vaguely sensed something amiss, but his pride and recent advantage made him underestimate his opponent, thinking this was merely a last-ditch effort.
"More tricks!" He activated his magical implement - a tiger-headed spear - aiming to pierce through both Sun Yu and his flute!
At that moment, Sun Yu's flute music transformed again, turning into thousands of crystal-clear snow lotuses.
These snow lotuses bloomed slowly in the air, seemingly beautiful and harmless, yet their sacred radiance carried terrifying dissolving power.
The magical implement began disintegrating visibly upon contact with the snow lotuses!
"What!?"
Zhao Kuo cried out in shock.
He had underestimated his opponent, never expecting such bizarre techniques.
Before he could react, Sun Yu appeared before him like a ghost, a snow lotus gently pointing toward his forehead.
The seemingly effortless touch made it impossible for him to breathe or dodge.
"Pfft!"
Zhao Kuo was struck as if by lightning, vomiting blood as he crashed onto the command platform, smashing the massive stone commander's table to pieces.
With their commander defeated, morale collapsed and the army fell into complete rout.
The Great Yu forces were utterly defeated, soldiers throwing away their armor and weapons, wishing they had extra legs as they fled desperately through the snowstorm.
Li Yuanhu's heart sank - there was a world of difference between orderly retreat and this chaotic rout, which was no different from suicide!
Even retreat required proper formation.
Exchanging a glance with Wang Lie, he calmly ordered his troops to regroup with the remnants, maintaining discipline as they withdrew.
Inside the central command tent, the atmosphere was so tense it could drip water.
Zhao Kuo sat pale-faced in the commander's seat, his chest soaked with blood.
The subordinate generals stood silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to lift their heads.
What could they do against such overwhelming force?
That was a long-renowned Foundation Establishment cultivator, a veritable terrestrial immortal!
Zhao Kuo's gaze swept over them. While he knew his own recklessness had contributed to the defeat, he would never admit it.
He needed to redirect his anger and suppress those who had shown promise in this battle and might threaten his position.
"Li Yuanhu, your troops emerged from this battle unscathed with minimal casualties. You must have some skill," Zhao Kuo said in a tone that revealed nothing, chilling the hearts of all present.
Li Yuanhu slowly cupped his hands, his voice steady. "Reporting to the general, this subordinate merely followed your orders carefully, advancing steadily without recklessness."
"What steady advancement!"
Zhao Kuo said coldly, "Since you're so prudent and capable, you shall take charge of the rearguard during our retreat!"
The announcement shocked everyone.
With defeat imminent, being assigned rearguard wasn't an honor - it was a death sentence!
Wang Lie could no longer restrain himself, stepping forward abruptly. "General! This order is inappropriate! The enemy's morale is high and outnumbers us several times. This would be like throwing eggs against stones, marching to certain death!"
"Insolence!" Zhao Kuo roared. "How dare you speak out of turn before this general!?"
He glared at Li Yuanhu. "Well? Commandant Li, do you intend to disobey orders?"
An uncontrollable killing intent slowly rose in Li Yuanhu's heart.
His third uncle was right - sometimes when you can't solve a problem, you eliminate the person causing it.
The veins on his hands bulged as he contemplated how to "solve" Zhao Kuo, who was now severely injured...
Just then, a clear voice rang out unexpectedly outside the tent.
"Commandant Zhao wields quite the authority."
Before the words faded, the tent flap stirred without wind as a golden light flashed. A young cultivator in silver-white feiyu robes, wearing a jade pendant and holding a golden scroll, appeared inside the tent as if from thin air.
The newcomer had handsome features and noble bearing. Simply standing there, he exuded the imposing aura of central imperial authority that made everyone present tremble.
"You... how did you come here!?" Zhao Kuo's pupils contracted sharply.
Ignoring him, the young cultivator slowly unrolled the golden scroll, speaking calmly yet his voice resounded throughout the camp.
"By order of the Ministry of War, transmitting the decree of the Guardian Immortal: Field Commander Zhao Kuo, for mismanagement leading to army defeat, is hereby stripped of command and shall be escorted to the capital for disciplinary action!"
"What!?"
Zhao Kuo stood frozen as if struck by lightning, his face filled with disbelief.
"No! Impossible!" he screamed. "I'm a Foundation Establishment cultivator, an imperial official! You can't..."
"Silence."
The young cultivator frowned slightly, waving a hand casually.
An irresistible force gripped Zhao Kuo like an invisible hand, rendering him immobile and mute.
The young cultivator then surveyed those in the tent, his gaze finally resting on Li Yuanhu, his deep eyes showing a barely perceptible approval.
"Furthermore, Commandant Li Yuanhu shall accompany me to the central command tent to discuss strategy for defeating the enemy!"
His words were crisp and clear, with fair rewards and punishments.
The entire army erupted in thunderous cheers.
"Long live the general!"
"Long live Commandant Li!"
The previously dejected soldiers now stood straight, their morale restored and fighting spirit rekindled.
Wang Lie was especially excited, his face flushed as he clapped Li Yuanhu's shoulder. "Good lad! I knew it! I knew you were no ordinary man!"
Li Yuanhu's heart also surged with emotion.
Looking at the extraordinary young cultivator, he felt profound awe.
Words becoming law, a single command deciding thousands' fates, one order determining the army's leadership - this was true power!
......
In the central command tent, sandalwood incense curled upward.
The silver-robed celestial official who called himself "Xu Hanzhou" quietly studied the sand table, his fingers occasionally moving pieces as if playing chess.
"Commandant Li, you've arrived."
He spoke without looking up. "What are your thoughts on the current situation?"
Li Yuanhu collected his thoughts and truthfully shared his observations of the enemy over recent days.
He neither exaggerated nor embellished, simply presenting the most objective analysis in concise terms.
Xu Hanzhou listened quietly, the approval in his eyes growing stronger.
"Good."
Xu Hanzhou smiled slightly, his expression becoming more amiable. "I've heard of your Li family's affairs. To be honest, I'm curious what environment could produce such outstanding brothers."
His tone then turned serious. "However, the current situation remains grim. That Sun Yu from Great Qian is indeed a formidable opponent. Not only is his cultivation profound, but his tactics are also cunning and unpredictable."
Pointing at Eagle's Sorrow Cliff on the sand table, he said, "This place is the enemy's vital passage, the only route for their supply trains. Zhao Kuo sent you there to die. But when I send you, it's to cut off their lifeline!"
A flash of cold killing intent appeared in Xu Hanzhou's eyes.
"I'll personally lead the Black Armor Army in a feint on the main battlefield to draw enemy forces. You'll take elite troops on a covert assault to Eagle's Sorrow Cliff and burn their supplies! Are you confident?"
The plan was undeniably bold.
Success would turn the tide of war.
But failure would trap Li Yuanhu and his thousand men behind enemy lines with no hope of survival.
"This subordinate accepts the order!"
Li Yuanhu responded without hesitation, cupping his hands.
Fortune favors the bold, and victory goes to the courageous when paths cross!
.............
Three days later, night, heavy rain poured down.
Xu Hanzhou personally led the Great Yu main force in a fierce assault on the Crimson Flame Army's front lines.
Battle cries shook the heavens as flames lit up the night like daylight.
While all attention was focused on the main battlefront, a light cavalry unit of less than a thousand men used the cover of night and rain to slip past multiple enemy lines like ghosts, striking deep into enemy territory - Eagle's Sorrow Cliff!
Leading them was Li Yuanhu.
Using Breath of the Tree, he lay flat on his horse, minimizing his presence.
His men followed suit, wrapping their horses' hooves in thick cloth to muffle sound on the muddy path.
"Commandant, Eagle's Sorrow Cliff lies ahead!" a scout reported quietly.
Li Yuanhu looked up to see in the distance the dark outline of a cliff crouching like a giant beast.
Torches illuminated the cliff top where patrols could be seen moving.
"Execute the plan!" Li Yuanhu ordered firmly.
Wang Lie and others who had already infiltrated the cliff base immediately lit their Thunderbolt Pellets and hurled them at the most densely packed enemy tents!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A series of explosions erupted, flames shooting skyward to light up the entire cliff.
The defenders were thrown into chaos, never dreaming anyone would attack from what they considered the most impossible direction on such a stormy night!
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"Quick! To the granary! Protect the supplies!"
The camp descended into pandemonium as soldiers poured from tents toward the granary.
"Now! Charge with me!"
Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Li Yuanhu led his waiting cavalry like a red-hot dagger stabbing into the enemy's chaotic formation!
Battle erupted instantly!
Li Yuanhu's goal was clear - not to kill, but to set fires!
He pulled several clay pots filled with oil from his robe and hurled them at the mountainous grain piles.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Flaming arrows followed immediately, igniting the entire granary!
Raging flames shot skyward through the rainstorm, dyeing half the night sky red.
"The granary's on fire! Put it out!"
The Crimson Flame Army panicked completely - an army without food would scatter. They forgot about pursuing Li Yuanhu's forces, desperately rushing toward the inferno.
Meanwhile, Li Yuanhu and his men had already slipped away from Eagle's Sorrow Cliff, vanishing into the stormy night.
.........
With their supplies burned at Eagle's Sorrow Cliff, the Crimson Flame Army's morale collapsed.
Xu Hanzhou seized the opportunity to launch a full assault.
Caught between two fronts, the Crimson Flame Army routed completely. The Great Qian's "Jade-Faced Immortal Lord" Sun Yu barely escaped with his life thanks to his guards' desperate protection.
This battle brought Great Yu a decisive victory, completely reversing the border situation and securing dominance in the struggle for the spirit stone veins.
Li Yuanhu was credited with the pivotal success of raiding Eagle's Sorrow Cliff.
Victory reports spread back to the prefecture, to Yunshui County, to Peach Blossom Village.
The Li Family Mansion was jubilant, the talk of Peach Blossom Village.
Li Ping'an was repeatedly invited to banquets by prefectural officials, becoming the center of attention.
Meanwhile, Li Pingcan remained in his Spirit Mountain cave dwelling, oblivious to the outside commotion.
Reading the victory report personally written by Li Ping'an, he showed little joy, instead sighing softly.
"The chaos has only just begun."
His gaze turned toward the distant capital of the Great Yu Dynasty.