Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 98: Dawn

Chapter 98: Dawn

Dawn spread across the sky, ushering in a new day.

At first light, the soldiers began lining up for training, their collective shouts echoing across the square.

Upon waking, Wei Zhen ascended the tall tower beside the plaza. From here, leaning over the railing, she could take in everything within and beyond the royal city’s walls.

She selected a short sword for self-defense and began cleaning it, when suddenly, the gleam on the blade reflected a cold light sneaking up behind her.

Wei Zhen raised her sword, and with a loud clash—“clang”—two blades collided, generating a massive reverberation. The force from the blade physically jolted down to the hilt, sending sharp pain through her hand.

The intruder was none other than Yan Zhong, the commander of military affairs.

He quickly sheathed his sword and smiled. “The Princess reacts swiftly. Have you trained with the sword before?”

Wei Zhen lowered her head to look at the redness blooming in her injured palm, and smiled faintly. “Not very much. I merely practiced a few self-defense moves long ago while sparring with my younger brother in Chu.”

She looked up at him and said, “Commander Yan, over these past ten days, you’ve led the troops in repelling the enemy and overseeing the city’s defenses. You’ve endured great hardship.”

She bowed to him. Yan Zhong shook his head and stepped forward to help steady her, signaling there was no need for ceremony.

A trumpet sounded out. The two of them looked down. In the plaza below, a deputy general was lining up formations and taking headcounts. Scattered among the ranks of soldiers were elderly men and young children, who were being handed sets of armor.

Wei Zhen said softly, “Today, many children and elders will step into battle. How many of them will not return?”

Yan Zhong heard the sorrow in her voice and replied quietly, “The people of Wei give their lives to protect their homeland. They do not believe they are dying in vain.”

Wei Zhen shook her head. “Wei’s people fear no enemy in defending their land. But no one ought to be sacrificed. They fight back with their lives—but after the war, who besides their families will remember them?”

Yan Zhong was startled. “Princess…”

Wei Zhen’s gaze felt distant, as though she saw something far beyond those below her. “Each of them is as small as a blade of grass. Yet tragically, the survival of the capital rests upon their shoulders. Ever since I was little, I knew that Wei and Chu were locked in endless war. On my journey to Jin for the political marriage, I also saw refugees fleeing from Qi. This world has always seemed to be in chaos. War never ends. What is the meaning behind the endless conflict between the kingdoms?”

She let out a long breath. The warm sunlight made her exhale cloud into the air. “When will this troubled world come to an end?”

Yan Zhong also gazed at the ranks below. After a long pause, he said, “Only a ruler bold enough to reform the world by cutting through its disorder can change the times. But such a soul has yet to appear.”

A single name surfaced in Wei Zhen’s mind—Qi Yan. Perhaps he could become that man.

She smiled slightly. “While the situation is bleak and uncertain, when I see even the weakest women and children picking up knives from their homes and joining the ranks, I feel pride in their spirit.”

From the far horizon, the enemy’s trumpet sounded loud and low. Wei Zhen looked up to see an overwhelming sea of armored Chu soldiers surging toward the capital.

“Commander Yan, the Chu are attacking again.”

Yan Zhong gripped the hilt of his sword. “Do not worry, Princess. I swear to lay down my life to defend the capital!”

The rapid clatter of hooves, like the patter of heavy rain, drew the eyes of the entire city’s citizens.

Wei Zhen clenched her fists and turned back. “Go tell the soldiers—the Chu have failed to break us after all these days. Their morale must be crumbling. If we revive our own fighting spirit today, we can shake their resolve. The city will not fall!”

Her eyes sparkled with unwavering resolve and calm.

Yan Zhong gave a slight pause, then replied, “Yes!”

The two of them descended the tower together. On the streets, civilians rushed toward the city walls. Though the walls were already crumbling, they still put in every last effort, charging toward the ramparts like rolling waves.

The soldier manning the war drum pounded with all his might. The skin of the drum beat rapidly like a racing pulse, thundering like storm clouds, stirring hearts into action.

Across the heavens and earth, the clamor surged like tidal waves. Amid the cacophony, a woman’s voice rang out: “Hold fast! The Chu will retreat today! It ends today!”

The soldiers echoed her with chants of “Fight!”

“Report! Your Majesty!”

In the Chu military camp, a soldier rushed into the royal tent.

“Your Majesty! The Princess of Wei has sent a message!”

All eyes turned toward him. Jing Heng sat behind the desk and asked, “What does the letter say?”

A general stepped forward, took the letter, tore it open, and upon reading, frowned deeply.

“The Princess says that the Chu army, having laid siege for many days, must soon run out of provisions. Ten days is likely their limit. She advises Your Majesty to retreat as soon as possible.”

The tent fell silent. Jing Heng’s expression darkened.

The original Chu strategy was to strike swiftly and decisively, catching Wei off guard. But with the prolonged effort, they had instead placed themselves in a vulnerable position.

Just two days earlier, someone had already advised Jing Heng to consider retreat. But he had committed so many soldiers—it was difficult to simply give up now.

“Your Majesty, the Wei Princess also says that reinforcements are on their way and may arrive at any moment!”

This remark caused an uproar in the tent.

“Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty must order a retreat at once! Delay any further and we’ll have no chance!”

“The Princess sent this exact warning days ago! At the time, Your Majesty still insisted on laying siege. So many days have passed—Wei’s reinforcements must be close to the capital by now.”

“Indeed! That moment would’ve been the best time to withdraw. At this point, retreating is extremely risky. The returning army might even encounter the reinforcements on their way back. Your Majesty—now is the last possible chance to retreat! Morale is already crumbling!”

“Your Majesty has only just ascended the throne. It’s more pressing to return to the Chu court and secure your rule!”

Seizing the Wei capital was no longer worth risking upheaval at home.

Jing Heng had killed the previous king to take the throne. He knew better than anyone how fragile his power truly was.

And yet—how could he simply abandon the siege? The walls were already at their thinnest. Another day of assault might succeed.

The room buzzed with voices as Jing Heng took the letter from his subordinate. In it, Wei Zhen wrote that Ji Yuan had merely used Jing Heng, and that if Qi Yan had sent troops to support Wei, he would surely also send forces into Chu.

His fingertips drummed impatiently on the desk. The surrounding ministers urged again, “Your Majesty, withdraw. There is still time!”

Suddenly, Jing Heng stood up. Ignoring the hands reaching to stop him, he strode outside and flung open the tent flap.

Smoke curled thick in the air. Atop the distant battlements, the two armies clashed with steel and blood.

The air was filled with the stench of battle. Jing Heng’s expression grew tenser. Despite his advisors’ pleas, he declared, “Continue the assault.”

“Your Majesty, reconsider!”

Jing Heng turned around, his tone ice-cold, unwavering: “I said—attack.”

The tent curtain fell, leaving the generals outside to catch each other’s eyes and sigh heavily.

Chu’s soldiers continued the siege relentlessly. Wei’s defenders were throwing flaming logs doused in oil over the walls, sending fire crashing down on their attackers. Agonized screams echoed below the battlements.

Then a shout came from the Chu ranks: “Retreat! Retreat! His Majesty has ordered a full retreat! Fall back to camp!”

Wei Zhen was helping carry the wounded up a staircase when she heard these cries. She rushed to the top of the wall and peered outward—only to see Chu soldiers fleeing in chaos, armor tossed aside.

The ground seemed to tremble underfoot. Then, at the edge of the vast battlefield, a cavalry force emerged. Their flag fluttered high in the wind.

“They’re here! The reinforcements are here! It’s Wei’s reinforcements!” soldiers shouted with joy.

Wei Zhen gripped the city wall, her eyes brightening.

“Is it Ah Ling leading them?”

That cavalry force descended like a vengeful flood, unstoppable and swift, thundering toward the Chu camp.

Screams erupted as steel met steel—blood-soaked combat resumed.

“It’s not General Wei—it’s the Prince of Jin!”

The words stunned everyone, disbelief rippling across the wall. “Which Prince of Jin?!”

Wei Zhen’s eyes darted among the soldiers until she found him instantly—that all-too-familiar figure.

A young man clad in silver armor, his figure upright and graceful as jade, riding straight through the battlefield. Around him the Chu soldiers fell like insects—every swing of his blade drew blood. Carving a path through their ranks, he cut through like a storm.

Beneath the sunlight, his armor shimmered with fierce radiance—dazzling, blinding.

Among tens of thousands, he lifted his gaze to the wall and locked eyes with her.

Wei Zhen’s arm trembled at her side. Suddenly, she gathered her skirt and ran down the tower.

At the gates, the guards moved to stop her, asking questions—but she had already spoken.

“Open the gate.”

They stared, surprised. Her eyes were red as she spoke again, “Open the gate!”

The Prince of Jin had arrived without warning. Though confused, the guards dared not delay. Since he had brought reinforcements, they quickly moved the stones and timbers piled against the ruined door.

The gate barely resembled a gate anymore—riddled with holes and patched with wood and rubble.

As it creaked open, a foul wind blew in from beyond.

Wei Zhen’s hair flew wildly. She looked upon the shattered remnants of the Chu army being routed by the reinforcements, fleeing like startled birds.

Dust choked the air. From within it, a white stallion emerged.

Qi Yan, from afar, saw her.

He struck down several men in quick succession, galloping hard toward her.

The noise of battle faded. The chaos surrounding her vanished. The only thing she could hear was the sound of hooves drawing near.

Wei Zhen had endured day after day. Now, at seeing his face clearly, her knees gave out, and she collapsed forward.

He leapt from his horse, catching her in one sweeping motion, holding her so tightly, it was as though he yearned to merge her into his bones.

Countless emotions, all the unspoken words, were compressed in that one embrace.

She had believed she would never see him again. She only prayed for him to be safe at war—never imagining he would soar across the field just to be by her side.

He had promised: no matter what happened, she must believe in him. And this time, once more, he had done exactly that.

“Ah Zhen,” he called hoarsely.

Wei Zhen’s emotions surged, relentless and overwhelming.

“Clatter”—something dropped. It was the string of luminous pearls she had clutched tightly since last night.

And one by one, her tears fell, striking his shoulder with soft thuds.

Finally, she could not hold it in any longer. Burying her face in his chest, she broke down in sobs.

“Qi Yan!”