The setting sun bled across the sky.

The silhouettes of two figures stretched long and thin upon the war-scarred city walls, cast by the dying light.

"Young Hero Li!"

"Tsk tsk, did you all see it today? Young Hero Li stood firm on the battlements—didn’t retreat a single step."

"Indeed. That Helian Wu was struck dead by his hammer in a single blow."

"Just seeing him still standing there—it’s like having an immovable pillar in my heart."

Where Li Mo passed, the exhausted soldiers of the Greenwood Camp gazed at him with reverence, as if victory itself shimmered just beyond the horizon.

As long as the Frost Fairy still soared through the skies.

As long as Young Hero Li remained standing atop the walls.

No matter what enemy they faced, their hearts held unshakable resolve.

They had forgotten.

Li Mo was only at the Observing Divinity realm—his cultivation barely surpassed theirs, and some among them could even rival him.

His age was no older than their own sons or nephews.

All they knew was that dazzling figures like Young Hero Li and the Frost Fairy fought alongside them, never once letting them down.

Young Hero Li had withstood the siege ram with his own body and slain Helian Wu—a man whose name had long been feared, rumored to unite the southern tribes under his rule.

The weight of their hopeful gazes left Li Mo unsure how to respond.

He turned and once more cast his Heaven’s Mandate Divine Eye into the distance.

[Name: Han Zhen]

[Age: 22 (5330)]

[Physique: Blood God Body]

[Realm: Observing Divinity—Nine Apertures]

[Fate: Purple]

[Evaluation: Former Grand Preceptor of the Great Shang Dynasty. After the fall of Shang, he survived the annihilation of his soul and flesh by comprehending the deeper mysteries of the Blood Phoenix Essence, allowing him to reincarnate through rebirth. Now in his seventh life.]

[Recent Circumstances: Determined to seize Ying Bing’s treasures—the Radiant Phoenix Qi, Blood Phoenix Essence, and Jade Phoenix Divinity. Having lost the Blood Phoenix Essence, he now cultivates the Demon-Summoning True Scripture, voraciously absorbing the power of the masses. He intends to reclaim the path of blood sacrifice through the countless lives lost in war—the more deaths, the stronger he grows.]

Han Zhen cared nothing for the lives lost.

Whether slaughtered in the sacking of cities or fallen defenders of Greenwood City—even if his own followers perished, it mattered not to him.

For the divine artifacts upon Ying Bing’s person, this former Grand Preceptor of Shang would stake everything on this battle.

Greenwood City had won today, but not without cost.

Tomorrow, the fighting would grow even bloodier.

Li Mo’s still-active divine gaze swept over the soldiers around him.

Ying Bing noticed the young man’s pause and reached out to smooth the crumpled collar of his robe.

They had agreed to eat, but as Li Mo walked, his steps unconsciously shifted direction.

The two traversed the fire-scorched battlements and descended to the central command tent. Several officers were conspicuously absent, yet those remaining labored fervently over military affairs.

Qu Sheng sat with furrowed brows, poring over battle reports.

"Commander."

Li Mo stood at the entrance and spoke softly.

Recognizing his intent for a private word, Qu Sheng rose and stepped outside.

After a moment of silence, he forced a strained smile.

"Today counts as a great victory. Our casualty ratio was one to five."

"Commander Qu... was the Southern Suppressing King never coming to begin with?"

Silence.

Li Mo had already seen it with his divine eye—some soldiers would die on the eighth day, others on the tenth.

If the king were coming, there would be no casualties by the tenth day.

Qu Sheng stiffened, then lowered his gaze, his proud bearing wilting slightly.

"Young Hero Li is correct."

"Not long ago, His Majesty issued a golden decree, recalling the king to the capital for debriefing."

"I sent the young marquis to request the king’s aid partly to give him an excuse to retreat to safety. At the time, I’d hoped you would leave as well—until I witnessed your ability to traverse thousands of miles in an instant."

"If the king were coming, would Greenwood Camp have reached such dire straits—starving, unpaid? But I couldn’t say it. If I had, the men’s morale would have shattered."

A contemplative gleam flickered in Ying Bing’s serene eyes.

Upon reflection—

The Southern Suppressing King had been a Law Body expert, one of the few Divine Generals of this era, capable of rivaling seventh-realm cultivators on the battlefield.

His death had never made sense.

Li Mo opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Qu Sheng pointed at the demon king’s head mounted above the gates.

"Back then, the king was only at the Outer Scenery realm. He fought alongside us to slay that vile crocodile, then stayed to help build Greenwood City from the marshes with his own hands. Standing here... it’s as if all our fallen brothers still stand with us."

"Even if the city falls in the end, I’ll die before its people do."

"You two have seen it now—the battlefield is merciless. War is no stage for glory. If, when you soar among the heavens in the future, your hearts hold even a sliver more compassion... then my death will have meant something."

When heroes draw their swords, the common folk suffer ten years of calamity...

The words surfaced unbidden in Li Mo’s mind.

"Go."

Qu Sheng clapped Li Mo’s shoulder and repeated.

Then he rubbed his face and strode back into the camp with renewed confidence.

"Young Hero Li just informed me—the second wave of supplies will arrive shortly!"

He’d even prepared an excuse.

But none of the officers could have guessed this would be the second lie ever spoken by the ironclad Commander Qu.

They clenched their fists, as if already glimpsing the dawn of victory.

"Ice Block, I’m hungry. Let’s eat."

"Mn."

Ying Bing withdrew her hand from the big-headed doll pouch, abandoning her intent to fetch candy.

Today, Young Li wasn’t in the mood to cook.

Just simple rations—meat, vegetables, broth—the same as the soldiers ate.

"Ying Bing... should we leave?"

Li Mo held his bowl, his gaze drifting distantly as if suddenly at ease. "This city can’t be held. We’ve done all we could—fought with everything we have."

"Do you truly believe that?"

Ying Bing studied him intently.

"Mn."

"You’re lying."

She leaned in. Even without turning, Young Li knew her ice-mirror eyes saw straight through him.

"?? I’m not."

"Then turn and say it to my face."

"I won’t!"

His mouth alone remained stubborn as a pair of cool, slender hands cupped his cheeks, forcibly turning his head.

The Frost Fairy’s stare—enforced edition.

"You planned to trick me into leaving first, then stay behind alone until the city truly fell. Right?"

"...Wow, Ice Block, you’re too sharp."

Caught, Young Li scratched his nose.

Ridiculous. Did she have Heaven’s Mandate Divine Eye too?

Well, that wasn’t the point.

The Frost Fairy pressed her lips together, her eyes shimmering with unshed emotion as she fixed him with an icy glare.

Angry.

She didn’t say it, but he understood that look.

How dare you decide for me—to abandon you?