"Yes, Marshal," the young soldier retreated. Everyone in the tent looked at the Marshal. An Dingfeng suddenly stood up and spoke slowly, "Reporting to the Marshal, as the vanguard officer, this first battle shall be fought by me."
Lu Zhanyun and Zhang Zhaoze also stood up. "Please order, Marshal, let me go. I guarantee I will not be enchanted by those women and will defeat those demonesses in one fell swoop."
Qingyao pursed her lips and coldly scanned these few people, shifting her gaze to Bingxiao. Normally, Bingxiao, as a secret guard, should not participate in battle, but in special times, special treatment was warranted. "Bingxiao."
"Your subordinate is here."
Although Bingxiao was surprised, she still respectfully stood up, clasped her fists, and awaited orders. "This Marshal has decided that you will fight the first battle. Do you have confidence in winning?"
The moment these words were spoken, the entire tent fell silent. An Dingfeng and Lu Zhanyun were slow to comprehend the situation, while Bingxiao was filled with excitement. She was confident she could win. As a secret guard, she had never engaged in direct combat before. She never expected that the Empress would entrust such a crucial responsibility to her today. How could she not be excited?
Bingxiao turned and glanced at Yin Xuan, who gave a slight nod. Bingxiao immediately clasped her fists and declared loudly, "Your subordinate is willing to fight this first battle. If I do not win, I will atone with my death."
Her words caused an uproar in the tent. For the first time, they looked at this woman seriously. She was extremely alluring. Previously, she had acted with discretion, hence she wasn't taken seriously by everyone. Looking at her now, she was truly a woman full of charm. An Dingfeng and Lu Zhanyun considered it feasible for her to fight the first battle, as they truly didn't know what kind of bewitching techniques the opposing women possessed. If they were indeed bewitched and lost the first battle, it would be a crime.
"Good, but this Marshal does not wish for you to engage in a head-on clash, but rather a battle of wits. We must preserve our strength and not exhaust ourselves. Today, we shall show that Danfeng Kingdom what true strength is, and what advanced weaponry is."
"Yes, Marshal."
As Qingyao finished speaking, Bingxiao understood her mistress's intentions and respectfully accepted the order. "Your subordinate will go to meet the challenge."
"Beat the drums to boost morale. Ten thousand troops will provide support. If this battle is won, Bingxiao shall be the cavalry captain of ten thousand troops."
Upon hearing this, Bingxiao was overwhelmed with emotion. Although the cavalry captain was only an eighth-rank military officer, for her, it was the highest honor. From then on, she would shed her identity as a secret guard and become a true soldier.
"Yes, your subordinate will surely complete the mission."
"Go to battle," came the command. The war drums sounded, and the thunder of horses' hooves filled the air.
Sunlight poured through the white clouds, illuminating the open field. At the strategic border, both sides took their positions, radiating imposing aura. This was their frontal charge. Before the battle even began, everyone was full of confidence and arrogance. It was still unknown who would emerge victorious.
On horseback, Qingyao narrowed her eyes and gazed coldly. She saw that among the opponent's troops, all wore golden armor that shone brightly, all were women. Their side wore silver armor, all men, with a few scattered red leaves.
At this moment, Bingxiao sat tall on her horse, exuding an air of dominance, her gaze sweeping over the opponent.
She wore no armor, but a flowing red silk dress, elegant like clouds, fluttering in the wind. Coupled with her delicate features and cold demeanor, many men behind her were captivated, their cheers growing louder and louder.
"Go, go."
Bingxiao was assessing the opponent's strength. Clad in golden armor, the opponent possessed peach-shaped eyes, like soul ensnaring envoys, radiating an almost demonic aura.
Liu Yunfeng, the garrison commander of Shicheng, stood beside them and respectfully said, "This person is the deputy general of Chentang Pass, Chun Tao. Her peach blossom eyes are very captivating, making it hard to guard against, and one easily falls into her traps."
Bingxiao let out a cold snort. Her tricks were only effective against men. She was not a man, and she would not fall for her tricks. She urged her horse forward, flicked her silver spear, and pointed it directly at the woman opposite her, her chilling voice ringing out, "Today, let me, Bingxiao, face you."
"Good," Chun Tao let out a cold laugh, haughtily pulling the reins. She showed no courtesy to Bingxiao, flying forward. A drumroll sounded behind her.
Bingxiao naturally did not fall behind and moved to meet her. Behind her, Qingyao commanded in a deep voice, "Beat the drums."
The drums pounded like rain, inspiring fierce emotion in Bingxiao's heart. This battle was crucial for the entire Xian Yue kingdom and a turning point in Bingxiao's life. If she won this battle, she would no longer be a secret guard, but a proper general, a cavalry lieutenant. Although the official rank was not high, it was a righteous and honorable position.
The deputy general of Danfeng Kingdom, Chun Tao, was not a false reputation. She attacked ferociously, heading straight for Bingxiao's horse. With a flick of her black profound iron spear, she thrust it forward. As it passed, she attempted to skewer Bingxiao. Bingxiao lowered her body, prostrating herself on the horse's back to evade the spear's attack. She then retaliated with a return spear thrust. Chun Tao, however, did not let her succeed. She flipped to the left, and Bingxiao's silver spear missed. Her entire body passed through, the gust of wind lifting her red skirt, bewitching whose eyes.
The battle drums continued to sound in the distance.
The two turned back. Bingxiao recalled her mistress's words: they only had ten thousand troops and needed to conserve strength, not engage in a protracted struggle. A dark, cold smile appeared on her lips.
Chun Tao thrust her spear again. Bingxiao reached out and blocked Chun Tao's spear with her silver spear. Their internal energy was evenly matched, leading to a temporary stalemate. The two spears swayed up and down, left and right, while the troops on both sides simultaneously beat the drums to support their fighters.
Bingxiao was ultimately slightly superior, overpowering Chun Tao's profound iron spear. Chun Tao flinched, withdrew her spear, but Bingxiao gave her no further opportunity.
With a swift movement, Bingxiao plunged her silver spear into the ground. This action greatly surprised the soldiers of Danfeng Kingdom. They wondered about the opponent's actions, why she would abandon her weapon during battle; this was an inauspicious sign. However, Bingxiao had already turned around, holding a hand grenade. She pulled the fuse and hurled it towards Chun Tao, who was approaching. She then swiftly turned back, her movements as fluid as flowing water, picked up her silver spear with one hand, and had already sprinted dozens of steps away when the hand grenade exploded with a loud bang.
In an instant, the person and the horse were destroyed. The previously arrogant Chun Tao disappeared from everyone's sight.
All the soldiers and generals of Danfeng Kingdom were stunned. What was happening? When they recovered their senses, Qingyao waved her hand and commanded in a deep voice, "Kill."
Over a hundred thousand troops surged forward. The people of Danfeng Kingdom, having regained their composure, found themselves surrounded by a sea of soldiers. Casualties were numerous, and cries of agony filled the air. The remaining soldiers retreated steadily, eventually falling back to Chentang Pass. Qingyao ordered the drums to be sounded to recall the troops.
Looking back, she gazed towards Chentang Pass. Standing on the high city wall was a figure: Ji Xue, the Crown Princess of Danfeng Kingdom.
Qingyao's veiled face could not reveal any expression, but she made a gesture, raising her thumb and pointing it downwards, with utter arrogance and disdain.
Ji Xue, standing on the city wall, immediately turned purple with rage. This woman was too arrogant.