The Grassland Cavalry are all brave and skilled in battle, their equestrian skills are top-notch, and paired with their retractable weapons, they are difficult to deal with. Generally, it takes two to three men to restrain one rider, and the battle quickly reaches a stalemate.

Cheng Duhu knocked away a Grassland Soldier’s curved saber, swung his leg to kick another Grassland Soldier off his horse, saving a Soldier who almost got slashed. In an instant, he charged to the side, his long knife cutting through the air, constantly reaping the lives of opponents.

The Grassland Leader felt displeased seeing Cheng Duhu’s valiance, and raised his hand to signal the warriors on either side to join the fray.

Immediately, two burly men stepped out, drew their gleaming curved sabers, and headed towards Cheng Duhu’s position.

Vice General Luo, lying on horseback, narrowly avoided a spinning curved saber passing before his face. He raised his hand to sever the rope tied to the saber, taking advantage of his opponent’s weapon dropping to the ground, just as he was about to stab the enemy’s heart, another swirling saber came flying in, forcing him to abandon his target and dodge.

The long knife pierced flesh with a tear, as Cheng Duhu finished off the enemy before him.

After his fall, without obstruction of view, he saw Du Tunchang nearly have his head sliced off, the saber spun past him, and despite his attempt to dodge, couldn’t entirely avoid, knocking off his helmet and cutting down his raised hair bun.

Another Grassland Soldier’s saber injured the horse’s neck, causing it pain, raising high and throwing Du Tunchang downwards, he rolled several times into others’ attack range, facing multiple dangers, looking extremely battered.

Cheng Duhu wanted to provide aid, yet was entangled by sudden fierce riders, unable to break free.

The opponent’s physical strength was astonishing, showing no signs of training yet possessing innate divine strength, incredibly difficult to deal with.

As the Grassland infantry joined the battle, it gradually began to fall into disadvantage.

Cheng Duhu barely managed to severely wound his formidable opponent, losing his horse, heavily exhausted, slightly injured himself, unable to catch a breath, he saw the relentlessly resisting Vice General Luo, imbued with fatigue yet unwavering, feeling a sudden pang of heartache.

Seeing the other side’s weakening energy, struggling against two Grassland Soldiers, someone behind attempting a sneak attack quietly.

His heart sank, he immediately darted ahead at extreme speed, taking down the sneaking Grassland Soldier, reaching out to pull someone up.

Vice General Luo realized it was the General saving him, immediately grasped his hand tightly, bounced, standing up.

Pulled along the injured arm, bleeding profusely, ignoring the pain.

This time, Cheng Duhu was truly desperate, witnessing more Soldiers falling around him.

He said painfully, "Brothers, I’m sorry, it’s my wrong decision that led you into such peril."

"General, don’t say that, we are your Soldiers, sworn to live and die together." Another Village Chief said gasping after killing someone.

Three men and several Soldiers gathered together, forming a small group, previously dispersed formation, the surrounding Soldiers spontaneously formed new squads, adopting a back-to-back defense stance.

"The battle plan was a result of our collective discussion, if there’s any fault, I also share in it. General, why take all the blame?" Vice General Luo said sincerely, "The General must’ve guessed, if it weren’t for someone’s betrayal, today wouldn’t be so dire. We should hate that person, yet can’t personally kill the traitor, leaving us unsatisfied."

Commander Liu gritted his teeth and said, "Indeed, the General’s decision wasn’t wrong, it was the traitor, it was people’s hearts, that underestimated the Grassland People’s vile and shamelessness."

Apparently, the other two also guessed the crux of the matter; without someone leaking information, how would they suffer such a disastrous defeat.

"Yes, General, it’s not your concern, it is our fate, unfortunately..."

A young Soldier nearby interjected, he looked towards the distant town, thick smoke billowing, his heart full of anger and unwillingness.

Still... Despite risking their lives, they might not protect their families.

Mother’s poor eyesight might be a blessing, sparing some bloodshed, fear, and pain.

The son cannot take care of you in old age, truly unfilial. Wait a moment, son will come to find you, then upon the afterlife, will apologize and fulfill filial duty.

The young Soldier’s thoughts were unknown to all, yet everyone understood his unspoken words.

The town got breached, the inhabitants likely faced dire fates, while they could only gaze from afar, unable to intervene.

Despondency, helplessness, anger, and unwillingness intertwined in their hearts, waves of dull pain struck, feeling suffocated.

Cheng Duhu also looked towards the rising thick smoke afar, feeling heartbroken.

Yes, he likely wouldn’t return to his hometown anymore; comrades fighting side by side would hold steadfast belief in fighting till the last moment, even if they fall here, unable to see family one last time, without regret.

He hoped his soul might drift back to his green mountains and rivers’ home after death, to see loved ones one last time.

Years away from home, he wondered whether his family was doing well, not knowing if his younger siblings were playful, had they missed their big brother? Sadly, those trinkets he’d gathered never had a chance to be given.

Suddenly recalling something, his yearning expression turned grave, heard a flood struck over there, uncertain if his family was safe.

Distracted, several Soldiers in the distance fell prey to death.

Watching fewer people remaining, surrounded like dumplings, toyed with, everyone exhausted, trapped in despair, tensely amplifying nerves tenfold, extremely fragile and difficult, each sound of blades piercing flesh heralded Soldiers’ demise.

In their eyes, there was unwillingness, yet without any support, they could only fight to the death, each enemy life taken was a gain.

"Fight to the death."

"Fight to the death." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Fight to the death."

The warriors charged forth, determined to take down one more with them.

Bang bang bang! The difficult clash resumed once more, three men gathering strength, agile bodies charged out, numbing the fatigue.

Shuttling through various battle zones, endeavoring to rescue Soldiers in peril.

Under joint protection, rescued many, yet a drop in the bucket.

Of the 800-strong troop, only about 300 persevered in battle.

Meanwhile the foe cavalry had retreated back, evidently heavily injured, turned into lambs awaiting slaughter at the Grassland Soldiers’ training.

Blood dripped steadily, indistinguishable between ally’s blood or their own scent?

Pain fueled their anger further, only charging and not defending, this reckless style made enemy Soldiers somewhat cautious, facing such reckless folks, they saw no need to gamble with lives.

Yet not wanting to pay blood’s price and achieving victory was overly naïve?

As time gradually passed, the battle grew more brutal, Soldiers literally fighting with their lives, each person suffered multiple wounds before dying.