The Horn of Counterattack

Yama Island, eastern outskirts of Bumi Prefecture.

This was the second-largest city occupied by Dong Sheng, as well as the island nation's fine harbor closest to the mainland.

It was now surrounded on all sides by the Yama Queen's army. Thirty thousand troops had converged from every direction, sealing off its eastern, southern, and northern routes of escape.

Wuyue Yao had abandoned her former Great Miko attire and changed into armor like the warriors wore. Riding at the very front of the formation, she personally directed the battle. In truth, she was neither skilled at commanding formations nor versed in military strategy, but she knew that as long as she appeared before everyone, she would be the greatest boost to morale.

She could see as much in the focused gazes of the warriors.

The day was overcast. The sea wind swept past the city walls without losing any of its force, making the army's hundreds of banners snap and flutter in the gale. A faintly salty, fishy scent hung in the air, and it reminded Wuyue Yao of Jinxia City.

"I never imagined... we'd be able to fight our way here in one go." Tsi Qing patted her horse's head and murmured in amazement.

Ever since Jinxia cut off its illicit salt trade with Dong Sheng and began supporting the Yama Queen instead, the enemy's offensive had noticeably slowed. By the time Wuyue returned to Yama Island, the two sides had already reached a balance of power. Dong Sheng and the allied forces controlled nearly sixty percent of the land, while the Queen held forty percent. For a time, neither side could do anything to the other.

Most people believed that this stalemate would last for a long while.

The island might even be split cleanly in two by the