The gale suddenly died down. The sounds of battle across the field rang out with startling clarity, the dust settled slightly, and the distant, blood-soaked scene seemed to leap right before their eyes.
Just then, Luoluo sent more troops into the battlefield for the second time. The scouts' estimates varied widely, ranging from ten thousand to thirty thousand.
Dugu Xian turned his head and asked, "You can do it, right?"
Gu Shenwei nodded, took a spear from a guard beside him, and held it upright.
Long Fanyun personally carried the Red Crow Flag and rode back and forth along the front ranks. The Dragon Army soldiers raised their spears just like the Dragon King, their eyes never leaving the great black banner with its red bird.
Gu Shenwei rode over to Shangguan Ru and said quietly, "You stay here."
Shangguan Ru's eyes widened. She looked like a child whose toy had been snatched away, astonished and stubborn. Just as she was about to object, Gu Shenwei added, "With you protecting General Dugu, I'll feel more at ease at the front."
Shangguan Ru suspected the Dragon King was deliberately making an excuse to leave her behind, but quickly remembered that he wasn't that kind of man. She could only nod reluctantly. "All right. You... be safe."
Gu Shenwei gazed into those dark eyes but said nothing. He turned his horse around and returned to the front of the formation. Fifty guards carrying shields lined either side of him; they were the Dragon King's most important protection.
The warhorses, sensing the slaughter to come, stamped restlessly in place. Gu Shenwei turned to look at the soldiers, both strangers and familiar faces. He had wanted to say a few words to raise their spirits, but decided it was entirely unnecessary. Straightening his back,