The Sky-Tent's Boisterous Song, Pride Soaring; The Xiongnu Chieftain's Throne, Arrogance Rampant

After Qin Yue gave the order to withdraw, the outer defensive troops did not descend into a chaotic rout.

Instead, under the dispatch plan he had prepared long ago and the guidance of the Qin Army elites, only certain areas appeared frantic and helpless. In truth, the overall retreat proceeded with remarkable order, advancing and withdrawing in perfect formation.

Though every one of the scattered soldiers wore deep exhaustion on their faces and bore injuries of varying severity, they still resolutely obeyed the orders of the Captains at every level. They swiftly divided into several small squads and steadily withdrew toward the Deer Terrace Dome Tent, covering one another in pairs. Not a single man fled on his own.

The soldiers assigned to cover the retreat gripped their heavy crossbows tightly, their eyes watchfully fixed on the Xiongnu cavalry pursuing from behind. From time to time, they turned and formed ranks to fire volleys, dense crossbow bolts raining down upon the enemy, stubbornly slowing the Xiongnu cavalry's pursuit and buying time for the soldiers at the rear to fall back.

The retreating soldiers in the rear did not pause their steps. Moving swiftly, they ran toward the earthen platform while casually burying the thumb-thick hemp-rope horse traps and polished iron spike traps they had prepared long ago amid the grass and dirt roads on both sides of the retreat route.

Every trap was hidden with extreme care, indistinguishable to the naked eye.

Beyond that, countless concealed crossbowmen had long been hidden behind the bushes on the earthen slopes to either side. Using the dense vegetation as cover, they held their breath and suddenly loosed cold arrows without warning.

Every arrow struck with unerring precision, killing the Xiongnu cavalry leaders charging at the front and throwing the pursuing Xiongnu into brief