The Second Battle of the Eternal River, Urgent Dispatch from the Imperial Capital!

"A-Xiu, so you were here. I've been looking for you forever!"

Eleven-year-old Zichuan Xiu was idly admiring the sunset from the fortress walls.

Someone hurried over from behind, calling his name.

"Sigh, Sterling, when will we finally get to lead troops into battle?"

"Perfect, A-Xiu, I was just about to tell you about that!"

"The Far East Intelligence Office has sent word that the demon race is massing a huge army, clearly intending to seize control of the Far East once again."

Sterling came up beside Zichuan Xiu. At sixteen, he stood a full two heads taller than the eleven-year-old Zichuan Xiu.

"Really? Doesn't that mean our chance has come?"

Zichuan Xiu was thrilled. After learning so much, he finally had a chance to put it to use.

"Hahaha, seeing how excited you are, I really hate to disappoint you!"

"But Big Brother said you shouldn't get your hopes up too high. You're far too young compared to us."

"Even if war breaks out, only the older cadets will be selected to fight on the front lines!"

Sterling vigorously ruffled Zichuan Xiu's short hair until it looked like a chicken's nest.

"Huh? Why? My grades are among the best in the military academy. Why won't they let me go to the front lines?"

Zichuan Xiu was furious. He might be young, but there were hardly any older than him who were better than he was.

There were only two.

And both were his brothers and friends.

His eldest brother, Di Lin, and second brother, Sterling.

"A-Xiu! Stop complaining. This is Lord Ge Yingxing's order!"

"Cadets under fifteen are not allowed to take part in this mission to resist the demon race's invasion."

A handsome man with long gray hair walked over.

"Big Brother!"

Seeing Di Lin arrive, the two boys immediately stood at attention.

"Big Brother, is what you just said true?"

Zichuan Xiu asked anxiously.

"Yes. I just returned from the staff office. Lord Ge Yingxing has already issued the order. You'll find out soon enough."

Because of his outstanding performance at the military academy, Di Lin had been promoted by Ge Yingxing to serve as his assistant, helping him handle various daily affairs.

Although Di Lin was only seventeen, he possessed a composure, calmness, decisiveness, and ruthlessness beyond his years.

Anything entrusted to him was handled with great efficiency and excellent results, which greatly pleased Ge Yingxing.

Moreover, over the past few years, Ge Yingxing had felt his health worsening by the day.

The injuries and illnesses he had sustained during his campaigns in his youth were gradually beginning to torment him.

He needed to cultivate a successor for the Far East Army, and Di Lin was the one he valued.

He possessed family honor, acted decisively, and had formidable military talent.

He was just like Ge Yingxing in his younger days.

Zichuan Xiu and Sterling naturally knew that their eldest brother had long since left the rest of their batch far behind.

Anything that came from his mouth was almost certainly true.

"Sigh, I can only watch Big Brother and Second Brother display their might on the front lines and earn military merit."

Zichuan Xiu was helpless. What could he do? He was only eleven, so he would miss this operation.

"Haha, A-Xiu, don't lose heart."

"Your second brother and I both know what you're capable of. Once you're a little older, it'll be your turn to make a name for yourself!"

"Let your second brother and me have our moment in the spotlight first."

"Keep building yourself up and honing your skills. When the time comes, you'll amaze everyone with a single feat!"

Di Lin's consolation made Zichuan Xiu feel much better.

"Alright, let's go. Tonight, give your second brother and me a proper send-off. Tomorrow, we'll be marching to the Far East with the army."

"You're leaving tomorrow? That soon?"

"Yes. The demon army is gathering quickly, so we need to set out as soon as possible!"

"Fine, but you two are paying for this meal. Consider it compensation for my wounded heart, since I can't go to the front lines with you."

There was no way Zichuan Xiu would be the one paying the bill.

"Haha, fine. Your second brother and I will pay this time. Eat as much as you want."

The three of them walked shoulder to shoulder toward a restaurant within the fortress.

The next day.

The Zichuan Clan's 300,000-strong Far East army assembled on the plains before Valen Fortress.

Under Lord Ge Yingxing's command, they split into three armies and marched toward the battlefield at Eternal River.

That was the only route the demon race could take to attack Valen Fortress.

Six years ago, Ge Yingxing had led the Far East army to a great victory in the First Battle of Eternal River.

Now, the Second Battle of Eternal River had begun once more.

This time, Ge Yingxing knew it would be his final campaign. His health had been worsening by the day.

He feared he would no longer be able to accompany the army on arduous campaigns.

At the same time, this battle would be a fine opportunity for those youngsters from the Far East Military Academy to earn fame and merit.

It was time to hand the baton of the clan's new era to them.

Let the world see that the Zichuan Clan's legacy would never end, that there would always be a steady stream of heroes willing to fight and die bravely for the clan's honor!

Standing atop the wall, Zichuan Xiu watched the departing army with nothing but envy in his heart.

When would he be able to fight enemies and earn merit on the front lines like them?

Three days after the army departed, a mounted rider thundered through the fortress gates, chasing after the army.

The rider galloped without pause, traveling day and night.

At last, he caught up with the Far East army, which had reached Eternal River and was laying out the battlefield in preparation for a fierce battle against the demon army.

"Report! My lord, a messenger has arrived from the Imperial Capital City. He says he has urgent business and requests an audience!"

"Bring him in!"

Led by a soldier, the mounted messenger entered the Far East army's command tent.

A group of Far East army generals sat inside the tent, with Ge Yingxing seated at the head.

"I only sent word back a few days ago that I would lead the expeditionary army in the Second Battle of Eternal River against the demon race. The Imperial Capital City received it and replied this quickly?"

Ge Yingxing was puzzled. Had the clan's message delivery become so fast?

The letter had only been sent back three days ago, yet a reply had arrived today?

"Speak. What orders has the Imperial Capital City sent?"

Ge Yingxing assumed that since the Imperial Capital City had received his message and replied, there must be some order.

"My lord! The Imperial Capital City is in grave danger!"

To everyone's surprise, the mounted messenger immediately collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he cried out in grief.

Seeing the messenger in such a state, Ge Yingxing's heart skipped a beat, and a terrible premonition rose within him.

"What exactly happened in the Imperial Capital City?"

Ge Yingxing rose to his feet, pulled the messenger up from the ground, and asked anxiously.

Yet the news the messenger brought nearly made Ge Yingxing collapse on the spot.

"Seven days ago, the Flowing Wind Clan's 130,000-strong army launched a surprise attack on the clan's Imperial Capital City..."

"What? How could this have happened? Wasn't there still a 300,000-strong border defense army in the west under Commander Yun Shanhe?"

The mounted messenger's opening words instantly shocked the Far East generals. They cried out in astonishment and began talking over one another, interrupting the messenger.

It was simply too bizarre. A border defense army of 300,000 had not made a single move.

They had just let the Flowing Wind Clan's army march through the clan's heartland and threaten the Imperial Capital City so easily?

Never had they imagined that while they fought the demon race at the front, such a disaster would erupt behind them.

"Enough! You are all generals who have faced life and death alongside me. Can't you be more composed?"

Ge Yingxing angrily rebuked the Far East army officers, who were chattering anxiously among themselves.

After being scolded, everyone fell silent.

"Continue. What happened next? The Imperial Capital City has 50,000 Imperial Guards and 100,000 Central Army troops. Holding the city should not be a problem!"

Ge Yingxing calmed himself and analyzed the situation.

As long as they held the Imperial Capital City, the isolated Flowing Wind army, with no reinforcements or supply lines, would sooner or later be forced to withdraw.

This crisis was not as serious as it had seemed.

Yet the messenger's next piece of news made Ge Yingxing collapse unconscious to the ground.