"A-Xiu, so you were here. I've been looking for you forever!"
Eleven-year-old Zichuan Xiu was idly enjoying the sunset from atop 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 sent word that the Demons are gathering a huge army. It looks like they intend to retake control of Far East."
Sterling came to stand beside Zichuan Xiu. At sixteen, he stood two heads taller than the eleven-year-old Zichuan Xiu.
"Really? Doesn't that mean our chance has finally come?"
Zichuan Xiu was thrilled. After learning so much, he finally had somewhere 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 much. You're far too young compared to us."
"Even if war breaks out, only the older students will be chosen to fight at the front!"
Sterling vigorously ruffled Zichuan Xiu's short hair until it resembled a chicken's nest.
"Ah? Why? My grades are among the best in the military academy. Why won't they let me go to the front?"
Zichuan Xiu was furious. He might have been young, but he had yet to see many people older than him who were better than him.
There were only two.
And both were his brothers and friends.
His eldest brother, Di Lin, and his second brother, Sterling.
"A-Xiu! Stop complaining. This is Lord Ge Yingxing's order!"
"Students under the age of fifteen are forbidden from participating in this mission to resist the Demons' invasion."
A handsome man with long gray hair walked over.
"Big Brother!"
When Di Lin arrived, the two boys immediately stood at attention.
"Big Brother, was what you just said true?"
Zichuan Xiu asked eagerly.
"Mm. I just returned from my duties at the staff office. Lord Ge Yingxing has already issued the order. You'll know soon enough!"
Because of his outstanding performance at the military academy, Di Lin had been promoted by Ge Yingxing as his assistant, helping him handle various daily affairs.
Although Di Lin was only seventeen, he possessed a composure, calmness, decisiveness, and ruthlessness far beyond his age.
Whatever was 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 body growing weaker by the day.
The injuries and illnesses he had suffered 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 had a sense of family honor, acted decisively, and possessed formidable military talent.
He looked exactly like Ge Yingxing in his younger days.
Naturally, Zichuan Xiu and Sterling knew that their eldest brother had already left the rest of their cohort far behind.
Anything that came from his mouth was almost certainly true.
"Sigh, all I can do is watch Big Brother and Second Brother show their might at the front and earn military glory."
Zichuan Xiu was helpless. What else could he do? He was only eleven years old and would not make it in time for this operation.
"Haha, A-Xiu, don't be discouraged."
"Your second brother and I both know what you're capable of. Once you're a little older, it'll be your time to make a name for yourself!"
"For now, let your second brother and me have our moment in the spotlight."
"Keep building yourself up and honing your skills. When the time comes, you'll amaze everyone!"
Di Lin's consolation made Zichuan Xiu feel much better.
"All right, let's go. Tonight, give your second brother and me a proper send-off. Tomorrow, we'll set out for Far East with the army."
"You're leaving tomorrow? That soon?"
"Mm. The Demon army is gathering quickly, so we must depart as soon as possible!"
"Fine, but you two are paying for this meal. Consider it compensation for my wounded heart because I can't go to the front with you."
Getting Zichuan Xiu to pay the bill was impossible.
"Haha, fine. Your second brother and I will pay this time. Eat as much as you want."
The three walked arm in arm toward a restaurant within the fortress.
The next day.
Three hundred thousand Far East troops of the Zichuan Clan assembled on the plains before Valen Fortress.
Under Lord Ge Yingxing's command, they split into three armies and marched toward Eternal River, the site of the battle.
It was the only route the Demons 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 began once more.
This time, Ge Yingxing knew it would be his final battle. His illness was worsening by the day.
In the future, he feared he would no longer be able to accompany the army on campaigns.
At the same time, this battle would be a fine opportunity for those young fellows from the Far East Military Academy to earn fame and merit.
It was time to pass the baton of the clan's new era into their hands.
Let the world see that the Zichuan Clan's legacy would never end, that an unceasing stream of heroes would always fight and die bravely for the clan's honor!
Standing atop the wall, Zichuan Xiu could only watch the departing army with envy.
When would he be able to kill enemies and earn merit at the front like them?
Three days after the army departed, an armored rider thundered through the fortress gate and raced after them.
The rider galloped without rest, day and night.
At last, he caught up with the Far East Army, which had reached Eternal River and was arranging the battlefield, preparing for an all-out clash with the Demon army.
"Report! My lord, a messenger has arrived from the Imperial Capital, saying he has urgent business to discuss!"
"Bring him in!"
Led by a soldier, the armored rider entered the Far East Army's command tent.
A group of Far East Army generals sat within the tent, with Ge Yingxing seated at the head.
"Only a few days ago, I sent word back that I was leading the expeditionary army in the Second Battle of Eternal River against the Demons. Has the Imperial Capital already received it and replied?"
Ge Yingxing was puzzled. Had the clan's communications become so fast?
The letter had only been sent three days ago, yet news had arrived today?
"Speak. What orders have come from the Imperial Capital?"
Ge Yingxing assumed that since the Imperial Capital had received the message and sent a reply, there had to be orders for him.
"My lord! The Imperial Capital is in grave danger!"
To everyone's surprise, the 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 sank, and a bad feeling rose within him.
"What exactly happened in the Imperial Capital?"
Ge Yingxing stood, pulled the messenger to his feet, and asked anxiously.
But the news brought by the messenger nearly caused Ge Yingxing to faint on the spot.
"Seven days ago, the Flowing Wind Clan's army of one hundred and thirty thousand launched a surprise attack on the clan's Imperial Capital City..."
"What? How could this have happened? Didn't the clan still have Yun Shanhe commanding three hundred thousand Border Defense Army troops in the west?"
The armored rider had barely begun before the Far East generals were stunned into exclamations. They began arguing at once, interrupting the messenger.
The whole matter was simply too bizarre. Three hundred thousand Border Defense Army troops had not made so much as a peep.
How had they allowed the Flowing Wind Clan army to pass so easily through the clan's heartland and threaten the Imperial Capital?
They had never imagined that while they resisted the Demons at the front, such a huge upheaval would erupt behind them.
"Enough noise! You are all generals who have lived and died alongside me. Can't you be more steady?"
Ge Yingxing angrily rebuked the Far East Army officers of every rank, who were talking over one another and beginning to panic.
After being scolded, everyone fell silent.
"Continue. What happened next? The Imperial Capital has fifty thousand Imperial Guard troops and one hundred thousand Central Army troops. Holding the Imperial Capital should not be a problem!"
Ge Yingxing calmed himself and analyzed the situation.
As long as they held the Imperial Capital, the isolated Flowing Wind Army, without supplies or reinforcements, would sooner or later have to withdraw.
This crisis was not as severe as it seemed.
But the messenger's next report caused Ge Yingxing to collapse directly to the ground.
Before you continue