Eve of the Great Battle

That night.

Cross-Mountain Ferry.

The river wind howled, sweeping up the dead grass from the cliffs on both banks and making it cry mournfully.

Below the ferry crossing, muddy river water battered the reefs, rumbling like thunder.

So as not to alert the Great Demon that might arrive, not many torches had been lit in the camp.

Only several dim yellow wind lanterns remained, swaying in the night as though on the verge of falling.

Atop the Gao watchtower.

Jiang Yuechu sat cross-legged, silently watching the river surface, black as ink.

Not far beside her.

Xie Tinglan leaned over the railing, using the faint moonlight atop the tower to write something.

Jiang Yuechu turned her head, her gaze falling upon his profile.

She watched for a while.

At last, she spoke.

"Langjiang Xie."

Xie Tinglan's hand trembled, and he nearly dropped his brush to the ground. Looking up at her, he smiled somewhat sheepishly.

"Lady Jiang... you haven't slept yet?"

Jiang Yuechu shook her head.

This place had been hastily built, and the conditions truly left much to be desired.

In any case, given her current realm, going a day or two without sleep would not matter.

She raised her chin toward the thing in his hand.

"Writing a will?"

"..."

Xie Tinglan's mouth twitched. Helplessly, he said, "Lady Jiang, you jest... it hasn't come to that yet."

He carefully blew the ink dry and folded the letter.

"It is a letter to my master."

"Commander Lu?"

Xie Tinglan sighed and explained, "I should have written it long ago. But when I heard in Yuhang that we were returning to Taihu Lake, I thought we would pass through the Suzhou headquarters..."

"Who knew General Yue would not even stop in Suzhou, and would bring the troops straight to Cross-Mountain Ferry?"