"..."
Meanwhile, beyond Great Li's border pass, the Great Liang army halted a hundred li away.
They neither attacked nor withdrew.
Three hundred thousand cultivators formed six battle arrays, ready to storm the pass at any moment.
Great Li's defenders were prepared as well. Scouts from both sides had already clashed several times.
Han Yu stood atop the wall, watching the battle arrays shift in the distance. Her heart grew heavier by the moment.
Great Liang was waiting for Great Li to strike first.
Once Great Li's troops crossed the border, Great Liang would have its excuse to attack.
But Great Li's generals could not wait much longer either.
"Senior Han, Great Liang keeps bringing in reinforcements."
The garrison commander stood behind her. "If we let them keep preparing, this city won't hold."
"So you want to attack first?"
"Destroy their battle arrays before they can move."
The commander pointed at the map. "If we send an elite force against an array's focal point from the flank, we can force them back."
Han Yu shook her head. "How do you know it isn't a trap?"
"We can't do nothing just because it might be a trap!"
The commander kept his voice low. "The front line isn't a sect tournament. The longer we wait, the more people die."
"The civilians have already begun evacuating."
"If we fall back any farther, we'll have to abandon the three cities behind us too."
Han Yu looked at him. "My master is on her way."
Disappointment flickered in the commander's eyes.
"We're waiting for Senior Su again?"
Han Yu's expression shifted.
"What do you mean?"
"The entire continent is waiting for her."
The commander pointed into the distance. "Great Xun waits for her to save it, Great Qian waits for her to uphold justice, and