Taking In the Empress War God

After another month of marching, the troops finally reached the western side of the Ming Dou Mountains.

It had still been midsummer when they departed from Shrek City, but now it was deep winter.

The farmland on both sides of the official road had long since been harvested clean, leaving only bare ridges and withered yellow weeds.

The cold wind blew in from the north, whipping up dust from the roadside and stinging their faces.

But they had long prepared for the cold. After all, everyone knew this would be a prolonged war.

Chen Xuan rode atop Taotie's phantom, with Little Black Dog sprawled over his shoulder. The wind flattened the black fur all over his body, and his drooping tail showed just how listless he was.

"We're here." Little Black Dog raised his eyes toward the distance. The outline of the Ming Dou Mountains flickered in and out along the gray horizon. "After five fucking months of walking, we're finally here. I'm exhausted."

Chen Xuan rolled his eyes at him, then turned his gaze toward the small town at the foot of the distant mountains.

It was the last place to rest before entering the mountains. Further west lay the mountain pass through the Ming Dou Mountains, and beyond that was the Sun Moon Empire.

He remembered this place.

At the western foot of the Ming Dou Mountains, on the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire, stood an inconspicuous frontier town.

In the original story, the future Empress War God, Ju Zi, had been born here.

Her father had been a somewhat renowned cook in town. He ran a small restaurant, and their life had been peaceful and ordinary.

Later, the Sun Moon Empire expanded its military forces along the border and forcibly conscripted