At that moment, they seemed to find release. After enduring such a long wait, the soldiers of Xuan City felt liberated by the news. It meant they could finally thrust their spears hard into the darkness.
Under Qin Zihui's orders, four generals each led five hundred men to set ambushes north and south of the Ice River, waiting for the Knights' Order to come to them. Because of the remaining Han Kingdom general's physical and mental condition, Qin Zihui kept him in Xuan City with the remaining sixteen hundred or so men to watch how events unfolded.
Qin Zihui considered his plan flawless. He had no need to put himself in danger; he could remain in the city and watch events unfold. Even if Yetos attacked with those two men, could three men fight a thousand? His own strength was still terrifying, after all. He would stay in the city to deter them.
The four generals quietly led their five hundred soldiers out of the city on foot in four directions. Only a single torch burned at the head of each column to guide the way. There were no other lights, keeping their movements as concealed as possible.
Midnight soon arrived. The night was dark and silent, and even the birds' calls had vanished from the sky. On that moonless, windy night, too dark to see their own hands, the soldiers lay in low ground with their bodies and weapons concealed, hearing only their own breathing.
Ordinary people could not have endured such silence, but to them it was routine, something all too familiar.
Since morning, they had endured an entire day of tension, excitement, and bitterness. They were like arrows drawn taut on a bowstring, yet never released. Now, the moment of release felt closer and closer.
Every man