"If Yongning loses, its troops will retreat north. She won't go that way."
"Crossing the Barbarian Territories to the east is the shortest route to the Han Lands, but it's easily guessed, and the open ground offers nowhere to hide. So she'll feint east, then turn north before doubling back west."
"If you lose her trail, intercept her in that forest to the west."
"Once you catch her, don't talk to her or listen to anything she says. Just kill her."
"If she has guards with her, kill them first. Don't worry about her-she can't get far alone. Her guards are bound to be skilled fighters, so judge the situation. Kill them if you can; if you can't, holding them up for a while will do. Kill their mounts too, if you get the chance."
"If you can't hold them up, that's fine! Leave immediately if things look wrong! Whatever you do, don't try to tough it out! No matter what-and remember, I mean no matter what-don't risk your life! Coming back safely comes first! To me, your safe return matters far more than killing ten of her! Remember that, remember!"
"..."
The night was black as ink. Recalling Wang Yang's instructions, Chen Qing Shan turned her wrist and drew back her Long Lance. A Barbarian General tumbled from his horse.
Blood dripped from the lance tip, forming a dark-red thread.
Ignoring the barbarian soldiers fleeing around her, she gave a piercing whistle, wheeled her horse around, and galloped west.
Four mounted warriors of the Wenyang Tribe nearby responded to the whistle, broke away from the fighting, and followed close behind Chen Qing Shan...
Blades flashed beneath the moon, and cries of slaughter filled the wilderness.
The Yongning Tribe's troops broke like an ebbing tide, while the Wenyang Tribe's