On the other side of the battlefield.
Liu Qian watched the wildfire jars shot into the castle, a cold smile curling his lips. "Loose!"
"Your Majesty, let me."
Prince Janyi stepped forward.
He strode to the front of the formation and steadily extended a hand accustomed to years of swordsmanship toward a startled soldier.
The soldier hurriedly handed him a meticulously maintained mercenary's stiff bow and a quiver of fire arrows wrapped in thick, oil-soaked cloth.
Prince Janyi tested the bowstring, producing a soft twang.
He drew an arrow and calmly lit it from a torch.
Flames danced in his deep-set eyes.
He looked neither at the tower nor at the battlements.
His gaze remained fixed on a stone wall covered in thick green liquid that trickled down through the gaps between the bricks.
The liquid covered the largest area there and had spread the most thoroughly.
Prince Janyi stood like a stone statue.
His world held nothing but that bow, that burning arrow, and that flowing green.
The bow bent like a full moon!
The arrow flew like a shooting star!
There was no shout, no wasted movement.
The burning arrow sprang from the string with a shrill whistle, tracing a brief, deadly streak of red through the air.
The arrow's flame finally touched the thick, cold green liquid.
Hiss-crackle!!!
Dazzling, eerie emerald sparks erupted at the point of contact.
Then came a thunderous rumble!!!!
A terrifying explosion roared out.
Centered on the arrow's landing point, an indescribable surge composed entirely of emerald flames instantly swallowed and vaporized the stone wall coated in green liquid, the miscellaneous supplies piled behind it, and several nearby soldiers.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Throughout Highland Fortress, every place splashed or coated with flowing wildfire erupted like an ignited powder keg, unleashing