Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Murong Mingyue's multiple wounds on her shoulders, arms, and ribs were carefully cleaned, treated, and bandaged. Despite her pale complexion due to excessive blood loss, she was in relatively good spirits. She insisted on personally thanking Lord Chen Xing and explaining the situation. Chen Xing received her in the council hall.

"Miss Murong is still recovering from her injuries, there's no need for such formalities, please sit down." Chen Xing gestured for her to sit down and then had Li Shu serve her some warm water.

Murong Mingyue thanked him and sat upright on the wooden bench, though fine beads of sweat trickled down her forehead from the pain. She went straight to the point: "Lord Chen, I cannot express my gratitude enough. My journey south with my people was truly out of necessity. My tribe originally lived in Murongchuan, a hundred li north of Black Mountain. We are descendants of the Former Yan, living as a clan, forming our own tribe, making a living through farming and hunting, and protecting our territory. A month ago, the Black Mountain commander sent an envoy to force our tribe to submit, demanding money, grain, and women. My father… the previous clan chief refused, a conflict ensued, and my father died in battle…"

Her voice choked slightly. She paused, then continued, "Upon assuming the position of clan leader, Mingyue knew that the Black Mountain Commander was too powerful to be defeated by force. Therefore, she led her followers south, hoping to find a safe place to settle. Unexpectedly, they were repeatedly harassed by defeated soldiers and bandits along the way, resulting in the loss and death of many. Upon reaching Eagle's Beak Rock, they were besieged by the Hu tribe. If it weren't for the fortress lord's rescue, the entire army would likely have been wiped out." Having said this, she rose and bowed deeply once more. "The fortress lord not only saved Mingyue from danger but also took in the remnants of my tribe. This kindness and virtue will be forever etched in the memory of the Murong tribe! In the future, whatever orders we receive, as long as they do not violate morality, Mingyue and her people will repay them with all our might!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xing understood. Indeed, she was from a military family and a tribal leader. The name "Black Mountain Commander" appeared again, and she had a direct conflict with the Murong tribe. This Murong Mingyue, who stepped forward after her father's death, leading her people south and fighting the Hu cavalry to the death, was truly a woman of courage and wisdom. Although her people were decimated, the core remained, and they clearly possessed a military foundation. If they could genuinely submit, it would be a significant boost to Xinghuo Fortress's strength.

"Miss Murong, please rise," Chen Xing said gently. "The misfortune your tribe has suffered is truly regrettable. I have also heard of the Black Mountain Commander; he is a tyrant in the north. Your decision to lead your people south is a wise one. My Starfire Fortress is newly established and, though simple, is willing to provide you and your people with a temporary place to stay. Your injuries have not yet healed, and your people and horses are exhausted; please rest here and recuperate. As for your future plans, we can discuss them further later."

Murong Mingyue felt somewhat relieved; this Lord Chen seemed to have no intention of taking advantage of the situation to annex or blackmail them. Just as she was about to speak again, Chen Wei strode into the hall, his expression grave. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chen Xing and said, "My lord, urgent report from the northern sentries! A large force has appeared in the direction of Wild Fox Plains, heading towards our fortress! Judging from their formation, it seems to be the entire Balut tribe! Men, women, and children are all present, driving a large number of cattle and sheep. Their speed is not fast, but their scale is considerable; they are less than thirty li from here!"

"What?" Chen Xing frowned. "Has Bald He gone mad? He brought all the old and weak to attack?"

Murong Mingyue was also startled upon hearing this: "The Balut tribe? The same Hu people who besieged our tribe the other day?"

"Exactly," Chen Wei said. "Judging from the situation, they seem to be desperate and want to fight like cornered beasts, or perhaps they want to bring their people to me for food."

Chen Xing hesitated for a moment, then looked at Murong Mingyue and said, "Miss Murong, your wounds have not yet healed. You can rest in the fortress and assist in the defense of the city."

Murong Mingyue abruptly stood up, aggravating her wounds and causing her brows to furrow slightly, but her eyes remained sharp: "Fortress Master, the Balut tribe has a blood feud with our tribe! They attacked us the other day, killing more than twenty of our men. This grudge must be avenged! Although our tribe is decimated, we still have more than twenty riders who can fight! We are willing to follow you into battle, Fortress Master, to jointly defeat the barbarians! Firstly, to avenge our grievances, and secondly, to allow our men to do their utmost for Xinghuo Fortress, to repay the kindness of their shelter!"

Her words were firm and resolute, carrying an undeniable air of determination. Chen Xing looked at her pale yet resolute face and inwardly praised her courage.

"The young lady's injuries..."

"A few minor cuts and bruises, nothing serious!" Murong Mingyue interrupted, "I humbly request the Lord's permission!"

Chen Xing and Chen Wei exchanged a glance. Chen Wei nodded slightly, clearly also finding the Murong tribe's new force useful, and believing that having them participate in the joint defense would help them integrate more quickly.

"Very well!" Chen Xing no longer hesitated. "In that case, I'll trouble Miss Murong! Chen Wei, muster the troops immediately! All elite soldiers are to be mobilized, eighty elite guards are to be selected for the defense, and auxiliary troops are to be prepared with defensive equipment and medical supplies. Miss Murong's capable soldiers are to be included in the attack sequence, under Miss Murong's command, and under Chen Wei's control, to fight together!"

"Yes, sir!" Chen Wei solemnly accepted the order.

Murong Mingyue clasped her hands in a fist salute: "Mingyue obeys! I will certainly not fail the fortress lord's trust!"

The war drums of Starfire Fortress sounded once more! This time, it was not for defense, but to actively confront the invading enemy! The fortress gates swung open, and a torrent of black armor and gray-clad warriors surged out again. The difference was that this time, a dazzling red figure appeared in the ranks, along with more than twenty Murong tribe knights who, though wounded, had resolute eyes.

Chen Xing remained at the fortress wall, assisted by Wu Xuejiu and Li Shu. He watched the rapidly departing troops, feeling little worry. Bald He's actions were tantamount to suicide. Marching with the old and weak, their morale low, their ranks bloated—they were nothing more than a pile of weeds to be harvested before the elite of the Starfire Camp. The key to this battle lay in how to break their fighting spirit with minimal losses, capturing as many people and livestock as possible, and simultaneously… demonstrating the strength and grandeur of Starfire Fortress to the newly joined Murong Mingyue tribe.

The troops marched for ten miles and then lined up in front of a gentle slope called "Wo Niu Gang" (Sleeping Ox Hill). The view from this place was wide, with a relatively flat meadow in front that the Hu people would definitely pass through when they marched south. It was convenient for cavalry to gallop and for infantry to form ranks.

In the distance, a dark mass of figures and billowing dust appeared on the horizon. The Batru tribe's army, like a turbid current flowing across the wasteland, slowly approached. At the head of the procession were dozens of Hu men on horseback, bows at their sides, their expressions filled with terror; in the middle were a large group of weeping women, children, the elderly, and the weak, staggering forward; behind them were herded cattle, sheep, and horses, bleating and mooing incessantly. The entire procession stretched for miles, chaotic and utterly disorganized.

Bald He, mounted on his horse, gazed at the well-prepared and imposing Starfire Camp ahead, the familiar black "Star" banner, and the small squad of red-clad knights beside it. His last shred of hope vanished. But he had no way out. He roared hoarsely, "Prepare for battle! May the Eternal Heaven protect us! Charge! Seize the grain!"

The Hu people cried out in despair and began to accelerate, rushing towards the Han army formation below Woniu Hill like moths to a flame.

Chen Wei stood at the front of the formation, calmly watching the approaching Hu people. He raised his longsword high: "Archers, prepare—fire!"

The first volley of arrows soared into the air, landing among the charging Hu people, causing men and horses to fall and screams to erupt. The momentum of the charge was halted.

"Ruishidu, form ranks! Advance!" Chen Wei gave the order again.

The black-armored torrent began to advance with synchronized steps, like a moving city wall. Their long halberds pointed diagonally, exuding a chilling killing intent.

Murong Mingyue, positioned on the right flank of the formation, gripped her spear tightly and sternly addressed the remaining twenty-eight of her followers (more than ten of whom were wounded): "Brothers! The time for revenge has come! Follow me, kill the barbarian dogs! Avenge our fallen loved ones! Let the brothers of Xinghuo Fortress see that there are no cowards in our Murong tribe!"

"Revenge! Revenge!" Murong's men roared in unison, their eyes bloodshot.

"Miss Murong, your unit can conduct guerrilla warfare from the flanks, harassing their flanks and rear, and dividing their ranks. Do not engage their central army head-on!" Chen Wei's voice came.

"Understood!" Murong Mingyue replied, spurring her horse forward. "Murong tribe, follow me!"

The red-clad riders, like arrows released from a bow, led their troops out from the right flank, drawing an arc to avoid the sharpness of the Hu people's frontal charge, and went straight to the rear of their ranks, where the panicked women, children, and livestock were gathered!

The battle erupted in full force on the desolate meadows below Woniugang. On one side were the desperate and frenzied Hu people, on the other were the well-prepared Xinghuo Battalion, and there was also a vengeful army that cut into the enemy's flank like a red dagger.

Chen Xing watched the battlefield from the fortress wall through his telescope. He saw the elite soldiers holding off the Hu people's charge like rocks, crushing them step by step; he saw the garrison soldiers forming ranks and coordinating to annihilate the scattered enemy; he also saw that red figure, like a flame, galloping across the Hu people's chaotic rear, causing them to crumble even more wherever it passed.

His gaze involuntarily followed that splash of red, followed the wounded yet still incredibly valiant figure on horseback. Murong Mingyue… he murmured the name in his heart.

Just as Murong Mingyue slew a Hu chieftain who was trying to organize resistance with her spear, turned her horse around, and wiped the blood splattered on her face, her gaze inadvertently passed through the chaotic battlefield and over the fighting soldiers, meeting for a moment with the blue figure holding a telescope and gazing in this direction from the distant fortress wall.

The distance was vast, and the smoke of war obscured their faces, making it difficult to discern each other's features. But in that instant, Murong Mingyue seemed to sense the calmness, scrutiny, and a hint of... indescribable appreciation and concern in that gaze. Chen Xing, too, in that fleeting glance, saw the stubbornness and determination in the red-clad riding woman's eyes, as well as the undisguised weariness and sorrow deep within.

Time seemed to freeze for a moment.

Immediately, the clamor of the battlefield filled their ears again. Murong Mingyue withdrew her gaze, took a deep breath, and charged into the enemy ranks once more. Chen Xing also slowly lowered his telescope, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cold barrel.

When two people meet on the battlefield, there is no romance, only the smoke of war and bloodshed. But some seeds, once sown, will quietly take root without anyone noticing.