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The news of the Qin Army breaking through the Natural Barrier quickly spread, reaching the Zhao Army stationed at various defensive crossings. Fearing that the rapidly advancing Qin Army would cut off their retreat, another major rout ensued. Retreat! The Taihang Mountain can still be held! At worst, they could rely on the terrain to build Fortifications and continue to resist the Qin People.
Before evacuating, Lian Po issued a strict order to Uncle Liang, who was preparing to return to camp. No matter what, you must bring the Thunderbolt Car unit up the mountain! As for the road situation, I will have people assist along the way!
The cold wind blew fiercely, creating a sense of desolation. Standing on the hillside, Lian Po gazed at the massive columns of smoke rising from the Dan Shui River Defense Line in the distance. The defending troops, unaware of the retreat order, continued to hold their positions until the last soldier fell.
At this moment, at the foot of the mountain, there was a sea of Zhao troops. The shadow of defeat loomed over everyone’s faces as they trudged down the mountain path with their heads hung low. The snow nearly reached an adult's knees but could not dampen their desire to retreat.
"Grand Commander! We should leave!"
Upon hearing his subordinate's reminder, Lian Po merely nodded without moving. His white beard fluttered in the wind like a flag atop a mountain. He had made up his mind; Taihang Mountain would be their final line of defense. Even if it meant sacrificing everyone, they could not retreat any further. Behind Taihang Mountain lay Zhao territory; retreating would completely open the western gate of Zhao.
Wang He! If you do not recognize your situation soon, I will fight you to the bitter end!
Resolute, Lian Po took a deep breath and glanced once more at the main force of Zhao Army retreating towards Shanxia. He turned around, took hold of his white steed's reins, mounted up, and rode up the mountain without looking back.
Uncle Liang, upon receiving orders, was unaware of his defensive area’s current situation and initially intended to request several thousand troops from the Commander. To his surprise, Lian Po refused outright; there were still five thousand Soldiers over there! Even if the Qin Army Offensive was fierce, at least there was still the Dan Shui River standing in their way. As long as that limitation existed, the crossing Qin Army would not yet form an absolutely effective fighting force.
Military orders are as heavy as mountains!
Uncle Liang understood that time represented life at this moment and hurriedly returned to camp to command with his Cavalry Unit. A capable person is indeed capable; upon discovering that a Qin Army unit had appeared near the Catapult position, he reorganized the scattered troops he had gathered along the way and launched a counterattack to temporarily halt the advancing Qin Army.
Seizing this rare opportunity, he ordered his Cavalry Unit to provide cover while instructing infantry to discard their weapons and assist in evacuating the Catapult units. Large Catapults that could not be taken away could not be left for the Qin Army either; they were all doused in oil and set ablaze. Watching the catapults engulfed in flames felt like a heavy stone pressing down on everyone’s hearts.
With the collective effort of everyone, most of the Catapults were safely withdrawn from the battlefield. This came at the cost of one general from Zhao, whose specific name could no longer be verified.
The retreat operation did not notify the two Hundred-Man Squads that were advancing uphill, leaving it unclear whether this was an oversight or a deliberate act. In any case, they were abandoned and would never have the chance to return to their main camp.
When the Qin Army's Cavalry Unit, led by General Dong Qing and Centurion Meng Wu, charged up the slope, they found a commotion on the mountain. Concerned about friendly fire, they hesitated to order the Cavalry to charge directly. As they approached, they realized that the battle had already concluded. The presence of Qin Army uniforms among the bodies indicated that they had missed their last chance for rescue.
Dong Qing ordered the entire unit to dismount and search for any survivors, while he and Meng Wu hurried into the Observation Post. To their surprise, they found Xiao Yu'er and the unconscious Li Xin.
"Where is the general? Where is he!?"
With tears streaming down her face, Xiao Yu'er shook her head and remained silent. Just moments ago, Luzi had covered Wang Jian as he carried the injured Li Xin back. With shouts of battle echoing from outside once more, the two had rushed out again with their swords drawn.
Seeing Xiao Yu'er unable to speak, Meng Wu could only stomp his foot in frustration and turn to search for them. Luzi! Wang Jian! You must be safe! Please don't let anything happen to you!
"General Lu! General Wang! Where are you!? Can you give me a straight answer!?"
Standing on the blood-soaked ground, Meng Wu's eyes filled with tears. He wiped his face vigorously and was about to shout again when he suddenly fell silent. Not far from him, behind a snowbank, a glimmer caught his eye—it was the flash of a Qin State General's Sword!
Stumbling through the snow, he rushed over and found two bloodied figures lying there, gazing freely at the blue sky. These two were none other than Luzi and Wang Jian!
"You scared me to death! Why didn't you say anything!?"
Wang Jian tilted his head to look at Meng Wu before finally letting go of his sword and placing it in the snow. "I... I really have no strength left..."
Meng Wu saw Lu Zichao and nodded, quickly crouching down to check the injuries of the two. He noticed Luzi raising his trembling right hand and gesturing towards Wang Jian.
"This way! Surgeon! The general is over here! Hurry!"
Meng Wu's anxious voice suddenly sounded as if it were coming from a jar, and it seemed to grow fainter. It was like someone diving underwater, hearing whispers from the shore. The river water was not icy but had a warm sensation. When he could no longer hear any sounds, everything around him fell into a void...
Luzi had a dream where he was swinging back and forth on a swing as a child. His kind master, with white whiskers and a smiling face, stood there nodding but said nothing. "Master! I have done my best; fortunately, I did not disappoint you."
The master simply stood there, squinting and smiling, without uttering a word.
Luzi thought he must have done something wrong and struggled to jump off the swinging swing but found it impossible. Looking down to see if he was tied up, everything in front of him appeared completely normal. He raised his hand to ask his master what was happening but realized that the old man who had just been in front of him had vanished. In a panic, he suddenly opened his eyes.
Everything around him had changed; the glaring sunlight made him squint involuntarily. Turning his head to look around, he discovered he was lying in a carriage. Next to him lay a wounded Li Xin, whose abdomen had nearly been pierced.
Wang Jian, with his arm bandaged, sat at the front driving the carriage, following the Qin State's Cavalry Unit. On the left side of the carriage was Meng Wu on horseback, while on the right were Xiao Yu'er in full armor and Chang Yu with his left arm in a sling.
Seeing these familiar faces made Luzi feel as if his entire body were filled with lead. He took a deep breath, thinking he would never see these brothers again, yet here were some who had survived. But that was all; out of the fourteen who had crossed the cold waters together that night, only these few remained visible. Familiar yet youthful faces flashed before him like fleeting moments that disappeared without a trace. Life was like a meteor streaking across a beautiful night sky, leaving only a shining line behind.
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