The nights of Yong Country differed from those of Zhuang, for the world is a tapestry woven with individual joys and sorrows.

Following the fall of Lingbei Prefecture, Yiyang Prefecture stood as the most crucial defense line in Yong’s south.

Within Yiyang Prefecture lay the Dragon Lock Pass, once Yong’s most formidable stronghold. However, with Yong’s expansion across the Qichang Mountains into Zhuang territory, its strategic significance had waned.

Only when Zhuang Chengqian established his own kingdom within Zhuang lands did Dragon Lock Pass regain some value, though it was never truly valued. Yong’s border defense efforts primarily focused on the fortifications around the Qichang Mountains.

Alas, on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, General Huangfu Duanming of Zhuang launched a surprise attack, shattering the Pass. Yong’s painstakingly constructed southern border defenses crumbled before they could truly serve their purpose.

Fortunately, Dragon Lock Pass possessed its history; its walls and array formations still stood, withstanding the second wave of the Zhuang army and buying time for Han Yin’s arrival.

By now, Zhuang’s strategic intentions were glaringly obvious.

Zhuang Gaoxian, leading the imperial army himself, wagered all of his chips in a single, decisive battle, seeking a swift victory rather than a protracted war. He aimed to bypass the Qichang Mountains while Yong’s war potential was yet to be fully mobilized, advancing directly to Yong’s capital, Heavenly Fate Prefecture.

The Nine Rivers Black Armor and the White Feather Army, the two most elite forces, spearheaded the advance, with ordinary troops consolidating the rear and securing gains.

Initially, they achieved remarkable success, shattering Yong’s southern border defenses in a single engagement and capturing Lingbei Prefecture within a day.

These achievements prompted the kingdoms of Luo and Jing to launch separate attacks, pushing Yong to the brink of disaster.

Should Zhuang succeed in its strategy, breaching Yong’s defenses and reaching Heavenly Fate Prefecture, even without capturing it, the surrounding opportunistic forces would swarm in, tearing the old beast apart.

Yong recognized this danger, and the Supreme Emperor Han Yin, who had long withdrawn from state affairs, emerged from seclusion. He rushed to Dragon Lock Pass, single-handedly halting Zhuang’s advance.

Subsequently, armies from all directions were summoned to engage Zhuang Gaoxian in a decisive battle beneath the Dragon Lock Pass.

Today, the strategic significance of Dragon Lock Pass was paramount. Not only was it the last defensible point before the flatlands, leaving Yong’s richest and most vulnerable territories exposed, but it also held Han Yin.

Han Yin’s solitary arrival at Dragon Lock Pass in the face of Zhuang’s surprise attack demonstrated his keen strategic insight and extraordinary courage. He temporarily stemmed Zhuang’s advance, proving that he remained the lord who could salvage Yong’s fate.

However, he also placed himself in grave danger.

Zhuang Gaoxian, also a current world Immortal cultivator, now commanded three hundred thousand troops before Dragon Lock Pass. Breaching the pass would offer a significant chance to kill Han Yin.

Conversely, Han Yin used his critical position to hold the Zhuang army at Dragon Lock Pass. Should the royalist forces converge before the pass, they might yet drive the Zhuang army back south of the Qichang Mountains, or even counter-attack Xin’an City.

Night had fallen, but suspended illumination stones blanketed the battlefield, turning the darkness into daylight.

The slaughter beneath Dragon Lock Pass continued without respite. Vast military formations repeatedly crashed against the pass, causing the great array of Dragon Lock Pass to tremble. Dazzling displays of Daoist arts intertwined with spurting blood and flesh, as swords clashed against bone. Every moment saw countless soldiers die.

On a hastily erected high platform, Zhuang Gaoxian, dressed in opulent robes, surveyed the battlefield. State Chancellor Du Ruhui, General Huangfu Duanming, Nine Rivers Black Armor Commander Duan Li, and White Feather Army Commander Heba Dao stood behind him.

“What does Yao have to say? Any movement yet?” Zhuang Gaoxian casually inquired.

Du Ruhui shook his head. “After Han Yin emerged, he severed contact with us. It seems he won’t betray us.”

Zhuang Gaoxian showed neither joy nor sorrow. “It was to be expected. The old fool’s authority has been too long established; these so-called lords are more obedient than dogs.”

“Indeed,” Du Ruhui agreed. “No one dares to move until Han Yin bleeds.”

“We must find a way to make him bleed,” Zhuang Gaoxian murmured to himself.

Zhuang’s army was in a favorable position, but those on the platform understood that the situation was beginning to shift. This surprise attack, though meticulously planned, had failed to achieve its full strategic objectives.

Han Yin’s decisiveness in personally leading the defense of Dragon Lock Pass exceeded their expectations.

If Dragon Lock Pass remained unconquered, they would be drawn into a quagmire of attrition with Yong, inching closer to defeat.

Du Ruhui turned and vanished from the platform.

The others showed no reaction, accustomed to this sight.

After a moment, Du Ruhui reappeared, landing on the platform, his robes stained with blood, but his expression serene. “Two of Yong’s eight marquises have entered Dragon Lock Pass, and at least three are on their way.”

Yong had one duke and eight marquises, all Spirit Manifestation experts. Marquis Huaixiang, Yao Qi, was one of them, and the only one who had been swayed by Du Ruhui, expressing ambivalent loyalty.

But Han Yin’s sudden appearance and his personal defense of Dragon Lock Pass had demonstrated his decisive courage.

Yao Qi had immediately become resolute again.

Zhuang only had two Spirit Manifestation cultivators, Du Ruhui and Huangfu Duanming. Relying on their numerical advantage, they could still pressure Dragon Lock Pass, but once Yong’s forces converged, the situation would become dire.

Zhuang Gaoxian showed no sign of concern, instead lightly clapping his hands in praise. “Han Yin emerges to defend the city alone, and the world rallies to his banner. Truly the aura of a magnificent ruler.”

Huangfu Duanming stood silently beside him, his guandao in hand, like a towering mountain. Though he was Zhuang’s highest military commander, he rarely offered his opinion before Du Ruhui and Zhuang Gaoxian, save for military matters.

Contrary to the facade of discord he often presented with Du Ruhui, Huangfu Duanming held him in high regard.

“Who is that?” Zhuang Gaoxian suddenly asked.

Following his gaze, they saw a burly general with a full beard fighting with exceptional valor before the left wall of Dragon Lock Pass.

He had charged up the wall several times, only to be knocked back down, but he returned each time, utterly fearless. His qi and blood surged like a beacon of war smoke. Though only a Ascending Dragon Realm cultivator, he exuded the aura of an Internal Palace expert.

Amidst the countless soldiers, he stood out.

The great array of Dragon Lock Pass was occupied with countering the Zhuang military formation, and it could only let these individual soldiers pass.

Huangfu Duanming glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “He’s wearing the Nine Rivers Black Armor uniform.”

Duan Li immediately spoke up. “Your Majesty, General, that is Deputy General Du Yehou of the Nine Rivers Black Armor!”

“Not bad.”

Zhuang Gaoxian nodded, saying nothing more.

But all knew that this Du Yehou had caught the emperor’s eye. Should he survive this battle, he would surely have a bright future in Zhuang.