Chapter 43: The Battle Begins

The torches of the Argent Kingdom's army flickered ominously in the distance, like a sea of fireflies swarming toward the capital. Li Mei stood atop the city walls, her heart steady despite the enormity of the task ahead. The time for preparation was over—now, it was time to fight.

"Ready the archers," Li Mei commanded, her voice calm but firm.

General Qin relayed her orders to the officers below, and within moments, the archers were in position, their bows drawn and arrows nocked. The tension in the air was palpable as they waited for the enemy to come within range.

Li Mei's eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of the enemy's strategy. The Argent Kingdom was known for its cunning tactics, and she knew they wouldn't launch a straightforward attack. They would try to find a weakness in the city's defenses, some way to penetrate the walls and cause chaos within the capital.

"General Qin," Li Mei said, turning to the seasoned strategist beside her. "What do you make of their approach?"

General Qin stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes narrowed in concentration. "They're testing our defenses. See how they're moving in waves? They want to see how we respond, where our archers are positioned, and how quickly we can react."

Li Mei nodded, her mind racing as she considered their options. "We can't let them get too close. We need to maintain our distance and keep them guessing."

"Agreed," General Qin said. "But we must be careful not to reveal our full strength too soon. If they think we're holding back, they might overcommit and make a mistake."

Li Mei considered his words carefully. The key to winning this battle would be outmaneuvering the enemy, forcing them to make errors that could be exploited. But to do that, they needed to keep the Argent Kingdom off balance, to disrupt their plans before they could fully take shape.

As the enemy forces drew closer, Li Mei gave the signal to the archers. "Fire!"

A volley of arrows shot into the night, streaking across the sky like falling stars. The first wave of the Argent Kingdom's soldiers stumbled as they were struck, the sudden onslaught forcing them to slow their advance. But more soldiers followed in their wake, determined to reach the city walls.

"Again!" Li Mei commanded.

Another volley of arrows rained down on the enemy, thinning their ranks and forcing them to spread out. But even as the archers loosed their arrows, Li Mei could see the enemy's strategy beginning to take shape. The soldiers in the front were merely a distraction, drawing their attention while the real threat lurked in the shadows.

"They're trying to flank us," General Qin observed, his sharp eyes catching the movement on the far sides of the battlefield.

Li Mei cursed under her breath. The enemy was attempting to encircle the city, using the cover of night to move troops into position for a pincer attack. If they succeeded, they could break through the walls and overwhelm the defenders.

"We need to reinforce the flanks," Li Mei said, her mind racing as she formulated a plan. "Send a detachment of troops to each side, but keep the bulk of our forces in reserve. We can't spread ourselves too thin."

General Qin nodded, immediately dispatching runners to relay the orders. The soldiers stationed at the flanks quickly moved into position, ready to meet the enemy head-on.

As the Argent Kingdom's forces attempted to encircle the city, Li Mei's troops engaged them in fierce combat. The clash of steel rang out in the night, the sounds of battle echoing across the battlefield. Li Mei watched the battle unfold, her mind focused on every detail, every movement of the enemy forces.

"They're probing for weaknesses," she said to herself, her eyes narrowing as she saw the enemy soldiers shifting their formation. "But they won't find any."

The battle raged on, the enemy's tactics becoming increasingly desperate as they failed to breach the city's defenses. Li Mei's forces held strong, repelling every assault with precision and discipline. But even as they fought valiantly, Li Mei knew that this was only the beginning. The real challenge was yet to come.

As the first light of dawn began to break over the horizon, Li Mei felt a shift in the enemy's strategy. The Argent Kingdom's soldiers began to fall back, retreating from the city walls. It wasn't a full retreat—more like a regrouping, as if they were preparing for a final, decisive attack.

"They're up to something," General Qin said, his voice filled with suspicion. "This isn't over yet."

Li Mei agreed. The enemy's retreat felt too calculated, too deliberate. They weren't just pulling back to regroup—they were setting the stage for something bigger.

"Prepare the defenses," Li Mei ordered. "And keep the archers ready. I want to know the moment they make their move."

As her troops repositioned themselves, Li Mei's mind raced with possibilities. What was the enemy planning? A frontal assault? A surprise attack from another direction? She couldn't afford to be caught off guard.

Suddenly, a new system notification appeared before her eyes, the familiar text flashing in her vision.

[System Notification: Mission Update.]

[Mission Objective: Survive the Argent Kingdom's final assault and protect the capital.]

[Mission Difficulty: High]

[Rewards: 150 System Points, Tier-4 Artifact: Celestial Blade, and Supreme Cultivation Technique: Dragon's Heart.]

Li Mei's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the rewards. The stakes were higher than ever, but so were the potential gains. The Celestial Blade and the Dragon's Heart technique were powerful beyond anything she had encountered before. If she could obtain them, her strength would increase exponentially.

But first, she had to survive.

As the sun fully rose over the horizon, the Argent Kingdom's forces began to stir once more. Li Mei watched as they reformed their lines, their movements precise and disciplined. This was it—the final assault.

"Here they come," General Qin said, his voice tense with anticipation.

Li Mei drew her sword, the weight of it familiar and comforting in her hand. She could feel the energy of the battlefield pulsing around her, the tension building to a crescendo. This was the moment of truth.

The enemy forces surged forward, a wave of steel and flesh crashing against the city's defenses. The battle was fierce and chaotic, the sounds of clashing swords and cries of pain filling the air. But Li Mei's forces held their ground, fighting with everything they had to protect their home.

Li Mei moved through the battlefield like a whirlwind, her sword cutting down enemies with precision and grace. The system's rewards had made her stronger, faster, more resilient, and she used every ounce of that power to turn the tide of battle.

But even as she fought, she could feel the strain on her body, the exhaustion creeping in. The enemy was relentless, their numbers seemingly endless. She knew she couldn't keep this up forever.

Just when it seemed like the battle would drag on indefinitely, Li Mei spotted a figure among the enemy ranks—a general, commanding the troops from the rear. He was the key, the one holding the enemy's forces together. If she could take him down, the enemy would crumble.

Without hesitation, Li Mei charged toward the enemy general, cutting through the soldiers in her path. The general saw her coming and raised his sword, ready to meet her attack.

Their swords clashed with a deafening clang, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the air. The general was strong, his strikes powerful and precise, but Li Mei was faster, her movements fluid and unpredictable.

With a final, decisive strike, Li Mei's sword found its mark, cutting through the general's defenses and striking him down. The enemy forces faltered, their formation breaking as their leader fell.

The battle was won.

As the last of the enemy soldiers were driven back, Li Mei stood amidst the battlefield, her sword dripping with blood. The capital was safe, the city's defenses holding strong against the onslaught.

But as she looked out over the carnage, she knew that this was only a temporary victory. The war with the Argent Kingdom was far from over, and there would be more battles to come.

The system's rewards appeared before her eyes, the Celestial Blade and the Dragon's Heart technique materializing in her hands. She could feel the power radiating from them, a promise of the strength she would need to face the challenges ahead.

But for now, there was no time to rest. The Empire still needed her, and she would not fail them.

With renewed determination, Li Mei sheathed her sword and began the long walk back to the city. The battle was over, but the war was just beginning.