Clash of Blades

The night air was thick with tension as General Huang's forces surrounded Yue Rin and her allies. The torches they carried flickered like fireflies in the darkness, their glow reflecting off the polished steel of countless swords and spears. Huang stepped forward, his massive broadsword resting casually on his shoulder.

"I should commend you," he said, voice deep and taunting. "Few would dare to challenge me directly." His eyes gleamed with amusement. "But boldness is not the same as wisdom, little fox."

Yue Rin smirked, ignoring the insult. "And brute strength is not the same as victory."

Huang chuckled darkly. "We'll see."

With a sharp flick of his hand, his soldiers surged forward.

The battle had begun.

The Battle in the Valley

The first wave of soldiers rushed in, spears and swords flashing. Yue Rin met them head-on, weaving through the chaos with the fluid grace of a dancer. Her blade struck with deadly precision—one slice to the throat, another to the ribs—each enemy falling before they could react.

To her left, Liang Wei was a whirlwind of destruction, his twin swords a blur as he parried and countered with lethal efficiency. He sidestepped a spear thrust, severed the attacker's wrist, and pivoted to bury his blade in another's chest.

Zhen Xiu moved like a shadow, picking off enemies with his bow from a distance. His arrows found their marks—throats, eyes, hearts—each shot perfectly timed. But the enemy numbers were overwhelming, and for every soldier they cut down, more emerged from the darkness.

Huang had brought an army.

The General Enters the Fray

With a powerful swing of his broadsword, Huang cut down three of his own men who had been pushed back. "Pathetic," he muttered before locking eyes with Yue Rin. "Enough games."

With a roar, he charged.

Yue Rin barely had time to react before the sheer force of his attack sent her skidding backward. She barely managed to parry his next blow, the impact jolting her entire arm. He was strong—inhumanly strong.

Huang grinned as he advanced. "What's wrong, little fox? You were so bold a moment ago."

Yue Rin steadied her breathing. She couldn't match his brute strength head-on. But strength wasn't everything.

She darted forward, aiming for his exposed side. But Huang anticipated it—he spun, his elbow smashing into her ribs, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Liang Wei leaped in to intercept, his swords flashing. Huang blocked the attack with ease and retaliated with a crushing blow that sent Liang tumbling.

Zhen Xiu loosed three arrows in rapid succession. Huang caught one mid-air, deflected another with his sword, and allowed the third to glance off his shoulder armor as if it were a mere nuisance.

The general laughed. "Is this the best you have?"

A Desperate Gamble

Yue Rin wiped blood from her lips as she rose. This wasn't working. Huang was too powerful. They needed a new approach.

Then she saw it—the cliffside behind him.

"Liang, Zhen—force him back!" she commanded.

Understanding flashed in their eyes.

Liang feigned a reckless charge, forcing Huang to turn his focus toward him. Zhen Xiu fired arrow after arrow, forcing the general to move back inch by inch.

And then Yue Rin struck.

She feinted left—then threw a concealed dagger straight at his eye.

Huang instinctively dodged, stepping back—too far.

The ground beneath him crumbled.

For a split second, disbelief crossed his face. Then, with a roar of rage, he disappeared over the edge.

The AftermathSilence fell over the battlefield. The remaining imperial soldiers, seeing their commander fall, hesitated—then broke ranks and fled.

Panting, Yue Rin stared down at the abyss. The general had fallen, but was he dead?

Liang Wei placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's over. For now."

Zhen Xiu lowered his bow. "But he'll be back."

Yue Rin exhaled, tightening her grip on her sword.

"Yes," she murmured. "And next time, we finish it."