In the black night, the cries of battle roared through Guyuan City. The border army of the Ning Dynasty and the Heavenly Strategy Army of the Jing Dynasty had turned the city into a blood-soaked battlefield, where smoke and ash rose from the ruins like whispers of departed souls ascending into the heavens.
Chen Ji and Li Xuan were marching with the army, but because they were tasked with escorting prisoners, their pace was slower than other members of the Heavenly Strategy Army, gradually falling behind the rest.
Chen Ji observed his surroundings silently, intentionally slowing his pace even further, planning to "fall behind" later on.
Yet, as soon as he slowed down, a Battle Commander from ten or so paces behind barked coldly, "Slackers in battle are to be executed."
A chill swept through Chen Ji's heart. Hearing the sound of hundreds of iron horse hooves behind him, he immediately quickened his pace once more.
