Chapter 211
The first rays of sunlight had barely climbed over the snowy mountains when the Supreme Citadel was already awake. The sound of soldiers changing shifts echoed across the heavy stone walls. Boots struck the frozen stone in a steady, heavy rhythm.
Flags bearing the black manticore crest fluttered proudly in the cold wind while disciplined guards inspected every gate and tower without missing a single corner.
Inside the palace garden, Lin Wan slowly walked beneath a row of ancient pine trees.
A thin layer of snow covered the ground, leaving soft footprints behind her with every step. Sister Yun walked quietly beside her while eight Shadow Guards followed several steps behind. No one spoke.
The only sound came from the gentle breeze moving through the frost-laden branches and the rhythmic crunch of snow beneath their feet.
Lin Wan rested one hand on her swollen stomach and smiled faintly. "The babies have become much more active."
Sister Yun immediately looked over, her face softening with genuine concern. "They kicked again?"
Lin Wan nodded with a small laugh. "They’ve been awake since dawn."
As if answering her words, another sharp kick landed against her palm. She stopped walking, taking a quiet breath. "There. They did it again."
Sister Yun’s eyes brightened with warmth. "They’re already letting their mother know they’re strong."
Lin Wan smiled warmly, her thumb gently stroking the thick fabric of her cloak where her hand rested. "I think so too."
She slowly sat down on a smooth stone bench beneath one of the ancient trees. The simple movement had become much harder these days.
Her stomach felt much heavier than before, and the deep fatigue of carrying three growing lives seemed to settle into her bones.
Sister Yun carefully stepped forward and adjusted the thick fur blanket over her knees, tucking the edges in to keep out the biting frost.
"Would you like me to call Physician Alaric?" Sister Yun asked gently.
Lin Wan shook her head. "I’m fine. I only need to sit for a while."
Sister Yun nodded, remaining standing by her side like a protective shield. "As you wish."
For several peaceful minutes, neither woman spoke. Lin Wan simply watched snowflakes drift lazily across the frozen pond in the center of the garden. Her heart felt strangely calm. It had been many days since she last felt this peaceful inside the grand, suffocating walls of the Supreme Citadel.
Perhaps it was because she had seen Wei Xiang, proving to her heart that he was alive and standing tall. Perhaps it was because she finally knew Wang was safe and leading his people across the northern plains.
Even though she refused to speak to him directly when his name was brought up, knowing he was alive somehow eased the deep, agonizing fear she had buried inside her chest for so long. She wasn’t truly alone in the world.
She quietly rubbed her stomach, feeling the soft warmth beneath her palms. "I wonder if your brothers miss me."
Sister Yun looked down at her with soft, empathetic eyes. "Your children?"
Lin Wan smiled gently, a melancholy expression touching her eyes. "They must have grown so much. I wasn’t there. I wasn’t able to watch them grow taller, or hear their laughter, or hold them when they fell. I wonder if they still remember me."
Sister Yun answered without a single second of hesitation. "A mother is never forgotten, Lady Lin. They carry your love in their blood, no matter how many mountains lie between you."
Lin Wan lowered her eyes, looking at her bundled lap. "I hope so."
At that same moment, outside the heavy palace walls, the atmosphere was far from peaceful.
Commander Darius inspected the northern defenses, his heavy cloak snapping in the freezing wind. Groups of elite soldiers were reinforcing another defensive line while specialized formation engineers adjusted several massive spirit cannons mounted along the high battlements. The air hummed with faint, invisible spiritual energy as defensive arrays were activated one by one.
General Rowan approached from behind, his armored boots heavy against the frost. "The barriers?"
"They’re complete," Darius replied, keeping his eyes on the workers. "The formation masters worked all night to ensure there aren’t any weak spots in the outer ward."
General Rowan nodded with grim satisfaction. "Good." He unfolded a thick, animal-hide map, holding it against the cold wind. "Our scouts reported that Wang’s army crossed another ridge before sunrise."
Commander Darius frowned, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Faster than expected. They haven’t stopped once?"
"They haven’t," Rowan said, tracing a finger along a jagged mountain pass on the map. "They’re moving with clear purpose. They’re trying to force us into making the first move."
Darius folded his broad arms across his chest, staring out toward the endless white horizon. "Will His Majesty attack?"
"No," Rowan answered plainly. "He’s already made his decision. The first strike will not come from us. We hold the high ground and maintain our positions."
Darius remained silent. Although he didn’t fully understand Cassian’s refusal to launch a preemptive assault while they held the strategic advantage, he trusted his king implicitly. If Cassian commanded them to hold the line, they would stand like unyielding stone.
Miles away, the Silver Leopard army continued its steady, relentless advance across the northern wilderness.
The soldiers moved through another narrow mountain trail where the snow covered the rocky ground like deep white powder, making every step heavy and exhausting. The air was thin, and cold mist rose from the men’s mouths with every breath. Even so, no one complained. The discipline of the Silver Leopard warriors was absolute.
At the front of the massive army, Wang rode silently upon a massive, armored silver beast. His face was set in a expression of calm concentration, his long silver hair tied back against the howling wind.
Wei Xiang flew high overhead in his majestic Azure Lightning Roc form, his sharp golden eyes searching every mountain peak and hidden ravine for potential ambushes.
A young scout, breathless from running through the deep snow, hurried toward Wang before kneeling on one knee. "Patriarch."
Wang pulled gently on the reins, causing the massive beast to come to a halt. "Report."
"We found another abandoned village at the foot of the ridge," the scout said, catching his breath.
Wang looked down at the young man. "Any civilians?"
The scout shook his head. "They left several days ago. The houses are completely empty, but the hearths still have cold ash."
An elder riding nearby sighed heavily, his voice filled with sympathy. "The fear of war drove them from their homes."
Another elder added, "They’re hiding deeper in the caves until everything ends."
Wang nodded quietly, his golden eyes sweeping over the quiet, snow-covered rooftops visible in the distance. "They made the right decision. It’s better for them to stay clear of two clashing armies." He paused, looking back down at the scout. "Leave enough food from our secondary storehouses inside the main village hall."
The young scout blinked in pure surprise. "...Food?"
"If they return before winter ends," Wang said evenly, "they shouldn’t starve. Leave preserved meats and grain sacks."
The scout quickly lowered his head, deeply moved by the command. "Yes, Patriarch. It will be done immediately."
As the scout hurried away to fulfill the order, several nearby warriors exchanged surprised looks. One young soldier whispered to his comrade, "Even now, with a massive fortress ahead of us, the Patriarch is still thinking about strangers who don’t belong to our clan."
An older warrior beside him smiled, patting the young man’s shoulder. "That’s why we follow him into the frozen north kid. He doesn’t waste lives, and he doesn’t forget who we’re fighting for."
None of them realized that Wei Xiang had heard every single word from the sky above. Circling high in the clouds, a faint smile appeared on the Roc’s sharp features.
He had always respected Wang’s quiet, unshakeable morality, but that respect had only grown stronger through every hardship they endured together.
Not long afterward, a streak of blue lightning split the grey sky, and Wei Xiang landed gracefully in the snow beside Wang, returning to his human form without breaking stride.
"The western cliffs are clear," Wei Xiang reported, wiping a dusting of snow from his shoulder. "No ambushes, no hidden spirit arrays, and no Citadel scouts."
Wang nodded. "Good work."
Wei Xiang hesitated, his expression growing slightly more complex. "I also found something else while flying low."
Wang looked at him silently, waiting.
"There are several dozen civilians hiding inside the deep caves along the northern face," Wei Xiang explained. "They looked terrified when my shadow passed over them. They probably think we’ll drag them into the conflict or take their supplies."
Wang’s cold expression softened immediately. "Send a small squad."
Wei Xiang raised an eyebrow with a faint smirk. "For what?"
"Medicine, food, and heavy blankets," Wang replied plainly.
One of the clan elders riding behind them looked confused and slightly concerned. "Patriarch, those people may belong to neutral or even hostile border clans loyal to the Citadel. We shouldn’t waste our precious medical supplies."