The next day, as the convoy broke camp and set out, Axel realized the encounter with the two Winged Folk was no coincidence.

  They trailed the group from a distance, always hovering just beyond crossbow range, clearly tracking them with care.

  Veteran commander Yang Hao noticed it too, but cking a solid counter, he could only order heightened vigince against a sneak attack.

  The troop had left Eastern Ling City’s jurisdiction, entering the desote Dayao Mountains. Technically under Eastern King’s domain in Eastern Prefecture, this area was a neglected no-man’s-nd in practice. Aside from occasional caravans on the mountain path, it was devoid of life.

  “Ahead lies ‘Ghost Wail Forest’—we need to pick up the pace and push through fast!” Yang Hao, though the commander and intimately familiar with the terrain, habitually consulted his student Axel on major calls.

  Axel, aware of the infamous “Ghost Wail Forest,” followed his mentor’s advice. He sent scouts ahead while ordering the army to tighten formation and speed up.

  As Yaoji’s favored sve, Xia Feng attended her carriage, chatting to ease her boredom or reciting poems, oblivious to the journey’s strain.

  But since Ji Xuanxuan joined the maidservants, Xia Feng’s easy days ended.

  With limited carriages, all maids walked beside them. Posing as a rival sve irked the prideful Ji Xuanxuan, and being denied a horse like the soldiers only worsened her mood. She didn’t dare vent at the princess, so Xia Feng bore the brunt.

  “Poet, recite something fiery to perk me up!” Used to barking orders, she saw nothing wrong with it. Little did she know Xia Feng was just as headstrong—and still held a grudge. Ignoring her was already polite.

  Undeterred, she caught up, spped his shoulder, and demanded, “Hey, I’m ordering you—didn’t you hear?”

  Without turning, Xia Feng replied icily, “First, I’m not ‘Poet.’ Second, I’m not your sve. Third, we’re equals now—you’ve no right to command me. Fourth, and most importantly, a girl who cks basic manners doesn’t deserve my words.”

  “You’re rebelling!” Ji Xuanxuan, spoiled and fiery, exploded. Pent-up frustration from the trek fueled her rage. With a cng, she drew her short sword, lunging at him. “Kneel and apologize, or I’ll cut off your nose—my cousin’ll just scold me a bit!”

  Xia Feng smirked mockingly. “Sorry, forgot the key part: even if you’re sneaky, vicious, shameless, and low, you should rein it in around your cousin. No wonder he likes the princess, not you.”

  That jab hit her sore spot. Consequences be damned, she snarled, “You’re dead!” and thrust her sword at his zy grin.

  Mid-strike, a fierce gust bsted her face, whipping her hair. Something massive loomed, blurring her vision.

  Then Xia Feng’s cold voice cut through: “Lucky you’re a woman, or this fist would’ve smashed your nose!”

  Only then did Ji Xuanxuan see his fist inches from her nose. As he pulled back, her nerves settled, but his eyes told her—he wasn’t bluffing.

  She hadn’t even caught how he dodged her bde or threw that punch.

  “You… you dare bully me!” Stomping, she raised her sword again, but a stern shout rang out: “Quiet—no noise!”

  Recognizing Axel’s tense, serious tone, she sheathed her bde. Looking around, everyone—maids and soldiers alike—wore grim faces, moving swiftly in silence. Only the creak of carriage axles broke the stillness.

  Towering trees blotted out the sky, a narrow path slicing through dense woods into shadowy depths. Mist clung to the air, exuding an eerie, mysterious vibe.

  “What is this pce?” Forgetting her spat, Ji Xuanxuan hurried to the carriage, whispering to an older maid. The woman replied, fear in her eyes, “They say it’s ‘Ghost Wail Forest’—haunted by spirits.”

  At “ghosts,” Ji Xuanxuan cmmed up, her face mirroring the maids’ dread. She edged toward the crowd, too spooked to bother Xia Feng.

  Deeper into the forest they went. Even at noon’s peak, it felt like a moonless, windy night—dark and foreboding.

  “Awoo…” A chilling wail drifted from the depths, ghostly and spine-tingling, as if from the underworld. Steps quickened, silence deepened; even a snapped twig jolted hearts.

  Only Xia Feng stayed unfazed, even amused, watching the others. Knowing this world’s truth—did it dull the thrill of fear?

  “Stop!” Axel’s sharp command broke the quiet. Puzzled, the group halted, scanning the unchanged gloom. Nothing seemed amiss, yet everything felt wrong.

  “How many scouts did we send?” Yang Hao stroked his white beard, worry creasing his face.

  “Three batches—eighteen total. None returned,” Axel replied. Though new to this, he hid any panic. The troops looked to him; their courage hinged on his calm, even if feigned.

  “Now what?” Yang Hao deferred to his student, as was custom.

  Axel pondered. “Turning back for another route risks missing King Lie’s deadline. We’ve no choice—push forward. Send two more scout teams, fifty each, with signal fres. Keep them spaced but close to the main force.”

  The deputy reyed the order. Soon, two teams galloped ahead, vanishing into the woods.

  Each pair rode a few paces apart, the rearmost still in the vanguard’s sight.

  “Report! No path ahead!” A scout’s call came quickly.

  Axel signaled caution and rode up. Several massive trees y felled, blocking the path—chopped at their bases by axes. With a cold ugh, he told an aide, “Tell Commander Yang we’ve got enemies. Tighten ranks—prepare for battle.”

  They braced tensely, but no movement stirred. Axel exchanged a baffled gnce with Yang Hao, then ordered the trees cleared. Felling them was hard; moving them harder. Over a hundred soldiers heaved with chants, struggling for hours.

  In the convoy’s center, Xia Feng watched boredly as they shifted the giants, musing: Blocking us here means more’s coming.

  Sure enough, trees on both sides cracked and fell, crashing into the ranks. Screams of men, whinnies of horses, and startled cries erupted. Over a thousand scattered in chaos. Xia Feng gaped, cursing inwardly: Damn, it’s like a holographic movie—too real!

  A scream from Yaoji’s carriage snapped him back. A huge tree toppled toward it.

  Without thinking, he dove in, grabbed her, and rolled out. They hit the ground as a crack shattered the carriage, splintered wood grazing his cheek and bloodying a soldier nearby.

  “To the woods—hide in the thickets!” Xia Feng had pnned to watch, but seeing soldiers he’d ughed and recited with smashed into pulp stirred pity. As he carried Yaoji to cover, he shouted to the rest.

  His cry woke them. They bolted for the trees, dodging further falls.

  Soon, a swath of trees colpsed across the road, ropes tied to their tops trailing into the forest. Xia Feng saw it: the trunks were sawed nearly through, held by ropes until the army bunched up—then yanked down for maximum carnage. More was coming.

  As if on cue, arrows whistled from the woods, felling more men. Panic reigned, combat strength crumbling.

  “Down! Hit the ground! Return fire!” Axel’s shout steadied them. They dropped, loosing crossbows at the arrow’s source, neutralizing the enemy’s edge.

  The Artillery Corps’ powerful crossbows outmatched the ambushers’ in force and number. Sharpshooters picked off any glimpse of movement.

  Moments ter, the hidden foes slipped away, silence reciming the forest.