After spending seven days and nights together, Ding Mujie finally confirmed that Lin Dan truly did not like him. She carried herself with ease, her expression open and honest, and her knowledge was vast. Talking to her was always an enjoyable experience. Of course, she had a somewhat solitary nature, and to engage her in conversation, one had to find a topic that piqued her interest. But if you managed to hit the right note, you would be fortunate enough to witness her extensive knowledge and brilliant insights.

The more time Ding Mujie spent with her, the more he found himself drawn to her, and when he thought of their past life, shame nearly overwhelmed him. How arrogant had he been to believe that such an extraordinary woman could love him so deeply and lose herself for him? Worse, to think she would use such despicable means just to marry him? If not for the dire circumstances, she should have had a far better fate. It was Lin Wan who had ruined her, and he had been a part of that destruction.

Most of the time, Ding Mujie dared not look into Lin Dan’s eyes for they were too clear and bright, like a mirror reflecting his ugly, vile heart. But more often than not, he found himself unable to resist gazing into her eyes because they were so deep and dark, like a night sky filled with untold secrets.

To Ding Mujie, those seven days passed in the blink of an eye, yet to Lin Dan, they felt as long as seven years. When she saw the Western Army’s camp within reach, she let out a long breath of relief and spurred her horse forward.

“This is a restricted military area, no unauthorized personnel allowed!” One of the soldiers guarding the entrance to the camp raised his spear, his expression alert.

“I am Lin Dan, the eldest daughter of General Lin. This is my identification token.” Lin Dan removed the token tied to her waist and tossed it over from a distance.

The soldier caught the token and carefully scrutinized it. Realizing it was genuine, he hurried into the camp to fetch someone. Shortly after, a young officer in silver armor and a handsome face rushed out and spoke in an impatient tone, “Sister^[1]elder sister, why have you come to the border? This is reckless!”

“Lin Qing, let us inside first.” Ding Mujie quickly reminded the other party, worried that the siblings might start quarreling. After all, it was indeed dangerous for a woman to come to the frontier alone, so Lin Qing’s reaction was not surprising.

“Brother Ding, you’re here too?” Lin Qing finally noticed Ding Mujie, his expression even more astonished. Although upset, he didn’t want his sister to be gawked at like a spectacle, so he immediately led them into his tent and ordered someone to bring water for them to wash up.

“How is Father?” Lin Dan asked as soon as she entered the tent.

Lin Qing’s eyes reddened as he shook his head. “There’s no news. We don’t even know if he’s alive or dead. But Mo Li has already issued a challenge for battle tomorrow. I know you’re worried about Father, but the battlefield is no place for a woman. I’ll have food prepared for you two. Once you’ve eaten, you should leave as soon as possible. After tomorrow, who knows how many more lives will be lost on this border.”

Mo Li is the commander-in-chief of the Xiongnu army and Lin Tie was currently in his hands.

Upon hearing that there would be a battle tomorrow, Lin Dan not only refused to leave but resolutely said, “I’ll stay. If we can capture Mo Li alive, we can exchange him for Father.”

How could Lin Qing not have thought of that? However, Mo Li’s martial arts skills were extraordinarily high. He was known as the Wolf of the Grasslands, and capturing him alive was no easy task. Even their father and grandfather had fought him numerous times and only barely managed to come to a draw.

“Sister, stop being willful. Go back immediately! I know capturing Mo Li could save Father, but do you think it’s that simple? Don’t concern yourself with these matters. Once you’ve eaten, I’ll send someone to escort you back to the capital.” Lin Qing said as he stood up. “The Western Army has lost its commander and we’re like a dragon without a head. I need to go to the main tent for a meeting to elect a new commander-in-chief. Brother Ding, please take care of my sister.”

Ding Mujie quickly nodded in agreement, though his face flushed slightly. In truth, Lin Dan didn’t need him to take care of her. If anything, she was the one taking care of him.

“I’m coming with you.” Lin Dan followed closely behind.

“Sister, stop causing trouble.” Lin Qing turned around, his voice choking with emotion. “Don’t you know the state of the Lin family right now? Grandfather, eldest brother, second brother, third brother, uncles— they’ve all died in battle. Father’s life hangs in the balance and I’m the last man left in our family. I have to protect our country, rescue Father, and rebuild our family. Do you know how heavy this burden is on my shoulders? I don’t have the strength to take care of you. Please, go back!”

After all, Lin Qing was only a sixteen-year-old boy who had barely had time to grow up before witnessing the brutalities of war. How could he possibly face everything with a calm heart? It was already his limit to endure so long and try to comfort Lin Dan. His entire body trembled, his eyes bloodshot, clearly exhausted from many sleepless nights.

But Lin Dan was not moved by his weary appearance in the slightest. She lifted the tent’s curtain and walked straight out.

Lin Qing was momentarily stunned and hurried after her, his young handsome face twisted with frustration at his sister’s stubbornness.

The main tent stood at the center of the camp, larger and sturdier than the other tents, making it easy to recognize. After making a few turns, Lin Dan found herself standing outside the tent and overheard voices inside, “Commander Lin is dead and Deputy Commander Lin is captured. I’ve been the central troops’ commander and have been at the border for a decade, achieving great merit. In both reason and honor, I should be the one to take command. Time is of the essence, and with the battle imminent, the emperor’s orders cannot arrive in time. We must settle this matter quickly. There’s no use arguing any further. Daylight is fading, and without a strategy, what will we fight with tomorrow?”

A deep voice retorted, “How can you even say such a thing? Old General Lin received a secret letter warning that Mo Li had secretly allied with the Yanghe tribe to attack us from the rear. Despite the letter’s uncertain origins, General Lin made defensive preparations, ordering you to guard the rear. But to snatch glory for yourself, you abandoned your post, allowing the Yanghe tribe to ambush us. This defeat is entirely your fault! What right do you have to become commander?! If we make it back to the capital alive, I will personally report this to my imperial father!”

“That letter came from an unknown source. How was I supposed to know whether it was a ruse sent by the Xiongnu spies to scatter our forces? If everything in that letter had been false, and the left and right troops lost support from the central troops, the defeat would have been even more disastrous! I know I’m at fault, which is why I want to take the position of commander-in-chief to redeem myself. Besides, who here has more merit than I do, more experience than I do, or is stronger in martial arts than I am? If you can find someone, I’ll immediately step down and yield my position!”

With the death of Old General Lin and all the Lin family’s sons except for the youngest one, there was indeed no more qualified leader in the army than the first man who spoke. Those opposing him were left speechless and silence fell over the tent.

Lin Dan had been listening from outside for a while. When she saw Lin Qing catch up to her, she lowered her voice and asked, “What’s this letter they’re talking about?”

Lin Qing’s expression turned to one of grief and indignation. In a hoarse voice, he replied, “Before the battle began, Grandfather received a secret letter claiming that the Xiongnu army had allied with the Yanghe tribe to launch a pincer attack on us. The Yanghe tribe is located behind our army and has long supplied us with food, horses, clean water, salt, and iron, essentially functioning as a vassal state to our Great Wei. Grandfather sent scouts to investigate the situation at the Yanghe tribe but found no suspicious activity. Nevertheless, he made some preparations. The man inside, Xue Zhao, is the commander of the central troops. He was ordered by Grandfather to guard the eastern flank in case the Yanghe tribe really attacked. But, craving glory, he ignored the orders and rushed to the front lines to compete with the left and right troops for merit, allowing the Yanghe tribe to launch a successful surprise attack, causing our army’s defeat. The men of our Lin family perished trying to salvage the situation, and now Xue Zhao stands as the person with the most seniority in the army. If he doesn’t fight for the position of commander-in-chief now, when would he? I just regret that I am still too young and lack battle experience to command the army, otherwise, I would have challenged him for the position myself!”

“If you won’t fight for it, then I will.” Lin Dan said firmly, stepping inside. She spoke slowly and clearly, “General Xue, do your words from earlier still stand?”

“Who are you and how did you enter the camp?” The crowd was both shocked and angry, bombarding her with questions.

“I am Lin Dan, the eldest daughter of Lin Tie.” Lin Dan looked directly at the middle-aged man seated at the head of the table and repeated, “General Xue, do your words still stand?”

“What do you mean by ‘still stand’?” Xue Zhao was itching to have this woman bound and punished with fifty lashes before kicking her out. However, she was a member of the Lin family, and since nearly the entire men of the Lin family had perished, her presence, although improper, was understandable. He couldn’t dismiss her. In fact, he had to treat her politely, lest he discourage the remaining soldiers.

The troops stationed there were officially called the Western Army, but in private, they referred to themselves as the Lin Family’s Army, illustrating the Lin family’s immense prestige. If Xue Zhao wanted to take command of this army, he had to treat the Lin family’s descendants with respect.

“What qualifications do you have to rise to such a high position?” Lin Dan asked again.

Before Xue Zhao could respond, one of his confidants spoke up, “He’s qualified because of his strength, of course. Our general is highly skilled in martial arts and unmatched in bravery. There’s no one in the army more suitable for the role of commander-in-chief than him.”

“But he caused the death of Old General Lin!” Prince Zhuang gritted his teeth as he spoke. He was once just a low-ranking soldier but had risen to deputy commander of the left troops. If it weren’t for Old General Lin risking his life to save him this time, Prince Zhuang wouldn’t have survived the battlefield.

“I admit I was at fault, but Old Master Lin’s death— wasn’t it because you dragged him down? So many high-ranking officers died in battle and now the army is leaderless. I am the only one left who can bear the burden of command. If you get rid of me, how will you fight tomorrow? Who among you has the capability to lead thousands of troops? Right now, instead of discussing strategies for battle, you’re wasting time attacking me. This is simply putting the cart before the horse^[2]misplaced priorities!” Xue Zhao declared arrogantly.

Lin Qing alternated his gaze between Xue Zhao and Prince Zhuang, his eyes filled with hatred. Both men were responsible for his grandfather’s death and he couldn’t forgive either of them.

The other high-ranking officers were divided into two camps. One was supporting Xue Zhao, while the other was hesitant and unsure. The battle hadn’t even started yet their morale was already collapsing. No one knew if they could win tomorrow. Outside, the soldiers were even more despondent, and the entire camp was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere of defeat.

Ding Mujie, having been reborn, naturally knew how this would end. The battle would result in a devastating defeat. Aside from Xue Zhao and his personal troops, who would flee, every other soldier would perish, including the emperor’s favorite son, Prince Zhuang. This battle would deal a severe blow to the Great Wei Dynasty, leaving it weakened for many years. After escaping, Xue Zhao would not be punished. Instead, he would fabricate lies and shift all the blame onto the Lin family. With all the men of the Lin family dead, the truth would be buried, leaving Xue Zhao free to say whatever he pleased.

The emperor, being kind-hearted, wouldn’t blame the Lin family’s remaining women and children, but their reputation would be utterly destroyed. This would hurt them more than death. Xue Zhao, however, would align himself with the crown prince, rise again, and become the commander of the imperial guards, living a very prosperous life. It wouldn’t be until years later when the Ninth Prince sought to undermine the crown prince that the Lin family’s case would be reopened and Xue Zhao would finally face justice.

He wasn’t worthy of being the commander-in-chief. He was nothing more than a despicable man who climbed to power over the corpses of the Lin family!