Chapter 32: The Life-Claiming Talisman

Dong Haibo and Xu Shichang furiously complained about Taoyuan Valley to Bai Dongyuan. They exaggerated that the valley residents were disrespectful, showed no fear of Bai Dongyuan’s power, and even looked down on Prince Yu.

Bai Dongyuan sneered and said, “If recruitment fails, there’s always coercion, isn’t there? General Dong, take ten thousand men. If they still refuse to submit, don’t bother being polite—just bring those key people back alive.”

Dong Haibo accepted the order immediately, feeling vindicated. Finally, his moment to shine had come.

This time, Dong Haibo not only brought scaling ladder teams and long pole units but also siege engines. Could the earthen walls of Taoyuan Valley withstand the impact of his catapults? He was confident that as soon as his ten thousand troops reached the valley, those people would obediently open the gates, kneel, and beg for mercy.

Back in Taoyuan Valley, after Tian Mi and the others returned, Huang Yuanying advised, “You should have been more diplomatic. I’m afraid they won’t let this go easily.”

Diplomacy? As if that would’ve worked—childish thinking!

Still, it was time to come up with a plan. If they returned, the oil reserves wouldn’t last long, and besides, the enemy would be on guard against another fire attack.

Tian Mi mobilized everyone who was uninjured, telling them to stop all other work. She instructed them to cut down the trees on the opposite hillside, increasing the distance for enemy attacks, and to dig trenches to slow any advances. She led the effort herself, and by the end of the afternoon, they had cleared trees all the way to the mountain slope. They dragged only the thick trunks back to the valley, leaving a mountain of branches and vines in place. Anyone trying to climb up would waste considerable time clearing them.

From recent battles, they had also collected many enemy arrows. Tian Mi secretly mixed in some additional arrows from her space. She then divided responsibilities: Tian Dabiao and a few others would defend the mountain, Xu Ershu and Zuo Zhengfeng would guard the valley entrance, while Huang Yuanying coordinated logistics at the rear.

Tian Dabiao asked curiously, “Girl, where are you going?”

Tian Mi replied confidently, “I’ll hide in the mountains and aim for their leader. Don’t worry about me, Dad.”

Huang Yuanying expressed his concern, “It’s too dangerous, especially in your condition!”

Tian Mi stood firm. “Nowhere is truly safe in times like this. I won’t fight recklessly, so don’t worry.”

Tian Dabiao argued, “This is too risky. Even if you take out their leader, how will you escape?”

Escape? Tian Mi smirked inwardly. Why would I need to escape? My space isn’t just for show.

Before setting off, Tian Mi checked on the injured. Thanks to her medicine, most wounds were healing well. Except for Xu Feiyan and Zhou Er, the rest could function as long as they avoided excessive movement.

Everyone shared a common resolve. Tian Mi encouraged them, “You’re all heroes of Taoyuan Valley. Prince Yu won’t last much longer, and we can’t follow him to ruin.”

The group nodded in agreement.

This winter was destined to be harsh—not just cold in weather, but cold to the bone.

As night fell, Tian Mi strapped on her bow and carried her mountain-cleaving axe, her pregnant belly prominent as she bid farewell to Tian Dabiao, Zhi Hui, Xu Ershu, Zuo Zhengfeng, and Huang Yuanying.

Zhi Hui was stunned. She couldn’t comprehend how Tian Mi dared to move around in her condition. But remembering Tian Mi had already fought battles while pregnant, she didn’t know what to say.

Tian Dabiao and Xu Ershu, having seen her resilience, simply warned, “Be careful and don’t push too hard. We can hold the front here.”

Tian Mi nodded, promised to be safe, and disappeared into the darkness without looking back.

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When she reached the pile of branches and vines, Tian Mi immediately entered her space. Inside, she treated herself to a bath in the spiritual spring water. It had been days since her last wash. Even the baby seemed to sense the comfort, happily kicking her belly.

Tian Mi found the movement amusing and pressed her hand to her stomach. Wherever she pressed, the little feet would pop up elsewhere, as though playing hide-and-seek. Delighted, Tian Mi played along, but soon she noticed something strange.

Wait… why does it feel like there are three feet?

Her heart skipped a beat. Could I be carrying a monster?

No way. She quickly reassured herself: Your father is so handsome, and your mother is beautiful. How could you be a monster?

Meanwhile, the child’s father was wreaking havoc on the battlefield. Riding his warhorse, he had just captured the last county under the Qi King’s control. The Qi King was now isolated, forced to seek external reinforcements. His solitary city was like meat ready to be devoured.

The young general, exuding vigor and confidence, discussed with his subordinates when to take Shengrong City.

At that moment, a subordinate brought him a letter and some medicine.

“General, this is a letter and some medicine from Feng Bao. He says it’s highly effective and could save lives in critical moments.”

Yan Muchen took the letter and bottles of medicine. After reading the letter, he learned that Feng Bao’s efforts were progressing smoothly and that he had encountered a divine doctor capable of stitching wounds seamlessly. The recovery was fast, and movement wasn’t hindered. The medicine, also her creation, was incredibly effective.

A 160-pound female doctor? Isn’t this an era of famine and war? How are there so many plump women—and all so skilled?

Clearly, no one eats for free. Not only do they grow their bodies, but they also grow their talents.

Yan Muchen, having developed a sensitivity to “plump women,” found himself paying more attention than usual.

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Back in the space, Tian Mi slept soundly and ate well. When dawn broke without any signs of enemy movement, she began to wonder: Could it be that they decided to leave us alone?

If so, that would be ideal. After all, the valley didn’t have anything worth such drastic measures. Surely, it wasn’t worth risking lives over pride?

Unfortunately, she was overthinking. Around three in the morning, just as Tian Mi was enjoying a bowl of dumplings and some blueberries on her sofa, she heard the sound of hoofbeats.

Startled, she quickly put down the fruit plate and went to investigate. Although the riders were not yet visible, the sound was far louder than before.

She returned to the sofa, leisurely eating fruit. Clearing all those branches would take the enemy a lot of time. There was no rush.

An hour later, the branches were finally cleared, revealing a dense mass of soldiers and horses. The line stretched so far it was impossible to see where it ended. Among them were men carrying ladders and five catapults.

The valley’s walls couldn’t possibly withstand this level of attack.

Among the leaders, besides Dong Haibo, was another commander-like figure, along with Xu Shichang.

Dong Haibo, wary of the valley’s strange defenses, didn’t want to act alone. He had requested additional support from Bai Dongyuan, who sent another officer for intimidation. Confidently, Dong Haibo brought along one of his deputy generals as well.

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Looking at the endless sea of soldiers below, Tian Mi couldn’t help but smirk. This small valley couldn’t accommodate so many men—they would be too cramped to mount a proper assault.

But the valley’s defenders couldn’t allow them to spread out and attack. Such a blow would be devastating for the innocent villagers they were protecting.

Time to act.

Tian Mi, disguised as a soldier with soot-darkened skin and a helmet, blended into the enemy ranks. In the chaos, she scattered chunks of meat soaked in spirit spring water throughout the crowd. This deep in the mountains, there was no shortage of carnivorous beasts.

While the enemy’s attention was on Xu Ershu, who had shot Xu Shichang in the shoulder with an arrow during the surrender negotiations, Tian Mi slipped away, re-entering her space.

Her trap was set.