Chapter 23: The Siege of the Seventh Division
🔹 The Calm Before the Storm
Nightfall draped the Seventh Division's stronghold in shadows, but no one rested.
The once-calm fortress was now a war camp—warriors checking their weapons, assassins preparing for their missions, and scouts vanishing into the darkness.
Wu Jian's army was approaching.
By dawn, the Seventh Division would be under siege.
I stood atop the outer wall, staring into the distant horizon, where torches flickered in the night—the enemy was coming.
This wasn't just a battle.
This was the start of war.
🔹 Preparing for War
Inside the war chamber, Qiu Hong stood over a massive battlefield map, surrounded by division captains.
I entered, and his eyes met mine.
"You're just in time, Ye Qing," Qiu Hong said. "Wu Jian's army will be here by sunrise."
Xiao Rin leaned against the table. "We're outnumbered, aren't we?"
Lan Yue crossed her arms. "By how much?"
Qiu Hong's smirk didn't waver. "Three to one."
Tension spread across the room.
One of the captains scowled. "Then why aren't we retreating?"
Qiu Hong tapped the map. "Because we're not fighting them head-on. We're going to break them from the inside."
I stepped forward. "What's the plan?"
Qiu Hong's eyes gleamed.
🔹 The Three-Part Strategy
🔸 Step 1: Divide Their Forces – Our assassins would strike their supply lines before battle even began, weakening their morale.
🔸 Step 2: The False Retreat – Lure Wu Jian's army into the valley outside the fortress, where they would think they had the advantage.
🔸 Step 3: The Final Ambush – Once their forces entered the kill zone, our hidden warriors would strike from all sides.
Xiao Rin smirked. "Classic trap."
Lan Yue nodded. "But what about their commanders? Wu Jian won't just walk into a death zone."
Qiu Hong's gaze landed on me.
"That's where Ye Qing comes in."
🔹 The Assassination Mission
Qiu Hong slid a parchment across the table.
I unrolled it—inside were the names and locations of Wu Jian's top generals.
"Tonight," Qiu Hong said, "you will infiltrate their war camp and eliminate them. Cut off the head before the beast can strike."
I studied the map.
The generals were positioned deep inside enemy territory.
"This won't be easy," I muttered.
Qiu Hong smirked. "That's why you're doing it."
I rolled up the parchment and turned.
"I'll return before dawn."
🔹 Infiltrating the Enemy Camp
Slipping into Wu Jian's war camp was easy.
Navigating through hundreds of enemy soldiers?
Not so much.
I moved through the darkness, my Silent Execution technique masking my presence.
The first target, General Hong Wei, sat inside a lavish tent, surrounded by bodyguards.
I scaled the tent's outer frame, slipping through the top.
The moment my feet touched the ground—
My blade was already at his throat.
His eyes widened. "Wha—"
SLASH!
His body slumped forward, lifeless.
One down.
Two more to go.
🔹 The Betrayal
By the time I reached the third target, the atmosphere felt different.
The camp was too quiet.
I approached the final tent—but something felt off.
Then—
BOOM!
A firework exploded in the sky, bathing the war camp in red light.
A signal flare.
They knew I was here.
Footsteps rushed from all directions.
I turned—only to see a familiar face stepping out from the shadows.
Mei Xue.
One of the Seventh Division's own elders.
Smirking.
Standing beside Wu Jian.
🔹 The Trap Closes
"You…" I muttered, gripping my blade.
Mei Xue's smirk widened. "Ye Qing, did you really think this battle was about Wu Jian?"
Wu Jian stepped forward, his aura powerful, but his expression amused.
"You walked into my camp so easily," he said. "Almost like… someone led you here."
I clenched my fists.
Mei Xue had betrayed us.
I exhaled slowly. "So what now? You execute me?"
Wu Jian laughed. "No, Ye Qing. You're going to watch."
He stepped aside, revealing a captured Seventh Division soldier—one of our own scouts.
Wu Jian raised a hand.
The air shook as black Qi engulfed the scout.
His body twisted unnaturally—then dissolved into nothing.
I stiffened.
I had seen this before.
The Hidden Master's power.
I turned to Mei Xue.
"You're not working for Wu Jian, are you?" I muttered.
She smiled.
"Smart boy."
My heart pounded.
This wasn't just a war.
This was the Hidden Master's trap all along.
🔹 A Desperate Escape
I had only one option.
Run.
I threw a smoke bomb to the ground, vanishing into the fog.
Footsteps rushed toward me, but I was already moving—leaping onto the tent's support beams and propelling myself into the darkness.
Arrows whizzed past me.
I hit the ground running.
Behind me, Wu Jian's laughter echoed through the camp.
"Run, Ye Qing. I'll see you on the battlefield!"
🔹 Racing Against Time
By the time I reached the Seventh Division's fortress, the sun was rising.
I burst into the war chamber, bloodied and breathless.
Xiao Rin and Lan Yue turned in shock.
Qiu Hong stood, his eyes narrowing.
I slammed my dagger into the table.
"Mei Xue betrayed us," I growled.
The room fell silent.
Qiu Hong exhaled. "Damn it."
Xiao Rin clenched her fists. "And Wu Jian?"
I turned to her, my voice cold.
"He's coming. But this isn't his war anymore."
I looked at Qiu Hong.
"The Hidden Master is using him."
Qiu Hong's expression darkened.
"We need to change the plan."
🔹 The Final Decision
I turned back to the battlefield map.
Our old strategy—luring Wu Jian into a death trap—was no longer enough.
The Hidden Master's forces were moving behind the scenes.
If we focused only on Wu Jian, we'd be blindsided.
Qiu Hong looked at me. "What do you suggest?"
I exhaled.
"We fight like hell."
I pointed to a narrow valley north of the fortress.
"We make it look like we're retreating here. Wu Jian won't be able to resist chasing us."
Lan Yue frowned. "Then what?"
I turned to her.
"Then we wipe out his entire army in one strike."
Xiao Rin smirked. "Now we're talking."
Qiu Hong nodded. "Make it happen."
I stepped back.
The pieces were set.
The game had begun.
By tomorrow, either Wu Jian's forces would fall—
Or the Seventh Division would be erased from history.
🔹 End of Chapter 23