32. Crushing Defeat of

Ever since the Berserker Legion of Mist City became a formidable fighting force, autumn had descended upon the continent. It was the time when the Magi-War Empire would routinely invade the Dragonrock Empire, pillaging its borderlands. As expected, on this day, Mo Fei received an imperial edict from Emperor Tyron, commanding the Berserker Legion to march. Mo Fei was ordered to lead his troops to defend a small border town adjacent to the Magi-War Empire.

After several days of preparation, Mo Fei set out with eight thousand berserkers, two thousand crossbowmen, and forty ballistae, heading toward the border town in a grand procession. The journey took more than twenty days, but Mo Fei’s forces arrived just in time, before the Magi-War Empire could cross the border for their annual raid. The handover with the previous garrison was completed swiftly.

"Now, it’s a matter of defense or offense," Mo Fei mused. The initiative was firmly in his hands. He had always believed that the best defense was a good offense. With such a long border, who could predict where the enemy would strike? But if he attacked first, the enemy would have no time to trouble him.

The two thousand soldiers left behind by the previous garrison did not return inland; only the main responsibility had shifted to a new commander. Deciding on his course, Mo Fei summoned the former defense chief. Upon sharing his intentions, he saw the man's wide-eyed astonishment and knew he could not rely on him.

Mo Fei said, "For this operation, your troops will handle logistics. Leave the attack to me." After dismissing the former chief, Mo Fei unfurled his map and studied it intently.

Not far from the border, the Magi-War Empire also possessed a small border town—small only in comparison to their larger cities. Historically, the Magi-War Empire assembled its raiding forces there before invading Dragonrock. As for logistics, they had no such concept; supplies were taken by plundering. They carried just enough provisions to reach the border, then relied on loot to replenish themselves.

"This is the place," Mo Fei murmured.

The Magi-War Empire had never imagined that Dragonrock would dare to launch a preemptive strike. Beyond a few small outposts, there were barely any soldiers stationed at the border. Every year, Dragonrock’s defenses failed to repel them; the notion of crossing into Magi-War territory was unthinkable. Their arrogance had bred contempt for Dragonrock.

To ensure speed, Mo Fei ordered the two thousand border troops to leave a thousand to guard the town and another thousand to escort the forty ballistae in support. He himself led ten thousand elite soldiers to advance through the night.

Upon crossing into Magi-War territory, Mo Fei’s forces attacked every outpost they encountered, leaving no survivors. Thus, by the time word reached the city, the Magi-War Empire’s army realized their enemy had penetrated deep into their domain.

To see a mere ten thousand men daring to attack a city garrisoned by forty thousand was infuriating. Though Mo Fei’s warriors looked fierce, the Magi-War Empire’s commanding general was beside himself with rage. He immediately ordered his ten thousand border troops to sally forth as vanguard and annihilate the audacious invaders. He believed Dragonrock’s forces were weak, and his ten thousand would suffice.

As the vanguard rushed out, charging toward the Berserker Legion, a dense hail of arrows shot forth. In such conditions, aiming was unnecessary; one merely needed to pull the trigger.

When the armies finally clashed, the Magi-War soldiers realized they faced death incarnate. Mo Fei’s crossbowmen had already slain nearly half the vanguard before the battle lines met. They retreated in groups of five, covering one another, and continued their deadly barrage. The remainder fell swiftly to the berserkers’ frenzied assault. The Berserker Legion quickly withdrew, forming up for the next wave.

Of Mo Fei’s eight thousand berserkers, most suffered only minor wounds; the Magi-War Empire’s inferior weapons could do little more than scratch them.

The commander atop the city walls was dumbfounded: his ten thousand men had vanished in an instant, while the enemy seemed hardly touched. Overcome with fury, he personally led twenty thousand troops out, this time bringing battle beasts.

At that moment, the thousand border guards escorting the forty ballistae arrived. Mo Fei ordered preparations and instructed the guards to protect the ballistae at all costs.

"Order: Ballista crews, target enemy beasts, fire at will," Mo Fei commanded, beating his foe to the punch.

A shrill whistle split the air as countless arrows hurtled toward the enemy’s beasts. In an instant, the beasts—once impervious to blades and arrows—were thrown into chaos. Beasts too possess intelligence; when faced with death, even the best handlers cannot control them.

The orderly ranks of twenty thousand were shattered as the beasts turned and rampaged through their own lines. Mo Fei seized the opportunity, ordering the ballistae to target enemy troops, crossbowmen to advance and fire within range, and berserkers to charge immediately after a volley.

Ballistae loosed their devastating bolts; unlike standard crossbows, their arrows pierced through several men before losing momentum. Under the beasts’ rampage and the deadly close-range crossbow fire, the enemy fell like grass before the scythe. Of twenty thousand, fewer than a thousand managed to retreat within the city.

"Ballistae, move into siege range. Target the defenders atop the walls," Mo Fei ordered.

A rain of arrows swept across the battlements, felling swathes of defenders and forcing the rest to cower, unable to raise their heads.

Mo Fei issued another command: "Ballistae, load fire arrows. Maximum range."

Suddenly, the defenders saw a line of flaming bolts with crimson tails soar overhead, landing among the city’s dwellings. Flames erupted, spreading swiftly; the entire border town was soon engulfed.

"Withdraw." Mo Fei gave the order to retreat. With only twenty thousand troops, and certain that the enemy would soon retaliate with overwhelming numbers, it was wiser to return and devise a new plan. Mo Fei was not so arrogant as to believe his force invincible.

…

"This time, the Lord of Mist City led the Berserker Legion in an attack on the Magi-War Empire, advancing forty li into their territory. At the border city of Feiliu, the Lord’s army annihilated more than forty thousand Magi-War troops gathered there. Only about six thousand defenders survived. Before retreating, the Lord ordered fire arrows launched into the city, and Feiliu was consumed by flames. Even if rebuilt, it would take about a year," the report concluded.

"Haha, excellent! How has the Magi-War Empire responded?" Emperor Tyron asked gleefully. After years of being oppressed, it was a rare moment of vindication.

"The Magi-War Empire has lodged a formal protest, condemning our military incursion and threatening to send an army to destroy us unless we hand over the responsible commander," the diplomatic official replied.

Emperor Tyron fell silent, knowing that the Magi-War Empire’s military far outmatched that of Dragonrock. He could not ignore their warning.

"Your Majesty, all this trouble stems from the Lord of Mist City. I advise you to order his arrest and hand him over to the Magi-War Empire, lest the situation escalate," the Finance Minister urged. He still harbored resentment from when Mo Fei had humiliated his son, tarnishing his family’s reputation, and now sought to strike while the iron was hot.

"Your Majesty, you must not! Our empire has finally produced a commander who defeated nearly fifty thousand enemy troops with only ten thousand men. If we destroy such talent ourselves, other nations will mock us. Besides, even if we hand him over, can we truly guarantee our safety?" argued Count Caesar, Mo Fei’s elder brother.

"I believe…"

"What should we do?"

"We mustn’t…"

"There is no other way, Your Majesty…"

The imperial council devolved into chaos, with no side able to persuade the other.

When word of the heated debate spread, Vivienne was incensed. These ministers wielded power when convenient, yet cowered at the first threat. All who knew Mo Fei worried for him.

Within the Imperial Academy, Mona—who had grown thinner over the past months—heard the news and felt even greater resentment toward Vivienne. Mo Fei had fought for the royal house and achieved a great victory, only to face the prospect of being handed over to the enemy.

Worried for Mo Fei’s safety, Mona could only turn to her grandfather for help. As one of the empire’s foremost strongmen, Mars wielded considerable influence.

"Little Mona, your worry is of no use. Though I have some sway, the final decision rests with His Majesty. Right now, the council is evenly split; neither side can prevail. Even if they decide to hand him over, I doubt that young Mo Fei will go quietly. Mist City is not so easily subdued," Mars said, his insight sharper than Mona’s. He was not worried about Mo Fei’s predicament, but seeing his granddaughter so worn from concern, he could not help but feel heartache.

Apart from Mo Fei’s own power, there were still many influential figures in the empire who supported him—not to mention his connection to the princess. Dealing with Mo Fei was not so simple.

Reality soon provided an answer. On the night news of the council’s debate broke, the Finance Minister and several other ministers who had pushed for Mo Fei’s punishment were assassinated.

Since Emperor Tyron was indecisive, Mist City would make the decision for him. Though Mo Fei himself was absent, the Mist City Elder Council unanimously approved the resolution to assassinate those ministers.

The next day, Emperor Tyron showed little reaction to their deaths, simply appointing new officials. The matter of Mo Fei was never mentioned again.

Although the empire never again raised the issue of punishing Mo Fei, Emperor Tyron’s earlier indecision had already created a rift between Mist City and the empire.