"Knock, knock, knock."
Someone rapped on the door. Skyhawk jogged over and opened it. After days of recovery, Jasper and the others were basically back to full strength.
Skyhawk had actually healed the fastest—despite being the most severely injured—because his profession came with built-in recovery skills. That made Jasper and Sable unreasonably jealous.
Should've stopped buying medicine for this guy and just let him heal himself with skills…
"Ah—Steward Xu!" Skyhawk brightened. "Come in! What's up?"
Steward Xu stepped inside, sat, and folded his hands. "I'd like to discuss something with you."
Jasper walked over. "What's the trouble?"
Steward Xu hesitated, then stopped pretending. "You know that Zhang family playboy… the one who caused a scene before? He went out with his cousin and was killed. Worse—his cousin's corpse turned into a zombie."
Jasper's expression didn't change, but his mind went cold.
So they heard.
Still, there was no proof. Without proof, they wouldn't dare storm House Lin.
Jasper leaned back. "He's dead? And that's… my problem how?"
Steward Xu's voice sharpened. "Because you once injured that playboy, they're using it as an excuse to pressure House Lin. You know this Lin branch isn't the main House. If we request reinforcements, it'll take a month."
He took a breath. "So… we made a wager in your name. Without asking."
Skyhawk blinked. "What wager?"
Steward Xu met Jasper's eyes. "An assault."
Jasper rubbed his forehead. "Retaking Windcloud City? The army won't be as thin as last time, right? And if we win… what do we get?"
Steward Xu smiled. "If we succeed, you won't be shortchanged. Three Arcane Tier Rank 1-grade materials—pick whatever you want. Sable and Skyhawk each get two."
Jasper's eyes narrowed slightly.
He needed materials. He needed to upgrade his weapons—his Piercer, his Assassin, and the Altair Longsword—so that when he stepped into Arcane Tier, he wouldn't be stuck without suitable gear.
"Deal," Jasper said calmly. "We'll win."
Two chimes rang out back-to-back.
"Ding! Mission accepted: Assist Cloudspire Empire soldiers in breaching Windcloud City. Reward: cultivation rises to Bronze Tier Rank 7, new skill 'True Sight.'""Ding! Mission accepted: Reclaim Windcloud City. Reward: cultivation rises to Bronze Tier Rank 7 Peak, new skill 'Draw Sword Art.'"
Steward Xu stood. "Good. Then I'll take my leave."
At the door, he paused and glanced back.
"Also—Sable's old trouble. He seems to have offended House Wuxi. Their guards were found near where the Zhang cousins died. Rumor says one of their young masters was killed too. During the assault, they may come for you. Be careful."
Jasper smiled, almost lazy. "Thanks. If they show up, I'll make sure they don't leave."
After Steward Xu left, Sable lowered his head. "Sorry, Boss. I dragged you into my mess."
Skyhawk snorted. "It's fine. Perfect practice. Their clan leader is only Arcane Tier Rank 1 anyway—small fry. Let Boss handle it."
Jasper flicked Skyhawk on the head. "So you're using me as a shield now?"
Then he looked at Sable, voice steady. "Don't overthink it. We're brothers. A small clan isn't worth worrying about."
Bluehaze City Outskirts
Outside the city walls, the ground was packed with disciplined imperial soldiers in full armor. From the ramparts above, the reflected glare off iron plates looked like a field of blazing stars—bright enough to light the wall itself.
The killing intent rolling off the ranks was palpable.
Windcloud City… is coming back.
Jasper's group arrived at the camp. A familiar officer strode up and clapped Jasper's shoulder.
"Well, well. You again. Got tired of being a pampered guard and decided to crawl back onto a battlefield?"
It was Officer Wang—the same man from the Windcloud City defense.
Jasper lifted an eyebrow. "You really hate guards, huh?"
Officer Wang spat to the side. "Cowards. They hide behind us, then swagger around the city when we win—borrowing noble house prestige. They're useless on the front lines."
Jasper caught the contempt, but also the blindness in it.
"Because they've forgotten what blood tastes like," Jasper said, turning toward the soldiers preparing gear.
Officer Wang followed Jasper's gaze and chuckled. "And you? Any thoughts?"
Jasper thought a moment, then recited a line he'd once learned back on Earth:
"Cold wind strikes the metal battlements,cold light shines on iron armor—generals die in a hundred battles,warriors return after ten years."
Officer Wang burst out laughing. "Ha! Alright. I misjudged you. My bad."
He nodded toward Sable and Skyhawk. "And them? They're coming too?"
Jasper looked over.
Sable was gearing up with the mounted skirmishers. Skyhawk wore heavy cavalry armor—laughably bulky on his still-grinning face.
Officer Wang's tone sobered. "This assault won't be simple. Skeletons reinforced Windcloud City. Our troop mix is heavier too."
"Like what?" Jasper asked.
Officer Wang gave him a look. "You really don't know anything."
Then he started counting.
"Cavalry first: heavy cavalry, light cavalry, mounted archers—8,000 total. Standard stuff."
"This time we also have Firelock Dragoons—light cavalry, primarily firelocks—2,000."
"And Vanguard Riders—main weapon is saber, specialize in speed strikes and scouting. They're basically the ones who open the way. Many don't come back. We deployed 3,000."
"Plus Winged Cavalry—high mobility, adaptable to almost any battlefield. Only 1,000 this time."
"Infantry: 50,000. Firelock troops: 30,000. Siege equipment crews and units: 8,000. Siege ladders: 100,000. Heavy infantry: 20,000. Spearmen: 20,000."
He exhaled. "Total: 134,000. Add 6,000 noble house guards drawn from surrounding cities. So 140,000 soldiers."
"140,000…" Jasper repeated quietly.
Officer Wang studied the shifting formations. Jasper asked, "And the enemy? Skeleton numbers?"
Officer Wang's jaw tightened. "Unknown. Windcloud City's perimeter is crawling with skeletons. Our scouts can't break through."
Jasper's voice lowered. "If we can't take it… if it's impossible by normal standards… then what?"
Officer Wang fell silent for a few heartbeats.
Then, flatly: "Orders from above. At any cost."
He turned to leave, and as he walked away Jasper still caught the muttered words—too soft for most ears.
"We… don't have a retreat anymore. Even if we spend every last soldier… Windcloud City must fall."