But times were different now. Today, he was no longer alone. Behind him trailed a grand procession of dozens upon dozens of people.

When the commander went on patrol, there had to be a proper show of force.

There was no fog today, so everything on the opposite bank was clearly visible. The river shoal lay empty and open, with only the occasional shadow of a person moving in the distant woods.

In truth, their own side looked about the same—jagged peaks, forest, riverbank, withered grass.

His adjutant, Chao Qian, pointed the terrain out to He Lingchuan. “The terrain on our western bank is mostly low hills, unlike the opposite side, which has naturally dangerous peaks. Easy to defend, hard to attack.”

Indeed, their own riverbank was open and spacious. The long grass beside the river was dense, and in this season, of course, it was all covered in gleaming white snow.

He Lingchuan walked everywhere, spending the longest time in the woods.

The forest...