The snow fell harder and harder.

Every trace was buried under it.

Naturally, the Xiliang scouts found nothing.

They went back and reported.

Lou Guanghe proposed that the army press on.

But Bian Yangze wouldn't agree.

"Commander-in-Chief Bian, this snow is getting heavier. Marching tomorrow will only be harder."

Bian Yangze waved a hand. "It's getting late, and the snow won't let up. Marching at night would be even harder. We'll march first thing tomorrow."

Lou Guanghe frowned slightly. "The truth is, Commander-in-Chief Bian, you don't want to send troops to support Leng Wenyan, do you?"

Bian Yangze's face darkened. "What do you mean by that, General Lou?"

Lou Guanghe said, "I know you favor the Holy Maiden, Commander-in-Chief Bian. You listen to her nonsense, and you never wanted to send troops to support Leng Wenyan at all."

Bian Yangze said grimly, "So you think the Holy Maiden is wrong, General Lou? The Great Xuan isn't unified yet, but things are going very well for it.

Nanyue has been crushed. All that's left is the De Emperor.

Is Ning Chen a man to provoke? Backing Leng Wenyan in secret was already a grave mistake... Now we're sending an army to his aid. Do you think Ning Chen will let that go?"

Lou Guanghe snorted. "Commander-in-Chief Bian, don't build up another man's spirit and pull down your own. Ning Chen brought only a hundred thousand men this time... If the Xiliang army can join up with Leng Wenyan's hundred thousand-odd in time,

then firearms or not, Ning Chen will be no match for us.

And don't forget, Commander-in-Chief Bian, Ning Chen led his army into Xiliang and forced His Majesty to present a letter of surrender and bow his head as a vassal... That humiliation can only be washed clean with Ning Chen's blood.

Besides, only by crushing Ning Chen and taking the Great Xuan's western frontier can our Xiliang truly grow... Someday surpassing the Great Xuan isn't out of the question."

Bian Yangze was furious. "Fool! Do you think Ning Chen is so easy to deal with?

All we had…