After three years, their enemy have gather enough forces to make a comeback. Duke Yan is ordered to gather his soldiers to go on the battle ground with the rest of the generals. This time, the crown prince will lead the imperial troops into the fight. All the men in the noble clans are told to put on their armours. In total silence, the woman and children watch their men and hold their tears back. While the men promise their return. The boys who have come of age are force to go on the war with their father. That day, the crown prince adore in his golden armour ride off in his golden armour horse in the front. He make a promise on the gate he will return with the men.
While Duke Yan have his men gather in camp. Their weapons are all sharpen. The blacksmith have strengthen the armours and ensure proper fitting. Horses are feed well before they are ready to go off. Er Yin check her bag of items before she load onto her horse. She have sent home a simple letter saying she is going off on a war and will return. At the first place, she did not want to sent a letter but she knows that the news will spread out on the lands of the Han people. Thus she pick up her brush and write a simple letter. Er Yin sigh as she loads up the bag. She look at the bright sky and hopes that all of them will return home safety. The men in camp soon line up in front of the Duke. After hearing the long lecture from him, they dispel and mount on their horses. Er Yin once again is on her horse who have an amour on it. She is not feeling any fear in her. Anxiety have numb her. She had her hair combed in a tight bun. She had a slash tied over her forehead and it had a piece of pink jade on it to show her ranking in the army. It will be easier to recognise who is in the military ranking instead of looking for their jade on the waist. Her family name Xie is curved on a piece of leather that is attached on the armour. The name Xie Yi Jin is hidden in her shirt. As the army ride out, she mumble in her breath asking god for protection.
It takes two days for them to reach the meeting point. As at now both side is not starting any fight. Both side is quiet and no one is making a move yet. The crown prince order scouts to move out and check what is the situation is the other side. The crown prince, Duke Yan and other generals gather in the military camp to discuss the steps to take the enemy down. Er Yin is standing outside chewing a blade of a grass. Her eyes look everywhere, she feels her body is getting tense. Yet she knows that she is not physically going into a fight yet. The sun is bright and the air is cool. Er Yin stands there with small sweat beads rolling down her face. She breaths in deeply and try to look normal as much as she can. She see the noble families are gather in front and whispering among themselves. The younger boys have a look of fear on their faces. After all they haven't been on a front line in war. Their fathers are not much better either. However those older man try to install authority on their own child. Remind the young boys to run if they cannot handle the danger. Er Yin watch them for a while till the Duke call her to gather the men in front of the tent.
After the briefing, dinner is served. They all eat in silence. The wolf is heard howling in a distance. Er Yin prepare herself as she watch the waxing moon that is hanging high up on the sky. She is unaware that Luo Ming is standing beside her chewing his drumstick and watching her.
"Anything wrong?"
Started she look at his face. His big round eyes look at her as he keep chewing the meat in his mouth. He later try to get her to eat the drum stick in his hand. She push his hand away. There is no chance that she is going to eat something that his lips have touch.
"You have to eat something. Later if ... we go out there... we need all the strength we can get."
"I know what to do. How long more do we have to wait?"
"Once the scouts are back. An hour or two we will set off with the Duke. The rest will follow later. We will start the 'fire'."
"It will be tough..."
"There isn't a choice. Make sure you check your shield before getting on your horse. Make sure you stick with me! Don't get lost!"
"Hmm i know what to do... Not the first time."
Three hours later in the early morning, the Duke lead his men with the infantry soldiers into the other side. Er Yin note that the fight most likely will be at a river and she can swim but the chances of her discover that she is a female is high. She have to protect herself well enough for this round. Before the sun rises, they set out 5000 miles towards the river bank. The enemy at the other side is waiting. Their bows and arrows are ready to fire as they watch the Duke and his men ride nearer to them. As the sun raises Duke Yan raise his sword towards the enemy as he ride nearer the river bank and his men began to raise their voice. Er Yin shut with all her strength in her. Her veins are pumping with hot blood. She follow her master closely behind into the bloody ground. There is no turning back today as the sun raises high.