That afternoon, the eunuch left with the crown prince to return back to the palace. There is no new soldiers coming in instead, a another set of platoon soldiers lead by General Peng is heading the opposite direction to attack. Duke Yan needs to hold and wait in the forrest. Luo Ming is instructed to check how much food supplies they have on hand. Meanwhile, the fortress is attacked day and night. Duke Yan did not have a rest as he keep a watch out with his men.
In the night sky, arrows with fire are shot into the forest. Soldiers are busy defending and another group of soldiers are throwing in water but Er Yin is screaming to them to throw sand instead and no one is listening. Thus she alone hurry to scope up sand in buckets and throw into the fire. Immediately the fire die down and she keep doing it. Other soldiers who see this soon realised that water is not doing the job thus they all hurry to look for sand. Meanwhile Er Yin is struggling to safe all the food stork that this fortress have. They need all the food that is available. these months.
Another month comes and goes, they are running out of food supplies. Scouts are dispatched out to hunt for animals. They are only left with a well that supply endless water. However another week goes by the enemy cut off the water supply. They are slowly marching into their death.
"None of the scouts return?"
"No your highness. So far, we did not see anyone."
"Most likely they are killed..."
"What should we do?"
"There is no choice but wait."
"Our food supply..."
"Send out my command. Let's eat minimum. No wastage of food. Eat as usual and don't take the amount that can't finish."
"Your highness, i don't think we can last two weeks base on the amount we are left with."
"Go to every household and check their kitchen if there is any thing left behind. As long it is eatable, bring it out. We will count it as ration for now. Even if it is tea, bring it."
Luo Ming bow and walk off. Er Yin who is standing beside the Duke, look at the man who is growing out a beard. He is staring at the open space in front of them. Up in the bridge above the main gate. They are anticipating any incoming attacks thus he is stay put day till night. While Er Yin follows him around and complete his task when he need someone to carry it out. She watch the sun rise and sun set. Looking at the moon at night sometimes in peace sometimes with sudden attacks.
A particular quiet night, the hungry soldiers are guarding the tower and gate are looking at he front. There is a fog coming in as usual. It was peaceful and quiet till They spot someone climbing over the gates. There are yelling and screaming. Er Yin pick up her bow and arrow to shot. The entire valley is fill with the whistling of the arrows. She shot as fast as she can.. The Duke is alert of what is happening and he join in the attack. Maybe because of the color of his uniform, he is spotted easily and all attacks launch on him. Er Yin pick up her shield to cover him fast. The Duke yell at his men to go get a shield and later go to pick up their swords and standby at the gate. Once it is force through, they will need to defend themselves. All soldiers pass the message and everyone is already behind the gates. The ones who are in the tower have left their position and rush down. The Duke with Er Yin too rush down.
"This will be our last fight. They have to die! Understand! After this, we are going home, together!"
"Go home together!"
"You all cannot die without my permission! Understand!"
The soldiers behind the gates roar with their last strength. They watch, they waited with the dark night. The gate is knock repeatedly. Everyone on their own horses hold their weapons tightly. The Duke who is in front watch with his sword shimmering in the dark.
That night, Er Yin fight with her hungry stomach but her soul is fill with fire to live. The night is fill with screams of men and horses. She swing her sword with all her might. She watch out for her men who are on the ground. She help them with her war horse by stomping at the enemy and slice them when the chance is in front of her. Because of the narrow space, the horses are not able to run freely. Thus she rush out the gate and attack from there. She see the commander of the enemy is standing in the center ordering the attacks. Now the archers are done with their arrows. She takes the opportunely to ride fast to the commander. On her side, Luo Ming too see what is happening and he on his horse rush out the gate. He understand what his buddy is thinking. He see the opportunity is here. He scream and rush out with his men following behind. Er Yin only can feel her breath and hear the sound of her horse. She see the enemy commander raising his bow and arrow at her. She at that moment decided to ride not in a straight line. She zigzag her way towards him and knock those soldiers who are busying loading their arrows. As she ride nearer, she continue ro avoid his arrows. Finally she see her chance and leap from her horse. The commander cannot react fast enough and his eyes open wide staring at the face of a boy who is flying to him. She landed on him and try to stab the burry man. He roll away and grab his sword. They spar on his podium. He run down and scream for his men. She follow him with murder intentions. She fights a few men and slice their neck. Er Yin see that the commander is heading towards Luo Ming's direction. She smile and continue the chase.
In the end, only 90 men survive. 20 enemies are capture. Tied and place in a barn Er Yin and the rest of the men search the bloody ground for any of their men. In the morning, they with a bloody face watch the fire roar with the mass burial of their men. The Duke suddenly who aged have nothing to say. He continue to stand in front of the pyre fire. He pour the last alcohol on the ground.
"For you my brothers..."
The gate is now wide open. There is no way to repair a broken gate that is repair twice. The 90 men look at the Duke for further instructions. They all sit and watch him with trembling bodies.
"We will leave this ... place. We cannot defend without anything."
"Your highness. will the emperor..."
"I will explain. If he wants someone's head... it will be mine."
"What about General Peng?"
"It is a month now. There is no news from him... it is impossible for us to keep waiting. Go pack up, as light as possible. We need to leave here within ... two hours. Once we leave their land, we can find food. So now my men, let's pack up."
"Your highness the ones in the barn..."
"Leave them. Let fate decided for them, their outcome."
Their ride off in the morning with the sun chasing behind them. Their horses who is feed full is able to run in full speed. Their aim is to get to their land. Everyone is focus on getting there but none notice they are being chase. When they realise that only with the thundering of the horses from the enemy. Er Yin see that they are chasing very closely behind. She look at Luo Ming who understands. She pull her horse to slow down. She allow her men to ride away as fast as they can. She hold her spear in her arm and to her calculation they slowly down to meet. her.
"Are you the commander?!"
"Who are you to ask this question!"
"You are the one who slaughter commander Ting Luo!"
"I am not sure..."
"The rest go after that group while i deal with this pesky mosquito."
Er Yin struggle to keep herself alive with the big man choking her. She hits his manhood hard with her knee. He scream and roll away. She move away and feel for her dagger. She arm herself as he pick up himself from the ground. Under the wide bight sky, he move to pick her up and before he throw her to the ground. She stab him on the collar. When she land on the ground, she turn and kick him with her feet. He fly backwards with his blood splitter everywhere. He stare at her on the ground holding his wound. Not able to say a word and blood is continually flowing out from his mouth and his wound. His hands are stain with blood as Er Yin look at him. She whistle for her horse. Her horse comes with obedience and she got on and ride away. All a sudden she feels tired and hungry. The cold wind that is blowing on her makes her want to close her eyes. However in front what she see was another fight is happening. She whisper 'Duke Yan, wait for me.'