Rebirth of the Prime Dragon Master
Chapter 383 A Bloody Battle

"It's going to be difficult. We're practically between a rock and a hard place. The possibility of losing either Wild Heaven Pass or Loyal Dragon Pass is unbearable. I can't imagine how it would be for the Crimson Dragon Group. With the way things are now, we will have to make a sacrifice. It's best to focus our forces on just one. Defending both will be impossible. We lack the manpower and worse, we might end up losing both. Even if our reinforcements make it in time, we won't be able to seize it back." Lance drew out his words with emphasis as he lifted his chin. His well-sculpted features displayed the confidence in his statement. He had given careful consideration to every aspect of their current predicament. It was tantamount that he considered every decision he was going to make, for the fate of the Crimson Dragon Group rested upon these changes. Mistakes could prove fatal, so he must be cautious.

"If that's what you think is best, which pass would you want us to defend, father?" Isis asked, her eyes sparkling.

"We will be defending Wild Heaven Pass. The Loyal Dragon Pass is now under siege by troops that are led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Timber Deity Empire, Princess Alyssa. Our scouts have informed me that she has shown herself in the battlefield. Even if we send out reinforcements to mount our defense, it will be a moot battle, unless I lead the troops myself. But Princess Alyssa must have already prepared for that possibility. And if she sees me, she'll launch a counter attack. She'll most likely redirect her forces to the Frozen River Pass, knowing we won't be able to defend it. Being directly connected to Evian City, the Frozen River Pass is more important than the other two. It is of the utmost importance that we don't lose it, even if the others fall to their hands. Though it would appear that Wild Heaven Pass is under a lot of threat, we must consider that the battle has lasted for several days now. Not only are our troops becoming tired, but surely the Timber Deity Empire's troops are the same. If we can mount our forces there and defend it, if we can overpower their troops, then we will have the upper hand before our reinforcements come. By then, if we have lost Loyal Dragon Pass, we only need to gather all our forces to take it back.” Lance's words swept through the room as he quickly analyzed the situation. He described the current states of all three passes in vivid detail. It was his sharp mind and his keen wit, that earned him the position of the Commander-in-Chief of the Crimson Dragon Group. He deserved the title given to him.

"Such being the case, let me lead the troops to assist the defense of Wild Heaven Pass! I will make certain to hold Wild Heaven Pass, defending it with all of my power, no matter what," Isis said as she volunteered herself without any hesitation. She felt culpable for the predicament that plagued the Crimson Dragon Army, and felt it was only right for her to remedy the situation.

"In order to successfully defend Frozen River Pass, we would need to station ten thousand troops here. We would be left with no more than five thousand troops to be dispatched to Wild Heaven Pass in order to assist with its defense. Taking into account the forces that are already defending Wild Heaven Pass, you would be left with less than ten thousand troops. Are you certain you can defend it successfully with only these troops at hand? Know that if you fail, the whole army will be annihilated!" Lance said, his face calm yet imposing. He was about to say something more, but he stopped himself. He didn't say it outright, but Isis understood that the one variable that would turn the tide of this conflict would be whether or not Wild Heaven Pass was secured. If the Crimson Dragon Group lost and Wild Heaven Pass fell into the enemies’ hands, the defending troops that were left at the site would be likely to lose their lives. For that very reason, Lance didn't want his daughter to take the risk.

"Would there be anyone else in the Crimson Dragon Group that is more likely to succeed than me?" Isis answered in a decisive tone. Certainly she knew what her father was thinking, but as the Deputy Commander in Chief of the Crimson Dragon Group, she didn't allow herself to show weakness at such a critical moment. She had made up her mind. And she would not stand down.

"That's not..." Lance bit back his words. He knew his daughter was right, but it would be too risky to send her to assist the defense of Wild Heaven Pass. The casualties that would inevitably hang upon her shoulders would be her weight to bear. And being his one and only daughter, he couldn't let himself put her in such a danger. If anything happened to Isis, he wouldn't be able to live with himself. His heart constricted at the thought. He remembered his late wife, and even now he felt contrite. What would her mother say?

"Commander in Chief," a voice cut through the tension in the air and the hesitation in Lance's heart. "If you would allow me, I want to volunteer myself to aid the Deputy Commander in Chief." The voice came from outside.

Lance and Isis turned their heads to the general direction of the voice. Marin parted the flap of the tent, stepping inside.

"C-cousin?" Isis stammered, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Marin, you too?" Lance asked. His thick brows furrowed tightly. He had always regarded Marin as his own daughter. Just like Isis, he would be beside himself with worry, if the two of them went there together.

"Cousin, wouldn't it be better to stay here and help father at Frozen River pass?" Isis didn't want Marin to go with her, knowing the danger that lay ahead.

"No way, cousin! I wish to go with you. Please, Commander in Chief, I ask that you allow me,” Marin pleaded, getting down on one knee. Her eyes bore into his uncle's, sincere and determined.

The look in her eyes cut through Lance, and he immediately walked toward his niece, pulling her arm up to help her stand. He sighed then, shaking his head, "I guess there's no helping it. The two of you are too stubborn. How could I ever hope to dissuade you?" He smiled and continued, "I can't really complain, however. The same blood flows through your veins, after all. Very well. You can both go to Wild Heaven Pass. But bear in mind that you mustn't persist if things take a turn for the worst. The option of retreat is always available to you. Remember that.”

Isis and Marin exchanged glances. When their eyes met, they smiled and nodded in understanding to Lance.

"Besides, I will order Commander Dunn and Commander Cao to escort you, and I will dispatch twenty more spirit manipulators. Perhaps they could be of assistance when you find yourselves overwhelmed," Lance added after a bit of contemplation.

"Cousin Marin, gather your things. I'll be with you shortly," Isis said to Marin with a nod. She wished to discuss something else with her father.

Marin bowed her greetings to Lance and took her leave.

"Father, have you spoken to Sabina?" Isis asked as soon as Marin disappeared from their sight. She had been too preoccupied these past few days with the defense of the two passes and Sabina completely slipped from her mind.

"No. I never found her when I arrived at Loyal Dragon Pass," Lance admitted, shaking his head, his eyes squinting at the memory.

"It seems she's purposefully avoiding you. Just as I thought, her intention of looking for Rocky is suspicious!" Isis said, furrowing her brows in concern.

"We'd better leave this matter aside. Focus on what's at stake, daughter. We need to force back the troops of the Timber Deity Empire out of the Holy Dragon Empire's territory." Lance was also concerned about Sabina's reasons for approaching the Crimson Dragon Army in order to search for Rocky, but he had to put his concerns aside, given what awaited them, and what endangered their nation.

"I understand. I shall take my leave," Isis said, understanding her father's meaning.

"Be careful, daughter. You will be cautious, and you will take good care of yourself and your cousin. Do you understand?" Lance admonished again and again. The harshness of his role as Commander in Chief loosened, and gave way to the loving father in him that wished for his daughter to be safe. Isis nodded and gave a knowing glance to her father. They held each other's gazes for a while, before she turned and left.

On that same day, Isis left with the three Frontline Commanders, including her cousin. Together they marched toward Wild Heaven Pass, with their retinue of less than five thousand troops. The sky had just darkened into dusk when they arrived at Wild Heaven Pass. A gruesome scene greeted them as they approached. A litter of corpses lined the pass and the woods that stretched on both sides, beacons and flames spread throughout.

Before the troops of the Timber Deity Empire launched another attack, Isis took the initiative to proceed further into Wild Heaven Pass. She signaled her troops to follow suit, converging with the unit of the Crimson Dragon Army led by the Elite Commander who had been holding their position here.

The Elite Commander's eyes brightened at the sight of the reinforcements that met them, but he deflated after a while, knowing that they were not able to carry out the Commander in Chief's wishes. "Deputy Commander in Chief, I have no excuse. I have failed to carry out the orders and almost lost Wild Heaven Pass. Please offer me the punishment that I deserve.” The commander knelt down in shame as soon as Isis arrived, offering his apology.

"Commander, this is no time to be throwing out the blame to anyone. Stand up. We must all unite to defend Wild Heaven Pass!" Isis shouted, her voice ringing through the air. She stood on the defensive wall that was marred by the flames and looked down at the enemy troops who were preparing to launch another attack outside the Pass.

Just then, the Commanders and soldiers inside the pass who had been almost at the verge of giving up, cheered along with Isis, their voices echoing in a single chorus.

At daybreak, the troops of the Timber Deity Empire rushed toward them like a surging tidal wave as they launched their attack. Their forces were twice the number of those of the Crimson Dragon Army. Taking advantage of their numbers, they struck the defensive line that Isis had arranged during the previous night.

Under Isis’ command, the Frontline Commanders, including Marin and Dunn, took turns in leading troops outside of the pass, mounting their own forces to battle. With their limited forces, they struggled to fight back against the throngs of their enemies, and thus began the bloody battle in Wild Heaven Pass. The sound of steel and the fall of dead bodies hung in the air, silencing everything else in its wake.