The memories of all humanity are awakening, except for mine.

He stood up, feeling the surging power within him, his heart filled with joy and confidence.

"Congratulations, Young Master Jiang, on successfully breaking through to the Zhiwei realm!" Zhao Dun stepped forward and said with a smile.

Jiang Chuan bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your guidance and help, Your Excellency. If it weren't for you, I would probably still be lost."

Mu Chen stepped forward, patted Jiang Chuan's shoulder forcefully, and said with a smile, "Jiang Chuan, well done! I knew you could do it!"

Jiang Chuan responded with a smile. At that moment, an impulse surged within him, a desire to test the power he had gained after his breakthrough. He looked at Zhao Dun and said, "Lord Marquis, Jiang Chuan wishes to exchange fists with you to test the power I have gained after this breakthrough."

Zhao Dun was slightly taken aback, then nodded and smiled, "Alright, since Young Master Jiang is in such an interest, I, Zhao, will certainly keep you company."

The two got into position and threw punches at the same time.

This punch contained all of Jiang Chuan's power after his breakthrough, while Zhao Dun held nothing back either. "Boom!" A deafening roar erupted as the powerful force radiated outwards from the two of them. The tables and chairs inside the military tent were instantly shattered, and even the tent itself collapsed under the weight.

As the dust settled, Jiang Chuan and Zhao Dun were seen taking a few steps back. Zhao Dun, his face filled with shock, looked at Jiang Chuan and exclaimed, "Young Master Jiang, what incredible power! With your current strength, you have the potential to break through to the peak of the Zhiwei realm, reaching the legendary tenth cauldron!"

Jiang Chuan was also very excited. He knew that this breakthrough not only gave him a qualitative leap in strength, but also gave him more confidence in this chaotic world.

As Jiang Chuan emerged from the collapsed military tent, he gazed at the night sky, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

He thought of his master, Xie Xuan. If it weren't for his master's meticulous planning, he wouldn't have achieved what he has today.

He secretly vowed to carve out his own place in this chaotic world of the Nine Provinces and live up to his master's expectations.

Emerging from the collapsed commander's tent, Jiang Chuan bid farewell to Mu Chen and, with slightly weary yet remarkably agile steps fueled by abundant strength, headed towards his own tent.

The night was deep, and the stars twinkled in the high sky, as if watching over this land that was about to be completely ignited by the flames of war.

Before even approaching the military tent, Jiang Chuan sensed something amiss.

After breaking through to the realm of subtle perception, his spiritual senses became increasingly acute, and he faintly caught a familiar yet mysterious aura.

Jiang Chuan was slightly taken aback when he lifted the curtain of the military tent. He saw Yu Youwei sitting quietly inside, the candlelight flickering and illuminating her beautiful face, which also added to her mysterious aura.

"Miss Yu, what are you doing here?" Jiang Chuan asked, sounding quite surprised.

Yu Youwei slowly stood up, her eyes gleaming as she looked Jiang Chuan up and down. "Young Master Jiang, it's only been one night, yet you've already crossed the other shore and entered the realm of Zhiwei. It's truly astonishing."

Jiang Chuan nodded slightly, still filled with doubt about Yu Youwei's purpose in coming.

This woman, from the moment they met, was like a veil of mist—mysterious and dangerous, yet possessing a captivating allure that drew people in. Jiang Chuan pondered to himself, she always seemed to see through his thoughts, but each attempt to uncover her secrets always ended in vain.

"You flatter me, Miss Yu," Jiang Chuan replied modestly, meeting Yu Youwei's gaze and trying to catch a clue in her eyes.

Yu Youwei seemed oblivious to Jiang Chuan's probing, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I'm simply waiting here for Young Master Jiang's triumphant return." With that, she turned slightly to look at the night outside the tent, as if gazing at the distant battlefield.

Jiang Chuan's heart skipped a beat. He knew that Yu Youwei was no ordinary woman; every word and action of hers seemed to hold a deeper meaning. However, time was of the essence, and he had no time to delve into it further.

"The three armies will set off after breakfast, with Weicheng as their target. I will accompany Mu Chen and Vice General Chen Deng's vanguard battalion of one thousand cavalrymen into Weicheng and strike directly at the He family's ancestral hall." Jiang Chuan informed Yu Youwei of the battle plan while observing her reaction.

Upon hearing this, Yu Youwei remained calm, simply nodding slightly, "In that case, Young Master Jiang, please be careful."

But Jiang Chuan keenly sensed that beneath her calm exterior, there seemed to be a hint of worry hidden in her heart.

Unbeknownst to Jiang Chuan, Yu Youwei was experiencing a turbulent storm in her heart at that moment.

She received a secret report that the army of the dead, sent to reinforce them, had crossed the natural barrier and was heading towards Weicheng as avengers. This was the army of the dead, numbering at least 30,000, who had failed to cross Dushan during the national war seventy years ago. The arrival of this army would completely change the course of the war, and might even destroy the entire southern region of Yan.

But Yu Youwei knew that revealing these things now would only add to Jiang Chuan's burden. She could only bury this secret deep in her heart and silently pray that Jiang Chuan would return safely.

As the smoke from the morning cooking fires rose in wisps, the Heyang camp was bustling with activity.

The soldiers quickly prepared their equipment, and their warhorses neighed, as if excited for the upcoming battle.

Zhao Dun stood on the high platform of the camp, his gaze fixed firmly ahead, directing the army's actions.

"Move out!" With this command, the army of the Heyang camp surged out like a tide, heading towards Weicheng. Despite the harsh weather and rugged roads, the soldiers' steps were firm and their morale was high.

Jiang Chuan and Mu Chen rode on horseback, positioned at the forefront of the vanguard camp.

Behind them stood a thousand elite cavalrymen, each wielding a sharp blade, their eyes revealing fearless courage.

"Jiang Chuan, this battle is dangerous, we must be careful." Mu Chen turned to look at Jiang Chuan and said with a solemn expression.

Jiang Chuan nodded, his gaze firm. "Mu Chen, don't worry. I will definitely not let you down."

Soon, the army arrived at the walls of Weicheng. The city walls of Weicheng were tall and sturdy, and the defenders on the walls were on high alert, creating a tense and suffocating atmosphere.

"Attack the city!" Zhao Dun's command rang out like thunder.

In an instant, siege engines such as catapults and ladders were rapidly advanced.

The catapults roared, and huge stones and burning pottery jars rained down on Weicheng like meteors.

Flames suddenly shot up from the city wall, and shouts of battle and screams of agony mingled together.

The defending soldiers fought desperately on the city walls, and arrows rained down on the attacking Heyang army.

Jiang Chuan and Mu Chen stood at the front line of the battlefield, witnessing this bloody siege.

Jiang Chuan was shocked by the horrific scene before him; he had never seen such a brutal war scene before.

On the battlefield, flesh and blood flew everywhere, and soldiers' lives vanished in an instant, their blood staining the earth red.

However, amidst this shock, Jiang Chuan couldn't suppress a deep-seated desire for battle, an impulse stemming from a martial artist's instinct.

"Siege warfare is the most brutal form of the Northern Wars. The establishment of each city is accompanied by magic arrays set up by renowned sorcerers to weaken the destructive power of cultivators. Therefore, the attacking side often has to pay a heavy price." Mu Chen's voice rang in Jiang Chuan's ears, carrying a hint of heaviness.

The Heyang army's offensive surged like a tidal wave, wave after wave. Despite the fierce resistance of the defending soldiers, they gradually began to falter under the powerful onslaught of the Heyang army.

"Charge!" With Mu Chen's shout, the vanguard of a thousand cavalrymen charged towards the gates of Weicheng like arrows released from a bow. Jiang Chuan gripped his longsword tightly, silently chanting, "Weicheng, here I come!"

Beneath the walls of Weicheng, the siege had reached its climax. Amidst the biting wind, shouts of battle and the clashing of weapons echoed and mingled, as if to engulf everything in the world in this brutal conflict.

After two full hours of fierce fighting, both the Heyang army and the Weicheng garrison were exhausted. The soldiers on both sides were drenched in sweat and their clothes were tattered, yet they continued to fight tenaciously.

He Zongzheng, the commander of Weicheng, is a veteran general who has been through many battles. He personally dons his armor and goes into battle.

His eyes were sharp as he commanded the troops from the city wall with composure, his voice hoarse but firm: "Concentrate your firepower and destroy the Heyang army's siege ladders!"

Under his command, the Weicheng defenders unleashed stones, arrows, and burning oil barrels at the Heyang army's siege equipment.

Under the fierce attack of the defenders, a ladder was finally set on fire, and the raging fire instantly engulfed the entire ladder.

The Heyang soldiers above screamed in agony as they fell one after another into the pools of blood below the city.

However, the Heyang army did not back down. With everyone's efforts, another ladder was successfully erected on the city wall.

"Vanguard Battalion, ascend the tower!" Zhao Dun stood on the high ground in the distance, observing the battle situation, and decisively issued the order.

Upon hearing this, Vice General Chen Deng shouted loudly and took the lead, leading the vanguard left battalion in a charge.

Holding a long sword, he charged towards the city wall like a black lightning bolt.

Jiang Chuan and Mu Chen followed closely behind. The three of them rode their warhorses, charging recklessly all the way up to the top of the Weicheng city wall.

On the city wall, Chen Deng and Xing Jin, He Zongzheng's pageboy, met unexpectedly. Although Xing Jin was young, his eyes revealed a fierce determination. He brandished his long sword and attacked Chen Deng.

Undeterred, Chen Deng brandished his longsword, creating a sharp gust of wind as he engaged in a fierce battle with Xing Jin.

Jiang Chuan and Mu Chen, like tigers among sheep, charged into the ranks of the Weicheng garrison.

Jiang Chuan, having just broken through to the Zhiwei realm, had a surge of true energy within his body. He brandished his longsword, unleashing a torrent of sword energy. Each strike of sword energy claimed the lives of several guards.

His figure moved freely across the battlefield, like a ghost, leaving behind screams and blood wherever he went.

Mu Chen was not to be outdone. He wielded his spear, creating a dazzling display of power, and repelled the approaching guards one by one.

On the battlefield, the two seemed to be engaged in a unique "competition," each displaying their strength to the fullest.

However, the situation on the battlefield is always changing rapidly. Standing on the city wall, He Zongzheng looked at the situation outside the city and knew in his heart that the outer city could no longer be defended.

A flicker of despair crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He knew that reinforcements from Handan would not arrive, and the situation had now reversed.

"Retreat! Retreat to the inner city and hold your position!" He Zongzheng shouted the order. Following his command, the Weicheng garrison began to retreat in an orderly fashion towards the inner city.

At this moment, the battle between Chen Deng and Xing Jin was also coming to an end. In the fierce confrontation with Chen Deng, Xing Jin gradually lost ground.

Chen Deng seized the opportunity, swung his long sword, and a cold light flashed. Xing Jin was unable to dodge in time and was hit by Chen Deng, falling towards the bottom of the city wall.

Upon seeing this, He Zongzheng's personal guards surrounded him, protecting him behind them, and engaged in a fierce battle with Chen Deng.

They knew that their duty at this moment was to protect their commander and ensure his safe retreat.

As the outer city of Weicheng fell, a soldier from the Heyang army quickly raised the commander's flag on the city wall.

The fluttering banner symbolized the Heyang army's achievement of a phased victory here.

However, everyone knew that the battle was far from over. The defenders of the inner city remained tenacious, holding out with their strong walls and ample defenses.

Zhao Dun stood at a distance, gazing at the inner city, a resolute glint in his eyes. Unwilling to wait, he gave another order: "Continue the attack! Take Weicheng in one fell swoop!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Chen immediately led more than two hundred soldiers straight to the gate of Weicheng.

Their objective was to open a road to the inner city, creating conditions for a subsequent attack.

Mu Chen rode his warhorse at the forefront, his eyes resolute and full of fighting spirit.

However, just as he rushed down the city wall, an unexpected change occurred.

An assassin suddenly appeared out of nowhere, like a black shadow, and pounced on Mu Chen. The assassin was extremely fast, and before Mu Chen could react, he was knocked off his horse.

Immediately afterwards, the assassin plunged the poisoned dagger into Mu Chen's abdomen.

"Mu Chen!" Jiang Chuan was shocked when he saw this scene from a short distance away. He rushed towards Mu Chen without hesitation.

When he arrived, he saw that Mu Chen's face was pale and the blood flowing from his wound had turned black, indicating that he had been poisoned.

At this moment, the gatekeepers of Weicheng, led by a giant-like strongman, launched a final charge towards Jiang Chuan and Mu Chen.

The strongman was nearly two meters tall and wielded a huge spiked club. Each swing of the club created a whistling sound that chilled the air.

Under his leadership, fifty soldiers from Weicheng shouted and charged toward the Heyang army.

At the same time, He Zongzheng stood on the inner city wall, looking at the situation outside the city, and a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart.

He immediately ordered the archers in the inner city to fire a rain of arrows at the Heyang army.

In an instant, countless arrows rained down on the Heyang army, and the soldiers fell to the ground one after another, suffering heavy casualties.

Standing on the chaotic battlefield, Jiang Chuan knew that there were still assassins hiding in the shadows, and the situation was extremely critical.

He looked at the injured Mu Chen, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"Listen up, everyone! Protect Mu Chen and retreat first!" Jiang Chuan shouted.

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of the Heyang Army surrounded Mu Chen, protecting him in the middle, and began to retreat to the rear.

Jiang Chuan, alone, stood facing the fifty Weicheng soldiers led by Li Shi, wielding a long sword.

He took a deep breath, circulating his inner energy; the powerful force of the Zhiwei Realm surged within him. At this moment, he was like a war god descending, utterly fearless despite being alone. (End of Chapter)