I walk sideways in the game world

Night falls over the main city. Lanterns lining the streets emit a soft glow, casting a warm hue on the bluestone pavement. The air is filled with the faint fragrance of osmanthus flowers, blending with the distant cries of vendors, creating a tranquil and peaceful night scene.

Ren Xiaoyao and Xia Lin walked side by side on the street, enjoying this rare tranquility. They didn't speak, just silently feeling each other's presence. Xia Lin's hand gently held Ren Xiaoyao's arm, her fingertips occasionally unconsciously stroking his sleeve, as if trying to grasp this moment of peace.

"Xiaoyao..." Xia Lin called softly, breaking the silence between the two.

"What's wrong?" Ren Xiaoyao lowered his head and looked at Xia Lin gently.

"Nothing, I just feel... this is really nice." Charlene raised her head, her gaze sweeping across the bustling crowd around her, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. "Even though the decisive battle is tomorrow, right now, we can still enjoy this moment of peace and quiet like ordinary people."

Ren Xiaoyao didn't say anything, but gently held Xia Lin's hand and hugged her tighter. He knew that Xia Lin was filled with worry and anxiety, but all he could do was give her strength and let her know that no matter what happened, he would be by her side.

Atop the towering city walls in the distance, Elder Feng sat alone, cross-legged, facing the gentle night breeze, his eyes closed, meditating. His hair and beard were white, his face marked by the traces of time, but his eyes shone brightly, as if imbued with boundless wisdom and strength. Elder Feng was the last bulwark protecting the main city and Ren Xiaoyao's staunchest supporter. He knew that this decisive battle depended on the fate of the entire world, and he was prepared to sacrifice everything for it.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The dull sound of drums came from the city wall, breaking the tranquility of the night. It was the soldiers on patrol, reminding everyone that war was coming.

Beneath the city wall, a group of soldiers sat around a campfire, conversing in low voices. Among them, a burly, bearded middle-aged man spoke vividly, occasionally drawing laughter from the surrounding soldiers. He was the renowned Horse King, and one of Ren Xiaoyao's most trusted forces in this decisive battle...

"Do you know? Back then, I..." Lord Ma was so excited that he took a gulp of liquor and was about to continue telling about his "heroic deeds" when he was interrupted by a voice behind him.

"Lord Horse, it's time to rest."

"Lord Ma, it's time to rest." The speaker was a dashing woman in silver armor. She was none other than the current emperor's younger sister, Princess Xu. Though a member of the royal family, she was not the least bit squeamish. Years of martial arts training radiated an air of female prowess that rivaled that of men.

Prince Ma reluctantly put down the wine jar and chuckled, "Princess Xu is right. We should conserve our energy so we can strike big tomorrow!" He then patted the shoulder of a young soldier beside him, "Boy, don't embarrass me tomorrow! Show those guys how powerful we are!"

"Yes! Lord Horse!" The young soldier, moved by Lord Horse's aura, stood up excitedly and shouted in response. The other soldiers echoed him, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Princess Xu looked at the soldiers, their morale high, nodded with satisfaction, and turned to blend into the night. She hurried across the street, heading towards the palace. The palace was brightly lit, forming a stark contrast to the tranquility outside. Princess Xu hurriedly passed through the layers of palaces and finally arrived outside the imperial study.

"Brother Your Majesty, I request to see you." Princess Xu said respectfully.

"Come in." A majestic voice came from the study.

Princess Xu pushed the door open and walked in, only to see the current emperor bent over his desk reviewing memorials with a furrowed brow, obviously troubled by something.

"Brother Emperor, are you still worried about tomorrow's decisive battle?" Princess Xu asked softly.

"Yes," His Majesty put down the red brush in his hand and rubbed his brow. "Although Prince Xiaoyao is extremely talented, he is still young after all. This time he is facing an unprecedentedly powerful enemy. I am truly worried."

"My royal brother, don't worry too much," Princess Xu walked behind His Majesty and gently massaged his shoulders. "Prince Xiaoyao is a master strategist and can win battles from afar. With the help of Elder Feng, Lord Ma, and others, we will definitely win this battle!"

The emperor nodded slightly, a firm look flashing in his eyes. "You are right. We cannot lose our composure. Send down the order to mobilize all food, fodder, and weapons to fully support King Xiaoyao!"

"Your Majesty, I obey your command!" Princess Xu took the order and left with firm and powerful steps.

As the night deepened, the main city gradually returned to tranquility. Only the lights on the city walls were still flickering, like a pair of eyes in the darkness, vigilantly watching the distance. Ren Xiaoyao returned to the command post and carefully studied the map and tactics of the decisive battle, not missing any details. On the table, an oil lamp emitted a dim light, reflecting his angular face, and also reflecting the light of determination flickering in his eyes... "Pass the order down..." Ren Xiaoyao's voice was low and firm, echoing in the silent room. Ren Xiaoyao returned to the command post, took off his cloak, and threw it on the table. The bronze map came into view. He rubbed his tired eyes, slowly spread out the map, and in the flickering candlelight, carefully studied the terrain and tactics of the decisive battle. His fingers moved along the outlined mountains, rivers, and did not miss any details.

There was a gentle knock on the door, and Charlene walked in carrying a tray. On the tray, a bowl of steaming chicken soup exuded an enticing aroma, and several delicate side dishes were neatly arranged, making the place even more cozy under the dim light.

"Xiaoyao, haven't you rested yet? I asked the kitchen to make some of your favorite food." Xia Lin gently placed the tray on the corner of the table, with a hint of heartache in her tone.

Ren Xiaoyao raised his head and looked at the gentle woman in front of him, a tired smile on his face: "Thank you for your hard work, you are still busy so late."

Charlene walked up behind him, gently squeezed his shoulders, and said softly, "What nonsense! You've been working day and night for this war. I'm just doing the little things I can."

Ren Xiaoyao closed his eyes, savoring this moment of tranquility. Xia Lin's massage technique was skillful and gentle, seemingly able to dispel all his fatigue and stress. There were no excessive words between the two of them, only the sound of each other's breathing and heartbeats echoing in the silent room, their eyes filled with determination and trust.

After a simple midnight snack, Xia Lin cleared the table. Before leaving, she gave Ren Xiaoyao a deep look and said softly, "Go to bed early and get enough rest. You still have to lead everyone tomorrow..."

"Wait," Ren Xiaoyao stopped Xia Lin as she was about to leave. He pulled out an exquisite jade pendant from his pocket and said, "Take this, just in case."

Xia Lin took the jade pendant. It felt warm to the touch, and it was engraved with a lifelike phoenix pattern. She understood the importance of this jade pendant and nodded solemnly, "You too."

At this moment, a carrier pigeon fluttered its wings and landed on the windowsill. Ren Xiaoyao stood up and walked over to remove the letter tied to the pigeon's leg. When he unfolded it, his face instantly became solemn...

Ren Xiaoyao unfolded the letter, and in the dim candlelight, lines of elegant handwriting came into view. The letter, from the mysterious swordsman Elder Feng, was brief and to the point, yet like a stone, it stirred a thousand waves within Ren Xiaoyao's tranquil heart. The letter mentioned that the enemy leader, the "Blood Demon Ancestor," renowned for his brutality and bloodlust, practiced no ordinary martial arts, but rather an unholy art from ancient forbidden techniques. While this art possessed immense power, it also possessed a fatal weakness: a profound fear of the chilling aura emanating from a strange stone called "Mysterious Ice Jade."

After reading the letter, Ren Xiaoyao frowned, lost in thought. He knew that Elder Feng was often elusive, so he must have received reliable information by risking his life to deliver it. If he could exploit this secret and formulate a strategy targeting the Blood Demon Ancestor's weaknesses in the decisive battle, his chances of victory would undoubtedly increase significantly.

He quickly walked to the table, spread out the map, and carefully studied the topography, his mind constantly deducing various possibilities. Seeing this, Xia Lin knew that he had a new idea, so she didn't interrupt him. She just stood quietly by and ground the ink and added incense for him.

"Mysterious Ice Cold Jade..." Ren Xiaoyao muttered to himself, a flash of inspiration suddenly forming in his mind. He remembered that not far from the city, there was a place called "Cold Jade Valley," covered in ice and snow year-round. It was said to contain a vast reservoir of "Mysterious Ice Cold Jade." If someone could deliver this "Mysterious Ice Cold Jade" to the decisive battle site, it might be the key to turning the tide of the war.

Thinking of this, a gleam of light flashed in Ren Xiaoyao's eyes. He suddenly raised his head, looked at Xia Lin, and said in a deep voice: "Pass the order and summon all the generals to the meeting hall to discuss this matter tonight!"

Although Xia Lin didn't know what was going on, she could feel the solemnity in Ren Xiaoyao's tone. She didn't ask any more questions, but just nodded solemnly and turned to leave.

As the night deepened, the main city remained brightly lit, and a tense atmosphere of impending storm spread in the air...

"Report—" A blood-soaked scout stumbled into the meeting room, knelt on one knee, and said in a trembling voice: "My lord, the Iron Master... the Iron Master is under siege, and the situation is critical!"