"Push forward men! Hold your positions," Ju Rong roared over the shouts of the soldiers and the clang of armour and weapons that marked the sound of battle.
Bai Li's army surged forward. The rhythmic stomp of their boots echoed through the palace, interspersed with the cries of the wounded.
The shield wall held, pressing Prince Haoran's men backwards, as the Emperor's army marched on, unyielding, towards his throne room.
The defenders fought fiercely in return, and arrows rained down upon Bai Li's forces.
"Shield roof!" yelled Lieutenant Ju.
The soldiers' shields now formed a wall pressing forward, as well as a protective roof above the rows of men, and the arrows bounced harmlessly away.
These soldiers were hardened by their skirmishes in the north and trained within an inch of their lives. In comparison, Haoran's men were disorderly and amateur. They had been trained in secret and had never seen battle, so they were as green as clover.
