Chapter 802: You Came Here Using a Counterintelligence Plot

Tengyuan Liangxin's pupils contracted sharply, and he lunged a step toward the parapet, his face turning iron‑blue.

No! Weren't they supposed to withdraw the troops?

Otherwise, how do we explain those herbs from yesterday and the soldiers shuttling back and forth?

It's clearly a sign of poisoning!

Anbei Taixin glanced at him, and his face turned as pallid as paper in an instant.

Yitian Jianliang raised his hand and pointed at the looming black formation, "Lord Tengyuan, open your eyes and see—does the enemy army look like they're withdrawing?"

Song Yong Zhenjiu spoke slowly and coldly, "Master Anbei, it seems this time you truly falsified the battle report again."

Yuan Guangyi barked harshly, "Silence!"

Everyone's heart leapt, and they dared not speak again.

Yuan Guangyi silently looked at Tengyuan Liangxin and Anbei Taixin, his gaze more mortifying than any scolding.

Tengyuan Liangxin inhaled deeply, bowed, and said, "General, do not be hasty; even if they truly gamble everything, the commander's death would not cause a withdrawal."

"I have already arranged how to defend the city."

"But in my view, the enemy is merely bluffing. If Prince Ning were still alive, why has he not shown himself yet?"

"They merely intend to rely on their numbers to force a strong attack on Kamakura."

Anbei Taixin felt slightly steadied by the words.

The ministers exchanged glances, all thinking that Tengyuan Liangxin's words indeed held some merit.

Even Yuan Guangyi's expression softened considerably: "Lord Tengyuan's words are not without…"

At that moment,

The army below the city halted fifty paces from the gate.

A jet‑black warhorse slowly emerged from the formation to the front.

Xiao Yuanhang wore dark armor, brandished a Dragon Chant Spear, sat upright on the horse, and the spear tip glimmered with a cold, sharp light in the morning sun.

He halted his horse, lifted his head, and his gaze swept toward the city walls.

"Guardians on the wall, listen!" he shouted loudly, "I am the Fierce Kingdom's Prince Ning, Xiao Yuanhang!"

"Today the troops stand before the city; I speak first."

"Those who lay down their weapons and surrender shall be spared death!"

"Resisters shall be killed without mercy!"

A dead silence fell over the ramparts.

Xiao Yuanhang lifted the Dragon Chant Spear high, its tip moving slowly to point at Tengyuan Liangxin.

"Tengyuan Liangxin!"

His voice deepened abruptly: "You in Goryeo have willfully slaughtered innocent civilians, sparing neither old nor young, men nor women! Truly a height of cruelty!"

"The blood debts you owe, today I, the king, will reclaim them for them!"

Tengyuan Liangxin's facial flesh twitched a few times.

"This one," Xiao Yuanhang's spear tip shifted toward Yuan Guangyi, "must be the Conquering Great General."

Yuan Guangyi wore a composed face and said nothing.

Xiao Yuanhang's mind raced; he hadn't expected the general to be there, but that was fine.

He raised his voice: "You once sent the high monk Ciyuan to our forces, saying you would deliver Tengyuan Liangxin's head in exchange for my withdrawal from East Japan."

At these words, every minister on the ramparts turned their gazes sharply toward Yuan Guangyi.

Yuan Guangyi's face tightened instantly.

Fine, Prince Ning, you're about to start the battle, and you come here using a counter‑intelligence plot?

The ministers exchanged glances, realizing that Ciyuan was merely a high monk who never meddled in politics; how could the Fierce Kingdom's Prince Ning know of him?

Since he could name Ciyuan, the matter must be genuine.

Yitian Jianliang slowly closed his eyes; the general's action was indeed unbecoming.

Song Yong Zhenjiu curled the corner of his mouth, gave Tengyuan Liangxin a sideways glance, "Do you think the general values you that much?"

Ha ha, you are merely a pawn in his hand!

Anbei Taixin's face was full of disbelief.

Tengyuan Liangxin's face flashed black then white, his back chilled.

He lowered his eyelids, neither daring to read Yuan Guangyi's expression nor to meet the eyes of his surrounding comrades.

He stared rigidly at his own feet, fists clenched.

Xiao Yuanhang continued shouting, "Ciyuan's words are not without reason; I truly do not wish to see living beings burned."

But—"his face darkened—"the Goryeo people will not consent, nor will the souls of those who perished in the ten‑thousand‑person pit!

His spear tip pointed again at Tengyuan Liangxin: "I will capture you alive!"

Then he swept his long spear: "Heavenly Fire Tube!"

Yuan Guangyi seized Tengyuan Liangxin's hand: "Lord Tengyuan, do not trust Prince Ning's words; you must hold Kamakura City!"

Tengyuan Liangxin swallowed his humiliation, gritted his teeth: "Yes! I obey!"

He suddenly turned, gently shaking off Yuan Guangyi's hand: "Wu Tian Xinsheng!"

"Here!" In the young warrior's eyes there was no fear, only a scorching battle spirit.

"Quickly gather five thousand cavalry and stand ready inside the gate!"

"Without my command, not a single soldier may leave the city!"

"Understood!" Wu Tian Xinsheng turned and left.

"Archers and crossbowmen!" Tengyuan Liangxin's voice rose, "All take positions!"

"Roll the logs and stones, prepare! Light the fire oil! Quickly!"

"Yes!"

All arrangements finished, Fujiwara Liangxin then faced Yuan Guangyi Xing and saluted, "Please, General, return to the residence first; I shall definitely hold Kamakura to the death!"

"Good! Good! As expected, you truly are Lord Fujiwara!" Yuan Guangyi said approvingly.

Then he turned to Anbei Taicheng: "Lord Anbei, stay to assist Lord Fujiwara."

Anbei Taicheng was startled, then could only salute and say, "I accept the order."

Yuan Guangyi led the ministers and turned to walk toward the base of the city wall.

The city wall became bustling in an instant.

The archers leaned out from the battlements, drew their great bows fully, and the Arrow tips pointed straight toward outside the city.

The soldiers rolled massive logs, shaking the battlements so that debris fell rustling.

Outside the city, dozens of Heaven Fire Tubes were lifted to the front line, lined up, their dark copper mouths all facing the city gate.

Xiao Yuanhang gave a command: "All Heaven Fire Tubes, aim at the city gate, ignite!"

"Yes!"

The soldiers holding torches brought the flames to the copper mouths, and those gripping the handles pressed down with all their might.

Dozens of scorching flame pillars roared out from the copper mouths, like dozens of fire dragons simultaneously lunging at the city gate.

When the raging flame struck the door panel, the heavy Wooden door sheathed in iron sheet emitted a harsh cracking sound.

Flame tongues raced up crazily along the door panel.

Heat waves rolled, and the soldiers above the gate could not endure, retreating in droves.

Fujiwara Liangxin glanced at the blaze; it was so fierce that extinguishing was impossible, so he ordered, "Withdraw to the sides!"

"Yes!"

Those soldiers hurried to the flanks.

"Again!" Xiao Yuanhang issued another command.

Another wave of fire dragons surged forward.

The iron bars on the city gate began to glow red, and the door panel creaked under the unbearable heat of the flames.

Several charred wood pieces peeled off the door, striking the ground and scattering sparks.

Thick smoke billowed upward, obscuring half of the city wall.

The soldiers on the wall top were choked, coughing violently; some even leaned over the battlements and dry‑vomited.

Fujiwara Liangxin covered his mouth and nose, "Everyone retreat!"

"Put down the bows and Arrow! We can't hit now; wait until they get closer before climbing the battlements!"

"Yes!" All the soldiers rolled and crawled back to the inside of the city wall.

"Again!" another command rang out.

The third wave of fire dragons roared out.

After burning for as long as an incense stick, the city gate finally could not hold, emitting an earth‑shaking roar, cracking in the middle and collapsing thunderously to both sides.

The burning splintered wood scattered and flew.

But the next moment, the Fierce Nation's generals looked inside the gate and were all stunned.