Chapter 405: Fenglin City, Holding for Half a Year Is No Problem

Fenglin City was immersed in moonless gloom, even the stars were hidden behind thick clouds.

All that could be seen was a darkness as dense as ink.

One side clung to a weeping great river, its water sound mingling with the night wind, while the other three walls stretched across like the back of a colossal beast.

The Tongtian Association banner planted on the rampart drooped, and the night‑watch Liuren soldiers clutched their spears, huddling beneath the parapet.

Some were drowsy, others muttered idle chatter in broken sentences.

Shadows at the base of the wall were even darker than the night, dozens of hunched black shapes scurrying along the wall base, moving as lightly as cats.

They half‑knelt on the ground, their short spades lifting and dropping silently, burying each oil‑cloth‑wrapped round object into the soft earth.

The Fenglin City magistrate office, once the place for officials to conduct affairs, has now become the headquarters of the Tongtian Association rebels.

A corner of the plaque on the Zhuqi Daimen was chiseled away, replaced with a rough Wooden Plaque crudely engraved with the two characters "Tongtian."

The lanterns hanging under the eaves swayed left and right in the night wind, casting mottled wall shadows across the courtyard.

Passing through the front courtyard, the former Zheng Hall office was now brightly lit.

Eight large candles were arranged on both sides; their flames leapt, illuminating every beam of the roof and the remaining fragments of official documents on the walls in fine detail.

Mu Rong Su Xue, dressed in a scarlet battle outfit with a black jade belt at her waist, unconsciously brushed the copper‑stamped paper on the desk edge, and said in a deep voice, "According to the reports, Chen Yan's great army has already entered Fuhan....."

Her brows were twisted into a river‑shaped line, exuding the weight of a storm about to break.

After all, Fuhan lay only a hundred li from Fenglin; the great battle was about to erupt.....

And this was Mu Rong Su Xue's first time facing Chen Yan, who had previously dealt a heavy blow to the Tongtian Association, in direct combat!

On the chair to the left of the main seat, Mu Rong Ying, clad in sleek dark‑purple armor, nodded at the words, her voice crisp yet steady: "At Chen Yan's marching speed, he should arrive in a few days; we'll have Fenglin City under our feet!"

Mu Rong Su Xue's gaze turned to Tang Zizhan on the right, his previously solemn expression gaining a sharper edge.

She sat up slightly, lifted her right hand from the copper‑stamped paper, pointed outward, and commanded with a thud, "Zizhan, you shall again assign people to take turns patrolling the three walls!"

"Do not slack off, and never be careless!"

This battle concerns the future of the Tongtian Association; we must stand ready.

Because of Fenglin's terrain, they only need to defend three sides, allowing them to concentrate forces even more.....

However, Mu Rong Su Xue also knew that the Liuren army's discipline was a serious problem; left unwatched, they would become sluggish, so constant urging was required!

Tang Zizhan heard this, his dark face showing no hesitation, and he immediately gave a firm nod, replying in a resonant voice, "As you command!"

He leaned forward slightly, hands resting on his knees, his tone respectful yet steady: "Shuyi will divide them into batches; day or night, someone will patrol....."

He paused, then continued, "Shuyi will also inspect at any time!"

Mu Rong Su Xue seemed to recall something, a flash of cold light in her eyes, and her previously steady tone rose sharply, with decisive force: "We must strictly guard against a night raid by Chen Yan!"

As she spoke, she slammed the chair back hard, causing the candle flames to quake violently, rendering the lines on her face even colder.

Night is when people are most prone to laxity.....

Those who understand warfare often choose this as a breakthrough, catching the city's defenders off guard!

Especially when facing a fortified city....

One must be doubly cautious!

Tang Zizhan instantly rose, clasped his fists and bowed, saying in a deep voice, "Shuyi understands!"

Mu Rong Su Xue gave a slight nod, her gaze still as sharp as a blade, leaning forward again, she added word by word, "Remember, no matter how Chen Yan assaults the city or shouts from outside, we will hold firm and not step out!"

Carry out the single word: 'drag'!

As long as there are no internal issues, with Fenglin's solid defenses, the stockpiled Provisions inside the city, and the nearby great river providing ample water, holding for half a year is no problem!

Before the Tuyu Hun army arrives, there will be no opportunity for Chen Yan to exploit!

Mu Rong Ying suddenly lifted her eyes; a flash of ferocity crossed her otherwise delicate brows, and her slender finger struck the knee‑plate Armor with a heavy knock, producing a crisp "dang" sound.

She leaned forward, her voice bright yet wrapped in biting cold, adding with murderous resolve, "Anyone who goes out to fight without permission, be they officer or soldier, shall be beheaded!"

Finishing, she placed her hand on the hilt at her waist, her knuckles whitening from the pressure, her gaze sweeping the night outside as if already bringing any disobedient figures under her blade.

In such extraordinary times, heavy penalties must be applied.

"Yes!" Tang Zizhan replied.

Mu Rong Su Xue's gaze fell on Mu Rong Ying's sharp‑edged face; her eyes softened slightly yet still held resolve: "Ying'er, send more envoys to deliver a message to the Crown Prince of Tuyu Hun!"

Then, leaning back slightly, she ran her fingers lightly over the chair back and said in a deep tone, "Ask them to come to Fenglin at once for a joint siege!"

On the battlefield, opportunities shift in an instant; this matter must not be delayed.....

It would be ideal for the Crown Prince of Tuyu Hun to, after Chen Yan's three‑sided assault leaves him exhausted in a day, lead a massive force there and wipe out the Zhou Army without leaving a single piece of armor.

Mu Rong Ying, aware of the importance, nodded vigorously and said, "As you command!"

At that moment, the weight in her eyes eased a bit, a sly playful glint appearing, and a faint curve formed at the corner of her mouth: "Mother, I have a small request....."

Mu Rong Su Xue, seeing her sudden change, raised an eyebrow, glanced at her, waved a hand, and said, "Speak!" with a hint of impatience yet underlying indulgence.

Mu Rong Ying rose, the curve at her mouth growing more flamboyant, her previously heroic brows now tinged with allure as she stepped forward two paces, her tone softening yet betraying greed: "If we capture Chen Yan alive, Mother, please award him to me....."

Finishing, she brushed aside the stray hairs at her temples, her eyes flashing with unabashed desire: "Daughter truly wants to see how this famed Duke of Wei, Chen Yan, looks as a handsome man!"

Among the common folk, the Duke of Wei Chen Yan is being praised to the heavens.....

They say he is only eighteen, with a face like a crowned jade, eyes like bright stars, overflowing talent, a brilliant commander in battle.....

Mu Rong Ying truly wishes to taste the flavor of such a man!

Mu Rong Su Xue looked at her daughter's eager eyes, first shaking her head helplessly, then a knowing smile curled her mouth as she slowly nodded, "Fine! If you truly can capture him alive, it's yours!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, the indulgence in her eyes faded, leaving only a dense, inescapable calculation, she leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice, "Ying'er, if you can subdue him, that would be best......"

Even though the two sides stand opposed, Mu Rong Su Xue holds great admiration and recognition for Chen Yan's abilities.....

Such a prodigy, if harnessed, would add wings to our great undertaking, bringing immense benefit!

Mu Rong Ying, hearing this, lifted the corners of her eyes slightly, her previously heroic brows now cloaked in a soul‑capturing charm, she brushed her hand over her temples, fingertips exuding a lazy allure.

Then, she straightened her back, the slyness in her eyes turning into determined resolve, her voice bright yet laced with seductive intent: "Mother, rest assured, I will make him bow at my feet....."

Isn't putting a man to sleep already difficult?

Tang Zizhan stood nearby with his hands hanging, his gaze involuntarily glued to Murong Ying.

The flirtatious words that had just fallen into his ears, and seeing the charm in her shifting gaze, the dark‑purple armor outlining her slender yet still sturdy figure…

His Adam's apple rolled up and down sharply, he swallowed hard, and even his lower molars tightened.

Tang Zizhan quickly lowered his head, pretending to adjust the sheath at his waist, but the corner of his eye still stole glances—

The armor, normally cold and rigid, on her seemed to accentuate her waist as if it could be grasped, and even the faint scrape when she turned sounded like it was tugging at one's heart.

Tang Zizhan had followed Murong Su Xue for years, watching the young lady grow from a yellow‑haired girl into this form, and had long harbored secret desire, but the Duke's authority restrained him from showing even a hint of thought.

Just now, hearing her repeatedly say she would "take down" the Duke of Wei, that determined flirtatious demeanor made his heart itch and ache, as if ants were crawling.

"Miss, such a captivating figure…"

"What a bargain for Chen Yan!"

Tang Zizhan sighed inwardly, his knuckles unconsciously gripping the hilt at his waist, his fingertips sliding over the rough wooden sheath.

Just then, a booming "Boom—!" erupted suddenly from the direction of the city wall.

The shock tilted the candles inside the hall sharply to one side, and a few wicks "crackled" as they fell.

Before anyone could react, a continuous barrage of "Boom—Boom—! Boom—Boom—!" rang out, like thunder exploding beside their ears.

Every beam and pillar of the entire magistrate's office buzzed with vibration.

Dust rattled down from the roof, grain sacks on the ground rolled far away, and even the teacups on the tables clanged chaotically.

The ground beneath his feet subtly undulated, as if a giant beast were shifting underground; standing, Tang Zizhan, eyes glazed and daydreaming, staggered, quickly reaching to grab a table corner to steady himself.

Murong Su Xue sprang up from her chair, her spine straightened beneath the scarlet armor, the composure on her face instantly replaced by astonishment.

She stared fixedly at the flickering candles, then tilted her ear to the continuous roar outside the window, and asked sharply, "What is that noise!"

"What happened outside?"

Before the words left her mouth, another shower of dust fell from the roof, clouding her eyes.

Murong Su Xue waved her hand away, yet her heart felt as if clenched by an icy hand.

That thunder‑like sound, dense and fierce, was certainly no ordinary accident.

A strong unease crawled up her spine, making even her fingertips tingle with cold.

Tang Zizhan immediately clasped his fists and said, "Shuyi, I'll go investigate right now!"

The words barely left his mouth before he turned and strode toward the doorway.

But as soon as the cotton curtain at the hall's entrance was pulled aside, a figure staggered in: Han Bingzhu, his armor caked in dust, helmet askew, face full of panic; he entered with a "Splash" and almost fell, rolling and crawling into the hall, hoarsely shouting, "Duke, something terrible!"

"Zhou Army is attacking…"

His chest heaved violently as he pointed toward Outside City, his voice trembling, his eyes filled with incredulous shock: "The wall… the wall has collapsed!"

Just before, Han Bingzhu had been leaning on the railing of the watchtower inside the city, idly twirling a half‑length grass staff, glancing intermittently at the pitch‑black night outside.

Suddenly, a "Boom" erupted from beneath the wall's base, shaking the watchtower's wooden framework violently.

Han Bingzhu's grass staff "clacked" onto the ground, and he lunged to the railing's edge to look down…

He saw a column of smoke and dust rising from the wall's base, flames wrapping the broken stones as they surged upward.

The once‑solid wall looked as if it had been split by a giant axe.

It collapsed with a "crash", and in an instant a large section was missing, revealing a pitch‑black gap.

Murong Su Xue's pupils suddenly contracted, as if she hadn't heard Han Bingzhu clearly, and she stepped forward sharply.

Her voice rose sharply, a tearing sharpness, her eyes filled with incredulous ferocity and panic: "What did you say!"

"The wall… the wall has collapsed!"

Han Bingzhu gesticulated wildly, as if describing a terrifying scene, and repeated again: "It collapsed into a heap of rubble, as if it had never existed…"

If it weren't seen with one's own eyes, even beating him to death wouldn't make him believe that the wall could collapse like this…

Tang Zizhan stood aside, cold sweat "splash" spreading across his forehead, dripping down his cheek to soak his collar, his brows twisted into a knot, his mind a raging sea of turmoil: "All this time, I've overseen countless reinforcements of the wall—how could it collapse?"

Tang Zizhan could confirm that during the reinforcement process he had been watching the whole time, leaving no room for even a hint of shoddy work…

Murong Ying staggered back half a step, hurriedly grabbing the table edge to steady herself; her delicate brows knit, eyes full of unsettled astonishment, muttering, "Could Chen Yan really know some kind of sorcery?!"

They had been fighting the Boohan for so long, and had never encountered such an exaggerated situation…

Why would a perfectly fine wall collapse like this?

Unthinkable!

Murong Su Xue inhaled deeply, the panic in her eyes instantly replaced by ferocity; she straightened, the scarlet armor glinting coldly in the candlelight, her aura suddenly sharpening: "Bring me my sword!"

"I will personally retake the fallen city gate and drive the Zhou Army out of Fenglin!"