Chapter 112: Strange Horn Sound

They wore black armor, obviously a well-trained elite unit.

"Boss, they seem to have no siege equipment."

Xiong Kuohai stood beside Jiang Xiaomu, his tone filled with doubt.

"Without siege equipment, yet they dare to penetrate deep alone—this bodes ill."

Jiang Xiaomu pondered for a moment and said:

"It seems their goal is not to besiege the city, but..."

His gaze suddenly fell on the recently reclaimed wasteland not far outside the city and the piles of fodder stacked like mountains.

"A feint to the east, attack to the west—their target is the fodder!"

Thinking this, Jiang Xiaomu couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.

If the fodder is destroyed, Wangjiang Cheng will fall into a greater crisis, the consequences unimaginable.

"Pass the order down, archers prepare!"

Jiang Xiaomu gave the order decisively.

"But boss," Xiong Kuohai hesitated a little.

"We can't worry about that much!"

Jiang Xiaomu said firmly:

"We can't just wait for death; we must take the initiative and protect the fodder!"

"Yes!"

Xiong Kuohai hesitated no longer and immediately relayed the order.

The archers on the city wall nocked their bows, aiming at the enemy rapidly approaching.

"Release arrows!"

With Jiang Xiaomu's command, a sky-full of arrow rain like locusts flew toward the enemy.

However, the enemy seemed to have been prepared.

As the arrow rain came, they quickly dispersed and used shields to protect vital points.

Although the arrow rain caused some casualties, it failed to halt the enemy's advance.

"Damn it!"

Jiang Xiaomu cursed silently; he hadn't expected the enemy's reaction to be so swift.

At that moment, a cold arrow whistled through the air, heading straight for Jiang Xiaomu's face.

"Boss, be careful!"

Xiong Kuohai, quick-eyed and quick-handed, shoved Jiang Xiaomu aside.

The cold arrow grazed Jiang Xiaomu's cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.

Although he dodged the fatal blow, the toxin on the arrow instantly entered his body.

"Ugh..."

Jiang Xiaomu felt a wave of intense pain, his vision darkened, and he nearly collapsed.

"Boss, how are you?"

Xiong Kuohai anxiously supported Jiang Xiaomu.

"I... I've been poisoned..."

Jiang Xiaomu gritted his teeth, enduring the pain as he spoke.

The system's cold voice sounded again:

【Warning! Host has been poisoned】

【The toxin is spreading rapidly; please take an antidote immediately!】

Jiang Xiaomu gave a wry smile; where would he get an antidote now?

"Xiong Kuohai, immediately lead the City Guard Team to retreat and protect the townspeople!"

Jiang Xiaomu said, using his last bit of strength:

"Remember, you must protect the fodder at all costs!"

"Boss, I won't leave! If we die, we die together!"

Xiong Kuohai's eyes were red, he spoke through sobs.

"Carry out the order!" Jiang Xiaomu roared:

"This is my final order!"

Xiong Kuohai knelt on the ground, tears streaming, and cried out in grief: "Yes!"

Jiang Xiaomu watched Xiong Kuohai's retreating back, a bitter smile touching his lips.

It seems I may truly meet my end here this time.

However, just as he was about to give up resistance and prepare for death, something incredible happened.

The cavalry outside the city, which had been mighty, retreated like a tide.

"What's going on?"

Jiang Xiaomu forced his heavy eyelids open, straining to see what lay before him.

Could reinforcements have arrived?

But Wangjiang Cheng is isolated and helpless; how could reinforcements arrive?

"System..."

He used his last strength to silently chant in his heart.

"Detoxify... detoxify..."

His gaze jumped on the screen.

Finally, he found an inconspicuous icon in the corner—"Hundred Herbs Detox Pill."

"That's it!"

Jiang Xiaomu felt a joy and clicked to buy without hesitation.

A green pill appeared in his hand, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

He didn't have time to think, and directly swallowed the pill.

A cool sensation instantly spread through his body, the severe pain gradually subsided, and his blurred vision began to clear.

"Effective!"

Jiang Xiaomu secretly rejoiced, it seemed he had temporarily escaped danger.

However, the toxin's toll on his body was too great; he could no longer hold on, his vision went black, and he completely lost consciousness.

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Xiaomu slowly opened his eyes.

He found himself lying on a soft bed, covered with a thick quilt.

"Brother, you're awake!"

A clear voice sounded in his ear.

Jiang Xiaomu turned his head and saw his sister Jiang Xiaoyu sitting by the bedside, looking at him with concern.

"Xiao Yu..." Jiang Xiaomu's voice was a little hoarse.

"What happened to me?"

"Brother, you were poisoned! It was Xiong Dage who carried you back."

Jiang Xiaoyu's eye sockets were somewhat red and swollen, obviously she had been crying.

"How long was I unconscious?"

"Two days and two nights."

"What about the enemy?"

Jiang Xiaomu struggled to sit up.

"They... they withdrew their troops."

Jiang Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment, then said.

"They retreated?" Jiang Xiaomu was somewhat doubtful.

"Why?"

"I don't know; Xiong Dage said that at the time a strange horn sounded, and then they withdrew."

Jiang Xiaomu fell into contemplation.

The enemy's behavior was truly strange; they were about to breach the city gate, yet suddenly withdrew—there must be some reason.

"Brother, are you hungry? I'll go get you something to eat."

Jiang Xiaoyu said this, got up, and left the room.

Soon Jiang Xiaoyu came in holding a steaming bowl of porridge; seeing Jiang Xiaomu already sitting up, she showed a delighted smile.

"Brother, how do you feel?"

"Much better, thank you, Xiao Yu."

Jiang Xiaomu took the porridge bowl and began to drink slowly.

"Brother, you must be careful from now on; I can't be without you."

Jiang Xiaoyu said, choking up.

Jiang Xiaomu looked at his sister's worried gaze, gently stroked her head, and said softly:

"Don't worry, Xiao Yu, I'll be fine."

"I will protect you, protect Wangjiang Cheng."

"Brother, drink slowly, be careful not to burn yourself."

Jiang Xiaoyu looked at Jiang Xiaomu with concern, her eyes full of heartache.

Jiang Xiaomu finished the porridge, feeling his body recover considerably, though still somewhat weak.

He was about to ask about the enemy situation outside the city when the door was pushed open with a creak.

Xiong Kuohai strode in, seeing Jiang Xiaomu already awake, he showed a simple, honest smile and said:

"Boss, you're awake! How do you feel?"

"Much better."

Jiang Xiaomu nodded.

"This time I owe it to you for carrying me back."

"Of course, boss!"

Xiong Kuohai scratched his head.

"The medicine prescribed by the doctor, I've had the kitchen decoct it; it'll be ready soon."

He paused, then took out a peculiarly shaped curved sword from behind him and handed it to Jiang Xiaomu.

"Boss, we found this when cleaning up the battlefield; we've never seen such a weapon, so we kept it."

Jiang Xiaomu took the curved sword and examined it carefully.

The blade of this sword has a strange curvature, and the edge is extremely sharp.

The hilt is carved with a lifelike eagle head, full of Western Regions style.

He turned it over and over for a long time, but still couldn't figure out its purpose.