Chapter 153: First Wave of Attack

Jiang Xiaomu stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance at the horizon.

The hot, dry air distorted the distant view, but the rolling yellow sand was clearly visible.

"It's much faster than expected."

Jiang Xiaomu lowered the telescope in his hand, his brows furrowed tightly.

This telescope was bought at a high price from Hawei, though it pained him,

but at this critical juncture, being able to anticipate the enemy's movements made the money worth it.

In less than three months, the barbarian army had already arrived at the city gates; this speed truly exceeded Jiang Xiaomu's expectations.

He had originally planned to buy at least three months' time to let Wangzhou City make full preparations.

But now it seems the time left for them is not much.

【System Alert: The barbarian army has stormed Falling Clouds Village; the host and others engage in battle.】

【The host, outnumbered, is surrounded; leading troops in a breakout attempt fails.】

【Falling Clouds Village is destroyed by catapults; the host dies in battle.】

【Wangzhou City is breached, its civilians massacred, and Jiang Xiaoyu dies in battle.】

The system's cold alert tone rang in Jiang Xiaomu's ears like a thunderclap, numbing his scalp.

"Died in battle? What a joke!"

He had painstakingly managed to gain a foothold in this chaotic world.

He hadn't even begun to enjoy wealth and honor before facing death?

No! He absolutely cannot die!

Falling Clouds Village was a small city he had painstakingly built, easy to defend but hard to attack.

Although it couldn't completely withstand the barbarian army's iron hooves, buying some time was still possible.

He had to buy time so that Lord Zhao could make final defensive preparations in Wangzhou City.

"Pass the order: prepare the entire army, march to Falling Clouds Village to meet the enemy!"

The battle at Falling Clouds Village was even more brutal than Jiang Xiaomu had imagined.

The barbarian army surged forward like a tide, wave after wave of attacks.

The catapult's massive stones, whistling through the air, smashed into the city walls, sending shards flying and dust everywhere.

Jiang Xiaomu led from the front, brandishing his saber, fighting bloody battles alongside the barbarian soldiers.

He calmly directed the troops, using Falling Clouds Village's terrain advantages and trap mechanisms to wear down the enemy's forces as much as possible.

"Kill! For the watchful state! For Great Qi!"

Jiang Xiaomu's roar echoed across the battlefield, boosting the soldiers' morale.

However, the barbarian army's numbers were simply too great; Falling Clouds Village's defenses were ultimately breached.

The walls collapsed, houses burned, and everywhere were the sounds of slaughter and anguished cries.

Jiang Xiaomu suffered severe injuries, his clothes stained red with blood.

He looked around at the fallen soldiers, his heart filled with anger.

"System, is there any way to turn the tide of battle?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked silently in his mind.

【System Alert: The host is detected to be in a life-or-death crisis.】

【Emergency Mission Activated: Defend Falling Clouds Village for three days. Reward: a random high-grade healing medicine.】

"Three days?" Jiang Xiaomu gave a wry smile; at the current situation, he feared they couldn't even last three hours.

Just then, a huge figure appeared on the battlefield.

It was a barbarian giant over two meters tall, wielding a massive spiked club, like a demon god, charging unstoppably.

"Jiang Xiaomu! Give me your life!"

The barbarian giant roared, swinging his spiked club toward Jiang Xiaomu.

In the nick of time, Jiang Xiaomu rolled to the ground; the spiked club, whistling through the air, struck the earth, kicking up a cloud of dust.

He crawled up in a sorry state, spitting out a mouthful of bloody saliva; his eyes showed no fear, only a sly glint.

"Beast! Is that all you've got?"

Jiang Xiaomu deliberately shouted insults in the barbarian language, stepping back while keeping an eye on the pre-set trap locations beneath his feet.

The barbarian giant, true to form, was enraged; he roared and took large strides in pursuit.

"Kid, you're asking for death!"

"Come on! Grandpa's right here!"

Jiang Xiaomu continued to provoke, luring the giant directly onto the trap.

"Now!"

Jiang Xiaomu silently shouted in his mind and slammed the mechanism.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!" Several crossbow bolts shot up from the ground, striking the giant squarely in the chest.

The giant let out a painful roar, his massive body swaying.

Jiang Xiaomu seized the moment, leapt up, and his blade flashed a cold gleam as he drove it deep into the giant's throat.

"Boom!"

The giant crashed to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust.

"Kill!"

Jiang Xiaomu raised his arms and shouted, morale soaring.

On the other side, Xiong Kuohai and the others also fought bloody battles, slaughtering wave after wave of enemies.

Their bodies were covered in blood, their eyes full of madness.

"Brothers, hold on! Reinforcements are coming soon!"

Xiong Kuohai swung his great axe, splitting a barbarian soldier in half.

Just then, a long horn blast suddenly sounded.

The barbarian army retreated like a tide, leaving corpses and shattered weapons strewn across the ground.

Jiang Xiaomu and the others leaned against the broken earthen wall, gasping heavily.

"What's going on? How did they suddenly retreat?"

A soldier asked, puzzled.

Jiang Xiaomu shook his head; he also couldn't figure out the situation.

Just then, the gate of Lookout State City opened, and a unit of elite troops charged out, led by Sir Zhao.

"Mr. Jiang, are you alright?"

Sir Zhao asked with concern.

"I'm fine, just some superficial wounds."

Jiang Xiaomu shook his head.

"Good! This time we managed to repel the barbarian army's attack thanks to you."

Sir Zhao patted Jiang Xiaomu on the shoulder, his eyes full of praise.

"Sir Zhao, why did the barbarian army suddenly retreat?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked.

Sir Zhao sighed and said:

"I don't know either. Don't worry about it—let's return to the city and tend to the wounds."

Jiang Xiaomu silently thought, "How lucky," realizing he had really dodged death this time.

Sir Zhao immediately sent a medical team to treat the wounded, and Jiang Xiaomu, Xiong Kuohai, and the others were carried back to Lookout State City.

Lying in bed, Jiang Xiaomu ached all over, yet he felt no trace of sleepiness.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and Jiang Xiaoyu walked in.

"Brother, are you alright?"

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu, Jiang Xiaoyu immediately flung herself into his arms and burst into tears.

"Silly girl, I'm fine."

Jiang Xiaomu gently patted her back, comforting her.

"I heard you almost died—I was so scared..."

Jiang Xiaoyu said, choking up.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart warmed as he held Jiang Xiaoyu tightly, feeling her body heat.

"Don't be scared—I'm perfectly fine, brother."

Jiang Xiaomu said gently.

Jiang Xiaoyu lifted her head, looking at Jiang Xiaomu with eyes full of worry.

"Brother, please don't go on any more adventures, okay?"

Jiang Xiaomu looked at those worried eyes of Jiang Xiaoyu, feeling a pang of hesitation.

Jiang Xiaoyu was worried about him, but he could not promise her.

In this chaotic world, to survive one must constantly undertake adventures.

"Xiao Yu, I promise you I will do my best to protect myself."

Jiang Xiaomu said.

Jiang Xiaoyu nodded, leaning against Jiang Xiaomu's chest, and fell silent.