Chapter 354: First Volume, Chapter 354: Night Siege

First Volume, Chapter 354: Night Siege

The night was deep.

Changping County lay in complete silence, save for the County Yamen, where lanterns burned brightly.

Liu Leng's gaze was heavier than ever as he stared at the county officials and the Strong, Fast, and Patrol Yamen Branches, and said grimly: "Since we've decided, there is no turning back! Listen well—all of you. No matter what happens tonight, you are to guard only the County Yamen's door. No one, except yamen runners inside, is to be admitted."

"Even if this city burns to ashes, it has nothing to do with us!"

"County Assistant Magistrate, how are the yamen soldiers faring?"

The County Assistant Magistrate bowed and replied quickly: "The yamen soldiers are under the County Commandant's command—no mishaps will occur."

Liu Leng nodded and growled: "Good. Then wait!"

…

Time slipped away unnoticed.

As Zishi Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour neared, Lin Xiansheng at the Yi Guan in Changping County had already loosened his robes and prepared to rest.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

"Another day wasted."

"That Qin Feng Xiao'er never had the courage to enter the city. The rumors of a siege? Just the greatest joke in the world—worth no belief."

"Very well! When Qin Feng finishes the waterworks, he must come to the city for handover—he cannot escape death."

The instant Lin Xiansheng lay down, a faint yet muffled sound came from outside the window.

That sound could come from only one place.

The heavy City Gate.

Lin Xiansheng frowned and sat up quickly, muttering: "Strange! Zishi Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour is near—why has the City Gate opened suddenly?"

"Could it be…"

"No! Qin Feng Xiao'er is launching a Night Raid!"

Lin Xiansheng dashed out the door, sprinting downstairs while screaming at the top of his lungs: "Wake up! Qin Feng Xiao'er is attacking the city under cover of night—hurry, eliminate him!"

At that moment, eerie howls erupted outside the Yi Guan.

"Disaster! Tianji Camp Guards are attacking the city!"

"Three hundred Tianji Camp Guards have arrived—and over a thousand New Army!"

"What?! Ning Hu is here too! The Ning Qianhu who slew the Beidi Legendary Tooth General Zhong Ling?"

"Oh no! The yamen soldiers are slaughtered—hundreds cut down in one clash—the yamen soldiers have broken!"

Those hysterical cries rose from every direction of the County City, echoing through every street.

The Axe-wielding Soldiers who rushed out of their rooms in panic looked terrified: "We're done—the Tianji Camp Guards have come! How can we stand against them?"

Lin Xiansheng's face turned black—he slapped one of them hard across the face and roared: "Fool!"

"Beixi County is in chaos itself—three hundred Tianji Camp Guards were already transferred! How could they suddenly appear in Changping County under Ning Hu's command? Do you think Beixi County is abandoned?"

"Those cries outside are psychological tactics—hold your ground! March to the City Gate and kill Qin Feng Xiao'er!"

Meanwhile, the fifty Rascals and Idle Men who had slipped into the city earlier, led by One-Eyed Dragon, sprinted through the streets, screaming at the top of their lungs.

They didn't care if it was true—they shouted whatever came to mind.

Gentry and local militia who had been about to peek out were terrified by the news of Ning Hu leading Tianji Camp Guards—they all scrambled back into their Fu Men and slammed the doors shut.

The hundred-plus Axe-wielding Soldiers hastily gathered at the Yi Guan's entrance all wore expressions of panic.

Though Lin Xiansheng kept insisting that Tianji Camp Guards were stretched too thin to possibly reach Changping County, fear still gripped their hearts.

Lin Xiansheng stared toward the City Gate and growled: "Hurry to the County Yamen—tell Liu Leng to lead the yamen runners and soldiers to reinforce us. The rest of you, march to the City Gate immediately!"

"I'm certain Qin Feng Xiao'er has only three or four men with him—no threat! Those Rascals and Idle Men are nothing but local militia—rabble, nothing more. Ignore them."

Under Lin Xiansheng's orders, the first hundred Axe-wielding Soldiers broke into a run toward the City Gate.

Just as they were less than one hundred meters from the City Gate.

The lead Axe-wielding Soldier heard a sharp "Whoosh!"—before he could react, a Feathered-arrow struck him squarely in the chest.

His vision went black—he collapsed with a thud.

The Axe-wielding Soldiers behind him froze.

At that moment, a crisp sound of hooves came from straight ahead.

Tap. Tap.

Iron horseshoes struck the cobblestones, sending a piercing sound deep into every soul.

Under the gaze of nearly a hundred men.

A single rider approached slowly on horseback.

The man was broad-shouldered and muscular, clad in pitch-black armor, left hand gripping the reins, right hand holding a spear over two zhang long. His Pen-collar Armor covered his neck and lower face; his Tiger-mouth Helmet crowned his head. Two hawk-like eyes glowed with chilling, soul-shattering light beneath the night sky.

Though alone, his presence was terrifying.

Under the trembling gaze of the Axe-wielding Soldiers, the rider slowly raised his spear—the sharp tip gleaming coldly, pointing directly at them.

His voice rang out sharp and fierce: "I am Zhao Yuxiong, son of Longhu Army Commander Zhao Li!"

"Drop your weapons, kneel, and surrender—you may live."

He was but one man, yet radiated absolute confidence—as if slaughtering the hundred before him were as easy as reaching into a pouch.

The front-row Axe-wielding Soldiers swallowed hard, ready to retreat—when Lin Xiansheng barked: "Don't fear!"

"He is only one man! Even if he possesses heavenly martial skill, he is but a moth flying into flame!"

"Charge! Overwhelm him!"

Under Lin Xiansheng's command, the Axe-wielding Soldiers steadied their formation and prepared to rush Zhao Yuxiong—when again, a piercing whistle pierced the air.

Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.

Three arrows pierced three men, killing them instantly.

The crowd panicked, turning toward the direction the arrows had come from, and saw a single figure standing on the rooftop of a building along the Street — clad in the distinctive armor of the Tianji Camp Guards, it was Wu Wei.

At the same time, a man stepped forward slowly from behind Zhao Yulong, a bone club slung over his shoulder, grinning widely: "Hahahaha! After rotting in Fuyun County for so many years, I can finally let loose — damn, this feels good!"

"You bunch of stinking trash, not even worth decent armor — one swing of my bone club and I'll crush your marrow right out of your bones."

"Come if you dare — I'll crack your bones and feast on your marrow!"

Just then, the servant sent to the County Yamen to summon troops ran back, gasping for breath, eyes wide with panic: "Master, it's bad! Liu Leng has betrayed us — he's seized the County Yamen with the Yamen Runners and won't let me near. The garrison troops are also held in check by the County Commandant — not a single soldier can move."

The Axe-wielding Soldiers, already shaken by the murderous aura of Zhao Yulong and his allies, saw their Morale plummet.

Hearing this disaster, their Morale collapsed at once.

And precisely at this Deadline, laughter rang out from the rooftop across the way: "Tianji Camp Guards — kill them!"

Lin Xiansheng looked up and saw Qin Feng perched on the windowsill, one leg dangling, egging the chaos on with relish.

At the same time, a group of Rascals and Idle Men slowly advanced toward them, shouting: "Tianji Camp Guards have arrived — anyone who resists will be executed on the spot!"