Chapter 530

First Volume_Chapter 530: Diehard Defense of the Border Army

The Liang Kingdom North Border covers a vast area, stretching over two thousand li from east to west, but the Western Front is mountainous while the Eastern Front borders three neighboring states with complex power dynamics, so the actual battlefront is not large, and any news can reach everyone's ears within a day.

Chen Si sent cavalry as rear guard precisely so the main army could arrive at the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen simultaneously and launch a desperate assault, aiming to seize the border stronghold before the Northern Border's three armies could react, securing leverage for future negotiations between the two nations.

The Bian Jun Zhong Zhen must not fall!

Otherwise, this prolonged war, which has consumed immense manpower, resources, and wealth, will completely lose its original purpose.

"Comrades, Yinggang Mountain is very close to the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen; once we head north through the mountains, the stronghold is right before us."

"But we are closer to Beixi County—while Chen Si's Army is focused on the border stronghold, we can retreat to Beixi County and reunite with our families."

"You have already given too much in this war; I have no right to ask you to go and die."

"Anyone who wishes to return to Beixi County to reunite with family, raise your hand—I will not stop you. Even those going home will still be honored as heroes. Those who choose to follow me to the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen, I salute you as true men—we don't need to be born in the same year, month, and day, but we will die together in the same year, month, and day."

Everyone knew clearly that regardless of whether they went to defend the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen or not, this war would end soon.

One path led to reunion with family, warm beds, wives and children.

The other led back to a bloody battlefield, with an uncertain future.

Anyone with half a brain knew which choice to make—but not a single one of the Master present raised a hand, not even a flicker of hesitation crossed their eyes.

After surviving the death ordeal at Qingyu Mountain, the Master had forged a bond with Qin Feng that transcended life and death; whether they understood the need to hold the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen or not no longer mattered.

They knew only that Qin Feng had risked everything to rescue them at Qingyu Mountain, and they would follow him through fire and sword, advancing without fear.

"Young Master, our lives have long been yours—give your orders!"

"That's right—if not for the Young Master's aid, we'd all be dead in a foreign land. Our lives were saved by him; do with them as you please!"

"What's the point of living? What's there to fear in death? Our two hundred brothers lie buried far from home; if we die here, we're just rejoining our comrades—it's no worse than that."

Ning Hu clenched his fists, rubbed his nose, and burst into a carefree laugh: "Hahahaha! To have brothers like these in this life—dying's worth it! Qin Brother, stop hesitating—give the order now!"

Qin Feng was deeply moved.

Ning Hu was right—what more could a man ask for than brothers like these?

Between men, no words are needed; a thousand phrases are silent. Qin Feng no longer hesitated and gave the order: "Comrades, I swear to you—this is the final battle. When the Northern Di army flees in disgrace, that's when we return home. All troops, listen: target the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen—advance!"

At his command, Qin Feng led the remaining EightyThreeWeiShi running toward the direction of the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen.

Less than three hours later, Qin Feng crossed Yinggang Mountain, burst out of the hills, and the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen lay just ahead.

As Qin Feng entered the City, the Former General personally came to greet him.

"Qianhu Qin, you've returned!"

The Former General's eyes widened in disbelief; he seized Qin Feng's hands, trembling with emotion.

Ever since Chen Si dispatched elite troops to besiege Qingyu Mountain, the Former General had received word that Qin Feng was trapped within Di territory.

Though unwilling to admit it, reality was cruel: Qin Feng could never escape the enemy's encirclement.

Yet now, seeing Qin Feng suddenly appear before him, the Former General was stunned—as if witnessing a miracle.

The Border Army soldiers present all stared at Qin Feng with burning eyes, filled with excitement.

This was no time for empty praise; Qin Feng did not delay, cut straight to the point: "General, quickly organize defenses—Chen Si has not given up; he intends to attack the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen!"

At these words, the laughter and cheers instantly died.

Smiles froze on faces; the atmosphere turned grim.

The Former General frowned tightly: "Even at its peak, the Northern Di army failed to take my ZhuZhen—now reduced to a broken force, how dare they attack?"

Not just the Former General—all Border Army commanders, one and all, found the idea absurd.

Chen Si must have lost his mind to make such a foolish decision.

Qin Feng's expression turned grave as he explained: "The Northern Di are indeed collapsing—they've begun withdrawing. Attacking the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen is merely a last-ditch gamble. If they take it, they gain vital leverage in future negotiations. If they fail, they can still retreat across the border without altering the overall situation."

"So I expect this assault to be swift and brutal—decisive in at most two days, possibly within one."

Hearing this, the Former General's frown deepened—if Qin Feng had not arrived in time to expose Chen Si's scheme, he would never have believed the Northern Di army would dare launch a fortified assault, even as their troops neared the walls.

The Former General wasted no time—he immediately ordered all Border Army troops back to their posts to fight to the death.

At this moment, the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen, having rested and received reinforcements from various regions, had regained its strength to FourThousandBorderTroops. With the City Defense prepared in advance, they could match Chen Si's Army—though who would ultimately prevail remained uncertain.

The Northern Di army moved swiftly; less than half a day after Qin Feng entered the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen, scouts reported the enemy force was now less than Ten Li away.

The FourThousandBorderTroops, plus Qin Feng's EightyThreeWeiShi, all surged onto the walls; arrows, Massive Rocks, and Rolling Logs piled high around them—all stood ready.

On the other side, Chen Si's SixtyThousandArmy advanced slowly toward the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen, deliberately feigning the posture of a retreating defeated force to lull the Border Army into complacency.

When the army was only Ten Li from the Bian Jun Zhong Zhen, Chen Si suddenly ordered a full turn—sixty thousand troops charged straight for the stronghold.

Before the ThreeThousandVanguard could reach the walls, a roar echoed from above.

"Fire!"

At Qin Feng's command, the EightyThreeWeiShi and two thousand Step Bow archers on the walls unleashed a synchronized volley.

The unprepared enemy was instantly felled in waves by the ArrowRain—countless died.