Chapter 910: First Volume, Chapter 910: Siege Begins, Final Battle at Wanggang Village

First Volume, Chapter 910: Siege Begins, Final Battle at Wanggang Village

Qin Feng shattered the Enemy Army time and again, each time slaying dozens or even over a hundred soldiers, but these losses were but a drop in the ocean for Lü Li's vast forces.

Moreover, Lü Li had abundant battlefield experience; he knew Qin Feng possessed long-range strategic vision and superior tactics, so he played to his own strengths and avoided his weaknesses, denying Qin Feng any chance to deploy his tactical advantages, and directly ordered all troops to launch a full-scale assault, using their numerical superiority to simply bury Qin Feng alive.

Undeniably, this crude and straightforward tactic proved highly effective.

Beyond Lü Li's personal guards, soldiers kept pouring in from all directions—those previously hidden, as well as the Night Owls, all joined the battle.

The Tianji Camp Guards and Anwu Guard Qin Feng had dispatched earlier, though they achieved considerable results under cover of night using Guerrilla Warfare and killed no fewer than a hundred enemy soldiers, were ultimately forced to retreat and regroup beside Qin Feng.

At this moment, Qin Feng had gathered all his remaining forces; after several grueling battles, only one hundred and twenty men remained around him.

The Tianji Camp Guards and Anwu Guard, relying on their exceptional individual combat skills, suffered relatively light losses, while the Beixi Soldiers suffered heavy casualties.

After all, the Beixi Soldiers excelled in large-scale close-quarters combat, yet each often faced attacks from multiple enemies at once; even if they were brave and well-equipped, two fists still could not fend off four hands.

Qin Feng had no choice but to lead his remaining one hundred and twenty men in a forced charge into Wanggang Village, requisitioning village homes for their final stand.

As a massive army suddenly stormed into the village, the villagers were terrified beyond words, their wails and cries echoing endlessly.

Qin Feng quickly summoned ten Tianji Camp Guards to accompany Li Xiaolan in calming the civilians.

Qin Feng himself took up defensive positions at the village entrance.

"Beixi Soldiers, listen up: remove all arrows from your bodies and hand them all over to the Tianji Camp Guards and Anwu Guard."

"Tianji Camp Guards and Anwu Guard, gather all arrows, climb onto the rooftops, occupy the high ground, and deliver precise Ranged Attacks—do not waste a single arrow!"

"The remaining Beixi Soldiers, form squads of five, armed with spears and Zhan Dao, guard every entrance to the village; if the Enemy Army breaks in, engage them immediately in street fighting!"

"Liu Ming! Where the hell are you, Liu Ming?!"

Liu Ming staggered over, panting—he no longer bore his usual air of confidence; he was utterly broken, his body covered in wounds; had it not been for the exquisitely crafted armor of the Tianji Camp, he would have been hacked to death long ago.

"Marquis Qin, your subordinate is here!"

Qin Feng pointed to the rooftops: "I place the Tianji Camp Guards and Anwu Guard under your command—no more than three men per rooftop. Your mission: use arrows to consume the enemy's fighting strength and provide cover for our comrades engaged in street fighting."

Liu Ming gave a firm nod and turned to organize the deployment.

Qin Feng quickly called Zhang Zhenhai over.

"The village entrance will be the enemy's most intense point of attack—I'm assigning you five Tianji Camp Guards, two Anwu Guard, and five Beixi Soldiers to form a twelve-man suicide squad. You lead them personally and plant yourself like a nail at the village entrance."

Saying this, Qin Feng grabbed Zhang Zhenhai's collar and growled: "The entrance may be lost, but you must fight with such ferocity that the enemy understands every step forward costs them blood. Know your limits—this is not a fight to the death; if you truly cannot hold, retreat immediately into the village and join the others in street fighting."

Zhang Zhenhai gritted his teeth: "Marquis, rest assured—even if I die, I will die before you and Third Miss!"

Qin Feng did not release his grip, pulling a bundle of Silver Notes from his robe and shoving them into Zhang Zhenhai's clothing.

Zhang Zhenhai froze in shock: "Marquis, what is the meaning of this?!"

Qin Feng's face was stern as he spoke low and steady: "If Lü Li the old villain succeeds, he will whip my corpse to sate his hatred—I've made my peace with that. But you? You are a Beixi commander, a hero who expanded our borders. If you die, the enemy will find these Silver Notes, loot them, and leave—leaving your body intact. When our Beixi Army one day crushes the Di territory, we will recover your remains and see you return to your ancestral soil."

Seeing Zhang Zhenhai weeping, Qin Feng clenched his teeth: "No tears! Beixi men do not weep!"

"This dire situation is my fault—I underestimated Lü Li's resolve."

"Promise me this: before you die, kill Li Xiaolan first—do not let her fall into Lü Li's hands and suffer humiliation!"

Zhang Zhenhai understood: Qin Feng intended to lead from the front, fighting hand-to-hand, meaning he would die before anyone else—and someone must be left to end Li Xiaolan's life.

At that moment, Li Xiaolan's voice came.

"Feng'er, do not trouble yourself. When all is lost, I will end my soul here."

Hearing this, Qin Feng released Zhang Zhenhai, gestured for him to take position, then turned to Li Xiaolan and smiled bitterly: "Xiaolan, I'm sorry… back in Beixi County, I should have been firmer. If you'd stayed there, you wouldn't have ended up…"

Before Qin Feng could finish, Li Xiaolan rushed forward, embraced him tightly, and rested her head on his shoulder, whispering softly: "Don't say that. Even the oldest horse stumbles. You've come this far—that's already a miracle."

"Who in Heaven has ever won every battle?"

"To be buried beside you is my fortune."

"Feng'er, I am ready to face life and death with you."

Qin Feng took a deep breath, his piercing gaze softening as he gently stroked Li Xiaolan's back and whispered: "Xiaolan, when we return to Beijing, will you marry me?"

Li Xiaolan laughed through tears and nodded firmly: "Yes, I'll marry you!"

Qin Feng reluctantly released her, saying nothing more—his eyes said it all.

Li Xiaolan was no sentimental woman; she wiped the tears from her eyes, touched Qin Feng's rugged cheek with a knowing smile, then turned and walked into the village.

"Marquis, your blade!"

A Tianji Camp Guard on the rooftop threw down his sword.

Qin Feng picked it up, sheathed it beside his foot, and turned toward the village entrance.

Another Tianji Camp Guard on the opposite rooftop removed his Shoulder Armor and tossed it down; others tore off their waist belts…

Around him, his comrades each shed part of their Armor and dropped it beside Qin Feng.

Qin Feng methodically donned the gear; once fully armored, he gripped his sword in his right hand, a spear planted at his left, eyes blazing as he watched the Enemy Army surge toward him in dense waves.

"The hatred over my son's death—unforgivable, Lü Li! I accept all your hatred and rage!"

"But…"

"Hurry. Qingshan County is too close to Wang Du. My prolonged absence must have already raised suspicion."

"I've given you your chance for Revenge—don't waste it."