Chapter 22: The Great Battle is Imminent

"The Barbarians are going to attack the city tomorrow!"

A shrill, high-pitched shout!

The peaceful Xuancheng was instantly thrown into chaos.

The commoners dragged their children and carried the old and young.

Some fleeing, some running...

No one wanted to lose their life in this chaos of war!

The wealthy packed their luggage, boarded their carriages, and fled the city one after another.

But the commoners had no way out; they had no carriages, the weather outside the city was freezing, and heavy snow blocked the roads. Even if they left the city, where could they flee to?

Furthermore, a small number of thugs were actually taking advantage of the fire to loot, charging into the crowds to snatch things.

"No... this is my whole family's rations. If you snatch it away, my whole family will starve to death!"

"My child, my child... someone help, there are human traffickers snatching my child!"

"Robbers are stealing property and killing people! Help!"

The city lost its former peace, and the entire city fell into a state of chaos.

The sounds of crying, shouting, and the neighing of horses... all intertwined together.

The one thousand troops brought by Xiao Moting could not control the situation at all.

"Prince, the commoners of Xuancheng are in great chaos; it will soon be impossible to suppress."

Qin Zhan gasped for breath and knelt before Xiao Moting.

One thousand troops could not suppress the two hundred thousand rioting people in the city.

Xiao Moting lifted his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping across the chaotic city.

At the city gate, it was packed so tightly that not even water could pass through.

The commoners were squeezing outward frantically, trampling many to death or injury.

Many children were knocked to the ground, and before they could crawl up, they were trampled by countless feet and lost their breath.

Xiao Moting's eyes turned cold!

He had to intimidate the rioting people to prevent a riot!

Otherwise, before the Barbarians even attacked the city, Xuancheng would have already fallen.

He shouted in a deep, stern voice.

"Plant the Landmine."

At the city gate, dozens of soldiers worked together to push a wooden cart forward.

Boom!

With a deafening, earth-shaking roar, the wooden cart was blown into the sky, torn into pieces!

The massive sound stunned all the commoners crowding at the city gate, and they dared not run around anymore.

Many commoners trembled and prostrated themselves on the ground.

"Thunder, the God of Thunder has descended!"

"No, it is the Earth Deity... manifesting his spirit..."

Xiao Moting shouted deeply, "Qin Zhan, immediately lead the troops to guard the city gate! Prevent the rioting people from trampling each other!"

"Yes!"

Xiao Dabao and several officers were also shocked beyond measure.

This was the Landmine sent by the Goddess?

The power was immense!

Even more terrifying than the God of Thunder!

Xiao Moting turned around, holding a Long Blade, performed a beautiful flourish with the blade in the air, then gripped the hilt and pointed the blade at Yang Wei.

"General Yang, the Barbarian army is about to attack the city! Since you are in the city, I ask you to lead the troops to defend it!"

The snow-bright blade reflected the sharp, youthful face of the Prince of Zhenbei.

But Yang Wei gritted his teeth and remained motionless.

"Prince of Zhenbei, you are defying a Military Order; this subordinate will report this matter to the Second Prince!"

After speaking, he suddenly vaulted onto his horse and galloped wildly toward the outside of the city.

The group of troops behind him also followed, charging toward the outside of the city.

Xiao Dabao cursed loudly, "Yang Wei, as the Chief Commander, you are actually deserting in the face of battle; this is truly outrageous!"

Saying this, he raised his blade, wanting to chase after him.

Xiao Moting raised his hand to stop him.

At this moment, he could not cause a riot!

He stretched out his long arm, tossed his horse-chopping blade away, and unslung the Qing Bow from his back.

The heroic young Prince of Zhenbei lightly relaxed his long arm, easily pulling the heavy bow of over one hundred pounds to a full draw, aiming at the galloping Yang Wei!

His pitch-black, star-like eyes narrowed slightly, and his slender fingers released the bowstring with ease!

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Three Tungsten Iron Arrows shot out like lightning!

"Clang!"

The Iron Helmet on Yang Wei's head was split in two, and the startled horse reared its front hooves, throwing him to the ground and causing him to fall flat on his face!

The giant rock beside him was smashed to pieces by the Tungsten Iron Arrow.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

"Prince, what fine archery!"

Yang Wei lay on the ground, trembling all over, terrified of being shot through by Xiao Moting's arrow.

Xiao Moting shouted with disdain, "Coward, get out of here at once!"

Xiao Dabao stood to the side, watching with surging emotions!

The Fourth Prince is mighty and imposing!

The arrow bestowed by Shennü Daren was actually able to pierce through stone; how amazing!

Yang Wei gave Xiao Moting a hateful look, scrambled up in a sorry state, and fled outside the city with his troops.

Xiao Moting did not stop him; such a coward would only be a hindrance if kept around!

At this moment, the surrounding commoners crowded over and shouted in unison.

"Prince, you just saved us, we are willing to help."

More commoners also surged forward.

"Since we can't escape anyway, we will contribute money if we have money, and labor if we have strength."

Clatter!

A team of well-equipped soldiers rushed over, carrying Long Swords.

They were the Garrison Army of Xuancheng, directly under the command of Jia Shun.

"The Fourth Prince has already driven away Yang Wei, why are they still coming to arrest us?"

Many commoners were so frightened they kept backing away.

Xiao Moting's gaze was cold as he stared directly at the Garrison Army rushing toward him.

At this time, a Commander of the Garrison Army walked out of the formation and stepped forward to cup his hands.

"Second Prince, the five thousand Garrison Army of Xuancheng are willing to follow your orders."

Jia Shun ran out from the Taishou Mansion, and upon seeing that his own Garrison Army had all defected to Xiao Moting, he was instantly enraged.

"Who told you to come?"

"You are my subordinates, how dare you disobey my orders?"

"Return to the military camp immediately."

But no matter how he shouted, the five thousand Garrison Army soldiers stood motionless in front of Xiao Moting, as if they hadn't heard a thing, completely ignoring him.

Xiao Moting turned his head and spoke coldly.

"Prefect Jia, do you also want to be like Yang Wei and abandon the city to save your life?"

The icy gaze made Jia Shun shudder instantly.

He was greedy for money and afraid of death, but he was even more afraid of Xiao Moting, this god of slaughter.

Yang Wei had already run off with his men, and his own subordinates had defected to Xiao Moting; as a lone Prefect, how could he dare to go against Xiao Moting?

Moreover, even three Military Orders could not suppress Xiao Moting.

If Xiao Moting wanted to kill him, it would be no different from crushing an ant.

Jia Shun realized this and hurriedly squeezed out a fawning smile.

"Ho, how could that be? This subordinate is also willing to contribute!"

Xiao Moting gave a cold laugh, then nodded calmly.

Regardless of whether Jia Shun was sincere or fake, as long as he was willing to contribute, that was enough.

"Prefect Jia, you will be responsible for maintaining order; if Xuancheng falls into chaos, I will be the first to cut off your head."

Jia Shun had originally only wanted to slack off and go through the motions, but hearing this, he shuddered in terror.

"This subordinate, un, understands..."

Xiao Moting shouted deeply.

"Summon all the craftsmen in the city, as well as the strong and able-bodied commoners, to leave the city and head to the mountains immediately; work through the night to build defensive fortifications, the more the better."

The entire Xuancheng was mobilized.

Jia Shun directed the Garrison Army to maintain order within the city.

Xiao Dabao led the city's craftsmen and commoners to transport materials out of the city to build fortifications.

Qin Zhan led his troops to intensify training, preparing for tomorrow's battle.

The commoners also organized themselves spontaneously, some delivering water, some cleaning, and some hauling supplies.

Women brought their children, elders led their descendants...

The entire city of commoners worked with great enthusiasm.

The Imperial Court wanted to use them as cannon fodder, but the Northern Frontier War God wanted to save their lives!

They had to save themselves!

They would follow Xiao Moting and work together to beat back the barbarians.

With the commoners in the city all busy, Xiao Moting stood on the city tower, lifting his eyes to look at the dim sky in the distance.

The barbarians want to launch a surprise attack on Xuancheng?

He would not fight this battle in Xuancheng.

He would also launch a surprise attack!