Chapter 483: Chapter 467: Kill the Enemy
Almost half of the citizens were outside the city. Upon hearing the horn at the West State City Gate, they immediately realized something was wrong. Ever since Ningzhou and the Beiman started fighting, Fengyu had remained vaguely uneasy because West State served as both a granary and weapons depot. Nuanyang and Feiying assured her that the Beiman couldn’t break through the Ningzhou Defense Line, thus they wouldn’t reach the rear. West State was too far from the battlefield, hence very safe. As long as Ningzhou held, the Beiman wouldn’t be able to attack West State City.
Fengyu, being a businesswoman, knew not every venture led to profit—sometimes losses could strip her entire fortune. Thus, she always planned ahead. A few days ago, when winter snow had just melted and spring planting was yet to begin, she led the citizens in several enemy attack drills. The West State soldiers and Ningzhou Iron Cavalry split into two teams for the training; even the able-bodied youth of the city showed interest and participated, learning that successive horn blasts meant an enemy assault. Following spring planting, the drills stopped, and any horns heard now would signify real combat. Those outside the city, unarmed and defenseless, needed to find a place to hide and protect themselves.
Those capable of fighting could return to the city from the mines, but the moment an attack occurred, the gates would be sealed to protect the citizens within. Watching the dense army blackening the horizon, Fengyu’s hands and feet turned cold—who exactly was attacking West State?
"Why didn’t we receive any warnings?" Fengyu and Nangong Heng followed Nuanyang through the secret passage back to the city. The battle had already erupted at the city gate. All twelve provinces had stationed personnel at their relay stations to prevent Beiman from bypassing Ningzhou for a surprise attack—how had this group emerged without any signal? What were they?
This large-scale assault, especially during broad daylight, was clearly engineered to catch West State off guard!
"I don’t know either. A sizable force has reached the city gate, yet we’ve received no warnings—this is indeed highly unusual," Nuanyang admitted, still unable to deduce the situation. The immediate crisis lay in fending off the enemy. Many Iron Cavalry soldiers from Ningzhou were out farming fields; whether the gate could be held was uncertain.
"Lady, you should stay outside the city for safety, in case—"
"I’m the Lord of West State City. If West State faces danger and I cower outside for safety, am I still worthy of this title as City Lord?" Fengyu said firmly. "Ruyi is still in the mansion."
As they passed through the secret passage, Fengyu instructed Nangong Heng to escort some citizens to remain outside the city and notify all women, children, and elderly not to return but to stay hidden in the mountains and forests near West State City for a few days of shelter—it was manageable.
Nuanyang shielded Fengyu as they reached inside the city, close to the gate. A breach had already formed in the city gate. Chen Jiangdong responded swiftly, but the drawbridge above the moat rose too slowly. The enemy severed its ropes with arrows, rendering it useless. Failing to seal the gate in time, the enemy broke through. Now, a group of them had stormed inside, unleashing carnage, directly targeting the City Lord Mansion with startling precision.
Zhang Meng, Zhang Hu, and others fought as they retreated, nearly at their limits—they absolutely couldn’t let these attackers reach the mansion. This wave of invaders was ruthless, their assault overwhelmingly fierce, leaving soldiers struggling to resist. Given it was farming season, the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry wasn’t swiftly organized, and had scattered during the onslaught.
Chen Jiangdong led a small squad down from the gate, coordinating with archers atop the city walls, forcibly sealing the gate shut. Two Iron Cavalry soldiers sacrificed themselves, using their bodies to shove the enemies attempting to jam the gate outside. Their bodies were cleaved into two by the bend of enemy blades. Chen Jiangdong screamed their names, his heart wrenching, but he could only painfully lock the gate, trapping the majority of the attackers outside.
"Come on, you bastards! If I let you leave West State alive, I’ll quit being Chen Jiangdong!" Roaring as he sealed the gate, Chen Jiangdong grabbed a bow and arrow, scaled the city wall to direct the fight, and ordered Zhang Meng and Zhang Hu, "Kill all the enemies who’ve breached the city—leave none alive!"
"Understood!"
The Zhang Brothers pursued the forces that infiltrated the city, numbering roughly five to six hundred, directly heading for the City Lord Mansion. The mine’s secret passage lay near another gate. Nuanyang and Fengyu, returning to the city with others, immediately moved toward the mansion.
At the mansion gates, Zhang Da, Chunlu, Zhang Meng, and Zhang Hu fought fiercely against the enemies. The mansion doors were shut tight, but death and injury littered the entrance—a scene of sheer chaos.
Chunlu, physically exhausted, leaned on her Soft Sword for support, bearing a slash across her waist and abdomen that bled profusely. A black-clad attacker noticed her vulnerability and swung his Longsword toward her. Just as the blade seemed poised to strike, an arrow shot out of nowhere, striking the sword. Chunlu rolled on the ground, plunging her weapon into the enemy’s heart.
Raising her gaze, Chunlu saw Fengyu astride a white steed, bow in hand, radiating brilliance like a blazing flower under the sun. Overcome with emotion, Chunlu cried out, "Lady, you’ve finally returned!"
Nuanyang and the Iron Cavalry blocked the mansion’s entrance, swiftly repelling the attackers. Seeing themselves outmatched, the intruders retreated immediately as Fengyu dismounted from her horse.
"Chunlu, how severe are your injuries?" Fengyu asked urgently.
"Lady, it’s nothing—just flesh wounds," Chunlu replied, weak from blood loss yet clinging to her strength.
The mansion’s entrance was littered with weaponry, wounded soldiers, and corpses. Fengyu’s heart ached at the sight. "Carry the injured inside and treat them. Nuanyang, capture someone alive—find out who sent them!"
"Yes!"
Rushing into the mansion, Fengyu found several enemies breaching the interior. Fortunately, they had been detained by the mansion guards. Qiuxiang held Ruyi tightly, hiding in the main hall, as Ruyi wailed upon spotting Fengyu, stumbling toward her, crying, "Daddy... I need Daddy..."
Young Ruyi had been playing in the courtyard when the sudden attack terrified him. He had fallen, injuring himself slightly. Too scared to cry, he buried himself in Qiuxiang’s embrace, softly calling for his father. Only upon seeing Fengyu did his bottled fear burst forth in tears.
"Ruyi, be good. It’s all right now," Fengyu murmured comfortingly as she soothed him. Suddenly, a massive explosion erupted at the city gate, shaking the earth beneath West State City. The tremors were intense, shocking Fengyu profoundly. The city gate couldn’t fall. This group was here with malicious intent. The city’s Iron Cavalry must have sent out for reinforcements already; they simply needed to hold out for two days until help arrived.
Fengyu escorted Qiuxiang and Ruyi to her personal quarters. "Qiuxiang, take Ruyi and hide in the secret room. There’s enough dry rations and water for three days. Remember, don’t open the door to anyone except me."
"Lady, won’t you stay with us?" Qiuxiang clutched Fengyu anxiously. "Where are you going?"
"I am the City Lord—I have my duties. You must keep Ruyi safe and stay hidden. Please, be obedient!"
"Lady!"
Ruyi’s tears had worn him out; he fell asleep in Qiuxiang’s arms. Fengyu leaned down and kissed Ruyi’s forehead tenderly before gently urging Qiuxiang and Ruyi into the secret room.
Changing her attire, Fengyu donned lightweight armor tailored for her by Xie Xun. At the time, Xie Xun had teased her about never needing it, only for it to now serve its purpose. Removing her hairpins, she arranged her hair into a quick updo and fastened her protective gear. Grabbing her Longsword, she strode out of the courtyard.
Zhang Da, witnessing Fengyu clad in armor and wielding her sword for the first time, said nothing. He silently followed as Nuanyang reported having interrogated an enemy prisoner, finally uncovering the truth.
"Lady, they’re Sannan forces!"
"Well then, they’ve come all this way to die in West State—let’s grant them that wish!" Fengyu mounted her horse decisively. Leaving only mansion guards behind, she rallied the others to head for the city gate with her. "Soldiers, follow me to kill the enemy!"