Chapter 484: Chapter 468: Defending the Homeland
Fengyu arrived at the city gates with the soldiers when the battle had already reached a fever pitch. Although the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry had five thousand men in West State, most were out of the city due to farming duties and couldn’t return in time. Only a secret path through the mine led back to the city, so the cavalry had to get to the mine first before returning. Now, there were fewer than three thousand troops defending the city. The Sannan Army numbered nearly ten thousand and were elite, well-trained, and extremely aggressive. Although the West State City Gate was closed, the walls had been shattered by the trebuchet, with a squad blocking the cavalry’s charge at the gate.
Standing on the wall, Fengyu watched the Sannan Army below. As they charged, the archers shot burning oil, leaving a mess outside the moat. Some Sannan cavalry had crossed the moat, reaching the city gates, throwing anchors to force through the breaches in the walls. Fengyu drew her longsword and cut the ropes directly. One soldier climbed the wall only to be pierced through the chest by Chen Jiangdong’s spear, falling back down the wall as the Sannan army’s charge horn blared and the black armored soldiers surged toward the gates.
The glisten of swords and the flash of steel were more dazzling than the daylight sun; the battle cries and horns formed a continuous wave. Blood and murderous intent rushed toward the city gates as Fengyu kept shooting arrows at the soldiers climbing up.
Nuanyang made a decisive move, "Crossbows ready, aim at their trebuchets."
There were two crossbow machines on the wall. Although less accurate than archers, they were extremely powerful; the specially made bolts were thicker than spears and could directly topple the trebuchets below.
One trebuchet was toppled.
Suddenly, an arrow shot towards Fengyu, swift as lightning. Nuanyang saw this and swiftly pounced toward Fengyu; the arrow veered off course and grazed Fengyu’s cheek, narrowly avoiding disaster.
Still shocked, Fengyu looked down and unexpectedly saw Han Ziqi.
"Han Ziqi?" Fengyu was in utter disbelief. "Isn’t Han Ziqi dead?"
Nuanyang also didn’t understand why they would see Han Ziqi. Clearly, Ying Qi had killed Han Ziqi, and they had verified the body without a doubt; how could it be Han Ziqi?
Han Ziqi, riding a black horse and wearing soft armor, holding a bow and arrow, made a throat-slitting gesture at Fengyu after she dodged the arrow. Arrogant, rampant, unstoppable, just like the Han Ziqi Fengyu had seen years ago in the Capital City.
Han Ziqi put down the longbow, drew his sword, its tip pointing directly at the city gate, "Men, break through the gate, capture Fengyu alive!"
"Break through the gate, capture Fengyu alive!"
The Sannan army erupted with fierce shouts, unleashing a more aggressive, powerful assault. Inside West State City, they were shorthanded and spread out, clearly showing signs of being unable to hold the gate.
"Miss, you should retreat first. Chen Jiangdong and I will lead men to block the Sannan army. Zhang Da will escort you and Ruyi through the secret path and flee to Ningzhou!" Nuanyang quickly made a decision. No matter what, Fengyu and Ruyi couldn’t die in West State.
"If I leave, morale will crumble, and Han Ziqi will overrun West State without breaking a sweat. I won’t leave," Fengyu said sternly. "Soldiers, hold West State to the death and wait for reinforcements. I will advance and retreat with you all."
The soldiers were filled with fervor as fire oil, stones, and arrows were continuously shot. Seeing no way to persuade Fengyu, Nuanyang thought about having Xie Xun come, but considering Ningzhou’s unstable battle situation, and the Prince possibly fighting on the battlefield, who would dare to take the Soul Suppressing Pearl to summon Xie Xun?
Before Xie Xun set off, Fengyu had specially reinforced the Soul Suppressing Pearl, not daring to summon Xie Xun on a whim. The incident years ago, causing Xie Xun to lose a leg, was still vivid in her mind. Ningzhou also faced a tough battle and needed Xie Xun even more.
Gradually, more than half of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry returned, increasing the combat strength with militia help. The Sannan army, unsuccessfully assaulting for a day, temporarily retreated to rest and regroup.
Night fell, the wind was like cranes crying, and the smell of blood filled the air, sickeningly so.
"Nuanyang, Chen Jiangdong, replenish supplies immediately. Archers, fire oil, stones, everything usable, bring them all to the wall!"
"Yes!" After Fengyu ordered them to replenish supplies, she looked coldly at the tower below. The Sannan also suffered casualties, and Han Ziqi was more anxious than she was!
The pain in her arm throbbed slightly, a thin layer of sweat on Fengyu’s forehead made her gaze even colder!
Han Ziqi, so this is what you were plotting for West State City!
Leaning on the northeast corner of the wall, Fengyu bit into the blood-stained bandage on her arm, retying it tightly. The arrow had grazed her arm, leaving a scar though, fortunately, it wasn’t too deep. Zhang Da and two personal soldiers guarded her. Fengyu’s armor was covered in dust and blood, looking extremely disheveled.
Everyone was exhausted beyond measure. Nangong Heng organized the women and children in the city to bring them warm clothes and food for sustenance. A bowl of hot porridge warmed the entire body.