Chapter 344: I Want to Climb the City Walls!

“We bought the grain… Dad, Uncle Liang, Big Brother, tell me, do you think the Northern Rong know?”

Yan Yu’s face was solemn, her expression unusually serious. The words she spoke sent a chill through everyone.

Do the Northern Rong know?

Do they know it was Xiao’an Village that bought the grain?

Do they know where Xiao’an Village is?

The very thought made their hearts race with panic.

Both Yan Lao’er and Yan Yu felt a deep sense of relief that their village’s Arrow Tower had already been built.

Yan Yu also knew that by now, the tower could be manned.

However…

Night had fallen, and the tired birds had returned to their nests.

Would anyone still be up there?

Even if there were, could they see anything clearly?

“We have to go back and deliver a warning!” Yan Yu said firmly.

“I’ll go!” Yan Xiangheng responded immediately.

The fire in his eyes burned bright and fearless.

“Big Brother, don’t be hasty.” Yan Yu held him back and said in a low voice, “We don’t know what’s going on out there. We need to proceed carefully.”

Yan Lao’er was the most anxious to return. An invisible fire seemed to be burning in his chest, consuming him.

“Manshan, duty keeps you here. I’ll leave the two children in your care. I’m going out to see what’s happening.”

“Uncle, I’ll go with you!” Yan Xiangheng said urgently.

Yan Yu didn’t protest. She knew that even if she spoke up, neither her father nor her brother would let her go. There was no point wasting time on a lost cause.

The Northern Rong had the city under siege. Both sides were likely in a stalemate. With the Third Master leading patrols inside the city, they should be safe for now.

“Dad, go out and gather information, but don’t climb the walls,” Yan Yu reminded him.

As long as he didn’t go onto the walls, the danger would be much lower.

Everyone knew the city walls were the most dangerous places. The Northern Rong were deadly accurate with bow and horse. They could land a shot from dozens of yards away.

“I know,” Yan Lao’er replied.

Yan Yu immediately moved to disassemble the cart’s framework and handed the reins to her father.

Then she crouched down beneath the cart frame and pulled out a bamboo crossbow.

Yan Lao’er: …

Yan Xiangheng: …

Liang Manshan: …

She just pulled it out in broad daylight… Kid, your guts are something else!

“These are desperate times, no room for hesitation!”

She solemnly handed the bamboo crossbow to Yan Lao’er.

He didn’t say a word. With a swift motion, he mounted the donkey, crossbow in hand, and rode off.

Yan Yu chased him to the gates, watching her father’s figure shrink into the distance on the donkey until he disappeared completely.

…

Banner Commander Xue viciously hacked off the head of a Northern Rong soldier, then dashed several paces sideways in a slanting run and barely managed to save one of his men.

“Brothers, kill! Take one down and it’s worth it! Take two, and you’re ahead!”

A Squad Leader stumbled over with a bloodied face. “Boss, we can’t hold them! There’s too many of them. We barely have a handful still standing. We… we have to fall back!”

Banner Commander Xue shifted his body to dodge an enemy’s slash. With a twist of his elbow, he slammed into the attacker’s chest, then, striking while he reeled in pain, raised his blade and slashed clean through his throat.

Blood sprayed across his face.

He had cut down several enemies in a row. Though he looked fierce, Banner Commander Xue was already at the end of his rope.

It took every ounce of strength he had just to keep his grip on the blade and stop it from slipping from his hand.

His heart was at war with itself.

If they didn’t retreat, they truly wouldn’t be able to hold, and the lives of all his brothers would be lost here.

But if they did retreat, more of the Northern Rong would pour in unchecked. The ones to suffer then would be the people of Crouching Tiger. And if Crouching Tiger couldn’t be held, even Yongning might be affected.

“Boss! As long as the green hills remain, we’ll never run out of firewood^[1]! We can’t stop them! Better to stay alive and fight another day! They’ll have to leave eventually! Boss! We still have a chance!”

Banner Commander Xue was finally swayed. His teeth ground together with an audible creak.

“Pass my order – retreat!”

As soon as the Border Army started to pull back, the Northern Rong didn’t bother to pursue them seriously. They gave a token chase, then mounted their horses and galloped off wildly, rampaging across the land of Guanzhou.

They could no longer suppress the excitement stirring in their chests. Having just tasted blood, these starving wolves were now consumed by an insatiable bloodlust.

Banner Commander Xue and the wounded remnants watched from afar as the enemy scattered, fading beyond their line of sight.

His gaze was frosty.

“Any word from the other Guard Stations?”

“Boss, they came too fast. Judging by the numbers, it looks like their main strike was aimed right at our First Station. They must’ve set the ambush ahead of time, just waiting to trick us into opening the gates, and then…”

There was no need to finish the sentence.

Once the gates were open, a pack of wolves surged in – vicious and mad with violence.

“They targeted the First Station…” Banner Commander Xue hissed through clenched teeth. “Which bastard opened the gate?!”

Everything had happened too fast. There was no time to figure out what was going on. He’d just grabbed his blade and charged headfirst into the fray, fighting in a blood-soaked frenzy.

But with the gates wide open, it was like a dam had burst – impossible to stem the tide.

It all unfolded in a blink. Every time he turned around, another brother was falling beside him…

From a distance came the sound of galloping hooves, growing louder and clearer.

A Squad Leader climbed to a lookout and called out excitedly, “Boss, it’s the Second Station! They’re sending reinforcements!”

And it wasn’t just the Second Station. Every Guard Station along the Crouching Tiger border had dispatched troops. Even Longxing, farther away, had been alarmed and hurried to send support.

But the messenger sent by Banner Commander Xue to report to Crouching Tiger was still far off when he saw the Northern Rong laying siege to the city. His heart clenched in urgency.

Too late!

He turned his horse without hesitation, racing straight toward Yongning City.

…

Yan Lao’er arrived at the city gate on a donkey.

There were not only government yamen runners on site, but Border Army troops from Crouching Tiger stationed at the gate as well.

The latter were the primary force, with the yamen runners assisting by hauling stones and fire oil.

The magistrate was shouting orders: “Faster, hurry!”

He looked ready to jump in himself, but his attendants held him back with all their strength, keeping him in a sheltered spot to avoid any stray arrows.

The situation hadn’t descended into chaos yet.

The Border Army worked calmly and efficiently, and the yamen runners showed no signs of panic.

Yan Lao’er let himself breathe easier.

His presence on a donkey was far too conspicuous. One of the attendants noticed and pointed him out to the magistrate.

“Huai’an?!” The magistrate was shocked. “Weren’t you gone? Why are you… Go back! It’s dangerous here. This isn’t where you should be! Get back to the government office!”

By the end, his tone had turned into a scolding.

Yan Lao’er rode closer and asked, “Sir, what’s the situation outside the city? Are there many Northern Rong surrounding us? Have some of them gone off toward nearby towns and villages?”

The magistrate saw that he was hitting the crux of the matter. After a moment’s thought, he decided it was best not to hide the truth and said, “Indeed, several Northern Rong bands have been spotted roaming within the Crouching Tiger territory. Rest assured, Huai’an, the Border Army has already planned to strike out from the city. We will not allow these vile raiders to succeed!”

Rest assured? Like hell!

Planned to strike? When? Every moment wasted meant greater danger for their village.

Clenching his fists, Yan Lao’er stepped forward again.

He spoke in a low, urgent tone. “My lord, I want to go up the city wall and see.”

“No!” the magistrate refused without hesitation.

“The Northern Rong disguised themselves as grain merchants. They know it was Xiao’an Village that bought the grain. They won’t let us off! My lord, Xiao’an Village is in danger!” Yan Lao’er was burning with anxiety, his words coming fast and frantic.

“I understand. I’ve already dispatched several groups to seek reinforcements in all directions. Huai’an, go back and wait for word.” The magistrate tried to reassure him.

(End of Chapter)