Volume One: Turmoil in Yan and Yun Chapter 100: Northern Yan (Part Seven)

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While the fierce battle at the North Gate raged on, the conflicts at the East and West Gates gradually reached a stalemate.

The situation at the West Gate was somewhat worse. Xu Hai’s personal strength was overwhelming; they had no elaborate strategies and made no use of siege hammers or ladders.

Their approach boiled down to two words: direct assault.

Fortunately, Feng Muyun’s initial deployment still played a role. The Iron Guard and Iron Defenders effectively withstood the relentless bombardment from Xu Hai’s disciples. Even the powerful Void Realm experts could not break through the battle formation reinforced by the power of wind and sand. As a result, the battle remained confined to the base of the city walls and the battlements, without expanding further.

Meanwhile, at the East Gate, the Blade Battalion led by Po Xiao Qi and Yun Dan faced off against the Bohai Navy commanded by Bi Bo Zhu. As initially predicted, the Bohai Navy, long accustomed to peaceful times, though occasionally clashing with the Eastern Sea demon clans, was not particularly formidable in combat. Yun Dan had always handled them with ease, but lacking reinforcements, the forces were roughly evenly matched.

Originally, this situation favored Bohai. However, King Bi Bo Zhu Wang Ke unexpectedly devised a surprise maneuver, diverting part of his troops to attack the South Gate. This backfired disastrously; over ten thousand Bohai cavalry were slaughtered, forcing a chaotic retreat down to just a thousand. Wang Ke then led three thousand defenders in a desperate pursuit, almost reaching Wang Ke’s own lines.

When Yun Dan saw Mo Ming fighting valiantly at the city’s base, his head nearly exploded. He hurriedly commanded the East Gate garrison to sally forth in support. The Yan Yun army was renowned for its valor and skill in battle. Since the Battle of Yanbei, their retreat had bottled up a great deal of pent-up fury. At the sound of advancing war drums, they surged forward like they were injected with adrenaline. Against just a fifth of their forces, they won a resounding victory, chasing the Bohai troops eastward and leaving countless bodies in their wake.

“What the hell are you thinking? You dare lead three thousand cavalry around behind Wang Ke’s lines? Who do you think you are? Do you think Bohai can’t find two peak Conflagration warriors?” After the battle, Yun Dan harshly scolded Mo Ming, pointing a finger at him. “If you ruin my East Gate formation and cause a breach in our defenses, I swear I won’t forgive you!”

Mo Ming chuckled twice, then leaned close to Yun Dan’s ear and said, “This was the prince’s order.”

After all, as one of the top eighteen riders, he was no rash fool. Having earned countless merits over the years, he cared little for a few thousand heads counted in military achievements.

At first, he had been uncertain about Feng Muyun’s orders, but after some thought, he understood the rationale.

King Wang Ke was always cautious and would never let the army fall into a trap. Until Mo Ming’s true strength was confirmed, he would avoid close combat to prevent a prolonged stalemate on the flat sands. Even if it meant some losses, he would not let Mo Ming seize the initiative.

The question was: what was Feng Muyun’s purpose here?

Though the South Gate had no large enemy force pressing, since Bi Bo Zhu had thought to stage a surprise attack, similar tactics might be attempted elsewhere. How could Mo Ming dare lead troops out?

If the South Gate fell, their defense, including that of the Second Prince, would be nothing but a joke.

“The prince said, when the wind and sand formation is fully activated, I should find an opportunity to strike into the East Gate battle from the flank. Wang Ke is too cautious to risk a direct confrontation and will likely withdraw in panic. During that window, we need to make a move on the North Gate.”

Mo Ming fixed his gaze on Yun Dan, speaking clearly and deliberately: “Changing strategy at a moment like this is risky. You know how difficult the North Gate situation is, don’t you?”

Yun Dan thought the East Gate situation was also tough. Though a facade of balance was maintained, their city was isolated, reinforcements uncertain to arrive, while the enemy held the Yanbei East Line and the Wanghai Pass, with continuous troop arrivals. The odds were not in their favor; he could not guarantee holding the East Gate.

No—judging by the current trend, losing the East Gate was only a matter of time. He could only do his best and leave the rest to fate.

But since the prince had made this move, the North Gate situation must be critical. Yun Dan briefly pondered before summoning his deputy. “Yun Yi, return to the city and report to General Xu Chi. Order the gates sealed tight. The troops outside will be used elsewhere. I’m taking the men away now.”

Yun Yi was momentarily stunned, then glanced at Mo Ming, saluted with his arm across his chest, and returned to the city.

……

……

“Enemies are climbing the walls!”

“Hold firm! Throw them down!”

“We’re short on stones, burning oil, and rolling logs! Get more from the armory!”

“Damn it, what is their armor made of? It’s so tough, even fire arrows can’t penetrate!”

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“Idiot, it’s not the armor—it’s those Zhuyin shamans at the back!”

“Hurry, push down the ladders! Use the thousand-mile pole!”

……

The situation at the North Gate was edging toward favoring the Barbarian Alliance. With the Zhuyin shamans’ formations assisting, and the barbarians and demons at the forefront being mostly defensive types, the battlement’s defenses inflicted little harm. The only energy arrows capable of piercing their defense couldn’t be used at close range, leaving the defenders at a disadvantage.

If they focused on killing enemies already on the battlements, they could not stop others from climbing up. But if they tried to hold off those below, they’d expose their backs to the foes already above.

Feng Muyun did not take part in the command. Before the ordinary soldiers could scale the walls, the barbarian priests and attendants had already ascended. To contain them, he could not even issue orders.

His armor was already stained with blood. Besides the priests and attendants, many barbarians who had climbed the walls had fallen to his spear. Nearby, Doma Gan watched him with keen interest.

Not out of coldness, but because if Doma Gan wanted to face Feng Muyun in a decisive duel, he needed to build his momentum fully to ensure victory.

First surge of energy, then decline, then exhaustion. At the moment Feng Muyun wielded his spear, Doma Gan’s momentum from the Wind-Seizing Pass had already been broken. Yet his own state was at its peak. Confident, he believed that if they fought head-on, he could cut Feng Muyun down in one stroke.

Feng Muyun was unaware of Doma Gan’s thoughts. Calmly, he swung his spear continuously, killing one barbarian or demon after another daring to set foot on Yan Yun’s walls. His peak power made the Tyrant Spear a formidable weapon on the battlements, like the shackles of the underworld.

It was time. Doma Gan’s eyes narrowed.

He moved swiftly, charging at Feng Muyun.

Suddenly, sounds of battle erupted behind them.

What was happening?

Doma Gan’s heart sank.

Could there be enemy troops sneaking up from the rear of Yanbei?

He did not look back, trusting the other priests to handle the rear and focused on Feng Muyun ahead.

A strong gust of wind blew in his face; Feng Muyun could feel it.

He crossed his Tyrant Spear like an iron gate, separating himself and Doma Gan into two worlds.

“Iron Gate Block.”

Doma Gan’s eyes showed no flicker as he struck down his blade.

The clang rang out sharply.

The blade dug half an inch into the iron spear, then pressed down onto Feng Muyun’s right shoulder.

Armor shattered; blade energy pierced into Feng Muyun’s body.

He staggered, stepping back.

The Iron Gate Block relied on imposing momentum.

With this step back, the momentum was lost.

Doma Gan roared furiously.

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Feng Muyun responded with the same roar.

The iron spear split in two, blood splattered three feet. Feng Muyun’s left arm fell from his shoulder.

Frowning, he quickly sealed the blood vessels, then raised the Tyrant Spear with his remaining right arm.

A solitary, absolute aura surged forth. His armor shattered with a roar, revealing a muscular torso. Instantly, his body turned golden.

This domineering aura flowed like a river, enveloping his entire form.

“A desperate last stand or invincible selflessness... Prince Feng, why not admit defeat here and spare us some bloodshed?” Doma Gan said, choosing not to attack. His first strike had failed to kill Feng Muyun. Thus, their duel would not end soon, even with Feng Muyun reduced to one arm.

“Who said... Yanbei has lost?” Feng Muyun replied coldly.

Doma Gan thought the North Gate’s fall was imminent. Why persist?

Just then, he heard several explosions behind him. The Zhuyin power that had protected him suddenly vanished!

Without Zhuyin power, it made little difference to him, but for ordinary soldiers, it reduced their defenses by about threefold.

“Without Zhuyin power, how long do you think your men and beasts can hold the battlements?” Feng Muyun said calmly. “Another question: Mo Ming and Yun Dan are leading troops to strike your rear. How many of the tens of thousands of barbarians attacking can survive?”

Doma Gan’s expression shifted, conflicted.

Since his battle with Feng Muyun would not end quickly, the North Gate fight would continue. The enemy’s generals and nearly all high-level warriors were still alive. Though the ordinary soldiers suffered heavy casualties, it was tolerable.

Feng Muyun watched him leisurely.

The situation on the battlements began to turn, with Yanbei slowly gaining the upper hand.

Seeing Feng Muyun’s calm expression, Doma Gan finally made up his mind. He waved his hand and shouted, “Retreat!”

His command echoed across the battlefield. Barbarian officers relayed the order swiftly, and the barbarians began to withdraw.

In truth, only those farther from Yan Yun retreated; the barbarians already on the walls had no chance to fall back.

Similarly, those like Mo Ming deep in the barbarian ranks had lost all hope of survival.

Even peak Conflagration warriors were not invincible.

There were few Void Realm barbarians, but they existed.

“I’ve heard you and Mo Ming have grown up together. Let me see how deep your bond really is,” Doma Gan said as he left.

Feng Muyun said nothing.

After Doma Gan departed, Feng Muyun smiled bitterly, “What else can be done? In life, a thousand thanks and a thousand worries; in death, just a cup of wine.”

……

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