Chapter 99: The Past

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: The Past

The army was well-trained, as if they had been practicing raft-building for a long time. In just a short while, they had constructed a raft platform connecting both banks of the river, allowing the army to step onto the rafts and reach the opposite side of the moat. Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com

During this brief period, Zhongshan had refrained from giving the order to attack. The archers on the city walls had a range of only fifty meters, and even if they shot, the force wouldn't be significant. Sending troops to open the city gates was also a risky move with limited soldiers. It was better to conserve strength and wait. Furthermore, the raft blockade was within Zhongshan's calculations.

"Charge!" Su Lianxian brandished his sword and shouted ahead.

"Charge!" The army echoed in unison, swiftly transporting siege ladders and traction trebuchets towards the opposite bank. Although the soldiers were shaking on the rafts, they managed to charge across, carrying siege equipment towards the enemy's walls.

"Release arrows!" Zhongshan spoke lightly from atop the city wall.

Beside him, Yinglan swiftly waved a red flag. The soldiers on the wall had already prepared a barrage of arrows, and as soon as the red flag was waved, a deluge of arrows rained down on the soldiers who had just landed ashore.

Countless soldiers were killed or injured in an instant, with many falling dead as soon as they crossed the river.

On the battlefield, there was no retreat. The army relentlessly charged across the moat, transforming into corpses strewn across the blood-soaked ground. It was a scene of brutality, with blood flowing like rivers and bodies littering the field. Yet, the army continued to charge towards the opposite bank, continuously transporting siege equipment, including the traction trebuchets.

Some soldiers even took out bows and arrows after crossing the river, shooting towards the defenders on the city walls. However, the force behind their arrows was nothing compared to those shot from the top of the wall. Although some unfortunate defenders were hit, the casualties were far fewer than those below.

Zhongshan coldly observed the carnage on both sides. Despite his side having the advantage of higher ground, their numbers were too few compared to the enemy's overwhelming force. It was inevitable that the enemy would eventually breach the city walls using human lives, but Zhongshan wasn't concerned.

His gaze locked onto Su Lianxian in the distance, the only person among the army whom Zhongshan regarded highly. It was Su Lianxian who, years ago, had made a pact with him, ensuring that he remained uninvolved in the politics of the Great Kun Nation for so many years.

Su Lianxian was a capable man.

Reminiscing about the past, after Kui'er was killed by the Crown Prince Li Tian, Zhongshan fell into a period of deep despair. He became like a ghost, wandering aimlessly. Eventually, he disappeared from the public eye and enlisted in the border army. Despite being a supremely respected figure in the business world, Zhongshan quickly demonstrated his talent for warfare. With his mastery of strategy and tactics, Zhongshan became a formidable warrior. However, there was another formidable warrior at the time: Su Lianxian.

Su Lianxian, though of princely status, also hid his identity and started from the ranks of common soldiers. On the battlefield, he and Zhongshan fought side by side, facing enemy forces from all directions. Yet, despite his skill, Su Lianxian always fell slightly short compared to Zhongshan. Still, he managed to catch Zhongshan's attention.

As Zhongshan struggled with his grief, he encountered the second woman who would capture his heart: Bao'er. Bao'er's gentleness and care gradually pulled Zhongshan out of his anguish. However, Su Lianxian also set his eyes on Bao'er.

Using all his abilities, Su Lianxian pursued Bao'er relentlessly. Despite Zhongshan's efforts, Su Lianxian revealed his true identity as the Crown Prince, wielding his authority to pressure those close to Bao'er. But could Zhongshan allow Su Lianxian to succeed?

At his command, all 120 crossbows released their bolts simultaneously. The massive arrows hurtled toward the city gates, their combined force capable of piercing even a small fortress wall.

"Boom!" A deafening roar shook the entire city tower. A cloud of smoke descended, and the walls trembled under the impact. The force was staggering.

However, the southern gate of Xuan City remained intact, albeit now pierced by 120 giant arrows. It still stood closed.

Even the preeminent masters of the martial world, including the venerable ancestors of the Su family, were astonished. How was it possible that 120 arrows failed to breach the city gate?

"Fire again!" Only Su Lianxian remained composed, issuing the order to continue.

In the distance, the siege continued unabated, and the soldiers manning the eight-ox crossbows continued to load giant arrows. However, the immense force of these bows required thirty men to draw them simultaneously, slowing the process considerably.

With each passing moment, more lives were lost.

"Lianxian, are these the famed eight-ox crossbows? How is it that none of the 120 arrows pierced the city gate?" The venerable ancestor of the Su family exclaimed in disbelief.

"These are indeed the finest military-grade eight-ox crossbows. The failure to breach the gate is due to its construction—it's made entirely of thick bronze," Su Lianxian explained solemnly, indicating that he had thoroughly studied the gate beforehand.

"What shall we do then?" The Su family ancestor asked with concern.

"Don't worry. At most, three attempts. With the eight-ox crossbows, three volleys will breach the gate, and then we can storm into Xuan City and claim Zhongshan's head," Su Lianxian declared solemnly.

"Understood," the others nodded, recognizing that this was the only course of action, even if it meant more casualties.

On the city wall, Zhongshan watched the distant eight-ox crossbows with a cold smirk. Indeed, with 120 bolts, three volleys could breach the gate. But each volley required considerable time, during which your soldiers would be demoralized by the specter of death.

Half an hour later...

"Boom!" The second volley of eight-ox crossbow bolts struck the city gate, causing the tower to tremble once more. At that moment, the gate began to buckle inward, deformed by the impact. One more volley, and the gate would be breached.

The martial masters cheered in excitement. One more volley, and victory would be theirs. Su Lianxian had proven himself a master of siege warfare. Yet, Su Lianxian himself showed no hint of satisfaction; instead, he became even more solemn.