Ambush

"I didn't even have time to react before Old Li took the lead and rushed straight for the main gate.

The shopkeepers all followed after him. I had no choice but to follow too.

After all, I had already killed someone. By law, I was supposed to be beheaded. Rather than wait to die, I might as well gamble everything."

"But I was wrong."

"When the Captain guarding the city saw people charging the gate, he immediately stepped forward to stop us.

Faced with actual Imperial Court soldiers, everyone was startled and sobered up quite a bit.

But the next moment, I saw Old Li take a few steps forward,

and effortlessly crush that Captain's skull."

"No techniques."

"He simply raised his hand and squeezed."

"Then came the slaughter."

"Who knew how long it lasted? By the time it ended, only us shopkeepers remained at the city gate.

I couldn't remember how many times I'd been cut, but I felt no pain.

Blood ran down from my forehead and blurred my eyes. I wiped it away with my hand, and I could see clearly again."

"Old Li looked at everyone and gave an evil smile."

"Then he opened the city gate."

"The hinges let out a thunderous roar. I still remembered that sound even now, like some gigantic beast being awakened."

"The instant the city gate opened, I knew I had truly been wrong."

"What greeted us was not greater strength."

"Nor was it some secret hidden by the Imperial Court."

"It was the Rebel Army packed densely outside the city."

"Soldiers in armor surged in like a flood."

Fang Yuan stopped.

His fingertip pressed against the final line, denting the paper slightly.

The footsteps were still sounding, but Fang Yuan heard more than footsteps now.

He heard something else—a