The alarm bell echoed over Ninggu City, dull and urgent.
Dust and smoke filled the sky outside the city.
Tens of thousands of troops surged forward like a tide, spreading out beyond Ninggu City.
Banners blotted out the sky, and guns and cannons gleamed coldly in the morning light. The thunder of hooves, footsteps, and the creaking of turning wagon wheels blended into a low, oppressive roar.
On the city walls.
Tiger Lian Mountain's bandits stood as if facing a great enemy.
Though they had captured Ninggu City, most of them were bandits at heart.
Ninggu City's defenders had simply been too pathetic before.
They had been crushed by them.
Now, faced with tens of thousands of truly well-trained, well-equipped regular troops, the difference ingrained in their bones immediately became apparent.
Still.
Though they were somewhat nervous.
No one backed down.
Tiger Lian Mountain's bandits had, after all, undergone half a year of training.
They had also built confidence in the previous battle to seize the city.
Furthermore, during the previous round of attacks by the great families, no large-scale battle had broken out; it had been limited to a clash between Top experts.
So, for the moment, they were still able to remain steady.
They actively prepared for battle.
Inside the city.
Zhong Ding stood at the second-floor window of the City Lord's Mansion, watching the dark mass of troops in the distance.
His gaze was calm, though his brows were slightly furrowed.
"A lot of them came."
"Looks like they're preparing to attack head-on this time."
Shorty Xu squatted on a chair, puffing away at his pipe. Amid the curling smoke, his small eyes narrowed to slits.
"The Tao Family, the Gui Family, and the Feng Family."
"Besides those three."
"The other four families are here too."
"The